THE WEEK AHEAD
MONDAY
The Criminal Court trial resumes today for the only suspects ever arrested in the terrorist bombing of the Erawan shrine in August 2015. Chinese Uighurs Yusufu Mieraili and Adem Karadag aka Bilal Mohammed confessed, but have renounced the confessions and pleaded not guilty.
It’s World Anti-drug-trafficking Day at Ayutthaya, where prodigious amounts of ya ba, marijuana, ice, smack and more will go on a huge bonfire. Bear in mind anti-drug agents reckon they seize about 10% of trafficked drugs, so imagine a bonfire 900% larger.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day official visit to Washington and will meet President Donald Trump. Mongolia will elect a president today, while Thailand won’t elect anyone for a very long time.
TUESDAY
Accused luxury car smuggler Intarasak Techaterasiri, aka Boy Unity must appear in court today to hear the decision on whether he will be prosecuted.
Big masks and parades are just part of the ghostly fun and games at Dan Sai, Loei province as the annual Phi Ta Khon Festival begins. Legislator-activist Dr Cheng Chung-tai will go on trial today for desecrating the Chinese and Hong Kong flags during protests at the Hong Kong Legislative Council election last year, when he was elected. Badminton’s Taiwan Open begins today, with finals on Sunday in Taipei.
WEDNESDAY
It’s the last day to get a word in edgewise about the new windfall tax on property that escalates in value after an announcement of a nearby state project. It appears it doesn’t really matter what you say, the tax is going in.
The Expressway Authority of Thailand is closing the 29-rai Rama III Park because it needs to be a maintenance area and then finally paved over for the next Dao Khanong-Western Outer Ring Road expressway.
Starting today, Oman Air will add yet another flight to the daily Bangkok-Muscat schedule — three per day then, from now on, or 5,300 seats per week. Nepalese vote in the second round of local elections today, the first polls since 1997.
THURSDAY
Suthep Pochanasomboon, the 50-yearold who killed what he said was one of a menacing gang of teenagers in a Chon Buri parking lot on May 11, may be charged with premeditated murder today. Or he may be let go, no charge at all.
The 43rd annual Thailand Travel Fair 2017 begins today and runs through Sunday at Bitec Bang Na. Donald Trump says “it’s yuuuge”.
The Thailand International Dog Show runs from today through Sunday at Impact Muang Thong. So does Smart SME Expo 2017 for people.
World No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn will lead the field into the LPGA Championship from this evening through Sunday at Olympia Fields in Illinois.
New South Korean President Moon Jae-In meets with President Trump at the White House today.
FRIDAY
Thai Smile Airways will learn today whether it has properly qualified to get a new air operator certificate (AOC). It needs a new one to continue overseas flights.
Yet another “end of an era” comes today, when the original Dusit Thani closes its Silom-Rama IV Road doors and strips out furnishings for demolition. Dusit Thani and Central Pattana will develop that lovely lot into a “mixed use project” that includes condos and offices and hotels, plus at least one tree. When the hotel opened in 1970, it became the highest building in Thailand at 26 storeys plus the spire, to top the 26-storey Chokchai Building.
The Energy Regulatory Commission will host the sixth annual International Energy Forum at Plaza Athenee Bangkok.
SATURDAY
The International Folk Culture Festival will take place at Wat Phumin in Nan province today.
The Sek Loso Acoustic Live in Bangkok concert is tonight at Grand Diamond Ballroom, Impact Muang Thong. Tickets to see this bad boy are 1,000 to to 5,000 baht at wwww.thaiticketmajor.com if it’s not already sold out.
The US community holds its annual July 4 picnic at Pattana School, with all welcome.
President Xi Jinping will visit Hong Kong to mark the 20th anniversary of the humiliating British return of the then-colony. There will be protests during the inauguration of new Hong Kong chief executive and Xi lapdog Carrie Lam. Happy birthday Canada, officially 150 years old.
Pacman Manny Pacquiao faces Australia’s Jeff Horn tomorrow in the “Battle of Brisbane” aka the no-contest contest. It’s ostensibly for the WBO welterweight championship.