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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024885

Miss Universe, beauty queens join Chao Phraya cruise to thank fans, sponsors

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023

The newly crowned Miss Universe 2022 joined other beauty queens on a “thank you” cruise down Bangkok’s River of Kings as part of her Asia tour.

US national R’Bonney Gabriel, who beat 83 other contestants for the “most beautiful woman in the universe” title in New Orleans on January 14, met Thai fans for the first time at the “Hello Universe Thank Press Party” cruise.

Also present were the third most beautiful woman, Dominican Republic’s Andreína Martínez, top five semi-finalist Gabriëla Dos Santos from Curaçao and Miss Thailand Universe Anna Sueangam-iam, who won the Transformational Leadership and Social Impact awards in the pageant.

The beauties were welcomed onboard by Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, chief executive officer of the Miss Universe organiser JKN Global Group Plc.

Jakkaphong thanked fans for their continued support and expressed confidence that the Miss Universe pageantry will expand with quality in mind.

Other guests of honour included Miss Universe Thailand compere Thitipong Duangkong, beauty guru Prasert Jermjutitham, and influencers “Pui TPN” and “SpriteBABABI”.

During the cruise, fans took turns taking selfies with the beauty queens, before the party wrapped up with the shooting of the “Hello Universe!” commemorative video.

The JKN Global Group acquired Miss Universe on October 25 last year for 800 million baht. The group has announced plans to expand the brand by 40% as part of its effort to become a key player in the global content industry.

Related Stories

Thai beauty queen wins leadership award at Miss Universe pageant

Glittering goddess: Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant

Jakkaphong unveils strategy to grow Miss Universe brand after ‘THB1.2bn debut’

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024884

200 Bangkok businesses serving tourists under nominee scrutiny

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023

The Commerce Ministry is looking into some 200 businesses in four Bangkok areas that are popular with tourists to see if they are serving as nominees for foreign businesses.

The ministry met the press on Monday to announce that it is checking restaurants, hotels, car rental services, souvenir shops, spas and massage parlours in Huai Kwang, Yaowarat, Samphanthawong and Ratchadaphisek areas. This scrutiny will be expanded to other provinces popular with tourists, it said.

Jitakorn Wongkhatekorn, deputy director-general of the Business Development Department, said the 200 businesses being checked are not all run by nominees, but have foreign partners.

Jitakorn said his department launched this operation after learning that several Chinese businessmen are using Thai nominees to run “grey” operations that cater only to Chinese tourists. These businesses are in direct competition with local businesses.

Jitakorn said the operation will take some time as the department has to check if any of these businesses fall under Lists 1, 2 or 3.

According to the department, List 1 categorises businesses foreigners are prohibited from, List 2 specifies businesses that foreigners need Cabinet approval for and List 3 includes businesses for which they will need a foreign licence.

He said the department will check the 200 businesses in detail to see the ratio of shares held by Thai partners and see if they have any say in the operations.

“The checking will take time and will be done carefully. The department has asked the businesses for more documents and they will have 15 days to provide an explanation,” Jitakorn said.

He added that if initial checks show that some of the 200 businesses are suspected to be foreigners’ nominees, the department will hand the cases over to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Speaking at the same press conference, Commerce Ministry’s permanent secretary Keerati Rushchano said he has instructed all provincial commerce officials and the Business Development Department to carefully check the registration of new companies.

He said the officials will check to see if the new business owners are suspicious and if they have a healthy financial status to prevent foreigners from using them as nominees.

Keerati said he has instructed officials to check businesses in all tourist destinations across Thailand, instead of just focusing on major tourism provinces.

“Thailand’s tourism industry is reviving, with many foreigners returning. This nominee problem often pops up when the industry starts picking up, so checks have to be conducted in all areas, including second-tier provinces,” Keerati said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024883

A heavyweight Valentine’s Day wedding for Surin couples

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023

Thailand’s northeastern province of Surin held a jumbo-style Valentine’s Day celebration by having 30 couples ride on the back of elephants to register their marriage.

The jumbo-style marriage registration ceremony was held on Tuesday morning at the 80th Anniversary Chalerm Phrakiart Park, Tambon Nok Muang in the province’s Muang district.

The ceremony was co-presided over by Surin Provincial Administration Organisation chief executive Pornchai Mungcharone and provincial Governor Phichit Boonthan.

The marriage rites were held in the tradition of the indigenous ethnic Kuy people by parading the 30 couples on the backs of elephants through Surin’s downtown to the park where they registered their marriages.

Phichit claimed that the parade of couples on elephants to register their marriage was held only in Surin, which is well-known for its shows of jumbo mammals.

As part of the traditional rite, elders of the Kuy people also chanted prayers to bless the couple to have long and happy marriages.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024882

Journey for Love: Nakhon Nayok man finally weds sweetheart after 1,200km trek

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023

The 52-year-old man who walked 1,200 kilometres to prove his love, finally tied the knot with his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.

Yasothon native, Suthep “Maew” Lomjit, began his trek from Nakhon Nayok to Satun on January 14. His aim was to get to his girlfriend Thanapa “Yu” Khiaw-on, 56, by February 14 and ask for her hand in marriage.

The couple had met via the TikTok application five years ago, but Tuesday was the first time they met in person.

The couple embraced before signing their marriage certificate, much to the joy of their supporters.

Before meeting his new wife, Suthep was joined in the last leg of his journey – from Satun’s Ban Saphan Wa intersection to the Thung Wa district office – by 50 local athletes.

Upon arrival, he thanked Thanapa for giving him a chance to prove his love, adding that he only had “love” to give.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024880

Thailand highlights trade boost from Anwar visit as insurgency, Myanmar simmer

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the exchange of four agreements last week, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The official ministry statement said the agreements cover cooperation on electricity, renewable energy and digital economy between the two countries. All are seen as crucial to the BCG (bio-circular-green) economic model for sustainable growth adopted by both countries.

Anwar was making his first official visit to Thailand since taking office on November 24 last year.

On Thursday, Prayut and Anwar discussed guidelines to develop connectivity and border areas between two countries. They also talked about boosting economic cooperation, especially in energy, food security and the halal industry.

“Prayut and Anwar also agreed to promote peace and security in southern Thailand,” according to the Foreign Ministry press release.

In a press conference following their talks, Anwar vowed to do whatever was required to bring a peaceful solution to the insurgency in Thailand’s Malay-majority deep South that has killed over 7,300 people since 2004.

The Malaysian PM has appointed former military chief Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, 65, to facilitate the latest push for peace between Thailand and armed insurgent groups.

Anwar also asked Thailand to do more to resolve the brewing civil war in Myanmar following the military coup two years ago. Asean has banned Myanmar’s junta from attending regional summits. However, Thailand hosted a December meeting between Myanmar’s top diplomat and counterparts from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, prompting international concern that Asean was divided over Myanmar.

The ministry statement said Anwar’s wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail joined Prayut’s wife, Naraporn Chan-o-cha, on a visit to the Asia-Pacific Development Centre on Disability.

Anwar also met top Thai and Malaysian business leaders on Friday to promote manufacturing, trade and service links between the two countries, it added.

Related stories:

Thailand, Malaysia unite to restore peace in deep South

Malaysia PM vows to facilitate peace talks in restive southern Thailand

Malaysian PM arrives in Thailand on Thursday to discuss bilateral trade ties

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024877

Sports Fund throws counterpunch after accusation of budget delay

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023

The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) has batted away accusations it is failing to support sports associations by delaying budget disbursement this year.

“The NSDF has no authority to grant budget for sports associations at either provincial or national level. All such decisions are made by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT),” NSDF manager Supranee Guptasa told reporters on Monday.

Supranee said all associations seeking financial support from the fund must send their application to the SAT, which will consider granting budget based on four factors: Timeliness, transparency, budget management, and leftover budget from previous years.

If the SAT approves the application, it is forwarded to the NSDF, which ensures that all details comply with regulations. The applicant then signs a memo of understanding with the SAT and the budget is disbursed to the NSDF, Supranee explained.

She added that in her three years as NSDF manager, money requested by associations has exceeded the budget allocated to the fund.

“In 2022 the NSDF was allocated a total of 4 billion baht, but sports associations nationwide asked for a total of 10.8 billion baht,” she said.

This often resulted in SAT rejecting applications or asking the associations to revise their budget requests, which caused delays.

The SAT’s Preecha Lalun, who is tasked with considering budgets for associations, revealed he has sent back several applications because they are missing necessary documents and details, or did not show how the money will be used.

“I have told associations to make necessary fixes before they can be considered. This is what caused the delay,” said Preecha, who is director of the SAT’s Elite Sports Development Department.

He said the SAT aims to disburse the money to all approved associations within the first six months of fiscal 2023 (October 2022-March 2023). Meanwhile, any leftover budget from fiscal year 2022 should be disbursed to all associations within the third quarter of this year.

Related Stories

National Sports Fund unveils ‘hot’ winning design for new logo

Muay Thai takes a step closer to Olympic debut thanks to NSDF promotion efforts

Ratchaburi becomes a model for sports development

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024868

Rose price pain for lovers on Valentine’s Day due to lower supply this year

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Lovers could feel the pinch on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) this year as rose prices have more than doubled compared to the previous year, says a florist in Songkhla province.

Panuwat Bulan, the owner of Panuwat Florists, a well-known flower shop in the southern province, said the cold weather in northern Thailand had prevented many roses from blooming.

He said he had halved the number of roses he had ordered from the usual 2,000-3,000, to only 1,000-1,500 due to the high price. Roses sell in his shop from 500-3,000 baht. 

Most of the roses sold in the Muang district of Songkhla come from the northern provinces, namely Chiang Mai, Tak, and Chiang Rai, said Panuwat. 

“Despite their high prices, roses from those provinces are of excellent quality,” he added.

He said that orders from customers for red and pink rose bouquets normally peak during the pre-Valentine period.

Panuwat’s shop sells a variety of products made from flowers, such as rose bouquets, and also offers floral decoration services.

Related Stories: 

• Samui to host Valentine’s marriages above heart-shaped Chaweng beach
• Satellite spots heart-shaped forest in Chiang Rai for Valentine’s
• Roses may fade as more intimate and public gifts proliferate on Valentine’s Day

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024867

Thai police investigating general linked to online gambling, says Prayut

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023

The Royal Thai Police is investigating allegations of a police general being involved in online gambling and no bad cops will be spared, the premier told reporters.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was speaking on Monday in response to allegations made by former politician and massage-parlour-tycoon-turned-whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit.

On Sunday, Chuwit alleged in a Facebook post that Pol Lt-Colonel Wasawat Mukkarasakul or “Inspector Sua” had to pay protection money to “General Jor” so he could run his online gambling network.

Chuwit alleged that General Jor demanded a monthly payment of between 50,000 and 200,000 baht from people running online gambling websites. The size of the payment varied based on the size of the operation, he claimed.

In return, General Jor promised protection and a guarantee that the operators would not be arrested.

“This allegation is being investigated,” Prayut said. “I have insisted that if any police officer is implicated by evidence, he will be punished.”

He also thanked members of the public for providing tip-offs leading to crackdowns on gambling websites.

The premier said information provided by the public shows that such corruption has been taking place for a long time.

“We are now serious about suppressing [corruption]. The other day, the government issued a new regulation to mete out serious penalties – both disciplinary and criminal – on all types of officials. They will be first removed from government service pending investigation,” Prayut said.

When asked if he would rush to reform the Royal Thai Police before his term ends, Prayut said reforms have already started with the enactment of the Royal Thai Police Act.

Now is the time to simply weed out bad cops, Prayut added.

“Police are also human and there are good ones and bad ones. We must create an ideology and ethics for police to follow,” Prayut said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024864

Surachate tells Nakhon Pathom police to work harder in solving mystery of missing eight-month baby

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Deputy National Police chief General Surachate Hakparn on Monday told a team of police investigators from Nakhon Pathom province to work harder in solving the mystery of an eight-month-old baby who went missing from his mother’s bed early this month.

Surachate said he had summoned the investigative team to meet him at the Royal Thai Police headquarters to find out about the progress in the case.

Sitthichoke Saengsawang, 19, the father of the missing baby, and his 16-year-old wife, told police that their son Torsak had disappeared from their house in a community in Moo 6 village of Tambon Hin Mool of Bang Lane district, at around 7.30am on February 5.

Police investigators and the Mirror Foundation, an NGO that works to help locate missing people and children, found that account of the mother suspicious. The mother said she was sleeping with the baby and felt someone take the baby away from her. She said she thought it was a relative and so she did not wake up. When she awoke, she said she could not find the baby with any relative.

Police have checked footage of security cameras in the area but not found any trace of the baby being carried away by anyone.

“The investigation has gone nowhere so I had to summon the team to inquire about the progress,” Surachate said.

Surachate said he had heard from reports that a trace of blood was found on a pillow of the baby and that is why he had summoned the investigators to find out why they had not collected the evidence properly.

He said he believed all police investigators are equally capable but some work harder.

“If we want to find out the truth, the team will have to work harder,” Surachate said.

Earlier, an official of the Mirror Foundation said he had inspected the scene on the night of February 5 and he thought that it would be impossible for outsiders to reach the house and kidnap the baby.

He believed that insiders were responsible for the missing baby and added that in most cases of missing children that the foundation had looked into, family members were the culprits.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024858

110 immigration police officers suspected of helping Chinese gangsters, says Surachate

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023

The number of immigration police officers suspected of helping Chinese gangsters to stay illegally in Thailand has risen from 80 to 110, deputy National Police chief General Surachate Hakparn said on Monday.

Surachate told a press conference that his investigative team had started filing complaints with police against the suspects and the process should be finished within this week.

Last month, Surachate said that 80 suspects, including three generals who were his former classmates from the police academy, were summoned to hear charges. The charges included malfeasance and demanding bribes.

A nationwide investigation was launched in November after former massage parlour tycoon-cum-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit provided information on alleged Chinese triads operating in Thailand.

The tip-off quickly led to an arrest warrant being issued for alleged triad kingpin Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant, a Chinese national who had gained Thai citizenship by marrying a senior Thai police officer.

Surachate reiterated on Monday that the alleged corrupt immigration officers were found to have issued student and other visas to some 3,000 Chinese nationals in the Northeast and more than 1,000 in the North from 2020-21, allowing them to stay in Thailand and engage in illegal operations.

He said some immigration officers had allowed their names to be registered as founding members of some foundations.

Regarding reports of some suspects complaining to the Royal Thai Police about facing unfair investigations, Surachate said he was ready to face a probe if the National Police chief sets up a panel to investigate him.

He said all of his work and operations were accountable and could be checked.