Christmas Day Attacks Leave Parts of South in Darkness

By

Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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26 December 2017, 13:30

YALA — Several communities in southern Thailand spent Christmas Day in the dark after vandals bombed utility poles, torched phone boxes and damaged other property.

At about 5am on Monday, a number of unidentified perpetrators burned telecommunications equipment, bombed five utility poles, cut down trees, spread caltrops on a road and opened fire on a truck at several locations in Yala and Narathiwat provinces.

Households in parts of Yala’s Betong district were affected by the blackout.

In Yala, four bombs went off on National Highway 410, causing five electrical utility poles to come down, one of which struck a passing vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Busaree Bouladreejing, a 26-year-old truck driver, was injured after his vehicle came under fire on Yala-Yaha Road.

In Narathiwat, four motorists in the Su-ngai Padi district were injured after their vehicle ran into trees which had been knocked down to block the roads.

Police have been investigating the incidents. No perpetrators were immediately identified, Col. Krissada Kaewchandee, commander of Yala Police, said Tuesday.

A long-running insurgency in the southernmost provinces that historically focused on officials, teachers and symbols of Bangkok’s authority has expanded in recent years to include attacks on tourist sites and civilian targets. More than 7,000 people have died in nearly 14 years of conflict, according to Deep South Watch.

Deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Tuesday morning that he had ordered senior officers to investigate. Tight security will be implemented during the remaining holidays, Prawit said.

Pope Laments ‘Winds of War’ Blowing Around the World

By

Associated Press

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26 December 2017, 13:30

Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for ' to the city and to the world') Christmas' day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Monday at the Vatican. Photo: Alessandra Tarantino / Associated Press

VATICAN CITY — Lamenting “the winds of war” blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Monday called for a two-state solution to find peace in the Middle East and prayed that confrontation can be overcome on the Korean Peninsula.

The pope took particular aim at areas of global tension where President Donald Trump is playing a critical role. Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has ignited new violence in the Middle East, while confrontation with North Korea over its nuclear tests has escalated tensions in Asia.

“The winds of war are blowing in our world and an outdated model of development continues to produce human, societal and environmental decline,” the pope said in his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and to the world”) Christmas message and blessing from the central balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. About 50,000 faithful packed the square.

As Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, the pope depicted suffering reflected “in the faces of little children,” citing war and other tensions in the Middle East and Africa.

He asked for peace for Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and prayed “that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached, one that would allow the peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.”

Francis also prayed for an end to confrontation on the Korean Peninsula and that “mutual trust may increase.”

The Christmas message has become an occasion for popes to survey suffering in the world and press for solutions. Francis urged that “our hearts not be closed” as the inns of Bethlehem were to Mary and Joseph before Jesus’ birth.

The pontiff lamented that Syria remains “marked by war,” that Iraq has been “wounded and torn” by fighting over the last 15 years and that ongoing conflict in Yemen “has been largely forgotten.”

Recalling his recent trip to Bangladesh and Myanmar, the pope urged the international community to work “to ensure that the dignity of the minority groups present in the region is adequately protected.”

The pontiff also recalled children who risk their lives at the hands of human traffickers to migrate to safer lands, who suffer because their parents don’t have work or who are forced into labor themselves or to fight as child soldiers.

It’s ‘Love at First Sight’ For Immigration Cops, Tourists (Photos)

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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26 December 2017, 12:52

A family takes a photo with Immigration Police mascots Temjai Haiborigan and Yimyaem Jaemsai on Monday at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Photo: Immigration Police Division 2

SAMUT PRAKAN — Immigration Bureau police are beefing up airport security for the holidays – aided by mascots and balloons.

The “Love at First Sight” campaign, which started Monday and runs through New Year’s Day, entails increased security personnel at airports and mascots giving out balloons.

“Oh, ‘Love at First Sight?’” Maj. Gen. Pruettipong Prayoonsiri of the Immigration Police Division 2 said Tuesday. “Since we’re the vanguard of welcoming and bidding farewell to tourists, we want them to be impressed by us,” he added to explain the campaign’s English-language name.

Puttipong said Immigration Police have deployed more officers and installed extra informational screens for passenger convenience throughout Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

“Love at First Sight” also includes extra information booths in the arrivals lounge as well as Immigration Police mascots “Temjai Haiborigan” (Full-Hearted Service) and “Yimyaem Jaemsai” (Bright Smiles) who will hand out balloons in heart and animal shapes.

“There’s news about bad queues and service at the airport, but since there are more flights during the new year period, we want to take extra care [of travelers],” Puttipong said.

Tourists can take photos with both Temjai (the male mascot) and Yimyaem (the female mascot).

Sirote Duangratana, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said that from Thursday to Jan. 3, an estimated 1.3 million travellers will pass through the airport on 7,200 flights. Parking fees in Zone C will be waived Saturday through Jan. 2.

The mascots come on the heels of a recent army attempt to win hearts and minds with a mascot of their own named Nong Kiew Koy, or “Pinky Finger Girl.” That effort fell flat after she was met with horror and ridicule by the public.

S 10543147 — Photo: Immigration Police Division 2 / Courtesy

S 10543138 — Photo: Immigration Police Division 2 / Courtesy

S 10543145 — Photo: Immigration Police Division 2 / Courtesy

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Redshirt Told Not to Give Away Shinawatra Calendars

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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26 December 2017, 12:06

Anurak Jeantawanich, in red, with officers who visited his home Tuesday morning. Photo: Anurak Jeantawanich / Facebook

BANGKOK — A well-known Redshirt activist says four plainclothes police officers came to his home Tuesday to tell him not to distribute 2018 calendars featuring Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra.

Anurak Jeantawanich, aka Ford Red Path, said “friendly” police gave the instruction to him at his home in Samut Prakan province after he announced on Facebook that anyone who wanted one of the commemorative calendars could pick one up from him. He said he would lie low after being given the instruction.

“I am worried that the military will use it as an excuse to prosecute me. … as the government has proclaimed human rights to be a national agenda, this is shameful and hilarious in the eyes of the international community,” Anurak said.

Read: Pheu Thai Denies Making Thaksin-Yingluck Calendar

He said the police cited no laws he had broken. He believes they were acting on behalf of the military: “They said the military do not want them to be distributed.”

Junta spokesman Col. Winthai Suvari said Tuesday that it was up to local authorities to decide what to do about the calendars. Winthai would not say the that items were banned or illegal, but added that local units are “trying to ensure order and prevent feuds or conditions that will sow division” in Thai society.

Anurak said soldiers followed him throughout the day Monday after he wrote about the calendars on Facebook.

As for the calendars, Anurak said he got 500 of them from a contact at the Pheu Thai Party, which both Thaksin and Yingluck have led.

A 2018 calendar showing fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra holding one of his twin granddaughters.

After being told that Pheu Thai senior executive and former Deputy PM Phongthep Thepkanjana on Friday denied any link to the calendars, Anurak backtracked, saying he received them from someone close to Shinawatras. He would not identify them.

Both former premiers Thaksin and Yingluck are now in exile. The calendar image of Yingluck shows her making a wai with the message “I thank you for all the support you have always given me” and what appears to be her signature.

Where’s the Party? No State Dinner in Trump’s First Year

By

Associated Press

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26 December 2017, 10:38

US President Donald Trump speaks in 2017 at a campaign rally in support of Sen. Luther Strange, in Huntsville, Alabama. Photo: Brynn Anderson / Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump couldn’t stop talking about the red carpets, military parades and fancy dinners that were lavished upon him during state visits on his recent tour of Asia. “Magnificent,” he declared at one point on the trip.

But Trump has yet to reciprocate, making him the first president in almost a century to close his first year in office without welcoming a visiting counterpart to the U.S. with similar trappings.

Trump spoke dismissively of state dinners as a candidate, when he panned President Barack Obama’s decision to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping with a 2015 state visit. Such visits are an important diplomatic tool that includes a showy arrival ceremony and an elaborate dinner at the White House.

“I would not be throwing (Xi) a dinner,” Trump said at the time. “I would get him a McDonald’s hamburger and say we’ve got to get down to work.”

Last month it was Xi’s turn to literally roll out the red carpet. The Chinese leader poured on the pageantry as he welcomed Trump to Beijing on what was billed as a “state visit, plus.” Trump also made state visits to South Korea and Vietnam.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said there is no “singular reason” why Trump hasn’t extended a state visit invitation yet, but added that the administration hopes to schedule a visit early in 2018. Sanders gave no hints about which of Trump’s foreign counterparts are being considered for the diplomatic honor.

A state visit typically is offered as a sign of friendship and to showcase strategic ties between countries that are important to each other, said Anita McBride, a veteran of three Republican administrations who last served as chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush.

“The White House is the world stage to elevate that,” she said. “These occasions really go a long way to solidify and strengthen relationships.”

Trump speaks often about his relationships with many of his foreign counterparts, including Xi. Trump and the Chinese leader met at Trump’s Florida estate in April, and Trump treated Xi to a full dinner – not the aforementioned burger – and what Trump described as “the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake.”

“President Xi was enjoying it,” the president reported.

Trump has also met at the White House, sometimes over lunch as well as abroad, with many of his foreign counterparts. He recently put the figure at more than 100.

But nothing compares to a state visit.

The White House portion of the visit begins with an elaborate arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, including the pomp of a military honor guard, a troop review and leader statements. The leaders meet privately in the Oval Office before they hold a joint news conference in the East Room or the Rose Garden. The evening ends with the foreign leader as the guest of honor at a lavish state dinner attended by hundreds, including members of Congress, business leaders, celebrities, political donors and others.

The visiting leader also has lunch at the State Department, and sometimes will address a joint meeting of Congress.

Such visits are reserved for when the U.S. wants to put on its “best face” for a particular leader and ally, said Peter Selfridge, who served as a liaison between the White House and visiting foreign dignitaries as U.S. chief of protocol from 2014 to January 2017.

“It’s a really important arrow in a president’s quiver when it comes to the diplomatic nicety side of his work,” Selfridge said.

And not just for American presidents. Knowing Trump enjoys flattery, Xi pulled out all the stops to impress him on that November stop in Beijing.

The visit opened with an arrival ceremony considered lavish even by Chinese standards, with Trump and his wife, Melania greeted at the airport by Chinese and American dignitaries standing at attention, a band playing military music and scores of flag-waving children chanting “welcome.”

Trump was then whisked away for a private tour of the Forbidden City that included dinner. The meal was a first for a visiting foreign leader at Beijing’s historic imperial palace since the founding of modern China. Trump also raved about an outdoor opera performance.

The following morning brought another welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People featuring a military parade that Trump said was “magnificent.” He said “the world was watching” and claimed to have received telephone calls about it from around the world. “Nothing you can see is so beautiful,” Trump said.

Xi also honored Trump at a state banquet that included video highlights from the Chinese leader’s visit to Florida, along with clips from Trump’s trip and the screening of a video of Trump’s granddaughter, Arabella, singing in Chinese.

McBride said Trump’s decision to not extend a state visit invitation could be partly because his first year was a chaotic one, dominated by staff upheaval and lengthy negotiations with Congress over health care and tax legislation. Separately, the first lady, who is responsible for planning a state dinner down to the smallest detail, didn’t officially relocate to the White House until June. A state visit is also a massive undertaking and Trump has been running the government with a bare-bones staff.

But Trump’s first state visitor will matter. “The other world leaders will pay attention to that,” McBride said.

Not since Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s has a president ended his first year in office without hosting a foreign leader for a state visit, according to the White House Historical Association.

Coolidge assumed office in 1923 after the sudden death of President Warren G. Harding, and was elected to a full term in 1924. Coolidge didn’t hold a state dinner until October 1926 for Queen Marie of Romania, according to the White House association.

Every president since Coolidge has hosted at least one state visit their first year.

Lyndon Johnson held 12 in 1964, his first full year in office after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Barack Obama, Trump’s immediate predecessor, held just one in 2009 – and it was famously crashed by a celebrity-seeking couple.

Earlier this year, Trump was the special guest of President Emmanuel Macron at France’s Bastille Day parade. Trump has also accepted an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II for a state visit. Sanders said she expects those details will be announced soon.

Story: Darlene Superville

Lorde Scraps Israel Concert Amid Boycott Calls

By

Associated Press

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25 December 2017, 16:57

JERUSALEM — Lorde has cancelled a performance in Israel scheduled for next summer after appeals by pro-Palestinian activists.

The New Zealand musician said in a Sunday statement that “the right decision at this time” was to cancel her June 2018 concert in Tel Aviv, which was announced earlier this month.

Her announcement followed calls by proponents of the Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement to cancel her performance over Israel’s human rights record. Lorde joins artists including Roger Waters and Elvis Costello in boycotting Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians.

Lorde said that after having “lots of discussions” about the matter, “I’m not too proud to admit I didn’t make the right call on this one.”

The Israeli concert promoter responded to the cancellation: “We forgive her.”

Soldiers, Cops Crash Redshirt New Year Party

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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25 December 2017, 14:36

Redshirt supporters rally in Chiang Mai province on March 8, 2014

SAMUT SONGKHRAM — A holiday bash organized by Redshirts in Samut Songkhram province got a surprise visit from unexpected guests Sunday – soldiers and police.

Shortly after the men in brown and green arrived, the owner of the venue, a restaurant, reportedly asked the Redshirts to leave. The party was over.

A police officer confirmed Monday that security forces were sent to the Chawlay Restaurant “to observe” the scene, though he denied they shut down the party and suggested the management was worried their feast could violate the junta’s ban on political gatherings.

“I think it was the restaurant themselves who made the decision, because of the NCPO order,” Col. Chatchapol Somkaew said, referring to the junta’s formal name. “The restaurant was afraid there might be problems.”

Chatchapol, who’s in charge of Samut Songkhram City Police Station, said local officers, army soldiers and Special Branch Police were dispatched to the establishment.

“We were there to see if there was any violation. We took photos,” the police colonel said.

The gathering was organized through social media by a Redshirt group in Samut Songkhram province. The organizer, Suwanna Tallek, told Prachatai the security officers pressured the restaurant owner into calling off the party. Suwanna could not be reached for comment as of press time.

The Redshirt movement, which supports the civilian government toppled in the May 2014 coup, has been under intense monitoring by the junta since the putsch.

Redshirt leader Thida Thavornseth said it was “ridiculous” that security officers would be alarmed by a New Year party at a time of authoritarian rule.

“It’s been three years since the coup. People are so used to it now. Why are they being so diligent right now? It’s ridiculous,” Thida said. “They were only meeting for seasonal celebrations.”

Thida said she and other Redshirt activists held a private New Year party at their TV station yesterday without any interference. She suspected the authorities monitor events that are organized online.

“These agencies get excited when they work on social media,” Thida said. “Whenever people set things up through social media, it stokes their fears.”

Search on for Members of Toddler Sex Video Line Group

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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25 December 2017, 14:28

Police arrest Pathumporn “Ae” Mongkornchaiya Thursday in Ratchaburi. — Police arrest Pathumporn “Ae” Mongkornchaiya Dec. 14 in Ratchaburi.

PHITSANULOK — Police are still looking for the voyeurs and participants in a Line group where acts of sexual violence, including the abuse of a toddler by his mother and stepfather, were trafficked.

Nearly two weeks after police arrested the alleged ringleader of the illicit chat group, the officer investigating the case said they have yet to track down other members despite tracing financial records, contacting the messaging app and trying to identify people from sex videos posted in the group.

“We will try to identify them, which is still in the investigation process,” Police Lt. Col. Pakphum Prapsriphum of Phitsanulok Police Station said Monday morning. “That’s where we’re starting. Hopefully from them we can then identify the other members in the group.”

The case broke early December when police arrested a man and woman on suspicion they filmed themselves sexually assaulting a three-year-old boy in exchange for 400 baht.

Pathumporn Mongkornchaiya, the group admin who paid the parents 400 baht to abuse the toddler and was arrested Dec. 14, told police she was working at the behest of other unidentified parties.

Read: Admin of Toddler Line Sex Group Arrested

Police said that identifying people from their Line usernames was nearly impossible, so officials started by looking for those seen in live sex clips posted to the group.

Pakphum said police had already contacted Line to access their servers in Japan in hope of information to identify the group members.

Another place police were investigating was the account to which Pathumporn transferred from Pathumporn.

“I don’t believe it was her main job,” Pakphum said, describing the nature of Pathumporn’s work, “but a way for her to earn extra money.”

Pakphum said him and his team believe that the group consists of Thai nationals.

“It’s a closed group, like a fanclub for people who are into these things and want to see live videos,” he said. “It was mostly under the radar until a child was involved, then it went viral and became illegal,” he said.

Pakphum said the Line group had a secret Facebook group which posted similar content.

“To gain access to the group, you have to know someone in it and transfer money before you can be added,” Pakphum said.

Both Parents Charged Over Line Group Toddler Rape

Mom & Dad Rape Toddler, Sell Footage to Line Group: Police

Most Expensive Movie, 1963’s ‘Cleopatra’ to Screen at Bangkok Cinema

By

Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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25 December 2017, 14:23

BANGKOK — The most expensive version of the Queen of the Nile is coming to a giant screen of a classic capital cinema house

Known for its colossal budget that almost killed 20th Century Fox, “Cleopatra” (1963) will show in the heart of the city for those who want a proper big-screen cinematic experience. The epic historical drama follows the romance between Cleopatra, her Roman mentor Julius Caesar and general Mark Anthony.

The film is widely regarded as the biggest Hollywood flop of all time for its monstrous overrun of USD$44 million (1.4 billion baht) – about USD$340 million these days – and behind-the-scenes drama during its production, including actor Elizabeth Taylor’s illness and affair with co-star Richard Burton.

All four hours of “Cleopatra” will screen at noon on Jan. 14 at Scala Theatre. Tickets are 100 baht and go on sale at Scala Theatre starting Jan. 1.

‘Don’t Fear the NCPO,’ Junta Leader Tells Cock

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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25 December 2017, 14:16

Junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha caresses a chicken Monday in Phitsanulok.

PHITSANULOK — Going beyond his weekly televised Friday monologues, junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has on occasion delivered messages to the public through an alternative medium: farm animals.

Months after sharing his inner thoughts with a frog and encouraging unity among a herd of cows, the 63-year-old retired general, who has been criss-crossing the nation to get face time with the masses, conveyed a message Monday to a cock.

“Do not be afraid of the NCPO. The NCPO is not strict,” Prayuth told the rooster at a stop in Phitsanulok province, where he was visiting as prime minister.

Read: Prayuth Tells Frog His Fairy Tale Dream on Isaan Goodwill Tour (Photos)

According to the Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw, as of September 2017, more than 1,300 people had either been detained without charge for what it euphemistically describes as “attitude adjustment” sessions or visited at home by soldiers since the May 2014 coup.

The animal that garnered Prayuth’s attention was a prize-winning fighting cock named Thep Prathanporn.

It was unclear whether the rooster understood the message.

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