Islamic Officials Slam PCAD's Mosque Siege

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23 January 2014, 14:06

(23 January) Muslim officials have reacted angrily to reports that anti-government protesters disrupted a prayer session at a mosque in Trang province.

The incident, which reportedly took place on 20 January at Sulo Mosque in Palian district, was first reported by Muslim Thai news website.

The news site stated that a group of young children were performing a prayer session and attending religious studies at the mosque when over 300 supporters of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) marched to Solo Mosque, shut down the mosque′s front gate, and loudly blew their whistles.

The protesters reportedly demanded that the Muslims must cease all activities inside mosque immediately, including the religious lectures in the mosque′s religious school.

According Muslim Thai, although a Muslim cleric tried to explain that the religious activities at the mosque cannot be stopped, his explanation was ignored by the protesters, some of whom were allegedly intoxicated.

When the cleric threatened to call a local district chief to resolve the matter, a leader of the protesters replied that he is welcomed to do so, as the protesters will also call their own reinforcements, according to the report. Muslim Thai also alleged that a protester fired a shot in front of Sulo Mosque as a threat.

The Muslims then reportedly decided to cancel the prayer session and religious studies.

The news site also quoted Dr. Wisoot Binlateh, a local coordinator of Sheikh-ul-Islam Office, as saying that the protesters′ act of intimidation is a grave danger to Muslims.

"I feel deeply insulted and hurt," Dr. Wisoot was quoted as saying.

Mr. Saman Liprapat, a Trang-based board member of the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICT), told Khaosod that he is similarly angered by the incident.

"The religious activities at the mosque are unrelated to politics," Mr. Saman insisted.

He said he has been informed that PCAD protesters targeted the religious studies at the mosque because they were attempting to close down all state agencies and public schools in the province as a part of region-wide "shutdown" campaign ordered by PCAD leader, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban.

The religious school, in which more than 500 students are enrolled, at Sulo Mosque teaches both religious studies and public school curriculum, Mr. Saman said, but he added that the protesters have no rights to disrupt the school activities since they were held in the same compound with a place of worship.

"I plan to raise this issue at the meeting of Trang′s Central Islamic Council of Thailand this February for their consideration for further action," Mr. Sama told our correspondent, "We want every person related to this event summoned and explain themselves about what happened".

He also suggested that the Sheik-ul-Islam Office in Bangkok should deliver a statement urging all Muslims to avoid being manipulated by any political side in the ongoing crisis.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sathapon Prathumthong, Palien District Chief, told Khaosod that the Imaam of Sulo Mosque has closed down the religious school for a day on 21 January, but has since resumed its operations.

He said he has discussed the issue with both the Imaam and leaders of the protesters, and gathered that the protesters did not intend to disrupt the religious service at the mosque. PCAD leaders in Trang province are planning to issue a statement of apology, Mr. Sathapon said.

However, Mr. Sompong Kongkliang, a member of Palian Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and a leader of provincial PCAD group, said he has not been informed in details about the incident at Sulo Mosque.

He said he was merely aware that the demonstrators were marching in Sulo subdistrict to close down state agencies and public schools. Nevertheless, Mr. Sompong promised that he would inquire about the matter from other PCAD leaders and reach an understanding with them.

Muslims make up approximately 4-5% of the Thai population, and the southern region of the country is predominantly Muslim.

The southern region is also a major stronghold of anti-government protest movements and their main supporter, the Democrat Party.

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PCAD Targets Cabinet Printing House

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23 January 2014, 13:07

Anti-government protesters marching in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, 23 January 2014

(23 January) Anti-government protesters have laid siege to the Cabinet Publishing and Gazette Office earlier today.

Supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) departed one of their rally sites in Ratchaprasong Intersection at around 10.00 today without publicly stating their destination.

The convoy, which consists of 1 loudspeaker truck, 32 pick-up trucks and cars, and 10 motorcycles, passed through Ploenchit area and entered the expressway toward Prapa exit. Police officers did not interfere with their movements, and could only predict what the protesters were headed.

Eventually Mr. Chumpol Chunsai, a leader of PCAD, announced that he would besiege the state publishing house and led his supporters along Rama VI Road toward the office, which locates on Samsen Road.

At the Cabinet Publishing and Gazette Office, the protesters demanded that Mr. Amphon Kitti-amphon, Secretary General of the Cabinet, meet with them, but officials at the publishing house stated that Mr. Amphon was not there.

The officials also begged the protesters not to cut off electric supply to the publishing house, as they were required to work on the printing of legislation books, Royal Gazettes, and other documents related to the Bureau of the Royal Household.

The protesters later agreed not to cut off the electric supply, but demanded that all officials must cease their works for a day. The civil servants promptly packed their belongings and left the publishing house.

Last week, PCAD protesters have also besieged another state-owned publishing house to disrupt the printing of ballot papers.

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Redshirt Activist Denies Links To Violence

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22 January 2014, 19:04

Explosives police reportedly confiscated from two suspects in Bang Khen district, 22 January 2014

(22 January) The police have interrogated the Redshirt leader of Pathumthani province over his alleged ties to a recent spate of violence in Bangkok.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronvit Thoopkrachang, commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, has previously told the press that he has summoned Mr. Wuttipong Kochthammakul, a coordinator of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) in Pathumthani, after many reports tied him to violence against anti-government protesters.

The supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) came under drive-by shootings and explosive attacks almost nightly at their rally sites across Bangkok.

Last week, two separate grenade attacks on PCAD supporters also killed one protester and wounded scores of others.

Mr. Wuttipong, who is popularly known as Ko Tee, has been accused by anti-government protesters of engineering the attacks.

The Redshirt leader also personally sparked a clash between Redshirts and PCAD supporters in Pathumthani earlier this month, after he drove his vehicle toward a convoy of PCAD demonstrators who were inviting Pathumthani residents to join their campaign against the government.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronvit said Mr. Wuttipong must be held accountable to his actions. "I have instructed the officers to interrogate him in details where he had been during violent incidents," Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronvit said, "We will also investigate Mr. Wuttipong′s previous offences, and we will investigate who his accomplices are".

Furthermore, Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronvit said, the police have arrested two individuals in Bang Khen district who were carrying 23 small explosives, a handgun, and a number of ammunition. The suspects will be questioned whether they intended to cause violence to the protesters, while the EOD team will determine whether the confiscated weaponry is linked to any incident, Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronvit told reporters.

Later in the day, Mr. Wuttipong arrived at Bangkok Metropolitan Police headquarters, where he told his interrogators that he had never been in Bangkok since the protests began; he claimed he has been busy with his radio station in Pathumthani.

Mr. Wuttipong also denied any connection to the arrested suspects, and insisted that he is not behind any violent incidents against PCAD supporters.

The police eventually released Mr. Wuttipong without pressing any charge against him.

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EC Official: Emergency Decree Won't Affect Election

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22 January 2014, 18:39

Police officers guardian the entrance of Ministry of Labour, as anti-government protesters staged a rally nearby, 22 January 2014.

(22 January) The recently-imposed State of Emergency over Bangkok will not affect the general election on 2 February, an Election Commissioner insisted.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra imposed the State of Emergency yesterday following days of violent incidents in the capital city, including deadly grenade attacks on anti-government protesters. The decree, which gives sweeping powers to the authorities, will last 60 days.

The move has worried many observers, as the 2 February election is only a week away. Some experts have already warned that the election held under State of Emergency may lose its credibility.

Mr. Puchong Nuttrawong, Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), said that although the emergency decree in principle bans all forms of political gathering, vote-canvassing rallies and other poll-related activities can go on as they are allowed under election laws.

"The emergency decree will not affect the arrangement of election," Mr. Puchong said.

However, he voiced his concern that fewer people would participate in the election than previous years, citing numbers of advanced voting registrations which are reportedly lower than previous election.

He blamed the relative apathy on the ongoing political crisis and other "obstacles" related to the efforts to organise the 2 February election.

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Son, Who Allegedly Rapes His Mother, Is Killed By His Father

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22 January 2014, 17:38

(22 January) A man who has allegedly raped his own mother has been murdered by his own father, police said.

Police responded to emergency call at a residence in Suksomboon village, Udon Thani province, and discovered the dead body of Mr. Pramote (surname withheld), 35, lying facedown in the house.

Police found 3 slashing wounds on Mr. Pramote′s face and head, which bit deep to his brain.

The officers also found Mr. Thongla, 69, hiding inside the house and visibly distraught. Mr. Thongla promptly surrendered a bloodied 80-cm. long axe to the police, and identified himself as the father and murderer of the deceased.

Mr. Thongla told police he had been married to his wife for many years, and together they bore 6 children. Mr. Pramote stayed at their home in Udon Thani province to work on farms, while his other children have moved to find works in Bangkok long ago, Mr. Thongla said.

The suspect claimed that Mr. Pramote recently became addicted to alcohol and amphetamines, which often drove him insane.

Late last year, Mr. Thongla said, he discovered that Mr. Pramote has raped his own mother. Mr. Thongla reportedly scolded at Mr. Pramote for his actions, only to be physically assaulted by his enraged son. The suspect said he decided not to report the incident to the police out of embarrassment.

However, according to Mr. Thongla, Mr. Pramote once again raped his mother, and so he had no choice but to send his wife away to Bangkok.

This morning, the suspect said, he was drinking with other villagers at a local shrine, and he returned home later to find Mr. Pramote heavily intoxicated and high on drugs. Mr. Pramote allegedly punched Mr. Thongla and scolded him for sending his wife away.

The suspect said he became greatly enraged, so he grabbed an axe in his room and slashed at Mr. Pramote′s head for three times out of rage.

"I want to see his brain," Mr. Thongla told police, "I want to know what drove his so evil that he raped his own mother".

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Govt To Invite Press Editors For 'Discussion'

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22 January 2014, 15:31

Anti-government protesters continue their rally at Pathumwan Intersection in defiance of the State of Emergency over Bangkok, 22 January 2014

(22 January) The Director of National Security Council has asserted that government's enactment of emergency decree will not lead to the crackdown on anti-government protests.

Lt.Gen. Paradorn Pattanatabutr said the government has decided to invoke the State of Emergency yesterday in order to respond to escalating incidents in the past few weeks, which saw deadly grenade attacks on the protesters, drive-by shootings, and occupation of important state agencies by the protesters.

"The protesters might feel hostile, but I believe that when we make them understand the intention of the government behind the declaration of emergency decree, the people who attend the protests will understand, and some might even leave the protests," said Lt.Gen. Paradorn.

He stressed that the decree is aimed at assisting the police in providing public security. "There won′t be a crackdown on the protests," Lt.Gen. Paradorn added.

Nevertheless, Lt.Gen. Paradorn asserted that another objective of the emergency decree is to "manage" the media in order to ensure that the press will refrain from "inflammatory" reporting and stick to "presentation of facts", which will help the public exercise their judgment whether to join the protests.

Lt.Gen. Paradorn insisted that this power will not constitute as a censorship, as the authorities will simply invite editors some news agencies for a discussion, in which the officials will kindly ask them to refrain from broadcasting false, inflammatory, and violence-inciting contents.

"If they report only the facts, there will be no problem," said the Director of the NSC.

The government can also employ the powers of National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commision (NBTC) to "manage" the media in a timely manner, Lt.Gen. Paradorn suggested.

Asked whether there would be any action against Blue Sky TV, a satellite channel allied to the anti-government protest leadership, Lt.Gen. Paradorn replied that "message has been sent. If they still continue to act inappropriately, we will have to invite them for discussion".

He added, "I believe the officials will exercise good judgment and find appropriate measures" in dealing with the channel.

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Red Leader In Stable Condition After Drive-By Shooting

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22 January 2014, 13:49

(22 January) A prominent Redshirt leader has been shot and wounded in a drive-by shooting on his residence in Udon Thani province.

Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, the leader of Udon Thani′s chapter of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), was reportedly wounded by gunshots in his arm and leg.

The incident took place at Mr. Kwanchai′s residence, which was located near the headquarters of his We Love Udon Group, at around 10.00 today.

Ms. Wongsamorn Prasatthong, 29, an official of We Love Udon Group, told police she was working in the office when she heard three loud bangs. She said she mistook them as firecrackers, but soon afterwards she heard salvo of gunshots and realised it was gunfire.

According to Ms. Wongsamorn, after the gunfire ceased, she looked at direction of Mr. Kwanchai′s residence and saw the Redshirt leader slumping onto the sofa near the front porch. She said she immediately called for help and transported Mr. Kwanchai to hospital.

Police later investigated the scene and found 39 rounds of 7.62 mm. bullet cases near the wall of Mr. Kwanchai′s residence, a distance of some 200 metre away from where Mr. Kwanchai was shot. The bullets correspond to ammunition used by AK-47 rifles, police said.

The police also uncovered CCTV footage showing the suspects on a grey Toyota Vigo pick-up truck. The vehicle was seen speeding away toward Pibulrak district of Udon Thani province.

Medical staff at hospital said Mr. Kwanchai was shot twice in the right arm, and once in the right thigh. The bullets "damaged important section of neurons," but Mr. Kwanchai′s condition has been described as stable.

Ms. Arphon Sarakham, Mr. Kwanchai′s wife, told our correspondent that usually her husband would go out to the front porch and read newspapers for every morning. When he finished reading this morning, she said, Mr. Kwanchai stood up and headed for the toilet, but was suddenly shot three times by the assailants.

After Mr. Kwanchai fell down, the gunmen fired many more rounds into the house before fleeing the scene, Ms. Arphon said.

Often described as a member of the UDD′s "hardcore" faction, Mr. Kwanchai has engaged in many provocative activities, such as setting bounty on Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protest movements.

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Emergency Decree Ignored, Police HQ Sign Vandalised

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22 January 2014, 12:56

(22 January) Anti-government protesters are besieging the headquarters of the Royal Thai Police to prevent governmental officials from working there.

The protesters led by Student and People′s Network for the Reform of Thailand (SRT) marched from their rally site on Ratchaprasong Intersection to the headquarters when they heard reports that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was due to arrive at the building for meeting with top police officers.

The protest took place in spite of the enactment of State of Emergency over Bangkok, which in principle bans political gathering in the capital city.

Mr. Nitithorn Lamluea, a leader of SRT, said the protesters′ objective is not the occupation of any building, but to capture leaders of the government, such as Ms. Yingluck and Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, chief of the Thai police.

Rallying in front of the headquarters, the protesters also used equipment to remove the sign of the Royal Thai Police from the wall. Some protesters later spray-painted the abbreviation of their group name on the vandalised wall.

Mr. Nitithorn said he had instructed the protesters to remove the sign since the police no longer represents the nation.

"They are not people′s police. They are police who serve tyranny. They are enemy of the people, and enemy of the country," Mr. Nitithorn said.

A separate group of protesters also marched to the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence on Chaeng Wattana Road, where Ms. Yingluck was attending a meeting with the newly formed Center for Maintenance of Peace and Order (CMPO) following the enactment of the State of Emergency over Bangkok last night.

Ms. Yingluck refused to talk to the press as she arrived at the Office.

Other top officials such as Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and Minister of Finance Kittirat Na Narong also attended the meeting. Security was tight around the meeting venue.

Officials said Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, who has been assigned command of CMPO′s operational arms, would address a press conference later in the afternoon about scopes and powers CMPO wields under the emergency decree.

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Chalerm Assigned Command Under Emergency Decree

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21 January 2014, 18:52

Anti-government protesters on Silom Road, 21 January 2014

(21 January) Citing violent incidents in recent weeks, the government has imposed State of Emergency over Bangkok and neighbouring provinces.

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul announced this evening that the emergency decree will last for 60 days.

The areas affected by the decree are Bangkok, Nonthaburi province, and some districts in the provinces of Pathumthani and Samutprakarn.

The announcement came amid the increasingly violent political crisis, in which anti-government protesters have come under grenade attacks, drive-by shootings, and smaller bomb attacks almost on a daily basis.

The last time Bangkok was under State of Emergency was almost 4 years ago, when the administration of then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva invoked it to contain mass protests led by the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) in April 2010.

Mr. Surapong said the emergency decree will help the security forces to prevent such violence in the future, and assist the police in apprehending any perpetrators.

Under the State of Emergency, the government and security forces will be granted with sweeping powers to contain the ongoing protests, such as imposing curfews, censoring the media, making arrests or searches without court warrants, and banning any political gathering.

Unlike the Internal Security Act, which had been imposed in some districts of Bangkok during the protests, the State of Emergency decree does not allow members of the public to take any legal action against the security forces if they have been affected in any way by the state operations.

However, Mr. Surapong insisted that the military and the police deployed near protest sites will not be armed.

Following the declaration of the emergency decree, the government will also form the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) to exercise the emergency powers allowed under the decree.

The CMPO will be headed by Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, Chief of the Royal Thai Police, but its operational arms will be chaired by Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, officials said.

The decision of the government to appoint Mr. Chalerm in charge of the special administration is bound to raise the eyebrows of many observers, as Mr. Chalerm has been deeply despised by many anti-government protesters.

It would also be an official comeback moment for Mr. Chalerm, who lost his influential post as a Deputy Prime Minister last year due to, many analysts said, his tendency to make divisive remarks.

Corrections: A previous version of this article erroneously named Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul as the head of CMPO, whereas it should have read Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew. The mistake has been fixed.

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PCAD Protests Threaten Rare Fish Breeds

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21 January 2014, 18:51

(21 January) Hundreds of rare fish are at risk of oxygen starvation after anti-government protests cut the electric supply to the headquarters of the Fishery Department.

Supporters of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) marched to the Department and severed both water and electric supply to the buildings, in order to force the officials there to abandon their works.

PCAD has vowed a disruptive campaign against state agencies until Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra resigns.

But Mr. Niwat Sutheemeechaikul, Director of the Fishery Department, complained that more than 100 species of rare fish stored in the Department′s museum and research facilities are already suffering from the power cut imposed by PCAD.

The fish – both Thai and foreign – started to display signs of oxygen deprivation, such as swimming into the glass wall and moving slowly, according to Mr. Niwat.

The laboratory is also left with skeleton staff, as many officials have been forced to leave the facilities and work elsewhere by the protesters who showed up at the Department almost everyday, Mr. Niwat said.

Only a few security guards are currently stationed at the facilities to refuel the backup oxygen generator attached to fish storage, according to Mr. Niwat. He said the guards are forced to work in darkness as there is not enough fuel in the emergency generator to power the lights.

If the situation continues, Mr. Nitwat warned, all the fish would eventually die, which would be a great loss for the nation′s scientific pursuit.

He said his staff have tried negotiating with the protesters, but they have steadfastly refused to restore the power to the Department.

"We have to let it be," Mr. Niwat told our correspondent, "Since we can′t negotiate with the protesters, I don′t know what else we can do".

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