Trafficked antiques to be brought home

Next week will be the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property, which will bring back items from the 3, 000-year-old Ban Chiang World Heritage Site.

According to the regional office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation ( Unesco ) in the Thai capital, the US Embassy in Bangkok will host the ceremony on Nov 14 at the Issaravinitchai Royal Hall inside the Bangkok National Museum.

Robert Godec, the US embassy, and Rafik Mansour, assistant associate director of the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will hand over the returned objects to Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakitkosol, the Unesco department said.

Another old object is scheduled to be returned to its home territory of Phayao after 36 times.

Wisut Chainarun, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP, just revealed that” Phra Jao Tong”, a 900-year-old bronze Buddha statue which was stolen from Wat Sri Ping Muang in Wiang Lo sub-district of Chun region in October 1988, has been found.

The monument, which is 128 centimetres high and 79cm large, was built in the Lanna design by a local entrepreneur.

According to Mr. Wisut, Phra Jao Tong was illegally transported and sold abroad. It was last seen in Switzerland.

Mr. Wisut, a native of Phayao, claimed a new procedure led to the discovery of the statue, and it was later returned to Thailand in August as part of a regional job force searching for it.

According to Mr. Wisut, Phra Jao Tong is currently being cared for by the Fine Art Department at the Bangkok National Museum.

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Songkhla ‘terrorist’ gets jail time

Azman: Arrested on Sept 17
Azman: Arrested on Sept 17

For the unlawful possession and formation of arms, Azman Porloh, a 29-year-old think in various terrorist attacks in Songkhla state, is facing more than five years in prison.

It is his first event to go to test in which case he is facing.

On costs of unlawful defense and arms concentration as well as illegal possession of weapons, Azman was sentenced to four years and 16 months in jail by Songkhla’s Na Thawi Provincial Court.

On September 17 at a station along with four associates, he was detained along with four other people driving between Pattani and Narathiwat.

Officers found a symbol with the symbol of the BRN separatist movement and evidence indicating planned violent deeds in his car during the arrest.

Azman is from Thepha area in Songkhla. His criminal history includes 18 warrants that are still unfulfilled, 13 of which relate to violence and protection, and 5 of which relate to vehicle theft.

His reported terrorist attacks include numerous bombings, equipment damage, and attacks on public officials.

He is also linked to a 2019 bomb attack on a safety guard in Songkhla’s Saba Yoi area, which injured six soldiers.

In December 2022, he reportedly planted a weapon on the Outfit Yai-Padang Besar rail line, causing a cargo train accident, followed by an ambush on railway workers, resulting in three mortality and four wounds.

The court’s most recent ruling focused on expenses related to capturing and storing arms without authorization rather than these violent incidents.

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Migrants risk losing right to work, stay

Staff bemoan complicated operation

Numerous companies and migrant workers have voiced concerns about issues relating to the new registration and work force registration requirements, which are alleged to have caused a large number of migrant workers to miss the deadline and lose their constitutional status.

A representative of Nai Chang Si Khao ( White Employers ), Nilubol Pongpayom, said yesterday that the employer group had previously petitioned the government to change the requirements to make migrant registration and work permit renewal more convenient.

According to Ms. Nilubol, it has yet to receive a response because hundreds of thousands of migratory laborers have missed the Oct. 31 deadline and turned into illegal workers.

There are only seven CI centers nationwide, and she claimed the Certificate of Identity ( CI), an additional document required for migrant worker registration, was way too complicated.

She attributed the unjust treatment that many companies and migratory workers claim to have been subjected to to state officials ‘ allegedly poor control of these centers to their alleged poor care.

The CI center in Samut Prakan, for example, demanded migrant employees pay a CI payment of between 3, 800 and 4, 000 ringgit without issuing them a correct ticket, Ms Nilubol said.

She claimed that the procedure involved several fees and was rather difficult.

According to there merely being seven CI areas, many migrant workers had to travel to nearby counties, she said.

Another batch of migrant workers whose work grants are scheduled to expire on February 13 will have to go back to their country of origin and re-enter the process before being registered to work in Thailand, according to Ms. Nilubol.

A 30-year-old Myanmar employee who requested anonymity claimed to have worked legally for a sizable Samut Sakhon corporation and had paid her taxes for years.

She missed a deadline on October 1 because of problems with the new CI need, the woman claimed, and thus presently qualifies as an illegal migrant worker.

” I have been living and working around, paid all my fees and have social security. However, due to this challenging procedure, I was unable to meet the deadline and became incapacitated.

A 28-year-old man from Myanmar who has a work force that will expire on February 13 claimed he was uneasy about moving back to his home state, where he would ultimately contribute money to the ruling junta.

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‘Multidimensional poverty’ a worry despite progress

According to the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index ( MPI), many Thais still live in substandard living conditions, including those who live in rural areas, despite Thailand’s efforts to reduce the number of people who are living in poverty by half in just seven years.

The index, which was created by the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Institute ( OPHI), attempts to provide a multidimensional view of the most recent global poverty situation.

It looks at several factors beyond financial income, such as protein, child mortality, school attendance, access to education, healthcare, suitable housing, sanitation, safe drinking water, and electricity.

According to the 2024 MPI, which examines 112 nations worldwide, about 1.1 billion out of 6.3 billion persons live in chronic comprehensive poverty.

Thailand has made extraordinary progress in addressing the issue of hunger, having halved the number of people living in such a condition in only seven ages– from 909, 000 in 2012 to 416, 000 in 2019.

As of 2022, the number had dropped more to 352, 000.

The statement said the progress was made possible by the president’s drive to increase access to basic accommodation, diet, and training.

Among Southeast Asian countries covered in the 2024 MPI, Thailand performed the best with a score of 0.0002, followed by Vietnam ( 0.008 ), Indonesia ( 0.014 ), the Philippines ( 0.016 ), Cambodia ( 0.070 ), Laos ( 0.108 ), and Myanmar ( 0.176 ).

But, the rate of comprehensive poverty in Thailand is approximately 0.5 % higher than the rate of economic hardship, according to the 2024 MPI.

This means there are a lot of Thais who live above the poverty line and could n’t be considered as well-off because they are deprived of basic education, healthcare, nutrition and housing, among other things.

Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, said Narathiwat, Surin, Mae Hong Son, Uthai Thani and Pattani reported the highest levels of comprehensive poverty in the country last month.

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Obec probes school food, donation accusations

After allegations were made online that one of the two schools served spoiled fruit in student dishes while the other was over soliciting families for donations for a school bus, the Office of the Basic Education Commission ( Obec) has inspected two universities in Chachoengsao and Nakhon Ratchasima.

In response to the public’s condemnation of the two schools ‘ allegations of misconduct, Obec Secretary-General Thanu Wongchinda addressed the controversy yesterday. He claimed that the Obec’s municipal practices and the Happiness and Safety Centre have been looking into the issues.

Sub Lt Thanu claims that there was no supporting evidence in the research into a Chachoengsao class that was allegedly serving spoilt food.

The kids interviewed claimed to have never had any food-related illnesses and had never consumed pampered fruits or vegetables.

He said all kids confirmed they had sufficient meals regularly and, consequently, Obec concluded that this state was false.

The Secondary Educational Service Area Office of the province in Nakhon Ratchasima conducted an investigation into the reported donation call at Chumphuangsuksa School, working with legal advisors and psychology.

The officers discovered that funds were being made, but they were deliberate and were only intended for the development of schools rather than a school bus, as some people had suggested online.

However, the leaders directed the school to quickly halt the call, discuss the situation with parents and students, and ensure that control strictly adhered to the rules and regulations in this regard.

The class demanded that kids donate at least 400 ringgit per box, according to social media allegations that surfaced last Thursday. According to the claims made on interpersonal media, the gifts would be used to purchase a university vehicle.

Prior to a charity event scheduled for Nov 16 as part of the Buddhist robe-offering time, one box was given to each person’s home and four to a broader area distribution, according to the school’s director, Viroj Duansantia.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission conducted an investigation into Chumphuangsuksa School’s payment processing, finding that the funds ranged from 10 to 1000 baht, which is in opposition to the website charges. The NACC, nevertheless, requested more records to maintain transparency.

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Charges due for 1st batch of iCon suspects

The second group of suspects in the image Group pyramid scheme is being investigated by the Department of Special Investigation ( DSI), with its acting director claiming yesterday that the research could be completed as soon as now.

The 18 offenders ‘ case will be brought in as soon as possible after their 84-day confinement period is up, according to Pol Maj Yuthana Phraedam, according to Pol Maj Yuthana Phraedam.

According to Pol Maj Yuthana, these offenders may also face additional expenses under the Direct Sale and Marketing and Fraudulent Loan Act.

He added that the next group of suspects may be detained as soon as the exploration into their involvement in the plan is complete.

When questioned about the 20 people who asked the DSI to be potential witnesses in the case on Monday, Pol Maj Yuthana advised them to request their attorneys to send a proper request, listing out the names of the witnesses and the type of information they had.

He said the DSI has even instructed Witoon Kengngam, a lawyer who represented The image Group founder and CEO Warathaphon” Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, to provide a list of additional testimony, with a clear description of each individual’s role in the program.

The plea followed Mr Witoon’s earlier commitment to bring at least 2, 000 testimony for the sensor.

If none of them were questioned, he even threatened to report the office for being dishonest.

According to Pol Maj Yuthana, authorities have seize 78 area plots owned by the 18 defendants and their associates across Greater Bangkok.

The DSI will transfer the assets to the Anti-Money Laundering Office ( Amlo ) for further investigation later, he added.

Witthaya Niti-tham, the Amlo spokeswoman, said the department had seized at least 320 million ringgit of goods from suspects thus far, generally funds held in savings accounts.

Before determining the appropriate compensation for The sign Group victims, Amlo is currently compiling a stabilized asset list.

Resources that have been transferred to strangers, such as charities, may be probed to identify whether they were transferred with good purposes, the official added.

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Defence minister to visit Koh Kut to assert sovereignty

Tour intended to proclaim say in a dispute

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai says will lead a delegation to inspect Koh Kut and boost morale among soldiers stationed on the island to guard the Thai-Cambodian border. (Photo: Chanant Katanyu)
Phumtham Wechayachai, the minister of defense, promises to lead a committee to assess Koh Kut and raise morale among the island’s soldiers who guard the Thai-Cambodian border. ( Photo: Chanant Katanyu )

In light of the ongoing dispute over Cambodia’s maritime territory, Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai may travel to Koh Kut in Trat on Saturday to reaffirm Thailand’s regional authority over the beach.

Mr. Phumtham, who also serves as deputy prime minister, promised to lead a team inspecting the area and raising morale among soldiers stationed there to protect the Thai-Cambodian boundary.

The Defence Ministry’s permanent director and secretary-general, as well as the Royal Thai Navy chief-of-staff, may also join the group, he said.

” We will go there to establish Thailand’s sovereignty over Koh Kut and increase confidence among local people”, he said.

When asked about the establishment of a Joint Technical Committee (JTC ) to negotiate the maritime areas claimed by both nations, Mr. Phumtham stated that the Foreign Affairs Ministry was in charge of the matter and that they would soon make recommendations to the cabinet.

In the following two weeks, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had previously stated that the JTC may become established. On the basis of the memorandum of understanding signed by the two nations in 2001, the committee will resume discussions with Cambodia regarding the Overlapping Claims Area ( OCA ).

The energy-rich OCA, which extends over 26, 000 sq kilometers in the Gulf of Thailand, is both under the control of Thailand and Cambodia.

Cambodia made its first say in 1972, which Thailand rejected. The next year, Thailand made its suit.

The committee, which will be led by a deputy prime minister in charge of regional stability, will be led by Mr. Phumtham on Thursday, and will include representatives from the Council of the State, the Defense, Energy, Foreign, and Finance departments, as well as other key figures.

Two more departments will also be formed to help with the conversations, Mr Phumtham said.

” I hope that the government’s work relating to the clashing says area will help clean the air”, he said.

When asked about the state that Thailand lost autonomy over the area when it signed the 2001 MoU with Cambodia, Mr Phumtham said the “false information” was politically motivated.

” The area has been a piece of Thailand’s place for a long time”, he said.

Mr. Phumtham responded to critics who demanded that the government withdraw the 2001 MoU because it was deemed to be the most effective forum for discussions and negotiations over the maritime borders between the nations.

The authorities made the names as Cambodia and Cambodia resumed discussions on the OCA.

Paiboon Nititawan, secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ), said on Thursday that party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon has instructed the party’s MPs to push for the revocation of the 2001 MoU” to protect Thailand’s maritime sovereignty”.

In 2001, when the Thaksin Shinawatra leadership was in power, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop portions of the OCA and mark a maritime border.

The maritime boundary separation and shared creation must be carried out as an “indivisible package,” with a Thailand-Cambodia JTC set up to examine them under the MoU.

Numerous rounds of discussions have been held since, but there has not been any headway, primarily because of the debate over the coastal wall’s demarcation.

After observers made the point that if the file is used as the basis for discussions on managing the OCA, Thailand could lose its sovereignty over Koh Kut.

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Govt set to visit  Koh Kut

Tour intended to proclaim say in a dispute

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai says will lead a delegation to inspect Koh Kut and boost morale among soldiers stationed on the island to guard the Thai-Cambodian border. (Photo: Chanant Katanyu)
Phumtham Wechayachai, the minister of defense, promises to lead a committee to assess Koh Kut and raise morale among the island’s soldiers who guard the Thai-Cambodian border. ( Photo: Chanant Katanyu )

In light of the ongoing sea territory debate with Cambodia, Phumtham Wechayachai, the defense minister, will travel to Koh Kut in Trat on Saturday to reaffirm Thailand’s regional authority over the area.

Mr. Phumtham, who is also a deputy prime minister, promised to lead a delegation to examine the island and raise morale among the island’s soldiers who patrol the Thai-Cambodian border.

The Defence Ministry’s permanent minister and secretary-general, as well as the Royal Thai Navy chief-of-staff, may also join the group, he said.

” We will go there to establish Thailand’s sovereignty over Koh Kut and increase confidence among local people”, he said.

When asked about the establishment of a Joint Technical Committee (JTC ) to negotiate the maritime claims made by both countries, Mr. Phumtham stated that the Foreign Affairs Ministry was in charge of this matter and would soon make recommendations to the cabinet.

The JTC should be established in the next two weeks, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra before. On the basis of the memorandum of understanding signed by the two nations in 2001, the committee will resume discussions with Cambodia regarding the Overlapping Claims Area ( OCA ).

The energy-rich OCA, which extends over 26, 000 sq kilometers in the Gulf of Thailand, is both under the control of Thailand and Cambodia.

Cambodia made its first state in 1972, which Thailand rejected. The next year, Thailand made its suit.

The committee, which will be led by a deputy prime minister in charge of regional security, may include members from the Council of the State, the Defense, Energy, Foreign and Finance ministries, and other important organizations, according to Mr. Phumtham’s statement on Thursday.

Two more departments will also be formed to help with the conversations, Mr Phumtham said.

” I hope that the government’s work relating to the overlapping says area will help clean the air”, he said.

When asked about the state that Thailand lost autonomy over the area when it signed the 2001 MoU with Cambodia, Mr Phumtham said the “false information” was politically motivated.

” The area has been a piece of Thailand’s place for a long time”, he said.

Mr. Phumtham responded to critics who are urging the government to rescind the 2001 MoU because it is thought to be the best place to discuss and discuss the maritime borders between the nations.

The government made the calls as it announced its intention to begin discussions with Cambodia regarding the OCA.

Paiboon Nititawan, secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ), said on Thursday that party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon has instructed the party’s MPs to push for the revocation of the 2001 MoU” to protect Thailand’s maritime sovereignty”.

In 2001, when the Thaksin Shinawatra leadership was in power, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop portions of the OCA and mark a maritime borders.

The maritime boundary separation and shared creation must be carried out as an “indivisible package,” with a Thailand-Cambodia JTC set up to examine them under the MoU.

Numerous rounds of discussions have been held since, but there has not been any development, primarily because of the debate over the coastal wall’s demarcation.

After spectators made the point that Thailand could lose its independence over Koh Kut if the 2001 MoU is used as the framework for discussions involving the OCA, Thailand could lose it.

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PM pitches ‘3Cs’ approach at Mekong summit

Connectivity, profitability and community secrets to strengthening area, says Paetongtarn

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gives a speech at the plenary session of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit in Kunming on Thursday. (Photo: Government House)
At the plenary session of the Greater Mekong Subregion ( GMS ) Summit in Kunming on Thursday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivers a speech. ( Photo: Government House )

KUNMING, China- On Thursday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra proposed a 3Cs ( connectivity, competitiveness, and community ) approach to create a stronger and more prosperous Greater Mekong Subregion ( GMS ).

The event’s design,” Toward a Better Community Through Innovation-driven Development”, was fast and exciting, she said in a speech after the full period of the event in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in China.

” By utilizing innovation and technology, we can uncover new opportunities for growth and popular growth while enhancing the lives of people across the GMS,” she said.

The 3Cs refers to enhancing communication, profitability and community for the benefit of those living in the region, according to the speech.

Connectivity remains a basis of local integration, it said. Thailand has made significant progress in establishing connections between the region and beyond with the release of the Bangkok-Vientiane global coach service, the next phase of Laem Chabang Port’s growth, and the plans to construct Lanna and Andaman flights, according to the speech.

The following C stands for profitability. As the mountain features innovation-driven growth, Thailand will maintain its responsibility to generate electric transformation of its economy and society, it added.

Thailand is moving towards a digital world by utilising the national online payment platforms, particularly PromptPay and cross-border QR code settlement, it said.

The third C stands for community, which is the heart of the GMS, the statement said. According to it, there is a need to synergise collaboration across all industries and expand social safety nets to include everyone.

Thailand also supports the GMS Gender Strategy, which aligns with the country’s policy on inclusive development, it noted.

Ms. Paetongtarn also urged her colleagues from the Mekong region to continue to support equal access to high-quality education and safeguard social stability, according to the statement.

The leaders of the Asian Development Bank, the prime ministers of China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and the president of the Asian Development Bank also took part in the eighth GMS Summit.

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Minister kicks off Space Week 2024

A global event highlights the progress being made with the development of space and satellite system

Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong (left) officially opens Thailand Space Week 2024 at Impact Muang Thong Thani on Thursday. (Photo: Ministry of Digital Economy and Society)
Thailand Space Week 2024 is officially opened on Thursday at Impact Muang Thong Thani by Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong ( left ). ( Photo: Ministry of Digital Economy and Society )

At the beginning of Thailand Space Week 2024 on Thursday, the Thai government’s commitment to encourage investment in satellite growth and storage equipment was emphasized.

The event, touted as Southeast Asia’s largest global event for storage systems, is taking place at Impact Muang Thong Thani until Saturday.

Prasert Jantararuangtong, the secretary of Digital Economy and Society, highlighted the government’s ambition to make Thailand Space Week 2024 a world-class meeting, advancing place engineering, business and local development.

” This event marks a key step in Thailand’s push to integrate storage technologies into our economic and societal advancement”, he said in a presentation address.

We are preparing Thailand to lead the new S-Curve market by integrating area technology into vital sectors.

He underscored the show’s role in promoting private-sector implementation of storage solutions.

With its plan on educational programs and hands-on actions designed to prepare future generations for careers in place and technology, he said children relationship is also a federal goal.

Thailand Space Week 2024 is organised by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, in partnership with over 70 organisations, including the Cabinet Office of Japan, Ispace, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, PTT, Siemens, Thaicom, among others.

Pakorn Apaphant, the Gistda executive producer, said that Thailand Space Week, now in its fourth year, aligns with the agency’s perspective to develop the government’s science and innovation scenery.

He said the occasion is expected to bring over 3, 000 participants from 34 locations, with over 100 show booths. This year’s theme is” Converging Technologies, Connecting People”.

By showcasing the latest in space innovation, the event serves as a vital platform for networking and knowledge exchange among global leaders, including representatives of CNSA ( China ), Kari ( South Korea ), Ostin ( Singapore ), Mysa ( Malaysia ), QZSS ( Japan ) and Philsa ( Philippines ), he said.

Thailand’s Space Week 2024 continues through Saturday, inviting both domestic and foreign participants to investigate partnerships, build networks, and uncover the region’s financial potential.

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