Phuket taxi driver held for tourist ‘rape’

Nattha Thepbamrung

PHUKET: A meter taxi driver has been arrested on a charge of rape after a Chinese tourist told Phuket police on Saturday (January 19) he frightened her into performing sexual acts with him.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/613887-phuket-taxi-driver-held-for-femail-tourist-assault/

Thai activist gets 10-year jail for royal slur

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 23 - Thailand's Criminal Court on Wednesday handed down a 10-year imprisonment sentence to a Thai political activist-magazine editor accused of insulting the monarchy.

The Bangkok court convicted former magazine editor Somyot Prueksakasemsuk in connection with two articles published in the Voice of Thaksin magazine deemed offensive to the royal family.

In delivering the verdict a judge said that the defendant, as an editor, is duty-bound to check the facts before publishing the articles. Despite knowing that the content would be deemed as violating the lese majeste law, the defendant nonetheless chose to publish them.

Speaking to reporters after the ruling, lawyer Karom Polpornklang, representing Mr Somyot, said his client accepted the verdict but would appeal. He would seek bail for Mr Somyot.

Following the verdict, Human Rights Watch, a rights NGO group, said today that the conviction of the prominent Thai editor and his harsh sentence for “insulting the monarchy” would further chill freedom of expression in Thailand.

Mr Somyot was arrested in April 2011 and bail attempts were rejected. Police charged him under article 112 of Thailand’s criminal code, which states that “whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.”

Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that “His guilty verdict and sentence should be viewed as a sign that Thailand’s deep political schisms are far from healed.”

-- TNA 2-13-01-23

Police raid traditional medicine factory, seize 2.5 million baht worth of fake medicine

BANGKOK, 23 January 2013 (NNT) – Police on Tuesday raided a traditional medicine factory in Pathumthani and seized several types of medicine that have been advertised on the internet and cable television as aphrodisiacs.

Acting on a tipoff, Police and Food and Drug Administration officials raided Thanat herb factory in Pathumtani and seized herbal capsules, cosmetic and skin products worth 2.5 million baht altogether; that were labeled with distorted information, which violates the Consumer Protection Act. The police also found some medicine that were illegal produced without an FDA license .

According to FDA Secretary General Dr. Boonchai Somboonsuk, the arrest came after it had received a number of complaints on medicine falsely claimed to have helped treat erectile dysfunction and improve sex drive. The factory was also producing modern medicine even though it was not permitted to.

-- NNT 2013-01-23

RT@RichardBarrow: Teacher slain in front of pupils in Thailand; 158 Thai teachers killed in 9 years (Bangkok Post)

Child prostitution boss busted in Lat Phrao

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday, Wang Thong Lang police arrested a 25-year-old woman who was accused of operating a child prostitution ring in Lat Phrao.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/613896-child-prostitution-boss-busted-in-lat-phrao/

Dino Park to be created in Nakhon Ratchasima

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 23 January 2013 (NNT) – The Korat Fossil Museum has planned to build a dinosaur learning center called Dino Park in Nakhon Ratchasima.

A meeting of related agencies has been held to brainstorm the details of the setting up of a theme park called Dino Park Nakhon Ratchasima Province . According to Suwat Liptapanlop, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University Council President and former Deputy Prime Minister, Dino Park is part of the government’s plans to develop northeastern provinces and improve the economy.

The park is to be located in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima. Archaeologists have found fossils of various types of dinosaurs in the area and in parts of Chaiyapoom Province, covering over 100 rai. Some of the dinosaur species were among the oldest in the world. Japanese experts have been studying the fossils with the Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University.

Mr Suwat said not only will the park be a learning center, but will also be among the top travel destinations in the Northeast. He is looking into the possibilities of connecting the park with the new high speed rail.

-- NNT 2013-01-23

Prince Mahidol Award 2012 laureates to be granted an audience on Jan 30

BANGKOK, 23 January 2013 (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage have announced at a joint press conference on January 22 that the ceremony to present awards to the 2012 recipients of the Prince Mahidol Award will be held on January 30, 2013 at the Maha Chakri Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.

The 2012 Mahidol Award in the field of medicine is conferred to Sir Michael David Rawlins of the United Kingdom. In the field of public health, the award goes to Dr. Uche Veronica Amazigo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Sir Michael David Rawlins is considered a pioneer in bringing scientific approaches and clinical-based evidences to evaluate the efficiency and worthiness of drugs, medical instruments and medical procedures. He has drawn up medical treatment guidelines incorporating the highest benefit and cost efficiency. His guidelines and medical practices have led decision-makers to a more equitable use of resources, as well as a more transparent and accountable budget allocation.

Meanwhile, Dr. Uche Veronica Amazigo has successfully introduced community-directed treatment and control of important diseases. She had played a key role in strengthening the community health system in 500,000 communities across 19 countries in Africa from 2005 to 2011.

His Majesty the King has graciously entrusted HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him at the presentation of the Prince Mahidol Award 2012, at the Chakri Throne Hall in the Grand Palace on January 30, 2013 at 5.30 p.m. and at a dinner reception to be held in honor of the Prince Mahidol Award laureates at Phra Thinang Borom Ratchasathit Mahoran, at 7.30 p.m. the same day.

Present at the press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday were Clin Prof Supat Vanichakan,Secretary General of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage, and Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Director-General of the Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

-- NNT 2013-01-23

Endangered animals confiscated at Suvarnabhumi airport

BANGKOK, 23 January 2013 (NNT) - The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) earlier this week confiscated a number of endangered animals including 11 otters at Suvarnabhumi Airport while over 100 endangered birds were found being sold in Bangkok markets.

The wildlife checkpoint officials on Monday inspected a bag suspected of containing tax-evasion products as it had no tag on it. Opening the bag, the authorities found 11 rare otters, which are protected species. The animals have been seized and sent to a wildlife rehabilitation clinic. The otters will later be transferred to Bang Phra Water Bird Breeding Station in Chonburi and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Breeding Station in Uthai Thani.

Meanwhile, DNP officials also found on the same day over 100 endangered birds in Chatuchak Market and near two Brahmin God’s shrines located at Ratchaprasong Intersection and in Pathumwan District. The animals confiscated include red-whiskered bulbul, white-rumped shama, stripe-throated bulbul, and scaly-breasted munia. Nobody claimed possession of the birds. All of them have been sent to the Bang Phra Water Bird Breeding Station in Chonburi.

-- NNT 2013-01-23

SIRIRAJ HOSPITAL

Monarch to open medical centre and enjoy monkey show

The Nation

File photo : Prakit Sitprakarn

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King will on Friday preside over the inauguration of the Sayamindradhiraj Medical Institute near Siriraj Hospital and grace a monkey show, which is being specially performed at his request.

The King will be accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Clinical Professor Udom Kachintorn, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital said on Wednesday.

The event is scheduled to start at 5pm with the King formally unveiling the statue of HM King Chulalongkorn holding his son, Prince Siriraj Kakudhabhandu, who died at age of two and for whom the hospital is named.

The monarch will then inaugurate the Sayamindradhiraj Medical Institute, which comprises the Centre of Excellence, the Centre of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine and Sirirajphimukhsthan Museum.

The event would be broadcast via Radio Thailand.

"HM the King has told me twice that he wishes to see a monkey drama troupe, therefore, we contacted Prakit Sitpragaan to perform the show after the King completes the opening of the medical institute. Prakit Sitpragaan is the only remaining monkey troupe in Thailand at present," the dean said.

When asked which the storyline he wished to see, the monarch said he preferred funny acting, the dean said, adding the show would last about 20 minutes. The King would be there for a total duration of about one hour and 20 minutes.

Dr Udom added the King's health is developing step by step but that he requires continuous physical therapy while Her Majesty the Queen's condition has returned to normal and she is now able to walk.

The Prakit Sitpragaan troupe comprises five monkeys that would be dressed and wearing make-up. They are able to dance and lip synch. In the past, this monkey theatre was performed at local fairs or at temples during religious ceremonies. Such troupes have now all but disappeared from Thai society. Masters of the show usually performed stories adapted from Asian classical novels and folklore and were able to do so in both Thai and English.

-- The Nation 2013-01-23

Thai militants kill teacher in school canteen

NARATHIWAT, Thailand, Jan 23, 2013 (AFP) - Thai insurgents shot dead a teacher in front of dozens of children in a school cafeteria on Wednesday, police said, in the latest deadly attack on an education worker.

Full story:

RT @RichardBarrow: Bored with seeing 7-11 everywhere? Get ready for Lawson convenience stores coming to Thailand in February - http://twitter.com/beaver_ch5/status/293961181742383106/photo/1

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Fares set for green-plate Phuket taxis

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60,000 Baht theft from Central Pattaya convenience store

PATTAYA: -- The 66 year old owner of a convenience store in Central Pattaya reported a 60,000 Baht theft of cash in the early hours of Tuesday.

Full story:

PHUKET

Australian arrested in Patong on attempted murder charge

The Nation

PHUKET: -- Phuket police on Wednesday arrested two Australians on charges of attempted murder after one of them opened fire on a Danish national but the bullets went astray and hit two Germans instead.

Full story:

Missing Swiss student tourist alive and well, in Thai prison

Phuket Gazette -

Tscherina Nora Janisch, a 22-year-old foreign-exchange student studying at the National University of Singapore, was reported missing while holidaying in Thailand after her mother had not heard from her for a week. Photo: Travelfish

PHUKET: A 22-year-old Swiss student tourist reported missing while on holiday in Thailand has been found alive and well. She’s being detained in Ranong Prison for allegedly stealing a camera belonging to an immigration officer.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....in-thai-prison/

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