Political Violence Resumes Minutes After HM's Birthday

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6 December 2013, 13:16

Mr. Thavorn Senniam talking to reporters

(6 December) The brief lull in the political confrontation in Bangkok came to an end minutes after His Majesty the King′s Birthday when an anti-government protester was shot by unknown individuals at Ministry of Finance.

According to witnesses, Mr. Banchong Pengsakul, a 46 year old resident of Surat Thani province, was serving as a volunteer security guard for the protesters and patrolling the Ministry, where the anti-government protesters have been occupying for a week, when two individuals on motorcycle approached him and shot at Mr. Banchong.

The assailants quickly fled the scene, and the protesters who witnessed the scene could not identify the type of the motorcycle used by the attackers. Mr. Banchong was later sent to Rajavithi Hospital; his condition is described as stable.

The attack was said to occur at 00.05 – several minutes after the symbolic date of 5 December, when anti-government protesters led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban agreed to suspend their political campaign for a day to observe the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King′s Birthday.

The truce came after the protests in Bangkok turned violent over the weekend of 30 November and 1 December, when anti-government protesters clashed with pro-government Redshirts in eastern Bangkok, leaving at least four people dead, and anti-government protesters engaging in fierce street battle with the police around Government House.

However, many Thais did not expect the truce to last following HM′s Birthday, and Mr. Suthep has previously vowed he would resume his campaign to oust PM Yingluck Shinawatra once the celebration is over.

Mr. Thavorn Senniam, former Democrat MP who is now one of the protest leaders, said two hours prior to Mr. Banchong′s shooting an unknown assailant also lopped small explosive device toward the protesters at the Ministry of Finance, but no injury was reported.

The former Democrat MP also criticised the police′s handling of the incidents, claiming that officers took more than an hour before arriving at the scene.

Mr. Thavorn added that he had instructed the guards to patrol the protest site more frequently, and he had requested his fellow protesters to park their cars along the compound′s fences to serve as a barrier from potential attacks.

Naewna newspaper and anti-government social network sites have identified the assailants who shot Mr. Banchong as "Redshirts agents", but the claim cannot be independently verified.

In an separate incident, anti-government protesters at Ratchadamnoen Avenue also came under attacks from a large group of teenage motorcycle gang who reportedly attempted to drive their vehicles into the protest site.

Mr. Pongthep Klangcharoen, 34, who serves as a volunteer guard for the protesters, said he was manning his checkpoint near Kok Wua Intersection around 04.00 today when over 100 Dek Vans approached the protest camp and tried to drive past the checkpoint.

When the guards refused to let them through, Mr. Pongthep said, the Dek Vans were visibly agitated, and they responded by throwing three small explosive devices at the protest guards. The motorcycle gang reportedly left the scene after the attack, but they later came back and threw more explosives at the protesters.

One protest guard and one Dek Vans were injured by the incidents, police officers said. They were both sent to Vajira Hospital.

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Father Of Redshirt Killed In Bangkok Clash Begs For Justice

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5 December 2013, 15:28

A Redshirt looks at the funeral portrait of Private Thanasith Viengkam at his cremation ceremony, 4 December 2013

(5 December) Father of a pro-government protester killed in clashes at Bangkok′s Ramkhamhaeng district last week has asked the police to swiftly solve the murder of his son.

Mr. Wimol Paophu made the comment at Pheu Thai Party headquarters, where he met with several Pheu Thai MPs, asking for their assistance in pursuing the justice on the behalf of his son, Mr. Wisanu Paophu, 27.

Mr. Wisanu is one of four people killed in the violence, which erupted in Ramkhamkhaeng on 30 November when anti-government protesters, mostly led by vocational and university students in the area, marched toward Rajamangala Stadium where thousands of Redshirts were holding a mass rally.

The dead have been identified as three Redshirts and one student, who is thought to be an anti-government protester. All bodies bear gunshot wounds.

Mr. Wisanu′s father told reporters yesterday he would like to see the police working more actively in the case. "I?ve seen no progress", he said. He also urges the police to arrest those responsible for his son′s murder and place them on trial as soon as possible.

"I want justice for my son. My family has previously attended the rally to listen to speeches of UDD leaders," Mr. Wimol added, referring to National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, "I am saddened by the violence and the death of my son".

In the press conference held yesterday at Imperial Ladprao Shopping Mall, UDD leader Jatupon Prompan said he agreed with anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban′s call for the police to examine the clashes at Ramkhamhaeng, but he faulted Mr. Suthep for focusing entirely on the death of the suspected anti-government student protester.

"He should call [for justice] for every dead body, every life, because there are also injured and dead Redshirts," Mr. Jatupon said.

The UDD leader said the Redshirts will return to the streets for another show of strength after 5 December – His Majesty the King′s Birthday – but stressed that the Redshirts will stick to peaceful rallies and change the venue for their next political activities to avoid further losses of life.

"We will never give up this land to Mr. Suthep," Mr. Jatupon told reporters.

Several Redshirts who were wounded in the clashes with anti-government protesters also made an appearance at the press conference. Among them was Mr. Somyos Wongchanla, a 46 year old taxi driver, who said his vehicle was mobbed by anti-government protesters in the early hours of 1 December, dragged out of his car, and repeatedly beaten.

Mr. Somyos said he tried to beg for his life but the rival protesters would not listen to him, and he was rescued only when a sympathetic anti-government protester intervened and shielded him from the angry crowd.

Another injured man, Mr. Seksan Chamnarnkaew, 38, said he was assaulted by around 10 men at Soi Ramkhamhaeng 53 on the night of 30 November while he made his way to the rally in Rajamangala Stadium. He said his nose has been broken and his eyes injured as a result.

Later in the evening, a number of UDD leaders attended the cremation ceremony of Private Thanasith Viengkam, another Redshirt killed in the Ramkhamhaeng clashes, in On-nut district of Bangkok.

Mr. Wisanu will be cremated on 12 December, and the third deceased Redshirt, Mr. Wiroj Khamnark, on 7 December.

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Ayutthaya Marks HM King's Birthday With Giant Candle

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5 December 2013, 14:56

Westerners signing good wishes for His Majesty the King on the occasion of his birthday in Ayutthaya, 5 December 2013

(5 December) Officials in Ayutthaya province said they had commissioned the creation of giant candle to mark the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King′s Birthday, which falls on 5 December.

Thais are encouraged by the authorities to hold candle-lit rallies in the evening of 5 December every year to express their goodwill to His Majesty the King.

Later tonight, administrative officials in Ayutthaya will unveil its own special candle for the occasion, with 3.99 metre in height, 499 kilogram in weight, and a diameter of 99 centimetre. Number 9 is considered a lucky number by the Thais, and it also corresponds to the title of His Majesty the King, the 9th monarchy of the Chakri dynasty.

Furthermore, the candle has been blessed by 9 famous monks from different temples in the province, offcials said, adding that it is "the biggest candle in the world ever dedicated to His Majesty the King".

A ceremony is also held at Panan Choeng Temple to celebrate HM King′s birthday. Over 3,000 people attended the event.

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Financial Ties With East Asia Grows Despite Protests

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5 December 2013, 14:18

Anti-government protesters listening to speeches at their campsite in Government Complex, northern Bangkok, 4 December 2013

(5 December) In spite of the ongoing political crisis which has affected Thailand′s tourism industry and other revenues, a number of Thai property developers is enjoying greater ties with investors from East Asian nations.

Thailand′s economy has been taking great tolls from the prolonged anti-government protests, which turned violent last week and only experienced a calming lull in recent days. Officials have previously revised the nations? projected economic growth, and warned that the damage could worsen if the protests continued in longer period of time.

But many investors based in China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, and South Korea are attracted by Thailand′s competitiveness as the kingdom is set to enter ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) with other neighbours in the Southeast Asia by 2015, Prachachat reported.

For instance, Mr. Sukit Traiwanapong, Vice President in International Department of the Thai Real Estate Association, said many Chinese investors are keen to invest in major tourist attraction sites, such as Phuket and Pattaya, in big projects such as condominiums, hotels, and commercial properties.

After meeting with investors and officials from China’s Gu?ngzh?u province and Macao, including a former Vice Chinese Premier, Mr. Sukit said that Chinese firms are likely to spend no less than 10 billion USD (approximately 4 trillion THB) in Thai’s property market and are looking for 16-48 Hectare beach-side lands.

“Chinese investors are looking for Thai partners as their government is promoting overseas investment.” said Mr. Sukit, who also added that “Thai law is clearer than those of Myanmar, and the property in many cities are cheaper than those in Singapore or Rangoon.”

Mr. Ponnarit Chuanchaisit, President of the Thai Real Estate Association, added that the Association had met with the Macao Real Estate Association, and had an in-depth conversation about the investment in Phuket.

“They believe that Thai property developers are open toward joint investment. They also enjoy the environment in Phuket and believe that they have the main customers group from their homeland to visit the area.” Said Mr. Ponnarit.

Meanwhile, a representative from Colliers International Thailand Property Consultants and Real Estate Advisors, also told Prachachat correspondent that the company had been in contact with investors from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.

Reportedly, these investors are inquiring about the investment in hotel, factories and cargo businesses both in long term and as joint-partners in various projects.

“The foreign Investors had arranged the budget of at least 200-2,000 million baht” said Colliers’ representative, “I have personally met with 3-4 Japanese investors who are currently trying to strike deals with their Thai counterparts”.

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Pattaya 'Massage Scammers' Steal 60,000 Baht

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4 December 2013, 20:05

(4 December) Three Indian tourists have notified the police in Pattaya that they had been robbed of 60,000 baht by a gang of female scammers who posed as masseurs.

According to the victims, two Thai women approached them while they were walking along Pattaya′s beach road. The women then reportedly offered them massage service, which the victims accepted. The victims were later taken to a parlour in South Pattaya.

Another woman joined the group there, the victims told police.

After a while, the Indians said, the masseurs told them to move to another massage room. The women reportedly left first, but when the victims followed, they could not find the women and quickly realised that their belongings and cash worth 60,000 baht had been stolen.

The scammers also replaced contents in their wallets with papers, the victims said.

Initial report revealed that the room was rented by an unidentified tenant. Police had assured the victims that they would urgently investigate the case and arrest the masseur gang as soon as possible.

Pattaya police have in the past arrested a gang of massage scammers who lured their victims into the parlour while another accomplice lurked under the massage bed and silently stole the victims? wallets left in their pants.

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Protesters Disrupt Flood Prevention Exhibit

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4 December 2013, 19:03

(4 December) A government-sponsored event showcasing the flood prevention project in Prachinburi province has been forced to end early after around 100 protesters stormed the venue.

The event, organised by government officials and held at Wang Sam Rarn Hotel in Sri Mahapho district, was intended to promote the water management overhaul, which is one of major policies adopted by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra following the incident of 2011 Great Flood.

But even before the show kicked off, a large group of protesters appeared at the hotel entrance with banners and loudspeakers mounted on vehicles, demanding the event to be cancelled. The protesters argued that the project might end up causing extensive flood in Prachinburi.

The crowd later grew more aggressive and pushed through the security barricades manned by the police into the venue, which was held inside the hotel, much to the bemusement of around 1,000 people who were waiting for the event to start.

The police attempted to negotiate the protesters into leaving the venue, begging them to hold the rally after listening to keynote speeches of the officials, but some responded by blowing their whistles in defiance. Many shouted that the event must be cancelled.

Eventually, the event organisers declared that they would no longer proceed with the event.

If approved, the flood prevention project is expected to cost 350 billion baht.

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Citing Protests, Thai Airways Lowers Revenue Goals

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4 December 2013, 18:07

Hundreds of Thai Airways staff during their brief rally against government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra last month

(4 November) Thai Airways International is planning to revise its annual revenue goal due to the political crisis that has greatly affected influx of air travels into Thailand, said its president, Mr. Sorajak Kasemsuwan.

According to THAI President, its routes from China, Europe, Australia and Hong Kong were hugely affected after many nations issued warnings for their citizens regarding their safety in Thailand.

“I must admit that we have been affected a lot by the current political situation, especially our routes from China, Europe, Australia and Hong Kong, which has issued a ?red? Thailand travel warning to its citizens” said Mr. Sorajak.

He added, “Therefore, we are not yet able to reveal the annual revenue as the company is revising the profit on Friday.”

In its Q3 revenue, the state-owned Thai Airways has lost 6.194 billion baht, resulting in a total loss of 6.35 billion baht in its first 9 months performance. In contrast, last year it gained 1.744 billion baht in profit, and 5.436 billion baht in the first 9 months.

Despite the company’s diminishing performance, Mr. Sorajak is still optimistic about the company’s 2014 Q1 revenue as he believes the clashes between the government and its opposition would end soon.

The THAI President also declared that he had instructed his officers to protect its customers information, after several leaks of flight information concerning members of the Shinawatra family.

In one incident, anti-government protesters, who are self-sworn enemies of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister, PM Yingluck Shinawatra, have widely shared the leaked flight data of Mr. Thaksin′s daughters, revealing that she has brought many suitcases with her to London.

"Passengers’ information must be secured in accordance with the airline’s international standard," said Mr. Sorajak.

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Govt Slams Suthep's Call For Royal Intervention

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4 December 2013, 16:24

Anti-government protesters attempting to climb over the fence of Royal Thai Police headquarters in downtown Bangkok, 4 December 2013

(4 December) Top government officials have spoken out against the anti-government protest leaders? call for a royally-appointed Prime Minister to replace Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

After a week of intense campaign to overthrow the government of Ms. Yingluck, the protest leader, former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban last night announced his intention to pursue the invocation of Article 7 of the 2007 Constitution, which Mr. Suthep said permits His Majesty the King to appoint a Prime Minister of his own discretion.

The said article reads, "Whenever no provision of this Constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be decided in accordance with the Constitutional practice in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of the State".

Mr. Suthep also repeated his proposal of an unelected ?People′s Council? to be established as the governing body of the nation instead of Ms. Yingluck′s elected government. However, details of the ?People′s Council?, such as its potential members or boundary of powers, remain vague. Mr. Suthep has hinted that representatives of different occupation would be selected.

Furthermore, Mr. Suthep has announced his campaign to overthrow ?Thaksin Regime? will not be over even after Ms. Yingluck resigned or dissolved the Parliament, arguing that Thailand needs a radical restructuring to uproot the alleged evils committed by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the brother of Ms. Yingluck, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup but is still wielding considerable influence in Thai politics.

Anti-government protesters – banded under the name People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King as Head of State (PCAD) – are known for their royalist rhetoric. Many protesters and their leaders have previously accused Mr. Thaksin of plotting against the Thai monarchy.

Allies of Ms. Yingluck are quick to criticise Mr. Suthep′s proposals.

Mr. Warathep Rattanakorn, Minister of the Prime Minister′s Office, said an appointed leader under Article 7 would be directly against the electoral system of the country, and therefore unconstitutional.

He also questioned the validity of the ?People′s Council? proposed by Mr. Suthep. "Mr. Suthep claimed he wanted a government that truly represents the people," Mr. Warathep said, "But I?d like to ask him whether it would include more than 10 million people who have voted for Pheu Thai-led Party."

Mr. Warathep warned that an unelected leader would only cause further cycles of chaos, since the majority of the people prefer a solution under constitutional procedure. "The Prime Minister came with her legitimacy. If she has lost it, she must lose it under constitutional practice, not because Mr. Suthep has demanded so".

Asked whether invocation of Article 7 would amount to breaching the boundary of His Majesty the King′s power under a Constitutional Monarchy, Mr. Warathep replied that he does not want to comment on the matter "especially in the auspicious celebratory period of His Majesty the King′s Birthday," which falls on 5 December.

Mr. Jarupong Ruangsuwan, Minister of Interior Affairs and chairman of Pheu Thai Party, likewise dismissed Mr. Suthep′s pursuit of Article 7 as unconstitutional.

"How could we proceed with it when the Prime Minister is still here and she has done nothing wrong?" Mr. Jarupong told reporters, "At most, the way out of the current political situation is to dissolve the House and call for a new election. It′s something the government can do," therefore there is no need for an extra-constitutional solution proposed by Mr. Suthep.

He continued, "I?d like to invite Mr. Suthep and the Democrat Party to talk with us. Talk, then listen to the opinion of the majority according to rule of the majority. They should stop clinging to their minority mandate and starting all these fights. The world is laughing at us".

However, Mr. Ekkanat Prompan, spokesman of the PCAD, said the call for a royally-appointed Prime Minister is perfectly constitutional.

When a reporter asked him whether the move would be against the democratic system, Mr. Ekkanat shot back, "How could it be?"

He also alleged that it was the government who acted in contradiction with a democratic system when it refused to accept the ruling of the Constitutional Court last month.

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Trat Boat Providers Protest New 'Diving Fee'

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4 December 2013, 15:40

(4 December) Around 200 boat service providers in Trat province have rallied against a new ?diving fee? regulation imposed by Director of Mu Koh Chang National Park.

According to the group, the director, Mr. Weera Khunchaisak, has instructed the park officials to charge tourists who wish to dive in Mu Koh Rang area for ?diving fees? from 1 December onward.

Reportedly, foreign tourists aged 3-14 must pay 100 baht per person and those above 14 are required to pay 200 baht per person as diving fees. Meanwhile, Thai tourists are charged a much lower price: 40 baht per adult and 20 baht per child.

The group of boat providers explained to our correspondent that the rate was imposed without any notification to the foreign tourists, and boat providers were tasked in collecting the fees from the tourists, instead of park officials.

The protesters also demanded that Mr. Weera resign from his position.

Mr. Peera Eiamsoonthorn, District Chief of Koh Chang, later met with the protesters and promised to negotiate with relevant agencies on their behalf.

Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Mr. Samak Donnapee, told our correspondent that the new entrance fee is aimed to help his department to raise fund for the park’s maintenance, such as cleanup of the area.

However, Mr. Samak said, the department has decided to postpone the regulation to be in effect from 1 June 2014.

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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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