Stories about Thailand from June, 2013
Thailand Cuts Rice Subsidy Price
The Thailand government has announced the reduction of rice subsidy price that it gives to four million farmers. The program was meant to improve the savings of farmers. Critics blame the rice pledging program for the huge financial losses in the rice sector.
Soldiers Go Online to ‘Fight’ for Monarchy
Thai online journal Prachatai features the military unit Rangers Task Force 45 whose members were instructed to go online and promote or defend the monarchy. Soldiers of the unit reportedly left 1.69 million comments on online forums and other social media portals in a period of four months last year....
Thai Monk On Abortion and Buddhism
Takato Mitsunaga of Prachatai interviews Bhikkhuni Dhammananda, a feminist and Buddhist monk, about the spread of abortion in Thailand. About 300,000 abortion cases are reported in Thailand where majority of people believes in Buddhism. Bhikkhuni Dhammananda discussed some misconceptions about Buddhism and how it relates to abortion.
Video Exposes Lavish Lifestyle of Thai Monks
This viral video shows Thai monks reportedly from the Si Sa Ket’s Kanthararom district riding in a private plane and carrying luxury brand bags and sunglasses.
‘V for Thailand’ Protesters Call for Ouster of Thai Prime Minister
The group which calls itself ‘V for Thailand’ has already organized three mass assemblies in Thailand’s capital this month demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Wearing white Guy Fawkes masks, protesters have decried the alleged corruption in the government.
Chinese Football Team Defeated Again
Barry van Wyk from DANWEI blogs about Chinese media and football fans’ reactions to the recent humiliating defeat of 5-1 at home for China’s football team against an under-strength team of youngsters from tiny Thailand.
How Southeast Asian Leaders Use Twitter
Twitter has been a very useful tool for Southeast Asian leaders who needed to communicate directly with their citizens. Indonesia's Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is the most popular leader in the region with 2.4 million followers. Meanwhile, Malaysia's Najib Razak is his country’s most popular Twitter personality with 1.6 million followers. The Philippines' Noynoy Aquino is also a prominent Twitter user with 1.5 million followers.