Discounted bus rides for early departures during Songkran

Promotion does not include top-up costs that are added to seat rates.

Travellers leave Bangkok by bus during the Songkran holiday on April 12, 2024. (Photo: Pattarapong​ Chatpattarasil​l)
Travelers take the bus to Bangkok on April 12, 2024 during the Songkran vacation. ( Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasil L)

In an effort to ease road congestion, Transport Co is providing discounted cards for Songkran holidaymakers who leave early and returning after the event.

The state interprovincial bus operator announced that it is offering a 10 % discount on all routes between now and April 3 as well as from April 21 to April 30.

The campaign is exclusive to Travel Co. routes and does not include any top-up fees that may be added to ticket prices.

E-ticket purchases must be made through the company’s site or online program.

During the standard Thai New Year’s Day, April 9 through April 17, according to the state sector overseen by the Transport Ministry, 100, 000 to 120, 000 individuals will travel by international bus from all providers.

The government has given advice to vacationers and extended family members during Songkran to help ease customers gridlock on all roads.

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Myanmar pardons 4 Thai fishermen arrested in November

Paitongtarn applauds the discharge, and staff members are set to leave for Thailand.

Naval patrol vessels dock in Ranong after rescuing the crew from Thai trawlers that were fired upon by three Myanmar warships on Nov 30, 2024. (Photo: Royal Thai Navy)
After rescuing the team from Thai trawlers that three Myanmar warships fired on on November 30, 2024, naval patrol ships left Ranong. ( Photo: Thai Royal Navy )

Following Thailand’s repeated efforts to free the staff of the Thai boat after their imprisonment in November of last year, the Myanmar government has granted reprimand to four of them.

Virot Saphanthong Na Nakhon, Sunam Mongkutton, and two others who have just their first brands, Sonpong and Thavor, were granted pardon by the military coup on Thursday.

Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch Thailand shared the forgive attempt on Friday on the X social media platform. Secretary-General of the State Administration Council ( SAC ), Aung Lin Dwe, signed the decree.

Following an X information from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who welcomed the pardon after learning it from Maris Sangiampongsa, the news came to Mr. Sunai’s post on Thursday.

According to Ms. Paetongtarn,” I am quite pleased after being informed by the foreign secretary on March 27 that the Myanmar authorities had granted pardon to four members of the Thai fishing team based on great relations between Thailand and Myanmar,”

Mr. Sunai thanked the Foreign Ministry for their assistance in negotiating their discharge.

The four Thai nationals were incarcerated in Ranong province’s Kawthaung jail. At the same prison, three Filipinos received clemency as well.

According to the purchase, they are being deported from Myanmar based on bilateral ties and philanthropic concerns. They are scheduled to be doing so immediately.

The Thai sailors were detained by Myanmar on November 30 after their alleged intruders entered disputed waters. One crew member jumped into the water and died after being shot at by Myanmar patrol vessels on the vessels.

151 Thai detainees were released by the Myanmar authorities on January 4. Once more recently, they went through a screening process in Thailand to find out who had been defrauded and who had engaged in active contact center con gang activity.

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Vote-buying claim  preposterous: DPM

Extra seats are certainly necessary, according to Pragert.

Opposition People's Party (PP) leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and his party MPs wave their hands before Wednesday's vote in the House. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)
Before the House vote on Wednesday, opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and his party’s MPs storm their arms. ( Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut )

An MP for the main opposition People’s Party ( PP ) claimed that the government offered him around 10 million baht to win him over to support Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in the no-confidence vote on Wednesday, but Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong has refuted that claim.

There was no need for the partnership to get any additional vote because it already had well over 300 Members, more than enough to get the no-confidence voting, according to Mr. Prasert, who is also the minister of digital economy and society.

Mr. Prasert responded to Mr. Krit’s blog on his Instagram page on Wednesday, which included a picture of the MP’s conversation with people he claimed had offered him 10 million baht in exchange for his voting.

The election period for the two-day censure discussion ended on Wednesday night. Out of the 488 members of parliament, 319 voted for the prime minister, and just 162 voted against her, with seven nays.

Seven opposition parties, excluding the MPs from the government coalition functions, cast ballots for the prime minister. Rampoon Tantiwanitchanon, Thakon Tanthasit, Supaporn Salabsri, Rang Thurapol, Adisuk Kaewmungkunasup, and Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit from the Thai Progressive Party, were among the five MPs from the Thai Sang Thai Party.

In response to the opposition MPs who voted for the prime minister, Mr. Prasert said some may have been persuaded by how Ms. Paetongtarn defended herself and the state in response to the claims. He characterized Mr. Krit’s assertion as unsupported.

He also refuted any suggestion that the criticism MPs who voted for the prime minister did so in order to build ties with the partnership in a bid to presumably join its ranks.

Somsak Thepsutin, the minister of public health, suggested that the opposition does make stronger supporting statements before making irrational claims about vote-buying.

He also criticised Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the opposition leader, for saying he had approached the prime minister after the election to require more precise answers on queries he thought she had not adequately addressed during the debate.

Mr. Somsak questioned whether this behavior was appropriate, claiming that he had never witnessed quite a disrespectful behavior in his 40 years of service in congress.

Mr. Natthaphong approached the PM under the guise of having a picture taken with her, but he later used this as a justification to question her on issues she had previously answered during the discussion, according to Mr. Somsak.

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Somchai loses senator status

Somchai: Barredfrom elections
Somchai: Abandoned by votes

Senator Somchai Lenglak, a member for the BJT in the 2023 general election, was disqualified by the Constitutional Court after the Supreme Court for 10 years for participating in elections due to vote fraud.

According to a statement released by the Office of the Constitutional Court on Thursday, the judge ruled unanimously to end his participation in the Senate and declare his position unfilled on Wednesday.

The same court accepted the petition by the Election Commission (EC ) asking for his disqualification after Mr. Somchai had been suspended from his duties as a senator since December 11th.

Following a Supreme Court ruling on September 23 that found Mr. Somchai innocent of election fraud, the EC made the decision. Mr. Somchai participated in vote-buying and ran for the Songkhla District 9 seats in the 2023 poll.

Thanatphong Wongmulali, the second supply senator from Group 19, was chosen as Mr. Somchai’s replacement after the Constitutional Court’s decision.

Mr. Thanatphong, a merchant from Maha Sarakham state, holds two master’s degrees in public management from Bangkok Thonburi University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Mahasarakham University.

He has over 30 years of direct selling knowledge. According to his biography, he also served as secretary to the consumer safety commission in the House of Representatives during the Senate poll.

He successfully completed a training program organized by King Prajadhipok’s Institute on August 24, 2021, to prepare him for a position as an associate to a member of parliament or an independent MP.

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Govt frets over Uyghur fallout with EU

Problem grows over effect on FTA negotiations.

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong meet with the Imam of the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, during their visit to the Xinjiang region of China to follow up on the status of Uyghur returnees on March 20. (Photos: Government House)
During their visit to the Xinjiang region of China on March 20, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and Vice Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai meet with the Imam of the Card Kah Mosque in Kashgar. ( Photos: Government House )

Working with the unusual and business departments, the Committee on Economic Development is looking into the effects of the government’s imprisonment of Uyghurs in the context of EU free trade agreements.

Représentants from both ministries, affiliated private companies, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC ) and the Federation of Thai SMEs attended a meeting on Thursday to discuss the matter.

Prior to the meeting, Sittiphol Viboonthanakul, a People’s Party ( PP ) list-MP and committee chairman, stated that the deportations would have an impact on Thailand’s international trade dynamics because the EU had condemned the government’s actions. The extent of the effect is not yet known.

He added that it was necessary to assess whether this circumstance might prevent Thailand from signing a free trade agreement (FTA ) with the EU, which is anticipated later this year, and whether it would have an impact on its ongoing efforts to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD ). He added that the conversation had address issues with US industry policies, such as potential higher taxes on Thai exports.

When questioned about whether the government’s proposal to Western ambassadors would help to lessen the effects, Mr. Sittiphol stated that the government would do everything in its power to minimize the impact.

He also emphasized the need for the government to create a strategy to combat trade wars and the potential repercussions if the Thailand-EU FTA is never signed as planned this year.

During the conference, TCC members reportedly claimed that Thailand has consistently adhered to international human rights requirements.

They cited Thailand’s efforts over the past ten years to address global issues like illegal, unidentified, and unrestricted ( IUU) fishing issues.

Additionally, according to the representatives, the Uyghur repatriation situation was not a major source of concern in recent discussions with foreign financial organizations.

Persecution are a popular practice worldwide, they added, citing instances like these in the US and Europe.

They argued that the FTA negotiations should certainly address this subject.

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Casino bill foes step up protests

Protesters demonstrate outside the Govt. House

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announces the cabinet's decision to approve the casino and entertainment complex bill on Thursday. (Photo: Government House)
The commission’s decision to approve the game and entertainment complex expenses is made on Thursday, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. ( Photo: Government House )

Following the commission’s approval of the contentious costs on Thursday, critics of the game and entertainment complex bill have pledged to raise their protests.

A group of about 80 demonstrators gathered in front of Government House on Thursday to protest the act as the case gathered to discuss it. They were a member of a number of organizations that opposed the costs, including the Dharma Army, the Centre of Citizens for the Protection of the Monarchy, and the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Transformation.

Pichit Chaimongkol, one of the protest leaders, claimed that the cabinet is properly forcibly forcing the people to accept the bill despite growing opposition to the move.

Therefore, Mr. Pichit questioned why the government was so eager to pass the Game and Entertainment Complex Bill despite the fact that it wasn’t even mentioned in Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s plan speech to parliament.

The development of pleasures is equivalent to [the government’s promise ] to strengthen the people’s quality of life and well-being, he said, which is the opposite of the government’s commitment to improve the people’s quality of life and well-being.

People’s Party ( PP ) MP Parit Wacharasindhu said the government’s rush to pass the bill despite warnings from opponents sounded like it had a “hidden agenda.”

The authorities is prepared to push the casino-entertainment complicated project through regardless of the adverse effects, he said, noting that the bill wasn’t supported by accurate information and research.

He added that the government hasn’t sufficiently explained how the legislation will benefit the nation or assured the public that it won’t lead to other issues, such as problem.

Outside Government House, protesters demonstrate against the game and entertainment complex's costs. Apichart Jinakul

Outside Government House, protesters demonstrate against the game and entertainment complex’s costs. Apichart Jinakul

Chittawan Chanagul, an economics professor at Kasetsart University, also objected to the coalition’s approval of the invoice, claiming that the government has not given enough thought to the potential negative effects of gambling.

The casino and leisure complex bill was approved by the cabinet on Thursday as part of the government’s effort to boost tourism and establish a constitutional gaming industry.

To provide a game, Thai gamblers may give a 5, 000 bass entry fee and provide proof that they have at least 50 million baht in bank deposits in accordance with the legislation.

The resource requirement for Thai citizens will likely be eliminated, according to deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat, because it would eliminate too many people.

He claimed that officials made the decision to send the draft in its present form and consider possible amendments afterwards.

The bill’s specifics, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, were never written in stone because parliament had the ultimate state.

The House of Representatives will now be given the opportunity to vote on the costs. Before going into consequence, it will also need to be endorsed by the Senate and His Majesty the King.

More public sessions will be held in places where casinos may be constructed, according to government official Jirayu Houngsub. He promised to pay compensation for any bad effects the games might have.

Game users will become prohibited from broadcasting entertainment activities at their locations and tying any casino game activity to any computer system. He added that they will be content to the anti-money fraud laws as well.

The government anticipates attracting at least 100 billion baht in fresh casino and leisure complex investments, and it anticipates a 5- to 10-fold increase in foreign arrivals each year.

About 80 % of the 71,300 polled people in support of the bill, according to Mr. Jirayu, during an online people experiencing conducted on February 28 through March 14.

However, a recent opinion poll revealed that the majority of people are concerned about the adverse effects of playing.

The PP even made the point that legalizing gaming might have a negative impact on tourism if China ultimately discourages its people from visiting Thailand as a result.

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Man slain over motorbike sale

Police take murder suspect Natthawut Meemang, 36, for a crime re-enactment in a forested area in tambon Nong Bua Sala of Muang district in Nakhon Ratchasima on Wednesday. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)
On Wednesday, authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima’s tambon Nong Bua Sala took death think Natthawut Meemang, 36, to a offense re-enactment in the wooded area. ( Photo: Prasit Tangprasert )

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Nearby police arrested death believe Natthawut Meemang, 36, and demanded that he recreate a offense at the location of Jakkarin Charoenpha, 28, who was found dead in a wooded area of the Muang district’s tambon Nong Bua Sala.

When he saw the figure, Mr. Natthawut raised his hands in a prayerful movement before bowing in order to ask forgiveness from the dying.

One of Jakkarin’s older brothers reported missing on December 19th, claiming that the missing person had never heard from him since he last left his house four weeks earlier. Before he vanished, Jakkarin met with his oldest sibling, 33-year-old Narongsak ( also known as Panitphicha ), who identifies as LGBTQ.

Ms. Narongsak and her partner, Mr. Natthawut, who was the principal suspect in the case at the time, were at the time.

Later, police investigators discovered that Jakkarin and Mr. Natthawut engaged in a violent debate that escalated to the point where a gun was fired.

Finally, in response to the arrest warrants issued for Mr. Natthawut and Ms. Narongsak, who are facing charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and unlawful incarceration.

They were detained early on Tuesday and later admitted to having buried Jakkrain’s figure in the bush. They later confessed to the crime.

On Wednesday, authorities took Mr. Natthawut back to the scene and recovered the remains. Ms. Narongsak opted not to attend.

After Jakkarin sold his recently upgraded scooter, Mr. Natthawut claimed that this sparked a heated argument. He shot Jakkarin killed in a suit of anger. The couple then worked to suppress the body’s remains in the bush and get rid of the weapon.

Finally, police added more charges, including camouflage of a corpse and premeditated murder.

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PM keeps mum on stock sale

(Photo: 123RF)
( Photo: 123RF )

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declined to comment on allegations that Pitaka Suksawat, her husband, sold shares in a company but failed to inform the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) about the allegations.

She retorted when investigators inquired about her questioning whether she had been appointed prime minister prior to Mr. Pitaka’s alleged sale of his 16,500 stock of MWP Co.

Next August, Ms. Paetongtarn took over the role. She turned to some nearby ministers to inquire whether the case had thoroughly explained this in parliament after the press release yesterday acknowledged this.

The top continued by saying she would prefer to skip this problem for the time being because the issue is very delicate before waiting for their response.

Ms. Paetongtarn questioned how the property market may be improved now that the country’s economic development program has been amended.

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Singaporean man suspected in local woman’s death

The woman is shown in an undated picture with her Singaporean boyfriend, who is now being sought by the police. TV SCREEN CAPTURE
In an unofficial photo, the girl poses with her Taiwanese boyfriend, who is currently being sought by the authorities. CAPTURE OF A Television Monitor

Prior to her death, a Malaysian man was seen with his Thai partner at a condo building in Bangkok.

According to Pol Maj Gen Noppasin Poonsawat, deputy director of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect may either be in Chiang Rai or may have crossed the Myanmar border.

Two women informed authorities at Thong Lor train on Wednesday that they had lost touch with their companion Praopilat Paladon, a 30-year-old local of Khon Kaen state, on Monday evening.

The people brought a record of their officers objection to the Marque tower on Sukhumvit Soi 39 on Wednesday at 6 p.m., Praopilat’s place of residence in Bangkok.

When they visited Praopilat’s apartment on the 22nd ground, they discovered that the apartment’s door was unlocked and the air conditioning had been turned on.

Therefore, according to them, Praopilat was discovered dead on the bathroom floor, covered in blood, a bedsheet, and a towel.

The two women claimed to Praopilat’s relationship with a 32-year-old Singaporean partner, Daniel, and that she had complained about numerous battles and physical abuse.

About two months ago, the pair moved into the property. According to a search of immigration documents, the suspect had visited Thailand 31 times and spent 10 to 15 days there. His most new remain, however, was one month, even though his card expired on May 28 of that year.

The couple was seen leaving the condo building at 6:42 p.m. in an elevator on Sunday afternoon. The Malaysian man is seen returning the woman to the room at 9.17 p.m. that night.

No one else entered Praopilat’s place other than the pair, according to Pol Maj Gen Noppasin, and she had never left since Sunday, which was her day.

The man was seen returning to the apartment at 12.12am on Monday on CCTV images. The victim’s phone was rang her mother at 10.29 a.m., but she did not return it. The family called again at 9:30 am but was unresponsive.

According to Pol Maj Gen Noppasin, the Malaysian man was present at the time, and authorities did not know who had made the call from Praopilat’s telephone.

The Malaysian man was seen leaving the room on Tuesday night at 3.15 p.m. with his bag. He allegedly entered a dark Mercedes-Benz two days afterwards via a ride-hailing game. After that, police discovered that the car was owned by a dying Thai gentleman in Bangkok.

The person allegedly visited a cafe on Sukhumvit Soi 41 before staying at a resort on Phetchaburi Road. He supposedly met two men that before entering an Isuzu pickup. Eventually, it was discovered that the delivery was heading for Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai area.

According to Pol Maj Gen Noppasin, authorities in Chiang Rai and leaders in the nearby village of Tachileik in Myanmar have been asked to look for the suspect.

Authorities were still unable to apprehend him as of yesterday’s media period.

The woman’s family, who identified herself as Pla, claimed yesterday that she was traveling from Khon Kaen to Bangkok to pick up her mother’s system.

Ms. Pla claimed that since Monday, her phone calls to her child have gone unanswered, so she had asked her mother’s friends to check on her.

According to Ms. Pla, the man first did not respond to her telephone calls and eventually turned off his phone. The gentleman was described as the “husband” of her daughter.

Praopilat and the gentleman were both flown back to Thailand three years ago when Ms Pla claimed Praopilat met the man in Singapore. Praopilat reportedly told the man to quit her job and said he would look after her. He frequently traveled between Singapore and Bangkok.

The family claimed to have witnessed some domestic disputes between the partners, but they were not aggressive.

But, Ms. Pla claimed that her daughter after started sending her photos of bruises on her figure, which Praopilat attributed to the Taiwanese man. The girl claimed that if she vanished, it would be because of him, according to the mother.

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Securities reform gets nod

(Photo: 123RF)
( Photo: 123RF )

A act to improve the effectiveness of regulating stock trading was approved by the government yesterday.

The Finance Ministry’s proposal for a costs was accepted in theory, according to Deputy Government Spokesman Karom Polpornklang.

The costs will be sent to the Council of State for evaluation, he said, and he added that the Department of Special Investigation, the Attorney-General, and the Office of the Judiciary will provide feedback as they work to improve the regulations.

According to Mr. Karom, the cabinet also gave the Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) instructions to develop measures to increase the efficiency of its staff members and work with organizations to investigate allegations of violating the Securities and Exchange Act.

The bill’s essential provisions include strengthening the authority of securities issuers and listed companies, as well as improving the quality of the quality of capital industry professionals.

Additionally, the bill seeks to strengthen constitutional safeguards to prevent possible damages, identify illegal activity, and authorize asset management.

Moreover, it would allow investigations into cases that could have a significant impact on confidence in the economy or the money market, according to Mr. Karom.

The bill establishes fines for non-compliance and mandates that reports on major events been submitted to the SEC. These steps are intended to connect the activities of law enforcement.

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