By Suluck Lamubol |
<p>Interview with the two academics who head signature supports from 224 international scholars to back article 112 reform campaign, amidst the nationwide uproar</p>
<p>The College of Politics and Governance of Mahasarakham University has refused permission to a group of students to hold a public forum to discuss Article 112 on its premises, citing concerns of possible violent conflict.</p>
<p>A group of Thammasat lecturers and alumni led by former Rector Charnvit Kasetsiri has sent an open letter to the University’s Rector and administrators to protest their decision to ban Nitirat’s activities and suggest that the University itself should play host to public debates on the issue.</p>
<p>An Interview with Bo Kyi, joint Secretary General of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma (AAPPB), a Mae Sot-based NGO which has provided financial, medical and social assistance to political prisoners in Burma since 2000. It is one of the first organizations to keep records of Burma’s political prisoners and has used the information for advocacy and international campaigns to call for the release of remaining political prisoners. </p>
<p>Noted international scholars, writers, and activists support the call of the Campaign Committee to Amend Article 112 (CCAA112) to reform Article 112 in line with the amendment proposed by the Khana Nitirat.</p>
<p>On 27 Jan, Bangladesh garment workers demanded that their government table proposed amendments to the Labour Law in the current session of Parliament and pass it. Otherwise, they announced that they would go to greater struggle.</p>
<p>Sondhi Limthongkul has revealed a plan by American capitalists to rule Thailand in a bid to exploit natural resources, including oil, in the Asia Pacific region, exposing Nitirat and Prachatai as receiving money from American corporate-backed funders in a conspiracy to overthrow the monarchy. </p>
<p>Red Coffee shop on Sri Don Chai Road in Chiang Mai has held activities in support of Nitirat’s calls for amendments to Article 112 and the nullification of the 2006 coup’s legal effects, providing live broadcasts of the Thammasat academic group’s events in Bangkok and offering its customers a sign-up campaign to amend the lèse majesté law.</p>
<p>‘Soldiers, don’t sit still. Come out and seize power. PAD supporters across the country will join the soldiers to seize Thailand back from those scoundrels,’ said Sondhi Limthongkul in a broadcast <a href="http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9550000009019">programme</a> on ASTV on 20 Jan. </p>
<p>Nitirat’s ‘Nullification of the effects of the 2006 coup’ event, to be held this Sunday 22 January, has been moved from the Faculty of Law to the Sriburapha Auditorium at the Tha Prachan campus of Thammasat University, as the Faculty of Law was concerned that there would be a lot of people and the noise would disturb classes. </p>
<p>An open letter from the Malaysian Support Group for Democracy in Thailand on behalf of Mr. Somyot Pruksakasemsuk to those concerned with freedom of expression and political prisoners in Thailand.</p>
<p>Although the Nitirat group uses the word ‘amendments’ to Article 112, its <a href="http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/2997">proposals</a>, when looked in detail, are tantamount to abolition and a significant restructuring of the Criminal Code regarding national security, said Khamnoon Sitthisaman, ASTV Manager columnist, non-elected senator and Sondhi Limthongkul’s aide, in his <a href="http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9550000006030">column</a> on 14 Jan.</p>