PCAD Activist Accuses Red Lawyer Of Lese Majeste

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8 April 2014, 19:47

Redshirts rally at Aksa Avenue, 6 April 2014

(8 April) A prominent anti-government activist has pressed charges against a legal representative of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accusing him of defaming the monarchy.

Mr. Thaworn Senniam, a core leader of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), arrived at the Dusit Police Station in Bangkok today to file complaints to the police.

According to the activist, Mr. Robert Amsterdam, who has been hired by the former leader to represent him in the international stage, has insulted the Royal Family by urging the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to amend the lese majeste laws.

Mr. Amsterdam delivered the remark in his Skype call to a massive pro-government Redshirts rally in Nakhon Pathom province on 6 April. In his call, Mr. Amsterdam faulted Ms. Yingluck's failure to amend Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Codes, which prohibits any remark deemed offensive to the monarchy.

Although Mr. Amsterdam made no direct mention of the monarchy throughout his speech, Mr. Thaworn said the lobbyist's remarks are sufficient ground for prosecution under Article 112.

"Thailand is ruled by democratic regime with the King as Head of State," Spring News quoted Mr. Thaworn as saying, "Therefore, the penalty for insulting the monarchy should be naturally more severe than the defamation of ordinary people, which is no different to the way things work in other nations".

Mr. Thaworn also demanded that the Royal Thai Police strictly take legal action against Mr. Amsterdam. It is not immediately clear whether the police will proceed with the complaint.

Those guilty of charges under Article 112 can face up to 15 years in prison per offence. A number of academics and rights experts have argued that the law has been heavily politicised and regularly used to repress freedom of expression in Thailand.

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PT Tells Abhisit To Discipline Party Spokeswoman

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8 April 2014, 17:55

Ms. Mallika Boonmetrakul (photo from Ms. Mallika's official Facebook account)

(8 April) The ruling Pheu Thai Party has lashed out at a deputy spokeswoman of the Democrat Party who falsely accused Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of attempting to flee the country.

In a Facebook post – which has now been deleted – Ms. Mallika Boonmetrakul published a photograph showing rows of baggage and boxes at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, and alleged that the baggage may have belonged to Ms. Yingluck who is attempting to flee Thailand amid the ongoing political crisis.

Some commentators also posted comments criticising the owner of the baggage for displaying such apparent luxury and unnecessary waste of taxpayers' money.

However, it later emerged that the cargo belongs to Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, who was flying to a fashion event in London. The post was eventually removed by Ms. Mallika without any explanation.

Mr. Prompong Nopparit, spokesman of Pheu Thai Party, called Ms. Mallika's statement a "distortion with political agenda to smear Ms. Yingluck", and insisted that the Prime Minister has no plan to leave the country.

"Ms. Yingluck and members of the Shinawatra family have no plan to run away from Thailand," Mr. Prompong said, "She has no intention of fleeing, because she has done nothing wrong. Ms. Yingluck has also made it clear that she will stay here to defend democracy until the last second".

Mr. Prompong also urged Democrat leader, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, to take disciplinary action against Ms. Mallika and make her take responsibility for her dissemination of false information.

"If he refuses to do so, we will take it that he conspires with her," Mr. Prompong said in a press conference, adding that Pheu Thai Party will never tolerate such irresponsible actions within the party.

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Man Dies After Shooting Himself In Testicles

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8 April 2014, 17:26

(8 April) A gambler in Prachinburi province died after accidentally discharging his handgun into his testicles, police said.

According to the police, officers received reports of the incident at around 02.00 on 7 April. The police later arrived at a residence in Hua Wah subdistrict to find the dead body of Mr. Kittisak Krusorn, 27, on his front porch, with pool of blood trailing from his bedroom where police found one homemade handgun and one bullet case.

The police also found and confiscated a set of instruments for "Hi-Lo" gambling.

Mr. Kittisak's tesicles were punctured by the bullet, police added.

Mr. Kittisak's relatives told police he was hosting a round of "Hi-Lo" with his friends in a funeral at a local temple. Shortly after Mr. Kittisak returned to his bedroom, his relatives said, there was a loud gunshot bang and Mr. Kittisak later crawled out to front porch, crying for help. However, the man died before any help could arrive.

Police suspect that Mr. Kittisak might have accidentally fired his weapon as he took the handgun out from the holster on the front of his belt.

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S. Africa Urges Thailand To Tackle Human Trafficking

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8 April 2014, 17:05

(8 April) The South African Ambassador has proposed a joint effort to fight human traffickers alongside Thailand, in an effort to end the "sex slave" business between the two nations.

Ms. Robina P. Marks met with Ms. Paweena Hongsakul, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, in Pathum Thani province today to discuss the plan, which will encourage more cooperation between Thailand and South Africa, and a more robust legal procedure to prosecute those involved in the sex trade.

Numerous Thai women have been lured by human traffickers to South Africa with the prospect of lucrative careers, only to be locked in brothels and "massage parlours" where they are forced to become prostitutes once they arrive at their destination.

Ms. Paweena said she has assured Ms. Marks that the Thai authorities will adopt stronger measures to curb the human trafficking trade in Thailand, such as monitoring agencies who advertise jobs in South Africa to Thai women.

Any job agency that is found to violate or ignore regulations imposed by the Ministry of Labour will be severely punished, Ms. Paweena said.

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Surapong: US Will Not Be Happy If Coup Happens

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8 April 2014, 15:16

PM Yingluck Shinawatra arrives at the Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Pathom province, 8 April 2014

(8 April) The US government has expressed concern to the Thai authorities over the deteriorating state of political crisis in Thailand, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Mr. Surapong made the comment after meeting with a group of high profile American diplomats today, including US Ambassador to Thailand, Ms. Kristie Kenny, and Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mr. Daniel Russel.

According to Mr. Surapong, the entourage presented him with a letter signed by the US Secretary of State John Kerry which expressed his concern over the latest round of political crisis in Thailand, which erupted in November last year.

He added that the US does not wish to see a military takeover or any other type of coup in Thailand. "It is an issue that the US has grave concerns about," Mr. Surapong told reporters, "If it really happens, they won't be happy".

Mr. Surapong continued, "Simultaneously, the US wants to support Thailand to walk along the democratic path, to solve problems by engaging in dialogues, and to refrain from violence and chaos".

The Foreign Affairs Minister also lamented missed opportunities for Thailand to strive for greater diplomatic relationship with the US and other countries in Southeast Asia, as Thailand lacks a functioning government to engage in international actions, such as signing treaties and attending international forums.

"We cannot do any of these things. We have to wait for the new government. It's a great loss to Thailand," Mr. Surapong complained.

Asked to comment on the speech by anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who threatened to install himself as a "Sovereign Body" and replace Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with his own choice of PM and Cabinet members, Mr. Surapong said such remark amounts to "insurrection".

"It is clear that Suthep wants to seize power into his own hands," Mr. Surapong charged, "He has never listened to anyone in the past … It's the way of dictators".

He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already translated Mr. Suthep' speech "word-to-word". Mr. Surapong said the text of the translation will be sent to foreign embassies in Thailand to inform them of Mr. Suthep's agenda.

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Phuket Journalists To Face Lawsuits Filed By Navy

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8 April 2014, 15:14

(8 April) Editors of Phuket-based Phuketwan news agency have been scheduled to appear before the court on 17 April, after the prosecutor accepted defamation lawsuits filed by the Royal Thai Navy.

Mr. Alan Morison and Ms. Chutima Sidasathian have been accused of defaming the navy by publishing a report originally penned by Reuters which indicated that some servicemen in the Royal Thai Navy were involved in human trafficking trade of the Rohingya refugees off the southern coast of Thailand.

The article appeared on the Phuketwan website in July last year, but it was not until December that year that the Royal Thai Navy pressed charges of defamation and violation of Computer Crimes Act against the two editors.

If found guilty, the pair could face up to 7 years in prison.

Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison previously expressed their hope that the public prosecutor would drop the case. But Ms. Chutima told Khaosod today she has learned that the prosecutor has decided to take the case, and ordered the defendants to appear before the judges at Phuket Criminal Court on 17 April.

According to Ms. Chutima, bail has been set at an estimated at 100,000 baht per person, which she cannot afford. "I do not have any funds set aside for bail money," Ms. Chutima said in a phone interview, "We might just end up in jail on the day we report to the court".

She added that a number of media rights groups, namely Frontline Defenders and the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), are organisign fundraising among their members to post bail for Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison on 17 April.

However, the editor said she received little or no help from the Thai authorities. Neither the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) or the Thai Journalist Association (TJA) has offered their assistance in the legal procedure, Ms. Chutima told Khaosod, while her letter to the Rights and Liberty Protection Department went unanswered.

"I filed the letter to the officials in Phuket last month. I just discovered that somehow they did not forward the document to Bangkok," Ms. Chutima said, "I am shocked".

She is also disheartened by the fact that the lawsuit against Phuketwan has received very little coverage in the Thai mainstream media.

Rights experts have alleged that the Compter Crimes Act, which Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison are now facing, is highly detrimental to freedom of speech in Thailand, citing it’s vague and broad definition of what could be constituted as a crime.

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Phuket Journalists To Face Lawsuits Filed By Navy

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8 April 2014, 15:14

(8 April) Editors of the Phuket-based Phuketwan news agency have been scheduled to appear before court on 17 April, after a prosecutor accepted defamation lawsuits filed by the Royal Thai Navy.

Mr. Alan Morison and Ms. Chutima Sidasathian have been accused of defaming the navy by publishing a report originally penned by Reuters which indicated that some servicemen in the Royal Thai Navy were involved in human trafficking trade of Rohingya refugees off the southern coast of Thailand.

The article appeared on the Phuketwan website in July last year, but it was not until December that the Royal Thai Navy pressed charges of defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act against the two editors.

If found guilty, the pair could face up to 7 years in prison.

Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison previously expressed their hope that the public prosecutor would drop the case. But Ms. Chutima told Khaosod today she has learned that the prosecutor has decided to take the case, and ordered the defendants to appear before the judges at Phuket Criminal Court on 17 April.

According to Ms. Chutima, bail has been set at an estimated at 100,000 baht per person, which she cannot afford. "I do not have any funds set aside for bail money," Ms. Chutima said in a phone interview. "We might just end up in jail on the day we report to the court."

She added that a number of media rights groups, namely Frontline Defenders and the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), are organising fundraising among their members to post bail for Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison on 17 April.

However, the editor said she received little or no help from the Thai authorities. Neither the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) nor the Thai Journalist Association (TJA) have offered their assistance in the legal procedure, Ms. Chutima told Khaosod, while her letter to the Rights and Liberty Protection Department went unanswered.

"I filed the letter to the officials in Phuket last month. I just discovered that somehow they did not forward the document to Bangkok," Ms. Chutima said, "I am shocked".

She is also disheartened by the fact that the lawsuit against Phuketwan has received very little coverage in the Thai mainstream media.

Rights experts have alleged that the Compter Crimes Act, which Ms. Chutima and Mr. Morison are now facing, is highly detrimental to freedom of speech in Thailand, citing it’s vague and broad definition of what could be constituted as a crime.

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Ichitan IPO Tipped To Earn '3.9 Billion Baht'

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7 April 2014, 18:57

Mr. Tan Passakornnatee (photo from his official Facebook account)

(7 April) Green tea tycoon Tan Passakornnatee said the initial public offering of his company's stocks tomorrow will earn as much as 3.9 billion baht.

Ichitan is scheduled to offer 300 million stocks in its IPO between 8-11 April, at the rate of 13 baht per stock, before the company will be officially listed in the Stock Exchange on 21 April.

Mr. Tan had been the founder and chief executive of Oishi Group, which sells green tea and operates a number of Japanese-styled restaurants, before he left the company in 2010 and immediately started Ichitan to compete for market shares.

The tycoon said he has no plans to sell shares in Ichitan in the near future, as he predicts that his beverage business will continue to perform well in the upcoming months.

"It's hotter than usual this year," Mr. Tan said, "So the sales of our drinks are set to rise,"

He added that Ichitan will increase its production to 1 billion bottles and 200 million packets per year following on completion of the planned expansion of his company.

Mr. Tan made headlines in recent weeks, after members of a Bangkok school marching band camped out in front of his headquarters and "asked" for a 3 million baht loan from Mr. Tan to pay for their flight tickets to a marching band competition in the Netherlands.

The Ichitan boss obliged and gave them the cash as donation, but stressed that the band should have asked for assistance via proper channels. The band later faced a massive backlash from much of the public, thanks to revelations that the campaign to demand Mr. Tan's money was planned in advance by the band leaders and the school director.

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Loei: 12 Workers Killed By Modified Truck Crash

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7 April 2014, 18:35

(7 April) A modified 10-wheeler truck has crashed in Loei province, killing at least 12 passengers en route to their hometowns for the Songkran holiday.

The incident reportedly took place at around 02.00 at the 23-24 km section of Sai Road, that runs downhill into a perilous bend. At the scene, rescue workers found wreckage of the truck smashed into concrete wall on the side of the road.

Some of the deceased passengers were found in a ravine close to the wreckage, presumably due to the impact of the truck crash.

Police said 9 people died at the scene, and three more passed away at the hospital. At least 10 people are also reported injured, the owner and the driver of the truck have been detained by the police.

The owner, Mr. Yan Puangkaew, told police that the truck departed Si Satchanalai district at around 18.00 with 26 employees who worked at his sugar cane farm. Mr. Yan said he appointed Mr. Loet Mankong to drive the truck to take him and his employees home to Nakhon Phanom province, so they could celebrate Songkran – or Thai traditional New Year – with their families.

When the truck started to descend down the slope, Mr. Loet said, he lost control of the vehicle, possibly due to faulty brake, and so he decided to slam the truck into a concrete wall to stop the vehicle. However, the impact caused the truck to overturn and hurl many passengers off to their deaths.

According to the police, the truck had been converted to hold some cargo on its roof, and a number of passengers were sitting on the upper part of the truck at the time of the accident.

A police officer added that the area where the accident occurred is known by the local residents as "Curve of 100 Deaths" due to frequent road fatalities in the vicinity.

It is not immediately clear whether Mr. Loet and Mr. Yan will face any charges.

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Heartthrobs Exempted From Annual Military Draft

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7 April 2014, 16:29

Mr. Mario Maurer poses with an army officer at the draft venue in Bangkok, 7 April 2014

(7 April) Two celebrity actors, Nadech Kugimiya and Mario Maurer, have been spared from the annual mandatory military service.

According to Thai law, all Thai males must report for a 2-year military service when they reach the age of 21, unless they registered for Reserve Force and received military training in their high school years.

Citizens with medical conditions are exempted from the draft. Transgenders ("ladyboys") are also barred from the military draft due to their physical genders.

In early April each year, the media is abuzz with speculation on which celebrity heartthrobs will "pick the red card" and join the military. For 2014, Mr. Nadech and Mr. Mario are qualified for the draft, and each actor reported to their regiment officers in their hometowns.

Mr. Nadech, who turned 23 this year, arrived at the draft registration and selection venue at Central Plaza shopping mall in Khon Kaen province this morning. It is his third appearance at the annual military draft; the actor has requested for postponement of the military service for the last two years.

However he did not simply show up for the draft, he was contracted to be a "presenter" at the military service with the Royal Thai Army. The filming of the VTR took place at the venue, with Mr. Nadech going through each station and explaining what the applicants were required to do in order to comply with procedures.

"To sign up for the military service is an important duty for all Thai men," Mr. Nadech told the camera.

Large groups of his fan club gathered just outside the registration hall and, despite the officers' efforts, some of them even managed to slip through security barriers and enter the venue to take close up photos of Mr. Nadech.

After the filming was completed, Mr. Nadech proceeded to the medical checkup station, where a doctor announced that he suffers from the medical condition of asthma. He was thus exempted from the draft under military regulations which bar applicants with medical conditions unsuitable for training.

The army's presenter then expressed his sadness at the news that he will not be eligible for the military service, and admitted that he was already aware of his condition prior to the registration as he had already gone through a check-up at Phra Mongkut Klao Hospital.

"I genuinely intend to sign up for the service in the army today after I postponing it for 2 years," Mr. Nadech told reporters after he secured the exemption document, "But due to my [health condition] I cannot be a soldier. It made me very sad, because I want to be a soldier and serve our country".

He added, "Although I cannot serve my country as a soldier, there are many other duties I can do to serve the country … I will help our nation by being a good citizen, with good thoughts, good words, and good deeds."

On the same day, the 25-years old Mr. Mario showed up for the draft at Wat Krathum Suea Pla School in Bangkok's Pravet district. The actor has previously postponed his military service for 3 times, and he applied for another year of postponement today, citing his needs to attend university classes.

The draft officer informed Mr. Mario this would be his last chance of postponement, and that he would have to pick the red and black cards like other applicants next year.

Other actors and celebrities have eluded the mandatory military service in the past, mostly with health and education reasons.

A notable exception was Mr. Sornram Teppitak who was drafted in 2000 at the height of his career. He was discharged two years later with a rank of corporal.

Famous politician Chuwit Kamolwisit also posted on his Facebook this week that his son has picked a "red card" and would enter the military service this year.

Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly mentions "black card" as the ticket for military draft, when in fact it is "red card"; applicants who pick "black cards" are exempted from military service.

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