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Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has urged the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to expedite the filing, with the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, of cases against 44 former Move Forward Party MPs who signed up in support of amending the country’s lèse majesté law (Section 112).

Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister has defended her photo with Thailand’s shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who won a silver Olympic medal, saying Malaysia is not a “sore loser” after the Thai badminton player defeated Lee Zii Jia. According to Malay Mail Online, , Hannah Yeoh said on Instagram that, as a youth minister, it is her task to instill a culture of healthy competition and that it is not about winning at all costs. “We are not sore losers.

Tokyo, Japan – A 6.9-magnitude earthquake followed by a 7.1 tremor struck off southern Japan on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey said. Tsunamis of up to one metre were expected to arrive or have arrived in some coastal areas in Kyushu and Shikoku islands, broadcaster NHK reported. The first quake struck at a depth of 33 kilometres (20 miles) followed by a second one nearby at a depth of 25 kilometres, the USGS said.

Former MPs of the now defunct Move Forward party will meet on Friday to discuss the formation of a new executive committee for a new party. Sirikanya Tansakul, a leading MP, said today that she expects the discussion go smoothly and all the former MPs will move to a new home together.

The parliament will meet next Wednesday to vote for a new First deputy House speaker, replacing Padipat Suntiphada, who was banned from politics for ten years by the Constitutional Court, according to the government whip chief. Wisut Chaiyanarun, a Pheu Thai MP, said it was still too soon to determine who will replace Padipat, but they will surely be an MP from the government coalition side.

Sydney, Australia – A once-respected crocodile expert was sentenced in Australia Thursday to more than 10 years in jail for sexually abusing and killing dozens of dogs, and a string of other crimes. Adam Britton, 53, had pleaded guilty to 63 charges relating to bestiality, animal cruelty and possessing child abuse material. In sentencing Britton on Thursday, Northern Territory Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Grant described the acts as “unspeakable” and “grotesque”.

The United States’ criticism of the Constitutional Court’s order for the dissolution of the Move Forward party is “meaningless”, as Thailand is a sovereign country, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said today. “We, as a sovereign nation, have our own way of developing our politics and democracy. So, what the US says about us is meaningless,” he stated, adding “I am confident that all Thais understand this.

The Thai Embassy in London has issued a statement advising Thais living in or travelling to the UK to avoid crowded places and protests, as thousands of anti-immigration protesters have rallied in towns and cities across the nation. Thais are advised to be particularly cautious when traveling to Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast. Reports indicate that the protests may spread to more cities.

The Constitutional Court’s decision yesterday to dissolve the opposition Move Forward party has disenfranchised the over 14 million Thais who voted for the party in the May general election last year and raises questions about their representation in Thailand’s electoral system, the US Department of State said in a statement yesterday. It also said that the ruling jeopardises Thailand’s democratic progress and runs counter to the aspirations of the Thai people for a strong democratic future.