Hit TV Drama 'Gentlemen' Should Be Model For Society, Survey Says

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3 June 2013, 15:43

(3 June) Many Thais feel that the gentlemanly and egalitarian values featured in
TV drama ?The Chutathep Gentlemen? should be practiced more often in real world,
according to an opinion survey.

The survey was conducted by Assumption
University (Abac Poll) and asked 1,985 individuals in 17 provinces about their opinions on the
popular TV drama, which is shown nightly on Channel 3.

Based on the novel with same
name, ?The Chutathep Gentlemen? revolves around love encounters of the 5 sons in the
(fictional) royal-related Chutathep family. The story is understood to take place in the years
following the 1932 Revolution which abolished the Siamese Absolute Monarchy.

The TV production of the novel is heavily laced with ?period? and even
nostalgic themes, and some unsuspecting viewers might be surprised to learn that
?Gentlemen? was published only few years ago.

Of the 5
characters, Khun Chai (title denoting royal blood) Phuttipat, who worked as a doctor in the
drama, seems to be the most popular so far – and is also the focal point of the Abac Poll
survey.

Mr. Noppadol Kannika, director of Abac Poll, revealed the survey result
in the press conference titled ?Watching Drama, Watching Thai Society?. 62.2% of the
respondents say they know about Khun Chai Phuttipat, while 37.8% say they never heard of
him.

Of those who responded they know about the character, 96.3% express their wish
that Thai society needs more gentlemanly behaviors like the examples laid out by Khun Chai
Phuttipat.

The drama′s main plot involved Mr. Phuttipat
falling in love with a common-born woman called Krongkaew who later became the winner in national
beauty contest and was reviled by Mr. Phuttipat′s noble-born family. In defiance of his
family′s prejudice, Mr. Phuttipat eloped with his girlfriend. There is also a subplot about
Mr. Phuttipat protecting Krongkaew from a powerful politician who pressured her to become his
mistress.

The plot
eventually resolved in happy ending, with Khun Chai marrying his love.

Asked about what they like about Khun Chai Phuttipat, 84.1% say they are
impressed by his politeness and egalitarian spirit. 73.9% cited his role as a doctor who worked hard
to help impoverished patients. Others say they admire his bravery, his refusal to bow to influences,
and his committed love to Krongkaew.

Vast majority of the respondents also say they
wish Thai men would behave noblely like Khun Chai Phuttipat. However, 76.7% say they have never
experienced ?gentlemanly behavior? from Thai men.

Mr. Noppadol, the
director of Abac Poll, said it′s interesting to see that 91.8% want TV stations to produce
more dramas that feature such gentlemanly spirit, while 88.2% say they are tired with the mainstream
TV dramas that display a lot of violence like slapping and fighting among the
characters.

Previously, TV drama producers like to think that drama about jealous
fights and affairs are always sell-able\, Mr. Noppadol said, noting that this survey confirms
those soap dramas aren?t what society truly wants to see.

Twins Wed Twins In Kalasin

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Khaosod English

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3 June 2013, 14:45

(2 June) Twin brothers
married their sweethearts – who happened to be twin sisters – today in Kalasin province.

The
wedding ceremony kicked off around 09.00 when the grooms, 23 year old Mr. Watanyu and Mr. Saranyu
Kampriew, led the traditional, rowdy kan mak procession to the brides? house in Kok Krue
village, Yanglard district, to formally ask the brides? parents for the hands of their daughters in
the marriage.

The brides, 23 year old Ms. Saowalos and Ms. Saowalak Prisri, waited with their
parents, who gave them the permission to marry the grooms. The grooms also present their soon-to-be
parents-in-laws with dowry which consists of 370,000 baht in cash and around 1.5 ounces of
gold.

Mr. Watanyu and Mr. Saranyu, who go by their nicknames Klang (middle) and Lek (small),
respectively, told our correspondent that they met Ms. Saowalos and Ms. Saowalak, nicknamed Fah
(sky) and Fon (rain), during their college years. They said Mr. Watanyu started dating Ms. Saowalos
first, then Mr. Saranyu and Ms. Saowalak became attracted to each other later, too.

Both
couples have dated for 6 years before agreeing to marry, and have decided to marry on the same day
as well.

Ms. Saowalos and Ms. Saowalak said that they have their ways of knowing which
person is their boyfriend, assuring our correspondent that there would be no confusion after the
wedding. They said they had dated for 6 years, so they had developed echniques to identify Mr.
Watanyu and Mr Saranyu. They did not say what those methods are.

Mr. Nipon Prisri, father of
the twin brides, said that he believed having twins in his family brings good luck. He said that
even since his daughters were born his farm had seen much success. He expressed his hope that both
couples would also bear twin children.

'Car Race Winning Money' Led To Fatal Shootout

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Khaosod English

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31 May 2013, 18:52

(31 May) Just 10 minutes
past midnight earlier today Saensook police station received reports of a shooting on the Bypass Road along
Nongmon, Chonburi.

Police rushed to the scene to find 1 victim killed, identified as
Mr.Watchara Cheunsiri, 26, lying belly up, his body shot in his right cheek, right arm, chest, head,
and right rib. Police also found the victim’s Suzuki motorcycle license plate 24-175 Chonburi.
Several 9 mm shell casings were found on the scene.

Initial investigations reveal that before
the incident, Mr.Watchara was in talks with Mr.Bas Bangsai about paying up for the winnings of an
automobile race that ended at 23.00 the day before. Reportedly, Mr.Bas lost but refused to pay and
they were unable to come to a conclusion.

Shots then broke out and Mr.Watchara was
outgunned. He ran over to his motorcycle, but Mr.Bas followed and shot him until he was dead, then
fled the scene on a white Honda Jazz, license plate 8553, into Chonburi city center.

Police
say Mr.Watchara had previously been jailed for 6 years, and had only been out for 3 months. He was
unemployed and earned his living in automobile races.

Yasothorn 'Magical Well' Offers Lotto Number

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Khaosod English

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31 May 2013, 17:49

YASOTHON
– After a monk in Si Nual village dreamed of the mythical dragon Naga living in a well 3 years ago,
the hunt for lottery numbers began.

For the past years, local villagers insisted, the power
of the Naga has not only granted them winning lottery numbers, but also provided magical water which
cured whatever illness their elder relatives might be suffering from.

When another round of
lottery drawing approaches – like today – the villagers would flock to the well, which is situated
in the village′s temple. Our correspondent found crowds of villagers praying to the well with incenses and
flowers in their hands.

Some arrived with their buckets and bottles to draw the water,
telling our correspondent they would bring the ?healing water? back to their families.

Next to piles of flowers laid there in
reverence, someone placed twin figures of male and female 5-headed Naga, while a 7-headed Naga King
made of sandstone gazed at the worshipers nearby.

The well itself is 2-meter
wide and 6-10 meter deep. Its surface was covered with dome-shaped room built by the villagers.

Boontun Paopen, 67, a village resident, said a hermit monk arrived in Na Si Nual village and
told the villagers he was walking from Mookdaharn province. Ms. Boontun said one of the first things
the monk did was asking whether there was a well in the village′s temple.

Yes, there′s a
well there, the villagers reportedly told him, explaining that the century-old well in the temple
had been abandoned for years after some kids and cattle accidentally fell into the water. Plus, the
villagers preferred the provincial waterworks these days. So, for 10 years, they had blocked the
well with twigs.

According to Ms. Boontun, the monk stunned the villagers by telling them
they?d better remove all those obstacles from well′s lid because he had a dream that 2 Naga – a male
and female – were living inside that well, and by unblocking their reathing path, the Naga would
bring riches to the community.

Naga are mythical dragons from Buddhist cosmology. Many temple murals and statues feature the Naga spreading its many heads behind Buddha as he sat and meditated.

Villagers went to work immediately, renovating the well and
turning it into a shrine. They said fortunes kept coming, some villagers even won lotteries, so they
gathered money and build a permanent roof over the well.

The villagers? faith in the sacred
well was even more reinforced after a local told his neighbors he has seen the two Naga rising out
of the well in full glory. Sometimes the Naga would speak to them via mediums. Sometimes the water
blessed by their power would heal diseases. But the principal power of the Naga is decidedly
prophesying lucky number for lotto.

Today, like any other month, the pilgrims could be seen
busying themselves by scratching the well′s perimeter, looking for signs of numbers, while numerous
lotto vendors hawk their tickets to riches around the temple′s courtyard.

As for Ms.
Boontun, she said she had seen the signs and she believed that – Naga willing – this month′s lottery
number would definitely include 0 and 5.

'Yayaying' Urges Thais To See 'Only God Forgives' For Themselves

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Khaosod English

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31 May 2013, 16:56

(30 May) Rhatha
?Yayaying? Phongam, the Thai actress who co-starred with American actor Ryan Gosling in the film
?Only God Forgives?, responded to the news about crowds booing at the film′s screening at Cannes by
urging Thai people to watch the film and judge for themselves.

Ms.
Rhatha said every film shown at Cannes Film Festival is booed anyway, and ?Only God Forgives?
received relatively lesser amount of booing.

In fact, if you look at the video I posted on
Youtube, there were also long applauds after the film was over. The British [audiences] seem to like
it, whereas the French might not like it because the film is dark and violent, she
said.

The film was criticized, and some people don?t like it, because the story might be too
artistic. But you all should see it for yourselves if the film is screened here in
Thailand

Ms. Rhatha continued that she was very satisfied with the experience in making this
film, remarking that she does not know whether she would have such moments again in her life. The
pinnacle of her experience was walking down the famous Red Carpet at Cannes, which she described as
eyond her wildest dream.

I?m very proud of it, Ms. Rhatha told our
correspondent.

Her presence at the Red Carpet also sparked a separate incident, in which Ms.
Araya ?Chompuu? Hargate, another popular Thai actress, was criticized by some netizens for not doing
traditional Thai greeting (wai) and not displaying enough Thainess, as contrary to Ms. Rhatha
who graced the crowds with her wai and Thai-inspired dress.

Yayaying played down the
incident, explaining that she and Ms. Araya were there as different capacities (Ms. Araya was not
part of any film cast – she was a brand presenter for the cosmetic firm l?Oreal Paris), but both had
made reputation for Thailand so Ms. Araya should be praised, not criticized, for her role at the Red
Carpet.

She said she had not talked to Ms. Araya about the incident, but insisted she had no
personal conflict with Ms. Araya.

Vice PM Visits Khaosarn To Assure Tourists Safety

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Khaosod English

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31 May 2013, 16:35

(30 May) Vice PM Chalerm
Yoobamrung visited Khaosarn Road in a bid to assure foreign tourists that all is well in Bangkok
after a bomb exploded on a crowded street in Ramkhamhaeng area, injuring 6 people.

Pol.Capt.
Chalerm and his entourage toured the Khaosarn Road around 21.00 for safety measures inspection.
There, the Vice Prime Minister talked with some tourists, telling them that an ongoing rumor about
another bomb attack is absolutely false. The rumor, he said, was fabricated by malevolent
individuals to discredit the government.

The said rumor claimed that another wave of bomb
attacks in some of Bangkok shopping malls are imminent. The rumor was fanned widely by anxious
netizens on social network sites like Facebook and Twitter.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Police
confirmed the rumor was false. They said no official warning of any kind has been issued, and
police officers have been monitoring the situation very closely.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul
Narongsak, vice commander of the Metropolitan Police said Facebook messages are not very reliable,
and citizens should instead look for official warning from the police force as means of keeping up
with situations.

He added that the persons who shared the rumor on the social media should
stop immediately because it is causing chaos in the city. He noted that spreading false information
is punishable by law in the Computer Crime Act 2007, which is a five years imprisonment sentence or
a fine not exceeding 100,000 baht or both.

Meanwhile, Pol.Col.Pratchaaya Prasarnsook said
that evidence had been gathered on the spread of the this rumor, but the police had not come to a
conclusion yet, fearing that legal prosecution would create further panic among the
citizens.

Army Denies Shooting At Fabio Polenghi

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Khaosod English

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31 May 2013, 16:09

BANGKOK – The Royal Thai Army again insisted it had no role in the death of Fabio Polenghi, the Italian photographer who was killed in central Bangkok as the military launched the final assault on Redshirts protesters on 19 May 2010.

The army was responding to the court inquest which ruled earlier this week that Mr. Polenghi was slain by military-issued bullet fired from the direction of the security forces, citing witnesses and other forensic investigations. The inquest was the first official act which linked the military′s role to death of Mr. Polenghi, after 3 years of silence and denial.

But today, Col. Wintai Suwaree, spokesman of the Royal Thai Army, said in press conference that the bullet may have been fired from the military position at the time, but the security forces had not taken control of all highrise buildings in the area, suggesting that Mr. Fabio might have been killed by unknown militants who took shelter in such buildings.

However, Col. Wintai′s remark contradicts with the court inquest which indicated that no other armed elements are believed to be involved in Mr. Polenghi′s death.

Col. Wintai also said that the military had not fired their weapons around the time of Mr. Polenghi′s death. As for numerous videos suggesting otherwise, Col. Wintai dismissed them as propaganda "spread by ill-intentioned people" who want to defame the military.

"The footage only show events in which the personnel exchanged fire with armed militants who obstruct our operation in the area. This happened long after Fabio′s death," the spokesman said.

Don't Vote For Amnesty Bill, Fabio's Sister Pleads

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Khaosod English

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30 May 2013, 19:06

Elizabeth Polenghi, holding collection of Fabio's last pictures in Bangkok, with her mother at FCCT.

(29 May) Sister of the
Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi, who was killed during military crackdown in Bangkok on 19 May
2010, expressed her opposition to any bill that will grant amnesty to those responsible of the
military operation which resulted in her brother′s death.

Speaking in the press
conference at Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand (FCCT) in downtown Bangkok after the court
inquest ruled that Fabio was killed by bullet fired from the military′s direction, Ms.
Elizabeth Polenghi said she′s aware there are 2 separate drafts of Reconciliation Act being
considered by the Pheu Thai Party leadership.

She said she′s very concerned about the
one proposed by Vice PM Chalerm Yoobamrung which would grant amnesty to all those involved in
political cases from 2006 to 2010 including former PM Abhisit Vejjajeeva, who had been charged with
murders for his role in ordering crackdown against the Redshirts; the military would also benefit
from the amnesty.

She pleads to the Pheu Thai MPs not to vote for the bill. Please place
your hand over heart before you vote for this bill, and think of the children, of the families of
those who lost their lives, she said, insisting that absolving the authorities of their
responsibility would destroy every effort she and other families of the victims had been putting
into their quest for justice in the last 3 years.

She said such a blanket amnesty might work
in the future, when those responsible had been trialed, removed from their position, and punished.
After the trials have been concluded, she said, the society may consider amnesty for these figures
as means of forgiveness.

But not now, Ms. Polenghi said firmly.

However, Ms.
Polenghi said she would agree with amnesty bill that helped political prisoners who were jailed for
their roles in the 2010 protests.

Seated next to Fabio′s sister at the evening panel
was Mr. Shawn Crispin, representative of Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Like Ms. Polenghi,
Mr. Crispin said he vehemently opposed Mr. Chalerm′s draft for amnesty bill, stressing that
Thailand should not resort to its cycle of impunity.

Mr. Crispin said that while there is
no precedent of prosecution of any soldier of politician in Thailand for their role in engineering
political violence, he hoped Fabio′s inquest would be the first step toward
justice.

Ms. Polenghi added that she had been contacted by Mr. Abhisit via a mutual friend,
asking if he could meet her. She said she preferred to meet Mr. Abhisit in public forum, so she sent
him invitation to attend the press conference with her, which he declined, citing busy
schedule.

I regret that he is not here today. He had freedom of expression to tell his side
of story, Ms. Polenghi said. She expressed her hope that she and Mr. Abhisit could chair an
event together in the future so the public can benefit from their
discussions.

Man 'Ejaculating On BTS Passenger' Arrested

By

Khaosod English

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30 May 2013, 16:54

(29 May) Police say they have
arrested a man who masturbated and ejaculated on a woman in the crowded Skytrain during the rush
hour.

Ms. A (real name undisclosed) said she was taking the BTS to work from Siam
station on 08.00 of 27 May, and a stranger with a bag was standing her from behind in the train. She
said that as the train approached Rajdumri station, she felt some liquid on her leg. She thought it
was spilled soup or curry from someone′s food bags, and she was horrified to realize it was in fact
human sperm.

She said the stranger left as soon as he noticed she had realized what
happened. Ms. A said she was too confused to do anything, so the culprit got away. After wiping away
the sperm with tissue paper given to her by fellow passengers, Ms. A reported the incident to the
Skytrain officials.

Security footage investigation was studied, and the stranger was
identified as Mr. Sang Kattiya, 36, a native of Payao province. BTS security guards apprehended him
today at Siam BTS Station as he attempted to board a train. Ms. A was contacted and she hurried to
the station to identify the suspect. Police later arrived and arrested Mr. Sang.

Mr. Sang
told police he worked as a messenger for construction site managers, currently staying in Bangkok′s
Bearing area. He said he uses BTS to commute to work daily. On the day of the incident, he said he
spotted Ms. A at Siam station and, unable to contain his lust, masturbated to her while he covered
himself with his bag.

Police charged Mr. Sang with indecent exposure. If found guilty, he
faced maximum penalty of 1,000 baht in fine and 1 month in prison.

Norwegian Proved His Love For Thailand With A Tattoo

By

Khaosod English

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30 May 2013, 16:33

(29 May) Eager to prove that a minor incident involving a rude
Thai bus driver during a recent trip to Thailand did not affect his love for the country, a
Norwegian man sent a photo of the tattoo on the back of his neck which reads I Love
Thailand.

Ms. Monnapa Navatong, official from Tourist Assistance Center, under the
jurisdiction of Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in Phuket province showed the picture to our
correspondent. She said she had received complaint from a Norwegian tourist, identified as Mr. Jon
Helga Vaeng, about impolite behavior of a bus driver he encountered.

She said she had told
Mr. Vaeng the matter has been dealt with, and hoped the incident would not be a bad stain on Mr.
Vaeng′s experience in Thailand. In a reply, Mr. Vaeng assured her that he understood Thai people are
generally friendly, and the bus driver was an isolated bad apple. He also attached photo of his
tattoo to underscore his point.

Ms. Monnapa said she is very surprised and glad to see the
photo. She said she has forwarded the picture to Mr. Somsak Purisrisak, Minister of Sports and
Tourism.

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