Aussie women gravely ill from tainted booze in Laos

After a fatal incident in Vang Vieng in which two people passed away, a Melbourne trio was taken to a Thai hospital.

Vang Vieng is a popular destination for backpackers travelling in Laos. (Photo: Basile Morin via Wikimedia Commons)
Travelers from Laos frequently travel to Vang Vieng. ( Photo: Basile Morin via Wikimedia Commons )

After drinking contaminated liquor in Vang Vieng, a tourist town in Laos, two young American women are battling for their life in Thai hospitals.

The families of the two Melbourne teenagers, who are 19 years old, are reportedly laying on the sidelines of two different Thai hospitals, one in Bangkok and the other in Udon Thani, according to an announcement made on Tuesday by the American Broadcasting Corporation.

In Vang Vieng, a well-known gathering area north of Vientiane, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones were staying in a traveller hostel.

The young ladies had been drinking at a local cafe on Tuesday, November 12 according to the hotel’s owner, the Nana Hostel. After becoming poor, they were taken to a doctor in Vientiane early on Wednesday morning.

According to local reports, two Swedish ladies in their 20s passed away and at least 10 others have become sick as a result of the contaminated beer.

After their circumstances deteriorated, Ms. Jones was taken to Udon Thani and Ms. Bowles was moved to a doctor in Bangkok.

The Ms. Jones ‘ family released a statement, saying that “our wonderful Bianca was on a fantasy getaway with her best friend Holly.”

They enjoyed traveling through Asia and had such fantastic activities ahead of them.

” We are around by Bianca’s side praying for her.”

No other dormitory friends have ever fallen ill, according to Duong Van Huan, the owner of the Nana Hostel in Vang Vieng, who claimed he was certain the poisoned beverages were never sold at his table.

He claimed that this was the first time something like this had happened because he had been operating in Vientiane and Vang Vieng for about 11 years.

Methanol is a clear liquid substance that is frequently used as a less expensive alternative to biofuel in alcoholic beverages.

Even a small amount of consumption can become dangerous.

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Thaksin expects fugitive sister Yingluck to return by April

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra receives roses from supporters after her closing statement on her rice-pledging case at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for People in Political Positions in Bangkok on Aug 1, 2017. (Photo: Bangkok Post)
After her closing statement at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Citizens in Political Positions in Bangkok on August 1, 2017, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is presented with roses from followers. ( Photo: Bangkok Post )

Yingluck Shinawatra, a runaway former prime minister, is expected to return to Thailand in April of next year, according to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s younger girl.

Based on its exclusive interview with Thaksin last Thursday in Udon Thani state, Japan’s Nikkei Asia media outlet reported this on Monday in a account based on that report.

According to Thaksin, Yingluck should be able to attend the Songkran event in April of next year.

Thaksin said in the statement that he did not see any problem to Yingluck’s profit, and she might be again somewhat before the Songkran festival, depending on schedule and opportunity.

During a trip to his local state of Chiang Mai in April, Thaksin claimed that Yingluck may arrive before the end of this year. Seven years ago, she was last seen in people.

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Citizens in Political Positions on Sept 27, 2017, sentenced Yingluck to five years in prison for failing to stop fraudulent and corruption-plagued government-to-government sales of corn from her administration’s rice-pledging system.

The jury pronounced judgement in Yingluck’s presence. The statement was postponed from Aug 25, 2017, after she failed to appear. A&nbsp, subpoena was immediately issued&nbsp, for her arrest.

Before the jury rendered its decision, Yingluck reportedly eluded leaving the country to meet with Thaksin in Dubai.

In December next time the Supreme Court&nbsp, acquitted Yingluck&nbsp, of wrongdoing in her 2011 exchange of a National Security Council secretary-general.

Previous month the Supreme Court&nbsp, acquitted her&nbsp, of wrongdoing and cooperation in the granting of a 240-million-baht campaign to promote her administration’s 2-trillion-baht system projects.

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Chiang Mai krathong waste drops 25%

Glides and wastes being cleared from the Ping River by employees.

Krathong floats and garbage are stranded at a sluice gate in the Ping River before being collected in Chiang Mai on Tuesday. Officials say waste material from the Loy Krathong festival this year was down 25% compared to last year. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa)
Before being collected in Chiang Mai on Tuesday, trash and krathong floats are stranded at a gate wall in the Ping River. According to officials, this year’s Loy Krathong festival waste material dropped by 25 % from the previous year. ( Photo: Panumet Tanraksa )

Lee MAI- Twenty-five tonnes of krathong floats and wastes have been collected from the Ping River after Friday’s Loy Krathong event, downward from 33 tonnes last season.

Tosapol Phuanudom, the lieutenant governor of Chiang Mai, inaugurated a battle to acquire trash, trash, and dirt from the valley at the Pa Dad sluice gate in the Muang city on Tuesday. &nbsp,

According to Mr. Tosapol, workers dumped 25 tons of krathong waste and garbage that had been stranded at the gate gate, which is a 25 % increases over the festival last year. &nbsp,

About 90 % of the collected glides were made from natural components, while the rest were made from Styrofoam, food and other substances. &nbsp,

” If they are not removed fast it will affect the water’s habitat. In a few days, according to Mr. Tosapol, the recovery is scheduled to be finished. &nbsp,

He claimed that the municipal waste management service produced and disposed of the collected hovers and garbage using proper techniques.

Krathong glides were collected on Saturday in Bangkok, where authorities said the full, 514, 590, was 20 % lower than the year before.

Of the collected hovers in Bangkok, more than 98 % were made from natural materials.

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Thai PM Paetongtarn speaks with Trump

‘ Whatever I may do, you let me know,’ says US president-elect

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra holds a video call with US president-elect Donald Trump. (Photo: PR Thai Government Facebook)
US President-elect Donald Trump is viewed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on a picture phone. ( Photo: PR Thai Government Facebook )

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had a telephone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, her department said on Tuesday, during which they both pledged to support each some ‘ services.

Ms Paetongtarn, who took office in September and is Thailand’s youngest top, reiterated her country’s readiness to work with the United States, according to a statement, which said Mr Trump had praised her job.

” Anything I may do, you allow me know”, Mr Trump said, according to a picture of the discussion that accompanied the speech. He referred to Thailand as a” absolutely wonderful country.”

One of its largest political missions in the region is in Thailand, which is also its oldest agreement alliance in Asia. Every year, the two nations engage in joint military exercises and engage in numerous markets, including law enforcement.

Possible Trump tariff increases on Chinese imports could benefit Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations that have auto and electric companies like Vietnam.

Thailand does try to export more of its goods to the US, according to Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, to change Chinese goods.

Imports are a key driver of the market and the United States is nevertheless Thailand’s major export location, followed by China.

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Drunken Briton injured by Good Samaritans on ride home

A drunken and injured British man is left on the roadside by two Thai men who volunteered to drive him home in Pattaya early Tuesday. The men claim the passenger behaved erratically and initiated a fight. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
Two Thai males who volunteered to pull a drunken and wounded British man home in Pattaya early on Tuesday left him on the side of the road. The passengers ‘ men claim that the customer started a fight and acted wildly. ( Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong )

In this eastern coastal tourist town on Tuesday, a American tourist got into a fight with two Good Samaritans who had offered to take him home. He was too inebriated to board a car.

Around 3 a.m., Muang Pattaya officers and rescue personnel were called to Pattaya Sai 3 Road in the Bang Lamung district’s tambon Nong Pruea where they discovered a man between the ages of 55 and 65 sitting on the road. He had a bruised left eye, a broken head, bleeding on his face, and getting bruises on his brain. &nbsp,

Before taking him to the doctor, first aid was administered by the volunteers. A see identified just as Rattapon, a 41-year-old authorities charity, reported seeing a light pickup truck pull through and a Thai person drag the Briton out. According to his drunken state, the other witnesses attempted to question him about what transpired but were unsuccessful. &nbsp,

As officers investigated to determine the Briton’s intruder, two people identified only as Manuchchai, 30, and Jakkrit, 28, arrived at Muang Pattaya police stop at 4.30am. They requested that the wounded man’s incident been documented as proof in the normal log. &nbsp,

The people, who work as experts for a nightclub in South Pattaya, made it known that the British national had attacked them first and then struck their delivery vehicle. &nbsp,

In an effort to ensure fairness, police said they would assess video from security cameras around the location where the incident occurred and question both parties. &nbsp,

The Briton appeared drunk at a table on Soi Bua Khao, according to Mr. Manuchchai. No drivers were ready to pick him up when he attempted to get a car home. He and his colleague offered to drive him after being moved by compassion, but the customer started to shout and verbally abuse them. &nbsp,

He refused to listen, forcing us to travel in the incorrect lane, according to Mr. Manuchchai, who made an effort to calm him down. ” When we pulled over, he struck our truck, causing damage” .&nbsp,

He fistfighted with us, he said. We had to keep him on the roads. Items escalated, and we traded blows, with both factors getting injured. After the event, we drove away, hardly expecting that the authorities may be looking for us. We want to argue our ignorance. Despite our best efforts to bring him home, we were attacked initially.

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Ethereum co-founder visits Moo Deng

Vitalik Buterin poses with a model of Moo Deng. (Photos by Khao Kheow Open Zoo)
Moo Deng design poses with Vitalik Buterin. ( Khao Kheow Open Zoo photos )

Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of the Ethereum blockchain, has seen the girl pigmy hippo, Moo Deng, and other animals at Chon Buri’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

The park management posted pictures on its&nbsp, Facebook section on Tuesday &nbsp, &nbsp, of Mr Buterin posing with a model of Moo Deng at the park and seeing different species it.

The 30-year-old Russian was seen in a Moo Deng-patterned clothing.

Prior to this, local media had images of Mr. Buterin, the co-founder of the world’s first customizable bitcoin, seeing Moo Deng and giving a bag of food to the zoo’s manager.

Mr Buterin was a speech at an Ethereum fair, Devcon SEA 2024, set in Bangkok from Nov 12-15. He was also depicted in a photo on the news that showed him and another Bangkok travellers taking an electric train.

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Tech start-ups get extra funds

Money help drives billion-baht earnings

To help tech companies expand their start-up businesses for the upcoming season, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation announced an increase of nearly 20 % of its tech account.

To honor its efforts to support emerging entrepreneurs by allowing them to incorporate research and innovations into commercial ventures, the ministry’s Technology and Innovation-Based Enterprise Development Fund ( TED Fund ) recently hosted TED Fund Grant Day 2024.

Supachai Pathumnakul, the agency’s permanent secretary and TED Fund chair, emphasised the agency’s commitment to fostering the market’s green self-reliance and profitability.

He said the department assigned the TED Fund to deliver students, recent graduates, and business companies with access to government money, allowing them to commercialise their research and innovations.

Prof Supachai said the shift aligns with the president’s medium-term and long-term plans for advancing the modern economy.

In 2024, the TED Fund has supported 264 jobs statewide with over 232 million ringgit in cash.

” TED Fund’s financial aid is not concentrated only in the country’s heart but is distributed across all areas”, said Prof Supachai.

Tipawan Vetchakarunyakorn, a director of TED Fund, mentioned the bank’s key initiative efforts for this year, including Startups for Startups, supporting startups with up to 2 million baht of money, and TED Youth Startup, which supports young entrepreneurs through funding programs like TED Youth Startup’s Ideation Incentive Programme and TED Market Scaling Up, which aid businesses ‘ domestic and international expansion.

The TED Fund’s aim for the next year is to support another 270 projects in 13 innovative sectors, with a budget of over 273 million baht, a 17.6 % increase.

According to Ms. Tipawan, the TED Fund’s investment in tech entrepreneurs this year has led to more than a billion baht being made for social and economic improvement initiatives.

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War ‘no obstacle’ to ramping up relations

On Tuesday, Ukraine and Russia’s issue actually begins its 1,000th day, but Kyiv continues to work with nations in Southeast Asia to establish new partnerships and receive additional assistance to bring the war to an end and ensure justice for its citizens.

The recently appointed Russian head of affairs in Thailand, Viktor Semenov, stated in an interview with the Bangkok Post that despite the country’s longstanding commitment to intensifying its cooperation with Asean countries in places such as complex, agricultural, and people-to-people cooperation, Ukraine has always been locked in a state of conflict with Russia.

The dedication, he said, reflects the growing significance of the area in the Russian government’s proper calculations.

On Feb 29, the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry presented a policy paper titled “Ukraine-Asean: Vision of Cooperation” that outlines the present state of relations, as well as the leads for potential cooperation between Kyiv and the bloc’s people.

At present, both countries have active participation in the fields of food and agriculture, digital economy, business, strength, disaster management and demining operations. According to Mr. Semenov, Kyiv and Bangkok are even engaged in a number of social jobs.

In an effort to develop the relationship with Asean, Ukrainian politicians also made an official visit to Laos ‘ 45th General Assembly in October.

” Asean is a very important region, not only for the world, but also for Ukraine. ]As for, ] we would like to become a Regional Dialogue Partner of Asean”, he said.

He claimed that because of companionship and mutual understanding, Thailand’s marriage with Ukraine is still strong despite the conflict with Russia.

Mr. Semenov continued,” We look forward to enhancing the democratic discourse between Ukraine and Thailand.”

Far-reaching consequences

Although the battle is far from Thailand, it has affected the country’s relationship with Ukraine, as the conflict has disrupted trade and other actions between the two countries.

The battle, for instance, has affected Ukraine’s ability to export vital agricultural goods, such as grains and flower seeds, to Thailand.

Commercial airlines are compelled to evade Russian airspace because of the risk of being hit, and Russian airspace is impacted by sanctions, which also cause delays in traveling between the two nations.

The conflict also poses a major threat to the environment, particularly with the nuclear power plant’s seizure, which Kyiv fears could lead to a global nuclear disaster that would affect both Ukraine and its neighbors as well as nations on the other side of the world, such as Thailand.

” Radiation has no frontiers”, he said.

Mr. Semenov urged Thailand to increase its involvement in international peace activities.

We are very appreciative of Thailand’s participation in the first international peace conference and the conferences on food security and economic safety, which are both important contributions from the kingdom to finding a just and comprehensive solution for Ukraine’s long-lasting peace, he said.

” There must be two foundations upon which to restrain the harmony in Ukraine. Second, there should be no debate about Ukraine without Ukraine]involvement].

” Minute, the drive may be based on the UN Charter and respect the independence and dignity of Ukraine’s internationally recognised edges, “he said.

We want to expand our political dialogue with Thailand and expand our democratic consultations at the minister and other levels. We are now working on these concerns, “he added.

Windows of opportunity

According to Mr. Semenov, both governments may encourage closer economic ties because both Thailand and Ukraine have substantial potential for shared economic development.

A Joint Trade Commission may be established to identify the top focus areas for common participation.

” I will attempt to encourage]both countries ] to increase investments, especially in the green energy, technology and agriculture sectors, “he added.

At the same time, he would like to enhance technical cooperation between the armed forces, as well as in the fields of science and technology, space exploration, and cultural diplomacy.

” We are currently working on a Ukrainian-Thai poetry collection. For the first time, Ukrainian poems are being translated into Thai, “he added.

Ukraine’s citizens are living in constant danger of a Russian military assault, and they still require additional humanitarian aid and technical assistance.

He went on to say that guided missiles have been used to attack various important infrastructure, most notably the nation’s power grid.

Some assistance in protecting the nation’s energy security will be especially useful, especially during the winter, he said.

” In the meantime, we need humanitarian, financial and technical assistance as we continue to fight for our independence and territorial integrity, “he added.

He added that more and more Ukrainians require mental health care as a result of the war’s significant trauma to both individuals and society as a whole.

” I would like to underline that, of course, we are eager to strengthen cooperation with Thailand in different spheres. I’m confident that we have a great chance of expanding our partnership despite the difficulties that the war has presented us with, he said.

Ukrainian Chargé d'Affaires Viktor Semenov.

Ukrainian ChargĂ© d’Affaires Viktor Semenov

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PM urged to return land to monastery

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, centre.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center.

Previous senator Somchai Sawangkarn wrote a second open letter to the country’s prime minister, calling on her to act honestly and give her the benefit of the country by requesting the return of a religious plot of land from Alpine Golf Course to Wat Thamikararam Worawihan.

Mr. Somchai claimed to have written two words that had not made much progress before quite a while.

Mr. Somchai urged the leading to take action to resolve the matter involving the transport of the 924-rai plot of land in Pathum Thani, according to the most recent letter.

Since the temple’s foundation in 1922, Neum Chamnanchartsakd, a rich woman and patron of Wat Thamikararam Worawihan, had previously owned the property.

In her may, Neum stated that the church would receive this plot of land upon her departure.

Mr Somchai cited the Council of State’s judgement that, under the Civil and Commercial Code, the area became the monastery’s legitimate house upon Neum’s dying in 1971.

Thus, the transfer of the property to private companies, including Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf and Sports Club, in which Khunying Potjaman Damapong, the president’s mother, is a investor, was void from the start.

The top, as mind of the cabinet, may assure government operations are constitutional, clear and benefit the public, adhering to principles of good governance.

Sonthiya Sawasdee, a political activist, petitioned the Election Commission (EC ) to inquire about former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s work as a Pheu Thai Party campaign assistant.

Additionally, Mr. Sonthiya expressed concern about information that Thaksin had purchased two citizen in Montenegro or another nation, noting that Montenegro forbids dual citizenship.

Somchai Sawangkarn, heart. ( File photo: parliament )

Somchai Sawangkarn, heart. ( File photo: parliament )

Alpine Golf course ( file photo )

Alpine Golf course ( file photo )

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Key panel appointment for negotiation with Cambodia may face delay

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai
Phumtham Wechayachai, the vice-premier and minister of defense,

The Joint Technical Committee’s (JTC ) appointment to discuss with Cambodia about the development of disputed maritime places in the Gulf of Thailand might not be brought up for cabinet account on Tuesday.

Despite rumors that the cabinet will approve the appointment of the JTC on Tuesday, deputy prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai said it is possible that the cabinet wo n’t be ready to consider it.

It remains to be seen if Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who recently left the Apec conference in Peru, is willing to preside over the regular case meeting, according to Mr. Phumtham, who is frequently rumored to be the JTC’s leader.

Mr Phumtham, who also serves as defence secretary, said he will enter the Asean Defence Ministers ‘ Meeting Plus in Laos on Tuesday.

The deputy prime minister reaffirmed that the 2001 MoU is the best foundation for resolving the coastal border dispute and urged those who had questions about its merits to carefully examine it.

More than 100, 000 people have signed in support of his campaign, according to Thai Pakdee Party Chairman Warong Dechgitvigrom, who is leading a plan for the renewal of the MoU. On Friday, the prime minister will receive the complaint.

Previous senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn also stated on Instagram on Monday that the 2001 MoU is intended to expedite conversations on the maritime borders and natural sources.

The overlapping claim area ( OCA ), which extends across the Gulf of Thailand and covers about 26, 000 square kilometers, is jointly held by Thailand and Cambodia. The region is thought to have a lot of fossil energy power sources. Cambodia made its first state in 1972, which Thailand rejected. The next year, Thailand made a lawsuit.

Mr Kamnoon said that during speaks from 2001-2005, Cambodia did not respond to Thailand’s suit and it still has not made any reply.

The Thai committee only consented to give its government the opportunity to review Thailand’s counterclaim after it was raised at the governmental level.

Because upcoming 201 MoU negotiations would coincide with Thailand’s proposed maritime boundary, Mr. Kamnoon anticipates that Cambodia will accept this proposal.

But, he said that if Cambodia agrees to Thailand’s suit, Thailand stands to both gain and lose whereas Cambodia stands to largely drop.

In the event Cambodia agrees to Thailand’s suit, it will negate its 1972 say to the place, he said.

He noted that if Cambodia actually withdrew its state, any lingering disagreements would be resolved even though the Thai Foreign Ministry is steadfast about Thailand’s claim to sovereignty over Koh Kut.

Cambodia continues to believe that at least quarter of Koh Kut belongs to it, according to Mr. Kamnoon.

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