Man Accused Of Abusing Shelter Home Boys

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4 January 2014, 18:45

(4 November) Chiang Mai Police have arrested Mr. Nattaphonphot Kantabuppha, 49, after Chiang Mai court granted his arrest warrant on the accusation of child sexual abuse.

Mr. Nattaphonphot, from Mueang district, Chiang Mai province, was accused of raping two underage youths who were under the supervision of a local welfare centre.

According to the victims, they had met Mr. Nattaphonphot while they were hanging out near Tueng Thao Creek in Mae Rim district on 27 December.

Mr. Nattaphonphot then allegedly tricked the boys to engage in sexual intercourse with him before fleeing the scene.

After they informed the Welfare House officials, the boys filed complaints to the police.

The accused reportedly denied all allegations. Nonetheless, police said he will be prosecuted further by Mae Rim police.

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Northern Fog Forces Flights To Delay

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4 January 2014, 17:39

(4 January) Many flights bound for northern Thailand have suffered delays after swaths of thick fog have engulfed much of the northern provinces.

Many flights reportedly had been delayed due to lack of visibility, after thick fog covers Northern provinces’ airports.

Flights travelling to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai yesterday were particularly affected during the hours between 07.00-09.00 due to poor visibility caused by the fog, said Ms. Raweewan Netarakavesana, Director of Suvarnnabhumi Airport.

Responding to the delays, Bangkok′s two international airports are closely monitoring the situation and arranging extra-procedures to facilitate the passengers, Ms. Raweewan added.

Air Asia, also affected by the cooling weather, stated that four of their flights in and out of Chiang Mai airport departed 2 hours late yesterday.

Mr. Jaturongkaphon Sodmanee, Director of Don Mueang International Airport, said the lack of visibility in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai airports had been the major factor for the delay. However, the problem is not severe, as it only occurred in the morning, he said.

An AirAsia flight from Malaysia had been facing difficulty to land in Chiang Mai airport. Hence it requested an mergency landing and landed at Don Mueang airport safely, said Mr. Jaturongkaphon.

Three Thai Airways’ Northern routes have also been delayed, including Chiang Rai-Bangkok, Chiang Mai-Bangkok, and one flight from Bangkok.

Meanwhile, 42 provinces had declared state of disaster after over 7 million people had been severely affected by the cold weather, said Mr. Chatchai Promlert, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPM).

Provincial authorities were instructed to relieve the affected citizens, and to distribute winter equipment such as warm clothes and blankets. So far, the DPM had handed out 203,779 blankets, 83,500 warm clothes and 6,136 warm accessories to people in Thailand’s rural areas.

Good news is the temperature will rise 1-2 Celsius degree within these few days, said Mr. Methee Mahayotsanan, Director General of the Central Thai Meteorological Department (CTMD).

However, he warned that thick fog could still be seen in many areas this week, particularly in the hilly Northern provinces, namely Mae Hongson, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nann and Phrae.

Nevertheless, Mr. Methee believes this will not directly affect flight schedules, but warned that land commuters should be alert of the fog.

The authorities expected that Northern, Northeastern, Eastern and Central Region will be seeing warmer climate within these few days, perhaps as much as 12 Celsius degree warmer. Nevertheless, many provinces will still witness cool and foggy climate in the morning, said Mr. Chatchai

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Netizen Protesters Say Give Peace A Chance

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4 January 2014, 17:07

(4 January) Several hundred people have joined a rally in Bangkok's shopping district to voice their opposition to violent protests.

The rally has been organised by a Facebook Page titled "Enough! Stop the protests that provoke violence". The Page has previously called on those shocked and saddened by the violent protests which have been gripping Bangkok to join its rally in front of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) at 18.00 yesterday.

The Page billed the rally as a voice of dissent against provocative protest tactics adopted by the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), led by Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban. One police officer and one PCAD protester died during a clash in Bangkok last month.

Administrators of the Page also encouraged the public to voice their support for the general election on 2 February 2014, which the PCAD is seeking to derail out of conviction that Thailand is not yet ready for any election.

At the rally, participants wrote messages on Post-Its, expressing their wishes to see peace returned to Bangkok, and placed them around the outer walls of BACC. Some participants also took turn at the microphone to give speeches, attracting much attention from shoppers and tourists in the area.

The attendants later formed a large "Peace" sign, each of them carrying a lit candle. Then they took up the shout "Yes to election! No to Suthep's selection!" for several times, before dispersing from the scene peacefully, while some others formed into groups and discussed political situation.

Mr. Kittichai Ngarmchaipisit, organiser of the rally, said he came up with the idea of the rally after he saw photos of the wife of the policeman killed in the clash last month crying over his body, and later discovered that a protester also died in the same clash.

He explained that the rally yesterday was not exclusive to any particular political group, but a forum for those who disagree with protests that are designed to provoke violence, such as the case of the PCAD.

"No one is the leader here, and I haven't thought about scaling up the protest," said Mr. Kittichai, "I believe the attendants of the rally would develop the idea according to their own creativity".

Facebook Pages run by Mr. Kittichai and other affiliated groups also called on the Bangkokians to oppose the upcoming "shutdown" of the capital city planned by the PCAD.

"The community of Bangkok respects different ideas, but they must not violate the rights of other people, such as the [PCAD]'s demand that dissenting Bangkokians leave the city during the shutdown," reads the statement currently circulated on the social network.

The statement encourages Bangkokians who disagree with the shutdown to turn on the head lights of their vehicles during daytime or wear white shirts.

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Protesters Cleanses ‘Black Magic’ From Govt House

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4 January 2014, 16:41

BANGKOK — Anti-government protesters have conducted a ceremony purported to help cleanse evil spirits from the Government House today.

Members of the Student and Peoples Network for Thailand Reform (STR) set up an altar dedicated to angels, local ghosts, spirit of Bangkok city, and Phra Siam Devathirat near Gate 2 of the Government House at 11.00 today. The protesters later conducted a religious ceremony at the site.

Mr. Kittichai Saisa-ard, security chief of the STR, said the ceremony is meant to drive away evil spirits planted there by the blood-pouring protest organised by the Redshirts during their rally in March 2010.

In that protest, the Redshirts poured gallons of blood collected from hundreds of protesters onto the entrance to the Government House and headquarters of the Democrat Party.

Although leaders of the Redshirts said the gesture represented the blood of the people being spilled, the presence of a Brahman necromancer at the blood-pouring suggested that some sort of religious ceremony was also intended.

Mr. Kittichai of the STR said today′s ceremony should perfectly undo the curse laid by the Redshirts almost four years ago.

He also told reporters that he has received reports that the police are planning to crackdown on the protests and assault STR leaders. Mr. Kittichai warned that if the reports are true, more people would only join the protesters’ side.

“If the people lose patience, we won’t be able to control the situation,” Mr. Kittichai said.

Phayao Redshirts Preparing Anti-PCAD Rally

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4 January 2014, 16:14

Leaders of the UDD during press conference in Bangkok, 3 January 2014

(4 January) Redshirts in Phayao province say they will hold a rally on 13 January to oppose the anti-government protesters? plan to "shutdown" Bangkok on that day.

The People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has vowed to stage mass protests in 20 major intersections of the capital city on 13 January. The "shutdown" is meant to pressure Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra into resigning from her caretaker position.

PCAD has also demanded that the general election on 2 February be scrapped in favour of the formation of an unelected "People's Council" to implement series of "reforms" deemed desirable by the PCAD.

But the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has opposed the planned "shutdown" of Bangkok, and it has called on the Redshrits to stage a nationwide counter-protest to voice their opposition to PCAD.

The call has been taken by local chapter of the UDD in Phayao province, with demonstrations and rallies planned in the province on 13 January.

Mr. Siriwat Chupamadtha, coordinator of Phayao UDD, said the protests are meant to express the UDD′s rejection of the PCAD and "Suthep′s Regime", referring to PCAD leader, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban.

"We are against the shutdown. It is not something they should do, because it would cause severe economic damages to the country," Mr. Siriwat said, "And it would affect the way of lives of the public".

He stressed that the counter-protests in Phayao would be peaceful and the protesters would not march upon Bangkok, in order to avoid any confrontation with the PCAD.

Mr. Siriwat added that no election candidate of any party would be allowed to give speeches on the rally stages in the province.

"This is activity of the people," Mr. Siriwat said, "[Election] candidates should canvass for votes on their own".

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Protest Camp Attacked By Gunfire, Firebombs

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4 January 2014, 15:47

(4 January) Unknown individuals have attacked the campsite of anti-government protesters with gunfire and Motolov cocktails last night.

The assailants fired unidentified type of firearms at the entrance to the encampment of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) near Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, injuring one protester.

The protester, said to be a girlfriend of a volunteer guard stationed in the area, was shot in her leg and was later transported to Ramathibodi Hospital.

Later in the night, attackers on 2 motorcycles also hurled several Molotov cocktails at the protesters? barricade near Nang Loeng Intersection, before fleeing the scene. The guards quickly extinguished the flame, and no injury was reported.

Responding to the attacks, the protester guards moved their barricades further around their encampment today, and reinforced the ?bunkers? of car tires around the entrances.

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Police Find 'Stolen' Handgun On Anti-Govt Protester

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4 January 2014, 15:23

(4 January) Police said they have arrested an anti-government protester who was carrying a handgun stolen from a police officer during the clashes in Bangkok last week.

Mr. Sura Khaonet, 31, was stopped by police patrols in Bangkok′s Bang Plad district yesterday after the officers noticed him acting suspiciously at a bus stop on Charansanitwong Road.

He identified himself as a security guard at the anti-government protests. Police then searched his belongings and found a pistol, which Mr. Sura explained he has acquired from his fellow volunteer guard, Private Kitti Mahaglan, 21.

Mr. Sura, a resident of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, claimed he has taken the bag from Private Kitti and realised later that a gun was left inside. He told police he intended to sell the handgun to his friend who lives on Rama II Road, but he somehow took the wrong bus and ended up being arrested in Bang Plad.

Police has charged Mr. Sura with carrying firearms in public without any permission.

Despite the suspect′s attempt to erase the gun’s identification number, further investigation indicated revealed that the gun belongs to Pol.Col. Chukiat Wongsitthikorn, who reportedly lost his sidearm as he was assaulted by anti-government protesters at the clashes around Thai-Japan Stadium on 26 December 2013.

Police said Pol.Col. Chukiat, a Deputy Chief of Nakhon Sawan Provincial Police Station, had previously filed complaint about his stolen handgun at Din Daeng Police Station.

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Bangkok Shutdown Will Cost Thailand '20 Billion Baht'

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4 January 2014, 15:07

(4 January) The anti-government protesters? plan to "shutdown" Bangkok on 13 January may cost the country enormous economic damages, deputy president of the Federation of Thai Industry (FTI) has warned.

Since Bangkok serves as the headquarters for many Thai and Southeast Asian businesses, any prolonged disruption in the city would greatly harm the economy in the short and long term, Mr. Kriangkrai Thiannukul said.

According to Mr. Kriangkrai, many foreign investors are considering to transfer their investments to Thailand’s neighbouring countries to avoid the ongoing political turmoil. Many of them are also aware of possible escalation of the crisis and are turning toward other suppliers in other countries.

“Private sector is preparing to handle the Bangkok’s shutdown by moving their offices outside of Bangkok temporarily, and conducting their shipments at other ports and airports outside of Bangkok”, said Mr. Kriangsak.

FTI Deputy President also stressed that Thai Private Sector is demanding the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) and the government to engage in peaceful dialogue about the future of the country.

Mr. Kriangkai added that the private sector will hold a meeting regarding the current situation next week.

“We are ready to be a mediator for the government and the anti-government groups. This should yield a better solution instead of shutting down the capital city”, he said.

Mr. Kriangkrai emphasises that if the situation is escalated, the country will be damaged on a catastrophic scale.

“The University of Thai Chamber of Commerce has predicted that the turmoil would cost the country economic loss of approximately 20 billion baht”, Mr. Kriangkrai told reporters , “If violence took place, we believe it will be even a greater loss.”

FTI has not yet evaluated the possible economic damage, but he believes that the number should be no less than 10 billions baht, Mr. Kriangkai added.

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UDD Counter-Protests 'Won't Take Place In Bangkok'

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3 January 2014, 18:33

(3 January) The planned nationwide rallies called by the Redshirts will not include Bangkok and its immediate neighbouring provinces, the leaders of the movements have confirmed.

The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has previously unveiled a plan to stage counter-protests on 13 January, the same day anti-government protesters led by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) would begin their "shutdown" of Bangkok.

In a press conference yesterday, co-leader of the UDD, Mr. Jatupon Prompan, said the Redshirts would not stand idly by while the PCAD takes the capital city and the entire country hostage. He named the UDD′s responses to Bangkok′s shutdown as a way to help "open up Thailand" from PCAD′s grips.

The UDD′s announcement has raised fears that serious confrontation could take place on 13 January, similar to the Redshirts? previous Bangkok rally in Ramkhamhaeng district in which clashes erupted between the Redshirts and anti-government protesters.

Three Redshirts and one anti-government protester had been shot dead by unidentified individuals during the mayhem on 30 November – 1 December.

But Mr. Nattawut Saikua, a prominent leader of the UDD, clarified the plan to "open up Thailand" today, stressing that local UDD chapters in each province would organise nationwide demonstrations on 13 January except Bangkok and its perimeter provinces such as Nonthaburi, Samut Prakarn, and Pathum Thani, in order to avoid any clashes with the PCAD.

Mr. Nattawut also implied that southern provinces – traditional stronghold of the Democrat Party – will not be included in the plan either.

The activities on 13 January will feature demonstration, performance of local cultures, and speeches on rally stages, according to Mr. Nattawut. He added that Redshirts do not have to wear red shirts to the events, citing security concerns.

"We are concerned with safety and peace in this rally," Mr. Nattawut said, stating that Redshirts in Bangkok area should travel to outer provinces for the rallies in stead of organising one on their own. He insisted that the protests on 13 January will be conducted in peaceful and friendly manner.

However, Mr. Nattawut warned that UDD members across the country – Bangkok included – are prepared to respond immediately to any military coup.

"If signs of a coup is apparent, we will use ?blooming flower? tactics in the urban area," said the UDD leader, "There won?t be calls to stop fighting. There will only be calls to fight".

He continued, "I invite every Thai in this country, every party, every politician, celebrity, professional of all careers, to prepare their body and mind to engage in peaceful assembly, for the equal rights of one person one vote".

Furthermore, according to Mr. Nattawut, the UDD will submit letters to each foreign embassy in Thailand with details about their activities on 13 January.

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Taxi Drivers Demand End To Protests

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3 January 2014, 17:52

(3 January) A group of taxi drivers has rallied in front of Royal Thai Police headquarters in central Bangkok today to oppose the ongoing anti-government protests.

The taxi drivers parked around 20 taxis in front of the headquarters and submitted an open letter to the Chief of the Royal Thai Police, Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsinkaew, explaining their difficulties in making a living throughout the protests.

They also decry the upcoming plan by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) to "shutdown" Bangkok on 13 January.

Mr. Sanong On-Anong, 40, one of the taxi drivers, told our correspondent that the prolonged protests of PCAD had severely affected his 20-year business. Since the protest started, his income had dramatically decreased, causing his family to face financial difficulty and unable to pay for the taxi leasing bills, Mr. Sanong said.

The protesters have been occupying stretches of Ratchadamnoen Avenue and a blocking a number of roads.

Mr. Sanong also expressed his concern that a taxi driver had been brutally beaten bythe anti-government protesters during their brief occupation of Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

“I want the police to prosecute Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the PCAD. I also wished him to stop the protest and turn himself in,” said Mr. Sanong, adding that if Mr. Suthep wants to protest, he should protest in his home province, Surat Thani.

“Please stop causing troubles in Bangkok”, Mr. Sanong pleaded.

Mr. Sanong added that he and his fellow taxi drivers are discussing about the solution for 13 January, after PCAD announced to close 20 major intersections in Bangkok during the shutdown.

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