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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024493

Prawit seeks hike in minimum wage for 17 professions

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has urged the Cabinet to consider increasing the minimum wage of skilled workers in 17 fields, in addition to the 16 fields for which a new wage rate was approved in June last year.

Prawit’s spokesman, General Kongcheep Tantravanich, said on Tuesday that the deputy PM was concerned about workers in these 17 professions not receiving wage adjustment to acknowledge their skills. He, therefore, wanted the Cabinet to prioritise these groups.

Prawit also told the Labour Ministry to study the possibility of adjusting the wages of workers in 112 other professions by testing their skills under respective industrial standards and comparing it with the market conditions.

“The move is aimed at raising the minimum wage to reflect workers’ true skills and in line with the current economic situation,” said Kongcheep.

On June 9, 2022, the Labour Ministry approved a hike in minimum wage for 16 skilled professions, namely: gypsum roofer, construction blueprint drafter, floor and wall tiler, building painter, lightweight concrete installer, jewellery maker, traditional jewellery maker, furniture installer, Nielloware maker, massage therapist, baker, receptionist, hotel and restaurant server, women’s hairdresser, men’s hairdresser, and caregivers for the elderly.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024492

7 Bangkok policemen moved to inactive posts, face charges over Taiwanese actress’s bribery accusation

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Seven police officers from Bangkok’s Huay Kwang Police Station have been transferred and charged with dereliction of duty for allegedly extorting 27,000 baht from a Taiwanese actress early this month.

Pol Maj-General Attaporn Wongsiripreeda, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, signed an order on Monday transferring two captains and five sergeants to inactive posts so a strict disciplinary investigation can take place.

The seven officers have been identified as:

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

• Pol Captain Patiphan Sirichaiwatana, deputy administration inspector

• Pol Snr Sgt-Major Ativej Jullaphan, crime suppression and prevention officer

• Pol Snr Sgt-Major Krissada Khammana, crime suppression and prevention officer

• Pol Sergeant Chalermchai Siriwangso, crime suppression and prevention officer

• Pol Sergeant Watcharanon Khaoyong, crime suppression and prevention officer

• Pol Sergeant Nanthawat Suwanna, crime suppression and prevention officer

The transfer orders took immediate effect.

The seven officers were accused of extorting 27,000 baht from Taiwanese actress Charlene An (An Yu-qing) at a temporary checkpoint in front of the Chinese embassy in the early hours of January 5.

The actress, who debuted in the film “Perfect Girl”, dropped a bombshell with a social-media post in which she accused Thai police of planting a vaping device on her and demanding 27,000 baht in exchange for her freedom.

Her allegation caught the attention of netizens in both countries, prompting the Metropolitan Police Bureau to issue an order on January 26 to set up a fact-finding committee.

On Monday, the fact-finding panel filed charges against the seven police officers at Huay Kwang Police Station, accusing them of “committing malfeasance or nonfeasance to cause damage against a particular person or committing dereliction of duty with dishonest intention”.

Also on Monday, the Metropolitan Police Bureau set up another disciplinary panel to probe the seven policemen.

The National Police chief has also held the Huay Kwang Police Station chief responsible for the scandal and has issued an order transferring him to an inactive post.

Earlier, the panel had found grounds to believe that the seven policemen had found the vaping device on the actress, but chose not to confiscate the item or arrest her and take legal action.

The panel also found grounds for charging the seven policemen at the checkpoint with committing nonfeasance in violation of Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

The import and sale of e-cigarettes is banned in Thailand and the possession of such devices is unlawful. Though Thai police do not normally go after users of e-cigarette devices, they are required by the law not to turn a blind eye once they spot anyone having a vaping device in their possession.

Related story:

Bangkok police admit to extorting 27,000 baht from Taiwanese actress

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024490

Stars of public and private research align for Thailand’s ambitious space mission

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

A top Thai public university has teamed up with a private company in what could be a giant leap for Thailand’s ambitious space plans.

The Excellence Center of Space Technology and Research (Ecstar) at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang this week inked a five-year partnership with Terospace Co Ltd to research space technology.

Ecostar chief Charnwit Munikanont said the cooperation will focus on exchanges of knowledge, experience and academic data while also training personnel in the space research field, with a focus on new technology.

“Space technology will contribute significantly to the country’s development and increase our competitive advantage, especially in terms of innovation,” he said.

Terospace chairman Bawonrat Kanjanarat said the five-year agreement covers satellite big data, satellite imagery processing, artificial intelligence, a low-earth-orbit satellite constellation, and other space-related research.

Among those hailing the collaboration as a big step for Thailand’s space industry was Settapong Malisuwan, vice chairman of the House panel on communications, telecommunications, and digital economy and society.

He said the research partnership will strengthen Thailand’s space capability by driving development of knowledge and technology, as well as helping forge a skilled space-related workforce, which the country currently lacks.

“Thailand still has a lot of room to grow in space research and economy. We need to act now or risk losing opportunities and a chance to catch up with others,” he said.

The research partnership comes just a week after Nasa agreed to assist Thailand’s space industry as part of the SERVIR-Southeast Asia programme to tackle regional climate change and natural disasters.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024488

Taiwanese actress grateful to Chuwit for exposing police extortion

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Taiwanese actress Charlene An (An Yu-qing), who was the victim of a Bangkok police shakedown earlier this month, thanked ex-politician and massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit for blowing the whistle.

In a Facebook post, Chuwit said a Singapore national who paid the police 27,000 baht on An’s behalf will meet him today.

Chuwit added that he would personally cover the Singaporean’s travel expenses.

In response to Chuwit’s post on Monday, An said she was thankful that the former politician had finally uncovered the truth. Her message was in both Thai and English.

Chuwit replied to An in Chinese, saying he was sorry on behalf of all Thais and hoped Taiwanese people would forget about this incident and continue visiting Thailand.

“I believe you will still find Thailand an attractive destination,” Chuwit said in the response.

In a TikTok post recently, An alleged that she and her friends were victims of a police shakedown.

Her allegations made national headlines in Taiwan, much to the dismay of Thai tourism operators.

The 33-year-old actress said police stopped their Grab taxi at a checkpoint close to the Chinese Embassy on Ratchadaphisek Road at about 1am on January 5 and detained the group for two hours. She said police eventually released the group in return for a payment of 27,000 baht. The reason for the shakedown was a vaping device, that the actress said she did not own.

Related stories:

Bangkok police admit to extorting 27,000 baht from Taiwanese actress

Video shows Thai police did extort Taiwanese actress: Chuwit

Taiwanese actress who claimed extortion caught in lie on camera

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024487

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

The quality of air in 36 areas around Greater Bangkok fell to unsafe levels on Tuesday morning, reports from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) show.

PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) were in the range of 40-69 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) in most areas.

Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 is 50μg/m3 or lower, while the World Health Organisation puts it at 12μg/m3 or lower.

Exposure to fine dust particles can be dangerous for people with chronic respiratory problems and can cause eye, nose, throat and lung irritation as well as shortness of breath among others.

As of 7am, the top 10 most polluted districts in Bangkok were:

• Nong Khaem: 69μg/m3

• Taling Chan: 60μg/m3

• Thawi Watthana: 60μg/m3

• Khlong Sam Wa: 60μg/m3

• Lat Krabang: 60μg/m3

• Nong Chok: 60μg/m3

• Phasi Charoen: 59μg/m3

• Pathumwan: 59μg/m3

• Bangkok Yai: 58μg/m3

• Din Daeng: 57μg/m3

BMA warned people to be prepared for air pollution readings to surge until Saturday (February 4) due to poor air circulation.

It also advised residents in areas where the air quality is bad to avoid outdoor exercise and check the air quality before stepping outdoors.

The state of PM2.5 pollution can be monitored via bangkokairquality.com, the Bangkok Environment Department, Air Quality and Noise Management Division, the BMA Facebook page or the AirBKK smartphone application.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024486

Pirate-themed floating restaurant seating 100 sinks off Pattaya

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

A salvage mission has been launched after a pirate-ship-themed floating restaurant sank off Pattaya on Monday.

The tourist boat, named Krakenian The Private of Pattaya, capsized in heavy seas about two kilometres from Pattaya city on Monday evening.

Fortunately, the tourist boat-restaurant was closed at the time due to bad weather, and no injuries or deaths were reported from the sinking.

Prachyaporn Ploymukda, the boat owner, told reporters on Monday night that the boat had succumbed to strong winds and high waves in the Gulf of Thailand.

“The rear part of raft boat sank after being swamped by waves,” she said.

The boat has operated as a pirate-themed restaurant since December, with capacity for about 100 customers, she added.

“The boat also offers squid fishing, music shows and karaoke rooms,” Prachyaporn said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024483

Bangkok teams up with Line to provide PM2.5 alerts

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has hooked up with Line to add a PM2.5 alert function for users of the popular messaging app.

PM2.5 is fine-dust air pollution that poses health risks, especially for people with chronic lung disease.

To check on PM2.5 levels, Line users can add @linealert as a friend, said BMA Environment Division director Praphas Leuangsirinapha on Monday, after signing the agreement with Line.

The Line Alert account uses BMA and government data on national hazards and disasters, offering updates, maps of risk areas, and lists of emergency contact numbers of agencies and nearby hospitals. Users also get tips and advice on how to stay safe in emergencies.

“With the addition of PM2.5 alerts, users can get real-time updates on air quality in Bangkok via reliable information from government agencies,” said Praphas. “We hope this feature will help people plan their travel and outdoor activities, as well as protect themselves against dust and other air pollution.”

To use Line Alert, simply added @linealert as a friend or click https://lin.ee/l40xtWN

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024481

Bangkok checks readiness of tourist coordination centre, tourist kiosks

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Chalermpol Chotinuchit, deputy permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, on Monday visited the tourist coordination centre on Phra Athit Road in Phra Nakhon district to check whether it was ready to welcome local and foreign tourists visiting the capital.

The city expects to welcome a growing volume of tourists, especially visitors from China after the country lifted travel restrictions on January 8.

After inspecting the centre, Chalermpol headed to Na Phra Lan tunnel near the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), then to tourist kiosks at Tha Chang and Tha Tien piers to inspect facilities that ensure a smooth trip for tourists on the historical Rattanakosin Island.

The deputy permanent secretary suggested officials put up signs warning tourists of scammers and other dangers as well as making existing signs more visible. He also ordered a tourist kiosk to be set up at the entrance of Na Phra Lan tunnel to assist visitors seeking directions or other information.

There are 23 tourist service facilities in Bangkok, comprising the tourist coordination centre at Bangkok Tourism Division Building on Phra Athit Road, which opens Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm, and 22 tourist kiosks throughout the city, open from Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

Tourist kiosks are available at tourist attractions, important buildings, and key transport hubs throughout Bangkok, including Tha Chang Pier, Tha Tien Pier, Phan Fa Pier, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Police General Hospital, MBK Centre, Odeon Circle, BTS Phaya Thai station, Hua Lamphong station, and Siam Paragon.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024480

Coming soon to cinemas: Thai-Hong Kong movies

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Thai feature films are about to take on a distinctly Chinese flavour after Hong Kong authorities agreed to pump millions of baht into moviemaking collaborations.

The Hong Kong Film Development Council and CreateHK announced key details of the Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme to the Thai film community at the recent Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival.

The event marked the official introduction of the co-production support scheme, which aims to foster collaboration between Hong Kong and Thai filmmakers.

The inaugural Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme will provide grants of up to nine million Hong Kong dollars (37.6 million baht) to a maximum of eight films.

Joining a festival panel to announce the collaboration were Hong Kong film directors Chan Kin Long and Ka Sing Fung, and their Thai counterparts Nattawut Poonpiriya and Aditya Assarat.

Applications must be made by a Hong Kong production company, and the eligible projects must have a Hong Kong citizen or resident in at least one of three key roles – producer, director or screenwriter – with another taken by the Asian co-production country.

At least six out of 10 key crew positions must be filled by Hong Kongers, and at least 30% of the below-the-line budget must be spent in Hong Kong.

Applications for the collaboration are open from January until May, with the results to be announced in early 2024. Detailed guidelines and application forms will soon be available to download from the Hong Kong Film Development Council website at www.fdc.gov.hk