Thousands of US service members are about to descend on Thailand, as the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier makes a port call near the coastal city of Pattaya, known for its beaches and nightlife. Thai police have been intensifying a crackdown on sex workers ahead of the arrival of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.

From Red Sea fire to Pattaya nightlife: Thai police warn American soldiers

Thai police reported on Saturday (Dec 14) that two suspects had been taken into custody as authorities continued investigating a bombing in northern Thailand that killed at least three people and left dozens injured.

Thai police reported on Saturday (Dec 14) that two suspects had been taken into custody as authorities continued investigating a bombing in northern Thailand that killed at least three people and left dozens injured. The incident occurred on Friday night at the Red Cross Fair 2024 in Umphang District, Tak Province, which borders Myanmar. A bomb, believed to be a homemade device, was thrown into a crowd near a concert stage where people were enjoying a performance at approximately 11:30 pm (local time). Local police confirmed that at least 48 individuals were injured. Also read: South Korea President Yoon impeached: What happens now? All you need to know Defence Ministry spokesperson Thanathip Sawangsang told The Associated Press that local police had reported a fight between rival groups of men before the explosion. He clarified that there was no indication of a wider security threat. “The forensic evidence showed that the explosive device was a homemade bomb,” Thanathip added. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended her condolences to the victims and their families. She asked security forces and relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and assist those affected. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsap said, “She has tasked the National Police Chief and local security agencies with prioritising care for the injured, conducting detailed investigations, and gathering evidence to apprehend the perpetrators quickly.” Watch: Syria: Watchdog Warns Syria On Chemical Weapons; Israeli Strikes Target Syrian Military Assets × Jirayu added, “Additionally, she has instructed police, administrative officers, and security personnel nationwide to enhance safety measures at festivals during this period. This includes conducting hazardous materials inspections to ensure public safety.” “These measures are to be implemented urgently, with progress reports submitted to the Prime Minister.” (With inputs from agencies)

Thai police detain 2 suspects after blast at Red Cross Fair concert leaves 3 dead, 48 injured

The son of a famous Spanish actor was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday (Aug 29) in Thailand for killing and dismembering a man on the southern Thai island of Koh Phangan last year.

Daniel Sancho Bronchalo is the son of renowned TV star Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre. He claimed that he&nbsp;killed the Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta in self-defence as he was trying to molest him. Sancho pleaded guilty to murder in August 2023.

A court on the nearby island of Koh Samui, where the case was heard, initially issued a death sentence for Sancho, but this was changed to life imprisonment after taking into account his cooperation during the trial.

Apart from the life sentence, Sancho is also ordered to pay 4 million baht ($118,000) in damages to Arrieta’s family.&nbsp;

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The victim’s lawyer, Bussakorn Kaewleeled, said the family is satisfied with the outcome of this case.

"The plaintiff is satisfied with the sentence because he (Sancho) will be put in prison for life and they (the plaintiff) receive some financial compensation," Bussakorn told reporters outside the court on the island of Koh Samui, AFP news agency reported.

Police discovered parts of Arrieta’s body at a landfill in Koh Phangan in early August last year. Around the same time, Sancho reported to the police that Arrieta, then 44, was missing. He admitted to killing Arrieta upon further questioning.

Thai media reported last year that investigations had shown that Sancho had bought, among other things, a knife, rubber gloves and a bottle of cleaning agent - leading police to conclude the murder was premeditated.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-news-outlet-stand-news-and-editors-convicted-of-sedition-754265">Hong Kong news outlet Stand News and editors convicted of sedition</a>

Sancho later led police to seven sites around the island, where he disposed of Arrieta's dismembered body in plastic bags.

As per one of Sancho’s interviews with the Spanish media, he was held “hostage” by Arrieta as the surgeon was obsessed with him. The defence also argued that Sancho acted in self-defence after Arrieta tried to force him to have sex.&nbsp;

In a statement published by Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Sancho said the plastic surgeon “tried to rape [him].”

Sancho and Arrieta had agreed to meet after getting to know each other online, as per reports.

Sancho is a chef by profession and also runs a YouTube channel. He hails from a family of influential actors. His mother is actress Silvia Bronchalo, while his grandfather is the late actor Félix Ángel Sancho Gracia.

(With inputs from agencies)

The son of a famous Spanish actor was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday (Aug 29) in Thailand for killing and dismembering a man on the southern Thai island of Koh Phangan last year.

The son of a famous Spanish actor was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday (Aug 29) in Thailand for killing and dismembering a man on the southern Thai island of Koh Phangan last year. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo is the son of renowned TV star Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre. He claimed that he killed the Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta in self-defence as he was trying to molest him. Sancho pleaded guilty to murder in August 2023. A court on the nearby island of Koh Samui, where the case was heard, initially issued a death sentence for Sancho, but this was changed to life imprisonment after taking into account his cooperation during the trial. Apart from the life sentence, Sancho is also ordered to pay 4 million baht ($118,000) in damages to Arrieta’s family. Also Read | TRIGGER WARNING: Who is Canadian serial killer Jeremy Skibicki, sentenced for murdering 4 indigenous women? The victim’s lawyer, Bussakorn Kaewleeled, said the family is satisfied with the outcome of this case. "The plaintiff is satisfied with the sentence because he (Sancho) will be put in prison for life and they (the plaintiff) receive some financial compensation," Bussakorn told reporters outside the court on the island of Koh Samui, AFP news agency reported. Police discovered parts of Arrieta’s body at a landfill in Koh Phangan in early August last year. Around the same time, Sancho reported to the police that Arrieta, then 44, was missing. He admitted to killing Arrieta upon further questioning. Thai media reported last year that investigations had shown that Sancho had bought, among other things, a knife, rubber gloves and a bottle of cleaning agent - leading police to conclude the murder was premeditated. Also Read | Hong Kong news outlet Stand News and editors convicted of sedition Sancho later led police to seven sites around the island, where he disposed of Arrieta's dismembered body in plastic bags. As per one of Sancho’s interviews with the Spanish media, he was held “hostage” by Arrieta as the surgeon was obsessed with him. The defence also argued that Sancho acted in self-defence after Arrieta tried to force him to have sex. In a statement published by Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Sancho said the plastic surgeon “tried to rape [him].” Sancho and Arrieta had agreed to meet after getting to know each other online, as per reports. Sancho is a chef by profession and also runs a YouTube channel. He hails from a family of influential actors. His mother is actress Silvia Bronchalo, while his grandfather is the late actor Félix Ángel Sancho Gracia. (With inputs from agencies)

Spanish actor's son jailed for 'killing and dismembering' man on Thai island

Thai police shot dead a gunman who killed three people and wounded three others, a senior officer said Thursday, after a 15-hour standoff. The standoff ended early Thursday when armed police stormed the building and killed the gunman, who has not been named but was reported by local media to be a 29-year-old former national park official.

Thai police shoot gunman dead after 15-hour standoff

Police in Thailand have&nbsp;arrested a man who allegedly told his followers to eat his bodily fluids and worship corpses.

The man named Thawee Nanra, 75, was reportedly living in a jungle in Thailand's Chaiyaphum province. The man's campsite located deep inside the forest&nbsp;raided by police.

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The person who provided the tipoff to the police said a woman provided the information after her mother wasn't allowed to return. Reports claimed the cult leader's followers clashed with police as Thawee Nanra was arrested.

Reports said at least eleven corpses were found including coffins containing bodies with at least a dozen followers who were reportedly living with Nanra.

Watch:&nbsp;Taliban bans opium cultivation in the latest crackdown on intoxicants

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-bans-opium-cultivation-distribution-in-afghanistan-in-the-latest-crackdown-on-intoxicants-468247/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Reports claim the cult was operating for a few years but it escaped the police net since it was located in a remote village away from the public glare.

The local monk was denied bail as police continue to press new charges against Nanra.

(With inputs from Agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-bans-opium-cultivation-distribution-in-afghanistan-in-the-latest-crackdown-on-intoxicants-468247/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Police in Thailand have arrested a man who allegedly told his followers to eat his bodily fluids and worship corpses. The man named Thawee Nanra, 75, was reportedly living in a jungle in Thailand's Chaiyaphum province.

Police in Thailand have arrested a man who allegedly told his followers to eat his bodily fluids and worship corpses. The man named Thawee Nanra, 75, was reportedly living in a jungle in Thailand's Chaiyaphum province. The man's campsite located deep inside the forest raided by police. Also Read: Harvard University's dark past: Faculty, staff enslaved more than 70 people The person who provided the tipoff to the police said a woman provided the information after her mother wasn't allowed to return. Reports claimed the cult leader's followers clashed with police as Thawee Nanra was arrested. Reports said at least eleven corpses were found including coffins containing bodies with at least a dozen followers who were reportedly living with Nanra. Watch: Taliban bans opium cultivation in the latest crackdown on intoxicants Reports claim the cult was operating for a few years but it escaped the police net since it was located in a remote village away from the public glare. The local monk was denied bail as police continue to press new charges against Nanra. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Thai police arrest cult leader who wanted followers to eat his excreta

A&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;police chief at the centre of a manhunt over accusations he tortured and suffocated a drug suspect to death surrendered on Thursday.

Thai&nbsp;police raided the Bangkok mansion of 41-year-old Thitisan Utthanaphon -- nicknamed 'Joe Ferrari' -- on Wednesday and found 13 luxury cars, local media reported.&nbsp;

National Police confirmed during a late night press conference Thursday that Thitisan gave himself up and was arrested in Chon Buri province south east of the capital.

"We will show the public that we will not protect wrongdoers," National police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk told reporters, adding that six other officers had also been arrested.

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"Everyone will be treated the same under the legal system. The police organisation must exist with people's trust."

Thitisan, who had served as chief of a district police station in northern Nakhon Sawan province, and some of his colleagues are facing criminal charges after video footage of a death in custody went viral on social media.

The clip shows a group of men -- allegedly including Thitisan -- wrapping a plastic bag around the suspect's head while questioning him on August 5.

The suspect loses consciousness and some officers try to resuscitate him, the footage shows.

"A prosecution fully independent of the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;police is needed if there is any hope of justice," Human Rights Watch Asia Director Brad Adams said.

"Successive&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;governments have a long history of failing to ensure accountability for even the most ghastly police abuses against people in custody."

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Police investigating the case earlier this week said the station chief is suspected of causing the man's death while trying to extract a two million baht ($61,000) payment.

In an unprecedented move during the press conference, Thitisan answered questions from the media over a mobile phone held up to a microphone and denied he had been trying to extort money.

"I did not aim to kill him... It was an accident," Thitisan told the media by phone.

"This is not related to asking for money. I used a black plastic bag because I did not want him to see me but he tore the plastic bag so I had to tie his arms behind him."

Thitisan said he was doing his job and trying to crack down on illegal drugs.

"I accept what I did was not right," he said.

It's unclear when formal charges will be laid.

Later Thitisan -- wearing a green T-shirt and blue hat -- was led out of the Crime Suppression Division and through a large media pack to a waiting police van.

A Thai police chief at the centre of a manhunt over accusations he tortured and suffocated a drug suspect to death surrendered on Thursday. Thai police raided the Bangkok mansion of 41-year-old Thitisan Utthanaphon -- nicknamed 'Joe Ferrari' -- on Wednesday and found 13 luxury cars, local media reported.

A Thai police chief at the centre of a manhunt over accusations he tortured and suffocated a drug suspect to death surrendered on Thursday. Thai police raided the Bangkok mansion of 41-year-old Thitisan Utthanaphon -- nicknamed 'Joe Ferrari' -- on Wednesday and found 13 luxury cars, local media reported. National Police confirmed during a late night press conference Thursday that Thitisan gave himself up and was arrested in Chon Buri province south east of the capital. "We will show the public that we will not protect wrongdoers," National police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk told reporters, adding that six other officers had also been arrested. ALSO READ | What are internet recommendation algorithms and how do they affects users? "Everyone will be treated the same under the legal system. The police organisation must exist with people's trust." Thitisan, who had served as chief of a district police station in northern Nakhon Sawan province, and some of his colleagues are facing criminal charges after video footage of a death in custody went viral on social media. The clip shows a group of men -- allegedly including Thitisan -- wrapping a plastic bag around the suspect's head while questioning him on August 5. The suspect loses consciousness and some officers try to resuscitate him, the footage shows. "A prosecution fully independent of the Thai police is needed if there is any hope of justice," Human Rights Watch Asia Director Brad Adams said. "Successive Thai governments have a long history of failing to ensure accountability for even the most ghastly police abuses against people in custody." ALSO READ | From education to bitcoin, China's season of regulatory crackdown Police investigating the case earlier this week said the station chief is suspected of causing the man's death while trying to extract a two million baht ($61,000) payment. In an unprecedented move during the press conference, Thitisan answered questions from the media over a mobile phone held up to a microphone and denied he had been trying to extort money. "I did not aim to kill him... It was an accident," Thitisan told the media by phone. "This is not related to asking for money. I used a black plastic bag because I did not want him to see me but he tore the plastic bag so I had to tie his arms behind him." Thitisan said he was doing his job and trying to crack down on illegal drugs. "I accept what I did was not right," he said. It's unclear when formal charges will be laid. Later Thitisan -- wearing a green T-shirt and blue hat -- was led out of the Crime Suppression Division and through a large media pack to a waiting police van.

Thai police station chief arrested over death in custody

Thai police on Tuesday summoned seven leaders of anti-government protests to face charges of insulting the monarchy, a day before a planned demonstration to demand that the king give up control of the royal fortune, a police source and a rights group said.

It will be the first time such charges have been brought under so-called lese majeste laws relating to insults to the royal family in more than two years. Anyone found guilty faces up to 15 years in prison.

Protests that began in July against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha have increasingly turned to demands to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, breaking a longstanding taboo on criticising the monarchy.

One of the seven, Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, said his family had received a summons for lese majeste in addition to other charges and he was not afraid.

"The ceiling has been broken. Nothing can contain us anymore," he wrote on Twitter. He told Reuters: "This will expose the brutality of the Thai feudal system to the world."

Others named included human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, who became the first to call for royal reforms on Aug. 3, and Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul, a student leader who set out 10 demands for royal reforms.

Neither was immediately available for comment.

SUMMONS OVER EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER

The police source, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the protest leaders had until Nov. 30 to acknowledge the charges over comments made at protests on Sept. 19 and 20.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights told Reuters that police had notified the protest leaders' lawyers.

The summonses came a day before protesters have said they will march to the office that manages the royal fortune to demand that the king give up personal control of the assets.

Police said on Tuesday that no protesters would be allowed within 150 metres (450 feet) of the Crown Property Bureau, where royalists have also said they plan to gather in defence of a monarchy that faces its biggest challenge in decades.

"We will position ourselves at the police barriers," Bancha Panniwat, a leader of the Protect the Land of Siam royalist group, told reporters. "If there is any provocation, it will not be from us."

More than 50 people were hurt last week when police used water cannon and tear gas against thousands of protesters at parliament in the most violent day of more than four months of demonstrations.

Among protesters' demands is the reversal of changes that gave the king personal control over a royal fortune valued in the tens of billions of dollars.

The FreeYouth protest group said in a Twitter post that they would demonstrate on Wednesday to "reclaim the property that is meant to belong to the people".

The Royal Palace has made no comment since the protests began, although the king said the protesters were loved "all the same" when asked for comment on the demonstrations.

Prayuth has rejected protesters' calls to resign and said last week that all laws would be used against protesters who break them - raising the concern of activists that the royal insult laws would be among them.

Thai police on Tuesday summoned seven leaders of anti-government protests to face charges of insulting the monarchy, a day before a planned demonstration to demand that the king give up control of the royal fortune, a police source and a rights group said.

Thai police on Tuesday summoned seven leaders of anti-government protests to face charges of insulting the monarchy, a day before a planned demonstration to demand that the king give up control of the royal fortune, a police source and a rights group said. It will be the first time such charges have been brought under so-called lese majeste laws relating to insults to the royal family in more than two years. Anyone found guilty faces up to 15 years in prison. Protests that began in July against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha have increasingly turned to demands to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, breaking a longstanding taboo on criticising the monarchy. One of the seven, Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, said his family had received a summons for lese majeste in addition to other charges and he was not afraid. "The ceiling has been broken. Nothing can contain us anymore," he wrote on Twitter. He told Reuters: "This will expose the brutality of the Thai feudal system to the world." Others named included human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, who became the first to call for royal reforms on Aug. 3, and Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul, a student leader who set out 10 demands for royal reforms. Neither was immediately available for comment. SUMMONS OVER EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER The police source, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the protest leaders had until Nov. 30 to acknowledge the charges over comments made at protests on Sept. 19 and 20. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights told Reuters that police had notified the protest leaders' lawyers. The summonses came a day before protesters have said they will march to the office that manages the royal fortune to demand that the king give up personal control of the assets. Police said on Tuesday that no protesters would be allowed within 150 metres (450 feet) of the Crown Property Bureau, where royalists have also said they plan to gather in defence of a monarchy that faces its biggest challenge in decades. "We will position ourselves at the police barriers," Bancha Panniwat, a leader of the Protect the Land of Siam royalist group, told reporters. "If there is any provocation, it will not be from us." More than 50 people were hurt last week when police used water cannon and tear gas against thousands of protesters at parliament in the most violent day of more than four months of demonstrations. Among protesters' demands is the reversal of changes that gave the king personal control over a royal fortune valued in the tens of billions of dollars. The FreeYouth protest group said in a Twitter post that they would demonstrate on Wednesday to "reclaim the property that is meant to belong to the people". The Royal Palace has made no comment since the protests began, although the king said the protesters were loved "all the same" when asked for comment on the demonstrations. Prayuth has rejected protesters' calls to resign and said last week that all laws would be used against protesters who break them - raising the concern of activists that the royal insult laws would be among them.

Thai police to charge protest leaders with royal insult

Thai police said on Thursday there is enough evidence to press human trafficking charges against the captain and crew of a boat carrying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/65-rohingyas-found-shipwrecked-in-thailand-226453">65 Rohingya Muslims that was shipwrecked this week</a> on a southern Thai island.

Many Rohingya Muslims have boarded boats in recent months to try to reach Malaysia, part of what authorities fear could be a new wave of people smuggling by sea after a 2015 crackdown on trafficking.

The 65 Rohingya men, women and children were discovered on Tuesday on Rawi island off Thailand's southern Satun province where their boat had beached due to engine trouble while en route to Malaysia.

Police have already charged the crew with assisting the migrants to illegally enter Thailand.

"We have completed talking to some of the Rohingya and we now have evidence to press human trafficking charges against the Thai captain and the five Myanmar crew," Police Major General Supawat Thapkliew, the head of police in Satun, told Reuters.

"We have not completed questioning all the Rohingya to determine whether they were tricked or they came willingly," he added.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha on Thursday ordered relevant agencies to care for the Rohingya - 29 men, 31 women and five children - while authorities complete their investigation.

"The prime minister wants to stress that the Rohingya migration issue is important to the government and Thailand has worked with other countries on this issue continuously," Lieutenant General Werachon Sukondhapatipak, the government spokesman, told reporters.

Myanmar regards the Rohingya as illegal migrants from the Indian subcontinent and has confined tens of thousands to sprawling camps in Rakhine state segregated from the Buddhist Rakhine population since violence swept the area in 2012.

The unrest prompted tens of thousands of Rohingya to flee Myanmar by sea, an exodus that peaked in 2015 when an estimated 25,000 people crossed the Andaman Sea for Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, many drowning in unsafe and overloaded boats.

More than 700,000 Rohingya fled into Bangladesh in 2017 after a crackdown by Myanmar's army, according to UN agencies.

Thai police said on Thursday there is enough evidence to press human trafficking charges against the captain and crew of a boat carrying 65 Rohingya Muslims that was shipwrecked this week on a southern Thai island.

Thai police said on Thursday there is enough evidence to press human trafficking charges against the captain and crew of a boat carrying 65 Rohingya Muslims that was shipwrecked this week on a southern Thai island. Many Rohingya Muslims have boarded boats in recent months to try to reach Malaysia, part of what authorities fear could be a new wave of people smuggling by sea after a 2015 crackdown on trafficking. The 65 Rohingya men, women and children were discovered on Tuesday on Rawi island off Thailand's southern Satun province where their boat had beached due to engine trouble while en route to Malaysia. Police have already charged the crew with assisting the migrants to illegally enter Thailand. "We have completed talking to some of the Rohingya and we now have evidence to press human trafficking charges against the Thai captain and the five Myanmar crew," Police Major General Supawat Thapkliew, the head of police in Satun, told Reuters. "We have not completed questioning all the Rohingya to determine whether they were tricked or they came willingly," he added. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha on Thursday ordered relevant agencies to care for the Rohingya - 29 men, 31 women and five children - while authorities complete their investigation. "The prime minister wants to stress that the Rohingya migration issue is important to the government and Thailand has worked with other countries on this issue continuously," Lieutenant General Werachon Sukondhapatipak, the government spokesman, told reporters. Myanmar regards the Rohingya as illegal migrants from the Indian subcontinent and has confined tens of thousands to sprawling camps in Rakhine state segregated from the Buddhist Rakhine population since violence swept the area in 2012. The unrest prompted tens of thousands of Rohingya to flee Myanmar by sea, an exodus that peaked in 2015 when an estimated 25,000 people crossed the Andaman Sea for Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, many drowning in unsafe and overloaded boats. More than 700,000 Rohingya fled into Bangladesh in 2017 after a crackdown by Myanmar's army, according to UN agencies.

Stranded Rohingyas linked to human trafficking: Thai police

Two eight-year-old girls in Thailand have been charged for violating campaigning rules ahead of a contentious referendum next month after tearing voter lists off a wall because they liked the pink paper they were printed on, police said today.&nbsp; 
 
The military government has clamped down on dissent ahead of the August 7 vote on a military-backed constitution that it says will ensure stability in a country rocked by political turmoil for more than a decade. 
 
The girls were charged with obstructing the referendum process and destroying public property after tearing down the lists posted outside a school, said Damrong Phetpong, police commander in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet. 
 
&quot;We now understand the issues why it was happened. The two girls were just playing around without realising what documents those were,&quot; he said, adding they would not face punishment because they were so young. 
 
The referendum will be the first big test of the public&#39;s opinion of the military government since it came to power after a May 2014 coup. 
 
Critics, including major political parties, say the draft charter would give the military too much power over elected governments, and would not resolve differences between populist political forces and the military-dominated establishment. 
 
The government, which appears increasingly jittery ahead of the vote, has brought in a law banning discussion of the constitution and lobbying, both for and against, with a 10-year prison sentence for anyone who breaks it. 
 
(Reuters)

The girls were charged with obstructing referendum process, destroying public property after tearing down the lists posted outside a school

Two eight-year-old girls in Thailand have been charged for violating campaigning rules ahead of a contentious referendum next month after tearing voter lists off a wall because they liked the pink paper they were printed on, police said today. The military government has clamped down on dissent ahead of the August 7 vote on a military-backed constitution that it says will ensure stability in a country rocked by political turmoil for more than a decade. The girls were charged with obstructing the referendum process and destroying public property after tearing down the lists posted outside a school, said Damrong Phetpong, police commander in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet. "We now understand the issues why it was happened. The two girls were just playing around without realising what documents those were," he said, adding they would not face punishment because they were so young. The referendum will be the first big test of the public's opinion of the military government since it came to power after a May 2014 coup. Critics, including major political parties, say the draft charter would give the military too much power over elected governments, and would not resolve differences between populist political forces and the military-dominated establishment. The government, which appears increasingly jittery ahead of the vote, has brought in a law banning discussion of the constitution and lobbying, both for and against, with a 10-year prison sentence for anyone who breaks it. (Reuters)

Two 8-year-old girls charged in Thailand for tearing referendum voter lists

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