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Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thaksin to hear lese-majeste ruling on Aug 22
The Criminal Court will rule on Aug 22 on the royal defamation case against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his lawyer said on Wednesday. 'We are confident that we will receive justice,' Winyat Chartmontree told reporters, adding that Thaksin would be present to hear the ruling. Thaksin himself testified on Wednesday, along with two other defence witnesses, in the case that stemmed from an interview the former premier gave to a South Korean media outlet in 2015. Mr Winyat said after the hearing that the defence team had initially prepared 14 witnesses. They subsequently decided that the testimony given by three key witnesses was sufficient to support their case. In addition to Thaksin, the court heard from Wissanu Krea-ngam, a former deputy prime minister and legal expert; and Tongthong Chandrangsu, a former permanent secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister. The prosecution presented its witness testimony between July 1 and 3. The court had set aside more days for the defence but in the end Mr Winyat's team required only one day. Thaksin, who will turn 76 on July 26, stands accused of breaching Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law, as well as the Computer Crime Act, for comments made in the 2015 interview with the Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo. A lese-majeste conviction carries a jail tern ranging from three to 15 years. Thaksin arrived at the court at 9.13am in a Mercedes-Benz. Dressed in a yellow necktie and dark suit, he was greeted by his lawyer before they entered the court via a restricted side entrance off-limits to media. The trial session was held behind closed doors, with a strict ban on discussion or dissemination of any news about what was said inside. A crowd of red shirt supporters gathered outside the court to show their support for Thaksin before his arrival. Former education minister Suchart Thada-damrongvech from the Yingluck Shinawatra government and Thaksin's brother-in-law and former prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, were among the crowd. Mr Somchai told reporters that he came to show his support to Thaksin in his capacity as a long-time supporter. He was not a witness in the case, but expressed confidence in the legal team's preparations. 'Thaksin's legal team has prepared evidence to fight the case. It's up to the court's discretion,' said Mr Somchai. Police from the Phahon Yothin station and court police were on hand to maintain peace and order. Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years in self-imposed exile. He was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison on conflict of interest and abuse of power charges while in office from 2001-06 — later reduced to one year by a royal pardon. He was released on parole six months later, having spent the entire time in a VIP ward at Police General Hospital. That stay has become the subject of a separate court case prompted by complaints that his prison sentence was not properly carried out. The Thaksin case is the first in a series of challenges against him and his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whose government hangs by a thread. Although Thaksin has no official role in government, he remains highly influential and is seen as the power behind the ruling Pheu Thai party, now besieged by a faltering economy, a border crisis and uncertainties arising from legal challenges. Prime Minister Paetongtarn was suspended from her duties in June over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The Constitutional Court is expected to decide within a few weeks whether she will be banned from office permanently. Her coalition maintains a razor-thin majority after the exit of its second-largest partner, Bhumjaithai, over the phone call issue, with protesters calling for her resignation.
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- General
- Straits Times
‘Guard geese' becoming more common in South Korea: Report
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Several agricultural and industrial facilities in rural areas in South Korea are using domestic geese as a guard animal. – The so-called 'goose agents', which made headlines recently after their use at a Brazilian prison, appear to be increasingly deployed at farms and factories in South Korea in recent months. Several cases have emerged of agricultural and industrial facilities in rural areas using domestic geese as guard animals. One example, reported by the Korean-language daily Chosun Ilbo, is a steel factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, which reportedly bought four geese for night-time security. 'Repeated thefts were giving me headaches, and an acquaintance suggested I should get geese. They cost less than jindo dogs (indigenous species in Korea known for their loyalty and ferocity), and are easier to manage,' factory owner Jeong Tae-ho was quoted as saying. A farm in Yangju, in the same province, reportedly saw its guard geese chase away a trespasser in a car, with male geese's loud honking and aggression being 'beyond imagination'. In 2023 and 2024, several international media outlets reported that a prison in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina replaced patrol dogs with geese. The birds were said to patrol the space between the inner fence and outer walls, showing aggression towards out-of-line inmates. The reports also quoted affordability as the main appeal for using guard geese. While not generally considered a particularly intimidating animal, geese have actually been used for security throughout history. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements from April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators Singapore MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Seah Kian Peng Singapore Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House Asia Australian woman found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59 A record shows that geese alerted the Romans during the Battle of the Allia in 387 BCE, and there have been cases of the birds being used to supplement dogs, drones or humans at warehouses and even military and police facilities worldwide. Geese tend to make loud noises when approached by strangers, and are deceptively strong due to their large size. They are known to be loyal and friendly to a human they perceive as a pack leader. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Korea Herald
07-07-2025
- Korea Herald
'Guard geese' becoming more common in Korea: report
More factories, farms opting to use geese to safeguard their property instead of dogs The so-called "goose agents," which made headlines recently after their use at a Brazilian prison, appear to be increasingly deployed at farms and factories in South Korea in recent months. Several cases have emerged of agricultural and industrial facilities in rural areas using domestic geese as guard animals. One example, reported by the Korean-language daily Chosun Ilbo, involves a steel factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, which reportedly purchased four geese for nighttime security. "Repeated thefts were giving me headaches, and an acquaintance suggested I should get geese. They cost less than Jindo dogs (indigenous species in Korea known for their loyalty and ferocity), and are easier to manage," the factory owner Jeong Tae-ho was quoted as saying. A farm in Yangju of the same province reportedly saw its guard geese chase away a trespasser in a car, with male geese's loud honking and aggression being "beyond imagination." In 2023 and 2024, multiple international media outlets reported that a prison in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina replaced patrol dogs with geese. The birds were said to be patrolling the space between the inner fence and outer walls, showing aggression toward out-of-line inmates. The reports also quoted affordability as the main appeal for using guard geese. While not generally considered a particularly intimidating animal, geese have actually been used for security purposes throughout history. A record shows showed geese alerted the Romans during the Battle of the Allia in 387 BC, and there have been multiple cases of the birds being used to supplement dogs, drones, or humans at warehouses or even military and police facilities worldwide. Geese tend to make loud noises when approached by strangers, and are deceptively strong due to their large size. They are known to be loyal and friendly to a human they perceive as a pack leader.
NDTV
21-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Korean Pool Sparks Outrage Over Shocking Sign Linking Low Income To Poor Hygiene: Report
A privately run swimming facility in South Korea's Gyeonggi province has sparked widespread outrage after a controversial notice surfaced online, according to the South China Morning Post. The photo, which has gone viral on social media since June 12, shows a set of four pool usage rules that many believe unfairly target low-income individuals. The language in the notice implies a discriminatory stance, suggesting that people with lower incomes are less clean, drawing sharp criticism for promoting class bias. The incident has triggered heated debate, with many demanding accountability from the facility. The original report, published by Korean news outlet Chosun Ilbo, stated that photos of a sign titled "Guidelines for Using the Pool" began circulating online on Thursday across social media and online communities. The sign listed several rules, including: 1: "A pool is not a place to scrub off dead skin." 2: "Shower with soap before entering the pool." 3: "Wear a swim cap." However, it was the final rule that sparked widespread backlash: 4: "The turbidity of the water after use reflects your income level. Research shows that the lower a person's income is, the less hygienic he is." The reason behind the stadium issuing this notice remains unclear. However, this statement drew intense criticism for being classist and discriminatory, further amplifying national attention on the issue. The SCMP compiled various reactions from multiple platforms. "The first three rules are common requirements. However, it is disrespectful to include discriminatory language in a public notice," remarked one netizen. "What does the swimming pool's cleanliness have to do with my income?" questioned another individual. "I find this expression perplexing," commented a third user. Another internet user stated, "Many people enter the pool directly without bathing. But addressing them in this manner goes too far."
South China Morning Post
21-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Korean swimming venue draws backlash for sign claiming ‘lower income equals a dirtier body'
A swimming stadium in South Korea has ignited controversy due to its rules, which appear to disregard the low-income group. A photo of a notice from a privately run swimming facility in the country's Gyeonggi province has circulated widely on social media since it was posted on June 12, as reported by Chosun Ilbo. The notice outlines four rules for using the swimming pool, as depicted in the photo. 'Swimming pool is not a place for body scrubbing,' 'Take a bath before you swim,' and 'You must wear a swimming cap,' are the first three rules. The fourth rule, which has sparked significant debate, states: 'The turbidity of the swimming pool after you use it reflects your income level.' 'Research shows that the lower a person's income is, the less hygienic they are,' the fourth rule adds as an alarming addendum.
