Heated Gunfight Kills Two Suspected Southern Separatists

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16 November 2014, 09:25

Aftermath of the gunfight that killed two suspected insurgents in Pattani province, 14 Nov 2014.<br /> — Aftermath of the gunfight that killed two suspected insurgents in Pattani province, 14 Nov 2014.

PATTANI – The military says two high-ranking members of the separatist movement in southern Thailand were shot and killed during a gun battle with security forces in Pattani province on Friday.

The military reportedly surrounded Khok Node village in Nong Chik district at around 3.30 am to arrest suspected separatists who were taking shelter in the community, but a prolonged gunfight ensued, forcing local residents to flee the village in terror.

After the firefight was over, the military moved in to secure the area and arrest five suspects. Two men, identified as Rushdie Baerosamae, 33, and Abdullah Manjete, 31, were also found dead in their bullet-ridden house.

Col. Pramote Prom-in, spokesperson of the southern chapter of Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), said in a press conference yesterday that the deceased were high-ranking operatives of a separatist cell that has been organising attacks on civilians and security forces in the region.

According to Col. Pramote, Rushdie is wanted for 11 arrest warrants on charges related to his insurgency activities, and Abdullah has more than 40 arrest warrants on his profile.

"They have caused much trouble to innocent people in the area," Col. Pramote told reporters. "The success of our operation was due to the policies and instructions given by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, who ordered our unit to conduct intel operations in an aggressive manner, in order to locate and arrest the extremists."

Tens of thousands of troops, policemen, and armed volunteer "rangers" are stationed in Pattani and its two neighbouring provinces, Yala and Narathiwat, to combat Muslim insurgents who seek to form an independent Islamic state.

Since the wave of separatist violence broke out in 2004, more than 6,200 people have lost their lives in the three southern provinces, known as the Deep South, where drive-by shootings, roadside bombings, and armed clashes take place on a nearly daily basis.

In the press conference today, Col. Pramote also defended the military's heavy-handed approach in raid on Khok Node village. Col. Pramote said security forces only opened fire when the two men refused to surrender themselves and fired at the troops.

"We use soft-to-harsh measures. We asked local clerics and community leaders to convince the two men to surrender themselves, but they end up using their guns, which lead to clashes and losses," Col. Pramote said, adding that two firearms were found in the house where the suspects were holed up.

Two of the five men arrested were released soon after the military established that they had no connection to the insurgent movement. The rest will be prosecuted under the legal system "with fairness," Col. Pramote said.

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Army Chief Defends Censoring Thai PBS News Show

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15 November 2014, 16:44

Nattaya Wawweerakhup (3rd from L) poses for photo with the crew of "Voices of the People That Must Be Heard Before the Reform."<br /> — Nattaya Wawweerakhup (3rd from L) poses for photo with the crew of "Voices of the People That Must Be Heard Before the Reform."

BANGKOK — Thailand’s army chief has insisted that it was necessary to order a state-owned TV station to drop a talk show that was airing complaints from the public about the 22 May coup.

Gen. Udomdet Sitabutr, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army and Deputy Minister of Defence, was the first high-ranking official to publicly admit that the military instructed Thai PBS to drop a talk show in which southern villagers and activists were asked about their opinions about the junta's reform process and the military coup on 22 May 2014.

Isra News previously reported that at least four colonels visited Thai PBS’s headquarters in Bangkok to voice their dissatisfaction with the show, called "Voices of the People That Must Be Heard Before the Reform." The station later said in a statement that the show’s host, Nattaya Wawweerakhup, has been "temporarily" removed from the program.

Gen. Udomdet insisted that the visit was "not an order to suspend anything," and that military was merely reacting to "an attitude that displays mis-understanding about some matters" which deserved "conversation."

"Some actions [by the media] may lead to more negative consequences than positive ones," said Gen. Udomdet, who succeeded Prime Minister and junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha as the Thai army's chief in early October. "But we didn't do anything much. We merely asked for their understanding."

Gen. Udomdet also told reporters that the military has been in "constant" contact with some TV stations since the coup on 22 May.

"Nowadays, the measure has greatly decreased, but there is still necessity to engage in conversations with some media agencies, because what they display sometimes affects the [Thailand’s] image in a negative way," Gen. Udomdet said.

He continued, "So we felt it was necessary to talk [to Thai PBS] and ask for their cooperation. We ask that those in charge of all types of media have understanding and cooperate with us. If we feel that some media reports, once broadcast out there, may lead to disorder or inappropriate consequences in the current situation, we will ask for cooperation, because we need to maintain peace and order."

This week's incident is latest crackdown on the press by the junta's National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) after it staged a coup against the elected government on 22 May 2014. Since seizing power, the junta has banned any criticism of the regime, crushed any political protests, and briefly detained hundreds of activists.

In a meeting between the junta representatives and editors of 17 newspapers on 12 November, military officers also reportedly told the journalists that there is a limit to what they can report.

“Gen Prayut Chan-ocha, the Prime Minister and NCPO leader, has never censored the media. We are open, but please stay within the limits. [We] don’t want any colour. [You media] must report news positively," Lt.Gen Suchai Pongput was quoted as saying.

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Thai Junta Chairman To Tour Two Redshirt Provinces This Week

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15 November 2014, 16:44

Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha (L) and Burmese President Thein Sein with their wives at the ASEAN summit in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, 12 November 2014.

BANGKOK — The chairman of Thailand’s military junta is scheduled to visit two northeastern provinces this week that are considered strongholds of the Redshirt movement.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is also Prime Minister, will tour the provinces of Khon Kaen and Kalasin on 19 November, officials at the Government House said.

Officials say the junta leader is making the trip to collect opinions from the public about his administration of the country.

"He will listen to people about any problems they have, and he will use the same opportunity to explain about what the government has done, and what the government plans to do in the future," an official told Khaosod today.

The exact schedule will be finalized by Gen. Prayuth after he returns from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Myanmar, officials said.

Khon Kaen and Kalasin are among the northeastern provinces home to the Redshirts, a coalition of mostly rural and poor Thais who are fiercely loyal to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his political dynasty.

Though Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006, he has continued to wield significant influence over political parties allied to him, including the Pheu Thai Party, whose administration was toppled by Gen. Prayuth in the 22 May coup.

In the wake of the 22 May coup, the junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has cracked down on the Redshirt network and Pheu Thai Party supporters by briefly detaining hundreds of politicians, activists, and academics perceived to be sympathetic to the former government. Most detainees were forced to sign agreements not to participate in any political activities as a condition of their release.

The military has also banned public protests and sent violators to face trial in military court, where no appeals are possible.

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Russian Tourist Wounded By Mugger In Pattaya

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15 November 2014, 16:44

CHONBURI — Police have arrested a 23-year-old Thai man for allegedly slashing a Russian tourist with a knife in an attempt to rob her in the resort town of Pattaya last night.

The Russian tourist, 22, told police she was walking down Soi 5 in Nong Prue subdistrict at around 11 pm last night with her boyfriend when a man parked his motorcycle next to her and attempted to grab her purse.

When the she refused to let go of her bag, the Thai man reportedly attacked her with a knife before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

The woman suffered knife wounds on her right hand, Pol.Col. Suphathee.

Police later received reports that a group of bystanders managed to detain the mugger 500 metres away from the crime scene. Pol.Col. Suphathee said officers found a knife on the man, identified as Manat Khemthong, 23, and that he confessed to committing the crime.

"The victim also confirmed to us that Manat is the perpetrator," Pol.Col. Suphathee said.

According to Pol.Col. Suphathee, Manat used to work as a staff in a karaoke bar in South Pattaya, but the bar closed down recently, leaving him without income. The suspect reportedly told police he drove around the area to look for potential victims and found the Russian woman, but that she refused to give up her purse.

Pattaya is known for its seedy nightlife and high rate of crimes against foreigners.

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Body Found Off Koh Tao 'Not Missing Swissman'

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15 November 2014, 13:49

Tourist police issued a missing person poster for Suter Hanspeter, 44, who was last seen at around 5 pm on Haat Sai Ri beach on 8 November.

SURAT THANI — The dead body found off the southern island of Koh Tao yesterday is not the Swiss tourist who was reported missing a week ago, police say.

Deputy commander of Surat Thani police Pol.Col. Sonthichai Arwattanakullathep said yesterday that a forensic examination revealed that the unidentified body is not Hanspeter Suter, who went missing on 8 November.

Suter was reported missing after he rented a set of snorkeling equipment from Haat Sai Ri beach on Koh Tao island. He was last seen swimming "in the shallow area" of the sea on the same day a rainstorm hit the coast of southern Thailand, raising fears that he may have drowned.

Police have yet to identify the dead body that was found on 14 November, though Pol.Col. Sonthichai speculated that the deceased may have been European because "the body has a tattoo that's popular among Europeans."

"Police have sent requests for information to every foreign embassy about the matter," Pol.Col. Sonthichai said. "We are waiting confirmation about who the deceased is."

Suter's disappearance is the latest incident to hit the popular island of Koh Tao, a top destination for snorkeling where two British backpackers were murdered in September. Police have accused two Burmese migrant workers on the island of murdering the two Britons, but they have denied the allegation.

Pol.Col. Sonthichai insisted that the dead body found off the coast of Koh Tao shows no marks of murder. "We are waiting for the autopsy report about the cause of death," he said.

Police have urged anyone who has information about Suter to contact them at 1555 or 081-538-9714.

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Bowing To Junta's Pressure, Thai PBS Axes 'Reform' Broadcast

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15 November 2014, 12:32

Nattaya Wawweerakhup, the recently fired host of Thai PBS's "Voices of the People."<br /> — Nattaya Wawweerakhup, the recently fired host of Thai PBS's "Voices of the People."

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta has reportedly ordered a publicly funded TV station to drop a talk show that discussed dissatisfaction with the 22 May coup.

At least four colonels visited Thai PBS’s headquarters in Bangkok and instructed the station’s directors to stop broadcasting a talk show in which the host, Nattaya Wawweerakhup, asked villagers and activists for their opinions about the junta’s reform process, Isra News reported on Friday.

Nattaya had been interviewing activists in the southern province of Songkhla for her show, called "Voices of the People That Must Be Heard Before the Reform."

Thai PBS executives reportedly agreed to adjust the program and strip the show down to "news format," without the forum session. The host, Nattaya, was also removed from the show altogether, Thai PBS announced yesterday.

After a lengthy proclamation that the company was committed to press freedom and media ethics, Thai PBS explained that it was necessary for the station to "temporarily change the host" of the show.

The station executives also referred to the military officers' visit as a constructive "meeting to reach mutual understanding about the role of public media."

Sources inside the "armed force for maintaining peace and order," a security apparatus that answers directly to the military junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), confirmed to Khaosod that the order was approved by "high-ranking commanders of the NCPO."

According to the sources, the military is "very upset" by the way Nattaya asked villagers about their "satisfaction" with the junta's reform plans.

The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that Thai PBS director Somchai Suwanban first agreed to "adjust the program," but was approached again after Nattaya taped another forum in Nakhon Pathom and asked participants similar questions about the coup.

"The same group of officers then met with Somchai again. They asked him why this thing kept happening, after an understanding had been reached," one of the sources said.

Last March Thai PBS, which is regarded by critics as a supporter of the movement that ousted the former government, bowed to pressure from a group of ultra-royalists and axed a televised show that featured debates about the Thai monarchy.

This week's incident is latest crackdown on the press by the NCPO after it staged a coup against the elected government on 22 May 2014.

Since seizing power, the junta has banned any criticism of the regime, crushed any political protests, and briefly detained hundreds of activists.

In a meeting between the junta representatives and editors of 17 newspapers on 12 November, military officers reportedly told the journalists that there is a limit to what they can report.

“Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister and NCPO leader, has never censored the media. We are open, but please stay within the limits. [We] don’t want any colour. [You media] must report news positively," Lt.Gen Suchai Pongput was quoted as saying.

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Bowing To Junta's Pressure, Thai PBS Axes 'Reform' Broadcast

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15 November 2014, 11:45