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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403562

Man caught while allegedly attempting to smuggle 32 gold bars into Myanmar

NationalMar 11. 2021

By THE NATION

Kanchanaburi police on Wednesday arrested a man after discovering 32 gold bars, each weighing half a kilogram, tucked under the driver’s seat of his pickup truck as it headed for the Myanmar border.

Chart (last name withheld), aged 36, a local of Kanchanaburi’s Sangkhlaburi district, was stopped by police near the Thai-Myanmar border checkpoint in Nong Lu subdistrict before officers made the glittering discovery.

The gold bars were promptly confiscated as evidence.

Police reportedly said they had tracked down the suspect following an intelligence report about a smuggling network that was transporting gold bars to Myanmar without going through customs procedures.

Chart reportedly confessed that he was paid Bt6,000 by a woman who, he claimed, owned a gold shop in Payathonzu, a town in southern Myanmar’s Karen state. He said she hired him to buy gold bars worth Bt28 million from a shop in Bangkok’s Yaowarat area and smuggle them across the border to her.

“The suspect also said that had done the job twice this month. The first time, on March 3, he smuggled four gold bars worth Bt6.4 million, and on March 5 he smuggled another five gold bars worth Bt7.4 million into Myanmar,” a police officer said.

Police are investigating the suspect’s employer and her motive for buying gold bars. They speculated it could be due to the political unrest in Myanmar, which has driven some businesspeople to convert their cash into gold bars, which are easier to transport or hide.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403553

Hot, hazy day forecast across Thailand, isolated thundershowers in the South

NationalMar 11. 2021

By THE NATION

Upper Thailand will see a hot to very hot day with outbreaks of thundershowers and gusty winds in some areas, while the lower North, the Northeast, the Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity, and the East will experience hot weather, the Meteorological Department said on Thursday, adding that an easterly wind prevails over the South and the Gulf and will bring isolated thundershowers to the South.

Here’s the weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Hot to very hot with haze during the day; temperature lows of 17-23 degrees and highs of 34-40 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Hot with haze, isolated thundershowers with gusty wind in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees and highs of 34-37 degrees Celsius.

Central: Hot with haze, isolated thundershowers with gusty wind in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 37-39 degrees Celsius.

East: Hot with haze, isolated thundershowers with gusty wind in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius; waves less than a metre high and 1 metre offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and over 1 metre during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Hot during the day with isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-26 degrees, highs of 35-36 degrees Celsius; waves less than a metre high and 1 metre offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot with haze, isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees, highs of 35-38 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403547

New jetty for Maya Bay 70% complete but no decision on reopening

NationalMar 10. 2021

“Not yet” was the answer given by authorities on Tuesday to calls for the famed Maya Bay in Krabi province to reopen after two years in rehab.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation was responding to a March 5 call from local Krabi authorities desperate to lift restrictions at one of their top tourist attractions.

The National Resources and the Environment Ministry said Maya Bay would only open after the department has finished upgrading facilities and tourist management to ensure sustainability.

Located on Koh Phi Phi Leh, the bay was shut in June 2018 to allow its corals and other marine life to recover from years of crowding by tourists.

Red fishing buoys guard Maya Bay to prevent boats from entering during its two-year rehabilitation programme.

Prayoon Pongpan, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, said work to upgrade infrastructure on the island, including the jetty in Loh Samah Bay, was 70 per cent complete and due to be finished in May.

Initially, a limit of 370 visitors per trip would be imposed for Maya Bay, he said.

However, the reopening date would be decided by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, who would discuss the matter with experts first.

Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, deputy dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, said that to allow its coral reefs to recover, the new gateway to Maya Bay should be the jetty at Loh Samah – otherwise the two years of rehab efforts would be in vain. He said the national park should slowly open the beach in line with the government’s plan to reopen the country in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

Maya Beach became famous as the backdrop for the 1999 global hit film “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403546

Flights from India will soon be allowed to land in three more airports

NationalMar 10. 2021

By THE NATION

The Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to allow flights from India to land in Surat Thani’s Samui Island, Krabi Airport and Chonburi’s U-Tapao Airport in addition to the current set up in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Traisulee Traisoranakul, deputy government spokesperson, said this is part of a collaboration between Thailand and India, adding that the transport ministries on both sides have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to aviation.

The MoU will increase the quota of tourists from India by 6,150 a week based on an estimate of 23,609 arrivals weekly.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403543

SRT Red Line to start test runs from March 26

NationalMar 10. 2021

By The Nation

The Red Line suburban railway system running from Bang Sue to Rangsit and Taling Chan will go on a trial run on March 26, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Wednesday.

After the trial run on March 26, the line will be opened to groups or educational systems provided they book tickets with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

Trial runs on the line will be opened to the general public in July before it goes into full public service in November.

Initially, 22 trains will run every 20 minutes during the morning and evening rush hour in a bid to alleviate traffic congestion.

Shuttle buses from Hua Lamphong Station to the Bang Sue Grand Station will also be provided soon. SRT is expected to negotiate with the Expressway Authority of Thailand to waive toll fees to allow speedy transfers and cut down on fares.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403542

Thailand to ease quarantine rules for some arrivals

NationalMar 10. 2021

By The Nation

In a meeting on Monday, the Public Health Ministry’s national committee on communicable diseases resolved to reduce the 14-day mandatory quarantine for travellers.

This decision was made in line with the fact that Covid-19 vaccinations are easing the pandemic globally.

The new quarantine rules will apply to three types of travellers:

• Seven-day quarantine for foreigners who have a vaccination certificate dated no more than three months and no less than 14 days, plus a Covid-free certificate.

• Seven-day quarantine for Thais returning home with a vaccination certificate dated no more than three months and no less than 14 days, but do not have a Covid-free certificate.

• 10-day quarantine for foreigners who have a Covid-free certificate but no vaccination certificate.

These regulations apply to all except travellers from Africa, where a highly contagious variant of the virus has surfaced. Travellers from African countries will still have to undergo the full 14-day quarantine.

Visit https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403453 for more information.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403540

Bangkok going green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day

NationalMar 10. 2021

By The Nation

Bangkok will join the rest of the world by going green next week – but this has nothing to do with environmental friendliness.

To celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 17, the capital will take part in the “Global Greening Programme 2021” by lighting up the iconic spire of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) in Irish green.

Other Bangkok buildings going green on Wednesday from 7pm to 10pm include the Thailand Cultural Centre, Conrad Hotel, the Irish Embassy on Wireless Road and All Seasons Place.

The Republic of Ireland has been running the Global Greening Programme since 2010, inviting cities around the world to splash themselves in Ireland’s national colour on its national day.

Among buildings and landmarks going green this Paddy’s Day are Australia’s Sydney Opera House, the UK’s London Eye big wheel, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and Niagara Falls in the US.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403538

Chiang Mai Night Safari deploys ‘DIY aircon’ for animals hit by heat, smog

NationalMar 10. 2021

By THE NATION

The Chiang Mai Night Safari deployed a water-spraying truck on Tuesday in a bid to protect its animals from heat and thick smog caused by forest fires in the North.

On Tuesday morning, the Air Visual website ranked Chiang Mai as having the worst air quality in the world for three consecutive days, with an air quality index at the “very unhealthy” level of 225 points.

Benjaphol Nakprasert, acting director of the zoo’s administrator, said every year during the summer officials spray water around the Savanna Safari and Predator Proud zones before the attraction opens.

“The mist helps keep animals cool and reduces the spread of dust particles and smog,” he said.

“Also, some animals enjoy the sprays of water, including elephants, red river hogs and capybaras. Water spraying is like a daily treat for them.”

Covid-19 restrictions mean bookings for the Chiang Mai Night Safari in Hangdong district must be made online at www.chiangmainightsafari.com or the official Line account: nightsafari. The zoo opens daily from 11am to 9pm. For more information, call 0539 99000.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403537

Possibility of reopening Thailand on Oct 1 to be considered

NationalMar 10. 2021Apisamai Srirangsan

By The Nation

If vaccination drives in other countries continue easing the pandemic situation, then Thailand should be fully reopened within this year, Apisamai Srirangsan, Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesperson, said on Wednesday.

She said a CCSA team spoke with deputy Samut Sakhon governor Thiraphat Khashmat about infections in the province and learned that the number of new cases has been dropping continuously. CCSA will consider readjusting the colour-tier labels for provinces on March 19 because, over the past few weeks, only 10 provinces have been reporting infections.

The relaxation of more measures may be considered before April 1 so people can enjoy Songkran festival this year.

CCSA is considering the possibility of reopening the country on October 1 provided the government is fully prepared, businesses are willing to follow health measures and the public will maintain guard against the virus.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403536

New ferry port will soon make Koh Phaluai more accessible

NationalMar 10. 2021

By The Nation

The plan to build a port for ferries on Koh Phaluai island in the South has passed community hearing involving villagers and government agencies in the area.

Accordingly, Raja Ferry Port has been given permission to build a berth for up to 500 gross tonnage passenger vessels.

Construction is expected to take up to a year. It is believed that this port will support transfers and tourism in the neighbouring Nok Phao Island as well.

Apichart Chayopas, managing director of the ferry company, said there are currently no ferry services available on the island and building a port will serve as another island gateway for Surat Thani province.

Phaluai is the largest in the Mu Koh Ang Thong group of islands and falls under the Koh Samui district of Surat Thani.