Barkar Nash (Page 1,080)

Protesters were demanding release of 15-year-old detained on royal defamation charge

Nine people were arrested after a violent confrontation outside a Bangkok police station between police and a group that had gathered in support of a 15-year old girl who has been detained for more than 40 days on a royal defamation charge.

The seven men and two women arrested included Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Orawan “Bam” Phuphong, who earlier this year staged a 52-day hunger strike to press for the release of political prisoners and the abolition of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.

The protesters began gathering at the Samran Rat police station in Phra Nakhon district at about 4pm. They wanted to talk to those in charge after learning that officers from the station were preparing to press an additional charge of defacing an archaeological site against the detained teenager known as Thanalop or “Yok”.

After the demonstrators waited in vain for two hours, they splashed and sprayed red paint on the walls and steps of the station, police vehicles and a poster with a picture of national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas. A demonstrator also broke a glass door at the station.

About 50 crowd control policemen were deployed to control the situation. Officers with riot shields assembled and a standoff ensued before some pushing and shoving led to a melee. Nine people were taken away, some dragged by their arms and legs, in three separate police vehicles. They were being held at three different police stations, according to late reports from the scene. 

The incident comes as a court is preparing to decide on Friday whether Yok can be detained for another 15 days.

The teen was arrested on March 28, the same day that a 24-year-old man was caught spray-painting a “No 112” message on the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. He is facing a charge of defacing an archaeological site, and a lese-majeste charge was added later.

Police said at the time that they had a warrant to arrest Thanalop, who was accused of insulting the monarchy during a rally in October 2022 in front of Bangkok City Hall. She was 14 at the time. Protesters at the event were calling for the release of political detainees and for the abolition of royal defamation prosecutions.

After her arrest on March 28, the girl was detained overnight at the Samran Rat station and appeared the next day in juvenile and family court, where she refused to recognise the proceedings, sitting with her back to the judge. She was ordered into detention at the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Center for Girls in Nakhon Pathom, where she remains today.

Under the Juvenile and Family Court Procedure Act, a minor must be released from detention if the prosecutor does not file charges or request a postponement within 30 days. In Thanalop’s case, the prosecution in late April requested that she be detained for an additional 15 days and the court agreed.

The law allows for as many as four 15-day postponements in cases where the offence carries a prison sentence of more than five years, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).

People convicted of lese-majeste can be sentenced to between 3 and 15 years in jail. Sentences for multiple offences can be compounded.

According to data from TLHR to April 30 this year, 1,902 people have been prosecuted for political participation and expression since the beginning of the Free Youth pro-democracy protests in July 2020. At least 242 are facing lese-majeste charges and 130 have been charged with sedition.

Crowd control policemen stand guard at the Samran Rat police station in Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok on Wednesday night after demonstrators splashed and sprayed red paint on the property. A picture of a detained teenage activist was placed in front of the policemen. (Photo supplied)

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Families of four others believed poisoned by serial killer attend service in Kanchanaburi

KANCHANABURI: The body of a woman believed to be the most recent victim of alleged serial killer Sararat “Aem” Rangsiwuthaporn was cremated on Wednesday, with families of four other cyanide poisoning victims bringing photos of their loved ones to bid farewell to her.

The family and relatives of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong held the cremation ceremony at Wat Singpaiboonpracha in Sai Yok district of Kanchanaburi at 2pm on Wednesday.

Siriporn collapsed and died beside the Mae Klong river in Ban Phong district of Ratchaburi, where she had gone with Ms Sararat to release fish for merit-making on April 14. Cyanide was found in her body.

Ms Sararat did not come to her rescue when Siriporn collapsed. The woman drove away after allegedly stealing from the victim.

A brand-name bag, a mobile phone and 50,000 baht had been missing when she collapsed, according to a placard with photos of Siriporn and other victims displayed at the temple.

Ms Sararat, 36, dubbed “Aem Cyanide”, was arrested on April 25 at the government complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok on a warrant issued by the Criminal Court.

Ms Sararat, who is four months pregnant, is being held at the Central Women’s Correctional Institute. She now faces 15 charges, 14 for premeditated murder and one for attempted murder.

Police are now following the trail of about 78 million baht that circulated through the accused’s bank accounts. The killings were motivated by money, investigators have said.

Nong Khaohom, 9, the daughter of Siriporn, said she wanted to ask Ms Sararat why she had to poison her mother to death. Now, she was left alone as her parents had separated, the girl said tearfully.

About 500 mourners attended the cremation, among them Kanchanaburi deputy governor Athisan Intra, senior police and other local officials.

Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Office, presided over the cremation and provided financial assistance to the mother of the victim.

Her mother thanked police for thoroughly gathering evidence that she and her family believed could prosecute Ms Sararat. She said she wanted the accused to receive harsh punishment.

Families of four other victims of alleged “Aem Cyanide” attend the cremation of Siriporn Khanwong at a temple in Kanchanaburi on Wednesday. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)

Nong Khaohom, 9, daughter of Siriporn, said she wanted to ask Ms Sararat why she had to poison her mother to death. Now, she was left alone as her parents separated, the girl said tearfully. (Phot: Piyarat Chongcharoen)

10 more suspects arrested in raids that targeted baccarat games offered online

Police have arrested 10 more members of an online baccarat gambling network with more than 150 million baht in circulation during raids in Bangkok and two nearby provinces

Officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) on Wednesday raided 12 locations in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan, apprehending five men and five women.

Seized from them were one million baht in cash, two rifles, three guns, five cars, two Rolex watches, 10 gold necklaces and rings, 9-baht weight (140 grammes) of gold bars, two land title deeds and eight brand-name bags, 360 Buddha amulets, a safe containing valuables and many bank passbooks and ATM cards.

The raids followed the arrest of 13 others who were members of the “Hia Jiew Talad Noi” online baccarat network, said Pol Maj Gen Athip Wongsiwaphai, the TCSD commander. Baccarat tables, decks of cards and other items were seized.

TCSD police extended the investigation and that led to the additional arrests on Wednesday, said Pol Maj Gen Athip. Three more suspects were still at large, he added.

The gambling network had about 150 million baht in circulation during the past three months, according to the police investigation.

Of the 10 suspects, some were employees who admitted offering online baccarat games via Line groups, while those who were suspected operators and partners denied any involvement.

Arrested were Atchara Sunthornchataphong, 37; Natpachet Phu-apipasthankit, 38; Lertpisit Tongjai-anan 37; Chumphon Suwanno, 38; Ms Jitthaporn Meesuk, 32; Ms Chanthima Choengwanit, 48; Ms Suthida Kitkarnthaweekhoon, 32; Thanee Theppana, 43; Ms Kanchana Sia Tia, 31; and Ms Chadaporn Siriwatthakun, 40.

Police have pressed charges of colluding in online gambling and money laundering against them. All were handed over to TCSD sub-division investigators for legal action.

Countries sharing information to keep bad actors and kidnappers out of Thailand

Thai and Chinese police are joining forces to crack down on Chinese criminals who settle in the country as well as those who arrive temporarily to victimise their compatriots here, according to the Immigration Bureau.

Chinese police were sharing information about Chinese criminals with their Thai counterparts so that Thai police including immigration officers could block them from entering the country, said Pol Maj Gen Panthana Nuchanart, deputy commissioner of the bureau.

He said the collaboration was aimed at tackling Chinese criminals who victimised their compatriots in Thailand and then escaped, as well as those who fled other countries to Thailand and established illicit businesses here.

Kidnappings for ransom of Chinese nationals in Thailand have been on the rise lately, with most of the perpetrators being other Chinese. 

“Chinese police have sent information on many prime suspects who have fled to Thailand so that Thai immigration police will arrest them,” Pol Maj Gen Panthana said on Wednesday.

Chinese police have expressed gratitude to their Thai counterparts for arresting many major Chinese criminals who had been wanted in China, he said.

Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing into the activities of many suspected Chinese gang figures in Thailand. Police have gathered evidence on hundreds of Chinese nationals who obtained long-term visas with the help of corrupt immigration officers.

Investigators in March submitted a 139,000-page report to the National Anti-Corruption Commission on 107 immigration officers accused of helping Chinese nationals involved in “grey” businesses.

Speedboat owner and driver confess to charges in connection with drowning tragedy

The Nonthaburi Provincial Court has given two defendants in the drowning death of actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong suspended jail sentences ordered them to perform public services.

Tangmo, 37, fell into the Chao Phraya River from a speedboat near the Pibul 1 pier in Muang district of Nonthaburi on the night of Feb 24 last year. Her body was found two days later.

Public prosecutors initially indicted six suspects in one case. They were Tanupat “Por” Lerttaweewit, Phaiboon “Robert” Trikanjananun, Wisapat “Sand” Manomairat, Nitas “Job” Kiratisoonthisathorn, Tangmo’s manager Idsarin “Gatick” Juthasuksawat, and Peam “Em” Thamtheerasri.

On March 2, during a court hearing to examine the evidence in the six cases, speedboat owner Tanupat confessed to a charge of recklessness causing death, and Phaiboon confessed to operating the boat without a licence.

The court decided to conduct a trial of the two in a separate case, leading to its rulings on Wednesday.

Tanupat was sentenced to five years and eight months in jail and fined 128,000 baht. Because he confessed and showed an intention to pay compensation to the damaged parties, the jail term was halved to two years and nine months, suspended for three years, and the fine reduced to 64,000 baht. He was ordered to perform public services.

Phaiboon was given four years and four months in jail and fined 108,000 baht. Because he confessed and intended to pay compensation, his jail term was halved to two years and two months, suspended for three years, and the fine halved to 54,000 baht. He was also ordered to perform public services.

Rival claims Pita failed to declare ownership of shares in media company that stopped operating in 2007

A candidate of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) on Wednesday asked the Election Commission to consider disqualifying Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat from politics for alleged asset concealment.

List candidate Ruangkrai Leekitwattana petitioned the EC to look into Mr Pita’s eligibility, claiming that the MFP leader held 42,000 shares in iTV Plc. The constitution prohibits a shareholder of a mass media organisation standing in a general election.

List candidate Ruangkrai Leekitwattana wants the EC to look into Mr Pita’s eligibility, saying that the latter held 42,000 shares in iTV Plc, a broadcaster that stopped operating in 2007. The constitution prohibits a shareholder of a mass media organisation from contesting a general election.

Mr Ruangkrai said he had also asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission to find out if Mr Pita had made a false asset declaration regarding the shareholding, alleging he had failed to inform the regulator of his holding during his tenure as an MP.

Mr Pita explained on Tuesday that he had informed the NACC of the situation in 2019 when he made his asset declaration. The shares in iTV were held by his father, who died in 2006. In his role as manager of his father’s estate, Mr Pita said he had tried to sell the shares but could not find a buyer

Asked if his complaints were aimed at blocking Mr Pita’s possible rise to power after the general election this Sunday, Mr Ruangkrai said that was a matter for individual consideration.

Mr Pita was the favourite PM candidate among respondents in a recent poll.

Senator Somchai Sawaengkan wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that Mr Pita could not deny his ownership of the shares because his father had died 17 years ago and he had not allocated the shares to anyone else.

Independent Television, or iTV Plc, was the country’s first UHF TV channel and began broadcasting in 1995 under a concession granted by the government. In 2000 it was acquired by Shin Corp, the telecoms group founded by Thaksin Shinawatra. After a lengthy dispute over unpaid concession fees, the government’s Public Relations Department took over the station in 2007 and its frequency was assigned to Thai PBS.

ITV was delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2014. However, its business registration remains active because the litigation over its concession fees is not yet concluded, according to Anupong Chaiyarit, deputy director-general of Thai Public Broadcasting Service.

In 2022 iTV reported 20.5 million baht in investment and interest income on bond holdings. 

Ownership of shares in a media company was also the undoing of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the co-founder of the Future Forward Party, the predecessor of Move Forward. In Mr Thanathorn’s case, he had held shares in a travel magazine that ceased publication before he filed to run as an MP. But the Election Commission in 2019 ruled that the offence was sufficient to disqualify him as an MP.