Thailand Suffers Worst Tourism Growth in Years: TAT

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15 May 2014, 14:34

Thailand is seeing the smallest growth in tourist numbers in five years as a result of the country’s prolonged political crisis, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

BANGKOK — Thailand is seeing the smallest growth in tourist numbers in five years as a result of the country’s prolonged political crisis, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Only 26.3 million tourists are expected to arrive in Thailand in 2014, a 6.2% decrease from the initial projection of 28 million tourists estimated by the TAT earlier this year, said Sukree Sitthiwanich, a deputy director of the TAT's marketing and communications department.

This marks the lowest drop in tourist growth since 2008, when similar groups of anti-government demonstrators seized Bangkok's two main airports amid widespread political instability.

Thailand is projected to reap 1.24 trillion baht in tourism revenues this year, which is a 3% growth from the revenues collected last year. The TAT was hoping 2014 would see a 5% growth in tourist revenue, Mr. Sukree said.

The number of arriving tourists decreased by 4.91% between the months of January – April, Mr. Sukree said. Although tourists from Western Europe and the United States rose by a slight margin, Thailand saw fewer visitors from China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and other regions such as South Asia and ASEAN countries, Mr. Sukree added.

Mr. Sukree said that the TAT will have to revise the projected number of visitors for this year again in the future, citing possible fallouts on tourism caused by the recent earthquake in Chiang Rai province and the renewal of insurgency-related violence in the southern border provinces. Many Chinese and Malaysian tourists have been deterred from visiting Thailand by the two incidents, according to Mr. Sukree.

"However, despite the falling number in tourists, activities and promotion campaigns by TAT will continue," Mr. Sukree said. "They cannot stop, because if they do, it will certainly have impact on tourists' confidence."

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Captain, 3 Crew of South Korean Ferry Charged With Homicide

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15 May 2014, 12:48

Lee Joon-seok (R), captain of the Sewol, flees the sinking ferry in April. He was charged Thursday with homicide (DPA).

SEOUL (DPA) — Homicide charges have been brought against the captain and three crew members of the South Korean ferry that sank last month with the loss of hundreds of passengers, South Korean media reported Thursday.

Prosecutors brought murder charges against the captain, Lee Joon Seok, the chief engineer and the chief and second mates, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Broadcaster Arirang said the charges were of homicide, without specifying whether they concerned murder or manslaughter.

Eleven other crew members were reportedly charged with neglecting their duty and other crimes.

Some 280 people, mostly high school students, died when the Sewol ferry capsized and sank on its way to the resort island of Jeju.

The search for bodies in the wreckage is ongoing.

Savage Attack On PCAD Protesters Kills 3, Injures Dozens

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15 May 2014, 12:24

An attack on an anti-government protest rally site killed 3 and injured dozesn, 15 May 2014.

BANGKOK — At least three people were killed and 24 injured in a combined grenade and gunfire attack on an anti-government protest rally site in Bangkok early this morning.

Witnesses said the attack took place at around 2:50 a.m. near the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where hundreds of supporters of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) have been camping in their bid to oust the government of acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn.

According witnesses, two loud explosions were heard near the monument, followed by sporadic bursts of gunfire lasting for "many minutes."

When the attack subsided, two people were found dead, and the wounded were promptly sent to hospital. The deceased victims were identified as Narayos Chanpetch, 21, and Somkuan Nuankanai, 51.

A third victim died from injuries at the hospital this morning, reports say.

The names of the injured have not been released, but police reports indicate that at least two women were among the wounded. The injuries appear to have been caused by firearm bullets and shrapnel from explosives, police say.

A police bomb squad later entered the area at around 6:00 a.m. to collect evidence of the attack, which took place metres away from tourist hot spot and backpacker haven Khaosan Road. One hotel on Ratchadamnoen Avenue was also reportedly damaged by the blast.

Pol.Cpt. Lertchai Puelongchai said police suspect that the perpetrators were armed with M79 grenade launchers and possibly M16 rifles. The suspects most likely arrived in several vehicles and launched their attack from Kok Wua Intersection before fleeing.

Several PCAD guards reported that they saw several vehicles make repeated turns around the protest site prior to the attack.

Shadowy militants have harassed PCAD protest sites at night several times over the past few months, resulting in a number of injuries and fatalities. The incident on Ratchadamnoen Avenue this morning is the deadliest since the grenade and gunfire attack on a PCAD rally in Trat province on 22 February, which killed one five-year-old girl and injured around 40 demonstrators.

The police have not arrested any suspects in connection with these attacks.

A total of 24 people, mostly civilians, have lost their lives in the sporadic violence that has plagued Thailand since the latest round of political turmoil erupted last November, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Centre.

Although many speculate that hardline members of the pro-government faction are behind the recent escalation of violence against PCAD protesters, a prominent pro-government activist has denied the allegation.

Speaking at a press conference at the pro-government rally on Aksa Avenue in western Bangkok, chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) Jatupon Prompan said the UDD is not responsible for the attacks on anti-government demonstrators in any way. He also urged the police to swiftly investigate the incidents.

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Girl With Dragon Tattoo Escapes From Phuket Police Paddy Wagon

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15 May 2014, 11:24

Jinda “Dada” Noypanich, 33, from Krabi, was one of six people rounded up at various points around Karon on Monday for possession of drugs (The Phuket News).

(The Phuket News)

PHUKET — Police were left scratching their heads on Tuesday after they found that a woman arrested for dealing drugs the previous day had managed to escape from the paddy wagon in which she had been incarcerated overnight.

Pol Lt Col Sopon Borirak of Karon Police explained that Jinda “Dada” Noypanich, 33, from Krabi, was one of six people rounded up at various points around Karon on Monday for possession of drugs.

Dada, who has a large dragon tattoo on her left upper arm, was carrying 4.22 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice), enough, in the eyes of the law, to qualify her as a drug dealer.

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.thephuketnews.com/girl-with-dragon-tattoo-busts-out-of-phuket-police-paddy-wagon-46269.php

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Cambodia’s Tourism Ministry Considers Thailand Travel Warning

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15 May 2014, 11:24

(Chiang Rai Times)

PHNOM PENH — The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism is considering issuing an official travel warning to all citizens with plans to go to Thailand as a result of the country's deepining political crisis.

Cambodian Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said that Thailand's political turmoil has not yet caused a notable decrease in the number of tourists traveling there, but that the government remains wary of the risks.

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.chiangraitimes.com/cambodias-tourism-ministry-mulling-thailand-travel-warning.html

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Two Anti-Government Protesters Killed in Drive-By Shooting

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15 May 2014, 11:24

Thai Buddhist monk Luang Pu Buddha Isara (R), one of the core leaders of anti-government protesters leads his followers to pressure policemen to apologize for firing teargas canisters and water cannons to them on a day before during a rally at the Police Club in Bangkok, Thailand, 10 May 2014 (DPA).

By Peter Janssen (DPA)

BANGKOK — Two guards of the anti-government protest movement were shot dead Thursday and 21 other injured in two early morning attacks, medical officials confirmed.

Unidentified assailants in a pickup truck opened fire on protesters camped out near Democracy Monument in western Bangkok about 3:00 am (2000 GMT Wednesday), killing two guards and wounding 19 people, the Erawan Emergency Centre said.

In a second attack, a grenade was thrown at the protesters' street camp, injuring two more people, the centre said.

At least 24 people have died in protest-related violence since November 30, when the first confrontation between anti-government and pro-government followers occurred in the now six-month long demonstration aimed at toppling the administration.

Another 772 have been injured, the centre said.

Police Blame 'Fake CCTV' For No Footage of PCAD Stabbing

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14 May 2014, 18:30

Photo caption: PCAD guards walking on Chaeng Wattana Road during the gunbattle between pro- and anti-government protesters at Laksi Intersection in Bangkok, 1 February 2014. <br /> — Photo caption: PCAD guards walking on Chaeng Wattana Road during the gunbattle between pro- and anti-government protesters at Laksi Intersection in Bangkok, 1 February 2014.

BANGKOK — Police say the alleged stabbing of an ice delivery man by anti-government protest guards was not captured on film because the nearest security camera turned out to be a "dummy" device.

The alleged attack has left the man, identified by his family as Thanakrit, in a coma in Ratchavithi Hospital’s intensive care unit.

According to police, the security camera installed close to where the attack took place was a "dummy" device placed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. As a result, there is no footage of the incident, said Pol.Col. Wichai Daengpradap, a senior investigative officer at Phayathai Police Station.

Pol. Col. Wichai said that it will now be very difficult for police to identify the perpetrators, who faces were reportedly masked by balaclavas and scarves.

According to the victim’s family and witnesses, Mr. Thanakrit was driving his pick-up truck to deliver goods to a customer on Phahonyothin Road last Saturday when he encountered a checkpoint set up by supporters of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) in front of Channel 5 TV station.

Mr. Thanakrit reportedly knocked over a traffic cone placed on the road by the PCAD guards. When he attempted to apologise, Mr. Thanakrit was immediately mobbed and stabbed by the guards, said his wife, who was with him at the time of the alleged attack.

His wife, Nanthawadee, met with Phayathai Police yesterday to give testimony to the officers.

Ms. Nanthawadee, who asked to be identified by first name only out of fear of being targeted, told police that her husband accidentally knocked over the traffic cone because it was raining and he could not see the obstacle on the road. She also denied the accusation that Mr. Thanakrit was drunk or trying to pick a fight with the guards.

Ms. Nanathawadee left the police station after two hours of interrogation and did not give any interviews with the media.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) installed a number of fake CCTVs in 2009 because of a delay in budget for functioning cameras, former BMA Governor Abhirak Kosayothin said in an interview in 2011.

In a report published by Matichon, Mr. Abhirak was quoted as saying that all dummy CCTVs would be replaced by real ones once the budget issues were sorted out.

The BMA recently insisted that there are no more fake CCTVs in the city. One BMA official went as far as claiming that anyone who finds a fake CCTV will be rewarded 100,000 baht by the authorities.

There is no word whether the Phayathai Police will claim the reward.

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NHRC To Hold Talks Between PCAD and Assaulted Journalist

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14 May 2014, 18:30

National Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwachara accepting a complaint from journalist Nick Nostitz regarding an alleged abduction attempt by PCAD guards, 14 May 2014.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will mediate a discussion between representatives of the anti-government protest movement and a German reporter who was allegedly assaulted by the protesters’ guards, a top official said on Wednesday.

The meeting was scheduled for this Friday after freelance journalist Nick Nostitz filed a complaint with the NHRC regarding his alleged attempted abduction by guards from the anti-government People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

According to Mr. Nostitz, a group of men wearing PCAD guard outfits approached him outside the Constitutional Court on 7 May while he was taking a short break from reporting on the trial of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

After the men identified him as “Nick” and ordered him to visit “Luang Bu,” possibly referring to the monk and core PCAD leader Buddha Issara who maintains a protest site nearby, Mr. Nostitz tried to walk away. When he stood up to leave, the three men reportedly shoved him repeatedly and tried to take him with them.

“You are the NHRC, so I must complain to you,” Mr. Nostitz said to National Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwachara on Wednesday. “I want to talk to PCAD and ask them why they did this. I want them to understand me.”

After listening to Mr Nostitz’s testimony, Mr. Niran signed the complaint and said the NHRC would hold a meeting between Mr. Nostitz, representatives of PCAD, and the police, scheduled for this Friday.

“We want to arrange an open dialogue between the different sides so they can state the facts in front of me and the Commission,” Mr Niran said. “But here's the important thing I want to stress: the dialogue won't be a debate table or a boxing ring. I won't be a referee. If people want to argue about politics, they will be expelled from the meeting room.”

Mr. Nostitz said he is pleased with the result of the meeting. “I’ve wanted to talk to the PCAD for six months, but they’ve refused,” he said.

Mr. Nostitz was previously attacked by PCAD demonstrators in November, after an activist and former Democrat Party MP urged the crowd to "expel" Mr. Nostitz from the protest site because he was a "Redshirt journalist," an allegation Mr. Nostitz denies.

Mr Nostitz says he has received numerous death threats since the initial incident, and following the abduction attempt last week, he has requested two police officers guard his house at night.

“I’ll never be safe at PDRC rallies,” said Mr. Nostitz. “Even if their leadership orders that no one do anything to me, they won’t be able to control the most militant guards. I know I’ll never be able to go there again.”

Mr. Nostitz, who has worked as a freelance journalist in Thailand for 21 years, said his inability to cover anti-government rallies has crippled his ability to work as a reporter.

“In the last 6 months I’ve basically had hardly any income,” said Mr. Nostitz. “Initially I had several assignments lined up, but I had to cancel them.”

Mr. Nostitz added, “It’s very painful for me because all these years I’ve always been able to report for both sides.”

Mr. Niran said the NHRC would release a statement today condemning the recent surge of politically-fueled violence and efforts to intimidate the media.

In the past week there have been several grenade attacks on protest sites and one on the home of a Conustitutional Court judge, as well as numerous reports of PCAD guards assaulting innocent bystanders.

This week, anti-government protesters also stormed almost all of Bangkok's state-owned TV stations demanding they broadcast a speech by the group’s leader, Suthep Thaugsuban.

Both PCAD representatives and PCAD guards will be invited to Friday's meeting, an NHRC official said. It’s not immediately clear whether either will accept the invitation.

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Police Blame 'Fake CCTV' For No Footage of PCAD Stabbing

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14 May 2014, 18:30

PCAD guards walking on Chaeng Wattana Road during the gunbattle between pro- and anti-government protesters at Laksi Intersection in Bangkok, 1 February 2014.