Massive Chiang Mai Fire Likely Caused by Humans

By

Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

-

9 May 2016, 11:46

A forest fire on Sunday night at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

CHIANG MAI — Officials and volunteers spent nearly 12 hours extinguishing a giant forest fire they believe was sparked by a forager Sunday afternoon in a national park overlooking Chiang Mai city.

Although alarming photos taken Sunday evening of the blaze led to panic on social media, officials said Monday that no deaths or injuries were reported, and no evacuations were necessary because the fire never approached residences or historic sites, as feared by many netizens.

Sangthong Champakaem, deputy chief of Chang Puak District, told Khaosod English this morning that the fire, which ravaged over 60 rai (9.6 hectares) in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, was put out at around 3am early Monday morning.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but Sangthong said it was likely caused by one or more people.

Sangthong said that in addition to around 100 firefighters, hundreds more national park officers and volunteers helped control and extinguish the blaze.

Chang Puak District Office is currently open for people who wish to donate drinking water to be distributed to firefighters, national park officers and volunteers.

Chiang Mai Gov. Pavin Chamniprasart, also confirmed this morning that the cause of the fire is likely human-related.

He said it was likely caused by someone foraging for food or other materials, which sometimes involves setting fires.

The fire wasn’t as serious as pictures and video clips shared online suggested, Pavin said by telephone this morning.

“It was mostly smoke. By nightfall, people took photos of it from high angles. So the fire looked really strong in the background. But in fact, it wasn’t as strong as in the photos,” Pavin said.

Despite fear on social media, the governor added that the fire never threatened either residential areas or the historic Doi Suthep Temple, as the blaze was kilometers away from either.

Officials will inspect the scene within Monday, according to Sangthong and Pavin.

Additional reporting Teeranai Charuvastra

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Huge Forest Fire in Chiang Mai

Mercury a Black Speck as it Makes Rare Transit of Sun Monday

By

Associated Press

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9 May 2016, 11:00

This composite image of observations by NASA and the ESA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows the path of Mercury during its November 2006 transit. Photo: Solar and Heliospheric Observatory /NASA/ ESA / Associated Press <br /> — This composite image of observations by NASA and the ESA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows the path of Mercury during its November 2006 transit. Photo: Solar and Heliospheric Observatory /NASA/ ESA / Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Earthlings are in for a treat Monday as Mercury makes a relatively rare transit of the sun

The solar system’s smallest, innermost planet will resemble a black round dot as it passes in front of our big, bright star. The last time Mercury crossed directly between the Earth and sun was in 2006, and it won’t happen again until 2019 — and then, until 2032. NASA says the event occurs only about 13 times a century.

Louis Mayo, program manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, considers it “a big deal.”

“Astronomers get excited when any two things come close to each other in the heavens,” Mayo said in a statement.

The eastern U.S. and Canada will see the entire 7 1/2-hour transit, as will most of South America, western Europe and westernmost Africa. In the western portion of North America, stargazers can join in midway, at sunrise, while those in eastern Europe, central Asia, the Middle East and most of Africa will have to call it quits early when the sun goes down. Australia will have to sit this one out altogether.

In Thailand it will be visible from 6:10 pm to 6:36pm according to the Thai Astronomical Society.

Forget eclipse glasses. At barely 3,000 miles (around 4,800 km) across, Mercury would be too small to spot. You’ll need binoculars or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters to protect your eyes.

Look for Mercury south of the sun’s equator. The planet might appear as though it’s hardly moving, but in reality it will be zooming past the sun at nearly 170,000 kmph.

Three spacecraft will observe the transit, so if you can’t catch it with your own eyes, check out the space agency online. NASA promises images close to real time from its Solar Dynamic Observatory.

Astronomers have been observing Mercury transits since the 1600s. Monday’s occurrence will allow scientists to fine-tune instruments aboard solar observatories like SDO and learn even more about the sun.

Story: Marcia Dunn / Associated Press

Ariya Jutanugarn Becomes LPGA Tour's First Thai Winner

By

Associated Press

-

9 May 2016, 10:30

Ariya Jutanugarn, left, is splashed with water on the 18th green after winning the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic golf tournament in Prattville, Ala., Sunday, May 8, 2016. Photo: Mickey Welsh / The Montgomery Advertiser / Associated Press

PRATTVILLE, Ala. — Ariya Jutanugarn was shaking over her final 5-foot putt, with personal, Thailand and LPGA Tour history on the line.

She made it anyway, becoming the first Thai winner in LPGA Tour history Sunday in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic.

"Last putt my hand shake, my leg shake," Jutanugarn said. "I've had that before but I have not had it this bad before. My putter's shaking, and I'm like, OK just go out from here."

The 20-year-old Jutanugarn shot a 1-under 71 to beat Stacy Lewis, Amy Yang and Morgan Pressel by a stroke after losing two shots off her third-round lead. Her mom, Narumon, and sister Moriya, a tour player who tied for 63rd in the event, were on hand to celebrate on Mother's Day.

Jutanugarn had four birdies and three bogeys a day after tying the tournament record with a 63, but didn't repeat two previous failed attempts to keep a Sunday lead.

Pic 3: Ariya Jutanugarn waves to the crowd after sinking her putt on the 18th green to win the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic golf tournament in Prattville, Ala., Sunday, May 8, 2016. Photo: Mickey Welsh / The Montgomery Advertiser / Associated Press

The long-hitter gave cheering fans a wave and smile as she approached the final green, chipping to 5 feet to set up a par putt. Jutanugarn finished at 14-under 273 on the Senator Course at Capitol Hill.

Yang bogeyed the 17th in a 67. Lewis shot her third straight 68. Pressel also had a 68.

Lewis had her 10th runner-up finish in a 49-event drought. The 11-time tour winner has 23 career second-place finishes.

"This week helped a lot because I was able to see shots come off the way I wanted to," Lewis said. "The way I got the ball up and down on the last hole. There's so many good things that came out of this week and so excited to get playing again next week. We have a busy stretch coming up and it's a good time to start to play some good golf."

Jutanugarn two-putted from about 8 feet on 17, dropping a stroke from her lead with Lewis and Pressel on the final hole and Yang waiting and hoping to make a playoff.

Jutanugarn's drive on the final hole went into the left rough and her second shot didn't make the green but landed above the bunker.

There was plenty of drama but no ending collapse this time. Last month in the ANA Inspiration, she had a two-stroke lead with three holes left and closed with three bogeys to finish fourth — two strokes behind winner Lydia Ko in the major championship. In the 2013 LPGA Thailand at age 17, Jutanugarn blew a two-stroke lead with a closing triple bogey in a one-stroke loss to Inbee Park.

She handled the pressure from an array of challengers better this time.

"This tournament was very different than ANA," Jutanugarn said. "Because first hole of this tournament I'm very excited and very nervous because I (have a) three-shot lead, and ANA one shot behind."

Pressel had drained a birdie putt on 18 to remain in contention, pumping her fist as the ball rolled toward the hole. Lewis saved par after planting her tee shot into the left rough, some 180 yards from the hole.

Caroline Hedwall was fifth at 12 under after a 68. The 19-year-old Minjee Lee, who won at Hawaii last month, was among four players three strokes back after a roller-coaster 72. She was 4 over through the first four holes, including a double bogey on the fourth — and added another double on 17. She eagled the par-5 10th and had four birdies.

Yang started a string of four birdies on No. 2 and got another one on 8 before losing a stroke with a bogey.

Yang parred the final hole following a bogey-birdie-bogey stretch. She landed in the rough on 17 and then had to take a drop after sending her next shot into hip-high grass.

"I went for it (on 17), didn't think left side, it was going to bounce to the left," she said. "I just wanted to chip it right on the green, or short of it, but I hit it a little thin and went in the hazard but, you know, oh well."

Ariya Jutanugarn kisses the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic trophy after winning the golf tournament in Prattville, Ala., Sunday, May 8, 2016. Photo: Mickey Welsh / The Montgomery Advertiser / Associated Press

Story: John Zenor / Associated Press

Huge Forest Fire in Chiang Mai

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

-

8 May 2016, 22:55

A forest fire rages Sunday evening on Doi Suthep mountain, Chiang Mai Province. Photo: Matichon

By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

CHIANG MAI — A large fire broke out Sunday afternoon on Doi Suthep mountain in Chiang Mai province and has been spreading since about 2pm.

As of 10pm on Sunday the fire was still expanding.

About 10 rai (1.6 hectares) of land have been affected and 100 firefighters have been mobilized to tackle the blaze. The forest fire is visible from downtown Chiang Mai city as of 10pm Sunday.

Chiang Mai News has posted this clip on YouTube

This is a developing story.

Watch Pravit v. Bangkok Comic Con (Video)

By

Khaosod English

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8 May 2016, 18:57

BANGKOK — Last week we dispatched political correspondent Pravit Rojanaphruk, a stranger to geek culture, to the Bangkok Comic Con for a proper education on the important things in life.

Such as cosplay, expanded universes and LARPing.

Pravit joined the legions of otaku in the kingdom’s biggest celebration of geek culture's ascension to the pop mainstream. We even streamed it live over Facebook.

With the help of some Game of Thrones superfans, Pravit – who writes about politics yet has never watched a single episode – learned about a world both fantastic yet familiar.

Anti-Junta Facebookers’ Conundrum

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

-

8 May 2016, 18:36

A screenshot of the login page for minds.com

By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

BANGKOK — Unsure that using Facebook affords users adequate privacy, an increasing number of anti-junta netizens are setting up new accounts on a different social media platform.

Some have doubts about whether the new platform is actually any safer or if it’s a good idea to leave Facebook which has around 35 million users in Thailand.

The panic was caused by the arrest of the so-called “Facebook 8” at the end of April and the claim by some of the detainees that the junta boasts an ability to unilaterally access their Facebook message boxes.

The new social media platform chosen by some is minds.com. Its use was popularized in the last few days by some prominent anti-junta activists such as exiled academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun and Red Sunday Group leader Sombat Boonngam-anong.

Minds is a New York-based social networking site that was launched in June. Although lacking the large numbers of users compared to more established platforms, it does claim to offer greater security to customers.

“A new choice if Facebook is no longer secure,” wrote Sombat on Facebook on Friday, recommending the new platform where he opened a new account under the username @nuling.

On Friday, Pavin sent a message to Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerburg claiming that Facebook has collaborated with the junta. Pavin also posted the message on his Facebook wall.

“You might be aware that the Thai junta has been intruding in private conversations on Facebook of some users apparently with approval of your company. The junta then used such private conversations – some contained anti-junta and anti-monarchy elements – to prosecute Facebook users in Thailand. This is appalling and it goes against the right to our privacy. I urge you to investigate the issue seriously before more people in Thailand are to be arrested….”

Ordinary netizens are also advocating leaving Facebook as the chilling effects spread and confusion reigns.

“If Facebook is no longer okay, we should leave Facebook. Let us meet at www.minds.com,” wrote Facebook user Chotiros Lookkaew Naksut, who opened a new account there.

“I’m trying a new social media platform (that is claimed to be safer) with coded entry and better information protection,” wrote postgraduate student Rackchart Wong-arthichart.

“Let’s fucking ditch Facebook,” another Facebook user, Bowornpan Kittipakorn wrote in English on his wall.

Some are skeptical if the flight to minds.com will make anything safer. “Forget about social media, I don’t even believe that email is safe,” wrote Art Pratchayaa on Facebook on Friday.

Mass migration to a new social media platform would make it even easier for the junta to spy and pry on its opponents, Chiang Mai-based influential online anti-junta critic Pipob Udomittipong warned on Friday.

“Moving into a ‘new home’, a small home, will make it easier for them to monitor and would be playing into their hands,” Pipob wrote on Facebook on Friday.

Another skeptic, Kriangkrai Pathomnetikul, predicted that anti-junta Thai Facebook users now opening accounts at minds.com will eventually return to Facebook as they would end up forming a ghetto of likeminded political views on minds.com.

Kriangkrai added that there’s no guarantee that the junta’s moles aren’t already being planted in the new social media site.

A Facebook user by the pen name of “Niw Wong,” reminds those who may have broken the law by typing something illegal and then deleting it that things are not that easy.

Niw Wong claimed that: “According to Facebook’s privacy policy, messages on facebook cannot be deleted anymore. If you click on ‘delete’ the messages will only be invisible to you. US law enforcement agencies can access this information at their own liking, without judicial review.”

A petition on change.org for Facebook to explain if Thai Facebook users have been compromised by a possible collaboration between Facebook and the junta was launched on Friday. By Sunday afternoon it had received over 2,000 signatures.

Facebook could not be reached for comment. On Sunday those advocating opening new accounts on minds.com such as Sombat and Pavin are both still very active on Facebook.

It appears that minds.com will be used only as an alternative, extra means of communication and won’t replace Facebook for the foreseeable future.

Fear is Junta’s Best Weapon Against Our Online Public Sphere

Exiled Academic Denounces Alleged Harassment of Family by Junta

Anti-Junta Activist’s Mother to be Released on Bail

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

-

8 May 2016, 13:49

In this Dec. 9, 2015, file photo, Patnaree Chankij and her son Sirawith Seritiwat arrive for a meeting with military representatives at a temple in Bangkok.<br /> — In this Dec. 9, 2015, file photo, Patnaree Chankij and her son Sirawith Seritiwat arrive for a meeting with military representatives at a temple in Bangkok.

By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

BANGKOK — The Military Court granted temporary bail today to Patnaree Charnkij, mother of a prominent anti-junta activist. Patnaree is charged with defaming the monarchy.

Patnaree, 39, is the mother of activist Sirawith “Ja New” Seritiwat, who last night led a candlelight vigil outside the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok with dozens of others to show their support for her.

Patnaree is accused of committing lese majeste by allegedly receiving a message defaming the monarchy and failing to reprimand the sender.

Activist’s Mother Defamed Monarchy With Her Silence, Police Say

Bail was set at 500, 000 baht. Conditions for release include agreeing not to participate in political activities and being barred from travelling abroad without the court's permission.

Human Rights lawyer Arnon Nampa told Khaosod English by phone this afternoon that 500,000 baht was raised by the Resistant Citizen group to pay the guarantee.

Patnaree is expected to be released between 3pm and 4pm on Sunday afternoon from Bangkok Women's Correctional Institution.

Activist’s Mother Defamed Monarchy With Her Silence, Police Say

Anti-Junta Activist’s Mother Charged With Royal Defamation

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Filipino Mayor Draws Huge Crowd in Show of Force Before Vote

By

Associated Press

-

8 May 2016, 13:08

Philippine presidential race front-runner Davao city mayor Rodrigo Duterte kisses the Philippine flag during his final campaign rally in Manila, Philippines on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Photo: Aaron Favila / Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines — The outspoken city mayor who is the front-runner in the Philippine presidential race drew the largest crowd Saturday as the candidates held their final rallies, despite efforts by the president to block his election bid over fears he could threaten the country's democracy.

After crisscrossing the archipelago nation, the five presidential candidates, led by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, converged in the vote-rich capital Manila as three months of bruising campaigning came to an end ahead of Monday's election.

About 300,000 people turned up at Duterte's rally at a historic grandstand by Manila Bay where presidential inaugurations have been held, according to an initial police estimate. Crowds at the other candidates' gatherings were much smaller based on police counts.

"All of you who are into drugs, you sons of bitches, I will really kill you," Duterte told the huge crowd, using his typically coarse style of speaking. He said he would risk his life to fulfill a bold promise to end crime and corruption within months if he wins.

"I have no patience, I have no middle ground, either you kill me or I will kill you idiots," he said as the crowd cheered.

At the end of his speech, Duterte tried to shift from his crude demeanor, promising that if he wins, "I'll be decent."

Duterte's jubilant allies declared that the election was all but decided.

Ronald Holmes, president of independent pollster Pulse Asia, however, said the race, one of the most closely fought in the country's electoral history, remained too tight to call.

Duterte's lead of 11 percentage points over former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Sen. Grace Poe in Pulse Asia's final poll would be difficult to overtake, but it can still be "wiped out" depending on sudden loyalty shifts by voters, Holmes said by phone.

On the eve of the final day of campaigning, President Benigno Aquino III made a desperate call on candidates to agree to an alliance to defeat the brash Duterte, who has been likened to U.S. Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump for his provocative remarks but has topped election polls.

SWAT members of the Philippine National Police provide security to the campaign motorcade of presidential candidate Vice-president Jejomar Binay and congressman Manny Pacquiao, who is running for senator in Monday's national elections during their campaign rally in Navotas north of Manila, Philippines, Friday, May 6, 2016. Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

Duterte's lead in the polls can be overcome if his trailing rivals — mainly Roxas and Poe — join hands, Aquino said, implying that some of them should back out and support a single aspirant.

Under the Philippine electoral system, a candidate who gets the most votes is proclaimed the winner, even if no one gets a majority.

Poe, however, refused an invitation by Roxas, who is backed by Aquino, to meet and discuss an arrangement where she would be forced to back out. Vice President Jejomar Binay also said he would not step aside. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who has trailed far behind in the polls, said she would never surrender.

Duterte's camp said calls for an alliance against him "reeks of stench of defeat."

"It's an admission that a victory by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has virtually become inevitable," said the mayor's national campaign manager, Leoncio Evasco Jr.

A longtime mayor of southern Davao city, Duterte, 71, courted controversy with his profanity-laden speeches, vulgar jokes and devil-may-care irreverence, but has successfully tapped into public insecurities with a bold promise to wipe out crime and corruption in three to six months if he is elected.

The national police chief has doubted that campaign promise. Police have issued statistics showing Davao city, where Duterte has served as mayor for more than 22 years, placed fourth among 15 major Philippine cities with the highest number of crimes from 2010 to 2015.

"I thought he was like Batman and Superman combined," Aquino said sarcastically of Duterte's anti-crime pledge.

Aquino, business executives and church leaders felt that Duterte crossed the line when he joked about wanting to have been the first to rape an Australian missionary who was gang-raped and brutally killed by inmates in a 1989 jail riot.

When the Australian and U.S. ambassadors sniped at his joke, Duterte asked them to shut up and expressed openness at the possibility of severing ties with major Western allies if he wins the presidency. He also has threatened to close Congress if lawmakers try to impeach him if he wins next week and has said he would allow Marxist guerrillas to play a political role in his government.

Duterte also once cursed Pope Francis, who had caused a huge traffic jam during a visit to Manila last year that trapped the mayor for hours. When stunned bishops reacted, Duterte apologized.

A senator has threatened to immediately try to impeach Duterte if he becomes president.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has filed a corruption complaint alleging the mayor hired nonexistent employees and kept a huge amount in a joint bank account with his daughter that he did not declare publicly in 2014, as required by law.

Duterte denied any wrongdoing, but he and his camp initially issued differing explanations that set off confusion.

Story: Teresa Cerojano and Jim Gomez / Associated Press

To reach us about this article or another matter, please contact us by e-mail at: [email protected].

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5,000-1 Longshot Leicester Collects Premier League Trophy

By

Associated Press

-

8 May 2016, 10:39

Leicester’s team manager Claudio Ranieri, from left, Leicester’s Christian Fuchs and Leicester’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel lift the trophy as Leicester City celebrate becoming the English Premier League soccer champions at King Power stadium in Leicester, England, Saturday, May 7, 2016. Photo: Matt Dunham / Associated Press

LEICESTER, England — In scenes that would have seemed absurd a year ago, Leicester captain Wes Morgan collected the English Premier League trophy on Saturday after one of the most improbable turnarounds by a sports team.

"It's the best time of my life," Morgan, who joined Leicester as a second-tier club four years ago, said on the field. "You just want to enjoy every minute."

After the preseason 5,000-1 title longshots got their hands on the biggest prize in English football, fireworks erupted on the King Power Stadium pitch before yellow and blue streamers cascaded from the roof. Ticker-tape emblazoned with the lyric to fans' song "Jamie Vardy's having a party" also covered the seats.

The top-scoring striker has powered the 132-year-old Foxes to their first top flight title by contributing 24 goals, with two of them coming in a swaggering 3-1 victory over Everton before the trophy presentation.

The striker, who signed from non-league Fleetwood Town four years ago, only missed out on a hat trick on his return from a two-game suspension when he missed a second penalty.

It was apt that midfielder Andy King was also on the score sheet. The lifelong Leicester player has been on the journey as the club climbed back from the third tier in 2009 to the top flight only two years ago.

Just a year ago, King and his teammates feared they were going to make an instant return to the second tier, and were relegation candidates at the start of this season.

But powered by Vardy's goals, Riyad Mahrez's trickery, and Kasper Schmeichel's saves, Leicester confounded the odds to surge to the summit.

Leicester has embarrassed big-spending clubs from Manchester rivals United and City to Chelsea by winning the world's richest soccer league without lavish spending.

Although Leicester has been owned for six years by Thai duty free group King Power, the squad is largely a collection of bargain buys and players cast off by bigger clubs.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha applauds beside the trophy as Leicester City celebrates becoming the English Premier League soccer champions at King Power stadium in Leicester, England, Saturday, May 7, 2016. Photo: Matt Dunham / Associated Press

At times, club chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha seemed to hold onto the trophy longer than his players on the field as he was followed by a picture of the Thai king.

"I always believed in the power of our spirit," he wrote in Saturday's matchday magazine. "It is a spirit that has spread beyond Leicester, taking our story to the hearts of the world."

Thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium more than four hours before kickoff, before a deluge washed out the sunshine.

Hundreds of Italians also traveled by bus and plane to Leicester without tickets just to be part of a story that has enthralled the world beyond football fans. They have been captivated by how compatriot Claudio Ranieri turned the team into England's first first-time champions since promoted Nottingham Forest's 1978 success — an era before the financial disparities were so vast.

The most famous Italian at the celebrations was tenor Andrea Bocelli, who serenaded Ranieri on the field before the game to sing "Nessun Dorma," the aria popularized in England during the 1990 World Cup.

"The cameras want to see if you cry," Ranieri later recalled thinking. "Today I said, 'No.' But emotions inside me were at the top … I tried to stay calm without the emotion."

Ranieri's managerial career has taken in some of Europe's biggest clubs — from Juventus to Chelsea — but only at Leicester with its modest budget has he become a title winner.

For the crowning moment of his career, Ranieri was joined by family, friends, and former players.

"He's always been a calm manager in all circumstances, both when the team is doing well and when they're not," Vittorio Pusceddu, who played for Ranieri at Napoli and Fiorentina in the 1990s, said as he walked through Leicester to the stadium in the afternoon sun. "A manager has to do that, he has to instill calm in the environment. He's very good at that and that's what happened (at Leicester)."

Leicester's ownership was ridiculed for hiring the 64-year-old Ranieri last July. He'd been out of work since the previous year after being fired by Greece. And his only job in the Premier League at Chelsea ended 11 years earlier.

Ranieri's prospects of avoiding relegation were written off. How he has proved his critics wrong and beguiled even non-Leicester fans with his command of the team and entertaining asides that shifted the focus away from players chasing history.

Above the Cank Street Gallery in central Leicester was written one such sound-bite. "Dilly ding, dilly dong" was uttered by a giddy Ranieri last month as he conveyed his excitement that a first career title was looming. The nonsensical but endearing one-liner has been turned into a fans' song and also featured on ticker-tape that covered fans in the stadium.

"I want to say to you we are champions because you pushed us," Ranieri told 32,000 fans in the stadium.

Leicester has lost only three times in 37 games in the title bid. Not bad for a season when survival was the objective.

"We are staying up," Leicester fans sang before bellowing out the words they will never tire of chanting: "Champions of England we know what we are."

Ranieri is already thinking about next season and the team's first foray into the Champions League, where Leicester will be top seed in the group stage as a domestic title winner. Leicester's previous highpoints have come by winning the second-tier League Cup three times.

"This is a magical season," Ranieri said. "Let me go to the sea and recharge my batteries. Let's start next season with the same ambition, same humility."

Domestically, it's anticipated the faded Premier League powers from deposed champion Chelsea to record 20-time Premier League winner Manchester United will be far stronger.

"We'll show this wasn't a fluke," fan Alan Sewell said. "I don't think it was a fluke but the rest of the world does."

Story:

Rob Harris / Associated Press

Thai Volleyballers Chase Leicester Success to Same Magic Monk

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Thailand Morphing into Orwell’s ‘1984’ Under Junta, Warns Former Senator

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

-

7 May 2016, 22:06

Ja New waits for police to remove computers from his home Saturday in Bangkok as they search for more evidence to use against his mother. Photo: Matichon

By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

BANGKOK — A dystopian nightmare where Big Brother monitors your private conversations is becoming reality under the military regime, former senator Jon Ungphakorn warned Friday.

The warning came as pro-democracy netizens became outraged and complained of injustice over the move to slap the mother of a prominent student protest leader with a charge of defaming the monarchy in unpublished messages sent privately through Facebook.

“Under the NCPO we’re creeping towards 1984,” Jon wrote Friday, referring to George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel.

Activist’s Mother Defamed Monarchy With Her Silence, Police Say

Jon is the executive director of the Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw, which tracks legal cases and advocates for more fairness in the justice system.

He warned that Thailand is sinking into a dictatorial surveillance state where privacy is compromised by the National Council for Peace and Order, or NCPO, the formal name of the junta which seized power in May 2014.

His comments Friday came as police conceded that Patnaree Chankij herself never insulted the Royal Family, furthering anger over her arrest. On Saturday, officers raided the east Bangkok home of the 39-year-old widow and her children, including student activist Sirawith “Ja New” Seritiwat, seizing computers apparently in search of evidence to support their charge.

On Friday, police said she was charged with defaming the monarchy, a crime known as lese majeste, for failing to reprimand a man who allegedly sent such messages to her in private Facebook chat messages.

Patnaree said she replied to the message only by saying “yeah” or “I see” (จ้า) but police told reporters she wrote more than that and posted something criminally offensive. They did not elaborate.

That led to complaints she was singled out by the junta to punish 23-year-old Sirawith, who has otherwise been undaunted by numerous detentions in criminal charges to be dissuaded from protesting the military.

Anti-Junta Activist’s Mother Charged With Royal Defamation

“Detaining the mother of Ja New is like detaining Ja New,” human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa wrote Friday.

Arnon, like Sirawith is also part of rights group Resistant Citizen, is representing Patnaree.

“From now on he won’t have time for political activities and may have to drop out of university in order to look after his sick grandmother and look after his two younger siblings on behalf of his mom,” Arnon wrote.

Jon, the former senator and law reform advocate, said the junta’s prying into personal messages to prosecute citizens for crimes is a “profound violation,” especially for a crime with such severe punishment.

“It’s an era where the state intentionally records private conversations between two people in order to mete out heavy punishment of up to 15 years,” he wrote. “The state could use any means to access the content of the conversations, and this is a profound violation of rights of the people, but it seems that people are not yet aware.

A junta campaign against those expressing opposition to the proposed constitution drafted under its supervision since widened into a broader play to sweep its critics into custody.

Ten people were abducted from their homes late last month, eight of whom have been charged with sedition for running Facebook pages critical of the junta. Two have been accused of lese majeste, including Burin Intin, who police said sent the offending messages to Patnaree.

Jon said the military has set an alarming precedent for a paranoid and unstable society.

“In other words, if the state can eavesdrop on the conversations of every household, family members will always have to be careful when speaking, and privacy would be eliminated,” he wrote. “This is not just a dictatorial system but goes way beyond."

Society must rise to answer the question raised by Patnaree’s case, he added, over whether the state should be allowed access to people’s private conversations.

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