More than a decade after she was forcibly evicted by subsidiaries of Thai-based Mitr Phol Sugar Corporation, Cambodian resident Hoy Mai believes she may finally receive justice. Mai and her fellow plaintiffs plan to testify in groundbreaking legal action against the Thai sugar giant. Globe’s Jack Brook shares the stories and the struggles of these Cambodian villagers seeking justice in Southeast Asia's first cross-border, class action lawsuit and uncovers the sour side of the sugar trade as plaintiffs call for greater accountability in multinational corporations.

#cambodia #thailand #sugar #lawsuit

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/cambodians-face-sugar-giant-in-thai-court/

In Bangkok’s cramped detention centres, oppressive heat mixes with the sweat of fear. Refugees share stories and allegations of violent abuse, arrested and treated as criminals as they flee from danger in their home countries. In his first piece for the Globe, Caleb Quinley shares accounts from refugees who have been detained over the last two years and discusses the new allegations of physical abuse revealed in the Kingdom’s detention centres.

#thailand #bangkok #detentioncentres #refugees

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/refugees-in-thailand-allege-physical-abuse-inside-immigration-detention-centres/

Last Wednesday marked the end of Thai Prime Minister Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s 8-year term, as the Constitutional Court called a temporary suspension of his title. But as Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan steps into his post, activists are sceptical about the prospect for real change and are calling out for “real democracy” in the Kingdom. In her debut at the Globe, our newest editor Beatrice Siviero was on the ground as pro-democracy protests gathered in Bangkok, and explores the rise of a new generation of fearless Thai activists calling for change.

#bangkok #thailand #democracy #protests

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/activists-say-thai-prime-ministers-suspension-is-a-tool-to-buy-time/

Thailand’s foreign policy has been described as bamboo, bending in the wind towards China or the United States. Recently, the Kingdom’s joining of U.S President Biden’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and resistance to a Thailand-China-Laos train have been read as signs the Kingdom is leaning away from the East Asian superpower. Globe columnist, Mark S. Cogan tackles the premature assumptions that Thailand is defying Beijing and bending towards the U.S. through his analysis of the Kingdom’s military modernisation, trade partnerships and foreign policy. 

#thailand #usa #foreignpolicy #internationalrelations

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/is-thailand-bending-toward-the-united-states-think-again/

Hiding out in Thailand, thousands of anti-coup critics who fled to escape the Myanmar military’s crackdown that started last year are carving out an uncertain survival. They have fled their homeland from fear of death, but now, increased security forces along the Thai - Myanmar border have made their future in the Kingdom precarious. Globe’s Caleb Quinley discusses the fate of anti-coup activists who, if they are deported back to Myanmar, face potential torture, arrest, or death.

#thailand #myanmar #border #security #refugees

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/myanmar-junta-critics-struggle-to-survive-as-thai-security-increases/

Still reeling from the shockwaves of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s recent suspension, Thailand recently made another landmark step: the passing of a historic anti-torture bill. The new legislation has potentially life-saving impact on the Kingdom’s refugees and asylum seekers, as it could prevent them from being returned to places where torture, arrest and grave human rights abuses await. Patrick Phongsathorn, Human Rights Advocacy Specialist at Fortify Rights, discusses the impact and implications of Thailand’s anti-torture bill, for the Kingdom and for the hubs of human rights abuses in its neighbour Myanmar. 

#thailand #myanmar #refugees #torture #antitorturebill

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/thailands-anti-torture-bill-could-finally-end-refugee-push-backs/

An August visit from S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister to Thailand marked 75 years of bilateral ties between the two countries. Spanning security, trade and diplomatic support, their interactions are set to become even more important as the Kingdom extends itself beyond Southeast Asia. In this analysis, Globe columnist Mark S. Cogan explores the Kingdom’s bilateral relations with India and why longstanding partnerships are critical for Thailand’s national interests. 

#Thailand #India #trade #internationalrelations

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/thailands-relations-with-india-are-critical-to-its-interests-in-the-indo-pacific/

On 6 October, tragedy struck the peaceful Young Children’s Development Center in Uthai Sawan, Nong Bua Lamphu, in northeast Thailand. Armed with firearms and a knife, a former police officer stormed the nursery, ending the lives of 24 children before turning on himself and his family at home. Globe’s Beatrice Siviero was on the ground to report on the painful aftermath of the kingdom’s worst killing of this kind and how the country’s high rate of civilian gun possession provides a grim backdrop to the event.

#thailand #school #violence #masskilling

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/shattered-by-one-of-thailands-worst-mass-killings-the-country-grapples-with-a-collective-trauma/

Jatuporn “New” Sae-Ung’s three-year prison sentence in September for wearing a Thai traditional dress and performing a mock fashion walk at a political protest in Bangkok has brought the Kingdom’s severe lèse-majesté crackdowns back into the spotlight. In a country with some of the harshest royal defamation laws in the world, Thai courts deemed Jatuporn’s actions to be a parody of Queen Suthida. In this opinion piece, Sulakshana Lamubol, program manager at Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, discusses the impact of barring criticism of high authority and the problems with enforced respect of public institutions.

#thailand #ideology #opinion #lesemajeste #royal #defamation #law #whatishappeninginthailand

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/thailand-is-using-royal-defamation-laws-to-silence-its-people-but-it-wont-succeed/

Karen politician Porlajee “Billy" Rakchongcharoen led a determined mission to defend community rights to ancestral land within his local Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand’s Petchaburi province. That was until 2014, when he was arrested by park officials and then disappeared. His remains were found in a sunken oil drum five years later. Billy’s fate is a chilling example of the Kingdom’s many enforced disappearances, an act defined as a state-sanctioned abduction and often murder. In this opinion piece, Pornpen Kongkachankiet, director at the Cross Cultural Foundation, looks at Thailand’s spate of enforced disappearances and the actions governments need to take to serve greater justice.

#thailand #justice #opinion #activism #enforceddisappearances #humanrights #whatshappeninginthailand

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/killers-of-prominent-land-rights-activist-charged-after-seven-years-but-a-culture-of-impunity-still-thrives-in-thailand/

Bangkok has recently experienced some of its worst flooding in two decades. Heavy downpours deluge the Thai capital every monsoon season but as the city endlessly urbanises, less permeable land is available, and risks rise along with the water. Wanpen Pajai explores the canal housing settlements which are tackling the issue, but being met with mixed reactions.

#thailand #bangkok #flooding #canal #community #urbandevelopment #floods

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/bangkok-looks-to-decrease-flooding-through-canal-housing-settlements-but-local-residents-have-mixed-reactions/

Thailand is gearing up to host this year’s annual gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, taking place from 18 - 19 November. Under the theme of “Open. Connect. Balance,” the Kingdom is looking to build its bilateral relations and bank on its plans for economic integration. Globe columnist Mark S. Cogan discusses how, in spite of ongoing political turbulence and unprecedented global events, Thailand is still set on making gains from its leadership post in 2022.

#thailand #apec #asiapacific #analysis #politics #economy #internationalrelations #pandemic

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/what-thailand-wants-from-apec/

Fighting back against Thailand’s harsh royal defamation laws, young activists are being shackled with a harsh punishment. Electronic monitoring devices are keeping those who have braved speaking out against authority trapped in a cycle of pain and mental distress. Globe’s Beatrice Siviero looks at how this oppressive form of surveillance is restricting activists’ lives and dashing their dreams for the future, as they look forward with bound ankles, but unfettered resolve.

#thailand #politics #humanrights #protest #activism #whatshappeninginthailand
#lesemajeste

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/home-becomes-a-prison-thai-activists-oppressed-years-after-nationwide-protests/

Prominent Thai pro-democracy activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal worked for years to build Sam Yan Press, an independent publisher dedicated to nourishing a political awakening in the Kingdom. Then, following a string of mysterious phone calls and a meeting with a private investigator, came an offer from the Chinese government that promised to shut them down and silence them for good. James Buchanan shares the story of a small publisher’s triumph as they stared down intimidation from the world’s most influential Asian superpower, and how their fight for their principles outweighed lucrative financial temptation.

#thailand #china #justice #pressfreedom #corruption #government #politics #whatshappeninginthailand

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/keep-fighting-the-thai-student-publishing-house-that-stared-down-chinese-intimidation/

Thailand’s beer sector is dominated by big corporations. Tough legislation restricts market access and holds small breweries back. A push for a Progressive Liquor Bill which would tackle some of the key challenges was shut down by lawmakers in November. Writing for the Globe, Sarah Kim explores how the Kingdom’s small beer companies are pushing back against market monopolies and fighting for a more open playing field.

#thailand #economics #microbrewery #beer #law #business #whatshappeninginthailand

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/beyond-the-bottle-thai-alcohol-laws-still-harm-microbreweries/

With Thailand’s elections approaching in May, the stage seems set for the Pheu Thai Party’s comeback, with former Prime Minister Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra a prospective prime ministerial candidate. But the fight for political victory comes against a background of ongoing tension between the regime’s two ringleaders, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. Napon Jatusripitak discusses the hopes of a post-coup democratic consolidation and the impact of a hung parliament in the country.

#Thailand #politics #democracy #military #elections

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/democratic-consolidation-or-authoritarian-survival-thailands-next-general-election-in-2023/

Thailand’s decriminalisation of cannabis last June sent business owners and consumers on a high, hungry to reap the benefits of a new and lucrative opportunity. But unclear regulations, illegally imported supply and high competition risk taking the buzz out of a potentially profitable but erratic market. Globe’s Leila Goldstein looks into the murky business landscape of the Kingdom’s cannabis sector post-decriminalisation and the uncertainty facing local business owners as they face a tense make–or-break-period. 

#thailand #cannabis #trade #business #entrepreneurship

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/decriminalisation-thailand-cannabis-business-hazy/

When you get up in the morning, how do you decide what to wear to work? For female lawyers in Thailand, their choices have just opened up, as the Thai Bar Association amended the women’s dress code section of their code of ethics. Previously, female lawyers were only allowed to wear skirts to court. Trousers would result in a violation of the Bar Association’s ethical code. But now, in an apparent move away from centuries of gendered dress codes, options are opening up. Globe’s Beatrice Siviero examines the change the Thai Bar Association made to their ethical code, and the questions that still remain.

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/female-lawyers-allowed-trousers-in-thai-court/

#law #Thailand #lawyers #gender

In today’s story of the day, Globe’s Andrew Haffner dissects the initial results of the Thai elections. While the final number of seats won by each party is yet to be determined, with 99% of constituencies reported, initial results of Thailand’s election give a clear lead to the Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai. This election showed voters’ rejection of the military establishment currently in control of the country’s government, and marks a major victory for the opposition parties that will likely form the next coalition government. Exit polls show voters felt Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s handling of the post-pandemic economy was insufficient. The leader of the Prime Minister’s United Thai Nation party, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, appeared to concede in remarks to the Bangkok Post. While the results of the election may be welcome news to some voters, it remains to be seen whether parties will fulfill the promises made during the campaign. 

#Thailand #politics #election #prayutchanocha #democracy

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/thai-elections-early-results-show-resounding-win-for-opposition/

Chonthicha “Lookkate”​ Jangrew grew up in a military household, where her father and most of her family served in the Royal Thai Army. But this did not stop her from pursuing her passion for human rights activism. In 2010, when she was just 18 years old, she witnessed the military killings of around 100 anti-government Red Shirt protesters. The event marked a turning point in her life and pushed her to become more involved in human rights activism, and inspired her journey into politics. In the Kingdom’s recent elections, she won a constituency seat for the opposition Move Forward Party. In today’s Story of the Day, Jangrew speaks to Globe’s Beatrice Siviero about her personal and political journey and what inspires her to continue fighting for change.

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/chonthicha-jangrew-interview/

#thailand #activism #politics #interview #humanrights #democracy