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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024713

Kong Salak Plus gambling platform to remain shut, says court

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2023

The Criminal Court on Tuesday issued an injunction to shutter the online lottery platform Kong Salak Plus until a final verdict.

The court was responding to a request from the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry for the closure of two Kong Salak Plus websites and mobile app pending a ruling on the ministry’s lawsuit demanding the platform’s permanent closure.

Kong Salak Plus’s websites and platform were blocked by the authorities just two days before the February 1 lottery draw, after it had filed a lawsuit in June last year to close Kong Salak Plus and 14 other platforms permanently.

In its decision to issue an injunction, the court reasoned that after the ministry filed a lawsuit for the platform’s closure, Kong Salak Plus still sold overpriced lottery tickets and still failed to block buyers younger than 20 years old.

The court also said that Kong Salak Plus continued advertising via various media, despite the lawsuit, and preferred to pay fines instead.

“Kong Salak Plus is ordered to stop spreading any information via the websites and its mobile platform until a new order is issued,” the court said.

On January 31, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) filed charges against Kong Salak Plus’s CEO Panthawat Nakwisut after they found a cashier’s cheque for 53 million baht allegedly given to him by a suspect in an online gambling case.

The crackdown on the popular lottery platform intensified early last month and involved state agencies like the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Revenue Department, and the DSI.

Kong Salak Plus faces various allegations, such as money laundering, selling overpriced lottery tickets, and involvement with online gambling and illegal businesses.

Related stories:

DSI oversees closure of online lottery platform before lucky numbers are drawn

DSI questions 39 transfers worth over THB1 billion to Kong Salak Plus owner’s account

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024711

More than 3,600 boxers gather on Muay Thai Day, setting ‘wai khru’ Guinness record

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2023

A mass Muay Thai ceremony in Prachuap Khiri Khan province brought together 3,660 boxers on Muay Thai Day (February 6), beating the Guinness World Record for the biggest “Wai Kru” event, a pre-fight dance showing respect to teachers, parents, and ancestors.

Present at the “Amazing MuayThai Festival 2023 ceremony” was well-known Muay Thai boxer Sombat Banchamek (widely known as Buakaw Banchamek), the president of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Mauricio Sulaiman, and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Sulaiman told Prayut that the WBC would collaborate with Thailand to maintain the status of authentic Muay Thai on the global stage.

Muay Thai, Wai Kru, Guiness Record, Thailand

Muay Thai, Wai Kru, Guiness Record, Thailand

Meanwhile, Buakaw expressed his pride in Muay Thai having performed on an international level, saying that the Thai martial art, as a cultural heritage, has brought about unity amongst citizens.

Muay Thai, Wai Kru, Guiness Record, Thailand

Muay Thai, Wai Kru, Guiness Record, Thailand

Amazing Muay Thai Festival 2023 includes several activities, namely a Muay Thai demonstration, merit-making ceremony, Muay Thai exhibitions, as well as food exhibitions and concerts.

Muay Thai, Wai Kru, Guiness Record, Thailand

Muay Thai, Wai Kru, Guiness Record, Thailand

Related Stories: 

• Grand ritual honours father of Thai martial art in Ayutthaya to celebrate Muay Thai Day
• Thai champ unfazed by Cambodian move to replace Muay Thai with local martial art
• Muay Thai will always belong to Thailand, proclaims Prayut 

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024707

BMA launches ‘After School’ project to engage young Bangkokians

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2023

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s After School scheme promotes education with a learner-centric approach via volunteer teaching staff.

Volunteer teaching staff have been recruited to teach students subjects they are interested in.

“Teachers need to stimulate children, so they can find their passion and discover what they want to be in the future,” Dr Wanthanee Watthana, BMA deputy permanent secretary, said.

She visited the Wat Pracha Sattha Tham School in Bang Sue district on Tuesday to see how the After School project was working.

The school has 161 students from kindergarten to Grade 6, and the After School project targets Grade 5 and 6 students via specialised classes every Monday from 3pm to 5pm. The classes are conducted in Thai.

“BMA aims to have all schools in the city provide language classes in English, Chinese and Thai as well as computer coding as part of the project,” Wanthanee said.

“Coding will help children develop their thought process systematically and improve their problem-solving skills.”

She added that students with IT skills can grow up to be programmers – a profession that is high in demand in the current market dominated by the digital industry. The three languages, meanwhile, can also prove to be useful in several occupations.

“Schools, nowadays, must evolve from being just educational institutes to become places that provide lifelong learning. Meanwhile, programmes like After School or Saturday School aim to use existing resources to the fullest,” she said.

“Parents are also encouraged to infuse self-learning among children so they can explore their interests during their free time to strengthen their foundation.

“Another valid approach is providing vocational training to children, especially in subjects that can be adapted to daily life,” she added.

“The BMA wants to thank all volunteers who have donated their time and effort into building the future of young children in the city.”

Related Stories

Fear of copycat shooting sparks tighter security measures at Bangkok schools

Bangkok governor issues 9 measures to make schools ganja-hemp-free zones

No classes at BMA schools day after Bangkok elections

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024705

Malaysian PM arrives in Thailand on Thursday to discuss bilateral trade ties

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2023

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, are arriving in Thailand on Thursday for a two-day trip to boost border trade cooperation.

Anwar is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday to discuss the promotion of trade, investment as well as connectivity between Thailand’s five southern-most provinces and Malaysia’s four northern provinces.

Both countries are hoping to boost trade and reduce barriers to attain a bilateral trade target of US$30 billion (over 1 trillion baht) by 2025.

The aim is to also build support for new sectors like the digital economy and green technology as well as boost potential industries like rubber and halal food.

The two premiers are also expected to exchange views on current global and regional issues to help foster both economies in the fallout of the pandemic.

Anwar took the oath of office as Malaysia’s 10th premier on November 24, 2022.

Related Stories: 

• PM Anwar promises to work for free until Malaysia recovers
• Laos agrees to expedite reopening of border checkpoints between Vientiane and Nong Khai
• Train travel to and from Malaysia resumes after tracks damaged by blast repaired

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024701

TBJA, TJA demand withdrawal of new media ethics bill from parliamentary deliberation

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2023

The Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (TBJA) on Monday demanded the withdrawal of the new media ethics bill from deliberations by MPs and senators on Tuesday, fearing it would provide legal tools to control or gag the media if enacted.

The TBJA issued a statement to voice strong opposition to the deliberations on the “bill to promote media ethics and set media professionalism standards” by the House and Senate at a special joint sitting on Tuesday and demanded its withdrawal.

The call for the withdrawal of the bill from the parliamentary deliberation was also made by the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) on Monday.

The TBJA said in the statement that the deliberations were done without hearing opinions from all sectors, especially professionals from different types of media.

The TBJA noted that the 49-section bill seeks to set up a new media profession council to become the legal registrar of media professionals and to rule whether their acts or reports violate media ethics.

The TBJA said the bill failed to take into account that all other professions can join the media profession. The TBJA fears that the bill could provide tools for restricting the rights and freedom to perform as media professionals.

In the statement, the TBJA noted that during the past decades, the military and the politicians who seized power, have been trying to control the media by trying to enact over five bills, including the latest bill.

The TBJA explained that it was against the new media ethics bill because the bill would empower a group of persons, who would come from a selection process, to control and supervise the exercise of media freedom that would in turn affect the people’s free access to information.

“Such an idea runs against the global trend and the changes in the media landscape at present as a result of which the state can no longer restrict people’s channels of communications,” the statement said.

The TBJA said the establishment of a new media council reflects an obsolete attitude of using the law to restrict the freedom of people and the media, also wasting resources from the national budget.

The TBJA alleged that the bill did not intend to protect freedom of the press.

It also feared that the selection process of members of the new media council would be done with nepotism, which would allow people with connections to be selected to the council to protect those in power.

The TBJA noted that the untrustworthy selection process of members of the new media council would increase the risk of persons in power using the new media law to control or interfere in journalistic work in the future.

The TBJA said the claims that the bill would guarantee press freedom were only a smokescreen.

The new law was not necessary at all because media professionals already have to work under the provisions of over 30 pieces of law, including the Criminal Code, the Civil Code and other laws, the TBJA said.

Last year, two other major media professional organisations – the TJA and the Press Council of Thailand (PCT) – said that they were no longer opposed to the bill. The TJA and PCT said the bill modified by the Public Relations Department and the Office of the Council of State over a year had met most of their demands.

The TBJA has put forth four major points why it could not accept the new bill:

● The bill would allow state media to give priority to the goals and missions of their agencies over press freedom and freedom of expression in line with media ethics.

● The new media profession council, which will be the media registrar, will be redundant as several media organisations already exist.

Although the new council will be eligible for 25-million-baht funding from the Thai Media Fund, which is under the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the Office is already required to provide financial support to existing media organisations without the need to create a new one.

● The media profession committee will comprise five media representatives and five specialists, including the manager of the Thai Media Fund.

The committee will be in charge of registering media professionals or disqualifying them. But the committee is not directly linked to media professionals and the people, and its members would be picked by a selection committee.

● The bill states that those violating media ethics would be punished with a warning or shaming in public. Even without the new bill, such punishments are already stated in charters of existing media organisations.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024699

Death of Bangkok TV staffer at desk sparks labour abuse probe

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2023

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered a probe into the death of a Thai News Network (TNN) staffer over suspicions his fatal heart attack was caused by overwork.

The 44-year-old collapsed at his desk at the Thai News Network (TNN) building in Bangkok on Monday.

The victim, named only as Sarawut, worked as a senior manager in charge of programme schedules, according to an internal TNN memo. He had reportedly been working a high-pressure shift for many days without a break.

TNN is a subsidiary of telecoms giant True Corporation.

The Labour Protection Department is now investigating whether Sarawut’s employer gave him at least one day off work every week, as stipulated by law.

The department is also checking whether TNN forced him to work overtime against his will.

According to the law, an employee must not work more than 36 hours overtime per week.

Suchart also ordered the Labour Protection and Welfare Department and the Social Security Office to ensure the dead man’s family receive all due benefits.

Sarawut came under the jurisdiction of Social Security Bangkok Office 3.

If the office concludes his death was caused by work, his family will be eligible for a 50,000-baht funeral subsidy, monthly compensation of 70% of his salary for 10 years, and pension payments from the Social Security Office.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024697

Thailand deploying 20-member Urban Search & Rescue team to Turkey

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2023

Thailand will deploy a 20-member Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team to the disaster zone of major earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Tuesday that 20 fully equipped members of USAR Thailand are on standby and will depart as soon as they get the green light from Turkish authorities.

USAR Thailand team members are trained experts with experience in search and rescue operations in large-scale disasters at both national and international levels.

A magnitude 7.8 quake hit Karamanmaras province near the Turkey-Syria border, about 600 kilometres east of the Turkish capital Ankara, at 4.17am local time (8.17am Thai time) on Monday.

The pre-dawn quake collapsed buildings and rippled around the Mediterranean rim through Cyprus and Lebanon. It was followed in the early afternoon by another large magnitude 7.7 earthquake centred on Gaziantep province, Turkey’s industrial hub.

The death toll from the two quakes had surpassed 4,300 as of 9am Thai time on Tuesday. Turkish authorities were reporting 2,921 fatalities and Syria had recorded 1,444, bringing the total to 4,365 deaths.

The United Nations humanitarian agency said on Tuesday that 78 aftershocks have been reported as over 1,150 rescuers comb more than 2,800 collapsed buildings for signs of survivors.

There were no initial reports of Thais injured or killed in the earthquakes, which struck several hundred kilometres away from Thai communities in Istanbul and Ankara.

The Thai Foreign Ministry said Thais affected by the disaster can contact the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara for help at +90 (533) 641 5698 and facebook.com/rteankara/.

Related Stories

No Thais reported killed in Turkey-Syria quakes as death toll soars over 4,300

Major earthquake kills 3,700 in Turkey and Syria, weather hits survivors

Powerful Earthquake Kills More Than 1400 in Turkey and Syria

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024686

Thailand ready to welcome Chinese tourists to their ‘dream destination’

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023

Thailand is every Chinese traveller’s dream destination, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched the “Two Lands, One Heart” travel promotion to welcome them.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Monday that in a bid to achieve its target of attracting at least 5 million Chinese visitors this year, TAT is planning to increase the frequency of flights, as well as promote packages via the China-Laos Railway, the Mekong River and the 1,240-kilometre road linking Thailand, Laos and China, he said.

Anucha added that TAT will also host an expo this month to give Thai and Chinese tour operators an opportunity to link up.

Meanwhile, the 16th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in Bangkok in June is expected to attract 3,000 businessmen from China. It should generate more than a billion baht in revenue and offer Thailand more trade and investment opportunities.

“Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is delighted that Thailand’s tourism sector is bouncing back and is thankful to all concerned agencies,” Anucha said.

He added that in 2019, before Covid-19 hobbled the travel industry, Thailand saw more than 11 million Chinese visitors generating about 531 billion baht in revenue.

Related Stories: 

• Grand welcome, souvenirs for Thailand’s first Chinese tour groups
• Bangkok’s New Chinatown bustling again as Chinese tourists return
• Chinese package tours allowed to land in Thailand, 19 other nations from Feb 6

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024682

110 Thai immigration police officers in the dock over bogus visas

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023

The Royal Thai Police will deal with 110 immigration officers who have helped foreigners, including Chinese criminals, to stay illegally in Thailand.

Deputy National Police chief Pol General Surachate Hakparn said on Monday that he will soon report this issue to his boss, National Police chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas.

The 110 immigration officers are in trouble for allegedly helping foreigners by issuing student and other incorrect visas for them, he said. He also alleged that the suspects forged provincial governors’ signatures and falsely used photographs of migrant workers.

“These actions are a violation of the Criminal Code’s Section 157 for carrying out nonfeasance and Section 149 for demanding bribes,” he said.

He said the questionable visas were mostly granted in the North and Northeast from 2020 to 2022.

He added that even though there is no immediate evidence linking the current Immigration Bureau chief to this case, a very thorough investigation will still be launched.

Surachate also said that 110 errant officers out of a force of 20,000 is still very low. However, he said, the suspects include both high and low-ranking police officers including three police generals.

A nationwide investigation was launched in November after former massage parlour tycoon-cum-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit provided information on alleged Chinese triads operating in Thailand.

The tip-off quickly led to an arrest warrant being issued for alleged triad kingpin Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant, a Chinese national who gained citizenship by marrying a senior Thai police officer.

Related stories:

Cops nab final suspect in snake-show arson linked to triads

DSI dissolves elite unit over bribery scandal involving suspected triad

Military official alleged to have demanded THB20m to release triad suspects

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024683

Four police officers transferred as ads offering VIP services for Chinese tourists reappear

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023

Two traffic and two tourist police officers have been transferred after a Facebook post offering Chinese tourists special privileges were seen again.

According to Shoot2China‘s Facebook post on Sunday, the special service spared Chinese tourists the hassle of standing in queues at airports in Thailand, took care of document procedure through the Thai immigration checkpoint and included a “lookalike” police lead car.

These packages are being sold all over the Chinese website Taobao, it added.

“VIP services are available at airports in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai as usual,” the page said.

Earlier, a viral clip showed a female Chinese tourist reviewing paid privileges on skipping the immigration queue and footage of having a police car lead her to the hotel.

Previous reports of such VIP services had drawn the public ire and even Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had weighed in, calling for punishment for the guilty as per the law.