Protests Force Thailand To Lower Interest Rate

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28 November 2013, 22:05

(28 November)
Responding to the signs of the national economy slowing down due to waves of protests in Bangkok,
the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has agreed to lower interest rate to
2.25%.

According to Mr. Paiboon Kittisrikangwan, Secretary
General of the Monetary Policy Committee, the change was a necessary measure to the political
turmoil and the delayed public investment.

The measure is designed to
push for future growth as the Thai economy in 2013 performed less than expected because of low
price sensitivity and a decline in internal debts, Mr. Paiboon
said.

The announcement came after the country is risking delayed
public investments and the fading confidence from private sectors regarding the political
anxiety.

The BOT also announced its expectation for the kingdom’s GDP
for 2013 to stay at 3%, and 4% in 2014.

Private Sector Alarmed By Political Turmoil

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27 November 2013, 22:11

(27 November) Prominent representatives of private sector urges all political factions to end the ongoing turmoil to avoid possible risks in economic slowdown after foreign investors shows sign to withdraw their investment in Thailand.

Mr. Phayungsak Chatsuthiphol, President of the Federation of Thai Industry (FTI), revealed that foreign investors have raised concerns over the current political crisis and suggested that every party should open the negotiation table to constraint the divided society.

FTI president also warned that the export, tourism and investment sectors could be worsened if the situation lingered for too long, and that the nation might take a while to recover from the loss.

Mr. Phayungsak said FTI members will meet to discuss the measure to tackle exports struggle after the political turmoil diminishing January 2014 orders.

“Some says the dissolution of the parliament could be the exit, or the best possible answer to normalise the situation. But from my perspective, whoever becoming the government would face the same fate as the current government is facing. It is difficult to say if the dissolution would work”, said Mr. Phayungsak.

Mr.Yutthachai Soonthornrattanavej, president of the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT), estimated that 20-30% of Thai tourists should decline 20-30% in December from its normal rate at 8-9 million.

Mr.Samphan Paenpattana, Thai Hotel Association (THA) Honorary Advisor, agreed with Mr. Yutthachai and said that 20% of tourists would be possibly decreased and if the protests do not end within this week, hotels reservation in December may result in only 55-60% from 80-85% of full capacity prior to the mass protests.

Meanwhile, Ms. Laksamon Atthataphit, Senior Economic from Asian Development Bank, said that the bank is ready to lower its Thailand’s GDP growth to be under 3.8% due to fears that the political crisis would cripple Thai exports.

"Some of the private sectors are taking damage from the political situation already," Ms. Laksamon added.

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4-year-old Boy Gored by Pregnant Buffalo

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27 November 2013, 22:09

(27 November) A 4-year-old boy was admitted to hospital in Ayutthaya after he was gored underneath his armpits by a pregnant water buffalo.

Abideen Ubonyaem was butted by the buffalo near his home in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province on 26 November. According to his mother, the boy and the buffalo were familiar to each other as the boy plays with the creature every day.

The owner of the buffalo who claimed to be present at the scene said that Abideen was petting the animal’s head as usual. However, reportedly, the animal was upset with small bugs and waved its head quickly, causing its horn to stab into Abideen’s armpits. He then informed Abideen’s mother before they rushed the boy to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital.

Medical team said Abideen had well recovered from his wound, but need to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to make sure his wound is uninfected. The buffalo’s owner said he is willing to be responsible for the medical bills.

Buffaloes are considered as a symbol of Thai rural culture.

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Police Investigating Suicide And Murder Of Chinese Tourists

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27 November 2013, 22:03

(27 November) Phuket Police is investigating a case at Phuket’s famous hotel in which a Chinese tourist reportedly killed her Chinese co-traveler before committing suicide.

The police officers were alerted after Ms. Jiang Chengyue, 42, was seen jumping to her death from the balcony of her second storey hotel room.

Ms. Jiang’s body revealed that she had attempted to harm herself, using a sharp weapon to cut her wrists, left arms, neck and chest, police said. In Ms. Jiang’s hotel room police also found the body of Mr. Li Ming, 41, a Chinese national who is suspected to have died from suffocation and was harshly assaulted on his face.

According to a witness, the pair was having their breakfast on Tuesday morning (26 November), just hours before the incident took place. Initial investigation revealed that the couple travelled from Nanning to Phuket along with a large Chinese tour group on 22 November. They were bound to return to China on 27 November.

Police assumed that Ms. Jiang and Mr. Li were having a heated argument before Ms. Jiang allegedly cut her wrist. Afterwards, police believe, she smashed Mr. Li’s face with a solid item while he was asleep and proceeded to suffocate him to death with a pillow. Ms. Jiang then committed suicide by jumping off her balcony.

Nevertheless, the police said they are treating the case as suspicious, and the investigation is ongoing.

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Warrant On Suthep Approved, But Police Won't Arrest Him Soon

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26 November 2013, 18:49

(26 November) The Criminal Court has approved the arrest warrant on the leader of the anti-government protesters responsible for the occupation of three Ministries by the protesters.

Former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban has been charged with causing public disorder, refusing to cease such action when instructed to do so by the authorities, and trespassing state properties, under the Criminal Code Section 116, 215, 216, and 365.

Under orders from Mr. Suthep, the protesters are currently occupying the compound of Ministry Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Some of the demonstrators have also entered the Public Relations Department upon his instruction.

Lt.Gen. Paradorn Pattanatabutr, chief of National Security Council, said he had been informed by the police that the authorities had dispatched representatives to warn Mr. Suthep of the illegality of his tactics and advise him to change course, to no avail.

He added that he hoped his supporters would at least listen to the government′s plea for the "illegal" protest to end. "These people have middle class background. They should be well aware what the laws say," Lt.Gen. Paradorn told our correspondent.

The national security chief also suggested that Mr. Suthep is at the risk losing his appeal for a bail release because he is already involved in a separate legal action for his role as a Deputy Prime Minister who co-authorised the crackdown on Redshirts protesters in 2010.

However, Lt.Gen. Paradorn admitted that the police would unlikely try to serve the warrant or arrest him inside the protest camp, less violent confrontations would break out.

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Govt Asks The World To Condemn Protesters

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26 November 2013, 18:02

(26 November) The Minister of Foreign Affairs said he has submitted letters to various foreign governments, reassuring them that the anti-government protests are not legitimate democratic movements against the government.

Mr. Surapong Tovijakchaikul, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, told reporters among the recipients of the letters are the United Nations headquarters in New York City, the UN Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights in Geneva, and members of the United Nations Security Council such as the United States, Russia, and Britain.

The letter explains that the ongoing campaign to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is an illegal and disruptive conspiracy hatched by factions hostile to democratic regime in the country. The letter also reportedly cites the incidents of anti-government protesters occupying important governmental buildings and asked every nation in the world to condemn the movements, according to Mr. Surapong.

Led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, the protesters have seized yesterday the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a part of their campaign to pressure the government in resigning. Today, the protesters have additionally seized the compound of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Mr. Surapong said he was meeting with foreign dignitaries at a conference in Bahrain when the news broke that his office has been taken over by the protesters. "Naturally, representatives of many nations have inquired me about the situation in Thailand, " Mr. Surapong said, "I have told them that the protest is illegal, because it has been escalated into a threat to national security, and it is not in accordance with democracy".

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 23 nations have issued warnings to their citizens about their travels to Thailand, following the turbulent days of protests and the Thai government′s decision to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) over the entire city of Bangkok.

The 23 nations are the US, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Hungary, Slovakia, Israel, Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore, the statement reads.

The extension of the ISA was announced on a live televised broadcast by Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra. Originally imposed only in the governmental district in Bangkok to prevent the protesters from reaching the compound of Government House and House of Parliament, the law was extended to cover not only entire Bangkok but also its neighbouring province of Nonthaburi, while the district of Bang Phli in Samut Prakarn province and the district of Lad Lumkaew woudl also be affected.

One of Bangkok′s two airports is located in Bang Phli; the decision to include the district hints at the officials? fear that the anti-government protesters might end up repeating the tactics they had employed in 2008, when they occupied Don Mueang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport, dealing devastating blows to the country′s export and tourism sectors.

Nonthaburi′s Lad Lumkaew is also home to the Redshirts-operated Thai Khom TV station, which the government obviously feared might become an easy target of the anti-government protesters.

In her announce, Ms. Yingluck insists that the invocation of ISA will provide safety and security to the people.

The Prime Minister also voiced her concern regarding the occupation of the Ministry of Finance, in which the protesters severed off water supplies and electricity power to the Ministry′s main buildings, stating that the incident presents threats to people’s lives and properties.

However, she stressed that there will be no use of force against the demonstrators and that the government is willing to listen to all side regardless of their political colours to retain peace and the unity of Thai people. She also vowed that the government will transparently enforce the rule of law in the hope to defuse the situation in timely manner.

Ms. Yingluck also used the broadcast to send her regards to the anti-government groups, stating that they should use parliamentary procedures to voice their political discourses and embrace the rule of laws within the system of democracy under a constitutional monarchy.

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Rayong Man Electrocuted By 'Charging iPhone'

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26 November 2013, 18:01

(26 November) A counterfeit iPhone item with faulty electricity is believed to have been behind the death of a 28 year old man in Rayong province.

Police said the body of Mr. Phisit Changlek was discovered by his father, Mr. Cheaow Changlek, 52, who went to check on his son after he had not left the room for hours. The body was lying topless on the floor.

Mr. Cheaow added he felt a leaked electric current when he touched his son′s body. He also recalled seeing his son talking on the phone which was being charged. After he has gone to bed, Mr. Cheaow said, he heard Mr. Phisit’s moaning in the night, but did not suspect such tragedy.

Mr. Cheaow also told the police he believed his son used counterfeit gadget in his iPhone.

The police said they had found several burns on Mr. Phisit′s hand and chest, confirming their speculation that the victim was electrocuted by the device. Nevertheless, police said post mortem investigation is scheduled for further information.

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Parking Lot Dispute Led To House Shooting

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25 November 2013, 19:58

(25 November) A man has discharged his firearm at his neighbour′s house following a dispute over parking space, police in Chonburi province said.

When the police arrived at the scene in Nong Prue district, they found Ms. Supattra Khamwan, the owner of thouse, waiting in tears with her young nieces, who were visibly distraught by the alleged gunfire.

She told police that she and Mr. Aree Daugnpathum, 40, often had arguments about how she parked her car next to her house, which Mr. Aree reportedly claimed to his usual parking space. Under influence of alcohol, Ms. Supattra said, Mr. Aree arrived in front of her house and shouted angrily that she had parked the car in the disputed space again.

When it became clear that Ms. Supattra would not come out to talk to him, Mr. Aree allegedly fired his pistol several times into Ms. Supattra, in the presence of young children, but no one has been injured.

Police later arrested Mr. Aree, who confessed to his crime, but insisted that he did not intend to cause any death or injury.

It is reported that Mr. Aree is facing charges for his misconduct.

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Foreign Couple Accused Of Stealing From Hotel Room

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25 November 2013, 18:06

(25 November) A pair of foreigners has been arrested by police in Pattaya on the suspicion of stealing from an organiser of a university badminton team.

Ms. Maneenet Weerarattanamanee, 36, a lecturer of Assumption University in Bangkok, told police she was leading her college′s badminton team to compete in the MMOA Pattaya Badminton Sawasdee 2013 Championship and had been staying at Siam View Hotel in the seaside town.

According to Ms. Maneenet, she spent less than 5 minutes in the restroom and realised later that her purse and belongings including 18,000 baht in cash were gone.

The CCTV camera footage revealed that a foreign couple, later identified as Mr. Mohamed Meghraoui, an Algerian national, and Ms. Leila Boukazza, a French national, had been knocking the doors of hotel rooms, checking which room was deserted. When there was no response from Ms. Maneenet′s room, the pair was seen entering the room and leaving shortly afterwards.

Police then made the arrest at their residence at Daeng Apartment in Pattaya.

It is reported that during the arrest, the suspects had thrown out Ms. Maneenet’s purse from their window. Police has also found a yellow polo shirt which Mr. Megharaoui wore during the scene recorded in the CCTV camera.

The suspects denied the charge, but police said they had clear evidence against the couple. Further investigation is pending.

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Anti-Govt Campaign Marked By Media Intimidation

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25 November 2013, 18:04

Anti-government protesters in front of Channel 9 TV station

(25 November) Anti-government protests appear to be increasingly hostile toward members of the media seen as pro-government by the protesters.

Tens of thousands of protesters led by various former Democrat MPs have been staging massive rallies and coordinating demonstrations in Bangkok in the bid to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The protesters had been rallying a largely peaceful manner at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, but in the past 24 hours the mood has quickly shifted, as the protesters launched an aggressive campaign aimed at causing disruption to the government. The protesters are now occupying several governmental buildings, including the Ministry of Finance.

It is under this atmosphere that journalists are more and more threatened by the protesters. Yesterday a group of anti-government protesters surrounded a broadcasting vehicle operated by Channel 3 near Ratchadamnoen Avenue, accusing the channel of reporting about the protests in a negative way.

The protesters also demanded that all reporters working for Channel 3 leave the protest site, while on stage Mr. Suthep told the cheering crowd that the protesters should pay visits to media agencies which do not give adequately positive coverage of the protests in Mr. Suthep′s opinion.

State-owned Channel 3, Channel 7, and Channel 9 television stations were targeted by hundreds of the anti-government protesters today, who rallied just in front of the buildings and blowing the whistles – their adopted gesture against the government – to express their anger toward the news stations.

Popular news show host of Channel 3, Mr. Sorayuth Suttassanachinda, was singled out by many protesters who view him as a mouthpiece of the government.

At the headquarters of Channel 3, Mr. Sorayuth, who became a familiar face to many Thais by hosting a daily news talk show, later emerged to talk to the protesters and assured them that he had reported the news without any intention to belittle the protest movements.

In a tense confrontation, hundreds of protesters ignored his explanation and shouted in unison to Mr. Sorayuth demanding that he apologise for his perceived bias. Mr. Sorayuth responded by blowing a whistle alongside the protesters and said he had no hatred toward them. The famous TV personality then returned to the building without any violence.

However, a violent episode broke out near the Bangkok Metropolitan Police headquarters, where thousands of protesters were facing off with lines of riot police. There, Mr. Nick Nostitz, a German freelance photojournalist, was assaulted and punched by a group of anti-government protesters who were responding to a remark made by a protest leader on a nearby stage that Mr. Nostitz is a pro-government journalist.

Some volunteer guards of the protest were seen trying to defend Mr. Nostitz, while others tried to charge at him, before a group of police officers intervened and rescued him from the crowd.

Speaking to our correspondent later, Mr. Nostitz said he was arguing with the protest guards when he was spotted by former Democrat MP Chumpon Junsai, who pointed his finger to Mr. Nostitz, accused him of being a "Redshirt reporter", and urged the crowd to evict him from the protest site. The photojournalist was promptly assaulted by the crowd.

"None of this would have happened without Chumpon′s instruction," said Mr. Nostitz, adding that he aims to press charges against the protest leader.

Facebook pages of anti-government network later published photos of the incident and continued to identify him as a Redshirt reporter. Asked if he would return to taking photos of the protest afterwards, Mr. Nostitz said it would have been impossible for him to do so under this atmosphere.

Mr. Nostitz is a longtime photojournalist who has been reporting about various protests and crackdowns in Thailand since the 2006 military coup. He has published several photo books on the conflicts between Redshirts and Yellowshirts.

Responding to the incident, the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand (FCCT) released a statement deploring the assault on Mr. Nostitz "in strongest possible terms". It also called on the protest leaders to respect the rights of journalists to cover the protests in safe manner.

Meanwhile, the Thai Journalist Association similarly said in statement that all media agencies have done their best to report the ongoing protests in the most impartial way possible.

Although the protesters are inevitably upset by what they perceive as biased coverage by the media, reporters and journalists are entitled to the rights to cover the news and broadcast their stories without obstacle, the statement reads.

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