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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Yingluck Opens Suvarnabhumi's Premium OTOP Store

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6 January 2014, 14:58

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra taking pictures with a group of police officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, 6 January 2014

(6 January) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has presided over the opening ceremony of OTOP store at Suvarnabhumi Airport and visited police officers stationed at the airport.

OTOP, One Tambon One Product, is a key policy implemented in 2001 under the administration of her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, in which each local Tambon (subdistrict) across the country would develop its own unique products and sell them to the market with support from the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Yingluck said the OTOP project has created jobs and strengthened economy on the local level across the country. Over 240,000 families benefited from the project, Ms. Yingluck said, generating sales worth more than 86 billion baht in 2013 alone.

The government has provided OTOP-affiliated communities with capital and helped them find venues to sell their products, as well as rebranding the goods for exports to foreign countries, according to Ms. Yingluck.

"Establishing OTOP shop in Suvarnabhumi will create new channel for selling the products, because many foreign tourists visit the airport. It is an opportunity for OTOP products to display their quality to the world," Ms. Yingluck told reporters.

Officials said the particular OTOP store at the airport would be a "premium" one, selling high-end and tax-free items produced by local Thai communities.

Mr. Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, the Minister of Commerce, said he expects additional OTOP stores will be opened in other airports if the model store at Suvarnabhumi proves successful.

After the opening ceremony, Ms. Yingluck visited hundreds of police officers and soldiers stationed at the airport to maintain public order amid the ongoing protests against the government.

12 police companies and 2 army companies are guarding Suvarnabhumi Airport from the anti-government protesters; there are fears the protesters might storm the airport to escalate their campaign against the government.

Police officers welcomed Ms. Yingluck with loud cheers and applause, with some shouting "Yingluck, fight, fight!". The Prime Minister also took pictures and chatting with many officers.

The soldiers? reception of Ms. Yingluck was much more subdued. Many of them clapped their hands briefly only when police loudspeakers urged them to do so.

Ms. Yingluck later addressed the security forces, wishing them a happy new year and praising them for their performance of duty. She thanked the police and the troops for taking care of Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is visited by many foreign tourists per day.

"It′s a tough duty, and I have to express my thanks," Ms. Yingluck said," You have sacrificed your time, your mental strength, and physical strength, to maintain safety for both Thais and tourists".

She added, "Please be patient. Normalcy will return to Thailand soon".

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Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

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6 January 2014, 13:13

Boys playing with a tank on Children's Day, 16 January 2012.

(6 January) The Royal Thai Army has instructed the public not to panic if they happen to see tanks rolling in Bangkok this Friday.

The army is due to move tanks, armoured vehicles, and other heavy equipment on 9 January, said Deputy Spokeswoman of the Royal Thai Army, Maj. Sirichan Ngathong. The weaponry will be exhibited to the public on the occasion of Children′s Day, which falls on 11 January this year, she said.

The Thai Children′s Day is celebrated on second Saturday of the year. One of its highlights is the display of military hardware, in which children are invited to ride on tanks or jet fighters.

According to Maj. Sirichan, venues of the military exhibition in Bangkok would be the 2nd Cavalry Division, King′s Guards, in Sanam Pao district, and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in Laksi district.

Helicopters will be transported from Lopburi province to Bangkok during the hours of 11.00-12.00 on 9 January, while land vehicles such as tanks, artillery pieces, Humvees, and armoured vehicles would be transported from Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Prachinburi, and certain army barracks in Bangkok from 19.00-22.00, said Maj. Sirichan

The convoys will travel along Petchakasem Road, Pin Klao-Nakhon Chaisri Road, Vibhavadi-Rang Sit Road, Paholyothin Road, and Chaeng Wattana Road, the army spokeswoman said, adding that the equipment will be similarly transported back to the barracks after the Children′s Day is over.

Maj. Sirichan said the public should not mistake such maneuver as a military coup.

Rumours of a possible coup are once again spreading in Thailand due to ongoing political turmoil, especially after Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, refused to completely dismiss reports that the army might stage a coup in the future.

"The military does not shut or open the door to a coup, but a decision depends on the situation," Gen. Prayuth is quoted as saying on 28 December last year.

Correction: Due to an error, the original version of this article identified Children′s Day this year as 10 January. It should have read 11 January. The mistake has now been fixed.

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