Thailand To Welcome Man Utd Stars This Week

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8 July 2013, 20:22

The renowned football team of Manchester United is set to arrive in Thailand on July 11 before kicking a big match against 'Singha Allstar' on July 13.

Manchester United commands an enormous fanbase in Thailand, where English football leagues are widely broadcasted and extremely popular.

The football match celebrating the 80-Yeal-Old Boon Rawd Brewery & Singha Corporation Co.,Ltd. will be kicked off on July 13, which Manchester United will play against "Singha Allstar" team.

The premiere league champion, led by the newly appointed manager David Moyes, will bring all the big names, such as Robin Van Persie, Wayne Roonie, Nemanja Vidic and Ryan Gigs to the field against the Thai team.

Manchester United plans to reach Thailand on the July 11, before going to sign a get-well message to His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital. The team will then attend the Manchester United Soccer School and teach selected Thai youngsters some football skills.

On July 12, some team members will join light rehearsal, while the others teach at the academy. Later in the evenings, the team will hold an open rehearsal at Rajamangala National Stadium, and a press conference about the match, which takes place the next day.

The event on July 13 will start from 3 pm onwards, with fans activities and souvenir shops. The gate will be opened at 5 pm, followed by the opening ceremony at 7.45 pm by Mr. Santi Bhiromphakdee, Singha Corps. Ltd Managing Director. The game will kick off at 8 pm and will be broadcasted live on MCOT Channel 9.

Afterwards, the squad will set off to Don-Meung Airport for their flight to Australia.

‘Singha Allstars will not be defensive’

Mr. Piyapong Piew-on, Singha Allstar manager, vows that Singha Allstar team will not apply defensive strategy while playing against Manchester United.

“Manchester United is a world class team. We must be prepared, but will not apply defensive strategy to aim for a 0-0 game. We must play crossed-fists even we know we are disadvantageous. We are aiming for a beautiful game, and for the 80th year celebration for Boon Rawd Brewery & Singha Corporation Co.,Ltd., it does not matter if we win or lose, but it matters that the fans will get to see an exciting game. I am also looking forward to learn something from David Moyes too.”

Singha Allstar team members will meet on July 11, at SC Park Hotel, followed by a rehearsal at 7 pm at Thailand Sports Authority Stadium 1.

Parishioner Mauled By Tiger At Temple Sanctuary

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Khaosod English

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7 July 2013, 19:21

(7 July) A tiger at a temple shelter in Nakorn Pathom province has attacked one of the temple
parishioners, severely injuring him in the arm and hand.

The incident took place at Wat (Temple) Or Noi in Kampaengsaen District. Police found bloodstain
on one of the 3 tiger cages. The tigers inside the cage were visibly irritated. It was not
immediately clear how and why the man was attacked.

In total, 5 tigers live at the monastery. Luang Pu (Elder/Grandfather Monk) Dharma Issara, the
temple abbot, told police he had been sheltering the tigers since 2003. He said the tigers were
legally acquired and the Forest Department has approved their stay in the
temple.

The abbot said the temple will foot the bill for the injured man′s medical
cares.

A number of temples in Thailand serve as
sanctuary for tigers. Some monasteries became very popular with foreign tourists by offering the
tourists a chance to take photo next to these wild cats.

'White Masks' Rally In Bangkok With Much Smaller Crowd

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Khaosod English

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7 July 2013, 18:25

(7 July) Hundreds of anti-government protesters gathered for their
weekly rally today in central Bangkok despite earlier reports that the group′s coordinators have
suspended its activities in Bangkok.

The Facebook group V For Thailand, which has been playing
a crucial role in initiating the wave of anti-government protest that saw its sympathizers adopting
Guy Fawke Masks as their symbol, has posted a statement calling for a emporary suspension of
further rally in Bangkok, out of fear that their movement is increasingly subverted by veteran
activists of the Yellowshirts.

Both the Yellowshirts and the so-called White Masks
campaign against the government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra, arguing that she is merely a puppet of
her older brother Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, whom the Yellowshirts and the White Masks protesters
see as corrupt, anti-monarchy figure.

V For Thailand suggested that the White Masks
rallies in Bangkok be suspended after some members of the Yellowshirts leaderships appeared in the
recent marches and attempted to dominate the largely-decentralized
protests.

Nevertheless, around 300-400 protesters wearing their
trademark Guy Fawkes Masks showed up at the usual rallying point in front of Central World shopping
mall today. As usual, they marched along Rama IV Road to their destination at Bangkok
Art&Culture Center before dispersing in the evening.

Also, as usual, some of the
protesters carried banners vilifying Mr. Thaksin and Ms. Yingluck. Thaksin′s Minions, Get Out!
some protesters shouted along the march, while some others hold up banners accusing the government
of mismanaging their country.

However, the number of the protesters visibly dwindled, our correspondent at
the scene has reported. In previous weeks, several thousands of the White Masks flooded the heart of
Bangkok′s downtown. The police estimated that only
o more than 400 protesters showed up
today.

The decline in participants number is due to confusion over
the V For Thailand′s statement and fear that the more aggressive Yellowshirts might hijack the
rallies, our correspondent said.

Earlier this week, there has been reports that a wing of
the Yellowshirts would don the masks of Hanumarn – the mythical white monkey god in the Ramayana
epic – and step in to lead the protest this week. The report appeared to be untrue. Our
correspondent has seen no Hanumarn Masks in the crowd, although some police officers say they
spotted 3-4 Hanumarns at the rally.

The protest ended without any reported violence. The
next rally – according to V For Thailand group – is to take place in front of Lumpini Park on 14
July.

Surin Vendor Seeks Help For Her 'Snake-like' Daughter

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Khaosod English

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6 July 2013, 10:49

(5 July) A vendor
in Surin province has asked Khaosod to publish the story of her disabled daughter in hope that
sympathetic citizens might send her help.

Ms. Somniang Sinsiri, 48, sells
pa tong go (Thai street breakfast delicacy made of flour) at the bus depot in Prasart
district when she is free from seasonal rice-farming works.

When our
correspondent visited her, she was cradling her 10-year old daughter, Yok. Despite her age, Yok can
neither communicate verbally nor walk upright. She crawls around on the floor, earning a nickname
The Snake Girl from her neighbors.

Ms. Somniang said Yok is her 3rd and
youngest child. She told our correspondent she had to feed food and water to Yok as a mother would
do to a toddler. Yok also suffers from regular seizure, Ms. Somniang
said.

The half-farmer, half-vendor said a doctor at the provincial hospital
told her Yok is suffering from slow brain development. However, even with medicine prescribed to her
by the doctors, Ms. Somniang said, Yok′s conditions barely
improved.

My neighbors told me to seek help from channelers instead,
which I did. The necromancers told me my daughter was a snake in her past life, so I let them
conduct karma-cleansing rituals for my daughter, but that did not help neither, Mr. Somniang
said.

Ms. Somniang told our correspondent she′s entitled to 500
baht per month from the local authority for Yok′s medication, but it was not enough and she
had to stop selling food some days as she had to take care of Yok closely. She pleads for financial
help from any sympathetic reader.

Those who wish to assist Ms. Somniang
are advised to contact Nong Yai Subdistrict Administrative Organization.

'Couple Fight' Led To Spectacular Truck Accident

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Khaosod English

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6 July 2013, 10:03

(6 July) Water truck crashed into 3
vehicles and plunged into a canal near a school in Nakorn Ratchasima province after the driver
reportedly argued with his wife while driving.

The accident took place in front of Suranaree Wittaya school on Mittaparp Road. When police
arrived, Mr Suchart (surname unclear), 38, was being loudly scolded by his apparently angry wife who
was being restrained by the school teachers and some locals from lurching at Mr.
Suchart.

Mr. Suchart told police he was delivering
fresh water to customers in the province and had been arguing hotly with his wife on the way. He
said he lost control of the truck when the woman took hold of the steering wheel and drove the truck
madly onto the sidewalk, hitting 3 cars and the school′s fence, then plunged down the roadside
canal.

However, Mr. Suchart′s wife told the officers she thought she saw a motorcycle coming
toward the truck when she took the steering wheel.

Although no injury was reported, a police
officer said it was extremely fortunate that the school session was ongoing at the time of the
accident.

The officer said the road around the school was usually packed with students leaving school
in their parents? cars or buses in late afternoon, and it would have been a tragedy if the accident
had taken place during that
time.

Girl Severely Injured After Fall From Moving School Van

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Khaosod English

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5 July 2013, 15:20

(4 July) 3-year old girl is fighting for his life in hospital after he fell down from a
moving school van and was crushed under its wheels.

Parita Chanmontol who was nicknamed Por
Chai by her parents was on her way home from the kindergarten in Assumption Bangrak College in
Bangkok when she opened the school van′s door as it sped along Soi Charoen Nakorn 18 and tumbled
onto the road.

The vehicle′s back wheel smashed her rib and shoulder. A rib bone also
punctured her lung. She was sent to Samitivej Hospital and her condition is described as very
severe.

Mr.
Wuttipong Suwansirisilpa, 46, the van driver, said a 6th grader was manning the door, opening and
closing the door when the van dropped off children at their houses.

He said he dropped the 6th grader and
other students off to buy food at a 7-11 store in Soi Charoen Nakorn 18 and continued on
his way with Parita onboard. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Wuttipong said, he heard the car door opened,
so he looked into the rear window and saw Parita falling out of the
car.

I
stopped the car and found her under the van′s wheel, Mr. Wuttipong told police, adding that he was
sure the 6th grader has closed the door properly as she exited the van at the 7-11 store. It is not
immediately clear whether Mr. Wuttipong has locked the van door.

Police believe Parita, who was sitting
near the door, opened the door out of her curiosity. Mr. Wuttipong has been charged with driving
with negligence and causing grievous harms to others.

It is the latest addition to series of
shocking incidents in which school children were killed or injured following acts of negligence.
Earlier this year, in 2 separate incidents, 2 young school children suffocated to death in their
school vans after the staff parked the vehicle and forgot that they were
onboard.

Top Govt Officials Satirize 'Ice Cream Gang' Brouhaha

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Khaosod English

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5 July 2013, 12:16

(5 July) Top officials at the Prime Minister office posted a photo of them having ice
cream to mock the accusation from a disappointed former Vice Prime Minister that they are ice cream
gang.

Previously, Mr. Chalerm Yoobamrung, who was transferred from the top job as Vice PM to
relatively low profile post as Minister of Labor, has stated to the press that a certain ice cream
gang has been formed around PM Yingluck Shinawatra to manipulate her into agreeing with their
agenda.

The
accusation is a thinly veiled reference to a group of bureaucrats working closely with PM Yingluck
such as Mr. Suranand Vejjajeeva, the Secretary General to the Prime Minister and Mr. Teerat
Rattanawee, the newly appointed Spokesman of the Prime Minister Office.

The ice
cream gang is understood to mean those who lick the
Prime Minister′s butt. Mr. Chalerm′s remark has caused a stir in the media, but officials in the
government have insisted that Mr. Chalerm had misunderstood the situation and denied there is
neither any rift in the government nor a clique that can influence the Prime Minister′s decision
solely on their initiatives.

Today, Mr. Teerat himself uploaded a photo to his Instagram showing him and Mr. Suranand
having ice cream together during their ongoing trip to Turkey with PM Yingluck. Here′s the
ice cream gang! Mr. Teerat wrote on his Instagram, obviously mocking Mr. Chalerm′s
charge.

Mr.
Chalerm is widely known for regularly making extravagant and incoherent statements to the media,
which might have factored into PM Yingluck′s decision to transfer him away from the position of Vice
PM.

He is
particularly criticized by other governmental officials for making inflammatory remarks about the
Southern insurgents, even as the administration is attempting to organize peace dialogue with the
insurgents to end the series of attacks allegedly by shadowy separatist groups in the Deep South
which have cost thousands of lives.

Thaksin To Attend Meeting Over Cabinet Shakeup 'Resentment' In HK

By

Khaosod English

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5 July 2013, 11:58

Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong in 2007.

(5 July) Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is due to preside over a meeting with his allied
politicians in Hong Kong this weekend to clear out any disappointment over the recent Cabinet
reshuffle, a source has revealed to Khaosod.

Mr. Thaksin, the former leader ousted by military coup since 2006 but still
wields extraordinary influence over his supporters, is said to talk with those who failed to secure
their coveted seats in the Cabinet and some newly installed Ministers. The source has said Mr.
Thaksin will stay in Hong Kong throughout the weekend.

Politicians slated to meet with Mr. Thaksin included Mr. Chalerm
Yoobamrung, who displayed his resentment openly toward PM Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr. Thaksin′s sister,
after he was demoted from the seat of Vice Prime Minister to Minister of
Labor.

Pol.Maj. Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, is also
said to have submitted his leave to the office and believed to be traveling to Hong Kong with Mr.
Chalerm.

Mr.
Thaksin has been living a life of self-imposed exile for the last few years, traveling between Hong
Kong, Dubai, and other cities to avoid the corruption charges the Thai court convicted him in
absentia. Mr. Thaksin and his supporters argue that the charge was politically
motivated.

Lese Majeste Charge Filed Against Activists' Mock Banknotes

By

Khaosod English

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5 July 2013, 11:29

(4 July) A pro-royal group has filed lese majeste – insult of the Royal Family – charge
against a student activist group for distributing mock banknotes with portraits of historic figures
involved in 1932 Revolution which ended the Absolute Monarchy and paved way for democratic regime in
Siam.

The anknotes were in fact postcards
sold to participants of the rally marking the 81st anniversary of the Revolution in Bangkok′s Royal
Plaza on 24 June 2013. The postcards were published and sold by League of Liberal Thammasart for
Democracy (LTTD), a student group based in Thammasart University.

The
postcards came in 4 different versions. In one, it featured Pridi Banomyong, the leader of the
civilian wing of the People′s Party which toppled the Siamese Absolute Monarchy in 24 June 1932. The
others display portraits of Luang Pibul Songkram and Phraya Pahol Polpayuhasena, the 2 key military
commanders of the People′s Party, and Kularb Saipradit, a progressive writer who was greatly
influenced by the events in 1932.

They were considered to be
offensive enough by the group calling itself The
Royal Monarch Alert Protection Network (RMAPN) which filed the lese majeste charge based on Chapter
112 of the Criminal Codes at Dusit police station.

Mr. Udorn
Saeng-arun, representative of the group, said the LTTD has greatly offended the feeling of Thai
people by distributing the mock banknotes since only the faces of His Majesty the King are allowed
to appear on Thai banknotes.

The news was first reported by Prachatai
news website.

The LTTD has written on its Facebook
account that the postcards-banknotes were tribute to the date of 24 June which the group sees as
important day for Thai democracy. 24 June was once so important that the Thai state declared it as
National Day, until it was changed to His Majesty the King′s Birthday, 5 December, under the
military dictatorship regime years later.

The LTTD argues the said
anknotes would help remind Thais of the long-lost significance of 24 June 1932.

Actions deemed as insult toward the Royal Family are punishable up to 15 years
in jail according to Thai laws. Anyone can file the charge against any individual. The number of
lese majeste charges have risen dramatically in the past 6-7 years, corresponding to the
increasingly confrontational politics in the kingdom.

Many civil
rights activists and academics have voiced support for amendment or abolition of lese majeste laws,
calling it an obstacle to development of free speech in Thailand.

German Businessman Found Dead In Udon Thani Flat

By

Khaosod English

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4 July 2013, 19:37

(4 July) A German citizen has been found dead inside his
condominium room in Udon Thani province. The police believe it is a possible murder case.

The
police were alerted after the body of Mr. Frank Hartwig, 46, was discovered by one of his friends at
Cabana Condominium. Mr. Hartwig′s body, which was wearing only an underwear, was lying face-down on
the floor surrounded in pool of dried blood.

The back of his head showed wounds caused
by blunt object. Police say he has been dead for half a month.

Mr. Almut Meyer, 69, told
police he had been living in Thailand with his Thai wife for 10 years and had become a friend of Mr.
Hartwig, who worked as a computer parts businessman in the German city of Frankfurt. Mr. Meyer said
Mr. Hartwig had a Thai wife but they later divorced. The woman is now reportedly living with her new
husband in Denmark.

Mr. Meyer said Mr. Hartwig liked to drink beer at local shops, and he
last met Mr. Hartwig on 30 May. Afterwards, he said, he went to Europe and talked with Mr. Hartwig
for the last time via chat program on 17 June. Mr. Meyer told police that once he′s back, many
people told him they had not seen Mr. Hartwig for a big while, so he decided to check on Mr. Hartwig
at his condominium.

Mr. Surayut Netprom, 26, general manager at the condominium, said Mr.
Hartwig lived alone in his room, but brought a Thai girl to sleep with him time to time. Earlier
today, he told police, Mr. Meyer said Mr. Hartwig would not answer the door so he went to his room
with spare key. That was when he discovered the body.

The police say the German Embassy has
already been contacted about the matter. As for the cause for death, the officers said it could be
murder and robbery as some properties of Mr. Hartwig were missing, but details are too murky at the
moment.

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