Bad/Scary News... Good News?

There has been a lot of press about the Thai navy's treatment of refugees from Bangledesh and the stateless Rohingya of Myanmar (also known as Burma). Refugees have been found floating into Indonesian islands and India's Andaman Islands without food or water in boats stripped of their engines. Investigations are said to be ongoing by the Indonesians, Thai and UN, but the media has not had access to the refugees.


An Australian writer, Harry Nicolaides, was found guilty of lèse majesté. Thai courts found his novel, Verisimilitude, in violation of the law which prohibits any defamation of the King, and, as an extension, the royal court. He was sentenced to the minimum of three years imprisonment, but there is a worldwide effort to have him released. More info on that here (albeit very opinionated).

While the law scares into mind the fact that free speech is not globally accepted, evidence shows that he probably pushed it a bit too far by sending out copies to the Royal Family and other government higher ups. I feel for those imprisoned under this law, but not if it seems like a big publicity stunt gone wrong. My judgment is also clouded by the fact that I think he is creepy looking.


Lastly, a measure to waive tourist visa fees for three months is going to the Thai Cabinet next week. The tourism industry is suffering in the aftermath of the PAD protests in Bangkok's airports last year. While the waiver is a bad sign for the economy of Thailand, it will most likely prove an easier transition for us. Good news tainted with some bad.