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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021465

Sedans earmarked for use by Xi and Putin during Apec Summit already reserved by buyers

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

BMW i7 electric sedans shipped from Germany have arrived in Thailand for leaders of the 21 Asia-Pacific economies taking part in the Apec Summit in Bangkok next month.

The luxury vehicles set aside for Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have already been reserved for purchase by unidentified Thai buyers, according to an industry source.

“They want to buy the cars whether the leaders will use them or not, whether they come to the summit or not,” said the source.

Some leaders from major world powers are expected to use vehicles provided by their own governments. Some leaders may send their representatives to attend the conference in their place.

It was reported that the BMW cars rented by the Thai government for use during the summit would be sold to interested buyers after the event.

BMW is the “official mobility partner” for Apec 2022 to be held on November 18-19 under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.”

The all-new model of BMW i7 has a starting price of 7.8 million baht.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021462

Chemical castration comes into force for sex-crime convicts from Jan 25

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

A new law that allows chemical castration on sexual offenders will come into force on January 25.

The legislation, aimed at preventing repeat offences of rape and sexual crimes against minors, allows “medical measures” that include the injection of hormone-blocking drugs to reduce the sexual urge.

According to the law, convicted sex offenders can choose to get such an injection in exchange for a reduced penalty or early release from prison.

The law was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday and will come into force in 90 days.

More than 50 per cent of convicts of serious crimes committed the same offences within three years of their release from jail, according to data collected by the Ministry of Justice.

At least three countries — Indonesia, the Czech Republic and Ukraine — have enacted castration laws as punishment for rapists, involving the use of either surgical or chemical castration.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021459

Corals around Mu Koh Samersarn hit by yellow-band disease

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

Alarmed marine park officials and volunteers are racing against time to save the magnificent corals around beautiful Mu Koh Samersarn in Chonburi’s Sattahip district after yellow-band disease was spotted there.

Marine and Coastal Resources Department director-general Atthapol Charoenchansa said on Thursday that the coral disease was spotted two weeks ago by the Eastern Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre.

Atthapol said the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Institute reported the situation to him on October 13.

Yellow-band attacks colonies of coral at a time when they are already under stress from pollution, overfishing and climate change. It is characterised by large blotches or patches of bleached, yellow tissue on corals.

The disease can escalate at a rate of one to six centimetres per week on Staghorn corals or 1cm per month on Hump corals, Atthapol said.

The corals hit by this disease will eventually die, so officials must isolate the infected parts and replant the healthy portions – a necessary move to prevent the disease from escalating and killing entire colonies, he said.

Atthapol said his department has been cooperating with the Royal Thai Navy’s Area 1, Burapha University’s Faculty of Marine Technology and volunteer divers to isolate the infected corals.

The operation is being sponsored by AGC Vinythai, he added.

Atthapol said the cause of the disease was complicated, but experts believe the main cause was land-based pollution seeping into the sea.

He has instructed academics and coral experts in his department to be on the alert for a possible outbreak of coral diseases so that the officials can prevent mass deaths.

Atthapol said his department had also enlisted help from local communities and sea protection volunteers to monitor the distressing outbreak.

Tour operators that take tourists to Koh Samersarn and Koh Kham have also been asked to alert marine officials if they spot any coral disease.

Samersarn comprises nine islands, including the popular Koh Samersarn, where beautiful undersea corals never fail to attract divers.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021457

Analyst sees long-term risk for Thai firm after purchase of Miss Universe Organisation

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

An investment analyst on Thursday pointed to a potential “long-term risk” for Thai company JKN Global Group Plc after its purchase of the US-based Miss Universe Organisation (MUO).

Kitpon Praipaisarnkit, vice president of UOB Kay Hian Securities Thailand, said that MUO’s annual revenue is estimated at 1.3 billion to 1.4 billion baht, which is much higher than the 800 million baht spent to acquire the organisation. However, JKN’s business of media production is investment intensive, so the company requires more cash beyond its regular business revenue to pay for the acquisition, he added.

“There will be some risk in the long term. There may be a need to increase the capital and inject more cash,” the analyst said, implying that the purchase of MUO could raise JKN’s debt burden.

He noted that the price of JKN’s stock has seen a continuous decline since the latter half of last year, from 10 baht to a little over 4 baht.

“Capital is also an essential factor that should be taken into account,” he said, adding that JKN would later look for a domestic partner to promote the international beauty pageant.

The analyst said he was unsure if MUO was still making a big profit, which could explain why the previous owner sold it to JKN.

On Tuesday, JKN announced MUO’s acquisition after successful negotiations with the previous owner, IMG Worldwide, a subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings, for US$20 million (about 762 million baht).

Senior market analyst Padon Vannarat, who is a vice president at Yuanta Securities (Thailand), said on Thursday that JKN’s acquisition of MUO was a positive move, as its new business could generate more income for the company.

“We have to wait and see how much revenue and profit will be made and what their expectations are. Let’s wait for more details from the executives [of JKN],” the analyst said.

He expected the purchase of a famous business like MUO to help boost the price of JKN shares.

Meanwhile, JKN chief executive Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip said that her company has set up its new subsidiary called JKN Metaverse Inc in the US to acquire five businesses owned by MUO — IMG Universe Llc, IMG Universe FranchCo Llc, Miss USA BR Production Llc, MUO Productions Llc, and Miss USA Productions OH Llc.

IMG in the company names will be replaced with JKN, according to Jakkaphong, who is a media tycoon and an advocate of transgender rights.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021455

Police crack down on foreign fugitives ahead of Apec Summit

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

Immigration police have intensified their crackdown on foreign criminals hiding in Thailand, as part of operations aimed at maintaining security ahead of the Apec Summit next month.

Three Chinese nationals and a Taiwanese man wanted in their home countries have been arrested as part of the latest crackdown, the Immigration Bureau disclosed on Thursday at its Muang Thong Thani office in Nonthaburi province.

In the first case, a 35-year-old Chinese man identified only as Li was arrested in Pattaya at the request of Chinese police, according to Immigration Bureau deputy commissioner Pol Maj-General Panthana Nutnart.

The Chinese fugitive, who had bought a condo in Pattaya and led a life of luxury, is wanted in connection with an illegal debt-collecting business involving over 100 million baht in estimated damages, Panthana said at the press conference.

Li would later be handed over to the Chinese police, the officer added.

In the second case, a 40-year-old man identified as Tsai was arrested for entering Thailand illegally. No immigration records were found regarding his entry.

He is wanted by Chinese authorities for illegal production and sale of homemade firearms and bullets, according to Thai immigration police.

The third arrest involved a 36-year-old Chinese man identified only as Dali, who was charged with human trafficking and forced labour.

The man was arrested in Chonburi for alleged involvement in a criminal gang running a call centre scam based in Cambodia, according to Panthana.

In the last case, a 17-year-old man from Taiwan, identified only as Chen, was arrested for illegal entry into Thailand.

The suspect told police he was persuaded by an acquaintance to join a “romance scam” gang in Cambodia but that he feared for his safety after failing to find any victim after three months. So, he decided to sneak into Thailand in late July with the intent to enter Myanmar, police quoted him as saying.

Chen is wanted by Taiwanese police for his alleged involvement in a physical assault in mid-2021 that resulted in one death.

Bangkok is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit, to be attended by leaders of 21 member economies, on November 18 and 19.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021436

Fake news: S Korea recruits Thais to work in vegetable gardens with high salary

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

The Labour Ministry urged netizens on Thursday to stop sharing Facebook posts stating that South Korea is recruiting Thai workers for its vegetable gardens with a monthly salary of 75,000 baht, warning it is fake news.

The ministry’s Employment Department announced it had checked the post and found that it linked to a page for the 11th test of South Korean language and labour skills for using scores in applying for employment in that country.

Applications for the test ended on October 20, the department added.

It urged Thais seeking jobs in South Korea to first check for any announcements on the department’s website doe.go.th/oversea or its Facebook page Epsthailand.

Job-seekers can also ask for more information from the employment offices of the department in any province or in Bangkok. They can also call Labour Ministry hotline 1506 and press 2 to reach the department.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021435

Chonburi FC terminates goalkeeper Worawut’s contract after hit-and-kill incident

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

Chonburi FC terminated the contract of their goalkeeper who killed a person while driving under the influence after the club’s statement on Wednesday drew backlash.

Early on Wednesday, Chonburi FC goalkeeper Worawut Sukuna, 23, allegedly killed a person and injured another on a Chonburi sea bridge while driving under the influence, according to the police.

Read More

The club subsequently released a statement saying it would not allow two of its team who were involved in the incident to play any more games until the case is closed, but many said the club’s move was not enough.

Read More

Moreover, Worawut was released on bail after the club made an attempt to defuse the situation. He vowed not to drink alcohol again for the rest of his life.

Club president Wittaya Khunpluem said its executives and staff held another meeting immediately after they received “more evidence” about the drink-driving incident.
 

Wittaya said the club has now decided to terminate Worawut’s contract with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the club has accepted the resignation of manager Sasis Singtothong, who was rumoured to have gone for a drink with the players before the shocking incident.

Wittaya reiterated that the club strongly disagreed with Worawut’s behaviour as he was allegedly drunk when he hit and killed a person with his car. The club said his action flew in the face of its morals and aim to help Chonburi residents lead a healthy life, which includes shunning alcohol before driving.

He added that the club will not protect any wrongdoers and will fully cooperate with the police over legal action against Worawut. The club also vowed to “control” its footballers and staff from causing such an incident again.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021433

Body of missing Russian tourist found in Patong Bay after a 6-day search

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

The body of 53-year-old Russian national Elena Rusradchenko was found on Wednesday floating in Patong Bay about 40 kilometres from Naithon beach in Phuket’s Thalang district, where she was last seen on October 20.

Rusradchenko’s friends said she had gone to the beach to swim at 10am but had not answered phone calls since then, triggering a search for her since last Thursday.

Her body, which was reportedly found by local fishermen, was taken to Thalang hospital for an autopsy to find the cause of her death after Rusradchenko’s friends confirmed it was her.

Authorities have contacted the deceased’s family to collect her body for a funeral.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who joined the search party in the past week, expressed his condolences to the deceased’s family and thanked everyone who took part in the search.

Phiphat said authorities have constantly warned tourists not to swim in the sea during thundershowers or high waves, but sometimes tourists ignore the warning.

“Some believe in their swimming ability as they have conquered more challenging waves,” Phiphat said.

“However, the conditions of each sea are different and sometimes unpredictable, which could lead to a loss of life that no one wishes for.”

Phiphat said his ministry would use the incident as a lesson to prepare more rescue gear and staff at seaside attractions for the safety of tourists. Additional measures will be discussed with the prime minister, he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021434

Thais head to Japan in droves even as tour-package prices soar

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

Many Thai have snapped up tour packages to Japan this year as the Covid-19 crisis had kept them from visiting that country for the past two years, the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) reported on Wednesday.

TTAA board committee member Jirawat Wongsomsri said many Thais decided to purchase tour packages to Japan even though prices have risen by 80-100 per cent compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic due to the rising global oil price.

He added that other Thais who missed this chance would have to wait for next year, when a number of airlines will operate more flights to Japan.

“The price of tour packages for five days three nights and six days four nights before the Covid crisis was around 20,000 and 30,000 baht, respectively, but it is now around 45,000 and 50,000 baht,” he pointed out.

Jirawat said tour-package prices will become more expensive instead of cheaper for trips which are not far away.

Many Thais began travelling to Japan since the country reopened with conditions in June, such as limiting the number of visitors to no more than 50,000 per day, requesting travellers to apply for visas and allowing travel only with tour operators, he said.

More Thais have flocked to Japan since October 11, as Tokyo is now issuing free visas, while a host of airlines have restarted flights, Jirawat said.

The association, as a tour wholesaler, can sell 10,000 packages to Japan for November, a 50 per cent decrease compared to 20,000 before the Covid crisis,” he added.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) executive director for East Asia Chuwit Sirivajjakul said Japanese, meanwhile, have flocked to Thailand since October 11.

He said up to 31,000 Japanese visited the kingdom between October 1 and 24, higher than about 10,000 per month before the Covid pandemic.

“However, TAT was uncertain that many Japanese in Thailand could not return to their home country as tickets to Japan were snapped up by Thais,” he said.

Japan is considered a popular destination and more Thais are likely to visit that country as the yen weakens, Chuwit said.

“TAT has cooperated with Japanese travel agents to launch tour package to attract Japanese to Thailand,” he said, adding that the packages are expected to be launched in December.

The move is in line with TAT’s plan to draw 350,000 Japanese tourists to Thailand this year, Chuwit said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021429

Bail unlikely for SWAT officer who allegedly shot one dead, injured two others

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022

A Trang SWAT member who allegedly shot dead a man and injured two others inside a pub early on Tuesday is unlikely to be given bail.

Pol Sgt-Major Chutipon Nakkaew or “Sergeant Bird”, a member of the provincial Special Weapons and Tactics police force, turned himself in at Trang police station in Muang district early on Wednesday after authorities launched a hunt for the gunman responsible for the local pub shooting.

The incident took place inside the Country Home pub in Trang’s Muang district at 1.13am.

Chutipon reportedly confessed that he fired multiple shots from a police standard issue 9mm Glock19 handgun at Jitakorn Kongchan, 32, after a quarrel and stray bullets hit the victim’s friend, Ekkapoj Phetrat, 34, and another pubgoer, Phisit Aphiwanphakdee, 48. Jitakorn was killed on the spot, while the other two were injured.

Chutipon then fled the scene in a car, picked up a M4 carbine and a bullet-proof vest from his residence in the Trang police compound, reportedly for “protection”, then went into hiding in a forest about 1.5km away from the residence, before deciding to turn himself in.

Chutipon reportedly said the quarrel was sparked by him accidentally bumping into Jitakorn’s table as he returned to his own table after stepping out for a smoke. A quarrel led to pushing and shoving by both parties, before ending in the shooting.

Provincial Police Region 9 commissioner Pol Lt-General Nanthadet Yoinual said on Wednesday that Chutipon has been charged with murder and carrying and discharging firearms in a public place without proper cause. Investigators advised against granting him bail, he said.

All superiors of the suspect will be placed under disciplinary investigation, Nanthadet said.

According to him, the police are deeply sorry for the incident and promised to employ stricter measures on firearm usage by police officers.