Thailand

9 Jan 2017
Since the Thai political crisis that eventually led to a coup in 2006 overthrowing the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, it became evident that the Thai middle class and an army of civil society organisations were not performing as agents of change. Instead they became defenders of the old power to protect their political interests. In 2005, the Bangkok-based People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) launched protests Thaksin. Clad in yellow shirts, the protesters accused Thaksin of commtting corruption and disrespecting the much-revered monarchy—a sacred institution in Thailand.
4 Aug 2016
Unlike Thailand, Sweden was successfully elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council recently. Sweden was by far the favourite amongst the European candidates. It had already received enough votes to secure its position on the Security Council in the first round.
28 Apr 2016
But the newspaper article said this form was not mandatory.  Who says so? It quotes Deputy Commissioner of Immigration Pol Maj Gen Chatchawan Wachirapaneekhun, whose name is also there as the person who ‘designed and arranged’ this form. Well, that’s right, it is not mandatory.  But if you want to extend your visa or do your 90-day report, you are required to complete the form.  Voluntarily. Because if I don’t, … You won’t get your extension and we will fine you for not doing your 90-day report. I see.
11 Apr 2016
My speech at a hearing on “Obstacles to Democratisation in Thailand” at the French Senate, Paris, 5 April 2016. I would like to focus mainly on current politics of Thailand, particularly on obstacles to Thai democratisation in the aftermath of the 2014 coup.  
14 Jul 2015
Ladies and, er, … Start again. One hundred and nine gentlemen.  Captain Yu-er Phuct and his 218-member cabin crew would like to welcome you aboard this China Repatriation Airlines flight to Life Imprisonment.  We look forward to serving you in the best traditions of Chinese human rights.
16 Jun 2015
HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver from June 1st, 2015, includes a major segment on the use of images of Hitler in Thailand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wraq6VnXmGo
14 May 2015
(BANGKOK)—Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia should immediately coordinate search and rescue operations for Rohingya asylum seekers and possible survivors of trafficking from Myanmar and Bangladesh who are stranded at sea, Fortify Rights said today. The governments of these three countries should open their borders to asylum seekers and provide survivors with access to asylum procedures, protection from detention and forced returns, and freedom of movement.
25 Dec 2014
The curtain is drawn. The year 2014 is coming to a close. In the past twelve months, Thailand has experienced some excitements as well as tragedies. This article revisits the year’s calendar and picks the ten most memorable events that have characterized 2014.
11 Dec 2014
9 December 2014 – The murders of two human rights defenders working on land and natural resource issues in the south of Thailand underscore the need for authorities in the country to take urgent measures to ensure the safety and protection of such people, United Nations said today.
29 Sep 2014
MANILA – Bangkok’s military government continues to demonstrate profound contempt for the rule of law and the dignity and rights of its citizens and should immediately repeal all laws that contravene Thailand’s international human rights obligations and hand power back to a fully elected, civilian administration, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said today.   APHR, a collective of elected lawmakers from across Southeast Asia working to promote access to justice and human rights, called on the international community and ASEAN government’s to take a s
10 Sep 2014
The captain of Thai industry was interested to see the results of Thailand’s education reform.  Hearing that a fast-tracked ‘model student’ had applied for employment at his firm, he decided to conduct the interview himself.  Thai businesses have long complained that the products of the Thai education system are virtually unemployable, lacking the skills necessary for the modern economy.  The CEO was eager to see the results of the NCPO-inspired reform of the schooling system in developing the kind of graduates that the corporate sector required.
16 Jan 2014
Fuadi Pitsuwan, son of Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister, former ASEAN Secretary-General and a member of the Democrat Party, wrote an article, appeared in an online journal, PacNet, dated 8 January in response to what he saw as the “tyranny of global commentary.” Fuadi is currently a fellow at the Asia Centre at the prestigious Harvard University.

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