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Intersection construction into penalty times after April 10
Nopniwat Krailerg
Residents and visitors are justifiably complaining about
the sluggish rate of construction at the Khuang Singh and San Dek
intersections. The construction of the underpasses at these intersections
has fallen a long way behind schedule because of work apparently stopping
for long periods; and drivers are fed up with having to detour a
considerable distance to perform a U-turn. They are also concerned about the
grossly untidy appearance of the location and the immense amount of dust
around that area.
However, construction has now resumed and the contractors
are predicting they will have the projects finished by June. Nevertheless
according to the contract, the construction agent has to pay a fine of
100,000 baht per day after April 10, because the work will not be finished
on the date stipulated in the contract.
Porntham Yamploy, head of Chiang Mai Highway District 2
apologized for the tardiness in constructing the two tunnels on the Chiang
Mai-Lampang Superhighway at the Khuang Singh and San Dek intersections.
Recently construction has resumed after several minor problems have been
solved and both materials and construction workers have been assembled to
continue working. The contractors planned to work both night and day until
the project is finished; and had promised comply with resident’s requests
to widen the carriageway before the forthcoming Songkran Festival,
especially at the Khuang Singh Intersection.
Progress has also resumed at the Nong Pratheep
Intersection and the carriageways on both sides of the intersection have
been widened for more convenience. The construction of this intersection is
predicted to be completed within 600 days, by 2007.
14th elephant baby was born in Maesa Elephant Camp
Nopniwat Krailerg
There was a welcome new arrival at Maesa Elephant Camp
in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, the 14th baby elephant born under the Thai
elephant breeding support project, a project established by Chuchat
Kanlamphijit, the owner of Maesa Elephant Camp.
The
14th baby elephant born at Maesa Elephant Camp takes refuge under her
mother.
The male baby was born at 4.00 a.m. on March 14, 2006,
missing Thai Elephant Day by a few hours. He is a healthy, 80 cm tall
baby who weighed in at 90 kg. after a 21 month pregnancy (637 days) for
mother, 29 year old Phang Kham Ton by Plai See Daw, 42. He is a result of
natural breeding and is the second baby born to Phang Kham Ton (the first
is Phang Kham Saen, 8, who was featured painting in the Guinness Book on
February 19, 2005).
Vet. Ronachit Roongsri told us that there were about
five or six elephants being bred under the project but it was not
possible to tell yet if all had conceived. The survival rate of elephants
born in this camp is 100%, due to good management and resting pregnant
females. There had been some problems with mothers not allowing their
babies to suckle but the camp took good care of the baby elephant. No
name will be give to the new born elephant until Thai Elephant Day next
year.
The project chooses the healthiest mother and father
for breeding to get the best babies. So far there have been 13 elephant
births at the camp since 1998. All have been cared for by Vet. Ronachit
Roongsri.
The faculties of veterinary medicine of CMU and
Kasetsart and Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Lampang participate in
the project amongst other cooperative projects, for example to check
readiness of female elephant for breeding and artificial insemination by
using frozen sperm.
More claims that Anocha Panjoi is still alive
Preeyanoot Jittawong
Rescue of North Korean Abductees Chiang Mai (ARNKA) has
officially been given permission by the author Charles Robert Jenkins, to
copy and distribute his book “To Tell the Truth”, which contains an
important key to identifying Anocha Panjoi; the Thai lady that was abducted
to North Korea 27 years ago and claims she is still alive.
 Tomoharu
Ebihara, president of Rescue of North Korean Abductees Chiang Mai (ARNKA).
Tomoharu Ebihara, president of ARNKA, said that her
family had not heard anything from her for 27 years. He been to a meeting in
Tokyo, Japan in December, 2005 concerning plans to rescue Thai and Japanese
people who were abductees in North Korea. He confirmed that evidence was
being gathered to send to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
America would help the abductees.
Passages written in the book by Charles Jenkins contained
important information relevant to the plight of the abductees. He was
American soldier who had gone AWOL from the US Army and had lived in North
Korea for 40 years, where he had married a Japanese lady who also had been
abducted to North Korea. Several points in his book that was published on
October 15, 2005, mentions that his family was close to Anocha and claims
she is still alive. However, the North Korean authorities have denied this,
claiming that Anocha was not abducted to their country.
ARNKA realized the book supported their efforts to seek
Anocha’s whereabouts so it was translated into the Thai language and will
be published to disseminate information concerning the plight of the
abductees.
EC lays down campaign
rules but media feels
it is being stifled
Saksit Meesubkwang
The Election Commission of Chiang Mai has called on
candidates to learn how to campaign without breaking the law.
Theerawat Sinthuboon, local director of the Election
Commission disclosed that the law and regulations concerning campaigning in
the forthcoming senatorial election had many complicated details that were
different from previous elections; therefore candidates needed to be
informed as to what was, or was not allowed, to prevent falling foul of the
law.
All the election campaign processes have to strictly
follow the regulations determined by the Election Commission. For instance,
campaigning to be a Member of Parliament allows the candidate to hire
vehicles to broadcast his message along the street, but the senatorial
candidate may not do so and must introduce him or herself personally; a
representative is not allowed.
During the conference, the candidates and media were
encouraged to ask questions and many reporters were eager for the Election
Commission to explain the rights of the media that they felt were being
curtailed. The subject that seemed to be giving the reporters most concern
was why the media was limited in what they could publish about many issues
regarding candidates in the senatorial election, with many matters media
tried to present being deemed to be illegal.
The director informed the reporters that only the
Election Commission was allowed to give out information about the candidates
and their campaign. The reporters were not very happy with that reply but
reluctantly accepted there was little they could do about the situation.
Organic farming taught
in Chiang Saen
Saksit Meesubkwang
Chiang Saen Farmer’s School emphasized new ideas on
seed-bed preparation, without burning the rice straw or tilling the field by
ploughing the soil. The new method will rely on microbes to ferment the
straw residue from the previous harvest; the action of the microbes will
convert the vegetable matter into fertilizer, enabling the farmer reduce the
application of chemical fertilizers by at least 50 percent. An additional
benefit is gained by leaving the straw to rot down and become fertilizer.
The covering of straw inhibits the growth of weeds resulting in a worthwhile
reduction in the application of chemical weed-killers; better for the
environment and leaving more money in the farmer’s pocket.
These environmentally friendly methods were taught at the
Farmer’s School by Ajahn Phat Santhad, a leading expert of organic
farming. He told the interested farmers in the class that project had been
thoroughly tested at Tambon Sri Muang Chum in Mae Sai and had been a great
success. The project using the natural methods had shown an equal or better
return in terms of tonnage of rice per rai; and this tonnage was gained with
a considerably lower outlay of money, manpower and chemicals.
It was asserted that organic farmers would have a better
livelihood and reduced expenses and addedg income, as well as expanding the
opportunity for farmers to learn new technologies. Farmers would definitely
benefit from adopting the latest ideas because their former practices caused
many problems for example, poor health, overuse of chemicals souring the
land and polluting watercourses, marketing and product problems. If farmers
are willing to join this project, experience has shown that the market will
pay a premium for organically grown produce, with the public becoming ever
more aware and critical of how their food is grown. The first areas of land
in Chiang Saen have already been set aside for the Farmer’s School to
start off the new project in Tambon Pasak Noi and Tambon Sir Don Moon.
Lamphun administrators study environmental management
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Prapat Poojareun, Lamphun mayor disclosed that two years
ago, Muang Lamphun Municipality had signed a contract on August 28, 2003
with the European Commission cooperating with the Municipalities of Sance,
France and Westernburg, Germany, on environmental management, mineral
resources preservation and a city garbage disposal and recycling scheme.
The period of the contract was over two years and Muang
Lamphun Municipality had sent several staff members to Europe, to inspect
these facilities in both countries; with the object of applying what they
learned from their observations back home in Lamphun Municipality.
At the conclusion of this two year study period, in the
light of their staff-members newfound knowledge, the municipality conferred
to determine how best to put into practice the various concepts concerning
environment management and waste disposal. The resolutions of this
conference will act as a guide to other organizations for the future.
The mayor added that there were five designs to be
considered, covering environment management; foul water treatment, garbage
disposal by turning it into fertilizer, energy saving by using solar cells,
environment protection by enforcing laws governing emissions etc., including
communicating information to keep the public informed of the entire process.
He expressed the hope that the residents of Lamphun would soon see the
benefits of these projects and the city would become a cleaner place to live
in.
177 countries to join the Thailand Codex Conference
Preeyanoot Jittawong
The 28 th
Codex Conference is to be held in Chiang Mai on October 30 to November 3,
2006; the first time the conference has been held in Thailand and the first
time in Asia, bringing together around 400 academics from 177 countries
around the world.
The conference will debate six issues concerning
horticulture; with International Workshops on Tropical and Sub Tropical
Fruit, Ornamental Plants, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, including a debate
on Coffee Production and Marketing and an International Symposium on
Marketing of Agricultural Products.
Somchai Channarongkul, deputy director of the National
Bureau of Agricultural Commodities and Food Standards (ACFS) reported that
Thailand was one of the 189 countries who were members of the WTO; therefore
it needed to submit to regulations and rules of WTO. If any conflict with
the WTO occurred, there were three organizations within the framework of the
WTO who were able to judge or consider the rights and wrongs of the
situation; and one of these was the Codex Alimentarius (Latin) meaning the
Food Code. Therefore, the fact that the Codex Conference being held in
Chiang Mai was extremely important; as on the previous 27 occasions it had
always been held in Europe.
With the conference coming here, Thailand and other Asian
countries would have opportunity to offer what was beneficial for Thai and
Asian agriculturists and agricultural products. It would be a huge step
forward for Thai agricultural products to reach the international community.
The Codex Conference will coincide with the opening of
Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006, the International Horticultural Exposition
that is to be organized from November 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007 at the
Royal Agricultural Research Center, Tambon Mae Hia, Chiang Mai Province.
There has been enormous advance interest shown in this exposition, with
global enquiries. The exposition will act as a showcase to promote Thai
plants and agricultural products.
Political conflict causing problems with northern travel federations
Saksit Meesubkwang
Travel Federations of the 17 Northern Provinces are
appealing to the opposing political pressure groups to stop their conflict,
as it is causing so much dissension in Thailand at the present moment, it is
adversely affecting tourism and associated businesses.
Phanom Meesuk, president of the Northern Travel
Federation, Chiang Mai announced in a bulletin that the federation would
like all privy councillors to act as intermediaries among four groups of
people; protestors, government, opposition and senior citizens. These four
groups should immediately have sit down talks with one another to try and
resolve their political differences.
The federation would like the Election Commission to go
ahead with the election on April 2, and would also like the privy
councillors to choose someone to act as interim PM and be the leader of the
government to work for the next 14 months from April 3, 2006 to June 2,
2007. They expressed their fears that if Thaksin Shinawatra became the PM
again, the protestors would not stop their activities; and may even escalate
them. They felt that a new short term government would be accepted by Thai
citizens; and that government should appoint a politically neutral committee
to amend the constitution within the next 12 months, to create the
ground-rules for a new parliamentary election on June 2, 2007. This would
give the party candidates on both sides plenty of time to mount their
campaigns and do away with the unrest that is dividing the country at the
moment.
After April 2, even if Thaksin Shinawatra is re-elected
as PM, the electorate should abide by the democratic decision and stop their
protests completely. The federation said that until the proposed interim
government’s term of office comes to an end on June 2, 2007 and a new
election is held, all sectors should respect the result of the forthcoming
election; and parliament members selected on April 2, 2006 should be allowed
to get on with running the country.
They felt that this political upheaval could not have
come at a worse time, especially as this year the country should be united
and focused on honouring HM the King. The federation disclosed that in the
last three weeks since the protests started, many tourists had cancelled
their trips to Chiang Mai and tourism would be fall into a crisis situation
if this situation continues.
9,000 check dams to
be constructed in Lampang
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Wanchai Sutthiworachai, Lampang Deputy Governor presided
over a meeting of a check dam construction project, following HM the
King’s concept of, ‘80 Years 80 Thousand Dams Project’ in Lampang.
The meeting was a continuation of the cabinet’s
resolution headed by Somsak Pongpanit, Deputy Minister of Interior, on
August 30, 2005 when it was agreed to construct check dams along local water
courses. This concept involves constructing 80,000 check dams per year,
altogether a total of 240,000 dams throughout the country from 2006-2008.
There will be 3,000 dams constructed in Lampang each year, totaling 9,000 in
three years, which will cover all districts of Lampang. The budget used for
this construction will come from CEO and local administration funds.
Accident prevention during Songkran Festival rehashed again
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Road Safety Center Chiang Mai held a seminar to come
up with ideas to reduce the accident levels, which always increase sharply
during the Songkran Festival.
Songkran
Festival in Chiang Mai every year attracts many foreign tourists. (File
photo)
Pajon Pajakul, head officer of Road Safety Center Chiang
Mai said that the government hoped to see a reduction of at least 15 percent
in traffic accidents from the previous year, so Chiang Mai Province is
requesting cooperation between government organizations and the private
sector and especially local residents.
Chiang Mai is a province that many Thai and foreign
tourists like to visit during the Songkran Festival. However, although the
accident and death rates of the past several years have fallen slightly year
on year, the numbers of needless deaths caused by speeding and drink driving
is still a national disgrace, and causes the deaths of so many young people.
The police will be asked to check motorbike riders and car drivers to
ascertain whether they are driving after drinking alcohol.
Wirat Rujiwattanapong, Chiang Mai Deputy Governor said
that all sectors cooperated well last year; and their efforts to prevent
traffic accidents had shown a reduction of the numbers of accidents and
deaths from the year before. “Songkran is a happy time for the whole
country, but became a time of sadness and grief for the families of 506
persons who died and the 6,194 people injured during the festivities. I hope
every one will still enjoy themselves this Songkran, but show a little more
restraint and not drink and drive over the holiday period.”
Considering that the vast majority of fatalities comes
from motorcycle riders not wearing a suitable standard helmet, the answer to
the problem should not be difficult to pinpoint, however, we shall see.
Five districts of Lamphun facing drought
Nopniwat Krailerg
Many areas around Lamphun are facing drought. Weather
forecasters have been predicting prolonged periods of dry weather this year
and Chumporn Intathep, head officer of Department of Public Disaster
Prevention and Relief, said his department has been preparing for the
eventuality.
The department has already distributed 170,000 liters of
water to the worst hit areas of Thoong Hua Chang District, Baan Hong, Lee
and Mae Tha districts with eight Tambons and 27 villages waiting for help.
Chumporn assured everyone in these villages that help would come before they
were in crisis and staff from the department would distribute water.
The head officer added that in preparation to rescue the
drought victims, the department had set up a special operation center for
drought relief by procuring water trucks to enable them to distribute water.
The operation center was also able to provide food and medicine for
livestock during the drought to support residents whose lives depended on
agriculture. The department also requested urgent participation by factories
in the industrial parks to conserve water.
Chiang Mai Municipality says forget trains, it’s now trolleys
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Chiang Mai mass transport project is ready to go
ahead, and apparently the preferred means of mass transport is a type of
electric trolley coach which will operate on four 30 km routes.
 Boonlert
Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai Mayor
Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai Mayor confirmed that
Chiang Mai municipality in cooperation with Office of Transport and Traffic
Policy and Planning would soon jointly hold a press conference concerning
the mass transport for the Chiang Mai Municipality area. A feasibility study
has been conducted over the last two months, to determine the best routes
and means of transport. The study concluded that the most economical
solution was to construct an electric trolley coach, because the
infrastructure for an electric train with its own railway lines was
considered too expensive.
The mayor added that designated stopping points to pick
up and drop passengers would be provided throughout the city and further
details would be disclosed at the press conference on March 30, including
publishing a map showing the routes of the electric trolley-bus. He believed
that the committee’s decision to go for the option of the electric
trolley-bus would also be the choice of Chiang Mai residents.
Interestingly, the front page of the first edition of the
Chiangmai Mail, in October 2002, had as the main story an item on electric
school busses. Perhaps they have been having their batteries charged in the
interim?
Chiang Mai municipality denies dumping garbage outside Chiang Mai
Nopniwat Krailerg
Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai mayor disclosed the
outcome of a Municipality Council Conference that was held to discuss the
smelly problem of garbage disposal. They will employ organizations from the
private sector to take care of the task, thus keeping their own hands clean.
The mayor said that a budget of 72 million baht had been
authorized to employ private contractors to deal with the garbage disposal.
The Environment Management Department of the municipality had started off
this process in October, 2005, providing the first 50 million baht of the
annual budget to get the project off the ground.
Boonlert reported that the municipality had contracted
the Baan Tan Group to dispose of the city’s waste at a contract price of
690 baht per ton; and if their performance was satisfactory the contract
would be renewed in April. He dismissed the allegations that Chiang Mai was
disposing of its garbage in garbage pits in several other provinces, stating
that it was just not true. “The contract we have with the Baan Tan Group
specifically states that garbage must be disposed of in the designated
places within Chiang Mai Municipality; and prohibits the dumping of waste in
any place other than authorized dumping sites,” he said.
Mae Ping River bank wall to cost 1.3 billion baht
Nopniwat Krailerg
A meeting to discuss the progress of the proposal of the
Department of Public Works and Town to construct a riverbank wall at seven
high-risk points along Mae Ping River, followed the resolutions of the
mobile cabinet in January.
At this meeting on March 10, Phojanee Khajornpreedanan,
head officer of the Department of Public Works and Town disclosed to the
local residents his departments’ progress and intentions so far and
listened to the opinions of those people who would be directly affected by
the project. A similar meeting to talk about this process was organized to
be held at the end of March for further discussion.
The head officer said that his department placed great
importance on these monthly meetings and although the construction of the
riverbank wall would benefit all the citizens of Chiang Mai, he was well
aware of the disruption that the construction would cause to those residents
living immediately alongside the river. These monthly meetings would be used
give the local residents the opportunity to air their objections and to
share their points of view; and the planners welcomed the ideas and local
wisdom that would be incorporated into the design of the riverbank wall
before the project got underway. A monthly bulletin explaining the
conclusions of these meetings would be publicized throughout Chiang Mai
Municipality and TAO areas including the target areas.
Wilat Rujiwattanapong, Chiang Mai Deputy Governor
stressed that to construct a river bank wall, five different forms of
construction were being considered. The length of the walls amounted to a
total 19.4 km and the construction project would be divided into seven
separate contracts with a total budget of 1.3 billion baht.
He said, “It is an important part of social
participation that everyone should state their preference before plans are
finalized and work started.” Adding, “This needs to be decided quickly,
because if the river overflowed again, his department would not be
responsible for the consequences.”
Homeless woman found burnt to death in central Chiang Mai
Nopniwat Krailerg
On March 18, The body of a female was discovered to have
been burnt with tires behind the Chanasilp Motor Company; ted at Don Chan
Intersection, Tambon Thasala in Muang, Chiang Mai. Pol. Maj. Uthai
Khadchadakham, duty inspector of Mae Ping Police Station, Chiang Mai,
hastened to the scene together with Pol. Col. Chamnan Ruadreuw, deputy
commander of Chiang Mai Provincial Police accompanied by forensic police
officers including doctors from Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.
The woman’s body had been discovered in a grove of
trees about 30 meters to the rear of the motor company. The remains were
lying amongst the ashes of a bonfire, that judging by the steel rods and
wires, had obviously been created by using car tires. The forensic team
checked the body looking for evidence of cause or death and discovered the
woman had suffered severe blows to her cranium, but the extreme heat of the
burning tires had obscured the possibility of finding any other clues as to
the cause of her death. This discovery led the police to treat the woman’s
death as murder and further sifting of the ashes revealed the remains of a
cell-phone and a few coins scattered nearby.
Police interviewed the staff of the car sales company and
were informed the dead person was in all likelihood a homeless vagrant,
well-known in the neighborhood known as Kai, aged around 38-40 years. She
usually slept under the Don Chan Bridge, and was frequently seen in the
company of Nipon Khamjoi, 51, living in Thoong Hua Chang District, Lamphun
who was employed as a security guard. and his usual place of duty was at the
Chanasilp Company during the day. In the night-time he lived in a container
near to the scene of the murder and many witnesses informed the
investigators that he and the dead woman liked to drink together at night.
They were known to have a regular, if stormy relationship; and were
frequently observed arguing, so it was suspected that the security guard
might have killed her after an argument and tried to get rid of her body by
burning it with tires. The investigators theories were further strengthened
when they learned that Nipon had requested to leave his employment at
midnight of March 16 and had disappeared for two days, taking all his
possessions with him. The police put out an all-points bulletin to be on the
look-out for Nipon and said that they had not seen a case like this in
Chiang Mai for more than ten years.
Police, acting promptly, later traced Nipon to Chiang Rai
where he was arrested drinking amongst friends in the Viengchai district on
21 March. He confessed to the crime and was returned to Chiang Mai to
re-enact the crime.
Drug traffickers arrested
in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
An anonymous tip-off to the Pha Muang Task Force of 2 nd
Calvary Regiment, informed them that a gang of drug traffickers would be
delivering narcotics into the city of Chiang Mai, passing en route through
Baan Tha Ton, Mae Ai in Chiang Mai. The Task Force set up a checkpoint in
Mae Ai and flagged down a vehicle and ordered a search. Two lumps of ya ba
and 4,050 speed pills were discovered hidden under the hood of the car, so
the police arrested the three occupants of the vehicle and seized their
belongings, comprising a gold bracelet and three cell phones, including
their car and of course the contraband narcotics. The three drug dealers
were identified as Surasak Anwilai, 32, living in Bangkok; Monchai Khampin,
24, resident of Tambon Suthep in Muang, Chiang Mai and Ayer Sermue, 21,
living at Tambon Kuedchang in Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai. All three were arrested
and taken into custody in Mae Ai police station
On the same day, the Special Task Force stopped and
searched a woman traveling from Tachilek, Burma. She was carrying two gift
boxes which, when opened, were found to contain 43,500 orange amphetamine
tablets stamped WY. She was later identified as Pimonwan Khonthong and said
that she lived in Bangkok and had joined a tour group with 30 travelers on a
coach trip from Bangkok to Mae Sai, Chiang Rai before entering Burma. Having
purchased the ya ba whilst in Burma, she was returning to Chiang Rai when
she was captured.
Ah Kha tribesman incinerates 20 houses
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
A severe fire broke out at the Ah Kha tribal village of
Ban Pha Jee, Chiang Rai. The blaze spread rapidly, gutting 20 tribal wooden
houses nearby, with many other properties severely damaged. It took the
villagers over an hour to extinguish the blaze; and the cost of the
conflagration, which also consumed two motorcycles, and many other household
appliances, came to several million baht.
Around two hundred villagers found themselves homeless
after the fire; and when the cause of the conflagration was investigated,
military officers found the blaze had started in the home of Acha Chemheur,
the village headman’s assistant, who was known to be mentally defective.
The investigators interviewed people at the crime scene
and it was found out that Acha was undergoing drug therapy. It became
apparent that the hot weather had caused Acha to go crazy and set fire to
his own house, which spread to the neighboring houses on either side. The
officers took Acha into custody and placed him in the care of a psychiatrist
to undergo a mental evaluation before charging him with arson.
Natural Resources and
Environment acting
minister’s wife sentenced
Chiangmai Mail
Reporter
Chiang Rai Provincial Court announced its judgment in the
lawsuit that Rattana Jongsoothanamanee, president of Chiang Rai PAO had
filed against Salakjitra Tiyapairat, the wife of the Acting of Minister of
Natural Resources and Environment, Yongyut Tiyapairat; accusing her of
corruptly influencing the outcome of the PAO election, held in Chiang Rai on
March 14, 2004.
Salakjitra had accused Rattana of buying votes in the
Chiang Rai PAO election. In reply, Rattana counter-sued Salakjitra on May
2006, accusing her of giving false information to officers of the Election
Commission. The case dragged on for almost a year but finally the Court
announced its judgment on March 17, 2006, finding in favor of Rattana.
After the lengthy trial the Court found the defendant
guilty of electoral malpractice. The initial judgment sentenced Salakjitra
to be incarcerated for 5 years, fined 100,000 baht and banned from
campaigning for the election for 10 years. However, Salakjitra ate humble
pie and expressed her contrition to the court so eloquently, that the judge
was moved to compassion and her punishment was reduced. She finally was
sentenced to be jailed for 3 years and 9 months, the fine reduced to 75,000
baht, and banned from politics for 10 years; the sentence to commence
immediately. Then, in a complete about-face, the Court allowed the defendant
to be bailed out in the sum of 400,000 baht; and given permission to appeal
against the judgment.
Chiang Saen customs seize Chinese aphrodisiacs
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Patcharadit Sinsawas, head of Chiang Saen Customs
Department reported that his officers, whilst on a routine patrol of the
wharves at Chiang Saen, had come across five suspicious crates on the dock.
A check of the cargo database revealed no appropriate documentation for the
crates; and despite asking everyone in the vicinity, no one accepted
ownership of the boxes.
The officers decided to impound the crates and have them
checked. The crates were found to contain various kinds of Chinese herbs,
some of which had properties for heart and blood strengthening, internal
heat and healing diabetes and 800 packages of sexual stimulants with an
estimated street value of approximately 8 million Baht. The customs officers
stated they would continue their search for the owners of these drugs; and
when located, they would be prosecuted to the full measure of the law.
However, this might be stiff assignment.
Monk arrested in luxurious mansion, selling ya ba in Lampang
Chiangmai Mail Reporter
On March 16, Pol. Lt. Col. Pithak Nasomwat, Deputy
Superintendent of Lampang Provincial Investigation Department with drug
suppression officers arrested Kamon or Phra Wimon Thawaro, 18, resident of
Lampang, Wat Mai Nikom’s Area 3 monk, the accused for selling illegal drug
along with ya ba pills. He got arrested by being lured. Officers found 10 ya
ba pills and 470 another speed pills, 2,000 Baht cash from being lured for
selling drugs, 4,170 Baht Cash in his pocket, gold necklace, a cell phone
before having an interrogation for having illegal drugs in possession for
illegal selling.
Before arresting, officers found out that Wimon had
delivered ya ba pill by 200 Baht per each to teenagers and university
students in Lampang. He rented a mansion at Mon Cham Sin Road, Muang Lampang
to be a drug selling place. So, officers decided to arrest him by having an
informer to call Wimon for buying 10 ya ba pills which cost 2,000 Baht.
Before sending an informer to buy, officers had banknotes photocopied to be
evidence, before waiting to arrest him.
When he delivered the drug at place, officers decided to
show up before arresting him. Before the searching process at his mansion,
officers found 470 ya ba pills wrapped in plastic bags hidden in his closet.
Wimon got caught with evidence and was taken to have an interrogation,
before being defrocked.
Wimon or Pra Wimon was a Wat Mai Nikom’s monk in
Lampang and still studied in Bachelor degree at famous monastery university
in Lampang. Also, he was nearly graduated in Bachelor degree, but got
arrested.
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