'Viral Ad' Of Young Star Taking Meth Turns Out To Be Real

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26 July 2013, 14:51

Promotional picture of 'Hormones' the series

BANGKOK – When a photo showing a young actress of a popular series taking drug as her friend looked on started to surface on the internet, many people in the social network simply shrugged, thinking it was another viral marketing campaign.

After all, viral advertisement, which purported to have captured celebrities in outrageous moments and turned out to be endorsement of certain products later, is becoming more common in Thailand.

Just last month, the internet was brewing with controversy about an actress who was filmed shouting abuse at her fans in a shopping mall. The actress was forced to speak out later on a TV talk show, explaining that the incident was in fact a stunt for US-based candies Snickers.

The series in which the girl was featured – called Hormones – also has reputation about showing controversial actions of teenagers such as having sex and smoking in school.

Therefore, many people were not really surprised when PR team of the 16-year-old star reassured its audience on Facebook yesterday (25 July) that the picture was simply a teaser for a separate TV show which would feature a scene showing drug abuse with a moral message at the end of the show that drugs are bad for teenagers.

The statement also promised a press conference later in the day in which the actress would explain all about it. The press conference did take place, but what followed is enormously off the script.

Instead of the star, her father appeared at the press conference and, in front of dozens of reporters assembled there, said that his daughter admitted to him that she did take methamphetamine and was photographed doing so. She did not know how the photo leaked, the father said, and she told him she only tried the drug "once".

"I and my family and my daughter are very sorry about the naive action … Please accept apology from my daughter. She did it out of naivety. She is young, she has no experience in life," her father said.

The father did not give much detail and, after talking to the press for only 5 minutes or so, left the press conference. But the brief press event quickly convinced members of the media that the news has escalated into a drug abuse case of an underage actress.

As Thai publishing regulations prohibits identification of underage individual involved in potentially criminal action, Khaosod cannot identify the actress by her real name.

Meanwhile, Mr. Songyot Sukmark-anand, the director of the Hormones series, said in a press conference that he initially thought the photo was part of the PR team′s viral marketing campaign as the series had adopted many methods to promote the show.

"I was shocked when I learned what really happened," Mr. Songyot said.

He told the reporters the producer of the series, GMM Thai Hub, might be forced to cut scenes or even the entire episodes that showed the actress.

A director of GMM Thai Hub, Mr. Yongyut Tongkongtun, who was present at the press conference, said the company will still "give chances" to the young star as she would have learned many lessons from the incident. He praised her father for speaking out so frankly to public and taking responsibility.

Mr Yongyut said he had been informed by the young actress? father that she wished to take a break from the show business "for now".

Hormones is broadcast weekly on a cable channel owned by the GMM company and its past episodes have ben uploaded on Youtube for wide audience.

It should be noted that for Hormones producers, the meth-taking incident could not have arisen at a worse timing. Just a day before the revelation that one of its stars was taking narcotics, a high-ranking official at the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) said that he might censor the show for featuring "inappropriate actions".

Lt.Gen. Pirapong Manakit cited scenes such as the student characters emerging from school bathroom after sex, visiting abortion clinic, and buying contraceptive pills as examples that would lead the young Thai audiences astray.

"Although Hormones did not explicitly show scenes involving sexual intercourse, but it could lead us to imagine about what was happening. Many people say the series portrayed true story that happens in our modern-day society, but as a puu yai in this society I am considering whether we find such portrayal acceptable," Lt.Gen. Pirapong was quoted as saying.

Lt.Gen. Pirapong threatened invoking the notorious Chapter 37 of the broadcasting laws which forbid dissemination of material on the media that would disrupt national security or "morality" of the public.

Ms. Supinya Klangnarong, another member of the NBTC, clarified later that Lt.Gen. Pirapong′s statement is not consensus of the Commission, and there is no action being taken against Hormones.

However, considering the largely-conservative machinery of the state censorship in Thailand, very few people expect that Hormones would be left unscathed – especially after the the arrival of the meth photo scandal.

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Angry Khon Kaen Man Kills Ex-Wife, Hangs Himself: Police

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Khaosod English

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25 July 2013, 18:50

(25 July)
A construction worker shot his ex-wife dead because he was bitter that she left him then hanged
himself, according to police in Khon Kaen province.

The police were called to investigate the
scene at a farm house in the middle of a rice field in Muaeng District, where the body of Ms. Lamai
Baanburi, 27, was found on the floor. Her forehead, her back, and her right arm bear gunshot wounds.

20 metre away from the house, police officers found the body of Mr. Chonchai Kampo, 26,
hanged to the ceiling of an indoor chicken pen. A ladder was found nearby. His dead body smelt of
alcohol beverage.

Mr. Ken Kampo, 60, father of the dead man, told police his son worked as
construction worker. Mr. Ken said Mr. Chonchai was married to Ms. Lamai, with whom he had a 10-year
old and a 5-year old son.

The couple lived in that farm house for some time but they often
argued with each other, Mr. Ken said, and Mr. Chonchai often beat her when he was drunk. Ultimately,
2 months ago Ms. Lamai left her husband and took their younger son with her, according to Mr.
Ken.

Mr. Ken said on the night before the crime, Mr. Chonchai called Ms. Lamai, inviting her
to stay over and discuss their relationship.

However, on the next morning Mr. Chonchai
reportedly asked Ms. Lamai to return to him but she refused. Mr. Chonchai – believed to be drunk at
the time – then allegedly beat his wife and shot her to death. He subsequently hanged
himself.

Claim Of 'Miraculous Banknotes' Follows Deadly Bus Accident

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Khaosod English

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25 July 2013, 16:17

(25 July) As the
authorities are scrambling to come up with preventive measures for interprovincial buses to prevent
a repeat of the horrific bus accident in Saraburi province that killed 19 victims, claims of miracle
arose from the ashes of the tragedy.

Many on Thai social network have been sharing a photo
purportedly showing burned remains of banknotes found inside the charred bus, with the face of His
Majesty the King virtually untouched by the blaze.

The photo claimed that everything in the
bus caught fire except these 7 banknotes that bear His Majesty the King′s face, and encouraged
members of the public to share the photo to spread story about the miraculous event. A variation of
this photo earns 100,000 likes on its Facebook page.

His Majesty the King appears on the
front of every banknote type, and 1,000 baht banknote features Him on both sides of the note.

Many Thais revere His Majesty the King to the point of religious zeal. It is not uncommon to
see portraits of His Majesty the King adorning the walls of residence or in public transports like
religious icons, as many people worship and pray to the portraits, believing that they possess
supernatural quality.

This is not the first time portraits of His Majesty the King are
claimed to be fire-proof. Similar claims were made in several house fires incidents in the past, but
the association of the miracle with one of the worst bus accidents in many years – in which 15
people were thought to be burned to death – drew sharp rebukes from many internet users.

Some Facebooks wonder aloud why the miracle did not extend to survival of the victims on the
bus, while others criticize those who posted the photos of seeking attention and Likes for their
Pages.

Mr. Somsak Jiamteerasakul, the academic well-known for his outspoken criticism of
ultra-royalism in the kingdom, wrote on his Facebook that how the miracle manages to distract many
people from the real sorrow of 19 deaths illustrated how arbaric these individuals
are.

Suppose this kind of tragedy happens in Western countries and someone managed to find
unburned banknotes that featured the Kings or Queens [in those respective nations] then posted the
photo with caption that says ?Long Live the King/Queen?, what would be the public reaction? Mr.
Somsak asked.

Redshirts Gearing Up For Thaksin Birthday Celebration

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Khaosod English

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25 July 2013, 15:18

(25 July) The Redshirts leadership is planning major events celebrating 64th birthday anniversary of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra this weekend.

Many MPs of the ruling Pheu Thai Party are set to travel to Hong Kong, where the deposed former leader is residing, and attend Mr. Thaksin′s birthday party there, according to source inside the party.

As for other core supporters of Mr. Thaksin who could not make it to the former British colony, they would attend an event organized by the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to celebrate Mr. Thaksin′s birthday in Bangkok on 27 July.

The event will be held at Pibul Prachasan School, Din Daeng, featuring many activities like religious ceremony, cutting of huge birthday cake, and speeches delivered by prominent Redshirts leaders such as Ms. Tida Tawornsate, Mr. Jatupon Prompan, and Mr. Weng Tojirakarn.

On 28 July, yet another event marking Mr. Thaksin′s birthday will be held in Chan Pradittararm Temple, on the western bank of Bangkok, while a Redshirts group in Nonthaburi province will host a religious merit making ceremony on behalf of Mr. Thaksin at Chaeng Sirisampan Temple.

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Ex-Monk's Brother Disputes Authenticity Of Sordid Photo

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Khaosod English

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25 July 2013, 13:24

Comparison of Mr. Wirapol Sukpol's photo with the controversial image

(25 July) Brother of the
disgraced ex-monk wanted by Thai police for his alleged massive frauds has claimed that it was he,
not the defrocked monk, who was in the photo sleeping next to a woman.

The monk, once known
as Luang Pu Nen Kham, was stripped of his monkhood by Buddhist officials after he was alleged of
possessing luxurious items such as mansions and sports cars – the sort of luxury denied to monks
under Buddhist doctrine.

The secular authorities also claimed to have uncovered millions of
baht in the ex-monk′s bank account, co-owned by his core followers, which are suspected to be part
of money-laundering scheme.

Additionally, The court has recently approved an arrest warrant
on the ex-monk, now known as Mr. Wirapol Sukpol, as requested by the Division of Special
Investigation (DSI). The Division has charged him with frauds and sexual abuse of an underage
individual.

However, Mr. Wirapol has not been in Thailand since the scandal erupted, and he
is thought to be currently residing in the US. The DSI has vowed to have him extradited to Thailand
and said they are cooperating with the American authorities on the matter.

Back in Thailand,
his followers attempt to salvage the reputation of their embattled spiritual leader, appearing on
press conferences almost on daily basis to counter the allegation made by the DSI. Their latest
press conference focused solely on a photo – surfaced on the internet a month a go – that purported
to show Luang Pu Nen Kham sleeping next to a woman.

Buddhist monks in Thailand are not
permitted to touch a woman – let alone sleep with them.

Mr. Suri Sukpol, 31, a younger
brother of Mr. Wirapol said at the press conference and insisted that it was him who appeared in the
photo. Mr. Suri said that when he was young, he caused
lots troubles such as consuming alcohol, and had sexual intercourses with many
women.

According to Mr. Suri, hehad been living
in monkhood for 9 years, since he was 14. His similarity to the former monk is not something new to
him, as when he was a monk, many people often mistook him for his brother.

Mr. Suri also said
that the woman seen in the photograph was the one who claimed to have a son with Mr. Wirapol, and
the same woman DSI cited as the victim of Mr. Wirapol′s sexual abuse, but he could not remember
where the photo were taken.

He vowed that he is willing to cooperate in the DNA test to prove
that the boy is his own son, not his brother’s.

Mr. Sukhum Wongprasit, the follower who has
been essentially serving as Mr. Wirapol′s spokesman, added that Mr. Suri and Mr. Wirapol would hand
in all the information to Public Complaint Centre at the House of Parliament very soon.

Mr.
Sukhum declared that Mr. Wirapol will return to Thailand on 31 July to fight for his
name.

The DSI remains unconvinced. On the same day, Pol.Col. Chatchanand Metheedharmapon said
in a press conference that the DSI has found 6 spots which denote the difference between Mr. Suri′s
face and the person who appeared in the photo, such as his ear, nose, and mole.

Pol.Col.
Chatchanand said comparison between Mr. Wirapol and the sordid photo produces many striking matches,
therefore confirming its authenticity.

He said Mr. Suri and his family will be summoned to
talk with the DSI about the photo, and warned that if they would face charges if they give false
information.

Meanwhile, Dr. Med. Anake Yomchinda, director of Central Institute of Forensic
Science, said he is willing to test Mr. Suri’s DNA, but his team had not heard from Mr. Suri and his
family yet.

Police Arrest Drug-Taking And Drunk-Driving Monks

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Khaosod English

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24 July 2013, 18:00

(23 July) Police actions
were taken against misbehaviour of monks in 2 separate cases today.

The first incident
involved monks who allegedly used illegal substances in Ayutthaya province. Police visited
Wat Kam Paeng
Temple in Bang Pa-In district after its abbot complained that 3 monks were taking drugs in
the monastery.

When police investigated the scene, they had found drugs taking equipment in
the 3 monks’ belongings. Trace of illegal substance was also detected in the monks’ urine. The 3
monks were subsequently defrocked and taken into custody.

The suspects were identified as
Mr. Dusit
Pongbua, 27, Mr. Chalermpon Tiemamphon, 27 and Mr. Kritsada Kongyoo, 22. All of them were charged
with drug abuse.

Meanwhile, police in Loei province were called to investigate a road
accident in which a car tumbled halfway into a pond near the highway in Mueang District.
Phra
Jatupon Prombuddha, 41, a monk from a nearby temple, was standing outside his car with some injuries
from the crash.

The monk said that he was the driver, as he and the other monk, called
Phra Keng, were headed to Sri Boonrueng District in Nong Bualampoo province.

Inside
the car, police found 5 empty beer bottles, which Phra Jatuporn later admitted that he drank, but he
claimed he was forced by Phra Jatupon to do so.

Phra Jatupon told the police that they had
stopped over to buy 20 beers, and the pair had been drinking in car. However, he said, they started
having fights on the road out of drunkenness, which eventually led to the accident. Nonetheless,
Phra Keng was nowhere to be found at the scene.

The police later sent Phra Jatupon to the
nearby hospital to treat his injury. There they found illegal drugs under his robe belt. His urinary
test also revealed that his body contained illegal substances.

Police later took Pra Jatupon
to be defrocked at Pisanruntawas Temple, before charging him for having illegal substance in
possession, taking illegal substance while driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Further investigation is underway.

Tree Crashed Into Yala Shrine, Killing Malaysian Tourist

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Khaosod English

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24 July 2013, 17:22

(23 July) A group of
Malaysian tourists praying to Pae Kong Shrine in Yala province had to flee for their lives when a
tree fell on the shrine, killing one man and injuring another.

Mr. Kuck Ah Choon, 56, was pronounced
dead at the scene in Betong district, while his friend while Mr. Tee
Kok Ee, 66, was sent to hospital.

Mr. Tee later told the police that he, along
with Mr. Kuck and 6 other friends, drove from Malaysia to travel in Betong district, before they
stopped over at Piyamitr tunnel to pay respect to Pae Kong Shrine which was situated
nearby.

While he and 10 other Malaysians were at the shrine, they heard the sound of a tree
cracking, then a huge tree fell on the shrine.

“I and other people then ran for our lives”
Mr. Tee told the police.

Mr. Prasert Nualcharoen, community leader in Betong district, told
our correspondent that there was no strong wind or rain storm on that day. Therefore, he supposed
that the tree behind the shrine, which aged over a hundred years, rotted and eventually
cracked.

He said that workers have been dispatched to rebuild the shrine.

Chiang Mai Boy Killed By Electrified 'Anti-Dog Fence'

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Khaosod English

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24 July 2013, 16:53

(23 July) Small
electrified screen intended to keep dogs away at a residence in Chiang Mai province is said to have
been the cause of death for a 11-year old who accidentally touched it when he was playing
hide-and-seek with his friends.

Locals in Rakaeng community, Mueang District, were alerted of
the incident when friends of the boy, identified as Chatrawarin Chimwaree, could not locate him
during their game of hide-and-seek.

The children then searched the area all over the village
until they found the boy lying face down on the ground at the residence of Mr. Udom Thairat with
pile of vomit next to him. 20×50 cm wire screen covered the corner of the house where the boy was found.
The screen was connected to the electricity plug on the wall.

Informed by the
children, the boy′s father rushed to help him, and he too was injured by the electrified wire
screen. He immediately called the police. When police finally arrived, Chatrawarin was already on
his way to hospital with his mother and other relatives.

The doctors failed to revive him,
and he was declared dead at hospital.

The owner of the house, Mr. Udom, told the police that
he attached the electrical wire screen at the corner of his house to prevent dogs from urinating at
his wall.

Police arrested Mr. Udom for further investigation, and charged him for reckless
behaviour resulting in a death.

Fragmentation Among Redshirts Highlighted By Amnesty Debate

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Khaosod English

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24 July 2013, 14:14

(24 July) The question
about which version of amnesty bill should be adopted by the Parliament is exposing the different
ideological lines among the Redshirts movements.

Although the Redshirts have long been known
as loose, fragmented groups – ranging from rural supporters of the former charismatic leader Thaksin
Shinawatra and veteran politicians to urban intellectuals who push for a more liberal political
system – the recent debate on the amnesty bill is particularly polarising.

When Pheu Thai Party campaigned for the election in early 2011, they promised
dual efforts on granting amnesty to Redshirts protesters that are still detained for their alleged
crimes during the 2010 protests and a legal prosecution of those responsible for the crackdown which
left more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians.

After Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra took the helm
of the government, however, the efforts turned out to be somewhat vague – and disappointing for some
of her supporters.

Many political prisoners remained in jail, and legal action against the
authorities at the time of the 2011 crackdown is limited to former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
and his former Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, while the military are virtually exempted from the
prosecution.

The decision not to hold the security forces accountable for their role
in the crackdown appears in line with the current government′s soft approach to the military,
perhaps to convince the powerful armed forces that the elected government is no threat to them and
there is no need to repeat the 2006 military coup which ousted Ms. Yingluck′s brother, Thaksin
Shinawatra.

The amnesty bill proposed by Mr. Worachai Hema, an MP of Pheu Thai
Party, reflects that attitude. It promises amnesty to all protesters charged with crimes related to
the 2010 unrest and members of the security forces. The fates of Mr. Abhisit and Mr. Suthep are not
included in the bill, which means the legal case against them would continue.

Former Deputy
PM Chalerm Yoobamrung went even further, proposing an amnesty bill that encompassed all sides
involved in political crisis since 2006. The get-out-of-jail card extends to Mr. Abhisit and Mr.
Thaksin, who was convicted in absentia
of corruption charge in 2007 (he insisted it was politically-motivated charge).

Apparently
frustrated by the administration′s reluctance to go after the military, group of family
members of civilians killed during the military operation that ended the Redshirts mass protests in
2010 came up with their own draft of amnesty bill last week.

The group, calling itself
?Families of 2010 Martyrs?, was represented by Ms. Payao Akhard and Mr. Pansak Srithep, who each
lost a child in the closing days of the 2010 crackdown – allegedly – at the hands of the
military.

The ?Victims Families? version of the bill would only give amnesty to protesters who are
not charged with serious crimes such as arson attacks on private properties (those who
attacked state properties are exempted out of reasoning that they were expressing political
statement), assaults on members of the public or security forces, and looting.

The amnesty
would also only cover soldiers who did not employ unnecessary violence. That means a soldier who
shot dead an unarmed protester, even when operating under authorisation from the higher chain of
command, would still be put on trial for murder-related charges along with his commanding
officers.

Prominent Pheu Thai politicians and Redshirts leaders, such as Mr. Weng Tojirakarn,
Mr. Sombat Boon-ngarmanong, and Ms. Suda Rangupan, have accused Ms. Payao and Mr. Pansak of trying
to slow down the process to pass amnesty bill by picking fight with the powerful military.

According to those opposed to the ?Victims Families? amnesty bill, the effort to free
detained Redshirts protesters should be a priority over the need to prosecute the security forces.
They expressed their fear that the military would never allow Ms. Yingluck′s government to pass such
a bill, ruining the chance of any little gain there might be altogether, and might even launch a
military coup in retaliation.

Some Redshirts also openly questioned the motives of Ms. Payao
and Mr. Pansak, indirectly accusing them of being collaborators with the rival Democrat Party which,
strangely enough, had expressed its support for the ?Victims Families? amnesty bill.

As the
opposition to Ms. Payao and Mr. Pansak approached the definition of the smear campaign, another blow
was landed today when a letter denouncing the duo′s amnesty bill has surfaced on the internet. The
letter was purportedly signed by 10 relatives of victims killed during the 2010 crackdown, and
claimed that they were not consulted about the amnesty bill by Ms. Payao and Mr Pansak.

The
letter went on to affirm that the relatives remain committed to Ms. Yingluck and Mr. Thaksin, that
they have always been grateful of efforts by Pheu Thai Party to help relieve their distress, and
that they would not betray the government or accept any payment by the opposition party to undermine
Pheu Thai Party.

It also expresses support for all other amnesty bills, including the
ones proposed by Mr. Worachai and Mr. Chalerm.

Some Redshirts-allied activists are alarmed by
the letter, seeing it as another attempt by Pheu Thai hardliners to isolate Ms. Payao and Mr. Pansak
who had adopted an aggressive stance toward the government and the military alike.

One of
them, Mr. Somsak Jiamteerasakul, is even accusing the government of lackmailing its Redshirts
supporters by tying the freedom of their fellow protesters in jail with amnesty for the military.

According to this view, Pheu Thai politicians? insistence that one has to choose between
soldiers-and-protesters amnesty bill and a bill that was doomed to fail is a false dilemma – as
the government does have the executive power to temporarily release the prisoners on its own
without the need for amnesty bill yet it does not choose to do so.

Moreover, the debate
highlights the split in the Redshirts movements: separating the large faction backed by Pheu Thai
politicians that is always supportive of the government from handfuls of activists who advocate for
greater independence from Mr. Thaksin.

It is also clear that there are wings of the Redshirts
that are increasingly frustrated, or even disillusioned, by Yingluck administration that seems to
renegade on its promises on issue like justice for 2010 crackdown victims.

Meanwhile,
prisoners jailed for lese majeste (insult of the Royal Family) such as Mr. Somyos
Prueksakasemsuk and Ms. Daranee Chancherngsilpakul are not explicitly included in any draft of
amnesty bill, despite calls from the more liberal faction inside the Redshirts.

The
Yellowshirts and Democrat Party have already announced they will not accept amnesty for lese majeste
prisoners, claiming that their offence is criminal rather than political nature, and there is no
sign that neither Pheu Thai Party nor the official Redshirts leadership would dare wade into the
highly-sensitive issue – another example of reluctance on the part of the government to challenge
the status quo.

Kamphaeng Phet Man Dies During His Rush 'To Make Merits'

By

Khaosod English

-

23 July 2013, 20:13

(23 July) A man in
Kamphaeng Phet province reportedly died from motorcycle accident on his way to make merit at a local
temple on occasion of the beginning of the Buddhist Lent.

By-passers in Mueng District called
the police after they saw a motorcycle and a hand of a man emerging from the water surface in the
pond near Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University.

Rescue team later arrived at the scene and
retrieved the dead body, whose name was identified as Mr. Waropas Somna, 44, a local resident who
worked as a guard at the University.

Mr. Waropas’ friends told the police that Mr. Waropas
had finished his shift at 06.00 this morning and informed them that he had to rush to Wang-Yang
Temple to make merits for his good karma on the holy day.

Police officers suspected that Mr.
Waropas was driving his motorcycle at very high speed before he eventually lost control and hit into
the nearby tree. His unconscious body and a motorcycle were then thrown into the water by the sheer
momentum.

However, further investigation is underway as Mr. Waropas body was sent for
autopsy at Kamoaeng Phet Hospital.

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