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Cyber Security, Digital Transition, Technology Geopolitics & Worlds In-Defense

Daily news – February 4, 2022

AFRICA Strategies for financing Africa’s health sector. Vera Songwe, Brookings:  Never before in the last half century has Africa’s health care landscape seen so many changes and attracted so much interest. In fact, Africa’s health care sector would be worth an estimated $259 billion by 2030. While these trends reveal a lucrative opportunity for the private […]

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Thailand: Transgender People Denied Equal Rights (HRW)

Transgender people in Thailand have no route to legal recognition of their gender identity, making them vulnerable to various forms of discrimination, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today with the Thai Transgender Alliance. Thailand: Transgender People Denied Equal Rights | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)

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Thailand’s regressive royal insult law (David Hopkins, The Interpreter)

At a recent anti-government rally in central Bangkok, one of the leaders of a youth-led movement demanding sweeping political reforms carried a message etched in blood. After addressing the crowd on a rainy Sunday evening on 31 October, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul used a razor blade to carve the digits 112 into her forearm, struck through […]

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Protests loom in Thailand after court ruling fuels anger (Caleb Quinley, Al Jazeera)

A key court ruling in Thailand has raised concern that activists could face charges of treason after nearly 18 months of anti-government protests that have also called for a new constitution and royal reform. Thailand’s constitutional court made the ruling in a case brought against three protest leaders who are facing charges under strict royal […]

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Thai protesters recount alleged torture under police custody (Caleb Quinley, Al Jazeera)

Once the interrogation room doors shut behind Attasith Nussa, eight plainclothes officers descended upon him quickly. The leading officer approached the 35-year-old Thai pro-democracy protester and asked him if he came alone to the October 29 vigil in Bangkok. Thai protesters recount alleged torture under police custody | Human Rights News | Al Jazeera

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Battlefield Din Daeng: The Thai protesters with ‘nothing to lose’ (Caleb Quinley, Al Jazeera)

Before revealing scars across his body, Gap* glances up at a group of police officers watching closely from across the street. It is only 7pm, but security forces in the area are already on high alert. “The cops have shot me many times,” the 23-year-old, who prefers to use his nickname, told Al Jazeera from […]

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Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don (US Department of State)

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai today in Washington, D.C.  Secretary Blinken and Deputy Prime Minister Don reiterated their commitment to the United States-Thailand treaty alliance, defeating COVID-19 and bolstering the global pandemic recovery, and supporting […]

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Thailand – Thai protesters clash with police at anti-PM rally in Bangkok (Al Jazeera)

The sluggish rollout of Thailand’s vaccination programme and financial pain from restrictions is heaping political pressure on the prime minister [Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP] Three protesters are injured when Thai police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at a Bangkok rally, as coronavirus cases soar and anger builds about Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s handling of the pandemic. For […]

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Thailand – Thai Youth’s struggle for democracy may fizzle but political contention continues (East Asia Forum)

Penchan Phoborisut, California State University Fullerton Thailand’s anti-government protests have continued in 2021, with the student-led movement trying to maintain momentum despite a surging number of arbitrary arrests and authorities’ use of water cannons, rubber bullets and physical assault.

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Thailand/Myanmar – Thailand’s weak reaction to the Myanmar coup (East Asia Forum)

Ruji Auethavornpipat, ANU More than 700 people have been killed in Myanmar since the military seized power in February 2021. Security forces have stepped up their offensive in Kayin State bordering Thailand with airstrikes. The campaign has displaced more than 23,000 people and forced an exodus of at least 3000 to Thailand. The Thai government’s refusal to take stronger action against the […]

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(Myanmar/Thailand) Thousands flee for Thailand as Myanmar military bombs border area (Al Jazeera)

Western leaders condemn military’s brutal crackdown as 13 more people reported killed on Sunday. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/28/thousands-flee-after-myanmar-armys-air-strikes-reports

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(Thailand) The Clubhouse challenge to digital authoritarianism in Thailand (East Asia Forum)

Wichuta Teeratanabodee, RSIS Disputes between the Thai authorities and anti-authoritarian movements are moving from the streets to the online world. Thai protestors are using creative memes and hashtags to spread their agenda. In the past few weeks, a new app Clubhouse has quickly become another venue through which protestors are calling for democracy. This development is […]