New Congress: Minorities Gain But Still Overwhelmingly White

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15 November 2016, 11:06

U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., appears at a brunch in Springfield, Illinois. Duckworth is now a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in the November 2016 general election. Photo: Seth Perlman / Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Just like college freshmen, newly elected members of the House descended on Washington Monday for a week of orientation, a class photo and a lottery to determine their offices for the next two years.

The new Congress includes the first Latina senator, three House members moving across the Capitol to the Senate and a few former lawmakers who seized their old jobs back.

While the 115th Congress will include a record number of minority women, Congress will remain overwhelmingly white, male and middle-aged.

At the first day of orientation, Republicans expressed excitement about winning the White House while Democrats struck a conciliatory tone.

Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat who will represent a South Texas district, said freshmen members of his party will start the new session in January “having a clear view of the reality we’re dealing with and trying to reach across the aisle and finding common ground.”

A look at the new Congress:

Minority Women

In the Senate, Democrats Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Kamala Harris of California and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois are among a record 21 women, up from 20 out of 100 senators.

Cortez Masto will be the first Latina senator, while Harris and Duckworth will join Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono to form the Senate’s largest ever Asian-American contingent.

Harris, the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, is just the second black woman elected to the Senate and the first with South Asian roots.

The House will welcome its first Vietnamese-American and Indian-American women: Democrats Stephanie Murphy of Florida and Pramila Jayapal of Washington state.

Overall, the number of minority women in Congress will increase to 33 in the House from 27 and stand at four in the Senate.

New Senators

Six new senators join the ranks – a seventh will be chosen next month in Louisiana’s runoff. Orientation for new senators starts Tuesday.

Harris, 52, a former prosecutor, currently serves as California’s attorney general.

Duckworth, a two-term House member, is a veteran of the Iraq War, where as an Army pilot, she lost both legs when her helicopter was hit by a grenade. Duckworth, 48, was born in Thailand, to an American father and Thai-Chinese mother.

A former two-term Nevada attorney general, Cortez Masto, 52, also has worked as a prosecutor and chief of staff to former Nevada Gov. Bob Miller. Her father is of Mexican descent and her mother is of Italian descent.

Republican Rep. Todd Young of Indiana is a three-term congressman and former Capitol Hill aide. Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland will replace Barbara Mikulski, who is retiring after 30 years in the Senate. A key lieutenant to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Van Hollen, 57, has focused on budget issues and foreign policy.

New Hampshire’s Maggie Hassan, a two-term governor, defeated freshman Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte in the nation’s closest Senate race.

Women Ascend in Senate, Decline in House

A total of 104 women will serve in the next Congress, the same as in the current Congress and 19.4 percent of the total number of lawmakers. Twenty-one women will serve in the Senate while 83 women will serve in the House, a drop of one from the current 84.

In addition to Hillary Clinton’s defeat in the presidential race, women saw setbacks in Congress. Maryland’s 10-member congressional delegation reverted to all-male, while Pennsylvania voters rejected Democrat Katie McGinty’s bid to become the first woman in the state elected to the Senate.

Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester will be Delaware’s first woman and first African-American in Congress. Only Mississippi and Vermont have never sent a woman to either chamber of Congress.

African-Americans Gain

A record 48 African-Americans will serve in Congress, including 46 in the House, an overall increase of two. Eighteen black women serve in Congress, including Republican Rep. Mia Love of Utah. Love is one of three black Republicans, along with South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Texas Rep. Will Hurd.

Hispanics, Asian Americans Gain

A record 39 Hispanics will serve in Congress, including 35 in the House. Seven Hispanic freshmen were elected to the House, all Democrats. Ruben Kihuen will be the first Latino to represent Nevada in the House, while New York’s Adriano Espaillat will be the first Dominican-American.

Fifteen Asian Americans will serve in Congress, including 12 in the House. That’s up from 10 in the current Congress.

Welcome Back

Three former House Democrats won their old seats back: Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii, Brad Schneider of Illinois and Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire.

Attending her first day of orientation Monday, Hanabusa said her experience will help her as Democrats try to wield influence in the minority.

“Like everything else, it’s whether we’re going to be able to maintain relationships more than anything,” she said.

Story: Matthew Daly

Nott My Fault: #GraabMyCar Celeb Sorry About Prosecution

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Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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14 November 2016, 19:02

Acharanat Ariyaritwikol talks to press Monday at Yannawa Police Station.

BANGKOK — The Mini Cooper-driving celeb who forced a motorcyclist to kowtow to his car made it clear Monday it was not his fault police were pursuing a case against the man.

Despite earlier asking police to prosecute Kittisak Singto for accidentally damaging his car, Acharanat “Nott” Ariyaritwikol said Monday he had not filed a formal complaint and police were pursuing a criminal case against the man of their own prerogative. He said he wanted nothing from Kittisak and felt bad that he was being prosecuted.

“I didn’t file a complaint to police in the first place,” Acharanat said. “Now I feel very guilty.”

A police official said investigators questioned Nott and were pursuing the case because such traffic violations were considered criminal offenses. Police Lt. Col. Adirek Punyai said police were obligated under the Criminal Code to pursue a case over the Nov. 4 incident.

Acharanat lost his job and became an object of national scorn for dragging Kittisak across a street, striking him in the face and forcing him to apologize to his expensive car. He later apologized, saying he lost his cool because Kittisak tried to leave the scene after damaging his beloved vehicle.

Since then he’s been on a mission of contrition. On Monday, Acharanat said that he had nothing against Kittisak and apologized to everyone related to the man.

He also announced he would be out of the public eye to participate in a meditation retreat.

Kittisak was charged Nov. 6 with reckless driving resulting in property damage and neglecting to offer compensation.

For his part, the 25-year-old motorcyclist filed multiple complaints including assault against Acharanat. Police said the former charge could be upgraded to a harsher offense once they received results confirming the extent of Kittisak’s injuries.

A week later, police said they were still waiting for those results.

TV Host Loses Job, Charged With Assault in #GraabMyCar Road Rage Incident

Enraged Driver Punches, Forces Motorcyclist to Prostrate at Luxury Car

Massive Chao Phraya Redevelopment Gets Start Date

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Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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14 November 2016, 18:25

A rendered image of the riverside walkway as created by a university design team. Photo: Chao Phraya for All / Facebook

BANGKOK — A controversial plan to remake the Chao Phraya River will break ground in June, city officials announced Monday.

A design submitted by two universities contracted to do the work is expected to sail through the cabinet next month, clearing the way for the first phase of construction to begin seven months later under a five billion baht contract.

“We will begin the construction on the Thonburi side first, as the communities don’t oppose the project,” police Maj. Gen. Prasopchok Phrommoon, a member of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, told Matichon.

It was nearly derailed in September when the design was slammed with accusations of plagiarism. The new design hasn’t been publicized.

The city’s Department of Public Works said 309 households were willing to relocate to public housing to pave the way for the construction of the landmark, a pet project of the military regime which has moved forward despite opposition and controversy.

The first 5 billion baht in funds will cover two work contracts, each covering three kilometers of work along the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya.

The process design and feasibility study of the boardwalks on both banks stretching seven kilometers of the arterial river was conducted by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and Khon Kaen University under a 120 million baht contract.

Billed as a promenade, the project was initiated by the junta as a river development project. Its ambitions have since grown to creating a national landmark complete with a museum and other facilities.

The design and process, however, have been criticized by architects and activists as ugly and not inclusive.

Riverside Design Dropped Under Cloud of Plagiarism Charges

Top Architect Says River Project Plagiarized Design

Opponents, Proponents of Chao Phraya Boardwalk Open Fire

Locals Ready to be Evicted for Chao Phraya Boardwalk, Official Says

River’s Friends Float Hope for Public Hearings on 14B-Baht ‘Promenade’

Radical Makeover of Chao Phraya River Delayed

Chao Phraya Promenade Should be Sent Back to Drawing Board, Architects Say

No ATM Fees Between Provinces Starting Tomorrow

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Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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14 November 2016, 17:44

ATMs. Photo: Grant Cameron / Flickr — Photo: Grant Cameron / Flickr

BANGKOK — Use ATMs in any province without being charged distance fees from Tuesday through January.

Fifteen members of the Thai Bankers’ Association, including all major banks, won’t charge the usual interprovincial fees of 10 baht to 30 baht so long as they use a machine belonging to their bank, officials announced Monday.

The exemption is aimed at providing convenience to those traveling to the capital to pay their respects to His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol. It will be in effect until Jan. 3, according to the association.

34 People Killed in Myanmar for Attacking Govt Troops, State Says

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Associated Press

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14 November 2016, 17:40

Migrants including Myanmar Rohingya Muslims sit on the deck of their boat as they wait to be rescued by Acehnese fishermen on May 20, 2015, on the sea off East Aceh, Indonesia. Photo: S. Yulinnas / Associated Press

BANGKOK — Myanmar’s government says 34 people were killed after they attacked government troops in western Rakhine state over the weekend, but villagers belonging to the Muslim Rohingya minority say the victims were unarmed civilians.

The government has been conducting counterinsurgency operations since nine police officers were killed in attacks last month on guard posts along the border with Bangladesh generally blamed on Muslim insurgents. Tensions have been high in Rakhine since fighting in 2012 between Buddhists and Muslims.

The government said in a statement Monday that 28 people described as violent attackers were killed on Sunday. An earlier statement said six attackers died on Saturday, in addition to two government soldiers.

Human rights groups accuse the army of abuses against the Rohingya minority, including killings, rapes and burning of homes.

Avoid Ramkhamhaeng Tuesday Due to Thai-Aussie Football Clash

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Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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14 November 2016, 17:32

Bangkok Traffic. Photo: Pittaya / Flickr — Photo: Pittaya / Flickr

BANGKOK — A World Cup qualifier hits Rajamangala National Stadium on Tuesday and commuters are advised to avoid the area in the evening unless they’re among the tens of thousands of football fans going to the match.

Thailand faces Australia starting at 7pm for the possibility of going to Russia in 2018. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the game, according to Lt. Col. Rangsan Bamrung of Hua Mak traffic police.

Commuters are advised to avoid Ramkhamhaeng Road and the area near the stadium if possible. Those attending are encouraged to use public transportation, Rangsan said.

Drunk Monk Disrobed For Public Tantrum

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Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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14 November 2016, 16:37

Ni-orn Saenmuangchin, 51, sits Monday inside Udon Thani Police Station after he caused commotion at the provincial bus terminal.

UDON THANI — A monk was disrobed Monday after he got drunk on moonshine and yelled at a number of farangs waiting at a bus station.

Ni-orn Saenmuangchin, from a forest temple in Udon Thani province, was pacing around the provincial bus terminal yelling at seated foreigners when police and military officers approached to see what was wrong.

Officers said the 51 year old reeked of alcohol as he told them his tale.

Ni-orn, a monk of four years, had returned from a Kathin ritual in Kalasin province and was waiting at the terminal for another bus to take him back home to Udon’s Nong Saeng district.

To refresh himself, he bought two bottles of Phaya Naga herbal moonshine which he then promptly consumed.

When a foreign man approached the monk for directions, Ni-orn lost it in a drunken rage.

Pfc. Suksit Sriputta had been at the bus terminal when he noticed the yelling monk and detained him before calling for police backup.

“We investigated this monk, and it seems that he was often caught drinking and forced to leave the monkhood,” said Lt. Theerayothin Supsin of Udon Thani city police. “He would return to the monkhood again and again after drinking. This cycle happened three to four times.”

Theerayothin, who got the morning call about the monk’s misbehavior, said the white men Ni-orn had been yelling at had fled the bus station by the time he got there.

Ni-orn was subsequently disrobed at a local temple.

Surprising Court, Jenphop Withdraws Insanity Defense

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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14 November 2016, 16:03

Jenphop Viraporn walks to his family car on Nov. 14, 2016, as he leaves the Ayutthaya Provincial Court.

AYUTTHAYA — A businessman accused of vehicular manslaughter surprised the court Monday by announcing he is now fit to stand trial.

Jenphop Viraporn, who came to the Ayutthaya provincial court without his attorney, withdrew his previous claim that he was mentally incompetent to stand trial eight months after he allegedly sped his Mercedes Benz into the back of another car, killing two students within.

Read: Prosecutors to Contest Jenphop’s Insanity Defense

Jenphop’s decision came minutes before the court was due to examine his psychiatrist who was set to vouch for his mental condition. The move means the court case against Jenphop for the deaths of two graduate students on March 13 can now proceed.

“The process will be quicker,” said attorney Wichian Chubthaisong, who represents the family of Thantapat Horsaengchai, one of the victims killed in the high-speed crash. “It’s positive for us.”

Jenphop attended the court session on his own. He said his lawyer withdrew from the case.

Wichian said Jenphop informed the prosecutor’s office to scrap the hearing on his mental health right before the examination began, surprising everyone involved in the case. According to Wichian, the defendant stated that he had now fully recovered.

Wearing a black cloak, Jenphop walked into the courtroom at about 1:30pm and informed the judges of his intent to withdraw his claim. He appeared to be fully receptive, answering judges’ questions and walking unaided, albeit with a slight limp.

Jenphop declined to be interviewed.

The 37-year-old millionaire had previously asked the court to shelve his trial on the grounds that he was mentally unfit.

On March 13 Jenphop slammed his Mercedes Benz onto the back of a Ford, reportedly at a speed of over 200kph. The crash killed Thantapat, 34, and her classmate Krissana Thaworn, 32.

He later refused to undergo a sobriety test, which by default led to a charge of deadly DUI. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Among those present at the court today were Krissana’s mother, sister and girlfriend. Thantapat’s family did not attend the hearing.

Missing Lawyer
No reason was given as to why the defendant’s lawyer had walked away from the case.

One of the two presiding judges expressed disbelief when he heard the news. Jenphop had not informed the court beforehand.

“This is wasting everyone’s time!” the judge exclaimed, before turning to Jenphop. “Are you going to change your lawyer again next time?”

“No, sir.” Jenphop said.

The defendant was then instructed to appoint a new lawyer before deposition are taken two weeks from now, otherwise the hearing will be postponed. A sister of Krissana, one of the victims, said she’s concerned that Jenphop might be stalling.

“I am not sure if it is one of his methods to delay the process,” Nongkarat Rungsang said. “We are worried.”

Another plaintiff lawyer, Prinya Sanitchone, said the judges will appoint a courthouse attorney for Jenphop if he keeps changing his lawyers.

“I believe the court will be strict on this matter,” Prinya said.

Jenphop’s next court appearance is Nov. 28.

Top Cop Apologizes for Delay in Jenphop Case

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Indonesia Miss Transgender Crowned in a Slap for Hard-Liners

By

Associated Press

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14 November 2016, 15:10

Contestants waited backstage on Friday during the Miss Transgender Indonesia pageant in Jakarta, Indonesia. Transgender people and gay activists from across Indonesia have defied a wave of hatred against sexual minorities to crown a Miss Transgender at the national pageant held in absolute secrecy. Photo: Dita Alangkara / Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Transgender people and gay activists from across Indonesia have defied a wave of hatred against sexual minorities to crown a Miss Transgender at a national pageant held in absolute secrecy.

A handful of journalists were notified just a few hours in advance of the location of the event, held in the capital, Jakarta, to prevent any attempts by Islamic hard-liners to shut down the pageant. And because of the risk of discovery and violence, organizers asked those present not to post anything on social media during the contest.

Qienabh Tappii, a 28-year-old representing Jakarta who wore a figure-hugging, iridescent metallic gown, triumphed over more than 30 other contestants Friday night to be crowned Miss Waria Indonesia 2016. She will represent Indonesia at an international pageant to be held in Thailand next year. “Waria” is the Indonesian word for transgender, a term for people whose sense of their gender is different from their sex at birth.

“I’m very happy, I feel like I want to cry,” said Tappii, standing next to a 2-meter (6.5-foot) -tall gold and red trophy while cradling a smaller one.

“Tonight is the beginning of my struggle for my rights as a waria,” she said. “I want waria to be accepted, appreciated and understood in our society, and to be equal with other Indonesians. I will work really hard to achieve it.”

The successful staging of the pageant was an important morale boost and self-affirmation for a community that is increasingly under siege.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, is often held up as practicing a moderate form of Islam. But that reputation for tolerance has been undermined in the past year as the media and religious and political leaders stoked prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, framing them as a threat to the nation.

It was in part a backlash against the worldwide advance of LGBT rights, and in particular the success of the gay marriage movement in the U.S. and the high-profile battles there over whether transgender people can use the public bathrooms of the gender they identify with.

Indonesia’s conservatives want to push LGBT people back into the margins of society and deny them legal rights. It’s an agenda that has capitalized on low levels of awareness in a society where open discussion of sexuality is often frowned upon. But it also clashes with the traditions of some cultures in ethnically diverse Indonesia that have for centuries allowed space for different genders and sexual identities.

“If the public knew in advance that there will be such an event, those who use religion as their mask could attack us. That’s why we kept it secret until the last minute,” said pageant organizer Nancy Iskandar.

“The radicals are very arrogant. I’m afraid that it could erupt into physical confrontation,” Iskandar said. “We don’t want them to step on us forever. What’s in it for them anyway? We’re not doing any harm.”

Opposition from hard-liners prevented the long-running event, which is organized by Putri Waria Indonesia Foundation and Indonesian Waria Communication Forum, from being held twice in recent years.

Indonesia’s police often side with or look the other way when Islamic hard-liners attack or intimidate LGBT groups, religious minorities, women’s rights groups and any cultural events they take exception to.

Fitri Pabentengi, a member of the Bugis ethic group, which recognizes five genders, said he traveled from Makassar on Sulawesi island — 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) to the east — for the pageant. In his community he is “bissu,” one of the five genders, which roughly corresponds to androgynous. Bissu are traditionally priests or shamans.

“I came all the way from Makassar to show my solidarity,” said Pabentengi. “We Indonesian waria have the same feelings, what they feel in Jakarta we also feel it in Makassar.”

About 200 people filled the small theater for the finale of the high-energy showcase of idealized feminine beauty. Thirty-four transgender women vied for the title, competing over three days, though four dropped out because they feared the event might be disrupted.

Aside from Miss Transgender, there were a slew of other titles up for grabs, including most sexy, most intelligent and most beautiful skin.

“We want to show that waria can also do positive things,” said Miss West Java, Dinda Syariff.

“People said that we are the scum of the society — that’s so not true,” Syariff said.

Story: Dita Alangkara

Gay Burma: See LGBT Myanmar on Screen in Bangkok

By

Kaewta Ketbungkan, Staff Reporter

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14 November 2016, 14:48

Myanmar LGBT films screened at &PROUD Film Festival in February. Photo: Mandy Brander / Courtesy.

BANGKOK — Despite intense discrimination, people of various sexual orientations and identities have become more visible in slowly-liberalizing Myanmar.

Seven films from a recent queer film fest in Yangon will show Friday in Bangkok.

The films chosen to show in Bangkok are mostly documentaries such as “Channel G, ” about the use social media and apps to build a community. “Shwe” digs into a life of a drag queen who’s caught between traditional and wild performances, and “Love & Other Matters,” a funny and warm-hearting doc that introduces seven different LGBT people in Myanmar.

Thai filmmaker Pathompong Praesomboon will also present his three shorts on the issue in Thailand.

The screening comes with English subtitles and kicks off at 8pm on Friday at Crying Thaiger in Soi Sukhumvit 51. BTS Thong Lo is the nearest public transportation.

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