Prayut touts UTN bread and butter policy

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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha campaigns for votes in Yaowarat area on April 20. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha campaigns for votes in Yaowarat area on April 20. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s No 1 prime ministerial candidate, on Wednesday launched the party’s bread and butter policy aimed at improving living standards.

Gen Prayut said the policy was unveiled to let the public know what the party would do and how it would achieve its goals if it were to become the next government following the elections on May 14.

The UTN’s policy was built on what his administration has already achieved over the past several years, Gen Prayut said.

The policy seeks to address the problems faced by various groups of people nationwide, he added.

The prime minister stressed the importance of laying a foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth.

“I’d like to see our party be the main party. If we win a substantial number of seats, we can better implement the policies,” Gen Prayut said.

“We have a multi-party coalition after the election, and each party has its policies,” he said.

“It’s like footballers from different teams called up for the national squad. I’m asking every party to consider the government’s policy.”

Gen Prayut said the UTN’s campaign promises had been carefully formulated and could be successfully implemented.

He also urged other parties to think carefully about making campaign pledges and called on them to weigh the benefits with any possible negative impacts.

UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said the UTN policy is not just about wooing voters’ support. Mr Pirapan said it had been well-researched and has considered the country’s economic situation.

Included in the new policy is the “Welfare-Plus Card”, which would increase benefits from 300-400 baht a month to about 1,000 baht a month; a 30-billion-baht emergency fund; a higher child-rearing allowance of 1,000 baht per month for children from birth to 10 years old; and a 10,000-baht pension for retired subscribers of the Social Security Fund.

The prime minister also called on coalition parties to refrain from attacking the government as they had worked together for four years.

“We shouldn’t attack each other. Instead, they should tell people what they will do if they become the government,” Gen Prayut said.

“Don’t forget we have been in the same boat for four years. Don’t pin it on me. I’ve listened to every suggestion from cabinet ministers,” he said.

“It’s collective work, and I didn’t make all the decisions by myself,” he added.

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China agrees to 3 key sub conditions

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Navy wants engine change assurances

Royal Thai Navy top brass hold a press briefing at the force’s headquarters in Bangkok in 2020 to defend the purchase of two more submarines worth a massive 22.5 billion baht from China. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)
Royal Thai Navy top brass hold a press briefing at the force’s headquarters in Bangkok in 2020 to defend the purchase of two more submarines worth a massive 22.5 billion baht from China. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)

Chinese authorities will accept three conditions regarding warranty, compensation and safety, if the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) chooses a Chinese-made engine as a substitute for a German-made one for a S26T Yuan-class submarine being assembled in China, Navy commander Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet says.

Speaking after a meeting with China’s navy chief and defence minister on Tuesday, Adm Choengchai said the Chinese navy has pledged to support the certification of the Chinese-made CHD620 engine built by China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) as agreed last year.

The CSOC offered the CHD620 after Germany refused to sell its MTU 396 diesel engine to China as it is designated a military/defence item.

That said, the Thai navy came up with three conditions to determine whether it should continue or cancel the contract, he said.

The Chinese navy must certify the CHD620 engine with the Thai navy and assure its safety, as well as provide compensation for any construction delays while waiting for the engine.

Chinese authorities insisted its engine incorporates technology almost similar to the German-made model and has been fitted in many Chinese vessels and aircraft carriers.

If the CHD620 is modified, it can be compatible with Thai and Pakistani submarines or even Chinese submarines in the future, he said.

“They [Chinese authorities] guaranteed the safety of the engine,” said Adm Choengchai.

The navy also discussed with CSOC compensation details regarding the engine’s warranty as well as for any delay in the procurement process and changes to the value of parts. But further details could not be disclosed, he added.

Asked if it was possible the navy could receive a second-hand submarine as compensation, he said it needs to be discussed in further detail and must be approved first by the navy, which might accept the offer to use the CHD620.

The CHD620 engine must be certified by the Chinese navy by June, before further discussions, including compensation, warranty and maintenance, can proceed.

When asked about the length of time it will take to finish the submarine if the navy opts to use the CHD620, he said it may take about three years and four months.

However, the navy chief said the procurement of the second and third submarines may need to be postponed.

Responding to a question about a training programme for Thai sailors after obtaining the first submarine in 2025, he said the Chinese navy chief had pledged to support the training to ensure they can operate it as stipulated by the contract.

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China compromises to push submarine engine sale to Thailand

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Navy wants engine change assurances

Royal Thai Navy top brass hold a press briefing at the force’s headquarters in Bangkok in 2020 to defend the purchase of two more submarines worth a massive 22.5 billion baht from China. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)
Royal Thai Navy top brass hold a press briefing at the force’s headquarters in Bangkok in 2020 to defend the purchase of two more submarines worth a massive 22.5 billion baht from China. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)

Chinese authorities will accept three conditions regarding warranty, compensation and safety, if the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) chooses a Chinese-made engine as a substitute for a German-made one for a S26T Yuan-class submarine being assembled in China, Navy commander Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet says.

Speaking after a meeting with China’s navy chief and defence minister on Tuesday, Adm Choengchai said the Chinese navy has pledged to support the certification of the Chinese-made CHD620 engine built by China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) as agreed last year.

The CSOC offered the CHD620 after Germany refused to sell its MTU 396 diesel engine to China as it is designated a military/defence item.

That said, the Thai navy came up with three conditions to determine whether it should continue or cancel the contract, he said.

The Chinese navy must certify the CHD620 engine with the Thai navy and assure its safety, as well as provide compensation for any construction delays while waiting for the engine.

Chinese authorities insisted its engine incorporates technology almost similar to the German-made model and has been fitted in many Chinese vessels and aircraft carriers.

If the CHD620 is modified, it can be compatible with Thai and Pakistani submarines or even Chinese submarines in the future, he said.

“They [Chinese authorities] guaranteed the safety of the engine,” said Adm Choengchai.

The navy also discussed with CSOC compensation details regarding the engine’s warranty as well as for any delay in the procurement process and changes to the value of parts. But further details could not be disclosed, he added.

Asked if it was possible the navy could receive a second-hand submarine as compensation, he said it needs to be discussed in further detail and must be approved first by the navy, which might accept the offer to use the CHD620.

The CHD620 engine must be certified by the Chinese navy by June, before further discussions, including compensation, warranty and maintenance, can proceed.

When asked about the length of time it will take to finish the submarine if the navy opts to use the CHD620, he said it may take about three years and four months.

However, the navy chief said the procurement of the second and third submarines may need to be postponed.

Responding to a question about a training programme for Thai sailors after obtaining the first submarine in 2025, he said the Chinese navy chief had pledged to support the training to ensure they can operate it as stipulated by the contract.

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Mitr Phol achieves global recognition for sustainability

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Company ranks No.2 in S&P Global for the food industry

Buntoeng Vongkusolkit, Chairman of Mitr Phol Group, sits amid a crop of canes. The company prioritises the development of bio-based raw materials by ensuring the quality of its cane and sugar.
Buntoeng Vongkusolkit, Chairman of Mitr Phol Group, sits amid a crop of canes. The company prioritises the development of bio-based raw materials by ensuring the quality of its cane and sugar.

Mitr Phol Group, world’s second biggest sugar producer and a leader in sustainable development in the agro-industrial sector in Thailand, has been recently ranked second in the world for sustainable development in the food product industry in the latest Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) by S&P Global.

The inclusion in the rankings for the fifth consecutive year testifies to the Group’s excellent work as it climbed from 17th in the first assessment year to second among 353 participating organisations this time around. This represents a push for Mitr Phol Group to achieve international sustainability standards, transparency, and to abide by the same standards as leading companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) as well as global companies.

The latest world’s ranking testifies to Mitr Phol Group’s success over the past 66 years in creating an organisation with a focus on sustainable development that meets international standards and its gaining of international recognition — economically, socially and environmentally — while helping all its operations achieve a sustainable future.

“In doing business today, we must focus on developing sustainability for society, the environment and all related parties. To create organisational sustainability we must not only focus on increasing our business growth but we must also prioritise the benefits to all stakeholders,” according to Buntoeng Vongkusolkit, Chairman of Mitr Phol Group, referring to company’s stakeholders including sugarcane farmers, business partners, customers, communities, society and employees.

“Operating a sustainable business helps us build the competitiveness we need to deal with sudden changes, including helping society and environment,” noted the Chairman.

Mitr Phol Group has adhered to sustainable business principles for a long time.

The group has consistently embraced the emergence of digital technology and innovations, capitalising on both to help manage and create sustainable development throughout the business value chain, from upstream to downstream.

Agricultural sector … A new opportunity for a greener world

As the group is in the agro-industrial sector which involves a number of people and partners as well as communities and the environment, the company’s sustainable development drives truly aim to benefit all stakeholders.

The agricultural sector is the source of food security and can be extended to provide green energy and bio-based products that respond to industrial and consumer demands.

The manufacturing industry is taking a hard look at utilising bio-based raw materials over those derived from petroleum for its production processes to reduce the environmental effects.

“We see a chance of agricultural sector for playing a key role to build sustainability. Consequently, we prioritise the development of raw materials throughout the value chain and strive to ensure the quality of cane and sugar that can be used as bio-based raw materials,” said Mr Buntoeng.

“Recently, the company became the first in Thailand to be certified by Bonsucro EU-RED, demonstrating that its ethanol is produced in accordance with the sustainability requirements of the European Union,” he said.

Mitr Phol Group remains committed to creating sustainable development in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) covering all three economic, social and environmental dimensions.

To achieve this, the group adopts global sustainability assessment criteria to the same standard as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

Under the latest assessment, Mitr Phol Group received higher scores across the board, including in economic aspects including supply chain management and ensuring transparency in business operations, the social aspects that focus on developing and taking care of the quality of life of stakeholders, and the environmental aspect whereby Mitr Phol Group aims to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030 and to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

To achieve the net zero goal, the group has implemented six procedures — produce and use clean energy, expand to the bio-based products business, encourage cane farmers to harvest by cutting fresh canes instead of burning their crops, ensure wastewater and waste management, increase afforestation and to offset carbon credits.

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Army officer in violent same-sex case summonsed

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An army lieutenant general accused of illicit drug use and assault while having sex with another man in Songkhla is being summonsed for questioning, police at Songkhla’s Sadao station say.

Investigators have interviewed the alleged victim, identified only as Nut, and decided initially to press an assault charge against the accused. A summons has been issued for the lieutenant general for questioning.

Police said the accused will also be questioned about drug use and whether other charges are pressed depends on the evidence.

The summons was issued after Nut and his lawyer, Arm Suwanraksa, filed a complaint against the lieutenant general at Sadao station on Tuesday.

The victim was examined at Songklanagarind Hospital on April 24 and discharged on Tuesday. He said he was prescribed antibiotic drugs for his injuries. He said he wanted the lieutenant general to take responsibility for hurting him and demanded the army conduct a thorough investigation and not treat the incident as a personal matter.

Mr Arm said police would have to review the evidence to determine if a drug charge would be pressed against the army officer.

The lieutenant general was transferred to an inactive post pending an investigation after the incident came to the media’s attention on Sunday.

Nut showed a video clip of the scene and bruises over his body, which he claimed were due to him being assaulted while having sex with a lieutenant general with the initial “Wor”.

According to media reports, both met via an LGBTQ+ dating app and agreed to meet at a hotel in Sadao district. The lieutenant general allegedly asked the victim to take crystal meth by directly injecting it into his veins, but he refused.

Afterwards, the officer allegedly used a sex toy with the victim and lashed him with a whip. The lieutenant general allegedly refused to take responsibility for hurting the victim and threatened the victim before the accused offered 2,000 baht to end the matter.

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Govt ramps up vaccine distribution

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The Public Health Ministry is speeding up the distribution of basic vaccines, which include polio and measles, to children across Thailand after a recent study found the immunisation rate among Thai children has dropped to about 80%.

In comments to mark World Immunisation Week, the directors-general of the Department of Disease Control, Tares Krassanairawiwong, and the National Vaccine Institute, Nakhon Premsri, announced the plan to boost vaccination rates among Thai children and adolescents.

While the Public Health Ministry has distributed over 150 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines over the past three years, basic immunisation rates across the country have dropped, especially across the deep South. The campaign is designed to plug the gap.

In response, the ministry launched a campaign dubbed “The Big Catch-Up”, in which health authorities will offer DPT, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles and human papilloma virus (HPV) shots to both children and adults.

The push will be jointly carried out by the public and private sectors, aided by the Department of Local Administration, sub-district health promotion hospitals and village health volunteers, Dr Nakhon said.

“If the national measles immunisation rate drops, the chance of measles returning will increase.

“We’ve eradicated polio, but the low rate of polio immunisation might allow a new outbreak,” Dr Nakhon said.

He said the recommended immunisation rate must be above 90%. At present, the rate is about 80%.

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82 Thais from Sudan on first leg of trip home

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More than 130 others hoping to get to Saudi Arabia for flights home in coming days

The first group of 82 Thai nationals fleeing Sudan arrive at the airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning. More than 130 others are expected to make their way home from Sudan over the next few days. (Photo supplied/Wassana Nanuam)
The first group of 82 Thai nationals fleeing Sudan arrive at the airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning. More than 130 others are expected to make their way home from Sudan over the next few days. (Photo supplied/Wassana Nanuam)

The first group of 82 Thai nationals leaving Sudan arrived at the airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning, and are waiting to be picked up on Thursday by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The air force sent three aircraft — two C-130s and an Airbus A340-500 — from the Bor Nor 6 military airport next to Don Mueang on Tuesday night on a mission to repatriate Thais from Saudi Arabia, after they were plucked from the violent and escalating crisis in Sudan.

The planes were en route to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah — designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a gathering point for Thai nationals in Sudan who wish to return to Thailand.

The first group of 82 Thai citizens arrived at the airport at 9am via a ship from Port Sudan provided by the Saudi Arabian government, said Kanchana Patarachoke, director-general of the Department of Information at the ministry.

The ship was carrying nearly 1,700 foreigners of many nationalities who are making their way home.

The Airbus sent from Thailand arrived at the Jeddah airport at 9.30pm on Wednesday to pick them up, while the other two planes were still en route to Jeddah.

Screening showed that only 78 will fly to Thailand on Thursday as four others have decided to stay in Saudi Arabia because they have relatives there.

Another 133 Thais, and a foreign family — a Thai woman and her American spouse and child — have registered with Saudi authorities for evacuation and are waiting to board the Saudi ship from Port Sudan.

Another five Thai students who want to repatriate and live outside the city of Khartoum in Sudan are also on the way to the port, Ms Kanchana said on Wednesday.

The arrival of Thai evacuees at Don Mueang Airport might be delayed from the original schedule due to the complexity of the mission, said ACM Alongkorn Vannarot, the air force commander-in-chief.

They were originally expected to be back in Bangkok by Wednesday night and are now expected to arrive at Don Mueang airport on Thursday around 10pm, but that too could change.

Some 800 people were waiting to board the Saudi ship at Port Sudan, reports said.

Depending on how events play out, ACM Alongkorn said, the air force may need to carry out a risk management plan, as it is unclear whether everyone will be able to leave the port due to the large number of nationalities scrambling to leave.

Buses bring Thais to the airport in Jeddah on Wednesday morning as they prepare for the flight home. (Photo supplied/Wassana Nanuam)

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Leader of Isoc-impersonating extortion gang caught

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Foursome accused of threatening Bangkok man with fake charges and getting B3.1 million

Police arrest Boonserm Khamsang (white T-shirt) in Pathumwan district of Bangkok on Tuesday on charges of extortion. He is accused of leading a gang of four men who claimed to be with the Internal Security Operations Command and the police. (Photo: Police TV)
Police arrest Boonserm Khamsang (white T-shirt) in Pathumwan district of Bangkok on Tuesday on charges of extortion. He is accused of leading a gang of four men who claimed to be with the Internal Security Operations Command and the police. (Photo: Police TV)

The alleged mastermind of a gang whose members claimed to work for the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) has been arrested on charges of extorting 3.1 million baht from a resident of Hua Mak district in Bangkok.

Boonserm Khamsang, 53, was apprehended near Supachalasai Stadium in Pathumwan district on Tuesday by investigators from the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB). He faces charges of colluding in extortion, coercion and threats, MBP commissioner Pol Lt Gen Thiti Saengsawang Saengsawang, said on Wednesday.

Mr Boonserm is the last of four suspects to be rounded up in the case.

Investigators were called in after a group of four men claiming to soldiers attached to the Isoc and Crime Suppression Division police searched a house in the Hua Mak area around noon on April 11. They claimed the house owner had committed embezzlement, and they demanded 3.1 million baht from him.

Fearing for the safety of his wife and two children, aged 9 and 6, the man gave the money to the gang. They then fled in an Isuzu MU-7 SUV. He later filed a complaint with Hua Mak police.

MPB officers and Hua Mak police subsequently arrested Yafad Chumpraman and two other men. An extended investigation finally led to the arrest of Mr Boonserm on Tuesday.

During questioning, the suspect told police that he had known the victim for about six years before hatching a plot to get money from the man. He had called Mr Yafad from Songkhla to help with the job.

After getting the money, he said he gave his accomplices 500,000 baht each. The MPB has handed him over to Hua Mak police for legal action.

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Court approves detention of suspect in alleged serial murders

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Police take Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is accused of killing a woman with cyanide in Ratchaburi province, to the Criminal Court on Wednesday. (Photo supplied/ Wassayos Ngamkham)
Police take Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is accused of killing a woman with cyanide in Ratchaburi province, to the Criminal Court on Wednesday. (Photo supplied/ Wassayos Ngamkham)

The Criminal Court on Wednesday approved a request by police investigators to further detain Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is accused of killing a woman by putting cyanide in her food.

The woman is also suspected of involvement in the deaths of nine other people she had been in contact with and who died in similar circumstances.

Ms Sararat was taken into custody on Tuesday at the government office complex on Chaeng Wattana road in Bangkok by Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police with an arrest warrant. She had a bottle of cyanide in her possession, police said.

Her arrest followed a complaint filed with the CSD by the mother and the elder sister of the late Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, 32, from Kanchanaburi. Siriporn collapsed and died on the bank of the Mae Klong river in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi province, where she went with friends to release fish for merit-making on April 14. Cyanide was found in her body.

Investigators came to the belief Ms Sararat might be the person who mixed cyanide in Siriporn’s food, causing her death. She allegedly also stole the victim’s valuables. This led to her arrest.

Ms Sararat was taken to CSD headquarters for questioning on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday morning, investigators took her to the Criminal Court and were given permission to detain her for a  further 12 days, from April 26-May 7, while statements were taken from 10 more witnesses, to await the results of an autopsy and for further examination of criminal case records.

Police opposed bail. She was remanded in custody.

Pol Col Anek Taosupap, a deputy CSD commander, said that throughout questioning Ms Sararat refused to give information. She also refused to allow a blood sample to be taken for evidential DNA testing.

Ms Sararat is reportedly the former wife of a police deputy superintendent. They separated in 2022 but still occasionally meet because they have two children.

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Suspect in alleged serial murders denied bail

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Court approves detention as police say as many as 12 poisoning deaths may be linked

Police take Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is accused of killing a woman with cyanide in Ratchaburi province, to the Criminal Court on Wednesday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
Police take Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is accused of killing a woman with cyanide in Ratchaburi province, to the Criminal Court on Wednesday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

The Criminal Court on Wednesday approved a request by police investigators to further detain Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who is accused of killing a woman by putting cyanide in her food.

The former wife of a senior police officer, she is also suspected of involvement in the deaths of a dozen other people she had been in contact with and who died in similar circumstances.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said on Wednesday that two more dead victims has been linked to Sararat “Am”, bringing the deaths to 12.

There was one survivor, who was giving information to police about her conduct. The woman was also poisoned and her heart stopped beating. A doctor managed to restore her heartbeat in time. Police were questioning her, said Pol Gen Surachate.

Ms Sararat was taken into custody on Tuesday at the government office complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok by Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police with an arrest warrant. She had a bottle of cyanide in her possession, police said.

Her arrest followed a complaint filed with the CSD by the mother and elder sister of the late Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, 32, from Kanchanaburi. Siriporn collapsed and died on the bank of the Mae Klong river in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi, where she had gone with friends to release fish for merit-making on April 14. Cyanide was found in her body.

Investigators came to the belief Ms Sararat might be the person who had mixed cyanide in Siriporn’s food, causing her death. She allegedly also stole the victim’s valuables. This led to her arrest.

Ms Sararat was taken to CSD headquarters for questioning on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday morning, investigators took her to the Criminal Court and were given permission to detain her for a  further 12 days, from April 26 to May 7, while statements were taken from 10 more witnesses. They are also awaiting the results of an autopsy and a further examination of criminal case records.

Police opposed bail and she was remanded in custody.

Pol Col Anek Taosupap, a deputy CSD commander, said that throughout questioning Ms Sararat refused to give information. She also refused to allow a blood sample to be taken for evidential DNA testing.

Ms Sararat is reportedly the former wife of a police deputy superintendent. They separated in 2022 but still occasionally meet because they have two children.

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