Chinese 'Blackmail Gang' Arrested By Thai Police

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1 October 2013, 15:12

(1 October) The Thai police have arrested 5 Chinese nationals accused of blackmailing businessmen in China.

According to a press conference held at the Investigation Division Immigration Bureau, the group had tried to lure money from several companies based in China.

The method of the group is to send emails to various companies, threatening that they would insert computer virus into the victims? systems, unless the companies pay them extortive amounts of money, police said.

The blackmailing had caused Chinese businessmen to lose approximately over 100 million baht according to a senior police officer.

The 5 individuals fled to Thailand after the Chinese police issued arrest warrants on the group, following complaints from a number of companies.

Thai police eventually apprehended the suspects on 26 September, acting on a request by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangkok.

According to the police, one suspect had escaped and crossed the Thai border to a third country. The other members of the group will be extradited to China as soon as possible.

Flood Crisis Will Be Solved In 7 Days: Former PM

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Khaosod English

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30 September 2013, 19:12

(30 September) Former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-Acha told reporters he is expecting the flood crisis that has inundated a quarter of Thailand′s provinces to be solved within 7 days.

He made the comment during his trip to inspect a flooded area in Prachinburi province with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and other officials on 29 September.

The time frame of 7 days for the crisis resolution could be achieved, he said, if the authorities followed the Prime Minister′s instruction to pump water into Prachinburi River and Bang Pakong River.

Asked by the reporters whether outgoing floodwater and rainwater from Sa Kaew province would worsen the situation in Prachinburi, Mr. Banharn said the government must quickly solve the short-term problem and plan for long-term improvements.

The former Prime Minister also offered to take care of the situation on the Prime Minister′s behalf, as she is occupied with more pressing issues.

Meanwhile, Ms. Yingluck said that the Prachinburi Provincial Authority and the Royal Irrigation Department had been ordered to open Tha-Hae Watergate as requested by many residents, in order to release the water from Kabinburi district.

Additionally, she has instructed the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to help evacuate people from the affected area, and provide them with basic necessities .

At the same time, said the Prime Minister, the government will also study the affected area to prevent and relieve both short and long term flood crises.Earlier today, Ms. Yingluck and her team have also visited Warinchamrap district in Ubonratchathani province, where she inspected the current flood situation and handed out assistance to the flood victims.

Ms. Yingluck said that she had ordered the Department of Irrigation to carefully handle the flood, after 2,632 families had fled their homes in the province.

According to Ms. Yingluck, she will consider the plan, submitted to her by a group of locals, to build 2 water pumping stations and develop the roads in the district to prevent further flooding. The plan is estimated to cost 100 million baht.

So far, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that 27 provinces have been affected by the flood, causing the evacuation of approximately 15,00 people. Over 2 million people have been affected, and at least 21 people reportedly killed.

The flood might be worsened by an oncoming typhoon from the South China Sea. According to the Thai Meteorological Department, Typhoon Wutip has made landfall in Vietnam and is expected to hit the northern and the north eastern regions of Thailand before dissolving in the next few days.

The department warned that the said typhoon will cause heavy rains and strong winds and may prolong the flood in many provinces already ravaged by the disaster.

Heartthrob Panda ‘Nervous’ In Her Chinese New Home

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Khaosod English

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30 September 2013, 17:51

SICHUAN, China — As of Sept. 30, the Thai-born giant panda “Lin Ping” is gradually adjusting to her new abode in China, where she had been sent to select a mate, according to a Thai official.

The popular panda travelled from Chiang Mai Zoo in Thailand to China on 28 September. She is currently housed in Bifengxia Panda Base in Sichuan province, and will return to Thailand next year after having chosen her mate.

Lin Ping is an offspring of a pair of pandas China has loaned to Thailand.

Mr. Somchai Wongsawad, the former Thai Prime Minister, and Mr. Ning Fukui, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, presided over the procedure to fly Lin Bing via Thai Airway’s flight TG 8183 from Chiang Mai Airport to Chengdu, China.

Ms. Kanchana Silpa-Acha, Advisor of the Tourism Commission in Thailand who travelled with Lin Ping to Chengdu Airport, said the panda seemed a bit scared and threatened the crew as she was being unloaded, but she was told by the staff that the aggressive behaviour was a good sign that the panda was healthy.

After landing at Chengdu, Lin Ping was taken on a two hour long journey to the panda research facility.

According to Ms. Kanchana, Lin Ping had made many Thai people happy. Ms. Kanchana also wished to thank the Chinese panda centre for treating Lin Bing so importantly and preparing all the natural environment to receive the panda.

“I am worried whether Lin Ping will get along [with other pandas], but I am sure she will do so in due time” said Ms. Kanchana, who also likened her sad feeling about the panda′s departure to China to “Seeing my own child off to study abroad.”

Ms. Kanchana also described the panda as ?the great Ambassador representing the relationship between Thailand and China?, and expected that many Thais would fly to China in order to visit Lin Ping in the future.

Lin Ping is scheduled to choose her future mate from 6 candidates at around the end of this year, and start mating by April 2014.

When Lin Ping returns to Thailand with her future mate, the Thai authorities will be required to send her parents, Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, back to China in accordance with the Chinese authorities? guideline which prohibited any foreign nation from hosting more than 3 pandas at the same time, a Thai official said.

Ms. Kannikar Nimtrakul, one of the veterinarians who tended to Lin Ping during her stay in Chiang Mai, told Khaosod that despite her nervousness to the new environment, Lin Ping is healthy.

According to Ms. Kannikar, Lin Ping woke up early and wandered around nervously, but she could eat normally.

After a few discussions with the Chinese centre, Ms. Kannikar said, within a month Lin Ping will gradually have to move to other places.

“At the moment she would stay at the zoo in Ya’an for a week, until she coped with the new environment,” said Ms. Kannikar.

The veterinarian also said that the panda will be fed with less bamboo leaves, as they planned to have her eaten more bamboo shoots. The food for panda will be changed again in 45 days.

Bangkok Tollway Accident Kills Pregnant Woman

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Khaosod English

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30 September 2013, 16:40

(30 September) A car crashed into a minivan on Bangkok expressway yesterday, killing one pregnant passenger.

The incident took place near Rama IV exit of the tollway. According to a witness, the white car was travelling at high speed before it crashed into the black minivan. The impact caused the victim to be thrown out of the minivan and killed instantly.

The woman was later identified as Ms. Juthamas Chotwongsurojna, 36, who was five months into her pregnancy. Her husband, Mr. Pantil Nuamjerm, 36, was also reported injured as he was trying to escape his car.

Mr. Bhumichnant Rueangchainan, the driver of the white car who was still visibly shaken by the incident when the police arrived, told the officers that he lost lost control of his car because he was attempting to swerve away from another speeding car.

He later knelt down in front of the victim′s husband and tearfully apologised for his action.

Police said that the CCTV camera could not capture the moment of the incident, however, they are gathering all the information and will later investigate both the suspect and the victim before pressing any charges.

Nonthaburi Bogus Electrician Arrested For Rape

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Khaosod English

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29 September 2013, 22:05

(29 September) Nonthaburi police have arrested a "fake" electrician on suspicion of raping a woman.

Several reports have been made to the police that Mr. Seksan Thairat, 30, disguised himself as an electrician in order to enter houses and sexually assault his victims in Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi province.

According to Ms. A (real name undisclosed), who reported to the police on 23 September, Mr. Seksan offered to fix a supposed electrical problem at her house. Once the man entered, he allegedly raped her, threatening to kill her with a knife if she refused.

Three days later, Ms. B (real name undisclosed) reported to the police about a similar incident. Fortunately, she managed to escape and called from help, which drove the man away.

Police believe that Mr. Seksak manually switched off the electrical circuit at the victims’ houses, before appearing at their doors claiming that he has been sent to inspect the problem.

The officers have been retrieving information from the victims and gathering images of the suspect from CCTV cameras in the village. After several days, the court granted the police an arrest warrant to capture the man.

Mr. Seksak reportedly confessed to his crime. According to the police, the man had been previously arrested in Phetchaburi province for assaults, sexual abuses, and unlawful detentions.

"Fake General's Son" Accused Of 5.66 Million Baht Fraud

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Khaosod English

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28 September 2013, 17:12

(28 September) An owner of a fine art foundry has filed a complaint to the police that she has been defrauded by a 24 year old man who claimed to be the son of a Royal Thai Army general.

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Ms. Kamonnat Sangkate, 47, whose company is based in Italy, filed notice to police against Mr. Rachata Soonthornwipat, 24, for also disguising himself as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Thai Army.

According to the victim, Mr. Rachata had been in contact with her through mutual friends, and had supplied a car worth 3.7 million baht to her, presenting himself as a partner of a car dealer company.

She said she later realised that Mr. Rachata had tricked her into signing a document which granted him the right to transfer the car into his possession before he gave it to other individuals.

Later, after she returned to Italy, Ms. Kamonnat was still in contact with Mr. Rachata from time to time, as he asked her to buy him brand name items to be sold in Thailand.

But Ms. Kamonnat said Mr. Rachata simply disappeared with the items. She had allegedlybeen swindled of 5.66 million baht by Mr. Rachata. She then appointed a lawyer to fight him in court.

During the investigation, Ms. Kamonnat said she received a call from a mysterious woman threatening her for her legal move, which prompted Ms. Kamonnat to search for Mr. Rachata’s real identity.

Ms. Kamonnat also submitted to the police a number of documents as evidence, including a picture of the man in army uniform, a letter from the Thai Army stating that Mr. Rachata is not one of its officers.

She said she wants to warn others the dangers of Mr Rachata′s deceptive behaviour who reportedly also goes by other names such as Bhuwares and Chanont.

PM Yingluck Calls For Wheelchair-Friendly Public Buses

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27 September 2013, 19:12

PM Yingluck Shinawatra taking children with disabilities to visit her office at the Government House

(27 September) Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the Ministry of Transport to study the plans for low-floor public buses to promote greater accessibility for disabled people.

At the meeting with over 100 people with disabilities at the Government House on 26 September, Ms. Yingluck promised to have the Ministry of Transport revise plans for the purchase of 3,000 buses in Bangkok metropolitan area, as proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).

BMTA had proposed to spend 16 billion baht to buy 3,000 buses, of which only 1,524 are equipped with elevators to support those with disabilities.

Mr. Wiriya Namsiripanpong, founder of the Universal Foundation for Persons with Disabilities, said that the current plan could create discrimination against the disable people, and suggested that the government should adopt the ‘low-floor bus’, which could be equally accessed by passengers with or without disabilities.

During the meeting yesterday, the Prime Minister explained that Bangkok’s low areas may prevent the accessibility of the low-floor bus, particularly due to frequent flooding in the roads.

However, she told the visitors she would appoint an authority to study the possibilities and routes that the service could be provided, but admitted that the service might not be 100% accomplished.

Mr. Teerayuth Sukhonthawit, President of the Association of People with Disabilities in Nonthaburi province, said that the low-floor buses are designed to comply with international standards in terms of its accessibility by all people.

He said his group has been working to promote the deployment of the disabled friendly buses. Mr. Teerayuth said many public buses in Bangkok are still unable to fulfill the need of people with disabilities.

The Prime Minister has insisted that the government is trying its best to facilitate the disabled and elderly people.

During their visit, Ms. Yingluck also led the group to tour her offices and take turns to take a seat on the Prime Minister’s chair.

73 Year Old Woman Jailed For 'Electrocuting' Drug Tree Thief

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Khaosod English

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27 September 2013, 18:17

(27 September) The Appeals Court sentenced a 73 year old woman to 2 years and 12 months in prison for installing electric fences around her house to prevent thieves from stealing illegal drug plants which led to the death of a 24 year old man.

Ms. Thongdee Jamsri, a resident of Bang Kapi district, Bangkok, was convicted of second degree murder and producing 41 kilograms of ?Kratom? plants, which are criminalised under current Thai laws.

The court decision detailed that Ms. Thongdee had conducted a fatally reckless action by putting 220 volt electric wires around her house, resulting in the death of Mr. Maropee Langmae, who tried to climb the fence into her house in February 2011 to steal her ?Bai Kratom?.

The lower court found Ms. Thongdee guilty of the two charges and sentenced her to 3 years and 4 months in prison. She then appealed the decision, arguing that her jail sentence should be suspended.

However, the Appeals Court only agreed to lower the jail term of her murder charge to an unsuspended sentence of 1 year and 8 months in prison. The defendant is also sentenced with an additional 1 year and 4 months for the possession of Bai Kratom.

After hearing the court decision, Ms. Thongdee said that she does not intend to take the case to the Supreme Court, in order to ask for Royal Pardon from His Majesty the King; only those who had served a required length of their jail sentence are eligible for Royal Pardon application.

Ms. Juthamas Sukanthachalachon, Ms. Thongdee′s daughter, said that her mother is suffering from Thyroid disorder and lung disease. After several consultations with their lawyer, they believe that accepting the court decision and seeking the Royal Pardon is the best solution for now.

Despite its illegal status, Bai Kratom is widely grown in Thailand, as a substance resembling Marijuana. Recently, the Thai authorities had suggested the legalisation of the plants, citing the fact that many, like Ms. Thongdee, have grown Kratom in their gardens.

Mother Of 'Nurse Kate' Pleads For Redshirts' Release

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Khaosod English

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27 September 2013, 14:51

(27 September) The mother of volunteer medic slain in the 2010 military crackdown on the Redshirts protests met with the chairwoman of the Thai human rights committee today and asked her to push for a bail release for the Redshirts currently imprisoned for their alleged crimes during the protests.

Ms. Payao Akhard, the mother of Ms. Kamonmate Akhard (?Nurse Kate?), has been campaigning for a legal prosecution which would have held the military and the government at the time accountable for over 90 deaths in the political violence of April-May 2010.

Earlier this morning she met with Ms. Amara Pongpapitchaya, chairwoman of National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) at the committee′s headquarters. At the meeting, Ms. Payao pleaded for the right to be released on bails on behalf of the imprisoned Redshirts.According to Ms. Payao, the incarcerated protesters deserve the rights to a fair trial outside prison. She added that the prisoners had been "suffering from many difficulties" in the jails.

"They are not convicts. They just the accused," the activist said, "They should be allowed the chance to fight in the legal process. Whether they are right or wrong is the matter to be seen"

Ms. Payao also criticised the perceived bias in which Redshirts are denied bail release, whereas members of the rival Yellowshirts are routinely granted bail as they contest their political charges.

Therefore, she said, she would like to see the NHRC pushing for a speedy release of these political prisoners, as the the Committee is directly responsible for upholding human rights, regardless of the "colours".

She stressed she was not meeting with Ms. Amara to protest her much-criticised report on the 2010 violence, in which much of the blame is delegated to the Redshirts instead of the authorities, saying "I understand there are bound to be contested points [in the report], but I am here today for a specific issue: for the release of the political prisoners".

At the end of the meeting, Ms. Amara promised Ms. Payao that the Commitee would look into the matter, and assuring her that it is within the ability of the NHRC to push for the prisoners? release.

However, Ms. Amara said the process would not cover all protesters, as those who "committed criminal acts" would not be released.

Popular TV Presenter Wins Case Against MCOT

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Khaosod English

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26 September 2013, 20:51

(26 September) MCOT Plc, operator of the Thai TV Channel 9, has been ordered by the court to return over 55 million baht plus 7.5% interests per annum to a company owned by the popular TV presenter Sorayuth Suttassanachinda.

The case followed a lawsuit filed by Rai Som Ltd against MCOT. In the court documents, Rai Som argued that MCOT, which is partly owned by the state, wrongfully charged the company for airing overtime commercials without offering them discounts in accordance to their contracts.

Rai Som was founded and is led by Mr.Sorayuth Suttassanachinda, who currently works as a daily news program host for Channel 3. Prior to becoming the face of Channel 3, Mr. Sorayuth had struck deals with MCOT to provide them with a TV show called “Talking and Digging the News” (Khui Khuy Khao) in 2004-2006.

The controversy started when MCOT sued Rai Som for airing commercial overtime, which, the company insisted, violated the contract between the two parties. MCOT then requested Rai Som to pay approximately 253 million baht to compensate for its loss.

Rai Som then filed another lawsuit against MCOT, stating that the Channel failed to honour the contracts, which dictated MCOT to give Rai Som 30% trading discount regarding time sharing commercial system.

After a lengthy and complex legal battle, the Administrative Court ruled today that MCOT must pay 55,523,763 baht plus 7.5% interest per annum to Rai Som as a discount for Rai Som’s previous payment.

In the ruling, the judges explained that an official of MCOT was involved in overseeing the airtime schedules, which would have made it very difficult for Rai Som to secretly violate their agreement without attracting MCOT′s attention.

Hence, the court said, the fault lay with MCOT for not reviewing their revenue sheets carefully and should be held partly responsible for the loss.

Moreover, the court also found that MCOT had taken 1.15 seconds in commercial time from Rai Som, which resulted in a payment of 253,255 baht, with 7.5% interest per year. The decisions mean MCOT must pay Rai Som 55,777,019 baht in total, and the payment must be made within 90 days.

Mr. Sorayuth did not attend the ruling in person. However, Rai Som’s lawyer, Mr. Mont-Anand Ruengjaras, said that he was not fully satisfied with the result and may need to consult with the company’s executives whether to appeal against the decision.

The controversy is perceived as another taint on Mr. Sorayuth′s reputation, particularly after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of committing fraud against MCOT.

Although the Office of the Attorney General later put down the case, stating that there was not enough evidence to support the claim, Mr. Sorayuth came under fire from critics for using his airtime on "Morning Talk" (Rueng Lao Chao Nee) to defend himself in the matter.

The incident led the National Press Council of Thailand (NPCT) to pressure Mr. Sorayuth to resign from his duty, arguing that he had failed to present impartial opinions on his news program.

In response, Mr. Sorayuth initially vowed to quit the NPCT, but it later emerged that he was no longer a member of the council, as he had failed to pay for his membership fees despite his enormous income.

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