We Only Serve As Dialogue Mediator: Navy Chief

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4 December 2013, 13:52

An anti-government protester in front of Government House, 3 December 2013

(4 December) Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy has insisted the military did not pressure the government into any negotiation with the anti-government protest leaders.

Admiral Narong Pipattanasai also stressed that the armed force did not push for any condition to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra when she sat for dialogue with the leader of the protesters, former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, earlier this week.

"The military served only as a mediator," said Admiral Narong.

His comment came at a time when many observers of Thai politics are frantically searching for clues what has been said behind the closed doors between PM Yingluck, Mr. Suthep, and the military chiefs.

The government′s silence on the full contents of the negotiation only adds to the suspense; it was Mr. Suthep who announced he had met and talked with Ms. Yingluck in the presence of commander-in-chiefs of the armed forces.

The inclusion of the military top brass led to speculation that the military, who has ousted Ms. Yingluck′s brother former PM Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, might be yet again pressuring the government to resign.

But Admiral Narong was adamant during the press conference at the Navy headquarters earlier today that the armed forces are not contemplating another military coup, even if the government and the protesters failed to reach an agreement.

"We have had many lessons about this in the past," Admiral Narong said, "I don?t want such thing to happen again".

The Admiral added that the chiefs of the three military branches had already discussed about the coup d?eta and all of them had come to conclusion that the armed forces will not take any leading role in the ongoing political crisis.

The Navy commander-in-chief also told reporters that the situation has not reached a "dead end", and expressed his belief that politicians and academics in political science are better equipped in guiding the nation out of the crisis peacefully than the military.

"The armed forces are not experts in politics. We cannot give any advice," the Navy chief said, "As far as I have listened from many academics and private sector representatives, there are many ways that could be good solutions. It depends on both sides which way they would choose".

"But the military, especially the navy, are not involved or having any role in this event. We are trying to be in an appropriate position," Admiral Narong stressed.

Nevertheless, he hinted that more negotiations are underway after 5 December – His Majesty the King′s Birthday – but said he could not give any details and directed the media to inquire Gen. Thanasak Patiprakorn, Chief of the Defence Forces, instead as he was the military chief who organised the dialogue sessions.

"The previous dialogues were good starts," said Admiral Narong, "I believe the situation will return to normalcy very soon".

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Roi Et Woman Killed By Neighbour's Rottweilers

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3 December 2013, 20:25

(3 December) Three Rottweiler dogs have attacked and killed a 69 year old woman in Roi Et province.

Ms. Thongchan Onchaphew was mauled by the dogs until she fell and hit her head with the pavements on 30 November, according to her son, Mr. Banjong Onchaphew.

Mr. Banjong said his mother was on her way to a nearby market when the dogs spotted her and rushed out from a neighbour′s house, as the owner did not chain them inside the house.

After Ms. Thongchan fell down and was knocked unconscious, Good Samaritans in the area brought her to Suvarnabhumi hospital. Due to her severe condition, she was later transferred to Roi Et Hospital, where she died.

Medical personnel identified Ms. Thongchan’s causes of death as severe head injuries and Septicaemia.

Mr. Banjong said he would pursue legal prosecutions against the dogs’ owner to the very end, adding that the dogs had previously escaped the house and attacked many people whenever their owner forgot to lock the door or chain them inside.

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Protests Cost Thai Tourism 'Over 25 Billion Baht'

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3 December 2013, 18:51

(3 December) Thailand′s tourism industry is expected to lose over 25 billion baht in revenues due to the prolonged protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which turned violent in recent days.

Ms. Piyaman Techapaiboon, President of the Tourism Council of Thailand (ICT), said on Monday in the meeting with 6 other financial organisations that number of tourists is expected to fall 8-10% in December.

The falling number, which resulted in 500,000 tourists approximately, was revealed after 68 countries issued warnings to their citizens about the current political clashes in Thailand. However, in November 2013 alone, the country welcomed 11% more tourists than it had last year.

Prior to the political crisis, Thailand was originally projected to welcome 21.6 million tourists to bring in 1.18 trillion baht in 2013.

During the same meeting, a statement demanding every party to solve the current political crisis in a peaceful and democratic way was also announced by the attending 7 organisations.

The 7 organisations were the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), The Thai Bankers Association (TBA), Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) , Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations (FETCO), The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and Thai Listed Company Association (ThaiLCA).

“The current political situation had harmed our economy and social structure. It had also harmed investors’ confidence in trade, industry, consumption, tourism and investment," the statement reads.

"We, representing the public sector, demand every party to stop the conflict and to stop any movement that may lead to further destruction. The current situation had resulted on the loss of lives, properties and national economy. It may as well continue to escalate without an end” said Mr. Isara Vongkusolkit, representative from the TCC.

Mr. Phayungsak Chatsuthiphon, Chaiman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), commented that the political turmoil had worsened the economy more that the floods in 2011, as it laid bare the problems in Thai politics and social structure.

Many investors expressed their uncertainty to invest in a country where rule of law is ineffective, and tend to hold their investment in Thailand or move to other countries, said Mr. Phayingsak, who additionally warned that Thailand’s competitiveness could fall behind its ASEAN counterparts, namely, Indonesia, Vietnam and even Myanmar.

Bangkok has also seen a decrease of foreign tourists arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport in November and early Devember, said Mr. Somsak Pureesrisak, Minister of Tourism and Sport.

Currently, the nation’s main airport is receiving 49,000 tourists a day, 1,000 less than its usual time. Moreover, many tourists arriving at the airport also tend to board another plane to other tourists destination, for instance, Chiang Mai and Phuket, to avoid the chaos in Bangkok.

However, the Tourism and Sport Minister said they need to monitor the situation a little longer before they can conclude how the situation would end. He added that he feared Thailand may experience falling popularity among foreigners if the political crisis is not solved in timely manner.

“We have instructed the Ministry’s permanent secretary to appoint every organisation, particularly the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to support tourists facing any domestic problems, including the political turmoil," said Mr. Somsak, "TAT also has, on its website, an explanation and information regarding the protests"

The TAT is providing 24 hour a day services for coordination among different agencies and information for visitors, Mr. Somsak added.

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Royal Princess Delivers Gifts To Injured Protesters

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3 December 2013, 17:01

Anti-government protesters lighting fire to a red shirt worn by a pro-government protester in Ramkhamhaeng district, 30 November 2013

(3 December) A representative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has delivered gifts to protesters injured by clashes with the police in Bangkok on the princess? behalf.

Thanpuying Rawichit Suwannabuppha said HRH Sirindhorn has instructed her to follow up on the conditions of every wounded individual who is currently admitted to Ramathibodi Hospital. According to Thanpuying Rawitchit, the princess would also like to express her encouragement and blessing to the injured protesters.

The hospital has received wounded protesters from both the clashes between pro-government and anti-government protesters which erupted near Ramkhamhaeng University on 30 November, and the battles between police and the anti-government protesters around Government House over the weekend.

Thanpuying Rawichit, who also serves as deputy secretary to Her Majesty the Queen, said HRH Princess Sirindhorn is particularly concerned over the clashes around Ramkhamhaeng University as Her Royal Highness has visited the University every year to hand out diplomas to the graduates.

"I will bring the details of every injured person to report to the princess," Thanpuying Rawichit told reporters, adding that HRH Princess Sirindhorn has offered to personally pay the medical bills for any conditions of the protesters which are not covered under the national health insurance program.

According to Thanpuying Rawichit, the princess is also worried about a protester who had been shot through the stomach and is now at risk of permanent paralysed conditions.

The clashes in Ramkhamhaeng killed at least 4 people; one has been identified as a student, and three others as members of the Redshirts protesters, who were rallying in Rajamangala Stadium.

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State Railway Governor's Train Derailed In Lamphun

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3 December 2013, 15:59

LAMPHUN — The safety demonstration of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) of its newly repaired tracks has ended in an embarrassing failure when the train carrying the SRT director derailed en route to Chiang Mai province yesterday.

Prapat Chongsanguan and his entourage were riding on the third carriage of the train, which departed from Bangkok on 1 December as an effort of the SRT to show that their northern route is now operating again after weeks of repair works.

The repair operation along the northern route followed series of train derailment occurring on the route in the past year.

However, the train derailed 100 metres away from a train station in Lamphun. No injuries have been reported, as the train was slowing its speed during its approach to the train station.

Witnesses at the station said a technician prematurely switched the tracks under the incoming train before the entire train went past the switching position, causing the third and last carriage, where Mr. Prapat and his entourage along with members of the press were riding, to derail.

After the incident, Mr. Prapat and other officials traveled to their destination in Chiang Mai province by cars. He refused to answer questions from reporters, and appeared to be visibly distraught by the accident.

Technicians spent 5 hours removing the derailed carriage, and few more hours in fixing the rail track. The line was reopened in the evening.

Police Water Cannon 'Not Chemical Weapon'

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3 December 2013, 14:49

(3 December) A public health official has dismissed reports that water cannon used by the police in clashes with the anti-government protesters contained hazardous chemicals.

Throughout much of the clashes over the weekend near Government House the police employed water cannon and tear gas in fighting off waves of protesters, but anti-government media have questioned the use of the high-pressure purple-coloured water by the police.

A number of protesters also reported receiving skin injuries from the water, leading to speculation that the water might contain tear gas or other "chemical weapons".

But Ms. Chantana Padungtos, MD, an official from Department of Disease Control which operates under Ministry of Public Health, said the water has been mixed with a colourful and hard-to-clean chemical in order to identify the aggressive protesters and arrest them later, if the police chose to do so.

She identified chemicals in the water as Potassium permanganate, which many Thais uses as the chemical to wash their market fresh fruits, and Sodium thiosulphate, which Ms. Chantana said was mixed in the water for a better propelling effect.

Nevertheless, Ms. Chantana said, the two chemicals can cause a mild level of sulfur dioxide that can result in skin irritation. "The purple water is not chemical weapon," she stressed, "Its acid density is only slightly higher than vinegar".

She added, "And no tear gas was mixed into the water because tear gas cannot be used in water"

The official described the measure as one of universal crowd control methods, along with pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets.

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Thammasat Academics Defy Rector's Closure Order

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3 December 2013, 13:17

Student activists mockingly placed a sign over lecture hall to announce that the aim of Thammasat University is to serve Democrat Party, which is leading the ongoing anti-government protests

(3 December) A group of prominent academics have hosted their own lecture session in the Rangsit Campus of Thammasat University in defiance of its rector′s instruction to close down the university.

The rector of Thammasat, Mr. Somkid Lertpaitoon, has previously announced the closure of Thammasat campuses from 2-4 December, citing security concerns over the escalating anti-government protests in Bangkok.

But a group of dissenting lecturers in Thammasat view the instruction as the cooperation with anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who has called for a nationwide strike by bureaucrats and closure of all universities to pressure the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra into resigning.

Known as ?Nitirart? or ?The Enlightened Jurists?, the academics have in the past campaigned for a more liberal change to Thai political system, such as the amendment of the draconic lese majeste laws, and spoken out against Mr. Somkid′s alleged conspiracy with anti-government factions.

Members of the Nitirart group, such as Mr. Worachet Pakeerut, Ms. Yukti Mukdawijitra, and Mr. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, told the crowd of students who gathered to hear their lectures at Social Sciences lecturer hall that Mr. Somkid′s order to close down the university is unacceptable as it leads to impression that Thammsat University has taken a side in the political crisis.

The academics have advertised their out-of-classroom lecture as a special session to teach the students about democratic system contrasted to the one propagated by the anti-government protest leadership, which called itself the People′s Committee For Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Many Thammasat students attended the session.

During the lecture, Mr. Piyabutr criticised Mr. Somkid′s suggestion that Ms. Yingluck should resign and appoint an unelected Prime Minister to take charge of the country.

Mr. Piyabutr, a law lecturer, said the suggestion is completely unconstitutional because the 2007 Constitution does not allow the possibility of an unelected Prime Minister, according to report from Prachatai.

Prachatai also quoted another Nitirart member, Mr. Worachet, as saying that the PCAD′s demand of a "People′s Council" to be established is likewise impossible under the current constitution. The constitution recognised the people′s participation via electing the MPs, the Senators, and casting votes in referendum, but it said nothing of an unelected council to rule the country, Mr. Worachet said.

Mr. Worachet added that the rector′s call for an unelected Prime Minister is not based on any academic principle and can be seen as supportive of an extra-judicial political change.

Another act of defiance against Mr. Somkid took place at another building in Rangsit Campus of Thammasat University, when a group of student activists attempted to lower the Thai national flag from its pole and replace it with a black flag.

The students said the act symbolised the death of Thammasat University as a beacon of democracy for Thailand following its rector′s alleged collusion with anti-democracy forces.

They also tried to explain to the security guards that Thammasat students had previously raised a black flag over their university during the student uprising against military dictatorship in October 1973. However, after a brief struggle, the guards eventually succeeded in preventing the students from hoisting the black flag.

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Street Clashes Dead Identified As 1 Student, 3 Redshirts

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2 December 2013, 20:56

(2 December) The victims who lost their lives during nighttime clashes between rival protesters in Ramkhamhaeng district of Bangkok have been identified as one student from Ramkhamhaeng University and three Redshirts protesters.

The clashes erupted when a group of anti-government protesters, mostly composed of Ramkhamhaeng students, approached the vicinity of Rajamangala Stadium, where thousands of pro-government Redshirts protesters were holding their rally.

The violence which involved beating rival protesters and vandalising public vehicles in the afternoon deteriorated into street battles as night fell. Explosions and gunfire echoed in the area throughout the night, which forced the Redshirts leadership to call off their rally in the morning, citing concerns for the safety of their protesters.

According to Prachatai, rescue workers at Erawan Centre said three individuals had been killed by the violence: Mr. Taweesak Bhodikaew, 21; Mr. Wisanu Paopu, 26; and Mr. Viroj Khemnark, 43.

Prachatai identified Mr. Taweesak as a student from Ramkhamhaeng University, while Mr. Wisanu and Mr. Viroj are described as Redshirts protesters.

Whether Mr. Taweesak was participating in the clashes with other anti-government students is not immediately clear. His father, Mr. Naramet Teerarangsikul, was quoted as saying that he did not want his son′s death to be used as political discourse or as a tool to discredit any particular side.

"I have been pressured to choose side, but I want to confirm that my son belonged to no side," Mr. Naramet reportedly said, adding that the matter is now under legal procedure and that he wished the country would return to peace in the near future.

Meanwhile, Ms. Thida Thavornseth, chairwoman of the Redshirts official leadership, told Prachatai that one more Redshirts protester had been killed. The victim had been identified as Private Thanasith Viengkam, 23. According to Ms. Thida, his funeral is now being held at Yang Temple, Soi Onnuj 23.

All victims died from gunshot wounds, the report says.

The deadly clashes at Ramkhamhaeng have been claimed by both anti-government and pro-government factions as proofs of brutality of the opposing side. Many in both factions also accuse the police of failing to intervene and put an end to the clashes in timely manner.

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Survey: 29% Have Unsafe Sex With Strangers

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2 December 2013, 20:03

Free condoms issued by Ministry of Public Health in Pitsanulok province

(2 December) 29% out of 200 samples surveyed by Disease Prevention Control Department have said they do not use condoms when they have sex with people other than their partners.

The survey was conducted online during the period of 1-30 November. The sample group answered a number of questions involving HIV/AIDS. and the result was announced by Mr. Cherdkiat Klaewkasikit, Director of the Risk of Communication and Health Behaviour Development, which operates under DPCD in Pitsanulok province.

The poll is expected to raise public awareness regarding the risks of HIV/AIDS in Thai society, said Mr. Cherdkiat, which would help curb infection rates, deaths, and improve understanding toward HIV/AIDS patients.

52% of the respondents says they are aware of their partners? previous sex experience with other people, but only 31% says they are confident that their partners always use condoms when having sex with other people.

Meanwhile, 62% says they are confident they will continue to have sex only with their partner throughout their relationship sure to have sex with a single partner.

In a disturbing revelation, 29% of respondents say they have had sexual intercourse with people other than their committed partners without condoms, and only 54% say they are capable of refusing unsafe sex.

Nearly half of the samples (47%) says they have their condoms ready in any situation, whereas 56% says they have previously tested their risk of having HIV.

Samples who have shared injection needles with other people stands at 9%.

Nearly three-fourth (73%) of the sample says they have learned that HIV/AIDs medicine is accessible to every Thai people and 83% knows that regularly consuming the medicine could prolong the lives of infected individuals. 39% knows that ingesting the anti-virus medicine could prevent the risks to pass the virus to other people.

77% says they would tell their family members if they were infected with HIV, whereas 9% says they have close friends and relatives who are having HIV and 49% knows someone who has HIV.

However, 14% says they would try to stay away from HIV patients, whom have been described as "disgusting" by 2% of the respondents. 4% say they feel disgust toward AIDS patients.

Three-fourth says they would like to have HIV/AIDs test if the service is available for free.

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PM Yingluck Dismisses Possibility Of Military Coup

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2 December 2013, 18:28

(2 December) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has hinted that she was willing to dissolve Parliament for the sake of the "happiness of the Thai people".

But she rejected to follow the demands of the anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who called for the establishment of a "People′s Council" to transform the country to what Mr. Suthep describes as an "absolute democracy".

Ms. Yingluck made the remarks during a press conference earlier today, amidst the ongoing attempts by the anti-government protesters to unseat the government. A number of governmental offices and Ministries have been occupied by the protesters.

She insisted the government is not clinging to power at any cost. "We are ready to invite experts in laws and other fields, including ordinary people, to find solutions for our country, and to return the happiness to the people".

As for the demands of a "People′s Council" issued by the People′s Committee For Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), Ms. Yingluck said while she is open to all suggestions from the protesters, they must be within the boundary of the laws and the Constitution.

"Mr. Suthep′s demands cannot be supported by any laws," said Ms. Yingluck, "But let me stress that we are still open to all channels to solve the problem together".

Asked whether she fears the military would launch a coup against her government, as they had done so against her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, Ms. Yingluck replied that the 2006 military coup has led to violent confrontations and suffering which she believes no one wants to see such tragedy repeating itself.

The Prime Minister also claimed she is willing to consider resignation or House dissolution if the protesters agree to leave the governmental buildings and disperse their rallies.

When a reporter asked her how would she justify her resignation to the people who had elected her into office, Ms. Yingluck said, "whatever that can bring back happiness to the Thais, that is the majority voice of the people".

She added, "If the country can return to peace, I am willing to do it".

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