Koh Tao Murders: Defense Asserts Innocence as Judgment Looms

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21 December 2015, 10:24

In this Oct. 3, 2014, file photo, police presented Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo to a crowd of reporters on Tao island.

BANGKOK — Lawyers representing two Burmese men accused of murdering a pair of British backpackers in southern Thailand last year called again for their acquittal acquittal last night, four days before the verdict is read.

Repeating their central arguments throughout the four-month trial, lawyers for Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo said in a statement Sunday night that the evidence against them is deeply flawed, and that their confessions were obtained under torture.

“All of this evidence was not collected, tested or analysed in accordance with internationally accepted standards such as ISO 17025,” the statement said. “This evidence should not be considered as satisfying beyond reasonable doubt that the accused violently raped and murdered the female deceased or murdered the male deceased.”

The two Burmese migrant workers, who are both 22, were accused of murdering British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on Koh Tao on Sep. 15, 2014. The suspects were also accused of raping Witheridge. The court on neighboring Koh Samui is due to rule on the charges Thursday.

The lawyers described as highly questionable claims from police that DNA evidence implicated the men. According to the lawyers, DNA found on the murder weapon did not match that of the accused, and the investigators’ forensic procedures failed to meet international standards.

Police investigators have said they are confident the DNA collected from the crime scene, murder weapon and Witheridge’s body link the men to the crime.

The defendants’ lawyers, who are members of the Lawyers Council of Thailand and representing the two defendants pro-bono, called for the charges to be dismissed in their closing statement filed in October.

In yesterday’s statement, the lawyers also noted Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were arrested and interrogated without proper legal representation or a qualified interpreter.

The two men initially confessed to committing the murders and rape because they were tortured by police, the statement added.

“The challenges faced to Thailand’s law enforcement and justice systems in this case also cast a serious shadow over the safety of tourism in Thailand,” said the statement.

Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were arrested in late October 2014, around two weeks after the double murders. The pair initially confessed to killing Miller and Witheridge, but later retracted their confessions, saying they were coerced under torture by police. Authorities have repeatedly denied any torture was used..

The pair has been held at a prison on Samui island since their arrests in October, 2014. They face the death penalty if found guilty.

Koh Tao Murders: DNA on Weapon ‘Does Not Match’ the Accused

Lack of Evidence, Local Media Coverage Adds to Mystery of Koh Tao Murder

Koh Tao Trial Resumes, Court Shown Footage of Victims’ Final Night

Koh Tao Murder: Top Forensic Scientist to Testify for Defense

Koh Tao Murders: Newspaper Apologizes for Implicating Official’s Son

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'Redhot' Jet Pilot Soars Beyond Glass Ceiling

By

Cole Pennington

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20 December 2015, 15:39

Chatchuma ‘Toff’ Thanisaranont poses in front of an Antonov An-124 Ruslan in an Aug. 8 photo at U-Tapao International Airport. Photo: Chatchuma Thanisaranont / Facebook

BANGKOK — When I first met Chatchuma Thanisaranont, I hardly recognized her without her signature olive-green flight suit adorned with mission patches, pair of aviators and bright red lips.

That’s the public image of a woman who enjoys pulling Gs in high-performance aircraft and recovering from terrifying stalls. She’s built a loyal social media following within the aviation community and actively encourages young women to consider becoming pilots. In fact, when I met her recently, she was holding a contest for one of her fans to accompany her on an observation flight.

Her nickname is “Toff,” short for Toffee. Expecting a boy, her parents had picked out “Top,” so her arrival necessitated a slight tweak. They got more than they bargained for, as today Toff lists mechanical engines, cars, trucks, jet skis, and planes among the things she’s most interested in.

“I don’t really care about beautiful things,” she says. “I just want them to be fast.”

Photo: Chatchuma Thanisaranont / Facebook

Toff’s call sign is "Redhot," derived from her choice of lipstick color.

We started our conversation comparing our favorite military aircraft: Mine: the F-104 Starfighter, “the missile with a man in it.” Toff: the supersonic Northrop F-5T Tigris operated by the Royal Thai Air Force.

“The plane, sitting in the hangar, is just so handsome. So smart,” she says, in a tone of smitten respect for the inanimate jet fighter.

A deep admiration for the F-5 started when Toff’s father, an aircraft mechanic in Korat’s Wing 1, was assigned a new role: Chief Aircraft Mechanic at the Udon Thani airbase, where a fleet of F-5s were stationed. As soon as she learned to ride a bicycle, she would pedal over to the hangar and watch her father’s team disassemble and overhaul the sleek ground-attack aircraft.

Chatchuma’s ardor for aviation is apparent and complete. That she has “the right stuff” to be a fighter pilot is in little doubt.

Only she’s not. She can’t be. Women are not allowed to fly in the Royal Thai Air Force.

Toff hotdogs through some aerial acrobatic maneuvers

“My father laughed when I said I wanted to be a fighter pilot; he said maybe when the time comes, things will change.” She waited, but the laws never changed. She applied to be an air hostess after finishing college to stay close to the aviation field, “At the time, my English wasn’t good enough to pass the second round.” Not getting the call back turned out to be a good thing.

“I realized that I really didn’t want to be in the cabin serving drinks, I wanted to be in the front seat flying the plane.” She set her sights on becoming a commercial pilot.

Getting off the ground in this career path is proving an uphill battle. To start with, flag carrier Thai Airways does not accept female pilots.

It was the proliferation of low cost carriers in 2009 that created a viable flight path for women pilots in the kingdom. Toff enrolled in ground school with the Royal Thai Air Force Civil Training Division and started working on her private pilot’s license. What started as a flying club during the early days of Siamese aviation has now become Squadron 604, operating as part of the military out of Don Mueang Airport.

Toff celebrates after her first successful solo flight May 1, 2014. Photo: Chatchuma Thanisaranont / Facebook

Right now she’s training to receive her Instrument Rating, a license that allows her to fly multi-engine airplanes at night or in poor visibility, relying strictly on cockpit instrumentation. She’s training on the Pacific Aerospace CT-4, a fully aerobatic military trainer known for its positive handling characteristics. Does she like it?

“I’ve pulled 4Gs on that plane, of course I love it!” she says, smiling.

She’s not the only one who loves it, her cockpit selfies garner hundreds of “likes” on her Facebook page.

“I wanted a way document my progress and get other people into it,” she says.

Toff hopes her online persona to inspires other young women to consider a career in aviation.

“I make sure to take the time to answer all the messages from aspiring pilots,” she says. “I usually ask them where they’re at in life. It takes a lot of planning. When little girls ask, I always ask them how serious they are, because in the future, it might be possible for females to fly in the RTAF.”

Even if the government changed the rules barring females from entering air cadet school tomorrow, the 32-year-old is already above the maximum age allowed to enter. Still, she embodies the message she has that women have “the same capacity as a man in the cockpit. We have the same spirit.”

She urges the government to give them a chance because, “if they never let us in, they’ll never know what we’re capable of.”

For now, Toff’s next move is heading to the United States, where she can earn a commercial pilot's license which will allow her to take wing for any of the low cost carriers in the region.

Toff’s call sign ‘REDHOT’ was derived from her choice of lipstick color. Photo: Chatchuma Thanisaranont / Facebook

Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified the data of Chatchuma Thanisaranont's first solo flight as Aug. 26, 2014. It was May 1, 2014.

Thai-Owned Team Tops Premier League

By

DPA

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20 December 2015, 14:10

Chelsea in the Premier League, yesterday. Photo: Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA

LONDON — Leicester City, so close to relegation last season, will be top of the Premier League at Christmas after they earned another away victory with a 3-2 win at Everton on Saturday.

Riyad Mahrez scored twice – both from the penalty spot – and Shinji Okazaki got the other as Leicester moved five points clear of Arsenal, who play third-placed Manchester City on Monday.

Leicester are the first side ever to be bottom at Christmas one year and top of the table 12 months later. In five of the past six years, the team who was top at Christmas has gone on to win the Premier League.

Mahrez put Claudio Ranieri's team on 27 minutes after Okazaki was held by Ramiro Funes Mori but Romelu Lukaku equalized five minutes later.

Midway through the second half, Mahrez again scored from the spot, this time after Jamie Vardy was tripped by goalkeeper Tim Howard and Okazaki made it 3-1 before a late consolation from Kevin Mirallas.

"Two points to go," said Ranieri, who continues to insist that they still need to reach 40 points for safety.

"Nice to have 38 by Christmas, but I've already told the players to clear their minds and go forward."

Manchester United dropped out of the top four as they were stunned 2-1 at home by Norwich, Tottenham moved above them after a 2-0 win at Southampton, and Chelsea began life after Jose Mourinho with a 3-1 win over Sunderland.

Manchester United are now winless in six matches – and four in the Premier League – after a shock 2-1 defeat at home by Norwich, who moved out of the bottom three.

Cameron Jerome put Norwich in front seven minutes before half-time and on 54 minutes, Alex Tettey doubled their lead.

Anthony Martial pulled one back with 25 minutes to go but Norwich held on to drop Louis van Gaal's side to fifth, boos ringing out at the final whistle.

"That was not good enough today," Van Gaal said. "We have to win against Norwich and we know that.

"I can say a lot of things but every word is too much I think. You can see what confidence is doing to the players. Now it's very important that everybody sticks together."

Tottenham leapfrogged them into fourth as two goals in four minutes from Harry Kane and Dele Alli gave them a 2-0 win at Southampton.

At Stamford Bridge, new manager Guus Hiddink, who will replace the sacked Jose Mourinho until the end of the season, watched from the stands as his side beat second-bottom Sunderland 3-1.

Branislav Ivanovic, Pedro and Oscar scored the goals to lift them to 15th, albeit still only four points above the bottom three.

"We needed to win and we've done that," Chelsea captain John Terry said.

"There was a lot of pressure before the game but we brought it on ourselves. Chelsea is such a big club. We are not used to being here, we've had a lot of good times in the last 10 years.

"We are disappointed (about Mourinho) (but) it falls on his head unfortunately," he said.

Crystal Palace are level on points with United after a 2-1 win at Stoke, a result that had Stoke manager Mark Hughes cursing his luck.

"That's two years running they have come here and nicked the points," said Hughes, after Lee Chung-yong scored the winner two minutes from time.

Bournemouth remain 14th after a 2-1 win at West Brom, who ended the match with nine men after the sending-off of James McClean and Salomon Rondon.

Aston Villa remain five points adrift at the bottom despite picking up a 1-1 draw in a rain-soaked match at Newcastle, who are 17th, one place above the bottom three.

Story: Simon Cambers / DPA

Probes Launched After Nine Iraqi Soldiers Dead in Coalition Strikes

By

DPA

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20 December 2015, 12:50

Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers patrol near Mosul city, Iraq in Oct. 2014. Photo: EPA / STR

CAIRO — Nine Iraqi soldiers are dead after a U.S.-led coalition airstrike, the first reported friendly fire deaths in the country’s fight against ISIS, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi said yesterday.

"The ministry has formed an investigation committee to determine the causes behind the alliance aircraft bombing of Iraqi army's advancing units near Fallujah [in western Iraq]," al-Obeidi said in Baghdad, according to Iraqi news website Alsumaria News.

The U.S. military said it was investigating whether one of its airstrikes against Islamic State targets on Friday resulted in the deaths of Iraqi soldiers, CBS News reported.

U.S. Central Command issued a statement late Friday saying that one of its airstrikes may have killed 10 Iraqi soldiers.

"We are fully committed to the safety of our Iraqi partners while pursuing the destruction of our mutual enemies," U.S. Central Command said.

Iraqi media reported that an Iraqi force was mistakenly bombarded by the coalition jets during a clash with ISIS fighters south of Fallujah on Friday.

In recent weeks, Iraq, backed by a U.S.-led air cover, has stepped up a military campaign to drive ISIS from the areas the jihadist group controls in the western province of Anbar.

In May, the al-Qaeda splinter group seized Ramadi, the capital city of Anbar, in an embarrassing setback for Iraqi government troops.

Story: Bill Bredesen and Ramadan Al-Fatash / DPA

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Star Wars Shatters Records

By

DPA

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20 December 2015, 12:19

LOS ANGELES — The latest sequel in the Star Wars series set new box office marks even before completing its first weekend in cinemas.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" rang up revenue of USD$120.5 million on its first day alone in North America, trouncing the record of USD$91 million set in 2011 by "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2."

Sold out preview screenings already Thursday night in the U.S. and Canada collected USD$57 million at box offices, likewise easily topping the record set by the same Harry Potter sequel.

The long-awaited seventh episode in the Star Wars franchise, directed by JJ Abrams, could approach USD$250 million dollars in its first weekend, by cinema industry estimates. The opening-weekend record of USD$208 million set by Jurassic World in June could be headed for extinction.

Story: DPA

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Star Wars Shatters Records

By

DPA

-

20 December 2015, 12:19

LOS ANGELES — The latest sequel in the Star Wars series set new box office marks even before completing its first weekend in cinemas.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" rang up revenue of USD$120.5 million on its first day alone in North America, trouncing the record of USD$91 million set in 2011 by "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2."

Sold out preview screenings already Thursday night in the U.S. and Canada collected USD$57 million at box offices, likewise easily topping the record set by the same Harry Potter sequel.

The long-awaited seventh episode in the Star Wars franchise, directed by JJ Abrams, could approach USD$250 million dollars in its first weekend, by cinema industry estimates. The opening-weekend record of USD$208 million set by Jurassic World in June could be headed for extinction.

Story: DPA

Snatched from Hospital Room, Activist Tells Associates

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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19 December 2015, 16:44

Thanet Anantawong, 25, is escorted outside a military court Dec. 18 in Bangkok. — Thanet Anantawong, 25, is escorted outside a military court Dec. 18, 2015, in Bangkok.

By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

BANGKOK — Sedition suspect Thanet Anantawong, released on bail last night, said plainclothes security officers arrested him inside his room at Sirindhorn Hospital while he was consulting with nurses in the pre-surgery ward on the building’s seventh floor, his associates said today.

Piyarat Chongthep, a confidante and friend who picked Thanet up after a military court granted bail to the 25-year-old activist, said Thanet confirmed the details of his arrest, which contradict the versions offered by both security and hospital authorities.

Thanet could not be immediately be reached for comment. Piyarat said that Thanet, who is said to be homeless and living in poverty, was visiting family and did not possess a mobile phone.

Circumstances of Patient’s Arrest from Hospital Disputed

Piyarat described Thanet’s account Saturday. Thanet told him he was talking with nurses in his room at the hospital when he was taken into custody and removed from the hospital, meaning he was not technically lying in his sickbed when he was removed, word of which drew an outcry on social media following his arrest.

Thanet’s reported version of events contradicts the explanation provided to Khaosod English by Sirindhorn Hospital Director Supaporn Karalak. Supaporn said Wednesday that Thanet had discharged himself from the hospital prior to his arrest, which she bolstered Friday by adding that she had personally seen security camera footage showing him walk out of the building alone. She declined to let a reporter view the footage.

Thanet also reportedly told Piyarat that while being detained by the military, a doctor was taken to examine his health, who told the military to fetch medicine from the hospital where Thanet had been admitted since Dec. 10 prior to his arrest Dec. 13.

After he was released last night, Thanet was taken to be examined by a doctor at another facility, Petchkasem Hospital, and the doctor gave him additional antibiotics.

Brought before a military tribunal on Friday, Thanet was charged with sedition for “spreading” the activities of pro-democracy group New Democracy Movement, of which Piyarat said Thanet counts himself a member.

Condition of Suspect Removed from Hospital Unknown

Officers Snatch Pre-Op Patient from Hospital

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Snatched from Hospital Room, Activist Tells Associates

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

-

19 December 2015, 16:44

Thanet Anantawong at Sirindhorn Hospital in Bangkok's Prawet district on Dec. 13 soon before he was removed by plainclothes officers. Photo: Piyarat Chongthep / Facebook

BANGKOK — Sedition suspect Thanet Anantawong, released on bail last night, said plainclothes security officers arrested him inside his room at Sirindhorn Hospital while he was consulting with nurses in the pre-surgery ward on the building’s seventh floor, his associates said today.

Piyarat Chongthep, a confidante and friend who picked Thanet up after a military court granted bail to the 25-year-old activist, said Thanet confirmed the details of his arrest, which contradict the versions offered by both security and hospital authorities.

Thanet could not be immediately be reached for comment. Piyarat said that Thanet, who is said to be homeless and living in poverty, was visiting family and did not possess a mobile phone.

Circumstances of Patient’s Arrest from Hospital Disputed

Piyarat described Thanet’s account Saturday. Thanet told him he was talking with nurses in his room at the hospital when he was taken into custody and removed from the hospital, meaning he was not technically lying in his sickbed when he was removed, word of which drew an outcry on social media following his arrest.

Thanet’s reported version of events contradicts the explanation provided to Khaosod English by Sirindhorn Hospital Director Supaporn Karalak. Supaporn said Wednesday that Thanet had discharged himself from the hospital prior to his arrest, which she bolstered Friday by adding that she had personally seen security camera footage showing him walk out of the building alone. She declined to let a reporter view the footage.

Thanet also reportedly told Piyarat that while being detained by the military, a doctor was taken to examine his health, who told the military to fetch medicine from the hospital where Thanet had been admitted since Dec. 10 prior to his arrest Dec. 13.

After he was released last night, Thanet was taken to be examined by a doctor at another facility, Petchkasem Hospital, and the doctor gave him additional antibiotics.

Brought before a military tribunal on Friday, Thanet was charged with sedition for “spreading” the activities of pro-democracy group New Democracy Movement, of which Piyarat said Thanet counts himself a member.

Condition of Suspect Removed from Hospital Unknown

Officers Snatch Pre-Op Patient from Hospital

Suan Lum Night Bazaar to Reopen – Far From ‘Suan Lum’

By

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra, Correspondent

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19 December 2015, 15:42

Original sign outside the Suan Lum Night Bazaar in a 2009 photo. Photo: Fitri Agung / Flickr

BANGKOK — Five years after the original closed, the people behind the Suan Lum Night Bazaar will reopen it next week in the Chatuchak district, over 10 kilometers from its eponymous park.

Opening years later than originally planned by the original market’s developer, P Con, the new night market will open near MRT Lat Phrao at the Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection in a different setting than the original, surrounded with hotels, condos and restaurants rather than the stand-alone market which once spread east of Lumphini Park.

A commercial real estate blog described it as aimed at “Mid-town Ratchada folk who’ve been waiting patiently for all the heavy condominium development and investment in the area to finally pay off.”

Expect the latest seafood and fashion fads ala Siam or Emquartier, with more corporate offerings than the original, such as the several establishments already opened: Champions Sports Bars, chinese restaurant Ping’s and japanese buffet Hikaru. A theatre called “The Bazaar Theater” will open inside a hotel with the same name to offer a “Magic Cabaret,” apparently the facsimile of the original’s Joe Louis Puppet Theatre.

The market will also have a beer garden, according to its Facebook page, however it was unclear whether it will feature the original’s stage of underage girls dancing to “Bo Peep.”

The original's beer garden and "Young Talent" stage in 2009. Photo: Charles Haynes / Flickr

Long before weekend flea markets became the norm, the original Suan Lum Night Bazaar, which closed in 2011, helped give birth to Bangkok’s indie-hipster scene. It featured a sprawl of small stalls in which many then-small brands began.

It sat just outside MRT Lumphini and was famous for its vendors, concert hall, puppet theatre and no-frills outdoor beer garden.vendors selling clothes and other goods. Like much of the property in the area, the land is owned by the Crown Property Bureau, and the market’s vendors were forcibly evicted in 2011 to make way for commercial development.

The Suan Lum Night Bazaar will host a "soft launch" event Wednesday.

True, Jasmine Pay Record Prices for 4G

By

Khaosod English

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19 December 2015, 14:27

Photo: National Broadcast and Telecommunications Commission

BANGKOK — Two mobile service providers paid record prices for spectrum licenses to offer next-generation service, according to state telecom regulators.

Two winning bids for a combined 152 billion baht (USD$4.2 billion) were placed for the 900MHZ spectrum by True Corp. and Jasmine International, were upset wins over Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Total Access Communication (DTAC), the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 network operators.

True’s bid reached 76.3 billion baht while Jasmine offered 75.7 billion baht, according to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. Both AIS and True won licenses in a different frequency at an auction held last month.

Shares in Thailand's telecoms sector slid to a three-year low Friday as investors worried about the cost of the licences, and the possibility of Jasmine’s entry sparking a price war. Jasmine has a variety of holdings including Triple T Broadband, news portal TLC Thai, Acumen satellite communications and Jasmine Telecom Systems.

The commission extended the auction for the two 4G spectrum licences a fourth day on Friday amid fierce competition.

Market leader AIS and third-ranked True, winners in the first auction in November, were vying with second-ranked DTACT and Jasmine.

The technology bellwether ICT index fell 2.8 percent on Friday, extending a loss of nearly 20 percent in the past three months which has underperformed a 6 percent fall of the main Thai index.

TAC has been the top loser, sliding 35 percent, while True declined 27 percent. AIS stock has shed 15 percent and Jasmine 17 percent over the three-month period.

"For the past two months, we have strategically positioned our portfolio to reduce potential volatility," said Monrat Phadungsit, chief investment officer at Land and Houses Fund Management Co.

Companies bid for spectrum licences that allow them to expand capacity and tap strong growth in mobile data to help offset falls in voice revenue.

Higher-than-expected bids could trim operators' profit growth and dividend payouts, although the impact would be limited by lower licensing fees, Monrat said.

Thailand's USD$6.7 billion mobile market is dominated by the top three players and analysts expect competition to intensify with Jasmine obtaining a license and becoming the fourth operator.

"If Jasmine wins a licence, we expect the ability to monetise data will be more difficult for AIS and other operators," UBS analyst Youssef Abboud said in research note.

Trinity Securities said AIS, which has the strongest financial position in the sector, could afford as much as 100 billion baht for a licence and was the only operator that could still have earnings growth next year.

Story: By Khettiya Jittapong and VIparat Jantraprap / Reuters, Khaosod English

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