Arrests Over Amphetamines Hidden In Bamboo Soup

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20 December 2013, 19:50

(20 December) Police in Angthong province have arrested three men accused of attempting to bring spicy bamboo shoot soup filled with amphetamines into prison.

The prison officials inspected the soup brought by the three visitors and discovered 205 tablets of the narcotics stuffed inside 20 plastic straws, which were covered with a bamboo shoot salad.

The men were promptly arrested, but the suspects denied any acknowledgement about the illegal substances.

According to one of the suspects, a man known simply as Mr. Doe asked him to pass the spicy soup to his friend, identified as Mr. Keng, who is currently serving sentence in the prison. The suspects said they were not aware of the amphetamines hidden in the soup.

The prison director, Mr. Wasan Thanachotekit, said that the prison arranged a visiting day in the hope to allow prisoners to spend more time with their families. However, illegal drugs kept turning up during the search procedure at the prison, Mr. Wasan said.

Investigation is ongoing.

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Chiang Mai Reds Vow Support For US Ambassador

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20 December 2013, 18:33

Anti-government protesters confronting police officers in front of the US Embassy in Bangkok, 19 December 2013

(20 December) Representatives of Redshirts in Chiang Mai province have issued a statement vowing support for US Ambassador to Thailand in the aftermath of anti-government rally in front of US Embassy in Bangkok yesterday.

On 19 December over 500 protesters led by the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT) broke away from a large demonstration organised by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State and marched to the US Embassy, which was located on Wireless Road.

Mr. Uthai Yodmanee and Mr. Nititorn Lamluea, leaders of the NSPRT, said they want US President Barack Obama to remove US Ambassador Kristy Kenny from her position, accusing Ms. Kenny of tacitly supporting the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra by saying in previous interviews that she endorses the new election called by Ms. Yingluck.

Ms. Kenny′s statement has angered the protesters so much that one speaker on PCAD rally stage threatened to lead the protesters to storm into the US Embassy as a retaliation.

There were moments when it appeared the protesters were bent on breaking into the heavily fortified compound yesterday, with the NSPRT leaders demanding that the police retreat from their position around the embassy.

However, after a negotiation with Lumpini Police, the NSPRT agreed to withdraw from the embassy, but only after they raised the Thai national flag onto a makeshift flagpole and sang national anthem.

In a response to the NSPRT′s rally, representatives of the Redshirts in northern province of Chiang Mai issued a statement praising Ms. Kenny′s endorsement of the new election, scheduled to be held on 2 February 2014.

The statement was jointly issued by United Front of Democracy Against Dicatorship (UDD) and the local Redshirts group called ?Rak Chiang Mai 51?.

“The NSPRT denounced you [Ms. Kenny] for supporting the election, which emphasise the importance and the necessity of the democratic regime, on 2 February 2014," the statement reads, "Their act, we must insist, does not correspond to the desire of many Thai people in this country.”

It continued, “We are ashamed of their decision. We understand that even though you are a foreigner, you have shown your love and understanding about Thailand and Thai culture in many occasions … We, Chiang Mai people, are supporting you".

The statement concluded by thanking Ms. Kenny′s efforts to strengthen Thai democracy.

Over 200 Redshirts also marched to the US Consulate in Chiang Mai to present the letter to the Consulate officials. Pol.Col. Aksorn Wongyai, Director of Mueang Chiang Mai Police, received the letter and promised to pass the statement to the US Ambassador.

The Chiang Mai Redshirts later marched to the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) in the province, to demonstrate their support for the new general election.

Mr. Walter M. Braunohler, spokesman of the US Embassy in Bangkok, told Khaosod today that the US wishes to see peaceful solution in the ongoing Thai crisis.

In a telephone interview, he firmly denied the allegations made by the anti-government protesters, stating that the United States has no wish to interfere in the Thai politics.

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'Singha Heiress' Undeterred By Tycoon's Warning: Abhisit

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20 December 2013, 16:43

Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva and Ms. Chitapas Bhumibhakdi.

(20 December) The anti-government socialite Ms. Chitpas Bhirombhakdi will not cease her political activities despite warning from her family patriarch, said chairman of the Democrat Party.

Ms. Chitpas, a member of the large family which owns the brewery that produces Singha Beer, has been making headlines in recent months as an outspoken activist against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

She also voiced her belief to a number of media that electoral democracy might not work for Thailand since many of the rural voters are uneducated.

But her actions have apparently raised the ire of the executive director of Boonrawd Brewery, Mr. Santi Bhirombhakdi, who wrote a letter to Ms. Chitpas? father Mr. Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, expressing his frustration that the public has associated the family and the company with Ms. Chitpas? political views.

The letter, which was leaked to the media, also included a warning that Mr. Chutinant would be held responsible for any damage caused by his daughter.

However, leader of Democrat Party Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters today that he has discussed with Ms. Chitapas about the matter earlier today and Ms. Chitpas has insisted that she will not waver in her political cause.

"I sympathise with her because her political path has affected her," Mr. Abhisit said, "I also sympathise with her family and her company because they were affected by it, too. This is problem about political situation."

He added, "But Ms. Chitpas is an adult. She has chosen to do political work because she believes it will benefit her country."

Meanwhile, Mr. Santi, the Singha boss, also commented on the letter during his appearance at New Year party at Boonrawd Brewery headquarters, which was attended by hundreds of staff of the company.

According to one high-ranking employee who attended the event, Mr. Santi said in his speech that he was upset by the interview Ms. Chitpas gave to the AFP, in which she claimed that rural population of Thailand did not understand democracy.

Mr. Santi said the statement gravely harms the company, since the brewery relies on massive sales in the countryside. He also stressed that "the company is in debt to the customers", and that he will not allow his company to be politicised.

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Many Aluminium Pots 'Fail' Safety Standard

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20 December 2013, 15:49

(20 December) The Office of Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has warned that Thais are at risk of suffering chemical contamination from kitchenware made of substandard aluminium alloy.

Almost all of the 21 samples of aluminium utensils collected from 3 major provinces – Bangkok, Chiang Rai, and Nakhon Phanom – fail to pass the safety assessment conducted by the Department of Science Service, which operates under OCPB, said DSS Director-General Saowanee Musidaeng.

The assessment concludes that aluminium alloy utensils tend to release amount of aluminium, lead, zinc, and copper substances which exceeds recommended standard, Ms. Saowanee said.

The finding means that people who are using substandard aluminium alloys cooking equipment are at risks of food contamination, Ms. Saowanee told our correspondent. She said the DSS and the OCPB also advise consumer to use pure aluminium utensils when cooking acid-based food.

"The release of unwanted substance of the utensils, which contact directly with the food, depends on many factors," Ms. Saowanee said "Such as time, temperature, and the food’s level of Potential of Hydrogen Ion (Ph)".

To spot the different between aluminium alloy and pure aluminium equipment, consumers would notice that aluminium alloy utensils had uneven, dull and dark surface compare to pure aluminium tools, according to the DSS.

The DSS director general also assured that, contrary to ongoing rumour, there is not yet any links between aluminium and Alzheimer’s disease. She statement from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) confirms this, she said.

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Protesters Emboldened By Prospect Of Delayed Poll

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20 December 2013, 13:43

PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban during the demonstration on 19 December 2013

(20 December) Anti-government protesters are gaining new momentum after a member of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) said the upcoming general election could be legally postponed.

The People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has previously rejected Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra′s call for the new poll to be held on 2 February 2014, arguing that Thailand needs to implement a drastic "reform" to "educate" the voters before any election can take place.

The PCAD has proposed the formation of unelected 400-member ?People′s Council? to oversee those reforms – estimated to take at least 18 months – and called on Ms. Yingluck to be replaced with a Prime Minister royally appointed by His Majesty the King.

But the government has repeatedly rejected these demands, insisting that Ms. Yingluck will stay in power as caretaker leader and the election will go ahead as planned on 2 February.

However, the protesters appeared to have found an ally among the very agency responsible for overseeing the election, when Mr. Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, a member of the ECT, said the Commission is willing to postpone the general election if all political parties reach an agreement over the matter.

Although he acknowledged that there is no legal basis allowing for the election to be postponed, Mr. Somchai hinted that the government might find a way to delay the poll if it chooses to do so.

His remarks coincided with the beginning of PCAD′s new offensive to pressure the government into resigning or postponing the election. The protesters, led by PCAD strongman Suthep Thaugsuban, marched throughout Bangkok yesterday and even briefly threatened to storm into US Embassy of Bangkok to protest the US government′s alleged support for Ms. Yingluck.

PCAD also vowed further series of disruptive protests in coming days, including a plan to besiege the official residence of Ms. Yingluck, and a rally at Election Commission headquarters to prevent party candidates from submitting their application for the election.

Speaking on the rally stage at Ratchadamnoen Avenue yesterday, senior PCAD activist Satit Wongnongtoey welcomed Mr. Somchai′s suggestion that the election could be postponed.

He told the crowd that they have already achieved one victory. "Only one more task is left, which is to force the Prime Minister to quit," Mr. Satit told the crowd.

Meanwhile, members of Pheu Thai leadership are mortified by Mr. Somchai′s remarks.

Mr. Jarupong Ruengsuwan, chairman of Pheu Thai Party, said he is disappointed by the suggestion. "How could ECT come up with this idea? The new ECT members have done many important duties. Some has been judges. Some has held important posts. Yet that′s all they can think?" Mr. Jarupong said.

He added, "If you think about it, this starts to look like a political conspiracy. Why do they agree with the protesters so easily?"

Mr. Jarupong insisted that the government will not suffer the election to be postponed, and warned that the ECT would risk violating the laws if it fails to organise the election as scheduled.

"If the ECT is so afraid of PCAD, it should request the military to ensure public order on the election day," Mr. Jarupong quipped.

Former Pheu Thai MP and leader of the Redshirts organisation, Mr. Nattawut Saikua, likewise criticised the ECT′s alleged complicity with the PCAD protesters. Mr. Nattawut said the ECT has greatly confused the public and become a tool for the protesters.

In a Facebook post, Mr. Nattawut stressed that Article 108 of the 2007 Constitution clearly dictates that a new election must be held within 45-60 days after the House dissolution. "Did the ECT spend more time watching [anti-government TV channel] Blue Sky than reading the legal documents?" Mr. Nattawut asked.

"How confident is ECT that the nation will not end up in chaos if the election is postponed? Can you picture people who disagree with Mr. Suthep coming out [on the streets] and taking back their sovereign power?" Mr. Nattawut continued, "This amounts to postponing democracy and replacing it with Suthepocracy".

Ms. Yingluck also met privately with members of the ECT earlier this morning to discuss the procedures of next general election, but officials have not yet undisclosed the details of their discussion.

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Man Killed By 'Jealous Boyfriend' In Trang

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20 December 2013, 13:23

(20 December) A jealous man reportedly shot dead a friend of the man who talked to his girlfriend at a bar restaurant in Trang province.

Police said Mr. Pantakarn Maneerat, 27, a resident of Chiang Rai province, arrived at the restaurant with his two other friends. One of his friends reportedly knew a woman who was sitting with her boyfriend and one other friend at a nearby table from Facebook, so he went to talk to her.

His action caused the woman′s boyfriend to be enraged out of jealousy, police said, and the men ended up brawling with each other before the waiters managed to separate them from each other.

As Mr. Pantakarn and his friends were leaving the bar later, however, the individuals who were fighting with Mr. Pantakarn′s friend earlier reportedly approached him and fired shots at Mr. Pantakarn′s friend, who managed to run away. The gunman then pointed his gun at Mr. Pantakarn and shot him four times, killing him on spot, according to the police.

The police say they have retrieved the 9 mm. pistol used in the crime, and they have already identified the suspects. The police are reportedly looking for the suspects.

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'Child Trafficker' Arrested In Pattaya

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19 December 2013, 19:56

(19 December) An alleged human trafficker has been arrested by Children Women Family Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking Centre of Provincial Police Region 2 (CWPC) force in Pattaya.

Mr. Anont ?Pad? Udtangko, 44, is accused of luring children age under 15 years old into prostitution against their wills. Police said Mr. Anont, a native resident of Naan province, has often used force or tricks against the children.

He is also accused of abducting children no older than 15 year old from their parents for sexual abuse.

Mr. Anont was arrested in South Pattaya beach.

Mr. Anont allegedly confessed to his crime and is expected to cooperate with the police by giving the names of foreign customers who had allegedly sexually abused Mr. Anont′s victims.

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Thaksin's Son Won't Run In Election: Jarupong

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19 December 2013, 19:32

PM Yingluck Shinawatra meeting her supporters in Roi Et province, 19 December 2013

(19 December) Chairman of the Pheu Thai Party has dismissed rumour that the son of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will run in the next general election.

Throughout the week many social network sites, particularly of the anti-government groups, have reported that Mr. Panthongtae Shinawatra will be on the ticket of Pheu Thai′s Party List in the election, which is expected to be held on 2 February 2014.

But Mr. Jarupong Rueangsuwan, the chairman of Pheu Thai Party who also serves as acting Interior Minister, firmly denied the rumour in a press conference today.

He also insisted that the party is looking forward for the election, but added that it is depending on the Office of The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) whether the election will take place at all; anti-government protesters have demanded that the ECT postpone the election until their "reforms" of Thai politics are implemented first.

“Our interested member who wish to join the list have submitted their application forms, including the acting Prime Minister”, said Mr. Jarupong, “The party commission will reselect the candidate and I will review the list. The whole process should be done by 22 December”.

He also denied the involvement of Mr. Thaksin in deciding the party list.

“Let me be clear: Mr. Thaksin does not interfere with the candidate selection process. I and Mr. Thaksin have not discussed about the issues," said Mr. Jarupong.

He added, “Every representative has equal rights, including late submission candidates from House no.109 faction, House no. 111 faction and the Neutral Democratic Party (Mashima Party)”.

However, he warned that if the protesters managed to prevent the submission of the party list on 23 December at Bangkok Youth Centre (Thai-Japan) in Dindaeng district as they have threatened, the country’s image may be harmed in the eyes of world community.

“Many journalists from both local and international agents will be there, and they may report about the event. Other countries may learn that there are some people in Thailand disrespecting the country’s rule of law”, Mr. Jarupong warned, adding that the caretaker Prime Minister will be there to support the representatives.

He also downplayed the incident when an anti-government protester slipped through PM Yingluck Shinawatra′s security details as she tours the northeastern region and blew a whistle at her yesterday.

"The protesters have the right to do so," Mr. Jarupong said, "People are allowed to have different ideas".

He also suggested that the Prime Minister does not need to enhance her security team and believes that many people still support her.

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Police Scrap '24 Hour Rule' For Missing Child Complaint

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19 December 2013, 16:49

A monk conducting a ceremony to calm the spirit of the 6 year old 'nong Cartoon' at the spot where she is believed to have been raped and murdered, 19 December 2013

(19 December) The Royal Thai Police have instructed local police stations across the country to abolish the mandatory 24 hour period distraught parents must wait before notifying the police of their missing children.

The change was implemented in the wake of the abduction case of a 6 year old girl which has shocked the Thai public in recent days. The girl, nicknamed nong Cartoon, was reportedly lured away by a homeless man from the parking lot of a country music concert in Bangkok.

The search effort for Cartoon was delayed by the regulation which allows the police to accept a missing child case only when the said child had gone missing for 24 hours.

However, the man accused of kidnapping nong Cartoon was later arrested and confessed to police that he had raped and murdered her in a secluded spot nearby shortly after he lured her away from the parking lot.

The police also urged the public to notify them of any trace of missing children via the hotline 1599.

Meanwhile, the police said they have not yet determined whether the human remains found in the crime scene belonged to Cartoon, but added that her parents confirmed that the clothes and other artifacts found nearby did indeed belong to the girl.

The police are also investigating the claims of the suspect, a man known simply as Mr. Nui, that he had also raped a total of 8 children in the past, 4 of which he had murdered.

Mr. Nui has previously served jail sentence for child abuse charges, police records show.

Police in Loey province yesterday investigated the spot where Mr. Nui claimed he had murdered another victim and uncovered a number of human remains in the vicinity. The police believe they might be the remains of a 4 year old girl called nong Ying who had been reportedly missing during a Red Cross Fair.

The police also found a pair of pink shoes nearby; parents of nong Ying said it is the same pair of shoes they had bought for the girl before she disappeared. Nevertheless, the forensic department is working to determine whether the DNA found on the human remains matched with Ying′s parents.

Over 70 police officers also combed an area in Prachinburi province to verify Mr. Nui′s claim that he had raped and murdered yet another victim there. No human remains were found, but a set of woman clothes and lingerie was found in the area.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Thitiraj Nongharnpitak, deputy commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, told our correspondent that some of the victims allegedly raped or murdered by Mr. Nui might be illegal aliens, which deter the parents from filing complaints to the police.

He also suggested that some local police stations might have been informed about the crimes committed by Mr. Nui, but the officers in charge might not take up the case as serious as they were supposed to.

"[The officers] probably saw them as normal cases, but apparently they are not," said Pol.Lt.Gen. Thitiraj, "The officers should be more attentive."

Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronvit Thoopkrachang, commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, said yesterday that the police would transfer the cases to Crime Suppression Division′s jurisdiction for a centralised effort in the investigation, since the crimes are alleged to take place in many locations.

He also handed an undisclosed amount of money to Mr. Jessadapong Kongkrumkorng, the organiser of a traveling country music concert, as a reward for recognising Mr. Nui, who was working with the band, and alerting the police afterwards.

Bang Na Police in Bangkok are said to be in contact with a former wife of Mr. Nui. According to the sources, Mr. Nui′s ex wife would be interviewed by the police at an undisclosed location about the suspect′s background and personality, in hope that the officers would understand the motives behind his alleged crimes.

Additionally, Mr. Sorasith Chongcharoen, the commander of Bangkok Special Prison, told our correspondent that Mr. Nui is currently detained with other prisoners in a shared cell, but the prison wards are keeping close watch over the suspect to make certain that he would not commit suicide or end up being mobbed by fellow prisoners.

He said Mr. Nui has not shown any sign of distress since he arrived at the prison, however.

The Mirror Foundation, the charity group which focuses on missing children, also urged the government and the police to set up special departments designed to solve the cases of abducted children.

In a statement released to the press, the foundation suggested that the government should allow notices of missing children to be published in state media to gain more attention from the public.

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3 Year Old Girl Dies 'From Drinking Dish Soap'

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19 December 2013, 15:30

(19 December) A 3 year old girl in Surat Thani province has died from drinking dishwashing detergent when her nanny was playing games on her mobile phone, police said.

The girl, identified by her family as nong Focus, was left at home on 14 December with the 33 year old babysitter, Ms. Chanakarn Chusri-orn, when her parents were away working at a nearby bakery, according to the police.

Ms. Chanakarn, who is a neighbour of Focus? parents, said she had been babysitting for the girl for 6 months. On the day of the incident, Ms. Chanakarn said, she left Focus to play with her daughter, who was reportedly in the same age with Focus, in the bathroom while she went out and play games on her mobile phone outside the house.

However, Ms. Chanakarn said, she had earlier mixed dishwashing chemical with water and left it in the bathroom for use in refrigerator cleaning later.

The babysitter said nong Focus later ran to her, pointed to her own mouth, and spilled out some chemical, which made Ms. Chanakarn realise that the girl had drank the chemical she left in the bathroom. Ms. Chanakarn told police she tried to make Focus vomit out the chemical and drink a lot of water, to no avail.

Ms. Chanakarn said "an hour and a half" after Focus drank the chemical, the girl′s condition worsened, so she picked up the girl to her parents, who sent her to a local clinic. The clinic later transported Focus to Samui Hospital, where she eventually died.

The body of the girl will undergo autopsy inspection at Surat Thani Hospital to establish clear cause of death, police said, adding that they have also confiscated the dishwashing chemical Ms. Chanakarn claimed the girl had swallowed for further investigation.

Ms. Chanakarn has not been charged, police said, as they are still waiting for result of the girl′s autopsy report. However, a senior police officer suggested that Ms. Chanakarn could be charged with gross negligence leading to death.

Speaking to our correspondent, Ms. Chanakarn said she sincerely regrets her actions. As a gesture of her apology, Ms. Chanakarn said, she would become a nun to make merits on behalf of the dead girl after her funeral is concluded.

Focus? parents said they would not comment about legal issues concerning Focus? death, stating that they would let the legal procedure take its course.

But they said they would like to encourage other parents to take lesson from their loss, especially when it comes to choosing babysitters. Parents should consider how competent the babysitters can mind their children before they decide to hire the individuals, they added.

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