Worrying possibilities of reduced opening times

From Bloomberg see full article

Thailand's proposed liquor restrictions, aimed at reducing alcohol-related diseases, won't drive away tourists, Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla said.

Alcohol-linked illnesses and injuries cost Thailand 500 billion baht ($14.5 billion) a year in medical expenses, and banning alcohol advertising and restricting where it's sold will reduce excessive consumption, Mongkol said.

Tourism revenue would drop by an estimated 10% to 720 billion baht this year once new laws are imposed, the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations said in April. Thailand had 13.8 million overseas visitors last year.

Hoteliers and retailers are concerned alcohol-free areas around temples and schools would encroach on popular tourist spots, including areas on Bangkok's Khao San Road, Patong Beach on Phuket island and in the northern city of Chiang Mai, driving tourists to less-regulated destinations outside Thailand.

Existing hotels, bars and shops selling alcohol in areas that face new restrictions will probably be allowed to stay where they are, but new shops won't be allowed, Mongkol said.

The proposal isn't likely to drive tourists away, he said: They can drink in the hotels, at the pool, on the beaches, we will not prohibit that. We're only trying to limit drinking in some areas' and encourage drinking in moderation, he said.

Government officials are still discussing "sensitive issues'' with the industry, Mongkol said. Cabinet approved a bill preventing advertising and further limiting the areas and time for the sale and consumption of alcohol in March.

The National Legislative Assembly, appointed by the military-installed government, is reviewing the draft. Passing it into law has been "a bit delayed'' by detailed negotiations, he said: Alcohol should be sold in proper places. We are talking in detail now about the sale times and places.

 
Thailand proposes a worldwide end to duty free cigarettes

How to piss off the whole world.

From The Nation

Thailand has proposed that cigarettes and tobacco products should be removed from duty-free shops worldwide.

The new anti-smoking protocol has been proposed by Thailand and will be discussed at an international convention to be held in Bangkok later this month.

Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said that approval by the Ministerial Committee of the 2nd Framework Convention on Tobacco Protocol would make cigarettes and tobacco products sold in duty-free shops around the world subject to customs duty.

The proposal also bars international advertising of cigarettes on online media and local visual media, including billboard displays or through promotional campaigns or sponsorship events. As a result, websites featuring or advertising cigarettes will be blocked - in Thailand.

All conditions will be enforced globally if the protocol is approved by the 161-country committee during its meeting from June 30 to July 6, and eventually passed by the so-called Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

 
New procedures for 30 day visa runners

At Ban Laem which is the border post near Chanctaburi used by Pattaya's visa run services

From Thai Visa

It is now confirmed and official that an onward ticket is required for those who do not hold a current valid visa for entering the Kingdom of Thailand.

You must purchase a bus ticket to Angkor Wat regardless if you already have an air-ticket. The bus ticket cost 200 baht extra and you must prepare for this.

Visa holders of Non-Immigrant and Tourist visa holders and people from the following countries do not require the bus ticket.

Brazil
Chile
Peru
South Korea
Argentina
Hong Kong
Laos
Macau
Vietnam
Russia

Remember, even if you already have a valid air-ticket or e-ticket, you still and must purchase this bus ticket.

Getting the bus ticket was easy, just pay the agency that you do your visa run with, and they will do the rest. But when coming back with your bus ticket, please remember to check carefully as there were many spelling errors with names, confusion and bus tickets not printed. You will need to pay 200 baht for this ticket if you are 'visiting'  Thailand on a 30 day Visa Waiver stamp.

 
Thaksin told to report to Thai police to face corruption charges

From the BBC

Thailand's ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra has been ordered to appear before police in Bangkok next week to face corruption charges.

Thai police have charged Thaksin and his wife with secretly concealing assets in a property company owned by his family.

Police said Thaksin could face arrest if he did not show up. Thaksin and his wife Pojaman were ordered to appear before the police by 29 June, police said.

Sunai Manomai-udom of the special investigations department said Thaksin and his wife would be charged on two counts of violating disclosure rules concerning the company SC Assets, which was part of the family's Shin Corp telecoms empire.

Since he was toppled, the former prime minister has been living abroad - mainly in London. His wife has been in and out of Thailand.

 
As most of the advertising restrictions suddenly vanish in committee

From The Nation

The Alcohol Control Bill will not impose a comprehensive ban on alcohol advertising, according to the latest amendment by a vetting committee of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

The move is set to cause uproar among health-related non-government organisations, which described the ban as the essence of the bill.

There will be stricter restrictions, but not a virtual ban, the committee's chairman Praphan Koonme said yesterday.

Initially, the Public Health Ministry stated in the bill that alcohol advertising must be banned in all media with limited exceptions such as live broadcast programmes.

All members in the committee believe it's better to use certain control measures, Praphan explained. He said the virtual ban on alcohol advertising was enforced in only one or two countries in the world, and the enforcement had "proved impractical".

According to the vetting committee, alcohol advertising will be allowed in printed media but the warning message space must rise from 20% to 25% of the total ad space.

Outdoor advertising boards should be smaller in size. What size is appropriate will be determined later by ministerial regulations, Praphan added.

On TV commercials, the vetting committee said alcohol advertising should still be allowed to go on air between 10pm and 5am but alcohol products must be seen for no longer than five seconds.

Praphan insisted the committee's decision was not influenced by any lobbying efforts. Alcohol companies had reportedly fought to have the right to advertise since the bill was first proposed: The [comprehensive] ban is too strict. To discourage alcohol consumption, campaigns are a much better option.

Meanwhile, health-related non-government organisations called on Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla to stand by the proposed stipulation of the comprehensive ban on alcohol advertising.

 
inside temples, hospitals, schools

Thankfully no mention of 500m exclusion zones around these establishments.

From the Bangkok Post

The National Legislative Assembly's ad-hoc committee on the draft alcohol control bill yesterday agreed to ban the drinking of alcohol in selected public places.

The alcohol-free zones cover temples, hospitals, places of medical services, drug stores, public offices and educational institutions, said committee spokesman Tuang Anthachai.

Declarations of additional alcohol-free zones could be made by relevant ministers and the alcohol control policy committee, to be set up after the bill's enforcement, he said.

Under the draft bill, the alcohol consumption ban would not extend to private residences, clubs or parties.

The committee yesterday concluded Section 28 which bars all marketing activities of alcohol products, ranging from free samples, price cuts, free gifts and lucky draws to the redemption of product packagings. The committee also added a ban on tie-in sales to Section 28.

 
Pushing for restrictions on alcohol sales within 500m of a school

ie Walking Street!

From the Bangkok Post

State and private universities are pushing for amendments to a ministerial regulation that will ban the sale of alcohol within 500 metres of schools.

Led by Thammasat University vice-rector Prinya Tevanaruemitrkul, a group of vice-rectors for student affairs from private and public universities handed a letter to Deputy Education Minister Varakorn Samkoses.

Prinya said the group had asked the Finance Ministry to amend the regulation since October last year. Then-finance minister Pridiyathorn Devakula promised to accept the proposal for consideration but there has been no progress to date, he said.

Without effective control measures in place, said Mr Prinya, shops selling alcoholic beverages would mushroom around universities and other places of education, causing young students to 'go astray'.

He said the existing ministerial regulation only prohibits issuing a licence to sell alcohol to shops that are located ''adjacent to'' an educational place, thus allowing shops that are in the vicinity of but not right next to a place of education to escape the ban.

Under the proposed amendments, new places where alcoholic drinks are served will not be allowed to open within a 500-metre radius of an educational place. Meanwhile, those that have been doing business near educational places before the ban takes effect will lose their licences if they are found guilty of opening beyond the legal business hours, or of selling alcohol to minors under 18 years old.

 
Bangkok calm despite rumours of coup

From The Nation

All remained quiet at the Army headquarters close to midnight on Wednesday, and the Council for National Security tried to quash intense rumours sweeping the capital that either another coup was imminent or a drastic plan was underway to deal with proThaksin protesters.

Reporters swarming the Army headquarters started withdrawing around midnight. Army sources denied the coup rumours which peaked late in the evening.

The rumours were apparently propelled by related events earlier in the day. Late in the afternoon, rumours had it that the military council was planning to declare a curfew to force an end to street protests by proThaksin mobs.

After a meeting between CNS chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin and top security officials, CNS spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd came out to deny that the junta was planning to enforce a curfew.

More rumours then emerged that the proThaksin protesters were planning to move their rally to the Army headquarters to challenge the CNS.

 
Free to return to Thailand to fight asset seizure

From the BBC

Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is free to return to fight the seizure of his $1.6bn assets, his successor says.

Interim PM Surayud Chulanont said he would personally guarantee Thaksin's safety if he did return to Thailand.

Thailand's military ousted Thaksin last year, accusing him of corruption. He has since been living in London but he is said to have just bought a house in Hong Kong

On Monday, the government said it was freezing his accounts, the latest in a series of measures against him. A committee set up to examine corruption claims against Mr Thaksin said it had concluded that he had "committed wrongdoings".

It issued two orders freezing his assets, including 21 accounts holding money made from the controversial sale in January 2006 of Shin Corp, his telecoms giant, to a Singaporean firm.

The former prime minister is reported to be involved in a bid to buy English Premier League club Manchester City and it is not clear what effect the asset freeze would have on this.

 
in the new Thai constitution

Surely a wise move. Religion seems to cause nothing but trouble in countries where it is allowed to get a foothold in Government.

From the Bangkok Post

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has rejected calls to make Buddhism the state religion.

Squadron Leader Prasong Soonsiri said that the CDC will not amend its article on religion in the charter it is rushing to prepare for a referendum tentatively scheduled for August.

Sqn-Ldr Prasong said the CDC met to consider amendments to the draft which would have made Buddhism the state religion for the first time in Thai history: As for the issue of Buddhism as the state religion. Buddhism, which is the religion of the majority of Thai people, as well as (all) other religions, must be protected and promoted equally.

Previous Thai constitutions had stressed freedom of religion, and have never given a special place to any single religion. His Majesty the King is considered the protector of all religions, although he must be a Buddhist.

On Monday morning, a group called Representatives of the Buddhist Organisation submitted a petition to CDC Member Phichian Amnatworaprasert, requesting that the CDC designate Buddhism as the national religion.

At the same time, the Council for Buddhist Organisations and a number of monks gathered in front of Parliament House in Bangkok to demand the new constitution recognise Buddhism as the state religion.

Update: State Buddhism Rejected in Vote

30th June

The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) yesterday rejected recognition of Buddhism as the national religion in the new constitution by a 66-9 vote following five hours of intense deliberations

 
Mango Sauce website to close

From Mango Sauce

The popular and boisterous debating site about life in Thailand, Mango Sauce, is going on indefinite hold.

The loss of AdSense advertising hit revenue and David, the webmaster, is looking to new opportunities.

David signed off: I'd like to express my thanks to the hundreds of commentators who, between them, created one of the most interesting forums on the net. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed moderating four years of (mostly) convivial banter about my favourite country. Chok Dee Gentlemen.

 
Thai Rak Thai political party disbanded

Based on an article from the Bangkok Post

The Constitution Tribunal judges climaxed a day-long reading of the verdict in the political parties case by ordering the powerful Thai Rak Thai Party of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra dissolved for election cheating - and banning Thaksin and 110 top members from political life for five years.

The nine judges also found two Thai Rak Thai executive committee members guilty of illegally hiring small parties in the April, 2006, election - Gen Thammarak Issarangkura na Ayudhya and Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn.

The Thai Rak Thai's crimes are very dangerous to democracy, Judge Krairerk Kasemsant said.

The order disbanding Thai Rak Thai contrasted with the earlier decision to allow the Democrat Party and its executives to continue in politics.

There were no signs of the violence that some had predicted.

Update: Aftermath

1st June

Supporters of Thailand's now outlawed Thai Rak Thai party have held protests in the capital Bangkok - but the rally was smaller than expected.

More than 1,000 demonstrators wearing yellow headbands called for an end to the military leadership that came to power after a coup last September.

 
Preparations for verdict on disbanding popular political parties

Based on an article from the Bangkok Post

The Council for National Security (CNS) is mobilising 13,000 soldiers and the police to prevent unrest and the movement of people from the countryside to Bangkok when the Constitution Tribunal announces its verdict in the party dissolution cases on Wednesday.

CNS spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said after the meeting the officers were ready to stop 'mobs' nationwide and prevent those who might plan to enter the capital tomorrow.

Part of the mobilisation will take place in Bangkok where the army, the navy and the air force will put some 400-500 officers each on standby plus the city police force.

According to Col Sansern, Gen Sonthi will command all the forces from army headquarters in Bangkok while other key CNS figures are assigned to supervise the situations in the regions.

The CNS did not want to exercise the executive decree on emergency situations unless that was necessary, Col Sansern said. He confirmed that no dangerous weapons would be used: The CNS insists that we will try every possible way to prevent violence. If violence does happen, we are confident that the plan will certainly keep the situation under control.

He said the CNS had to come up with the plan because Thai Rak Thai members had announced rallies in many areas. He expects movements of people mainly from the North and Northeast. The CNS' plan should limit the number of protesters and keep things under control, he said.

Col Sansern declined to answer on being asked if the mobilisation of such a large force could facilitate a counter-coup.

The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has called on people planning to attend rallies nationwide tomorrow to hear the tribunal's verdict on the dissolution cases to stay calm whatever the decision.

In Bangkok, people were expected to gather in front of the Constitution Tribunal offices, the parties' headquarters and at Sanam Luang. In the provinces, people were expected to assemble at the branch offices of the two big parties and at public parks.

From the BBC

Last week the Thai King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, expressed concern about the court ruling on whether the country's two main parties should be disbanded.

You have the responsibility to prevent the country from collapsing, he warned Constitutional Court judges in a rare televised address last week.

He said that whatever the verdict, the judges would face criticism. The Constitutional Court is due to decide on 30 May if the former ruling Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party and its main opposition Democrat Party violated election law during last year's political crisis.

If the Constitutional Court judges find the two parties guilty, both face being disbanded. Their top leadership, including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is currently in exile abroad, could be banned from politics for five years.

There are fears that a ruling against Thai Rak Thai might prompt street demonstrations, with a former Thai Rak Thai deputy threatening to mobilise thousands of protesters if the court rules against it. But if Thai Rak Thai is not disbanded, analysts fear that the justification for the military coup that ousted Thai Rak Thai would be undermined.

 
Drinks makers protest against advertising ban

From The Nation

A group of home-made distilled spirit and Thai wine producers yesterday poured their liquor on the ground in front of Parliament House to protest against the new alcohol control bill, which they said will put them out of business


They delivered a letter of protest to the National Legislative Assembly committee considering the proposed law.

Their protest rally followed an earlier forum titled The Crisis of Local Distilled Spirit and Thai Wine Industry under the New Alcohol Control Act. It was organised by the Network of Local Distilled Spirit and Thai Wine Producers and the Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand.

The forum was told the proposed law would impact more than 8,000 individual producers engaged in home-made distilled spirit and wine. It would also leave 100,000 people working in the industry jobless.

About 50 of the distilled spirit and Thai wine producers then rallied in front of Parliament House to pour their liquor on the ground in protest.

Charoen Charoenchai, the dean of the Faculty of Home Economics Technology at Rajamangala University of Technology said most producers of home-made distilled spirits and wine sell their products in their own communities and at some trade fairs, including OTOP fairs, as well as through mobile sales: If the new alcohol control act is implemented, small home-made producers will be prohibited from selling their products at fairs or even using their mobile sales force.

The Thai Wine Association, which consists of major grape-wine manufacturers, also urged the authorities yesterday to review the proposed total ban on advertising alcoholic drinks, which it said would destroy the Bt500-million domestic wine industry.

Association president Visooth Lohitnavy said Thai wine-makers need advertising and other marketing activities to build their brands, to compete with imported wine products.

The proposed advertising ban  would even lead Thai customers to rely only on imported wines, which are better established in the local market, he said. Imported wines now hold almost a 90%share of the local industry.

 
Visa runner refused entry back into Thailand

Based on an article from Chiangmai Mail
See also debate on Thai Visa

An expat endured a penniless week in Laos after being denied re-entry to Thailand on what began as an ordinary visa trip.

Having left Chiang Khong in Thailand and crossed the Mekong River into Laos 2 weeks ago, Alain was horrified to be refused re-entry because he did not possess an outbound air ticket from Thailand.

All the Thai official would say was ‘The law is the law’ over and over again said Alain.

After receiving 5,000b from the friend, Alain paid the guest house and embarked on a bone-shaking 29 hour bus ride to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

In Vientiane I met a Frenchman I hadn’t seen for 6 years and he helped me to get a tourist visa. My re-entry across the Friendship Bridge into Nongkhai was so smooth I could hardly believe it!

 
Public parks to be banned from within 500m of a school?

Based on an article from The Nation

A survey of students and parents in Bangkok has unveiled that many vices and temptations can be found within 500 metres of educational institutions.

The Social Development and Human Security Ministry held a gathering to "uncover the black zones around schools".

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham, Deputy Education Minister Varakorn Samkoses and related agencies, such as the Royal Thai Police, Bangkok administrators, students and parents.

It sought to discuss the dangers and avenues of vice close to schools to help coordinate efforts to clear up the areas.

Paiboon detailed a study where 453 students and parents linked to 12 sample schools in Bangkok were questioned. The survey showed that many schools had vice outlets within 500m - from game and Internet shops, to shops that sell cigarettes and liquor, and places where pornography could be seen or purchased, as well as entertainment venues.

Around my school are gambling venues owned by some parents. They attract students who play and lose money, so students end up having to work to clear their debts by selling drugs in schools, Tivaporn Petchgrab, who heads the Bang Khunthien Youth council, claimed: Public parks are another harmful place - such as Suan Somdejya park at Rama 2 and Saphan Buddha bridge - where gangs of boys deceive girls to join them in car races called 'Dek Van', then rape them.

Paiboon said the government wanted cooperation from police to confront the problem, to protect children from dangerous attractions that may lead to ruin.

 
International restrictions on liquids in planes apply to Thailand from June 1st

From the Bangkok Post

From June 1, air passengers flying out of Thailand will be prohibited from carrying liquids, with the exception of baby milk and medications, exceeding 100 millilitres on board their planes.

The Aviation Department is imposing the ban in line with the directive of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The ban covers all kinds of containers, including water, beverage, cream, lotion, oil, perfume, hair gel, spray, bath gel, foam, toothpaste and deodorant.

Containers of lesser capacities are allowed but must be placed in transparent and re-sealable plastic bags.

Exempted from the ban are milk and liquid foods for infants and liquid medicines with proper prescriptions.

Airports of Thailand board member Chirmsak Pinthong said passengers who buy liquid products from airport duty-free shops would be issued special seals and certificates to be introduced soon.

 
Screwed by the British Embassy

From The Guardian see full article

A Blackpool businessman who spent more than 17 years in jail in Thailand, including two years chained up on death row, last night attacked the Foreign Office for its failure to help him and other British prisoners abroad.

John Davies, who has just arrived back in England after being freed from a life sentence in Bangkok, said he had always protested his innocence but had received little help from the British authorities.

Davies, who had a labour contracting and helicopter servicing business in Thailand, was arrested in 1990 and accused of heroin dealing. He claimed he had been framed. He was sentenced to death.

Once you're on death row, the chains are welded to your ankle and they can only take them off with a wheel cutter after they've shot you or your sentence is reduced, he said yesterday. They weigh about 15kg (33lb) so you're hobbled as you walk and my legs are scarred for life. Many of the others sentenced with me died before the sentence was carried out because they became so ill.

On some occasions there were 24 of us in a cell of 26 sq metres and on a couple of occasions the guy beside me died. The conditions could be so dirty that I had a small cut on my foot which got infected with tap water and swelled up to twice the size so they thought they might have to amputate.

He spent time in three jails, including Bang Kwang, the notorious "Bangkok Hilton". Although he said he had been the victim of corruption by people seeking rewards for convictions, he added: I like Thailand and I like the Thais. He said that he and other British prisoners received much worse treatment than other Europeans because the embassy and Foreign Office had done little to help them. I felt totally let down by the embassy, he said. He claimed that inaccurate information about him had been supplied to the Thais and this had affected his case. The BBC News stated that this included a letter falsely stating that Davies had a record of drug crime in the UK.

Davies, who has a previous conviction in the UK in the 1960s for obtaining money by deception, has written an account of his time inside which he hopes will be published.

His return home was welcomed by Fair Trials Abroad which campaigned for his release. Catherine Wolthuizen of FTA said: John's case was riddled with inconsistencies and flaws. His conviction is currently under review in Thailand, and we are hopeful it will be overturned.

 
400,000 Baht capital option for visa extension based on marriage to be withdrawn

From Thai Visa

While at the Pattaya Immigration for my 90 day report I asked about the 400,000 baht bank requirement for the marriage non-o extension. This option is only available to those who opted to show the capital before the visa regulations were changed in October 2006. New applicants must show a 40,000 Baht income from the husband and/or wife.

Captain Pattraporn of Pattaya Immigration said that from October 2007 the 400,000 Baht capital option would be withdrawn and all applicants would have to show 40,000 Baht monthly family income.

Update: Denied

Senior immigration officials have since denied the story reported above

 
Valuables go missing through airport 'security'

From The Nation

There have been numerous reports of theft at Suvarnabhumi Airport, police say, including at least two from tourists who say their valuables disappeared while they were being scanned.

German tourist Dr Richard Chrobop said his 2.5-karat diamond ring, worth about Bt500,000, disappeared while going through a scanner at the airport when he was flying back to Germany on April 24.

Police also received a complaint yesterday from a Japanese tourist who said 800 euros (Bt 35,400) in cash disappeared from his bag while it was being scanned at the airport.

Photographs retrieved from the scanning machine show that Chrobop's diamond ring disappeared after it entered the machine, said an airport official.

Piyarat Donbandit, a relative of the doctor, filed a complaint with Rachadheva Police on his behalf. Piyarat said Chrobop put a jacket and other possessions, including the ring, into a basket to pass through the scanning machine at the departure exit. The ring was gone when the basket came out from the other side.

Airport staff refused the doctor's request to meet police but gave him a compensation claim form and rushed him to his plane, Piyarat said.

The official declined, however, to comment further, saying it might affect the reputation of Airports of Thailand.

 
Explodes in Bangkok

From the Bangkok Post

A bomb went off near a public phone booth on Bangkok's Ratchawithi road last night, slightly injuring one man, police said. The explosion took place at 9.40pm at Soi Ratchawithi 24.. Police said the bomb was planted near an electric pole.

One man sustained cuts to his hands and face.

Assistant army chief and deputy secretary-general of the Council for National Security Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr had warned of possible terrorist attacks in Bangkok.

 
15 minutes of darkness to help combat global warning

From Pattaya Daily News

Bangkok‘s administrators called on households and businesses in the Thai capital to switch off lights next Wednesday to raise awareness about global warming.

The 15 minute-long "lights out" at 7 p.m. in the city of over 10 million will be part of an effort to show city dwellers how much they can contribute by altering their consumption behavior only slightly.

 
Foreign workers under curfew and limited from phones and transport

From The Nation

Phuket may have acquired a global reputation for warmth and hospitality, but since late last year authorities there have imposed controls on migrant workers that are so stringent they may violate fundamental human rights.

Phuket provincial authorities now prohibit migrant workers from leaving their residence after 8pm, unless they are under the supervision of their employer.

They also keep tabs on their mobile phones and prohibit them from getting behind the wheel or driving a motorbike.

Deputy governor Worapot Ratthasima said that the province had issued 10 such administrative regulations since last December 19.

They are meant to control the 32,070 migrant workers from Burma, Laos and Cambodia who have registered to work on the island since last year.

Employers were required to submit a list of their migrant workers who have mobiles, the registration numbers of the phones and the names of those who own the phones and SIM cards to the provincial authorities, Worapot said.

Worapot said Phuket pioneered these regulations, which followed complaints from Thai residents who wanted controls on migrant workers using mobile phones, riding motorcycles and going out at night.

Eight upper-South provinces with a high number of migrant workers have followed Phuket's lead, including Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Migrant workers in Ranong are prohibited from leaving their residence between 10pm and 6am unless their employer gives permission or they face a health emergency, said Governor Kanchanapa Khiman.

Seven regulations for migrant workers have been in effect in the province since February, she said.

In Ranong, migrant workers are prohibited from gathering in groups of five or more - unless they are working - in order to prevent illegal activities, the governor said.

The regulations were imposed on migrant workers following discussions on security issues between upper-South provinces and the commander of Army Region 4.

They are also a response to complaints from employers, Kanchanapa said. Some had complained they could not understand when they were listening to their migrant workers speaking Burmese over the phone, she explained.

Despite the controls, migrant workers can still use mobile phones but only under certain conditions, she said, adding that the regulation was not a violation of their human rights, but rather a move to protect national security.

National Human Rights Commissioner Surasee Kosolnavin disagrees. It is a basic human right to allow people to speak with each other, he said. Using national security as a justification is unconvincing, because Thailand is not at war, he said. Migrant workers are human.

 
Dumbest crime victim

Is it heart warming, a chronicle of abuse or simply one of the stupidest crimes ever committed?

From The Nation

An opportunist thief drove off from a Bangkok police station late on Tuesday with a police sergeant's pickup, without knowing that the officer's six year old daughter was asleep in the back.

The theft took place some time between 9pm and 10:30pm at the Lad Krabang Police Station. But it was not until 3am yesterday that more than 100 taxi drivers were involved in their collective heroism by tracking down the 25 year-old thief. They spotted him driving the stolen vehicle in Nonthaburi.

Cabbie Somsak chased after thief Tewa Parnses, as did many other taxis. When the pickup went past the Kae Lai intersection and turned left in the direction of Sanam Bin Nam, a taxi driver cut in front of it.

When I cut my vehicle in front, I was also thinking in my head of what I would do if the thief pulled out a gun and shot me. Still, my wish to help the girl and arrest the thief was so strong, said taxi driver Prasert Chairatleetrakoon.

By the time Nonthaburi police arrived, at the entrance to Soi Tiwanont 11, more than 100 taxis had surrounded the stolen car. Tewa attempted to flee the scene, but the taxi drivers helped to arrest him.

Speaking after his arrest, Tewa said he did not know the vehicle belonged to a policeman and he did not know there was a girl inside when he stole the car.

It's simply that the motorcycle I was riding ran out of petrol in front of the police station. When I looked around, I saw the pickup was unlocked and its engine was running. So I decided to get in, he said.
 
Tewa is now facing charges of stealing property from a government compound at night and illegally detaining a minor.

From The Nation

The father of a six-year-old girl who was napping inside his pickup truck when it was stolen on Tuesday night said yesterday the theft caught him off guard since the vehicle was parked at his police station and within his sight.

Police Sergeant Akradej Makasen said he left the engine running and the air conditioner on so his daughter, Namfon, could sleep comfortably. The doors were also left unlocked.
The child often stayed in his pickup in the parking lot of Lat Krabang Police Station while he was working the night shift and his wife was selling food from a push cart about 40 metres away, he said.

While the pickup was driven through the streets of the city, his daughter slept soundly through it all, oblivious to what was happening, he said: Even after they stopped the vehicle and took the guy away, she was still sleeping. I didn't tell her about the incident since I didn't want to scare her.

I can't say how glad I am to have my child and car back. I will never leave her in the car again. I will likely have to ask a neighbour to help look after her while my wife and I go out to work

 
Monks and 9 elephants march on Bangkok

It always seems a remarkably ill advised idea to allow religions to get established in the governance of a country. The religious leaders are listened to as if they were speaking for a god, when of course in reality, they are only speaking for themselves.

From the BBC

Hundreds of Thai monks have led nine elephants in a march on parliament calling for Buddhism to be enshrined as the country's official religion.

They were joined by more than 1,000 supporters who also want Buddhism to be declared the national religion in the new post-coup constitution.

The leaders behind last September's coup have indicated they may be willing to bow to the monks' demands.

Critics fear it could inflame tensions in the Muslim-majority deep south.

Correspondents described a colourful procession as monks dressed in saffron-robes walked alongside the nine elephants 30km (18 miles) from Bangkok's western suburbs to parliament.

Police had asked the protesters not to bring the elephants for fear the scorching heat would make them difficult to control, but they relented as the march continued into the city.

Our only demand is to have the clause 'Buddhism is Thailand's national religion' included in the new constitution. It's the opinion of the majority of Thais, protest spokesman Tongkhao Phuangrodpang told the AFP news agency.

Coup leader and army commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said he expected the committee drafting the constitution to "review its decision on this issue". If a stipulation in the charter to this effect leads to peace in the country, then it is better that it is included. He recommended adding a clause, saying the government will take care of other religions, including Christianity and Islam.

A draft of the new constitution, released last week, keeps the same wording as previous constitutions - that the state will protect all faiths, with no mention of Buddhism as the national religion.

 
Authorities get all worked up over very little

From The Nation

A complaint was lodged with the Culture Ministry's monitoring centre over performers from a mor lam sing troupe, who allegedly took their clothes off during a show, staged at a religious rite in Samut Songkhram.

Performers, organisers and hirers of pornographic shows will be punished, National Police deputy commissioner General Wongkot Maneerin said yesterday. Offenders would face a fine of up to Bt500, if convicted.

Mor lam sing is an Isaan-style performance with fast-step dancing, and a modern version of the slower mor lam. They do big shows on outdoor stages with singers and lots of dancers, usually in cute little outfits.

Wongkot said he had ordered police stations across the country to draw up a list of people who organise or perform in such shows so that police could check on their performances.

Wongkot said a subcommittee on illegal-media planned to set up three units to comprehensively suppress illegal activities. There will be monitoring, legal and investigation units, he said.

Meanwhile, national artist Chaweewan Pantu - known as the "Mor Lam Queen" - urged the Culture Ministry to take action against improper performances by mor lam troupes: I have heard that some dancers of these groups offer sex services too.

From the Bangkok Post

The story from the Nation was reported in the Bangkok Post with coyotee dancers conveniently substituted for mor lam sing dancers

From Pattaya Daily News

5 pretty Russian girls in sexy bikinis and thongs, promoting the Supercars Rally 2007 on 21st April 2007, offended the sensibilities of some Pattaya residents by posing near the king’s image in front of Pattaya City Hall. A report was made at 5 pm to the Mayor of Pattaya City complaining of the indecent dress and behaviour, which was considered disrespectful to the king.

The rally was arranged by the Supercar Club of Thailand and the Central World Shopping Centre to donate income to The King.

The complaint asked that the Mayor of Pattaya get the police to move the entourage in their sexy apparel back to the hotel and out of sight.

 
King, Country and Religion

A reader contribution

There is a controversy currently brewing over a provision in the proposed Thai Constitution that names Buddhism as the country's official religion. The simple fact that there is a controversy is a bit baffling.

It is a bit hard to understand the concern of that small percentage of non-Buddhist Thais and some foreign visitors that their religion-of-choice may someday be banned in favor of Buddhism. History would seem to suggest that their concerns are unfounded. As a whole, and particularly in Thailand, Buddhists seem very tolerant of other religions being practiced openly in their courtyard.

On the other hand, there are only a few countries in the world where a particular religion seems to be firmly embedded in and identified with the secular culture. Thailand is one of those. It is hard to imagine a Thailand without Buddhism. It is totally unfathomable to foresee a Thai monarch who is not Buddhist.

Over the course of recorded history, monarchs on every continent have seen fit to switch religions and pull (sometimes drag) the people of the country into that same religion. The conversion of Thais to Buddhism dates back to just about the same time as the foundations of the Thai culture as various nomadic groups banded together as Thais.

For any number of years, Thais have adhered to a motto of King, Country, Religion. The word for religion is that of Buddhism. The Thai love of King and Country seems to stem largely from Buddhist roots. The three are truly inseparable. That is not to say that a Christian or Muslim Thai cannot love both King and Country, yet without that third piece something does seem a bit unfinished. Both the basic tenets and the ceremonial aspects of Thai Buddhism are so ingrained in the workings of the monarchy that one simply cannot imagine this Country without that King to Religion (Buddhist) link.

As one long-term-resident foreigner and non-Buddhist, I do not feel threatened that the Thais want to encode Buddhism into this Constitution. Nor would I ascribe to this idea any ulterior motives. One can always take heart in knowing that unlike the King, Country and Religion, any Constitution in Thailand is likely to be short-lived.

 
First draft complete

From the BBC

The first draft of a new constitution for Thailand has been agreed by a committee appointed by the military council that led last September's coup.

The draft will be presented to the public later this month before being put to a referendum.

Many of the details agreed by the 35-member drafting committee have already been made public. One of the draft constitution's main objectives appears to be to limit the power of elected politicians. It could perhaps be best described as the anti-Thaksin constitution.

It would limit prime ministers to just two four-year terms in office, reduce members of parliament from 500 to 400, and cut the number of senators from 200 to 160, who will now be appointed, not elected.

The number of MPs needed to introduce a motion of no-confidence in the prime minister has also been reduced, from two-thirds, to just a quarter.

Those involved in the drafting say the intention is to prevent the kind of abuses of power carried out by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin was accused of using his enormous personal wealth to buy senators and to cripple the functioning of the independent bodies that had been set up under the old constitution as checks and balances.

The most controversial proposal - to have a non-elected prime minister - has been dropped.

 
British Embassy official outed amongst Bangkok's red lights

Maybe a bit unfair to expect embassy officials to be holier then the rest of us...but... they are such 'holier than thou' shits when it comes to rejecting visas for bar girls.

The blog has now understandably been deleted

From Thai Visa

A British envoy in Thailand has learned that writing a blog can open the door to some very undiplomatic exchanges -- on delicate subjects such as his trips to Bangkok's famed red-light districts.

The trouble started after Ian Proud, who heads the British Embassy's political division, accepted an offer to become an honorary blogger this week on the Web site of The Nation, an English-language newspaper in Thailand.

What ensued could better be described as a case of a blog gone wild. Proud's picture appeared with the blog, prompting several Web surfers to post comments saying they had seen him around town, particularly at Bangkok's red-light districts.

The blog had attracted more than 3,000 viewers and about 100 postings since its start two days earlier.

I recall going to the embassy once and that same night I was down on Cowboy and who did I bump into? Yes, it was Ian, wrote Edwardio Shanks, referring to the famous Soi Cowboy which is packed with go-go bars and Western men on the prowl.

Simon Peltier wrote, I saw him walking arm-in-arm with a girl that could only be described as '2 dollar whore.' I bet that girl got a visa no problem.

In an ineterview Proud denied some of the posts, but did not deny familiarity with the red-light districts and insisted he did not patronize them on "a regular basis.": I'm not going to complain that I've never been there. But at the same time, the suggestion that I'm some sort of upholder of the sex trade in Bangkok ...It's pathetic, frankly.

Postings were not exclusively about Proud's wanderings through Bangkok's nightlife. Some readers complained about the consular office's visa section and hurled criticism at British diplomats in general, while others wished Proud well in his future endeavors or urged him to stop blogging to save his pride.

Visas and the refusal of requests are clearly a bugbear for those who posted comments, even though they are not Proud's responsibility.

The Nation's editor, Tulsathit Taptim, is discussing with Proud whether to continue the blog. Ian loves to get the reaction and he found it really fun over the first two days.

Whether the Foreign Office will be similarly amused is another thing: Mr Proud did not anticipate the controversy so did not seek clearance.

Next month he will take a career break and marry Lek, his Thai girlfriend, if she'll still have me after all this.

 
King pardons man sentenced to 10 years for insult

From The Times (UK)

Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej last night freed a Swiss tourist who was jailed for ten years for insulting him.

Oliver Jufer from Switzerland, was released from Chiang Mai prison two weeks after being sentenced. (Held on remand since last year though)

His sentence was reduced after he signed an apology.

Update: Deported

Jufer has now been escorted out of the country and on to a plane back to Switzerland

Nobody injured

From Forbes

A small bomb exploded has outside a Bangkok shopping center that had also been targeted in a wave of New Year's Eve attacks, police said.

No one was injured when the device blew up at a phone booth in front of the shopping and cinema complex in the northern Major Ratchayothin district.

There is a row of three phone booths and the bomb exploded in one of them. The glass was shattered, but there were no casualties, Bangkok city police spokesman Colonel Supisan Pakdinarunart said.

Army officials have warned of possible attacks during upcoming Buddhist New Year celebrations, which begin Friday and run over five days.

New visa run restrictions?

From Thai Visa

Early days on the story but:

I did a visa run by land to Poipet. the Thai immigration officer (on the exit side) stapled the following notice into my passport:

The aliens entering kingdom with no visa must present ticket or travel documents that have been paid already or confirmed to exit the kingdom and must not exceed 30 days upon the date of entrance to the kingdom.

Anyway, the immigration officer on the entry side gave me 11 days (the remainder of my 90 on visa-exempt status) and sent me on my way. She did mention, though, that next time I would indeed have to show an onward ticket.

Update: Onward Ticket Requirement Confirmed

The requirement to have an onward ticket when entering Thailand on a 30 day visa exempt stamp has been added to travel and embassy around the world so it appears that it will soon be enforced

eg IATA visa information now reads:

• Visa not required for a max. stay of 30 days, provided coming for touristic purposes. Extension up to 10 days is possible. Fee THB 500.- (1 photo required).
• If passport is valid less than 30 days, stay will only be permitted up to the validity of the passport.
• Note: there is a max. limit of a total of 90 days within
  any 6 month period.
• Return/onward ticket is required.
• Entry may be refused if of "hippy" appearance.
• Visitor must hold all documents for next destination.
• If being over 12 years old, visitor must also hold sufficient funds to cover stay (at least THB 20,000.- or USD 500.- per person/family). Proof of funds includes letter of credit, vouchers, MCO's or well-known credit cards

Update: Airport Signs

12th June

Signs have appeared at Suvarnabhumi Airport entry immigration indicating that you need to show, Passport, Landing Card, Boarding Pass and Onward ticket/e-ticket printout.

It seems that people without a visa in their passports are liable to having to present their onward travel ticket (booked for travel within the 30 day entry being sought).

Tickets are being asked for selectively but their is no obvious pattern as to who is being asked.

Travellers with visas in their passports do not need to show an onward ticket.

Stickman's Guide to Bangkok

Stick Mark II starts a weekly column

From Stickman

The very popular weekly column has returned to the Stickman website.

There is a new author writing under the name Stick Mark II.  However the format is very much the same as before with a main piece, letters, nightlife news, general news and ask the missus (now Miss Udon)