Smoking Orangutan Riles Anger Against Zoo in Indonesia (Video)

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8 March 2018, 10:41

JAKARTA — A video of an orangutan smoking has brought more criticism of a zoo in Indonesia infamous for past animal welfare troubles.

In the video shot Sunday, a young man flicks his half-smoked cigarette into the primate’s enclosure. It’s picked up by the reddish-brown primate, who expertly puffs on it to laughter from the crowd.

Activist Marison Guciano said Wednesday the smoking ape is further evidence of a lack of supervision and education at Bandung Zoo, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of the capital, Jakarta.

Guciano said the man committed a crime but the privately owned zoo is mainly responsible because of its “ignorance of supervision and education for visitors.”

The zoo has repeatedly made headlines for starving and sick animals. It was temporarily closed in 2016 after a Sumatran elephant that died was found to have bruises on its body.

A change.org petition calling for Bandung Zoo to be closed has nearly 1 million signatures. Visitors who review the zoo on TripAdvisor describe a dirty facility and sadness and anger at seeing the condition of the animals.

Zoo spokesman Sulhan Syafi’I said “we very much regret that such a thing happened” and the incident was reported to police.

Signs at the zoo warn visitors to not feed animals or give them cigarettes, he said.

Substandard conditions are common at Indonesian zoos and Guciano blamed the government for being slow in establishing animal welfare standards.

New Rights For Renters in Thailand to ‘Shock’ Landlords

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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8 March 2018, 09:24

Photo: Alvin Aden Ardenrich Pan / Pixabay

BANGKOK — New protections for tenants will soon come into effect that include limits on what landlords can charge and a way out of long-term leases.

Practices such as demanding multiple months of rent in advance and locking tenants out will become illegal May 1 under new safeguards in the Consumer Protection Act passed last month to more tightly regulate landlords and boost the rights of renters. The changes apply to property owners that lease five or more residential units, whether in one or multiple buildings.

“These new laws are done to protect tenants,” said Wirot Poonsuwan, a lawyer with a background in land rights. “On the other hand, landlords will now have their work cut out for them.”

One major change is that long-term leases can be terminated with 30-days notice provided tenants are current on their rent and give “reasonable” cause. That should make things easier for the nearly 20,000 members of the Take Over My Lease group on Facebook.

“Of course, a reasonable reason needs to be given,” said real estate consultant Sopon Pornchokchai. “For foreigners, that might be the need to move back to their country, and for Thais it might be the need to move due to a government position transfer. You can’t just up and leave whenever you want.”

Allowing renters to terminate their contracts will be a “big shock to the market,” he added. “Everyone’s going all, what are we gonna do? And now people will be getting lawyers and solicitors to check their contracts and everything, even if they never did before.”

Sophon said the news has largely gone unnoticed by the public but has been a big concern to big companies, including foreign ones, that rent land.

“The higher-ups all know about this,” Sopon said. “Apartment owners are having a huge headache right now,” Sopon said. “Before, it was sabai sabai. Now it will be strict.”

The new regulations also prevent property owners from adding extra charges for things like water, electricity and Wi-Fi. Instead, they must charge only what is actually on the bill.

Tenants can also not be charged more than one month’s rent in advance, nor can their rent be increased before contract terms expire. Upon entering a lease, tenants cannot be charged more than one month in advance and a security deposit.

That means significantly lower move in costs, as most landowners presently charge two months rent and the equivalent of a third month as security deposit.

The de facto practice of punishing tenants who miss their rent by locking their doors or moving their stuff out will also be illegal.

The new regulations literally address the “fine print,” stipulating that contracts cannot contain type smaller than two millimeters.

Landlords who make illegal demands face up to a year in jail and 100,000-baht fine per lease violation. That means offending owners with five rentals could be jailed up to five years and fined up to 500,000 baht, Wirot said.

Instead of getting up to 60 days to return security deposits, landlords now must return them within seven days.

Landlords must also pay for routine maintenance and upkeep rather than charging tenants for repairing broken toilets, leaking roofs and broken door knobs.

Under the new law, unhappy tenants in multi-family housing may band together in the dozens or hundreds to file a joint complaint rather multiple individual complaints.

Those renting property therefore have under two months now to rewrite their contracts to comply with the new law or draw up new ones entirely.

Tenants may contact the Consumer Protection Board about their landlords by calling 02-141-3437. Property owners can contact the same Board’s Contracts Committee at 02-143-9767 to get help reviewing their contracts to verify they are legally compliant.

Correction: A previous version of the article did not explain that the amended law only applies to landlords who rent five or more properties.

Army Apologizes For Soldier Flipping Off Protesters

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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7 March 2018, 18:56

Col. Thinnachart flips off protesters in Phayao province. Image: People Go Network / Facebook

BANGKOK — An army commander apologized Tuesday on behalf of a colonel under his command who gave the middle finger to protesters in the north.

The confrontation broke out at Phayao City Hall after an activist group petitioned the authorities to end prosecution of its supporters. Lt. Gen. Vichak Siribansop, head of the northern army, said the officer lost his cool in the heat of an argument and subsequently “displayed inappropriate action.”

“I would like to apologize to the local residents and the media,” Vichak told reporters Tuesday.

The general added that the army has put the officer, named in media reports as Col. Thinnachart Sutthirak, under disciplinary review. Vichak said the inquiry would be concluded in three days.

The protesters, led by civil rights group People Go Network, went to Phayao City Hall this morning to call for the dropping of charges against 15 people who gathered there last month as they passed through on a march from Bangkok to Khon Kaen.

https://www.facebook.com/PeopleGoNetwork/videos/1552077444905910/

For the rally, the 15 were charged with violating the junta’s ban on protests.

This morning, some of the protesters got into an argument with the colonel, who insisted the authorities weren’t going forward with the case against them and called them liars.

“I explained three times already. You won’t end this. You won’t end this!” the visibly agitated man in uniform said in a live video broadcast by the activist group. “They won’t take up the case.”

The colonel, who’s said to be in the army’s intelligence corps, then flashed the middle finger at the camera and walked away.

The video of the incident immediately drew furor online, prompting Vichak, Thinnachart’s commander, to apologize.

Defense ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich reiterated Vichak’s assertion that an inquiry panel will look into the soldier’s actions.

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โพสต์โดย Bovorn Mod Bumrungsin บน 7 มีนาคม 2018

Peek Into the New Ikea Bang Yai (Photos)

By

Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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7 March 2018, 16:49

BANGKOK — Grab a yellow shopping bag and get lost among Songesand, Kramig and Duktig later this month.

More than 8,000 items with their famous Swedish names go on sale March 15 when the capital’s second Ikea store opens in the Bang Yai area of Nonthaburi. With more than 50,000sqm, 41 showrooms and a parking lot for nearly 2,000 vehicles, it will also be Southeast Asia’s largest Ikea.

Thought Thailand’s first Ikea in Bang Na was big? Whereas it has a single entrance, the Nonthaburi branch will have six.

Read: Bangkok’s 2nd Ikea – Southeast Asia’s Largest – Gets Date

The first floor holds checkout kiosks; a bistro; and stations for snacks and vanilla ice cream cones. The ever popular “as-is” section, featuring returned furniture sold at lower prices, will sit in the corner near the cashiers.

Take an elevator or escalator to the second floor’s “Market Hall.” Lighter goods such as kitchenware, shelves, curtains, bed sheets, carpets, frames, lamps and plant pots will be found there.

Those who come for the meatballs won’t be disappointed: Walk through the bedroom section to Hem (home, in Swedish), the store’s restaurant and cafe with five dining areas in different styles.

Children 100 centimeters to 130 centimeters in height can play in Smaland, or “magical forest.” Each floor will have its own checkout stands, the first such to be found at any Ikea in the world.

Ikea Bang Yai is located next to CentralPlaza Westgate and can also be accessed by foot from the shopping mall. It will be open 10am to 9pm, Monday through Thursday and 10am to 10pm, Friday through Sunday.

Russians Claiming Dirt on Trump in Legal Limbo

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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7 March 2018, 16:44

Aleksandr Kirillov and Anastasia Vashukevich in a March 25, 2017 photo. Image: Anastasia Vashukevich / Instagram

BANGKOK — No court date has been set for a Russian sex guru and Belarusian escort claiming to have compromising information about the US presidential election, police said Wednesday.

For a week, the pair has languished behind bars at the Bangkok Immigration Detention Center after they were arrested in Pattaya while giving “advanced sex” courses. They were charged with working in Thailand without a permit, an offense that could see them deported, but officials have yet to take any known actions so far.

“There is no progress at this point,” Center Commander Col. Wallop Kangtharathip said in an interview. “They must stand trial in Thai court first, but no date has been arranged.”

At the time of their arrest one week ago, the guru – whose real name is Aleksandr Kirillov – was working with Belarusian model Anastasia Vashukevich. Eight others were also arrested with them and are being held at the detention center.

Known on Instagram as Nastya Rybka, her affair with a married Russian oligarch and Putin ally mixed up in the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US election has inflamed the Kremlin.

Both Kirillov and Vashukevich said they will contest any effort to deport them to Russia, citing fear for their lives. Instead, they said they are offering US officials what they say is relevant evidence if they help shield them from deportation.

Wallop said the pair has not yet filed any formal appeal against the pending deportation.

Kirillov and Vashukievich are also seeking new legal representation. The lawyer who had been representing them, Thana Siwadonwanit, said the two no longer wanted his services without citing a reason.

Romcom Fever Triples Ayutthaya Tourism: Officials

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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7 March 2018, 15:37

Left: Wat Chaiwatthanararam in Ayutthaya. Right: Tanawat Wattanaputi and Ranee Campen in “Bupphesaniwat.”

AYUTTHAYA — Thais have been dressing up in traditional garb and taking road trips to Wat Chaiwatthanaram for photo ops, and a recent historical romcom that’s taken the nation by storm is taking the credit.

Historic tourist attractions used to film romantic comedy series “Bupphesaniwat” (“Love Destiny”) have seen a nearly three-fold increase in Thai tourists, local tourism officials said Wednesday.

“Bupphealawart!” Ayutthaya Gov. Sujin Chaichumsak said Wednesday, combining the soap opera’s name and alawart, or “chaos.”

บุพเพ6 — Ranee Campen and Tanawat Wattanaputi in “Bupphesaniwat.”

On an average weekend, Wat Chaiwatthanaram averages about 3,300 visitors, according to the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Since the series debuted late last month, arrivals have surged to more than 9,000. On Sunday alone, 5,773 people visited.

“Bupphesaniwat” follows Kadesura, an archaeology student who swaps places with herself from a previous life – the conniving Karakade, who lives in the reign of King Narai in 1682.

In Karakade’s body, Kadesura, (Ranee Campen) must perform good deeds to atone for her past cruelty, repair her relationship with fiance Muen Suntharathewa (Tanawat Wattanaputi) and navigate the cultural maze of Ayutthaya’s port, which is overrun by farang.

olkkiqnsnpVXT9iXihq o — Louis Scott and Susira Naenna in “Bupphesaniwat.”

Many characters in the soap have real-life historical counterparts such as Greek adventurer and royal counselor Constantine Phaulkon (Louis Scott) and Maria Guyomar de Pinha (Susira Naenna), who was Phaulkon’s wife and invented Portuguese-inspired Thai desserts such as foi thong, thong yip, thong yod and sangkhaya.

Compared with other recent period soaps, “Bupphesanitwat” has pulled in both high Nielson ratings and online praise. In contrast, “Sri Ayodhya,” a nationalist historical drama promoted with much fanfare, barely gained many viewers through its 19-episode run that debuted on King Rama IX’s birthday in December.

“Bupphe” fever has reached such heights that the source material, a 2010 novel by Chanyawee “Rompaeng” Somprida, is being pirated extensively online. Chanyawee wrote on her Facebook Sunday that she would prosecute those stealing her work.

#Bupphesanitwat has been trending on Twitter since the drama aired.

“Bupphesaniwat” airs at 8:20pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays on Channel 3 and can be streamed online. Dedicated viewers have fansubbed it in Chinese and English.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is open 8am to 6pm daily. Entry is 10 baht for Thais and 50 baht for foreigners.

28685166 1708710855833677 8004565036608431813 n — Thai tourists in Thai costumes at Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Photo: Travel @ Manager / Facebook

28576922 1706349152736514 5603044535848784714 n e1520411768752 — Photo: Travel @ Manager / Facebook

28782889 1706349426069820 8598223170357985938 n e1520411774218 — Photo: Travel @ Manager / Facebook

28575685 1706349206069842 8651954191774255330 n e1520411781208 — Photo: Travel @ Manager / Facebook

Sex Worker Charity, Female Footballers, Reporter Among Women’s Day Awardees

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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7 March 2018, 12:01

Members of the Buku FC on Wednesday at an awards ceremony at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.

BANGKOK — An environmentalist, activist and journalist were among women and advocacy groups honored for their work championing women today at an awards ceremony.

The awards seek to highlight contributions to women’s rights and welfare in Thailand at a time when people around the world are speaking up against sexual harassment, said Angkhana Neelapaijit of the Human Rights Commission.

“Many who suffered do not see themselves as victims who must hide in shame from society any longer,” said Angkhana, whose commission handed out the awards. “But a group of people society must embrace and find appropriate measures to address their grievances.”

The awards went to Nutchanart Thanthong; an activist working with impoverished women in slums; Supaporn Malailoi, an environment and community rights campaigner; Dararat Suthet, who heads a shelter home for trafficked children; and reporter Hathairat Phaholtap, who took a stand to expose attempts by the national media guild to cover up allegations of sexual harassment among its ranks.

The two activist groups named in the prize were the Empower Foundation, a charity that champions the welfare of sex workers – a sizable group whose occupation remains illegal – and Buku FC, a football club that promotes peace and equality in the Muslim-majority southern border provinces.

Women’s rights are enshrined by the current constitution and a 2015 bill that guarantees equal treatment despite gender, but activists say discrimination against and mistreatment of women are still prevalent.

Angkhana also noted that while civil rights continue to be disregarded in general under the military government, female rights defenders face more backlashes than their male counterparts.

Many women who stood up for their rights became frequent targets of harassment, intimidation and ridicule because of their gender, she said.

“Female rights defenders are seen as challenges to social order,” Angkhana said. “Many times, their gender was used to devalue their works and their credibility.”

She said her agency received at least 20 complaints of rights violations at the hand of security officers in past two years alone; none was ever punished by the law.

Today’s award ceremony was held at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on the eve of International Women’s Day.

It’s the first of two events being held in Thailand to mark the occasion. The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand will also host a panel discussion on sexual harassment and efforts to speak up about the issue in the wake of the #MeToo movement in the West.

Weinstein Co. ‘Disappointed’ by Canceled Deal

By

Associated Press

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7 March 2018, 11:13

Producer Harvey Weinstein participates in a panel at the A&E 2016 Winter TCA in Pasadena, California. Photo: Richard Shotwell /Associated Press — Producer Harvey Weinstein participates in a panel at the A&E 2016 Winter TCA in Pasadena, California. Photo: Richard Shotwell / Associated Press

NEW YORK — The Weinstein Co. says it’s “disappointed” by the announcement by a group of investors that it’s pulled out of a deal to buy the beleaguered company.

In a statement Tuesday night, the company’s board of directors said the investors’ excuse that they learned new information about the company’s financial condition was “just that –an excuse.”

The board says it will continue to determine if there are any “viable options” outside of bankruptcy. In the meantime, it says it’s pursuing “an orderly bankruptcy process” to maximize the company’s value.

Earlier Tuesday, businesswoman Maria Contreras-Sweet made the announcement. She did not offer more details about why the deal fell apart but said the group may still be interested in acquiring assets of the movie and TV studio out of bankruptcy proceedings.

Why Few Thai Women Are Saying #MeToo

No Dress Code, but Plenty of References to #Metoo at Oscars

Media Guild Sexual Harassment Verdict Criticized

Making ‘Rude’ Comments About Constitutional Court Now a Jailable Offense

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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6 March 2018, 19:08

A Constitutional Court seat is cleaned in an undated file photo. Photo: Matichon

BANGKOK — Any who criticize the Constitutional Court and its rulings in a “rude” or “threatening” manner can now be jailed for up to a month under a new law passed by the military government.

The law, which came into effect Feb. 27 but was only published in the Royal Gazette website Sunday, details the court’s duties and dishes out punishment for those who disrupt its proceedings. Those supporting its adoption said it would help insulate the court from political pressure.

A prominent rights activist said he’s worried its broad language might be abused to stifle valid discussion of court’s rulings.

“It can be interpreted widely,” said Yingcheep Atchanont of the Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw. “What is honest? What is threatening? It’s dangerous.”

Yingcheep, whose organization monitors legal developments, also warned it’s inevitable that the Constitutional Court, which interprets the country’s highest law and hands down rulings concerning national governance, would draw debate from the public because of its importance.

“There are cases that affect politics,” the activist said. “If there are more cases like that, there will also be more people criticizing it.”

According to the new law, only criticism made “in honest manner [that] does not involve rude, sarcastic and threatening words” will be allowed.

Any remarks that violate the prohibition will considered contempt of court. Violators face up to a month in prison and a 50,000 baht fine. Guilt will be determined by a panel of nine judges.

The law follows an increasingly broader interpretation of contempt of court to cover a wide range of offenses, from gathering in front of court buildings to await politically charged verdicts to using fiery language in a filed appeal.

Somjet Boonthanom, a junta-appointed lawmaker who oversaw the law’s drafting, said back in November that the ban was necessary to protect the court from “pressure” or protests. He insisted the court’s rulings can be discussed and criticized within the scope of the law.

Yingcheep urged Constitutional Court judges to narrow what is considered offensive and what is not. He also said rulings under the new law should only be made by a set of judges uninvolved with the verdict that was criticized.

‘Nastya Rybka’ Teases Secret Recordings – Not For First Time

By

Todd Ruiz, Editor

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6 March 2018, 18:35

Anastasia Vashukevich in an image posted to Instagram in March 2017 purportedly taken in Pattaya. Photo: Nastya_rybka.ru / Instagram

BANGKOK – A Belarusian call girl-turned-author who says she recorded more than a dozen hours of conversations between a Russian oligarch she had an affair with and other powerful political figures previously detailed the recordings in a book.

Before Anastasia Vashukevich shed new light on her claims to have evidence of Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 US election in comments to reporters at Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Center she wrote about them in her book “Who Wants to Seduce a Billionaire.”

“She said she has hours of recordings, 18 or 16 hours worth,” Ukrainian-American Pavel Yunko said Tuesday of his visit to see her behind bars the day before. “She said she recorded lots of stuff with Oleg Deripaska and others talking about politics and Russian influence into the US election.

Listen: Follow Khaosod English into Pattaya to hear the story behind the story in first episode of ‘Khaosod English: The Show’

Vashukevich, whose social media expose last year of her affair with billionaire Deripaska has provoked a furious Kremlin response, is being held there with nine other foreigners arrested late last month for holding an “advanced sex training” class led by a a Russian “sex guru.”

Reporters have been blocked since Monday afternoon from speaking to Vashukevich after a wire service reporter snuck a camera in to take photos at the tightly controlled facility, a source at the detention center said Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The source said an order had come from high in the Foreign Ministry to prevent further access to the woman.

After this story was published, two news agencies present at the time – New York Times and Associated Press – reached out to insist they were thoroughly searched and did no such thing.

Yunko said he had no further details on where the alleged recordings were being kept other than to say that Vashukevish indicated they were stored somewhere.

“She has them on some device,” said the 32-year-old New Yorker, who traveled to Pattaya as a fan of free-sex advocate Alex Lesley, who led the class and is also in Thai custody.

http://www.instagram.com/p/BUMrF3BDBtt/

Alex Lesley – whose real name is Aleksandr Kirillov – was arrested alongside Vashukevich and other “instructors” in Pattaya on Feb. 25. They were charged with working in Thailand without a permit.

Police maintain they arrested the group based on complaints from one of the class participants who reportedly said the lesson cost was not worth it.

Though Vashukevich’s motive of getting out of Thai detention and avoiding deportation may be self-serving and her claims as outlandish as her persona online, there are intersections of truth that make them impossible to ignore.

Foremost is Moscow’s response to her revelations after they were publicized last month by opposition leader Alexei Navalny. His YouTube video about it was quickly banned in Russia along with most of his online platforms that disseminated it.

Russia followed up by threatening to outright ban YouTube and also Instagram, where Vashukevich posted videos and photos of her with Deripaska, a deputy prime minister and other figures on several sexual encounters on a yacht with a revolving door of other powerful figures, including Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko. Prikhodko is seen on the boat in some of her photos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRQzJvPjtXM/

Another intersection is that her claim to have recorded extensively what was said on the yacht isn’t newly made.

Vashukevich went into extensive details of her surreptitious recordings in a book she wrote called “Who Wants to Seduce a Billionaire.”

Writing as Nastya Rybka, she claimed the book to be a true account of real events. Part how-to guide and part “50 Shades,” the book details her training in seduction by sex guru Lesley, whose real name is Aleksandr Kirillov, and subsequent interactions with ultra-wealthy and powerful men.

In the book, the character “Ruslan” stands in for Deripaska.

According to the official English translation of the book obtained by Khaosod English, she routinely recorded conversations to write about what happened afterward, and in one passage recounted being caught by Ruslan.

“He took my phone and pressed a button. It was recording for Alex. And he saw it. How could I be so stupid! My heart jumped into my throat.

“I knew I had to think up a story quickly, like we were taught in training. When you’re in a difficult situation the most important thing is to give a normal explanation, quickly and naturally.

“Otherwise I’d be thrown off the yacht to fed to the crabs and cod! ‘Who are you recording?’ he asked severely.

Here’s the full excerpt from the book:

“He sat on the bed and asked: “Do you have any music on your phone?” “I’m not sure.” He took my phone and pressed a button. It was recording for Alex. And he saw it. How could I be so stupid! My heart jumped into my throat. I knew I had to think up a story quickly, like we were taught in training.

When you’re in a difficult situation the most important thing is to give a normal explanation, quickly and naturally. Otherwise I’d be thrown off the yacht to fed to the crabs and cod! “Who are you recording?” he asked severely. “Oh my god, it’s recording? Damn you’ve ruined my book now!” I grab the phone. “I’m making a recording for a friend because we’re writing a book together. I was just dictating something and forgot about it. Did you switch it off? Oh that’s just perfect!

There was three hours already recorded. Dammit, I have to delete it now. I can’t send my friend a recording of some guy tearing off my panties. How could you?” I said, quickly erasing the recording. The best defense is attack, so I managed to immediately turn it around on him! “What’s the book about?” It seemed to be working! He appeared to be convinced. “About a girl who turns herself and her life around. She is dumped by her boyfriend who she loved very much, and thanks to the experience she turns into a completely new person. From a bad initial situation comes a positive result. That’s what we’re writing about,” I said seriously.

The most important thing is to tell at least a little bit of truth. I am writing this book, aren’t I? I just didn’t mention that I’m writing it about him!

“Ah, I see,” he laughed. “So you should have kept the panties part! Your girlfriend would have enjoyed it.” It was a dilemma. If I didn’t delete the recording, he might hear it and realize what I was up to. No invented story could have saved me. So the recording went in the trash, pity though it was. His trust and opinion was more important.

Vashukevich and Kirillov have asked for help obtaining American asylum in return for disclosing more information. Yunko said no American officials have been in contact.

The New York Times reported Sunday that the US State Department has spent nothing of of USD$120 million “allocated since late 2016 to counter foreign efforts to meddle in elections or sow distrust in democracy.”

Update: This story has been updated to reflect reporters from New York Times and Associated Press denying they took a camera inside to take photos as alleged by a source at the detention center.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRQzJvPjtXM

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