'Ghost' Tells Mother Her Son Was Murdered

By

-

9 April 2014, 15:03

(9 April) A woman in Pitsanulok province has urged the police to re-investigate her son's death, following a tip-off from a "ghost".

The 13-year old Supphachai Thammanupat was found dead in a pond near Bua See Ngoen village in Mueang district on 3 April. The police ruled that he died of accidental drowning.

However, according to his mother, Ms. Kallaya Katenawa, 32, during a "supernatural" incident on 6 April, a night before his cremation ceremony, she was led to believe that her son did not die peacefully.

Ms. Kallaya claimed that the coffin of her son suddenly trembled, and the funeral portrait of her son and flower arrangements in front of the coffin fell down for no apparent reason.

Later, Ms. Kallaya said, she was told by witnesses to the incident in which her son died, that a group of teenagers assaulted Supphachai before throwing him into the pond. The witnesses also claimed that Supphachai was still alive when he was thrown into the water.

The witnesses were later threatened by the assailants not to tell anyone, otherwise they would be harmed as well, Ms. Kallaya said.

"I believe the ghost of my son wants to seek justice, to find the perpetrator who murdered him," Ms. Kallaya told reporters yesterday, adding that she decided to check Supphachai's mobile phone and found messages dated 1 and 2 April which contained threatening remarks from unidentified individuals.

She also insisted that Supphachai was an able swimmer who regularly visited the pond, therefore removing any possibility that he would have drowned by accident.

Yesterday the police contacted one of the witnesses, who is an underage individual, and asked him to show the officers where Supphachai was reportedly murdered. The witness said Supphachai was swimming in the pond when the group of teenagers approached him and they exchanged rude remarks, before Supphachai got out of the pond and was beaten by the teenagers.

Pol.Col. Boonyarit Lohsuwan, commander of Mueang Police Station, said the officers are urgently investigating the matter and waiting for further medical evidence from doctors.

He refused to give additional details, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

PM, Officials Wish Khaosod A Happy 23rd Birthday

By

Khaosod English

-

9 April 2014, 13:39

Mr. Weng Tojirakarn and Ms. Thida Thawornseth

(9 April) Top officials and other prominent guests have congratulated the news team at the Khaosod newspaper on the 23rd anniversary of its founding.

Khaosod was officially founded on 9 April 1991 as a publication under the Matichon Group, which also owns the Matichon and Prachachat newspapers.

Billed as "Forward To 24th Year", the occasion was marked by Buddhist and Hindu rituals in the morning, followed by a reception party hosted in the lobby of Khaosod's office in northern Bangkok for the well-wishers, among them was Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who had to ask one of our reporters to help escort her into the building due to an ankle injury.

After receiving greetings from members of Khaosod and Matichon Group, Ms. Yingluck proceeded to sign a well-wishing remark on a board in the office lobby. "Let me congratulate the managers and news team of Khaosod on their success in their progressive pace toward the 24th year," she wrote.

Ms. Yingluck also told her hosts that she hopes Khaosod will continue to strive in its success and maintain the immense support from numerous readers they have enjoyed for the last 23 years.

Other guests included the popular Minister of Transport, Mr. Chatchart Sittipan; Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, chief of the Royal Thai Police, and his deputy, Pol.Gen. Pongsapat Pongcharoen, and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Yukol Limlaemthong.

Politicians and well-known activists also arrived at the Khaosod office to express their congratulations, such as Mr. Nopparit Prompong, spokesman of Pheu Thai Party; Mr. Watchara Kannnikar, spokesman of Chart Thai Pattana Party, and core leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), Mr. Weng Tojirakarn and Ms. Thida Thawornseth.

Khaosod had previously advised all well-wishing guests to refrain from bringing along flower bouquets or other decorative gifts, and requested them to instead donate to a charity fund which will support renovation and preservation efforts for a number of temples across the country.

Today also marks the first anniversary of the newspaper's English edition, Khaosod English.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Thaksin's Lawyer Denounces Lese Majeste Allegation

By

Khaosod English

-

9 April 2014, 10:04

(8 April) The legal representative of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has condemned the allegation put forth by the Lawyers Council of Thailand that he has insulted the Thai monarchy.

According to the statement issued yesterday, the Lawyers Council of Thailand Under the Royal Patronage argued that Mr. Robert Amsterdam had “defamed” the monarchy and insulted the Thai judicial system during his Skype call to a pro-government Redshirts rally on 6 April in Nakhon Prathom province.

In the Skype call, Mr. Amsterdam urged the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Codes, widely known as the “lese majeste” law, which prohibits any remarks deemed critical of the monarchy.

He made no direct mention of the Thai Royal Family, but the Lawyers Council considers it a sufficient cause of insult for the monarchy, calling for the police to press charges of violating 112 Article against Mr. Amsterdam.

“It is the duty of the Royal Thai Police, the General Attorney, and the Ministry of Interior Affairs to proceed with this legal case,” the statement insisted.

An anti-government activist, Mr. Thaworn Senniam, also filed a separate lese majeste complaint to the police against Mr. Amsterdam yesterday for his Skype remarks.

Critics of Ms. Yingluck are mostly conservative royalists who view the Shinawatra family and their supporters as corrupt republicans with anti-monarchy agenda, although Ms. Yingluck and her close aides have repeatedly denied the allegations.

Speaking in a phone interview today, Mr. Amsterdam expressed outrage at the Lawyers Council of Thailand’s statement accusing him of lese majeste, stating that there is absolutely no basis for the lese majeste allegation in what he told the Redshirt demonstrators.

The lobbyist vowed to respond “aggressively” to the Lawyers Council, and added that he is deeply disappointed that its members made no effort to contact him before they issued the statement, despite the fact that he knew some of them personally as colleagues.

“I have never seen so unfair a conduct. This Council should be ashamed of themselves, because they have the duty to fight for human rights,” Mr. Amsterdam said from Los Angeles. “They should remember that they are lawyers … yet they have violated due process and fairness.”

Asked to comment on the lese majeste charge filed by Mr. Thaworn, Mr. Amsterdam indicated that he was not aware of the incident, and said he does not wish to take seriously the people who refuse to debate him openly on the subject.

Mr. Amsterdam also insisted on the point he made in the Skype call, stating that Article 112 should be amended, and he felt even more strongly towards the issue following the statement by the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

“[Lese majeste] is one of the most overused, misunderstood statutes in the world,” Mr. Amsterdam told Khaosod. “It does not in any way serve the purpose it was designed. People in Thailand are afraid to talk about it – and I understand why – but I am not afraid to talk about it.”

He added that he is not deterred by the threats of legal actions against him, and that he will visit Thailand again in the near future.

PCAD Activist Accuses Red Lawyer Of Lese Majeste

By

Khaosod English

-

8 April 2014, 19:47

Redshirts rally at Aksa Avenue, 6 April 2014

(8 April) A prominent anti-government activist has pressed charges against a legal representative of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accusing him of defaming the monarchy.

Mr. Thaworn Senniam, a core leader of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), arrived at the Dusit Police Station in Bangkok today to file complaints to the police.

According to the activist, Mr. Robert Amsterdam, who has been hired by the former leader to represent him in the international stage, has insulted the Royal Family by urging the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to amend the lese majeste laws.

Mr. Amsterdam delivered the remark in his Skype call to a massive pro-government Redshirts rally in Nakhon Pathom province on 6 April. In his call, Mr. Amsterdam faulted Ms. Yingluck's failure to amend Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Codes, which prohibits any remark deemed offensive to the monarchy.

Although Mr. Amsterdam made no direct mention of the monarchy throughout his speech, Mr. Thaworn said the lobbyist's remarks are sufficient ground for prosecution under Article 112.

"Thailand is ruled by democratic regime with the King as Head of State," Spring News quoted Mr. Thaworn as saying, "Therefore, the penalty for insulting the monarchy should be naturally more severe than the defamation of ordinary people, which is no different to the way things work in other nations".

Mr. Thaworn also demanded that the Royal Thai Police strictly take legal action against Mr. Amsterdam. It is not immediately clear whether the police will proceed with the complaint.

Those guilty of charges under Article 112 can face up to 15 years in prison per offence. A number of academics and rights experts have argued that the law has been heavily politicised and regularly used to repress freedom of expression in Thailand.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

PT Tells Abhisit To Discipline Party Spokeswoman

By

Khaosod English

-

8 April 2014, 17:55

Ms. Mallika Boonmetrakul (photo from Ms. Mallika's official Facebook account)

(8 April) The ruling Pheu Thai Party has lashed out at a deputy spokeswoman of the Democrat Party who falsely accused Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of attempting to flee the country.

In a Facebook post – which has now been deleted – Ms. Mallika Boonmetrakul published a photograph showing rows of baggage and boxes at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, and alleged that the baggage may have belonged to Ms. Yingluck who is attempting to flee Thailand amid the ongoing political crisis.

Some commentators also posted comments criticising the owner of the baggage for displaying such apparent luxury and unnecessary waste of taxpayers' money.

However, it later emerged that the cargo belongs to Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, who was flying to a fashion event in London. The post was eventually removed by Ms. Mallika without any explanation.

Mr. Prompong Nopparit, spokesman of Pheu Thai Party, called Ms. Mallika's statement a "distortion with political agenda to smear Ms. Yingluck", and insisted that the Prime Minister has no plan to leave the country.

"Ms. Yingluck and members of the Shinawatra family have no plan to run away from Thailand," Mr. Prompong said, "She has no intention of fleeing, because she has done nothing wrong. Ms. Yingluck has also made it clear that she will stay here to defend democracy until the last second".

Mr. Prompong also urged Democrat leader, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, to take disciplinary action against Ms. Mallika and make her take responsibility for her dissemination of false information.

"If he refuses to do so, we will take it that he conspires with her," Mr. Prompong said in a press conference, adding that Pheu Thai Party will never tolerate such irresponsible actions within the party.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Man Dies After Shooting Himself In Testicles

By

Khaosod English

-

8 April 2014, 17:26

(8 April) A gambler in Prachinburi province died after accidentally discharging his handgun into his testicles, police said.

According to the police, officers received reports of the incident at around 02.00 on 7 April. The police later arrived at a residence in Hua Wah subdistrict to find the dead body of Mr. Kittisak Krusorn, 27, on his front porch, with pool of blood trailing from his bedroom where police found one homemade handgun and one bullet case.

The police also found and confiscated a set of instruments for "Hi-Lo" gambling.

Mr. Kittisak's tesicles were punctured by the bullet, police added.

Mr. Kittisak's relatives told police he was hosting a round of "Hi-Lo" with his friends in a funeral at a local temple. Shortly after Mr. Kittisak returned to his bedroom, his relatives said, there was a loud gunshot bang and Mr. Kittisak later crawled out to front porch, crying for help. However, the man died before any help could arrive.

Police suspect that Mr. Kittisak might have accidentally fired his weapon as he took the handgun out from the holster on the front of his belt.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

S. Africa Urges Thailand To Tackle Human Trafficking

By

Khaosod English

-

8 April 2014, 17:05

(8 April) The South African Ambassador has proposed a joint effort to fight human traffickers alongside Thailand, in an effort to end the "sex slave" business between the two nations.

Ms. Robina P. Marks met with Ms. Paweena Hongsakul, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, in Pathum Thani province today to discuss the plan, which will encourage more cooperation between Thailand and South Africa, and a more robust legal procedure to prosecute those involved in the sex trade.

Numerous Thai women have been lured by human traffickers to South Africa with the prospect of lucrative careers, only to be locked in brothels and "massage parlours" where they are forced to become prostitutes once they arrive at their destination.

Ms. Paweena said she has assured Ms. Marks that the Thai authorities will adopt stronger measures to curb the human trafficking trade in Thailand, such as monitoring agencies who advertise jobs in South Africa to Thai women.

Any job agency that is found to violate or ignore regulations imposed by the Ministry of Labour will be severely punished, Ms. Paweena said.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Surapong: US Will Not Be Happy If Coup Happens

By

Khaosod English

-

8 April 2014, 15:16

PM Yingluck Shinawatra arrives at the Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Pathom province, 8 April 2014

(8 April) The US government has expressed concern to the Thai authorities over the deteriorating state of political crisis in Thailand, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Mr. Surapong made the comment after meeting with a group of high profile American diplomats today, including US Ambassador to Thailand, Ms. Kristie Kenny, and Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mr. Daniel Russel.

According to Mr. Surapong, the entourage presented him with a letter signed by the US Secretary of State John Kerry which expressed his concern over the latest round of political crisis in Thailand, which erupted in November last year.

He added that the US does not wish to see a military takeover or any other type of coup in Thailand. "It is an issue that the US has grave concerns about," Mr. Surapong told reporters, "If it really happens, they won't be happy".

Mr. Surapong continued, "Simultaneously, the US wants to support Thailand to walk along the democratic path, to solve problems by engaging in dialogues, and to refrain from violence and chaos".

The Foreign Affairs Minister also lamented missed opportunities for Thailand to strive for greater diplomatic relationship with the US and other countries in Southeast Asia, as Thailand lacks a functioning government to engage in international actions, such as signing treaties and attending international forums.

"We cannot do any of these things. We have to wait for the new government. It's a great loss to Thailand," Mr. Surapong complained.

Asked to comment on the speech by anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who threatened to install himself as a "Sovereign Body" and replace Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with his own choice of PM and Cabinet members, Mr. Surapong said such remark amounts to "insurrection".

"It is clear that Suthep wants to seize power into his own hands," Mr. Surapong charged, "He has never listened to anyone in the past … It's the way of dictators".

He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already translated Mr. Suthep' speech "word-to-word". Mr. Surapong said the text of the translation will be sent to foreign embassies in Thailand to inform them of Mr. Suthep's agenda.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Phuket Journalists To Face Lawsuits Filed By Navy

By

Khaosod English

-

8 April 2014, 15:14

(8 April) Editors of Phuket-based Phuketwan news agency have been scheduled to appear before the court on 17 April, after the prosecutor accepted defamation lawsuits filed by the Royal Thai Navy.

Mr. Alan Morison and Ms. Chutima Sidasathian have been accused of defaming the navy by publishing a report originally penned by Reuters which indicated that some servicemen in the Royal Thai Navy were involved in human trafficking trade of the Rohingya refugees off the southern coast of Thailand.

The article appeared on the Phuketwan website in July last year, but it was not until December that year that the Royal Thai Navy pressed charges of defamation and violation of Computer Crimes Act against the two editors.

If found guilty, the pair could face up to 7 years in prison.

Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison previously expressed their hope that the public prosecutor would drop the case. But Ms. Chutima told Khaosod today she has learned that the prosecutor has decided to take the case, and ordered the defendants to appear before the judges at Phuket Criminal Court on 17 April.

According to Ms. Chutima, bail has been set at an estimated at 100,000 baht per person, which she cannot afford. "I do not have any funds set aside for bail money," Ms. Chutima said in a phone interview, "We might just end up in jail on the day we report to the court".

She added that a number of media rights groups, namely Frontline Defenders and the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), are organisign fundraising among their members to post bail for Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison on 17 April.

However, the editor said she received little or no help from the Thai authorities. Neither the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) or the Thai Journalist Association (TJA) has offered their assistance in the legal procedure, Ms. Chutima told Khaosod, while her letter to the Rights and Liberty Protection Department went unanswered.

"I filed the letter to the officials in Phuket last month. I just discovered that somehow they did not forward the document to Bangkok," Ms. Chutima said, "I am shocked".

She is also disheartened by the fact that the lawsuit against Phuketwan has received very little coverage in the Thai mainstream media.

Rights experts have alleged that the Compter Crimes Act, which Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison are now facing, is highly detrimental to freedom of speech in Thailand, citing it’s vague and broad definition of what could be constituted as a crime.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Phuket Journalists To Face Lawsuits Filed By Navy

By

Khaosod English

-

8 April 2014, 15:14

(8 April) Editors of the Phuket-based Phuketwan news agency have been scheduled to appear before court on 17 April, after a prosecutor accepted defamation lawsuits filed by the Royal Thai Navy.

Mr. Alan Morison and Ms. Chutima Sidasathian have been accused of defaming the navy by publishing a report originally penned by Reuters which indicated that some servicemen in the Royal Thai Navy were involved in human trafficking trade of Rohingya refugees off the southern coast of Thailand.

The article appeared on the Phuketwan website in July last year, but it was not until December that the Royal Thai Navy pressed charges of defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act against the two editors.

If found guilty, the pair could face up to 7 years in prison.

Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison previously expressed their hope that the public prosecutor would drop the case. But Ms. Chutima told Khaosod today she has learned that the prosecutor has decided to take the case, and ordered the defendants to appear before the judges at Phuket Criminal Court on 17 April.

According to Ms. Chutima, bail has been set at an estimated at 100,000 baht per person, which she cannot afford. "I do not have any funds set aside for bail money," Ms. Chutima said in a phone interview. "We might just end up in jail on the day we report to the court."

She added that a number of media rights groups, namely Frontline Defenders and the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), are organising fundraising among their members to post bail for Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison on 17 April.

However, the editor said she received little or no help from the Thai authorities. Neither the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) nor the Thai Journalist Association (TJA) have offered their assistance in the legal procedure, Ms. Chutima told Khaosod, while her letter to the Rights and Liberty Protection Department went unanswered.

"I filed the letter to the officials in Phuket last month. I just discovered that somehow they did not forward the document to Bangkok," Ms. Chutima said, "I am shocked".

She is also disheartened by the fact that the lawsuit against Phuketwan has received very little coverage in the Thai mainstream media.

Rights experts have alleged that the Compter Crimes Act, which Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison are now facing, is highly detrimental to freedom of speech in Thailand, citing it’s vague and broad definition of what could be constituted as a crime.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Hot News

LATEST NEWS