Media and diplomats watch a live screen last September showing another prominent blogger Nguyen Huu Vinh, right, and his colleague Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, left, another couple to have been tried for online offenses in an appeals court in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo: Tran Van Minh / Associated Press
HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese police have arrested a blogger on charges of posting anti-state comments in the communist country’s latest crackdown on dissent.
Ho Van Hai was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. According to the southern city’s police department, the 52-year-old is accused of “spreading information and documents on the internet that are against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.”
Hai, a medical doctor, blogged under name of BS Ho Hai or Doctor Ho Hai.
His blog was not accessible Thursday.
Last month, prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, better known as Me Nam (Mother Mushroom), was arrested on the same charge of anti-state writings. The U.S. and the EU have called for her release, with U.S. Ambassador Ted Osius saying recently he’s deeply concerned about Vietnam’s crackdown on human rights.
A photo of Kritrada Tabtimphol posted on her Facebook on Sept. 23. Image: Kritrada Zomy Tabtimphol / Facebook
BANGKOK — Police did not conduct a sobriety test on a businesswoman who caused traffic mayhem in downtown Bangkok during Tuesday’s rush hour because she was meditating and could not communicate with officers, a policeman said Thursday.
Kritrada Tabtimphol, who’s known online as a successful internet idol, was allowed to go to hospital without any charges, prompting fresh allegations police shielded her from the full force of law, similar to other cases of high-profile car accidents involving the rich and the privileged. As of Thursday, she had not been charged with any crime.
“She was meditating at the scene,” said Papinawit Senaplaeng, an officer at Huai Khwang Police Station who oversaw the case. “She was out of her wits. She couldn’t give any testimony.”
On Tuesday afternoon, the 28-year-old woman called “Millionaire Pretty” in the media crashed her BMW into eight cars on the busy Ratchadapisek Road, causing three injuries. Kritrada, who rose to online fame for her beauty product and modeling business, was seen behaving erratically and talking incoherently in the aftermath of the crash. At one point she appeared to be praying.
A new traffic law requires police to test motorists involved in accidents for alcohol or drug use, Cpt. Papinawit said. Any refusal automatically leads to a charge of DUI, but he said the protocol did not apply to Kritrada.
“No, no, no, it isn’t considered a refusal,” Papinawit said by telephone. “She couldn’t communicate [with police].”
Among three people injured in the multi-car accident was a taxi driver who had to pay 10,000 baht in medical expenses, according to his daugher.
“I don’t know how long he will have to take a break before he’s back to normal,” Immo Pichamol wrote on Facebook.
Police also allowed Kritrada’s family to take her to a hospital in Bangkok before moving to another one in Ratchaburi province, where she’s reportedly recovering from shock, the officer said. She’s been admitted to Ratchaburi Hospital’s psychiatric ward, though she had no previous history of mental disorders, Papinawit said.
Papinawit added that it’s up to the hospital to test her blood for alcohol and drug residue, but he did not know when the results would be available. In his opinion, Kritrada wasn’t intoxicated at the time of the accident because police officers who arrived at the scene “didn’t smell any alcohol.”
The police captain said he will only weigh charges against her once her doctors ruled she was ready to talk with police.
“There’s no timeframe. It’s up to her doctor,” Papinawit said. “People like to think we don’t follow any laws. But we follow procedures which are in accordance with the law.”
A promotional image of Kritrada Tabtimphol posted online June 22. Photo: Kritrada Zomy Tabtimphol / Facebook
But some people on social media were quick to connect Kritrada’s case and other traffic accidents in which prominent or wealthy suspects were spared from prosecution and punishment.
One Facebook user wrote in response to the news that the case reminded him of Orachorn “Praewa” Thephasadin Na Ayudhya, who was given a light sentence of community service for killing nine people in a 2011 road accident.
“This case isn’t hard. Suspended jail and community service,” Manoon Petyoi wrote. “Even a clear case of recklessness like Praewa, nine people who had bright futures ahead of them had to die. You all know how it turned out. Compare it.”
Another user, Thongphon Wongwang, said that those seeking to avoid justice are using the same playbook.
“It’s the same trick of famous people. When they get in an accident, they are stressed and they have mental disorders,” Thongphon wrote. “In the end, the issue will go away quietly. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see.”
In March, businessman Jenphop Viraporn crashed his BMW into the back of another car at a high speed on the highway, killing two people. Police let him go to hospital without pressing any charges or performing any sobriety tests, saying he was too shocked. Jenphop was only charged with fatal reckless driving and fatal DUI after a public outcry against police handling of the case.
Jenphop’s lawyers will seek to avoid a trial with an insanity defense. He’s due to appear in court on Nov. 14.
1-2-Call products out of stock after 7-Eleven suspends services related to AIS.
BANGKOK — There were few signs of reconciliation Thursday, one month after the messy public breakup between 7-Eleven and AIS, which left millions of customers cut off from services at the ubiquitous convenience store chain.
A sign saying that 1-2-Call cards were out of stock was hung on cash registers at 7-Eleven branches nationwide. Prachachatreported Saturday that the cause of the schism was 7-Eleven’s attempt to increase its top-up commission from 5 percent to 7 percent, the same rate paid by telecom giants DTAC and TrueMove. True is a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand, the conglomerate which owns the convenience store chain in Thailand.
In other words, when customers add 100 baht onto their phones at 7-Eleven, the convenience store has kept 5 baht. Now, they want 7 baht.
AIS pushed back. It said it would not accept increase because as the telecom operator with the largest user base – 33.5 million people use 1-2-Call – they bring more money into 7-Eleven than Dtac and True combined. Still, AIS signaled it was open to renegotiating the deal.
“As far as we know, Seven hasn’t placed more orders from us,” said Thitipong Kiewpaisal, AIS vice president of marketing. “For our part, however, we are still wide open to negotiations.”
An executive at CP All declined to comment.
“At this moment it’s not appropriate to talk or give interviews about business negotiations, since we’re in a period of mourning,” said Bunyut Kumnunwong, an executive vice president at CP All, which operates more than 9,000 7-Elevens nationwide.
Caricatures of Hillary Clinton, left, and Donald Trump. The presidential candidates are set to go head to head for the first time on Monday night's television debate in Hoffstra University, New York. Photo: DonkeyHotey / Flickr
BANGKOK— Which way will Florida tilt? Who will be the first to reach the magic number of 270? Will the loser concede graciously?
Political junkies keen to savor the last few hours of drama in the tumultuous U.S. elections with like-minded folks (or an adversarial crowd) over breakfast are invited to do so at a barbecue and beer joint near Silom Road.
Democrats Abroad Thailand is hosting a returns-watching party early Wednesday morning at Roadhouse Barbecue, where live CNN coverage will bring the long and historic elections cycle to an end, one way or the other.
The event starts at 7am and runs all day on Nov. 9 on all three floors of Roadhouse. Hungry but don’t want to walk out to eat and miss a moment? A breakfast buffet will be served for 400 baht per person.
Admission is free. The American bar and restaurant sits on the corner of Rama IV and Surawong roads, walkable from MRT Silom or BTS Sala Daeng.
Photo: Roadhouse BBQ Bangkok / Facebook
Up in the north? Chiang Mai residents can watch the returns come in on screens from 8am to noon at the UN Irish Pub on Ratvithi Road in Chiang Mai city.
BANGKOK— The most popular place to celebrate New Year’s Eve has canceled its big, bright annual party.
CentralWorld will not host its New Year Eve’s countdown party, Parin Malakul Na Ayutthaya of Central Pattana PLC said Wednesday. The event usually draws tens of thousands of revelers who crowd Ratchaprasong intersection to ring in the New Year.
CentralWorld is also joining two other venues – Asiatique The Riverfront and Sathorn Square – in canceling their beer gardens and music performances through the end of November, according to Edmond Neo Kim Soon of Thai Beverage.
Andy Hall at the Bangkok South Criminal Court in August 2015. Photo: Andy Hall / Facebook
BANGKOK — The top court Thursday dismissed a criminal defamation case against British labor activist Andy Hall that had been brought by a local fruit canning company and the attorney general, but his suspended prison sentence in a related case still stands.
Hall faces two more civil defamation cases brought by the canning company as part of an all-out legal assault that have raised serious concerns among human rights workers and free speech advocates.
On Thursday the Supreme Court said it was throwing out an appeal by the attorney general and Natural Fruit Co. Ltd. against a decision by lower courts exonerating Hall.
The case relates to an interview that Hall gave to Al-Jazeera television network in Myanmar in April 2013 about his earlier criminal prosecution by Natural Fruit. The Supreme Court said the appeal has no legs to stand on because the allegedly defamatory act was committed in Myanmar where Thai courts have no jurisdiction. It also cited flawed and unlawful interrogation process during police investigation of the case to dismiss the appeal.
“I feel very happy about the verdict as this case was an injustice to me,” Hall said after the ruling as announced.
Hall said he will now sue the attorney general, the police, the prosecutor and Natural Fruit Co. Ltd. for unlawful prosecution and perjury.
“I do so with deep regret and not at all in anger or through any desire for personal retribution. It is necessary to launch these counter prosecutions simply because I must defend myself fully against judicial harassment by Natural Fruit that shows no signs of abating,” he said.
The case has underlined complaints by critics that Thailand’s punitive criminal defamation laws can be used to silence whistleblowers and social critics. The law carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
Hall has been active for several years in Thailand in labor rights advocacy, especially involving migrant workers, who lack protections both in practice and under the law.
His legal troubles are in connection with a 2013 report he researched for the Finnish consumer organization Finnwatch that alleged labor abuses at Natural Fruit Co. Ltd. facilities.
In September, the Bangkok South Criminal Court found Hall guilty of criminal defamation against Natural Fruit, and sentenced him to four years in prison, reduced by one year and suspended by two years. He was also fined 150,000 baht, which he paid to secure his freedom. That sentence remains, but Hall is planning to appeal against the conviction.
He also has to deal with two other pending civil defamation cases by Natural Fruit.
“The campaign of judicial harassment that has been waged against Andy Hall for almost four years now has already sadly been successful.” said Sonja Vartiala, executive director of Finnwatch. “As many have feared, this campaign has also had a negative impact far beyond the case of Andy himself. We have heard from a number of migrant workers and activists how they are now deeply afraid to speak out on abuse workers face from Thai employers,” she said.
Hall said he will now sue the attorney general, the police, the prosecutor and the fruit company for unlawful prosecution.
After the decision, Hall tweeted that he had “no choice but to now consider counter litigation to hold those responsible for judicial harassment” and other alleged malfeasance.
“I will consider prosecution with deep regret, not in anger or with desire for retribution,” he tweeted. “Essential to launch these counter prosecutions.”
I will consider prosecution with deep regret, not in anger or with desire for retribution. Essential to launch these counter prosecutions
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses the crowd Wednesday during his visit to Sual township, Pangasinan province in northern Philippines. Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press
SUAL, Philippines — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he’ll consider continuing to acquire weapons and defense equipment from treaty ally the United States if his military recommends so, despite offers from China and Russia.
Duterte made the remark Wednesday in a speech in which he again railed at the U.S. with expletives for criticizing his deadly anti-drug crackdown, calling American officials “monkeys” and breaking a promise that he would no longer resort to trash talk.
Duterte, who took office in June, has been antagonistic to U.S., EU and U.N. officials who have raised human rights concerns over his brutal crackdown on illegal drug sellers and users and have called for an end to extrajudicial killings.
He has used expletives in his responses, telling President Barack Obama to “go to hell” in an outburst last month. He has declared his intention to scale back his country’s military engagements with Washington, including ending large scale joint combat exercises and the presence of visiting U.S. forces, while reaching out to expand once-frosty relations with China and Russia.
U.S. officials, however, say they have not been formally notified by the Philippines of any change in security relations and activities and stress that Washington wants to continue its decades-long alliance with Manila.
Asked about Duterte’s latest tirade, State Department spokesman John Kirby said it was inexplicably at odds with the close relationship that the U.S. continues to have with the Philippine government and people. He said that in a democracy, government “doesn’t rest on the shoulders of just one individual.”
“There are long-standing relationships that we have nurtured over the years with figures in his government, and those relationships are still there, and they’re still vibrant,” Kirby told reporters, adding that the U.S. remains committed to developing a good working relationship with Duterte himself.
Duterte said he has asked his defense secretary and military officials to travel to China and Russia to check what weapons and defense equipment they have to offer, but added that the military’s recommendation will be crucial.
“China is open. Anything you want. They even sent me a brochure, telling me to choose and they will provide,” Duterte said.
“I’m just holding off because I’m looking at the military,” he said. “If you want to stick with America, fine, but assess it well and find a balance because we are being ridiculed.”
The president traveled to a wharf in Sual town in the northwestern province of Pangasinan to lead a poignant send-off ceremony for 17 Vietnamese fishermen who were arrested last month for poaching in local waters. The complaints were dropped after the Vietnamese said a typhoon forced their three boats toward the northern Philippines and that the fishermen had no intention of poaching.
Duterte said his Vietnamese counterpart appealed for the fishermen’s release and Wednesday’s ceremony – in which he shook hands with the fishermen and handed each a bag filled with food, a raincoat and toiletries – showed how Asians resolve problems.
“Vietnam drove the Americans away in humiliation,” Duterte said, using the ceremony to criticize U.S. actions that he said brought countries like Iraq, Syria and Libya to chaos and civil strife.
“I have good impressions of America but the problem is I have lost my respect, that’s why I’m bad-mouthing them,” he said. “These Americans never learned their lesson with their interventions.”
Indonesian police officers carry the body of a victim in the capsizing of a speedboat last year in Batam, Indonesia. Photo: M Urip / Associated Press
JAKARTA — Indonesian rescue authorities on Thursday resumed a search for more than 40 people missing from the sinking of an overcrowded speedboat a day earlier.
The search effort, which was suspended after nightfall Wednesday, started again at daylight with some 280 personnel involved, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, head of the country’s disaster mitigation agency.
Eighteen bodies have been identified and 39 people were rescued, according to the agency.
There were 101 people were on the boat, including the 44 who are missing, according to the agency.
The boat carrying Indonesian workers home from Malaysia capsized off the Indonesian island of Batam at about 5 a.m. Wednesday during stormy weather.
Police suspect the trip was illegal and the workers were undocumented because of the high fares that passengers said they paid.
Batam police chief Sambudi Gusdian said an Indonesian woman believed to be responsible for the voyage was arrested Wednesday as she tried to leave Batam for nearby Singapore.
Haryanto, a 51-year-old survivor, said the boat capsized in heavy rain and high waves about two hours after it left Johor Bahru in Malaysia.
“It was so crowded some of us could not sit,” said Haryanto, who was saved by fishermen. Like many Indonesians, he goes by one name.
Speedboats and ferries are a common form of transport in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago. Sinkings are common due to poorly enforced safety regulations.
One of the worst ferry sinkings in recent years occurred off Sulawesi island in 2009, killing more than 330 people.
Myanmar police officers patrol the border fence between Myanmar and Bangladesh on Oct. 14, 2016, in Maungdaw, Rakhine State, Myanmar. Photo: Thein Zaw / Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The United States called Wednesday for restoration of full humanitarian access in a strife-hit region of western Myanmar where the United Nations says more than 150,000 people, including 3,000 malnourished children, are being denied aid.
The State Department said U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel joined the U.N. resident coordinator for Myanmar and other chiefs of mission on a two-day visit to villages in the northern part of Rakhine state.
Human rights groups have raised alarm over a three-week surge in violence by security forces, prompted by the killings of nine police officers at border posts on Oct. 9 in Rakhine, home to many displaced Rohingya Muslims.
Reports that government forces have been killing, raping and burning homes of the persecuted minority have increased pressure on new civilian administration of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, which took office five months ago in a historic democratic transition supported by the Obama administration. The military, which ran the country also known as Burma for five decades, remains powerful and controls access to sensitive border regions.
State Department spokesman John Kirby the visit was an “initial step” in what the U.S. hopes will be a continued assessment of the situation in Rakhine by the government and international community. He said abuses are widely reported to have taken place against residents, including Rohingya. He said Marciel called for protection of all residents and a thorough investigation.
Although they’ve lived in Myanmar for generations, Rohingya are barred from citizenship in the nation of 50 million. Since deadly communal violence with majority Buddhists broke out in 2012, many Rohingya have been driven from their homes to live in squalid camps guarded by police.
The United Nations also called Wednesday for unimpeded access for humanitarian staff.
“Humanitarian services have been disrupted since Oct. 9 in that area with more 150,000 people still unable to access their normal cash, food and nutrition assistance. More than 3,000 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in the area,” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
The current crackdown has prompted an estimated 15,000 people in the Rakhine area to flee their homes. Satellite images publicized by Human Rights Watch this week showed at least three villages that have been burned, and residents report food supplies are growing scarce as they are living under siege.
Myanmar government officials have denied the reports of army attacks on Rohingya. It asserts a Rohingya group was responsible for the Oct. 9 attacks, but actual responsibility remains unclear.
Story: Matthew Pennington. Additional reporting Michael Astor
A gas station belonging to state-owned PTT burns Wednesday night near the border between Pattani and Songkhla provinces .
PATTANI — Two civilians and a soldier were killed in at least a dozen attacks carried out in three southern provinces Wednesday night as members of the interim cabinet members visited for peace talks.
A wave of bombings, shootings and arson hit Songkhla, Narathiwat and Pattani provinces starting from 9:30pm, according to the military. Attacks were reported in Pattani’s Nong Chik district, where a delegation from the interim cabinet was staying on the base of the 15th Infantry Brigade.
Maj. Gen. Ronnasilp Phusara, acting commander of Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Centre, said two people were killed in Songkhla province.
The two victims, Sanya Samankandee and Dolmalek Leedeah, were security guards at an Isuzu showroom. They were shot dead by militants who then bombed the building, Ronnasilp said.
Four gunmen on two motorcycles opened fire at about 10pm on a military facility in Pattani, killing soldier Noppol Kaewpetch.
Ronnasilp identified the perpetrators as “those who seek to cause unrest,” a euphemism used by state officials to describe local separatists. The waves of attacks appeared to end before midnight, he added.
Altogether four attacks have been reported so far in Songkhla, two in Narathiwat and six in Pattani.
Two were injured when a bomb exploded at an ATM in Songkhla’s Thepha district, according to Lt. Col. Uthane Kaewjunthorn of the district police.
Col. Mana Dechawarit of Pattani’s Saiburi police said he was in an urgent meeting and couldn’t speak but insisted “everything is under control.”
The attacks came on the same day members of the cabinet, led by junta member Udomdej Sitabutr, visited Pattani and met with local religious leaders to discuss the ongoing peace dialogue. Gen. Udomdej’s delegation was part of the “Forward Cabinet,” a special government task force set up to handle the southern insurgency.
A dozen years of armed resistance by separatists that has seen thousands killed has surged in recent months, most notably with a series of attacks in August that hit seven provinces, killing four people.
