#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Police admit ‘too few’ officers to control Kiak Kai intersection clashes

NationalNov 18. 2020

By THE NATION

Police admitted on Wednesday there were not enough officers to control clashes between pro-democracy and royalist protesters on Tuesday afternoon at Bangkok’s Kiak Kai intersection. The admission followed public criticism that despite a massive police presence including water cannon trucks, officers had abandoned the scene when protesters clashed.

At least 55 people were injured during yesterday’s demonstrations, six with gunshot wounds.

Police said they will deploy in force at Ratchaprasong Intersection today, where pro-democracy protestors are scheduled to hold a rally from 4pm.

They advised motorists to avoid Ratchadamnoen, Ploenchit and Rama I roads, which lead to the intersection. Alternative routes include Rajprarop, Phetchaburi, Phya Thai, Rama IV, Henri Dunant, Sarasin, Silom, Sathorn, Wireless and Sukhumvit roads.

Protesters will be allowed to exercise their rights but any who violate the law would be arrested and charged, said Royal Thai Police spokesman Yingyot Thepjamnong. The Police General Hospital was on alert to receive any casualties from the demonstration, he said.

He insisted that police had not violated Thai law or international standards by firing tear gas and tear gas-laced water cannon at protesters on Tuesday. But he admitted there were too few police to handle the situation at Kiak Kai Intersection, adding that commanders had deployed their forces in various areas around Parliament.

Bullet shells found at the scene and pictured in social media posts had not yet been sent as evidence to police, he said.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Nate objects to probe of his decision to drop ‘Boss’ charge

NationalNov 18. 2020

By The Nation

An investigation of Nate Naksuk, the deputy attorney-general who dropped the final charge of reckless driving against Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, has been halted after Nate objected to the procedure.

The investigating panel invited Vicha Mahakun, head of an inquiry into the Boss case, and Khemchai Chutiwong, former deputy attorney general, to testify.

However, the legal procedure has been halted after Nate filed a letter to oppose the investigation, complaining that he was not informed of the interrogation in advance.

The Public Prosecutor Commission said it will consider Nate’s objection on November 30. Meanwhile the testimony of Vicha and Khemchai has been delayed.

Nate’s decision in June to drop the final charge against Vorayuth, heir to one of Thailand’s richest families, sparked public outrage and several official inquiries into the case.

The case resumed in September with Vorayuth indicted on two charges, of reckless driving causing death, and cocaine use. Vorayuth is accused of crashing his car into police officer Wichian Klanprasert in 2012, killing him.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Seven policemen tested for narcotics after drugs allegedly found in van

NationalNov 18. 2020

By THE NATION

Seven policemen stationed at Kiak Kai Intersection were sent for a narcotics test after images of drugs and related equipment found in a police van went viral on social media.

On Tuesday, Move Forward MP Rangsiman Rome claimed on his Facebook page and Twitter account to have found drugs and drugs-taking tools in the van parked in an area where pro-democracy protests were taking place. The photos were shared thousands of times.

In response, police officers who used the van were reportedly ordered to undergo a narcotics test. However, all seven test results at Vajira Hospital came back negative.

The police said several belongings were stolen from the van, including an iPhone, a watch, a flashlight, headphones, a loudspeaker and a radio.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Flash floods in Samut Prakan, Chonburi as sea levels rise

NationalNov 18. 2020

By The Nation

Many Samut Prakan residents were hit by flash floods early on Wednesday when sea levels rose. Chonburi province also reportedly faced the same problem.

Many vehicles were stranded under knee-high water in areas close to the Chao Phraya River.

Residents also complained that their belongings were damaged as the water rushed in too quickly. Many houses on Sukhumvit Road were also flooded.

Chonburi province suffered the same problem as many residential and commercial areas suddenly found themselves under 30-centimetres of water.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

NHRC calls on authorities to ensure no violence is used against protesters

NationalNov 18. 2020

By The Nation

The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) issued a public statement on Wednesday demanding that international, non-violent standards be used to deal with protesters.

NHRC expressed this concern after police cracked down on pro-democracy protesters on Tuesday night, attacking them with tear gas and water cannon. The water was reportedly mixed with chemicals, which injured several people.

The NHRC said this type of action is a clear violation of human rights, and called on each side to respect the others’ views, liberty and freedom.

The government was also asked to employ peaceful means to solve problems that do not put protesters’ lives at risk, and also to compensate the injured fairly.

The commission said a hunt should be launched for those who incited the violence leading to injuries on Tuesday night, while MPs should prevent tension from escalating by voting on charter amendments.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Nationwide state of emergency over Covid-19 to be extended to mid January

NationalNov 18. 2020Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin 

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday resolved to extend the emergency decree nationwide from December 1 to January 15, 2021, in a bid to curb infections.

However, CCSA has yet to decide whether the quarantine period for those entering Thailand should be reduced from 14 days to 10 days.

Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, CCSA spokesman, said further discussion is needed and the centre should make a final decision on the matter in the next three to four weeks.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Cabinet agrees to amend abortion law to protect women’s rights, ensure safety

NationalNov 18. 2020

By The Nation

The Cabinet has agreed to amend the Criminal Code making it possible for women to terminate their pregnancy of up to 12 weeks, government deputy spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said.

This decision has been made based on recommendations offered by the Medical Council and the Royal College of Obstetricians of Thailand.

Before this, women were legally allowed to abort pregnancies of up to three months, but had to seek a doctor’s approval for foetuses any older than that.

Now, however, it has been determined that it is safe to abort foetuses of up to 12 weeks without the risk of complications or risk to life.

Meanwhile, the penalty on illegal abortions has also been reduced because the mother suffers both physical and emotional pain when undergoing an abortion.

The amended law reads as follows:

Section 301: A woman who aborts a foetus that is older than 12 weeks shall be liable to no more than six months in prison and/or a fine of Bt10,000.

The penalty for this originally was up to three years in prison and/or a fine of Bt60,000.

Section 305: The offender is not guilty if:

• The pregnancy puts the mother at risk physically or psychologically.

• The baby faces a significant risk of developing physical or mental disorder or disability.

• The woman has been impregnated due to rape.

• The mother-to-be is convinced there is no other option.

The amendments will be submitted to the Coordinating Committee of the House of Representatives before being proposed to the Parliament for urgent consideration, so it can go into effect before February 12, 2021.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

A farmer’s hard work goes to waste due to bad eyesight

NationalNov 18. 2020

By The Nation

A truck carrying rice landed in a canal in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Phimai district on Tuesday night because the driver was not able to see the road clearly.

Police rescued the driver from the canal and sent him to Phimai hospital for treatment.

Initial investigation showed that the truck was transporting newly harvested rice to a mill.

Even though the vehicle was dragged out of the water safely, more than one tonne of rice ended up falling into the canal. The driver has apparently made a compensation deal with the farmer.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Two found positive in quarantine

NationalNov 18. 2020

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Wednesday reported two new cases in quarantine over a 24-hour period

A 25-year-old Thai draftswoman, who returned from the United Arab Emirates on November 13, was found positive in alternative state quarantine in Bangkok the next day.

A 42-year-old Belgian accountant, who arrived on November 16 via a connecting flight from Frankfurt, Germany, and went into alternative state quarantine at a Bangkok hotel, tested positive the same day. His health history shows he had a previous infection on October 28.

Meanwhile, five patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand has increased to 3,880 (921 in state quarantine). Of these, 91 are in hospital and 3,729 have recovered and been discharged. The death toll remains at 60.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am the number of confirmed global cases has increased to 55.93 million (rising by 546,662 in 24 hours). Of these, 38.96 million have recovered, 15.63 million are active cases (100,987 in severe condition) and 1.34 million have died (an increase of 10,502).

Thailand ranks a safe 151st for most cases in the world.

The US has the most number, with 11.69 million, followed by India (8.91 million), Brazil (5.91 million), France (2 million) and Russia (1.97 million).

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Two men found dead in Samut Prakan public toilet

NationalNov 18. 2020

By The Nation

Two men were found dead inside a toilet at a market in Samut Prakan’s Samrong Nuea sub-district on Tuesday night with syringes in their hands.

As the toilet was locked from inside, police investigators climbed the wall to find one man sitting on the toilet seat and another lying on the floor.

The man on the floor was holding a syringe in his left hand, while the other looked as if he were about to inject his right arm.

A sachet of illegal substance was also found near the bodies.

A cleaner called the police after she realised that the door had been closed for too long. When she got no response from knocking on the door, she peeked inside and saw the two unconscious men.

Police believe the men may have died from a drug overdose, and had been dead for more than four hours before being discovered. The bodies have been sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for autopsy.