Barkar Nash – Page 33

Arsenic, lead in Kok River causes alarm

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Apr 2025 at 05: 13

Pure poison: Authorities from the Chiang Mai Public Health Office and Chiang Mai Environmental and Pollution Control Office collect Kok River water samples for testing, revealing excessive levels of arsenic and lead. Panumet Tanraksa — Pure poison: Officials from the Chiang Mai Public Health Office and Chiang Mai Environmental and Pollution Control Office collect Kok River water tests for testing, revealing increased levels of pollutants and direct. Panumet Tanraksa

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai people have been warned after higher lead and arsenic substances were found in the Kok River.

Government issued a public notice to prevent using the dark waters, citing the potential health risks posed by the impurities which exceeded security requirements.

Aweera Pakamat, chairman of the Chiang Mai Environmental and Pollution Control Office, said on Saturday the Kok River, which flows from Myanmar into Mae Ai, has distinct water during the dry season. But, last month the water turned exceedingly hazy, with information emerging of people developing blisters after swimming.

The company took tests from the valley at three different locations for testing on March 19 and found the haze levels at three checking points were nearly 10 times higher than the acceptable standard.

” Our checks also found lead and arsenic levels considerably above security levels. Extended exposure to these toxins, especially lead, can increase the risk of malignancy”, he said.

Regulators advised people not to drink or use the river waters. If the ocean is to be diverted for women’s use, it should be properly tested in cooperation with the local water power.

Concerns have also been raised about the ocean quality of the Kok River in neighbouring Chiang Rai.

The river’s appearance has turned dark, and some locals suspect silver mining activities inland in Myanmar could be the trigger.

Local officials began collecting samples for testing on March 24, with results expected in the coming weeks, said a cause.

Dr Waranyu Chamnongprasatporn, the chief of the Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office, said lead exposure could cause various symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and severe stomach pain. Arsenic poisoning, meanwhile, may lead to skin rashes, nausea, and diarrhoea.

He warned particularly vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women, to avoid contact with the water.

The public, he said, should boil or filter the water before use. The provincial health office will keep monitoring the situation and provide medical assistance to those affected.

Council’s ethics probe delay concerning Thaksin Shinawatra draws flak

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Apr 2025 at 05: 05

A political advocate opposes the Medical Council’s determination to defer an ethics review of physicians who treated former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying it may continue because scheduled to preserve public trust.

Tul Sittisomwong, a professor at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine and a part of the Medical Council, may send a notice to the agency’s committee on Tuesday, demanding they move forward with the morality probe of physicians involved in Thaksin’s care at the Corrections Hospital and the Police General Hospital.

Thaksin, who was jailed for corruption charges, was treated outside captivity for 180 times, from Aug 22 2024 to Feb 18 2025, sparking common concerns over decorum.

Dr Tul said the situation is under extreme social investigation, and any delay simply intensifies people doubts.

He criticised the Medical Council’s choice announced on Friday to prolong the sensor, arguing the receipt of more documents from the Corrections Department and Police General Hospital after the surrender deadline of Jan 15 2025 only fuels trust.

” I urge the council to reject the documents which came late and proceed with the review according to the original plan for the meeting on April 10. If postponement is necessary, it should not extend beyond the next scheduled meeting”, he said.

Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, a former member of the Election Commission, on Saturday raised concerns about the delay as well.

He questioned the legitimacy of the postponement, noting the documents were submitted after deadline on April 1, and criticised the council for allowing such delays.

” If the probe is postponed due to new documents, this process will never end”, he said. He also asked whether the council was serious about the matter.

Govt urged to come clean over Thaksin

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

‘ Give previous PM established role, or get him out,’ argue reviewers

PUBLISHED: 6 Apr 2025 at 04: 49

Dad helps out: Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 3. (Photo: Narendra Modi's Facebook account) — Uncle helps out: Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 3. ( Photo: Narendra Modi’s Facebook account )

Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa on Saturday moved to understand that the conference between former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a specific one.

But, critics pointed out that it underscores Thaksin’s significant impact on state laws, despite his lack of an established position.

Mr Maris said the meeting between Mr Modi and Thaksin on April 3 was a private conversation and unrelated to the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation ( Bimstec) Summit held in Bangkok on Friday.

He spoke out on Saturday after public attention was drawn by a picture Mr Modi posted on social media on Thursday in which he is seen shaking hands with Thaksin.

In his article, he wrote:” It was a pleasure to satisfy Mr Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand. He has considerable experience in leadership and policy. He is a great companion of India and had a comfortable relationship with Atal Ji”.

He added they discussed India-Thailand assistance and its benefits for both countries, touching on possible cooperation in places like as defence, trade and culture.

On Friday, Mr Modi even shared a blog about a meeting with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during the Bimstec Summit, expressing apologies for new disaster deaths in Myanmar and affirming India’s help.

They discussed enhancing diplomatic ties, especially in system, capacity building and local communication.

However, past Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Thepthai Senpong criticised Thaksin on Facebook, questioning how ideal it was for him to meet global leaders.

He said the former prime minister appears to be acting as if he is the latest leading to and noted the landscape of the image of him and Mr Modi, featuring both the Thai and Indian national flags, resembling an official status function.

Mr Thepthai labelled Thaksin a number of “extra-constitutional effect” and also asked whether Thaksin had met another international rulers during the conference and whether formal venues like Government House had been used to encouraged these leaders.

The original MP urged the government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Mr Thaksin’s child, to define Thaksin’s position.

Mr Thepthai also argued that if Thaksin is playing for an effective political role, the government should fully appoint him as the prime minister’s adviser or top statesman, instead of allowing him to function freely beyond legal oversight, shielding him from political scrutiny.

Maris: Questions over Modi meeting

SAO probe panel needs more time

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Apr 2025 at 04: 38

Excavators are deployed at the collapse site of the new State Audit Office in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, on Saturday. Nutthawat Wichieanbut — Tractors are deployed at the decline page of the new State Audit Office in Chatuchak city, Bangkok, on Saturday. Nutthawat Wichieanbut

The committee looking into the State Audit Office ( SAO ) building collapse will explore multiple factors, including subpar materials and building design, says Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Mr Anutin, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, just met the committee to assess progress of the research.

He said on March 30 that the council would take seven times to come up with initial results.

Following the recent conference, Mr Anutin said that while the one-week timeframe allowed for the primary cause to be identified, continued treatment and recovery operations at the page had hampered the whole entry needed for collecting material samples.

He said the initial research pointed to problems related to the house’s style, which will presently undergo deeper research.

Mr Anutin said houses in Thailand must meet higher seismic and sound requirements incorporated in their architectural design, so they can resist earthquakes such as those originating from Myanmar.

A detailed engineering analysis is underway and may take months to complete, he said.

Drawing on the panel’s work, the minister also raised concerns about the SAO building’s lift shaft, which was located at the rear rather than the centre of the construction site.

He said the location may have caused torsion forces. Whether the safety factor used in the design was adequate will need to be reviewed, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy responded to public concerns over the involvement of China Railway No 10 ( Thailand ), a contractor in the SAO building’s construction.

Some critics suspect sub-standard materials may have been used in the work.

The embassy, while affirming its support for a thorough and fair probe into the firm, rejects “blanket, false accusations against Chinese companies operating in Thailand”.

Deputy government spokesman Karom Phonphonklang said 59 provinces were affected by the recent earthquake, with 179 businesses feeling some impact.

He said the collapse has so far left 15 people dead and nine others injured, with 79 others still missing.

Foreign teams start to withdraw from the collapse site

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

Recovery energy still going powerful, says government

PUBLISHED: 6 Apr 2025 at 04: 33

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra listens to a briefing by a team of Israeli rescuers who are part of an international contingent working at the collapsed building site in Bangkok on March 31. Ruamkatanyu Foundation — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra listens to a presentation by a group of Jewish volunteers who are part of an international regiment operating at the collapsed building blog in Bangkok on March 31. Ruamkatanyu Foundation

The Israeli rescue team, part of the global Urban Search and Rescue ( USAR ) network, has now withdrawn from the site of the collapsed State Audit Office building in Bangkok.

This shift aligns with an earlier statement from Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt that foreign rescue teams had started pulling out as some countries needed to attend to other serious international missions.

Mr Chadchart expressed his profound gratitude to the team for their work and bade them goodnight on Friday. ” The Jewish group, one of the first to reply within the USAR system, had been on-site for about a year, offering great expertise”, he said.

USAR groups are split into three categories: Heavy, Medium and Light. The Israeli staff falls under the Heavy type, meaning they can build worldwide to disaster sites within 78 hours and work non-stop, 24/7.

Specialising in search and rescue operations under fell buildings, the Jewish team soon set to work, identifying vital symptoms and signs of possible individuals, which they analysed using behaviour patterns, he said.

The team, which also includes legal experts and engineers, said the collapse in Thailand was particularly complex, noting” they had never before encountered the collapse of such a tall building”, said Mr Chadchart.

He assured the public that the departure of international teams would not impede the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

He said the Thai rescue teams, who have been in constant communication with international experts, are well-equipped and ready to continue the mission.

Meanwhile, the Japanese rescue team is en route to provide support, although their assistance will not be directed to the disaster site itself.

Instead, their focus will be on sharing knowledge, managing warning systems, and assessing the structural integrity of surrounding buildings, Mr Chadchart said.

Mr Chadchart said the ongoing search and rescue operations would continue without disruption, despite the international teams gradually returning to their home countries.

The key challenge now is locating survivors still trapped in the rubble. However, with the arrival of heavy machinery, the Thai rescue teams are able to carry on their work effectively, without exceeding operational limits.

As the international teams conclude their missions, Thai teams remain focused on critical search and rescue efforts. The use of heavy machinery has been carefully coordinated, with engineers ensuring the safety of operations to avoid further structural collapses.

” There is still hope of finding more survivors, and we remain committed to this mission with full determination”, the governor said.

Hope for miracles at SAO site

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

Leap of faith: Phiraphon Mowiang is ordained as a monk to give thanks for his miraculous survival. Chakkrapan Natanri — Leap of faith: Phiraphon Mowiang is ordained as a priest to provide thanks for his wonderful life. Chakkrapan Natanri

A tragic event unfolded in the heart of Bangkok, where a strong disaster caused the collapse of the State Audit Office’s tower on March 28. Among the victims is 30-year-old Phiraphon Mowiang, an engineer from Khon Kaen, who just escaped suicide.

” My bosses are a kind-hearted married couple from my village”, he said. They employed him to work in Bangkok and he was among five persons on the crew.

” On that day, my boss told me to come along and get a liquid container from the ground surface and bring it up to the 27th ground where we work”, he recalled.

It was an ordinary activity in the middle of his workweek. He went down with the boss’s girl, Araya Kaenmuang, and just as they arrived on the ground ground, he felt the earth shake violently.

” I heard the distinct hole of concrete”, Mr Phiraphon said, his words still trembling from the memory.

” Before I could relate, the whole tower began to shake. The windows cracked, and the sound of cries filled the air. It felt like the universe was falling apart around me”.

Amid the swirling dust and debris, Mr Phiraphon and Ms Araya managed to make a move for protection.

They dashed through the conflict, running toward a gate where they could leave. The air was thick with dirt, and it was hard to breathe. But despite the evil surrounding him, Mr Phiraphon made it out alive.

The decline claimed not only the developing but likewise 15 lives of people working in it, while dozens of other people are still missing.

His bosses are Damrong Phonglunhit and Ornuma Kaenmuang.

Ornuma’s body was found in the dust on Tuesday and the body taken up to Chum Phae for a death on Friday.

Her father, Damrong, is still missing, as is their son-in-law, Jetsada” Fas” Sonchai, 21, who was Araya’s companion and even part of their staff on the 27th surface.

However, back in Khon Kaen, Phiraphon’s parents impatiently awaited information of their son’s death. His parents, Mr Seng, and family, Ms Phawana, have only the one baby, and their concern for his health was enormous.

They had heard about the quake and the decline of the tower. They attempted to reach Phiraphon, but for three agonising time, there was no term.

Every evening, Ms Phawana prayed. She made a pledge to the divine spirits: if her child survived, she had had him ordained as a priest for seven times as an offering of thanks. ” I prayed every day, my hands folded in hope”, she said. ” And after three days, the phone call came. My brother was alive”.

When he called household, his family felt an overwhelming sense of relief. She believed her prayer had been answered and her family had been blessed.

A gloomy atmosphere hung over Pho That church in Chum Phae region where Ornuma’s funeral was held on Friday.

Mr Phiraphon, determined to glory her recollection, chose to become ordained as a priest and devote his prayers to her heart. It was also a way of fulfilling his family’s oath.

The other victim he fled with that morning, 22-year-old Araya Kaenmuang, the dead person’s child, said she worked alongside her parents in the building’s electrical program on the 27th ground every time.

” My mother asked me to pick up some equipment on the ground floor. When I reached the ground, I felt the building sway. I thought it was a normal occurrence, but then I heard two loud cracks. The building was trembling. I ran out of the building and tried to call my mum”.

She was unable to reach her parents by phone as the building collapsed. She held on to hope, praying that her loved ones were still alive beneath the rubble.

Despite the uncertainty, Ms Araya is still hoping against all odds that her father and her boyfriend survive.

The pain of losing loved ones was not only felt by the two families of Ms Araya and Mr Phiraphon.

In a nearby village, Chai Laopeng, 70, waited for any news of his son, Kwanchai, who was also working in the building when it came down.

Mr Chai held on to faith, believing in miracles and in possibility his son would emerge from the wreckage alive.

” My son is a hardworking man”, he said. ” He’s the breadwinner of our family, and I won’t give up hope. I believe that if the gods will it, he will come back to us”.

For all the families involved, the emotional toll was immense. They had been planning for reunions, weddings, and other family activities during the Songkran holiday next week, only to have their hopes dashed in a single moment.

Yet despite the devastation, there was a collective belief in miracles– a hope that their loved ones might still be alive, trapped but not yet lost.

Holding onto hope: Chai Laopeng, 70, is still waiting for the return of his son.

Talk of early warnings returns after the fact

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

The new State Audit Office collapsed during construction on March 28 when Myanmar suffered a 7.7-magnitude earthquake. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill — The fresh State Audit Office collapsed during building on March 28 when Myanmar suffered a 7.7-magnitude disaster. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill

Thailand’s natural hazard early alert and alert program faces big challenges after experts blamed weak coordination for a delayed response to the earthquake in Myanmar that saw solid tremors sweep across Thailand on March 28.

Seree Supratid, director of the Climate Change and Disaster Centre at Rangsit University, says he was appointed by the Interior Minister as an expert adviser at the National Disaster Warning Centre ( NDWC ) after the earthquake.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Seree said he had even worked at the heart in 2005 when it was just founded.

Bureaucratic gaps

” Upon my return, I have now noticed lots of gaps, especially in the work we do with partner companies.

” Up we operate like a line circuit]in which all components are connected end-to-end to form a single route for current flow]… Data is passed from one company to another as occasion slowly accrues, “he said.

He suggested that it would be better if, like modern computer wires, the firms may work in parallel without having to rush for each other.

” In specific, the NDWC does not delay for information from various companies. In the event of flooding, it should not wait for information from the Meteorological Department or does other natural phenomena cause chaos, it should not wait for the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation ( DDPM).

” The NDWS may even look for information on its own and compare it with other firms before issuing emails”, Mr Seree said.

” During the disaster on March 28, text information warning people about the quake took far too long to find sent”, he said.

Seree: Returned to find’ gaps ‘

Passakorn Boonyalak, director-general of the DDPM, previously said the department had released the first batch of messages to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission ( NBTC ) for dissemination at 2.42pm after the quake struck at 1.20pm on March 28.

The message informed consumers that it was safe to return to properties to obtain their items.

Trairat Wiriyasirikul, acting secretary-general of the NBTC, said the information was broadcast at 2.44pm to some 10 million mobile phone numbers, in quantities of 200, 000 at a time, across Bangkok and three surrounding regions.

The same information was eventually hate to beneficiaries in all 76 regions, he added.

But Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said at a conference on March 29 that it took far too long to get the message out, and told both the DDPM and NBTC to find a way to beat the 200, 000 per take control as movements get afoot to improve the method.

She urged them to boost this capacity to 1 million recipients per broadcast while awaiting the full implementation of the NBTC’s cell broadcast technology.

Mr Seree said that it is now the NDWC’s legal responsibility to be first to issue official natural disaster warnings.

If another earthquake occurs, the Meteorological Department will notify the NDWC and the NDWC will use this information to issue alerts and provide information on what actions people should take next and where to go for safety.

During the period, the Meteorological Department still needs time to analyse further details regarding the severity of the earthquake and which area will be affected before sending this additional information to the NDWC, he said.

Cell broadcast service system

” Once the cell broadcast service]CBS ] system is implemented, it will allow the NDWC to send alerts to people in affected areas via cell phone towers”, he said, adding that the CBS system is expected to be fully implemented on Aug 1.

The CBS system allows emergency weather and natural disaster warnings to be disseminated via mobile phone messages.

He also said the media may receive initial information about where an earthquake occurs and its magnitude from the Meteorological Department.

However, it takes some time to calculate and analyse the extent of the impacts and the NDWC will then issue alerts via the CBS system and continue to provide regular updates until the situation eases, he said.

He also stressed the need to improve the existing disaster warning system to ensure a quicker response in a crisis.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission ( NBTC ) will coordinate with television channels and radio stations to broadcast alerts using the TV Pool, he said, adding that no warning was broadcast during on March 28.

Free inspections

Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, said owners and residents at high-rise buildings in Bangkok should ask engineers to inspect their buildings after the earthquake to ease their safety concerns.

Currently, there are more than 1, 000 buildings higher than 23 metres or eight storeys in Bangkok. After the March 28 earthquake, many people have been concerned about the safety of the buildings, he said.

They can seek help via Traffy Fondue, a complaints system run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ), and engineers who volunteer to conduct post-earthquake inspections will visit and give advice on how to ensure buildings are earthquake-resistant free of charge.

There are about 1, 000 engineers ready to offer help free of charge, though they cannot issue any certificates for the safety inspection.

” If the property owners want certificates, they may have to hire private companies to inspect their buildings”, Mr Amorn said.

He added that a group of Thai researchers have devised tools to measure building vibrations. One is now installed at the Thani Nopparat Building at City Hall in Din Daeng district and the other at a hospital in the North.

Mr Amorn said that it remains impossible to predict exactly where and when an earthquake will occur in advance, while it is also difficult to issue timely warnings about shallow earthquakes like the one that occurred in Myanmar on March 28, at a depth of just 10km.

According to scientists, shallow quakes travel fast and their impact tends to be more damaging than deeper quakes. Seismic waves from deeper underground take longer to reach the surface, losing energy along the way.

” Bangkok is about 1, 000 kilometres away from the epicentre in Myanmar. But the tremors were felt in Thailand. It was difficult to issue timely warnings as we needed time to process the information first”, Mr Amorn said.

Amorn: Free inspections for home owners

Itthaboon Onwongsa, deputy secretary-general of Thailand Consumers ‘ Council (TCC), said the TCC has called for implementation of the CBS system since the October 2023 shooting at Siam Paragon– an incident in which a mentally disturbed 14-year-old student killed three people and injured several others.

There should be no further delay in installing the system, he said, adding the system should be designed to accommodate the needs of blind and deaf people.

” The government should not leave people to struggle for survival on their own when natural disasters strike. It is duty-bound to provide its citizens with information and timely advice”, he said.

Itthaboon: Don’t forget those with special needs

Critic questions approach to US tariffs

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Apr 2025 at 04: 08

Instantaneous and meaningful reactions from various countries in Asean and Asia to the US price woes have been compared by a writer of the state to a position of being aloof and confused.

Sirikanya Tansakun, MP of the criticism Women’s Party, on Saturday outlined the reactions from various places in the Asean alliance and Asia as a whole, which are among those slapped with varying tax rates.

Vietnam has opened a square of conversations with Washington to handle business disparities, which received a sign of assent from US President Donald Trump, she said. Cambodia, however, has slashed tariffs on imports from the US to 5 % to facilitate trade agreements with Washington, she added.

South Korea has released an emergency financial relief package for firms hit hard by the US price, such as the car industry, while the Prime Minister of Singapore has warned its members about the consequences of the tax rises, she noted.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, meanwhile, has downplayed the extent of the US tariff rises and told people not to worry, Ms Sirikanya said. The issue of who will lead the talks with the US to solve the tariff issue has also been a subject of confusion, she added.

Ms Paetongtarn reportedly said Pansak Winyarat, chairman of the prime minister’s policy advisory panel, will head the team while Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has insisted he will assume the role.

The commercial permanent secretary has also been earmarked to lead the working team on tariffs.

Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has made it known that he has called Washington to thrash out the tariff wrangle, but no one answered the phone, Ms Sirikanya said.

Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap on Saturday dismissed the criticism by the opposition that the coalition was acting too slowly to address the tariffs announced last week by Mr Trump.

Mr Jirayu said the government had anticipated additional US tariffs on imports from Thailand three months ago and had scheduled a meeting on Jan 8 to formulate a solution.

Thailand has been slapped with a 36 % tariff by the Trump administration, which is higher than many expected.

The opposition recently warned that if the tariff issue went unaddressed, small- and medium-seized enterprises in the supply chain would face trouble.

The opposition said the government was fumbling and working out of sync to counter the tariff issue. It called for a special task force to be established with Ms Paetongtarn at the helm to deal with the problem.

In response, Mr Jirayu said the government has been closely monitoring the pending tariff changes since the end of last year.

Ms Paetongtarn on Thursday also pledged to forge a state-private sector cooperation initiative to counter the tariffs issue, he said.

The government would talk to Washington at the first available opportunity to achieve fairer trade between the two countries, he said.

Mr Jirayu added the government has also prepared remedial measures for Thai exporters to the US market.

Casino bill ‘will help offset’ US trade move

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Apr 2025 at 04: 04

NEWSPAPER SECTION: News

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has defended the Entertainment Complex Bill, set for political discussion on April 9, as a vital financial measure amid rising US taxes on Thai products.

While criticism continues inside and outside congress, Mr Phumtham insisted the president’s fate should remain decided through political processes– no protests.

The costs, which includes casino activities within an integrated leisure complex, aims to generate substantial revenue and counter the 36 % US tax hike on Thai products– much higher than Singapore’s 10 %, he said.

Mr Phumtham argued the measure would raise Thailand’s economic endurance and dismissed concerns that it promotes gambling habit. He said tight passage rules, including era and income restrictions, may help alleviate risk.

” This isn’t about encouraging wagering– it’s about monetary survival”, he said.

He urged reviewers to meet the political debate and cited findings from the president’s virtual public hearing held between Feb 28 and March 14, in which more than 70, 000 persons participated, with around 80 % supporting the bill.

While acknowledging the right to rally, he warned for demonstrations should not be seen as representing the entire country.

He said people opinion usually differs from that of opposition parties and civic groups, stressing the need to honor the political process and allow parliament choose.

He added that the bill was introduce billions into the market.

Casino bill draws chorus of dissent

By: Barkar Nash

On: April 5, 2025

In: South-East Asia

Govt seen as acting with unwarranted urgency

PUBLISHED: 6 Apr 2025 at 04: 01

Anti-casino protesters rally at Government House on March 27. Apichart Jinakul — Anti-casino activists rally at Government House on March 27. Apichart Jinakul

Antagonism to the Entertainment Complex act is gathering pace with doctors, scientists and colleges joining anti-casino demonstrations ahead of the House’s consideration of the expenses on Wednesday.

A group of 37 older doctors from Chulalongkorn University on Saturday came out against the act, saying Thailand is also plagued with a support system and weak law enforcement, while corruption is likewise deeply entrenched. The building was not appropriate for quite a big change.

” Legalising games and online gaming will only worsen social problems and keep people trapped in a labyrinth of playing, increasing crime rates, substance problems, human trafficking, money laundering and other shady businesses.

” The economy will not improve as claimed, but it ]legal casinos ] will be a catastrophe for the country,’ ‘ they said.

The group called on the government to withdraw the bill for the sake of social stability.

Other groups have also joined the campaign against the casino-entertainment complex bill, which has heated up in recent days amid claims the government– despite having a full plate with the recent earthquake in Myanmar and steep US tariff imposts on goods– is pushing it with undue haste.

Critcs now include members of the Academy of Moral and Political Science at the Royal Society of Thailand. At a recent meeting, members of the academy endorsed a study by one of its members, Woradej Chantharasorn, who suggested the government cancel or delay the bill.

But if the government insists on pushing the bill, it should come up with additional measures to address social problems and crime that could arise as a result of legalised casinos, they said.

On Thursday, the Catholic Education Council of Thailand also took a stand against the casino bill, saying gambling undermines morality and all 387 Catholic schools in Thailand were united against the government’s move to legalise casinos at the heart of the changes.

” The council has called on the government to protect children by scrapping the plan to legalise casios and online gambling and look for ways to promote a sustainable and fair economy without relying on income from gambling,’ ‘ the council said.

Jatuporn Prompan, leader of the People’s Unity Group, has urged the public to join a protest on Wednesday against the first reading of the bill. The government is facing sharp criticism for trying to fast-track deliberation of the entertainment-casino complex bill in parliament despite lacking a comprehensive feasibility study to support it.

During a parliamentary meeting on Thursday, after the Pheu Thai Party proposed bringing the deliberation forward to Wednesday, the opposition openly questioned whether private investors were exerting undue influence over government policy.

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told reporters that during Thursday’s meeting, he submitted a motion to make impacts of the recent earthquake an urgent agenda item for the next parliamentary session. However, the Pheu Thai Party later replaced it with the entertainment complex bill.

Mr Natthaphong said the government’s reshuffling of priorities stemmed from fears that a prolonged debate on the earthquake response might result in attendance falling below quorum requirements for the session, which could include a vote on the casino bill.

Barkar Nash (Page 33)