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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015535

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who doubles as defence minister, met US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Thursday to discuss cooperation and bilateral issues.

The meeting also focused on the “friendship that stretches back more than 200 years”, news agencies said on Friday.

Austin announced plans to visit Thailand next month, his first as US secretary chief, though no exact date was disclosed. This would be his fourth trip to the Indo-Pacific region in this position.

At the meeting, Austin thanked Thailand for giving the US military access to the U-Tapao Naval Airfield in Chonburi province, as per the script of his welcoming remarks that is available on the US Department of Defence website.

“We deeply appreciate your continued support for our military operations and exercises. We’re grateful for the access that Thailand has provided to U-Tapao Naval Airfield and other key sites, which has supported critical operations in the region,” Austin said.

He also told Prayut that the US was planning to hold a “full scale” Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand next year.

The annual drill, billed the largest of its kind in this region, has been downsized after Thailand’s 2014 military coup and later the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, critics have warned that closer military ties with the US – particularly allowing access to the key airbase – could undermine Thailand’s relationship with the Asian superpower China.

At the Pentagon meeting, Prayut thanked the US government for providing Covid-19 vaccines and other key medical equipment to Thailand during the pandemic.

He also sought to expand bilateral cooperation with the US to boost Thailand’s ability to confront cybersecurity and space threats, the Pentagon website showed.

Prayut told his US defence counterpart that his government was looking at Washington’s “successful experiences in terms of research and development in the defence industry” to ensure that defence equipment produced in Thailand is accepted by the international community.

The PM also urged the US defence industry to consider investing in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) special industrial zone.

“We wish to jointly invest with other countries to promote technology transfer and advance Thailand towards self-sufficiency in this area. We also hope that Thailand could be a part of the supply chain for the defence industry,” he said.

Prayut’s visit came as US President Joe Biden hosted leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Washington DC, as his administration makes an extended effort to demonstrate that the US has not lost focus on the Asia-Pacific.

Published : May 13, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015534

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has been ordered to review the plan to construct a mass transit system (tram) for Phuket province to cope with rising construction costs, a source from the Transport Ministry said on Friday.

The project will cover a 42km distance from Phuket International Airport to the Chalong intersection with the aim of facilitating commuting at a reasonable price.

The Transport Ministry has ordered the MRTA to review the project as the ministry believes that rubber-wheeled electric vehicles would save up to THB15.28 billion in construction costs, reduce the construction period from the current nine months and offer cheaper fares.

A source said the ministry has told the MRTA to review the project in keeping with the current situation, as well as reduce investment costs as much as possible, to enable citizens to use services at THB20-40 per trip.

It added that the MRTA has also been ordered to discuss with the Highways Department the possibility of setting up routes on highway areas in a bid to lower construction costs on tunnels and elevated roads.

“The construction costs of tunnels and elevated roads are quite high and would cause fares to rise,” a source said, adding that rising fares would cause citizens to use other modes of public transport instead.

A source added that the ministry had also advised the MRTA to study fare collection guidelines, with fares increase depending on distance, similar to Bangkok electric trains.

Fares should be collected depending on each zone as commuters in Phuket would not prefer short-distance travel, it added.

Meanwhile, MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantramas said the agency is undertaking a feasibility study. He said the MRTA would use rubber-wheeled electric vehicles to reduce construction costs.

“In addition, the MRTA is discussing with the Highways Department to study using highway areas to support services in line with the Transport Ministry’s policy, expecting to reach conclusion within two months,” he said.

He said the MRTA board would review investments included in the revised plan before proposing to the Public-Private Partnership Committee. He also expected the bidding process to be completed this year once they get the go-ahead.

“Currently, we have to start from zero to reduce costs and make fares more reasonable,” he said, “In addition, we will study opportunities to generate revenue by developing passenger stations to be commercial areas,” he added.

Published : May 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015533

Top police officials met with public and private agencies on Thursday to come up with ways of dealing with call-centre gangs and cybercriminals.

National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk said 22,426 complaints have been filed between March 1 and May 10, while people have been duped out of more than 1.5 billion baht per month.

“Of them, 5,079 cases were of financial fraud,” he said. “Up to 6,593 bank accounts were frozen, while officials were able to recover 76.36 million of the 2.06 billion baht lost.”

He said criminals change their methods all the time to escape the law, such as using the difficult to trace Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or opening bank accounts in other people’s names to receive cash from victims.

In most cases, the cash is transferred to many accounts, and the holder of the last account then purchases cryptocurrency from foreign traders via a peer-to-peer platform, he said.

To tackle these problems, the Bank of Thailand will review regulations to deal with criminal accounts quickly. The central bank will also cooperate on amending laws, so the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) can lawfully freeze accounts.

“AMLO will also help police by reporting suspicious transactions,” he said.

“The Securities and Exchange Commission will review regulations to take legal action against peer-to-peer cryptocurrency traders and implement guidelines on seizing cryptocurrency from criminals.”

Meanwhile, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will come up with a regulation on how many SIM cards a single person can hold.

“We will also raise awareness via banking apps, the PaoTang app and SMS. For instance, do not transfer funds to anyone if you cannot contact the recipient or hang up as soon as you receive automated phone calls,” he said.

He added that a working team will be set up to tackle this issue, and believes cooperation from all sides will make the tackling of cybercrime more efficient. He said the longer a problem is left untouched, the more difficult it becomes to solve.

“Hence, I call on everybody to be careful when transferring cash or providing personal information to others,” he said.

Call the 1441 Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau hotline or Police Cyber Taskforce at (081) 866 3000 for more information. People targeted by cybercriminals can file a complaint at www.thaipoliceonline.com.

Published : May 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015532

The Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is looking to cut down on the number of advertisements that can interrupt YouTube videos, an informed source said on Friday.

In response to complaints from Thai viewers, the agency will check if the frequent adverts on YouTube violate the Consumer Protection Act, which stipulates that advertising must not harm a consumer’s physical or mental health or cause annoyance, the source said.

“CPB is studying this matter to see what should be done. [Frequent advertising] certainly disrupts viewing pleasure, but action that is taken should also be fair to the private sector,” the source added.

The agency brought this matter up with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) but was told that the regulator has no direct authority regarding this matter.

CPB has also held an informal meeting with the Digital Economy and Society Ministry, which has maintained that a court verdict on the matter is required before any concrete action can be taken, the source said.

YouTube viewers are familiar with adverts popping up and disrupting videos. Ad-free service is only available to paid subscribers.

The CPB source said that in dealing with the YouTube issue, the agency may refer to existing rules on television advertising, which limits the frequency of ads to protect viewers’ rights.

“Future measures may be based on the regulations controlling TV adverts, so consumers’ rights can be best protected,” the source added.

More than 42.8 million people in Thailand, or about 61 per cent of the population, watch YouTube, according to data as of early this year.

Up to 77.8 per cent of the population or 54.5 million people are connected to the internet in Thailand, the Global Digital Report 2022 shows.

An estimated 27 billion baht has been spent on digital advertising so far this year, with YouTube being the second most popular platform for advertisers after Facebook, Thailand’s Digital Advertising Association says.

Published : May 13, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015522

A new police team has been set up to investigate fake employment documents submitted by fishing boat owners in Chonburi and Rayong.

The team will be led by assistant National Police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, a statement released by the Royal Thai Police on Thursday said.

The case came to light on March 18, when the Chonburi Fisheries Office filed a complaint against Prasit and Thamonwan Pongphisitkul, the owners of four Saeng Charoen Karn Pramong fishing boats, for allegedly submitting forged documents. The complaint was filed at Sattahip Police Station.

The office also filed a lawsuit against Waree Phoaroon, owner of the Sor Kitnarong fishing boat, at the Samed Police Station on March 29 for trying to talk officials into adding false data to official documents.

Meanwhile, other fishing boat owners filed a complaint at Sattahip Police Station on April 25 against a woman called Samatcha Meejaidee for allegedly issuing fake sea books for migrant workers.

The statement said the new team will investigate these cases and take appropriate legal action. Case reports will also be handed over to National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyongsuk.

Surchate, a former immigration chief who was known for cracking down on foreigners overstaying their visas and on international criminals, fell from grace in 2019 and was transferred to an inactive post. However, two years later, he was appointed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as an adviser to the National Police and assistant spokesperson for the deputy prime minister.

Published : May 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015512

Chao Phraya Express Boat Ltd will boost its service from Tuesday (May 17) as schools reopen for the start of the academic year.

Boat services will be more frequent to serve the higher number of commuters during rush hours, as well as tourists on the Chao Phraya River during weekends and public holidays as the Covid-19 situation improves, said Charoenporn Charoentham, the company’s managing director.

From next Tuesday, the new Chao Phraya Express Boat schedule will be as follows:

Orange-flag boats, Monday-Saturday and public holidays

– Depart from Nonthaburi Pier, 6am to 6.10pm on weekdays, and 8am to 7pm on Saturday and public holidays

– Depart from Wat Rat Singkhon Pier, 6.20am to 6.10pm on weekdays, and 8.30am to 7.30pm on Saturday and public holidays

Yellow-flag boats, Monday-Saturday

– Depart from Nonthaburi Pier, 6am to 8.05am, 8 trips per day

– Depart from Sathorn Pier, 5.05pm to 7.05pm, 8 trips per day

Green-flag boats, Monday-Saturday

– Depart from Pakkred Pier, 6.05am to 7.45am, 5 trips per day

– Depart from Sathorn Pier, 4pm to 5.45pm, 5 trips per day

Red-flag boats, run on Monday-Saturday

– Depart from Nonthaburi Pier at 6.05am, 7.10am and 7.25am

– Depart from Sathorn Pier at 4.30pm, 5pm and 5.30pm

No Chao Phraya Express Boat services will run on Sunday until further notice.

Published : May 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015511

Three expressways will waive toll fees on Friday to facilitate heavy traffic expected on the long holiday weekend.

From 0.01am until midnight on Friday, vehicles can zip through all toll booths of the Chalerm Maha Nakhon, Sirat and Udon Ratthaya expressways free of charge, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) said.

The authority expects more people to travel on Friday as it forms a four-day long weekend, which kicks off with Royal Ploughing Day.

The break will extend into Monday, which is a compensation holiday for Visakha Bucha Day on Sunday (May 15).

The national holiday on Friday marks the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, an ancient tradition observed in Thailand every year to mark the start of the rice-growing season. The ceremony is held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district, where oxen plough the ground before being offered a choice of different foods to eat. Brahmin priests and court astrologers then interpret what the oxen eat to forecast whether the country’s coming harvest will be plentiful or not.

Published : May 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015505

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (May 13) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 7,779 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 2 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 56, while 9,286 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,137,581.
 

Published : May 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015504

Thailand is likely to further ease Covid-19 warnings late this month, as the country is preparing to redesignate the coronavirus outbreak an endemic.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday that Thailand was expected to reduce its Covid-19 warning from Level 3 at present to Level 2 around late this month to June, as the pandemic situation was at a “declining stage”.

The country’s Covid-19 warning is now at Level 3, revised from the highest Level 4, after the situation improved from the “combating stage” to the “plateau stage” earlier this year.

Measures are being taken as part of efforts to declare Covid-19 an endemic, including giving booster shots, improving treatment for vulnerable patients, and promoting the policy of “universal prevention” and “Covid-free setting”.

Anutin, who also doubles as deputy prime minister, attributed the improvement in the Covid-19 situation to cooperation between all sections of society.

“We need to relax the measures so that people can live their lives in the ‘new normal’ environment and the economy can recover. The measures must be taken carefully, and all the sectors must be involved,” he said.

The public health minister on Thursday chaired a meeting of the government committee tasked with redesignating Covid-19 an endemic.

Also attending the meeting were the ministry’s permanent secretary, Kiattiphum Wongrajit, and representatives from concerned agencies and organisations from both the private and public sectors.

They included the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Sports, and Interior, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Private Hospital Association, Federation of Thai Industries, and Tourism Council of Thailand.

Published : May 12, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015503

Travellers to Thailand still need to register with the Thailand Pass system, Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) assistant spokesperson Dr Apisamai Srirangsan said on Thursday, dismissing rumours that it has been scrapped.

Starting May 1, fully vaccinated travellers entering the Kingdom are exempted from RT-PCR testing while those unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated still need hotel quarantine.

Apisamai said on Thursday that Thailand Pass was still a requirement despite the relaxation of entry rules.

“Travellers who are not fully vaccinated still need to get approval in 48 hours while examination is underway for details about their quarantine and hotel reservation,” she said.

When registering with Thailand Pass, vaccinated travellers must attach their passport, vaccine information, and proof of insurance for US$10,000. Those unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated must also submit those documents, along with a negative RT-PCR test result issued within 72 hours before their flight to Thailand if they do not wish to quarantine.

The spokeswoman said on Thursday that any further changes in the entry regulations would be discussed by the CCSA at its next board meeting on May 20.

She said that since May 1, air travels to Thailand “have clearly increased”, with more than 15,000 arrivals per day. Most of those entering the country are from Singapore, India, Malaysia, the UK, Australia, the US, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Germany, according to the spokeswoman.

Published : May 12, 2022