The international community should build on the unprecedented cooperation between the Myanmar government and humanitarian agencies following cyclone Nargis and reverse longstanding, counterproductive aid policies.

The Network of Concerned Citizens on Thailand today submitted a petition letter to the Professor Saneh Chamarik, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) at its office on Phraya Thai Road in downtown Bangkok.

Thailand’s Government has an obligation to respect and protect the rights and freedom of all persons. All the Government’s acts must be lawful based on rule of law and human rights principles. Restriction of people’s freedoms is prohibited except by virtue of law. Such restrictions must be proportionate and action must be taken only when necessary, whilst not materially affecting the important substance of such rights and freedoms.

The following is an 8 October 2008 Press Statement from the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), a founding member of SEAPA:

UPDATE: 17:00 Reports of an explosion in a car (car bomb ??) in front of Chat Thai HQ, one person dead. Matichon reports that it was a Jeep Charaoke and it is alledged to be of a PAD supporter. Initial speculation from Matichon is that there was a bomb inside the vehicle and it was detonated by remote control.