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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Khaosod English

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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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Man Kills Son For Intervening In Domestic Abuse: Police

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4 November 2013, 18:37

(4 November) A man has stabbed his own son to death after he attempted to break up the fights between the suspect and his wife, police said.

Police in Chonburi province told our correspondent the incident took place yesterday morning in Banglamung District. At the scene, the police found Mr. Ouaypon Lengchamnon, 41, who confessed to killing his son, Mr. Kittichat Lengchamnon, 19, with a knife.

The police promptly arrested Mr. Ouaypon. They also found blood-stained knife and iron pipe in the house.

Mr. Ouaypon told the detectives that he was previously engaged in a fight with his wife, which Mr. Kittichat attempted to stop by hitting him with the iron pipe. Mr. Ouaypon said he was greatly incensed by his son′s action, so he grabbed a knife in anger and stabbed Mr. Kittichat to defend himself.

Autopsy reports show that Mr. Kittichat was stabbed in his chest and stomach.

Mr. Naruesorn Lengchamnong, 20, the brother of Mr. Kittichat, said he was sleeping on the second storey of the house when he heard the fights downstairs. When he reached the scene, he said, Mr. Kittichat had already collapsed in the pool of blood. Mr. Kittichat later died at hospital.

Mr. Naruesorn added that Mr. Ouaypon occasional gets drunk and assaults his wife. He believed his brother could not stand the sight of his mother being beaten any longer and decided to intervene.
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Gold Robbers Mistake Police Patrol As Getaway Car

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4 November 2013, 17:57

(4 November) The police pursuit of a pair of suspects accused of robbing a woman of her gold necklace came to an end when the pair attempted to flee on a police vehicle.Late last night police in Phuket police were alerted of a robbery taking place in Montri Road.

Ms. Pitchniya Kladmee, the manager of a well-known hotel in the province, told police that the suspects on a motorbike had snatched her gold necklace and sped away.

The police chased after the robbers and later found the suspects? vehicle abandoned around Damrong Road. As a group of police officers were combing the area near Phuket Wittayalai School on Chumpon Road, they encountered a pair of individuals standing on the roadside. The pair hailed the officers to stop, and asked the officers to give them a ride to their hideout.

The suspects soon realised their situation and attempted to flee the scene. The police eventually found them hiding in a kitchen cabinet at the nearby Phuket Wittayalai School.

The two were identified as Mr. Preeda Adum, 25, and Mr. Somsak Puangcharoen, 23. They both worked as kitchen staff at Phuket Royal City Hotel, police said.

The police charged the suspects of robbery and planning a vehicle getaway. Mr. Preeda and Mr. Somsak confessed to the crime, saying they had been drinking heavily before they decided to snatch the necklace.

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MP Demands NSA 'Spy Program' Explanation

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4 November 2013, 17:34

The National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters at Maryland, USA.

(4 November) A Pheu Thai MP has formally asked the government to investigate the claim that the US spy agency has been collecting data of phone calls and internet usage in Thailand.

In a letter handed to Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok, Mr. Weng Tochirakarn cited the reports published in foreign media agencies which allege that the US Embassy in Bangkok and the US Consulate in Chiang Mai have been secretly operating surveillance programs.

According to the reports, the program is run by the National Security Agency and designed to monitor the usage of all electronic communications in Thailand, such as emails, social network, and telephone calls, as an effort to enhance the US intelligence capability in the South East Asian region.

"Personally, I don?t believe the story," Mr. Weng said, "But I?d like to see the officials in national security departments to investigate the matter"

He added, "I?m concerned that if the story is proven to be true, it would have a tremendous effect. I can only hope it′s false, because it concerns the sovereignty of Thailand".

Pol.Gen. Pracha said it would take some time to clarify whether the alleged reports of US spy program in Thailand are true.

However, he assured reporters that he had received no information indicating that the US is illegally wiretapping phone calls in Thailand as claimed by a number of media sources.

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Editorial: Put An End To 'Amnesty For All'

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4 November 2013, 15:50

(4 November) Since its departure from its original form, the government-sponsored Amnesty Bill has been attracting much criticism from members of the public of various backgrounds.

Submitted to Parliament by Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema, the Bill was designed to grant amnesty exclusively to ordinary citizens who had been caught in the crossfires of the political unrest that has plagued Thailand in recent years.

Among those citizens are Redshirts protesters who are currently jailed for their roles in the 2010 mass protests. This intention, in our opinion, is legitimate; the prisoners should not be forced to languish in prison simply because they exercised their political rights.

However, Mr. Worachai′s draft has been drastically altered by the House Committee. The legal clemency now extends to politicians like former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, and former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, who authorised the crackdown in 2010.

The sweeping extents of the altered draft has earned itself the nicknames ?Mao Keng? (All in the basket) and ?Suud Soi? (To the end of the alley).

The action of the House Committee is unacceptable, as the original and the altered version of the Amnesty Bill are markedly different.

Khaosod newspaper has been resolute in its mission to investigate, unearth, and publish the truths regarding the deadly military crackdown in April-May 2010.

We have presented photographs and other evidences which unambiguously pointed to the the involvement of the security forces in the deaths of over 90 people throughout the operation.

We have also highlighted the facts that many civilians who had been killed in the crackdown were unarmed protesters. None has been proven to be the elusive ?Black Shirts? gunmen so far.

The excuse of the former authorities who authorised the crackdown, that the victims were armed militants intent on murdering the security forces, lack sufficient evidence, and cannot dissolve them the responsibility of their actions. The said authorities must stand trials for their actions in 2010.

Therefore, Khaosod newspaper cannot accept the so-called 'Amnesty For All', since the bill would effectively put an end to the legal prosecution against those responsible for the deaths caused by the 2010 crackdown.

The ongoing legal case is meant to serve as a historic milestone that stops the culture of impunity in Thailand by bringing justice to the people who had stood up for their political causes only to be met with overtly violent measures of the security forces that ignore the universal respect for human rights.

Court inquests have confirmed that at least 14 victims of 2010 crackdown were evidently killed by the security forces. Such inquests have led to the indictment of former PM Abhisit last week. The full-scale criminal court trials for Mr. Abhisit and his former deputy are not far off.

These progresses would have been in vain if the blanket amnesty is ultimately approved.

Bearing all the aforementioned facts in mind, the editorial team of Khaosod newspaper hereby demands that all political parties in Parliament put an end to ?all in the basket? amnesty.

What should be in the basket for Thailand, instead, is the quest toward justice for the sake of 2010 crackdown victims.

View the Thai version of this editorial HERE

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Border Trade Robust as ICJ Decision on Preah Vihear Approaches

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3 November 2013, 20:28

(3 November) Thailand-Cambodia border trades show no worries as the International Court of Justice set to announce its decision, regarding the border dispute between the two nations in two weeks.

The court rule from ICJ is planned to be announced on 11 November, after both countries claimed their rights on Preah Vihear temple.

In Surin province, Chong Jom border point in still operated as usual, said President of Surin’s Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Kriangsak Palikupt.

The president also praised the government for having done well in creating good understanding. However, many business people remain cautious and keep close look at the situation.

Border Trade at Chong Jom border point worth approximately THB 6 million this year, slightly lowered 20-30% due to the border conflict and depressing global economy. Oil is, so far, the most famous product at the border and possesses 60% of the market share. Consuming products and building materials also gained fair share of the market at 20%.

In Sri Saket province, Mr. Siripong Ankasakulkiate, President of the province’s Chamber of Commerce, said that the border trade at Sa-Ngam border point is still going lively, and show no signs of any changes despite coming decision from ICJ.

Mr. Siripong said he believes that the Thai security authorities should be able to manage the situation, unless anybody sneaked into the conflict area.

“Businesspeople in the province do not seem to worry about the situation at all”, said the president of Sri Saket Chamber of Commerce, “Both countries also show no desire to close the border as it may affect businesses, particularly Casino in Cambodia.”

Border Trade in Sa-Ngam border point grows 15-20% annually and worth approximately THB 1.5 billion per year. Top exports are Oil, which shares 40% of the market, building materials, 30%, consuming products, 20 and other items at 10%.

It is expected that the Sa-Ngam border trade should generate up to THB 2 billion in 2014.

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