King Advises Against Excessive Funeral Restrictions

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24 October 2017, 12:11

King Vajiralongkorn and his daughter Princess Bajrakitiyabha attend a ceremony Sunday to mark Chulalongkorn Day

BANGKOK — King Vajiralongkorn has urged the authorities to make sure their regulations for viewing the cremation of his father are not too strict, a government spokesman said Sunday.

The king’s statement comes as officials are tightening already stringent security measures limiting public access to the event and rules for the historic ceremony set to take place Thursday.

Virtual Thailand: Enter the Crematorium of King Rama IX

The monarch said the authorities should ensure those restrictions are not so strict they made the public “uncomfortable,” government spokesman Lt. Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Sunday

King Vajiralongkorn, who inherited the throne after his father King Bhumibol died in October 2016, also asked authorities to open more space to the public at the funerary grounds of Sanam Luang so that they can witness the ceremony, Sansern said.

Bangkok police commander Chanthep Sesawech said he had not personally received any directives from the king, but added that police are already opening more spaces. Mourners can now stake out spots along the northern walls of the Grand Palace, Chanthep said.

“The Bangkok Metropolitan Police’s task is to take care of the people who are gathering at Sanam Luang in all aspects, from traffic to their wellbeing,” the lieutenant general said.

In recent days, additional rules have been issued banning colorful umbrellas, eyeglasses and hand fans. Selfie sticks are prohibited outright. Mourners are also discouraged from shouting “Long Live the King!” as the procession passes.

On Sunday, officials added one more item to the list of banned accessories: colorful phone cases. The public is advised to only bring somber ones.

Mourners are welcome to view the elaborate funerary procession, which has not taken place since 1950 after the previous monarch died, but they are subject to a long list of rules and dress codes. For instance, women will be required to wear skirts that cover their knees and up. Sleeveless dresses and tight clothing are not allowed.

Mourners Brave Wet Night For Spot at Sanam Luang

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Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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24 October 2017, 11:41

People sleep and sit on plastic tarps early Tuesday morning near the Grand Palace.

BANGKOK — It was a wet Tuesday morning for the first people to camp overnight in the Sanam Luang area three days before the funeral for King Rama IX.

Mourners who arrived to camp last night were laid out beneath the falling rain on plastic tarps on sidewalks in the area around the royal palace to secure camping spots for the royal funeral.

The rain deterred few. Some had umbrellas or raincoats – tents or temporary shelters are not allowed.

Watch: Virtual Thailand – Enter the Crematorium of King Rama IX

Mourners camped on the roads around Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan Campus, in front of the Defense Ministry on Ratchadamnoen Nai Road and in front of the Royal Hotel on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road.

Large crowds have gathered in recent days to watch funeral procession rehearsals. The crematorium complex, which will be used for the funeral, was officially completed Oct. 18 after eight months of construction.

Virtual Thailand: Enter the Crematorium of King Rama IX

Here Are the Foreign Dignitaries Coming to Royal Funeral

Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong Freed on Bail Pending Appeal

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Associated Press

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24 October 2017, 11:02

Joshua Wong in a July 2012 photo. Photo: Voice of America / Public Domain

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s highest court freed pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law on bail Tuesday pending an appeal of their prison sentences after they were convicted of sparking massive protests in 2014.

The two were granted bail by the Court of Final Appeal, according to a post on their political party’s Facebook page and local media reports.

In August, the two were given prison sentences for their involvement in an unlawful assembly that kicked off the “Umbrella Movement” protests.

The two had been originally been given more lenient sentences that allowed them to avoid prison but the justice secretary requested that the courts review those punishments.

The move sparked fears that authorities were undermining the semiautonomous Chinese city’s independent judiciary, underlining concerns among residents that Beijing is clamping down on dissent.

Following the review, Wong, 21, was given six months and Law, 24, received eight months. They were among student leaders who spearheaded the protests against Beijing’s decision to restrict elections, which brought major thoroughfares in Hong Kong to a standstill for 79 days.

Local broadcaster RTHK reported that Judge Geoffrey Ma required each to post 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (USD $6,400) for their bail, surrender their travel documents and report to police once a week. Their appeals will be heard Nov. 7.

Dozens of supporters and a large press pack waited outside the courthouse for the pair to appear.

Wong gained fame for his prominent role in the Hong Kong protests while still a teenager. Law was elected last year to the legislature, becoming the city’s youngest-ever lawmaker, and then was disqualified from office after a government legal challenge over irregularities in his oath.

A third student leader, Alex Chow, who was also convicted and imprisoned in the same case is not appealing.

Story: Kelvin Chan

US Diplomat Apologizes After Indonesia General Denied Entry

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Associated Press

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24 October 2017, 10:33

Indonesian Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo pose for a photo after his swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in 2015 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo Achmad Ibrahim / Associated Press

JAKARTA — A U.S. diplomat apologized to Indonesia’s government Monday after the top Indonesian general was prevented from traveling to Washington, but a Jakarta official said the country expected a complete explanation.

Erin McKee, deputy U.S. ambassador to Indonesia, did not explain why Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo was prevented from boarding a flight to the U.S. but said the matter had been resolved.

In Washington, Department of Homeland Security spokesman Dave Lapan said Gatot was unable to board his flight due to delays arising from “U.S. security protocols.” The issue with his boarding approval was quickly resolved by U.S. authorities and he was rebooked on another flight but chose not to travel.

McKee met Monday with Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and said she apologized. U.S. Ambassador Joseph Donovan also offered an apology, according to a statement Sunday from the embassy. He is currently visiting a remote part of Indonesia.

Relations between the U.S. and Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, are generally friendly. Indonesia’s military has a checkered human rights record, but Nurmantyo has not been accused of rights abuses.

“We deeply regret the inconvenience that this incident caused and we apologize,” McKee told reporters.

“There are absolutely no issues with his ability to travel to the United States. We welcome him. The embassy is working very hard to understand what happened,” she said.

Marsudi said Indonesia still expects the U.S. to provide a more complete explanation.

“I’ve said that it was not enough. We still need an explanation of why the incident happened,” she told reporters.

Nurmantyo and his wife had planned to leave Indonesia on Saturday but were told by their airline shortly before departure that U.S. customs would deny their entry, according to military spokesman Wuryanto, who goes by one name.

Nurmantyo had been invited by Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, to attend a conference in Washington on countering extremist organizations.

Wuryanto said that Nurmantyo, his wife and an entourage of four officials had U.S. visas and that Nurmantyo last visited the U.S. in February 2016.

Lapan, the homeland security spokesman, said the U.S. government “is dedicated to ensuring that all persons traveling to the United States are screened and properly vetted. We regret that the passenger and his wife were inconvenienced.”

Women on Trial Visit Airport Where Kim Jong Nam Was Attacked

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Associated Press

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24 October 2017, 10:24

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, left, and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, right, are escorted by police as they leave their court hearing at Shah Alam court house Oct. 2 in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photos: Daniel Chan / Associated Press

SEPANG, Malaysia — The two women accused of killing the North Korean leader’s half brother toured the Malaysian airport Tuesday as participants in their murder trial visited the scene of the attack.

The judge, prosecutors, defense lawyers and representatives of the women’s home countries were escorted inside the Kuala Lumpur airport by heavily armed police on a visit meant to give the trial participants a better perspective of events as they unfolded.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam appeared subdued as the group moved around. The women, who have pleaded not guilty, were handcuffed and wearing bulletproof vests as they have often since their arrests.

High Court Judge Azmi Ariffin visited the check-in kiosk in the budget terminal where the two women alleged smeared VX nerve agent onto Kim Jong Nam’s face on Feb. 13. The judge followed the path Kim walked to the airport clinic, seeking help after being attacked, and retraced the movement of the two women, who were seen on security footage rushing to restrooms afterward to wash their hands.

Huong and Aisyah are the only two suspects detained in the brazen assassination of Kim, an outcast from North Korea’s ruling family who lived abroad in virtual exile for years. Their defense lawyers have said the women were duped by suspected North Korean agents into believing they were playing a harmless prank for a TV show.

Malaysia has never directly accused North Korea, but South Korea’s spy agency has said the attack was part of a five-year plot by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to kill a brother he reportedly never met. Kim Jong Nam was not thought to be seeking influence over his younger brother but had spoken out publicly against his family’s dynastic rule.

Since the trial opened Oct. 2, witnesses have testified that Kim died from acute VX poisoning and that the banned chemical agent was found on his face and clothing and on the women’s clothing and on Huong’s fingernail clippings.

Former Lese Majeste Convict Vows to Wear Red on Cremation Day

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Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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23 October 2017, 15:30

BANGKOK — A man once imprisoned for defaming the monarchy said Tuesday morning that almost a dozen soldiers came to his home and threatened to have him taken away, four days after he said he would do something provocative the day of King Bhumibol’s cremation.

Ekachai Hongkangwan said just before 9:30am that 11 soldiers had asked him to choose between spending a few days at what they described as a resort in Kanchanaburi province or a military base at an unspecified location after he wrote online that he would don red and do something “unexpected” Thursday, the day King Bhumibol will be cremated.

As of 9:40am on Tuesday, Ekachai could not be reached by phone.

An outpouring of anger over the weekend came after 42-year-old Ekachai – who spent nearly three years in prison for selling CDs with a foreign news report – wrote Friday about his intentions in a Facebook post.

Virtually all Thais, particularly anyone in public and especially near sites designated to honor the late king, such as the crematorium in the Sanam Luang , are expected to wear black Thursday as a sign of mourning and respect.

Reached for comment on Monday, Ekachai said it was not about disrespecting the king but exercising his rights.

“It’s like those who don’t feel like it have the right to not wear black. Why should everyone have to wear black? I for one don’t want to,” he said

Ekachai said he would go ahead with his plan, despite being urged by friends, human rights activists and police not to do so.

“One told me that if I have to wear red, just stay at home,” Ekachai said he was told by a human rights activist he asked not be identified.

“They asked me not to go ahead with the plan. But I don’t even know what I would do [beside] wear a red shirt,” said Ekachai on the phone.

On Saturday, police visited Ekachai at a shop where he works in the Chatuchak Weekend Market and urged him to abandon his plan.

“He said, ‘I plead that you don’t do anything,’” Ekachai said, identifying the officer only as Prasit.

By Sunday, after conservative news outfit T-News ran a story about his provocation, Ekachai was fired and disavowed by his employer, political activist Piyarat Chongthep.

Piyarat wrote online that he’d have “nothing to do with Ekachai Hongkangwan.”

Threats and attacks on Ekachai swelled online, and by Monday Piyarat had deactivated his Facebook account.

Following the T-News article linking Ekachai to Redshirt leader Thida Tavornsaet Tojirakarn, Thida on Sunday issued a statement disavowing any link to Ekachai, who she said was briefly employed by Redshirt umbrella group United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. She urged T-News to stop linking Ekachai to her.

Over the weekend, angry netizens doxed Ekachai.

Photos and the address of his home on Lat Phrao Road, as well as his mobile phone number were being circulated on Facebook along with abusive language and direct threats of violence.

“Fuck your mom. You won’t die well, you beast from hell,” Facebook user Sornsak Nilnoi wrote in a comment to the T-News article, which Ekachai had posted on his wall. “Ekachai Hongkangwan, why are you hiding in your mother’s vagina!!! You sissy. Want to meet up with me??”

“On the 26th, this asshole red water-buffalo will copulate with his own mother for show,” Apichat Bootraks wrote, using slander often employed against members of the Redshirt movement.

Nuttaa Mahattana, a well-known activist who opposes the lese majeste law was among few to offer moral support. She said in an interview she was concerned about possible physical violence by ultra-royalists against Ekachai and pointed out that in the immediate aftermath of the death of King Bhumibol last October, there were several cases of harassment and assault of people perceived to not be adequately expressing mourning.

Nutta speculated that security officers might take him away for two to three days to “keep him safe.”

Ekachai was convicted of lese majeste in 2013 for selling copies of an Australian Broadcasting Corp. news program about the Thai royal family deemed to be defamatory.

He served two years and eight months in prison before being released November 2015. He said that his time in prison shaped who he is today.

“It probably plays a factor into turning me into who I am today. Before that I wasn’t interested in politics,” Ekachai said.

Update: This story has been updated Oct. 24 to reflect that Ekachai’s call that soldiers had visited his home.

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Overweight Cop Ordered to Do Pushups for Ignoring Boss

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Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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23 October 2017, 13:27

ANG THONG — A police officer in Ang Thong province was recently given a lesson on who’s the boss.

In a video that went viral Sunday, national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda orders Cpt. Kittisak Chansri to do push-ups after he reportedly failed to spot the top commander who was making an unannounced visit to his station.

“Be on alert! Your commander was taking a look at you, and you were still typing,” Chakthip says to Kittisak, who was out of uniform Friday when the video was filmed.

“I’m short-sighted, sir!” Kittisak, who reportedly weighs 140 kilograms, replies before the laughter of his superiors looking on.

The video drew comments criticizing Kittisak for appearing slack at his workplace, and Chakthip for being petty to his subordinates. But Pa Mok Police Station chief Suriya Yoopat said the two men were merely being playful.

“He was only teasing his subordinate,” Col. Suriya said, adding that Chakthip and Kittisak went to the same academy. “I and the police commissioner have known each other a long time. … He likes to tease around.”

Suriya said the police general conducted a surprise inspection of his station Friday to see whether the force is coordinating with local authorities in ongoing flood relief efforts. Chakthip spotted Kittisak in a meeting room, but the officer kept typing on his phone and didn’t salute his commander, Suriya said.

As he was leaving the police station, Chakthip asked for “that fatty” and punished him in jest, according to Suriya.

“Everyone was laughing, as you can see in the video,” the colonel said.

But many online didn’t get the joke. Some comments questioned how overweight Kittisak could be considered fit for duty if he couldn’t even see his own commander.

“To make quality police officers, there should be a competency test every three years,” user Adisorn Saneeyeng wrote in a comment. “If they fail, they’re given another chance in three months. If they still fail, they would be asked to leave with compensation to find new job.”

Others accused Chakthip of being harsh. One comment said Chakthip broke police regulations by parking his car at a spot reserved for people with disabilities.

“Why didn’t they order the police commissioner to do push-ups too?” Santas Argsakorn wrote.

Suriya, the station chief, said Kittisak passed annual health checks and his weight did not interfere with his duties.

“It’s how he is! He likes to eat a lot. He eats two dishes for lunch everyday! But his performance of duty is never affected,” the colonel said. “But [after Friday’s incident] I also told him, you gotta start running now.”

It’s the second controversy to afflict police this week, at the time the force has been ordered to tighten things up in the run-up to the royal cremation of King Bhumibol on Thursday.

On Friday night, two Bangkok police officers who were supposed to man a roadblock for a royal funeral rehearsal were caught skipping out on their post. The pair were later found drinking in a bar and refused to return to duty, according to an internal police memo released to the media.

The two officers, sergeants Sorapong Kradang-nga and Teerapong Kunnawan, are now under disciplinary review, Bangkok police commander Chanthep Sesawech said Monday.

Storm Warning For Bangkok as Flood Crisis Deepens in Provinces, 7 Dead

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Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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23 October 2017, 13:04

Farmers in Buriram province boards a boat Monday to harvest rice ahead of time as his rice field was sunk by a meter flood.

BANGKOK — Bangkok is warned to expect more heavy rain Monday while flooding continues in 18 provinces, where seven people have already been killed.

Though less reported in the media, the flood situation since Oct. 10 has impacted more than 260,000 people nationwide. The unrelenting disaster has expanded to cover a larger area in the northeastern region over the weekend, driving thousands from their homes and farmlands.

Seven deaths have been blamed on the flooding since Oct. 10.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Sunday that the Ubol Ratana Dam has sped the release of water, inundating many parts of Khon Kaen province.

Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered Khon Kaen’s governor and military commander to notify people and establish evacuation centers, Sansern said.

The Meteorological Department today issued warnings for the north, east and central regions. It said heavy rain and strong winds will continue today due to a high pressure system covering the northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea.

Other forecasts call for heavy rain Tuesday that will fall off by Wednesday in time for Thursday’s funeral.

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Flowers For Dad: Bangkok’s Biggest Flower Market Honors King (Photos)

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Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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23 October 2017, 13:03

BANGKOK — Thousands of people have poured in to see elaborate floral displays running now through Friday at the city’s biggest fresh flower market.

Displays made from millions of flowers to pay tribute to the late King Bhumibol can be found at Pak Khlong Talad’s Flowers For Dad event.

The highlight is a 89-meter flower tunnel and five other blooming displays including a foothill of flowers and flag-shaped blooms.

The project is organized by volunteers, students, flower vendors of Pak Khlong Talad community and Miracle of Life Foundation.

Chaiwas “Joe” Panchapakdee, the designer of the flower displays, said he was thrilled to be selected for the project honoring King Bhumibol. He took a month and a half to design the exhibits.

Flowers used at the event those widely grown for use in Thailand, such as lotuses, orchids, daffodils and marigolds.

Public Discouraged From Drinking But Booze Won’t Be Banned

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Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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23 October 2017, 11:45

BANGKOK — The Department of Health has urged the public to refrain from drinking alcohol this week in honor of the Late King Bhumibol, a spokesman said Monday.

In a letter, the agency said alcohol should not be consumed from Oct. 25 to 29, during which the remains of the late monarch will be cremated in a much-anticipated ritual at the Sanam Luang.

The letter was widely shared on social media and interpreted as a government order, but department spokesman Asadang Ruayajin said it’s not compulsory.

“This is not a law. We’re merely asking for cooperation. It’s not legally binding,” Asadang said by phone. “We are doing this together for the king.”

Consuming alcohol is considered sinful in Buddhism, and refraining from drinking is generally seen as generating good karma.

Asadang added that the Alcohol Control Board, which regulates booze sales, will not issue any ban on alcohol consumption or sales during the royal cremation ceremony. The cremation is set to take place on Oct. 26.

However, nightlife is expected to go dark, as a growing number of businesses have announced they’d shut their doors Thursday, which has also been declared a public holiday by the government.

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