By Yojana Sharma, University World News |
<p>Thai academics are well-known voices on television and radio as analysts and commentators providing lively debate on politics. But broadcasting freely is no longer a simple and safe matter since the government crackdown against Red Shirt protesters in May.</p>
<p>Many radio stations where academics have spoken in support of anti-government Red Shirt demonstrators have been shut down and academics warned by their own universities against openly broadcasting their opinions.</p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p class="rteleft">Some 50 red shirts converged at Rajprasong intersection late yesterday [11 July] afternoon in defiance of the emergency decree and created a small commotion - repeatedly shouting "People have been killed here!" and "The military shot people!"</p>
By Chada Aiyakupt, Matichon |
<p>Inthira Saraniam, 27, is a red shirt who organized her wedding ceremony at Sanam Luang. Her father is a staunch red-shirt supporter who plastered his taxi cab with stickers condemning the 2006 coup junta, the Council for National Security, and all kinds of dictatorship, until the car was burned. He also joined the anti-coup activities early on in Sanam Luang, before the movement later turned into the red shirts.</p>
<p>The army will continue its programme called ‘Fight the economic crisis with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy’ by sending ISOC staff to visit communities to create unity among the people and explain the military role in the recent crackdown.</p>
<p>In response to the <a href="http://www.prachatai3.info/english/node/1895">AHRC's open letter</a> to Abhisit Vejjajiva on 18 June regarding the detention and treatment of people arrested under the Emergency Decree, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has posted its <a href="http://www.mfa.go.th/web/35.php?id=24670">reply</a> on its website.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.prachatai3.info/english/node/1854">Wasan Sang-rasmi</a>, or Keng, a rescue volunteer who witnessed the killings at Pathumwanaram Temple on 19 May, has been issued a summons by the CRES, but he has decided not to meet the authorities.</p>
<p>The daughter of a red shirt killed at Ratchaprarop on 15 May has finally found the body of her father. She has met independent photographer Nick Nostitz to hear about her father’s fatal moment. Nostitz took pictures of the man injured with gunshot wounds on that day while they were seeking shelter and has been trying to locate him ever since.</p>
By Clarissa V. Militante, Focus |
<p>The dusts from the melee of fleeing Red Shirts and assaulting teams of soldiers have settled, and not even the hint of smoke from the burned buildings could be detected. Bangkok’s residents are now trying to pick up on the routines of their daily lives before the red-shirted protesters mounted mass actions in large sections of central Bangkok from March to May. But for the Thai’s intellectuals, this seeming lull is a chance to take a more in-depth look at the recent past events and deal with nagging issues that confront Thai society. </p>
<p>In a cabinet meeting on 15 June, ICT Minister Chuti Krairoek reported about websites containing lèse majesté contents. He said that Jakrapob Penkair and Giles Ungpakorn are still active in conveying information through websites in Europe. Meanwhile, the Ministry of ICT found a group of 200 people that constantly posts LM messages online, which is against the law.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged ICT Minister Chuti to negotiate with the people related to the websites according to the National Reconcilation Roadmap.</p>
By Kwanravee Wangudom |
<p>The article “<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/38162/is-this-govt-violating-human-rights-think-again">Is this government violating human rights? Think again</a>” by Arie Bloed published in the Bangkok Post on 3 June 2010 raises many important points.</p>
<p>Clip of paramedic Keng talking about the incident at Pathumwanaram Temple where 6 people were shot dead on 19 May, with English subtitle. Read about the little guy and the female paramedic mentioned in the clip <a href="http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/1863">here</a> and <a href="http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/1861">here</a>. </p>
<p>Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, a veteran labour activist and editor of Voice of Taksin magazine, has written to the National Human Rights Commission, calling on the body to look into his case. He and Chulalongkorn history lecturer Dr Suthachai Yimprasert reported to the CRES on 21 May, and were sent to be held in custody at a military camp in Saraburi. They were denied the right to see lawyers. Suthachai was released on 1 May, but Somyot has still remained in detention. Several labour groups in Thailand and other countries have been campaigning to call for his release.</p>