Barkar Nash

Almost 50 Chinese tourists were detained for questioning and a large quantity of illicit drugs were seized when police raided a pub in Huai Khwang district of Bangkok early Friday morning.

The raid at 3am found 30 men and 18 women partying in four karaoke rooms, said Pol Maj Gen Thirasak Chantrapipat, chief of the Children and Women Protection Division.

At least four types of drugs — cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy and “happy water”, which is an illicit drug cocktail — were confiscated, along with drug-taking paraphernalia.

Several tourists were charged with drug use after testing positive. Police are currently investigating whether they violated the immigration law, and whether the pub operator supplied the drugs to its customers.

Pol Maj Gen Thirasak said police had been gathering information about the pub for two weeks prior to the raid and found its operation was similar to that of the infamous Jinling pub.

Many Chinese tourists were found inside when police entered the pub in Huai Khwang district early Friday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

On Oct 26 last year, police stormed Jinling, which operated illegally in three adjacent buildings on Charoen Rat Road in Yannawa district. A total of 104 customers, 99 of them Chinese nationals, tested positive for drugs.

The Jinling raid touched off an investigation that led to the arrest of Chinese businessman Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant and 40 others on multiple charges related to narcotics, organised transnational crime, money-laundering and more.

It subsequently emerged that dozens of Chinese crime figures were operating in the country, having obtained long-term visas with the help of dozens of corrupt immigration officers. Investigations are continuing.

Pol Maj Gen Atthaporn Wongsiripreeda, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, said police are questioning the staff of the pub that was raided on Friday for more information about the venue.

Based on the paperwork, the pub is owned by a Thai national but police will run a thorough check on its ownership and determine if it is linked to Jinling, he said.

Citing a statement from an accountant, he said several staff are ethnic people from Chiang Mai who can speak Chinese. Most of the customers are Chinese tourists who were charged 6,500 to 15,000 baht for karaoke services excluding drinks.

Pol Maj Gen Atthaporn said that a Thai man, who is believed to a security guard, was arrested on a firearms-related charge when police found a gun in his possession. Five vehicles belonging to the customers were confiscated for further examination after police found drugs in some of them.

(Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

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Police are preparing to wrap up their investigation into suspected serial killer Sararat “Aem Cyanide” Rangsiwuthaporn and submit their report to prosecutors next week.

Investigators had found evidence to implicate Ms Sararat in the cyanide poisonings, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said on Friday. They had examined purchase records for more than 700 bottles of cyanide and found that “Aem Cyanide” had purchased one bottle.

A total of 11 deaths took place not long after the deadly chemical was in her hands, Pol Gen Surachate said at the Royal Thai Police Office.

“Now, Aem’s story is completely over because we found that she was the one who ordered the cyanide. Everything is connected,” he said.

Ms Sararat, 36, was arrested on April 25 at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex in Bangkok. She was four months pregnant at the time. Her arrest followed a complaint filed by the mother and sister of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, 32, of Kanchanaburi.

Siriporn collapsed and died beside the Mae Klong River in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi, where she had gone with Ms Sararat to release fish for merit-making on April 14. Cyanide was found in her body.

The list of her alleged victims has continued to grow. All told, she faces 14 charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder.

Pol Gen Surachate said he believed a serious gambling addiction could have been a factor that pushed Ms Sararat to murder 14 people using cyanide.

An analysis of the 78 million baht that had passed through bank accounts held by the accused suggested she had a bad gambling habit, the deputy chief said on May 19.

On Saturday, the investigation team will start collating all the details in its report. It will then coordinate with the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) to submit the report into 15 cases against Ms Sararat next week, said Pol Gen Surachate.

After that, investigators will turn their attention to cases against factories and those who purchased cyanide from them. They are also looking into whether officials at the Department of Industrial Works, which regulates the factories, were complicit.

Other charges of violating the Consumer Protection Act are also possible, he added.

“I assure that the investigation report will be concluded next week,” he said. “The investigative report is now almost 100% complete. I will coordinate with the director-general of the OAG to hold a joint meeting and submit the report.”

According to Pol Gen Surachate, Sararat purchased cyanide online two years ago, based on evidence of money transfers for the purchase. Both the buyer and the company that sold the chemical would face charges.

He brushed off a threat by the suspect’s lawyer to file a defamation complaint against him, saying he and his team handled their task in a straightforward manner and never slandered anyone.

The lawyer, Thannicha Aeksuwannawat, made the threat last week after reporting to police to answer charges of assisting her client in destroying or concealing evidence of a crime.

She denied all the charges and said she would file defamation suits against certain police officers and media outlets.

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KANCHANABURI: A national park employee has been detained and charged after he allegedly assaulted a Lithuanian woman and attempted to rape her near a garbage dump in Si Sawat district.

Pramote Khongkham, 24, an employee hired on a temporary contract by the Erawan National Park in tambon Kradan, reported to police at Si Sawat station on Thursday to acknowledge the indecent assault charge, said Pol Maj Pakornkiart Shinathet, the station’s investigation chief.

On Friday, the national park on Friday terminated Mr Pramote from employment and urged the police pursue severe measures against him.

On Thursday afternoon, Evilija Grabauskaitem 27, accompanied by tourist police and an interpreter, filed a complaint with police. The tourist, who had bruises on her body, accused the man of assaulting her. She provided video footage and photos of the incident to the officers and guided hem to the location where the assault occurred, said Pol Maj Pakornkiart.

Police coordinated with Erawan National Park chief Prawat Phuangthong to gather details about Mr Pramote. The suspect later turned himself in to police on Thursday evening.

Pramote Khongkham, 24, an employee hired on a temporary contract by the Erawan Nationa Park in Kanchanaburi’s Si Sawat district reports to police to face charges. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)

During questioning, he told police that he had noticed the woman near the national park’s signpost as he was riding a motorcycle to buy candles from a nearby shop. Upon his return, he encountered her in the same area and honked his bike’s horn as a friendly gesture. The woman subsequently followed him on her motorcycle.

According to the suspect’s statement, he advised the woman not to follow him when he entered a forested area, but she seemed to misunderstand him. 

During their walk together, he admitted to the police that he had initially felt an urge to rape her. However, he changed his mind after she fell down.

Mr Pramote said he then escorted her out of the forest and apologised for his actions. While admitting his fault, he claimed that he did not assault her but only pulled her hands.

According to the investigation, the suspect had parked his bike near a garbage dump before proceeding to the nearby forested area with the woman. He allegedly used force in an attempt to rape her, but she resisted and managed to escape.

The suspect is in police custody awaiting further legal action.

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KANCHANABURI: A national park employee has been detained and charged after he allegedly assaulted a Lithuanian woman and attempted to rape her near a garbage dump in Si Sawat district.

Pramote Khongkham, 24, an employee hired on a temporary contract by Erawan National Park in tambon Kradan, reported to police at Si Sawat station on Thursday to acknowledge the indecent assault charge, said Pol Maj Pakornkiart Shinathet, the station’s investigation chief.

On Friday, the national park on Friday terminated Mr Pramote from employment and urged the police pursue severe measures against him.

The 27-year-old victim, accompanied by tourist police and an interpreter, filed a complaint with police on Thursday. The tourist, who had bruises on her body, accused the man of assaulting her. She provided video and photos of the incident to the officers and guided them to the location where the assault occurred, said Pol Maj Pakornkiart.

Police coordinated with Erawan National Park chief Prawat Phuangthong to gather details about Mr Pramote. The suspect later turned himself in to police on Thursday evening.

Pramote Khongkham, 24, an employee hired on a temporary contract by Erawan Nationa Park in Kanchanaburi’s Si Sawat district reports to police to face charges. (Photo: Piyarach Chongcharoen)

During questioning, he told police that he had noticed the woman near the national park’s signpost as he was riding a motorcycle to buy candles from a nearby shop. Upon his return, he encountered her in the same area and honked his bike’s horn as a friendly gesture. The woman subsequently followed him on her motorcycle.

According to the suspect’s statement, he advised the woman not to follow him when he entered a forested area, but she seemed to misunderstand him. 

During their walk together, he admitted to the police that he had initially felt an urge to rape her. However, he changed his mind after she fell down.

Mr Pramote said he then escorted her out of the forest and apologised for his actions. While admitting his fault, he claimed that he did not assault her but only pulled her hands.

According to the investigation, the suspect had parked his bike near a garbage dump before proceeding to the nearby forested area with the woman. He allegedly used force in an attempt to rape her, but she resisted and managed to escape.

The suspect is in police custody awaiting further legal action.

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The Move Forward Party (MFP) is expected to finalise its candidate for the House Speaker post in the middle of this month, said party secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon.

He said the party has not decided who it will nominate, but the matter should be settled in this month when the Election Commission is expected to start endorsing poll winners.

Mr Chaithawat said the MFP and Pheu Thai, who are locking horns over the post, will solve the dispute within two weeks.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said his party would not discuss who it will nominate for the House Speaker post until it reaches an agreement with the MFP.

“It was agreed at the recent meeting that the issue would not affect the coalition formation. This means if we have an agreement, the coalition formation will proceed without any conflict,” Mr Cholnan said.

“We don’t want any conditions. We don’t want the issue to be settled in a free vote.”

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, on Thursday called on the MFP and Pheu Thai to sort out the issue instead of allowing a free vote over the selection of the House Speaker.

“A free vote will cause problems in the formation of the government. They should finalise it,” she said.

Meanwhile, acting Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit said on Thursday it is an incorrect understanding that the House Speaker’s role is to drive a political party’s agenda.

Mr Jurin said the House Speaker must maintain neutrality during parliament meetings.

He added that the House Speaker’s conduct is clearly governed by the constitution and parliamentary meeting rules.

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The Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) is ready to invest in a 2.6-kilometre missing link to connect its Yellow Line monorail to the Green Line of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) at Ratchayothin and Lat Phrao stations.

Surapong Laoha-Unya, CEO of BTSC, on Thursday said the extension would benefit commuters.

“We are willing to invest in the project because the extension will benefit everyone. We are ready to discuss the matter with the MRTA,” said Mr Surapong.

The Yellow Line links Lat Phrao in Bangkok with Samrong in Samut Prakan. There are 23 stations along the 30.4-kilometre line. The monorail has a connection to the MRTA’s Green Line at Samrong station.

The missing link would run along Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok and link to the Green Line at Ratchayothin station.

According to a source, the extension project is worth around 3-4 billion baht. Without the missing link, commuters wishing to switch from the Yellow Line to the Green Line will have to re-route their journey through the MRTA’s Blue Line, increasing travel costs for commuters.

The source said if the MRTA agrees with the BTSC’s proposal to invest in the missing link, the MRTA would also ask for compensation for lost revenues from its Blue Line.

Mr Surapong said the Yellow Line would kick off a trial service at 9am on Saturday before its full commercial launch around the beginning of next month.

Currently, the BTSC has submitted an estimated fare range based on the consumer price index (CPI) to the MRTA for approval. The rate will be 15-45 baht.

Afterwards, the MRTA will submit the proposal to the Ministry of Transport and the cabinet for further approval.

“The BTSC is ready for the trial run as the safety and facilitation of the project is now provided. The project will help mitigate traffic congestion, particularly during rush hours, on Lat Phrao Road,” he said.

The BTSC estimated that it would earn an income of around a billion baht from the launch of the Yellow Line.

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The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) has unveiled a locally developed cytisine — an alkaloid that occurs naturally in certain plants — that can help people quit smoking, reduce treatment costs and potentially save over 12 million baht in imported drugs.

Dr Mingkwan Suphanpong, the GPO’s director, said there are more than 9.9 million people in Thailand over the age of 15 who are classed as frequent smokers.

She was speaking on World No Tobacco Day, which fell on Wednesday.

Considering that some of these will die from smoking-related diseases like lung or oesophageal cancer, emphysema and heart disease, the health costs are significant, she said.

Thailand has five listed drugs that can be prescribed to help people kick the habit: varenicline, bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy, nortriptyline and little ironweed.

Only the last two appear on the National List of Essential Medicines, said Dr Mingkwan.

Human trials have shown the GPO’s cytisine to be safe and effective, she said.

Dr Ming- kwan added the drug is now in the process of being approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Mingkwan: Drug costs less

She added that cytisine GPO will be a regulated drug which is only available at hospitals. Dr Mingkwan said the cost of helping smokers quit will be greatly reduced if cytisine can serve as a replacement for varenicline. Moreover, the GPO version can save up to 12 million baht per year by serving as a substitute for imported medicine, she said.

The GPO plans to distribute cytisine in January. The Department of Thai Traditional and Complementary Medicine has suggested smokers try herbal medicine first to kick the habit.

Dr Thiti Sawangtham, the department’s deputy permanent secretary, said the three best herbal medicines in this regard are clove, little ironweed and lime.

The first two can be taken orally to reduce nicotine cravings while ironweed can be brewed as an after-meal tea.

Dr Thiti said Chinese traditional medicine recommends acupuncture to quit smoking. Research suggests this produces serotonin, which eases the cravings for nicotine and helps people balance their metabolism and sleep cycle. More information about the application of herbal medication is available on the department’s official Facebook page or by calling (02) 591-7007.

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A group of political activists calling themselves Love Democracy on Thursday petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to speed up the probe into Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s alleged ineligibility to run in the election.

“We’d like to offer the EC moral support and urge it to carefully examine and decide on the case with prudence for the sake of the country and under the democratic system with the King as head of state as soon as possible,” said Somchai Chobchai, a representative of the group.

Chinawart Jankrajang, another group representative, said he thought the EC could have worked faster on the allegation.

But he said his group would respect the EC’s final decision on Mr Pita’s alleged ineligibility linked with his holding of shares in the media company iTV Plc, believed to be prohibited under the constitution.

Mr Chinawart insisted he has no political bias, saying if Mr Pita is cleared, he will be more than happy to see the MFP leader front the new coalition government.

But if Mr Pita is proven guilty as accused, Mr Chinawart said he thinks all sides should accept that outcome and live with it.

When asked about the possibility of MFP supporters taking to the streets if Mr Pita is disqualified as an MP, Mr Chinawart said they should respect the EC’s decision.

“But taking to the streets or not is for them [MFP’s supporters] to decide. As for me, I’m done with political conflicts which have cost the country lots of opportunities,” he said. “If they take to the streets again, the country’s situation will become even worse. I, therefore, would like everyone to also think about this and accept the truth in the event Mr Pita is found guilty.”

Meanwhile, Arnon Nampa, a leader of the Ratsadorn protest group, posted on his Facebook page his intention to lead street protests if Mr Pita is found guilty and disqualified. He insisted political gatherings are a basic right allowed under the constitution.

He said the government wouldn’t be able to contain massive protests this time as demonstrators know what they will have to do even when their protest leaders are detained.

He was responding to reports about a call by a senator for the formation of a so-called national government which was accompanied by opinions from some analysts that Mr Pita might not survive the shareholding case.

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