Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn officially opened parliament, setting the stage for the progressive Move Forward Party's attempt to form a government following its unexpected victory in the country's recent elections. When Move Forward ran a resoundingly anti-establishment campaign on social media, it garnered significant support from young voters and the city of Bangkok, which could hamper its efforts to get enough support to create a coalition administration.

Thailand King orders opening of new parliamentary session

The Thai government held a welcome ceremony for the return of two ancient lintels that had been smuggled out of the country to the United States.

Thousand-year-old stolen ancient lintels return to Thailand from the U.S.

Two stolen hand-carved artifacts, sandstone lintels dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, were returned to the Thai government on Tuesday in a ceremony more than 50 years overdue.

Ceremony marks return of stolen Thai antiquities

A Thai court has ordered a leading government foe to remove allegations on social media that the state`s coronavirus vaccine policy is opaque and unfairly favours a company owned by the king, the government said on Sunday.

However, opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit`s Progressive Movement denied the videos were illegal and urged YouTube and Facebook to preserve freedom of expression.

The clips could still be viewed late on Sunday.

Thailand`s Digital Ministry said the Criminal Court ruled that Thanathorn`s posts on social media and his movement`s website could breach national security.

The videos accuse Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha`s government of lack of transparency in allowing Siam Bioscience, which is owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, to supply most doses despite a lack of vaccine experience.

Critics say former junta leader Prayuth rigged a vote in a 2019 election to retain power - a charge he denies - and have broken a national taboo by increasingly criticising the monarchy.

SUBSIDY

Siam Bioscience received a 600 million baht ($20 million) subsidy to develop capacity to manufacture AstraZeneca vaccines domestically and across Southeast Asia.

The court did not comment when contacted by Reuters.

Thanathorn`s movement said it had not received the ruling. "We continue to stress that the content is not false or a threat to national security," tweeted Pannika Wanich, a prominent Progressive Movement member.

"We hope YouTube and Facebook will stand by the rights and freedom of expression."

Thanathorn was banned from politics for 10 years after a court dissolved his previous Future Forward Party last year over loans deemed illegal. He denied the charges.

Now the government has lodged a case against him over the video, accusing him of insulting royalty, a charge punishable by up to 15 years` prison.

The government says Siam Bioscience manufacturing is on track to deliver a first batch of 61 million doses to the public by June.

There was no immediate comment from Thanathorn or Siam Bioscience on the court ruling. The palace traditionally does not comment on political disputes.

Relatively unscathed by COVID-19, Thailand on Sunday reported 829 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 18,782 cases and 77 fatalities since the outbreak started last January.

A Thai court has ordered a leading government foe to remove allegations on social media that the state`s coronavirus vaccine policy is opaque and unfairly favours a company owned by the king, the government said on Sunday.

A Thai court has ordered a leading government foe to remove allegations on social media that the state`s coronavirus vaccine policy is opaque and unfairly favours a company owned by the king, the government said on Sunday. However, opposition politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit`s Progressive Movement denied the videos were illegal and urged YouTube and Facebook to preserve freedom of expression. The clips could still be viewed late on Sunday. Thailand`s Digital Ministry said the Criminal Court ruled that Thanathorn`s posts on social media and his movement`s website could breach national security. The videos accuse Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha`s government of lack of transparency in allowing Siam Bioscience, which is owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, to supply most doses despite a lack of vaccine experience. Critics say former junta leader Prayuth rigged a vote in a 2019 election to retain power - a charge he denies - and have broken a national taboo by increasingly criticising the monarchy. SUBSIDY Siam Bioscience received a 600 million baht ($20 million) subsidy to develop capacity to manufacture AstraZeneca vaccines domestically and across Southeast Asia. The court did not comment when contacted by Reuters. Thanathorn`s movement said it had not received the ruling. "We continue to stress that the content is not false or a threat to national security," tweeted Pannika Wanich, a prominent Progressive Movement member. "We hope YouTube and Facebook will stand by the rights and freedom of expression." Thanathorn was banned from politics for 10 years after a court dissolved his previous Future Forward Party last year over loans deemed illegal. He denied the charges. Now the government has lodged a case against him over the video, accusing him of insulting royalty, a charge punishable by up to 15 years` prison. The government says Siam Bioscience manufacturing is on track to deliver a first batch of 61 million doses to the public by June. There was no immediate comment from Thanathorn or Siam Bioscience on the court ruling. The palace traditionally does not comment on political disputes. Relatively unscathed by COVID-19, Thailand on Sunday reported 829 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 18,782 cases and 77 fatalities since the outbreak started last January.

Thai government foe ordered to erase vaccine supply criticism

More than half a million users joined a new&nbsp;Facebook group created by a critic of the powerful Thai king after the social media company blocked its predecessor under pressure from the government.

The "Royalist Marketplace" group, which had over 1 million members, was blocked within Thailand late on Monday after the digital ministry threatened legal action against&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;under the country's Computer Crime Act.

Facebook&nbsp;said it was compelled to comply but would mount a legal challenge to the Thai government.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-planning-to-challenge-thai-governments-demand-to-block-group-critical-of-monarchy-322913">Facebook planning to challenge Thai government's demand to block group critical of monarchy</a>

The tension came amid near daily youth-led protests against the government of a former military junta chief and unprecedented calls for reforms of the monarchy, which is illegal to insult in Thailand.

Hours before the restriction, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and prominent critic of the monarchy, set up a new group with a similar name that has gained over half a million members in one day.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/down-with-the-dictatorship-thailand-witness-biggest-anti-government-protest-in-years-321005">'Down with the dictatorship': Thailand witness biggest anti-government protest in years</a>

"If you want to close it down again, then I'll set up another group. To promote freedom of expression, I would do it," Pavin said.

Pavin, who lives in Japan, created the original group in April, encouraging once-rare free discussion of the monarchy and royal family members, considered taboo subjects in Thailand.

Thailand's lese majeste laws forbid defaming the king with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, and often form the basis for requests to block or remove content on social media.

Thailand's digital minister said&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;was at risk of violating a different law, the Computer Crime Act, in not acting on court orders attached to government requests to block content.

Facebook&nbsp;said it would challenge the government in court over the legality of the orders related to the group and would seek to have them revoked.

"Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves," a company spokesperson said.

"We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request."

It said such "excessive government actions" undermined its business in Thailand.

More than half a million users joined a new Facebook group created by a critic of the powerful Thai king after the social media company blocked its predecessor under pressure from the government.

More than half a million users joined a new Facebook group created by a critic of the powerful Thai king after the social media company blocked its predecessor under pressure from the government. The "Royalist Marketplace" group, which had over 1 million members, was blocked within Thailand late on Monday after the digital ministry threatened legal action against Facebook under the country's Computer Crime Act. Facebook said it was compelled to comply but would mount a legal challenge to the Thai government. Also read: Facebook planning to challenge Thai government's demand to block group critical of monarchy The tension came amid near daily youth-led protests against the government of a former military junta chief and unprecedented calls for reforms of the monarchy, which is illegal to insult in Thailand. Hours before the restriction, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and prominent critic of the monarchy, set up a new group with a similar name that has gained over half a million members in one day. Also see: 'Down with the dictatorship': Thailand witness biggest anti-government protest in years "If you want to close it down again, then I'll set up another group. To promote freedom of expression, I would do it," Pavin said. Pavin, who lives in Japan, created the original group in April, encouraging once-rare free discussion of the monarchy and royal family members, considered taboo subjects in Thailand. Thailand's lese majeste laws forbid defaming the king with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, and often form the basis for requests to block or remove content on social media. Thailand's digital minister said Facebook was at risk of violating a different law, the Computer Crime Act, in not acting on court orders attached to government requests to block content. Facebook said it would challenge the government in court over the legality of the orders related to the group and would seek to have them revoked. "Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves," a company spokesperson said. "We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request." It said such "excessive government actions" undermined its business in Thailand.

After block, new Facebook group critical of Thai monarchy gains 500,000 members

Thailand's government has threatened&nbsp;legal action against social media giant Facebook over posts criticising monarchy.

Digital Economy Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta ordered authorities to identify “inappropriate” material and singled out 114 posts mostly made to Facebook but also Twitter and YouTube that may be in breach of the Computer Crimes Act.

“All evidence will be gathered and submitted to court tomorrow.&nbsp;Once the court has issued an order, it will be forwarded to the three platforms. If within 15 days, the accounts are not closed or posts deleted, we’ll immediately take legal action.”

Meanwhile, the country's King Maha Vajiralongkorn swore in a new cabinet on Wednesday, calling for "order and peace" but without mentioning recent anti-government student protests that have urged reforms of the powerful monarchy.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/thai-students-protest-against-you-know-who-in-harry-potter-style-318035">Thai students protest against 'you-know-who' in Harry Potter style</a>

The ceremony marked the king's first public appearance since the nearly unprecedented calls in two student-led protests for curbing the new powers King Vajiralongkorn has amassed since taking the throne after the death of his father in 2016.

So far, two organisers of the anti-government movement have been arrested on charges of violating emergency coronavirus bans on large gatherings. Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, 35, and student activist Panupong Jadnok, 23, are now free on bail.

Protests have been held nearly every day since July 18, calling for the resignation of Prayuth, who first took power in a 2014 coup, and an end to military domination of politics.

Thailand's government has threatened legal action against social media giant Facebook over posts criticising monarchy. Digital Economy Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta ordered authorities to identify “inappropriate” material and singled out 114 posts mostly made to Facebook but also Twitter and YouTube that may be in breach of the Computer Crimes Act.

Thailand's government has threatened legal action against social media giant Facebook over posts criticising monarchy. Digital Economy Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta ordered authorities to identify “inappropriate” material and singled out 114 posts mostly made to Facebook but also Twitter and YouTube that may be in breach of the Computer Crimes Act. “All evidence will be gathered and submitted to court tomorrow. Once the court has issued an order, it will be forwarded to the three platforms. If within 15 days, the accounts are not closed or posts deleted, we’ll immediately take legal action.” Meanwhile, the country's King Maha Vajiralongkorn swore in a new cabinet on Wednesday, calling for "order and peace" but without mentioning recent anti-government student protests that have urged reforms of the powerful monarchy. Also see: Thai students protest against 'you-know-who' in Harry Potter style The ceremony marked the king's first public appearance since the nearly unprecedented calls in two student-led protests for curbing the new powers King Vajiralongkorn has amassed since taking the throne after the death of his father in 2016. So far, two organisers of the anti-government movement have been arrested on charges of violating emergency coronavirus bans on large gatherings. Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, 35, and student activist Panupong Jadnok, 23, are now free on bail. Protests have been held nearly every day since July 18, calling for the resignation of Prayuth, who first took power in a 2014 coup, and an end to military domination of politics.

Thai government threatens legal action against Facebook over posts criticising monarchy

More than 1,000 anti-government demonstrators rallied in Bangkok’s commercial district on Saturday after two protest leaders were arrested and held overnight.

Thai govt faces public anger | Public dissent against Chan-o-Cha govt | WION

Two bombs exploded in front of a government office in Thailand's insurgency-hit southern Yala province on Tuesday, wounding 18 people, a security official said.

The explosions took place in front of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), a Thai government body that oversees the administration of three mostly Malay-Muslim majority provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala where an insurgency since 2004 has killed some 7,000 people.

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SBPAC was hosting a government meeting on the region's response to the outbreak of the coronavirus prior to the explosions.

"The first bomb was a grenade thrown to the area outside the SBPAC office fence to draw people out," Colonel Pramote Prom-in, a military regional security spokesman told the source.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-immigration-officers-at-bangkok-airport-diagnosed-with-covid-19-285587">Thai immigration officers at Bangkok airport diagnosed with COVID-19</a>

"Then a car bomb about 10 meters from the first explosion went off. This was hidden in a pick-up truck where the perpetrators parked near the fence. Eighteen are wounded and no one died," he said.

The car bomb exploded ten minutes after the first explosion and among the wounded were five reporters, five police officers, two soldiers and other bystanders, Pramote said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemen-ministers-bodyguards-killed-in-convoy-blast-281673">Yemen minister's bodyguards killed in convoy blast</a>

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Such claims are rare following attacks in the region.

The population of the provinces, which belonged to an independent Malay Muslim sultanate before Thailand annexed them in 1909, is 80 per cent Muslim, while the rest of the country is overwhelmingly Buddhist. The conflict has flared on and off for decades as insurgent groups fought a guerrilla war to demand independence for the area.

A peace dialogue between the Thai government and the main insurgent group, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) has resumed this year after the group pull out of the process in 2014.

Two bombs exploded in front of a government office in Thailand's insurgency-hit southern Yala province on Tuesday, wounding 18 people, a security official said. The explosions took place in front of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), a Thai government body that oversees the administration of three mostly Malay-Muslim majority provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala where an insurgency since 2004 has killed some 7,000 people.

Two bombs exploded in front of a government office in Thailand's insurgency-hit southern Yala province on Tuesday, wounding 18 people, a security official said. The explosions took place in front of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), a Thai government body that oversees the administration of three mostly Malay-Muslim majority provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala where an insurgency since 2004 has killed some 7,000 people. Also read: Blast in Afghanistan football field kills three civilians SBPAC was hosting a government meeting on the region's response to the outbreak of the coronavirus prior to the explosions. "The first bomb was a grenade thrown to the area outside the SBPAC office fence to draw people out," Colonel Pramote Prom-in, a military regional security spokesman told the source. Also see: Thai immigration officers at Bangkok airport diagnosed with COVID-19 "Then a car bomb about 10 meters from the first explosion went off. This was hidden in a pick-up truck where the perpetrators parked near the fence. Eighteen are wounded and no one died," he said. The car bomb exploded ten minutes after the first explosion and among the wounded were five reporters, five police officers, two soldiers and other bystanders, Pramote said. Also read: Yemen minister's bodyguards killed in convoy blast There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Such claims are rare following attacks in the region. The population of the provinces, which belonged to an independent Malay Muslim sultanate before Thailand annexed them in 1909, is 80 per cent Muslim, while the rest of the country is overwhelmingly Buddhist. The conflict has flared on and off for decades as insurgent groups fought a guerrilla war to demand independence for the area. A peace dialogue between the Thai government and the main insurgent group, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) has resumed this year after the group pull out of the process in 2014.

Two bombs explode outside Thai government office in Yala, wounding 18

The government of Thailand has approved draft legislation to allow same-sex civil union, a step which could make it the first Asian country to recognize such partnerships once the bill is passed, official sources said on Wednesday.

Apichat, an official of the government spokesperson's office, told EFE that the government approved the Civil Partnership Bill on Tuesday.

The official said no date had been fixed yet for the legislation to be presented in the National Legislative Assembly for debate and approval as the State Council was reviewing its details.

The bill is not expected to face any problems in its passage in the parliament as the country has effectively been under military rule since a coup led by General Prayut Chain-ocha - the current prime minister - on May 22, 2014.

The parliament on Tuesday also approved the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and research purposes, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to do so, joining Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and some states of the United States.

Thailand, where all political activities were banned until recently, is set to hold general elections in the first half of 2019.

Prime Minister Prayut has not ruled out contesting the upcoming elections.

The government of Thailand has approved draft legislation to allow same-sex civil union, a step which could make it the first Asian country to recognize such partnerships once the bill is passed, official sources said on Wednesday.

The government of Thailand has approved draft legislation to allow same-sex civil union, a step which could make it the first Asian country to recognize such partnerships once the bill is passed, official sources said on Wednesday. Apichat, an official of the government spokesperson's office, told EFE that the government approved the Civil Partnership Bill on Tuesday. The official said no date had been fixed yet for the legislation to be presented in the National Legislative Assembly for debate and approval as the State Council was reviewing its details. The bill is not expected to face any problems in its passage in the parliament as the country has effectively been under military rule since a coup led by General Prayut Chain-ocha - the current prime minister - on May 22, 2014. The parliament on Tuesday also approved the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and research purposes, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to do so, joining Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and some states of the United States. Thailand, where all political activities were banned until recently, is set to hold general elections in the first half of 2019. Prime Minister Prayut has not ruled out contesting the upcoming elections.

Thai government approves bill to legalise same-sex civil union

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