By English News
BANGKOK, Jan 31 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today categorically denied an international news report that her brother, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, controls the cabinet remotely from abroad via various telecommunications channels.
The New York Times said Mr Thaksin, in self exile since 2008 and residing mostly in Dubai and London, has made important political decisions for the government via mobile phone and social media applications such as Skype, Line and Whatsapp.
Ms Yingluck stood firm that she is the genuine prime minister of Thailand and that she and her cabinet jointly and clearly run the country.
“Opinion polls show that my leadership and recognition among the people has increased. I have successively proved myself in the past year. I’d rather have people judge me from my performance,” she said.
“I can’t stop people’s thinking but I believe lots of people are fair to me. What a working person wants is moral support.”
She described as groundless the report which said Mr Thaksin participated in some cabinet meetings and ordered ministers through Skype, saying the cabinet conferences are off limits to telephones. (MCOT online news)
-- TNA 2013-01-31
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LPG Car Explodes outside Pattaya City Hall
PATTAYA:--Pattaya Fire Fighters were called to the front of Pattaya City Hall in North Pattaya on Sunday Night to deal with an LPG car explosion.
A Blue Toyota Corona owned by Khun Somshai aged 35 was well alight and after 20 minutes the fire was extinguished. The Engine compartment sustained major damage but the fire luckily failed to reach an LPG tank in the boot of the car.
It was discovered that Khun Somshai had earlier broken down in front of City Hall and walked to a nearby garage where 4 men were dispatched to inspect the vehicle. It was determined that the car needed to be towed away and the tow truck was called to the location.
Full story:http://www.pattayaon...taya-city-hall/
-- Pattaya One 2013-02-04
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Thai cop arrested with 20 elephant tusks
BANGKOK, Feb 3, 2013 (AFP) - A Thai policeman has been arrested after he was caught trying to smuggle 20 elephant tusks, officials said Sunday.
The haul was discovered when the suspect -- in plain clothes but driving a police van -- was stopped at a checkpoint in the southern province of Chumphon on Saturday, Police Colonel Chalard Polnakarn told AFP.
"We found 10 pairs of elephant tusks in the van and charged him with illegal possession of elephant tusks, which he confessed to during the investigation," Chalard said.
The origin of the tusks was unclear. International trade in elephant ivory, with rare exceptions, has been outlawed since 1989.
But a rise in the illegal trade in ivory has been fuelled by demand in Asia and the Middle East, where elephant tusks are used in traditional medicines and to make ornaments.
Conservationists say ivory from Africa is often smuggled into Thailand and passed off as coming from Thai elephants, as a legal loophole allows the legal trade in ivory from domesticated elephants.
Wildlife campaign group Freeland praised the latest seizure as a "valiant act of fighting corruption to protect wildlife".
"We need more officers like them to fight this new form of transnational organised crime," Freeland director Steven Galster said in a statement.
Freeland said that in the past year thousands of tusks had been seized as they were smuggled into Asia from Africa due to "rampant elephant poaching".
It comes as Thailand prepares to host the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) in Bangkok in March.
-- ©Copyright AFP 2013-02-03 | AFP News Sponsor
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Panicked Family Crashes Car With Dead Body Inside
A 38-year-old woman driver crashed into a tree after driving through a police checkpoint, because the vehicle contained her husband’s dead body. Her elder brother had killed him in a drunken fight, so her brother and her son were helping her look for a place to dump the body.
NAKHON SAWAN – February 3, 2013 [PDN]: a report of a suspicious car driving through a police checkpoint was received by the Nong Pling police station in Nakhon Sawan
province. The incident occurred at a checkpoint set up by police looking for drugs at Asia road, Amphur Phayuhakiri. After being notified, police coordinated by radio with area officers to look out for the suspicious car.
Later, the police of Nong Pling police station were notified that a car had lost control and collided with the tree on the side of the road. So the police rushed to the scene, and discovered that the vehicle, a white Nissan Teana, was the car that had run the police checkpoint. The front end of the car was severely damaged by the impact.
Inside the car were the driver, identified as Mrs. Karnjana Angkarb, age 38. Also in the car were her elder brother and her son. Then while police were inspecting the back seat of the car, they discovered the body of a man. His head was covered with a black bag and his body concealed inside a sack that was tied tightly. The dead person was found to be Mr. Somchai Takoporn, age 40, the husband of Mrs. Karnjana.
Full Story: http://www.pattayada..._medium=twitter
--Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-03
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Foreigners Arrested on Charges of Underage Gay Sex
By Staff Reporters
Karl Josef Rupple, charged with sexual activity with a minor in Pattaya
PATTAYA: -- Supermarkets are ideal for food shopping, but not as a pickup point for underage boys as 60 year old Englishman, Andrew John Tracey, found out to his cost in Pattaya this week end.
Tracey was arrested and charged with procuring underage boys outside a Pattaya department store and offering them 300 baht to go with him.
Police have been aware of his activities over a period of several years but finally caught him and took him in for questioning before formally charging him. A resident of Bang Saray, he isn’t the only one caught in a net which was cast by local police this week end.
A 69 year old German, Karl Josef Rupple, was also arrested at his accommodation in South Pattaya, and charged with picking up a 14 year old boy in front of the Chai Mongkol Temple, and taking him back to his room.
The “man” is charged with sexual acts with the 14 year old and it is reported that he paid the child 200 baht, a charge which he denies. [more...]
Full story: http://www.pattaya10...d-underage-gay/
--Pattaya 103 FM 2013-02-04
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Phuket: Govt wants Youtube sex spoof removed
BANGKOK: -- The government plans to ask YouTube to remove a video clip mocking the sex industry in Thailand.
The clip is a parody of a commercial for the Rosetta Stone foreign language learning programme. The spoof was produced by popular American late-night television show Saturday Night Live.
In the video, foreigners are interested in learning the Thai language so they know how to say things like, "How much?", "Is that for the whole night?" or "How can I take off your clothes?" in Thai.
Culture Minister Sonthaya Khunploem said on Monday that the Culture Watch Centre is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an effort to have the video removed from the world's most popular video sharing website.
The government will also inform the United States embassy that the commercial spoof is tarnishing Thailand's image and will ask the embassy to explain the situation to the producer of Saturday Night Live, Mr Sonthaya said.
The parody has drawn many negative responses from both Thai and foreign netizens on YouTube.
Most Thai internet users were not impressed with the video, saying the joke is too harsh and not at all funny.
An internet user posted in Thai, "The Americans behave like this and this is why they're bombing their country."
"Even though it might be true, the producers should not offend Thailand this way," another Thai commented.
As for foreign netizens, some commented that people should not take the spoof too seriously but most were disappointed with it.
Source: The Phuket News/Agencies/BKK Post http://www.thephuket...moved-36805.php
-- 2013-02-04
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Bangkok Dealer Made Ya-Ice In Samut Prakan Home
A 37-year-old African man was arrested in soi Nana in Bangkok for drug dealing. The man had been selling heroin, cocaine and ya-ice to Thais and foreigners around Nana for a long time. He manufactured his own ya-ice in his Samut Prakan rental house.
BANGKOK – February 4, 2013 [PDN]; the arrest of a drug dealer for selling heroin and ya-ice was announced at the Metropolitan Police Bureau by Pol. Lt. Gen. Khamronvit Thoopkrajarng, Commissioner; Pol. Maj. Gen. Waranwat Karoonyathat; Pol. Maj. Gen. Manit Wongsomboon, Deputy Commissioner; Pol. Lt. Col. Aekkavee Phongsoiphet, Deputy Superintendent; and the detective police team of Metropolitan Police Division 5.
The suspect was identified as Mr. Philes Maria Litzuhe, age 37, nationality Mozambique. He is accused of possessing ya-ice and heroin for selling; and for manufacturing ya-ice. Police seize the evidence of 112 grams of ya-ice, and 5.2 grams of heroin; as well as ingredients the suspect was using to make the ya-ice.
A police investigation had earlier revealed from sources that an African drug dealer named Mr. Philes was selling ya-ice and cocaine to Thais and foreign tourists in soi Nana, Bangkok. On February 2, a police team arranged to make an entrapment “sting” purchase of 10 grams of ya-ice from Mr. Philes.
When he brought the ya-ice and heroin to the uncercover agent at Soi Nana, he was arrested by police. The police then went to search his house in Plathong village, Amphur Bangphlee, Samut Prakan province. Mr. Philes had been staying at the house more than a year and paying rent of 12,000 THB per month.
Inside his house, police found chemical ingredients the suspect was using to produce ya-ice in a small laboratory set up in the house. The ingredients were later analyzed by the scientist at the Office of Protecting and Subduing Drugs, who said he believed that the chemical substances were left over from the producing of about 1 to 2 kg of ya-ice.
Because he was making and selling his own ya-ice, police said Mr. Philes sold the drug at a much cheaper price to his customers than the street market value, because he was eliminating the suppliers and lower-level dealers who want a big cut of the profits.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...ut-prakan-home/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-05
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Phuket Police search for jet-ski operator after anchor attack on German tourist
Phuket Gazette
ANCHORS AWAY! Anyone see a jet-ski operator swing an anchor at a
German tourist’s head? Call the Police at 076-333362. Photo: Gazette file
PHUKET: -- Karon Police are looking for a jet-ski rental operator at Kata Beach who yesterday allegedly swung an anchor at the head of a German tourist.
When contacted by the Phuket Gazette, Karon Police Superintendent Sirisak Wasasiri today said he had yet to be informed of the incident.
“I have not received a report about this. I will assign officers to question the beach vendors,” Col Sirisak said.
A witness to the incident explained to the Gazette that the jet-ski operator had mounted his jet-skis onto a trailer and was towing them off the beach just before sundown when the wheels of the trailer ran over the German man’s belongings on the sand.
“The German man had his sunglasses and a few other things damaged, but all he wanted was for the jet-ski operator to pay for the broken motorbike helmet, which belonged to a rental shop,” the witness said.
“The beach boy refused and they had an argument… After a while, the German man gave up and started walking away, but the boy picked up a small anchor from the trailer and ran after the German man,” he added.
“It wasn’t until a woman saw what was happening and screamed, that the German man looked back and saw the boy coming at him with the anchor. The German started running at the same time the boy swung the anchor at him. The anchor missed his head by about half a meter,” said the witness.
The German ran down onto the beach, and the jet-ski operator gave chase. “When the boy realized that everyone on the beach was staring at him, he turned and walked away,” he added.
Meanwhile, Col Sirisak has appealed to anyone who may be able to identify the jet-ski operator to contact the Karon Police.
“Anyone who saw the incident can contact Karon Police Station at 076-333362,” Col Sirisak said.
“If anyone knows the German man, please tell him to come to Karon Police Station and report the incident,” he added.
-- Phuket Gazette 2013-02-05
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Aussie deaths in Thailand
Francesca Belperio Today Tonight
BANGKOK: -- Thailand is a favourite holiday destinations for millions of Australians but Foreign Affairs warns some areas are dangerous no-go zones.
In the past five years over 1300 Aussies have died in Thailand from mysterious causes.
Rory McDonald's son Andrew Oake is one of those statistics, and McDonald knows the death was no accident.
"The injuries were several large deep gashes to his head, he probably had 150 stitches to his head. He had multiple cuts to his arm, basically couldn't move his arm, lost control of all his muscles and tendons in his fingers and his arm was chopped up," McDonald said.
In fact he knows his son was murdered and by whom - and so do the authorities.
"He was charged, found guilty of murder and conspiring to murder and was given a three year good behaviour bond. Even the police prosecutor in Thailand at the time, who was prosecuting the case, said this sends a wrong message to our youth.
Full story: http://au.news.yahoo...hs-in-thailand/
Francesca Belperio Today Tonight
BANGKOK: -- Thailand is a favourite holiday destinations for millions of Australians but Foreign Affairs warns some areas are dangerous no-go zones.
In the past five years over 1300 Aussies have died in Thailand from mysterious causes.
Rory McDonald's son Andrew Oake is one of those statistics, and McDonald knows the death was no accident.
"The injuries were several large deep gashes to his head, he probably had 150 stitches to his head. He had multiple cuts to his arm, basically couldn't move his arm, lost control of all his muscles and tendons in his fingers and his arm was chopped up," McDonald said.
In fact he knows his son was murdered and by whom - and so do the authorities.
"He was charged, found guilty of murder and conspiring to murder and was given a three year good behaviour bond. Even the police prosecutor in Thailand at the time, who was prosecuting the case, said this sends a wrong message to our youth.
Full story: http://au.news.yahoo...hs-in-thailand/
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Thai tour bus accident kills five, including French tourist
The Nation
CHUMPHON: -- Five people including a French tourist were killed when a tour bus overturned Wednesday en route to a beach resort in southern Thailand, police said.
Chumphon Police Colonel Narudaet Ingkhajan identified the French casualty as Delphine Jofette Raene Kiesser, 23.
Sixteen passengers including six foreign tourists were hospitalized with injuries, among them one British man who lost his leg in the crash, Narudaet said.
The accident occurred about 4 am on the highway to Chumphon, 380 kilometres south of Bangkok.
"We think the accident was caused by a tyre blowout," Narudaet said.
The driver fled the scene.
-- The Nation 2013-02-06
The Nation
CHUMPHON: -- Five people including a French tourist were killed when a tour bus overturned Wednesday en route to a beach resort in southern Thailand, police said.
Chumphon Police Colonel Narudaet Ingkhajan identified the French casualty as Delphine Jofette Raene Kiesser, 23.
Sixteen passengers including six foreign tourists were hospitalized with injuries, among them one British man who lost his leg in the crash, Narudaet said.
The accident occurred about 4 am on the highway to Chumphon, 380 kilometres south of Bangkok.
"We think the accident was caused by a tyre blowout," Narudaet said.
The driver fled the scene.
-- The Nation 2013-02-06
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Samut Prakan Predator Molests Young Child Again
A 40-year-old Samut Prakan man previously convicted of child molestation was arrested for sexually abusing a 2-year old girl. The victim had been left in an illegal day-care center run by the suspect’s wife. The suspect was held without bail.
SAMUT PRAKAN – February 6, 2013 [PDN]; the arrest of a man for sexually molesting a child was made by the Bangphlee detective police team. The suspect was identified as Pechnamneung To-eam, age 40. He denied the charges, although police had forensic evidence that he had committed a sexual violation of a girl who was 1 year and 9 months old, according to the arrest warrant of Samutprakarn provincial court.
The police were notified by the mother of the girl who came to report the crime, accompanied by Mrs. Paweena Hongsakul, chairman of the Paweena Hongsakul foundation for children and women.
The mother said she had left her daughter to be fed by the nursery in Amphur Bangphlee, because she had to go to work. The nursery was operated by Mrs. Sombat, the wife of the suspect. But after the mother picked up her daughter to go back home, she saw evidence of sexual abuse committed against her daughter. She took her daughter to the hospital, and the doctor comfirmed that a sexual violation was done to her daughter.
The mother then asked for assistance from Mrs. Paweena to notify the police. After the mother of the girl contacted her, Mrs. Paweena coordinated with officers to investigate the suspect. They discovered he had previously sexually assaulted another 2-year-old girl.
In that prior case, a psychologist and social worker worked together with the victim. They asked her questions about what happened, and the victimized girl also pointed to a picture of Mr. Pechnamneung to confirm that he had committed a sexual violation against her.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...ng-child-again/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-07
A 40-year-old Samut Prakan man previously convicted of child molestation was arrested for sexually abusing a 2-year old girl. The victim had been left in an illegal day-care center run by the suspect’s wife. The suspect was held without bail.
SAMUT PRAKAN – February 6, 2013 [PDN]; the arrest of a man for sexually molesting a child was made by the Bangphlee detective police team. The suspect was identified as Pechnamneung To-eam, age 40. He denied the charges, although police had forensic evidence that he had committed a sexual violation of a girl who was 1 year and 9 months old, according to the arrest warrant of Samutprakarn provincial court.
The police were notified by the mother of the girl who came to report the crime, accompanied by Mrs. Paweena Hongsakul, chairman of the Paweena Hongsakul foundation for children and women.
The mother said she had left her daughter to be fed by the nursery in Amphur Bangphlee, because she had to go to work. The nursery was operated by Mrs. Sombat, the wife of the suspect. But after the mother picked up her daughter to go back home, she saw evidence of sexual abuse committed against her daughter. She took her daughter to the hospital, and the doctor comfirmed that a sexual violation was done to her daughter.
The mother then asked for assistance from Mrs. Paweena to notify the police. After the mother of the girl contacted her, Mrs. Paweena coordinated with officers to investigate the suspect. They discovered he had previously sexually assaulted another 2-year-old girl.
In that prior case, a psychologist and social worker worked together with the victim. They asked her questions about what happened, and the victimized girl also pointed to a picture of Mr. Pechnamneung to confirm that he had committed a sexual violation against her.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...ng-child-again/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-07
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rogue wheel in Phuket leaves Russian in ICU
Phuket Gazette
PHUKET: -- A Russian biker remains unconscious in Bangkok Hospital Phuket’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being knocked from his motorbike by a rogue wheel that flew off a 10-wheeled truck on Thepakasatrri Road yesterday.
The Russian, named by police as Alexey Balabko, 26, was a ridding a “big bike” when he was struck by one of the two wheels that came loose off the southbound 10-wheeled truck transporting asphalt to Phuket Town at about 2:25pm.
“Mr Balabko was knocked unconscious and both of his arms and one of his legs were broken,” Thalang Police Duty Officer Chatree Chuwichian told the Phuket Gazette.
Mr Balabko was taken immediately to Vachira Phuket Hospital, but was transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket’s ICU at about 9am today.
“His heart is still beating, but he isn’t responding to stimuli,” Lt Chatree explained this morning.
“After striking Mr Balabko, the wheel continued at a high speed and hit the cashier counter of a roadside grocery shop set up in front of Sen Sgt Maj Mongkol Dechkoontot's house. The other wheel didn’t come to a stop until it hit a pickup truck,” Lt Chatree said.
The driver of the truck, Surachai Kladkaew, 36, was charged for reckless driving, as well as for causing an accident and damage, he added.
Police noted that truck’s wheels came off just about 200 meters from the spot where a tour bus recently lost a wheel, which rolled at high speed down the busy road and narrowly missed a traffic policeman
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...-ICU-20157.html
-- Phuket Gazette 2013-02-07
PHUKET: -- A Russian biker remains unconscious in Bangkok Hospital Phuket’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being knocked from his motorbike by a rogue wheel that flew off a 10-wheeled truck on Thepakasatrri Road yesterday.
The Russian, named by police as Alexey Balabko, 26, was a ridding a “big bike” when he was struck by one of the two wheels that came loose off the southbound 10-wheeled truck transporting asphalt to Phuket Town at about 2:25pm.
“Mr Balabko was knocked unconscious and both of his arms and one of his legs were broken,” Thalang Police Duty Officer Chatree Chuwichian told the Phuket Gazette.
Mr Balabko was taken immediately to Vachira Phuket Hospital, but was transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket’s ICU at about 9am today.
“His heart is still beating, but he isn’t responding to stimuli,” Lt Chatree explained this morning.
“After striking Mr Balabko, the wheel continued at a high speed and hit the cashier counter of a roadside grocery shop set up in front of Sen Sgt Maj Mongkol Dechkoontot's house. The other wheel didn’t come to a stop until it hit a pickup truck,” Lt Chatree said.
The driver of the truck, Surachai Kladkaew, 36, was charged for reckless driving, as well as for causing an accident and damage, he added.
Police noted that truck’s wheels came off just about 200 meters from the spot where a tour bus recently lost a wheel, which rolled at high speed down the busy road and narrowly missed a traffic policeman
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...-ICU-20157.html
-- Phuket Gazette 2013-02-07
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ACCIDENT
Blast injures four at garage in Taling Chan
KHANATHIT SRIHIRUNDAJ
THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- Like a scene out of some action movie, explosions and flames ravaged a garage specialising in installing petrol tanks in Bangkok's Taling Chan district yesterday, injuring four people.
The incident took place at 11.30am at the triple-garage building of PR Supergas Co Ltd near Soi Boromrajajonani 28, said Taling Chan investigator Pol Lieutenant Ekkapoj Boonlom.
An initial explosion in a Mercedes-Benz parked in front of the shop spread flames to three other cars and the garage's ground floor. It took fire fighters and fire engines 30 minutes to put out the fire.
Garage owner Saranrat Reungnarongdech, 46, told police the unnamed Benz owner, who wasn't a regular customer, told her the car's fuel system had malfunctioned after he had filled up the petrol tank, so she told him to wait because none of the garage's six mechanics was available at the time.
However, the owner then opened the hood and did something that apparently caused the fuel leakage, which was followed by explosions and flames that left the car owner and three mechanics burned. Saranrat said she wasn't sure if the man was smoking while checking under the hood, because such a blast could have been caused by petrol fumes being ignited by a spark, adding that the man fled in a taxi. She urged police to locate him to take responsibility for the incident.
-- The Nation 2013-02-08
Blast injures four at garage in Taling Chan
KHANATHIT SRIHIRUNDAJ
THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- Like a scene out of some action movie, explosions and flames ravaged a garage specialising in installing petrol tanks in Bangkok's Taling Chan district yesterday, injuring four people.
The incident took place at 11.30am at the triple-garage building of PR Supergas Co Ltd near Soi Boromrajajonani 28, said Taling Chan investigator Pol Lieutenant Ekkapoj Boonlom.
An initial explosion in a Mercedes-Benz parked in front of the shop spread flames to three other cars and the garage's ground floor. It took fire fighters and fire engines 30 minutes to put out the fire.
Garage owner Saranrat Reungnarongdech, 46, told police the unnamed Benz owner, who wasn't a regular customer, told her the car's fuel system had malfunctioned after he had filled up the petrol tank, so she told him to wait because none of the garage's six mechanics was available at the time.
However, the owner then opened the hood and did something that apparently caused the fuel leakage, which was followed by explosions and flames that left the car owner and three mechanics burned. Saranrat said she wasn't sure if the man was smoking while checking under the hood, because such a blast could have been caused by petrol fumes being ignited by a spark, adding that the man fled in a taxi. She urged police to locate him to take responsibility for the incident.
-- The Nation 2013-02-08
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Just what Thailand doesn't need, another thug on holiday
By Staff Writers
BANGKOK: -- As if Thailand’s Police force didn’t have enough to deal with… Britain has kindly allowed the temporary export of a violent, convicted, thug to Thailand, so that he can take his vacation here.
A British court is allowing a convicted thug, currently on bail for violence, to take his holiday in Thailand. Nathanial McIntosh is on a curfew and only escaped prison, after being found guilty at his trial, because he was willing to wear a tag so that Police know where he is at all times.
Yet the failed footballer from Falmouth succeeded in convincing a British court that he should be allowed to take his holidays in Thailand as they were booked before the crime took place. ( a likely story).
He pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive language and behavior toward 3 people and was given a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for a year, in a case heard last month.
During the attack he is said to have given at least one of the three a “good kicking” during a sustained attack and has previous convictions for similar offences.
Yet now the UK magistrates have agreed to allow him to have a holiday. [more...]
Full story: http://www.pattaya10...liday-thailand/
--Pattaya 103 FM 2013-02-08
By Staff Writers
BANGKOK: -- As if Thailand’s Police force didn’t have enough to deal with… Britain has kindly allowed the temporary export of a violent, convicted, thug to Thailand, so that he can take his vacation here.
A British court is allowing a convicted thug, currently on bail for violence, to take his holiday in Thailand. Nathanial McIntosh is on a curfew and only escaped prison, after being found guilty at his trial, because he was willing to wear a tag so that Police know where he is at all times.
Yet the failed footballer from Falmouth succeeded in convincing a British court that he should be allowed to take his holidays in Thailand as they were booked before the crime took place. ( a likely story).
He pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive language and behavior toward 3 people and was given a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for a year, in a case heard last month.
During the attack he is said to have given at least one of the three a “good kicking” during a sustained attack and has previous convictions for similar offences.
Yet now the UK magistrates have agreed to allow him to have a holiday. [more...]
Full story: http://www.pattaya10...liday-thailand/
--Pattaya 103 FM 2013-02-08
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CHINESE NEW YEAR
Cops demand money from shopowner in front of reporter
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- Two police officers yesterday allegedly tried to extort money for the Chinese New Year from a suit-shop owner in Bang Rak district without realising they were doing so in front of a Nation television journalist.
The journalist, Banjong Cheewamongkonkarn of Nation TV, wrote on his Facebook page that he was talking to the owner of the Bovorn Fashion shop in the Si Praya area when two police officers walked into the shop and one of them demanded of the owner: "Do you have the |present money?"
As a sponsor, the shop outfits Nation TV anchormen in its suits. Yesterday was Chinese New Year, which is traditionally celebrated by giving gifts of money, known as Ang Pao, to others.
The owner, whom Banjong identified only as Porn, whispered to both police officers that it was not a good time and asked them to come back later. However the sergeant insisted that he wanted the money now, as he had other places to go to and would not have time to return.
Finally Porn told them that Banjong was a journalist. Banjong then wai-ed the officers and asked them if they were aware that their boss, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, had recently issued an order prohibiting police from accepting money for the Chinese New Year.
The sergeant appeared stunned upon learning of Banjong's identity. However, he said, "My boss in fact receives more money than me and other [officers]. The money I collected is for the boss - we got a very small sum." Both police, however, left the shop. The incident was recorded by the shop's security cameras.
-- The Nation 2013-02-11
Cops demand money from shopowner in front of reporter
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- Two police officers yesterday allegedly tried to extort money for the Chinese New Year from a suit-shop owner in Bang Rak district without realising they were doing so in front of a Nation television journalist.
The journalist, Banjong Cheewamongkonkarn of Nation TV, wrote on his Facebook page that he was talking to the owner of the Bovorn Fashion shop in the Si Praya area when two police officers walked into the shop and one of them demanded of the owner: "Do you have the |present money?"
As a sponsor, the shop outfits Nation TV anchormen in its suits. Yesterday was Chinese New Year, which is traditionally celebrated by giving gifts of money, known as Ang Pao, to others.
The owner, whom Banjong identified only as Porn, whispered to both police officers that it was not a good time and asked them to come back later. However the sergeant insisted that he wanted the money now, as he had other places to go to and would not have time to return.
Finally Porn told them that Banjong was a journalist. Banjong then wai-ed the officers and asked them if they were aware that their boss, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, had recently issued an order prohibiting police from accepting money for the Chinese New Year.
The sergeant appeared stunned upon learning of Banjong's identity. However, he said, "My boss in fact receives more money than me and other [officers]. The money I collected is for the boss - we got a very small sum." Both police, however, left the shop. The incident was recorded by the shop's security cameras.
-- The Nation 2013-02-11
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Group pushes for Thailand’s inclusion in list of world’s worst IP violators
By Shane Danaher
Movie stall. Photo: Flickr
BANGKOK: -- The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), a US-based intellectual copyright lobbying group, has asked that Thailand be placed once again on a list of the world’s worst IP violators.
The IIPA asked the US Trade Representative to keep Thailand on its “Priority Watch List” – a 13-nation list, maintained by the US government, of what it sees as the world’s worst distributors of copyrighted material.
Representing members of the video game, music and film industries, the IIPA made no mention in its complaint of Thai efforts to domestically produce copyrighted pharmaceuticals.
Full Story: http://www.coconutsb...t-ip-violators/
--CoconutsBangkok 2013-02-11
By Shane Danaher
Movie stall. Photo: Flickr
BANGKOK: -- The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), a US-based intellectual copyright lobbying group, has asked that Thailand be placed once again on a list of the world’s worst IP violators.
The IIPA asked the US Trade Representative to keep Thailand on its “Priority Watch List” – a 13-nation list, maintained by the US government, of what it sees as the world’s worst distributors of copyrighted material.
Representing members of the video game, music and film industries, the IIPA made no mention in its complaint of Thai efforts to domestically produce copyrighted pharmaceuticals.
Full Story: http://www.coconutsb...t-ip-violators/
--CoconutsBangkok 2013-02-11
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Kidnapped Karen Girl Enslaved By Cruel Thai Couple
KAMPHAENG PHET – February 11, 2013 [PDN]; a reporter went to investigate a report of a girl who had been kidnapped and held as a household servant for five years. She was being sheltered at the house of Children and FamilIies in Kamphaengphet province. The shelter had picked up girl “Air” (alias) age 12, a native of the Burmese Karen ethnic group.
She had been kidnapped by a Thai couple to be their servant and detained in their house in Amphur Meuang, Kamphaeng Phet province for more than 5 years. During that time, whenever the girl didn’t obey their commands, she would be subjected to cruelties by the couple, such as being kept in the dog’s cage, or hot water was poured all over her body that left scars.
When the reporters arrived at the shelter, they found its director, Mr. Thanawat Sathit, sitting and talking to the girl Air. She has scars from being scalded by hot water all over her body and her two arms were scalded by hot water until it affected the muscles connected with her body until she cannot lift or move her arms.
During questioning, the girl Air described being abducted. Her parents were Karen workers working in a sugarcane field in Amphur Meuang, Kamphaengphet province in the year 2008. At that time she was 7 years old.Then a couple who owned a nearby field walked to her and called her to come visit them. With innocence the girl Air walked after them, and was kidnapped by the couple and kept in their house.
They forced her to do the housework for more than 5 years until she finally escaped a few days ago. The wounds on her body occurred from being scalded by hot water, and she had been detained in the dog’s cage. Then the couple used saline to wash her wounds and applied the medicine for her without sending her to the hospital.
“For the past 5 years I was done cruelness by the owner of the house in many ways and they ordered me to do all the housework,” the girl Air said. “If they got unsatisfied they would hit me all over body until I got injured. Sometimes they also slapped at my face and beat me, and if I cried, they would beat me harder until I didn’t dare to shout for assistance from anyone.”
She continued, “In the past 5 years, I felt as if I was in hell. Once I tried to escape about three years ago. But there was someone who sent me to the police, and the police took me back to the house owners again. My running away made them so much angry, they hit my head against the wall, and used a shoe to slap at my face, and used the scissors to cut at my ears for punishment.”
The girl Air said she only ate twice a day as a servant, and never went out anywhere, until on January 31, 2013, the pet cat being fed by the couple ran out from the house. The girl Air was afraid that she would be punished by the couple again, so she climbed the fence to catch the cat. But while she was outside, she had the sudden thought that it was a good occasion to try and escape again. So she ran to ask for assistance from good people to bring her to the house of Children and Families.
Mr. Thanawat Sathit, the head of the house, said the girl is now safe and under the care of the house, with food, a bed and clothes. The security guard is here to take care of her safety, and Mr. Thanawat will arrange for the psychologist to assist to restore the girl’s mind.
On February 2, the shelter officials then notified Pol. Maj. Suwicha Techawannavuth, investigation officer, Kamphaengphet police station, to prosecute the couple. On February 6, after the police had gathered all evidence, they asked for the arrest warrant to arrest the couple who are the owner of the house.
The warrant accuses them of together beating another person’s body with cruel actions until she was severely injured, and together detained another person that caused them to get severely injured, and together detained another person and forced that person do any service for them or others, and together treated the person as a slave, and together took the person from their rightful place and detained that person and if that action is done with a child not over age 15 until that children got severely injured, together they are charged with kidnapping the child whose age is not over 15 and together doing human trade, totalling 5 accusations by which the police went to arrest them on February 7, 2013.
In the same day, Pol. Col. Akkarasorn Srisuphat, Superintendent, Kamphaengphet police station, said that in this case the officers of the house of Children and Families, Kamphaenphet province, had brought girl Air to notify with the investigation officer to prosecute Mr. Nathee Taeng-orn, age 35, the engineer of a factory in Kamphaengphet province; and Ms. Rattanakorn Piyavoratharm, age 33, the owner of dog grooming shop in Amphur Meuang, Kamphaengphet province.
The arrest warrant alleges that the incidents of abuse occurred continuously from May 20, 2008 until January 31, 2013 at the house address at 193 Moo 8 Tambon Mahachai, Amphur Sai-ngarm, Kamphaengphet province to the house address 7/7 Soi 25 Ratchadamnern road, Tambon Nai Meuang, Amphur Meuang, Kamphaengphet province.
However, the two suspects denied all of accusations and asked to testify in their defense about the matter in the court, and asked to be released on bail in the meantime.
In this case the police didn’t attempt to conceal the case, but because the victim is a child and is a foreign national, which is a delicate matter in protecting the child and her stability, therefore the police need to gather the witnesses and present evidences clearly, for which if the suspects really did what the girl claimed, they will be received the maximum penalty of lifetime prison sentences.
Later, the reporter went to inspect the house of the suspects, and found that the house was closed quietly. He heard a report that the couple had gone out to live in the other place.
-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-12
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Sexual assault and murder suspect forced to apologise
Kesinee Taengkhiao,
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,
Atapoom Ongkulna
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday escorted a rape and murder suspect to the victim's funeral at a Bangkok temple yesterday and forced him to apologise to her and her relatives.
The suspect was also taken to the alleged crime scene as part of a re-enactment.
The funeral is being held at to Wat Bungthonglang in Soi Ladprao 101.
It is believed that the suspect, motorcycle taxi driver Suthee Boonphrom, 23, raped and killed the victim on February 4 in Soi Phokaeo 3 in Bang Kapi district, which is not too far from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's residence. The suspect was arrested on Saturday in Phetchabun province.
Meanwhile, the prime minister told reporters yesterday that she had asked the metropolitan police to work together with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority to provide more street-lamps in risky areas of the capital.
She said she had also urged the metropolitan police chief to ensure the safety of people travelling in risky areas.
On Monday, the victim's relatives carried her coffin to protest outside the premier's residence, demanding that the suspect apologise to them.
-- The Nation 2013-02-13
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Deputy PM: Not a bribe if cops ask for money on Chinese New Year
By Conor Salcetti
BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, responding to recent security cam footage of three police officers “requesting” money from an Indian tailor shop owner, claimed that said behavior was acceptable during the Chinese New Year as it constituted religious tradition and was not merely an act of bribery.
While the Deputy PM admitted that it was not appropriate for police officers to make this type of request of an Indian (who presumably was not celebrating the holiday), he did not foresee a need to change existing regulations on the issue. [more..]
Source: http://www.coconutsb...inese-new-year/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-02-12
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17 gunmen dead in Thai military base attack: army
BANGKOK, Thailand, Feb 13, 2013 (AFP) - Scores of heavily armed gunmen stormed a military base in unrest-plagued southern Thailand, an army spokesman said Wednesday, in a major assault that left at least 17 militants dead.
"Some 100 fully armed militants stormed the base, where there were 60 marines," Colonel Pramote Promin, southern army spokesman, told AFP.
He said the attack, one of the most ambitious in several years of violence in Thailand's deep south, had resulted in the deaths of at least 17 assailants.
No military casualties were reported in the early hours assault at the base in Bacho district of Narathiwat province, one of three Muslim-dominated provinces near the border with Malaysia.
"We learned of the attack in advance from defected militants," Pramote told Thai television.
"We were able to secure the camp. All of our force are safe," he said.
He added that a key local leader of the fighters, who wore bulletproof vests during the attack, had been killed in the clashes.
A shadowy insurgency calling for greater autonomy has plagued Thailand's far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming more than 5,300 lives, both Buddhist and Muslim.
Members of Thailand's security forces are frequently targeted in ambushes and roadside bombs, while civilians perceived to have collaborated with Thai authorities are also routinely executed.
A report by the International Crisis Group on the violence in December said insurgents had grown "bolder and stronger" amid political inaction from successive Bangkok governments.
"The violence has evolved at a pace that is starting to challenge the ability of the government to respond on its own terms," said Jim Della-Giacoma, Crisis Group's Southeast Asia project director.
ICG recommended a greater push towards decentralisation and closer engagement with local civil society groups and peace negotiations with insurgents.
It added that the deployment of 60,000 security forces and an emergency decree "have not achieved any appreciable decline in casualties".
Five soldiers were killed Sunday in a bomb attack by suspected insurgents in the deep south, police said.
The bomb, which also wounded a sixth soldier, was detonated as the troops passed by in their patrol vehicle in a village in Yala, another southern province.
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Extortion involving government officials caught-on-tape at Sattahip Coffee Shop
SATTAHIP: -- The owner of a factory which produces animal cages recorded a transaction involving 4 men who claimed to be Local Government Officials who required protection money paid monthly as the factory employed illegal immigrants.
One month ago the men conducted a raid of the factory, owned by Khun Nongnuch aged 42, and detained 12 illegal foreign immigrants.
Discussions between the owner and the men took place and they required a payment of 1,500 Baht per person to clear the case and avoid further prosecution.
This price was discounted to 15,000 Baht which was paid-over to the men.
They promised to return one month later to collect an agreed amount of 5,000 Baht per month so the workers could continue at the factory unhindered.
Full story: http://www.pattayaon...ip-coffee-shop/
-- Pattaya One 2013-02-14
SATTAHIP: -- The owner of a factory which produces animal cages recorded a transaction involving 4 men who claimed to be Local Government Officials who required protection money paid monthly as the factory employed illegal immigrants.
One month ago the men conducted a raid of the factory, owned by Khun Nongnuch aged 42, and detained 12 illegal foreign immigrants.
Discussions between the owner and the men took place and they required a payment of 1,500 Baht per person to clear the case and avoid further prosecution.
This price was discounted to 15,000 Baht which was paid-over to the men.
They promised to return one month later to collect an agreed amount of 5,000 Baht per month so the workers could continue at the factory unhindered.
Full story: http://www.pattayaon...ip-coffee-shop/
-- Pattaya One 2013-02-14
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Heartbroken Japanese man jumps to his death at Crowne Plaza Hotel
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- A Japanese businessman was found dead at 4am this morning on the 24th floor of Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bang Rak district following a leap off the 29th floor.
Police found 58-year-old Sukita, whose surname was not disclosed, lying face up in a pool of blood with a large wound to the head. Police subsequently searched Sukita’s room on the 27th floor, where he had stayed since Feb. 9. They did not discover signs of struggle but an ashtray filled with cigarette butts and a half-full bottle of sake.
Sukita reportedly came to Thailand with five friends and was scheduled to fly back today. One of his friends told police that Sukita had earlier invited a Thai woman whom he met in a pub to stay with him at his room for few days.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...ne-plaza-hotel/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-02-14
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Brake failure on fleeing bus causes second accident
Phuket Gazette
PHUKET: -- A tour bus fleeing the scene of an accident suffered brake failure and crashed into a utility pole on Patong Hill yesterday, causing a three-hour traffic jam.
Patong Police received the accident report at 4pm and arrived at the scene to find that the bus driver had fled.
“A bus with a Pegas Touristik company logo heading from Phuket Town to Patong beach to pick up tourists hit a motorbike while driving up Patong Hill,” Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Nikorn Choothong said.
“The bus driver sped up and drove away after the collision with the motorbike driven by Suriyawadee Uba, 54,” Lt Col Nikorn said.
“Ms Suriyawadee suffered injuries to her face and arm, as well as a broken leg,” he added.
On the way down Patong Hill near Wat Suwankiriwong (map here), after the accident with Ms Suriyawadee, the brakes on the bus failed . With no brakes, the out of control bus hit a utility pole, Col Nikorn said.
“We had to close one of the lanes for Patong-bound traffic on the hill, causing tailbacks for three hours,” he said.
Ms Suriyawadee was taken to Patong hospital, Col Nikorn added.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...dent-20242.html
-- Phuket Gazette 2013-02-15
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Thailand's Prostitution Image Is Embarrassing
BANGKOK: -- Prostitution has become so widespread in Thailand for so long that it has become world famous for it. Many foreigners in other countries associate Thailand as a place where prostitution is its major industry. Some even make jokes about it. But the reality is not that funny for the prostitutes.
It showed foreign men wanting to learn the Thai language, because they wanted to visit Thailand to talk to Thai prostitutes and pay for their sexual services. So the comedy actors were learning Thai phrases like, “How much?” and “Is that for the whole night?” It is noteworthy that audience members were laughing very loudly, showing that Americans knew all about Thailand’s sex industry.
After that embarrassing episode, Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem from Thailand’s Ministry of Culture sent a letter to inform the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. He explained that the TV clip really damaged the image of Thailand and requested that whoever posted it to remove it. The comedy clip only shows a one-sided view of Thailand, Mr. Sonthaya protested. More preferable would be a documentary with a more balanced view of prostitution, instead of treating it as a joke.
To be honest, prostitution is a reality in Thailand because of so many poor people who are barely surviving. However difficult it is to accept that reality, prostitution has always existed and not just in Thailand. There are many venues of prostitution, ranging from women selling themselves on the streets, or in entertainment centers, or even advertising online.
The question is, why has prostitution become so huge inThailand that it is now famous for it? Although it is illegal, prostitution is still going on nearly everywhere in Thailand, especially in the big cities visited by tourists like Bangkok and Pattaya. Surprisingly, Thailand is a Buddhist country, which makes it seem strange that prostitution would be allowed to flourish. Thai women love to be prudent, yet there are a still a lot of working prostitutes.
For the most part, when the prostitutes are asked about why they are in the sex industry, they tend to give similar reasons. They might say their friends persuaded them to be waitresses or bar girls. But soon enough they discovered that giving “extra service” could earn them a lot more money. Then they got to enjoy having a very good income, which they often send back home to support parents or their children with no father.
Most Thai prostitutes grew up in very poor families. So they had to struggle, and ended up working in the entertainment spots, which don’t require them to have any degrees or special skills. Prostituion is a shortcut for so many women, and can make them successful in a very short time.
Naturally, since visiting tourists come to spend their money on prostitutes, it has become so well known in cities like Bangkok. So the foreign media have portrayed Bangkok as a city of sexual pleasures. Most Thai people are embarrassed by this labeling of Bangkok as a giant brothel. But many Westerners completely see Bangkok in that way.
However, Thai people have to accept that prostitution in cities like Bangkok are not falsehoods that the Westerners are making up. It is the reality that we have to find the solution for, and start to do something about the shameful image of Thailand that began decades ago.
Thailand has become a desirable place in the minds of foreigners to have sex cheaply with attractive Thai females. On the other side of the coin, a growing trend for male prostitutes is emerging, with people in its inner circles knowing where such services exist.
As long as the laws against prostitution are not enforced, and no reasonable alternatives are available for poor women, Thai people have to accept the truth that prostitution will continue in Thailand and remain widely available all over the country.
Source: http://www.pattayada...s-embarrassing/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-15
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Chalerm parades Hmong drug suspects in massive meth seizure at Police Sports Club
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalearm Yoobamrung announced the arrest of three of 1.97 million speed pills and 20 kilograms of crystal meth today at Royal Thai Police Sports Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
The bust was performed yesterday on the Chiang Saen-Mae Chan route in Chiang Rai province, following a tip-off that Hmong people would move the drugs from Mae Fah Luang district down to Central Thailand.
Police reportedly followed four suspected vehicles on the road and shot one dealer dead on the scene following an gunfire exchange. They nabbed 20-year-old Patheep Saeyang, 35-year-old Sitthichai Saeyang and 20-year-old Siridetch Saethao.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...ce-sports-club/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-02-15
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Posted 2013-02-16 06:39:25
-- The Nation 2013-02-16
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Driver in British cyclists' fatal road accident released on bail
By Digital Media
CHACHOENGSAO, Feb 18 - Police said here on Monday the driver of a pickup truck who allegedly hit a British couple while they were on a world tour cycling in Chachoengsao
last Wednesday has been released on bail and will face a charge of dangerous driving leading to the death of others.
Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both 34, were killed when hit by the pickup truck while cycling on the Route 304 Phnom Sarakam-Kabinburi Road in this eastern province.
Police Lt-Col Supachai Loangsukcharoen said the bodies of the couple are being kept at a charity association in the province pending their family's collection. The British embassy has contacted the local authorities to bring their bodies back to the UK.
Col Supachai said driver Worapong Sangkhawat, 25, who was seriously injured in the crash, has been released on bail after posting Bt300,000 bail bond.
A police investigation team are collecting evidence to charge him for dangerous driving leading to others' death. If found guilty, he could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
The Guernsey couple set off on a round-the-world adventure in July 2011 and had cycled through Europe, the Middle East and China.
The British newspaper the Telegraph quoted a British Foreign Office spokesperson as saying that "We are aware of the deaths of two British nationals in Thailand on February 13 and we are providing consular assistance."
On their website, Two on Four Wheels, the couple posted a travel journal, photographs and short films from the 23 countries they had visited. (MCOT online news)
-- TNA 2013-02-18
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- A Japanese businessman was found dead at 4am this morning on the 24th floor of Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bang Rak district following a leap off the 29th floor.
Police found 58-year-old Sukita, whose surname was not disclosed, lying face up in a pool of blood with a large wound to the head. Police subsequently searched Sukita’s room on the 27th floor, where he had stayed since Feb. 9. They did not discover signs of struggle but an ashtray filled with cigarette butts and a half-full bottle of sake.
Sukita reportedly came to Thailand with five friends and was scheduled to fly back today. One of his friends told police that Sukita had earlier invited a Thai woman whom he met in a pub to stay with him at his room for few days.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...ne-plaza-hotel/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-02-14
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Brake failure on fleeing bus causes second accident
Phuket Gazette
PHUKET: -- A tour bus fleeing the scene of an accident suffered brake failure and crashed into a utility pole on Patong Hill yesterday, causing a three-hour traffic jam.
Patong Police received the accident report at 4pm and arrived at the scene to find that the bus driver had fled.
“A bus with a Pegas Touristik company logo heading from Phuket Town to Patong beach to pick up tourists hit a motorbike while driving up Patong Hill,” Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Nikorn Choothong said.
“The bus driver sped up and drove away after the collision with the motorbike driven by Suriyawadee Uba, 54,” Lt Col Nikorn said.
“Ms Suriyawadee suffered injuries to her face and arm, as well as a broken leg,” he added.
On the way down Patong Hill near Wat Suwankiriwong (map here), after the accident with Ms Suriyawadee, the brakes on the bus failed . With no brakes, the out of control bus hit a utility pole, Col Nikorn said.
“We had to close one of the lanes for Patong-bound traffic on the hill, causing tailbacks for three hours,” he said.
Ms Suriyawadee was taken to Patong hospital, Col Nikorn added.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...dent-20242.html
-- Phuket Gazette 2013-02-15
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Thailand's Prostitution Image Is Embarrassing
BANGKOK: -- Prostitution has become so widespread in Thailand for so long that it has become world famous for it. Many foreigners in other countries associate Thailand as a place where prostitution is its major industry. Some even make jokes about it. But the reality is not that funny for the prostitutes.
It showed foreign men wanting to learn the Thai language, because they wanted to visit Thailand to talk to Thai prostitutes and pay for their sexual services. So the comedy actors were learning Thai phrases like, “How much?” and “Is that for the whole night?” It is noteworthy that audience members were laughing very loudly, showing that Americans knew all about Thailand’s sex industry.
After that embarrassing episode, Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem from Thailand’s Ministry of Culture sent a letter to inform the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. He explained that the TV clip really damaged the image of Thailand and requested that whoever posted it to remove it. The comedy clip only shows a one-sided view of Thailand, Mr. Sonthaya protested. More preferable would be a documentary with a more balanced view of prostitution, instead of treating it as a joke.
To be honest, prostitution is a reality in Thailand because of so many poor people who are barely surviving. However difficult it is to accept that reality, prostitution has always existed and not just in Thailand. There are many venues of prostitution, ranging from women selling themselves on the streets, or in entertainment centers, or even advertising online.
The question is, why has prostitution become so huge inThailand that it is now famous for it? Although it is illegal, prostitution is still going on nearly everywhere in Thailand, especially in the big cities visited by tourists like Bangkok and Pattaya. Surprisingly, Thailand is a Buddhist country, which makes it seem strange that prostitution would be allowed to flourish. Thai women love to be prudent, yet there are a still a lot of working prostitutes.
For the most part, when the prostitutes are asked about why they are in the sex industry, they tend to give similar reasons. They might say their friends persuaded them to be waitresses or bar girls. But soon enough they discovered that giving “extra service” could earn them a lot more money. Then they got to enjoy having a very good income, which they often send back home to support parents or their children with no father.
Most Thai prostitutes grew up in very poor families. So they had to struggle, and ended up working in the entertainment spots, which don’t require them to have any degrees or special skills. Prostituion is a shortcut for so many women, and can make them successful in a very short time.
Naturally, since visiting tourists come to spend their money on prostitutes, it has become so well known in cities like Bangkok. So the foreign media have portrayed Bangkok as a city of sexual pleasures. Most Thai people are embarrassed by this labeling of Bangkok as a giant brothel. But many Westerners completely see Bangkok in that way.
However, Thai people have to accept that prostitution in cities like Bangkok are not falsehoods that the Westerners are making up. It is the reality that we have to find the solution for, and start to do something about the shameful image of Thailand that began decades ago.
Thailand has become a desirable place in the minds of foreigners to have sex cheaply with attractive Thai females. On the other side of the coin, a growing trend for male prostitutes is emerging, with people in its inner circles knowing where such services exist.
As long as the laws against prostitution are not enforced, and no reasonable alternatives are available for poor women, Thai people have to accept the truth that prostitution will continue in Thailand and remain widely available all over the country.
Source: http://www.pattayada...s-embarrassing/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chalerm parades Hmong drug suspects in massive meth seizure at Police Sports Club
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalearm Yoobamrung announced the arrest of three of 1.97 million speed pills and 20 kilograms of crystal meth today at Royal Thai Police Sports Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
The bust was performed yesterday on the Chiang Saen-Mae Chan route in Chiang Rai province, following a tip-off that Hmong people would move the drugs from Mae Fah Luang district down to Central Thailand.
Police reportedly followed four suspected vehicles on the road and shot one dealer dead on the scene following an gunfire exchange. They nabbed 20-year-old Patheep Saeyang, 35-year-old Sitthichai Saeyang and 20-year-old Siridetch Saethao.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...ce-sports-club/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-02-15
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Posted 2013-02-16 06:39:25
Lottery-winning couple killed in road accident
Seksanti Kanlayanawisut
The Nation
Udon Thani
This Porsche, driven by a Laotian university student, collided with a couple on a motorcycle in Udon Thani on Thursday night, fatally injuring the pair. The couple made headlines last year when they won Bt42 million in lottery prize money.
UDON THANI: -- A couple who made headlines last year when they won Bt42 million died early yesterday of injuries sustained in a road accident on their way to a Valentine's Day celebration on Thursday night.
Sittichai Suwannalee, a Laotian student attending Assumption University, surrendered himself to police at the scene of the accident after his Porsche struck the couple's motorcycle in the border province of Udon Thani.
The 18-year-old student claimed the couple suddenly cut in front of him while his car was travelling at high speed and that he was unable to brake in time.
The young man said he had been in a hurry, as he planned to cross the Thai-Laotian border at Nong Khai before the checkpoint there closed.
Police later charged Sittichai with reckless driving causing death.
Nanta and Wimon Fakkhao sustained serious injuries in the accident, which took place shortly after 9pm on Thursday, and succumbed a few hours later at a hospital.
The couple made headlines last November when they were able to claim Bt42 million in prizes through winning lottery tickets that went unsold at their shop. They even appeared on a popular TV programme, "At Ten".
Nanta and Wimon had three sons.
"On Valentine's Day, they just told us that they wanted to have a granddaughter and to see all their three sons happily in love with their daughters in law," Nitikorn Fakkhao said of his parents.
According to Nitikorn, witnesses saw the Porsche drag the bodies of his parents for about 50 metres.
Wimon used to work as a court official. He joined the early-retirement programme a year ago and helped his wife run the lottery shop.
Seksanti Kanlayanawisut
The Nation
Udon Thani
This Porsche, driven by a Laotian university student, collided with a couple on a motorcycle in Udon Thani on Thursday night, fatally injuring the pair. The couple made headlines last year when they won Bt42 million in lottery prize money.
UDON THANI: -- A couple who made headlines last year when they won Bt42 million died early yesterday of injuries sustained in a road accident on their way to a Valentine's Day celebration on Thursday night.
Sittichai Suwannalee, a Laotian student attending Assumption University, surrendered himself to police at the scene of the accident after his Porsche struck the couple's motorcycle in the border province of Udon Thani.
The 18-year-old student claimed the couple suddenly cut in front of him while his car was travelling at high speed and that he was unable to brake in time.
The young man said he had been in a hurry, as he planned to cross the Thai-Laotian border at Nong Khai before the checkpoint there closed.
Police later charged Sittichai with reckless driving causing death.
Nanta and Wimon Fakkhao sustained serious injuries in the accident, which took place shortly after 9pm on Thursday, and succumbed a few hours later at a hospital.
The couple made headlines last November when they were able to claim Bt42 million in prizes through winning lottery tickets that went unsold at their shop. They even appeared on a popular TV programme, "At Ten".
Nanta and Wimon had three sons.
"On Valentine's Day, they just told us that they wanted to have a granddaughter and to see all their three sons happily in love with their daughters in law," Nitikorn Fakkhao said of his parents.
According to Nitikorn, witnesses saw the Porsche drag the bodies of his parents for about 50 metres.
Wimon used to work as a court official. He joined the early-retirement programme a year ago and helped his wife run the lottery shop.
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Driver in British cyclists' fatal road accident released on bail
By Digital Media
CHACHOENGSAO, Feb 18 - Police said here on Monday the driver of a pickup truck who allegedly hit a British couple while they were on a world tour cycling in Chachoengsao
last Wednesday has been released on bail and will face a charge of dangerous driving leading to the death of others.
Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both 34, were killed when hit by the pickup truck while cycling on the Route 304 Phnom Sarakam-Kabinburi Road in this eastern province.
Police Lt-Col Supachai Loangsukcharoen said the bodies of the couple are being kept at a charity association in the province pending their family's collection. The British embassy has contacted the local authorities to bring their bodies back to the UK.
Col Supachai said driver Worapong Sangkhawat, 25, who was seriously injured in the crash, has been released on bail after posting Bt300,000 bail bond.
A police investigation team are collecting evidence to charge him for dangerous driving leading to others' death. If found guilty, he could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
The Guernsey couple set off on a round-the-world adventure in July 2011 and had cycled through Europe, the Middle East and China.
The British newspaper the Telegraph quoted a British Foreign Office spokesperson as saying that "We are aware of the deaths of two British nationals in Thailand on February 13 and we are providing consular assistance."
On their website, Two on Four Wheels, the couple posted a travel journal, photographs and short films from the 23 countries they had visited. (MCOT online news)
-- TNA 2013-02-18
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Bangkok Sinking Faster
By Digital Media
BANGKOK: -- Successive Bangkok governments have invested billions of baht in building embankment systems and used several other means to protect the heart of Bangkok. However, surveillance results from Thaichote, the first Thai earth observation satellite has revealed interesting results which shows that Bangkok and its vicinity could be sinking even faster than earlier predicted.
More alarmingly, future floods could be worse than the one which was experienced back in 2011.
The data analysis room is used to decipher all the trends and data collected via the satellite system, as well as acting as a headquarters in receiving information gathered from other sources. Recent evidence suggests that Bangkok and six surrounding provinces in the lower Chao Praya river basin are most prone to flooding, as a result of the rising sea level as well as erosion.
"There will be similar issues occurring in the future, precisely in the next ten years or so. There is a high chance but as long as proper mechanisms are in place, including sound management systems, then the consequences may be less severe. But that flood in 2011, wasn't the worst," said Anon Sanitwong Na Ayuttaya (Director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA)).
"If changes are made within the next five years, major floods can be prevented. There are several options, several technologies available. For instance, 1) to not do anything at all, 2) to relocate cities to other areas, 3) to create satellite cities, 4) to build ducts around the cities like in the Netherlands. and 5) to reclaim land and practically cover up the Gulf of Thailand area," he said.
Despite all these changes that need to be done, the director of GISTDA views it is an imperative to genuinely include local voices and opinions in the decision-making process. An exchange of information and input must be incorporated to ensure that their voices are heard. Most importantly, to ensure changes are sustainable, local voices must be recognised, instead of solely focusing on serving mainstream politics. (MCOT online news)
-- TNA 2013-02-19
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Women arrested for trying to pimp 11-year-old girl on Soi Cowboy
By Coconuts Bangkok
Soi Cowboy
BANGKOK: -- Two women were arrested this Wednesday for trying to sell an 11-year-old girl for sexual purposes on Soi Cowboy.
Both of the women – a Cambodian known only as “Pao” and a Pathum Thani native named Chatsiri Thongdee – had outstanding warrants for their arrest when police apprehended them, acting on a tip-off from the Labour Right Promotion Network Foundation.
The organization accused the two women of providing a Cambodian girl for sexual services to a Swedish customer identified only as “Jorgen,” who later arranged to meet the pair on Soi Cowboy.
After being apprehended, the girl was sent to a rehabilitation facility run by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...-on-soi-cowboy/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-02-21
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Unchained backhoe falls off truck in Pathum Thani
By Coconuts Bangkok
A backhoe
BANGKOK: -- Have you ever felt nervous driving alongside or behind a truck carrying industrial machinery or (even worse) lumber that seems to be hanging on precipitously by little more than hope?
Truck driver Mr. Thanasit Songanjan isn’t doing much to alleviate your fears. On Sunday afternoon he loaded a backhoe onto his 10-wheel truck and – “driving only a short distance” – decided against using ropes or chains to hold it down.
In a predictable demonstration of basic physics, the backhoe slid off the bed of the truck and crashed on its side on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani when Mr. Thanasit took a right turn at Poonsaub T-junction.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...n-pathum-thani/
-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-02-25
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Four dead in Thai Buddhist festival blast: police
BANGKOK, Feb 25, 2013 (AFP) - Four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a homemade bomb was detonated during a fight at a Buddhist festival in northeast Thailand early Monday, police said.
The explosion killed two policemen and two revellers at a concert to celebrate Makha Bhucha Day at a pagoda in Maha Sarakham province, local district police chief Kritchai Sreumsri told AFP.
He said police officers responding to a fight near the celebrations were chasing a man who was apparently carrying a homemade device when it exploded.
More than 20 people, including the man being chased, were injured in the blast at the town of Nadoon.
Makha Bhucha Day honours the teachings of Lord Buddha on the full moon day.
-- ©Copyright AFP 2013-02-25 | AFP News Sponsor
Published with written approval from AFP.
Bangkok Sinking Faster
By Digital Media
BANGKOK: -- Successive Bangkok governments have invested billions of baht in building embankment systems and used several other means to protect the heart of Bangkok. However, surveillance results from Thaichote, the first Thai earth observation satellite has revealed interesting results which shows that Bangkok and its vicinity could be sinking even faster than earlier predicted.
More alarmingly, future floods could be worse than the one which was experienced back in 2011.
The data analysis room is used to decipher all the trends and data collected via the satellite system, as well as acting as a headquarters in receiving information gathered from other sources. Recent evidence suggests that Bangkok and six surrounding provinces in the lower Chao Praya river basin are most prone to flooding, as a result of the rising sea level as well as erosion.
"There will be similar issues occurring in the future, precisely in the next ten years or so. There is a high chance but as long as proper mechanisms are in place, including sound management systems, then the consequences may be less severe. But that flood in 2011, wasn't the worst," said Anon Sanitwong Na Ayuttaya (Director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA)).
"If changes are made within the next five years, major floods can be prevented. There are several options, several technologies available. For instance, 1) to not do anything at all, 2) to relocate cities to other areas, 3) to create satellite cities, 4) to build ducts around the cities like in the Netherlands. and 5) to reclaim land and practically cover up the Gulf of Thailand area," he said.
Despite all these changes that need to be done, the director of GISTDA views it is an imperative to genuinely include local voices and opinions in the decision-making process. An exchange of information and input must be incorporated to ensure that their voices are heard. Most importantly, to ensure changes are sustainable, local voices must be recognised, instead of solely focusing on serving mainstream politics. (MCOT online news)
-- TNA 2013-02-19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women arrested for trying to pimp 11-year-old girl on Soi Cowboy
By Coconuts Bangkok
Soi Cowboy
BANGKOK: -- Two women were arrested this Wednesday for trying to sell an 11-year-old girl for sexual purposes on Soi Cowboy.
Both of the women – a Cambodian known only as “Pao” and a Pathum Thani native named Chatsiri Thongdee – had outstanding warrants for their arrest when police apprehended them, acting on a tip-off from the Labour Right Promotion Network Foundation.
The organization accused the two women of providing a Cambodian girl for sexual services to a Swedish customer identified only as “Jorgen,” who later arranged to meet the pair on Soi Cowboy.
After being apprehended, the girl was sent to a rehabilitation facility run by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...-on-soi-cowboy/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-02-21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unchained backhoe falls off truck in Pathum Thani
By Coconuts Bangkok
A backhoe
BANGKOK: -- Have you ever felt nervous driving alongside or behind a truck carrying industrial machinery or (even worse) lumber that seems to be hanging on precipitously by little more than hope?
Truck driver Mr. Thanasit Songanjan isn’t doing much to alleviate your fears. On Sunday afternoon he loaded a backhoe onto his 10-wheel truck and – “driving only a short distance” – decided against using ropes or chains to hold it down.
In a predictable demonstration of basic physics, the backhoe slid off the bed of the truck and crashed on its side on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani when Mr. Thanasit took a right turn at Poonsaub T-junction.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...n-pathum-thani/
-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-02-25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four dead in Thai Buddhist festival blast: police
BANGKOK, Feb 25, 2013 (AFP) - Four people were killed and more than 20 injured when a homemade bomb was detonated during a fight at a Buddhist festival in northeast Thailand early Monday, police said.
The explosion killed two policemen and two revellers at a concert to celebrate Makha Bhucha Day at a pagoda in Maha Sarakham province, local district police chief Kritchai Sreumsri told AFP.
He said police officers responding to a fight near the celebrations were chasing a man who was apparently carrying a homemade device when it exploded.
More than 20 people, including the man being chased, were injured in the blast at the town of Nadoon.
Makha Bhucha Day honours the teachings of Lord Buddha on the full moon day.
-- ©Copyright AFP 2013-02-25 | AFP News Sponsor
Published with written approval from AFP.
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IKEA withdraws ‘horsemeat’ meatballs from Thai store
By Coconuts Bangkok
IKEA meatballs: We knew they were too cheap...
BANGKOK: -- Swedish furniture mega-retailer IKEA has pulled a line of meatballs from its Thai stores following accusations that the snacks contained (drum roll)…horsemeat.
The debacle started last week, when a Czech foodstuffs inspector discovered that the meatballs contained not only beef and pork, but also equine meat products. Though IKEA had originally withdrawn the product from only its European stores after hearing this news, the company announced on Monday that it would withdraw the meatballs from its stores in Thailand, Hong Kong and the Dominican Republic as well.
This scandal represents the second such PR pratfall for IKEA since the company first set up shop in Thailand. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...rom-thai-store/
-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-02-26
By Coconuts Bangkok
IKEA meatballs: We knew they were too cheap...
BANGKOK: -- Swedish furniture mega-retailer IKEA has pulled a line of meatballs from its Thai stores following accusations that the snacks contained (drum roll)…horsemeat.
The debacle started last week, when a Czech foodstuffs inspector discovered that the meatballs contained not only beef and pork, but also equine meat products. Though IKEA had originally withdrawn the product from only its European stores after hearing this news, the company announced on Monday that it would withdraw the meatballs from its stores in Thailand, Hong Kong and the Dominican Republic as well.
This scandal represents the second such PR pratfall for IKEA since the company first set up shop in Thailand. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...rom-thai-store/
-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-02-26
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Student, unable to take exam, decides to hold woman hostage
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- At 2pm yesterday, a 20-year-old student at the Bangkok Technical School of Business Administration took his 17-year-old fellow student hostage after seeing that his name was not on the examinee list.
Phrakanong police said that the incident took place on the balcony of the second floor of the school’s Building 1 where Nattawut Inpreeprem held a five-inch-long knife to the hostage’s neck. Police called Nattawut’s relatives to the school in an effort to calm him down. He agreed to let go of the girl after 20 minutes of negotiation.
Nattawut told police that he succumbed to stress after realizing that his failure to pay the THB10,000 tuition fee disqualified him as an exam taker. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...-woman-hostage/
-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-02-27
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Police Checking YouTube Clips Of Thai Girl Beatings
BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police are investigating two YouTube video clips showing men beating Thai women. In one clip, a man is beating a tomboy female. The other clip shows 10 men beating two girls for a monetary reward. No victims have filed complaints, and police are still gathering evidence.
A video clip broadcasted on YouTube shows a man beating a girl in the Bukkalo area. The video was watched and shared by many people through the Internet. Now, another recently-posted video clip shows 10 men beating 2 girls because they wanted 20,000 baht cash. The footage shown on YouTube was reportedly obtained from the CCTV of Banmore plaza building.
The person who posted the video on YouTube used the name “Kickoff.” He said someone had offered 20,000 baht to anyone who beat the girls. So the girls were beaten to get the reward. The girl who got severely beaten is shown on the right of the clip, wearing a blue-and-white Scott printed shirt.
Police are investigating the YouTube videos to see if criminal acts have occurred, said a police spokesman. He was discussing the case on February 26 at the Command Center of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
But the reasons for the beatings are unclear, said Pol. Maj. Gen. Parinya Jansuriya, vice commissioner of metropolitan police, who has the responsibility for the detective department. He added that police are also unsure of where the beatings occurred. The identity of the person posting the video is also unknown, and how involved he was in the actual beating.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...-girl-beatings/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-27
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- At 2pm yesterday, a 20-year-old student at the Bangkok Technical School of Business Administration took his 17-year-old fellow student hostage after seeing that his name was not on the examinee list.
Phrakanong police said that the incident took place on the balcony of the second floor of the school’s Building 1 where Nattawut Inpreeprem held a five-inch-long knife to the hostage’s neck. Police called Nattawut’s relatives to the school in an effort to calm him down. He agreed to let go of the girl after 20 minutes of negotiation.
Nattawut told police that he succumbed to stress after realizing that his failure to pay the THB10,000 tuition fee disqualified him as an exam taker. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...-woman-hostage/
-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-02-27
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Posted Yesterday, 17:33
Thailand to be lifted from money laundering, terrorist financing blacklist
By Digital Media
BANGKOK, Feb 27 – The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has removed Thailand from the anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing (AML/CTF) blacklist after the country has made significant progress to tackle the issues, a senior Thai official said today.
Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) secretary general Sihanart Prayoonrat said the FATF made a preliminary decision in its Feb 18-22 meeting and that a FATF specialist will make an on-site visit to Thailand in May to confirm that the country has implemented the required reforms and actions to address deficiencies previously identified by the Paris-based agency.
Should Thailand be found to have made real progress in addressing the issue, a proposal will be made to the FATF at its June meeting for final approval to remove Thailand from the blacklist.
Pol Col Sihanart said Thailand has enacted legislation to criminalise terrorist financing, establishing and implementing adequate procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets.
Thailand has been included on the AML/CTF list since February last year. (MCOT online news)
-- TNA 2013-02-27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Digital Media
BANGKOK, Feb 27 – The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has removed Thailand from the anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing (AML/CTF) blacklist after the country has made significant progress to tackle the issues, a senior Thai official said today.
Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) secretary general Sihanart Prayoonrat said the FATF made a preliminary decision in its Feb 18-22 meeting and that a FATF specialist will make an on-site visit to Thailand in May to confirm that the country has implemented the required reforms and actions to address deficiencies previously identified by the Paris-based agency.
Should Thailand be found to have made real progress in addressing the issue, a proposal will be made to the FATF at its June meeting for final approval to remove Thailand from the blacklist.
Pol Col Sihanart said Thailand has enacted legislation to criminalise terrorist financing, establishing and implementing adequate procedures to identify and freeze terrorist assets.
Thailand has been included on the AML/CTF list since February last year. (MCOT online news)
-- TNA 2013-02-27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Police Checking YouTube Clips Of Thai Girl Beatings
BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police are investigating two YouTube video clips showing men beating Thai women. In one clip, a man is beating a tomboy female. The other clip shows 10 men beating two girls for a monetary reward. No victims have filed complaints, and police are still gathering evidence.
A video clip broadcasted on YouTube shows a man beating a girl in the Bukkalo area. The video was watched and shared by many people through the Internet. Now, another recently-posted video clip shows 10 men beating 2 girls because they wanted 20,000 baht cash. The footage shown on YouTube was reportedly obtained from the CCTV of Banmore plaza building.
The person who posted the video on YouTube used the name “Kickoff.” He said someone had offered 20,000 baht to anyone who beat the girls. So the girls were beaten to get the reward. The girl who got severely beaten is shown on the right of the clip, wearing a blue-and-white Scott printed shirt.
Police are investigating the YouTube videos to see if criminal acts have occurred, said a police spokesman. He was discussing the case on February 26 at the Command Center of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
But the reasons for the beatings are unclear, said Pol. Maj. Gen. Parinya Jansuriya, vice commissioner of metropolitan police, who has the responsibility for the detective department. He added that police are also unsure of where the beatings occurred. The identity of the person posting the video is also unknown, and how involved he was in the actual beating.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...-girl-beatings/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2013-02-27
