Regional News

Thailand’s Lese Majeste Law Pits Brother Against Brother in Family Feud

Thanawat Martnok poses for photographer with his dog at his house in Bangkok, Thailand.

BANGKOK – Thanawat Martnok and his little brother have argued most of their lives — about their struggling business, about politics, even about their dogs. Thanawat says that’s because his little brother “just never listened.”

And so, one day three years ago, Thanawat decided to teach his sibling a lesson. He told police Yuthapoom Martnok had defamed Thailand’s monarch — an extraordinarily grave allegation here that instantly escalated a simple family feud into an issue the justice system views as threat to the stability of the kingdom itself.

Jongkon Kongthin, 36, left, wife of Yuthapoom Martnok and Yuthapoom’s sister Pinyo Ruaylarp, 42, talk during an interview outside a prison in Bangkok

Yuthapoom was indicted on charges of “lese majeste” — insulting the royal family — a crime punishable by up to 15 years behind bars. Denied bail on national security grounds, he has been jailed for a year in a Bangkok prison where he is anxiously awaiting the court’s verdict Friday.

Such charges were once rare in Thailand, but they have become more common since a 2006 military coup intensified a bitter societal divide in the Southeast Asian country. Critics complain that lese majeste laws are vulnerable to being abused by political rivals to destroy enemies.

Yuthapoom’s case is unusual, and worrying to some, not only because it pits one brother’s word against another, but because the alleged transgressions are said to have occurred in private, in the sanctity of their home. Thanawat is his brother’s only accuser, and other relatives say Yuthapoom is innocent.

“It’s a bizarre case that shows lese majeste can be used not just as a political weapon, but in any kind of conflict — even one involving a family,” said Chiranuch Premchaiporn, a Thai webmaster who received an eight-month suspended sentence last year over Internet comments that prosecutors deemed insulting to the crown. She was accused not of posting the comments, but of deleting them too slowly from her news website.

Chiranuch said Yuthapoom’s case “shows how easily the law can be abused. It also shows why we need to reform it.”

Yuthapoom staunchly denies the charges, saying he would never defame the royal family.

Yuthapoom said his elder brother falsely accused him in a bid to seize the car-cleaning-liquid business the siblings once ran together. Thanawat now controls the business.

“This is a family feud that has been blown way out of proportion,” Yuthapoom, 36, told The Associated Press at Bangkok’s Remand Prison. “I can’t believe my own brother would do this to me. I’m still trying to grasp how it came to this.”

Interviews with the siblings, their sister and Yuthapoom’s wife paint a long history of enmity between the brothers.

Thanawat, 38, said that while growing up in northeastern Thailand, he clashed with his brother “all the time” because they were so different.

Jongkon Kongthin, 36, right, wife of Yuthapoom Martnok walks hand in hand with Yuthapoom’s sister Pinyo Ruaylarp, 42, outside Remand Prison in Bangkok

Thanawat was the quieter of the two, an introvert who never drank and never smoked. Yuthapoom, on the other hand, was loud and guzzled alcohol often after work, according to his family.

Nevertheless, the two ended up living together in a three-bedroom Bangkok house from 2006 until 2009, along with Yuthapoom’s wife and Thanawat’s girlfriend. The brothers often fought; Thanawat said he was especially angry over the many discounts Yuthapoom gave to clients.

After one skirmish in 2009, Yuthapoom drew a knife; he claims it was self-defence because Thanawat kicked him in the chest. The police were called, but no charges were filed. Then Thanawat moved out for good.

A month later, Thanawat filed an official lese majeste complaint, alleging that Yuthapoom had cursed the king months before the knife incident as the pair watched him on television. He also accused Yuthapoom of scrawling a two-word insult against the monarch on a video CD around the same time.

Pinyo Ruaylarp, the brothers’ 42-year-old sister, said the officer who received the complaint initially tried to dissuade Thanawat from filing it, believing it to be nothing more than a venomous family spat since it was filed well after the alleged crimes occurred. But she said Thanawat was adamant, and the complaint duly made its way to the Office of the Attorney General.

Media operating in Thailand cannot publish the content of the alleged insults because doing so would also be a violation of the country’s lese majeste laws.

Thanawat told AP that he didn’t report Yuthapoom’s transgressions right away “because I thought he could still listen, that he could change.” But their last fight was so severe he decided he had no choice.

“There was no other way to talk sense into him,” Thanawat said in the living room of his small Bangkok home, where a portrait of the king hangs on the wall. “He had to be taught a lesson.”

Thanawat said that although he has argued with his brother about many things unrelated to the king, his allegation is true. The interests of the nation and the monarchy “are more important than family,” he said.

Pinyo said the case has devastated their mother, On Suthison. She testified that she had never heard Yuthapoom defame the crown and didn’t believe he could do so, according to defence lawyer Saovalux Pongam, who has taken the case pro-bono. On testified that Yuthapoom loved the king dearly and often lit candles at home to commemorate his birthday.

David Streckfuss, an American expert on lese majeste at Thailand’s Khon Kaen University, called the case exceptional not only because “they obviously have some family issues to resolve,” but because the alleged crimes occurred in the privacy of the brothers’ household.

Most lese majeste trials in Thailand have involved defamation that occurred in the public domain — through a speech, on the Internet, or in one instance by spray-painting graffiti over outdoor portraits of the king. Streckfuss said one foreigner had also been charged for insulting the monarchy during a private conversation overheard in a restaurant.

“Hopefully this will not be a new trend,” Streckfuss said. He said that if Yuthapoom is convicted Friday, “it will be a significant step toward extending lese majeste coverage, something that says that what goes on in the privacy of your own home is no longer private.”

The case already has taken a toll, and not solely on Yuthapoom. Thanawat is now estranged from the rest of his family.

Their mother, Thanawat said bitterly, “always liked Yuthapoom best.”

Thanyarat Doksone contributed to this report. – – By Todd Pitman,

Regional News

Thai Immigration Police Detain Over 26,000 Illegal Migrant Workers

Thailand’s Immigration Police have detained approximately 26,000 illegal migrant workers from Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia during an eight-day operation in Bangkok and surrounding regions, according to a Royal Thai Police spokesperson.

Mr Adisorn Keudmeuangkhon of the Bangkok-based Migrant Working Group said the drive was in response to an increasing number of concerns about an influx of illegal migrant labor.

“Some Thai people see that many illegal workers are competing for their job positions in the past few months,” he told me. “That’s why the ministry has to take tougher action.”

Civil strife in Myanmar and the recent implementation of a military conscription have driven thousands of Burmese into Thailand, while severe inflation and limited job opportunities in Laos have also encouraged an influx of workers from that country.

Between June 5 and 12, officials detained and checked 20,111 Myanmar laborers, 1,659 Laotian migrant workers, and 3,971 Cambodian workers, according to the Ministry of Labor.

It marked the start of a 120-day campaign to audit workplaces and arrest unlawful migrant workers, according to the government.

Migrant Workers to be Deported

According to Keudmeuangkhon, undocumented workers face fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 Thai baht (US $136 to $1,365), deportation, and a two-year prohibition on re-entering Thailand.

Authorities did not intend to file criminal charges, he claimed.

Authorities raided 1,774 workplaces, according to Moe Gyo, chairman of the Joint Action Committee on Burmese Affairs, which advocates for Myanmar labor rights.

He stated that since the military junta activated conscription, there has been an upsurge in the number of arrests of Myanmar citizens in Thailand who do not have a work permit identity card.

All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 must serve in the military for at least two years. The first group of 5,000 conscripts summoned by Myanmar’s junta will start duty at the end of this month, military sources told AFP on Monday.

According to Keudmeuangkhon, the bulk of Lao migrant workers in Thailand work as fresh market shopkeepers, restaurant servers, and mall salespeople.

Most people visit Thailand as part of ASEAN’s visa-free policy for tourists, but they stay longer than the 30-day restriction once they find job.

“Employers like to hire Lao migrant workers in the service sector because they can speak fluent Thai,” he told me.

Immigration Police Detain Illegal Migrant Workers

The Thai Cabinet may approve an enhanced program for Thai employers to register their unauthorized foreign workers in July or August. Keudmeuangkhon explained.

Last month, the Thai Ministry of Labor’s Foreign Workers Administration office announced that 268,465 Lao migrant workers were officially working in Thailand.

Baykham Kattiya, Lao Minister of Labor, told Radio Free Asia earlier this month that there are 415,956 migrant workers in other nations, the majority of whom work in Thailand.

According to her, the Lao government believes that over 203,000 persons working outside of the nation lack proper work documents.

However, a Lao official familiar with the labor industry informed Radio Free Asia, a BenarNews-affiliated news station, on June 20 that the number of illegal Lao migrant workers in Thailand and abroad is likely significantly greater.

“They go to other countries as illegal migrant workers through different types of methods – as tourists or students,” said the politician. “Thus, it is hard for the immigration police to collect data on these people.”

Government Officials Responsible for Smuggling in Migrant Workers

Government Officials Responsible for Smuggling in Migrant Workers

News

High School Student Dies After Being Electrocuted By School Water Dispenser

14-year-old boy was electrocuted by a water dispenser: File Image

Thailand’s Office of Basic Education Commission has initiated an investigation into the electrocution of a 14-year-old student by a water dispenser in a high school. The event happened at noon on Friday, during the high school’s sports day. The victim was a Grade 8 student.

According to local media in Trang Province, the incident occurred when a teacher instructed the pupil to turn off a water dispenser amid a heavy rain.

According to a witness, the child collapsed while strolling with his friend near a water station. The friend claimed he attempted to assist but was also shocked by electricity.

According to reports, the friend then recovered, left the site, and requested assistance from teachers. A teacher ran to the scene and used a towel to pull the boy away by the ankle. He was taken to the hospital, but it was too late, they claimed.

The event sparked criticism from parents and netizens over school safety, as well as the slow response to aid the young youngster.

Mr. Chainarong Changrua, head of Trang-Krabi’s Secondary Educational Service Area Office, told local media on Sunday that forensic officers from Trang Provincial Police had visited the area. They discovered the blown breaker switch behind the water dispenser, he explained.

The breaker was burned out, thus the authorities assumed the disaster was caused by a short circuit that allowed energy to spill to a neighboring power pole. The student also appeared wet and was not wearing shoes when electrocuted.

According to the Office of Basic Education Commission, a probe team will complete its investigation this week.

The student’s father, Mr Pornchai Thepsuwan, 53, claimed he was saddened when he saw his son’s body. The boy (Wayu), was the youngest of two boys, he explained. He stated that following the tragedy, the school director and staff gave financial assistance to the families.

Mr Pornchai also said he would not seek charges against the institution because he believed it was an accident.

Electrical accidents in Thailand

Electrocution instances in Thailand have increased alarmingly in recent years. Many mishaps occur as a result of improper wiring and inadequate maintenance of electrical systems.

Public locations, such as schools and markets, frequently lack adequate safety precautions, putting individuals in danger. In rural areas, antiquated infrastructure exacerbates the situation, resulting in more frequent and serious events.

Although several high-profile cases have brought these challenges to light, genuine progress has been gradual. Furthermore, the rainy season heightens the likelihood of electrical accidents, as water and exposed wires do not mix well.

The government has made steps to strengthen safety standards, but enforcement is patchy. More education on electrical safety could help to reduce these accidents.

Unfortunately, better infrastructure and tougher rules may have prevented many of these incidents. The loss and injuries caused by electrocution are avoidable, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

Over 200 High School Students Facing Sedition Charges in Thailand

Over 200 High School Students Facing Sedition Charges in Thailand

News

Thailand’s Tourist Police Crackdown on Tourist Scammers in Pattaya

Tourist Police Pattaya: File Image

Thailand’s Tourist Police said it is collaborating with embassies from five countries to combat tourist scams and ten criminal gangs in Pattaya. The Tourist Police Bureau, convened a meeting on Thursday Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am told a press briefing.

Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, the Tourist Police bureau commissioner said the participants included ambassadors from South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, India, and Switzerland.

He told the briefing the he had ordered a crackdown on tourist frauds, such as fraudulent or low-quality tour operators and unfair sales of goods and services. Stepped-up operations began on June 19 and will continue until June 25.

He stated that the agency was working with numerous organisations to increase tourists’ confidence in visiting Pattaya.

Gen Saksira spent time on the famed Walking Street speaking with officers on duty and assigned them to seek for members of ten criminal groups known to operate in Pattaya.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will visit Chon Buri on Saturday to assess the tourism situation. He intends to visit the site of a future Formula One racecourse near Khao Phra Tamnak in Bang Lamung District.

Prime Minister Srettha recently met with Formula One organisers in Italy to examine the potential of including Thailand on the race schedule in the future.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister will pay a visit to Rayong’s U-tapao airport to discuss development on the airport’s land, with the goal of encouraging investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Police Chief Reinstated

In other police news, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol has been reinstated as national police chief following the conclusion of an investigation into a highly publicised quarrel, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s counsellor.

Mr Wissanu released the investigation’s findings on Thursday, after the prime minister formed a fact-finding committee chaired by Chatchai Promlert to investigate into the quarrel between Pol Gen Torsak and his deputy, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn.

The four-month study revealed conflicts and disorder at all levels of the Royal Thai Police, but it was unclear whether these issues arose from a single cause or several causes, according to Mr Wissanu.

The findings revealed that both Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate were involved, with each team contributing to the tensions, he noted.

Mr Wissanu indicated that Pol Gen Surachate was reinstated as deputy national police head on 18 April following his relocation to the Prime Minister’s Office on 20 March. A disciplinary committee was formed to investigate Pol Gen Surachate, and he was ordered temporarily suspended from the police force.

Because there were no further difficulties to explore, it was decided to restore Pol Gen Torsak. He plans to retire on September 30.

On March 20, Mr Srettha abruptly transferred both top police officers to the Prime Minister’s Office in an effort to address the growing schism within the police service.

Kitrat Panphet, Deputy National Police Chief, was subsequently named Acting Police Chief. According to sources, Pol Gen Surachate could face money laundering charges related to online gaming networks.

Source: Bangkok Post