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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024323

Chuwit’s cryptic allegation draws swift response from lottery CEO

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

Whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit on Wednesday suggested that people linked to alleged online gambling boss Pannarong Khunpitak will soon be prosecuted, notably those suspected of helping him launder money.

Police are closing in on the network of Pannarong, also known as “Eddy”, who has allegedly operated an online gambling network for customers in Thailand and neighboring countries for several years, Chuwit wrote on Facebook.

Chuwit, a former massage parlour tycoon and politician, said an associate of Pannarong – whose nickname begins with the letter “n” – had been helping him launder money by selling lottery tickets.

Pannarong used the laundered money to buy three hotels in Tachileik, Myanmar, six houses in Poipet, Cambodia, a hotel in Nakhon Si Thammarat worth 200 million baht, and another in England worth 9 billion baht, Chuwit said.

After the post went viral, the CEO of Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform, Phantawat Nakwisut – whose nickname is “Not” – replied on Facebook.

“Let’s see how the truth turns out. If it turns out that I’m not the money launderer, then Mr. Chuwit should help me clear my name. I’m in a lot of trouble lately because of others’ allegations.” he wrote.

In December, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a probe into Kong Salak Plus after it posted sales of 18 billion baht last year. Earlier this month, Phantawat was summoned by the Department of Special Investigation over allegations his company received millions of baht from a money-laundering gang. Phantawat answered the summons. No charges have been filed against him or his company.

Police say Pannarong fled Thailand after authorities seized 1.8 billion baht of assets belonging to the network Myanmar drug lord Tun Min Latt last November.

Pannarong and another Thai national, Kallayawee Thiraprapawong, are suspected to be business associates of the Myanmar drug lord.

Related Stories

CEO of Kong Salak Plus Lottery faces money-laundering probe

PM orders probe of Kong Salak Plus lottery after owner boasts THB18bn sales

Whistleblower Chuwit reassured after talk with PM Prayut on triad case

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024322

Bangkok’s new central station derailed by diesel smoke, car damage and typos

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has vowed improvements at Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal after numerous complaints from passengers.

The agency admitted “many issues” had arisen at the new 34-billion-baht national terminus in Chatuchak district after it became the hub for long-distance trains running North, Northeast and South last week.

“SRT governor Nirut Maneepan has ordered its officials to improve services in response to passengers’ complaints as soon as possible,” SRT public relations director Ekarat Sriarayanpong said on Tuesday.

Delays caused by damage to carriages would be solved as soon as possible by procuring new carriages, he said.

He said staffing levels would be beefed up to ensure timely information is conveyed over loudspeakers and in person to passengers.

He also apologised for confusion caused by misspelling of destinations.

“Regarding typos on trains’ destination signs that went viral on social media, the SRT would like to apologise for this failure,” he said.

The signs should be corrected this week, he added.

Meanwhile, air purifiers have been installed to solve the problem of smoke pollution on second-floor platforms caused by diesel trains.

He added that the SRT plans to use electric locomotives to tackle the pollution issue in the long term.

Related stories:

Krung Thep Aphiwat: All aboard the ‘smart’ future of Thai rail travel

Krung Thep Aphiwat begins first full day as Thailand’s rail hub

Free shuttle buses to start linking Bangkok’s two main train stations from Thursday

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024321

Phuket blasts Covid gloom with 2.6-billion-baht Chinese New Year weekend

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

More than 158,000 Thai and foreign tourists visited Phuket over the Chinese New Year last weekend (January 21-22), generating 2.6 billion baht in revenue after three years of Covid devastation.

The island’s Old Town was bustling with visitors from Europe, Russia and China who came to take photos of the heritage Sino-Portuguese shophouses and purchase souvenirs. Thai tourists arriving for the weekend added to the crowds, filling streets that were deserted a year ago with holidaymakers. Locals on the tourism-dependent island were in a festive mood, driving out the Covid gloom with fireworks and crackers to welcome the Year of the Rabbit.

Phuket is home to a large Chinese-Thai community with unique traditions rooted in history.

Travel restrictions in China were lifted on January 8, just in time for Chinese travellers to book Lunar New Year holidays in the southern province.

Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) director for Phuket, confirmed accommodation and attractions on the island were doing brisk business.

“Phuket’s hotel occupancy rate on January 21-22 was 71.96%,” she said, adding that Phuket Airport saw 121 flights over the weekend.

The province’s local Chinese New Year festival continues this weekend, while traditional lanterns will light up the Old Town and Limelight Avenue mall until February 5.

Related stories:

Foreign entities among eight firms interested so far in bidding for Patong expressway project

Catamaran lost in Phuket found adrift near Indonesia

Fugitive wanted by FBI for stock fraud arrested in Phuket

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024315

Cross-country motorways, Koh Lanta bridge on Thailand’s THB31bn road menu

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

Thailand will spend 30.95 billion baht on building roads this year, including interprovincial highways (motorways), expressways, and missing links, according to the government.

About 11.2 billion baht of this investment will come from state budget, while 19.75 billion baht will come from other sources, government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul said on Tuesday.

She added that the construction of the M6 motorway (Bang Pa-In to Nakhon Ratchasima) is now 98% complete while the M81 motorway (Bang Yai to Kanchanaburi) is 85% complete. Both motorways should be ready for public use in 2025.

The Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Bangkok Outer Ring Expressway, which will increase traffic flow to the South, is now 45.25% complete, while the M82 motorway (Bang Khun Tian-Ekachai-Ban Phaeo) is 77.22% complete. Both projects are also expected to open for traffic in 2025.

Two transport projects are expected to finish next year, namely the fifth Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan-Bolikhamxai), and the road connecting the Aircraft Repair Station and the third Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge in Nakhon Phanom.

Two missing link projects were approved by the Cabinet in 2022 and will start this year. They are the Songkhla Lake Bridge to connect Songkhla and Phatthalung, and the Koh Lanta Bridge to link Koh Lanta Klang and Koh Lanta Noi in the Andaman Sea.

The projects will aid people’s transport, promote tourism, and boost economies at the regional level, Trisulee said.

Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul has tasked the Transport Ministry with ensuring that these transport mega projects finish within deadlines, she added.

Related Stories

Senior Transport Ministry official nominated as new EEC secretary-general

Transport Ministry launches joint electric bus-boat card for Bangkok commuters

Transport Ministry to investigate SRT’s expensive signboard project

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024313

Sustainable development is main focus of Thai Children’s Day event at UNESCAP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

On January 23, Eksiri Pintaruchi, Director-General of Department of International Organizations, together with Gita Sabharwal, Resident Coordinator for Thailand, and Atchara Seriputra, Vice President of the United Nations Association of Thailand (UNAT) delivered the opening remarks at the Thai Children’s Day event organized at the United Nations Conference Centre under the theme “Youth and Sustainable Development”.

Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok also attended the event and gave a keynote speech on the same topic.

In her opening remarks, Eksiri emphasised the important role of youth in promoting sustainable development and accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted that SDGs are closely linked to the daily lives of youth in various dimensions and encouraged young people to be involved in Thailand’s implementation of SDGs, especially during the Decade of Action where the international community must achieve these Goals by 2030. 

Eksiri also commented on one of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ initiatives to promote youth participation in multilateral diplomacy by selecting representatives of the Thai youth to join Thailand’s official delegation at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Sabharwal reaffirmed the commitments of the 21 agencies of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in working closely with the Royal Thai Government. She also added that the initial idea for today’s event came directly from young people she met last year. She commended Thailand’s efforts in promoting sustainable development and achieving SDGs through its home-grown approaches including the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) and the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG).

During his keynote remarks, the Deputy Bangkok Governor highlighted the importance of youth as the future of cities and bearers of their own future. In this regard, he mentioned numerous initiatives by the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) to support the city in achieving SDGs as well as empowering and building capacity for the children and youth of Bangkok. These initiatives include, for example, fostering equitable access to education and creating space for youth to express themselves.

In addition, Munithorn Wattanayakorn and Pinda Wiriyapongsri, Thai youth delegates at the UNGA73 (2018) and UNGA77 (2022) shared their experience of representing Thai youth at the UN General Assembly in New York. They also exchanged views with the students on the role of youth in promoting sustainable development and SDGs.

The Thai Children’s Day event at UNESCAP is a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority and the United Nations Association of Thailand. The event was well-attended by over 150 students and teachers from 11 middle and high schools under the BMA. Many UN agencies also took part in organizing activity booths, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024309

Cabinet approves THB7.5 billion budget for four more months of power subsidy

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a budget of 7.5 billion baht as subsidy for household use of electricity for four more months.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the subsidy would be given to household users of electricity from January to April.

A household must not use more than 300 units of electricity to be eligible for the subsidy, he added.

The subsidy will be granted to users of electricity from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Provincial Electricity Authority. Families under welfare of the Royal Thai Navy will also be eligible.

Anucha said the subsidy would be provided in two rates:

– A subsidy of 92.04 satang per unit will be given (100 satang equals one baht) to those using no more than 150 units.

– A subsidy of 67.04 satang per unit will be given to those who use more than 150 units but not more than 300 units.

The spokesman said the government expected 19.66 million families to avail of the subsidy at a total cost of about 1.868 billion baht per month.

He said so far, the Cabinet had provided total subsidy of 18.353 billion baht for electricity use to households.

On April 19 last year, the Cabinet had approved a budget of 1.724 billion baht to provide subsidy for power use from May to August and on September 13, another 9.128 billion baht was approved for subsidising power bills from September to December, Anucha said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024308

Surachate to wrap up probe against 80 immigration police on Monday

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023

Investigation into the case of 80 immigration police officers helping some 5,000 Chinese triad criminal gangs stay illegally in Thailand should be completed by the end of this month.

Deputy National Police chief General Surachate Hakparn said on Tuesday that the case should be wrapped up by next Monday and handed over to the top inspector general to take disciplinary action. He added that all 80 officers have been summoned to testify and that he will meet the investigation team next Monday to wrap up the case. He said the investigation is more than 90% complete.

Surachate, who is also known as Big Joke, led the Immigration Bureau until 2019 before he was suddenly transferred to the civilian post of adviser at the PM’s Office. He was reinstated to the police force in March 2021.

Last week, Surachate said that the 80 suspects, including three generals who were his former classmates from the police academy, were summoned to hear charges. The charges included malfeasance and demanding bribes.

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 Thai citizenship by marrying a senior Thai police officer.

Surachate, who led the investigation, said officials were found to have issued student and other visas to some 3,000 Chinese nationals in the Northeast and more than 1,000 in the North from 2020-2021, allowing them to stay in Thailand and engage in illegal operations.

He confirmed on Tuesday that the three generals in question will face criminal charges for violating the Criminal Code’s Section 157 by carrying out nonfeasance and Section 149 for demanding bribes.

Once the three generals are formally charged, the investigation committee will inform the National Anti-Corruption Commission to launch a graft probe against them, he added.

He went on to say that the Immigration Bureau chief will oversee disciplinary action against the 80 officers, with no interference from the higher-ups, including the National Police chief.

Related stories:

Three generals among 80 immigration police charged in triad visa scam

27 Thai immigration police officers found to be aiding Chinese triads

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024306

Songkran on Unesco list for consideration as intangible cultural heritage

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023

Unesco has included Songkran festival in a tentative list to be considered as Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage.

Thailand now has four items awaiting consideration at the end of this year — Khon, traditional Thai massage, Nora, and Songkran.

Intangible cultural heritage is considered by member states of Unesco in relation to the tangible World Heritage focusing on intangible aspects of culture.

In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation had made a survey among states and non-governmental organisations to try to agree on a definition. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was drafted in 2003 for its protection and promotion.

Thailand, under the Culture Ministry’s Department of Cultural Promotion, has determined seven categories of the country’s intangible cultural heritage to be submitted to Unesco every year.

The seven categories are: performing arts, craftsmanship, folk literature, sports, traditions, wisdom and languages.

Thailand also aims to propose many other items to Unesco, such as Muay Thai, Phi Ta Khon, rice topped with curry and mango sticky rice.

Related stories:

Cambodian martial art added to World Heritage List

Thailand, Singapore, two other nations to nominate kebaya for Unesco listing

Major glaciers, including Dolomites and Yosemite, to disappear by 2050 – UNESCO report

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024303

Covid jab campaign for foreign tourists expanding nationwide

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023

The Public Health Ministry on Tuesday asked provinces nationwide to open vaccination centres so foreign tourists can get affordable Covid-19 jabs.

Ministry permanent secretary Opas Karnkawinpong said the move is part of measures to contain Covid-19 as Thailand is a top destination for international travellers.

Vaccines procured by the government would be available at the centres, he added.

The move is expected to give Chinese tourists access to mRNA vaccines that are unavailable in their homeland.

Opas also confirmed that foreign residents such as businesspeople, workers and diplomats can still receive free vaccine jabs.

Health agencies have been told to ensure vaccine stocks are sufficient to cover the Thai population, he added.

A pilot project to vaccinate foreign tourists kicked off on January 18 with cooperation from several public health agencies, Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong said.

Foreign travellers can receive Covid jabs at Bang Rak Medical Centre and the Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention in Bangkok. He added that Covid vaccination is also available in tourism provinces such as Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket.

“Several agencies including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and medical schools have submitted requests to set up vaccination points for foreign tourists,” he said.

AstraZeneca and Pfizer jabs are priced at 800 baht and 1,000 baht, respectively.

He added that foreign tourists must pay a 380-baht medical service fee on top of the jab cost.

He also confirmed that Thailand has sufficient vaccine in stock to meet demand from Thais and foreigners.

Foreign tourists can currently get jabs at four hospitals in Bangkok – the Institute of Dermatology, Rajavithi Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital – and at Chiangmai Neurological Hospital, said Medical Services department chief Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn.

He added that the Institute of Dermatology and Rajavithi Hospital are the main vaccination points for foreign tourists as both are located near tourist hotels and have staff who are fluent in foreign languages.

“The department has laid on [hospital] public relations staff who are proficient in English and Chinese,” he said.

Thirty hospitals under the department nationwide have been asked to set up vaccination points for foreign visitors.

He added that the department’s vaccination programme for Thais was now focused on administering booster doses to protect against severe symptoms and death.

Related stories:

Tourism committee to decide next week on entry fee for foreign tourists

Thailand targets 80m foreign tourists per year – 10m more than population

No vax needed for Thai travel but China arrivals must have Covid insurance

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024300

Son admitted to hospital after punishment at boarding school, mother alleges

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023

A mother has alleged that her third-grader son was punished by a boarding school in Narathiwat province to do 300 squats until he became ill and had to be admitted to hospital.

The allegation was posted on a Facebook page “Yak Dung Diew Jud Hai” Part 5.2 (If you want fame, we’ll provide) on Monday.

The post alleged that the boy, who studied at a boarding school in Rue Soh district, was punished by an official in charge of the boarding house, who was not a teacher.

The post alleged that the boy was forced to do 300 squats on January 30 and he could not walk and suffered from kidney problem and could not urinate.

The name of the school and the boy were withheld.

The mother, Nimuranee, 33, filed a complaint with Rue Soh Police Station on Monday.

A relative of the family later commented on the post that the official in charge of the boarding house had admitted to forcing her son to do 300 squats.