Firework Shop Burns Down As Loy Krathong Approaches

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13 November 2013, 18:56

(13 November) A wholesale firecrackers shop in Pathum Thani province has burned down after fireworks stored in the shop caught fire, police said.

Thanyaburi police and firefighters were alerted of the incident at approximately 11.30 yesterday.

Rescue workers said two people were killed by the fire as they failed to escape the building. Other nine people were injured and taken to Pathum Thani Hospital.

One additional person was reported to have gone missing, later identified as Ms. Yupin Puesoontod.

The fire also destroyed six commercial lots and six cars around the shop, while the rescue team spent an hour to extinguish the blaze. The total loss is presumed to worth nearly 50 million baht.

Pol.Col. Niruth Prasittimet, Chief of Thanyaburi Police, said the fireworks stockpiled inside the building could not have been ignited on their own, so the officers suspect that the fire may have started from the kitchen of the store before spreading into its back room storage, where fireworks were kept to be sold during the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival.

However, Pol.Col. Niruth stressed that further investigation concerning the cause of the fire is underway.

Pathum Thani Governor, Mr. Pongsathorn Sajjachonphan, said that legal actions for illegally storing fireworks in community area will be taken against the owners of the building in a strict manner.

Meanwhile, Pathum Thani provincial officials have been instructed to close the area from the public after the fire-wrecked building started to collapse and might harm nearby buildings.

The incident took place just a week before the start of Loy Krathong Festival, during which firecrackers are widely sold and lit on the night of the festival despite high number of firework-related accidents in the past.

Although the authorities have repeatedly vowed legal actions against those who violate the restriction of fireworks sales and purchases, many festival-goers have ignored the threats.

Other than fireworks-related injuries and deaths, deaths by traffic accidents and drowning are associated with Loy Krathong Festival, said Mr. Prommin Kanthiya, director of the Office of Accident Prevention.

According to Mr. Prommin, 78 and 21 people were killed by traffic accidents and drowning throughout the 2012 Loy Kratong Festival, respectively; drowning has been a risk in the festival due to the tradition that requires festival-goers to float the Krathong onto the river.

He warned that uses of fireworks in public places during the festival that cause damages to other people or properties would be punished with a maximum penalty of 7 years in jail and a fine of 14,000 baht.

Mr. Prommin also urged the festival-goers to refrain from launching balloon lanterns – another favourite activity of the festival – near airports as the objects would disrupt air traffic.

2013 Loy Krathong festival is due to take place on 17 November, although many venues have scaled down their entertainment activities to comply with the public mourning of the late Supreme Patriarch.

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Heckling Of Education Minister 'Staged' By Democrats

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13 November 2013, 18:18

(13 November) Minister of Education Chaturon Chaisang has expressed his disappointment over the opposition MPs who had heckled him with whistle-blowing as he left the hotel where he had lunch.

The incident was made known to the public by Mr. Vittayen Muttamara, the director of Blue Sky Channel, a satellite TV channel allied to the Democrat Party, who published on his Facebook a video showing a group of individuals blowing their whistles at Mr. Chaturon while he walked to his car at a hotel parking lot.

The leaders of the anti-government protests at Ratchadamnoen Avenue have previously urged their supporters to carry whistles with them at all time and to use them in confronting any member of PM Yingluck Shinawatra′s Cabinet members they might encounter.

The video was shared widely by anti-government critics on the social network as a praiseworthy episode of ordinary citizens heckling one of the top politicians in Ms. Yingluck′s government.

However, a quick glance at the video reveals that the individuals who were blowing their whistles were far from anything that resemble ordinary citizens: they were in fact well-known Democrat MPs and former MPs, such as Mr. Puttipong Punnakan, Mr. Sathit Wongnongtoey, Mr. Thaworn Senniam, and Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek.

Speaking to our correspondent about the video, Mr. Chaturon said he was having lunch at Royal Princess Hotel before he encountered the group of Democrats as he left the hotel.

Mr. Chaturon said although he did not feel threatened by the heckling Democrats, he was disappointed that the MPs, many of whom he knew personally, would choose to harass him on his private time.

"I was merely having lunch on my own. I didn?t attend any political appointment at the hotel.," Mr. Chaturon complained, "It′s inappropriate how they blow their whistles in front of the hotel like that, because it might harm the business there. These fellow politicians know me personally. They shouldn?t have acted like that. They behaved as though they never knew me".

He added, "It′s not a spontaneous expression of disappointment [against the government]. It′s all staged with political result in mind. They recorded and broadcast the incident in a manner that unsuspecting viewers would see it as a minister getting heckled by the people".

Nevertheless, Mr. Chaturon said he had no plan to increase his security.

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Editorial: Preah Vihear and Maturity

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13 November 2013, 15:53

(13 November) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the ownership of the territory around Preah Vihear Temple has turned out to be what many sides have expected: that the ICJ would rule the case with the intention to promote peace between Thailand and Cambodia in mind.

As a judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ has once again lived up to the purpose of creating peace and justice among its member nations. Those members are also expected to respect and comply with the judgment handed down by the ICJ.

It is up to Thailand and Cambodia to initiate a peaceful dialogue on the issue of the disputed territory, which the ICJ declared to be out of its judicial scope, and on the possibility of a joint management of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site.

The cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia would not only be a success for the two nations, but also for the ASEAN community as a whole.

If Thailand and Cambodia could overcome the long-running dispute and manage the issue of Preah Vihear Temple with maturity, the outcome would help improve ASEAN′s reputation in the eyes of the world community.

The reaction of both nations to the ICJ verdict has been promising so far, partly helped by the cordial relationships between the two governments.

It appears that both Thai and Cambodian governments have finally realised they must co-exist in peace and strive to prevent misunderstanding that would lead to renewed military clashes along the borders.

The economic factor proves to be the major peacekeeper. Thai-Cambodian border trades amount to 38,000 million baht in the first five months of 2013 alone, a 18% increase from the same period in 2012; the total amount of border trade between the two nations throughout the year of 2012 exceeds 82,000 million baht.

However, the calm that follows the ICJ ruling is threatened by the nationalists and ultra-nationalists in Thailand who are seeking to manipulate the verdict for the sake of their own political campaigns against the government.

These attempts should trouble advocates of peace between the two nations, as the very same ultra-nationalist rhetoric have led to the deadly clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border in the past.

The losses caused by the past incidents should be adequate to convince all sides that an open conflict would not benefit the interest of both nations, especially the well-being of residents and soldiers in the border provinces.

Thailand and Cambodia should handle the dispute of Preah Vihear as mature nations. Both of them should rid themselves off the thorny past for the sake of the future.

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Thaksin 'Will Not' Press Libel Charge Against Actress

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13 November 2013, 14:51

(13 November) The legal representative of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra said his client would no longer pursue a defamation case against the celebrity actress who went on a tirade against Mr. Thaksin on the stage of anti-government rally.

Previously, Mr. Thaksin had appointed Mr.Winyat Chartmontri to press charge against Ms. Pattarathida ?Tang Mo? Patcharaweerapong, accusing her of defaming the former leader during her speeches at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where thousands of anti-government has been camping.

But Mr. Winyat said yesterday Mr. Thaksin has informed him that he would not proceed with the case.

"Mr. Thaksin believes that [Ms. Pattarathida] lacks maturity, so it′s natural that she misunderstood facts about the situation," Mr. Winyat told reporters, "Therefore, Mr. Thaksin would like to give her a chance by withdrawing the legal action against her".

He added, "But we would like Ms. Pattarathida to be careful about her words that might mislead the public and cause misunderstanding in the future. If she repeated such action ever again, the legal team of my client will reconsider the matter".

Mr. Thaksin is deeply hated by anti-government protesters, who view him as a corrupt puppet master of his sister, PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

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Muted Response To Suthep's Calls For 'Civil Disobedience'

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12 November 2013, 20:30

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban (centre) on his way to submit his resignation as Democrat MP at Parliament, 12 November 2013

(12 November) Several prominent representatives of the private sector have spoken out against the ?civil disobedience? measures suggested by the leader of the anti-government protests.

In the bid to intensify their campaign against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban called on those hostile to the government to go on a nationwide strike between 13-15 November, while schools and colleges should be shut down during the said period.

Thai people should also refuse to pay taxes to put the pressure on the government to resign, according to Mr. Suthep, who had announced his resignation as a Democrat MP in the same speech at Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

However, the chairman of Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Mr. Phayungsak Chartsuttipol, criticised Mr. Suthep′s call for the nationwide strike as damaging to the economy and reputation of the nation. He also urged Thai people to pay their taxes, contrary to what Mr. Suthep′s instruction.

The protests should come to an end already, Mr. Phayungsak argued, as the controversial ?blanket amnesty? has been effectively shelved by the Senate.

"I want to see peace and cooperation of the Thai people to develop their country," said the FTI chairman.

Mr. Isra Wongkusolkit, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, echoed Mr. Phayungsak′s opinion, urging the Thai people to ignore the calls for the strike on 13 November.

"The private sector will not accept this measure," Mr. Isra said, "And as for the proposal to stop paying taxes, the private sector will not go along with it neither, because it is illegal".

Meanwhile, three leading universities have denied reports that they will answer Mr. Suthep′s calls for university shutdown on 13 November. Rectors of Thammasat University, Rangsit University, and Srinakharinwirot University said although the students would not be barred from participating in the protests in their private time, the universities will function as usual.

Facebook pages associated with anti-government factions have previously reported that the three universities would cancel their classes to support the protests at Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

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Fearing Protests Escalation, Bangkokians Stockpile Food

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12 November 2013, 19:26

(12 November) Many Bangkok residents are stockpiling food and other essential goods out of fear that the anti-government protests could spiral into unrest, said a researcher at the Thai Chamber of Commerce University (UTCC).

Mr. Wachira Koontaweethep, Director of The Centre of Economic and Business Forecasting (CEBF) based in the University, told our correspondent that large number of food products are being bought from various supermarkets in the capital city by Bangkokians who feared the possibility that the government would impose the martial laws to contain the protests.

Many Bangkokians are fearing a return to 2010 unrest, which saw the government at the time declaring curfews and sending the military to disperse the protesters, he said.

According to Mr. Wachira, "The survey conducted by the CEBF revealed that the consumption and purchasing demands had increased 22.5% in Bangkok and other big cities after protests against the blanket amnesty bill were organised in various venues".

Although the consumers continue to stockpile instant food and vegetable oil to prepare for the worst if the crisis escalated, the CEBF Director believes that the situation would not lead to food shortage.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister, Mr. Yanyong Phuangrat, dismissed the reports of consumers buying food products in panic, insisting that it was just a "false rumour".

Nevertheless, the minister said he had instructed the Department of Internal Trade to assure that manufacturing and retailing segments are running smoothly and that no traders try to hoard or overprice the goods.

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Chiang Mai Man Arrested For 'Raping And Shaming'

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12 November 2013, 17:55

(12 November) Police in Chiang Mai province have arrested a man accused of raping a woman on several occasions and posting videos of the incidents on the social network.

According to the police, Mr. Pong-isra Malai, 21, a resident of Chiang Mai, has used his profile on the social network to lure his victim into meeting him, before he allegedly raped her while he recorded the incident.

The victim told police Mr. Pong-isra continued to coerce her into having sex with him afterwards.

Pol.Col. Wirachon Boontawee said the victim decided to seek help from the police when she reportedly found images of the rapes on the social network sites, such as Facebook and Youtube, causing her much humiliation.

Mr. Pong-isra confessed to the crimes and said he posted the videos on the internet to shame his victim because of his "jealousy". He told police he hoped the videos would let other men know that the victim already belonged to him.

The suspect is charged with a number of offences, such as rapes, unlawful detention, and computer crimes.

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Relief In Thailand Follows Border Temple Verdict

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12 November 2013, 16:39

PM Yingluck Shinawatra watching the live broadcast of ICJ verdict reading at Government House in Bangkok, 11 November 2013

(12 November) Thai authorities have expressed a sense of relief following the verdict handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the sovereignty of Preah Vihear Temple.

Previous ICJ ruling in 1962 established that the temple – declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008 – belongs to Cambodia, but Thailand has repeatedly contested the verdict. Under the nationalist administration of former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, the dispute escalated into open conflicts along the border.

The Cambodian government later filed the case to ICJ, arguing that the 4.6 kilometre stretch of land northwest of Preah Vihear Temple, called Phnom Trap, also belongs to Cambodia, a claim the Thai government vehemently rejected.

Yesterday the ICJ judges reaffirmed the 1962 verdict, awarding the ownership of the ancient temple to Cambodia. The judges also described a tip of promontory northeast of Preah Vihear as a part of the temple, hence awarding the small land to Cambodia, but they refused to rule which country has sovereignty over the rest of disputed territory around Phnom Trap.

Although the ruling was a legal victory to Cambodia, it was enthusiastically welcomed by the Thai authorities. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in a live television address that her government has accepted the verdict. Minister of Foreign Affairs has likewise said he accepted the ruling.

Diplomats and experts noted that the small tip of promontory ruled as Cambodian territory amounts to no larger than 1 kilometre of land; the outcome is far better than the worst case scenario, in which the ICJ decided to hand the entire disputed territory of 4.6 square kilometre to Cambodia, that many has feared.

Moreover, apart from the ultra-nationalist wings of the anti-government movements, much of the Thai public has already conceded that Preah Vihear decidedly belongs to Cambodia.

Both Thailand and Cambodia benefit from the ICJ ruling, argued Mr. Charnvit Kasetsiri, the director of Southeast Asia Study program at Thammasat University.

"We didn′t lose the 4.6 square kilometre of the disputed territory," Mr. Charnvit said.

He added, "The court clearly said the ownership of the land is up to debate by both sides. Thailand and Cambodia have reached agreements over cross-border casinos in the long stretches of land along the border. Why can′t they reach agreement over a religious site, too?"

Mr. Charnvit also dismissed the fear that the anti-government protesters, who are currently encamped in Bangkok′s old quarter, would exploit the ruling to mobilise the mass against the government.

"The verdict today didn′t give any ammunition to the Democrat Party and its anti-government allies," said Mr. Charnvit, "If the verdict had been a terrible one, of course the Democrats and their allies would go on offensive against Ms. Yingluck. But the ruling didn′t turn to be as bad as I thought".

Indeed, experts had previously warned that the ICJ ruling could embolden the anti-government protesters, who would certainly have adopted the issue to condemn Ms. Yingluck′s government as traitors of the nation; many anti-government critics have accused Ms. Yingluck of "selling" Thailand to foreign powers.

Conservatives and ultra-nationalists among the anti-government movements have often sought to compare the issue of Preah Vihear Temple with how Siam has ′lost is territory′ (เสียดินแดน) to French and British imperialists in early twentieth century.

A number of media agencies known for their hostility toward the government, namely Manager ASTV, Thai Post, and Kom Chad Luek, plastered their front pages today with headlines proclaiming that Thailand has ′lost its territory′ (เสียดินแดน) to Cambodia, a stance shared by leaders of the anti-government protests.

In contrast, Thai Rath, the nation′s best selling newspapers, noted in its headlines that Thailand did not lose its disputed territory of 4.6 square kilometres.

Meanwhile, Villages along the Thai side of the border, which became flashpoints of clashes between Thai and Cambodian military in the past, had been on alert throughout the morning of the judgment day, as many locals feared the two nations could come into collision if the verdict decisively favoured one side over another.

However, after the live television broadcast of the ICJ verdict wrapped up by 17.30, many residents in the border district of Sao Thong Chai in Si Sa Ket province cheered on the streets of their villages, relieved that the ICJ did not award the 4.6 square kilometre of disputed territory to Cambodia.

"The impartiality of the ICJ means there would be no war between Thailand and Cambodia", said Mr. Veerayuth Duangkaew, local chief of Sao Thong Chai district, "Everyone at my village is very happy".

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Finance Minister Optimistic In Spite Of Slowdown

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12 November 2013, 15:48

(12 November) Minister of Finance Kittirat Na Ranong expressed his confidence that the ongoing political crisis would only affect the economy in a short term, despite signs that the economic growth of Thailand is not as good as expected.

Mr. Kittirat was speaking to reporters after his speech at ?Thailand Economic Outlook 2014? event at Inter Continental Hotel yesterday.

He said the fourth-quarter growth is taking damage from the latest waves of protests against the government, which originally started as an opposition against the government′s pursuit of ?Blanket Amnesty? that would absolve former PM Thaksin Shinawatra of his corruption convictions, and later escalated into the call for the government to resign.

“I believe the crisis would only temporarily affect our economy”, Mr. Kittirat told reporters, “We have discussed with every side and all agreed that the protesters have the rights to express their opinions in accordance with our democratic political system”.

He voiced his expectation that there is a possibility of a better economic development in Q1 of the 2014 fiscal year, if the massive 2 trillion-baht infrastructure project is green-lit by the Senate.

“It depends on the Senate whether the 2 trillion-baht scheme would be approved” said Mr. Kittirat, “If so, large-scale government spending will be started in 2014, and gradually increase toward 2015.”

The Finance Minister also claimed that the increased government spending should help boost the Thai economy in the coming years, while the recovering global economy would rescue Thai export sectors back to their prime stage.

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Royal Intervention Back On Yellowshirts Agenda

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12 November 2013, 12:41

(12 November) Hardline royalist faction of the anti-government movements has called for the monarchy to intervene against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The People′s Democratic Force For Overthrow of Thaksinism (Pefot) has led around 3,000 protesters on a march this morning from their protest camps at Ratchadamnoen Avenue to the Grand Palace in order to submit a petition to His Majesty the King, asking for his endorsement for the ?People′s Council? to pressure the government into giving up its power.

The protesters have previously called for a ?People′s Council? and the ?People′s Court? to be established as a force to hold the government accountable for its alleged abuse of power.

The march to the Grand Palace was led by Mr. Chamlong Srimueang, a prominent activist known for his role in co-founding the (now defunct) People′s Alliance of Democracy (PAD), which was known as the Yellowshirts. Mr. Chamlong was accompanied by several retired army generals who are serving as Pefot leaders.

At 10.30 the protesters reached the Grand Palace′s Viset Chaisri Gate, where a number of Pefot leaders were allowed to submit their petition to officials on behalf of the Royal Household inside the Grand Palace.

Yesterday, another leading figure of the Yellowshirts, Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul, also demanded that the politicians "give back power" to His Majesty the King, effectively calling for the King to appoint a transitional government while electoral democracy is "suspended for 2-3 years".

Speaking at Baan Prathit, the headquarters of the disbanded PAD, Mr. Sondhi added that "Western democracy" no longer works for Thailand.

Known for their overt royalist sentiment and skepticism toward electoral democracy, the Yellowshirts have accused former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and his political clique of harbouring anti-monarchy plots.

In 2006, Mr. Sondhi and Mr. Chamlong also campaigned for the invocation of Article 7 of the Thai Constitution, which supposedly allowed for His Majesty the King to employ his royal power in ousting Mr. Thaksin, who was Prime Minister at the time, and appoint a new Prime Minister at his royal discretion.

His Majesty the King himself rejected the proposal in a rare television address that same year, explaining that a royal intervention would not be democratic.

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