Chiang Mai Police Bust Meth-Filled Cat Food

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2 January 2014, 18:03

(2 January) A woman has been arrested at Chiang Mai Airport after immigration police discovered crystal meth stuffed in her cat food cans and other food packages.

According to Pol.Lt.Col. Udom Suwannalekha, Deputy Director of Chiang Mai immigration office, his team has received reports that a number of narcotic substances would be transported from Macao to Thailand via Chiang Mai Airport. He then arranged an investigation team to search for the shipment of the illicit substances.

Police later x-rayed the luggage of Ms. Chutima Boonsam-ang, 23, who was flying home from Macao and noticed suspicious objects inside canned animal food and chocolate. A thorough search of the cans revealed 3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine stuffed inside the 8 cans.

Ms. Chutima has several records of travelling in and outside of the Kingdom, police said. According to her testimony, she has been helping her parents’ business in Malaysia, before travelling to Macao where a Chinese man gave her the cat foods and other items for the pets she kept at home in Chiang Mai.

She claimed she did not know about the methamphetamine inside the cans.

Police said Ms. Chutima has been charged with possessing narcotic substances for sale illegally.

Yesterday police at Suvarnabhumi Airport also uncovered 2.3 kilogram of crystal meth inside the luggage of a man who claimed to be a Vietnamese monk.

Mr. Paisan Chuenjit, Deputy Director-General of Custom Department, identified the man as Mr. Nguyen Van Thiet, 64, and said the police searched his belonging after realising that his features matched the reports they had received from teams of police undercover agents.

Underneath Mr. Nguyen′s luggage the police found 2.3 kg of crystal methamphetamine – worth approximately 8 million baht – covered in a blue carbon paper and a plastic bag.

Mr. Nguyen then testified that he is a monk travelling from China’s Sh?nzhèn province. As he was departing China with China Southern Airlines, a Vietnamese woman approached him to ask him to carry the item for her friend in Phuket, who will contact Mr. Nguyen by a phone call, he added.

There is no any evidence proving Mr. Nguyen′s identity as a monk, police insisted. Furthermore, he also traveled to Thailand on tourist visa and not a religious personnel visa, according to the custom officer.

Mr. Nguyen has been charged for possessing illicit substances and for bringing in the narcotic substance without permission. He will be prosecuted further by the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

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New Year Party Gunmen Arrested, Police Say

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2 January 2014, 17:02

(2 January) Police in Udon Thani province have arrested two young men accused of shooting a group of vocational students during their New Year parties.

The incident took place during the night of New Year Eve in Chiang Yuen district, where police received reports that 5 students had been injured in a shooting.

One of the wounded students, Mr. Nattachai Chanakul, 20, had been shot in his head and stomach. remains in critical condition, but the doctors said they had successfully removed the bullets. Four other students have suffered from less severe gunshot wounds.

The wounded students said they are currently enrolled at a vocational school in Udon Thani. On the night of the incident, they said, they and their friends were gathering at Mr. Nattachai′s house for the count down party when suddenly hail of bullets started to hit the roof of the house as midnight approaches.

The students told police that they later realised that another group of youths at a nearby house across the rice field were firing two rifles into the air for entertainment. When the students ran toward the youths and told them to stop discharging their firearms, they said, two of the youths simply opened fire at them.

Mr. Nattachai and four others were hit by the bullets and the rest of the students ran for their lives into the night, the students told police.

The police later arrested Mr. Wirayuth Tangmandee, 19, and a 16 year old man on suspicion of committing the crime. The police also uncovered the rifles used in the incident and a number of ammunition.

Mr. Wirayuth claimed he had been attacked once by the student group in the afternoon of New Year′s Eve, and the same group later gathered near his house and throwing stones at him as he fired his gun into the air. The suspect explained that he and his friend became enraged and opened fire at the students.

The name of Mr. Wirayuth′s friend cannot be undisclosed due to legal reason.

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Redshirts Vow Counter-Rally On 13 Jan

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2 January 2014, 15:28

(2 January) Leaders of the Redshirts movement have vowed to organise massive rallies to counter the attempt to ′shutdown Bangkok? by anti-government protesters.

"Since [some] people will shutdown Bangkok on 13 January, we will keep the country open on 13 January," said Mr. Jatupon Prompan, a leader of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

The move came after Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), announced his plan to "shutdown" the capital city on 13 January 2014 by holding mass rallies on major intersections and roads of Bangkok.

Mr. Suthep billed the plan as the means to pressure Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra into resigning and paving the way for the establishment of an unelected ?People′s Council?, which would then implement series of "reforms" deemed desirable by the PCAD leaders.

PCAD also demanded that the upcoming election on 2 February 2014 be postponed before the "reforms" are completed, but the government has insisted that the election must go ahead as planned.

The Redshirts, the major support base of the government, have been mostly silent throughout the prolonged campaign by anti-government protesters; their last major rally in Bangkok in November last year ended in bloodshed after three of their supporters and one anti-government protester were killed in street clashes near the rally site.

However, it appears that the Redshirts have lost patience.

"The PCAD′s shutdown of Bangkok amounts to taking Thailand and Thai people hostages. It would lead to division and a civil war," Mr. Jatupon, the UDD leader, said in a press conference today at Imperial Ladprao shopping mall.

Mr. Jatupon also accused the PCAD of attempting to create chaos which would persuade the military to intervene. He warned that should a military coup take place, it would be met with widespread resistance by the people.

He encouraged the Redshirts to "follow and listen to signal from the leaders, but let me stress that we will proceed everything with peaceful means".

Ms. Thida Thawornseth, chairwoman of the UDD, also condemned the "Bangkok shutdown" plan by PCAD as a "dictatorship of the minority" to disrupt the upcoming general election.

She called on the Election Commission (EC) to reflect on its alleged reluctance to facilitate the election registration. "I would like to inform EC that the entire country knows what EC is doing, what is EC′s stance, who is claiming to be neutral but committing actions that are clearly biased," Ms. Thida said.

"At this minute, we have reached an important point," Ms. Thida told reporters, "We are prepared".

Later in the day Mr. Pichit Tamool, coordinator of the UDD in Chiang Mai welcomed Mr. Jatupon′s call for a counter rally on 13 January. He said he would discuss with other UDD leaders in the 17 northern provinces – the stronghold of the Redshirts – about plans to stage rallies in Bangkok.

He estimated that "500,000" Redshirts in the northern region would arrive in Bangkok to join the mass protest organised by the UDD and campaign against "the PCAD and all forms of extrajudicial powers".

However, Mr. Pichit said the local activists of PCAD are free to organise their planned rally in Chiang Mai in solidarity with the PCAD protesters in Bangkok on 13 January, but expressed his wish that the PCAD protesters in the northern province would refrain from occupying roads or storming governmental buildings.

"Don?t cause troubles to the people, otherwise the waves of the mass will surely go out and counter them," Mr. Pichit said.

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Former PM Chuan's Residence Attacked By Gunfire

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2 January 2014, 14:54

(2 January) An unidentified gunman has sprayed bullets on the residence of the senior adviser of Democrat Party in Trang province last night.

Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai was sleeping at the rear side of the residence compound while his brother, Kij Leekpai, was sleeping at the front house and was only 15 metre away when the gunman opened fire, according to Mr. Kij.

The attack occurred at approximately midnight, Mr. Kij said. Residents in the area later collected 9 bullet cases of 9 mm handgun around Mr. Chuan′s residence.

Trang police said the investigating the case and have expressed their belief that the suspect is a lone gunman who intended to escalate the ongoing confrontation between the government and anti-government protests.

No injury has been reported.

Previously, unidentified assailants also sprayed their bullets into the residence of Mr. Satit Wongnong-toei, a former Trang representative for Democrat Party and currently a co-leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), on 26 December 2013.

Mr. Chuan did not display any sign of distress when he emerged from his residence later this morning. He later traveled to Trang Airport where he would leave for Bangkok.

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30 Buddha Figures Stolen From Historic Temple

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2 January 2014, 14:21

(2 January) More than 30 Buddha figures have been stolen from a historic temple in Ang Thong province.

The incident took place at Sunthraram Temple in Viset Chaicharn district. The Buddha figures were stored in a room on second floor of the temple′s office building. The door of the room has been pried open, and the suspects also stole a bronze statue of a famous monk which was placed just outside the room, police said.

Mr. Surapol Thongpetch, a committee member of the temple administration, said the Buddha storage room has been off limit to the public for a long time, and he only found out about the theft yesterday morning when a couple of temple-goers has asked the abbot for their permission to visit the storage room and admire the artifacts.

The abbot, Phra Kru Suweerabhorn, said he almost fainted when he discovered that the Buddha figures had been stolen, since each of the Buddha statue is at least 200 years old. Some also dated back to the period of Ayutthaya kingdom, the abbot added.

He said one particular Buddha statue is a life-sized artwork made of teak wood, and has been adored as a prominent treasure of the temple.

Police believe the suspects number no less than 3 people. Detectives are now interrogating staff of the temple, as there were evidences that the thieves had good knowledge of the temple′s layout and escape routes.

The police are also investigating antique shops in the area, lest the suspects attempt to sell their stolen artifacts.

Suthraram Temple is an ancient temple which has been briefly occupied by the Burmese armies during their invasion of Ayutthaya kingdom, and there have been numerous incidents of theft of religious relics at the temple in the past, our correspondent said.

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Police Officer Denies Slapping Russian Tourist

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1 January 2014, 19:38

(1 January) A police officer in Pattaya has denied that he had slapped a Russian tourist as depicted in a video which has gone viral on the Internet last week.

The video showed a Caucasian woman arguing with the police officer, barring two Thai men from towing away her motorcycle as ordered by the officer. She then used her mobile phone to record the incident, and the video showed the officer attacking the woman before walking away.

Pol.Col. Suwan Chiawnawinthawat, Chief of Pattaya Police Station, told our correspondent that he has ordered an investigation commission to probe the matter.

He vowed to punish the office in the most severe manner possible if he had been found guilty, as the incident has harmed the image of Pattaya tourism industry.

However, Pol.Sen.Sgt.Maj. Nopkrit Phonwattanathanakit identified himself to Khaosod as the office seen in the video, and denied the allegation.

The 40 year old traffic police officer claimed he stopped the Russian woman and her Russian boyfriend after they allegedly drove their motorcycle in a wrong direction of the road. Pol.Sgt. Nopkrit also said he realised that the man was driving without a driver license.

The officer then reportedly handed a ticket to the man and advised him to pay for the ticket at the police station, and kept their motorcycle key with him as he continued to patrol the area. The Russian woman waited for her boyfriend at the motorcycle, he added.

When Pol.Sgt. Nopkrit returned, he said, he saw the Russian woman attempting to move the vehicle away from where he left her, and he called a vehicle towing company to confiscate the motorcycle, because he feared it might be "lost".

The Russian tourist became upset and tried to take a picture of the police officer, leaving him no choice but to wave his hand to swipe the phone away, Pol.Sgt. Nopkrit insisted.

"I have never touched her," Pol.Sgt. Nopkrit said, "I would never harm women like that, because they are the gender of my mother".

He also called on the media to report the incident with fairness.

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Nearly 300 Killed In New Year Season Road Accidents

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1 January 2014, 18:54

A deadly road accident in Nakhon Ratchasima province, 29 December 2013

(1 January) At least 266 people have been killed in 2,355 road accidents which have occurred during the 5-day New Year vacation season, police said.

More than 2,500 people have also been injured by these accidents since the long vacation started on 27 December, according to the police statistics.

The statistics are recorded as part of the campaign for road safety. Roads connecting Bangkok with upcountry provinces and major tourist attractions are heavily congested during the holiday season, and they are notorious for numerous road accidents.

On 31 December alone, for instance, 537 accidents occurred in Thailand’s 77 provinces.

47.86% of the road accidents throughout the New Year season are reportedly caused by drunk driving, and a vast majority – 83.99% – of the accidents involved motorcycles.

Chiang Mai tops the list as the province that had witnessed the most accidents: at least 28 times on 31 December alone, which resulted in the highest number of injuries of 31 people.

In Buriram and Suphanburi, three people were reported death in each of the provinces, which is the highest on the New Year’s Eve.

The authorities have previously set up 2,254 checkpoints operated by 64,943 police officers and other related officials, which have inspected more than 685,000 vehicles.

So far, 30,664 people have been ticketed for their driving with no driving license, and 29,520 people punished for not wearing safety helmets.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Rueangsak Jaritek, Deputy Chief of the Royal Thai Police, praised 12 provinces that had not seen any deadly road accident at all, including Phayao, Mae Hong Son, Buengkan, Yasothon, Chanthaburi, Chainat, Trad, Nakhon Nayok, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Pattani, Phang-nga.

Although the largest accumulative number of accidents occurred in Nakhon Sawan, 89 times, Nakhon Ratchasima ranks as the province that had witnessed most deaths and injuries.

ML. Panadda Ditsakul, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Interior Ministry, said that driving under the influence of alcohol is the most common cause of the road accident. He also urged the provincial authority to enforce the law strictly during 1–2 January in order to curb on DUI cases.

Police officials have been similarly encouraged to arrange check points on shortcut routes, dangerous routes, and U-turn points to avoid any possible accidents before the long holiday ends.

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New Year Day Gang Fights At Mo Chit Terminal Kill 5

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1 January 2014, 18:00

(1 January) Police in Bang Sue district are investigating a deadly clash between two rival gangs near the busy Mo Chit Bus Terminal on New Year Day which killed at least 5 people.

The incident took place at 01.30 at the terminal, which situates in northern Bangkok, when teenage members of a gang in Prachachuen district arrived at an internet cafe inside Mo Chi Terminal to play computer games. However, police said, they soon got in a fight with some taxi-motorcyclists at the terminal who were reportedly annoyed by the youths? noise inside the internet cafe.

The taxi-motorcyclist gang members also reportedly confiscated two motorbikes belonging to the Prachachuen gang youths. The youths then phoned their fellow gang members for reinforcement, police said, and around 15 people from Prachachueng gang showed up with firearms and other weapons.

According to the police, a large group of taxi-motorcyclists were drinking alcohol and celebrating New Year Day when Prachachuen gang arrived at the station and attacked the taxi-motorcyclist gang.

The fight left Mr. Puttisak Klonklaew, 24, and Mr. Attachai Intachote, 21, dead with gunshot wounds at the scene; both are described as members of the motorcyclist gang.

10 injured were later transported to hospitals, where 3 of them later died of their wounds: one 42 year old Prachachuen gang member who suffered from several gunshots and stabs, and two taxi-motorcyclist gang, identified as Mr. Anusorn Modkula, 27; and Mr. Payu Sae-Jew, 25.

Over 30 bullet cases were found at the scene, police said.

Pol.Col.Charoen Srisalak of Bang Sue Police Station said that the investigation team is searching for the suspects involved in clashes, after CCTV recorded the identity of at least one gang member.

Police also seized one motorcycle from the scene, and believed that it could lead to the suspects. Bang Sue Police said they would issue arrest on the suspects when more evidences have been gathered.

Injured gang members are named as Mr. Thanakorn Kaewdee, 32, Mr. Sawad Tanawilai, 32, Mr. Amphon Khemuta, 36, Mr. Wipak Tiamduang, 26, Mr. Channarong Sa-Hed, 22 and Mr. Phinyo Kaewpho, 23.

Although gang fights are common in Thailand, it is rare for such fights to cause as many casualties as the incident at Mo Chi Terminal.

The audacity of the fights last night is also remarkable, since Mo Chi Terminal is frequented by both Thai and foreign tourists who were traveling outside Bangkok during the New Year season.

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PCAD Waiting For Suthep's Order On 'Bangkok Shutdown'

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1 January 2014, 16:40

Anti-government protesters at their encampment on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, 31 December 2013

(1 January) Spokesman of the anti-government protest leadership has said the details of the plan to shutdown Bangkok is known only to its leader, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban.

The People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has previously threatened to put Bangkok in a massive gridlock "after New Year" as the means to pressure the government into canceling the upcoming general election.

PCAD leaders have demanded for a drastic reform to be implemented and an unelected ?People′s Council? installed as a transitional government before any election is allowed to take place, arguing that the current political system is rigged in favour of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her allies.

However, ever since he announced the plan to shutdown Bangkok last week, Mr. Suthep has not disclosed specific details of the strategy. Government officials warned that Mr. Suthep is intending to disrupt major roads and public transportation such as the BTS or the MRT.

But PCAD spokesman, Mr. Ekkanat Prompan, said in a press conference today that Mr. Suthep′s grand strategy of Bangkok shutdown has been "misinterpreted" in the media.

He denied that the PCAD is planning to shutdown public transportation as reported in the press, adding that the public should wait for Mr. Suthep himself to make announcements about the strategy in the future, since Mr. Suthep is the only one with a full knowledge of the plan.

Mr. Ekkanat also said the PCAD has sent representatives to visit injured protesters who are currently admitted in hospitals.

The protesters, who have been camping on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok, have been visibly fewer in number during the New Year holiday season. The protest site has also been converted into a fun fair featuring game stalls and musicians performing on the rally stage.

Correction: Due to an editorial error, the name of the anti-government protest leadership appeared as ?People′s Committee for Absolute Monarchy With the King As Head of State?. It should have read ?People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State?. The mistake has now been fixed.

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8 Indian Tourists Hurt By BTS Escalator Fall

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1 January 2014, 15:51

(1 January) 8 Indian tourists have been reportedly injured by their fall from an escalator on Phayathai BTS station today.

Officials at the station said the tourists were "making fun of each other" during their escalator ride, causing one of them to slip and fell into other tourists below the stairs. The entire group eventually tumbled down the escalator.

The Indian tourists were described as 3 men and 5 women, and all of them are reportedly "elderly" persons. The staff have applied first aid to the tourists and later transported them to hospital.

As a connection point to Airport Rail Link, Phayathai BTS station is frequented by many foreign visitors to Thailand, but there is no report of other tourists or passengers injured in the incident.

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