Row Over Samut Sakhon Police Station Parking Lot

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17 April 2014, 12:02

SAMUT SAKHON — A row has erupted among senior police officers at a police station in Samut Sakhon province over a parking space.

The incident followed the decision by Pol.Col. Adul Chaipak, the commander of the Mueang Police Station, to park his vehicle at the basement of the station on Wednesday.

However, a junior police officer later arrived to apply a wheel clamp to his supervisor's vehicle, claiming that Pol.Col. Adul has parked the car in a restricted area. He also issued a 500-baht fine to Pol.Col. Adul for his alleged wrongdoing.

Pol.Col. Adul said that he was baffled by the punishment, as he was not aware that the parking lot was off-limits to him.

"Usually I parked my car at the other site, but on that day another car already occupied that spot, so I moved to park at the police station basement, since it was holiday and there were a lot of free spaces," Pol.Col. Adul told our correspondent, adding that the officer told him the parking lot was exclusively reserved for a certain deputy police commander.

He nevertheless agreed to pay the fines to his subordinates.

But the situation escalated when Pol.Col. Adul realised that no police officer at his station proceeded to unlock the wheel clamp even though he had already paid the fines and 8 hours had passed since he was first confronted by the junior officer.

He said he is deeply angered by the incident, stating that the punishment has gone too far. Pol.Col. Adul eventually pressed charge against his own police officers for misconduct at the police station.

A high-ranking police officer at Mueang Police Station said he sympathised with Pol.Col. Adul, as the parking space at the basement should be freely available to all officers.

"No one owns the lot. Anyone can bring their cars to park there," the officer said, "There has been an agreement to allot each space for [certain officers], but it was only a way to ensure orderliness in a public space. It is not a law or any actual regulation."

Police officers at Mueang Police Station said the case is pending a decision by the police commanders on whether to launch an official investigation.

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Army Dismisses April Coup Rumour

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16 April 2014, 19:39

BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Army has dismissed the rumour that a military coup will occur on 19 April, insisting that the armed forces are neutral in politics.

"It's just a rumour on social media, like in the past," said Col. Winthai Suvaree, spokesman of the army.

He also insisted that the military's objective is only to serve the public, safeguard the borders of Thailand, and provide security to all sides amid the ongoing political crisis which has claimed at least 22 lives.

"I beg all brothers and sisters to exercise their judgement when they receive news and information," Col. Winthai told reporters.

His comment came days after Gen. Saiyud Koetpol, former Chief of the Thai Armed Force, suggested that former Prime Minister and Head of the Privy Council, Gen. Prem Tinsulanond, serve as a "mediator" to end the conflict by discussing issues with members of the judiciary, the armed forces, and other prominent factions.

Gen. Saiyud's comment has angered many pro-government activists, who view Gen. Prem as the chief engineer of the 2006 military coup that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Some Redshirts also accuse Gen. Prem of harbouring a desire to serve as an appointed Prime Minister in the event that PM Yingluck Shinawatra is ousted by a coup.

Speaking at a small Redshirts rally earlier today, Mr. Nattawut Saikuea, a core leader of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), called Gen. Saiyud's effort to encourage Gen. Prem to serve as a mediator a "screening of Jurassic Park".

He added that he hopes no top official will take such a "backward" suggestion seriously.

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Tax Revenue Falls Short Due To Political Crisis: Official

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16 April 2014, 18:41

Anti-government protesters celebrating Songkran in their rally site on Chaeng Wattana Road, 12 April 2014

BANGKOK — Tax collection throughout the first 6 months of 2014 fiscal has missed the target by six per cent thanks to the ongoing political crisis, officials said.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Finance, overall tax revenues between the period of October 2013 to March 2014 only turned up 964 billion baht – approximately 60 billion baht lower than the projected goal.

The statement claims that the lower revenues were caused by the current economic slowdown, while the prolonged political confrontation has also resulted in lower consumption and imports, which in turn lessens the amount of tax the state could have collected.

Despite the revelation, Mr. Rangsan Siworasart, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, said he believes the overall tax collection at the end of 2014 fiscal year will not be lower than the projected goal, as the new government has the chance to improve the political and economic situation.

"If the new government can be formed within 3rd quarter of this year, it will regain much of the confidence," Mr. Rangsan said.

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Reds Vow Mass Rally If Court Strips Leaders' Bail

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16 April 2014, 17:51

Redshirts protesters show their ID cards during a rally in Nakhon Pathom province, 5 April 2014

(16 April) The Redshirts have threatened to call a massive rally to express their anger should the court decide to revoke the bail release of their leaders.

The Criminal Court is scheduled to rule on 18 April whether Mr. Jatupon Prompan, the leader of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), and his deputy, Mr. Nattawut Saikuea, will have their bail stripped on the grounds of breaking their release conditions by participating in political movements.

Both Mr. Jatupon and Mr. Nattawut are facing terrorism charges related to the unrest in Bangkok in 2010.

Today Mr. Jatupon downplayed the risk of any potential disruption to the UDD chain of command if the court does indeed decree that he must go back to prison with Mr. Nattawut, explaining that the UDD leaders have already arranged plans for all possible "scenarios".

"If our bails are revoked, it certainly wouldn't affect the movements of the Redshirts, because we have fought alongside each other for so long," Mr. Jatupon told reporters, "Each of us understands the fight".

He also claimed that the court decision to strip him of bail would only motivate the Redshirts to take to the streets in great numbers to voice their frustration at the "injustice".

"I have not done anything against the bail conditions," Mr. Jatupon said, "And the people who are charged with terrorism for seizing airports and public buildings have not had their bails revoked", referring to the rival Yellowshirts leaders and their anti-government campaign in 2008.

"I believe this rally will attract an overwhelming number of demonstrators, because the Redshirts will not want to lose face and surrender to Suthep Thaugsuban," Mr. Jatupon added, meaning the sec-gen of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State.

Chief advisor to the UDD, Ms. Thida Thawornseth, echoed the same threat in a press conference at the Imperial Latphrao shopping mall today, stating that the Redshirts are willing to organise a massive rally in support of Mr. Jatupon, and to deter any faction from launching a coup against Ms. Yingluck.

"We will close the doors to coups of all kinds," Ms. Thida said, "Be it a coup by the military or a coup by the judiciary".

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Gun Crimes Plague Last Day of Songkran

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16 April 2014, 12:45

(14 April) The last night of Songkran celebration was marked by at least 3 cases of alcohol-fueled gun crime in 3 provinces.

The largest outburst of violence occurred in Soi Intamra 25-27 on Sutthisarn Winitchai in Bangkok's Sutthisarn district, when fist fights broke out between two groups of teenagers who were enjoying Songkran water fights.

Several gunshots were later heard, sending crowds of Songkran revelers scattering for shelter.

The fight left one teenager dead and 3 others injured. The deceased was identified as Mr. Jack Yangthaworn, 29.

The police later surrounded Soi Intamra 25-27 to look for the perpetrators. According to the police, at least 40 "teenage gangsters" were involved in the fight, though it is not immediately clear whether any of them have been arrested.

Witnesses said the brawl started after the teenagers, some of whom were drunk at the time, "looked at each other" in an aggressive way.

Other gun violence was reported in Prachinburi province by Mr. Sakda Chuekong, 19, who claimed a pair of motorists fired shots at his vehicle while he was driving on Prachinburi Road in front of Wat Pa Song Khun in Mueang district.

According to Mr. Sakda, he had been drinking with his friends at Wat Nong Bua Temple earlier, and later drove his motorcycle home. Mr. Sakda said he encountered the pair of motorists in their pick-up truck on the road, and exchange glances with them, but the motorists reportedly became enraged and opened fire at Mr. Sakda.

Fortunately, the bullet missed Mr. Sakda by inches, smashing instead into a rear mirror of his motorbike. Nevertheless, Mr. Sakda told police, the pick-up truck driver slammed the vehicle into his motorcycle in anger, causing Mr. Sakda to fall onto the road, before the assailants sped away from the scene.

Mr. Sakda added that he had no previous disagreements with the attackers, leading the police to believe the motorists might have been drunk and offended by Mr. Sakda's brief stare.

Police said they are looking for the suspects.

Meanwhile, police in Petchaburi province received reports that a man has been shot dead in a carwash in Cha-Am district. The man was identified as Mr. Papas Ratthanawut, 37, who was also the owner of the carwash.

According to the police, witnesses said Mr. Papas liked to invite his neighbours for drinks at the carwash, and he was seen drinking with a group of people prior to his death. Witnesses told police they heard sounds of a drunken fight from Mr. Papas in the early morning, but the sounds eventually subsided. Mr. Papas was found dead later in the morning.

Police suspect that Mr. Papas and his drinking companions were engaged in fistfights before one of them shot him dead. No suspect has been arrested so far, though police said they have interrogated several people believed to have been drinking with him on the night of the crime.

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Yingluck Seeks Songkran Blessing In Chiang Mai

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15 April 2014, 18:42

(15 April) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attended a religious ceremony for good fortune for the occasion of the tradition of Thai New Year in her home province of Chiang Mai today.

Ms. Yingluck was accompanied by her son, Supphasek Amornchat, and her sister, Yaowapa Shinawatra, as she prayed to the statue of Khun Meng Rai the Great in Chedi Luang Worawiharn Temple this morning.

The Prime Minister also prayed to other statues of deities in the temple and asked for blessing from the abbot.

As Ms. Yingluck was attending the religious service, a large crowd of citizens and Chinese tourists gathered outside the temple to take photos of the Prime Minister, while lottery vendors hawked their products to numerous patrons, capitalising on the belief among lotto veterans that Ms. Yingluck is associated with lucky lotto numbers.

77 was the best-selling number today, lottery vendors said, as the number appeared on the license plate of Ms. Yingluck's official vehicle; many lottery buyers have previously won prizes by betting on the number of the Prime Minister's license plate.

"I have always liked this Prime Minister," said Ms. Buakam Kamsai, a lottery vendor in the temple compound, "Today I have brought jasmines to give to her, and I have bought 9 lotto tickets with the number 77 for myself."

She added, "I want her to be a Prime Minister for a long time."

After the ceremony was over Ms. Yingluck and her entourage of officials left for lunch, and her son boarded a pick-up truck with his friends for Songkran water fights around Chiang Mai city moat.

Ms. Yingluck is facing two separate legal investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Constitutional Court once the Songkran holiday is over. Guilty verdicts by both agencies could result in Ms. Yingluck losing her caretaker position.

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Yingluck Seeks Songkran Blessing In Chiang Mai

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15 April 2014, 18:42

(15 April) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attended a religious ceremony for good fortune for the occasion of the tradition of Thai New Year in her home province of Chiang Mai today.

Ms. Yingluck was accompanied by her son, Supphasek Amornchat, and her sister, Yaowapa Shinawatra, as she prayed to the statue of Khun Meng Rai the Great in Chedi Luang Worawiharn Temple this morning.

The Prime Minister also prayed to other statues of deities in the temple and asked for blessing from the abbot.

As Ms. Yingluck was attending the religious service, a large crowd of citizens and Chinese tourists gathered outside the temple to take photos of the Prime Minister, while lottery vendors hawked their products to numerous patrons, capitalising on the belief among lotto veterans that Ms. Yingluck is associated with lucky lotto numbers.

77 was the best-selling number today, lottery vendors said, as the number appeared on the license plate of Ms. Yingluck's official vehicle; many lottery buyers have previously won prizes by betting on the number of the Prime Minister's license plate.

"I have always liked this Prime Minister," said Ms. Buakam Kamsai, a lottery vendor in the temple compound, "Today I have brought jasmines to give to her, and I have bought 9 lotto tickets with the number 77 for myself".

She added, "I want her to be a Prime Minister for a long time".

After the ceremony was over Ms. Yingluck and her entourage of officials left for lunch, and her son boarded a pick-up truck with his friends for Songkran water fights around Chiang Mai city moat.

Ms. Yingluck is facing two separate legal investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Constitutional Court once the Songkran holiday is over. Guilty verdicts by both agencies could result in Ms. Yingluck losing her caretaker position.

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Dispute Among PCAD Guards Kills One: Police

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15 April 2014, 18:12

Songkran celebration at anti-government protest rally in Lumpini Park, Bangkok, 14 April 2014

(15 April) An anti-government protest guard has been shot dead after a fight broke out among the guards at their Bangkok rally site, police said.

Erawan Rescue Centre identified the victim as Mr. Jirayuth Senanarong, 40, who was serving as a volunteer guard for the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) at the rally site at Lumpini Park.

Reports say Mr. Jirayuth was shot inside the park at around 02.00. He later died from a gunshot wound to his chest, bringing the total protest-related fatalities to 22 since the latest wave of anti-government movements erupted in November of last year.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Suebsak Pansura of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police said in press conference that PCAD guards have barred police officers from entering the area to inspect the crime scene and question the witnesses.

According to Pol.Lt.Gen. Suebsak, PCAD guards have claimed that the police must wait until their celebration of Songkran (traditional Thai New Year) festival in the park is over before any crime scene inspection can be conducted.

But Pol.Lt.Gen. Suebsak said the police must enter the area quickly otherwise any evidence might be lost.

Nevertheless, he said he had been informed by Mr. Thaworn Senniam, a PCAD core activist, that the incident was caused by an internal dispute among the guards.

According to the officer, Mr. Thaworn told him that fistfights broke out between some guards. Mr. Jirayuth reportedly attempted to intervene and break up the fights, only to be shot dead by one of the combatants.

"We suspect the incident was caused by a fight inside the rally site. The shot was not fired from outside the park," Pol.Lt.Gen. Suebsak said, adding that no suspects have been apprehended at the moment.

He said the police at Lumpini Police Station are working to secure permission from PCAD leaders in order to inspect the crime in due time.

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Airport On Alert For Lese Majeste Suspects

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15 April 2014, 18:11

(15 April) Officials at Bangkok's international airport have been told to look out for Redshirts activists accused of insulting the monarchy.

Immigration officers and other officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be looking for Mr. Wuttipong Kochthammakul and Mr. Ekkaphob Lueara, lest any of the suspects attempts to enter and depart from the airport, said Pol.Maj. Wisit Chamnarnprai, director of the airport's immigration police, in a letter circulated among the officials.

"If [any of them] are found, the officers must inform their supervisors without delay," the letter stressed.

Both men are wanted on charges of lese majeste (insult of the monarchy) under the Article 112 of Thai Criminal Codes, and they have not been seen in public since the charges were pressed against them.

Mr. Ekkaphob was accused of defaming the monarchy after he appeared on a pro-government rally stage in Rajamangala Stadium in November 2013, while Mr. Wuttipong, aka Ko Tee, was charged with the offence following his interview with a Vice News reporter, which was published last week.

In the interview, Mr. Wuttipong, who is generally regarded as a "hardcore" Redshirts leader, could be seen speaking of His Majesty the King in a negative way. He appeared to be aware that his comments were given on-record.

Remarks deemed offensive toward the Royal Family are punishable by up to 15 years in prison per offence. Many anti-government protesters, who view the Redshirts as anti-monarchy republicans, have called upon the government to prove its allegiance to the monarchy by swiftly prosecuting Mr. Wuttipong and Mr. Ekkaphob.

It is not clear whether Mr. Wuttipong and Mr. Ekkaphob are still residing in Thailand. Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, has urged Mr. Wuttipong to surrender himself to the police to fight the allegation in the courts.

"It will be a benefit to himself," Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronwit said.

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Ladyboys Arrested For Songkran Breast Exposure

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15 April 2014, 15:45

(15 April) Two 'ladyboys' have been arrested in Pitsanulok province and forced to apologise to local spirits for exposing their breasts during Songkran reveling.

The image of a group of ladyboys (transgenders) showing their breasts on a pick-up truck in the water fights festival have been widely shared on the internet, attracting many condemning comments on the social network.

Today the police said they have arrested Mr. Chartchai Si-Arwut, 23, and Mr. Warot Theesoongnoen, 21, in connection to the incident. According to the police, Mr. Chartchai and Mr. Warot exposed their breasts to the public as they were riding on their pick-up truck in Mueang district on 13 April.

Both suspects have been charged with indecent exposure and are set to be fined at 5,000 baht for their offence. However, the police agreed to decrease their fines to 500 baht per person.

Mr. Chartchai and Mr. Warot were also escorted to a shrine where they prayed to local spirits, begging for their forgiveness lest the spirits had been offended by their improper behaviour.

In addition, the police said they are still trying to locate and arrest a man who was photographed showing his penis to the crowd of Songkran revelers in Pitsanulok province.

CCTV footage collected from Pitsanulok town centre is being studied by the police officers to identify the man.

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