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Phuket daily news
Online English-language newspaper for Phuket, Thailand, with daily news.
Online English-language newspaper for Phuket, Thailand, with daily news.
Pattaya & Thailand
News Update
News stories featured on this page are mostly shortened versions of articles gathered from various online news resources. Reference sources will be made available at the bottom of each article. News stories will be updated daily or when appropriate. News Archive Thailand News Links Thailand Visa News
11/ Mar/ 2010
50,000 Security Forces Deployed For Bangkok Mass Rally
Since midnight, the Internal Security Act (ISA) is in force in Bangkok and Nonthaburi, as well as 21 districts of neighbouring provinces. In the capital, security checkpoints have been activated at the designated UDD rally site on Rajadamnoen Avenue and all across Bangkok.
50,000 military, police and civilian forces have been deployed all over Bangkok, and security has been tightened at all key locations. The enforcement of the security law, which gives the military 'exceptional powers to respond to alleged threats to national security', however, would not "affect the daily life of the people," the government insisted yesterday.
While the government has confirmed it would not impose a curfew during the demonstrations, the "use of media to incite people to violate the laws" has been banned under the security law.
While Red-shirt supporters, who will start to gather in central Bangkok from tomorrow, have been warned against blocking traffic, carrying weapons, raiding and seizing government offices, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban assured protesters that no "violent measures" would be used to control the crowds and officers would carry only shields and batons to protect themselves. If it was deemed necessary to disperse unruly crowds, anti-riot operations would strictly "conform to international standards of using tear gas and water canons."
Demonstrators have the right to peaceful assembly under Section 63 of the constitution, he said, "but if they intrude into private establishments or government offices, they will face a crackdown."
Only SWAT teams were to be armed to quell violent attacks, Suthep said, and authorities would use weapons against protesters who intrude into military and police installations where weapons are kept, "because they would be regarded as terrorists." The Nation NNT
Hundreds of thousands of red-shirt anti-government protesters of the UDD, who are determined to topple the Democrat-led coalition government and force fresh elections, are expected to converge on the streets of downtown Bangkok in what they said would be a peaceful protest, and may turn out to become the country's largest political rally since the 1970's. According to the UDD's latest media release, the Red Shirts will "demand an end to the era of military-aristocratic interference" in politics and "recognition that the People are the sovereign rulers of Thailand."
Red-shirt protesters will begin moving from the provinces into the capital on Friday, with the main demonstration to start on Sunday. Protest leaders said the government would not be able to stop them from holding their mass rally in Bangkok and they would successfully "break through all the checkpoints," although security forces have been instructed to obstruct the protesters for as long as they can. Bangkok Post
The Nation has a map of 'trouble hot spots' in Bangkok this weekend, while a Tourist Assistance Center has been set up to facilitate tourists during the mass rally. Additional tourist police will be dispatched to three main Bangkok areas frequented by tourists, including Sanam Luang and the Grand Palace, Khao San Road, and the area between Siam Paragon and Silom Road.
More information for concerned tourists will also be available at the call centers of the TAT (1672) and the Tourist Police (1155). The TAT News Room also has updates on "political developments" during the protest, as well as maps showing "Safe Zones" that are apparently being protected for tourists, and also "Routes to Avoid" and "Recommended Routes" NNT
11/ Mar/ 2010
Petrol Sales And Deliveries In Bangkok Suspended
Petrol sales and deliveries and "red" community television and radio stations are the latest target of the Thai government in the lead-up to the mass rally by red-shirt protesters this weekend.
Earlier today, government lawyers applied to the Supreme Court for an order closing all radio and television stations affiliated with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
At the same time the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) announced it was suspending all fuel sales and deliveries to Bangkok and surrounding provinces commencing tomorrow.
A spokesman for the pro-red People's Television Channel said that equipment was already being removed from their studio at Ladprao to an off-site location in preparation for this weekend's mass rally. It was expected that government officials and police would arrive at the studio with an order to cease broadcasting at around 1pm.
"We have informed red-shirt supporters of the plans of the government, and they will be gathering here prior to 1pm in an attempt to stop the order being served and the removal of equipment”, he said.
Meanwhile, red-shirt supporters in provinces neighboring the capital Bangkok have confirmed that fuel deliveries will be suspended as of this afternoon.
A red-shirt organizer in Ayutthaya confirmed by telephone that they have been advised there will be no fuel available for purchase starting from tomorrow and people planning to attend the rally in Bangkok were now stockpiling fuel. ThaiVisa
10/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand Urges UAE Not To Shelter Thaksin
Thailand has asked the United Arab Emirates not to 'shelter' ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra any longer and let him use the UAE as his base for political activities against the Thai government, according to an aide to the Thai foreign minister.
Mr Chavanont Intarakomalsut said the request was made through UAE ambassador Mohammed Ali Ahmed Omran Al Shamri, who was called in to see Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya today. He said the foreign ministry had 'established facts' to prove that Thaksin has been using the UAE as his base for political activities aiming to overthrow the Thai government.
The UAE envoy had pledged to convey the message to his government 'as soon as possible', Mr Chavanont said, adding that the Thai foreign ministry "expected to hear a satisfactory reply" from the UAE soon. However, the foreign ministry did not "set a timeframe for the UAE to ask Thaksin to leave the country," he said.
From his exile in the UAE, Thaksin has recently called on his red-shirt supporters via video links, SMS text messages and his Twitter page to join the upcoming mass anti-government protests in Bangkok. "This coming [March] 14, please join a campaign to bring back democracy and justice for our future generations," Thaksin said in a text message to his followers.
The UAE had earlier promised not to allow Thaksin to use its soil as his political base, and "now that things become clear, we hope the UAE will keep its word," Chavanont said. He expected an extradition treaty between Thailand and the UAE would be signed by the end of this year.
Deposed by the 2006 military coup, Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile - mosty in Dubai - after he was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison on conflict of interest charges; a verdict he claims was "politically motivated". Some countries including the UK and Germany have earlier also revoked his visa. Thai News Agency
10/ Mar/ 2010
Gov't Ready To Handle Protests Amid Alleged Threats Of Violence
The Thai government has stepped up security at key government offices and public transportation hubs before enforcing the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Thursday - with around 50,000 police and military forces to be deployed in Bangkok and parts of neighbouring provinces.
The government had adequate forces to handle the red-shirt protest this weekend, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after chairing a meeting of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) to discuss measures to be implemented under the Internal Security Act (ISA). While warning the public of "intelligence reports indicating possible acts of violence" and sabotage during the mass anti-government rally this weekend, at the same time he called for the people "not to panic."
The security law will be invoked from March 11-23 throughout Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces, as well several districts in neighbouring provinces, to deal with the upcoming mass protest by the pro-democracy Red-shirt movement. Hundreds of thousands of protesters, who are determined to topple the Democrat-led coalition government and force fresh elections, are expected to converge on the streets of downtown Bangkok in what they said would be a peaceful protest, and may turn out to become the country's largest political rally since the 1970s.
While many countries have issued travel warnings urging their citizens to avoid rally sites and the Taiwanese government urged its citizens to cancel trips to Thailand, the Transport Ministry today reassured the general public that access to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, which PAD protesters seized in 2008, as well as bus terminals nationwide would be "as usual." Security has been tightened at major transport hubs, and alternate routes would be available if the main routes should be blocked. The Nation
Despite the Red Shirts' commitment to a peaceful protest, the prime minister today repeated his dubious claims of "intelligence reports indicating possible acts of violence" during the mass rally. Denying suggestions that the government was only fabricating negative news stories to discredit the red-shirt movement, Abhisit said there had "really been reports of possible sabotage." Intelligence reports on Monday, he said, had warned of "big explosions at two major spots" in the capital, and "smaller explosions at 30 to 40 other locations." Security forces have been alerted to monitor dozens of government buildings and public places in Bangkok that might be targetted for bomb attacks. He also instructed his cabinet to be on standby in case of the need to declare the emergency rule after the enforcement of the ISA. Despite all that scaremongering, he added that "people should not panic." Bangkok Post Thai News Agency
Yesterday, Puea Thai Party MP Chalerm Yoobamrung also warned that a "political group," which was "not the government," had set up a command centre in London to "stir up trouble" during the red-shirt rally. A source had telephoned to tell him that a war room has been set up in London to "destroy Thaksin" and the red-shirt movement. Chalerm said the "planned disturbances would be blamed on the Red Shirts."
"Targets for disturbance include Siriraj Hospital [where Thailand's 82-year-old King Bhumibol has been hospitalised since last September], Rajvithi Hospital and Islamic mosques in Bangkok," he said. The planned disturbances would be carried out by "fake red-shirts teams."
Interestingly, Newin Chidchob, the informal leader of the Bhum Jai Thai party and former Thaksin ally, who switched sides in December 2008, and whose faction joined the Democrat-led coalition government, is reported to be currently staying in London until the end of the month "on personal business." Newin was reportedly also involved in organizing a "counter-rally" by armed blue-shirt protesters in Pattaya last April, the agenda of which was to provoke the Red Shirts and force the government to declare a state of emergency and crack down on protesters. Bangkok Pundit
09/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand Invokes Internal Security Act In Bangkok From March 11-23
The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) all across Bangkok and in seven surrounding provinces beginning on Thursday, to cope with the upcoming mass protest of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
A government spokesman, Panitan Wattanayakorn, said the security act would be enforced from March 11 through March 23 throughout Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces, plus in 21 districts of Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Pathom. 18 other "related laws", Panitan added, would be parallelly invoked with the security act.
Among the 'almost limitless powers' the army will be able to exercise under the Internal Security Act, are the following (for more, see ThaiVisa.com):
Take command of "state agencies"; impose restrictions on freedom of movement, assembly and information; order "the use of military force"; arrest and detain a person for up to 30 days in total;
"suppress” groups and individuals perceived as posing a "threat to national security"; compel any person to issue statements or hand in "any documents or evidence"; search individuals, vehicles and buildings; enter and search homes; seize or freeze assets, documents, other evidence etc. - most of which provisions do not require court authorisation for the powers to be exercised.
The ISA "would place the military at the heart of a future civilian government at all levels," Human
Rights Watch warned in 2007, "no declaration of a state of emergency is required for the ISOC to exercise its powers."
Up to a million red-shirt supporters of the pro-democracy protest movement will start gathering in Bangkok on Friday in an attempt to topple the government and force fresh elections. Despite the anticipated enforcement of the security law, the Red Shirts yesterday already declared they were determined not to call off the rally. Thai News Agency
09/ Mar/ 2010
Angered Isaan Man Throws Cow Dung At Prime Minister's Residence
A 56-year-old Thai man from upcountry, who said he was upset over "injustices" in Thai society, today threw a bag of excrement past a security cordon to hit the fence of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's residence on Sukhumvit Soi 31 in Bangkok.
Police detained Mr. Kamphong Samart, 56, a native of Nakhon Phanom province in the country's rural northeastern region, after throwing a bag of cow dung at the prime minister's residence. The bag was found stuck to the fence.
Police quoted the man as saying that his action was done "out of resentment for what he regards as injustices," and the "double standards administration" of Abhisit Vejjajiva's government.
The disgruntled man explained to investigators that he was a red-shirt supporter and had planned the incident for two weeks before leaving his hometown for the capital.
He said he had the cow dung from the backyard of his neighbour and had stolen Bt10,000 pocket money from his wife's savings, saying that she was a supporter of the anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts.
He said he had traveled to Bangkok by bus, arrived at the Morchit bus terminal and caught a taxi to the prime minister's home on Soi Sawasdee, telling the driver his daughter worked in the area. Abhisit was still at home at the time and left his home only five minutes later.
The attack was already the second one after a 'politically-frustrated' Bangkok resident last month threw a bag of human waste and fermented fish into the premier's residence. Today's attack took place despite reinforcement of security personnel after last month's incident.
Mr Kamphong has now been charged with "defacing property and causing public embarrassment to others." The court handed down a 20-day jail term to the man, which sentence was commuted to 10 days after his confession. Thai News Agency
09/ Mar/ 2010
Two Young Iranian Women Arrested With 'Ice' At Suvarnabhumi Airport
Two young Iranian women Sunday were arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for allegedly smuggling nearly five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as "yah ice" into the country. Police said they had received a tip-off from Iran about the women's arrival.
They detained the two young women, identified as Miss Rezakhani Reyhaneh, 20, and Mrs Sara Moghadaminik, 30, at a customs checkpoint. 4.48kg of ‘ice’ were found hidden in their baggage. The suspected smugglers had flown in from Iran via Dubai with Iran Air.
Police assumed the duo used Thailand as a base before distributing the drugs to other countries in Asia, such as Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. Others were to be sold to party-goers in the Patpong and Nana nightlife areas in Bangkok. Thai News Agency
09/ Mar/ 2010
Four Thai Youths Arrested Over Gang-Rape Of 15-Year-Old Girl
Pattaya police announced on Monday they successfully apprehended a gang of four Thai youths, who have been accused of gang-raping a 15-year-old girl on two separate occasions.
The gang is alleged to have deceived their young victim into meeting with them on two occasions before they subsequently raped her. The four young men, all aged between 18 and 20, have been positively identified by the victim as the offenders.
Miss Joy (alias), a 15-year-old high school student, stated that one of the accused men, 20-year-
old Mr Prasongsuk, had previously been her boyfriend for about a month prior to the first incident. She explained that on the evening of January 15, he had deceived her into meeting him, however, arriving at the scene he raped her and let his three friends also take part in the assault.
Two days after the first incident, Mrs Joy explained that he had again called her and asked her to meet him under the false pretence that he was going to "apologise". Once again, the 15-year-old girl went to see Mr Prasongsuk at his home and was again raped by him and his friends, whilst a female friend of the group, Miss Na, operated as a lookout.
Investigations began only following the second assault and after the girl, who finally informed her parents of the incidents, and her parents reported the case to police.
Mr Prasongsuk, believed to be the gang leader, confessed and also admitted that the group had previously committed several similar acts at his home "whilst drunk and sexually frustrated."
Pattaya Daily News
08/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand To Impose Security Law As PM Cancels Overseas Trip
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has cancelled his official visit to Australia from March 13-17 after a security-monitoring committee has "agreed" that the Internal Security Act (ISA) should be enforced in Bangkok from March 11 to 23, to deal with the Red Shirts' mass protest starting next weekend in downtown Bangkok. Up to a million red-clad supporters of the pro-democracy protest movement will start gathering in Bangkok next Friday in an attempt to topple the government and force fresh elections. The main demonstration will start on Sunday.
The ISA, which allows the army to 'help' police and gives authorities the power to impose curfews and ban gatherings, would not only cover all of Bangkok but also take effect in certain districts of Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Ayutthaya provinces. Tomorrow, the Thai cabinet will make an official decision on whether to impose the security law or not, however, anything else than a yes-
vote is unlikely in the current political climate.
Before its introduction under the military-appointed interim government of Gen Surayud Chulanont in October 2007, a year after the coup that ousted red-shirt idol Thaksin Shinawatra, the ISA was widely cririsised by human rights organizations as "the most blatant attempt by the Thai military to retain greater powers and influence than it had under previous elected governments."
Under the ISA, Human Rights Watch warned, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), only nominally under the control of the prime minister, is given "exceptional powers to respond to alleged threats to national security by restricting fundamental rights and overriding ...due process of law."
The ISA "would place the military at the heart of a future civilian government at all levels," Human Rights Watch warned in 2007, "no declaration of a state of emergency is required for the ISOC to exercise its powers."
Interestingly, Abhisit Vejjajiva has today also cancelled an appointment in order to attend a royal audience at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, where Thailand's 82-year-old king Bhumibol Adulyadeth is reported to be receiving physical therapy after suffering from a lung inflammation last September. His Majesty would be given a briefing on current affairs "amid concern over a possible outbreak of violence" ahead of the upcoming mass rally, comments The Nation.
Meanwhile, leaders of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group insisted their anti-government protest would not be called off. Bangkok Post
08/ Mar/ 2010
Seh Daeng Freed On Bail, YouTuber K-Thong's Bid Rejected
Thailand's Criminal Court granted bail to Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, alias Seh Daeng, a staunch supporter of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the red-shirt movement, and six of his associates, except Pornwat Thongthanaboon, alias K-Thong, reasoning that the latter's charges should be considered terrorism.
Even though investigators asked the court to detain all eight suspects, including Seh Daeng, the court finally decided to temporarily free them after Seh Daeng's lawyer placed 1.6 million Baht as collateral.
The Criminal Court, however, denied bail for Pornwat aka K-Thong, who was charged with inciting unrest and threatening public order after uploading a video clip to YouTube some 10 days ago, in which he predicted bombings and chaos might "soon take place" in Bangkok. The next day, four grenades were thrown at Bangkok Bank branches in several districts of Bangkok.
The accused, who told investigators he had only hosted a radio show "dealing with astrology and fortune-telling", denied the charges, saying the video was edited and "may have been doctored to frame him."
Seh Daeng and his aides have been in police custody since Saturday after K-Thong, for whom an arrest warrant had been issued, was found hiding in the back of Seh Daeng's van, allegedly along with seven pistols, 47 cartridges and a knife.
Suspended from duty for an indefinite period, the controversial "rogue" general, who is suspected of being involved in a grenade attack at the Army headquarter in January, now also faces charges for sheltering an accused person.
Seh Daeng, who was ordered by the court not to give any comments that could be considered as threats of possible violence, said that he would comply with the court order and would not appear on stage during the red-shirt mass protests starting next weekend. However, he would attend the gathering as an observer and said he would appeal the court order to help free K-Thong, who was to be sent to the Bangkok Remand Prison. Thai News Agency
08/ Mar/ 2010
Grenade Attack Suspects 'Confess', Allege Link To Red Shirts
Two men appeared on government television Sunday evening after allegedly confessing to police they had been involved in last Saturday's grenade attack at the Bangkok Bank's Silom branch in the capital's prime business district.
According to Bangkok Post and TNA reports, 23-year-old Ekkachai Moolket and his uncle Sawai Yangsanteeralso also alleged that they were members of the red-shirt anti-government movement of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or "admitted their link to a member of the Red Shirts." Here's their story, or the official story as presented by the media:
Ekkachai said that "he was told by his uncle to pick up a man at Silom Soi 3 but said he did not know that the man would carry out the grenade attack, and he did not know him personally."
After the grenade attack, Ekkachai - who confessed he had been the driver of the motorbike used in the attack - told police he had dropped off the "bomber" near the Bangkok Christian College. In spite of his claims that he had been the driver himself and a witness, he reportedly "was shocked when he later realised that man was the grenade thrower."
Meanwhile, his uncle Sawai alleged the unidentified 'bomber' was a "UDD member he had met at a protest," who had "called him to find a motorbike driver for him" to carry out the attack. Despite their accusations, as reported by the media, it remains to be seen whether uncle and nephew, or the unidentified alleged grenade thrower, are really linked to the UDD, or if their claims were only made up to frame the Red Shirts ahead of their mass anti-government protest next weekend and will be used as a pretext to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok.
Though no hard evidence regarding the alleged link between the bomb attacks and the UDD, who have committed themselves to peaceful protests and deny any involvement in the bombings, was presented, The Nation quotes Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Santhan Chayanont as saying: "They [uncle and nephew] said other Red Shirts have told them to wreak havoc in the capital."
A Thai court earlier issued an arrest warrant for a man suspected of having thrown the grenade at Bangkok Bank’s Silom branch. Although his picture, which was sketched from CCTV installed at the bank and evidence given by eyewitnesses, was published in the media, the suspect is still at large.
Mr Ekkachai was charged with illegal possession of weapons and involvement in the attack while his uncle was charged with hiring or inciting others to carry out the attack. Bangkok Post
07/ Mar/ 2010
Army Weapons, Explosives Stolen From Thai Military Camp
An investigation into massive losses of army weapons and explosives stolen from an arms depot at a military camp in the southern province of Phatthalung was underway, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Sunday.
According to an undisclosed police source, about 3,000 rounds of ammunitions for M-16 and AK-
16 rifles, as well as 20 hand grenades were stolen from the arms depot. Other "informed sources claim about 6,000 assault rifles and a large amount of explosives" had been stolen, and the theft was only discovered on Tuesday.
The Oxford-educated premier today admitted he had been informed of the theft from the military's Engineering Regiment 401 on Wednesday. The incident was reported to police last Thursday but the news has been withheld from the public until today. The media were barred from the site, and no details of who stole the weapons or how the theft could occur, were disclosed after a meeting of senior army officials, including Fourth Army Region Commander Lt-Gen Pichet Wisaijorn, who is responsible for security in the South.
Panitan said investigators were now checking whether the stolen arms and explosives "had been secretly transported within the insurgency-affected southern provinces" or to Bangkok where red-
shirt protesters plan to hold a mass rally next Sunday aimed at ousting the government.
Only yesterday Thai PM Abhisit, who today admitted he had learned of the arms theft already on Wednesday, said the government and concerned security authorities were on full alert to "ensure that no military weapons are smuggled out of their bases."
Declining to go into details, he said he had received "intelligence reports warning of possible acts of sabotage intended to instigate unrest" in the lead up to next week's mass rally, but rejected to reveal further details about who might be behind a "sabotage plot". He was also quoted as saying that "news about potential terrorist attacks in Bangkok are not entirely unrealistic." BP
Interestingly, Abhisit's statements were made days after he had been informed of the arms theft, undermining his own credibility and questioning his capability to lead a politically divided country some observers see on the brink of civil war.
Meanwhile, the government spokesman said that "security at other army weaponry warehouses, especially in Bangkok, has been tightened following the incident."
Asked whether the Fourth Army Region, which is responsible for security in the South, should be held accountable for the weapons theft, he only said the investigation was "focusing on whether it was an inside job." Thai News Agency ThaiVisa The Nation
07/ Mar/ 2010
Thai Police Arrest Bangkok Bank Bomb Suspect, YouTuber
Thai police have today apprehended a man suspected of involvement in a hand grenade attack at Bangkok Bank's Silom Road branch in the capital's prime business district last weekend. It was one of four Bangkok Bank branches across Bangkok targeted for bombing on February 27.
The bombing incidents at branches of Thailand’s largest commercial bank followed the Supreme Court’s verdict in Thaksin Shinawatra's assets seizure case, and came in the lead up to a mass anti-government rally scheduled to take place at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang next Sunday.
Acting on a tip-off, Bangkok police arrested Ekkachai Muljet, 23, "who is believed to be the driver of the motorcycle used in the grenade attack," at his house Saturday evening. The Nation reports that the suspect allegedly told investigators "he had been hired by his uncle to make the attack," and that police were now hunting for Ekkachai's uncle, whose name was not disclosed.
On Saturday, Pornwat Thongsomboon, who is accused of posting a video on YouTube warning of violence in the capital following the partial seizure of Thaksin's assets, was arrested in Bangkok's Crime Suppression Division (CSD) compound. The man was arrested on charges of attempting to instigate unrest and causing panic.
Pornwat, known as "K-Thong", is a close associate of army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol, aka Seh Daeng, an outspoken Thaksin loyalist and suspended senior army officer, who was charged last month with illegal arms possession after he was suspected of being involved in an attack on the army headquarters.
Bangkok Post reports that two men were found hiding in the back of Seh Daeng's van in the CSD compound, allegedly along with seven handguns, 47 cartridges and a knife. Pornwat, who "buried his face in a newspaper", was immediately arrested.
He allegedly appeared in a YouTube video clip saying bomb attacks and unrest would take place in Bangkok from Feb 27 onwards. The video clip spread over the internet after the Supreme Court verdict on Feb 26. The next day, several hand grenades were thrown at branches of the Bangkok Bank in several districts of the capital and neighbouring Samut Prakan province.
Following Pornwat's arrest, red-clad Thaksin supporters besieged the Crime Suppression Division compound late Saturday night in protest at the arrest. About 200 Thaksin supporters, mostly taxi drivers, gathered in almost 100 vehicles to block the gates of the CSD compound demanding bail for the suspect. They agreed to open the road only late last night.
Meanwhile, Pornwat denied all charges and told investigators he had merely hosted a radio show "dealing with astrology and fortune-telling" and had only analysed political events via the Camfrog video chatroom. He denied any links to the video clip, which was spread via YouTube and which he claims "may have been doctored to frame him." Bangkok Post
07/ Mar/ 2010
World's First Male Elephant Twins Born In Surin The Nation
06/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand Offers Foreign Tourists Free 'Riot Insurance' AP
Pattaya International Music Festival 2010, March 19-21 Pattaya Daily News
05/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand Braces For Mass Anti-Government Rally In Bangkok Bangkok Post Thai News Agency
04/ Mar/ 2010
Swiss Tourist Drugged And Robbed By Pattaya Beach Hookers Pattaya Daily News
Red Shirts Ready For 'Million Man' Mass Protest In Bangkok The Irrawaddy
Drought Will Worsen As Temperature Rises To 43°C Bangkok Post
Suvarnabhumi Airport Link Launch Delayed Again (Blame Siemens!!?) Bangkok Post
03/ Mar/ 2010
Thai Government Expands Smoking Ban To Condominiums The Nation
Thailand Ready To Deport 500,000 Foreign Workers The Nation
02/ Mar/ 2010
Free Thai Tourist Visa Scheme Extended By One Year ThaiVisa.com.
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News Update
News stories featured on this page are mostly shortened versions of articles gathered from various online news resources. Reference sources will be made available at the bottom of each article. News stories will be updated daily or when appropriate. News Archive Thailand News Links Thailand Visa News
11/ Mar/ 2010
50,000 Security Forces Deployed For Bangkok Mass Rally
Since midnight, the Internal Security Act (ISA) is in force in Bangkok and Nonthaburi, as well as 21 districts of neighbouring provinces. In the capital, security checkpoints have been activated at the designated UDD rally site on Rajadamnoen Avenue and all across Bangkok.
50,000 military, police and civilian forces have been deployed all over Bangkok, and security has been tightened at all key locations. The enforcement of the security law, which gives the military 'exceptional powers to respond to alleged threats to national security', however, would not "affect the daily life of the people," the government insisted yesterday.
While the government has confirmed it would not impose a curfew during the demonstrations, the "use of media to incite people to violate the laws" has been banned under the security law.
While Red-shirt supporters, who will start to gather in central Bangkok from tomorrow, have been warned against blocking traffic, carrying weapons, raiding and seizing government offices, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban assured protesters that no "violent measures" would be used to control the crowds and officers would carry only shields and batons to protect themselves. If it was deemed necessary to disperse unruly crowds, anti-riot operations would strictly "conform to international standards of using tear gas and water canons."
Demonstrators have the right to peaceful assembly under Section 63 of the constitution, he said, "but if they intrude into private establishments or government offices, they will face a crackdown."
Only SWAT teams were to be armed to quell violent attacks, Suthep said, and authorities would use weapons against protesters who intrude into military and police installations where weapons are kept, "because they would be regarded as terrorists." The Nation NNT
Hundreds of thousands of red-shirt anti-government protesters of the UDD, who are determined to topple the Democrat-led coalition government and force fresh elections, are expected to converge on the streets of downtown Bangkok in what they said would be a peaceful protest, and may turn out to become the country's largest political rally since the 1970's. According to the UDD's latest media release, the Red Shirts will "demand an end to the era of military-aristocratic interference" in politics and "recognition that the People are the sovereign rulers of Thailand."
Red-shirt protesters will begin moving from the provinces into the capital on Friday, with the main demonstration to start on Sunday. Protest leaders said the government would not be able to stop them from holding their mass rally in Bangkok and they would successfully "break through all the checkpoints," although security forces have been instructed to obstruct the protesters for as long as they can. Bangkok Post
The Nation has a map of 'trouble hot spots' in Bangkok this weekend, while a Tourist Assistance Center has been set up to facilitate tourists during the mass rally. Additional tourist police will be dispatched to three main Bangkok areas frequented by tourists, including Sanam Luang and the Grand Palace, Khao San Road, and the area between Siam Paragon and Silom Road.
More information for concerned tourists will also be available at the call centers of the TAT (1672) and the Tourist Police (1155). The TAT News Room also has updates on "political developments" during the protest, as well as maps showing "Safe Zones" that are apparently being protected for tourists, and also "Routes to Avoid" and "Recommended Routes" NNT
11/ Mar/ 2010
Petrol Sales And Deliveries In Bangkok Suspended
Petrol sales and deliveries and "red" community television and radio stations are the latest target of the Thai government in the lead-up to the mass rally by red-shirt protesters this weekend.
Earlier today, government lawyers applied to the Supreme Court for an order closing all radio and television stations affiliated with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
At the same time the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) announced it was suspending all fuel sales and deliveries to Bangkok and surrounding provinces commencing tomorrow.
A spokesman for the pro-red People's Television Channel said that equipment was already being removed from their studio at Ladprao to an off-site location in preparation for this weekend's mass rally. It was expected that government officials and police would arrive at the studio with an order to cease broadcasting at around 1pm.
"We have informed red-shirt supporters of the plans of the government, and they will be gathering here prior to 1pm in an attempt to stop the order being served and the removal of equipment”, he said.
Meanwhile, red-shirt supporters in provinces neighboring the capital Bangkok have confirmed that fuel deliveries will be suspended as of this afternoon.
A red-shirt organizer in Ayutthaya confirmed by telephone that they have been advised there will be no fuel available for purchase starting from tomorrow and people planning to attend the rally in Bangkok were now stockpiling fuel. ThaiVisa
10/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand Urges UAE Not To Shelter Thaksin
Thailand has asked the United Arab Emirates not to 'shelter' ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra any longer and let him use the UAE as his base for political activities against the Thai government, according to an aide to the Thai foreign minister.
Mr Chavanont Intarakomalsut said the request was made through UAE ambassador Mohammed Ali Ahmed Omran Al Shamri, who was called in to see Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya today. He said the foreign ministry had 'established facts' to prove that Thaksin has been using the UAE as his base for political activities aiming to overthrow the Thai government.
The UAE envoy had pledged to convey the message to his government 'as soon as possible', Mr Chavanont said, adding that the Thai foreign ministry "expected to hear a satisfactory reply" from the UAE soon. However, the foreign ministry did not "set a timeframe for the UAE to ask Thaksin to leave the country," he said.
From his exile in the UAE, Thaksin has recently called on his red-shirt supporters via video links, SMS text messages and his Twitter page to join the upcoming mass anti-government protests in Bangkok. "This coming [March] 14, please join a campaign to bring back democracy and justice for our future generations," Thaksin said in a text message to his followers.
The UAE had earlier promised not to allow Thaksin to use its soil as his political base, and "now that things become clear, we hope the UAE will keep its word," Chavanont said. He expected an extradition treaty between Thailand and the UAE would be signed by the end of this year.
Deposed by the 2006 military coup, Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile - mosty in Dubai - after he was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison on conflict of interest charges; a verdict he claims was "politically motivated". Some countries including the UK and Germany have earlier also revoked his visa. Thai News Agency
10/ Mar/ 2010
Gov't Ready To Handle Protests Amid Alleged Threats Of Violence
The Thai government has stepped up security at key government offices and public transportation hubs before enforcing the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Thursday - with around 50,000 police and military forces to be deployed in Bangkok and parts of neighbouring provinces.
The government had adequate forces to handle the red-shirt protest this weekend, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after chairing a meeting of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) to discuss measures to be implemented under the Internal Security Act (ISA). While warning the public of "intelligence reports indicating possible acts of violence" and sabotage during the mass anti-government rally this weekend, at the same time he called for the people "not to panic."
The security law will be invoked from March 11-23 throughout Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces, as well several districts in neighbouring provinces, to deal with the upcoming mass protest by the pro-democracy Red-shirt movement. Hundreds of thousands of protesters, who are determined to topple the Democrat-led coalition government and force fresh elections, are expected to converge on the streets of downtown Bangkok in what they said would be a peaceful protest, and may turn out to become the country's largest political rally since the 1970s.
While many countries have issued travel warnings urging their citizens to avoid rally sites and the Taiwanese government urged its citizens to cancel trips to Thailand, the Transport Ministry today reassured the general public that access to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, which PAD protesters seized in 2008, as well as bus terminals nationwide would be "as usual." Security has been tightened at major transport hubs, and alternate routes would be available if the main routes should be blocked. The Nation
Despite the Red Shirts' commitment to a peaceful protest, the prime minister today repeated his dubious claims of "intelligence reports indicating possible acts of violence" during the mass rally. Denying suggestions that the government was only fabricating negative news stories to discredit the red-shirt movement, Abhisit said there had "really been reports of possible sabotage." Intelligence reports on Monday, he said, had warned of "big explosions at two major spots" in the capital, and "smaller explosions at 30 to 40 other locations." Security forces have been alerted to monitor dozens of government buildings and public places in Bangkok that might be targetted for bomb attacks. He also instructed his cabinet to be on standby in case of the need to declare the emergency rule after the enforcement of the ISA. Despite all that scaremongering, he added that "people should not panic." Bangkok Post Thai News Agency
Yesterday, Puea Thai Party MP Chalerm Yoobamrung also warned that a "political group," which was "not the government," had set up a command centre in London to "stir up trouble" during the red-shirt rally. A source had telephoned to tell him that a war room has been set up in London to "destroy Thaksin" and the red-shirt movement. Chalerm said the "planned disturbances would be blamed on the Red Shirts."
"Targets for disturbance include Siriraj Hospital [where Thailand's 82-year-old King Bhumibol has been hospitalised since last September], Rajvithi Hospital and Islamic mosques in Bangkok," he said. The planned disturbances would be carried out by "fake red-shirts teams."
Interestingly, Newin Chidchob, the informal leader of the Bhum Jai Thai party and former Thaksin ally, who switched sides in December 2008, and whose faction joined the Democrat-led coalition government, is reported to be currently staying in London until the end of the month "on personal business." Newin was reportedly also involved in organizing a "counter-rally" by armed blue-shirt protesters in Pattaya last April, the agenda of which was to provoke the Red Shirts and force the government to declare a state of emergency and crack down on protesters. Bangkok Pundit
09/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand Invokes Internal Security Act In Bangkok From March 11-23
The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) all across Bangkok and in seven surrounding provinces beginning on Thursday, to cope with the upcoming mass protest of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
A government spokesman, Panitan Wattanayakorn, said the security act would be enforced from March 11 through March 23 throughout Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces, plus in 21 districts of Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Pathom. 18 other "related laws", Panitan added, would be parallelly invoked with the security act.
Among the 'almost limitless powers' the army will be able to exercise under the Internal Security Act, are the following (for more, see ThaiVisa.com):
Take command of "state agencies"; impose restrictions on freedom of movement, assembly and information; order "the use of military force"; arrest and detain a person for up to 30 days in total;
"suppress” groups and individuals perceived as posing a "threat to national security"; compel any person to issue statements or hand in "any documents or evidence"; search individuals, vehicles and buildings; enter and search homes; seize or freeze assets, documents, other evidence etc. - most of which provisions do not require court authorisation for the powers to be exercised.
The ISA "would place the military at the heart of a future civilian government at all levels," Human
Rights Watch warned in 2007, "no declaration of a state of emergency is required for the ISOC to exercise its powers."
Up to a million red-shirt supporters of the pro-democracy protest movement will start gathering in Bangkok on Friday in an attempt to topple the government and force fresh elections. Despite the anticipated enforcement of the security law, the Red Shirts yesterday already declared they were determined not to call off the rally. Thai News Agency
09/ Mar/ 2010
Angered Isaan Man Throws Cow Dung At Prime Minister's Residence
A 56-year-old Thai man from upcountry, who said he was upset over "injustices" in Thai society, today threw a bag of excrement past a security cordon to hit the fence of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's residence on Sukhumvit Soi 31 in Bangkok.
Police detained Mr. Kamphong Samart, 56, a native of Nakhon Phanom province in the country's rural northeastern region, after throwing a bag of cow dung at the prime minister's residence. The bag was found stuck to the fence.
Police quoted the man as saying that his action was done "out of resentment for what he regards as injustices," and the "double standards administration" of Abhisit Vejjajiva's government.
The disgruntled man explained to investigators that he was a red-shirt supporter and had planned the incident for two weeks before leaving his hometown for the capital.
He said he had the cow dung from the backyard of his neighbour and had stolen Bt10,000 pocket money from his wife's savings, saying that she was a supporter of the anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts.
He said he had traveled to Bangkok by bus, arrived at the Morchit bus terminal and caught a taxi to the prime minister's home on Soi Sawasdee, telling the driver his daughter worked in the area. Abhisit was still at home at the time and left his home only five minutes later.
The attack was already the second one after a 'politically-frustrated' Bangkok resident last month threw a bag of human waste and fermented fish into the premier's residence. Today's attack took place despite reinforcement of security personnel after last month's incident.
Mr Kamphong has now been charged with "defacing property and causing public embarrassment to others." The court handed down a 20-day jail term to the man, which sentence was commuted to 10 days after his confession. Thai News Agency
09/ Mar/ 2010
Two Young Iranian Women Arrested With 'Ice' At Suvarnabhumi Airport
Two young Iranian women Sunday were arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for allegedly smuggling nearly five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as "yah ice" into the country. Police said they had received a tip-off from Iran about the women's arrival.
They detained the two young women, identified as Miss Rezakhani Reyhaneh, 20, and Mrs Sara Moghadaminik, 30, at a customs checkpoint. 4.48kg of ‘ice’ were found hidden in their baggage. The suspected smugglers had flown in from Iran via Dubai with Iran Air.
Police assumed the duo used Thailand as a base before distributing the drugs to other countries in Asia, such as Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. Others were to be sold to party-goers in the Patpong and Nana nightlife areas in Bangkok. Thai News Agency
09/ Mar/ 2010
Four Thai Youths Arrested Over Gang-Rape Of 15-Year-Old Girl
Pattaya police announced on Monday they successfully apprehended a gang of four Thai youths, who have been accused of gang-raping a 15-year-old girl on two separate occasions.
The gang is alleged to have deceived their young victim into meeting with them on two occasions before they subsequently raped her. The four young men, all aged between 18 and 20, have been positively identified by the victim as the offenders.
Miss Joy (alias), a 15-year-old high school student, stated that one of the accused men, 20-year-
old Mr Prasongsuk, had previously been her boyfriend for about a month prior to the first incident. She explained that on the evening of January 15, he had deceived her into meeting him, however, arriving at the scene he raped her and let his three friends also take part in the assault.
Two days after the first incident, Mrs Joy explained that he had again called her and asked her to meet him under the false pretence that he was going to "apologise". Once again, the 15-year-old girl went to see Mr Prasongsuk at his home and was again raped by him and his friends, whilst a female friend of the group, Miss Na, operated as a lookout.
Investigations began only following the second assault and after the girl, who finally informed her parents of the incidents, and her parents reported the case to police.
Mr Prasongsuk, believed to be the gang leader, confessed and also admitted that the group had previously committed several similar acts at his home "whilst drunk and sexually frustrated."
Pattaya Daily News
08/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand To Impose Security Law As PM Cancels Overseas Trip
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has cancelled his official visit to Australia from March 13-17 after a security-monitoring committee has "agreed" that the Internal Security Act (ISA) should be enforced in Bangkok from March 11 to 23, to deal with the Red Shirts' mass protest starting next weekend in downtown Bangkok. Up to a million red-clad supporters of the pro-democracy protest movement will start gathering in Bangkok next Friday in an attempt to topple the government and force fresh elections. The main demonstration will start on Sunday.
The ISA, which allows the army to 'help' police and gives authorities the power to impose curfews and ban gatherings, would not only cover all of Bangkok but also take effect in certain districts of Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Ayutthaya provinces. Tomorrow, the Thai cabinet will make an official decision on whether to impose the security law or not, however, anything else than a yes-
vote is unlikely in the current political climate.
Before its introduction under the military-appointed interim government of Gen Surayud Chulanont in October 2007, a year after the coup that ousted red-shirt idol Thaksin Shinawatra, the ISA was widely cririsised by human rights organizations as "the most blatant attempt by the Thai military to retain greater powers and influence than it had under previous elected governments."
Under the ISA, Human Rights Watch warned, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), only nominally under the control of the prime minister, is given "exceptional powers to respond to alleged threats to national security by restricting fundamental rights and overriding ...due process of law."
The ISA "would place the military at the heart of a future civilian government at all levels," Human Rights Watch warned in 2007, "no declaration of a state of emergency is required for the ISOC to exercise its powers."
Interestingly, Abhisit Vejjajiva has today also cancelled an appointment in order to attend a royal audience at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, where Thailand's 82-year-old king Bhumibol Adulyadeth is reported to be receiving physical therapy after suffering from a lung inflammation last September. His Majesty would be given a briefing on current affairs "amid concern over a possible outbreak of violence" ahead of the upcoming mass rally, comments The Nation.
Meanwhile, leaders of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group insisted their anti-government protest would not be called off. Bangkok Post
08/ Mar/ 2010
Seh Daeng Freed On Bail, YouTuber K-Thong's Bid Rejected
Thailand's Criminal Court granted bail to Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, alias Seh Daeng, a staunch supporter of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the red-shirt movement, and six of his associates, except Pornwat Thongthanaboon, alias K-Thong, reasoning that the latter's charges should be considered terrorism.
Even though investigators asked the court to detain all eight suspects, including Seh Daeng, the court finally decided to temporarily free them after Seh Daeng's lawyer placed 1.6 million Baht as collateral.
The Criminal Court, however, denied bail for Pornwat aka K-Thong, who was charged with inciting unrest and threatening public order after uploading a video clip to YouTube some 10 days ago, in which he predicted bombings and chaos might "soon take place" in Bangkok. The next day, four grenades were thrown at Bangkok Bank branches in several districts of Bangkok.
The accused, who told investigators he had only hosted a radio show "dealing with astrology and fortune-telling", denied the charges, saying the video was edited and "may have been doctored to frame him."
Seh Daeng and his aides have been in police custody since Saturday after K-Thong, for whom an arrest warrant had been issued, was found hiding in the back of Seh Daeng's van, allegedly along with seven pistols, 47 cartridges and a knife.
Suspended from duty for an indefinite period, the controversial "rogue" general, who is suspected of being involved in a grenade attack at the Army headquarter in January, now also faces charges for sheltering an accused person.
Seh Daeng, who was ordered by the court not to give any comments that could be considered as threats of possible violence, said that he would comply with the court order and would not appear on stage during the red-shirt mass protests starting next weekend. However, he would attend the gathering as an observer and said he would appeal the court order to help free K-Thong, who was to be sent to the Bangkok Remand Prison. Thai News Agency
08/ Mar/ 2010
Grenade Attack Suspects 'Confess', Allege Link To Red Shirts
Two men appeared on government television Sunday evening after allegedly confessing to police they had been involved in last Saturday's grenade attack at the Bangkok Bank's Silom branch in the capital's prime business district.
According to Bangkok Post and TNA reports, 23-year-old Ekkachai Moolket and his uncle Sawai Yangsanteeralso also alleged that they were members of the red-shirt anti-government movement of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or "admitted their link to a member of the Red Shirts." Here's their story, or the official story as presented by the media:
Ekkachai said that "he was told by his uncle to pick up a man at Silom Soi 3 but said he did not know that the man would carry out the grenade attack, and he did not know him personally."
After the grenade attack, Ekkachai - who confessed he had been the driver of the motorbike used in the attack - told police he had dropped off the "bomber" near the Bangkok Christian College. In spite of his claims that he had been the driver himself and a witness, he reportedly "was shocked when he later realised that man was the grenade thrower."
Meanwhile, his uncle Sawai alleged the unidentified 'bomber' was a "UDD member he had met at a protest," who had "called him to find a motorbike driver for him" to carry out the attack. Despite their accusations, as reported by the media, it remains to be seen whether uncle and nephew, or the unidentified alleged grenade thrower, are really linked to the UDD, or if their claims were only made up to frame the Red Shirts ahead of their mass anti-government protest next weekend and will be used as a pretext to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok.
Though no hard evidence regarding the alleged link between the bomb attacks and the UDD, who have committed themselves to peaceful protests and deny any involvement in the bombings, was presented, The Nation quotes Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Santhan Chayanont as saying: "They [uncle and nephew] said other Red Shirts have told them to wreak havoc in the capital."
A Thai court earlier issued an arrest warrant for a man suspected of having thrown the grenade at Bangkok Bank’s Silom branch. Although his picture, which was sketched from CCTV installed at the bank and evidence given by eyewitnesses, was published in the media, the suspect is still at large.
Mr Ekkachai was charged with illegal possession of weapons and involvement in the attack while his uncle was charged with hiring or inciting others to carry out the attack. Bangkok Post
07/ Mar/ 2010
Army Weapons, Explosives Stolen From Thai Military Camp
An investigation into massive losses of army weapons and explosives stolen from an arms depot at a military camp in the southern province of Phatthalung was underway, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Sunday.
According to an undisclosed police source, about 3,000 rounds of ammunitions for M-16 and AK-
16 rifles, as well as 20 hand grenades were stolen from the arms depot. Other "informed sources claim about 6,000 assault rifles and a large amount of explosives" had been stolen, and the theft was only discovered on Tuesday.
The Oxford-educated premier today admitted he had been informed of the theft from the military's Engineering Regiment 401 on Wednesday. The incident was reported to police last Thursday but the news has been withheld from the public until today. The media were barred from the site, and no details of who stole the weapons or how the theft could occur, were disclosed after a meeting of senior army officials, including Fourth Army Region Commander Lt-Gen Pichet Wisaijorn, who is responsible for security in the South.
Panitan said investigators were now checking whether the stolen arms and explosives "had been secretly transported within the insurgency-affected southern provinces" or to Bangkok where red-
shirt protesters plan to hold a mass rally next Sunday aimed at ousting the government.
Only yesterday Thai PM Abhisit, who today admitted he had learned of the arms theft already on Wednesday, said the government and concerned security authorities were on full alert to "ensure that no military weapons are smuggled out of their bases."
Declining to go into details, he said he had received "intelligence reports warning of possible acts of sabotage intended to instigate unrest" in the lead up to next week's mass rally, but rejected to reveal further details about who might be behind a "sabotage plot". He was also quoted as saying that "news about potential terrorist attacks in Bangkok are not entirely unrealistic." BP
Interestingly, Abhisit's statements were made days after he had been informed of the arms theft, undermining his own credibility and questioning his capability to lead a politically divided country some observers see on the brink of civil war.
Meanwhile, the government spokesman said that "security at other army weaponry warehouses, especially in Bangkok, has been tightened following the incident."
Asked whether the Fourth Army Region, which is responsible for security in the South, should be held accountable for the weapons theft, he only said the investigation was "focusing on whether it was an inside job." Thai News Agency ThaiVisa The Nation
07/ Mar/ 2010
Thai Police Arrest Bangkok Bank Bomb Suspect, YouTuber
Thai police have today apprehended a man suspected of involvement in a hand grenade attack at Bangkok Bank's Silom Road branch in the capital's prime business district last weekend. It was one of four Bangkok Bank branches across Bangkok targeted for bombing on February 27.
The bombing incidents at branches of Thailand’s largest commercial bank followed the Supreme Court’s verdict in Thaksin Shinawatra's assets seizure case, and came in the lead up to a mass anti-government rally scheduled to take place at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang next Sunday.
Acting on a tip-off, Bangkok police arrested Ekkachai Muljet, 23, "who is believed to be the driver of the motorcycle used in the grenade attack," at his house Saturday evening. The Nation reports that the suspect allegedly told investigators "he had been hired by his uncle to make the attack," and that police were now hunting for Ekkachai's uncle, whose name was not disclosed.
On Saturday, Pornwat Thongsomboon, who is accused of posting a video on YouTube warning of violence in the capital following the partial seizure of Thaksin's assets, was arrested in Bangkok's Crime Suppression Division (CSD) compound. The man was arrested on charges of attempting to instigate unrest and causing panic.
Pornwat, known as "K-Thong", is a close associate of army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol, aka Seh Daeng, an outspoken Thaksin loyalist and suspended senior army officer, who was charged last month with illegal arms possession after he was suspected of being involved in an attack on the army headquarters.
Bangkok Post reports that two men were found hiding in the back of Seh Daeng's van in the CSD compound, allegedly along with seven handguns, 47 cartridges and a knife. Pornwat, who "buried his face in a newspaper", was immediately arrested.
He allegedly appeared in a YouTube video clip saying bomb attacks and unrest would take place in Bangkok from Feb 27 onwards. The video clip spread over the internet after the Supreme Court verdict on Feb 26. The next day, several hand grenades were thrown at branches of the Bangkok Bank in several districts of the capital and neighbouring Samut Prakan province.
Following Pornwat's arrest, red-clad Thaksin supporters besieged the Crime Suppression Division compound late Saturday night in protest at the arrest. About 200 Thaksin supporters, mostly taxi drivers, gathered in almost 100 vehicles to block the gates of the CSD compound demanding bail for the suspect. They agreed to open the road only late last night.
Meanwhile, Pornwat denied all charges and told investigators he had merely hosted a radio show "dealing with astrology and fortune-telling" and had only analysed political events via the Camfrog video chatroom. He denied any links to the video clip, which was spread via YouTube and which he claims "may have been doctored to frame him." Bangkok Post
07/ Mar/ 2010
World's First Male Elephant Twins Born In Surin The Nation
06/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand Offers Foreign Tourists Free 'Riot Insurance' AP
Pattaya International Music Festival 2010, March 19-21 Pattaya Daily News
05/ Mar/ 2010
Thailand Braces For Mass Anti-Government Rally In Bangkok Bangkok Post Thai News Agency
04/ Mar/ 2010
Swiss Tourist Drugged And Robbed By Pattaya Beach Hookers Pattaya Daily News
Red Shirts Ready For 'Million Man' Mass Protest In Bangkok The Irrawaddy
Drought Will Worsen As Temperature Rises To 43°C Bangkok Post
Suvarnabhumi Airport Link Launch Delayed Again (Blame Siemens!!?) Bangkok Post
03/ Mar/ 2010
Thai Government Expands Smoking Ban To Condominiums The Nation
Thailand Ready To Deport 500,000 Foreign Workers The Nation
02/ Mar/ 2010
Free Thai Tourist Visa Scheme Extended By One Year ThaiVisa.com.
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