Songkhla Protesters Storm Highspeed Rail Exhibit

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30 November 2013, 09:12

(30 November) Hundreds of anti-government protesters in Songkhla province have stormed the venue of roadshow exhibition promoting the government′s plan to construct high-speed rail system.

The transportation overhaul project, which is expected cost 2.2 trillion baht and due to complete in 2020, is opposed by critics of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Transport Minister Chatchart Sittipan and Minister of Finance Kittirat na Ranong were slated to give keynote speeches at the exhibition in Songkhla, but security concerns have forced the government to assign the role to the Governor of Songkhla and a high ranking official from the Ministry of Transport.

Before the show started, however, 400 protesters rushed into the exhibition hall, occupying the stage and giving speeches critical of the government. A protest leader said it is unacceptable if a corrupt government is allowed to organise such events in Songkhla.

The protesters also unfurled a banner which alleged that the 2.2 trillion baht project is a potential ground for massive corruption.

Mr. Krisada Boonraj, Governor of Songkhla, later went on stage and assured the protesters that no Cabinet member would be attending the exhibition. He also offered to cancel the events for the day in exchange with the protesters? departure from the exhibition hall, which was agreed by the protesters.

However, the protesters also erected a stage just outside the exhibition hall where they continued to rally. Scores of police officers kept close watch of the protesters nearby.

The latest wave of political tumult has brought doubts over the fate of the highspeed rail project. Ms. Yingluck was quoted as telling the Ambassador of the United Kingdom yesterday that the project might be "delayed".

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Film Makers Sorry For Lingerie-Clad Lantern Scene

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30 November 2013, 08:37

(30 November) Facing criticism from conservative activists and Netizens, the producers of the ghost-comedy film ?Oh! My Ghost? have issued an apology over a scene in which the characters released a traditional balloon lantern attached with a set of women underwear.

The scene was criticised by many on the social network as insulting toward the culture of the northern region, the original home of the ?Yee Peng? hot-air lantern, which is now popular in other parts of Thailand.

Mr. Natee Teerarojanapong, a well-known conservative activist, also staged a protest with his group ?Civilised Chiang Mai? in Chiang Mai province. He called the lingerie-lantern scene a "blasphemy", since it disrespect local religious and cultural beliefs.

He called on the state censorship authorities to work harder to ensure that all cultural or traditional objects were portrayed appropriately in movies. "If any film maker would like to use any custom or tradition in their film, they should have carefully studied about the practice," Mr. Natee was quoted as saying.

Mr. Natee added, "The destruction of Thai culture is not caused by outsiders or foreigners, but it is caused by Thais who lack the consciousness of their own art and culture"

For many Thais, women underwear is seen as a lowly object.
Meanwhile, Sahamongkol Film International and WorkPoint Picture, the firms behind the making of "Oh! My Ghost” have issued an apology.

Citing that the scene may “disparage beliefs or disrespect norms and culture”, the firms, including the director, actors and crews expressed their sincere apology for not considering the issue thoughtfully, the statement reads.

In response, the crew will remove the scene from the movie, which was already released to many cinemas. However, the statement warned that the scene may still appear in some cinemas due to technical difficulties.

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UK Ambassador Cautions Thais Against Confrontation

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30 November 2013, 08:05

BANGKOK — (30 November) The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Mark Kent, has expressed his concerns over the political unrest during his visit to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday.

According to Mr. Teerat Rattanasevi, Prime Minister Office Spokesman, Mr. Kent had discussed with Ms. Yingluck about the current political situation in the country after the protest had occupied many administrative headquarters throughout Bangkok.

“The British Ambassador said he wishes to see the negotiation between the government and the anti-government protesters. He also stated that Britain support political protests as a feature of democratic nation, but they must be within the boundary of the laws,” the government spokesman said.

Mr. Teerat added that “Mr. Kent disagreed with the occupying of government administrative offices, at which point the Prime Minister assured him that the Thai government will not use force against the protesters”.

“The Prime Minister also wishes to see the negotiation to avoid the confrontation between two sides, which is very well agreed by the British Ambassador,” said Mr. Teerat.

During the discussion, the Prime Minister reportedly insisted to Mr. Kent that many government offices can still operate properly, despite the occupation.

However, according to Mr. Teerat, Ms. Yingluck replied to Mr. Kent′s question regarding the two-trillion baht infrastructure development scheme that the government may have to delay its proposal at this time.

The United Kingdom is not the only nation expressing its concerns over the ongoing crisis, as the United States, the United Nations and China have previously sent letters to the Prime Minister asking for negotiations between the Government and the protesters.

However, anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected any chance of negotiation with the government.

China Praises Yingluck's 'Restrained' Measures

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28 November 2013, 22:26

(28 November) The Chinese Ambassador to Thailand has praised Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra′s reluctance to employ violence against the anti-government protesters who had occupied a number of governmental buildings in Bangkok.

In his visit to Government House yesterday – just a few blocks away from the main campsite of the protesters – Mr. Ning Fukui said he was glad to see that Ms. Yingluck is handling the ongoing crisis in a peaceful, restrained manner.

During the meeting, both the Chinese ambassador and Thai leader discussed the two countries? warm relations and touched on the possibility of the future infrastructure development. The Chinese government has previously offered to assist Thailand in its 2.2 trillion baht investment on construction of public transportation, including high-speed rail.

Mr. Ning said he was deeply concerned by the protests, which saw anti-government protesters led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban seizing or besieging headquarters of four Ministries in Bangkok.

He also offered to assume the role of the mediator to solve the current political turmoil within the principle of Thai democracy.

Mr. Sukree Sitthiwanich, deputy Governor for Policy and Marketing Plan, Tourism authority of Thailand, also announced this morning that 28 countries have already issued travel warnings for their citizens concerning the political crisis in Thailand. Among the latest were Russia, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, expressed his concern about the rising tension in Bangkok, according to his spokesman.

"The secretary-general calls on all sides to exercise the utmost restraint, refrain from the use of violence and to show full respect for the rule of law and human rights," the statement noted.

However, the anti-government protesters, who are seeking to overthrow the government of PM Yingluck, show no sign of backing down; the protesters appear to be increasingly confrontational in their campaign against the government by launching additional protests against several provincial town halls.

Earlier today, the protesters went as far as cutting electricity to the compound of the Royal Thai Police headquarters in central Bangkok. A public hospital which locates on the same compound was affected by the blackout, leading to an urgent evacuation of its patients.

The police have made no attempt to disperse the protesters.

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Pheu Thai MPs Stayed Overnight For Confidence Vote

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28 November 2013, 22:22

(28 November) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra survived the no-confidence vote following two-day debate in Parliament, with anti-government protests raging just few intersections away outside the building.

Ms. Yingluck comfortably won the votes of 297 to 134 to remain in her position.

Mr. Jarupong Ruengsuwan, Minister of Interior, also made it through a no-confident vote after he won 296 to 135 votes.

Acknowledging the result, Mr. Jarupong glanced to the Prime Minister and gave her a thumb up and a smile.

After the vote, Mr. Somsak Kiatsuranon, the speaker of the House of Representatives, reported the overall performance, before Mr. Wichak Nakwatchara, secretary-general of the House, closed the meeting within 15 minutes.

The apparent haste of the procedure reflects the fear prevalent among Pheu Thai Party members that the opposition party might initiate a surprise tactic to disrupt the parliamentary vote.

Leaders of Pheu Thai Party had even instructed their MPs to spend the night inside Parliament compound prior to the vote, out of concern that the Democrat Party might prevent the Pheu Thai MPs from entering Parliament later.

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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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