Teens Should Spend Valentine In Temples: Official

By

-

11 February 2014, 19:48

Banner inviting teen couples to celebrate Valentine Day at Wat Samian Nari Temple

(11 February) A public health official has suggested that teenage couples should celebrate 2014 Valentine's Day in Buddhist temples to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

Thailand sees an increase in teen pregnancy in recent years, according to Dr. Ponthep Siriwanarangsan, deputy director of the Department of Health, with 53.8 cases per 1,000 population of 14-19 year old women in 2012, compared to 49.3 cases per 1,000 population in 2005.

Dr. Ponthep added that surveys also pointed to younger age in which Thai teenagers experienced their first sexual intercourse, from 18-19 year old in 1996 to 13-15 year old in 2012.

Only half of these teenagers said they used condoms in their first sex, Dr. Ponthep said, citing survey, which allegedly leads to increase in teen pregnancy and illegal abortion.

The deputy director claimed that there were 3,725 abortions of teenagers younger than 14 year old in 2012 alone, equivalent to approximately 10 cases per day.

He blamed "modern culture" and "media influence", as well as lack of sex education in schools, for the trend of rising number of teenagers having sex "before appropriate time".

Dr. Ponthep feared the situation might be worsened by the approaching Valentine Day, which is thought by the Thai authorities to encourage young people to engage in sexual activities.

As this year′s Valentine Day coincides with the Buddhist occasion of Makha Bucha Day, Dr. Ponthep suggested that young lovers should attend religious services at the temples in the morning and return to pray at the temples in the evening, instead of celebrating the Day of Love in a secular way.

"It might involve drinking of alcoholic beverage, which might lead to sexual intercourse before appropriate time," Dr. Ponthep said.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

World Bank Expert: Rice Payment Will Increase Thai GDP

By

Khaosod English

-

11 February 2014, 18:57

Mortgaged rice at a storage in Buriram province, February 2014

(11 February) Thailand′s economic growth would increase by 1% if the government fully paid the farmers under the rice mortgage programme, a World Bank analyst suggested.

Ms. Kirida Bhaopichitr, a Senior Economist at East Asia and Pacific Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Unit of the World Bank, said at a panel talk today that the Thai government owes over 120 billion baht to the farmers, equivalent to 1% of the national GDP.

"If the farmers are all paid, their spending could boost the economic growth up to 1%," Ms. Kirida said.

The rice pledging scheme was designed to benefit one-third of Thai farmers, allowing them to have a better quality of lives, but it ended up costing the government a loss of 400 billion baht in 2 agricultural season, Ms. Kirida added.

The scheme should be accompanied by other methods such as developing rice quality, irrigation system, water management, soil improvement to increase gross production per hectare, as well as the sustainable market price for the goods, according to Ms. Kirida.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ulrich Zachua, World Bank Country Director for South East Asia, stated that the Thai government should carefully analyse the scheme, and assess its advantages and the disadvantages.

He also agreed with Ms Kirida that the government should consider other alternatives to encourage farmers′ productivity in a sustainable way.

Ms. Kirida later added that public spending projects, particularly the 350 billion baht water management scheme and the 2 trillion baht infrastructure development, are needed for the kingdom′s economic progress.

However, she expressed her concern for the necessity of the transparency and the efficiency of both projects.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Cambodian Military 'Disturbed' By Mercenary Rumour

By

Khaosod English

-

11 February 2014, 16:14

Gunmen allied to anti-government protesters during a gunbattle on 1 February 2014. Protest leaders claim they acted in self-defence against Cambodian mercenaries.

(11 February) Cambodian minister of defence has voiced his concern over rumours that Cambodian mercenaries are behind political violence in Thailand, an official said.

The rumours were primarily circulated by anti-government protest leaders, claiming that Thai authorities have hired Cambodian gunmen to launch attacks on protest rally sites in recent months.

A commander in the Royal Thai Navy also echoed the rumour by telling the press last month that "10 truckloads" of Cambodian militants have infiltrated the Thai borders to cause chaos in the kingdom.

But Col. Paphathip Sawangsaeng, spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, said Gen. Tea Banh, the Cambodian Minister of National Defence, has personally told the Thai delegates at 2014 Singapore Airshow that the rumour is baseless.

Among the Thai delegates who attended the event was Gen. Yutthasak Sasiprapa the Thai Defence Minister.

According to Col Paphathip, Gen. Bahn informed Gen. Yutthasak that he felt uncomfortable with the issue, as he fears that it may affect the good relationship between Thailand and Cambodia.

The Cambodian military has insisted that they are not aware of any Cambodian military officer crossing the border to join the protest, Gen. Bahn reportedly told his Thai counterpart.

Gen. Bahn stressed that any Cambodian officer found guilty of intruding into the Thai political situation would face maximum penalty, in order to show the Cambodian government′s appreciation for the relationship between the two nations, Col. Paphathip said.

The spokesman added that police officers, who have closely observed the protests and set up checkpoints around protest sites, reported no finding of any Cambodian militants.

“Based on these facts, we have not seen any intervention from the Cambodian military in Thai politics”, Col Paphathip added.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

ONET Exams Award Free Points Due To Misspelling

By

Khaosod English

-

11 February 2014, 15:19

(11 February) Students are given free marks in their national university entrance exams thanks to the misspelling error in a question.

In the Ordinary National Education Test (ONET) for Matthayom 3 students, which was held on 8-9 February, a multiple choice question asks the students to identify a National Artist in the field of traditional performing arts.

While answer 2-4 bear the names of artists in irrelevant fields, answer 1 points to a misspelled version of Thai performing artist Jamriang Phutpradab; she was identified as Jamriang Phonpradab in the exam, causing much confusion to the students.

Following complaints from the students that there was no correct answer in the question,

The decision was taken after many Matthayom 3 students complained that the question the National Institute of Education Testing Service (NIETS) and the Exam Commission, agreed to nullify the question and hand out 2.5 points to all students.

Mr. Samphan Panpruek, NIETS Director, stated that he had urged his officials to thoroughly check the National Exam, which will be taken by Matthayom 6 (Year 12) students, prior to the exam’s date on 15 – 16 Feb to prevent any further error.

“It is our human error at proofreading” said Mr. Samphan,“We have tried to reduce the error, and you can see we do not usually make mistakes”.

Moreover, NIETS will hold a special round for Matthayom 3 and Matthayom 6 students who failed to attend the exams.

Students who wish to join the special exam session must submit their application forms at NIETS office of via EMS Post, Mr. Samphan said.

According to the NIETS director, the students must be able to prove that they had suffered "unavoidable incidents" – such as illness, accident, natural disaster, contagious deceases, and family tragedy – which caused them to miss the exams.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jaturon Chaisaeng, Minister of Education, said the mistake on ONET exam is "acceptable", as it is common for exams to contain "little mistakes".

Nevertheless, the minister stressed that tthe error must not take place again. He also defended the benefits of ONET exams as the national means to test the students′ skills, which is better than allowing individual schools to do the assessment.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Chalerm Scolded For Insulting Chart Pattana Leader

By

Khaosod English

-

11 February 2014, 14:25

Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, de facto leader of Chart Pattana Party, during a ceremony to celebrate his 59th birthday, 9 February 2014

(11 February) Pheu Thai Party boss said he has criticised Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung for his disparaging remarks about a coalition party leader.

Mr. Chalerm, who also chairs the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), lashed out yesterday at Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, top adviser of Chart Pattana Party, after Mr. Suwat expressed his willingness to mediate a negotiation between the administration and anti-government protesters.

"If Mr. Suwat wants to be a Prime Minister himself, no one has anything against that," Mr. Chalerm charged, "But since he is still in the coalition, he has to defend the government".

The CMPO director also accused Mr. Suwat of stabbing the administration in the back by supporting a newspaper which launches daily attacks on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her cabinet members.

"If Mr. Suwat believes this newspaper he′s supporting, he should just quit [the coalition] once and for all," Mr. Chalerm said, without naming the newspaper.

The incident has stirred up speculation that the coalition government of Ms. Yingluck might be experiencing a rift amid the ongoing protests.

Responding to incident, Pheu Thai leader Charupong Ruengsuwan said in a press conference today that the 4-party coalition is strong as ever, in spite of Mr. Chalerm′s remarks.

"We still hold our hands together. Nothing changes," Mr. Charupong told reporters, adding that he speaks "daily" to coalition leaders such as Mr. Suwat and Mr. Banharn Silpa-archa, top adviser of Chart Thai Pattana Party.

He also stated that Pheu Thai Party leadership has already lectured Mr. Chalerm on the consequences of his public insults toward the party′s allies.

"Mr. Chalerm′s words risk turning friends into enemies," Mr. Charupong said dryly, "At the moment, Pheu Thai prefers to have friends".

According to a source inside Pheu Thai Party, Mr. Suwat was greatly offended by Mr. Chalerm′s remarks, causing high-ranking Pheu Thai figures such as Mr. Somchai Wongsawat and Ms. Yaowapa Wongsawat to personally apologise to Chart Pattana leader.

"We fear it could have an effect over our cooperation in the future," the source said.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Cops Detained, Beaten By Buddha Issara's Guards

By

Khaosod English

-

11 February 2014, 13:40

Buddha Issara interrogating Pol.Lt. Somkid Koeykamol and Pol.Sen.Sgt. Sompong Unnuan, 10 February 2014

(11 February) A pair of undercover policemen have been hospitalised after they were tortured by anti-government protesters on Chaeng Wattana Road, authorities said.

The policemen, Pol.Lt. Somkid Koeykamol and Pol.Sen.Sgt. Sompong Unnuan, were reportedly captured by protest guards at around 14.00 yesterday as they were gathering intelligence among the anti-government protesters near the Ministry of Justice.

The pair was later blindfolded and brought before Buddha Issara, Buddhist monk and core leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

The monk interrogated the policemen until they admitted they were undercover cops sent to monitor the protests. PCAD guards also searched the officer′s mobile phones and found their LINE messages discussing the M79 grenade attack near PCAD rally site on 8 February, which offended the guards, our correspondent said.

A group of anti-government guards also allegedly assaulted the 2 policemen before they eventually handed the pair back to the police force in the evening.

The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) released a statement today that Pol.Lt. Somkid and Pol.Sen. Sompong are being treated at Police Hospital for their injuries suffered during their detention.

The CMPO also condemns the alleged actions of the PCAD protesters, insisting that the two policemen were legally conducting an intelligence-gathering mission.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Govt-Farmers Rice Money Dialogue Collapses

By

Khaosod English

-

10 February 2014, 18:42

(10 February) Negotiation between dissenting farmers and government representatives over the controversial rice-pledging scheme came to an end without any agreement.

Rice farmers from many provinces have previously marched to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Office to demand answers for the money the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra currently owes them under the program.

The protesters were led by Mr. Rawee Rungrueang, President of Western Region Rice Centre and Mr. Kittisak Rattanawaraha, President of Lower Northern Region Farmers Network.

The farmers initially refused to negotiate with the government representatives inside the prepared venue, insisting that the officials must meet them in the protest site to show their sincerity.

However, military personnel managed to persuade with farmers to send 20 representatives to talk with the government officials inside the building.

Representing the Yingluck administration were Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, and Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mr. Nattawuth Saikuea.

The pair was also joined by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperative, Mr. Warathep Rattanakorn, and Permanent Secretary of the Defence Ministr,y Mr. Nipat Thonglek, who entered the negotiation on behalf of the Prime Minister herself.

It was the most high-profile talk between the farmers and the administration so far.

Mr. Rawee stated that the farmers are seeking solid answers from the government regarding how exactly it would solve the issue, after it has repeatedly postponed the payment promised to the farmers since 31 January.

The farmers had previously tried to pressure their provincial Governors for the answer – to no avail, Mr. Rawee complained. Today, Mr. Rawee said, they marched in the hope to meet the Prime Minister, who chairs the president of The National Rice Policy Committee.

“We do not have any political agenda”, Mr. Rawee declared, “We will return home today if we are paid. But all other farmers across the country must be paid at the same time, to avoid favouritism”.

He added, “We hope the government understand we are in distress. We only wonder when we will get the money, and we want the government to tell the truth”

Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong replied that the government had already approved the budget of 60 billion baht for 2012-2013 cultivating year. Farmers who missed the annual budget deadline must sign up to Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperations (BAAC) to be qualified for the payment in the next budget year, Mr. Niwatthamrong said.

Mr. Niwatthamrong later blamed the anti-government protesters, who had pressured several commercial banks to avoid funding the rice scheme, for the government’s financial shortage. He then begged farmers to help persuading the banks to give out loans to the government.

The government is bound to pay another 712 million baht to 3,000 farmers, Mr. Natthawut said, adding that the debate about the budget will be conducted tomorrow, before the issue can be proposed to the Office of Election Commission (EC) for their legal advice.

The negotiation later went on intensely until some farmers walked off the negotiation table. Many had demanded that the government state the exact time they will pay the farmers for the mortgaged rice, while some reportedly yelled at the government representatives, “We are in troubles, we have nothing to do with politics!”.

One farmer angrily said that “I am a Redshirt. I elected Mr. Nattawut myself, but now I have to argue with my wife everyday since we are in bankruptcy … If the government would return me my rice, I am willing to take it all. Why would I elect you, if you are so unreliable?”

Eventually all farmer representatives left the meeting room, after posing two demands to the government: to sell the rice and use the money to pay them as soon as possible, and to organise a functioning government so that the decision to resolve the matter can be legally approved.

If the government of Ms. Yingluck fails to do so, they might as well just resign and allow someone else with adequate authority to step in, the farmers said.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Khonkaen Prison Intercepts Drug RC Chopper

By

Khaosod English

-

10 February 2014, 17:45

(10 February) A remote-controlled helicopter attempted to deliver a pack of narcotics into Khonkaen Central Prison yesterday, officials said.

The prison director, Mr. Wuttichai Jenwiriyakul, said the trick has been tried once in January, but prison officers managed to chase the perpetrator away.

The suspect apparently returned yesterday and tried to fly the drone into the prison. However, prison officers intercepted the package as soon as it was dropped.

The package consisted of 4 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine and other prohibited items, while the RC helicopter was found in a canal 150 metres away from the prison.

Approximately 3,000 inmates and all area of the prison were later thoroughly searched. The search turned up 9 mobile phones, 8 simcards, 1 memory card, 3 battery chargers, 4 earphones, as well as 20 sharpen metal sticks. No prisoner claimed the ownership of the items.

Mueang Khonkaen police is reportedly investigating the incident.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Kwanchai Shooting: Police Seek Warrants Of 6 Sergeants

By

Khaosod English

-

10 February 2014, 16:34

Mr. Manuedang Maesae showed the police during crime scene re-enactment how he allegedly shot UDD leader Kwanchai Praipana, 8 February 2014

(10 February) The police are seeking arrest warrants of 6 Royal Thai Army sergeants in connection with an assassination attempt on a Redshirt leader.

Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, a local coordinator of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) in Udon Thani province, was shot at his residence last month by a group of assailants on a pick-up truck. Mr. Kwanchai was reportedly critically injured, but has been making stable recovery ever since.

Last week the police arrested one of the suspects who confessed he was one of the two gunmen who fired their AK-47 rifles at Mr. Kwanchai. The suspect claimed the team has disposed the firearms in a canal before they fled the province.

Mr. Manuedang Maesae also told the police the assassination team consisted of 6 army sergeants, which coincided with previous police reports that military personnel were involved in the operation.

The police stated that the arrest warrants for the 6 sergeants have been filed to Udon Thani Criminal Court, and they are expecting the court to approve the warrants soon.

According to sources inside the police force, the suspects being sought include a "ringleader" who organised and planned the operation; "Sergeant W", the shooter; "Sergeant M" who allegedly acted as a spotter for Sergeant W and Mr. Manuedang; the getaway driver; a sergeant who was tasked with reconnaissance of the target area; and another sergeant who planned escape routes for the team.

Police sources claimed that over 80 rounds were fired at Mr. Kwanchai, but only a few of them managed to hit the target.

Responding to the reports, Col. Winthai Suvaree, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Army, said the police have requested that the 6 military officers named as suspects in the criminal case meet with the police for investigation.

4 of the 6 suspects are personnel of the 9th Infantry Division, Col. Winthai said.

The military will give full cooperation with the police concerning the investigation, Col. Winthai said, and the army′s legal teams will also assist the 6 suspects in their court trials, as required by the army regulation.

The army and the police will discuss where the 6 suspects will be detained during the investigation, the deputy spokesman added.

"If they are found guilty, they will be discharged from the military," Col. Winthai insisted, "But in the meantime, until the case is finalised, we have to give them fairness".

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Anti-Govt Leader Detained At Border Police HQ

By

Khaosod English

-

10 February 2014, 15:41

The police car carrying Mr. Sonthiyarn Chuenruethai-naitham arrives at the Border Patrol Police headquarters in Pathum Thani province, 10 February 2014

(10 February) A core leader of anti-government protest movements has been arrested for violating the emergency decree.

Mr. Sonthiyarn Chuenruethai-naitham was apprehended by a group of police officers as he was walking in Central Ladprao shopping mall and later brought in a six-car convoy to Border Patrol Police headquarters in Pathum Thani province for interrogation.

Mr. Sonthiyarn is a prominent leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and a former director of T-News, an anti-government TV station.

He is wanted by the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) on charges of violating the emergency decree, which in principle bans all forms of political gathering.

CMPO spokesman Tharit Pengdith confirmed Mr. Sonthiyarn′s arrest. The warrants for the arrest of Mr. Sonthiyarn and other PCAD leaders were approved by the court last week, and Mr. Sonthiyarn was the first anti-government core leaders to be arrested so far.

The activist is currently held at the Border Patrol Police headquarters. Speaking as he was held in a police vehicle, Mr. Sonthiyarn said he was shopping alone when the police arrested him.

Mr. Sonthiyarn denounced the arrest, arguing he was merely exercising the rights to assembly, which is guaranteed by the Constitution.

Police officers will decide whether he is eligible for a bailed release, Mr. Sonthiyarn added.

Other individuals wanted by the CMPO include Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, the secretary-general of the PCAD. However, governmental officials have previously stressed that they will not attempt to arrest Mr. Suthep if the operation would escalate the situation.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Hot News

LATEST NEWS