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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023552

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered a probe of the Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform after the company announced 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 will focus on the business operations and tax filings of the popular lottery ticket seller, which is owned by tycoon Phantawat Nakwisut.

The sales figure of 18 billion baht was announced by Phantawat on his Facebook page earlier this month.

The tycoon made headlines recently by declaring he would spend 67 million baht to purchase broadcasting rights for the ongoing Asea Football Federation (AFF) Championship so that Thais can watch it for free.

This led many people to question where he had got the money from, since Kong Salak Plus reported only 9.3 million baht in profit from sales worth 1 billion baht last year.

“By law, sellers of government lottery tickets are subject to 7% VAT, as well as corporate income tax of 20% on profit if they are a juristic person,” said a source familiar with the investigation.

“The investigation will uncover if the company has paid the required tax on the 18 billion baht in sales that it claimed.”

In April, Kong Salak Plus offices in Bangkok were raided in a police crackdown on overpriced lottery tickets. In June, the committee tasked with tackling overpriced lottery tickets found that many small-time vendors were selling their ticket quotas to Kong Salak Plus and other online lottery platforms.

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7 million digital lottery tickets now up for grabs on Paotang app

GLO mulls boosting digital lottery tickets after last 2 draws sold out

5-year battle for THB30m lottery prize ends badly for ‘truth-teller’

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023549

At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

Firefighters are struggling to control a huge blaze that broke out at the Grand Diamond City Hotel and Casino in Poipet on the Thai-Cambodian border at 11pm on Wednesday.

Unconfirmed reports say 10 people have died at the scene so far after victims were seen jumping from the fifth floor of the blazing building.

The Thai-owned casino is located about 200 metres over the border from the Ban Klong Luk checkpoint in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet District. Thai employees and gamblers were inside the premises when the fire started.

Cambodian authorities asked Thai firefighting units to send firetrucks with booms and hoses to quell the flames so that dozens of people trapped in the building could be evacuated.

By 5am on Thursday, the casino blaze had expanded to engulf the bridge connecting the hotel to the main road. Officials evacuated people from the nearby area and declared a no-entry zone.

There were no official reports of deaths or injuries as of 9am on Thursday, but hospitals in nearby Aranyaprathet and Kasem Rat have reported an influx of casualties from the blaze.

Related Stories

Poipet town warned of floods from Thailand

Sa Kaew border bustling with tourists on 1st day of no restrictions

Thailand to start running buses to 10 Lao destinations from June 15

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023541

Senior Transport Ministry official nominated as new EEC secretary-general

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Jula Sukmanop, an inspector-general, has been nominated as the next secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office, a Government House source said.

The source said a selection committee for the new EEC Office secretary-general has picked Jula to replace Kanit Saengsuphan, whose tenure expired in August.

The EEC Policy Committee, which is headed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, will convene a meeting soon to consider Jula’s nomination.

If the committee agrees with the nomination, the panel will define his role and salary before formally appointing him to the post, crucial for Thailand’s economic development, the source added.

Jula graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law from Chulalongkorn University and a Masters (Maritime Law) from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. He got a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Southampton as well.

He has been working with the Transport Ministry throughout his tenure in government service. He started his career as the director of traffic and transport development division of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning in November 2002.

He used to be director-general of the Marine Department and the Airports Department. He was appointed director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand after the May 2014 coup and became the inspector-general of the Transport Ministry on December 1, 2020.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023538

Elite law enforcement unit investigating its own officers over alleged bribe

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said on Wednesday that it is investigating DSI officers who allegedly accepted a bribe for allowing suspected criminals to walk free after a raid on a residence belonging to the Consulate General of the Republic of Nauru on December 22.

DSI officers have been accused of accepting a bribe for allowing the 11 Chinese nationals found at the residence in Bangkok’s Sathorn district to walk free despite a complaint from Nauru’s Consulate General that they had been illegally occupying the residence.

The DSI announced the investigation after lawyer Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, chairman of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, said on Tuesday that DSI officers and other police accepted a payment of 20 million baht for the release of the 11 Chinese nationals found at the residence.

At least one of the 11 illegal occupants of the residence is wanted by Interpol, Atchariya said.

DSI officers said the residence was raided on December 22. John Yu, acting consul at Naru’s Consulate General, sent his first complaint to DSI about illegal occupants at the residence on December 9.

Yu asked the DSI to investigate the Chinese nationals living in the residence without permission, the department said.

The case could affect the relationship between Thailand and Nauru, DSI said.

Yu submitted a second letter on December 21, along with evidence, including photos of a car with a license plate for Consulate General staff.

“DSI would like to confirm that the operation was in line with the Consulate General’s request,” it said.

It added that the department would investigate its officers and clarify what happened as soon as it can.

Related stories:

• Environment Ministry probes National Parks chief charged with massive corruption
• National park chief arrested for allegedly demanding bribes, misappropriation
• New MRT Orange Line bidding process rife with corruption, claim BTS bosses

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023535

Traffic congestion alerts flash up as New Year exodus begins early

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Heavy traffic congestion signalled the start of migrant workers’ New Year exodus back to their hometowns in northern and northeastern provinces on Tuesday.

Highway No 304 (Suwinthawong Road) running from Prachin Buri’s Si Mahosot district to Nakhon Ratchasima was hit by congestion on Tuesday evening.

Traffic had slowed to a crawl from Khao Hin Son Intersection in Si Maha Phot district through Kabin Buri and Na Di districts.

Congestion was also seen at the Sam Thahan intersection in Kabin Buri district where vehicles were almost at a standstill in front of Kabin Buri Hospital. Traffic was slowed by vehicles leaving a petrol station about 200 metres ahead of the intersection as motorists took rest stops.

Congestion also built up about 10 kilometres down the road at Ban Khok Intersection.

Traffic police in Si Maha Phot and Kabin Buri said they expected the jams to get worse on Wednesday evening.

Elsewhere, police reported congestion in the northbound lanes of the Asia highway in Ayutthaya province on Wednesday. Traffic flow had slowed considerably in Bang Pa-in district on Wednesday morning.

Police said the vehicles crowding the road were moving at a slow but constant speed. However, congestion was building up at U-turn bridges and link roads to Highway No 356 at kilometre marker No 14 in Bang Pa-in. Highway 356 serves as a detour to avoid congestion in Suphanburi.

Traffic police expect the traffic situation to worsen on the evening of Thursday, the year’s last working day for many businesses.

Police have announced they will step up monitoring of roads from December 29 to January 4 to boost safety on the so-called “seven-dangerous days”.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023529

6 still missing from HTMS Sukhothai after grim discoveries in Chumphon

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

The bodies of two more crewmen from the ill-fated HTMS Sukhothai were retrieved on Wednesday morning, leaving six still missing, the Royal Thai Navy said.

Vice Admiral Pichai Lorchusakul, commander of the First Naval Area, said a Chumphon fishing patrol boat was alerted at 8.30am that a body had washed onto a beach on the holiday island of Koh Samet, 3 kilometres from the mainland.

Pichai said the patrol boat alerted the Rak Sal Dhama Paknam Chumphon Rescue Foundation to retrieve the body.

The victim was dressed in a Royal Thai Navy mechanics uniform and was not wearing a life jacket. The body was transported to the Chumphon illegal fishing suppression centre before being handed over to Navy officials for identification at the Sawang Rat Sattha Foundation in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

At 10am, another body was spotted near Chumphon’s famous diving spot of Koh Ngam Yai.

HTMS Sukhothai capsized and sank some 20 nautical miles off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district on December 18.

On Wednesday, divers from HTMS Ravi resumed their mission to check the wreck of the ship, aided by a SeaFox underwater drone deployed by HTMS Bang Rajan.

Related stories:

Thai navy intensifies hunt for 8 missing HTMS Sukhothai crew

Navy chief expresses sorrow at funerals as search resumes for missing crew

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023525

Police target Tuhao ‘lieutenants’ as triad investigation nears end

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Police expect to wrap up their case against triad crime networks in the next few days as they round up alleged lieutenants of suspected crime boss Chainat “Tuhao” Kornchayanan.

Deputy national police chief General Surachate Hakparn said on Tuesday that Tuhao’s suspected lieutenant Chen “Tony” Zhaohui, 52, will face more charges and have his visa revoked.

Chen was arrested at the Space Plus Club in Bangkok on November 30 as part of the crackdown on transnational Chinese triad gangs operating from Thailand.

Chainat is under investigation for involvement in criminal activity in several provinces. He surrendered to police on November 23 but has denied charges against him.

Police say Chen is one of Chainat’s five lieutenants. Chen was initially charged with illegally helping foreign nationals conduct business in Thailand.

Surachate said Chen and Space Plus Club manager Natthason Hutasewi also faced a charge of evading payment of customs duty after police discovered high-value imported audio equipment inside the club.

Surachate said the police investigation of Chinese triads should be closed by the end of this year before being passed to prosecutors.

“There are still small issues, such as the Chinese triad connections,” he added.

The investigation was launched amid rising public concern over alleged widespread Chinese criminal involvement in Thai society.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023523

Election deadline sparks race against time for 9 megaprojects worth THB500bn

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

The Transport Ministry will seek Cabinet approval for nine megaprojects worth over 500 billion baht before the end of February next year, Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Tuesday.

The minister reckoned February will be the deadline for approving large investment projects as the country counts down to a general election.

The House of Representatives’ four-year term is due to end on March 23, with the election tentatively scheduled for May 7.

“Ministry operations are not entirely dependent on the government’s term, but we will try to follow the scheduled action plan to ensure continuity of all projects,” said Saksayam.

The nine projects are:

1. Phase 2 of the Thai-Laos-China high-speed railway from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, worth 300 billion baht.

2. Bangkok’s Red Line urban train extension from Taling Chan to Salaya (10.67 billion baht).

3. Red Line extension from Taling Chan to Siriraj (4.69 billion baht).

4. Red Line extension from Rangsit to Thammasat University (6.46 billion baht).

5. Red Line link-up routes (47 billion baht).

6. Dual track railway from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai (29.74 billion baht).

7. Dual track railway from Pak Nam Pho to Den Chai (62.8 billion baht).

8. Dual track from Thanon Jira to Ubon Ratchathani (37.5 billion baht).

9. Expansion of Bang Pa In-Nakhon Ratchasima Motorway to 16 lanes (6.7 billion baht).

Saksayam said another mega project in the pipeline was the southern land bridge to connect the Andaman and Gulf of Thailand coasts. A feasibility study for the project is due for completion early next year.

Related Stories

Transport authorities set to push for one ticket for all public transport in Bangkok

Transport Ministry working on electric shuttle train

Nong Khai eyed as transport hub for China-Laos high-speed railway

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023520

Environment Ministry probes National Parks chief charged with massive corruption

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has launched an internal investigation of National Parks chief Rutchada Suriyakul na Ayutthaya after he was arrested and charged with malfeasance and bribery on Tuesday.

Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) police detained Rutchada during a bribery sting operation at his Chatuchak office in Bangkok on Tuesday morning.

After the shock arrest, ministry permanent secretary Jatuporn Buruspat issued an order to form a panel for a seven-day investigation.

ACD police raided Rutchada’s office after Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, former chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi, accused the department chief of demanding bribes from his subordinates.

Chaiwat is himself accused in the 2017 murder of Karen activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen.

Chaiwat alleged Rutchada demanded senior subordinates make cash payments of 500,000 baht in exchange for not being transferred to remote areas.

Rutchada also stole 18.5% of budget for national parks and sanctuaries, and 30% of the budget for forest fire prevention units, Chaiwat alleged.

Police said they found 4.9 million baht in cash in Rutchada’s desk and dressing room on Tuesday.

National Anti-Corruption Committee chief Niwatchai Kasemmongkol told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that police caught Rutchada receiving a 98,000-baht bribe in an envelope and had an audio recording of him asking for the bribe earlier. Rutchada denied the charges.

Related Stories

National park chief arrested for allegedly demanding bribes, misappropriation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023513

Japan top destination as Thais travel overseas during New Year break

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2022

A record number of Thai tourists are expected to travel overseas during the New Year holidays (December 21-31), with Japan being their favourite destination.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) puts this surge in international travel on the lifting of Covid-related restrictions for the first time in three years. Japan is also a favourite destination for Thais because it has lifted visa requirements and there are more direct flights to the country.

The number of Thais travelling overseas has jumped from approximately 28,000 people per day from October 1-November 31 to 33,400 daily since December 21, TAT governor Yutthasak Supasorn said, citing statistics from the Immigration Bureau.

“According to Booking .com, Japan is most popular among Thais with the most hotel bookings, followed by bookings in South Korea, Singapore and Laos,” Yutthasak said, adding that this exodus may affect domestic tourism.

TAT has also projected that few people will travel locally during the holiday season due to high household debt, fluctuating oil prices and an unstable economy.

Some 3.14 million people are expected to travel during the New Year break, generating 11.20 billion baht in revenue, TAT said.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), the number of Thai travellers entering Japan has risen by more than four-fold from 7,622 in September to 52,100 people in November, with total Thai arrivals rising to 115,000.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, Air Asia CEO, said at least 80% of the passengers on Bangkok-Fukuoka flights since October 12 have been Thai nationals.

The price of flights from Thailand to Japan is now soaring as the tourism sector has bounced back, though it is still lower than in the pre-Covid era, Santisuk said.

Natcha Thonghor, operations manager of the Season Holiday Booking Centre travel agent, said Thais prefer travelling to Japan rather than Europe because they no longer need a visa.

Kwanchaya Kritraksa, operations manager for Jubilee Travel, believes Japan will be a top destination for Thai travellers until March or April, during the Songkran break.

“Social media has had a huge impact as people have been getting lured by travel content provided by YouTubers and influencers,” she said.