#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023229

Red flags up in Koh Samui beaches as strong winds make sea dangerous

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

Beachfront hotels in Koh Samui have put up red flags warning visitors against getting into the sea due to strong winds and waves.

The Thai Meteorological Department said on Sunday that the Northeast monsoon prevailing over the Gulf and the South will strengthen on Monday and Tuesday, bringing heavy to very heavy rains. Also, 2- to 4-metre-high waves are expected in the Gulf and the Andaman Sea, which will rise higher in thundershowers.

A hotel operator at the popular Chaweng Beach has also deployed staffers to keep an eye on guests and ensure they don’t get into the sea.

“The red flags are for visitors’ safety, as swimming in high waves can be dangerous,” a hotel staffer said. “Once conditions improve, the hotel will remove the flags and guests will be able to swim in the sea as usual.”

He also urged visitors to follow the latest weather updates before planning to vacation in Samui.

He added that most foreign tourists were obeying the warning and spending their time at restaurants and bars or visiting other attractions on the island.

Related Stories

Russian billionaire 2nd mogul to dock in Samui now restrictions lifted

Romanian tourist was swimming at Samui waterfall before death plunge

Samui tourist claims Russian mafia squeezed $3m worth digital coins from him

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023228

Princess in ‘stable’ condition, says Royal Household Bureau

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

The condition of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha is currently stable with her heart rhythm being controlled by medication, the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement on Monday.

The Princess – the daughter of His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Soamsawali – has been treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok for a heart-related issue since December 15.

Doctors said the Princess’s heartbeat is not yet optimal but an angiogram of the coronary artery found no abnormalities.

The team of doctors will continue treating the Princess with medication and machines to assist her heart, lungs and kidneys, while monitoring her condition closely, said the statement.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha fainted on the evening of December 14 while training her dogs for a contest in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. She was given first aid at Pak Chong Nana hospital before being airlifted to the hospital in Bangkok.

People have poured into the lobby of the hospital’s Bhumisiri Mangkhalanusorn Building for the past few days to leave tributes and pray for the Princess.

Related Stories

Princess Bajrakitiyabha being treated for heart-related issue: Royal Household Bureau

Prayut leads well-wishing ceremony for Princess Bajrakitiyabha at hospital

Princess Bajrakitiyabha receives second visit from Their Majesties

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023227

Navy ship sinks, rescue mission underway

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

The HTMS Sukhothai, a Ratanakosin-class corvette, sank during stormy weather in the Gulf of Thailand on Sunday night, according to a Royal Thai Navy spokesman.

The ship sank 20 nautical miles (32 kilometres) off the coast of Bang Saphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Navy spokesman Adm Pokkrong Monthatphalin said.

A rescue mission was launched on Monday for 31 crew still missing after the sinking, according to local media reports.

The warship was on patrol when it began listing in strong winds and waves, causing seawater to flow through its exhaust pipe and flood the electrical system, said Pokkrong. This caused the engine and pumps to stop. The crew lost control and were unable to right the vessel as the hull flooded. The ship sank beneath the waves at 11.30pm. The Ratanakosin-class ships were built for a crew of 15 officers and 72 enlisted men.

The RTN launched a search and rescue mission with three ships – HTMS Angthong, Bhumibol Adulyadej and Kraburi – and two helicopters. Crewmembers were rescued and brought aboard the HTMS Kraburi, the Navy said.

The Sukhothai is one of only seven corvettes in the Navy.

The Ratanakosin-class ships comprise two corvettes built in the United States by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company in 1986. The Sukhothai’s sister ship is the HTMS Ratanakosin.

The Sukhothai was commissioned on February 19, 1987 and measures 76.82 metres long with a beam of 9.55 metres and a draft of 2.44 metres. Two MTU 20V1163 TB83 diesel engines gave it a maximum speed of 26 knots (48 km/h) and a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600km).

The Sukhothai was commissioned for sea combat, anti-submarine and air-defence missions.

It was equipped with a 76/62mm cannon, a 40L70mm double-barrel machine gun, two Oerlikon 20mm cannons, eight Harpoon (missile) launchers, eight surface-to-air Albatross missile launchers and six torpedo tubes.

Related Stories

Navy to seek guarantee from Chinese counterpart on Chinese-made submarine engine

Navy chief to let successor decide on buying subs with Chinese engines

China offers Thai Navy two Song-class submarines

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023221

Bangkok opens halls, offices for royal tributes

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

Bangkokians can leave well-wishes for Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati at designated areas throughout the city from today.

Members of the public can leave tributes and pray at two city halls in Phra Nakhon and Din Daeng districts, as well as at district offices of all 50 districts.

People can also write messages for the princess in books placed in front of her portrait at each location, said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Sunday.

The princess, His Majesty the King’s eldest daughter with HRH Princess Soamsawali, is being treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Pathum Wan district.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha, 44, fell ill last Wednesday while exercising her dogs in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. She was initially treated for a heart-related issue at Pak Chong Nana hospital before being airlifted to Chulalongkorn Hospital.

Alternately, people can visit the hospital’s Bhumisiri Mangkhalanusorn Building, which will be open for people to record their messages daily from 8am to 6pm.

His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch has also instructed temples across Thailand to pray for the princess.

Related Stories

Princess Bajrakitiyabha being treated for heart-related issue: Royal Household Bureau

Prayut leads well-wishing ceremony for Princess Bajrakitiyabha at hospital

Princess Bajrakitiyabha receives second visit from Their Majesties

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023213

Thailand, Laos tracking down another 30 smuggled tiger cubs

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

Thailand has turned to Laos to help find another 30 tiger cubs that are believed to have been trafficked across the border.

The neighbouring country helped rescue four tiger cubs last month.

Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, director of the National Park Conservation Area Administration Office 9 in Ubon Ratchathani, said on Sunday that his office and its Laos counterpart were working to track down the new shipment of cubs.

He reckons the cubs will be sneaked back into Thailand to be sold to illegal eateries providing exotic meat.

The official was speaking to reporters as he led them to check out the four tiger cubs rescued last month.

Visitors to the park office can check out the cubs until Monday.

The four cubs, named Kham Khong (across the Mekong), Kham Daen (across the border), Savan (after Savannakhet) and Mukda (after Mukdahan), are believed to have been smuggled from a tiger farm in Thailand to accomplices in Laos.

They were then smuggled back to be sold to undercover park officials in Mukdahan mid-last month. The officials had offered to buy the four cubs, who were two-months old then, for 1.5 million baht.

Chaiwat said the cubs were weak with malnutrition when rescued, but are now in good health and weigh over 7 kilos each. They are being tended to by a team of veterinarians, who give them a meal of meat and milk once a day.

The couple who sold the tiger cubs are in detention and awaiting legal action.

Apart from the tiger cubs, the park has also rescued a slow loris that had been abandoned by its owner. The slow loris had climbed up a power pole and burned its arms and legs from the high voltage. Vets had to amputate the animal’s limbs to save its life, he said.

Chaiwat told reporters that his office was also waiting for DNA results to see if the cubs came from any Thai farms. If there is a match, then legal action will be taken against the farm, he added.

He said if the 30 other smuggled cubs are found, they will also undergo DNA tests so their source can be determined and legal action taken.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023211

Freak of nature: Woman killed as sudden strong winds knock down power poles in Chanthaburi

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

A woman was instantly killed when a power pole fell on her as she was walking around in a waterfall park in Chanthaburi province on Sunday morning, officials said.

The victim, identified as Nan-resident Tirat (surname withheld), 63, was visiting the Priew Waterfall National Park with six of her friends.

Her relatives said she and her friends drove to Chanthaburi and stayed overnight at a hotel on the beach before heading to the park on Sunday morning.

At about 8.30am, when Tirat was returning to her car, a sudden gust of strong wind knocked down four power poles and some trees. One of the poles landed directly on her, killing her instantly, officials said.

The park’s chief Thawat Jenkarn said the area will be closed to the public for three days, so the fallen trees and power poles can be removed.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023209

Free tune-up offered to Thai motorists before they head off for New Year’s

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

The Land Transport Department is joining up with private and public partners to provide a free comprehensive vehicle check-up before people start hitting the road for the New Year break.

Deputy government spokesperson Thipanun Sirichana said on Sunday that the department wants all cars, pick-up trucks and motorcycles to undergo a thorough check under the “Free Vehicle Check for Safe Driving” scheme.

Under the programme, each vehicle’s brake system, tyres, engine, engine oil levels, radiator, air filter, lights etc will be thoroughly checked.

The partners will provide huge discounts for parts that are found defective and need replacing, so nobody is hit by a massive bill, Thipanun said.

Joining the programme are the Thai Motorcycle Enterprise Association, the Thai European Business Association, and the Thai Automotive Industry Association, as well as major automakers and distributors.

People can stop at garages with a “Free Vehicle Check for Safe Driving” sign to avail of the service from now until December 31, she said.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023204

Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s foundation makes merit to wish her speedy recovery

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

The Friends in Need (of “PA”) Volunteers Foundation held a special merit-making ceremony to pray for Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s recovery.

The ceremony, which included giving alms to nine monks, was held on Sunday at Bangkok’s Wat Thepsirintrawat Ratchaworawihan.

The Princess – the daughter of His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Soamsawali – is being treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital for a heart-related ailment.

The foundation’s advisory vice chairman Surakiart Sathirathai said the Princess, who is also the foundation’s president, has worked hard in relieving the suffering of flood victims and has helped the foundation become a “centre of excellence in flood relief and management”.

“The Princess launched many policies to ensure operations are efficient and flood victims are given help quickly,” he said.

Surakiart added that the foundation’s executives and staff were grateful to the Princess for her royal grace.

Related stories:

• Police interrogate man seeking donations to hold ceremony for Princess
• Bangkokians pile in at hospital to wish beloved Princess a speedy recovery
• Nation Group executives convey concern for Princess

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023203

6 Thong Lor ganja vendors hit with suspended jail term, THB5,000 fine

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

Six vendors were slapped with a suspended jail term and 5,000 baht in fine for selling marijuana buds without a licence in Bangkok’s Thong Lor area.

Dr Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM), said the Criminal Court had initially sentenced the vendors to two months in jail before suspending the jail term and putting them under probation for two years. The vendors were arrested last week for selling ganja buds without a licence.

The court also ordered them to pay a fine of 5,000 baht each and their stock of marijuana was confiscated.

On Tuesday, officials from the Public Health Ministry and Thong Lor police launched a raid to see if marijuana was being sold under licence.

The officials found that five vendors were selling from their mobile shops using small modified trucks like food trucks, while one was selling marijuana buds from his shop without a licence.

Three of the five truck owners also presented fake licenses to the authorities before all six were taken to Thong Lor Police Station for legal action.

Thongchai said the six suspects were charged in court for violating Section 78 of the Alternative Medicine Act by selling a controlled herb without a licence.

DTAM has issued a directive announcing that marijuana buds are a controlled part of the plant and can only be sold with a licence. DTAM also said that buyers will be required to present their ID cards every time they purchase ganja buds from some 5,000 licensed sellers, starting next month.

The DTAM chief added that the court ruling proves that existing laws are adequate to control the sale and consumption of ganja.

The Public Health Ministry’s billion cannabis and hemp is in its second reading in the House of Representatives.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023202

Furious elephant stomps people at ordination ceremony in Buriram

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

Ten people were injured after an elephant went on a rampage during an ordination ceremony at a temple in Buriram province on Saturday, local officials and residents said.

The elephant stomped an elderly woman on her hip and severely injured her, while another woman – Supranee Maliwan, 61 – said her arm was broken in the attack.

Supranee said more than 1,000 people had gathered for the ceremony in front of Wat Nong Tat in the province’s Lam Plai Mat district.

She said she was standing in front of the three elephants brought to the ceremony and was unable to jump out of the way when one of them attacked.

The 10 victims were sent to hospital for treatment.

Surat Inthasri, 56, said his right leg was injured by the elephant. He was pushing a child away from the attacking elephant when it struck him, he said.

Pranom Chaitrong, 63, blamed children for the rampage, saying they ran around the elephant as the ceremony’s host offered alms.

“Some children collected alms near the elephants even though the host warned people to stay away from them,” she said.

Pranom said she asked the host to stop taking elephants to ordination ceremonies to prevent such attacks from happening again.

Related stories:

• Strolling wild elephants bring traffic to a stop in Khao Yai
• 100 elephants in Ayutthaya camp may be evacuated as Lopburi River overflows
• Elephant rescue mission launched after transport truck overturns