Hint 3: Banana Tree Sprouts Fruit at the Roots

CHONBURI – Villagers were thrilled about strange bananas growing at the foot of a banana tree. There were eight bananas in total. Village lottery analysts were attempting to decode the bananas manifestations but tree experts have suggested that the occurrence is normal for unhealthy banana trees.

Mrs. Thongyoo Kongngam, 68-years-old, a rice seller in Chonburi, explained that she found eight bananas growing from the ground in a close bunch. Nearby, another weird banana tree had sprouted from the soil and appeared to be patterned with pink and green shades. Many people have come for prayer and have already won lotteries.

Husband and wife, Mr. Manoon Inthachot, 52-years-old, and Mrs. Chamnian Inthachot, 51-years-old, are the owners of the house where the bizarre banana trees are growing. They said that at the beginning of 2005 they built the house and planted banana seeds during a house ceremony. After four years the seeds grew into nine banana trees and bared fruit continuously. Recently they witnessed something unusual: bananas growing from the ground and a pink and green tree that cultivated on its own nearby. The events caused such a stir in the couple that they invited people from town to their home – people have banded together with candles, flowers and prayer.

Mr. Manoon also said that his business has done extremely well since the banana trees appeared. One of his employees has won many lotteries since coming to work at his home. Most recently, his employee named Ae, bought only one lottery slip but won 2nd prize and over 200,000 baht in cash. Mr. Manoon himself has won five lotteries all together. After receiving this fortune, the couple arranged a ceremony to pray for the spirits residing within the banana trees and constructed a fence around the bananas for protection.

Plant experts have put forward a more scientific explanation. They say that the banana tree is lacking in nutrients and has not formed a full body as result. A similar reason is behind the bananas growing at the foot of the tree instead of up high. Villagers have ignored these deductions and continue to wrap colored cloth around the bananas and insist on continuing to pray for lottery numbers.

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Hint 2: Pterocarpus Macrocarpus Has Given Three Jackpots in a Row

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

CHONBURI – Desperate lottery freaks hurried to the golden Pterocarpus Macrocarpus tree to scratch for lottery numbers in front of Bueng Bon temple in Chonburi. One of the crazed individuals standing at the tree revealed that the Macrocarpus had given numbers to three lottery jackpots in a row. In the recent August 1st release, a villager scratched and rubbed the tree until he got the number 986. The number hit the underground lottery bonanza and the person won over 100,000 baht in prize money.

At 10 p.m. on August 14th a reporter dropped by the temple where the frenzy was taking place. The atmosphere was that of a big festival with countless people gathering up around the tree; excited and frantic. Present also, were many lottery gurus who had come from all over the country – from the north and south and east and west. They had all come for a scratch of the tree. Hundreds and hundreds of candles and incenses burned around the tree, filling the area with grey smoke. Nobody seemed to be worried about smoke inhalation.

Mr. Somchai Phantayutthi, 52-years-old, a plant merchant with a shop near the golden Macrocarpus says that many people, including lottery players who frequent the tree, are especially wild during the time nearing the monthly lottery release. Many thousands of people will typically bustle in and out of the temple at that time. At last months draw, one person won with the number 986 as a result of scratching the golden tree. This time, some people have already discovered the number from the tree. However, they’re keeping it a secret. We’ll have to wait until the next release to find out!

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Hint 1: Ayudthaya’s Locals Plead for Lottery Numbers from a Golden Eel

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

AYUDTHAYA – Ayudthaya locals rushed to see a golden eel in order to crack the numbers of the next lottery. The owner of the eel revealed he caught the piece of magic in Bang Bann creek. He said the golden eel will surely bring happiness and wealth to his family.

At address number 44, Area 1, Bang Bann district, Ayudthaya, villagers were eager to pay a visit to the golden eel. A reporter traveled to the residence after being informed of the town’s latest phenomenon. On the ground floor of the house, dozens of villagers surrounded a fish tank containing the golden eel measuring at 75 centimeters and weighing around 600 grams. At the bottom of the tank were special pebbles used to maintain high levels of oxygen. The eel looked strong and lively.

Mr. Boonloet Phiandee, 43-years-old, owner of the eel said yesterday that at around two p.m. he went out fishing on a boat in Bang Bann creek. He noticed the golden eel swimming near the edge of the stream and thought it was fate giving him the opportunity to own the miraculous creature; he successfully caught it and brought it back home. He said there was always a mythical story about a golden eel living in the creek and that he feels great pleasure from being the one to discover and captured it. He believes this is an important sign of fortune for his family.

The villagers on the other hand, deciphered lottery number 81 and 72, after intensely observing the golden eel and the way it was swimming. 81 72…

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Drunken Driver Bites Officers Fingers

Photo Courtesy of Khaosod

UDONTHANI – A drunken salesman was driving in Udonthani when police caught sight of his careening vehicle. The man refused to blow into a breathalyzer and instead bit the finger of the officer administering the test. The salesman then accelerated, sending his bronze Toyota pick-up through a police barrier.

When police caught up to him after a high-speed chase, they found he was highly intoxicated and lacking in coherence. He insisted that his bite was a ‘playful’ one and that he had not intended on causing harm. He was charged with three convictions: resistance to police inspection and assault against an officer, as well as drunk driving.

At 12.30 a.m. Police Captain, Chansak Thepwongsa, along with road traffic officers stationed in Udonthani, arrested Mr. Chatsak Ploycharoen, 36-years-old, at the front of Thongkam Soi.

Captain Chansak stated that while he was setting up a barricade for vehicle inspection, he spotted a pick-up truck heading towards him. The vehicle had been suspicious because it was swerving from side to take and took over two or three lanes on the road.

The police officers immediately stopped the vehicle and ordered the man to do a breathalyzer test. The man refused and bit officer Phanomporn’s left arm. Officer Pongpreeda went to assist him but was also bitten; the man tore the flesh off of his index and middle fingers.

The bites were bone deep and both officers were sent to hospital while police pursued the drunken salesman in a high speed chase. They caught him at the front of Soi Thongkam and arrested him.

After being interrogated, the finger biter said he was a salesman travelling the country making sales. On the night of the incident, he happened to be selling his products in Udonthani, and was driving back to his hotel after partying with friends. When he reached a roundabout and saw police barricades, he fled fearing that it would impact on his sales work. He further insisted the biting was ‘playful’ and his intention was merely to excite officers.

Courtesy of Khaosod

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Mother Stabs Baby with a Fruit Knife

Photo Courtesy of Khaosod News

SURAT THANI (Samui Island) – Why is it always with a fruit knife? At 3.30 p.m. Lieutenant Colonel Phongkajon Suksang was informed by Samui International Hospital that a new born baby had been stabbed to death. However, the hospital was not the scene of the crime.

Police officers arrived at the mother’s workplace where she had given birth to the child in her employee apartment. She was found on the ground and was immediately sent to Samui Hospital. The baby was male and healthy but had been stabbed repeatedly in the chest and stomach with a fruit knife shortly after birth.

The mother’s name is Miss Narinrat Pinitmonthri, 20-years-old, from Udonthani. She is an employee of Long Beach Lodge Hotel. As she gave birth to her child on the toilet floor, she reached for a fruit knife and stabbed her baby to death. She then yelled for help next door, at which point staff members called for an ambulance; the hospital in turn informed police of the suspicious circumstances.

Forensics attending her apartment discovered a pool of blood on the bathroom and bedroom floors. They also found the murder weapon: a yellow-handled fruit knife with a blade measuring at 22 centimeters. The knife was etched in blood and had been placed on one of the bedside tables after the killing.

According to a friend of the young mother, Narinrat had been extremely upset that her boyfriend showed no interest in her or the baby – in her early stages of pregnancy, he had never been around.

On the day of the incident, Narinrat suddenly felt that the baby coming - and her boyfriend was not there to take her to the hospital. Narinrat had no choice but to birth to the child in her bathroom. Full of anger and disappointment towards her boyfriend, she grabbed a fruit knife and stabbed the child to death.

Authorities are keeping a close eye on her recovery in hospital as they wait to charge her with murder.


Courtesy of Khaosod News

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet

Mythical Serpent Personified In Palm Tree

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

SUKHOTHAI – Villagers were astounded by a batch of coconut palms resembling the Great Naga: a mythical serpent believed to probe the depths of the Mekong River. The tree had grown in odd serpent-like strands; the undulations not typical of an average coconut palm.

The discovery was made on a coconut farm in Sukhothai, where villagers lit candles and incenses and prayed for good fortune.

A reporter went to Sukhothai today to see the Naga tree for himself. At 48 Bann Yom Yai Area 2, he came to a single storey hut raised on stilts at the heart of a coconut farm. The Naga tree was placed on a table for inspection: the feather-leaved palms appeared to be around one meter in length, and freshly green.

Mr. Pradit Boontharaksa 35-years-old, and owner of the farm allegedly discovered the tree on one side of the river near the house; it stood at 20 meters tall and sprouting from the crown were long Naga-like leaves.

Pradit hadn’t paid much attention to the tree at first. But one night, a Naga came to him in his dreams and had a long talk with him about its arrival; there were also other things that Pradit cannot remember clearly. After discussing the dream with his neighbor, he decided to cut down the crown of the palm and bring it home.

The whole village heard about the story and hurried to Pradit’s house where ceremonious praying took place.

Pradit said he will keep the Naga tree at his house as a symbol of fortune. He is expecting a lot of good luck.

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

The Dead Are On Display: No Cover Charge

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

PHUKET – These three stragglers were shot dead near a high school in Phuket. As for the medical personnel standing behind them, well, it looks like some sort of perverted family reunion photo.

Mr. Thia, 50-years-old (with an unknown last name), Mr. Govit Nongmanee, 36-years-old, and Mr. Somsak Rodchuay 30-years-old were all killed in a swift execution by an unknown gunman.

The triggerman got out of his pick-up truck and fired a barrage of shots with his .38, nailing the three victims at close range. They didn’t even have time to gargle their own blood. The killer fled to Phuket’s city centre at 12.30 a.m.

Lieutenant Colonel Boonloet Onklang managed the case and attended the crime scene near Phuket City High School.

The Colonel, his investigative officers, along with Phuket’s Rescue Foundation and the Wachira Phuket Hospital medical team were all on site.

The crime scene showed that the killings had been abrupt - a bottle of Leo beer and two plastic cups sat on a granite table with a bowl of fish balls, two lighters, and a water bottle lid. Under the table, near one of the granite seats, five other bottles lay flat at the feet of Mr. Thia who was sitting slumped in his chair with his head tilted backwards. He was wearing a blue Chelsea soccer jersey, a loincloth, and he sort of looked relaxed - he had been shot in the left cheekbone and blood had spilled into strange patterns across the front of his jersey.

Next to Mr. Thia was Mr. Govit Nongmanee, who had been a driver working at Sawasdee T. Kharon hotel. His body lay face up and he was wearing a white t-shirt and a pair of cream-colored shorts. His legs were splayed and his torso was twisted at a strange angle; he had his left arm across his chest and his right hand was above his head. He had sustained an exit wound to the upper body.

Next to Mr. Govit was Mr. Somsak Rodchuay from Nakhon Ratchasima province; he also lay face up and was wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans. His right arm was across his chest and his left arm lay to his side. He had been shot in the head - the image of the crime scene was one of chilling repose.

The police were later informed of a surviving victim, sent to Wachira Phuket hospital after being shot in the left side of his neck. He was identified as Mr. Yothin Singsathosit, 35-years-old.

The house where the victims had been drinking belonged to Mr. Thia, the first victim. While they were enjoying themselves, a man aged between 30 and 40 years, drove a black Toyota Vigo pick-up to the house, got of the car and rushed at the victims firing rapid shots. The culprit then fled towards the city centre. Police initially believed that a personal grudge was the motivation behind the crime but have since discovered that at least two of the victims were shot in order to be silenced.

The killer is still on the loose but police insist he will be visiting a jail cell very soon.

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Dark Molds Envelop Skin Of Young Girl

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

PHETCHABUN – Nisakorn Thanurak or Nim as other villagers’ call her, is from Issarn Samakee in Phetchabun. Nim has a rare disease that pervades the skin with black spots and seed-like growths. In the photo above you can see how the dark molds have enveloped her.

Her condition is deteriorating as inflammations spread, making her skin extremely irritable – however, she knows to avoid scratching at all costs.

With clogged pores and the incessant feeling of being hot and itchy, Nim lives in front of fans and air conditioners.

Her grandmother used to take her to Chulalongkorn Hospital for medical advice but doctors told her that the disease was incurable. The family doesn’t have money for treatments that could control the spread either.

Four-year-old Nim was recently discovered by a journalist after information came from a news source. The journalist travelled to Nim’s residence: a single story wooden house on stilts, with corrugated tin roofing - and it turns out that Nim is living there with her grandmother Mrs. Nujaree Thupthimthai, 46-years-old, and her great grandmother Mrs. On Namsongkram.

After inspecting the girl’s body, the journalist reported seeing black molds that had fused along the top of her skin; as well as seed-like growths all over her body. Her neck had prominent lumps the size of large toes.

Nim says that these bulges give her the worst itches.

Nujaree, the grandmother, revealed Nim to be the daughter of Mr. Aphidej Thanurak, 30-years-old, and Mrs. Thitima Promwiang, 20-years-old. Both her parents reside in another city and pursue their careers. They come back once in a while to visit her.

Nim’s upbringing has been left to her grandmother.

Nim is currently attending kinder garden at the Young Children’s Development Centre at Bann Wang Bod.

Six months after Nim was born, black rashes appeared on her body. The family admitted her to hospital where she received monthly check-ups. However, the appointments were soon reduced to twice a year with doctors advising Nim to avoid skin injuries as infections could be fatal.

During the interview, Nim appeared to be in constant pain as she itched and complained of the humidity in the weather. A fan was set up to cool her body.

Due to the clogging of sweat pores, Nim is unable to sweat as normal people do. The heat and extreme irritation causes her to have dramatic mood swings and Nim suffers the full psychological effects of living with the disease.

The grandmother said that after many failed attempts at inferior medical treatments,
Nim has lived on and struggled day by day. The family’s is not financially equipped to save her and have made numerous requests for donations.

The journalist covering the story reported the situation to Wang Bod district’s Administrative minister, Mr. Thanin Sawantha, for assistance.

Thanin stated that he had already been informed of Nim’s case and has assisted the family with financial aid. He will also contact the welfare department for assistance in an effort to send Nim to proper treatment – even if a cure hasn’t as yet been found.

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Elephant Lands In Urban Booby Trap!

Photo Courtesy of Matichon Online

RAYONG – Here’s a story about Plaiplu, a three-year-old elephant that fell through a steel grate into a two meter deep drain. It’s a sob story with a delightful ending!

The baby elephant was walking with its owners in front of Rayong Palace hotel, on Ratchabumroong road when a grate buckled and broke from underneath the elephant. It took three hours to rescue Plaiplu!

At 1:20p.m., a journalist reported that Mr. Chaiyon Sriboon, 27-years-old; and brother of Chaiyon, Mr. Thanatip Sriboon, 20-years-old; along with Mr. Wut Yeerum, 18-years-old, had been taking the elephant for a stroll and selling bananas and bags of bamboo.

Traditionally, people would buy these items from the owners and then feed the elephant.

As the group was traveling, they came across a grate measuring one by one meters; and a drain two meters deep. The baby elephant stepped onto it and fell through the grate; its whole body became stuck in the drain, leaving only its head above ground.

The baby elephant moaned in pain for three hours in front of the Rayong Palace Hotel in Rayong – a cry that many will never forget.

Faced with the media, one of the elephant owners, Mr. Wut Yeerum claimed to be the nephew of Tony Jaa, a famous fighter/actor from the movies, ‘Ong Bak’ and ‘Tom Yum Goong’.

However, no one really cared about who the boy was or who he was related to as they concentrated on the poor elephant stuck in the middle of the road.

The Pornguson Charity Group and the city’s firemen came to the scene and immediately set out on a mission to rescue Plaiplu! However, they had issues with the extraction as little Plaiplu was a bit too heavy.

The rescue team used a massive concrete drill to bore holes around the elephant as emergency officers blocked off roads and redirected traffic. Over 100 people gathered around the elephant and began singing to cheer him on. Meanwhile, Plaiplu continued to cuss all sorts of elephant profanities for the better half of an hour.

A man with a guitar reportedly sang ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay.

Officers used the vehicle-mounted-drill to make holes around the drain Plaiplu was stuck in - and rescuers were eventually able to lift the him up from the drain.

Plaiplu’s condition was not too good and he was extremely fatigued after being stuck for three hours. The crowd joined in clapping and singing as he was being pulled up.

Courtesy of Matichon Online

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Husband Uses Drunken Fist to Placate Wife

TRAT – The 27-year-old man was drunk as he returned home from a funeral to his 36-year-old wife scolding him on the effects of alcohol addiction. He listened for a while as he opened a bottle of scotch. The man lined up shot glasses, shooting down one after the other.

When he was done, he stood up and swayed in the style of drunken fist. He grabbed his wife, who was still talking about alcohol addiction, and slammed her head into a cement pillar – poured another shot - then fly kicked her through a wall where she tumbled down to the edge of a creek behind the house.

A reporter wrote that before dawn today, Police Lieutenant Anocha Sansri stationed in Trat was informed of an incident where a victim was found dead in Thung Sao creek.

Police arrived on the scene to a cabana house with no unit number or official address.

The victim was found dead wearing a grey top, with blue jeans. Her name was Mrs. Lamai Thongnukro, aged 36; her head had been brutalized with kicks and punches and there was a large laceration above her right brow.

During investigations, Mrs. Boon Sukkranee, aged 60, mother of the victim, told police that the victim was home at around 11.30p.m.

Mr. Prathai Sammani, aged 27, and husband of the victim came home from a funeral in a drunken state. Loud arguments broke out but the mother dismissed it as the couples’ personal business and did not want to interfere.

At 3.30a.m., when Mr. Prathai, the husband, went to knock on the mother’s door, telling her to check out the dead body of his wife - the mother immediately called police.

The culprit admitted to killing his wife because he was angry at her for scolding him about drinking.

After he bashed his wife’s head into a cement post and fly kicked her through a wall, he went to sleep. At 3.30a.m. he woke up and was surprised to find that she was not sleeping next to him. He wondered where she had gone. ‘Hey!’ he yelled, ‘Come back to bed damn it!’

He looked around the house and discovered that a wall had been broken through. He looked through the broken wall, down into the shrubs, past a minor clearing, where his wife floated in the creek. He dragged her up to the edge and informed his mother in law.

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak