Salvage work at State Audit Office site speeds up

The United SAR K9 search and rescue team carries out a morning search mission on Friday, focusing on the area with discarded cement and steel bars at the collapse site of the State Audit Office building. The team is searching to ensure all missing individuals are brought home safely. (Photo: United SAR K9)
On Friday, the United SAR K9 search and rescue team will focus on the area near the State Auditorium building’s collapse blog, which has discarded plaster and metal bars. The crew searches to make sure all missing people are returned home safely. United SAR K9 ( Photo )

According to the Royal Thai Police’s Disaster Victim Identification Center, 33 people have been identified since the State Audit Office ( SAO ) building collapsed in the most recent earthquake.

The goal is to verify the names of the bodies discovered in the remains and give their bones to people for religious ceremonies, according to Pol Maj Gen Wathee Assawutmangkul, a spokeswoman for the Office of Police Forensic Science.

To compare the bones that have been delivered to the Office of Police Forensic Science with those that have been missing, the center has collected information on missing people and DNA samples from 97 friends. He claimed that the confirmation process includes biometric analysis, medical records, DNA, and physical characteristics.

41 systems and 96 system components were submitted for forensic examination between March 29 and March 3.

42 cases have so far been scanned into the system, leading to 33 confirmed identifiers, including 22 Thai citizens, 10 Myanmar nationals, and one Thai. People have been informed, and plans are being made for the burial’s remains to be released.

The investigative procedure includes combining body parts with DNA and matching prints. He claimed that DNA separation using tooth samples will take an additional 1 to 2 days for evaluation and comparison with household records. ” In the beginning, fingerprint verification made systems available the same day. All components must now be reconstructed before being released, he said, according to decomposition and the growing number of scattered remains.

Authorities are working with the Myanmar Embassy to obtain DNA examples in Myanmar for more testing for some unauthorized migrant workers.

Some families are gathering their loved ones up, while others are still buried beneath the wreckage.

Two people showed up on Thursday to acquire remains. One of them was Wittaya Sitsri’s 36-year-old family, Ms. Boonsong Muansuk, 73.

She claimed that while she remained in Si Sa Ket state, her brother had been employed in Bangkok for a number of years. They next saw one another at the New Year’s Eve activities in earlier 2024.

She claimed that her brother had been employed by the fell company for a month. Her family initially withheld the announcement from her, and she only learned about it through neighbors. She claimed to be eagerly awaiting reports and hadn’t eaten or slept. Officials called her brother’s birthday on Monday, confirming that his body had been discovered in the dust.

She would deliver her brother’s remains to their home in the northern province for burial at Wat Phothinimit in Thon Buri district before disposing of his remains at the funeral home.

On the lookout for

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ), spokesman Ekwaranyu Amrapal, stated that the recused operation’s main goal has always been to lower the height of the debris in the collapsed building.

As of Friday morning, the dirt elevation has decreased from more than 26 meters to 12.45 meters. To quicken the trimming of steel structures using oil torches, the technique has been changed so that there are deployed volunteer teams, military personnel, and BMA staff, allowing for continuous operations at various points.

Moreover, the number of vehicles moving debris has increased from 14 to 22, making over 170 outings a day, compared to the previous 100 per day. We made off to 300 journeys on Thursday to move dust, he said.

He claimed that there would be areas where the dirt may be kept.

First difficulties, according to Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, were caused by the building’s metallic framework, but progress has been made with the use of gas lights at various points.

Making room for extra rubble from continuous operations is the recent challenge, according to the author. Nevertheless, he stated that the operation is proceeding as planned and that it will be finished by the end of this month.

The recovery mission had identified 44 lifeless bodies and nine injured people as of Friday, with 50 others still unaccounted for.

According to him, the BMA’s Health Department has sent staff from the Public Health Disease Control Office, Environmental Health Office, and Chatuchak District Office to the page to track both economic value and open heath.

Prior to allowing stagnant water to flow into open spaces, the Public Health Disease Control Office applied sodium chloride to affected areas.

Additionally, they applied larvicide and herbicides to stop flies and mosquitoes, which were previously applied. These actions may be implemented from every Wednesday and Saturday until May, he said.

The Environmental Health Office is taking liquid samples close to the collapsed building and conducting ground testing.

They will work with the Drainage and Sewerage Department to gather wastewater samples for bacteriological study, and with the Pollution Control Department to check for heavy metal contamination in waste.

continuing research

According to Pol Maj Gen Noppasin Poonsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau ( MPB), police have interrogated 117 people in the ongoing investigation into the SAO collapse site.

Among those interrogated are those who were injured survivors, eyewitnesses, deceased’s family members, SAO officials, and representatives of design, construction, and job care companies.

Results are pending after forensic teams from the Department of Public Works and Town &amp, Country Planning, and the Department of Special Investigation ( DSI) have taken 193 steel bars and 36 concrete samples from the site for analysis.

As well as those who approved the design documents, summonses have been issued to those in charge of the property’s design, development, and job guidance. He said that three manufacturers have now testified, and two more are anticipated.

On April 21, Patiwat Sirithai, a big shareholder of PN Synchroline Company and a member of the PKW shared venture contracted by the SAO for building guidance, is scheduled for questioning.

According to Pol Maj Gen Noppasin, authorities are collaborating closely with criminal and executive experts to determine the cause of the collapse.

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PM wants collapse culprits charged

Recovery teams have reduced the height of the rubble to about 12 metres as they continue efforts to locate the 50 remaining missing individuals. (Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration)
As they continue their search for the 50 remaining missing people, treatment team have reduced the level of the dust to about 12 meters. ( Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration )

Once sufficient evidence is discovered, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will make the arrest warrants for those responsible for the collapse of the new State Audit Office ( SAO ) building more quickly.

With national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch and Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation ( DSI) Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam among those present, Ms. Paetongtarn convened a meeting on Friday to receive updates on the investigation.

The Comptroller General’s Department ( CGD ) will be enlisted to inspect construction material standards after the meeting, the prime minister said, as it has the authority to cancel contracts.

The DSI is looking into possible violations involving subpar material, subpar masonry, and lack of metal reinforcement in the raise shaft, according to Ms. Paetongtarn.

International shareholders and bid collusion are more concerns.

She pleaded with the internet to assist in publicizing the issues and promised that the government would not let the situation go unmentioned.

In terms of legal proceedings, she stated that when enough information is available, arrest permits will be issued.

She said,” Imprisonment permits won’t be issued in the near future.”

Additionally, Ms. Paetongtarn noted that some express agencies, including the SAO itself, are yet to give requested documents, adding that any company that doesn’t engage would inevitably raise people fear.

She added that she has even pressed the officers to locate the culprits:” It’s unthinkable that no one is at fault.

” We now know, in contrast to other houses, that there are definitely some places where things went wrong. The prime minister said,” It’s clear.”

According to Pol Gen Somprasong Yentuam, assistant federal police chief and mind of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, arrest warrants may be issued in seven days, but additional information is also needed.

In the meantime, the DSI searched the offices of businesses connected to the building on Friday, including China Railway No. 10 ( Thailand ).

A list of 51 supervising engineers and a dozen boxes of daily construction reports were found as evidence.

Pimol Yingcharoen, an 85-year-old engineer allegedly the building’s original designer, informed authorities in another occurrence that he was ill and unable to meet with the investigating officers. After recovering from illness, he promised to report to the DSI the following week.

As of Friday, the collapse, which was still causing injuries to nine, and left 50 people unaccounted for, had claimed 44 lives and nine lives.

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Thailand is ‘just a facilitator’

Govt clarifies his position in the dictatorship speaks in Myanmar.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with Thaksin Shinawatra, chair of an informal Asean advisory group, in Bangkok on Friday. (Photo: Anwar Ibrahim X account)
An unofficial Asean consulting group chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok on Friday. ( Photo: Anwar Ibrahim X account )

Thailand’s role in the recent discussions between Asean head Malaysia and the Myanmar junta in Bangkok was solely that of a coach, the authorities stated on Friday.

However, a prominent academic has questioned the lack of quality brought on by this year’s gathering and demanded more thorough results in their upcoming discussions.

According to Nikorndej Balankura, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ), the meeting on Thursday marked the first official sit-down between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

According to Mr. Nikorndej, it was started at Mr. Anwar’s demand, adding that Thailand and Malaysia reached up to negotiate in order to arrange the arrangement.

Mr. Nikorndej said the gathering reflected Thailand’s commitment to maintaining good relations with its neighbors as well as Malaysia’s mutual trust in engaging in creative dialogue.

The conversations were open and focused on Asean’s role in assisting charitable efforts to stop the recent earthquake in Myanmar and support efforts to end the conflict-torn nation, he said.

He claimed that while addressing those humanitarian requirements is important, a peaceful resolution must be given precedence in order to stabilize Myanmar and provide for the country’s continued assistance.

This meeting represents a good first step for Asean in its relationship with Myanmar, according to Mr. Nikorndej.

Mr. Anwar wrote in a concept that was posted on Instagram on Friday that he had also discussed the results of my meeting with Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, in which I called for the end to hostilities and the start of a ceasefire to help the people of Myanmar. He expressed his support for this endeavor.

This sentiment was shared in my interactions with the Asean chair’s Informal Advisory Group led by Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as in a virtual meeting with U Mahn Win Khaing Than of the National Unity Government ( NUG).

Asean must make sure that all parties in Myanmar can be heard, adding that the country’s future may be decided by its citizens. Peace is not a privilege of any one party.

I’ll get informing other Asean leaders about these initiatives, which I believe are most effective when implemented within Asean’s framework and without any impediment.

Trust-building is still crucial, and Asean’s leadership is necessary. We will continue to work with all parties to promote harmony, coexistence, and the well-being of Myanmar’s citizens, he declared.

The response to the regional appointment has been mixed.

Asean had recently avoided engaged with the coup, but Panitan Wattanayagorn, an expert in international relations, claimed that this meeting signaled a change in his stance toward the Myanmar military.

In the past, Thailand and Malaysia held contradictory views on this. Malaysia opposed it, he claimed, despite Thailand’s demands for engagement with the Tatmadaw ( Myanmar military ).

He claimed that Mr. Anwar’s head position highlights the value of dialogue and humanitarian assistance, even though his does not fully reflect Asean’s.

Mr. Panitan even viewed Mr. Anwar’s political partnership with the Tatmadaw and the NUG as a fruitful one.

He noted that no other president had been successful in collaborating with all functions.

He raised questions about the meeting’s plan, participants, and goals, which stifled public opinion of Thailand’s command.

Some tribal groups in the nation disapprove of the meeting, according to Mr. Panitan, who added that some of the country’s minority groups claim gave too much attention to the Myanmar junta head.

He argued that Thailand does take a more proactive approach by setting up more organized meetings, set aside time, and set goals.

According to Mr. Panitan, these discussions should lead to clear and important benefits, such as a peace or more equitable speech, which would help cement Thailand’s position as a power seller in the region.

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Thailand ‘just a facilitator’ of Myanmar talks

Government clarifies its role in bringing together the Myanmar junta captain and the Malay prime minister.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim talks with former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, chair of an informal Asean advisory group, in Bangkok on Friday. (Photo: Anwar Ibrahim X account)
An casual Asean advisory group head, past Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, meets with Indonesian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Bangkok on Friday for a conversation. ( Photo: Anwar Ibrahim X account )

Thailand’s role in the recent discussions between Asean head Malaysia and the Myanmar junta in Bangkok is completely that of a coach, the authorities stated on Friday.

One eminent scientific, however, questioned the lack of quality brought about by this week’s meeting and demanded more thorough conclusions in their upcoming discussions.

According to Nikorndej Balankura, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ), the meeting on Thursday marked the first official sit-down between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

According to Mr. Nikorndej, it was started at Mr. Anwar’s ask, adding that Thailand and Malaysia reached out to arrange things there.

Mr. Nikorndej said the gathering reflected Thailand’s commitment to maintaining good relations with its neighbors as well as Malaysia and Myanmar’s mutual trust in engaging in creative dialogue.

Asean’s role in delivering humanitarian assistance to Myanmar’s recently devasted disaster and supporting efforts to bring back harmony in the troubled nation, he said, was the focus of the debate.

He claimed that while addressing those humanitarian requirements is important, a quiet decision must be given precedence in order to stabilize Myanmar and provide for the country’s continued assistance.

” This meeting represents a good first step for Asean in engaging with Myanmar,” said Mr. Nikorndej.

Mr. Anwar wrote in a concept that was posted on Instagram on Friday that he had discussed the situation and called for the peace to be extended to allow the people of Myanmar to receive humanitarian aid. He expressed his support for this endeavor.

This sentiment was shared in my interactions with the Asean chair’s Informal Advisory Group led by Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as in a virtual meeting with U Mahn Win Khaing Than of the National Unity Government ( NUG).

Asean must make sure that all parties in Myanmar are heard, adding that the future of Myanmar must be decided by the people rather than by any one party.

Gratis from any disturbance, I will be presentation fellow Asean officials on these initiatives, which I believe are most effective when implemented within Asean’s model.

Trust-building is still necessary, and it is crucial that Asean continues to lead this endeavor. We will continue to work with all parties to promote harmony, coexistence, and the well-being of Myanmar’s citizens, he declared.

The response to the regional appointment has been mixed.

Asean had formerly avoided engaged with the dictatorship, but Panitan Wattanayagorn, an expert in international relations, claimed that this meeting signaled a change in his stance toward the Myanmar military.

Thailand and Malaysia have previously held contradictory views on this. Malaysia opposed it, he claimed, despite Thailand’s demands for engagement with the Tatmadaw ( Myanmar military ).

He claimed that Mr. Anwar’s chairperson’s position highlights the value of dialogue and humanitarian assistance, even though his position does not fully reflect Asean’s.

Mr. Panitan even viewed Mr. Anwar’s diplomatic partnership with the Tatmadaw and the NUG as a fruitful one.

He noted that no other president had been successful in collaborating with all functions.

He raised questions about the meeting’s plan, participants, and goals, which stifled public opinion of Thailand’s management.

Some ethnic groups in the country disapprove of the meeting, which critics claim gave very little attention to the Myanmar junta head.

He argued that Thailand does take a more proactive approach by setting up more organized meetings, set aside time, and set goals.

According to Mr. Panitan, these discussions should lead to clear and important benefits, such as a peace or more equitable speech, which would help cement Thailand’s position as a power seller in the region.

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Lacking in leadership

Lacking command

Paetongtarn: Caught on the fly

Paetongtarn: Caught on the fly

Following criticism that she failed to respond to the most devastating natural disaster Bangkok has seen in years, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s status has been affected by the recent disaster.

Critics claim that Ms. Paetongtarn’s command has been harmed by natural disasters. Shortly after being elected prime minister on Aug 16 next year, she was greeted with a storm crises in Chiang Rai.

The top was accused of using excuses to travel to the county that had been devastated by the floods. She insisted that she had no choice but to wait for her visit to get formalized before going to work directing national interests, insisting that her championship was pending royal support.

At the time, the incident reaction, or a shortage of, from the new state was called into question by opponents who criticised what they described was a “vacuum in management” needed to deal with disaster-battling challenges, which required a great national-scale resources, labor and logistics.

Despite the fervent pleadings made by flood victims, Ms. Paetontarn was spared a severe reprimand because she was “new” to the best job. An observer claimed that her time as head of the government was her keeping kindness.

However, the reviewers warned she may know from the worst flooding in Chiang Rai in 30 years, which left 16 persons dead and damaged more than 14, 000 ray of land across nine towns from Sept 9-15 next month.

According to the critics, she was expected to take on a dominant position following this disaster and have a well-formulated action plan ready for immediate execution in the event of another catastrophe.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28 shook high-rises and toppled one of the State Audit Office ( SAO ) buildings in Bangkok.

As the capital descended into chaos, with panic-stricken workers and people pouring onto the streets to avoid the shaking buildings, calls were made for the government to move in to support several tenants prevented from returning to their condos, which had developed deep cracks, for health reasons.

Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, made the announcement that public parks would be open 24 hours a day to provide shelter to those who had no place to live.

However, critics claimed that City Hall did not designate any tents or temporary shelters for the displaced. Only volunteers were out in force to set up mobile kitchens to hand out free meals to those working at the collapsed building site.

The governor’s announcement came shortly after the government declared Bangkok a disaster zone, which gave the city the opportunity to use emergency funds in response to the crisis. For the search and rescue operations at the collapsed SAO building, resources and personnel were essential.

The observer said tremors had left a trail of destruction in its wake. Many residents and tenants acknowledged not knowing whether the damage that their condo juristicians had taken out of full or part covered the damage.

Many people were forced to rent out their condos while their homes were being repaired.

At the collapsed building site, meanwhile, it was unclear who was in charge of the search and rescue operations being carried out by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and government disaster prevention and mitigation authorities.

The government was thus the target of significant criticism.

The Senate has criticized the government for what it claimed was the government’s slow response to the earthquake.

Senator Romsit Wiriyasan tabled an urgent motion calling for an Upper House debate on the issue with suggestions to be conveyed to the government and relevant agencies.

He claimed that the government’s capacity to handle emergency situations was poorly reflected in evacuations from buildings, traffic chaos that prevented rescue workers from reaching earthquake-damaged areas, and text message warnings that took too long to reach people.

No one saw the government’s leader step up and take over the helm of crisis management immediately after the earthquake, according to Pol Gen Maj Romsit.

Lt Cdr Wutthipong Pongsuwan, another senator, called on the government to speed up the implementation of the so-called “cell broadcast service ( CBS ) system”, which allows emergency weather and natural disaster warnings to be disseminated via mobile phone messages.

Senator Nantana Nantavaropas argued that the 2004 tsunami and the 2011 deluge, two other natural disasters that have affected Thailand, should have taught.

However, the government appeared unprofessional and had trouble expressing itself effectively in a crisis. State agencies were too slow to respond”, she said.

Ms. Paetongtarn presided over a meeting with state organizations to address the delays in text messages warning people about the earthquake. Mobile phone companies from True Corporation and Advanced Info Service also showed up.

The premier asked them whether SMS alerts could be sent shortly after a quake.

However, this was too little and too late. Critics claim that the prime minister made errors frequently.

After announcing on March 31 that Bangkok’s disaster zone status had been rescinded and that quake-related situations had been brought under control, the prime minister learned of some state agencies evacuating staff from office buildings due to tremors being felt and structural cracks being spotted.

The critics criticized Ms. Paetongtarn for trying to dispel the fear. She argued that the March 31 tremors were unrelated to aftershocks that had taken place in Myanmar.

” It had nothing to do with aftershocks or additional quakes”, she said.

The critics were also perplexed by what they claimed was the premier’s suggestion that individual building managers were independent in carrying out quake-induced damage assessments.

I have no idea how to act when an earthquake strikes, according to Ms. Paetongtarn to be honest.

” We don’t live in a country where quakes are frequent and destructive. Some people may mistakenly believe they have low blood sugar when a quake strikes. She said,” We need to be educated more about earthquakes.”

Casinos are not a surefire bet

Chaichanok: Catches everyone off guard

Chaichanok: Catches everyone off guard

Chaichanok Chidchob, the secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, caught everyone off guard when he objected to legalizing casinos at a House meeting.

His blunt rejection came shortly after the Pheu Thai-led government backed away from its bid to fast-track scrutiny of the casino-entertainment complex bill.

The legislation’s initial reading was scheduled for April 9; however, it was postponed until the following two-month legislative session.

Observers believe that Mr. Chaichanok’s action has placed the Pheu Thai Party, which initiated the policy, in a awkward position.

Opponents of the bill, which involves the legalisation of casinos and allowing them to be part of an entertainment complex, have been adamant– the bill must be scrapped entirely, not just postponed.

During a recent protest, Pichit Chaimongkol, the leader of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand ( NSPRT), stated,” Our intention is to prevent the legalization of casinos, not just to see the bill’s deliberation delayed.

Additionally, the government’s claim that the bill received overwhelming public support during its public input gathering process has been met with skepticism.

With strong resistance outside of parliament and Mr Chaichanok’s opposition, the government may now be forced to consider holding a referendum on the casino proposal, according to observers.

Pheu Thai appears to be hitting roadblocks in its casino-entertainment complex bill push, according to Stithorn Thananithichot, director of King Prajadhipok’s Institute’s Office of Innovation for Democracy.

Given that Bhumjaithai is the coalition’s second-largest party and reportedly has the backing of the majority in the Senate, Mr. Chaichanok’s position should not be disregarded.

Even if the government successfully pushes the bill for House deliberation in the next parliamentary session, the bill’s passage is not guaranteed, he said.

The House needs at least 330 votes to support the bill because it is considered to be finance-related legislation.

The government is unlikely to achieve that number right now, and he said that critics will demand that the cabinet take responsibility if the bill fails in its first reading.

And even if the bill does manage to clear the House, the Senate poses a major obstacle and is highly likely to shoot it down, said Mr Stithorn.

The government must have taken note of the situation and made a decision to remain silent for the time being. He said that Mr. Chaichanok’s action is a new problem.

According to the analyst, the Bhumjaithai secretary-general may be taking his cue from his father, Newin Chidchob, the founder and de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, to seize an opportunity to score political points while Pheu Thai appears to be losing them.

The only thing he said was that he [ Mr. Chaichanok ] became overly emotional [during the House meeting], cried after his speech, and was later mocked by several media outlets, “he said.

No political party, aside from the main opposition People’s Party ( PP ), is prepared for a snap election, so Mr. Stithorn insisted Mr. Chaichanok’s decision won’t cause a House to dissolve.

Pheu Thai, which came second in the last general election, is also fully aware that improving on that result will be no easy feat, he added.

The best course of action for the government is to put the casino-entertainment complex bill on the ballot and demand that the pending referendum bill be passed after its 180-day cooling-off period has expired.

The government’s claim that 80 % of the 71,300 polled on February 28 and March 14 reportedly indicated support for the bill is disputed by the general public.

” There are questions after questions about the hearing process– such as what the questions were, how accurately these questions were framed and how the findings were processed, “he said.

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, a former election commissioner, noted that the survey’s findings showed nearly identical levels of support for each of the eight themes, with 80.6 % to 80.7 % of voters choosing to support each of them.

According to Mr. Somchai, it was statistically assumed that 57, 500 out of 71, 303 respondents would provide the same answers.

” Even from Mars, the result looks improbable. The former commissioner was quoted as saying that the cabinet believed it.

According to Mr. Stithorn, the ruling party may need to negotiate with the PP to secure their support for the bill and be willing to reciprocate by holding a charter rewrite referendum at the same time.

” If a referendum is conducted fairly and the bill receives majority support, it can dilute critical voices. The government will face opposition if there is still skepticism, and Pheu Thai will continue to suffer politically, he predicted.

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Cultural events to mark Rattanakosin anniversary

The state will hold a significant historical event in Bangkok on April 23 through April 27 to commemorate the Rattanakosin Era’s 243rd birthday.

Culture secretary Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol announced the festivities will take place at three renowned locations, including Wat Prayurawongsawat, the National Museum of Bangkok, and Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park.

The event honors the tradition of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok the Great, also known as King Rama I, the second king of the Chakri Dynasty and honors the establishment of the Rattanakosin Kingdom.

The secretary stated that King Rama I made Bangkok the capital of Thailand on April 21, 1782, marking the 243rd celebration of the Rattanakosin Kingdom.

99 monks will take part in the annual meeting at Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram on April 20 and Chulalongkorn University’s on April 20. The celebrations will start with religious rites on April 20 and a merit-making service on April 21. A devotion service may be held at the City Pillar Shrine as part of the festivities.

From April 23 to April 27, social events may be held at three significant areas. Visitors to Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park can take in daily events, scientific discussions, Thai food areas, and workshops showcasing traditional arts.

The National Museum of Bangkok will provide a” Night Museum” experience that allows visitors to discover the nation’s cultural treasures in an original evening setting.

A variety of cultural performances, bicycle tours, and food competitions will be held at Bangkok’s traditional temple Wat Prayurawongsawat, which will highlight the area’s rich multicultural heritage.

The secretary stated that the celebrations are intended to inform the public about the Rattanakosin’s history, inspire national pride, promote social and spiritual tourism, and boost the economy.

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Parliament co-op seeks fraud probe

People of the Parliamentary Official Saving and Credit Cooperative are calling for an independent investigation into a 14-million-baht fraud, citing concerns that more people may get involved than the one person who is currently being investigated.

A source reported yesterday that the cooperative had just acknowledged inside fraud following an initial investigation that found a finance officer had committed financial misconduct.

The Cooperative Board terminated the individual without payment and lodged a grievance with Bang Pho police station. The event is now being looked into.

The committee assured members that the cooperative’s financial balance and personal accounts had not been impacted by the embezzlement.

However, according to a joint source, this guarantee has done much to alleviate skepticism among members.

Some users questioned the possibility of just one person being responsible for such massive fraud.

They cited internal controls that should have prevented illegal entry, which require two authorisation for monetary transactions and various levels of approval for disbursements.

One participant remarked,” If one person could pass all the checks, then there is a major flaw in the system.” ” It’s likely that others were conscious or involved.”

Some suggested that the fraud may have occurred over a number of years in smaller, regular amounts, leaving questions about oversight from senior team and accountants.

The source questioned the board’s decision to blame one staff member and suggested it might be a cover-up tactic to protect older figures.

Just an independent, third-party research could uncover the truth, they claimed.

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Indian men rescued from kidnapping gang in Samut Prakan

Criminals extorted a sum of nearly B1 million for two men and a fourth man from an airport.

Police question three Indian men who were found tied up in a house in Samut Prakan on Friday. Two of them had been kidnapped for ransom. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
Three American people were discovered tied up in a home in Samut Prakan on Friday, and three of them are being interrogated by authorities. Two of them had been paid a compensation to be kidnapped. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )

A second intended victim was found Friday in Samut Prakan along with two American gentlemen who had been kidnapped for payment by a group led by their colleagues. Seven defendants are being taken into custody by Thai authorities.

According to Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom, director of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Deep Sandhu, a 32-year-old American regional, and six other male suspects, five of whom are Pakistanis and five of whom are Pakistanis, were detained by police at a home in the tambon Samrong Nua of Samut Prakan on Friday.

Three American men were likewise rescued by the officers from the home. The suspects demanded a ransom of 2.5 million pounds (977, 000 baht ) from the two of them who had been abducted. The second was accosted at the residence by the Suvarnabhumi airport.

Sanjeev Kumar had earlier reported to the authorities that Mr. Sandhu had abducted his two friends, Ramesh Sharma, 48, and Anandeep Kajal, 27, and that they had been picked up from a resort in Bangkok’s Silom district on April 14.

On April 16, Mr. Sandhu contacted Mr. Sharma’s younger girl via WhatsApp, claiming he had detained the two gentlemen and demanded a 2.5 million rupee payment. The two people would be in danger if she didn’t paid, he said.

Police investigators reviewed surveillance footage taken at the hotel and later learned about a taxi driver, who claimed he had been hired by the American suspect to pick up the victims it.

The arresting crew located Mr. Sandhu at the home in Samut Prakan, where they also discovered his two patients and a fourth man, later identified as Vipulkumar Shambhulal Patel, 41. Each of the three possessed a leg- and handbind.

Following that, Mr. Sandhu and six coworkers were taken into custody. Muhammad Afzal, 57, one of the six other American people, identified as Souray, 26, Simranjit Singh, 35, Abhishek, 25, Nitin Salaria, 36, and Gurwinder Singh, 35, were also present. At the Yannawa police stop in Bangkok, all were being interrogated.

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Abandoned bag prompts alert at Thai airport 

Explosive prelude found in a case a Finnish man left at the airport in Udon Thani

Airport police take Swedish national Marco Erik Pikkarainen, 58, for questioning upon his arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport, after traces of an explosive precursor were discovered in a bag he had left at Udon Thani airport. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutvorakan)
After signs of an explosive prelude were discovered in a case he had left at Udon Thani aircraft, airport authorities arrested Finnish national Marco Erik Pikkarainen, 58, for questioning when he arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport. ( Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutvorakan )

A Finnish man’s discovery of an explosive forerunner in a bag at Udon Thani aircraft led to his arrest after his flight touched down at Suvarnabhumi airport outside of Bangkok.

At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Thipawan Wangsanuwat, chairman of the Udon Thani Airport, reported to officers at the Muang city station in Udon Thani, according to Pol Col Phattanawong Chanphon, the train director.

A 58-year-old Finnish men rider had reportedly flown from Udon Thani to Suvarnabhumi airports on an AirAsia trip, according to Ms Thipawan. He did, however, leave a carrier at the baggage claim area.

The Royal Thai Air Force’s explosive ordnance disposal ( EOD ) team and airport staff both contacted the police after finding suspicious items in the bag and requesting assistance from the airport.

The rider was obstinate after authorities managed to get in touch with him, which led to his arrest at Suvarnabhumi airport for further investigation.

Authorities evaluated the bag’s contents using cutting-edge biopsy recognition technology. Triacetone triperoxide ( TAP ), a chemical precursor used to make explosives, was discovered during the test. More investigations were carried out by a K9 unit.

The EOD group handled the case using a blast-mitigation container. The checks discovered that the case had no hazardous materials.

The 58-year-old Finnish man, Marco Erik Pikkarainen, allegedly claimed that the bag had been packed by a companion but belonged to him. Clothing and dried Thai vegetables were included in the package.

According to Ms. Thipawan,” the ( detection of an ) explosive prelude could be a result of his attire being exposed to violent materials or fireworks.”

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Mobile emergency alert system test successful

New disaster emphasizes the need to have Thailand’s long-delayed system operational.

A man looks at an alert displayed on a mobile phone. Telecom operators and regulators on Friday jointly tested a virtual cell broadcast entity system for use in emergency situations such as earthquakes. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)
A man examines a cellular phone notice. A virtual body spread entity system was simultaneously tested by telecom operators and regulators for use in emergency situations like earthquakes on Friday. ( Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut )

A full-scale virtual cell broadcast entity ( CBE ) mobile emergency alert system was successfully tested by telecom operators and regulators in Bangkok on Friday.

Staff from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission ( NBTC ) joined the participating operators Advanced Info Service ( AIS), True Corp, and state-owned National Telecom.

Following Apple’s most recent implementation of cell spread support in its iphone 18 for phone users in Thailand, the test demonstrated that notifications can be delivered to both Android and iOS phones.

To function, a CBE system and cell broadcast centers ( CBCs ) are necessary for the cell broadcast service to exist.

Nearly every Thai government has committed to introducing a body broadcast emergency alert system since the tsunami of 2004. The Bangkok disaster on March 28 prompted new names for the program and inquiries about why it is still in place.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation ( DDPM) is in charge of setting up the CBE system as a central command post for warnings. Additionally, it is in charge of defining the places to be notified and coordinating the creation, management, and approval of the emails ‘ information.

The department’s CBE method is still being developed.

Personal telecommunication companies are the designated CBCs that receive the task of broadcasting DDPM-approved communications through specific cell towers within the designated alert zones.

The CBC method has been installed by all three mobile operators, according to NBTC president Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyap.

A cell broadcast service permits the broadcast of a number of basic messages that are not widely known to all recipients in a specific area.

The system is different from SMS because it doesn’t involve specific telephone numbers, allowing for quick and effective communication of emergency information that covers the entire affected area. Additionally, no one is required to get any software.

Android smartphones running type 12 or higher and iPhones running apps 18 are both supported by the body spread support systems.

The company is not compatible with phone 10 phones or earlier versions that cannot be updated to iphone 18 and are 2G and 3G tools as properly. As a result, SMS updates are also required to address this restriction.

According to the NBTC, AIS has 900, 000 2G and 3G people, compared to 1.6 million for Real.

Three different kinds of updates

The NBTC’s acting secretary-general, Trairat Viriyasirikul, stated that warning messages will be divided into three categories: federal alerts, disaster alerts, and yellow alerts.

Warning information for earthquakes will be sent by the DDPM and the Meteorological Department, not the NBTC.

The DDPM and the NBTC should work together to direct contact the three telecommunication operators and take warning messages to the public for other types of disasters, such as floods and storms.

The test, according to Waroonthep Watcharaporn, mind of business relations at AIS, represents a major step forward in improving Thailand’s national emergency alert preparation, enabling fast communication of important information to the public.

The earthquakes in large areas of Thailand on March 28 and in Krabi on April 14 demonstrate how essential it is to have a reliable reminder system in place here, according to Chakkrit Urairat, key business affairs officer at Real.

The NBTC announced recently that it is also considering ways to connect a digital TV system with an crisis warning system.

The controller is considering whether or not to designate a new online TV channel 1 for disaster updates and alerts.

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