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UBON RATCHATHANI : A university professor has been dismissed for sexual misconduct in a high-profile case which has also resulted in police charges for the accused. Asst Prof Chakkarit Uttho was fired under an Ubon Rajathanee University order released yesterday.
Vice-rector Supachai Hathongkhum said a disciplinary investigation found that Mr Chakkarit, of the liberal arts faculty, sexually abused a 21-year-old female undergraduate, offering her good examination results if she allowed him to touch her.
The dismissal took effect on Tuesday.
In early July, the third-year student at the faculty of business administration, whose name was withheld, sought help from police, saying the 41-year-old lecturer had made an indecent approach.
Police suggested she pretend to accept the offer and use a video camera to record his behavior at their next meeting.
When the lecturer called her again, she agreed to meet him at his office.
Video footage of the meeting showed Mr Chakkarit hugging the student and trying to sexually molest her.
He was suspended from his job during the disciplinary investigation.
The victim was nominated by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry as one of the nation's outstanding women for her courage in protecting her dignity.
Chief investigator Pol Col Prateep Kitjawattana said Mr Chakkarit had been charged with sexually molesting a student, and abuse of authority.
The case file has been passed on to Ubon Ratchathani prosecutors.
THE REAL VICTIM AT PREAH VIHEAR
Soldier waits to have artificial leg fitted after stepping on landmine at border
Story by APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/200708_News/20Jul2008_news002.php
Every night on Ratchadamnoen avenue the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stand on their stage and demand the return of Preah Vihear temple to Thailand from Cambodia.
Near the border in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, members of the Dharmayatra group have been staging their own protests and have been pushing for the eviction of Cambodian people living in the disputed area.
Both groups are targeting Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet members, who, according to the groups, must be ousted for mishandling the issue.
But the real victim of the dispute is soldier Wilai Arom.
The paramilitary ranger from unit 2301 is in Phramongkutklao Hospital waiting to have an artificial leg fitted.
He stepped on a landmine on Tuesday while on duty guarding the border at Phu Makheu, near the temple. He was rushed by helicopter to the hospital at the Sapasitprasong military camp in Warin Chamrap district in Ubon Ratchathani. The blast from the landmine was so strong his right leg was blown off.
The landmine blast caught the public's attention, but his case is gradually being forgotten as people return to day-to-day developments in the military stand-off between the two countries and attempts by both governments to ease tensions.
Despite his unfortunate accident, Mr Wilai is in good spirits.
While Thailand and Cambodia are rushing more troops to the area, he said he hopes there is a way to end the conflict quickly due to the close ties between people from the two countries and between their soldiers.
''Thai and Cambodian soldiers have very good relations because of the language. We speak Khmer and the language destroys all barriers,'' he said.
''We share food and cigarettes and play sports together. Many Cambodian soldiers used to come to shop at the Pha Mor E-Daeng market,'' he recalled of the days before relations became strained.
He is confident nothing can change the good relationships at local level and said all Cambodians and Thais living in the area were looking forward to the same thing.
''Local people in Cambodia and Thailand would like to see the situation return to normal as soon as possible. They want to get on with their lives and get back to normal,'' he said.
''I hope the leaders of the two countries urgently discuss the issue and come up with the best solution,'' he added.
The 48-year-old from Si Sa Ket has spent more than 20 years in the armed forces and his first mission was at Chong Bok pass in Ubon Ratchathani's Nam Yuen district.
On his last mission last Tuesday, the Thai-Cambodian border area was tense after three protesters from the Dharmayatra group _ Phra Khampheng, Vicharn Tabsorn and Chanikarn Kengnok _ went into the overlapping zone to stage a peaceful protest and were arrested by Cambodian soldiers. They were later released but decided to stay on and meditate until Friday, when they were joined by other members of their group at the border.
As protests against the government and demands for the return of the temple continue, Mr Wilai warned people not to become the ''victims of circumstance''.
''We are Buddhists so we should follow Lord Buddha's teaching of generosity. We must exercise consciousness to make better judgments during this sensitive situation, which requires strong understanding,'' he said.
The landmine explosion reminded the government of the dangers in the area.
''The incident has caused concern with Thai authorities as more landmines remain in the area, posing a danger to both civilians and military personnel,'' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The army has sent deminers into the area, it added.
Mr Wilai's wife Nittaya, who rushed to see him, along with their two sons and neighbours, at the hospital on Tuesday, said she and her family were not saddened by what happened as he was on duty and protecting the country's sovereignty.
Second Army chief Lt-Gen Sujit Sithiprapa promised Mr Wilai would not be without help as the army would support him and his family.
The PAD on Friday donated 100,000 baht. PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan praised Mr Wilai for his determination to protect the country.
Mr Wilai now plans to spend his retirement with his family in Si Sa Ket and will keep the money to help with the education of his daughter, who is studying at Rajabhat University in the northeastern province.
Buddhist Lent Candle Festival in Ubon to draw over Bt50 million
Source: http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=5299
UBON RATCHATHANI, July 18 (TNA) – Thousands of visitors to the Candle Festival celebration in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani to mark the beginning of Buddhist Lent are expected to carry a cash infusion of over Bt50 million to the local economy.
Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the opening ceremony of the Candle Festival on Friday morning.
The parade kicked off led by a candle adorned in the Ubon Ratchathani traditional style, followed by elaborate Buddhist candles featuring intricate carvings and bas-relief.
Over 50 meticulously crafted candles are contesting the Best Buddhist Lent Candle Award. Each team is also accompanied by traditional Thai dance and music to mark the beginning of Buddhist Lent.
Ubon Ratchathani annually holds the biggest and the most spectacular Buddhist Lent Candle Festival in Thailand. (TNA)
Airlines to cut long-haul flights to Thailand next year
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/worldhotnews/read.php?newsid=30076964
ATTA president Apichart Sankary said that although the Tourism Authority of Thailand targets 17 million visitors next year, only 15 million may arrive.
Starting from today, THAI will suspend its New York-Bangkok service. The company has also reduced flight frequencies, re-routed flights with particular impact on its US operations and introduced other cost-cutting measures.
"Other airlines such as Lufthansa are also considering reducing long-haul flights between Thailand and Europe," said Apichart.
Thailand is expected to miss this year's visitor target of 15.7 million. ATTA, which encompasses inbound travel agencies, expects the number to reach only 15 million.
While domestic tourism will be more sluggish than last year due to political conflict, Apichart attributed the lower number of foreign visitors to efforts in Europe and the United States to lure tourists from the Middle East.
Maitree Narukhatpichai, president of Phuket Tourism Association, admitted that foreign tourists' bookings for the island this month had dropped 15-20 per cent from last year's level due to political tensions, which were driving away visitors from major markets.
Seni Phuwasethavorn, president of the Koh Samui Tourism Business Association, said the high season would not be as active as last year due to the higher cost of travelling.
For instance, the ferry fare from Surat Thani to the island will soon be increased by 20 per cent. Currently, Samui's hotel occupancy rate is at 60 per cent, down from 70-80 per cent in the same period last year.