News and Views - September 2009 (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Victory for the Bhumjaithai Party - September 30, 2009 This photo (above) was taken moments after the Bhumjaithai Party's new banner was unveiled on a billboard above Rama 9 Road. This is the day after the party's controversial bus project was approved by the cabinet. The billboard (above) reads: For better quality of life for the people - [under the Bhumjaithai Party logo] Populist policy - happy society * Dustless road * 1 village, 1 sport court [meaning every village should have a small park for athletics] …[this is] the work that we intend to do for the happiness of the Thai people Suthep: Bus approval not a pay-off - Bangkok Post, September 30, 2009 ...“It is also not a birthday present for Newin Chidchob,'' he said... (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Earlier: The NGV busses - July 30, 2009 The billboard (above right) reads: The Bhumjaithai Party works with intention for the people - populist policy promotes social happiness - 4,000 NGV busses air-conditioned - 12 baht for all round trip - 800 baht for one month trip - 30 baht for all day -600 baht for students for one month - It is time that Bangkok residents have qualified and lower fare public buses [(From July 30, 2009) This bus project is the kind of irregular slush fund project that Thai politics is famous for. Almost all vehicle purchases fall into this category. Noted as irregular in sourcing and pricing, the NGV project was part of the price for Bhumjaithai to break with Thaksin and be the party to counter Thaksin popularity in rural areas. Now that the Bhumjaithai Party has failed miserably in countering Thaksin influence in the by-elections, their clout in demanding such as project is dissolving and the NGV project is in doubt. However, after Wednesday's Privy Council meeting, suddenly a full-blown strategy appeared to counter the Thaksin pardon signature drive--let Bhumjaithai counter the Red Shirt pardon drive with rallies, stickers for taxis, house to house lobbing in the Northeast, and billboards in Bangkok. So perhaps the Bhumjaithai Party has another chance to demonstrate its usefulness.]   Phuket mafia - September 22, 2009 andrew-drummond.com has a series of hair-raising articles about the recent confrontations between tourists and the Phuket mafia and other incidents related to the "Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand" series: ...“We filmed the mafia but suddenly we are the criminals apparently. The atmosphere is a little bit hysterical. The Marines are behind me thank god. ” The gun incident happened on Phuket when a young marine Jack Tebbott  from Leicester was kidnapped by tattooed mafia figures, who control what’s for sale on Phuket’s  Patong Beach... Camera director of ‘Big Trouble in Thailand’ makes ‘tactical withdrawal’ Foreigner arrested after ‘Big Trouble in Thailand’ documentary I apologise to the Thai people but blame the film-makers - JJ (updated) Swiss couple flee jet ski operator in terror - Chaweng Thai jet ski boss took cash off the US Marines too British Royal Marines ready to go to ‘war’ over Thai gun confrontation Jet ski video maker faces prosecution - Police admit extortion of tourists hard to stop - Bangkok Post, September 16, 2009 A Thai video production company involved in the filming of alleged extortion of foreigners by a Phuket jet ski operator is to be prosecuted for sending the recordings abroad for broadcasting without permission... Police furious over 'staged' video nasties - Clips 'not intended to harm tourism industry' - Bangkok Post, September 16, 2009 ...They had been edited to tarnish the image of both Thai tourism and the police force and presented only the negative side of the story through narrators, he said. Pol Lt Gen Santhan ordered police investigators to find out if any Thai individuals were involved in the making of the footage. They could face criminal charges... Bangkok airport embarks on image makeover - thewest.com.au, September 12, 2009 Baggage handlers at Thailand's main airport now wear uniforms with pockets sewn shut to prevent pilfering. Police are hauling away illegal taxi touts. And cushions are being added to metal seats at departure gates derided as a "pain in the rear..." Scams against tourists are the subject of a new British documentary series called "Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand." The program, which aired its first of eight episodes last week on British television, "explores the ugly side of tourism in Thailand" - like getting ripped off by a gun-wielding jet-ski operator and landing in jail after partying at a drugged-out, all-night beach rave... (Image: Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand) More comment via: kohphangannews.org ...Real funny is the story about Thai business man JJ, a half Thai half Dutch jet-ski operator at Patong beach in Phuket. Just awesome when JJ starts pulling out his gun and tells everyone that he can just shoot them at his home … just fabulous ;-) Police extend net on trail of gem gang - Bangkok Post, September 25, 2009 [Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.] ...Thiraphon Kanchanakat, legal adviser to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, said the theft did not take place at the 44th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, as reported by the media. It took place at another jewellery fair which was also held at Muang Thong Thani. Mr Thiraphon said the inaccurate reports had hurt investor confidence in the fair and damaged the association's reputation... 'Good for families' - Lonely Planet's Thai beach where ten people have drowned this year - Daily Mail, September 12, 2009 AMC threatens to quit Congo in row over 'rebel links' - Times, September 29, 2009 ...In response to the criticism, AMC said that Thaisarco, its tin smelting subsidiary in Thailand, which purchases tin ore from Congo, would not enter into further contracts with suppliers unless it had the support of the United Nations and campaign groups for a certification scheme. After a UN report last year on illicit trading by rebel groups in Congo, Thaisarco began to develop a certification scheme with ITRI, the tin industry organisation, aimed at verifying the origin of shipments of tin ore... [Thanks to Danny for pointing this out.] Trip to Thailand villages raises ethical questions - The Washington Post, September 20, 2009 ...You can see almost anything in the world if you pay enough. So I was startled when a respected trekking company in northern Thailand refused my request to travel to a village of a tribe called the Padaung. "PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS!" the company wrote me... (Photo: seanbonner.com) Street vendor selling ID cards, Thailand: random road snapshot - BoingBoing, September 18, 2009 Consumer satisfaction left in the hands of bureaucrats - Bangkok Post, September 23, 2009 [Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.] The choice for who wins in 3G is being made now, but not by the consumer. Rather it is being made by certain decision-makers who for some reason unknown to mankind seem to think that betting on 900 MHz somehow makes more sense than 850, even though 850 3G coverage is now widely available in Bangkok. But while that mess is relatively well documented, it pales in comparison to the spectrum clash we have higher up the frequency map... Wat Rong Khun - September, 2009 Here and here... The artist is Chaloemchai Kositpiphat. A drive from Suvarnabhumi airport to downtown Bangkok - YouTube, September, 2009 Last shares give Sheikh Mansour total control of Manchester City - Guardian, September 23, 2009 [Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.] ...Thaksin, who was reported over the weekend to have been refused entry to Dubai, has denied financially supporting the takeover of Portsmouth being conducted by Sulaiman al-Fahim, who originally brokered ADUG's takeover of City. A Premier League spokesman confirmed last night that the league is still awaiting for confirmation that Fahim's Portsmouth deal has been concluded and has not yet received evidence about where his money is coming from. Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group arrives in Thailand for port visit - Navy Compass, September, 2009 ...Reagan Public Affairs Three ships and more than 5000 Sailors from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group arrived at the island of Phuket... Hungry monkeys storm houses in Thailand - Rian, September 22, 2009 [Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.] ...As the global economic crisis and political instability has cut visitors to Thailand, wild monkeys, mostly macaques, are attacking villages and even Buddhist monasteries across the country, pilfering everything that can be considered edible... (Photo: Thai Rath via thai-blogs.com) An arranged wedding to promote Thai jungle tourism - thai-blogs.com, September 25, 2009 The Economist banned in Thailand again - September 23, 2009 This week's print edition of the Economist is being withheld from circulation. This is the fourth time this year. Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link photos - September 23, 2009 [Thanks to Frankie for pointing this out.] (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Outside the Thai consulate in Brisbane, Australia - September, 2009 Yesterday we posted the above photo. G. explains about the origin: The artist is Elsje Downes, and is somewhat prolific in Brisbane. To brighten up the city's traffic signal boxes, Brisbane artists are giving them a little colour. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Shopping in Yala - September 13, 2009 Dr. Has reports: This week is the final week for the Islamic to practice the fast period and is marked as the shopping period of the Muslims to buy new clothes for themselves and their family. Many who reside in villages come out to do shopping in the crowded atmosphere. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Hollywood couple convicted of Thailand bribery - Reuters, September 14, 2009 A U.S. jury has convicted a pair of married Hollywood producers of paying more than $1.8 million in bribes to a former Thai government official in charge of tourism, in part so they could manage the Bangkok film festival... Couple bikes from Bangkok to Pakistan - BYU Newsnet, September 15, 2009 ...Their adventure began with teaching English to youth in private schools in Bangkok for six months... NSPCA duped by Bangkok syndicate - news24, September 17, 2009 In Thailand, a beach house - NYT, September 16, 2009 ...Mr. Levine, who was born in Montreal, made his name as the founder of California Fitness, a gym chain that now is part of the 24 Hour Fitness group. After selling his interest in 24 Hour Fitness almost three years ago, Mr. Levine started another gym and yoga company, California WOW Experience, which is listed on the Thai stock exchange and has about 200,000 members at gyms in Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Australia... (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Flyover repair - September 19, 2009 The banner reads: Read sorry for the inconvenience - The overpass is under improvement [repair] Dunkley's chance - Bangkok Post, September 14, 2009 ..."Of course, blind Freddy will tell you The Nation is potentially gasping for air and is on its knees. Incompetence is finally catching up with them," he said. "...We are not particularly interested," he said bluntly. "How could we be when foreign ownership is capped at 30% and at the board level 25%, which is strange in itself. Navigating the minefield of politics would also be quite a task. I wonder wouldn't it be better to go farther afield for investment opportunities?"... (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Car bomb damage in the Deep South - September 4, 2009 Dr. Has reports: The damage from the car bomb explosion in downtown Yala city, near the Na Nakorn Road intersection, which occurred at 9:40 on September 4, 2009. The blast caused on local authority to die at the scene. One other official and a villager died at the Yala hospital and many others suffered injury. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: 2Bangkok.com)   (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Young Muslim Association of Thailand (YMAT) - September 5, 2009 Dr. Has reports: Today [September 5, 2009] the Young Muslim Association of Thailand (YMAT) hosted a feast for fast ending period and scholarship granting for victims of the violent situation. The picture shows women who are widows and children who are orphans (above). The YMAT invites Police Major Gen. Jamroon Denudom, former Deputy Police Commander, and his team team to give moral support and promote team cooperation (below). (Photo: 2Bangkok.com)   Swedish politician mulls Thai bows to counter swine flu - thelocal.se, September 8, 2009 [Thanks to Alex for pointing this out.] (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Wearing masks - September 4, 2009 The billboard reads: It is the time that Thais must wear mask to face each other - Wear masks when catching a cold or staying in a crowded area - Wear mask correctly (use it wisely), click www.flu2009thailand.com - Ask information on flu 2009 and ask for media printouts, call 1422 or 1330 India is influencing culture in Bangkok - AP, September 13, 2009 ...India pops up in unexpected places in the Thai capital, with the country's ancient Hindu civilization infusing the Thai language, classical dance and religious architecture... Confessions of a farang Bangkok bodysnatcher - Phuketwan, September 12, 2009 ...He is the only non-Thai member of the Bodysnatchers of Bangkok, otherwise known as the Ruamkatanyu Foundation... (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Ratchayothin flyover - September 12, 2009 Ratchayothin flyover is reduced to one lane each way for construction. Similar closures are happening around the city. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Lost car - September 4, 2009 The billboard reads: [If your] car is lost [stolen] inform 1599 - Check if a car is illegal [stolen] - www.lostcar.go.th (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Anti-petition billboard - September 4, 2009 The billboard reads: Do you think the listing of people’s names for a petition is proper or not? If not, to whom it is not suitable for? Is it proper or not? [From] Thais who do not agree [Not sure if this is the exact translation, but we think it is close. This billboard is similar to the pro-PAD billboard of the past.] Thai-made film on President Ho Chi Minh screened - Nhan Dan, September 4, 2009 ...Scriptwriter Dr. Aitdhiruth Surachettapong who is a lecturer at the Thaksin University in Thailand, said Ho Chi Minh is a special man who plays the most important role in the history of Vietnam. Such a great man with a strong personality, but he leads a very simple and modest lifestyle, and that has inspired him to produce the documentary... Sorry for the inconvenience - September 5, 2009 The sign reads: Sorry for the inconvenience (Left) I hope you drive safely (Right) Me too, I hope you drive safely (erected by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) Waterworld maps - September 8, 2009 At least 22 hotels on the block - Buyers starting to bargain down prices - Bangkok Post, September 6, 2009 Crackdown fails to stop airport gangs - Illegal operators defy authorities - Bangkok Post, September 6, 2009 In Bangkok, a small landmark causes big trouble - The Star, September 5, 2009 [Weird "facts" in this article: Erawan Shrine "has no particular historical significance and rarely makes the guidebooks"???] Repentant Thai breeds 4,600 scorpions - Reuters, September 7, 2009 A Thai man is keeping more than 4,600 scorpions as pets to atone for the years he spent cooking the arachnids to sell as snacks... Thai Airways finally discovers full potential of the internet - ETN, September 7, 2009 Thai soap operas boom during downturn - PDO, September 6, 2009 Mugging victim dies in Thailand - BBC News, September 7, 2009 An Inverness woman who was mugged in Thailand a week ago has died in a Bangkok hospital... MOE is paving its way for refugee children to study in Thai school - Thaipr.net, September 6, 2009 Miss. Diana (Di) Chungjintanakarn, the first Thai refugee ambassador and Mr. Veerawit Tianchainan, Country Director of US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Thailand pay their visit to make a discussion with Deputy Education Minister, Mr. Chaiwut Bannawat educational policy to allow the refugee children to access into Thai educational system... Newsweek.com serves up scareware - PC Mag, September 7, 2009 ...This and all the other screens, which are intended to resemble a local PC program, are in fact HTML coming from advancedpcscanner6.com. The domain was registered on September 3 to Prakit A Jiraporn of Bangkok... Philip Morris Thai faces $2 billion tax charges - Thailandnews, September 4, 2009 The Thai unit of Philip Morris International faces charges that it violated customs tax rules by understating the prices of imported cigarettes, a Thai police official said... Wansley murder acquittal upheld - Bangkok Post, September 2, 2009 Free trips to Thailand for the internet savvy - Arizona Daily Star, September 2, 2009 Attention Internet-savvy travelers: Thailand is giving away free trips to five lucky couples who don't mind sitting in front of a computer while on vacation... Family waits for charges in Calgarian's death in Thailand - Calgary Herald, September 2, 2009 ...They have just learned that the evidence in the case is now under review in a Thai court, and a decision on whether charges will be laid could be made in weeks... Mong’s plane will fly after all - The Irrawaddy, September 3, 2009 In a turnaround by the Thai Ministry of the Interior, Mong Thongdee, a Burmese boy who had been denied the opportunity to travel to Japan to compete in a paper airplane contest, was on Thursday granted a temporary Thai passport... 2 Filipinos nabbed for robbery in Bangkok - Inquirer.net, September 3, 2009 [Includes a explanation of "leg-shaking"...] Asia Foundation's Survey of the Thai People Gauges Attitudes toward Constitution, Reform, and Democracy - PRNewswire, September 16,2009 ...Thais give the courts by far the highest integrity rating, with two-thirds (64 percent) assessing them positively. The army has the second highest positive rating at 44 percent, while the police are seen as the least-trusted institution. Only 35 percent gave the election commission high marks, and just 21 percent felt the media has high integrity. Decentralization was also a key focus of the survey. "As politicians and other stakeholders debate the future of the political process in Thailand, it was interesting to note that a substantial majority (69 percent) of our survey respondents are in favor of shifting some power from the national to the local level, and directly electing provincial governors..." Also: The complete findings from Constitutional Reform and Democracy in Thailand: A National Survey of the Thai People I was close to walking away from Manchester City, admits Mark Hughes - Guardian, September 18, 2009 ...Garry Cook, City's chief executive, who was seen as an apologist for Thaksin after describing him in an interview as "a great guy to play golf with," said he now feels "dreadful" about having made that comment. Cook joined City from Nike in the US, where he had become president of the Jordan brand, but he, too, soon found there was no money. "I have made some mistakes in my life," Cook said, "but I deeply regretted my failure to do proper research on Thaksin..." (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Red Shirt flag - September 21, 2009 This is one of the main flags used by groups at the Red Shirt rally on Saturday. It reads: Khon Jing Jai Rak Prachathipatai Club [The club of sincere people asking for democracy] FM 94.75 MHz ["40" stands for the year 2540 or 1997 which is being used to symbolize the 1997 constitution dissolved by the 2006 coup.] (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Red Shirt convoy - 14:42, September 19, 2009 Hundreds of Red Shirt motorcyclists in a convoy near Ratchayothin intersection Three Latin Americans arrested in US$1.7 million jewel heist from gem fair - TNA, September 22, 2009 ...Three men arrested as suspects later in Pattaya denied the charges. Gen Chalong said that the police had investigate the suspects and found suspicious travel records. During their stay in Thailand, they rented a car in Pattaya and drove to Muang Thong Thani every day from September 14 through September 18, according to the GPRS tracking system record from the rental car... Still not a peep from the local English-languge press on this story. Update: The Nation is now reporting the arrests: Three arrested after 'largest in living memory' jewel heist Nor any story on HM The King in hospital that was written locally: Thai king spends fourth day in hospital - AFP, September 23, 2009 Update: The Post is leading with updates on HM THe King's condition: Nation joins prayer for quick recovery (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Taxi driver playing Tetris - September 20, 2009 Your morning adorable: Thailand's celebrity panda cub waves to her fans - LA Times blogs, September, 2009 Bangkok Noir - September 30, 2009 Michael writes: I would like to inform you about a book, making by a German favorite writer and artist. The author, Mr. Roger Willemsen is a... romantic traveler. His book "Bangkok noir" with photos of Mr. Tooten (lives in Bangkok for years), is a intimate look at the people and city... From the book website: But above all, Willemsen and Tooten let themselves drift through the night itself, open to everything that night life has to offer in this metropolis of many faces. The result is a magnificent nocturne, composed of literary images of night and photos of suggestive, often intimate power. Bangkok’s nightlife has never displayed more colors than in Bangkok Noir. Thailand is world's largest maker of lenses - The Nation, September 29, 2009 Thailand is the world's largest manufacturer of optical lenses, accounting for 22 per cent of global output, even though manufacturers have to import all their raw materials... US officials have tried to arrest Roman Polanski around the world since 1978 - Times Online, September 29, 2009 ...October 2005: submitted an Interpol Red Notice to Thailand after learning that Mr Polanski was visiting... (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Billboard truck - September, 2009 The billboard reads: Music and dance performance to perform on September 21, 2009 with male and female performers Buaphan Thungso and Srijan Weesee. The place of the performance is opposite to the Jakkawarn Cinema in Dindaeng. The performance is be a great performance to be recorded for Northeastern music and dance performance in history. Chehalis woman arrested at Sea-Tac, accused of kidnapping son 13 years ago - Q13 FOX Seattle, September 30, 2009 ...Once Sudderth got to Thailand, Werner says prosecutors faced a dead end. That's because the country has no parental kidnapping law. Last week, the FBI says Sudderth contacted the U.S. Embassy, telling them she wanted to take her son back to Washington... Police in Kenya seize Bangkok-bound ivory - AFP, September 30, 2009 Kenya police are looking for the people behind a shipment of 684 kilogrammes of ivory seized at Nairobi's main airport and destined to Bangkok... Thaksin is Thailand's 16th richest man - Thailandnews.net, September 23, 2009 Despite being on the run, ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra remains among the richest persons in Thailand... 2009: Thailand's 40 richest 2009: Thailand's very richest Bill's excellent adventure William Heinecke's empire has taken some hits, but the fun-loving optimist travels on... Americans abroad 2008: Thailand's 40 richest Foreign in-laws honored for contribution to Thai community development - Thailandnews, September 26, 2009 Three foreign men and their Thai wives were honored for special contributions to community development in northeast Thailand late Friday... Thailand set for broadband surge - Light Reading, September 30, 2009 "Thailand: Political Woes Stunt 3G Development " predicts that the imminent entry of 3G and WiMax players into the Thai telecom market will stimulate demand for broadband services and foster competition... Thai bride of tax advisor who stole 2m from old woman gambles it away - Daily Telegraph, September 26, 2009 ...Mr Castle told the court: "His Thai bride then embarked on a spending and gambling spree and spent the lot of the money in casinos in Bangkok..." (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Hare in the moon - September 29, 2009 Billboard for bathroom fixtures featuring the "hare in the moon"