Sexy Kittens Partner With Babes for Charity Calendar Out Saturday

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10 January 2017, 17:04

BANGKOK — Cat slaves who recently gathered to pose with their little masters for a sexy charity calendar will show their whiskers and tails Saturday at a launch party.

To help support homeless cats, six models donated their time for a black-and-white photo shoot to show how sexy cat adoption is and introduce some gorgeous homeless kitties ready for snuggling.

Proceeds from calendar sales will go to PAWS Bangkok, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce the soi cat population and is overwhelmed with lovely furballs that need homes.

The calendars will be sold for “about 500 baht” at the event, which will feature music by DJ Pageant and activities for party-goers and cat lovers alike. They will later be sold online.

Dress code is simple: cat!

The party starts at 7pm on Saturday at Whiteline, Silom Soi 8. It can be by taxi or moto from BTS Sala Daeng or Surasak.

Go to Battle With Class-Action Lawsuit Startup ‘FongDi’

By

Kaewta Ketbungkan, Staff Reporter

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10 January 2017, 16:19

A pivotal battle scene from HBO's 'Game of Thrones.' Image: HBO

BANGKOK — For dropping a bomb on its customers by announcing they could no longer get HBO and its affiliates on short notice, TrueVisions could be the first company to face a class-action lawsuit brought through recently launched legal startup FongDi.

Winter came ahead of season for Thailand’s “Game of Thrones” fans Jan. 1 when the satellite television operator replaced its 6 HBO channels with Warner TV, Paramount Channel HD, Celestial Classic Movies, Food Network, Fox Action Movies HD, Sony Channel and True Film HD 2 after it failed to renegotiate its licensing deals.

The news was broken Dec. 26 by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications, which gave TrueVisions the green light despite the fact it violated regulations by not giving 30 days notice.

Enter FongDi.com, which literally means “suable.”

“Unlike Office of the Consumer Protection Board or Change.org, FongDi.com allows people to take concrete action,” said Peerapat Foithong, lawyer and co-founder. “If people are affected from the same case, they can sue as a group through our site.”

Meant to increase consumer protections by providing a platform for people to come together for class-action suits, FongDi has made TrueVisions its first case.

There, subscribers unsatisfied with TrueVision’s service can put their names toward suing the company. More than 1,000 people have signed on so far.

Peerapat was to attend a meeting today between TrueVisions and the commission to request fee deductions of 200 baht to 500 baht per month for subscribers. They want the company to compensate those who canceled their subscriptions with money, not “True rewards” points.

Depending on how that goes, a lawyer may be hired to take the case to court.

“Class action lawsuits will save a lot of time and procedures in court, in cases where there are many people affected, such as this,” Peerapat said. “Plus, we provide the service free of charge.”

Although class action lawsuits were made possible in 2015, not a single case has been taken to court so far. Peerapat said he wants the case to increase awareness of their legal rights.

FongDi.com is a startup began by two lawyers, a programmer and marketing pro.

Inspired by Peerapat’s master’s thesis and his experience once suing an auto company, FongDi is meant to help people fight for their rights and increase their knowledge about the law. On the site users will find information and illustrations featuring “Buddy” a dog in black suit.

FongDi said the TrueVisions case has generated a lot of interest, and it is developing an English version of the page for all the expats who have been visiting the site looking to participate. Meanwhile, feel free to contact them via Facebook.

Clarification: An earlier version of this story said Peerapat worked on a case involving a lawsuit against and auto company. He was a plaintiff in the case.

Roman Herzog, Ex-German President, 82

By

Associated Press

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10 January 2017, 16:01

A photo of Roman Herzog in 2012 in Germany. Photo KASonline / Flickr

BERLIN — Roman Herzog, who as president pressed Germany to embrace economic reform in the 1990s and also stressed the importance of remembering the Nazi Holocaust, has died. He was 82.

Current President Joachim Gauck paid tribute Tuesday to Herzog, whom he described as “a distinctive personality.”

Herzog served as the chief justice of Germany’s highest court before winning the presidency in 1994, four years after reunification.

He was one of the first leaders to address Germany’s resistance to reform and its growing economic stagnation at a time when Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s 16-year tenure was coming to a close. Germany was struggling with double-digit unemployment, amid worries that its labor market was too inflexible.

This is a developing story and will be updated without notice.

Driver Gives One-Fingered Salute to Phuket Police. Cops Fight Back.

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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10 January 2017, 16:01

At left, Jeeranan Khamsuwan’s berates traffic police for giving her a ticket in a Facebook post. On a happier day, at left. Images: Jeeranan Khamsuwan / Facebook

PHUKET — A driver fined for not wearing her seatbelt posted a photo of herself giving the middle finger with the ticket, prompting an Internet fight with Phuket police.

After being pulled over and fined for not wearing a seatbelt Tuesday morning, Facebook user Jeeranan Khamsuwan decided to take her road rage to Facebook, where she ignited a flame war with the authorities by posting a photo of herself, the ticket and her raised middle finger.

“Caught early this morning for #notwearingaseatbelt. They let more expensive cars pass but pull over non-luxury cars,” she wrote. “If you have an expensive car but don’t wear a seatbelt, that’s fine??? … That’s okay, it’s only a small amount. I spend more money than this feeding stray dogs.”

Phuket police soon hit back on their Facebook page by posting a blurred screenshot of Jeeranan’s now-deleted post with a reply employing wordplay derived from television gossip program, “Gossip Since Morning.”

“This is called ‘bullshit since morning.’ Why would police pull over cars that are already wearing seatbelts? The issue of wearing seatbelts is for your own safety. It’s still your life, you can think like that, but it’s also against the law. In foreign countries, the fine is so heavy that it’d make you instantly poor. That’s why people there respect traffic laws,” it said.

This prompted Jeeranan to reply that she saw police wave through expensive cars whose drivers weren’t wearing seatbelts.

“Still not repentant?” the police page admin replied.

Comments from netizens ranged from supporting Jeeranan to berating her behavior.

“They really do wave past expensive cars, I experience this often,” Jaturong Yoosawat wrote.

User Loang Champa Airline said it was just sour grapes on Jeeranan’s part:

“Serves you right. This is for your own safety. Even kindergarten children know the basic rule of fastening your seatbelt.”

Then it got personal.

“She’s just trying to get more customers so she can sell more cream,” Touchathun Taii Suwattanawinit wrote, referring to Jeeranan’s Facebook page where she sells sunscreen and whitening creams.

Kathu Phuket Police’s reply to Jeeranan’s post berating traffic police.

More Than Repression, Junta Pulls Cultural Triggers to Rule, Scholar Argues

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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10 January 2017, 15:24

'Such a foul mouth,' PM Prayuth Chan-ocha says Sept. 15 while singing a pop song with reporters at Government House on a day he made the argument Thailand has a stronger economy, more social equality, improved safety and general welfare under his rule.

BANGKOK — More than direct repression, a Chiang Mai scholar says the junta maintains its grip on power by dangling promises of reform, focusing on performance-based metrics and associating itself with the monarchy.

In the January issue of the Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia. Chiang Mai University lecturer Panuwat Panduprasert posited that repression is just one of the tools brought to bear by the regime which staged the 2014 coup.

“[A] regime that depends exclusively on repression is likely to face backlash from those who repeatedly suffer from it. Citizens are unlikely to tolerate long periods of oppression and restrictions, unless they feel there are good reasons for them to live under that kind of government,” the lecturer wrote.

Anuwat added that while a liberal democratic regime can claim legitimacy from being elected by and accountable to the people, an authoritarian regime needs to find alternative means.

The first alternative source cited by Panuwat is the junta’s promotion of what he called “performance legitimacy” in order to make up for its democratic deficits. This, he said, is based on the belief legitimacy can be derived from how well a government performs its duties, “especially in terms of improving people’s livelihood and delivering tangible results.”

In addition, the junta, the lecturer wrote, blames politicians for causing the pre-coup political turmoil associated with six months of street protests which precipitated its move to overthrow the elected government.

The second alternative means used by the junta, Panuwat argued, is closely associating itself with the monarchy:

“The junta has portrayed itself as defenders of the Thai monarchy, though in the Thai context it would be impossible for any government not to make the same claim. As a military government, the Prayuth [Chan-ocha] administration benefits from the longstanding perception in Thailand that the military is closely associated with the monarchy. Under the junta, the use of lese majeste law to crack down on insults and disrespect toward the monarchy has grown more severe and those arrested have been put to trial in the military court instead of a civilian one.”

Panuwat Panduprasert. Photo: Chiang Mai University

Thirdly, Panuwat wrote that the junta has sought to gain legitimacy from the notion of reform.

“In the Thai context, reform (pa ti roop) is a word that conveys seriousness and intelligence but can sometimes also be confusing and misleading,” he wrote.

Panuwat added that the junta has argued the political crisis of the decade prior to the 2014 coup “showed how the country was in need of serious reform,” and the anti-Yingluck Shinawatra groups which staged protests were also calling for reform.

Panuwat, who is currently studying the topic as part of his doctoral research at the University of Leeds, stressed these means of establishing legitimacy can be effective means in the Thai context. He said the junta’s strategy is deeply rooted in Thailand, where the concepts of liberal democracy and popular sovereignty “have struggled to displace the traditional ideological system that emphasizes nationalism, monarchism and Theravada Buddhism.”

Ending with a caveat, the writer said he does not seek to play down the oppressive nature of the junta but invite a more analytical focus on how it has ruled.

Sea Piracy Plunges to 18-Year Low but Kidnappings Rise

By

Associated Press

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10 January 2017, 15:03

Sailors who had been held hostage by pirates for more than four years, and were released in October in Somalia, smile as they arrive at the airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo: Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR — Sea piracy plunged to its lowest levels in 18 years in 2016, but kidnappings of crew members for ransom is escalating off west Africa and in the Sulu Seas near the Philippines, a global maritime watchdog said Tuesday.

The International Maritime Bureau said in its annual report that 191 piracy incidents were recorded worldwide, down from 246 in 2015 and the lowest level since 1998. It said pirates hijacked seven vessels and held 151 hostages, down from 15 ships and 271 hostages in 2015.

However, it said maritime kidnappings surged by threefold to 62 people from just 19 people in 2015. It said that 34 were captured off west Africa, while 28 were taken from tugs, barges, fishing boats and more recently merchant ships in waters around Malaysia and Indonesia and believed transferred to southern Philippines.

“The continued fall in piracy is good news, but certain shipping routes remain dangerous, and the escalation of crew kidnapping is a worrying trend in some emerging areas. The kidnappings in the Sulu Seas between eastern Malaysia and the Philippines are a particular concern,” bureau director Pottengal Mukundan said in a statement.

In the last quarter alone, the bureau said 12 crew were kidnapped from two cargo vessels that were underway and from an anchored fishing vessel in the Sulu Sea. In November, a bulk carrier was fired upon but pirates were not able to board the vessel. Earlier in 2016, crewmembers were kidnapped in three attacks on vulnerable slow-moving tugs and barges, it said.

The bureau, whose piracy reporting center is based in Kuala Lumpur, urged ship owners to consider avoiding the Sulu Sea. It called on governments to investigate and identify the kidnappers and punish them under the law.

It urged ships to be vigilant in the Gulf of Guinea, which remained a high-risk kidnapping hotspot with 34 seized from vessels in nine incidents.

Worldwide, Indonesia remained the top hotspot for piracy with 49 incidents, mostly low-level thefts, but this was sharply down from 108 in 2015. Attacks surged off Nigeria which accounted for 36 incidents, up from 14 in 2015. India accounted for 14 incidents, Peru reported 11 and the Philippines 10.

Prayuth to Change Constitution at King’s Request

By

Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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10 January 2017, 14:54

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks Dec. 20 at the Government House in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday said His Majesty the King has asked for changes to the constitution approved by the public in August relating to his powers.

Prayuth said the 2014 interim charter would be amended to make it possible to change the already approved constitution after the king told members of his privy council he wanted some sections rewritten.

Although Prayuth reportedly said it would be done through his self-granted absolute power under Article 44, a deputy prime minister later clarified it would be done under Article 46, which requires the consent of the junta-selected cabinet and its rubber-stamp legislature. The change would enable the regime to pull the constitution, change it, then resubmit it to the new King for approval.

Prayuth said three or four issues would be amended in the section involving the authority and role of the king. He said it would not affect people’s rights and freedoms.

“It does not involve people’s rights and freedom at all,” Prayuth said Tuesday after meeting with his cabinet. “It is about His Majesty’s authority.”

Read: Charter Will Be Dropped Feb. 6 Without King’s Endorsement

Prayuth said the process to amend the charter would take no longer than a month. It would then go again to King Vajiralongkorn for endorsement up to three months later.

Within its 279 articles, the constitution includes provisions about the king’s role and powers such as his authority to appoint his privy council, confer nobility and other powers which rely on historic precedent.

Speaking Tuesday evening, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the articles to be rewritten include 5, 17 and 182. More could be amended if considered relevant, he said.

He said the junta and its cabinet decided to affect the change under Article 46 of the interim constitution put in place after the May 2014 coup.

Wissanu, who serves as the junta’s legal adviser, said a special committee with eight to 10 members would work on the amendment. The revised constitution will then be resubmitted for royal endorsement within 90 days after their work is completed.

Article 5 asserts the charter as the most supreme law of the land superseding all other law. Any issue not addressed by it shall rely on traditions of Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. Article 5 was derived from the previous Article 7, which past political movements have cited when asking the king to appoint a new prime minister during times of political turmoil.

The drafters changed the section in the new charter to say constitutional crises not addressed by the charter would be resolved with the head of the Constitutional Court calling a meeting between the heads of all three branches of power.

Article 17 says that if the king does not or cannot appoint a regent, as is required if he can’t execute his duties or is out of the country, his privy council will propose one to the parliament. That person will serve with parliamentary approval.

Article 182 says laws, royal edicts and proclamations involving the state must be countersigned by a minister. The one who signs will be responsible for whatever the king orders.

The junta-appointed legislators made amending the 2014 interim constitution their urgent item on the agenda for their Friday meeting.

Correction: An earlier version of this story mistakenly indicated Gen. Prayuth said amending the interim constitution would take a month’s time. In fact he said the entire amendment process would be finished within a month.

Iranians Gather for Funeral of Former Leader Rafsanjani

By

Associated Press

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10 January 2017, 14:12

A man weeps during a mourning ceremony for former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who died Sunday after suffering a heart attack, Monday at the Jamaran mosque in north Tehran, Iran. Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi / Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran is holding an hours-long funeral ceremony for the late Iranian president, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, following his death over the weekend at the age of 82.

Thousands of Tehran residents and government officials have gathered on the Tehran University campus, where Rafsanjani’s casket is on display. Authorities have declared Tuesday a public holiday so Iranians can commemorate Rafsanjani.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is later to hold prayers by Rafsanjani’s casket.

Rafsanjani will be buried in mausoleum of the late leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Rafsanjani, a close aide to both Khomeini and Khamenei, served as president from 1989 to 1997. He was a major supporter of moderate President Hassan Rouhani and served as a go-between for reformers seeking outreach to the world and hard-liners.

Police Chief Wanted in Kidnap-Murder Plot Driven by Jealousy

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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10 January 2017, 13:16

National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda speaks to reporters on Jan.10 in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Arrest warrants were issued Tuesday afternoon for a police station commander suspected of arranging for the kidnapping and murder of a woman in Bangkok.

Col. Amnuay Pongsawat, commander of Banpong Police Station in Ratchaburi province, is wanted for the disappearance and possible murder of 28-year-old Suphaksorn Pontaisong last month. National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda on Tuesday pledged to bring him to justice.

“Whoever is involved will be prosecuted. Even if they hold a rank more senior than police colonel, they will be prosecuted,” Gen. Chakthip said Tuesday morning, before Amnuay had been identified. “I already have information about this case. If I didn’t, how could I be the leader of the police force?”

Amnuay and six civilian suspects, five men and one woman, are wanted for premeditated murder, kidnapping-related charges and concealment of a dead body.

A photo of Police Col. Amnuay Pongsawat released by police.

Suphaksorn’s family reported the Sa Kaeo-born woman missing Dec. 15 after not hearing from her for two days. Police sources said Suphaksorn had a romantic relationship with the same woman the police colonel was attracted to.

A formal police report compiled by Nong Khang Phlu police, which was seen by Khaosod English, later established that three men in a car intercepted Suphaksorn as she rode a motorcycle close to Soi Petchkasem 116 on the night of Dec. 13, forced her into the car and drove away.

Local police were reticent to discuss the matter.

“I cannot give you any details. This is up to my supervisors to speak about,” Nong Khang Phlu Police Station chief Thanasit Pansri said Tuesday by telephone.

Gen. Chakthip said Tuesday morning that Amnuay, 47, had not contacted police to turn himself in.

Leap, Learn, Play: 8 Things to do on Children’s Day

By

Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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10 January 2017, 12:50

bounce — Photo: Bounce Thailand / Facebook

BANGKOK — Take the mini-people in your life to explore a miniature world, romp with dinosaurs, handle heavy weapons and more Saturday when another special day for children happens.

Saturday is Children’s Day, and parents may wonder where to take their’s to keep them happy and occupied all day. From educational to simply fun, here are eight places in Bangkok to keep them busy.

1Bounce

Children 3 and up can free-jump and slam-dunk on a trampoline or go climbing at indoor park Bounce while parents shop or sip coffee nearby.

Entry is 350 baht for children and students, and 450 baht for humans over 110 centimeters, if booked online.

Bounce has two locations: on the top floor of The Street Ratchada and fourth floor of EmQuartier.

2Stanley MiniVenture

Learn how the Hoover Dam works and aircrafts fly at the largest 1:87 miniature town in Ekkamai.

Opened in December and spanning over 1,000sqm on the second floor of Gateway Ekamai, Stanley MiniVenture features mini-people and mini-structures in 11 themed zones including resource town, an organic farm, desert, cave, beach and a “Very Thai” section which includes a mini-BTS station and Chinatown.

Day tickets are 650 baht for adults and 450 baht for children 80 centimeters to 130 centimeters.

3Dinosaur Planet

Photo: Dinosaur Planet / Facebook

Next to Benjasiri Park lies Dinosaur Planet, where children can get close to living out their Jurassic Park fantasies. It’s more entertainment than educational, but children can walk through a dinosaur garden, watch a live show, tour a dinosaur hatching lab and wait in a long queue for a brief 4D adventure show.

Admission is 400 baht for children 90 to 140 centimeters and 600 baht for adults.

Dinosaur Planet can be reached by foot from BTS Phrom Phong.

4KidZania Bangkok

Photo: KidZania Bangkok / Facebook

In this indoor, child-friendly city on the fifth floor of Siam Paragon, your child can roleplay as a firefighter, TV reporter, dentist or pilot.

A lobby is available nearby for parents to have some cake or sip coffee while waiting for their children.

Prices are 690 baht for 2- and 3-year-old toddlers, 1,150 baht for children 4 to 14 and 690 baht for adults.

5Children’s Discovery Museum

Photo: Children’s Discovery Museum / Facebook

It’s a place where your kids can enjoy digging fossils or building a house out of giant lego blocks.

The Children’s Discovery Museum features a water park, playground, science gallery and Rainbow Town where primary-school children can pretend to be astronauts, mechanics or barbers.

Admission is free. The Children’s Discovery Museum is located in Chatuchak Park and can be reached by BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak.

6Royal Thai Air Force (Don Mueang)

Photo: Royal Thai Air Force / Facebook

Dreamed of seeing your child in the cockpit of a Gripen or F-5 fighter jet? What about hoisting a Remington-made shotgun or Heckler & Koch submachine gun?

Saturday’s the day when the Royal Air Force performs an air show at Don Mueang Airport and the army brings an arsenal of toys for children to familiarize themselves with.

This year the Royal Air Force at Don Mueang will display its planes and jet fighters 8am to 3pm. Children will also get to play with army gear from armored trucks and rifles to humvees and helicopters.

The Royal Air Force (Don Mueang base) is located on Phahonyothin Road, behind Don Mueang Airport.

7Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World

Photo: Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World / Facebook

Dive into a marine world in the heart of downtown Bangkok.

Covering nearly 10,000sqm, the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World aquarium features activities for children including a 4D cinema, ocean tunnel, shark-feeding, boating and diving.

Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World is located on the basement floor of the Siam Paragon shopping mall.

8Bangkok Planetarium

Galaxies are not so far, far away when they can be learned about through a movie under a 360-degree dome and interactive displays.

Most activities are free Saturday for children at the Bangkok Planetarium, which was recently renovated and features several floors of interactive educational exhibitions in the main hall. It can be reached on foot from BTS Ekkamai.

1Bounce

2Stanley MiniVenture

3Dinosaur Planet

4KidZania Bangkok

5Children’s Discovery Museum

6Royal Thai Air Force (Don Mueang)

7Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World

8Bangkok Planetarium

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