Tourists Awed By Frosts At Nation's Highest Mountain

By

-

16 December 2013, 17:34

(16 December) Temperature continues to plunge around Doi Inthanont National Park in Chiang Mai province, with frost forming in many parts, attracting many tourists.

Travel to the colder parts in the northern region is a popular leisure in the tropical kingdom, where common jokes have it that Thailand has only three seasons: hot, hotter, and the hottest.

The frost can be seen along the three kilometres road leading up to Doi Inthanont, the tallest mountain peak of Thailand. It is the third appearance of frost this year, said Mr. Kriangsak Thanonphan, Director of Doi Inthanon National Park

A couple of days ago, Mr. Kriangsak said, the province witnessed heavy rain and temperature dropping to 2 Celsius degree, resulting the long wave of frost and sea of mist along the road up to Thailand’s highest hill.

Azelea flowers also bloom in welcome of the region′s cool season. However, Lady Slipper Orchids are withering due to heavy rain. In Mae Wang district, Wild Himalayan Cherry or Thai Sakura also blooms all over the hill in a spectacular sight.

The National Park Director said he believes that the frost will be seen everyday until the end of the cool season, and encourages tourists to come and witness Thailand’s natural beauty.

“Although the accommodation on Doi Inthanont Hill is 100% fully booked until next year, tourists can choose to camp out. We still have numbers of camping tents available”, said Mr. Kriangsak, adding that the national park had improved the roads to accommodate the tourists.

“However, I must warn tourists who wish to drive up the hill to check the capability of their cars. It is crowded during New Year’s Celebration, and we do not wish to witness any tragic accident”, said Mr Kriangsak.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

ASEAN Backs Thai Democracy: Surapong

By

Khaosod English

-

16 December 2013, 17:07

Japanese girl group AKB48 performs at gala dinner of ASEAN-Japan summit in Tokyo, 14 December 2013 (AFP)

(16 December) Members of the ASEAN have expressed their wish that Thailand would solve the current political situation via democratic means, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations has recently attended a summit with Japan on 13-14 December in Tokyo. In the summit, leaders of ASEAN countries – which include Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam – discussed about further cooperation between the group and Japan.

Additionally, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who also serves Deputy Prime Minister and Director of Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), said in a press conference that the national leaders of ASEAN are closely monitoring the situation in Thailand, and noted that Thailand has the potential to become the distinguished member of the bloc.

The foreign leaders kindly suggested that every party in Thai politics should negotiate about the situation peacefully according to the country’s democracy regime, Mr. Surapong said.

As of today, 45 countries have expressed their support for the next general election, to be held on 2 February 2014, as announced by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, he added.

Anti-government protest leaders have rejected Ms. Yingluck′s call for election, opting instead for a plan to postpone the election and install an unelected ?People′s Council? to transform Thailand into an ?absolute democracy?.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

'Suud Soy' Named Political Word Of The Year

By

Khaosod English

-

16 December 2013, 12:46

A group of Redshirts protesting 'suud soy' amnesty bill in Bangkok, 10 November 2013

(16 December) As 2013 is coming to an end in few weeks, Kasetsart University′s Faculty of Political Science has released the list of nicknames for political actors who have graced the headlines in Thailand throughout the year.

Handing nicknames to prominent figures such as celebrities and politicians is an annual tradition in Thailand.

In a statement, Kasetsart′s Faculty of Political Science explained that it has consulted many individuals on the nicknames compilation, and it hopes the humorous yet thought-provoking nicknames would encourage the public to be more interested in democracy.

It also hopes that institutions and figures named in the list would be aware of how the public perceived their actions.

"Hopefully they would improve and fix [their actions] in accordance with the criticism," the statement reads.

It nicknames the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ?Lim Prai? (tasting of peasants), arguing that although Ms. Yingluck′s faction claims to fight on behalf of the common people or Prai (peasants) in their words, its behaviours end up serving the interest of the elite.

Most notable example is its pursuit of blanket amnesty bill which ultimately failed, leaving imprisoned Redshirts to languish in their detention, and abandoning the fates of those convicted of lese majeste laws, the statement says.

Meanwhile, the anti-government People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) is nicknamed ?Pheeboon Ror Sor 232? (The saintly revolt, 232 years since the founding of Bangkok).

The nickname parodies the incident of a revolt in northeastern Siam of Rattanakosin Era (Ror Sor) 119, in which a group of rebels claimed themselves to be holy saints (Pheeboon) equipped with magical powers, and promised to lead Siam into salvation. Their virtuous crusade resembles many aspects of PCAD, which views itself as morally superior, according to the statement.

Rival political parties were also handed nicknames: ?the waiting canned fish? for the ruling Pheu Thai Party and ?anti-corruption devils? for the opposition Democrat Party.

In the case of Pheu Thai Party, its nickname makes fun of its numerous politicians and allies who are perceived to be always waiting for orders from their party executives, while Democrat Party′s nickname refers to its flamboyant campaign against corruption of Ms. Yingluck′s government – which appears to ignore numerous cases of corruption committed by previous Democrat-led administrations.

It names the notorious GT-200 ?bomb detectors? as the hallmark of corruption under the watch of Democrat government. Defended by the Former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva′s administration as legitimate bomb detecting devices imported by the United Kingdom, GT-200 turned out to be useless metal equipment costing millions of baht per piece.

As for the ?Word of the Year? category, the Faculty of Political Science awards it to ?suud soy? (to the end of the alley), a nickname the Thai press gave to the blanket amnesty bill pursued by Pheu Thai Party, which would absolve all political actors of their political crimes in past 7 years, including the corruption convictions of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

The extreme nature of suud soy amnesty bill is a new phenomenon in Thai political culture, where compromises are usually preferred, the statement says.

"Suud soy means, in a negative way, to get what you want in the fullest way," the list compiler explains.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Military Chief Rebuffs Suthep's Call For Coup

By

Khaosod English

-

15 December 2013, 18:58

Anti-government protesters at Democracy Monument watching live broadcast of public forum in which Suthep Thaugsuban meets with commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, 14 December 2013

(15 December) Supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces has rejected protest leader′s plan to derail the upcoming general election.

However, the leader of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), Suthep Thaugsuban, vowed to press on with his campaign to have the election postponed and his "reforms" for Thailand′s political structure implemented first.

The two met face-to-face at a public forum held yesterday by the Royal Thai Armed Forces at Peace Centre in Bangkok. The forum was described by the military as a panel in which different political factions can discuss their ideas in order to find the solution for Thailand′s turmoil.

Mr. Suthep has previously asked to meet with chiefs of the military, but they have denied him the chance, instructing him instead to voice his demands in the public forum.

Although the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has been invited, no Redshirts leader arrived at the forum. The chief of Royal Thai Police likewise did not attend, explaining that it would contradict with the police′s regulations since Mr. Suthep is currently wanted by an arrest warrant on insurrection charges.

General Thanasak Patimakorn, the commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, delivered the opening remarks, expressing his wish that all representatives attending the forum would treat each other as fellow brethren.

He also stressed that the military must act in accordance with the laws and the Constitution. "If I don?t control [the military] and let them behave in wrongful ways, it would become a large group of bandits," Gen. Thanasak said, "That is why we have to live under reasons and rules".

Mr. Suthep then said that he had intended to meet with Gen. Thanasak and other military commanders because he wanted to inform them that the government of Prime Minister Yingluck has already lost its legitimacy, with the PCAD exercising the sovereign rights of the people.

The fastest way to end the crisis, Mr. Suthep told the forum, is to have PM Yingluck resign from her caretaker position, and hand the governmental power to the unelected ?People′s Council? whose members would be appointed by PCAD.

"In the past, with our nation in such a severe condition, the military would have launched a coup already," Mr. Suthep said, "I know the military leaders these days are modern soldiers. The people don?t want the military to do that. But the military can decide on its own. They have duty to be responsible for Thailand".

He added, "I am not forcing anyone, but if the military makes up its mind quickly, they will be heroes of the people".

When Gen. Thanasak asked Mr. Suthep to remove the large banners resembling Thai national flag which his supporters had hung around the besieged Government House, PCAD leader said he would make sure the flag would be treated with dignity.

He also told Gen. Thanasak to withdraw the police garrison in Government House and replace them with "5-6" soldiers.

Mr. Suthep went on, "The Prime Minister must quit, so the People′s Council can be set up in the vacuum. If she cannot do that, she will have to see people coming out to fight".

He stressed that the military must take side with the people. "I understand it is hard for you to decide … but today, every must decide already. The Great Mass of the People are willing to fight for another year. I came here today to tell you that the people want to do something for their country. They are waiting for the military′s decision".

However, Gen. Thanasak said in the conclusion of the forum that he would not allow the military to intervene against the government of Ms. Yingluck as requested by Mr. Suthep, and that he would like to see the next election taking place as scheduled.

If Mr. Suthep is convinced the election would be rigged, Gen. Thanasak said, he should set up committees to oversee the election and make certain it would be a fair and clean one.

He insisted that the military would not launch a coup, because they have to respect rules and laws.

"The best way is to engage in dialogue and choose the best path. Everyone must exchange with each other, instead of turning their back to each other," Gen. Thanasak added, "Do this, and, I believe, there won?t be a civil war."

Asked by a reporter whether the military would play a role as referee in the period leading up to the election, Gen. Thanasak simply replied that the military does not possess knowledge about legal matters.

"You?d better listen to academics who are knowledgeable about this matter", Gen. Thanasak told reporters.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Redshirts Parade In Support Of Feb 2 Election

By

Khaosod English

-

15 December 2013, 16:48

(15 December) Thousands of Redshirts have paraded in a large convoy around the northeastern city of Khon Kaen today to affirm their support for the next general election, scheduled to take place on 2 February 2014.

The Redshirts said they are against the plan suggested by anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, which called for an unelected ?People′s Council? to be established and transform Thailand into an ?absolute democracy? before permitting an election to take place.

More than 5,000 Redshirts joined the convoy, which consisted of 500 motorcycles, 100 pick-up trucks, and 50 cars. Two 10-wheel trucks equipped with loudspeakers led the convoy, blaring pro-Redshirts music and giving speeches critical of Mr. Suthep′s campaign to unseat Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Banners on the convoy include phrases such as "Love Democracy, Go to Election", "We want election, not selection by Suthep", "Don?t let the minority drag democracy into the canal".

The 1-kilometre long convoy passed through many parts of Khon Kaen′s city centre before stopping at the park opposite Central Plaza Shopping mall, where they proceeded to erect a stage and hold a rally.

Organisers of the motorised parade said the Redshirts are from 20 provinces of the northeastern region, a traditional stronghold of the Redshirts movements.

Mr. Thanik Maseepitak, a co-organiser of the protest, said he cannot accept Mr. Suthep′s demands that Ms. Yingluck resign from her caretaker position.

He branded Mr. Suthep′s organisation, the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), as "rebels" and "political hooligans" who are committing "thuggish acts" against the nation.

"The Redshirts have vowed to fight the rebels and underlings of the ammart (feudal elite), in order to eradicate them from the Thai society," Mr. Thanik said.

Ms. Panwadee Tantisirin, chairwoman of Khon Kaen′s We Love Yingluck-Thaksin Society, said the Redshirts in the region will be coordinating closely with Pheu Thai Party in preparation for the next election. She also predicted that "the entire province" will vote for Pheu Thai Party again.

She also urged the Democrat Party, which is backing Mr. Suthep′s protests, to participate in the 2014 election and let the people decide who they want to vote for; the Democrat Party has been undecided whether to run in the next election.

Furthermore, Ms. Panwadee said, local Redshirts will send Government House in Bangkok 10,000 postcards expressing their support for Ms. Yingluck to stay as caretaker Prime Minister until the election.

She warned that the Redshirts "will fight to the end" if Mr. Suthep managed to overthrow Ms. Yingluck′s government and derail the plan for 2014 election.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Athletes Happy With SEA Games Meals, Official Insists

By

Khaosod English

-

15 December 2013, 14:51

(15 December) An official has dismissed allegation that the Thai athletes competing in the SEA Games have been provided with meager lunch boxes.

The athletes, who are facing competitors from other Southeast Asian nations in the tournament hosted by Myanmar, are forced to live off lunch boxes containing small amount of food, according the allegation which arose on the social network over the weekend.

The meal simply consisted of rice, an egg, and a handful of vegetables and pork, the report alleged.

The claim has been seized by many anti-government critics on the social network as proof of the government′s corruption, since the meals appear to be inconsistent with the budget allocated to the tournament by the government and its sponsors.

However, Captain Kingkarn Charoenchit, the director of Thai athletes? kitchen division, told Khaosod that the lunch box seen in the photo is one of the 1,600 extra food units provided to the athletes and staff.

All Thai sports teams are happy with their food, Captain Kingkarn said. He also told our correspondent there has been no problem of food shortage in the teams.

Captain Kingkarn added that he had no idea why some people in Thailand would turn the matter into a controversy.

Responding to the allegation of poor food for the athletes, the Royal Thai Embassy in Myanmar also posted photos of athlete canteen in its Facebook account to assure the public that the food provided to the sports teams is perfectly adequate.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Missing 6 Year Old Girl Feared Dead

By

Khaosod English

-

15 December 2013, 14:30

(15 December) The 6 year old girl who went missing is feared dead, after rescue workers uncovered a skull and personal items believed to belong to her.

The girl, nicknamed Cartoon, went missing from her family in Bangkok on 6 December. The efforts to locate her were primarily led by Mirror Foundation, a charity group with experience in finding missing children. Many on social network also shared photo of the girl in hope that she would be recognised.

The last-known lead on her location came on Saturday when police reported that a CCTV footage has revealed an unidentified man walking with Cartoon at the Bearing BTS Station.

However, rescue workers have uncovered human remains late last night in Bang Na district of Bangkok, including a small skull. Nearby, the search team found shorts worn by Cartoon on the day she went missing.

Inside the pockets the rescue workers reportedly found a piece of chocolate Cartoon′s father had bought for her.

Further search efforts in the area uncovered a skeleton, Cartoon′s t-shirt. The police also found a used condom and lubricant gel.

As of Sunday afternoon, the area remains closed to the public, with police forensic teams combing the ground for more evidences.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Suthep To Face His Critics At Military-Organised Forum

By

Khaosod English

-

13 December 2013, 18:55

(13 December) Rival political factions have agreed to meet and exchange their opposing ideas about Thailand′s future at a dialogue panel organised by the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King as Head of State (PCAD), had previously demanded that Gen. Thanasak Patimakorn, Chief of Defence Forces, grant him a private audience so that he could explain his idea of a ?People′s Council? as the solution to Thai political crisis.

The meeting never took place, but Gen. Thanasak′s staff later announced that the military will host an open forum in which many groups and organisations will be invited, including the PCAD. Reports suggest that Gen. Thanasak himself will attend the forum, scheduled to be held tomorrow (14 December).

Other organisations invited to the dialogue panel include the newly appointed Election Committee, the Lawyers Council of Thailand, representatives of the private sector, and the Assembly for Defence of Democracy (AFDD), a group formed by prominent academics opposed toMr. Suthep′s demands of unelected People′s Council.

The AFDD is led by Thammasat law academic Worachet Pakeerat who has branded Mr. Suthep′s campaign as anti-democratic, and has urged the anti-government protesters to respect the legitimacy of electoral politics by participating in the upcoming election next year.

Tomorrow′s forum would mark the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of PCAD and AFDD.

The official leadership of the pro-government Redshirts, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has also been invited, but its chairwoman, Ms. Thida Thawornseth, has declined to participate. Nevertheless, she said other UDD leaders are free to attend the forum on their own.

Earlier today, PCAD leaders reaffirmed their stance in a press conference that their blueprint for Thailand′s "reform" must be implemented by the government before the next general election takes place.

Mr. Suthep argued that Thailand′s current political system is rigged in favour of Ms. Yingluck′s faction, especially her brother former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. His solution is the formation of 400-seat People′s Council which would function as a de facto transitional government of Thailand, amending laws and restructuring the nation to eradicate Mr. Thaksin′s corrupt influence.

300 members of the Council would be selected from different occupations, while other 100 would be delegated to "experts" appointed by the PCAD.

Mr. Suthep said he expected the "reform" would last for 8-14 months. A new election would be allowed to take place only after the "reform" is completed.

He also threatened to escalate his protests if Ms. Yingluck still refuses to resign from her position as caretaker Prime Minister; Mr. Suthep had envisioned a transitional Prime Minister appointed by His Majesty the King to replace Ms. Yingluck and subsequently form the People′s Council.

"If the Prime Minister stubbornly clings to her position, PCAD will force her out with the power of the Great Mass of the People," Mr. Suthep told reporters, "PCAD will continue the rallies until the People′s Council is formed".

In the same press conference, another PCAD leader, Mr. Satit Wongnongtoey, also accused the international media of harbouring bias toward the anti-government movement. He warned that foreign correspondents working in Thailand should be careful not to end up turning themselves into tools of "Thaksin′s Regime".

Meanwhile, Ms. Thida, the chairwoman of the UDD, said Mr. Suthep′s call for Ms. Yingluck to resign would lead to a dangerous "power vacuum".

"The Prime Minster has been tasked with the power from the majority of the people. She cannot abandon this responsibility," Ms. Thida said, "I?d like to ask the Prime Minister and her government to stay until the election date of 2 February 2014."

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

DSI Seizes 30 Million Baht Worth Of Abortion Pills

By

Khaosod English

-

13 December 2013, 18:07

(13 December) The Division of Special Investigation (DSI) has arrested a man accused of selling thousands of illegal abortion pills on the internet.

Police said Mr. Somchai Sunancharoen, 48, sold the drugs via 9 websites he has been running.

Mr. Tharit Pengdith, Chief of DSI, announced at a press conference that police also found 120 packages of the drug, with 2,008 unpacked tablets worth no less than 1 million baht and 51,018 unlabeled tablets worth 30 million baht at the suspect′s house in Mueang district, Nakhon Pathom province.

Reportedly, Mr. Somchai had run his websites for over a year, and had received over 20,000 orders during June to December 2013, pocketing an income of approximately 4 million baht a month.

The pills are reportedly sold at varied prices, depending on the stage of pregnancy. Moreover, many of Mr. Somchai’s customers are college students and women who purchased the drugs for personal use, said Mr. Tharit.

Abortion is illegal in Thailand, with exceptions of unwanted pregnancy due to the mother’s health and criminal abuse. Unwanted pregnancy is described as a major factor for abortion, according to statistics in 2010, where 71.5% of women interviewed in the survey claimed they had become pregnance unintentionally while 53.1% of the sample also mentioned that they had ignored birth control methods.

In the same poll gathered from 101 hospitals in 13 provinces, 28% of 15 – 19 years old women have gone through abortion, whereas 30.4% were students, and 45% stated that they have no income.

Many women with unwanted pregnancies turned to illegal clinics, which put them at risk of having infected complications and severe miscarriage. Statistics from the Ministry of Public Health revealed that nearly 300,000 women go through illegal abortions each year.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Vocational Students Fight Leaves 2 Injured

By

Khaosod English

-

13 December 2013, 17:52

(13 December) Two students have been injured by the fights between rival vocational student gangs in Pathumthani province, police at Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station said.

Witnesses alerted the police when students from Pathumthani Technical College (PTTC) and Pathumthani Technology School (P-Tech) violently attacked each other at a bus station in Thanyaburi district.

Two students, reportedly one from PTTC and the other from P-Tech, were transported to the hospital.

Reports indicated that one of the two victims was wounded on both arms by sharpened weapons, whereas the other student is in more severe conditions, suffering from the wounds on both arms and on his back.

Both victims will be retained by the police for further investigation. It is not immediately clear whether the police have arrested any other suspect.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

Hot News

LATEST NEWS