Barkar Nash (Page 1,038)

PHUKET: The body of a Russian man who went missing after being swept into the sea by strong waves at the famous Cape Promthep in Muang district on Friday has been found floating in the sea of Kathu district on Sunday.

According to Arun Solos, mayor of tambon Rawai municipality, a local fisherman spotted the body of a man floating in the sea near Laem Saeng Nakhalay, close to Kalim beach in Kathu, on Sunday at around 12.50pm and alerted the Kusoltham Phuket rescue foundation.

The foundation then coordinated with a command centre on Yanui beach, jointly set up by the municipality and concerned agencies, to investigate.

Upon arrival, municipal officials, rescue workers and tourist police inspected the body and took photos, which they sent to the Russian friends of the missing man. The friends confirmed that the body belonged to Lurii Smoian, 32, as they recognised his pink shorts and a necklace he was wearing before going missing. Earlier, local media had given his name spelling as Yuriy Smyan.

The body was being brought to shore at Pak Bang beach behind the Rawai municipality and would be sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination, said the mayor.

The authorities would coordinate with the Russian embassy regarding the discovery of the body.

The missing tourist and three other Russian friends had gone to Cape Promthep to take photos when strong waves struck them on Friday. Two of them were swept into the sea. One managed to swim to shore and was rescued by officials who arrived at the scene after being alerted, but Smoian sank in full view of his three friends.

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Thailand’s health minister and cannabis advocate Anutin Charnvirakul turned heads during Sunday’s election as he arrived to cast his vote at a polling station wearing a dark shirt with bright green marijuana leaves.

The 56-year-old is the prime ministerial candidate for the Bhumjaithai Party, which has campaigned on a promise to promote medical marijuana after successfully pushing for the substance to be decriminalised last year.

Without associated regulations in place, recreational use surged, angering the Southeast Asian country’s conservatives. Mr Anutin has promised that if re-elected, he will tighten regulations to curb recreational use and restrict cannabis use to medical purposes only.

Mr Anutin flashed a smile as he emerged from a voting booth and declined to answer reporters’ questions about the symbolism of his shirt.

His party, which ran on the same platform in the 2019 election, came in fifth place then, giving it a position in the current military-backed government. It is likely to repeat that performance this year.

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NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: Nine people have been arrested and 1.6 tonnes of crystal methamphetamines seized as it was being loaded on a boat to be smuggled out of the country, the Office of Narcotics Control Board said on Sunday.

The operation took place at Mai Khao pier in Tha Sala district, with the help of local police.

The suspects were arrested as they were unloading 1.5 tonnes of crystal meth from two vehicles. The drugs, they told police, were to be loaded into a boat, destined for other countries.

A source said the suspects’ network had smuggled massive amounts of drugs out of the country at least three times previously.

The crackdown was launched after local authorities received a tip-off from the country the drugs were destined for, saying a large amount of crystal meth was going to be smuggled from the pier.

The network chose to carry out the attempt right before election day, on the assumption that local authorities would be preoccupied securing election facilities, the ONCB said.

The investigation was being expanded to track down other members of the network. Police were collecting evidence from the boat in the hope of finding clues that would lead them to other suspects.

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One person was killed and five others injured in a fire and an explosion at a house in Bang Yai district of Nonthaburi late on Sunday morning. Six houses were damaged.

The fire broke out at a housing estate behind Wat Phra Ngern in Bang Yai district at 11.11am on Sunday.  The blaze started at a house mixing chemicals before an explosion erupted.

The force of the explosion killed one man instantly and injured five others. Four of the injured were sent to hospital. Another one was slightly hurt and declined to go to hospital. Six houses were damaged by the explosion, Thai media reported.

Firefighters managed to put out the fire at around noon.

Police were investigating the cause of the blaze. They initially believed it might have been caused by a short circuit. The damage was being estimated.

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The general election on Sunday was proceeding smoothly, despite rain in some areas, with large numbers of people turning up to vote, Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said.

Voters were seen queuing up at all polling stations in the morning, indicating high responsiveness, and there were no reports of traffic problems, Mr Sawaeng said.

Individuals who notice any mistakes by polling officials or encounter any inconvenience during the lead-up to the 5pm closing time can report them to officials at the polling stations, he added.

The commissioner warned that voters are prohibited from taking pictures of their marked or destroyed ballot papers, wearing shirts with party logos or candidate numbers, and taking ballot papers out of the voting area. Gambling on election results is also not allowed.

After voting closes, individuals or representatives from political parties can observe vote counting at all 400 polling stations nationwide.

Mr Sawaeng reported that 183 petitions have been filed with the EC so far, primarily regarding alleged vote-buying and campaign smears.

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NAKHON RATCHASIMA: The Chartpattanakla Party will support the party that wins the most seats in the House of Representatives to lead the formation of the government after the election, party chairman Suwat Liptapanlop said on Sunday.

Mr Suwat, the party’s candidate for prime minister, also called for all parties to accept the election results after he voted at polling station No 169 at Wat Lak Roy temple in Muang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. He was No 250 on the voters’ list.

Mr Suwat was accompanied at the polling station by Mr Tewan, his younger brother and the party secretary-general.

The Chartpattanakla chairman said he wanted to see a clean and fair election, adding that all parties should accept the result, no matter what it is, to let the country move forward.

Chartpattanakla, led by former Democrat Party member Korn Chatikavanij, is ready to support the party with the most MPs to form a government, he added.

Mr Suwat said he would be at the party head office in Nakhon Ratchasima to follow the voting results.

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Party leaders were among throngs of Thai voters appearing at polling stations nationwide early on Sunday to cast their ballots in an election that will decide whether Prayut Chan-o-cha will be ousted and replaced as prime minister eight years in power.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong began his inspection of polling stations in Bangkok before 8am at Suan Bua School in Soi Ratchakhru, Phayathai district, where polling stations Nos 25-27 are located.

Mr Ittiporn cast his ballot at polling station No 26 designated for 973 voters. He was No 522 on the list.

He said tthat so far, the EC had received 163 petitions related to the election – 58 concerning alleged vote-buying, 55 on campaign smears and 17 on abuse of power on the part of government officials. In the 2019 election, there were a total of 592 petitions, Mr Ittiporn added.

The EC chairman then left with an entourage, heading for polling stations in Pathum Thani province.

Gen Prayut, a prime ministerial candidate of the United Thai Nation Party, arrived at polling station No 10 in Phayathai district at about 9.06am and was greeted by a throng of Thai and foreign news reporters. He was No 163 on the voters’ list.

His wife Naraporn and daughters Thanya and Nittha Chan-o-cha were to cast their ballots later at the same polling station.

Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai candidate for the prime minister’s post, shows his ballot card at a voting station on Soi Sukhumvit 16, Bangkok, on Sunday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai Party candidate for the post of prime minister, arrived before 8am at polling station No 16 at City Lake Tower in Soi Sukhumvit 16. He was No 154 on the voters’ list.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Srettha said he was glad to vote again after a long wait. He called for Thai citizens to turn up in large numbers, saying he was confident the country would see change after the polls closed at 5pm.

Mr Srettha said he would be at the Pheu Thai headquarters after 5.30pm to follow the vote count.

Palang Pracharath Party’s prime ministerial candidate Prawit Wongsuwan arrives at a voting booth in Wang Thonglang district, Bangkok, on Sunday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the prime ministerial candidate and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, cast his vote at polling station No 11 in Wang Thong Lang district shortly after 8am. He was No 470 on the list of eligible voters.

He invited all those eligible to exercise their right to vote, saying the country’s future hinged on their decision.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party, turned up at polling station No 10 at Soi Sukhumvit 30 at 9.30am.

After casting his vote, Mr Pita said he had done his best to win popular support in the election. Like other party leaders, he said he hoped Thai voters would turn up in large numbers to make their voices heard.

Mr Pita said he was satisfied with and exited by the overall atmosphere after working hard on the campaign trail.

Move Forward Party’s prime ministerial candidate Pita Limcharoenrat drops a ballot into a box at a voting booth in Khlong Tan Nuea. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, arrived at polling station No 15 at Kheha Thani 3 in Ram Intra area, Khannayao district shortly after 10.30am.

She was No 889 on the voters’ list.

Ms Paetongtarn was accompanied by her mother Khunying Potjaman Damapong and her elder sister Pintongtha Shinwatra Kunakornwong, who also voted at the same station.

She was also greeted by a large number of Thai and foreign reporters.

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, the Thai Sang Thai Party leader who is also a candidate for prime minister, arrived at polling station No 33 in Chompol area in Chatuchak district at 8.40am. She was accompanied by her family members.

She said she hoped the election would bring change for the better to Thailand.

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Party leaders were among throngs of Thai voters appearing at polling stations nationwide early on Sunday to cast their ballots in an election that will decide whether Prayut Chan-o-cha will be ousted and replaced as prime minister eight years in power.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong began his inspection of polling stations in Bangkok before 8am at Suan Bua School in Soi Ratchakhru, Phayathai district, where polling stations Nos 25-27 are located.

Mr Ittiporn cast his ballot at polling station No 26 designated for 973 voters. He was No 522 on the list.

He said tthat so far, the EC had received 163 petitions related to the election – 58 concerning alleged vote-buying, 55 on campaign smears and 17 on abuse of power on the part of government officials. In the 2019 election, there were a total of 592 petitions, Mr Ittiporn added.

The EC chairman then left with an entourage, heading for polling stations in Pathum Thani province.

Gen Prayut, a prime ministerial candidate of the United Thai Nation Party, arrived at polling station No 10 in Phayathai district at about 9.06am and was greeted by a throng of Thai and foreign news reporters. He was No 163 on the voters’ list.

His wife Naraporn and daughters Thanya and Nittha Chan-o-cha were to cast their ballots later at the same polling station.

Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai candidate for the prime minister’s post, shows his ballot card at a voting station on Soi Sukhumvit 16, Bangkok, on Sunday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai Party candidate for the post of prime minister, arrived before 8am at polling station No 16 at City Lake Tower in Soi Sukhumvit 16. He was No 154 on the voters’ list.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Srettha said he was glad to vote again after a long wait. He called for Thai citizens to turn up in large numbers, saying he was confident the country would see change after the polls closed at 5pm.

Mr Srettha said he would be at the Pheu Thai headquarters after 5.30pm to follow the vote count.

Palang Pracharath Party’s prime ministerial candidate Prawit Wongsuwan arrives at a voting booth in Wang Thonglang district, Bangkok, on Sunday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the prime ministerial candidate and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, cast his vote at polling station No 11 in Wang Thong Lang district shortly after 8am. He was No 470 on the list of eligible voters.

He invited all those eligible to exercise their right to vote, saying the country’s future hinged on their decision.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party, turned up at polling station No 10 at Soi Sukhumvit 30 at 9.30am.

After casting his vote, Mr Pita said he had done his best to win popular support in the election. Like other party leaders, he said he hoped Thai voters would turn up in large numbers to make their voices heard.

Mr Pita said he was satisfied with and exited by the overall atmosphere after working hard on the campaign trail.

Move Forward Party’s prime ministerial candidate Pita Limcharoenrat drops a ballot into a box at a voting booth in Khlong Tan Nuea. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, arrived at polling station No 15 at Kheha Thani 3 in Ram Intra area, Khannayao district shortly after 10.30am.

She was No 889 on the voters’ list.

Ms Paetongtarn was accompanied by her mother Khunying Potjaman Damapong and her elder sister Pintongtha Shinwatra Kunakornwong, who also voted at the same station.

She was also greeted by a large number of Thai and foreign reporters.

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, the Thai Sang Thai Party leader who is also a candidate for prime minister, arrived at polling station No 33 in Chompol area in Chatuchak district at 8.40am. She was accompanied by her family members.

She said she hoped the election would bring change for the better to Thailand.

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The Central Juvenile and Family Court has waded into the case of a 15-year-old girl who has spent over 40 days in a juvenile facility.

In remarks issued on Saturday, the court said the girl’s mother failed to appear for her bail, which led to her extended stay in the facility.

Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai has been held at the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Centre for Girls in Nakhon Pathom.

She was brought to court on March 29 on a charge of royal defamation, specifically under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the lèse majesté law.

According to reports, Phra Ratchawang police apprehended her on charges of live-streaming the act of spray-painting graffiti on a wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on March 28, in clear violation of the lèse majesté law.

She also faced accusations of breaching the law last year, when she was just 14. In addition, she also faces charges of breaching Section 368 of Criminal Code and Section 4 of the Advertisement by Using Sound Amplifiers Control Act 1950.

According to the court, investigators pursued an arrest warrant for the girl after she failed to comply with police summon requests on two occasions: Feb 2 and Feb 15.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights told police that Yok was unable to meet the officers as she was preparing for an exam to enter Mathayom 4 (Grade 10).

They asked police to reschedule the appointment to April 9 at 10am. However, it appeared Yok was just buying more time as she was found to be engaging in activism near the United Nations Office on Feb 18.

So, the court issued an arrest warrant for Yok under Section 66 of Criminal Procedure Code and Section 67 of Juvenile and Family Court and Procedure Act 2010.

The court also formed legal advisory team for Yok. As the arrest was debated in the courtroom, neither of the girl’s parents were present.

A temporary guardian was there, as her mother was reportedly sick.

As the girl appeared to live with her mother, the court was unable to release her. Under Section 73 of Juvenile and Family Court and Procedure Act, the girl cannot be released to someone she does not live with.

Those who are associated with the girl can seek her release under Section 106 of Criminal Procedure Code.

The charges against Yok sparked a protest at the Samranrat police station on May 10. They spray-painted the place and broke the doors.

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