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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024330

Thai cat with ‘diamond’ eye goes viral on TikTok ahead of lottery

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

TikTok clips of an orange tom cat with a shiny diamond-like left eye went viral on Wednesday, with netizens advising its owner to take good care of him because he will bring prosperity.

Four clips posted by @user3026088746242 show a male cat with a bizarre left eye in various poses. One clip drew 1.5 million views as of early Wednesday afternoon.

Most comments informed the cat’s owner that the cat would bring prosperity.

Some netizens also took the opportunity to predict lucky numbers for the February 1 lottery. Numbers may have been selected based on the TikTok user’s name or lucky numbers associated with dreaming of cats (usually 4, 8 and 7)

Many Thais believe that a cat with a diamond-coloured eye will result in diamonds being given to its owner. This belief was depicted in the 1972 Thai film “Cat’s Eye Diamond“.

However, what Thais refer to as a diamond eye in a cat is usually caused by glaucoma, not luck.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024329

Airport cracks down on police following Chinese influencer’s video

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

Suvarnabhumi International Airport has sent a notice to police, customs and excise agencies to ensure their personnel comply with security measures following a viral clip of police providing fast-track entry services for a Chinese tourist.

Jiraporn Wongtala, director of the security division of the airport, issued the circular on Monday, addressing it to the headquarters of Samut Prakarn Provincial Police, Tourist Police Division 1, Immigration Police Division 1, the Suvarnabhumi Customs Office and the Samut Prakan Excise Office 2.

The five agencies must instruct their personnel to strictly wear uniforms and carry ID cards openly when they enter the airport, Jiraporn said in the notice.

The airport has to seek cooperation from the five agencies to remind their personnel of the airport’s security regulations after the video clip of a Chinese influencer went viral, Jiraporn said.

Airport security reviewed the video clip and concluded that the Chinese influencer was received by persons dressed like police after she exited her plane. She received fast-track clearance through immigration and was led by a siren-blaring motorcycle from the airport to her hotel in Pattaya.

The clip shows that security measures at the airport were compromised, Jiraporn said, referring specifically to entry and departure regulations.

Two tourist policemen and a traffic policeman are now under investigation over the incident.

The airport’s security division concluded that the incident will damage confidence in security at the airport, as well as the country, Jiraporn said.

Consequently, the five agencies must ensure that their personnel strictly comply with all security measures at the airport, he said.

Officers who arrive in plainclothes without ID badges clearly displayed will be permanently banned from entering the airport, the notice says.

Related story:

Facebook page exposes ‘VIP fast-track’ entry services for Chinese tourists

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024328

Facebook page exposes ‘VIP fast-track’ entry services for Chinese tourists

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

A Thai Facebook page has exposed that multiple fast-track entry services have been available for Chinese tourists on a Chinese e-commerce platform despite denial by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The page “Lui Chin” (Shoot to China) said in a post on Tuesday that multiple “VIP” fast-track entry services at Thai airports were sold on China’s Taobao e-commerce platform.

The post on the FB page was apparently in response to an announcement by the TAT earlier on Tuesday that its offices in China could not find the ad offering such fast-track entry services to Chinese tourists.

The TAT had issued the statement after three Thai policemen were “advertised” in a viral clip of a Chinese female influencer that she had bought a fast-track police VIP service to take her through Immigration with a police motorcycle escort from Suvarnabhumi Airport to her hotel in Pattaya.

The “Lui Chin” page said Chinese tourists could conveniently buy the VIP services on the Taobao platform.

The page said the ads of such services on the platform during the past 30 days were similar. They advertised that Chinese tourists, who buy the services, would be escorted via fast-track services at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai and Phuket airports.

The ads said the tourists would not have to wait in line and would not have to fill entry forms and display their bank statements, according to the “Lui Chin” page.

The page added that the ads also boasted customers could buy the visa-on-arrival option.

Earlier, when the Chinese influencer had posted her “fast-track” entry clip, a spokesman for the Royal Thai Police claimed she has applied for e-Visa that allowed all the documents to already be checked online so she could by-pass checking at the Immigration counter.

The Lui Chin page said Taobao was not the only platform that provided such fast-track services.

#ThailandFastPass in Chinese, using Google translation, would reveal a lot of such ads elsewhere.

Nation TV reported on Wednesday that it had used the trick of “Lui Chin” and found many ads of VIP services at Suvarnabhumi Airport, costing about 265 yuan (1,325 baht).

The ads said that once their planes land at Suvarnabhumi, a staff would hold a sign to welcome the tourists who had bought the fast-track services, and they would be assisted in getting through the Immigration check in 20 minutes without having to wait in the line.

Suvarnabhumi Airport displays a sign offering fast-track entry services to diplomats, senior government officials, first-class and business-class passengers and Thailand’s Elite Card holders or E-visa applicants.

BOI investors, attendants of special seminar, flight crew and the handicapped are also eligible for fast-track entry services, but not general tourists.

Meanwhile, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said tourism operators found that the reported fast-track service by Thai police for Chinese tourists had severely dented Thailand’s image among foreign tourists.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024327

Fake eggs from China is fake news, says livestock dept

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

The Department of Livestock Development has denied rumours that fake eggs from China are flooding Thai markets, saying that Thailand has enough supply of eggs that it does not need to import them.

Manufacturing artificial eggs is probably more expensive than traditional egg farming, the department added.

The department was responding to a video clip circulating on social media. It shows the process of making a delicacy called “century eggs” in a factory in China.

The department said the video only showed the process of making salted and preserved eggs, but some viewers might misunderstand and think they were artificial eggs that could be entering Thai markets to meet high demand during Chinese New Year.

The department advised consumers to buy eggs from reliable stores or look for the “Livestock OK” sticker, which is given to farmers who pass the Good Agricultural Practice system and meet the department’s safety standards.

“Always check the expiration date before buying fresh eggs, and keep them at the temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, ideally in the egg compartment of your fridge, especially when you don’t plan to use them all in a few days,” the department said.
 

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024325

Giant waves cause floods in Prachuap Khiri Khan province

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

Tourists on Wednesday were flocking to the breakwater in Muang district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province to take selfies while giant waves rose up to four metres high.

High waves can be observed along the province’s eight-kilometre-long east coast, starting from the Khao Ta Mong Lai Forest Park to Prachuap Khiri Khan Air Force Base (Wing 5).

The strong waves are a result of the strengthening northeast monsoon that is expected to prevail over the Gulf and the South from Wednesday until next Monday, according to the Thailand Meteorological Department.

The department also forecast isolated heavy rains in the South that may cause flooding throughout the week. On Wednesday, the roads along Prachuap Khiri Khan’s coastline were already flooded with water about 30cm high. A local said the flood was solely caused by the waves as not a single drop of rain was seen since morning.

Street vendors along the coastline have had to close their shops due to the floods, but some foreign tourists were seen sunbathing on the beach, admiring the view of the fierce waves smashing the coast.

The provincial authority has banned swimming in the sea as well as all kinds of aquatic sports for safety until further notice.

Over 100 small fishing boats in Prachuap Khiri Khan also stayed ashore on Wednesday to wait out the bad weather.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024323

Chuwit’s cryptic allegation draws swift response from lottery CEO

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

Whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit on Wednesday suggested that people linked to alleged online gambling boss Pannarong Khunpitak will soon be prosecuted, notably those suspected of helping him launder money.

Police are closing in on the network of Pannarong, also known as “Eddy”, who has allegedly operated an online gambling network for customers in Thailand and neighboring countries for several years, Chuwit wrote on Facebook.

Chuwit, a former massage parlour tycoon and politician, said an associate of Pannarong – whose nickname begins with the letter “n” – had been helping him launder money by selling lottery tickets.

Pannarong used the laundered money to buy three hotels in Tachileik, Myanmar, six houses in Poipet, Cambodia, a hotel in Nakhon Si Thammarat worth 200 million baht, and another in England worth 9 billion baht, Chuwit said.

After the post went viral, the CEO of Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform, Phantawat Nakwisut – whose nickname is “Not” – replied on Facebook.

“Let’s see how the truth turns out. If it turns out that I’m not the money launderer, then Mr. Chuwit should help me clear my name. I’m in a lot of trouble lately because of others’ allegations.” he wrote.

In December, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a probe into Kong Salak Plus after it posted sales of 18 billion baht last year. Earlier this month, Phantawat was summoned by the Department of Special Investigation over allegations his company received millions of baht from a money-laundering gang. Phantawat answered the summons. No charges have been filed against him or his company.

Police say Pannarong fled Thailand after authorities seized 1.8 billion baht of assets belonging to the network Myanmar drug lord Tun Min Latt last November.

Pannarong and another Thai national, Kallayawee Thiraprapawong, are suspected to be business associates of the Myanmar drug lord.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024322

Bangkok’s new central station derailed by diesel smoke, car damage and typos

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has vowed improvements at Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal after numerous complaints from passengers.

The agency admitted “many issues” had arisen at the new 34-billion-baht national terminus in Chatuchak district after it became the hub for long-distance trains running North, Northeast and South last week.

“SRT governor Nirut Maneepan has ordered its officials to improve services in response to passengers’ complaints as soon as possible,” SRT public relations director Ekarat Sriarayanpong said on Tuesday.

Delays caused by damage to carriages would be solved as soon as possible by procuring new carriages, he said.

He said staffing levels would be beefed up to ensure timely information is conveyed over loudspeakers and in person to passengers.

He also apologised for confusion caused by misspelling of destinations.

“Regarding typos on trains’ destination signs that went viral on social media, the SRT would like to apologise for this failure,” he said.

The signs should be corrected this week, he added.

Meanwhile, air purifiers have been installed to solve the problem of smoke pollution on second-floor platforms caused by diesel trains.

He added that the SRT plans to use electric locomotives to tackle the pollution issue in the long term.

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Free shuttle buses to start linking Bangkok’s two main train stations from Thursday

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024321

Phuket blasts Covid gloom with 2.6-billion-baht Chinese New Year weekend

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

More than 158,000 Thai and foreign tourists visited Phuket over the Chinese New Year last weekend (January 21-22), generating 2.6 billion baht in revenue after three years of Covid devastation.

The island’s Old Town was bustling with visitors from Europe, Russia and China who came to take photos of the heritage Sino-Portuguese shophouses and purchase souvenirs. Thai tourists arriving for the weekend added to the crowds, filling streets that were deserted a year ago with holidaymakers. Locals on the tourism-dependent island were in a festive mood, driving out the Covid gloom with fireworks and crackers to welcome the Year of the Rabbit.

Phuket is home to a large Chinese-Thai community with unique traditions rooted in history.

Travel restrictions in China were lifted on January 8, just in time for Chinese travellers to book Lunar New Year holidays in the southern province.

Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) director for Phuket, confirmed accommodation and attractions on the island were doing brisk business.

“Phuket’s hotel occupancy rate on January 21-22 was 71.96%,” she said, adding that Phuket Airport saw 121 flights over the weekend.

The province’s local Chinese New Year festival continues this weekend, while traditional lanterns will light up the Old Town and Limelight Avenue mall until February 5.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024315

Cross-country motorways, Koh Lanta bridge on Thailand’s THB31bn road menu

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

Thailand will spend 30.95 billion baht on building roads this year, including interprovincial highways (motorways), expressways, and missing links, according to the government.

About 11.2 billion baht of this investment will come from state budget, while 19.75 billion baht will come from other sources, government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul said on Tuesday.

She added that the construction of the M6 motorway (Bang Pa-In to Nakhon Ratchasima) is now 98% complete while the M81 motorway (Bang Yai to Kanchanaburi) is 85% complete. Both motorways should be ready for public use in 2025.

The Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Bangkok Outer Ring Expressway, which will increase traffic flow to the South, is now 45.25% complete, while the M82 motorway (Bang Khun Tian-Ekachai-Ban Phaeo) is 77.22% complete. Both projects are also expected to open for traffic in 2025.

Two transport projects are expected to finish next year, namely the fifth Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan-Bolikhamxai), and the road connecting the Aircraft Repair Station and the third Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge in Nakhon Phanom.

Two missing link projects were approved by the Cabinet in 2022 and will start this year. They are the Songkhla Lake Bridge to connect Songkhla and Phatthalung, and the Koh Lanta Bridge to link Koh Lanta Klang and Koh Lanta Noi in the Andaman Sea.

The projects will aid people’s transport, promote tourism, and boost economies at the regional level, Trisulee said.

Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul has tasked the Transport Ministry with ensuring that these transport mega projects finish within deadlines, she added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024313

Sustainable development is main focus of Thai Children’s Day event at UNESCAP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

On January 23, Eksiri Pintaruchi, Director-General of Department of International Organizations, together with Gita Sabharwal, Resident Coordinator for Thailand, and Atchara Seriputra, Vice President of the United Nations Association of Thailand (UNAT) delivered the opening remarks at the Thai Children’s Day event organized at the United Nations Conference Centre under the theme “Youth and Sustainable Development”.

Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok also attended the event and gave a keynote speech on the same topic.

In her opening remarks, Eksiri emphasised the important role of youth in promoting sustainable development and accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted that SDGs are closely linked to the daily lives of youth in various dimensions and encouraged young people to be involved in Thailand’s implementation of SDGs, especially during the Decade of Action where the international community must achieve these Goals by 2030. 

Eksiri also commented on one of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ initiatives to promote youth participation in multilateral diplomacy by selecting representatives of the Thai youth to join Thailand’s official delegation at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Sabharwal reaffirmed the commitments of the 21 agencies of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in working closely with the Royal Thai Government. She also added that the initial idea for today’s event came directly from young people she met last year. She commended Thailand’s efforts in promoting sustainable development and achieving SDGs through its home-grown approaches including the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG).

During his keynote remarks, the Deputy Bangkok Governor highlighted the importance of youth as the future of cities and bearers of their own future. In this regard, he mentioned numerous initiatives by the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) to support the city in achieving SDGs as well as empowering and building capacity for the children and youth of Bangkok. These initiatives include, for example, fostering equitable access to education and creating space for youth to express themselves.

In addition, Munithorn Wattanayakorn and Pinda Wiriyapongsri, Thai youth delegates at the UNGA73 (2018) and UNGA77 (2022) shared their experience of representing Thai youth at the UN General Assembly in New York. They also exchanged views with the students on the role of youth in promoting sustainable development and SDGs.

The Thai Children’s Day event at UNESCAP is a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority and the United Nations Association of Thailand. The event was well-attended by over 150 students and teachers from 11 middle and high schools under the BMA. Many UN agencies also took part in organizing activity booths, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).