State Railway Compensates Rape Victim, Ending 13-Year Dispute

By

-

11 November 2014, 13:30

The SRT unveiled "women only" sleeping cars on 1 August 2014 after a 13-year-old girl was raped and murdered on a Bangkok-bound train.

BANGKOK — The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has agreed to give more than 5 million baht to a woman who was raped on a train by one of the company’s employee thirteen years ago.

The woman was sexually assaulted on a sleeping car en route to Bangkok in 2001 and later sued the SRT for 3 million baht in compensation. Two lower courts ordered the SRT to compenstate the victim, but the agency refused to pay and appealed the verdict twice.

The case was under review by Thailand’s Supreme Court until today, when the chairman of the SRT's executive board said the company has finally agreed to pay the compensation. The payment will include 2 million baht in interest, said SRT executive Omsin Cheewapruek.

"The SRT recognises the damage that has indeed taken place, and society has already judged the SRT to be at fault," Omsin told reporters. "So we think we should settle the matter and not wait for the court's verdict."

The SRT maintains a state monopoly on domestic train services in Thailand and has been criticised for its outdated facilities, frequent delays, and a lack of transparency in hiring practices.

The SRT was hit with fresh scandal in July when a 13-year-old girl was raped and murdered aboard a sleeping train on a Bangkok-bound route. The court later found an SRT employee guilty of raping the victim and throwing her body overboard, and sentenced him to death for the alleged murder.

Public outrage spurred Thailand's military junta to remove the state railway's governor, Prapat Chongsanguan, shortly after the murder.

In August, the SRT unveiled "Ladies and Children Sleeping Cars" on overnight trains to quell safety concerns.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Asia-Pacific Leaders Push Trade Deals At Summit Talks

By

Khaosod English

-

11 November 2014, 13:30

An exterior view of one of the buildings hosting the APEC Summit in Yanqi Lake, Huairou district of Beijing, China, 11 November 2014. The APEC 2014 Summit and related meetings will be held in Beijing from 05 to 11 November, gathering leaders of 21 member economies. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL<br /> — An exterior view of one of the buildings hosting the APEC Summit in Yanqi Lake, Huairou district of Beijing, China, 11 November 2014. The APEC 2014 Summit and related meetings will be held in Beijing from 05 to 11 November, gathering leaders of 21 member economies. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

By Joanna Chiu

BEIJING (DPA) — Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Pacific Rim nations Tuesday to speed up a Beijing-backed free trade agreement at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

"Clarify the goal, the direction, the road map," Xi told the other leaders, including President Barack Obama and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

"Let prospects become reality and make the two sides of the Pacific highly open and integrated," he said in opening remarks.

China and the United States are both pushing for progress on what many see as rival trade agreements.

Beijing is promoting the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), a free trade zone seeking to involve all APEC members, while Washington is pursuing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with 12 Asia-Pacific countries excluding China.

US officials have denied the deals are in competition.

Obama announced Tuesday that progress had been made on a separate trade deal.

The US and China had reached an "understanding" in negotiations to eliminate tariffs on high-tech goods, he said. The negotiations would help bring talks on an Information Technology Agreement to a "rapid conclusion," Obama said.

Leaders from Pacific Rim countries and territories were in a resort north of Beijing for the main day of talks at the APEC summit.

The meeting followed a number of short encounters between leaders of countries with strained ties.

South Korean President Park Geun Hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met for the first time in eight months at a welcome dinner on Monday evening, Yonhap News Agency reported. Abe and Park were sat next to each other at the dinner, the report said.

Territorial disagreements and disputes over their wartime history – in particular the issue of Korean sex slaves during World War II – have complicated ties between the two nations.

Abe also met Chinese President Xi Jinping for their first bilateral talks as leaders on Monday, amid similar tensions over disputed territory.

Obama and Putin, whose countries are embroiled in a row over the crisis in Ukraine, had also met fleetingly on the sidelines of the summit.

The two leaders "exchanged a few words," according to Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Tuesday's talks take place at a hotel resort on the banks of Yanqi lake north of Beijing.

Formed 25 years ago, APEC seeks to promote sustainable growth and economic integration, and reduce trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region.

Asia-Pacific Leaders Approve Roadmap on China-Backed Free Trade Plan

By

Khaosod English

-

11 November 2014, 13:30

A pagoda is silhouetted during sunrise at the venue of APEC Summit in Yanqi Lake in Beijing, China, 11 November 2014. The APEC 2014 Summit and related meetings will be held in Beijing from 05 to 11 November, gathering leaders of 21 member economies. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA<br /> — A pagoda is silhouetted during sunrise at the venue of APEC Summit in Yanqi Lake in Beijing, China, 11 November 2014. The APEC 2014 Summit and related meetings will be held in Beijing from 05 to 11 November, gathering leaders of 21 member economies. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA

By Joanna Chiu

BEIJING (DPA) — Twenty-one world leaders approved a proposal Tuesday to move forward on a China-backed free trade deal for Pacific Rim economies.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called the move a historic first step in his closing remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit hosted by Beijing.

"I believe our discussions today are of great significance. We can say with pride that we did the right thing," Xi told the other leaders, including President Barack Obama and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Xi later told a press conference that APEC members had agreed to launch a two-year study of the proposal, a first step in a process toward possible adoption.

China and the United States were each pushing what many saw as rival trade agreements.

Beijing promoted a free trade zone seeking to involve all APEC members, while Washington pushed its own Trans-Pacific Partnership with 12 Asia-Pacific countries excluding China.

US officials have denied the deals are in competition.

Obama announced Tuesday that progress had been made on a separate trade deal to eliminate tariffs on high-tech goods.

Leaders from Pacific Rim countries and territories were in a resort north of Beijing for the main day of talks at the APEC summit.

The meeting followed several brief encounters between leaders of countries with strained relations.

South Korean President Park Geun Hye and Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe met for the first time in eight months Monday evening, Yonhap News Agency reported. Abe and Park were seated next to each other at the welcome dinner.

Territorial disagreements and disputes over their wartime history – in particular the issue of Korean sex slaves during World War II – have complicated ties between the two nations.

Abe also met Xi Jinping for their first bilateral talks Monday, amid similar tensions over disputed territory.

Obama and Putin, whose countries are embroiled in a row over the crisis in Ukraine, had also met fleetingly on the sidelines of the summit.

The two leaders "talked briefly, yet touched on the issues of bilateral relations, Ukraine, Syria and Iran," according to Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Formed 25 years ago, APEC seeks to promote sustainable growth and economic integration, and reduce trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region.

Reform Body Seeking Junta's Approval For Public Forums

By

Khaosod English

-

11 November 2014, 12:42

A group photo of the National Reform Council (NRC) in front of parliament on 11 Oct 2014. NRC Chairman Thienchay Kiranandana is seated in the centre. <br /> — A group photo of the National Reform Council (NRC) in front of parliament on 11 Oct 2014. NRC Chairman Thienchay Kiranandana is seated in the centre.

BANGKOK — The chairman of the National Reform Council (NRC) says he is seeking permission from Thailand’s military junta to solicit opinions from the public concerning the country's national reform effort.

Thienchay Kiranandana told reporters today he is waiting for the junta's green light because the country is still under martial law, which bans all political activity.

"The NRC will discuss the matter with the NCPO," Thienchay said, referring to the military junta's formal name, the National Council for Peace and Order.

Thienchay has previously vowed to gather opinions from all sectors of Thai society to make the national reform process as inclusive as possible.

He added that he would not petition the NCPO to repeal the martial law, because he believes the law "has no impact" on the NRC's effort to weigh public opinion.

"It has no impact. There's no conflict here, so there is no need to repeal martial law," the NRC chairman told reporters. "We will use a diverse ways to listen to opinions. For example, the public can directly send their opinions to the NRC by mail."

The reform effort was launched by the NCPO, which seized power from Thailand’s elected government in a military coup on 22 May 2014. The NRC, whose members were handpicked by the junta in October without any public consultation, have been tasked with implementing reforms across a wide range of sectors, including politics, economics, culture, and mass media among others.

The junta promises that a national election will be held after the reforms and "national reconciliation" have been completed.

Thienchay, a former rector at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said he is confident in the "spirit" of the NRC.

"Everyone knows what they are doing. Let me insist that all of them have an excellent spirit in their work. I am confident that all of the processes will meet the goals we have set," Thienchay said.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Swiss Tourist Missing On Koh Tao Island

By

Khaosod English

-

11 November 2014, 12:30

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 — Police are searching for a Swiss tourist who went missing from Koh Tao island three days ago and has not been seen since.

Hanspeter Suter, 44, was last seen at around 5 pm on Haat Sai Ri beach on 8 November, said Koh Tao mayor Chaiyan Thurasakul.

According to Chaiyan, the Swiss man rented snorkeling equipment from a store by the beach on Saturday and was later seen snorkeling in a "shallow area."

Staff at the rental store alerted police when Suter did not return after nightfall, Chaiyan said.

Suter's disappearance coincided with a storm that rocked the southern coast of Thailand over the weekend, but Chaiyan said police are optimistic that Hanspeter may be still alive.

"Suter was swimming in the shallow area, so it's unlikely that he drowned," the mayor told reporters. "If he did drown, his body would have swept to the shore already. It's been two days."

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

On Saturday, Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned of heavy rain and high seas along Thailand's southern coast and urged all vessels in the area to exercise extreme caution.

Provinces affected by the rain storm include Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Songkhla, Trang, Satul, Pattalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, and Chumporn.

Suter's disappearance is the latest incident to hit the popular island of Koh Tao, a top destination for snorkling. Two British backpackers were murdered on the island on 15 September.

Two Burmese workers have been accused of murdering the two Britons, though they have denied the allegation.

CORRECTION: The original article mistakenly reversed the order of the victim's first and last name.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Brief Words Between Leaders Build Up to Asia-Pacific Summit Talks

By

Khaosod English

-

11 November 2014, 11:45

Participants of APEC 2014 summit: Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (L), Russian President Vladimir Putin (2-L), Chinese President Xi Jinping, (C), with his wife, Peng Liyuan (2-R) and US President Barack Obama (R) at a ceremonial reception held for members. Photo: EPA/MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV<br /> — Participants of APEC 2014 summit: Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (L), Russian President Vladimir Putin (2-L), Chinese President Xi Jinping, (C), with his wife, Peng Liyuan (2-R) and US President Barack Obama (R) at a ceremonial reception held for members. Photo: EPA/MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV

By Joanna Chiu

BEIJING (DPA) — Leaders from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond arrived Tuesday for the main day of talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit outside Beijing, following a number of short encounters between leaders of countries with strained ties.

South Korean President Park Geun Hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met for the first time in eight months at a welcome dinner on Monday evening, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Abe and Park were sat next to each other at the dinner, the report said.

Territorial disagreements and disputes over their wartime history – in particular the issue of Korean sex slaves during World War II – have complicated ties between the two nations.

Abe also met Chinese President Xi Jinping for their first bilateral talks as leaders on Monday, amid similar tensions over disputed territory.

US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, whose countries are embroiled in a row over the crisis in Ukraine, have also met fleetingly on the sidelines of the summit.

The two leaders "exchanged a few words," according to Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Tuesday's talks take place on the banks of Yanqi lake north of Beijing, with meeting halls housed in a huge and futuristic metallic sphere.

Formed 25 years ago, APEC seeks to promote sustainable growth and economic integration, and reduce trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region.

Southern Insurgency: Man Injured By Booby-Trapped Independence Sign

By

Khaosod English

-

10 November 2014, 19:19

Two mines were found near a sign that reads "Independent Pattani" in Narathiwat province, 10 November 2014.

NARATHIWAT — A 25-year-old man was injured by a homemade bomb that authorities suspect was intended target security officers in the restive province of Narathiwat this morning.

The bomb was planted at the foot of a banner that expressed support for an independent state comprised of the three southern border provinces at a cornfield in Sri Sakorn disrict, police say.

A 25-year-old man spotted the banner at around 8 am and approached the sign to inspect it, triggering the explosive, police say. The victim is being treated for injuries at the hospital.

Police officers also discovered another homemade mine near the banner when they inspected the crime scene. The bomb was destroyed by an EOD team.

Pol.Lt. Daoyod Keyusa, an officer at Sri Sakorn Police Station, said he believes the two explosives were planted to target security officers in the area.

On the same day, a roadside bomb exploded in Pattani province, injuring a soldier who was riding in a pick-up truck on the road.

Tens of thousands of troops, policemen, and armed volunteers have been deployed in the border provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat since waves of Islamic separatist violence broke out in 2004.

The security forces face almost daily attacks from militant groups who are fighting to revive the Islamic state of Pattani, which was independent before it was incorporated into Thailand in early 20th century.

More than 6,200 people have died in the insurgency that has gripped the three provinces, known as the Deep South, for a decade.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Man Injured By Booby-Trapped Independence Sign