100 Year Old Boat Salvaged From River, Promptly Worshipped

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3 July 2013, 20:51

(3 July) Wreckage of a
wooden boat believed to be around 100 years old was recovered from a river in Kanchanaburi province
and, unexpectedly, attracts crowds of worshipers.

Mr. Man Pannawan, a rescue diver working
for Kanchaburi municipality, told our correspondent he was initially summoned to Wat (temple)
Chaichumpol Chanasongkram after a woman′s wallet fell into the river near the temple as she was
feeding the fish there.

Mr. Man said he was reluctant to dive into the 14 meter deep river at
first. But a spiritual force eventually convinced me to do so, he said.

At the river
bottom, he was surprised to discover a large, ancient-looking boat. He immediately alerted his
supervisor about the discovery. The rescue workers then arrived and dragged the drownded boat to a
pier near Phra Sangkaraj Bridge, which served better as a site for salvage operation.

The
crew proceeded to lift up the boat with crane trucks. However, it initially failed to retrieve the
boat, causing locals who were crowding the riverbank to suggest that the boat was cursed. Some said
they believed the spirit of the boat owner kept it stuck underwater.

Encouraged by these
suggestions, Mr. Man brought incenses and prayed to the boat owner′s ghost and other supernatural
beings, announcing that his team does not intend to insult their power and assuring those spirits
that the locals would worship the boat. After the ritual, he signaled the crane drivers to try for
the second time, and they succeeded.

The boat was built with teak wood and partly decorated
with brass. The engine attached to the boat was a steam-operated motor with oil container. Letters
17 BS 000 were inscribed on its side.

The wreckage is now housed at Chaichumpol
Chanasongkram Temple for the locals to visit and worship. Phra Rajavisuttimethee, abbot of the
temple, said it is up to each individual to decide whether coincidence or miracle that led the
rescue team into discovering the boat.

Reports say that unfortunately for the woman who
dropped her wallet into the spot where the boat was found, her wallet could not be located by the
diver.

Outspoken ‘Reformist’ Student Stripped Of School Presidency

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Khaosod English

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3 July 2013, 18:44

Netiwit Chotpatpaisan during TV debate on Channel 3

BANGKOK — A student who won a class presidency from campaigns that advocated for more freedom at school was stripped of his position today.

Netiwit “Frank” Chotiphatphaisal, who won a landslide victory last Monday, said school officials informed him the election result had been nullified because he was not present to cast the vote. Netiwit protested the decision, saying the election guidelines did not explicitly require the winner to be present at the poll. The school management reportedly told him the rule is universally recognized in many democracies.

Apart from removing Netiwit, the management of Nawaminthrachinuthit School also dissolved the entire 25-member Student Council, leaving the school without a student governing body in the next 12 months.

Speaking by phone, the outspoken student activist said he was absent from school on that day because he was attending an event at Royal Plaza, which commemorated the 81st anniversary of a revolt that paved way for democracy in Thailand.

Netiwit said he knew he risked being disqualified by attending the event, but decided that it was more important to participate in the event to celebrate 81st birthday of Thailand′s democracy.

“I was a fool to have run in the election in the first place,” Netiwit said. “I have hesitated many times about the burdens that will be placed on me as Student President anyway.”

Although he said he would not contest the school’s order, he criticized the dissolution of the student governing body.

“It′s unnecessary. I already quit,” Netiwit said. “They should have been content about that and kept the Student Council.”

The student ran for the election on a platform which has gained nationwide attention. He called for abolition of the military-like haircut imposed on schoolboys in many public schools, and the strict hairstyle girls are required to wear.

He has said such regulation has nothing to do with academic excellence, and would dampen creativity and sense of individual freedom for young people.

But his crusade also sparked controversy. Last week, an article on Naewna newspaper, a conservative news outlet, accused him of attempting to destroy Thai culture. Many social media users have lambasted him for “betraying his country.”

On June 24, he won more than 50 percent of the votes. He attributed his victory to the sentiment of the students that sympathized with his campaign against petty regulations. In a previous interview, Netiwit said he would use his elected position to push for reforms.

Now that he has been stripped of office, Netiwit said his activist group would organize
volunteer and charity works that his fellow students can participate in order to instill them a sense of civic duty.

AMLO To Probe '200 Mil. Baht' In Controversial Monk's Accounts

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Khaosod English

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3 July 2013, 16:19

(3 July) The national
anti-money laundering agency is set to investigate the bank accounts of a controversial abbot which
were alleged to house more than 200 million baht, as calls for Buddhist authorities to punish the
monk for his excessive lifestyle are growing.

Luang Pu Nen Kam Chattiko was launched into
national and worldwide attention after circulation of video showing him riding private jetplane,
toting an iPhone and Louis Vuitton bag.

He was later revealed to command numerous spiritual
followers, many of them businessmen and police officers, while at his Wat Pa Kantitham monastery in
Si Saket province the construction of World′s Biggest Emerald Buddha statue, believed to have cost
2.5 billion baht in donation money, was recently completed.

His followers say Luang Pu Nen
Kam is a reincarnation of a blessed man. The term Luang Pu means Elder/Grandfather Monk, as his
supporters insist that he had accumulated many years as a holy man in his previous
lives.

Today, Phra Kru Wisuttiyarn, prelate of the Buddhist monks? order in Si Saket
province, said that the investigation committee formed by the order is still waiting to meet with
Luang Pu, who is currently believed to be traveling in Europe, so they can discuss about his
behavior.

The prelate gave deadline for Luang Pu Nen Kam to meet with the committee within
the end of July. If the monk did not show up within appointed time, Phra Kru Wisuttiyarn said, he
will be barred from entering any temple under jurisdiction of the Buddhist
authorities.

As for news reports about Luang Pu
Nen Kam′s massive wealth in his bank accounts, Phra Kru Witsuttiyarn said it is not against Buddhist
dogma for monks to have money because they need to pay for medical care and travels, but it is
imperative that the money is strictly reserved for religious cause and not personal
possession.

On the same day, Mr. Permpoon Puenprasit, deputy chief of the Division of Special
Investigation (DSI), said many Buddhists have filed request that his agency launch an investigation
into Luang Pu′s wealth and the construction of the gigantic ?Emerald Buddha? statue.

He said
the DSI will cooperate with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) in their efforts to probe the
monk′s assets.

Mr. Permpoon said the DSI will also look into an establishment called World
Peace University after it emerged that one of Luang Pu Nen Kam′s major supporter who serves as his
de facto spokesman to the press has a doctoral degree from the said university but national
education record does not recognize the establishment as legitimate college.

Meanwhile, Mr.
Songkran Acchariyasab, an anti-corruption activist, met with Pol.Cpt. Suwanee Sawangpol, vice
secretary of the AMLO′s operation unit, to file report about possible fraud surrounding Luang Pu Nen
Kam′s Emerald Buddha project.

Mr. Songkran said he believed the 2.5 billion baht Emerald
Buddha could have been completed with no more than 30 million baht. Moreover, he said the AMLO
should find out what happened to roughly 8,000 kilogram of gold worth of 9 billion baht that Luang
Pu has raised through his donors.

The activist told AMLO representative that some relatives
of Luang Pu Nen Kam is abnormally rich, with some properties in their possession worth over 20
million baht along with numerous sports cars.

Pol.Cpt. Suwanee Sawangpol, the AMLO official, told
our correspondent that 70-80% of the monk′s assets are suspected to be illegal, as millions of
baht were transfered daily from dozens of bank accounts held by Luang Pu Nen Kam and his close
followers. Movement of such vast money is against anti-money laundering laws, she said.

She
said these bank accounts have been frozen by AMLO′s order now, and added that if it is confirmed
that the money has been used in purchasing expensive goods such as cars, the account holder might be
guilty under anti-money laundering legislations.

Many bank accounts of Luang Pu and his
followers have already been investigated and the agency will continue to probe in to the rest, she
said.

Mr. Amnart Buasiri, vice director of the Office of National Buddhism (ONAB),
said the Office cannot examine the assets of Luang Pu′s monastery because it was registered as
charity foundation and not as Buddhist temple, therefore exempting it from national Buddhist
authorities. He said he is relying on AMLO to do the work.

'White Masks' Group Calls For An End To Weekly Anti-Govt Rally

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Khaosod English

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3 July 2013, 15:15

(3 July) The Facebook group which has
been coordinating the activities of the anti-government ?White Masks? group suddenly suggested that
the weekly rally in central Bangkok should be emporarily suspended.

V For Thailand,
which has been playing crucial role in the latest wave of protests against the government of PM
Yingluck Shinawatra, wrote that the suspension to the rally in Bangkok is intended to offer chance
for the numerous groups joining their protests to consider whether your way is what V people
want.

V For Thailand will hereby suspend its activities in Bangkok. V will return in the
next season when every group and every individual is ready to operate under the way of V = We =
People that do not solely belong to anyone, part of the statement reads.

However, the
statement made clear that the weekly White Masks rallies in other provinces would go on.

The
statement might come as a puzzle for many of it supporters, who have adopted the Guy Fawkes Masks as
their anti-government symbol after viral campaigns by the group. The ?White Masks? rallies in
Bangkok, staged every Sunday afternoon at the plaza of Central World shopping mall, have been
gaining considerable media attention and numbers of protesters have been visibly
increasing.

Nevertheless, it is understood that the group, which preached of decentralized,
leaderless movements, has been increasingly infiltrated by veteran members of the Yellowshirts in
their recent rallies. The Yellowshirts are self-sworn enemies of Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra,
brother of Ms. Yingluck, whom they view as corrupt, anti-monarchy dictator.

The Yellowshirts?
hands in the White Masks protests can be easily distinguished in the latest anti-government rally in
central Bangkok on last Sunday (30 June). Trucks loaded with loudspeakers led the protests along
Rama IV Road on their march to Bangkok Art&Cultural Center, while speakers on the trucks gave
directions and speeches to the protesters.

Such a level of high
organization is not previously seen in White Masks protests, and reminds many observers of the
conventional protests held by the Yellowshirts and their nemesis the Redshirts. Indeed, some
speakers on the trucks on 30 June are familiar faces from the ranks of the Yellowshirts.

Many
White Masks sympathizers have complained of the extremely rude and inflammatory speeches made by
those Yellowshirts hijackers.

In one case, an individual who once served as guard for
Yellowshirts rallies showed up in a rally by the White Masks in Chiang Mai province and encouraged
the group to confront the Redshirts who were staging counter-protest nearby. When fistfights
erupted, though, the man was nowhere to be seen.

On V For Thailand Facebook page, reactions
to the group′s call for rally suspension were mixed. While some applauded the group′s decision to
stop the activities before they are further hijacked, some voice their opposition.

What′s
up with this ?leader? saying what V can or cannot do? a user commented, I thought V movement is
leaderless?

Police Warn Of Fake 500 Baht Banknotes Circulation

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Khaosod English

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3 July 2013, 14:52

(3
July) Counterfeit 500 baht banknotes are circulating in Ang Thong province, police have warned,
after they were alerted by the owner of a construction equipment company who was paid in fake bills.

Mr. Weera Tarmboon, 44, told police he discovered about the fake banknotes when he handed
out changes to a customer earlier today. The customer told him the banknote felt stange, so Mr.
Weera checked the bill, realized it was fake, and apologized profusely to the customer. He later
called police to investigate.

Mr. Weera said he could not remember who gave him the banknote,
but suggested that it was one of the customers who have visited his shop throughout the day, buying
cements, bricks, stones, and metals.

Police officers told our correspondent the counterfeit
money appears to be very convincing, and unsuspecting individuals might be easily duped.

However, they say, a closer inspection would reveal that the small Garuda on the fake bill
isn?t covered by serial number and the back of the banknote will show stronger shade of violet color
than genuine 500 baht bills.

Police say they reports from other shops and stores in Ang Thong
province started to trickle in as well, and they have dispatched officers to inform many shop owners
in the province about the matter.

Nattawut Speaks Out On Photo Showing Him In 'Feudal' Manner

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Khaosod English

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2 July 2013, 18:20

(2 July) Deputy Minister
of Commerce and prominent Redshirt leader Nattawut Saikuea hits back at critics who accuse him of
treating his subordinates like feudal slaves after a photo of 2 officials kneeling down next to him
in a meeting room surfaced in social network.

The photo is said to
originate from Mr. Sirichok Wallpaper Sopa, an MP of the opposition Democrat Party, who posted it
on his Facebook account, with a caption that reads Ammart?

Ammart means feudalistic
rulers, and is a phrase adopted by the Redshirts to attack whom they saw as the oppressive upper
class elite. Another variation of the term is Ammartayatippatai or Ammartocracy.

Mr. Sirichok, nicknamed Wallpaper by the media for his regular appearance behind Democrat
leader Abhisit Vejjajeeva in numerous press conferences, seemed to suggest that Mr. Nattawut
renegades on his Redshirts agenda.The photo was widely shared by anti-government
critics.

Later, Mr. Nattawut wrote on his Facebook that the photo was taken yesterday at the
Ministry of Commerce while he waited for the Minister of Commerce to attend a meeting. He said the 2
officials briefly went on their knees to tell him about the meeting procedure. Mr. Nattawut added
that the encounter was longer than a minute.

He denied accusation of harboring aloof attitude
as Deputy Minister, insisting that officials at the Ministry are familiar with his humble, friendly
behavior.

I eat the rice from the same pot as the officials, housekeepers, and the security
guards everyday because I invite them to have meals in my office. We share what we have and we make
jokes all the time. No one gossips behind my back – unlike the Wallpaper′s Prime Minister who ran
away from military service, Mr. Nattawut wrote, referring to Mr. Abhisit′s failure to report for
mandatory military draft few decades ago.

Toddler In Coma After 'Brutal Attack' By Stepfather

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Khaosod English

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2 July 2013, 16:31

(1 July) 15-year old
mother in Pathumthai province told police her husband has rutally hurt her 2-month baby girl by
liquor in her mouth and slamming her on the floor, sending the toddler into coma.

The baby
has been receiving intensive care at the provincial hospital since 28 June. When the baby was
admitted to the hospital, medical staff told our correspondent, there was profuse bleeding in her
brain and intestines, while her body was bruised in many places.

The 2 month old toddler is
now attached to breathing apparatus. The governor of Pathumthani province has visited the hospital
and promised assistance to the baby′s mother.

Ms. A (real name undisclosed due to legal
reason), 15, said the baby is the child she had with the previous husband. Recently, she said, she
married Mr. Sanya Channu, 31, son of a senior police officer. Ms. A said Mr. Sanya makes his living
by leasing spots in markets to vendors.

According to Ms. A′s testimony to the police, she
was living with Mr. Sanya′s house at Lamlukka district. She said Mr. Sanya is an alcoholic man with
violent behavior who often beats her when he gets drunk.

She told police she has asked for
divorce many times but he refused, and she endured his abusive treatment because she was fearful of
Mr. Sanya′s influence as a high-ranking police officer′s son.

On the day of the incident, Ms.
A said, Mr. Sanya was holding her baby but she defecated on him, which drove him very mad. The baby
started crying very loudly, so Mr. Sanya reportedly poured liquor into her mouth to make her stop
crying, then slammed the baby hard onto the floor. Ms. A said she hurried the baby to the
hospital.

Later, police arrested Mr. Sanya on charge of deliberate murder when he was
visiting the hospital to ask the medical staff to hand the baby back to him. Mr. Sanya denied all
charges and told police he wished to speak in court.

Ms. A is currently staying at a
governmental emergency shelter for abused women. She said she intended to pursue the matter against
Mr. Sanya until she has justice.

Buddhist Group Protests 'Offensive' German Buddha Statue

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Khaosod English

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2 July 2013, 15:45

BANGKOK – Buddhist activists rallied in front of the German Embassy in Bangkok today to voice their opposition to art installation in the German city of Munich which involved Buddha statue lying on his back.

The protest. billed as a "peaceful way to stop the insults on Buddhism", was led by the World Fellowship of Buddhist organization and attended by approximately 300 supporters.

Mr. Ponchai Pinyapong, representative of the group, said the protesters are incensed by display of Buddha statue lying on his back in the old market area of Munich, which was a part of art project overseen by Mr Hans-Georg Kuppers, chief of the city′s cultural department. The project is said to be on display till September.

Mr. Ponchai considered the display of Buddha in such manner "unacceptable" because Buddha was a holy figure that should not be treated with disrespect. He said he had received complaints from Thai Buddhists in Germany, and his group demanded German government to intervene and stop the art project without delay.

He said the artist had no understanding of true Buddhism, and had offended Buddhists around the world.

An official from the German Embassy received the group′s complaint letter and assured the protesters that the complaint will be relayed to the German cultural department. The protesters then dispersed, but not before announcing that they would "escalate" their protest if no action had been taken in near future.

Hardline Buddhists, often backed by the national Buddhist organization, have previously made many complaints to shops, restaurants, and art galleries in Western countries that have displayed Buddha figure in the manner they consider to be "blasphemous".

There is even a group on Facebook called "Do And Don't on Buddha" which is dedicated solely to naming and shaming of those who "inappropriately" display the Buddha figures.

Newborn Baby 'Left To Die' At Bangkok Canal

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Khaosod English

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2 July 2013, 15:29

(2 July) A male newborn
baby, with umbilical cord still intact, has been found floating in a canal at Soi Pracha Uthit 107,
Bangkok.

The person who discovered the baby said at first she thought it was a doll. When she
realized it was a baby boy, she said, she and her neighbors scrambled to rescue him from the canal
and brought him to the hospital.

The baby’s condition was described as critical due to many
hours partially drowned in the canal, and his chance of survival was said to be
50-50.

Police officers believe the baby was left to die by his parents, adding that locals
told them they heard a motorcycle passing through the vicinity around 04.00-05.00 this
morning.

News of infants abandoned by their parents is routine incidents in Thailand, and the
case mostly involved young, teen couples who had unwanted pregnancy. Recently, some news agencies
also reported that Thailand’s teenage pregnancy rate is the highest in Southeast Asia.

Yet,
abortion remains illegal in Thailand except for medical reasons, and activists struggle to convince
the mostly-conservative Thai society to be more open toward birth-control methods such as
contraceptives and condoms.

Reports: 'Disappointed' Chalerm Refuses To Attend Cabinet Meeting

By

Khaosod English

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2 July 2013, 15:18

(2 July) Mr. Chalerm
Yoobamrung is said to remain very bitter after he was stripped of his position as the Vice Prime
Minister and transferred to oversee the relatively low-profile post of Minister of Labor in the
latest Cabinet shakeup.

According to our source in Pheu Thai Party, Mr. Chlaerm made his
disappointment known by refusing to attend the Cabinet meeting today. He reportedly told the Cabinet
he was taking a day off to undergo health checkup.

Mr. Chalerm is also said to have confided
to his close MPs, including Mr. Adisorn Piangket, that he might also end up resigning from his post
at the Ministry of Labor.

Known for his explosive attitude, Mr. Chalerm has previously
displayed his displeasure at the new Cabinet line-up by failing to show up for 2 important group
photo sessions with other Cabinet members at the Government House.

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