Tourist kills himself at Phuket shooting range

On: June 14, 2023

The Sai Yuan Rawai Shooting Range in Muang district of Phuket, where a Belgian tourist shot himself dead on Tuesday. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)

PHUKET: A Belgian tourist shot himself dead at a shooting range in Muang district on Tuesday afternoon.

The shooting was reported to police about 2.40pm, said Pol Col Ekarat Plaidung, superintendent of Chalong police station. It occurred at the Sai Yuan shooting range at Moo 7 village in tambon Rawai.

Police sent to the scene were accompanied by doctors from Vachira Phuket Hospital and charity foundation rescuers.

They were directed to the body of a Belgian tourist, identified as Christian Richard Cerfontaine, 52, lying dead on the ground with a bullet wound in the forehead.

The police found on him a notice from Phuket immigration office that he had overstayed more than 90 days in the country.

Witnesses said the man arrived at the shooting range on a motorcycle, rented a gun and then shot himself.

The man’s body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for autopsy. The Belgian embassy was informed.

The police investigation was continuing.

Ailing elephant’s return flight date not locked in

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will decide on June 28 if the ailing male Thai elephant in Sri Lanka is ready to take a six-hour flight to Chiang Mai.

Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said on Tuesday that a Thai caretaker team comprising veterinarians and two mahouts have been preparing the elephant to bring it back home since they arrived in Sri Lanka on June 9.

The elephant was one of three that Thailand sent as goodwill ambassadors to the South Asian nation in 2001. According to a complaint by Rally for Animal Rights and the Environment, the elephant has been mistreated for years while the two other elephants are in good health.

Mr Varawut said the caretaker team recently sent their latest update report, including videos and photos of Sak Surin, to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP), which showed that the elephant’s health has improved.

“We have received a positive reaction from Sak Surin. The mahouts are training the elephant to be familiar with going in, out and staying in a cage and also practising lifting the cage,” he said.

“What we are worried about is whether Sak Surin will be fit enough to fly,” Mr Varawut said.

A final decision will be made by the minister and the caretaker team about flying the elephant back to Thailand on June 28, he said.

If all goes well, Sak Surin will arrive at Chiang Mai Airport on July 2, said the minister.

The elephant will be placed under quarantine for 14 days either at the Chiang Mai Zoo or the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang, depending on his condition after the flight, he said.

Peta monkey claims still hurt sellers

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

A monkey is trained to pick coconuts in Surat Thani province. (File photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

A group of Thai coconut milk producers has urged the government to act fast and hire a lobbyist to move against Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) after the animal rights group made fresh accusations concerning domestic farmers’ treatment of monkeys.

On Tuesday, Peta tweeted on its account: “Reminder that if you see ‘Thai’ or ‘Thailand’ on a can of coconut milk, leave it on the shelf. The Thai coconut industry kidnaps countless monkeys as babies & later forces them to pick coconuts.”

A source from the Thai food industry said the reputation of Thai coconut milk had been damaged ever since the campaign was launched in July 2020 and repeated last November and has now resurfaced on social media.

He said Thai coconut milk had been banned from the shelves of many department stores and supermarkets in some major countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. HelloFresh, a Germany-based meal kit provider, banned all coconut milk exports from the country in March this year.

This caused huge damage to the Thai coconut milk industry and saw the country lose some of its 80% global market share, the source said.

Despite several attempts by the government, ambassadors and manufacturers to deny the use of monkeys to harvest coconuts, sales of Thai products have remained in the doldrums.

An effort to emphasise the use of machines to collect coconuts, as well as the launch of the “Monkey Free Plus” certification, has not been successful in restoring lost profits across the sector, the source said.

PM updated on nuclear fusion progress

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Fusion future: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha views a mock-up of Thailand’s Tokamak I (TT-1) nuclear fusion energy generator on display at Government House. The technology is considered vital for the country’s sustainable energy aspirations. (Photo: Government House)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is pleased with the development of Thailand’s Tokamak I (TT-1) nuclear fusion energy technology, saying it will play an important role in the country’s sustainable energy aspirations.

Gen Prayut made his remarks at Government House on Tuesday when Anek Laothamatas, minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and Assoc Prof Thawatchai Onjun, executive director of Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), gave a presentation on how nuclear fusion energy is developing in Thailand.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the TT-1 is located in Nakhon Nayok province. It was donated by the Institute of Plasma Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) as a gift from China, which was a gesture to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia that owns a tokamak device, he said.

The TT-1 drives itself using heat from nuclear fusion reactions like what occurs in the Sun, according to the TINT. The device can generate heat up to 100,000 degrees Celsius (°C) when operated, and the temperature can be tipped to reach a million °C in the future.

The spokesman said the Tokamak device would be used to develop one of the country’s sustainable energy sources.

In addition, the technology will be able to be applied to industrial, agricultural, and medical sectors, he said.

He said the premier conveyed his thanks to all related parties, including TINT, Synchrotron Light Research Institute, and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), for cooperating in building a stable energy source and for the development of science and technology to boost the country’s competitiveness.

The premier also said importance needs to be placed on producing skilled personnel in the field of fusion technology and boosting the country’s capabilities in science and engineering.

He said TT-1 is an alternative energy source to assist with climate concerns as it will produce clean energy which is friendly to the environment and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions.

TINT installed the TT-1 in February this year and successfully tested the system on April 21, which is an important step to proceed with a full operation next month, he said.

In the next 10 years, TINT plans to build the country’s first in-house device, which will make the country a hub of fusion technology development, said Mr Anucha.

Chadchart gives himself 5 out of 10

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Governor rates his first year on the job

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt explains his performance in his first year as governor during a presentation at the City Hall on Tuesday, in which he gave himself a score of five out of 10. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt has given himself five out of 10 for his performance in his first year in office.

Brushing aside criticism of his lack of achievements, Mr Chadchart, who won the governor election by a landslide on May 22 last year, said it was a matter of opinion.

He was speaking at an announcement about his first year in office at City Hall on Tuesday.

When asked by reporters to rate his performance as governor, he gave himself a five out of 10 on account of 11 policies that he had been unable to deliver and other policies which were deemed impractical and suspended as a result.

He explained the suspended projects include the plan to set up lactation rooms and mobile libraries in communities.

Among the undelivered policies were those pertaining to traffic and urban economic management, Mr Chadchart said.

He also admitted problems arose involving work between the governor team and City Hall officials. “The officials may have found we’re moving a little too quickly,” the governor added.

More technology will be introduced to bring down any working barriers with the officials and to facilitate public services, he said.

He was also mulling broadening the online services currently available, such as Traffy Fondue, to help with applications for licences.

Traffy Fondue, an app developed in 2021, has been used in several cities, including Bangkok, to lodge complaints to get problems fixed swiftly.

Mr Chadchart said he was adamant his work in the remaining three years as governor would exceed public expectations.

He insisted he assigns equal priority to ground-level projects for communities and large-scale city policies.

A Nida poll on June 4 found that 75% of respondents were happy with Mr Chadchart’s performance, 47% were quite happy, and 27% were very happy. However, 14% said they were quite unhappy, whereas 10% insisted they were very unhappy.

Mr Chadchart said he would not change his current group of top-level executives at City Hall, including the deputy governors he hand-picked.

He added he would see to it that meritocracy is adopted in considering promotions of officials and swift action is taken against unfair transfers.

‘Political vacuum’ sparks jitters

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Delayed govt could ‘slow down’ economy

On the same page: Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat puts on a jacekt of the Federation of Thai SMES on Tuesday as Sangchai Theerakulwanich, the federation president, right, looks on. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

The private sector has expressed concern that any delay in the formation of a new government may have an adverse impact on the economy.

Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said Thai and foreign investors are keeping a close watch on political parties’ bids to form a new government.

“The private sector would like a new government to be formed quickly. Any delays could slow down the economy,” Mr Sanan said.

“It is estimated that the new government may not be able to take shape in August, and the bid to form a government may drag on until September,” he added.

He went on to say that Chinese investors have made up the largest number of foreign companies seeking promotional privileges from the Board of Investment.

Chinese investors are also monitoring the formation of a new government and are waiting to see how it will implement its policies and whether they affect foreign investment, Mr Sanan said.

“The new government should be formed as quickly as possible for the country’s best interests,” he said.

Regarding relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, investors from the two countries are seeking to jointly invest in several projects while more than 200,000 tourists from Saudi Arabia are expected to visit Thailand this year, Mr Sanan said.

Sanan: Investors are watching

Meanwhile, Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat on Tuesday led the party’s economic team to meet for talks with Sangchai Theerakulwanich, president of the Federation of Thai SMEs.

Mr Sangchai said he was glad that he and Mr Pita exchanged ideas on how to steer policies that will benefit the grassroots economy.

Mr Pita also wrote on the federation’s visitors’ book that “I am glad to work with all Thai SMEs to build a strong and equal economic system to promote equality for everyone”.

Supant Mongkolsuthree, deputy leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, on Tuesday voiced concern about debt problems and bad loans among the public, particularly car loans.

During the first five months of this year, more than 90,000 cars were seized by finance companies from customers who defaulted on car loans, said Mr Supant, a former chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.

Currently, there are unpaid car debts worth more than 180 billion baht, he said, adding that the National Credit Bureau recently warned that over the next four months, about 1 million cars might be seized from debtors who have defaulted on loans.

As a result, finance companies will be reluctant to extend loans, and this will affect the car market in the future, he said.

“The new government will have to solve this loan problem urgently. The longer a vacuum of power remains, the more problems people will face. Debts will increase, and there will be fewer opportunities to create new income streams.

“The economy has not been given a stimulus since the election,” he said.

The public and businesses have been pressing the Election Commission (EC) to endorse the results of the election as soon as possible, as the prolonged political uncertainty is hurting investors’ confidence in the country and, thus, the economy.

The coalition partners of the Move Forward Party (MFP), which is expected to lead the formation of the next government as it won the most votes in the May 14 election, are also pushing the EC to endorse the results quickly so they can get on with forming a government.

However, EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong previously said the results are likely to be endorsed well ahead of the mid-July deadline.

Suspension threatens Pita PM bid

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting on May 9. The government’s legal expert says anyone who is suspended by the Constitutional Court pending legal proceedings cannot be nominated for prime minister. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

Anyone who is suspended by the Constitutional Court pending legal proceedings cannot be nominated for prime minister, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.

Amid an ongoing legal case, they cannot be nominated because they would not be able to perform their duties should they be selected, said Mr Wissanu.

He was responding to a question asked apparently in reference to Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s political situation.

Asked why Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, former leader of the now-dissolved Future Forward Party, was nominated during a previous round of selection for prime minister after he was suspended, Mr Wissanu said he understood that Mr Thanathorn was ordered by the Constitutional Court to be suspended two days after the parliamentary vote to select the prime minister was conducted.

After all, Mr Wissanu said, the Section 151 case will take a fairly long time to complete from the EC’s inquiry to the Criminal Court’s consideration, meaning it will be unlikely Mr Pita will face suspension from work before he is nominated.

As for the submission of Mr Pita for royal endorsement in case he wins the parliamentary vote, a new rule prohibits his name being submitted for this while he is facing legal hurdles related to his alleged violation of Section 151, said Mr Wissanu.

Under Section 151, those who apply to run in an election while knowing they are not qualified or prohibited from doing so are liable to a prison term of one to 20 years and a fine of 20,000-200,000 baht. They are also banned from running in an election for 20 years.

Mr Pita said on Tuesday that he and the MFP were aware of attempts to prevent the party from forming a new coalition successfully and stop him becoming the next prime minister.

The party is ready to disprove all the allegations being made in a bid to derail it and its leader, he said.

Meanwhile, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana submitted more documents to the EC on Tuesday about how Mr Pita ‘s ownership of media shares meant he was ineligible when he registered to run for election.

330 MPs-elect get EC nod

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong speaks to reporters on June 9 as he led his team in a ritual and merit-making ceremony at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, where the EC headquarters is located, to mark the body’s 25th anniversary. (Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that 330 MPs-elect in the constituency contest are not facing any complaints, according to a source at the poll agency.

However, the agency has yet to endorse them pending the results of a probe into another 50 constituency MPs-elect, the source said.

The six-member commission on Tuesday acknowledged the initial probe results into the 330 MPs-elect presented by the Office of the EC and found they have no complaints filed against them, the source said.

However, Section 127 of the organic law on the election of MPs stipulates that the EC must endorse at least 95%, or 380 of 400 MPs-elect in the constituency contest, who face no complaints about election law violation or poll fraud.

In light of this, the commission has instructed the office to complete the probe into the rest of the constituency MPs-elect, the source said.

The office is expected to present the inquiry results for consideration at a meeting next week so the commission can endorse the 380 MPs-elect, the source added.

Following the May 14 election, the House will seat 500 elected members — 400 from constituencies and the rest from party lists.

Under the current election rules, the EC has 60 days after an election to certify at least 95% or 475 of all 500 winning election candidates.

The number is enough for the newly elected House of Representatives to convene its first meeting.

Section 121 of the constitution stipulates that the House shall convene its first meeting within 15 days of the endorsement.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister and Chartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa said on Tuesday that he hoped the party’s MPs-elect would be among the first batch of election candidates endorsed by the poll agency.

He said he believed the EC would be able to endorse 95% of election winners ahead of the 60-day deadline in July.

Mr Varawut said the party only has 10 MPs-elect, and they face no complaints.

Air force denies misusing funds on S Korea bomb kits

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The Royal Thai Air Force yesterday defended its procurement of 50-million-baht guidance-extended range kits from South Korea, saying the purchase complies with regulations.

AVM Prapas Sornchaidee, the RTAF’s spokesman, said the kits will be used with 500-pound air-dropped bombs to enhance the air force’s long-range air strike capacity, which is a part of the air force’s country defence preparation plan.

AVM Prapas was responding to remarks made on Monday by Tanadej Pengsuk, a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP-elect who accused the air force of failing to seek certification from South Korea to ensure the kits are compatible with the RTAF’s aircraft.

Mr Tanadej said he had studied a copy of the procurement documentation and found an irregularity which he believed showed that the procurement of the kits served nothing but a desire to spend taxpayers’ money.

Mr Tanadej said he’d learnt that funds had been diverted from a number of projects which are more necessary than the purchase of “these unnecessary kits”.

AVM Prapas insisted the purchased kits, which are still pending a pre-delivery inspection, are compatible with the RTAF’s F-16, F-5 and T-50 aircraft.

The procurement project is suitable for the country’s budgetary situation and is fully in line with the government’s country development policy, he said.

But Mr Tanadej said the procurement would become another controversy, similar to a previous project to develop a Napa application costing 40 million baht.

The air force has failed to clarify the app’s purpose, he said, adding that it had only responded to questions raised over the costly application by saying the purpose of developing the app was strictly confidential.

The app must be completely secret as no air force staff has ever used it, or the costly app is actually useless, Mr Tanadej added.

Cops nab cabbie for B1.2m theft

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 13, 2023

In: South-East Asia

A taxi driver has been arrested for the theft of valuables worth 1.2 million baht, including an expensive Rolex watch, from a Japanese businessman on holiday who went to sleep in his cab after a night out in Bangkok, police said yesterday.

The 45-year-old cabbie, identified only as Sirichai, was taken into custody from his room in Bang Bon district on Monday night. Police searched it and found some of the items reported stolen — an iPhone worth 40,000 baht and a MacBook computer worth 60,000 baht.

Police said the Japanese man reported the theft early last Thursday at Thong Lor station.

Barkar Nash (Page 575)