Kritsuda's Link to "Blackshirt" Militants Unclear, Police Say

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15 September 2014, 14:00

Screenshot from a video Ms. Kritsuda uploaded on 13 Sept 2014, refuting "Uncle Somyot's" allegations and insisting that she was too young to be involved in politics in 2010.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s chief of police has scaled back his claim that a 26-year-old Redshirt activist provided weapons to militants who fought with security officers during the 2010 unrest.

Pol.Gen. Somyot Pumpanmuang previously suggested that Kritsuda Kunasen, who is currently living in exile, supplied military-grade weapons to the suspected "Blackshirt" militants who were arrested last week. He claimed police found pay slips and money transfer records in Ms. Kritsuda's home.

But Pol.Gen. Somyot said yesterday that police have not established a clear link between the 26-year-old activist and the armed militants.

"Ms. Kritsuda may be involved with the case, but we cannot yet determine clearly what the money [Ms. Kritsuda] transferred to those accounts was for," Pol.Gen. Somyot said. "We do not know the purpose of the money."

In May, the military detained Ms. Kritsuda without charges for 27 days, exceeding the seven-day limit on arbitrary detention that authorities respected for the majority of other detainees. After being released, Ms. Kritsuda fled to Europe and accused soldiers of torturing her during the detention – an allegation the military has vehemently denied.

Shortly after Ms. Kritsuda spoke out about her experience in military custody, Pol.Gen. Somyot accused her of engineering gunfire and grenade attacks on anti-government protesters who took to the streets in December 2013 – May 2014.

Last week, Pol.Gen. Somyot also accused Mr. Kritsuda of supplying weapons to Redshirt-allied militants in 2010, following the arrest of five suspected “Blackshirts” on Thursday. The “Blackshirts” is a name given to the masked gunmen who were seen exchanging fire with security forces during the military crackdown on Redshirt protesters around Ratchadamnoen Avenue on 10 April 2010.

Twenty civilians and five soldiers, including the commander of the operation, were killed in the clashes.

Yesterday, Pol.Gen. Somyot insisted that police’s ongoing effort to extradite Ms. Kritsuda is needed to question her about the Blackshirts.

"The police have to arrest Ms. Kritsuda first, so that we can know what the money was for," Pol.Gen. Somyot said, adding that the police still do not know in which country the activist is currently residing.

It’s unclear why the military let Mr. Kritsuda walk free after her detainment. Some Redshirt supporters suspect authorities fabricated the charges against Ms. Kritsuda – which came after her allegations of torture – in an attempt to discredit the activist.

On Saturday, Ms. Kritsuda uploaded a video from Geneva, refuting "Uncle Somyot's" allegations and insisting that she was too young to be involved in politics in 2010.

"I feel ashamed on behalf of the low-ranking and high-ranking police officers who are not happy about this case," Ms. Kritsuda said in the video, adding that she is currently meeting with rights groups in Geneva to talk about her torture experience.

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Suvarnabhumi Airport Restricts Carry of Phone Battery Pack

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14 September 2014, 08:52

Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with passengers at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, 8 September 2014.

BANGKOK — Passengers boarding planes at Bangkok's Survarnabhumi Airport are no longer allowed to carry USB battery packs for their cell phones that exceed certain limits of charging capacity.

Raweewan Netarakavesana, director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said yesterday that the regulation is imposed for safety reasons, and that the restriction applies to both "carry-on" and checked luggage.

According to the new regulation, only two cellphone battery packs, not exceeding 32,000 mAh each, will be allowed onboard.

Samat Pum-orn, a director of Thai Airways' security department, explained that the ban is necessary because of several incidents of portable cellphone battery chargers catching fire during flight.

"Spare phone battery is a dangerous device," Mr. Samat said. "If the lithium inside the device is heated, it can ignite."

Mr. Samat added that passengers who have any questions should consult airport staff during their check-in procedures.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of Bangkok's two airports. The other airport, Don Mueang Airport, has not reported enforcing a similar policy.

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PM Prayuth: No Propaganda Poster, Please

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13 September 2014, 15:05

Banner with image of Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha in Jatujak Market in Bangkok, 26 July 2014.<br /> — Banner with image of Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha in Jatujak Market in Bangkok, 26 July 2014.

BANGKOK — Junta chairman turned Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has asked the government to keep his face off of public posters and banners, drawing a distinction between himself and other military strongman around the world.

Gen. Prayuth told his rubber stamp parliament yesterday that he would like to see more promotion of the Twelve Values he penned for Thai youth, but discouraged the lawmakers from using his portrait in the PR effort.

"Schools and state agencies should display the Twelve Values, but without my photos," Gen. Prayuth said in an address to the National Legislative Assembly, whose members were handpicked by Gen. Prayuth and other junta leaders last month. "You must refrain from putting my photo on the streets."

The Twelve Values, bestowed by Gen. Prayuth to Thai children in July, are the following:

1. Loyalty to the Nation, the Religion, and the Monarchy

2. Honesty, sacrifice, endurance, and noble ideology for the greater good

3. Gratitude for parents, guardians, and teachers

4. Diligence in acquiring knowledge, via school studies and other methods

5. Preserving the Thai customs and tradition

6. Morality and good will for others

7. Correct understanding of democracy with the King as Head of State

8. Discipline, respect for law, and obedience to the older citizens

9. Constant consciousness to practice good deeds all the time, as taught by His Majesty the King

10. Practice of Self-Sufficient Economy in accordance with the teaching of His Majesty the King

11. Physical and mental strength. Refusal to surrender to religious sins.

12. Uphold the interest of the nation over oneself.

Gen. Prayuth's request came amid a spike in foreign media reports painting the junta chairman as an increasingly idiosyncratic and authoritarian ruler.

Gen. Prayuth, who is also commander-in-chief of the Thai army, led the coup on 22 May and was chosen as Prime Minister – he was the sole candidate – by a puppet parliament last month. He also retained his seat as chairman of the junta's governing body, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which grants him supreme power over the interim government.

Banners and posters bearing Gen. Prayuth's image have been placed around public places in Thailand since the military junta took power on 22 May. Photos of Gen. Prayuth and other members of the NCPO are also depicted on state-owned TV channels whenever the junta leader makes a televised speech.

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PM Prayuth: No Propaganda Poster, Please

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13 September 2014, 15:05

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha in Sukhotai province, 12 Sept 2014.

BANGKOK — Junta chairman turned Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has asked the government to keep his face off of public posters and banners, drawing a distinction between himself and other military strongman around the world.

Gen. Prayuth told his rubber stamp parliament yesterday that he would like to see more promotion of the Twelve Values he penned for Thai youth, but discouraged the lawmakers from using his portrait in the PR effort.

"Schools and state agencies should display the Twelve Values, but without my photos," Gen. Prayuth said in an address to the National Legislative Assembly, whose members were handpicked by Gen. Prayuth and other junta leaders last month. "You must refrain from putting my photo on the streets."

The Twelve Values, bestowed by Gen. Prayuth to Thai children in July, are the following:

1. Loyalty to the Nation, the Religion, and the Monarchy

2. Honesty, sacrifice, endurance, and noble ideology for the greater good

3. Gratitude for parents, guardians, and teachers

4. Diligence in acquiring knowledge, via school studies and other methods

5. Preserving the Thai customs and tradition

6. Morality and good will for others

7. Correct understanding of democracy with the King as Head of State

8. Discipline, respect for law, and obedience to the older citizens

9. Constant consciousness to practice good deeds all the time, as taught by His Majesty the King

10. Practice of Self-Sufficient Economy in accordance with the teaching of His Majesty the King

11. Physical and mental strength. Refusal to surrender to religious sins.

12. Uphold the interest of the nation over oneself.

Gen. Prayuth's request came amid a spike in foreign media reports painting the junta chairman as an increasingly idiosyncratic and authoritarian ruler.

Gen. Prayuth, who is also commander-in-chief of the Thai army, led the coup on 22 May and was chosen as Prime Minister – he was the sole candidate – by a puppet parliament last month. He also retained his seat as chairman of the junta's governing body, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which grants him supreme power over the interim government.

Banners and posters bearing Gen. Prayuth's image have been placed around public places in Thailand since the military junta took power on 22 May. Photos of Gen. Prayuth and other members of the NCPO are also depicted on state-owned TV channels whenever the junta leader makes a televised speech.

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Prayuth's Tourism Movie In The Works

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13 September 2014, 14:24

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha addressing the NLA on 23 August 2014. <br /> — Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha addressing the NLA on 23 August 2014.

BANGKOK — Thai authorities are in the early stages of producing a film that will lure tourists to Thailand, following the recommendation of junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

"We are going to produce a film,” Gen. Prayuth told told the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) in a speech yesterday. “The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will make a film like Lost in Bangkok.”

Gen. Prayuth appeared to be referencing Lost in Thailand, a Chinese comedy that was filmed in northern Thailand and reportedly attracted a significant number of Chinese tourists to the region.

"The film will lead tourists to visit Thailand," Gen. Prayuth said. "They will fall in love and have a crush on each other during their travel [in Thailand]."

He added, "Right now we already have the main actor and the main actress. We are still looking for the father of the main actor, and the uncle. Please send your applications to the Ministry of SDHS."

Observers were initially uncertain whether Gen. Prayuth was making a friendly joke; the general frequently veers off official transcripts during his speeches.

Gen. Prayuth, who also serves as the head of the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), added that he wants Thai people to watch less soap operas and read more in order to increase their knowledge and "vision."

Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, confirmed yesterday that officials have already started a discussion about Gen. Prayuth's film proposal.

The movie will likely be co-produced by the SDHS and Ministry of Culture, Pol.Gen. Adul said. He gave no other information, but mentioned that the working title of the film is "Lost in Bangkok."

Last month, Gen. Prayuth urged the Ministry of Culture to make a film that will "inspire" foreign tourists to visit Thailand.

He said hoped the the movie would reinvigorate the Kingdom's tourism industry, which was devastated by six months of deadly political protests prior to the military takeover on 22 May.

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Scotsman Brutally Assaulted By Thais In Pattaya, Police Say

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13 September 2014, 14:21

CHONBURI — Police say they are searching for two Thai men who brutally assaulted a foreign tourist in the popular resort town of Pattaya early this morning.

Police say the assault took place at around 1 am near Soi Bua Kao in Central Pattaya district. The attack left the tourist, who said he is Scottish, with severe injuries on his head and bruises all over his body, police told reporters.

According to Pol.Cpt. Noppadol Raksawong, CCTV footage in the area showed the tourist and another foreigner arguing with a Thai woman in front of a bar in Soi Bua Kao. Two Thai men later arrived on a motorcycle and one of them drew out a knife and started attacking the tourist. A brawl soon ensued.

Pol.Cpt. Noppadol said much of the fight was obscured on the CCTV footage by an umbrella, though the tourist could clearly be seen attempting to walk away, only to be further assaulted. The two Thai men reportedly left the Scotsman bleeding on the street and sped away on their motorcycle.

Pol.Cpt. Noppadol said the police are working to identify and arrest the two men seen in the CCTV.

"This is an act that shows no fear of the law, and it happened in front of many tourists in the area," Pol.Cpt. Noppadol said.

Crimes against foreigners are common in Pattaya, which is well known for its red light district.

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BKK Students Killed In Suspected Gang Assassination

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13 September 2014, 13:20

Police in Samut Prakarn arrested 13 college students who were carrying a number of swords and knives near Kanchanapisek Road, 12 Sept 2014.

BANGKOK — Two college students were shot dead and a third was seriously injured in what police suspect was a fight between rival gangs in Bangkok yesterday evening.

Two students from Pathumwan Institute of Technology were killed while they were riding a motorcycle on Tert Damri Road near Bang Sue train station at around 5 pm yesterday, police say.

Witnesses told police they saw another motorcyclist pull up next to the students and open fire on the pair before speeding away. The two students, 18 and 21 years old, were killed by the gunshots, Pol.Col. Chamnarn Waicharoen said.

Hours earlier another shooting also occurred in the same area. A student from Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin (RUTR) was shot by an unidentified assailant while he was riding on a Bangkok – Lopburi train that had stopped at Bang Sue Train Station.

CCTV footage and witnesses' testimony indicate that a gunman ran up to the train shortly after it stopped at the station, opened fire on the 20-year-old student, and ran away from the scene. The student was severely injured by the gunshot, police say.

The suspect was described as a lean man with short hair wearing a white T-shirt and jeans at the time of the attack. Police have urged citizens to report any information related to the incident.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Chantawit Ramasut, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the two cases may be related, but stressed that more investigation is needed. Parents of the students involved in the two shootings have been summoned to give testimony, he added.

Bangkok’s technical colleges are known for their association with rival gangs whose confrontations occasionally turn deadly.

Last night, police in Samut Prakarn arrested 13 college students who were carrying a number of swords and knives near Kanchanapisek Road. Police say the arrest was a part of crackdown on student gang violence in the area.

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Prayuth's Tourism Movie In The Works

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13 September 2014, 13:20

Soldiers and moviegoers stand for Royal Anthem at a cinema in Nongkhai province, 15 June 2014, at a free movie session organised by the military junta.