Thai govt urged to act on foreign businesses in tourism

Nantana: Asking questions
Nantana: Asking issues

In an effort to shield local firms from unfair competition, the Senate is urging the government to repress nearby businesses owned by regional proxies of foreigners.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that government staff have met with impacted local providers to develop a solution to the issue in a meeting to address Senator Nantana Nantavaropas ‘ question regarding methods to help Thai companies struggling to compete with nominee-run companies.

According to Mr. Sorawong, regional proxies are threatening to rule the tourism industry, which is one of the nation’s biggest foreign trade workers.

The secretary said the first step is to remove international tour guides from all holiday destinations.

According to Mr. Sorawong, the Thai government has the authority to move tourism organizations only. In companies with foreign shareholders, Thai shareholders must hold no less than 51 % of the shares.

To solve the issue, the government will collaborate with the Immigration Bureau, Tourism Police Bureau, Tourism Development Bureau, and the Department of Tourism to conduct an investigation into international companies suspected of employing local nominees.

The minister claimed that despite the large international travel demand, many businesses in the tourism market are struggling, and that potential constraints, which persist after the Covid-19 crisis, are preventing the sector’s recovery.

He claimed that the government is working with carriers to recover flight routes that were eliminated during the pandemic in an effort to boost power for the upcoming high tourism season, which is scheduled to begin next month.

TPB and the Department of Tourism are also working together to end “zero-dollar” travel companies, which, according to him, create a completely separate tourism habitat catering to international tourists from souvenir shops and restaurants.

More than 40 zero-dollar visit organizations have been closed by the government.

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PCD outlines new plan to fight haze

Smog shrouds Bangkok on Oct 8. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Bangkok is covered in dust on October 8. ( Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill )

The Pollution Control Department (PCD ) made its pollution control plans for the upcoming year public, which aim to reduce nationwide hotspots by at least 30 %.

At a press conference on Monday, PCD Chief Preeyaporn Suwanaked revealed that the National Environment Board last month approved a plan for the year to combat cloud pollutants, including preventive steps in forests, agrarian, and urban areas.

Ms Preeyaporn said that the PCD may focus on deployment methods involving car use, including open bus fare cuts, car investigations, and work-from-home orders for urban areas.

In order to stop man-made forest fires in the north and northern regions, the PCD even put together a risk chart of the 14 forest complexes.

She stated that landowners in agricultural regions must file with the government before engaging in fire-related activities.

According to Ms. Preeyaporn,” We have set up our goal to reduce the number of nationwide spots next year by 30 %, compared to this time.”

She stated that the country is currently transitioning to La Nina, which will be in place from September to March of next year. New heavy rain has fallen as a result of the move. In comparison to previous years, a wind such as this may help reduce the number of global hotspots.

Ms. Preeyaporn stated that the division will continue to work closely with the relevant organizations to reduce air pollution because the condition of haze pollution looks better for the upcoming year.

According to PCD Air Quality and Noise Management Division producer Sakda Tridech, good particulate matter is expected to rise next month as a result of a high-pressure program from China.

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PM urged to track down defendants

Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri
Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri

The prime minister, the interior minister, and the federal police chief are all in need of a lawyer, and forty-three non-governmental organizations have signed an opened letter to the government demanding that the defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai murder case be tried before the statute of limitations expires this Friday.

At a conference held on Monday to explain the looming end of the case, which involves a number of legislators and state officials, including former Pheu Thai Party list MP Pisal Wattanawongkiri.

” Twenty years have passed, and righteousness has not been served”, said Surichai Wun’Gaeo, director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Research at Chulalongkorn University.

Angkhana Neelapaijit, a senator and original member of the National Human Rights Commission, said while it is the president’s responsibility to deliver righteousness in the case, it is the friends of victims who have been fighting for justice in court, as the country’s constitutional techniques are moving at a snail’s pace.

” If the Tak Bai case is considered a crime against humanity or genocide, then the case wo n’t expire”, she said, referring to the Friday deadline.

On October 25, 2004, security forces in Tak Bai city of Narathiwat staged a protest asking for the transfer of six prisoners in front of a police station.

Over 80 persons are alleged to have died in the incidents that followed the arrest of activists and their transportation to a military hospital in Pattani.

The PM ca n’t claim that the case was settled by her government because it occurred a while ago, and she ca n’t cite the Yingluck Shinawatra administration’s remedies as proof of closure, Ms. Angkhana said.

” Even Thaksin]Shinawatra] has said he has ]almost ] forgotten]about the massacre ]”, she said.

The government ca n’t hide behind Gen Pisal’s resignation from Pheu Thai, as Sunai Phasuk, an adviser to Human Rights Watch Thailand, said the party will still have to ask why they chose him as an MP in the first place despite his track record.

Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed unease over the use of the Tak Bai situation to justify the government’s position as the criminal.

Law enforcement agencies are working hard to track these suspects and prosecute them, he said, but it is n’t simple to do so.

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Thai PM urged to track down Tak Bai massacre defendants

Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri
Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri

The prime minister, the interior minister, and the federal police chief are all in need of a lawyer, so forty-three non-governmental organizations have signed an opened letter to the president to demand that the defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai murder situation be tried before the statute of limitations expires this Friday.

The looming expiration of the case, which involves a number of legislators and state officials, including Pisal Wattanawongkiri, a former listing MP of the decision Pheu Thai Party, was the subject of the open letter at a conference on Monday.

” Twenty years have passed, and righteousness has not been served”, said Surichai Wun’Gaeo, director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Research at Chulalongkorn University.

Angkhana Neelapaijit, a senator and original member of the National Human Rights Commission, said while it is the president’s responsibility to deliver righteousness in the case, it is the friends of victims who have been fighting for justice in court, as the country’s constitutional techniques are moving at a snail’s pace.

” If the Tak Bai case is considered a crime against humanity or genocide, then the case wo n’t expire”, she said, referring to the Friday deadline.

On October 25, 2004, security forces in Tak Bai city of Narathiwat staged a protest asking for the transfer of six prisoners in front of a police station.

Over 80 persons are alleged to have died in the incidents that followed the arrest of activists and their transportation to a military hospital in Pattani.

The PM ca n’t claim that the case has nothing to do with her administration because it happened a long time ago and cite the Yingluck Shinawatra administration’s remedies as justification for the case’s closure, Ms. Angkhana said.

” Even Thaksin]Shinawatra] has said he has ]almost ] forgotten]about the massacre ]”, she said.

According to Sunai Phasuk, an adviser to Human Rights Watch Thailand, the government ca n’t hide behind Gen Pisal’s resignation from Pheu Thai because the party will still have to explain why they chose him as an MP in the first place despite his track record.

Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed his uneasy feelings about how the government was used to describe the state as the villain.

Law enforcement agencies are working hard to track these suspects and prosecute them, he said, but it is n’t simple to do so.

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Laws set to tighten to fight pyramid schemes

Julapun: 'Scams have evolved'
Julapun: ‘ Schemes have evolved’

In a bid to more conflict pyramid-like techniques, deputy finance secretary Julapun Amornvivat said on Monday that the government is moving forward with the writing of revisions to close gaps in several related laws.

Mr. Julapun claimed that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had assigned various organizations to review essential rules and handle legal flaws, including the Justice Ministry and the Finance Ministry.

Senators ‘ concerns about the extensive harm the image Group’s direct sales scandal had caused, Mr. Julapun was making his comment.

The incident involves several laws such as the 2002 strong sales and strong marketing laws, the 1984 false product regulation, the 1979 consumer protection law, the 2017 computer crime law, the 1999 anti-money laundering law and the Criminal Code.

Mr Julapun said the suggested amendments, again finalised, had been examined by the Council of State and then submitted to the government for acceptance.

Because the government views the situation as serious, he added, the procedure is likely to get little longer than three months at most. The goal is for government to prosecute group officials at every stage of a pyramid scheme, he said, and sanctions are based on the harm that has been done.

The lieutenant finance minister added that adapting to new scam and pyramid schemes is being considered for possible modifications to the bankruptcy laws and the extension of the statute of limitations in related scenarios.

” Schemes have evolved, and there are several types of them. We had near any gaps. We hope that the proposed revisions will help to reduce different forms of fraud, he said.

No extra charges were filed against the 18 defendants in The image Group on Monday, according to associate federal police captain Pol Lt. Gen Akkaradej Pimolsri.

Authorities are still looking into their economic traces, and he said that arrest warrants for a next group of potential suspects have not yet been sought because information is still being gathered.

Earlier, authorities charged the 18 defendants, including Warathaphon” Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul and three stars, with common scams and reportedly entering false info into computer techniques.

They face additional costs of money laundering, false loans and unlawful assembly, according to authorities resources.

Police are still working on several audio clips that were discovered on Mr. Warathaphon’s phone, according to Pol Maj Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ).

Mr. Warathaphon had a number of recordings of discussions reportedly extorting him that were stored on his phone, including those with politicians and activists.

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Zoo reports tourists seen with slingshot to police

A group of Chinese visitors who were spotted in a TikTok videos using a hammer in the shelter have lodged a formal issue with Chon Buri: Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

The film, which had the caption” No sweet at all,” made its way onto social media after being shared by a netizen on TikTok.

A group of Chinese tourists were seen using a hammer in the Tiger Valley area of the zoo, and the TikTok picture depicted a group of tourists who were accompanied by a visit guide.

Krittaphas Intipanya, the zoo’s head of security, stated on Monday that he has been given instructions by park producer Narongwit Chodchoy to report the incident to Sri Racha Police Station in an effort to stop similar incidents from occurring in the future.

According to him, free-roaming monkeys are found at the park, so zoo staff normally carry a hammer as a deterrent to tourists who come too close.

Mr. Krittaphas instructed the park director to report a problem with the authorities because he was worried that travellers ‘ actions might lead to additional instances of animal abuse at the park.

The zoo has also written letters to tour companies to make sure their clients do n’t bring slingshots into the zoo or act in ways that could harm the animals in addition to filing a formal complaint.

This is not the first time that visitors to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo have shown offrocious behavior toward species.

Another TikTok user posted a picture of tourists rinsing while Moo Deng, the park’s renowned pygmy hippo leg, was being filmed throwing shells and pouring liquid on her.

The park’s director was inspired by the incident to impose stricter visitation guidelines and place CCTV cameras around well-known enclosures to protect the animals.

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Thai zoo reports tourists seen with slingshot to police

A group of Chinese visitors who were spotted in a TikTok videos using a hammer in the shelter have lodged a formal issue with Chon Buri: Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

After being shared by a netizen on TikTok, the picture, which had the caption” No sweet at all,” made headlines on social advertising.

A group of Chinese visitors were seen using a hammer in the Tiger Valley area of the zoo in the TikTok video.

Krittaphas Intipanya, the zoo’s head of security, stated on Monday that he has been given instructions by park director Narongwit Chodchoy to report the incident to Sri Racha Police Station in an effort to stop similar incidents from occurring in the future.

According to him, free-roaming monkeys are found at the park, so zoo staff generally carry a hammer as a deterrent to tourists who come too close.

Mr. Krittaphas instructed the park director to report a problem with the authorities because he was concerned that travellers ‘ actions might lead to additional instances of animal abuse at the park.

The zoo has also written letters to tour companies to make sure their clients do n’t bring slingshots into the zoo or act in ways that could harm the animals in addition to filing a formal complaint.

This is not the first time that visitors have behaved cruelly toward creatures at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

Another TikTok user posted a picture of travellers throwing shells and pouring water on Moo Deng, the park’s popular pygmy hippo baby, while she was resting next month.

The park’s director was inspired by the incident to impose stricter visitation guidelines and place CCTV cameras around well-known enclosures to protect the animals.

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New petition targets govt

EC to needle Thaksin ‘ effect’ on parties

Paetongtarn: Not worried by case
Paetongtarn: No worried by circumstance

The Election Commission’s (EC ) decision to investigate allegations that the ruling Pheu Thai Party and five coalition partners had allegedly allowed a non-member to exert influence on a prime minister shrugged off.

The complaints concerned the gathering of influential Pheu Thai, Bumjaithai, United Thai Nation ( UTN), Palang Pracharath ( PPRP ), Chartthaipattana, and Prachachat parties at former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s residence in Bangkok on the day Srettha Thavisin was fired as prime minister.

The Constitutional Court dismissed Mr Srettha on Aug 14 for appointing Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict, as PM’s Office Minister in violation of the law. Later that evening, important members of the six events met to discuss Mr Srettha’s leader.

The six parties were accused of allowing Thaksin, an outsider, to impose unlawful control, thus violating the Political Parties Act, an crime punishable by gathering dissolution.

Before deciding Chaikasem Nitisiri may take the position, coalition parties and Thaksin discussed potential alternatives for Mr. Srettha at the Aug. 14 meet.

Nevertheless, the following morning, Pheu Thai executives convened an urgent gathering and voted for Ms. Paetongtarn to become their primary minister. This resulted in her winning the legislative seat.

When asked about the EC’s research, Ms Paetongtarn, who is also the ruling party president, said on Monday that she was never worried about the situation.

Chousak Sirinil, the party’s deputy president, said the group had now clarified the matter and would take it up when it came up with a response on Monday.

He claimed that the group’s executives and those in charge of gathering affairs had no way of exercising their judgment at the meeting on August 14 because the allegations of unlawful interference were unrelated to the meeting.

When questioned about the rising number of complaints, many of which lacked a justification, and whether preventative measures should be put in place, he said the scenario would serve as a justification for a review of the contract and natural laws.

He claimed that there are laws in place already that hold those who file bogus accusations accountable. He argued that issues for party dissolution will continue to be made unless the whole process is improved.

According to Mr. Chousak, the choices of the relevant public-private organizations determine whether Pheu Thai will pursue legal action against those who made the charges.

Phumtham Wechayachai, a key member of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, expressed no worries about the issues, saying the group and the alliance would let the operation take its course.

He claimed, however, that during her first month in office, Ms. Paetongtarn and her state faced numerous problems. He expressed his hope that the government, which is attempting to revive the economy, wo n’t become incumbered by the situation.

Mr. Phumtham stated that the group would stand up for the accusations and that it had no problems as long as the procedure was transparent and open.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the group’s head, stated on Monday that the group’s executive must approve all of its decisions.

He claimed the prime minister hosted the colloquial meal, and that the coalition party leader had to choose the topics to discuss. The first of these groups since Ms. Paetongtarn’s election took place on Monday at a motel in Bangkok. Before the supper was served, Ms. Paetongtarn was audible talking about mobile cabinet meetings.

The EC may make a decision on whether to investigate or ask the Constitutional Court to break the political parties, according to Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law professor at Thammasat University.

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New petition targets govt parties over Thaksin’s ‘influence’

Election Commission to investigate allegations that Pheu Thai and partnership parties were disbanding.

Thai PM Paetongtarn: Not worried by case
Thai PM Paetongtarn: No worried by situation

The Election Commission’s (EC ) decision to investigate allegations that the ruling Pheu Thai Party and five coalition partners had allegedly allowed a non-member to exert influence on a prime minister shrugged off.

The complaints concerned the gathering of influential Pheu Thai, Bumjaithai, United Thai Nation ( UTN), Palang Pracharath ( PPRP ), Chartthaipattana, and Prachachat parties at former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s residence in Bangkok on the day Srettha Thavisin was fired as prime minister.

The Constitutional Court dismissed Mr Srettha on Aug 14 for appointing Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict, as PM’s Office Minister in violation of the law. Later that evening, important members of the six events met to discuss Mr Srettha’s leader.

The six parties were accused of allowing Thaksin, an outsider, to impose unlawful control, thus violating the Political Parties Act, an crime punishable by gathering dissolution.

Before deciding Chaikasem Nitisiri may take the position, coalition parties and Thaksin discussed potential alternatives for Mr. Srettha at the Aug. 14 meet.

Nevertheless, the following morning, Pheu Thai executives convened an urgent conference and voted for Ms. Paetongtarn to get their prime minister. This resulted in her winning the legislative seat.

When asked about the EC’s research, Ms Paetongtarn, who is also the ruling party president, said on Monday that she was never worried about the situation.

Chousak Sirinil, the party’s deputy president, said the group had now clarified the matter and may take it up when it came up with a response on Monday.

He asserted that the party’s executives and those in charge of gathering affairs lack the independence to practice their judgment at the Aug 14 meeting because it had nothing to do with the allegations of unlawful interference.

False issues

When questioned about the rising number of complaints, many of which lacked a justification, and whether steps should be taken to stop the abuse, he said the situation would serve as a justification for a review of the contract and natural rules.

He claimed that there are laws in place already that hold those who file bogus accusations accountable. He argued that issues for group dissolution will continue to be made unless the whole process is improved.

According to Mr. Chousak, the choices of the relevant public-private organizations determine whether Pheu Thai will pursue legal action against those who made the accusations.

Phumtham Wechayachai, a key member of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, expressed no worries about the issues, saying the group and the alliance would let the operation take its course.

He claimed, however, that during her first month in office, Ms. Paetongtarn and her state faced numerous issues. He expressed his hope that the government, which is attempting to revive the economy, wo n’t become sluggish as a result of the situation.

Mr. Phumtham stated that the group would stand up for the accusations and that it had no problems as long as the procedure was transparent and open.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the group’s head, stated on Monday that the group is not under the control of anyone and that the party’s executive must approve all of its decisions.

When questioned about the casual dining of the coalition functions on Monday, he claimed the prime minister had hosted the event and that she had to choose the topics to discuss. The first of these groups since Ms. Paetongtarn’s election took place on Monday at a motel in Bangkok. Before the supper was served, Ms. Paetongtarn was audible talking about mobile cabinet meetings.

The EC may make a decision on whether to investigate or ask the Constitutional Court to break the political parties, according to Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law professor at Thammasat University.

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Chiang Rai meditation centre under land probe

Forestry officials visit Cherntawan International Meditation Centre in Chiang Rai’s Muang district following reports claiming the centre may have encroached on protected land. (Photo: Chiang Rai Public Relations Office)
Following rumors that the center may possess encroached on guarded land, forest officials visited the Cherntawan International Meditation Center in Chiang Rai’s Muang area. ( Photo: Chiang Rai Public Relations Office )

Following press reports that it may have encroached on forest area, police and forest officials began an investigation of the Cherntawan International Meditation Center in Muang area, which is run by well-known priest Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi, or V Vajiramedhi.

The evaluation of the meditation center in tambon Huai Sak was led by Pol Lt. Gen. Yodsawat Aekkul, examiner of the Central Investigation Bureau’s Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, and Prasit Thachang, director of Chiang Rai’s Forest Resource Management Office 2.

Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi, 51, was unavailable during Monday’s observation as he was apparently in Japan on a yoga journey. The top priest has no intention of going back to Thailand right away.

The Doi Pui National Forest Reserve serves as the location of the yoga center.

The National Office of Buddhism, through the National Office of Buddhism, requested and obtained consent to construct the center on 113 acres of land.

The office was afterwards successful in asking the center to increase its land area by 30 ra, bringing the center’s total land area to 143 rai.

The authorities were able to discover that the center might have expanded beyond what was permitted to handle 190 acres of land. In a national forest supply, it is estimated that the area that the agreement did not cover was around 47 ra.

The research is expected to take 3 to 4 days, according to Mr. Prasit, with progress being made everyday available to the public.

However, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on announced a seven-day date for the conclusion of the fact-finding investigation.

Surachai Achalaboon, director-general of the Royal Forest Department, said that if there are basis for the incident, the prayer heart may become charged with bush invasion under the National Forest Reserve Act.

He claimed that the department may halt the use of the area and order the destruction of the buildings on the land if the center consciously espoused on the property.

After game clips of him preaching to people and important suspects in the image Group fraud went viral, Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi found himself in warm water.

He was criticized for acting “unclergy-like” because his doctrines were widely regarded as encouraging individuals to eke out money.

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