Activists Defy Junta’s Charges, Announce 4-Day Election Protest

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17 February 2018, 11:59

Activists speak at a Feb. 10 rally demanding an election in November

BANGKOK — Pro-democracy activists on Saturday pledged to stage the most prolonged public protest in recent years to demand an election by November.

Undeterred by complaints filed by the junta on Thursday to have them prosecuted on charges of sedition, the campaigners urged the public and politicians of all sides to join them for a rally that would take place May 19-22. They said they would announce the venue at a later date.

“I am inviting khun Nipit and khun Abhisit to join us,” activist leader Rangsiman Rome said at a news conference, referring to Democrat executives Nipit Intarasombat and Abhisit Vejjajiva. “There is no political actor anymore. The choice we have left is between standing on the side of the military who seized power from the people, or the people who are demanding that power back?”

The junta on Thursday filed complaints against Rangsiman and six other activists for staging a Feb. 10 protest demanding general elections be held in November, as previously promised. The regime also wants 43 people prosecuted for joining the rally, which drew more than 100 people.

The news conference was initially scheduled to take place at the Liberal Arts Faculty building in Thammasat University, but staff on Friday canceled the booking, saying they did not want to get involved in “political matters.” The press event was relocated to a nearby building.

The military government has repeatedly postponed holding an election since its May 2014 coup. In October, junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha promised a poll by November 2018, though he later backtracked and suggested that it could take place as late as February 2019.

Deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Friday that an exact election date would be announced in June.

Warrant Out for Missing Redshirt Militant Over 2014 Bomb Attack

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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17 February 2018, 10:57

Wutthipong ‘Ko Tee’ Kochathmmakun speaks in a January 2013 interview. Image: TheIbtv / YouTube

BANGKOK — A court on Friday issued an arrest warrant for a self-proclaimed Redshirt militant on the allegation that he carried out a grenade attack at the home of a political rival four years ago.

Wutthipong “Ko Tee” Kochathmmakun, and five accomplices are accused of attempted murder, acquiring explosives and throwing a grenade into the residence of Yellowshirt activist Samran Rodpetch at the height of anti-government street protests in January 2014. Samran was not injured by the attack.

The warrant came days after a man in possession of an alleged cache of explosives – mostly homemade – was arrested in Bangkok. Police identified Kritchapon Poonsilpa as a member of an underground militant cell run by Wutthipong, known as the “Ko Tee Network.” He was sent to an army base for questioning.

Deputy police commissioner Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said Kritchapon confessed during an interrogation that Wutthipong engineered the 2014 attack, leading police to apply for the warrant.

Wutthipong – who started out as a firebrand radio host and later advocated violence against the military government – fled the country shortly before the military staged a coup in May 2014. He disappeared in July 2017 and is presumed dead by his supporters.

The junta has denied any knowledge of his disappearance.

Last Chance For Sunday Picnic Concerts in Lumphini Park

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Khaosod English

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16 February 2018, 19:15

Photo: Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation / Courtesy

By Panisa Aemocha

BANGKOK — Concert halls aren’t the only setting for an orchestra performance. A park will do too.

To mark a quarter of a century since it was formed, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra will treat attendees to the last series of seasonal concerts at a downtown park in the capital.

The concerts – which begin every December until March – will wrap up its season through three performances, with works of classical music by the likes of Gioachino Rossini, Johann Strauss II and soulful ballads such as Paul Anka’s “My Way” among others.

Wanchai Yan-Ubol, director of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, said the idea emerged 25 years ago to get musicians out of the hall by performing in a new setting.

“Bangkok is a big city with few places to relax,” Wanchai said. “Many parks were on the list, such as Suan Luang Rama IX or Chatuchak Park, but none were as perfect or suitable as Lumphini Park.”

He said there’s a lot of public interest for the event.

“This event no longer belongs to us … anymore. The fans just truly own it,” Wanchai said.

On Sunday, take your family or friends to the park and camp out for a picnic to the sound of the live orchestra.

Those who aren’t classical music fans can need not dress formally and sit in an uncomfortable hall – where munching on snacks is frowned upon – while those who love it can enjoy the concert in a different setting.

For those who have never been to a classical music concert, Wanchai had some advice.

“Stop thinking that classical music is solely for the upper class or the elite,” he said. “Music is for everyone.”

The free concerts start at 5:30pm on Sundays through March 4 at the Sala Bhirom Bhakdi in Lumphini Park. Sunday’s weather is expected to be sunny and warm. Get there early for a good spot and don’t forget to pack snacks. Alcohol is prohibited.

Veteran Activists Targeted For Prosecution For Protests

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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16 February 2018, 18:45

A protester shouts at a rally demanding an election near Democracy Monument on Saturday

BANGKOK — Familiar names from the pro-democracy movement were among the 43 people the junta wants prosecuted for attending a recent rally demanding elections be held this year.

Activist Piyarat Chongthep, leftist Chotisak Onsoong, former lese majeste convict Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, 2010 crackdown justice advocate Pansak Srithep, student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, civil rights lawyer Wiboon Boonpattararaksa and academic Anusorn Unno and 36 others were named in complaints Thursday.They are accused of violating the junta’s ban on protests.

Daranee, who served a eight year sentence for defaming the royal family, said she wasn’t there for the protest and pledged to sue the regime if it prosecutes her.

“I’ll fight my case in the administrative court,” Daranee said, adding that she would sue them for malfeasance. “I won’t ask for bail. I’m willing to go to jail so I can sue them.”

The junta rep who filed the complaints, Col. Burin Thongprapai, declined to discuss why those 43 were singled out from the 100-plus protesters.

“I don’t know,” Burin said, referring to the junta. “I only acted on their behalf.”

Most of those charged had no obvious history of activism. All were charged after this past Saturday’s rally protesting a vote in parliament that effectively postponed general elections to February 2019.

The complaints came less than two weeks after the junta filed similar charges against 39 people for either organizing or joining a similar rally on Jan. 27.

Asked why the junta is coming down hard on the recent protests, with mass charges filed against both leaders and supporters, the colonel said the regime is merely following the law.

“The prime minister has spoken about this many times,” Burin said. “We are proceeding in accordance with the law.”

All 43 face up a year in jail if convicted. Additionally, seven activists were also identified as organizers of the Saturday protest and charged with sedition – a more serious offense that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

One of the activists named in the complaints, Piyarat Chongthep, said he believes the legal crackdown will not discourage people from joining future protests.

“I have always insisted that more people will join, and it is as I predicted,” Piyarat said. “On Feb. 10, many people in our community came out. Some, such as Khun Daranee, who served time in prison and hasn’t taken up activism since, also came out. It means people are not afraid.”

But Daranee said she was only in the area to eat at McDonald’s with her friends, not to join any protest. She accused the junta of bullying her.

“Many protesters in front of the stage told me they are surprised why I didn’t join, but I ended up being targeted,” Daranee said.

Vest-Case Scenario: Motosai Accuse Mall of Discrimination

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Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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16 February 2018, 16:46

BANGKOK — When is an orange vest fashionable and when is it uncouth? At a downtown shopping mall, it may depend on who’s wearing it.

Footage of mall staff asking a motorcycle taxi operator, or win, to remove his orange vest ignited a debate Friday about discrimination. The mall says the exchange happened due to a misunderstanding.

The now-deleted video posted Thursday by Facebook user and motorcycle taxi owner Tonson Kong Nongkhing shows an employee and guard inside the EmQuartier shopping mall apparently telling the man to remove his vest. The video ends with him in the process of removing his vest.

The video went viral and by this morning had garnered more than half a million views and more than 3,000 shares before it was taken down in the afternoon. In the comments section, people argued over whether the mall was guilty of discrimination or just enforcing a dress code – which the mall doesn’t have.

“At this mall, they really make you take off your vest. I’m a win too,” Sompong Peh Prantaen wrote in a comment. “It’s like they’re looking down on me, even if I’m doing an honest job. What standards do they use to judge that you can’t walk in malls with win vests?”

Motorcycle taxi operators, many of whom come from poverty in rural provinces, are widely looked down upon in urban Bangkok, where their services are indispensable due to heavy traffic.

“Their rules should not limit the rights and freedoms of others,” user Marcus Mars wrote.

Others said it was up to the mall.

“It’s still up to the management there since it’s their location,” Ronnakrit Thimbumrung wrote. “Don’t go in if you can’t follow the rules. No matter how much your shirt costs or how honest your profession is, there are still rules. Hello?!”

An EmQuartier spokeswoman who refused to give her name said Friday afternoon that the encounter was a misunderstanding between the win and mall staff. She did not elaborate. She said the mall does not have a dress code.

Some criticized what they saw as a racial double-standard.

“I see foreigners wearing tank tops, flip-flops and pants up to their dark butts walking all over [the mall]. So you think you’re protecting the image of the location?” Patchara Pengseub wrote.

Although the post prompted win operators to post selfies of themselves wearing their vests in solidarity, not all took fault with the mall.

“Rules are rules,” Nuttawut Bas Sakdikul wrote. ”I ride my win after work but I take the vest off every time I enter a mall. I’m respecting the location.”

‘Is my vest not cool enough? I’m making a living, dammit.’

‘I’m so poor. My vest cost 140,000 baht, but I get 1,800 baht a week.’

‘I’m not ashamed of doing good. I never look down on people with little money. I’m proud of my profession.’

‘I operate a win too. What mall is this? When I go walk around there, I’ll take off all my clothes.’

“I operate a win, so?”

Red Lanterns Not Hung to Fix Junta Bad Luck: Govt

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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16 February 2018, 13:40

Government House staff decorate the building with Chinese red lanterns on Thursday

BANGKOK — The government would like to clarify something: No, the lucky red lanterns placed Thursday afternoon at the prime minister’s office are not meant to deflect bad mojo brought down by the breaking of a lucky lotus bowl.

What some are calling an attempt to reverse bad fortune, deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam maintained the lanterns are strictly for observing Chinese New Year, which began Thursday and will peak Saturday.

“Personally I don’t believe in this kind of thing,” Wissanu told reporters Friday. “Decorating with Chinese lanterns is not a strange thing to do, because Chinese New Year is now an international festival.”

Read: Lotus Basin Placed in Prayuth’s Path For Greater Fortune Breaks

When a reporter pointed out that the Chinese New Year has never been recognized before this year, Wissanu said there’s a first time for everything.

“It may be strange when we do it the first time, but it won’t be strange after,” he said. He further suggested the government may also deck the halls of power with Christmas or Songkran themes this year.

Rumors of metaphysical misfortune have spread after a car crashed into one of several lotus basins placed by aides to junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha last year to boost his fortune. The crash broke the bowl into pieces – a harbinger of great misfortune to Sino-Thais, who by custom believe no objects can be broken during the new year holidays.

50013 — A car crash Thursday destroyed a Government House “fortune” lotus basin

Government House officials later erected red lanterns around the building, causing even further speculation that a feng shui fix was being attempted.

It wasn’t the first basin to suffer misfortune. Days after they were placed – apparently along a path traversed by Prayuth – workers were troubled to find one of the basins leaking, forcing Prayuth to buy new one. He used his own money to buy all of the 5,000-baht pots.

The media soon reported the news with headlines warning of imminent “curses” and “bad luck.” Some junta opponents seized on the incident to proclaim the government is doomed.

“Definitely a bad portent. Broken basin, broken [corruption], broken faction. The time of armed uprising is almost here,” wrote anti-junta Facebook page Kon Thai UK.

“It’s a bad portent. I think their inner circle is breaking up,” user Joe Cracy said in a comment thread.

The forces of fate and fortune are regular fodder for domestic media, and Prayuth is known to be deeply superstitious. At a news conference in May 2016, he even showed more than a dozen magical amulets worn under his uniform.

The basin broke just days after education minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin suggested his cabinet counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, should have stepped down weeks ago over a scandal involving his possession of many undeclared luxury watches. It was the first visible rupture among the inner circle of the regime, whose popularity has withered of late.

But professional feng shui master Panuwat Panwichartkul said connecting the basin’s demise to the scandal is fallacious. The bowls placed there by Prayuth’s staff were not key to the Government House’s feng shui alignment in the first place, he said.

“It’s an act of nature. Don’t take it seriously. It’s like a crow flying or a monitor lizard walking past the Government House,” Panuwat, a fortune consultant and author. “Not everything is related to feng shui.”

He believes the reason for the seeming division within junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha’s power clique has more to do with the ages of the men involved.

“Chinese astrology believes that ages which end with 3, 6 and 9 are unfortunate,” Panuwat said, noting that Prawit will turn 73 this year. Prayuth is 63.

Premchai Chewed Panther’s Leg Then Tossed It: Investigators

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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16 February 2018, 12:07

Panther leg bones that wildlife officials found Wednesday in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. Authorities believe it belonged to a black panther allegedly killed by Premchai Karnasuta.

KANCHANABURI — Wildlife officials were testing bones and other remains of a black panther Friday for evidence it was shot and killed by a powerful CEO’s hunting party.

Further searching of the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary has turned up discarded bones and other physical evidence that will be used to prosecute Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development. An environmentalist with the the Department of National Parks said the forensic examination is necessary to make a positive ID.

“Looking at the innards and remains with the naked eye doesn’t yet count as forensic evidence,” Navee Changpirom said. “They’ll have to check the DNA first for it to be hard evidence.”

Premchai is suspected of killing the panther and eating part of it. He’s due to appear March 26 in a Kanchanaburi court. Deputy police commissioner Gen. Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said police will seek an arrest warrant if he fails to appear.

Chaiwait believes the slain panther was the same animal filmed by a wildlife camera 100 meters from where Premchai’s camp was discovered in the sanctuary earlier this month.

Chaiwat explained that black panthers’ territorial behavior means no other males would have been in the area. Male panthers, he said, roam over an area of about 40 square kilometers, adding that other males could not enter their territory – which usually includes two to three females the male cares for.

Since the male panther was killed near the camera, Chaiwat believes it is the same big cat. Black panthers are actually a type of leopard.

“Looking at the remains, there’s a 90 percent chance this is a male panther. If the DNA results say it’s a male, then it’s the same panther for sure,” Chaiwat said.

Parks officials also found additional bullet casings and bullet wounds on trees and rocks and even panther fur in the area. Chaiwat said that the male panther that roamed the area was familiar with park officials – even tame – as it did not flee from humans. Officials determined the panther was shot from a distance of about 14 meters.

“He thought humans wouldn’t hurt him,” Chaiwat said.

The animal was shot and gutted before its 17 kilogram body was carried on a tarp to the nearby camp by at least two men.

Premchai is believed to have consumed part of the panther in a soup. As its right femur was missing, authorities hypothesized that he chewed on that bone before tossing it in the nearby river.

Divers discovered organs, a panther femur and other leg bones.

Chaiwat said he was confident the evidence would be useful to build a forensic case against Premchai.

Premchai was arrested Feb. 5 in the Kanchanaburi province sanctuary with three other men in hunting gear with firearms and several animal carcasses. The four were charged with nine counts of poaching and trespassing. Premchai was released on bail and police say they don’t know where he is.

15 เสือ4 — Dec. 23, 2016 footage of a black panther in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife sanctuary.

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Rangers: Premchai Ate the Leopard in a Soup

Rifles, Ivory Found in Construction Magnate’s Home

Italian-Thai President Charged For Poaching Wild Animals

New York Woman Stood up by Mystery Man Described in Huge Mural

By

Associated Press

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16 February 2018, 11:32

A 2016 mural by graffiti artist Eduardo Kobra in New York City.

NEW YORK — It wasn’t meant to be for a New York City woman seeking a mystery missed connection via a 20-foot mural asking him to meet her on Valentine’s Day.

Twenty-five-year-old Devin Custalow waited for nearly 30 minutes at the billboard that asked the mystery man with yellow shoes she met on a subway train in October to meet with her at 1 p.m. Wednesday. She was surrounded by friends, family and plenty of cameras for the meeting that never came to pass – but her loved ones were on hand with a bouquet of flowers.

Custalow says despite the outcome, the search for her mystery Valentine was a really great experience and she hopes she’s encouraged others to look for love.

Lawmakers Can Now Skip Sessions for ‘Private Business’

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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16 February 2018, 11:25

National Legislative Assembly members chat with each other on Jan. 25.

BANGKOK — Junta appointees serving in the interim parliament can skip work to tend to their businesses so long as they file a leave of absence, a top lawmaker said Friday.

Although a newly approved ethics code bans members of the National Legislative Assembly, or NLA, from prioritizing personal affairs over duty, exceptions can be made because they still have to tend to their own careers – unlike full-time politicians in an elected government, assembly chairman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said.

“The [NLA] is comprised of members from many sectors,” Pornpetch said in an interview. “In normal times, members of parliament and senators are prohibited from taking up other careers, but this is an exception under the constitution.”

The entire interim parliament was handpicked by the junta after a coup in 2014. Its members include military officers, civil servants, lawyers, academics and businesspeople.

“But they are still bound to ethical conduct all the same,” Pornpetch added.

The issue surfaced when lawmakers were voting Thursday to approve a code of conduct for members of the interim parliament. The regulations include a section that bans NLA members from using their work time to “conduct private business.”

Several lawmakers objected to the wording on the grounds that they have businesses, prompting house committee members to clarify that they are exempt from the regulation if they file leaves of absence beforehand.

The codes were later approved by a vote of 160-0 with six abstentions.

Pornpetch said skipping work without filing for leave would be considered an infraction, and that there would be a limit to how many absences lawmakers can accrue, though he did not specify the number. He added that the exemption would not lead to a conflict of interest.

“It’s a different issue,” the house chairman said. “Conflicts of interest would only arise if they do something that interferes with the duty that they are supposed to perform.”

Serial absenteeism in the legislative branch had become a controversy in the past.

In 2017, it emerged that eight lawmakers failed to show up the mandatory number of times required by parliament, including Preecha Chan-ocha, brother of junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Parliament later declared all eight lawmakers had not done anything wrong because they had obtained permission to be absent.

Red Flags May Have Been Missed in Florida School Shooting

By

Associated Press

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16 February 2018, 10:58

Parents wait for news after reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Wednesday in Parkland, Florida. Photo: Joel Auerbach / Associated Press

PARKLAND, Florida — Months before authorities say Nikolas Cruz walked into his former high school and slaughtered 17 people, the troubled teen began showing what may have been warning signs he was bent on violence.

“Im going to be a professional school shooter,” a YouTube user with the screen name “Nikolas Cruz” posted in September.

The 19-year-old got expelled last year from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. And less than a year ago, the former Junior ROTC cadet bought a military-style AR-15 rifle.

As investigators tried to establish the motive for Wednesday’s shooting rampage, students and neighbors portrayed Cruz as an often strange and hostile figure who threatened others, talked about killing animals, and posed with guns in disturbing photos on social media.

“I think everyone had in their minds if anybody was going to do it, it was going to be him,” 17-year-old Dakota Mutchler said after Cruz was identified as the gunman in the nation’s deadliest school shooting in more than five years.

Benjamin Bennight, a Mississippi bail bondsman, was concerned enough after seeing the “professional school shooter” comment on his Youtube channel that he took a screenshot of it on his phone and called the FBI. Two FBI agents visited Bennight the next day.

But the FBI said it never spoke to the Florida teen.

“No other information was included in the comment which would indicate a particular time, location or the true identity of the person who posted the comment,” said Brett Carr, a spokesman for the FBI office in Jackson, Mississippi. “The FBI conducted database reviews and other checks but was unable to further identify the person who posted the comment.”

Math teacher Jim Gard told The Miami Herald that Cruz may have been seen as a potential threat well before the rampage. Gard said he believes the school had sent out an email warning teachers that Cruz shouldn’t be allowed on campus with a backpack.

“There were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus,” Gard told the newspaper.

Student Victoria Olvera, 17, said that Cruz had been abusive to his ex-girlfriend and that his expulsion was over a fight with her new boyfriend. Cruz had been attending another school in Broward County since the expulsion, school officials said.

Cruz had on a maroon polo shirt bearing an ROTC insignia and the school’s eagle mascot when he was arrested off school grounds about an hour after the attack. Investigators said he slipped away during the chaos by mixing in with the other students.

Jonathan Guimaraes, 17, told the Herald that he had been in JROTC with Cruz. “He was quiet, nice,” Guimaraes said. “That’s how he was able to blend in. He was wearing his JROTC uniform.”

Cruz was an orphan – his mother, Lynda Cruz, died of pneumonia Nov. 1, and her husband died of a heart attack years ago, neighbors, friends and family members told the Sun Sentinel. The couple had adopted Nikolas and his biological brother.

Close to Thanksgiving, Nikolas Cruz moved in with a friend’s family.

According to lawyer Jim Lewis, who represents but did not identify the family, they knew that Cruz owned the AR-15 but made him keep it locked up in a cabinet and never saw him go to a shooting range with it. He did have the key, however.

Cruz passed a background check and legally purchased the semi-automatic rifle from a dealer in Florida in February 2017, authorities said.

The family is devastated and shocked, Lewis said. During the three months Cruz lived there, he was respectful and quiet but also sad over his mother’s death, the lawyer told the AP.

“No indication that anything severe like this was wrong,” Lewis said. “Just a mildly troubled kid who’d lost his mom. … He totally kept this from everybody.”

Jordan Jereb, head of a white nationalist group called the Republic of Florida, said Thursday that Cruz was a member and had taken part in paramilitary drills with the organization. But investigators said they have not confirmed any such ties.

“We’ve heard that. We’re looking into that,” Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said.

Cruz’s attorney, Melisa McNeill, said after a court hearing Thursday on the murder charges against the young man that Cruz was sad and remorseful and “just a broken human being.”

“When you don’t have the support system, that affects who you are, and that affects the people around you,” McNeill said. “And when your brain is not fully developed you don’t know how to deal with these things.”

Cruz was getting treatment at a mental health clinic for a while but hadn’t been there for more than a year, Broward County Mayor Beam Furr told CNN.

Story: Kelli Kennedy

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