(16 May) Brother of Saudi businessman abducted in Bangkok 23 years ago opens up in an exclusive interview with Khaosod, revealing that his family had suffered awfully since his brother’s disappearance in Thailand – the case that has been central to the chill in Thai-Saudi relation for the last 2 decades.

Mohammad Al Ruwaili, a businessman who had strong ties to the royal family of Saudi Arabia, was kidnapped in 1990. The case was said to be tied to the complex scandal which began when a Thai man stole numerous jewelry from Saudi palace and fled to Thailand.

The subsequent hunts to retrieve the stolen jewelry – including the famous Blue Diamond – sometimes involved kidnapping of persons suspected of possessing the whereabouts of the treasures, followed by brutal interrogation in the hands of corrupt Thai police officials. It has been alleged that Mr. Al Ruwaili was a victim of such extrajudicial operation.

The jewelry theft, known by many Thais as ?Kadee Petch Sa-u? (The Case of Saudi Diamonds), coupled with the disappearance of Mr. Al Ruwaili, resulted in a breakdown of Thai-Saudi relation for the last 20 years.

In 2010, a major development took place when the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) brought the case against Pol.Lt.Gen. Somkid Boontanorm and 4 other officers, accusing them of forming a kidnap team that abducted Mr. Al Ruwaili. Officials said what followed is an interrogation session that went wrong, killing Mr. Al Ruwaili.

The accused affirmed their innocence. The case drags on.

However, Mr. Ateeq Al Ruwaili was due to arrive in Thailand shortly, and had expressed his will to revive the efforts of Thai authorities to solve the case of his brother once and for all. In an interview with our correspondent – conducted via the Saudi Embassy – Ateeq expressed his family’s intention to pursue the case in every lawful means possible with the help of a team of lawyers.

Ateeq said that his family has been hopeful these past years and have been in contact with the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Thailand and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

He added the family had been greatly hurt by the disappearance of his brother and they would remain devastated for the rest of their lives, but believe that the truth will prevail and justice will be served.

Because of this situation, Ateeq revealed that his father’s health has declined until his death due to stress and troubles. Even though one of his brother died, his father was particularly hurt by the misfortune of Mohammad.

“The worst part is not knowing the truth about what happened to my brother. Sometimes we feel like if we knew he was really dead, we would get some closure. It would be good news even, to release ourselves from the neverending doubt. If he were dead, he would not have been suffering. Imagination is your worst enemy in these situations.” Ateeq said

Ateeq informed the reporter that his brother was a construction contractor and business man who came to Thailand do invest in business. He thought this international dealing would help strengthen the bond of the two countries.

His brother loved his job and he loved success, Ateeq said, recalling that he used to tell the family fond stories of Thailand and all its great qualities and of its wonderful people.

“Don’t forget that before this incident, relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia was still very strong with sincerity and friendship.I assure you that we do not hate or resent the people of Thailand, Ateeq stressed, but added that Thailand is also at a loss because of this terrible crime, losing billions of baht in annual income due to the effects on the Thai workforce after the expulsion of Thai workers from Saudi Arabia, and also the loss of Saudi tourists to Thailand.

The people who are responsible for this have harmed their own country, and what hurts the most is that these people are the ones who should be protecting the lives and livelihood of the Thai people.” Ateeq said forcefully.

The conversation turned to the issue about an important witness – a senior police officer who is thought to be well connected to the kidnappers and now living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ateeq said he was pleased to know that Thai authorities will question the witness in UAE.

This step by the Thai government gave me hope that was missing for years, Ateeq told our correspondent.

The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Thailand has been of great help keeping up with the case, he said, and now he hopes the Thai justice system will reveal the truth and finally remove the horns that have been piercing my chest for over 2 decades.

(17 May) Director of the school where a 3 year old boy was allegedly left in a locked car for 7 hours until he suffocated to death by one of its staff said today that the boy was not enrolled in the school, contrary to what the boy′s mother claimed.

Mr. Boonma Nuanlai, director of Utumpornwittiya school, Sisaket province, admitted that the boy, nicknamed ?Potter?, came to school very often but stressed that he was not a student.

The reason Nong (little brother) Potter came to school with the teacher was because they were related, so the school permitted Nong Potter to tag along to school, so as not to be left alone at home, Mr. Boonma said in the interview with our correspondent at the school.

The director said that since Potter was not registered, the school had not gained any financial subsidy from the government for taking care of him at all.

Every day that Nong Potter attended the school, he was taken care of superbly, but he was not at school every day, only ever so often, Mr. Boonma said.

Mr. Boonma added that the claims that Potter’s mother had registered to pick up the boy’s school uniform is entirely untrue, because the school had taken the uniform to him for free, as one of the teachers was related to him and the family was quite poor.

On the day of the accident (14 May) Nong Potter’s family was just coming in to enroll him into the school, along with all his paperwork that was in his school bag. However, the accident happened before he was enrolled, Mr. Boonma told our correspondent.

According to Mr. Boonma, before the incident, Potter’s family understood the conditions and status of their son at the school very well. Yet, he said, they have intentionally spoke ill of the school, misleading the police and the media.

They have defamed the school. The official rules of the school is children who are under 3 years old cannot enroll. The only reason Nong Potter was there was out of the kindness of the school…so his parents can go to work without worrying, Mr. Boonma insisted.

That being said, although Nong Potter is not a student of Utumpornwittiya School, the school is willing to help and take responsibility, according to the director.

The school has already offered to pay for the funeral service, Mr. Boonma said, before stressing that it would be the school′s money – not the government′s money – since Potter was not registered in the school database.

(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.