Barkar Nash (Page 44)

The government has announced 10 pilot provinces to test out ways of combatting issues related to narcotics.

During a visit to the northeastern province of Roi Et, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stressed that drug issues affect not only users and their families but society as a whole.

She said drug problems pose an obstacle to national development and hinder the success of other policies, making this a top priority for the government, which has already announced the initiative to parliament.

Ms Paetongtarn said the anti-drug campaign in Thawatchaburi district of Roi Et and Tha Wang Pha district of Nan in the North have made significant progress, so the government decided to extend the initiative to 10 more provinces.

They are Chiang Mai in the North; Uthai Thani, Pathum Thani, and Prachuap Khiri Khan in the central region; Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom in the Northeast; the eastern province of Rayong; and the southern provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang and Narathiwat.

“These ten provinces will serve as pilot areas for the intensified anti-drug initiative,” she told the meeting on the drug policy, which was attended by national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet and Narcotics Control Board secretary-general Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lakboon.

In September, when the government kicked off its narcotic suppression policy, the Thawatchaburi Model and the Tha Wang Pha Model were both highlighted.

The first focuses on cooperation from the community, suppression and rehabilitation, while the other focuses on a whole-system addiction mitigation approach, including the arrest and seizure of drug dealers’ assets and guiding those who pass rehabilitation to live a normal life.

Ms Paetongtarn on Friday instructed the Office of the Narcotics Control Board to centralise its database for improved data sharing, saying the information will be used to enhance operations and policy implementation.

Regarding efforts to curb the drug trade, the prime minister stressed the importance of asset seizure as a tool in combating the abuse and trade of narcotics.

She also called for strict scrutiny of officials to ensure they are not complicit in this, thus fostering greater public trust and confidence.

On drug rehabilitation, she said the ONCB, local administrative bodies, the Ministry of Public Health, police, and the military will continue working together to support individuals seeking treatment.

Career training is also important because it helps former drug users rebuild their lives with pride, she said, noting the government will prioritise career training in the next meeting.

According to Ms Paetongtarn, the government is fully prepared to support all relevant agencies willing to join forces in tackling the drug problem.

She urged the other provinces to proceed with confidence, saying the success of the anti-drug campaign in Roi Et is proof they can also accomplish the goal.

The Zoological Park Organization has slammed a Buddhist monastery for using the image of “Moo Deng”, the pygmy hippo and social media sensation, to produce Moo Deng trinkets used as sacred objects for wealth.

Mr Attapon Srihayrun, the director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, yesterday addressed the controversy surrounding the monastery’s creation of “Moo Deng, the wealth-blessing hippo” talismans, saying those who believe in the holiness of the objects have misunderstood the pygmy hippo.

He added that Moo Deng possesses no spiritual powers or abilities to bring blessings and wealth. He suggested that Moo Deng’s charm could better serve educational and conservation purposes rather than be used for superstitious practices.

Mr Attapon noted that using Moo Deng’s image on products like clothing and accessories is acceptable. However, he raised concerns about exploiting the animal’s likeness for religious and superstitious beliefs, emphasising that animals have no role in magic or sanctity.

He also asked for help from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the National Office of Buddhism in monitoring such practices to prevent misunderstandings about what is appropriate.

The development came after pictures of monk-led ceremonies blessing Moo Deng figurines and images emerged online.

A monk at the Anant Buraparam monastery in tambon Huai Yai of Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district, who was involved in the ceremonies, clarified that the monastery did not bless the figurines as the public perceived, saying one of his followers brought them to the monastery to give them to the participants of the ceremonies.

The Education Ministry will issue a regulation on scouting attire, allowing children to wear ordinary school attire instead of scout uniforms for scout events.

Education Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob said the National Scout Executive Committee is drafting a ministerial regulation allowing two types of scout uniforms: regular and casual.

Scout uniforms will be made of flexible and durable fabric. The ministry will give schools the freedom to choose whether students can wear school uniforms or other clothing for informal wear.

“This regulation will reduce the burden on teachers and students, as they can use student uniforms for scout activities. In addition, if a school has ethnic students, they can come in their cultural dress,” he said.

Schools in rural areas can also allow students to wear only a scout hat and a scarf with a student uniform to save costs. However, the minister said students are encouraged to wear the traditional uniform for formal events, especially Scout Day.

Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana will lead a Thai army parade on Dec 3 at the Royal Plaza, Dusit Palace, to commemorate His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s 72nd birthday, which was in July.

Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) spokesman Maj Gen Vithai Laithomya said on Friday that the RTARF will hold a grand military parade and oath-taking ceremony to mark His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday. The ceremony will take place on Dec 3 at 4pm.

Maj Gen Vithai said Her Majesty the Queen will lead the Royal Guard’s parade as the Commander of the Royal Guard’s Combined Forces during the ceremony, while Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya will serve as the Commander of the Royal Guard’s cavalry battalion.

He said the ceremony will be preceded by a military performance featuring over 300 personnel from the army, navy, and air force.

The government has insisted it will not grant citizenship to foreigners engaged in shady businesses after it announced plans to issue Thai citizenship to more than 480,000 ethnic people.

Jirayu Houngsub, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, said on Friday that the cabinet had approved the National Security Council’s (NSC) proposal to shorten the process for granting Thai nationality to around 483,000 people.

Mr Jirayu said the plan aims to facilitate applicants in the state’s database for over 30 years rather than considering granting citizenship to foreigners involved in shady businesses and transnational crimes.

According to him, around 825,000 people submitted applications from 1992 to 2023. Of them, 324,000 were granted citizenship, 483,000 remained in limbo, and many passed away during the prolonged security checking process.

Mr Jirayu said the plan aims to simplify the steps and conditions of citizenship issuance, explaining that the current procedure, which involves manual record checks, would take up to 44 years to complete the process for the remaining applicants.

He suggested that the process can be expedited speedily with current advanced technology, such as digitalised data collection and biometric systems.

According to the NSC, the first batch of the remaining applicants, around 340,000, has already completed identity verification and data collection. They will initially receive permanent residency status and wait five more years before they can apply for Thai nationality.

Their political rights, such as the right to vote and run for election, will be granted five years after their naturalisation.

The second group consists of around 143,000 people who were born in Thailand from members of the first group and have official birth records from various locations across the country. Mr Jirayu added that over a million people, primarily from ethnic groups, have already been granted Thai nationality.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the approved proposal will help unlock the full potential of their contribution to Thailand, as those granted nationality and permanent residence will be able to move freely within Thailand to seek educational and employment opportunities and meet Thailand’s dynamic labour needs.

Without such status, stateless people in Thailand face challenges travelling to other provinces for employment opportunities. Under the approved proposal, processing times for nationality and permanent residence will be shortened, and the criteria streamlined. Applicants must demonstrate loyalty to Thailand, good conduct, and no nationality with any other country.

The government’s position over the Koh Kut island dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has been subjected to a smear campaign, said Noppadon Pattama, a Pheu Thai Party list MP.

He warned against anyone spreading false information claiming Thailand had lost the island in Trat under a memorandum of understanding signed with Cambodia in 2001.

“Koh Kut still belongs to Thailand. That’s a fact. No one has ceded the island to Cambodia. I have never heard Cambodia assert territorial claims over Koh Kut,” said Mr Noppadon, a former foreign minister.

“Stop spreading lies that Thailand has lost the island. The government is duty-bound to protect Thai territory, and no one is allowed to cede any land.”

He said anyone who falsely accuses Pheu Thai of ceding Koh Kut or any territory would face legal action.

He said the 2001 MoU, signed by then-foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, served as a framework for negotiations over maritime areas in the Gulf of Thailand claimed by Thailand and Cambodia, as well as matters related to joint development. The MoU provides a framework for diplomatic negotiations based on international law.

Most importantly, the MoU does not affect maritime claims by both countries, as they will continue to retain their respective rights if negotiations fail, Mr Noppadon said.

He further said that negotiations under the MoU must be handled only by the Thai-Cambodian Joint Technical Committee (JTC), which includes representatives from the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, the Energy Ministry, and the military.

He said no other parties are now allowed to join the talks, adding that the prime minister is not involved and that any conclusions from the negotiations must be presented to parliament for review first.

“The government cannot reach any secret deals with Cambodia,” Mr Noppadon said.

He said that the misinformation about Thailand losing Koh Kut to Cambodia is reminiscent of when he was falsely accused of handing Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia when he served as foreign minister.

He said that the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling awarded the temple complex to Cambodia when Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat was prime minister.

“The smear campaign suggesting that any of Koh Kut was ceded to Cambodia is politically motivated with an aim to destabilise the government. All Thais, regardless of their political stance, love their country,” he said.

Koh Kut was thrust into the spotlight when key figures of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) held a press conference on Wednesday to oppose any discussions on joint development of oil and gas resources in the Gulf under the 2001 MoU framework, as it could mean Thailand losing some of its territory.

They said the PPRP would submit an open letter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra asking her to halt the talks. The MoU was signed during her father’s government, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, a former finance minister and PPRP chairman of an academic committee, said the MoU’s contents include a territorial claim by Cambodia, which is against the 1907 French-Siamese treaty, making the entire MoU illegal.

Buri Ram father of three had gone to northern Israel danger zone for higher wages

BURI RAM – The family of one of the four Thai workers killed by rocket fire in Israel was saddened by the death and hopes to see his body returned soon for a religious ceremony at home.

The atmosphere was solemn at the house of Prayad Pilasrum in Nong Phluang village in Krasang district on Friday after his parents and were informed about his death. Their neighbours stopped by to give them moral support and offer them blessing threads.

His wife, Prapai, said she was in shock and could not cope with the sudden loss of the breadwinner of the family.

His elder sister Sulaporn said the family wanted Israel to send the body back as soon as possible for funeral ceremonies and to provide financial compensation.

Prayad, 42, is survived by his wife and three children. He was one of the four Thai workers killed by rocket strikes fired from Lebanon to the border town of Metula on Thursday.

The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv identified the other victims as Akkraphol Wannasai, a native of Udon Thani, Thana Tichantuek and Kaveesak Papanang of Nakhon Ratchasima. Another labourer was injured and his name was not released.

Prayad had made a living by driving a song thaew but decided to seek his fortune overseas after the Covid-19 pandemic which left him and family with little money. Friends in the village had talked about working in Israel and he decided to go.

His mother secured a loan from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives and more from loan sharks, totalling more than 100,000 baht, to pay for travel and other expenses.

Prayad left for Israel in December 2021 but was among the more than 8,000 Thai workers who returned in October last year after the Hamas attack on Israel led to the war that continues today.

Ms Prapai said her husband’s employer in Israel later contacted him about returning to work to complete his contract. He went back and was working in central Israel but his colleagues talked him into moving to work in the dangerous northern area because of higher wages.

She said the family disagreed with his move but her husband wanted to take the risk to earn more money.

His wife did not say when he left for the second trip back to Israel.

One Thai was killed in a car accident during the super typhoon in Taiwan, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said on Friday that the ministry was informed by the Thailand Economic and Trade Office in Taipei that one Thai worker died in a car accident in Nantou city due to the impact of Typhoon Kong-rey, one of the biggest typhoons to hit the island in decades. The deceased was identified as Rungsini Hothiwong. She was from Sukhothai. 

He said the Thai office contacted the Labour Ministry and local authorities in Thailand to inform the family of the deceased and has informed them about compensation.