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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022593

Aed Carabao accused of encroaching on national forest

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2022

Yuenyong “Aed” Ophakul, lead singer of legendary songs-for-life band Carabao, is under scrutiny for alleged encroachment on national forest in Saraburi province.

Anti-corruption activist Veera Somkwamkid on Monday filed a police complaint in Saraburi’s Kaeng Khoi district, claiming Yuenyong’s 35-rai plot encroaches on the Tab Kwang- Muak Lek Forest Reserve.

Veera, secretary-general of the People’s Network Against Corruption, also filed a complaint of malfeasance against Royal Forest Department officials for allegedly colluding in the land deal.

Saraburi Forest Resource Management officials and police visited the plot on Tuesday and used GPS to measure its size and location. The results will be sent to related authorities to determine if it is encroaching on national forest.

Yuenyong leases the land to a woman, who told officials she has rented it for 120,000 baht per year for five years. She has also built a fence around the plot.

Veera alleged the land was used for tourism.

Yuenyong reportedly bought the land from a man named Jamras Jullapa in 1992. Jamras had reportedly held a land-occupation claim form (Sor Khor 1) for the plot, but never the land-use deed (Nor Sor 3 Kor).

A representative of Yuenyong has denied the accusation and said the musician will fight to clear his name.

Related Stories

Carabao: Thai rocker turned drinks mogul energising English football

New Saraburi Buddhist tourist attraction

Saraburi sanctuary replenishes water reserves for wild animals to cope with heat

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022577

Speeding pickup hits British tourist at zebra crossing in Pattaya

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

A 74-year-old British tourist was knocked over by a speeding pick-up truck at a zebra crossing hit-and-run in Pattaya.

A CCTV recording on Jomtien II Road showed Peter Palmer being hit and hurled into the air by a speeding pick-up truck in broad daylight on Monday.

The clip also showed a security officer rushing to help the victim back on his feet, but deciding against it and choosing to wait for an ambulance instead.

While waiting for the ambulance, the guard began directing the traffic and eventually tried to shade the victim from the blazing sunlight with an umbrella.

The clip showed that the pick-up did not stop or even slow down after hitting the tourist.

Palmer was eventually taken to the hospital and after being discharged, he told reporters that he was walking across the zebra crossing because the green pedestrian light was on. He said the timer had 12 seconds left and all other cars had stopped when a white pick-up suddenly showed up from nowhere and sent him flying.

Palmer said he has received four stitches for the head wound and suffered a hip injury, test results of which are still pending. Urging the pick-up driver to come forward and take responsibility, he said he will file a police complaint on Tuesday.

According to Thailand’s Land Traffic Act, drivers who cause damages t another person or another person’s assets and do not stop to help can face up to three months in jail and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht. If the victim is seriously killed or injured, the penalty is up to six months in prison and/or up to 20,000 baht in fine.

Despite such penalties, road accidents are still a common occurrence in Thailand and most motorists continue ignoring traffic laws.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022574

Most Thais raring to fly overseas now that borders have opened

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom are the five most popular destinations for Thai travellers, Visa Thailand said on Tuesday.

When it comes to choosing an international destination, some 2,000 Thai respondents pinpointed three factors they base their decisions on:

• Cost of travel: 65%

• Weather: 49%

• Need to explore new places: 48%

They were allowed more than one answer in Visa Thailand’s “Travel Intentions Study 2023 – Outbound Edition” survey.

“Thai travellers have had a pent-up craving to travel after not being able to venture abroad for so long during the pandemic,” said Pipavin Sodprasert, Visa Thailand’s country manager.

“With more countries reopening their borders, we wanted to take a closer look at how Thais are rediscovering their favourite international destinations and navigating a world of uncertainty.”

The study also found that people are putting the travel barriers of the pandemic behind them with just over a third (35%) concerned about the reopening policy of their preferred destination, and just over one-fifth (23%) are worried about the pandemic.

Here were some of the questions and responses gathered in the survey:

Top 3 reasons for going overseas

• Exploring new places: 61%

• Spending quality time with friends and family: 42%

• Revisit favourite destination: 36%

How is the trip organised?

• Personally: 41%

• Joining a flexible tour: 21%

• Joining package tour: 11%

How many times do you expect to travel in the next 12 months?

• Once: 53%

• Twice: 31%

• Three times: 11%

Length of stay per trip

• 5-7 days: 39%

• 8-10 days: 22%

• More than 2 weeks: 12%

What are you willing to pay more for?

• Better food: 56%

• Hassle-free service: 52%

• More exotic destinations: 36%

How much are you willing to spend?

• Leisure trip: Up to 45,000 baht

• Business trip: Up to 40,000 baht

Preferred payment method overseas

• Cards: 69%

• Cash: 61%

• Contactless, digital wallet: 57%

What are the benefits of digital payment methods?

• Security: 60%

• Convenience: 56%

• Can keep track of spending: 49%

Respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer.

“It’s clear that Thai travellers are ready to leave many of their pandemic-related concerns around travel behind them,” Pipavin added.

Related stories:

• Popularity of Red tourism jumps among Chinese youth
• Phuket medical tourism hub at stake when host of ‘Specialised Expo’ picked Monday
• Vintage beauties gear up to go cruisin’ at Buri Ram car fest next weekend

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022571

Fifty luxury houses linked to alleged Chinese drug lord under police scrutiny

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Police on Tuesday were investigating 50 houses in two luxurious residential projects in Bangkok’s Bang Na and Klong San districts suspected to have connection with alleged Chinese drug-ring boss “Tuhao”, who recently surrendered to the police.

Chainat Kornchayanan, also known as “Tuhao”, a Chinese businessman who became a naturalised Thai after marrying a police colonel, on November 23 surrendered to the police team in charge of a crackdown on Chinese mafia bosses. He denied he was the boss of a drug ring.

Deputy National Police chief Pol General Torsak Sukvimol said that investigators had sought court warrants to search 50 houses in two projects — in Soi Lasalle and Charoen Nakhon Road — as they believed they have been bought by Chainat’s representatives.

Torsak said initial investigation revealed that the two projects have a total of 66 houses priced from 35-60 million baht; 50 of them have been purchased in cash by a group of Chinese nationals.

The investigation on Tuesday found that most houses had no inhabitants, while some have only live-in housekeepers.

“These 50 houses have mostly Chinese owners with Thai housekeepers,” he said. “Some of the former neighbours said they decided to move away as these residents often held loud parties at night.”

Torsak added that officials found traces of valuables and vehicles being moved from these houses, leading officials to believe that the owners tried to hide assets after the news of Chainat turning himself in.

Torsak said police will hold an official press conference on Wednesday to summarise their findings from Tuesday’s investigation.

Related Stories

Suspected Chinese mafioso’s private jet seized for examination: ONCB

Alleged Chinese drug-ring boss surrenders to police in Bangkok

237 Chinese nationals arrested as police raid alleged drug party at Bangkok restaurant

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022568

AIS Playbox operator appeals against court injunction on its broadcast of World Cup matches

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

AIS Playbox operator on Tuesday appealed to the court to revoke an injunction barring the company from broadcasting the 2022 World Cup Finals on its IPTV platform.

Super Broadband Network Ltd (SBN) on Tuesday filed an appeal to the Intellectual Property and International Trade Court, seeking revocation of the court’s injunction issued last Friday ordering the company to stop showing matches from Qatar.

The injunction stated that SBN could be violating the rights of True Corporation, who claimed to have exclusive rights to broadcast half of the 64 World Cup matches on internet protocol TV (IPTV) and over the top (OTT) platforms.

In the appeal filed on Tuesday, SBN said that it had legally acquired the rights to broadcast the programme on its platform.

The company urged the court to return its rights, which had been granted to the company by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), whose resolution is to make the programme available freely for all Thais.

Earlier, True pointed out that it had signed a contract with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) for exclusive broadcast of 32 matches after contributing 300 million baht to the SAT’s 1.4-billion-baht purchase of the broadcasting rights from Fifa.

True made clear that under NBTC’s “must-carry” rule, only broadcast via terrestrial TV must be made available freely, and therefore the company must retain the broadcasting rights via other channels, including IPTV and OTT.

True’s so-called exclusive rights to World Cup 2022 have been widely viewed as unfair to other operators, as the company had contributed only a part of the total amount Thailand had paid for the broadcasting rights.

Related Stories

World Cup broadcast war escalates as AIS ordered to halt screenings

World Cup now available on all internet TV platforms as True loses exclusive rights

NBTC tells True to return exclusive broadcast rights for 16 World Cup matches

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022566

Exploding 750-year-old Chiang Mai temple sparks Fine Art Dept probe

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Video of a 750-year-old Chiang Mai temple erupting in explosions from a fireworks display has sent Fine Art Department officials rushing to investigate.

The footage shows a skyrocket being fired at the grand chedi at Wat Chedi Liam, built around 1830BE (1286CE). The rocket appears to trigger explosions on every level of the chedi before rockets shoot up from its summit as spectators gasp and cheer.

The video was shared by Phra Somporn Thittasophano, a monk at the temple, but then deleted after a national outcry.

Netizens slammed the fireworks display as a desecration of the sacred site, saying it may also have done physical damage to the chedi.

The temple’s abbot, Phra Kru Sangka Pichai, later clarified that the video was recorded on November 9 during the Pang Prateep candle-lighting ceremony for the Yi Peng Festival.

The firework show was organised by the temple’s committee and worshippers but had not damaged the ancient chedi, he added.

Terdsak Yenchura, director of archaeological sites conservation at the Chiang Mai Fine Arts Department, rushed to inspect the temple after the video went viral. He said he found no evidence of damage to the chedi from the pyrotechnics display. Debris was found at the site but this was from previous restoration efforts, he said.

Terdsak said that to protect chedi and other heritage sites, the Fine Arts Department would now issue monks with guidelines on what activities were permitted at Chiang Mai temples.

He said it would also offer advice on restoration, as some temples were hiring unqualified restorers who caused damage to chedi and other historical structures.

Related stories

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022564

Devotee showers 429,000 garlands on Buddha idol in Chiang Mai to fulfil vow

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Jasmine garlands worth 3.4 million baht were offered on Tuesday by a devotee to “Luang Por Tan Jai”, a Buddha image enshrined at Wat Phra That Doi Kham in Muang district of Chiang Mai province.

A total of 429,000 garlands, reportedly gathered from more than 40 stores across the province, were offered by the believer to fulfil a vow on achieving success in career and fortune. The believer’s name was not revealed.

Temple officials arranged the garlands into sets of 1,000 garlands per tray to offer the 1,300-year-old Buddha image until noon.

Temple visitors were amazed by the sight and took pictures. Some visitors purchased lottery tickets with the number “429” for the next draw on Thursday (December 1).

The temple abbot, Phrakhru Soonthorn Chetiyarak, said many believers usually offer jasmine garlands to Luang Por Tan Jai when their wishes are fulfilled.

“Most believers wished for success in trade and fortune,” he said.

Related stories:

• Bangkok still No 1 for foreign condo buyers, Phuket overtakes Chiang Mai
• Nok Air cancels Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son service, seeks switch to Udon Thani
• Thai city folk rush up North as mercury drops

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022563

Plans on developing Makkasan smart city to be aired tomorrow

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee will on Wednesday gather opinions from both the public and private sectors in relation to Makkasan Station’s transit-oriented development (TOD).

Makkasan Station is the key hub for a high-speed railway that will eventually link three key airports (Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao).

The TOD project aims to maximise the use of land, support the development of a smart city and make transport links to the EEC more efficient.

“The hearing aims to boost awareness and improve TOD in line with opinions gathered from the public and private sectors,” the committee said.

Once the result of this hearing is approved by the Cabinet, the policy committee said it will attach the TOD project to the co-investment contract to serve as a guideline for private contractors.

“Some 100 people from both sectors are expected to participate in this hearing,” the panel said.

Meanwhile, private contractor Asia Era One Co Ltd will have to pay about 50 billion baht in rent to the State Railway of Thailand if it signs the co-investment contract. Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) holds a majority stake in this company.

Earlier, CP Group had said that Makkasan Station would be developed into a mixed-use area, comprising residences, department stores and convention centres.

The group said the development will require an investment of 140 billion baht, which will come from loans and from project partners.

The TOD will cover about 140 rai (22.4 hectares) of land around Makkasan Station and serve as a gateway between Bangkok and EEC.

The initial criteria for TOD will be to develop:

• Smart city

• Low-income residences

• Free access to public areas

• A mass-transit interchange

• Watershed

• Energy conservation

Related stories:

• Transport Ministry readies aid for residents affected by mega projects
• Ghosts to haunt Bangkok’s Makkasan Train Factory later this month
• Used diesel trains from Japan complete test run without a glitch

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022562

Get your jabs, says senator as Covid cases surge in Bangkok

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Bangkokians should continue protecting themselves against infection, especially since the number of recorded daily Covid-19 cases in the city has nearly doubled, a senator said.

The warning came from Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleephan, deputy chair of a Senate committee on public health, in his blog on Blockdit.com on Monday.

In the blog, Chalermchai quoted deputy Bangkok governor Tavida Kamolvej reporting that the number of registered Covid-19 cases in Bangkok this week had risen from about 900 a day to about 1,500 a day.

He also quoted Tavida as saying that the number of people admitted to hospital for Covid had doubled to 200 daily.

Chalermchai also pointed out that two to four people die of Covid-19 related complications on a daily basis.

However, he admitted that most Covid-19 patients do not develop severe conditions because they are fully vaccinated, adding that most of those who have died are of the 608 group – over 60 years old and/or with one or more of eight comorbidities.

He pointed out that most of those who succumbed to the virus were also not fully vaccinated.

Hence, he advised people to get their booster shots and continue protecting themselves by wearing flu masks.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022558

Ride Bangkok’s MRT subway for free next Monday

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Adults can ride Bangkok’s MRT train system for free next Monday when Thais celebrate National Father’s Day.

MRT fares will be waived all day on December 5, which marks the birthday anniversary of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX).

The free subway rides are aimed at boosting family ties and lowering energy use by encouraging people to travel by public transport, said the MRT’s operator.

The free tickets will be available at MRT Blue and Purple line ticket booths from 6am to midnight. Children must pay the usual fare, though.

For more info, contact the MRT Information Service Centre at (02) 624 5200 or visit MRT Bangkok Metro Facebook page.

Related stories:

• Samsen Road new Bangkok traffic congestion hotspot from Wednesday
• 3 Bangkok MRT lines – Orange, Yellow, Pink – very close to completion
• Bangkok Land signs MRT Pink Line extension contract worth THB4 bn