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His Majesty the King
released from hospital
His Majesty the King was released from Siriraj hospital
in Bangkok last Wednesday after more than three weeks of treatment for
weakness on his body’s right side and a colon infection.
Thousands of cheering, flag-waving well-wishers, as well as members of the
royal family, were on hand as HM the King rolled out of the hospital in an
electric wheelchair, then rose to his feet and walked slowly with the
assistance of a walker.
He smiled and stopped to speak to several people at the hospital, where
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and other government officials greeted the
monarch on their knees.
“The king has now recovered, his blood pressure in normal, his colon has
recovered and there is no longer a shortage of blood flow to the brain,” a
statement from the Royal Household Bureau said.
An avid photographer, HM the King at one point pulled out a camera and took
photographs of the adoring crowd that spilled out from the hospital grounds
and lined the road to Chitralada Palace, his Bangkok residence, about 5
kilometers (3 miles) away.
Doctors advised HM the King to continue physical exercise to regain muscle
strength, the palace said.
Still remaining at the same hospital is HM the King’s 84-year-old sister,
HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, who was hospitalized June 15 after doctors
found abdominal cancer. AP
Free entry to Royal Flora in honor of HM the King
Saksit Meesubkwang
In honor of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday celebrations the
Royal Flora park will open its doors to the public from November 17 – 25 and
wave the entrance fee.
The Governor of Chiang Mai, Mr. Wiboon Sa-nguanphong along with the Traffic
Police, the Provincial Land Transportation Department and Royal Flora park
officials made the announcement last week.
A special traveling exhibit in Honor of HM the King will include the history
of his reign, his photographic skills, his work on creating artificial rain
and his sufficiency economy theory. There will also be OTOP (One tambon-One
product) goods on display and for sale.
The special exhibit has been touring the country and was first exhibited at
Khon Kaen University. Following Chiang Mai the exhibit will travel to Chon
Buri then to Bangkok at Impact Arena and end in the South at Ratchapat
Songkla University.
One of the quadruplets undergoes
emergency surgery
Nathakarn, the youngest of the quadruplets born at
Maharaj Hospital underwent emergency surgery to correct bleeding blood
vessels in the lungs and stomach.
The baby who weighed in at 1,460 grams and measured 43 centimeters at birth
began suffering complications immediately after delivery and doctors decided
to intervene surgically to save his life.
 Mother
Pranom Tapang holds one of her four boys at Maharaj Hospital. The
quadruplets were born on October 25 and the youngest is recovering from
emergency surgery. Courtesy of PR, Faculty of Medicine, Maharaj Nakhon
Chiang Mai Hospital
Following the delicate surgery the team of doctors announced the operation
was a success and tiny Nathakarn had been transferred to the intensive care
unit where he will remain in an incubator until his condition improves.
Doctors expect he will be healthy enough to leave the hospital within a
month.
The mother of the quadruplets, Mrs. Pranom Tapang underwent in vitro
fertilization to become pregnant and delivered four babies on October 25 at
the Maharaj Hospital.
The historic birth, a first in Chiang Mai and only one of 19 in vitro
fertilization quadruplets around the world produced some sadness as the
mother admitted to the news media she feared she would be unable to care for
the children due to her and her husband’s economic condition. She is a
farmer and he is a janitor.
Since reporting on the birth of the four boys, residents of Chiang Mai have
flocked to the hospital to make donations and Mr. and Mrs. Tapang have
expressed their gratitude for the generosity of the kind people.
The parents who come from Mae Hong Son have named their four boys Nathanont,
Nathawatt, Nathakhun and Nathakarn.
The first born Nathanont weighed 1,770 grams at birth and measured 40
centimeters. The second born, Nathawatt weighed 1,150 grams at birth and
measured 42 centimeters. The third born Nathakhun weighed 1,140 grams at
birth and measured 40 centimeters.
As the youngest Nathakarn recovers his three brothers are doing well and
they and the parents should look forward to leaving the hospital within a
month said the attending doctors. Source: Chiang Mai News
Plea goes out for blood donors
Saksit Meesubkwang
The Maharaj Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital is making a plea for blood donors as
it is facing a critical shortage and has had to postpone more than 40
operations in the past 10 days.
 Soldiers
from the Mule Battalion in Mae Rim district line up to donate blood as
supplies have dwindled.
Dr Chairat Khunawikitkul, deputy Faculty of Medicine dean at CMU said the
hospital is seeking donors of all blood types to meet their daily minimum
requirement of 200 pints of blood.
At press time their stock had fallen to only 50 pints leading to a
postponement of non-emergency surgeries until the supply can reach normal
levels.
Military officers, soldiers, police, students and residents have turned up
at the Maharaj hospital to donate blood but more is needed to keep capacity
at normal levels to treat some 30,000 patients the hospital attends to every
month.
Donors between the ages of 17 and 60 can show up at the Blood Bank on the
first floor of the Maharaj Nakhon Hospital (Located across the street from
the Holiday Inn Hotel.) Donors should have had a meal at least one hour
before donating.
Mandalay nightclub raided as Governor gets tough
Saksit Meesubkwang
One of Chiang Mai’s most popular nightclubs was raided by 50
officers of the Administrative department that found the establishment in
violation of established closing times.
Some 200 customers were forced to leave the dance floor and give up their
drinks as the music stopped and the manager, Tanakrit Singhka was arrested.
He has been charged with keeping an entertainment establishment open over
the limit of time according to Chiang Mai District Chief Sakchai Jor Palit.
The famous club located on Moon Muang road just down from Thapae Gate is a
popular gathering spot for the young Thai locals.
The Administrative officers then went on to raid a nightclub called “The
Darks” located on the 3rd floor of a building on Moon Muang Road. There were
also approximately 200 customers dancing and drinking the night away when
the music stopped and manager Mr. Surachet Bun-In from Nan Province was
arrested. He was charged with operating an entertainment establishment
without a license and his case was transferred to Police Lt. Col. Samart
Buntansa. “The Darks” has gone dark for at least 30 days as police determine
further action.
District Chief Palit said he and his team were acting in response to
numerous complaints that establishments were remaining open and also
allowing underage customers.
Mexican sunflowers in full bloom
Saksit Meesubkwang
Now’s your chance to visit one of Mae Hong Son’s yearly natural wonders as
millions of Mexican sunflowers begin to bloom on the slopes of the mountains
around Mae Hong Son.
 The
famous Mae Hong Son Mexican Sunflowers on Mae U Kho Mountain have begun to
bloom.
The sunflowers are expected to be in full bloom until the end of the month
and begin to fade away in the early weeks of December.
Mr. Thongchai Wongrianthong, Governor of Mae Hong Son said that the Mexican
Sunflowers Festival is being held on Mae U Kho Mountain and anticipates a
record number of visitors this year.
The yellow flowers are also blooming on both sides of of Mae Ho in Amphur
Mae Sarieng up to Mae U Kho Mountain offering beautiful views from an
altitude of 1600 meters.
Mae U Kho Mountain is located 23 kilometers from Amphur Khunyuan, the roads
are asphalted and 5 kilometers further on is Mae Surin waterfall, the
highest in Thailand.
Samui Island declared a disaster zone
The airport on Samui Island reopened Friday morning after
over 1,000 tourists were stranded when all flights were cancelled on
Thursday due to bad weather conditions.
The first flight took place at 6am and travelers were on board, leaving to
other destinations.
However, heavy rains are continuing in the province and flooding on Samui
Island is still worrisome due to forest run-off and high tides. Local
officials face difficulty in draining water into the sea.
Samui Island was declared a disaster zone Thursday after torrential rains
pelted and flooding across the popular Gulf of Thailand tourist destination
left many key locations and roadways awash or otherwise inaccessible.
Meanwhile, the meteorological department said a low pressure cell covering
lower southern Thailand caused abundant rain and heavy rainfall from
Chumphon southwards.
Local residents in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Nakhon Si
Thammarat, Pattani, Yala, Phangnga, Phuket and Krabi should take precautions
for possible torrential rain and flash floods during this period. TNA
Drug money may be used
for vote buying
Saksit Meesubkwang
General Wattanachai Chaimuanwong, an adviser to Prime Minister
Surayud Chulanont on a visit to Chiang Mai said he is worried that cash from
the sale of illicit drugs may be used for buying votes in the upcoming
general election to be held on December 23.
The former Northern Commander added that “certain authoritative figures” who
he did not name, could interrupt the general election.
 Mr.
Phongphan Riwthongthavee, the Election Commissioner, believes the elections
in Chiang Mai will be peaceful and orderly.
The meeting was attended by Chiang Mai Governor Wiboon Sanguanpong and a
group of other officials, who discussed an agenda that included security,
narcotics, social order and the importance of neutrality during the
political campaign period leading up to the elections.
The General stressed to the provincial leaders that the Prime Minister wants
state officials to remain neutral while maintaining social order.
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board has reported that large amounts of
drugs have been smuggled into Thailand, primarily Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and
Mae Hong Son.
Meanwhile the Commissioner of the Election Committee in Chiang Mai believes
that martial law will not affect the upcoming elections while the Commander
of Region 5 Police is beginning to step up security.
Mr. Phongphan Riwthongthavee, the Election Commissioner said that it is a
matter of national security and the preservation of social order and he does
not foresee any obstacles in the December 23rd election.
Commenting on the recent assassination of the Director of the Phrae
Provincial Administration, the Commissioner said that he believes that such
violence would not occur in Chiang Mai. He added that the shooting was
probably not the result of election differences but there may have been
other factors.
Police Lieutenant General Theerasak Chukiatikhun, Commander of Region 5
Police said that he had instructed police commanders in all provinces to
compile names of all those with influence and hit-men who they believe will
be operating during the election period. Special investigators have been
sent out to watch over their activities closely. Former gunmen whose names
are on police records will be brought in for questioning and told to stop
their former behavior otherwise they will be severely prosecuted.
First Astronomy Olympics
to be held at CMU
22 countries to participate
Saksit Meesubkwang
The Faculty of Science at Chiang Mai University is preparing to host
the first International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics to be held
between November 30 and December 9.
 Asst.
Prof. Bunraksa Sundharatham, Director of the National Astronomy Research
Institute makes the announcement that 22 countries will participate in the
first ever Astronomy Olympics.
Asst. Prof. Bunraksa Sundharatham, Director of the National Astronomy
Research Institute said that the Foundation for the Promotion of Academic
Olympics under the Royal Patronage in cooperation with Chiang Mai
University, the Ministry of Science and the Thai Astronomy Club will host
the first International Astronomy and Astronomy Physics Olympics in honor of
His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday and H.R.H. Princess Galyani Vadhana’s
84th Birthday celebrations.
The Astronomy Olympics has invited 22 countries to participate and 200 high
school students are expected to participate.
The Faculty of Science at CMU hopes that the Astronomy and Astronomy Physics
Olympics will initiate an educational curiosity at an international level
and provide the opportunity for competitors to exchange knowledge in
astronomy. The countries participating are Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia,
Brazil, China, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Korea, Laos,
Lithuania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sri Lanka and
Ukraine.
Their website has additional information: www.ioaa.info
Thai Farmers bank goes up in flames
The city of Phayao’s Thai Farmers bank went up in flames
resulting in a 30 million baht loss. No one was injured reported the firemen
who spent over two hours trying to contain the blaze.
The early morning November 3 blaze consumed the entire three story building
which was undergoing renovations according to the Phayao police spokesman.
Residents in the area said some laborers of a construction company were
working in the building trying to finish their renovations on deadline.
Apparently the workers had been moving electrical wires and equipment before
the fire broke out.
Police have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire. Thai News
Samurai gang leader arrested
A 21-year-old self confessed Samurai gang leader in San
Kamphaeng was arrested and charged with assault and resisting arrest
according to the police.
Kritsana ‘Sad’ Nararak, a resident of Chiang Mai, was captured in front of
the San Kamphaeng School.
While police proceeded to arrest “Sad” he alleged bit the hand of
investigating officer
Police Senior Sgt. Major Korn Duangjit.
According to the police at San Kamphaeng Police Station, Sad and his fellow
gangsters wandered around at night and wounded victims with their samurai
swords. Earlier as reported in the Chiang Mai Mail one of his alleged
accomplices was arrested and informed the police that Sad was the leader of
the Samurai gang.
The police are now calling on all victims to identify the alleged leader as
the investigation continues. CMM Reporters
Flipping the middle finger leads to brawl
Chalermchai Sangsuwan, 24, a mobile shop owner, and his
sister, Bhudsara Intabhaya, 35, reported to the Muang Police Station to
denounce an alleged assault by famed Thai TV and movie star Tao Somchai and
several friends who they say beat them up at the Chiang Mai airport
intersection road on November 3.
 In
the end TV actor Tao Somchai (left) and Chalermchai Sangsuwan shake hands
and put an end to their brawl dispute at the Chiang Mai Muang Police
Station.
The victims who showed up at the police station with a bruised right eye met
with Police Lt. Col. Visut Wongyai who is investigating the assault.
Chalermchai and Bhusara were driving their car when a group of men blocked
their way and dragged Chalermchai and his sister out of the car. Chalermchai
said that Somchai knocked him down and kicked him in the face several times
while the other men struggled with the victim’s sister causing bruises to
her body.
“I saw the attackers running at me so I held a knife to protect myself. When
I realized that one of them was Tao I said sorry to him, but he fought me to
get the knife and was slightly wounded in his hand. The fighting was half an
hour long but nobody dared to intervene until the police arrived,” said
Chalermchai.
“I want to call for justice. Although Tao is a famous star, he can’t attack
people like this,” added Chalermchai.
TV star Tao also arrived at the police station with his friend, Preecha
Narkmai, and lawyer, Rattapol Phutrod. He accused the alleged victims of
attempted murder. Tao said he was just for defending himself.
According to Tao’s testimony, he and two friends were riding home after
hanging out at a beer garden. He was on a motorbike and being followed by
his friends in two vehicles. He and his friends stopped at the intersection
at the front of Chalermchai’s car. While they were waiting for the green
light, Chalermchai honked the horn and allegedly gave Tao the middle finger
which led to the late night brawl.
Subsequently both parties met at the police station, shook hands and ended
their dispute. Case closed. Thai News
Press Relations and Advanced News Writing Seminar
Khon Kaen University’s Vice President Vinai
Chaiharn recently organized a two-day seminar for 60 public relations
officers under the KKU PR Network at Srithong Riverside Resort and Sports
Club, Khon Kaen, Northeastern province. Mekong Institute’s representative
also participated in the seminar, which was aimed at creating more advanced
news writing skills and also building up good relationships with local and
national mass media.
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