<p>Santipong Injan, who lost his right eye during the clash on 10 April last year, has been denied visa by the British Embassy in Bangkok on grounds of the lack of sufficient fund, despite a formal invitation to attend a panel discussion held by an independent body at the House of Lords. The mother and brother of Kamonkade Akkahad, a volunteer nurse who was killed at Pathum Wanaram Temple on 19 May 2010, have also been denied visa for the same reason. However, here is his speech he has prepared for the occasion:</p> <p><em>Correction: the event, entitled 'Human Rights in Thailand', was held by Baroness Prosser of Battersea ( Deputy Chair of the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Equality-and-Human-Rights-Commission/111147332239704">Equality and Human Rights Commission</a>), at the House of Lords on 2 Feb.&nbsp; Other panelists invited included Elisabetta Polenghi (the sister of the murgered Italian photographer), Editor in Chief of Reuters David Schlesinger, Bangkok-based independent journalist Andrew Buncombe and Kwanravee Wangudom from People's Information Center: April - May 2010 (PIC).</em></p>

<p>The Criminal Court has dropped the case against a woman alleged to have posted offensive messages on the Prachatai webboard in 2008, citing inconclusive evidence, thus giving her the benefit of the doubt.&nbsp; </p>

<p>The Army is holding 8 activities during this year in honour of HM the King&rsquo;s 84th birthday in order for the people to appreciate his genius, and to inspire them in their way of life.&nbsp; </p>

<p>Three leaders of Triumph underwear workers who were laid off in 2009 have been prosecuted for gathering and causing unrest.</p>

<p>Sombat Bun-ngam-anong has received a second indictment for violating the Emergency Decree.</p>

<p>The Ministry of Defence is preparing to set up the 7th Infantry Division to oversee the upper north of Thailand with a proposed budget of 9 billion baht.&nbsp; The army denies criticism that the move is to deal with red shirts, but is instead to balance Burma&rsquo;s military force which is being strengthened.</p>

<p>The public prosecutor has decided to drop the case of a red-shirt vendor who was arrested and charged with selling flip-plops bearing the picture of the Prime Minister&rsquo;s face in October last year on grounds of insufficient evidence. </p>

<p>Amphon Tangnoppakul has been denied bail yet again by the Appeals Court after he was indicted and sent to Bangkok Remand Prison last week.</p>

<p>A total budget of 145 billion baht has been allocated by five governments to solve the problems in the southern border provinces since 2004.&nbsp; Security authorities claim that the overall situation there has improved, while some locals question the spending of the budget.&nbsp; Krungthep Thurakij newspaper presents some statistics on the 7 years of the unrest.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>The government budget for each year is as follows: 13,450 million baht (2004), 13,674 (2005), 14,207 (2006), 17,526 (2007), 22,988 (2008), 27,547 (2009), 16,507 (2010) and 19,102 (2011).</p>

<p>Amphon Tangnoppakul, 61, has been detained without bail after being indicted by the public prosecutor for l&egrave;se majest&eacute;. </p>

<p>The censors have banned a trailer for &lsquo;Love Julinsee Rak Man Yai Mak&rsquo; for kissing scenes performed by teenage actors.</p>

<p>The Asia Pacific Potash Corporation has given money to villagers whose land will be mined underground.&nbsp; An activist says that this is a ploy to divide the villagers.</p>