Superstar Ends 11.5 Million Baht Feud With Her Ex-Manager

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11 October 2013, 00:45

(10 October) Pee Mak star settled negotiation with her former manager, ending the lawsuit in which the latter party sued her for breach of contract and demanded compensations of THB 11.5 million.

The well-known actress, Ms. Davika ‘Mai’ Horne, told our correspondent at the Ratchada Court hearing on 9 October that the negotiation is well settled and admitted that ‘it is my own fault’.

According to Ms. Davika, who became famous largely due to her role in the ghost-comedy hit Pee Mak, she had personally apologised to her counter party, Mr. Supphachai ‘A’ Srivijit, who sued her for THB 11.5 million compensations, alleging that the actress had violated the terms in their contracts.

The Pee Mak star said that in a personal phone call, Mr. Supphachai greeted her well, and promised to meet up and hang out together. Ms. Davika added that she felt much better with the issue, after the two had successfully negotiated over it.

Mr. Vikrom ‘Klao’ Photrakul, Ms. Davika’s current manager, also attended the court hearing along with their lawyer, Mr. Kittipong Thitithanwarat.

Mr.Vikrom told our correspondent that the negotiation is agreed by both parties, and he did not wish to comment any further about the issue.

Ms. Kosum Prasopsaowalak, Mr. Suphachai’s lawyer who was present at the court as his representative, commented that since the contract between Ms. Davika and Mr. Suphachai has been annulled, she hopes that everything could end and no further speculations about the case should be made.

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American Family Returns Ancient Artifacts To Thailand.

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11 October 2013, 00:36

(October 10) A family of American citizens, whose relatives lived in Thailand during Vietnam War, returned the biggest single lot of ancient items to the country, as 76 items were shipped to the kingdom.

The items have been proved by archaeologist to be valid, and will be registered as national treasures, according to Mr. Anek Sihamat, deputy director-general of the Fine Art Department.

Archaeologists reportedly had studied the items, and clarified that they belong to Ban Chiang era, and should be made between 1000 BC – 300 AD.

According to Mr. Manaswee Srisodaphol, director-general of the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the owners of the artifacts contacted the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles, and had started to return the items since 2002.

Our correspondent also reported that the donors explained that their relatives had lived in Thailand during the war period, and had shipped the items back with them once their returned to America. They later sought the origins of the items, and wished to return them to where they belong.

Mr. Anek said that the Fine Art Department plans to display the items in Ban Chiang Museum and other regional museums where there is adequate security for the items.

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Man Kills Woman For Having New Boyfriend 'Too Soon'

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11 October 2013, 00:11

(10 October) A man reportedly shot his ex-girlfriend to death in a shopping mall because she had a new boyfriend.

Police arrested Mr. Boonlert Ladlod, 35, from Mueang District, Chumphon province, in connection with the murder of Ms. Piyakron Homlarp, 34, a resident in Thasae district.

Initial investigation suggested that the victim was a worker in a coffee shop inside Chumphon′s branch of Tesco Lotus.

CCTV camera had recorded the time when Mr. Boonlert allegedly fled the scene by his motorcycle. The image of Mr. Boonlert captured in the CCTV was later confirmed by witnesses that he was the alleged murder.

The man then confessed of murder, after the police pressed charge against him.

Explaining his motives, Mr. Boonlert said that he and Ms. Piyakorn decided to end their two-year relationship prior to the incident, and Ms. Piyakorn promised she would not date any other man until Mr. Boonlert is over her.

However, Mr. Boonlert believed that Ms. Piyakorn broke the promise, as he had seen her with another man in the mall. He felt insulted by the sight, and decided to commit the crime.

The alleged murderer said he threw the gun in Tha Taphao canal, but the police had yet found it.

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Thai Economy 'Growing' Despite Flood & US Shutdown

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10 October 2013, 16:45

Flood in Sa Kaeo province, 9 October 2013

(10 October) The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has reported a positive outlook for the Thai economy despite ongoing flood crisis and US Government Shutdown.

In a document detailing economic prospoect of August 2013 presented to the Cabinet, NESDB highlighted improvement of the economy, particularly the increase in spending and manufacturing sectors.

According to the report, private consumption, export, agricultural production, manufacturing and tourism sectors are growing slightly.

The 2013 annual economic growth, according to the NESDB, is expected to be 3.8 – 4.3%, while the inflation rates remains at 2.3 – 2.8%. It also advised that the national current account stays positive at 0.3% of national GPD.

However, it noted that Thailand will have to face with several problems through the rest of the year, including the floods and the struggling US economy, which is largely based on the public debt ceiling issue.

Meanwhile, in comparison with August 2012, national demand had increased, both in national consumption and exports. On exports sector alone, the NESDB predicts the additional USD 19 billion, resulting in 2.5% expansion, according to the Bank of Thailand (BOT) or relatively 3.9% according to the Minister of Commerce.

Assistant governor in charge of financial institutions policy, Ms. Chantawan Sujaritkul, said that the BOT is keeping close look at the US public debt payment, stating that the issue may affect both Thailand and other countries investing in the US bonds.

Mr. Siri Karncharoendee, a member of BOT′s Monetary Policy Committee, agreed with Ms. Chantawan, and suggested that the US government shutdown should be solved as soon as possible.

He also added that the major economic player should not allow any delay in its bond debt payment, as it may result in the US’s inaccountability. However, if the US shall fail to pay its bond, which would be the first time in history, international economy would suffer massive catastrophe, said Mr. Siri.

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Splinter PEFOT Group Refuses To Disperse

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10 October 2013, 16:33

(10 October) Reports say a small group of anti-government protesters has rejected the calls from both the government and their leaders to disperse.

The People′s Force of Democracy to Overthrow Thaksinism has previously announced to relocate their protests from Government House to Lumpini Park, after the government asked them to clear the ground for the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

As of 15.10 today, the defiant protesters were gathering at Nang Lerng intersection where the PEFOT leaders were convincing them to disperse.

By 16.00 The negotiation failed and the splinter group, numbering around 150-200, broke away to Uruphong intersection, out of reach of the Internal Security Act, and vowed to continue the rally on their own.

Our correspondent says the situation remains tense, with members of the riot police keeping close watch nearby.

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Kwanchai Presses Libel Charge Against Democrat MP

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10 October 2013, 15:28

(10 October) A prominent member of the Redshirts movements and his wife have pressed charge of defamation against a Democrat MP who accused them them of stealing diamonds during political riots in 2010.

Around 100 Redshirts also accompanied Mr. Kwanchai Praipana and Ms. Arphon Sarakham to the police station in Udon Thani province.

According to the evidences presented to the police, Mr. Issara Somchai has spoken on the stage of a Democrat-organised rally on 5 October that Ms. Arphon has stolen diamonds from Central World shopping mall, which was partially burned down in the chaotic aftermath of Redshirts rally in 2010.

Mr. Issara was criticising the attempts by Pheu Thai Party to amend the 2007 Constitution to pave way for a fully elected Senate body and lift the ban which prevents spouses of existing MPs to run for the Senate.

The Democrat MP reportedly told the crowd that after the Constitution is amended and Ms. Arphon elected as a Senator, "The Parliament will be a parliament of thugs".

Mr. Kwanchai claimed Mr. Issara violated the laws by broadcasting such libellous statements via Blue Sky TV, the cable network allied to Democrat Party.

He added that Ms. Arphon has been a "fighter" for democracy and encouraged to run for the Senate by her Redshirts supporters.

The Redshirt leader also threatened to press charges against Mr. Issara in other police stations across the country.

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PEFOT 'Temporarily' Retreats To Lumpini Park

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10 October 2013, 14:30

(10 October) After several negotiations, the anti-government protesters have agreed to relocate their protests back to Lumpini Park during the visit of Chinese Premier to Government House, where the protesters had been camping.

However, a small group of protesters refused to disperse and vowed their own rally in Uruphong intersection, a few blocks away from their original camp site at Government House.

The People′s Force of Democracy to Overthrow Thaksinism (PEFOT) vowed to return to resume their calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra after Mr. Li Keqiang had concluded his official visit to Thailand, scheduled to take place from 11-13 October.

Government officials have proposed to the PEFOT protesters that they clear the ground for the upcoming visit of Mr. Li. The protest leaders had rejected the proposals in previous negotiations, including one organised today at the protest site.

But around 14.00 today Gen. Preecha Eiamsupan, a leader of PEFOT, took to the rally stage in front of Government House and urged his fellow protesters – around 300 of them – to return to Lumpini Park, where they had been occupying for two months.

Some protesters booed and shouted their disagreement. Around 100 protesters stood their ground at the stage while others packed their tents and equipments.

The splinter group later broke off to Uruphong intersection and vowed to continue the rally on its own.

The short-lived protests at Government House, which had started as an ambitious attempt to bring about the collapse to the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, have been peaceful, despite several arguments between the protesters and the police officers who had sealed off the areas around the protest site.

Operating under the authority of Internal Security Act, thousands of officers have occupied governmental offices to deter the protesters from entering those buildings, and have blocked traffic in the vicinity to bar new protesters.

Upon the PEFOT′s announcement that it will withdraw to Lumpini Park, the officers lifted the barricades from the roads and allow traffic to resume. Some public buses were also provided to the protesters.

As of Thursday evening, the government has not lifted the Internal Security Act.

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2 School Boys 'Rape And Murder' 14-Year-Old Girl

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10 October 2013, 11:35

(10 October) The police in Nakhon Ratchasima province have arrested two juveniles accused of rape and murder a 14-year-old girl.

The girl′s dead body was found at her family′s cabin, located in a cornfield in Sung Noen district.

According to the police, boys of 15 and 16 years old raped and murdered their victim as she visited her family estate to do laundry. The suspects later hid the girl’s dead body inside water storage and fled the scene, police said.

Police added that the footprints left at the scene led them to one of the suspects’ house, and later led to the arrest of the boys.

Postmortem investigation revealed that the girl had been raped before she was killed, presumably, from suffocation.

Upon the arrest, both suspects confessed to their crimes. Police then pressed charge against the juveniles for raping an underage individual, murder, concealment of death body and nighttime theft.

The girl′s mother said she was a nice daughter and performed well at school.

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Protesters Unfazed By Security Laws Enactment

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9 October 2013, 23:11

(9 October) Anti-government protesters who are rallying around Government House appear unmoved by the enactment of security laws that would give the authorities a sweeping power to restrict and monitor the protests.

Banding under the name People′s Force of Democracy to Overthrow Thaksinism (PEFOT), the protesters are rallying against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whom they perceive to be a puppet of her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

PEFOT supporters allege that Mr. Thaksin is a corrupt and anti-monarchy tyrant who attempts to sabotage the country from his exiles in Dubai and Hong Kong.

Although the protests remain relatively small – the average number appears to be 300 people – this morning the government deemed it necessary to enact Internal Security Act of 2007 in three districts and 8 subdistrict of Bangkok to give them a robust power in tackling the protests.

The ISA grants the authorities the power to block traffic, close off areas, search the protesters, and send in police force to dislodge the protesters should they decide to do so.

The areas affected under the ISA are mostly governmental offices. Financial and commercial districts of Bangkok are not included in the enactment. The ISA is due to expire on 18 October, officials said.

Lt.Gen. Paradorn Pattanabut, director of the National Security Council (NSC), said the invocation of the security law is "necessary" as the normal policing power is not adequate to control the situation. "We need a special law that will integrate other related agencies," Lt.Gen. Paradorn said.

He expressed his worry that "other groups" might join the protests and escalate the situation, especially during the upcoming visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who is due to arrive in Bangkok on 11 October and scheduled to visit Government House.
The head of NSC claimed the protesters pose a great risk to the public order, citing intelligence reports that PEFOT is intent on expanding their rallies and instigating chaos in the governmental district of Bangkok, possibly occupying some important buildings.

He also warned that unknown elements might take advantage of the protests and escalate the situation into violence.

Throughout the day, the protesters show no sign of backing down. Leaders of PEFOT said during a negotiation with the police that they would not disperse during Mr. Li′s visit. Various figures give speeches attacking the government on the stage, with intermittent music performance.

The protesters appear to be in high spirit. They have erected makeshift canteens distributing food, while Bangkok authorities provided them with toilet buses and water tanks. Some protesters could be seen dancing to the music around the stage.

Gen. Preecha Eiamsupan, a leader of PEFOT, said in a press conference today that his group is unarmed and exercising the right of assembly in peaceful manner.

As for several protesters who were arrested for carrying scissors and knives into the protest site, Gen. Preecha explained that such equipments are not weapons and needed for camp site maintenance.

Government officials have portrayed the PEFOT rally as a proxy battle on behalf of the Democrat Party, accusing the opposition of sending reinforcements to and coordinating with the protesters in order to sow havoc against the government.

The Democrat Party denies the allegations. Mr. Taworn Senniam, deputy chairman of Democrat Party, said he is not aware of any reinforcement from southern Thailand (the voting base of Democrats) arriving in Bangkok. "We do not manage the rally," he said.

Mr. Taworn added that PEFOT is composed of people from different regions of Thailand, and suggested that the prominent numbers of southerners in the protesters are due to their grievance about rubber price, the major economic plants of southern Thailand.

He also dismissed the government′s claims that PEFOT is plotting to occupy Government House, the airports, and the state TV station, calling them "day-dreaming".

As for the enactment of ISA, Mr. Taworn suggested that the protesters could take the case to the court and insist on their constitutional rights of peaceful assembly.

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Former Pop Idol Released From 8 Year Imprisonment

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9 October 2013, 21:39

Ms. Phonpan Rattamethanon (in black) and Ms. Surattanawee Suwiphon in 1999

(9 October) Former pop star of the duo Triumph Kingdom has been released from prison after serving a jail sentence of 8 years and 10 month for drug offence.

In 2004, the Thai public was stunned to learn that Ms. Phonpan Rattamethanon, better known by her stage name ?Joyce TK?, and her boyfriend at the time had been arrested for possessing methamphetamine with intention to sell the drugs.

The lower court sentenced Ms. Phonpan 8 years and 1 month in prison and a fine of THB 340,000, while Mr. Jittapat Sangsuwan was given 33 years and 4 months in prison and bounded to pay THB 800,000 fine.

The couple then appealed, but the Appeals Court upheld Mr. Jittaphan′s conviction and raised the punishment for Ms. Phonpan to 33 years and 5 months and THB 800,000 fine.

With intention to seek for lighter penalties, the two then filed yet another appeal. The Supreme Court eventually reverted the sentence to be in accordance with the first court ruling, downplaying Ms. Phonpan′s involvement in the crime.

Mr. Jittapat′s jail sentence is upheld by the Supreme Court.

As the court handed down a jail term of 8 years and 1 month, including THB 340,000 fine, Ms. Phonpan was immediately eligible for a release, since she had already served 8 years and 10 months in jail.

The exceeding time spent in the prison has been valued as THB 200 per day regarding her THB 340,000 fine. Ms. Phonpan family then paid the rest of the THB 282,000 fine to take Ms. Phonpan home on the same day of the ruling.

Ms. Phonpan’s former band mate, Ms. Surattanawee ‘Bow’ Suwiphon, also attended the verdict at the court in Bangkok, but refused to comment about the case.

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