Junta To 'Create Understanding' Through New PR Unit

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3 June 2014, 16:54

Soldiers inspect the media room at the Government House, 3 June 2014.

BANGKOK — The military junta has vowed to quiet anti-coup sentiments both in and outside Thailand through a public relations task force that will “create understanding.”

"We have conducted a meeting to organise a public relations agency, covering both a domestic and foreign audience," said Col. Winthai Suvaree, a spokesperson of the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO). "The meeting was about designating public relations methods for creating understanding among the people.”

“Some countries still don't understand the NCPO's operations and the current situation in Thailand," Col. Winthai added.

In reference to the anti-coup demonstrations cropping up in foreign countries, Col. Winthai assured reporters that "the NCPO is monitoring the groups" and that the junta plans to "create understanding among Thais living in foreign countries" as well.

The spokesman explained that the mission to spread understanding in Thailand will be accompanied by strict legal enforcement against people who organize themselves and express their resistance to the NCPO. He described recent anti-coup protests as part of "a movement that aims to create chaos or incite division among the people."

Col. Winthai added that the army is especially concerned by anti-coup protesters' coordination via social media. On Sunday, anti-coup protesters staged a flash demonstration organised through Facebook, Twitter, and Line.

"We will employ an electronic blockade and issue a warning by electronic means," Col. Winthai said. "However, we have no policy to shut down Facebook. We will focus on monitoring and dealing with individuals."

Since the NCPO seized power on 22 May, the military junta has closed down scores of TV and radio stations, blocked websites sympathetic to the anti-coup movements, summoned and detained hundreds of activists and academics, and arrested some demonstrators who campaigned against the coup.

The latest arrest took place today, when police in Bangkok's Thoong Maha Mek district detained and interrogated a motorcycle taxi driver who was handing out anti-coup leaflets.

Police say the motorcyclist, Damri Rinwong, confessed to distributing the leaflets because he did not agree with the coup. He has been reprimanded and released by the police, said Pol.Lt.Col. Siam Insuwanno, adding that Mr. Damri will be sent to the military if he is found committing the crime again.

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Curfew Lifted in Phuket After Decimating Nightlife

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3 June 2014, 16:34

Soldiers contain an anti-coup protest at Terminal 21 on 1 June, 2014.

PHUKET — The military-imposed curfew has been lifted in Phuket after decimating the island’s world-renowned nightlife for twelve days.

The curfew, initially set at 10pm and later moved back to midnight, was lifted in Phuket, Pattaya, and on Samui Island – all popular nightlife destinations – this afternoon. The curfew remains in place for the rest of the country.

"Our revenue has dropped by 70-80%" said Weerawit Kruesombat, chairman of the Patong Beach Entertainment Society. "The damage has caused a chain-reaction, all the way from owners of nightclubs to the nightclub staff, tuk-tuk driver, hotels, and vendors."

Last night, dozens of entertainment representatives rallied in front of a police station on Patong beach to voice their opposition to the curfew.

The demonstrators gave Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut a letter addressed to the NCPO, asking for the curfew on Phuket to be repealed.

The curfew, imposed by the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) hours after it seized power from the previous government on 22 May, initially forbid citizens to leave their residence during the hours of 10 pm to 5 am, but was later eased to between midnight and 4 am.

Mr. Weerawit said that the easing of the curfew did not help improve the situation in Patong at all.

"Some nightlife venues adjusted their hours to open earlier to compensate for the early closing time,” Mr. Weerawit said. "But there were hardly any customers at all, because tourists who visit Patong usually go out to nightclubs around 10 pm or later."

Mr. Weerawit added that the situation was made even worse by the arrival of the rainy season, which is considered to be the annual "Low Season" of tourism in Thailand.

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Wanted Chiang Mai Academic Describes Life on the Run

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3 June 2014, 15:50

Chiang Mai University sociology lecturer Kengkij Kitirianglarp, 34, who went into hiding after the military coup on May 22. He reported to the junta on Tuesday June 3. -- ST PHOTO: TAN HUI YEE -

(The Straits Times)

CHIANG MAI — He stops in mid speech at the sound of passing cars, glancing warily at the small lane outside the Chiang Mai café. With fingers clasped around an unlit cigarette, he mutters, as if in reminder to himself: "I plan to live my life normally."

Yet life for sociology lecturer Kengkij Kitirianglarp has hardly been normal since the military seized power on May 22.

Read the rest of the story here.

Suicide Still Biggest Killer of Young Japanese, Government Says

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3 June 2014, 14:14

A man walks through a beam of sun light under a bridge in Tokyo, Japan, 13 May 2010. The high suicide rate among young Japanese has made it the leading cause of death for the age group for the seventh straight year. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

TOKYO (DPA) — The high suicide rate among young Japanese has made it the leading cause of death for the age group for the seventh straight year, the government said Tuesday.

Among Japanese people aged 15 to 39, suicide is still the biggest single killer, and was responsible for more than 50 per cent of deaths among men in their 20s, a government white paper said.

"We will examine the reasons behind it and take appropriate action," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

The government said it needs to step up measures to deal with bullying and online suicide announcements.

The total number of suicides declined 2.1 per cent to 27,283 for the fourth consecutive year of fall, the survey showed, making an average of some 75 suicides per day.

"The number of suicides has fallen because of the ongoing economic recovery," Suga said.

Abbot Swaps Shrine Angels' Swords With M16s, Grenades

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3 June 2014, 14:14

CHIANG MAI — The abbot of the City Pillar Shrine in Chiang Mai has ordered local artists to alter the angels painted on the shrine’s walls by swapping their traditional swords with modern weapons.

"In the ancient time, these angels were equipped with ancient weapons like spears, swords, and knives," said the abbot, Phra Kru Suwattana Mettakhun. "But we decided to give them M16 rifles, M79 grenade launchers, handguns, and grenades, so they can have diverse choice of weapons."

"These are the weapons that are up to date," the abbot said.

The new weapons were added to the four Guardian Angels, who flank the entrance to the City Shrine, during a recent renovation of the sanctuary.

The murals chronicle the legend of the construction of the City Pillar and Phra That Jedi Luang Temple, another prominent religious site of Chiang Mai province, said Phra Kru Suwattana.

"We aim to restore and strengthen every part [of the shrine], so that it will be a monument and a sacred site that stands alongside Chiang Mai and the nation in many years to come," the abbot said.

Although the renovation has not been entirely completed, temple-goers and tourists are already allowed to visit the shrine and take photographs with the modern-equipped Guardian Angels. However, women are not permitted to enter the shrine due to a local custom.

According to the chronicles, the City Pillar was built in 1296 under the reign of King Meng Rai of the then-Lanna Kingdom.

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Police: Abducted Anti-Coup Protester Handed Over to Army

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3 June 2014, 14:14

Protester flashing the three-finger salute at an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on 1 June 2014.

BANGKOK — Police say the woman abducted by undercover agents at the anti-coup protest in Bangkok on Sunday has been handed over to the military.

However, the police have no details about her current whereabouts or whether the military has pressed any charges against her, said Pol.Col. Chaiya Kongsap, commander of the Lumpini Police Station in Bangkok.

"We have no information whatsoever," Pol.Col. Chaiya told Khaosod Englishtoday. "The soldiers were already waiting for her when [the police] took her to the police station."

He explained that police were required to transfer the suspect to the military in accordance with martial law, which gives the military superior power over civilian authorities and laws.

The woman, who has since been identified as 50-year-old Sunanta Puangsiri, was seen flashing the "three-finger salute" near a larger anti-coup rally at Terminal 21 shopping mall in central Bangkok before she was forcefully shoved into a taxi by undercover police officers. The three-finger salute, inspired by popular sci-fi triology "The Hunger Games," has become a symbol of coup resistance.

Intially, police denied any involvement in the incident. Speaking in a live interview with Spring News TV yesterday morning, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police Somyot Pumphanmuang suggested she was possibly taken away by her own husband.

"It could have been her husband who didn't want her to join the protest, so he took her home," Pol.Gen. Somyot said, adding that the police would never arrest anyone in such manner.

"I already told you that the military and police do not perform our duties with violence," he explained.

Hours later Lumpini Police confirmed that it was their plainclothed officers that detained Ms. Sunanta. According to the officers, she was not registered in the police database because she was immediately handed over to the military after arriving at the police station.

The police did not say why the lone protester was arrested.

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Police: Abducted Anti-Coup Protester Handed Over to Army

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3 June 2014, 13:51

A protester flashes the three-finger salute at an anti-coup demonstration at Terminal 21 Mall in Bangkok on 1 June 2014.

BANGKOK — Police say the woman abducted by undercover agents at the anti-coup protest in Bangkok on Sunday has been handed over to the military.

However, the police have no details about her current whereabouts or whether the military has pressed any charges against her, said Pol.Col. Chaiya Kongsap, commander of the Lumpini Police Station in Bangkok.

"We have no information whatsoever," Pol.Col. Chaiya told Khaosod English today. "The soldiers were already waiting for her when [the police] took her to the police station."

He explained that police were required to transfer the suspect to the military in accordance with martial law, which gives the military superior power over civilian authorities and laws.

The woman, who has since been identified as 50-year-old Sunanta Puangsiri, was seen flashing the "three-finger salute" near a larger anti-coup rally at Terminal 21 shopping mall in central Bangkok before she was forcefully shoved into a taxi by undercover police officers. The three-finger salute, inspired by popular sci-fi triology "The Hunger Games," has become a symbol of coup resistance.

Intially, police denied any involvement in the incident. Speaking in a live interview with Spring News TV yesterday morning, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police Somyot Pumphanmuang suggested she was possibly taken away by her own husband.

"It could have been her husband who didn't want her to join the protest, so he took her home," Pol.Gen. Somyot said, adding that the police would never arrest anyone in such manner.

"I already told you that the military and police do not perform our duties with violence," he explained.

Hours later Lumpini Police confirmed that it was their plainclothed officers that detained Ms. Sunanta. According to the officers, she was not registered in the police database because she was immediately handed over to the military after arriving at the police station.

The police did not say why the lone protester was arrested.

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Mystery of the Great Lego Heist

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3 June 2014, 13:38

An archive photo of a Lego from the Museum Industriekulture in Osnabruck, Germany, 03 November 2011. Police in Australia are trying to track down thieves who twice broke into a Melbourne toy store and stole about 14,000 dollars worth of Lego. Photo: Friso Gentsch/dpa

SYDNEY (DPA) — Police are hunting thieves who twice broke into a Melbourne toy store and stole about 14,000 dollars worth of Lego.

Police said Tuesday the burglars first broke into the store a week ago and stole 9,000 dollars worth of the multi-coloured plastic building blocks.

They returned on Sunday afternoon and stole 4,866 worth of more Lego, concentrating on the "City" and "Technic" themed collections.

Police appealed to anyone who may have seen suspicious activity to contact them.

Abbot Swaps Shrine Angels' Swords With M16s, Grenades

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3 June 2014, 13:05

Chiang Mai City Pillar Shrine, 2 June 2014.