Amnesty International's Thai office has been increasingly addressing domestic human rights issues, leading to significant backlash including threats to its staff and the organization's existence in Thailand. The shift in policy to tackle local issues has exposed the organization to state-sponsored violence, public hatred, and propaganda. Despite the risks, AI Thailand's Director Piyanut Kotsan believes it is worth it to work under the principle of human rights. The organization has faced challenges such as a halted report launch due to government intervention and campaigns to drive it out of the country. AI's stance as a global citizen remains, but the focus on local issues has led to the closure of offices in sensitive contexts like India and Hong Kong. Kotsan notes both positive and negative changes in the Thai society's engagement with human rights issues and expresses concerns over the safety of free expression. The upcoming APEC summit is seen as a critical moment for the Thai government's international recognition and its commitment to civil rights.

Amnesty International's Thai office has been increasingly addressing domestic human rights issues, leading to significant backlash including threats to its existence and staff. The organization's policy change to allow local offices to tackle domestic issues has resulted in heightened threats, particularly since the 2014 coup in Thailand. Piyanut Kotsan, Director of AI Thailand, discusses the challenges faced, including security measures and public scrutiny. Despite the risks, AI Thailand continues to advocate for human rights, with the support of a diverse new audience. The upcoming APEC summit is a concern for the organization, as it may lead to increased government repression. Kotsan emphasizes that shutting down AI Thailand would not silence the voice of the people or the international community's scrutiny.

An arrest warrant for Thai Senator Upakit was issued and then quickly retracted, with conflicting reports about its existence. Upakit has been summoned for questioning, potentially as a witness or suspect. His Thai-American son-in-law, Dean Gultula, and former business partner, Myanmar tycoon Tun Min Latt, are detained on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit drug-related offenses. The case involves a company founded by Upakit to run a casino in the Golden Triangle, known for drug trafficking. The investigation is seen as a test for Thailand's law enforcement and justice systems, with concerns about transparency and pressure from powerful figures. The Royal Thai Police have been tight-lipped about the investigation details, while the activist group Justice For Myanmar has revealed connections between the suspects and military-linked businesses.

Henry Kissinger, who passed away at age 100, is remembered for his foreign policy achievements, particularly opening China to the world and affecting the Cold War dynamics. However, in Southeast Asia, his legacy is viewed differently due to the devastating impact of his war strategies during the Vietnam War era. Kissinger's policies led to massive bombings in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and long-term consequences such as unexploded ordnance. His role in backing Indonesia's invasion of East Timor in 1975 is also criticized for contributing to a significant loss of life. The article reflects on the mixed legacy of Kissinger's actions in Asia.

Thai Senator Upakit Pachariyangkun was briefly wanted for arrest in connection with a drug trafficking and money laundering ring linked to a casino in the Golden Triangle. An arrest warrant was issued and then quickly withdrawn, with conflicting reports about its existence. Upakit has been summoned for questioning and could be a witness or suspect. His Thai-American son-in-law, Dean Gultula, and former business partner, Myanmar tycoon Tun Min Latt, are detained. The case is seen as a test for Thailand's law enforcement and justice systems. The suspects are connected to Myanmar Allure Group Company Limited, founded by Upakit to develop a hotel and casino. The UK sanctioned Tun Min Latt's Star Sapphire Group of Companies for military goods brokering. Details of the investigation are scarce, and the reasons for the retraction of the arrest warrant are unclear.

Cambodian authorities have concluded their investigation into the disappearance of Thai pro-democracy activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, who was allegedly abducted in Phnom Penh in 2020. Despite claims of completing the investigation, details such as Wanchalearm's residence or the vehicle used in the alleged abduction remain unconfirmed. The U.N. Committee on Enforced Disappearances has urged Cambodia to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and keep the family informed. Wanchalearm's family and advocacy groups have criticized the lack of transparency, and the Pheu Thai Party, with which Wanchalearm was affiliated, has been reticent to raise the issue in discussions with Cambodian officials.

The article discusses the various efforts and challenges in controlling Aedes mosquitoes and dengue fever in Thailand. It highlights the use of technology and data analytics, such as the sterilisation of male mosquitoes and the introduction of Wolbachia bacteria to reduce the mosquito population. Mahidol University has been at the forefront of this research, with significant reductions in mosquito numbers observed in test areas. However, challenges persist, such as the need for repeated releases of modified mosquitoes and the potential for mosquitoes to migrate from neighboring countries. The Thai Ministry of Public Health remains cautious and continues to use traditional control measures alongside new methods. The article also touches on the Global Vector Control Response strategy by WHO and the use of information technology like the Outbreak Tracker platform. It concludes with the need for integrated control measures and better urban land management to effectively combat dengue and other vector-borne diseases.

The article discusses the recurring outbreaks of dengue fever in Thailand and the challenges faced by public health officials due to mosquitoes developing resistance to control measures. It highlights the experiences of individuals affected by the disease and provides statistics on the number of cases and deaths over the years. The article also explores the history of Aedes mosquitoes, their adaptation to human environments, and the impact of climate change on their spread. It examines the effectiveness of current control measures, such as the use of abate sand granules and pyrethroid sprays, and the issues faced in urban areas like Huai Khwang. The article touches on the diversion of resources due to COVID-19 and the need for community cooperation in controlling mosquito breeding grounds. The piece concludes by emphasizing the importance of destroying breeding spots and the collective effort required to combat dengue fever.

A Thai national, Apirat Sripadnet, recounts his harrowing experience of torture and detention by the Thai military junta following the 2014 coup. Apirat and his girlfriend, Kritsuda Khunasaen, were associated with the red shirt movement and were detained without a warrant, beaten, and threatened with execution. Apirat describes mock drownings, suffocation, and psychological trauma during his 28-day detention. Despite the junta's public denials of torture, Apirat's account details severe human rights abuses. After being charged with a crime he denies, Apirat fled to Cambodia and later to Germany, where he currently lives in a refugee camp awaiting asylum. His experience has left him with lasting psychological scars, and he encourages others to continue fighting for a better future.

The 2022 military reshuffle in Thailand has seen 'red rim' soldiers, symbolically close to King Rama X, ascend to key positions within the armed forces, signaling a shift in power dynamics. This change reflects ongoing issues in Thailand's democratic transition, historically affected by military coups. The reshuffle confirms the continuation of a power structure that has been in place since the change of reign, with a decline in the influence of traditional military factions like Burapha Phayak and Wongthewan, and the rise of the red rim soldiers who have undergone special training and are now occupying almost all significant roles in the Royal Thai Army and Royal Armed Forces Headquarters. The reshuffle's implications extend to civilian politics, indicating a potential waning of military support for the current political leadership known as the '3 Por' (Prayut, Prawit, Anupong) and suggesting a realignment of military loyalty more directly towards the monarchy.