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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023385

Air pollution has risen to unsafe levels in Bangkok, officials warn

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

Bangkok residents should heed air-quality measurements in their vicinity to protect their health as air pollution increases, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Environment Department said on Friday.

The capital’s air quality is unsafe due to lower air circulation and it is expected to remain unsafe until Saturday, the department said, urging city residents to protect themselves.

It said air quality entered unsafe levels in 22 districts on Friday morning, citing PM2.5 measurements. PM2.5 levels refer to airborne dust particles and droplets, which the Environment Department said are ranging from 30 to 64 micrograms per cubic metre in Bangkok. Safe levels for PM2.5 are under 50mg per cubic metre.

The Environment Department said the 22 districts with unsafe PM2.5 levels are: Pathumwan, Yannawa, Thonburi, Khlong San, Phasi Charoen, Bang Khen, Bang Phlat, Bang Khun Thian, Sathon, Lak Si, Chom Thong, Don Mueang, Rat Burana, Bangkok Yai, Taling Chan, Thawi Watthana, Nong Khaem, Bang Bon, Thung Khru, Bangna, Prawet, and Bangkok Noi.

PM2.5 levels can be found on the websites bangkokairquality.com and pr-bangkok.com, as well as the Facebook pages of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Environment Department, and Air Quality and Noise Management Division, or the AirBKK smartphone application.

Related stories:

• Bangkok residents urged to check air safety levels as PM2.5 rises
• PM2.5 pollution crosses safe levels in 19 Bangkok districts today
• Bangkok pollution: BMA to survey factories, building sites on Tuesday

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023383

Booby trap! Police raid fake silicone factory in Suphan Buri

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

Police recently raided an unlicensed silicone factory in Suphan Buri and seized more than a 3.5-million-baht worth of silicone meant for plastic surgery.

Suphan Buri police along with officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called a press conference on Friday to provide details on the crackdown.

Officials were acting on a tip-off that a former rice mill in Si Prachan district had been converted into a factory to produce silicone for plastic surgery that was supplied to many aesthetic clinics.

In the crackdown on Tuesday, police said they found more than 1,100 pieces of nose and forehead silicone inserts, as well as 43 blocks of silicone that could be used to make up to 43,000 items. The confiscated products were valued at more than 3.5 million baht. They also confiscated five silicone casting machines and 68 moulds.

Police arrested the owner, Natpaphas (last name withheld), 32, on the charge of manufacturing medical supplies without a licence.

The suspect reportedly confessed that she previously worked as a sales representative for a company supplying silicone products to aesthetic clinics, and used her knowledge to open the factory about two years ago. She has three people in her employ.

Natpaphas was reported as saying that she supplied as many as 5,000 to 10,000 pieces of silicone monthly to well-known aesthetic clinics in Bangkok and other provinces.

FDA secretary-general Dr Paisarn Dunkum, meanwhile, warned that using substandard silicone can cause inflammation and infections, as he urged all aesthetic clinics to only use products from licensed manufacturers.

Related Stories

Macro-textured breast implants banned in Thailand as of Friday

Puzzling signs aim to keep drivers from falling asleep at the wheel

Environmental impact of chemicals among topics at International Weed Science Congress in Bangkok

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023376

Pattaya cancels New Year fireworks as nation prays for Princess

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

Pattaya has cancelled its New Year fireworks display – one of the country’s largest – as Thais pray for the recovery of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati.

Firework displays scheduled for December 29-31 as part of the Pattaya Countdown event were cancelled by the city mayor in a Facebook post on Thursday.

However, the countdown concerts and fair will go ahead as planned on the three days, the post said.

The move by Pattaya city came after agencies under the Office of the Courts of Justice were instructed to cancel pre-arranged New Year festivities.

The instruction came as people across the country prayed for the speedy recovery of the Princess, who is being treated for a heart-related condition at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok after losing consciousness on December 14.

His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch has also asked Thai temples at home and abroad to hold daily prayers for the Princess.

Chon Buri Municipality also announced the cancellation of its New Year’s Eve event on December 31 and alms giving to monks on the morning of January 1.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government had not suggested cancelling pre-arranged New Year celebrations.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023378

4 more houses in Bangkok found stealing electricity to mine crypto

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) officials and police officers raided another four houses in Bangkok’s Bang Bon district where electricity was being stolen to mine cryptocurrency.

The crackdown was conducted on Thursday after the team received search warrants. They estimated the damage at about 8 million baht per month or 192 million baht over two years since the crypto-mining operation was launched.

The team also seized 138 crypto-mining tools and four computers, while a manhunt has been launched for possible suspects.

An earlier crackdown on December 16 resulted in MEA staff and police checking five sites in Bang Bon district and seizing 223 crypto-mining tools and four computers. This mining operation allegedly caused damages of up to 10 million baht yearly.

The crackdown was prompted after the MEA reported to Tha Kham Police Station about the alleged electricity theft on December 13.

Last month, the Department of Special Investigation launched an “Electrical Shock” lightning operation to inspect 41 sites in Greater Bangkok where electricity was being stolen to mine cryptocurrency.

The authorities believe the MEA incurs losses of about 20 million baht per month from stolen electricity.

Read more

Read more:

• 7 Thais escape slave conditions at call centre in Cambodia
• 31 arrested in World Cup gambling crackdown, police say
• Burglar wearing bikini bra was not a man in disguise: police

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023372

Pattani locals swap cars for boats as river overflows

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

Pattani city was hit by floodwater almost 2 metres deep on Thursday as the Pattani River overflowed and inundated towns and villages across the southern province.

Flooding affected 462 villages in all 12 districts of the province, causing hardship for about 90,000 residents.

Residents in Pattani city’s Muang district swapped cars for boats as roads turned into rivers.

Pattani deputy governor Trakool Totham ordered more relief parcels for flood victims in Yarang district, which was been underwater for four consecutive days.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts isolated monsoon thundershowers in Pattani and the rest of the lower South on Friday.

Waves will rise to two metres in the lower Gulf, and higher during thundershowers, it added.

“All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers,” the Met Dept said.

Related stories:

• Global heating behind THB12.6tn flood damage, 2,000 Thai deaths: NESDC
• Severe weather conditions keep students at home in Hat Yai
• Heavy rains cause severe flooding and damage in Phuket

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023371

Manhunt for 4th person who helped in Thai ‘Jack Ma’s’ escape attempt

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

The police have launched a manhunt for a fourth person who allegedly helped with the escape attempt of a wealthy businessman suspected of running a fraudulent investment ring.

The so-called businessman, Prasit Jeawkok, was nabbed just as he tried to escape while taking a toilet break during his Criminal Court hearing on Thursday morning.

Sorawit Limparangsri, the Court of Justice’s spokesperson, said on Thursday that three suspects – Prasit’s secretary, friend and the secretary’s spouse – have been arrested, so far.

“The police is on the hunt for Prasit’s second secretary,” he said, adding that this escape attempt had obviously been planned in advance as police found disguise equipment and 10,000 baht in cash on the suspects.

He added that Prasit will face another charge for trying to escape.

“Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Lt-General Jirapop Puridet will hold a press conference about the case on Friday,” he added.

Aryut Sinthopphan, director-general of the Corrections Department, said a committee has been set up to investigate the escape attempt and ensure measures are put in place to prevent a repeat of the incident.

He added that Prasit was shifted to a high-security zone in Klong Prem Central Prison after the incident.

Prasit, 46, was arrested last year following complaints by hundreds of people who said they had been talked into investing in businesses run by him and his colleagues that promised high returns. The investment opportunities included tour packages, a savings cooperative, luxury products and gold. However, the investors found all their money gone.

Prasit has been in detention after the court denied him bail due to extensive damage and the possibility of evidence tampering.

Once viewed by many as a model of success, Prasit was registered as a director of at least 10 companies involved in diverse businesses, including online hotel booking, air ticketing, tourism, real estate, wholesale computer hardware and software, and IT system design.

Their corporate website that carried his name, Prasitjeawkok.com, used to describe him as the “Jack Ma of Thailand”, referring to the successful Chinese magnate and multibillionaire who co-founded Alibaba Group. It also said that Prasit “in the future will develop his business so that it progresses and gets bigger than Google”.

Related stories:

• Inside job suspected in fraud case defendant’s attempt to escape from court
• Corrections Department working on plan to deal with possible flooding in prisons
• BMA to use prisoners for cleaning sewers from July 1

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023369

Rescuers scouring Chumphon islands for missing HTMS Sukhothai sailors

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

The search for 23 HTMS Sukhothai sailors missing in the Gulf of Thailand resumed on Friday as the Royal Thai Navy issued an update on their mission to probe the ship on the seabed.

The search mission for the sailors launched for a fifth day on Friday in the seas off Chumphon and Surat Thani provinces. The Navy also released the names of the missing personnel.

Rescuers are now checking islands and outcrops off Chumphon for any signs of the 23 sailors, who went missing when the Sukhothai sank in heavy seas about 20 nautical miles off Prachuap Khiri Khan on Sunday night. The vessel was knocked over and suffered an engine malfunction as it took on water.

The Navy said it is coordinating search and rescue efforts with the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre and Prachuap Khiri Khan Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre.

Meanwhile, the First Naval Area Command redeployed its SeaFox underwater drone and divers to determine why the ship sank.

“We failed to get close to the warship yesterday due to strong tides,” said Vice Admiral Pichai Lorchusakul, commander of the First Naval Area Command.

The search and rescue mission kicked off on Monday, with the Navy dispatching six ships, two Dornier amphibious aircraft, two rescue helicopters, and an unmanned aerial vehicle to scour the area around the spot where the warship went down. The Royal Thai Air Force also joined the search efforts, deploying a plane and a helicopter.

The Navy named the missing sailors as:

• Acting Lieutenant Commander Phonrat Sirodom
• Petty Officer First Class Prai Ruamyat
• Chief Petty Officer First Class Jirawat Charoensin
• Petty Officer First Class Boonlert Thongthip
• Petty Officer First Class Chuchai Cherdchid
• Petty Officer Second Class Thawatchai Saphirat
• Petty Officer Second Class Saharat Esa
• Petty Officer Third Class Noppanat Khamwong
• Petty Officer Third Class Sathaphon Somnuea
• Petty Officer Third Class Sarawut Nadi
• Petty Officer Third Class Supakij Thiwalai
• Petty Officer Third Class Sophon Wongsanit
• Petty Officer Third Class Sirithiti Ngamthong
• Seaman Worapong Boonlakhon
• Seaman Abdul Asheed Mae
• Seaman Suthipong Hongthong
• Seaman Chamlong Saengkae
• Seaman Taweesak Saecheaw
• Seaman Jirawat Thuphom
• Seaman Preecha Raksaphakdi
• Seaman Chalat Oithong
• Seaman Chaichana Changwat
• Chief Petty Officer First Class Kunakorn Jariyot

Related stories:

• Religious rites held at Sattahip Naval Base for sailors who died at sea
• Navy sends Seafox drone to capture video of HTMS Sukhothai on seabed
• Search for 23 HTMS Sukhothai sailors resumes after 6 bodies found

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023366

Speedy recovery for Princess tops Thais’ New Year wish list: poll

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

A speedy recovery for Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha is top of Thais’ 2023 New Year wish list, according to a poll taken by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting.

Asked “What people want as 2023 New Year wishes”, 90.9% of respondents said they want the Princess to get better as soon as possible.

HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha was admitted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok for treatment for a heart-related issue on December 15 after losing consciousness in Nakhon Ratchasima, according to the Royal Household Bureau.

Next on the New Year wish list with 84.9% was health and long life for His Majesty the King, the Queen Mother, and other members of the royal family.

80.4% wished that the Thai economy would improve over the next year, 78.5% wanted to see stable politics, and 76.1% wanted to see all corruption eliminated.

When asked what they want from the government as a “New Year gift”, 37.6% said they wished to see full government reform with a transparent investigation of corruption, 26.7% wanted more economic stimulus campaigns, 12.9% wanted cuts to utility bills and fuel cost, and 7.9% wanted more employment and a rise in minimum wages.

The most popular subsidy measures that people wanted back in 2023 as the Let’s Go Halves co-shopping scheme (50.9%) followed by the We Travel Together tourism scheme (27.7%) and Shop and Payback (21.4%).

The number of respondents to the poll was not disclosed.

Related Stories

National museums and parks offer free access for New Year holidays

Mysteries of Thailand’s New Year gift baskets probed by Trade Dept

Thailand eyes new stimulus schemes as New Year gifts for the public

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023358

Inside job suspected in fraud case defendant’s attempt to escape from court

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022

The Department of Corrections is investigating whether an escape attempt by a wealthy businessman charged with leading a fraudulent investment ring that allegedly caused over a billion baht in damage was an inside job.

Prasit Jeawkok was arrested at the Criminal Court in Bangkok on Thursday morning while attempting to escape during a toilet break.

He had asked for permission to relieve himself, while a Corrections official waited outside the toilet. However, while inside the toilet, Prasit managed to free himself from an ankle lock and change from the prison garb he had worn to attend the court trial, according to Bangkok Remand Prison commander Nasthi Thongpalad.

He said the defendant sneaked out of the toilet but was later apprehended by officials on the third floor of the court building.

“A fact-finding investigation is underway to determine what actually happened,” the prison chief said.

He maintained that the lock used by the prison for defendants in remand was of a special type that requires a special key, and not a normal one that is generally used.

Meanwhile, Department of Corrections director-general Aryut Sinthopphan said that he had ordered an investigation into the incident to be completed within seven days.

“While in the toilet, [Prasit] changed from the prison garb and unlocked his ankle lock. We suspect that he may have got help and that it was prearranged for him,” he said.

Prasit, 46, was arrested last year following complaints by hundreds of people who said they had invested in businesses run by him and his colleagues, which promised high returns, but instead took their money. The investment opportunities included tour packages, a savings cooperative, luxury products, and gold.

He has been detained at the prison after the court denied him bail at the police’s request due to the extent of the damage and the possibility of evidence tampering.

Once viewed by many as a model of success, the businessman was registered as a director of at least 10 companies involved in diverse businesses including online hotel booking, air ticketing, tourism, real estate, wholesale computer hardware and software, and IT system design.

Their corporate website that carried his name, Prasitjeawkok.com, used to describe him as the “Jack Ma of Thailand”, referring to the successful Chinese magnate and multibillionaire who co-founded Alibaba Group. It also said that Prasit “in the future will develop his business so that it progresses and gets bigger than Google”.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023357

Bangkok’s Wireless Road to see biggest jump in land prices

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022

Land prices in many areas of Bangkok have reached 1 million baht per square wah (4 square metres), according to the Treasury Department’s new list of appraised land value to take effect on January 1.

The new appraised land prices, normally used for the calculation of land tax or the application of property loans, will be in force between 2023 and 2026. This new list replaces the current one in use from 2019 to 2022, as the Thai economy is expected to recover next year.

The newly appraised land prices would benefit home buyers as they could get higher loans, said Surachet Kongcheep, managing director of real estate consultancy Property DNA Co Ltd.

Land plots along Wireless Road in the sections between Ploenchit to Saen Saeb Canal will see the largest increase in prices when the new appraisal list becomes effective — from 500,000 baht per square wah previously to 1 million, according to Treasury Department director-general Chamroen Phothiyod.

He said another stretch of Wireless Road, from Rama IV to Ploenchit, would see an increase from 750,000 baht per square wah to 1 million.

Land prices on Rama I Road, in the section spanning Rajdamri and Phya Thai, would also rise to 1 million baht per square wah, from 900,000 at present, the official said.

Land prices in the business district of Silom will remain unchanged at 1 million baht per square wah, according to him. This includes the Silom Road section spanning Rama IV Road and Narathiwat Ratchanakarin.

Other Bangkok areas that will see increases of appraised prices to 1 million baht per square wah include Ploenchit Road and Rama I Road (from Rajdamri to Phya Thai).

The Rajdamri Road section between Saen Saeb Canal and Ploenchit Road will see new land prices at 900,000 baht per square wah.

Another business area of Bangkok, Sathon Road (particularly the section spanning Rama IV Road and Charoen Rat Road, will see appraised land value rise to 800,000 baht per square wah.

Appraised land prices for the section between Ploenchit and Rama IV Road will be 750,000 baht per square wah, compared to 700,000 baht for land prices along Yaowarat Road, which houses Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Land plots along the newly built mass-transit systems like the MRT Orange Line, from the Thailand Cultural Centre to Minburi on the eastern side of the city, will also see price increases.