Prachinburi School Bus Crash Injures 13 Students

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6 November 2013, 14:58

(6 November) 13 schoolchildren were injured after their songthaew school bus skidded off the road and crashed into a tree in Pachinburi province.

The songthaew vehicle was carrying 27 students at the time of the accident, police said. The injured students were sent to Nadee Hospital.

Pol.Lt.Col. Suchart Yaemsak, an investigative police officer from Nadee Police Station, told our correspondent that the momentum following the crash has caused many students to suffer broken bones.

Mr. Anuwat Sahinlom, 38, the songthaew driver, said he picked up the students from Triam Udom Sueksa Nomklao School and Chankrachang Sueksa School in the province prior to the incident.

Once he arrived at the scene, he said, a truck suddenly approached the school bus. Mr Anuwat said that he was forced to swerve onto the roadside, hitting into the tree.

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Protests Could Damage Thai Economy: Finance Minister

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6 November 2013, 14:21

(6 November) Minister of Finance Kittirat Na Ranong said the ongoing protests against the amnesty bill are hurting Thailand′s economic growth in Q4.

The protests could also drive away potential foreign tourists just as Thailand enters its annual ?high season? in tourist business, according to Mr. Kittirat.

Mr. Kittirat, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, warned that “the investors start to question about the current political situation."

“We tried to explain to investors about the ideas of peace and forgiveness in the amnesty bill” Mr. Kittarat added, “I believed that if people resort to discussion about the dispute, they should be able to solve the conflict peacefully.”

The Minister said he would like to ask every party to keep the nation’s economic performance in mind, as trade, tourism and investment sectors will be greatly affected if the situation has been escalated.

However, he stated that there is no need for the government to come up with any new stimulant plan at the moment, but all relevant authorities have been instructed to improve the economy during this particularly difficult time nonetheless.

Meanwhile, Mr. Itsara Wongkusolkit, President of Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), revealed the results of the meeting between the Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Bankers Association and the Thai Chamber of Commerce that both three institutions had not yet concluded whether they would jointly stand against the proposed amnesty bill.

The TCC President added that the investors fear that if the situation worsened, the nation’s economy might be severely affected. He also expressed his wishes to urge every related party to find the solution for the current political conflict as soon as possible.

On an optimistic note, Mr. Chai Sriwikrom, President of Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, suggested that protest against the Amnesty Bill woudl affect tourism and consumption only in a short term.

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Transport Minister Appalled By Minivan Safety Standard

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5 November 2013, 19:43

(5 November) Transport Minister Charchart Sittipan said he had instructed the authorities to urgently tighten the safety measures applied to public minivans, after he had personally discovered that much of the safety policies are blatantly ignored by the minivan drivers.

Mr. Chatchart said he had encountered such problems during his private minivan trips – the Minister is well-known for his preference to inspect various public transports such as buses, boats, and trains by riding one by himself.

According to the Minister, a number of minivans refused to comply with the safety standards issued by the Ministry of Transport. Reportedly, some of the vans did not equip any safety belts, fire extinguishers, and glass-breaking hammer in their cars.

Although some of the vehicles did equip the items, they did so in "inappropriate positions of the minivans", Mr. Chatchart said. He also complained that he had seen some vans illegally adding extra passenger seats.

Moreover, some vans operator did not ask their passengers to leave the vehicles when they refuel the gas, which is a very dangerous procedure, according to the Transport Minister.

Mr. Achsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket, acting director-general of the Department of Land Transport, said that he had instructed the provincial authority to improve the safety policy.

According to the Director-General, the laws clearly states that minivans imported or manufactured after 1 April 2012 must be equipped with safety belts on every seat; as for minivan imported or manufactured before the date, the procedure must be applied by 1 January 2013.

"Every mini-van should have their seat equipped with safety belt by now", Mr. Achsathai said.

He added that the service providers must also warn their passengers to leave the vehicles during the refuel stops.

In case of minivans that had attached extra seats, legal prosecution will be pressed against the drivers and service operators, said the Director General.

Mr. Achsathai said that if any passengers have experienced minivans that do not comply by the safety procedure, they should call 1584 to inform the officials about the matter.

Accidents involving interprovincial minivans have killed and injured large number of passengers in recent years, and many drivers were discovered to have operated the vehicles without proper licenses or registration.

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Japanese Senior Police 'Concerned' By Amnesty Plan

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5 November 2013, 18:53

(5 November) A high ranking Japanese officer has expressed his concern that the ?amnesty-for-all? proposed by Pheu Thai Party might stall the investigation into the death of the Japanese reporter killed in 2010 crackdown.

Mr. Hiroyuki Muramoto, who worked as a cameraman for Reuters, was shot dead as he filmed the clashes between the soldiers and the Redshirts protesters near the Democracy Monument on 10 April 2010.

The circumstances of his death are under investigation by the court. While witnesses have told the court they saw soldiers discharging their weapons in the direction of Mr. Hiroyuki, the military and the government at the time blamed his death on the presence of the ?Blackshirts? armed militants who were also firing their weapons at the soldiers.

Earlier today, Mr. Nobuyuki Kawai, a senior member of the National Police Agency of Japan, has met with representatives of the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) in Bangkok to discuss the progress of the case. A group of Japanese police officials also accompanied Mr. Nobuyuki.

Speaking after the discussion at the DSI headquarters, Pol.Lt.Gen. Bantoon Chimkra said he had assured the Japanese officials that the DSI has been working very hard to shine the light on Mr. Hiroyuki′s death. It is the group′s eighth visit to Thailand to demand progress of the case, Pol.Lt.Gen Bantoon added.

"I told them the DSI is interviewing 20 witnesses per week," Pol.Lt.Gen. Bantoon said, "We have also interrogated hundreds of low-ranking soldiers".

However, the Japanese are intent on finding out who precisely shot Mr. Hiroyuki, the officer said. "We promise them that we will work on the case".

According to the DSI officer, Mr. Nobuyuki also voiced his worry that the ?blanket amnesty? would affect the court procedure of Mr. Hiroyuki′s death. "So DSI told them that the bill is under deliberation of the Parliament. We cannot give them any answer at the moment," Pol.Lt.Gen. Bantoon said.

10 more witnesses are scheduled to testify to the court concerning Mr. Hiroyuki′s death, Pol.Lt.Gen. Bantoon added.

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Thai-Cambodia Border Village Emptied Ahead Of Temple Verdict

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5 November 2013, 17:17

(5 November) Residents of Phum Salon village, which sits on the border of Thailand and Cambodia, have fled their abodes amid the fears of a potential military conflict between the two nations.

The International Court of Justice is due to deliver its verdict on the ownership of the area around Preah Vihear Temple which is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.

The border dispute has been simmering for half a decade, but it has escalated into open combat in 2011, when the Thai and Cambodian troops clashed near Phum Salon village. The community was eventually wrecked by artillery shells fired from the Cambodian positions.

Ms. Samrit Kawsa-nga, 46, whose house was destroyed by the Cambodian shellfire in 2011 and later rebuilt by Sri Saket pronvincial authority, said that she is still worried about the current situation and fears that the Cambodian weapons might be aiming at her house again.

She eventually decided that she should flee the village to her relatives’ houses, along with many other villagers for their own safety.

Nevertheless, a number of locals have decided to stay out of the conviction that the situation would be resolved peacefully by the two nations.

On Monday, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate of Civil Affairs also met with local residents in Tambol Sao-Thingchai, Katharalak district, to explain about the Government’s preparation plans as the ICJ ruling approaches.

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Thai Airways Plane's Tyre Bursts At Chiang Rai Airport

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5 November 2013, 17:02

(5 November) An Airbus aircraft operated by Thai Airways has suffered a tyre explosion shortly after it landed at Mae Fah Luang International Airport in Chiang Rai province.

The flight, numbered TG 130, was traveling from Bangkok′s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

All 179 passengers and 10 cabin crew were unharmed from the incident, as the pilot successfully brought the plane to its docking bay.

The airport maintenance team later replaced the damaged tyre with a new one, and the aircraft resumed its operation shortly afterward, bringing another load of passengers to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Reportedly, the airport maintenance team had replaced the impracticable tyre with the new one, and the aircraft continued to operate again shortly afterward.

Mr. Damrong Klong-Aksorn, the director of Mae Fah Luang Airport, told our correspondent he believes the wheel was prevented by its malfunctioned brake system from rolling as the aircraft touched down the runway. He insisted that the plane would function normally with the new set of tyre.

In September, a Thai Airways flight skidded off the runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport, injuring a number of passengers during the hectic evacuation. Several officials have blamed the incident on presence of malicious spirits.

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Yingluck Signals A Retreat On Blanket Amnesty

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5 November 2013, 15:32

(5 November) A day after thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bangkok, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced that the government will not pursue the controversial ?blanket amnesty? should the Senate vote to reject it.

Her speech came at a time when the sentiment against the government-sponsored ?amnesty for all? plan is increasingly evident in much of the Thai public.

Apart from the anti-government factions who see the bill as an attempt to whitewash the wrongdoing of Ms. Yingluck′s brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, the opposition to the amnesty draft also comes from the Redshirt allies of the government who argued that the bill would dissolve the legal responsibility of the former government who authorised the 2010 military crackdown against the Redshirts protesters.

In a live television broadcast from Government House earlier today, Ms. Yingluck began her speech by repeating her defence for the blanket amnesty, insisting that it is a part of the government′s effort to bring about the "reconciliation" for the country.

The Prime Minister also stressed that the Parliamentary approval of the bill is perfectly within the boundary of the laws.

However, Ms. Yingluck noted that the amnesty plan has caused debate and criticism from members of the public, and is slated to be decided by the Senate in the near future.

"Therefore, I would like to suggest the Senate … to fully employ their judgement on the basis of the reconcilation," Ms. Yingluck said.

She added that the Members of the Parliament who had voted on the amnesty draft would accept any decision of the Senate, even if the Upper House votes to reject the proposed amnesty for good.

"They will accept that decision for the sake of the reconciliation of the country," said the Prime Minister.

By implying that the Pheu Thai-dominated Parliament would not contest the Senate′s rejection of the blanket amnesty, Ms. Yingluck could be sending a signal that the government has abandoned its attempt to pursue the amnesty plan, our correspondent reported.

There is also a very slim chance that the Senate would approve the amnesty-for-all draft; half of the Senate are appointed, and many of the appointed Senators have been openly hostile to the elected government of Ms. Yingluck.

One such appointed Senate, Mr. Pichet Sunthornpipit, told Khaosod that he, for one, would definitely reject the revised version of the bill, citing his belief that the draft has breached proper Parliamentary procedures.

"Although I disagree with the original draft submitted by [Pheu Thai MP] Worachai Hema, I sympathised with the bill′s intention to help only the ordinary citizens who have been affected by the political crisis," Mr. Pichet said, "But the draft has been greatly distorted by the House Committee. It clearly shows the real intention [of the government]"

Ms. Yingluck′s statement also appears to echo the suggestion made by former Deputy Prime Minister Weerapong Ramangkul who told Khaosod yesterday that the government should surrender the effort to enact the amnesty-for-all by convincing the Senate to vote against it, and accept its decision.

The government can declare its support for the original amnesty plan proposed by Mr. Worachai afterwards, Mr. Weerapong suggested.

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'Navigation Error' Leads To Pattaya Deadly Ferry Sinking

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4 November 2013, 22:23

(4 November) Rescue workers have discovered the remains of the ferry ship which has capsized off the coast in Pattaya on Sunday, killing at least six passengers and severely injuring 15 more, many of them foreign tourists.

The incident took place around 17.00 yesterday, when the ship headed for the pier in Pattaya bay sank 7 kilometres away from the shore. Over 200 passengers on the ship were left struggling for their lives before they were rescued in a hectic effort. Many were later sent to local hospitals.

Six passengers have died, according to the officials: the dead were described as 3 Thai nationals, 1 Chinese tourist, and 2 tourists of "European backgrounds". 15 individuals are also being closely monitored by the doctors.

News reports indicate that not all passengers were provided with lifevests.

Investigation by the police reveals that the ferry ship was operated by Koh Lan Travel Company. Police said the ship was carrying over 200 passengers at the time of the accident whereas the laws only allowed 150 passengers onboard.

Earlier today, rescue workers have located the remains of the ship. They reported that no other dead body was found inside the ship.

They also told our correspondent that a large hole had been found on the side of the ship, which suggested that the ship captain might have hit a rock, sinking the ship soon afterwards.

The captain might have been inexperienced in the local seas, and subsequently hit the submerged rocks in a navigational error, the officials said.

The incident is another blow to Pattaya′s reputation as a popular tourist destination. In recent months the seaside town has experienced frequent speed boat crashes which had killed and wounded a number of foreign tourists.

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Redshirts Channel Host Rejects 'Censorship' Allegation

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4 November 2013, 20:07

Mr. Nattawut Saikua (left) and Mr. Jatupon Prompan (right)

(4 November) Many supporters of the Redshirts have been stunned by the announcement that four core leaders of the movements had been suspended from a cable TV channel long known for its alliance to the Redshirts.

Three of them are leading figures of the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD): Ms. Thida Tojirakarn, Mr. Nattawut Saikua, and Mr. Jatupon Prompan while the other suspended host is Mr. Sombat Boon-ngarmanong, the coordinator of Red Sunday group.

Although the channel, called Asia Update, has made no statement explaining its abrupt decision, many are convinced it is due to the opposition of the four figures against the ?amnesty for all? plan supported by Pheu Thai Party and the government.

Ms. Thida and Mr. Sombat have previously argued that it is unacceptable that the bill would grant amnesty to the former authorities who launched the crackdown on the Redshirts protests in the 2010 crackdown, while Mr. Nattawut and Mr. Jatupon were a part of a handful Pheu Thai MPs who refused to vote for the bill in Parliament last week.

The revelation that the four familiar faces of the Redshirts movement have lost their shows on Asia Update came at a time when the Redshirts appear to be more deeply divided than ever, pitching Pheu Thai hardline supports who agree with the ?blanket amnesty? against the Redshirts who demand legal prosecution of those involved in 2010 crackdown.

However, Mr. Adisorn Piangked, another host at Asia Update, said today that there is no conflict among the Redshirts leaders, and suggested that the suspension could be "temporary".

He insisted it is normal for channel executives to have contradicting opinions. "I believe they have thought it well before pulling the shows off from the program," Mr. Adisorn said, adding that he had not talked to the executives personally about the matter.

"I understand that emotions can get in the way, but we are all true friends," Mr. Adisorn continued, "They just have to understand that if they still maintain their stance, the country won?t find any solution to problems".

"I beg them to please not create further conflict among the people"

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Phuket On Alert For 'Giant Crocodile'

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4 November 2013, 19:14

(4 November) Phuket residents have been told to be on the lookout for what appeared to be a crocodile which was seen swimming off the shore in Haad Mai Khao Beach on the weekend.

The maritime protection centre in the province said it had received reports that the creature was sighted just off the shore in Haad Mai Khao, where local fishermen like to cast their nets.

Mr. Prarop Plang-ngan, director of the provincial National Parks agency, said his team had observed a large crocodile, no less than 3 metres long, swimming around 400 metres away from the beach.

He said the crocodile surfaced only for few minutes before diving down again, which made it very difficult for the officials to determine its type.

The director added that the creature was seen swimming northward along Phuket′s shore, which is lined with a number of popular beachside hotels. "We have sent out warnings to these hotels so that foreign tourists would be barred from swimming in the sea for the moment," Mr. Prarop said.

However, the centre has not received reports of any sighting since yesterday, he said, and the crocodile is expected to land somewhere in the province by tonight.

Anyone who has sighted the crocodile is encouraged to inform the officials via the phone number 0-7634-8526.

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