civil society

Author/Poon Ka Wai

Recently, I have been concerned with the news about some civic organizations repressed by the authority. What is involved is the China government's restricting the registration of civic organizations and receiving foreign sponsorship. I have some knowledge about the mainland churches who have been pushed by the government to "register". Both civic organization and churche are a part of "civil society". Here I would like share my views regarding these problems.

Author/ Choo Chon Kai
Translated by chong

Thailand Social Forum was held in Bangkok during 2006 Oct 21-23. It is just a month after the military coup.

On September 19, the first military coup since 1991 happened in Thailand. The caretaker government of the notorious Prime Minister Thaksin was dissolved. Thailand enters the dark ages of military autocracy again. The Council for Democratic Reform, formed by military and police forces with the support of the King, takes control over the whole country. As soon as the military authority comes to power, it imposes restraint on freedom of assembly and media, and other basic democratic rights. The process of coup looks smooth. But there are many undercurrents below the calm situation.