Thai junta vows to lift politics ban in JuneThailand's junta will lift a near four-year ban on political activity in June, an official said Friday, as space for debate slowly expands in the kingdom with polls promised for next year. Thai junta grants king full control of palace wealthA new law giving Thailand's king direct control over royal assets worth billions of dollars went into force Monday, the latest move by an increasingly assertive monarch to consolidate his power. Thai junta defends 'cheap' $393 mn Chinese sub purchaseBANGKOK (AFP) - The Thai junta on Tuesday defended $393 million earmarked for a Chinese submarine, batting back criticism of the secrecy of the deal, its high cost and the questionable utility of the warship. Thai junta to lift political party ban for 2018 pollsThailand's junta chief on Wednesday said he plans to lift the ban on political party gatherings before next year's elections, although he declined to put a date on polls or state when the restrictions will be lifted. Thai junta urged to drop case against torture activistsRights groups on Tuesday urged the Thai army to drop defamation charges against three activists over a landmark report on torture in the conflict-hit south, decrying the prosecution as an effort to silence critics. Thai junta uneasy about Pokemon Go crazeBANGKOK (AFP) - Pokemon Go's debut in Thailand has alarmed the country's generals, prompting the kingdom's junta chief to warn youngsters against playing too much and the army to ban the game from barracks. Thai junta shuts critical TV channel as poll loomsBANGKOK (AFP) - Thai authorities have ordered an anti-junta television channel to stop broadcasting as the kingdom's military rulers tighten the screw on dissent ahead of a controversial referendum vote. Thai junta push Google, Facebook and Line to scrub webBANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's junta is ramping up pressure on internet giants Google and Facebook -- and the popular messaging app Line -- to scrub the country's web of any content it dislikes, officials confirmed Tuesday. Thai junta accused of arbitrary detention of studentBANGKOK (AFP) - A student activist was snatched from a Bangkok street, bundled into a car and assaulted by soldiers, his lawyer said Thursday, in a dramatic act of military muscle-flexing apparently caught on CCTV. Thai junta, PM meet on security after fresh coup rumoursBANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's army-installed prime minister and a top junta member met Friday to consider tightening security in Bangkok, after the military denied rumors of a new coup during the night.
