Nikom Putta, who heads the Mae Ping River Conservation Group, said on Wednesday that court officials should not use houses and condo buildings that were built on the controversial site.

“Let these buildings stand as monuments to the mistakes,” he said.

He said he would stage a hunger strike and pray so as to encourage all sides to talk, admit that mistakes have occurred, and embrace a peaceful solution.

Nikom spoke up after Chamnan Rawiwanpong, who previously headed the Court of Appeals Region 5 and now heads the Supreme Court’s Bankruptcy Division, suggested amid the stand-off that court officials should be allowed to use these structures for 10 years.

Built at a budget of nearly Bt1 billion, the residences for court officials are now going up at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain. Environmentalists believe 45 houses and nine condo buildings – whose constructions are almost completed – have encroached on forestland.

The construction site, authorities have insisted, sits not in the forest zone but just next to the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

Nikom said while the courts might say the constructions were legal, they were not being fair.

“How can the court clear forestland for its officials’ residences while people are prosecuted for encroachment?” he said.

He said one should not accept what was maybe legal but unethical.

War Veterans Organisation of Thailand (WVO) director General Sumpan Tanyapuch said on Tuesday Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration had approved the hikes as the WVO celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

Yearly medical coverage will rise to Bt3,500 from Bt3,000 and the allowance for holders of Level 2 to Level 4 cards – veterans injured in the line of duty – will increase to Bt4,000 per year from Bt3,120.

People with veteran family cards will also receive Bt4,000 a year, up from Bt3,640.

Veterans entitled to the Phadungkiat Pension and Cherdchukiat payments will get Bt6,000, up from Bt5,000, and the special pension rate for Level 1 cardholders – disabled veterans – will receive Bt9,000, hiked from Bt8,060.

Veterans with Apijood Level entitlements will receive Bt6,500, up from Bt5,800.

Beginning on October 1, veterans with any type of entitlement card will also get a Bt1,000 per-occasion allowance, increased from Bt800.

Sumpan announced the hikes at a ceremony at the WVO Nakhon Ratchasima office where 10 children of veterans received scholarships.

He also inspected the regional office’s work and heard comments and grievances from veterans living in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum.

Thailand’s assistance to veterans covers three million people in total when their family members are included in the count.

Crewmembers from HMAS Anzac and the consuls general of New Zealand and Australia found themselves surrounded not just by war veterans and their descendants but also by local community representatives and schoolchildren.

Anzac Day is held on April 25 each year to remember the men and women of the South Pacific nations who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations and the contributions of all who have served.

The day began as a remembrance of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) soldiers who fought at Gallipoli in present-day Turkey against the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands and Tonga, and previously was a national holiday in Papua New Guinea and Samoa.

As the sun rose over Cape Panwa across Chalong Bay, Australian Consul General Craig Ferguson, Consul for New Zealand Moana Dunn, Lieutenant Stephen Gaisford of the Royal Australian Navy and Phuket Yacht Club Commodore Scott Duncanson read dedications and commemorations for the ceremony.

Kevin Mansfield read “For the Fallen” (“The Anzac Ode”), written in 1914 by Laurence Binyon. It says in part, “They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old / Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn / At the going down of the sun, and in the morning / We will remember them.”

Members of the community laid wreaths and Ian Wilkinson played “The Last Post”.

Crewmembers of HMAS Anzac, currently docked in Bangkok, flew in yesterday to attend the ceremony.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/anzac-day-in-phuket

Unionists of TOT Plc and Cat Telecom planned rallies outside the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society on Wednesday and Thursday to oppose the planned transfer of assets to two spinoff companies, which they regard as the first step towards privatisation.

The government has approved the establishment of the National Broadband Network and the Neutral Gateway & Data Centre, referred to as “daughter companies” of TOT and CAT, respectively.

TOT and CAT are required to transfer their assets to the two firms, which are initially 100-per-cent owned by the parent state firms.

Unionists said the assets belong to the people and cannot be transferred to private companies. They fear the government will sell shares in the two firms to Thai and foreign investors, as happened with PTT Plc.

Sompong Rodthook, manager of the TOT office at Huay Yod in Trang, said about 3,000 TOT and CAT employees from that province would attend the rallies.

He said the unionists would call on the state firms’ top executives and directors to resign.

Suthep Phanpheng, deputy managing director of operator Electrified Train Co, said the promotional package would run for three months from May to July. Its aim is to encourage commuters to use the train between 5.30am and 6am to avoid overcrowding during the rush hours from 6am to 8am.

He said there are three promotional types: an “Everyday Special” from May 5 to June 1, a “Monday Special” from June 4 to June 25, and a “Friday Special” from July 6 to July 27.

He said passengers who use their Smart Pass electronic card on Airport Rail Link will get a discount of Bt5 per trip to travel between 5.30am and 6am.

Those who join the “Monday Special” campaign will get movie tickets if they are among the first 800 users of the service each Monday. The “Friday Special” will see passengers who travel between 5.30am and 6am receive a hot coffee and a sandwich, Suthep added.

AFTER YEARS of calls by sexual-diversity groups, a new law that would allow registered life partnership for same-sex couples is in the making – with supporters expecting it to be promulgated within the term of the present government.

For proponents, the long-awaited legislation is viewed as the first i-mportant step towards legal same-sex marriage in Thailand in the future.

Sexual diversity groups have long called for a law that guarantees partnerships between couples of the same sex, as the existing legislation only allows marriages between people of different sexes.

A Justice Ministry subcommittee charged with drafting the bill is scheduled to convene on May 4 before presenting the final draft, through the justice minister, to the Cabinet for approval, said a source at the ministry’s Rights and Liberties Protection Department (RLPD).

“The department aims to have this draft law promulgated within the term of this present government,” the source said.

In 2012, same-sex couples petitioned the Parliamentary Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights for a law to protect same-sex unions as gender-based discrimination was considered a violation of the Constitution.

The committee later worked with the RLPD to draft a bill for “life partnership registration” but its move to Parliament was interrupted by the military coup in 2014.

File photo

Nareelak Phaechaiyaphum, the director of the RLPD’s Division of International Human Rights, said the bill encountered many issues. They included the different demands of various same-sex couple groups, religious beliefs against same-sex partnerships, and authorities’ tendency to cling to the male-female family structure, while some parts of Thai society still had a bias against same-sex companionship.

The latest version narrowed its focus to the asset management of same-sex life partners to avoid large-scale impacts and the need to amend multiple laws, she said.

People in same-sex relationships yesterday praised the proposed legislation as new hope that their lives could be made easier. However, some gender-equality advocates called for a more progressive law.

Ratthanan Prapairat, 38, said he has been with his same-sex partner for more than 20 years. They have bought a house, run a clothing business together and have built a family life like any other straight couple.

If the new law is implemented, they say they will definitely register their partnership. “It is a must-have that should have been in place years ago as it would be very helpful in protecting the rights of same-sex couples,” he said. “Same-sex couples are no different from straight couples. We have accumulated a lot of assets and heritage together. This law will be great for us.”

He said they had been worried in the past about asset management but they had arranged a will addressing their assets, just in case something unexpected happened in the future.

Vitaya Saeng-aroon, 50, said he had an issue when his partner was hospitalised as the existing law does not consider same-sex partners to be relatives.

“When my same-sex partner was in ICU earlier this year, I was not permitted to sign any document after he went into a coma. I was not his relative, even though I had been taking care of him for over a year. I had to wait for his brother from upcountry to show up,” Vitaya said.

“After a week in ICU, he passed away peacefully. I did not know about his death until his brother called me,” he added.

Vitaya said the law is important as a stepping stone to validate same-sex relationship. “It’s not only about equality but also about humanity. Gay people need to be recognised as common couples in every supporting aspect. That will bring wider understanding towards the true meaning of diversity,” he said.

Gender equality advocate Naiyana Supapueng was suspicious about the new law, saying its content would decide whether or not it would drive the country towards progressiveness.

From her experience with similar legislation that had been aborted years ago, Naiyana said that the state may have good will towards the people. However, on the other hand, it still also had to protect traditions and national security, she said.

“So, most of the time, the content of the law remains within the limits set by these rules and traditions that it doesn’t guarantee the rights of the people,” she said. “Like in the former draft, they did allow same sex marriage but then so many restrictions and conditions were present. It showed that the state still had a homophobia mindset.”

Aside from that, legislation addressing same sex couples may also be a form of discrimination, the activist said. She would rather see partnership legislation that applies equally to all genders, not just the LGBTQ but also straight men and women alike, she said.

LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.

File photo

LGBTIQ rights activist Chumaporn Taengkliang, however, said that the progress of the Same Sex Life Partnership Registration Bill was too little too late for the assurance of gender equality and same sex marriage acceptance in Thailand.

The abbreviation LGBTIQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning. The last group refers to an individual who is uncertain of his or her sexual orientation.

“This is not the progressive move for the LGBTIQ rights campaign, because this bill only focuses on the asset management and barely covers the other aspect of life partnership of same sex couples,” Chumaporn said.

“I still do not see other rights acceptances for same sex couples, for instance the right to be a parent of children or having their own child by using assisted reproductive technology, while there are already many cases of rights deprivation that the same sex couples have to face when they need to deal with legal matters with their partner.”

She also emphasised that the bill also lacked proper public participation, which could result in problems in the future, as has already happened with the Gender Equality Act, and once the bill becomes law, it will be very hard to amend.

The girls, together with child star Taichi Ponthanan, dropped by to help with the launch of Happy Family Radio FM 105.

“He looks just like he does on television, only bigger and kinder,” said the group’s Cherprang Areekul after an hour-long meeting with the junta premier. “He told us to develop ourselves, be role models for young people and be determined in what we do.”

“We would also wanted to encourage him because he works very hard for Thailand’s progress,” the group added. “We believe what the PM does is good and will bring positive changes.”

Prayut’s meeting with the country’s most popular girl group, whose Facebook page has attracted over 417,000 likes, has been talked about since the plan emerged last week.

With the government’s invitation to the stars of period TV drama “BuppheSanNivas” earlier this month, the junta’s PR moves are being viewed as part of a plan to boost |its popularity as its 4th anniversary in unelected power looms next month.

They are being carried out in tandem with what appears to be a new and more compromising attitude towards politicians from Prayut, especially toward local, influential figures, ahead of the election now set for next February.

Like its sister brand AKB48, from Japan, BNK48 has adopted an open and easily accessible imaged by engaging with social media and making numerous appearances at public events. But “getting close” to the young idols can mean different things.

Despite their cute, down-to-earth personalities, any touching – even of their hands – is normally out of the question for fans. Those wishing to do so have to pay for merchandise and wait in long lines for the chance of a quick handshake with their favourite girls.

As such Prayut’s lingering handshakes with the eight girls and lengthy chats raised eyebrows among social media users, especially the “ota” or die-hard fans.

“He broke the constitution before so why can’t he break such a small rule?” one Twitter user said sarcastically.

It was later revealed, however, that the group’s manager was the one who stage-managed the handshake.

The PM could count himself lucky: usually any physical contact from fans is discouraged to prevent possible harassment of the singers.

MANY ELEPHANTS are being hunted for their skin across Asia and the problem is reaching a crisis point, said a report released yesterday by an international NGO that is dedicated to protecting the animals from extinction.

The report exposes the rise in poaching to supply a new kind of transnational wildlife crime, and those who are trading, promoting and profiting from elephant skin products, Belinda Stewart-Cox, the director of conservation for Elephant Family, said.

Chinese online platforms such as Baidu and WeChat have been used to trade elephant skin products, the report revealed.

“We are now seeing an increase in the illicit online advertising for sale of powdered elephant skin. The main source, at present, is Myanmar where officials have identified a poaching crisis that has intensified rapidly since 2010.

“Our research shows that urgent action is required to address this rising trend before it develops into yet another wildlife crisis,” Stewart-Cox said at the event held at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand

Elephant Family is the first organisation to investigate the illegal trade in elephant skin.

China, Laos and Myanmar provide elephant skin for products such as traditional medicines, skincare creams, beads for bracelets, necklaces and pendants.

“We began by monitoring live trade, but then discovered there was a marked increase in poaching in Myanmar. We were shown images of elephant carcasses found with strips of skin missing and, more recently, carcasses that had been entirely surgically skinned,” Stewart-Cox said.

She said the report – Titled “Skinned – The Growing Appetite for Asian Elephants” – was not intended to apportion blame but to turn the spotlight on the growing transnational crime.

“We wish to call for the collaboration of governments and civil society to tackle the issue before it threatens the survival of Asia’s elephants,” she said.

According to her organisation, Asian elephant population has roughly halved during the past 50 years and 90 per cent of their habitat has disappeared.

She added that the general public could help by not purchasing any of these products.

The report states that elephant skin products have been spotted in markets in Mong La, Myanmar, Xishuangbanna, in Yunnan province, China, and Guangzhou, in Guangdong province, China, in January.

The report also said there is worrying evidence that skin products are being licensed for pharmaceutical use.

According to report, documentation showed China’s State Forestry Administration (SFA) had issued licences for the manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products containing elephant skin. Several Chinese companies had advertised products claiming elephant skin was an ingredient in their products.

“Asia’s elephant populations are increasingly fragmented and many are fragile. A trade that targets any elephant of any age could spell disaster for small, poorly protected populations of this endangered, slow breeding species,” Stewart-Cox said.

Her organisation has estimated that there are now between 30,000 and 50,000 elephants in Asia.

HERBAL CURES for cancer, prepared by Mor Saeng, have no effect on treating or inhibiting the disease, Dr Narong Aphikulvanich, the Medical Services Department’s deputy director general, said yesterday.

“We have tested it on seven types of cancer including breast, liver, and colorectal cancer,” Narong said. The tests found that the tablets had no inhibitory effect against cancer cells.

Saengchai, however, remains defiant and confident even after tests suggest his concoctions cannot cure the deadly disease. “Tests are conducted in tubes. But these concoctions are supposed to work inside human bodies,” he said.

Narong spoke after a meeting with Saengchai, whose real name is Saengchai Haelerttrakul, and relevant officials.

Saengchai has never received any training as a doctor. However, he is widely referred to as “Mor”, which means “doctor” in Thai, because of the herbal concoctions that he hands out. Many patients who have taken the capsules report feeling better.

Every month, thousands of patients queue up in Prachin Buri province to get some free capsules from Saengchai. Sometimes, the wait is as long as two days.

Narong did say, however, that “the herbal concoctions are not harmful to patients’ health”.

He added that a research by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine also found that patients’ quality of life

improved after taking Saengchai’s herbal concoctions.

Narong suggested that cancer patients could seek help from Saengchai, if they wanted, but they should not abandon modern medicine.

Asked whether Saengchai could register his concoctions as health products, Narong said: “At this point, no.”

Saengchai, who insists he has solid herbal knowledge, said he would continue to hand out his herbal concoctions to give hope to people.

His herbal capsules have been distributed to people for free for more a decade, with the financial support of some believers.

On May 2, his capsules will be distributed in three southern border provinces.

Saengchai has even received an invitation for him to share his capsules with cancer patients in Laos. He said that several foreign doctors had contacted him to buy his herbal formula.

“But I have turned down their offer because I am worried that |Thai patients will not be able to get these capsules for free anymore,” he said.

Chuchart Srisaeng’s post took issue with the academic group’s claim that the Chiang Mai Rajabhat University’s branch of Saluang-Khilek, which takes up 6,235 rai, is transgressing on the forest reserve.

Chuchart said that, on the contrary, the court’s buildings used only 147 rai of the land plot, adding that it was legally acquired and there were land documents to prove its legality.

He said that society would plunge into chaos if people allowed their emotions to guide their actions and judgement, and consider something wrong only when they did not gain any benefits from it.

The academics, signed in under the Chiang Mai Rajabhat University group, recently called for an end to the ongoing controversial court office and residence project at the foot of Doi Suthep. They cited the buildings’ inappropriate location in the forest, possible impacts on natural waterways, and intrusion into a space sacred for Chiang Mai people.

The court of justice office has proceeded with the project, comprising the Court of Appeals Region 5’s new office and residences at a total cost of about Bt1 billion. Court officials claim that the land was acquired legally and deny that the project encroaches upon any protected areas, including the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

However, local people, now grouped under the Doi Suthep Reclamation Network, have strongly opposed the project, citing possible environmental impacts of the project, which they say encroaches upon pristine forest and waterways. They also allege that it intrudes on a spiritual space.

The court, however, has not given up. Last weekend, two senior figures, former presidents of the Court of Appeals Region 5, Savat Suravatananda and ChamnanRawiwanpong, suggested that court officials should be allowed to use the condo units and houses at the planned site for about 10 years. After that, all relevant parties could discuss again what to do next.

This suggestion intensified the locals’ opposition.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he would appoint a joint committee to help resolve the problem.