Former PM Somchai acquitted of negligence of duty
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on August 2, 2017
Former Thai PM Somchai Wongsawat and three other senior figures of his government have been acquitted by the Supreme Court today. They were on trial for negligence of duty in the dispersal of anti-government yellow shirt protesters in October 2008. Here's my short summary and analysis for Channel NewsAsia.
Yingluck insists innocence in closing statement in trail against her
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on August 1, 2017
My Channel NewsAsia report from the Supreme Court today: "I'm a victim of a political game!" That's what former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says during her closing statement in the trial against her for negligence of duty in her government's rice subsidy scheme. The final verdict is scheduled for August 25.
Thai Govt slammed of mishandling flood warning in Northeast
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on July 31, 2017
19 provinces in the Northeast in Thailand are still battling with floods in the aftermath of rain storms last week. While there are small signs of improvement, others are still bracing for more. Meanwhile, the military government is criticized for not giving out a flood warning.
Legal hurdles stand in the way of Thailand's craft beer industry
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on July 23, 2017
As craft beer becomes more popular not only to drink, but also to create, long-brewing legal challenges are standing in the way of the market growing any larger.
Final verdict date set in rice case against former Thai PM Yingluck
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on July 21, 2017
My Channel NewsAsia recap of today's last court hearing date in the case against former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, on trial for negligence in her government's hugely popular, but also hugely controversial rice-pledging scheme. She will give a final testimony on August 1 and the final verdict will be read on August 25, where she could face up to 10 years in prison.
Former PM Yingluck's arrives to last hearing in rice pledging case
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on July 21, 2017
Former Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra has her last hearing at the Supreme Court today, where she's charged with negligence of duty in her government's rice-pledging scheme. Here's my short Channel NewsAsia report with the details.
Mass verdicts at human trafficking trial a first step
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on July 19, 2017
Thailand’s biggest human trafficking trial in numbers: 103 defendants, 62 guilty of 13 different charges, jail time from 4 to 94 years. Among the highest-profile convicted are a former army general (27 years), a former mayor of Padang Besar (78 years), a former official in the Satun provincial official (75 years) and a notorious man who ran a slave camp in the jungle (94 years). And, lest we forget, the court has also ordered the defendants to pay over 4,4m Baht ($131k) in compensation to the #Rohingya victims.
Here's my Channel NewsAsia appearance talking briefly about the significance about the trial as the verdict was still read out - all 500 pages of them.
Thais work around the clock to build final monument to their late King
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on July 19, 2017
The royal cremation will take place on Oct 26 on a massive pyre being built next to the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Rights groups call for justice ahead of major Thailand trafficking verdict
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on July 18, 2017
Thailand should ensure those involved in trafficking migrants are brought to justice, rights groups said on Tuesday (Jul 18). A Thai court is expected to deliver its verdict on Wednesday (Jul 19) in a major trafficking trial involving 103 defendants that has been beset by allegations of intimidation.
Cuddly or cruel? Wild animal cafes draw in visitors, critics.
Originally published Channel NewsAsia on July
Forget cat cafes. There are some places now in Bangkok where you can cuddle a lynx, fennec or meerkat along with your cup of coffee. The owners insist that these are all taken care of well, but critics don't see much purpose in these.
TRANSCRIPT
In a shophouse in Bangkok’s bustling commercial district, there’s a cafe where cats and dogs are living together quite literally - and numerous more exotic cohorts.
This wild animal cafe belongs to Miss Wachiraporn Arampibulphol, who opened this downtown branch last year after the popularity of another one in the outskirts of Bangkok.
"I’ve been looking after these exotic animals since I was in high school and there were more and more of them. So I decided to show others how to take care of them etc," says Wachiraporn, while she was cuddling with a herd of chihuahua dogs. "After I opened this place, I realized that this can be turned into a pet cafe, because so many people are interested and some only want to see and play with one of them."
Pet cafes are nothing new in Asia, or anywhere else for that matter. However in Bangkok in the past few years we’ve seen more cafes where you can interact with wild animals. Animal advocates however are raising concerns and criticism.
There are at least 20 different species here on display like fennecs, silver foxes, meerkats and chinchilla mice - but the owners insist that none are there around clock, none of them are endangered and all are properly licensed.
And while most of the animals are used to human contact, critics say that having them roaming around in a cafe is not the right place.
"They basically say that these are not wild animals, they say that they are pets. They don’t see the difference between a [inaudible] and a dog or a house cat or rabbit. For them it’s the same thing," says Edwin Wiek, the founder and director Wildlife Friends Foundations Thailand. "They also reason that by interacting with these animals, they will understand and get to know these endangered animals much more - which of course isn’t true, because what do you learn from interacting with an wild animal inside a living room? There’s no natural behaviour whatsoever. So the educational value is definitely not there."
But that doesn’t seem to deter the visitors, both tourists and locals alike.
"Yeah, it seems like it - I mean they give the foxes a little break in between people going in to make sure they’re not overwhelmed, and the food is also really good," says Kimmya, an American tourist. Her friend Lauren agrees: "Yeah, I mean, it seems like they’re really taking good care of their animals and facilities are really clean, good temperatured air condition, yeah…"
"Yes, I think I can see that the staff love the animals very much, 'cause they’re caring the animals and cuddling them," says Lyn from Singapore.
Whether these wild animals cafes are educational or purely for entertainment, it is evident that these little creatures will continue to draw attention from all places.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
From stocks to sandwiches: Thais remember Asian Financial Crisis 20 years on
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on July 3, 2017
Mr Sirivat Voravetvuthikun would not have thought that he would be selling sandwiches on the streets of Bangkok at 68 years old. In 1997, he was a multi-millionaire stock broker and had expanded into property development, but then the Asian Financial Crisis hit.
Thai Govt Optimistic About Economy At Investment Forum
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on June 22, 2017
Summarizing today's investment forum by the Thai Government and the Stock Exchange of Thailand for Channel NewsAsia.
Thai Govt and SET conference to woo in investors
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on June 22, 2017
My newest short Channel NewsAsia report from "Thailand's Big Strategic Move", a conference by the Thai Govt and the Stock Exchange of Thailand to woo in more investors. Here's my little preview.
Thai Govt Asks Citizens to Answer PM's "4 Leading Questions"
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on June 12, 2017
No Immediate Plans to Ban Facebook, Say Thai Officials
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on May 12, 2017
So it wasn't as bad as feared since the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has clarified that of course it didn't want to block Facebook and of course it can't do that without a court order. Here's my recap on Channel NewsAsia.
Thai Authorities Pressure Facebook to Remove Anti-Monarchy Contents
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on May 16, 2017
My quick report on Channel NewsAsia about the Thai authorities threat to Facebook to remove 131 pages deemed offensive to the monarchy - or else face legal charges. The 10am deadline has already passed and nothing happened yet. If something does, there might be chance you won't be seeing it here.
Bangkok to Ban World-Renowned Street Food
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on April 18, 2017
In their crusade against chaos and for 'order', Thai officials want to 'clean up' the streets of Bangkok by banning all street vendors and food stalls by the end of the year.
TRANSCRIPT
The smell. The sizzle. The sights.
Food is plentiful in Thailand and there are few places in the world that are more food-obsessed than here.
If you come to Bangkok, chances are that you will run into a street food stall on the sidewalk, offering lots and lots of delicacies. There’s no doubt that these places add to the charm and flavour of this city.
After all, Thai street food is often named 'the best in the world'. But soon, these places may have to serve their last order.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is evicting streetside shops from several locations, citing health and hygiene concerns and - in their own words - 'to reclaim seized pavement space' from street vendors that are blocking the paths of pedestrians.
Authorities say internationally well-known areas such as Yaowarat, which is Bangkok's Chinatown, and Khao San Road are next on their list.
City Hall has also announced that it wants to enforce the ban across the whole of Bangkok by the end of the year.
Vendors, locals and visitors are now wondering what to do next if these stalls really do vanish.
"Of course this will have an impact," says a vendor that has been selling wontons, sausages and meatbealls for five years. "If we stop selling, I don’t know what to do next. I don’t know how to sell ((if banned)). May be I’ll stop and work somewhere else - may be as a security guard, who knows?"
These stalls are an inexpensive and quick meal option and for many, they are the only affordable places to dine for no more than 1 or 2 US dollars a meal.
"If they don’t sell, the costs of living would surely rise by half. Because we would have to go eat at malls and food courts," explains a pedestrian, who often dines at street food stalls. "And reasonably priced food courts are becoming less and less and malls are getting more expensive. So for a just a little bit more [money], I might as well eat at a proper restaurant then."
Authorities are mulling plans for alternative locations for street food vendors, similar to hawkers centres in Singapore.
But many are wondering if the Thai government’s quest to clean up the streets of Bangkok could also sweep away parts of its soul and culture.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
UPDATE: Main Suspect Arrested in Japan Tour Scam
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on April 12, 2017
My Channel NewsAsia update to the massive Japan tour scam that left over reportedly almost 2,000 people stranded at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday night. The main suspect behind this scheme is now arrested.
Thousands of Scammed Passengers Left Stranded at Bangkok Airport
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on April 12, 2017
My short report for Channel NewsAsia on what appears to be a massive scam that has been pulled on over 1,000 passengers (reportedly now 2,000), in which a 'food supplement' company has offered a tour package to Japan for as low as 2,700 Baht (about $80) - that turned out to be a pyramid scheme as no one from the company was there and the airlines were clueless.
Southern Attacks Shortly After New Constitution Becomes Law
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on April 7, 2017
My new report at Channel NewsAsia is dealing with a lot of different developments: just hours after King Rama X has signed Thailand's 20th constitution into law, dozens of incidents were reported across the deep south. However, there is no clear link between these two stories - nevertheless, here's my update and analysis of both.