News from Thailand – Saturday, March 7, 2015
This page contains a selection from the Thai news. We list headlines from major news sources including: Bangkok Post, The Nation, ThaiPBS, MCOT, etc.
There is a web link behind the news items. When you click on it you can read the full article at the English source.
News from Thailand – Saturday, March 7, 2015
The Nation has little to say on Saturday, elaborating on news from the past two days about the CDC's proposal for a two-year political ban on some groups. Nitopol Kiravanich comes with an analysis: http://goo.gl/ldlRKu
Bangkok Post opens with the message that the NRC committee on Buddhism is being disbanded. This probably also has to do with the fact that the committee is under considerable fire for its approach and criticism of the situation regarding Wat Phra Dhammakaya and the abbot Phra Dhammachayo. The committee aimed to draw up a statement for the protection of Buddhism and says it is ready: http://goo.gl/zMf5QN
– Thirteen Red Shirts were sentenced on Thursday to four years in prison for instigating riots. Among those convicted are two leaders of the political movement of Thaksin, who was deposed by the army in 2006, says their lawyer Karom Polpornklang. They are Worachai Hema, a former member of parliament, and Arisman Pongruangrong, a popular singer. “The defendants have been found guilty of multiple charges, including causing a disturbance, inciting more than 2009 persons to commit or threaten to commit violent acts and trespassing,” Karom said. "We hope to get them out on bail as soon as possible." The reason for the lawsuit was the disrupted summit conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Thai resort of Pattaya in XNUMX. The convicts will remain in custody until Monday, when the appeals court will decide on possible bail: http://goo.gl/bkToxK
– Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday warned monks not to protest on March 12. It is forbidden so they risk getting arrested. Many monks disagree about the approach of the controversial Dhammakaya temple and the abbot Phra Dhammachayo who allegedly laundered money: http://goo.gl/7ZJdko
– A Japanese father has urged the Thai authorities to continue investigating the death of his daughter (27) who was killed eight years ago. Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya has promised to intensify the investigation into the murder. Tomoko Kawashita was killed with a knife on November 25, 2007 at Wat Saphan Hin in Sukothai. Her photo camera was also stolen: http://goo.gl/Qg0Oqb
– The association of nursing staff in Thailand has filed a complaint against a nightclub in the Min Buri district of Bangkok. The hostesses (prostitutes?) wear nurse uniforms and the real nurses don't want to be associated with that: http://goo.gl/TRGNws
– A confused and half-naked Belgian man was approached by the Pattaya police yesterday. The man began to cry when he was stopped by the police. He was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, police said. The Belgian would stay in a hotel in Soi 5 on the Jomtien Beach Road. The man involved will be closely monitored by the hotel staff in the coming period: http://goo.gl/ku3HFp
– You can read more current news on the Twitter feed of Thailandblog.nl: twitter.com/thailand_blog
Prime Minister Prayut threatens to arrest the monks?
It seems to me that he would play high game with that.
I think the red shirts would really appreciate such an action and that it could cost him the support of many yellow shirts.
The threat alone will cause his popularity to plummet.
Monks still have a high status in Thailand.