THE WEEK AHEAD
MONDAY
Thailand’s very own Isis will meet at 10am to discuss “China’s Future: Implications for Asia’s Security and World Order” under Isis commander (and Bangkok Post opinionator) Thitinan Pongsudhirak. As you know, Isis stands for Institute of Security and International Studies of Chulalongkorn University.
The booth at the five-day 36th Asean Tourism Forum 2017 opening today at Singapore will have people on hand to explain the meaning of its obscure theme, “Thai Local Experience”.
The tennis Australian Open begins this morning, early, in Melbourne.
TUESDAY
Harassed human rights lawyer Sirikan “June” Charoensiri will toodle along to hear charges at the public prosecutor this morning of how standing up for actual legal rights threatens to bring down the nation.
The Malaysian Masters of badminton begins today in Sibu, Kuching state. The finals will be on Sunday.
There are half a dozen FA Cup replays at 2.45am (or early tomorrow if you prefer). The World Tourism Organisation, based in Madrid, unveils its review of 2016. WEF, or the World Economic Forum, begins its four-day annual meeting, featuring shock, awe, panic and screams over that Trump man, populists and nationalist movements rising all over Europe, all those refugees and the recession creeping in.
WEDNESDAY
Prosecutors are to decide today how to proceed in the iPhone murder case. Career criminals Kittikorn Wikaha, 26, of Sa Kaeo, and accomplice Supatchai Charnsri, 25 of Uthai Thani, are charged with slashing the throat of 26-yearold Wasin Luangjaem on Jan 4 to get his iPhone, in a case that has shocked the country.
The Criminal Court is to hear claims this morning that the nation can be safe only if judges revoke bail for the top five members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship — red shirts, in English. The DSI wants them locked up while awaiting trial on, yes, terrorism charges. The 2017 version of the Don Chedi Monument Fair opens for two weeks at the eponymous district of Suphan Buri, to honour the memory of King Naresuan, with a light and sound spectacular each evening at 7 o’clock.
The Philippines government will speak to Europe-based communists of the world’s oldest surviving Maoist insurgency for the next week, in Italy.
THURSDAY
The very last flight by Thai AirAsia X from the Middle East arrives today from Muscat, ending a very expensive experiment. Oman Air will continue to fly-in medical tourists.
The global International Rubber Expo begins today in Chennai with at least 400 local and foreign companies, and a Thai delegation trying to jack up rising prices even further.
Singapore’s iconic national Open kicks off the 2017 golf season for the Asian Tour at the Sentosa Golf Club.
Another week, another big-ticket paedo in the never-ending parade of pervs in British courts, this time Soviet-era dissident Vladimir Bukovsky, who loved to take and keep pictures of himself raping children. Mr Bukovsky was once a confidant of British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
FRIDAY
The trial of the world’s only female ex-premier charged with malfeasance resumes this morning at the Supreme Court. It is rumoured the case will be wound up this year, but there is no actual confirmation.
The Phu Khiao Provincial Prosecutors’ Office is to haul into court in Chaiyaphum again today two teenagers charged with distributing flyers explaining the case against the junta’s constitution, during the completely open and fair referendum last August. The prosecutors are to announce whether they actually intend to go through with indictment and trial. Obscenely rich white man Donald Trump will serve the eviction notice for America’s first black president to move out of the White House so he can take it over and begin his presidency at midnight tonight, Thailand time.
SATURDAY
Tonight and tomorrow are your last chance to see and hear Somtow Sucharitkul’s sensational Nemiraj — The Chariot
Of Heaven, commemorating the 100 days since the passing of King Bhumibol. Reservations for free tickets are at (www. operasiam.com)
Because Mr Trump has done all those terrible things to women since he became president yesterday, there will be a Women’s March on Washington tonight to protest them. In honour of a candid TV appearance by Mr Trump, they will be wearing pink pussy caps. Liverpool and Swansea kick off at 7.30pm to start the Premier League weekend, followed at 10pm by the Stoke-Man United match and Man City-Spurs at half past midnight. Arsenal host Burnley at 9.15pm tomorrow, and then it’s Chelsea vs Hull at 11.30.