German Killed In Phuket Flying Boat Crash

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6 February 2014, 15:25

(6 February) A German citizen was found dead after his flying inflatable boat crashed into the sea off a beach in Phuket province yesterday.

The man was identified by the authorities as Mr. Bach Georg Erwin, 65.

According to witnesses, Mr. Erwin was seen commuting alone on the ultralight boat around Laem Kha Yai Beach. Prior to the crash, witnesses said, the engine had stopped working, but the German managed to restart it and traveled for another 500 metres before the engine exploded. The boat then crashed into the sea.

A hotel staff who reportedly witnessed the scene said he and other people rushed into the sea to help Mr. Erwin, but it appeared that he was already dead before they could reach him.

Mr. Aroon Solos, Mayor of Rawai Municipality, said Mr. Erwin′s body bore no injuries that were caused by the crashed flying boat, suggesting that he might have been killed by the impact with the water surface.

Autopsy of Mr. Erwin′s body will be conducted as soon as possible, police said.

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Army Threatens Lese Majeste Charge Against Historian

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6 February 2014, 14:23

Somsak Jeamteerasakul at a discussion panel, 14 July 2013 (Photo by Speed Horse TV)

(6 February) The Royal Thai Army is considering a legal action against a prominent historian for his remarks about the monarchy, according to an army spokesman.

Lt.Col. Winthai Suvaree, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Army, said in a press conference that Mr. Somsak Jeamteerasakul has gravely insulted the Royal Family in his Facebook posts.

Mr. Somsak, who teaches history at Thammasat University, is known as a rare outspoken critic of the Thai monarchy in a country where any remark deemed offensive toward the Royal Family can be punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

"The army has instructed its legal team to determine which parts [of Mr. Somsak′s posts] can be considered as libelous toward the monarchy," Lt.Col. Winthai said, "Because the army is a part of civil authorities dedicated to protect the monarchy and preserve its dignity".

He warned that any further action that "falsely" insult the Royal Family or lessen the public′s faith in the democratic regime with the King as Head of State would be met with legal action from the army.

Apart from legal procedure, the army will also encourage the use of unspecified "social measures" to deter such inappropriate action, Lt.Col. Winthai added.

"The army would like to call on every sector to keep careful watch, in order to prevent anyone from slandering or insulting our beloved monarchy," the deputy spokesman said.

Mr. Somsak is also facing a separate lese majeste charge filed by the Royal Thai Army in 2011, following his criticism of a televised interview by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn.

He responded to the army′s latest threat of lese majeste by posting on his Facebook that the army has misunderstood his remarks, as he has been simply parodying and criticising certain type of royalists.

"Can′t the Army Commander-in-Chief read Thai?", Mr. Somsak said.

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Police Claim They Have Footage Of UDD Leader Shooters

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6 February 2014, 13:57

Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, still on his hospital bed, goes to vote at a polling station in Udon Thani, 2 February 2014

(6 February) The police claimed they have obtained clear CCTV footage of gunmen who wounded the local Redshirt leader in Udon Thani province.

Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, a prominent leader of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), was shot and wounded at the front porch of his residence by a group of gunmen on 22 January. The assailants fled the scene quickly after the attack.

The UDD leader suffered severe injuries but has since been recovering in hospital. He said he believed the attack was politically motivated.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol Pinitchob said CCTV footage obtained by police detectives revealed that the gunmen were divided into 2 vehicles: a silver Toyota with license plate issued in Roi Et province, and an unidentified bronze pick-up truck.

The assailants planned their assassination attempt well, Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol said, as they have arrived at a resort hotel in Udon Thani a week before the incident and have spent days surveying the area around Mr. Kwanchai′s house.

On the day of the attack, two gunmen on the bronze vehicle reportedly pulled up at Mr. Kwanchai′s house and sprayed their bullets at Mr. Kwanchai. Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol believed the gunmen intend to take Mr. Kwanchai′s life, judging from the nature of their operation.

The officer claimed that "60%" of the investigation has been completed, and many crucial details have been uncovered, such as the possibility that the assailants might have been aided by someone close to Mr. Kwanchai.

"We are gathering additional evidence so we can ask the court to approve the arrest warrants," Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol said, "At this stage, we can say that there are at least 3 suspects in this case", although the total number could be as high as 6.

However, Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol refused to confirm reports that military officers might have been involved in the alleged assassination attempt on Mr. Kwanchai, contrary to previous police statements.

"The police need to determine from evidence and arrests of the suspect whether they are kon mee see [military men]", Pol.Maj.Gen. Suraphol said.

But sources inside the police force told Khaosod that detectives have already identified at least three Army personnel who were in the alleged assassination team.

The sources added that the police also obtained CCTV footage from an ATM in Udon Thani where the suspects reportedly withdrew money to pay for the expense during their operation.

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Weng: Court Is Acting Like Suthep's Spokesman

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6 February 2014, 13:20

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban on protest rally stage, 5 February 2014

(6 February) Redshirt leader Weng Tojirakarn has criticised the Constitutional Court's verdict that anti-government protesters are merely exercising constitutional rights of assembly.

"The verdict of the court contradicts with reality," such as the the protesters′ siege of numerous governmental offices and their attempt to bar officials from working, Mr. Weng said.

Some supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) were also seen wielding combat rifles at the protest in Laksi district on 1 February, according to Mr. Weng, who is currently a candidate for Pheu Thai MP seat.

All these actions amount to acts of insurrection against the sovereign government, which is criminalised under the Article 113 of the Thai Criminal Codes, Mr. Weng said, yet the court granted the protesters the rights to continue their campaign against the government.

The Constitutional Court previously ruled that the PCAD has not violated Article 68 of the 2007 Constitution, which forbids any attempt to change the political system by unconstitutional means.

The court insisted that the PCAD is simply exercising the rights of peaceful assembly – which is protected under the Constitution – in response to the government′s pursuit of a legislation that would have absolved the corruption conviction of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I′m curious whether the court is in league with Mr. Suthep," Mr. Weng said, referring to PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

"Mr. Suthep has always addressed the protesters that he is seeking to seize sovereign power of the country," Mr. Weng complained, "Has the Constitutional Court considered this point?"

The Redshirt leader also expressed his dismay that the court appeared to justify the PCAD′s ongoing protests by claiming that they were protesting against the Amnesty Bill pursued by the government in November 2013, even though the bill has already been withdrawn long ago.

"I can′t help wonder, is the court acting like Mr. Suthep′s spokesman now?" Mr. Weng said in the press conference, "I am concerned by whatever the court might be doing".

Furthermore, Mr. Weng urged the court to dismiss the request to nullify the 2 February election filed by the Democrat Party recently.

"I beseech the court to respect the political decision of more than 20 million voters," he said.

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FDA Warns Of Hazardous 'Herbal Eye Dropper'

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6 February 2014, 12:17

(6 February) The Thai Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has urged the public to beware of traditional herbal eye droppers known to cause serious infection.

Mr. Pathom Sawanpanyalert, M.D., Deputy Secretary-General of the FDA, said the agency has been alerted to the case of a 41 year old patient who resorted to a brand of such eye droppers called "Doctor Yom Thayai" to treat the left eye, which has reportedly been suffering eyesight problems for several years due to an accident.

The eye droppers were ostensibly made of beneficial herbal medicine, yet in 3-4 days the patient′s eye became swollen, reddened, and less capable of perceiving objects, Mr. Pathom said.

According to the official, the patient eventually sought help from doctors, who realised that the patient′s eye has been completely blinded due to severe infection and gangrene which has formed in the eyeball. The doctors were reportedly forced to remove the infected eyeball altogether.

Lab results show that the eye droppers used by the patient contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium, which is known to cause serious infection to human eyes, Mr. Pathom added.

The "Doctor Yom Thayai" brand of eye droppers also claimed to treat a wide range of eye diseases, according to its package, yet it bore no registration number for the medication.

"We will locate the manufacturer of this medicine for legal prosecution," Mr. Pathom announced.

He added that the FDA would like to remind the public not to buy any traditional eye medicines that lack proper registration or credible distributor, as they could end up causing severe harms to the eyes.

"Consumers should only buy medicines which have been properly registered under the laws," Mr. Pathom said, "They should check if the label on the package".

Consumers who encounter any drugs which they suspect to be illegal manufactured are encouraged to contact the FDA at 1556 or [email protected].

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Laksi Clash: Wounded Man's Daughter Files Libel Complaint

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5 February 2014, 19:13

Rescue workers surrounding Mr. Arkaew Saelew after he was wounded by gunfire in Laksi district, 1 February 2014

(5 February) Daughter of the elderly man paralysed by gunfire in pre-election violence has denounced the accusation that her father was a Cambodian gunman.

Mr. Arkaew Saelew, 71, was shot in the neck area by unidentified assailants during a gunbattle between pro-government supporters and the heavily armed militants allied to the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) on 1 February at Bangkok′s Laksi district.

His daughter, Ms. Euangfah Saelew, has previously told reporters that her father was a demonstrator who had joined the protest in support of the election on 2 February.

Yet a number of anti-government social network sites have alleged that Mr. Arkaew was in fact a member of "Cambodian armed forces" who infiltrated Bangkok to sow chaos against PCAD supporters.

Some accusations also specifically identified Mr. Arkaew as a close aide to Cambodian Prime Minister, Mr. Hun Sen.

Upset by these accusations, Ms. Euangfah filed complaint with the police at Thoong Song Hong Police Station, urging the police force to prosecute those who spread "baseless" online rumours about her father.

"It′s baseless slandering," Ms. Euangfah told our correspondent, "My father is Thai. He has a Thai ID card. Such postings have damaged my father′s reputation and worsened his pain".

She expressed her hope that the police would also identify and arrest those who have shot Mr. Arkaew, but added that she dared not hope much since the authorities have not yet prosecuted anyone responsible for killing unarmed protesters in 2010.

Ms. Euangfah explained that her father was a Thai-Chinese resident of Songkhla province before he moved to Bangkok′s Laksi district where he settled down and made a living by selling soft drinks in front of a local school.

According to Ms. Euangfah, her father had never joined any protest before last Saturday. "He was interested in politics. He likes to follow the news on TV at his home".

She said she was contacted by Viphavadi Hospital at 18.00 on that day about her father′s injury.

"I was so shocked," Ms. Euangfah said, "I was made even more shocked and stressed to see people on the social media accusing my father of being a Cambodian gunman. It′s not true at all".

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Woman Blames 'Mistress' For Car Acid Attack

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5 February 2014, 18:18

(5 February) A woman in Udon Thani province has been so fed up by alleged acid attack on her car by her husband's mistress that she chooses to tell the world about it.

Many baffled motorists have previously contacted Khaosod that they have spotted a car spray-painted with the words "The Mistress Did This!" all over the vehicle. Numerous marks of damages caused by acid could also be seen on the vehicle.

Contacted by our correspondent, the car own, who identified herself simply as Ms. Suphaphon, explained that her car has been attacked by acid for 4 times in the past few months.

Three of the attacks occurred at a parking lot of Ang Thong Hospital, while the fourth took place near Ang Thong Social Insurance Office, according to Ms. Suphaphon.

Ms. Suphaphon continued tearfully that she was certain that her husband′s mistress committed the attacks out of jealousy. She claimed that she has informed the police for numerous times of her suspicion, yet the police have done nothing to investigate the crime.

"So I became so bitter and angry that I want to declare to the public who did this to me," Ms. Suphaphon said.

She added that she and her children are now living under the fear that the alleged mistress might commit further intimidating acts against her. Ms. Suphaphon said she might consider seeking help from Paveena Women Foundation if the situation worsened.

However, police officers contacted by Khaosod insisted that the investigation is ongoing.

The police simply have no sufficient evidence to summon the alleged mistress for interrogation over the alleged crime, said one high-ranking officer.

"We are not ignoring this case," he added.

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Army Refuses Govt's Request For Troops

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5 February 2014, 16:24

Troops from the Royal Thai Air Force arriving to protect the temporary office of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, 4 February 2014

(5 February) The Royal Thai Army has refused to comply with the government for deployment of troops to protect Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has made the request after anti-government protesters led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) targeted a Ministry of Defence building where Ms. Yingluck held meeting with her Cabinet members.

But Lt.Col. Winthai Suvaree, deputy spokesman of the army, said today that Mr. Surapong has to submit the request via an appropriate channel, which is the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

After the request is approved, the army divisions would be informed how many troops are needed, and what their missions will be, in order to arrange a suitable deployment for the operation to safeguard the Prime Minister, said Lt.Col. Winthai Suvaree.

"No one should expect the army to suddenly send troops without proper request, because that′s against the procedure," Lt.Col. Winthai explained, adding that the army is still waiting for "more clarity" from Mr. Surapong in his requests.

"As far as I know, Mr. Surapong only talked via the media," Lt.Col. Winthai said in a press conference, "There has been no written document requesting [the troops] so far".

His remark came amid speculation that the Royal Thai Army might be distancing itself from Ms. Yingluck′s embattled government. The government was forced to request presence of troops from a nearby Royal Thai Air Force base to protect the Prime Minister yesterday.

The army spokesman also asked the police to clarify their claim that three military officers were involved in the assassination attempt on Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, a local Redshirt leader in Udon Thani province.

"It lacks clarity," Lt.Col. Winthai complained, "If the army is involved, the police should back their claim with evidence," such as names, divisions, and their actual offences. Furthermore, Lt.Col. Winthai said, the suspects in question could be retired officers who are no longer associated with the military.

"That is just talking without evidence," Lt.Col. Winthai said.

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PCAD Postpones Re-Opening Of Rama VIII Bridge

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5 February 2014, 15:22

(5 February) Anti-government protesters have refused to vacate Rama VIII Bridge until 7 February, citing the need for more time to pack up.

According to a deal struck between the Bangkok authorities and the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), the protesters were supposed to leave the bridge by noon today to ease the traffic for Bangkok commuters.

Since the PCAD has occupied the bridge on 13 January, many citizens have complained that they had faced difficulty travelling, as Rama VIII Bridge is a major link of western and eastern banks of Bangkok′s Chao Phraya River.

However, PCAD leaders said they need 2 more days to pack up their belongings and heavy equipment. They promised to leave the bridge by Friday.

Nevertherless, many protesters were already seen moving their belongings to Phan Fah Bridge near Democracy Monument this afternoon, where a separate group of anti-government protesters have been camping.

PCAD leaders have previously vacated their rally sites at Victory Monument and Lad Prao Intersections, as the numbers of demonstrators at both sites have dwindled.

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Thai-China 'One Tablet Per Child' Contract Terminated

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5 February 2014, 14:42

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the launch of one tablet per child program, June 2012

(5 February) The government's plan to equip every school pupil with a tablet computer has been put on hold, as a Chinese supplier terminated the contract with the Thai authorities.

Mr. Chaturon Chaisaeng, the Minister of Education, made the announcement.

The China-based Shenzhen Yitao Intelligence Control Co. has previously won the auction to distribute more than 800,000 tablets to school students in Prathom 1 and Matthayom 1 who were enrolled in 2013 academic year, at the cost of over 1.5 billion baht.

However, the company has repeatedly delayed the delivery of the tablets, reportedly resulting in a fine to the Ministry of Education for at least 2 million baht.

On 30 January, the Chinese company eventually submitted a letter expressing their intention to terminate the deal with the Thai government, citing political instability in Thailand, misunderstanding of the contract and terms of reference, as well as communication problems, Mr. Chaturon said.

It is yet another blow to the populist policies pursued by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Yesterday, China also cancelled a deal with Thailand which would help the kingdom sell tonnes of rice collected under the rice-pledging program.

Mr. Chaturon said the officials are considering to sue the Chinese tablet company for compensation for the losses in the present deal and further auction, but he stressed that the compensation will not be enough to make up for the lost opportunities of millions of Thai students.

“The compensation money cannot make up for the loss, as many students missed the chance to use the carry-on computer," Mr. Chaturon complained, "This is a lesson learned. I admit that the auction was problematic, and the procedure needs to be tailored before the next round starts”.

MOE will also move to impound 120 million baht security deposit, which the company had yielded when the contract was signed. It is expected that the company would appeal for its deposit money Mr. Chaturon added.

Nevertheless, Mr. Chaturon expressed his confidence that the government will continue to strive to provide school children with tablet computers as promised in the 2011 election season.

He claimed that students who missed the opportunity to get their tablets this year will eventually receive the gadgets by next academic year.

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