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
Thai worker’s body being brought back from Israel
Thai worker’s body being brought back from IsraelListen to this articleNisant Meeram is seen in a video call with his wife from the apple orchard where he was working in northern Israel, a few days before his death. (Photo supplied)The government will repatriate the body of a Thai worker who was killed last week in Israel on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nisan was killed by leftover ammunition while working in an apple orchard in Kibbutz Yir’on in northern Israel on Oct 11. The worker’s body will be brought back on El Al flight LY081 on Oct 21, arriving in Bangkok on Tuesday at 2pm. “The Royal Thai Embassy will closely work with Israel on the compensation for Nisan’s family,” Mr Nikorndej added.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 18, 2024 01:06 UTC
Tak Bai case statute end date looms
The House Committee on Southern Border Peace will summon three key officials to consider what steps should be taken when the statute of limitations expires for the Tak Bai massacre case next Friday. The Tak Bai massacre involved the deaths of 85 people in Narathiwat's Tak Bai district on Oct 25, 2004. Seven defendants in the case have not appeared before the Narathiwat Provincial Court, with concerns they are waiting out the statute of limitations. She said MPs are not eligible for immunity once they are a defendant in a court case. She urged the government to demonstrate its political will to bring the defendants in the Tak Bai case to justice.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 18, 2024 00:23 UTC
Tourism to gain from central bank cut
Tourism to gain from central bank cutListen to this articleTourists visit Wat Arun in Bangkok. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)Thailand's policy rate cut is expected to benefit the tourism industry, letting business operators invest and upgrade their services to improve competitiveness, while tourist spending could increase. Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, said the reduction would help to improve the economy, and the tourism industry in particular. Mr Suksit said he believes the central bank will be able to keep the local currency in an acceptable range. "Our currency swing should not hurt the tourism industry at the same level as when the currencies of source markets were previously affected," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 17, 2024 17:15 UTC