Two women who borrowed identification and uniforms to sneak into secure airport areas can be seen at the back of a crowd trailing Korean actor Lee Jong-suk on Sept. 14 at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
BANGKOK — Police refused to identify two women accused of breaching the restricted area of a Bangkok airport although both have now turned themselves in.
For the incident at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the pair has been charged with intrusion into a secure airport area, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. Unlike nearly every other criminal case, police would not disclose their identities.
“You must ask my commander,” Suvarnabhumi police station chief Viroj Tudso said in an interview. “My station has been ordered not to give news about this.”
“Please ask the station chief about this,” Viroj’s boss, Samut Prakan police chief Thammanoon Traitippayapong said minutes later. “I don’t have the details in my hands.”
But an internal police document seen by Khaosod English identified them as Sujinna Wongweerawattanakul, 38, and Thitapa Tubtim, 25.
Sujinna and Thitapa raised a furor after they allegedly impersonated custom officials to make their way to the baggage claim area to intercept Korean drama star Lee Jong-suk up close as he arrived last week. The intrusion might have gone unnoticed if one of them wouldn’t have later bragged about the scheme on Instagram.
Media reports said the pair surrendered to police yesterday. Viroj said the two were freed without posting bail after they heard the charges pressed against them.
“They came to see us on their own. They had no intention to flee,” the police colonel said. “We had no right to detain them.”
They are believed to have been aided by a customs employee who loaned them uniforms. One customs official, named in a police document as Suwat Srichan-in, also faces charges for allegedly stealing a security pass from a colleague and giving it to the pair.
PATTAYA — A themed shopping mall that takes tourists around the world is bringing new flights of consumer fancy to a coastal enclave and southern Bangkok.
In the run-up to Terminal 21’s Pattaya debut on Oct. 19, the mall developer’s CEO announced another branch is in the planning stages for the capital’s Rama III Road area.
“We’re confident there will be even more tourists going to Pattaya,” said Suwanna Buddhaprasart, CEO of LH Mall & Hotel Co., citing the 17 million tourists who visit the seaside town annually.
Like its Terminal 21 cousins at Asok and in Korat, Terminal 21 Pattaya will be divided into zones capturing the world’s tourist destinations, including a French-themed area with an Eiffel Tower replica. The six-story, 180,000sqm mall complex will also include a 6,000sqm water park. It will connect to the Grande Centre Point Pattaya hotel, which also opens next month.
Suwanna said her company, which also owns the Grande Centre Point chain of five hotels, earned 5.4 billion baht in profits last year and expects 5.7 billion baht in 2018.
Next year, the company will begin building Terminal 21 Rama III on a 15-rai (2.4-hectare) lot next to the Montien Riverside Hotel with an eye for a mid-2022 opening.
BANGKOK — Millions of capital residents will be rounded up and denied food by City Hall on order of the junta.
The fate of pigeons was up in the air Thursday after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said they would be removed and “released back into the wild” after the junta leader called for urgent action against rock doves everywhere.
Bangkok’s governor said he has directed all district offices to put up signs discouraging criminal pigeon-feeding after a government spokesman said Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha specifically ordered local authorities across the country to address the bird scourge, citing unspecified complaints. Elsewhere, one official suggests just eating them.
The Alfred Hitchcock version of Bangkok’s Wat Rakhang?
Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang said City Hall’s ongoing efforts to control the capital’s bird population won’t require new measures or funds to satisfy the prime minister’s new order.
He said urgent notices have been issued to all district administrators regarding diseases carried by pigeons to emphasize the importance of the policy.
Feeding them is already verboten under public health law, which says anyone feeding pigeons or selling the food to nourish them can be jailed up to three years and fined 25,000 baht. If that’s not enough to dissuade bird-loving scofflaws (apparently it isn’t), there is another 2,000 baht fine for violating cleanliness and order codes.
“City Hall doesn’t want to enforce the penalty but would rather warn and educate people of the risk of transmitting diseases from birds to people,” Aswin said.
On Wednesday, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the prime minister gave the order after receiving numerous complaints that pigeon prohibitions have been ignored “in many areas.” This has fed permissive attitudes, leading to more pigeons which are annoying, potential disease vectors.
A health inspector swabs a Chiang Mai pigeon’s butt — for testing purposes.
Though the warnings are long on diseases spread by pigeons, reported incidents are in short supply. In February, a respiratory doctor reported treating a Bangkok resident for a fungal illness spread through bird poop. Health officials in New York City, a metropolis famed for its “flying rat” population, warn of rare but moderate health risks including Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection that can cause flu-like symptoms.
In Chiang Mai city today, people were still selling bird food to tourists until code-compliance officers swept in and fined them.
They said that fines and jail time have failed to discourage them from returning to their illicit trade in seeds and bread crumbs.
Sansern said Prayuth urged the authorities to urgently address the problem. He said the birds must not be harmed, but that people should stop feeding them to decrease their populations in both public and private places.
Last week, a woman in Lak Si district was warned by the authorities after her neighbors complained she feeds numerous pigeons, causing her home and nearby buildings to be blanketed in bird feces. The area was cleaned and disinfected.
In June, Kriangsak Hamarit, a Kasetsart University researcher with a post in the agriculture ministry, said there are no fewer than 10 million pigeons in cities across country. He said they not only pose a human health risk, but can damage crops and even buildings with their prolific pooping.
Sure these Bangkok Noi residents are on their way to being ‘released back into the wild.’
But catching pigeons and releasing them elsewhere won’t solve the problem, he said, citing an experiment in which an untrained Bangkok pigeon simply flew home from Ranong province within a month.
He said the difficulties in controlling their populations come from their great ability to adjust to new surroundings, adding that the effective solutions might include sterilizing the birds.
If efforts to rein in the population don’t fly, he suggested a practical solution to the squab problem: eat them.
The bird’s meat is safe to eat as only few birds have been found infected with avian flu. Most of the bacterial diseases are in their droppings, Kriangsak said.
Johnnie Walker has teamed up with 72 Courtyard and Rotganzen to organize “IN CONFETTI WE TRUST”, an immersive art installation that will take up the entire space of 72 Courtyard. The multi-sensory exhibition will be open from September 15 to the year end.
To celebrate the upcoming festive season, Johnnie Walker in collaboration with 72 Courtyard and Rotganzen is organizing “IN CONFETTI WE TRUST” to highlight the colors of taste through an immersive art experience. At the opening, guests will have the opportunity to taste confetti-themed cocktails exclusively concocted using Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, that was proclaimed the world’s best blended whisky at World Whisky Award 2018. The confetti cocktails will be served at the confetti pop-up bar where light music is provided by DJs Guyboy and Supersonic from 5 pm. The immersive art installation will be on view from September 15 at 72 Courtyard, the hip community mall on Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Soi Thonglor).
In an attempt to introduce new confetti experiences, Rotganzen uses an immersive art installation to reinterpret the symbol of confetti that people around the world use in celebrations. The designers use confetti to convey a sense of wonder, merriment, and creativity. In this exhibition, small pieces of colored paper will be enlarged and displayed in the public spaces of 72 Courtyard. The designers have put a lot of effort into creating this artwork to capture moments of happiness for everyone to experience. The designers Robin Stam and Joeri Horstink will be on hand at the opening day to introduce his artwork.
Established in 2009, Rotganzen is a Rotterdam and New York-based design collective. The studio is managed by designers Robin Stam and Joeri Horstink together with managing partner Erik Schilp. Currently based in New York City, the three hail from Rotterdam. Rotganzen bridges art and design and finds inspiration in daily life and popular culture. Robin Stam and Joeri Horstink, born and raised in the suburbs of Rotterdam, have considerable talent for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.
By changing the appearance and context of everyday objects and products, they create work full of contrast and surprise, visually as well as conceptually. Rotganzen always offers a cheerful but questioning approach to life and the world around us.
About Diageo Moët Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd (DMHT)
Diageo Moët Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd (DMHT) is the leading importer and distributor of premium wines and spirits in Thailand. Responsible corporate citizenship is a key element of DMHT’s business philosophy. DMHT strives to ensure its business and products appropriately balance the company’s commitment to act responsibly and the right to trade freely. This commitment is reflected in its corporate ethics and governance, relations with employees, customers, consumers, suppliers and communities, as well as health and safety policies and environmental policies. DMHT is committed to good corporate citizenship and responsible alcohol consumption. DMHT’s global corporate citizenship report and Asia Pacific citizenship report can be found and downloaded atwww.diageo.com.
Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand) is the leading importer and distributor of world-leading premium alcohol products. You can visit www.DIAGEO.com for more info. Being part of good corporate governance, DMHT takes responsible drinking seriously.
To find out more about responsible drinking, please visit www.DRINKiQ.com.
Surf ‘n Turf Sunday Brunch at Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse offers a bountiful supply of freshest seafood, premium meat, unlimited lobsters, and classic Thai delights in a relaxing ambience at Praya Kitchen.
Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse launches a Surf ‘n Turf Sunday Brunch to suit every appetite from 11am to 3pm every Sunday at Praya Kitchen, starting this 30 September.
The Sunday Brunch abounds with classic Thai dishes and a wide selection of sea and freshwater crustaceans. The restaurant prides itself upon sourcing the freshest and seasonal ingredients.
Thai food enthusiasts will have more than they can chew. Executive Chef Attapol Naito Thangthong and Chef Somkid Ketkaew have revived some of the rarest home recipes from their youth. The results are favourite Thai dishes of yesteryear that easily evoke fond memories of the diner’s childhood when Thai mothers or grandmas were responsible for dishing up unforgettable meals for family members. Enjoy the special dishes cooked live from Chef’s Signature Station where unlimited Lobster items, including gaeng kua koong mangkorn (spicy curry with lobsters and wild betel leaves) are offered.
The Surf ‘n Turf section features the Seafood Wall with an array of seafood and freshwater crustaceans and the Butcher Selections with 55-day dry-age soft Thai sirloin, steaks from Australia and the United States as well as lamb rib eye from New Zealand. The Seafood Wall celebrates the bounties of the ocean, offering 12 kinds of great-tasting seafood including sea crabs, tiger prawns, rock lobsters etc.
Praya Kitchen also mimics the street food vibe by offering street food delights such as BBQ pork with sticky rice, deep-fried prawn cakes, fish cakes, and roti mataba. After the meal, diners are encouraged to relax at the Juice Bar with a live band providing entertainment.
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, walks Thursday in Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Yam G-Jun / Associated Press
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak pleaded not guilty Thursday to 25 fresh charges of abuse of power and money laundering over the multimillion-dollar looting of a state investment fund.
Najib was detained by the anti-graft agency Wednesday over the transfer of USD$681 million into his bank account, and was transferred into police custody Thursday hours before his court appearance.
Wearing a blue suit and tie, the bespectacled Najib was calm as he pleaded not guilty in a crowded courtroom to four counts of abusing power to receive gratification from 2011-2014. He will also stand trial on another 21 charges of receiving, using and transferring illicit funds linked to the 1MDB state fund.
He faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of abusing power under the anti-corruption law, and up to five years for each of the 21 charges under the anti-money laundering act.
In July and August, Najib was charged with seven counts of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering, just months after his shocking electoral defeat. He has pleaded not guilty and his trial is due to start next year.
Najib set up 1MDB when he took power in 2009 to promote economic development, but the fund amassed billions in debts and is being investigated in the U.S. and several other countries for alleged cross-border embezzlement and money laundering.
The scandal first broke in 2015 when leaked documents showed that $681 million was transferred into Najib’s bank account, leading to massive street rallies calling on him to resign. Najib fired critics in his government, including a deputy prime minister and the attorney-general, and muzzled the media to try to survive the fallout.
A new attorney-general cleared Najib in January 2016, saying the money in his account was a political donation from Saudi Arabia’s royal family and most of it had been returned — an explanation that was met with widespread skepticism.
U.S investigators say Najib’s associates stole and laundered $4.5 billion from the fund, some of which landed in Najib’s bank account.
Public anger over the scandal eventually led to the ouster of Najib’s long-ruling coalition in May 9 polls that ushered in the first change of power since Malaysia’s independence from Britain in 1957.
The new government reopened investigations stifled under Najib and barred him and his wife from leaving the country. Police also seized jewelry and hundreds of handbags and other valuables estimated at more than 1.1 billion ringgit ($273 million) from properties linked to Najib.
Police have said investigations show that $972 million had been transferred into Najib’s bank account from three companies linked to 1MDB.
Najib, 65, has accused Malaysia’s new government under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of seeking political vengeance and vowed to clear his name at the trial.
BANGKOK — A massive commercial development that has been taking shape for years on the Chao Phraya River finally got an opening day Wednesday.
West-bankers tired of crossing the river for that luxury-mall experience need only travel to Iconsiam when its sprawling 750,000sqm and 500 shops open Nov. 9.
The mall will include the Thai debut of Japanese department store Takashimaya.
Iconsiam is built by Thai retail developer Siam Piwat, whose track record includes the Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery shopping malls.
BANGKOK — For a proper fright this Halloween it may be worth watching Regan Macneil’s 360-degree head spin and spider walk just one more time the way it was meant to be seen.
Held up by many as the scariest movie of all time, horror classic “The Exorcist” will get a proper big-screen showing at a vintage standalone theater for Halloween.
The 1973 movie – directed by William Friedkin and based on the novel of the same name – tells the story of a mother’s attempt to save her demon-possessed daughter.
The film was a major success and won for its sound mixing and screenplay at the Academy Awards. It was the first horror film to be nominated for Best Picture.
“The Exorcist” will screen at 8pm on Oct. 31 at Scala Cinema. Tickets range from 120 baht to 160 baht and are available at the counter.
Scala is located in Siam Square a short walk from BTS Siam.
Marc Euvrie, or The Eye Of Time, studied cello and started composing music in his early teens before going experimental to mesh old with new.
Last month the classically trained French musician released his latest album combining traditional arrangements with electronica in a series called “Myth.”
Billed as a sonic expression of the path humanity has taken through the ages, the Myth series hews closely to the artist’s experiences and beliefs. The first part, “Myth I: A Last Dance For The Things We Love,” was released in 2016. Euvrie says the album was inspired by his own experience “falling into darkness.”
“The way people can think about their differences because of their culture, their history or how media and governments makes their own stories to create myths into people’s mind,” he wrote. “There is a point where you chose to believe in something, facts or not, past, present or future. That is where the Myth begins.”
Last month, Euvrie released the second part of the trilogy, “Myth II: A Need To Survive.” Though he’s reluctant to give details, Euvrie says the album is a sonic manifestation of his journey of self-discovery. Dark and moody, the album is full of multi-layered strings, drone textures, melancholic melodies and sparse beats with a sprinkle of industrial-strength distortion and reverb for good measure.
In particular, the album shines with tracks such as “In the Name of the Earth,” which sounds as if it could earn props from the likes of DJ Shadow, with its head-nod to hip-hop beats, moody symphonic strings, tribal choir vocals and dubby bursts of low-end bass. The album’s finale, “Notre Amour Est Assez Puissant Pour Détruire Ce Putain De Monde” (Our Love is Strong Enough to Destroy This Fucking World), is a post-rock climax that leaves listeners wanting more.
Photo: Alex Jung
With all the complex layers of instrumentation on his albums, just what will Euvrie do on stage at Jam?
“I’m finally doing this entirely alone because it’s easier that way for me to manage the project and going on tour as much as I want, as my friends didn’t have the same amount of time to sacrifice for my project, which is totally understandable. But I’m sure one day, I’ll do some shows again with some other people, who knows?” he said.
Euvrie says he plans on releasing an acoustic album after the tour ends. As for the final entry in Myth, he says he’s feeling under pressure and wants to take time with it. But first he’ll put out an acoustic album of just piano and cello.
“For the last part of the trilogy, I want to make something new and experiment with things and have some danger for it,” he said. “We’ll see how things come, how my life will be.”
The Eye Of Time Live in Bangkok begins at 8pm on Oct. 2 at Jam in Soi Charoen Rat 1. Supporting Euvrie will be Kijjaz,Tommy Hanson, Silence O and Baby’s Breath. Tickets are 200 baht at the door. Jam is a five-minute walk from BTS Surasak’s Exit No. 2.
A Ford Fiesta that reportedly caught fire in February 2017. Image: Ford Class Action Thailand / Facebook
BANGKOK — A ruling is expected Friday in a landmark class action brought by 300 customers against Ford Motor Co.
The first such lawsuit in the country since class actions were introduced in three years, the case is being closely watched as a bellwether for future consumer rights and business disputes.
The suit was filed in 2017 to the civil court by 308 Ford owners who complained that their cars had defects in their brake, engine and clutch systems. The group, banded together under as Ford Class Action Thailand, said it took legal action after state consumer protection agencies failed to act on their behalf.
The lawsuit seeks 24 million baht in damages.
“Victory for the fighters? We will see Sept. 21, 2018, at South Bangkok Civil Court,” the group said in an online post.
Class actions – which allow affected consumers to collectively seek compensation rather than file separate lawsuits – were added to the Thai civil code in 2015.
Since then, a number of high profile class actions have been taken such as thousands of disabled commuters who sued City Hall two years ago for failing to make the BTS Skytrain accessible.
