Showing 91 - 100 of 173
Section 44 is forever
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 16/04/2017
» There exists in exceptional Thailand a force so powerful it only can be used for good or for evil. The men (exclusively) who run the country insist the power of Section 44 is (exclusively) designed and used only to produce positive results. Not everyone agrees.
Carry on killing
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 09/04/2017
» The new constitution promulgated on Thursday by His Majesty the King re-inserts a section tossed out immediately after the May 2014 coup by the general prime minister when he decreed an interim charter with the precious Section 44. The new supreme law has an actual ban on torture, beating people to death, use of meat hooks during discipline sessions. And so on.
Serious comedy
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 02/04/2017
» Just 32 years old, Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya leads a hectic, globe-trotting life. You have to understand that he can't just be on hand every time prosecutors want to get his views about his connection to the hit-and-run killing by his Ferrari more than four years ago. In fact, he has missed eight appointments in the past year.
The Big Issue: Shot fired, man down
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 26/03/2017
» Artist and activist Chaiyapoom Pasae, a Lahu, was shot and killed by a soldier at a drug checkpoint. That is the complete set of facts everyone agrees on.
The more things change
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 19/03/2017
» A military regime is in power. It is driving Meechai Ruchupan's new constitution and passels of laws through its handpicked National Assembly to enable and ensure military hands on power even after it nominally returns to the barracks to allow elections the red shirts will probably win again. It has a new Computer Crime Act to intimidate and if necessary incarcerate infuriating pests complaining about lack of democracy. Oh, and almost forgot: it's not 2017.
The war bringer
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 12/03/2017
» The southern rebellion against the government begins its 58th year tomorrow. It will be the first time the anniversary is marked without any of the original 1960 instigators but in particular it will go on without its primary leader, better called the godfather of the southern conflict.
The Big Issue: A torture culture
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 05/03/2017
» Ravina Shamdasani, a human rights officer for the United Nations Human Rights Council, says Thailand has a torture culture.
The Big Issue: Those pesky tourists
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 26/02/2017
» If you need to watch a rant or even start a hot dispute, pick an expatriate, any expat, and say "double pricing".
Mr X's gang unravels
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 12/02/2017
» Sayobphairee Operation 60/1, the biggest trafficking takedown since the army chased Khun Sa back to Myanmar, began with the largest drug bust outside a nightclub urine test-centre.
You've been gouged
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 05/02/2017
» How can we fleece you? Let me count the ways. That probably wasn't an unusual week, just a more transparent one.