<div>Witch-hunts or cases of political cyber-bullying, linked to the intense polarization of Thai society, are used intensively to curtail criticism on sensitive issues, especially the monarchy and are closely linked to the lèse majesté law. This article explores online and offline political bullying, dating back to 2010. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div> <div> </div>

<div>Thailand’s Democrat Party decided to boycott the February 2 general election. This is not the first time that the party has boycotted general election. Why have the Democrats, the oldest political party in the kingdom, repeated their decision? Will the boycott lead to yet another coup d’état? Prachatai talked to Prajak Kogkirati, a political scientist from Thammasat University.</div> <div> </div>

<p>It is not the first time Thailand has seen anti-Thaksin demonstrations at least twice before: once in 2006 and again in 2008 &nbsp;Still, it is an open secret that Thaksin administers the country from overseas. The leader protest himself admitted on the stage that the Thaksin regime would return despite a fresh election. The question for the demonstrators is obvious: What do they hope for from their rally? How can they literally eliminate the Thaksin regime? Is coup d'etat an option? Prachatai talked with four people who have joined the whistle-blowing demonstrations to explore their thoughts and desires.</p> <p> </p>

<div>The bold attempt by the ruling Pheu Thai Party to pass a blanket amnesty bill has greatly upset anti-establishment red shirts. Many red shirts have become uncertain of who to vote for in the next general election. As the amnesty issue has made it clearer that Pheu Thai may not always comply with the will of the red shirts, the idea of establishing an alternative party has been raised and widely discussed. Prachatai talked to a red-shirt supporter, a new alternative party leader and academics to find out about this possibility.&nbsp;</div> <div> </div>

<div>While the ruling Pheu Thai Party has disappointed its red-shirt voters over the controversial blanket amnesty bill, the idea of an alternative political party has been discussed more and more among red shirts. As if this was the perfect moment,&nbsp;<em>Thanaporn Sriyakul</em>, who was banned from politics for five years from 2008, has announced an alternative political party which vows to give priority to the amendment of the lèse majesté law. The establishment of autonomy in the restive Deep South is also a campaign highlight. Prachatai talked with him&nbsp;about this dream party of liberals.&nbsp;</div> <div> </div>

<p>BANGKOK Oct.2 -- The arrest and legal procedure of the case against Prachatai director Chiranuch Premchiaporn were both unfair and unlawful, said Chiranuch&rsquo;s attorney.</p> <p>Chiranuch&rsquo;s lawyer Anon Nampa, who drove from Saraburi province to accompany her during the interrogation at Khon Kaen provincial police station in Northeastern Thailand, said the charges against her are too severe and constitute unjustifiable use of law.</p> <p>&ldquo;The charges are filed at random,&rdquo; Anon said. &ldquo;It clearly is political slandering.&rdquo;</p>