Temple Builds Robot To Draw Young Worshipers

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20 February 2014, 14:29

(20 February) A Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya province has launched an exhibition aimed to young children to encourage their temple attendance.

Newly finished installations at Wat Tha Ka Rong Temple include a learning exhibition centre to educate the children about different nations and cultures of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The exhibition features large mannequins wearing national dresses of the 10 ASEAN countries, along with each of their national flag and country information. Additionally, the children can learn about different Buddha figures worshiped in other ASEAN countries.

A large fish tank in the temple also showcases various types of of fish found in Chao Phraya river, complete with details of each species, along with their common and scientific names, written near the tank.

However, it appears that the item which draws the most attention from visiting children is a robot model constructed of metal scraps. It was nicknamed "Transformer" by the temple monks.

Phra Kru Sutthipanyasophon, abbot of Wat Tha Ka Rong Temple, said children and youths nowadays have been alienated from the temple. He hopes the construction of the robot and the exhibiton would draw their attention back to the temple.

Moreover, as Thailand is approaching an economic integration with ASEAN neighbours, the temple administration believes the young children should also study and learn information about ASEAN countries, the abbot added.

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Malaysia Voices Hope For Thai Deep South's Peace Talk

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20 February 2014, 13:40

Dato Sri Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim (speaking)

(19 February) The Malaysian mediator for the negotiation between the Thai authorities and the Islamic separatists in the southern border provinces said he hoped the peace dialogue will resume soon.

"Malaysia, as the mediator nation for this peace dialogue, has hope that it will continue in near future," said Dato Sri Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim, the former director of Malaysian intelligence agency.

Dato Hashim delivered the remark yesterday during a press conference in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, on the occasion of first anniversary of the negotiation, which saw the Thai government engaging directly in a peace dialogue with one of the separatist groups, BRN, for the first time.

The attempt had been hailed by a number of experts as a departure from mostly hardline approaches adopted by successive Thai governments to quell the ethnic and religious violence in the southern border provinces.

However, the negotiation has been indefinitely suspended due to the ongoing political turmoil in Bangkok.

But Dato Hashim remains optimistic that the peace dialogue would not be in vain. He called the decision by a high-ranking Thai official to shake hands with Mr. Hasan Taib, core leader of the BRN, last year as "an admirable act of bravery".

The mediator also praised the efforts of both sides to openly discuss violent attacks which occurred during the previous Ramadan fast season. Nevertheless, Dato Hashim said there are more incidents that should have been brought to attention and straightforward discussion, such as the recent killings of 3 children in Narathiwat province.

"I hope the new government of Thailand will continue to pursue [the peace dialogue]," Dato Hashim said in the press conference, "Mr. Rajib Nazak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, is very keen to act as a coordinator for a continuous dialogue".

"But it is also up to the Thai government whether they want Malaysia to act as a coordinator. If the new Thai government does not want it, Malaysia is willing to cease this role," Dato Hashim added.

As for the next round of negotiation, Dato Hashim admitted there is no fixed date in the foreseeable future, but he expressed his belief that it will include other active militant groups such as the PULO and the BIPP, as well as local civil groups like Muslims and Buddhists who had been affected by the violence.

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UDD Leader Shooting Suspects Released On Bail

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20 February 2014, 12:58

Scene of the shooting at Mr. Kwanchai Praipana's residence, 22 January 2014

(20 February) Four military officers accused of engineering the assassination attempt of a Redshirt leader have been released on bail.

Army officers escorted Capt. Prachya Chanrordphai, Sgt. Chanon Tabthimthong, MSGT Mawin Yangbua, and MSGT Wirote Pimsingh to a police unit in Khonkaen province on 18 February where they were immediately arrested and taken into custody.

The four suspects are wanted by the police for their alleged role in the drive-by shooting at the residence of Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, a core leader of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), in Udon Thani province last month.

Police have pressed numerous charges against the suspects including first degree murder, possession of firearms and ammunition without permit, and carry of said weapons into residential ares without appropriate causes.

The four suspects and two witnesses were later separately interrogated by the police. Police identified the witnesses as two sex workers the officers reportedly hired during their stay in a resort hotel in Udon Thani.

However, the suspects refused to cooperate with the police, insisting that they would only testify in the court, a high-ranking police officer said. The officer added that the suspects also refused to have their DNA sampled in order to match with the DNA trace found on AK-47 rifles believed to be used in the crime.

The accused eventually received a bail release, each posting a bail money of 100,000 baht. They were released at around 02.30 on Wednesday.

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EC Member Accuses Facebook Page Of Libel

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20 February 2014, 10:33

(20 February) A member of the Election Commission (EC) has voiced his intention to sue a Facebook page for allegedly defaming him.

Mr. Somchai Srisuriyakorn, who oversees the election administration department of the EC, said on his Facebook that he has already filed complaint with the police against the page "Anajak Baigon Returns" (DDT Kingdom Returns).

He claimed he had been insulted by a previous post of the page, which alleged that the EC deliberately denied and prevented the payment from the government to farmers who engaged in the rice-pledging scheme. The statement was posted on 6 February, and has been shared nearly 700 times since.

The EC Committee claimed that the action clearly violated the Computer Crime Act, which could result in the imprisonment of the page’s administrator for 5 years or a 100,000 baht fine or both. He also stated that he would pursue the same legal action for the post on 18 February, which implies the same message as the previous one.

Mr. Somchai has been heavily criticised by pro-government critics for his apparent reluctance to organise the general election. Some sees his action as a dereliction of duty and even a conspiracy with anti-government protesters.

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Protest Clashes: 100,000 Baht For Slain Officer's Family

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19 February 2014, 23:38

(19 February) The family of policeman shot dead during a crackdown on anti-government protesters at Ratchadamnoen Avenue would be paid 100,000 baht in compensation.

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department approves the payment.

One police officer and four civilians were killed following a gunbattle between the police and armed militants allied to the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) on Tuesday.

The officer has been identified as Pol.Sen.Sgt.Maj. Pienchai Parawat. He was reportedly shot in his chest near Phan Fa Bridge.

Other casualties from the clashes, who have supporting evidence proving that they had not conducted any act against the law, are also eligible to make a request for compensation at the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, stated Mr. Narat Savettanant, Director-General of the Department.

Further information could be found by dialing 08-99673403, he said.

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Expert Downplays Health Concerns Over Salty Tap Water

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19 February 2014, 19:33

Officials from Provincial Waterworks Authority in Songkhla province drink tap water to assure the public of its safety, 16 September 2011

(19 February) Tap water in Bangkok might taste a bit salty at this time, but a nutrition expert said Bangkokians need not worry.

Reports of salty tap water arose in recent days. Many believe the increased level of salts might be due to the drought season or heightened sea level in the Gulf of Thailand, which situated close to the capital city.

However, President of the Nutrition Association of Thailand, Mr. Sa-Nga Damapong, advised the public to take the news with a grain of salt, since a thorough research over the issue must be conducted first before any conclusion is made.

Since the purifying system of waterwork in Bangkok is "up to standard", Mr. Sa-Nga asserted that the salty water is unlikely to cause harm to the public. The most serious effect would be merely a change in water taste, according to the expert.

While he admitted that large consumption of salt in tap water could be harmful, Mr. Sa-Nga stressed that the danger could be averted by avoiding a massive intake of salty tap water.

"In reality, no one does that anyway," Mr. Sa-Nga said.

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Grenade-Kicking Policeman In Stable Condition

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19 February 2014, 18:43

Police Sergeant Teeradet Ui-Charoen in Vajira Hospital, shortly before he was moved to Police Hospital, 19 February 2014

(19 February) In one of the most iconic and widely shared videos of the clashes between riot police and anti-government protesters in Bangkok yesterday, a group of policemen were huddling together with their shields up, facing the demonstrators.

Suddenly, a grenade was suddenly thrown at one of the shields held by a policeman. It took several heartbeats for the police officer to realise what hit his shield. Then he decided to lift the shield up and tried to kick the grenade away.

But too late. The grenade exploded, and the whole group of police officers disappeared from the frame in the smoke from the blast. Viewers were left to guess what happened to the officer who attempted to kick the explosive.

Many commentators on the social network also expressed their admiration to the cop for his apparent attempt to save his fellow officers from the blast.

The video was first shared by a BBC correspondent in Bangkok, Mr. Jonathan Head, and its still-images later made it to headlines of several newspapers in Thailand.

Today, it emerged that the "sidekick cop" or "grenade kicker hero" – as nicknamed by Netizens – is still alive and making good recovery at Police Hospital.

The policeman was identified as Pol.Sen.Sgt.Maj. Teeradet Ui-Charoen. Medical workers said he suffered severe legs injuries from the grenade blast, but the wounds fortunately did not need amputation.

Ms. Jeerapa Lek-khu, the wife of the 44-year old policeman, said she was saddened by the incident and worried that the wounds might be infected in the future.

According to Ms. Jeerapa, Pol.Sen.Sgt.Maj. Teeradet told her that he was ordering his friend to place a shield next to him when the grenade was thrown at the team, so he decided to kick it away.

"He decided to do that because he loves his friends a lot," Ms. Jeerapa said, "I′ve been with him for a long time. I know how much he loves his friends".

However, she added, "But I don′t want my husband to be a hero. I just want his legs to be normal again".

Several police officers admitted that the appropriate response was in fact to stay low on the ground 3 metres away from the grenade. The riot shield alone cannot prevent damage from the blast neither, as the officer behind the shield could still risk suffering damages from the shrapnel, the officers said.

The police believed the grenade to be an M67 type. Both the police force and the military are known to possess the grenades.

Pol.Sen.Sgt.Maj. Thammanoon Tas-see, who also suffered left leg and right cheek injuries from the grenade blast, was later transported to Police Hospital today for his treatment.

Medical workers described his condition as severe.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Narongsak Saowakhon, deputy director of Police Hospital told our correspondent that Pol.Sen.Sgt.Maj. Teeradet’s left arm and his two legs including his toes are broken severely, while Pol Sen.Sgt.Maj. Thammanoon suffered broken leg, and broken facial bone from the explosion.

The medical team had tried to cohere the bones together, and will need to closely observe their conditions to make sure the wounds are kept disinfected, the deputy director said, adding that it is still unclear whether Teeradet would be able to walk normally again.

However, the most severely injured policeman is identified as Pol Sen Sgt Maj Thammanoon Chapanya, who was reportedly shot on his occipital bone.

Pol.Lt.Gen Narongsak said the officer is staying in Intensive Care Unit and has not regained his consciousness. The doctors have placed him under cardiac stimulants and closely monitor him 24-hour.

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Court Strips Govt Of Various Emergency Powers

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19 February 2014, 17:45

An anti-government protester with homemade firearm takes cover on Ratchadamnoen Avenue during clashes with police, 18 February 2014

(19 February) The Civil Court has sided with anti-government protesters by effectively stripping the government of many powers provided by the emergency decree.

The case was filed to the court by Mr. Thaworn Senniam, a core leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), who argued that the State of Emergency enacted by the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra violates the rights to free assembly guaranteed by the 2007 Constitution.

The filing named Ms. Yingluck and two commanders of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) – Mr. Chalerm Yoobamrung and Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew – as the defendants.

Under the emergency decree, the authorities can use broad power to contain the protests, such as arresting and detaining individuals without charge, sealing off areas, seizing buildings or properties, and censoring the media.

At 15.00 today the majority of the judges ruled that the government will not need to repeal the State of Emergency, but the verdict also prohibits the authorities from exercising many powers prescribed in the emergency decree.

According to the verdict, the security forces cannot launch a crackdown on anti-government protesters, seize any chemicals from the protesters, dismantle any barricades erected by the protesters, prevent individuals from entering any building at their own will, close down traffic, evacuate or seal off protest areas.

Most notably, the authorities are also prohibited from banning political gathering – the crucial aspect of the emergency decree.

It should be noted that a minority of the judges (one-third of the panel) even went as far as recommending that the government repeal the State of Emergency altogether, on the ground that PCAD demonstrators have been "peacefully" exercising their rights under the Constitution "without any weapons".

The verdict came a day after deadly clashes erupted on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where riot police attempted to disperse anti-government protesters who have been camping there for several weeks.

The clashes saw some police officers exchanging gunfire with armed militants allied to the PCAD. Several explosives were also thrown from the PCAD position toward the police, witnesses said. At least four civilians and one policeman were killed in the violence, while more than 60 people were injured.

The Civil Court′s verdict will likely anger many supporters of the government, who have long accused the judicial powers of conspiring with the protesters to oust Ms. Yingluck and her elected government.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, spokesman of the Democrat Party, posted on his Facebook account that Her Royal Highness Chulabhorn had granted a royally-blessed dirt to the Islamic funeral of Mr. Suphot Boonrong, a PCAD protester who was killed in the clashes yesterday.

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'Satanist Murderer' Claims He Acts In Self-Defence

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19 February 2014, 16:45

(19 February) A self-proclaimed Satanist worshiper claimed he killed a metal musician because the victim had insulted his belief in Satanism.

Mr. Prakarn ′San′ Harnphanbussakorn, 26, also said in a police press conference at the Bangkok Metropolitan Police headquarters today that he murdered the victim, Mr. Sam-Ong Traisattha, as an act of self-defence.

Police said Mr. Sam-Ong was a lead singer and bassist of the metal band "Surrender of Divinity" while Mr. Prakarn was described as a long-time fan of the band.

The wife of Mr. Sam-Ong, who was popularly known among the Thai metal community as his stage name ′Avajee′, alerted the police after he was found with stabbing wounds in his living room on 9 January.

Mr. Sam-Ong′s wife told the police Mr. Prakarn was present at their residence shortly before the incident.

The crime took another twist when Mr. Prakarn allegedly admitted to killing Mr. Sam-Ong on his Facebook account, which was registered under the name "Maleficent Meditation".

In the Facebook post, Mr. Prakarn allegedly claimed that Mr. Sam-Ong had insulted him by defaming Satanism, which was the faith of the suspect. The posting also stated that Mr. Prakarn had stabbed the victim for more than 30 times "because he deserves it", and that he remained perfectly calm after the murder.

The arrest warrant for Mr. Prakarn was soon issued. The suspect′s stepfather eventually contacted the police for his surrender on 18 February.

During the press conference, which was presided over by BMP chief Pol.Lt.Gen Khamronwit Thoopkrajang, Mr. Prakarn admitted that he had harboured a hatred toward Mr. Sam-Ong because he liked to mimic Satan and Satanist worshiper on the performance stage.

The suspect said prior to the murder he paid visit to Mr. Sam-Ong′s residence, and both men drank some alcoholic beverage over conversation. The chat grew hostile after Mr. Sam-Ong allegedly expressed his disbelief in Satan and "insulted" the belief in Satanism, which greatly enraged Mr. Prakarn, a devoted Satanist.

Mr. Prakarn told reporters he and Mr. Sam-Ong eventually got in a fight, and the deceased lunged a knife at him, so he had no choice but to stab Mr. Sam-Ong in self-defence.

The suspect also denied posting on his Facebook after he fled the scene, adding that he had no time for social network when he was trying to elude the police.

However, Mr. Sam-Ong′s wife and his other relatives who were present at the press conference were angered by Mr. Prakarn′s suggestion that the victim started the fight. Mr. Sam-Ong′s widowed wife shouted "Liar!" at the suspect, while the victim′s relatives attempted to mob him.

The police immediately intervened by escorting Mr. Prakarn away from the press conference. The investigation is ongoing.

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Kwanchai Assassination Suspects Surrendered To Police

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19 February 2014, 15:50

Mr. Kwanchai Praipana receiving first aid in hospital after he was shot, 22 January 2014

(19 February) After several days of delay, the Royal Thai Army finally delivered suspects accused of shooting a Redshirts leader to the police.

Capt. Prachya Chanrordphai, Sgt. Chanon Tabthimthong, MSGT Mawin Yangbua, and MSGT Wirote Pimsingh are wanted by the police for their alleged roles in assassination attempt of Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, a core leader of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), in Udon Thani province last month.

Mr. Kwanchai was severely injured by the gunfire, but has since recovered in hospital.

All of the suspects are based in 9th Infantry Division in Kanchanaburi province. Although the police have requested the military to turn the soldiers in for prosecution since last week, the army has delayed the process for days, leading to speculation that the army would not cooperate with the police.

However, the army finally delivered the 4 suspects to police in Khonkaen province at approximately 20.30 last night. Over 30 police officers guarded the Region 4 Provincial Police lecture centre where the suspects were handed to the police by a number of army officers.

A 6-car convoy escorted the 4 military officers to the centre, our correspondent added.

All suspects were fingerprinted, informed of their charges, and later interrogated for about 3 hours. They were later transported to a police unit in Udon Thani province for further interrogation.

A high-ranking police officer added that the police have also uncovered 3 AK-47 rifles believed to be used by the suspects during their assassination attempt. The officer claimed that the bullets retrieved from Mr. Kwanchai′s body matched the type fired from two of the confiscated rifles.

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