Rohingya Smugglers Arrested In Ranong: Navy

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24 March 2014, 15:04

(24 March) The Royal Thai Navy said they have arrested a group of human traffickers who were en route smuggling Rohingya refugees into Thailand.

The suspects, Thai and Burmese nationals, were on board three large ships which were just about to depart from a port in the Mueang district of Ranong province today when Navy personnel spotted the boats and made the arrests, said Lt.Col. Thaweepon Kanathong, a regional director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).

Authorities have been investigating reports of Ranong-based smugglers who transport Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Thailand, to be sold later to human traffickers, Lt. Col. Thaweepon said.

Today's raid on the three boats and subsequent arrests followed a tip-off from local informants, Lt.Col. Thaweepon added.

Upon inspection on the ship, Navy servicemen reportedly found large cargo spaces converted into hideouts for more than 100 Rohingya passengers. Supplies such as water tanks, canned fish, and instant noodles were also stored on the board, presumably to feed the refugees during the sea voyage.

17 people have been arrested in connection with the crime. All of the suspects confessed that they intended to sail to Myanmar where they would pick up Rohingya refugees before returning to Thailand, said Lt.Col. Thaweepon.

According to Lt.Col. Thaweepon, the suspects claimed they had previously smuggled over 200 Rohingyas into Thailand and sold them to a Thai dealer. The suspects reportedly claimed they did not know the whereabouts of the sold Rohingya refugees, but Lt.Col. Thaweepon said the authorities suspect the refugees had been sold to local human traffickers in Satul, Ranong, and Phan-Nga provinces.

"We will thoroughly interrogate the suspects before we send them to the civil authorities for legal prosecution," Lt.Col. Thaweepon said, "We have already informed relevant authorities to locate and rescue the 200 Rohingyas".

He added that the Myanma suspects would also face charges for residing in Thailand without valid permits.

According to a number of media reports, flows of Rohingya refugees into Thailand have increased over several years due to ethnic violence in Myanmar, where the Rohingyas were treated as "second-class citizens" and allegedly subject to brutal discrimination.

In December last year, the Royal Thai Navy pressed libel charges against two editors of an online news site based in Phuket province for running a story, originally penned by Reuters, which claimed that some Navy personnel either were involved in the human trafficking of Rohingya refugees, or turned blind eyes to the trade.

If found guilty, Mr. Alan Morison, an Australian citizen, and his Thai colleague, Ms. Chutima Sidasathian, could face up to five years in prison under the Computer Crimes Act. Various civil rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have urged the Thai Navy to drop the complaint.

Chinese Tourist Beaten By Teenage Gangsters

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24 March 2014, 14:19

(24 March) A Chinese tourist accused of molesting a 'Coyote Girl' was subsequently mob-beaten by a group of teenage gangsters in Sa Kaeo province.

The incident reportedly took place at around 03.00 yesterday at Fusion nightclub in the Aranyapradesh district. Police arrived at the scene to find scattered chairs and tables and glasses in the nightclub, while Mr. Au Kai Chuan (name transcribed from Thai text), a 36-year old Chinese tourist, was found unconscious on the floor.

Mr. Au's condition was described as severe and medical workers said he sustained multiple bruises.

Witnesses told police a large group of teenagers were dancing in the establishment when a shout went up that someone has molested a "Coyote" (female dancer) of the nightclub, causing the teenagers to mob and beat Mr. Au.

Coyote staff attempted to tell the assailants that Mr. Au was not the perpetrator, but the suspects refused to listen and proceeded to kick the Chinese tourist until he passed out. The suspects fled the scene shortly afterward.

A senior police officer said the assailants belong to a local teenage gang who previously assaulted a police officer inside the same nightclub only a week earlier. Police said that they are currently looking for 7 suspects in connection with the assault on Mr. Au.

Thai Army's Use Of Red Cross Sign Questioned

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22 March 2014, 19:21

(22 March) A senior Thai Red Cross official has expressed concern over the display of the Red Cross sign at security checkpoints manned by Thai army troops in Bangkok.

The Royal Thai Army has installed more than 170 checkpoints – nicknamed "bunkers" due to their use of sandbags and camouflage – in downtown Bangkok. Their stated purpose is to provide security to the public amid the ongoing anti-government protests.

However, some members of the public have raised concern over appearance of the Red Cross sign on many of the bunkers, as it might violate the International Red Cross guidelines.

Mr. Pichit Siriwan, M.D., deputy director of the Relief and Community Health Bureau, which operates under the Thai Red Cross, said, while military units are allowed to display Red Cross signs, they must be strictly unarmed and clearly identified as non-combatant personnel.

The use of Red Cross signs must also be approved by the relevant authorities first, Mr. Pichit explained.

"If the situation is not life-threatening, and if it is not a war time, I think they should avoid displaying [the Red Cross signs] altogether," Mr. Pichit told our correspondent, adding that the symbols have been routinely misused by political groups whereas they should have been adopted only by impartial volunteer groups.

"I have asked many times that the Red Cross sign not be used," Mr. Pichit complained, "Every side should respect the use of the symbol, so Red Cross International can remain an impartial agency that helps people in critical situations".

Nevertheless, Mr. Pichit refused to comment on the authenticity of an alleged Thai Red Cross letter which was purportedly filed to the Royal Thai Army, requesting the military bunkers cease their display of Red Cross symbols on their banners.

In the purported letter, which is widely shared on the social network, the authors complain that armed soldiers are sometimes stationed inside bunkers bearing the Red Cross signs.

"I didn't sign that letter, so I can't comment about that," Mr. Pichit said.

Residents Concerned By Koh Samui 'Oil Slick'

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22 March 2014, 17:31

Officials inspect a dead dolphin in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, 21 March 2014

(22 March) The authorities have launched inquiry to reports that oil slicks have been spotted near the popular tourist island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand.

Mr. Sermpong Poonsawat, a local businessman in Chaweng Beach on the island, said he has received complaints from many tourists they have encountered thick oil residue after they waded into the sea off Chaweng Beach.

Local business groups had to jointly mobilise their staff and clean the oil slick from the beach in order to prevent any damage to the beach, Mr. Sermpong said.

He insisted that the oil slick is different to the commonly found residue of petrol used by fishing boats in the Gulf of Thailand, and called for the authorities to investigate the matter. "If this kind of incident happens again, tourist businesses in Samui will be certainly affected", Mr. Sermpong warned.

Mr. Charoen To-Itae, a resident in Baan Nai Tung community, also told our correspondent the oil slick has been seen on the 2-3 kilometre stretch of beach in Nai Tung for days now, causing black dots along the sandy shore as the oil began to sink into the beach.

The news has reminded many anxious residents and business owners in Samui of the oil spill crisis in Rayong province late last year, in which tons of oil slick had blackened the sands of Koh Samet island – a famous tourist destination – and caused massive economic as well as environmental damages to the area.

The reports also coincides with discoveries of dead dolphins along the coast of the nearby Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

The latest case of dead dolphin – a full-grown, 2-metre long creature – was found yesterday at Son Sri Beach in Si Chon district. Mr. Santi Nilwat, director of the Maritime Resource Research Centre based in Songkhla province, said 4 dead dolphins were discovered in Nakhon Si Thammarat in the past week alone.

All the dolphins bore no visible injuries, Mr. Santi said, which may indicate that they had been killed by the suspected oil slick, but he stressed that further lab tests were needed to identify the clear cause of deaths.

Mr. Pitak Baripit, Si Chon district director, assured the public that scientists from Walailak University have already retrieved samples of the seawater and the oil slick for scientific investigation. He expected the team will take 1 week to determine the type of the oil, and whether the substance will cause any damage to the ecology in the sea.

"Officials have been arriving to investigate [the oil slick] every day," Mr. Pitak said, but expressed his concern that no state agency has yet volunteered to take responsibility for the budget of cleaning the oil residue along the shore.

Local residents, however, complained that their patience is running out. Mr. Abhichit Permpanit, a fisherman who makes the living off the coast in Nakhon Si Thammarat, said he is deeply concerned by the news of the dead dolphins, as it might be evidence of another case of serious oil spill.

In the incident of Koh Samet oill spill, the disaster was caused by an underwater faulty pipeline operated by the PTT Global Chemical Company, a state-owned petroleum giant. Many residents said they feared a similar accident might have occurred either on an oil rig or cargo ship in the sea around Koh Samui.

Some also voiced their exasperation at the authorities' alleged slow response. Mr. Charoen, the resident in Baan Nai Tung, officials did not respond to the reports until several days have passed, leading him to accuse the authorities of incompetence and carelessness.

"The state authorities and the private sector have been actively working to push for big projects like the oil drilling platform in the province," Mr. Charoen complained, "The people have always opposed these projects, because we don't believe there would be adequate measures of inspection and containment of any environmental effects".

He added, "This oil slick incident is another proof of the incompetence of the state authorities. Since small matters like this are not worth their attention, so how will they respond to big issues with big consequences?"

Correction: The original version of this article misplaced the location of Koh Samet Island. The island is in Rayong province, not Ranong.

Botched Tablet Deal: Govt Seeks B156 Mil Damage Fee

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22 March 2014, 17:01

A student tests out a tablet computer distributed under the "one child one tablet" program (Photo by Prachachart)

(22 March) The government will file a lawsuit seeking a compensation fee of 154.6 million baht from the company behind the now-collapsed school tablet computers plan.

Minister of Education Chaturon Chaisaeng said Jasmine Telecom System Company was initially contracted to distribute tablet computers to Matthayom 1 students and their teachers enrolled in public schools in the northern and northeastern regions ("Zone 4" under the Ministry of Education designation).

Under the contract signed in September last year, the company was due to distribute the first shipment of the devices in February 2014, Mr. Chaturon, but the company postponed the delivery in early February and promised to schedule another delivery date on 4 March.

When that deadline was missed again, the Ministry was forced to cancel the shipment in order to prevent any further delay or damage, Mr. Chaturon told reporters in a press conference yesterday.

According to the Minister of Education, the company must be fined 0.2% of the price of each undelivered tablet computers for each day that exceeded the deadline, amounting to 1.5 million baht of damage fee per day and a total of 114.6 million baht. An additional insurance fee of 40 million baht will be applied to the compensation payment, Mr. Chaturon said.

The collapsed deal is yet another blow to the "one tablet, one student" program promised by the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Tablet contracts for Zone 1 and Zone 2 have faced similar cancellations.

Like some other populist policies pursued by the government, such as the controversial rice-pledging scheme, the tablet program was plagued by delays and reports of possible corruption.

However, Mr. Chaturon remains unfazed by the latest obstacle, vowing to organise a new round of auction for the tablet distribution contract soon. He added that Jasmine Telecom System Company will be required to pay some of the budget for the new auction.

Mr. Chaturon also expressed his confidence that students will receive their tablets within "May and June" this year.

'Car Bomb' Explodes Close To Bangkok PCAD Rally

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22 March 2014, 15:54

(22 March) A car filled with explosive devices has exploded near an anti-government protest camp site in northern Bangkok today.

The explosion reportedly occurred at around 05.00 this morning at Soi Chaeng Wattana 13 in the Laksi district, a mere 100 meters from the rally site maintained by the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) on Chaeng Wattana Road.

Responding to emergency calls, the police arrived to find the car engulfed in flames. The initial inspection revealed that the explosion was caused by two of the three large gas canisters inside the vehicle. The police later painstakingly removed the remaining, unexploded canister and defused the device.

No injuries were reported.

According to the police, the canisters were improvised explosive devices filled with incendiary fertilisers and some firearm bullets. The design resembled another 15-kg IED found in front of the Criminal Court building on Ratchapisek Road in Bangkok last week, police said.

Witnesses told police the car had been parked in the alley for "3-4 days". It is not immediately clear whether the explosion was deliberately triggered or caused by accident.

Police said the registered owner of the vehicle had passed away a month ago, but stressed that the officers are working to identify the person now responsible for the car.

The car involved in the incident was described as a silver-coloured Toyota Corola, with license plate registered in Nonthaburi province.

Thailand To Protest Fox News Over Flight MH370 Criticism

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22 March 2014, 14:36

A Vietnamese military officer looks at the map of search operation for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, 12 March 2014 (Reuters)

(22 March) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has hit back at an American reporter who called the Thai authorities "jerks" for their alleged delay in publishing the flight data of the missing Malaysian jet.

Thai officials have previously indicated that military radars, manned by the Royal Thai Air Force, detected the suspected presence of flight MH370 as it departed Malaysia and headed toward the Gulf of Thailand. Officials said the airplane was later seen veering off its path and flying back to Malaysia.

However, the Thai authorities did not made public the flight data until over a week has passed after the Malaysian Airlines flight disappeared, causing some criticism that the delay might have worsened the situation for the missing jet.

One of the most scathing comments was made by Ms. Greta Van Susteren, and American news reporter, who wrote on the website of the American news channel Fox News that the Thai authorities' delay in publishing the radar data earned Thailand with the title of "the lamest country of the day".

"Thailand didn't bother to tell anyone [about the flight data]," Ms. Susteren wrote, "Why? Well, because they are jerks"

The American anchorwoman also went on to brand Thailand as "pathetic" and "cruel". "Shame on Thailand. Yes, Thailand, that same country the world rallied to help when they got hit by a tsunami in 2004," she concluded.

Today Mr. Sek Wannamethee, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Ministry will send an official letter to Fox News headquarters detailing Thailand's displeasure at Ms. Susteren's remarks.

"She should not have hastily drawn conclusion, or criticism, or made comments without studying all the facts," Mr. Sek said, "Such action will also affect the credibility of Fox News, which is a leading news organisation in the US"

Redshirts Promise Uprising Against Coup, Appointed PM

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21 March 2014, 19:34

Demonstrators shroud Democracy Monument with black cloth on March 21, 2014.

(21 March) Leaders of the Redshirts have threatened to launch widespread protests if Prime Minister Yingluck is ousted by a coup, or replaced with an unelected premier.

"Reporters kept asking me when the Redshirts will enter Bangkok," said Mr. Jatupon Prompan, chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

"Let me just say this," he continued, "the day Thailand loses democracy, either by a military coup or the appointment of the so-called neutral Prime Minister, it would be the 'D-Day' for all Redshrits".

His remark followed a key ruling by the Constitutional Court which voids the result of the 2 February general election, citing the constitutional requirement that the election must be held within a single day, whereas the election in some provinces had been postponed due to anti-government protesters who were blockading poll venues.

Experts fear that the ruling meant Thailand would lack a functioning government in weeks to come, while Mr. Jatupon said it might pave way for a "vacuum of power" in which Ms. Yingluck would be removed by non-governmental agencies, such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

The NACC is currently investigating Ms. Yingluck for her alleged role in corruption related to the rice-pledging scheme; if she is ever indicted, Ms. Yingluck would be forced to cease her duties as a Prime Minister.

Mr. Jatupon also denounced those who have been calling for an appointment of a "neutral Prime Minister" to replace Ms. Yingluck.

"I want Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban to just make it clear who he wants to become the neutral PM," Mr. Jatupon said, referring to the secretary-general of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), "So Thai people can express their feelings to that new PM".

The UDD chairman then went on to warn the military not to launch a coup, as it would lead to massive resistance by the Redshirts.

"Today Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, turns 60 years old," Mr. Jatupon said in the press conference, "I hope he has a happy birthday, and I hope next year Gen. Prayuth will still be able to move around, and not be turned away by the people as a dictator or coup maker".

Meanwhile, Ms. Thida Thavornseth, another core leader of the UDD, called the NACC's pursuing of corruption charge against Ms. Yingluck "a farce", arguing that the investigation is a facade for an attempt to create legal vacuum and replace her with an appointed leader.

Our correspondent added that the first show of strength of the Redshirts following the Constitutional Court's verdict is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Chonburi province, where UDD supporters from various provinces will arrive in the evening in motorised convoys.

Nevertheless, some Redshirts and other pro-election demonstrators have already held a brief rally to voice their disagreement with the Constitutional Court in Chiang Mai province today, while dozens of pro-election protesters similarly rallied at Benchasiri Park in downtown Bangkok, calling on the establishment to "respect my votes".

Another group of activists also covered the Democracy Monument in Bangkok with enormous black cloths this afternoon to symbolise what they call "a dark day for democracy" in Thailand.

Portuguese Cannon Smashed To Build Buddha Figure

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21 March 2014, 18:02

Photo of the cannon in its original form, as provided by the temple staff.

(21 March) Police in Ranong province have saved the scraps of a 500 year old Portuguese cannon from the temple furnace where local monks intended to turn the artifacts into a Buddha figure.

The authorities have received previous reports that Wat Suwankiriviharn Temple would fuse the said cannon with other substances to construct a 3-metre tall Buddha statue on Friday.

Concerned that the artifact would be irreparably damaged, officials of Department of Fine Arts urged the police in Ranong to raid the temple and confiscate the cannon.

The police, accompanied by a team of experts from Department of Fine Arts, arrived at Wat Suwankiriviharn at around 15.00 yesterday and met with the abbot to discuss the issue. The temple staff offered no resistance, showing the officers to their store room where the cannon was held.

Nevertheless, the cannon had already been smashed into 56 pieces of metal scraps on the order of the temple monks, in preparation for the scheduled casting ceremony.

Mr. Thawatchai Chanpaisalsilpa, an archaeologist from the Department of Fine Arts, said initial inspection indicated that the cannon was a Portuguese-made weapon dating back to 16th century.

Two of the cannon scraps recovered by the police also showed a national emblem of Portugal and an insignia of the globe, similar to the signs on the ancient cannons placed in the compound of the Embassy of Portugal in Bangkok, Mr. Thawatchai added.

Temple staff told the police that local fishermen had uncovered the cannon as they were sailing near the Nicobar Islands in the Andaman Sea several years ago. According to Mr. Thawatchai, the cannon, in its original form, would have been 2.5 meters long and weighed 437 kg.

However, when the police scaled the scraps, the total weight of the smashed cannon was only 399 kilograms, causing the police to suspect that some pieces had been stolen or withheld by temple staff.

"The cannon represents historical evidence of the sailing, trade, and cultural exchange in the Andaman Sea, which was an important sea trade network" Mr. Thawatchai said, "It's a pity the cannon has been reduced to scraps".

The police said, after their investigation, that they intend to prosecute those who were involved in the destruction of the cannon, as the artifact is protected under the 1961 Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums, which bans any action that vandalises historic artifacts.

Mr. Thawatchai also told our correspondent that the incident is the first offence under the 1961 law he has come across in his working life.

TAT To Woo Hong Kong Tourists Back To Bangkok

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21 March 2014, 16:41

Songkran celebration organised by Thai community in Hong Kong, April 2013

(21 March) The Tourism Authority of Thailand will launch a PR offensives to convince tourists from Hong Kong to return to Bangkok, a top official said.

TAT Director Thawatchai Arunyik complained that incoming tourism from Hong Kong has drastically decreased after the government imposed the State of Emergency over Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces, prompting the authorities of the semi-autonomous region to declare a "Black Travel Alert" and urge its citizens to avoid travel to Bangkok.

According to Mr. Thawatchai, many travel insurance companies based in Hong Kong refused to insure trips to Bangkok due to the travel notice.

Ms. Thitipon Maneenet, the director of TAT's chapter in Hong Kong, added that since 80% of all tourists from Hong Kong only visit Bangkok during their trips, the Black Travel Alert meant many Hong Kongers decide to scrap travel plans for Thailand altogether.

Now that the Hong Kong authorities have scaled down the travel alert – from Black to Yellow – following the repeal of the emergency decree in Bangkok, Mr. Thawatchai hopes citizens of Hong Kong will be willing to resume their trips to the Thai capital city.

However, much work remains to be done, officials warned. Ms. Thitipon said the TAT will launch a series of advertisements designed to inform prospective tourists in Hong Kong about alternative destinations in Thailand, such as Chiang Mai, Samui island, and Phuket, while Mr. Thawatchai said the TAT will also organise exhibitions in Hong Kong about Thailand's various tourist destinations.

Speed is critical, officials said, as the TAT is hoping to restore the confidence of foreign tourists around the world before the celebration of Songkran (traditional Thai New Year) Festival in April.

Mr. Somsak Pureesisak, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, added that he would convene a meeting between TAT and relevant authorities to resolve problems related to travel insurance for Hong Kong tourists in Thailand.

Meanwhile, officials said they are expecting only 28 million tourists to visit Thailand this year – slightly lower than the previously-projected number of 31.1 million tourists – due to ongoing political crisis.

In the first 2 months of 2014 alone, the number of foreign tourists arrivals in Thailand has already decreased by 4.1%, according to official records.

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