Northern Thailand

Thai Army to Observe Burma Ceasefire Meetings in Thailand

Troops of the Karenni Nationalities Progressive Party

CHIANG MAI – The Thai army has asked Burma’s ethnic armed groups to inform authorities of any ceasefire meetings held in Thailand so that the Thai army can observe the discussions, according to ethnic representatives.

Khu Oo Reh, general secretary of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), said ethnic organizations had been informed in recent days that they are to notify respective local Thai army commanders about their planned meetings, workshops and training events.

“They said they want to follow and be aware of news on Burma’s peace process, which we are working on. They want to study it closely. So, we are supposed to inform them officially. But, they will make their own decision whether to attend and observe our activities,” he told The Irrawaddy.

Khu Oo Reh said the UNFC, an alliance of 12 ethnic groups, did not object to the request.

Thai intelligence officers have long observed the ethnic groups’ meetings on Thai soil, although they are not allowed to attend the events.

Nai Hong Sar said the NCCT and the government’s Union Peacemaking Work Committee, led by Minister Aung Min, plan to hold a meeting in Chiang Mai in the coming weeks to discuss the stalled negotiations over a nationwide ceasefire.

The Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) reported that Lt-Gen Sathit Pittrat, the commander of the Thai Third Regional Army, which oversees security along the Thai-Burmese border, had recently given the order for Thai officers to observe the ceasefire meetings.

SHAN quoted an unnamed Thai army officer as saying that ethnic groups would now “be required to give a written notice [of meetings] and allow one or two of our officials as observers. We will be happy to accommodate the peace process. Burma’s peace is in our interests.”

The officer added that the ethnic armed groups should be aware of the fact that Thailand and Burma agreed to “cooperate closely against drug trafficking and arms smuggling” along the border.

Ethnic armed groups, many of which have bases near the Thai-Burma border, have long held gatherings in Thailand, often meeting in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, or in Mae Sot, located across the border from Burma’s Karen State.

Since nationwide ceasefire negotiations began in mid-2013, the ethnic groups have regularly met in Chiang Mai with Burmese government officials.

Numerous ethnic NGOs and Burmese human rights groups have also long based themselves in the Thai border regions during the decades of repression under the former Burmese junta.

Contacted staff of several ethnic NGOs in Thailand said they had so far not been approached by the Thai army with requests regarding their meetings and events.

The Thai military regime has been quick to reach out to the Burmese government and has said it wants to boost security and economic cooperation with Burma. It has also indicated that it is keen to see the repatriation of the roughly 100,000 Burmese refugees living on the Thai-Burma border in coming years, a plan that is contingent on the success of the peace process.

By SAW YAN NAING

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.