NRC's Week-Long Charter Debate to be Broadcast Live

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17 April 2015, 14:56

Thianchay Kiranandana, chairman of the National Reform Council (NRC), posed for photo with the draft of the new constitution, 17 April 2015

BANGKOK – The first public deliberation on the draft of Thailand's new constitution will be broadcast live throughout its entire session – which is expected to last for seven days – a government official said.

Members of the junta-appointed National Reform Council (NRC) will debate on the charter draft from 20 – 26 April at the Parliament building, said NRC secretary Alongkorn Pollabutr. Alongkorn said the session will start at around 9 am on each day and continue until 9 pm.

"The chairman of the NRC wants the people to know about the deliberation of the constitution draft, so there will be a live broadcast via the parliament's TV and radio stations, the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand, or Channel 11, and we have also asked for cooperation from other state TV stations to broadcast it. As for private TV stations, if they are interested, they can link up with the signal and broadcast it as well."

Thailand's previous constitution, which was enacted in 2007, was dissolved when the military staged a coup d'etat against an elected government in May 2014. The junta later imposed an interim charter and formed the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) to write a new "permanent" constitution for Thailand. The charter is expected to be completed in September this year.

Under the interim constitution, the NRC has the authority to suggest amendments to the constitution draft in its deliberation. Alongkorn said the NRC will discuss for 30 days whether there will be any amendment to the constitution, starting from the last day of the parliamentary deliberation.

"Every NRC member will participate in the expression of opinion," Alongkorn told reporters today, "The people can also submit their suggestions to the NRC."

According to Alongkorn, the debate will be "constructive," devoid of any aggressive discussion or questioning about the draft, "because we are professional parliament, not a political parliament." He also expected that the debate will especially focus on issues about backgrounds of MPs, Senators, Prime Ministers, and electoral system in the new constitution.

"This constitution is different to all the previous ones, because it is a constitution for reforms," Alongkorn explained.

The new constitution has attracted criticism from anti-coup activists and scholars who say it is less democratic than Thailand's recent charters. According to the current draft, the Senate is an appointed body, and the Prime Minister does not need to be an elected MP. In the now-defunct 2007 constitution, a clause explicitly requires Prime Ministers to be elected MPs, and the Senate was a half-elected and half-appointed body.

The junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has promised that an election will be held in early 2016 at the earliest, given that political climate is deemed stable. The NCPO has also vowed to implement national reforms and reconciliation before democracy is restored in the country.

Asked whether recent bomb attacks will affect the NRC deliberation, Alongkorn said parliament officials have been maintaining a tight security since the twin bombing at Siam Paragon shopping mall on 1 February.

"NRC members have to follow their mission, in order to help move our country forward," Alongkorn told reporters, "We will not waver, regardless of any violent incidents or harassment that may occur. I'd like to ask all sides to cease their violent actions, move beyond the conflict, and move forward together, because conflicts are not good for the country. We do not wish to see national reforms stumble now."

3 Phone Snatchers Arrested in Pattaya

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Khaosod English

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17 April 2015, 12:52

The iPhone police reportedly found on one of the suspects

CHONBURI – Police have arrested three Thai men who allegedly stole a mobile phone from a Chinese tourist in the resort town of Pattaya last night.

Police say the 34-year-old Chinese woman was walking in front of Mike Shopping Mall on Pattaya 2 Road when three men on a motorcycle snatched her iPhone and drove away. The tourist then reportedly alerted the police.

The three men were later spotted driving toward South Pattaya, and police gave chase until the perpetrators' motorcycle crashed into a car at Khao Talo intersection. Two men were immediately arrested at the scene, while the other fled into a nearby building, but was also eventually captured.

Pol.Col. Sukthat Pumpanmuang, commander of Muang Pattaya Police Station, said one of the perpetrators was carrying the iPhone that belonged to the Chinese tourist. Two of the suspects were identified as Anuwat Wongkhamhan, 33, and Rittikrai Jingwaja, 23, while the third suspect remains unidentified because he is a minor.

"The victim has confirmed that all of the perpetrators were the ones who committed the crime," Pol.Col. Sukthat said.

According to Pol.Col. Sukthat, police records show that Rittikrai was sentenced to jail two years ago for a theft he committed in Pattaya. Sukthat said Rittikrai was recently released from prison on 3 April, following a Royal Pardon he received on the occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn's 60th birthday.

Pattaya, a coastal resort town east of Bangkok, is well known for its seedy nightlife districts and high rate of crime against foreigners.

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Pattaya Police Ban Pipes from Songkran Waterfights

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Khaosod English

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16 April 2015, 17:46

A motorist drinks beer as he drives his motorcycle in Pattaya, 16 April 2015

CHONBURI – Police in the resort town of Pattaya are cracking down on the use of high-powered plastic pipes to shoot water during Songkran, a festival for the Thai New Year.

Although Songkran officially lasts from 13 – 15 April, waterfights and other activities will continue until 19 April in Pattaya, drawing tens of thousands of tourists and revelers each year.

Pol.Col. Sukthat Pumpanmuang, superintendent of Muang Pattaya Police Station, said today that police will not tolerate the use of plastic PVC pipes as waterguns this year, because they are too forceful and could harm people. He said tourists who carry PVCs will be asked to exchange them with plastic bowls issued by the police.

"If we spot any tourists who bring PVCs other any other type of high-powered waterguns to the festival, we will give them warning about the danger that may happen," Pol.Col. Sukthat said.

The ruling military junta of Thailand has also instructed Thai people to celebrate Songkran in "traditional" and appropriate ways. Prohibited actions include dressing in skimpy clothing, consuming alcohol at festival sites, and applying wet powder paste on strangers' faces. As in previous years, the rules were largely ignored by Songkran revelers.

Pattaya police also told reporters that they have set up checkpoints around the resort town to prevent drunk-driving, especially on Soi Buakao and Sukhumvit Road. Although our correspondent reported that many teenagers were spotted drinking beer and driving motorcycles on the roads, Pol.Col. Methawit Praditpol, superintendent of Sattahip Police Station, said police have not encountered any drunk drivers so far.

"We have not found any motorists who consumed alcohol," Pol.Col. Methawit said, "This is a good thing. The state campaign about strict arrests for driving under alcohol influence meant that there is no drunk driving [during Songkran] this year."

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Pattaya Police Ban Pipes from Songkran Waterfights

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Khaosod English

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16 April 2015, 17:46

CHONBURI – Police in the resort town of Pattaya are cracking down on uses of high-powered plastic pipes to shoot water in the festival to marks Thai New Year.

Although Thai New Year celebration, known as Songkran, officially lasts from 13 – 15 April, waterfights and other activities continue until 19 April in Pattaya, drawing tens of thousands of tourists and revelers each year.

Pol.Col. Sukthat Pumpanmuang, superintendent of Muang Pattaya Police Station, said today that police will not tolerate uses of plastic pipes as waterguns this year, as the pipes, known among Thais as PVC, may cause harm to other individuals. He said tourists who carry PVCs will be asked to exchange them with harmless plastic bowls issued by the police.

"If we spot any tourists who bring PVCs other any other type of high-powered watergun to the festival, we will give them warning about danger that may happen," Pol.Col. Sukthat said.

The ruling military junta of Thailand has also instructed Thai people to celebrate Songkran in "traditional" and appropriate ways. Prohibited actions include dressing in skimpy dresses, consuming alcohol at festival sites, and applying wet powder paste on strangers' faces. Like in previous years, the rules were largely ignored by Songkran revelers.

Pattaya police also told reporters that they have set up checkpoints around the resort town to prevent drunk-driving, especially on Soi Buakao and Sukhumvit Road. Although our correspondent reported that many teenagers were spotted drinking beer and driving motorcycles on the roads, Pol.Col. Methawit Praditpol, superintendent of Sattahip Police Station, said police have not encountered any drunk drivers so far.

"We have not found any motorists who consumed alcohol," Pol.Col. Methawit said, "This is a good thing. The state campaign about strict arrests for driving under alcohol influence meant that there is no drunk driving [during Songkran] this year."

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Charter Drafters to Hear Opinion from 77,000 Thais

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Khaosod English

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16 April 2015, 17:30

A pro-coup rally at Democracy Monument, which was built in 1939 to commemorate the first constitution of Thailand, June 2014.

BANGKOK – Approximately 0.11 percent of the Thai population will be surveyed about their opinion on the draft of the new constitution, a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) said today.

The 30-question survey will cover 1,000 residents from each province of Thailand, CDC member Thawilwadee Bureekul told reporters, totalling 77,000 people. She said the respondents must be at least 18 year old.

According to Thawilwadee, the questions, which are being debated at the moment, will cover issues that are "related to the people," such as requirements for Senators and MPs, elections, and the role of the courts.

"I believe this survey will not only let people voice their opinion about the draft of the constitution. It will also help people have knowledge and understanding about the new constitution," Thawilwadee said. "We will be able to know what the people think about the [charter] that we are drafting, whether it satisfies the people."

She added that the survey will be conducted by the National Statistics Office after the Thai New Year, a holiday known as Songkran that takes place between 13 – 15 April.

The CDC was appointed to draft a constitution after the military junta dissolved the 2007 charter following the May 2014 coup d'etat. The charter, which will be Thailand's 20th since democracy was first established in the country 82 years ago, is expected to be finalized by September. The junta has promised that an election will be held in early 2016 at the earliest, given that political climate is deemed stable.

Anti-coup activists and scholars have criticized the charter draft, calling it a major setback for democracy in Thailand. According to the current draft, the Senate is a fully-appointed body and the Prime Minister does not need to be an elected MP. In the now-defunct 2007 constitution, a clause explicitly requires Prime Ministers to be elected MPs, and the Senate was a half-elected body.

The military junta also has not confirmed whether the charter will be put to vote in a national referendum. Speaking at a press conference today, Maj.Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a junta spokesperson, said there is concern that holding a referendum could re-ignite political conflicts.

"There has been a lot of discussion about having a referendum. The government is listening to opinions from all sides. We believe that a referendum is a channel to help people follow and have interest about the constitution draft," Maj.Gen. Sansern said. "However, at the same time, we have to consider about its potential to lead to conflicts or disputes between sides that disagree with each other. The people do not want to see the repeat of such event again. So, we would like to ask all sides to consider this issue carefully, with consciousness and good will toward the country."

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Thai Army Mistook Muslim Summer Courses for Terrorist Meeting

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Khaosod English

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16 April 2015, 14:28

Local office of Central Islamic Committee of Thailand (CICOT) in Pattani province, 15 April 2015

PATTANI – A commander of the Thai army has admitted that a military intelligence unit mistakenly identified a summer lesson at an Islamic school in the southern province of Pattani as a terrorist conference.

The admission came after soldiers raided the religious school, located in the office of Pattani’s Central Islamic Committee of Thailand (CICOT), on 14 April. A Muslim cleric told reporters that the soldiers said they received reports that 30 “terrorists” were gathering at the madras to plan new attacks against the authorities in late April, but the school was in fact hosting a lesson for Muslim students on summer vacation.

The cleric, Waedueramae Mamingi, told reporters on 15 April that he was upset by the “rude” behavior of the soldiers, who reportedly pushed their way into the classrooms and took photos of the staff without permission, though no arrests were made during the raid.

“Such action amounts to intimidation,” said Waedueramae, who is chairman of CICOT in Pattani. “I am saddened by the information and attitude of officers from some units that don’t adhere to the policy [of reconciliation] issued by the Commander of the Fourth Region Army. I think I will need to discuss this allegation with the commander, in order to solve problems in the region. I believe the mistake was caused by prejudice, and a lack of filtering of information.”

Waedueramae added that he was surprised by the raid because CICOT had already informed local police about their annual summer courses. “We want to encourage children to use their free time in a beneficial way, instead of behaving in any inappropriate way,” the cleric said.

Speaking to Khaosod about the incident, the commander of the Fourth Region Army said the misunderstanding was due to an error in intelligence.

“Every side is working to find peace. Every side is working to find solutions to return peace and happiness to the southern border provinces,” Lt.Gen. Prakarn Chollayuth told Khaosod. “I think there needs to be a revision of the operations of the security force’s intelligence unit. We have to work in a transparent, straight forward way, and uphold human rights and laws.”

Muslim insurgents seeking to secede Pattani and its two neighboring provinces, Yala and Narathiwat, have been locked in a bloody conflict with Thai authorities since early 2004. The secessionist violence has claimed more than 6,000 lives in the region, which has been governed under martial law for the past nine years; under martial law, soldiers can raid properties and detain individuals for up to seven days without court warrants.

Experts say the conflict is mostly fueled by ethnic and religious differences. While the vast majority of Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, the three southern provinces, known as the Deep South, are mostly populated by Malay Muslims who speak a distinct dialect and trace their ancestry back to the sultanate of Patani, which was annexed by Thailand in early 20th century.

Approximately 60,000 security officers have been deployed in the region to combat the insurgency. Although most of the violence has been instigated by insurgents, security officers have been accused of abuse and violating human rights in the region.

A raid in Pattani last month that left four men dead highlighted the ongoing mistrust among local residents towards security forces in the region. The military initially told the press that the four men were armed militants who opened fire on officers, but an investigative panel later concluded that the deceased were unarmed civilians without any link to the insurgency. Lt.Gen. Prakarn, the Fourth Region Army chief, publicly apologized for the raid on 7 April.

Seven soldiers have been summoned to report to police for murder charges in connection with the raid.

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Thai Army Mistook Islam Summer Courses for Terrorist Meeting

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Khaosod English

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16 April 2015, 14:28

Muslim children register for religious lessons at the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand in Pattani province, April 15. 2015.

PATTANI – A commander of the Thai army has admitted that a military intelligence unit mistakenly identified a summer lesson at an Islamic school in the southern province of Pattani as a terrorist conference.

The admission came after soldiers raided the religious school, located in the office of Pattani's Central Islamic Committee of Thailand (CICOT), on 14 April. A Muslim cleric told reporters that the soldiers said they received reports that 30 "terrorists" were gathering at the madras to plan new attacks against the authorities in late April, but the school was in fact hosting a lesson for Muslim students on summer vacation.

The cleric, Waedueramae Mamingi, told reporters on 15 April that he was upset by the "rude" behavior of the soldiers, who reportedly pushed their way into the classrooms and took photos of the staff without permission, though no arrests were made during the raid.

"Such action amounts to intimidation," said Waedueramae, who is chairman of CICOT in Pattani. "I am saddened by the information and attitude of officers from some units that don't adhere to the policy [of reconciliation] issued by the Commander of the Fourth Region Army. I think I will need to discuss this allegation with the commander, in order to solve problems in the region. I believe the mistake was caused by prejudice, and a lack of filtering of information."

Waedueramae added that he was surprised by the raid because CICOT had already informed local police about their annual summer courses. "We want to encourage children to use their free time in a beneficial way, instead of behaving in any inappropriate way," the cleric said.

Speaking to Khaosod about the incident, the commander of the Fourth Region Army said the misunderstanding was due to an error in intelligence.

"Every side is working to find peace. Every side is working to find solutions to return peace and happiness to the southern border provinces," Lt.Gen. Prakarn Chollayuth told Khaosod. "I think there needs to be a revision of the operations of the security force's intelligence unit. We have to work in a transparent, straight forward way, and uphold human rights and laws."

Muslim insurgents seeking to secede Pattani and its two neighboring provinces, Yala and Narathiwat, have been locked in a bloody conflict with Thai authorities since early 2004. The secessionist violence has claimed more than 6,000 lives in the region, which has been governed under martial law for the past nine years; under martial law, soldiers can raid properties and detain individuals for up to seven days without court warrants.

Experts say the conflict is mostly fueled by ethnic and religious differences. While the vast majority of Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, the three southern provinces, known as the Deep South, are mostly populated by Malay Muslims who speak a distinct dialect and trace their ancestry back to the sultanate of Patani, which was annexed by Thailand in early 20th century.

Approximately 60,000 security officers have been deployed in the region to combat the insurgency. Although most of the violence has been instigated by insurgents, security officers have been accused of abuse and violating human rights in the region.

A raid in Pattani last month that left four men dead highlighted the ongoing mistrust among local residents towards security forces in the region. The military initially told the press that the four men were armed militants who opened fire on officers, but an investigative panel later concluded that the deceased were unarmed civilians without any link to the insurgency. Lt.Gen. Prakarn, the Fourth Region Army chief, publicly apologized for the raid on 7 April.

Seven soldiers have been summoned to report to police for murder charges in connection with the raid.

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Thai Motorist Kills 2 Chinese Tourists in Prachuap

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Khaosod English

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16 April 2015, 11:57

Police inspect the car driven by a Thai man that fatally crashed into two Chinese tourists, 15 April 2015

PRACHUAP KIRI KHAN – A Thai motorist has been detained for a deadly crash that killed two Chinese tourists in Prachuap Kiri Khan province last night.

Pol.Lt. Satit Duangdee, an officer at Muang Prachuap Police Station, said the accident took place at 311 kilometer mark on Phetkasam Road at around 11 pm yesterday.

The officer said the two Chinese tourists were walking from a roadside food stall to their hotel in darkness when an oncoming car hit them. The car kept speeding from the crime scene, dragging one of the bodies approximately 1 kilometer away, Pol.Lt. Satit said.

According to Satit, the car eventually came to a stop and was arrested by police officers at an automobile repair shop near an intersection.

Police say the two victims were 48 and 64 year old Chinese tourists from southern China.

The driver, identified as Thanuwat Chamnit, a 56 year old resident from Bangkok, reportedly told police that the two Chinese tourists were crossing the road in the dark and he could not see them in time. He also said he did not immediately stop his car at the crime scene because he was afraid that friends of relatives of the victims may assault him out of anger, Pol.Lt. Satit added.

Thanuwat has been charged with reckless driving that leads to deaths of others. At least five witnesses have been summoned to give testimonies to the police, Pol.Lt. Satit told reporters.

The incident is the second road accident involving foreigners in last two days in Prachuap Kiri Khan province. On the early morning of 15 April, a British tourist reportedly crashed his car into a motorcycle on Phetkasem Road, killing an off-duty police officer.

South Korean Investigators Sent to Japan After Asiana Plane Accident

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Khaosod English

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15 April 2015, 23:40

A file photo shows a Boeing 747-400 of Korean airlines Asiana Airlines arriving at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, 2 February 2015. South Korea dispatched an investigative team to western Japan after an Asiana Airline jetliner veered off the runway at a local airport, injuring 22 people. Photo: Christoph Schmidt/dpa<br /> — A file photo shows a Boeing 747-400 of Korean airlines Asiana Airlines arriving at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, 2 February 2015. South Korea dispatched an investigative team to western Japan after an Asiana Airline jetliner veered off the runway at a local airport, injuring 22 people. Photo: Christoph Schmidt/dpa

TOKYO (DPA) – South Korea dispatched an investigative team to western Japan after an Asiana Airline jetliner veered off the runway at a local airport, injuring 22 people, a report said Wednesday.

All 74 passengers and eight crew members on board the Airbus A320 operated by the South Korean airline left the aircraft by using an escape chute, the Kyodo News agency reported, citing local authorities.

The wheel of the aircraft may have struck a wireless communication facility near Hiroshima Airport, 700 kilometres west of Tokyo, when landing shortly after 8 pm (1100 GMT) Tuesday, Kyodo said, citing a Japanese Transport Ministry official.

The 6.4-metre high facility, located about 300 metres from an edge of the runway, was found damaged. The plane's left wing and left engine were damaged while scratches were seen on its tail, Kyodo said.

Transport Safety Board officials suspected that the aircraft flew at an abnormally low altitude before skidding off the runway, broadcaster NHK reported.

It was foggy and mildly raining near the airport at that time, weather authorities said.

The aircraft had left Incheon airport near Seoul at around 6:30 pm (0930 GMT).

Fifty-four domestic and international flights in and out of the airport have been cancelled Wednesday as it has been closed since the accident, NHK said.

In July 2013, an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 crashed on landing at San Francisco International Airport, killing three passengers and injuring more than 180.

Chinese Tourist Robbed of 40,000 Baht by Bag Snatcher

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Khaosod English

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15 April 2015, 17:41

A police warning sign about bag snatchers in Pattaya, Chonburi province.

CHONBURI – A bag snatcher in the resort town of Pattaya robbed a Chinese tourist on her last day in Thailand this morning, police say.

A Thai man on motorcycle sped past the 51-year-old Chinese woman in North Pattaya and stole her bag at around 1 am, said Pol.Maj. Piyapong Ensan, an officer from the Tourism Police force in Pattaya. The woman and her friends tried to chase after the thief but failed, he said.

The victim reportedly told police through an interpreter that the bag contained her passport, cash, and other items. She estimated to have lost at least 40,000 baht.

"The victim is very worried, because she is scheduled to return to her country on the next day," Pol.Maj. Piyapong said. "Now that her bag has been snatched, she has no passport."

The officer said the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has been contacted to provide emergency assistance to the tourist.

Police in Pattaya are studying CCTV footage around the crime scene and dispatching detectives to the neighborhood to identify the perpetrator, Pol.Maj. Piyapong said. He also warned that many thieves are targeting tourists and revelers during Thai traditional New Year festival, also known as Songkran, in Pattaya this week.

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