World-Famous Thai Director’s Retrospective to Open New Chiang Mai Museum

By

Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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23 June 2016, 09:45

‘Ghost Teen’ from Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Primitive Project. Photo: Gridthiya Gaweewong / Courtesy

CHIANG MAI — Lovers of film and art may want to check for cheap flights to Chiang Mai, as the northern city will open a new contemporary art museum with a solo exhibition by a titan of both worlds next month.

For the first time, Cannes-winning director Apichatpong “Joe” Weerasethakul will show a retrospective of work spanning his entire career from old, rarely seen shorts and video installations to photos and paintings. In true Apichatpong style, the whole thing’s called “The Serenity of Madness.”

The multimedia exhibition promises to reflect the 45-year-old provocateur’s views on Buddhism, spirituality and rebirth.

“This is the first retrospective of Apichatpong,” said curator Gridthiya Gaweewong, who first met the director 22 years ago at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and co-produced Apichatpong’s first experimental film, 2000’s “Mysterious Object at Noon.”

“Most people know him from his feature films, but at this exhibition, they’ll see another side through his work from scripts and sketches to short films since he was a student at Chicago,” Gridthiya said.

With cooperation from New York-based Independent Curators International, Serenity of Madness runs July 4 through Sept. 10 at Chiang Mai’s newest addition, the Maiiam Contemporary Art Museum.

The 3,000-square-meter warehouse is located in the San Kamphaeng district. It opens to the public July 4.

Admission is 150 baht. In Thailand the exhibition will be held exclusively in Chiang Mai before it goes on tour through Hong Kong, the United States and elsewhere.

Set in Isaan, Apichatpong’s 2010 film “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” was preoccupied with belief in reincarnation. It was also the first – and so far only – Thai film to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes.

Originally from Chiang Mai, Apichatpong will come to Bangkok later this year to take over the fourth floor of The Reading Room, the library-gallery-shophouse on Soi Silom 19, for the month of October.

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Hopes Snuffed For Single Transit Card Before 2017

By

Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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22 June 2016, 17:08

The Mangmoom (Spider) design won the design competition for the integrated card in October. Photo: ThaiCommonTicket / Facebook

BANGKOK — Every commuter’s dream of carrying only one card to ride all the rails will remain just that for now, as it won’t be ready by August as promised.

In fact, the one card promised to rule them all – BTS, MRT, Blue and Purple lines and Airport Rail Link alike – won’t make it to passengers this year at all, the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning announced Wednesday.

“What isn’t finished yet are discussions of how to adjust the systems of those four train lines to be connected into a shared system.,” said acting director Padet Praditphet. “Because it’s very complicated.”

Padet said he had no idea when the those issues will be resolved. Once they are settled, the public will have to wait another six or seven months for their Mangmoom cards while card readers and infrastructure is put in place on all rail systems.

Getting the system in place requires cooperation from all transportation agencies, whose territorialism has delays in building out the capital’s ambitious rail network.

Since a winning design for the long-promised card was announced in October, authorities have repeatedly assured that everyone’s wallets would see more free space when the cards landed in August.

The Ministry of Transport has also said they will be usable on the expressway and bus systems.

A new public-private partnership is also needed to manage the card. Padet said it remains unclear which government agency will be responsible for the public share of up to 50 percent.

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All Aboard! Celebrate a Century of Hua Lamphong Saturday

By

Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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22 June 2016, 16:41

BANGKOK — Some say it’s name today came from a bastardization of “field of carefree cows” in Thai or the lamphong plants which once grew there. Others point to its signature windowed arch and resemblance to Frankfurt’s rail station, insisting it’s a sound-alike for Hauptbahnhof, or central train station in German.

Though why the Bangkok Railway Station became known as Hua Lamphong has been forgotten 100 years after the first train left its platform, Thailand’s oldest railway station is still going strong, and the city will throw it a birthday party this Saturday.

Since the capital’s biggest transit icon opened June 25, 1916, it has grown into a national symbol. More than a just the gateway to all of Thailand, it also the first thing welcoming Thais to the capital, many of whom come in search of success or a better life. For those who fail to find their luck after jumping their train to Bangkok, the station can even end up as home.

To celebrate its platinum jubilee, state railway Gov. Wutthichart Kalayanamitr said the terminal’s received a yearlong facelift, and its distinctive glass arch will be colorfully lit.

At Saturday’s birthday party, four historical steam trains will be rolled out along with a vintage market and performances of traditional Thai music and theatre.

The celebration comes near the end of Hua Lamphong’s railway reign, as owner State Railway of Thailand, or SRT, plans to shift most transit services to the new Bang Sue Railway Station when it is completed, possibly by 2019.

That however doesn’t spell the end for the 100-year-old Italian Neo-Renaissance structure.

Today the station is an endpoint of the MRT subway system, which will soon extend further across Bangkok, cementing its ongoing role in the lives of commuters and travelers.

It took six years to build the terminal, designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno; a celebrity architect in turn-of-the-century Siam who also designed the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Oriental Hotel and Neilson Hays Library.

Ground was broken in 1910 during the reign of King Rama V, and the work finished under King Rama VI.

Before the party begins Saturday, take a look back on how Bangkok’s oldest and busiest transit spot has looked through its 100 years.

Construction began during the reign of King Rama V in 1910 on land that had been the central rail yards. Construction finished six years later in 1916. Photo: Matichon

The location of a public water fountain was turned into a bomb shelter during World War II. Photo: Thailand in the Past / Facebook

The terminal became an island when Bangkok was hit by its worst flooding in 1942.

Though transportation options have multiplied, about 60,000 passengers still pass through Hua Lamphong every day, a number that explodes during the holidays as many head home from the capital to other provinces. Photo: State Railway of Thailand / Facebook

As the gateway to the capital city, the station has become home to a population of homeless people, many from the outlying provinces. In 2008, artists placed a recreation of hallway from a luxury hotel in the middle of the platform. Photo: Dudesweet / Facebook

A social experiment recently called attention to the less-than-comfortable terminal and sparked discussion about how public space can be designed to function for everyone who gathers there, from tourists to the homeless.

AIS Serenade ‘Ultimate Pride’ Celebrates 12 years as No. 1

By

Khaosod English

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22 June 2016, 15:37

BANGKOK — AIS Serenade has launched its “The Ultimate Pride” campaign to celebrate its 12th anniversary. Under the theme “More than Ultimate: Endless Impressiveness,” the campaign aims to create a new level of exceptional offers and personal privileges that meet customers’ lifestyle needs in the digital era, specifically designed to endlessly impress … all year round.

Mrs. Bussaya Satirapipatkul, Executive Vice-President for Customer and Services Management with Advanced Info Service Plc. (AIS), said: “Throughout the past 12 years, AIS has always been the NUMBER ONE operator in the market and the first to deliver the best services and the ultimate in privileges to customers with the AIS Serenade program, reflecting our belief in “Always Exclusive, Always on Top.”

“Today we have three groups of Serenade customers: Platinum, Gold and Emerald. Our ability to fulfill the needs of each of these special groups is derived from our complete understanding of our customers’ behaviors and lifestyles. Because we really understand our customers, we can design the ultimate in perfectly tailored privileges and services for every AIS Serenade customer, resulting in even more personalized customer care. Our attention to detail and care makes our customers feel extra special and strengthens the bond between the AIS Serenade brand and them.

“The evidence of our success is clear from the 88% customer satisfaction figure in the first quarter of 2016, plus a continuously high positive Net Promoter Score (NPS). This data reinforces our proven accomplishments in customer care achieved with the AIS Serenade program. It can be said that AIS operates the NUMBER ONE customer care service in Thailand and offers the best privileges to all its customers.

“Since this year is the 12th anniversary of AIS Serenade, we are further stepping up our commitment to deliver NUMBER ONE loyalty program to make every aspect of our customers’ lives even more fulfilling. As part of our celebration, ‘The Ultimate Pride’ campaign has been developed based on the theme ‘More than the Ultimate, Endless Impressiveness’. The privileges that AIS Serenade customers will enjoy include:

Ultimate Digital Life offers various ways to enhance our customers’ digital lifestyles:

Customers can get a 50% discount on an iPhone 6s 16GB, Samsung S7 Edge or a 9.7” iPadPro 32GB or receive a Samsung J2 or LAVA 4G VoLTE 5.0 smartphone free or when registering a new phone number or transferring a number from another network;
Maximum discount of 600 baht when applying for AIS Mobile Care service for a period of 12 months;
Obtain an AIS Fibre residential high-speed internet 50/10 package at a special price of 699 baht/month. The normal price is 888 baht/month.

Ultimate Pretty and Lucky Number: Limited to 12 packages of special numbers in “The Ultimate Pride Package”, accompanied by Serenade Platinum membership and the services of a personal assistant. Furthermore, Serenade Platinum members can receive a free smartphone with AIS Mobile Care service and free calling and internet fees for two years. Ultimately, they can join an AIS Exclusive Trip to Hokkaido.

Additionally, customers registering a new number can choose their own lucky number series. They can also transfer from another network or switch from an old number by simply contacting one of our AIS Shops, calling the AIS Call Center or by using AIS’ e-service.

Ultimate Wealth & Investment: Receive special wealth and investment privileges, in cooperation with our following partners:

– Thanachart Securities Plc offers 25% discount on normal fee rates, a 0.2% addition to normal interest rate with a maximum of 4,200 bonus points to Serenade Platinum customers opening a new securities trading account;

– CIMB Thai Bank offers a maximum 1.5% per year interest rate and many other privileges when opening a new Beat Savings account with the bank;

– Southeast Insurance offers a maximum discount of 18% for any car insurance, while a high return savings product with tax deductions is coming soon.

Ultimate Surprizes: Customers can win prizes specially selected for a unique experience every month, all year round. The prizes are worth more than 4 million baht in total. Starting in July, the special gift of the month is a “Dream Destination Maldives” trip. Start in style with a limousine ride from your home to the airport. Then fly with Bangkok Airways, stay at a spa villa on the ocean and drink in the magnificent view at Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives. Relax with a spa aroma massage.
Ultimate Lifestyle Privileges: The varieties of privileges available through AIS Serenade are always satisfying and popular among customers. These include discounts from more than 15,000 leading stores, more than 700 carpark spots nationwide, and free drinks at 40 shops in 15 airports across the country. Serenade Platinum customers can enjoy additional special snack treats, e.g. sandwiches at Black Canyon restaurant.
“Ultimate Eating Out”: Ultimate enjoyment comes with cool discounts from a variety of famous restaurants, such as ice-cream at Banana Boat or Sweet and Gold at Svensen’s. Other ultimate gifts include special discounts at Sizzler, KFC and the Pizza Hut restaurants.

“On our 12th Anniversary, everyone at AIS Serenade is very grateful to our special customers for expressing their satisfaction and positive impressions of what we do. We have devoted a lot of attention to selecting the best offerings that will create a superior experience, and our perseverance has resulted in a sustainable, long-lasting bond between AIS and our customers. AIS Serenade will continue to develop outstanding privileges, which match the special needs of our customers, to maintain its leadership in service quality and privilege innovation. Ultimately, our goal is to create an endlessly impressive experience, today and also into the future,” Mrs. Bussaya concluded.

This is a paid news release and Khaosod English is not responsible for its content.

Officials Say Debris Found on Australian Island Not MH370

By

Associated Press

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22 June 2016, 15:13

In this July 29, 2015, file photo, French police officers carry a piece of debris from a plane known as a "flaperon" on the shore iof Saint-Andre, Reunion Island. Photo: Lucas Marie / Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia — Debris found on an Australian island earlier this month is not from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, investigators said Wednesday.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was notified on June 9 that the debris had been found on Kangaroo Island off the southern Australian coast.

The bureau, which is running the search in the southern Indian Ocean on Malaysia’s behalf, said it had recovered the part but Boeing, the maker of the missing plane, advised that it was “not consistent with the manufacturing specifications of a Boeing commercial aircraft.”

The bureau did not say what the debris was likely from.

Flight 370 vanished with 239 people aboard on March 8, 2014, after flying off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing.

Authorities say the plane likely crashed in the Indian Ocean, but officials have had no luck finding the main underwater wreckage despite an extensive search of a vast area of the ocean off Australia’s west coast. Crews are expected to complete their sweep of the 120,000 square kilometer area by August, and there are no plans to extend the hunt beyond that.

Several pieces of the plane have washed up over the past year on coastlines around the Indian Ocean, which is consistent with drifting models based on Flight 370 having crashed in the Indian Ocean.

More debris was found earlier this month washed ashore in Madagascar by a man who previously found a part of Flight 370, but the pieces have yet to be examined by investigators.

Blaine Gibson, an American adventurer who has been hunting for Flight 370 over the past year, said Wednesday that a Malaysian government investigator has twice canceled plans to go to Madagascar to collect the five pieces of potential aircraft debris.

The debris and potential personal effects of passengers found on the same beach are being held by Madagascar authorities.

Malaysian authorities, who are leading the investigation into the plane’s disappearance, have procedures in place to examine any suspected debris, though Australia will help analyze Gibson’s discovery if asked, the bureau said.

In February, Gibson found debris off the coast of Mozambique that experts later determined came from the missing Boeing 777.

Story: Rod McGuirk

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Matichon Cartoonist Summoned for Criticizing Charter, But Not the One Going to a Vote

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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22 June 2016, 14:44

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn briefs officials on Sept. 23, 2014, about lessons he learned from the 2014 Scottish independence referendum he traveled across the world to observe.

BANGKOK — A cartoonist for Matichon Weekly was summoned today to explain why he penned cartoons critical of a junta-backed draft constitution, even though they were from 10 months ago and referred to a different draft.

For lampooning that first draft, which was rejected by junta-appointed lawmakers in September last year, the Election Commission said cartoonist Arun Watcharasawat must report himself next week to explain his action.

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“The cartoonist and online editors of Matichon Weekly must meet us on June 30 to explain whether the incident was a misunderstanding, and explain the intentions behind it,” Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said at a Wednesday news conference. “If it was a misunderstanding, they must show responsibility and fix it, so that there will be correct understanding.”

On Friday, Matichon Weekly re-published a collection of Arun’s cartoons from August 2015 on its Facebook page. Many of those were critical of the charter draft being debated at the time before it was dumped a month later.

But with its even more controversial revision going to public vote soon, Somchai took offense nonetheless. Writing online Saturday, Somchai suggested both Arun and Matichon Weekly might have violated the recently imposed referendum law by republishing the cartoons. The law, passed in April, banned the spread of imagery that “deviates from the facts or contains manners that are violent, aggressive, rude, inciting or intimidating.”

The cartoons, which represented the primary criticisms of the proposed constitution, were reposted by Somchai on his own Facebook account.

Somchai, whose agency has been tasked with enforcing the referendum law, said he will decide whether to prosecute Arun and Matichon after he hears their explanations next week.

“Once we have completely obtained all the facts, we will be able to say how to proceed,” Somchai said. “But if anyone else wants to take legal action on this issue before us, they can also do so.”

Matichon Weekly, like Khaosod English, is part of the Matichon Group.

Opponents of military rule have decried the ever-increasing restrictions placed on campaigning or even discussing the charter, which will be put to a referendum Aug. 7.

Apart from banning any campaigns that “mislead” the public into voting against the charter written by regime-appointed drafters, the junta earlier this week shut down referendum monitoring centers set by the Redshirts, on the grounds only state agencies can watchdog against fraud and irregularities.

Today police obtained warrants to summon Redshirt leaders behind the so-called “Anti-Fraud Centers” shut down this past weekend. They have been charged with violating the junta’s ban on political activities put in place after it seized power in May 2014.

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Singer ‘Q Flure’ Seriously Injured in Thonglor Hit-and-Run

By

Kaewta Ketbungkan, Staff Reporter

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22 June 2016, 13:18

Suveera ‘Q Flure’ Boonrod in a photo posted online June 14. Photo: Suveera Boonrod / Facebook

BANGKOK — Suveera “Q” Boonrod, the lead singer of Flure, was hit by a motorbike early this morning. The rider fled the scene and is wanted by police.

Ekkasak “Noom” Promlat, the singer’s manager, said the unidentified rider struck the 35-year-old singer as he was crossing Soi Thonglor with a friend just after 6am. Both were sent to hospital for treatment, with Q in critical condition.

The singer, who has fronted the rock band since it came together in 2002, underwent an operation to remove a clot from his brain. He’s now in stable condition in Bangkok Hospital’s intensive care unit where he is being closely monitored.

The singer’s relatives filed a criminal complaint at Thonglor Police Station, and any witnesses are asked to step forward with information.

She Avoided Jail Time For Causing 9 Deaths, Now ‘Praewa’ Has 9 Weeks to Complete Community Service

By

Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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22 June 2016, 12:37

Orachorn ‘Praewa’ Thephasadin Na Ayudhya turns herself in at the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters in 2011 in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — A wealthy woman who received a judicial slap on the wrist for killing nine people as a teen driver told the court Tuesday she misunderstood the terms of her probation and asked for a do-over of her community service.

Orachorn “Praewa” Thephasadin Na Ayudhya, the unlicensed driver who at 17 sent nine people plunging to their deaths in a packed minivan, told the Central Juvenile and Family Court she is willing to redo her 138 hours of community service after she failed to follow instructions.

“She misunderstood the government regulation,” said Department of Probation head Narat Sawettanan. “She thought she could do community service anywhere without coordinating with us.”

Under the terms of her 2014 sentencing, Orachon was ordered to complete 138 hours of community service, reduced from 144 hours because she had donated blood. Now 23, she claimed to have already completed 90 hours at a hospital which is not a location approved by the Department of Probation.

Convicted of reckless driving, the Appeals Court sentenced Orachon to two years in prison – but suspended that sentence for four years, meaning she avoided any jail time.

The case drew widespread attention as another example of the wealthy and well-connected seeming to be above the law and immune from consequence.

Orachon was also ordered to provide services to victims of road accidents 48 hours each year for three years and was banned from driving until she turns 25.

According to Narat, Orachon has never reported in to probation officers since 2012. In February her attorney filed paperwork signed by Phramongkutklao Hospital certifying she had already served 90 hours there, prompting authorities to say she did not comply with regulations.

For her part, Orachan, who has never apologized for the accident which killed a number of students, filed a complaint that she felt threatened by probation officers. In her March complaint, she said that she performed her service at the hospital of her choosing because she felt worried about her safety.

The probation department chief said Tuesday there would be no renewed legal proceedings against Orachan as she agreed to now follow the rules.

Narat said Orachon will need to complete all 138 hours before reporting again to the court Aug. 23.

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Wander Chinatown After Dark in Artist’s Photos Friday

By

Kaewta Ketbungkan, Staff Reporter

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22 June 2016, 12:21

Heng Jia God Temple at night. Photo: Nana Chen / Courtesy

BANGKOK — Combining her favorite Chopin tune with her preferred shooting time, Taipei-born photographer Nana Chen will launch her work capturing the unseen sides of Yaowarat on Friday.

During a recent stay in Bangkok, Chen wandered around at night capturing lesser seen views of Chinatown. Twelve of her best photos will show on Ilford gold fibre silk paper in “Nocturne by Nana Chen” not far from where they were shot at Project 189.

Despite being a violinist, Nana’s passion is piano, and Chopin’s Nocturnes have long been her favorite earworm. Although the 21 classical tunes have nothing to do with her project, the artist named her latest work “Nocturne” as she could only work at night during the heat of May.

“I do like to shoot at night more than the day. It’s quiet, there are fewer people and a little sense of danger keeps me curious and aware. I also like that artificial light can create a theatrical result,” said the Ho Chi Minh-based photographer.

Chen’s work has been featured internationally in The Observer and Marie Claire. She has travelled and created art in various cities including Atlanta, Buenos Aires and Copenhagen.

Her photographs of Hong Kong’s Chungking Mansions were exhibited at RMA Institute earlier this year, and Chen also participated in the French Embassy’s Gallery Hopping Night in May.

The exhibition will be held for one day only from 7pm to 10pm on Friday.

Project 189 Bangkok is a shophouse-turned-gallery on Soi Nana on the eastern edge of Chinatown. It can be reached on foot from MRT Hua Lamphong, Exit No. 2.

Nocturne by Nana

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Cowboy Cops Shoot Rampaging Gunman’s Trigger Finger Off

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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22 June 2016, 11:36

Gun to temple, Piya Sukijkanond threatens suicide Tuesday after shooting six of his family members, one fatally, in the Phun Phin district of Surat Thani province.

SURAT THANI — Police in southern Thailand yesterday shot a gunman’s fingers off to stop him from pulling the trigger again after he shot six of his family members, killing one.

Police said it’s still unclear why Piya Sukijkanond, 44, went on a rampage and opened fire on his own family Tuesday – they suspect mental health issues were a factor – but the incident ended without further loss of life when officers chose not to use deadly force.

“He was pressing the handgun to his head, but then he turned the gun at police; he swept it toward the police, so we had to shoot his hand,” Somchai Suatortrakul, head of local police, said by telephone Wednesday.

Police commandos surround Piya’s body after shooting his fingers off Tuesday.

Officers received reports at around 4pm that Piya had opened fire in his family home, killing one and wounding five others.

“Someone in his family told us that he previously sought treatment for a mental disorder,” Col. Somchai said. “But it’s still unclear. We are investigating.”

Police did not identify the slain family member.

When a team of police commandos surrounded Piya and told him to surrender, he responded by putting his gun to his head. When he threatened the officers, a police commando shot two of his fingers off, forcing Piya to drop the weapon. He was then taken into custody.

According to Somchai, the suspect is now in hospital, where police are waiting for him to recover so they can question and charge him.

Somchai added that Piya was already on trial for a 2008 murder.

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