Beauty Queen Apologises For "Dirty Reds" Remark

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19 May 2014, 13:38

Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut, winner of Miss Universe Thailand 2014, and runner-up Pimbongkod "Ellie" Chankaew.

BANGKOK — The winner of Miss Universe Thailand has apologised for the hateful comments she posted about pro-government Redshirts on social media.

Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut, 22, said on a Channel 3 talk show this morning that she is distressed by the wave of criticism her posts have generated.

"It is still fortunate that I have people around to cheer me up," she told talk show host Sorayut Suthasanajinda.

Hours after Ms. Weluree was crowned winner of the popular Miss Universe Thailand beauty pageant on Saturday night, it was quickly discovered that she had a history of publishing disparaging comments about Redshirts on Facebook and Twitter.

In one particularly harsh comment from November, Ms. Werulee described the Redshirts as "anti-monarchy," "dirty" "evils" who should be "executed."

In an interview this morning, Ms. Werulee confirmed that despite the uproar her comments have caused, she will not concede the pageant crown. She explained that she intended the remarks for "a circle of close friends," and not members of the public.

"I was careless. I was young. I did it recklessly," Ms. Werulee said, adding that she has learned a lesson from the incident and that she intends to use all the criticism she has received to improve herself.

"It won't happen again. Let me apologise to all the fans of the pageant, and to all Thais," said Miss Universe Thailand 2014.

Speaking after Ms. Werulee, beauty pageant runner-up Pimbongkod "Ellie" Chankaew denied rumours that she cried on stage out of bitterness when judges announced Ms. Werulee as the winner.

When judges annouced Ms. Wurlee as the winner, many of Ms. Pimbongkod's disappointed fans cheered her name instead.

"At that moment, I was so glad and overwhelmed by the people who loudly cheered for me," Ms. Pimbongkod said. Ms. Pimbongkod, who was raised in the United States, said she never expected to come this far in the tournament.

"I didn't expect that someone from a foreign country and virtually unknown [to the Thais] would receive so much support," Ms. Pimbongkod said. "I thought Thai people dislike those who don't speak Thai well. That's why I cried. I wasn't upset. I accept the judges' verdict."

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Vietnam Accuses Chinese Ship of Attacking Fishermen

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19 May 2014, 13:23

A picture made available 16 May 2014 shows a Chinese coast guard vessel near the area of China's oil drilling rig in disputed waters in the South China Sea, off shore Vietnam, 14 May 2014.

HANOI (DPA) — Two Vietnamese fishermen were beaten when the crew of a Chinese patrol vessel boarded their boat near the Paracel islands, officials said Monday, adding tension to a spat over competing territorial claims to the archipelago.

A Chinese patrol ship seized the fishing boat near Woody Island on May 16, Chairman of the Vietnam Fishery Association Nguyen Viet Thang told dpa. It returned to port in Quang Ngai province on Sunday.

"Chinese fishery surveillance forces boarded the boat, beat them, and sabotaged their assets," he said. "This is a very aggressive action that goes against international laws because no law allows China to beat fishermen."

In a report Monday, newspaper Tuoi Tre said the two men were still in hospital. Captain of the ship, 24-year-old Nguyen Tan Hai, suffered broken bones in his hand, and another man received head injuries.

"Two of us were beaten on board while the other 12 were using small canoes to fish about 5 kilometres away," Hai was quoted as saying.

The Chinese crew destroyed assets worth 33,000 dollars, and the ship's owner would ask for compensation from China, the newspaper said.

Five boats reported attacks by the Chinese patrol ship, newspaper Thanh Nien reported.

The Chinese crew threw rocks at another Vietnamese fishing boat, breaking the windows, the newspaper quoted the captain of the boat, Vo Ba Nha, as saying.

"We had to hide in the hold to avoid the attack and increased the speed of the boat," Nha said. "Fortunately, no one was injured during the assault."

There was no immediate reaction from the Chinese government.

China's recent deployment of an oil rig in waters between Vietnam and the Paracels has raised tensions between the two countries to a recent high. This was stoked further last week when anti-China protests at industrial parks in Vietnam turned violent, leaving two Chinese workers dead.

On Monday, two chartered ships arrived in Vung Ang port in central Vietnam to evacuate Chinese nationals from riot-hit areas, China's official news agency Xinhua reported.

South Korean Coast Guard Disbanded Over Ferry Sinking

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19 May 2014, 12:06

A file photo dated 17 April 2014 showing rescue operations being underway after the ferry Sewol sank in waters off Jindo Island, in the southwestern province of South Jeolla, South Korea, 17 April 2014 (DPA).

SEOUL (DPA) — South Korea is to dismantle its coast guard following its response to last month's ferry sinking that cost more than 300 lives, President Park Geun Hye said Monday.

She was giving a televised address where she also apologized.

"As president responsible for the people's lives and safety, I offer a heartfelt apology for the pains the people have suffered," Yonhap News Agency quoted her as saying.

"The ultimate responsibility for failing to respond properly to this accident lies with me."

She vowed to upgrade the emergency response networks of the country and promised reforms to upgrade the country's safety standards.

The coast guard's responsibilities would be distributed among other agencies, including a new Ministry of National Safety.

The April 16 ferry disaster was one of the worst accidents in recent Korean history with more than 300 people, mostly school children, dead or missing.

Phuket Policeman Aims For Pub, Kills Woman Instead

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19 May 2014, 11:20

(Phuketwan)

PHUKET — A policeman who shot dead an innocent woman outside a Phuket pub on Friday has surrendered and is awaiting a homicide charge.

The officer, who has not been named, was firing at the pub not the woman as he drove past in a pickup, according to a station superintendent.

Read the rest of the story here: http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-pub-killing-policeman-surrenders-says-bullet-wasnt-intended-womans-head-20279/

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Redshirts Place 5 Million Baht Bounty On Suthep

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18 May 2014, 21:09

Suthep meeting with representatives of state enterprises at govt house, 18 May 2014<br /> — Suthep meeting with representatives of state enterprises at govt house, 18 May 2014

BANGKOK — Redshirts have announced a 5 million baht bounty on anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

According to Nattawut Saikua, a core activist of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the bounty will be immediately rewarded to anyone who can bring about the arrest of Mr. Suthep, who is currently wanted by the police for insurrection charges.

Mr. Nattawut claimed that the money was donated by a person "who wishes to see rule of law in Thailand." The donor requested anonymity, Mr. Nattawut added, citing fears of possible retribution from anti-government protesters.

The bounty comes with one condition: the arrest must be lawful, Mr. Nattawut said.

Although the government has insisted that they are ready to arrest Mr. Suthep and his fellow activists in the near future, the police have yet to make any attempts to detain Mr. Suthep, the self-appointed leader of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Mr. Nattawut's announcement came a day after Mr. Suthep declared "one last fight" against the government of caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn, which he says will involve “hunting down” Cabinet members and pressuring them to resign.

This afternoon, Mr. Suthep met with representatives of labour unions of various state enterprises at the Government House — where he has set up an office — to discuss plans to "seize sovereign power" from the government.

Mr. Suthep asked the union leaders to rebel against the government and join the PCAD in its "final fight" next week.

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Election Commissioner Angered By Pro-Election Lecture

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18 May 2014, 20:23

Law lecturer and co-founder of the AFDD Worachet Pakeerut speaking at en vent on 17 May, 2014.

BANGKOK — The agency responsible for organising elections in Thailand has threatened disciplinary action against state-owned Channel 11 for broadcasting a lecture about the need to hold elections.

"I will have the Election Commission (EC) formally ask the Minister who oversees Channel 11 about the broadcast … to determine who ordered the broadcast, and how much money has been spent in the process," said Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, Election Commissioner and director of the EC's election organisation department.

Mr. Somchai’s remarks came in response to a event, televised by Channel 11, in which a panel of academics emphasized the need to hold elections promptly.

The lecture was organised by a group of political science and law professors with the Assembly for the Defence of Democracy (AFDD) at Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus on Saturday.

In the event, law lecturer and co-founder of the AFDD Worachet Pakeerut stressed that elections must be held as soon as possible.

The EC had initially scheduled a poll for 20 July, but officials have since suggested that the date is no longer possible, citing difficulties in issuing a Royal Decree to officially approve the election date.

According to Mr. Worachet, the postponement of elections will only bring more uncertainty to Thailand’s political crisis. He urged the government to unilaterally issue a Royal Decree approving the election without the EC's assistance, pointing to Article 195 of the Thai Constitution.

These remarks amount to "presentation of information that causes rifts and confusion among the public,” said Election Commissioner Somchai.

He was particularly upset by Mr. Worachet's suggestion that the government can issue Royal Decrees without the EC's approval.

"If this broadcast was overseen by the channel directors, they will be officially reprimanded," Mr. Somchai said.

Mr. Somchai insisted that the government must meet with the EC before any election date can be officially confirmed. Last week, a meeting between the government and the EC was abruptly brought to an end when anti-government protesters stormed the venue.

Mr. Somchai also hinted that the election may not take place on 20 July after all.

“It may be impossible because there is not enough time to process issuing the Royal Decree," Mr. Somchai told reporters.

Mr. Somchai's repeated reluctance to arrange the election has led many pro-government supporters to accuse him of tacitly collaborating with anti-government protesters efforts to scupper any election under the current administration.

Academics speaking at Saturday's event also called anti-government protesters' demand for an appointed, royally-approved Prime Minister via Article 7 of the Thai Constitution misguided and undemocratic.

Prajak Kongkirati, political scientist and AFDD member, said that protesters' calls for reforms are valid, but that reforms must be implemented after an election is held.

"The discourse about 'Reform Before Election' is fooling and misleading the public," Mr. Prajak said.

Anti-government protesters have vowed to block any election that is organised before unspecified "national reforms" are carried out.

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Man Robs Bank, Buys Gold To Win Back Angry Wife

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18 May 2014, 20:11

Police arrested a man who confessed to robbing a bank in Pathum Thani in order to buy gold necklace for his angry wife.

PATHUM THANI — Police have arrested a man who confessed to robbing a bank in Pathum Thani in order to buy a gold necklace for his angry wife.

The robbery took place at Klong Sam branch of Thanachart Bank in Thanyaburi district on 15 May. Witnesses said the suspect took away over 300,000 baht in cash.

Thanawut Sampan, 27, reportedly confessed to the police after his arrest today that he robbed the bank with a fake handgun and a getaway motorcycle that he had commandeered from a local motorcycle taxi driver.

Mr. Thanawut said that after the robbery, he parked the motorcycle near Wat Perm Thaan, changed his clothes, and hailed a cab to a bus station, where he took a bus to his hideout in Chantaburi province.

However, Thanawut said that four days after the robbery he discovered that his grandmother had passed away, and decided to return to Pathum Thani province and attend her funeral. Police say they received a tip-off from local residents and eventually arrested Mr. Thanawut while he was having lunch at a local restaurant.

The suspect claimed that his wife left him, prior to the robbery, because he was poor and unemployed. Determined to win her back, Mr. Thanawut said he robbed the bank and used the money to buy her a gold necklace.

Mr. Thanawut added that his wife was not aware of the robbery.

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Miss Universe Thailand Calls Redshirts "Dirty"

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18 May 2014, 17:39

Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut (center) was crowned Miss Universe Thailand last night in a popular beauty pageant broadcast live on the state-owned Channel 3 TV.

BANGKOK – The winner of a national beauty pageant has caused an uproar on social media after critical remarks about the pro-government Redshirts were discovered on her Facebook page.

Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut, 22, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand last night in a popular beauty pageant broadcast live on the state-owned Channel 3 TV.

However, many pro-government supporters quickly discovered that Ms. Weluree has regularly published disparaging comments about the Redshirt movement on Facebook.

In one "public" comment from November, Ms. Weluree accused Redshirts of being "anti-monarchy" dissidents, and suggested that Thailand will be cleaner once the "dirty" Redshirts leave the country.

"I am not neutral. I am on the side of His Majesty the King," Ms. Weluree wrote. "I'm so angry at these evil activists. They should all be executed."

Enraged by Ms. Weluree's remarks, a number of Redshirt supporters have condemned her victory as Miss Universe Thailand on social media. Some have questioned whether Ms. Weluree is suitable to represent Thailand in the international pageant stage when she appears to despise fellow Thais in such a virulent way.

Ms. Weluree's winning of the Miss Universe crown also surprised many reporters who expected another popular candidate, Pimbongkod "Ellie" Chankaew, to take the title.

According to the pageant profiles, Ms. Weluree is an accomplished actress, talk show host, and student at Kasetsart University's English Department.

Repeated efforts to contact Ms. Weluree and the pageant organisers were unsuccessful.

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UDD Skeptical of Army's Stance On Interim PM

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18 May 2014, 16:52

UDD leader Jatupon Prompan speaking at a Redshirt rally, 18 May 2014.

BANGKOK — Leader of the pro-government Redshirts has urged the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army to explicitly announce that he will not, if offered, accept a job as an interim Prime Minister.

"I want to hear from the mouth of Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha that he will not accept the role as a non-partisan Prime Minister, before he retires," said Jatupon Prompan, chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

"In the past, Gen. Prayuth always countered every kind of news. But why is he silent on this matter?" Mr. Jatupon told a crowd of pro-government supporters at a rally on Aksa Avenue in western Bangkok today.

Mr. Jatupon's demand came a day after Gen. Prayuth reportedly refused to comment on the allegation that he is being considered for the job as an interim PM.

Since acting Prime Minster Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn took the premiership on 7 May, anti-government protesters have been calling on the Senate to replace him with an appointed, royally-approved “neutral” PM.

Anti-government protesters claim that the Senate can legally appoint a new PM under of Article 7 of the Constitution, whereas Governmental officials and a number of legal experts have argued that such a move would be unconstitutional.

Article 7 of the Constitution, which reads: “Whenever no provision under this Constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be decided in accordance with the constitutional tradition in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State.”

Speaking on radio talk show yesterday, Bangkok Post "military reporter" Wassana Nanuam claimed that she received texts from Gen. Prayuth saying that Mr. Jatupon will have to take responsibility for his words if his allegation is proven to be untrue.

He also reportedly said that the military's recent warning to invoke martial law should not be interpreted as a sign that the armed forces is taking sides in the country's political conflict. According to Ms. Wassana, Gen. Prayuth said that the warning was meant to deter all sides from committing further violence on members of the public, and that the military is not supporting any political faction.

"It doesn't mean we will launch a coup," Ms. Wassana quoted Gen. Prayuth as saying.

He reportedly added, "Don't accuse the military of bias … they should see who has done what in the past, like what happened in the 2010 [Redshirt mass protests]. Why don't they talk about that? The military was deployed to restore order, but we end up being victimised. Please give us some fairness."

However, Mr. Jatupon said that the Redshirts will not be assured of Gen. Prayuth's impartiality until he denies the allegation himself.

"If Gen. Prayuth said that he will not be [Prime Minister], we will give Gen. Prayuth the longest applause we can do," Mr. Jatupon said, "But if Gen. Prayuth refuses to act on this matter, we will take it that he indeed wants to be a Prime Minister."

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UDD Skeptical of Army's Stance On Interim PM

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18 May 2014, 15:44

BANGKOK — Leader of the pro-government Redshirts has urged the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army to explicitly announce that he will not, if offered, accept a job as an interim Prime Minister.

"I want to hear from the mouth of Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha that he will not accept the role as a non-partisan Prime Minister, before he retires," said Jatupon Prompan, chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

"In the past, Gen. Prayuth always countered every kind of news. But why is he silent on this matter?" Mr. Jatupon told a crowd of pro-government supporters at a rally on Aksa Avenue in western Bangkok today.

Mr. Jatupon's demand came a day after Gen. Prayuth reportedly refused to comment on the allegation that he is being considered for the job as an interim PM.

Since acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn took the premiership on 7 May, anti-government protesters have been calling on the Senate to replace him with an appointed, royally-approved “neutral” PM.

Anti-government protesters claim that the Senate can legally appoint a new PM under of Article 7 of the Constitution, whereas Governmental officials and a number of legal experts have argued that such a move would be unconstitutional.

Article 7 of the Constitution reads: “Whenever no provision under this Constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be decided in accordance with the constitutional tradition in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State.”

Speaking on radio talk show yesterday, Bangkok Post "military reporter" Wassana Nanuam claimed that she received texts from Gen. Prayuth saying that Mr. Jatupon will have to take responsibility for his words if his allegation is proven to be untrue.

He also reportedly said that the military's recent warning to invoke martial law should not be interpreted as a sign that the armed forces is taking sides in the country's political conflict. According to Ms. Wassana, Gen. Prayuth said that the warning was meant to deter all sides from committing further violence on members of the public, and that the military is not supporting any political faction.

"It doesn't mean we will launch a coup," Ms. Wassana quoted Gen. Prayuth as saying.

He reportedly added, "Don't accuse the military of bias … they should see who has done what in the past, like what happened in the 2010 [Redshirt mass protests]. Why don't they talk about that? The military was deployed to restore order, but we end up being victimised. Please give us some fairness."

However, Mr. Jatupon said that the Redshirts will not be assured of Gen. Prayuth's impartiality until he denies the allegation himself.

"If Gen. Prayuth said that he will not be [Prime Minister], we will give Gen. Prayuth the longest applause we can do," Mr. Jatupon said, "But if Gen. Prayuth refuses to act on this matter, we will take it that he indeed wants to be a Prime Minister."

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