Senate probes Pita’s assets

On: June 23, 2023

Aspiring PM faces daunting new hurdle

Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward Party leader, right, and Vichian Pongsatorn, chairman of Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), left, cross their arms in an anti-corruption gesture when they met to discuss policies to stamp out graft at the ACT headquarters on Rama I Road on 8 June 2023. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat may face more hurdles in his bid to become the next prime minister as a Senate panel is now looking into issues related to his assets and debts declaration.

This could challenge his qualifications and persuade more senators not to vote for him in parliament.

Senator Seree Suwanpanont, in his capacity as chairman of the Senate committee on political development and public participation, said on Friday the committee had launched a further probe into Mr Pita’s qualifications and his eligibility to contest the May 14 election.

“The committee is seeking information from relevant agencies. It involves issues related to Mr Pita’s assets and debt, which are linked to his qualifications,” Mr Seree said.

On June 8, Mr Seree said political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) member, had petitioned the Election Commission (EC) to look into whether a land plot held by Mr Pita in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Pran Buri district is an asset he inherited from his father, who died in 2006.

Mr Ruangkrai also asked the poll agency to seek information regarding Mr Pita’s assets and debts declaration from the National Anti-Corruption Commission for use in the probe, Mr Seree said.

A source said the latest issue related to Mr Pita involves Oil For Life Co, the business run by Mr Pita’s family, and Mr Pita served as its executive between Oct 5, 2006, and March 6, 2017.

The company runs a loan debt of 460 million baht, and it filed for rehabilitation with the Central Bankruptcy Court after several financial institutions, which are its creditors, took court action to seek debt repayments, the source said.

Mr Seree went on to say 20 senators had expressed support for any prime ministerial candidate from a party that won the most seats in the election.

“But most of those senators did not really mention Mr Pita’s name. As far as I know, some of them who did mention the name of Mr Pita [have subsequently] had a change of heart.”

It involves issues related to Mr Pita’s assets and debt, which are liked to his qualifications, says Seree Suwanpanont, a senator.

The EC is also investigating Mr Pita’s alleged ineligibility to contest the election due to his holding of iTV Plc shares at the time.

Mr Pita, the MFP’s sole prime ministerial candidate, stands accused of being ineligible to run because he held 42,000 shares in iTV, which is believed by some critics to be a running media company, when he registered his candidacy in the past election.

Mr Pita has denied the allegation, saying he only served as executor of the family’s inherited shares.

EC member Thitichet Nuchanart said the EC would invite iTV executives and Mr Pita for questioning.

Mr Thitichet said the EC would also examine more evidence related to the claims, including the record of iTV’s latest shareholder meeting and the transcribed minutes.

A discrepancy between the official minutes from the shareholders meeting and a video of the April 26 event has created further controversy about iTV’s status as a running media company.

Mr Thitichet said more information regarding Mr Pita’s assets declaration made with the NACC would also be needed for the EC’s investigation.

Pol Maj Gen Supisarn Bhakdinaruenart, an MFP list-MP, said the party’s executives instructed members to stop responding to senators who have been critical of the party.

However, he said he believed that talks are underway to seek their support and there are positive signs Mr Pita will gain enough traction to become the next prime minister.

The 250 senators appointed by the now-defunct coup-engineer, the National Council for Peace and Order, can join MPs in electing a prime minister in parliament.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong said his party and the MFP will thrash out which party’s candidate gets the House speaker post on Wednesday.

Illegal villa puts resort under scrutiny

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The hideaway villa has been closed by the authorities. (Photo: Cape Shark Villas)

SURAT THANI: A villa in a Koh Tao resort built without permission has been ordered closed by local authorities, which are further investigating if the resort’s other villas have been built with the necessary permits.

The villa in question, built on a rocky outcrop with direct access to the sea, belongs to Cape Shark Villas, a luxurious resort with over 30 pool villas on its hilltop property in the island’s south.

The 48m² one-storey structure — called the “hideaway villa”– became an issue when a netizen submitted a complaint to the Facebook page of an anti-corruption club in the province, questioning if the villa’s construction was legal.

Surat Thani governor Witchawut Jinto said on Friday that every inch of the iconic Koh Tao island belongs to the Treasury Department.

He said the authorities had ordered all related parties to investigate whether the resort had received permission to build the hideaway villa or even the right to build the resort.

Watcharin Fahsiriporn, mayor of Koh Tao municipality, said the municipality initially found the resort had not sought permission from the municipality before constructing the villa.

The municipality sent an official on Thursday to put an announcement on the villa’s door saying it had to be closed.

Mr Watcharin said the municipality would investigate whether the resort was built without permission. Cape Shark Pool Villa Company was founded in May 2016 with six million baht of registered capital.

Exat touts rest stops project

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) held a market sounding yesterday to invite private companies to invest in the 5.1-billion-baht construction of two rest stops in commercial areas.

Exat governor Surachet Laophulsuk said after the event that the roadside services would be built on properties in the Bang Prong area of Samut Prakan province and the park-and-ride station next to Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani province.

Investors, financial institutions, and public and private companies heard how the rest stop project in Bang Prong area will be situated on Kanchanaphisek expressway (Bang Phli-Suksawat), an area with high traffic volume. It should cost 627 million baht to build and 1.7 billion baht to manage and operate.

The park-and-ride station next to Thammasat University Rangsit Campus, which would function as a hub connecting regional routes, is estimated to cost 706 million baht, with management and operation expected to total 2 billion baht, he said.

“Exat has also developed commercial areas of 4,250 rai, or about 680 hectares, to benefit non-core businesses. Therefore, we are preparing to take the two rest stop areas in a bid for public-private partnership [PPP],” Mr Surachet said.

The PPP should yield a 10% rate of return during its 33-year contract.

NACC brass call in on delayed visitor centre

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Build still not over 6 years after it began

A 29.7-million-baht visitor centre in Kuan Don district of Satun province is under construction amid allegations of corruption. (Photo: Satun public relations office)

SATUN: The provincial National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) office on Friday sent a team to inspect the construction site of a new visitor centre in Kuan Don district after receiving reports of corruption.

The inspection team led by the NACC provincial office director-general Thanakrit Lertwiriyangkoon attended the inspection in person after allegations regarding the 29.7-million-baht construction project were posted on the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand’s (ACT) Watchdog Facebook page on Tuesday.

The post said that the project had started in 2016 after Satun Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) signed a special procurement contract with Kiat Charoenchai Civil Works Partnership Limited (Prt Ltd) to build the centre, to be located near Highway No. 406 in Kuan Don district.

It was said that Kiat Charoenchai Civil Works is actually owned by one of the brothers of a PAO administrative figure.

Despite an original completion target of Dec 22, 2017, specified in the contract, the project remains unfinished more than six years after the original contract was signed.

Kiat Charoenchai Civil Works also signed contracts for related projects worth 12.99 million baht, the post said.

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)’s Satun office director-general Thanakrit Lertwiriyangkoon, centre, leads a team of anti-graft officials to inspect the construction site of a new visitor centre in Kuan Don district of this southern province on Friday after receiving reports of corruption. (Photo: Satun public relations office)

The inspectors reported that they found no signs of progress regarding the construction and a site littered with broken tiles, unfinished toilets, and broken doors. A small number of electricians appeared to be working on the site.

Mr Thanakrit said that the NACC office had requested Satun PAO submit a fresh construction plan, although a final decision about the veracity of the corruption accusations could not be made without further investigation.

On Monday, just a day before the Facebook post, Samrit Siangprasit, chief executive of the PAO, had given a briefing in which he said the construction was ongoing, with the main building 78.9% complete so far.

According to Mr Samrit, despite going considerably over budget, two out of the three phases, including the Geopark Gateway, were ongoing, with the gateway already partially open.

Meanwhile, two contracts regarding the project, both issued in 2019, are being publicised, which the PAO claims prove it had limited the budget to 12.99 million baht with no additional cost, even though the Geopark Gateway was added and the issue regarding the public road was raised.

RID to patent first multifunctional UAV in region

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The Royal Irrigation Department is launching a self-developed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). rid photo

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) will register its self-developed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to obtain a patent, making it the first multifunctional UAV in Southeast Asia.

Prapit Chanma, director-general of the RID, said yesterday the autonomous drone was jointly researched by the department’s Geo-information Division and Office of Engineering Topographical and Geotechnical Survey.

“The drone will assist the RID’s work such as irrigation canal survey pre- and post-flood or remote area survey for dredging. Initially, the department is proceeding with a request for a patent,” said Mr Prapit.

The data collected by the drone will be cited along with the RID’s construction and other projects.

“Aerial imagery from the drone will update the department’s topographical database, benefiting our future irrigation design and construction for Thailand’s water management,” said Mr Prapit.

Moreover, the drone can perform emergency responses, including carrying medical equipment and emergency kits to hard-to-reach areas. Each drone can carry up to 25 kilogrammes.

“In the future, there will be improvements in drone capacity to assist the RID’s missions,” he added.

Wittaya Kaewmee, the RID’s deputy director-general, said the department has four imported drones, costing 2 million baht each, which can only be used for high-resolution aerial imagery.

The department initiated a research project to develop its own cost-effective, multifunctional drone at a budget of just 600,000 baht per drone. It can fly for two hours per operation.

Mr Wittaya said that the RID will contribute the drone’s practical advice to companies listed under Thailand’s National Innovation Agency for cheaper production in the months and years to come.

CU says ‘rejuvenating DNA’ is not yet tested on humans

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Chulalongkorn University (CU) yesterday denied claims that they have been experimenting with “rejuvenating DNA” on people after someone said they had received such treatment there.

The statement issued by both parties stated that rejuvenating DNA was created by a specialist team of CU’s Faculty of Medicine under the REjuvenating DNA by GEnomic Stability Molecules or RED-GEMs project, but it has not yet been applied to humans.

The treatment can allegedly reverse ageing in animals, according to reported laboratory tests. The research team expects the RED-GEMs treatment will be able to treat various age-related conditions and illnesses and, to a degree, restore some youthfulness to ageing societies.

The team said they require approval from a research ethics committee before it can conduct clinical trials. At present, the team does not have sufficient data on the efficacy and safety of the RED-GEMs treatment if it were to be used on humans, the statement said.

The hospital and the university denied using RED-GEMs on any patients.

The treatment was pioneered by Prof Apiwat Mutirangura, a specialist in molecular genetics and epigenetics and the head of the Department of Anatomy of CU.

He announced the success of the use of RED-GEMs on mice last July. The team found that the ageing cells of mice were reversed.

They also discovered that the functions of mice’s brains that had become ineffective could be restored, they claimed.

The team expects to conduct a test on larger animals, including macaques, to study the long-term effects of the treatment before running clinical trials.

Compromise is in order

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Paetongtarn: Signals S112 intentions

Compromise is in order

With every passing day, the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) prospects of successfully forming a coalition government appear to slip further away despite its best efforts to keep calm, according to observers.

They agree that even if an MFP-led coalition takes power, it could easily fall apart on account of potentially disastrous internal strife.

An early sign of such strife involving the MFP and the Pheu Thai Party, the two largest likely coalition partners, is already being played out for all to see.

In a relationship where the MFP needs Pheu Thai more than the other way around, the “marriage of convenience” is doomed to failure, according to some observers.

For starters, while the MFP came away from the election as the biggest party, it is in the minority in terms of what many describe as its hardline political ideology, which the party intends to implement as government policies.

Such a stance is exemplified by controversial and sensitive issues which the MFP has campaigned hard to pursue. At the very top of its agenda is the proposed amendment to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, which is winning the MFP more foes than friends.

The party has had to fend off criticism from its hard-core supporters who chastised the MFP for the “disgrace” it brought on itself by backtracking on abolishing Section 112 altogether.

When it comes to amending the section, Pheu Thai has indicated it far prefers to keep sitting on the fence for as long as possible and maintains it is absolutely opposed to repealing Section 112.

Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, head of the so-called Pheu Thai Family and the party’s No.1 prime ministerial candidate, has said Pheu Thai would consider taking up Section 112 for debate in parliament if and when legislation governing an amendment of the law is put forth. But that is where the party has signalled it will only go regarding cooperation in the matter.

The MFP’s stance on the Section 112 debate has isolated, if not ostracised, the party and being isolated at this crucial juncture is not at all helpful, according to observers.

Political events are approaching, which will break or make the MFP as a ruling party. Tentatively, parliament will convene a meeting a day after it reopens following the election to elect a new House speaker on July 6.

The House speaker election will decide whether the MFP will have a shot at leading the next administration, the observers said.

Both the MFP and Pheu Thai are determined to claim the legislative branch’s top post. The MFP views it as a vital conduit for listing the laws it wishes to push onto the parliamentary agenda, while Pheu Thai argues that as the second-largest coalition partner, with only 10 seats less than the MFP, it deserves the post as much as the MFP.

Several past House speakers have not come from the largest party. After the 2019 election, Democrat Party patriarch and former premier Chuan Leekpai was chosen as House speaker, who also doubles as parliament president, even though the Democrats were the fourth-largest party.

It is customary after parties strike a deal with potential coalition partners to form a government, to enter into a gentleman’s agreement to vote for a House speaker from within their own ranks. That is, assuming no two potential coalition partners are competing for the post.

This time around, the MFP and Pheu Thai are on a collision course, which opens the way for a free vote to elect the new House speaker. If that is the case, there will be no “customary” voting pattern with the MFP and Pheu Thai engaging in an all-out battle for the position.

That said, it is highly likely Pheu Thai’s candidate will garner more support, even from the opposition bloc, than the MFP’s.

Parties, including those from the current government bloc led by the Palang Pracharath Party, find more common ground with Pheu Thai than they do with MFP, particularly over Section 112.

Not only do these parties not see repealing or even amending Section 112 as a priority, but they also believe it could provide a catalyst for mass protests, imperilling the life of a government.

The observers feel that if Pheu Thai manages to land the speaker’s post, it could shatter what’s left of its friendly terms with the MFP, which could endanger the latter’s prospect of securing Pheu Thai’s support for Pita Limjaroenrat, the MFP leader, becoming premier.

The election of the prime minister in parliament has been brought forward after the poll agency certified all 500 MPs ahead of schedule. Without Pheu Thai’s 141 MPs to back his bid, Mr Pita stands no chance of beating the odds to become the country’s next leader.

A bit of give and take

Political parties are gearing up for their first crucial vote now that the Election Commission (EC) has endorsed all 500 newly-elected MPs.

Phumtham: Clarifies speaker remarks

Under Section 121 of the constitution, the first parliamentary session must be convened within 15 days from the day the EC endorses at least 95% of all MPs-elect.

Their first task following the official opening is to choose among themselves the House speaker and two deputies. It is widely speculated that their selection will take place within 10 days of the new parliamentary session convening.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) and the Pheu Thai Party, vying for the speaker post, are still negotiating over who should get to head the legislative branch.

According to observers, it is no surprise that both feel they have the right to claim the role because they are not very far apart in terms of House seats won in the May 14 election.

The MFP, which won 151 seats, insists that as the election winner, it is traditionally entitled to the post. With several key pieces of legislation the MFP is obligated to push in parliament, the party feels the need to secure the gavel.

As for Pheu Thai, which secured 141 seats, the party argues that since the gap in the number of seats won by the two parties is small — only 10 seats — the House speaker post should belong to it.

Moreover, Pheu Thai has many candidates well-versed in laws and parliamentary matters, compared to the “novices” within the MFP’s ranks.

The dispute between the two parties faded from media focus after they decided to settle it through dialogue. However, the issue surfaced again early this week when Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai was quoted as saying his party had agreed to hand the position to the MFP in exchange for two Pheu Thai deputy House speakers.

While Mr Phumtham’s remarks drew praise from some academics and thanks from MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon for respecting the voice of the people who voted for the two parties, some Pheu Thai MPs were angry and did not hide their feelings.

They insisted Mr Phumtham should have discussed and settled the issue within the party first.

Pheu Thai list-MP Adisorn Piangket believed the party was making too many concessions despite the fact that the MFP won only 151 seats, way below a majority in the 500-seat chamber.

Earlier, the veteran politician suggested that if the two parties were unable to reach an agreement over the issue, the matter should be decided by a free vote in parliament.

“We’ve agreed to let the MFP take the prime minister post, and why do we have to bow to their demand for the House speakership? I wouldn’t utter a word if the MFP had a landslide win. They won only 151 seats,” said Mr Adisorn.

According to him, Pheu Thai has tried its best to avoid conflicts with the MFP to keep the bloc intact and prevent the other camp from forming a rival coalition with Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Prawit Wongsuwon as prime minister.

Mr Adisorn said the prospect of a PPRP-led minority government, with 188 seats from the former government coalition, could never be ruled out as long as the Senate is allowed to co-select the prime minister.

“We’ve tried not to stir up conflicts because we’re concerned about a rival coalition. The coalition government may nominate Gen Prawit as the prime minister, and it is possible he gets support from the Senate and defeats the MFP leader,” he said.

However, Mr Phumtham has clarified that he did not mean to say the party was giving up on the House speaker post. As a matter of fact, he was stating the principle that the position should go to the party which won the most votes in the general election.

A Pheu Thai source told the Bangkok Post that the party shows signs of backing down in its fight for the chief legislative post because key figures in Pheu Thai and the MFP can’t see how MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat can overcome obstacles he faces in getting elected as prime minister.

The MFP-led coalition needs support from MPs and senators in order to secure 376 votes in parliament to back Mr Pita’s bid. Given his questionable qualifications, it will be an uphill task to convince the MPs and senators to vote for him.

“The MFP will badly need the House speaker post to compensate for missing out on the PM role. Pheu Thai understands this and will let the MFP have it [the House speaker post],” said the source.

Cops warn about top 10 scams

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) yesterday warned people about the top ten techniques scammers use to fleece victims.

CCIB spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said the bureau wanted to warn people after an upsurge in reported online scam victims.

He said since its online complaint submission centre opened on March 1 last year, about 37,900 people have filed complaints to the bureau, reporting about 4.59 billion baht in total damage.

Scam messages come through many platforms, including short message services (SMS), online ad displays on social media or personal calls promising their victims a high income from easy work online.

According to Pol Col Krissana, the top ten tricks include placing online orders where a scammer will send a link imitating popular e-commerce sites such as Shopee, Lazada or Amazon to victims who are requested to place and pay for orders which they never receive.

Another scam is to click “like” or “share” to earn money. Yet another is to earn money by watching clips on YouTube or TikTok. A fourth trick is to offer payment for reviews of goods or services, while a fifth is adverts seeking to hire someone to spend a night in a hotel.

Other tricks include advertising for packing products, making craftwork at home, boosting viewer numbers online, being fashion reviewers and short video editing for anyone who does not have experience.

All involve the victim parting with money. Often this is to be eligible for “special tasks”, which in turn involve further payments for doing something wrong or not completing the task. The scammers always ask for big amounts of money, and when they receive it, they disappear, Pol Col Krissana said.

He advised people not to apply for jobs through short messages or online ads that offer easy money in return and check Chaladohn.com for blacklisted phone and bank account numbers.

Navy faces 15% kickback claim over B440m AV deal

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Seller threatens to sue FB page, media

The Royal Thai Navy is investigating a claim about irregularities in the purchase of armoured vehicles (AVs) worth more than 440 million baht.

Navy spokesman Adm Pokkrong Monthatphalin said yesterday that navy commander Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet had ordered a probe into a claim made by the CSI LA Facebook Page that some navy personnel demanded a 15% kickback from the supplier.

Adm Pokkrong said the navy has a project to procure seven 8×8 wheeled armoured personnel carriers worth 448 million baht, manufactured by Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co.

The project will be financed by funds from the 2023 fiscal year starting from Oct 1 last year until Sept 30 this year. The manufacturer will have to deliver the armoured vehicles to the navy within 270 days.

Approval for the purchase is being sought from the Defence Ministry, Adm Pokkrong said, adding the project has been scrutinised by several agencies, such as the Anti-Corruption Cooperation Committee for state procurement, as well as a panel of observers.

“The navy has tried to ensure that budget spending is transparent and can be scrutinised. The claim about the 15% kickback is not true,” the navy spokesman said.

Nopparat Kulhiran, the founder of the company, dismissed the claim as baseless, saying it was intended to discredit the company and the navy.

The administrator of the page should disclose the source of the information to prove the veracity of the claim, Ms Nopparat said, adding the company operates its business based on the principle of good governance and transparency.

The company has manufactured and delivered products for use in government defence and security as well as providing maintenance services since 1968, she said, adding that most of its income comes from exports rather than domestic sales.

“The company had sold its products to the Thai military for about 50 years, and our company is also well-known worldwide,” she said.

Ms Nopparat threatened legal action against the CSI LA Facebook Page and any media outlets that shared false information.

“The media has been urged to examine the information first before sharing it. If there is any damage done, the company will reserve its rights to take legal action to protect its reputation,” Ms Nopparat said.

Vendor âextortionâ police surrender

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Two corporals face charges after video shows another variation of police sticker-bribe racket

A food vendor shows off a lion sticker that she said signifies that she paid a bribe to police. (Photo: Still image from PPTV)

Two police corporals suspected of collecting a bribe from a food vendor in Nonthaburi in exchange for a special sticker have reportedly surrendered after a video of them went viral on social media.

The two officers on Wednesday met with Pol Col Sompon Wongsrisunthorn, deputy chief of Nonthaburi Provincial Police, after CCTV caught them with two other men suspected of trying to collect a monthly bribe of 3,500 baht from a fried banana vendor in Bang Yai district.

They denied the accusation.

The vendor was quoted as telling reporters that she was told someone would come to collect money from her on Tuesday. In turn, she would receive a small lion sticker with the word “June” written on it and a signature next to it. With such a sticker displayed where it could be seen, she would not be bothered by the police.

Subsequently, four people who claimed to be police officers visited her shop in a pickup truck to collect the monthly payment. The four, however, refused to get out of the car and drove away after she refused to pay them.

The vendor then filed a report with the Bang Mae Nang police out of concern for her safety.

Pol Col Sompon confirmed that the two policemen were caught on CCTV along with two others, one of whom was identified as Tee, in the pickup truck.

Investigators have pressed charges against the two officers for breaching Section 148 of the Criminal Procedure Code for abuse of power which carries a prison term ranging from 5-20 years and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht. They will also be changed under Section 157 for malfeasance by public officials, which carries a prison term of up to 10 years and/or a fine ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 baht.

Pol Col Sompon said the two officers were not posted at Bang Mae Nang station but are part of an investigation unit that works in various places as and when they are assigned.

He also insisted that the police would take serious action against the two officers if they are proven guilty, as per the instructions of deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, who has demanded that bribery cases be dealt with in a serious manner.

Police are also investigating the other two men.

In a related development, a netizen has posted a video of a conversation with two Vietnamese dried squid vendors about bribe-paid stickers for migrant workers in Nonthaburi.

One of the vendors said he needed to earn about 1,000 baht per day, as he needed to pay eight or nine agencies almost 6,000 baht in total each month. The other said they needed to pay six agencies about 4,000 baht a month.

Once they paid, they said they would be given stickers with various animals on them, such as chickens or ducks. The netizen also shared a picture of a foreign vendor who has stickers with tigers and black panther figures.

“Sticker bribery” has entered the local vocabulary in recent weeks, with more instances of police malfeasance continuing to emerge. Lottery ticket sellers are among those who now claim that special stickers affixed to their display boards will keep the police out of their way.

The sticker racket was first brought to light by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward party list MP-elect. He produced evidence that overloaded trucks with special stickers were not being detained, nor were their drivers ever arrested. The practice had been going on for two decades, he said.

So far, 12 highway police officers out of 40 implicated in the truck sticker bribe scandal have been charged with extortion and misconduct.

Barkar Nash (Page 576)

A bit of give and take