HM KING Bhumibol Adulyadej was much loved among people in Thailand, including armed insurgents in the country’s southernmost region.
“I have never heard someone speak badly about His Majesty. People from all walks of life, regardless of their age group, are all grateful to his kind contributions to their well-being,” a former separatist, Ma-ae Sa-a, said this week.
Ma-ae was previously known by his alias, Hayee Sama-ae Thanam, a prominent member of the Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo). The King, who passed away on October 13, ascended the throne in 1946 and spent seven decades trying to boost the quality of life for people all over Thailand.
“I grew up in southern border provinces where people were always glad to hear about His Majesty’s upcoming visits,” Ma-ae recounted. “I myself was among the crowds of people waiting to catch a glimpse of him.”
The former insurgent remembered how glad and delighted he felt when, at the age of 12 in 1963, he saw His Majesty near the Central Pattani Mosque.
“I also heard the late founder of Pulo (Abdul na Wangkhram) praising His Majesty particularly in regards to his royal works |and his delivery of help to Muslim people in Thailand. His Majesty had totally dedicated himself |to everyone,” Ma-ae said.
Founded in 1968, Pulo took up arms to liberate Patani. Several local residents in Thanam in Pattani’s Panare district, Ma-ae’s hometown, joined the movement and he became its operational chief. Because of its activities, Ma-ae was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment two decades ago.
However, good behaviour while in jail saw his penalty reduced. Last year, Ma-ae was released.
“While in prison, I read a lot about His Majesty’s philosophies, particularly the Sufficiency Economy philosophy,” Ma-ae disclosed.
He has now embraced the Sufficiency Economy philosophy wholeheartedly and promoted its among people in his hometown.
News of the revered monarch’s demise brought Ma-ae much grief. “I have paid a moment of silence in remembrance of His Majesty five times a day, after my prayers,” he said.
Speaking from the unrest-plagued deep South, Ma-ae has had a firm conviction that His Majesty’s legacy of “Understand, Reach Out, and Develop” strategy along with Sufficiency Economy philosophy will finally help restore peace his home region.

THAI authorities have said that Chinese-owned banana plantations will be allowed to operate in Chiang Rai despite the government of Laos banning similar farms over serious environmental concerns.
But the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has disclosed that tests conducted on samples from a plantation in Chiang Rai all found contamination and the chemicals used can cause health problems for workers in the long term.
Laos recently ordered all Chinese-owned banana plantations to stop operating after finding that Chinese owners had |conspired with local officials to import dangerous chemicals for use on the farms. The chemicals allegedly caused severe environmental damage and affected people’s health.
Laos News reported on Sunday that the Lao National Assembly had called on the Lao government to closely inspect the Chinese-owned banana plantations, to clearly list the banned chemicals used and revise contracts with Chinese investors in order to tackle problems caused by the massive use of potentially hazardous chemicals.
However, there was no response from the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry in relation to the 2,000-rai banana plantation in Chiang Rai’s Phaya Meng Rai district.
The ministry’s permanent-secretary claimed that it had not had any reports about environmental problems caused by the banana plantation in Chiang Rai, and as far as he knew, the plantations were now managed by a Thai firm.
As for the Laos government’s decision to ban similar plantations, he said he would have to investigate the matter before any decisions could be made.
Suthep Thiprat, Chiang Rai Provincial Agricultural Extension Office director, said his office had kept an eye on the plantation and had confirmed that there was no use of dangerous chemicals on the farm.
“The farm is officially inspected twice a month and the fertiliser and pesticide used is checked. So far, we have not seen any dangerous chemicals being used and if we do find banned substances on the farm, we can arrest the owners and close down the plantation,” Suthep said.
But Somkiat Khuenchaingsa, an NHRC subcommittee member on communal rights and resources, contradicted the ministry’s claims, revealing that tests on samples collected from the Chiang Rai plantation showed chemical contamination.
“The NHRC and Thailand Pesticide Alert Network collected soil, water, banana and blood samples from workers in June and had them sent to a qualified laboratory. The test results showed that all samples from the farm were contaminated,” Somkiat said.
He said that glyphosate and propiconazole were found in the soil samples, prochloraz in banana samples and propiconazole in the water.
He added that though these chemicals were not dangerous, they would have an adverse effect on workers if they were exposed to them over the long term.
The NHRC also said that after it inspected the plantation in June, the province set up a committee to keep an eye on the plantation. Somkiat said the commission was due to receive a report from the panel by July 7, but did not have any information yet.

Under existing air navigation laws violators, especially those releasing sky lanterns that can cause damage to aircraft, can face the death penalty or life in prison
Chumphon Chaokoh, director of the BMA department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, disclosed that City Hall was currently drafting the ordinance about rules related to the lighting of all types of fireworks and releasing of sky lanterns in Bangkok area.
Though the ordinance is still not ready, the BMA has announced that all types of fireworks and sky lanterns were forbidden during Loy Krathong and anybody violating the restrictions will face three months in jail and/or Bt60,000 in fines.
Chumphon explained that the fireworks banned during Loy Krathong included any form of firecrackers, fireworks, rockets, sky lanterns or anything that resembles these objects.
“Producers and sellers of fireworks are also required by law to register with the local authorities and follow the Health Department’s regulations, otherwise they too will be punished,” he said.

Factory inspections
He also stated that officers from related agencies will inspect factories producing fireworks and shops selling them to ensure that everybody is following the law and everything is in order and safe.
“Those who set off fireworks or anything resembling the fireworks that might endanger or damage an aircraft will be subjected to death penalty or life imprisonment or up to 20 years in jail under the Offences against Air Navigation Act,” he warned.
Chatchai Promlert, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, pointed out that many problems such as fire and road accidents occur during Loy Krathong Festival. He said the Interior Ministry and related agencies were taking measures to prevent accidents during the upcoming festival, adding that some steps had been taken to prevent accidents from fireworks, water activities, traffic, fire and air navigation.
“We will arrange emergency health services on Loy Krathong Day and also ban the sale of alcohol at event venues. We want everybody to celebrate this festival safely and in line with local customs,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has sent a circular to all provinces and districts saying that entertainment will be allowed on Loy Krathong Day but it was up to local authorities’ discretion as to what can be done to mark the day.

The event held at the association’s office will be attended by Chinese-Thais as well as Chinese expatriates. It will begin on Saturday with an Abhidhamma prayer at 7pm followed by a Chinese Buddhist prayer, and then alms will be offered to 89 monks the next morning.
Some 4,000 black T-shirts will also be distributed to those mourning the late monarch.
Framing businesses in Chon Buri provinces are also doing a brisk business as people are having portraits of the King and banknotes framed during this period, a source said.
Teerapat Phermpoon, 45, brought the King’s portrait and a Bt70 commemorative banknote to a local framing shop, saying she wished to keep these as a souvenir so the younger generations can remember His Majesty and his hard work for Thailand and its people.

Arriving on two rented motorcycles bearing fake plates on March 4, the Chinese gang stormed into the Inter Arms gun shop in the Wang Burapha Pirom area, brandishing three knives and two BB air guns.
They stabbed shop owner Pakorn Daenglamai and an employee before making off with 15 firearms and a pickup truck.
Police arrived on the scene quickly, however, and shot dead gang member Wu Xing Jun. Three others – Sun Junwei, 27, Li Kunpeng, 26, and Ma Geng, 30 – were shot and captured.
The gang’s alleged mastermind Zheng Yang, 30, was arrested the following morning aboard a train in Nakhon Sawan province bound for Chiang Mai from Bangkok. All of the suspects were positively identified by witnesses.
Sun was found guilty of attempted murder, forging state documents, unauthorised use of communication radios, carrying weapons in a public place and resisting arrest.
As his confession proved useful to the case, the court yesterday halved his sentence to 35 years and four months in prison plus a Bt3,000 fine.
The three others were convicted of the first four charges. As they also confessed, their sentences were halved to 34 years and 10 months plus a Bt3,000 fine. After the court ruling, a Chinese interpreter informed the defendants of the verdict before they were taken to prison. The four had been in custody without bail since the crime.

“The Crown Prince will also consider the exact date of its release,” the prime |minister said.
The film was presented to Prayut by director MC Chatrichalerm Yukol, who brought as many as 300,000 people together in Sanam Luang and surrounding areas on October 22 to sing the Royal Anthem.
The director had the film captured by a 1,300-strong production crew, 50 cameras, including two on drones and two placed on cranes, as well as 25 microphones.
A 200-piece orchestra and 150 chorus singers under the baton of conductor Somtow Sucharitkul provided the accompanying music and harmony.
The 10-minute music video depicts His Majesty’s work over the seven-decade long reign, Chatrichalerm said.
Once finalised, the video will be released on television, cinemas and advertising boards, he said, adding that there will be only one version of the music video.

The group was seen off yesterday by deputy Chiang Rai governor Sakchai Wongkanit. The representatives come from the Karen, Hmong, Mien (or Yao), Lahu, Lisu, Akha, Lua and Khmu tribes.