Trucker Confesses To Smuggling Caged Cats For Food

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11 July 2013, 19:49

(11
July) Police in Nakhon Phanom province have arrested a man who attempted to smuggle over 90 cats
packed tightly inside the tiny cages on his pickup truck out of Thailand to be processed into food.

Following tips from informants that a cargo of illegal animal transporting near Thai-Lao
border in Nakhon Phanom, the police arrested Mr. Sodsai Ampawa, 26, a resident of Buriram province,
as he drove along the road in Kam Charoen village, Baan Paeng district.

On the back of the
truck police found 6 plastic cages, each housing around 20-25 cats. Mr. Sodsai told police he was
hired by a businessman to transport the cats from Mahasarakarm province, and he intended to cross
the border into Laos via a boat in Mekong River.

Police charged him with animal abuses,
transporting animals without permit, and transporting animals into pandemic-risk area without proper
vaccination.

Pol.Maj. Sakchai Saadmarerng, commander of Baan Paeng police, said destination
of the animal cargo was most likely Vietnam where the cats would be processed into food for exotic
delicacy.

There have been many cases of Thai smugglers sending dogs to be eaten in Vietnam,
Pol.Maj. Sakchai said, but this is first time he has encountered case of cat smuggling. He said it
is not clear who′s behind the trade and how much money was involved.

Two Thai Women Escape From 'Sex Slavery' At Hong Kong Brothel

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Khaosod English

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11 July 2013, 17:17

The 2 victims and Ms. Paveena Hongsakul at the press conference

(10 July) 2 Thai women lured into prostitution in Hong Kong managed to contact Thai
authorities to rescue them after their escape from the brothel where they said they were forced to
provide sex to the patrons for 19 hours a day without pay.

Today the 2 women, identified as
Ms. A and Ms. B, told the press of their harrowing story in a press conference co-organised by
Pavena Foundation, a women rights charity, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Division of the Royal
Thai Police (AHTD) which coordinated their rescue back to safety in Thailand.

The pair told
reporters that they were approached in Thailand by someone who claimed to represent career agency
and offered them a job at massage parlour in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. They were
promised monthly pay around 80,000-90,000 baht per month.

Once they arrived in Hong Kong on
4 July via a Carthay Pacific flight, they said, a Hong Kong man met them at the airport and took
them to a room in Kowloon district, where they were locked in for a time.

Later, according
to the victims, they were forced into prostituting for the brothel′s patrons from 07.00-02.00 each
day, and they were allowed only 2 small meals throughout the day. The victims said they called the
man who met them at the airport, begging him to help, but the man threatened them that if they
attempted to seek help from authorities the pair would be murdered along with their family in
Thailand.

According to the victims, they were told they were in debt for the plane tickets
that brough them to Hong Kong, and they must serve 200 customers to pay that debt, then they would
be paid 60 Hong Kong dollars (around 240 baht) for each patron they serve.

The victims said
they were forced to service around 40 men over the 3 days as sex slaves at the brothel. Many of the
patrons are reportedly Nepalese and Pakistani men. According to Ms. A and Ms. B, there was another
Thai woman who works willingly at the establishment, while some Russian and Chinese women were
also present at the brothel.

Eventually, the pair said, they escaped the brothel at 05.00 one
morning, and hailed a cab to Hong Kong airport where they stayed for 4 days, ever fearful of
retaliation by the brothel thugs. They said they later phoned Pavena Foundation for help and were
helped back to Thailand.

Ms. Pavena Hongsakul,
chairwoman of the Pavena Foundation, said at the press conference that human trafficking is a global
issue, which every organization must cooperate, not only the Ministry and the police.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Chavalit Sawaengphuech, director of the AHTD,
commented that legal cooperation between Thailand and Hong Kong would allow Thailand to investigate
on the issue and lead to arrest of the suspects. He added that the Ministry of Justice is working in
witness protection and compensation processes for the 2 victims.

Locals Claim They See Lotto Clues On 'Rare Fish' In Sukhotai

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Khaosod English

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11 July 2013, 16:57

(11 July) As the next round of lottery draw approaches, some locals in Sukhotai province are convinced they had found hints to lucky lotto numbers on a group of ?rare? fish in a canal.

The said 4 fish reside in Mae Rumpan canal, near Wang Sadeu village, under shades of a large Caesalpinia tree. They have prominent yellow and black stripes on their bodies which are measured to be 50-60 cm. long. The locals said the fish look very much like tigers, and argue that the fish are most likely a lucky charm.

Locals said they did not know what type of fish they are. A number of villagers believed the fish share same species with giant snakehead, while some said they are of other unknown species as they had never seen such fish before. So far, the local authorities have not visited the site to determine the type of the fish.

Residents from the nearby village gathered to see the 4 fish and look for some lottery clues. Many said they saw numbers like 38,58, and 058 on the back of the strange fish.

Ms. Naeb Ruengkham, a 77-year-old woman in the neighbourhood, said she has never seen this kind of fish before. Ms. Naeb said she saw the group often chase away other fish when they come close to the ?lucky? fish′s young offsprings.

"The fish are very aggressive like tigers – like the colour on their bodies," the woman said.

According to Ms. Naeb, one neighbour of hers dreamed of finding treasures under the Caesalpinia tree. The next day, she said, the neighbour found the fish lingering in the pond by the over-100-year-oldCaesalpinia tree at the canal.

Man Utd Stars Wish Speedy Recovery For His Majesty The King

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Khaosod English

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11 July 2013, 13:21

(11 July) Stars of
Manchester United arrived in Bangkok today amid the cheers of hundreds of Thai fans who had been
camping out in front of the airport′s entrance since early morning to catch the glimpse of the
legendary football team which commands exceptional popularity in the kingdom.

The 20-time
champion of the English Premiere League is scheduled to play against a Thai team in a match
organized by the giant brewery Boon Rawd Brewery on 13 July to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the
company′s founding.

Emerging from VIP reception hall of Don Mueang Airport into the sunlit
Bangkok today were all the household names so many Thais are familiar: Michael Carrick, Phillips
Neville,Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney, the twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, and Andres
Lindegaad.

The new club manager David Moyes and Ryan Giggs were the among the last to appear
– to the thunderous applaud and screams of the faithful fans.

Ms. Supparanee, a 19-year-old
girl from Bangkok, saidshe felt grateful that the team is here. She has been waiting at the airport
since 06.00 for the team to arrive, she said.

As a student, it is an affordable chance for
her to my favourite team here in Thailand, because I cannot afford to see the game at the Old
Trafford, Ms. Supparanee told our correspondent, adding that she still hopes to travel there one
day.

She also said she would love to see Wayne Rooney and Javier ?Chicharito? Balcazar
in persons.

Another man who went by the name ?Giggsy? on social network, also from Bangkok,
said that even though he has been to the Old Trafford many times,but to see The Red Devils in
Thailand is a unique experience.

While the games at Old Trafford were intense, Mr. Giggsy
said, the game that is going to take place here felt slightly more relaxing. Additionally, he
thought it is a great chance for the Thai fans to see their favourite team up close, and an
opportunity to create a football atmosphere in Thailand.

Having been a Man Utd fan
since 1978, Mr. Giggsy said the changes in team management are expected. However, he said that Man
Utd never brings him any disappointment.

In the game of football, sometimes you win,
sometimes you lose said Mr. Giggsy concluded.

Later in the late morning, David Moyes led
some of his squad to Siriraj Hospital, where His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Queen have been
residing, to send their well-wishes messages to the 2 monarchs. There, the team laid down Thailand′s
traditional bouquets in front of the portraits of the King and Queen.

The Red Devils is
scheduled to visit Manchester United Soccer School in Muengtong Thani complex later in the day to
meet with selected young fans and teach them some football tricks.

Protesters Attempt To Bar Yingluck From Entering Ministry of Defense

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Khaosod English

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11 July 2013, 12:47

Military commanders greeting Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra

(11
July) Anti-government protesters outraged by the appointment of PM Yingluck Shinawatra as the new
Defense Minister gathered in front of the Ministry of Defense in Bangkok today in hope that Ms.
Yingluck would be prevented from executing her first day of work.

The group calling itself
Networks of Thai Who Love Their Nation numbered around 300 individuals. Convinced that Ms.
Yingluck would arrive at the Ministry around 11.00, they scattered to block all entrances to the
Ministry, which locates just opposite the famous Grand Palace in Bangkok′s Old City district.

The group′s leaders took turn to give speeches on their loudspeaker truck, denouncing Ms.
Yingluck and her brother Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, whom they saw as corrupt anti-monarchy
tyrant.

Many of the leaders are veteran activists of the Yellowshirts movement, the
self-declared nemesis of Mr. Thaksin, including Mr. Tul Suttisomwong who had previously written on
his Facebook that the military should be ashamed because the new Defense Minister is a
whore.

The protesters were greeted by over 1,350 riot police officers and military police
who barred the entrances to the Ministry with iron fences to keep the protesters out. The police
closed one traffic lane for the protesters to stage their rally.

The protest was largely
peaceful until one of the group leaders attempted to storm past the police line into the Ministry.
He was quickly apprehended, while the outraged protesters rushed in and clashed with the riot police
who stood their ground.

The protesters then resorted to throwing objects at the police, but
the officers did not respond. The clashes eventually subsided.

Ms.Yingluck managed to arrive
at the Ministry on 11.09 via the motorcade escorted by police officers. The protesters could do
nothing other than shouting insults at her arrival. Once inside the compound, the smiling
Ms.Yingluck immediately proceeded to pray to the spirit shrines at the Ministry. However, she was
forced to cancel the planned worship at City Pillar Shrine as the protesters were rallying
nearby.

Top ranking military commanders were present in the ceremony to welcome her first day
in office. It is unclear if the gesture would calm the ongoing rumors – spread mostly by
anti-government critics – that the military is contemplating a military coup against her
administration.

DSI Accuses 'Luang Pu Nen Kam' Of Numerous Crimes

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Khaosod English

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10 July 2013, 20:31

(10 July) The Department of Special Investigation or DSI said it was
taking over cases of Luang Pu Nen Kham, the controversial monk reputed to be extremely wealthy,
after someevidences suggest that he may have committed serious offenses such as fraud, sexual abuse
of underage girl, and even manslaughter.

DSI Director-General, Mr. Tharit Pengdit, saidon
Tuesday that DSI was taking over the case of Pra Weeraphol Sukphon, more commonly known as Luang Pu
Nen Kham, listing 8 allegations against him, which are:

Violating the
Computer Crimes Act by posting false online-advertisement luring people to donate for the building
of world’s largest replica of the Emerald Buddha
Sexually abusing a child aged
under 15-year-old
Tax evasion of at least 9 imported cars
Drug abuse
Proclaiming false Doctorate Degree Certificate from so-called
World Peace University
Manslaughter; unintentionally killed a man by
driving over the person
Money laundering, spending donated money for
individual purposes and depositing abroad
Boasting of supernatural
powers

Today, Mr. Tharit and his team has conducted field investigation in Ubon
Ratchathani province, and found that during 2009-2011,Nen Kham and his associates bought 22
Mercedez-Benz cars, spending approximately 95 million baht from donations. Moreover, some of these
cars may be involved car-tax evasion.

DSI and Central Institute of Forensic
Science (CIFS) will conduct another field works in Ubonratchathani and Si Saket provinces to get the
DNA test of an 11-year-old boy whose mother claims he is her and Nen Kham’s
child.

The DNA examples will be taken from Nen Kham’s parents, which DSI
officials said should yield the results within 24 hours with 99% accuracy. However, the mother of
the child will need to assent the request, but DSI officials say they are certain that Nen Kham’s
parents would cooperate.

DSI also announced it will immediately ask Anti-Money
Laundering Office (AMLO) to freeze Nen Kham’s assets, and would ask the Office of National Buddhism
(ONAB) to consider expelling Nen Kham from monkhood.

Additionally, Mr. Tharit said that once DSI have collected enough evidences for
the court, the authority will seek an arrest warrant as soon as possible.

Luang Pu Nen Kham is thought to be abroad at the moment. He said he was on

eligious trip in France, but some reports suggested he has already left the country for the
US.

PM Yingluck Calls For Economic 'Workshop' This Friday.

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Khaosod English

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10 July 2013, 18:28

(10 July) Ms.
Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, had assigned the economic related
ministers to gathered relevant details for ?workshop meeting? concerning Thailand
economic aspects taking place this Friday.

Mr. Pakdeehan Himathongkam,
deputy spokesman of the PM′s office, confirmed the meeting and explained that the workshop on July
12th will be a brainstorming session in which different Ministries exchange information to discuss
problems and solutions to maintain the country′s economic growth for the latter half of this
year.

Mr. Pakdeehan said the meeting will also include the Minister of
Interior to define the administration of the country′s economic-related policies.

Minister of Transport Hails Motorcycle Taxi To Work

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Khaosod English

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10 July 2013, 18:25

(10 July) Images of
Transport Minister Chatchart Sittipan riding on motorcycle taxi have surfaced and caused much
interest on Thai social network.

Mr.
Chatchart has previously vowed to tackle chronic problems in Bangkok′s public transportation system
and instructed top officials at his ministry to regularly use public transports in order to see for
themselves the woes that so many common Thais have suffered in their daily commutes.

Few
weeks ago, he was even photographed taking a public bus from the Government House to catch the
flight at Don Mueang Airport, although it was reported he had to switch from bus to car on the way
because he was running out of time.

In an interview, Mr. Chatchart explained the story behind
the pictures of him on motorcycle taxi. On that day, Mr. Chatchart said, he had a meeting with
director of Bangkok Mass Transport Authority (BMTA)
at 08.00 and had initially planned to to take the bus there again.

However, he said he
quickly realized that he wouldn?t have enough time, so he resorted to the possibly speediest way to
get around on Bangkok streets: the orange-clad motorcycle taxi.

According to Mr. Chatchart,
he made suggestions to the director of BMTA that he hoped might improve public bus service. He said
the measures include rearranging some bus routes to avoid traffic jam.

It is not clear who
originally distributed the pictures to the social network, and Mr. Chatchart insisted it was not his
doing.

'Jealous Love Triangle' Ends With Deaths Of Man And School Girl

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Khaosod English

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10 July 2013, 15:42

(10 July) A 14-year old school girl and her boyfriend in Chumpon
province were stabbed dead following what witnesses describe as a heated argument with a man over
their love triangle.

Police officers arrived at a school in
Sawee district after receiving call of the incident around midnight to find the dead body of Ms. B
(real name undisclosed) in the pool of blood near the school ground. She was dressed in Girl Scout
uniform and carrying a school bag.

The
body of Mr. Wanchai Kosol, 24, was found nearby. He was stabbed in his left side of the chest, rib
cage, and his wrist while Ms. B was stabbed in both
sides of her chest and her back. The knife was stuck on Mr. Wanchai′s
chest.

Witnesses said they saw Mr. Wanchai, Ms. B, and an unidentified male teenager
arguing loudly near the school. It appeared that both Mr. Wanchai and the suspect are partners of
Ms. B and they were trying to settle the issue for good, according to the
witnesses.

Eventually, witnesses said, the suspect
attacked Ms. B with the knife, and as Mr. Wanchai tried to defend her he was stabbed, too. The
suspect reportedly fled the scene immediately.

A local told our correspondent Ms. B was
already dating Mr. Wanchai when she fell in love with the suspect, who demanded that Ms. B break up
with Mr. Wanchai, but she appeared to be reluctant to do so.

PM Yingluck Dismisses Rumor Of Possible 'Egypt-Style' Coup

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Khaosod English

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10 July 2013, 15:12

PM Yingluck Shinawatra greets overseas Thai students under governmental program during their visit to Thailand.

(9 July) PM Yingluck Shinawatra vowed that there would be no military coup in Thailand,
dismissing the rumor about imminent coup that has been spreading after Ms. Yingluck was named
Defense Minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle.

Although Thailand has been flooded with rumors of possible coup for
the last 5-6 years – following the actual coup in 2006 which deposed Ms Yingluck′s brother – the
news of recent military intervention in Egypt has given idea to some anti-government critics that
the Thai military might become fed up with perceived mismanagement of the Yingluck administration
and followed Egypt′s example.

Ms. Yingluck appeared to be aware of such comparison as she said in the press conference
that The lesson can be learned from other countries. I believe no one wants to do harm to their own
country.

Asked if she had talked to Gen. Yuthasak Sasiprapa, the Deputy Minister of Defense,
about the rumor, the Prime Minister said she and Gen. Yuthasak have indeed consulted with each
other, but only on official matters.

In the same press conference, Ms.
Yingluck also insisted that everything is not a political game, and that being politicized will
makes people biased against facts and opinions.

Ms. Yingluck said
time will prove that the government is doing their best under limited circumstances to yield great
benefits for everyone. She acknowledged that as the government is working towards their 3rd year in
the 1st term, it is likely that the administration is facing increasingly tougher
issues.

However, it depends on the people whether this government would
work full term, but I believe that the people will give the government a chance, she was quoted as
saying.

Ms. Yingluck also commented on the leaked audio clip which
allegedly revealed conversation between 2 top politicians about the plan to bring her brother Mr.
Thaksin Shinawatra back home to Thailand. Mr. Thaksin, ousted in 2006 military coup and convicted in
absentia of corruption charges, remained influential and polarizing figure in Thai
politics.

She said the audio clip does affect the government but noted
that officials still need to carefully investigate the issue.

When a reporter asked her if she had
talked to Mr. Thaksin recently at all, Ms. Yingluck simply smiled and left the press
conference.

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