Redshirt Activist Denies Links To Violence

By

-

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.

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

EC Official: Emergency Decree Won't Affect Election

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

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

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

By

Khaosod English

-

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".

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 To Invite Press Editors For 'Discussion'

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

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

Red Leader In Stable Condition After Drive-By Shooting

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

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

Emergency Decree Ignored, Police HQ Sign Vandalised

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

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 Assigned Command Under Emergency Decree

By

Khaosod English

-

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.

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

PCAD Protests Threaten Rare Fish Breeds

By

Khaosod English

-

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".

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

PCAD Monk Activist Accused Of Insurrection

By

Khaosod English

-

21 January 2014, 16:26

(21 January) A Buddhist group has filed legal complaint against a prominent anti-government leader who is also a Buddhist monk.

Mr. Chaithanapol Srichiwangsa and Mr. Sathien Vipromma, representatives of ′Buddhist Association′, met with Pol.Col. Prasopchoke Prommul today to file their complaint against Luang Phu Buddha Issara, a core leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Luang Phu Buddha Issara has been a de facto leader of PCAD supporters at the rally site near Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, and he has led numerous demonstrations wearing monk outfit.

These activities, Mr. Chaithanapol and Mr. Sathien argued, amount to acts of insurrection criminalised under Section 113 of the Thai Criminal Codes and a clear violation of Sangha Acts, which forbid monks from associating themselves with politics.

The pair also accused Luang Bhu Buddha Issara of insulting the newly-installed acting Supreme Patriarch, and of disrespecting the Sangha hierarchy.

"Luang Phu Buddha Issara has joined the rally with PCAD and has acted as one of their leaders," Mr. Chaithanapol told police, "He led the mass to shutdown many state agencies around Chaeng Wattana Road. He has caused great troubles to the public".

Apart from filing legal charges today, Mr. Chaithanapol said, his group will meet with a prelate in Nakhon Pathom province and urge him to seek disciplinary action against the activist monk.

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 Mulling State Of Emergency Declaration

By

Khaosod English

-

21 January 2014, 14:46

Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban receives donations from supporter on Silom Road, 21 January 2014

(21 January) The Thai government is reportedly considering whether to declare the State of Emergency following the increasingly violent political protests in Bangkok.

Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, Chief of the Royal Thai Police, said the Cabinet will study the possibility of the emergency decree today.

Much of the deliberation will involve predicting the possibility of further violence in the capital city, Pol.Gen. Adul said.

His comment came a few days after a grenade was thrown at supporters of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) at their rally site around Victory Monument on Sunday, injuring 28 people.

Last week another grenade attack on PCAD demonstrators also killed one protester and wounded dozens.

Emergency decree will grant the authorities a sweeping power to contain the protests, such as imposing curfews, censoring the media, and searching properties and individuals arbitrarily.

Governmental officials have previously stated that the government will not impose State of Emergency over Bangkok, and military chiefs have likewise opposed the idea.

Nevertheless, Pol.Gen. Adul said the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) has been attempting to ensure public security even without State of Emergency. He added that CAPO will also be involved in the decision concerning the emergency decree declaration.

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