Barkar Nash (Page 57)

110 people from nine countries lured with fraudulent job offers to travel to Thailand

The government is being urged to help 110 victims of human trafficking rings that used Thailand as a transit point for their operations to lure people to do illegal work in Myanmar.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Network for Victim Assistance in Human Trafficking said criminal groups based in Myawaddy, opposite Tak province, had lured 110 people from nine countries with fraudulent job offers to travel to Thailand.

The traffickers promised attractive salaries and helped with the paperwork and travel expenses for the victims, the letter said. However, upon their arrival in Thailand, these people were forced to cross the border illegally to Myanmar via the Mae Sot checkpoint.

Their documents and communication devices were taken away and they were forced to perform illegal activities, it said. Some victims also faced physical abuse, and their captors contacted their families to demand ransom.

The letter said the 110 victims were detained in areas under the control of two armed rebel groups — the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). Of the victims, 36 Filipinos and one Moroccan were held in the areas controlled by the BGF and the others were in the areas managed by the DKBA.

The BGF has been linked to criminal activities including scam call centres that help finance its activities. The DKBA controls parts of Myawaddy where numerous casinos are located.

The Network said the foreign ministries of Bangladesh and the Philippines had also sent requests to the authorities, seeking assistance for their nationals lured by the trafficking gangs.

Citing a May report by the United States Institute of Peace, it said transnational criminal gangs in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos make $43.8 billion each year.

It said the Thai government could not distance itself from the issue because the traffickers used Thailand as a transit point.

“As a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2025–27 term, Thailand can use this to increase its role in defending human rights and coordinating efforts with others in helping victims and combating human trafficking along the border,” said the letter.

National police chief Kitrat assures public of safety as time runs out to bring perpetrators to justice

National police chief Kitrat Phanphet said on Saturday that intelligence reports showed no signs of suspicious activity related to the end of the Tak Bai case.

He was responding to public concerns about possible violence in Bangkok or elsewhere, as the 20-year statute of limitations expired without any suspects being brought to court for the deaths of 85 protesters in Narathiwat province in 2004.

Pol Gen Kitrat said the relevant agencies have been closely monitoring the situation, conducting surveillance and gathering intelligence on any threats or signs of violence involving southern separatist elements or others.

He said he had held talks with other senior police officers who are coordinating intelligence efforts with the military, adding that there is no cause for public concern.

Concerns were raised in the past week about “third-party” groups that might try to stir up violence in the restive Muslim-majority southern border provinces to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the tragedy.

The statute of limitations for the Tak Bai case expired at midnight on Friday after no suspects in the case, including former Pheu Thai MP Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri, then commander of the Fourth Army Region, appeared before the Narathiwat provincial court.

Seven demonstrators died in the Oct 25, 2004 crackdown on protesters in Tak Bai and 78 others later died from suffocation or organ failure while being transported in trucks to a military camp in Pattani province.

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Saturday said authorities have been remaining vigilant to prevent any violence.

The government, he added, would heed the issues raised by the collapse of the Tak Bai case and use them to resolve further issues.

He also defended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s handling of the case, saying the incident took place two decades ago and it would not be right to hold her to account.

Ms Paetongtarn’s father Thaksin was prime minister when the events occurred. He apologised two years ago for the way it was handled but without accepting responsibility. His daughter issued her own apology this week.

Mr Phumtham insisted the prime minister did her best to ensure that justice would be allowed to run its course, but it was not possible for the government to pass an executive decree to extend the statute of limitations for the case.

Mr Phumtham, also the defence minister, said he plans to visit the deep South because he is in charge of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) and the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).

He also urged the public not to link the fatal shooting of a policeman in Pattani on Friday to the Tak Bai anniversary, saying violence in the region is not necessarily related to the case.

Arrival of cool season two weeks later than historical average

Thailand is approaching the cool season, with average lowest temperatures in Bangkok expected to be around 16-18C, and 14-16C in nearby provinces, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.

The cool season in Thailand will officially begin on Tuesday, about two weeks later than the historical average, and will end in late February, said Sukanyanee Yawinchan, the department’s acting director-general.

The season’s arrival is characterised by consistently low temperatures in upper Thailand, dropping below 23C, accompanied by a drop in rainfall.

Ms Sukanyanee said the lowest temperatures this winter are expected to reach 6-8C, mainly in the upper northern and northeastern regions, with a chance of frost in mountainous areas.

In Bangkok, low temperatures are expected to fall to between 16-18C, while surrounding provinces may experience temperatures around 14-16C.

In the southern region, cool weather is expected in some areas, primarily in the upper part, along with heavy rainfall. Winds in the Gulf of Thailand will be strong, with wave heights reaching 2-3 metres, while waves in the Andaman Sea could be up to 2m.

Between November and December, tropical cyclones may approach or move through the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region, potentially bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall to many areas. Waves in the Gulf could reach 3-5m, posing a risk of storm surge. The public is urged to closely monitor Meteorological Department announcements.

Bangkok air alert

In Bangkok, meanwhile, PM2.5 dust particle levels exceeded standard values at 36 monitoring stations on Friday, with the highest concentration recorded in Nong Khaem district, according to the Center for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM).

Due to a cold air mass spreading over the northern region,  the capital has been experiencing still weather conditions from Friday to Sunday, leading to increased dust accumulation in the atmosphere.

The Center has advised the public to help reduce PM2.5 levels by minimising personal vehicle use, checking air quality on the Air4Thai website, wearing masks outdoors, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities.

The Meteorological Department also warned residents north of the Chao Phraya Dam to be alert for rising water levels, with Tropical Storm Trami expected to hit China and Vietnam until Monday.

This will likely bring more rain and gusty winds to some areas in northern, northeastern, central and eastern Thailand. Provinces expected to see heavy to very heavy rainfall include Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phangnga, Phuket, Trang and Satun.

Bangkok may also experience rain, which could help alleviate the dust situation after Sunday.

Branded sporting goods and football jerseys of top clubs among items seized at seven locations

Authorities have seized counterfeit sporting goods worth over 60 million baht during a series of raids across Bangkok.

The operation took place at seven locations in the Pratunam area as well as commercial buildings in Bang Kho Laem, Sathon and Chom Thong districts, where clothing, sportswear and other trademark-infringing products were being sold and stored.

Armed with seven search warrants issued by the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court on Friday, officials raided establishments believed to be key distribution centres for counterfeit goods in the country.

During the searches, they discovered a wide range of counterfeit branded clothing, including sports jerseys from famous football clubs, as well as products bearing trademarked names like Nike, Adidas and Puma. More than 120,000 counterfeit items, valued at over 60 million baht, were seized.

Representatives of the affected brands also observed the operation. The seized goods will be submitted to investigators as evidence for further legal action under the Trademark Act.

14 viewing spots designated along both sides of Chao Phraya River for Sunday afternoon spectacle

People can enjoy viewing the Royal Barge Procession along the Chao Phraya River at 14 designated viewing spots along the river in Bangkok on Sunday afternoon.

The government has invited the public to attend an audience with His Majesty the King to mark his 72nd birthday, which was on July 28, and watch the grand procession, which is being held as part of a royal krathin robe offering ceremony.

The procession will take place from 3pm to 6pm, so would-be spectators are advised to make their travel plans accordingly. People will be asked to present their ID cards or passports at entry venues. Be sure to bring along drinking water, umbrellas, hats and any necessary medicines. 

Fourteen viewing spots have been designated for the public to watch the procession along the river:

• On the riverside at the Bank of Thailand
• Rama VII Bridge (Bank of Thailand Learning Center)
• Under Rama VIII Bridge (Thon Buri side)
• Santichaiprakan Park
• Under Phra Pinklao Bridge
• 60th Anniversary of Thammasat Square, Thammasat University Tha Prachan campus
• Health Park, Siriraj Hospital
• Pridi Banomyong square, Thammasat University Tha Prachan campus
• Sathan Phimuk Garden, Siriraj Hospital
• Tha Chang
• Wat Rakhang Khositaram
• Tha Tien
• Wat Pho Pier
• Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).

The grand spectacle, set against the backdrop of the Chao Phraya River, will start from the Wakusri Pier (Wat Rachathiwat Pier), passing under the Rama VIII and Phra Pinklao bridges and ending at Wat Arun. The total distance is 4.2 kilometres.

The procession will consist of 52 barges with 2,200 oarsmen. The barges will proceed in five rows and three columns, 1,200 metres long and 90 metres wide.

Free bus service

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will provide free shuttle bus service for people to watch the procession. The buses will operate on two routes along the Chao Phraya River from noon to 6pm.

The first route starts from Payap Pier, heading to Thewes Pier, Sanam Luang, Rajinee Pier, the Memorial Bridge, Wat Arun, Siriraj Hospital, Krung Thon Bridge and back to Payap Pier.

The second route starts from Sanam Luang, heading to Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge, Siriraj Hospital, Wat Arun, the Memorial Bridge, and back to Sanam Luang.

Heavy rainfall expected as Tropical Storm Trami approaches region

People in Nakhon Ratchasima have been warned to brace for heavy rainfall due to the influence of Tropical Storm Trami.

The Northeastern Meteorological Centre reported that Trami was about 400 kilometres southeast of Hainan, China, and was moving westward at around 20km per hour on Saturday morning.

The storm is expected to affect central Vietnam near Da Nang between Saturday and Monday but will not directly impact Thailand. However, it may lead to increased rainfall and strong winds in the northeastern region.

Provinces likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall include Nakhon Ratchasima, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani.

Nakhon Ratchasima governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum said he had instructed relevant agencies in all 32 districts to be on alert around the clock and provide timely warnings to residents and timely assistance to those affected.

Currently, water levels in 27 reservoirs in Nakhon Ratchasima are low, with 51.2% of total storage capacity and 28.45% available for use in key reservoirs like Lam Takong.

Status of Tropical Storm Trami on Saturday. (Zoom.Earth image)

In the northern Philippines on Saturday, rescuers raced to reach people still stranded in areas made inaccessible by flooding from Trami, which has displaced nearly half a million people and killed at least 87.

The centre of slow-moving storm, locally known as Kristine, hit Luzon Island on Thursday with winds of nearly 100km per hour (60 miles per hour). Some local officials reported two months’ worth of rain falling in a day.

The storm was moving over the South China Sea on Friday, heading towards Vietnam, but the weather agency warned that Trami could loop back and linger just off the coast of the Philippines next week because of two nearby weather patterns.

Two workers were killed and eight others injured when a chemical tank exploded at a factory in Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri province on Saturday morning.

The explosion was reported at 9.22am, said local rescue workers.

One male worker was found dead near the tank that exploded, but there were no flames.

Nine people were injured and rushed to Kabin Buri Hospital, but one was later pronounced dead. 

According to a police report, a tank containing chemicals exploded at Xiao Xiang Non-Ferrous Metal Company Limited at Bo Thong Industrial Estate. The non-ferrous metal casting factory employed 232 workers — 205 men and 27 women.

Police were investigating.