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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021379

Mae Sot woman tracks down her long-lost dad thanks to social media

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

A 25-year-old woman from Mae Sot finally tracked down her father, who did not know she existed because he had split up with her mum before she was born.

The two were reunited at the Phanthai Norasing town hall in Samut Sakhon’s Muang district on Tuesday.

Chayanit Klinchan, who had travelled from Tak’s Mae Sot district, met her father Prakorb Klinchan, 52, and grandmother Gim Klinchan, 92, with a garland of flowers before bowing for their blessings.

She said her mother had never spoken about her ex-husband, and her interest was not piqued until she saw her father’s name on her birth certificate. It was then that she began looking for him on Facebook and found someone called Prakorb Klinchan in Samut Sakhon.

She then called on relatives who live in the province to help find Prakorb and eventually tracked him down with the help of local authorities, village headmen and reporters.

Prakorb, meanwhile, said he was delighted and shocked to learn that he had a daughter because his ex-wife had failed to tell him she was pregnant when they split up.

The new father said he looked forward to spending more time with his daughter now that they have been reunited.

Chayanit said she would return home after dining with her dad and grandmother and would return to see them again.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021373

Wealthy foreigners can now buy land, houses in Thailand

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

The Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to let foreigners purchase houses and up to a rai of land provided they can show an investment of at least 40 million baht.

The directive will be in effect for five years after it has been published in the Royal Gazette, which should be soon, the government said.

The proposal had been drawn up by the Interior Ministry in May with the aim of pulling in foreign investment and bringing foreigners with special expertise to Thailand. The Cabinet, however, spent months weighing the proposal and listening to opinions from several concerned agencies.

The directive allowing the purchase of a rai of land and houses will apply to wealthy expats, retirees, digital nomads who want to base themselves in Thailand and those with special expertise.

To be eligible, foreign citizens will be required to prove they have invested at least 40 million baht in Thailand and can maintain the investment for a minimum of three years, starting from the day they submit an application for the purchase.

The draft says the following will be considered investments:

• Bonds issued by the Thai government, Bank of Thailand, state enterprises and the Finance Ministry.

• Shares of property funds, infrastructure funds and funds to rehabilitate debts of financial institutions.

• Shares of trusts for investment in property developments.

• Shares of legal entities that receive Board of Investment (BOI) privileges.

• Shares in businesses that are eligible for BOI privileges.

Foreigners applying for permission to purchase land and/or houses must produce certificates proving their investments.

The directive said foreigners can purchase land and/or houses in Bangkok, Pattaya and other municipal areas or zones marked out as residential areas in provinces. Foreigners cannot purchase land in military areas, the directive stipulated.

The process of applying for the right to purchase is as follows:

• Submit the application and required documents to the Land Department director-general, who will verify and then forward them to the Interior Ministry for approval.

• The bought land cannot be used for immoral activities or actions that violate local cultural norms.

• Once approved, the buyer is required to inform the local land department within 60 days.

• If buyers withdraw their investment, they must inform officials within 60 days.

The draft also specifies that foreigners can only buy one rai of land once, and the limit will apply even if the foreigner sells parts or all of the land.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021365

Manhunt for Trang SWAT member after 1 killed, 2 injured in pub brawl

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

Trang’s SWAT police have launched a manhunt for one of their own after he allegedly shot dead a man and injured two others inside a pub early on Tuesday.

Pol Sgt-Major Chutipon Nakkaew or “Sergeant Bird” , a member of the provincial Special Weapons and Tactics police force, is accused of using his official 9mm pistol to shoot dead Jitakorn Kongchan, 32.

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

Police said Chutipon allegedly fired 10 shots at Jitakorn after a quarrel and stray bullets hit the victim’s friend, Ekkapoj Phetrat, 34, and another pubgoer.

The SWAT member was apparently drinking with Jitikorn for a while before a row broke out, witnesses said.

The pub was supposed to be a weapons-free zone.

Pol Colonel Ratthakorn Pakdeevant, chief of the Muang Trang Police Station, deployed some 50 police officers from both the SWAT team and other units to hunt Chutipon down.

Investigators first checked the SWAT office to see if rumours that he had broken in to steal assault rifles and bullet-proof vests were true. As of press time, police have not confirmed or denied this rumour.

Two other teams were also sent to check the homes of Chutipon’s relatives and close friends.

This is the second violent incident involving police this month.

On October 6, fired cop Panya Khamrab, who used the pistol he had bought under the police welfare programme to massacre 36 people, including many sleeping toddlers, before killing his wife, child and himself.

This pistol was his official firearm as a police officer and was not confiscated by the force when he was sacked.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021364

Humbled by the support for his charity swim, heartthrob ‘Tono’ to enter monkhood early next year

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

Singer-actor Phakin “Tono” Khamwilaisak on Tuesday said that he would be ordained as a Buddhist monk at a Nakhon Phanom temple as a gesture of his gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from fans in both Thailand and Laos during his charity swim across the Mekong River last Saturday.

His daring “One Man and the River” charity swim to Laos and back raised funds for hospitals on either side of the Mekong — Khammouane Hospital in Laos and Nakhon Phanom Hospital in Thailand.

Total donations had reached 68 million baht on Tuesday. Donations will be accepted until October 31.

Read more Tono completes charity swim as donations reach THB57m

“My ordination will be dedicated to the love and support I received from Thai and Laos people who have come together to help doctors and nurses at hospitals on both sides of the Mekong,” he said in a Facebook post.

Phakin said he would be ordained at Wat Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom’s That Phanom district. If possible, he said he would like to visit temples in Laos during his monkhood, which is expected to start early next year.

The actor said he wanted to use this time to complete all the film shootings and concert jobs that he had accepted earlier. He said he would also meet with doctors at Nakhon Phanom Hospital to discuss the plan to spend donated money to buy medical equipment.

Tono’s charity swim had been opposed by some people as too dangerous during the rainy season. Donations have far exceeded his goal of raising 17 million baht for the hospitals.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021359

Air quality at unsafe levels in 14 Bangkok districts

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

The air quality in 14 areas around Bangkok and its vicinity plunged to unsafe levels on Tuesday morning, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported.

PM2.5 (dust particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) readings were in the range of 30-70 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3). Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 in the air is 50 μg/m3 or lower.

As of 7am, the polluted areas were Wang Thonglang, Pathumwan, Yannawa, Khlong San, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok Noi, Taling Chan, Thawi Watthana, Phasi Charoen, Nong Khaem, Bang Bon, Bang Sue, Bueng Kum, and Bang Phlat districts.

From Tuesday to Sunday (October 25-30), the high pressure covering upper Thailand has caused a decline in air circulation, resulting in an increase in dust particles, the BMA said.

The city authority advised people in areas where the air quality is bad to refrain from outdoor activities or reduce the time they spend outdoors.

The PM2.5 situation can be followed on bangkokairquality.com, pr-bangkok.com, Bangkok’s Environment Department, Air Quality and Noise Management Division, BMA Facebook pages, or AirBKK smartphone application.

People can also report clues on the source of air pollution via Traffy Fondue application, the BMA added

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021358

YouTuber doctor lands back in Thailand after Mali kidnapping ordeal

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

A YouTuber physician returned to Thailand safe and well on Tuesday after being reportedly held captive for 25 days in Mali.

Dr Nopparat Rattanawaraha, also known as Mor Song, arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 7.36am aboard Etihad Airways flight EY402 from Abu Dhabi.

Nopparat, wearing a blue T-shirt with his YouTube channel logo “Mor Song Tong Lok”, exited the airport terminal and was escorted to a black Mercedes-Benz by tourist police. He entered the car without speaking to waiting reporters.

His next stop was Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to meet with his relatives, friends and colleagues.

After the reunion, Nopparat was due to meet with police seeking information about his abduction in Mali. He also is scheduled to receive physical and mental check-ups after saying kidnappers had chained and threatened him.

The Foreign Ministry said on Monday that he was released after a ransom of US$50,000 (5.5 million baht) was paid to the kidnappers.

Nopparat had arrived in Mali on September 28 and went missing after losing contact with his private local tour guide a day later, ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said.

The YouTuber said he was abducted while walking along a street in Kemparana.

He was found safe by local authorities in the same city 25 days later.

Kemparana is close to the border with Burkina Faso in an area infiltrated by Islamic State terrorists, according to local reports.

Nopparat apologised for any concern caused by his disappearance.

Tanee did not say which group was responsible for the kidnapping.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021356

Pattaya police panel denies extortion of bar owners after ‘bribe list’ goes viral

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

Accusations that Pattaya police routinely demand bribes from entertainment venue operators are untrue, the city police audit and monitoring committee said on Monday.

The committee was responding after a list of alleged police bribery rates for Pattaya entertainment venues was shared widely on social media. The alleged bribes range from 9,000 to 30,000 baht per month depending on the business type.

The original poster also attached a photo of police officers sitting in an Italian-style restaurant, and urged National Police to investigate alleged bribery by officers in Pattaya.

Amporn Kaewsaeng, chairwoman of the Pattaya police audit committee, denied the allegations and said the officers pictured were taking part in the police audit committee’s meeting on operation guidelines.

She said entertainment venue operators had been invited to the meeting to resolve any misunderstandings and ensure they obeyed the law.

“The photo shows an outdoor meeting of Pattaya City Police Station’s police audit and monitoring committee,” she said.

Amporn warned the committee will take legal action against anyone who posts such messages tarnishing its reputation.

Lumpung “Lisa” Hamilton, chairwoman of the Pattaya Entertainment Operators Club, has pleaded for fair treatment from the police, saying the issue is impacting tourism and entertainment venues as they struggle to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two owners of venues on the alleged police bribery list have denied making under-the-table payments to stay open. Supattra Cholapol and Pichai Plienphol said they could not afford to pay the high rates on the list. They also questioned its accuracy given that some venues listed had shut down.

However, both operators echoed Lumpung in saying that the issue was affecting Pattaya tourism and entertainment venues.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021355

20-baht Apec 2022 commemorative coin ready for purchase from Nov 1

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

The 20-baht coin commemorating the upcoming 2022 Apec Summit will be ready for purchase from November 1, the Treasury Department said.

Chamroen Phothiyod, the department’s director-general, said on Tuesday that the copper-nickel coin is 32 millimetres in diameter and weighs 15 grams.

The coin sports an image of King Rama X and his name on one side, and the 2022 Apec Summit logo on the other.
These coins can be purchased from November 1 at:

• Bureau of Monetary Management, Pathum Thani
• Coin Exchange Centre, Chakrabongse Road, Bangkok
• Coin Exchange Centre, Rama VI Road, Bangkok
• Treasury offices nationwide

The coin can also be purchased online via www.treasury.go.th. Buyers can choose to pick it up at one of the exchange centres or have it sent by post.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021352

Special Operations Squad deputy chief wanted for alleged extortion of drug suspect

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

An arrest warrant has been issued for the deputy chief of the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Special Operations Squad for allegedly demanding money or drugs from a drug suspect in exchange for his release.

Deputy chief Petty Officer First Class Pairat Kaewmanee and five Pitak Pairee Volunteer Defence Corps members took drug suspect Thanakorn Suwanchana out of police custody for a sting operation to catch Thanakorn’s gang members in Songkhla’s Rattaphum district on the night of October 18.

Pairat reported that at 7.45pm of October 18, the drug gang stopped one of his team’s cars to snatch Thanakorn but were unsuccessful as he was in a different vehicle. According to Pairat, the gang then hijacked the car, which was carrying five handguns and four mobile phones belonging to the volunteers, as well as 20,000 tablets of amphetamine.

However, Thanakorn later told officials that Pairat had contacted him via telephone and Line before the incident and demanded that his relatives bring 1 million baht in cash, 200,000 amphetamine tablets, or 10 kilos of methamphetamine in exchange for his release during the bogus sting operation.

Thanakorn handed the evidence of his phone and Line conversations with Pairat to investigators, which led to arrest warrants being issued for the deputy chief and the five volunteers. The volunteers were named as Chalermsak Thongjaeng, Phitsanu Rattana-Urai, Sutthiphong Suwanchatree, Lertrit Chaiyapreugkul, and Adisak Wangni.

Deputy national police chief Surachet Hakpan has flown to Songkhla and will hold a press conference about the case later on Tuesday.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021350

Suvarnabhumi screening arrivals from DR Congo for Ebola

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

Suvarnabhumi Airport has begun screening arrivals from DR Congo for symptoms of Ebola after the deadly virus began spreading from neighbouring Uganda.

All foreign arrivals who have been to DR Congo in the past 21 days must undergo thermal scanning and provide their travel history and their address and telephone number in Thailand. They will receive a health beware card for self-monitoring that contains contact numbers in case of emergency.

Suvarnabhumi is screening DR Congo arrivals for symptoms of body temperature over 38 degrees Celsius, fever, headache, muscle ache, sore throat, fatigue or a history of potential exposure to infected cases. Travellers who display these symptoms will be tested, monitored, or sent to Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Bangkok, according to the Disease Control Department.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal virus transmitted through contact with the blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with contaminated surfaces and materials such as bedsheets.

There have been no cases of Ebola reported so far in Thailand, said DDC acting director-general Thares Krainairawiwong.

However, the DDC recommends that Thailand residents planning to travel to DR Congo or Uganda avoid the following:

– Touching wild animals.

– Eating wild animals, especially monkeys and bats.

– Touching bodily fluids or personal items of suspected Ebola patients.

– Touching patients without protective gear.

Travellers returning from Uganda or DR Congo should visit a hospital immediately if they develop the following symptoms: High fever, fatigue, headache, muscle ache, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhoea.

They can also contact the DDC hotline at 1422.

On Monday, Uganda found nine more Ebola cases in the capital Kampala, bringing the number of infections in the last two days to 14, Reuters reported.

Uganda has reported 90 confirmed and probable cases since the start of the outbreak on September 20, including at least 44 deaths.

The virus circulating is the Sudan strain, for which there is no vaccine.