The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident that the number of foreign tourists this year could reach 10 million, boosting the country’s tourism revenue to 1.2 trillion baht.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said on Thursday that 2.12 million tourists came to Thailand in the first half of the year and another 7.5 million were expected in the second half.
As of early this month, more than 4 million tourists have arrived in Thailand.
In total, the TAT expected at least 9.62 million visitors this year although it was confident the number could reach 10 million, according to the governor.
Coupled with an estimated 160 million visits by Thai tourists, the total revenue from tourism could reach 1.2 trillion baht, he said.
The Thai tourism industry could recover to the pre-Covid normalcy in 2024, according to Yuthasak.
The TAT is working with private companies in boosting Thailand’s tourism and economy. It has launched a campaign called “The Great Collaboration for Thailand’s Tourism Ecosystem” with Central Pattana, the country’s leading retail property development and investment company.
Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, Central Pattana’s executive vice president for marketing, said the company’s shopping malls in major tourist cities across the country have seen a return in “tourist traffic” of almost 100 per cent.
“We are confident that the total number of tourists this year will reach 10 million as has been projected by the TAT,” he said.
The Appeals Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence given to former deputy commerce minister Banyin Tangpakorn for the premeditated murder of billionaire building contractor Chuwong Sae Tang.
Banyin had also been handed down the death sentence by the Appeals Court in July for the murder of the brother of a judge who was hearing the high-profile case.
The verdict was read at the Phra Khanong Criminal Court.
The case against Banyin, a former Nakhon Sawan MP, was jointly filed by Sirirat Sae Tang, the wife of the murdered billionaire.
Chuwong had died in suspicious circumstances on June 26, 2015.
Initially, Banyin reported to police that Chuwong had died in a car accident when the vehicle driven by Banyin hit a tree by the side of Chalerm Phrakiart Rama IX Road between Soi 48 and Soi 50 in Dok Mai subdistrict of Prawet district in Bangkok. Banyin said Chuwong was in the front passenger seat.
The wife and Chuwong’s family suspected there was a foul play so they called on police to investigate the case, leading to a murder charge against Banyin.
The primary court convicted Banyin of premeditated murder in January 2021, but Banyin appealed against the ruling.
The Appeals Court’s verdict stated that it was a fact that Banyin was the last person to be with Chuwong after they left a golf course at 8.11pm on June 26, 2015.
The verdict noted that the car had reached the accident scene at 10.21pm, although the two spots were only 37 kilometres apart. The court said the over two hours time taken to cover a distance of 37km was suspiciously long.
Banyin had claimed that he was driving at 80km per hour and had swerved his car to avoid a vehicle from the opposite side that had cut into his lane, and ended up hitting a tree. But the Appeals Court quoted police as saying that security cameras did not show any vehicle on the opposite lane at that time. Instead, security cameras showed Banyin driving at the slow speed of 30kph.
The Appeals Court added that an autopsy showed Chuwong had not died from the accident but from injuries sustained after his head was hit with a hard object. The court quoted the autopsy results as proving that Chuwong also suffered bruises on his face and eyes, and the leftover food in his stomach pointed to his death before 10pm that day.
The verdict noted that the co-plaintiff and her relatives had found evidence of transfer of shares belonging to Chuwong to a broker, Uracha Wachirakulthon. The two transfers were worth 30 million baht and 228 million baht, although Uracha was not Chuwong’s relative.
Earlier, the South Bangkok Criminal Court had sentenced Banyin and Uracha to eight years and four years in jail, respectively, for fraud in the transfer of shares, the verdict of the Appeals Court stated.
The verdict said the court was convinced that Banyin had been involved in the falsifying of the share ownership. The Appeals Court said it believed that Banyin, who was a close friend of Chuwong, had lured the victim to play golf and offered to drive him back home but drove him to a spot where Banyin and his accomplices murdered the billionaire to prevent him from finding out about the share transfers.
After the murder, the verdict said, Banyin drove the car with his right hand and carried the body of Chuwong with the left hand to hit the tree in order to try and conceal the murder.
The court ruled that Banyin had committed premeditated murder and had staged the accident to conceal the crime.
The Appeals Court in July had handed down the death sentence to Banyin for the murder of a brother of a judge who was hearing the Chuwong case.
Banyin, 58, was found guilty of murdering Veerachai Sakuntaprasert, the elder brother of judge Panida Sakuntaprasert, on February 4, 2020.
The court of first instance in December 2020 had given Banyin life sentence after he confessed to the crime but the Appeals Court gave him the death sentence. Veerachai was abducted and later murdered to pressure the judge.
Banyin was not brought to the court to hear the ruling on Thursday. The verdict was read to him via video conference at Bang Kwang Central Prison.
Only seven relatives of Chuwong and their lawyer came to the court to hear the verdict.
Wanpen Thanathamsiri, elder sister of Chuwong, said she and other relatives had fought for seven years for justice for the deceased billionaire.
Wanpen said it was hard for her side to find evidence because Banyin was a former police officer and was well-versed in law.
“We would like to thank the Crime Suppression Division and the Forensic Science Evidence Division for working very hard to gather the evidence for us,” Wanpen said.
“This included scientific evidence used to prove the car’s speed. We also would like to thank experts from several sectors and doctors for their useful opinions. Although there were no witnesses, the injuries became forensic evidence that were accepted by the court.
“So, Banyin has been given death sentences by the Appeals Court in both cases,” Wanpen added.
“I’m pleased with the ruling. If he appeals in the Supreme Court, I believe the final verdict will be handed down in no time.”
Thailand plans to pursue smart city development across the country with the help of 150 second-generation smart city ambassadors (SCA), president of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said.
Nuttapon, who is also the CEO of the DEPA, told a press conference that the key was to develop and transform their hometowns into smart and modern cities.
He clarified that being a smart city does not mean that all infrastructure and services would use cutting-edge innovation and technology. Being a smart city means finding the ideas and methods to apply all available local resources for better living in the upcountry, he explained.
This type of development is required to ensure that prosperity is distributed evenly across the country. This is also a practical way to encourage young people to stay in their hometown and work, he said.
The DEPA revealed that the first SCA Programme was a huge success, with a total of 49 new projects and project expansions worth approximately 1.170 billion baht. The programme successfully nurtured and trained 22 smart city ambassadors from 22 provinces to play a role in smart city development alongside local agencies.
Given the success, the DEPA — as the major organiser — is partnering VIA Group (Thailand), Jumbo Electronics, and Cloudee Telecom this year to expand the programme into a second round of success.
The objective, this time, is to nurture 150 young smart city ambassadors selected from 150 areas across the nation by improving their skills and knowledge relevant to the mission. This programme is packed with intensive activities both online and on-site that promote the required body of knowledge and skills among the participants.
Nuttapon said the SCA Programme aims to support smart city development with new perspectives from young people and encourage local employment that draws young talents back to their hometowns.
“The participants will be trained to foster their digital skills and fundamental skills in smart city development before they become ‘smart city ambassadors’ working at a participating organisation from either the public or private sector for 12 months with the local staff as their mentors,” said Nuttapon.
Meanwhile, the smart city ambassadors will be able to employ their knowledge to tackle urban issues, find solutions to their city that are more relevant, and drive smart city development in each of their areas, he added.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the second SCA Programme on the topic “Wider Perspectives on Smart City: Smart City, Smart People, and Smart Management with Technology”, Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon stated that while technology plays a vital role today, people are still more important.
Therefore, assisting people to reskill and upskill their knowledge and expertise will help with the nationwide transformation of smart cities.
He identified three key agendas to help build a smart city: using technology wisely, providing equitable education, and support for people’s wellness.
He added that a smart city is data-driven, so the government sector should collaborate with the private sector and civil society to create big data and share it so that all parties involved are aware of the issues and can work together to find the right solution.
The second SCA Programme is expected to expand smart city development in 150 areas and 50 emerging smart cities across the country, as well as other projects that aid in the improvement of quality of life.
The national disaster warning system executive committee on Thursday approved a strategic plan to promote Thailand as a leader in disaster warning management in Southeast Asia.
The approval came during a video conference chaired by Caretaker Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan at the Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district.
The plan, which is in line with the country’s 20-year national strategy, aims to apply standardised digital technologies to disaster warning systems, said Prawit’s assistant spokesman Lt-General Patchasak Patirupanon.
The committee also approved the use of “cell broadcast” technology to boost the efficiency of disaster warning via communication devices, Patchasak said.
However, he said, cooperation between the government and private sectors is necessary and should include the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission, the Thailand Meteorological Department, the Royal Irrigation Department, Office of the National Water Resources and mobile operators.
The committee also acknowledged the process to transfer the National Disaster Warning Centre from the Digital Economy and Society Ministry to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, while implementing disaster surveillance and notification systems at centres and radio stations nationwide.
“Prawit has also instructed related agencies to work together to enhance the efficiency of disaster warning and mitigate risks and damages due to natural disasters such as flash floods, earthquakes and tsunamis,” Patchasak added.
More than 50 people have filed complaints with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) against a cryptocurrency trading firm based in Chiang Mai, registering damage of some 1 billion baht.
The complaints were filed with DSI operation centre Area 5.
DSI officials declined to name the company pending formal charges against it.
The Chiang Mai centre said the company was registered as a limited partnership in 2019 with a fund of 500,000 baht and a goal to develop websites and register domain names for clients. It registered as a company just this year.
Pilot Officer Kittikhom Kongsomphote, acting director of the DSI’s Area 5 operation centre, said it was believed that clients were lured to invest in the firm in a pyramid fund scheme.
Kittikhom said the affected clients were promised yields of 15 per cent per month on their investments.
One client who filed a complaint on Thursday said he was lured with promises of a 15 per cent yield per month to increase his amount of investment with the firm.
The client said he initially invested only some “tens of thousands” of baht before increasing the investment to more than 100,000 baht and then 1.5 million baht.
Another client complained that she lost about 2.4 million baht to the firm. She was invited by friends and saw advertisements on Facebook pages.
She said she paid the “entry fee” of 19,000 baht and started with an investment of 300,000 baht, before increasing this to 2.4 million.
The government will continue preparing for a series of key Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings despite the Constitutional Court suspending Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday.
On Wednesday, a majority of Constitutional Court judges voted to accept an opposition petition for deliberation on Prayut’s tenure and suspended him from duty until a ruling is made.
Being the first Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwan automatically took over as caretaker prime minister.
“Anutin is presiding over the Apec High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy, a discussion involving high-level executives,” government spokeswoman Traisulee Taisaranakul said.
This meeting would show cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries on public health, she said.
Traisulee explained that the meeting on Thursday and Friday (August 25, 26) is focusing on three aspects:
• Creating balance between public health and the economy by focusing on health measures and preparation for tackling Covid-19 and other emerging and recurrent communicable diseases.
• Increasing investment in health stability, especially boosting the potential of disease prevention, universal health coverage and the digital economy.
• Promoting cooperation to tackle issues relating to public health and the economy.
Earlier, Thai Chamber of Commerce vice chairman Visit Limlurcha said preparations for the Apec summit in November would continue as the Constitutional Court could come out with a ruling on Prayut’s tenure before the summit begins.
“Even if a court ruling does not come in time, we still have a caretaker prime minister and other Cabinet ministers,” he pointed out.
Flash floods smashed into several areas in Mueang Nakhon Nayok, causing canals to overflow their embankments by as much as one to two metres.
Several tourist sites in Sarika and Hin Tang subdistricts were severely hit by the floods.
At Nang Rong Waterfall in Hin Tang, raging waters rose over half a metre, swamping a bridge across a canal.
To make matters worse, a massive amount of reddish water flowed down from Khao Yai National Park to the waterfall.
Park staff were forced to ban tourists from playing in or even getting close to the turbulent waters and ordered them to steer clear of the flood route.
At Wang Takrai Park in Sarika subdistrict, water levels rose 50cm to 1 metre – a level not seen in years.
Water levels were seen to steadily increase from 9pm on Wednesday, with floodwater subsequently submerging stores and houses under a bridge.
A surveillance camera at Wang Takrai recorded water still flowing furiously at 5.54am on Thursday, while nervous villagers shot video of floodwater flowing into their gardens and houses.
A one-kilometre stretch of Highway 3049 in front of the Community Development Learning Centre was also inundated.
CCTV footage of an armed man stealing 300,000 baht in cash from a gambling den in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district on Wednesday night went viral on social media.
The footage shows several gamblers scattering in haste after the man, who was called “Mac Anusawaree”, brandished a gun. The culprit took a mere few minutes to snatch all the 300,000 baht from the table and flee the scene.
A rumour was doing the rounds that he stole the cash after losing more than 1 million baht from gambling.
Din Daeng Police Station superintendent Pol Colonel Watcharapol Suwanantawong said on Thursday that officers would “take some time” to investigate the case.
He did not confirm whether the daring robbery – and gambling – took place at the Din Daeng flats.
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Police came out to say that the Metropolitan Police Bureau would provide clarifications “soon”.
A shortcut from Benjakitti Park to Duang Phithak Road will open on Thursday next week to relieve traffic congestion in central Bangkok.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to open the newly built shortcut linking Sukhumvit Soi 4 in front of Benjakitti Park in Khlong Toei district to Duang Phithak Road, which connects the main Sukhumvit and Rama IV roads, from September 1. The shortcut, which will be open from 5am to 9pm daily, is expected to help reduce traffic jams in the areas especially during rush hours.
Bangkok deputy governor Wissanu Subsomphon said on Thursday that the BMA was finalising the construction of the shortcut by painting the road and installing traffic signs, CCTV cameras and lights. He expected all this work to finish by Monday.
“Once open, the shortcut will help clear excessive traffic on Sukhumvit, Rama IV and nearby roads especially in the morning and evening when people and students head out to/return home from work and school,” Wissanu said.
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Pfizer’s Comirnaty Covid-19 vaccine (magenta cap) for children aged 6 months to under 5 years, said FDA secretary-general Dr Paisan Dankhum on Wednesday.
The FDA had earlier approved the vaccine for children aged 5-11 at 30 micrograms per dose. For kids aged 6 months to under 5 years, the dose will be adjusted down to 10mcg for the first two jabs three weeks apart.
For booster shots, the Comirnaty vaccine will be given at 3mcg per dose eight weeks after the second jab.
“With three doses, the vaccine’s efficacy against Covid-19 will rise to 80.3 per cent,” said Paisan.
On Thursday morning Thailand recorded 2,002 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 29 deaths in the past 24 hours, while 1,742 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital. The number of cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,417,828 with 10,440 deaths.
As of Wednesday the country had administered 142.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, with 57.2 million being first jabs (82 per cent of the population), 53.6 million being second shots (77 per cent), and 31.6 million being third jabs and over (45.5 per cent).
The wife and Chuwong’s family suspected there was a foul play so they called on police to investigate the case, leading to a murder charge against Banyin.
Banyin had claimed that he was driving at 80km per hour and had swerved his car to avoid a vehicle from the opposite side that had cut into his lane, and ended up hitting a tree. But the Appeals Court quoted police as saying that security cameras did not show any vehicle on the opposite lane at that time. Instead, security cameras showed Banyin driving at the slow speed of 30kph.
Wanpen Thanathamsiri, elder sister of Chuwong, said she and other relatives had fought for seven years for justice for the deceased billionaire.
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