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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016428

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Wednesday sentenced a former police station chief and five other cops to life imprisonment and another to five years in jail after convicting them of torturing a drug suspect to death last year.

Pol Colonel Thitisan Utthanaphon, former Muang Nakhon Sawan station chief, was sentenced to life imprisonment along with Pol Major Raweeroj Disthong, Pol Captain Songyos Klainak, Pol Lieutenant Toraninma Sawana, Pol Senior Sgt-Major Wisut Boonkhiew and Pol Lance Corporal Paween Khamarew.

The court also sentenced Pol Senior Sgt-Major Supakorn Nimchuen to five years and four months in jail.

The court held Thitisan, alias “Joe Ferrari”, and five other police officers, responsible for the death of Jirapong Thanapat, a drug suspect who was detained at the Muang police station from August 4 to 6 last year before he died of suffocation.

Supakorn was found guilty of negligence of duty and taking part in forcing a person against his will but not guilty of murder like the six other police officers.

The case made headlines last year when well-known lawyer Sittha Biabungkerd exposed a video clip of Thitisan and five other police officers taking part in covering Jirapong’s head with a black garbage bag in the police station while Supakorn looked on. The clip showed Jirapong was chocked with the plastic bag until he collapsed and became unconscious before the police officers rushed him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The seven police officers faced four charges – collaborating in nonfeasance that caused harm to a person, abusing authority to harm an individual, collaborating in torture and murder and collaborating with more than five persons to intimidate another person with force.

The court, which found all the defendants, except Supakorn, guilty of all charges, punished them with death, the heaviest penalty for murdering a person using cruel methods.

Supakorn was initially sentenced to eight years in jail before the sentence was commuted by one third.

However, the court noted that the six defendants gave useful testimonies. They also paid THB30,000 for funeral expenses and each of them gave THB300,000 as “remedy” money to Jirapong’s parents as well as taking action to rush him to hospital. As a result, the court commuted their penalty by one third to life imprisonment.

The seven suspects were not brought from the remand prison to court but the judges read the verdict to them via teleconference.

Jirapong’s parents Jakkrit Jundee and Tanapat Jundee were in court to hear the ruling.

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016426

The State Attorney Commission on Wednesday voted to promote the chief of the legal counselling office as Thailand’s first female attorney-general.

The commission resolved to promote Naree Tanthasathien, director-general of the legal counselling office under the Office of the Attorney-General, as the new attorney-general, replacing Singchai Taninson.

Singchai will turn 65 years old in the current 2022 fiscal year that ends in September, so Naree will rise to the top public prosecutor’s post on October 1.

The commission will inform the Senate of its decision. Once endorsed by the Senate, the appointment of Naree will be forwarded to His Majesty the King for a royal appointment.

Once appointed by a royal command, Naree will become Thailand’s 17th attorney-general and the first female to rise to the post.

She graduated from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Law and later became a Thai barrister. She later got a master’s degree in law from Howard University in Washington DC, another master’s degree in law from the American University in Washington DC and a master’s degree in international legal cooperation from Vrije University of Brussels.

Naree was the prosecutor in charge of several well-known cases, including the Saudi jewellery theft case and the case of Saudi envoys’ assassinations.

She had also been entrusted to scrutinise legal contracts of several major cases, including the contract to procure Covid-19 vaccines and medications.

Naree has also been elected to the attorney commission as a specialist twice.

Published : June 08, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016425

Thailand has expressed interest in obtaining monkeypox vaccines but only as a “preparatory” step as they are not necessary at the moment, Department of Disease Control (DDC) director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said on Tuesday.

According to him, Thailand has discussed purchase of the vaccine with several countries.

Opas said the department also exchanged information with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday to prepare for the purchase of a new generation of vaccines targeting the virus.

Furthermore, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation has contacted two monkeypox vaccine manufacturers, stating its intention to purchase doses once they are proved to be efficient and safe, while the organisation also needs to consider the situation and acquisition capability.

Opas reiterated that vaccines are not necessary at the moment and these moves are just to prepare for any eventuality because monkeypox can spread, but it is not severe and hasn’t been the cause of any deaths.

A reporter intervened to ask Opas about a remark from the Rural Doctor Society that a lot of Covid-19 vaccines were sent to subdistrict hospitals, waiting for them to expire.

Opas explained that the delivery of vaccines came from an agreement between the sender and receiver, including amount and types. He said vaccines were sent to provincial health offices, not subdistrict hospitals.

Provincial health offices will manage those vaccine stocks, said Opas, asking people to report to the department if any subdistrict hospital has expired vaccines, so he would contact the provincial health office.

The DDC chief also denied the claim that there were 16 million doses of Sinovac vaccines left. He said most vaccines were AstraZeneca and Pfizer and there were less than 1 million Sinovac doses left.

Opas confirmed all these vaccines have not expired and could still be administered.

He said vaccine doses in some provinces may have expired and they would be destroyed according to procedures.

The reporter also asked him about 90 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines that were scheduled to be delivered this year, with Thailand receiving only 36 million so far.

Opas said the delivery schedule might be extended to 2023 and the doses would be used as boosters.

The director-general said he is waiting for the World Health Organisation to announce whether or not Covid-19 vaccines need to be administered every year, but he made it clear that
Thailand has enough vaccines to boost the immunity of every Thai by 2023.

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016423

The public will be able to grow cannabis and hemp legally from June 9 as the herb will be removed from the Category 5 Narcotics list.

From June 9, here’s what you can do with cannabis and hemp.

Register via app

• People growing marijuana from June 9 do not need to seek permission but will have to register via the Food and Drug Administration’s “Plook Ganja” application.

Importing marijuana, hemp seeds

People can import cannabis and hemp seeds or other parts of the plants without seeking permission.

However, they need to seek import permission according to the 1964 Plant Quarantine Act and the 1975 Plants Act.

People who import plant parts that fall under the Category 5 Narcotics list need to seek permission.

Can you smoke cannabis?

Cannabis is allowed for medical use only. People must possess only legal cannabis products and are not allowed to smoke for recreational use.

What’s the penalty for smoking the plant?

According to the Public Health Act, people who smoke cannabis and/or hemp and their smoke or odour are considered a nuisance without any appropriate reason will face a jail term of up to 1 month or a fine of up to THB2,000.

Can officers search, seize cannabis?

With the new Cannabis-Hemp Act, officers can still search and seize cannabis at “suspicious” sites without a search warrant.

Which parts of cannabis, hemp plants are legal?

• Scales, stems, fibres, branches, and roots
• Leaves without buds or flowers
• Hemp seed oils and extracts from the seeds
• Cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extracts of less than 0.2 per cent of the weight

For more information:
https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016391

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016422

A group of lottery retailers submitted a letter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday, claiming that the Government Lottery Office’s (GLO) digital lottery project has affected disabled retailers.

The group also claimed that the project violated GLO laws as it must receive approval from the cabinet and stakeholders.

It said the project must allow the underprivileged and disabled to sell digital lotteries.

Separately, many lottery retailers in Trang said they were worried they would have to stop selling lotteries if the government increased the number of digital tickets.

The retailers said that digital lotteries had impacted their business as they could only sell lotteries to regular customers.

They complained they have to sell lotteries at THB100 to take care of their families as they had bought each ticket at prices between THB89 and 93 from middlemen or people who have a lottery quota.

Some retailers bemoaned that most of them don’t have a quota as government officials notified only their own groups and relatives about the move, leaving many retailers out of the loop.

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016421

Amid rising inflation and the price of diesel, Saen Saeb canal boat fares will be increased by THB1 – from THB9-19 to THB 10-20 – starting from June 15.

Family Transport (2002) managing director Chavalit Metyaprapas said on Tuesday that the company had already written to the Marine Department about the fare increase.

According to the letter, the company’s Saen Saeb boat fares have depended on the diesel price:

• THB7-17 if the diesel price is in the range of THB17.01-21

• THB 8-18 if the diesel price is THB21.01-25

• THB 9-19 if the diesel price is THB25.01-27

• THB 10-20 if the diesel price is THB27.01-29

• THB11-21 if the diesel price is THB 29.01-31.

Chavalit said the rise in fares was due to increasing inflation and the diesel price at THB33.94 per litre.

However, he said the company decided to raise the boat fares by only THB1 in a bid to mitigate the impact on the public.

“If the diesel price rises beyond THB33, the company will raise boat fares by another THB1,” he said.

He added that the company would reduce fares if the diesel price drops.

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016416

There is currently no official recommendation as to when a person needs to get a fifth Covid-19 vaccine jab to increase immunity as there is not enough research data to determine a suitable interval after the fourth dose, Department of Disease Control (DDC) director-general Dr Opas Kankawinpong said on Tuesday.

“However, some may consider getting the fifth jab if they plan to travel to countries that require certain types of vaccines that they have not been inoculated with,” he pointed out.

“Another reason for a fifth jab is if your immunity has not increased after four shots and you are at risk of developing severe Covid-19 symptoms, especially if you are over 60 years old or have chronic diseases,” he said.

“One should always seek a doctor’s recommendation before getting the fifth dose,” Opas reiterated.

According to the DDC’s recommendation, the third jab or first booster shot should be administered three months after a person receives the second jab. The fourth should be administered four months after the third.

As of June 6, Thailand had administered 138.2 million doses. Of these, 56.79 million were first jabs covering 81.7 per cent of the population, 52.8 million were second doses covering 75.9 per cent of people and 28.6 million were third jabs covering 41 per cent.

“The current Covid-19 mortality rate is 20-30 per day, most of whom are over 60 years old or have chronic health problems and did not receive a booster shot,” said Opas.

“To reduce the mortality rate, we must increase the vaccination rate of third jabs, which has currently been given to only 41 per cent of the population.” he said.

“The DDC estimates a suitable booster shot rate of over 60 per cent before Thailand allows more public activities,” he added.

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016414

The National Communicable Disease Committee (NCDC) agreed on Tuesday to cancel the Public Health Ministry’s announcement which stipulates areas outside Thailand as dangerous communicable disease zones due to the Covid-19 situation.

The danger zones under the announcement covers neighbouring Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and Cambodia as well as other nations that have reported Covid-19 outbreaks.

“The committee approved cancellation of the announcement to facilitate international travel in line with the current situation now that many restrictions on foreign arrivals have been lifted,” Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Opas Kankawinpong said on Tuesday.

“Furthermore, statistics have shown that since June 1, the date from which Thai nationals returning home are not required to register via Thailand Pass, the number of imported Covid-19 cases has been extremely low, with zero cases reported on some days.”

In a meeting on Tuesday, the NCDC also announced monkeypox as Thailand’s 56th communicable disease that requires surveillance. Symptoms to look out for include fever, headache, swollen lymph node, sore throat and blisters on the head, body, genitals, around the anus, palm and soles.

So far, there has been no confirmed case of monkeypox in Thailand.

Opas said the meeting also acknowledged the current Covid-19 situation in the country, with the reopening of schools on May 17 having no significant impact on the number of new cases and deaths, as well as the number of patients with severe symptoms.

“However, the reopening of entertainment venues such as pubs, bars, karaoke joints and massage parlours since June 1 still requires more time for evaluation of the situation, despite there being no reports of an unusual situation so far,” Opas said.

“The committee will reevaluate the situation again in 2-3 weeks.”

When asked about the move to change the status of Covid-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to one that requires surveillance, Opas said the NCDC has yet to consider this, as many aspects still need to be taken into account, including the current infection rate, available hospital beds and public awareness of the situation here and abroad.

On Wednesday morning, Thailand recorded 2,688 Covid-19 cases and 21 deaths in the past 24 hours, with no imported cases. Precisely 4,130 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospital. Cumulative cases in the country since January 1 are at 2,250,432.

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016409

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (June 8) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,688 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in the country.

Death toll increased by 21, while 4,130 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,250,432.
 

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016404

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will revive from July 1, after a two-year suspension, the practice of hiring prisoners to clean sewers.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt met with Corrections Department director-general Aryut Sinthoppan on Tuesday to discuss the hiring of prisoners to dredge canals and drainage systems.

Previously, the department had sent a letter asking the BMA’s Drainage and Sewerage Department to hire prisoners to clean sewers. The BMA used to hire prisoners for the job for many years, but the project was suspended for two years when Aswin Kwanmuang was the governor.

The BMA will hire prisoners who have the best discipline record (“excellent”) on July 1. The city administration plans to clean 6,000 kilometres of sewers and has arranged a budget of THB15 million for the job.

However, Chadchart expected to clean only up to 500 kilometres of sewers in the first four months. He has set a goal to clean 100 kilometres of sewers as soon as possible.

Aryut said the department is hiring 1,000 “excellent” prisoners from 10 prisons for the job. Every prisoner will be fully vaccinated and will be tested with antigen test kits before they enter and leave prisons.

Prisoners are not allowed to walk in the public area and their relatives are not allowed to visit them while they are working.

Aryut said that the department would prepare food and beverages as their work benefit. Also, 70 per cent of the payment will be given to the prisoners only on the completion of their sentence.

Aryut said the department is still considering if it should hire the private sector for the job because Bangkokians have said that the prisoners had been doing a great job in cleaning sewers.

Published : June 07, 2022

By : THE NATION