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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024517

BMA hospitals going solar powered as Bangkok targets net zero emissions

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2023

Hospitals under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Medical Division will be hooked up with solar power under an agreement signed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Tuesday.

The move aims to cut hospitals’ expenses as well as reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, said deputy Bangkok governor Tavida Kamolvej, who presided over the deal-signing ceremony.

“Bangkok would like to thank the ERC for realising the importance of public hospitals, which require a lot of power to provide quality healthcare to the people. Since hospitals use power 24/7, switching to solar energy will also greatly reduce pollution emissions,” she said.

Under phase 1 of the project, the ERC will contribute 81.5 million baht from the Electricity Development Fund to install solar power systems for 10 hospitals in Bangkok. The systems are expected to cut hospital power bills by 14 million baht per year.

The project is part of Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s policy to create a city of net-zero carbon emissions, added the deputy governor.

“We might not achieve this target soon but at least we are moving closer,” she said.

“This is a good sign that other agencies are realising the importance of environmental issues, which should lead to more cooperation and technological innovation that make Bangkok a net-zero city faster.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024514

Thailand to boycott SEA Games Muay Thai after Cambodia changes name

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2023

Thailand will boycott the kickboxing competition at this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in protest against hosts Cambodia using the sport’s local name of Kun Khmer rather than Muay Thai.

The National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) announced on Tuesday that no Thai athletes will compete in kickboxing at the regional games, hosted by Phnom Penh from May 5-17.

The NOCT added however that, to avoid a dispute between the two countries, it will not try to stop the host from organising kickboxing under its Khmer name.

Cambodia last month removed all reference to Muay Thai from the SEA Games kickboxing schedule, sparking a backlash among Thailand’s Muay Thai associations.

NOCT commissioner Chaiyapak Siriwat said Cambodia had switched supervising bodies from the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) to the Kun Khmer International Federation (KIF), which is not recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). As a result, the committee decided not to send Thai kickboxers to the games.

“We have raised the issue with the IOC and OCA and are waiting for Cambodia’s response. However, in the meantime we will not oppose the hosting of Kun Khmer, to avoid sparking an international dispute,” he said.

NOCT deputy chairman Warin Tansupasiri pointed out that Kun Khmer is not recognised by the World Anti-Doping Agency, meaning that it is not accredited by international sporting authorities.

Chaiyapak added that this year’s games would be the last time that a host country could change or add new sports, as a new SEA Games charter will come into effect in 2025 when Thailand will be the host.

“The new charter will list the main sports for SEA Games based on sports in the Olympic and Asian games while allowing only two to five local sports to be added,” he said.

Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore – as hosts of the next three SEA Games in 2025, 2027 and 2029 – have agreed that all three games will have the same sports.

“The next three SEA Games will be the most standardised ever,” said Chaiyapak.

Related Stories

Muay Thai will always belong to Thailand, proclaims Prayut

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SEA Games told to choose either ‘Muay Thai’ or ‘Kun Khmer’

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024509

Prayut expresses concern over country’s image after extortion of Taiwan celeb

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

THE NATION

To build confidence amidst the public and tourists, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered concerned agencies to look into the extortion claim against the Taiwanese actress, stressing that true offenders must be punished without exception.

“This problem is deep-rooted. We need to separate the good (police) from the bad (police), and true offenders must face punishment” he said. 

When asked whether or not PM Prayut will apologise to the Taiwanese actress as this was demanded by the whistleblowing former politician Chuwit Kamolvisit, he refused to answer the question and strode towards the Thai-Khu-Fah Building.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024504

Taiwanese actress thanks BBC, Taiwan media for ‘sharing truth’

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

The Taiwanese actress who accused Thai police of alleged extortion posted a comment on social media thanking the BBC and Taiwan media for listening to her and sharing “the truth”.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday morning, Charlene An (An Yu-qing) said: “Thank you BBC and all participating media from Taiwan for taking your precious time to listen & to share the truth.

“Thank you to all for your words of encouragement, support & care to help me walk through this moment of traumatic ‘darkness’.”

When An dropped a bombshell on the Thai police force, saying a team of officers at a checkpoint in Bangkok demanded a bribe of 27,000 baht from her, several Thai TV stations began pointing to discrepancies in her claims.

Thai media questioned the length of time she claimed to have been detained at the checkpoint and her claim that police had planted a vaping device on her. Local TV stations showed CCTV footage showing that she and her friends were at the checkpoint for 47 minutes, not two hours as she claimed.

They also shared footage showing she owned and used a vaping device before and after being stopped at the checkpoint outside the Chinese embassy.

While her accusations were being questioned by Thai media, whistleblowing former politician and massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit jumped to her rescue on Monday, saying he had a clip showing one of An’s friends handing money to a plainclothes policeman.

An then responded to Chuwit’s Facebook page thanking him for finally uncovering the truth.

In her Instagram post, An said she was “grateful for the many Thai friendships made.

“You have taught me that bravery has no language barriers,” she said in the post.

“Thailand, your culture, people, food will always be special to me. I look forward to a better experience in my future visits.”

She ended the post by saying: “May truth find its way. May this be the End.”

As of Tuesday, there were still conflicting reports about whether or not seven Huay Kwang policemen had confessed to demanding the bribe.

Earlier, police sources said the officers in question had confessed to extorting 27,000 baht and shared it among themselves, but later reports denied the so-called confessions.

On Tuesday, National Police chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said a disciplinary committee was still investigating the case.

Related stories:

Thai National Police chief apologises for the ‘bad 7’ in Taiwanese actress case

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

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024502

More than 11,500 motorists lose points three weeks after launch of new system

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Traffic police docked 11,548 motorists of points in the three weeks since they started enforcing a new points system beginning January 9.

The most reported offence — 3,557 times — was not displaying evidence of paying the annual vehicle registration fees, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) said on Tuesday.

A total of 1,709 motorists were penalised for driving without licence plates, while 1,686 people had their points cut for speeding.

Chai Nat province, at 1,478, had the most number of motorists who were docked points, followed by Bangkok (1,427) and Khon Kaen (211).

The RTP said each motorist would start with 12 points. Violation of traffic laws will result in the deduction of points, with the most severe offences resulting in the biggest deductions at eight points per time.

The loss of all 12 points will result in suspension of the driver’s licence. Three suspensions within three years will result in the revocation of the driving licence.

Driving without a valid licence could land a motorist in jail for a maximum of three months, or a 10,000-baht fine, or both, police have warned.

Motorists can check their remaining points in real time on the website https://ptm.police.go.th/eTicket or download the mobile app ‘Khub Dee’.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024501

Muay Thai will always belong to Thailand, proclaims Prayut

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Thailand does not have to argue with others because nobody can take Muay Thai away from it, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared on Tuesday.

He made this remark during activities promoting Muay Thai Day at Government House.

A controversy was sparked recently when Cambodia announced as host of this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that kickboxing will be referred to as “Kun Khmer”. The 2023 SEAGames will run from May 5 to 17.

At the event on Tuesday, Prayut participated in many activities including a Muay Thai performance put up by Nong Hin School students and professional fighters.

The premier also showed off his Muay Thai skills before thanking organisers and related agencies for preserving the art form, which has been part of Thai culture for generations.

Prayut described Muay Thai as a unique martial art and valuable cultural wisdom.

He also asked relevant agencies to continue promoting Muay Thai as a soft power that can help stimulate the economy sustainably.

The premier also hoped the “Amazing Muay Thai Festival 2023” will be a resounding success. The festival will be held from February 4 to 6 at Hua Hin’s Rajabhakti Park.

“I want to thank all relevant sectors for organising the event that showcases Thai culture and has been preserved for a long time,” he said.

The Cabinet has marked February 6 as Muay Thai Day, because that was the day when Sanphet VIII became King of Ayutthaya. Sanphet VIII, the second ruler of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty, was known to be a Muay Thai expert.

Related stories:

SEA Games told to choose either ‘Muay Thai’ or ‘Kun Khmer’

Cambodia maintains ‘Kun Khmer’ stance despite Thailand’s boycott threat

Chingiz Allazov knocks out Superbon Singha Mawynn to capture ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024498

Sit less but walk more: ThaiHealth 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) seeks to encourage physical exercise among the working-age population through the country’s first “walkshop” event.

Walkshop is defined as a form of physical activity, including, for example, walk-and-talk and walk rally, which helps improve both physical and mental health. 

ThaiHealth, now in its twentieth-second year, has been working to promote the well-being of Thai society on all fronts: physical, mental, social, and intellectual, said Dr Pairoj Saonuam, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Support Unit at ThaiHealth. 

He added that a walkshop activity was developed as part of the “Healthy Meeting” to encourage physical activities among people, particularly those who are in the working age range.

The activity was operated under the “3 Actives” framework, said Dr Pairoj, explaining that it includes Active People (encouraging people to be physically active), Active Environment (providing an environment in which it is appropriate to exercise), and Active Society (Cultivating healthy habits).

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024494

Thai National Police chief apologises for the ‘bad 7’ in Taiwanese actress case

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023

National Police chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas has issued an apology for the deeds of the seven police officers who allegedly extorted money from a Taiwanese actress.

“I would like to apologise to the people and affected persons, who suffered damages from the actions taken by the [seven] policemen,” Damrongsak told reporters on Tuesday.

He added that these seven officers were a tiny part of Thailand’s police force, who have been working to serve the people and the country.

“I would like to assure the people and foreign tourists that they can have confidence in police operations. I will instruct immigration and tourist police to work with transparency and integrity,” Damrongsak said.

The National Police chief was referring to the case in which two police captains and five sergeants from Bangkok’s Huay Kwang Police Station allegedly extorted 27,000 baht from a Taiwanese actress for turning a blind eye to the vaping device in her possession in the early hours of January 5.

After returning to Taiwan, the actress –Charlene An (An Yu-qing) – cried foul on social media saying that Thai police were bad and had extorted 27,000 baht from her. It was reported that a Singaporean member of her group had given the money to the police at the checkpoint in front of the Chinese embassy.

Damrongsak said he has instructed the Metropolitan Police Bureau chief to speed up the fact-finding process and send police officers to interview the actress in Taiwan and her friend in Singapore as witnesses if necessary.

“But if the witnesses are too afraid to cooperate, we may coordinate with Interpol to seek their testimony. We are open to receiving information from all channels,” Damrongsak added.

When asked about reports that the seven police officers had admitted to dereliction of duty but refused to admit they demanded a bribe, Damrongsak said a disciplinary committee was still investigating this point.

He said he has had the Huay Kwang Police Station chief transferred because he erred in his responsibility to govern his subordinates.

If the seven policemen are convicted, the deputy police station chief, the chief inspector and his deputies will also face a transfer, Damrongsak said.

He added that he will put in place measures to ensure police officers work with transparency, and one of these measures will be to mount body cameras on every officer on duty. He said he will seek funding for these body cameras.

Related story:

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

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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