Lawyers hope court will hold bail hearing for COVID19-infected Mike Rayong today

13 Sept 07:42 Key points summarised by AI

Lawyers are urgently seeking bail for anti-establishment protest leader Panupong Jadnok, alias "Mike Rayong," due to his COVID-19 infection and pre-existing asthma, advocating for his treatment outside Bangkok Remand Prison.
The Criminal Court is anticipated to hold a teleconference hearing today to consider the bail application, following an earlier rejection of an online hearing proposal for the lèse majesté and sedition accused.
Concerns are mounting over Panupong's health amidst his extended detention and the widespread COVID-19 infections in prisons, with other prominent protest leaders already granted conditional bail.

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.