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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024979

Chuwit’s latest Facebook bombshell prompts swift police reaction

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023

Police expect to arrest a Chinese national suspected of having links to triads today, after the Immigration Bureau revoked his visa, Deputy National Police Chief General Surachet Hakparn told a press conference on Friday morning.

The suspect, Yu Xinqi, is still in Thailand and police have been monitoring his residence in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district since Thursday, Surachet said.

On Thursday, whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit alleged that members of Chinese triads arrived in Thailand under the cover of a foundation set up by Yu Xinqi.

The massage-parlour tycoon turned anti-corruption crusader has made a series of allegations that led to a national investigation into Chinese criminal gangs operating in Thailand with help from authorities, including customs, immigration, and police officers.

Yu Xinqi set up the Shaanxi Association of Thailand as a front for triad activity, using it to forge relationships with Thai establishment figures, including monks, Chuwit alleged in a Facebook post.

Surachet, who is responsible for Chinese triad investigations, said officials found no evidence Yu Xinqi left Thailand.

The suspect has been using photos of himself with high-ranking Thai figures to lure other Chinese nationals into investing with him, claiming that he has connections with influential Thai people, Surachet said.

The deputy national police chief admitted that the suspect had taken a photo with him, but said it was taken without his knowledge.

Surachet said police will file three initial charges against Yu Xinqi – committing public fraud, establishing a foundation without a permit, and impersonating a member of the royal family.

After arresting the suspect, police will search his house and his foundation for evidence of any possible links to criminal activity, he added.

Police expect more people to file complaints against Yu Xinqi and provide information useful to their investigation, Surachet said.

Related Stories

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Chuwit uses THB400-million reward for tip-offs on drug gangs to equip hospitals

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024972

Money-siphoning apps and how to protect your phone against them

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023

About 500 million baht in damages has been reported by mobile banking app users who unknowingly installed harmful apps that siphoned money from their accounts, the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) said on Thursday.

TBA is working with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the digital ministry, and mobile operators to improve security of mobile banking and protect users from criminal gangs, said Yos Kimsawatde, TBA’s head of payment systems.

Yos said four measures were being implemented to tighten mobile banking security:

1. Shutting down fake Line accounts pretending to be official accounts of banks or government agencies.

2. Monitoring SMS senders who do not use real names.

3. Blocking harmful URLs.

4. Coordinating with member banks to improve their apps’ security, such as by limiting accessibility and adding more authentication methods including biometrics.

He added that further measures being proposed to the Bank of Thailand and related agencies include a waiting period after users adjust their transfer limit, and establishing a Central Fraud Registry Office to monitor suspicious transactions using shared information among member banks. He expects these measures to be approved within 4-5 weeks.

The pending Royal Decree on Cybercrime Prevention and Suppression would add further protection against malicious apps, as it would allow banks to suspend suspicious transactions and block suspicious accounts without victims having to file police complaints first, he said.

Money-siphoning gangs using harmful apps usually work in three steps, according to TBA’s emergency response director Chatchawat Asawarakwong.

First, they ​send an SMS to deceive victims into thinking they have won a prize, or there is a problem with their bank account or tax, or pretending to be a bank offering loans at a special rate. The victim is then instructed to add the criminal’s Line account as a friend.

Second, victims are told via Line to download and install an app in .apk format from outside Google Play Store and then allow the app to access their phone. This allows the criminal to remotely access the victim’s phone without their knowledge.

Third, while victims are using mobile banking app, criminals record their password and personal info using the remote access app, and later transfer money out of victim’s account.

Chatchawat said criminals often pretend to be from one of five organisations to trick victims into believing that they have won prizes, are being granted loans, or have tax problems. The five organisations are the Revenue Department, Department of Special Investigation, Commerce Ministry, Lion Air, and Thai Life Insurance.

Money-siphoning gangs also use dating apps to deceive victims in a similar way to romance scams, he said.

However, instead of asking victims for money or private information, they ask them to install the .apk app to connect with their matched partner.

The TBA advises mobile phones users do the following to stay safe from harmful applications:

1. Regularly check which applications on your phones are using the accessibility service and make sure that no unknown apps are using this feature.

2. Turn on Google Play Protect on your phone, which will block and uninstall any known harmful apps.

3. Use endpoint protection or an antivirus app to protect against harmful apps and malware.

4. If you suspect your phone is being accessed remotely, immediately force shutdown/restart your phone by holding the power and volume buttons down for 10-20 seconds. If this is unsuccessful, try cutting internet access to the phone and alert the bank and police immediately.

5. Avoid using rooted/jailbroken devices, sharing your password or using one that is easy to guess, installing apps from untrusted sources, or clicking on URLs in SMS or chat messages from people you don’t know.

6. Follow updates on technology news and warnings to stay ahead of the criminals.

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Has your phone been hacked? Here’s how you can check

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024971

Funeral in Chaing Rai ‘drew Duangphet’s soul home’ from UK

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023

The funeral for one of the 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai in 2018 was held at Wat Phra That Doi Wao in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district on Thursday night.

Duangphet “Dom” Promthep, 17, one of the Wild Boar football team members who – along with their coach – was trapped in Tham Luang Cave in 2018, died in England on Tuesday, after collapsing in his dormitory room on Sunday.

He won a scholarship to study at Brooke House College, a football academy about 150 kilometres north of London, in August last year, and subsequently flew to England in September.

Duangphet’s parents and relatives, as well as other members of the Wild Boar football team, attended the funeral.

Monks led by abbot Phra Kru Prayut Chetiyanukarn conducted the funeral rites using Duangphet’s photo, clothes and shoes instead of his body, which remains in England.

The funeral was held to make merit for Duangphet and lead his soul back to his hometown, the temple’s abbot said.

“I believe that Duangphet’s soul has returned to his hometown to meet his parents and friends who gathered to make merit for him,” he said.

He also expressed hope that Duangphet becomes his parents’ son again in a future life, adding that those who attended the funeral had done their best to bring his soul home.

The Royal Thai Embassy in London said Duangphet was sent to a hospital’s intensive care unit after losing consciousness in his dormitory room on Sunday.

“On Tuesday morning, Duangphet remained in critical condition before he died at 1.43pm [local time],” the embassy said, adding that the hospital had informed Duangphet’s relatives.

The embassy is cooperating with them, Zico Foundation, and Brooke House College to return his body to Thailand.

Related stories:

UK football academy mourns loss of Thai boy who survived flooded cave

Kiatisuk says ex-Wild Boar Duangphet, who died in England, dreamt of playing for Thailand

Thai boy saved from flooded cave dies in UK accident

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024969

Body of Thai earthquake victim returned to mother in Chaiyaphum

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023

The body of a Thai woman killed by the massive earthquake in Turkey on February 6 arrived back in Thailand onboard a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) repatriation flight on Thursday night.

The RTAF Airbus 300 was also carrying 36 Thai nationals evacuated from Turkey as it landed at Don Mueang Military Air Terminal 2, Wing 6 in Bangkok.

The evacuees were welcomed by RTAF commander-in-chief ACM Alongkorn Wannarot and Department of Consular Affairs director-general Ruj Thammongkol, according to a Foreign Ministry press release.

The evacuees underwent immigration procedures, disease screening and a physical examination, according to the ministry press release.

They were checked at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi before returning to their hometowns on Friday.

The body of the earthquake victim was transported by the Thai Red Cross Society back to her hometown in Chaiyaphum province.

Chamaiporn Homsantia, 28, was reportedly sleeping when the devastating 7.8-magnitude quake shook the southern Turkish town of Iskenderun, where she worked as a traditional Thai masseuse. Her body was found in the rubble after the hotel where she worked collapsed.    

Chamaiporn’s body was delivered to her parents’ house at 2.04am on Friday for the funeral. Her mother, Boonchu Homsantia, thanked the Thai Red Cross Society, Department of Consular Affairs and other agencies for their help in returning her daughter’s remains. The cremation is scheduled for next Monday (February 20) at Wat Pa Samakkhi Tham.

Thailand’s urban search and rescue (USAR) team have now completed their mission in Turkey and were due to touch down at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok onboard Turkish Airlines flight KT64 at 10am on Friday.

The death toll from the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria rose to over 44,000 on Friday, with millions more affected in both countries.

Related stories:

Parents of Thai killed in Turkey quake seek clarity if government would pay for bringing her body home

Turkey receives relief supplies donated by Their Majesties

Meet Sierra and Sahara – Thailand’s search-and-rescue stars in Turkey

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024966

Korea Provides Thailand Additional Covid-19 Vaccine

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023

The Republic of Korea decided to provide 501,120 doses of Pfizer, the BA.1 bivalent Covid-19 vaccine, to help Thailand fight variants more effectively. The vaccines reach Thailand on Feb 15th.

This is the second time that Korea provides vaccines to Thailand, after the delivery of 470,000 doses of AstraZeneca in October 2021.

This donation is expected to contribute to mitigating the worldwide Covid-19 crisis and to promote the two countries further cooperation, marking the 65th anniversary of Korea-Thailand bilateral ties.

Covid-19 Bivalent Vaccine

The bivalent Covid-19 vaccines consist of an mRNA component that targets both the original Covid-19 and its variants. Like the existing vaccines, the bivalent vaccines prevent severe diseases and death, and also provide protection against the variants that are currently circulating.

BA.1 Bivalent Vaccine: SARS-CoV-2 antibodies + Omicron BA.1 antibodies

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024962

Over 500 fires in northern Thailand spark alarm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

More than half of the 1,005 fires recorded in Thailand on Wednesday were in the North, causing dangerous levels of pollution, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency.

The three provinces with the highest number of fires were Chiang Mai (205), Tak (156), and Mae Hong Son (146).

Of the total number of fires in Thailand, 501 were in protected forests, 361 in reserved forests, 55 in areas under the Agricultural Land Reform Office, 45 on farms, 42 in local communities, and one along a highway, the agency said.

The northern part of the country saw the highest number of fires due to a traditional farming method in which fields are burnt before planting, it said.

Data from its “Check-Foon” pollution-monitoring application showed that PM 2.5 levels in northern provinces – including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Lamphun, Nan, Lampang, and Phrae – reached harmful levels late this morning.

Myanmar ranked as the nation with the highest number of fires (3,168) in the region, followed by Thailand, Laos (542), Cambodia (200), and Vietnam (61).

Wildfire smoke froBangkok coordinates with neighbouring provinces to control air pollution, urges companies to allow working from homem neighbouring nations blowing into the country can worsen air pollution in border areas and cause health, economic and social damage, the agency said.

Related Stories: 

• Bangkok records third-highest air pollution in world on Thursday
• Air pollution worsens in Bangkok, rises to ‘red level’ at 4 sites
• Bangkok coordinates with neighbouring provinces to control air pollution, urges companies to allow working from home

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024961

Thailand’s public health centres keeping a close watch on Ebola-like virus

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Public health centres all around the nation have been warned to keep an eye on the potential spread of the Marburg virus, which belongs to the same family as Ebola, said Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control.

Dr. Opas said the Marburg virus is spreading in the central African region, particularly in Equatorial Guinea. There have been nine confirmed deaths and 16 suspected cases of the disease.

Both Marburg and Ebola viruses belong to the same family — Filoviridae.

He said that Marburg virus was listed as one of 13 dangerous communicable diseases under the Communicable Disease Act (2015).

Those infected were found to develop symptoms including severe headache, high fever, and bloody diarrhoea, with the fatality rates varying up to 88% depending on the virus strain and the quality of case management, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The virus was first discovered in bats before it spread to humans. People can contract the Marburg virus through direct contact with blood and excretion of those infected, as well as through virus-contaminated surfaces and materials, he added.

He said symptomatic treatment has been utilised as there is neither vaccination nor specific medication available.

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said that no Marburg cases had been reported in Thailand so far.

Owing to the increasing number of visitors to Thailand, the department would closely monitor the situation through the WHO, he added.

Tares said that even though travellers from Equatorial Guinea and its neighbouring countries are currently not prohibited from entering Thailand, entrance restrictions would apply to travellers from those nations.

Thailand has tightened restrictions and urged health centres throughout the country to be on alert, as the two possible cases of the virus on the Cameroon – Equatorial Guinea boundary have just been reported, he added.

Tares advised those who might have the illness to notify local health service centres.

Related Stories: 

• No point in counting Covid cases anymore as virus is here to stay: top virologist
• Thailand will be officially free of African Horse Sickness this year: govt
• Over 80% of Thais have ‘hybrid immunity’ against Covid-19: virologist

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024956

Parents of Thai killed in Turkey quake seek clarity if government would pay for bringing her body home

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

The family of a Thai woman killed in Turkey’s recent earthquake that has killed over 36,000 people, remained uncertain if the cost of transporting her body home for cremation would be covered by the government.

Chamaiporn Homsantia, the 28-year-old Thai victim, was reportedly sleeping when the devastating 7.8-magnitude quake shook the southern Turkish town of Iskenderun, where she worked as a traditional Thai masseuse.

A native of the northeastern Chaiyaphum province, the woman had reportedly worked there without documentation for over four years. She had travelled to Turkey on a tourist visa and was not registered with Thailand’s Ministry of Labour to work overseas.

Her body was expected to arrive at Don Mueang International Airport at 10pm on Thursday and then be transported to her parents’ house in Chaiyaphum around 5am on Friday for the funeral.

The cremation is scheduled for next Monday (Feb 20) at a local Buddhist temple.

Her parents, Boonchu and Ken, said on Thursday that they had received conflicting answers from Thai authorities regarding the cost of bringing the body.

They said they had learned from some news reports that Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda had said the family would not have to pay anything for flying Chamaiporn’s body from Turkey to Thailand.

However, the Thai Embassy in Turkey later told the parents that the cost of sending the body to Thailand was 250,000 baht.

The distraught parents said they had collected slightly over 160,000 baht in donations from several organisations and groups of people, but that was still far below the required amount.

“If necessary, we are ready to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the money to be repaid in instalments,” Boonchu said.

She called for clarity over the matter. “We don’t know yet if the family has to cover this cost of over 250,000 baht. If we get help, we will be grateful,” the mother said.

According to the parents, they have received a 5,000-baht donation from the Chaiyaphum governor, as well as financial aid from other local administrators and reporters.

Earlier, Chaiyaphum’s Social Security Office told the parents that their daughter had quit the social security fund in 2015 and had pending benefits of 15,017 baht. The sum was given to her family for funeral arrangements.

The family said on Thursday that no other aid was offered by the government.

On February 6, a strong earthquake and several aftershocks rumbled through southern Turkey and northern Syria, leaving over 36,000 people dead as of Thursday and affecting millions more in both countries.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024955

BMA, US Embassy, Tesla promote electric vehicles in Bangkok

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Thursday participated in an activity to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) at City Hall in Phra Nakhon district.

Co-hosted by Embassy of the United States in Bangkok and private partners, EV-promotion events were also organised simultaneously at four other locations:

• Thammasat University (Tha Phra Chan Campus), Phra Nakhon district
• Talat Noi, Samphanthawong district
• Metropolitan Electricity Authority’s Phloe Chint Office, Pathum Wan district
• Central World shopping mall, Pathum Wan district.

During his opening speech, the governor said the city has been working on climate change and a plan to reduce carbon emission in the city.

A top priority is the management of PM2.5 fine dust, which causes air pollution and health risk to city residents, said Chadchart.

“The city has been working on classifying types of PM2.5 [particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter] to pinpoint their sources in the metropolitan area,” he said.

“We have also been accepting people’s complaints regarding air quality via Traffy Fondue applications, as well as providing air quality forecasts three days in advance using readings from air-quality monitoring stations,” the governor added.

Information from these stations will also be used to formulate an air-pollution prevention plan in high-risk areas throughout Bangkok, he said.

“Bangkok has a goal of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2030,” Chadchart said. “The city has been working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which analysed Bangkok’s emission rate and developed a climate-change master plan to achieve this goal in 2021.”

Bangkok also received assistance from Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation to calculate the city’s carbon footprint to formulate the master plan, Chadchart added.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has provided EV public buses on some routes and improved the ecosystem for EV users, such as establishing charging stations throughout the city, the governor said.

The BMA has also developed urban infrastructure to facilitate the use of bicycles and low-emission vehicles, improved waste- and water-management systems to minimise their environmental impacts, promoted the use of energy-saving technology and clean energy in office buildings, and increased public parks and green spaces throughout the city, Chadchart said.

After the speech, Chadchart visited activities in the fair with US Ambassador Robert Godec and executives of Tesla (Thailand) Ltd and Energy Absolute Plc.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024951

UK football academy mourns loss of Thai boy who survived flooded cave

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

The English football academy Duangphet “Dom” Promthep was attending when he died on Tuesday is working closely with the Royal Thai Embassy in the United Kingdom to arrange memorial events for him, according to one of two heartfelt letters from the school to parents and caregivers of its students.

“We are communicating a message that no Principal or School Proprietor would ever wish to pass on,” begins the letter sent on Wednesday by Brooke House College Principal Ian Smith. “With the heaviest of hearts [we] inform you that Duangphet Promthep, known to many as Dom, passed away yesterday afternoon.”

“We have lost one of our own,” Smith wrote.

Duangphet, 17, was one of the 12 members of the Wild Boar football team trapped in Tham Luang Cave by flooding for 17 days in 2018 before he, his teammates, and coach were rescued.

Duangphet received a scholarship to study at Brooke House Academy, located about 150 kilometres north of London, in August last year, and subsequently flew to England in September.

Duangphet was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment on Sunday, the letter said.

He remained in critical condition under the care of a dedicated medical team, while three members of the college – including its principal – were at his side when he passed away, the letter says.

“Duangphet was a popular boy who conducted himself with generosity of spirit … He will be hugely missed,” it says.

The college said activities are being organised for Duangphet in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy in the United Kingdom. Mentor groups are being created to help his friends deal with his passing, and a book of condolences will allow them to express their emotions.

In June 2018, the world was transfixed for 17 days as an elaborate international mission unfolded to rescue 12 members of the Wild Boars football team and their coach after they were trapped by rising water in a Chiang Rai cave system.

The 200-metre-deep Chamber 1, which visitors use to enter the complex, was the command centre for a rescue operation led by Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn and Thai Navy Seals. Duangphet was part of the second group of boys carried out of the cave on July 9.

The Wild Boars became celebrities. A series of films and documentaries were made about their ordeal and survival.

In August last year, Duangphet thanked the Sports Education Foundation, Zico Foundation, and Brooke House for granting him the scholarship.

He also thanked Vachiralai Bee School, Thai football manager and ex-player Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang, for their support, saying: “I promise to work hard and do my best.”

“In the days ahead, I am sure we will all reflect on Dom’s life, which saw significant moments of challenge and adversity as well as great moments of personal and sporting accomplishment,” Smith wrote.

Related stories:

Kiatisuk says ex-Wild Boar Duangphet, who died in England, dreamt of playing for Thailand

Thai boy saved from flooded cave dies in UK accident

Heavy rains keep Tham Luang caves closed for now