Subdues with a shock

PHUKET: FC Phuket lost 2-0 at home to Yala yesterday in a surprise result that is a setback to their otherwise impressive bid to win the Football Association of Thailand’s Division Two South title. FC Phuket went into the game at the top of the table having taken maximum points from every home match so far this season. Yala, by contrast, were sitting in tenth position, with just four wins from sixteen games. The home side got off to the worst possible start when they conceded the opening goal from a harmless looking free kick after only two minutes. FC Phuket keeper Safari Nelson was in poor position when Yala’s Abdun Safee launched the free kick from the halfway line over his head and into the empty net. Yala FC could easily have gone two goals up five minutes later when they saw a strike ruled out by a dubious linesman’s flag. FC Phuket enjoyed a lot of possession after that, but were unable to create quality chances and Yala FC took the lead into halftime. A second half … [Read more...] about Yala FC shock FC Phuket, 2-0

PHOTO: pcr.co.th A thousand workers have lost their jobs following the sudden closure of the Pongpara Codan Rubber Company, in Samut Sakhon province, just outside the Thai capital. Thai PBS World reports that employees discovered they were out of a job when they arrived for work at the automotive parts manufacturing company yesterday morning, only to find it closed. They say they received no warning beforehand and the first they knew of the development was a notice on the gate, instructing workers to collect their final pay packets by Thursday, adding that anyone unable to do so can have the money transferred directly to their bank account. A representative from the provincial Labour office met with workers at the factory yesterday, to explain their rights and provide information on filing a complaint of wrongful termination should they wish to do so. It’s understood the company has been in operation for decades, having just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. … [Read more...] about Shock closure of factory outside Bangkok leaves 1,000 workers unemployed

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

Walking their dog after dinner has always been a favorite daily activity of Tho Pham and his wife, a Vietnamese couple who live with their 39-year-old son in Garden Grove City, California. But not in the last few months as the wave of anti-Asian violence and harassment has terrified him. "I do not dare go out without my children because I am afraid someone will knock me to the ground or stab me to death just because I am Asian," he laments, adding that the hate crimes have disrupted his daily life. Many other Vietnamese share his apprehension, especially older people. Wally Ng, a member of the Guardian Angels, patrols with other members in Chinatown in New York City, New York, U.S., May 16, 2020. Photo by Reuters. Violence and hatred directed at Asian Americans, which also includes mugging, have surged across California since the beginning of the Covis-19 pandemic as Asians are blamed for its origin in Wuhan, China. Videos of an Asian woman being punched in the … [Read more...] about Vietnamese in U.S. rattled by rising hate crimes against Asians

The US Capitol Complex was put into lockdown with no entry or exit, due to an "external security threat". Capitol Police had issued a warning to people in all buildings within the complex to "stay away from exterior windows and doors" and for those outside to "seek cover". But shortly afterwards they confirmed there was "no threat to the public". The Secret Service said firefighters had responded to a "small fire" near the area and that "out of an abundance of caution" the complex was temporarily shutdown. The Capitol Complex on the National Mall in Washington DC, is a group of 20 buildings and offices surrounding the Capitol building itself, that are used by elected officials, the federal government and its departments. Advertisement Earlier this month, protesters stormed the Capitol building leaving five people dead - including a woman who was shot by police inside the building - and caused widespread shock and outrage in America. Since the … [Read more...] about US Capitol Complex lockdown: Police stand down security alert after ‘threat’ warning