News from Thailand – August 31, 2014
Nice picture, don't you think? Has nothing to do with today's news, but is in the book 'Exotic, bizarre and enigmatic Thailand', which the Thailandblog Charity foundation will release this year. The book will appear in the third week of September and is also available as an e-book. The photo was taken by Carla de Goede.
The army officers who beat up three air force officers in a nightclub in Pathum Thani are allowed to reflect on their sins behind bars. The leader of the stuff has been given a punishment: he has to clean the compound and cook for the other prisoners.
The ten officers plus the commander of the 30th Cavalry Battalion were taken Friday evening from their army base in Prachin Buri to a military prison in Sa Kaeo. The commander will remain in detention for 30 days and he will lose his right to promotion and other benefits this year. Two assistants have been sentenced to 45 days and the others to 30 days.
Army Commander and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is furious. He has warned not to tolerate bad behavior of any kind from anyone.
The incident in the nightclub became known thanks to a video clip on the internet. You can see how the sand hares, armed with guns, attack the three air force officers. They worked there as part-time security guards. The attack is said to have been revenge for an incident the night before. Then three of the army officers were forbidden to smoke inside, but they didn't like it. They had to leave the case, where an Air Force officer would have dealt a punch.
– The police are looking for two men who shot at a police officer on Friday night. The officer pursued the pair because they had abruptly turned around at a checkpoint at the Bang Waek-Ratchapruk intersection when they saw the post. During the chase - both on the motorcycle - the passenger shot twice at the officer. He was hit in the stomach. He has been hospitalized. His condition is described as safe.
– His Majesty King Bhumibol is in good health. This has been announced by the Royal Household Bureau. The king, who resides in Hua Hin, was admitted to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok for a medical checkup on August 6. The doctors have determined that he is healthier and has gained weight, so it is no longer necessary to give him intravenous nutritional supplements.
– Would it help, such a call? Corruption must be made socially unacceptable and drastic measures must be taken to that end. That is what Veera Somkomenkid said at a seminar yesterday.
Veera [he is now secretary general of the People's Network Against Corruption] found that corruption is rampant because those who perpetrate it are not affected. They dock money and go free. It is necessary, Veera argued, for corruption to be seen as a 'high-risk practice'. In doing so, he noted that drug trafficking is currently riskier than getting involved in corruption. "If you get caught, you ask for a favor and with the help of people with influence, the matter is settled."
Veera called on Prime Minister Prayuth to lead by example. 'A leader who is serious about it is able to deter cabinet members and senior officials. If the Prime Minister is not corrupt, no one else dares to be. But no prime minister in the past has been free from corruption charges. Every government had its scandals.'
Thailand has a very bad reputation when it comes to corruption. In 2013, the country rose from 88th to 102nd place on Transparency International Perceptions' Global Corruption Index. Rising in this case means that corruption has increased.
According to the director of the Research and Development Center of the King Prachadipok Institute, public confidence in the suppression and prevention of corruption is declining. More and more Thais are dealing with corruption. Most victims (68 percent) accept it.
– Accusing soldiers of mistreatment: that's wicked soup. Pornpen Khongkachonchiet, director of the Cross Cultural Foundation, now knows all about it because she has been sued by the army for defamation. The woman had dared to report in an open letter about the serious mistreatment of Adil Samae when he was arrested in April. His mother reported it to the foundation, which documents cases of abuse and torture.
Adil was arrested because his SIM card was used in an explosion in Yala. The defamation report, incidentally, dates back to May 20. Pornpen, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued, will report to the police in Yala on September 14.
Isoc (Internal Security Operations Command) issued a press statement on May 8: Adil's body search complied with international human rights guidelines. X-rays of Adil would not have shown any chest injuries.
– The authorities on the island of Koh Phangan continue to warn about the potentially deadly sting of the box jellyfish. It killed a 5-year-old French boy a week ago. Tomorrow afternoon, the Koh Phangan hospital will meet with the authorities and representatives of hotels and diving companies about measures. Some holiday parks already have warning signs. But that's not enough, says Abusorn Poodaeng of the hospital. A more coordinated approach is required.
The box jellyfish is currently swimming close to shore earlier than usual due to the early start of the monsoon season in the Gulf of Thailand. From September to the end of January, the jellyfish can be found in shallow water. A sting from a jellyfish can be fatal. Within 5 minutes the victim becomes unconscious, which can lead to a heart attack. The box jellyfish is not only found off the coast of Koh Phangan, but also in the provinces of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani. No warnings are in effect for the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao.
www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post
More news in:
'Sin City' Pattaya tries to stay ahead of junta
Prisoner predicted own death