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News and Views - July 2008
Vatana's escape - July 14, 2008
Above is a diagram from Daily News showing the escape route of politician Vatana Asavahame. Cambodia is a place where money talks and there is no repatriation treaty with Thailand, and thus it is the refuge of choice for high profile Thai fugitives. Previously Duangchalerm Yoobamrung and Chon Buri don Kamnan Poh fled to Cambodia to escape court cases.
Vatana (often spelled "Watana" or "Wattana") has held top posts in governments of the past and is part of the Asavahame clan prominent in Samut Prakarn politics. Once the leader of the Rassadorn Party, his star has fallen in recent years with election losses and continuous court cases over fraud, election irregularities, land encroachment, etc. although at present he is chief advisor of the Puea Pandin Party.
Like Chalerm Yoobamrung, Vatana also has unruly family members--his son Chonsawas was accused of assaulting a police officer at a traffic stop in 2007.
An earlier thread on the family is here.
Above: Undated postcard - It reads: Travel to Bangkok by rail from Penang
Bangkok scenes - July 31, 2008
Above: Undated postcard of New Road
Above: 1930 postcard of See Phya Intersection
Links to more old photos on the 2Bangkok archives page
Land for a new parliament - and Temasek - translated and summarized from Krungtep Turakit; Column: Kae Roi Karn Muang; Author: Rak Montri, July 7, 2008
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, House Speaker Chai Chidchob and other government officials embarked on a boat from Sathupradit Pier (on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok) on July 5 to reconnoiter a land plot where a new parliament building could be built in future. The 200-rai plot belongs to the ‘State Railways of Thailand’ (SRT), with about 160-rai of the site possibly being allocated for the construction of a new parliament.
Before considering whether the plot is appropriate for the construction of a new parliament, we should examine agreements that have been reached under the bi-national negotiation process known as the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship (STEER).
STEER is an ongoing negotiation process, between the Singaporean and Thai governments, with an apparent agenda of boosting Thailand’s economic development.
Among the important amendments to Thai law proposed during STEER meetings was one that would allow foreigners to gain ownership of a land plot for 99 years - in line with a policy envisaged by deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
It is widely-believed that the STEER negotiations have been deliberately engineered to ensure the granting of special landholding privileges to those foreign investors who wish to develop projects in Thailand.
There is an extremely interesting development project currently underway in Bangkok under the name of ‘Krungthep Pier’. This scheme - also known as ‘Klong Toei Complex’ - will be developed on a 2,000-rai plot of land in the vicinity of Klong Toei Pier. The project is expected to cost around 200 billion baht.
The main investor in this project is Temasek Holdings - the Singapore government’s investment arm. Temasek reportedly spent about 73 billion baht acquiring Shin Corp from the Shinawatra family back in 2006.
This is why the Krungthep Pier becomes a new choice.
If the government does not clearly explain its reasons for favoring this location for a new parliament, this issue could easily end up becoming as problematic as the dispute over the Prasart Preah Vihear Temple.Kidnapped from Bangkok?
Yafie’ tribe declare solidarity with Bagram prisoner Amin al-Bakri - Yemen Observer, July 26, 2008
...The Yafie tribe of al-Dalie has asked President Ali Abdullah Saleh to use his constitutional commitments towards all Yemeni citizens to secure the release of their kinfolk’s member Amin al-Bakri from the United States’ Bagram prison in Afghanistan.
The Yafie tribe issued a statement over the arrest and detention of al-Bakri since 2002, saying that he was kidnapped by the Americans from Thailand and smuggled to Bagram prison. They called on all the Yemeni people to support them over the release of their son...Interview with Mohammed al-Bakri, father of Bagram Prison detainee Amin al-Bakri - Yemen Observer, July 15, 2008
...During his trading activities between Yemen and South East Asia, according to his friends, he went to Bangkok in the hope of coming back within four or five days. We contacted him from al-Medina as usual, but his telephone did not respond. We were worried over our son’s fate for six months, when the Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper published an article about his disappearance, attributing it to American agents. We came to Yemen and started our enquiries; we contacted the Foreign Ministry’s officials and human rights organizations, but we failed to discover his whereabouts. My other sons contacted a search company and it provided us with a detailed report since his arrival in Bangkok and his stay at the hotel, before his disappearance. About six months or a year later, we received a brief message from the International Red Cross Committee (IRCC) saying that he was in good health, and asked us to look after his kids...
Illegal CDs - Daily News, July 28, 2008
The caption reads: Illegal CDs - Samut Prakan Governor Anuwat Meteewiboonkul along with Samut Prakan Police Commander Police Major General Wittaya Prayongpan hold a press conference on the seizure of illegal CDs and the production gang infringing copyright. Many items valued at more than 10 million baht were seized.Why the crackdown all over on counterfeit goods? - July 29, 2008
Khao Sarn Road seems largely devoid of copy CDs. Patpong was raided Friday night. The Thai newspapers are full of news of raids. Why the crackdown?
Chris among other readers noted: We were wondering why, then I remembered, of course, George Bush is coming to town shortly!
It is true that before delegations of top U.S. political figures or CEOs of top tech firms come to town, Bangkok's counterfeit industries are temporarily shut down.
Soi Arab, Bangkok - A Crossroads of Two Cultures - July 20, 2008
Mirrors, curlicue balustrades and hanging flat-panel TVs have become indispensable features on once-drab restaurant terraces on Sukhumvit 3/1, otherwise known as Soi Arab...
Quit Coal campaign completes Thailand tour - Greenpeace International, July, 2008
...In Rayong province, on July 15th the crew of the Rainbow Warrior staged a peaceful protest against the expansion of a Belgian-owned coal power plant in Mapthaphut, anchoring a few meters off the coal wharf and unfurling banners saying “Quit Coal” and ”Coal = Climate Change”. The ship was confronted by tug boats and coal plant personnel who fired water cannons as it entered the coal port...
Chonburi Police link - July 30, 2008
Alexander writes: I am an avid reader of 2bangkok.com and I always enjoy following your link to Chonburi Police to have a look at all those farang con-men facing serious trials and – hopefully – long jail-sentences if convicted. However – what a horror – the website of the Crime Suppression Center has been attacked by cyber-criminals as well and is spreading a virus. This is no joke. Simply go to their site – with Mozilla Firefox – and either scroll to the very end of it where there are some malware-code snippets visible even for the plain eye or make use of the watching source-text option in the browser’s menu. Go to the very end… et voila!
Could you please inform the Cops that they in fact are under criminal attack themselves?
Bush & Thailand’s Piracy Crackdown, Part XXVII - Absolutely Bangkok, July, 2008
Also interesting: Nabbed: British Sex Trafficker, That Is, Private DetectiveParliament to relocate to a river-front plot in Kiek Kai - The Nation, July 29, 2008
GoogleEarth Placemark for the locationCalif. aircraft parts executive charged with making illegal exports to UAE, Thailand - AP, July 17, 2008
...John Nakkashian, former vice president for international sales at Air Shunt Instruments Inc., has been indicted on four counts of violating the Arms Export Control Act, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Officials said he vanished during the investigation in 2007 and was charged in May.
Prosecutors allege Nakkashian in 2003 and 2004 exported components for the F-5 fighter jet to Dubai and a gyroscope used on military helicopters to Bangkok without first obtaining the required export licenses from the U.S. State Department...Manchester City bosses turn to feng shui to boost trophy winning chances - Mirror, July 17, 2008
...Magic crystals have been buried under the turf to energise the team's players.
Several have already been dug into the centre circle - and dozens more will be hidden beneath the corner flags before the season kicks off on August 17.
..."The older City fans won't like it one bit. Apparently the Thai owners love the superstitious principles of the Far East and hope the crystals will improve the team's performance and the club's financial success..."Wilmington Marine dies in Thailand - The Boston Globe, July 7, 2008
[Several readers have noted there seems to be no follow-up to this and no mention of it in the local press.]Canadians protest ‘murder’ by Thai police - AndrewDrummond.com, July, 2008
...City buses in Calgary are now carrying the posters "Canadian Murdered in Thailand. When will be justice be served?"...Thai teens seeking sex changes grapple with new rules - AFP, July 20, 2008
...Thailand is believed to have one of the largest transgender populations in the world. Academics estimate at least 10,000 live in Thailand, though other guesses are more than 10 times higher...Scientist plies Asia seeking freshwater stingray - Boston.com, July 19, 2008
[Thanks to Marc for pointing this out.]Serene dream: Ruby Wax thinks big in Thailand and Laos - Independent, July 18, 2008
My dream was always to go to Laos before it got Starbucked to death by my people, before a great deluge of tourism washed over its enchantment. I was told to get there fast, before the crowds came...
"Food offerings on elephants" - Komchadluek, July 19, 2008
Food offerings on elephants - Residents in Surin province offer food for monks riding on 81 elephants on the Asalha Puja Day. The ceremony, held on July 17, extremely impressed tourists.Bangkok Mind Map - July, 2008
Chris writes: This is interesting - the longest Mind Map which is built around Bangkok's full name. Here's the link.
Thailand unveils world's longest mind map - Bangkok Post, July 22, 2008
Jack Chick tract: The Tycoon - July 25, 2008
Collecting bottles – Khao Sod, July 18, 2008
Collecting bottles – a police having a duty to prevent the Government House from the attack of the PAD spent his free time collecting empty plastic bottles to sell them for extra money on July 16, 2008.
Extra income – Matichon, July 18, 2008
Extra income – Apart from his duty to guard the mob of the members of the PAD, a police spent his free time collecting empty plastic bottles and cans near the Government House on July 16, 2008. This is for extra money as his income is not sufficient comparing to higher expenses in the current economic slowdown.Britain on alert for deadly new knife with exploding tip that freezes victims' organs - Daily Mail, July 17, 2008
...These knives (or a near copy) are already being sold in the markets of Thailand. They cost 12,000 Baht (approx 180 pounds) and they are demonstrated by vendors on dead pigs or chickens. The resulting effects are horrific. It is only a matter of time before they reach the streets of the UK.Accused killer acquitted in Wansley case - No one saw face of man who murdered auditor - Bangkok Post, July 25, 2008
The Criminal Court yesterday acquitted the accused gunman in the high-profile murder of Australian auditor Michael Wansley in Nakhon Sawan province nine years ago, after giving him the benefit of the doubt. On Aug 7, 2003, the Nakhon Sawan prosecution team and Adam Wansley, the dead man's son, accused Pichet Kaewsamduang, alias Sor Thaksin, of shooting dead Wansley, a 58-year-old auditor, on March 10, 1999. Wansley was also known as Michael Irwin and Irwin Wansley...Is the US too big to fail? it seems to think so - The Nation, July 25, 2008
...Thailand went through this painful episode before. When the country collapsed in 1997 under the weight of the financial crisis, the US leadership at the time was of the view that Thailand deserved its punishment from the financial markets because it had committed the financial sins of cronyism and nepotism. All the Thai banks must be sold out to foreigners, they said.
Now the US is doing the opposite of what it preached then. It is bailing out US banks that have committed financial sin. And it is resisting selling the US banks and investment banks to foreigners.Police raid Patpong - July 25, 2008
Friday, 21:37: Police are conducting a massive crackdown on vendors with fake brand-name products on Soi Patpong in downtown Bangkok. Patpong, known for its many go-go bars, is one of the protected entertainment areas thought to be immune from normal standards of law enforcement. Reports indicate that vendors are angrily challenging police efforts to confiscate their goods.Uncertain future for elephants of Thailand - EurekAlert, July 25, 2008
Worries over the future of Thailand' s famous elephants have emerged following an investigation by a University of Manchester team...THAILAND: The challenge of reintroducing buffaloes - IRIN, July 25, 2008
Hardened old scribes share hot night in Bangkok - odt.co.nz, July 28,2008
...It is a loud party, everyone talking at once, and not at all politely.
The Voice of America chief complains about Bangkok's First-World prices for Third-World facilities.
Dan, the Guardian photographer, shows his friend some photographs taken of him and his Thai girlfriend visiting her family in the North recently.
Tom drinks, and talks, and eats, and complains - where to next? He asks.
A taxi is hailed and Dan splutters our destination in bad Thai: Gullivers...Property developers move to small Thai islands to cope with privacy demand - propertywire.com, July 27, 2008
...Thai Prime Minister Samak's nephew Dilokpol Sundaravej and a Canadian partner are developing a project on Koh Raet northeast of Phuket and on Koh Maphrao a British investor has started developing The Village which consists of 62 villas...
More on STEER8th Coordinating Meeting of the Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme, Bangkok, 29 - 30 June 2008 - Government of Singapore, June 30, 2008
...To strengthen our economic partnership, we have the Singapore Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship or STEER, which was inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of the two countries in 2002. I was then the Minister for Trade and Industry. STEER is a platform for economic agencies and the private sectors of both sides to work together realising the vision of "one economy, two countries"...Bilateral Summit: Thailand, Singapore to sign nine agreements - The Nation, November 23, 2005
[Describes Thaksin’s role in STEER in 2005.]Singapore and Thailand resume civil service exchange programme - June 30, 2008
Below: The Klong Toei area
[Not entirely connected, but interesting.]
(Source: ThinkNet)
World Photo: Thai PM vows to amend charter to avoid legal woes - AP, July 2008
The Mexican scoring system - A take off from Thailand? - Philboxing, July 13, 2008
...The same situation they say happens in Thailand all the time. A foreign fighter must knock-out a Thai homeboy otherwise he ends up on the losing end. But why would the Mexicans copy?...What if Thailand wants "migrant problems"? - The Irrawaddy, July, 2008
...Throughout Thailand’s modern political history, many Thai elites have emphasized the threat of “foreigners” and “illegal immigrants”: terms originally used to refer to the so-called “hill tribes” of Thailand...Surveyor met the love of his life in Thailand, settled in Idaho - The Statesman, July, 2008
[Thanks to Marc for pointing this out.]THAILAND: Refugee policy gets mixed reviews - IRINnews, July 14, 2008
Thailand's treatment of refugees has come under scrutiny for confining some refugees in camps for years and allegedly forcing others back home where they risk persecution...Malaysians visiting Thailand cautioned against dabbling in local affairs - Bernama, July 14, 2008
Malaysians visiting Thailand should not become embroiled in its local affairs which might lead to misunderstanding or bloody encounters.
The caution comes from Kelantan police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi who noted that lately, Malaysians were found to have been linked to quarrels and even bloodshed in the neighbouring country...Nation vs Bangkok Post - ThaiBlogs, July, 2008
...Regular columns and features were dropped or just didn't appear so often. People like the popular cartoonist Stephff disappeared. We started hearing rumours that staff were being dropped or were being asked for drops in pay. The Daily Xpress went from more than 48 pages to only 28 pages in last Friday's edition. Worse than that, we have started to get repeats of not only stories but also pictures that had already appeared in The Nation...
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Colorful buses parked at Sanam Luang - July 15, 2008
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Let the electorate judge the Thai government's fate - The Canberra Times, July, 2008
...The December 2007 election result was clear and the Government should be allowed to govern...Families sue over aircraft deaths - BBC News, July 20, 2008
The families of a south Wales couple, killed in a Thailand plane crash, are planning to sue the airline. Alex Collins, 22, from Maesteg, Bridgend, ...
"We will be forcing One-Two-Go Airlines to prove in court that they are not a low cost low safety airline..."
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Red cloud - 17:35, July 21, 2008
This is not the best photo, but this is the large, vividly red, rainbow-outlined cloud that was visible on Bangkok's western horizon on Monday night.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Double funerals - July 2, 2008
Double funerals - Drunk driver - accompanying passenger - Never go with drunk rider by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Vaseline girls - July 2, 2008
Army of girls marching down Silom Road participating in a publicity campaign for Vaseline products.Pro-Thaksin groups prepare to confront their PAD allies - The Nation, July 3, 2008
...Last Saturday from early morning, two programme hosts urged listeners to leave home and gather at the rally in front of PAD-leader Charoen's gold shop and also at his house on Baan Huay Market Road.
Some phone-in callers who wanted to join the rally but lived far away were told they would be provided transport in pickups.
The station is apparently free from watchdog agencies, so it was no surprise to hear one caller say - without realising she was on air - she was on her way to the rally with two pistols. If some bullets were directed at the PAD supporters, she said, no one would be arrested, because: "No one will know who did it..."
And the website: We Love Udon
Big ear - July 5, 2008
It reads: Prudential Life Assurance - If no one listens to you, we do.
PRUDENTIAL - Prudential Life Assurance (Thailand)
Part of Prudential plc. (UK)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Take the bus - July 5, 2008
It reads: If you take this bus, you will just pay for fare, but if you ride with drunk riders, you might be dead.Thailand: Fear of Army Cover-Up in Imam’s Death - Commanding Officer Refused to Implicate Abusive Soldiers - HRW, July 3, 2008
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Stop hurting people - July 5, 2008
It reads: Just car smoke is harmful enough… Please stop smoking - Stop hurting people, stop smoking in public places. Thai Health Promotion FoundationThai police to continue interrogating M'sian student - Bernama, July 3, 2008
Thai police will interrogate, for the second time, this Saturday a Malaysian student from Kelantan who was arrested here recently on suspicion of being involved with the Ronda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) militant group in southern Thailand...
10 things you should know about narcotics - July 5, 2008
This brochure was being handed out at the Din Daeng expressway entrance on June 26, 2008. It reads:
10 things you should know about narcotics
Narcotics Suppression Bureau - With care for Thai children to be away from narcotics - Pol. Lt. Gen. Wut Liptapanlop - Commander of the Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau
Can your children refuse to have urine test? Will they be penalized? What is the penalty?
For those who are suspected of taking drugs, officers have a power to examine or test or order them to have urine test for drug use, according to Section 14 bi of the Narcotics Control Act B.E. 2519 (1976), together with the Announcement of the Narcotics Control Board dated July 11, 2000 regarding the regulations and conditions for examining or testing whether there are any narcotic substances in a person or a group of people.
Anyone refusing to have the urine drug examination or test will face a maximum six years’ imprisonment or a maximum fine of 10,000 baht, according to Section 16 of the Narcotics Control Act B.E. 2519 (1976).
Therefore, please closely take care of your children not to be involved with narcotics found at entertainment venues.
Other questions addressed in the brochure:
- What types of entertainment venues are under the narcotics-related laws? How do they have to comply with such laws?
- If there is a narcotics-related crime found in an entertainment venue, does the owner have to be penalized under the narcotics laws? How?
- What are dangers of narcotic use?
- How to observe symptoms of those addicted to drugs?
- How to observe symptoms of those being drunk on amphetamine?
- What should you do if your children or people in your family are addicted to drugs?
- If parents neglect children and do not prevent them from taking drugs, will they also be penalized?
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Food - July 5, 2008
It reads: Food is almost scarce. Stop wasting food. - Please be kind to underprivileged people who are waiting for your help. - Hello Bangkok - For donation, with kindness
A slightly different attitude is displayed on earlier billboards from Social Development and Human Security MinistryThai museum at Angkor raises ire in Cambodia - New York Times, July 6, 2008
...Some quibble with the museum’s aesthetics — the complex includes a sprawling retail area — and with its sense of history. There are hundreds of Buddhas, for instance, that date back no further than the 20th century.
Other critics object to the Thai involvement; Angkor was once under Thai control, and some Cambodians remain suspicious that Thailand retains designs on their patrimony...Real-life Bangkok romances aren’t typical Western cliches - Malaysia Star, July 5, 2008
...The cliche that love eludes farang women in Bangkok, according to Pollner, is a malicious propaganda by men who visit the city to have sex with bar girls because they could not find a partner back in Europe.
There are Thai-based websites where these men write hate message against Western women who live in Bangkok, she adds...Thai woman's laugh hits 110 decibels - China Daily, July 5, 2008
Jittarat Wongsomboon of Thailand takes part in a Ripley's International Laughing Contest in the Thai resort town of Pattaya July 5, 2008. Jittarat, 55, won the contest on Saturday after laughing continuously for 12 minutes and 26 seconds and hit a peak volume of 110 decibels...The right prescription? - Bangkok Post, July 7, 2008
...Since this government has been in office, there have been attempts to pressure board members and me into resigning. Some did so. Prasarn Marukpitak resigned to become a senator and Chuchai Wiboonsakul left to go to the Thai Public Broadcasting Service. Three Public Health Ministry officials and a representative from the Finance Ministry also left.
But everything the board has done has been right and proper. We are going to change the agency for the better. We have the price-reduction policy on pharmaceutical products, which could strengthen the organisation's position in the competitive market.
Also there are many important and urgent concerns, such as the policy on compulsory licensing (CL) to bypass drug patents. If there was no clear policy from the GPO board, the CL policy could not be put into practice...Bangkok's working class communities face tougher times as prices soar - Voice of America, July, 2008
...Most in the Klong Toey area earn little more than $150 a month. Many live close to national poverty line of just under $100 a month. And wages are dropping as the country copes with higher prices.
In Thailand there has been a sharp drop in the number of people characterized as poor in recent years. But still, the government lists almost 10 percent of the country's 65 million people as poor...Danish tour operator boycotts well known Thai tourist attraction - ScandAsia, July, 2008
"The Tiger Temple" in Thailand is a major tourist attraction, but the story behind the project are based on lies. The animals are imported to Thailand under the "highly dubious circumstances" – That’s why the biggest Danish tour operator Billetkontoret now boycott tiger temple...Sufficiency Economy website - July 9, 2008
Thanks to Nils for pointing this out.Fears rise over Thai repatriation of ethnic Hmong to Laos - Voice of America, July 12, 2008
A leading human rights group has accused Thailand of intimidating and forcibly deporting ethnic Hmong to neighboring Laos...Thai Paduang women kidnapped for ‘human zoos’ - Times Online, July, 2008
A group of “long-necked” tribeswomen missing from their homes in northern Thailand were probably kidnapped to be sold to tourist attractions...Thailand under pressure - Bangkok Post, July 11, 2008
Officials in Olympic sports Thailand are expected to do well in admit they are under pressure guiding their athletes to deliver in Beijing...
Maew DVDs - July 12, 2008
Images from the faux-DVDs displayed at the PAD rally
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Bangkok for sale - July 12, 2008
It reads: Good real estate can be found all over Thailand - BAM - Thai organization for Thai society - Call Center 02-6300-700 - www.bam.co.thFrom NottheNation:
Wanchalerm Slaughters Family for Smoking
Son of Interior Minister was “just performing his duties,” insists proud father
Government Has Declared 100 Days of Mourning for Bozo the Clown
Samak to wear size 83 clown shoes to honor beloved entertainer
(Photo: Forbes)Above: #7 Vichai Maleenont
Thailand's 40 Richest - Forbes, July 9, 2008
Big fat Bangkok wedding for swish set - Businessman flying out 450 guests and chefs for son’s marriage in Thai capital - Telegraph India, July, 2008
