29 Killed In Bus Accident As New Year Season Starts

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27 December 2013, 17:43

(27 December) At least 29 people have been killed after their bus plunged down into a deep chasm in Petchabun province.

The bus, owned by Sombat Tour company, was carrying 33 people from Khon Kaen province to Chiang Rai province before it fell off Pho Khun Pha Mueang Bridge on State Highway No. 12, which ran through the sharp slope of Namnao National Park.

The mountainous terrain around the gorge proved to be great difficulty for the rescue workers. Nevertheless, the rescuers found four survivors in the wreckage, who were reported to be severely injured. The survivors were immediately sent to Petchabun Hospital.

Witnesses said the bus could was seen shaking in its path, dragging down several utility poles, and the driver appeared to attempt to stop the bus before it fell off the bridge.

The driver was among the dead, officials said.

Incidentally, the bridge where the accident took place is believed to be the highest bridge above the ground in Thailand, crossing over approximately 50 metre-deep gorge between two hills.

According to Petchabun Governor Wichian Chantaranothai, the bridge had previously witnessed many accidents, and it has small barriers which could do little to prevent the vehicles from plunging down the gorge.

The provincial authority will be investigating the accident and searching for an appropriate procedure to prevent such incident in the future, he added.

Police officers say they suspect that the driver might have dozed off behind the wheel, but stress that more investigation is needed.

The incident coincided with the beginning of the New Year season in which millions of Thai travel to upcountry destinations for the long vacation, leading to notoriously large number of traffic accidents.

In a Facebook post, Transport Minister Charchart expressed his sympathy to the family of the deceased, and stated that the accident might have occurred from human error.

He also wished all Thais a good luck for New Year season and warned that they must strictly follow traffic safety procedures to avoid any loss.

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Man Injured By Explosives Intended For His Rivals

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27 December 2013, 17:05

(27 December) A man in Trat province has blown much of his hand off by the explosive device he intended to hurl at his rivals.

The incident took place at a karaoke bar in front of local district office in Mueang district. Rescue workers responded to emergency calls and found Mr. Ked Boonliang, 31, at the scene with severe injury in his hand.

He was given first aid and later transported to Trat Hospital.

Witnesses said Mr. Ked and his friends were drinking at their table earlier in the night, but they soon developed a heated quarrel with another group of customers on the next table.

The argument quickly escalated into a fist fight, witnesses said, and Mr. Ked brought out an explosive device from his pocket, intending to throw it at the group. However, the device reportedly exploded prematurely in Mr. Ked′s hand.

Mr. Ked′s rivals left the scene immediately after the explosion, witnesses added.

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Thai Rath Apologises For Mixing Up Protest Photos

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27 December 2013, 16:22

(27 December) The editorial team of Thai Rath newspapers has issued an apology over a misleading photo of the clashes between anti-government protesters and the police in Bangkok.

Published on the frontpage of 27 December 2013 issue, the photo showed an unidentified man firing his handgun. The caption that accompanied the photo said the gunman was firing the weapon in the clashes which erupted near Thai-Japanese Stadium in Dindaeng district yesterday.

One policeman and one anti-government protester died of gunshot wounds, while many more have also been injured with gunshots. The police said mysterious individuals fired these rounds from their position on a high building near the clash site.

The photo, which was purported to show one such individual, had been circulated widely in the social network, but it soon emerged that the photo was in fact about a separate violent incident on 25 November 2008, when a group of anti-government Yellowshirts was clashing with Redshirts supporters near Soi Vibhavadi 3.

In the light of this revelation, Thai Rath has published on its website a statement that the man seen in the newspaper frontpage photo was not related to the clashes at Thai-Japanese Stadium yesterday.

It also offered an apology over the mistake.

However, the matter also raised another case of political bickering, with Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), accusing the government of publishing the photo as a false proof that PCAD supporters were responsible for the gunfire which killed and injured a number of people yesterday.

Mr. Suthep specifically named Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul as the source of the rumour. According to Mr. Suthep, Mr. Surapong showed the photo during one of his live press conference on national television and identified it as a gunman hired by PCAD.

Earlier today, Mr. Surapong said in a press conference that he never used that photo to allege any wrongdoing against PCAD.

"[Mr. Suthep] can watch every video clip of my press conference on every state-owned TV channel," Mr. Surapong said, "I never said such thing".

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Protests: 1 More Victim Dies, Mob-Beaten Driver Recovering

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27 December 2013, 14:30

(27 December) One more victim of the violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police on Thursday has passed away at hospital, officials said.

Meanwhile, a taxi driver who had been beaten by the protesters is reportedly recovering from his severe injuries.

The deceased victim has been identified as a member of the protesters who were besieging the election registration venue at Thai-Japanese Stadium in Bangkok′s Dindaeng district.

The protesters, led by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), demanded that the next general election be scrapped.

Officials said the victim was brought to King Mongkut Hospital yesterday afternoon with gunshot wound in the chest. He is identified as Mr. Wasu Suchantabutr, 30. A senior official at King Mongkut Hospital said Mr. Wasu′s organs such as liver, kidney, and artery have been damaged by a small bullet which penetrated his body.

Despite the medical staff′s effort to save his life, Mr. Wasu passed away at 03.45 this morning, the official said.

With the death of Mr. Wasu, death toll of yesterday violence now stood at 2; the other deceased victim was a police officer who had been shot in his chest in the heat of the clashes.

Dr. Suphan Srithamma, Director of the Medical Services Department, said a total of 153 people have been admitted to hospital for injuries at the clashes, 36 of them described as severely injured.

He also denied the reports that another anti-government protester had died; Dr. Suphan said the protester, who had been reportedly shot in the head, is still alive and under intensive care at Rajvidhi Hospital.

The director added that today rescue workers and medical staff would be deployed in three areas which have been deemed as potentially susceptible to further clashes: the Thai-Japanese Stadium, Government House, and Bangkok Metropolitan Police.

Dr. Narong Abhikulvanich, Deputy Director of the Medical Services Department, said a female rescue worker who had been shot in the chest during the clashes near the Stadium is now in stable condition. She is suffering from bleeding in the lung, Dr. Narong said.

A witness, Mr. Sutthirak Khumsom, who reportedly saw the incident told Khaosod that he was working with 7 other rescue workers near Gate 3 of the Stadium at around 17.00 yesterday when a hail of gunfire rained down on their position. His co-worker was hit by one of the bullets as she was helping a wounded victim, Mr. Sutthirak said.

"The fact that even rescue workers get shot has greatly affected our spirit," Mr. Sutthirak said, "But if a new round of violence happens, every rescue worker is willing to assist the victims".

Dr. Udom Chaowarin, Director of Rajavidhi Hospital, said the protester who had been shot in head can open his eyes but cannot make any further communication, which indicated that his brain might be damaged, but Dr. Udom said it is too early to pinpoint the extent of the damage.

Furthermore, Dr. Udom said the taxi driver who had been beaten unconscious by the anti-government protesters on Vibhavadi Road yesterday is recovering from his injuries.

Reports said the driver, identified by Dr. Udom as Mr. Petch Chusri-kwan, was beaten and left bleedingon the ground after he criticised the protesters for blocking the traffic on the busy Vibhavadi Road.

Dr. Udom said Mr. Petch has gone through an X-Ray test, which indicates no serious problem. Shards of nails are being removed from his head and his condition is gradually improving, according to Dr. Udom.

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Pheu Thai Launches 'Lights-On' Pro-Election Campaign

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27 December 2013, 14:01

An anti-government protester firing slingshot at police near Thai-Japanese Stadium, 26 December 2013

(27 December) Pheu Thai Party has invited the Thais to turn on their cars? front light at daytime to express their support for the upcoming general election.

“I want everybody to turn their vehicle’s light on, either a car or a motorcycle, in day time, to protest against the action of Mr. Suthep and PCAD," said spokesperson of the ruling party, Mr. Prompong Nopparit, referring to Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State.

Protesters led by PCAD attempted to storm the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Bangkok′s Dindaeng district yesterday in the bid to disrupt the election registration process held inside the stadium. The situation quickly escalated, and by the day′s end over 90 people have been injured and one policeman shot dead by unidentified individuals.

The PCAD have rejected the new election called by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, demanding instead for the creation of an unelected ?People′s Council? to rule the nation as a transitional government.

However, Mr. Prompong said the PCAD′s campaign of "civil disobedience" to derail the election is "abusive" and "violating the nation′s law, without regard for the effect they are laying on other people or the country′s image".

After protesters allied with the PCAD briefly closed down the busy Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road during the rush hour yesterday, many commuters have also complained to Pheu Thai Party that they had faced great difficulty traveling on that route, Mr. Prompong said in a press conference.

“Mr. Suthep [Thaugsuban] would like to reform the politics to solve the country’s problem, but he is taking captive of the country, harming people by closing down the road”, said Mr. Prompong.

The country has been bitterly damaged by Mr. Suthep and his followers, Mr. Prompong added.

“I wish Mr. Suthep supporters could see what he has done. Their actions are becoming more savage, and disobeying any law. I would like to condemn their actions, for thinking that they are above others, above the law”, added Pheu Thai Spokesperson.

“I called out to everybody to show your despise for their actions, such as via online media, against the lack of maturity of one leader who do not respect the rights of all Thai citizen”, Mr. Prompong said, suggesting that one way to show the Thais? disagreement with the PCAD′s anti-election campaign could keep their vehicles? lights on during the day.

He said he would personally adopt this measure, too, and he asked those who agree with him to turn the lights on until the protesters disband.

“I hope Mr. Suthep would stop ruining the happiness of all Thai people, and stop ruining the country’s image during New Year’s Celebration”, Mr. Prompong said.

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Police To Launch Missing Persons Task Force

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26 December 2013, 19:37

Parents of 7-year-old 'nong Mag' praying over the spot in Loey province where his remains were found, 21 December 2013. He had been missing for months before his remains were found.

(26 December) The Royal Thai Police (RTP) have promised to improve the process of handling missing person cases, such as establishing a task force dedicated to solve such cases.

The move came after Mirror Foundation, a charity focused on finding missing children, proposed 7 steps to improve the police operation in the wake of the infamous kidnapping and murder of a 6-year-old girl in Bangkok earlier this month.

Nong Cartoon, who was reported missing on 6 December, is now feared dead after police uncovered traces of her belonging at a secluded spot neat Bearing BTS Station. A suspect was later arrested and confessed that he had raped and murdered the girl.

In the proposal submitted to the Royal Thai Police, the Mirror Foundation suggested that the police should:

– Establish a task force specifically dedicated for search operation of missing children and kidnapped children.

– Accept all notification for missing children, as well as elderly people, without having to wait for 24 hours as required in the (now-defunct) police guideline, in order to investigate and follow the progress continuously on real-time basis.

– Provide an informative publication about the pattern of the criminals who are known to kidnap children and how they conduct such crime.

– In short term, establish a workshop group to handle missing person cases in each of the RTP unit to coordinate closely with Prachabodi Centre of the Ministry of Social Development and human Security (MSDHS)

– Consider establishing a Missing Person Centre to oversee the issue systematically.

– Broadcast the missing children′s pictures on state-owned media to help the public recognise their features.

– Re-assess the practice procedure of the RTP and enforce laws regarding the search of missing person effectively.

Mr. Ekkalak Lumchomkhae, Director of Missing Person Centre, which operates under the Mirror Foundation, said in a meeting with the Royal Thai Police representatives on Wednesday that the issue about missing person must be handed urgently because they occur frequently.

The incidents also involves child abduction, in which most cases child are sexually abused and killed, Mr. Ekkalak said.

“We do not want to see cases like Nong Cartoon to happen again. Considering the period of the investigation after her disappearance, it takes about one week. That is too late, and when they [the police] found her she is already dead”, said Mr. Ekkalak.

Accompanying Mr. Ekkanat at the meeting was Mr. Kamon Thongchum, a father of a 11-year-old missing child, Nong Jee-Jee, who went missing from a petrol station in Kaengkhoi district, Saraburi province on 18 September 2010.

Mr. Kamon stated his firm agreement with Mirror Foundation′s proposals and criticised the police for their management of the crimes.

Comparing his daughter’s disappearance with car thief, Mr. Kamon said that the owner of the car can contact 1192 hotline as soon as they realise their car was missing and the police would acknowledge the case less than 2 minutes after the car was stolen.

However, in terms of a missing person case, families are allowed to submit their notification to the police only after 24 hours have passed, Mr. Kamon complained.

“Why does the case of missing person has to wait 24 hours? If the victims are with the criminal, they would likely have been dead already. Does it mean that people are worth less than a car?”, said Mr. Kamon.

Pol.Gen. Jaramphon Suramanee, representing the Royal Thai Police, said he agreed with the proposals submitted by the Mirror Foundation.

According to Pol.Gen.Jaramphon, the police has recently established a centre for missing persons and discovery of anonymous bodies, which could be accessed online via http://missingperson.police.go.th.

Nevertheless, the officer said further improvement is on the way, as the police are trying to build a network with other related institutions.

He also promised to improve the centre hotline, 1599, to create trusts among the public, and ask for participation from every related agency.

Pol.Gen. Jaramphon added that the police would officially dismiss its requirement to wait 24 hours before acknowledging cases of missing persons.

The police are also working on the mobile application “Missing Person” to serve as a central means to look for missing persons, said Pol.Gen.Jaramphon.

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Taxi Driver Beaten Unconscious By Protesters

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26 December 2013, 19:00

(26 December) A taxi driver has been mobbed and beaten unconscious by anti-government protesters who were blocking Vibhavadi Road in Bangkok.

The protesters were sealing off both inbound and outbound roads, which connects Bangkok with Don Mueang Airport, at around 16.00 today when the taxi driver attempted to convince the protest guards to let him pass the blockade.

The man′s request was denied, and he scolded at the protesters for blocking the traffic, which greatly enraged the group of protesters nearby.

His car was vandalised by the protesters while the driver himself was mobbed and beaten. He was left bleeding on the ground for some time before rescue workers arrived at the scene and transported him to hospital.

His condition is not immediately known.

The protesters later withdrew from Vibhavadi Road and the traffic resumed as normal.

A bystander has recorded moments of the assault:

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Woman Arrested For Plot To Poison Husband & Mistress

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26 December 2013, 18:19

(26 December) A woman in Chonburi province has died after she drank a cup of coffee spiked with rat poison by a wife who allegedly intended to kill her husband and his mistress.

The woman, identified as Ms. Pranee Champatong, told police upon her arrest that she had plotted to kill her husband, Mr. Prasit Champatong, and his extra-marital girlfriend by contaminating bags of instant-mixed coffee with ratsbane and leaving it in his room.

However, when Mr. Prasit had been assigned to work on a night shift on 17 November and the coffee was left untouched. Later, his two coworkers, Ms. Sakonrat Khon-im and Ms. Wilaiphon Taweechat, entered the room and prepared the contaminated coffee for their own consumption.

According to Ms. Sakonrat, Ms. Wilaiphon drank the coffee in one sip, and she quickly suffered from suffocation and died 5 minutes later. Upon seeing her death, Ms. Sakonrat, who reportedly slowly sipped the coffee, alerted the neighbours and was transported to Chonburi Hospital. She survived after going through gastric lavage.

After a month of an investigation, police arrested Supranee, who confessed of the crime. She was then charged for murder and attempted murder.

The suspect said she and Mr. Prasit have been married for over 10 years with two children. She said she later learned about his extramarital affairs and had several fights with him about the issue. Ms. Supranee also claimed she had been beaten by Mr. Prasit, which became a motive of her alleged crime.

Ms. Supranee additionally admitted that she had made a mistake in her plot: she later learned that her husband likes a different flavour of the coffee, which might have been the reason he had not consumed the coffee she had poisoned.

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Anti-Election Protests: Policeman 'Shot Dead', Many Injured

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26 December 2013, 16:18

(26 December) One police officer has been killed and more than 90 people injured in the violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police around the election registration venue today.

The protesters led by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head (PCAD) have launched the campaign to disrupt the new general election by besieging the Thai-Japanese Stadium, where election application centre was housed.

PCAD leaders have rejected the new election called by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, demanding that an unelected ?People′s Council? be installed to oversee drastic "reforms" deemed necessary by the PCAD instead.

Earlier this morning the protesters attempted to storm the election registration venue to prevent political parties from signing up for the election, which is scheduled to be held on 2 February 2014.

Riot police stationed inside the venue responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets, while the protesters hurled rocks, fireworks, small explosive devices, and other homemade weapons at the police. Police vehicles in the area were also vandalised by the protesters.

The running battle leaves one policeman dead and over 90 protesters and police officers injured. The dead police officer has been identified as Pol.Sgt. Narong Pitisith, 45.

The victim was shot in the chest with unidentified firearms as he monitored the protests, according to police officers, and he later succumbed to the wounds hours later despite intensive efforts to revive him.

News reports say Pol.Sgt. Narong is survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.

Addtionally, a reporter from Thai Rath newspaper has been transported to hospital after he was shot by unknown individuals. His condition is described as stable.

Pol.Maj.Gen Piya Uthayo, spokesman of the Center for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) said several other policemen were also wounded by gunfire from unidentified individuals, while many others were hit with projectiles thrown by the protesters.

He said there are evidences that armed individuals had fired at police officers from a high building near Thai-Japan Stadium. The officer also called on the protest leaders to urge their supporters to exercise their rights of assembly in a peaceful manner.

Most of the injured have been transported to Rajavithi Hospital, Erawan Centre said in a statement.

A group of protesters was also rallying in front of the residence of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, demanding that she step down from her caretaker position. Ms. Yingluck, who is currently touring the north and northeastern regions, has repeatedly rejected that demand.

On the same day, the National Human Rights Commission released a statement expressing its worry over the police operation against the protesters who were attempting to storm the Thai-Japan Stadium.

It specifically criticised the police for using tear gas and rubber bullets, claiming that such measure is unacceptable in universal crowd control methods. The statement also urged the police to rely on peaceful dialogue as means to defuse the tension.

The statement made no mention of any violence committed by the protesters.

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Unlicensed Firework Factory Explodes, Kills 2

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26 December 2013, 15:40

(26 December) An explosion at an unlicensed firework factory in Suphan Buri province has reportedly killed 2 workers and injured 5 other victims.

Mr. Paitoon Saengsuwan and Mr. Manoch Suk-Ying were listed as the deceased victims. The incident also severely injured Ms. Pranom Chai-Int and Mr. Pitak Yaemmaneechai. Three other people reportedly suffered minor injuries.

According to Pol.Maj.Gen. Chatcharin Sawangwong, Chief of Suphanburi Provincial Police Station, the fire started in the house in Mueang district which operated as a family-owned firework factory.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Chatcharin said the house stored various kinds of fireworks at the time of the fire. The resulting explosion destroyed one house, six adjunct buildings, and two pick-up trucks. The total cost of the damage is expected to be as high as 3 million baht.

The owner of firework factory is currently applying for a permit to produce the fireworks and he has not received the license, yet he allowed the firework production to proceed, Pol.Maj.Gen. Chatcharin said.

The owner, Mr. Sujin Jah-pan, 60, who is also a member of Suantaeng Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, said that he heard the sound of numbers of explosions when he returned home.

Mr. Sujin has been charged with unauthorised possession of dangerous substances, and committing reckless action causing deaths of other people. The investigation is ongoing.

According to our correspondent, the same factory has also exploded on 9 June 2012. However, no death or injuries were reported in the incident.

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