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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024556

Six Bangkok policemen charged with extorting Taiwanese actress’s group

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2023

A police investigation panel on Thursday charged six Bangkok police officers – two captains and four sergeants – with bribe-taking over 27,000 baht allegedly extorted from a Taiwanese actress and her friends.

Maj-Gen Thiradej Thammasuthee, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, said one of the seven initial suspects was cleared as he was not present when the bribe was allegedly demanded from actress Charlene and her group at a checkpoint in the early hours of January 5. Senior Sgt Maj Atijvej Jullaphan had left to attend another incident, so the investigative panel cleared him of involvement, Thiradej said.

Ativej was among seven Huay Kwang policemen transferred on Monday after being identified as the ones who manned a temporary checkpoint in front of the Chinese Embassy on Ratchadaphisek Road where An’s group were stopped. Police at the checkpoint are accused of taking a bribe of 27,000 baht in exchange for turning a blind eye to a vaping device An was carrying. Possession of a vape or e-cigarette is illegal in Thailand and carries a penalty of up to five years in jail.

The six police officers charged with breaking Section 149 of the Criminal Code were identified as:

– Captain Yodrit Langdulsen, deputy crime suppression inspector at Huay Kwang Police Station

– Captain Patiphan Sirichaiwatana, deputy administration inspector

– Senior Sgt-Major Krissada Khammana, crime suppression and prevention officer

– Sergeant Chalermchai Siriwangso, crime suppression and prevention officer

– Sergeant Watcharanon Khaoyong, crime suppression and prevention officer

– Sergeant Nanthawat Suwanna, crime suppression and prevention officer

Under Section 149, public officials found guilty of bribery shall be punished with “imprisonment of five to 20 years or imprisonment for life, a fine of 2,000 to 40,000 baht, or death”.

After returning to Taiwan on January 5, An claimed on social media that Thai police had planted the vapes and extorted 27,000 baht.

Thai police initially dismissed the allegations and insisted the accused police officers were innocent.

However, the Metropolitan Police Bureau set up an initial fact-finding panel, which found evidence to back her allegations. The panel recommended that the accused officers be charged under Section 157 and subjected to a severe disciplinary probe.

Section 157 states: “Whoever, being an official, wrongfully exercises or does not exercise any of his functions to the injury of any person, or dishonestly exercises or omits to exercise any of his functions, shall be punished with imprisonment of one to 10 years and/or a fine of 2,000 to 20,000 baht.”

The panel’s findings led to the formation of the investigative committee to bring formal charges.

The six accused officers were detained at the Investigation Division on Wednesday.

Thiradej said the suspects had confessed to demanding the bribe during the fact-finding panel’s probe before being formally interrogated by the investigative panel.

The suspects consulted their lawyers and changed their plea to innocent during the formal interrogation, he added.

“But police have enough evidence to press charges against them. Today, they were formally charged with violating Section 149 and 157,” he said.

Evidence against the six policemen includes footage from security cameras located close to the checkpoint.

Thiradej said the footage confirmed testimony from a Singaporean man in An’s group, identified as “Sky”, 29.

“Mr Sky has also identified some of the policemen who [allegedly] demanded the bribe, he added.

On Wednesday, Sky talked to reporters at the Davis Bangkok Hotel of former politician and massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit to affirm the bribe allegations.

The Singaporean said police stopped their Grab taxi at the checkpoint and detained the group after “finding” three vaping devices. They then demanded 8,000 baht for each vaper and another 3,000 baht for Sky’s failure to show an entry visa, he said.

Sky alleged that police threatened to hold them in prison for two days if they refused to pay 27,000 baht.

Relatives and lawyers of the six policemen visited them in detention at the Investigation Division on Thursday.

Investigators will seek approval from the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases for their temporary detention pending further investigation before they are arraigned in court.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024555

Laos agrees to expedite reopening of border checkpoints between Vientiane and Nong Khai

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2023

Laotian authorities have promised to reopen four border checkpoints between Laos’ capital Vientiane and Thailand’s Nong Khai province “as soon as possible” to facilitate border trade and tourism between the two countries.

The Thai Commerce Ministry’s permanent secretary, Keerati Rushchano, said on Thursday that Vientiane’s Vice Mayor Phoukhong Bannavong told him during their recent meeting in the Laotian capital.

Keerati asked the Laotian side to expedite the reopening of its four border checkpoints opposite Nong Khai – Tha Dua checkpoint in Vientiane (opposite the Nong Khai Pier), Vientiane’s Nong Da checkpoint (opposite Nong Khai’s Ban Mo), Ban Don Tai checkpoint (opposite Ban Chumpon), and Ban Khok Hae checkpoint (opposite Ban Muang in Nong Khai).

He told the Laotian official that the Thai border checkpoints could be reopened as soon as Vientiane authorities resume operations at their checkpoints.

The eight checkpoints on both sides of the border, which were used as a channel for border trade, have been closed for almost three years since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
 

Phoukhong told Keerati that Vientiane Capital, which has the authority to reopen the border checkpoints in question, would do so “as soon as possible” to allow people on both sides of the border to resume their border trade while welcoming the return of foreign tourists.

“Both sides agreed to work together on tourism in the region for maximum mutual benefit,” Keerati said.

There are 49 border checkpoints and boundary posts between Thailand and Laos. Thailand has reopened 44 and Laos 36.

Last year, border trade between Thailand and Laos totalled 260 billion baht, up 21.1% from a year earlier. Border trade accounted for as much as 94.7% of total trade between the two neighbouring countries.

Border trade between Nong Khai and Vientiane alone totalled 86.5 billion baht last year, up 15.3% from a year earlier and the highest among the Thai provinces bordering Laos.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024552

Diesel price to drop for first time in 7 months, official says

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2023

The price of diesel will fall by 50 satang to 34.50 baht per litre from February 15, Oil Fuel Fund Office director Wisak Wattanasap said on Thursday.

Wisak said the price cut would be the first in seven months.

The price has been 35 baht per litre since June 14 last year.

The fund’s executive committee decided to lower the price following the decline in global oil prices that began in November last year, Wisak said.

The price of diesel dropped from US$135.53 per barrel last year to $116.12 per barrel in January, Wisak said, adding that global prices were expected to fall further.

Wisak also thanked the Cabinet for extending the diesel excise tax cut of five baht per litre by another four months: January 21 to May 20.

“These factors resulted in an improvement of the Oil Fuel Fund’s liquidity management,” he said.

The fund was 113.43 billion baht in debt as of January 29, Wisak said, adding that 68.13 billion baht of this debt was the result of subsidies for diesel and 45.30 billion baht from subsidies for liquefied petroleum gas.

Related stories:

Cabinet extends diesel excise cut for four more months to control cost of living

Finance Ministry to push for another round of diesel excise subsidy

Thailand considering diesel tax cut extension despite easing fuel crisis

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024551

Bangkok records third-highest air pollution in world on Thursday

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2023

Bangkok ranked as the third-most polluted city in the world on Thursday, with an air quality index (AQI) of 198 at 9am, according to iqair.com.

The Thai capital was behind only Mumbai in India (AQI 207) and Pakistan’s Lahore (202). Chiang Mai ranked 13th with an AQI of 164.

Seventy air-quality monitoring stations across Bangkok registered unsafe levels of air pollution as of 7am, the Bangkok Air Quality Centre said.

PM2.5, the most dangerous air pollutant, soared above the safe limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air (µg/m3) across the capital.

Thirty-eight stations detected “red” danger levels of PM2.5, above 90 µg/m3.

Fine PM2.5 dust particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause premature death from lung and heart conditions, especially among the elderly and those with health complications.

The 10 areas of Bangkok with highest PM2.5 levels on Thursday are:

• Nong Khaem (Ma Charoen Intersection): 121 µg/m3
• Lat Krabang (in front of Lat Krabang Hospital): 113
• Prawet (in front of Seacon Square mall): 112
• Thawi Watthana (entrance of Thonburi Market): 112
• Nong Chok district office: 109
• Bueng Kum district office: 109
• Bang Na (in front of Big C mall): 105
• Khlong Sam Wa district office: 105
• Min Buri (Chaloem Phra Kiat Rama 9 Park): 103
• Thawi Watthana (Thawee Wanarom Park): 103

The centre warned that air pollution will be high until Saturday (February 4) due to poor air circulation. It advised people in areas where smog is bad to avoid outdoor exercise and check the air quality before stepping outdoors.

PM2.5 levels are posted at bangkokairquality.com, the Bangkok Environment Department, Air Quality and Noise Management Division, the BMA Facebook page and the AirBKK smartphone app.

Bangkok’s air quality index on Thursday was higher than seven other world cities notorious for smog, namely Kuwait City (192 AQI), Karachi (189), Kabul (180), Chongqing (172), Delhi (172), Yangon (169), and Skopje (168).

Related stories:

Prayut wants people to work from home as PM2.5 hits danger level across Thailand

Air pollution worsens in Bangkok, rises to ‘red level’ at 4 sites

Bangkok PM2.5 readings to hit dangerous levels until Feb 4

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024550

Govt offers leniency for political prisoners as hunger-strikers hospitalised

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2023

Bail release or non-prison detention will be considered for political prisoners who show no sign of fleeing, the justice minister told Parliament on Wednesday.

Minister Somsak Thepsutin was responding to opposition questions about the deteriorating health of two young jailed female activists.

Twenty-year-old Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Orawan “Bam” Phuphong, 23, launched a hunger strike last month to demand the release of all political prisoners and the repeal of lese majeste and sedition laws.

At least 1,888 people have been prosecuted for political activity since the latest wave of youth-led pro-democracy protests began in 2020, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

Tantawan and Orawan were charged with defaming the royal family after they conducted a public opinion poll on royal motorcades. They revoked their own bail on January 16 and began a hunger strike. On January 20 they were sent to the Department of Corrections hospital after their conditions deteriorated.

Somsak said the two were recently transferred to Thammasat University Hospital suffering critical symptoms after each losing over 10 kilos in body weight.

“It touched me deeply that young persons are so determined to risk their lives,” he said on Wednesday, thanking the opposition for bringing the issue to the attention of the House.

“I believe we have made the right decision, and the two activists have agreed to the transfer,” he said.

“I am happy that they have now agreed to drink water, which will help prolong their lives and give us time to solve the problem.”

Somsak said his ministry will hold talks with the National Human Rights Commission and related agencies to address problems in justice system, especially when it comes to granting bail to those awaiting trial. The ministry will also set up a fund to help those who cannot afford bail, he added.

Related Stories

Activist dies of heart attack at rally to release political prisoners

Arnon threatens police with legal action over assault on protesters

Justice Fund helps legal defence of over 2,400 low-income people

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024548

Bangkok opens first free space for street hawkers in project to tidy city

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2023

Bangkok kicked off a project to offer space free of charge for hawkers and street vendors in the heart of the city on Wednesday, clearing cluttered pavements.

City governor Chadchart Sittipunt presided over the launch of the “Hello Hab-Re” (Hello Hawkers) project outside Samyan Mitrtown on Rama IV Road.

The project will reorganise hawkers and street vendors in the city by allocating suitable areas that do not block public footpaths. The operator of Samyan Mitrtown, a mixed-use shopping complex, has agreed to provide space next to its building in Soi Chula 42 for registered vendors to use for free from Monday to Friday, 8am-2pm and 3pm-8pm.

Chadchart thanked Samyan Mitrtown for providing the space, saying it would increase shopping opportunities, promote small entrepreneurs, and help tidy up the city. He said he hoped more private-property owners would join the project in the future.

“The project does not require the city to invest in building more space for street vendors but instead promotes the use of existing space to the fullest,” said Chadchart.

“If all parties work together, I believe Bangkok has enough space for everyone. We must learn to share to make the city more liveable.”

The governor said that all vendors joining the “Hello Hab-Re” project at Samyan Mitrtown had passed food and sanitary standards of the Pathumwan District Office.

Related Stories

Bangkok checks readiness of tourist coordination centre, tourist kiosks

Bangkok teams up with Line to provide PM2.5 alerts

Bangkok to move forward with reorganising hawkers and vending stands

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024546

Prayut wants people to work from home as PM2.5 hits danger level across Thailand

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2023

The government has advised people to wear face masks outdoors and consider working from home on Thursday and Friday to avoid high levels of PM2.5 air pollution.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts PM2.5 levels will rise across much of Thailand on February 2-3 as the fine-dust pollution accumulates in stagnant air.

PM2.5 has been linked with heart and lung diseases as well as cancer.

“Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is concerned about people’s health, especially those in vulnerable groups, and advises them to wear sanitary or N95 masks when leaving the house, and to avoid prolonged outdoor activities,” government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Wednesday.

Prayut also urged government agencies and businesses to consider a work-from-home approach to reduce air pollution from traffic.

The TMD forecasts conditions will improve from Saturday as winds pick up and start dispersing the air pollution.

Anucha advised those who have to leave their homes to wear a face mask and check the air quality in their area via websites or apps.

He said those with chronic health problems or respiratory symptoms should consult a doctor before doing outdoor activities.

On Thursday, air quality registered “very unhealthy” in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Phetchabun, Kanchanaburi and Pathum Thani, according to iqair.com.

Related Stories

Bangkok PM2.5 readings to hit dangerous levels until Feb 4

Bangkok teams up with Line to provide PM2.5 alerts

Bangkok beware! Heavy PM2.5 pollution expected next week

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024539

Timeline of the Taiwanese actress ‘extortion’ scandal

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2023

THE NATION

The case of a Taiwanese actress who claims she and her friends were extorted by Thai police in early January while on holiday in Bangkok has become a hot issue in Thailand.

Public anger is rising after evidence emerged that police at a Bangkok checkpoint allegedly tried to extort 27,000 baht from the actress after discovering her illegal vaping device. The actress denies the vaper was hers.

Here’s a timeline of the scandal so far:
 

December 29: Taiwanese actress Charlene An (An Yu-qing) enters Thailand and visits several places in Bangkok.

January 5: Huai Khwang police manning a checkpoint close to the Chinese Embassy on Ratchadaphisek Road stop the 33-year-old actress’s Grab taxi at about 1am and allegedly demand 27,000 baht.

January 25: After returning to Taiwan, the actress declares on Instagram that police at the checkpoint examined her belongings and asked for a bribe. She says she will never visit Thailand again.

January 26: Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) deputy commissioner Samroeng Suanthong insists the seven policemen at the checkpoint did not demand a bribe from the actress.

He says the actress appeared drunk during the incident, adding that the policemen warned her that possessing a vaping device is illegal in Thailand. Samroeng insists they took no money from the actress’s group.

Meanwhile, Huai Khwang police station chief Yingyos Suwanno reveals police are collecting footage from CCTV cameras to prove they did not ask the actress for cash.

Yingyos declines to reply when asked if police at the checkpoint had ordered the actress’s friends to delete their phone video clips of the incident.

January 27: The Taiwanese actress posts on Instagram to deny the police claim that she was drunk during the incident.

MPC Division 1 commander Attaporn Wongsiripreeda meets with Huai Khwang police station chief Yingyos for almost two hours of talks.

The Grab taxi driver who picked the Taiwanese tourist group backs police claims that the actress was drunk.

The 40-year-old driver says video taken from his Grab taxi has been deleted, adding that he has handed the memory card to police. He says he did not notice the actress’s vaping device.

January 28: Police say footage from a CCTV camera close to the Chinese Embassy shows the actress’s group was at the checkpoint for only 47 minutes, not two hours as she claimed.

National police chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas orders investigators to seek clear evidence, adding he will treat all parties fairly.

January 29: MPB deputy commissioner Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek says police have interrogated about a dozen witnesses, including the seven policemen at the checkpoint, the driver of the Grab taxi, the taxi driver who delivered the Taiwanese tourists to a hotel, and witnesses at the entertainment venue they visited before the incident.

He says there is no evidence that the policemen asked the actress for payment but adds they would be punished if found guilty.

January 30: Whistleblowing former politician and massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit says he has evidence that Thai police did indeed extort money from the Taiwanese actress and her group.

He claims that police deleted footage from the Chinese Embassy’s CCTV cameras and police body cameras and persuaded the Grab taxi driver to say the actress was drunk.

National police chief Damrongsak transfers Huai Khwang police station chief immediately, after one of the seven policemen reportedly confesses they extorted money from the actress.

Damrongsak apologises to the actress for the incident, while MPB chief Gen Thiti Saengsawang says he will meet with Charlene An to seek the truth.

Chuwit says it was a Singaporean member of the group, not the actress, who paid police at the checkpoint. He says the Singaporean will fly to Thailand to clarify the issue.

January 31: The seven policemen are transferred and charged with dereliction of duty on the orders of MPC Division 1 commander Attaporn.

He says the policemen had found the actress in possession of a vaping device but chose not to confiscate it or arrest her.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024535

Online news publishers accuse Line of copyright infringement

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2023

The Society for Online News Providers Association on Tuesday (January 31) warned Line Company (Thailand) not to publish its news on other platforms, claiming that doing so would be a breach of the contract between the two parties.

The agreement between the two parties permits Line to publish the society members’ news on its Line Today platform, with the society member getting a share in the revenue from advertisements.

The society accused Line of violating the contract as the news was being posted on other platforms too, namely Google and Google News.

The society said this was an infringement of copyright as their contract clearly states that publishing the news on platforms other than Line Today was prohibited, the society said in a statement.

The society warned that it would sue Line for breach of contract if the company does not stop posting news on other platforms.

Despite being disallowed, news from members of the society, which was supposed to be available only through Line Today, was found to have been released by Line on Google, said Rawee Tawantharong, the president of the society, adding that this would result in less search visibility for society members’ websites.

“Nearly 80% of Google users will click on one out of five websites that appear first, probably due to the credibility of the websites or relevance to their search,” he said.

Rawee, who is also Nation Group’s executive vice president, added that users see Line websites instead of news websites of society members when searching on Google.

Related Stories: 

• Bangkok teams up with Line to provide PM2.5 alerts
• Line (Thailand) accused of overcharging media, reselling news
• Online news publishers dismayed as LINE will shut LINE IDOL

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/thailand/general/40024531

Chula’s Engineering develops Dynamic Prosthetic Feet with International Standards

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2023

Thailand now has 39,647 people with disabilities, over 95% of whom are using poor-quality prosthetic feet which are heavy and do not have ankles. This can adversely affect the way they walk, as well as their lives.

The figures from the National Statistical Office of Thailand have inspired a research team from the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, to develop high-quality dynamic prosthetic feet which are flexible and bendable and can store energy with each step.

The prosthetic feet are made from carbon fibers, making them light weight but strong and durable. Users can walk in them on rough terrains, while exercising and during a light jog.

The innovation has received the ISO 10328 strength standards from Germany and has been certified with the ISO 13485 for quality.

It has also been registered as a medical device with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), been granted a petty patent, and registered in Thai SME-GP.

The prosthetic feet are currently in the process of being registered with Thai Innovation, requesting the Made in Thailand certificate, and requesting for the CE Marking.

Asst. Prof. Pairat Tangpornprasert Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University

Asst. Prof. Pairat Tangpornprasert from the Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, explained that the dynamic prosthetic feet have undergone clinical trials with 20 patients with disabilities and yielded highly satisfactory results.

The users require approximately 2 weeks to adjust to the prosthetic feet. In comparison with the imported prosthetic feet now available in the market, the innovation has comparable qualities and efficiency but with a 5 times cheaper cost of production.

This can then help reduce the high cost of prosthesis and orthosis imports. Moreover, commercial production of medical devices can expand the market overseas, leading to more generation of income, export opportunities, and the country’s competitiveness.

As an engineering lecturer with an interest in medical research, Pairat had to conduct interdisciplinary research and study, which is significant as working in a singular field may lead to difficulty in application of the research. 

“Developing dynamic prosthetic feet, which are considered a medical device, required the efforts of a network of doctors and prosthetists and orthotists sharing their expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge in order to achieve good-quality dynamic prosthetic feet that meet international standards. I am proud to have successfully produced good-quality prosthetics and helped those with disabilities to regain function of their limbs,” added Pairat.

The dynamic prosthetic foot project was funded by the National Research Council of Thailand. It is part of the prosthesis and orthosis for the disabled project under the “New Beginnings with Research and Innovation” to commemorate the Coronation of King Rama X. 67 dynamic prosthetic feet were given to people with disabilities at over 13 hospitals.

The innovation is currently being considered for government medical benefit schemes so that it may be accessible for people with disabilities, which will help improve their quality of life.