(8 May) A large storm occurred in Baandaanlaanhoy district, Sukhothai province, across 5 villages causing damage to 224 houses, with most damage concentrating on the roofs of the houses.

Electric lines were also damaged in some villages, causing a blackout which needed immediate maintenance. Many trees were uprooted by the gushing winds. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed.

After the incident, Mr.Somchai Kaosuwan, prefect of Baandaanlaanhoy municipality, along with Mr.Prateung Narasiriwinon, mayor of Talingchun municipality, along with Talingchan Municipal district staff members, arrived at the scene in response to citizen’s troubles to provide initial aid.

On the same day, a summer storm took place in Mueang Naan district, Naan, causing a large tree to be uprooted and block traffic in many locations, especially next to the Naan town hall.

Rescue workers had to cut the branches off the tree and clear the branches that fell onto the parking garage of the government building, causing damage to many vehicles.

Apart from this, house number 62 of village 3, Mueang Naan district, which belongs to Ms.Yimyaem Udtangkai, was greatly damaged. The storm blew away the tin roof and damaged many household equipment.

Mr.Surapol Tiansood, mayor of Mueang Naan district, along with rescue foundation workers have responded to the incident.

(8 May) Mueang Pattaya police station received reports of a mugging at Jomtien Road 2, stating that the victim was a foreign man and a Thai woman who were on motorcycles. Police quickly closed off the road to search for the suspect.

Later, police received reports that the victim was able to catch up to the suspect at the entrance of Soi Potisarn on the Sukhumvit side and was able to capture 1 suspect. The foreigner and the Thai woman were injured in the motorcycle chase.

At the scene, Mr. A (real name undisclosed for legal reason), 16, was apprehended and taken in for questioning. He informed police that his conspirator Mr. B, 16, was able to escape with a portion of the stolen goods.

Meanwhile, the injured victims were taken to Banglamoong hospital. After leaving the hospital, the two victims arrived at the Mueang Pattaya police station to identify the suspect. Ms. Somwung Siringon, 45, hit the suspect with a motorcycle helmet in anger and the police had to intervene.

Upon questioning, Ms.Somwung revealed that she and her boyfriend, a Liberian footballer named Mr.Barclay Saydee, 32, were on their way back to their lodging on a motorcycle when 2 teenagers on motorcycles came up on either side of them and pulled her purse away.

Her boyfriend then chased the culprits and was able to catch up to them at the entrance of Soi Potisarn on the Sukhumvit side. He drove straight into the motorcycle and she was able to grab the man on the back and her purse. Both motorcycles lost balance and both Ms.Somwung and Mr.Barclay were injured. One of the culprits was able to escape. The purse was retrieved but the wallet was still missing.

Police said Mr. A confessed to the theft, implicating Mr. B. He stated that this was his first offense and he did it for some extra cash so he can entertain himself in the city. Police investigators are not buying the deposition and believe that these two have mugged many tourists in the area. Investigation is ongoing.

Thousands of Redshirts, organised by a group named The People′s Radio For Democracy, gathered in front of the Constitutional Court today before embarking on motorised march along the roads in central Bangkok.

The protesters eventually staged rally
around the Parliament House, repeating their demands that 9 judges of the Constitutional Court step
down. The Redshirts accuse the judges of manipulating the laws and meddling in politics.

(7 May) Our correspondent in Chiang Mai province has reported that a group of international reporters have visited the province recently to discuss with representatives from elephant conservation organizations in the northern part of Thailand about the wild elephants living in forest conservation at Kaengkrachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province

Questions were raised by many reporters about the news that Thai officials have been attempting to locate and capture a ?white elephant? in the area. Some reporters wondered if the hunt could be a disruption of the animal’s natural life.

One of them is a Washington Post reporter, who stated that she came to Thailand to investigate this incident specifically. She said there were news of wild elephants being killed in the national parks in Thailand which greatly shocked much of the public in the US since other national parks around the world all work to conserve wildlife while Thailand appears to be failing even to protect wildlife living in the conservation area.

She also added that Thailand was recently the host of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Wildlife and Wild Plant Species (CITES), in which wild elephants was one of the most prominent topics. The news of killing of wild elephants and the officials? hunt for white elephants have greatly confused the western media since it is a clear violation of the elephant’s rights.

Her trip to Thailand is meant to acquire more information on this subject to shed light to the public in form of news stories and documentaries on wild elephants in Thailand, she said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Rungsrinoppadol Yukol, head of the Rungsrinoppadol Yukol Foundation which seeks to protect wild elephants, said that he is greatly opposed to the hunt for the white elephant at the Kaengkachan National Park.

He said he has already contacted Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to order the National Park to cease the hunt immediately. The Royal Elephant House also confirmed that they will not be sending in any officials to this national park to aid with this hunt, he added.

Recent reports revealed that the national park had invited the press to go inside the forest and watch as the elephants march down to drink water, but no strangely colored elephant is to be found. It is safe to say there are no white elephants in the park and the hunt should be stopped immediately, Mr. Rungsrinoppadol said, imploring the park officials to let the elephants be.

He also revealed that his foundation is currently working on a song about the life of elephants that are always hunted and about heir cries for mercy, which will be released to the public soon.

This song will be the vice of the wild elephants, so that the public and the hunters can finally feel the pain of these elephants, Mr. Rungsrinoppadol said.