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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024149

DSI dissolves elite unit over bribery scandal involving suspected triad

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Thursday dissolved its intelligence operational unit following revelations that several of its officers demanded bribes from suspected members of a Chinese triad to allow them to evade justice, the DSI announced on Thursday.

The announcement follows the release of CCTV footage that shows officers of the elite unit demanding bribes from suspects during a raid of a residence in Bangkok’s Sathorn district on Monday.

The residence had been rented by the consulate of Nauru but was sheltering Chinese criminals, police said.

The raid was a joint operation between officers from the DSI and the Armed Forces Security Centre. Eleven Chinese nationals were reportedly detained in the raid.

All were later released.

On Wednesday, the Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for five DSI officers for allegedly demanding 20 million baht from the suspected triad members in exchange for letting them go.

DSI acting chief Pol Maj Gen Suriya Singhakamol said on Thursday that apart from scrapping the intelligence unit, the DSI had established a disciplinary panel to investigate the five officers. They have been suspended, he said.

Suriya dissolved the unit just one day after he was put in charge of the DSI.

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin on Wednesday shocked the country by swapping the chiefs of the DSI and the Central Institute of Forensic Science. DSI director-general Trairit Temahiwong became acting director of the institute, replacing Suriya, who became acting DSI chief.

Trairit told Nation Thailand that he had personally asked to be transferred following a series of accusations of corruption against DSI officers.

On Tuesday, the Royal Thai Armed Forces launched its own investigation into officers from the Armed Forces Security Centre who participated in the raid on Monday.

Related Stories

Stung by recent scandals, DSI chief transferred at his ‘own suggestion’

Military official alleged to have demanded THB20m to release triad suspects

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024147

Government to keep a close eye on food prices before Chinese New Year

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

State agencies will closely monitor prices of foods and products in the countdown to Chinese New Year to prevent unfair price hikes, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Thursday.

Anucha said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered related agencies to survey the markets to prevent sellers from taking advantage of consumers during the Lunar New Year festival which started on Sunday.

Anucha added that on Tuesday the Commerce Ministry launched the “Special Discounts for the Year of the Rabbit” campaign, under which participating manufacturers sell specially priced foods and consumer products at over 4,600 retail shops, discount stores and fresh markets nationwide. The campaign aims to help reduce people’s cost of living and will run until Friday.

Products under the campaign include items offered at ceremonies to commemorate the spirits on Lunar New Year. They include boiled whole chicken at the low price of 125 baht/kg, fresh chicken at 65 baht/kg, and offering sets comprising fake money and incense sticks for the spirits starting at 99 baht.

On Lunar New Year, people of Chinese descent in Thailand offer foods at the shrine to the spirits and their ancestors. The food offering traditionally includes a boiled whole chicken or duck and a pig head, along with various desserts and fruits. Most households also light a belt of firecrackers to call the spirits from the other world to accept the offerings, and then burn the fake money so their ancestors can spend in their afterlife.

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Chinese tourists return to Chiang Mai just in time for Lunar New Year

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024145

Driver claims he dozed off seconds before freak accident

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

A driver claimed to have fallen asleep at the wheel after being rescued from his sedan following a freak accident on the Si Rat Expressway at about 4pm yesterday.

Atthapol Yolsophon sustained minor injuries when the sedan he was driving jumped the barrier wall of an off-ramp to Rama lV Road and crashed into the side of the expressway.

The rear of his vehicle was perched atop the off-ramp’s restraining barrier and the front smashed into the expressway.

Atthapol told police that he dozed off seconds after turning into the off-ramp, said Maj Thanida Mankatanyu, an inspector of expressways at the police command centre.

The space between the off-ramp and the expressway was so narrow where the crash occurred that the vehicle did not fall into the area below.

Thanida said Atthapol was rushed to a nearby hospital.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident, Thanida said.

Police had to use a crane to remove the car from its perch atop the off-ramp barrier wall.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024144

Police nab two Excise officials in kidnap sting operation

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023

Two Excise Department officials have been arrested for allegedly trying to extort 300,000 baht from a mobile phone shop in Samut Prakan province.

Police nabbed the officials during a sting operation on Wednesday afternoon after Wu Yiwen, the owner of a mobile phone shop in Soi Uthong 37/2, lodged a complaint.

Wu said a group of seven men claiming to be from Excise Department had raided his shop in search of contraband goods earlier on Wednesday. They detained the shop manager and a Myanmar staffer and took them away in a pickup truck.

The group then called Wu and demanded 300,000 baht cash in exchange for letting the employees go. Wu managed to negotiate the price down to 50,000 baht.

Police then staged a sting operation by having Wu tell the group to meet him at a filling station on Sukhumvit Road in Pak Nam, where he would give them the money.

Three members of the group showed up in the pickup truck, with the shop manager and staffer in the passenger seats. Police then emerged from hiding, stopped the vehicle and arrested the three men. Two were later identified as officials of the Audit, Prevention and Suppression Bureau, under the Excise Department, while the other suspect is a civilian.

Police also found two vests with the Excise Department logo in the vehicle.

Investigators are interrogating the suspects for information to track down the rest of the gang.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024131

Deadly ‘baby crystal’ beads still banned, watchdog warns

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

Following an incident in which a toddler nearly died after swallowing a water-absorbing “baby crystal” bead, the Consumer Protection Board on Wednesday warned all retailers that they risk up to three years in prison for selling the banned products.

The beads, which expand in size in water, have been banned since 1984 because they are dangerous, the watchdog announced on its Facebook page.

It said this after Facebook user “Kat Kattaleeya” wrote on the platform that her toddler almost died after swallowing a single bead.

Kat said she took her toddler to a hospital after he could not stop vomiting.

A CT scan found that a bead was lodged in his intestine, and that it had swelled in size.

Emergency surgery was performed to remove the bead and save the boy’s life, the mother wrote while her son remained in intensive care.

She said she bought the beads for her six-year-old daughter to use to decorate trees. One of the beads may have fallen to the floor where her toddler found it and swallowed it, she said. Once inside his intestine, it absorbed water and swelled in size to more than 3 centimetres in width.

If she had waited a few more hours before taking her son to the hospital, he would likely have died, she said.

The colourful beads are made of polyacrylamide and vinyl acetate ethylene co-polymer.

Any vendor who sells them in Thailand faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 600,000 baht, the Consumer Protection Board reiterated.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024124

Stung by recent scandals, DSI chief transferred at his ‘own suggestion’

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin on Wednesday swapped the chiefs of two key agencies — the Department of Special Investigation and the Central Institute of Forensic Science.

In a sudden transfer order dated Wednesday, Somsak moved DSI director-general Trairit Temahiwong to acting director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science in place of Suriya Singhakamol, who took over as acting DSI chief.

The minister’s order stated that the reason for the transfer was “for the sake of good order and efficiency of work at the Department of Special Investigation and Central Institute of Forensic Science”.

The transfer took immediate effect.

Trairit had been appointed DSI chief on October 1, 2021.

Trairit told The Nation after the transfer order that he had himself asked for the move following a series of accusations of corruption against DSI officials.

He said he directly reported to the team of aides of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and suggested that he would like to be removed from his post to pave the way for the ongoing investigations against DSI officials.

Trairit said he had been holding the post for over a year and it was enough for him.

He said he had tried his best during the past year to make DSI officials, who were transferred from several agencies, to work with integrity.

He said his achievements included helping the government reclaim 178 rai (nearly 28.5 hectares) of land worth 50 billion baht in Phuket from a tycoon who had got it unlawfully and also reclaimed 300 rai (48 hectares) of watershed forests in Nan province.

In the latest scandal that has cast a shadow over the department, senior DSI officials were accused of demanding bribes from Chinese tycoons who were carrying out unlawful businesses in Thailand.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024118

Navy continues search for 5 missing Sukhothai crew

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

The Royal Thai Navy is continuing its search for the last five missing crew of the HTMS Sukhothai, one month after the vessel sank in the Gulf of Thailand.

The corvette-class ship 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.

Seventy-six members of the crew were rescued and brought safely to shore, while 24 sailors have been declared dead and five remain missing.

No bodies have been found since December 29.

Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet said on Wednesday that navy ships and divers were still scouring the sea and coastal areas of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon provinces for traces of the missing crew.

The list of the 24 sailors who lost their lives in the tragedy will be included in the ceremony for Thai Navy Memorial Day on January 17 next year.

The 24 deceased personnel who have been identified via DNA testing are:

1. Lieutenant Samart Kaewphaleuk

2. Chief Petty Officer First Class Atcha Kaewsuphan

3. Chief Petty Officer First Class Somkiat Maichob

4. Chief Petty Officer First Class Amnart Phimthee

5. Petty Officer First Class Jakkaphong Phoonphon

6. Petty Officer First Class Boonlert Thongthip

7. Petty Officer First Class Chuchai Cherdchid

8. Petty Officer Second Class Thawatchai Saphirat

9. Petty Officer Second Class Saharat E-sa

10. Petty Officer Third Class Sathanporn Somnua

11. Petty Officer Third Class Nopphanat Khamwong

12. Petty Officer Third Class Supphakit Thiwalai

13. Petty Officer Third Class Sarawut Nadee

14. Petty Officer Third Class Sirithiti Ngamthong

15. Seaman Akkradet Phobat

16. Seaman Jirawat Thoop-hom

17. Seaman Sitthiphong Hongthong

18. Seaman Woraphong Boonlakhon

19. Seaman Preecha Raksaphakdi

20. Seaman Jamlong Saenkae

21. Chief Petty Officer First Class Khunakorn Jariyot

22. Seaman Chalat Oythong

23. Petty Officer First Class Prai Ruamyat

24. Lieutenant Commander Pholrat Sirodom

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#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024117

Death toll in tanker blast rises to 5 with 3 still missing

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

Three more bodies were plucked from the water on Wednesday after explosions ripped through an oil tanker during welding maintenance at a dockyard in Samut Songkhram on Tuesday.

The three victims, all from Myanmar, raised the number of confirmed deaths in the blasts to five. Three more workers were still listed as missing as of press time on Wednesday.

The Smooth Sea 22 tanker arrived at the dockyard for maintenance on January 12 and informed dockyard authorities that it was still carrying residual bunker oil and diesel oil.

It exploded during welding work at about 9am on Tuesday.

Those killed and injured in the blasts were all dockworkers.

All 17 crew members from the tanker are safe and accounted for.

The three missing workers were identified as Wichian Boonlert, a Thai national, and two Myanmar workers named only as Zoul and Tila.

Rescuers found two victims, one Myanmar worker and one unidentified, from the explosions on Tuesday before resuming their search on Wednesday.

Bodies of three Myanmar workers were retrieved from the water between 9am and 11am on Wednesday. The victims were named as Winbo, Dungae and Sawmin. Myanmar nationals often go by only one name.

Rescue officials also found a right ankle floating near the tanker but have yet to identify which body it belonged to.

Cholthee Laohakamwanit, head of the rescue operation, said rescuers had searched the hull of the tanker but found no survivors or bodies inside. Scuba divers joined the search on Wednesday, he added.

Samut Songkram governor Somnuek Promkhiew has ordered the Tambon Ban Khiew Administrative Organisation to set up a command centre to coordinate the search operation and to receive complaints from locals whose houses were damaged by the blast.

Among residents who reported damage to their homes were Samran Nutrat, 68, and Wasukree Duangkamnerd, 48.

Samran said he was sitting in his living room when he heard two huge explosions that brought down his ceiling and shattered the window.

Wasukree said he lost his one-year-old American Bulldog to the blasts, which also shattered his windows, cracked his walls and brought down ceiling lights.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024097

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) claims 39 transfers worth 1.09 billion baht from “grey businesses” were made to the bank account of the Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform.

DSI director-general Trairit Temahiwong said on Tuesday that the agency has uncovered more than 39 transfers made to the bank account of the Kong Salak Plus CEO Phanthawat Nakwisut’s bank account, and believes the money came from allegedly illegal businesses.

Trairit said Phanthawat will have to explain where the 1.09 billion baht came from within this month, as well as reveal the source of the suspicious 53 million baht transferred to his account earlier.

The DSI chief said the department has decided to investigate Phanthawat for money laundering.

On January 13, Phanthawat was summoned by DSI to testify on the 53 million baht, Trairit said. He added that the CEO answered the summons and asked for time to gather evidence to defend himself within this month.

Trairit said investigators have found that the 53 million baht came from two persons called “Mr Or” and “Mr Thor”, who were allegedly engaged in illegal businesses and may have transferred the money for laundering purposes.

He added that the DSI has strong evidence to substantiate money laundering cases against Phanthawat. He said DSI has been exchanging information with the police and other government agencies that raided the Kong Salak Plus head office on Monday.

Unfazed by the raid on Monday, Phanthawat announced that he is setting up a political party called “Plian” (Change), whose main job will be solving the problem of overpriced lottery tickets.

The party is awaiting the Election Commission’s approval.

Related stories:

Kong Salak Plus CEO sets up political party to ‘change’ Thailand’s lottery scene

Govt tells MCOT to reconsider ads of controversial online lottery ticket platform

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024096

2 Bangkok expressways to be charging less until year-end

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023

Motorists will continue getting discounts at the Rama IX-1 and At Narong 1 (Bang Na) tollways until the end of this year, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) said.

“This will help motorists and reduce their expenses,” EXAT said in a statement on Tuesday.

The discount is applicable for motorists paying the toll in cash at Rama IX-1 until June 30, after which it will only be offered to users of the Easy Pass electronic toll collection system.

EXAT has also advised motorists whose Easy Pass has expired to renew it for free at all expressway toll plazas nationwide.

Easy Pass users can update their information via the EXAT Portal smartphone app or via www.thaieasypass.com.

The toll discounts at the two expressways are as follows:

Rama IX-1 toll plaza

• 4-wheelers: 30 baht (from 40 baht)

• 6 to 10-wheelers: 50 baht (from 60 baht)

• More than 10 wheels: 70 baht (from 80 baht)

At Narong 1 (Bang Na) toll plaza

• 4-wheelers: 25 baht (from 50 baht)

• 6 to 10-wheelers: 50 baht (from 75 baht)

• More than 10 wheels: 85 baht (from 110 baht)

The first phase of toll discounts ran from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.

Related stories:

• EXAT invites bids for building expressway that would improve access to Patong Beach in Phuket
• Main expressways will be toll-free for two upcoming holidays
• EXAT seeks THB110 billion to build 5 new expressways