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PM Prayuth Receives Royal Endorsement, Promises 'Good Governance'

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Khaosod English
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Gen. Prayuth thanking a portrait of HM the King after receiving his royal endorsement to become the country's next Prime Minister, 25 August 2014.

BANGKOK — Junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has received a royal command from His Majesty the King officially endorsing him as Thailand's 29th Prime Minister.

Gen. Prayuth received the endorsement in front of a giant portrait of King Bhumipol in a ceremony at the Royal Thai Army headquarters this morning. The 86-year-old king was not present at the ceremony, which is usually held at the Government House, as he is currently residing at a hospital in Bangkok for "medical examinations."

The ceremony was attended by the president of the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA), commanders-in-chief of the armed forces, leaders of the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), and other high-ranking officials.

The junta leader, who was selected as Prime Minister by the NLA on 21 August, said in a speech that he felt grateful for His Majesty the King's royal endorsement, which he said is the highest honour he and his family have ever received.

Gen. Prayuth also said he will strive to lead the country forward with widespread reforms of the country’s political, economic, and social sectors.

"The reforms will promote good governance in the political system and administration of the country," Gen. Prayuth said.

He added, "Let me give a promise to the people that I will fully dedicate myself as I carry out my duties. I will be honest, transparent, and I will uphold the interest of the nation and the people as the priority … in order to restore happiness and peace to the people."

There was a slight confusion when Gen. Prayuth said he would form a Cabinet in "October," contrary to the NCPO's claim that the new government will be sworn in before the end of this month. A spokesperson of the military junta, Col. Winthai Suwaree, later explained that Gen. Prayuth's remark was an error.

"I have received confirmation from Gen. Prayuth that everything will be according to the schedule set by the NCPO, which is to submit the list of the Cabinet for His Majesty the King within September," Col. Winthai said. 

After receiving the royal endorsement, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha now officially holds three titles: Prime Minister, chairman of the NCPO, and commander of the Royal Thai Army, although he is scheduled to retire from the latter in September. 

Gen. Prayuth is the first individual to amass such concentrated and widespread power over Thailand’s national administration since 1971, when Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn installed himself as Prime Minister, chairman of Revolutionary Council, and commander of the armed forces.

According to Gen. Prayuth, his interim government will administer the country for the next year, after which a general election is scheduled to be held in October 2015 if the political climate is deemed stable. 

 
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Partisan TV Channels Allowed Back On Air

By
Khaosod English
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Soldier standing guard at the state-owned Channel 11 headquarters in Chiang Mai Province, 20 May 2014.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta has repealed an order that shut down fourteen satellite TV channels shortly after the army declared nationwide martial law in May.

Yesterday, the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) informed Thailand’s state media regulator that twelve of the channels can go back on the air, said Thakorn Tantasith, sec-gen of the National Broadcasting and  Telecommunication Commission (NBTC). The other two stations were allowed to resume operations June.

"Once the NBTC formally approves the decision, the channels can resume their operation," Mr. Thakorn said.

However, the channels still have to comply with conditions set by the junta, Mr. Thakorn said. The stations are required to "change their names," cooperate with the NCPO's missions, broadcast information that is beneficial to the NCPO's missions, and deliver "accurate" news to the public, the NBTC sec-gen explained.

"They cannot broadcast news that distorts the truth or causes misunderstanding, which may affect the peace and order of society," Mr. Thakorn said. "They also have to broadcast programs aimed at achieving national reconciliation."

Most of the channels shut down by the NCPO were openly affiliated with either the Redshirt or Yellowshirt political camps, such as the pro-Red Asia Update and the pro-Yellow ASTV channels. The stations were responsible for airing live broadcasts of the rallies staged by their respective political factions.

When army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha imposed martial law on 20 May, he ordered the 14 channels to shut down, claiming that their partisan nature and "hateful speeches" threatened peace and order. Gen. Prayuth seized power in a military coup two days afterwards. 

Since staging the coup on 22 May, the junta has tightly controlled the state media and exercised a degree of censorship over private media.

 

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Cab Driver Who Allegedly Robbed Chinese Tourist Arrested

By
Khaosod English
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Somphot Krutpheuk, 32, was arrested at his apartment in Taling Chan district for allegedly assaulting and robbing a Chinese tourist on her way to the airport last week, 24 August 2014.

BANGKOK — Police say they have arrested the taxi driver who allegedly assaulted and robbed a Chinese tourist on her way to the airport last week.

Somphot Krutpheuk, 32, was arrested at his apartment in Taling Chan district yesterday and has been charged with robbery using a vehicle. The offence carries a maximum penalty of ten years in jail. 

At a police press conference yesterday, Mr. Somphot confessed to picking up a Chinese passenger from Chulalongkorn University on 21 August and charging her 1,500 baht for a trip to Don Mueang Airport, a fare far above the regular price charged by metered taxis. 

The taxi driver also confessed to parking the car in a secluded area near the Motorway in Bangkok's suburbs and repeatedly punching the Chinese tourist in the stomach in an attempt to rob her, confirming what the tourist told police last week.

Mr. Somphot said he drove away with the tourist's belongings after she fled the car in terror. She had left 3,000 baht in cash, air plane tickets, and clothes inside the vehicle. He said he used all the money for "alcohol and gambling."

Mr. Somphot told police he committed the crime because he was poor and desperately needed the money. Mr. Somphot also offered his apology to all Thais for damaging the Kingdom's reputation. 

Police records say Mr. Somphot was previously arrested in Pathum Thani province in 1999 for a narcotics-related offence and later sentenced to a year and half in prison. 

After he was released from jail, Mr. Somphot was arrested again in 2013 for allegedly gambling inside a Buddhist temple.

There have been several criminal incidents involving taxi drivers in the past month. Two days ago, a taxi driver reportedly attempted to punch an American journalist after he tried to record the cab’s information when the driver refused to use a meter. Earlier this month, a taxi driver allegedly robbed two American passengers with a fake handgun. He was later arrested on the same day.  

 

 

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Redshirt Leader Accepts Ice Bucket Challenge From Political Nemesis

By
Khaosod English
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Nattawut Saikua, a core activist of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), completing the Ice Bucket Challenge on 23 August 2014.

BANGKOK — A leader of Thailand's Redshirt movement accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge from his political archenemy today.

Nattawut Saikua, a core activist of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), was "nominated" to pour a bucket of ice water over his head by Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, who completed the challenge yesterday at the Government Complex in Bangkok.

Mr. Nattawut uploaded a video of himeself accepting the challenge today. In the video, Mr. Nattawut is wearing plain clothes and jokes that he is not wearing office clothing because he is now an unemployed man; the military junta banned all political activity after it staged a coup on 22 May.

The UDD leader also expressed concern that the action of pouring ice water over oneself has eclipsed the challenge's original intention of raising money and awareness for ALS patients. 

"However, I think it's a sign that people in the world still have good will toward each other," Mr. Nattawut said in the video. "Compared with many video clips about violence that humans committed to each other in many countries, I think this activity is very uplifting."

Mr. Nattawut then poured two buckets of ice water over himself. He refused to nominate anyone, explaining that "many people have done this already." The activist added that he has made a donation to an orphanage in Nonthaburi province in the spirit of the challenge.

"Everything else is still the same, you got that?" Mr. Nattawut said to the camera, possibly alluding to the relationship between him and Mr. Somchai. 

The two men's rivalry stems from Mr. Somchai's reluctance to organise a snap election called by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and supported by the UDD in December. Instead, Mr. Somchai insisted that the country was not ready for a national poll, effectively siding with anti-government protesters who sought to boycott the 2 February election and oust Ms. Yingluck's government. 

In April, the Constitutional Court invalidatd the election, forcing the government to ask the EC to organise a new poll. The EC repeatedly stalled and failed to organise a new poll before the military seized power on 22 May.

The Ice Bucket Challenge is part of an ongoing social media campaign that began in the United States this summer to raise awareness about ALS, a neurodegenerative disease with various causes. 

Although the gimmick originally required pouring a bucket of ice water over oneself and then nominating another person to do the same within 24 hours or donate to the ALS Association, many Thais have opted to donate to other charities after completing the challenge. For instance, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva donated to the Red Cross yesterday.

 

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Redshirt Leader Accepts Ice Bucket Challenge From Political Nemesis

By
Khaosod English
-
Nattawut Saikua, a core activist of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), completing the Ice Bucket Challenge on 23 August 2014.

BANGKOK — A leader of Thailand's Redshirt movement accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge from his political archenemy today.

Nattawut Saikua, a core activist of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), was "nominated" to pour a bucket of ice water over his head by Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, who completed the challenge yesterday at the Government Complex in Bangkok.

Mr. Nattawut uploaded a video of himeself accepting the challenge today. In the video, Mr. Nattawut is wearing plain clothes and jokes that he is not wearing office clothing because he is now an unemployed man; the military junta banned all political activity after it staged a coup on 22 May.

The UDD leader also expressed concern that the action of pouring ice water over oneself has eclipsed the challenge's original intention of raising money and awareness for ALS patients. 

"However, I think it's a sign that people in the world still have good will toward each other," Mr. Nattawut said in the video. "Compared with many video clips about violence that humans committed to each other in many countries, I think this activity is very uplifting."

Mr. Nattawut then poured two buckets of ice water over himself. He refused to nominate anyone, explaining that "many people have done this already." The activist added that he has made a donation to an orphanage in Nonthaburi province in the spirit of the challenge.

"Everything else is still the same, you got that?" Mr. Nattawut said to the camera, possibly alluding to the relationship between him and Mr. Somchai. 

The two men's rivalry stems from Mr. Somchai's reluctance to organise a snap election called by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and supported by the UDD in December. Instead, Mr. Somchai insisted that the country was not ready for a national poll, effectively siding with anti-government protesters who sought to boycott the 2 February election and oust Ms. Yingluck's government. 

In April, the Constitutional Court invalidatd the election, forcing the government to ask the EC to organise a new poll. The EC repeatedly stalled and failed to organise a new poll before the military seized power on 22 May.

The Ice Bucket Challenge is part of an ongoing social media campaign that began in the United States this summer to raise awareness about ALS, a neurodegenerative disease with various causes. 

Although the gimmick originally required pouring a bucket of ice water over oneself and then nominating another person to do the same within 24 hours or donate to the ALS Association, many Thais have opted to donate to other charities after completing the challenge. For instance, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva donated to the Red Cross yesterday.

 

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Briton Dies After 'Cocaine-Fueled Argument' in Pattaya

By
Khaosod English
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CHONBURI — A British man died early this morning after going on a cocaine-fueled rampage at a condominium in Chonburi province, his girlfriend says.

Police responded to emergency calls at the condominium in Banglamung district at 3 am today and found the 25-year-old British man’s dead body in his room. Police said the body had many cutting wounds on his face and chest.

Khaosod English is withholding the name of the deceased until it is confirmed that his relatives have been informed.  

Janjira, 23, who says she had been dating the Briton for over a year, told police she found him with another British man and his Thai girlfriend in their condominum room when she returned from work last night. The group was talking to each other in a stressful manner, Ms. Janjira said. 

After doing cocaine and marijuana, the Briton suddenly lost his temper and attacked his girlfriend violently, Ms. Janjira said. At that point, the other Briton and his girlfriend left the room in terror.

Ms. Janjira said she fought with her boyfriend and decided to flee the room. The Briton reportedly followed her and drew a crowd of onlookers in the hallway. Ms. Janjira claimed her boyfriend became frightened by the crowd, ran back into his room, and hit a glass door inside his room. He fell down and died soon afterwards, Ms. Janjira told police.

A search inside the Briton's room turned up a syringe and a joint of marijuna, police say.

Police say they are investigating the incident. Ms. Janjira has not been charged with any crimes. 

 

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New Police Chief Ups Hunt For Transgender Anti-Royal Activist

By
Khaosod English
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Aum Neko protesting the military's declaration of martial law in Bangkok, 20 May 2014.

BANGKOK — The newly appointed chief of the Royal Thai Police has renewed an effort to locate and prosecute the fugitive transgender activist who routinely criticises the monarchy on social media.

Pol.Gen. Somyot Phumphanmuang said yesterday that he has instructed police officers to collect evidence about social media posts made by the activist, Saran Chuichai, aka Aum Neko, for legal prosecution. 

Criticism of the monarchy (lese majeste) is punishable by up to 15 years in prison under Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Codes. Critics of the law say it discourages free speech in Thailand and is easily abused by political actors on all sides to smear opponents.

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has also been instructed to help determine the location of Ms. Saran, who has not been seen in public since the military staged the coup 22 May, said Pol.Gen. Somyot, a staunch royalist who was chosen to be the new Chief of the Royal Thai police by a selection committee last week. 

"I have received information that Mr. Saran [sic] has left the country already," Pol.Gen. Somyot said. "So it's another reason that will further complicate our investigation."

The police chief also said the investigation will take "quite a lot of time." 

While in hiding, Ms. Saran, 21, has continued to post comments on social media that sharply criticise the Thai Royal Family. The student activist – she is enrolled at Thammasat University – claims she has not left Thailand. 

She is already facing a separate lese majeste charge filed by a TV talk show host in 2013. The host, Ponnipa Supatnukul, alleged that Ms. Saran "shocked" everyone in the studio by defaming the monarchy during a recorded panel discussion about students and the national economy.

Military junta leader and Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has promised to "strictly" prosecute those who insult the monarchy.

 

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Prayuth: Movies About Thailand Will Boost Tourism

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Khaosod English
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A military jeep mounted with a machine gun stands guard on Ratchadamri Road in Bangkok on 20 May 2014.

BANGKOK — Prime Minister and junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha has offered a solution to the slump in Thailand's tourism industry: making more movies about Thailand.

Gen. Prayuth, who was voted into the office on 21 August by his rubber-stamp legislative assembly, told representatives of the private sector yesterday that the Ministry of Culture should produce films that "inspire" foreign tourists to visit Thailand.

According to Gen. Prayuth, the films should contain content about Thailand’s "history, national heritage, and things that Westerners want to see.”

Thailand's normally-robust tourism industry has been suffering from a prolonged slump ever since anti-government demonstrations broke out in November last year.

The protesters occupied major intersections and government buildings in Bangkok, while shadowy militants launched regular attacks on the protesters' camps. Nearly 30 people were killed over the six months of street protests. 

The campaign came to end after the Thai army toppled former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government in a coup d’etat on 22 May, bringing back a sense of calm to the country. However, the martial law imposed by the junta has continued to discourage many potential tourists from visiting Thailand.

According to data released by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tourist arrivals for the first seven months of 2014 dropped by 10.47 percent compared to the same period last year, likely due to the political unrest. Revenues from tourism for the same period also dropped by eight percent. 

 

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Ombudsman Petitioned To Remove Prayuth From NCPO

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Khaosod English
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Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha proposed a national budget to the National Legislative Assembly on 18 August 2014.

BANGKOK — A Thai activist has filed a complaint to the Office of Ombudsman urging Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to resign from his position as chairman of the military junta now that he has been selected as the interim government's Prime Minister.

Srisuwan Janya, leader of Defence of Thai Constitution Association, argued Gen. Prayuth is violating the separation of powers principle by holding on to both positions. 

Gen. Prayuth was unanimously voted as Prime Minister last Thursday by members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), a lawmaking body whose members Gen. Prayuth and other junta leaders handpicked earlier this month. 

"The NCPO chooses the NLA, and NLA chooses NCPO leader to the Prime Minister," Mr. Srisuwan said as he filed his official complaint to the Office of Ombudsman yesterday, using the acronym of the junta's National Council for Peace and Order. "This is like scratching each other's back."

Mr. Srisuwan alleged that Gen. Prayuth's acceptance of the premiership reveals his true intention behind staging a military coup on 22 May. 

"He just wanted the seat as Prime Minister," the activist said.

Mr. Srisuwan continued, "My association hereby petitions the Ombudsman to send the case to the Constitutional Court to deliberate on the issue. I will only withdraw my complaint when Gen. Prayuth resigns as the chairman of the NCPO."

Mr. Srisuwan also urged other NCPO members to similarly resign from their seats in the junta if they are appointed as Cabinet members.

Chalermsak Chantim, secretary of the Office of Ombudsman, said the agency will "urgently" process Mr. Srisuwan's complaint, but admitted that officials will have to carefully study the issue as the case has no precedent. 

"We also have to take into the account the fact that the goal of the current constitution is different to previous ones," Mr. Chalermsak said.

The activist's complaint is the first legal challenge against Gen. Prayuth's rise to the premiership, a move that is widely seen as an effort to consolidate his post-coup power in an absolutist fashion. In addition to the top jobs as leader of the national government and the NCPO, Gen. Prayuth is currently commander of the Royal Thai Army, though he is scheduled to retire from the position on 30 September.

Gen. Prayuth is also the chairman of numerous committees and agencies, such as the Board of Investment (BOI), the National Energy Policy Committee, the Special Economic Zone Development Committee, and Army United football club.

 

Related Article:
Prayuth Chan-ocha: Army Chief, Junta Leader, Prime Minister

 

 

 

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Hospital Porn Star Charged With Computer Crime Act

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Khaosod English
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Hospital staff point to site where the porn video was filmed.

SAMUT SONGKRAM — A porn actress who filmed herself having sex with a partner in a hospital bathroom last week has been charged with violating the Computer Crime Act, which carries a penalty of five years in prison.

The actress, who is known by her nickname Nong Bow, posted the video on social media last week.

The director of Somdej Phra Buddha Loetla Hospital in Samut Prakarn province, Sutthipong Sirimai, met with police on 19 August and urged them to take legal action against Nong Bow, citing that the porn star's actions negatively affected the reputation of the hospital.

Yesterday police confirmed that Nong Bow has been charged under the Computer Crime Act, which criminalises any action carried out via a computer system that defames others, transmits pornography, spreads false information, or threatens national security.

The actress surrendered herself to the police on 20 August and confessed to committing the lewd act at the hospital bathroom. She also apologised to the hospital director for her "reckless" actions.

Violating the Computer Crime Act carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a 100,000 baht fine.

The law was passed by Thailand's post-coup government in 2007. Critics say the law's sweeping scope is regularly abused to restrict freedom of speech.

In 2009, the editor of the online news site Prachatai was charged under the Computer Crime Act, among other laws, for comments that a reader posted on the website's forum that were critical of the monarchy. 

Police argued that the editor, Chiranuch Premchaiporn, failed to delete the comments "in a timely manner." The court eventually sentenced her to a suspended eight month prison term.

In December last year, the Royal Thai Navy sued an online news site in Phuket province with the Computer Crime Act for reprinting a Reuters article that accused some members of the navy force of collaborating with human traffickers in Thailand's southern coast.

 

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