Nyheter från thailändska tidningar (Jo-Be citerar nyheter på engelska)
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Annan, Geldof, Yunus and other icons heading this way
The Nation November 2, 2015
GLOBAL ICONS - including Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof, Muhammad Yunus, Uma Thurman and Manny Pacquiao - will be heading to Bangkok this month for an international youth summit with 1,300 participants from more than 190 countries.
In what will be the biggest meeting in the City of Angels this year, the "One Young World Summit" - dubbed a youth Davos - will open spectacularly at Sanam Luang with the backdrop of the lit-up Emerald Buddha Temple.
The event takes place from November 18-21.
"It's a milestone for the city. With the host city bid, the organisers came to inspect the [potential] venues in Bangkok one week after the coup in 2013. The governor [MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra] was articulate and the organisers understood that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will be the host," Deuntemduang na Chiangmai, the governor's adviser and one of the event's key organisers, said.
Hundreds of international companies have sponsored creative youngsters to come and debate some of the world's most pressing issues at the summit, with the global-icon elders acting as interlocutors or counsellors. The gathering and networking are designed to inspire the 1,300 youngsters, who are aged between 18 and 30.
One hundred Thais have been selected to participate. This is the sixth "One Young World Summit", first founded in 2009 by UK-born David Jones and Kate Robertson. It brings together the brightest young people with the aim of empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change.
Leading personalities such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver, Jack Dorsey and Arianna Huffington have joined the summit as counsellors in the past.
They could be joined at the Bangkok Summit by Nasa astronaut Ron Garan, Unilever CEO Paul Polman, KPMG International's Lord Michael Hastings, Yougov chairman Carole Stone, actor John Corbett, actress Bo Derek, BP Oil chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg, cyclist Victoria Pendleton and gymnast Li Xiaopeng.
Thais on the counsellor team are former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, True Corp's Supachai Chearavanont, Bill Heinecke from Minor Group, and Siam Piwat's Chadatip Chutrakul. The meeting will take place at the Centara Grand, with hotels all around the vicinity taken up by participants.
The closing ceremony will take place during an all-night party at the main grounds of nearby Chulalongkorn University. "The global media such as CNN will be here to cover the event throughout - both to a global audience, as well as directly to respective countries that each of the young leaders come from," Deuntemduang said.
The participants will also pay visits to Thai sites and organisations as options. These include the Foundation of Slum Child Care, the Portuguese Community and Santa Cruz Church, Wat Pho and the SCG Foundation.
The Nation November 2, 2015
GLOBAL ICONS - including Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof, Muhammad Yunus, Uma Thurman and Manny Pacquiao - will be heading to Bangkok this month for an international youth summit with 1,300 participants from more than 190 countries.
In what will be the biggest meeting in the City of Angels this year, the "One Young World Summit" - dubbed a youth Davos - will open spectacularly at Sanam Luang with the backdrop of the lit-up Emerald Buddha Temple.
The event takes place from November 18-21.
"It's a milestone for the city. With the host city bid, the organisers came to inspect the [potential] venues in Bangkok one week after the coup in 2013. The governor [MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra] was articulate and the organisers understood that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will be the host," Deuntemduang na Chiangmai, the governor's adviser and one of the event's key organisers, said.
Hundreds of international companies have sponsored creative youngsters to come and debate some of the world's most pressing issues at the summit, with the global-icon elders acting as interlocutors or counsellors. The gathering and networking are designed to inspire the 1,300 youngsters, who are aged between 18 and 30.
One hundred Thais have been selected to participate. This is the sixth "One Young World Summit", first founded in 2009 by UK-born David Jones and Kate Robertson. It brings together the brightest young people with the aim of empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change.
Leading personalities such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver, Jack Dorsey and Arianna Huffington have joined the summit as counsellors in the past.
They could be joined at the Bangkok Summit by Nasa astronaut Ron Garan, Unilever CEO Paul Polman, KPMG International's Lord Michael Hastings, Yougov chairman Carole Stone, actor John Corbett, actress Bo Derek, BP Oil chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg, cyclist Victoria Pendleton and gymnast Li Xiaopeng.
Thais on the counsellor team are former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, True Corp's Supachai Chearavanont, Bill Heinecke from Minor Group, and Siam Piwat's Chadatip Chutrakul. The meeting will take place at the Centara Grand, with hotels all around the vicinity taken up by participants.
The closing ceremony will take place during an all-night party at the main grounds of nearby Chulalongkorn University. "The global media such as CNN will be here to cover the event throughout - both to a global audience, as well as directly to respective countries that each of the young leaders come from," Deuntemduang said.
The participants will also pay visits to Thai sites and organisations as options. These include the Foundation of Slum Child Care, the Portuguese Community and Santa Cruz Church, Wat Pho and the SCG Foundation.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Thai TV faces suspension of licences
Writers: Usanee Mongkonporn & Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation November 2, 2015
Failed to pay second fee to regulator
THAI TV Co will face a 90-day suspension of its licences to broadcast the Thai TV news channel and MVTV Family channel, formerly known as Loca, for failing to pay the second instalment of the upfront licence fee by Saturday's last deadline.
Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the Broadcasting Committee, said yesterday that the deadline fell on a weekend so his panel decided to extend it to today. However, Thai TV had stopped airing both TV channels at midnight on Saturday.
That was understandable even though the company did it before the extended date, he said. During the suspension, Thai TV and his panel hopefully could work something out to avoid the cancellation of the two licences and a ban on the company and its executives from participating in the broadcasting business.
Natee said that to prevent such severe punishment, the broadcasting regulator had given Thai TV some time to seek a content partner or co-investor to run both digital terrestrial TV channels and boost its finances. It will owe the regulator the |second instalment, 7.5-per-cent interest and the annual fee, totalling more than Bt288 million.
Although Thai TV Co is reportedly in talks with several potential partners, including Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, the heir to the Nestle empire in Thailand, no business deals have been struck so far. Early this year, Thai TV, led by media veteran Pantipa Sakulchai, claimed that it had suffered a huge financial loss, so it decided to give up its digital TV operation and relinquish its licences.
Refused to pay other liabilities
The company also refused to pay the remaining liabilities, which took both parties to the Central Administrative Court in June. However, the court instructed them to continue negotiating for a proper solution. Kantachai Srisukhon, director of engineering at Thai Public Broadcasting Service, said the transmission of both channels was discontinued by its client.
Thai PBS provides a network service to several digital terres-|trial TV stations, including Thai TV. "We have to wait and see further action from the broadcasting regulator on this matter this week. "During this period, coloured bars will be screened instead of TV programmes at both channels," he said.
However, Thai TV Co still owes Bt40 million in back rent for leasing Thai PBS' network.
Writers: Usanee Mongkonporn & Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation November 2, 2015
Failed to pay second fee to regulator
THAI TV Co will face a 90-day suspension of its licences to broadcast the Thai TV news channel and MVTV Family channel, formerly known as Loca, for failing to pay the second instalment of the upfront licence fee by Saturday's last deadline.
Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the Broadcasting Committee, said yesterday that the deadline fell on a weekend so his panel decided to extend it to today. However, Thai TV had stopped airing both TV channels at midnight on Saturday.
That was understandable even though the company did it before the extended date, he said. During the suspension, Thai TV and his panel hopefully could work something out to avoid the cancellation of the two licences and a ban on the company and its executives from participating in the broadcasting business.
Natee said that to prevent such severe punishment, the broadcasting regulator had given Thai TV some time to seek a content partner or co-investor to run both digital terrestrial TV channels and boost its finances. It will owe the regulator the |second instalment, 7.5-per-cent interest and the annual fee, totalling more than Bt288 million.
Although Thai TV Co is reportedly in talks with several potential partners, including Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, the heir to the Nestle empire in Thailand, no business deals have been struck so far. Early this year, Thai TV, led by media veteran Pantipa Sakulchai, claimed that it had suffered a huge financial loss, so it decided to give up its digital TV operation and relinquish its licences.
Refused to pay other liabilities
The company also refused to pay the remaining liabilities, which took both parties to the Central Administrative Court in June. However, the court instructed them to continue negotiating for a proper solution. Kantachai Srisukhon, director of engineering at Thai Public Broadcasting Service, said the transmission of both channels was discontinued by its client.
Thai PBS provides a network service to several digital terres-|trial TV stations, including Thai TV. "We have to wait and see further action from the broadcasting regulator on this matter this week. "During this period, coloured bars will be screened instead of TV programmes at both channels," he said.
However, Thai TV Co still owes Bt40 million in back rent for leasing Thai PBS' network.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Killer mother-in-law on the run
2 Nov 2015 | WRITER: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM
Police are focussing on areas near the venerable Gimyong Market of Hat Yai in their search for the accused murderess. (File photo by Wichayant Boonchote)
Woman fakes death after murdering son's bride for being 'poor'.
Everyone has their favourite "mother-in-law from hell'' story but Juree Janngam must beat out all other contenders after being convicted of murdering her son's future bride, being sentenced to death for it and then dying before the sentence was carried out.
But wait, there is more. Juree has returned from the grave to haunt the victims' relatives. Police recently discovered she had faked her death and is hiding in Hat Yai. She was seen by people who knew her at the market, shopping for groceries, even though she was supposed to be long dead. Her future daughter-in-law, pharmacist Riwprae Chotikarn, 26, was shot dead along with her assistant at a clinic in Songkhla's Rattaphum district on the evening of Dec 13, 2007, only 16 days before her wedding to Wikrom Janngam, 36, Juree's son.
A police investigation led them to believe Juree, who was opposed to her son's plans for marriage, arranged the contract killing of Riwprae. The clinic assistant who died with her was collateral damage during the hit.
Narin Janchay, 36, the gunman, and Jamnong Kongsuwan, 40, his alleged accomplice, were arrested in Phatthalung
after being implicated in the killings, according to Pol Col Sompong Suwanwong, superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD)'s Subdivision 6.
Their arrest gave police evidence to apprehend Juree, 73. Investigators sought to indict the trio, but prosecutors were forced to drop the charges against Mr Jamnong due to insufficient evidence. Narin and Juree were later sentenced to death by the first two courts. Juree appealed against the sentence and was granted bail on a five-million-baht bond, while Narin stayed behind bars.
On Feb 27 last year, Juree's 40-year-old daughter Rasamee motioned the Songkhla Provincial Court, asking for the return of the bail money, claiming her mother died three days earlier at a house in Chumphon's Muang district. She claimed Juree's body had been cremated at Wat Maneesop in Muang district on Feb 28. The Supreme Court ordered a probe into Juree's death.
Ms Rasamee told the court Juree collapsed and died after returning from the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) rally in Bangkok. Ms Rasami said that after the death of her mother, she notified a village headman, asking him to issue a document attesting to her death as evidence to be submitted to the district office. Provincial prosecutors brought six witnesses to the court, consisting of an assistant district chief, an officer notified of the death, a temple undertaker, the temple abbot, an assistant of the abbot and a police investigator.
They said no cremation rite was ever held for Juree and none of them had seen her body. Juree's death certificate was issued by the district based solely on the guarantee document from the village headman. The court ruled Juree is not dead as claimed by her daughter, and she appeared to have skipped bail. The court had earlier reduced Juree's sentence from death to life imprisonment after her son's testimony during the trial but Narin remained on death row.
"The informants who closely monitored the case found Juree is still alive. She turned up at Gimyong market several times. Witnesses also confirmed they saw Juree recently," said Pol Col Sompong. The CSD stepped into the case after Ruedeemat Singmanee, the mother of Riwprae, wrote to the division asking the officers to track down Juree, he said. "Before my daughter died, she said Juree and Rasamee stalked and verbally abused her constantly, especially as the wedding day approached," Ms Ruedeemat said.
"Juree even said the wedding must be cancelled or else a funeral will be held instead," Ms Ruedeemat said. Juree opposed Riwprae marrying her son because she was from a poor family and she feared the victim might try to take property from her family, according to Ms Ruedeemat. Pol Col Sompong said police had raided Juree's house early this year, but no trace of her was found.
Despite this, the probe discovered Juree was staying with Ms Rasamee and witnesses close to their house confirmed she was still alive, he said. Pol Col Sompong said he sent officers to look for Juree for three months. The investigation found Ms Rasamee was seen regularly driving for her mother in Hat Yai district. The daughter, he said, tried to drive around in a circle to prevent any followers from keeping track of her. She was also reported to have brought her mother to the hospital frequently.
Following the information, investigators started to work out a plan to arrest Juree. On Wednesday, police received a tip-off that Ms Rasamee was driving out of her house in Hat Yai and she may have gone out to meet her mother, said Pol Col Sompong. Police tried to track Ms Rasamee as she drove her Honda CRV around Hat Yai, but lost sight of the vehicle.
Police were told about half an hour later that Ms Rasamee had returned home without her vehicle, prompting Pol Col Sompong to order a warrant to search Juree's house, but the raid failed to uncover any evidence. Pol Col Sompong said investigators are still looking for Juree and believe she will eventually be caught.
"It is difficult to arrest Juree as some of her relatives are influential in Hat Yai, and may have helped her to elude the arrest," he said. "It's a challenging case but we're confident everything will be solved soon," he added.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/750948/killer-mother-in-law-on-the-run.
2 Nov 2015 | WRITER: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM
Police are focussing on areas near the venerable Gimyong Market of Hat Yai in their search for the accused murderess. (File photo by Wichayant Boonchote)
Woman fakes death after murdering son's bride for being 'poor'.
Everyone has their favourite "mother-in-law from hell'' story but Juree Janngam must beat out all other contenders after being convicted of murdering her son's future bride, being sentenced to death for it and then dying before the sentence was carried out.
But wait, there is more. Juree has returned from the grave to haunt the victims' relatives. Police recently discovered she had faked her death and is hiding in Hat Yai. She was seen by people who knew her at the market, shopping for groceries, even though she was supposed to be long dead. Her future daughter-in-law, pharmacist Riwprae Chotikarn, 26, was shot dead along with her assistant at a clinic in Songkhla's Rattaphum district on the evening of Dec 13, 2007, only 16 days before her wedding to Wikrom Janngam, 36, Juree's son.
A police investigation led them to believe Juree, who was opposed to her son's plans for marriage, arranged the contract killing of Riwprae. The clinic assistant who died with her was collateral damage during the hit.
Narin Janchay, 36, the gunman, and Jamnong Kongsuwan, 40, his alleged accomplice, were arrested in Phatthalung
after being implicated in the killings, according to Pol Col Sompong Suwanwong, superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD)'s Subdivision 6.
Their arrest gave police evidence to apprehend Juree, 73. Investigators sought to indict the trio, but prosecutors were forced to drop the charges against Mr Jamnong due to insufficient evidence. Narin and Juree were later sentenced to death by the first two courts. Juree appealed against the sentence and was granted bail on a five-million-baht bond, while Narin stayed behind bars.
On Feb 27 last year, Juree's 40-year-old daughter Rasamee motioned the Songkhla Provincial Court, asking for the return of the bail money, claiming her mother died three days earlier at a house in Chumphon's Muang district. She claimed Juree's body had been cremated at Wat Maneesop in Muang district on Feb 28. The Supreme Court ordered a probe into Juree's death.
Ms Rasamee told the court Juree collapsed and died after returning from the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) rally in Bangkok. Ms Rasami said that after the death of her mother, she notified a village headman, asking him to issue a document attesting to her death as evidence to be submitted to the district office. Provincial prosecutors brought six witnesses to the court, consisting of an assistant district chief, an officer notified of the death, a temple undertaker, the temple abbot, an assistant of the abbot and a police investigator.
They said no cremation rite was ever held for Juree and none of them had seen her body. Juree's death certificate was issued by the district based solely on the guarantee document from the village headman. The court ruled Juree is not dead as claimed by her daughter, and she appeared to have skipped bail. The court had earlier reduced Juree's sentence from death to life imprisonment after her son's testimony during the trial but Narin remained on death row.
"The informants who closely monitored the case found Juree is still alive. She turned up at Gimyong market several times. Witnesses also confirmed they saw Juree recently," said Pol Col Sompong. The CSD stepped into the case after Ruedeemat Singmanee, the mother of Riwprae, wrote to the division asking the officers to track down Juree, he said. "Before my daughter died, she said Juree and Rasamee stalked and verbally abused her constantly, especially as the wedding day approached," Ms Ruedeemat said.
"Juree even said the wedding must be cancelled or else a funeral will be held instead," Ms Ruedeemat said. Juree opposed Riwprae marrying her son because she was from a poor family and she feared the victim might try to take property from her family, according to Ms Ruedeemat. Pol Col Sompong said police had raided Juree's house early this year, but no trace of her was found.
Despite this, the probe discovered Juree was staying with Ms Rasamee and witnesses close to their house confirmed she was still alive, he said. Pol Col Sompong said he sent officers to look for Juree for three months. The investigation found Ms Rasamee was seen regularly driving for her mother in Hat Yai district. The daughter, he said, tried to drive around in a circle to prevent any followers from keeping track of her. She was also reported to have brought her mother to the hospital frequently.
Following the information, investigators started to work out a plan to arrest Juree. On Wednesday, police received a tip-off that Ms Rasamee was driving out of her house in Hat Yai and she may have gone out to meet her mother, said Pol Col Sompong. Police tried to track Ms Rasamee as she drove her Honda CRV around Hat Yai, but lost sight of the vehicle.
Police were told about half an hour later that Ms Rasamee had returned home without her vehicle, prompting Pol Col Sompong to order a warrant to search Juree's house, but the raid failed to uncover any evidence. Pol Col Sompong said investigators are still looking for Juree and believe she will eventually be caught.
"It is difficult to arrest Juree as some of her relatives are influential in Hat Yai, and may have helped her to elude the arrest," he said. "It's a challenging case but we're confident everything will be solved soon," he added.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/750948/killer-mother-in-law-on-the-run.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Governor clamps down on airport taxis
Writer: Kritsada Mueanhawong / Phuket Gazette
PHUKET November 3, 2015
The driver was fined 1,000 baht and had his licence suspended for one month for failing to bring his passengers to their destination. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong
Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has ordered all relevant officials to keep a stricter eye on airport taxi services after a customer complaint went viral on Saturday.
Montira Sakorn’s Facebook post alleged that the taxi she hired from the airport to Patong failed to bring her and her boyfriend to their destination. Instead, it left them waiting at the taxi company’s building in Thalang for an undisclosed amount of time.
The driver supposedly told them that he had to sign in at the company. However, when the taxi driver didn't come back, Ms Montira called the police who instructed her to take photos of the licence plate number, get details of the taxi company and hire a tuk-tuk to get them to their destination, even though they had already paid for the taxi service.
Government officers took quick action after learning of the incident, holding a meeting with Santi Pawai, director of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) Phuket Office; Chanuchan Cholsuwat, the superintendent of the Thalang Police; and Jaturong Kaewkasi, the chief policy adviser from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO).
"It's things like this that can ruin the reputation of Phuket," Governor Chamroen said.
The taxi driver, Muhammad Arobee Mooshor, an employee of the Airport Limousine and Business Service Cooperative Co Ltd, was also asked to join the meeting.
"According to Mr Muhammad, the customers paid for their taxi at the Infinity Tour service counter at the airport," Mr Jarutong said. "He said that he wasn't sure of how to get to the destination, so he stopped by the company's building in Thalang to ask for directions. However, when he returned the customers were gone."
MOTS and PLTO officers are currently in the process of investigating both the Infinity Tour Company and the Airport Limousine and Business Service Cooperative Co Ltd to clarify the problem, as both parties have different accounts of the incident.
Regardless, Mr Jarturong fined Mr Muhammad 1,000 baht and suspended his licence for one month for failing to bring his passengers to their final destination.
"We will wait for officers to uncover the truth. If they find that the passenger’s claim is true, we will order the company to fire Mr Muhammad. However, if we find that the company was also involved, they too will face legal action," Gov Chamroen said.
Writer: Kritsada Mueanhawong / Phuket Gazette
PHUKET November 3, 2015
The driver was fined 1,000 baht and had his licence suspended for one month for failing to bring his passengers to their destination. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong
Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has ordered all relevant officials to keep a stricter eye on airport taxi services after a customer complaint went viral on Saturday.
Montira Sakorn’s Facebook post alleged that the taxi she hired from the airport to Patong failed to bring her and her boyfriend to their destination. Instead, it left them waiting at the taxi company’s building in Thalang for an undisclosed amount of time.
The driver supposedly told them that he had to sign in at the company. However, when the taxi driver didn't come back, Ms Montira called the police who instructed her to take photos of the licence plate number, get details of the taxi company and hire a tuk-tuk to get them to their destination, even though they had already paid for the taxi service.
Government officers took quick action after learning of the incident, holding a meeting with Santi Pawai, director of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) Phuket Office; Chanuchan Cholsuwat, the superintendent of the Thalang Police; and Jaturong Kaewkasi, the chief policy adviser from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO).
"It's things like this that can ruin the reputation of Phuket," Governor Chamroen said.
The taxi driver, Muhammad Arobee Mooshor, an employee of the Airport Limousine and Business Service Cooperative Co Ltd, was also asked to join the meeting.
"According to Mr Muhammad, the customers paid for their taxi at the Infinity Tour service counter at the airport," Mr Jarutong said. "He said that he wasn't sure of how to get to the destination, so he stopped by the company's building in Thalang to ask for directions. However, when he returned the customers were gone."
MOTS and PLTO officers are currently in the process of investigating both the Infinity Tour Company and the Airport Limousine and Business Service Cooperative Co Ltd to clarify the problem, as both parties have different accounts of the incident.
Regardless, Mr Jarturong fined Mr Muhammad 1,000 baht and suspended his licence for one month for failing to bring his passengers to their final destination.
"We will wait for officers to uncover the truth. If they find that the passenger’s claim is true, we will order the company to fire Mr Muhammad. However, if we find that the company was also involved, they too will face legal action," Gov Chamroen said.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
First-time flier could face jail for bomb joke that backfired
Writer: Supachai Petchthewee The Nation November 3, 2015
A 23-YEAR-OLD passenger found himself in hot water shortly after boarding his first flight on Sunday - in legal trouble for a "bomb joke" that backfired on an air stewardess.
"I wanted to tease her because she's pretty," Pichit Boondaeng said at a press conference yesterday, "I had no idea that it would cause serious damage." The "bomb" word caused panic inside the Lion Air plane, which was preparing to take off, and eventually led to a serious flight delay.
Pichit, a State Railways employee, became the first suspect to be charged under a recently introduced law on aviation-related offences. "I should not have said those words," Pichit said. "I had never been on an aircraft before."
Pichit boarded the Hat Yai-bound flight at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport to attend a friend's wedding ceremony in Songkhla province. Once inside the aircraft, an air stewardess told him he needed to put his carry-on bag inside an overhead luggage bin. He responded by handing his bag to her and jokingly saying, "Be careful with the bag. It may explode."
Pol Lt General Sanit Mahathavorn, the acting metropolitan police chief, said yesterday that Pichit had been charged with spreading false information that might cause panic at an airport. If convicted, Pichit could face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to Bt200,000.
"Penalties would be even harsher if such an offence occurred during the flight or after the aircraft had taken off," Sanit said. Pichit has now been released on bail.
At the press conference, Pichit said he wanted to apologise for the damage and inconvenience caused. He said he was not aware that his words would cause serious consequences and that they were against the law.
"I repent. I will never do such things again," the young man said. Sanit said police had decided to hold a press conference on the case because the law involved was relatively new.
"We would like to raise public awareness of this law and to ensure that people can learn a lesson from Pichit's case," he said.
Writer: Supachai Petchthewee The Nation November 3, 2015
A 23-YEAR-OLD passenger found himself in hot water shortly after boarding his first flight on Sunday - in legal trouble for a "bomb joke" that backfired on an air stewardess.
"I wanted to tease her because she's pretty," Pichit Boondaeng said at a press conference yesterday, "I had no idea that it would cause serious damage." The "bomb" word caused panic inside the Lion Air plane, which was preparing to take off, and eventually led to a serious flight delay.
Pichit, a State Railways employee, became the first suspect to be charged under a recently introduced law on aviation-related offences. "I should not have said those words," Pichit said. "I had never been on an aircraft before."
Pichit boarded the Hat Yai-bound flight at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport to attend a friend's wedding ceremony in Songkhla province. Once inside the aircraft, an air stewardess told him he needed to put his carry-on bag inside an overhead luggage bin. He responded by handing his bag to her and jokingly saying, "Be careful with the bag. It may explode."
Pol Lt General Sanit Mahathavorn, the acting metropolitan police chief, said yesterday that Pichit had been charged with spreading false information that might cause panic at an airport. If convicted, Pichit could face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to Bt200,000.
"Penalties would be even harsher if such an offence occurred during the flight or after the aircraft had taken off," Sanit said. Pichit has now been released on bail.
At the press conference, Pichit said he wanted to apologise for the damage and inconvenience caused. He said he was not aware that his words would cause serious consequences and that they were against the law.
"I repent. I will never do such things again," the young man said. Sanit said police had decided to hold a press conference on the case because the law involved was relatively new.
"We would like to raise public awareness of this law and to ensure that people can learn a lesson from Pichit's case," he said.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Thousands sign up
The Nation November 3, 2015
THRONGS of Thais flocked to city halls and other designated places across the country to sign up for the "Bike for Dad" cycling event on the first day of registrations yesterday.
The event's website (bikefordad2015.com) attracted 1.211 million visitors by 6.30pm yesterday, while 87,071 entrants registered online. The cycling event, in commemoration of His Majesty the King's 88th birthday on December 5, will be held at 3pm on December 11.
In Bangkok, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will lead cyclists from the Royal Plaza through the designated route, while other "Bike for Dad" events across the country will start from city halls. Overseas, Thais in various countries are also invited to participate in cycling activities in tribute to His Majesty.
Online registration will be open until November 10. Bangkok officials at 50 district offices are aiding people to register during office hours and from 9am to midday on Saturday and Sunday. Bangkok residents who successfully registered with the event can collect souvenir items, comprising a T-shirt, pin and wristband, between November 28 and 29 at the National Stadium.
The route for the Bangkok cycling event will go through Phra Pok Klao Bridge instead of the Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut), said Benjasai Kiyapat, deputy spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Provincial officials provided similar registration assistance to the public yesterday, but the huge number of online applications prompted various provinces in the afternoon to report that their servers were down.
Among the well-known applicants who registered for the event was Krabi hero Chat Ubonjinda. He earned praise after a video clip of him rescuing two mud-trapped tourists by letting them step on his back went viral.
In Phitsanulok, 49-year-old Khampa Kaewjeen, who was born with polio, rode his tricycle from his home, 40kms away, to the City Hall to be the first applicant of the day. Wanthana Kam-in or Nong Tham, the 11-year old armless student who made the news after taking part in the "Bike for Mom" cycling event on August 16 in Phitsanulok also registered yesterday.
The Nation November 3, 2015
THRONGS of Thais flocked to city halls and other designated places across the country to sign up for the "Bike for Dad" cycling event on the first day of registrations yesterday.
The event's website (bikefordad2015.com) attracted 1.211 million visitors by 6.30pm yesterday, while 87,071 entrants registered online. The cycling event, in commemoration of His Majesty the King's 88th birthday on December 5, will be held at 3pm on December 11.
In Bangkok, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will lead cyclists from the Royal Plaza through the designated route, while other "Bike for Dad" events across the country will start from city halls. Overseas, Thais in various countries are also invited to participate in cycling activities in tribute to His Majesty.
Online registration will be open until November 10. Bangkok officials at 50 district offices are aiding people to register during office hours and from 9am to midday on Saturday and Sunday. Bangkok residents who successfully registered with the event can collect souvenir items, comprising a T-shirt, pin and wristband, between November 28 and 29 at the National Stadium.
The route for the Bangkok cycling event will go through Phra Pok Klao Bridge instead of the Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut), said Benjasai Kiyapat, deputy spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Provincial officials provided similar registration assistance to the public yesterday, but the huge number of online applications prompted various provinces in the afternoon to report that their servers were down.
Among the well-known applicants who registered for the event was Krabi hero Chat Ubonjinda. He earned praise after a video clip of him rescuing two mud-trapped tourists by letting them step on his back went viral.
In Phitsanulok, 49-year-old Khampa Kaewjeen, who was born with polio, rode his tricycle from his home, 40kms away, to the City Hall to be the first applicant of the day. Wanthana Kam-in or Nong Tham, the 11-year old armless student who made the news after taking part in the "Bike for Mom" cycling event on August 16 in Phitsanulok also registered yesterday.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Ukrainians busted in Chiang Mai ATM scam
2 Nov 2015 WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
CHIANG MAI —Two Ukrainian men were arrested for allegedly using more than 130 fake ATM cards to steal about 10 million baht from ATMs across the province. Yevhen Hrytsenko, 27, and Iurii Korobchenko, 31, were captured at a hotel on Chang Kian Road on Sunday and brought to a news conference today.
Pol Col Weerayuth Prasobchokchai, chief of Muang Chiang Mai police station, said his subordinates were informed by the Crime Investigation Division Provincial Police Region 5 that two foreigners were using counterfeit bank cards to withdraw money from a Bank of Ayudhya machine on Chang Klan Road on the night of Oct 27.
During the arrest, police confiscated 138 forged electronic cards, 100,000 baht case, a notebook computer, a credit card scanner and two plane tickets for a flight departing Suvarnabhumi airport. An initial investigation found the duo used electronic cards encoded with information from banks in European countries to steal money from ATMs belonging to various banks in the tourist spots across the town.
The damage was estimated at 10 million baht. Officers believe they are part of a larger ATM card-skimming gang and are examining whether the suspects had produced the forged cards in Thailand, or in a foreign country before their arrival to Thailand.
However, Pol Col Weerayuth said, police were making slow progress in the investigation because the Ukrainians did not cooperate and only spoke Russian to them. An alleged 37-year-old Ukrainian skimmer was arrested two months ago in Chiang Mai and three others also caught in this major northern province in July.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/751848/ukrainians-busted-in-chiang-mai-atm-scam.
2 Nov 2015 WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
CHIANG MAI —Two Ukrainian men were arrested for allegedly using more than 130 fake ATM cards to steal about 10 million baht from ATMs across the province. Yevhen Hrytsenko, 27, and Iurii Korobchenko, 31, were captured at a hotel on Chang Kian Road on Sunday and brought to a news conference today.
Pol Col Weerayuth Prasobchokchai, chief of Muang Chiang Mai police station, said his subordinates were informed by the Crime Investigation Division Provincial Police Region 5 that two foreigners were using counterfeit bank cards to withdraw money from a Bank of Ayudhya machine on Chang Klan Road on the night of Oct 27.
During the arrest, police confiscated 138 forged electronic cards, 100,000 baht case, a notebook computer, a credit card scanner and two plane tickets for a flight departing Suvarnabhumi airport. An initial investigation found the duo used electronic cards encoded with information from banks in European countries to steal money from ATMs belonging to various banks in the tourist spots across the town.
The damage was estimated at 10 million baht. Officers believe they are part of a larger ATM card-skimming gang and are examining whether the suspects had produced the forged cards in Thailand, or in a foreign country before their arrival to Thailand.
However, Pol Col Weerayuth said, police were making slow progress in the investigation because the Ukrainians did not cooperate and only spoke Russian to them. An alleged 37-year-old Ukrainian skimmer was arrested two months ago in Chiang Mai and three others also caught in this major northern province in July.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/751848/ukrainians-busted-in-chiang-mai-atm-scam.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Government poised to fast-track 8 projects
4 Nov 2015 | WRITER: PATSARA JIKKHAM & AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
This demolition of the Kasetsart flyover to make way for the Green Line electric train is just one of around 20 projects the Transport Ministry says can be completed only if Section 44 is invoked to bypass
standard construction rules. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The cabinet agreed Tuesday to fast-track eight investment projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) programme, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said. Implementation of the projects, which the cabinet hopes to speed up prior to the bidding process, could be shortened from 22 months to nine months, Mr Somkid said.
He said the projects designated for next year and 2017 are worth 347 billion baht. They are the Pink Line; the Yellow Line; the Blue Line (Bang Sue-Tha Phra); Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima motorway; Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi motorway; a garbage disposal plant in Nonthaburi; garbage disposal facilities in Nakhon Ratchasima; and a marine commerce centre.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the ministry is pushing for the cabinet to include two high-speed train routes worth 246 billion baht in the PPP fast- track programme. The two routes -- Bangkok-Hua Hin and Bangkok-Rayong -- will be shortened from two years to nine months if they are approved by the cabinet, he said.
He said some 20 investment projects worth 1.79 trillion baht that need swift implementation for next year are being tweaked before they are submitted to the cabinet. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stressed an infrastructure investment project with China would proceed amid concerns the railway deal with China is dragging on.
He said there was constant progress in talks with Beijing over the dual-track Nong Khai-Rayong rail scheme and both sides were negotiating to overcome obstacles which include the project loan. Gen Prayut said "symbolic" construction of the rail project would proceed to mark the 40th anniversary of Thai-Chinese bilateral ties while the negotiations continue.
There are eight rounds of negotiations between Thailand and China for the Thai-China railway project will connect Nong Khai to Bangkok to Map Ta Phut.
Gen Prayut said rail projects with Japan would also proceed. He defended the Ministry of Transport's proposal for him to use special powers under Section 44 of the interim charter to fast-track projects.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/753440/government-poised-to-fast-track-8-projects.
4 Nov 2015 | WRITER: PATSARA JIKKHAM & AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
This demolition of the Kasetsart flyover to make way for the Green Line electric train is just one of around 20 projects the Transport Ministry says can be completed only if Section 44 is invoked to bypass
standard construction rules. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The cabinet agreed Tuesday to fast-track eight investment projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) programme, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said. Implementation of the projects, which the cabinet hopes to speed up prior to the bidding process, could be shortened from 22 months to nine months, Mr Somkid said.
He said the projects designated for next year and 2017 are worth 347 billion baht. They are the Pink Line; the Yellow Line; the Blue Line (Bang Sue-Tha Phra); Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima motorway; Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi motorway; a garbage disposal plant in Nonthaburi; garbage disposal facilities in Nakhon Ratchasima; and a marine commerce centre.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the ministry is pushing for the cabinet to include two high-speed train routes worth 246 billion baht in the PPP fast- track programme. The two routes -- Bangkok-Hua Hin and Bangkok-Rayong -- will be shortened from two years to nine months if they are approved by the cabinet, he said.
He said some 20 investment projects worth 1.79 trillion baht that need swift implementation for next year are being tweaked before they are submitted to the cabinet. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stressed an infrastructure investment project with China would proceed amid concerns the railway deal with China is dragging on.
He said there was constant progress in talks with Beijing over the dual-track Nong Khai-Rayong rail scheme and both sides were negotiating to overcome obstacles which include the project loan. Gen Prayut said "symbolic" construction of the rail project would proceed to mark the 40th anniversary of Thai-Chinese bilateral ties while the negotiations continue.
There are eight rounds of negotiations between Thailand and China for the Thai-China railway project will connect Nong Khai to Bangkok to Map Ta Phut.
Gen Prayut said rail projects with Japan would also proceed. He defended the Ministry of Transport's proposal for him to use special powers under Section 44 of the interim charter to fast-track projects.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/753440/government-poised-to-fast-track-8-projects.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
3 arrested for scamming car owners, stealing vehicles
4 Nov 2015 WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
One of victims of the car scam shows images of the suspects as she sought help from the Crime Suppression Division on Oct 22. (Photo by Wassayos Ngamkham)
The wife of a prison warden was among three people arrested in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district for allegedly duping people into handing over 15 million baht in cars that then were resold.
The trio -- Chonticha Marndapitak, 32, Wanwimol Ousuwan, 23, and Thanongsak Sriyangkhui, 51 -- were apprehended at the SNP Mansion car park on Thetsaban Songkhro Road in the Lat Yao area of Chatuchak on Monday night and taken for a police news conference at the Patrol and Special Operation Division on Tuesday, Thai media reported.
The suspects have been charged with fraud for placing down payments on used cars and then stealing them.
The arrest was made after Songkran Atchariyasap, a lawyer and leader of a Facebook group, led 15 victims to the Crime Suppression Division to file a fraud complaint against Ms Chonthicha and her alleged cohorts.
The complainants said they had advertised their vehicles online and were contacted by gang members, who made sales contracts for the vehicles and made down payments of 30,000-50,000 baht. But the accused grifters then convinced the car owners to give them the vehicles pending finalisation of the vehicle-transfer agreement. Once they had the cars, the suspects fled, police said.
Ms Chonthicha confessed she had been responsible for entering into sales contracts with owners and had received 4,000-5,000 baht per car from the gang leader, who would resell the cars. But she declined to name the gang leader. The gang, allegedly headed by a commissioned police officer, sold the vehicles to an agent in a neighbouring country for 80,000-100,000 baht each, said Mr Songkran.
Pol Maj Gen Panurat Lakbun, chief of the special-operation division, said Ms Chonthicha had used several names to cheat people in nine fraud cases. The court so far has approved warrants for her arrest in two of those cases.
Mr Songkran said Ms Chonthicha, wife of a prison warden, and her gang has for far preyed on 33 victims with damages totalling 15 million baht. Victim Jeeraphan Rommayanont said Ms Chonthicha made a contact with him and he was duped into handing over his car after receiving the down payment.
She had set a date to complete the vehicle transfer, but never showed up and he was unable to reach her. Mr Jeeraphan said he was forced to continue paying monthly instalments to a finance firm for his car even after it had been stolen.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/754256/3-arrested-for-scamming-car-owners-stealing-vehicles.
4 Nov 2015 WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
One of victims of the car scam shows images of the suspects as she sought help from the Crime Suppression Division on Oct 22. (Photo by Wassayos Ngamkham)
The wife of a prison warden was among three people arrested in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district for allegedly duping people into handing over 15 million baht in cars that then were resold.
The trio -- Chonticha Marndapitak, 32, Wanwimol Ousuwan, 23, and Thanongsak Sriyangkhui, 51 -- were apprehended at the SNP Mansion car park on Thetsaban Songkhro Road in the Lat Yao area of Chatuchak on Monday night and taken for a police news conference at the Patrol and Special Operation Division on Tuesday, Thai media reported.
The suspects have been charged with fraud for placing down payments on used cars and then stealing them.
The arrest was made after Songkran Atchariyasap, a lawyer and leader of a Facebook group, led 15 victims to the Crime Suppression Division to file a fraud complaint against Ms Chonthicha and her alleged cohorts.
The complainants said they had advertised their vehicles online and were contacted by gang members, who made sales contracts for the vehicles and made down payments of 30,000-50,000 baht. But the accused grifters then convinced the car owners to give them the vehicles pending finalisation of the vehicle-transfer agreement. Once they had the cars, the suspects fled, police said.
Ms Chonthicha confessed she had been responsible for entering into sales contracts with owners and had received 4,000-5,000 baht per car from the gang leader, who would resell the cars. But she declined to name the gang leader. The gang, allegedly headed by a commissioned police officer, sold the vehicles to an agent in a neighbouring country for 80,000-100,000 baht each, said Mr Songkran.
Pol Maj Gen Panurat Lakbun, chief of the special-operation division, said Ms Chonthicha had used several names to cheat people in nine fraud cases. The court so far has approved warrants for her arrest in two of those cases.
Mr Songkran said Ms Chonthicha, wife of a prison warden, and her gang has for far preyed on 33 victims with damages totalling 15 million baht. Victim Jeeraphan Rommayanont said Ms Chonthicha made a contact with him and he was duped into handing over his car after receiving the down payment.
She had set a date to complete the vehicle transfer, but never showed up and he was unable to reach her. Mr Jeeraphan said he was forced to continue paying monthly instalments to a finance firm for his car even after it had been stolen.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/754256/3-arrested-for-scamming-car-owners-stealing-vehicles.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Police smash Chiang Mai paedophile pr*stitution ring
3 Nov 2015 WRITER: CHEEWIN SATTHA
Arrest warrants were issued Monday for 23 people — including government workers, politicians, a former abbot and an ex- soldier — for allegedly molesting underage girls in Chiang Mai. The 23 alleged paedophiles are wanted on charges of sexual abuse of a child under 15, regardless of whether the child is willing or not, said Pol Maj Gen Songtham Anlapart, deputy chief of Region 5 Provincial Police.
A total of 25 warrants were issued after Children and Women's Protection Centre and anti-human trafficking officers rescued three girls aged ages 13-15 from a brothel where they forced into pr*stitution by a woman listed among the wanted. The girls told authorities so-called mamasan contacted clients through the Line mobile-messaging application, Pol Maj Gen Songtham said.
It was reported that those wanted included well-known figures in the Chiang Mai social scene. Among them were senior ministry bureaucrats, successful businessmen, local politicians and some university lecturers. Of the group, about a dozen suspects have been arrested.
Among them are Maj Kriengsak Maiwong, 60, a former army officer attached to a camp in Chiang Mai, and Pone Sungsiri, 47, a former abbot of a well-known temple in the province. Maj Kriengsak is accused of simultaneously molesting all three girls at a "love hotel" in Chiang Mai's Santitham area. Police apprehended him at his home in tambon Don Kaew of Mae Rim district on Monday afternoon.
He denied the charges during questioning. Pol Col Wachira Karnchanawipada, chief of Chang Puak police station, told Thairath Online that Maj Kriengsak's relatives posted bail with a surety of 200,000 baht this morning so that he could prepare to fight the case in court.
The police investigator believed the suspect did not pose a flight risk and allowed him to be released on bail, Pol Col Wachira said.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/753204/police-smash-chiang-mai-paedophile-pr*stitution-ring.
3 Nov 2015 WRITER: CHEEWIN SATTHA
Arrest warrants were issued Monday for 23 people — including government workers, politicians, a former abbot and an ex- soldier — for allegedly molesting underage girls in Chiang Mai. The 23 alleged paedophiles are wanted on charges of sexual abuse of a child under 15, regardless of whether the child is willing or not, said Pol Maj Gen Songtham Anlapart, deputy chief of Region 5 Provincial Police.
A total of 25 warrants were issued after Children and Women's Protection Centre and anti-human trafficking officers rescued three girls aged ages 13-15 from a brothel where they forced into pr*stitution by a woman listed among the wanted. The girls told authorities so-called mamasan contacted clients through the Line mobile-messaging application, Pol Maj Gen Songtham said.
It was reported that those wanted included well-known figures in the Chiang Mai social scene. Among them were senior ministry bureaucrats, successful businessmen, local politicians and some university lecturers. Of the group, about a dozen suspects have been arrested.
Among them are Maj Kriengsak Maiwong, 60, a former army officer attached to a camp in Chiang Mai, and Pone Sungsiri, 47, a former abbot of a well-known temple in the province. Maj Kriengsak is accused of simultaneously molesting all three girls at a "love hotel" in Chiang Mai's Santitham area. Police apprehended him at his home in tambon Don Kaew of Mae Rim district on Monday afternoon.
He denied the charges during questioning. Pol Col Wachira Karnchanawipada, chief of Chang Puak police station, told Thairath Online that Maj Kriengsak's relatives posted bail with a surety of 200,000 baht this morning so that he could prepare to fight the case in court.
The police investigator believed the suspect did not pose a flight risk and allowed him to be released on bail, Pol Col Wachira said.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/753204/police-smash-chiang-mai-paedophile-pr*stitution-ring.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Jealous husband kicks wife unconscious (Graphic content)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/vdo/thai...usband-kicks-wife-unconscious-graphic-content
A video of a middle-aged man kicking his wife unconscious then stomping her in a fit of jealousy on a pavement in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district has sparked outrage on social media.The 45-second clip shows the couple in a heated quarrel on a roadside. The man is seen using his right leg to kick the woman, who falls unconscious to the ground, in full view of passers-by.
The man then continues his violent attack, using his right foot to stamp on her face three times. He grabs her by the collar and throws her body to the ground. The video clip spread rapidly online, drawing heated criticism.
The victim, identified later as Nongluck Churat, 41, sustained face and head injuries and was admitted to Vibharam Chaiprakan Hospital’s intensive care unit in Samut Prakan, said Pol Lt Bunrit Chernchue, a duty officer at Samrong Tai police station. He said the assault was reported about 5pm on Wednesday.
Ms Nongluck told police that she was assaulted by her husband Wut Sompakdi, 45. The couple had been to a restaurant on Bangya Preak Road, where they had a few drinks. They later had a heated argument. Her husband started the attack by pushing her to the ground and then kicking her on the chin, knocking her unconscious, Ms Nongluck said.
Police found Mr Wut at his house in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district. He was drunk, police said.
Mr Wut confessed to having assaulted his wife, according to police. He said they went out for a few drinks at a roadside restaurant and later quarrelled as he suspected his wife might have a lover. He became angry, pushed her to the ground and kicked her several times. He then returned home, leaving her behind.
Police charged the husband with physical assault, causing injury. He was held in custody for legal action.
Video credit: Facebook user Poramet
05 Nov 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/vdo/thai...usband-kicks-wife-unconscious-graphic-content
A video of a middle-aged man kicking his wife unconscious then stomping her in a fit of jealousy on a pavement in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district has sparked outrage on social media.The 45-second clip shows the couple in a heated quarrel on a roadside. The man is seen using his right leg to kick the woman, who falls unconscious to the ground, in full view of passers-by.
The man then continues his violent attack, using his right foot to stamp on her face three times. He grabs her by the collar and throws her body to the ground. The video clip spread rapidly online, drawing heated criticism.
The victim, identified later as Nongluck Churat, 41, sustained face and head injuries and was admitted to Vibharam Chaiprakan Hospital’s intensive care unit in Samut Prakan, said Pol Lt Bunrit Chernchue, a duty officer at Samrong Tai police station. He said the assault was reported about 5pm on Wednesday.
Ms Nongluck told police that she was assaulted by her husband Wut Sompakdi, 45. The couple had been to a restaurant on Bangya Preak Road, where they had a few drinks. They later had a heated argument. Her husband started the attack by pushing her to the ground and then kicking her on the chin, knocking her unconscious, Ms Nongluck said.
Police found Mr Wut at his house in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district. He was drunk, police said.
Mr Wut confessed to having assaulted his wife, according to police. He said they went out for a few drinks at a roadside restaurant and later quarrelled as he suspected his wife might have a lover. He became angry, pushed her to the ground and kicked her several times. He then returned home, leaving her behind.
Police charged the husband with physical assault, causing injury. He was held in custody for legal action.
Video credit: Facebook user Poramet
05 Nov 2015
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Pheu Thai opposed to MMA electoral system
The Nation November 5, 2015
The Pheu Thai Party Thursday issued a statement opposing the new proposed electoral system of the charter writers, saying the system is neither in line with international norms nor suitable for Thailand.
The Mixed-member apportionment is not proportional representation system which truly represents all votes and makes every vote matter, the Pheu Thai’s statement said.
The system which uses one ballot to vote for constituency MP and turns the votes for failed candidates to calculate for their party-list system would confuse voters and limit their electoral rights to vote for their favourite candidates and party, it said.
"It [the system] would rather create more problems. The Constitution Drafting Commission should better study its pros and cons and impact before adopting it. The country is not an experiment lab for the CDC," it said.
The Nation November 5, 2015
The Pheu Thai Party Thursday issued a statement opposing the new proposed electoral system of the charter writers, saying the system is neither in line with international norms nor suitable for Thailand.
The Mixed-member apportionment is not proportional representation system which truly represents all votes and makes every vote matter, the Pheu Thai’s statement said.
The system which uses one ballot to vote for constituency MP and turns the votes for failed candidates to calculate for their party-list system would confuse voters and limit their electoral rights to vote for their favourite candidates and party, it said.
"It [the system] would rather create more problems. The Constitution Drafting Commission should better study its pros and cons and impact before adopting it. The country is not an experiment lab for the CDC," it said.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Bangkok is ready
The Nation November 5, 2015
Capital set to roll out red carpet for some 1,000 leaders aspiring to create a better world
BANGKOK IS ready to host more than 1,000 aspiring young leaders who want to change the world for the better, said Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
As the city prepares to roll out the red carpet for youngsters and global celebrities and icons attending the One Young World Summit 2015, which will be held from November 18 to 22, Sukhumbhand wasted no time publicising the much-anticipated event.
"We are so proud to be the host of the Sixth One Young World Summit and Bangkok will be Asia's first city to host the event," he said. "After we learned that the sixth summit would be organised, we sent our team to bid to host and competed with other countries like South Korea and Japan. But we won it," he added.
"Bangkok was chosen to host the One Young World Summit 2015 because Thailand has its charm, we have a multicultural society, magnificent temples, royal palaces, canals, busy marketplaces and vibrant street culture," Sukhumbhand said.
"Although we are faced with an uncertain political situation, we still got this summit. That is proof that the political situation is not more important than Thai traditions. This is the reason why we got to host this summit."
One Young World Summit 2015 will be the stage for youth leaders to share their innovative solutions for the pressing issues in the world. Besides the youth leaders, many world leaders will also join the summit as councillors, such as Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the UN, Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Father Mussie Zerai, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and Manny Pacquiao, a Filipino world champion |boxer.
"These people are world icons and social leaders with a lot of experience. One Young World Summit will be the place that these world social leaders can share their ideas with the youth leaders and also become their inspiration," Sukhumbhand |said.
"What they have done for our society is too much to talk about in three days, but they will inspire the new generation to extend their thoughts."
More than 1,540 Thai youths nationwide applied to join the delegate selection for the summit. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration then submitted the list to the organiser in London before 390 youths were selected to be whittled down to 100 in Bangkok.
The Nation November 5, 2015
Capital set to roll out red carpet for some 1,000 leaders aspiring to create a better world
BANGKOK IS ready to host more than 1,000 aspiring young leaders who want to change the world for the better, said Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
As the city prepares to roll out the red carpet for youngsters and global celebrities and icons attending the One Young World Summit 2015, which will be held from November 18 to 22, Sukhumbhand wasted no time publicising the much-anticipated event.
"We are so proud to be the host of the Sixth One Young World Summit and Bangkok will be Asia's first city to host the event," he said. "After we learned that the sixth summit would be organised, we sent our team to bid to host and competed with other countries like South Korea and Japan. But we won it," he added.
"Bangkok was chosen to host the One Young World Summit 2015 because Thailand has its charm, we have a multicultural society, magnificent temples, royal palaces, canals, busy marketplaces and vibrant street culture," Sukhumbhand said.
"Although we are faced with an uncertain political situation, we still got this summit. That is proof that the political situation is not more important than Thai traditions. This is the reason why we got to host this summit."
One Young World Summit 2015 will be the stage for youth leaders to share their innovative solutions for the pressing issues in the world. Besides the youth leaders, many world leaders will also join the summit as councillors, such as Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the UN, Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Father Mussie Zerai, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and Manny Pacquiao, a Filipino world champion |boxer.
"These people are world icons and social leaders with a lot of experience. One Young World Summit will be the place that these world social leaders can share their ideas with the youth leaders and also become their inspiration," Sukhumbhand |said.
"What they have done for our society is too much to talk about in three days, but they will inspire the new generation to extend their thoughts."
More than 1,540 Thai youths nationwide applied to join the delegate selection for the summit. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration then submitted the list to the organiser in London before 390 youths were selected to be whittled down to 100 in Bangkok.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Police chief accepts Prawut's resignation
The Nation November 5, 2015
Chakthip apologises to media for denying the spokesman had quit
The national police chief yesterday revealed he had already approved the resignation of former police spokesman Pol General Prawut Thavornsiri who disappeared from public view after returning from a vacation abroad. Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said Prawut may have resigned for personal reasons, saying it appeared to be his wish to seek early retirement. Prawut was due to retire next year.
"Pol General Prawut had tendered his resignation to the Personnel Division on October 29 and now I have approved it and returned it to the division. The resignation will now be forwarded to the Secretariat of the Cabinet to seek royal endorsement," Chakthip said.
Asked about the reasons, Chakthip said he could not remember because he had about 30 files to consider. "To quit government service is a personal matter and I have the authority to delay it for 30 days if I believe the person is useful for the service. "[However], in this case, he intended to take early retirement."
Chakthip also apologised to the media for having earlier denied that Prawut had tendered his resignation, claiming he had come to know about it only through the media after which he had checked with the Personnel Department.
He said he did not know whether Prawut had himself submitted the resignation.
The former spokesman went to Italy on vacation after Chakthip, who was appointed to the post last month, replaced him with Pol General Dejnarong Suthichanbancha and after three suspects, including Pol Maj Prakrom Warunprapa, were arrested in connection with lese majeste charges.
Unconfirmed reports claimed Prakrom, who took his own life while in custody, was close to Prawut. Chakthip added that he had talked to Prawut once after his return from Italy. After that, he had tried to call again but Prawut did not answer the call. When asked if the resignation was linked to the lese majeste case, Chakthip said the question should be addressed to Prawut. However, he said he did not think the two could be linked.
In a related development, an executive of the National Broadcast and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) met with a police investigation team to give information about the setting up of an alleged illegal communication station on Baiyok II Building in Bangkok.
Police have accused Prakrom of collaborating with Samart Corporation in setting up the station without a permit. After meeting with police, the NBTC representative and police went to Baiyok II building to inspect the station.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking Army source, reacting to the report about 40-50 Army officials, including a major and a major-general, being involved in the lese majeste case, said there was not yet enough evidence to seek legal action against them.
"It is only an accusation by individuals that they are involved," the source said. He said the evidence has to be solid if police want to charge an Army specialist, who is under the Army's secretariat office. Another source in the northern border province of Tak claimed that the Army major who was suspected of being involved in the case had already sneaked into Myanmar through a Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot district.
The source claimed that the major crossed the border on October 31 at around 6pm and an armed group had escorted him away. Myawaddy town of Myanmar is opposite Mae Sot. His departure was caught on security cameras at the border. The Thai side is coordinating with Myanmar authorities to help bring the major back to Thailand.
Another source said that the major general in question has already tendered the resignation, saying he wants to run his own business.
The Nation November 5, 2015
Chakthip apologises to media for denying the spokesman had quit
The national police chief yesterday revealed he had already approved the resignation of former police spokesman Pol General Prawut Thavornsiri who disappeared from public view after returning from a vacation abroad. Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said Prawut may have resigned for personal reasons, saying it appeared to be his wish to seek early retirement. Prawut was due to retire next year.
"Pol General Prawut had tendered his resignation to the Personnel Division on October 29 and now I have approved it and returned it to the division. The resignation will now be forwarded to the Secretariat of the Cabinet to seek royal endorsement," Chakthip said.
Asked about the reasons, Chakthip said he could not remember because he had about 30 files to consider. "To quit government service is a personal matter and I have the authority to delay it for 30 days if I believe the person is useful for the service. "[However], in this case, he intended to take early retirement."
Chakthip also apologised to the media for having earlier denied that Prawut had tendered his resignation, claiming he had come to know about it only through the media after which he had checked with the Personnel Department.
He said he did not know whether Prawut had himself submitted the resignation.
The former spokesman went to Italy on vacation after Chakthip, who was appointed to the post last month, replaced him with Pol General Dejnarong Suthichanbancha and after three suspects, including Pol Maj Prakrom Warunprapa, were arrested in connection with lese majeste charges.
Unconfirmed reports claimed Prakrom, who took his own life while in custody, was close to Prawut. Chakthip added that he had talked to Prawut once after his return from Italy. After that, he had tried to call again but Prawut did not answer the call. When asked if the resignation was linked to the lese majeste case, Chakthip said the question should be addressed to Prawut. However, he said he did not think the two could be linked.
In a related development, an executive of the National Broadcast and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) met with a police investigation team to give information about the setting up of an alleged illegal communication station on Baiyok II Building in Bangkok.
Police have accused Prakrom of collaborating with Samart Corporation in setting up the station without a permit. After meeting with police, the NBTC representative and police went to Baiyok II building to inspect the station.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking Army source, reacting to the report about 40-50 Army officials, including a major and a major-general, being involved in the lese majeste case, said there was not yet enough evidence to seek legal action against them.
"It is only an accusation by individuals that they are involved," the source said. He said the evidence has to be solid if police want to charge an Army specialist, who is under the Army's secretariat office. Another source in the northern border province of Tak claimed that the Army major who was suspected of being involved in the case had already sneaked into Myanmar through a Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot district.
The source claimed that the major crossed the border on October 31 at around 6pm and an armed group had escorted him away. Myawaddy town of Myanmar is opposite Mae Sot. His departure was caught on security cameras at the border. The Thai side is coordinating with Myanmar authorities to help bring the major back to Thailand.
Another source said that the major general in question has already tendered the resignation, saying he wants to run his own business.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
Snap and dine
THE NATION November 4, 2015
Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers joins with SPG Restaurants & Bars in offering a 20 per-cent discount ...
BANGKOK
Snap and dine
Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers joins with SPG Restaurants & Bars in offering a 20 per-cent discount on food to Starwood Preferred Guests at its Feast, Sambal, Thara Thong, and Giorgio's restaurants. Simply share a photo of the food or atmosphere at the hotel, and upload, with public status, to your Facebook account to enjoy the discount from now until December 15. Registering for Starwood Preferred Guests is free. |Call (02) 266 9214 or e-mail: events.rosh@sheraton.com.
Spa sensations
Enjoy daily breakfast and a rejuvenating Thai massage during your stay at Sukhumvit Park, Bangkok - Marriott Executive Apartments. The relaxing Spa for Two package includes accommodation in selected room category, daily buffet breakfast for two persons, welcome drink, late check-out to 2pm and a 60-minute traditional Thai massage for two at Thada Heritage Spa (subject to availability). The offer is valid until March 31. Call (02) 302 5555 or e-mail: measukhumvitpark@marriott.com. Find out more at www.Marriott.com/bkksp.
No goosing around
Westin Grande Sukhumvit invites revellers to tune in to the festive spirit with a "Traditional Christmas Goose Dinner" specially created from Germany, where goose, not turkey, is the traditional Christmas carving. Enjoy an appetiser, a main course, a dessert buffet and soft drink at Bt1,680 per person on November 11 at Altitude on the 25th Floor. Call (02) 207 8000 or e-mail:fb.bangkok@westin.com. |Visit www.WestinGrandeSukhumvit.com
Pints in the garden
Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit, in cooperation with Wishbeer Home Bar, welcomes the winter with the craft beer garden event "inBLU Beer B-Q by Wishbeer". Running from today through next Wednesday, punters can enjoy various styles of barbecue along with great music and a terrific selection of tasty draft beers. A Brews Sampler Pack will be offered to customers sampling as many of the brews as possible. The beer garden is open daily from 5pm to midnight. Prices start at Bt180 per half pint. Accor Advantage Plus members get a 10-per-cent discount on food and beverage. |Call (02) 204 4000 extension 4150 or e-mail: fb2@pullmanbangkokgrandesukhumvit.com.
SAMUT SONGKHRAM
Naturally afloat
Asita Eco Resort in Samut Songkhram, just one hour from Bangkok, is offering special room rates for the Loy Krathong Festival, which this year falls on November 25. Rates start at Bt3,000 for Superior Room, Bt3,500 for Deluxe and Bt4,200 for Villa Deluxe and include buffet breakfast for 2 persons, a boat trip to float a krathong and a magnificent view of hundreds krathong floating on Mae Klong river. Call (081) 999 1692, (081) 999 4641, (034) 767 333 or visit www.AsitaResort.com.
KRABI
Book now, save later
Get more from your time in paradise with Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort's outstanding value "Advance Purchase Rate" offer. Book at least 30 days in advance to enjoy 20 per-cent the best unrestricted rate, plus free accommodation and breakfast for one child under 12 years of age when sharing the parents' room. Rates start from Bt6,705 per room per night and include breakfast for 2 persons. The deal is available from now until March 31.
E-mail: H6184-RE@SOFITEL.COM or visit www.Sofitel.com/6184.
THE NATION November 4, 2015
Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers joins with SPG Restaurants & Bars in offering a 20 per-cent discount ...
BANGKOK
Snap and dine
Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers joins with SPG Restaurants & Bars in offering a 20 per-cent discount on food to Starwood Preferred Guests at its Feast, Sambal, Thara Thong, and Giorgio's restaurants. Simply share a photo of the food or atmosphere at the hotel, and upload, with public status, to your Facebook account to enjoy the discount from now until December 15. Registering for Starwood Preferred Guests is free. |Call (02) 266 9214 or e-mail: events.rosh@sheraton.com.
Spa sensations
Enjoy daily breakfast and a rejuvenating Thai massage during your stay at Sukhumvit Park, Bangkok - Marriott Executive Apartments. The relaxing Spa for Two package includes accommodation in selected room category, daily buffet breakfast for two persons, welcome drink, late check-out to 2pm and a 60-minute traditional Thai massage for two at Thada Heritage Spa (subject to availability). The offer is valid until March 31. Call (02) 302 5555 or e-mail: measukhumvitpark@marriott.com. Find out more at www.Marriott.com/bkksp.
No goosing around
Westin Grande Sukhumvit invites revellers to tune in to the festive spirit with a "Traditional Christmas Goose Dinner" specially created from Germany, where goose, not turkey, is the traditional Christmas carving. Enjoy an appetiser, a main course, a dessert buffet and soft drink at Bt1,680 per person on November 11 at Altitude on the 25th Floor. Call (02) 207 8000 or e-mail:fb.bangkok@westin.com. |Visit www.WestinGrandeSukhumvit.com
Pints in the garden
Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit, in cooperation with Wishbeer Home Bar, welcomes the winter with the craft beer garden event "inBLU Beer B-Q by Wishbeer". Running from today through next Wednesday, punters can enjoy various styles of barbecue along with great music and a terrific selection of tasty draft beers. A Brews Sampler Pack will be offered to customers sampling as many of the brews as possible. The beer garden is open daily from 5pm to midnight. Prices start at Bt180 per half pint. Accor Advantage Plus members get a 10-per-cent discount on food and beverage. |Call (02) 204 4000 extension 4150 or e-mail: fb2@pullmanbangkokgrandesukhumvit.com.
SAMUT SONGKHRAM
Naturally afloat
Asita Eco Resort in Samut Songkhram, just one hour from Bangkok, is offering special room rates for the Loy Krathong Festival, which this year falls on November 25. Rates start at Bt3,000 for Superior Room, Bt3,500 for Deluxe and Bt4,200 for Villa Deluxe and include buffet breakfast for 2 persons, a boat trip to float a krathong and a magnificent view of hundreds krathong floating on Mae Klong river. Call (081) 999 1692, (081) 999 4641, (034) 767 333 or visit www.AsitaResort.com.
KRABI
Book now, save later
Get more from your time in paradise with Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort's outstanding value "Advance Purchase Rate" offer. Book at least 30 days in advance to enjoy 20 per-cent the best unrestricted rate, plus free accommodation and breakfast for one child under 12 years of age when sharing the parents' room. Rates start from Bt6,705 per room per night and include breakfast for 2 persons. The deal is available from now until March 31.
E-mail: H6184-RE@SOFITEL.COM or visit www.Sofitel.com/6184.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
The highs and lows of the battle over beer gardens
writer: Sasithorn Ongdee
sasithorn@nationgroup.com November 6, 2015
Another episode of the saliva war over alcoholic drinks, between a beer maker and the alcohol control agency, is brewing.
When Piti Bhirombhakdi, an executive of a leading beer company, recently hit out at Dr Samarn Futrakul, director of the Alcohol Control Committee Office, on his Facebook page, Piti slammed Samarn's remarks that "beer garden" activities were likely breaking the alcohol control law on advertising as insane.
Also, celebrities or singers who join the "beer garden" events might also be in breach of the law on advertising, according to Samarn.
Piti argued on his Facebook page that beer gardens, which are held annually to celebrate the New Year, were legal. If the Office considers them illegal, they should provide more details. Stopping the beer gardens, which are held nationwide during festivals, would affect thousands of waiters and waitresses, he argued.
Piti vowed to continue holding the "beer garden" events and hire both movie stars and singers to join the activities, while also challenging Samarn, saying it remains to be seen who's going to leave and who's going to stay. The beer maker's argument got the thumbs up and was cheered by many who seemed to overlook the substance of the issue.
What we are focusing on is "violation" of Article 32 of the Alcohol Control Act BE 2008 on advertising prohibition, which forbids several activities. It prohibits liquor companies from hiring public figures, including movie stars, singers and celebrities, for their product advertisements.
Of course, there is a blurred line between a "place" for alcoholic drinks and a "marketing event". What a beer garden is needs to be defined.
From a marketing perspective, one cannot deny that a "beer garden" event, with mini concert, and promotion and marketing activities is a kind of the below-the-line advertising, focusing on specific groups of target consumers. It is different from above-the-line advertising where mass media, including conventional media like television, radio, and print as well as Internet, is used to promote brands and reach out to the consumers.
Liquor companies know that by law, they are not allowed to advertise their products through any media except between 11pm and 5am, but only words not related to the products are allowed. The logos and labels of the products are not allowed to be shown.
So, a "beer garden" should be considered a place only for selling and drinking alcoholic beverages if there are no signages of alcohol products, their logos or labels around the event and celebrities are not promoting and advertising the products or inducing other people to try the products.
Thai society is open to every kind of festival happening all year round and they normally involve consumption of alcoholic beverages. Every year, we see a burgeoning number of beer gardens across the country during the New Year, as if it is a beer festival.
Perhaps, we cannot distinguish one from the other. Beer gardens are not banned by law, but they are banned from being used as "media" to advertise liquor products to boost sales.
What if celebrities, who were hired to join the beer garden event, posed with the signage of the beer product? Would this be called a kind of advertising? What if the celebrities took pictures of themselves posing with the beer products and then posted those pictures on their social media, could it be called advertising?
Would this action be similar to the recent case in which more than 30 celebrities were accused of violating the alcohol control act when they posted photos of themselves with a beer product on their social media?
The answers are too obvious to the questions on why there is concern about alcoholic drinks and why celebrities are more strictly prohibited than general people.
How about the liquor companies taking "real" social responsibility?
It should be interesting to see who is going to stay and who's going to leave.
writer: Sasithorn Ongdee
sasithorn@nationgroup.com November 6, 2015
Another episode of the saliva war over alcoholic drinks, between a beer maker and the alcohol control agency, is brewing.
When Piti Bhirombhakdi, an executive of a leading beer company, recently hit out at Dr Samarn Futrakul, director of the Alcohol Control Committee Office, on his Facebook page, Piti slammed Samarn's remarks that "beer garden" activities were likely breaking the alcohol control law on advertising as insane.
Also, celebrities or singers who join the "beer garden" events might also be in breach of the law on advertising, according to Samarn.
Piti argued on his Facebook page that beer gardens, which are held annually to celebrate the New Year, were legal. If the Office considers them illegal, they should provide more details. Stopping the beer gardens, which are held nationwide during festivals, would affect thousands of waiters and waitresses, he argued.
Piti vowed to continue holding the "beer garden" events and hire both movie stars and singers to join the activities, while also challenging Samarn, saying it remains to be seen who's going to leave and who's going to stay. The beer maker's argument got the thumbs up and was cheered by many who seemed to overlook the substance of the issue.
What we are focusing on is "violation" of Article 32 of the Alcohol Control Act BE 2008 on advertising prohibition, which forbids several activities. It prohibits liquor companies from hiring public figures, including movie stars, singers and celebrities, for their product advertisements.
Of course, there is a blurred line between a "place" for alcoholic drinks and a "marketing event". What a beer garden is needs to be defined.
From a marketing perspective, one cannot deny that a "beer garden" event, with mini concert, and promotion and marketing activities is a kind of the below-the-line advertising, focusing on specific groups of target consumers. It is different from above-the-line advertising where mass media, including conventional media like television, radio, and print as well as Internet, is used to promote brands and reach out to the consumers.
Liquor companies know that by law, they are not allowed to advertise their products through any media except between 11pm and 5am, but only words not related to the products are allowed. The logos and labels of the products are not allowed to be shown.
So, a "beer garden" should be considered a place only for selling and drinking alcoholic beverages if there are no signages of alcohol products, their logos or labels around the event and celebrities are not promoting and advertising the products or inducing other people to try the products.
Thai society is open to every kind of festival happening all year round and they normally involve consumption of alcoholic beverages. Every year, we see a burgeoning number of beer gardens across the country during the New Year, as if it is a beer festival.
Perhaps, we cannot distinguish one from the other. Beer gardens are not banned by law, but they are banned from being used as "media" to advertise liquor products to boost sales.
What if celebrities, who were hired to join the beer garden event, posed with the signage of the beer product? Would this be called a kind of advertising? What if the celebrities took pictures of themselves posing with the beer products and then posted those pictures on their social media, could it be called advertising?
Would this action be similar to the recent case in which more than 30 celebrities were accused of violating the alcohol control act when they posted photos of themselves with a beer product on their social media?
The answers are too obvious to the questions on why there is concern about alcoholic drinks and why celebrities are more strictly prohibited than general people.
How about the liquor companies taking "real" social responsibility?
It should be interesting to see who is going to stay and who's going to leave.
JBK.Ltd.
Forumveteran
As season arrives, battle brews over beer gardens
Writers: Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn, Poungchompoo Prasert & Nopporn Tathan
The Nation November 6, 2015
Regulators and beer companies are again at odds over interpreting the law governing sales of alcoholic beverages at beer gardens, many of which are about to sprout up in Bangkok and other big cities in the coming days as the winter season kicks in.
Chutchai Wiratyosin, executive vice president of Boonrawd Brewery, the producer of Singha and Leo Beer, said an interpretation by Dr Samarn Futrakul at the Public Health Ministry's Office of Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee was not realistic.
"What we have done so far about our beer-garden activities is consistent with the law, which prohibits any activity that promotes beer consumption or reveals product quality," he said yesterday. According to Chatchai, all 'beer girls' at Singha and Leo beer gardens are waitresses wearing the brands' uniform and logos but they are not allowed by law to promote sales, so what they are doing - serving customers - is legal.
In his opinion, an unrealistic and unfair interpretation by health authorities could lead to the loss of jobs for a large number of beer girls, as several thousand could be employed during the beer-garden season - with Singha Corp alone hiring more than 3,000.
Moreover, he argued that entertainment shows or live concerts to be hosted at beer parks were also legal.
"We need a more neutral body, such as the Council of State, to interpret these activities. It should be made clear what can be done, and what cannot be done," he suggested.
According to Samarn, who is director of the Disease Control Department's Office of Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee, some 40 beer gardens have been subjected to legal action since the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 came into effect.
He has warned that beer gardens, which are often operated from November to January, should strictly observe the law or they would face legal action, especially with regard to beer venues hosting marketing activities.
Samarn explained that sales of alcohol drinks must be authorised by the Excise Department and be carried out within a legal time period, while activities at beer gardens must not be for advertising purposes. The use of celebrities or 'beer-promoting waitresses' could be an individual media to promote sales volume, while many places have on-stage games to provide discounts and free handouts, which could be violations of Article 32 of the Act, he said.
However, he added that the showing of a beer logo or brand could be allowed, provided there was also a warning message attached beneath. Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn earlier said beer gardens were fine, provided organisers did not host marketing activities, which would be a violation of Article 32.
As for beer-promoting waitresses wearing shirts with alcoholic-beverage logos, he suggested that related parties look up Article 32 and discuss the matter, so that all concerned were on the same page. Piyasakol said he had also instructed the Office of Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee to act legally and avoid creating enemies.
"We should make people feel like we are all in the same boat, aiming for a better society. Anyone who doesn't know the law should be informed, so they can join the efforts to make everything better," he added.
Jamnong Sriyoya, manager of Siam Thanapat - a retail distributor of Singha beer in Phayao province - said beer sales had been in a slump for nearly four years since the prohibition of alcohol at parties in state offices, and other anti-alcohol campaigns. The current issue with beer gardens would be a second blow to both business operators and workers, he said.
Meanwhile, Prof Surapongse Sotanasathien, a lecturer at Thammasat University's Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, commented that the issue of alcoholic drinks did not lie with the products themselves, but with those drinkers who consumed too much alcohol to the point of losing their senses, leading to harm.
Writers: Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn, Poungchompoo Prasert & Nopporn Tathan
The Nation November 6, 2015
Regulators and beer companies are again at odds over interpreting the law governing sales of alcoholic beverages at beer gardens, many of which are about to sprout up in Bangkok and other big cities in the coming days as the winter season kicks in.
Chutchai Wiratyosin, executive vice president of Boonrawd Brewery, the producer of Singha and Leo Beer, said an interpretation by Dr Samarn Futrakul at the Public Health Ministry's Office of Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee was not realistic.
"What we have done so far about our beer-garden activities is consistent with the law, which prohibits any activity that promotes beer consumption or reveals product quality," he said yesterday. According to Chatchai, all 'beer girls' at Singha and Leo beer gardens are waitresses wearing the brands' uniform and logos but they are not allowed by law to promote sales, so what they are doing - serving customers - is legal.
In his opinion, an unrealistic and unfair interpretation by health authorities could lead to the loss of jobs for a large number of beer girls, as several thousand could be employed during the beer-garden season - with Singha Corp alone hiring more than 3,000.
Moreover, he argued that entertainment shows or live concerts to be hosted at beer parks were also legal.
"We need a more neutral body, such as the Council of State, to interpret these activities. It should be made clear what can be done, and what cannot be done," he suggested.
According to Samarn, who is director of the Disease Control Department's Office of Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee, some 40 beer gardens have been subjected to legal action since the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 came into effect.
He has warned that beer gardens, which are often operated from November to January, should strictly observe the law or they would face legal action, especially with regard to beer venues hosting marketing activities.
Samarn explained that sales of alcohol drinks must be authorised by the Excise Department and be carried out within a legal time period, while activities at beer gardens must not be for advertising purposes. The use of celebrities or 'beer-promoting waitresses' could be an individual media to promote sales volume, while many places have on-stage games to provide discounts and free handouts, which could be violations of Article 32 of the Act, he said.
However, he added that the showing of a beer logo or brand could be allowed, provided there was also a warning message attached beneath. Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn earlier said beer gardens were fine, provided organisers did not host marketing activities, which would be a violation of Article 32.
As for beer-promoting waitresses wearing shirts with alcoholic-beverage logos, he suggested that related parties look up Article 32 and discuss the matter, so that all concerned were on the same page. Piyasakol said he had also instructed the Office of Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee to act legally and avoid creating enemies.
"We should make people feel like we are all in the same boat, aiming for a better society. Anyone who doesn't know the law should be informed, so they can join the efforts to make everything better," he added.
Jamnong Sriyoya, manager of Siam Thanapat - a retail distributor of Singha beer in Phayao province - said beer sales had been in a slump for nearly four years since the prohibition of alcohol at parties in state offices, and other anti-alcohol campaigns. The current issue with beer gardens would be a second blow to both business operators and workers, he said.
Meanwhile, Prof Surapongse Sotanasathien, a lecturer at Thammasat University's Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, commented that the issue of alcoholic drinks did not lie with the products themselves, but with those drinkers who consumed too much alcohol to the point of losing their senses, leading to harm.
