By Save the Mekong Coalition |
<p>On 1 Dec, the final day of the Mekong River Commission’s (MRC) call for public submissions to its Strategic Environmental Assessment on the Mekong mainstream dams, the Save the Mekong Coalition sent a letter to the Chairpersons of the National Mekong Committees (NMCs) of Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, urging for a strong and trusted consultative process at the national and local level on development options for the river, which guarantees the participation of all riparian communities who would be affected by the eleven dams proposed on the lower Mekong mainstream.</p>
By AWZAR THI |
<p>According to news reports, Thailand’s deputy prime minister is planning to use an internal security law to stop upcoming rallies against his government. Suthep Thuagsuban, who is responsible for maintaining national security, is considering having the law introduced into parts of Bangkok until mid-December.</p>
By Bennett Haynes, Alternative Agriculture Network – Esan |
<p>Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand – As the 9th National Plant Protection Conference begins today in Ubon Ratchatani province, northeastern Thailand, the Alternative Agriculture Network – Esan (AAN) has prepared a statement on the current crisis surrounding the use of agrochemicals in our food system. For more background information, please read our recent reports on Carbofuran and Kudchum District.</p>
By Bennett Haynes, Alternative Agriculture Network – Esan |
<p>Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand – Following the incident surrounding the plant disease “natural disaster”[1] in Kudchum district, Yasothon province, the AAN has compiled further research to raise public awareness about the impacts of carbofuran (Furadan) on the environment and human health.</p>
By Asian Human Rights Commission |
<p>In recent days police in Thailand arrested and charged another person over causing a decline in the stock market by spreading rumours through the Internet about the king's health. </p>
By Reporters Without Borders |
<p>The legal tools that the authorities abuse to restrict free expression in Thailand are the <em><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/16852375/Act-on-Computer-Crime-25502007">2007 Computer Crime Act</a></em> and the lese majeste law (section 112 of the criminal code), which mainly targets Internet users. Harassment and intimidation are constantly employed to dissuade Internet users from freely expressing their views.</p>
By Cross Cultural Foundation |
<p>At least two major incidences happened with children in November 2009. On 16 November, around 17.00, a school bus was hit by gunshots fired from a motorcycle on the road between Panare-Saban, Moo 4, Ban Hua Klong, Tambon Bannok, Panare district, Pattani. Three children from 12-18 years were injured including two boys who suffered two gun wounds on their limbs, and a 12-year-old-girl on her knees. They have been hospitalized and been safe. At the crime scene, four used 11mm bullets were found, but no culprits determined. </p>
By Muslim Attorney Centre, Cross Cultural Foundation |
<p>Since three special laws have been enforced in the three Southern border provinces including the Martial Law Act B.E.2457 (1914) and the Emergency Decree on Government Administration in States of Emergency B.E. 2548 (2005) covering the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat and the Internal Security Act B.E. 2551 (2008) covering the districts of Chana, Thepha, Nathawee, and Sabayoy in Songkhla, almost all of cases related to insurgency are related to the enforcement of special laws. </p>
By Chinaworker, Hong Kong |
<p>Women workers at a garment factory in Hainan, southern China, began a strike on Wednesday 11 November to press their demands on pay and vacations after management announced drastic cuts in bonuses. Around 3,000 workers at the Hainan Youmei Underwear Co., Ltd in Haikou City, the provincial capital, gathered outside the plant. The factory is wholly owned by German-Swiss lingerie giant Triumph International, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of women’s underwear.</p>
By Editorial, The Nation |
<p>Latest rankings for press freedom leave Thailand and all other Asean countries with nothing to shout about.</p>
By Editorial, Bangkok Post |
<p>Until two years ago, marital rape was not considered a crime in Thailand. Rape was also defined as a crime involving men and women only, thus robbing boys, transgendered women and men who were raped by men, of legal protection.</p>
By Awzar Thi, UPI Asia Online |
<p>Last Friday, 10 civil society representatives learned the hard way what a new Asian regional human rights initiative is really all about.</p>