This BBC article looks at the incident that occurred on Sukhumvit Road last year, in which a 20-year-old intentionally rammed his Mercedes into a crowd of people waiting for the bus, killing one and injuring others. The driver, named Kanpitak Pachimsawas, was originally charged with murder. However, his case has been suspended until November, and many believe that because of his rich family's connections, he will never actually be sentenced. Author Jonathan Head said the case has "turned into one about class differences, about the perceived arrogance of Thailand's rich, towards the poor."BBC
Thailand's combative prime minister has lashed out at a famous fortune teller for predicting his new government's downfall in another military coup. The self-proclaimed fortuneteller also predicted that Thailand's new army chief General Anupong Paojinda would be the next prime minister. "This fortune teller has no shame about making a wrong prediction and I wonder what he is doing to the country by invoking my name and that of the army chief to insinuate another coup," PM Samak said.AFP
Bangkok governor Wallop Suwandee said the city would continue to ban vendors from setting up streetside stalls on Mondays. The announcement came despite Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisting that the regulation was "inappropriate." Suwandee said the policy allowed pedestrians more room to walk at least once a week, and allowed authorities to clean the pavement. Meanwhile, the premier said previously that he wondered whether someone would die if vendors were allowed to set up their stalls on the streets on Monday.
Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post