#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008050

The Police Crime Suppression Division confirmed on Tuesday that investigation into former Nakhon Sawan Police Station chief Pol Colonel Thitisan Uthanapol’s case is complete and prosecutors will launch legal proceedings within this week.

Thitisan and six accomplices are accused of demanding a 2 million baht bribe from two drug suspects and then suffocating the male suspect to death with plastic bags on August 5. Thitisan later allegedly ordered the doctor to attribute the death to a drug overdose and told the other suspect to keep quiet before releasing her.

After Thitisan was arrested on August 26, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) launched an investigation into his finances as they believed the police officer had become unusually wealthy. Thitisan had earned the moniker “Joe Ferrari” on social media for his lavish lifestyle and collection of expensive sports cars.

Investigation team armed and ready to take ‘Joe Ferrari’ to court

The Crime Suppression Division said investigators have collected evidence related to the killing, including the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Court’s verdict.

As for irregularities related to Thitisan’s seizure of over 400 luxury cars, the division said investigators were waiting for some additional evidence.

“However, we believe legal proceedings against the defendants can go ahead in this case as well, because the investigation team uncovered irregularities throughout the entire procedure, such as seizures, bribes, arrests and auctions,” the division said.

Chokchai Angkaew

Meanwhile, Thitisan’s lawyer Chokchai Angkaew said he and Thitisan’s relatives were ready to apply for bail once the prosecutors file the case.

He said bail for murder suspects ranges between 400,000-500,000 baht, adding that the defendants will wait to see if the public prosecutor objects to the bail request.

Related stories:

• ‘Joe Ferrari’ to be slapped with more charge over torture killing
• ‘Joe Ferrari’ seized smuggled luxury cars even before they crossed the border
• Irregularities suspected in confiscation of luxury cars by sacked police station chief

Published : October 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008048

The Foreign Ministry on Monday rejected rumours that it had forbidden Thammasat University (TU) from receiving a donation of 3 million Moderna vaccine doses from Poland.

The ministry’s spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said the reports were incorrect as the ministry does not have any legal authority to prohibit the university from making deals with foreign agencies or importing vaccines.

He said TU had written to the ministry on October 22 stating that the Polish government organisation, Rzadowa Agencia Rezerw Strategicznych (RARS), wished to donate 3 million doses of the vaccine and that 1.5 million doses were ready for delivery.

The university asked the ministry for help in bringing the batch into the country as well as getting the Thai Embassy in Warsaw to inspect the lot and cooperate with RARS in facilitating the import.

Related news: 

• Foreign Ministry refuses Thammasat Uni request on coordinating Moderna import
• US presently discussing when to send more vaccines to Thailand: Don
• Spain delivers 614,500 vaccine doses to Thailand

Tanee said the ministry responded to TU suggesting that the university deal directly with the donor agency. He said nothing in the letter indicated that the ministry disagreed with or was opposed to the donation.

“The Foreign Ministry provided professional advice in good faith that TU should carefully consider the donation process to avoid complaints from any parties. Especially if it is seen as having commercial interests related to the donated vaccines,” Tanee added.

Earlier report: Foreign Ministry refuses Thammasat Uni request on coordinating Morderna import 

FM dismisses claims it blocked Poland’s donation of Moderna vaccines

Published : October 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008046

Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe bid farewell to Thailand on Tuesday with the Twitter post: “Goodbye Bangkok. Stay happy and busy and beautiful”. Attached were pictures he had taken during a recent bicycle trip around the capital’s Phasi Charoen district.

Crowe blew up the Thai Twitter scene with complimentary comments since his arrival in Phuket on September 18. He was here to film the Vietnam War-era blockbuster, “The Greatest Beer Run Ever”.

Crowe’s tweets, such as his capture of the capital’s messy wires tagged “Bangkok Dreaming” and a snap with his “buddy” the monitor lizard, went viral among netizens in Thailand.

Russell Crowe bids goodbye to Thailand

The Australian actor was also handed flowers and gifts by Culture Minister Ittipol Khunpluem as a gesture of appreciation for helping promote Thailand.

Related stories:

• Russell Crowe rewarded for becoming Thailand’s accidental ambassador
• Actor Russell Crowe pays Bangkok’s Jay Fai restaurant a visit
• Russell Crowe plays the avid tourist in Bangkok

Published : October 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008043

Lamphun Province of Thailand held a grand lantern festival at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, attracting tourists to hang lanterns and make wishes.

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 25, 2021 shows the colorful lanterns at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 25, 2021 shows the colorful lanterns at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Colorful lanterns are seen at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand, Oct. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Tourists hang lanterns at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand, Oct. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Colorful lanterns are seen at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand, Oct. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

A tourist hangs a lantern at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand, Oct. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

A tourist takes photos of lanterns at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand, Oct. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Tourists take selfies at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand, Oct. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Colorful lanterns are seen at the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand, Oct. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Published : October 27, 2021

By : Xinhua

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008034

Over 98 per cent of new Covid-19 infections are of a delta variant, a survey by Department of Medical Science revealed.

“The department has been conducting survey on new Covid-19 infections every week, whereas the latest result from last week (October 16-22) found that 98.6 per cent of new patients have been infected with delta variant,” said Dr Supphakit Siriluck, the department’s director-general on Tuesday. “0.8 per cent of new patients have beta variant, while 0.6 per cent were infected with alpha variant.”

“In the four deep south provinces, delta variant is responsible for 96.9 per cent of new infections, followed by beta variant at 2.3 per cent and alpha variant at 0.8 per cent.”
 

Supphakit also added that Thailand has found 18 patients infected with subvariant of alpha, also known as alpha plus E484K, from sample collection since September 27. “Of the 18 patients, 12 are Cambodian national workers, four Thai citizens in Chanthaburi and Trat, and two inmates in Chiang Mai prison,” he said. “All 18 patients have been cured and allowed to leave hospitals. Officials are performing active case finding in the areas to check if there are more infections with alpha plus subvariant.”

“As for the subvariants of delta, currently there are up to 47 delta plus subvariants found around the world. In Thailand, 19 delta plus subvariants have been found, none of which has shown faster spreading or resistance to vaccine” he said. “The delta plus AY 4.2 that has 10-15 per cent faster spreading rate and is currently under monitoring by the UK government has yet to be found in Thailand.”

“The case of delta plus infection that has been recently reported in Kamphaeng Phet province since September is actually of the AY 1 subvariant and not the AY 4.2 subvariant,” he added. “The AY 1 also shows no evidence of faster spreading or vaccine resistance.”
 

Related Stories

Super variant Delta Plus rears its head in Thailand

CCSA addresses worries over new Delta Plus variant, illegal border crossers

Four subvariants of Delta discovered in Thailand

Published : October 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008028

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (October 27) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 8,452 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 160 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 57, while 8,449 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,875,315 with 18,922 total deaths.
 

Published : October 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008016

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Wednesday (October 27) that the high-pressure system from China covers upper Thailand while the easterly and northeasterly winds prevail over upper Thailand, the South and the Gulf of Thailand. Less rain will be likely over upper part of the country with thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in the South.

The department also mentioned that the active low-pressure cell over the middle South China Sea will make landfall over the lower Vietnam today. It will then cover Cambodia leading to increasing rain in upper Thailand from October 27 to 29.

Meanwhile, the tropical storm MALOU over the Pacific Ocean has no effect on Thailand’s weather.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:

North: Partly cloudy with isolated light rain; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees and highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius. 

Northeast: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 19-22 degrees and highs of 31-32 degrees Celsius. 

Central: Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius.

East: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and over 1 meter during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-25 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and over 1 meter during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : October 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40008013

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) met on Tuesday to discuss Thailand’s November 1 reopening as well as the new, more contagious version of the Delta variant.

The Delta Plus, or AY.4.2, variant has been posing problems in Britain and Europe, but has not actually arrived in Thailand yet, the Department of Medical Sciences chief Dr Supakit Sirilak told the press on Tuesday.

This was after a man from Ayutthaya was found infected with the AY.1 sub-variant of Delta in September. The patient has since recovered and discharged from a field hospital in Kamphaeng Phet.

Apart from discussing the possibility of the dreaded Delta Plus sub-variant arriving in Thailand, CCSA also discussed the problem of illegal migrants sneaking across the border from Myanmar. More than 200 illegal migrants were nabbed on Tuesday alone. CCSA has called on security officials to work with their Myanmar counterparts to stop illegal border crossers.

Published : October 26, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40008014

In a bid to achieve Thailand’s zero-carbon goals, the Finance Ministry aims to boost the electric vehicle (EV) industry by offering tax cuts to manufacturers and buyers.

It hopes this will also help achieve the goal of turning Thailand into a regional EV production hub by 2030.

The tax measures, which will kick off from January 1, will not only bring down the price of EVs but should also attract investment in charging stations.

The global automotive industry is working towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, a key factor in the “Great Reset” goal set by the World Economic Forum.

Published : October 26, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008007

Longan farmers in Chiang Mai showed up at the governor’s office on Tuesday morning to demand compensation for earnings lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The farmers, led by the Chiang Mai chapter of the National Farmers Council, submitted a letter addressed to provincial governor Prajon Prachsakul asking for a compensation of 2,000 baht per rai for up to 25 rai per person. This compensation had been provided to farmers last year.

The petition was received by deputy governor Chatchawan Chayabutr.

Longan farmers in seven other northern provinces – Lamphun, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang, Phrae, Nan and Mae Hong Son – also handed in petitions for compensation on Tuesday morning.

More than 1.2 million rai is devoted to growing longan in all eight provinces, producing up to 1.24 million tonnes every year. However, the Covid-19 crisis has pulled down prices, reduced the availability of workforce and destroyed market mechanisms, affecting more than 250,000 farming households.

The farmers also complained that the pandemic has adversely hit the export market cutting their earnings and leaving them with no funds to finance the 2022 crop.

Soured by loss in earnings, longan farmers demand compensation
 

Related News

Fruit exports up almost 50% in first 7 months

Mangosteen price triples, 20,000 tonnes sold under new domestic strategy

Thai fruit exports soar in first half of 2021

Longans, which normally go for 23 baht per kilo, are now being sold for between 3 and 8 baht per kg.

Soured by loss in earnings, longan farmers demand compensation

Published : October 26, 2021

By : THE NATION