Hundreds evacuated in Malaysia after king tides wash away their homes
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2022
More than 100 houses in Sabah’s east coast Sandakan were damaged or destroyed during king tides on Christmas Eve.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes as the tides coupled with strong waves left more than 100 people homeless.
Civil Defence Force personnel were continuing to register victims on Sunday.
The seawater began rising at about 7pm and continued till midnight, forcing residents to flee their homes with their valuables and personal documents.
There were no reports of any casualties as a result of the tides.
The Civil Defence Force said that as of Sunday morning 284 families, comprising 1,194 people, were in relief shelters in Pitas, KotaKinabalu, Sandakan, and Kota Kinabalu.
Nine days after the landslide at the campsite of an organic farm, the last of the 31 victims who died in the tragedy was found by the search and rescue team.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail said one of its personnel had noticed some liquid flowing at the hillside in Sector A of the areas demarcated at the Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali.
“He thought it strange, so he and his team decided to dig manually using a shovel and discovered the body inside a sleeping bag,” he said. Another leader of the search and rescue team, Suffian Abdullah, said the body of the boy was found at 4.53pm underneath 1.5 metres of soil at the hillside some 4m from the campsite at Sector A.
“The victim, who is between seven and 12 years old, was fully clothed, but his body had started to decompose,” Abdullah told reporters at the search and rescue operations centre in Batang Kali yesterday.
He added that the search and rescue operation was still ongoing.
“We will make a decision on the status of the operation [on Sunday].”
A total of 80 personnel from various agencies were involved on the ninth day of the search and rescue operation, he added.
Twenty victims were discovered in Sector A, one in Sector B and 10 in Sector C.
There was no development at the operations centre for most of the day until about 5pm when news about the discovery of the last body came in.
Earlier, a member of the search and rescue team was rushed to the hospital after he collapsed.
“We believe he collapsed under the heat and dehydration. He might have forgotten to eat, too.
“He was rushed to Hospital Selayang for treatment,” officials said in a statement.
Authorities have not officially named the deceased boy.
According to news reports, he is 11-year-old Eng Shao Qi, a pupil at SJK(C) Mun Choong in Kuala Lumpur, where his father Eng Choon Wen, 43, operated a canteen. Choon Wen and his daughter Huai Yi, 12, as well as his canteen assistant Nurul Azwani Kamaruzaman, 31, also died in the December 16 landslide.
Week of celebrations as Bangkok’s Wat Suthat marks 215 years
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022
Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworahawihan or the temple of the giant swing is kicking off celebrations on Monday to mark its 215th anniversary.
The celebrations, which run until New Year’s Day, are divided into four zones, namely entertainment, arts, shopping and the Lan Khon Muang zone for concerts and cultural shows.
Wat Suthat Thepwararam is one of Bangkok’s 10 royal temples and its construction was started by King Rama I in 1807 but only completed during the reign of King Rama III in 1847 or 1848. It was initially called the “Wat Maha Sutthawat”.
The key events during the week include:
Monday:
Temple grounds
1pm: Offerings to the founder of the Chakri Dynasty
5.10pm: Muay Thai dance show
8pm: Traditional puppet show
Lan Khon Muang zone
6pm: Contemporary concert
Tuesday:
Temple grounds
3pm: A guided tour explaining the art and architecture of the ancient temple
5.30pm: Traditional music performed using ancient instruments
6.10pm: Official opening ceremony of the celebrations
7.10pm: Khon performance
Lan Khon Muang zone
6pm: Concert by a symphony orchestra
Wednesday
Temple grounds
5.30pm: Concert by a traditional string band
7pm: Musical skit
Lan Khon Muang zone
6pm: Traditional Isaan music
Thursday
Temple grounds
5pm: Performance by a Chinese string band
5.45pm: Traditional “lamtad” musical show by Mae Srinual Khamarj band
6.45pm: Literary stage play
8.15pm: Concert by a Thai traditional-contemporary band
Lan Khon Muang zone
6pm: “Luk thung” or Thai country music
Friday
Temple grounds
5pm: Symphony orchestra
6pm: Pleng Choi musical traditional show
Lan Khon Muang zone
6pm: Traditional “likay” show
Saturday
Temple grounds
4.45pm: Dance shows depicting art and literature
5.30pm: New Year prayers ceremony
January 1
Temple grounds
7.15pm: Khon performance
8.45pm: Concert by traditional-contemporary Thai band
Giant serpent sheds shimmering skin on Chao Phraya as 2023 beckons
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022
A giant interactive Naga serpent is uncoiling above the Chao Phraya River to light up Christmas and New Year.
The Serpenti Necklace Light Structure is dazzling visitors at Bangkok’s Iconsiam River Park after being let loose by luxury brand Bulgari.
Inspired by the Italian jeweller’s iconic Serpenti Necklace, the Naga will be shedding its glittering light skin at the riverside shopping complex until February 2.
The shimmering serpent’s 150,000 LED bulbs will also join firework displays lighting the skies along 2 kilometres of the Chao Phraya River on New Year’s Eve.
The Serpenti Necklace represents the concept of rebirth and is inspired by the beauty and craftsmanship of Roman jewellery, Bulgari explained.
It took nine months and over 150,000 LED lamps to design and build the 18.5-metre-tall “mother” serpent.
Bangkok is the latest stop on its world tour, following shimmering appearances at Bulgari flagship stores in Singapore, Tokyo and other fashion cities.
Viewers can also control the serpent’s light patterns via an app available at Line @BVLGARITH under the campaign slogan “I Believe in Wonder”.
Thai and international celebrities led by actress Davika Hoorne, Friend of the House Bulgari-South Asia Pacific, unveiled the latest addition to Bangkok’s riverside at party on December 22.
Pattaya is world’s second most popular beach on TikTok
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022
Pattaya ranks as the second-most popular beach destination in the world on TikTok, British travel operator Destination2 has revealed.
Videos of Pattaya beach have been viewed 128.5 million times on TikTok, behind only Australia’s Bondi Beach with 445.8 million views.
Destination2 said it conducted research on TikTok hashtags after seeing a rise in the number users looking for travel destinations, especially beaches.
Pattaya beach stretches for 2.7 kilometres along the Gulf of Thailand. According to Tripadvisor, it is especially popular with thrill-seekers thanks to activities like parasailing, jet-skiing, and banana boat riding.
Sydney’s Bondi Beach topped the TikTok rankings after three successive years at No 2. Bondi’s kilometre-long strip of sand and sea is world-renowned for its surfing scene.
The third-most popular beach on TikTok is Nha Trang in Vietnam with 64.6 million views. It attracted eyeballs for its scuba diving, crystal-clear waters and proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, just a 35-minute drive away.
Australia has the highest number of beaches in the top 10, with three, followed by Vietnam and the United States with two apiece.
The top 10 most popular beaches on TikTok: 1. Bondi (Australia): 445.8 million views 2. Pattaya (Thailand): 128.5 million 3. Nha Trang (Vietnam): 64.6 million 4. Vũng Tàu (Vietnam): 61.9 million 5. Waikiki (Hawaii, US): 43.7 million 6. JBR (UAE): 30.3 million 7. Kelingking (Indonesia): 30 million 8. Santa Monica (US): 29 million 9. Airlie (Australia): 27.8 million 10. Whitehaven (Australia): 23.5 million
Reduce air tickets, introduce more flights to Phuket, say tourism operators
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022
Phuket’s tourism industry has called on the government and airlines to tackle the problem of rising ticket prices and too few flights to the resort city.
Phuket governor Narong Woonciew met tourism operators on Sunday to discuss the problems that could affect the tourism sector in the long term, especially during Chinese New Year and Songkran festivals.
He said the biggest problem was that there are too few flights to meet the surge in demand, especially during festivals and long weekends.
Members of the private sector, namely the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Phuket Tourist Association, and Thai Hotels Association – Southern Chapter, agreed that airlines should boost flights to Phuket as well as seek supporting measures from the Tourism and Sports Ministry to make the move possible.
Without enough flights to Phuket during the high season, tourists may consider visiting other destinations like Vietnam, Singapore or Bali, a representative of the Phuket Tourist Association said.
Chamber of Commerce president Thanusak Phungdet pointed out that air tickets to Phuket were now more expensive than before the pandemic.
“In 2019, the average return ticket cost between 8,000 and 9,000 baht, but now it’s up to 10,000 to 14,000 baht,” he said. “This is not exclusive to Phuket, as ticket prices to other tourism provinces have also risen by 30-60%.”
Thanusak suggested that if increasing the number of flights is not possible, airlines should use larger aircraft for popular routes to transport more people.
“We need to plan ahead for the upcoming holidays and festivals next year, as they will be crucial periods to help the tourism industry get back on its feet,” Thanusak said.
According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Phuket welcomed the highest number of foreign tourists at 2.32 million from January to October this year, and also generated the most revenue at 127.9 billion baht.
Prayut green-lights New Year celebrations amid prayers for Princess
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has reiterated that the government will not cancel New Year festivities, as the country prays for the recovery of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati.
Prayut told reporters on Monday that the business sector was free to go ahead with New Year countdowns and other events but asked them to proceed with “maximum caution”.
The PM was speaking after Bangkok’s Khao San Road scrapped its New Year’s countdown and Pattaya cancelled its December 29-31 fireworks display. Government and court offices have also called off New Year celebrations, while His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch has instructed Thai temples at home and abroad to hold special daily prayers for the Princess.
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha is being treated for a heart-related condition at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok after losing consciousness on December 14.
Bangkok’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will go ahead with the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2023” at Iconsiam next to the Chao Phraya River, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirmed on Friday.
Analysis: Newin hints at coalition with Pheu Thai in next election
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022
“There are no permanent friends or foes in Thai politics. Believe me.”
This classic quote was recently made by Newin Chidchob, the shadow leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, in a strong hint that the Bhumjaithai could form a coalition government with the Pheu Thai Party, whose shadow leader Thaksin Shinawatra was once betrayed by him.
Newin made the statement in his interview with ThaiPBS on Christmas Eve when he presided over the opening ceremony of “New Year 2023 Countdown” in his province of Buri Ram. The event was held at the Chang Arena in Muang district of the province, and it will continue until January 1.
In the interview, Newin talked about his perception of the outcome and the situation after the next general election, which has been tentatively scheduled on May 7 provided the House of Representatives stays until it completes its four-year term on March 22.
“In Thailand and Thai politics, there are no permanent friends or foes. Believe me,” Newin said. “What matters the most is how the people will vote on election day. The election results will become the most crucial mechanism that will force political parties and politicians to realise what the people want.”
He added that the polarisation of Thai politics must be a thing of the past.
“Stop thinking about continuing to divide politics along the polarised lines. If our politics will remain polarised, our country will go nowhere,” Newin said.
He said he would not return to lead the Bhumjaithai but he would continue to play his role as an adviser like how former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is “not related to” Pheu Thai.
Political observers consider Newin as much a shadow leader of Bhumajaithai as Thaksin is of Pheu Thai.
Since he will not be returning to lead the Bhumjaithai, Newin said there was no reason to prevent Bhumjaithai from working with Pheu Thai in the same coalition government.
Newin indicated that the coldness in his relationship with Thaksin should not be a reason to prevent cooperation between the two parties.
“Who runs Pheu Thai? Who sets the policies of the party? Who manages the party? If the current party leader, the executive board and core members run the Pheu Thai, why should they have any conflict with Anutin [Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai leader]? Even Thaksin and Anutin have no conflict towards each other,” Newin said.
He said the conflicts of the past should be left behind and the only thing that must be considered is whether the current executives of the Pheu Thai have any conflicts with Anutin.
“Don’t count me in. I’m not related to Bhumjaithai. I’m just their headmaster. I’m just Uncle Newin,” he said.
Thaksin has also repeatedly made similar statements during his live Club House talks that he is just an adviser and supporter of Pheu Thai.
Newin came out to give a strong hint of cooperation between the two parties following unconfirmed reports that he had recently met Thaksin in London to mend their sour ties.
Political gurus believe Newin, who has a strong political hunch, realises which party would win the next general election.
Most opinion surveys have found Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to be the most popular choice for prime minister while the Pheu Thai has the strongest political support. The surveys also found that the popularity of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the ruling Palang Pracharath Party was on the decline.
There have been strong reasons for Newin to publicly distance himself from Bhumjaithai and secretly mend his ties with Thaksin.
In 2001, Newin became a political lieutenant of Thaksin after Newin’s father, Chai Chidchob, personally asked Thaksin for a chance for his son to grow in his political career.
But in late 2008, Newin backstabbed Thaksin by leading a group of 23 MPs under his control to support then Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to form a coalition government. On that day, Newin made a classic political phrase that said “It’s over, master”.
But his betrayal led to Bhumjaithai’s election defeat in 2011. Newin then distanced himself from politics to become the manager of the Buri Ram United and led the team to fame.
In 2017, Newin changed the image of Bhumjaithai into a neutral party that does not join any side of the polarised politics and he entrusted the leadership of Bhumjaithai to Anutin, to reduce the atmosphere of confrontation with the big boss of Pheu Thai, Thaksin. Anutin is known as a person who could talk to Thaksin and he used to visit Thaksin in Dubai following the coup in 2014.
This strategy seemed to be fruitful as Bhumjaitha captured 12 party-list House seats and 39 constituency House seats in the 2019 election, compared to 5 party-list seats and 34 constituency seats in the 2011 election.
It is yet to be seen whether Newin’s gesture of holding out the olive branch to Thaksin would be fruitful next year.
Paetongtarn, Pheu Thai still most popular in Thailand
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2022
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, is still the most popular choice for premier among Thai voters, a new opinion poll shows.
The survey was carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) from December 17 to 22 among 2,000 respondents around the country. The respondents, who were 18 and above, hailed from different levels of income and educational backgrounds.
The survey results announced by Nida Poll on Sunday found that 34% of the respondents preferred Paetongtarn as prime minister, followed by 14.05% preferring incumbent Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
This is the fourth popularity rating poll conducted by Nida this year. Earlier polls also found Paetongtarn as the most popular choice for prime minister.
However, when results were split among different parts of the country, Nida found that Paetongtarn was not so popular in Bangkok and the South.
When asked who they would choose as PM if the elections were held now, the responses were:
34%: Paetongtarn under the Pheu Thai Party banner because they liked the party’s platforms and wanted the country to be run by a new-generation politician
14.05%: Prayut as a candidate for Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party because they like his integrity, straightforwardness and ability to maintain peace and order
13.25%: Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Move Forward Party
8.25%: No choice
6.45%: Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of Thai Sang Thai Party
6%: Pol General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of Seri Ruam Thai Party
5%: Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai Party
2.65%: Korn Chatikavanij, leader of Chart Pattanakla Party
2.60%: Cholnan Srikaew, leader of Pheu Thai Party
2.30%: Jurin Laksanawisit, leader of Democrat Party
1.10%: Somkid Jatusripitak of the Sang Anakot Thai Party
4.35%: Others including Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Palang Pracharath Party leader General Prawit Wongsuwan, and Prachachart Party leader Wan Muhammad Noor Matha.
As to which party they would choose if an election were to be held now, the respondents replied:
Govt to offer same-day delivery for urgent passports next month
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2022
The Foreign Ministry’s Department of Consular Affairs will offer an express service for urgent passports next month, allowing applicants to receive them on the same day at a lower cost, it said on Sunday.
Passport offices nationwide will be able to process up to 100 urgent passports a day, but applications will have to be made before 11.30am in order to receive the passport in the afternoon.
The passports can be picked up between 2.30pm and 4.30pm at the Department of Consular Affairs in Bangkok’s Lak Si district.
Fees will be cut on the service, which will be offered from December 3 to 10.
A five-year urgent passport will cost 1,000 baht (down from 3,000 baht), while a 10-year urgent passport will cost 1,500 baht (down from 3,500 baht), the department said.
The department also announced that it will take passport applications during weekends (except long weekends) from 10am to 6pm at temporary passport offices in Bangkok’s MBK Centre and Nonthaburi’s Central Plaza Westgate next year.
It said it will also launch a mobile passport service across Thailand next year.
The department said it will also provide free English translations of vital documents, such as birth and death certificates, from January 3 to 31 next year.
Free translation of one document per person will be available at the Department of Consular Affairs office in Lak Si district, its legalisation office near MRT Khlong Toei station, as well as passport offices in Phuket and Chiang Mai, the department said.
Copies of documents (in Thai and English) at the department’s parking area from January 3 to 31 next year. ID cards will also be issued in the same location, the department said.
When asked who they would choose as PM if the elections were held now, the responses were:
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