UDD Leader's Wife Runs For Udon Thani Senator

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4 March 2014, 16:32

(4 March) The wife of a local Redshirts leader in Udon Thani province is running for a Senator's seat.

Ms. Arphon Sarakham, the wife of Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, was greeted by a large group of supporters as she arrived at Udon Thani City Hall to officially register for the senatorial campaign.

Many of them handed red roses to Ms. Arphon as their expression of support for her.

At least 3 other candidates will contest the seat.

Ms. Arphon is a former director of FM 97.50 radio station based in Udon Thani province. Her husband, Mr. Kwanchai, is a prominent member of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and is widely revered by Redshirts in the province.

Mr. Kwanchai is still recovering from gunshot injures in a hospital after a group of assailants attempted to assassinate him in January.

3 College Students Killed By Cha-Am Waves

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4 March 2014, 16:20

(4 March) 3 college students have drowned in the sea at the resort town of Cha-Am, Petchaburi province.

The police were initially alerted about the incident at around 14.50 yesterday and proceeded to rescue 9 victims in the sea. One of them died at the scene, while 2 others passed away later at hospital.

The rest of the victims were sent Hua Hin Hospital. 5 of them are reported to be in stable condition, but one person is still under intensive care at the hospital.

The dead are identified by the police as Ms. Ponnapa Boonchanta, Ms. Jirapon Namueangsap, and Ms. Monsicha Jaisuk.

According to the police, all of the victims were students from Siam Dhurakit Technolocal College who were celebrating their graduation in Cha-Am prior to the incident. The students were said to be preparing for a party in the evening, while 11 of them decided to go swimming in the sea, but encountered particularly strong waves.

Two of the students managed to swim away to safety but the rest were swallowed by the large waves, police said.

Redshirt 'Beaten And Left To Die' By PCAD Guards

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4 March 2014, 16:20

Picture of Mr. Yuem Villa in Bang Pakong Hospital as provided by the police.

(4 March) A member of the Redshirts has been beaten and left to die in a river east of Bangkok by a group of anti-government militants, police reports claim.

The police said in a statement that Mr. Yuem Villa was found near Bang Pakong River by locals in Chachoengsao province few days ago.

He was reportedly sent to Bang Pakong Hospital where he is still being treated for his injuries.

According to the police, Mr. Yuem identified himself as a security guard and a member of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). He is also described as a native of Uttaradit province and an employee of Lohakij Auto Parts Import Company in Bangkok.

Mr. Yuem reportedly said he was relaxing in Lumpini Park on the morning of 24 February when he was approached by a pair of anti-government protest "guards".

The guards allegedly belonged to the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), which has been organising rallies in the vicinity of Lumini Park.

Police reports claim that PCAD guards searched Mr. Yuem and found a UDD membership card which was issued in 2010. Upon the discovery, the PCAD guards allegedly escorted Mr. Yuem to a tent where a PCAD core leader, Mr. Issara Somchai, interrogated him and several guards physically assaulted him.

Mr. Yuem was reportedly detained in the tent until 1 March, when, according to the reports provided by the police, the guards tied his hands and feet and placed him into a car.

The guards allegedly drove Mr. Yuem to a bridge over Bang Pakong River on Bangna-Trat Road and proceeded to drop him into the river, with his feet and hands still bound by ropes.

However, he was promptly rescued by a group of locals who were on a boat nearby, the police said.

Medical workers at Bang Pakong Hospital said Mr. Yuem suffered bruises on his body while his lung was also damaged.

The police say the investigation is ongoing.

Reports of violent acts and intimidation committed by PCAD guards have been circulating in the media in recent weeks. Some of the guards are believed to be armed.

DSI Seeks Arrest Of Suthep For 2010 Unrest Deaths

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4 March 2014, 11:32

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban surrounded by his guards, 27 February 2014

(4 March) The Division of Special Investigation is seeking arrest warrant for anti-government protest leader over his role in authorising the deadly crackdown on Redshirts protesters in 2010.

Chief of the DSI, Mr. Tharit Pengdit, said he would apply for the arrest warrant at the Criminal Court on Wednesday.

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, who is currently leading the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), is facing trials along with former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over the military crackdown on the Redshirts in 2010, which resulted in the deaths of over 90 people, mostly civilians.

Mr. Suthep was serving as a Deputy Prime Minister and overseer of the crackdown operations at the time.

He has previously postponed his appearance in the court to acknowledge his murder charges, citing the needs to stay with his fellow anti-government protesters.

However, Mr. Tharit suggested that any further delay is unacceptable. In a press conference yesterday, Mr. Tharit said he was seeking the arrest warrant to bring Mr. Suthep to acknowledge his charges, as instructed by the Prosecutors team.

Mr. Suthep and Mr. Abhisit repeatedly denied the murder charges, claiming that the shadowy armed militants were to blame for deaths of security forces and protesters in the 2010 unrest.

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Outcry Over Women's Rights Award For PM's Sister

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4 March 2014, 10:32

(4 March) Sister of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she's willing to give up her women's rights award following an outcry over her eligibility.

Ms. Yaowaret Shinawatra was previously named by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security as the winner of the 2014 prize for advancing women′s rights and gender equality on the occasion of annual International Women Day.

Explaining the decision to honour Ms. Yaowaret with the award, the prize committee cited her role as a chairwoman of a women′s foundation.

However, the news provokes criticism from a number of gender rights activists, as Ms. Yaowaret has not been known as an active campaigner for women′s welfare in Thai society, and the foundation she chairs is relatively obscure.

Others suspect that a political favour was behind the rationale for the prize.

Among the more prominent critics of the award is Ms. Supensri Puengkhokesoong, a leading member of Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation (WMP), who told reporters that Ms. Yaowaret was not an appropriate winner for the award since there are many other activists who deserve the prize.

She said her foundation would file a letter to urge the award committee to reconsider its decision next week.

Ms. Yaowaret has not spoken to the media about the award, but she has released a statement today detailing her willingness to relinquish the prize.

"I am not saddened by the criticism, because I have never expected any rewarding for my works on development of women′s rights," Ms. Yaowaret said in a statement, which was released to the media by one of her daughters, "I believe many women have benefited from my dedication in the last 20 years, and that is a life′s award for me".

The statement continues, "I am willing to recant the award to construct an atmosphere of unity and reconciliation in the society".

She also expressed her support for other activists who have campaigned to advance women′s rights in the country.

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Prachinburi Road To Be Extended Following Deadly Accident

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3 March 2014, 17:43

Mourners at Wat Mai Samakkhee Tham Temple sit in front of a row of coffins bearing the victims killed in the horrific school bus accident, 2 March 2014

(3 March) The community of Baan Mai Samakkhee Tham in Nakhon Ratchasima are still reeling from the horrific school bus accident which has killed at least 15 people.

A tour bus was shuttling a large group of students and staff from a school in the community to their field trip in Pattaya when its driver reportedly lost control, slammed into an 18-wheeler truck, and slid off the road in Prachinburi province on Friday′s early morning.

The dead were identified as 10 students, 2 teachers, 2 teachers′ children, and a husband of a teacher. 25 people were also injured in the accident – the worst in many weeks in Thailand, where public transport has poor safety records.

All of the schoolchildren killed in the accident were younger than 14 year old.

Mr. Wandanai Khakhong, director of Baan Dong Lob School, said bodies of the 9 victims killed in the accident are currently housed at Wat Mai Samakkhee Tham Temple for funeral ceremonies.

The temple has hired an additional mobile crematorium to cremate the dead, as the temple′s facility cannot process the ceremony in time, Mr. Wandanai said.

He said parents of the dead schoolchildren are still in distress, as many of them are from poor backgrounds and had only one child. "They have lost their children, who were the only hope of their households," Mr. Wandanai said, "They have lost spirit to live their lives".

The school director added that those who wish to donate to the families of the victims could do so by sending their money to account number 152-740-839-502 of the Government Saving Bank (GSB) or contact the school district at 04-447-7014.

As two of the dead were teachers, Mr. Wandanai said, Baan Dong Lob School is now lacking teachers, and it has requested temporary teachers from a nearby school to head the classes once the school reopens.

Mr. Som-Art Tangcharoen, MD, director of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, told our correspondent that 6 schoolchildren are still under intensive care due to their severe injuries. However, he described their conditions as "stable".

Meanwhile, the authorities are contemplating permanent improvements to the road where the accident took place to prevent further tragedy.

The school bus was reportedly descending a bending slope on Khao Tone Hill when the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The mountainous slope, covering 43-44 km marks, runs across a steep forested hill and is flanked by deep valleys. The road was also dotted with dangerous bends along the mountain.

Records provided by land transport agencies in Prachinburi province indicate that 100 people have been killed and 500 injured by road accidents on the particular slope since 2007, said Mr. Sarawut Songsivilai, deputy director of Department of Highways.

The department has already hired a team of experts to inspect the area and draft recommendations to improve the road safety, Mr. Sarawut said, while locals in Prachinburi would also be consulted about the plan by the authorities.

He estimated that a construction plan worth 2.9 billion baht might be needed to improve the notorious road. The plan includes extending the road to 4 lanes, separating opposing lanes with concrete slabs, constructing special lane for trucks, and adding devices to slow down the vehicles on the descending slope.

The engineers would also install reinforcing structures along the road to prevent any soil erosion in the future, Mr. Sarawut said.

"I′m sure the plan will be able to sufficiently accommodate the traffic in the next 50 years," Mr. Sarawut told our correspondent, adding that the construction would aim to disturb the local wildlife in the area as little as possible, as the route runs close to several National Parks.

The department is now waiting for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to approve the plan, according to Mr. Sarawut.

On the same day, police said Mr. Somphong Saebe, the driver of the doomed school bus, has finally turned himself in at a police station in Prachinburi. Mr. Somphong initially fled the scene after the accident.

The police add that they will talk to the students, the teachers, and other witnesses for a criminal prosecution against Mr. Somphong.

Southern Unrest: Rangers Admit Murdering Children

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3 March 2014, 16:13

Ranger Maming Binmama and Ranger Sakuera Jesae (in blue and black)at the police press conference

(3 March) Two Army rangers have confessed to murdering three children and wounding their family members in the restive South.

The incident took place at a residence in Bajoh district of Narathiwat province on the night of 3 February. The assailants apparently broke into the residence and opened fire, killing the boys. Two adult relatives, a man and a woman, were also injured by the gunfire.

Various groups condemned the attack, and a number of Islamic separatist activists blamed the Thai authorities for engineering the murders.

Thousands of civilians and members of security forces have died in the prolonged violence in the southern border provinces, which are predominantly populated by Muslim-Malay ethnics.

Following an investigation, the police have arrested Ranger Maming Binmama, 21, and Ranger Sakuera Jesae, 25, in connection with the murders. Both men belong to the 46th Ranger Regiment.

In a police press conference, Pol.Maj.Gen. Pattanawut Angkanawin said the two suspects and another collaborator murdered the victims out of "personal reasons". He insisted that the suspects did not carry out the attacks as a concerted effort to intimidate the local population.

According to Pol.Maj.Gen. Pattanawut, the suspects attacked the victim family out of their desire to exact vengeance for a blood feud between their families.

The suspects reportedly used an AK-47 rifle, an M-16 rifle, and a handgun in the attack.

The third suspect is still on the run, said Pol.Maj.Gen. Pattanawut. He refused to identify the person by the name, citing concerns over the ongoing investigation.

"We will bring the person to face justice as soon as possible," Pol.Maj.Gen. Pattanawut insisted.

Mr. Maming told reporters his actions are solely personal issues and unrelated to the military. He said he acquired the weapons used in the murders from his friends.

Although Mr. Maming and Mr. Sakuera have already disposed the rifles into a canal, the third suspect still possessed the handgun, Mr. Maming added.

PT Should Be Dissolved For Treason: Democrats

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3 March 2014, 15:32

Supporters of Pheu Thai Party rally in Khon Kaen province, 2 March 2014

(3 March) The Democrat Party says it will file for a dissolution of Pheu Thai Party as a punishment for its alleged separatist movements.

According to Mr. Wirat Kalyasiri, head of the Democrat legal team, a number of Pheu Thai supporters have advocated for north and northeastern Thailand to be an independent state, separated from Bangkok and the rest of Thailand.

Such action, Mr. Wirat said in a press conference yesterday, clearly violates Article 1 of the 2007 Constitution, which proclaims that the Kingdom of Thailand is one, indivisible state.

Mr. Wirat announced that his legal team will file complaints to the Constitution Court and request that the judges dissolve Pheu Thai Party and bar its executives from politics on the ground of Article 68 of the Constitution, which criminalises any attempt to challenge the democratic regime with the King As Head of State.

Furthermore, Mr. Wirat said, the opposition party will also ask the National Anti-Corruption Commission to prosecute Pheu Thai Party for its alleged support for the separatist group.

Man Accused Of Detaining, Torturing 14 Year Old Girl

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3 March 2014, 14:32

(3 March) Police in Samut Prakarn province have arrested a man who allegedly detained and assaulted his 14 year old girlfriend.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Thatchai Hongthong, a police commander in the province, said the girl′s mother has informed the police about her disappearance a week ago.

The police later received calls from the girl, telling them that she was being detained in a public housing unit in Bang Phlee district. Police officers eventually raided the place and found the victim alone in the room.

According to the police, the victim bore bruises and other injuries on her body, and much of her hair has been violently chopped off. The victim was promptly sent to hospital.

Inside the room, the police found blood-stained clothes and a piece of wood which was presumably used by the assailant to assault the victim.

The 14 year old girl later told the police she was abducted and forced to stay in the room since 24 February by her 21 year old boyfriend, Mr. Apiwat Pukcharoen, who reportedly met her on Facebook 3 months ago.

According to the victim, Mr. Apiwat was angry at her because many guys have talked to her in the past few weeks, and proceeded to beat her repeatedly with the baton and forcefully shear her hair with a pair of scissors.

However, Mr. Apiwat left her alone in the room yesterday, so she decided to use a telephone and call the police for help, the victim said.

Mr. Apiwat later called the victim′s phone and instructed her to meet him in front of Ubonsri gated community. The police surrounded the area and arrested him there.

The suspect admitted he had abducted and tortured the victim as she had told the police. He claimed he committed the act out of jealousy.

The police press numerous charges against Mr. Apiwat, including sexual assaults on a minor, abduction, unlawful detention, and physical assaults.

According to the police records, Mr. Apiwat had been previously arrested on narcotics charge.

Army Declares War On Non-Existing Separatists

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3 March 2014, 12:28

Leaders of the Redshirts symbolically cut the wood for good luck during their rally in Udonthani province, 2 March 2014

(3 March) The Royal Thai Army says it will take actions against what the top brass misunderstood as a separatist group in northern Thailand.

Lt.Gen. Preecha Chan-Ocha, commander of the Third Region Army, told reporters on Sunday that he has been instructed by his brother and the Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha, to strictly monitor the movements of an activist group called Sor Por Por Lanna.

Lanna is the traditional name of a number of provinces which are now incorporated into northern Thailand, while Sor Por Por evokes the abbreviated official name of Laos in Thai language: Sor Por Por Laos – People′s Democratic Republic of Laos.

According to an army spokesman, some pro-government Redshirts activists in the northern province of Chiang Mai were seen waving red-white banners bearing the words "Sor Por Por Lanna", which he found it very inappropriate, as the banner suggested that the Redshirts were advocating for a separate state called People′s Democratic Republic of Lanna.

"It′s illegal and it′s not constructive at all," said the spokesman, Col. Winthai Suvaree.

He warned that members of the public should think twice before joining the group, since advocating separatist ideas is illegal under the Thai laws. "Freedom to express different ideas is the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, but a separatist expression is not," Col. Winthai said.

Gen. Prayuth has already instructed military representatives in Chiang Mai and Phayao to press charge against Sor Por Por Lanna, Lt.Gen. Preecha announced.

The lieutenant general accused the group of violating Article 113 of the Thai Criminal Codes, which bans any action or threat to overthrow the administrative regime or separate any territory of the kingdom.

If found guilty, the accused could face life sentence or even death penalty.

Lt.Gen. Preecha added that Sor Por Por Lanna might also be convicted under Article 114, which criminalised attempts to conspire in treason against the state.

He named two local Redshirts groups – Love Chiang Mai 51, and Phayao Redshirts – as core elements of Sor Por Por Lanna.

A number of media, Thai and foreign, have previously voiced speculation that Redshirts in their northern and northeastern strongholds of Thailand are gearing up for a separatist campaign in response to the perceived injustice they have faced at the hands of Bangkok elite.

Some Redshirts also publicly suggested that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra move the capital city to Chiang Mai and declare herself as the only legitimate government should the military side with ongoing anti-government protests and stage a coup against her administration.

Northern and northeastern Thailand is known as heartlands of Ms. Yingluck′s supporters, while much of her opposition hails from urban Bangkok and the south of the country.

"Let me stress that the military has performed its duty to the fullest. We have never taken any side," Lt.Col. Preecha said, "But I admit the Third Region [military district] has seen movements that might mislead the people, especially the Sor Por Por Lanna group".

He also vowed to conduct a meeting with Governors of 17 provinces and organise a special operation to combat the separatist sedition allegedly advocated by Sor Por Por Lanna.

However, a quick search on the Internet would have informed the army top brass that Sor Por Por Lanna is far from a republican Leninist revolutionary movement.

Sor Por Por Lanna is in fact a local chapter of Bangkok-based Sor Por Por, the Assembly For Defence of Democracy (AFDD), which was formed by a group of academics in late December to support the 2 February general election.

The group was established as a response to the anti-government People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), who sought to boycott the 2 February election and replace Ms. Yingluck′s government with an unelected "People′s Council".

In a statement released yesterday, the AFDD affirms its stance as a group to campaign for a democratic transition under the electoral system.

The AFDD has no separatist agenda, the statement says, and the group also requested the military to review its intelligence units which might have been responsible for such "distorting" information.

Nevertheless, the AFDD acknowledges that some citizens in the north and northeast are starting to voice their opinions that their regions should be independent from Bangkok and the south.

"Although Sor Por Por recognises that such notion is neither an achievable goal nor a solution to solve the present crisis in Thai society, Sor Por Por would like to highlight the importance of the perspective, as it reflects the bitterness felt by many people toward the political injustice which has been occurring since 2006 military coup," the statement says.

It adds, "Instead of seeking legal actions against ordinary citizens, those in power and all political groups should seriously consider the problem, namely by questioning what has caused these people to feel in such way".

"Sor Por Por believes that questioning and answering the issues with open heart is the only way to keep Thailand from fragmenting any further than the present situation".

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