Thailand Live Thursday 24 January 2013

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news, national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Dutch firm apologises over Buddha toilets

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Bangkok announced yesterday on its Facebook page that Boels rental, the company that put pictures of the Lord Buddha on the doors of portable public toilets in Brunssum City, has apologised to the Thai and Buddhist communities.

Full story:

Bt300 wage forces Siriraj to hike fees

The Nation

Low-cost drug policy also contributed to loss of income, Mahidol dean says

BANGKOK: -- Siriraj Hospital plans to hike its fees this year after shouldering an additional Bt800 million in wage costs due to the Bt300 wage policy and losing Bt1 billion in income to the government's measures to reduce drug expenses, the dean of Mahidol University's Medicine Faculty said.

Full story:

Abhisit tells Hun Sen not to link disputes

Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appears to be confused about issues related to land and maritime border disputes with Thailand, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Full story:

Activist jailed for Lese Majeste

PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

Human rights groups decry 10-year jail term

BANGKOK: -- After spending 21 months in detention - with 12 bail requests having been denied - Voice of Taksin magazine editor and key red-shirt member Somyos Prueksakasemsuk was sentenced to 10 years in prison yesterday for publishing two articles deemed offensive to His Majesty the King and King Rama I.

This is the first time a magazine editor has been sentenced to jail for violating the lese majeste law, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

The case attracted wide international attention. About 150 people, including supporters and observers from foreign agencies and embassies, including those of the US, UK, Germany, France and Finland, were present.

The four judges ruled that although the two articles never directly mentioned the name of HM the King or Rama I, their context suggested the fictitious name of "Luang Naruebarn" was in fact a reference to HM the King.

"The character of Luang Naruebarn doesn't exist in reality but it can be construed as to whom it [referred]," one of the four presiding judges stated. "The intention was to make [readers] understand that the person was HM the King," said the judge, adding that HM the King had been falsely linked in the two articles to political violence "contrary to the facts".

Another one-year imprisonment term was added, making it a total of 11, as Somyos had earlier been given a one-year suspended sentence for defaming General Saphrang Kalayanamit, who was involved in the 2006 coup that overthrew then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Barefoot and in heavy iron shackles, Somyos was composed after hearing the verdict as his lawyers tried to seek bail and appeal the verdict. Somyos was quickly whisked away after the chairperson of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), Thida Tavornsaet Tojirakarn, approached to console him and some of his supporters started to cry.

Minutes before the judges arrived, Somyos told The Nation: "What is important is liberty. Without liberty we ought not to live any longer because our human dignity has been degraded."

He added that the denial of bail against him - 12 times over the past 21 months before the verdict was handed down - was tantamount to "torture" and a way to coerce him to confess.

His wife, Sukanya Prueksaka-

semsuk said the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) had never issued any statement regarding the incarceration of her husband.

Somyos has never admitted that the two articles defamed HM the King. He testified earlier that the writer behind the two articles was red-shirt co-leader and former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair, who is now in exile abroad.

The European Union (EU) delegation in Bangkok issued a short statement soon after the verdict yesterday, saying it was "deeply concerned". It added that: "The verdict seriously undermines the right to freedom of expression and press freedom. At the same time, it affects Thailand's image as a free and democratic society."

New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a statement saying the verdict was harsh and "will further chill freedom of expression in Thailand".

"The court seems to have adopted the role of chief protector of the monarchy at the expense of free expression rights," said Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch. "The court's ruling appears to be more about Somyos' strong support for amending the lese majeste law than about any harm incurred to the monarchy."

Prior to his arrest, Somyos launched a campaign to amend the lese majeste law.

London-based Amnesty International, meanwhile, has issued a statement calling for the release of Somyos, whom the organisation regarded as a "prisoner of conscience". Amnesty described the verdict as "a serious setback for freedom of expression in Thailand".

It called for the lese majeste law to be suspended and revised to comply with Thailand's human rights obligations.

"This is a regressive decision - Somyos has been found guilty simply for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and should be released immediately," said Isabelle Arradon, Amnesty International's deputy Asia-Pacific director.

"We urge the authorities to release Somyos and all other prisoners of conscience without conditions. They should also grant Somyos reparations for the time he has spent in pre-trial detention."

Amsterdam-based Clean Clothes Campaign, a labour group, issued a statement condemning the verdict, saying it violates international human-rights law. Prior to being a red-shirt activist, Somyos spent years working as a labour-rights activist.

-- The Nation 2013-01-24

Ex-finance ministers warn about public debt

SUPANNEE PUTHAPISUTH,

SARUN KIJVASIN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Concerned about a rising level of public debt, former finance ministers have urged the government to focus on fiscal discipline and stop its populist policies.

Full story:

EDITORIAL

Debt burden gambles with the country's future

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Massive infrastructure projects need to be planned strategically for the long-term before the govt pumps billions in public money into them.

Full story:

THAI TALK

A gaffe that helps explain the big picture

Suthichai Yoon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- This isn't a "quirky" news titbit from the inside pages of a newspaper. It's a real-life "dark secret" for this villager from Prachin Buri who has finally decided to go public with his unusual ID "phenomenon".

Full story:

Songkhla provincial chief arrested in killing of mayor

Santiparp Ramasoota, Somchai Samart

The Nation

SONGKHLA: -- Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation president Uthit Chuchuay has been arrested and charged with conspiring in and masterminding last November's fatal shooting of Songkhla municipality mayor Peera Tantiserani, police said yesterday.

Songkhla civic sector members and academics believe the assassination stems from a political conflict over Peera's opposition to a cable-car system over Songkhla Lake, which he believed would wipe out the city's last piece of pine forest, the only lung of the city.

Uthit was arrested on Tuesday. He is among 10 suspects for whom warrants have been issued - three suspected masterminds and seven suspected conspirators.

Five suspects are still at large, including Tambon Ta Bon Administrative Organisation president Pramote Saeng-arun. The other suspects are Chayan Nupan, Athip Duangmak, Nattapol Nakle and Sud-keed Chankiew.

Four other men have been arrested: suspected gunmen Paisal Nupan, Niwat Ratkaew and Chuan Muadmee, who are being held, and suspected mastermind Kitti Chuchuay, who has been released on bail.

Police said they would object to bail for Uthit when they request the Songkhla Provincial Court to further detain him.

-- The Nation 2013-01-24

Exec says 'Nua Mek' decision was his alone

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Channel 3 executive producer Somrak Narongwichai insisted yesterday that the decision to cancel the series 'Nua Mek' was his alone and was not the result of any political pressure.

Somrak was testifying before the House committee on political development, media and public participation. It was the first time an executive of Channel 3 had officially explained the reason for the cancellation of the popular show, which centres on a prime minister and his corrupt deputy.

He said he was concerned that the three final episodes of the series would create public misunderstanding. He admitted the abrupt cancellation of the show was premature but that he acted within his authority and wanted to prevent mistakes such as what happened when the "Thailand's Got Talent" show aired a stunt by a topless woman painting a picture with her breasts.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's Thawatchai Jitpanant said officials had viewed the first nine episodes of "Nua Mek 2" and did not find any content in violation of the law. The NBTC would scrutinise the unaired final three episodes.

"If all of them are alright, we will consider some measures against Channel 3," Thawatchai said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-24

UPDATE:

Factory odour unacceptable, PCD says

Jutharat Thipnampa, The Nation

NAKHON PATHOM: -- The foul odours from an animal-feed factory in Nakhon Pathom exceed acceptable limits by up to 10 times, Pollution Control Department director-general Wichien Jungrungruang said yesterday.

Full story:

Thai film up for award in Berlin

BANGKOK: -- 'Tang Wong', the latest film by director Kongdej Jaturanrasmee, is a nominee for the youth-oriented Crystal Bear special award worth 7,500 euro at the Berlin International Film Festival, Chai Nakhonchai, director of Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) said yesterday.

The festival runs from February 7 to 17.

"Tang Wong" is about a group of teenage schoolboys who make a vow at an altar, promising they will perform the traditional dance if they are successful in their endeavours. The film was made with the support of the OCAC under a film project in honour His Majesty the King's seventh cycle birthday.

The OCAC director praised the film's message as one of building self-esteem and appreciation for Thai culture among youths.

-- The Nation 2013-01-24

Kaeng Krachan park chief to fight probe team's decision

Khwanhatai Malaikarn

The Nation

PHETCHABURI: -- The chief of the Kaeng Krachan National Park will appeal against a police investigation team's decision not to prosecute a commissioned police officer on charges of illegal hunting.

"I will write to the governor of Phetchaburi," park chief Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn said yesterday. "It will be unfair to people if that police officer is not prosecuted even though there is solid evidence against him."

Police investigators recommended that all the other eight suspects be prosecuted, but spared Pol Lt-Colonel Thirayuth Ketmangmee, a deputy inspector at the Pran Buri Police Station in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The alleged illegal hunting took place at the Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province in November last year.

While Thirayuth is seen in photographs with all the other suspects, investigators said the images did not show him hunting. Besides, they said, the photographs were not dated.

Chaiwat, however, insisted that a few minutes after the park officials arrested all the other suspects, Thirayuth walked out of a dark corner and surrendered.

Police spokesman Maj-General Piya Uthayo yesterday dismissed any suggestion that the police investigators are trying to protect their colleague.

"The chief of the investigation team is the Kaeng Krachan district chief," he pointed out, adding that investigators said that Thirayuth was not carrying a gun at the time of the arrest.

"But once the investigation report is submitted to public prosecutors, it's possible that they will ask for an additional probe," he said. According to Piya, National Police Commissioner General Adul Saengsingkaeo has already assigned his deputies General Pansiri Praphawat and General Ek Angsananont to oversee this case.

"We will ensure justice to all sides," Piya said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-24

BURNING ISSUE

Bt2 trillion plan raises fears of graft

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The plan to borrow Bt2 trillion to finance infrastructure projects is expected to see the ghost of corruption return to haunt the Yingluck Shinawatra government once again.

Full story:

BANGKOK POLL TRACKER

Pongsapat denies breaking laws

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen insisted yesterday that he did not break any election laws by promising projects that go beyond the governor's authority. He was responding to an attack launched by Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Pongsapat said that he simply meant that any projects beyond a governor's authority would be carried out with the central government's support.

For instance, the Transport Ministry is now providing free services on 800 non-air-conditioned buses and if elected, he said, he would coordinate with the ministry to make services on all 1,600 buses free. As part of his campaign, he rode a free bus to Victory Monument and announced that he planned to make all non-air-con buses free.

-- The Nation 2013-01-24

BANGKOK POLL TRACKER

A clean city promised

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Independent candidate Jongjit Hiranlarp, No 12, is proposing a garbage-separation scheme and the use of advanced technology to turn Bangkok into a clean and environmentally friendly city. She is also proposing a change in the office hours of city agencies as well as encouraging people to use public transport to ease traffic problems.

Jongjit, who is also an energy expert, said that she was not battling with her competitors because as an independent candidate she needs to work with everyone. People want decision-makers and she said she hopes Bangkokians will give her a chance to use her decision-making abilities.

She said that since she has grown up in the capital, she understands the problems people have to contend with. Also, she said, she has been successful in her government work related to education and energy, and believes she can use this experience to ease problems in the city. "I am a woman and the prime minister is a woman, so I think we can work together," Jongjit said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-24

WORLD BANK

Balanced approach on rising baht urged

WICHIT CHAITRONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- As Thailand faces the challenge of how to tackle the baht's rapid appreciation, Brazil's tax on foreign capital inflows is an interesting example of how countries deal with a large capital influx that causes a sharp rise in their currencies, a World Bank official told The Nation yesterday.

Full story:

Missing Swiss Student Tourist Alive And Well, In Thai Prison

Full story:

Defence Minister: no change in southern teacher protection measures; 21 Narathiwat schools closed after another teacher slain /MCOT

Ukrainian found hanging from tree in Bang Saray

Bang Saray: -- On Wednesday Police were called to an area of woodland in the Bang Saray area in Sattahip District to investigate reports of a foreign man who was discovered hanging from a tree.

Full story:

New rice stock under pledging scheme to be auctioned

By English News

BANGKOK, Jan 24 – Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom has ordered a new bid for rice under the rice pledging scheme given increasing demand in the local market.

Full story:

Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,447.61, up 8.41 points /MCOT

Syringes, surgery and slaps: Thais suffer for beauty

by Apilaporn Vechakij

BANGKOK, Jan 24, 2013 (AFP) - From breast-slapping and gold thread face-lifts, to vaginal whitening soaps and olive oil penis enlargements, image obsessed Thais are going to ever increasing extremes in the quest for beauty.

Full story:

Democrats sue DSI chief, top officials for abuse of authority

By English News

BANGKOK, Jan 24 – Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban filed a lawsuit against five senior officials of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for abusing their power and falsely imposing charges against them in connection with the 2010 political upheaval in Bangkok.

Full story:

UPDATE:

Thonglor shooting not accidental, CCTV footage shows

By Praj Kiatpongsan

Photo: Dailynews

BANGKOK: -- Dailynews today published a CCTV image of the Thonglor shooting in which Channel 3 actor Porames “Phee” Singhpho allegedly killed Nopphadol “Ae” Athibuy. The image shows that the gunshot might not have been an accidental discharge, as Phee had originally claimed.

Full story:

Ikea ad upsets Thai Trans group

ScandAsia news Newsdesk

BANGKOK: -- Thai Transgender Alliance is protesting against IKEA Global for its 'negative and stereotypical' advert.

Full story:

Strong baht has Thai politicians, business owners spooked

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The baht has posted a remarkable rally during the past month, pushing Thai business owners and politicians into a state of panic about the possibility of harm being done to Thai exporters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....aht-dont-panic/

Customs seizes over 150 mil baht worth of smuggled merchandises

BANGKOK, 24 January 2013 (NNT) - The Customs Department has recently seized two smuggled cars, other products, and animals considered endangered; worth altogether over 150 million baht.

Customs Department Director-General Benja Louicharoen has reported the result of a raid on a transport company in Phra Pradaeng, Samutprakarn. According to her, the officials found a large number of contraband goods including clothes, bags, cell phones, sex toys, amphetamines, marijuana, valium (pills used to treat anxiety disorders), alcoholic beverages, protected plants, birds on endangered species list, and fuel oil. All of the merchandise, worth 94 million baht, were smuggled and waiting to be distributed elsewhere.

The department has since New Year seized a number of other smuggled goods, a Ferrari, and a Mercedes Benz, altogether worth 62 million baht. The value of all smuggled products found this year so far is worth over 155 million baht. Ms Benja said most of the confiscated products were from China.

-- NNT 2013-01-24

Over 1,300 Rohingyas now detained in Thailand

BANGKOK, 24 January 2013 (NNT) - Police have so far detained over 1,300 Rohingyas; while the Defense Minister revealed that up to 4,000 Rohingyas have been picked up in Thailand in the past three months, saying all sides must help solve this problem.

Defense Minister Sukampol Suwannathat said the influx of Rohingyas into Thailand is the problem that needs cooperation from all sides in order for it to be solved, especially that from international organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He admitted that up to 4,000 Rohingyas have been caught entering Thailand illegally in the past three months. Clashes and discrimination in Myanmar have forced many Rohingyas to flee their country for shelter, mostly in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, police reported that over 1,300 Rohingyas have so far been detained in Thailand. They are under the care of the Thai immigration police and other government agencies. On Wednesday the Border Patrol Police and Phang-Nga Water Police arrested nearly 180 Rohingyas. This group of refugees reportedly left Rakhine in Myanmar on January 7th. While at sea, they consumed only water and four meals of raw rice.

In Songkhla, the Rohingyas who were asked to identify the people who trafficked them were too scared to do so. Only after the officials had assured them of their safety that they pointed out the culprit, but then a fight broke out between a Rohingya and a detention officer. The officer will be interrogated.

Most Rohingyas stranded in Thailand had been tortured, beaten, and deprived of food before the Thai authorities found them. All of them wanted to go to a third country and asked, in fear of their own lives, the Thai officials not to send them back to their country.

-- NNT 2013-01-24