Thailand in pictures (12): Soldiers and coups
A picture paints a thousand words. This certainly applies to Thailand, a special country with an interesting culture and many cheerful people, but also a dark dark side of coups, poverty, exploitation, animal suffering, violence and many road deaths. In each episode we choose a theme that gives an insight into Thai society. Today a photo series about coups and military.
Why are there no more demonstrations in Bangkok?
Half a year ago or so, you regularly saw young people in Bangkok demonstrating against the military regime in Thailand, the prime minister and against the royal family. It's been quiet for a long time now. Why actually?
Activist says she is constantly harassed by the police
Phimchanok “Phim” Jaihong (พิมพ์ชนก “พิม” ใจหงส์) from Chiang Mai, 24, felt she was spied on and followed in recent days. She didn't feel safe even in her own home and a feeling of fear came over her. She believes she is being stalked by plainclothes police for her involvement in demonstrations. The activist is a member of the pro-democracy Thalufah* group and says she has been intimidated and harassed by the authorities since Monday, February 14.
Dangerous children's books, ministry "concerned"
At the end of September, the Ministry of Education announced that they had launched an investigation into children's books about pro-democracy groups. In October, the ministry said at least 5 of the 8 booklets "may incite violence". Prachatai English spoke to primary school teacher Srisamorn (ศรีสมร), the woman behind the books.
Reader Submission: What's been happening in Thailand lately?
When the mass protests against the current government and for modernizing the monarchy started about a year and a half ago, it was initially peaceful and non-violent, until the police started using violence.
Thailand question: Do the protests in Bangkok make sense?
I try to follow Thai politics and read The Nation and Bangkok Post. I understand that there is some tension between Prawit Wongsuwan and Prime Minister Prayut is that correct or am I misunderstanding? Does that have to do with the weekly protests in Bangkok? Do those demonstrations make sense anyway, because Prayut is not leaving?
Reader Submission: Will there be deaths in Thailand?
This isn't actually a question, the question is when this will happen. If you follow the social media, and especially the last week, it is almost inevitable, given the excessive violence that the police use against the generally young demonstrators.
Reader Submission: Is Something Wrong in Thailand?
Yes, I think something is wrong if the Prime Minister, who claims to have been democratically elected, has to hide behind shipping containers guarded by hundreds of police officers, and does not want to enter into an open dialogue with demonstrators who have different opinions and questions, and ask for government support to fight the pandemic and good vaccines against Covid-19.
If we follow the coverage of the current demonstrations, it seems that it is mainly and perhaps only about politics. That is not true. Many other social issues are also addressed, including education, women's rights and social status.
After the weekend there are invariably the results of two surveys: the Suan Dusit Poll and the Nida Poll. Both investigations this time concerned the ongoing anti-government protests.
Can someone tell me what is the meaning of the 3 fingers raised during the current demonstrations?
Top meeting Prime Minister Prayut with police and army because of fear of political unrest
Yesterday, the National Security Council led by Prime Minister Prayut met for summit talks with the military and security services. Prayut fears that the number of demonstrations and unrest will increase if the current army top is replaced next month.
Facing student protests demanding change, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth warned on Thursday that cooperation is necessary to overcome the economic damage in Thailand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The results of the elections on March 24 keep people busy. Prime Minister Prayut said yesterday that troublemakers spreading fake news about the election on social media are undermining religion and the monarchy. He warned Thai not to take everything they read for truth.
From May 22, trains and buses in Bangkok will continue to run as normal. The directors of the Bangkok Railways and Bus Company expect that most workers will not heed the strike call from the government unions and the protest movement.
Action leader Suthep Thaugsuban throws in the towel when it fails to send the government home in the coming week. Even if he succeeds, he will turn himself in to the police on May 27.
Attacks on protest movement: 2 killed, 21 injured
Two people were shot dead and 21 injured in attacks on two locations of the protest movement last night. This brings the number of deaths during the campaign of the anti-government movement to 27.