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iPhone Thief Caught By Tracking App

(17 September) The
phone-tracking application on the iPhones has led the police to arrest a woman had stolen an iPhone
that she did not know how to turn off.

Mr. Arnant Hiranlai, 21, has reported to the police in
Nakorn Ratchasima Province that his iPhone had been stolen as he was rehearsing for a dancing
contest with his friends at the plaza in front of Lady Suranaree Statue.

He said he had left
his belongings near the Statue, and noticed that a woman was observing him and his friends as they
danced, then left the plaza. Mr. Arnant said he realised later that his iPhone was
missing.

Mr. Arnant then showed the phone-tracking application installed in his friend′s
mobile phone to the police, who followed the location and eventually arrested Ms. Tarn Pittarn, 49,
a resident of Taak Province.

The suspect confessed that she had stolen the phone but did not
know how to turn it off. The police charged her with theft.

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Man Punched To Death For 'Long Phonecall'

(17 September) A man was
beaten to death last night by his friend in Chonburi Province reportedly because he had borrowed his
friend′s cellphone and used it for too long.

Responding to emergency calls about a deadly
fistfight, rescue workers found the body of Mr. Visan Kamdee, 31, in front of a petrol station in
Mueang District. The police also arrested Mr. Kwanpai Wongkrachang in connection with the crime.

Mr. Kwanpai said he and Mr. Visan were on their way to work in Bangkok, when their car got
into an accident near the petrol station. As the men waited for the insurance agents to show up, Mr.
Kwanpai said, Mr. Visan borrowed his cellphone to talk with his girlfriend.

According to Mr.
Kwanpai, Mr. Visan was taking a long time on the cellphone, so he asked Mr. Visan to hand the
cellphone back. The suspect claimed Mr. Visan became incensed and threw the phone at his face,
breaking the mobile phone, and the pair immediately started fighting with their bare
fists.

Mr. Kwanpai said he had beaten his friend until he was unconscious, and quickly
realised that he was dead.

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Movie Tycoon 'Fed Up' With Tony Jaa

(17 September) The boss of giant film corporation ?Sahamongkol Film? will
go ahead with taking legal action against the action star Tony Jaa, according to the director
Prachya Pinkaew.

Mr. Somsak Techaratanaprasert had previously threatened a lawsuit over Tony
Jaa′s planned appearance in the upcoming sequel of the American film series Fast and Furious,
insisting that the star was still under contract with the company and he was therefore not allowed
to star in any foreign film without Mr. Somsak′s approval.

Tony Jaa, whose real name is Panom
Yeerum, has maintained that he had terminated the contract with Mr. Somsak′s company – a contract he
condemned as business slavery. Mr. Somsak has disputed those claims.

Mr. Prachya Pinkaew,
the famous director of Sahamongkol Film who has worked with Mr. Panom, said in an interview that Mr.
Somsak is fed up with the action star.

Jaa has done this kind of thing for so many times.
Right now, Sia Jiang is very tired. As far as I know, he′s just fed up. From now on we will
treat Jaa as a contract violator, said Mr. Prachya, using the nickname of Mr. Somsak.

The
case is being discussed by lawyers of both parties, Mr. Prachya added.

Asked if he is
disappointed by the star he has made famous with his own hands (Mr. Panom was launched to fame by
Mr. Prachya′s film Ong Bak), the director said he is saddened by how things are unfolding
because we trained him to acting. We had him study English.

Mr. Prachya also accused Mr.
Panom of betraying the people who rought him to his fame during his pursuit for wealth after his
ascension to international recognition.

We are at the point where he earns more than his
director, Mr. Prachya said.

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PM Yingluck Outlines Govt Policies For AEC

(16 September) Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today gave a keynote speech at the opening of the “Path for Thailand
toward ASEAN Community” exhibition in Bangkok, saying in parts that the government must re-adjust
policy to welcome the change, and should not treat the integration as a threat.

According to
the Prime Minister, Thailand must develop new strategies, particularly by public sectors, to create
more competitiveness in the region and improve the standard of living in Thailand.

By
creating competitiveness in the region, Ms. Yingluck suggested that Thai’s public sector should
readjust regulations to support Human Rights and ease trade protectionism.

The country also
needs to rebalance their government public services to be more efficient and effective, in order to
develop the standard of living in Thailand Ms. Yingluck is quoted as saying.

The Prime
Minister also said that the wobbling global economy may become a challenge to the country. The US
Quantitative Easing policy had strengthened national currency, due to large capital inflow into the
country. However, the situation has worsened the national export sector, which accounted up to 60%
of national GDP.

She stressed that Thailand should be ready for the economic fluctuation,
both in domestic, regional and international stages.

The private sector will also need to
adjust their policy and improve their competitiveness through providing a better quality of goods,
Ms. Yingluck said.

She also suggested that the country should rely more on green
energy.

Apart from the economic fluctuation, Ms. Yingluck noted, the nation is also facing a
lack of capable workforce, as the elderly population is expected to increase from 14% in 2013, to
27% in 2025.

At the end of her speech, the Prime Minister added that in order to be
competitive in meeting the new challenge, and to live together peacefully, we must integrate our
social and cultural aspects.

Thai people must also develop English skill, as the language
becoming more important as the media to communicate within the region, she added. 

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Lese Majeste Complaint Against Reformist Student

(16 September) A TV show host has accused the student known for her campaign against mandatory uniform wearing of insulting the monarchy.

Ms. Ponnipa Supatnukul, 41, the host of a talk show called "Best of Your Life" which is broadcast on a satellite TV channel, filed the complaint to the police in Nonthaburi Province, invoking Article 112 of the Criminal Codes which criminalises insults to the Royal Family.

The target of her legal action is a transgender student at Thammasat University, who has spearheaded a campaign  to abolish the practices in universities which she deems as oppressive to the students, including the rule requiring all students to wear uniforms.

The student, who goes by her nickname Aum Neko, was interviewed in a talk show hosted by Ms. Pontipa 3 months ago, according to Ms. Pontipa. In the show, she said, she talked to Ms. Aum and 20 other Thammasat students about the impact of economic slowdown on students? livelihood.

Ms. Pontipa claimed that Ms. Aum shocked everyone by "talking outside the topic" and "insulting the higher institution", a term referring to the monarchy. Ms. Aum′s words were "so shocking we could not broadcast the show", Ms. Pontipa said, but she has nevertheless stored footage of the interview.

She claimed that she decided to pursue a legal action against Ms. Aum because she was incensed by the student′s continued defamation of the monarchy. Ms. Pontipa also alleged that Ms. Aum is encouraging other students to commit similar crimes.

Ms. Pontipa had brought footage of the interview recorded 3 months ago to the police as evidence.

In a report by Manager ASTV website, Ms. Pontipa is quoted as telling the police that a lecturer in Thammasat University had informed her that Ms. Aum′s student network in Thammasat is funded by unknown sponsors.

The police later told Ms. Pontipa to file a complaint at the Technology Crime Division because Ms. Aum′s alleged wrongdoings include online postings.

Insults of the Thai monarchy (lese majeste) are punishable with up to 15 years in jail per offence.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

 

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Transport Ministry Considering Taxi CCTVs

(16 September) Minister of Transport Chatchart Sitthipan said he is planning to equip close
circuit cameras inside taxis to reduce crimes and address the problems of drivers refusing
services to passengers.

Mr. Chatchart said the CCTV installation will promote safer taxi
services, as it allows the authorities to monitor bahaviours of both the drivers and the passengers
inside the cab, including incidents of drivers refusing to take passengers.


Many Thais have complained of taxi drivers in
certain parts of Bangkok refusing services to the them, preferring to pick up foreigners and
charging them extortive fares.

According to Mr. Chatchart, the CCTV project is
cost-effective, noting “the camera is no longer expensive, and the taxi drivers should be able to
afford the equipment.”

The Minister also mentioned the previous GPS-attachment plan, which
the Department of Land Transport (DLT) previously proposed, explaining that it would be a good idea
but is rather too expensive.

He also suggested that the taxi rental companies should be held
responsible if their drivers refused services to passengers.

Mr. Atchsathai Rattanadilok Na
Phuket, Deputy Director – General for Operation of DLT, said that the Department is expecting to
draft a law that prohibits such refusal which will also hold the taxi companies accountable for
their drivers? violations. The law is set to be completed in 3 months.

According to the
Deputy Director, punishments include forfeiting the right to renew or withdraw registration
plate.

Moreover, the department is also trying to add a list of taxi drivers and their
registered company into the department’s database, in order to be able to check and keep track of
the drivers. The idea is hoping to facilitate the police investigations, if the drivers had violated
the law, or caused harm to their passengers.

However, Mr. Jiruth Wisaljit, Deputy
Director-General for Administration, said that the department still keeps the idea of attaching GPS
to the taxis, as it should help in reducing crimes in Bangkok metropolis and suburb areas.

In the first stage, according to Mr. Jiruth, the DLT might encourage individual taxi drivers
to equip the GPS to their private cab, before gradually pushing the attachment in rental taxis
later.

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'Four Seasons' Rumour Commentators Postpone Trial

(16 September) A group of
Democrat MPs charged with defaming Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has postponed an appearance in
court.

Mr. Chawanond Intarakomalsut, Mr. Theptai Senpong, and Mr. Sirichok Sopa have been
charged with libel for hosting a talk show on the Democrat-allied Blue Sky TV channel in which they
repeated the rumour of Ms. Yingluck′s alleged secretive meeting with a number of businessmen at Four
Seasons Hotel in downtown Bangkok.

The rumours, which had been circulated in early 2012,
alleged that Ms. Yingluck has shirked her responsibility of attending an important parliamentary
session in order to hold a meeting with Mr. Settha Thaweesin, director of the well-known Sansiri
land developer group.

According to the rumours, Ms. Yingluck had requested Radio Code 5,
denoting a secret assignment, to her bodyguards during the meeting.

The secretive nature of
the meeting had led many anti-government critics at the time to accuse Ms. Yingluck of having sexual
tryst with Mr. Settha, while other variations of the story claimed the Prime Minister was engaged in
a group sex with other businessmen as well.

The 3 Democrat MPs were supposed to appear at the
court with the prosecution today, but the defendants? lawyer requested a postponement, citing his
client′s busy schedule as the MPs. The court has agreed to reschedule the trial to December.

The spectre of ?Four Seasons Affair? was briefly back in the public discussion when The
Nation newspaper incorrectly stated in July that Mr. Settha is Ms. Yingluck′s husband. Ms. Yingluck
is in fact (unofficially) married to Mr. Anusorn Amornchat.

The incident led to an apology
by the newspaper′s management which also announced a disciplinary action against some of its staff
responsible for the mistake.

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Fugitive Ex-Monk Narrowly Escapes Arrest In Laos

Mr. Wirapol Sukphol (center, next to the Caucasian individual) after he narrowly escapes from the DSI in Laos.

(15 September) An attempt
by the Thai police to arrest a controversial ex-monk in Laos ended when the fugitive made a dramatic
escape from the besieging officers with his private helicopter.

The former monk, Mr. Wirapol
Sukphol, is wanted by the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) for alleged financial fraud,
computer crimes, and statutory rape of an underaged woman.

He has been eluding the DSI ever
since the controversy broke out; Mr. Wirapol is believed to have resided in France, the US, and he
was last known to have taken an abode in Wat Phoo Khaokwai Temple near the capital city of Laos,
where he reportedly resumed acting as a monk despite having been defrocked by the Thai Buddhist
authorities.

Source close to Mr. Wirapol, known formerly as Luang Puu Nen Kham, said a team
of DSI agents had carried an arrest warrant to the temple in Vientiane, intent on apprehending the
monk and bringing him back to face charges in Thailand.

However, reports say, local Laotian
officials barred the DSI from entering the temple, arguing that the Thai agents had not carried a
proper document permitting them to make an arrest within Laotian borders.

Reportedly, as 2
sides were negotiating just outside the temple, one of Mr. Wirapol′s disciples then flew a private
helicopter owned by the ex-monk to pick up Mr. Wirapol and some of his close companions away. The
DSI field agents could only look on helplessly.

Sources also revealed that Mr. Wirapol is
currently hiding in a Laotian temple in Oklahoma, USA, and had received legal advice from an
American lawyer.

According to the sources, the American lawyer is attempting to seek Mr.
Wirapol an asylum visa to remain in the US on the ground of
eligious persecution, which he will
be protected from extradition to the kingdom.

It is not clear why the DSI agents were
operating in Laos, or whether the Laotian officials had been informed of the arrest
attempt.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ansukate Wisuthiwattanasak, DSI Security Crime Department Chief, said
that Mr. Wirapol′s brother, Mr. Suri Sukphol, had confessed for falsely claiming that he was to
responsible for fathering Mr. Wirapol′s child – a claim he made on a  famous TV news programme – in order to protect
his brother′s reputation.

The DSI said that they are hoping to meet with the US Immigration
Office and Customs in the US at the end of this month, to bring Mr. Wirapol′s back to stand trial
in Thailand.

There has been no immediate comment from the US authorities on the matter. It is also unclear how he travelled to, and entered, the US.

Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly stated Mr. Wirapol is charged with sexual assault. He is in fact facing a charge of statutory rape.

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Recent Transport Disasters Blamed On Spirits

The Thai Airways plane after it skid off the runway of Suvarnbhumi Airport, early morning of 9 September

by Warawita Yaemsuda,
Teeranai Charuvastra

(14 September) Supernatural powers are cited as the factors
behind recent high-profile accidents in Thailand, namely the botched landing of a Thai Airways plane
at Bangkok′s main airport earlier this week.

14 people were injured during the evacuation
from the Airbus A330-300 which skid off the runway of Suvarnabhumi Airport on 9 September.

While initial investigation pointed to a malfunctioned landing gear (the officials have not
yet finished their inquiry), the Managing Director of Thai Aiways, Mr. Sorajak Kasemsuvan, is not
taking chances. He said his company will conduct a major ceremony to appease the malevolent spirits
said to be haunting the airport.

He is quoted as saying that the ceremony will also thank
the said spirits for assisting with the successful operation to salvage the plane from the
runway.

Mr. Sorajak′s comment followed a series of coverage by Thai Rath, the best-selling
newspaper in Thailand, which gave extensive attention to the supposed involvement of ghosts and
spirits in the accident.

Previously, Thai Rath has reported that a ghost in raditional
costume (which strangely resembles the outfit Thai Airways flight attendants wear) has helped evacuate the
passengers from the aircraft shortly after it slid off the runway.

The newspaper has also quoted
Mr. Chotisak Asapaviriya, a former director of Airports Authority of Thailand (AOT), as saying that
he had organised a regular prayer session to placate the vengeful spirits which reside in the
airport vicinity.

At the ceremony to unveil the airport in 2006, Mr. Chotisak told Thai
Rath, an official in charge of searching for explosive materials had broken down into a trance,
claiming that he was being possessed by a grandfather ghost who demanded a shrine to be built on
the airport compound. The shrine was quickly built afterwards.

Thai Rath helpfully points out
that 8 major shrines have been built around Suvarnabhumi Airport by the staff in order to
ward off evil spirits, such as a shrine dedicated to the Naga (holy big snake in Buddhist myths)
which is presumably angered by construction of the airport on what was once a swamp inhabited by
snakes.

Other smaller shrines include a strangely named Italian Shrine.

The
newspaper cited the curses of the residing ghosts as the main reason the construction of the airport
had been delayed for decades. The more rational Thais, however, would point to mire of corruption
that has plagued the project before the government of Thaksin Shinawatra finalised the project in
late 2005.

Dr. Smith Thammasaroj, former director of Suvarnnabhumi Airport, told Thai Rath he
was convinced of the existence of supernatural entities around the airport even though, he admitted,
he had never encountered any particular case personally.

The scientist who once headed
Thailand′s Meteorological Department said he had invited so many psychics to conduct ceremonies and
constructed so many shrines hat I can?t keep count.

We even had to build a condominium
for the ghosts to reside, Dr. Smith said, Because the spirits are so many individual spirit houses
won?t be enough.

However, there has been few secular responses to the accident at
Suvarnabhumi Airport on 9 September, too.
Sqn.Ldr. Sitha Tiwaree, Managing Director AOT, said the authority
has conducted an
Emergency Plan Rehearsal, in which the airport′s
fire and rescue departments took part.

The accident involving the Airbus was
the most severe case at the airport since its opening 7 years ago, he said.

Sqn.Ldr. Sitha
stressed that the incident will be analysed for future adjustment of the Emergency Plan,
particularly how to transport passengers to the airport building – the procedure that received
several complaints on 9 September. The rehearsal also pointed out that the airline crew was not
familiar with the runway, causing complications during the latest accident, the director
noted.

In long term, he said, the airport plans to build another substitute runway, in order
to sustain further service. The AOT board will meet on Tuesday, 17 September to discuss about the
construction budget, according to Sqn.Ldr. Sitha.

But it seems the spirits do not only roam
the sky.

After a train headed from Malaysia to Bangkok′s Hua Lamphong Station derailed in the
capital city yesterday, Daily News, the second best selling newspaper of the kingdom, reported that
a certain curse might be involved.

According to Daily News, a painting at Hua Lamphong
depicted a small obstacle in the rail track, which perfectly explains the frequent derailments –
more than 15 incidents this year alone.

Even Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthipan, best
known for his hands-on approach in inspecting problems of public transports, is mulling a paranormal
hands-on solution. He has reportedly ordered the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to
consider a plan to organise a merit-making ceremony for the sake of his Ministry.

During the
past few months, Mr. Chatchart noted, the country has suffered from many transport accidents such as
minivan crashes, train derailments, boat crashes, and the Thai Airways incident.

There have
been more deaths than usual. Many have suggested that the Ministry of Transport needs a large-scale
merit-making ceremony Mr. Chatchart said.

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Pick-up Truck Crash Kills 'Dancing Passengers'

(14
September) An intoxicated driver crashed his pick-up truck into a tree as his passengers were
dancing in the back, killing 4 people.

The incident took place on Bang Na – Trad Road in
Samut Prakarn Province.

According to witnesses, the vehicle was travelling at a high speed
before crashing into the tree. Mr. Krittithi Raksanguan, 23 and Mr. Preecha Khamjaroen, 28, the
driver and a passenger, are believed to have been killed immediately by the impact, as the bodies
were found to be badly mangled inside the car.

The bodies of Mr. Ekrat On-Sri, 21, and
another unidentified person were found on the road.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chayut Singh Purangkoon,
29, whom the witness had seen dancing on the vehicle′s rooftop, was severely injured from the
accident.

Police investigation revealed that the victims worked together at Inter Express
Logistic Ltd, in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province.

Prior to the incident, police
said, they had been drinking heavily, before driving around with the company truck, with the music
playing full blast. The passengers then reportedly started dancing on the back of the truck, before
Mr. Krittithi, who had been driving under influence, eventually lost control of the vehicle and
crashed into the tree.

It was raining heavily at the time of the accident, police
added.

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