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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024011

Bangkok’s most famous weekend market – Chatuchak – is bustling again as the pandemic recedes

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

The number of shoppers is rising every weekend and vendors are stocking up in anticipation of a surge of Chinese shoppers next weekend.

Shoppers are still pouring in despite an expected drop following the New Year break, a clothing vendor said on Saturday.

The market will see more shoppers, including many Chinese tourists, next weekend, the vendor said, noting that it coincides with the Chinese New Year on January 22.

China on Monday scrapped overseas travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic. The world’s most populous nation also downgraded Covid-19 from a top-tier Class A infectious disease to a Class B infectious disease. 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects an influx of Chinese tourists during Chinese New Year next week. It estimates that about 60,000 Chinese tourists will visit Thailand in January, 90,000 in February, and 150,000 in March.

Thailand is expected to welcome no less than 5 million Chinese tourists this year, according to the tourism authority’s forecast.

Also known as JJ Market, Chatuchak is renowned for its vast array of clothing, accessories, plants, pets, home decorations, souvenirs, and street food.

Its wallet-friendly pricing is also a major draw.

In 2019 it had more than 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors, divided into 27 sections covering 68 rai.

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Chadchart has lunch with road sweeper, garbage collector in Chatuchak

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024010

Fugitive wanted by FBI for stock fraud arrested in Phuket

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

A foreign man wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was arrested in Phuket province on Saturday for allegedly manipulating stock prices in the United States.

The 54-year-old suspect, identified only as “Peter Jr”, was apprehended at the hotel he was staying at near Surin Beach in the province’s Thalang district, following an arrest warrant issued on December 27.

The FBI’s Bangkok legal office has requested that he be extradited to the US to face charges that include colluding in securities fraud and stock price manipulation.
If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in jail under US law.

The suspect is a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a country comprising two islands in the Caribbean.

It is well known as a tax haven and one of the least financially transparent jurisdictions in the world.

Thai police said that – according to the FBI – Peter Jr and his accomplices took over a US-based instant-food business in 2014, with a plan to list it on a US exchange.

However, the suspect allegedly transferred company shares to other individuals involved in the alleged scam. In 2019, they listed the company with an initial public offering price of US$ 1.25 per share.

Subsequently, Peter Jr allegedly paid a group of stock traders to help inflate the company’s stock price to $12.99 per share as of April 16, 2021 – a 939% rise in value within two years.

At the same time, the suspect allegedly transferred 3.5 million company shares to an individual nominee and businesses in Macau, making him the largest shareholder.

In September last year, arrest warrants were issued for him and his accomplices by a court in the US state of New Jersey. His father, identified only as Peter Sr, and another accomplice, have been arrested in the US, according to Thai police.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024009

Fukushima eager to welcome Thais back to reconstructed prefecture

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Fukushima is eager to welcome Thai tourists back to the prefecture on the eastern coast of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, the country’s ambassador to Thailand, Oba Yuichi, said.

He was speaking at the opening of the “Genki! Fukushima” celebration at Central World to celebrate the prefecture’s natural beauty, cuisine and fruit. “Genki” means “lively” and “energetic”.

The celebration continues today in the mall’s central court and is hosted by the Japan Reconstruction Agency.

Fukushima has been fully restored after being devastated by a tsunami in 2011, said the ambassador, who was born and raised there. “It is even better than before,” the ambassador said, adding that the event promoting the destination is being held to dispel false rumours and show that Fukushima is fully prepared to welcome tourists.

Oba Yuichi

Yuichi said the area offers an abundance of natural beauty, fresh seafood, savory beef, and sake, and is known in Japan as the “Kingdom of Fruit”. Fukushima Prefecture is located in the southernmost region of Tohoku.

The tsunami caused an accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, sparking global concerns about radioactive contamination.

Yuichi said the event at Central World would demonstrate that Fukushima is safe and secure.

Kei Doi, executive director of the Bangkok office of the Japan National Tourism Organisation, said the event will restore confidence in Fukushima among Thai tourists.

“Fukushima is well-known for being one of the best places in Japan to sample peaches. It’s the best place to try our sake. It is now up to Fukushima to encourage Thais and others to visit,” she said.

The prefecture will become one of the popular destinations in Japan for Thai tourists because it is very welcoming, she said.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024008

Youth are Bangkok’s future, says Chadchart as he marks Children’s Day

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

“Every day should be Children’s Day,” Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said as he highlighted the importance of the young generation, which holds the capital’s future in their hands.

Chadchart said this as he presided over the opening of a special National Children’s Day event at the Children’s Discovery Museum in Chatuchak district on Saturday.

“Children should be important every day, not just today,” he said. “Children are a crucial part of the institution of family, which is the foundation of every city. Today’s children will help contribute to the city’s advancement and a prosperous future.

“Bangkok will continue providing equal opportunities to children, so every member of the society can grow together and build a top city for the next generation,” Chadchart added.

Activities at Children’s Discovery Museum on Saturday were organised under the concept of “Play Forward” with a focus on teaching children about the environment and nature conservation through the use of modern technology and innovation. Youngsters got to enjoy fun-filled games with amazing prizes, as well as participate in learning activities hosted by staffers of Bangkok’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Department.

Representatives from Unicef’s Young People Advisory Board were also present at the event to study the city’s campaigns for children and urban development.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024006

Pretending to be Prayut on National Children’s Day

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

Like every year, youngsters were given the chance to sit in the prime minister’s chair at Government House on National Children’s Day.

Children’s Day in Thailand falls on the second Saturday of January every year.

The PM’s office on the second floor of Government House’s Thai Khu Fah building was opened at 8am on Saturday to let children in, so they could pretend at being the prime minister.

The first child to sit at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s desk this year was Chotika “Kubkib” Mangmee, a third-grader from Wat Ratcha Singkhon School in Bangkok’s Bang Kho Laem district.

Young Chotika said the prospect of visiting the PM’s office was so exciting that she had woken up at 5am to arrive at Government House with her grandmother at 6am.

She added that she is a great fan of Prayut and wanted to take a selfie with him.

The PM was not present at Government House, which has been transformed into a wonderland for children featuring large dinosaur models and vintage cars. The event, which will wrap up at 3pm today, also includes booths set up by state agencies inside the compound.

Related Stories

Government House opens doors to children for first time since pandemic

Zoos offer free entrance for kids on Children’s Day

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024005

Immigration police arrest 3 South Koreans wanted for investment scams

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

Immigration Police nabbed three South Korean investment scammers who had fled to Thailand after duping victims out of 60 billion won (1.6 billion baht).

The Immigration Bureau told the press on Friday that it has been hunting for foreign suspects hiding in the country after Interpol issued a red notice at the request of South Korea.

The three suspects – Kim, 54; Yang, 60; and Ye Jun, 51 – have been accused of scamming many people out of as much as 1.6 billion baht. The three pretended to be owners of five textile firms in South Korea and sold shares to potential investors with the offer of inflated profits.

Police said that in early December last year, they arrested Ye Jun in Chonburi for overstaying his visa and he is under custody.

On Tuesday, police arrested Kim and Yang at a golf course in Pathum Thani following a tip-off. They too were charged with overstaying their visa.

Investigation revealed that Kim entered Thailand on July 25 and Yang on August 3 last year.

Both arrived on a visa-exempt stamp for 90 days, and their visa expired on October 22 and October 31, respectively.

The suspects reportedly admitted that they fled to a condominium in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area after learning of Ye Jun’s arrest.

The Immigration Police have coordinated with the South Korean Embassy and Interpol to transfer the suspects to South Korea to face legal action.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024002

Spotlight on ‘child grooming’ problem as Thailand marks Children’s Day

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) used the occasion of National Children’s Day on Saturday to warn parents about the scourge of “child grooming”.

This problem is becoming larger now that youngsters have easier access to the internet and smart devices.

Child grooming is befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a minor, and sometimes their family, to lower the child’s inhibitions with the objective of sexual abuse.

The method is also used to lure minors into various illicit businesses such as child trafficking, prostitution, cybersex trafficking or the production of child pornography.

DCY director-general Jatuporn Rojanapanich said on Friday that a 2022 survey found that some 12% of Thai children from the age of 10 and above had been “groomed” and 11% admitted to being sexually harassed or assaulted.

The May-July survey covered 31,965 samples aged 9 to 18 years and found that most of the respondents have easy access to the internet or smart devices. This increases the risk of cyber child abuse, she added.

The survey also found that 81% of respondents have their own smartphones or tablets, while 85% use social media almost every day.

Among them, 36% said they have been approached for a romantic relationship online, 26% have been cyberbullied and another 26% admitted to having participated in nude or erotic video calls.

The survey also found that 7% of children have gambled online and 18% have paid real money to buy random items in online games, which is considered a form of gambling.

“Parents need to keep a close eye on their children and beware of threats that can affect your children at any time, especially since they are more exposed to online media and communication,” Jatuporn said.

To help parents combat online threats against children, DCY has set up the Child Online Protection Action Thailand (COPAT) which monitors illegal and gambling websites. COPAT has also published a guidebook for the safe usage of digital media as well as software to help boost digital literacy skills.

The centre has also published the latest information on online threats at facebook.com/copatcenter/.

Related Stories

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023999

Another THB3-billion worth of Tuhao’s assets under spotlight: justice minister

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Thai authorities are in the process of confiscating more assets valued at about 3 billion baht owned by suspected crime boss Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant and his alleged accomplices.

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Friday that this imminent seizure will be in addition to the 5.3-billion-baht worth of assets already confiscated, including real estate, buses, bank deposits, businesses and an aeroplane.

The minister said he has ordered the seizure of another 216 million baht in assets, including 262 buses and a plot of land belonging to the alleged Chinese triad leader.

An investigation by the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) has uncovered assets valued at more than 8.5 billion baht believed to be owned by Tuhao and people in his network. Somsak made the announcement at a press conference on Friday at which NCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkhon was also present.

The justice minister also told the press that in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 (October-December 2022), 20.2 billion baht worth of assets were confiscated from 242 drug-trafficking rings.

He added that this accounted for 20% of this year’s target of confiscating 100 billion baht worth of assets from drug gangs, which he said “will certainly be achieved”.

Somsak said that in 2023, 541 million baht in seized assets have been added to the Narcotics Fund to fight drug trafficking, compared to only about 30 million baht a year previously.

The minister also put on display several items used to conceal heroin and “ice” (crystal methamphetamine), including umbrellas and brochures. The items, heading for Hong Kong, were recently intercepted by customs officials.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023997

Government House opens doors to children for first time since pandemic

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Officials at Government House were happily racing on Friday to welcome young visitors to the compound on National Children’s Day tomorrow – for the first time in three years.

The opening of Government House to children includes the prime minister’s office, where they can take turns sitting on his chair.

Thailand celebrates Children’s Day on the second Saturday of January, but most public celebrations were cancelled after the Covid-19 pandemic began its deadly march around the globe three years ago.

Children’s Day activities will be held at Government House from 8am to 3pm, with many state agencies and businesses setting up booths inside the compound. 

Large dinosaur models were placed on the lawn in front of the Santi Maitri Building, as well as vintage cars that can offer photo ops for the visiting children and their parents or accompanying adults.

The Royal Thai Air Force will also stage air shows across the country to mark Children’s Day.

Jet-flying demonstrations will be held at Kamphaeng Saen Aviation School in Nakhon Pathom and at the air force’s regional airfields in Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Hat Yai, and Surat Thani. The air shows were canceled during the pandemic.

The Department of Corrections will offer Children’s Day activities at 15 prisons across the country, its director-general Ayuth Sintoppant said on Friday. 

Large prisons, including the Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi province, have areas that have been opened to members of the public, in line with a policy of Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin. Ayuth said these areas would be used for Children’s Day activities.
 

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023990

TAT working on increasing flights, longer visa on arrival to hit 25m target

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to increase the number of flights in a bid to boost tourism during the high season.

“The flight load capacity must reach 90 per cent during the high season this year,” TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said on Friday. The high season in Thailand is from November to March.

He added that Chinese authorities have requested information from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to boost the number of flights to 2019 levels, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yuthasak said the TAT aims to attract high-spending tourists to Thailand to help achieve the goal of generating 2.38 trillion baht from 25 million foreign travellers.

“TAT will propose extension of visa on arrival from the current 30 days to enable tourists to stay in Thailand until the end of this year,” he said.

He confirmed that the fifth phase of the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) scheme to stimulate domestic tourism will continue.

“We hope the Cabinet will approve the scheme soon in order to boost domestic tourism revenue to 1 trillion baht,” he said.

He added that the TAT will promote Thailand’s tourism under the policy “Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters” using the country’s soft power to attract foreign tourists.

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