Farmers want fish answers

Farmers show blackchin tilapia they caught in Khlong Prem Prachakorn near Government House on Monday. They demanded the government identify those responsible for the spread of the invasive fish and support affected farmers. Chanat Katanyu
Farmers display the black fishes they discovered Monday near Government House in Khlong Prem Prachakorn. They demanded that the government find the culprits behind the intrusive fish’s spread and assist the farmers who were affected. Chanat Katanyu

About 150 producers from 19 counties gathered on Monday in front of Government House to write a letter to the state urging it to identify those responsible for the spread of blackchin fish tuna and provide assistance for the impacted producers.

The text was handed over by Panya Toktong, the leader of the group, to Pansak Charoen, a professional at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday evening.

It made four important needs: the establishment of an independent commission to catch those responsible for the seafood spread within 30 days, the prompt release of economic aid to farmers and those affected, the formation of committees to remove the bass and restore ecosystems, with the goal of eradicating the species by 2026, and legal action against those found guilty of the spread to ensure they receive payment for the harm caused.

The group also visited parliament, where they submitted additional letters to the committee on political development, public participation, human rights, freedom and consumer protection, urging faster action to address the issue and mitigate its impacts.

The group called on the company to take responsibility after submitting one to Charoen Pokphand Group ( CP Group ) at the CP Tower building on Silom Road in the morning.

The letter demanded that Charoen Pokphand Foods ( CPG) and the CP Group strictly abide by international food safety regulations.

Additionally, it demanded that CPF use its recent 7.3 billion-baht profit to help mitigate the harm brought on by the spread of the fish and other environmental issues, such as PM2.5 pollution.

In addition, it stressed that CPF, as a major public company, should engage in positive dialogue with critics rather than using legal action to silence opposition.

A CP Group representative received the letter, and it will be presented at the company’s upcoming board meeting.

According to Department of Fisheries director-general Bancha Sukkaew, the situation regarding the spread of the invasive fish has improved significantly.

According to data released last month, the number of affected provinces had dropped from 19 to 17, with some provinces exhibiting little presence.

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Yellow shirts vow to rally over hospital stay records

Thaksin: Handed 8 years in prison
Thaksin: Taken 8 years in prison

If the Royal Thai Police (RTP ) doesn’t turn in medical records relating to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s detention at the Police General Hospital by Wednesday’s deadline, protesters will gather at Government House to demand an explanation.

During a rally at the RTP office on Monday, about 70 protesters wearing yellow shirts issued the notice. Pupil and civil society organizations organized it in concert. After writing a letter to Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, the head of the national officers, they dispersed.

The RTP may not comply with the deadline or refuse to provide Thaksin’s health records to the MCT as requested by Wednesday. They argued that the records may shed light on whether Thaksin had experienced critical ailments that caused him to be taken to a hospital for treatment. Apparently, Thaksin spent months spent in a high-end clinic on the hospital’s 14th floor.

The former top spent about six months in the hospital until he was released on February 18 after serving eight years in prison for three cases before royal mercy cut the term to one year. He was then released from the hospital on February 18. On August 31 he was released from prison after serving a year in jail.

The protesters announced on Monday that they would go to the MCT on Wednesday to check if the medical documents are received. If no, the activists said they will move to Government House in order to demand an explanation and response from Ms. Paetongtarn, who is the Police Commission’s president.

Jaipetch Klajon, a opposition leader, said the demonstrators would maintain a long protest outside Government House if needed.

Pichit Chaimongkol, another opposition leader, clarified that the opposition organizations were not demanding the RTP make Thaksin’s health records people, as they are specific information.

They want them given to those in command of examining the reportedly dubious treatment and management of the former president’s condition, such as the MCT and the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC).

The prime minister, in her capacity as brain of the Police Commission, may give an explanation in the event the RTP fails to do as asked by the MCT, said Mr Pichit.

Police official, Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, declined to comment on the protesters ‘ threat, saying the RTP was in no position to offer an argument about the subject.

The Police General Hospital’s CEO has recently made no comments on the situation.

The Department of Corrections does certainly give a version of Thaksin’s health records to the NACC upon demand, according to Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong.

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Govt bets on casinos

Regions of entry to “promote commerce”

Young activists gather near Government House to oppose casino legalisation in September last year. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Young protesters marching against game legalization in the backyard of Government House in September of last year. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )

On Monday, the government unanimously approved a bill that would allow casinos to operate legally inside of entertainment compounds.

The Finance Ministry’s proposed Pleasure Complex Bill, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, would support hospitality and assets in accordance with the president’s plan while addressing common illegal gambling.

She insisted the Council of State ( CoS), the government’s legal advisory body, did not oppose the bill but had suggested some revisions to reflect the government’s policy on tourism.

The costs would be forwarded to congress for consideration, according to Ms. Paetongtarn, who stated that the CoS would not need to examine it further.

The government, according to the prime minister, will do everything in its power to ensure that the bill is passed by the end of the year, noting that the establishment of game compounds in Singapore had boosted tourism.

When asked about the connections between organized crime and game operations, she said that legalizing gambling may help solve the issue while also generating more money for the position.

” If we can ensure transparency, it may benefit the country. This problem is fairly new here, so we need to discuss it plainly. She said that the relevant ministries will target the specifics to make sure everyone is aware of everything.

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the expenses, which outlined a platform for included services, including malls, hotels, sports arenas, and theme parks, was in line with the federal legislation to make man-made hospitality destinations.

Such models have been successful worldwide, with casino-entertainment complexes expected to boost foreign tourist numbers by 5-10 %, encourage off-season spending by at least 13 % and create between 9, 000-15, 000 jobs, he said.

He noted that they would bring in 12 to 40 billion baht for the condition, with the majority of the money coming from resorts and other lodging establishments within the structures, never casino operations.

The CoS will evaluate the costs over the next two weeks, according to Mr. Julapun, before introducing it to parliament.

Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the CoS, said the company did not oppose the costs.

Nevertheless, he pointed out that its contents were based on a House committee briefed to record on casino-entertainment compounds, which might be very limited for the government’s plan goals.

The CoS, in contrast, suggested revisions to the act to better align it with wider authorities objectives, and added that the casino-entertainment projects were not intended to immediately combat illegal gambling because it is subject to another law.

The National Economic and Social Development Council ( NESDC ), according to a source close to the government, also made some observations about the bill.

Gambling income is not viewed as adding value to the business because it does not lead to manufacturing, according to the NESDC. As a result, economic gains of game operations may fall short of expectations.

The Finance Ministry was advised to conduct a thorough research and obtain input from different fields because game businesses have some adverse social effects.

Additionally, it advised the authorities to look into options with less social impact to boost the economy.

A coalition of anti-gambling campaigning organizations issued a statement on Monday, urging the government to consider the effects on children and families before proceeding.

Last month, the Stop Gambling Foundation criticised the specifics of the invoice as “diverging considerably” from the first Singapore design.

The act allowed for major downgrades of earlier promises made to entertainment complex features, such as luxurious hotels and buying malls, with the focus almost entirely shifting to casinos, according to the foundation.

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Government bets on casinos

Areas of entry to “promote commerce”

Young activists gather near Government House to oppose casino legalisation in September last year. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Fresh protesters demonstrate near Government House against legalizing casinos in September of this year. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )

On Monday, the government unanimously approved a bill that would allow casinos to operate legally inside of entertainment compounds.

The Finance Ministry’s proposed Pleasure Complex Bill, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, would support hospitality and assets in accordance with the president’s coverage while addressing common illegal gambling.

She insisted the Council of State ( CoS), the government’s legal advisory body, did not oppose the bill but had suggested some revisions to reflect the government’s policy on tourism.

Ms. Paetongtarn stated that the bill would be forwarded to congress for thought and wouldn’t need more investigation from the CoS.

The primary minister praised the government’s efforts to ensure the bill’s passage by the end of the year, noting that Singapore’s hospitality was increased as a result of the establishment of game structures.

When asked about the connections between organized crime and casino operations, she claimed that legalizing gambling may help to solve the issue while also generating more money for the position.

” If we can ensure transparency, it may benefit the country. This problem is fairly new ok, so we need to discuss it clearly. Ministers troubled will handle the specifics to make sure everyone is aware of everything,” she said.

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the expenses, which outlined a platform for included services, including malls, hotels, sports arenas, and theme parks, was in line with the federal legislation to make man-made hospitality destinations.

For models have been powerful worldwide, with casino-entertainment complexes expected to boost international tourist figures by 5 to 10 %, encourage off-season spending by at least 13 % and produce between 9, 000 and 15, 000 work, he said.

He noted that the position would make between 12 and 40 billion baht from the complexes, with the majority of the income coming from hotels and other lodging establishments, never casino operations.

The CoS will examine the costs over the next two weeks, according to Mr. Julapun, before introducing it to parliament.

Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the CoS, said the company did not oppose the act.

Nevertheless, he pointed out that its contents were based on a House committee briefed to record on casino-entertainment structures, which might be very limited for the government’s plan goals.

Thus, the CoS, in the opinion of Mr. Pakorn, suggested revisions to the act to better align it with broader authorities objectives. Additionally, they also made it clear that the casino-entertainment jobs were not intended to directly address illegal gambling because it is governed by a different law.

The National Economic and Social Development Council ( NESDC ), according to a source close to the government, also made some observations about the bill.

Gambling income is not viewed as adding value to the business because it does not lead to manufacturing, according to the NESDC. As a result, economic gains of game operations may fall short of expectations.

The Finance Ministry was advised to conduct a thorough investigation and collect feedback from different fields because game businesses have some adverse social effects.

Additionally, it advised the authorities to look into options with less social impact to boost the economy.

A coalition of anti-gambling advocacy organizations issued a statement on Monday, urging the authorities to consider the effects on children and families before proceeding with it.

Last month, the Stop Gambling Foundation criticised the specifics of the invoice as “diverging considerably” from the first Singapore design.

The bill, according to the foundation, allowed significant downgrades of previously promised entertainment complex features, including high-end hotels and malls, with almost entirely new casino focus.

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Cool weather to stay for now

Tourists take pictures of frost on Doi Inthanon mountain in Chiang Mai province on Monday. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa)
On Monday, visitors in Chiang Mai state take pictures of the snow on Doi Inthanon rock. ( Photo: Panumet Tanraksa )

The Thai Meteorological Department ( TMD) predicts more downpours in the South and cooler temperatures will continue until the weekend.

The temperature bureau says the great weather gripping much of the North, Northeast, the Central Plains, as well as Bangkok may remain, although the warm trough may undermine somewhat on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But, between Thursday and Saturday, a new basin will laid in, sending the metal downward afterwards.

The North and the Northeast, in particular, may feel the cold snap. Both locations are currently experiencing single-digit conditions in the highlands.

More frequent, large weather is forecast in the South from Wednesday through Friday.

The TMD predicts that the great spell will end for a large portion of the nation between Jan. 19 and Jan. 27 when the weather will be expected to get warmer due to a change in wind direction.

On Monday, the wind place for crops in Sakon Nakhon recorded one of the lowest temperature in the country, at 6.6 degree Fahrenheit.

In Bangkok, Bang Na city had the lowest heat, at 15.2C, while it was 15.9C at Suvarnabhumi airport.

In Loei, Netnapha Ngamnet, commander of Phu Ruea National Park, said that the garden had observed conditions hitting zero in raised areas. More than 500 people have visited the park as a result of the warm weather.

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Two arrests as cops seize 80kg of ‘ice’

Nakhon Pathom: Two men were detained yesterday in the Muang district on suspicion of reportedly possessing about 80 kilogrammes of diamond methamphetamine.

Police arrested Chaiwat, 31, and Sitthichai, 25, ( surnames withheld ) for possessing a total of 78.9 kilogrammes of crystal meth. Bang Khaem and Nakhon Pathom, two homes in the Muang district, were the victims of the yesterday detention.

During the requests, officers found 70 carriers, each containing at least one kilogramme of crystal meth. Along with the medication, a handgun and six shots were also found.

Mr. Chaiwat allegedly admitted that an ex-college companion,” Golf,” had planned for him to get up 30 kilograms of crystal meth in July of last year.

He kept the medication in his home in tambon Nakhon Pathom. He had been hired by Golf to transport the medication to a different site. But, after a successful delivery, Golf only paid him 5, 000 ringgit instead of 40, 000 ringgit as promised.

Additionally, Golf gave Mr. Chaiwat the order to pick up 100 more kilos of glass cocaine. He delivered 20 to a customer in Kanchanaburi. The renter’s home in tambon Bang Khaem, where Mr. Chaiwat has rented, holds the majority. Mr Chaiwat admitted to the costs, while Mr Sitthichai denied any involvement.

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Extra prison time for policeman who killed beloved campus dog

Delighted bird lovers declare,’ Justice is served’

The photo of Tia Morchor posted over the New Year came with a reminder of that the Appeal Court's ruling was scheduled for Jan 13, 2025. (Photo: tiamorchor Facebook account)
The Appeal Court’s decision was scheduled for January 13th, 2025, as a reminder of the image of Tia Morchor posted over the New Year. ( Photo: tiamorchor Facebook account )

The Court of Appeal has increased the intensity of the jail sentence handed down to a police officer who fatally beat the dog that was Chiang Mai University’s illegal symbol.

The Appeal Court Region 5 on Monday sentenced the gentleman to 16 months in prison without disqualification and ordered him to give 100, 000 ringgit to the school, deemed the dog’s caretaker. &nbsp,

The officer’s title, position and status have not been released by the court.

The animal’s title was Tia Morchor. The mixed-breed dog was formally the school’s mascot. He made doi Suthep, a conventional walk up the school, and participated in other university activities.

Tia in this sense means little in Thai and&nbsp, Morchor is the Thai name of Chiang Mai University.

The officer had been given a suspended leave from work while serving in a Border Patrol Police unit in the San Sai city of Chiang Mai state, according to earlier studies. &nbsp, Some press stores named him as Pol Cpl Prinya Panyaburt, but this was not confirmed.

The puppy went missing in May 2020, and the man was given a suspended workday. At the time, the police was 27 years older and the dog was aged 8 years.

The dog has been missing from the school since May 4, 2020, according to a police report from an employee at the school. Three days later, the bird was discovered dead with a broken bone lying by a side of the road. &nbsp,

The convicted commander was seen taking the dog away on his bicycle according to school safety recordings. He claimed that the puppy jumped off the vehicle, killing him in the fall.

He was given a six-month, no-fees sentence by the Criminal Court last year for animal cruelty. Other costs including extortion were dismissed.

Watchdog Thailand Foundation took the matter to charm, seeking a more serious abuse, including the embezzlement charge. It argued Tia Morchor was hardly a stray dog, but belonged to the school.

The Appeal Court agreed, ordered the defendant to pay the school 100, 000 ringgit in restitution and extended his prison expression to 16 weeks.

Monday’s decision delighted the campaigning team and other pet lovers.

” #justiceserved” was the tweet posted by Watchdog Thailand Foundation, while the tiamorchor Instagram page was flooded with thank you emails for the judge, the base and all those who helped get justice for the puppy, which was cherished by the students, staff, students and many others.

” Thank you to everyone who participated in this petition for Pi Tia’s fairness. And above all, thank you the magistrates for showing that justice however prevails”, wrote Ubolphan Nonthaburi on the puppy’s social media account.

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33 Chinese tourists saved from sinking catamaran off Phuket

The Ameray 888 catamaran sinks off Phuket on Monday afternoon. (Photo: Marine Department)
The Ameray 888 boat falls off Phuket on Monday evening. ( Photo: Marine Department )

PHUKET: On Monday evening, thirty-three Chinese visitors were safely rescued from a sinking boat off this southern traveler state.

The Marine Department’s office in Phuket was informed that at 12.30pm, the boat, known as Ameray 888, sank about 1.6 coastal km north of Koh Racha Yai. To the south of Phuket, Koh Racha Yai is located.

The vessel was leaving Koh Racha Yai for Koh Hey with 33 Chinese visitors on board when a glass window on its proper became detached and ripples started to flow into the warship. The boat director, who was identified as Ff, said that the vessel was doing so as a result of a broken glass windows.

The boat sank in about 20 days. The Chinese tourists, a tour guide, and an assistant who were all wearing life vests, were safely rescued from the waters by local boats, including the Rhapsody trip boat and the Maliwan hunting boat.

Marine authorities were looking into the cause of the incident.

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Govt scrambles to restore Chinese tourist confidence

Tourists take photos on the Skywalk at Pathumwan intersection in Bangkok. (File photo)
Tourists in Bangkok’s Pathumwan crossroads take pictures on the Skywalk. ( File photo )

After a Chinese actor was conned to a corrupt region of Myanmar after flying there, the state plans to intensify the commerce strategy and increase security to recover flagging Chinese confidence in Thailand. &nbsp,

Premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday ordered the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to release efforts to recover holiday trust, according to a spokesman for the government Jirayu Huangsub.

She also instructed the police captain to make sure there are enough tourist police on hand to protect visitors ‘ protection. According to Mr. Jirayu, authorities had police dangerous areas and halt gang activity.

The spokesman for the government stated that the Chinese artist who went missing in Myanmar had been found, but that this tragedy had impacted Chinese visitors ‘ confidence.

The primary secretary also instructed the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to stop fabricated news reports and work closely with Taiwanese officials to win back Chinese visitors ‘ trust, he added.

Officers inspector-general Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelabut met with representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok on Sunday.

They discussed setting up a center for Thai and Chinese authorities to organize searches for those who are deceived into neighboring nations, and trade information on international crimes, including contact scams. &nbsp,

Regulators may even make significant efforts to stop illegal borders bridges.

Muk Sulaiman, minister to the House speaker, said staff from other countries, including Kenya, had informed the speech that their people had been kidnapped by fraud criminals during trips to Thailand.

He exhorted the government to take steps to address the issue.

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Can Hong Kong task force in Thailand help prevent more ‘high-paying’ job scams?

The Hong Kong task force, led by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk, left for Bangkok on Sunday night. (Photo: South China Morning Post)
Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk, the Hong Kong work force, left for Bangkok on Sunday nights. ( Photo: South China Morning Post )

A senator has suggested that a visit by Hong Kong safety officials to Thailand can serve as a new notice to residents who are prone to high-paying employment scams. However, it is unlikely to result in the immediate return of those who are lured to operate in Southeast Asia, according to a lawmaker.

Following a sudden rise in missing persons reports over the past month, requests for assistance from victims ‘ families, and the recent rescue of mainland Chinese actor Wang Xing, who fell prey to a human trafficking network, security legislator Gary Chan Hak-kan argued the government had dispatched the task force.

The work army, led by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip, left for Bangkok on Sunday nights. Its users plan to meet with representatives from the local government of justice’s anti-human trafficking committee and Thai authorities and the Chinese consulate it.

People “let their troops over” toward like high-paying jobs, Chan, a board member who helped subjects in 2022, said on Sunday, “perhaps after the initial information about such instances died down two years ago.”

” The government’s high-profile trip can assist with the existing cases while even reiterating that people should consider these issues before accepting these positions,” the government said.

He stated that he anticipated a close collaboration between the Security Bureau’s work force and the Chinese consulate in Bangkok.

The work force made up of soldiers from the Immigration Department, officers, and ministry staff can assist in cooperation and communication because” the ETO alone may not have enough political energy, labor, or security experience to manage these cases,” he said.

Another lawmaker and former safety minister, Lai Tung-kok, claimed that the bureau had taken the appropriate course of action and that the authorities may continue to strengthen their efforts to combat smear campaigns to stop more Hongkongers from becoming victims of syndicates.

” The]visit ] is not just a gesture, as shown by the high-level government working group that was sent”, said Lai.

He added that Thai officials now felt a strong need for the solution and that they were confident in their ability to deal with it. He had faith in seeing good outcomes.

The authorities received 46 requests for assistance from Residents who were incarcerated in buildings in Myanmar and Cambodia between 2022 and 2023.

The subjects reportedly received offers for high-paying work and lodging in the Southeast Asian nations.

Their documents were reportedly confiscated upon arrival, and they were then sold to various cartels and forced to work in locations where phone or online scams were being run.

Patients were kept safe by people carrying guns and electrical prods, but they were unable to flee.

Of the 46 patients, 43 had made it back to Hong Kong properly. After being saved, the three other people turned down additional help.

He claimed that thieves used more sophisticated methods to entice people to Southeast Asian nations as Cheuk departed Hong Kong for Bangkok on Sunday during a pre-trip presentation.

” They asked people to ‘ get products’ to Taiwan, Japan or abroad. However, he claimed at the last minute, they had informed them that East Asian places had been changed.

He added that none of the survivors claimed they had been picked up under prearranged situations but were not abducted while they were traveling.

Cheuk added that while the syndicates in 2022 primarily focused on the Myanmar border with Laos, they nonetheless operated in northeastern Thailand, which borders Myanmar.

I want to caution Hong Kongers against traveling near Thai, Myannar, or Lao edges because I believe the cartels are operating in turbulent locations.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung revealed in early December that 23 Hong Kongers had reported being confined to these South Asian materials in 2024.

The number increased to 28 by Sunday, with 12 also missing.

The victims claimed to remain healthy and able to communicate with their people and the work force in some of the remaining 12 cases, which ranged from 21 to 43, and engaged reports of restrictions on freedom of action.

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