Junya Ito Leaves Japan Team During Asian Cup After Sexual Assault Claims

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1 February 2024, 13:43

TOKYO – Japan football player Junya Ito has left Japan’s national team during the Asian Cup following an accusation he sexually assaulted two women last year, the Japan Football Association said Thursday.

The JFA, which noted discrepancies between the different accounts of the incident, said, “This demands a cautious response. This action was out of consideration for his mental and physical condition.”

The women claimed he sexually assaulted them last year, but Ito’s lawyer said the player has denied their claims and has filed a criminal complaint for false allegations.

An investigative source said Wednesday the 30-year-old is under investigation by Osaka police after the women filed a criminal complaint against Ito following a report by a major publisher’s news website of non-consensual sexual conduct involving the women.

According to the report, Junya Ito, who played for Japan at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is suspected of having engaged in such sexual conduct involving the women, who were drunk, at a hotel in Osaka in June last year after playing for Japan against Peru.

The report, first posted on Daily Shincho on Wednesday, came hours before Japan’s round-of-16 match at the Asian Cup against Bahrain in Doha. Ito, a midfielder with the French club Stade de Reims, remained on the bench for the first time in the tournament as Japan won 3-1 to reach the quarterfinals.

Ito’s lawyer said the allegations are “totally unfounded.” While Ito did spend time with the two women, the complaint states that their accounts are inconsistent, and there is no physical evidence supporting their allegation.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu told reporters after the match Wednesday, “I’m not fully aware (of the allegation) yet. I’ll deal with it after examining it.”

The website is run by the publisher of the major weekly Shukan Shincho, whose latest issue hit newsstands Thursday.

Vise Tightening On Myanmar’s Economy 3 Years After Military Takeover Triggered Civil Strife

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Associated Press

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1 February 2024, 00:14

Myanmar Economy — FILE - Woman arrange flowers at a street market in Yangon, Myanmar, on Feb. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw, File)

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Myanmar was a rising star in Southeast Asia before its military seized power three years ago in a takeover that has brought civil strife and a tightening vise of international sanctions, undoing years of progress and leaving the economy 10% smaller than it was in 2019.

Economists say the generals who toppled Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government on Feb. 1, 2021, increasingly rely on illicit revenues from gem mining and logging to fund their battles against a broad popular resistance movement.

Weak law enforcement, corruption and poverty resulting from a dearth of economic opportunity, meanwhile, are fueling a surge in drug production and trafficking, online scam rings and other criminal activities.

Export manufacturing and other mainstream business activities in Myanmar have suffered since the military takeover, wiping out jobs that millions relied on to get by. The economy is forecast to grow at a meager 1% pace this year and about half the population is estimated to be living in poverty. More than 2.6 million people have been displaced by civil war.

From the early 1960s, Myanmar muddled through decades of mismanagement and isolation under military administrations until the early 2010s, when reforms loosened the military’s grip on power, opening the economy to foreign investment.

AP23130322624441 — FILE – Myanmar military officers leave the venue during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 78th Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

But that era of fast growth and nascent industrialization was derailed by the military’s takeover, which sparked peaceful protests that turned into armed resistance against the army’s use of deadly force to suppress them.

Fighting with pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic minority armed groups has escalated in recent months, raising pressure on the military, which has suffered some key defeats.

Recent visitors to Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city, say conditions there appear calm. However, United Nations officials estimate that nearly 18 million of the country’s nearly 57 million people are in need of humanitarian aid.

Many lack secure access to food. Myanmar’s kyat has depreciated sharply against the U.S. dollar and other currencies, raising prices for many necessities, while restrictions on trade and movement and active fighting have disrupted farming.

“The junta’s inept policies are steering the Myanmar economy towards a trajectory reminiscent of North Korea, where there is a struggle to provide basic necessities for the population,” Miemie Winn Byrd, a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, wrote in a recent report.

The Myanmar military administration reported $602 million in foreign direct investment last year, mostly in the energy sector, with only $112 million invested in manufacturing. That compares with a peak of $4.8 billion in 2017 and $1.2 billion in 2022.

Pilgrims visit Myanmar famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar on Sunday, June 19, 2022. Photo: AP

In addition to the risk of unrest, corruption and disruptive swings in policies such as an order for all foreign exchange to be converted into kyats, sanctions on key areas of the economy have also stifled investment.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued a fresh business advisory on Jan. 26 highlighting what it said were “sectors and activities of concern” to inform companies and people about risks of doing business in Myanmar.

It cited trade in rare earths, which are often used in high-tech products such as electric vehicles, timber, gold and other metals, aviation and financial services.

Such areas often operate as military or state-controlled monopolies and are linked with corruption and human rights and labor rights abuses that might expose companies to violations of U.S. sanctions or anti-money laundering laws, it said.

To a certain extent, black market trading and other illicit activities enable people to cope with increasing poverty and precarious living conditions.

But transnational criminal syndicates have been expanding into Myanmar’s border regions, where online scam rings, casinos and drug production and trafficking are generating revenues for both military and anti-regime groups.

“There’s no economic opportunity in the country because the economy’s collapsed,” Jeremy Douglas, the regional representative of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said in a recent briefing in Bangkok.

“This is a political problem for this region and the world, because this system is there, generating money in its own right and generating money for the syndicates,” he said.

Syrian Human Trafficker Arrested With Egyptian Woman in Bangkok for Overstaying

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Khaosod English

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31 January 2024, 20:44

BANGKOK – Immigration Bureau police announced the arrest of a 43-year-old Syrian man, Adnan, and a 35-year-old Egyptian woman, Sabir, at a hotel on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok’s Klongtoey district. The two were arrested for overstaying their visas.

According to the Immigration Department, Sabir’s visa expired 1,526 days ago, while Adnan’s visa expired 2,451 days ago.

Further investigations revealed that Adnan had been arrested by the Special Investigation Bureau in 2017 for human trafficking and prostitution of Moroccan women. He had also been issued arrest warrants for robbery, assault and other crimes in the Nana and Sukhumvit areas.In some of these cases, no judgement has yet been passed.

Initial investigations revealed that Adnan had not applied to change his visa status to fight the allegations against him. As a result, the Immigration Police charged both him and Sabir as illegal aliens who had failed to comply with their visas. They were then taken to the Immigration Department’s Criminal Investigations Division for legal proceedings.

The arresting officers also found evidence of communication between Adnan, Sabir and another Thai woman. They believe all three are connected and police will investigate further to determine the nature of their relationship and whether they have committed any other crimes.

Thai Court Rules That Progressive Move Forward Party Must Stop Trying To Change Royal Defamation Law

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Associated Press

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31 January 2024, 19:46

JUTARAT SKULPICHETRAT, BANGKOK — Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled Wednesday that the progressive Move Forward party must cease advocating amending the law on royal defamation — a decision that leaves the party vulnerable to being dissolved.

The court’s nine judges deemed it unconstitutional to advocate a change in Article 112 in the country’s Criminal Code — also known as lese-majeste law — which protects the royal institution from criticism by imposing severe penalties on those found to violate it, including up to 15 years in jail per offense.

Critics say the law is often wielded as a tool to quash political dissent. Student-led pro-democracy protests beginning in 2020 openly criticized the monarchy, previously a taboo subject, leading to vigorous prosecutions under the law.

Since those protests, more than 260 people have been charged with the offense, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

AP24031359108903 — Move Forward party’s leader Chaithawat Tulathon, center right, with its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat, center left, talks to reporters during a news conference at parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The Move Forward party came in first in the 2023 general election, campaigning heavily on making an effort to amend Article 112, along with other democratic reforms. The win suggested Thai voters were ready for change after nearly a decade of military-controlled government.

But the military-installed Senate effectively blocked the party from power when they refused to approve then-party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister. Senators said they opposed Pita because of his intention to seek reforms to the monarchy.

In July, Teerayut Suwankesorn, a lawyer associated with royalist politics, petitioned the court to block Pita and the Move Forward party from seeking to change the law. He argued the election campaign proposal to amend the law on royal defamation violated a constitutional clause against seeking to overthrow the system of constitutional monarchy.

“The court unanimously voted that the act of the two accused exercised the rights and freedom to try to overthrow Democratic System under His patronage … and order to cease all opinions including speech, writing, publishing, advertising to amend 112,” read the court’s ruling.

Both the party and its critics say the decision paves the way for follow-up legal action that could see the party dissolved.

Move Forward supporters believe the conservative royalist establishment seeks to eliminate the party as a political force through rulings by courts and state agencies such as the Election Commission, which are staunch defenders of the status quo.

But agitation for a more liberal atmosphere surrounding discussion of the subject has grown since the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016.

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday after the court’s ruling, Pita was asked if it marked an end to efforts to reform the harsh lese majeste law.

“It’s an opportunity lost, that we can use the parliament to find different views and an opportunity to find the consensus building for such an important and critical and fragile issue, that parliament would be the best place to do it, and we lost that opportunity today,” he responded.

“What’s my message to the voters?” he said. “We’ve tried our best and we have a very true intention of finding the proportionality of law between the protection of the monarchy and the proportionality of freedom of speech in the modern Thailand, so we’ve tried our best.”

Pita had been suspended from the legislature pending the court’s ruling on whether he violated the election law by owning shares in a media company. He was the executor of his father’s estate which included stock in a company that is the inactive operator of a defunct independent television station. Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled Jan. 24 that Pita did not violate the law and can retain his seat in Parliament.

Pita has stepped down as party leader after his suspension so that a party colleague could become leader of the parliamentary opposition.

Earlier Wednesday, the Bangkok South Criminal Court convicted a prominent political activist of defaming the country’s monarchy and sentenced her to a two-year suspended jail term under Article 112.

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Thai Activist Gets Two-Year Suspended Prison Sentence for 2021 Remarks About Monarchy

Troop of Monkeys Scare Investors, Affecting Lopburi’s Businesses

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Khaosod English

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31 January 2024, 19:26

LOPBURI – The Lopburi economy is suffering as shops in the city centre threaten to close after a troop of over 3,500 monkeys caused significant problems. Businesses and stores have shuttered and relocated, while Chinese investors have put their investments on hold.

Pongsatorn Chaichanapanich, president of the Lopburi Chamber of Commerce, told “Prachachat Business” that the heart of Lopburi city on Ratchadamnoen Road, which used to be a major business district in the province, is now deserted and dilapidated because businesses are closing and moving away.

One of the reasons for this is that the heart of Lopburi city is a historic city center for which there are laws, such as limiting the height of buildings and maintaining the condition of the original buildings. Another major problem is the number of monkeys in the area, estimated to be at least 3,500, which is considered very high.

This is a major factor in companies moving out of the area more quickly. This can be clearly seen in the area opposite the historical monument Phra Prang Sam Yot (Three Stupas), which has been completely cleared.

Pongsatorn also proposed solutions to the problem, including amending the law to allow the management of monkeys in urban areas and designating the city government as the main authority to seek opinions from other agencies such as the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. He also said that the problem of a dense monkey population in urban areas has spread to other provinces such as Phetchaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima.

“The government needs to decide at the policy level how it will develop Lopburi as a historical city with many historical sites and how the government will help promote tourism in the province and attract more tourists.”

Surachat Chanprasit, deputy of Pingya Shopping Center, stated that monkeys often enter the mall to climb and disturb customers who come to shop. Customers who rent a space to sell goods have to repair damage to roofs, windows and other things almost every month.

This has resulted in fewer and fewer customers coming to shop, and the mall has lost money. As a result, the mall was put up for sale, with the price reduced from 100 million baht to 70 million baht, or 6.25 million baht per unit.

However, two years after the mall was put up for sale, it has yet to be sold due to the poor overall economy. Some tenants’ leases are about to expire and some are asking to terminate their leases. For this reason, the shopping center has reduced the rent by 50-70 percent to help the tenants.

“Previously, a Chinese investor had visited the area to check the feasibility of an investment. However, when the investor realized that the problem of monkey population threatening the heart of the city had not been solved, he postponed the investment indefinitely,” Surachat said.

In response to the situation, the governor of Lopburi, Ampol Angkhapakornkul, visited the problem areas. On February 7, Lopburi Province will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to jointly find solutions to the monkey problem.

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A British man who took a minor for indecent acts in Phuket is arrested in Chiang Mai

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Khaosod English

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31 January 2024, 16:44

CHIANG MAI – Immigration officers in Nong Hoi Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand, apprehended Mr. Tyler, 38, a British suspect of taking a minor for sexual activity ten years ago. They handed him over to the investigating officer at Chalong Police Station, Phuket Province, Southern Thailand.

Mr. Tylor’s arrest warrant, dated January 12, 2024, was granted by Phuket Provincial Court on the accusation of taking a minor above the age of fifteen but under the age of eighteen from his father, mother, guardian, or caretaker without reasonable cause.

Tylor has lived in Thailand since 2014, where he teaches at an international school in Phuket. During that time, he escorted a 16-year-old foreign female student from that international school to do indecent acts at a residence in Chalong Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket Province, twice. The first occasion was on December 9, 2014. The second time occurred on April 2, 2015.

chiangmai phuket1 — On January 31, 2024, Immigration Bureau officers announced the arrest of a British suspect for allegedly taking a juvenile for sexual activities in 2014–2015.

When the girl’s parents and the school learned about the incident, the school conducted an investigation and terminated the British man’s teaching contract. The mother waited for her daughter to finish her education in Thailand first. She then reported the incident to Chalong Police investigators, who proceeded to charge Tylor.

Investigators then collected various evidence and requested permission from the Phuket Provincial Court to issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Tyler. The Immigration Police investigated and found him moved to live with his Thai wife in Chiang Mai since 2016. They arrested him and took him to the investigating officers of Chalong Police Station, Phuket Province, for prosecution.

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B.Grimm Drives Exponential Growth Across Six Busineses Group

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Contributor

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31 January 2024, 14:23

B.Grimm Drives Exponential Growth Across Six Busineses Groups, Ascending as a Global Leader Leveraging “B. Grimm Power” and “B. Grimm Industrial” to achieve a comprehensive the industrial solution and meet all customer needs while establishing ‘B.Grimm Pharma’ for leading integrated health products, emphasizing a business model that prioritizes a compassionate relationship with society.

B.Grimm, an organization deeply ingrained in Thai society and committed to doing business with compassion since its establishment in 1878, has consistently grown alongside the nation. Evolving from a modest apothecary business, B.Grimm has transformed into a key player in the energy sector.

Currently expanding its influence across six diverse business groups, B.Grimm is poised to further develop its grassroots initiatives. The organization is dedicated to establishing “B.Grimm Pharma” as a leading force in the integrated health product industry.

In an official announcement outlining strategies for the next five years and commemorating its 150th anniversary, B.Grimm reaffirms its commitment to substantial growth, positioning itself as a prominent global organization.

Dr. Harald Link, Chairman of B.Grimm, stated, “Throughout the 145 years, B.Grimm has remained committed to doing business with compassion, aiming to create value for society and the environment. Beginning with the establishment of “Siam Dispensary,” the first Western apothecary shop in Siam, later appointed as a royal drug store during King Rama V’s reign, B.Grimm has embraced a culture of modernity and ongoing progress.

Guided by the four core values (4Ps Core Values), the B.Grimm family has consistently employed a dynamic strategy to navigate changing landscapes and adapt to various transformations.

Today, B.Grimm continues to play a crucial role in Thailand’s infrastructure development, from the monumental task of constructing the 1,500-kilometer-long Rangsit Canal to facilitating the importation of essential medicines and leading the way in wireless telecommunication installations, the company continues to drive significant progress in various sectors.

Currently, B.Grimm operates in six main e groups: 1. Energy, 2. Industrial, 3. Healthcare, 4. Digital Technology, 5. Lifestyle, serving as a representative for various fashion product groups, and 6. Real Estate. Today, B.Grimm is transcending domestic competition to become a globally leading organization, focusing its business strategy and investment directions towards four core values (4Ps Core Values): 1. Partnership, 2. Pioneering Spirit, 3. Positivity, and 4. Professionalism.

B.Grimm has set growth targets for each business, particularly in its three main sectors, led by B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, advancing the long-term strategy “GreenLeap – Global and Green.” The goal is to increase the proportion of renewable energy to over 50% by 2030, expand investment in 10,000 megawatts of production capacity from ongoing and under-development projects by 2030, and achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050.

Currently, the company is constructing and developing projects in Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. The installed and operational capacity is 3,970 megawatts, with an additional 12 projects under construction and development, targeting a total capacity of 4,623 megawatts.

In 2023, B.Grimm Power expanded projects significantly, with a highlight being the substantial investment in South Korea. The company invested in two solar power projects with a total installed capacity of 122.49 megawatts and is developing wind power projects exceeding 1,000 megawatts. B.Grimm Power was recognized by the South Korean government and received an award at Investment Korea 2023.

The company has been selected as a producer and supplier of electricity from renewable energy sources for 15 projects by the Thai government, with a total capacity of 339.3 megawatts. Presently, the company is poised to engage in forthcoming rounds of renewable energy projects.

B.Grimm Industrial, one of the key business groups, experienced significant growth in 2023, with an 14% increase in revenue. The company has become a leader in the Thai air conditioning system business, focusing on continuous brand building, distributor support, and the introduction of innovative products and services.

Additionally, it expanded its business into electric vehicle charging stations, capitalizing on the growing popularity of electric cars. In 2023, B.Grimm Industrial installed around 70 chargers, aiming for continuous growth under the company’s platform.

Furthermore, B.Grimm Industrial expanded its business into turnkey solar cell system installation (EPC), offering end-to-end services to clients, and developed solutions for healthy living. The company installed UV-C light technology in shopping centers owned by Central Group and plans further expansion.

With a strategic focus on sustainable growth, B.Grimm Industrial aims to triple its revenue by 2030, supported by ongoing workforce development initiatives. This forward-thinking approach, coupled with its adaptability to market trends, positions the company for continued success and expansion.

Closing with B.Grimm Pharma, another flagship business of B.Grimm, which has been pivotal since its establishment in 1878, tracing back 145 years to the first Western-style pharmacy in Thailand known as “Siam Dispensary.” Bestowed with the title of Royal Pharmacy since the reign of King Rama V, it marks the inception of B.Grimm’s business philosophy rooted in the company’s commitment to holistic business practices for the benefit of society.

Given the current limitations in healthcare access in the country, B.Grimm has revived this foundational business under the name “B.Grimm Pharma.” The focus remains on the original ethos—dedicated to creating positive contributions by providing access to quality medicines and healthcare products.

Covering a diverse range, the products include medicines produced both domestically and imported from abroad, spanning four key therapeutic areas: 1. Cardiovascular system, 2. Central nervous system, 3. Musculoskeletal system, and 4. Gastrointestinal system. Additionally, the company offers dietary supplements, cosmetics, and medical equipment, aligning with B.Grimm’s long-standing commitment to promoting overall well-being and enhancing the quality of life for individuals in society.

Dr. Harald Link concluded by highlighting B.Grimm’s 145 years of doing business with compassion, along with the outlined strategy. B.Grimm is ready to grow into a globally leading organization, striving for success and expanding its business in numerous countries worldwide. This effort aims to showcase the potential of the Thai people and lead all partners towards sustainable growth.

Marriott International Saw Record Year of Net Rooms Growth and Signings in Asia-Pacific

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Contributor

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31 January 2024, 14:21

2023 marked a terrific year for Marriott International in the Asia Pacific Excluding China region with over 80 deals signed, adding approximately 18,000 rooms in the pipeline for this region

Following the recent announcement by Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) of its strong global net rooms growth and record year of organic signings in 2023, the company highlighted the remarkable surge in hotel and residences openings and signings in the Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region, particularly in key travel markets such as Japan, India, and Vietnam.

At the close of 2023, Marriott set a milestone in APEC with over 60 properties added to its portfolio during the year, bringing the company’s presence in the APEC region to more than 560 operating hotels and residences, and exceeding 10 percent net rooms growth compared to 2022. The company also sealed a record of over 80 deals signed across 13 markets, representing approximately 18,000 rooms.

As tourism recovers in APEC and the travel landscape evolves, Marriott has continued to focus on strategically providing the best-in-class offerings to owners, franchisees, and guests. At the end of 2023, Marriott’s APEC development pipeline stood at over 320 hotels with over 69,000 rooms, showcasing the company’s dedication to providing world renowned brands and diverse experiences, aligning with the evolving preferences of travelers across the region.

Luxury continues to play a pivotal role in the growth of Marriott, and 25 percent of Marriott’s global luxury rooms pipeline is represented in APEC. In 2023, 15 percent of the deals signed in APEC were in the luxury segment. A record nine luxury hotels were opened in the region in 2023 — including The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne— Marriott’s 1,000th hotel in the Asia Pacific region. The JW Marriott Goa debuted the brand in Goa and was the company’s 150th hotel to open in South Asia, and added The Singapore EDITION, the first EDITION in Southeast Asia.

“With our record year of growth at Marriott International in APEC, we remain committed to meeting the demands of modern travelers underscored by our diverse portfolio of brands and strategic presence in new destinations,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Marriott International, APEC. “2023 has positioned us as a thriving and desirable region in the global landscape. I am excited about our momentum as we focus on being where our customers want us to be and connecting people through the power of travel.”

Marriott Bonvoy – Marriott’s award-winning travel program— has helped fuel interest in the company’s regional portfolio. In APEC, the Marriott Bonvoy membership base has surged by 50 percent since 2019.

This momentum is attributed to the unique and unforgettable experiences the program offers, including exclusive access to prestigious events like the Australian Open and Formula 1. Beyond hotel stays, Marriott Bonvoy continues to re-define the regional travel landscape with strategic partnerships with Singapore Airlines, Rakuten and co-branded credit cards in Japan, Korea, and India.

The company’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, coupled with the strength of Marriott Bonvoy, positions Marriott as a leader in shaping the future of travel and hospitality across the APEC region.

For more information on Marriott’s latest developments and brand news, please visit the Marriott News Center at news.marriott.com.

Thai Activist Gets Two-Year Suspended Prison Sentence for 2021 Remarks About Monarchy

By

Associated Press

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31 January 2024, 14:05

BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai court on Wednesday convicted a prominent political activist of defaming the country’s monarchy and sentenced her to a two-year suspended jail term under a controversial law that criminalizes any perceived criticism of the royal institution.

Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon, better known by her nickname “Mind,” had pleaded not guilty to an offense under Article 112 of the criminal code, relating to a speech she gave at a rally in the capital in March 2021.

A judge at the Bangkok South Criminal Court officially sentenced her to three years in prison for the crime known as lese majeste, but reduced it to a two-year suspended term due to her cooperation.

AP24031149780075 — Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon walks into Southern Criminal Court in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

She was acquitted of a charge of violating an emergency decree on public gatherings because she was not an organizer of the event.

A small group of supporters handed flowers to the 28-year-old before she entered the court.

“I am confident that the content of my speech on that day was polite and humble. I spoke with good intentions, not defamation. It was necessary to talk about the monarchy and Thai politics because it had become an issue,” she told reporters.

Patsaravalee was one of a new wave of leaders who took a prominent role in the series of unprecedented protests that shook Thailand beginning in 2020, calling for reforms in the monarchy.

S 15712680 copy — Pasarawalee “Mind” Thanakitwibulpol holds up the three-finger salute at the Pathumwan Circuit Court on Oct. 22, 2020.

The institution is traditionally deeply revered and is protected from criticism by the lese majeste law, which imposes severe penalties on those found to violate it, including up to 15 years in jail per offense.

But agitation for a more liberal atmosphere surrounding discussion of the subject has grown since the death of King Bhumibol in 2016 and the accession of his son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The conviction came on the same day that Thailand’s Constitutional Court is set to hand down its verdict in a case against the political party that won most seats in last year’s election over its campaign call to amend Article 112. The charge was that its platform was tantamount to calling for the overthrow of the system of constitutional monarchy.

If the Move Forward party loses the case it may be told to cease its push for reform. A loss may also leave it vulnerable to further action, including a move for its dissolution.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Corruption

By

Associated Press

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31 January 2024, 12:54

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Pakistani court on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to 14 years in prison for corruption, prison officials said, a day after another special court convicted Khan for leaking state secrets and gave him a 10-year prison sentence.

Khan and his wife are accused of retaining and selling state gifts when the former premier was in power.

The court also disqualified Khan for years from holding any public office ahead of Feb. 8 parliamentary elections.

A senior official in the party, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was accused of manipulating the contents of the diplomatic cable to gain political advantage, was also convicted and given a 10-year sentence.

The latest development came three weeks after Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were indicted on graft charges for retaining state gifts including jewelry and watches from Saudi Arabia’s government, authorities said.

The court order was another blow to Khan. He and Bibi had pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out at a court at the prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi earlier this month.

Khan briefly attended the court hearing when the judge announced the verdict.

One of Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, denounced the trial and said her brother was denied a fair hearing. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for Khan, she said, adding that the verdict was delivered in haste.

She urged Khan’s supporters to turn out in large numbers at the polls on Feb. 8 and vote for PTI candidates in solidarity with her brother. Qureshi’s family similarly denounced his verdict and vowed to challenge it in court.

Khan has maintained his innocence, saying he did not disclose the exact contents of the cable. His party said Khan’s legal team planned to appeal the conviction before the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday.

Other charges against Khan range from contempt of court to terrorism and inciting violence.

AP24030545138268 — A police officer salutes to a car carrying the judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, as he leaves after announcing verdict in Cipher case against Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan at a special court in Adiyala prison, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Despite discontent with the government, analysts say turnout in the upcoming election may remain low since Khan is the only one in his party who had the charisma to attract the masses.

“The dejected and disappointed supporters of Imran Khan will stay away from the voting because they have a fear in their mind that their party is not going to win the elections,” said Azim Chaudhry, a political analyst, calling PTI a “leaderless party.”

Pakistan’s human rights commission has said there is little chance of a free and fair parliamentary election since so many candidates from Khan’s party have been rejected.

The PTI said in a statement that it stands with Khan and Qureshi, “who defended Pakistan and stood for real independence.” The party described the proceedings as a “sham trial” and said the judge did not even allow Khan’s and Qureshi’s lawyers to defend them.

AP24028561405661 — Supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan and political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attend an election campaign rally in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

However, the party asked his supporters to remain peaceful and not resort to violence.

“We should harness and channel these energies for the polling day” to ensure that Khan’s candidates win the vote “with a thumping majority,” said Omar Ayub, a longtime supporter.

Pakistan has a history of arresting former prime ministers or sidelining them ahead of elections if they are deemed to pose a challenge to the security establishment.

In 2018, three-time premier and Khan’s rival Nawaz Sharif was hobbled by legal cases and prison sentences. Khan’s party won the polls and formed a coalition government.

This time around, Sharif has a clear path to a fourth term in office after the supreme court acquitted him on all charges and scrapped a lifetime ban on politicians with criminal convictions from contesting elections.

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