(18 October) Another train derailment in Nakhon Ratchasima province has disrupted the Northeastern rail service just as a number of Cabinet members are converging in a nearby province to promote the plan to construct the high-speed railway across the country.

The train, which ran from Bangkok toward Nong Khai province, derailed in Non Sung  district, causing the entire Northeastern region rail to halt their services.

No injury or death has been reported. Nevertheless, the incident – merely the latest in the long series of derailments this year – could pose doubts about the safety of the government′s future investments in the kingdom′s railway.

Transport Minister, Mr. Chatchart Sittipan, who is in the neighbouring Ubon Ratchathani province to attend an exhibition touting the promised benefits of the planned high-speed rail service, wrote on his Facebook that "I feel lucky for not taking the train [here], because I just heard about yet another train derailment in Non Sung".

Mr. Chatchart took an interprovincial coach from Bangkok.

The “Thailand Future: 2020” showcase exhibition is being held at OTOP Centre in Mueang district, Ubon Ratchathani province, and has so far received much attention from local residents.

The exhibition is aimed to win the support for the government′s package of massive infrastructure overhaul, including the high-speed rail construction, which would cost the country 2.2 trillion baht.

Mr. Kittarat Na Ranong, Minister of Finance also joined Mr. Chatchart as the hosts of the exhibition. Both ministers were planned to give speeches on the topics of “Moving forward for Economy, Trade and Investment” and “Connecting Regions-Lives and the Integration for Urbanisation”, respectively.

At the showcase, a simulator train model is also available for event attendees to experience a slice of the planned high-speed project and has attracted many visitors, our correspondent said. Police expected that there will be at least 20,000 visitors a day, and urged officers to be on lookout for pickpockets thieves.

The event also featured many famous  stars from Channel 7 including New Wongsakorn, Kelly Thanapat, Namwan Kanhaphon, and singers from R-Siam – Kratae and Kratai.

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(October 18) Threats of lawsuit followed the closely-watched election of the Thai Football Association Chairman, which saw the victory of its controversial incumbent, Mr. Worawi Makudi.

Mr. Worawi was pitched against Mr. Virach Chanpanich in the bid to win his 4th consecutive term as the FA Chairman.

The election has attracted much attention from the public, many calling for the end to Mr. Worawi′s reign in the lucrative Football Association, citing his previous failures to reform the performances and transparency of Thai football industry.

Mr. Worawi′s pre-election promise that he would lead Thai national football team to play in a World Cup is widely derided since he has previously made and missed the same vow.

The fateful election, held yesterday at Golden Tulip Hotel,  was marked with turmoil even before it began, as opponents of Mr. Worawi alleged that the incumbent′s decision to lower the number of voting football clubs from 184 to 72 is designed to keep smaller clubs away and benefit Mr. Worawi′s chance to win his 4th term.

On the day of the vote, Mr. Virach, Mr. Worawi′s contender, claimed that some representatives of six participating football clubs have no rights to cast their ballots, as they were not directly related to the clubs. He also protested the fact that members of the election committee had been changed from what he had agreed.

The disagreement resulted in a delay of several hours, before the election committee dismissed Mr. Virach′s objection and ordered the voting to take place. Representatives of the 72 football clubs then proceeded to cast their votes in a closed session. Members of the press were not allowed to observe the voting.

Later, it emerged that 42 votes were cast in favour of Mr. Worawi, while Mr. Virach received 28 votes. One member abstained, and one ballot was voided.

Mr. Worawi′s new term would last two years, although the Football Association is considering a charter amendment that would extend the post to four years.

Speaking after the voting session, the clearly upset Mr. Virach told the press that he would object to the election result, alleging fraudulent practices in the voting process.

Mr. Virach said he would consult with his legal team about his plan to file lawsuit to the Administrative Court in order to have Mr. Worawi′s victory overturned.

"I actually won ever since the day I announced I would run in the election," Mr. Virach claimed, "Because there was hope that there would be change in the football community".

Mr. Peeradech Amornsukon, the chairman of Rayong United FC, also voiced his displeasure that the election committee had allocated the voting rights of his selected representative to another individual without his agreement. He said he would file a lawsuit to void the election result.

He added: "Rayong FC is very much damaged. We want clarity whether the owners of the club are allowed to manage their own business, because even their voting rights are taken away and given to someone else".

Speaking at the same venue, Mr. Worawi dismissed Mr. Virach′s threat of legal challenge, claiming that many impartial observers had validated the election process, including members of FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

"I believe it has been a fair and clean election," said Mr. Worawi, who also serves as an executive of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

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(17 October) Five Thai nationals were said to be on the plane operated by Lao Airline as it plunged down into Mekong River yesterday.

The plane believed to have crashed at around 16.00 on Wednesday near the borders of Thailand and Laos, only 3 km away from Pakse’s airport in Laos. Bad weather might have been the main factor for the crash, as Typhoon Nari was hitting the region on Tuesday.  

All 49 people on board are feared dead.

As off 15.00 today, Thai authorities had sent 50 rescue workers – 30 frogmen and 20 inland supporters – to the scene to retrieve bodies. The searching process is estimated to take at least 1-2 days.

So far, 7 bodies have been retrieved, but the authorities could not verify their identification. The crash is believed to have killed people from at least 10 nation, including 5 Thais identified as Mr. Khanueng Chatkasemchai, 47, Mr. Niphon Chaichanakuldee, 27, Mr. Phakkhawat Athinarattanachai, 50, Mr. Wikit Butsarawuthanusorn, 38, Mr. Banyong Aphanant, 29.

 Mr. Pongsak Raktapongpaisan, Minister of Energy, said that there is possibility that two engineers and one contractor employed by PTT Public Company, the petroleum corporation partially owned by the Thai state, was on board, but he refused to comment any further as no reports have confirmed their deaths.

However, the Minister added that PTT is willing  to compensate the victims? families in the fullest terms as they were performing duties for the company at the time of the accident.
ompensation is to be made for the crash victims’ families, as they were performing duties for the company.

 At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sek Wannamathee, Director General of Public Relations Department, said that the Foreign Minister, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, had been in contact with Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Thonglun Sisoulith.

In a statement, the Thai government expressed its sympathy for the loss, and offers to facilitate the Laotian officials in the searching operation.

 Sapsithiprasong Hospital director, Mr. Chalit Thongprayoon, also offered helps for post-mortem investigation, and stated that its forensic sciences department is adequately equipped for the tasks.

 Lao Airlines started its operation since 1976, and has long been the Laotian flag carrier providing domestic and international routes within East Asian Region. 

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(17 October) Over 3,500 people lost their jobs and six households were damaged after a large fire destroyed the famous shopping mall of Phuket province.

The destruction of SuperCheap, a major retail and wholesale mall, is also estimated to have cost 100 million baht at the very least.

Rescue teams from Phuket and the neighbouring Phang-Nga provinces took 13 hours to control the fire, which reportedly broke out at 21.00 on the night of 16 October.

According to witnesses, an explosion was heard before the fire started. The time of the incident also suggested the possibility that many people were inside the mall during the incident, as the mall is said to operate 7.00 to 23.00 daily.

Initial reports suggest that at least 700 – 1,000 people work at the mall. However, further reports indicate that at least 3,500 workers would be affected by the fire.

Phuket’s provincial authority, in collaboration with Ministry of Labour (MOL), has promised to help the workers to find new jobs if the mall decides to terminate their contracts. A registration desk was set to allow workers to sign up for compensation and job-hunting services. According to the MOL, there are currently 1,600 positions available in the province.

Raksa subdistrict municipality mayor, Mr. Phudit Raksarat, said that the municipality is preparing THB 5 million as a compensation budget for those who suffered from the incident, after initial reports indicate that 6 households were damaged by the blaze.

During his visit this morning, Phuket Governor, Mr. Maitree Intusoot, ordered his officers to set up a public relations centre to receive complaints and assistance request filed by locals. So far, two people came to file the application.

Three people were reported missing as the news of the blaze emerged. One of the missing people was later located, while other two are still unreachable. However, the officials have not confirmed any fatality.

Around 500 police officers and volunteers were appointed to patrol the area to ensure security. Officers said they will stay vigilant of any thieves who may take advantages of the fire to rob the mall, as there are gold dealer shops and cash machines inside the mall.

The police also asked netizens to stop spreading a photo on the social network which was alleged to be the picture of the incident, including reports about 11 dead in the fire.

According to police, the picture was inaccurate, as it was a photo of the fire at Bangkok′s Zantika Pub in 2009. The police also insisted they cannot yet enter the scene, but will do as soon as they can, and that the report of any death toll is unconfirmed.

The 12-acre SuperCheap Mall is described to be one of the few Thai-owned malls in the island province where much of the business is co-owned by foreign conglomerates. The mall started its operation in 1995, and generates annual revenue of approximately THB 3,000 – 4,000 million.

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(17 October) A group of residents of Minburi district have demanded that the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) suspend its boat route along Saen Saeb Canal in the district due to the damage caused to the canal′s banks.

Speaking at Parliament House, Mr. Vichan Minchainant, a Pheu Thai MP, said he has received many complaints from the residents who live on the canal′s stretch of Bang Chan to Minburi market that the passing boats have caused erosion to the canal′s bank, threatening the safety of their residences and shops.

Mr. Vichan said the boats were part of a test run organised by the BMA which was supposed to have lasted only 6 months, but it has been 8 months and the boats are still running. He alleged that the residents have complained to the BMA many times, only to be ignored.

He added that he had discussed the issue with Senate Committee on Consumer Protection, the Marine Department, the BMA, and the Ministry of Transport.

The MP proposed that the Bangkok authority slow its boats along the three-kilometre stretch and organise a navigational plan that would not affect the local residents. Mr. Vichan also urged the Marine Department to renew the license of the operating boats, which has expired two months ago, and demanded that the BMA pay compensation to the residents.

If the BMA refuses to respond to the residents? complaint by 18 October, Mr. Vichan said, he will proceed with a legal action against the authority.

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(17 October) A Chinese tourist had been injured after she jumped off a moving songthaew bus during a heated argument with her friend, according to the driver.

Rescue team responded to the incident, which occurred in Pattaya Nuea, Banglamung, to administer first aid to the tourist, who was identified as Ms. Anie, 30.

As they arrived the team found Ms. Annie with bruises on her body and a wound on her head. Her friend was by her side when the rescue team applied first aid measures before transferred the tourist to Banglamung Hospital.

 According to Mr. Suwan Inthe, 47, the driver of the songthaew, the tourists were having heated argument before Ms. Annie jumped off the moving bus. "Luckily I did not drive too fast at the time," Mr. Suwan said.

The police did not pressed charge against anyone.

Songthaew is a converted pick-up truck designed to carry passengers, either as a fixed route or shared taxi. It is named after the two bar benched (song thaew) equipped on both side of the truck, and can be found in urban areas across the country. 

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(17 October) Pattaya rescue workers have saved a foreign man who was cutting himself during a phone conversation with his friend.

The foreign man was lying on the floor of his apartment room in Pattaya Klang, barely conscious, when the rescue workers found him.

His nationality is identified as Irish and his name is given simply as Tony.  He was given first aid before being transferred to Banglamung Hospital.

According to his friend, who is also a foreigner, he and Tony were having a conversation over the phone, when the Irishman told him he was stressed about his personal issues, and claimed that he was cutting himself.

His friend then rushed to see the Irishman and contacted the authorities to save him.

Pattaya police said they had received the reports and will proceed with further investigation, in order to identify the foreigner’s real motive for the incident.

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