Barkar Nash (Page 439)

After 13 people were killed in the area by floods on August 23, Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre has decreed that a large Buddha page on top of Nak Koet Hill in Tambon Karon been closed due to fears of additional floods.

The statue’s location was discovered by Sorasak Rananan, director of Phuket’s Royal Forest Centre, on Monday, according to his agency’s report from previous Tuesday that it had been constructed on about 20 acres of land, five of which were outside the region of approval for construction.

The big Buddha statue was reportedly located at Wat Kittisankaram, which had previously been reported, last year when the Royal Forest Department requested that it be constructed on 15 acres of land in the Khao Nak Koet National Forest Reserve.

The National Office of Buddhism gave the Foundation of Phra Ming Monkul Sattha’s order to construct the monument.

According to Mr. Sorasak, authorities have seized six of the temple’s components, lodged a complaint with Karon authorities about the foundation, and posted signs announcing the department’s seizure of the five acres of land.

He further disclosed that officials believe there may be more landslides in the area because of the moist land and large buildings it.

According to reports, the Royal Forest Department do request that the Phuket Provincial Office of Buddhism contact them to obtain the closure of the large Buddha page.

In order to avoid landslides, Mr. Sorasak urged visitors to give value to the Buddha monument from above, not ascending it, citing the current rainy season and forecasts from the Meteorological Department, which indicated the place is likely to be hit by heavy rainfall.

The new floods killed 13 citizens and injured 19 people.

The opening of plants on the Nak Koet hill to create way for the placement of the Buddha statue, according to the Royal Forest Department, was responsible for the floods.

revised plan to become effective the following month

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) will not hold a public hearing on the city’s fourth-annual revision of its city plan, claiming that Bangkok residents from all six district groups have already voiced their views. The plan will go into effect late in the year.

Numerous civil society organizations have criticized the third document of BMA’s Bangkok City Plan. They claim the program will do little to nothing to fix the city’s many woes, including severe customers overcrowding, poor water management, and the lack of living space for the weak. However, they said, the government was not consulted throughout the procedure.

According to assistant Bangkok government Wisanu Subsompon, most problems voiced by Bangkok citizens relate to changes to the city’s colour-based planning, property confiscation rules, as well as the lack of open open spaces.

Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt had already extended the deadline for the people reading half, from December 23 to January 22, 2024, and again from February 29 to August 30 to supply all parties involved ample time to review the revised strategy and offer their opinions, he said.

As such, the BMA resolved never to prolong the reading suddenly, as sufficient people have expressed their opinions.

According to Mr. Wisanu, the BMA’s Department of City Planning and Urban Development will take their views into consideration and submit them for authorization to the BMA’s advisory council on capital planning and the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning.

After that, those affected by the revised template will be able to submit their problems, which will be reviewed by the municipal urban planning committee.

He anticipated that the updated area strategy would be published in the Royal Gazette by the end of the year.

Previously, several organisations, including Thailand Consumers Council (TCC), the Foundation for Consumers, and the Society for the Conservation of National Treasure and Environment ( Sconte ), along with a group of residents affected by the revised plan, petitioned Mr Chadchart to ditch the plan, saying it violates the law and human rights.

Saree Aungsomwang, the TCC Secretary-General, claimed that the program does not address the issues that affect the occupants of the capital’s quality of life.

She stated that the council will file a lawsuit against the BMA if the BMA does n’t adjust the plan within 30 days.

New alliance expected to begin operations on September 15.

The new cabinet’s lineup has been finalized and will be submitted for royal approval this year, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday.

She noted that the background and credentials of the 35 applicants have been thoroughly checked after the screening process, and that she anticipated that His Majesty the King would approve of the lineup by the end of the week.

Ms Paetongtarn was selected by the House of Representatives as prime minister on Aug 16 to change her father, Srettha Thavisin, who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court for a “gross morality infraction” over his decision to nominate Pichit Chuenban, a former prisoner, as a PM’s Office secretary.

If the line-up is royally endorsed, the new coalition government led by Pheu Thai will take office on September 15, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

He said that the Council of State, the government’s legal arm, had vetted the qualifications of candidates for the cabinet posts and sent the list back to the cabinet’s secretariat, which will submit it for royal endorsement.

According to government sources, Mr. Phumtham is expected to remain a deputy prime minister while the ruling Pheu Thai Party secured 17 cabinet positions in the new government. He would also serve as defence minister, replacing Sutin Klungsang.

According to the sources, Pichai Chunhavajira is tipped to remain in the position of finance minister while Suriya Jungrungreangkit is expected to keep the positions of deputy prime minister and transport minister.

The sources also said that Somsak Thepsutin is expected to keep his job as public health minister, while Sorawong Thienthong, Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, is expected to become tourism and sports minister, replacing Sermsak Pongpanit.

The Bhumjaithai Party, which is Pheu Thai’s largest coalition partner, will be allocated eight cabinet positions, the sources said, noting the cabinet posts held by Bhumjaithai in the previous government will remain unchanged.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai, will remain in charge as the country’s deputy prime minister and interior minister, while Songsak Thongsri and Chada Thaised will continue to serve as the country’s deputy interior minister. According to the sources, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will continue to serve as the labor minister.

The United Thai Nation Party ( UTN) will be given four cabinet posts, with party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga set to retain the posts of deputy prime minister and energy minister, while its secretary-general, Akanat Promphan, will become the industry minister.

Gen Natthapol Nakpanich, a former secretary-general of the National Security Council, will be appointed a deputy defence minister under the UTN’s quota.

Varawut Silpa-archa, leader of the Chartthaipattana Party, will retain the post of social development and human security minister, while Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, the leader of the Prachachat Party, will remain as justice minister in the new government, the sources said.

According to the sources, Capt. Thamanat Prompow’s faction within the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) will hold three cabinet positions, with Narumon Pinyosinwat tipped to take over as minister of agriculture and cooperatives. As deputy agriculture ministers, it is thought that Itthi Sirilatthayakorn and Akara Prompow will be in charge.

Democrat leader, Chalermchai Sri-on will be natural resources and environment minister while secretary-general Det-it Khaothong will be made a deputy public health minister, the sources said.

Despite opposition from its senior figures, the party joined the coalition.

The southern Land Bridge megaproject will move forward as the government is currently drafting the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill, which is required for the project to continue, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Monday.

The one-trillion-baht project, which will see a shipping shortcut and various supporting infrastructure built to connect Ranong and Chumphon in the South, will carve out an alternative route for cargo ships heading from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand and vice versa. The government is hoping the new shipping lane will not only cut journey times but also stimulate the South’s economy.   

Mr Suriya said the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning (OTP) is in the process of drafting the SEC bill. Once completed, it will forward the draft to the Special Economic Zone Development Policy Committee for consideration.

When endorsed, the bill would then be submitted to the cabinet and the House of Representatives for approval.

The SEC Act is expected to come into effect by September 2025.

Mr Suriya explained that the act will form the blueprint for the further development of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon and Ranong. An SEC office will be established to oversee the development once the act is passed.

He added that the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) expected to wrap up its environmental assessments by the end of next year.

Onep is expected to come up with the design for the land transportation links, namely the motorway and railway connecting Chumphon and Ranong. The designs should be in line with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Environment and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA), said Mr Suriya.

He said the ministry will finish drafting an Investment Management Request for Proposal (RFP) by the first quarter of 2026 and wrap up the selection process for private investors within the following quarter.

The construction is set to kick off in the third quarter of 2026, with the Land Bridge expected to be fully operational in 2030.

Mr Suriya said the government welcomes investors from all countries and that the project will be managed in accordance with good governance practices.

The southern Land Bridge megaproject will move forward as the government is currently drafting the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill, which is required for the project to continue, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Monday.

The one-trillion-baht project, which will see a shipping shortcut and various supporting infrastructure built to connect Ranong and Chumphon in the South, will carve out an alternative route for cargo ships heading from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand and vice versa. The government is hoping the new shipping lane will not only cut journey times but also stimulate the South’s economy.   

Mr Suriya said the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning (OTP) is in the process of drafting the SEC bill. Once completed, it will forward the draft to the Special Economic Zone Development Policy Committee for consideration.

When endorsed, the bill would then be submitted to the cabinet and the House of Representatives for approval.

The SEC Act is expected to come into effect by September 2025.

Mr Suriya explained that the act will form the blueprint for the further development of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon and Ranong. An SEC office will be established to oversee the development once the act is passed.

He added that the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) expected to wrap up its environmental assessments by the end of next year.

Onep is expected to come up with the design for the land transportation links, namely the motorway and railway connecting Chumphon and Ranong. The designs should be in line with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Environment and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA), said Mr Suriya.

He said the ministry will finish drafting an Investment Management Request for Proposal (RFP) by the first quarter of 2026 and wrap up the selection process for private investors within the following quarter.

The construction is set to kick off in the third quarter of 2026, with the Land Bridge expected to be fully operational in 2030.

Mr Suriya said the government welcomes investors from all countries and that the project will be managed in accordance with good governance practices.

A motion in the Senate seeking to have a Constitutional Court judge probed for his remarks about the dissolution of the Move Forward Party was dropped on Monday.

The motion was raised earlier by Senator Nanthana Nanthawarophas over the remark made at a seminar last week by Constitutional Court Judge Udom Sittiwirattham about the now-defunct Move Forward Party (MFP) and its new incarnation, the People’s Party (PP).

At one point in the forum, the judge said half-jokingly that the MFP’s dissolution might not be all bad news, given the latest fundraising by its successor, the PP, which managed to raise millions of baht in a couple of days.

Sen Nanthana said the judge had mocked the dissolved party and behaved improperly, for which he should be probed for an ethical violation. 

The senator called on the Senate to accept the urgent motion and request the Constitutional Court investigate its own judge. 

The motion was debated widely at Monday’s Senate meeting. The majority of members maintained that it was not urgent and that Sen Nanthana should seek a probe against the judge with a relevant independent agency, such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Upper House members agreeing with Sen Nanthana insisted the motion should be adopted.

The disagreement prompted a vote to be called. The motion was subsequently dropped in a vote of 117 to 37.

The popular Thi Lo Su waterfall in Tak reopened on Sunday after two months of closure to allow the natural attraction to recover.

Manot Poniam, chief of Umphang district, who led the reopening ceremony on Sunday, sent off the first set of tourists in an inflatable boat to the famous waterfall in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Regarding plans to limit access to the falls, Amnat Fongchai, director of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, said that the sanctuary now allows only four-wheel-drive vehicles to approach the waterfall due to concerns about the rugged terrain and soft soil along the 25-kilometre route that leads to it. Park authorities will announce later how far into the sanctuary other vehicles can go, according to Mr Amnat.

As the world economy is starting to recover following the slump resulting from the Covid pandemic, more tourists are expected to visit the waterfall in the coming months, Mr Manot said.

Most visitors generally travel along the Mae Klong River to access Thi Lo Su waterfall. The allure of the falls lies in its natural beauty, highlighted by the shroud of mist from Doi Hua Mod peak.

Tourists are attracted by the unique, endemic flowers around the falls, some of which only bloom once a year, according to Mr Manot.

The district chief said a trip to the waterfall also offers tourists the thrill of exploring the sanctuary, which is surrounded by unspoiled nature.

Phakphum Minarin, president of Umphang Tourism and Conservation Promotion Club, said a trip on an inflatable raft to the waterfall along the Mae Klong River is popular with visitors who are keen to take in the spectacular views along the way.

The popular Thi Lo Su waterfall in Tak reopened on Sunday after two months of closure to allow the natural attraction to recover.

Manot Poniam, chief of Umphang district, who led the reopening ceremony on Sunday, sent off the first set of tourists in an inflatable boat to the famous waterfall in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Regarding plans to limit access to the falls, Amnat Fongchai, director of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, said that the sanctuary now allows only four-wheel-drive vehicles to approach the waterfall due to concerns about the rugged terrain and soft soil along the 25-kilometre route that leads to it. Park authorities will announce later how far into the sanctuary other vehicles can go, according to Mr Amnat.

As the world economy is starting to recover following the slump resulting from the Covid pandemic, more tourists are expected to visit the waterfall in the coming months, Mr Manot said.

Most visitors generally travel along the Mae Klong River to access Thi Lo Su waterfall. The allure of the falls lies in its natural beauty, highlighted by the shroud of mist from Doi Hua Mod peak.

Tourists are attracted by the unique, endemic flowers around the falls, some of which only bloom once a year, according to Mr Manot.

The district chief said a trip to the waterfall also offers tourists the thrill of exploring the sanctuary, which is surrounded by unspoiled nature.

Phakphum Minarin, president of Umphang Tourism and Conservation Promotion Club, said a trip on an inflatable raft to the waterfall along the Mae Klong River is popular with visitors who are keen to take in the spectacular views along the way.

Four proposed routes under consideration

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) on Monday began public hearings on four optional routes for the proposed bridge from the mainland to Trat’s popular Koh Chang island.

The first hearing was in Muang district of Trat, and participants supported the project.

They wanted travellers using the bridge to be guided through Muang district, to help support the economic development of the business centre of the eastern province.

The first two route options meet this demand.

They also asked that the bridge toll be lower than the ferry fares, should include lanes for motorcycles and bicycles and have viewpoints on both ends.

Exat representatives agreed that the bridge should also benefit economic growth at the centre of Trat.

Exat deputy governor Katpachon Udomthampakdee told the hearing the bridge would benefit both visitors and Koh Chang residents, who would have easier access to schools and hospitals on the mainland.

Trat governor Nathapong Sa-nguanchit said all sides in Trat were ready to support the bridge.

Mr Katpachon said the four bridge options involved three possible locations on the mainland in Trat and four on the island – three in Ban Dan Mai and one in Ban Khlong Son.

The first two options would both start at the 0.85 kilometre marker on Highway 3156 in Ban Nong Prue village of Laem Ngop district. 

One would be 9.82 kilometres long and reach the island at the 8.55 kilometre marker on Road 10026 in Ban Dan Mai.

The second would be 9.95km long and reach the island at the 6.75  kilometre marker on Road 10026, also in Ban Dan Mai.

The third, 5.90km long, would start at the 2.84 kilometre marker on Road 4006 in Ban Thammachat Lang of Laem Ngop district and reach the island at the 5.30 kilometre marker on Road 10026 in Ban Dan Mai 

The fourth route, 5.59km long, would start at the 3.50 kilometre marker on Road 4006 in Ban Thammachat Lang and reach the island at the 1.90  kilometre marker on Road 10026 in Ban Khlong Son.

The four bridge options would all be elevated and high enough to give ample clearance for shipping, and land on the island in thinly populated locations. The bridge would not affect the coral and seagrass near the island.

Construction of the new bridge is planned to begin in 2029, with the opening in 2033.

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