bust

In short: Thailand's Election Commission has decided to ask the country's Constitutional Court to dissolve the political party Move Forward, which won the most seats at last year's general election. The commission said the party, which had promised before the election to amend the country's lese majeste law, "undermines the democratic system with the king as the head of state". What's next? Experts say the Constitutional Court is "highly likely" to comply with the Election Commission's request. Thailand's Move Forward Party celebrated last year after winning the most seats in the national election. (Reuters: Jorge Silva) Thailand's opposition party, which won the most seats in last year's national election, is expected to be dissolved following a request by the country's Election Commission. The commission on Tuesday announced it would ask Thailand's Constitutional Court to disband the Move Forward Party (MFP) over concerns the party's campaign to change a law against insulting the monarchy undermines the country's system of governance. The commission's decision followed a ruling by the court in January that said Move Forward had violated the constitution with its plans to change the lese majeste law. The court ruling found the party's proposed amendments to article 112 of the criminal code constituted an attempt to destroy Thailand's constitutional monarchy. "There is evidence that Move Forward undermines the democratic system with the king as the head of state," the Election Commission said in a statement on Tuesday. "The Election Commission has considered and analyzed the Constitutional Court verdict and has decided unanimously to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Move Forward party." Move Forward's progressive agenda has resonated among millions of young and urban voters and it won a stunning victory over military-backed parties in a May election. But its plan to change lese majeste laws outraged conservative lawmakers allied with the royalist military who torpedoed the party's attempts to form a government. If the party is dissolved, its leaders could be banned from politics for 10 years. Decision 'not at all surprising' Adam Simpson, a senior lecturer in international studies at the University of South Australia, said the development was "not at all surprising". "It is highly likely that the Constitutional Court will take the case and rule that the MFP should be disbanded," Dr Simpson said. "Both the Election Commission and the Constitutional Court are generally considered to be the vehicles of conservative elites and have repeatedly made adverse judgements against any liberal or progressive parties and politicians who might challenge the power of the military or monarchy in society." Dr Simpson noted that a "similar approach" was used in 2020 to dissolve the Future Forward Party, the forerunner to the MFP. "Until parties representing the popular will of the people, such as MFP, are allowed to form government we will see a continuation of the anti-democratic tendencies of governments that represent the interests of the military and monarchy rather than policies that respect and promote democracy and human rights," he said. The disbandment of the Future Forward Party in 2020 sparked long-running anti-government protests.(Reuters: Jorge Silva) Thailand scholar Patrick Jory, a senior lecturer in South-East Asian history at the University of Queensland, agreed that the court would likely proceed to dissolve the party. Dr Jory said the MFP was supported by much of Thailand's young people and did well at the election in the "more affluent, middle-class parts of the country". "They won almost every seat in Bangkok and did well in places like Chiang Mai and Phuket, for example," he said. "Conservatives regard MFP as a threat to the monarchy. Thaksin Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai party, which is now effectively in a political alliance with the conservatives, regard it as their main political rival. "Having said that, MFP have from the start been well aware of the threat of dissolution. "It will be interesting to see how they respond." Move Forward party has argued its campaign to change article 112 was aimed at strengthening the constitutional monarchy and preventing the law from being misused. "We have no intention to overthrow the democratic system with the king as the head of state," Move Forward Party spokesperson Parit Wacharasindhu told Reuters on Tuesday. "We will prove our innocence at the Constitutional Court," he said. Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the party to its 2023 election victory, told Reuters in an interview last month Move Forward had a succession plan if it was dissolved and the party's ideology would live on. The dissolution of the Future Forward Party in 2020 sparked widescale youth-led protests openly criticising the monarchy. Many of the protest leaders and participants have since faced lese majeste charges. Dr Jory said he did not think there would be such large demonstrations this time around. "I think that MFP thinks that protests have limited political use in circumstances like these," he said. "I think they are concentrating their efforts much more on long-term political goals." What is Thailand's lese majeste law? Thailand's lese majeste legislation carries punishment of up to 15 years jail for each perceived insult or defamation against the king, queen, heir and regent. Thailand's monarchy is enshrined in the constitution to be held in a position of "revered worship," and many royalists see the lese majeste law as sacrosanct. The palace typically does not comment on the lese majeste law. Rights activists say the law has been abused by conservative politicians to smear liberal opponents and stifle institutional reforms. More than 260 people have been prosecuted under the legislation since 2020, including a man facing a record 50 years jail time over Facebook posts critical of the monarchy. ABC/Reuters

Thai girls never forget. I had one recently say hello who I met in Carousel which closed about 12 years ago. Even remembered my name. Agree with Kong there's a high risk of being spotted along that stretch. As for the girls I don't really think they process what is and isn't appropriate when placed in that position. Sounds handled.

I have heard some obsolete Mac products are worth more now than they were new.

He's a Narcissistic Megalomaniac who see himself grandiosely and in a state of impunity. He'd fit right in to a Sovereign State 😃 You could probably also include him in The Dark Triad category

A West Australian photographer has captured on camera one of the world's rarest natural phenomena that's almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Kimberley man JJ Rao was out shooting a wet-season thunderstorm just outside of Derby when he was lucky enough to snap several red sprites. "About the blink of an eye and it's gone," he said. "You could sort of describe it as huge, feathery tendrils of reds and purples and specks of really bright red." He said the sprites — large electrical discharges that can form high above active thunderstorms and the ozone layer — were spectacular to see. The environmental scientist said the remote location and limited moonlight made for unusual yet perfect shooting conditions. "It was pretty dark, a little out of town and with a clear view out to a dark sky. "You think [your] mind might be playing tricks on you ... without a camera to actually capture it, it can be quite difficult for people to say that was definitely a sprite." A "jellyfish" red sprite over the Derby marsh.(Supplied: Nature by JJ) Mr Rao said sprites appeared as a "fuzzy greyish-red blob" to the naked eye, but when caught on camera they could resemble a variety of shapes such as a tree, jellyfish, a column and carrot. "They're much more than just fuzzy blobs, they're probably some of the most intricate, natural phenomenon in the world." Mr Rao said he hoped his images would help researchers to further their understanding into the atmospheric event. Nature's neon lights Australian University of Australia astrophysicist Brad Tucker said people who captured the large-scale electrical discharges on camera or video were "lucky". "There's belief that the first visual reports are from the early turn of the century," Dr Tucker said. Brad Tucker says better technology is helping more people capture red sprites on camera.(Supplied: Dr Brad Tucker) "Obviously photography wasn't what it was today and they're really rare to see, so generally it's a rare phenomenon to see regardless. "They don't happen every thunderstorm and they're definitely not visible every thunderstorm, which makes capturing them really rare and special." This "carrot" red sprite is one of many images captured by Mr Rao.(Supplied: Nature by JJ) The astrophysicist said he had never seen "nature's neon lights" in person. "I am a bit jealous when people capture them. "This is one of the benefits of when you have a country like Australia that has access to lots of dark skies and ability to see these sorts of things. "Mapping and studying them is quite important. As the more you get these photos and data, the better they can actually be studied going into the future." You can follow Mr Rao's work via https://naturebyjj.com

Some interesting takes on what may lay ahead if he wins. Surely the Mueller Report should have made people sit up and reconsider their support for this lunatic, but obviously not. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/01/trump-reelection-fbi-investigations-indictments/676123/

That's a special kind of stupid only found in one place.

Strangely Neighbors was more popular in the UK than OZ Not sure what to read into that

5555 I almost posted that but didn't for that reason 😂😂😂 I'm just so over everyone jumping on the "Woke" train. Like I said before I'm sure 99% of most law enforcement have been called worse.

No. My way of thinking is the bloke needs a dose of Chopper Read

Guarantee this guy did otherwise we wouldn't be hearing about it. He was probably an Arsenal supporter 😊 And calling an aboriginal copper a black cunt in Sydney is not really a comparable . I'm pretty sure these type of Acts we introduced were to protect minorities in society. Last I looked white people made up about 80% of the population. We can argue the validity of this till the cows come home but at the end of the day, pretty soft on the officers part.

Nah she probably would have just shoulder charged them. FFS if it had not been someone with a high public profile would the officer have gone whimpering off citing the UK Crime and Disorder Act 1998:Section 28 Guarantee he's been called a lot worse during his time serving as "Police Officer" Next it will be being call a Farang is racist 🙄

Those London Police Officers Are A Tuff Bunch 🙄 Sam Kerr, Australian Soccer Star, Charged After Allegedly Calling Cop 'Stupid White Bastard' An Australian soccer star was charged with racially aggravated harassment of a police officer in London after allegedly calling the official a “stupid white bastard” during an incident last year. Sam Kerr — the captain of Australia’s national women’s soccer team, the Matildas — was charged over an incident in January 2023 that centered on a dispute over a taxi fare in London. Court documents made public this week claim the superstar allegedly intended to cause the officer “harassment, alarm or distress” by using “abusive or insulting words or behavior.” Kerr has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Kerr, 30, is of Indian heritage. She plays for the English team Chelsea when she is not playing for Australia. The incident prompted fierce scrutiny in Kerr’s native Australia, which was initially roiled by the news after vague reports that she had used a racial slur during the incident. She quickly became one of the country’s most recognizable sportswomen after last year’s Women’s World Cup and the reports threatened to taint her legacy. Kerr is due to face trial in February 2025, more than two years after the alleged incident. Her attorneys are reportedly planning to ask the court to downgrade or dismiss the charge at a hearing next month, questioning why it took more than a year for charge to be filed. Chelsea’s manager, Emma Hayes, said Kerr retained the club’s “full support” after the reports, calling the moment a “difficult time for her.” “You know there’s difficult moments, there’s tough times, and that’s what my role is in this football club, is to make sure I look after our people and I just want to be clear that Sam will be fully supported by me and everybody else at Chelsea,” Hayes told media outlets. Chris Minns, the premier of the state of New South Wales, home to Sydney, said he wouldn’t think the comment was racist. And Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wouldn’t comment on the charge, but said Kerr’s behavior toward him had been “exemplary.” If she’s convicted, Kerr could face a prison sentence of up to two years or a large fine.

He may end up here as a convict like in the old days 😃

An "Infestation of Ladyboys" seems about right

Pot/Kettle/Black

That's brilliant. The question and answer at the end by the hosts Reported in Pinayland as well

Agree. Perhaps he got greedy and was foolish enough to think he could get away without paying his arranged cut. His probably lucky there were no unsolved murders at the time. What do they call it...."The Septic Isle"

Still baffles me why you would ever want to have any involvement in drugs in LOS as a foreigner

He was seen participating in a pro-Palestine march instead of attending the band’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. Interestingly he has Jewish heritage.

I had no idea of his name just remember the image. Also I'm known to listen to a bit of Zack de la Rocha's work

The Buddhist monk protesting in South Vietnam was pretty memorable. Most likely because a press photographer captured it. If my memory serves me correct is was an award winning photograph.

Serving US Air Force member sets himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in ‘genocide’ protest Graphic video of incident shows man yelling ‘I will no longer be complicit in genocide" Plenty of places to view the video online if you have the need. Most alarming part is the moronic behavior of the police captured in it. Especially the one at the end with his gun drawn on the soldier 🙄 US Secret Service vehicles block access to a street leading to the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC on February 25, 2024. A man reportedly set himself on fire near the embassy on Sunday afternoon A man who set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC on Sunday in an apparent protest against the Gaza war is a serving member of the US Air Force, a spokesperson confirmed. The US Air Force serviceman suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition at a hospital. The man filmed his protest and livestreamed the video on social media platform Twitch shortly before 1pm local time on Sunday. The graphic footage shows him shouting “I will no longer be complicit in genocide” and “I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest” as he stood in front of the embassy gates. He then kept his phone down to film himself pouring a clear liquid from a metal bottle and setting himself alight. He also shouts “Free Palestine!” before falling to the ground. Law enforcement officers then approached the man and successfully put out the flames. The fire was extinguished by members of the uniformed division of the US Secret Service, a spokesperson told The Independent. The video was removed from Twitch as the platform stated that it violated its guidelines. But police said they have obtained and reviewed a copy. A bomb disposal unit was dispatched to the location due to suspicions surrounding a questionable vehicle potentially linked to the individual in question. Officials later cleared the suspicious vehicle and found no hazardous materials inside.

Haha nice to see someone is paying attention. Irony. One of the best ways to sometimes make a point. This still one of my favorite scenes.