Ex-Democrat deputy Prinn jailed for sexual abuse

Ex-Democrat deputy Prinn jailed for sexual abuse
Prinn: First case decided

Prinn Panitchpakdi, a former deputy leader of the Democrat Party, has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison without suspension for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old student in 2021, the Office of the Attorney General said.

Deputy spokesman Kosolwat Inthuchanyong said the prison sentence was handed down by the Bangkok South Criminal Court on Aug 10.

Prosecutors presented the court with evidence that Prinn lured the student into meeting him at a rooftop restaurant on Soi Sukhumvit 11 and later sexually molested her.

This occurred in 2021 and she filed a complaint with Lumpini police in April 2022.

The court found Prinn guilty and sentenced him to two years and eight months imprisonment without suspension.

This was the first of many similar cases filed against Prinn.

Mr Kosolwat said the Bangkok South Criminal Court was scheduled to deliver a judgement in a second sexual assault case against Prinn on Sept 25.

In other cases, the court is still examining witnesses.

After the first case was made public, Prinn resigned as deputy leader of the Democrat Party in charge of the party’s economic team. He denied the allegation against him.

More cases against Prinn were brought to public attention by lawyer Sittra Biabangkerd, who led the complainants to file charges with police.

Mr Sittra claimed that up to 10 women had been sexually assaulted by the former MP.

At least five victims were raped while others were sexually molested, he alleged.

Prinn is the son of Supachai Panitchpakdi, a former deputy prime minister, a former director-general of the World Trade Organisation and a former secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

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Rayong candidates sign pact

Rayong: Candidates contesting the province’s by-election on Sept 10 have signed a pact agreeing to keep away from fraudulent practices in the race to represent the province, according to the province’s election committee.

The candidates — Pongsathorn Sornphetnarin from the Move Forward Party (MFP), Democrat Banyat Jettanachan and Pol Sub-Lt Ruangchai Sombatphuthon from the Nation Building Labour Party — agreed to not resort to corrupt or fraudulent actions during the campaign.

The campaign was organised to educate voters on election regulations and what the candidates can do to make the by-election free and fair. The by-election was called following the resignation of MFP MP Nakornchai Khunnarong on Aug 3, after it was revealed he had served 18 months in prison for theft 24 years ago.

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Insurgents ‘made fake bombs’

Insurgents 'made fake bombs'

Members of an insurgent group are believed to be responsible for hanging up a banner and spray-painting pro-insurgency messages as well as planting a fake bomb in four districts.

Pol Col Apakorn Wirupakarak, superintendent of the Ra-ngae police station, yesterday was alerted to the banner and the discovery of what turned out to be a fake bomb in Ban Thong village in tambon Tanyongmat of Rangae district.

Written on the banners in Thai was: “Does long-lasting peace really exist?”

The banner was tied between a rubber tree and a power pole along a village road. Suspects also sprayed the same message with red paint on the road.

Five metres away from the banner, authorities found a cylinder tied to a power pole. It had two electric cords sticking out of it, according to Pol Col Apakorn.

He said security authorities, as well as the bomb disposal squad and officers from the provincial forensic science office, arrived to investigate.

The bomb disposal unit confirmed the cylinder was a fake bomb, supposedly installed to mislead officers.

Pol Col Apakorn said officers had taken down the banner and erased the message on the road.

Similar banners with the same message were also found in other districts of Cho Airong, Bacho and Yi-ngo districts.

Pol Col Apakorn said the authorities have collected evidence from the scenes for further forensic examination.

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MP faces legal action for craft beer video

Public health office in Padipat Suntiphada’s home province joins the fray

MP faces legal action for craft beer video
Deputy House Speaker and Move Forward MP Padipat Suntiphada maintains that small-scale beer and liquor producers face many disadvantages under current laws that protect giant players. (Photo: Padipat Suntiphada Facebook)

The provincial public health office in Phitsanulok is seeking to prosecute Deputy House Speaker Padipat Suntiphada for publicising craft beer.

The office is acting as the law enforcement agency under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act in the case against Mr Padipat, who is also a Move Forward MP from the province.

Dr Nipon Chinanonvech, director of the Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee, said other parties had filed similar complaints against Mr Padipat over a video that circulated on social media showing him raising a glass of craft beer supposedly produced in Phitsanulok.

Mr Padipat has denied the video was an advertising stunt. He also criticised the ban on promoting craft beer, saying it was deterring local brewers from spreading the word about their products.

It was later reported that the beer in question was being produced on an industrial scale in another province.

The Move Forward Party has been outspoken in its support of small-scale brewers and distillers. It has championed what it called a Progressive Liquor Bill that would remove some of the impediments in the current laws, which effectively prevent all but a handful of giant players from competing successfully.

Last week, political activist Srisuwan Janya submitted a petition with the Department of Disease Cntrol against Mr Padipat.

Mr Srisuwan said the law bars politicians from committing any act intended to persuade people to drink alcohol. The offence is punishable by up to a year in prison, a maximum fine of 500,000 baht, or both.

Numerous people, including some celebrities, have been brought to book for posting pictures of themselves with a glass or bottle of their favourite tipple, on their personal social media. If a label, logo or brand name is visible, fines can range from 50,000 to 500,000 baht.

Media outlets routinely receive warnings from authorities if they carry pictures or video in their news reports of alcoholic beverages with product labels.

Dr Nipon said the provincial public health office had written to the governor of Phitsanulok to inform him about the case of Mr Padipat.

A similar letter was sent to other agencies including the provincial excise office. They might also lodge a legal complaint against Mr Padipat if they establish that he has broken any law they have a duty to enforce.

“Once we’ve finished interviewing witnesses, we might invite the MP to provide information,” Dr Nipon said.

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Srettha royally appointed as PM

New leader pledges to work ‘tirelessly’ to bring unity, prosperity and equal opportunity

Srettha royally appointed as PM
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pays his respects to a portrait of His Majesty the King during a ceremony to mark his royal appointment to the office of prime minister at the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday evening. (Pool photo)

New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday pledged to bring unity to Thailand and promote policies that would solve crises and move the country forward.

Mr Srettha made the pledge after receiving the royal command appointing him the country’s 30th prime minister, vowing to work at his best with transparency and morality for the public interest.

The nationally televised appointment ceremony started slightly after 6pm at the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party, which leads the new 11-party coalition government. House secretary-general Pornpit Phetcharoen delivered the written royal command announcing the appointment.

She then announced that His Majesty the King had appointed Mr Srettha as prime minister as he had received a majority vote from a joint sitting of the House and the Senate on Tuesday.

Mr Srettha then paid his respects to a portrait of His Majesty the King and made some brief remarks.

The former property tycoon said that he would do his best to serve the public interest, all royal commands and uphold all the aspects of the constitution.

He thanked House representatives, senators, Thai people, government officials, police, the military and all organisations for their support. He also expressed his gratitude to the coalition parties, the civil sector and the private sector for their confidence in him.

“I will work with determination, morality and honesty for the public interest,” Mr Srettha said. ”The four years from now will be four years of change. Thailand is at a turning point and needs urgent solutions to economic, public, security and international issues.”

He promised to push for macroeconomic and household development alike, ensure transparent national administration, adhere to monetary and financial discipline, respect laws and rules and promote public participation and inclusiveness.

“The government of the Pheu Thai Party will work hard to bring prosperity to all groups of Thai people equally and make the country the land of happiness. I will work tirelessly,” Mr Srettha said.

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No VIP room for Thaksin, say police

Even the air-con is faulty, say authorities debunking reports of special treatment at Police General Hospital

No VIP room for Thaksin, say police
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is staying on the 14th floor of Police General Hospital but the accommodation is not nearly as posh as online gossip has been reporting, say authorities. (Photo: Chainwit via Wikimedia Commons)

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was not admitted to a VIP room at Police General Hospital and even the air-conditioning where he is staying is not up to par, authorities said on Wednesday.

Hospital staff had to provide two electric fans to make it comfortable for the high-profile patient who arrived overnight from Bangkok Remand Prison, said Pol Lt Gen Dr Sophonrat Singhajaru, chief physician at the hospital.

He also denied that the room where Thaksin is staying had a beautiful view. In fact it is adjacent to a glass wall and thus quite hot, the hospital chief said.

Dr Sophonrat was responding to reports and images circulating online, which purported to show a VIP room that resembled a five-star hotel suite on the 14th floor of the state hospital. Another image showed a view of the green expanse of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.

Thaksin, 74, returned to Thailand on Tuesday after more than 15 years in self-exile abroad. Within a matter of hours he appeared in court, was sentenced to eight years in prison and taken to the Bangkok Remand Centre.

Prison officials placed him on a medical ward as he was found to be suffering from a variety of ailments, but within a few hours he was on the move again.

According to Dr Sophonrat, Police General Hospital was not contacted beforehand about the transfer.

At the Correctional Hospital, Thaksin was found to be suffering from acute chest pain, low blood oxygen and very high blood pressure. Doctors there tried to lower his blood pressure but with only limited success. They then decided to make an urgent referral to Police General Hospital, which has an agreement with the Department of Corrections to admit seriously ill patients in its custody.

Thaksin arrived at Police General Hospital in a Department of Corrections vehicle, the hospital chief said.

A blood pressure test showed a systolic pressure reading of 170, which is considered severely high. He was brought to the 14th floor of the Maha Bhumibol Rachanusorn 88 Phansa Building. Earlier the floor was reserved for Covid-19 patients, said Dr Sophonrat.

The hospital chief also denied a report that another patient had been discharged to clear a room for the billionaire former premier, who would have to pay for his treatment, he added.

Thaksin was receiving saline solution and a team of six doctors has been formed to treat him at Police General Hospital.

The team included doctors specialised in heart and lung disease and Covid-19 treatment. Thaksin was not chained because the law spares convicts younger than 16 years or older than 70 from any confinement tools that could otherwise obstruct treatment, Dr Sophonrat said.

Doctors reviewed Thaksin’s medical records from abroad and found that he had been receiving regular treatment for several conditions, he said.

Thaksin was said to be feeling slightly better on Wednesday morning. He still has high blood pressure and is being given oxygen via a nasal cannula. He can communicate but is tired and short of breath, his doctors reported.

Doctors have banned all visitors and are unable to predict how long Thaksin would have to stay at Police General Hospital, Dr Sophonrat said.

Sahakarn Phetnarin, deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry of Justice, said that if Thaksin were to be discharged from Police General Hospital, he would not be referred to any private hospital.

There had been unconfirmed reports earlier that one option under consideration was to have Thaksin brought to Praram 9 Hospital, in which the Shinawatra family are major shareholders.

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TAO officials face charges over deadly fireworks explosion

TAO officials face charges over deadly fireworks explosion
Firefighters extinguish embers around destroyed homes after the explosion a Ban Muno in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat, on July 29. (Photo: AFP)

The chairman and three other officials of the Muno tambon administration organisation (TAO) will be charged with criminal negligence in connection with the huge fireworks explosion that killed people and flattened a community in Narathiwat on July 29, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said on Wednesday.

The explosion at an illegal warehouse in Ban Muno, Sungai Kolok district, caused 12 deaths injured 121 other people and destroyed or damaged 292 homes. 

Pol Gen Surachate said the Muno TAO was responsible for reporting the construction of the warehouse to five agencies – the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Labour and the Internal Security Operations Command. It had failed to do so.

He said warrants had been issued for the arrest of four TAO officials, including the chairman, on negligence charges under Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

The four officials had admitted to having given permission for the construction of the warehouse, Pol Gen Surachate said.

There was also evidence of transfers of money from the accounts of the warehouse owners, 3,000-4,000 baht at a time, to local police.  An investigation would establish if the money was intended as a bribe. If so, legal action would also be taken against the police involved, he said.

Pol Gen Surachate said investigators had confirmed that 11 fireworks factories in Bangkok had delivered fireworks to the warehouse in tambon Muno in Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district. They were checking whether the fireworks had been shipped through the customs office at Lam Chabang port.

On Wednesday, at Government House, caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha handed over 107.8 million baht from the PM’s Office disaster relief fund for distribution to victims of the Muno explosion .Of the total, 100.4 million baht was for repairs to houses and 7.4 million baht for relatives of those killed and injured. The money was passed to Narathiwat governor Sanan Pong-aksorn.

Arrest warrants have been issued for the warehouse owners, a married couple reported to have fled to Malaysia.

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Renegade Democrat MPs face party probe

Defied resolution to abstain; hoped to join coalition

Renegade Democrat MPs face party probe
Members of the Democrat Party attend the general assembly at the Miracle Grand Hotel in Bangkok on July 9 to elect a new party leader and executive committee. The meeting collapsed due to lack of a quorum. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

The 16 Democrat MPs who voted to support Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai Party as prime minister on Tuesday had defied the party resolution to abstain, caretaker Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit said on Wednesday.

They had been asked to explain their actions, and could face in internal party investigation, he said.

Sources said the 16 renegades had been hoping for an invitation to join the new government coalition.

Mr Jurin said a Democrat Party meeting on Aug 21, ahead of the Aug 22 parliamentary vote, passed a resolotion that its MPs should abstain, with the exception of former party leaders Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan, who asked for and received party permission to vote against Mr Srettha’s nomination.

In defiance of the party resolution, 16 of the party’s 25 MPs voted for Mr Srettha without giving prior notice.

Mr Jurin said he had ordered the renegade MPs to explain their actions at the next party meeting.

If party members called for the party to investigate the 16 MPs he would set up a committee to investigate them, although MPs did have the individual right to vote as they wish.

Mr Jurin did not know whether the 16 would be punished, saying only that penalties were set down in the party regulations.

Asked about a suggestion the 16 MPs had defied the resolution so that they would be expelled and could join a party in the coalition government, Mr Jurin said he had no idea. Only the MPs themselves could explain why they chose to do so.

The caretaker Democrat leader insisted the party had never assigned anyone to talk with other parties about joining the new government.

Sathit Pitutecha, a caretaker deputy party leader, said the 16 MPs had committed serious misconduct, but whether they would be expelled rested with an investigation panel. Since the misconduct was serious, the party leader could set up an investigation, he said.

Mr Chuan, a party list MP and former party leader, said it was “unbelievable” that the 16 MPs had voted in defiance of the party resolution.

He had asked for and received party permission to vote against Mr Srettha’s nomination because the Democrat Party had been at odds with the Pheu Thai Party over the distribution of development budget funds to the South, the Demcrat Party’s traditional support base. He accused Pheu Thai of curtailing funding to the South, saying it was an act of persecution.

After Tuesday’s vote for prime minister, 15 of the 16 renegade Democrat MPs made themslves unavailable for comment. The exception was Pol Maj Gen Surin Palare, a Songkhla MP. He said only that he voted for Mr Srettha because he wanted the country to move forward.

Sources said the 16 MPs belong to a faction led by Chalermchai Sri-on, the caretaker party secretary-general.

Before the vote on Tuesday, their leaders – Det-it Khaothong, a Songkhla MP, and Chaichana Detdecho, a Nakhon Si Thammarat MP – talked to Phumtham Wechayachai, a Pheu Thai deputy leader. They told Mr Phumtham they were ready to vote for Mr Srettha if he looked like falling short of the needed 375 votes, in return for being included in the coalition.

While the voting was going on in the parliament chamber, the 16 sat outside, waiting.

When the support for Mr Srettha exceded 375, they told Mr Phumtham that they would vote for Mr Srettha anyway. They allegedly offered to fill in in the event the Bhumjaithai Party, with 71 MPs, withdrew after failing to get a premium grade ministry.

The 16 Democrats then entered the parliament chamber and voted for Mr Srettha, the sources said.

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Outgoing PM Prayut reshuffling top brass

Outgoing PM Prayut reshuffling top brass
Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha speaks to reporters at Government House after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam)

Outgoing caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday congratulated his successor Srettha Thavisin, and convened a meeting to decide on the annual military reshuffle.

After a cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut told reporters that he congratulated Mr Srettha on winning the parliamentary vote for prime minister and wished him success in national administration.

Gen Prayut said his prime ministerial role will end when Mr Srettha and his new cabinet are sworn in. 

Meanwhile, he said, he would have to reshuffle some government officials, as allowed by law, to prevent problems in the future.

He did not answer reporters’ questions whether the just concluded cabinet meeting would be his last.

Sources said that Gen Prayut, who is also defence minister, had convened a committee on the annual military reshuffle on Wednesday afternoon. The committee includes the chiefs of the armed forces and defence, the deputy defence minister and the defence permanent secretary.

This year’s military reshuffle will include the appointment of four new chiefs of the armed forces and the defence forces commander, as the incumbents will retire at the end of September.

The meeting was previously scheduled for Thursday. Gen Prayut brought it forward by one day. 

A source said that Gen Prayut would also convene a meeting of the Police Commision on Friday, in his capacity as chairman, to consider the appointment of the new national police chief. The current national police chief will retire at the end of September.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Gen Prayut could approve the promotions that were necessary, because it would be another 7-10 days before the swearing-in of the new cabinet.

Earlier this month the Pheu Thai Party, which is forming the new coalition government, warned the caretaker government not to transfer senior government officials. That was before Pheu Thai announced its alliance with the Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties, part of the outgoing military-aligned government of Gen Prayut.    

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Thaksin moved to Police Hospital

Thaksin moved to Police Hospital
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra waves to supporters in front of the private jet terminal at Don Mueang airport on his return to Thailand on Tuesday morning. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Thaksin Shinawatra was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital at 12.20am Wednesday, suffering from chest pain, hypertension and low blood oxygen, the Department of Corrections said.

Deputy director-general Sitthi Sutivong said a warder at the prison reported that Thaksin could not sleep, had chest pain, hypertension and low blood oxygen while in quarantine in zone 7 of the prison.

Thaksin was admitted to the prison on Tuesday afternoon after his return to Thailand on Tuesday morning,  following a court appearance. 

A doctor at the Corrections Hospital reviewed Thaksin’s symptoms and considered his medical treatment records from overseas hospitals, which diagnosed him with underlying illnesses including ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and spondylosis. Ischemic cardiomyopathy required special observation.

As the Corrections Hospital lacked some medical equipment, the doctor decided to transfer Thaksin to Police General Hospital, which was better equipped, for his safety.

Thaksin was admitted to Police General Hospital for treatment and prison staff were deployed there in line with the regulations of the Department of Corrections, Mr Sitthi said.

The Police General Hospital said in a statement on Wednesday that a Corrections doctor checked Thaksin’s  symptoms and found his illnesses required urgent treatment. As the Department of Corrections lacked specialised doctors and equipment, Thaksin was referred to Police General Hospital, arriving about 1am on Wednesday.

Referrals of prisoners to Police General Hospital were normal in accordance with a memorandum of understanding the Department of Corrections signed with the police on May 1, 2020. 

The Police General Hospital had the proper medical equipment and enough staff to assist with security measures for prisoners, Police General Hospital said.

On Tuesday Thaksin was admitted to Bangkok Remand Prison to begin serving his eight-year jail term after returning to the country in the morning. The Supreme Court ordered his eight-year imprisonment based on his finalised cases. The Department of Corrections earlier said Thaksin was eligible to apply for a royal pardon from his first day in jail.

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