252-year-old Uttaradit temple to celebrate Loy Krathong for first time
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022
A temple in Uttaradit plans to hold its first Loy Krathong festival since it was founded 252 years ago.
Wat Khung Taphao in Mueang Uttaradit district will celebrate the grand event on November 7 and 8 at nearby piers, using thousands of coconut shells as krathongs.
Local elders as well as housewives have prepared coconut shell krathongs and donated them to temples for the joyous festival.
Khung Taphao subdistrict mayor Rungsak Liangprasert said Wat Khung Taphao is truly an ancient temple, being built since the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
He said Loy Krathong will be held at the temple this year for the first time since it was established during the reign of King Taksin the Great in 1770.
Local residents are obviously excited and have prepared coconut shells for the temple so elders can make krathongs, Rungsak said, adding that more than 10,000 krathongs have already been made.
The temple’s abbot had earlier suggested that residents use leftover coconut shells and candles to make krathongs instead of banana leaves.
Monks will perform a religious ritual for the krathongs before using them for the festival.
Apart from thanking the Goddess of Water Phra Mae Khongkha during the festival, people hope to float away bad luck using the krathongs and wish for good things. The occasion also draws young people to temples.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) is an inter-governmental forum that promotes free trade across the Asia-Pacific region. Apec was founded in 1989 by 12 members, which included Thailand. Now, there are 21 members.
The criterion for membership, however, is that each member must be an independent economic entity, rather than a sovereign state.
As a result, Apec uses the term member economies rather than member countries to refer to its members. One result of this criterion is that membership of the forum includes Taiwan (officially the Republic of China, participating under the name “Chinese Taipei“) alongside People’s Republic of China, as well as Hong Kong, which entered Apec as a British colony but it is now a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Apec has a combined population of more than 2.8 billion people.
The members together make up more than 60 per cent of the world gross domestic product.
Apec’s share of global trade is more than 47 per cent.
Headquartered in Singapore, Apec is recognized as one of the highest-level multilateral blocs and oldest forums in the Asia-Pacific region and exerts a significant global influence.
The members will participate in the annual Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok on November 18-19.
Two Chonburi FC players banned indefinitely over drink-driving incident
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022
Chonburi FC was quick to release a statement on Wednesday after two of its players were involved in a drink-driving incident.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chonburi FC goalkeeper Worawut Sukuna, 23, allegedly killed a person and injured another on a Chonburi bridge while driving under the influence, according to the police.
In the statement, Chonburi FC said its executives and staff held a meeting immediately after the news broke. They have come out with four “standpoints”:
1. Chonburi FC and its executives will fully help and compensate the injured victim who is being treated at Chonburi Hospital, besides compensating the family of the person killed in the incident.
2. The club disagreed with Worawut’s behaviour as he was allegedly drunk and killed a person while driving under the influence. The club said his action flew in the face of its morals and aim to help Chonburi residents lead a healthy life, which includes shunning alcohol before driving. The club vowed to “control” its footballers and staff from causing such an incident again.
3. The club said it would be responsible to society by “not protecting” the wrongdoers and will cooperate with the police where legal action is concerned.
It will also not allow Worawut to play in the Thai League competition until the case is complete and he is punished legally.
4. The club will fully investigate another footballer – Chalermpong Kerdkaew (who allegedly tried to help Worawut flee the scene) – and will not allow him onto the pitch until an investigation is completed to check if he was guilty of any wrongdoing or directly involved in the incident.
Wowarut previously played for Chonburi FC B and Bankhai United FC. He also played for Uthai Thani FC last season under a loan transfer. He was part of the U18 Thai student team and had the distinction of winning the best goalkeeper award in a competition in India when he qualified for the U19 national team.
He was recently named among other players in the first round of selection for the U23 national team.
Wowarut played a part in helping the team make it to Thai League 2 before he took the field for Chonburi FC this season for six matches.
The drink-driving incident could spell the end of his career – similar to NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, who played for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ruggs was caught driving under the influence on November 2, 2021, after he killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog. He had to leave the team.
He has not played any game since then as he awaits trial.
237 Chinese nationals arrested as police raid alleged drug party at Bangkok restaurant
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022
More than 200 Chinese nationals were arrested at a drug party in Bangkok’s Sathorn area in the wee hours of Wednesday (October 26).
Metropolitan police busted a restaurant/karaoke joint on Charoen Rat Road after receiving complaints that the establishment was allegedly hosting a secret drug party for foreign tourists as well as various kinds of gambling for its patrons.
Over 200 party-goers scattered in panic as police officers barged in while blocking all the exits of the building. Some went into hiding in the kitchen and restrooms.
After the commotion had died down, police arrested 237 Chinese nationals — 111 males and 126 females — who attended the alleged drug party, along with 29 Thai and Cambodian employees. They were charged with drug usage and working in an entertainment venue without permit.
Officers reportedly found several kinds of party drugs in over 300 small plastic bags, such as ketamine, nimetazepam, and “happy water”, or powdered mixture of synthetic substances — including MDMA, methamphetamine, diazepam, and ketamine, to be dissolved in drinks.
Police also confiscated over 30 luxury cars found in the establishment’s garage, while the building’s owner is being tracked down for questioning.
Police are also investigating if the cars are linked to any known drug rings as they could be an accessory to money laundering.
Bangkok residents warned Chao Phraya could overflow from today to Nov 9
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on Wednesday warned that the Chao Phraya may burst its banks from Wednesday to November 9 due to rising sea tide, heavy rains and runoff from upstream provinces.
In the warning, the BMA said the water level of the river would rise to about 1.70 to 2.20 metres above median sea level during the period and could affect people living along the river’s banks.
The water level could be influenced by the rising sea tide coupled with rainwater because of the influence of a northeast monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand and the South as well as a monsoon trough over the middle South. At the same time, the Chao Phraya Dam continues to discharge water at a fast rate because of the runoff from upper provinces, the BMA explained.
The city administration urged Bangkok residents who may be affected by the overflowing river to seek help from the BMA through its Facebook page or via the Traffy Fondue app.
The Royal Thai Navy’s Hydrographic Department said the Chao Phraya level at the Navy headquarters would be about 2.05 metres above median sea level at 5.42pm on Wednesday and about 2.12 metres above median sea level at 8.11am on Thursday.
Chonburi FC goalkeeper crashes into two people on sea bridge, kills one
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022
Chonburi FC goalkeeper Worawut Sukuna, 23, allegedly killed a person exercising and injured another while “driving under the influence” on a Chonburi bridge along the sea, according to police.
Mueang Chonburi police had received a report at dawn on Wednesday that there was an accident in which a car hit a person who was exercising on the bridge.
Police, doctors and rescue staff arrived at the scene to find Kanya Ponghatsabon, 62, dead. She was in an exercise outfit. Her right leg was broken and her skull cracked. They also found a severely injured person called Phong (first and last name unknown) who also had his right leg broken. He was rushed to hospital.
They found a damaged black Toyota Vios barely 20 metres from the scene and the alleged culprit, Worawut. He claimed to be the driver of the car and behaved as if he was drunk. Officers immediately checked his blood for alcohol and found it measured 184 mg/dl but he refused to sign any police document.
According to a bystander, the Vios had approached at high speed. Suddenly, he heard a loud noise and saw the vehicle hitting the bridge sidewalk, sending sparks flying. As the car careened towards him, he jumped clear but it hit both victims.
Two people subsequently arrived in a white Toyota Fortuner and tried to spirit the culprit away, but the police and rescue staff stopped them.
One of the two was claimed to be drunk. He allegedly insulted the rescue staff, a local reporter as well as police officers. Worse, he even allegedly tried to punch a policeman but the officer managed to evade the punch.
Rescue staff and nearby residents helped lock him up and tried to calm him down. They identified him as Chonburi FC defender Chalermpong Kerdkaew, 36.
He was later allowed to leave the scene while Worawut was charged with reckless and drunk driving, causing a person’s death and injuring another.
‘TMF Stops Hate Speech Clip Contest’ offers THB75,000 in prize money to winners
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022
In a move targeting hate speech, especially on social media, the Thai Media Fund (TMF) has organised a contest in which winners stand to bag 75,000 baht in prize money.
The organisation announced its “TMF Stop Hates Speech Clip Contest” at a press conference and workshop at Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel on Tuesday.
The contest aims to raise public awareness on hate speech in Thailand, especially one that is related to religion, and drive the campaign to stop the spread of such speech used across online social media.
The contest will accept video clips from students, religious networks and the general public under the concept of “Stop hate against religions and speech that hurts each other”.
The winner stands to gain a 30,000 baht prize, while 20,000 baht will go to the first runner-up, 10,000 baht to the second and 5,000 baht for three honourable mentions.
TMF manager Thanakorn Srisuksai said the fund hopes the contest will help promote surveillance of hate speech used on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, which offer open channels for people to post their messages to the masses in a second.
“Research has indicated that religion is one of the most common bases of hate speech, while new media and social media have fuelled the communication of hate speech in a widespread and fast manner,” he said.
“Hate speech is not limited to just speech, it could also come in the form of text messages, drawings, photographs, graphics, movies, songs, or other kinds of symbols.”
Thanakorn said hate speech is not just limited to cursive, vulgar, insulting or demeaning words. Most of the time it aims at creating misunderstanding, devaluing others, separating people into factions, rejecting cohabitation, and promoting a witch hunt against those who have different views.
Patcharaporn Pongtadsirikul, director of the Department of Media Literacy Promotion and Surveillance, said it is necessary to create understanding and awareness in society of what hate speech is, its formats and negative effects.
She said we also need to promote acceptance of differences in society through campaigns and integration of cooperation between the government, private and civil society sectors.
“The TMF believes the campaign against hate speech across online media will help prevent and reduce the spread of such speech based on religion and promote mutual respect for each other’s beliefs,” said Patcharaporn.
“Apart from not producing and sharing hate speech, all parties must also monitor the media and notify authorities when they come across such activity. Furthermore, victims of hate speech must be treated with compassion and understanding, while all dialogue must be based on reasoning and using peaceful means.”
To submit your video clip for the contest, go to https://forms.gle/b82xbDmrbqLp6qCn6 or scan the QR code on posters. The deadline for submission is November 25. The winners will be announced on December 20.
Mae Sot woman tracks down her long-lost dad thanks to social media
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022
A 25-year-old woman from Mae Sot finally tracked down her father, who did not know she existed because he had split up with her mum before she was born.
The two were reunited at the Phanthai Norasing town hall in Samut Sakhon’s Muang district on Tuesday.
Chayanit Klinchan, who had travelled from Tak’s Mae Sot district, met her father Prakorb Klinchan, 52, and grandmother Gim Klinchan, 92, with a garland of flowers before bowing for their blessings.
She said her mother had never spoken about her ex-husband, and her interest was not piqued until she saw her father’s name on her birth certificate. It was then that she began looking for him on Facebook and found someone called Prakorb Klinchan in Samut Sakhon.
She then called on relatives who live in the province to help find Prakorb and eventually tracked him down with the help of local authorities, village headmen and reporters.
Prakorb, meanwhile, said he was delighted and shocked to learn that he had a daughter because his ex-wife had failed to tell him she was pregnant when they split up.
The new father said he looked forward to spending more time with his daughter now that they have been reunited.
Chayanit said she would return home after dining with her dad and grandmother and would return to see them again.
Wealthy foreigners can now buy land, houses in Thailand
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022
The Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to let foreigners purchase houses and up to a rai of land provided they can show an investment of at least 40 million baht.
The directive will be in effect for five years after it has been published in the Royal Gazette, which should be soon, the government said.
The proposal had been drawn up by the Interior Ministry in May with the aim of pulling in foreign investment and bringing foreigners with special expertise to Thailand. The Cabinet, however, spent months weighing the proposal and listening to opinions from several concerned agencies.
The directive allowing the purchase of a rai of land and houses will apply to wealthy expats, retirees, digital nomads who want to base themselves in Thailand and those with special expertise.
To be eligible, foreign citizens will be required to prove they have invested at least 40 million baht in Thailand and can maintain the investment for a minimum of three years, starting from the day they submit an application for the purchase.
The draft says the following will be considered investments:
• Bonds issued by the Thai government, Bank of Thailand, state enterprises and the Finance Ministry.
• Shares of property funds, infrastructure funds and funds to rehabilitate debts of financial institutions.
• Shares of trusts for investment in property developments.
• Shares of legal entities that receive Board of Investment (BOI) privileges.
• Shares in businesses that are eligible for BOI privileges.
Foreigners applying for permission to purchase land and/or houses must produce certificates proving their investments.
The directive said foreigners can purchase land and/or houses in Bangkok, Pattaya and other municipal areas or zones marked out as residential areas in provinces. Foreigners cannot purchase land in military areas, the directive stipulated.
The process of applying for the right to purchase is as follows:
• Submit the application and required documents to the Land Department director-general, who will verify and then forward them to the Interior Ministry for approval.
• The bought land cannot be used for immoral activities or actions that violate local cultural norms.
• Once approved, the buyer is required to inform the local land department within 60 days.
• If buyers withdraw their investment, they must inform officials within 60 days.
The draft also specifies that foreigners can only buy one rai of land once, and the limit will apply even if the foreigner sells parts or all of the land.
Manhunt for Trang SWAT member after 1 killed, 2 injured in pub brawl
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022
Trang’s SWAT police have launched a manhunt for one of their own after he allegedly shot dead a man and injured two others inside a pub early on Tuesday.
Pol Sgt-Major Chutipon Nakkaew or “Sergeant Bird” , a member of the provincial Special Weapons and Tactics police force, is accused of using his official 9mm pistol to shoot dead Jitakorn Kongchan, 32.
The incident took place inside the Country Home pub in Trang’s Muang district at 1.13am.
Police said Chutipon allegedly fired 10 shots at Jitakorn after a quarrel and stray bullets hit the victim’s friend, Ekkapoj Phetrat, 34, and another pubgoer.
The SWAT member was apparently drinking with Jitikorn for a while before a row broke out, witnesses said.
The pub was supposed to be a weapons-free zone.
Pol Colonel Ratthakorn Pakdeevant, chief of the Muang Trang Police Station, deployed some 50 police officers from both the SWAT team and other units to hunt Chutipon down.
Investigators first checked the SWAT office to see if rumours that he had broken in to steal assault rifles and bullet-proof vests were true. As of press time, police have not confirmed or denied this rumour.
Two other teams were also sent to check the homes of Chutipon’s relatives and close friends.
This is the second violent incident involving police this month.
On October 6, fired cop Panya Khamrab, who used the pistol he had bought under the police welfare programme to massacre 36 people, including many sleeping toddlers, before killing his wife, child and himself.
This pistol was his official firearm as a police officer and was not confiscated by the force when he was sacked.
