Lampang Police Chief Suspended After ‘Three-Finger Salute’ Incident

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31 January 2019, 12:26

LAMPANG — The top police official of northern Lampang province was suspended Thursday, weeks after an activist flashed an anti-junta hand gesture during a deputy prime minister’s visit there.

In a police order published today, Maj. Gen. Triniyom Duangsee, who previously served as commander of the provincial police, was placed on inactive duty. The police officer who signed the order would not say why when reached for comment.

“This is a matter that I cannot speak of in an interview,” Maj. Gen. Chamnong Rattanakul, deputy commander of the 5th Region Police, said by phone.

Triniyom’s transfer came two weeks after a Thammasat University student was seen raising the anti-junta “three-finger salute” close to where Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam was speaking to reporters. An image of the incident later went viral online.

Five police officers in Khon Kaen province also lost their jobs after a group of students raised the salute in front of junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha in November 2014.

‘Escape Room’ Is High-Concept and Not Half Bad

By

Associated Press

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31 January 2019, 11:48

In retrospect, it’s actually kind of surprising that there hasn’t been an escape room-themed horror movie until now. The popular interactive mystery games are kind of mini films. There’s a built-in set, stakes, opportunities for conflict and teamwork and a logical start and finish. It’s certainly a more obvious fit for a movie than a board game or theme park ride.

So, from the imaginations of “Fast & Furious” producer Neal H. Moritz and “Insidious: The Last Key” director Adam Robitel comes “Escape Room,” where the characters are as random as an audience-chosen improv group (Investment banker! Soldier! Miner! Smart teen! Grocer!), the rooms look like discarded Nine Inch Nails music video sets (not exactly a criticism), the stakes are USD$10,000 or death, which seem far too low and too high, and everyone agrees that Petula Clark’s “Downtown” is a bad song (which is both incorrect and a strange, rude hill to die on).

As if the film is concerned that the audience will lose interest immediately, “Escape Room” starts at the end, as a lone man, Ben (Logan Miller), desperately tries to figure out the clues in a room that is quickly closing in on itself, “Star Wars” trash-compactor-style. It’s certainly a jolt of energy up front, but right as things are looking really bleak for Ben, it cuts to “three days earlier.” It’s cheap and a little insulting to have to reassure the audience that there is some exciting and harrowing stuff to come as long as they get through all the boring introductory stuff. At least it doesn’t resort to the old record-scratch, freeze-frame, “you’re probably wondering how I got here” standby.

The thing is, “Escape Room” isn’t actually all that bad, just kind of silly, but it takes a moment to readjust your expectations after that condescending beginning, and a very phoned-in introduction to the unlucky six Chicago strangers who all receive a mysterious box and decide, what the heck, let’s check out this escape room. There’s the skittish but brilliant college student Zoey (Taylor Russell), the ruthless finance guy Jason (Jay Ellis), the veteran who hates heat, Amanda (Deborah Ann Woll), the regular joe, Mike (Tyler Labine) and the escape room obsessive who honestly never does all that much to help, Danny (Nik Dodani).

Curiously no one seems all that concerned about the odd premise that this team activity could have a single winner at all, or perhaps they think they’ll all win $10,000. I guess it becomes clearer when people start dying in the rooms.

And, boy, are they put through the wringer. The have to brave extreme heat, extreme cold, poison, drugs, rising tensions and body counts while trying to figure out how to get out of each puzzle room, a few of which are pretty interesting. It’s like a “Final Destination” spinoff where each character’s past trauma haunts them. Mercifully, all the carnage is kept to tolerable PG-13 levels.

The filmmakers haven’t gone so far as to put you in the game, too. A lot of it is watching all the characters find keys and have their own revelations, so by the time you get to the fifth room, it’s understandable if interest is starting to wane a bit even with the addition of a link between the six people.

The third act really kind of blows it though and the movie essentially ends with a shrug and the possibility for a sequel. You could do worse in January. And anyone already interested in the idea of an escape room that tries to kill you probably isn’t expecting all that much out of this anyway.

“Escape Room,” a Sony Pictures release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for “terror/perilous action, violence, some suggestive material and language.” Running time: 100 minutes. Two stars out of four.

Story: Lindsay Bahr

‘I Don’t Know What to Do’ About Smog: Bangkok Governor

By

JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

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31 January 2019, 11:45

A drone flies Thursday morning near City Hall and the Grand Swing in Bangkok. Inset, Bangkok Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang in a Matichon photo.

BANGKOK — After deploying water cannons and drones to combat unhealthy smog that shows no sign of abating, Bangkok’s governor Thursday called an emergency expert meeting to discuss solutions to the surging pollution, saying “I don’t know what to do.”

City Hall this morning began flying 50 drones above the capital to spray water into the air in hope of decreasing levels of harmful ultrafine particles, a method that’s been repeated despite being dismissed as scientifically ineffective. After releasing the drones this morning, Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang said he had invited experts in relevant fields to a meeting today to tell him what should be done

“We thought it’s a good idea. That’s why we have been doing this,” he said about spraying water. “If we hadn’t done anything, we’d still be criticized for inaction. Should I do nothing if what we’ve done here doesn’t help at all?”

He then called out for ideas and suggestions.

“I’m speaking through my platform. All the experts out there, please come talk to me, give me suggestions. I’m the one dealing with the problem,” he said. “I don’t know what to do, that’s why I’ve invited them. Don’t just put your suggestions out in the wind.”

Yesterday, Aswin said the drones would spray molasses into the air, an idea so harshly ridiculed that City Hall backtracked hours later.

All schools in Bangkok and the metropolitan area have been ordered closed through Friday due to the heavy smog, which this morning was again at the high end of levels deemed unhealthy. Some universities including Thammasat, Suan Dusit Rajabhat and Silpakorn also canceled classes today and tomorrow.

Officials said levels of so-called PM2.5 particles in 19 locations throughout metro Bangkok this morning exceeded the acceptable density of 61 to 93 micrograms per cubic meter, with the highest density in the Rama II Road area in Samut Sakhon province and Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang district.

Some Bangkok Schools Cancel Classes Due to Pollution

Rail Construction Halted, Drivers Fined as Smog Persists

Bangkok Pollution Has Always Been Bad – So Have the Solutions: Experts

CP Foods Brings Back Thailand’s Watershed Forest by Innovation

By

Khaosod English

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31 January 2019, 11:32

Charoen Pokphand Foods or CP Foods, Thailand’s leading agro-industrial and foods, joins hands with the Royal Forest Department and government agencies showcase “Khao Phraya Doen Tong” forest in Lopburi province where is the Thailand’s first-ever area of utilizing innovative methods to revive watershed forest and biodiversity.

The Pasak watershed is a critical water source for agricultural and industrial uses in 5 provinces, which

are Leoi, Petchabun, Lopburi, Saraburi, and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. CPF has joined hands with our alliance network to implement the CPF Rak Ni-Ves Project at Pasak watershed – Khao Phraya Doen Tong, Lopburi province to ascertain biodiversity conservation and restoration at the Pasak watershed, covering area of 5,900 rai across Khao Phraya Doen Tong. The implementation of this project also supports the EU’s 2020 Biodiversity Targets.

Mr.Thanompong Sungthoop, head of Khao Phraya Doen Tong forest restoration project, said involved agencies including the Forest department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment together with Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization), Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (Public Organization) and CP Foods has brought the innovative methods for reforesting 5,971 rais of the Pasak River Basin where nourish the agriculture sector in the Central part of Thailand.

This collaboration was implemented under CPF Rak Ni-Ves at Phraya Doen Thong Mountain Project, aiming to support the government’s policy on forest conservation and to continue CPF’s environmental sustainability “Balance of Nature” mission to restore national strategic forests from upstream to midstream and downstream under the concept “From Mountain to Mangrove – Protecting Biodiversity”.

The goal of the recovery at Phraya Doen Thong Mountain include to expand the watershed forest for the country. The forest will become the source of food, natural medicine, and timber for communities and to mitigate global warming and climate change from carbon absorption and ecosystem services of the forest.

Such innovative method is a combination of 4 key practices for forest restoration based on environment in the area. First, the practices include prudence planting by installing water drip system together with grading seed, putting fertilizer and weed disposal. Second, ecology forestation that close to nature by growing banana trees around the plantation area as well as pouring effective microorganisms to ensure flourish soil.

Third, planting extra trees to fulfill forest area and eliminate vines and weeds to allow baby plants to grow. Finally, encouraging natural fertilization by damaging vines which obstacle sunlight to the ground.

Moreover, “Khao Phraya Doen Tong” is the forest area in Pattana Nikom, Lopburi, about 160 Km. north Bangkok. It is also one of a main forest restoration model to turn degraded forest into the fertile forest. Aiming to increase the watershed area as the watershed of the Pasak river basin is rather narrow and the amount of water in the river varies seasonally.

“It is the last water resource in the area and is the area to generate income to people in the community. We try to keep all new trees and maintain them like they were grown naturally,” said Thanompong.

Mr.Rob Chaiwat, head of village in Pattana Nikom District, a community surrounding Khoa Phraya Doen Tong forest, pointed that CPF forestation at Khao Phraya Doen Tong has gradually been developed from tree planting with various kind of plants, wire creating as well as other facilities.

“It significantly brings back nature to earth with much more trees, birds and other wild lives. Villagers also have extra incomes from selling goods to visitors,” said Mr. Rob.

Muguruza Beats Barthel in Straight Sets at Thailand Open

By

Associated Press

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31 January 2019, 11:23

HUA HIN — Garbine Muguruza rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the second set to beat Mona Barthel 6-3, 7-5 Wednesday in the second round of the Thailand Open.

The two-time Grand Slam champion said it was a “difficult match.”

“She had a lot of advantages but I’m happy that I kept fighting and ended up winning,” said Muguruza, who won the French Open in 2016 and Wimbledon a year later.

Muguruza will next face eighth-seeded Dayana Yastremska, who beat wild-card entry Peng Shuai 6-1, 6-4.

“In the first set, I felt really well on court but in the second set I felt a bit weak,” said Yastremska, an 18-year-old Ukrainian. “But I tried to keep myself under control and stayed focused like I did in the first set, which is the key for me to take the second set.”

Yastremska beat Muguruza last year in Luxembourg, winning 6-2, 6-3.

“She is young and has nothing to lose,” Muguruza said. “She is playing well right now. It will be a tough match.”

Also, fourth-seeded Saisai Zheng beat Irina-Camelia Begu 6-2, 6-4 and sixth-seeded Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Kateryn Kozlova 7-6 (0), 6-1.

Tham Luang Cave Complex to Become Historical Park

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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31 January 2019, 11:03

Bicycles of the 13 footballers and their coach were parked outside the Luang Cave complex in June 2018.

CHIANG RAI — Efforts are underway to turn a cave complex where 13 young footballers and their coach were trapped into a national historical park.

The plan was announced Tuesday in Chiang Rai, though an official said today that works could not start until floodwaters have fully receded from Tham Luang caverns. Attempts to re-explore the cave were halted mid-January due to flooding, Chiang Rai’s Deputy Governor Pasakorn Boonyalak told reporters.

The team exploring the cave was led by British caver Vernon Unsworth, the same man who volunteered in July’s rescue efforts, Pasakorn said.

According to officials, the cabinet approved a plan to designate Tham Luang as a historical park in December, but that the news was only revealed to the press earlier this week.

Pasakorn said over 370 pieces of equipment used during the rescue operation were left inside the caverns – from syringes to oxygen tanks – and that a committee would decide which items would be preserved for display.

At a July news conference held just after all 13 people were saved, the then-governor of Chiang Rai said parts of the cave complex would be turned into a “living museum.”

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Welcomes the Year of the Pig With Pig Illustrations by Famous English Artist (Sponsored)

By

Khaosod English

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31 January 2019, 11:01

Johnnie Walker celebrates ‘Chinese New Year 2019’ welcoming the year of the pig with great impression.

Johnnie Walker launches the gift for the whisky lovers and collectors around the world, delivering the Limited Edition design for Johnnie Walker Blue Label. This award-winning Scotch received Gold medals at the International Spirits Challenge 2018 and Scotch Whisky Masters 2018. Given a magic twist with the new design, here comes ‘Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Pig’.

The uniqueness of Johnnie Walker Blue Label worthy of this special occasion is the variety of ingredients, making it a whisky with layers of rich fruit, honey, vanilla, spice and smoke. Our blending experts carefully select only the whisky from all over Scotland. Only one in every 10,000 casks with its exclusive quality, character and flavor has been selected for the blend to deliver the signature taste of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The blending heritage has been passed on to us for over 2 centuries and we slowly produce limited amount to preserve the distinguish taste. It is the true fine art of whisky blending in the style of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

This year’s Limited Edition bottle is designed by Chrissy Lau, the famous English illustrator. Her illustrations are inspired by her Chinese heritage, and are instantly recognizable by her signature delicate lines and intricate patterns. Her fine lines combine in perfect harmony; from the pig that represents this year, fireworks, traditional Chinese coins, red envelopes, gold sycees, oranges and a Chinese lantern with striding man logo surrounded by 4 waving lanterns with the lucky alphabets. This Limited Edition is, therefore, the perfect gift to give to your beloved ones, or to fulfill your precious collections.

Taste the uniqueness and appreciate world class art on the bottle of Johnnie Walker Limited Edition. ‘Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Pig’ to welcome Chinese New Year 2019 from today onwards.

Wife of Detained Refugee Football Player Appeals to Prayuth

By

Associated Press

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31 January 2019, 10:42

A file photo of Hakeem AlAraibi. Image: Associated Press

BANGKOK — A campaign by Australia, human rights groups and sports organizations to stop Thailand from extraditing to Bahrain a detained football player who has refugee status in Australia has gotten personal, with an open letter from his wife delivered to the prime minister.

The letter that attorney Nadthasiri Bergman handed over Wednesday at Government House implores Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to free Hakeem al-Araibi because of his probable persecution in his homeland. Bahrain wants Al-Araibi returned to serve a prison sentence after he was convicted in absentia of arson of a police station, a charge he denies.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed Thursday that Prayuth had not responded to his own earlier plea for al-Araibi to be freed.

Al-Araibi used to play for the Bahraini national team and now plays for a semi-professional club in Australia. He was detained upon his arrival in Bangkok in November and a court ruled in December he could be held for 60 days. Officials said earlier this week the attorney general’s office is expected to decide within a week whether to proceed with the extradition case.

The letter from his wife, whose name was withheld for privacy reasons, said she is “anxiously waiting for a glimpse of hope to have my husband return home” to Australia.

“My husband and I had traveled to Thailand because we thought it would be the perfect country to have our honeymoon in. We traveled together excited to arrive in Thailand, only to be met with imprisonment, and the threat for my husband to be sent back to Bahrain where his life will be in danger,” his wife wrote.

Al-Araibi has said he was blindfolded and had his legs beaten while he was held in Bahrain in 2012. He said he believed he was targeted for arrest because of his Shiite faith and because his brother was politically active. Bahrain has a Shiite majority but is ruled by a Sunni monarchy, and has a reputation for harsh repression since its failed “Arab Spring” uprising in 2011.

“I am frightened for my husband’s life and our future. His future lies in your hands,” his wife wrote. “Please help my husband come home.”

Morrison said during a Radio 2GB interview he did not believe al-Araibi would be extradited this week and that he and others would continue to lobby Thailand and Bahrain on al-Araibi’s behalf.

“We are pushing on every door here and so we will continue to do that respectfully but very determinedly,” Morrison said. He said they were focused on getting al-Araibi home and using every resource to press his case.

Prayuth Gets Party Nod as Possible PM Candidate

By

Associated Press

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31 January 2019, 10:04

Junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha votes in the 2014 snap poll called by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

BANGKOK — A political party closely associated with the military government named Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as a possible candidate to become the next premier if it forms a government after next month’s election.

The Palang Pracharat party said Wednesday its executive board will designate Prayuth, along with party leader Uttama Savanayana and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, as its three candidates, as required under rules for the March 24 general election.

Prayuth, then army commander, led the coup in 2014 that ousted an elected government and was named prime minister.

Prayuth has not clarified if he intends to run. He could still become an “outsider prime minister” under the country’s latest constitution, which doesn’t require that the prime minister be a member of Parliament.

The military said it staged the coup to reform politics, and Prayuth initially disclaimed any political ambition.

However, when Palang Pracharat was established last year, it was seen as a proxy for the military. It adopted the old style of politics that reforms were supposed to remove, with big-money backers and alliances with political party bosses around the country who could deliver votes directly or when the time comes to form a new government coalition.

In recent months, Prayuth has traveled the country widely, ostensibly as part of his government duties but in a style that closely resembles political campaigning.

With advantages similar to those held by an incumbent political party, Palang Pracharat is widely tipped to finish first or second in the election.

It also has other advantages because of laws governing elections that were enacted under the military government aimed mostly at keeping political parties weak at the expense of the permanent bureaucracy, which includes the military and other conservative elements of Thai society.

Their ultimate intention is seen as denying office to the political machine of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose popularity threatened traditional power holders. Thaksin was deposed in a 2006 coup, and his sister, who also served as prime minister, was forced out of office just before the 2014 coup.

An elaborate electoral system that includes disproportionate power for an unelected Senate in naming a new prime minister heavily favors the Palang Pracharat, even as the Pheu Thai party affiliated with Thaksin is expected to retain much of its old popularity.

The Lexicon of Leaving: Demystifying UK’s Brexit Jargon

By

Associated Press

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30 January 2019, 15:57

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks in 2017 during a campaign visit to Norwich, England. Photo: Stefan Rousseau / Associated Press

LONDON — From backstop to Brexiteer, Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, now scheduled for March 29, has spawned a baffling array of new terms.

The AP deciphers some key words and phrases:

Article 50

Article 50 of the European Union’s key Lisbon Treaty sets out the procedure for a country wishing to leave the bloc and imposes a two-year countdown to that country’s departure. Britain triggered the process on March 29, 2017, meaning the U.K. will cease to be an EU member on March 29, 2019.

Backstop

The Brexit backstop is part of the withdrawal agreement between the EU and Britain. It’s an insurance policy designed to ensure there are no customs checks or other border infrastructure between the U.K.’s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland after Brexit. The backstop says if no other solution is found, Britain will remain in a customs union with the EU in order to keep the Irish border open. Opposition to the backstop from pro-Brexit British lawmakers is a major hurdle to securing a divorce deal.

Brexit

A contraction of “British exit,” Brexit is Britain’s departure from the European Union. The U.K. joined the bloc in 1973, and held a 2016 referendum on its membership that was won by the “leave” side.

Brexiter / Brexiteer

A supporter of Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Brextremist

Pejorative term for a Brexit supporter.

Brextension

Brexit extension, a delay to Britain’s exit from the EU. Some U.K. lawmakers advocate postponing Brexit so that Britain’s feuding politicians can agree on a way forward. A delay would require EU approval.

Brino

Brexit in name only: a pejorative term for a “soft Brexit” departure in which Britain retains close economic and regulatory ties with the European Union.

Citizens’ Assembly

A gathering of people, chosen to represent the population as a whole, tasked with studying an important national issue and offering conclusions. Some politicians think it could be a way out of Britain’s Brexit impasse.

Customs Union

The European Union customs union makes the 28-nation bloc a single customs territory, with no tariffs or border checks on goods moving between member states. It also has common tariffs on goods entering the bloc from the outside.

European Union

Formed in 1957 as the European Economic Community by France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium and The Netherlands, the group is now a 28-nation bloc of more than 500 million people with substantial powers over member nations’ laws, economies and social policies.

Hard Brexit

A Brexit that sees the U.K. cut many of its ties with the EU, including leaving the EU’s vast single market and customs union. Some supporters of the idea prefer the term “clean Brexit,” and say it will enable Britain to forge its own new trade deals around the world.

Leaver

A Briton who voted to leave the European Union. See also Brexiteer.

No-Deal Brexit

If Britain and the EU do not finalize a divorce deal, Britain will cease to be an EU member on March 29 without an agreement setting out what happens next. A no-deal Brexit would see the rules that govern ties between the U.K. and the EU end on a certain day. Many businesses say that would cause economic chaos.

Remainer

A Briton who voted to stay in the European Union.

Remoaner / Remaniac

Pejorative terms for people who want the U.K. to remain in the EU.

Single Market

The EU’s single market makes the bloc a common economic zone in which goods and services can move freely with no internal borders or barriers.

Soft Market

A Brexit that sees the U.K. retain its close economic ties with the EU, including membership in the bloc’s single market and customs union.

Withdrawal Agreement / Political Declaration

In November 2018, Britain and the EU struck a two-part divorce agreement. It consists of a legally binding, 585-page withdrawal agreement setting out the terms of the U.K.’s departure, and a shorter, non-binding political declaration committing the two parties to close future ties. The agreement must be approved by the British and European parliaments to take effect.

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