Crackdown draws concerns, condemnations

13 Sept 08:21 Key points summarised by AI

Thai and international human rights organizations, academics, and the UN condemned the crackdown on anti-government protests in Bangkok.
Amnesty International specifically criticized the use of water cannons and irritants as 'excessive force,' violating principles of legality and proportionality.
The United Nations emphasized the universal right to peaceful demonstration, urging Thai authorities to respect this fundamental freedom.
A network of human rights campaigners demanded Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's immediate resignation, accusing the government of being an 'enemy of the people' for its violent dispersal of unarmed protesters.

The Buddha Comes Home

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.