SURAT THANI — After months of filing fruitless petitions, parents of high school students in southern Thailand shamed officials into painting a crosswalk in front of the school in a single day – by spray-painting their own mock zebra crossing.

Photos of the mock crosswalk, which was drawn with white spray paint that also spelled out "THIS IS A ZEBRA CROSSING," surfaced on social media yesterday and quickly went viral. 

Locals told reporters that the crosswalk was a painted by parents of students at Muang Surat Thani School who have repeatedly urged local authorities to paint a zebra crossing on the road to increase pedestrian safety. 

At around 2 pm, city workers arrived at the site and finally painted the official crosswalk.  The operation was accomplished within several hours. 

Officials painted a standard zebra crossing in several hours on the followin day, 29 July 2015. 

According to the head of Surat Thani Municipality Office's infrastructure department, Banluesak Wutthi, authorities had been unable to paint the crosswalk because of a dispute with contractors. 

"The paint used by the contractors didn't meet our standards, so the committee could not accept it," Banluesak said. "The issue is still being appealed by the contractor." 

He said officials decided to solve the problem today by borrowing paint and tools from the Highway Department to paint the zebra crossing themselves. 

BANGKOK — Junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has asked Thais to stop blaming the United States government for awarding Thailand with a low ranking in its annual report on human trafficking around the globe.

In the 2015 Trafficking in Person (TIP) report published this week, the US State Department retained Thailand in the lowest ‘Tier 3’ category, citing the government’s failure to take significant steps to eradicate trafficking. Thailand was first downgraded to Tier 3 in last year's report, which came out shortly after the army seized power in a coup d'etat.

Responding to the report today, Gen. Prayuth said that Thailand should focus on improving its record instead of shifting blame to the US government, as some Thai officials and citizens have done.

"I think it is best if we don't blame them at all. Don't blame them and say they did it because of politics, or whatever. It won't do us any good," Gen. Prayuth told reporters after a meeting at the Ministry of Industry today.

"Haven't you noticed what I have said to you? I told you we have to accept it. These things are wrong because we have done wrong. [The US] already set the rules, but in the past we have not fixed our problems. Now that they want to punish us like this, they can punish us. We have to do our best."

Gen. Prayuth continued, "No matter what, we will still be friends in the future. If we pick a fight with them, it would only be messier. Instead of giving us something, they won't give us anything at all. We can't force them. We are not a superpower. And if we pick a fight them, we won't ever be a superpower, no way. We can only ask them to understand us." 

The general's remarks contrasted with the reactions of other officials and conservative Thais who have spoken to the media in recent days. 

For example, Don Pramudwinai, a spokesperson for Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday that the US government should consider "what it feels like for Thai people" to know that their nation has been placed in the same category as Iran and North Korea. "Is that appropriate?" he asked.

In a separate press conference, government spokesman Maj.Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the US has a responsibility to explain its assessment of Thailand to the world. 

"They have to confirm that this is an action based on facts without any hidden agenda," Maj.Gen. Sansern said.

A number of critics have also questioned whether Thailand was given a poor rank because of its hesitation to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a US-led free trade deal, or because the country is still being ruled by Gen. Prayuth, who led the May 2014 coup.

"I am suspicious about whether this report by the US is truly based on principles of human rights, or it's all just a political game and international interest," Suriyasai Katasila, a conservative Yellowshirt leader wrote on his Facebook account. "Or is it because Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs doesn't know how to lobby? That's why we are in Tier 3 with Russia, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Syria, and Sudan etc. This is even worse than Burma, Laos, and Cambodia … It made me wonder whether this report has a hidden prejudice toward the coup d'etat. Just because this government is from coup d'etat, are they generalizing that we are all evil?" 

When a reporter asked Gen. Prayuth whether he thinks Thailand's refusal to enter the TPP plays a role in the trafficking report, he replied, "What will we get in return if we are a member? Do you know what we will get and what we will lose? Because if we are a member, we will be pressured in many ways. The previous government expressed its interest in membership, but then they studied it, and they realized there would be problems about medical patents and other things. It would make Thai people lose many opportunities. That is why we put it on hold. It's not that we disagree with it. It's just that we have to see what damages it will cause to Thai people and Thailand." 

Gen. Prayuth also stressed that Thailand has been aggressively pursuing legal action against human traffickers, such as a recent crackdown in southern Thailand that led to the indictment of at least 72 people on trafficking charges. The crackdown was not considered in the TIP report because it occured after the March 2015 deadline. 

"We have arrested and prosecuted over a hundred people. I want you to see other countries that have been upgraded from Tier 3, how legal action they have taken. You all know the answer," Gen. Prayuth told reporters. 

Malaysia, which is common destination for people who are smuggled and trafficked through Thailand, was upgraded to Tier 2 this year to the chagrin of rights activists and anti-trafficking organizations, who say the country's minimal efforts to combat trafficking do not warrant an upgrade. According to the TIP report, Thailand prosecuted 155 traffickers and convicted 151 in 2014, whereas Malaysia, who is a member of the Trans-Pacific trade deal, prosecuted 54 and convicted 3.

Gen. Prayuth added, "Please don't generalize that all this is because of my government. Let me ask you, if I was not in the government, wouldn’t things be worse? Because these problems have never been fixed. Today, the government is fixing the problem, but because we couldn't get upgraded from Tier 3 you blame me again. You say it is because my government didn't come from election. But did the elected government ever do these things? That's why the problem has lasted until today." 

SONGKHLA — Two men who stole 150,000 baht from a Buddhist temple in southern Thailand have reportedly repented their action and plan to return the money, the temple’s abbot said.

Phra Pattara Ariyo, the abbot of Na Thawee Temple, said CCTV footage shows the two men entering the temple compound on 26 July and stealing at least 150,000 baht from a donation box in the monk’s residence. Phra Pattara filed complaint to the police on the same day. 

Speaking to reporters today, Phra Pattara said he has been contacted by relatives of the two thieves, who said the men regret their action and would like to return the stolen money in the next "3-4 days."

"The reason for their decision to return the money is because they feel repentant. It's sinful money. After they stole it, they felt unhappy and troubled in their hearts," Phra Pattara said. "I won't seek any legal action against the two men if they return the money,"

The abbot also compared the two men to Angulimala, a murderous bandit in Buddhist lore who abandoned his criminal path after he encountered Buddha and learned about his teachings.

"I told the two perpetrators that they are repentant bandits like Angulimala. I want them to learn about what is evil and good, and to return to the path of good people, and uphold the teachings of Dharma, so that they won't commit any further crimes against other temples," Phra Pattara told reporters. 

He added that the stolen money was donated by local residents for the temple's project to construct a new Dharma teaching center in the province. 

BANGKOK — Thailand's army chief said former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban is free to pursue personal projects following his recent departure from monkhood, as long as he stays in line with the junta's ban on political activities.

"You have to understand that security forces need to maintain peace and order," said army chief Gen. Udomdet Sitabutr, who is also secretary-general to the ruling military junta that seized power in a coup welcomed by Suthep and his conservative political faction last year.

"As for the case of Mr. Suthep, we have to see first. If he only holds a meeting and discussion that is not related to politics, and does not cause disorder, it shouldn't be any problem," the army chief said, referring to a press conference that Suthep has scheduled for tomorrow in Bangkok.

Suthep, who left the monkhood yesterday after spending a year with a monastery in Surat Thani, is best known for his role as the firebrand leader of street protests against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from November 2013 to May 2014, when the military intervened and seized power from the government.

The former activist, who has also served as deputy Prime Minister and deputy chairman of Democrat Party, told reporters yesterday that his done with politics, and will devote himself to working with a charity founded by other former leaders of the conservative anti-Shinawatra protest movement. A press conference for the charity, called the Foundation of the Great Mass of the People for Reform of Thailand, is scheduled to take place on 30 July. 

Under the ban on political activities imposed by the junta, all organizers of public forums must seek permission from the regime before holding events. Soldiers and police have interfered with nearly 100 public discussions and forums since the May 2014 coup, on the grounds that they may affect "peace and order" in the country. 

Asked whether Suthep has submitted a request for the press conference, Gen. Udomdet said he hasn’t been made aware of any application. 

"I haven't seen any [request], but when I see it, I will check its detail about what kind of event it is," Gen. Udomdet explained. "If it is a constructive and good charity, there shouldn't be any problem. But if the format is inappropriate, we won't allow them to proceed." 

When a reporter asked whether security officers will monitor Suthep's movement because of his role as a protest leader in the past, Gen. Udomdet replied, "We will apply the same measures to all sides, because in general we have to maintain the peace and happiness of the country. We won't target anyone specifically. But we will monitor all sides equally. Let me stress that we will put a halt to anything that may lead to unrest." 

Gen. Udomdet reiterated today that academics can always submit requests to the junta to hold forums, as long the discussions are not political in nature.

"It has to be in accordance with the boundary set by the NCPO, and not related to politics or lead to unrest," Gen. Udomdet said, using the formal name of the junta, the National Council for Peace and Order. "If these conditions are not met, we won't allow them to proceed." 

Suthep's first post-monkhood campaign 

Several hours after his disrobing ceremony yesterday, Suthep submitted a petition to the commander of the Eight Region Police, requesting the reversal of a plan to move the force’s headquarters from his home province of Surat Thani to Phuket. 

Suthep said he opposed the decision because it would affect the families of the police officers and force them to change homes, schools, and work places.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Decha Butrnampetch, commander of the Eight Region Police, personally accepted the petition and told Suthep he would consider the proposal with his superior officers. 

BANGKOK — A military commander has instructed residents in rural Thailand to seek permission before launching homemade rockets after a military airplane was reportedly almost hit by three rockets yesterday.

Air Vice Marshal Mana Prasopsri, director of the Royal Thai Air Force's civil aviation department, said two pilots from 461 Air Squadron were flying a military plane in a training session over Kamphaeng Phet province when three homemade rockets came within 200 meters of the aircraft, which was cruising at the altitude of 3,000 feet at the time. 

The pilots decided to abort the training and safely landed the plane, Avm. Mana told reporters. 

Homemade rockets are regularly launched in rural Thailand, often in ceremonies to encourage rain.

Avm. Mana reminded residents that existing laws and regulations require they seek permission from local authorities and airports three days before launching any rockets, which can never take place within 8 kilometers of airports. 

He also said that rocket launchers could face the death penalty if their projectiles cause serious damage to an aircraft in flight.

"I have instructed police officers in the area to find out which village fired those rockets [on 28 July], because there has been no permission granted in recent days," Avm. Mana said. "I want the police to reprimand and warn them." 

This May, two people were killed and one was severely injured after a homemade rocket fell and crashed into a crowd of people during a rocket festival in Si Saket province.