PM urged to track down defendants
PM urged to track down defendantsListen to this articleGen Pisal WattanawongkiriForty-three non-governmental organisations have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, along with the Interior Minister and national police chief, to make sure the seven defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case are brought to trial before the case's statute of limitations expires this Friday. "If the Tak Bai case is considered a crime against humanity or genocide, then the case won't expire," she said, referring to the Friday deadline. The incident took place after security forces dispersed a protest calling for the release of six detainees in front of a police station in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat on Oct 25, 2004. Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said he felt uncomfortable seeing the Tak Bai case being used to portray the government as the villain. Law enforcement agencies are doing their best to track these suspects and bring them to trial, but it isn't easy to accomplish the task, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 21, 2024 22:23 UTC
Thailand plans second phase of "Digital Wallet" programme
The Thai government is preparing for the second phase of its "Digital Wallet" support programme, offering 10,000 THB (300 USD) per person, following the first phase of cash handout to 14.5 million recipients. Thailand plans second phase of "Digital Wallet" programme (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai government is preparing for the second phase of its "Digital Wallet" support programme, offering 10,000 THB (300 USD) per person, following the first phase of cash handout to 14.5 million recipients. This second phase will allow those without smartphones to register at state-owned banks starting next month. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that the first phase, targeting vulnerable groups, had successfully accelerated cash flow and stimulated the national economy. The 10,000 THB in the second phase will still be distributed in cash, not in digital currency.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 21, 2024 20:12 UTC
Budget for travel subsidy may tick up
Listen to this articleTourists visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. Narumon KasemsukThe Tourism and Sports Ministry plans to talk with the Finance Ministry about increasing the budget for the travel subsidy scheme aimed at mitigating the flood impact for tourism firms in the North. The meeting was held after Mr Sorawong visited Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, which were severely damaged by floods. He said during the meeting, the premier raised concerns over insufficient budget, questioning the effectiveness of the project because of the limited budget. Roughly 70% of the subsidy budget would be allotted to trips in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, with 30% for other provinces, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 21, 2024 10:06 UTC
Pheu Thai shrugs off complaints as 'political games'
Pheu Thai shrugs off complaints as 'political games'Listen to this articleThaksin Shinawatra, left, and his daughter and Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn ShinawatraA petition seeking to disband the ruling Pheu Thai Party is a political game with a friend-turned-foe pulling the strings, according to the party. Thaksin is not a Pheu Thai member, and coming under the influence of an outsider is against the Political Parties Act and punishable by party dissolution. The coalition parties named in the petitions are Bhumjaithai Party, United Thai Nation Party, PPRP, Chartthaipattana Party, and Prachachart Party. He added Pheu Thai will focus on rebutting the petitions as it has solid evidence to fight the case. Pheu Thai list MP Anusorn Iamsa-ard denied Thaksin dominates Pheu Thai, but the EC was duty-bound to investigate the complaints.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 21, 2024 06:51 UTC
Fretting over peace in South, House speaker urges cops to catch Tak Bai suspects
Fretting over peace in South, House speaker urges cops to catch Tak Bai suspectsListen to this articleThailand's House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha hopes police will be able to arrest suspects and defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case. (Bangkok Post photo)House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has expressed his concern over the conflict and insurgency in the far South now that police have little time left to arrest and prosecute defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case. “They may be linked (with the Tak Bai statute end date), but not all of them. Probably because people in the far South wanted to express their desire for the authorities to be more active in tracking down and apprehending the subjects of arrest warrants,” the 80-year-old house speaker said. The situation could gradually improve,” the house speaker said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 20, 2024 17:49 UTC
Thailand's forest dept doubles its take from visits
Thailand's forest dept doubles its take from visitsListen to this articleTourists visit Koh Khai in Tarutao National Park in Satun in February. The topmost visited park is Khao Yai National Park, followed by Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, Khao Laem Ya-Mu Koh Samet National Park, Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, and Khao Khitchakut National Park in Chanthaburi. The DNP will also allow travellers to book accommodation inside national parks 60 days in advance, instead of the current 30 days. It will provide online tickets to six popular parks: Khao Yai National Park, Inthanon National Park, Ao Phangnga National Park, Mu Koh Similan National Park, Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, and Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi. The e-ticket sales system for all national parks would be ready within the next two years, he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 20, 2024 16:06 UTC
The night I was eclipsed by the Moon
The night I was eclipsed by the MoonListen to this articleI had planned to view the super full moon last Thursday night but unfortunately forgot all about it. So on the night in question I assembled the maid Ms Yasothon and her family who dutifully gathered in the garden to witness the eclipse. Moon in JuneIt is no secret that the Moon has for centuries inspired songwriters and there are hundreds of ditties with "moon" in the title. It will come as no surprise that virtually all of these moon songs are about love rather than the wonders of space. Anyway for what it's worth here are five of my favourite moon songs, in no particular order: "Moondance" (Van Morrison), "Harvest Moon" (Neil Young), "Walking on the Moon" (The Police), "Moonshadow" (Cat Stevens) and "Ticket to the Moon" (ELO).
Source:Bangkok Post
October 20, 2024 02:28 UTC
Chemical leak prompts evacuation in Prachin Buri
Listen to this articleChemical fumes come out from HSMT New Material Technology (Thailand) Co factory in Sri Maha Pho district, Prachin Buri province on Friday afternoon, forcing evacuation of people in the area. (Photo: Prachin Buri Public Relations Office Facebook)A chemical leak occurred after an explosion at a factory in Prachin Buri's Sri Maha Pho district, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of people. The locals, including the elderly, were relocated to a community centre in tambon Tha Toom for their safety. Of these, 25 were transferred to Sri Maha Pho Hospital, and one was sent to Chularat 304 International Hospital. Authorities, including Prachin Buri's industry office and the Tha Toom TAO, have suspended the factory's operations.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 19, 2024 15:25 UTC
40 Thais and foreigners abroad allege iCon fraud
Listen to this articleItthidet Thanetwattana, a representative of Thai and foreign victims living abroad, shows a document to reporters at the Central Investigation Bureau, where he filed a fraud complaint against The iCon Group on Saturday. He brought documents that included receipts for purchases of iCon products, photos of shops that had ordered products for sale abroad, and pictures of some victims having their photo taken with Warathaphon “Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, the founder and CEO of The iCon Group. Mr Itthidet said the 40 victims — 20 in Asia and 20 others in Europe — lost at least 20 million baht. (Story continues below)Itthidet Thanetwattana, representing Thai and foreign victims abroad, submits documents detailing alleged investment fraud to Pol Maj Gen Prinya Pala, deputy investigation chief of the Consumer Protection Police Division sub-division 1. Meanwhile, the total number of complainants against The iCon Group continues to rise.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 19, 2024 15:10 UTC
Singapore foils 17-year-old's terror plot before planned attack
A self-radicalised Singaporean had planned to attack non-Muslim males in an open space in Tampines using either a kitchen knife or a pair of scissors. He had planned to attack non-Muslim males near Tampines West Community Centre, during the school holidays in September. "He felt a sense of pride knowing that his planned attack, if successfully executed, would be the first terrorist attack in Singapore in recent decades." He was also inspired by Islamic State propaganda which glorified suicide knife attacks, which eventually led to his plan. Before his planned attack in Singapore, the teen also intended to travel to Syria to join Islamic State and engage in armed violence.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 19, 2024 05:12 UTC
Moo Deng remains an enduring viral sensation
Celebrity pygmy hippo Moo Deng recently celebrated her third month in October and now has its official logo for its merchandise.The hippo calf continues to attract large crowds, including foreign tourists, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located 40 kilometres northeast of Pattaya city.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 19, 2024 02:40 UTC
Rohingya smugglers nabbed after bodies found
Smugglers abandoned some Rohingya for not being able to pay for transportationRescue workers take the bodies of deceased individuals and those injured from a forested area leading to Khao Sek Temple in Lang Suan district, Chumphon, on Thursday. (Photo: Saichon Rescue Team)Two Thai nationals were apprehended on Friday in Phetchaburi in connection with the smuggling of 26 Rohingya. The arrests were made hours after a group of 10 Rohingya, eight men and two women, were discovered near a temple in Lang Suan district of Chumphon on Thursday. Police reported that all 26 Rohingya were picked up in Mae Sot on Monday before being transported to Songkhla. Upon their arrival in Lang Suan, some were found dead while others were too exhausted to continue.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 18, 2024 14:44 UTC
Domestic tourism revenue sags
(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Festive events and new stimulus campaigns should push domestic tourism revenue to 950-970 billion baht this year, missing the target of 1 trillion baht because of a sluggish economy and the impact of flooding, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). For the first nine months of the year, domestic tourism generated 768 billion baht in revenue from more than 207 million trips. Next year, the government aims to earn 3.4 trillion baht in tourism revenue from 40 million foreign tourists and 205 million domestic trips. Mr Nithee said domestic tourism in 2025 will use the same marketing tagline, Instant Happiness in Thailand, while international tourism will also rehash: Amazing Thailand, Your Stories Never End. As the government works to lift the economy and consumer confidence, domestic tourism should revive, but international markets might still be affected by geopolitical risks, said Mr Nithee.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 18, 2024 13:49 UTC
Government launches lottery ticket pilot
Government launches lottery ticket pilotListen to this articleA screen capture of the N3 ticket purchasing process on the app available at the GLO-registered shops. Thatsaneeya Thipthanesuan, the owner of one of the lottery shops on Jomphol Road in the province's downtown area, said that as of 9.30am, more than 30 clients had come to her shop to buy N3 lottery tickets. Many clients were reported to prefer the N3 lottery because, unlike the underground lottery, it doesn't limit purchasers from buying as many "locked numbers" as they want. The first lottery draw for the N3 ticket will be on Nov 1, and the winners can claim their prizes via the app, he said. Mr Thanavath said that the GLO will collect sale information, consumer impacts, and matters relating N3 lottery during this pilot phase.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 18, 2024 05:16 UTC
A peaceful and picturesque retreat near Bangkok
Uncle Jam's Lotus Farm is a third-generation agricultural tourism hotspot in Nakhon Pathom, just a short trip from Bangkok. Here, nature lovers can immerse themselves in the serene beauty of vast lotus fields, explore traditional lotus farming and enjoy boat rides through blooming lotus ponds.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 18, 2024 03:48 UTC