Supreme Court dismisses royal defamation charge for putting sticker on King’s portrait The Supreme Court has acquitted a protester of royal defamation for putting a sticker on a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn in front of the Supreme Court during a protest on 19 September 2020. Narin (last name withheld) was accused of placing a sticker saying “ku kult,” the logo for a political satire page, over the eyes of a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn while participating in a 19 September 2020 protest in front of the Supreme Court at Sanam Luang, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. In 2022, the Criminal Court sentenced him to three years in prison. His sentence was later reduced to two years without suspension, as the Court ruled that a complaint he filed at the Chana Songkhram Police Station about being followed by an undercover police officer was useful to the case. In 2023, the Appeal Court overturned the Criminal Court’s ruling and dismissed the charge against Narin on the grounds that he was not wearing the same clothes as the man seen in photos of the incident and that, given the location of his residence, it was impossible for him to change before going to Chana Songkhram Police Station. As the clothes were also not collected, the court concluded that there was not enough evidence to prove that Narin was the man in the photos. The Supreme Court on Thursday (27 November) upheld the dismissal of the royal defamation charge against Narin. Ku Kult, a Facebook page known for its satirical political content, emerged in 2011 after the Red Shirt protests. Its content often went viral, becoming widely shared memes on social media. After the 2014 coup, access to the page was blocked at the request of the Thai authorities. It is unclear when the original page was officially closed. Several similar pages with the same logo later appeared, however.  It is not clear if they were run by the same person. The Ku Kult logo has also been reproduced in various forms, including stickers and T-shirts. Previously, Narin was also accused of running the Ku Kult Facebook page and was charged under the royal defamation law and the Computer Crime Act. However, the Criminal Court dismissed the charges against him. eng editor 3 Fri, 2025-11-28 - 19:45 * News * Narin * Ku Kult * Royal defamation * Section 112 * lese majeste (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Family of killed conscript press charges against camp commanders The family of Vorapach Padmasakul, a military conscript who died after being beaten during disciplinary action, is pressing charges against the camp’s training commander for allowing the assault to take place, the Cross-Cultural Foundation (CrCF) said. CrCF that the family filed a complaint on 13 August against the training commanders at Fort Nawamintharachini, alleging that they knew Vorapach was being beaten but did nothing to stop the assault. Under the 2022 Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, a commanding officer who knows that their subordinates will commit or have committed an offence under the Act but does not prevent the offence faces half the penalty. On 19 October, the family’s lawyer sent a letter to the Office of Chonburi Public Prosecution requesting an update on the complaint. The office replied on 24 October saying that a public prosecutor has been appointed to work the case. Vorapach died on 2 August 2024, three months after he enlisted in the Army, 40 days after he was admitted to the Fort Nawamintharachini Hospital. He was reportedly beaten during a ‘disciplinary action,’ and was beaten again after his instructors learned he wanted to go to their superiors about the assault. Other conscripts found the instructor in a room performing CPR on Vorapach, who was taken to the hospital 14 minutes after falling unconscious. Two army instructors and 11 other conscripts were found guilty of charges under the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act. One instructor was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while another was given 15 years. The 11 conscripts, who were appointed as assistants to the instructors, were each given 10 years. eng editor 1 Fri, 2025-11-28 - 14:39 * News * Vorapach Padmasakul * death in military barrack * Prevention of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act * Cross-Cultural Foundation (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Appeal Court approves request to extradite Montagnard human rights defender The Appeal Court ruled on Wednesday (26 October) to approve a request to extradite Montagnard human rights defender Y Quynh Bdap to Vietnam, where he would face 10 years in prison on terrorism charges. The Montagnard people have long been subjected to marginalization and religious persecution by the Vietnamese government. Y Quynh Bdap co-founded Montagnards Stand for Justice, which works to protect the rights of Montagnard people, including their right to perform religious practices in accordance with their Christian beliefs. He sought asylum in Thailand in 2018 and has been recognized as a refugee by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR). On 11 June 2024, he was arrested by the Thai authorities for overstaying his visa. Only a day after he revealed to the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok that he intended to seek asylum in Canada, the Vietnamese government requested Bdap’s extradition. Y Quynh Bdap is among over 100 Montagnard individuals accused by the Vietnamese government of being involved in attacks in June 2024 on two Vietnamese government buildings and a police station in Dak Lak. The incident left 9 dead and 2 injured. Even though he was not in the country when the incident occurred, the Vietnamese Court found him guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for terrorism. He had no chance to fight the case or even appoint a lawyer to represent himself. On 1 October, the Criminal Court approved Vietnam’s extradition request and ruled to have Y Quynh Bdap jailed pending the Thai government’s decision on whether to deport him or not. Y Quynh Bdap filed for appeal on the ground that he is facing political prosecution. The Appeal Court on Wednesday (26 October) upheld the Criminal Court’s ruling, citing the testimony of a prosecution witness, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs who said that the charges against him were not political. The Appeal Court also ruled that there is not enough evidence to believe that Y Quynh Bdap would be in danger if he returns to Vietnam. It noted that, in their request, the Vietnamese authorities promised that Y Quynh Bdap will be protected if he is extradited, and said that there is not enough evidence proving that he was assaulted while in detention between 2012 – 2016. Human rights lawyer Koreeyor Manuchae, who is representing Y Quynh Bdap, said that he may be deported at any time. She noted that the defence has presented evidence to prove that he could be in danger if he is extradited. This included reports on the human rights situation in Vietnam, which states that the Montagnard people face religious discrimination. An expert witness also testified that this ethnic minority faces discrimination and persecution from the Vietnamese government. Koreeyor said that this evidence is credible and that physical evidence such as injuries should not be needed to prove that the defendant was assaulted. Vietnam is not known for respecting human rights, Koreeyor said, and many organizations have raised concerns about this. She said she is disappointed that the court does not find human rights important and gave more weight to a promise that cannot be proven than to credible organizations. Koreeyor also said that whether a case is political or not depends on the motivation. Y Quynh Bdap is a human rights defender who has campaigned for religious freedom in Vietnam, where there are strict limitations on religious expression. When an activist who opposes state policy is prosecuted, Koreeyor said, it is not possible to reach any other conclusion. She said she is disappointed that the Thai justice system does not believe that the charges against him were politically motivated. Y Quynh Bdap’s legal team will be petitioning the Prime Minister not to extradite him, Koreeyor said. “In the recent past, some Uyghurs were sent back to China, and afterwards the National Human Rights Commission said that it was a violation of human rights,” she said. “I want to call on Thailand to stop following the trail of human rights violations.” Responding to the ruling to extradite Y Quynh Bdap, Amnesty International’s Thailand Researcher Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong said that it was “a grave failure of Thailand’s human rights obligations” to send him back to Vietnam, where there is a track record of discrimination against the Montagnards and of convicting activists in proceedings that fall short of international fair trial standards. “By handing Y Quynh Bdap over to the very authorities he fled on the basis of a conviction obtained through an unfair trial, Thailand has violated one of the most fundamental protections in international law,” Chanatip said. “Following the return of Uyghurs to China earlier this year, this is the second time Thailand has blatantly returned people to their countries despite risks of grave human rights violations despite a domestic law prohibiting torture and non-refoulment that came into force in 2023. “Thai authorities must ensure safety and protection for all those fleeing persecution – including Indigenous and religious minorities from Viet Nam – rather than putting them at risk of harm.” eng editor 1 Fri, 2025-11-28 - 14:27 * News * Y Quynh Bdap * non-refoulement * Koreeyor Manuchae * Refugee * Vietnam * Montagnard refugees (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Activist indicted for royal defamation over three-finger salute at graduation An activist has been indicted on a royal defamation charge for flashing the three-finger salute at a graduation ceremony in December 2022. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said today (28 November) that the Khon Kaen public prosecutor has ruled to indict Songpol “Yajai” Sonthirak, an activist from the Thalufah group, on a royal defamation charge filed against him in April 2023. Songpol was charged for flashing the three-finger “Hunger Games” salute, a well-known resistance symbol used by activists protesting the 2014 military coup and students in the 2020 pro-democracy movement, after receiving his degree certificate from Princess Sirindhorn, King Vajiralongkorn’s younger sister, during Khon Kaen University’s graduation ceremony on 20 December 2022. The complaint against him was filed by Kamon Kitkasiwat, leader of a royalist group in Khon Kaen, who was at the time an MP candidate for the royalist Thai Pakdee Party. Khon Kaen University reportedly paused its live broadcast of the graduation ceremony while Songpol and subsequent graduates from the Faculty of Law were receiving their certificates, and did not allow comments on the live broadcast after it resumed. eng editor 1 Fri, 2025-11-28 - 14:02 * News * Songpol Sonthirak * Section 112 * Royal defamation * Thalufah (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Five activists sentenced to prison for Emergency Decree violation over 2023 incident Five pro-democracy activists have been sentenced to prison for violation of the Emergency Decree over an incident that took place in 2023. They were later released on bail after being detained for one day pending the Appeal Court’s decision. Noppasin, Sittichai, Chiraphat, Bang-oen, and Somchai were charged with violation of the Emergency Decree after they allegedly staged a protest near the Grand Palace on 9 May 2023, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. During the incident, they raised flags with messages that included “repeal the royal defamation law”, “release our friends”, and an anarchist symbol, while riding motorcycles around the area. They acknowledged the charge on 19 September 2023 and denied the allegation. The police stated that the five activists were found riding three motorcycles around the roads surrounding the Grand Palace in the middle of the night with the intention of calling for the repeal of the royal defamation law. The police believed that activists shared a common intention in carrying flags to publicly express their opinions. They also rode motorcycles in a procession, showing that they intended to stage a public assembly. A prosecution witness also observed that the activity was considered a new form of public assembly. However, the defendants argued that their actions were not a public assembly, citing a provision in the Public Assembly Act, which defines the public assembly as a gathering of individuals in public place to express their petition, support, opposition or opinion on any matter to the public and any individual can attend such assembly freely regardless of whether such assembly composing of marching or not. The Criminal Court ruled on Tuesday (25 November) that riding motorcycles to call for the repeal of the royal defamation in this case amounted to a public assembly and found that they also failed to ask for permission as requested by the law. They were sentenced to two months in prison. All were detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison pending the Appeal Court’s decision. The Appeal Court later granted them provisional bail on the following day (26 November) with 5,000 baht as security.  eng editor 3 Thu, 2025-11-27 - 13:37 * News * Royal defamation * Section 112 * lese majeste * public assembly (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Southern flood death toll rises to 33, says flood crisis operation centre 33 people have died from flooding in seven southern provinces, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said today (26 November) in a press conference held by the Flood Crisis Operations Centre. Siripong said that, according to the Ministry of Public Health, the main causes of death included electrocution, drowning, and mudslides. He also dismissed reports that a rescue helicopter crashed in Hat Yai, as well as the rumours circulating around social media that 80 – 100 people have died at Hat Yai Hospital. Hat Yai Hospital issued a statement on their Facebook page last night (25 November) that it is currently storing 41 bodies in its mortuary. 27 bodies of deceased patients were already in the mortuary before the flood. 14 have been added between 22 – 25 November, most of whom were elderly patients or those in critical condition. The hospital noted that this mortality rate is normal for a large provincial hospital, and that the bodies are being preserve with utmost care in cold storage. It also noted that communication has been difficult as power and water has been cut, and phone signal has been disrupted. While Siripong said that rainfall had decreased, he also said that other provinces, such as Satun and Nakhon Si Thammarat, had issued evacuation warnings for their residents. However, many are refusing to leave, and he said that the Centre is concerned it would be much more difficult to evacuate them if the situation worsened. He said that vulnerable groups should evacuate to temporary shelters in their provinces to ensure safety. Hat Yai city, Songkhla’s business centre and the largest city in southern Thailand, has been underwater since Saturday (22 November) after it was hit with overnight flooding due to heavy rain. Severe flooding has now expanded to other districts in Songkhla and to nearby provinces, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phattalung, Trang, Satun, Pattani, and Yala. The government’s crisis center opened yesterday (25 November). Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also declared a state of emergency in Songkhla and appointed the Chief of Defence Forces to lead rescue and recovery efforts. Residents have criticized the government’s slow response to the flood. Many are stranded without food or water. A BBC Thai report noted that victims or their families have taken to social media to call for help, while volunteers have said that there are too many victims for the volunteers to help. People’s Party MP Parit Wacharashindhu said that the government should have a central database and bring all units together so that they know the number of people who needs to be rescued and how urgent each case is. It should also try to evacuate as many people as possible from flood-affected areas by bringing in vehicles and equipment and by ensuring shelters are appropriately equipped as many are now reaching capacity and lack equipment. Noting that people have been stranded in their houses without food and water for several days, Parit said that the government should try to deliver food and water to residents who are yet to be evacuated. Helicopters or drones could be used in places that cannot be immediately reached by boat. Parit also recommended that the Thai government request international assistance, such as from Malaysia or Singapore, as the crisis is now too much for the Thai civil society or other agencies can handle. It should also consider using satellite internet systems like Starlink to ensure that rescue personnel have access to an internet signal, which would make it more efficient to conduct operations. Concerns have been raised about the elderly and people with disabilities living in flood-affected areas. The Phutthamonthon Independent Living Centre, a disability rights organization, issued a statement noting that there have often been limitations to disaster relief efforts when it comes to people with disabilities, from lack of information about households with disabled residents to lack of manpower and equipment. As a result, people with disabilities are often the last to be rescued, although they are among those who are most high-risk. The Phutthamonthon Independent Living Centre recommends that the government needs to put together a map of households with disabled or bedridden residents, which must be accessible by search and rescue units, emergency medics, and evacuation centres. The government should also train rescue units on how to move or communicate with people with disabilities and prepare appropriate life-saving equipment and accessible shelters. Meanwhile, representatives of people with disabilities should be part of the disaster relief planning process, including designing evacuation plans.   eng editor 1 Thu, 2025-11-27 - 00:01 * News * Hat Yai * Flood * Natural disaster (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

APHR condemns US decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Myanmar nationals ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) strongly condemns the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Burma (Myanmar). DHS justified this termination by emphasizing in the statement, ‘after conferring with interagency partners, Secretary Noem determined that conditions in Burma no longer meet the TPS statutory requirements’. “This assertion is profoundly disconnected from the lived reality of millions of people in Myanmar and from the experiences of Myanmar peoples who fled persecution,” responds Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Chairperson and Member of the House of Representatives of Indonesia. Barends added that, “terminating TPS now will remove legal protections from thousands who fled persecution. APHR calls on DHS to rescind this decision and keep families safe.” Terminating TPS at this moment abandons those who escaped severe threats to life, liberty and family, and those who have worked lawfully and responsibly while rebuilding their lives in the United States. Many TPS beneficiaries have resided for years in the U.S. with strong community ties and employment records. APHR contends that the claim that ‘conditions in Burma no longer meet the TPS statutory requirements’ ignores a worsening human rights crisis. Since the February 2021 military coup, Myanmar has experienced continuous escalation of state violence: arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, torture in detention, indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, and targeted airstrikes on towns and internally-displaced people (IDP) camps. Sarah Jane Elago, Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines adds that, “to remove temporary protection while these threats persist is to expose people to a very real risk of harm and to undermine fundamental principles of humanitarian protection.” Many TPS holders are the primary wage earners for their families, both domestically and overseas. Ending work authorization will collapse critical remittance lifelines that sustain households facing hardship inside Myanmar. It will also place TPS beneficiaries at risk of detention, deportation and family separation; punishing people who have complied with U.S. law and contributed to their communities. “Returning people to a country where the junta blocks aid, detains critics and conducts violent operations is a direct threat to life. The U.S. must immediately halt this termination,” reiterated Charles Santiago, APHR Co-Chairperson and former Member of Parliament of Malaysia. In this light, APHR urges the U.S. administration to reverse this decision. Any changes to immigration status must be accompanied by full consultations with Myanmar diaspora organizations, human rights monitors and humanitarian agencies. It must include case-by-case safety assessments that respect non-refoulement obligations. Furthermore, APHR calls on Southeast Asian parliaments and international partners to press for meaningful protection measures for people forced to flee, to demand unfettered humanitarian access inside Myanmar, and to pursue accountability for crimes committed by the junta. APHR stands with Myanmar people everywhere. Those resisting inside the country and those rebuilding their lives abroad. APHR will continue to push for humane, legally grounded solutions that prioritize life, dignity and safety above anything else. eng editor 1 Wed, 2025-11-26 - 14:26 * Pick to Post * Myanmar * ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Cambodians fleeing Thailand face joblessness, predatory loans, says HRW The Cambodian government is failing to provide support to hundreds of thousands of migrant workers with microfinance debts who returned from Thailand because of hostilities in mid-2025, Human Rights Watch said today (26 November). Even before the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, from July 24-28, Cambodian officials encouraged migrant workers in Thailand to return home because of rising tensions, and more than 900,000 have done so. The government’s promises of jobs and other support have not materialized for most though, and many are under pressure to repay microfinance loans they took before seeking work in Thailand. The government should assist returned migrant workers to find jobs in Cambodia and adopt measures to provide meaningful debt relief to them and other Cambodians. “The Cambodian government has an obligation to assist the migrant workers its officials encouraged to return from Thailand because of discrimination and recent hostilities,” said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The government should ensure that predatory microfinance institutions are not putting improper pressure on returned migrants and other marginalized Cambodians who are struggling to feed their families.” Human Rights Watch interviewed 56 former migrant workers in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province who returned from Thailand between May and September. The Cambodian government has long failed to ensure the rights to an adequate standard of living, education, and health care, compelling many families to obtain predatory microfinance loans. The return of hundreds of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers because of hostilities with Thailand and the promises of support from the Cambodian government have made their already tenuous situation even more difficult, Human Rights Watch said. In May, tensions escalated at the Thai-Cambodia border. On June 14, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen called on all Cambodians working in Thailand to return home to avoid expulsion or mistreatment in Thailand, calling it a “real and inevitable risk.” Prime Minister Hun Manet, Hun Sen’s son, said the government was prepared to facilitate repatriation, with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training pledging more than 70,000 jobs for returned migrants and the Ministry of Economy and Finance ready to offer a “range of economic and social intervention packages aimed at improving their daily lives.” On June 23, Thailand ordered the closure of all land crossings with Cambodia, except for migrant workers returning to Cambodia. Migrant workers told Human Rights Watch that they returned to Cambodia due to discrimination and harassment in Thailand, as well as the Cambodian government’s promises of employment and social assistance. But many said that once back in Cambodia, they have been skipping meals and forgoing medical care to make repayments on microfinance loans they incurred before going abroad. In 2023, the average Cambodian household held more debt than they spent for the year. A 17-year-old who had worked for two years in Thailand said she had dropped out of school and migrated to help her mother repay a microfinance loan. She said that after fighting between Thailand and Cambodia began, her Thai employers would regularly verbally harass her: “I would cry every day because of the bad treatment at work.” Despite government promises, returned migrant workers said that there were very few jobs available once they got back home. Some travelled to find work in the capital, Phnom Penh, hundreds of kilometers away from their homes in provinces along the Thai-Cambodia border, but few reportedly found employment. A 32-year-old woman who tried to get a job at a Cambodian garment factory after returning from Thailand said she did not have the necessary experience. “I took a three-day skills test, and I didn’t pass because I didn’t have the skills to work and sew the garments,” she said. “They want skilled workers, and we don’t have the skills.” Many returned migrants have loans from banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs). For years, Cambodian banks and MFIs have engaged in predatory lending, causing a household debt crisis, and pressure to repay debts often contributes to the decision to migrate to Thailand for work. Cambodia has the most microcredit debt per capita anywhere in the world. A 2019 report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) identified microfinance debt as a growing driver of migration from Cambodia, and Cambodia’s microfinance sector has grown rapidly since then. The Cambodian Development Resource Institute (CDRI) reported that one-third of returned migrant workers are from households that hold formal loans ranging from US$5,000 to US$8,000, several times larger than Cambodia’s annual median per-capita income. A 41-year-old woman who had lived in Thailand for 10 years working in construction in Bangkok said that she now had to balance repaying her loans with paying for health care and her children’s education. “We have to decide between food, making MFI payments, and whether our kids can still afford to go to school,” she said. Her household used to have three people working in Thailand but now all have returned, and the family has cut back to two meals a day. She said that if they miss their monthly loan repayment of more than $100, they will lose the land they pledged as collateral for the loan. Under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Cambodia is a party, governments are obligated to take steps, to the maximum of their available resources, to progressively realize the human right to an adequate standard of living. This includes the obligation to protect people from conduct by third parties, such as predatory microfinance institutions, that would prevent the fulfillment of this right. Under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, private companies also have responsibilities to respect human rights and to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for practices that have harmed people. The Cambodian government should take prompt action to uphold the rights of returned migrant workers, including by following through on its pledges to assist them in finding employment. The government should also implement more effective measures to protect all Cambodians, including returned migrant workers, from predatory debt collection practices and the potential human rights harms of debt servicing. This could include the restructuring of loans for returned migrant workers and others affected by the Thai-Cambodia border conflict, who face extreme economic hardship. The government needs to enforce penalties for aggressive debt collection practices and ensure that all microfinance institutions and lenders follow ethical standards for loan recovery. The government also needs to address the broader situation that compels many families in Cambodia to take on considerable debt, including by removing barriers to health care and free education. The Cambodian government should allocate appropriate resources to both sectors and set budgetary spending targets aligned with international benchmarks. “The situation is dire for these returned migrant workers, who are rapidly eroding their savings to survive and pay off their debts,” Lau said. “Cambodian authorities need to act swiftly to protect Cambodians from microfinance lenders and financial institutions and support workers who returned from Thailand at their urging.”   eng editor 1 Wed, 2025-11-26 - 13:04 * Pick to Post * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * migrant workers (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Appeal Court upholds guilty verdict against activists charged over crop top protest The Appeal Cort has ruled to uphold a guilty verdict against two activists charged with royal defamation for wearing a crop top to a protest on 20 December 2020, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said today (25 November). Thanakorn, now 22, and Nattakorn, now 21, were charged when they were 17 years old. The Centrial Juvenile and Family Court found them guilty and sentenced them to 3 years in prison. Their sentence was reduced to 1 year and 6 months because their alleged offences took place when they were minors, and later replaced with up to 2 years of training at a juvenile training center. They were required to take three vocational training courses and complete their schooling. Thanakorn and Nattakorn filed for appeal. The Court of Appeal for Specialized Cases upheld the guilty verdict, ruling that their action during the protest defamed the King, who is inviolable, and that they were not acting within the boundary of their constitutional freedom of expression and protest. The Appeal Court ruled, however, to suspend their sentence for 3 years instead of replacing their prison sentence with detention in a training center. They will be subjected to 3 years of probation, during which they will be required to meet with their probation officer every 4 months. They are also required to complete their schooling, after which they must find a job, and must not socialize with people who could lead them to repeat their offence. It noted that Thanakorn and Nattakorn were participants, not leaders of the protest, that they still lived with their families who have promised to monitor their behaviours, and that they do not live in areas with crime or drug issues. The Court ruled that sending them to a training center would deny them educational opportunities, and that it would be better for them to have their sentence suspended and instruct their families to keep a close eye on them. The 20 December 2020 protest was organized by the student activist group United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD). Activists wore crop tops and walk around the Siam Paragon shopping mall in response to a royal defamation charge filed against activist Noppasin Treelayapiwat, then 16, for participating in a protest on 29 October 2020 wearing a black crop top with the message “My father’s name is Mana, not Vajiralongkorn” written on his back. They also demanded the repeal of the royal defamation law. eng editor 1 Tue, 2025-11-25 - 17:53 * News * Royal defamation * Section 112 * Student protest 2020 (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Alien Thoughts: Guilty until found innocent The Central Obfuscatory Court has dismissed a case brought by 3 detainees in the Deep South of Thailand accusing the Royal Thai Army (RTA) of arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and torture. While accepting evidence that the complainants had in fact been detained and ill-treated, and rejecting Army claims that they dun nuffink yeronner, the Court ruled that the alleged offences may have been the personally-motivated actions of individual soldiers and not an official operation. The RTA was given the dubious benefit of the doubt and the case was dismissed. The 3 detainees presented evidence to the court that they had been arrested and detained. This took the form of camera footage of their arrests, testimony of other detainees confirming their presence in an ‘unofficial place of detention’, and public social media posts by military personnel, with photos, bragging about what they’d been up to. Medical records from local hospitals were also presented showing that the injuries sustained by detainees while in detention were consistent with torture. Much of this evidence had already been presented in Parliament by opposition MPs speaking under parliamentary privilege. The Army has since sued the MPs in question, claiming that the brave defenders of the nation have been defamed by information that the courts have found to be true. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had also been asked to investigate the case and issued a report substantiating the detainees’ claims. It pointed out that the case was a prima facie violation of the detainees’ human rights. When asked if the RTA would take similar retaliatory action against the NHRC, a military spokesperson is reported to have said ‘Why bother? They can’t cut our budget like Parliament can.’ The court decided that the video evidence of the arrests was genuine and not, as the Army claimed, an AI-generated scene from a TV crime drama. The Court had also subpoenaed and entered as evidence the detention records from the Ai Maengda Adult VDO Parlour, notorious among the local population as a front for an unofficial place of detention. (Screams frequently heard from the video shop were explained away as the soundtrack of BDSM films and the chains, thumbscrews and branding irons found on the premises were listed in the inventory as ‘sex aids’.) The Court noted that the admissions register of the place of detention recorded the health of all detainees as ‘good’ at the time of admission. However, the hospital records after their release showed a sudden and severe deterioration in their well-being. The Army claimed that their own records were nothing more than pesky bureaucratic paperwork now required by the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act B.E. 2565 and should not be given any more credence than, for example, the CVs of Senate candidates. The Court rejected this claim and acknowledged that ‘something’ must have happened to the detainees between arrest and release. When asked by the Court why the detainees had been released without being charged, a senior officer from the Judge Advocate General’s Office said he didn’t really know, but he suspected it was a case of mistaken identity ‘because half of them down there are called Mohammed.’ The Court’s verdict ruled that arbitrary arrest and detention was a violation of rights and a crime and the Army must try its very hardest not do it again. They further noted that torture and ill-treatment is also a crime and it would be very, very wrong for a state agency such as the RTA to indulge in such activity. However, the Court inspected the social media posts of some of the soldiers involved. These betrayed a sense of glee and gloating, from which the Court concluded that the wrongdoing may have been motivated by the personal sadistic proclivities of the soldiers involved and not an official operation of the RTA. The complaint was dismissed. But to avoid future injuries to detainees, the Court included in its verdict the suggestion that a Health and Safety inspection be conducted to determine ways to stop detainees from injuring themselves by walking into doors or falling down stairs. eng editor 1 Tue, 2025-11-25 - 15:45 * Alien Thoughts * Satire * Alien thoughts * Harrison George (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Civil society groups push for Constituent Assembly election despite court ruling Despite a Constitutional Court ruling prohibiting direct election of a Constituent Assembly and an ad-hoc committee proposal to have the drafting committee be appointed by parliament, a network of civil society groups continues to push for an elected Constituent Assembly. iLaw reports that the People’s Constitutional Drafting Group, a network of civil society organisations campaigning for a new constitution, filed a petition on Friday (21 November) demanding that members of the drafting body for the new Constitution must be elected. An ad-hoc committee is currently working on a constitutional amendment bill which would set the framework for how a Constituent Assembly is to be formed. The network calls on the committee to insist on a direct election, noting that if the bill is approved by a referendum the people cannot be denied. Their petition was received by People’s Party MP Nattawut Buaprathum, chair of the ad-hoc committee. Nattawut said that, although the committee and the civil society both want a new Constitution, it is not possible for a direct election because it has been prohibited by a Constitutional Court ruling. He insisted, however, that constituent power belongs to the people as is clearly stated in the ruling, the committee’s discussion, and the amendment bill itself. Nattawut said that he will forward the petition to the committee to have it go on record that citizens want a Constituent Assembly election. He said that the committee has agreed that members of the Assembly will be chosen by parliament from among a pool of applicants, and there will also be a public consultation committee. He also noted that the result of the upcoming general election in 2026 will determine who selects members of the Constituent Assembly. Although a direct election is impossible, he said, the committee will try its best for public opinion to be taken into account during the amendment process. The committee previously proposed that the Constitution be amended by a 35-person drafting committee whose members are chosen by parliament. The model was put forward by MPs from the People’s Party, who proposed that 20 MPs or senators be allowed to select 1 member of the drafting committee from among a pool of applicants. This would assure that no single faction can dominate the committee, said People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu. Instead of a Drafting Consultation Assembly as originally proposed by the People’s Party, the committee proposed a 35-person public consultation and participation committee. eng editor 1 Mon, 2025-11-24 - 17:16 * News * Constitutional amendment * Constituent Assembly (Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Thai Acting PM expresses confidence amid intensified clashes Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced that he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump following the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, expressing his confidence that the situation will unfold positively. However, clashes intensified and explosions continued before midnight, when the ceasefire officially took effect. Upon this return from Malaysia, the Acting PM told the media that both Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire. In addition, he also revealed that he had a phone conversation with the US president, who called to admire Thailand’s courageous role in reaching the agreement and maintaining peace for both countries. Phumtham said he expressed his gratitude to the U.S. President for facilitating a peaceful resolution. Due to the smooth discussion, he believed that the ceasefire agreement would not only strengthen regional peace but also pave the way for favourable trade negotiations with the US. When asked about the continuing attack, Phumtham said he believed the attack would end at midnight, as agreed, given the positive atmosphere of the talks and strong international support. He also added that if Cambodia fails to comply with the agreement, the international community will take the Thai side. In terms of international observers, he said Thailand was praised for its generosity and commitment to promoting peace and cooperation. Moreover, Thailand has been recognized for its commitment to turning its words into actions. The Acting PM strongly believed that the situation would unfold positively. According to a report from the Royal Thai Government, Phumtham reaffirmed that the talks did not address the disputed 1:200,000 map nor the opening or closing of border crossings. Following a meeting on 28 July mediated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current ASEAN Chair, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire starting from midnight. Military commanders from both countries will also meet at 7.00 on Tuesday (29 July). Both countries will also convene a meeting of the General Border Committee on 4 August. The ceasefire came after five days of battle along the Thai-Cambodian borders, which resulted in civilian casualties on both sides.  Since the clashes erupted on 24 July, 14 Thai civilians were killed, and at least 190,000 people in Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, and Si Saket provinces have been displaced.  However, after both parties agreed on a ceasefire, it was reported that the artillery exchanges intensified, particularly at the Ta Kwai Temple. The death toll among Thai military personnel has risen to 11, following the deaths of two more soldiers in the clashes on Monday (28 July). Meanwhile, the ongoing explosions were reported in the disputed area. eng editor 3 Tue, 2025-07-29 - 00:05 * News * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * Thai-Cambodia relations

Thai and Cambodian leaders to hold talks in Malaysia A meeting between Thai and Cambodian delegations to discuss an end to the ongoing border clashes will take place on Monday (28 July) in Malaysia, said Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister. The meeting came at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current ASEAN Chair. Following news reports from international media that Thai and Cambodian leaders were invited to Malaysia to discuss the conflict, Jirayu confirmed that the Thai government has accepted the invitation. The meeting  Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Saniampongsa, Deputy Defence Minister Gen Natthapon Nakpanich, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Prommin Lertsuridej, and Jirayu as a member of the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation will be travelling to Malaysia to attend the meeting, which will take place at 15.00 at the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office. Jirayu also said that the Thai government has been informed that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will attend the meeting himself. He added that the discussions will be about how to end the conflict, and that the Thai government will protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Clashes at the Thai-Cambodian border, which began last Thursday (24 July) have continued over the weekend and resulted in civilian casualties on both sides.  As of Sunday (27 July), according to the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, 14 Thai civilians have been killed and 37 injured.  Over 130,000 people have been evacuated from districts near the border in 7 provinces. 8 military personnel were killed and 103 injured. The US Embassy in Thailand said on Sunday (27 July) that, according to State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken to Maris to urge the Thai government to deescalate tensions immediately and agree to a ceasefire with Cambodia over the ongoing border dispute. Rubio reiterated that US President Donald Trump's desire for peace and the importance of an immediate ceasefire, and that the US is prepared to facilitate future discussions in order to ensure peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia. eng editor 1 Mon, 2025-07-28 - 01:26 * News * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * Thai-Cambodia relations * Thailand-Cambodia border conflict

Thai-Cambodia border clashes enter second day Thailand and Cambodia have entered into a second day of artillery exchanges, with casualties continuing to rise on both sides. The international community has called for a ceasefire, while the UN Security Council (UNSC) is scheduled to hold a private and urgent meeting on the border clashes today (25 July). On Friday (25 July), it was reported by the Royal Thai Army that  the clash began at around 4:00 a.m. in Ubon Ratchathani’s Chong Bok and Phu Makhuea, including Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak. The report said the Cambodian side continuously fired heavy artillery and BM-21 rockets. It was not until 8.00 a.m. that the Thai side fired in response. According to Thailand’s official briefing, 14 civilians have been killed, including one Thai army personnel. Seven people sustained serious injuries, 13 suffered moderate injuries, and 11 had minor injuries. In addition, at least 130,000 people in Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, and Sisaket provinces have been displaced due to the ongoing clashes. It was also reported that BM-21 rocket strikes have caused damage to civilian residences in three points in Ubon Ratchathani. However, there was no report of death and injury from the incidents. The evacuation has been proceeding for those living near the border areas. Medical personnel and patients in 11 hospitals in the attack redius, were also evacuated, with four hospitals being temporarily ceasing operations. The escalation resulted from the Thai Acting Prime Minister’s recall of the country’s ambassador to Cambodia on Wednesday (23 July) following injuries to five more Thai military personnel by landmines along the Thai-Cambodian border.   Casualties in Cambodia According to Cambodian media outlets, one Cambodian civilian was killed and five others were injured in Preah Vihear province’s Oddar Meanchey. Approximately 2,400 families have been evacuated from conflict zones in the province. The evacuees include residents from 12 villages and three communes in Banteay Ampil district, located near the areas of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces around Ta Moan Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and Thma Daun. Oddar Meanchey provincial spokesperson Met Measpheakdey confirmed that 260 schools across the province have been closed due to the ongoing Thai incursion. Hun Sen and Hun Manet must be responsible for the attack on Thai civilians, says Phumtham The Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai said he met with the Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim. He said the Malaysian PM wanted to find a solution to end the confrontation and Thailand did not object but Cambodia must first agree to a ceasefire, adding that Thailand repeatedly tried to engage in dialogue, but those efforts failed. The Acting PM strongly condemned Hun Sen and asserted that The Cambodian PM Hun Manet must be responsible for attacking civilians, particularly the attack on a convenience store at a gas station and the Phanom Dong Ruk Hospital. He noted that a dialogue could not happen if the Cambodian side still launches an attack on Thailand, and it was explicit that Cambodia intends to violate the international laws. UNSC to hold an urgent meeting After Hun Manet filed an official request with the UN Security Council, requesting it to convene an urgent meeting to address Thai aggression, the UNSC will be holding an emergency meeting on the ongoing border clashes today (25 July). Meanwhile, Thailand has sent a letter to the UNSC insisting that Cambodia opened fire first, and that a large number of Thai civilians were killed or injured. The UNSC President is also asked to circulate Thailand's letter to UNSC members. It was reported that Thailand will send Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Ambassador to the United Nations, to attend the meeting. In a media briefing, Nikorndej Balangura, a Foreign Minister Spokesperson, told media that he expressed confidence that the evidence from the Thai side was grounded and reaffirmed that Thailand was attacked first, adding that the country’s response was proportionate, aimed at defending its sovereignty and protecting its people. International community raised concern over the escalating border clashes Since the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia erupted on 24 July, several embassies and international organisations have raised concerns. Meanwhile, several embassies in Bangkok warned their people from travelling to Thailand and the disputed border. “The United States is gravely concerned by reports of the escalating fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border. We are particularly alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians. We express our deepest condolences on the loss of life. We strongly urge the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes,” said the US Embassy in its press statement on 25 July. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighbourliness, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights also urgently calls on the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to choose restraint over retaliation, dialogue over destruction. In the face of escalating violence along the border, ASEAN must act with moral clarity to protect the lives and dignity of border communities. eng editor 3 Fri, 2025-07-25 - 18:17 * News * UN Security Council (UNSC) * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * Thai-Cambodia relations * Phumtham Wechayachai

UNSC to hold an emergency meeting over Thai-Cambodian border clashes The UN Security Council (UNSC) will be holding an emergency meeting on the ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. Both local and international news outlets reported that the closed-door session will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York at 15.00 local time, or 2.00 on Saturday (26 July) in Thailand. Matichon Online reported that Cherdchai Chadvaivid, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, will represent Thailand during the session. Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry's Information Department, said at the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation's press conference today (25 July) that Thailand has sent a letter to the UNSC insisting that Cambodia opened fire first, and that a large number of Thai civilians were killed or injured. The UNSC President is also asked to circulate Thailand's letter to UNSC members. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet filed an official request with the UN Security Council yesterday (24 July) for an urgent meeting to address the border clashes. Cambodia claimed that Thai forces launched unprovoked, premeditated and deliberate attacks on Cambodian positions, noting that Thailand made baseless and unfounded allegations against Cambodia over landmine explosion. Hun Manet also emphasized that Cambodia had no option but to respond in self defense to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, as Acting Prime Minister, said today (24 July) that Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who is currently in New York, has met with the UNSC and explained the situation. he also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to file a letter with the UNSC. As clashes continue for the second day, 14 Thai civilians have been killed, while 31 were injured. Over 130,000 people have reportedly been evacuated.  Meanwhile, CamboJA News reported that 1 Cambodian civilian has been kiled and 5 were injured during an assault in Oddar Meanchey province. eng editor 1 Fri, 2025-07-25 - 14:33 * News * UN Security Council (UNSC)

APHR: Thai-Cambodia Border Bloodshed Demands ASEAN's Immediate Diplomatic Intervention Towards Peace ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) urgently calls on the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to choose restraint over retaliation, dialogue over destruction. In the face of escalating violence along the border, ASEAN must act with moral clarity to protect the lives and dignity of border communities. The Thailand–Cambodia border has long been marked by periodic tensions and unresolved territorial claims. But the conflict that erupted on 24 July has reached an unprecedented intensity as Thai F‑16 jets and heavy artillery exchanges have claimed at least nine civilian lives including an eight‑year‑old child and left fourteen more injured as homes, schools and medical facilities in Surin and Sisaket provinces were struck. “Families who once navigated these borders for trade, education and kinship now confront the trauma of displacement, loss of essential services and the collapse of their livelihood sources. The human cost of this conflict extends beyond immediate casualties, it threatens to impair the social bonds that bind our region,” exclaimed Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Chairperson and Member of the House of Representatives of Indonesia.  As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia must seize this critical moment to reverse conflict and secure diplomacy that will usher peace. Charles Santiago, APHR Co-Chairperson and former Malaysian Member of Parliament said that, “ASEAN Chair, Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim possesses the stature to engage the respective governments in serious negotiation.” He added that, “his decisive intervention can transform entrenched hostility into a shared commitment to civilian protection first and foremost.” APHR urges the ASEAN Chair to secure an immediate ceasefire, establish protected humanitarian corridors and relaunch direct talks between Thailand and Cambodia. After all, the ASEAN Charter enshrines the peaceful settlement of disputes and the protection of human rights as core tenets of regional cooperation. These values must now be tested and upheld in practice. Furthermore, as Southeast Asian lawmakers representing the people, we demand that Malaysia’s chairmanship harness every diplomatic tool at its disposal, demonstrating that ASEAN’s first and foremost duty is to safeguard human lives above all else. “As elected representatives of the people, we remind ASEAN that its first and foremost duty is not to power or prestige, but to human life,” said Wong Chen, APHR Board Member and Member of the Malaysian Parliament. “This is not a contest of arms, but a crossroads of conscience — one that will define ASEAN’s moral relevance for years to come.” eng editor 1 Fri, 2025-07-25 - 12:01 * Pick to Post * Cambodia * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR)

Thai-Cambodian border clashes: what we know This is an ongoing story. Check back later for updates A firefight broke out this morning (24 July) near Ta Muen Temple, said the Thai Army. There have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. The Army posted on its Facebook page that units stationed near the temple said they heard the sound of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which it believed to have been from Cambodia, hovering near the front of the temple. Although the units could not see the UAV, the sound was audible. The Army claimed that Cambodian troops then advanced towards the barbed wire fence near the Thai operating base with weapons. Six fully armed Cambodian soldiers, including one with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), approached the fence. Thai troops shouted warnings to avoid escalating the situation, the Army said, noting that they are maintaining border surveillance. The Thai Army also said that Cambodian troops opened fire from around 200 metre east of the Thai operating base at Ta Muen temple. However, according to Khmer Times, Cambodian Ministry of Defense Spokesperson Mali Socheata said that the Thai military launched an assault on Cambodian forces, who returned fire in response to an “unprovoked incursion.” Thai and Cambodian troops continued to clash along the borders. The 2nd Army Region said that BM-21 rockets were fired at Prasat Don Tual in Si Saket and a village in Surin’s Karb Choaeng district, and that Cambodian troops advanced towards Ta Kwai temple in Surin. At around 10.50, the 2nd Army Region said that 6 F-16 fighter jets were deployed from Ubon Ratchathani and conducted an air strike against two Cambodian military targets. It did not say, however, where these targets were. At 11.30, the 2nd Army Region posted a video clip showing a fire at the Seven-Eleven store in a gas station in Si Saket’s Kantharalak district. It said that the damage was due to a BM-21 rocket fired by Cambodia. There were also reports of an artillery strike on the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin. No casualty has been reported. Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, said at a press conference around 12.00 today (24 July) that clashes occurred in at least 6 areas following this morning’s clash at Ta Muen temple. He also said that all border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodian borders have been closed. The Thai Army issued a statement at around 1.50 condemning Cambodia’s attack on Thai civilians and that Thailand stands ready to defend its sovereignty and citizens. According to the Army, 9 people have been killed across four provinces, including an 8-year-old boy killed after an artillery shell landed in a village in Surin’s Karb Choeng district. 14 were injured. Of this number, 6 were killed at the petrol station in Kantharalak, where 10 were injured. Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns attack On Thursday (24 July), the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued four key messages in its official statement in response to the recent Thailand-Cambodia situation. The Thai government condemns Cambodia in the strongest terms the violations of Thailand’s sovereignty and international law, following the laying of anti-personnel landmines within Thai territory that caused injuries to Thai military personnel and firing heavy artillery into the Thai military base on 24 July. Due to the severity of the situation, Cambodia apparently intended to act against Thailand, the Thai Government has decided to downgrade diplomatic ties and recall its ambassador to Cambodia, as well as requests the Cambodian government to recall its Ambassador to Thailand. The Thai government urges Cambodia to cease its repeated act which constitutes a severe violation of international law. Such actions fundamentally contradict the principles of good neighborly relations and will further undermine Cambodia's reputation and credibility on the global stage. The Thai government called on Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents, cease attacks against civilian and military targets, and stop all actions that violate Thailand’s sovereignty. The Thai government is also prepared to intensify self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack.  Cambodia downgrades diplomatic ties with Thailand Khmer Times reported that the Cambodian government has announced its decision to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Thailand “to the lowest level” in response to Thailand’s decision to reduce ties with Cambodia. According to Khmer Times, Cambodia is reducing diplomatic ties to the level of Second Charge d’Affairs. All Cambodian diplomatic staff at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok have been ordered to return home, while Thailand has been instructed to arrange the departure of its diplomatic personnel from Cambodia. Thailand announced its decision to reduce ties with Cambodia last night (23 July), after five military personnel were injured by landmines along the Thai-Cambodian borders. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that Thailand is recalling its ambassador to Cambodia, and will expel Cambodia’s ambassador from Thailand. The 2nd Army Region also announced the closure of four border crossings in Surin, Sri Saket, and Buriram, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, as well as tourist attractions —  the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples. The order is effective from Thursday (24 July). The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh is recommending that Thai nationals staying or visiting Cambodia leave the country as soon as possible, and to refrain from traveling to Cambodia unless absolutely necessary. eng editor 1 Thu, 2025-07-24 - 15:12 * News * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * Thai-Cambodia relation

Thailand downgrades diplomatic ties with Cambodia over landmine dispute Tension between Thailand and Cambodia has reached the breaking point after Thailand’s Defence Minister announced the recall of the country’s ambassador to Cambodia following the injury of five more Thai military personnel by landmines along the Thai-Cambodian border. On Thursday (24 July), a clash was reported between Thai and Cambodian troops in the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple. Both troops traded accusations over who initiated the confrontation. Meanwhile, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. Previously, the acting Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced on Wednesday (23 July) that Thailand will downgrade diplomatic ties with Cambodia. The Thai ambassador to Cambodia will be summoned back, while Thailand will also expel the Cambodian ambassador to Thailand. The announcement followed the fresh landmine dispute where five Thai army personnel stepped on a landmine during patrol on Wednesday (23 July) in the disputed Huai Bon area located in Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen District, resulting in one personnel, Sergeant Phichitchai Boonkorat, losing his right leg. Meanwhile, four others experienced chest tightness and tinnitus due to the blast concussion. They are now being treated at Nam Yuen Hospital. This was a second landmine incident, which escalated tension between the two countries. Previously, three Thai army personnel were also injured last week when one of them stepped on a landmine along the undemarcated Thai-Cambodian border at Chang Bok Pass. One of the personnel, Private Thanapat Huaiwan, sustained a serious injury to his left leg, which had to be amputated. The Deputy Prime Minister also revealed that it has been verified that they were the newly laid anti-personnel landmines, which constituted a violation of the Ottawa Treaty. On the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally lodged a protest with the Cambodian Embassy. Tension has been brewing in the Chong Bok area since 28 May, after a clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers stationed at the border. While Thailand insisted on pursuing bilateral negotiations through the existing Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism, Cambodia has announced that it is taking the cases of the Emerald Triangle and of the Ta Muen Thom, Ta Muen Tot, and Ta Kwai temples before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Thailand has repeatedly asserted that it has not accepted the ICJ’s jurisdiction since 1960. In response to the incident that occurred on Wednesday, the Royal Thai Army issued its statement condemning the Cambodian side for the incident involving the covert placement of landmines in the border area of Chong An Ma. “The Royal Thai Army strongly condemns this inhumane act that violates international humanitarian principles and international agreements, occurring within the Kingdom of Thailand's territory due to actions by the Cambodian side, and calls upon the Cambodian side to take responsibility for this incident, which constitutes a serious threat to peace and stability in the border region between the two countries,” said the statement. The 2nd Army Region also announced the closure of four border crossings in Surin, Sri Saket, and Buriram, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, as well as tourist attractions —  the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples. The order is effective from Thursday (24 July). Meanwhile, the Cambodian Defence Ministry stated that Cambodia has repeatedly warned Thailand that the area in question still contained numerous unexploded landmines leftover from wars in the past, urging Thailand to respect the agreement on patrol routes as outlined in the MoU 2000 between the two countries. Rollercoaster relations The two countries have been in rollercoaster diplomatic relations over time. Their ties were severed on two occasions in 1958 and 1961 due to the Preah Vihear Temple dispute. In addition to these two incidents, Thailand and Cambodia also downgraded diplomatic ties following the arson attack on the Royal Thai embassy in 2003, which stemmed from media reports in Cambodia alleging that Thai actress Suvanant Kongying had made defamatory remarks about the Cambodian people. Thailand recalled all its envoys and expelled Cambodian envoys. In 2009, Thailand recalled the Thai ambassador to Cambodia after Cambodia appointed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to its government. Cambodia later issued a statement, terminating Thaksin's advisory. At the same time, it also recalled its ambassador to Thailand. eng editor 3 Thu, 2025-07-24 - 09:53 * News * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * Thai-Cambodia relations

Senior cadets given suspended sentence over death of first-year cadet The Supreme Military Court ruled yesterday (22 July) to uphold suspended prison sentences against two senior cadets and a drill sergeant charged over the death of a first-year cadet in 2017. Pakapong Tanyakan, a first-year cadet at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, died on 17 October 2017 after he was ‘disciplined’ by two senior cadets, identified as Phumiphat and Phiphot, and a drill sergeant named Piyaphong. It was reported that Pakapong recorded in a diary abuses and physical violence in the school and that he was assaulted and faced extreme disciplinary actions, including being forced to run against a doctor’s advice and to exercise in a sauna. The school told his family that Pakapong died from sudden heart failure. However, his family found bruises on his body and requested another autopsy at the Central Forensic Institute of the Public Health Ministry, where it was found that some of Pakapong’s internal organs, including his heart and brain, were missing. Pakapong’s death led to criticism of the military and questions about how the case was handled. In November 2017, the Chief of Defence Forces issued a statement admitting that Pakapong was punished by the senior cadets and drill sergeant. Meanwhile, his family filed a complaint with the Department of Special Investigation. In March 2019, the two cadets and the drill sergeant were indicted for manslaughter. They were tried in the Military Court, which gave the two cadets suspended prison sentences. ThaiPBS reported today (22 July) that the Supreme Military Court ruled to uphold the Appeal Court’s verdict finding Phumiphat and Phiphot guilty. They were sentenced to 4 months and 15 days in prison and a fine of 15,000 baht. Their sentence was suspended for 2 years because the Court said that, given their age and the fact they have never been sentenced to prison before, it would not be useful to jail them. The Court also said that they should be given the chance to improve themselves and continue serving the country. Pakapong’s family also filed a civil lawsuit against the Army and the Ministry of Defence for compensation. The Appeal Court ordered that the family be compensated. However, Pakapong’s mother Sukanya Tanyakan told Matichon Online ahead of today’s Supreme Military Court ruling that the family was paid 100,000 baht for funeral costs, but never received any other compensation. Sukanya also posted on her Facebook page last night (22 July) that she hopes to launch an inquest in a civilian court into Pakapong’s death to resolve remaining questions about his cause of death. The sentence given to the two senior cadets sparked widespread criticism of the Military Court and calls for reform as the sentence was seen as too light. People's Party MP Chayapon Satondee, spokesperson for the House Standing Committee on the Armed Forces, said in a press conference today (22 July) that the Supreme Military Court's ruling led to questions about the Military Court's standard and whether military court should exist when justice has not been delivered in cases where civilians file a complaint against military personnel. Chayaphon, himself a former cadet at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, noted that there several suspicions about the case, such as gaps in witness accounts of the events. He noted that the school has regulations about what punishment command students are allowed to give junior students, but Pakapong's punishment was not in line with said regulations. He also questioned why the students' commanding officers said they were not aware of what had taken place when they are responsible for the students. It is time for the Army to implement its regulations, Chayaphon said. The Army would make excuses every time a Private or a Cadet is killed during disciplinary action, saying that it already has regulations prohibiting excessive actions, but Chayaphon said these regulations are not strictly implemented. He also questioned whether it is appropriate the two senior cadets were not only given such a light sentence for Pakapong's death and were not discharged from service. The preparatory school should be a safe zone for students to learn how to appropriately and safely use their power in the chain of command so that they would become good officers, he said, but the cadets involved in this case show that they had not exercise enough discretion to stay within the bounds of regulation and causing a loss of life. It is time for the Army to reform its internal system and how it trains future officers. People's Party MP Ekkarach Udomumnouy, secretary of the House Standing Committee on the Armed Forces, noted during the same press conference the Military Court Act does not allow civilians to directly file charges with a military court but must do so through a military prosecutor. The People's Party has filed a bill proposing amendments to the Military Court Act so that civilians can become plaintiffs in cases being handled by a Military Court, he said. The proposed amendments would also make military court independent, transparents, and give plaintiffs the same rights as civilian courts. It had also proposed amending the Constitution to abolish military courts during peacetime. Under the new anti-torture and enforced disappearance act, cases of disciplinary actions resulting in death are seen as torture and tried in the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Ekkarach said, however, that there has been attempts by the Army to have these cases tried in a military court. One example is a case involving the death of a conscript at Fort Mengraimaharaj in Chiang Rai, where defendants attempted to argue that the anti-torture and enforced disappearance act is unconstitutional and the case should be tried in a military court instead of the civilian Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Chiang Mai.  Ekkarach said that sentences given in a criminal case must be proportional to the offense. He is concerned that such a light sentence given in a military court would perpetuate a culture of impunity in the military, as soldiers might think that they will be given a light sentence as long as they are tried in a military court. He asked that the government support the proposed amendments to make a start on reforming the military. eng editor 1 Wed, 2025-07-23 - 10:44 * News * Pakapong Tanyakan * military court * culture of impunity * death in military barrack * Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School

Senator faces legal action over misuse of ‘professor’ title Senator Keskamol Pleansamai faces legal action after the Election Commission (EC) ruled that she violated the law by falsely using the title ‘professor’ in her application. If found guilty, she could be imprisoned for up to 10 years and banned from standing for political office for 20 years. A complaint against Keskamol was filed with the EC on 5 July by Pattharapong Supaksorn. On 18 July, the EC accepted the case and ruled against the senator. The case will be submitted to the Supreme Court’s Election Case Division. According to the law, the offence carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Those found guilty are also disqualified from running for political office for 20 years. The 45-year-old senator and physician drew public attention in last year’s Senate election when she secured the highest number of votes in the election. On her application, she claimed that she was a ‘professor’ who held a doctoral degree from California University. It was later revealed that she obtained a PhD in Business Administration from California University, not the reputable University of California as was widely assumed. The certificate she received was also not an official degree, but rather a document issued by a credential evaluation service. As a result, her use of the honorific ‘professor’ came under scrutiny.  Receiving the academic title is usually granted through multiple processes, including royal approval. Keskamol acknowledged that she was not granted royal approval and was not recognised as a professor by any institution in Thailand. She said instead that the EC previously allowed her to use the title in her Senate introduction document. According to the EC, an appointment to the position of professor must follow the criteria governing academic titles and Keskamol does not appear in the official database of those legally holding the position. The Ministry of Higher Education’s Office of the Permanent Secretary also never evaluated or recognised credentials from California University or California University FCE and Keskamol never served in academic circles as a professor. As a result they concluded that her claim to be a professor, without ever having legally held the position in Thailand, was an act of deception, misleading the public regarding her qualifications and expertise.  eng editor 3 Wed, 2025-07-23 - 13:40 * News * Keskamol Pleansamai * senate * Election Commission * academic * Senate election 2024

Court dismisses request to remove Anon’s leg shackles during trial The Criminal Court has dismissed a petition requesting an inquiry to end inhumane treatment of human rights lawyer Anon Nampa regarding the use of leg shackles during his royal defamation trial, citing that the practice was lawful. The petition was filed on 28 May by Thai historian Thongchai Winichakul, the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) after Anon Nampa was repeatedly seen with both legs shackled while being transferred from the Bangkok Remand Prison to the Ratchada Criminal Court to attend his royal defamation trials. The petition, filed to address Anon’s case, urges the Court to hold an inquiry with the officers responsible for Anon’s custody to consider whether the use of leg shackles is truly necessary. According to Thongchai, the requirement that detainees wear a prison uniform or shackles during their trial is a violation of human rights and dignity, which contradicts the principle of presumed innocence. Although such petitions must be submitted on a case-by-case basis, it is expected that they will provide a standard legal procedure that can be used to help other detainees. He also noted that Section 21 of the 2017 Corrections Act stipulates that shackles only be used with high-risk prisoners or those who have attempted escape in the past, not detainees like Anon, a prominent figure in the international community who has been widely and repeatedly recognised for his work to protect human rights. His royal defamation cases have drawn global attention, and Thongchai argues that images of him shackled in court undermine the credibility of Thailand’s judicial system. Anon has been held in detention since 26 September 2023 for 10 royal defamation convictions. He now faces a cumulative prison sentence of 29 years and 1 month. Anon’s testimony During his detention, Anon was both a defendant and a lawyer. He stated that he was shackled every time he commuted from the prison to the Court. The sharp edges of the shackles caused abrasions on his skin, leaving fresh wounds. As he was required to appear in court several consecutive days, the shackles repeatedly rubbed against the same wounds, particularly when he walked around the court performing his duties as a lawyer. This occurred despite the fact that he has never attempted to flee, and always appears in court as required. In addition, Anon noted that the shackles would be dragged along the floor as he walked, creating loud clanking noises. He also felt humiliated by the gaze of both complainants and witnesses, especially when he had to perform his duties without being able to wear a proper suit as a lawyer did. He asserted that this treatment deprived him of his dignity as a lawyer. As a father, Anon did not want his children to see him in shackles. Anon stated that not only should those prosecuted for political expression be spared such treatment, but no detainees should be treated as if they have already been convicted with a final verdict. He observed that some detainees had to tie a rope with the chains connected to shackles to prevent them from dragging on the ground and rubbing against their ankles. Some detainees even had to bend down to lift the chains before being able to stand and walk. As a human rights lawyer, he believes that those who committed crimes deserve to be treated in a manner proportionate to their punishment. They may be imprisoned, but they should not suffer from being shackled like this. Anon also argued that human dignity should be upheld at the policy level, both within the Corrections Department and courts, rather than being left to the discretion of individual officers. Unnecessary shackling is unconstitutional Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law professor at Thammasat University, said shackling Anon while his case has not yet reached a final verdict violates the Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence. Additionally, the Constitutional Court previously ruled in 2011 that the use of shackles was unconstitutional. Although the Corrections Act authorizes shackling, such power must be strictly exercised under the Constitution, which stipulates that any law that limits rights and freedoms must comply with the conditions in the Constitution. Prinya also stated that only suspects or defendants who are likely to flee should be held in detention . This approach also aligns with the minimum standards set by the United Nations. Shackles were abolished a century ago Sarunyu Thepsongkraow, a historian who studies modern Thai punishment, said that before the legal reforms during the reign of King Rama V, detainees were subjected to harsh practices, including being shackled at the feet and neck. Even after the Corrections Department was established in the reign of King Rama VI, the use of shackles, both inside and outside the prison, was abolished. Sarunyu also added that during the tenure of Prime Minister Sarit Thanarat, political prisoners were not subjected to physical restraints, either while in prison or during transfer to court. The Court dismissed the request According to TLHR, the Court concluded that restricting freedom, the corrections officers’ actions were in accordance with the Corrections Act, adding that the petition lacked sufficient grounds for further consideration. A lawyer from the CrCF said the Court did not even mention the repeated injuries Anon had suffered from wearing leg shackles, despite having visible bruises and scars. In addition, corrections officers have never provided any justification for why Anon was placed in leg shackles. An official form used to record the transfer of detainees to court contained only the detainees’ details and the size of shackles. The section of the form meant for explaining the reason for using shackles simply includes only a checkbox labelled “to prevent escape,” which officers tick and sign off on. However, they did not provide reasons that led them to assume the detainee might attempt to flee. This practice has become standard, even though officers should be required to provide clear justifications. In response to the Court’s decision, Thongchai said it confirmed that the courts continue to legitimise legal exceptions, turning them into normal practice in the country. Meanwhile, Anon asserted that he would appeal, stating that the new practice would also serve as a precedent, ensuring all detainees are free from shackles. eng editor 3 Tue, 2025-07-22 - 18:24 * News * Anon Nampa * Thongchai Winichakul * Royal defamation * Section 112 * lese majeste * Department of Corrections * political prisoners * Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) * Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF)

Thai military accuses Cambodia of laying new landmines in disputed area The Thai military has accused Cambodia of laying new anti-personnel landmines along the undemarcated Thai-Cambodian border at Chang Bok Pass, after three Thai soldiers were injured last Wednesday when one of them stepped on a landmine. One of the soldiers, Private Thanapat Huaiwan, sustained a serious injury to his left leg, which had to be amputated. He was promoted to a sergeant and received around 900,000 baht in compensation along with a 50,000-baht royal donation. Once he completes his treatment, he will receive a monthly allowance of 15,600 baht and other assistance as a veteran. Sergeant Patipat Srilasak and Private Nattawut Srikhem sustained minor injuries. They will receive compensation of 10,000 baht each. Tension has been brewing in the Chong Bok area since 28 May, after a clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers stationed at the border. While Thailand insisted on pursuing bilateral negotiations through the existing Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism, Cambodia has announced that it is taking the cases of the Emerald Triangle and of the Ta Muen Thom, Ta Muen Tot, and Ta Kwai temples before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Thailand has repeatedly asserted that it has not accepted the ICJ’s jurisdiction since 1960. Cambodia previously denied that its troops recently planted anti-personnel landmines in the Chong Bok Area. ThaiPBS World reported that according to a statement issued on Friday (18 July) by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), claims that the landmines were planted by Cambodian troops are unfounded and unverified. The Nation reported on Saturday (19 July) that, according to 2nd Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, an inspection of the Chong Bok area found eight recently-planted landmines. He said that the clear markings on the mines and their placement on the surface suggested they were new, and claimed that they were found on Thai soil, between 100 – 150 metres beyond the Cambodian military’s deployment line. Lt Boonsin said that the findings would be reported to the Army Operations Centre, and then to the government. He also said that it is the 2nd Army Region’s duty to retaliate, adding that the Army can proceed without waiting for an order from the government. Army spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said on Saturday (19 July) the placement of the landmines is a violation of the Ottawa Convention, which aims at eliminating anti-personnel landmines. The government would be receiving a report of the situation to lodge a formal protest note with the UN. The Army will also be sending troops to conduct further inspections and clear the mines. On Sunday (20 July), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement condemning the use of anti-personnel mines as “a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand.” It called the use of anti-personnel mines an “outright breach” of international law and a clear violation of obligations under the Ottawa Convention. As a state party, Thailand will be taking action in accordance with said Convention while continuing to use bilateral channels to “resolve our differences with Cambodia.” It also called on Cambodia to cooperate on humanitarian demining efforts along the border. eng editor 1 Mon, 2025-07-21 - 14:43 * News * Thai-Cambodian conflicts * Thai-Cambodia relations

Activists indicted for royal defamation, sedition over September 2020 protest 3 activists have been indicted on charges of sedition and royal defamation, among other charges, over a protest in front of parliament on 24 September 2020. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported that Jutatip Sirikhan, Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon, and Chanin Wongsri were indicted on Thursday (17 July) on charges of sedition, royal defamation, participating in an assembly of more than 10 persons and causing a breach of peace, violation of the Emergency Decree, and violation of the Communicable Diseases Act. The public prosecutor indicted them on the grounds that they did not implement disease control measures during the protest, which the prosecutor claimed was crowded and at risk of spreading Covid-19, and refused to follow a police order for them to move out of the road and away from parliament entrance. The prosecutor also said that they defamed the King in their speeches. Jutatip’s speech concerned changes in how crown property is managed. Patsaravalee spoke about road closures during royal motorcades, the principle of ‘the King can do no wrong,’ and the hope that the monarch will function under the Constitution. Chanin spoke about problems with sections on the monarchy in the 2017 Constitution and not being able to criticize the monarchy when it uses taxpayer’s money, and criticized the budget allocation for the Army. All three activists were granted bail on a security of 180,000 baht each and on condition that they must not obstruct or damage their trial. The protest to demand constitutional amendments and monarchy reform took place in front of parliament on 24 September 2020, the day when a parliamentary session was discussing constitutional amendments. Jutatip, Patsaravalee, and Chanin were later summoned by the police along with two other activists, Kiattichai  Tangpornphan and Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree to hear their charges. Kiattichai and Tattep have since gone into exile overseas. TLHR noted that the activists were originally charged with sedition, but were summoned by the police again in December 2020 and informed that they have also been charged with royal defamation. They were summoned one more time in February 2021 and informed that charges of participating in an assembly of more than 10 persons and causing a breach of peace, violation of the Emergency Decree, and violation of the Communicable Diseases Act had been added. The case was forwarded to the public prosecutor on 19 January 2024. The activists have been required to report to the public prosecutor once a month for the past year and a half before they were indicted. Chonticha Jangrew, activist-turned-People’s Party MP, was also charged with violation of the Emergency Decree and participating in an assembly of more than 10 persons and causing a breach of peace. The Dusit District Court dismissed all charges against her on the grounds that the protest was held in an open air space and at a time when the Covid-19 situation had already improved. The Court also said that there was no evidence that the protest caused a breach of peace. eng editor 1 Fri, 2025-07-18 - 18:06 * News * Royal defamation * Sedition * Student protest 2020 * Jutatip Sirikhan * Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon * Chanin Wongsri

Fuel ban hits Thai energy giant as Cambodia shifts to regional suppliers Effective midnight on 23 June 2025, Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, ordered the suspension of all imports of fuel and gas from Thailand amid the border disputes between the two countries. At the same time, Cambodia also appears to be leveraging the moment to diversify its energy sources away from Thailand, with the well-connected Kampuchea Tela, the largest energy player in the country, standing to gain even more market share as PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (PTT OR), the Thai state enterprise and second-largest fuel distributor in the country, suffers a setback. PTT OR’s ‘Second Homebase' plan, part of its global market strategy, which was unveiled just three months earlier, has been significantly disrupted. In Neak Vorn, Phnom Penh, a flagship PTT station just reopened on 21 March after a period of renovations, featuring EV charging stations, an expanded Café Amazon, and new services such as Otteri Wash & Dry and 7-Eleven, and Mike’s Burger. That same day, the first Café Amazon Concept Store opened in Toul Kork, marking the 254th Café Amazon branch in Cambodia. The Thai embassy in Cambodia said that the openings coincided with the 75th anniversary of Thai-Cambodian diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of PTT Cambodia’s operations. However, PTT OR's 186 gas stations across Cambodia, operating under PTT Cambodia Limited (PTTCL), are now limited to selling off remaining stock, with their business effectively confined to non-oil operations such as Café Amazon outlets and convenience stores. PTT has already recalled its Thai employees from Cambodia as of 22 June, leaving primarily Cambodian staff. There have also been reports of online campaigns urging a boycott of PTT stations in Cambodia. Some PTT partner stations said that they couldn’t stop all services because they are not entirely owned by PTT and they can still import oil from other sources. [(From left to right) Nuttapong Kaewtrakulpong, Managing Director of PTTCL; Cheap Sour, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy of Cambodia; Tull Traisorat, Thai Ambassador to Cambodia; M.L. Peekthong Thongyai, CEO of PTTOR and 2 executives from PTTOR and PTTCL, attended the opening ceremony of the PTT Neak Vorn service station in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 21 March 2025.  Source: Tone Peekthong’s Facebook page On 3 July, Senate President Hun Sen clarified that the owners of Thailand’s PTT gas stations in Cambodia may continue operating under the same brand, but must source fuel from countries other than Thailand, such as Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. According to the Khmer Times, he also “outlined four key areas, namely electricity, internet, fuel, and more, where Cambodia must achieve self-reliance to counter future threats like those from Thailand.” This firm stance was demonstrated by the Cambodian navy in expelling the oil tanker Chetthanabodi 6 from Cambodian waters on 27 June after it was found to have entered illegally. The vessel, carrying diesel for the Cambodian oil company Sokimex under a pre-paid three-month contract with PTT OR, was told it could not dock as it was traveling the night the fuel ban took effect. Cambodia's Minister of Mines and Energy, Keo Rottanak, reiterated that no oil or gas imports from Thailand would be permitted under any circumstances now that the government's import ban has taken effect. With PTT OR's market share under threat, Kampuchea Tela, identified as the largest market shareholder in Cambodia's fuel business with over 2,000 service stations, stands to increase its dominance. Kampuchea Tela wasted no time in affirming its readiness to supply fuel, posting videos of its oil trucks preparing to depart from depots just hours after the import ban took effect. Smaller players such as Caltex (Chevron Cambodia), Total Cambodge (TotalEnergies), Sokimex (Sok Kong Import Export) and Bright Victory Mekong Petroleum, are conducting business as usual although they may be constrained by the ban. A video clip on the Kampuchea Tela Facebook page showing a convoy of fuel trucks preparing to leave its oil depot, demonstrating its readiness to supply fuel and energy in Cambodia, was posted at noon on 23 June, 12 hours after the fuel import suspension from Thailand took effect. Kampuchea Tela is known for its close ties to the Cambodian ruling elite and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). Although its founder, Chun On, is not a direct relative of Hun Sen, allegations by the former opposition Sam Rainsy Party in 2005 claimed that Hun Sen's wife, Bun Rany, held a 22% stake and his daughter, Hun Mana, a 10% stake in Kampuchea Tela. The opposition further suggested the company served as an economic instrument for the CPP and Hun Sen's network, with other shareholders acting as nominees. The Cambodian government asserts that its domestic fuel distribution companies are capable of importing sufficient oil and gas from alternative sources to meet national demand for the long term. Cambodia already imports most of its refined oil from Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia. While Casey Barnett, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, said that Thailand and Vietnam each supplied about 29% of Cambodia's oil, and Cambodia can readily shift more purchases to Singapore (11%), a major hub for refined oil originating from Saudi Arabia and the USA, Thailand's Department of Energy Business claimed Thailand supplied a significantly higher 67.4%. Cambodia currently lacks its own oil refinery, with past efforts to develop offshore oil fields and establish refineries facing setbacks and delays. In 2024, Cambodia's total imports of diesel, petroleum, and gas amounted to US$2.69 billion, an increase of 12% from the previous year. The Ministry of Mines and Energy projects that domestic oil demand will rise to 4.8 million tonnes by 2030, from 2.8 million tonnes in 2020. Cambodia's high reliance on internal combustion engine vehicles, with over 7.7 million registered vehicles in March 2025 (85% motorcycles, 10% private cars, 5% trucks and others), underscores its significant and growing fuel needs. Electric vehicles, despite a recent increase in registrations, remain a small fraction of the total fleet with limited charging infrastructure. The ban is currently still in effect. Khmer Times reported that, on 16 July, Cambodia's General Department of Customs and Excise reissued a directive banning imports of fruits, vegetables, and fuel and gas from Thailand. eng editor 1 Fri, 2025-07-18 - 14:49 * News * Cambodia * Thai-Cambodian conflicts

Parliament approves 120-day parental leave bill On Wednesday (16 July), parliament passed in the second and third readings a new labour protection bill increasing paid parental leave from 90 to 120 days. During the second reading of the bill, some members of the drafting committee argued that paid leave should be raised to 180 days. People’s Party MP Wanvipa Maison, for one, argued that it should be 180 days, 90 days of which could be shared with spouses. Citing UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), she explained that a 180-day leave would benefit both mother and child. She also noted that it would help to address Thailand’s low birth rate, give workers more time to raise their children, and make it easier for fathers to help. Quoting WHO guidelines, Wefair’s Nitirat Sapsomboon also called for a longer leave, noting that babies should be breastfed for at least 180 days. He added that the Maternity Protection Convention of the International Labour Organization (ILO) stipulates that mothers are entitled to a minimum 14 weeks of parental leave, and should ideally receive 18. If the period of leave is too short, Nitirat said, it could affect the child’s health as mothers have to stop breastfeeding. He added that guaranteeing parental leave would help to solve Thailand’s low birthrate issue. Citing a report by Economist Intelligence Unit, he said that the falling birth rate was due, in part, to women having to choose between working or having children. Noting that maternal rights are protected by the Constitution, he argued that increasing paid leave to 180 days would also promote gender equality. According to Worasit Liangprasit, Bhumjaithai Party MP and chair of the drafting committee, the committee decided on 120 days after taking all factors into consideration, including the current economic issues. He added that the leave period could be increased to 150 or 180 days by a royal decree whenever the economy improves and circumstances warrant it. Parliament voted 423 to 0 to approve the bill as proposed by the drafting committee, with 1 abstention. It then voted 406 to 1 to pass the bill in its third reading. The bill will now be forwarded to the Senate for three more readings before it can become law. eng editor 1 Fri, 2025-07-18 - 10:42 * News * Parental leave * Maternity leave * labour rights * Labour protection