Burma, Thai Updates

Two Junta-controlled banks that finance the purchase of weapons for the military in Myanmar are now under US sanctions:

[Email from Int’l Campaign for the Rohingya]: “In breaking news today, the U.S. Administration sanctioned Burma’s Ministry of Defense and two regime-controlled banks that facilitate the military’s purchase of arms. This is a significant step forward by the US in curbing the Burmese army’s supply of weapons.

For this success, we thank you. It is in good part due to your continual lobbying of the Administration and your Members of Congress that the US took this action today.“

In Thailand, the progressive Move Forward Party won the largest number of seats in the House of Parliament in the May election. This was the first electoral victory for the youth-led Thai democracy movement, represented by the Milk Tea Alliance and allied political movements. The MFP ran on a platform to revoke the “lese majeste” law which makes it a crime to “insult” the monarchy. The MFP want to curb the political power of the monarchy and the military in Thailand. Unfortunately, just winning enough seats in House of Parliament is not enough to secure the MFP leader’s position as Prime Minister. MFP candidate Pita Limjaroenrat must win a majority of votes from both the House and the Senate. Today we have news that the Thai Senate, composed largely of military appointees, will not vote for the MFP candidate for Prime Minister. The deciding vote will take place on July 13. For more on this issue, see the article in the Bangkok Post.