Mini-guide to Thai Junta DoubleSpeak - A New Era!

Back in December I published a mini-guide to Thai Political DoubleSpeak.

With a military junta now in power a new era in DoubleSpeak has begun.

Here are my interpretations - leave yours in the comments section.

Removing Thaksin’s Influence - removing democratically mandated public servants and lawmakers.

Arrested = kidnapped

Detained = held hostage

Trial = punishment

Crimes = lawful acts

National Council for Peace and Order = National Council for Hate and Crime

Lawful acts = crimes

Royal endorsement = unsigned document of dubious origin

Advisors = cronies 

Happiness = a state of continual fear

Thailand is a failed state = we were very involved in creating conditions which guaranteed Thailand’s failed state

Thai Army = criminal gang

Elections = something we will lose and something we fear very very much

Illegal protests = legal resistance

Lese majeste syndicate = ordinary citizens harmlessly engaging in freedom of expression

Reconciliation Centres = Internment Camps

New Thai Open Legal Aid Centre Established for Coup/Junta Victims

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights

Tel: 096-7893172 or 096-7893173 e-mail: tlhr2014@gmail.com

Open Legal aid centre “Thai Lawyers for Human Rights” – TLHR

Released on 28 May 2014

Today, 28 May 2014 a group of lawyers launched the “Thai Lawyers for Human Rights” –TLHR in order to provide legal advice and to enhance understanding about law, human rights and the orders currently being issued under the declaration of Martial Law in the country.

​            The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has issued a numbers of orders and regulations including a list of persons summoned by the NCPO who need to report themselves at the designated time and place. A number of persons have been detained and arrested under the Martial Law. Search operations are also being conducted.

These numerous orders and operations undertaken under the Martial Law has caused confusion and misunderstanding amongst ordinary persons who are not able to understand the complicated legal procedures under the Martial law. People are also not aware about their human rights.

In order to ease the situation, a group of Thai lawyers have cooperated and opened a hotline and email to receive primary complaints and answer questions from persons affected by the situation.  The TLHR also intends to compile the cases to monitor the situation and the trends. ​           

TLHR will provide legal assistance through volunteers and lawyers including receiving complaints, enquiries, trial observation, fact finding.

For enquiries, please call 096-7893172 and 096-7893173  at  09.00 – 17.00 daily or email at tlhr2014@gmail.com 

​            The objective is to increase understanding of general population on the legal procedures under the martial law and new orders and to provide legal aid and assistance to those in need.

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/lawyercenter2014

Republished with permission of TLHR

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Released Thai Political Detainee

This morning I managed to complete an interview with released political detainee Nattapat Akkahad. It is one of the first insights into life inside the camps for the detainees. 

Nattapat was seized by the Thai Army on the day of the coup on 22nd May. He is the son of Payao Akkahad whose daughter, Kamolkade, was shot and killed by the Thai Army on May 19th 2010 whilst working as a medic.

Nattapat with his mother, Payao

How were you seized?

I was seized at the UDD rally at Aksa Road on the 22nd May. The Army were shooting in the air as they approached and they were fully armed. They took six of us away. First of all they put in me into an Army truck then transferred me into a van. They looked after us all quite well. I didn’t really feel scared as I knew we’d not done anything wrong. I cannot say where they took me because that’s a condition of my release.

Do you know the condition of any of the other UDD leaders?

No, they are all in different locations. When we were taken they were all ok but I can’t speak of how they are now.

Can you describe the conditions you were kept in?

It was in a very small prison cell. There was no bed, just a mat on the floor. No fan, so it was very hot, extremely hot. I had a toilet in the cell but it was in very bad condition. Food quality was ok. I was being held in an army camp. I wasn’t allowed out for any exercise. I was allowed to telephone my family over the weekend - only the one time. I didn’t ask to speak to a lawyer and was never offered access to one. I was also given a medical examination.

Was anybody mistreated in the prison?

To my knowledge, no. But I was there alone and so there was nobody for me to speak to. 

What were the conditions of your release?

I’m not allowed to take part in political activity, not allowed to leave the country. These are the main two conditions. If I want to leave the country I have to ask for permission from the army.

How do you feel now?

I am not scared. I have done the right thing in calling for justice for what happened in 2010. I will now fight for those who are detained to be released. I want to speak to the diplomatic and international organisations about what happened.

Are you happy for your full-name to be used in this interview?

I’m not afraid. I can only speak the truth about what happened. 

Who Are Thai Activists/Academics/Politicians Sought by Thai Army for Detention?

Here is the list of the 35 names sought for detention by the Thai Army.

This has been done in a rush but I've included what I know about them - if you know more add as a comment with the corresponding number.

As far as I can tell there are NO "Democrat" Party members included on this list. 

1. Mr. Krieng Kantinan 

2. Pol. Lt. Gen Chalong Sonjai

3. Pol. Gen Pracha Phomnok - former minister of justice

4. Mr. Phipatchai Paiboon

5. Mr. Sonthi Limthongkul - former leader of PAD movement

6. Mr. Worachet Phakkirat - academic, lawyer and member of pro-democracy and progressive Nitirat group of law experts and academics

7. Mr. Phetchawat Wattanaphongsirikul - leader of Red Shirts in Chiang Mai

8. Pol Prasit Chaiyasrisa - former Pheu Thai MP

9. Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin - former Pheu Thai MP

10. Mr. Suwat Liptaphanlop - former Deputy PM to Thaksin Shinawatra

11. Mr. Anuthin Chanwirakul - former leader of Bhum Jai Thai Party.

12. Mr. Suthin Khlangsaeng

13. Mr. Surachai Tanwattananusorn - Also known as Surachia Sae-dan. Former lese majeste prisoner and political activist.

14. Mr. Sunai Chulaphongsathorn - former Pheu Thai MP and pro-democracy activist

15. Mr. Sa-gnuan Phongmanee

16. Mr. Pavin Chatchawalpongpan - academic, not in country

17. Mr. Thanapol Eawsakul - editor of pro-democracy Same Sky magazine.

18. Mr. Nat Satthayapornpisut - former lese majeste prisoner

19. Mr. Jakraphan Borirak - pro-democracy activist and Red Shirt radio host.

20. Mr. Thanthawut Thaweewatlodomkul - former lese majeste prisoner

21. Mr. Warawut Thanangkorn

22. Mr. Somsak Jiamthirasakul - Thai academic and historian

23. Mr. Suraphak Phuchaisaeng - former lese majeste prisoner and pro-democracy activist

24. Mr. Suraphot Thaweesak

25. Mr. Phanthiwa Phumiprathet

26. Chanin Klaiklung - Air force officer awaiting trial for lese majeste.

27. Mr. Nitiwat Wanasiri

28. Mr. Saran Chuichai

29. Miss Suda Rangkuphan - Thai academic and pro-democracy political activist

30. Mr. Traiwong Sinsuppon

31. Mr. Chai-anan Phaisithong

32. Mr. Chut (?) Yonoknakphan

33. Mr. Wat Wanlayangkul - author and writer

34. Miss Saotri Suksri - member of pro-democracy and progressive Nitirat group of law experts and academics

35. Mrs. Sutsa-nguan Sutthison - Thai academic and pro-democracy political activist