Australian bag-snatchers caught in Phuket

After three international tourists reported thefts, CCTV assists the authorities in finding a few.

CCTV video captures two Australians riding a motorcycle on a road in Muang district of Phuket on Wednesday night, when the bag-snatching incidents occurred. (Photo: Chalong police station)
On Wednesday evening, when the bag-snatching incidents occurred, two Australians were riding motorcycles on a street in the Muang city of Phuket. ( Photo: Chalong police station )

PHUKET- An American couple has been detained in the Muang area of this island province after reportedly stealing bags filled with valuables from three foreigners.

Police arrested the set at their place in Muang area at 9.30am on Friday, said Pol Col Ekkarat Plaiduang, commander of the Chalong authorities place. They were identified solely Sam B, 25, and Susan A, 36.

Two foreign visitors reported that two people riding a Honda PCX bike with a Phuket license plate stole their bags, mobile phones, and other items from a convenience store in tambon Rawai on Wednesday evening at 9o’clock.

Another woman was walking in front of a Thai massage factory along Rawai shore when two persons on a bike stole her mobile and stole it an hour later.

The two incidents were committed by the same suspects using the same vehicle, according to police investigation of closed-circuit broadcast footage along the way. The suspects were therefore ordered to be detained by the police.

The motorcycles they used, as well as the clothing they wore during the occurrences, were taken from them.

The couple is being held by the authorities in exchange for additional legal action after being accused of stealing money.

Police arrest the two Australian suspects, identified only as Mr Sam B and Ms Susan A in their room in Phyket's Muang district on Friday. (Photo: Chalong police station)

Police are detained on Friday in the Muang city of Phuket, where the two American suspects, Sam B and Susan A, are simply identified as such. ( Photo: Chalong police station )

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Thai Immigration biometric system no longer functioning

Great news for thieves, says opposition MP, as Bureau admits program has reached full power

Passengers queue to use the automated biometric identification system at Suvarnabhumi airport on Oct 28, 2024. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
On October 28, 2024, people will stand in line for the integrated biometric identification system at the Suvarnabhumi airport. ( Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

According to Women’s Party deputy president Rangsiman Rome, the Immigration Bureau failed to collect the genetic information of about 17 million tourists who entered and left Thailand last year after the program reached its full potential.

Thailand doesn’t now use the biometric method for border control safety. The opposition lawmaker stated in a blog on his Instagram account on Friday that this lack of data set poses a substantial risk of criminals re-entering the country.

There hasn’t been any true variety of genetic data throughout the entire year of 2024 and up to this point. What is being collected are simply images of visual images and biometric photos, no real biometrics”, added Mr Rangsiman, who chairs the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and Reform.

About 17 million people have entered and left Thailand since the preceding system-related licensing expired, with no record of their genetic information being taken. He claimed that the Immigration Bureau may take up to 29 times to launch a new program because the purchasing process has not even begun.

Mr Rangsiman stressed that many people, including multiculturalism soldiers, are unaware of the problem.

He further disclosed that the commission and the National Security Committee had spoken about the subject seven times. However, higher officials have not taken motion, he noted.

” This is a complete loss of officers organisation”, Mr Rangsiman said. This flaw “probably explains why so many international legal organizations continue to operate openly in Thailand.” Due to the inefficiency of position firms, it is also challenging to replace them.

Pol Col Neti Khanboon, head of the collection department at the department’s IT heart, admitted the program had reached full power while testifying before Mr Rangsiman’s council on Thursday.

He claimed that 50 million individuals can keep private information in the current biological system. He claimed that to obtain an endless license would need a budget of 500 million baht, adding that a new personal identification collection system was being developed with a budget of 3 billion baht.

Personal identification data set relies on visual pictures, fingerprint images and composed records. In 2024, 17 million persons entered and left the land without genetic data, he confirmed.

” The limited power of the biological structure is a failure”, he conceded.

The commission purchased the biological structure in 2019 for$ 2.1 billion. Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, a well-known agent who has had a history of conflict with numerous senior numbers and was fired from the army last year, was one of the public figures who publicly opposed it.

Gunmen allegedly shot seven guns into Pol Gen Surachate’s vehicle in Bangkok’s Surawong Road in 2020, making it known that he was the goal.

He claimed that the event was a result of an immigration bureau procurement of the biological system, and that it was a result of the immigration bureau’s procurement.

A senior official was eventually fired after the leak of a saving in which a exceptional is heard telling him not to do the investigation. The case was not solved.

In connection with the purchasing, it was reported that the National Anti-Corruption Commission was planning to bring charges against former federal police commander Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda and three other senior officials in July 2023. Since then, the situation hasn’t made any progress.

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Thai students critical after vaping and kratom overuse

According to Biri Ram, hospitals are being accessed as authorities repeatedly issue warnings about” toys” vaping products.

Police inspect a shop in Buri Ram, where three students are in critical condition in hospital with lung damage from heavy use of e-cigarettes and kratom. (Photo: Surachai Piragsa)
Three students in critical situation in a hospital in Buri Ram are being treated for heart damage from frequent use of e-cigarettes and teak, according to police in a store there. ( Photo: Surachai Piragsa )

According to a doctor who claims their lungs have been greatly damaged, three younger students from Buri Ram are reportedly in important issue in a hospital after using e-cigarettes and rattan for two years.

However, the government has repeatedly issued a warning to parents to watch out for “pod toys,” which are vaping devices that resemble small toys from Japanese anime characters and are becoming popular among young people.

An emergency officer from the Satuk city of Buri Ram, Paphawarin Simlakorn, posted images of an ambulance moving schoolchildren from a nearby school in a recent Twitter post.

According to the article, three students in grades 5, 6 and 8 were suffering from vomiting, neck tension and breathing problems. They were discovered to have been consuming teak wine and smoking e-cigarettes for up to two years, which contributed to their health problems, such as heart rate rapids and low oxygen levels.

Surasak Koonpak, a assistant working for Don Mon city, told reporters on Friday that the Grade 5 and 6 pupils were sent to Satuk Hospital on Tuesday, while the Grade 8 pupil was admitted on Thursday. One of them eventually moved to Buri Ram Hospital for treatment.

There was also a statement that a Grade 9 learner from the same class, who had similar signs, was sent to Satuk Hospital next month.

Buri Ram Provincial Police have been conducting an investigation into sources of unlawful e-cigarette and teak sales in the area in response to the situations. This resulted in the arrest of two defendants, from whom soldiers seized e-cigarettes, rattan juice containers and a rifle. For the past two decades, their store has been close to the school. Additionally, they offer their goods electronically.

The Don Mon city has been actively promoting anti-drug sporting events as well as educating local residents about the risks of e-cigarettes and teak.

Despite these attempts, it is difficult to handle junior use due to the accessible nature of these elements via online platforms.

Meanwhile, Anukool Pruksanusak, a deputy government spokesman, issued a public safety warning about the availability of” Doraemon e-cigarettes,” which are widely regarded as” Doraemon e-cigarettes” and are affordable.

These e-cigarettes are targeted at young citizens, and some of them cost as little as 99 ringgit, he said.

Additionally, Mr. Anukool made it clear that the government is making more efforts to stop the sale and use of e-cigarettes, mainly among the young.

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Koh Samui enjoying a White Lotus boom

As booking curiosity rises, Iceland does not experience a low time this year.

A woman takes a selfie in front of a mural at Wat Suwannaram in Bangkok Noi district of Bangkok on Friday. The mural appears in the opening credits of the third season of the HBO series The White Lotus. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)
On Friday, a lady poses for a picture in front of the Wat Suwannaram mural in Bangkok Noi. The White Lotus, the fourth season of HBO’s The White Lotus, opens with the mural. ( Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya )

The third season of the HBO series The White Lotus has sparked an 88 % increase in internet searches for Koh Samui and led to a 44 % rise in hotel reservations on Thailand’s second-largest island, say tourism executives.

The hit series, a sarcasm that focuses on the lives of employees and their rich guests at an exclusive Thai location over the course of a year, is a comedy that the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) believes Koh Samui perhaps never experience a reduced time this year.

Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the White Lotus, reported on Friday that season three’s travel interest to Thailand has considerably increased, specially for Koh Samui.

Since the promotion of the third season of the series began, Koh Samui’s online searches have increased by 88 %. On Monday, the first of eight episodes of the Max streaming services were available, with fresh incidents coming on regular.

In Season 3, The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui plays the hypothetical White Lotus Resort &amp, Spa. Additionally, some images were captured at the resorts of Anantara Bophut, Anantara Lawana, and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket.

According to Opodo, an online travel agency established by Western carriers, American tourists showed the most attention in Thailand, with a 53 % year-on-year boost in searches.

Netizens from the United Kingdom accounted for 9 % of their travel searches in Thailand during the first week of the show’s new season, ranking them third globally among those looking for places to stay.

Koh Samui led with an 88 % increase, while searches for Phuket and Bangkok rose by 66 % and 61 %, respectively, among UK users.

Bookings for hotels and travel packages increased for this online audience by 44 %, while those for Bangkok increased by 17 %.

According to Mr. Ratchaporn, the TV show has created a lot of hype in the hospitality industry. Hotel searches for Koh Samui jumped 12 %, according to Agoda, even before the program’s airing.

Since January, users from the United States have increased their search for lodging on the island by 65 %.

The top five states searching for Koh Samui on Agoda today are Israel, Germany, France, the UK and the US.

Mr. Ratchaporn claimed that the Lalisa” Lisa” consequence, which refers to the Thai K-pop star Lalisa” Lisa” Manobal, who works in the show as a resort staff member, is not only drawing tourists from the United Kingdom, Europe, and America, but even Asean-based fans who will follow in her footsteps.

He noted that this trend gives hotels and tourism companies a chance to combine information for their advertising strategies.

Mr. Ratchaporn expressed his hope that the line may, in part, increase island tourism year-round, to the point where there won’t be a low season.

The Department of Tourism supported The White Lotus Season 3‘s production, which helps promote foreign movie projects in Thailand with expenses exceeding 50 million ringgit.

Jurassic World 4 and the Television series Alien were two different performances that were shot in the country last month. According to Mr. Ratchaporn, the mixed worth of all three exceeded 7 billion ringgit.

This serves as a form of soft energy showcasing Thailand’s social appeal, he added.

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12 fast and furious drivers jailed after Pattaya motorway pile-up

Authorities say younger runners reached speeds of up to 180kph before chain-reaction motion

Thirteen cars, 12 of them belonging to road racers, crashed on the Bangkok-bound motorway in Si Racha district of Chon Buri province on Sunday. (Photo: Highway Police Facebook account)
Thirteen vehicles, 12 of them belonging to street racers, crashed on the Bangkok-bound road in Si Racha city of Chon Buri state on Sunday. ( Photo: Highway Police Facebook account )

Following an accident that damaged all of the racers ‘ cars and that of another driver, twelve rate spirits have been given two-month prison term for unsafe driving on the Motorway from Pattaya.

All 12 vehicles received two months in the Chon Buri Prison sentenced by the Chon Buri District Court on Friday. Their modified vehicles were sequestered, and their travelling licenses were revoked.

Before being sent to the prosecution for prosecution, all the accused had admitted to a number of charges, including reckless generating and driving while over the speed limit.

The incident occurred on Sunday at 2.20am when another drivers were shocked by a route competition involving 12 cars on the Bangkok-bound highway in Si Racha area of Chon Buri province.

A car struck the honest driver’s car, causing a chain reaction that wiped out the other 11 runners ‘ cars when one of them lost power.

According to bridge authorities, the pile-up caused four injuries. Before all the broken vehicles were towed aside, the incident caused customers on the motorway to come to a standstill.

Highway authorities checked CCTV film and found the individuals, most of them fresh, raced for at least 10 miles at velocity between 130 and 180 km per hour. They changed paths at can, posing moire threat to other road users, before the incident occurred.

A district judge handles judicial cases, with a maximum sentence of three months in prison or a fine of up to 60, 000 Baht, or both. The municipal courts conduct cases with longer jail sentences and economic penalties.

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Three suspects arrested, 260kg of ketamine seized in Bangkok

Three drug suspects, seated, are arrested with 260 kilogrammes of ketamine during a police raid in Bangkok's Khan Na Yao district on Thursday night. (Photo: Min Buri Metropolitan police station)
Three drug offenders, seated, are arrested with 260 kg of morphine during a police raid in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao city on Thursday evening. ( Photo: Min Buri Metropolitan police station )

In Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao city, police have seize 260 kilograms of morphine and other illegal drugs and make three arrests.

After receiving a tip about pharmaceutical sales in the area, Min Buri police stop officers detained the gentlemen inside a vehicle parked on Soi Ram Intra 99 at the Phet Intra enclosure property. The defendants were identified solely as Noppadol, 42, Kittisak, 49, and Sakchai, 29.

Officials then raided a home and a occupied room in the area, confiscating 260 kg of ketamine, 800 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine, nine meth tablets, a Colt.38 Super with a newspaper containing nine rounds of ammunition and five cellular phones.

The Bang Chan police stop received the three defendants in exchange for legal action.

During a press presentation on Thursday night, morphine and other medications are displayed.

During a press presentation on Thursday night, morphine and other medications are displayed.

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Summer starts next week

Northeast and North are prepared for severe heat.

Motorcyclists take advantage of shade under a BTS train track and skywalk at the busy Ratchadamri intersection to avoid the midday sun on March 18, 2024. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Drivers take advantage of shade under a Song train trail and skywalk&nbsp, at the busy&nbsp, Ratchadamri crossing to prevent the afternoon sun on March 18, 2024. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )

According to the weather service, Thailand will actually start to experience summer on Friday with significantly lower temperatures than last year.

This year’s summers may span from Feb 28 to mid-May, Meteorological Department director-general Sugunyanee Yavinchan declared on Friday.

Ms. Sugunyanee predicted that a cooler La Nia may result in milder temperature and precipitation that would be 20 % above average over the course of the three-month time. Nevertheless, summer rain is likely to be small and restricted to certain areas.

According to the meteorologist, this summer is expected to see the metal ranging between 35°C and 36°C, which is significantly lower than last year’s ordinary of 37.5°C.

The ministry advised that 14 provinces in the north and northeast regions should be prepared for extreme warmth, with temperatures potentially exceeding 42°C in April, when summer is typically at its peak.

The counties where intense heat is anticipated are:

  • Chaiyaphum
  • Chiang Mai
  • Khon Kaen
  • Lampang
  • Lamphun
  • Loei
  • Mae Hong Brother
  • Nong Bua Lamphu
  • Nong Khai
  • Phitsanulok
  • Sukhothai
  • Tak
  • Udon Thani
  • Uttaradit

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Opposition questions charter rewrite delays

Prasert says Pheu Thai however determined

Parit: Warns of 'blue' senators
Parit: Warns of’ violet’ lawmakers

The opposition has expressed fears that the stalled contract act may act as a pawn in a deal-off between coalition partners.

Such fears were conveyed during a House meet by Parit Wacharasindhu, a PP record MP and a group official.

Mr. Parit addressed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during an representation he had. However, the top was unavailable from legislature attending official commitments and assigned her assistant, Prasert Jantararuangtong, even the modern economy and society minister, to fill in for her.

Mr. Parit demanded answers regarding why a coalition party and a Bhumjaithai mention, and some senators have resisted backing the charter rewrite proposal.

This comes after two successive House sessions last Thursday and Friday, which were scheduled to have a voting to say Part 256 for article, collapsed. The section was intended to facilitate the formation of a Constitution Drafting Assembly ( CDA ), which would serve as a prelude to a complete rewrite of the charter.

But, Bhumjaithai openly opposed tampering with Area 256, fearing it may cause a lawful backlash. Establishing a CDA amounts to a comprehensive contract update, which requires a vote to be held first, according to a past Constitutional Court view.

Prasert: Notes differing opinions

Prasert: Notes differing opinions

Pheu Thai’s effort to get a Constitutional Court decision regarding whether congress has the authority to amend Section 256 in order to initiate a policy amendment was halted by the request to do so.

Actually though Bhumjaithai has pledged to cooperate with the mandate act when the court decision is made, according to Mr. Parit, on Thursday, there is no way whether the majority of the “blue” lawmakers will support the charter modify. Blue is the color of Bhumjaithai.

He added that Ms. Paetongtarn claimed that she had spoken with coalition parties about the proposed contract update. But, Bhumjaithai head Anutin Charnvirakul has publicly disputed this.

The coalition parties were not on the same site about the controversial leisure complex review bill, which included games, according to the PP MP.

Mr. Parit pressed for clarification as to whether the proposed legislation, which was sponsored by Pheu Thai, is stalling the mandate act to entice Bhumjaithai into giving them their backing for the entertainment complex project.

” My query to the prime minister has to do with how coalition events may turn around and support the leisure complex draft bill without any sort of secret arrangement being reached,” he said.

Mr Prasert, meanwhile, maintained that Pheu Thai was sincere in amending the charter. Legislators who feared a legal backlash from meddling with Section 256 without a prior referendum requested the Constitutional Court’s decision.

Once a decision is made, the coalition parties will support Section 256’s modification.

Coalition partners had differing views on the issue, which is their privilege, but they are not disunited, Mr Prasert said.

Pheu Thai and PP both sponsored the two bills that relate to Section 256’s modification, he added. He claimed that it would be unfair to not appeal the court’s decision and to allow the coalition parties to suffer possible legal repercussions.

He said the draft entertainment complex bill was being vetted by the Council of State, the government’s legal arm, and has not reached parliament.

He added that the government regards all major policies, from the entertainment complexes to charter amendment, as equally important.

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Moroccan wanted for doctor’s murder arrested

An image taken from CCTV footage shows murder suspect Bilal Chefinu catching a flight from Chiang Mai to Hong Kong on Dec 5. (Photo: Chiangmai International Airport CCTV)
On December 5, a photo of murder think Bilal Chefinu is seen taking a flight from Chiang Mai to Hong Kong in an image taken from CCTV images. ( Photo: Chiangmai International Airport CCTV )

The police say the suspected criminal of a physician in Chiang Mai at the beginning of December last year has been detained by Interpol and will be deported to Thailand on suspicion of deliberate death.

The director of Chiang Mai officers, Pol Col Pratchaya Thisala said on Thursday that the think, identified as Moroccan member Bilal Chefinu, 30, was arrested at a resort in Turkey.

He is wanted in connection with the death of Doctor Sammy Clinic user and doctor Thitikarn Dulikanon, who was discovered dead in her office in city Chiang Mai on December 6, 2013.

At the time, Thitikarn was known to be living with Mr. Chefinu at the office. On December 4th, Thitikarn and Mr. Chefinu entered the office up on CCTV video. Days later, he was seen leaving the office only in Thitikarn’s vehicles.

At Chiang Mai Airport, the deserted car was discovered.

Thitikarn’s body was discovered by a maid on Dec 6.

The victim’s girl claimed she lost contact with Thitikarn on December 4, but that she did not report her missing because she believed Thitikarn was taking her sweetheart with her.

Officers requested the assistance of Interpol after an investigation revealed that Mr. Chefinu had left the country for Hong Kong on December 5 aboard AirAsia trip FD515.

The crime was allegedly motivated by jealousy, according to the authorities.

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Graft convict found after 10-year hunt

Suthee Chuamthaisong, one of the 16 persons who was found guilty of fraud in connection with the Yingluck Shinawatra administration’s graft-ridden rice-pledging program, has been detained in Khon Kaen after evading officials for several years.

According to the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) secretary-general, Sarote Phuengramphan, Suthee Chuamthaisong was arrested yesterday at a house in Nong Song Hong district, where he lived with his common-law wife.

Since 2015, officials have been looking for his movements, but Mr. Suthee has evaded them in an effort to avoid being prosecuted. In 2019, the Supreme Court found him guilty of fraud and in absentia put him in jail for his part in the scheme, which resulted in loss of over 500 billion ringgit.

Suthee: Hidingin Khon Kaen

Suthee: Hidingin Khon Kaen

According to Mr. Sarote, Suthee was found guilty of four works of corruption in connection with the government-to-government corn offers, in accordance with the 1999 Law on Crimes Relating to Bidding Submission to Government Agencies and the 1999 Organic Act on Counter Corruption.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison for each count, or 32 times in full, and was ordered to co-pay 1.6 billion ringgit in compensation plus interest, along with the other defendants.

Suthee was the right-hand gentleman of Apichat” Sia Piang” Chansakunphon, a well-known corn trader, who was sentenced to 48 years in prison for his role in the rice-pledging incident. After serving his prison sentence of seven decades, he was released on October 9, 2013.

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