Politics
Fresh political upheaval likely as Thailand gets close Thaksin’s verdict
Thailand is bracing for fresh political upheaval as the country’s supreme court prepares to deliver its verdict on the fortune of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister ousted in a 2006 coup.

Thailand is bracing for fresh political upheaval as the country’s supreme court prepares to deliver its verdict on the fortune of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister ousted in a 2006 coup.
The anti-government Red Shirt movement of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Wednesday announced the group will mobilise its supporters to join a mass rally in the Thai capital from March 12, when it claims one million protesters will join a protest to oust the Abhisit Vejjajiva government from office.
Thaksin had stressed the need to better manage the mobilisation plan and demonstration and also wanted his supporters to air their opposition to the ruling of the court if the verdict tomorrow comes out against him .
For the Bangkok rally on March 14, UDD members and Thaksin supporters will go to several assembly points. The central point for the northern provinces has been set in Nakhon Sawan while those from the Northeast will meet in Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima on March 12. People from central provinces and the South will move according to their own plans. All will be guarded by UDD security people dressed in black.
Politics
Thailand falls to 73rd position in Economist’s Democracy Index
Within Southeast Asia, Thailand’s score regressed in 2020, falling to 73rd from 68th, including those related to the treatment of the opposition and to curbs on freedom of expression.

Democracy in sickness and in health? is the title of The Economist Intelligence Unit’s latest Democracy Index report, which looks at the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on freedom and democracy around the world.
Myanmar
Military coup in Myanmar threatens economic recovery
The coup follows rising tension between the government and the military over claims by the military that the NDL’s landslide win during the November election was marred by fraud.

After a decade of democracy, the Myanmar military has staged a coup ousting the newly re-elected NDL party. So far, the coup has been peaceful and we do not expect it to lead to any major social unrest or large protests amid public concerns about Covid-19.
Politics
Thai generals want more control on foreign businesses
Thailand’s military government is planning to amend the FBA (Foreign Business Act) to prevent foreign directors from controlling joint venture firms that are majority-owned by Thai shareholders.

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