Thai PM backs Asean united front on tariffs

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar and the Myanmar junta commander are also in Bangkok for a conference.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greets her Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, during his visit at Government House on Thursday. (Photo: Government House)
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greets her Indonesian rival Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday during his attend to Government House. ( Photo: Government House )

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated on Thursday that Thailand is willing to support Asean’s shared view in negotiating with the United States regarding its mutual levies on imports from nations in the region.

She made the remarks after speaking with Anwar Ibrahim, the excellent minister of Malaysia, at Government House on Thursday. At the request of Ms. Paetongtarn, Mr. Anwar is on a two-day working trip to Thailand.

The two leaders first got in touch when Ms. Paetongtarn traveled to Malaysia on December 16 and they then exchanged a telephone call on April 5.

Ms. Paetongtarn stated that they discussed how Asean could work together to combat US tax increases. She added that the group’s estimated 670 million members make the country a formidable industry and a force to reckon with because of their size and impact.

She stated that Thailand is willing to support the idea of Asean joining forces to gain all member nations at the upcoming Asean meeting and that the subject may be discussed at the meeting.

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira will take the Thai committee to Washington for discussions on Wednesday, according to Ms. Paetongtarn.

As nations began lining up for negotiations, President Donald Trump announced on April 9 that there would be a wait on all bilateral taxes, including a 36 % tax on Thailand. A 10 % base tax on all products is still in place on almost all US trading partners, though.

” We have a number of good ideas to give to the US during the discussions. The Thai elite said,” It would be a win-win condition for both parties.”

Thailand’s trade deficit with the US was$ 45.6 billion last year, which was the 11th-largest among all of America’s trading partners.

Other matters discussed with Mr. Anwar, according to Ms. Paetongtarn, included a task to construct a new bridge over the Golok River, which serves as a natural border between Kelantan status in Malaysia and Narathiwat state.

She said that development is scheduled to be finished in 2027.

The prime minister also requested from her Malay equivalent to encourage greater participation between Songkhla Rubber City in Thailand and Kedah Rubber City in Malaysia to support landowners and small businesses on both edges.

She added that they had a discussion about creating a new peace negotiation team to address the continuing conflict in Thailand’s three southeastern border regions.

She added that Malaysia would continue to facilitate discussions between Thailand and the main separatist group, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional ( BRN), adding that the government is willing to give the team more support.

supper with power

While Ms. Paetongtarn’s dad was away from the limelight and the standard procedures, he was speaking with other senior citizens on Thursday night.

At the Rosewood Bangkok Hotel, where former top Thaksin Shinawatra hosted a dinner for Mr. Anwar, safety was increased at the sister of Ms. Paetongtarn’s girl Pintongta.

Thaksin serves Mr. Anwar as an unofficial advisor on Asean matters. This time, Malaysia holds the revolving chair of Asean.

Min Aung Hlaing, the mind of the military dictatorship that overthrew Myanmar’s elected government in 2021, was their meal host.

According to sources, the three gentlemen were scheduled to talk about efforts to revive the tumultuous “five-point discussion” reached by Asean to open the door for peace talks in Myanmar.

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Old couple injured when young politician’s BMW hits pickup

Accident followed after a pick had cut in front of a BMW as it exited the toll square.

A screenshot from a dash camera video shows the white BMW hitting the front of the pickup truck on the eastern outer ring road in Pathum Thani on Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday night, a picture from a run camera video shows the whitened BMW hitting the front of the delivery truck on Pathum Thani’s southeast outer ring road.

On Wednesday night, a part of a popular political family struck an old couple’s pickup truck on Bangkok’s northeast outer ring road in Pathum Thani state, injuring them.

Prachak Duangyai, 65, and his family Somsri, 64, were the hurt people’s names.

According to reports, the BMW and the dark pickup both left a toll square at once in the Thanyaburi district. The trailer cut in front of the brand-new light BMW coupe as the number of roads narrowed before veering off and hitting a barrier.

The BMW motorist made a gesture to the delivery driver to stop after the chase. Ms. Somsri claimed that she and her husband apologized to the “furious” male but continued to do so because they were concerned for their health.

The BMW therefore followed the truck and veered in front of it, causing a cut to the pickup’s left top. The delivery slammed into a middle hurdle after being hit, which was where it came to an end. The event was filmed on the run camcorder of a different vehicle.

Ms. Somsri claimed the pair was traveling up to Lampang after visiting their child in Pattaya. She and her father were hurt in an effect by their seatbelts and airbags. She claimed she had a slight bruise on her but that her father had ribs broken and was taken to an aggressive treatment facility.

Smitthipat Leenawarat, 28, was the BMW’s drivers, according to the identity. His father, Thanyaburi president Krissada Leenawarat, and his younger sibling Manasanan Leenawarat, a Pathum Thani MP, are both Pheu Thai MPs. In the election results for the next month, Mr. Smitthipat is vying for a seat in the Thanyaburi provincial government.

Mr. Krissada made a visit to the wounded partners on Thursday at Thanyaburi’s Bangpakok-Rangsit 2 Hospital. He claimed to have spoken with his brother, but his father’s companion informed him that it had happened by accident. He stated that if his brother had violated any laws, he would apologize and that he would never support edges in the case.

Bridge Police Division 8 chief, Pol Col Kuekkong Disawat, said bridge police identified the incident as an accident and that the BMW drivers had a bad alcohol test resulted from the report.

After the damaged couple are discharged from the hospital, likely next week, according to him, police plan to subject everyone involved.

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Jail term for Bhumjaithai MP on B405m embezzlement

Khon Kaen Teachers Saving Cooperative (photo from its website)
( Photo taken from the website of Khon Kaen Teachers Saving Cooperative )

KHON KAEN: On Thursday, the Khon Kaen Provincial Court sentenced Khon Kaen’s Ekarat Changlao, a Bhumjaithai Party MP, to about 13 years in prison for his part in the 405-million-baht larceny at Khon Kaen Teachers Saving Cooperative.

Due to the prisoner’s statement, the prison expression had already been reduced.

According to sources, the phrase included a 63-month prison sentence for 21 documents forgery related to the larceny, five times and 30 months in jail for five embezzlement offenses, and a five-year, 30-month word.

Ekarat returned 100.5 million ringgit in full through four payments from 2022 to 2024.

The jury let him on bail for 3 million ringgit and forbade him from leaving the nation after he requested temporary release while his appeal was pending.

The Khon Kaen Teachers Saving Cooperative, which is led by Anusat Sonsinpong, the president of the organization, stated that the joint had started the complaint in 2019 and may move forward with a legal complaint to demand the total profit of the swindled funds.

He added that the joint had previously reported Ekarat and others to the police for allegedly stealing 201 million baht from its banks account between September and October 2016. Although the cash was returned, according to Mr. Anusat, the crime was committed.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the head of the Bhumjaithai Party, stated on Thursday that the organization may request Ekarat to leave so that he could enjoy his political freedom.

Ekarat had never participated in any social activities with the gathering since Sept. 24 last year, according to Bhumjaithai spokesperson Boontida Somchai. She added that the party had previously engaged in some social activity with the Klatham Party.

Ekarat Changlao ( photo: parliament )

Ekarat Changlao ( photo: parliament )

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Road accidents claim 200 lives during Thailand’s Songkran festival

Bangkok-bound traffic was heavy on Mitraparp Highway in Non Sung district of Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima province on Wednesday. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)
On Wednesday, the Mitraparp Highway in the Non Sung city of Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima state was full of Bangkok-bound visitors. ( Photo: Prasit Tangprasert )

In the Songkran event trip period, April 11 through April 16, 200 people died in traffic accidents, with Bangkok causing the most fatalities.

The mortality, according to Kachorn Srichawanothai, assistant permanent secretary for the inside, came on Thursday from 1, 377 traffic fatalities, in which 1, 362 people were hurt.

” Scooters are the most common type of vehicle involved in injuries, accounting for 83.32 % of the incidents,” he said.” I would like people to wear masks whenever they ride on motorcycles and choose seriously pursue customers rules,” he said.

The southwestern province of Phatthalung, which had the most traffic accidents between April 11 and 16, had the highest number of fatalities, 52. The territory of Lampang in northeastern China had the highest number of wounded people, 56. He claimed that Bangkok had the highest number of fatalities on the road in Bangkok at 16 years.

According to Mr. Kachorn, there were 155 traffic accidents, 22 fatalities, and 149 injuries alone on April 16 ( Wednesday ). The most injuries and the most injured persons were in Lampang, with nine for each. Speeding was the cause of the injuries the most frequently.

Most Songkran travelers have already retreated to Bangkok and other important regions, according to Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, assistant director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

According to Pichet Kunathammarak, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, about 1 million coach visits were taken on Wednesday.

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Deeper Dive: How US aid shutdown affects Thailand

The majority of America’s international aid programs have been terminated by US President Donald Trump, immediately affecting Thailand and its neighbors. People have now died as a result of the affected projects, which range from clinics and refugee assistance to quake comfort and clean energy.

What charitable initiatives have been abandoned, how are they faring, and what hope exists for the future?

In the most recent episode of Bangkok Post’s” Deeper Dive” video podcast, Dave Kendall speaks with Phil Robertson, a former deputy director of Human Rights Watch and present chairman of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates Consultancy.

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Malaysia PM set to meet Myanmar junta chief amid opposition to talks

Anti-Juta organizations express concern about the appointment.

An activist holds a picture of Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing during a protest against his visit to Thailand and attending the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, April 4, 2025. (Reuters photo)
During a rally against Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Thailand and his participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4, 2025, an advocate holds a photo of Myanmar’s coup leader in a photo. ( Photo Reuters )

Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, and Anwar Ibrahim, the coup chief of Myanmar, are scheduled to meet in Bangkok on Thursday to discuss a peace extension. Some groups have criticized the meeting, which is scheduled to include some meetings to discuss the military conflict in the earthquake-ravaged nation.

Anwar has stated that he will join Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on humanitarian grounds despite the South Eastern bloc’s longstanding rejection of the junta leadership.

Sai Kyi Zin Soe, an independent political analyst based in Bangkok, said,” There’s a chance that the coup will use these opportunities to establish legitimacy within the Asean framework.”

Asean barred the ruling generals from its meetings because they failed to adhere to the bloc’s peace plan after Myanmar’s defense deposed an elected civilian government in a 2021 revolt and sparked a civil war.

However, a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.7, which hit Myanmar on March 28 and killed more than 3,600, gave Min Aung Hlaing a eminently unique diplomatic opening, including a trip to Bangkok for important meetings in early April.

Min Aung Hlaing and Anwar will join in the Thai capital within a fortnight, according to two political solutions in Bangkok.

One of the resources added that in his capacity as Asean chair, Anwar has appointed a specific adviser for Thailand’s former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Malaysia’s Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand’s Embassy, and the Thai foreign government did not respond to inquiries about the Thai government’s and Thaksin’s daughter’s daughter’s, paetongtarn Shinawatra, meeting in Bangkok.

Effortless judgment

A number of anti-junta organizations, including the Karen National Union and the dark National Unity Government, urged “utmost prudence” regarding the meeting, which they claimed was being held under the pretext of providing humanitarian support.

According to a statement released on Wednesday,” The military coup led by Min Aung Hlaing is a culprit of apparent breaches of the Asean five-point consensus.” They referenced the group’s peace plan for&nbsp, Myanmar.

” Any coercive engagement with the martial leader- who is regarded as a criminal in general- must be approached with the greatest caution.”

Anwar stated due to his explore that a peace had been sought since the earthquake, which was the country’s deadliest normal disaster in years. It occurred during a civil war that left more than 3.5 million people homeless and destroyed the business.

Following similar goes by insurgent groups and the NUG, the defense declared a 20-day peace on April 2, but it has continued to launch attacks, according to the United Nations and other organizations.

According to the scientist Sai Kyi Zin Soe,” They have boycotted the involvement of the coup since 2021.” But this meeting right now could actually destroy that position.

Asian groups include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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Incinerator on Koh Lan ‘almost done’

A dump site on the resort island of Koh Lan in Chon Buri (file photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
Koh Lan, a resort island in Chon Buri, is a dump site ( Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong ).

CHON BURI: According to Pattaya City’s permanent secretary, Kiatsak Sriwongchai, the waste burning initiative on Koh Lan, which is located off Pattaya, is currently 70 % complete and could start in six months. Building began on May 2, 2023, and was scheduled to conclude by March 28 of last year.

But, delays did occur as a result of delivery problems, with some crucial technology being delayed by rough seas, according to Mr. Kiatsak. As soon as the technology arrives, setup work will begin. Both fresh and accumulated waste will be processed by the waste burning program. Koh Lan now has 170 000 kilograms of waste.

The furnace will have a two-step gasification method, with the first room reaching temperatures of 600C and the subsequent exceeding 800C, ensuring the total loss of waste and minimizing the impact on the environment. The waste management program is anticipated to last for ten years, and the system is designed to eliminate up to 50 tons of waste per day, he said.

Deputy Mayor Manote Nongyai responded to concerns raised by Pattaya City Council regarding the wait and possible return of accumulated waste by stating that the project is designed to manage up to 100 tons per day.

The company will even fit ash- and wastewater-treatment systems, and training for staff members is scheduled for a few days after the project is finished. The burning project is a component of a larger effort to address island waste management. According to Mr. Manote, the Koh Lan spare burning project is anticipated to improve waste management and establish a model for lasting waste removal methods.

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Phuket exploits fruit’s potential

Som khwai
Som khwai

Phuket aims to boost the province’s agricultural and food industries while promoting local Garcinia, also known as” som khwai” ( buffalo orange ), as a Thai Geographical Indication ( GI ) product.

Suwit Pansa-ngiam, the lieutenant governor of Phuket, recently led a workshop on the fruit’s GI product membership and quality control standards.

The project’s lead architect, Benjaporn Phongnarisorn, emphasized the significance of the GI standard, noting that registering native goods as Gastrointestinal products facilitates tracking and consumer confidence, as well as enhancing the products ‘ appeal to foreign markets.

Over 212 GI materials, primarily agricultural and craft products with distinctive features, have been registered by the Department of Intellectual Property throughout the country.

Mr. Suwit referred to Phuket as a” city of gastronomy” known for its high-quality local ingredients as well as a” city of gastronomy.”

A local flower that embodies Phuket’s personality is called som khwai. In April of last year, it was approved as a GI item. This training is a crucial option to aid farmers in understanding marketing strategies for both domestically and internationally, he said.

Since 2017, Phuket Rajabhat University’s Research and Development Institute has been responsible for the fruit’s growth, including processing it for greater industry potential, according to Asst Prof. Porpattama Hammahukiattikul, director of the institute.

Her college was given the task of creating an internal control system by the Department of Intellectual Property to enable Som Khwai’s farmers to uphold GI standards and maintain long-term financial sustainability.

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Department of Special Investigation to widen building collapse probe

To be looked into state with fake signatures

Excavators are removing debris at the collapsed State Audit Office site in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, on Wednesday. (Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration)
On Wednesday, excavators are removing particles from the State Audit Office building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak area. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in image

The State Audit Office ( SAO ) building collapse will be included in the Department of Special Investigation’s ( DSI) investigation, which will include businesses tasked with the design, building supervision, and construction contracts.

The ministry will also look into the claims of a senior engineer connected to the job who allegedly forged signatures.

Following the investigation into the two venture companies, Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong and DSI Director-General Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam met at the page of the collapse on Wednesday.

There are two scenarios in which to divide the research. One involves alleged company nominees, and the other involves top architect Somkiat Chusangsuk’s forged signatures, who denied being a part of the project.

Both cases have been accepted by the DSI as special circumstances.

The two companies are being looked into by the DSI because they are suspected of using nominees to gain projects.

Data from four contracts that pertain to the building’s architectural design, construction supervision, and design modifications must be examined by the investigation.

The DSI claims to have obtained the necessary data and evidence in relation to the event of personal forgery. The forensic experts are expected to conduct a review of the supposedly forged and real signatures within two weeks after receiving the results.

Despite having stopped serving as a job officer more than 20 years ago, Mr. Somkiat claimed he was mistakenly named in documents as the “project superintendent” for PKW Joint Venture.

He has provided information to both the DSI and officers in a bid to clear his name and is pursuing legal actions against those responsible for the alleged fraud.

Before beginning its investigation into other cases, such as the bidders for the site’s contracts, the DSI must finish its investigation into the candidate case.

Worasak Kanok-Nukulchai, an Asian Institute of Technology professor professor and professional in architecture, described the tragedy as a “pancake decline,” which took eight hours.

Like a stack of cakes, the decks came down in sequence, one after the other.

So far in the decline, 44 people have died, and 50 more are also missing.

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DSI to widen building collapse probe

Forged unique claim to get examined

Excavators are removing debris at the collapsed State Audit Office site in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, on Wednesday. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
On Wednesday, excavators are removing particles from the State Audit Office building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak region. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

The State Audit Office ( SAO ) building collapse will be included in the Department of Special Investigation’s ( DSI) investigation, which will include businesses tasked with the design, building supervision, and construction contracts.

Additionally, the office will look into a top engineer’s claims that the project had forged signatures.

Following the investigation into the two job vendors, Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong and DSI Director-General Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam met at the page of the collapse on Wednesday.

The case division has been made up of the research. One involves alleged company nominees, and the other involves top engineer Somkiat Chusangsuk’s forged signatures, who claimed he had no involvement in the project.

Both situations have been designated as particular cases by the DSI.

The two companies are being looked into by the DSI because they are suspected of using venture nominees to win agreements.

The research needs to examine four contracts, including those that pertain to the building’s architectural design, building supervision, and design modifications.

In the case of the unique forgery, the DSI claims to have obtained the necessary data and evidence. The forensic experts are expected to conduct a review of the supposedly forged and real signatures within two weeks after receiving the results.

Despite having stopped serving as a job officer more than 20 years ago, Mr. Somkiat claimed he was mistakenly named as the “project superintendent” for PKW Joint Venture in papers relating to the building’s floor wheel design changes.

He has provided information to both the DSI and authorities in a charge to clear his name and is pursuing legal action against those responsible for the alleged fraud.

Before it can increase its analysis to include other cases, such as the bidders for the site’s contracts, the DSI must finish its investigation into the nominee case.

Worasak Kanok-Nukulchai, an Asian Institute of Technology professor professor and professional in architecture, described the tragedy as a “pancake crumble” that lasted eight hours.

Like a stack of cakes, the decks came down in sequence, one after the other.

So far in the decline, 44 people have died, and 50 more are also missing.

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