MILESTONES

Resigned: In shame but still defiant, Sirichai Wattanayothin, as president of the Court of Appeal. He was instantly, officially replaced by his deputy, Thanaruek Nitiseranee. Mr Sirichai’s attempt to stand as president of the Supreme Court last month opened old wounds and allegations of his action in a certain drug trafficking case.

Sentenced: To one year in prison by the Supreme Court for defamation, Jatuporn Prompan. The red-shirt icon said a nasty thing about then-premier Abhisit Vejjajiva in 2009 (that he had ordered the killing of red-shirt protesters) and Mr Abhisit’s sensitivity had registered distress at this accusation. The ruling is final and Jatuporn is adapting to life at the Greybar Hotel as you read this.

Honoured: By the Committee to Protect Journalists with an International Press Freedom award, Pravit Rojanaphruk. The veteran Thai reporter and analyst for Khaosod English won for perseverance despite being “harassed, threatened, attacked [and] imprisoned in the pursuit of truth”.

Renamed: By Indonesia, its claimed part of the South China northwest of Borneo/Kalimantan to “North Natuna Sea”. It’s the area around Indonesia’s Natuna Islands, claimed by Beijing. This is pushback against China — although with the hope push won’t come to actual shove.

Died: At 77 of lung cancer in his native Toronto, George A Romero, father of zombie movies. In 1968, he wrote, produced and directed friends and neighbours in Night of the Living Dead. It had five sequels, and hundreds of movie, TV, book, article spinoffs of the flesh-eating monster.

Died: At 89 in a Los Angeles hospital due to an undisclosed illness, actor Martin Landau. He won an Oscar for his depiction of Bela Lugosi in the 1994 movie Ed Wood. But he is best known for his work as superspy Rollin Hand in the weekly TV show Mission: Impossible from 1966 through 1968 — and reruns.