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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023728

New Year holiday death toll at 282 after six of ‘7 dangerous days’

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

As many as 239 road accidents on Tuesday left 259 people injured and 15 dead, raising the death toll during the year-end break to 282, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM)’s Road Safety Centre reported on Wednesday.

As on the sixth day of the “7 dangerous days” (December 29, 2022 to January 4, 2023), the centre instructed Bangkok and provincial authorities to carefully monitor the speed limits of motorists so as to prevent road accidents.

Deputy permanent secretary at the Interior Ministry, Chotnarin Kerdsom, said that the centre has been in collaboration with relevant agencies to gather data regarding road accidents that occur during the period.

Car accident data on Tuesday:

Top causes of accidents

• Speeding – 38.49%

• Getting cut off – 24.47%

• Drunk driving – 15.48%

Vehicle type with the most accidents

• Motorcycles – 82.73%

Where most accidents took place

• Straight roads – 86.61%

Location of most accidents

• Highways – 48.12%

• Village roads – 24.27%

Time of most accidents

• 6pm-7pm – 9.21%

Age-range of most casualties

• 40-49 – 16.79%

Chotnarin said that on Tuesday alone, up to 55,787 officials were deployed at 1,880 road checkpoints countrywide, with 365,238 vehicles being stopped.

Of a total of 54,629 who faced legal action on Tuesday, 15,873 will be charged with riding motorbikes without a helmet, 15,494 with driving without a licence, and 7,384 with breaking the speed limit, among others.

Nakhon Si Thammarat province had the highest number of road accidents with 12 recorded on Tuesday and the highest number of injuries at 12. Meanwhile, Chachoengsao and Phuket provinces had the highest number of deaths at two people each.

Over the past six days, Chotnarin said Thailand had recorded 2,201 road accidents, in which 2,197 people were injured and 282 killed.

He said that Nakhon Si Thammarat had the highest number of road accidents at 76 as well as the highest number of injuries at 81.

Meanwhile, Chiang Rai experienced the highest number of fatalities at 13 people, followed by Bangkok and Pathum Thani (11 people each).
Six provinces — Narathiwat, Bueng Kan, Phang Nga, Yala, Satun and Sukhothai — did not report any road deaths, he added.

Boontham Lertsukhikasem, director-general of DDPM and secretary-general of the centre, said that the main roads heading to the capital are mostly free of traffic, as holidayers were already back at their residences.

To report an incident, the centre can be reached via Line application @1784DDPM or contact 1784, Boontham added.

Related stories:

• Road accidents kill 40 more people on Monday as holiday death toll climbs to 263
• Thailand’s ‘7 dangerous days’ road toll rises to 218, with 66 deaths on New Year’s Day
• 214 motorists caught for drunk driving on first of Thailand’s 7 dangerous days

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023723

Police search for foreign owner of sailboat over damaged coral reefs

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

Krabi provincial agencies are searching for the owner of a sailboat accused of damaging coral reefs in the national park around Phi Phi Island, after a Facebook post making the allegation went viral.

The search began on Tuesday, after a photo of the sailboat “4139T Catspaw” was posted on Facebook along with the claim it had damaged coral reefs in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

The sailboat was photographed moored off Yawasam Island. The post was made on MonsoonGarbageThailand – a popular Facebook page for information about Phuket and vicinity. It immediately went viral.

People who reposted the photo urged government agencies to investigate the allegations and take legal action against the sailboat owner.

National park chief Teekawut Sriburin said on Wednesday that the agency was cooperating with the Marine Office in Krabi to investigate the sailboat, which is owned by a foreign tourist.

He said the national park had deployed divers to check for damage to coral reefs, adding that it has submitted evidence and filed charges against the sailboat owner at Aonang Police Station.

“The sailboat owner will face a 5,000 baht fine for breaking through the buoy line,” Teekawut said, adding that the charge was for a violation of the National Park Act.

Park officials have been instructed to increase patrols to prevent visitors from violating national park laws, he said.

“Tour operators have also been instructed to strictly comply with national park laws to prevent damage to natural resources,” Teekawut added..

Related stories:

• Tourists flood Phi Phi on Jan 1 as Thailand ups 2023 forecast to 25m visitors
• Krabi palm/rubber farmers urged to grow coffee as Asia’s thirst rises
• Centara Anda Dhevi Krabi has special offer for guests

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023717

Music bands to trace evolution of Thai classical music since 1687 at Jan 18 event

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

Thai classical music since 1687 will be played during the event “Amata Siam” at Thailand Cultural Centre in Bangkok on January 18.

The event is being organised by the National Research Council of Thailand, aiming to describe Thailand’s history, society and traditions via classical music.

The event will feature music performances by renowned Thai bands and musicians, such as Thai Symphony Orchestra, Thanis Sriklindee and Chinnawat Themkumkwun.

Meanwhile, renowned Thai artist Dr Suchart Vongthong will paint a watercolour masterpiece during the music performance.

The event opens at 6pm. Free tickets are available at Sugree Charoensook Foundation’s Line account https://page.line.me/sugreefoundation, or contact 02 101 0558.

Related stories:

• Bangkok Music Fest brings free Sunday concerts to Museum Siam
• A mental healing program with coffee, music
• Baritone Patrizio Buanne brings ‘La Dolce Vita’ to Benjakitti Park on Sunday

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023713

Train service briefly delayed in Songkhla after bolts stolen from tracks

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

Two trains in Songkhla were delayed on Wednesday morning after over 300 railway pinning bolts were removed from a section of the railway tracks that pass through Hat Yai district.

Ekkarat Sriarayanpong, spokesman of the State Railway of Thailand, said railway staff found that 325 railway pinning bolts and five steel plates for supporting tracks above a bridge were removed from a section of the tracks between Hat Yai station and Klong Ngae station in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district.

Ekkarat said the section of railway was closed in the morning for repair and re-opened at 12:15pm.

The closure caused two trains to be delayed. One was travelling from Padang Besar to Hat Yai and the other was going in the opposite direction, Ekkarat added.

Ekkarat said State Railway of Thailand was working with security agencies to increase protection of the railway.

SRT governor Nirut Maneephan has instructed railway officials to ask members of local communities in southern border provinces to help monitor rail lines to prevent interruption to service, Ekkarat said.

On December 3, a freight train was derailed by a blast in Songkhla’s Sadao district. A second explosion three days later killed three engineers who were inspecting the scene. Both incidents have been blamed on insurgents.

Related story:

Two suspects in Narathiwat police residential building attack arrested

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023711

Cambodia speeds up demolition of burned down Poipet casino

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

Cambodian authorities are accelerating the dismantling of the Grand Diamond City Hotel and Casino wreckage in the border town of Poipet.

The Thai-owned property on the Cambodian side of the Ban Kong Luk checkpoint in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet district went up in flames at around 11pm on December 28.

Hundreds of people are believed to have been injured or killed and, so far 27 bodies of Thai nationals have been transported to Thailand as of December 30.

Officials in Sa Kaew province said Ngor Mengchroun, deputy governor of Bantaey Meanchey, led Cambodian officials to remove properties from the wreckage, especially the seven lockers containing Thai baht in cash.

“Cambodian authorities have also vowed to help hunt for the missing victims,” the officials said.

The Cambodian authorities have reportedly kicked off the operation of dismantling the hotel and casino by blocking all routes to the site. They plan to first

bring down the bridge linking two buildings in the complex to ensure the area is cleared as soon as possible, officials said.

Officials also expect the Ban Klong Luk checkpoint to be reopened once the demolition is complete.

Related stories:

• 27 Thais killed in Poipet casino fire ready for retrieval
• Ten Thai victims of Poipet blaze ready for relatives to retrieve
• Foreign Ministry working to identify, retrieve bodies from Poipet casino blaze

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023710

New handbook on marijuana consumption for tourists in Thailand

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

The Public Health Ministry has come up with a guide called “10 Things Tourists Need to Know about Cannabis in Thailand” to help clarify doubts over the newly decriminalised plant.

The English-language guide is necessary as Thailand is the first Asian country to legalise marijuana and will attract foreigners interested in consuming cannabis-related products, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Dr Narong Apikulwanich said on Tuesday.

The guide has been published on www.moph.go.th, while authorities in tourist provinces have also been instructed to publish handbooks for tourists. The handbook will soon be translated into other languages, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Russian.

The 10 things tourists need to know about cannabis in Thailand are:

• Transporting seeds or parts of the cannabis plant to or from Thailand is not permitted.

• Cultivation of cannabis is legal provided growers register on the Food and Drug Administration’s Plook Ganja application or via a relevant government website.

• Using cannabis flower buds for research, export, sale or processing for commercial purposes requires official permission.

• Cannabis cannot be consumed by people under the age of 20, pregnant or breastfeeding women except under the supervision of health professionals.

• Possession of extracts containing more than 0.2% THC and synthetic THC requires permission.

• Cannabis in food is only available in authorised restaurants.

• Approved cannabis health products are accessible through specific channels.

• Smoking cannabis in public places, including schools and shopping malls, is illegal.

• Avoid driving after consuming food or products containing cannabis.

• Those who have a bad reaction to cannabis are advised to immediately see the doctor for treatment.

“The ministry allows the use of cannabis and hemp for medical and research purposes, but still prohibits recreational use,” Narong said.

He added that while the Cannabis and Hemp Act is being considered, the ministry has issued several regulations to control the use of cannabis and hemp to ensure public safety and prevent abuse.

Examples of these regulations are mandatory registration for the use of cannabis buds and flowers in products, classifying cannabis smell and smoke as a public nuisance and mandating that food vendors using the former narcotic as an ingredient notify consumers in writing.

The Cannabis and Hemp Act which regulates the use, cultivation, sale and import of cannabis and hemp is currently being considered in Parliament.

Related Stories

Blocking cannabis law for political reasons will do ‘more harm than good’

Cannabis buds cannot be sold to anyone under 20, pregnant or nursing women

Thailand legalises importation of cannabis and hemp seeds

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023708

New video shows drug party at Bangkok ‘triad club’: Chuwit

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

Former massage parlour tycoon and politician Chuwit Kamolvisit has released a video clip allegedly showing drug dealing at Bangkok’s Jinling nightclub, the focus of a police crackdown on Chinese triad activity in Thailand.

Police raided the nightclub in Bangkok’s Yannawa district in October, and 104 revellers, 99 of whom were Chinese, tested positive for drugs. Police also seized recreational drugs and about 30 luxury vehicles.

The following month, Chuwit handed the police information on alleged Chinese triads operating in Thailand and using Jinling nightclub as a base.

The tip-off led to an arrest warrant being issued for alleged triad kingpin Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Chuwit said the video showed pub staff removing drugs from a wooden tray and selling them to customers after being alerted that police were on their way. He claimed the video was taken at around 11pm on October 26, just before the raid. He said police had not seized the visibly drug-tainted tray as evidence, prompting him to question the transparency of the investigation.

Chuwit claimed that a similar tray was also found in the Toyota Alphard van belonging to Chaiyanat that police later confiscated on December 27, which proved that he was linked to the Jinling nightclub.

Chuwit previously posted CCTV footage he claimed was shot inside the nightclub on October 25, one day before it was raided. The video shows staff selling party drugs to patrons in front of the karaoke rooms.

“Jinling pub is a huge entertainment complex in Bangkok that features a casino, VIP and karaoke rooms for drug use, and prostitution,” said Chuwit, adding that he will continue to post more clips to prevent evidence from “mysteriously going missing” from the police investigation.

Related stories:

• Tuhao’s wife arrested in Bangkok over money laundering charges
• OAG and national police chief to oversee Tuhao triad case
• 27 Thai immigration police officers found to be aiding Chinese triads

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023704

No need for special Covid rules to handle Chinese tourists: Prayut

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed confidence that Thailand’s Covid-19 prevention measures can handle the influx of Chinese tourists from Sunday (January 8).

He told press at Government House on Tuesday that China’s move to lift travel restrictions is good news for Thailand’s tourism.
 

Prayut said Thailand had imposed measures to ensure that Covid-19 will not affect the country’s public health system, adding that other countries have their own measures. However, Thailand’s Covid-19 controls are considered Grade A measures, he said.

Thailand has not followed moves by the US and other countries to impose tighter controls on Chinese arrivals including requirements for a negative Covid test. The PM said the influx of Chinese tourists will generate revenue for Thailand.

He also asked people to take care of their health.”Our experience [in containing the spread of Covid-19] is important,” he said, adding that many countries have used Thailand as an example in implementing their own prevention measures.

So far, the US has been joined by Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan in imposing tighter requirements including negative Covid tests on travellers from China, where infection rates are soaring.

Related stories:

• TAT aims to woo more tourists with Thailand-China siblings campaign
• Thailand to offer Covid-19 shots to tourists at an affordable price
• Thailand still popular among Chinese travellers, study finds

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023703

5 crew members of doomed HTMS Sukhothai still missing

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

There is still no sign of the HTMS Sukhothai’s five missing crew even after Royal Thai Navy (RTN) divers canvassed the eight islets off the coast of Chumphon province.

RTN reported on Tuesday evening that the islets checked were Khang Sua, Rang Ha, Phrao, Yor, Khee Nok, Rang Banthat, Khram and Phitak. Tuesday marked the 16th day of the search mission.

Navy Seals and divers have been checking the coasts, beaches, cervices and underwater areas of these islets for traces of the missing crew, but have turned up nothing, RTN said.

The warship sank some 20 nautical miles (32 kilometres) off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district on December 18 in stormy weather with 105 crew onboard.

So far, 76 members of the crew have been rescued and brought safely to shore, while 24 sailors have been declared dead and five missing. Since December 29, no bodies have been found.

Of those found, all have been identified except for one that is undergoing DNA testing process.

So far, 33 islets in the waters of Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces have been searched. The navy said the search mission will continue.

Related Stories

First underwater images of HTMS Sukhothai surface as divers search wreck

6 still missing from HTMS Sukhothai after grim discoveries in Chumphon

Thai navy intensifies hunt for 8 missing HTMS Sukhothai crew

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023697

House committee plans strong push to develop space technology competence

TUESDAY, JANUARY 03, 2023

Thailand will enjoy great benefits from the space industry, with more than 300-400 additional job opportunities created if the proposal gets approved, according to chairman of the House of Representatives’ subcommittee on space economy and security.

Settapong Malisuwan, who heads the committee on communications, telecom, digital economy and society, will propose the results of the study regarding the possibility and suitability of operating outer space-launching services and infrastructure to the House of Representatives.

The study said that the spacecraft launch sector made huge amounts in revenue for nations having advanced space technology, while also playing a vital role in creating essential space infrastructure to support a sustainable space industry.

The study found that an effective spaceport and efficient management are the cores of this business.

The government and concerned sectors can uphold the country’s space industry by, for example, approving a “sounding rocket sandbox” for students, engineers, or researchers to conduct experiments about sounding rockets, said Settapong.

He added that Thailand is in a prime location for developing a spaceport, owing to its proximity to the equator.

The existence of a spaceport in Thailand will support the domestic space industry, boost the economy, increase gross domestic product, and especially develop citizens who have expertise in space technology and innovation, which will benefit other industries such as energy, petrochemicals and tourism at the same time.

Spaceport also resulted in more than 300-400 additional job opportunities, such as spacecraft technician, spacecraft assembly technician, spacecraft payload engineer, and spacecraft ticket sellers.

Settapong said despite the current advances in technology, there is a lack of technological proficiency amongst Thai citizens. The country needs to increase the technological ability of its people, especially the young generation. 

“We aim to raise awareness about the relevance of space technology to us,” he added.