Court Drops Case Of Alleged Police Station Sexual Abuse

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11 March 2014, 20:15

(11 March) The Supreme Court has dropped the case of a policeman who allegedly sexually harassed an underage rape victim, stating that the defendant and the victims have come to mutual agreement.

The lawsuit was brought by the parents of the victim against Pol.Maj. Sawai Lorblad, who was a police officer at Makkasan Police Station at the time of the alleged incident.

According to the complaint filed by the plaintiff, the victim went to the police station on 23 February 2005 to give her testimony over a separate incident, in which she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a neighbour.

During the interrogation, the plaintiff claimed, Pol.Maj. Sawai took the victim to a toilet at the police station with the pretext of looking for evidences of the rape on her body, and proceeded to molest her.

The officer had been charged with sexual abuse of a minor and abduction of a person younger than 18 but older than 15 with intent of sexual abuse.

Pol.Maj. Sawai contested the charges, and he was acquitted by both lower courts, which cited the victim's confusing and contradictory testimonies to the court.

Today the Supreme Court also announced its decision to drop the case, stating that the victim and the defendant have "come to mutual agreement" and decided not to pursue any further legal action against each other.

The plaintiff reportedly agreed with the court's decision, according to court documents.

Pol.Maj. Sawai is currently serving at Nang Loeng Police Station, and he has been recently promoted to the rank of Pol.LtCol. He was briefly suspended of his duties by a police committee, but the internal investigation later cleared the officer of his alleged charges, and reinstated him back to his post.

Chiang Mai Shop Owners Rally Against 'Unfair' Landlord

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11 March 2014, 18:11

(11 March) Over 100 shop owners and vendors have gathered at Chiang Mai City Hall to seek the authorities' help in mediating the dispute concerning their rent deal at a now-defunct commercial project.

Ms. Kittinya Witthayanin, the leader of the protesters, said she and fellow demonstrators were tenants at The Harbour, a commercial high-end arcade in Mueang district of the province.

She said she was persuaded by the developers of the project to open her shop at The Harbour in February 2013 after they have promised her that many celebrities would also open their shops there, which would ostensibly drive up popularity of the arcade.

However, Ms. Kittinya complained, none of the promised celebrities' business showed up. She added that the tenants also invested large sum of money into starting their business at the Harbour, as the project did not come with basic structures like roofs, painting, or windows.

Few months ago, The Harbour project collapsed due to low revenues, the shop owner said, and the developers proceeded to cut electric and water supplies to all shops located in the arcade.

She said that the tenants were never compensated for the collapsed deals, and estimated their total losses at 32 million baht.

"Some shops invested 300,000 in the project. My shop is the highest investor, at 11 million baht. Now I have to bear burden for the debt I owed to the bank," Ms. Kittinya told reporters.

Furthermore, according to Ms. Kittinya, the developers are seeking to sell the project to another company in order to dissolve their responsibility over the damages.

She told reporters that she has attempted to seek answers and compensation from Mr. Nakorn Kornhiran, director of the defunct project, but his lawyers reportedly told her to settle the losses at the court – a prospect she and other tenants are reluctant to face, Ms. Kittinya said, as they lack the fund to fight the possibly lenghty court cases.

Deprived of other options, Ms. Kittinya said the tenants decided to seek help from the Governor of Chiang Mai province to settle the dispute outside the court.

Mr. Chana Paengpibul, the Deputy Governor, later met with the demonstrators on behalf of Governor Wichian Puttiwinyu, who is reportedly on a trip outside the province, and promised to serve as mediator in the dispute for the aggrieved tenants.

Mr. Chana also promised that the authorities would investigate the matter and contact the shop owners in 7 days.

Sources: Thaksin Upset By Yingluck's 'Incompetent' Aides

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11 March 2014, 16:36

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets members of her Cabinet during a meeting, 11 March 2014

(11 March) Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is upset by his sister's refusal to employ political experts he has arranged for her, according to well-placed sources.

Mr. Thaksin reportedly made the remarks during a meeting with a group of Pheu Thai MPs in Beijing last weekend.

According to the sources inside Pheu Thai Party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the MPs flew to the Chinese capitol in order to ask for his advices concerning the ongoing political crisis, which pits the embattled government of his younger sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, against anti-government protests and their alleged backers in the establishment.

Mr. Thaksin remains an influential figure behind the ruling Pheu Thai Party despite his ousting in the 2006 military coup.

The sources claim that although Mr. Thaksin is confident the military won't launch another coup against his sister's government, he is concerned that the 2 February general election would be ultimately invalidated by the courts.

"He wished the Democrats would run in the election, so that everything will be over," one of the sources said, referring to Mr. Thaksin, "He is confident that Pheu Thai will win another election anyway".

Nevetheless, Mr. Thaksin preferred to see Ms. Yingluck taking more offensive stance toward the ongoing protests led by the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State, the sources said, such as "taking strict legal actions" against the protesters.

In the meeting with the Pheu Thai MPs, the former leader also allegedly berated Ms. Yingluck for refusing to employ the political advisers and strategists Mr. Thaksin wanted to place into her inner circle.

"Yingluck is not a strong figue. She's a good person but people close to her are incompetent," the source quoted Mr. Thaksin as saying, "I feel sorry for Yingluck, so I don't want to press her too hard. But the people in Thailand aren't up to my standard".

Furthermore, Mr. Thaksin is likewise concerned that Pheu Thai Party lacks "professionals" who can help the party win the media war against the protesters and their backers, particularly the Democrat Party.

"The people with good faces don't come out to defend our party, and those who came out don't have good faces," Mr. Thaksin allegedly complained to the MPs, "Unlike the Democrat Party. They have all the knowledgeable people and academics".

Student Admits Implicating His Brother Over Parricide

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11 March 2014, 15:25

(11 March) The brother of the student who had been alleged of parricide has admitted to police he had murdered his parents and falsely implicated his deceased sibling.

On Sunday the police were alerted by reports of murders at a residence in a gated community in Thanburi district of Pathum Thani province. At the scene, they discovered the bodies of Mr. Panuwat Sornphrom, 44, his wife, Ms. Yaowalak Sornphrom, 41, and their 16-year old son, whose name had been withheld due to legal reasons.

Mr. Akkarawat, another 18-years old son of Mr. Panuwat and Ms. Yaowalak, said he believed his brother murdered their parents before turning the gun on himself. Police also found gunshot wounds on the 16-year old's head and a handgun in his hand, leading the officers to initially rule out his death as suicide.

However, the police soon treated the case as suspicious, after evidences gathered at the scene contradicted with Mr. Akkarawat's testimonies.

After hours of interrogation, Mr. Akkarawat reportedly confessed he committed the crimes. In a police press conference, Mr. Akkarawat said he drugged his parents and brother, and proceeded to shoot at them in their sleep at night. Mr. Akkarawat said he later placed the handgun on his brother's hand and left the residence in the morning.

According to Mr. Akkarawat, he decided to murder the victims out of "envy", stating that he felt his parents loved his brother more than him.

The suspect was later escorted to the crime scene to rehearse the killing in presence of police officers.

PCAD Rallies Rocked By Twin Grenade Attacks

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11 March 2014, 13:54

Police officers gathering evidence at the blast site on Chaeng Wattana Road

(11 March) Anti-government protest campsites in Bangkok have been targeted by two separate grenade attacks.

The first incident took place at around 23.00 last night near the rally site on Chaeng Wattana Road in suburban Bangkok, which is maintained by supporters of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

The grenade reportedly landed just 50 metres away from a security checkpoint manned by the Royal Thai Army soldiers, but no injury has been reported.

Another attack occurred inside Lumpini Park in downtown Bangkok where hundreds of PCAD protesters have been camping for over a week. The grenade reportedly hit a tent owned by a group of PCAD security guards at around 06.00 this morning.

When police officers entered the area, they found two Army soldiers already inspecting the blast site. Stains of blood were found around the site, and some of the guards' properties were damaged by the blast.

A PCAD guard was injured by the blast and had been sent to Chulalongkorn Hospital, police said, naming the victim as Mr. Adul Maneesawek, 35, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat province. He is said to have been wounded by the grenade shrapnel.

A friend of Mr. Adul said he had been sleeping near the tent when Mr. Adul came back to the tent after a patrol duty on the nearby Thai-Japan Bridge as a part of security measures imposed by PCAD leadership.

Shortly after Mr. Adul returned to his tent, a loud explosion was heard, causing injuries to Mr. Adul, according to his friend. Apart from Mr. Adul, two other guards were slightly injured by the blast, reports say.

Police suspect that both grenades used in the two attacks were launched from M79 devices.

Man Arrested For 'Drugging And Raping' Nurse

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11 March 2014, 11:43

(11 March) Police in Udon Thani province have arrested a suspect in connection with the drugging and subsequent rape of a nurse in the province last week.

The victim was found naked and delirious in a motel room in Mark Khaeng district by the motel staff on 7 March. She was promptly sent to hospital, and medical workers spent a day treating her condition before she could give clear testimony to the police.

Citing medical reports, police said she was apparently drugged and raped.

According to the victim, she met the culprit on the social network and later arranged a meeting with him in a restaurant. She said she lost her consciousness after a few drinks, while motel staff told police they saw a male individual and a female accomplice carrying the victim to the motel room that same night.

The pair later left the motell room and drove away on a white vehicle, which was later identified as the victim's car, motel staff said, adding that they found the victim when they went to check the room after the suspects have checked-out.

Police said the victim's belongings were also stolen by the culprits, including her iPhone, her car, and 4,000 baht in cash.

After few days of investigation and CCTV footage inspection, the police arrested Mr. Sirivet Sitthivet, 27, who reportedly admitted to drugging the victim with the intent to rape and steal from her.

It is not whether the police are still searching for the suspect's alleged accomplice who was seen at the motel.

Mr. Sirivet remains under police custody.

Meet Johnny, The Online 'Monk Cat' Star

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10 March 2014, 21:19

Ms. Sirintorn Jaturariyasat, Attamaew, and Mr. Kriangkrai Suetrong

(10 March) He first rose to fame on the Internet when he appeared on a photo sitting in what looked like a private jet, wearing a mock monk's robe (made of yellow towel) and sunglasses, equipped with a Louis Vuitton bag.

The cat was instantly dubbed "Attamaew" (The Monk Cat), as he was widely seen as a parody of the notorious multi-millionaire monk Luang Phu Nen Kham who hit headlines in Thailand last year when a footage of him riding on a private jet with luxurious personal items such as Louis Vuitton bag emerged on the social media.

Attamaew, whose real name is Johnny, enjoyed much attention and a strong fan base in months afterward. He has gained 100,000 "likes" for his Facebook fan page, "Johnny the Supphalak Cat". He occasionally appeared in television shows, magazines, and has been named by a number of media outlets as one of the 12 most famous cats in the world.

The cat's latest high-profile appearance was when he visited the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC) in Ranong province to buy the government bond last month; the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was seeking the fund to pay farmers under the controversial rice-pledging scheme at the time.

Swadded in his trademark "monk robe" and duck-shaped sunglasses, Attamaew was greeted by Mr. Ekkasit Raksawong, the manager of the BAAC himself, who admitted to reporters that he is among other 100,000 followers of the cat on Facebook.

"It's the first time I met him," Mr. Ekkasit said, "He's very cute. I'm amazed at how Johnny can sit still longer than other cats".

He added, "It's a fortune for BACC to have welcomed such an important customer".

Other bank staffs were equally excited to have met Johnny in person. They also gifted him with a Piggy Bank for his interest in investing with BAAC. Johnny was later seen leaving the bank in the image of him driving away in a toy car.

The 8-year old chubby Supphalak-breed feline is described by his owners as a playful pet who enjoys eating, sleeping, hanging out and mimicking famous figures.

Both of his caretakers, Mr. Kriangkrai Suetrong, 33, and his wife, Ms. Sirintorn Jaturariyasat, 26, run a toddler clothes and toys store called "Tiggershop" in Mueang district of Ranong province.

“Johnny always gets his fans who wanted to take a picture with him”, said Mr. Kriangkrai referring to the time when the popular cat visited Phuket province, “A local English newspaper even reported Johnny’s visit”.

“We had received many mails congratulate us for having over 100,000 followers”, Mr. Kriangkrai added “and we sent Johnny printed sticker in return for their kindness.”

However, Johnny is suffering from nephropathy, Mr. Kriangkrai said, and so he relies on dietaries such as special cat food and organic grass.

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Man Assaulted By PCAD Guards 'Was Not Armed Agent'

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10 March 2014, 15:43

Mr. Maroot Channual before and after the alleged assault by PCAD guards (photo provided by Mr. Maroot's family)

(10 March) The brother of a man who has been allegedly beaten by a group of anti-government protest guards has disputed the claims that he tried to attack the guards.

The incident reportedly took place on 8 March near the anti-government rally site on Chaeng Wattana Road, where supporters of the People's Committee for Absolue Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) have been camping for weeks.

Accoring to a report in Thai Rath newspapers, the an individual on a vehicle attempted to approach the guards' checkpoint on Chaeng Wattana Road and opened fire, forcing some of the guards and Royal Thai Army soldiers stationed nearby to return fire.

After the gunfire exchange subsided, the guards reportedly captured the individual and searched his car. Thai Rath quoted a member of PCAD leaders as saying that the guards found a number of explosives on the vehicle, and named the person as Mr. Maroot Channual.

However, contacted by Khaosod, Mr. Maroot's brother disputed the PCAD's allegation and insisted that his brother was unarmed at the time.

According to Mr. Thammarat Channual, Mr. Maroot was attending a wedding reception hosted by one of his friends in Laksi distirct on the night of the incident. Afterh he left the party, Mr. Thammarat said, Mr. Maroot drove home via Chaeng Wattana Road, thinking he could drive through the protest site.

But Mr. Maroot soon reportedly encountered street cones erected by PCAD guards on the road. As the barricades were unmanned, Mr. Thammarat said in a phone interview, Mr. Maroot got out of his car and attempted to remove the barricades, which caused at least 5 guards to rush toward him and assault him severely.

Mr. Maroot was begging for mercy, even claiming that he personally admired PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban, but the guards would not listen, his brother said.

The man later reportedly woke up in hospital on the next morning. It is not clear who brought Mr. Maroot to the hospital.

Mr. Maroot is reported to have suffered severe injuries on his face, such as several broken bones and bleeding inside his eyes and ears. Blood was found in his urine samples. Medical workers refused to say whether Mr. Maroot's hearing and eyesight would be permanently affected by the wounds, and it is not clear whether Mr. Maroot would require facial surgery.

Medical workers have also retrieved a bullet from Mr. Maroot's leg, Mr. Thammarat said.

According to Mr. Thammarat, the guards also took away his brother's belongings, including an iPhone, a gold necklace, a ring, an amulet, and 5,000 baht in cash.

Mr. Thammarat vehemently denied reports that explosives were found inside Mr. Maroot's vehicle, insisting that his brother was not a part of any political movements.

"He criticised all politcial sides," Mr. Thammarat said, "My brother never has personal problems with anyone".

Mr. Thammarat also threatened to take legal action against anti-government critics on the social network who have been circulating allegations that Mr. Maroot was an armed agent paid by the Redshirts to attack the PCAD rally site. He said his family has already filed charge at a police station against the PCAD guards for their alleged assault on his brother.

"After the incident, no one takes any responsibility for what happened. The PCAD has not contacted me at all. Worse, they falsely implicated my brother in their press conference," Mr. Thammarat told our correspondent, "My family is very stressed at this moment. My parents can't sleep. My pregnant sister-in-laws is also very upset".

He added, "Everyone has the rights to rally and ask for fairness, ask for democracy, but their method should be under the laws … I can only hope this incident would not happen to any other family".

[UPDATED] Student 'Kills Parents', Turns Gun On Himself

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10 March 2014, 15:43

UPDATED: Mr. Akkarawat told police he killed his parents and brother.

(10 March) A 16-years old schoolboy has allegedly murdered his parents as they slept in their bedroom before turning the gun on himself.

The police in Pathum Thani received reports of the murder at around 16.00 on Sunday. The officers later arrived at the crime scene at a house in Mela Ville gated community in Thanburi district.

At the scene, the police found the bodies of Mr. Panuwat Sornphrom, 44, and his wife, Ms. Yaowalak Sornphrom, 41. They were both found dead with gunshot wounds on their bed in the residence's bedroom.

The police also found the body of their 16-years old son, whose name has been withheld due to legal reasons, inside the house. The boy died from a gunshot wound on his right temple, and a Glock handgun was found in his hand. Police said three bullets have been fired.

He is said to be a Matthayom 5 student at an unidentified school.

Mr. Akkarawat Sornphrom, another 18-years old son of Mr. Panuwat and Ms. Yaowalak, said he was inside his room in the house on the night of 8 March when he heard several gunshots. However, Mr. Akkarawat said he thought the shots were fired from outside the residence, so he thought nothing of the sounds and slept until he rose up and drove to his school in the morning.

According to Mr. Akkarawat, he called his home in the afternoon but no one answered the phone, leading him to suspect that something must have gone wrong. He said he immediately drove home to find the bedroom of his parents locked, and no reply came when he called their names, so he asked for help from neighbours who helped break into the bedroom.

Mr. Akkarawat told police he believed his brother shot Mr. Panuwat and Ms. Yaowalak dead because he felt jealousy toward his brother.

He added that his parents had his brother's mobile phone confiscated recently due to poor grades in school. According to Mr. Akkarawat, his parents also often scolded his brother for "acting like ladyboy".

The gun used in the crimes is said to belong to Mr. Panuwat.

The police said Mr. Panuwat was a senior official in the Department of Forestry while Ms. Yaowalak owned a company which exports textile products.

The three bodies have been sent to a hospital for autopsy procedures, the police said, adding that officers would talk to friends and teachers of the deceased schoolboy to establish the motive behind the murders.

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10 March 2014, 15:42

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