NEW YEAR BLASTS / SEACON SQUARE PHOTOS
Police decide not to charge look-alike pair
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM
Police have decided not to press charges against two men arrested earlier in connection with the New Year bombings due to a lack of strong evidence.
Pradya Prichavej, 33, and Yutapong Kitisriworapan, 32, were detained last month because they looked like suspects in the footage obtained from a surveillance camera at Seacon Square shopping centre, one of nine locations bombed in Bangkok and neighbouring Nonthaburi at New Year.
The police earlier said they had strong evidence to seek arrest warrants for the two from the Criminal Court. But after a two-hour meeting among investigators yesterday, they changed their tone.
"This doesn't mean we're changing our positions back and forth," said deputy national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan, brushing aside questions over the credibility of the police investigation.
The police investigated the case further and eventually found insufficient evidence to charge the men, he explained.
The men last week told the court police had confirmed they were the men in the photos, but not necessarily the bombers.
Police admitted the photos were not clear, but said they examined them carefully before asking for the arrest warrants. Pol Gen Patcharawat yesterday denied the warrants, which did not specify the names of the suspects, reflected mistakes in the police investigation.
"The two men still aren't considered innocent. We just don't have enough evidence and can't charge them," he said.
Acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej yesterday lost his cool when asked to comment on whether the decision would affect the public's trust in the police investigation.
"Please don't cite the people. How many of their opinions have you sought?" he said to the Bangkok Post.
Meanwhile, permanent secretary for justice Jarun Pukditanakul yesterday asked the two men not to file a lawsuit against the National Police Office.
He said it was not necessary to do so because the event had caused no serious damage. The men need not feel bad _ it was the police who had to be ashamed, he added
The police earlier issued arrest warrants for bomb suspects at Saphan Khwai intersection and Major Ratchayothin Cineplex, using footage from surveillance cameras as core evidence.
The photos at these two locations were clearer, Pol Gen Patcharawat said, and many people, including bounty hunters, have kept police updated with additional clues as to the identities of the suspects.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
POLITICS / INTERNET ATTACK ON PREM, POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, SHAPING THE CONSTITUTION
Seripisuth orders website probe
Police chief: Abort move against Prem
POST REPORTERS
Acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej has ordered an investigation into a website which is trying to gather signatures to petition for the removal of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda as president of the Privy Council.
The acting police chief said Gen Prem cannot be removed by such a petition as his post was not political in nature and he was installed in that position by His Majesty the King.
Opponents of the Sept 19 coup d'etat, who accuse Gen Prem of masterminding the putsch that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra from power, are trying to collect 100,000 signatures to petition for his removal. The signature collection campaign began on Friday during a protest outside City Hall led by a group of former Thai Rak Thai politicians wanting to establish the satellite-based PTV television station.
Pol Gen Seripisuth has assigned Special Branch police to browse through www.saturdaynews.org for any statements that might be considered to be lese majeste.
Special Branch police chief Theeradet Rodphothong said yesterday that the website's content, as far as he knew, does not contain any statements deemed lese majeste. However, such a signature campaign is not appropriate as it may sow divisions in society, he said.
Songkhla Mayor Uthit Choochuai, a leading supporter of Gen Prem in the province, said he and his big group of supporters are not planning to travel to Bangkok to show support to the statesman, a native of Songkhla, because they do not want to plunge the country into deeper chaos.
However, if the coup opponents continue to show disrespect to Gen Prem, the southerners could have a change of heart, Mr Uthit said.
He said people in the Northeast, particularly in Khon Kaen, had also expressed their dissatisfaction with the anti-coup demonstrators for demanding that Gen Prem step down.
Sonthiya Sawasdi and Prachak Satsue, Prachakorn Thai party executives, yesterday lodged a police complaint with the Crime Suppression Bureau against the rally participants and the signature campaign seeking Gen Prem's removal.
In a related development, Council for National Security (CNS) chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin admitted yesterday that it would be difficult to find the needed evidence to take legal action against those providing financial backing to the organisers of the ongoing rallies.
He also dismissed talk that he has locked horns with the prime minister.
CNS deputy chief Chalit Phukphasuk is not the least bit worried by the rallies against the CNS and the government.
"It was natural for rally organisers to try to gain voter sympathy before the elections," ACM Chalit Phukphasuk said.
He brushed aside concern that the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s plan to go back to staging rallies would disrupt public order and create the kind of situation that prevailed before the Sept 19 coup. The CNS will meet today to discuss measures to deal with the demonstrations, he said.
Meanwhile, PTV executives Chatuporn Prompan and Jakrapob Penkair yesterday filed a police complaint accusing Sondhi Limthongkul, the Manager website and Alongkorn Ponlabutr, Democrat party's deputy leader, of defaming them by linking their names to the signature campaign against Gen Prem.
Mr Chatuporn said the PTV operators will hold another anti-coup rally at Sanam Luang this Sunday.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Seripisuth orders website probe
Police chief: Abort move against Prem
POST REPORTERS
Acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej has ordered an investigation into a website which is trying to gather signatures to petition for the removal of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda as president of the Privy Council.
The acting police chief said Gen Prem cannot be removed by such a petition as his post was not political in nature and he was installed in that position by His Majesty the King.
Opponents of the Sept 19 coup d'etat, who accuse Gen Prem of masterminding the putsch that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra from power, are trying to collect 100,000 signatures to petition for his removal. The signature collection campaign began on Friday during a protest outside City Hall led by a group of former Thai Rak Thai politicians wanting to establish the satellite-based PTV television station.
Pol Gen Seripisuth has assigned Special Branch police to browse through www.saturdaynews.org for any statements that might be considered to be lese majeste.
Special Branch police chief Theeradet Rodphothong said yesterday that the website's content, as far as he knew, does not contain any statements deemed lese majeste. However, such a signature campaign is not appropriate as it may sow divisions in society, he said.
Songkhla Mayor Uthit Choochuai, a leading supporter of Gen Prem in the province, said he and his big group of supporters are not planning to travel to Bangkok to show support to the statesman, a native of Songkhla, because they do not want to plunge the country into deeper chaos.
However, if the coup opponents continue to show disrespect to Gen Prem, the southerners could have a change of heart, Mr Uthit said.
He said people in the Northeast, particularly in Khon Kaen, had also expressed their dissatisfaction with the anti-coup demonstrators for demanding that Gen Prem step down.
Sonthiya Sawasdi and Prachak Satsue, Prachakorn Thai party executives, yesterday lodged a police complaint with the Crime Suppression Bureau against the rally participants and the signature campaign seeking Gen Prem's removal.
In a related development, Council for National Security (CNS) chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin admitted yesterday that it would be difficult to find the needed evidence to take legal action against those providing financial backing to the organisers of the ongoing rallies.
He also dismissed talk that he has locked horns with the prime minister.
CNS deputy chief Chalit Phukphasuk is not the least bit worried by the rallies against the CNS and the government.
"It was natural for rally organisers to try to gain voter sympathy before the elections," ACM Chalit Phukphasuk said.
He brushed aside concern that the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s plan to go back to staging rallies would disrupt public order and create the kind of situation that prevailed before the Sept 19 coup. The CNS will meet today to discuss measures to deal with the demonstrations, he said.
Meanwhile, PTV executives Chatuporn Prompan and Jakrapob Penkair yesterday filed a police complaint accusing Sondhi Limthongkul, the Manager website and Alongkorn Ponlabutr, Democrat party's deputy leader, of defaming them by linking their names to the signature campaign against Gen Prem.
Mr Chatuporn said the PTV operators will hold another anti-coup rally at Sanam Luang this Sunday.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
POLITICS / INTERNET ATTACK ON PREM, POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, SHAPING THE CONSTITUTION
Most want next PM to be an elected MP
MANOP THIP-OSOD
The majority of people want a prime minister who is an elected member of parliament, and fewer but well-educated MPs and senators, according to an ad hoc committee of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA).
The committee on public participation and the referendum produced its findings yesterday after the third round of public hearings nationwide, conducted through provincial-level forums and opinion surveys last Wednesday.
Worapol Sokhatiyanurak, deputy chairman of the committee, told the CDA his panel held 537 forums and surveyed the opinions of 36,324 individuals throughout Thailand.
The results showed the majority preferred that the prime minister be chosen from the ranks of the elected MPs (75%); that the number of MPs and senators be reduced (63.1%) and that parliamentarians have at least a bachelor's degree (66.1%).
There was also strong support for the scrapping of the party-list system (46.2%), and that senators be appointed, not elected (41.5%).
The findings from opinion surveys showed the majority wanted the prime minister to be an elected MP (68.2%), that the party-list system be scrapped (63%); that senators be elected (67.9%); and an end to subsidies for political parties (71%).
Half the people thought parliamentarians should have at least a bachelor's degree, while 40.9% wanted the number of MPs reduced to 400.
CDA member Pairot Promsalee suggested that the panel sound out public opinion on debatable issues again after the Constitution Drafting Committee presentts its first draft of the new charter on April 19.
Sitthisak Ekkapot, deputy managing director of Channel 9 television, said Mcot Plc had alloted time slots for TV and radio stations to dissseminate information on the new constitution from March onwards.
The committee's public hearing forums also will be broadcast live via Channel 9.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Most want next PM to be an elected MP
MANOP THIP-OSOD
The majority of people want a prime minister who is an elected member of parliament, and fewer but well-educated MPs and senators, according to an ad hoc committee of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA).
The committee on public participation and the referendum produced its findings yesterday after the third round of public hearings nationwide, conducted through provincial-level forums and opinion surveys last Wednesday.
Worapol Sokhatiyanurak, deputy chairman of the committee, told the CDA his panel held 537 forums and surveyed the opinions of 36,324 individuals throughout Thailand.
The results showed the majority preferred that the prime minister be chosen from the ranks of the elected MPs (75%); that the number of MPs and senators be reduced (63.1%) and that parliamentarians have at least a bachelor's degree (66.1%).
There was also strong support for the scrapping of the party-list system (46.2%), and that senators be appointed, not elected (41.5%).
The findings from opinion surveys showed the majority wanted the prime minister to be an elected MP (68.2%), that the party-list system be scrapped (63%); that senators be elected (67.9%); and an end to subsidies for political parties (71%).
Half the people thought parliamentarians should have at least a bachelor's degree, while 40.9% wanted the number of MPs reduced to 400.
CDA member Pairot Promsalee suggested that the panel sound out public opinion on debatable issues again after the Constitution Drafting Committee presentts its first draft of the new charter on April 19.
Sitthisak Ekkapot, deputy managing director of Channel 9 television, said Mcot Plc had alloted time slots for TV and radio stations to dissseminate information on the new constitution from March onwards.
The committee's public hearing forums also will be broadcast live via Channel 9.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
INBrief
Wat loses land in court
NONTHABURI :The provincial court yesterday ruled against the Wat Suan Kaew Foundation in a dispute over a 10-million-baht block of land in Bang Yai district.
The court revoked the foundation's ownership of the one-rai plot it purchased from Wantana Suksamroeng, a custodian who attempted to exploit a land law loophole to claim ownership.
An occupant is allowed to claim ownership after making use of a plot of land for more than 30 years without any protest from its owner.
However, Chamnong Hirunpradit, the heir of a landowner sued Ms Wantana and the foundation in 2003 for illegal occupation of the land. The court ruled in favour of the plaintiff and ordered the foundation to return the land to its original owner.
Mechai in anti-Aids drive
HEALTH :Mechai Veravaidya, known as "Mr Condom", has been chosen to drive a new HIV/Aids prevention campaign.
He was appointed by the National Aids Committee to run the sub-panel on Aids prevention to promote condom use among teenagers at risk of infection.
Mr Meechai, chairman of the Population and Community Development Association, pioneered a 100% condom use project among sex workers when Thailand was first hit by the HIV/Aids in the mid-1980s. He said yesterday the project would be revived.
A recent survey showed about 67% of 6,000 respondents aged 18-19 did not use condoms when having sex.
Mekong accident kills 2
CHIANG RAI :Two people were feared dead yesterday after a boat they were in capsized in the Mekong river in Chiang Khong district, police said.
Prem Wongchai, 27, and Avuth Namsue, 23, were missing after their boat to Laos sank. Four other passengers and the boat operator swam to safety.
The passengers reportedly wanted to inspect an old oil tanker on the Lao side of the river.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Wat loses land in court
NONTHABURI :The provincial court yesterday ruled against the Wat Suan Kaew Foundation in a dispute over a 10-million-baht block of land in Bang Yai district.
The court revoked the foundation's ownership of the one-rai plot it purchased from Wantana Suksamroeng, a custodian who attempted to exploit a land law loophole to claim ownership.
An occupant is allowed to claim ownership after making use of a plot of land for more than 30 years without any protest from its owner.
However, Chamnong Hirunpradit, the heir of a landowner sued Ms Wantana and the foundation in 2003 for illegal occupation of the land. The court ruled in favour of the plaintiff and ordered the foundation to return the land to its original owner.
Mechai in anti-Aids drive
HEALTH :Mechai Veravaidya, known as "Mr Condom", has been chosen to drive a new HIV/Aids prevention campaign.
He was appointed by the National Aids Committee to run the sub-panel on Aids prevention to promote condom use among teenagers at risk of infection.
Mr Meechai, chairman of the Population and Community Development Association, pioneered a 100% condom use project among sex workers when Thailand was first hit by the HIV/Aids in the mid-1980s. He said yesterday the project would be revived.
A recent survey showed about 67% of 6,000 respondents aged 18-19 did not use condoms when having sex.
Mekong accident kills 2
CHIANG RAI :Two people were feared dead yesterday after a boat they were in capsized in the Mekong river in Chiang Khong district, police said.
Prem Wongchai, 27, and Avuth Namsue, 23, were missing after their boat to Laos sank. Four other passengers and the boat operator swam to safety.
The passengers reportedly wanted to inspect an old oil tanker on the Lao side of the river.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
POLITICS / INTERNET ATTACK ON PREM, POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, SHAPING THE CONSTITUTION
EC urges dialogue on lifting ban
WASSANA NANUAM
The Election Commission (EC) has offered to organise a meeting for politicians and the coup makers to discuss lifting the ban on political parties' activities, to allow parties more time to prepare for the elections to take place in December.
The proposed meeting would be attended by political parties, political groups and the Council for National Security (CNS).
EC member Sodsri Sattayathum said the commission agreed that the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR)'s 15th and 27th orders banning political parties' activities should be lifted very soon.
The Council for Democratic Reform has now become the CNS.
"The EC, as a neutral party, believes in a reconciliatory approach. The two parties [politicians and coup makers] should engage in a dialogue," Mrs Sodsri said.
She said if participants at the meeting agreed to end the ban, the orders should be lifted before the referendum on the new draft constitution is held.
Mrs Sodsri added that the referendum requires cooperation from all parties, including politicians, who should be allowed to go to the provinces to persuade people to vote in it.
CNS secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul said CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will meet political parties over the next two days to discuss the lifting of the orders.
Gen Winai, also defence permanent secretary, said it was understandable that political parties wanted the ban to be lifted quickly.
The CNS agreed it would probably end the ban late this month when the first draft of the new constitution is expected to be completed, Gen Winai said.
He said it is difficult to stop the flow of financial support to the organisers of the PTV demonstrations.
However, intelligence staff are working hard to trace the money trail and find out where the funding came from.
The money did not necessarily come from overseas, because there are still a lot of supporters who are ready to sponsor the gatherings, Gen Winai said.
He said authorities are trying to be lenient with protesters and allow them to carry out their activities to some degree.
Gen Winai said the protesters should now give up their planned demonstrations and disperse for the sake of the country.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
EC urges dialogue on lifting ban
WASSANA NANUAM
The Election Commission (EC) has offered to organise a meeting for politicians and the coup makers to discuss lifting the ban on political parties' activities, to allow parties more time to prepare for the elections to take place in December.
The proposed meeting would be attended by political parties, political groups and the Council for National Security (CNS).
EC member Sodsri Sattayathum said the commission agreed that the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR)'s 15th and 27th orders banning political parties' activities should be lifted very soon.
The Council for Democratic Reform has now become the CNS.
"The EC, as a neutral party, believes in a reconciliatory approach. The two parties [politicians and coup makers] should engage in a dialogue," Mrs Sodsri said.
She said if participants at the meeting agreed to end the ban, the orders should be lifted before the referendum on the new draft constitution is held.
Mrs Sodsri added that the referendum requires cooperation from all parties, including politicians, who should be allowed to go to the provinces to persuade people to vote in it.
CNS secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul said CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will meet political parties over the next two days to discuss the lifting of the orders.
Gen Winai, also defence permanent secretary, said it was understandable that political parties wanted the ban to be lifted quickly.
The CNS agreed it would probably end the ban late this month when the first draft of the new constitution is expected to be completed, Gen Winai said.
He said it is difficult to stop the flow of financial support to the organisers of the PTV demonstrations.
However, intelligence staff are working hard to trace the money trail and find out where the funding came from.
The money did not necessarily come from overseas, because there are still a lot of supporters who are ready to sponsor the gatherings, Gen Winai said.
He said authorities are trying to be lenient with protesters and allow them to carry out their activities to some degree.
Gen Winai said the protesters should now give up their planned demonstrations and disperse for the sake of the country.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
TRADE / THAI-JAPANESE AGREEMENT
NHRC says PM must be held responsibleACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont must be held responsible for any damaging repercussions from the Thai-Japanese free trade agreement he is to sign in Tokyo today, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Saneh Chamarik said yesterday.
"The NHRC has repeatedly warned the interim government about the adverse impacts of the pact, but they have never listened to us. So Gen Surayud must be accountable for what he has done," Mr Saneh said. The trade pact would lead to the exploitation of biological resources, which were a fundamental element of the sufficiency economy, he added.
Japanese civic groups have sent a petition to Gen Surayud in a last-ditch attempt to block the signing of the pact, also known as the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). The National Coalition of Workers, Farmers and Consumers for Safe Food and Health, and the Japan Family Farmers Movement urged the Thai government to reopen negotiations with Japan and delete the clause about cutting tariffs on industrial waste from the agreement.
"This agreement will bring misery to people in both countries," the activists said in the letter, issued on Saturday.
A network of 14 Japanese environmental and citizen groups also petitioned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Japanese foreign and environment ministers yesterday, asking them to remove the waste provisions from the agreement and end its policy on exporting waste in the name of recycling to developing countries.
A group of anti-JTEPA activists say they plan to protest at the Japanese embassy in Bangkok today.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
NHRC says PM must be held responsibleACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont must be held responsible for any damaging repercussions from the Thai-Japanese free trade agreement he is to sign in Tokyo today, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Saneh Chamarik said yesterday.
"The NHRC has repeatedly warned the interim government about the adverse impacts of the pact, but they have never listened to us. So Gen Surayud must be accountable for what he has done," Mr Saneh said. The trade pact would lead to the exploitation of biological resources, which were a fundamental element of the sufficiency economy, he added.
Japanese civic groups have sent a petition to Gen Surayud in a last-ditch attempt to block the signing of the pact, also known as the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). The National Coalition of Workers, Farmers and Consumers for Safe Food and Health, and the Japan Family Farmers Movement urged the Thai government to reopen negotiations with Japan and delete the clause about cutting tariffs on industrial waste from the agreement.
"This agreement will bring misery to people in both countries," the activists said in the letter, issued on Saturday.
A network of 14 Japanese environmental and citizen groups also petitioned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Japanese foreign and environment ministers yesterday, asking them to remove the waste provisions from the agreement and end its policy on exporting waste in the name of recycling to developing countries.
A group of anti-JTEPA activists say they plan to protest at the Japanese embassy in Bangkok today.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
TROUBLED REGION / MEDICAL STAFF SHORTAGE
Sonthi to provide evidence to Wada
WASSANA NANUAM SUPAWADEE INTHAWONG
Council for National Security chairman and army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will provide the Wada group with evidence to back his remark last week that some of its former members are involved in the southern insurgency.
In response to Wada members' angry rebuttal of his comment, Gen Sonthi said yesterday that he would meet all members of the Wada political faction to provide them with the truth. He added that Wada members were keen to see him.
"I don't know when the meeting will be but I will meet all of them, not only Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, the Wada group leader. I think when he sees the information, he will be happy. This is not to clear the air but I will tell them the truth," Gen Sonthi told reporters.
A source said Interior Minister Aree Wongarya advised Gen Sonthi to meet Wada members. Mr Aree is close to Mr Wan Nor and all three are Muslims.
Meanwhile, the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) is receiving assistance from an advisory council which represents local people to help it restore peace in the South.
SBPAC director Pranai Suwanrath said the council was formed under a cabinet resolution. The 35 councillors are local people who have insights into southern problems, he added.
The council first met last Tuesday to elect its chairman and deputy chairmen. The chairman is Aziz Benhawan, president of the Yala provincial administration organisation, and the deputies are Kraisorn Sritrairat, rector of Yala Rajabhat University, Vichai Ruangroengkulrit, a National Legislative Assembly member, and Worawit Baru, an academic at Prince of Songkla University's Pattani campus.
The councillors, who are mandated to work for two years, include the chief monks of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces and chiefs of Islamic organisations from the three provinces, as well as the adjacent Satun and Songkhla provinces.
Mr Pranai expects the bringing together of Muslim councillors from the five southernmost provinces will encourage local people to have faith in the SBPAC, which is entrusted with restoring peace in the region.
Academics on the council include Ismaillutfi Japakiya, rector of Yala Islamic College's Pattani campus, Piya Kijthavorn, a former member of the National Reconciliation Commission from Prince of Songkla University, and Assoc Prof Rattiya Salae of Thaksin University.
Other councillors are executives of local Islamic schools, community leaders and representatives of southern industrialists, businessmen, tour and fishing operators, youth networks and the media.
"I think unrest in the southern border provinces results from the need to exist in Thai society with a unique identity. A group of people use their identity as a condition to create unrest and cause distrust. The advisory council will promote participation from all parties and allow them to join forces to solve the problem," Mr Pranai said.
Meanwhile, a retired government official was shot in the chest in his grocery shop in Tambon Taluban of Pattani's Sai Buri district around 7.30am yesterday, police said.
Suthep Phetchinda, 68, was approached by two men who arrived on a motorcycle. Both pretended to shop but one of them opened fire at him with a pistol, seriously injuring him. He was admitted to Somdejphra Yupharat Sai Buri Hospital.
In Rangae district of Narathiwat province, bomb experts defused a five kilogramme time bomb placed in a plastic ware shop in Tambon Tanyongmas municipality around 1.30pm yesterday.
The bomb was packed in a steel box inside a black plastic bag.
A teenage boy and a teenage girl had entered the shop carrying the bag. They bought something and left on a motorcycle before the bomb was spotted.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Sonthi to provide evidence to Wada
WASSANA NANUAM SUPAWADEE INTHAWONG
Council for National Security chairman and army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will provide the Wada group with evidence to back his remark last week that some of its former members are involved in the southern insurgency.
In response to Wada members' angry rebuttal of his comment, Gen Sonthi said yesterday that he would meet all members of the Wada political faction to provide them with the truth. He added that Wada members were keen to see him.
"I don't know when the meeting will be but I will meet all of them, not only Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, the Wada group leader. I think when he sees the information, he will be happy. This is not to clear the air but I will tell them the truth," Gen Sonthi told reporters.
A source said Interior Minister Aree Wongarya advised Gen Sonthi to meet Wada members. Mr Aree is close to Mr Wan Nor and all three are Muslims.
Meanwhile, the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) is receiving assistance from an advisory council which represents local people to help it restore peace in the South.
SBPAC director Pranai Suwanrath said the council was formed under a cabinet resolution. The 35 councillors are local people who have insights into southern problems, he added.
The council first met last Tuesday to elect its chairman and deputy chairmen. The chairman is Aziz Benhawan, president of the Yala provincial administration organisation, and the deputies are Kraisorn Sritrairat, rector of Yala Rajabhat University, Vichai Ruangroengkulrit, a National Legislative Assembly member, and Worawit Baru, an academic at Prince of Songkla University's Pattani campus.
The councillors, who are mandated to work for two years, include the chief monks of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces and chiefs of Islamic organisations from the three provinces, as well as the adjacent Satun and Songkhla provinces.
Mr Pranai expects the bringing together of Muslim councillors from the five southernmost provinces will encourage local people to have faith in the SBPAC, which is entrusted with restoring peace in the region.
Academics on the council include Ismaillutfi Japakiya, rector of Yala Islamic College's Pattani campus, Piya Kijthavorn, a former member of the National Reconciliation Commission from Prince of Songkla University, and Assoc Prof Rattiya Salae of Thaksin University.
Other councillors are executives of local Islamic schools, community leaders and representatives of southern industrialists, businessmen, tour and fishing operators, youth networks and the media.
"I think unrest in the southern border provinces results from the need to exist in Thai society with a unique identity. A group of people use their identity as a condition to create unrest and cause distrust. The advisory council will promote participation from all parties and allow them to join forces to solve the problem," Mr Pranai said.
Meanwhile, a retired government official was shot in the chest in his grocery shop in Tambon Taluban of Pattani's Sai Buri district around 7.30am yesterday, police said.
Suthep Phetchinda, 68, was approached by two men who arrived on a motorcycle. Both pretended to shop but one of them opened fire at him with a pistol, seriously injuring him. He was admitted to Somdejphra Yupharat Sai Buri Hospital.
In Rangae district of Narathiwat province, bomb experts defused a five kilogramme time bomb placed in a plastic ware shop in Tambon Tanyongmas municipality around 1.30pm yesterday.
The bomb was packed in a steel box inside a black plastic bag.
A teenage boy and a teenage girl had entered the shop carrying the bag. They bought something and left on a motorcycle before the bomb was spotted.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
TROUBLED REGION / MEDICAL STAFF SHORTAGE
Doctor grads refuse South assignmentsLone volunteer as others buy way out
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
A group of newly graduated doctors yesterday rejected the Public Health Ministry's offer of work at hospitals in the three southernmost provinces, aggravating a medical- staff shortage in the violence-plagued region.
A total of 34 doctors told public health permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongwirote that they did not want to work in the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where positions for new doctors has yet to be filled.
"I would have definitely gone to work in that part of the South if the situation was not so bad," said Yingyong Termsittisakul, 25, a graduate doctor from Chiang Mai University.
His family also believes it is too risky now for him to accept the offer because militants were attacking residents and officials on a daily basis, he said.
Instead, the young doctor decided to wait for a vacancy at Samut Prakan hospital, which is near his home.
About 1,500 new doctors and dentists were supposed to register with the ministry this year for three-year assignments to state hospitals in the provinces.
New graduates are randomly chosen to serve at rural hospitals, which have a different quota for new doctors each year.
This year the hospitals in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala have a quota of 46 doctors and 23 dentists. But only 29 doctors and 18 dentists have so far volunteered to work in the restive border region. Most of them happen to be southern residents who want to live close to their families.
Some other graduate doctors, assigned to fill positions outside the quota, have also declined to go.
Mongkol Rattanakosikit, a graduate doctor from Rangsit University, said culture and language differences in the deep South could be barriers for doctors from different backgrounds wanting to create a good impression.
"The three southern border provinces should be the working place of doctors native to the South, not doctors from other provinces like me," he said.
Thanya Leelasiriwong, a psychiatrist from Ramathibodi hospital, said since she was planning to continue her studies, her family had decided to make the 400,000 baht repayment the government requires so that she did not have to work in the South for the required three years.
Under ministry regulations, repaying the 400,000 baht frees a graduate from all obligations and they can then choose where they work.
Dr Prat yesterday tried to convince the 34 graduates to change their minds. He even offered to arrange a free trip for them to observe the situation in the South so that they could see how badly southern residents need doctors and medical help.
Doctors working in any of the southern border provinces will receive special privileges from the ministry, he said.
For example, they could ask for a transfer to a new hospital after one year and get permission to further their studies in a specialised field after working in the area for only two years, he said.
While the 34 were refusing to work in the southern border provinces, 27-year-old graduate doctor Pongsathorn Tassawiwat chose to opt out of an offered internship at Khon Kaen hospital, volunteering to work in the troubled region.
The Naraesuan University graduate said he decided he wanted to work in the South when he was still a second-year university student. "I have been taught to treat sick patients so I have no right to fuss. I know that people in the South badly need doctors," he said.
Public health deputy permanent secretary Suwat Tienthong said he was considering sending Dr Pongsathorn to Narathiwat hospital or Betong hospital in Yala.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Doctor grads refuse South assignmentsLone volunteer as others buy way out
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
A group of newly graduated doctors yesterday rejected the Public Health Ministry's offer of work at hospitals in the three southernmost provinces, aggravating a medical- staff shortage in the violence-plagued region.
A total of 34 doctors told public health permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongwirote that they did not want to work in the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where positions for new doctors has yet to be filled.
"I would have definitely gone to work in that part of the South if the situation was not so bad," said Yingyong Termsittisakul, 25, a graduate doctor from Chiang Mai University.
His family also believes it is too risky now for him to accept the offer because militants were attacking residents and officials on a daily basis, he said.
Instead, the young doctor decided to wait for a vacancy at Samut Prakan hospital, which is near his home.
About 1,500 new doctors and dentists were supposed to register with the ministry this year for three-year assignments to state hospitals in the provinces.
New graduates are randomly chosen to serve at rural hospitals, which have a different quota for new doctors each year.
This year the hospitals in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala have a quota of 46 doctors and 23 dentists. But only 29 doctors and 18 dentists have so far volunteered to work in the restive border region. Most of them happen to be southern residents who want to live close to their families.
Some other graduate doctors, assigned to fill positions outside the quota, have also declined to go.
Mongkol Rattanakosikit, a graduate doctor from Rangsit University, said culture and language differences in the deep South could be barriers for doctors from different backgrounds wanting to create a good impression.
"The three southern border provinces should be the working place of doctors native to the South, not doctors from other provinces like me," he said.
Thanya Leelasiriwong, a psychiatrist from Ramathibodi hospital, said since she was planning to continue her studies, her family had decided to make the 400,000 baht repayment the government requires so that she did not have to work in the South for the required three years.
Under ministry regulations, repaying the 400,000 baht frees a graduate from all obligations and they can then choose where they work.
Dr Prat yesterday tried to convince the 34 graduates to change their minds. He even offered to arrange a free trip for them to observe the situation in the South so that they could see how badly southern residents need doctors and medical help.
Doctors working in any of the southern border provinces will receive special privileges from the ministry, he said.
For example, they could ask for a transfer to a new hospital after one year and get permission to further their studies in a specialised field after working in the area for only two years, he said.
While the 34 were refusing to work in the southern border provinces, 27-year-old graduate doctor Pongsathorn Tassawiwat chose to opt out of an offered internship at Khon Kaen hospital, volunteering to work in the troubled region.
The Naraesuan University graduate said he decided he wanted to work in the South when he was still a second-year university student. "I have been taught to treat sick patients so I have no right to fuss. I know that people in the South badly need doctors," he said.
Public health deputy permanent secretary Suwat Tienthong said he was considering sending Dr Pongsathorn to Narathiwat hospital or Betong hospital in Yala.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
TRAFFIC LAWS
Ministry wants ban on phone use in cars
BHANRAVEE TANSUBHAPOL
The Justice Ministry today will ask the cabinet to consider enforcing a law banning drivers from using mobile phones, including hands-free sets, to curb the number of road accidents.
Justice Minister Chanchai Likhitjitta said the ministry would call on the cabinet to approve the ban on drivers using mobile phones, which is part of the 1979 Road Traffic Act which police are responsible for enforcing.
An official said the ban would extend to the use of hands-free equipment. Penalties for infringements would be based on the Road Traffic Act.
Mr Chanchai said the ministry had previously proposed the government amend the act to require drivers to take a breathalyser test when asked.
"This amendment is being reviewed by the National Legislative Assembly," he said.
"Under the bill, if a driver refuses to take the test, the police could presume they have a higher alcohol level than the law allows."
One of the most common causes of road accidents is drink-driving because people see penalties under the Road Traffic Act as being light, he said. Mr Chanchai will defend this amendment before the assembly tomorrow.
Justice permanent secretary Jarun Pukditanakul said the ministry also will ask the Transport Ministry's Department of Land Transport to be stricter in issuing motorcycle driving licences.
The ministry should factor in the maturity and sense of responsibility of applicants in addition to their age, said Mr Jarun. Motorcyclists must be at least 15 to get a licence.
Accident statistics during Songkran in recent years showed most involved youngsters riding motorcycles at high speeds after drinking alcohol, Mr Jarun said.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Ministry wants ban on phone use in cars
BHANRAVEE TANSUBHAPOL
The Justice Ministry today will ask the cabinet to consider enforcing a law banning drivers from using mobile phones, including hands-free sets, to curb the number of road accidents.
Justice Minister Chanchai Likhitjitta said the ministry would call on the cabinet to approve the ban on drivers using mobile phones, which is part of the 1979 Road Traffic Act which police are responsible for enforcing.
An official said the ban would extend to the use of hands-free equipment. Penalties for infringements would be based on the Road Traffic Act.
Mr Chanchai said the ministry had previously proposed the government amend the act to require drivers to take a breathalyser test when asked.
"This amendment is being reviewed by the National Legislative Assembly," he said.
"Under the bill, if a driver refuses to take the test, the police could presume they have a higher alcohol level than the law allows."
One of the most common causes of road accidents is drink-driving because people see penalties under the Road Traffic Act as being light, he said. Mr Chanchai will defend this amendment before the assembly tomorrow.
Justice permanent secretary Jarun Pukditanakul said the ministry also will ask the Transport Ministry's Department of Land Transport to be stricter in issuing motorcycle driving licences.
The ministry should factor in the maturity and sense of responsibility of applicants in addition to their age, said Mr Jarun. Motorcyclists must be at least 15 to get a licence.
Accident statistics during Songkran in recent years showed most involved youngsters riding motorcycles at high speeds after drinking alcohol, Mr Jarun said.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Thaksin's kids must pay B5.7bn
ASC finds them liable for tax on Shin deals
SURASAK GLAHAN and WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI
Two grown-up children of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must pay 5.69 billion baht in personal income tax incurred from Shin Corp share deals they made with their own firm, Ample Rich Investments last year, the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) ruled yesterday.
The ASC added that Panthongtae and Pinthongta Shinawatra would have to pay 847 million baht in surcharges on behalf of Ample Rich as the firm failed to submit withholding tax to the tax agency upon the transfer of the shares.
The two also face the prospect of being forced to pay a huge fine equal to the personal income tax amount plus surcharges as they seem not to have included this tax liability in their tax returns submitted to the Revenue Department yesterday, said ASC tax probe team chief Viroj Laohaphan.
A lawyer for the Shinawatra family insisted the pair would appeal the ruling and seek the Supreme Court's verdict.
Yesterday was the deadline for taxpayers to submit their tax returns for 2006.
Revenue Department officials said Ms Pinthongta asked for a tax refund of "several tens of thousands of baht". But the reason why could not be established yesterday.
Mr Viroj said the tax liability stemmed from the purchase by the siblings of Shin Corp shares from Ample Rich.
Ample Rich sold 329.2 million Shin shares to the pair on Jan 20, 2006 for one baht each. One working day later, they sold their Shin shares to Temasek Holdings of Singapore for 49.25 baht apiece, reaping capital gains of over 15.8 billion baht.
The transactions were part of the 73.3-billion-baht buyout of Shin Corp by Temasek.
The ASC ruled that the siblings have to pay tax on the profits they earned whether or not the shares were sold inside or outside the stock market, said Mr Viroj.
Noppadon Pattama, a Shinawatra family lawyer, said the siblings would cite Revenue Department advice in 2005 to counter the tax liability. The department then said the deal would be tax-free.
If the siblings failed to include this tax liability in their tax returns filed yesterday, they will have to pay a 1.5% per month late charge. In this event, they will also have to pay a fine of the same amount once they are summoned by the tax agency to clear the matter, said Anutep Pongpitak, a member of the probe team, adding that the ASC's rulings would be submitted to the tax agency by tomorrow.
Upon selling the shares to the siblings, Ample Rich had a duty to withhold personal income tax of 4.03 billion baht from the pair, as required by the Revenue Code, and submit the tax to the Revenue Department by Feb 7 last year, Mr Viroj said. But that did not happen and the firm has to pay a surcharge of 847 million baht incurred as of April 7 this year, he added.
Sources said neither Ms Pinthongta nor Mr Panthongtae declared any tax liability related to Ample Rich, a holding vehicle set up in the British Virgin Islands several years ago by Mr Thaksin to manage his personal shareholdings in Shin Corp.
Revenue Department officials have argued that the siblings face personal tax liabilities of over 2.8 billion baht each from the Ample Rich transaction, based on a top tax bracket of 37%.
The tax liability came not from the sale to Temasek, made through the Stock Exchange of Thailand and thus qualifying for a blanket capital gains tax waiver. Instead, authorities say the initial purchase for one baht per share from Ample Rich and subsequent benefits should be taxed.
Officials said the department would likely submit a notification to both Mr Panthongtae and Ms Pinthongta seeking payment for the revenues gained from the Ample Rich deal. The two would then have 30 days to either pay the additional taxes or appeal. Failure to pay the additional funds could result in fines of up to 1.5% of the unpaid liability each month as well as a doubling of the overall tax bill.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
ASC finds them liable for tax on Shin deals
SURASAK GLAHAN and WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI
Two grown-up children of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must pay 5.69 billion baht in personal income tax incurred from Shin Corp share deals they made with their own firm, Ample Rich Investments last year, the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) ruled yesterday.
The ASC added that Panthongtae and Pinthongta Shinawatra would have to pay 847 million baht in surcharges on behalf of Ample Rich as the firm failed to submit withholding tax to the tax agency upon the transfer of the shares.
The two also face the prospect of being forced to pay a huge fine equal to the personal income tax amount plus surcharges as they seem not to have included this tax liability in their tax returns submitted to the Revenue Department yesterday, said ASC tax probe team chief Viroj Laohaphan.
A lawyer for the Shinawatra family insisted the pair would appeal the ruling and seek the Supreme Court's verdict.
Yesterday was the deadline for taxpayers to submit their tax returns for 2006.
Revenue Department officials said Ms Pinthongta asked for a tax refund of "several tens of thousands of baht". But the reason why could not be established yesterday.
Mr Viroj said the tax liability stemmed from the purchase by the siblings of Shin Corp shares from Ample Rich.
Ample Rich sold 329.2 million Shin shares to the pair on Jan 20, 2006 for one baht each. One working day later, they sold their Shin shares to Temasek Holdings of Singapore for 49.25 baht apiece, reaping capital gains of over 15.8 billion baht.
The transactions were part of the 73.3-billion-baht buyout of Shin Corp by Temasek.
The ASC ruled that the siblings have to pay tax on the profits they earned whether or not the shares were sold inside or outside the stock market, said Mr Viroj.
Noppadon Pattama, a Shinawatra family lawyer, said the siblings would cite Revenue Department advice in 2005 to counter the tax liability. The department then said the deal would be tax-free.
If the siblings failed to include this tax liability in their tax returns filed yesterday, they will have to pay a 1.5% per month late charge. In this event, they will also have to pay a fine of the same amount once they are summoned by the tax agency to clear the matter, said Anutep Pongpitak, a member of the probe team, adding that the ASC's rulings would be submitted to the tax agency by tomorrow.
Upon selling the shares to the siblings, Ample Rich had a duty to withhold personal income tax of 4.03 billion baht from the pair, as required by the Revenue Code, and submit the tax to the Revenue Department by Feb 7 last year, Mr Viroj said. But that did not happen and the firm has to pay a surcharge of 847 million baht incurred as of April 7 this year, he added.
Sources said neither Ms Pinthongta nor Mr Panthongtae declared any tax liability related to Ample Rich, a holding vehicle set up in the British Virgin Islands several years ago by Mr Thaksin to manage his personal shareholdings in Shin Corp.
Revenue Department officials have argued that the siblings face personal tax liabilities of over 2.8 billion baht each from the Ample Rich transaction, based on a top tax bracket of 37%.
The tax liability came not from the sale to Temasek, made through the Stock Exchange of Thailand and thus qualifying for a blanket capital gains tax waiver. Instead, authorities say the initial purchase for one baht per share from Ample Rich and subsequent benefits should be taxed.
Officials said the department would likely submit a notification to both Mr Panthongtae and Ms Pinthongta seeking payment for the revenues gained from the Ample Rich deal. The two would then have 30 days to either pay the additional taxes or appeal. Failure to pay the additional funds could result in fines of up to 1.5% of the unpaid liability each month as well as a doubling of the overall tax bill.
Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)