We are not willing to allow anyone to restrict freedom of speech., We condemn thai gov., We condemn the escalation of judicial harassment in thailand. #No112
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee is advocating for new warning labels on all alcoholic beverages, with a requirement that 30% of the containers must be covered with photos depicting alcohol's impact on health.
These mock-ups were created by a craft beer association.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe it would reduce alcohol consumption, or might it result in increased sales of covers for cans and bottles?
#Thailand
Thailand's ranking on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index dropped to 63rd out of 167 countries and territories in 2023, compared to 55th in 2022, primarily due to military influence in politics.
Thailand's score in the 2023 ranking was 6.35 points, a decline from 6.67 points in 2022. The index operates on a 0 to 10 scale, ranging from full democracies (scores greater than 8) to authoritarian regimes (scores less than or equal to 4). Despite the drop, Thailand is still classified as a flawed democracy, falling within the range of scores greater than 6 and less than or equal to 8.
In the Asia and Australasia region, there are five full democracies, including three from Asia (Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan), along with Australia and New Zealand. Nondemocratic regimes constitute 13 out of the 28 countries in the region. Unfortunately, the region is experiencing a deteriorating trend in democratic governance, with the average score falling from 5.46 in 2022 to 5.41 in 2023.
The EIU highlighted the significant political influence of the military in Thailand, stating that elections are far from being free, fair, or competitive. It pointed out that although the Move Forward Party secured the most votes in the 2023 election, the "military’s sway in parliament" prevented the endorsement of the MFP’s leader as the prime minister.
According to the EIU, "the rules regarding the democratic transfer of power are clearly not established or accepted in Thailand, and the judiciary is not independent," as stated in its reports.
#Thailand #DemocracyIndex2023
A group of Chulalongkorn University alumni organized a rally at the Two Kings Monument today to express support for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. They wore purple, symbolizing Saturday, the day she was born in 1955.
#Thailand
There is still no clear evidence that there were people behind the alleged attempt by two pro-democracy youth activists to interfere with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's royal motorcade, said National Police Chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol. Nevertheless, the police will continue to investigate this claim, and he added that police officers are willing to lay down their lives to protect members of the royal institution.
Pol Gen Torsak said the youth activists did not drive into the royal motorcade or attempt to block it; instead, their car was trailing behind the motorcade. He insisted that there was no complete blockade of traffic when the youth activists drove past the police's temporary blockade of one of the traffic channels.
Meanwhile, Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiseth continued to claim that he has evidence of individuals behind the youth activists' activities, including the royal motorcade, but has yet to show it to the public.
Move Forward Party Leader Chaithawat Tulathon earlier urged Chada to release the evidence he claims to have, suggesting that by doing so, Parliament could engage in discussions regarding the alleged financial support various political parties might have provided to the pro-democracy youth movement for political gain.
Singer-turned-political activist Chaiamorn "Ammy the Bottom Blues" Kaewwiboonpan said in 2021 that the Pheu Thai Party has been providing financial support for pro-democracy youth activists, but the Move Forward Party has been "stingy."
#Thailand #ขบวนเสด็จ
Youth activists Tantawan 'Tawan' Tuatulanon, Natthanon 'Frank' Chaiyamahabutr, and Naphasin 'Sai Nam' Trirayapiwat have all been arrested.
Tantawan and Natthanon face charges of insulting police officers while on duty, causing a nuisance, and sedition. Sedition carries a jail sentence of up to 7 years. These charges are related to their actions towards HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's motorcade.
Naphasin has been charged as an accomplice in the spray painting of Wat Phra Kaew's wall, facing violations of the Cleanliness Act and Section 32 of the Ancient Monuments Act. The latter carries a jail sentence of up to 10 years. This case is linked to the one where two journalists were accused of being accomplices to the action.
Tantawan and Natthanon are now at the Din Daeng Police Station to hear their charges, while Naphasin is at the Royal Palace Police Station.
#Thailand #ตะวัน #ขบวนเสด็จ
Prachatai reporter and freelance photographer have been arrested after they covered an incident in March 2023 where an activist sprayed graffiti onto the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Read the full report: https://t.co/MJmRDo0qQw
#Pressfreedom#JournalismIsNotACrime #นักข่าวโดนจับ #WhatsHappeningInThailand
The police have requested arrest warrants from the court for pro-democracy youth activists Tantawan "Tawan" Tuatulanon and Natchanon Pairoj, citing their involvement in the royal motorcade incident.
The charges have not been released by the police at this time.
Furthermore, they are pursuing the court's approval to revoke Tawan’s bail in her lese-majeste case.
#Thailand #ตะวัน #ขบวนเสด็จ
The Criminal Court has approved the police's request to continue detaining the two journalists accused of being accomplices to the spray painting of Wat Phra Kaew's wall in March last year. Bail has been posted.
#Thailand#JournalismIsNotACrime#PressFreedom#นักข่าวโดนจับ #นักข่าวไม่ใช่อาชญากร
The Thai Journalist Association expressed "concern" regarding the prosecution of two journalists accused of being accomplices to the spray painting of Wat Phra Kaew's wall in March last year.
The association highlighted the potential impact on press freedom in Thailand, emphasizing that the journalists were merely fulfilling their duty by covering the incident. They expressed the hope for a fair trial that would enable the journalists to defend themselves.
In a similar vein, Amnesty International Thailand denounced the arrest of the journalists, asserting that it violated press freedom and undermined a crucial democratic principle. They contended that the arrests indicated the Thai state's perception of journalists as criminals working against them.
They further called for an end to the prosecution, asserting that it aimed to silence the two journalists.
#Thailand #JournalismIsNotACrime #PressFreedom #นักข่าวโดนจับ #นักข่าวไม่ใช่อาชญากร