Thai-language newspapers – November 16-17, 2004

* On November 16, Mr. Ponsak Hankittipongpaisarn, the man who carried the eagles with bird flu to Belgium came back to Thailand and confessed that he bought the two eagles from Jatuchak for 2400 baht in order to bring for his brother to sell in Belgium.

Thairath - November 17, 2004

* On November 16, a Khon Kaen resident and owner of air-conditioning shop near Chokchaisi, Ladpraw area was very lucky to win 50 million baht from the government lottery. He said he will use the money for doing merit first and then close his soi to celebrate with his neighbors and the police. Then he will give some to his relatives.

* A group of actors were arrested for stealing cars. Two of the arrested appeared in the films Ongbak and Konlenkhong. Another two were models who worked on TV. They falsified documents and bank statements to make a contract with a finance company. They then made down payments on new cars--a BMW 323, Honda CRV, Audi A6, and Volvo XC90. The financial backer then sells the cars in neighboring countries and the gang gets 200,000-300,000 per car.

* A female Thammasat University student who was standing on the escalator at the BTS station at the Emporium was shocked when she saw a guy standing behind her using a mobile phone to take a photo of her under her skirt. She shouted for help and grabbed his neck, but he turned and ran away making her fall and injuring her knees.

Matichon - November 16, 2004

Editorial: The Professional

The failure in many sectors of country of the smallest institute, family, to other organizations and even though independent political organizations show that most Thai people in many sectors are not professional except people who are farmers. This is because people concentrate on everything and too many things. People who work in administration--especially in politics--are not professional. They only play at politics and work, but are serious when it comes to earning a large amount.

The accumulated problems are the proof of the unprofessionalism. The southern tragedy worsens to be a crisis. Everybody in the government--right up to the leader--should have wider thought, moral principles, and be able to work with people or otherwise there is no future for the country.

Thairath - November 16, 2004

* Bloody news [the graphic/sensational photo on the front page] - At the road from Sattaheep-Chachoengsao, the brakes of a 10 wheel bus go out and it crashes into a student bus. 45 female students are injured. The police arrest the driver.

* Danger in the classroom! At the Mattayom Dansumrong school, Samut Prakarn, a ceiling fan feel down and knocked a 17-year-old 12th grade student unconscious.