Civilian Deaths Drop Following Talk With BRN: Official Report

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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

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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.

Rio Ferdinand 'Introduces' Thai Rock Band 'Bodyslam' To Red Devils

By

Khaosod English

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12 July 2013, 21:13

(12 July) Thousands
of fans gathered at The Rajamakala National Stadium for Manchester United open rehearsal before the
English team will play against Singha All Star on 13 July.

United manager David Moyes and
Rio Ferdinand held a press conference at the Rajamakala Stadium, before the open rehearsal.

Moyes clarified that Wayne Rooney has to fly back to Manchester unexpectedly due to
hamstring injury and that his rest would be a benefit to the team′s future schedules. He rejected
the rumour that Rooney is planning to move, as his heart is still at the theatre of
dream.

Moyes also said that he felt grateful to be appointed as the new manager of the Red
Devils, but admitted there are some pressures. However, he found the team atmosphere was great and
the players are getting along very well.

Talking about the upcoming game in Thailand, Moyes
said he appreciated warm welcome by the fans. He also expressed his excitement for the game, saying
it is among the first few games of his career with United. He said he expected some surprises and
would love to see the performance of Thai football stars.

Rio Ferdinand was asked about the
rumour on Thai social network that he knows the Thai rock band ?Bodyslam?. Rio answered that he
likes to learn about the countries he visits, and he has done some research what Thai locals are
listening too. Then he found the song Poison by Bodyslam, and suggested the band to other teammates.

Yet, he added, it is not like that I am the team official DJ.

Rio went on to
comment about the training with the new manager, explaining that it might get tougher than the time
with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Both the team and the manager are new to each other, and they both
need to do homework to be able to collaborate, the United star was quoted as saying.

A
member of security told our correspondent that approximately 7,000 fans have come for the open
rehearsal. The tickets to see the rehearsal were sold for 500 baht.

Alliance Between 2 Anti-Yingluck Groups Now In Tatters: Activist

By

Khaosod English

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12 July 2013, 19:14

(12 July) The leader of
the Networks of Thai Who Love Their Nation which rallied against PM and Defence Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra in front of the Ministry of Defence yesterday (11 July) announced his group
would no longer cooperate with another anti-government faction.

The right-wing Networks had
been camping at the Royal Field (Sanam Luang) in Bangkok′s Old City quarters alongside the
ally group called Dharmatippatai (The Moral Power) for weeks.

Today Mr. Chaiwat Sintuwong
said in a press conference that his group had been in conflicts with Dharmatippatai before, and the
2 factions always managed to solve their differences.

However, he said, Dharmatippatai
greatly offended him by refusing to lend their hands in his group′s protest at the Defence Ministry
and even sabotaging the group′s campaign. On that day, Mr. Chaiwait unsuccessfully attempted to
ring the Ministry with his protesters to prevent Ms. Yingluck from entering the compound.

I
have asked for their help [Dharmatippatai] when we clashed with the police, but they did not come to
our aid. They insisted on their peaceful rally at Sanam Luang, Mr. Chaiwat said, adding that his
ally also contributed to lack of attention from the public toward their activities at Royal
Field.

Mr. Chaiwait told reporters that the 2 groups had difficulty bridging their
ideologies.

He denied reports that his group is behind the White Masks movement – the
weekly protests against Yingluck administration in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand, in which the
protesters sport Guy Fawkes Masks as their symbols.

Mr. Chaiwait also announced
that his group would withdraw from the rally at Royal Field, but insisted that his group would
continue to campaign against Ms. Yingluck′s government.

Editorial 12 July 2013: Fraud By Paper

By

Khaosod English

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12 July 2013, 18:24

As the Division of
Special Investigation DSI launched their investigation on Luang Pu Nen Kham, the controversial,
wealthy monk believed to be involved in criminal frauds, the questionable legitimacy of the
so-called World Peace University (WPU) also came under scrutiny from the authorities.

The
interest started when Mr. Sukhum Wongprasit, a closed associate to Luang PuNen Kham, claimed he
received the Doctorate Degree Certificate from World Peace University, an organisation registered as
a limited partnership, but operated as a University.

There has been speculation that the
establishment has been acting somewhat as a factory churning out prestigious-sounding honorary
degrees for a right price.

Many celebrities – actors, athletes, politicians – had received
degrees from WPU, though none said they ever paid money to the ?University? so far.

The
legitimacy of the WPU would rely on the investigation from related authorities, the DSI and the
Office of Higher Education commission. The society should demand answers why the shadowy WPU has
been allowed to publicly give out degrees without the supervision from any relevant educational
authority for so long.

We should also consider whether the whole scandal reflects our social
value in which many people focus too much on a certificate rather than actual potential or ability a
person has. Such values have led to the ineffectiveness of high-school and university
institutions,and spilled over into the deception of false degree.

It might as well have been
an explanation why a number of graduates with honourable education background and degrees eventually
fail to live their lives as critical-minded, able citizens.

There is even a Thai proverb that
talks about wise man with feet so weak he cannot break chicken′s dung as he steps on it (bundit
yiab kee kai mai fo).

The WPU case is a big wake-up call for the societyto start critically
discussing about such deeply-held values, to prevent further fraud about fake degrees or
universities, and to fix the imbalance of Thai education system. We can start by focusing more on
one’s potential, rather than what certificate he or she holds.

As long as the worship of
certificate papers are in place, even if there was no WPU, there would still have been other
institution taking advantage of the obsessions with degrees among Thai people.

If we
allow such culture to continue, after the WPU case is sorted out, the unsorted values would simply
goon in a vicious cycle. As one fraud goes down, another fraud will just rise
up.

Olympian Shooter Accused Of Drug Abuse And Beating His Wife

By

Khaosod English

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12 July 2013, 16:14

(12 July) Mother and wife
of Mr. Jakrit Panichpatikam, a former Olympic athlete who competed on behalf of the Thai National
Shooting Team, showed up at the police to press charge against him after they were allegedly
attacked and threatened at gunpoint by Mr. Jakrit.

Ms. Boonkid Panichpatikam said during the press
conference at Kannayao Police Station that Mr. Jakrit had been violently beating her
daughter-in-law, Ms. Nittiwadee Poohcharoenyos, while she and Mr. Jakrit s father could only look,
because they have been warned by the athlete not to intervene.

Mr. Jakrit′s father
could not handle the situation and eventually left the family, she said.

Three years ago,
according to Ms. Boonkid, Mr. Jakrit brought another woman home and claimed she was his love
affairs. They would do drugs together at home, Ms. Boonkid told the press ,I helped him recover
from cocaine addiction, then he turned to amphetamine.

Mr. Jakrit reportedly had occasional
hallucination because of the drugs, seeing worms grow on his body or imagining that strangers would
attack him.

One night, Ms. Boonkid said, he became hallucinated and thought that Ms. Nittiwadeebrought
home another guy, so he went into her room and shot into the bed where his wife and his 11-month-old son
were sleeping. Ms. Boonkid claimed the bullet was only few-inches away from the boy′s
head.

Mr. Jakrit also sometimes electrified Ms. Nittiwadee, according to Ms. Boonkid, adding
that Mr. Jakrit
has threatened both of them with his gun not to tell the police about their
ordeal.

Ms. Boonkid went on to say that on 10 July, Mr. Jakrit went to a shooting
ground in Bangkok′s Ramkhamhaeng area to appear in a TV programme. He reportedly brought his
new partner along with him and forced his wife to accept her as a mistress, but when Ms. Nittiwadee
rejected, he beat his wife in front of the crowd.

Ms. Boonkid said she decided at that moment
that she could not handle everything anymore. When Mr. Jakrit went out for drinks on July 11, she
reportedly decided to help her daughter-in-law, along with her two grandchildren, to escape the
house and contact the police.

Ms. Nittiwadee told the reporters she does not want to be in
the relationship with Mr. Jakrit any more, which is why she finally agreed to seek help from police
and Pavena Foundation, a charity group for women and children in distress.

Pol.Gen. Sarawut
Jindakham, who was at the press conference alongside Ms. Pavena Hongsakul, Minister of Social
Development and Human Security and head of Pavena Foundation, said that the police are trying to
locate Mr. Jakrit for further investigation.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Mr. Jakrit has
contacted Meenburi Police Station to require information about the prosecution, and said he was
ready to appoint the lawyer. He also claimed that he had given up all drugs, and the issue was a
misunderstanding and jealousy.

Guinness Book Invited To Certify '119 Year Old' Tribesman

By

Khaosod English

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12 July 2013, 15:22

(11 July) 3 individuals
in the northern province of Mae Hong Sorn are reported to be over 100 year old – the oldest among
them is said to have lived through 119 summers in the mountainous region

Ms. Naruemol
Paanwat, the governor of Mae Hong Sorn province, took our correspondent to a village in Pan Ma Fa
district, where the ethnic group of White Karen has made their abodes. She said she received the
report about possibly oldest individuals in Thailand living there from a local official.

At
Muang Paam village, our correspondent was introduced to the elder trio: Ms. Nongmeko
Ratana-arayatham, reported age: 105; Ms. Nhojordor Wanawanich, reported age: 116; and Mr. Kamu
Thongnamchokedee, reported age: 119.

The 3 greeted Ms. Naruemol enthusiastically, and took
the governor to take a walk around the community, accompanied by their families. The 3 wore no
glasses, and conversed with their relatives engagingly. According to our correspondent, the 3 elders
moved around easily with the vigor of a 40 year old individual.

The locals told our
correspondent that Mr. Kamu, Ms. Nhojordor, and Ms. Nongmeko still gather herbs, collect firewood,
and cook on their own.

Mr. Kamu said he was born on 8 May1894 – the same year when Tsar
Nicoholas II took over the throne of Russia and the Dreyfus Affair was gripping France. He said he
had a wife, who died long ago, and 3 children, but these days he mostly lived alone.

Mr.
Kamu told our correspondent he could still accomplish things such as weaving basket out of bamboos,
finding fish in local pond, and harvesting herbs in the forest. He suffered some minor illnesses
like headache, he said, but never fell so ill that he would need hospital visit.

Ms.
Nhojordor, who claimed to be born in 1897, attributed the cause of her allegedly long life to good
food.

We don?t eat like the city folk. I eat clean vegetables and fish and rice in my
village, she told our correspondent.

Apart from oral testimony from the elders, and other
locals, there was no way to satisfactorily ascertain their ages. Indeed, Khaosod has previously
reported about a man in north-eastern Thailand who claimed to be 114 year old, but the vague
official document proclaiming his age could not be independently verified.

The governor of
Mae Hong Sorn insisted that official documents detailing the White Karen elders? date of birth can
be trusted, but attempted to clear any uncertainty. Ms. Naruemol said she is in the process of
contacting the Guinness World Records to organize an official verification of Mr. Kamu′s
age.

If Mr. Kamu is ever proven to be born indeed in 1894, he would easily hold the record as
the oldest living person in the world, placing himself ahead of Ms. Misao Okawa, a Japanese resident
verified to be 115 year old.

Man Burns House After His Mother Refuses To Cook For Him

By

Khaosod English

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12 July 2013, 14:41

(12 July) A man in Chiang Rai province confessed to burning his house down out
of anger that his mother, who was living with him, refused to cook dinner for him.

Last
night, firemen were called to a wooden in Muang district which was completely on fire when the
rescue team arrived. The firemen took 30 minutes to extinguish the flame. Property losses were
estimated to cost at least 500,000 baht.

Mr. Paopan Pankampuang was arrested this morning
following reports that he committed the arson. Mr. Paopan told police he was living at the residence
with his mother Ms. Supan Wicharew, 57, and his 7 year old son.

He said the incident took
place after a long day of works in the rice field, during which he had consumed some alcohol. When
he returned home, he said, his mother did not cook dinner for him. He reportedly became very angry
out of his anger and alcohol influence, scolding his mother and driving her away from the
house.

Mr. Paopan told police he later bought a bottle of gasoline and burn his house,
starting from a wardrobe. He said he picked up his son and fled the scene, before the police finally
caught up with him.

Editorial 11 July 2013: Obstucting the 2-Trillion Baht

By

Khaosod English

-

11 July 2013, 20:41

Discussion and debates concerning the 2-trillion baht loan decree continues, with Mr. Kanit Na Nakorn, the chairman of the Law Reform Commission, suggesting that the loan plan was unconstitutional and arguing that it was represented as a special law decree, therefore violated Section 169 of the 2007 constitution.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pongthep Thepkanchana, deputy Prime Minister, defended that the bill was in accordance with the constitution and it was similar to other loan bills previously enforced.

Moreover, the legislature can still hold a vote of no-confidence against the bill if they think it is violating the law.

Mr. Suranant Vejjajiva, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, added that the 2-trillion decree will not be incorporated into the state fund, because it would not need to submit to national fiscal budget. Hence, it cannot be considered violating Section 169.

The decision of the Council of State Secretary General on Friday also agrees with Mr. Suranant′s argument.

However, the appendix section of the decree includes the actual figure of the fund needed, and how it will be spent, also step-by-step procedures and evaluation process, which will be reported to the Cabinet and the Parliament.

Now one can argue interestingly that; (A) if the controversial degree does not represent any significant changes from previous borrowing decree, then how could the opponents rally against it?

(B) Suppose that the bill strictly listed up borrowing causes, budget figure, examination and evaluation procedures like any other projects previously applied, with recognition from both the government and the Parliament, will there be any other doubts against it?

Now one can simply imply from the attitude of the anti-government critics whether their opposition against the plan to uplift the quality of the nation is sincere or not.

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