Southeast Asian 'Thrash Metal' Lovers To Converge In Bangkok

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16 July 2013, 20:34

(16 July) As Thailand and
the rest of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are headed toward a closer integration as
an economic community a the end of 2015, many shared cultures and customs have been much highlighted
as signs of solidarity in the region.

Here′s something you might have missed from all the
state-sponsored pamphlets and educational media about Asean cultures: thrash metal music.

The upcoming music event called Bangkok Thrash 2013 : Five Years, Five Beers is billed as
the convergence of 6 domestic and 3 foreign thrash bands.

The 3 visiting bands are
Australia-based Hidden Intent; Oracle from Indonesia – which was acknowledged by some as one of
the best thrash metal bands in Southeast Asia; and the Laotian thrashers Dictator, said to be the
only thrash metal band from the Communist state so far.

Mr. Athip Jittarerk, one of the
organisers of Bangkok Thrash 2013, told Khaosod that the annual event – the 5th since its
inception – is expected to draw many fans of the thrash metal music from other countries in Asean,
especially Malaysia and Indonesia.

Religious and socially conservative atmosphere in the 2
largely-Muslim state made it very difficult for musicians and fans of metal music to organize
musical events there, he said, as the authorities frown on symbols associated with the metal
community such as black t shirts, rebellious attitude, and Satanic symbols.

Indeed, there are
news reports from Indonesia that documented the arrests of punks in the conservative region of Aceh on the
ground of displaying ?inappropriate? behaviour. Although large parts of Indonesia are generally tolerant toward the metal music, the news understandably made some
Indonesian thrash metal fans uneasy.

Meanwhile,
Malaysian authorities keep very strict regulation on metal music events, according to Mr. Athip, who
also regularly plays in a band himself. The police would even reportedly raid the events. That′s a
real shame because there is actually a large thrash metal community in Malaysia, Mr. Athip
said.

Compared with other continental neighbours, therefore, Mr. Athip said that Bangkok is
an ideal place for fans and musicians from Asean countries, and beyond, to meet up. The venue, The
Rock Pub, is also very close to Ratchathewi Skytrain (BTS) station, a relatively convenient way to
travel in the busy capital city.

Mr. Athip said that except for Myanmar and Cambodia, local
thrash metal bands in the 7-member Asean countries have kept close contacts with one another. Such
personal contacts, he said, would always bring in large crowds at the music events (like the one
scheduled to take place in Bangkok) as fans of each visiting band would show up at the
venue.

In previous 4 events organised in Bangkok, 10-20% of the audiences are foreigners. In
some events it′s as much as 50% the co-organiser said, adding that he′s also seen many foreign
expats living in Bangkok attended the events.

Mr. Athip acknowledged that thrash metal is
still a
iche in Asean cultural background, as reflected in the fact that much of the thrash
community′s activities rely heavily on personal network and self-financing (he said the bands
appearing in the event are not paid for travel fees or live performances), but he said the current system works well enough.

Nonetheless, he hoped the community would take further step soon in term of activities. He told our correspondent that he and his friends are
already talking about a large-scale concert that would feature thrash metal band from every Asean
country.

I mean, it′s been our 5th year since we started Bangkok Thrash already, it′s time
we do something bigger, Mr. Athip said.

More information on Bangkok Trash 2013 :
Five Years, Five Beers can be found at http://www.facebook.com/BangkokThrash

Pitsanulok 'Thief' Falls Asleep During House Burglary

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Khaosod English

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16 July 2013, 16:14

(16 July) Police arrested
a suspect as he was sleeping in a building that was reportedly the target of his burglary attempt in
Pitsanulok province.

Mr. Somsak Sangchandra, 47, the owner of the building in Muang District, which
he operated as a One Tambon One Product (OTOP) store, said he went up to the rooftop to feed the
cats in the morning and found a man sleeping in the corridor, so he called the police to investigate
the scene.

The police arrested the man and later identified him as Mr. Saksithi
Suwiset, 27. When they told Mr. Saksithi he was under arrest, he
was still half asleep and did not recognise what was happening.

Later, Mr. Saksithi
told police he had broken into the building earlier. That time, he said, he went into Mr. Somsak′s
bedroom, lied on his bed and watched TV before stealing two money boxes and spent the money on
computer games at an internet cafe.

In his latest
incursion, according to the suspect, he suddenly fell asleep as he entered Mr. Somsak′s store via
the rooftop from the next building.

Mr. Saksithi said that he had been drinking before
the burglary attempt, which was why he fell asleep in the building.

Families of 2010 Crackdown Victims Push Their Own Amnesty Bill

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Khaosod English

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16 July 2013, 13:52

Ms. Payao Akhard and Mr. Pansak Srithep handing their open letter to Vice PM Pongthep Thepkanchana

BANGKOK — The relatives of victims caught in deadly crossfire during the 2010 military crackdown on Redshirt protesters are urging the government to accept their own version of an amnesty bill.

The group, which calls itself "Families of April-May 2010 Martyrs," was led by Payao Akhard, the mother of a volunteer medic shot dead inside a temple on 19 May 2010, and Pansak Srithep, the father of a schoolboy killed in central Bangkok on 16 May 2010.

Pansak and Payao, accompanied by supporters, met with Vice PM Pongthep Thepkanchana at the Government House today to submit an open letter addressed to PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

The letter urges Yingluck to accept the draft of their amnesty bill, which calls for immediate amnesty to all protesters involved in political incidents from 19 September 2006 to May 2010, regardless of their political affiliation.

However, the bill would not exempt leaders of the Redshirt protests or those responsible for the deaths of protesters in the 2010 military crackdown, which left over 90 people dead.

The operation was authorized by Former PM Abhisit Vejjajeeva and Former Vice PM Suthep Thaugsuban. Both are facing charges of murder and attempted murder for their roles in the crackdown.

The group proposed their version of the bill as an alternative to the draft written by Pheu Thai MPs that would grant amnesty to everyone facing charges in connection with the crackdown, including the government, military commanders, and Redshirts leaders.

Pansak called any draft of the amnesty bill that exempts the military from legal prosecution “unacceptable.”

Pansak argued that ordinary protesters from both Redshirt and Yellowshirt camps deserve amnesty because their political protests were the result of conflicting opinions, which is normal in a democratic system. However, he said the military must be held accountable for its excessive use of force, which resulted in deaths and injuries.

He also said that protesters who damaged private or public property should answer to the laws.

Speaking at the Government House today, Payao urged Yingluck to publicly comment on which amnesty bill her government would pursue, as the issue is a very important and being closely watched by society.

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Whiskey Bottle Fight At Karaoke Restro Leaves 1 Dead

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Khaosod English

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16 July 2013, 13:29

(15 July) A man was shot
dead after he reportedly smashed a whiskey bottle into the head of another patron at a karaoke bar
in Trad province. Another man was also shot in the face but survived.

The incident took place
at a restaurant, which also serves alcohol and offers karaoke services, called U-turn Karaoke, in
Mueng District.

Ms. Nid Nimsan, 30, the owner of the place, told our correspondent that the
shooting took place after midnight. The victim reportedly arrived with a group of 5 friends, sitting
on a table on one side, while the suspect was with his 3 friends and sitting on the other
table.

Later that night, Ms. Nid said, the victim walked around a lot, shirtless and drunk.
The suspect reportedly warned a friend of a victim that he should look after his drunken companion
more carefully.

After a while, Ms. Nid said, the victim suddenly smashed a whiskey bottle on
the head of the suspect, causing him to pull out his gun and shot the victim in the head. As the
victim’s friends rushed in to help, the suspect allegedly shot at the group, hitting the cheekbone
of Mr. Thapakorn Kol-rean, 21.

The suspect later fled the scene on a black Toyota pick-up
truck.

Ms. Sunaree Tansomboon, a waiting staff at the restaurant, told the police that the
suspect is a dark and skinny man and approximately 178 cm tall. The police suspect that the gun used
in the scene was a .32 mm pistol.

The police are still searching for the suspect.

Locals Stops Man In Samut Prakarn From 'Raping' His Stepdaughter

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Khaosod English

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15 July 2013, 19:48

(15 July) A man in Samut
Prakarn province was mobbed by his neighbours after they caught him attempting to rape his 13 year
old adopted daughter at his residence.

The girl, identified as Ms. A, told police that Mr.
Mana Lue-Lonn, 28, has a drinking disorder, and always
knocked on her door when he is drunk. However, she never opened the door, as her mother warned her
not to.

Today, she said, Mr. Mana knocked on
Ms. A’s door and asked to come out. She reportedly refused and went hiding in the closet until Mr.
Mana broke the door. As he tried to strip her,
Ms. A said, she screamed for help.

Mr. Mana then reportedly threatened her with a knife,
saying that if she made noises again he would kill her. Mr. Mana was allegedly about to rape Ms. A
when the neighbours who heard the scream came in rescue. The neighbours then attacked Mr. Mana
before taking him to the police .

The mother of
the girl told our correspondent that she and Mr. Mana recently had a conflict over Ms. A′s tuition
fee. After she had given the money to Mr. Mana to pay the fee, the mother said, he spent all the
money on alcoholic drinks. His wife reportedly became furiously upset and asked for divorce, but Mr.
Mana refused and tried to reconcile.

Previously, she said, Mr. Mana had told her he would
attack Ms. A if she still wants to break up with him. She reportedly raced back to her residence,
just in time to witness the incident of her neighbours beating Mr. Mana.

Officers were trying
to interrogate Mr. Mana, but the suspect was in a drunken condition and denied every allegations.
The officers then charged him for committing crimes under the influence, sexually harassing a child
aged under 15 and abusing a child.

Meanwhile, a man in Chonburi province was mobbed by his
neighbours after they mistook him for trying to rape his mentally-ill sister-in-law.

Mr.
Chaimongkol Pong-Eiam, a 34-year-old man from Chonburi, has been attacked by the locals after they
saw him pulling Ms. Som, his sister-in-law, to get on a motorcycle.

Mr. Chaimongkol
later said that he had no intention to rape Ms. Som, his sister-n-law who has mental disorder. While
his wife went to work, he said, Ms. Som then spilled her food on the table during dinner, so he
yelled at her and punished her so terrified Ms. Som ran away from the house.

He said
he was worried that Ms. Som would be in danger, so he came looking for her and tried to get her on a
motorcycle to go home. Witnesses said they thought he was forcing Ms. Som to get on a vehicles then
rape her, so they rushed to rescue Ms. Som and attacked Mr. Chaimonkol before calling the
police.

After some interrogation, Mr. Chaimongkol was not charged with any crime and
was released shortly afterwards.

Police To Identify Human Skull Found At Ratchaburi Shrine

By

Khaosod English

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15 July 2013, 17:45

(15
July) Discovery of an anonymous human skull at a shrine in Ratchaburi province has drawn attention
from the police.

The police received reports about the skull from Mr. Yuan-on Saesow, 62. He
said he collected old stuff in exchange for money, and had searched for items at a large Bodhi tree
next to a canal in Suan Kuay district. A wooden Spirit House was built next to the tree, and Mr.
Yuan-on found the skull on the shrine. He said he immediately called police.

Police say they
had inspected the Spirit House and found that some offerings placed at the shrine, such as desserts
and flowers, appeared to be fresh. The skull contains some brain tissue in the cranium and small
patches of human hair can be found on the surface.

According to the police, no one in the
vicinity has reported any missing person.

The skull has been transferred to the forensic
department to determine the identity of the deceased person. The police believe the skull was
a part of certain superstitious rituals, and an investigation to find out who was responsible for
the ritual is ongoing.

University ‘Hitler Mural’ Leads To Flurry Of Apologies – And Gag Order

By

Khaosod English

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15 July 2013, 15:48

BANGKOK – Chulalongkorn University, the prestigious state university in central Bangkok, came under fire last week after a mural depicting the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler among other comic superheroes, such as Batman and Superman, appeared at one of its buildings.

The mural, believed to be made by freshmen from the University’s Faculty of Fine and Applied Art, was displayed on the Faculty′s building during the graduation ceremony, with many newly graduates stopping by and taking photographs with the mural.

Some students were also seen performing the Nazi Salute “Sieg Heil” with the painting.

After the mural surfaced on the Internet – the website Coconuts Bangkok first reported about it – much criticism has been made, most notably by the Jewish community and news site “Times of Israel” which argued that depicting Hitler among the superheroes were unacceptable and disrespectful to the loss of the Jewish people during the Nazi regime.

Times of Israel later cited a statement by Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean of the Jewish Organisation “Simon Wiesenthal”, expressing his outrage toward the mural.

“Hitler as a superhero? Is he an appropriate role model for Thailand′s younger generation— a genocidal hate monger who mass murdered Jews and Gypsies and who considered people of color as racially inferior?” Mr. Cooper was quoted as saying.

Noting that the mural was placed just right next to Faculty of Arts, which houses the History Major, Rabbi Cooper suggested that “Perhaps it’s time that the University arranges for its faculty and students to view it as part of an anti-genocide curriculum.”

Later, Chulalongkron University of Communication Centre (CCC) also posted on their Facebook Page, expressing “deep regret” over the “offensive mural” on behalf of the University, the administration, and students of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The letter stated that the university have given the students verbal warning and will make every effort to make sure that this kind of situation will never occur again.

Meanwhile, Asso.Prof. Suppakorn Disatapundhu, Dean of Faculty of Fine and Applied Art, Chulalongkorn University, has released an apology statement, citing that as he is in the position responsible for the Faculty, he would like to apologise to everybody affected by the mural.

The students who made the mural did not intend to make such impacts, and totally did not think this through, the statement reads.The statement says that he has summoned the students who made the mural, and the representatives from the faculty’s student club, in order to explain about the impact to the relevant students later today.

He added that he has been considering the suggestion made by the Wiesenthal Center to add the modules on Modern History and Holocaust into the Faculty′s curriculum.

When Khaosod attempted to contact Mr. Suppakorn via his cellphone number, however, a woman has picked up the phone and informed our correspondent that the Faculty will not speak to any media agency and that the Faculty has already sent clarification letter to certain media and the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok.

Asked about the contents of the letter, the woman responded angrily that “I don?t have to tell you anything about it”.

Sources at the Faculty of Fine And Applied Art said Mr. Suppakorn has previously arranged an interview with the Associated Press, but later cancelled the appointment.

A student at the Faculty told our correspondent that Mr. Suppakorn has also instructed all students involved in the mural painting not to speak to any news agency. According to the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the dean has told the students any statement about the incident would be only released by the Faculty “to prevent any misunderstanding”.

The student said the incident started after some 4th year students – the graduates – assigned a group of 1st year students to come up with a mural so the graduates can take photographs in front of it.

According to the student, the senior students did not require Hitler to be in the painting, and one of the 1st year students simply added Hitler to the mural alongside other “superheroes”. Reportedly, no one made any protest to the mural, and it seems no one thought it was strange that the iconic dictator showed up in it, until the furore against the painting surfaced on the internet.

The incident appears to highlight the fact that much of Thai population, even in one of the most prestigious universities of the kingdom, is oblivious to the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime.

Moreover, many Thais even embraced what some international media agencies terms “Nazi Chic”, the culture among young adults in Thailand and some other Asian nations that treated the Fuhrer as an icon of pop fashion. For example, T-shirts printed-screened with Mr. Hitler′s face or the Nazi swastika can be found abundantly in many stalls at Jatujak Market, the weekend market popular with forieng tourists.

Recently, a restaurant in Ubon Ratchathani province called “Hitler Fried Chicken”, which replaced the face of KFC′s Colonel Sanders with that of the German dictator. In response to this, spokesman from Yum, the parent company of KFC, told the Huffington Post, that “We find it extremely distasteful and are considering legal action since it is an infringement of our brand trademark and has nothing to do with us.”

In 2007, 200 Students from Thew Phai Ngarm School in Bangkok dressed up as Nazi Army in the parade. The school director later submitted apology letter the Simon Wiesenthal Organisation in response to the incident.

And again in 2011, students from Sacred Heart College, in Chiang Mai, have dressed in Nazi uniforms costumes for its Sports Day without knowing the true implications.

The latter incident raised much anger from the diplomats and foreigners, as the consulates of the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Germany visited the school and called for their responsibility to teach their students about modern history and the tragic genocide during the WWII.

Some Thai teachers at the school spoke to the press that they did not think the issue was serious.

Civilian Deaths Drop Following Talk With BRN: Official Report

By

Khaosod English

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15 July 2013, 14:07

(14 July) Security force
in southern Thailand recently released a report stating that the death toll of civilians in the
Southern Insurgency has declined since the government has started negotiating with the armed Islamic
separatist group, National Revolution Front (BRN).

The report was released to the public by
Southern Border Province Administrative Centre (SBPAC) and based on data compiled by Southern Border
Province Police Operational Centre.

It concludes that in 2007, the number of vulnerable
victims – a term defining those who were unarmed and unable to fend for themselves – has reached
its highest at 471. But once the Thai government has launched the negotiation with BRN in early
2013, the number of innocent victims has declined to 97 in the same year.

207, 209, and
198 vulnerable victims were killed in the year of 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively, according to
the data.

2013 also marked the first year that numbers of those vulnerable victims have
been killed less than armed officials.

The authority claims that the results have proved the
government success in affirming the locals that the negotiation plan is easing the insurgency as it
went in accordance with International Human Rights and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
supervisions.

Mr. Shintaro Hara, professor in Malay language from Prince of Songkla
University, Pattani Campus, said before the negotiation process had started that the insurgent group
had not pinpointed their targets, which explained why there were so many innocent victims caught up
in the insurgents? campaigns.

The declining attacks on civilians resembled the announcement
made by the BRN when the negotiation process started, that they would not attack innocent victim, and focus
on fighting only against Thai government officials, according to Mr. Hara.

He said
that there is no guarantee that there will be no other attacks against the innocents or no violence
during the Ramadan – the Islamic fasting season – because there were other Islamist groups
disagreeing with the negotiation.

Moreover, Mr. Hara noted, the political inconsistency in
Thai government also clouds the scene, as some high ranking military and government officials in
Thailand are openly against the plan, possibly out of fear that the current government might gain
more popularity should the process yield some success.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Chamroon Dane-Udom,
advisor of Southern Islamic Cultural Association, agreed that the innocents have been targeted less
in the ongoing insurgency, partly because the religious core figure and local leaders disapproved
such violence.

Another reason is that the government is successfully preventing the violence,
after Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Lieutenant General Paradon Pattanatabut,
offered to stop the violence against the civilians in the second round of negotiation, Pol.Maj.Gen.
Chamroon said.

He also commented that the government is heading the right way and suggested
more analysts and scholars should be in cooperation with the authorities.

However, the
heart of “Peace Building Process”” is to create the atmosphere of trust and understanding,
Pol.Maj.Gen. Chamroon added, because the prospect of decreasing violence rely extensively on these
processes.

Ratchasima Buddhist Lent Candles Mix Politics With Humour

By

Khaosod English

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14 July 2013, 12:10

Example of the Candle Parade in Nakorn Ratchasima

(14 July) Residents in
Nakorn Ratchasima province are gearing up for the festival marking the beginning of Buddhist Lent
(Kao Pansa) in which gigantic candles parades would grace the main roads in the town center.

The Lent is the three-month annual retreat when Buddhist monks are required to stay in their temples
during the entire season. The tradition is said to have begun when Buddha instructed his
monks not to travel during the rainy season, lest they damage the budding crops and step on small
animals like frogs in villagers? rice fields on their way.

As part of the tradition, many
Thais offer huge candles (called Tian Pansa) to local temples to symbolize the length of the
time the monks are required to stay in their secluded residences.

But Nakorn Ratchasima is
known for taking the step further – much further. Towering candles, delicately carved into shapes of
Buddha, angels, and mythical creatures are mounted on motorized floats as they parade past the
crowds of awed tourists from all over the country.

The festival is known for its touch of
humour, too. In previous years, the candles have featured figures of Hollywood stars and Thai
celebrities.

This year, the festival would make fun of the feuding politics of the kingdom.
Mr. Saiyant
Chaikumpa, 31, and Ms. Pornpahn Ruengsri, also 31, the owners of Ohm, a Buddhist equipment shop in
the province, have created 7 actual size crafted candles of Thai politicians and public figures in
manner that appears in the popular ghost film Pee Mak Pra Kranong.

Those featured are Mr. Sorayut Suthasanajinda and Mr. Kohtee Aram Boy, 2
well-known TV personalities. Next to them are Mr. Chalerm Yubamrung, Minister of Labour, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, an active
member of the opposition Democrat Party and Mr. Chuwit Kamolvisit, the outspoken leader of Love
Thailand (Rak Prathetthai) Party.

They are carved with expression
of being scared by PM and
Minister of Defense Yingluck Shinawatra and Former PM Abhisit Vejjajeeva – who take the role of the
pregnant ghost Nak and her husband Mak in the horror-comedy film (which was, in turn,
based on a popular folk ghost story).

The choice of casting Mr. Abhisit as Mak, the hapless
man who did not know his wife died while he was away for military service, is a reference to Mr.
Abhisit nickname Mark that sounds like Mak, and the scandal which reveals that Mark, unlike Mak,
dodged his mandatory military draft.

Mr. Koh Tee
was crafted as
dressing in a Ferby costume, as he once wore in the much-watched TV show Rueng Lao Chao Nee
(Morning Talk) on Channel 3.

The creations brought some laughter to the locals amid
the political battles that have been gripping Thailand for some time now, pitching the government of
Ms. Yingluck with the anti-government activists and Mr. Abhisit′s Democrat Party.

The set
has attracted much attention from the locals, too, as many visitors came to the store and take
pictures with the handicrafts.

The set of the candles, as called Pee Mark Pra Khanong,
obviously the pun of Mr. Abhisit′s nickname, will be part of the annual Candle Parade of Nakorn
Rajasima province. The festival will be held on the 20-23 July, at the Thao Suranaree (Ya Mo)
Monument park.

Police Seeking To Revoke US Visa Of Controversial Ex-Monk

By

Khaosod English

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13 July 2013, 19:45

DSI agent receiving order of Nen Kham's defrocking from a senior monk

(13 July) Police are
attempting to have the US authorities cancel the US visa held by Luang Pu Nen Kham, the
controversial monk who made the headlines around the world with his Louis Vuitton bags and private
jet ride, and return him to Thailand to face numerous criminal allegations – following the national
Buddhist authority′s decision to expel him from monkhood.

The monk has been abroad since the
scandal about him surfaced. He is said to have flown from France to the US few weeks ago, where he
reportedly has a number of residences.

Nen
Kham, whose real name is Mr. Wirapol Sukhpol, is accused of money laundering and embezzling donation
money after he was exposed to own, with his followers, more than 200 million baht in bank accounts,
while TV reports recently showed his luxurious mansion with fleets of luxurious sports
cars.

Additionally, he is alleged to have sexual relationship with a woman, who was
reportedly underage at the time and later bore a child with him.

The religious authorities have previously
announced that his monastery in Si Saket province, Wat Pha Kantidhamma, is not properly registered as a
temple. They have previously demanded that Nen Kham return to Thailand and explain himself to the
investigation committee. That never happened.

After the deadline on Friday has passed, a
number of high-ranking monks of a provincial Buddhist chapter has conferred and reached the conclusion
that

The notice of his
defrocking will be submitted to the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand , National Office of Buddhism
(ONAB), and the temples in Thailand and all over the world.

Director of Office of National Buddhism, Mr.
Nopparat Benjawatthananand, said the decision has paved way for the authorities to withdraw the
passport held by Nen Kham, now officially known as Mr. Wirapol.

Mr.
Tharit Pengdit, Director-General of The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), confirmed that
the DSI is attempting to revoke Mr. Wirapol′s passport, while
Pol.Col.Songsak Raksaksakul,
Director Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime, said that the police are collaborating
with the US Embassy in Thailand to have Mr. Wirapol′s visa revoked as well.

He said the
police are seeking formal arrest warrants from the court and will proceed to ask the US authorities
to return Mr. Wirapol to Thailand.

Mr. Wirapol′s whereabouts in the US remain
unknown.

On Friday, Mr. Sukhum Wongprasit, a spiritual follower of Mr. Wirapol
who has been serving as his de-facto spokesman, has filed an open letter to the office of the national
Supreme Patriarch, calling for justice for Mr. Wirapol. Mr. Sukhum insisted that the former
monk is innocent.

Mr. Sukhum also disclosed that Mr. Wirapol is aiming to enter
monkhood again in France or Germany.

Mr. Nopparat, the head of ONAB, later commented that
even if Mr. Wirapol managed to ordain himself at a Buddhist temple in France, he would not be
recognized as a monk in Thai legalism, as the Thai laws required that anyone wishing to enter
monkhood has to be endorsed by a local prelate.

He is already expelled from monkhood. He has
no right to become a monk again, Mr. Nopparat said, adding that should Mr. Wirapol continue to
identify himself as a monk, he would be liable to 1 year in prison on charge of violating Thai laws
on Buddhism.

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