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Thai Local Coffee Brands Win EU Recognition
(6 March) The European Union has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) to Thailand's Doi Tung and Doi Chaang coffee brands, official said.
The coffees were the second and third product – after the famed Thai jasmine rice – to be labeled as such in the EU, said Ms. Kullanee Iddisai, Deputy Director-General of Intellectual Property Department.
GI status signifies product’s geographical location or origins, as well as its quality – which is in accordance with traditional methods – and its reputation within its original location.
Ms. Kullanee said that under its GI recognition, Doi Tung and Doi Chaang coffees would be protected from intellectual property violation within the EU.
According to Ms. Kullanee, the department has submitted four products of Thailand for GI recognition since 27 May 2010. Three of them, the two local coffees and the jasmine rice, have been certified so far, while Khao Sang Yhode (a type of Thai rice) is being assessed by the EU, she said.
However, the final approval process is pending consent from other countries, Ms. Kullanee said. If no other country disputes the EU's awarding in the next 3 months, Doi Tung and Doi Chaang coffees would be immediately recognised.
She added that Thailand will also improve its reputation in the global market by submitting an annual report to the US Trade Representatives (USTR) in the bid to have Thailand removed from the US Priority Watch List (PWL), which documents intellectual property violation around the world.
Thailand joined the list in USTR Special 301 Report in 2013.
"Thailand aims to be excluded from the PWL," Ms. Kullanee said, "We will enforce procedures to suppress intellectual property violation, especially for trademark violation".
The next USTR Annual Report will be released in April 2014.
Buddha Issara FB Removes Post About Judicial Allies
(3 March) The official Facebook page of the prominent anti-government monk activist has removed a post which asserts that the court supported his rally in Chaeng Wattana Road.
In the now-deleted post, either Buddha Issara or one of his close aides claimed that the monk has been contacted by an unnamed "secretary of the courts", who reportedly begged the protesters not to abandon their rally site around the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, where a number of judicial agencies are housed.
According to the post, the judicial official expressed his or her worry that pro-government protesters might arrive at the road and use the area to organise prolonged rallies against the courts, as the Redshirts have besieged the office of National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Nonthaburi province last week.
"The courts have asked us to stay until they have concluded their trials on the government faction," the Facebook page alleged.
The remark was posted at the time when the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is due to face a number of verdicts from the courts and other judicial bodies.
For instance, the constitutionality of her 2.2 trillion baht infrastructure overhaul project is slated to be decided by the Constitutional Court next week, while the NACC is currently pursuing a separate investigation into the alleged corruption in her administration.
The post also anger many supporters of the government, who have long accused the judicial powers of conspiring with anti-government protesters to oust Ms. Yingluck.
Several hours later, after the post was widely circulated on the social network and reported on a number of media outlets, Buddha Issara's Facebook team removed it and claimed that the post was published due to misunderstanding.
"The Admin has published it without authorisation due to misunderstanding," the statement says, "The contents were neither approved nor fact-checked by Luang Phu"
The statement also urged those who have shared the controversial post to delete it.
Asked about the incident, Mr. Atichote Pondee, deputy secretary-general of the Administrative Court, admitted that the court has sent officials to meet with Buddha Issara, but he insisted that their intention was to ask the protesters to clear a path around the Administrative Court for an important ruling on 7 March, which is expected to attract many observers and reporters.
"We told them so they won't be surprised to see so many people on that day," Mr. Atichote said.
He also denied the claim that the courts have asked Buddha Issara to maintain his rally site on Chaeng Wattana Road.
"The courts would never intrude into that matter. I suppose the staff were joking at each other," Mr. Atichote told our correspondent, "No matter what group comes to rally, the court will facilitate their convenience equally. We will provide care to both sides equally".
The deputy sec-gen added that he has been informed by the Constitutional Court office that they have not dispatched any official to meet with Buddha Issara as claimed by his Facebook post.
"The post was likely caused by misunderstand among his staff," Mr. Atichote insisted.
Man Kills Monk To 'Ward Off His Sexual Advance'
(6 March) A monk has been reportedly stabbed dead in Kanchanaburi province by a man who claimed he was acting in self-defence against the monk's sexual advance.
The incident took place in a motel room in Nong Bua subdistrict of the province's Mueang district on Wednesday morning.
At the scene, the police found the body of a monk in a pool of blood, with a knife clenched in his right hand. Splatters of blood were also found around the room, an evidence that a fight broke out earlier.
The monk was identified as Phra Ponsak Thongchimplee, 45, a native of Bangkok and a member of a temple in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The police said they found 9 stabbing wounds on the monk's body.
Motel staff said the monk was seen checking in at the motel room with a man, who later emerged with blood and wounds on his body, and claimed he stabbed the monk dead. The police promptly visited the hospital where the man was being treated.
At the hospital, Mr. Prinya Kaewsuk told the officers that he worked as a vendor in Nakhon Ratchasima province and has been a loyal follower of the monk. According to Mr. Prinya, Phra Ponsak hired him to be his driver on a trip to ask for donations in Pathum Thani province on 4 March.
After his donations letter were all handed out, Mr. Prinya said, Phra Ponsak instructed him to drive to Kanchanaburi province as he wished to purchase some gemstones before returning to his temple.
Mr. Prinya claimed they arrived in the province by midnight, so they rented a motel room and he quickly fell asleep on his bed due to exhaustion.
However, the man said, he was later woken by the monk who sat – naked – on his body and asked him for a sexual intercourse. When Mr. Prinya said no, the monk allegedly took out a knife and threatened to kill him if he still refused, causing him to reach for the knife and struggled with the monk. Mr. Prinya said he was cut in left wrist in the process.
The suspect claimed he eventually took the knife and stabbed the monk repeatedly out of his rage. He said he informed the motel staff afterwards and went to hospital to treat his wound.
Mr. Prinya insisted to the police that he did not intend to kill Phra Ponsak, as he was driven by rage after the monk tried to coerce him into sexual intercourse.
The police said they are skeptical of Mr. Prinya's testimony, citing contradicting evidences found in the scene. Investigation is ongoing.
Bangkok Bunkers To Be Decorated In Pink: Army Chief
(6 March) Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army has suggested that troops checkpoints in Bangkok might be redecorated to convey a friendly appearance.
"We may place flowers on them and install some pink curtains," Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha told reporters today.
His remark came after a number of citizens complained that they felt intimidated by various "bunkers" manned by army troops in downtown Bangkok.
The bunkers – mostly composed of sandbags and green camouflaging nets – have been constructed around the perimeter of the protest sites of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) in recent weeks.
Army officials insisted that the soldiers were not armed, except for a few officers who were permitted to carry handguns, and their presence was aimed to maintain public safety amid the spree of almost-nightly attacks on protest sites.
Nevertheless, the troops deployment drew criticism from pro-government supporters who view the army as siding with PCAD protesters, and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has recently expressed her concern that presence of soldiers in financial districts of Bangkok may damage the country's image.
Gen. Prayuth said he accepted these complaints, but also asked the public to understand the army.
"We have to build the bunkers to shelter the soldiers, because the soldiers were not armed," Gen. Prayuth said.
He added, "We will make the bunkers look more friendly. But soldiers are soldiers. Do you want us to look weak and humble and neat like traditional dancers?"
Former Singha Heiress Urges Police To Punish 'Separatists'
(6 March) Anti-government activists have urged the police to take swift action against a group of alleged "separatists" in northern Thailand.
The activists were led by Ms. Chitpas Kridakorn, a leading member of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and a former member of the Bhirombhakdi clan, which owns the famous Singha beer.
In a letter handed by Ms. Chitpas to the police at the Royal Thai Police headquarters this morning, the group claimed that a secessionist group called "Sor Por Por Lanna" is currently active in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand, with the aim of establishing an independent state of Lanna.
It appears Ms. Chitpas' group was referring to a pro-democracy group with similar name which has previously declared that it has no secessionist agendas.
Furthermore, she urged the police to prosecute Mr. Wuttipong Kochthammakul, a prominent Redshirt activist, for his alleged role in the gun-battle between pro-government and anti-government protesters at Laksi district in Bangkok on 1 February.
Mr. Wuttipong has also defamed the Royal Family in many occasions and so deserves legal prosecution, Ms. Chitpas claimed.
Related Story: Army Declares War On Non-Existing Separatists
Satit Seeks Royal Intervention To Fight Deport Notice
(6 March) India-born anti-government activist has appealed to His Majesty the King to overrule the government's effort to have him deported.
The Centre for Maintaining of Peace and Order (CMPO) has previously vowed to pursue a deportation process against Mr. Satit Segal, a prominent businessman and a core leader of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).
According to the CMPO, Mr. Satit has violated the emergency decree, which bans all political gathering, by engaging in anti-government campaigns alongside other PCAD leaders. The CMPO also warned that other foreigners who joined the protests might face similar action.
Mr. Satit has repeatedly insisted that although he never official received the Thai citizenship, he has been residing in Thailand for decades and no state agency has ever taken action against him in the past.
The Indian Embassy today confirmed to our correspondent that the CMPO has finalised its procedure to revoke Mr. Satit's rights of abode in Thailand. In theory, the police can now arrest Mr. Satit and promptly deport him to India.
As a response to the development, Mr. Satit has appointed his lawyer to file a royal petition to His Majesty the King at the Royal Household Bureau at around 09.00 today.
The petition calls for His Majesty the King to bestow clemency upon the India-born activist and suspend his deportation notice.
The lawyer was accompanied by Mr. Satit's brother, Mr. Arthit Segal. He said his brother could not file the petition himself today due to security concerns.
Mr. Arthit stresed that Mr. Satit has been a loyal subject of the Thai monarchy, and his political activism is driven by his desire to honour the monarchy.
"My family, especially my 90 years old mother, is very saddened by what is going on," Mr. Arthit said.
He also claimed that Mr. Satit has never received any summon or notice of his alleged wrongdoing by any state agencies, including the CMPO.
Mr. Satit's lawyer added that Mr. Thaworn Senniam, a PCAD core leader, will take legal action against the CMPO for its effort to deport Mr. Satit.
Meanwhile, CMPO chaiman, Mr. Chalerm Yoobamrung, declined to comment about Mr. Satit's royal petition, but insisted that his agency is bound by duties to prosecute Mr. Satit for his involvement in the ongoing protests.
"If he didn't do anything, why would I sign his deportation order?" Mr. Chalerm told reporters, adding that he has no personal grudge toward the India-born businessman.
"I don't even personally know him," Mr. Chalerm said.
Thai-China Rice Deals: PCAD Protests At Embassy
(6 March) Anti-government protesters have rallied in front of the Chinese embassy in Bangkok to protest the recently-agreed rice deal between Thailand and China.
The Thai government announced yesterday that the kingdom has secured an agreement to sell 1 million tonnes of rice under the rice mortgage scheme to a state enterprise agency in China called COFCO Corporation.
The agreement reportedly details that the first batch of rice – 400,000 tonnes – will be shipped between March and July.
The government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been facing immense criticism over its rice-pledging program. The Thai government has been desperately seeking buyer for millions of tonnes of rice stored in numerous silos across the country.
It is unclear whether the deal would survive scrutiny of the state anti-corruption agencies. A previous announcement by Ms. Yingluck's government that Thailand would sell rice under "government-to-government" scheme (G2G) to a Chinese state agency last year has been recently labelled as a bogus claim by the National Anti-Corruption Commisssion (NACC).
Today, supporters of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) also marched to the Embassy of People's Republic of China in Bangkok to voice their displeasure with the news that China will buy rice from Ms. Yingluck's controversial program.
The protesters also claimed that they want to inform the Chinese government of a separatist movement in Thailand which aims to secede pro-government provinces, and to urge the Chinese not to support such movements.
PCAD protesters later dispersed from the Embassy without any violent incident.
Nevertheless, their rally was criticised by Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who also serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"I don't want them to organise a protest like that, because the Chinese want to buy Thai rice out of their desire to help Thai farmers," Mr. Surapong said.
He also expressed his belief that the Chinese authorities have been aware of PCAD's previous attempts to disrupt the payment to farmers under the scheme by blocking a number of banks which were slated to provide loans for the government's rice payment funds.
PCAD Grenade Attack A False Flag Operation: CMPO
(5 March) A top governmental official has suggested that a grenade attack at an anti-government protest leader's resident might be an attempt to frame the government.
Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and adviser to the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), delivered the remark hours after a grenade was hurled at the residence of Mr. Nataphol Teepsuwan, a core member of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).
Police received the report about the incident at around 03.00 today. An EOD team was promptly sent to the residence, which locates on Soi Sukhumvit 18 in Bangkok′s Klong Toey area.
At the scene the officers found an unexploded M19 A2 type grenade wrapped in a black tape. The police stated that the grenade′s pin was already pulled, but the tape locked the grenade its fuze together, preventing it from exploding.
A security guard at the residence told the police that he heard an object dropping near the front gate earlier, so he inspected the area with a flashlight and found the grenade. He said he immediately called the police.
The police later released a CCTV footage showing a pair of unidentified assailants approaching Mr. Nataphol′s residence on a motorcycle before hurling the grenade at its gate and speeding away.
A high-ranking police officer said a protective net around Mr. Nataphol′s house barred the grenade from entering its perimeter.
A "pipe bomb" was also previously thrown into Mr. Nataphol′s house on 28 February. Mr. Nataphol has accused pro-government militants of intimidating him for his campaign against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
However, Mr. Surapong of the CMPO said in a press conference today that he believes the grenade attack was a false flag operation to taint the government.
"This sort of incident is about stirring up the situation and blaming the other side," Mr. Surapong said, adding that the attack only stressed the need for the government to maintain the State of Emergency over Bangkok.
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BKK Airport To Probe Airport Toilet 'Spy Cam'
(5 March) The authorities are investigating the reports that a female flight attendant has been filmed by a hidden camera in a Bangkok airport's toilet.
The footage, which was apparently taken without the flight attendant′s knowledge, is currently being circulated on a number of websites. The clip caption claimed it was taken at Don Muang International Airport in northern Bangkok.
Flg.Of. Chaturongkapon Sodmanee, Director of Don Muang Airport, said today that he has not received any official complaint about the video, but he has ordered an investigation into the matter on behalf of the flight attendant.
The investigation is expected to take up to one week, the director said.
The airport administration is also contacting the airline of the filmed flight attendant for further information.
Flg.Of. Chaturongkapon claimed he has not personally seen the video, but he gathered from his aides who watched it that the small camera appeared to be hidden in an air-freshening device installed in the airport toilets.
The devices were removed last month after the contract with the distributor company expired, Flg.Of. Chaturongkapon said.
"We will summon representatives of that company for discussion in order to determine whether the company is involved in the incident," Flg.Of. Chaturongkapon said, without naming the air-fresher company.
He stressed that the officials would resolve the matter as soon as possible, but warned that a thorough and detailed inquiry would likely take some time, as there are over 100 toilets in the airport facility.
