Pheu Thai sure of Chiang Mai poll win

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Party is confident despite MFP gains

Srettha Thavisin, a prime ministerial candidate for Pheu Thai, takes selfies with supporters at Tha Phae Gate in Muang district of Chiang Mai, one of his party's bases in the North. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)
Srettha Thavisin, a prime ministerial candidate for Pheu Thai, takes selfies with supporters at Tha Phae Gate in Muang district of Chiang Mai, one of his party’s bases in the North. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)

The Pheu Thai Party is confident it will win all constituencies in its political stronghold of Chiang Mai in Sunday’s election despite the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) rising popularity in the northern province.

Srettha Thavisin, a party prime ministerial candidate, said on Wednesday the party believes it will take all the seats in the province as targeted while acknowledging the race is highly competitive.

The MFP and other parties were competing fiercely in Chiang Mai constituencies, Mr Srettha said, noting that the MFP’s popularity was also increasing in other parts of the country.

“I still believe Pheu Thai will win with a majority of House seats,” he said.

Mr Srettha also insisted a new tweet by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that reiterated his wish to return to Thailand had nothing to do with Pheu Thai.

Thaksin, who has been living in self-imposed exile, tweeted that one of the reasons he now wants to return home was the birth of his latest grandchild, and he wants to take care of him.

Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter and one of Pheu Thai’s three prime ministerial candidates, is the child’s mother.

“Thaksin is both a father and a grandfather. I have a lot of sympathy for him for not being able to return home over the past 17 years. He’s also now very old,” Mr Srettha said.

“But his [future] return will have nothing to do with Pheu Thai.”

Thaksin’s tweets also have nothing to do with the party, said Mr Srettha when asked to comment on speculation that Thaksin was tweeting messages he believed would help draw him some sympathy and Pheu Thai more votes.

Mr Srettha also clarified one of his earlier remarks, which prompted criticism from Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who claimed Pheu Thai couldn’t hide its eagerness to get hold of the Ministry of Transport even before the election results were known.

Mr Srettha said his remarks about Pheu Thai’s intention to take control of the ministry were in response to complaints made by members of a taxi driver co-operative that he met recently.

He said what he meant to say was that if Pheu Thai wins the election and becomes the government, the party will take care of problems facing taxi drivers’ cooperatives which are governed by the ministry.

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Police following money trail

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Police are following the trail of about 78 million baht that circulated through bank accounts held by alleged serial killer Sararat “Aem” Rangsiwuthaporn.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said yesterday the money had been transferred to 12 people. Police will check to see if any of them were involved in crimes believed committed by the suspect before seeking court warrants for their arrest. He said the investigation was about 80% complete.

“We are just awaiting the money trail, details of her bank accounts and forensic results before putting the evidence into the police report. The investigation is expected to be finalised tomorrow,” he said.

Police have also taken a statement from an insurance agent who said the suspect talked to her in January about buying a 7-million-baht health and life insurance policy for her late boyfriend, Sutthisak “Dae” Phoonkhwan. The annual premium was 100,000 baht.

The agent, who was a classmate of Ms Sararat’s, said the suspect wanted the beneficiary to be her daughter but later changed her mind and named herself. However, the insurance package was not signed.

Ms Sararat, 36, dubbed “Aem Cyanide”, was arrested on April 25 at the government complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok. She is four months pregnant.

Her arrest followed a complaint filed by the mother and elder sister of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, 32, of Kanchanaburi. Siriporn collapsed and died beside the Mae Klong River in Ban Pong 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. The list of her alleged victims has continued to grow.

On Tuesday, the Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant for Ms Sararat for allegedly poisoning a 15th victim with cyanide in 2015.

Most victims were linked to the suspect through private saving schemes and financing of cars, Pol Gen Surachate said. “All the dead victims were found to have been with Aem before they died. All the murders were for the purpose of clearing debts,” he said.

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Observers split on Pita’s media share controversy

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Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), is facing new scrutiny over claims that he owns shares of a now-defunct media company.

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) list-MP candidate, yesterday petitioned the Election Commission (EC) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate Mr Pita, also the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

The move followed Mr Pita’s explanation on Tuesday, in which he said the iTV shares belong to his family but appear to be registered under his name as he had been appointed executor for the shares.

He said he was appointed executor when his father, the shares’ original owner, died 17 years ago. He wasn’t worried about the fresh attempt to discredit him, as the NACC had been briefed about their existence.

Citing company registration documents from the Department of Business Development, Mr Ruangkrai insisted yesterday that as of April 27 last year, Mr Pita owned 42,000 shares in iTV.

Mr Ruangkrai also said that at iTV’s last shareholders meeting, the company’s executives said iTV is still a media company, despite having ceased operations.

Mr Ruangkrai said Mr Pita might be right when he said he had already explained to the NACC regarding the shares, but what he petitioned the EC to look into now was Mr Pita’s eligibility to run in the past general election, which is a different issue.

Since Mr Ruangkrai didn’t find these iTV shares in the assets list declared by Mr Pita to the NACC when he was sworn in as MP after the last election, he said he’d also petitioned the NACC to investigate whether Mr Pita had falsely declared his assets.

“I’d like the EC to quickly act in this case as its decision could change the outcome of the election,” he said.

If the EC seeks the Constitutional Court’s opinion on the matter, the case would likely end the same way as the media shareholding case faced by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who now serves as a campaign assistant of the MFP, said Mr Ruangkrai.

Mr Thanathorn ended up being disqualified as an MP after the court ruled he wasn’t qualified to run in the last election because he held shares in V-Luck Media Co.

Mr Ruangkrai shrugged off criticism saying he was attempting to discredit Mr Pita, whose popularity is rising.

The media share case lodged against Mr Pita was met with mixed reactions yesterday.

Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn cited Section 1599 of the Civil and Commercial Code to say Mr Pita could never claim the iTV shares didn’t belong to him at all. As one of the heirs to the shares, he automatically received his part of the inheritance when his father died.

Sarinee Achavanuntakul, an independent academic, meanwhile, said the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions tends to pay more attention to how much influence an MP could have upon a media company he holds shares in.

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Shaking up conscription

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Conscripts receive training in a military exercise in Chanthaburi's Khao Khitchakut district, in this file photo taken in April last year. Nutthawat Wicheanbut
Conscripts receive training in a military exercise in Chanthaburi’s Khao Khitchakut district, in this file photo taken in April last year. Nutthawat Wicheanbut

Academics and human rights defenders have expressed mixed responses to calls to scrap compulsory military service, which is gaining national attention in the lead-up to the May 14 polls.

The Move Forward Party and the Pheu Thai Party have pledged to end it in favour of voluntary enlistment if they take office as part of the next government.

They suggested the Defence Ministry lower the number of young men they need under the system. Thai men aged 21 can be drafted into military service for up to two years.

People have started to have negative thoughts towards military conscription amid reports of violence in military camps, poor food quality, and improper use of their labour, they say.

Panitan: Training officers is pricey

Voluntary system

Panitan Wattanayagorn, an independent academic and security expert, told the Bangkok Post the army has conducted a study on the voluntary military system which has been put in place in some areas.

However, the cost of training one soldier under this system is pricier than the conscription model, Mr Panitan said.

Conscription also has advantages as those conscripted can be trained and learn self-discipline and serve the country.

For these reasons, the army has not considered entirely changing from conscription to a voluntary system, while some volunteers’ qualifications may not even meet criteria, he said.

“Actually, we should make use of both systems. Remote areas which are home to many elderly or vulnerable groups and with fewer people interested in the army may be suitable for conscription.

“Apart from that, the younger generation are not interested in joining the military unless they can earn a high salary and have proper welfare,” Mr Panitan said.

Future changes may take the form of a hybrid system, which may help draw attention from people in the city as they apply to experience work in a military hospital or military enterprise, as well as the prospect of promotion as part of a military career.

Regarding proposals to downsize the military, the former lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s political sciences faculty said this took place under the Chuan Leekpai government in the 1990s as he ordered a cap on the armed forces at 80,000 and that the number of generals be limited to 1,000 in the wake of the economic recession at that time. The order was later cancelled by former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, he said.

Asked about hazing and abuse of conscripts, and violence in military camps, he suggested the army hire outsource companies with security clearance to perform domestic services for officers instead of conscripts.

The army may consider hiring housekeepers for military residences to prevent conscripts being pressed into service, he said. In addition, the army should tighten discipline to prevent violence in camps, which can affect the army’s reputation, he said.

Wanwichit: Challenges ahead

Girding for change

Wanwichit Boonprong, a political scientist at Rangsit University, said the army should prepare itself for challenges ahead.

The army has initiated a voluntary military system over the past two years. The feedback gets better each year due to improvements in pay and welfare.

“Most people have no clue what the army has been doing these days due to its limited public relations. I believe the army is aware of the debate over compulsory military service but it is difficult to scrap the conscription system entirely,” said Mr Wanwichit.

“The number of those conscripted may gradually decline as it will lower costs, and those savings can be used to fund development of military technology.”

The army, he said, should provide special training for conscripts to tackle various security problems such as disaster relief, wildfire suppression and evacuation operations.

“Procuring equipment to help mitigate a disaster will also help boost the army’s credibility rather than just procuring weapons,” he said.

Mr Wanwichit said the army has intensified camp inspections to prevent corruption and improve the quality of the food. The army had also improved its welfare system and camp amenties.

Pornpen: Out of date?

Out of date?

Cross Cultural Foundation director and human rights activist Pornpen Khongkachonkiet said compulsory enlistment is now considered old-fashioned. She said the system should be scrapped as the country fights no wars and has no need to recruit men to fight its enemies.

Forcing people to serve the county is expensive. In her view, the Enlistment Act should be amended to turn the conscription system into a voluntary enterprise to recruit those who have the proper qualifications and genuine interest in joining the army.

Ms Pornpen also addressed exploitation of labour among conscripts, regarded by some as servant soldiers. She agreed the army should hire people from outside the barracks to perform domestic labour for officers.

“Thai men are conscripted and must sacrifice their early careers or the opportunity to spend time with their families to serve the nation,” said Ms Pornpen.

Regarding violence against conscripts, she said: “It is hard to proceed with civil and criminal cases against offenders as they tend to seek reconciliation and provide compensation to the victim’s family,” she said.

She hopes the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances Act will help encourage witnesses to file complaints.

Supensri: Popular demand

Human rights

Meanwhile, Supensri Phengkoksoong, director of Social Equality Promotion Foundation, said party promises to scrap compulsory military conscription may be a reflection of popular demand.

Ms Supensri also urged the military to treat transsexual women fairly when they arrive at the screening unit for conscription. They should not force them to take off their shirts in front of others as they have a “woman’s heart”.

The demand for reform in the army is not just about money, but also concerns transparency and credibility, she said.

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Storm forecast spurs action

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Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt plans to install more water pumps in Bangkok to prevent city floods as weather forecasters predict the capital will see thunderstorms this week.

Mr Chadchart visited Prawet Burirom Canal in Prawet district and inspected the drainage system at the nearby village, the Muang Thong Garden Village, on Tuesday.

He spoke yesterday of how Muang Thong Garden Village had been hit by a severe flash flood last year. The village is located next to the canal, making it the first to face flooding as water levels rise, he said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) would execute a drainage solution by building water retention and water gates to hold water from Khlong Prawet Burirom from flooding adjacent areas, he said.

The BMA has also requested the village owner’s cooperation in expanding the village’s water drainage pipes to ease the water flow and install water pumps to help with draining efforts.

Mr Chadchart said many flooded areas in Bangkok are private properties beyond the BMA’s jurisdiction, such as the MCOT intersection on Rama 9 Road or Central Bangna Department Store’s adjacent areas.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department forecasts that Sunday’s polls will face heavy rains due to Cyclone Mocha, with 60% of the North seeing thunderstorms while 40-60% of Bangkok and neighbouring provinces are forecast to experience rain.

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EC moves to ensure poll transparency

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Admits fault in last week’s early voting

The Election Commission (EC) has set up a Cyber Threat Surveillance and Response Operations Centre to ensure transparency in the election, EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said yesterday.

The commission worked with the National Cyber Security Agency, Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission, Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the Bureau of Registration Administration and National Telecom Public Co Ltd in setting up the centre.

Mr Sawaeng said the EC accepted responsibility for errors in the advanced voting last Sunday and will prevent such mistakes occurring on Election Day this Sunday. “We will keep all ballots safe and there will be no ballot rigging,” said Mr Sawaeng.

Responding to a question from a Pheu Thai candidate about election observers, Mr Sawaeng said the EC encouraged all sectors to work with the EC in observing the election.

But if parties want to send their own observers, they have to inform the EC within 15 days of the poll under Section 55 of the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives. They must also be responsible for their own expenses.

Seats for observers will be reserved at polling stations. If they do not inform the EC in advance, parties can have their own observers but they will be situated outside polling stations.

The EC used to help cover such expenses under rules set out by the Organic Act on Political Parties 1998 but that law was scrapped under the 2007 constitution.

The EC has told directors in every province to record events at polling stations from the start of voting at 8am until the result is announced. The EC expects unofficial results about 11pm.

EC deputy secretary-general Suranee Pontawee said people can access www.ectreport.com and initial results are expected around 7pm or two hours after polling stations close.

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Couple jailed over scam

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The Criminal Court yesterday handed down prison terms totalling 12,640 years each to a married couple who defrauded people into investing in a bogus savings scheme, with victims reporting cumulative losses of 1.3 billion baht.

The terms were commuted to 5,056 years because they confessed. All sentences are consecutive; however, the law limits their total prison time to 20 years each.

There were nine defendants in this case: Wantanee Tippaveth, Methi Chinpha (Wantanee’s husband), Piya Kirisuwankul, Pornsawan Phu-in-oy, Thawalrat Tippaveth, Wilaiwan Hongprachasap, Nittaya Pinnok, Boripat Khemrat and Piyaseth Thisopha.

The court heard evidence that from March 9, 2019, to Oct 30, 2019, the nine defendants advertised on Facebook, inviting people to invest in a savings scheme offering a high return.

The minimum investment was 1,000 baht. After nine months, investors would get a return of 930 baht plus the 1,000-baht capital investment — or 1,930 baht in total.

A total of 2,533 people joined the scheme. The total investment sum was 1.3 billion baht. It was alleged the defendants did not use the money for investment but shared it among themselves dishonestly. The prosecutors charged them with multiple counts of fraud.

The court found two of the nine defendants guilty as charged: Wantanee and her husband Methi. The seven others were acquitted for lack of evidence.

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9 demonstrators arrested after police station melee

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

Police and protesters clash outside the Samran Rat police station in Bangkok on Wednesday night. Nine arrests were made. (Photo: Ratsadon News Facebook)
Police and protesters clash outside the Samran Rat police station in Bangkok on Wednesday night. Nine arrests were made. (Photo: Ratsadon News Facebook)

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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Suspected victim of ‘Aem Cyanide’ cremated

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

The coffin of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, one of 14 dead victims of alleged serial killer Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, is displayed at Wat Singpaiboonpracha in Sai Yok district of Kanchanaburi on Wednesday prior to her cremation. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)
The coffin of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, one of 14 dead victims of alleged serial killer Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, is displayed at Wat Singpaiboonpracha in Sai Yok district of Kanchanaburi on Wednesday prior to her cremation. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)

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)

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B150-million gambling network busted

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

Police inspect bank passbooks and other items seized from the house of one of 10 members of an online gambling ring during raids on 12 locations in Bangkok and two nearby provinces on Wednesday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
Police inspect bank passbooks and other items seized from the house of one of 10 members of an online gambling ring during raids on 12 locations in Bangkok and two nearby provinces on Wednesday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

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.

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