IN BRIEF
Freedom Demonstration: Media reform group to hold wake for 'the death of 1997 Constitution'
The Campaign for Popular Media Reform will hold a wake for the 1997 Constitution at the Democracy Monument after the Council for National Security limited commentary on community radio and some websites and banned political assembly.
From 9am on Wednesday, the group will ask participants to stand quietly for 90 minutes to mourn the death of the 1997 Constitution. The figure 90 is derived from the fact that the '97 Constitution would have had its ninth anniversary on October 11.In the afternoon, the group will hold a press conference at the Royal Hotel calling for the restoration of the 1997 Constitution's articles 39, 40 and 41, which guaranteed media freedom and reform. In the evening, the group will hold a candlelit display calling for freedom. Southern Conflict: Ex-leader backs return of SBPAC The former leader of the defunct Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) supports Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin's plan to revive the centre. The SBPAC was set up nearly two decades ago to handle violence in the region before it was dissolved by Thaksin Shinawatra in 2002. "The Thaksin government established several organisations and sent so many troops into the area. It resulted in a lack of unity and policy direction," said Nipon Boonpattaro. "With the dissolution of the SBPAC, people have no one to turn to." Nipon said Thaksin's assigned organisations and forces must be entirely removed in order to make the new organisation work. "The SBPAC's structure must be adjusted to fit with the current environment. The chain of command should be clear, allowing a fast decision-making process. Sonthi should also appoint only local government officials to run the centre," he added. - The Nation. n suphan buri Crematorium explosion, monks hurt The crematorium at a local temple in Suphan Buri province exploded during a funeral service, seriously injuring one monk and slightly hurting three others. One wall shattered and fell on four monks, including the abbot, Phra Ngern Paphangkaro. Phra Sab Pasanno, 43, has severe injuries and is being treated in an intensive care unit at a hospital. Villagers suspect faulty construction of the crematorium stemming from corruption. A one-metre crack developed at the base of the Bt700,000 crematorium soon after it was built early last year. There have been only 10 bodies cremated at the wat. Don Muang: Dog bites off part of boy's cheek A huge half-breed Rottweiler-Pit Bull Terrier mauled an eight-year-old boy on Wednesday evening, biting off part of his cheek and leaving him badly shaken. The boy required plastic surgery. Phumirin Boonchai was attacked as he walked past a one-storey townhouse in a village in Bangkok's Don Muang district. Witnesses said the Rottweiler jumped over a 1.2-metre-high fence and attacked the boy. A passer-by stopped the attack and yelled for the dog's owner Nusara Poonnuch to come and rein in the large dog.
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