Woman hit with THB6.6 million parking fee after leaving car for 2 hours
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
A woman who parked her car at a shopping mall in Nonthaburi was shocked to find a demand for 6.5 million baht in parking fees when she returned two hours later.
The motorist shared her ordeal via Facebook under her username, Popgoh Queen.
Her post contains a photo of the mall’s parking fee collection machine displaying the amount she owes as 6,574,590 baht.
A staff member manning the parking fee booth was no less astonished to see the whopping fee, and politely asked the woman to wait for a supervisor to clear things up.
According to her post, the woman arrived at the shopping mall at 9am and parked her car before returning at 11am.
A supervisor eventually turned up at the car park, checked the machine and diagnosed a glitch in the system.
The supervisor apologised and let her leave without paying a parking fee.
The poster said she would not be taking legal action against the mall as her ordeal had made a funny story to share on social media.
Royal Thai Navy gets custody of ‘HTMS Chang’, its new China-made warship
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) on Wednesday organised a ceremony to take custody of its new landing platform dock, “HTMS Chang”, from China.
Navy chief of staff Admiral Thaloengsak Sirisawat ceremony presided over the function at Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding in Shanghai.
Thailand’s third HTMS Chang replaces its second landing platform dock of the same name. The name of the warship is derived from an island in Trat province. The order was placed in September 2019.
The second HTMS Chang, also known as USS Lincoln County, was decommissioned in 2005, 43 years after the United States Navy transferred the ship to the Thai government on August 31, 1962.
The Thai Navy sank the second HTMS Chang at Hin Luk Bat diving site in Trat on November 28, 2012, under a project to recover marine resources there.
This move is also in line with the Navy’s 20-year strategy (2017-2036) to procure four landing platform docks to be used in operations, such as amphibious warfare, marine rescue and disaster relief.
“The Royal Thai Navy has to procure more landing platform docks in order to maximise operational efficiency,” it said.
The third HTMS Chang, 213 metres long and 28 metres at the beam, has maximum displacement of 20,003 tonnes and a speed of 25 knots. The ship can tolerate choppy seas and can accommodate 600 officers. Built at a cost of 6.1 billion baht, the ship will be commissioned at Royal Thai Fleet in Chonburi province.
Phuket officials tell PM they are ready to host expo in 2028
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
Executives and members of 19 local administrative organisations from Phuket on Thursday gathered at the province’s city hall in Muang district to submit a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha confirming the island province is ready to host the 2028 Specialised Expo.
The gathering was a response to a recent comment by Interior Ministry permanent secretary Suttipong Juljarern who said Phuket was not ready to host the international event and suggested the province withdraw its candidacy.
The letter was accepted by deputy governors Amnuay Pinsuwan and Anuphab Rodkwan, who promised to forward it to Prayut.
Rewat Areerob, president of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation, said local officials and communities had been working together over the past several months to prepare for hosting the international expo.
“We submitted the letter because we wanted those in high positions to understand our dedication and readiness to host the 2028 Specialised Expo,” he said.
Phuket residents were sad to hear the disheartening comment from a fellow Thai, especially one who is a senior official, Rewat said.
Thailand launched its bid for Phuket to host the 2028 Specialised Expo in Paris in June last year, highlighting the southern island’s suitability to host the event under the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”.
Specialised Expos are meant to respond to a specific challenge facing humanity and usually take place between World Expos.
The Bureau of International Exposition will announce the country that will host the 2028 Specialised Expo in June. There are five candidates: the US, Argentina, Serbia, Spain, and Thailand.
In January of last year, the Cabinet approved a budget of 4.18 billion baht for hosting the 2028 Specialised Expo.
More assets of alleged drug kingpin under scrutiny of narcotics control board
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) plans to confiscate more assets of a drug-dealing network operated by alleged kingpin Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant.
Chaiyanat is a Chinese businessman who was granted Thai citizenship after marrying a senior police officer and is believed to be behind a Chinese triad dealing in drugs and other criminal activities.
After he surrendered on November 23, police raided many sites in Bangkok and other provinces believed to be the bases of Chaiyanat’s alleged network.
ONCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkhon said on Thursday that the office had confiscated assets worth 1.2 billion baht from the network so far, thanks to clues provided by the Justice Ministry and former massage parlour tycoon and politician Chuwit Kamolvisit.
He said the ONCB recently found that the network owned more assets worth in excess of 2 billion baht, including real estate in Bangkok and its vicinity.
“The ONCB will investigate such assets while allowing asset owners to clarify the issue,” he said.
He said clues from Chuvit helped facilitate officials’ operation, adding that the ONCB will investigate one of the network’s venues soon.
Chuvit had earlier released a new video clip on his Facebook page, showing network members giving first aid to a Chinese man who suffered from drug overdose at Bangkok’s Jinling nightclub.
He said the video clip was taken from a CCTV camera inside the nightclub, adding that the Chinese man was taken out of the room after he recovered.
He plans to address a press conference on Thursday to introduce the main witness who had seen cash transfers of 20 million to 30 million baht per transaction from China to Thailand.
Chuwit also said the witnesses preferred to meet him, as they did not trust the police.
No need to panic about arrival of Chinese tourists, health experts say
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
There is no need to panic about the return of Chinese tourists, which will begin on Sunday, four medical experts said on Wednesday.
Their comments follow the imposition of stricter entry restrictions for Chinese tourists in more than 12 countries over concerns about the surge in infections in China after it ended its zero-Covid policy last month. China also announced it was lifting travel restrictions – effective this Sunday – which led to a surge in bookings for overseas flights.
Chinese tourists generate a great amount of revenue for Thailand, said Professor Prasit Watanapa, an adviser to Siriraj Hospital’s Faculty of Medicine. “We should not be afraid of them,” he wrote on the Department of Disease Control’s Facebook page.
The risk of Covid-19 infection can be reduced by wearing facemasks, maintaining social distancing, regular hand washing, and receiving booster shots, Prasit said.
So far, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan have joined the US in imposing tighter restrictions – including negative Covid-19 tests – on travellers from China.
Beijing has called these restrictions discriminatory. Most countries in Southeast Asia are not imposing stricter Covid-19 restrictions on tourists from China.
Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs, a respiratory specialist at Vichaiyut Hospital, said people had to learn to live with Covid-19.
“We must prepare ourselves by receiving booster shots, wearing facemasks in crowded places, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands regularly,” Manoon said.
The virus mutates over time everywhere, not only in China, he said.
Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, head of Chulalongkorn University’s Information Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, advised people not to panic about the arrival of Chinese tourists.
The Omicron subvariant that is spreading in China can be found in countries worldwide, he said.
Thailand’s Covid-19 prevention measures – having health insurance and taking a Covid-19 test 48 hours before arrival – are appropriate for Chinese tourists, he said.
Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleepun, deputy chairman of the Senate committee on public health, said the Omicron subvariant spreading in China is similar to subvariants in countries worldwide.
Chinese tourists will not trigger the new wave of Covid-19 in Thailand, he said.
Thailand’s winter Omicron wave has already peaked, says virologist
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
Thailand’s latest wave of Covid-19 infections has peaked and is now on a downward trend, Chulalongkorn University (CU)’s top virologist said on Thursday.
Dr Yong Poovorawan explained in a Facebook post that the number of Covid patients being hospitalised has dropped significantly in recent days.
The slowdown of infections this winter came sooner than expected, he added.
The latest Covid wave is being driven by the BA.2.75 Omicron subvariant now dominant in Thailand.
Yong cautioned however that the government needed to monitor against two new Omicron subvariants, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which are currently spreading fast in the United States and Europe.
He said Covid infections would be at their lowest in February but warned a new wave could emerge in May or June.
The virologist added that over 70% of Thailand’s population have contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus and most were infected with Omicron. The high ratio of Omicron infection coupled with vaccination has led to hybrid immunity and strong protection against future infection and severe symptoms, he said.
The need for Thais to get booster shots would gradually reduce as most have been infected with BA.5 Omicron subvariant that provides natural immunity that is superior to protection from mRNA vaccines, he added.
Dr Yong heads the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at CU’s Faculty of Medicine.
Chinese tourists will not be subject to stricter Covid-19 screening, minister says
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
Thailand will not impose stricter Covid-19 screening for Chinese tourists but will treat them the same as tourists from other countries, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday.
He made the statement before joining a meeting of government agencies to discuss preparations for the arrival of Chinese tourists beginning on Sunday, following the ending of that country’s zero-Covid policy, which effectively prevented Chinese citizens from travelling outside their country.
Anutin said the Department of Disease Control would be responsible for implementing measures and guidelines to treat foreign tourists equally. He also mentioned that Thailand has strong ties with China.
The US has been joined by Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan in imposing tighter requirements, including negative Covid-19 tests, on visitors from China, where infection rates have soared.
“What we have to do is strictly adhere to existing measures [to contain Covid-19], such as wearing facemasks in crowded places,” Anutin said.
He said the National Health Security Office had the necessary funds to take care of foreign tourists, adding that they could receive Covid-19 vaccines in Thailand.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration was dissolved on October 1 last year, so all ministries must work together to ensure foreign tourists have confidence in Thailand’s Covid-19 prevention strategy, Anutin said.
“If we are not ready, we will lose the opportunity to stimulate the economy from tourism,” he explained.
The Department of Disease Control will monitor the situation and adjust prevention measures if new Covid-19 variants spread in Thailand, the minister said.
Thailand ties with Italy on list of world’s top retirement destinations
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
Thailand is the world’s 9th cheapest place to live for expat retirees, according to the Annual Global Retirement Index.
The 2023 list of “10 Cheapest Places to Live After Retiring” was compiled by experts at the International Living website and published this week. It details the best places to retire in terms of high quality of life and low cost of living.
Portugal tops the list thanks to the weakness of its currency and ease of acquiring a long-term visa.
Second is Mexico, followed by Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece and France. Thailand ties with Italy in ninth place.
International Living says the list is not just for retirees, but anyone seeking a better and more affordable life, or just to escape the bustle, violence, politics and divisiveness of their home country.
The 2023 list focuses on aspects such as cost of living, climate, visas, housing, and healthcare.
Thailand’s warm, sun-drenched climate makes it an alluring destination for retirees, explains International Living correspondent Rachel Devlin. The country “appeals to those who have a keen sense of adventure and an eye for natural and cultural beauty”. It also retains a unique way of life as the only nation in Southeast Asia to avoid colonisation, she notes.
Devlin also comments on Thailand’s affordability, especially when it comes to real estate.
“Foreigners are able to buy condos very easily and there are bargains everywhere. It is possible to buy a two-bedroom condo for under $30,000 [1.01 million baht] and rentals can be as cheap as $180 [6,000 baht] per month if you need something small and quaint.”
On living costs, Devlin said an expat couple can live comfortably on as little as $1,596 [53,963 baht] per month.
CEO of Kong Salak Plus Lottery faces money-laundering probe
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
The CEO of Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform, Phantawat Nakwisut, has been summonsed by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) over evidence the company received millions of baht from a money laundering gang.
The DSI’s narcotics branch has been investigating a gang that uses nominee bank accounts to receive money from customers of drug dealers and gambling websites, as well as victims of call centre scams. The gang launders the money and transfers it back to criminal gangs in exchange for a fee.
The DSI said a gang leader arrested on December 10 had revealed a list of customers that the gang has been transferring the cash to. Kong Salak Plus was among the recipients listed, with evidence it had received tens of million baht, according to the DSI director Triyarith Temahivong.
The DSI chief said the money-laundering gang also provided a debt-collecting service and took video clips of assaults on victims who failed to make payments and forwarded them to the criminal gangs.
Triyarith also warned people not to accept any invitation to open a bank account in exchange for a fee, as they could find themselves involved in money laundering.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a probe of Kong Salak Plus on December 29 after the company boasted a whopping 18 billion baht in sales this year.
The 15-day investigation by the Government Lottery Office, Anti-Money Laundering Office and Department of Special Investigation is focusing on the operations and tax filings of the popular lottery ticket seller, owned by tycoon Phantawat.
Phantawat on Wednesday denied his company is a customer of the money laundering gang and said he was ready to explain everything to the DSI.
“However, this gang could be using their money to buy lottery tickets from us,” he wrote on Facebook.
NACC probing THB33m signboard change at Bang Sue Central Station
THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023
The National Anti-Corruption Committee (NACC) has launched a probe into the 33-million-baht project to change signboards at Bangkok’s main Bang Sue Station being carried out by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
The suspiciously expensive project sparked criticism among netizens after the bid winner, Unique Engineering and Construction, informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on December 29 that it had signed the contract with SRT.
The 150-day project worth 33.16 million baht includes changing the station’s main signboard to its official name of “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal” and putting up the SRT logo. The station was renamed by His Majesty the King in September.
NACC chief Niwatchai Kasemmongkol said on Wednesday that the anti-graft committee has received complaints regarding the project and has started collecting evidence for the investigation.
He added that the investigation will focus on whether or not the SRT followed regulations for the bidding process on government projects. The NACC will also investigate officials for evidence they have abused their authority in awarding the contract.
The investigation comes under the jurisdiction of the Auditor General’s Office and not the NACC, as in the case of decorative solar-powered lamp posts in Samut Prakan.
On Tuesday, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob launched a separate probe to check whether the project’s budget matches the job done. He said he expects the investigation to be completed within seven days.
The SRT has denied any wrongdoing and insists it abided by government rules on granting contracts.
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