Pitsanulok Pays Fresh Batch Of Rice Money

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7 February 2014, 16:07

(7 February) BAAC branches in Phitsanulok province have paid out another batch of compensation money to local farmers who participated in rice-pledging program.

The Bank for Agricultural and Agricultural Co-Operatives in the province were recently funded with 183 million baht to pay the farmers, officials said.

Farmers in a number of provinces have been protesting for the money the government owed them in the controversial rice mortgage scheme.

In Phitsanulok, many farmers could be seen queuing up at local BAAC branches for the earnings they were supposed to receive four months ago.

In Mueang district, BAAC was tasked to pay 13 million baht to farmers in the area. The money has been collected by the farmers within several hours.

As of 13 January, statistics reveal that in Phitsanulok Province alone, more than 494,000 tonnes of rice were pledged under the scheme, and the government was bound to pay an overall of nearly 7.69 billion baht to the farmers.

So far, the government had repaid only approximately 1 billion baht to the farmers, according to the statistics.

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Pro-PCAD Singer 'Attacked' In Chiang Mai

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7 February 2014, 15:29

(7 February) Folk-pop singer Lanna Commins told Chiang Mai police she was a victim of a physical assault, which might have been politically-motivated.

The 30 year old singer said she was attacked by a group of people in front of a pub-and-restaurant in Mueang Chiang Mai district last night, where she was drinking with her boyfriend.

While she was at the pub prior to the incident, Ms. Lanna said, the group of assailants who were sitting on the next table started to mockingly imitate her appearance on anti-government protest rally stage in Bangkok on 18 January, in which she performed the hit song "Can′t Be Trusted".

The group consisted of 2 women and 3 men, said Ms. Lanna, a native of Chiang Mai province.

As they were leaving the place later, according to the singer, the group had mocked her famous song again, angering Ms. Lanna′s boyfriend. When her boyfriend reportedly approached the group to ask them to stop teasing Ms. Lanna, the assailants charged at both of them, leading to a brawl.

Ms. Lanna claimed she was punched in her face and her hands. She also told the police she had lost her purse which contained her ID card, cash cards, and approximately 2,500 baht in cash.

She later filed complaint with the police.

Our correspondent added that Ms. Lanna’s appearance on PCAD stage had caused dissatisfaction among many residents in Chiang Mai province, which is known as a solid base of support for Pheu Thai Party and the Shinawatra family.

According to Pol Lt Col Kraisri Junphan, Chief of the Chiang Mai Provincial Police, an investigation team has been instructed to study footage from CCTV installed at the restaurant, in order to track down the culprits.

The officer said it is currently unclear whether the attack was politically-motivated. However, Pol Lt Col Kraisri also indicated that the singer is alleged to have previously engaged in fights during her other night-outs in the province.

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Suthep Accused Of Buying Land With Donation Money

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7 February 2014, 14:15

(7 February) Pheu Thai spokesman has accused anti-government protest leader of buying lands in a southern province with donation money.

According to Mr. Prompong Nopparit, his party has received information that 52 rai of land in Nakhon Si Thammarat province was purchased on 29 January with the price of 280 million baht.

The purchase was highly suspicious, Mr. Prompong said, as the provincial Department of Landm, which wields the sole authority in approving all land sales in the area, was closed down at the time due to "shutdown" protests organised by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

In the land purchase document allegedly obtained by Pheu Thai Party, the name of the son of PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban was also listed as a co-buyer.

Furthermore, the land borders with another piece of land owned by a "prominent Democrat politician", Mr. Prompong added, without naming the person.

Mr. Prompong said he would like to ask Mr. Suthep and his son managed to purchase the land, since their bank accounts are currently frozen by the authorities.

"I want to ask Mr. Suthep and his son whether this is true," Mr. Prompong said, "Mr. Suthep has to clarify this matter. If he doesn′t, I′ll take it that he accepts the allegation".

The spokesman of Pheu Thai Party also voiced his suspicion that Mr. Suthep′s family has spent a part of donation money received from PCAD supporters on the land purchase.

"There has already been rumour about whatever happened to 2 billion baht of donation Mr. Suthep has received," Mr. Prompong said in the press conference.

He added that the ruling party will request the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to investigate the land purchase in Nakhon Si Thammarat for the sake of "fairness".

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Indian PCAD Activist Seeks Help From Rights Commission

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7 February 2014, 13:12

Mr. Satit Segal chats with reporters at an anti-government rally in Pathumwan Intersection, 6 February 2014

(7 February) The India-born anti-government activist has sought help from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to fight the government's effort to deport him.

The announcement was made by a representative of Mr. Satit Segal, who serves as a core leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

The Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) has previously stated that it has initiated the procedure to deport Mr. Satit, who is also known as Satish Segal, citing his lack of Thai citizenship. Mr. Satit contended that he had been living in the kingdom for decades and will not be cowed into leaving.

According to Ms. Chumsilpa Sotathipreedawong, Mr. Satit′s representative, a number of police officers have showed up at the PCAD leader′s residence even though the deportation document has not been issued.

"Mr. Satit is greatly worried," Ms. Chumsilpa said, "He has been conducting himself under the rights of assembly granted by the laws. He has not violated any laws".

Mr. Niran Pitakwatchara, chairman of the NHRC, said the Commission will urgently deliberate on the matter. He also called the alleged incidents of police officers entering Mr. Satit′s house an act of "intimidation".

The NHRC will additionally send a letter to CMPO chairman, Mr. Chalerm Yoobamrung, to request that he clarifies the threat of deportation.

"Mr. Satit has merely exercised his rights as a citizen," Mr. Niran said, "He has not committed any act of violence".

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Passport Registration Quota To Increase Next Week

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6 February 2014, 17:06

Officials negotiate with the anti-government Buddhist monk, Buddha Issara, for the full re-opening of Government Complex, 5 February 2014

(6 February) The Department of Consular Affairs will increase quota for passport registrations per day amid ongoing shutdown of its main office on Chaeng Wattana Road.

The Department′s headquarters have been closed down by anti-government protesters since 13 January, and venues for passport application have been appointed at Bang Na and Pinklao districts.

Due to the disruption to its operation, the DCA was forced to dramatically scale down the numbers of passports they could process to 3,650 cases per day, causing long lines to form at registration venues.

However, following a negotiation with the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), DCA is allowed to send its technicians into its HQ, where they will reboot the online application and automatic query system which links the HQ with other DCA offices, both in and out of Thailand.

The DCA plans to test the system on 7 – 9 February and the network is expected to operate as usual soon afterward.

"Consular Office should be able to start issuing passport with the capacity of 7,000 per day," if the system operates smoothly, the DCA said in a statement.

While the DCA main office at the Government Complex will remain closed until negotiation with PCAD is achieved, its smaller offices at the Ministry Labour, Surat Thani, and Phuket would be opened to the public on Monday, the statement says.

In order to facilitate the public, DCA will also open its temporary office at Lotus Hall, Sirikit Convention Centre, on 10 February onward, with the capacity of 600 passports a day.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted that it still has more than 5,000,000 passports in reserve, which will allow the production of 6,500 passports per day, each of them valid for 4 years.

Nevertheless, those who do not urgently require new passports should wait until the system is fully operated, DCA said in the statement.

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PCAD Withdraws From Rama VIII Bridge

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6 February 2014, 16:34

(6 February) Rama VIII Bridge is once again open to public after anti-government protesters dismantled their campsite there.

Normal traffic on the bridge resumed this morning, traffic police announced.

However, some protesters, led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), are still occupying a number of roads in the area around eastern side of the bridge, such as Jor Por Ror Intersection and Phan Fah Intersection on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

PCAD protesters also remain at 5 other majors intersections and roads throughout Bangkok: Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana Road, Pathum Wan Intersection, Saladaeng Intersection, Asoke Intersection and Ratchaprasong Intersection.

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PM Yingluck Defends Controversial Rice Program

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6 February 2014, 15:57

Rice farmers protesting in front of Ministry of Commerce, 6 February 2014

(6 February) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has defended rice pledging scheme even as farmers continue their protests against the program.

The rice mortgage scheme is "similar to agricultural subsidisation policies in many other countries," Ms. Yingluck wrote in a Facebook post, "We have seen the success of this policy in its first two terms".

She added, "The current situation is unusual, as we have been facing political instability for 3-4 months. The situation had obstructed the caretaker government to exercise its power," to pay the farmers the money they were owed under the governmental program.

Just today, furious farmers from the provinces of Petchaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi marched to stage their protest in front of the Ministry of Commerce in Nonthaburi province, demanding their promised compensation from the scheme.

The farmer representative stated that the payment was due 4 months ago, and demanded the government to start pay them immediately.

In the Facebook post, Ms. Yingluck promised to pay back the farmers as soon as possible.

“I have not been at ease. I have instructed related authorities to identify problems which obstruct the payment. Now, the Ministry of Finance is currently seeking for loans, while the Ministry of Commerce is studying the possibility to auction off the rice to earn some money to run the scheme," the Prime Minister said.

Krung Thai Bank has previously refused to approve a loan for the government, much to the cheer of anti-government protesters who claim the rice pledging program is a corrupt populist policy.

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German Killed In Phuket Flying Boat Crash

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6 February 2014, 15:25

(6 February) A German citizen was found dead after his flying inflatable boat crashed into the sea off a beach in Phuket province yesterday.

The man was identified by the authorities as Mr. Bach Georg Erwin, 65.

According to witnesses, Mr. Erwin was seen commuting alone on the ultralight boat around Laem Kha Yai Beach. Prior to the crash, witnesses said, the engine had stopped working, but the German managed to restart it and traveled for another 500 metres before the engine exploded. The boat then crashed into the sea.

A hotel staff who reportedly witnessed the scene said he and other people rushed into the sea to help Mr. Erwin, but it appeared that he was already dead before they could reach him.

Mr. Aroon Solos, Mayor of Rawai Municipality, said Mr. Erwin′s body bore no injuries that were caused by the crashed flying boat, suggesting that he might have been killed by the impact with the water surface.

Autopsy of Mr. Erwin′s body will be conducted as soon as possible, police said.

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Army Threatens Lese Majeste Charge Against Historian

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6 February 2014, 14:23

Somsak Jeamteerasakul at a discussion panel, 14 July 2013 (Photo by Speed Horse TV)

(6 February) The Royal Thai Army is considering a legal action against a prominent historian for his remarks about the monarchy, according to an army spokesman.

Lt.Col. Winthai Suvaree, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Army, said in a press conference that Mr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul has gravely insulted the Royal Family in his Facebook posts.

Mr. Somsak, who teaches history at Thammasat University, is known as a rare outspoken critic of the Thai monarchy in a country where any remark deemed offensive toward the Royal Family can be punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

"The army has instructed its legal team to determine which parts [of Mr. Somsak′s posts] can be considered as libelous toward the monarchy," Lt.Col. Winthai said, "Because the army is a part of civil authorities dedicated to protect the monarchy and preserve its dignity".

He warned that any further action that "falsely" insult the Royal Family or lessen the public′s faith in the democratic regime with the King as Head of State would be met with legal action from the army.

Apart from legal procedure, the army will also encourage the use of unspecified "social measures" to deter such inappropriate action, Lt.Col. Winthai added.

"The army would like to call on every sector to keep careful watch, in order to prevent anyone from slandering or insulting our beloved monarchy," the deputy spokesman said.

Mr. Somsak is also facing a separate lese majeste charge filed by the Royal Thai Army in 2011, following his criticism of a televised interview by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn.

He responded to the army′s latest threat of lese majeste by posting on his Facebook that the army has misunderstood his remarks, as he has been simply parodying and criticising certain type of royalists.

"Can′t the Army Commander-in-Chief read Thai?", Mr. Somsak said.

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Police Claim They Have Footage Of UDD Leader Shooters

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6 February 2014, 13:57

Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, still on his hospital bed, goes to vote at a polling station in Udon Thani, 2 February 2014

(6 February) The police claimed they have obtained clear CCTV footage of gunmen who wounded the local Redshirt leader in Udon Thani province.

Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, a prominent leader of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), was shot and wounded at the front porch of his residence by a group of gunmen on 22 January. The assailants fled the scene quickly after the attack.

The UDD leader suffered severe injuries but has since been recovering in hospital. He said he believed the attack was politically motivated.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol Pinitchob said CCTV footage obtained by police detectives revealed that the gunmen were divided into 2 vehicles: a silver Toyota with license plate issued in Roi Et province, and an unidentified bronze pick-up truck.

The assailants planned their assassination attempt well, Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol said, as they have arrived at a resort hotel in Udon Thani a week before the incident and have spent days surveying the area around Mr. Kwanchai′s house.

On the day of the attack, two gunmen on the bronze vehicle reportedly pulled up at Mr. Kwanchai′s house and sprayed their bullets at Mr. Kwanchai. Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol believed the gunmen intend to take Mr. Kwanchai′s life, judging from the nature of their operation.

The officer claimed that "60%" of the investigation has been completed, and many crucial details have been uncovered, such as the possibility that the assailants might have been aided by someone close to Mr. Kwanchai.

"We are gathering additional evidence so we can ask the court to approve the arrest warrants," Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol said, "At this stage, we can say that there are at least 3 suspects in this case", although the total number could be as high as 6.

However, Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol refused to confirm reports that military officers might have been involved in the alleged assassination attempt on Mr. Kwanchai, contrary to previous police statements.

"The police need to determine from evidence and arrests of the suspect whether they are kon mee see [military men]", Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol said.

But sources inside the police force told Khaosod that detectives have already identified at least three Army personnel who were in the alleged assassination team.

The sources added that the police also obtained CCTV footage from an ATM in Udon Thani where the suspects reportedly withdrew money to pay for the expense during their operation.

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