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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020120

US Man, Thai Woman Become First Arrests In Thailand For Smuggling Fentanyl

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

An American National And A Thai Woman Have Been Arrested In Connection With The Smuggling Of Fentanyl Into Thailand, The Country’s First Arrests Involving This “Highly Dangerous Drug”, According To The Office Of The Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

ONCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkhon said on Thursday that the unnamed suspects were apprehended after they were linked to a parcel mailed from the United States to Bangkok on Monday (September 12).

The American man was arrested when he claimed the parcel, which was found to contain narcotic drugs. Immigration records showed he had travelled to Thailand many times between 2019 and 2022.

Following his capture, police arrested the Thai woman at her condominium in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district.

Concealed in the parcel were 4 grams of fentanyl, 10 grams of cocaine, 8 grams of ketamine, 9 grams of methamphetamine, and 2 grams of the ecstasy drug, according to Wichai.

He said that this was Thailand’s first arrest involving fentanyl, which he said was “50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine”.

He said fentanyl has spread in the US and abusers often mix fentanyl with heroin for a stronger effect. Abuse of this narcotic drug has spread to many European countries, according to the ONCB chief.

“Fentanyl is a very dangerous narcotic drug. We have to prevent our children from getting involved with it,” Wichai said, adding that fentanyl overdose was behind many deaths.

Wichai was speaking at a press conference on the arrests. Also present at the event were Mark Snyder, a senior official from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and police officers from the Thai Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

According to the DEA website, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. Because of its powerful opioid properties, fentanyl is also diverted for abuse.

Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients and applied in a patch on the skin.

Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020117

Toyota Thailand Loses Court Case Over Import Tax On Parts For Prius

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

The Supreme Court’s Tax Litigation Division On Thursday Ruled Against Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) In Its Legal Battle Against Thailand’s Customs And Revenue Departments.

The verdict stated that TMT was not eligible for exemption or reduction of taxes and duties for its import of parts for the local production of its Prius hybrid model.

TMT’s import of parts for some 20,000 Prius cars was instead subjected to an 80 per cent import tax, estimated at 11 billion baht, the court ruled.

TMT testified that between 2010 and 2012, it had imported car parts into Thailand for the production of Prius sedans. TMT was convinced that the imports were eligible for reduction and exemption of import taxes under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA).

The plaintiff asked the court to revoke the demand for full import taxes.

In June 2015, TMT filed its lawsuit with the Central Tax Court against the agencies. The court ruled in favour of TMT in September 2017, but the verdict was later overturned after an appeal from the agencies.

TMT’s subsequent appeal was rejected by the Court of Appeals, so the company took the case to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that TMT had imported all the parts for the reassembly of complete Prius cars, so it was not eligible for reduction or exemption of Customs tax and import tariff under the JTEPA.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020116

Sandbags In Lat Krabang Sewer Not An Act Of Sabotage, Chadchart Clarifies

BY LINE : THE NATION

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt On Thursday Clarified That Navy Seamen Seen In A Viral Video Clip Removing Sandbags From A Sewer In Lat Krabang District Were Trying To Block Water From Flowing Back And Not Causing Flooding.

Chadchart said the sandbags were not dumped in the sewer to cause flooding and discredit him, as suspected by his supporters on social media. The clip was widely shared on Wednesday.

The clip showed a unit of Navy personnel pulling out sandbags from a manhole on a corner of Lat Krabang Road, which was under water. A huge pile of sandbags was retrieved.

Chadchart’s supporters said it was an act of sabotage to cause flooding so as to ruin his reputation.

Chadchart said he saw the clip at 3am on Thursday and he called the Lat Krabang district director immediately to find out what had happened.

He said the director explained to him that the use of sandbags to block a sewer was a technique for preventing water from flowing back when officials drained floodwaters from a road.

After the floodwaters were drained, workers would have to retrieve the sandbags, Chadchart quoted the director as saying.

He said he did not believe the explanation right away so he cross-checked with his adviser, Atthaset Phetmesee, who is in charge of drainage.

“He confirmed that it was the right technique. But in the past, workers might have forgetten to retrieve the sandbags after the drainage was done,” Chadchart said.

The governor added that he has instructed the Sewerage and Drainage Department of the city administration to check all the sewers for possibly forgotten sandbags.

“In the clip, it seems that officials forgot to retrieve sandbags after the floodwaters were drained. When it rained here, it caused floods while other spots were dry so local residents sought help from the Naval personnel,” Chadchart said.

“I don’t think it’s an act of sabotage. If so, the district director would suffer first because such a malicious intention cannot be hidden. I would like to thank the people for alerting us.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020115

Six Lat Krabang Subdistricts Declared As Disaster Zones

BY LINE : THE NATION

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) On Thursday Declared Six Subdistricts Of Lat Krabang District As Disaster Zones To Speed Up Assistance To Residents Affected By Floods.

The disaster zones were announced at a press conference jointly held by BMA deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej, BMA city clerk Khachit Chatwanit, and BMA spokesman Ekwaranyu Amrapan.

The six subdistricts are: Lat Krabang subdistrict, Klong Song Ton Noon, Klong Sam Prawet, Khum Thong, Thap Yao and Lam Pla Thiew.

A total of 10,300 households with 20,767 residents were affected by the floods that also caused damage to 800 rai (128 hectares) of paddy rice fields, 22 rai (3.5 hectares) of fruit orchards and 500 rai (80 hectares) of fish ponds.

Khachit told the press conference that Bangkok was experiencing severe flooding in many parts because the capital had been hit by 100 million cubic metres of rainwater during the past two weeks.

He said the affected areas were two groups.

The first group was Laksi, Don Muang and Bang Khen districts. At the height of the crisis, the water level in the Klong Prem Prachakorn was 1.56 metres above sea level, but it has declined to the one-metre level.

Khachit said the floodwaters in nearly all sois in Bang Khen had almost dried up. If there are no rains for a few days, the situation would return to normal, he added.

In the second group, Lat Krabang, Prawet, and Nong Chok districts were affected.

Khachit said the canals’ levels in the three districts had gone down by 50 centimetres and the situation was improving.

He added that acting Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan visited Nong Chok on Wednesday and witnessed that the water was going down.

The city clerk said the Bangkok governor had also sought help from the prime minister to instruct the National Water Resources Office to coordinate for draining flood water from eastern Bangkok to Paed Riew district in Chachoengsao province.

Khachit added that the BMA governor has ordered the opening of Lat Krabang and Wat Krathum Sua Pla sluice gates so the water level was dropping fast and the floodwater would be drained within seven days provided there were no more rains.

He added that the water from upstream provinces through Bang Sai district could still be handled by the embankment along the Chao Phraya River. But the areas in 17 districts outside the embankments would be monitored by respective district offices, Khachit said.

Tavida said the BMA has a centre for monitoring weather conditions and flooding. He said when district offices were alerted of possible heavy rains, they would make preparations to help motorists and commuters.

She said the BMA has prepared mobile toilets, medicines and bags of necessities to help people in flooded areas.

She added that the declaration of disaster zones was not aimed at causing panic but at speeding up assistance to flood victims.

Tavida said the BMA has been closely cooperating with Disaster Prevention and Mitigation for over two weeks but the visit by the interior minister to Lat Krabang on Wednesday was to show that all sectors would help Bangkok deal with the flood situation.

Ekwaranyu said the BMA has been severely criticised for perceived inaction or little action during the crisis, especially the Lat Krabang flood.

So, the BMA has to explain that it has been dealing with floods in the capital all the time and would use all means to mitigate the people’s grievances.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020110

Natural Resources And Environment, Finance Ministries Get Ready To Launch The ‘Reforestation For Carbon Credit’ Campaign

BY LINE : THE NATION

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Department Of Marine And Coastal Resources Also Expects To Increase Mangrove Forest Areas By 300,000 Rai In 10 Years.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE)’s permanent secretary Jatuporn Buruspat on Tuesday (September 13) met with his counterpart from Finance Ministry, Krisda Chinavicharana, to discuss policies to drive the ‘Reforestation for Carbon Credit’ campaign to be jointly operated by the two ministries.

The campaign is part of the government’s effort to achieve the goal of Thailand becoming carbon neutral in 2050 and emitting zero greenhouse gas in 2065. It is also expected to benefit the country in several aspects such as improving Thailand’s forest resources, generating income for local communities, maximising economic opportunities and reducing tax barriers imposed by foreign trade partners. The campaign will be launched once all related laws and regulations are finalised.

Jatuporn said that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has tasked departments under MNRE to study the project’s feasibility and legal principles to allow private partners to plant forests on government lands in exchange for carbon credit and tax benefits.

“We have discussed with the Finance Ministry to facilitate this move, which will allow the general public to benefit from new forests and help the government save on the reforestation cost at several hundred million baht per year,” he said. “The Royal Forest Department, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will be the three main agencies to drive the implementation of the project, while the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO) will serve as a central agency responsible for carbon credit trading among participating partners.”

Jatuporn added that MNRE and Finance Ministry are also drafting tax benefits for project participants, such as tax exemption equal to twice the expenses in the project, or tax breaks based on the number of carbon credit gained.

Krisda added that the campaign will grant an opportunity for private companies to engage in a social responsibility project, as well as help promote carbon credit trading in Thailand. “Furthermore, the project will help reduce tax barriers imposed by the United States, the European Union and other foreign trade partners, who tend to use trade barrier policies against countries that fail to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions,” he added. “We expected that Thailand’s export sector will greatly benefit from reduced tax barrier brought on by this project.”

Sopon Thongdee, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, added that the department recently announced regulations for sharing of carbon credit from planting and maintaining mangrove forests, in a bid to promote carbon credit trading among private companies who are interested in reforestation projects.

Sopon said the department estimated that more than 40,000 rai of mangrove forest will be planted this year under this project. Within 10 years, it is estimated that Thailand’s mangrove forest areas will expand by at least 300,000 rai thanks to the private sector’s effort, which will help the government save the reforestation budget by about 600 million baht per year. 

“We hope that the expanded forest areas will benefit surrounding communities both directly and indirectly, and help contribute to Thailand’s goal of becoming carbon neutral in 2050 and emitting zero greenhouse gas in 2065,” he said. “One of the project requirements is that coastal communities must be able to continue their occupation and lifestyle after the reforestation is complete, while participating private partners must strictly follow related laws in planting the forest and maintaining it for the next 30 years in exchange for carbon credit.”

Kiatchai Maitreewong, director of Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) said besides working with Finance Ministry to determine tax benefits for participants of the Reforestation for Carbon Credit campaign, TGO is also developing a platform for carbon credit evaluation under international standards. “This platform will help private companies calculate and offset their carbon footprint using standardised tools. It will also come with a carbon credit registry system that will make carbon credit trading more widely accessible for private companies in Thailand,” he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020107

Senior Lao Journalists Visit Nation Group Offices

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

A Group Of Senior Lao Journalists Made A Courtesy Call On The Nation Group As Part Of Their Five-Day Visit To Thailand This Week.

The group, led by Lao Journalists Association (LJA) president Savankhone Razmountry, was greeted by Nation Group chairman Shine Bunnag and other senior executives on Wednesday afternoon.

Both sides exchanged views on the current situation of the media industry and the impact of digital disruption on the media worldwide, as well as the changing behaviour of media consumers.

Shine told the visiting Lao journalists about the Nation Group’s move to reduce its reliance on giant online platforms that tend to revise their algorithm rules regularly. He said that in order to survive, media outlets would have to rely more on their own platforms, such as mobile applications or websites.

Meanwhile, Nation Group vice chairman Somchai Meesen and managing editor Weerasak Pongaksorn stressed that online media outlets need to offer in-depth analytical content, and not just news coverage, in order to stay competitive.

The Lao visitors also observed the editorial department and the studio of Nation TV, which is equipped with modern technology.

The Lao media group is on a visit to Thailand from September 13 to 17.

The LJA has retained good ties with the Thai Journalists Association.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020100

Police In Superhero Outfits Are Guardians Of Uttaradit Fair

BY LINE : THE NATION

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Creative Officers At A Police Station In Uttaradit’s Muang District Donned Superhero Costumes To Keep Security And Assist Visitors At A Popular Annual Fruit Fair In This Northern Province.

The langsat, longkong, OTOP fair is being held at a ground in front of Phraya Pichai statute from Monday to next Thursday.

Several of the policemen were seen attired in Spiderman, Hulk, Venom and Captain America costumes, much to the excitement of children – and the amusement of adults – visiting the fair.

The “superheroes” were seen helping children and the elderly cross the road to the fair and keeping a close eye on the overall situation.

Since the fair also features concerts, police fear teenagers would engage in fistfights, so the station found it necessary to dispatch a mobile detention van to the scene to warn the concert goers to behave, said station commander Pol Colonel Somkasem Jarak.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020091

Lazada Now Selling Premium Grade GI Products

BY LINE : THE NATION

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

The Commerce Ministry Has Teamed Up With Lazada To Promote Premium Grade Geographical Indication (GI) Products For Consumers Nationwide Via The Popular Online Shopping Platform.

Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai said on Wednesday that the ministry’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) had been promoting new marketing opportunities for GI products via both online and traditional channels in a bid to promote local economies and generate income to both farmers and entrepreneurs.

“We have partnered with several marketing platforms, including Lazada, our latest partner, who will select premium-grade GI products and promote them on their platform for consumers to conveniently browse through. Purchased products will be delivered directly to their homes,” he said.

The department has implemented the GI certification system to protect a product by certifying that it comes from a certain area and has characteristics that cannot be replicated elsewhere, Sinit said.

It helps add value to the product and prevents competitors from using the area’s name and misleading the public about a product’s origins. It also acts as a certification, showing the product possesses certain qualities, or enjoys a reputation, due to its geographical origin, he explained.

Premium-grade GI products that have been selected to spearhead Lazada’s marketing campaign include Thep Sadej coffee from Chiang Mai, Pae Jor Khew beans from Tak, Mor Hom fabric from Phrae, Bang Kra Thum sun-dried banana from Phitsanulok and Thung Kula Ronghai jasmine rice from Roi Et.

If you are interested in GI products, you can visit Lazada’s page for the purpose at https://www.lazada.co.th/thaigishop. The first 100 customers who go in for 500 baht purchases of GI products will receive a 100-baht discount (valid until September 30).

More information on GI products can be found on Facebook: GI Thailand.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020089

Local Authorities Can Decide Rate Of Land Tax: Finance Ministry

BY LINE : THE NATION

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Local Authorities Can Use Their Discretion To Determine Whether Or Not Landowners Are Growing Plants On Their Lands Just To Avoid Paying Tax On Vacant Land, The Finance Ministry Said On Wednesday.

Ministry permanent secretary Krisda Chinavicharana was responding to a query by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, which had inquired about the enforcement of the Land and Building Tax Act of 2019 regarding the fact that many landowners were going in for so-called “agriculture” to avoid paying increased tax on vacant land.

The act, which came into effect on January 1, 2020, states that owners of unused or abandoned land must pay tax of 0.3 per cent of the property’s value, while land used for agriculture is taxed starting at only 0.01 per cent to a maximum 0.15 per cent.

After the law went into effect, some landowners reportedly started growing easy-to-care-for crops such as bananas, lime and papaya, especially in prime locations in Bangkok along Ratchadaphisek, Rama IX and Ekamai roads.

Krisda said the Finance Ministry allows local authorities to use their discretion to determine the intention of landowners.

“If officials conclude that growing trees on one’s land is not in line with true agricultural purposes, they can proceed to enforce the tax rate for unused land,” he made clear.

Krisda also advised local authorities to refer to the Finance Ministry’s announcement on requirements for agricultural use of land, which stipulated 51 types of crops that can be grown on land and the minimum number per rai that will be considered as “growing for true agricultural purposes”.

For example, at least 200 banana plants must be grown per rai. For papayas it is 175 trees and for lime it must be 50 trees.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020088

Flash-Flood Warning For 24 Provinces

BY LINE : THE NATION

THU, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Twenty-Four Provinces Have Been Warned Of Flash Floods And Overflows From Rivers And Canals From Saturday Until Next Tuesday (September 17-21) Due To Heavy Rains Brought On By A Monsoon Trough And The Southwest Monsoon.

The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) issued the warning on Thursday, citing a weather forecast by the Meteorological Department, which said most of Thailand would experience more rainfall with isolated heavy showers until Sunday. This is due to the monsoon trough across the North and the Northeast, while the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf will strengthen.

The ONWR warned that from September 17 to 21, the following areas are prone to flash floods and river overflows, while suggesting that people residing near rivers and their basins follow the latest updates on weather and water levels:

North: Chiang Mai, Phrae, Nan, Lampang, Kamphaengphet, Tak, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

Northeast: Loei, Bueng Kan, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Chaiyaphum, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Central region: Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.

West: Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi.

East: Chanthaburi and Trat.

The ONWR also urged authorities to closely monitor the water levels of 13 dams and large reservoirs that would be affected by heavy rains and issue a warning to surrounding communities when the water rises to near critical levels. They are:

– Mae Ngat Somboon Chon, Chiang Mai

– Kiew Kho Ma, Kiew Lom and Mae Mok, Lampang

– Thab Salao, Uthai Thani

– Krasiao, Suphan Buri

– Ubol Ratana, Khon Kaen

– Lam Takhong, Lam Phra Phloeng, and Mun Bon, Nakhon Ratchasima

– Klong Si Yat, Chachoengsao

– Bang Phra, Chonburi

– Nong Pla Lai, Rayong.

The office asked local authorities to prepare evacuation plans for people living near rivers and in flood-prone areas, and issue warnings beforehand to allow adequate time for people to escape expected floods.