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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402848

Damage from fire at Samut Prakarn plastic factory estimated at over Bt10 million

NationalFeb 20. 2021

By THE NATION

More than 30 fire engines spent over three hours putting out a fire at Thai Jaroensub Plastic Co Ltd in Samut Prakarn province on Friday.

Bang Pu Police Station was alerted to the fire in Soi Thessabal Bang Pu 88 in Muang district at around noon on Friday.

The fire engines from Bang Pu municipality and nearby districts had to battle flames originating from two buildings of the plastic recycling factory.

Factory owner Somchai Suwan reportedly said that there was an explosion from the plastic melting machine which caused a fire that spread rapidly to the nearby building that stored thinners and hydraulic oil in 200-litre drums, resulting in subsequent explosions.

Somchai added that both buildings were also filled with plastic beads waiting to go into the melting machine, and they are an excellent fuel, making it even harder to extinguish the flames.

The fire engines sprayed water and fire suppressant chemicals but still could not put out the flames completely. They were, however, able to control the fire from spreading to other buildings and the nearby community.

There were no reports of casualties at the time of reporting, while the total damage was estimated at over Bt10 million.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402846

Pro-democracy group concludes ‘people’s censure debate’, schedules another rally at 3pm today

NationalFeb 20. 2021

By THE NATION

Pro-democracy group “Mob Fest” held a “Censure debate by the people” in front of Parliament on Friday at 5pm, on the fourth day of the censure debate against the Prayut Chan-o-cha government by opposition parties.

The official censure debate in Parliament, in Bangkok’s Dusit district, began on February 16 and ended on Friday, with the vote on the no-confidence motion scheduled for Saturday.

The rally on Friday was peaceful. Protest leaders took turns in giving speeches criticising the government on various aspects, including inadequate aid for people who have been affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, delay in getting Covid-19 vaccines, unemployment, problems regarding land allotment for farmers and corruption in the appointment of senior police officers.

The protesters also hung images of Prayut and nine ministers who are targets of the censure debate along with funeral wreaths on the stage backdrop.

At 10.15pm protest leaders announced the conclusion of Friday’s activity, adding that the rally on Saturday will start from 3pm onwards at the Kiak Kai intersection near Parliament.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402840

Cool to cold in upper Thailand, no threat from storm ‘Dujuan’

NationalFeb 20. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday that a moderate high-pressure system from China covers upper Thailand and the South China Sea.

Cool to cold weather is forecast for the North and the Northeast while the morning is likely to be cool in the East and the Central, including Bangkok and its vicinity.

Meanwhile, the strong northeast monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand and the South causes moderate wind waves about two metres high in the lower Gulf and the Andaman Sea. All ships should proceed with caution, the department said.

Tropical storm “Dujuan” over the Pacific Ocean is expected to make landfall over the Philippines on February 21-22, with no significant impact on Thailand, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool to cold weather; temperature lows of 15-18 degrees Celsius, highs of 29-34°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-15°C.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather; temperature lows of 14-19°C, highs of 29-32°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-12°C.

Central: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 18-20°C, highs of 32-34°C.

East: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 17-22°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rain; temperature lows of 19-25°C, highs of 30-33°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rain; temperature lows of 20-24°C, highs of 33-35°C; waves two metres high and over two metres offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 19-21°C, highs of 32-34°C.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402828

Crouching tiger, fleeing monkeys: Chon Buri store owner hits back at hairy thieves

NationalFeb 20. 2021

By The Nation

A former community president in Chon Buri’s Sriracha district has discovered a way to repel wild monkeys that have been ransacking homes around Laem Chabang mountain.

The troupe of around 200 monkeys are famous for stealing food from inside people’s houses. However, one grocery has been safe from invasion for the past month.

Sanae Phoothong, a 70-year-old former Ban Laem Chabang community president, said on Friday he set up a cage covered by black canvas with a tiger doll inside on the food store’s roof.

He uses a rope hoist to lift the tiger doll in and out of the cage to give the monkeys a fright.

“First, I tied a crocodile doll to the rope hoist, but the monkeys ripped it apart,” he said.

He said he would propose his monkey-scaring idea to Laem Chabang city authorities.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402836

Host of ‘superspreader’ birthday party let off for good behaviour

NationalFeb 19. 2021

By The Nation

The Southern Bangkok District Court has sentenced Techin “DJ Matoom” Ployphet to two months in prison and a fine of Bt20,000 for violating the state of emergency.

The court based its verdict on the fact that the accused had been irresponsible and ignored measures put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19. Techin’s birthday party held at a Bangkok hotel on January 9 resulted in at least nine people getting infected.

The court decided to suspend Techin’s sentence because he pleaded guilty, but he is required to report to police every three months for a year and cannot attend any gatherings that violate the Emergency Decree. The accused has three months to pay the fine which has been reduced to Bt10,000.

Techin went to Bangkok’s Mahamek Police Station with his lawyer on Friday after being discharged from hospital. He was interrogated by police for 45 minutes, during which he accepted all accusations. Police then took the matter to court, which issued a verdict later in the day.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402833

MRTA responds to claim of irregularities in scrapped Orange Line bidding

NationalFeb 19. 2021

By The Nation

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) on Friday responded to allegations of irregularities in its cancellation of bidding for the Bt128-billion Orange Line west construction.

Opposition MP Jirayu Huangsap claimed during this week’s no-confidence debate that bid conditions had been altered at the request of the Italian-Thai Development company despite opposition from fellow bidder, Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC). The ensuing legal dispute finally saw bidding scrapped on February 3 for the 13.4-kilometre line from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non.

In response, MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantaramas said the selection committee’s 50:50 weighting for financial and technical proposals had been altered to 70:30 on August 21, 2020. Contractors were also given an extra 45 days to submit their bids.

He said the change in conditions was needed to protect heritage and buildings from Orange Line tunnelling in the old quarter of Bangkok.

“To maintain reasonable financial returns in the present economic conditions, the MRTA decided to use the 70 per cent rule to achieve financial returns and 30 per cent for technical criteria to ensure the safety of the people and archaeological sites that are national treasures,” said Pakapong.

However, BTSC’s legal action against the change had disrupted the process and led to the committee’s decision to scrap bidding, he added. Preparations have now begun for a new bidding process in March-May, he said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402830

Tying the knot… again… lands police officer in serious trouble

NationalFeb 19. 2021

By THE NATION

A 34-year-old police captain in Chai Nat province may face disciplinary action, and even 30 days in jail, after news of his marriage to his mistress went viral on Thursday.

Polygamy is a crime under Thai law, and Pol Captain Saranyoo Nookaew faces serious action if found guilty.

On Thursday, Niphawan, 33, showed up at her husband’s wedding with their marriage certificate and her mother-in-law in tow. Saranyoo and his girlfriend’s family tried to drive them away but were stopped when the mother took matters in her own hands and slapped her son. A clip of the slap with monks chanting in the background has become a meme on social media.

Niphawan said that when she realised her husband was playing away from home, she tried to get the other woman to end the affair but to no avail. She later learned her hubby was getting married to this woman, whose name has not been released.

She said she became suspicious when her husband suddenly decided on Wednesday night to “go to work”.

Niphwan and her mother-in-law have filed a case at the Central Juvenile and Family Court against the woman but have decided to spare the man. Niphawan said he still has his children to look after.

The wife and her two children, 15 and five, have moved to the in-law’s house.

Meanwhile, the man and his mistress have been forced to close down their social-media accounts permanently after news of their marriage resulted in an onslaught of angry comments.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402829

Get your fries with a swish and a jig

NationalFeb 19. 2021

By THE NATION

The French Fries Kayao (Shake French Fries) stall is set up inside a barbershop in Soi Charansanitwong 35 in the capital’s Bangkok Noi district. The fries are served from 5pm to 11pm daily.

Frying up the snack is 23-year-old Thanaporn Mungkornkaew, who used to sell clothes with her friend.

Since sales fell due to the Covid-19 outbreak, she decided to sell fries instead.

Her stall became popular when she posted a clip of her dancing on Tik Tok.

One day she began dancing out of boredom, and a customer captured it on his phone.

Thanaporn then asked the customer for the clip and uploaded it to Tik Tok, which made her and her fries a hit.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402827

Volunteer medics file assault charges against police at protest

NationalFeb 19. 2021

By THE NATION

Two volunteer medics on Friday filed charges accusing police of attacking them at a pro-democracy protest in front of the Supreme Court in Bangkok on February 13.

Protesters had gathered at the court to demand the release of four Ratsadon pro-democracy leaders – Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Arnon Nampa, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk and Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam – who are charged with lese majeste and sedition.

Clashes during the protest saw 23 police officers hospitalised with non-severe injuries, mainly from bricks, small objects and so-called ping-pong bombs thrown at them.

Puraphol (19) and Jittakorn (23) (last names withheld), members of the DNA (Doctor and Nurse Associate) group, said they were attacked by baton-wielding riot police as they worked at the rally site.

“Crowd control police said they would give us 30 minutes to evacuate the site, but shortly after the announcement a group of police officers approached and beat me with batons until I was unconscious,” said Puraphol. A physical examination reportedly showed injuries to his back, right shoulder, right arm and ankle.

A representative of the DNA Group who was also at the scene said riot police kicked over the motorcycle Puraphol was sitting on before beating him with batons.

“Puraphol is neither a protester nor a troublemaker during rallies. He has been working with DNA for a long time, providing medical assistance to those who need it,” she said.

The two volunteers filed charges of physical assault and damaging personal property against the crowd control police at Chana Songkhram police station in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402826

Automobile exports soar despite Covid-induced slowdown

NationalFeb 19. 2021

By THE NATION

Thailand’s automobile exports jumped by nearly 14 per cent in January amid a contracting domestic market, a report from the Federation of Thai Industries said.

The FTI’s Automotive Industry Club reported on Thursday that Thailand had shipped 74,132 vehicles last month, up 13.53 per cent compared to the same period last year. The rise was attributed to increasing demands in Thailand’s three major markets – Asia, Middle East and Africa.

The export value of automobiles in January also rose to 28.4 per cent year on year to Bt41.43 billion.

The biggest importers of vehicles from Thailand in January were China, Japan and Australia.

“The domestic market, however, is still contracting, with only 55,208 vehicles sold, or 46.96 per cent less year on year,” said Surapong Paisitpattanapong, the club’s vice president and spokesman.

“The contraction is due to consumers’ concerns about the new wave of infections, which hit the country in December last year and has resulted in many putting their plans to purchase new cars on hold.”

Meanwhile, 219,977 motorcycles were produced in January, up 4.95 per cent year on year. Domestic sales last month dropped 6.63 per cent year on year to 135,641 units, though exports rose 2.28 per cent year on year to 79,811 units. The total value of motorcycle exports came in at Bt7.53 billion, up by 21.23 per cent year on year.

Total exports in the Thai automotive sector in January, including cars, motorcycles, engines, components and parts, came in at Bt69.78 billion, up by 27.22 per cent year on year.