'Gambler' Found Dead Near Thai-Cambodia Border

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5 January 2014, 19:35

(5 January) The body of a suspected Thai gambler has been found in a creek near Thai-Cambodia border in Sa Kaeo province.

The body was later identified as Mr. Sitthichai Lueangchoo-kiat, a 67-year-old resident of Phra Khanong District, Bangkok.

Post mortem investigation revealed that Mr. Sitthichai had been brutally beaten before his death, police said. Immigration Police in the province said there is no record that Mr. Sitthichai has crossed into Cambodia.

Pol.Lt.Col. Gosala Ngamphong said Mr. Sitthichai might have illegally entered Cambodia to gamble, as the area is known to be a secret passageway for Thai gamblers headed for Cambodian gambling den.

The officer suspected that he was later assaulted and killed by individuals at the casino, who later dumped the body into the creek.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Pattaya Bar Musician 'Rapes' Swedish Woman

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5 January 2014, 19:06

(5 January) A Swedish woman told police she had been raped by a bar musician in Pattaya.

The woman was accompanied by her father, who told police that she came home in a delirious state earlier today. When he tried to communicate with her, he said, his daughter said she had been raped by a family friend, identified simply as Mr. Shin, 44.

According to the woman, she was hanging out with her Swedish friends on Pattaya Walking Street last night until 04.00. When she intended to go home, the woman said, she called Mr. Shin who works as a musician in a bar to take her home.

She stated that she fell asleep while commuting on his motorcycle, and woke up the next day in an apartment room with Mr. Shin. She is not sure whether the place belongs to Mr. Shin, the woman added.

The victim claimed she could not remember anything had happened during the night, but after Mr. Shin dropped her at her house, he allegedly informed her via a text message that he had sexual intercourse with her and apologised for his action.

Mr. Shin also revealed that he had romantic affection for her, the woman said, but she found it unacceptable because she regarded Mr. Shin as a family member. She later informed her father and filed complaint with Pattaya Police.

The police said they would further investigate the incident and locate Mr. Shin.

Physical examination will be performed on the victim to search for the trace of the sexual engagement, and to determine whether she had been subject to any kind of ?date-rape? drugs, the police said.

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Pheu Thai Pledges Court Fights For Election Rights

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5 January 2014, 15:11

Pheu Thai Party rally in Khon Kaen province, 4 January 2014

(5 January) Pheu Thai Party has announced it will seek legal actions to ensure that its candidates in southern provinces can register for the upcoming general election.

Anti-government protesters allied with the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) have besieged election registration venues in 8 southern provinces the bid to derail the general election on 2 February 2014.

But Mr. Pichit Chuenban, Pheu Thai MP candidate and legal adviser to the party, said today that the legal team will file lawsuits to the Administrative Court, asking the judges to ensure the rights of Pheu Thai′s 29 candidates in 8 southern provinces to register for the election.

He believes the court would rule in his favour since Pheu Thai Party has been following the election laws in every manner.

The government has even proposed to the Election Commission (EC) that new registration venues be established to avoid the protesters? siege, but the EC has somehow turned down that offer, Mr. Pichit said.

"The EC refuses to exercise its power according to the constitutional laws related to the election," Mr. Pichit told our correspondent, "It deliberately neglects [its duty] and cancels the registration. Such actions do not adequately protect the rights of the candidates".

Mr. Pichit also vowed to file further legal cases to every other court if the Administrative Court dismissed his lawsuit. "We will use every legal channel to fight for the rights of Pheu Thai Party and our candidates," he said.

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Man Kills Motorcyclist Who 'Threw Beer Bottle' At Him

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5 January 2014, 14:39

(5 January) An ice delivery man hit a motorcyclist to death after the deceased threw a beer bottle at his delivery truck.

Police in Khon Kaen province received emergency calls about the incident yesterday morning. At the scene they found the body of Mr. Somchai Singha, 20, and a severely-injured 16 year old boy next to a wrecked motorcycle.

Nearby, Mr. Somsak Makmoontri, 21, waited for the police near his pick-up truck and identified himself as the driver who hit both motorcyclists.

According to Mr. Somsak, he was delivering the ice near Khon Kaen City Pillar Shrine in the night when suddenly Mr. Somchai and his friends on one other motorcycle approached his truck, and threw a beer bottle at his car, causing minor damage.

Mr. Somchai′s group then reportedly tried to drive away, but Mr. Somsak tailed the group onto 5 November Road. Suddenly, a vehicle appeared in front of the motorcycles, Mr. Somsak said, causing the motorcyclists to abruptly stop. Mr. Somsak allegedly failed to stop his car and crashed into the motorcycle drove by Mr. Somchai, killing him and injuring his friend.

The police granted Mr. Somsak′s release on bail, citing his willingness to cooperate in the investigation. However, the police stress they will further investigate the crime.

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PCAD Threatens Krabi Airport Seizure

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5 January 2014, 13:55

Anti-government protesters at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, 4 January 2014

(5 January) Anti-government protesters in Krabi province has threatened to shut down the provincial airport if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra refuses to resign.

Mr. Detchart Damdee, leader of the local chapter of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), said in a press conference at Krabi′s Mueang district today that his supporters are ready to campaign in the province to coincide with PCAD′s "shutdown" of Bangkok on 13 January.

PCAD has vowed to occupy 20 major intersections in the capital city on that day to cause massive gridlock, out of hope that the move will pressure Ms. Yingluck into resigning from her caretaker position and scrapping the general election on 2 February 2014.

Mr. Detchart said some protesters in Krabi would travel to Bangkok to help "shutdown" the city on 13 January, but others would stay in the province to "escalate" the measure against Ms. Yingluck′s government.

Such measures include shutting down of roads, highways, or even airport, according to Mr. Detchart, adding that the shutdown would only be temporary in order to ease the impact on commuters and tourists.

Krabi′s beaches and seas are popular destination for many foreign tourists.

"We will discuss the matter the central leadership. If Mr. Suthep orders Krabi Airport to be seized, our will immediately do so," said Mr. Dechart, referring to PCAD leader, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban.

He justified the possible seizure of these public transports by claiming that the election cannot go ahead as called by Ms. Yingluck because Thailand needs a drastic "reform" before any election can take place; PCAD leaders have demanded that an unelected "People′s Council" be established to implement "reforms" deemed necessary by the group.

"PCAD in Krabi insists that the caretaker Prime Minister and the Cabinet must resign to pave way for the political vacuum," and allow the "People′s Council" to take power instead, Mr. Detchart said.

In 2008 groups affiliated to the current anti-government protest leadership seized Bangkok′s two international airports for days as a part of their campaign against the government at the time.

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Man Accused Of Abusing Shelter Home Boys

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4 January 2014, 18:45

(4 November) Chiang Mai Police have arrested Mr. Nattaphonphot Kantabuppha, 49, after Chiang Mai court granted his arrest warrant on the accusation of child sexual abuse.

Mr. Nattaphonphot, from Mueang district, Chiang Mai province, was accused of raping two underage youths who were under the supervision of a local welfare centre.

According to the victims, they had met Mr. Nattaphonphot while they were hanging out near Tueng Thao Creek in Mae Rim district on 27 December.

Mr. Nattaphonphot then allegedly tricked the boys to engage in sexual intercourse with him before fleeing the scene.

After they informed the Welfare House officials, the boys filed complaints to the police.

The accused reportedly denied all allegations. Nonetheless, police said he will be prosecuted further by Mae Rim police.

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Northern Fog Forces Flights To Delay

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4 January 2014, 17:39

(4 January) Many flights bound for northern Thailand have suffered delays after swaths of thick fog have engulfed much of the northern provinces.

Many flights reportedly had been delayed due to lack of visibility, after thick fog covers Northern provinces’ airports.

Flights travelling to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai yesterday were particularly affected during the hours between 07.00-09.00 due to poor visibility caused by the fog, said Ms. Raweewan Netarakavesana, Director of Suvarnnabhumi Airport.

Responding to the delays, Bangkok′s two international airports are closely monitoring the situation and arranging extra-procedures to facilitate the passengers, Ms. Raweewan added.

Air Asia, also affected by the cooling weather, stated that four of their flights in and out of Chiang Mai airport departed 2 hours late yesterday.

Mr. Jaturongkaphon Sodmanee, Director of Don Mueang International Airport, said the lack of visibility in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai airports had been the major factor for the delay. However, the problem is not severe, as it only occurred in the morning, he said.

An AirAsia flight from Malaysia had been facing difficulty to land in Chiang Mai airport. Hence it requested an mergency landing and landed at Don Mueang airport safely, said Mr. Jaturongkaphon.

Three Thai Airways’ Northern routes have also been delayed, including Chiang Rai-Bangkok, Chiang Mai-Bangkok, and one flight from Bangkok.

Meanwhile, 42 provinces had declared state of disaster after over 7 million people had been severely affected by the cold weather, said Mr. Chatchai Promlert, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPM).

Provincial authorities were instructed to relieve the affected citizens, and to distribute winter equipment such as warm clothes and blankets. So far, the DPM had handed out 203,779 blankets, 83,500 warm clothes and 6,136 warm accessories to people in Thailand’s rural areas.

Good news is the temperature will rise 1-2 Celsius degree within these few days, said Mr. Methee Mahayotsanan, Director General of the Central Thai Meteorological Department (CTMD).

However, he warned that thick fog could still be seen in many areas this week, particularly in the hilly Northern provinces, namely Mae Hongson, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nann and Phrae.

Nevertheless, Mr. Methee believes this will not directly affect flight schedules, but warned that land commuters should be alert of the fog.

The authorities expected that Northern, Northeastern, Eastern and Central Region will be seeing warmer climate within these few days, perhaps as much as 12 Celsius degree warmer. Nevertheless, many provinces will still witness cool and foggy climate in the morning, said Mr. Chatchai

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Netizen Protesters Say Give Peace A Chance

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4 January 2014, 17:07

(4 January) Several hundred people have joined a rally in Bangkok's shopping district to voice their opposition to violent protests.

The rally has been organised by a Facebook Page titled "Enough! Stop the protests that provoke violence". The Page has previously called on those shocked and saddened by the violent protests which have been gripping Bangkok to join its rally in front of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) at 18.00 yesterday.

The Page billed the rally as a voice of dissent against provocative protest tactics adopted by the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), led by Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban. One police officer and one PCAD protester died during a clash in Bangkok last month.

Administrators of the Page also encouraged the public to voice their support for the general election on 2 February 2014, which the PCAD is seeking to derail out of conviction that Thailand is not yet ready for any election.

At the rally, participants wrote messages on Post-Its, expressing their wishes to see peace returned to Bangkok, and placed them around the outer walls of BACC. Some participants also took turn at the microphone to give speeches, attracting much attention from shoppers and tourists in the area.

The attendants later formed a large "Peace" sign, each of them carrying a lit candle. Then they took up the shout "Yes to election! No to Suthep's selection!" for several times, before dispersing from the scene peacefully, while some others formed into groups and discussed political situation.

Mr. Kittichai Ngarmchaipisit, organiser of the rally, said he came up with the idea of the rally after he saw photos of the wife of the policeman killed in the clash last month crying over his body, and later discovered that a protester also died in the same clash.

He explained that the rally yesterday was not exclusive to any particular political group, but a forum for those who disagree with protests that are designed to provoke violence, such as the case of the PCAD.

"No one is the leader here, and I haven't thought about scaling up the protest," said Mr. Kittichai, "I believe the attendants of the rally would develop the idea according to their own creativity".

Facebook Pages run by Mr. Kittichai and other affiliated groups also called on the Bangkokians to oppose the upcoming "shutdown" of the capital city planned by the PCAD.

"The community of Bangkok respects different ideas, but they must not violate the rights of other people, such as the [PCAD]'s demand that dissenting Bangkokians leave the city during the shutdown," reads the statement currently circulated on the social network.

The statement encourages Bangkokians who disagree with the shutdown to turn on the head lights of their vehicles during daytime or wear white shirts.

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Protesters Cleanses ‘Black Magic’ From Govt House

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4 January 2014, 16:41

BANGKOK — Anti-government protesters have conducted a ceremony purported to help cleanse evil spirits from the Government House today.

Members of the Student and Peoples Network for Thailand Reform (STR) set up an altar dedicated to angels, local ghosts, spirit of Bangkok city, and Phra Siam Devathirat near Gate 2 of the Government House at 11.00 today. The protesters later conducted a religious ceremony at the site.

Mr. Kittichai Saisa-ard, security chief of the STR, said the ceremony is meant to drive away evil spirits planted there by the blood-pouring protest organised by the Redshirts during their rally in March 2010.

In that protest, the Redshirts poured gallons of blood collected from hundreds of protesters onto the entrance to the Government House and headquarters of the Democrat Party.

Although leaders of the Redshirts said the gesture represented the blood of the people being spilled, the presence of a Brahman necromancer at the blood-pouring suggested that some sort of religious ceremony was also intended.

Mr. Kittichai of the STR said today′s ceremony should perfectly undo the curse laid by the Redshirts almost four years ago.

He also told reporters that he has received reports that the police are planning to crackdown on the protests and assault STR leaders. Mr. Kittichai warned that if the reports are true, more people would only join the protesters’ side.

“If the people lose patience, we won’t be able to control the situation,” Mr. Kittichai said.

Phayao Redshirts Preparing Anti-PCAD Rally

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4 January 2014, 16:14

Leaders of the UDD during press conference in Bangkok, 3 January 2014

(4 January) Redshirts in Phayao province say they will hold a rally on 13 January to oppose the anti-government protesters? plan to "shutdown" Bangkok on that day.

The People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has vowed to stage mass protests in 20 major intersections of the capital city on 13 January. The "shutdown" is meant to pressure Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra into resigning from her caretaker position.

PCAD has also demanded that the general election on 2 February be scrapped in favour of the formation of an unelected "People's Council" to implement series of "reforms" deemed desirable by the PCAD.

But the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has opposed the planned "shutdown" of Bangkok, and it has called on the Redshrits to stage a nationwide counter-protest to voice their opposition to PCAD.

The call has been taken by local chapter of the UDD in Phayao province, with demonstrations and rallies planned in the province on 13 January.

Mr. Siriwat Chupamadtha, coordinator of Phayao UDD, said the protests are meant to express the UDD′s rejection of the PCAD and "Suthep′s Regime", referring to PCAD leader, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban.

"We are against the shutdown. It is not something they should do, because it would cause severe economic damages to the country," Mr. Siriwat said, "And it would affect the way of lives of the public".

He stressed that the counter-protests in Phayao would be peaceful and the protesters would not march upon Bangkok, in order to avoid any confrontation with the PCAD.

Mr. Siriwat added that no election candidate of any party would be allowed to give speeches on the rally stages in the province.

"This is activity of the people," Mr. Siriwat said, "[Election] candidates should canvass for votes on their own".

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