Art on Trial: The Wolf Bride
BANGKOK — In hindsight, Pronthip “Kolf” Mankong says the play for which she spent two years behind bars wasn’t particularly good. In terms of artistic expression, she’s not proud of “The Wolf Bride,” the 2013 student production for which she was convicted of insulting the Royal Family.
Pheu Thai Says 35.7B Fine Denies Yingluck Due Process
BANGKOK — The Pheu Thai Party has accused the military government and junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha of not respecting due process by imposing a 35.7 billion baht (USD$1.03 billion) fine against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for losses incurred by an agricultural subsidy enacted by her administration.
Thorn in the Pillar: Freshman Makes Enemies Upsetting Tradition. Allies Too.
BANGKOK — Every year freshmen in crisp uniforms press together on the campus of Chulalongkorn University. As one, thousands lower their heads to the ground in respect to statues of kings Rama V and VI in a swearing-in ceremony treated as a sacred ritual. Except this year.
Son of Suthep Convicted of Island-Damaging Land Development
BANGKOK — The son of an anti-corruption crusader was sentenced to three years in jail Wednesday for extensively developing protected forest land on Koh Samui 16 years ago.
Little Known About Escaped Uighur Detainees
NONG KHAI — All but one of 10 Uighur men who escaped from a detention facility in northeastern Thailand were apprehended Wednesday morning, but police were tight-lipped about what they were doing in Thailand.
Soldiers to Monitor Abstract Play Recognizing 1976 Massacre
BANGKOK — A provocative theatre troupe is again under scrutiny from the junta, saying it was told Tuesday that soldiers will be dispatched to watch their play tomorrow evening.
Prayuth’s Brother Defends Lucrative Army Contracts Awarded to Son
BANGKOK — A nephew of junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha received nearly 27 million baht in contracts from the army region his father once commanded, an investigative news agency reported Monday.
ThaiPublica Sues Army for Details on Rajabhakti Statues
BANGKOK — A journalism nonprofit said Tuesday it is still waiting for responses from the military and national graft agency after it sued for details about the cost of royal monuments built by the army last year.
Army Decries Smear Campaign Against Prayuth’s Sister-in-Law
BANGKOK — When the chairwoman of an army wives’ club toured the countryside and handed out charity to the needy, photos of the event showed officials bow and curtsy to her. She was escorted by a phalanx of uniformed aides, who in one photo obediently held an umbrella for her.
Art on Trial: The Mor Lam Singer
Jailed for two years for performing in a play that satirized the monarchy, Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam turned to his enduring passion for singing mor lam, writing what he said was 100 songs. Some expressed his feelings. Others, he said, helped soothe fellow inmates.