Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, the Tourism Authority of Thailand director, has removed the award-winning animated film Persepolis from the upcoming Bangkok International Film Festival at the request of the Iranian embassy. Iran's embassy in Bangkok asked the Tourism Authority to drop the black and white cartoon from the festival because of the 'negative image' it paints of Iran. The decision is expected to reignite a debate over whether the TAT is the appropriate organizer of Bangkok's annual film festival. The film festival will be held from July 19 to 29.
DPA
DPA
The Information and Communication Technology Ministry plans to ask the cabinet to waive a decree issued by the Council for National Security that prohibited political websites. The junta's decree will be lifted by the Surayud cabinet this week because of the improved political situation, and because plans are in place for a general election. The ICT minister said that Internet users will also regain access Youtube.com. Google, the U.S.-based parent company of YouTube, had offered to see to it that any lese majeste content was kept off the website.Bangkok Post
Thais could face up to 20 years in jail for raping their spouses under a new law passed by the National Legislative Assembly. The nation’s first marital rape bill now provides equal protection for men and women. The previous law defined a rapist as a person who rapes a woman who is not his wife, meaning a man could assault his wife with impunity. The bill also gives a broader definition of rape to cover female offenders and homosexual rapists. Thailand has now joined more than 20 countries around the world with similar laws.
AFP
AFP