SBS Transit posts 2.1% increase in revenue to S$1.56 billion for 2024
The company’s profit from its bus and rail service company, which includes people transportation, increased by 2 percent to S$ 1.5 billion in 2024. The boost, which came primarily from higher road ridership, was offset by lower vehicle revenue mpg. The average daily ridership for SBS Transit’s bridge services increasedContinue Reading
PM orders serious anti-vaping action
Reduced in response to growing public concern about the effects of e-cigarettes on younger individuals
PUBLISHED: 25 Feb 2025 at 19: 46
In the wake of a teen smoking crisis and alleged corruption by officials in favor of the illegal business, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered officials to enhance the e-cigarette ban and update the law to toughen penalties.
After the government meeting on Tuesday, state official Jirayu Huangsub said the order came after a briefing on e-cigarette use across the country and its harmful effects on younger people.
The stepped-up answer is also in response to the public’s concern over the case of three Buri Ram teenagers who have experienced severe lung problems brought on by smoking.
The lecture was informed of the sellers ‘ detention and the Sunday sequestration of more than 3, 000 e-cigarettes and related products in Bangkok’s Khannayao and Khok Khram police facilities.
According to Mr. Jirayu, the widespread use of” toy pod” items near schools, and the huge arrest and the negative effects of vaping on young children, showed that authorities were not doing enough to control the items.
The prime minister had previously called for a assault on the buy and price of marijuana, but he claimed the measure had failed and the issue was getting worse.
According to Mr. Jirayu,” the issue has grown to the point where e-cigarettes are being combined with strong narcotics for misuse,” and the minimum age of abusers is 14 years old.
Ms Paetongtarn ordered all companies concerned to further enhance reduction, increase arrests and labor out long-term and effective solutions, the official said.
” The organizations may move more quickly to make rules changes to establish more severe penalties. They have 15 days to deliver the headway to the prime minister, according to Mr. Jirayu.
A group investigating the vaping position in the nation, according to the spokesman, discovered that products are sold in thousands of stores on the streets of major cities and tourist provinces, and that their annual market value is thought to be more than 5 billion baht.
Reduction of e-cigarettes has been limited or non-existent in some regions, where authorities have been ignoring the well-being of younger people, said Mr Jirayu.
He cited the fact that vaping supplies were readily available at stores close to schools, suggesting that some authorities were accepting money to make people look a deaf.
Thai air force readies Gripen jets for highway test
Training in Songkhla did examine short-runway takeoff and landing abilities
PUBLISHED: 25 Feb 2025 at 18: 56
On Thursday, the Royal Thai Air Force will examine the Job warrior jet’s bridge takeoff and landing conditions on Highway 4287 in Songkhla state.
According to an air force source, the exercise will require two flights, with one landing and the other being followed by a takeoff. The goal is to increase operational flexibility and allow them to operate from various appropriate locations in the event that airports are destroyed.
Highway 4287 in the southeastern province was chosen for the chisel because of its natural eligibility, as the Department of Highways has confirmed.  ,
Authorities, defense and local officials may tighten surveillance throughout the procedure.
According to the cause, the Gripen may require no more than 800 feet for a airport.
In January, the 701 Squadron of Wing 7 conducted a short-field takeoff and landing evaluation on two Job planes at the Wing 5 airport in Prachuap Khiri Khan which has a 2, 057-metre airport.
The jet reportedly completed a short-field getting using only 640 feet.
Following a thorough analysis of bids from Scandinavian manufacturer Saab and US-based Lockheed Martin, the creator of the F-16, the air force has suggested investing 19 billion baht to buy four new Gripen fighter jet.
People’s Party to contest Bangkok governor race
Opposition celebration previews’ Customizable Bangkok 2026 ‘ campaign to choose liberal councillors
PUBLISHED: 25 Feb 2025 at 18: 38
The main opposition People’s Party ( PP ) has set its sights on a clean sweep of Bangkok in next year’s gubernatorial election, through an offer of policies it says will fix the city’s multitude of problems.
The party has got an early start on addressing the critical issue of air pollution, said Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Bangkok MP who oversees the party’s election strategy, at the start of its” Hackable Bangkok 2026″ campaign on Tuesday.
According to Mr. Nattacha, PM2.5 fine particles can cause a serious health threat, causing conditions like asthma, chronic lung disease, and heart conditions.
If not tackled, the issue will create an expanding financial hardship on the town management.  ,
” It’s time to deal with the root causes, mainly by creating dust-free districts”, he said. ” While features may be willing, funding remains lacking. We must prioritize this problem in order to provide fresh heat to the residents of Bangkok and to prevent paying excessive amounts of money.
Before it was even publicly formed, the group had developed plans for city management. Its successors, the Future Forward and Move Forward events, counted Bangkok as their main help center, and the Women’s Party is today looking to tap town citizens.
Move Forward candidates won 32 of the 33 Bangkok divisions in the 2023 public vote.  ,
According to Mr. Nattacha, the governor and councillor elections in 2026 would be decided on plans rather than individuals ‘ personalities.
” I think the citizens of Bangkok don’t vote on people’s personalities or the political events they support or are associated with,” he said.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the leader of the People’s Party, claimed that the government’s failure to improve important national goals was due to rifts in the coalition parties. On the other hand, the group does not need professional power to drive important change, he added.
” Over the next year, we’ll continue refining our plans for the citizens of Bangkok”, he said, citing its so-called” 3 Actual” view — real people, real situations and true places.
The group also urged the public to participate in its” Hackable Bangkok 2026″ plan, sharing ideas, joining forums, and perhaps registering as potential prospects.
” We have more than five potential candidates ( to date ), and they are all executives.
” I insist they have what it takes to get good individuals… They are suited to the job of managing the town,” said Mr. Natthaphong.
In the presidential election, the group stated that its goal is to win seats in every 50 districts.
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s hard work was applauded by Mr. Natthaphong, who also said the city needs better policies to address its troubles.
He also stressed the need to tackle structural issues, including Bangkok’s limited local expert.
Thailand and neighbours set up anti-haze hotline
Myanmar and Laos update on the status of the improper using.
PUBLISHED: 25 Feb 2025 at 18: 11
As part of a three-nation effort to combat transnational cloud waste, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos have all agreed to establish a specific line. Later this year, the risky PM2.5 dust is expected to rise again.
The agreement was reached at a recent teleconference held by the Pollution Control Department ( PDS ) and attended by its Myanmar and Lao counterparts, said director-general Preeyaporn Suwanaged.
The three division chiefs will remain in close touch with the new hotline and talk about any serious fog situations and powerful responses, she said on Tuesday.
They also reviewed the progress made by the three nations in the Clear Sky strategic plan ( 2024-30 ). Ms. Preeyaporn claimed that while Myanmar has effectively reduced the number of areas, Thailand and Cambodia are also experiencing slight increases in population.
Individuals from Myanmar and Laos shared their increased efforts to combat illegal using in common and in forest places while continuing to raise public awareness of the importance of working with their governments to stop the cloud, according to the speakers.
The class and Ms. Preeyaporn said they would reconvene in a few months for a meeting.
According to Dr. Thiti Sawaengtham, assistant director-general of the Department of Health, levels of PM2.5 particles are projected to rise to a point where it is considered unsafe for people with underlying medical conditions later this year.
People in at-risk parties are advised to keep an eye on changes in the atmosphere quality and to use masks when going out if the waste in their area gets worse.
Under the Ministry of Public Health, the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre has mandated that hospitals and healthcare services companies pay particular attention to lightheadedness and view them as a potential indicator of the negative health effects of PM2.5.
Dr Weerawut Imsamran, assistant permanent secretary for public health, said 16, 246″ fresh air” areas have been set up in 70 regions with a combined capability to shelter up to 1.9 million people, while 2.6 million N95 masks are ready to get distributed in the event of an air pollution problems.
Search for doomed MH370 resumes 11 years after disappearance
Earlier SEARCH , In December, Loke had said the new research would be on the similar” no find, no charge” rule as Ocean Infinity’s earlier search, with the state just paying out if it finds the plane. According to Loke, the agreement was for 18 months, and Malaysia had receive US$Continue Reading
Investigators recommend prosecuting PAO chief for his son’s murder
A lawmaker from Prachi Buri and seven others are facing a charge of prosecution.
Soonthorn Vilawan, the father of a former cabinet minister, and seven others have been charged in the murder of his adopted son, a provincial councillor, in December of last year, according to Crime Suppression Division ( CSD ) police.
Pol Col Anek Taosuparb, deputy chief of the CSD, led , authorities to send the 18 data, spanning 7, 969 sites, to the Office of the Attorney-General on Tuesday.
In addition to Mr Soonthorn, the seven people are Thanasarankorn Techathanatchot and his family Minyarat Phatcharamanrakun, Saksit Chinnawong, Thanaphat Songsaeng, Apisit Sodchuen, Sitthichai Sripakdi, Phattharanon Boonchu.  ,
Mr Soonthorn and the six people are charged with colluding in planned death, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, destroying data and files, and unlawful assembly.
Ms. Minyarat is accused of supporting others in the percentage of deliberate crime.
After the shooting at Mr. Soonthorn’s home in the Muang district at around 8.20pm on December 11, Mr. Soonthorn, the 86-year-old president of the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organization ( PAO ), along with his six aides, were detained.
Chaimet Sitsanitphong, a municipal council and adopted son of Mr. Soonthorn, was shot dead and his body was discovered near the home’s second floor in tambon Na muang. Outside were at least 10 weapons cartridges that had been used.
According to the authorities, Thanasarankorn and Saksit killed Chaimet.
According to Pol Col Anek, the case’s authorities had taken witness from 130 people. During doubting, all eight offenders denied the claims.
” The militants immediately admitted during the arrest that they had committed the crime. They were charged with colluding in a deliberate death, which they afterwards denied”, he said.
” They admitted merely that they killed the victim, but never intentionally or planned it beforehand. But, we are never worried, we have enough evidence, both criminal and witness transactions, and circumstantial evidence,’ ‘ the CSD deputy chief said.
Ms. Minyarat, the seventh believe, was detained and charged because it was determined that she had reported Chaimet’s moves to the militants who were hiding on the next floor of the residence.
” After the situation was transferred to CSD authorities, the seven adult suspects were detained at Bangkok Remand Prison, while Ms Minyarat has been detained at the Central Women Correctional Institute,’ ‘ Pol Col Anek said.
According to the CSD assistant captain, the murder arose from a political issue.
Mr. Soonthorn, a Bhumjaithai Party member and the father of Kanokwan Vilawan, the former assistant education minister, served in the Chavalit Yongchaiyudh authorities from 1996 to 1997 as assistant public health minister. He was an 8-time MP for the southeast territory.
In June 2022, he received a report about Khao Yai National Park’s reported forest encroachment.
Investigators recommend prosecuting PAO chief for son’s murder
A lawmaker from Prachi Buri and seven people are facing a charge of prosecution.
Soonthorn Vilawan, the father of a former cabinet minister, and seven others have been charged in the death of their adopted son, a Prachin Buri provincial councillor, according to a report from the Crime Suppression Division ( CSD ) police.
Pol Col Anek Taosuparb, deputy chief of the CSD, led  , authorities to send the 18 data, spanning 7, 969 sites, to the Office of the Attorney-General on Tuesday.
In addition to Mr Soonthorn, the seven people are Thanasarankorn Techathanatchot and his family Minyarat Phatcharamanrakun, Saksit Chinnawong, Thanaphat Songsaeng, Apisit Sodchuen, Sitthichai Sripakdi, Phattharanon Boonchu.  ,
Mr Soonthorn and the six people are charged with colluding in planned death, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, destroying data and files, and unlawful assembly.
Ms. Minyarat is accused of supporting others in the percentage of deliberate crime.
Following the shooting at Mr. Soonthorn’s home in the Muang district on December 11 around 8:20pm, Mr. Soonthorn, the 86-year-old president of the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organization ( PAO ), along with six aides, were detained.
Chaimet Sitsanitphong, a provincial councillor and adopted brother of Mr. Soonthorn, was shot dead and his body was discovered near the home’s second floor in tambon Na muang. At least 10 weapons cartridges with expired ammunition were scattered around.
According to the authorities, Thanasarankorn and Saksit killed Chaimet.
According to Pol Col Anek, 130 people gave witness, according to authorities. During doubting, all eight defendants denied the claims.
” The gunmen immediately admitted during the arrest that they had committed the crime. They were charged with colluding in a planned death, which they afterwards denied”, he said.
” They admitted simply that they killed the victim, but never intentionally or planned it beforehand. But, we are no worried. We have enough evidence, both criminal and see accounts, and contextual evidence”, the CSD assistant captain said.
The seventh think, Ms. Minyarat, was arrested because investigators discovered she had reported Chaimet’s movements to the house’s second-floor hiding people.
The seven adult suspects were detained at Bangkok Remand Prison after the event was transferred to CSD authorities, while Ms. Minyarat was detained at Central Women Correctional Institute.
According to Pol Col Anek, the death resulted from a political issue.
Mr. Soonthorn, a senior politician whose family has dominated Prachin Buri politicians for years, was considering resigning as the PAO’s brain according to his advanced age.  ,
Chaimet had suggested that his wife work for PAO president, but Soonthorn apparently chose his own route. After the two men got into a fight, Chaimet was shot useless immediately afterwards.
Chaimet’s wife, Napapat Anchasanichamon, first hesitated but decided after his dying to work in the Feb 3 vote. Competing under the Pheu Thai Party symbol, she won.  ,
Former assistant deputy minister of public health, Kanokwan Vilawan, and Bhumjaithai Party part Mr. Soonthorn’s father, Kanokwan Vilawan, served in the Chavalit Yongchaiyudh government from 1996 to 1997. He was an 8-time MP for the southeast territory.
In June 2022, he received a report about Khao Yai National Park’s reported jungle encroachment.
Taliban’s ‘gender apartheid’ could be its undoing – Asia Times
Last week, the Taliban announced it was withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), rejecting the court’s authority and accusing it of political bias.
In a public statement, the Taliban claimed it had no obligation to the ICC because it was incompatible with the regime’s interpretation of Islam, and that it was being unfairly targeted after the court’s failure to address accusations of war crimes committed by United States-led forces between 2001 and 2021 in Afghanistan.
This comes after ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan applied for arrest warrants in January for Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani for crimes against humanity committed against women in Afghanistan.
Khan claimed Taliban leaders were responsible for persecuting Afghan women and girls since the group’s return to power in August 2021. This includes the severe deprivation of physical integrity and autonomy, freedom of movement and expression, education, private and family life and freedom of assembly.
The Taliban undeniably treats Afghan women and girls abysmally, denying them an education and most jobs. According to the United Nations, 2.5 million school-age girls have been denied their right to education.
Women have even been banned from working with aid organizations, leaving many Afghan women out of work or unable to access lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
The Taliban have also instituted “vice and virtue” laws forbidding women from showing their faces in public, looking at other men or taking transport without a male chaperone. This comes after the Taliban banned women from using beauty parlours and visiting national parks last year, completely removing women from public spaces.
The situation for women has gotten so bad that the UN declared it the “worst globally” last year, while the UN’s representative in Afghanistan – Richard Bennet – labeled the Taliban’s actions “gender apartheid.”
Khan’s request for warrants is the latest attempt to hold the Taliban accountable for its treatment of women and girls.
In January, the United Kingdom joined several other countries in referring the regime to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging it had violated the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Twenty-four countries have now threatened to refer the Taliban to the courts.
While the regime can and has easily rejected the authority of the world’s courts, it does pose a problem for the Taliban.
The Taliban needs legitimacy to remain in power over the long term and craves recognition that would validate its strict interpretation of Islam. But despite some countries informally recognizing the regime – such as China – the broad consensus has been a refusal to accept the Taliban as the official government until it treats women and girls more humanely.
The Taliban has hoped the world would run out of patience and meekly accept its hardline regime, but United States President Donald Trump’s recent aggressive rhetoric against the Taliban makes this scenario unlikely.
Indeed, if the Taliban wants to take its place in the community of nations, it needs to play by the world’s rules. This includes the ICC, which Afghanistan joined in 2003 under then President Hamid Karzai, giving the court clear jurisdiction over crimes committed in Afghanistan.
But when the Taliban accuses the court of double standards, it has a point. No American politician or soldier has been handed a warrant for war crimes against Afghan civilians. Trump’s recent sanctions against the ICC in response to arrest warrants for Israeli leaders for crimes in Gaza also highlights the unequalness of the international “rules-based order.”
But this does not absolve the regime for how it treats women, and international law is something the Taliban will need to accept if it wants to officially represent Afghanistan at the United Nations.
The warrants have also exacerbated tensions within Taliban ranks. In January, Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanikzai publicly demanded an end to the ban on women’s education, calling it a “personal choice” and rebuking the regime’s claim its position on women was consistent with Sharia law.
The warrants also come at a time when the Taliban is under significant pressure. Islamic State continues to carry out deadly attacks throughout Afghanistan, claiming responsibility for the assassination of Taliban minister and powerbroker Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani in December.
The regime’s relationship with former ally Pakistan is also fraught, leading to border skirmishes and air strikes on Afghan soil that have humiliated the regime. All in all, the Taliban looks weak and arrest warrants for its leaders have only worsened its position at home and abroad.
Stanikzai gets what many Taliban do not: that the world is not just budging on how the regime treats women and girls; rather, it is doubling down on demands for better treatment.
Oppressing 20 million Afghan people is neither sustainable, nor is it consistent with any tenets of Islam. The Taliban’s treatment of women and girls is about power, but that power is now fracturing from within. And disunity is death in Afghan politics.
Make concessions on women and girls and the Taliban will get its coveted seat at the table and the international legitimacy it craves.
This would be a boon for the regime and enable it to work with the international community to solve the myriad of problems Afghanistan faces, particularly on terrorism and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The alternative is isolation and a reliance on cruelty, both of which brought on the Taliban’s last downfall in 2001.
85-year-old man to be charged over offensive Facebook posts about Islam
SINGAPORE: An , 85-year-old man will be charged in court on Wednesday ( Feb 26 ) over Facebook posts that , contained offensive remarks about Islam, the police said on Tuesday. The gentleman posted pictures of offensive Facebook posts from five years ago on April 21, 2021, on Instagram.  , The officersContinue Reading