(Chiang Rai Times)
CHIANG RAI – Army Rangers and anti- narcotics suppression officials in Chiang Rai have intercepted a drug smuggling ring, seizing more than 1 million methamphetamine tablets being smuggled from Myanmar into Thailand.
The meth pills, worth more than 200 million baht, were being transported via the Ruak River bordering Thailand and Myanmar in Chiang San District of the province.
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PHITSANULOK — More than 100 soldiers raided a hotel in Phitsanulok province searching for a fugitive anti-coup activist, but stumbled upon an illegal casino operation instead.
The soldiers raided the Paloma Hotel in Mueang district yesterday looking for Sombat Boonngarm-anong, who refused to comply with the military junta’s summons and has been organising anti-coup protests from hiding.
During the raid, soldiers discovered a large hall inside the hotel that had been converted into an illegal casino offering a diverse range of games, including Thai poker, Hi Lo, and Rummy. There were also several official signs detailing the "house rules."
One sign read: "If you gamble, you have to accept your losses. Don't be thick-faced or do things that will make people hate you. Your actions will bring a bad reputation to our gambling den and yourself. Understand?"
There were no gamblers at the time of the raid, but soldiers detained two staff who were reportedly in charge of overseeing the casino. They told the troops that it was closed down shortly after the army imposed martial law.
The hotel’s manager, Araya Arisombat, insisted that the hotel administration was not aware of the extensive casino operation that had been taking place under its roof. Mr. Araya has been summoned to the local military headquarters for further questioning, said Col. Noppon Ruenchan, the commander who led the raid.
The army thought Mr. Sombat might be hiding in the Paloma Hotel because other prominent Redshirt leaders have stayed and organised political lectures there in the past, Col. Noppon told reporters.
Mr. Sombat, who is also known as the Dotted Editor, wrote on his Facebook yesterday that he has never stayed at the Paloma hotel.
He also accused the military of using the search as a pretext for raiding the hotel's casino.
"From now on, people who want to open a new casino already know who they have to pay extra money to, otherwise there will be raids on the Dotted Editor in every casino," Mr. Sombat wrote.
Mr. Sombat has been in hiding since the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) seized power and summoned him, along with hundreds of other activists, to surrender to the military.
A veteran activist who campaigned against the previous military coup in 2006, Mr. Sombat helped organise the recent anti-coup "flash mobs" that popped up in Bangkok over the weekend. The military responded by freezing his bank account and deploying hundreds of troops to block potential venues of the anti-coup protests.
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BANGKOK — A Thai reporter who worked for Al Jazeera was run over and killed by a taxi last night, police say.
Metee Mooktaree was crossing Sukhumvit Road under Ploenchit BTS Station at around midnight when he was hit by a speeding taxi, said Pol.Col. Chaiya Kongsap, commander of the Lumpini Police Station in Bangkok.
The impact of the collision reportedly threw him under a nearby bus. Pol.Col. Chaiya said Mr. Metee died at the hospital.
According to Pol.Col. Chaiya, the taxi driver turned himself in to the police this morning and has been charged with reckless driving leading to death.
Mr. Metee also worked for Thailand-based White Muslim TV. Prior to his death, Mr. Metee had been covering political and social issues in Thailand, including the anti-government protests and mistreatment of Rohingya refugees in southern Thailand.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 4 pm today at Al-atik Masjid on Soi Charoen Krung 103 in Bangkok.
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(Prachatai English)
BANGKOK — Soldiers say they uncovered a dead body and numerous weapons in the canal next to the Government House in Bangkok during a search for weapons discarded by former anti-government protesters yesterday.
The body, wrapped in canvas, was spotted by a group of army divers in Padung Krung Kasem canal near Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where supporters of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) were organising rallies prior to the 22 May coup in an effort to oust the government of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Pol.Maj.Gen. Itthipol Piriyapinyo, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police, said an initial investigation reveals the deceased was male and has been dead for two months.
He stressed that it is still too early to say whether his death is related to the PCAD protests.
Police say they found a Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives staff ID card with the body, which they later learned belongs to a man named Charnsiri Chaonatai who is reported to still be alive.
Apart from the body, the six-hour search turned up numerous weapons, including two homemade explosive devices, three "ping pong bombs," 19 detonators, one smoke grenade, one flashbang, ammunition for HK and M16 rifles, and more than 50 bullet cases for .38 and 9 mm. handguns.
Knives and barbed wire were also found in the canal.
An officer said police suspect the PCAD guards methodically collected bullet cases whenever they fired their weapons, either during training or in confrontation with the shadowy militants who routinely attacked their campsites, and dumped the cases into the canal to hide the evidence.
The search was conducted yesterday morning after local residents said they were concerned about the safety of the canal, fearing it may have been used as a dumping grounds for abandoned weapons after the PCAD was forced to leave their rally site in the wake of the coup, explained Pol.Maj. Suwat Tantimart, commander of Nangloeng Police Station.
A combined force of 1st Region Army soldiers, police, and staff from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration oversaw the search.
In a previous search of the PCAD's campsite on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, officers found tear gas canisters, handguns, and homemade explosives.
Many of the PCAD security guards, who became increasingly militant as the protest movement wore on, were believed to be armed.
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KABUL/WASHINGTON (DPA) — The Afghan Taliban released a video Wednesday showing US soldier Bowe Bergdahl's release, as the controversy over his capture five years ago and the effort to free him led his hometown to cancel a welcome ceremony.
Bergdahl was released Saturday in a swap for five senior Taliban members held in the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"We have no reason to doubt the video's authenticity, but we are reviewing it," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said. "Regardless, we know the transfer was peaceful and successful, and our focus remains on getting Sergeant Bergdahl the care he needs."
Bergdahl is being treated at a US military hospital in Germany. There has been no word on when he will arrive in the US.
Since his release, opposition politicians in Washington have criticized the swap of the five Taliban figures. Many legislators – even in President Barack's Obama's own left-leaning Democratic Party – are angry over the White House's failure to notify them in advance.
As the debate raged on Capitol Hill, Bergdahl's home town of Hailey, Idaho, decided not to hold a welcome ceremony when he returns.
Organizers said the decision was based on public safety concerns because the town of about 8,000 people lacked the infrastructure to handle the large number of people – both supporters of the soldier and detractors – likely to turn out.
In the video, Bergdahl sits in a pick-up truck, wearing traditional Afghan clothes and with a shaved head.
Taliban fighters stand around him holding Kalashnikov rifles, with Taliban fighters visible on surrounding hillsides.
"This is Alisher district in Khost province. We have brought the American soldier here to hand him over," the video narration says.
Two helicopters approach, one lands, and three apparently unarmed Americans in civilian clothes emerge. The Taliban fighters holding a white flag take Bergdahl to them, and they shake hands.
The Americans search Bergdahl for arms and explosives, and take him into the helicopter.
"Do not come back to Afghanistan," the video subtitles say.
The rest of the 17-minute video shows Taliban prisoners released in the exchange being welcomed by their colleagues in a desert, apparently in Qatar, whose government helped broker the swap.
The Bergdahl swap came as the US moves toward an end to its combat role in the Afghan war by December.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said Wednesday that he would push for Obama to be impeached and removed from office if more Guantanamo prisoners were released without notification to Congress. A recent law requires advance notice, but Obama signaled that he considered the measure a violation of his constitutional powers.
"The safe return of an American soldier should not be used to score political points," Harry Reid, leader of the Senate's Democratic majority, said on the floor of the upper chamber.
"No member of the armed forces should be left behind, and President Obama saw to that."
Members of Bergdahl's unit have accused him of deserting their observation post, though the Defence Department said it has not decided whether his actions constitute a punishable violation.
"Let's say, for the sake of argument, that Sergeant Bergdahl did violate his sworn oath. Who do we want to mete out justice to an American soldier? The Taliban?" Reid asked.
"I will choose the justice system of the United States Army – American justice – every time. … In the United States of America, we rescue our soldiers first and ask questions later."
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that the five freed Taliban had been deemed unlikely to be prosecuted by a US military court prior to the swap.
"It is quite likely that eventually, in line with our commitment to close Guantanamo Bay … these guys may have eventually been transferred somewhere anyways," she said. "I think many of us would make the argument – I would make it – that we should get something for them."
(Phuket Gazette)
PHUKET — A deployment of 100 soldiers from Southern Thailand today provided military support to a huge task force of 1,110 police officers and 40 volunteers who swept along the west coast of Phuket to purge the island of illegal, violent, abusive and cheating taxi, tuk-tuk and minivan drivers.
The soldiers were acting under orders from Maj Gen Peerapol Wiriyakul, Commanding General of the 41st Military Circle, which operates out of the Fourth Army Area Command in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
Over 70 drivers were taken into custody in a single blitz led by Lt Gen Panya Mamen, Commander of the Royal Thai Police Region 8 division.
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BANGKOK — Hundreds of Thais gathered by Victory Monument, the former site for anti-coup rallies, to partake in the military junta’s "Returning Happiness to the People" concert and fair in Bangkok today.
The event featured live music put on by soldiers and policemen, accompanied by performances from professional dancers. There was also free food, free medical check-ups, two live horses from the 29th Cavalry Division, and plenty of opportunities for ‘soldier selfies.’
"These are real soldiers! Real humans, not mannequins," a security officer yelled over a loudspeaker with gusto, gesturing towards a row of soldiers who stood ready to be photographed. "They are ordered to stand very still so you can take pictures with them!"
"They want you to be happy," he added. "You can even kiss them on their cheeks!"
The concert was part of the National Council of Peace and Order's ongoing effort to "return happiness to the Thai people," following the coup d’état it staged on 22 May. The NCPO says it was necessary to seize power from the civilian administration in order to resolve the political conflict between pro- and anti-government protesters that had debilitated the country's government and economy for months.
On Friday, the NCPO said it would devote the next 2-3 months to seeking "national reconciliation." In addition to staging morale-boosting events like tonight's party, the military has censored dozens of media outlets, detained hundreds of politicians and political thinkers, and banned all public protests in its effort to "heal" Thailand's political divisions.
A soldier working at the army's "Happiness" fair by Victory Monument in Bangkok on 4 June 2014 [SALLY MAIRS].
"Anything that makes the people happy, we are willing to do," said a soldier who was tasked with taking care of a horse at tonight’s event.
The soldier, who refused to be identified by name or rank, also had a message for the United States government, which has sharply criticised the military takeover in Thailand.
"Please tell America that we are all happy here," he said.
Army chief and NCPO chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha recently said that the "happiness" of Thai people is one of the military junta’s top priorities. Yet the military’s increasingly harsh crackdown on anti-coup protesters has caused many people to question his sincerity.
Last week, anti-coup protesters began staging daily rallies at Victory Monument, the same site as tonight’s "Returning Happiness" concert. However, they were forced to find new rally locations over the weekend after a swarm of security forces occupied the site and blockaded all incoming roads, successfully preventing any anti-coup demonstrations from taking place.
There did not appear to be any anti-coup protesters at tonight’s event, which was heavily guarded by security personnel.
Thais celebrate the army at the junta's "Happiness" fair by Victory Monument in Bangkok on 4 June 2015 [SALLY MAIRS].
A group of Thais wearing matching "We Love Thai Army" t-shirts at the concert told Khaosod English they were grateful for the coup, which they said has returned life in Bangkok back to normal.
"When there was political turmoil, we had a lot of problems, like traffic jams," said a member of the group who asked not to be named.
"We feel safer than before," said another. "Thai people are used to coup d’états. It’s the Thai style."
The NCPO held two other free concerts over the weekend in Pathumthani province, a major stronghold of the supporters of the previous government, and in Santichaiprakarn Garden in Bangkok's old quarters.
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BANGKOK — Hundreds of Thais gathered by Victory Monument, the former site for anti-coup rallies, to partake in the military junta’s “Returning Happiness to the People” concert and fair in Bangkok today.
The event featured live music put on by soldiers and policemen, accompanied by performances from professional dancers. There was also free food, free medical check-ups, two live horses from the 29th Cavalry Division, and plenty of opportunities for ‘soldier selfies.’
“These are real soldiers! Real humans, not mannequins,” a security officer yelled over a loudspeaker with gusto, gesturing towards a row of soldiers who stood ready to be photographed. “They are ordered to stand very still so you can take pictures with them!”
“They want you to be happy,” he added. "You can even kiss them on their cheeks!"
The concert was part of the National Council of Peace and Order's ongoing effort to “return happiness to the Thai people,” following the coup d’état it staged on 22 May. The NCPO said it was necessary to seize power from the civilian administration in order to resolve the political conflict between pro- and anti-government protesters that had debilitated the country's government and economy for months.
On Friday, the NCPO said it would devote the next 2-3 months to seeking "national reconciliation." In addition to staging morale-boosting events like tonight's party, the military has censored dozens of media outlets, detained hundreds of politicians and political thinkers, and banned all public protests in its effort to "heal" Thailand's political divisions.
“Anything that makes the people happy, we are willing to do,” said a soldier who was tasked with taking care of a horse for concertgoers to pet at tonight’s event.
The soldier, who refused to be identified by name or rank, also had a message for the United States government, which has sharply criticised the military takeover in Thailand.
"Please tell America that we are all happy here," he said.
Army chief and NCPO chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha recently said that the "happiness" of Thai people is one of the military junta’s top priorities. Yet the military’s increasingly harsh crackdown on anti-coup protesters has caused many people to question his sincerity.
Last week, anti-coup protesters began staging daily rallies at Victory Monument, the same site as tonight’s “Returning Happiness” concert. However, protesters were forced to find new rally locations over the weekend after a swarm of security forces occupied the site and blockaded all incoming roads, successfully preventing any anti-coup demonstrations from taking place.
There did not appear to be any anti-coup protesters at tonight’s event, which was heavily guarded by security personnel.
A group of Thais wearing matching “We Love Thai Army” t-shirts at the concert told Khaosod English they were grateful for the coup, which they said had returned life in Bangkok back to normal.
“When there was political turmoil, we had a lot of problems, like traffic jams,” said a member of the group who asked not to be named.
“We feel safer than before,” said another. “Thai people are used to coup d’états. It’s the Thai style.”
The NCPO held two other free concerts over the weekend in Pathumthani province, a major stronghold of the supporters of the previous government, and Santichaiprakarn Garden in Bangkok's old quarters.
BANGKOK — A private Thai badminton club says it has withdrawn from tournaments in the United States and Australia to protest the two governments' call for a return to democracy in Thailand.
Jen Piyathat, the team’s chairman, told Khaosod that “Granular Badminton” will withdraw from the 2014 Community College US Open Championships to protest Washington's criticism of the military coup.
After the Thai army seized control of the country on 22 May, the US suspended military aid to Thailand in condemnation of the coup. A number of prominent American officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry, have also publicly urged the Thai military organise an election and return power to a democratic regime as soon as possible.
"I feel sorry for our players who lose this opportunity [to compete in the tournaments]," Mr. Jen said in a phone interview, "But what else can we do? The nation must come first."
In a statement posted on its Facebook page yesterday, the team also said it will no longer compete in the Star Australian Open 2014 tournament scheduled for June 24-29.
The statement says the team is boycotting the competition to protest the Australian government's announcement to downgrade its relationship with the Thai military and place travel bans on the Thai coupmakers .
The team also said that its members and staff will not feel safe during their stay in Australia.
Australia and the United States’ calls for Thailand to return to civilian administration have been sharply rebuked by pro-coup Thais, who accuse the western powers of meddling in Thai politics.
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