News from Thailand – February 12
The Chinese have been advised by the Chinese Consulate General to avoid Chiang Mai after a number of tourists were robbed there.
The most violent robbery took place on January 25, when a 36-year-old Chinese woman was hit on the head with clubs by two men while visiting a temple. She was in intensive care for a week. The two men aged 19 and 21 robbed the woman of approximately 13.000 baht. They have since been arrested and have confessed to 20 robberies. According to the police, the two were part of a gang that preys on tourists.
– More questions about Prime Minister Yingluck's visit to the Four Seasons on Thursday Hotel. She abruptly left her office before the hour-and-a-half visit, skipped a meeting with MPs and told reporters not to follow her.
Democratic party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut is urging the prime minister to open up amid rumors that she held secret talks about "vested interests" in the government's flood prevention plans.
Ekkayuth Anchanbutr, who was in the hotel's coffee shop and saw Yingluck, writes on his Facebook page that many people would be pretty nervous if he revealed whose company she was with. Ekkayuth, who has led a campaign against Thaksin Shinawatra in the past, was punched in the face 10 minutes after Yingluck's departure.
During Yingluck's visit, a real estate developer has been spotted in the hotel, fueling rumors that the man may be buying land where the government has planned waterways and waiting for the land to be expropriated.
– Thaksin Shinawatra calls Friday's gala dinner in honor of Froc staff and other government departments involved in last year's flood control measures 'a major step towards reconciliation'. This is what his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama says. Thaksin is especially pleased about the warm relationship of Prime Minister Yingluck and guest of honor Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council. Prem has been repeatedly accused by the red shirts of enabling the 2006 coup.
Opposition leader Abhisit (Democrats) supports the criticism of the party, which cost 10 million baht. Abhisit, who was not invited, called the party inappropriate as many flood victims have not yet received a penny of compensation. Roads that have been flooded have not yet been repaired as local authorities are still awaiting approval of their credit applications.
– During a Land Department auction, the license plate is Yor Ying Yor Ying 9999 sold for 11 million baht, the highest amount ever offered for a lucky number. Yor Ying means woman which makes it a suitable gift for Valentine's Day. A total of 117 license plates were auctioned, which brought in 109 million baht. Today is the last day of the auction.
– The 5-day visit of Prime Minister Yingluck and 10 ministers to seven provinces flooded last year is regarded by critics as an election campaign in disguise. 'If the prime minister wants this trip to be fruitful, she must focus on listening to the local's ideas on flood prevention', says water expert Seri Suparathit. According to him, input from residents on the government's plans has so far been lacking. These are, however, according to the critics, still very vague.
From Monday, the group from Bangkok will examine which areas can serve as storage areas for excess water, as well as inspect dams, dams, dikes and water drainage equipment.
– Prime Minister Yingluck apologized in her radio talk on Saturday for the flooding in the Sena district (Ayutthaya). According to the governor of Ayutthaya, these could have been prevented if the residents had been warned in time. Yingluck acknowledged that the authorities had failed on this point.
Six villages in Sena and Phak Hai district were flooded as the Noi River overflowed its banks. It had to carry extra water as a result of discharges from the Bhumibol and Sirikit reservoirs. Extra water is being discharged from these lakes to prevent them from overflowing at the beginning of the rainy season in May, as was the case last year.
– It's bumblebees in the Rak Thailand party of the colorful MP Chuvit Kamolvisit, former operator of massage parlors and now a tireless fighter against illegal casinos. Chuvit has asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate one of his party members, who allegedly heard that funds from the Rural Roads Department were being used to build a road in front of his house.
Chaiwat Krairiksh is now striking back with a libel suit against his party leader. When he made a declaration, 100 supporters supported him. Things have not been going well between the two men for some time. Chuvit, as the party's main lender, would dictate party policy. Chaiwat says he cannot rustle anything at all because he is not a member of the budget committee of the Chamber. Chuvit is.
– Eleven doctors of the Vajira hospital accuse Chaiwan Charoenchokthawee, dean of the medical faculty, of irregularities and corruption. The Department of Special Investigation is investigating the complaints, including irregularities in the purchase of equipment and the allocation of rental income from shops in the hospital to the Vajira Hospital foundation instead of the hospital itself. This would be against the rules of the municipality of Bangkok. The dean denies the allegations and says the complaining doctors have a hidden agenda. They would want to get rid of him.
– Parents are the role model in love for most children. This is according to a poll by Bangkok University among 1.161 people aged 15 to 24. 43,65 percent of respondents would like to give roses to Prime Minister Yingluck on Valentine's Day, 23,6 percent to Chuvit Kamolvisit and 20,9 percent to opposition leader Abhisit. Roses that normally cost 180 to 200 baht cost 400 to 450 baht on Tuesday.
– Because she wanted to leave him, a bank employee strangled his girlfriend in a hotel room in Bangkok. He then fled to his ex-wife in Lampang, where he was arrested. The relationship between the two had lasted 5 years.
– After being a fugitive for eight years, a 32-year-old man suspected of a murder attempt in 2004 has been arrested. He was number 33 on the most wanted list.
– Approximately 8,8 million baht has been paid to victims of the fireworks disaster in Suphan Buri as compensation. The disaster killed 4 people and injured 75. Some 700 houses were damaged, of which 71 were totally destroyed. The 8,8 million baht goes to 74 people; 150 others will follow later.
– 221 prisoners suspected of continuing their drug trafficking from prison have been transferred to Khao Bin prison in Ratchaburi. That prison has jamming equipment so that telephone communication is impossible.
– A 15-year-old student in Nakhon Si Thammarat teased a 14-year-old student for years about her dark skin and lack of cosmetics. Yesterday she had had enough of all that bullying and stabbed the boy to death.
– Seven popular dive sites in the Andaman Sea will remain closed for at least another six months, so that the affected coral can recover. Last January, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation closed 18 sites in 7 marine national parks; eleven opened in November. To better protect the coral and fauna, the National Park Office has issued stricter regulations. For example, the number of tourists per location is limited and vulnerable places are marked with ropes. On Koh Hin Ngam diving is only allowed during high tide.
– In the Central department store in Pinklao (Bangkok), a 31-year-old student fell or jumped from the escalator and died from the consequences of his injuries. Suicide is not ruled out; according to the student's sister, he took medication to cope with stress.
www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post