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) Thai police chief: Paedophile suspect 'threat to society' - Summary
Bangkok - A Canadian paedophile suspect sat calmly in dark sunglasses without speaking when presented to the press in the Thai capital Bangkok following his arrest earlier Friday. Thailand's deputy national police chief told more than 100 reporters that Christopher Paul Neil, 32, appeared to be "a serious threat to society" who is suspected of having abused scores, possibly hundreds, of boys - some as young as six - and girls.
General Wongkot Maneerin said that it was possible that Neil, a English teacher, would be tried in Thailand for abusing boys during his time as an English teacher in Bangkok in 2003.
These crimes carry a penalty of 20 years in jail in Thailand.
German police investigators triggered an international furore when they managed to "uncoil" his digitally altered internet photographs that showed him abusing a dozen young boys in Cambodia and Vietnam, some appearing to be well under 10 years old. More>> - (
) HM the King regaining strength
BANGKOK, Oct 19 (TNA) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was making a gradual recovery from his illness, as doctors said his appetite on Friday was improving and he could perform more exercise to regain strength.In its seventh statement on the King�s health, the Royal Household Bureau said the king�s body temperature had come down to a normal level and infection on his large intestines had improved.
The result of his blood test showed the inflammation of the small diverticulum of the colon had progressively decreased. The king could perform exercises to regain strength and was able to have more food, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, a huge throng of people from all walks of life continued to show up at Siriraj hospital to wish His Majesty a speedy recovery. More>>
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) Pedophile suspect from B.C. arrested in Thailand
BANGKOK -- Canadian pedophile suspect Christopher Neil, unmasked by nifty computer work by German police and a unique Interpol Internet appeal, was arrested in rural Thailand on Friday after a week-long manhunt.Thai police said they had picked up the 32-year-old, accused of raping young boys in Vietnam and Cambodia several years ago, in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima, 250 km northeast of Bangkok and well off the normal tourist trail.
His hiding place was revealed by a trace on the cellphone of his Thai boyfriend, tourist police chief Chuchart Suwannakom told Reuters. "They went together to different provinces, probably on the run, and the last call made was from Nakhon Ratchasima," Chuchart said. "So I sent my men there."
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) Thail police hunt paedophile suspect
By Nopporn Wong-Anan BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police, who launched a manhunt on Wednesday for a Canadian paedophile suspect unmasked by a unique Interpol Internet appeal, plan to seek an arrest warrant after a boy accused him of paying for oral sex.Police said a Thai teenager alleged Christopher Paul Neil paid him for oral sex in 2003, when he was 14, giving them grounds to ask a court for arrest warrant for the Canadian fugitive who fled a teaching post in South Korea last week.
Neil left abruptly after Interpol broadcast his photograph and flew to Thailand, where border posts were put on alert in case he tried to sneak out again and police appealed to the public to be on the lookout for him. . More>>
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) Peaceful Bangkok: A visit with monks and a foot massage
The young monks at Wat Rajbopit are a friendly bunch. Thirty or so have the privilege of watching over the king's private temple.We found a few of them relaxing over soft drinks this afternoon when we wandered inside to admire the colored mosaic tiles and gold Buddhas.
"Would you like something to drink?" one of them asked. He said he was 20 years old, a novice and had been in the monastery for five years. He asked me where we were from, then handed the glass of Coke to my husband to hand to me.
"Monks can't touch woman," he reminded me. But they are apparently free to chat, and as Buddhists, share their calm surroundings and relaxed hospitality with visiting strangers.
Bangkok's reputation as the concrete jungle of Southeast Asia is partly deserved, but it's not all about skyscrapers and shopping malls. More>>