The sister of murdered backpacker Hannah Witheridge has warned that Thailand is a “dangerous trap”, suggesting her sister’s killer walks free and slamming the Thai police and government for mistreating her bereaved family.
In a long Facebook post, Laura Witheridge said “the vast majority of the Thai police are corrupt” and the investigation that led to the death sentence last month for two Burmese men was “bungled”.
Witheridge said that those who still think Thailand is a safe travel destination should watch a recent video produced by the cyber activist collective Anonymous that accuses the Thai police of a cover-up in the Koh Tao and other murder cases.
Anonymous said the Thai police “would rather blame foreigners or migrants for such crimes so as to protect their tourism industry than accuse their own Thai locals, that may deter tourists from choosing Thailand as their holiday destination” .... http://www.theguardian.com
A man in Thailand, however, faces 37 years in prison for criticizing the king’s dog on the internet, as well as allegedly insulting the monarchy.
Thanakorn Siripaiboon, a factory worker, faced trial this week in a military court for making a “sarcastic” comment about the king’s dog online. Though officials declined to cite any specific statements, CBS News reports the man shared an “inappropriate” picture of the dog and liked a photo disparaging to the king .... http://theantimedia.org
A bright fireball lit up the night sky above Bangkok on Monday, as an objected suspected to be a meteor burnt up in the atmosphere over Thailand.
The flash could be seen in several parts of the country, including the capital, Thai media report. Dashcam videos published soon after the fireball hit the sky show the dark night turn into day for a few seconds .... https://www.rt.com
A motorcycle bomb has exploded in a commercial center in Thailand's capital Bangkok, killing at least 15 people. More than 80 others have been injured, local media reported.
"All I can say now is there has been an explosion in central Bangkok involving a motorcycle bomb," deputy national police chief Aek Angsananond told Reuters.
Most of those killed were foreign tourists, and officials say the attack was aimed at destroying the economy and tourism.
"The perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism because the incident occurred in the heart of the tourism district," Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said .... http://www.rt.com
Thailand’s junta leader, Prayuth Chan-ocha, has said he will “probably just execute” any journalist who does not “report the truth”.
Last month Gen Prayuth said he had the power to shut down news outlets, and on Wednesday he took an even harsher line. “We’ll probably just execute them,” said Prayuth, without a trace of a smile, when asked by reporters how the government would deal with those who do not adhere to the official line.
“You don’t have to support the government, but you should report the truth,” the former army chief said, telling reporters to write in a way that bolsters national reconciliation in the kingdom .... http://www.theguardian.com
(Reuters) - Thai junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha lashed out at journalists on Wednesday, saying he would "probably just execute" those who did "not report the truth", in the latest outburst aimed at Thailand's media.
Last month Prayuth said he had the power to shut down news outlets. On Wednesday, he took an even harsher line.
"We'll probably just execute them," said Prayuth, without a trace of a smile, when asked by reporters how the government would deal with those that do not adhere to the official line.
"You don't have to support the government, but you should report the truth," the former army chief said, telling reporters to write in a way that bolsters national reconciliation in the kingdom .... http://uk.reuters.com
BANGKOK, March 16, 2015 – The Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Thailand is one of a kind, with its flying-saucer shaped stupa made from thousands of golden Buddha statues. It sits at the heart of a religious complex the size of an airport, said to be home to 3,000 monks. Located in Bangkok’s industrial north suburbs, the gigantic complex is among the first things you see when you come in to land in Don Muang, one of the capital’s two airports.
The futuristic temple is also controversial in Thailand, its gargantuan scale often criticised in a country where many still live in poverty. The Buddhist cult that manages the temple, the Dhammakaya Movement, claims some 10 million followers around the world .... http://blogs.afp.com
Asia Times correspondent Pepe Escobar explains the military coup in Thailand: Bangkok elites, militaries and former PM in a power struggle. Pepe calls it a 'soft coup' but warns of what might happen next.
