Policeman Arrested For Bringing Gun, Drugs To Protests

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8 January 2014, 16:16

Anti-government protesters marching in western Bangkok, 7 January 2014

(8 January) A policeman has been arrested after he attempted to carry a handgun and crystal meth into anti-government protests at Ratchadamnoen Avenue last night.

The police officer, identified as Pol.Sgt. Pattara Petch-arwuth, was stopped and searched by protest guards at the entrance to the protest site near Kok Wua intersection at around 23.30 last night, said Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul Narongsak, deputy commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police.

According to Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul, the protest guards found a 9 mm. handgun, 10 bullets, and one small packet of crystal meth on the policeman. The protesters then reportedly escorted Pol.Sgt. Pattara to a nearby police station, where he was officially arrested.

Pol.Sgt. Pattara has been charged with possession of narcotics, bringing firearm and ammunition into residential area without reasonable cause, and violating the Internal Security Act.

It is not immediately clear whether Pol.Sgt. Pattara was wearing his uniform or operating a police duty when he entered the protest site, but Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul suggested that the policeman belongs to Public Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul also told reporters that the police are discussing possible plans to contain the major demonstrations planned by the protesters on 13 January, in which the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has vowed to "shutdown" Bangkok.

The public should not join the demonstrations or rallies organised by PCAD, since third-hand individuals could infiltrate the protests and cause violent situations or persuade the protesters to commit illegal acts, Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul warned.

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Suthep Given Deadline For 2010 Crackdown Trial

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8 January 2014, 14:49

Soldiers firing their weapons at Redshirts protesters in Bangkok, 14 May 2010

(8 January) The Office of Attorney General has given a deadline for PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban to meet with the prosecutors and proceed with his murder charges, according to the court spokesman.

The leader of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has been charged with murders alongside former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva following court inquests which indicated that the military operation both men had authorised against Redshirts protests in 2010 have caused deaths to unarmed civilians.

More than 90 people died in the 2010 unrest. Although the military and the government at the time denied causing deaths to any civilians, numerous court inquests have contradicted their claims.

While Mr. Abhisit met with the public prosecutors on 12 December last year as instructed by the court, Mr. Suthep has postponed the meeting via his lawyer, citing busy schedule. The court approved the postponement and instructed Mr. Suthep to attend the court in early January.

However, Mr. Suthep′s lawyer has requested another postponement today, said spokesman of the Office of Attorney General, Mr. Nantasak Poolsuk, who also serves as chief of the Department of Special Litigation.

According to Mr. Nantasak, the PCAD leader claimed he needed to closely oversee the protests scheduled on 7-13 January. Mr. Suthep also stated that if he was not present at the protests and take care of the demonstrations by himself, his numerous supporters might be harmed by ill-intentioned assailants, Mr. Nantasak said.

Mr. Suthep has requested that he meet with public prosecutors on 6 February, and the court has subsequently approved his request, said the Department of Special Litigation chief.

"We decide that Mr. Suthep has no intention to delay the process," Mr. Nantasak said.

However, he said, the court has made clear to Mr. Suthep that it is imperative he shows up for the meeting as instructed on 6 February, since the court case cannot be delayed any further.

"The prosecutors have prepared over 100 witnesses to testify to the court, and many more document evidences," Mr. Nantasak told reporters.

He added that if Mr. Suthep entered the court procedures after the witness examination stage had already started, the court would be required to start the whole phase all over again so that Mr. Suthep, as a defendant, would be able to cross-examine the witnesses.

"It would make the process repetitive and very delayed," Mr. Nantasak said.

Mr. Nantasak also warned that an arrest warrant on Mr. Suthep would be approved if he fails to meet with public prosecutors on 6 February.

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Police Insist Non-Lethal Weapons Used Against PCAD

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8 January 2014, 13:35

A police officer firing tear gas in a demonstration for reporters, 7 January 2014

(8 January) Thai police once again insist that they had not employed any lethal weapons against PCAD protesters at the clash at Thai-Japan Stadium on 26 December 2013.

One policeman and one anti-government protester were shot dead, and scores of others injured, following the clashes, in which People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State attempt to storm the election registration venue held inside the Stadium.

There are reports of numerous gunshot injuries on both sides, and PCAD has accused the police of using live ammunition on the protesters, but the police have repeatedly rejected this accusation.

Pol.Lt.Col. Sarayuth Aroonchai, Chief of the Crowd Control Police, led members of the press to tour the police headquarters yesterday and demonstrated police weaponry reportedly used in the 26 December clashes.

The tour was meant to show how police had handled the protesters on that day, Pol.Lt. Col. Sarayuth said.

Police officers confront the the demonstrators by wearing protection suit, he said, adding that only two officers per police unit are responsible for the firing of tear gas and rubber bullets.

The use of rubber bullets was aimed to warn the protesters not to approach the police defence position, Pol.Lt.Col. Sarayuth told reporters. Furthermore, police did not aim these weapons directly at the bodies of the protesters, and they were fired only in open environment, according to Pol.Lt.Col. Sarayuth.

He also told reporters that tear gas used by police can be divided into two types; one for shooting, with approximately 50-150 metres range, and the other for throwing, with a range of no more than 25 metres, which operates in both smoke and powder forms.

Meanwhile, the liquid tear gas the police sprayed on the protesters contains food-dyeing colour substance, which is harmless to humans, according to Pol.Lt.Col. Sarayuth.

The riot police chief stressed that tear gas launchers cannot be loaded with M79 grenades as claimed by some protesters, since the calibre size of both weapons are different.

Reporters were later invited to observe the demonstration of tear gas and rubber bullet firing.

Additionally, Pol.Lt.Col. Sarayuth reiterated that black-uniformed individuals seen on top of the Ministry of Labour building during the 26 December clashes indeed belong to the Crowd Control Police. "All ten of them were instructed to detach their insignia, which makes them look like ?black-shirt? men," Pol.Lt.Col. Sarayuth said.

PCAD has accused the police of employing the shadowy ?black-shirt? militants to attack the protesters. Pol.Lt.Col. Sarayuth denied the allegation, and insisted that police officers stationed above the Ministry of Labour possessed no lethal weaponry.

Pol.Col. Kamtorn Uicharoen, chief of EOD unit, also told reporters that EOD police have combed the area around Thai-Japan Stadium after the clashes were resolved, and found many home-made explosive devices, such as large firecrackers, slingshots, ping-pong bombs, and booby traps filled with nails.

"These weapons can cause fatal harm," Pol.Col. Kamthorn said.

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Heckler Tells Abhisit To 'Respect My Vote'

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7 January 2014, 18:33

(7 January) Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been heckled today by a man who told the former leader to respect his rights to vote.

Mr. Abhisit was delivering a speech at a press conference titled "Eradicate Corruption, Committed In Reforms" organised by the Democrat Party at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) this afternoon when an unidentified man stood up in the audience and blew his whistle.

The audience mistook him as a supporter of Mr. Abhisit, since whistle-blowing has been a trademark of the anti-government protesters, and no one restrained him until he held up a sign which reads – in English – "Respect My Vote!".

The heckler then shouted at Mr. Abhisit, "If you cannot even reform yourself, how can you reform the country?". Mr. Abhisit was visibly surprised by the incident, but the former leader tried to manage the confrontation by thanking the man for his remarks.

However, the heckler went on to shout, "When you were the government, why didn?t you do it? Stop the discourse about anti-corruption. You have intimidated other people, so can they not intimidate you as well?".

"This is an example of reasons why we need reforms," Mr. Abhisit told the audience, "This is the form of Democrat Party′s rivals", to which the heckler shot back, "I am not your rival, I am the people!".

Security guards later surrounded the man and led him out of the room. After the heckler has been removed, Mr. Abhisit told the crowd that such harassment is a reason why the upcoming election on 2 February 2014 would not be a fair one.

The former leader then continued with his keynote speech.

Prominent Democrat members such as Mr. Jurin Laksanavisit and Ms. Kalaya Sophonpanich were also present at the event.

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Thai Celeb's Lucky Name Change Goes Viral

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7 January 2014, 18:20

(7 January) Following a name change intended to improve her fortune, famous actress Pim-Aksiphon Wintarakomintra is now known as Khakkingrak Khikkhiksaranang.

It is the third name change for the Channel 3 star; she was born Kwankhinee Winkomintra and identified herself as such until she started her acting career, when she decided to change it to augment her fortune.

Ms. Khakkingrak also cited divine intervention as a reason for her latest name change.

Nevertheless, her choice of name drew an amused reaction from much of the Thai public and went viral on the Internet almost overnight, with many Thai netizens attempting to pronounce the name and consulting their dictionaries for the meaning behind Ms. Khakkingrak′s full name.

Many also point out that a part of her surname, ?Khikkhik?, sounds like giggling in Thai.

Ms. Khakkingrak, who is known to her fans by her nickname ?Meiji?, stated on Channel 3′s morning news program today that despite the difficult spelling and pronunciation it brings, her new name is in fact very beneficial to her luck.

“It is my personal belief” said Ms. Khakkingrak, “A friend of mine suggested I should go with a new name that can be calculated as 99," according to a numerological principle.

She added that her new name means “moderate practice.”

Name change is a common practice for many Thais who hope to avoid bad luck or evil spirits.

Ms. Khakkingrak is far from being the first celebrity whose name change caught the attention of the media. A beauty-contestant-turned-actress, Ms. Noo-Im-Im Kaomahassajarn, is also known for her obsession with lucky names and numerology.

Born with the name “Achita Sikkhamana”, she later changed her last name to ‘Woothinantasurasit’, and then to ‘Thanasastananta’.

She then told the press that Thanasastananta brought her ill luck, which convinced her to change her name to the current one and have her mother follow suit with the same family name.

Because luck runs in the family, Ms. Noo-Im-Im said.

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Pongsak: Bkk Shutdown Won't Cause Fuel Shortage

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7 January 2014, 15:35

Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban greeting supporters during a 'warm-up' march before the planned "shutdown" of Bangkok, 7 January 2014

(7 January) Minister of Energy has assured the public that "shutdown" of Bangkok planned by anti-government protesters won't cause fuel shortage in the capital city.

The People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has vowed to occupy a number of major intersections in Bangkok on 13 January as the bid to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra into resignation.

There are fears that vital public utility services could be disrupted on that day, but Minister of Energy Pongsak Ruktapongpisal has downplayed those concerns.

He insisted that many petrol stations are equipped with security system, which would allow them to operate despite disruptions caused by PCAD protests.

Only 73 petrol and gas stations in Bangkok’s inner area are at risks of fuel shortage due to transport difficulty during the shutdown, Mr. Pongsak said.

Likewise, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) will not allow the protesters to cut the electric supply during their marches, as it has acknowledged that power supply is regarded as ‘national security’, said Mr. Pongsak.

Nevertheless, Mr. Pongsak also emphasised that the demonstrator who managed to cut off power supply will be prosecuted by law, such as those who disrupted power supply at PTT Energy Complex in November 2013.

According to the Energy Minister, PTT is gathering evidence and will proceed its legal action against those individuals as soon as the ongoing protest is resolved.

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Redshirts Meet To Discuss Anti-Coup Campaign

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7 January 2014, 14:10

(7 January) Hundreds of local Redshirts leaders across the nation have attended a conference in Nakhon Ratchasima province to discuss campaigns against a possible military coup.

The conference was held at Liptapallop Hall inside HM King′s 80th Birthday Anniversary stadium. Over 5,000 coordinators and activists under the leadership of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered at the venue this morning to hear speeches by UDD chairwoman Thida Thawornseth.

Other prominent UDD leaders such as Mr. Nattawut Saikua were also present at the conference. The meeting was broadcast live on Asia Update, a Redshirts-allied satellite channel.

Ms. Thida told the coordinators that the Redshirts must be on alert for any potential military coup against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She also raised suspicion over the Royal Thai Army′s moving of tanks and other military equipment into Bangkok this week for the occasion of Children′s Day.

Although the army has insisted the weaponry will be in Bangkok only for a public display on Children′s Day, which falls on 11 Saturday this year, Ms. Thida criticised the move, citing the already-fragile political turmoil in Bangkok.

"The army should not move armament into Bangkok in this situation," Ms. Thida said.

The conference also exchanged opinions concerning the UDD′s further campaign against the planned "shutdown" of Bangkok called by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) on 13 January 2014.

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Ex-Pilot Accuses DSI Chief Of Lese Majeste

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7 January 2014, 13:23

(7 January) A former Thai Airways pilot has accused chief of the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) of disrespecting the monarchy.

Squadron Leader Thanit Promsatit and his fellow 10 protesters rallied in front of the DSI headquarters yesterday, calling for DSI Chief Tharit Pengdit to resign from his position for mistakenly identifying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as ?the head of state? of Thailand; the title in fact belongs to His Majesty the King.

Mr. Tharit made the remark on 14 August 2013. The phrase eventually became a controversy and raised ire of anti-government critics, who are mostly royalists.

Sqn.Ldr. Thanit stated that Mr. Tharit, as a law graduate, should not have made the mistake.

His group also claimed that they had been refused by the DSI and Mr. Kittipong Kittayarak, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, to process legal prosecution against Mr. Tharit. DSI officials said Sqn.Ldr. Thanit′s complaint is beyond the jurisdiction of the DSI.

The group now demands accountability from DSI Chief, and demands the Ministry of Justice to prosecute Mr. Tharit, Sqn.Ldr. Thanit said.

They disbanded after 2 hours of protests.

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Drunken Wife Stabs Husband Dead, Police Say

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6 January 2014, 18:57

(6 January) Nong Prue Police is investigating a murder in an unnamed apartment in Bang-Lamung district, Chonburi province, after a man was reportedly stabbed to death by his own wife.

Mr. Sawad Jaiprasit, 56, a resident from Lamphun province, was found dead in the two-story building. His neighbour told police that prior to his death he had engaged in a heated argument with his wife, Ms. Wilai Thipsena, 54.

Police say they found traces of fighting in the apartment, and Ms. Wilai was apparently in a drunken state when the police questioned her.

Ms. Wilai told the police that she was refused by Mr. Sawad when she asked him to cook her some food. Under the influence of alcohol, she sarcastically shut the refridgerator’s door loudly, Ms. Walai said.

Her attempt appeared to have enraged Mr. Sawad, according to Ms. Wilai, he then approached her with a cooking knife. Ms. Wilai said she felt threatened and so grabbed a pair of scissors to stab Mr. Sawad into his collarbone.

Police said the wound found on Mr. Sawad’s body had cut through his vein, causing him to died shortly afterwards.

A neighbour, Mr. Anuchit Thongklab, 30, said that Mr. Sawad is a hardworking, "introvert" person who works as a bus driver for a hotel in Pattaya. However, he said Ms. Wilai appears to always be drunk, and always pick fights with Mr. Sawad.

He also told police that many people in the neighbourhood called Ms. Wilai as "Lamyong No. 2", after a famous TV character from Channel 3 soap opera ‘Thong Nuea Khao’. In the show, Lamyong often becomes aggressive when she is drunk, and eventually dies of Syphilis.

Ms. Wilai will be prosecuted with murder charge, police said.

Mr. Sawad’s body has been taken to Bang Lamung Hospital for further examination.

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Thai FDA Warns Of Hazardous Whitening Products

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6 January 2014, 17:05

(6 January) The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned teenagers that unauthorised skin whitening cream sold on the Internet can cause harms to their bodies.

Those effects include skin rash and stretch marks on the skin, according to statement issued by the FDA, which is known to the Thais as Or-Yor.

Whitening products are hugely popular in Thailand, where many hold perception that those with light or ?white? skin are superior to those with tanned or darker skin.

While premium whitening products line the shelves on Thai shopping malls and supermarkets, many teenagers born with natural tanned skin also seek cheaper products and often choose to buy unauthorised cream sold on the Internet and other underground markets, said Mr. Prapong Ang-Trakul, Deputy Secretary-General of the FDA.

But these cheaper products come with bodily harm, said Mr. Prapong, citing an example of new whitening cream currently sold in Petchaburi province which reportedly causes skin damages as a side effect.

These illicit cream products can be found in flea markets, salons, and the Internet, Mr. Prapong said. He added that side effects may start to appear up to 6 months to two years after the customers first applied the creams to their bodies on a daily basis.

Ms. Jaruwan Limsajjakul, Director of Samut Songkhram Provincial Department of Medical Science, said that the department had been studying 11 samples of the whitening cream sold in Petchaburi province, and had discovered a shocking result.

Reportedly, the study reveals that all of the 11 samples contain a dangerously high amount of 9.0 – 449.8 mg/kg of Clobetasol Propionate, which is a type of restricted Steroid substance banned in cosmetics use as it makes the skin to become thinner and cause stretchmarks on the users? bodies.

Clobetasol Propionate is only allowed for treatment of Psoriasis, said Ms. Jaruwan,

The creams also reportedly contains Ketoconazole substances and some also has Methyparaven and Propylparaben, as their main ingredients.

The creams are sometimes sold in kilograms with unauthorised label, bearing Chinese text stating that the cream is for external use, said Ms. Jaruwan, which indicated that the creams are imported from China via border trades.

Many of the cream containers are labelled as "Over the Counter" drug, which means it can be sold without prescription in China, but the substances are restricted under Thai laws and must be prescribed by medical personnel, Ms. Jaruwan said.

Responding to the studies, the Department of Medical Science, in cooperation with Customers Protection Department, has warned citizens in 8 western region provinces – Petchaburi, Samut Songkram, Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Pathom, and Suphanburi – about the dangerous cosmetics.

Traders who wish to sell whitening products should ask for permission and inspection of their goods from the FDA first, Ms. Jaruwan told our correspondent, while customers who wish to ascertain the safety of whitening creams they are using should visit www.fda.moph.go.th or consult Or-Yor Smart application.

Moreover, an updated list of restricted substances is also covered in the 7th Announcement of the Ministry of Public Health, which will come into force on 15 March 2014.

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