Hague Ambassador Blasts Democrat's Preah Vihear Claim

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14 November 2013, 15:38

Mr. Virachai Plasai (left) and Mr. Sirichoke Sopha (right)

(14 November) Thailand′s ambassador to the Hague has warned that a Democrat MP′s speeches delivered to Parliament last night could play into Cambodia′s hands regarding its claim on the disputed territory around the Preah Vihear Temple.

Both Thailand and Cambodia claim sovereignty over the land of 4.6 square kilometres surrounding the 900 year old Hindu temple perched on the border between the two nations.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled in favour of Cambodia earlier this week, reaffirming its previous 1962 verdict that the temple and its immediate vicinity decidedly belongs to Cambodia, and demanding that Thailand withdraw its security forces from the area.

It also awarded a small tip of the promontory neighbouring Preah Vihear Temple, which is currently under Thailand′s oversight, to Cambodia, judging its natural features to be a part of the temple complex. The extent of the land described by the ICJ remains unclear.

But the ICJ judges refused to ascertain the ownership of the disputed 4.6 square kilometres territory around the hill of Phnom Trap, as a part of the 98th paragraph of the ICJ full judgement text reads, "The Court considers that Phnom Trap lay outside the disputed area and the 1962 Judgment did not address the question whether it was located in Thai or Cambodian territory".

However, anti-government critics, many of whom are known to frequently employ ultra-nationalist rhetoric, accused the Thai government of losing the case, claiming the verdict as beneficial to Cambodia′s position.

One such critic, Mr. Sirichoke Sopha, a Democrat MP, said during a parliamentary session last night that although the scope of the 98th paragraph did not pronounce an exact amount of territory Thailand is forced to hand to Cambodia, he has been told by an unnamed "expert" that the verdict could result in up to 2 square kilometres of "lost territory" for Thailand.

Mr. Sirichoke also insisted that, contrary to the Thai government′s reassurance to the public, the ICJ judgement effectively validated the borderline advocated by the Cambodian authorities, which means Cambodia is now entitled to grab the entire disputed territory of 4.6 square kilometres around Phnom Trap.

"I demand the government to be honest to the public about this matter," said Mr. Sirichoke, as he presented the map of the disputed territory on the Parliament′s video screen.

The MP′s comments were met with fiery responses from Mr. Virachai Plasai, the Thai Ambassador to the Hague, who had represented Thailand in the legal battle before the ICJ judges.

Usually soft-spoken and composed in the media, Mr. Virachai was visibly angry as he denounced Mr. Sirichoke′s analysis as fraudulent. "Your expert has spent only 48 hours in interpreting the 98th paragraph [of the ruling]," he said, "But our best experts at Durham University, England, are still scratching their heads what the paragraph actually refers to".

As the paragraph did not make clear how large the promontory near Preah Vihear Temple Thailand has to hand to Cambodia, the diplomat said, his team will refrain from giving suggestions concerning the territory to Parliament before proper studies of the verdict are completed.

Mr. Virachai also warned that the map presented to the Parliament by Mr. Sirichoke is based on the claim of the Cambodian authorities, as Cambodia has always insisted that it has the sovereignty over the disputed territory around Phnom Trap hill.

"It′s the lines Cambodia has drawn up on its own discretion. Our team has been working very hard, to the point that our eyes almost spill blood, to destroy that line of claims," said Mr. Virachai, "And we succeeded, because the ICJ has clearly stated in the 99th paragraph of its judgement that a unilateral [border] line is unacceptable."

He added, "But what Mr. Sirichoke has been doing tonight is validating the lines Cambodia have drawn up. He is damaging the interest of the nation … if the Cambodians are watching the broadcast of this debate right now – and I believe that they are – they would be smiling".

The negotiation over the ownership of the disputed 4.6 square kilometres will become very difficult because the Cambodians can claim that even a member of Thai Parliament has insisted the ICJ verdict gave Cambodia that entire territory, according to Mr. Virachai.

"As the head of the legal team [to the ICJ], let me stress here on behalf of the Thai people and the Thai nation, that Mr. Sirichoke′s comments belong to only one Member of Parliament. They have no legal binding in international laws" Mr. Virachai said, "Mr. Sirichoke′s acceptance of the border drawn by Cambodia is not the official position of Thailand".

After Mr. Virachai had concluded his remarks, Mr. Sirichoke stood up and replied, "It′s really surprising to see such an aggressive reaction from Ambassador Virachai".

The MP also insisted that his dedication to help Thailand′s position is no less than Mr. Virachai′s.

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22 Year Old Student Posed As Cosmetic Doctor

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14 November 2013, 15:04

(14 November) A 22 year-old university student who claimed to be plastic surgeon has been arrested as a part of the police crackdown on unlicensed medical clinics in Bangkok.

Ms. Natchanan Bhitakchaikorn, the owner of ‘Pulchala Clinic’, was arrested after she claimed on her website that she is a specialist in the beauty business. She is now facing charges of counterfeiting her documents and computer crimes for posting her false information online, police said.

Mr. Tharit Pengdit, Chief of the Division of Special Investigation (DSI), said Ms. Natchanan used fake license and fake graduation certification to present herself as a professional cosmetic surgeon.

According to Mr. Tharit, Ms. Natchanan was only a sophomore student at a private university in Bangkok who is currently struggling with her family financial issue.

Minister of Public Health Pradith Sintawanarong, MD, told our correspondent that there are 10,695 medical institutions run by the state authorities, and over 18,000 private-run establishments registered to the Ministry. In October 2010 – September 2013, 30 unlicensed medical facilities have been reported to the authorities.

Illegal operation of medical or cosmetic establishment carries a penalty of 3 year imprisonment maxmimum, and no more than 30,000 baht fine, whereas the unlicensed physicians must face 3 years in prison and 30,000 baht fine, said Mr. Tharit, the director of DSI. Meanwhile, the surgeon with counterfeited certificates will face 3 years in prison and no more than 6,000 baht fine.

Unlicensed cosmetic treatments have resulted in injuries and deaths of the patients in recent years.

Mr. Pradith added that those who are considering cosmetic or beauty surgery should check whether their preferred cosmetic medical institutions are properly registered via www.hss.moph.go.th, and those who wish to report about unlicensed medical establishment are advised to contact the authorities at 090-1231230.

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Business As Usual For Khaosarn Road Despite Protests

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13 November 2013, 21:38

(13 November) The rhythm of Bangkok′s backpacker street remains unaffected by the raging anti-government protests that occupied the entire southern stretch of Ratchadamnoen Avenue just few blocks away.

The protesters, who demand the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, have been camping around the Democracy Monument for almost two weeks, and have shown no sign of leaving soon.

Fearing an occupation of important governmental offices by the protesters, the police have cordoned off a number of roads around the protest site, causing traffic mayhem in rush hours. Meanwhile, experts and representatives of business sectors warned of far-reaching economic fallout caused by the prolonged rallies – especially if the protests spiral into full-blown violence.

But Khaosarn Road, one of the most famous tourist destinations of the capital city, is largely spared from the turmoil brewing nearby, according to interviews with many vendors, business owners, and foreign tourists in the area.

Sam, a Burmese man who sells beer at his streetside stall at the bustling backpacker road, told our correspondent that things have been normal as usual. However, he complained that although the protests have brought streams of protesters that commute through Khaosarn Road toward the rally at Ratchadamnoen, very few of them stopped by at his stall.

"I mostly welcome foreign tourists and Thai clubbers", said Sam, "but not many protesters in their black T shirts and whisles had actually become my customers."

Nevertheless, Sam (who goes by only his first name) is optimistic about the upcoming ?High Season?, a period when Thailand welcomes large influx of high-spending European tourists each year.

The situation is markedly different at the high-end Irish pub Mulligan, where a visible group of anti-government protesters drank and sang to the live music in the smoke-filled second storey of the pub.

One of them could not hide his political allegiance, blowing his whistle – the symbol adopted by the activists as a gesture of defiance against Ms. Yingluck′s government – during the musicians? rendition of Oasis? Stand By Me.

"Go ahead, brothers and sisters!," the band leader shouted to the mic in response, using the well-recited phases from the protests, "Express yourself freely!".

A manager of Mulligan, who preferred not to see his name printed in the media, told our correspondent although the number of his customers have decreased by at least 10% since the protests started, "the business is OK". The manager also believes the situation will not escalate into a violent confrontation.

But he voiced his concern that if the rallies continue for a longer time, his business would be eventually affected.

Back on the crowded street of Khaosarn, the atmosphere is as lively as any given night. Backpackers jostled their ways past group of drunken revelers, while vendors hawk Pad Thai and kebab on the side.

Nadia Meier and Stephanie Oehen, tourists from Switzerland, said they felt unsafe travelling in the vicinity of Khaosarn Road, but the presence of the protesters was not part of the factors. For them, the possibility of muggers and pickpockets are far more worrying in their opinion.

"I always keep my purse close to me. Who knows what′s gonna happen in Khaosarn," said Nadia.

Asked what they think about the protests, they replied they had not much idea about the anti-government campaign, even though one of their taxi drivers tried to explain it to them.

But Stephanie added that "It′s ok to protests, but it seems unwise to dance and sing in the avenue and disturb other people in the area like that".

Kate Lamb, an American backpacker, said she is aware of the protests, and she was worried the occupation of Ratchadamnoen Avenue would stretch for weeks or months. However, even if the protests do become prolonged, it would not affect her travel itinerary as she planned to leave Bangkok to other provinces soon.

"I understand they are exercising their rights under a democracy," said Ms. Lamb "But is there any possible way to protest in a less disruptive way?"

The protests also open up new business opportunities for some people. For instance, a group of young students from Satri Wittaya School, which has been shut down due to its extremely short distance to the rally stage, sells T-Shirts printed with slogans of the protests near Democracy Monument.

The youngsters said their parents allowed them to turn the free time during the school′s closure into a profitable one.

It appears that, apart from few hiccups caused by the protests, Khaosarn Road continues to welcome all the crowds from all the corners of the world as ever. As the local ethos here reads, Same same but different.

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Firework Shop Burns Down As Loy Krathong Approaches

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13 November 2013, 18:56

(13 November) A wholesale firecrackers shop in Pathum Thani province has burned down after fireworks stored in the shop caught fire, police said.

Thanyaburi police and firefighters were alerted of the incident at approximately 11.30 yesterday.

Rescue workers said two people were killed by the fire as they failed to escape the building. Other nine people were injured and taken to Pathum Thani Hospital.

One additional person was reported to have gone missing, later identified as Ms. Yupin Puesoontod.

The fire also destroyed six commercial lots and six cars around the shop, while the rescue team spent an hour to extinguish the blaze. The total loss is presumed to worth nearly 50 million baht.

Pol.Col. Niruth Prasittimet, Chief of Thanyaburi Police, said the fireworks stockpiled inside the building could not have been ignited on their own, so the officers suspect that the fire may have started from the kitchen of the store before spreading into its back room storage, where fireworks were kept to be sold during the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival.

However, Pol.Col. Niruth stressed that further investigation concerning the cause of the fire is underway.

Pathum Thani Governor, Mr. Pongsathorn Sajjachonphan, said that legal actions for illegally storing fireworks in community area will be taken against the owners of the building in a strict manner.

Meanwhile, Pathum Thani provincial officials have been instructed to close the area from the public after the fire-wrecked building started to collapse and might harm nearby buildings.

The incident took place just a week before the start of Loy Krathong Festival, during which firecrackers are widely sold and lit on the night of the festival despite high number of firework-related accidents in the past.

Although the authorities have repeatedly vowed legal actions against those who violate the restriction of fireworks sales and purchases, many festival-goers have ignored the threats.

Other than fireworks-related injuries and deaths, deaths by traffic accidents and drowning are associated with Loy Krathong Festival, said Mr. Prommin Kanthiya, director of the Office of Accident Prevention.

According to Mr. Prommin, 78 and 21 people were killed by traffic accidents and drowning throughout the 2012 Loy Kratong Festival, respectively; drowning has been a risk in the festival due to the tradition that requires festival-goers to float the Krathong onto the river.

He warned that uses of fireworks in public places during the festival that cause damages to other people or properties would be punished with a maximum penalty of 7 years in jail and a fine of 14,000 baht.

Mr. Prommin also urged the festival-goers to refrain from launching balloon lanterns – another favourite activity of the festival – near airports as the objects would disrupt air traffic.

2013 Loy Krathong festival is due to take place on 17 November, although many venues have scaled down their entertainment activities to comply with the public mourning of the late Supreme Patriarch.

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Heckling Of Education Minister 'Staged' By Democrats

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13 November 2013, 18:18

(13 November) Minister of Education Chaturon Chaisang has expressed his disappointment over the opposition MPs who had heckled him with whistle-blowing as he left the hotel where he had lunch.

The incident was made known to the public by Mr. Vittayen Muttamara, the director of Blue Sky Channel, a satellite TV channel allied to the Democrat Party, who published on his Facebook a video showing a group of individuals blowing their whistles at Mr. Chaturon while he walked to his car at a hotel parking lot.

The leaders of the anti-government protests at Ratchadamnoen Avenue have previously urged their supporters to carry whistles with them at all time and to use them in confronting any member of PM Yingluck Shinawatra′s Cabinet members they might encounter.

The video was shared widely by anti-government critics on the social network as a praiseworthy episode of ordinary citizens heckling one of the top politicians in Ms. Yingluck′s government.

However, a quick glance at the video reveals that the individuals who were blowing their whistles were far from anything that resemble ordinary citizens: they were in fact well-known Democrat MPs and former MPs, such as Mr. Puttipong Punnakan, Mr. Sathit Wongnongtoey, Mr. Thaworn Senniam, and Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek.

Speaking to our correspondent about the video, Mr. Chaturon said he was having lunch at Royal Princess Hotel before he encountered the group of Democrats as he left the hotel.

Mr. Chaturon said although he did not feel threatened by the heckling Democrats, he was disappointed that the MPs, many of whom he knew personally, would choose to harass him on his private time.

"I was merely having lunch on my own. I didn?t attend any political appointment at the hotel.," Mr. Chaturon complained, "It′s inappropriate how they blow their whistles in front of the hotel like that, because it might harm the business there. These fellow politicians know me personally. They shouldn?t have acted like that. They behaved as though they never knew me".

He added, "It′s not a spontaneous expression of disappointment [against the government]. It′s all staged with political result in mind. They recorded and broadcast the incident in a manner that unsuspecting viewers would see it as a minister getting heckled by the people".

Nevertheless, Mr. Chaturon said he had no plan to increase his security.

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Editorial: Preah Vihear and Maturity

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13 November 2013, 15:53

(13 November) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the ownership of the territory around Preah Vihear Temple has turned out to be what many sides have expected: that the ICJ would rule the case with the intention to promote peace between Thailand and Cambodia in mind.

As a judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ has once again lived up to the purpose of creating peace and justice among its member nations. Those members are also expected to respect and comply with the judgment handed down by the ICJ.

It is up to Thailand and Cambodia to initiate a peaceful dialogue on the issue of the disputed territory, which the ICJ declared to be out of its judicial scope, and on the possibility of a joint management of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site.

The cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia would not only be a success for the two nations, but also for the ASEAN community as a whole.

If Thailand and Cambodia could overcome the long-running dispute and manage the issue of Preah Vihear Temple with maturity, the outcome would help improve ASEAN′s reputation in the eyes of the world community.

The reaction of both nations to the ICJ verdict has been promising so far, partly helped by the cordial relationships between the two governments.

It appears that both Thai and Cambodian governments have finally realised they must co-exist in peace and strive to prevent misunderstanding that would lead to renewed military clashes along the borders.

The economic factor proves to be the major peacekeeper. Thai-Cambodian border trades amount to 38,000 million baht in the first five months of 2013 alone, a 18% increase from the same period in 2012; the total amount of border trade between the two nations throughout the year of 2012 exceeds 82,000 million baht.

However, the calm that follows the ICJ ruling is threatened by the nationalists and ultra-nationalists in Thailand who are seeking to manipulate the verdict for the sake of their own political campaigns against the government.

These attempts should trouble advocates of peace between the two nations, as the very same ultra-nationalist rhetoric have led to the deadly clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border in the past.

The losses caused by the past incidents should be adequate to convince all sides that an open conflict would not benefit the interest of both nations, especially the well-being of residents and soldiers in the border provinces.

Thailand and Cambodia should handle the dispute of Preah Vihear as mature nations. Both of them should rid themselves off the thorny past for the sake of the future.

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Thaksin 'Will Not' Press Libel Charge Against Actress

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13 November 2013, 14:51

(13 November) The legal representative of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra said his client would no longer pursue a defamation case against the celebrity actress who went on a tirade against Mr. Thaksin on the stage of anti-government rally.

Previously, Mr. Thaksin had appointed Mr.Winyat Chartmontri to press charge against Ms. Pattarathida ?Tang Mo? Patcharaweerapong, accusing her of defaming the former leader during her speeches at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where thousands of anti-government has been camping.

But Mr. Winyat said yesterday Mr. Thaksin has informed him that he would not proceed with the case.

"Mr. Thaksin believes that [Ms. Pattarathida] lacks maturity, so it′s natural that she misunderstood facts about the situation," Mr. Winyat told reporters, "Therefore, Mr. Thaksin would like to give her a chance by withdrawing the legal action against her".

He added, "But we would like Ms. Pattarathida to be careful about her words that might mislead the public and cause misunderstanding in the future. If she repeated such action ever again, the legal team of my client will reconsider the matter".

Mr. Thaksin is deeply hated by anti-government protesters, who view him as a corrupt puppet master of his sister, PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

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Muted Response To Suthep's Calls For 'Civil Disobedience'

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12 November 2013, 20:30

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban (centre) on his way to submit his resignation as Democrat MP at Parliament, 12 November 2013

(12 November) Several prominent representatives of the private sector have spoken out against the ?civil disobedience? measures suggested by the leader of the anti-government protests.

In the bid to intensify their campaign against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban called on those hostile to the government to go on a nationwide strike between 13-15 November, while schools and colleges should be shut down during the said period.

Thai people should also refuse to pay taxes to put the pressure on the government to resign, according to Mr. Suthep, who had announced his resignation as a Democrat MP in the same speech at Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

However, the chairman of Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Mr. Phayungsak Chartsuttipol, criticised Mr. Suthep′s call for the nationwide strike as damaging to the economy and reputation of the nation. He also urged Thai people to pay their taxes, contrary to what Mr. Suthep′s instruction.

The protests should come to an end already, Mr. Phayungsak argued, as the controversial ?blanket amnesty? has been effectively shelved by the Senate.

"I want to see peace and cooperation of the Thai people to develop their country," said the FTI chairman.

Mr. Isra Wongkusolkit, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, echoed Mr. Phayungsak′s opinion, urging the Thai people to ignore the calls for the strike on 13 November.

"The private sector will not accept this measure," Mr. Isra said, "And as for the proposal to stop paying taxes, the private sector will not go along with it neither, because it is illegal".

Meanwhile, three leading universities have denied reports that they will answer Mr. Suthep′s calls for university shutdown on 13 November. Rectors of Thammasat University, Rangsit University, and Srinakharinwirot University said although the students would not be barred from participating in the protests in their private time, the universities will function as usual.

Facebook pages associated with anti-government factions have previously reported that the three universities would cancel their classes to support the protests at Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

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Fearing Protests Escalation, Bangkokians Stockpile Food

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12 November 2013, 19:26

(12 November) Many Bangkok residents are stockpiling food and other essential goods out of fear that the anti-government protests could spiral into unrest, said a researcher at the Thai Chamber of Commerce University (UTCC).

Mr. Wachira Koontaweethep, Director of The Centre of Economic and Business Forecasting (CEBF) based in the University, told our correspondent that large number of food products are being bought from various supermarkets in the capital city by Bangkokians who feared the possibility that the government would impose the martial laws to contain the protests.

Many Bangkokians are fearing a return to 2010 unrest, which saw the government at the time declaring curfews and sending the military to disperse the protesters, he said.

According to Mr. Wachira, "The survey conducted by the CEBF revealed that the consumption and purchasing demands had increased 22.5% in Bangkok and other big cities after protests against the blanket amnesty bill were organised in various venues".

Although the consumers continue to stockpile instant food and vegetable oil to prepare for the worst if the crisis escalated, the CEBF Director believes that the situation would not lead to food shortage.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister, Mr. Yanyong Phuangrat, dismissed the reports of consumers buying food products in panic, insisting that it was just a "false rumour".

Nevertheless, the minister said he had instructed the Department of Internal Trade to assure that manufacturing and retailing segments are running smoothly and that no traders try to hoard or overprice the goods.

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Chiang Mai Man Arrested For 'Raping And Shaming'

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12 November 2013, 17:55

(12 November) Police in Chiang Mai province have arrested a man accused of raping a woman on several occasions and posting videos of the incidents on the social network.

According to the police, Mr. Pong-isra Malai, 21, a resident of Chiang Mai, has used his profile on the social network to lure his victim into meeting him, before he allegedly raped her while he recorded the incident.

The victim told police Mr. Pong-isra continued to coerce her into having sex with him afterwards.

Pol.Col. Wirachon Boontawee said the victim decided to seek help from the police when she reportedly found images of the rapes on the social network sites, such as Facebook and Youtube, causing her much humiliation.

Mr. Pong-isra confessed to the crimes and said he posted the videos on the internet to shame his victim because of his "jealousy". He told police he hoped the videos would let other men know that the victim already belonged to him.

The suspect is charged with a number of offences, such as rapes, unlawful detention, and computer crimes.

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