Category Archives: NGOs

Backflip on Thailand TPP membership talks

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Anti-TPP protests in New Zealand

In an apparent backflip on a proposed Thailand TPP membership application Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Saturday that she will not be discussing an application to join the controversial Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact with US President Barack Obama when he visits the country on Sunday. Last Monday the Thai cabinet agreed to a proposal by the Commerce Ministry to have Prime Minister Yingluck announce discussions of Thailand’s TPP membership application in a joint media briefing with President Obama, drawing and immediate barrage of criticism from academics, elected officials and activist groups. Criticism and warnings on the negative effects Thailand’s TPP membership would have on the Thai services industry were first raised by the Thai Chamber of Commerce, … Continue reading →

Thailand’s TPP application threatens to overshadow Presidential visit

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Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will now not discuss Thailand's TPP membership application with US President Barack Obama during visit

Bangkok is abuzz at the imminent visit of freshly re-elected US President Barack Obama on a whirlwind three-nation tour to shore up US support in the region, however trade discussions threaten to overshadow the stated purpose of the visit, a courtesy call to mark 180 years of Thai-US relations. While details such as the number of security personnel to be deployed (more than 1,000), snipers being stationed on Bangkok rooftops (nothing new in that) and details such as the US President travels with his own bottled water supply and his advance team are concerned about giant water monitors at Government House have proved entertaining reading, it is trade that is capturing the most interest. On Monday the Thailand government announced … Continue reading →

Someone is harassing MSF in Rakhine State Myanmar, but it’s a secret who

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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) logo

When it comes to bizarre media releases it’s hard to go past one issued today by international humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), breathlessly titled MSF prevented from reaching most communities affected by violence in Rakhine State (formerly Arakan State), western Myanmar. The press release, issued by MSF Bangkok, states: “As MSF medical teams work to reach communities affected by the violence in Rakhine State they face ongoing antagonism generated by deep ethnic divisions.”Ongoing animosity, aimed partially at organisations like MSF wishing to provide assistance …” In the third claim of alleged harassment, MSF’s operations manager, Joe Belliveau, is quoted: “That we are prevented from acting and threatened for wanting to deliver medical aid to those in need is shocking … Continue reading →

Médecins Sans Frontières protest places Hmong refugees in Thailand at risk of humanitarian crisis

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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) logo

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors without Borders as they are otherwise known, runs the risk of creating a humanitarian crisis if it goes ahead with plans to withdraw from a Hmong refugee camp in Northern Thailand in protest at the Thai governments treatment of Hmong. This warning was sounded yesterday by Yap Swee Seng, director of Forum-Asia, a regional human rights organisation with 42 member-organisations across the region. MSF announced earlier in the week that due to ongoing difficulties and barriers put in its way by the Thailand government, it was discontinuing its work at the Huay Nam Khao camp in Petchabun province. MSF said it will withdraw the medical and other aid it has been providing more than … Continue reading →