A SLAP ON THE BACK FOR A HACK

A compliment this week comes from LGT Security and Investigations. They are singing my praises in their latest issue of the Security Briefing for Thailand.


It seems they were impressed with the work that I put in on the Leo del Pinto murder case. I don’t think I am guessing by saying LBG is one of those ‘due diligence’ organisations operating in the region.

I have been approached by many and the money is good – considerably better the meagre rewards journalists get nowadays.  Quite a few colleagues in Thailand have switched in favour of their silver dollars.

But it looks like I am destined to be a hack forever. These guys however are very good at writing long and convincing reports. Sometimes they put me down on expenses.

This compliment is slightly diluted because although it starts off well the whole piece then has a very familiar ring to it. Still thanks chaps at LBG.

Saturday 31, August 2013

Brief Security Overview
After the July Koh Samet oil spill by PTTGC, this month saw the surprise decision by the authorities not to charge PTTGC with any wrong doing or negligence. Now PTTGC is considering suing authorities for false reports to the media. However the fishing industry is severely damaged in the nearby region and fisherman are demanding compensation.
The MP’s and Senators continue a joint session to hash out many bills, budgets and a constitutional amendment with hard opposition from both sides which even erupted into a brawl between police and politicians. It remains a long road ahead even though PM Yingluck is organizing a political reform assembly to try to bring together both sides.
Political demonstrations by Red Shirts, Yellow Shirts, Rice Framers, Fisherman and Rubber Farmers have been continuous and have been in the news throughout the month.
A shocking story about an Italian Family held hostage for ransom by a few dirty Police was very frightening and luckily the family was witty enough to contact relatives overseas, who saw to their rescue by contacting the Italian Embassy in Bangkok and local higher ups in the Police in order to save them.
And lastly a very brave story of a British Journalist who would not give up until justice was resolved.
Dr. Surasee Kosolnavin who was Thailand’s Human Rights Commissioner, commended British Journalist Andrew Drummond with shedding light onto a guilty Thai Cop. This August marks five years and eight months after Sergeant Uthai Dechawit gunned down 25-year-old Canadian backpacker Leo del Pinto, in Pai and Uthai was finally being called to account. However, he would not be there except for the perseverance of a British journalist and the meticulous work of Thailand’s Human Rights Commission. The Chief of Police in Pai, Mae Hong Son Province, earlier insisted he was not going to let his man go down for the killing of a foreigner and his ‘troublesome girlfriend’. Uthai, while charged, was set free while witnesses in Pai were all too aware that testifying against the local policeman and on behalf of the foreigner had its hazards. The decision to give him bail was a fatal one. While local propaganda was portraying the local policeman as a helpful, considerate and good hearted man who had an inner rage, he later burst out in an uncontrolled attack on his 18-year-old

Flying Sporran’s Diary

Weekend

Thai bride whom he beat to death with piece of wood, shortly after their honeymoon and of course while on bail.
Sergeant Uthai paid the ultimate price thanks to the work of British journalist Andrew Drummond but even more so to Dr. Surasee Kosolnavin, who was Thailand’s Commissioner for Human Rights at the time of Leo’s death.