(16 May) Our correspondent visited Yang temple, Petchaburi province, after receiving reports of a strange funeral where the casket is surrounded by toys resembling characters from ?Doraemon? – the Japanese comic hugely popular among the Thais.

The funeral was held for Ms.Panichaya Maitree, 49, who died from cancer. Her coffin is also decked with white and blue flowers, which is the theme color of Doraemon. A Doraemon doll was placed there by the deceased’s daughter.

Ms.Sarunya Metamaitree, 39, the deceased’s sister, revealed that her sister greatly loved Doraemon. She collected every merchandise from the cartoon, duvet covers, pillows, plush toys, alarm clocks, water bottles, etc. for 10 years. So, Ms.Sarunya and her niece felt it was fitting to give her final farewell with Doraemon theme.

Ms. Sarunya said she wanted the guests to smile a little in this sad time as well.

Afterwards, Ms.Sarunya took our correspondent to the deceased’s house, revealing her business: ?Dorae-spa?, a Doraemon-themed spa, with all Doraemon themed furniture and interior design, from the mail box, to the house number, all bearing the robot cat′s face.

The spa also houses many Doraemon merchandise such as keychains, dolls, water bottles, including all spa equipment such as towels.

In the comic, Doraemon is a robotic cat who travels in time from the 22nd century, bringing hi-tech equipments from the future to guide a young boy called Nobita – the great-grandfather of his 22nd century master – onto a better life.

(17 May) A monk was shot in his temple residence by a suspect who reportedly told witnesses he did it to test his magical power, and later confessed that he killed the monk because of jealousy.

At 23.00 last night, officers of Baandu police station, Chiang Rai province, received reports of a monk being shot at Suntonfan temple′s monk quarters. Investigative officers arrived at the scene of the crime.

Upon inspecting the chamber of the victim, Pra (monk) Chalermchon Suwanno, 44, police found large pools of blood in the bathroom area. Locals informed police that the monk, who served as the vice abbot, has been sent to the hospital and that he was in critical condition, having been shot by a rifle on his left arm and torso.

Investigations inside the monk’s chamber revealed no stolen property. A parishioner revealed that he heard a loud sound similar to a firecracker coming from the monk chambers, and some of the parishioners went down to see what was going on.

They said they found a local man named Mr. Praison Subinchompoo coming out of the monk chamber and getting on a white pickup truck, license plate 847. Before he sped away, he reportedly shouted “It was nothing. I was just long khong (testing my magic).”

The parishioners then looked around, but could not find the vice abbot. They found trails of blood on the floor and knew the monk had gone out asking for help. Locals took the injured monk to the hospital and called the police.

Later, at 01.30 am, police searched Mr. Praison′s house and found the suspect in drunken condition. The police also found the vehicle matching witnesses? description, and detained Mr. Praison for questioning.

Mr. Praison said he was working in Taiwan for 7 years and had been back for 2 years. He said he was recently trying to mend relationship with his divorced wife, but he noticed that she often visited the vice abbot at the temple, offering him food and asking for his astrological reading.

The suspect said he felt very jealous because of this. Earlier tonight, he said, he got himself drunk and visited the vice abbot for chats. When the monk turned away to look for an amulet to give him, Mr. Praison reportedly pulled out a gun and shot him.

Mr. Praison told police he told the witnesses he was merely testing his magical power, and threw away the gun on his way back home. The police have arrested Mr. Praison and will investigate further.

(17 May) A baby has been left on pedestrian bridge over Vibhavadi Road, Bangkok.

Ruamkatunyoo rescue foundation volunteers and police received the call from Mr. Nuttayanon Tawara, 27, who said he came across a baby boy, aged 10-15 days, on the overpass. The baby was wrapped up in a pink knit hat and a cream colored jacket. By the time the rescue worker arrived, people were crowding over to take a peek at the boy and curse the actions of the mother.

Mr.Nuttayanonsaid that he walks along the overpass in front of the National Memorial every day. When he spotted the baby, he called for the security guard of the National Memorial and alerted the police.

The Ruamkatunyoo rescue worker brought the baby to Prachatipat Hospital for a health checkup before recording the incident in the daily police journal. The baby was then sent to an orphanage in Khlong 5, Pathumthani.

Police suspect the mother to be a teenager who ditched her baby in fear of family conflicts. She might have left the baby on the overpass in hopes of the baby being rescued.Officers are now looking through security camera footages and are searching for the parents of the boy.

(15 May) Ministry of Education is set to amend regulation on students hairstyle in many public schools, paving way for Thai students to wear longer hair.

Ms.Panida Kumpoo Na Ayutthaya, Secretary of Education, said after meeting with Mr.Pongtep Thepkanchana, Minister of Education, that draft for new regulations of student dress and hairstyle have been approved, and are would be considered by the cabinet next week.

According to the new draft, male students will be allowed to “wear their hair no longer than their bottom hairline on the side and the back” or the “rong-song” style. Female students can choose between long hair or short hair, but if they have long hair, they have to “gather it up in a neat ponytail”. The draft also allows girls to wear layered hair.

It is understood that the new regulation will still include the ban on students dyeing their hair.

Ms.Panida also said that the wording in the current regulation which give school executives final say on what hairstyle is allowed will also be removed. Previously, the regulation said each educational institute can make the final decision concerning hairstyles allowed by the Ministry due to religious or cultural beliefs.

The students are granted more freedom and the schools can no longer limit that freedom to anything lesser than what is stated by the Ministry of Education, Ms. Panida said.

In many Thai public schools, male students are required to wear a very short hairstyle called song nak rian (student hairstyle) which closely resembled the one imposed in the military, and many female students are not allowed hair longer than their neck level.

Many social activists consider the current regulation as unnecessary and irrelevant, pointing out that no reliable study has ever shown that wearing short hair improves academic performance.

(16 May) Kanchaburi Police said they arrested loan sharks who forced their way into a market vendor′s home and assaulted her for not paying the loan in time.

The police said in conference that the suspects are Mr.Chaiyun “Chai” Muanpong, 36, and Mr.Kittipol “Art” Junohiam, 27. Ms. Boontaa Jaemsai, a coffee vendor in local market, identified the suspects as the loan sharks who slapped her.

According to the police, Mr. Chaiyun and Mr. Kittipol belong to a loan shark gang in the area that distributed their business cards in public telephone booths, parks, and left them on the windshields of parked vehicles. They reportedly offered loans of 3,000-4,000 baht; guarantor is required, and an interest of 20 baht per 1,000 baht loaned is required to be paid daily.

If the locals cannot pay the interest on the loan, police said, the gang members would use intimidation or even physical abuse, like in the case of Ms.Boonta.

Ms Boonta said she took out a loan of 4,000 baht in February, paying 80 baht interest every day ever since. Recently, Ms. Boonta said, she started having some family problems and lost her cellphone and she could not contact the loan sharks. When they could finally reach her, she reportedly told the men to come get the payment at her home she could not go out to her usual coffee vending spot.

She said 2 men arrived and initially informed her that their boss told them not to confiscate her belongings or hurt her. However, 1 of the men then called someone on the phone and 5 more men arrived, Mr.Chai included, and slapped her on the face.

Ms. Boonta decided to call the director of the police station personally. Officers then rushed to the victim for questioning and searched the suspect’s house to uncover a list of all the loans customers.

Police said that during the house search, Mr. Chaiyun seemed stressed and when the officers were not looking, took some pills to commit suicide. He was sent to the hospital for a stomach pump and survived. He was then brought to the press conference and taken into custody for further questioning and investigations.

Pol.Col.Pongsakorn Upapong, director of the Mueang Kanchanaburi police station, said the arrests of the 2 suspects are part of gang suppression systems and policies initiated by Deputy PM Chalerm Yoobumrung.

Meanwhile, Ms. Boonta said she has sent messages to other victims of these loan sharks, urging them to visit Mueang Kanchanaburi police station to press charges.

(16 May) The shocking case of “Potter”, a 3 year old boy who was found dead after a teacher reportedly left him in a parked and locked vehicle for 7 hours has some new developments.

Currently, the parents and family members have taken the boy’s body to perform religious funeral rites at their house. Meanwhile, the owner of the school revealed that the boy had not been registered as a student in Utumpornwittiya School, and was not yet enrolled.

Ms.Tunyatorn Boonma, 27, Potter’s mother, said at his funeral that the owner of the school informed her that her son was not yet enrolled in Utumpornwittiya school. She says the school owner simply does not want to take responsibility for the incident, and insists that her son had been attending pre-school classes at the school since last year.

Ms. Tunyatorn said it is impossible her son was not listed in the school records, adding that even during the summer break,his teacher assigned some homework to Potter as well.

She told our correspondent that on 9 May, the school contacted her and asked for her ID card, her son’s birth certificate, and her home registration,which she provided to them on 10 May. They also informed her that Nong Potter, who was 2 years and 6 months old, was old enough to enroll in the school.

The school reportedly insured her that, even though her son was very young, a teacher will take care of him and take him to and from school. Now, with her son dead, Ms. Tunyatorn pleads the school to take action since they must be well aware of the identity of this teacher and all the family wants is justice. She also asked the Minister of Education to assist with her case.

On the same day, at 09.15, Ms.Ampika Petchnam, 32, teacher of Utumpornwittiya School, arrived at Utumpornpisai police station in Sisaket province and identified herself as the driver of the vehicle.

Ms.Ampika pleaded guilty to all charges and informed police that she would gladly pay for all damages caused to Potter′s family.She has level 1 insurance on her vehicle with Erawan Insurance Company.

She stated that she, herself, has a small child and did not mean for the incident to take place, saying that she accepts full responsibility for this case and knows she has wronged the family of her student. She informed police that she had been helping Potter’s family ever since the accident, and is the host of his funeral service as well.

Ms. Ampika was granted bail.

Mr. Pranorm Petchnam, 58, Ms.Ampika’s mother, said that her daughter has been with Potter’s family since the incident but the reporters simply did not know that. She also reportedly gave 20,000 baht to the family and helped with the funeral,the tents, the cooking, etc.

My daughter has been shocked ever since the incident and became very flustered. Sometimes I can?t make any sense in her speech. She has been crying all the time because she feels bad for Nong (little brother) Potter, Ms. Pranorm said to reporters.

(15 May) Police apprehend 2 muggers that have struck for 20 times near Yanawa police station by dressing as document messengers and grabbing the victims? purses before speeding away on motorcycles.

Police officers of Yanawa police station announced the arrest of Mr.Anycha Puduangjit, 23, and Mr.Somjet Samseenual, 18, along with the confiscation of an unlicensed Yamaha motorcycle, disguise clothing, and stolen property from the muggings. The suspects were apprehended in Silom area.

Pol.Maj.Gen.Wullop said that there were many reported muggings in the area and at noon on May 14th, officers patrolled Silom road and found the 2 suspects dressed as messengers on motorcycles.

After his arrest, Mr.Anucha informed police he used to be a messenger and he asked his brother in law, Mr.Somjet, to help him with the muggings.

Police investigated the security camera footage which revealed that the suspects often struck during the day, choosing office workers as their victims. After their arrest, their house was searched and police uncovered many stolen articles such as cellphones, women’s purses, watches, cameras, and other belongings. The goods were divided among them and sold for cash to be spent at their leisure.

The suspects said in press conference that they chose to dress as office messengers to blend in with the surroundings, which is an office building area. They admitted to about 20 muggings in the Yanawa area.

Police said any persons who think they might have been the victims of these men are urged to come to Yanawa police station to identify the suspect. The suspects are initially charged with mugging and receiving stolen goods and now await legal prosecution.

(15 May) Mother of the 17 year old boy killed by sniper fire during clashes between the army and Redshirts in May 2010 said she is still fighting for justice on her son′s behalf.

Samapan Sritep, nicknamed ?Cher?, was shot and killed on pavement near Soi Rangnam in central Bangkok. Witnesses and various evidences say the sniper fire which struck him in the head came from the military position.

On the 3rd anniversary of his death, his parents led a ceremony at the spot where he was killed to mourn his death. 100 people attended the event, which included lighting candles, poem reading, music performance, and a mime. Some people laid down flowers, some stood quietly in mourning.

Ms. Sumapon Sritep, Cher′s mother, said she could not take the news of her son′s death in first 2 years, and only managed to tell herself to live with the fact that he would not come home forever as she entered the 3rd year.

She said she had held events mourning his death in previous anniversaries but would not do so again next year, adding that she would prefer organize fundraising event for political activists so they can push for change in society.

Concerning Cher′s death, Ms. Sumapon said the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) told her they lack evidence in the case so they cannot pursue court hearing. However, she said she′s determined to fight and ask for justice on her son′s behalf.

I will not let this matter fall into silence, Ms. Sumapon told our correspondent.