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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Criticised For Watching ICJ Verdict, Man Hangs Himself

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11 November 2013, 20:20

Police cordon around Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok, 11 November 2013

(11 November) A man has hanged himself to death in Sa Kaeo after he was criticised by his wife for watching the live broadcast of the verdict on the possession of Preah Vihear Temple, police said.

The verdict of the International Court of Justice was broadcast live on major Thai state-owned television channels. The ruling reaffirmed the previous ICJ verdict handed down in 1962 that the border temple of Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, along with a small tip of promontory close to the temple′s entrance.

Although the district of Aranya Prathet, which sits near the Thai-Cambodia border, remains peaceful in the aftermath of the ruling, police were alerted of a man in Ang Sila village who killed himself after the verdict was read out.

Mr. Boonma Mongkolchakkawarn, 49, was found as in his 2 storey wooden house. Witnesses said Mr. Boonma was previously watching the verdict broadcast with other locals around the television set in the village center. However, witnesses said, Mr. Boonma′s wife showed up and scolded him for wasting his time on watching the broadcast instead of going to work.

According to witnesses, Mr. Boonma promptly rose up and walked back to his house. He was later found hanged to death there. Police believe Mr. Boonma was already stressed by loan problems he was facing when he was pushed over the edge when he was criticised by his wife, leading him to commit suicide.

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Thaksin Pressed Libel Against Celebrity Actress

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11 November 2013, 17:16

(11 November) Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has pressed defamation charges against a leader of the anti-government protests and a famous actress.

UPDATE: Mr. Thaksin said he no longer wished to press charge, according to his lawyer: link.

The lawyer representing Mr. Thaksin, Mr. Winyat Chartmontri, told the police Mr. Thaksin is gravely insulted by Mr. Somboon Thongburan, a leader of the People′s Democratic Force For Overthrow of Thaksinism (Pefot), who accused Mr. Thaksin of sending 400 foreign militants to take shelter in Dharamakaya Temple in northern Bangkok and wait for Mr. Thaksin′s order to attack the anti-government protesters.

Dharmakaya is a Buddhist sect which is seen as harbouring close ties to Mr. Thaksin and his party.

Mr. Winyat told reporters the anti-government protests have often broadcast false statements and claimed to have the support of the monarchy in order to mislead the public and discredit the government.

"I?d like to call on the protesters to use their reasons. Don?t be used by anyone," said Mr. Winyat.

The lawyer also pressed charge on Mr. Thaksin′s behalf against Ms. Pattarathida ?Tang Mo? Patcharaweerapong, a well-known actress who gave speeches on the stage of the anti-government rally in Ratchadamnoen Avenue last week.

Mr. Winyat called Ms. Pattarathida′s speeches "libelous", without naming the problematic parts of her speeches.

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Foreign Tourist Beaten, Robbed In Pattaya Beach

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11 November 2013, 15:39

(10 November) A foreign tourist has been reportedly beaten unconscious by a group of muggers on the beach of Pattaya.

Pattaya police said a Russian man of 30-35 year old was found unconscious on the beach late last night.

Witnesses told police the man was drinking alcohol and enjoying the nighttime view of the sea on his own when three individuals on motorcycle arrived and proceeded to assault the man. The suspects escaped with the foreign man′s belongings.

Police are still searching for the suspects.

Meanwhile, Pattaya police have arrested a man accused of robbing handbags from two Chinese tourists earlier this week.

Mr. Narong Pimkaew confessed upon his arrest that he and his friend committed the robbery. He also told police he did not know how to turn off the iPhone he found in the Chinese tourists? handbags, which led the police to track the phone via GPS.

Mr. Narong′s accomplice is still at large, police said.

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International Students Bus Overturns In Phuket

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11 November 2013, 15:14

(11 November) A bus carrying foreign students has overturned in Phuket province, injuring almost 40 people.

The incident took place on the ascending road toward Patong Mountain in Kathu district of the province, where the bus appeared to have plunged into the roadside cliff. At the scene, police and rescue workers worked frantically to send the injured to hospitals.

Nationalities of the injured students vary: police so far have identified the wounded as Burmese, Nepalese, Indian, and Pakistani nationals.

Initial investigation said the bus was hired along with three other buses to transport around 200 students in Asian Institute of Technolgy (AIT) during their excursion from Bangkok to Patong Beach in Phuket. However, as it climbs the mountainous road, the third bus suddenly went into a reverse gear and overturned, plunging into the nearby cliff.

The driver, Mr. Manit Sawadee, 32, is seriously injured so he cannot give testimony to the police at the moment, officers said.

A senior police officer added that the bus might be carrying passengers over its capacity, but stressed that further investigation is needed to establish the clear cause of the incident.

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