The Scorpion Man and His Son

Photo Courtesy of Daily News

UTTARADIT – More than thousands of scorpions creeping around the house, father and son meditate and let the scorpions crawl on them. People in the area are calling them the Scorpion Duo. At first, the family bred scorpions for sale but decided it was morally wrong and switched to selling woodworks at the OTOP product festival. They use the scorpions to attract customers and have been making good sales. The wife was scared at first but now finds the scorpions to be comforting although she does not go anywhere near them. The man’s 6-year-old son is following in his father’s footsteps.

A journalist arrived at the man’s home in Uttaradit to find a two-storey wooden home on a one acre block, decorated dark like a cave in a deep mountain valley. In the house were a variety of creations made from wood such as models of spiders, ants, scorpions, and grasshoppers; there was also a face statue of the Bodhisattva made from sawdust – and all were beautifully placed around the house.

In the middle of the home, a white sleeping tent was set up. Mr. Suang Phuangsri aka the Scorpion Man, 38-years-old, the owner of the house, and his 6-year-old son were meditating inside the tent. Inside the tent were over a thousand of scorpions crawling around. Some of the scorpions climbed onto Mr. Suang and his son, but they showed no signs of fear or discomfort, which the journalist found quite shocking.

After an interview, Mr. Suang Phuangsri said that in 1996, he had been a scorpion breeder and merchant, selling and wholesaling scorpions for both locals and foreigners to be used in stir-fried dishes. Some bought scorpions to extract medicines to mix with alcohol or liquor. Some just simply grilled them in barbeques. Many people believe that scorpion extracts are a remedy to intestinal gas and belching, and that they help to release poisons out of the body and improve blood-flow.

After being in the profession for almost 10 years, the man began to observe and understand scorpion behavior and personality traits. Suang says he became enlightened to the Dharmic truth and decided to stop selling scorpions to be killed as food. In 2005 he turned to woodworks making sculptures using raw materials from the forest. His new direction proved to be successful and his products made it to the OTOP shelf. He has also lived with over thousands of scorpions since then and meditates daily to pray for the scorpions as well. Every time he has a product display at a festival, he brings several scorpions along as friends, and usually attracts many customers.

On the other hand, Mrs. Lampoon Pimphum, Suang’s wife, says she has been with Suang for seven years. She admits that in the first few years, she did not understand the things her husband was doing, and why he brought a dangerous creature into the home let alone thousands of them. But after a while, she began to understand and accept it. The Scorpion Man’s son has also started to take interest in the scorpions and usually joins his father in meditation and prayers.

Courtesy of Daily News

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Chinese Pastry Kills Old Man In Boxing Match

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

SAMUT PRAKARN – A 65-year-old old man was devouring a Chinese pastry as he watched a Championship Boxing match on television. He got a little too excited and choked. The old man gripped his throat and writhed along the ground for a minute before he died.

At 5.30p.m. on September 4th, Police Lieutenant Colonel Somphong Sripetch from Samut Prakarn was informed of the old man’s death. Officers and medical personnel went to his premises, a one-storey wooden home; and in the middle of the home found Mr. Kuet Onsaeng, lying on the ground with an odd look of excitement set to his face. He was wearing a white shirt and long grey pants. Relatives gathered around the corpse, crying their eyes out.

Mrs. Charoensuk Onsaeng, 67-years-old, the wife, explained that she lived with her husband and ten nephews. An hour and a half before the incident, her husband had gotten up to get a slice of Chinese pastry bought from a Chinese temple; a snack to accompany the old man through an important Championship Defense Title Boxing match on television. As boxers on the screen threw fierce punches at each other, the old man choked and rolled to the ground. The family tried to give him first aid but it was too late.

Investigative officers concluded that the pastry had blocked his passage way as he watched TV. So much for a boxing match.

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

A Grim Day for the Elephant Lady

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

AYUDTHAYA – Oun (meaning fat) is a local lady from Ayudthaya who suffers from a disease that causes the excessive swelling of the body. She weighs 200 kilograms and has been compared to an elephant. Doctors said her lymph glands are blocked and that she has a rare blood disease. Other ailments are also impacting on her condition.

At 10.00a.m. on September 3rd, Doctor Surachai Chokhanchitchai, an assistant chief of Ayudthaya Hospital examined Mrs. Sombat Padungkhan, or Oun, 51-years-old. Her body was extremely inflamed, especially her left leg. She is no longer able to walk and was sent to hospital because she was unable to breathe.

Oun is divorced and has three children. Five years ago, she owned a gift shop and weighed 65 kilograms. One day she started to get bubble rashes around her arms and thighs – it was then that she started to gain weight. She was admitted to several hospitals but no one could find a cause to her illness. Her weight continued to double, even triple until she was referred to as the elephant lady.

Unable to move and take care of herself, Oun's personal hygiene is a problem and her rashes often rot inside the creases of her fat because she is unable to reach them.

Oun said that her family is very poor and she has had to look after three kids but now she cannot because now she is a burden. “I don’t know what sin or karma I have with me,” she expressed.

Recently, she has found it hard to breathe and has felt constant pains in her limbs. Trying to keep clean has been difficult too.

Mr. Surachai said that he had received the patient from Bangphain Hospital. The possible cause for Oun’s illness is the blockage of her lymph glands and veins which are preventing proper blood flow. As the body becomes overweight, breathing becomes difficult, and the heart has to work harder. Oun also has diabetes and high blood pressure. The only approach doctors can take is to try to reduce her weight.

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

What Is A Miniature Water Elephant?

Photo Courtesy of Nation Group

THAK – An ex-merchant discovered a weird creature said to be a miniature water elephant. He said a Burmese man had found it dead and had given it to him.

The x-ray image of the creature shows a distinct elephantine structure.
On September 1st, Police Sub-Lieutenant Phongsak Theptian during his shift in Thak said that he had met Mr. Chuyot, an ex-merchant who used to trade wood with the Burmese.

Mr. Chuyot currently owns and runs a papaya plantation and a corn farm. Chuyot told the sub-lieutenant that he had in his possession an extraordinary creature: a tiny elephant or what Chuyot has now called a water elephant. The water elephant was allegedly found dead by a Burmese man who had gone fishing in a deep jungle river.

Mr. Chuyot brought the elephant in for the Sub-Lieutenant Phongsak to inspect. It was seven centimeters in length and had ivories, a trunk, a long tail and four webbed feet. They took the elephant to be x-rayed at Phawo hospital. The creature has an authentic skeleton and bone structure similar to those of elephants.

Sub-Lieutenant Phongsak has sent x-ray films and photographs to the press and the story has generated interest in the scientific community.

What is a miniature water elephant? We still don't know.

Courtesy of Nation Group

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Camera Man Captures Jail Cell Ghost

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

BANGKOK – Holy water wasn’t enough. Today, the Crime Suppression Division had its 61st anniversary. A monk was invited to sprinkle holy water and purge the jail cells. During the ritual, a camera man saw a man in a red shirt kneeling down in the cell before slowly fading into thin air.

On September 1st, Police Major General Phongpat Chayaphan the chief at the police Crime Suppression Division along with other officers arranged a ceremony to celebrate the division’s 61st anniversary as well as to award shields of honor to officers who retired this year.

The ritual was led by an eminent head monk from Chanasongkram temple; the monk helped to rid the jail cells of misfortune and gloomy spirits from the division. Holy water was sprinkled into the jail cells of both male and female prisoners. The division has been receiving many complaints from prisoners about the spirit of a dead prisoner who hung himself in the jail at the beginning of the year. The story has unsettled both prisoners and guard officers.

Police Sgt Major Wichai Thongkao, the guard officer of the prison, said that after 20 years of working at the jail he had not seen any spirits or been haunted by ghosts like the rumors said. On the other hand, Sgt Major Supachai Suwannawong, an assistant officer pointed out the spot that the prisoners saw the spirit and said that he was told by the prisoners that the spirit was a man wearing a bright red shirt, inviting the prisoners to use their shirts to hang themselves to a the jail cell bar. Sgt Major Supachai himself has not seen the spirit either.

When the monk was sprinkling holy water into the jail cell, a camera man from Modern Nine TV station was filming and saw a man in a red shirt and black pants kneeling down in the corner of the jail cell. The man gradually vanished into thin air. Will there be a video?

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Gambling Addict Grandson Kills 87-year-old Grandfather

Photo Courtesy of Khaosod

UDONTHANI – A grandson was arrested for the ruthless head bashing, pillow suffocating, and throat slitting murder of his 87-year-old grandfather.

The demented teen was angry after his grandfather refused to pay 500 baht to clear his soccer gambling debt and further lectured him on the downfalls of gambling. The culprit reached for a wooden bat and clubbed his grandfather over the head, got out a knife and sliced open his throat. He stole around 1,000 baht cash and fled.

At 11.30am on August 30th, Police Colonel Chawit Srichan led his team consisting of 50 investigative officers to arrest Mr. Pannalit A Khodmani, 19-years-old, charging him with theft and the murder of his own grandfather. Over 200 civilians gathered together and cursed the culprit to hell as he was being taken away (Photo above).

Before the incident, Pannalit had driven a red Yamaha motorbike to the front of the house to ask his grandfather for 500 baht cash. His grandfather refused to give the money and further lectured him about how bad gambling is. This made Pannalit furious. He went into the house, picked up a wooden bat and hit the old man’s head three times. After that, he tried to suffocate the victim with a pillow until he stopped moving and stopped breathing. The culprit walked into the kitchen and grabbed a knife, stabbing it hard into the old man’s head before running the blade through his throat.

Pannalit then threw the pillow in a nearby river and washed off the blood stains on his clothes, knife and bat. He stole 1,260 baht from the victim’s shirt pocket, as well as an ATM bank card before escaping on his motorbike to the front of Santisuk market. He then hopped onto a local minibus and got off at Udonthani train station and headed for Petchabun province. There, he approached a local restaurant called Phuang Petch and applied for a job as a waiter. Police tracked the bastard down to the restaurant and took him into custody.

Police officers took Pannalit to his grandfather’s corpse and made him apologize on his hands and knees. The villagers and his own relatives are extremely shocked and raged by the incident and have all openly cursed him to hell. Police had to set up fences to prevent villagers from hitting the culprit.

Colonel Chawit revealed that the culprit took the ATM card to the cash machine but couldn’t get the money out because he had forgotten the password. There were witnesses who saw the culprit on his motorbike before and after the murder. Police tracked him down to the restaurant in Petchabun and arrested him along with the murder weapon, ATM card, and one gambling voucher for an international soccer match.

Mrs. Saphaporn Farmer, 34-years-old, the culprit’s aunt, said that the old man had been the only one taking care of Pannalit since birth. She said Pannalit had always had a thing for stealing and often stole family belongings in the household. He was scolded many times but continued his habits. The old man supported him through school but Pannalit refused to study and ended up quitting in year 11. On many other occasions before the incident, the culprit had stolen his grandfather’s ATM card and withdrawn money to gamble in soccer matches. Every time he lost the money, he would go back to the old man and try to force him to pay his debts.

Police are charging Pannalit with murder and theft and will be sending him to a good old jail cell.

Courtesy of Khaosod

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Shabu-Shabu and Other Improvised Weapons

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

SUPHANBURI – A policeman’s stepson splashed boiling water from a shabu-shabu hot pot onto the family of a pharmacy owner. The baby of the family suffered second degree burns to the neck and shoulder. The policeman insisted it was a misunderstanding.

A Policeman from Suphanburi was sitting with his step son and some friends when they poured boiling water on the table of Mr. Pattanin Udomphakdipong, 32-years-old. His son and wife was also there. The fight started in the middle of the shabu-shabu restaurant in a shopping mall because the policeman and the people on his table were annoyed with the victim’s son, a five-month-old baby, who was crying. The policeman’s stepson picked up his shabu-shabu hot pot and threw it at the victim’s table; the water splashed onto the baby. The incident happened on August 25th, but the victim has since come out to inform the press to ensure justice. The policeman said it was a misunderstanding.

On August 31st, policeman Thawee Khiawsawai gave an interview on the Channel 3 news show, ‘Morning Story’, insisting that the whole event was a misunderstanding. He explained that his stepson, Mr. Phongsakorn Sukornsep, is a loud and sometimes rash person, and on the day of the inside he had had a fight with his girlfriend. She had been sitting beside him, when suddenly Phongsakorn said “Fuck, I’ve had enough!” Thawee believes the phrase must have triggered Mr. Pattanin to think that he was referring to his baby who cried on the table next to them. Pattanin then allegedly walked over with a gangsters swagger and asked Phongsakorn if he had any problems with the baby. Phongsakorn who is a rash young adult, instantly flared up, and that was how the fight started.

Thawee, the policeman, said he went to stop the pair but denied all allegations that he put Mr. Pattanin into an arm lock. He also said that glass was thrown across the table from Pattanin which angered Phongsakorn even more; Phongsakorn then picked up the shabu-shabu hot pot and threw it at Mr. Pattanin’s table. Mr. Pattanin’s baby and wife were the unlikely victims of the tussle.

Mr. Thawee, the policeman, further said that he has given all information regarding the incident to the investigative board and will not give further comments to the press. He insisted that he will be personally responsible for the medical fees of the victims. But so far he has been unable to contact the victim’s family members. “It was an act of rashness, so let’s just forgive each other,” the policeman added.

The policeman and Mr. Pattanin have both filed charges against each other. Police Lieutenant Wattana Gaewcharoen, who is leading the case, will visit the Shabu-shabu place to ask for surveillance footage.

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Termite Hill Resembles Naga’s Crest

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

NAKORN PHANOM – The villagers of Nakorn Phanom hurried to Tha Nong Chan Temple near Mekong River to pay respects to a termite hill resembling the crest of Naga. They believe it’s one of the greatest village miracles and will bring good luck to all who pray.

On August 29th a reporter wrote that villagers in Nakorn Phanom found a termite hill at Tha Nong Chan temple near the shore of Mekong river. A congregation of villagers flocked to the temple to plead for good fortune – the reporter arrived to find that many had lit incenses and candles and were bowing continuously to the termite mound in one of the monk’s rooms. The nest was unusual because it had crests sticking out from the mound which resembled the head of the Naga. There were 23 heads altogether. Unsurprisingly, villagers believe the crests are a display of Naga’s supernatural power.

Monk Monthree Chotimangto, 51-years-old, the head monk of Tha Nong Chan temple revealed that in a period after Buddhist Lent day, he dreamt of a nest of large snakes that had slithered to the temple to ask him if they could hibernate near him for prayers and so on. After a week, he found the Termite Hill resembling Naga’s crest. He said it is the Naga’s intention to want villagers to come and pay visits and to make donations to the temple so that it is prosperous. However, when it comes to luck, he warned villagers not to be too demanding and that they should only pay respects to the Naga. The monk personally believes that the power of the Naga exists.

Tha Nong Chan is an ancient temple right next to Mekong River and has been around since the Sri Khotchaboon Civilization.

One villager, Mr. Sukhai Gaenchan, 47-years-old, further said that the phenomenon was truly the power of the Naga. He said there was a teenager from the village that came to see the termite hill and didn’t believe a thing and disrespected the Naga by snapping off one of the Naga-like heads. When the teenager went home, his hand began to hurt and soon he could not move it at all. Relatives took him back to apologize to the Naga, and his hand recovered instantly. “It was unbelievable,” Sukhai said.

This personal story from the village has kept people moving in and out of the temple at a rate never before seen. It has been especially crowded near lottery dates. In the end, it is always about lottery.

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

59 People Sleep in Coffins to Rid Their Misfortunes

Photo Courtesy of Thairath

NAKORN RATCHASRIMA – In the photo above a purgation ceremony is taking place – and yes, 59 people are hopping into coffins. The coffins used in the ritual will be donated to funerals for people without families or who cannot afford to buy a coffin.

On August 30th, at Pha Sathraruam Temple in front of Boon Watthana school in Nakorn Ratchasrima, a coffin ceremony took place, exchanging people’s bad karma’s with their good deeds. The coffins will be given to underprivileged people without relatives or to those who have died in accidents – which is not uncommon in this country. The ceremony is the 11th of its kind and many contributors and coffin donators have taken part in the services. Thousands of people have participated and attended these rituals with Mr. Vichai Nanthanathawon, head of the event, leading the proceedings.

The most famous part of the ceremony is when 59 people are asked to lie down in the coffins and close their eyes.

The coffins are brand-new and made especially for the occasion. The people lie down in the coffins and the ceremony officers close the lids on them; four monks are then introduced to perform prayers in front of the coffins. These monks are usually eminent monks from different cities. At the end, the people open the lids and sit up to be sprinkled with Buddhist holy water taken from over 108 temples. The ceremony is totally free and provides free food and drinks for those who attend.

Mrs. Muthita Saethang, an advisor for the coffin rituals said that this year, according to astrological readings, females born in the year of snake, monkey, pig, tiger, and males born in the year of goat, dragon, cow and dog should do the ritual because they are born to be punished by the great Naga and will be beheaded. To get rid of their misfortunes, they must lie in coffins so that their well beings are tremendously improved.

Yes, I think I’ll stick to lying in a hot tub and getting rid of the dirt that way.

Courtesy of Thairath

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak

Dogs Are Being Grilled

Photo Courtesy of Khaosod

AYUDTHAYA – Local Thais have had enough with Cambodian laborers who have hunted dogs for their barbeque dinners. Villagers have seen them chase dogs with long knives, slashing at them from behind. The lucky ones have been saved by people who have informed the city’s animal rescue team. Others haven’t been so lucky, like the dog in the photo above, now paralyzed after sustaining spinal chord damage.

Villagers reveal that Cambodians in labor camps have been hunting dogs and grilling them like Peking ducks without thinking about how Thai people feel about it. In stark contrast to these dog eaters, there was an incident in Surin, another city, where a clothing store caught on fire and a dog was left inside - the owner went back in the store and was burnt alive with the dog.

On August 28th, a reporter was informed that Mr. Thiti Homthaet, 34-years-old, a member of Ayudthaya’s rescue team, saved a Thai-breed dog from being hunted down. The dog was slashed by Cambodians before being sent to a nearby vet. The dog was male, a Thai breed, and 2-3 years-old, with a light brown coat. He weighed around 15 kilograms and groaned in pain from the 15 cm deep wound near its tail. The dog’s spinal chord had been severed at the rear.

Mr. Thiti revealed that the night of August 26th, on the side of Ayudthaya-Nakorn Luang road, villagers witnessed several Cambodian workers holding long knives, chasing the dog. The dog ran into a bush on the side of the road, and luckily, heavy rain poured down and the dog hunters retreated. On the afternoon of August 27th, people reported seeing the dog lying in the mud on the roadside.

A rescue team found the dog breathing faintly and in a critical state. It was immediately sent to Krungsri Vet hospital in the city for first aid.

Mr. Thiti said that the vet explained that the dog could not be saved due to having inadequate surgical equipment. The dog’s spinal chord and several other nerves endings need to be reattached before the wound is stitched up. The vet told Mr. Thiti to prepare for the dog’s death. Mr. Thiti and several villagers didn’t give up and gathered money for medical fees, but the doctor was firm in the fact that the dog will not survive. Out of options, they took the dog back to the area near Sakae creek to take care of it in its last moment of life.

“We still believe that this dog will make it. So we named it Boonrod (Boon meaning merit and Rod meaning survive) because the dog has really tried its best to survive. We are scared that the dog will catch a disease or viruses through the wound, because right now the dog can only move its head but cannot move its body. When it needs to pee or poo, it does so lying in the exact same position. If anybody or any Vet in Bangkok has the right equipment to save Boonrod’s life, please contact me on 084-145-4855, or 035-244-182,” Mr. Thiti said.

After interviewing villagers, it was revealed that the area is occupied by foreign workers and laborers, working at the port near Phasak River. The area is also home to over a hundred Cambodian workers. The villagers claim to hear dogs moaning on a regular basis and said the Cambodians hunt down every dog they see and cook them in barbeques. The Cambodians seem to be getting more gruesome and cruel each day; recently they have found dead dogs to cook up, despite the warnings from people that the dog may be diseased.

It has been said that some Cambodians have event tried to buy village dogs for 100-200 baht each. There has been no proper investigation into this matter.

Doctor Ratthanachai Chulanet from Ayudthaya’s ministry of health said that the consumption of dog meat is possible and hygienic if the dogs are not diseased and that the meat must be cooked until it is no longer red. He further suggested, though, that people should avoid consuming dog meat because dogs are cute and people friendly and that Thai people don’t favor the killing of dogs.

Mrs. Jiraphan Pimphan, Ayudthaya’s chief of ministry of culture said that she understands the Cambodian diet and way of life. However, the Cambodians are now residing in Thailand, which is a Buddhist country, and they should adapt their lifestyles to fit the Thai culture. She further stated that the businesses and employers of these workers must enforce these standards. There is also a lack of animal protection laws for dogs and other pets - there are only laws for wild animals. She said the government should step in immediately to save these four-legged friends of ours.

Courtesy of Khaosod

Writer: Adrian Tse & Chet Chetchotisak