Police arrest close aide of former abbot accused of embezzling money from temple

Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), speaks to reporters about the temple fund embezzlement at Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
The Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ) deputy commissioner, Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, addresses reporters at Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom about the temple fund embezzlement. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )

A former friar close to Wat Rai Khing’s variant priest, who was accused of defrauding temple funds to use online gambling, was detained on Friday in Nakhon Pathom.

Ekkapot Phukhang and former Phra Maha Ekkapot Phukhang were apprehended by officers in the Nakhon Pathom Lotus shopping mall late on Friday night.

On the day of the arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court on January 29, Mr. Ekkapot, a near friend of former priest Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom, was wanted for allegedly engaging in online gambling, persuading others, either directly or indirectly, and laundered money. &nbsp,

The believe and Aranyawan Wangthapan, a female agent connected to an online gaming community, were simultaneously issued with the arrest permits. The original Wat Rai Khing abbot’s close friend, Ms. Aranyawan, was detained on Thursday.

According to the officers, Mr. Ekkapot had transferred funds from the temple to Ms. Aranyawan’s bank accounts, which led to his involvement in the temple fund embezzlement.

Previous priest of the renowned Buddhist temple Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, 70, was formally expelled from the monastery on Thursday evening after being accused of allegedly stealing 300 million baht from the temple. On Thursday, he turned himself in to the authorities. &nbsp,

Eventually, the arresting group transported Mr. Ekkapot to the Royal Police Cadet Academy in Samphran, in this central state, for questioning.

The suspect was questioned by the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ), Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew.

Mr. Ekkapot informed the CIB assistant main that Yaem Inkhungkao, the variant abbot’s public name, had asked him to deposit money from the temple to ATMs before having it later transferred to Ms. Aranyawan’s bank account to play online games.

Additionally, authorities interrogated CPO1 Chatmee Inmee, a former soldier close to the bishop, and Phra Khru Palad Suwattanawimonkhun, Wat Rai Khing’s associate priest, and his family. Government discovered that almost all of the temple’s automobiles were registered under the name CPO1 Chatmee. &nbsp,

No one was charged, though.

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Late referrals hurt the sick, group warns

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin speaks at Kham Khuen Kaeo Hospital in Kham Khuen Kaeo district in Yasothon province on Friday. (Photo: Somsak Thepsutin Facebook account)
Public health secretary Somsak Thepsutin speaks on Friday at Kham Khuen Kaeo Hospital in the Yasothon province’s Kham Khuen Kaeo area. ( Photo: Somsak Thepsutin Facebook account )

A political system has written a proper petition to the Ministry of Public Health, pleading for immediate action to stop the issuance of individual referral documents for subscribers to universal healthcare.

Somsak Thepsutin, the network’s chairman, is currently the head of the board of the National Health Security Office ( NHSO ), who recently submitted its petition to the network.

The referral document delays have long been a pressing concern for subscribers to the universal healthcare system, particularly in Bangkok, according to Thanapon Dokkaew, president of the Kidney Friends Association of Thailand ( KFAT ) and the network’s representative.

In order to transfer patients who require maintenance outside of their normal service units or primary care units to larger hospitals, the referral documentation is crucial.

He claimed that some facilities require up to 30 days ‘ see before issuing a recommendation, which poses a significant challenge for patients who require prompt medical attention.

These difficulties” not just disrupt therapy continuity but likewise put economic pressure on individuals who must pay for transportation and out-of-pocket medical expenses if they seek treatment without the necessary referral,” said Mr. Thanapon.

Additionally, he noted, facilities frequently only issue prescriptions for patients with chronic illnesses for seven days without getting a recommendation. This behavior may cause delays in treatment and increase health conditions.

He claimed that” the referral program has become a significant obstacle to access to healthcare.”

Six demands were included in the petition, including legal action against officials who refused to issue request documents, and the formulation of wrongdoing charges where necessary.

Additionally, it directed the NHSO table to utilize controls for referral issuance and established a special committee to oversee these changes. These steps must be finished within 30 days, according to the system.

Another demands included more civic engagement in healthcare regulation, greater awareness-raising, and the introduction of a “one Identification card” system in Bangkok to simplify individual transfers and stop referral bottlenecks. The Ministry of Public Health is also asking for a reply within 15 weeks.

This is a pressing concern that has a direct impact on individual effects, according to Mr. Thanapon. The NHSO may then take action to improve access to services. Patients who delay individual transfers or medical treatment should be subject to appropriate penalties.

According to Mr. Somsak, the NHSO board decided to propose the nomination of a particular subcommittee in order to address the issue of referral record delays in the Bangkok region after receiving the petition.

Moreover, he claimed that the NHSO has been given the authority to look into ending contracts for public health services and requiring service units to register if they are discovered or deemed to be unable to provide important public health services.

According to Mr. Somsak, this behavior is in line with Area 44, Paragraph 2 of the National Health Security Act.

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Danish man missing in Thailand since March, family issues urgent appeal

A 41-year-old traveler with a health condition was last seen in Prachuap Khiri Khan, according to the community.

Missing Danish tourist Jakob Jensen (Photo: AJenDK)
Jakob Jensen, a Danish tourist who is missing, ( Photo: AJenDK)

A Swedish man’s community has been searching for him in Thailand since late March, and they have been requesting information.

Jakob Jensen, 41, was last seen on March 21 after allegedly experiencing psychosis while taking a vehicle from Ranong to Bangkok. Afterwards, a man claimed to have witnessed him leave Prachuap Khiri Khan. Since then, he has not been seen.

A family member using the Reddit control AJenDK posted a comprehensive timeline to the r/Thailand post on May 15th under the subject” HELP! My little nephew has vanished,” he said. The article detailed Mr. Jensen’s travels in Thailand and demanded aid from the general public.

The family member claims that Mr. Jensen has a mental health condition and is unable to obtain his prescription medicines. His household member wrote,” He is in a manic state and urgently needs clinical help.”

In Ranong, Jakob Jensen was visiting Thailand in the first few days of February while a companion was staying there. The friend evidently intended for him to return to Denmark on March 1 when he accompanied him to Bangkok’s major airport. However, it appears that Mr. Jensen always hopped on a plane. He sent an email to his mother the day before that did not mention his intellectual condition; this was the last time the family heard from him.

His mobile hasn’t been on since March 3.

Around March 19th, Mr. Jensen apparently made his way back to Ranong and was spotted staying at” Palmy House.” He was helped by the visitor authorities, who took him on a vehicle to Bangkok on March 21 after causing property destruction. Although his family claimed they are unaware of for a contact, he claimed to be making a friend it.

He was seen exiting the vehicle in Prachuap Khiri Khan according to a reported sight. That is the last indication of where he is going.

In the early May, the household spoke with Danish authorities and the embassy. Norwegian government released a report on global missing persons on May 6. The Swedish authorities have also requested access to Mr. Jensen’s lender records, which are still being looked into as of May 14. His appearance in Ranong is merely confirmed by Thai immigration records.

The Danish consulate in Bangkok has been notified, and both Ranong and Bangkok tourist authorities are aware of the case. The mother’s appeal has received both media coverage in Thailand and Europe, as well as user support on social media.

He is described as 180 cm high and 90 kg. He has grey-green eyes, a curly brown hair, and black golden hair. &nbsp,

More details are available on the initial Reddit post.

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Thai soldier claims Air Force officer forced him to work as ride-hailing driver

A Royal Thai Air Force statement on a probe into a deputy battalion commander over a ride-hailing conscript case. (Photo: Royal Thai Air Force)
A statement from the Royal Thai Air Force regarding a report into a lieutenant battalion chief regarding a soldier case involving ride-hailing. ( Photo: Royal Thai Air Force )

A enlisted man claimed that his superior used a mobile app to force him to operate as a ride-hailing driver, claiming that the change was to assist him make extra money.

The man, whose name was kept secret, disclosed to local media on Thursday that he had been transferred from Udon Thani to Bangkok on the purchases of&nbsp, a lieutenant battalion chief of Wing 23, in order to generate more income.

The man reportedly faced pressure to fulfill a daily limit of 2, 500 to 3, 000 baht, which included threats that he would not be able to return home if he failed, making him work about 20 hours per day.

He became exceedingly stressed and sought assistance from the” Saimai Tong Rod” activist group in order to find a way out. He felt that this was not part of his work as a conscripted man whose position should be focused on education.

A fact-finding commission has been established, according to the Royal Thai Air Force, who has since issued a statement. In the event that the inquiry’s findings are not conclusive, the highly respected officer has been partially fired. If found innocent, he may face legal and administrative proceedings in accordance with the law.

The air force has assured the man of his health and is currently residing him at the Air Force Command office in Bangkok until it is determined that it is safe for him to return to his unique system in Udon Thani.

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US academic in limbo in Thailand over royal insult case, family says

Due to allegations of imperial attack, Paul Chambers lost his job, passport, and visa.

Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, is widely known in academic circles for his research on the military’s influence in Thai politics. (Photo: Thai Lawyers for Human Rights)
Paul Chambers, a teacher at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, is well-known in scientific circles for his research on the influence of the military on Thai politics. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights ( Photo )

As his lawful situation continues in a situation that has sparked problem in the US government, an British scholar is still in Thailand after prosecution dropped charges against him of insulting the king, his relatives said.

In a unique lese-majeste case involving a stranger, Paul Chambers, a professor on political science, was detained next month. According to a complaint made by the nationalist troops, he may spend up to 15 years in prison.

His brother, Kit Chambers, told Reuters,” He’s never allowed to leave the country, we’re not sure exactly why.” His nephew said that although his home in the US, including his 85-year-old family, believed that he would return home, he is still in legal limbo.

Although the state attorney dropped its claims two weeks ago, police was still pursue the case, which includes a cost of computer crime.

Mr. Chambers, 58, lost both his work and his work visa, and his card was taken. He contests his departure, has filed an appeal against the forfeiture of his passport, and denies the allegations.

According to a Chambers attorney, the allegations stem from a blurb from a speech at an online educational seminar. A research academy with a presence outside of Thailand was the subject of the paragraph next year.

political problem

As Bangkok seeks comfort from President Donald Trump’s export taxes, Mr. Chambers ‘ case was heighten tensions between Thailand and the US.

According to Kit Chambers, the case has attracted “very senior-level interest” from US authorities, who declined to name the officials he had spoken with.

These top officials “reassured me that if this problem is not resolved quickly, it could have an impact on trade deals with and/or Thailand,” he said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio just criticized Thailand’s imprisonment of at least 40 Tamils to China and imposed restrictions on some Thai leaders.

The Chambers court’s impact on bilateral relations was not discussed by a State Department spokesperson, but the agency was awaiting a decision from the authorities to carry out the prosecutor’s request and soon dismiss the case. The event “reaffirms our long-standing concerns about the use of lese-majeste regulations in&nbsp, Thailand,” according to the office.

The Thai Foreign Ministry and the US Trade Representatives ‘ Office declined to comment. A request for comment was never received by the White House.

Due to the ongoing legal procedure, Paul Chambers declined to get interviewed. The University of Narasuan declined to comment.

A lese-majeste law critique of the Thai monarchy, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai academic at Kyoto University, argued that Chambers ‘ case demonstrated that the lese-majeste legislation was” a legal tool that inflicts punishment by process” and could “paralyse life.”

” The harm is now done… his career has been disrupted, his constitutional position left in purgatory, and his ability to move freely properly revoked,” Mr. Pavin said.

A spokeswoman for the Thai government did not respond to a request for comment on Mr. Pavin’s claims right away.

Taboo debate

Police have the right to contest the prosecutors ‘ decision to drop the case. If so, the attorney general of Thailand would have the final say, according to Yaowalak Anuphan, the attorney general’s representative in charge of Mr. Chambers ‘ legal team.

She said,” The criminal case is never finished already.”

A police officer with knowledge of the situation, who declined to be identified because they were never permitted to speak to the media, claimed the situation was still being looked into.

The lese-majeste regulation has long been forbidden in open discussion.

The group that lost the Thai election in 2023 due to its legal battle wasdissolved last year by a court. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, 281 people have been accused of lese-majeste since anti-government protests in 2020 that included calling for the law to be overturned.

Among the 92 cases that judges have heard since then, the party reported that 53 ended in prison phrases and 14 ended with suspended sentences. In 18 situations, charges were dropped.

His brother said that Mr. Chambers ‘ household only wants him to return home as soon as possible.

He added,” Another worry is that this time around, when he is only in purgatory, there could be more false accusations against him.” That would place him right again where he started.

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Disgraced Wat Rai Khing abbot disrobed over B300m embezzlement

Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, 70, disgraced abbot of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom, wears a white cloth after he was disrobed on Thursday night for allegedly embezzling 300 million baht from temple funds to gamble online. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
After being reportedly embezzled 300 million baht from church money to gamble online, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, 70, is the disgraced bishop of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom. He was disrobed on Thursday evening. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )

As police expand the inspection and uncover more information about gambling sites and those involved, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, the disgraced priest of Wat Rai Khing in Thailand’s Nakhon Pathom state, has been disrobed for supposedly embezzling 300 million ringgit from church money to gamble online.

In front of a Buddhist memorial at 8.42pm on Thursday, the 70-year-old bishop of the renowned Buddhist temple actually disrobed from the monastery in front of members of the press.

On Thursday, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, known as” Chao Khun Yaem,” turned himself in to Bangkok officers as they approached him to request an arrest warrant for allegedly extorting money from the church.

The original priest, whose real name is Yaem Inkrungkao, admitted to transferring hundreds of millions of ringgit to a minute think, a close female associate, in 2021 during police interrogation.

According to the police investigation, funds were transferred from the monument’s bank account to his personal profile and then to the woman’s. She is suspected of running gaming sites.

A search operation at Wat Rai Khing was led by Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ), on Friday, expanding the investigation’s scope to include additional data on financial connections to gambling platforms.

Officials examined four places, three inside the church grounds and one outside. Their main concern was the original abbot’s religious home, which he also held as chancellor of Ecclesiastical Region 14. Police were assisted by the temple’s associate priest in gaining access to the original abbot’s living quarters during the hunt.

Police on Friday searched the monastic living quarters of Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, abbot of Wat Rak Khing in Nakhon Pathom. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

Authorities searched Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, the priest of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom’s religious residence on Friday. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )

For investigation, they seized some paperwork, including a laptop, mobile telephones, and other electronic devices.

According to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat, the hunt was intended to question people who held those addresses and gather information about the money path to another bank accounts. The officers may concentrate on cash transactions made through gaming websites.

According to reports, the original bishop had requested a fellow priest to give money to the nearby women affiliate in order to add credit to a gambling website. The victim’s account was allegedly accessed by at least 31 million baht, despite the disappearance of the other monk, who was a member of the same monk’s group.

Aranyawan Wangthapan, 28, was detained by police on Thursday in connection with the incident. Prior to being detained last year for allegedly working with the Lagalaxy911 gaming website, Ms. Aranyawan was eventually released on bail.

Three businesses reportedly laundered money through this betting website, according to the woman, were connected to them. Police claim that over 800 million ringgit had been circulated between the three companies over the past five decades.

According to the authorities, Ms. Aranyawan acknowledged during questioning that she had known the original Wat Rai Khing priest since she had attended Wat Rai Khing School. In 2021, she had initially borrowed 40 million ringgit from him to invest. She had since then gotten in touch with him often via phone and video calling.

Police arrest Aranyawan Wangthapan, 28, a female associate of the abbot of Wat Rak Khing, in Pattaya on Thursday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

Aranyawan Wangthapan, 28, a female affiliate of the bishop of Wat Rai Khing, is being detained by police in Pattaya on Thursday. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )

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Premchai reports to police over Bangkok tower collapse case

BMA results page to the state audit agency, and authorities seize for additional inquiries.

Premchai Karnasuta (centre) is released from Thong Pha Phum jail on Oct 17, 2023, after serving a jail term on hunting in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Thong Pha Phum district in Kanchanaburi province. (Photo: Piyarach Chongcharoen)
After serving a jail term for hunting at Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Thong Pha Phum district of Kanchanaburi province on October 17, 2023, Premchai Karnasuta (centre ) is released from Thong Pha Phum jail. ( Photo: Piyarach Chongcharoen )

About 10 different people, including Premchai Karnasuta, the president of Italian-Thai Development Plc ( ITD), reported to the police on Friday over criminal charges stemming from the collapse of Bangkok’s State Auditing Office building, which left 92 people dead.

The 71-year-old design mogul was in a chair at Bang Sue police station to combat costs of professional carelessness causing death.

The ITD executive vice president, Kriengsak Kovadhana, and expert Pimol Charoengying, who certified the initial design, were also among the people who turned themselves in.

They were one of 17 people wanted on suspicion of playing a role in the 30-storey building’s dangerous March 28 decline. After investigators discovered that the tower’s design lacked safety standards and even had poor materials, warrants were issued.

Nine people are still missing from the fatal decline, which was caused by an earthquake in northern Myanmar.

On Monday, City Hall officials, volunteer rescue workers, and related parties pay tribute to the victims of the Chatuchak district of Bangkok's collapsed State Audit Office ( SAO ) building by placing flowers and standing in mourning. ( Photo: Chatuchak District Office )

On Monday, City Hall officials, volunteer rescue workers, and related parties pay tribute to the victims of the Chatuchak district of Bangkok’s collapsed State Audit Office ( SAO ) building by placing flowers and standing in mourning. ( Photo: Chatuchak District Office )

The building’s principal company is the ITD-CREC joint enterprise. CREC stands for China Railway No. 10 Thailand.

The 2.1 billion-baht building blog in Chatuchak district was officially declared the end of the hazard zone by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on Thursday, and the place was then handed over to representatives from the State Audit Office.

As the studies are still being conducted, Bang Sue police main Pol Col Sanong Saengmanee then seize the page.

Bang Sue officers place is in charge of the location of the building.

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Disgraced Wat Rai Khing abbot disrobbed over B300m embezzlement

Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, 70, disgraced abbot of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom, wears a white cloth after he was disrobed on Thursday night for allegedly embezzling 300 million baht from temple funds to gamble online. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
After being disrobed on Thursday evening for supposedly embezzling 300 million ringgit from church funds to overspend online, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, 70, is the disgraced bishop of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )

As police expand the inspection and uncover more information about gambling sites and those involved, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, the disgraced priest of Wat Rai Khing in Thailand’s Nakhon Pathom state, has been disrobed for supposedly embezzling 300 million ringgit from church money to gamble online.

At 8.42 p.m. on Thursday, the famous Buddhist temple’s bishop, who is 70, was ceremoniously removed from the monastery in front of a Buddhist memorial in front of a Buddhist statue.

On Thursday, Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, known as” Chao Khun Yaem,” turned himself in to Bangkok officers as they approached him to request an arrest warrant for allegedly extorting money from the church.

The original priest, whose real name is Yaem Inkrungkao, admitted to transferring hundreds of millions of ringgit in 2021 to a second think, a near female associate, during police interrogation.

According to the police investigation, funds were transferred from the monument’s bank account to his specific profile and then to the woman’s. She is suspected of running gaming sites.

A search operation at Wat Rai Khing was led by Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ), on Friday, expanding the investigation’s scope to find more data on financial connections to gambling platforms.

Officials examined four places, three inside the church grounds and one outside. Their main concern was the original abbot’s religious home, which he also held as chancellor of Ecclesiastical Region 14. During the hunt, the temple’s associate abbot helped police gain access to the original abbot’s residences.

Police on Friday searched the monastic living quarters of Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, abbot of Wat Rak Khing in Nakhon Pathom. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

Police searched Phra Thamma Wachiranuwat, the bishop of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom’s religious residence on Friday. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )

A laptop, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets were taken for evaluation, along with some other documents.

According to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat, the research was intended to identify clues about the money path to another bank accounts, and authorities would awaken those responsible for questioning them. The soldiers may concentrate on cash transactions that were related to online gaming.

According to reports, the original priest allegedly requested a fellow priest to give the adjacent women associate money to add credit to a betting website. The victim’s account was reportedly accessed by at least 31 million baht, despite the disappearance of the other monk involved in the reported embezzlement.

Aranyawan Wangthapan, 28, was detained by police on Thursday in connection with the incident. Prior to being detained last year for allegedly working with the Lagalaxy911 playing website, Ms. Aranyawan was released on bail.

Three businesses reportedly laundered money through this gaming website, according to the woman, were connected to them. Over 800 million baht had been circulated between the three companies over the past five weeks, according to authorities.

According to police, Ms. Aranyawan acknowledged during questioning that she had known the original bishop of Wat Rai Khing since she had attended Wat Rai Khing School. She had initially borrowed 40 million ringgit from him in 2021 for purchase. She had since then gotten in touch with him often via phone and video calling.

Police arrest Aranyawan Wangthapan, 28, a female associate of the abbot of Wat Rak Khing, in Pattaya on Thursday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

On Thursday, authorities in Pattaya detained Aranyawan Wangthapan, 28, a woman associate of the priest of Wat Rai Khing. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )

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Premchai, 14 others report to police over Bangkok tower collapse case

BMA results page to the state inspection agency, and authorities seize for additional inquiries.

Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development Plc, reports to Bang Sue police on Friday. (Photo: Police via Wassayos Ngamkham)
Italian-Thai Development Plc’s President, Premchai Karnasuta, speaks with Bang Sue authorities on Friday. ( Photo: Wassayos Ngamkham Police )

14 different people, including Premchai Karnasuta, the president of Italian-Thai Development Plc ( ITD), reported to the police on Friday over criminal charges stemming from the decline of Bangkok’s State Auditing Office building, which left 92 people dead.

The 71-year-old building mogul was in a chair at Bang Sue police station to combat costs of professional carelessness causing death.

The ITD executive vice president, Kriengsak Kovadhana, and architect Pimol Charoengying, who certified the original design, were also among the people who turned themselves in.

They were one of 17 people wanted on suspicion of allegedly playing a role in the 30-storey building’s dangerous collapse on March 28. After investigators discovered that the tower’s style lacked safety standards and even contained poor materials, warrants were issued.

Nine people are also missing, and 92 have been killed in the dangerous decline, which was caused by an earthquake in northern Myanmar.

Noppasin Poonsawat, lieutenant director of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said “expert assessments revealed that the structural design did not comply with governmental regulations or fulfill the professional standards outlined in the terms of reference.”

According to Pol Maj Gen Noppasin, there were also abnormalities in the construction materials used, including poor cement and steel, and forged signatures were also discovered.

He claimed that two more defendants did report to authorities on Monday and that the 15 defendants have been taken to court for pre-trial trials and have denied all costs.

On Monday, City Hall officials, volunteer rescue workers, and related parties pay tribute to the victims of the Chatuchak district of Bangkok's collapsed State Audit Office ( SAO ) building by placing flowers and standing in mourning. ( Photo: District Office of Chatuchak )

On Monday, City Hall officials, volunteer rescue workers, and related parties pay tribute to the victims of the Chatuchak district of Bangkok’s collapsed State Audit Office ( SAO ) building by placing flowers and standing in mourning. ( Photo: District Office of Chatuchak )

The building’s principal specialist is the ITD-CREC joint enterprise. CREC stands for China Railway No. 10 Thailand.

The Chatuchak district’s 2.1 billion-baht building site was officially declared safe by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on Thursday, and the place was handed over to State Audit Office members.

The page was finally taken as the studies are still being conducted, according to Bang Sue officers captain Pol Col Sanong Saengmanee.

The Bang Sue police station is in charge of the castle place.

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Klatham seen as prepping for coalition rift

Klatham Party de facto leader Thamanat Prompow, chief adviser to the party, greets dairy farmers at parliament on March 24. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Klatham Party de facto leader Thamanat Prompow, chief adviser to the party, greets dairy farmers at parliament on March 24. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

The Klatham Party’s luring of MPs from other political parties is a calculated move to boost its bargaining power as well as to support the Pheu Thai Party in case the latter severs its political ties with Bhumjaithai, according to political observers.

Klatham’s rise on the political scene is being closely watched after leader Narumon Pinyosinwat confirmed this week that more than 10 MPs from various other parties are expected to defect to it soon.

MPs are not legally proscribed from switching parties while serving unless they are expelled.

Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said the recruitment of MPs by Klatham is a medium- and long-term plan to increase its political leverage to secure more cabinet posts.

“The party definitely wants more power to bargain for more ministerial seats. Although the MPs can’t simply switch parties, they can still vote as instructed by Klatham when key legislative drafts such as the budget bill are put up for a vote in the House of Representatives,” he said.

Mr Stithorn said Klatham aims to be a medium-sized party after the next polls, which means it will be a deciding factor in the formation of a government if no party secures a decisive win. An early House dissolution will give the party an advantage, he added.

“However, Klatham is speculated to join hands with the Pheu Thai Party after the next polls unless the latter fails to meet its target,” he said.

In the long term, the party is being built to support its chief adviser, Capt Thamanat Prompow, in case the Shinawatra family washes its hands of politics, according to the analyst.

Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science lecturer at Burapha University, said Klatham has started its move of luring MPs after its candidate Kongkiat Ketsobat recently won the by-election in Constituency 8 in Nakhon Si Thammarat with 38,680 votes — the party’s first success in the province.

The party has figured out how to manoeuvre and is capitalising on the growing tensions between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai to strengthen its position as potentially the third-largest party in the coalition government, he said.

According to Mr Olarn, the tension between the two parties has prompted politicians in the so-called ‘uncle’ parties to reflect on their careers and decide that they have to start looking for new parties to ensure their political survival. The term refers to the Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties.

“With Klatham growing and being an ally of Pheu Thai, it has more leverage and can expect to get more ministerial posts. The MPS who are seeking new parties see this as an opportunity,” he said.

He added that Pheu Thai, which is struggling politically, will also benefit from Klatham’s rise as the latter can penetrate the provinces that the ruling party has failed to tap into.

Mr Olarn said Klatham can secure more than 30 seats in future elections because it has vast resources at its disposal and it has apparently found a strategy to counter Bhumjaithai, as seen in the outcome of the recent by-election in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Constituency 8.

Progressive Movement core member Pannika Wanich said Klatham’s announcement about defectors is a move to bargain for cabinet seats. But she expressed doubts that the party can lure as many “cobra MPs” to successfully snatch the coveted interior minister post away from Anutin Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai leader.

She also harshly criticised the PP’s Chon Buri MP Krit Chevathamanon for severing ties with the party and demanded he be expelled over a conflict of ideology. Ms Pannika said the MP was elected because of the party but has since betrayed voters.

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