Subdued in a sentence

PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Deep South death sentences prompt fears of attacks The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Security officers were tightening security across the deep South amid fears of retaliatory attacks by insurgents following the Pattani Provincial Court’s verdict on Wednesday sentencing five men to deaths for their roles in the gun attack two years ago that killed four soldiers. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also the defence minister, yesterday said justice had run its course based on evidence so he wouldn’t comment on that. He said he had instructed security officers to be prepared and take preventive measures in case insurgents launched attacks in retaliation. Pattani Provincial Court on Wednesday sentenced five men – Isma-ae Da-ong, Masahafi Meetor, Korde Jehtae, Nimuhammad Niseng, and Isbulloh Beusa – to death for their roles in the July 28, 2012 gun ambush in … [Read more...] about Deep South death sentences prompt fears of attacks

PHOTO: SCMP A Thai court has upheld a life sentence for Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha, who’s charged with smuggling a huge number of methamphetamine pills, known as yaba in Thailand, into the kingdom in 2016. The Thai Court of Appeals found that Xaysana arranged for the drugs to be smuggled from Laos in a vehicle with a false roof compartment. The court ruled Xaysana must serve his prison time in Thailand since the smuggling attempt was aimed at harming Thai citizens, even though the drugs never made it into the country. The court also dismissed Xaysana’s appeal that Thai authorities had misunderstood him, due to mistranslation and “communication difficulties.” The 44 year old Xaysana was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in January this year and in April pleaded not guilty to all charges. Xaysana has often been linked to Thailand’s wealthy elite, but has always denied being a major player in the regional drug trade. According to the indictment, which was filed … [Read more...] about Thai court upholds life sentence for Lao drug kingpin

Amnesty International has roundly denounced Thailand’s sentencing of a 65 year old woman to 87 years’ imprisonment for the offence of lèse majesté and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. Nation Thailand reports that the sentencing has also been condemned by Human Rights Watch, who described it as, “a spine-chilling signal that not only criticisms of the monarchy won’t be tolerated but that they will also be severely punished”. Former civil servant Anchan Preelert was sentenced by the Bangkok criminal court yesterday, with the prison term halved as a result of her guilty plea. She is accused of sharing audio clips that are considered insulting to Thailand’s Monarchy. The country’s lèse majesté law is widely seen as one of the harshest in the world, but yesterday’s ruling still constitutes a new record. Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific regional director, Yamini Mishra says it illustrates the government’s determination to shut down opposition voices and goes against … [Read more...] about Amnesty International condemns “shocking” 87-year sentence for lèse majesté offences

The Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced a former public official to more than 4 decades in prison for violating the country’s strict lèse majesté law on insulting or defaming the Thai Monarchy. The woman, a former Revenue Department official known as Anchan, was found guilty on 29 counts of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lèse majesté law, as well as the Computer Crime Act. She was sentenced to 43 years and 6 months in prison. Anchan had posted audio clips on Facebook and YouTube of a man making comments considered critical of the Thai Monarchy. The man has been arrested, but officials haven’t released any other details. The ruling comes during an ongoing pro-democracy movement raising subjects that are considered taboo in Thai society. In recent months, dozens of protesters have been charged with violating the lèse majesté law. A senior researcher from the Human Rights Watch as the recent sentence sends a “spine-chilling” message. “Today’s court … [Read more...] about Woman sentenced to 43 years in prison for violating lèse majesté law

An investigation has been launched after a soldier died during a live firing training exercise in Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales. The Welsh Guards sergeant was killed at the Castlemartin training area on Thursday. Dyfed-Powys Police is leading the investigation and is liaising with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Health and Safety Executive. Police said they were called to the 6,000-acre site just before 10.45pm on 4 March and that the man was pronounced dead shortly after. The sergeant was reportedly an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran getting ready for another Iraq deployment this summer. Advertisement An Army spokesperson did not confirm his identity, but said: "It is with great sadness we can confirm the death of a soldier on March 4. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this tragic time. More from UK COVID-19: New variants 'very unlikely to send us back to square one' as UK lockdown eased, says top scientist … [Read more...] about Death of Welsh Guards sergeant during live firing training exercise in Pembrokeshire investigated by police