Democrat linked to online gambling no longer in the party: spokesman
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
The coalition’s Democrat Party maintained on Friday that a former election candidate who is suspected of being involved in an illegal online gambling business has left the party.
Democrat spokesman Ramate Rattanachaweng said Ekachai Khajonboonthavorn contested the 2019 general election as a party-list candidate, but he has quit the party “for some time already”.
He also said that nothing out of the ordinary popped up when Ekachai’s background and qualifications were being checked ahead of the elections.
“There were no legal problems that would prohibit a person from contesting in the election. The party took the usual steps prescribed by law,” the spokesman said.
Ramate added that since this former election candidate had left the party, any action that is deemed illegal should be dealt with through the justice process.
He added that the Democrat Party has a clear policy of not supporting any illegal activities like online gambling, and maintained that the party does not accept financial support from those involved in underground businesses.
Calling on the police to take legal action against those involved with grey and dark businesses, he said the Democrat Party will not interfere in the justice procedure.
No casualties as chemical container explodes at Army ordnance factory compound
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
A chemical container at the Royal Thai Army Ordnance Department in Ayutthaya province exploded on Friday noon, but there were no casualties, the top village official said.
The explosion took place in a courtyard near the Army’s explosives fuse factory as a chemical container was exposed to sunlight, Moo 2 village headman Manoch Chanket said.
“The chemical container was placed outdoors, as the factory is currently under renovation,” he said.
He said no one was injured, and the situation was currently under control.
Meanwhile Sali Sapmak, a 42-year-old mahout who witnessed the incident, said he heard an explosion three times and saw thick white smoke.
He added that his elephant panicked after hearing the explosion.
Ayutthaya Governor Niwat Rungsakorn rushed to the scene to investigate the incident.
Police get custody of rare supercar belonging to businessman accused by actress
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
A rare Lamborghini supercar belonging to Chaiwat Kajonboonthavorn, who has been accused of running illegal online gambling, was delivered to the police on Friday by his lawyer.
The lawyer, Phisit Chutipornphongchai, also assured that Chaiwat would turn himself in to the law next Thursday (February 16).
The 38-year-old Chaiwat, famously known by his car dealership nickname “Benz Daemon”, was accused of being one of the four suspects allegedly linked to the Macao 888 online gambling website.
Chaiwat is the eldest of four brothers who actress Arisara “Due” Thongborisut recently accused in a Facebook post of running an online gambling website. In her post, she hinted that all the brothers have nicknames starting with “B”.
Phisit said Chaiwat had instructed him to deliver the vehicle to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) to facilitate their investigations. Chaiwat also had made clear that he had no intention to flee and would turn himself in on February 16, the lawyer said.
Phisit added that Chaiwat preferred not to answer the allegation by the actress that she was also physically abused by him.
Chaiwat’s Lamborghini Mad Bull Liberty Walk Aventador V2 was an extra rare limited edition with only 50 such cars in the world and this is the only one in Thailand. The vehicle is estimated to cost over 40 million baht, and is among several luxury and race cars that the CCIB police found during their search at Chaiwat’s warehouse in Bangkok earlier this week.
Phisit added that the rare vehicle was registered under Chaiwat’s name since the date of purchase and had never changed ownership.
On Friday, the Democrat Party announced that Chaiwat’s brother, Ekachai “Boss” Kajonboonthavorn — another person alleged by the actress as linked to online gambling — had left the party.
The Democrat Party, a government coalition member, said it has a clear policy of not supporting any illegal activities like online gambling, and maintained that the party does not accept financial support from those involved in underground businesses.
Phuket bus shooter kills himself during stand-off with police
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
The former army conscript who opened fire on a public bus in Phuket province on Friday morning, shot himself dead after a stand-off that lasted five hours, police said.
Nawin (surname withheld) injured two passengers when he began shooting shortly after the bus left Phuket’s bus terminal in Mueang district for Phatthalung province.
The bus stopped after the incident and its passengers rushed out of it. The injured were later sent to hospital. Nawin remained on the bus.
Police said they did not know why he fired his gun. He remained on the bus as more than 30 armed police officers surrounded it.
Police escorted his aunt and grandmother to the scene in an attempt to persuade him to surrender.
Five hours after he first opened fire, he turned his pistol on himself and fired his last shot.
A letter he wrote by hand was later found in his pocket. “Don’t worry. I will have a new life and will leave my future to chance. I will not come home again,” it read.
Nawin had been a conscript with the rank of private in the Third Infantry Battalion in the southern border province of Pattani.
He was discharged from military service in May last year after serving three years. He had served two years of compulsory service and an additional year voluntarily.
He was being treated for mental health problems, family members said.
10 Bangkok rescue experts join Thai quake-response mission in Turkey
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
Bangkok has sent 10 rescue workers to join the USAR Thailand team’s search and rescue mission to help victims of the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria.
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake and aftershocks shook southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday morning, leaving over 21,000 people dead as of Friday and affecting millions more in both countries.
A Thai masseuse from Chaiyaphum was among the victims after her hotel workplace in the Turkish town of Iskenderun collapsed.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department on Thursday sent a group of 42 rescue workers to Turkey on a disaster-relief mission. The group includes a Thai urban search and rescue (USAR) team including medics and engineers, plus 10 rescue staff from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said deputy Bangkok governor Tavida Kamolvej.
The team departed Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday night on a Turkish Airlines flight. They took along rescue gear, medical supplies, satellite communication equipment, and two sniffer dogs.
Tavida said the USAR team and BMA rescuers are experts in search and rescue in urban areas. They have had extensive and regular training in disaster relief at national and international levels, she added.
For the latest updates on their search and rescue mission, visit facebook.com/DDPMNews and twitter @DDPMNews.
Senior cop suspended after Chuwit’s blistering Facebook post
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
The police officer alleged to be an owner of the biggest online gambling website in Thailand has been identified as Lt-Colonel Wasawat Mookarasakul by Chuwit Kamolvisit, a former politician and massage parlour tycoon turned whistleblower.
Wasawat has been “temporarily suspended from duty”, police said on Friday.
The Lt-Colonel’s alleged dual role in law enforcement and crime is having a “severe impact on police agencies”, Chuwit said.
“It is not good to have a police officer operating a criminal organisation,” he added.
He urged the police to investigate, adding that those involved in online gambling knew the officer as “Sua of Pentor Group”. Online gambling is illegal in Thailand.
“I have brought this case to the attention of National Police Chief General Damrongsak Kittiprapas,” Chuwit said.
Wasawat had been systematic in setting up a criminal organisation, Chuwit alleged.
Wasawat has stakes in 10 companies under the Pentor Group that are used for money laundering, Chuwit alleged.
According to Chuwit, they are:
1. Pentor Exchange: a foreign currency exchange business operator
2. PT Software: a computer software manufacturer and developer
3. Pentor Property: a residential and commercial property business operator
4. Pentor Entertainment: an entertainment venue operator (Tomorrow Land Exclusive Lounge and Dubai Luxury Club in Bangkok)
5. Snocko Technology: a computer industry personnel developer
How to get your Valentine wish granted at Bangkok’s Shrine of Love
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
Thais and tourists began flocking to Bangkok’s Shrine of Love on Thursday to pray for romance ahead of Valentine’s Day, which falls on Tuesday.
The Trimurti Shrine in front of CentralWorld was packed as the mall ushered in the season of love with a special event held from 5.19pm to 6.19pm.
Among the devotees were female students desperate to reserve tickets for South Korean boyband NCT’s concert before they are snapped up.
The NCT Dream Tour’s “The Dream Show 2 in Bangkok” is due at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi from March 10 to 12.
The Trimurti is the divine trinity of Hinduism in which the cosmic functions of creation, preservation, and destruction are personified as a triad of deities.
Both couples and singles worship at Bangkok’s Trimurti Shrine every February, as the trinity is also considered to be the Hindu deity of love.
People in search of love are advised to prepare one or all of the following items as offerings at the shrine:
Nine roses or one rose garland
Nine red incense sticks
One red candle (for singles) or one pair of red candles (for couples)
Thai quake victim’s devastated parents get just 15,000 baht compensation
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
The devastated parents of a Thai woman who was killed during Monday’s earthquake in Turkey have been told they are entitled to just 15,017 baht compensation for her death – barely enough to cover her funeral.
Chamaiporn Homsantia, 28, was reportedly sleeping when the 7.8 magnitude quake shook the southern Turkish town of Iskenderun, where she worked as a traditional Thai masseuse.
Her body was later retrieved from the rubble after the hotel collapsed along with many other buildings in the town.
Chamaiporn’s distraught mother, Boonchu, said the last time she talked to her daughter was on Saturday.
On Wednesday, she broke down when she was told that her daughter was among the thousands killed in the disaster.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks rumbled through southern Turkey and northern Syria, leaving over 21,000 people dead as of Friday and affecting millions more in both countries.
Chamaiporn was the main provider for the family, which includes two disabled members, said Boonchu. She added that her daughter had been working in Turkey for four years at a 10-storey hotel that collapsed during the earthquake.
However, Chaiyaphum social security office said Chamaiporn quit the social security fund in 2015 and had pending benefits of only 15,017 baht. The small sum has been paid to her family for funeral arrangements.
The Department of Labour said Chamaiporn went to work in Turkey by herself and was never a member of the department’s TOEA (Thailand Overseas Employment Administration) Fund, which provides compensation for Thai workers injured or killed overseas.
The Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it is coordinating with local authorities to bring Chamaiporn’s body back to Thailand for her funeral. The ministry also posted the following contact information for Thais who have been affected by the earthquake:
The Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara can be contacted by phone at +90 533 641 5698 (available 24/7) or on facebook.com/rteankara/
Department of Consular Affairs: (02) 572 8442 (available 24/7)
Emergency numbers for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria: 096 165 7120, 096 352 9015, 096 352 0513.
The embassy in Ankara is open as usual, but consular services have been suspended as officials have been deployed to assist Thais in the affected zones.
Thailand sends USAR team
A Thai urban search and rescue (USAR) team has joined disaster-relief efforts in Turkey after leaving Thailand on Thursday night.
The “Thailand for Turkey” team comprises 42 members, including medics and experts from the Engineering Institute of Thailand. On board with the team were two sniffer dogs.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said the team will establish an emergency centre as a search-and-rescue base as well as provide medical assistance. The team is fully equipped with rescue gear, medical supplies and satellite communication equipment, it added.
The CP Group has donated food and other necessities for the team to deliver to quake victims, said the department.
Malaysia PM vows to facilitate peace talks in restive southern Thailand
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged to “do whatever is required” to facilitate a peaceful solution to a long-simmering insurgency in southern Thailand, during an official visit to Bangkok on Thursday.
More than 7,300 people have been killed since 2004 in fighting between Thai forces and shadowy groups seeking independence for the predominantly Muslim and ethnically Malay provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and parts of Songkhla, which border Malaysia.
Anwar stressed the insurgency is an internal issue for Thailand but said Malaysia will do whatever it can to help find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
“It is our duty as good neighbours and family to do whatever is required and necessary to facilitate the process,” Anwar said.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said cooperation will help address the problems in the restive provinces, specifically greater economic development and improved connectivity between the two countries.
The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the main insurgent group involved in talks with the Thai government did not comment when contacted by Reuters.
Since 2013 Malaysia has helped facilitate peace talks between the separatists groups and Thai government but the process been disrupted. The latest round of talks resumed last year after a two-year suspension due to the pandemic.
Sustainability a pillar of Radisson Hotel Group’s long-term success after Covid-19
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2023
Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), one of the world’s leading hotel company, expressed its vested commitment to sustainability, as the world turns more to green practices.
RHG’s Chief Development Officer for Asia Pacific, Ramzy Fenianos, recently told The Nation in an exclusive interview that the Covid-19 pandemic had made the world realize the importance of the environment and how tremendously it could affect everyone’s life.
“Covid-19 has shown people the value of human life and the fragility of our world, and this has accelerated the drive for sustainability as a key pillar in the industry,” he said.
Fenianos stated that RHG’s mission is to adapt to the needs of its customers while maintaining the group’s firm commitment to responsible business and sustainability practices.
Therefore, RHG is incorporating more innovative methods and tools to elevate the overall process aimed at achieving sustainability.
Radisson Hotel Group launched its first environmental policy in 1989. That landmark move has helped to significantly reduce its carbon footprint over the past years. By 2025, the Group aims to achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 30% and eventually be carbon neutral by 2050.
To achieve its ambitious goal, RHG, in collaboration with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), has developed a new set of sustainability indicators known as ”Hotel Sustainability Basics”.
According to Fenianos, Hotel Sustainability Basics serve as a key performance index. For example, the Group is deploying the use of tools to reduce water consumption, and choosing local suppliers to reduce carbon footprint.
Moreover, energy conservation, waste reduction, and lowering of carbon emissions are also listed in the set as additional requirements.
“One of the most important task before us is to motivate our hotel owners to make their property and asset sustainable, such as setting up water bottling plants within the hotel or partnering with other companies to install electric charging stations,” he said.
Radisson Hotel Group has set intermediate targets in order to meet this ambitious mid-term decarbonization goal. One of these critical short-term steps is the implementation of the Hotel Sustainability Basics in all RHG hotels worldwide by the end of 2023.
In addition, as part of its efforts to encourage greater participation in protecting the environment, RHG welcomes its clients to take part in and benefit from these sustainability measures. Radisson Rewards members can make their hotel stays carbon neutral by redeeming just 325 points per day to offset the carbon footprint of their stay in a reliable and seamless way. Radisson Rewards is one of the few loyalty programs to offer this option in points and as an integral part of the stay, making green stays easy campaign.
Fenianos mentioned that according to Expedia Research in April 2022, 90% of travellers want to see sustainable options, and 95% of Asia-Pacific travellers choose sustainable options. The trend points to an increasing number of travelers showing a willingness to pay for sustainable options.
“We realize that today’s travelers are willing to pay more for an environmentally friendly, convenient, cleaner, and safer stay. I could say that sustainability is requested by most of our guests,” he stated.
Aside from focusing on sustainability, RHG also plans to continue its expansion strategy as the global tourism industry recovers.
Despite challenges such as inflation, RHG continues to grow in key markets in the region, including Thailand.
Fenianos said that RHG intends to add value to Thailand’s tourism, and added that the rich diversity of Thai natural resources, food, and culture would be key factors in making Thailand’s tourism stronger and more sustainable.
“We have a very positive outlook on Thailand’s market and have full faith in its potential,” Fenianos said.
The Group continues to be vested in the growth of Thailand and the region, and prioritises relationships with hotel owners, travelers, and employees while also advocating sustainability, he concluded.
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