Poll body ‘can’t make Thaksin testify’

The Election Commission has heard evidence from those who accuse the former prime minister of using excessive political power.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets Pheu Thai members while boarding a train to attend a party seminar in Hua Hin this past weekend. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)
As they board a coach to a group conference in Hua Hin this past weekend, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets Pheu Thai people. ( Photo: Pheu Thai Party )

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is accused of exerting undue control over the decision Pheu Thai Party in a situation where an election commission screen has no authority to order him to make a statement, according to EC president Ittiporn Boonpracong on Wednesday.

The panel’s fact-finding board has already heard from those who complained about Thaksin and Pheu Thai. Thaksin has yet to offer remarks, he said.

He acknowledged that the screen has no control over what happens if Thaksin declines to provide details. All it can do is handle the case with the data available, he said.

But, Mr. Ittiporn urged Thaksin to cooperate so that he can come clean and refute the accusations made against him.

Mr Ittiporn said that when the board gathers adequate knowledge, it will provide its findings to the EC secretary-general, who serves as the secretary of political parties, to determine whether to deal with the situation.

The complaints were lodged by Thai Pakdee Party chairman Warong Dechgitvigrom, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a member of the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ), Noppharut Worachitwutthikun, a former leader of the political group Phirap Khao 2006, and an anonymous individual.

People of Pheu Thai and current and former partnership celebrations meeting Thaksin at his apartment in Bangkok on August 14 when Srettha Thavisin was removed as prime minister by the Constitutional Court, is the main accusation of unwarranted social impact.

At that meeting, members of the coalition party and Thaksin discussed potential substitutes for Mr. Srettha. Moreover, a new prime ministerial member apparently got involved in the selection process.

The meeting’s members apparently settled on 75-year-old Chaikasem Nitisiri, a former justice minister, to take Mr. Srettha’s place. The following morning, however, Pheu Thai people voted to introduce Thaksin’s girl, Paetongtarn, as the next PM.

Thaksin’s press interviews about Pheu Thai and partnership policies were among the data that was presented to support the claims.

Continue Reading

Concern mounts over human trafficking via Thailand

According to MPs, 14 nations are requesting assistance for people who have been escorted to Myanmar’s Mae Sot fraud centers.

Police set up a checkpoint on Highway 12 in Mae Sot district of Tak to combat trafficking of people into neighbouring Myanmar on Nov 27. (Police photo)
On November 27, authorities in the Mae Sot region of Tak established a checkpoint along Highway 12 to stop people from entering neighboring Myanmar. ( Police photo )

14 nations have begun to call on Thailand to support their efforts to free their people who have been trafficked into Myanmar by fraud center gangs, according to two House committees.

Numerous foreigners are now stranded by virtual swindling and human trafficking organizations that operate just across the Moei River from Mae Sot in Tak state. They access Thailand through what one lobbying group refers to as “hell on earth.”

After Fair Party record member Kannavee Suebsang raised the issue at the House’s morning meeting, House Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha called a meeting of the House on Wednesday to set up an immediate meeting. Mr. Kannavee claimed that 14 states had contacted him and asked him for assistance.

Mr. Wan claimed that the ministers of Sri Lanka and Kenya to Thailand have spoken with him about the same issue.

The speaker then called off the committees for committee meetings on Wednesday at 5:30 PM, beginning with the committees for committees on national security, border affairs, nationwide plan, and regional transformation.

The outcomes of the sessions were not promptly made public. &nbsp,

Even though Thailand has mechanisms in place to screen and assist victims of human trafficking, this issue needs to be addressed at its core, according to Mr. Kannavee.

More than 100, 000 immigrants enter Mae Sot each time, he said, so we didn’t catch every one work of trafficking.

On Highway 12 in Mae Sot last month, Mae Sot authorities established a station to stop immigrants from being drawn into illegal work across the borders.

Mr. Kannavee stated that his intention with the discussion in the House was to request that the primary secretary and her deputy in charge of security interests come up with a new, more extensive method to deal with this growing problem.

” We once believed that Thailand was the only country affected by this issue.” It now appears that these international legal syndicates are using Thailand to support their unlawful operations, according to Mr. Wan.

More than 300 citizens from more than 10 countries are being detained and forced to work for online scams and other legal cartels in Myanmar, according to data from The Civil Society Network for Victim Assistance in Human Trafficking.

Myawaddy, the area in question, lies just across the Moei River from Mae Sot and Phop Phra regions of Tak. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army ( DKBA ) and the Karen Border Guard Force ( BGF), who make sizable income from the criminal enterprises, are in charge of a large portion of the area.

The lobbying group claimed to have gathered its data from a variety of options, including the Thai offices of those nations whose citizens have been duped into human trafficking traps.

In Myawaddy, illegal activity includes trafficking Rohingya people and drugs, in addition to internet scams, many of which are run by Chinese citizens. The organization called the Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts “gateways to hell” and claims that Thailand has significantly evolved into a corridor to support these improper operations.

Continue Reading

Man killed by train while filming video content

Police and rescuers at Chulalongkorn Bridge train station in Ratchaburi, where a man making a social media video was run over by a train on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Ratchaburi News Facebook page)
A person making a social media picture was run over by a train at Chulalongkorn Bridge train depot in Ratchaburi on Wednesday night, according to police and volunteers. ( Photo: Ratchaburi News Facebook page )

RATCHABURI- A 53-year-old man was killed and run over by a station on Wednesday morning as he was filming a movie for social media content.

Around 8o’clock in the Muang district’s tambon Na Muang, officers from Ratchaburi place were called to Chulalongkorn Bridge train depot. The rest of Wirote Aranyaket’s severed parts were scattered around the neighborhood, with Wirote Aranyaket lying on the trail.

His broken folded bike, livestreaming equipment, and camera were likewise discovered at the scene.

He was thrown by teach No. 252 flying from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Bangkok’s Thon Buri.

The 58-year-old coach vehicle, Noppadon Ruaenpetch, told police he saw a man sitting quite close to the trail, looking at his phone mounted on a camera. Unwilling to stop, he sounded the vehicle’s whistle as a reminder for him to move ahead. The guy didn’t do that in due course. &nbsp,

According to authorities, the train struck the gentleman and dragged his brain 200 to 300 meters down the line over the river.

Wirote’s family, Wanwadee, told investigators that in the day they had both&nbsp, taken their child to school, which is where she works too. Before returning to their apartment, her father informed her that he intended to create a film to be posted on social media.

Wirote’s phone was discovered by authorities as they searched for a picture of him yelling into the camera close to the songs.

Wirote, an English professor, had website condolence comments on Facebook, TikTok, and Facebook pages about cycling and traveling.

Police found a video Wirote recorded at the scene, which showed him talking to the camera near the track. (Photo: screenshot)

A picture Wirote spoke to the lens near the track that police found on the scene and on his phone was found there. ( Photo: screenshot )

Continue Reading

Court rejects complaint against PM’s handout policy

Low-income earners queue at a bank in Buri Ram province to withdraw the 10,000-baht handout in September. (Photo: Surachai Piraksa)
Low-income workers queue at a bank in Buri Ram territory to remove the 10, 000-baht flyer in September. ( Photo: Surachai Piraksa )

A social blogger’s complaint about the handout scheme by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was rejected by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday, claiming he was never a group that was directly affected.

Sonthiya Sawasdee, who earlier this month claimed the prime minister had not carried out the 10-millibaht digital wallet handout plan as promised, was turned down by the court after receiving a complaint. The Pheu Thai chief is Ms. Paetongtarn.

If the court accepted the situation for trial, the advocate also requested that the court revoke the prime minister’s suspension.

The judge ruled on Wednesday that the complaint was a counterargument to the Pheu Thai Party’s plan, and that the complainant had not been directly harmed or offended by how it was implemented. So, the judge dismissed the complaint.

Mr. Sonthaya previously claimed that the Pheu Thai Party had launched a campaign for votes by promising to provide Thais aged 16 and older with electronic money on a platform worth 10,000 baht. Around 50 million people were reportedly among the recipients, and they were required to use the electronic currency in their home towns.

Otherwise, the state after began giving out 10, 000 ringgit in cash to particular groups of people. People with disabilities and needs have now gotten it. The government plans to expand the handbook to&nbsp, older people.

Continue Reading

Japanese phone scam crims arrested in Pattaya

Police raid a pool villa and arrest Japanese call scam suspects, in Pattaya on Tuesday. (Police photo)
Police attack a pool mansion and assault Chinese call con suspects, in Pattaya on Tuesday. ( Police photo )

Five Japanese men and women are being detained by immigration authorities in PATTAYA, according to the alleged owners of a call scam center that has been defrauding old Japanese people out of about 5 million baht per day.

Pol Maj Gen Panumat Boonyalak, acting director, said the arrests were made in response to a problem from the Chinese embassy. &nbsp,

A scam gang operating out of Thailand was telling elderly Japanese citizens they would receive refunds for past medical expenses worth millions of yen, but they would first need to send them at least 500, 000 yen ( roughly 111, 600 baht ) in order for it to work.

Pol Col Chaya Panakit, the agency’s main interrogator, said emigration police had immediately raided two swimming villas.

They arrested two Chinese offenders, Ukai Takayuki and Hatakana Hajime, at one home. The telephone scam gang reportedly had two men as their boss.

Police also seized 42 cellular phones and tablet laptops, along with swindlers ‘ code, recorded interactions between cybercriminals and victims and survivors ‘ data.

At the next palace, three Chinese suspects were arrested. Pol Col Chaya said Kenjiro Kimura, Takahiro Inoue and Katsuhito Yamaguchi&nbsp, were hired to make the names to prospective patients.

He claimed that at this palace, 37 cellular phones and tablet pcs, lists and information on victims and scammers ‘ accounts, as well as scripts, were seized.

One of the group leaders, according to Pol Col Chaya, was a member of the Chinese Yakuza. Victims had been duped by the crew, earning about 5 million baht, or 24 million yen per day.

He claimed that the crew had Thai contenders running companies to launder the funds.

Continue Reading

Russian fined for Christmas lights on car

The Russian driver's sedan, wrapped in strings of Christmas lights. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
The Russian vehicle’s sedan, wrapped in cords of Christmas lights. ( Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong )

A Belarusian pilot was given a 500 baht fine for covering his vehicle with strings of tiny Christmas lights in PATTAYA. &nbsp,

His brightly lit coupe was spotted and stopped by traffic cops in Chon Buri’s Sukhumvit Road.

The 25-year-old Russian pilot, who gave his name as Ivanov, explained that he was aware it was against the law. He had seen various vehicles in Bangkok that had similar interiors. He simply wanted to celebrate the Christmas-New Time event.

According to the police, they explained the laws to him and gave him a 500 ringgit fine.

Colorful light can mislead other drivers and divert them from the way indicators on the vehicle, according to a caution issued by the police chief, Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch.

Improper car decorations can result in fines of up to 2, 000 ringgit. &nbsp,

Continue Reading

E-visas from all Thai embassies, consulates from Jan 1

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa introduces the Thai e-visa system at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. (Photo: Foreign Ministry)
Tuesday, Thai e-visa program is introduced at the Foreign Ministry by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. ( Photo: Foreign Ministry )

Beginning January 1, foreigners visiting Thailand will be able to use online for an e-visa at Thai embassies and consulates around the world.

The Thai e-visa program would be in operation at all 94 Thai embassies and consulates starting Jan. 1, 2025, according to foreign secretary Maris Sangiampongsa. &nbsp,

Worawoot Pongprapapant, director-general of diplomatic matters, said visitors will no longer had to queue up and report some documents at embassies.

Travelers may quickly and safely apply for visa at website. thaievisa. move. anywhere, anytime, and give Visa fees online using Kasikornbank.

Nevertheless, travellers from some states will still have to present pay pulls at embassies and consulates, Mr Worawoot said.

He said the e-visa program will include tourists, students and staff. Candidates will receive editions of the approved e-visas via internet.

Tourists from 93 nations are not required to apply for visa in progress, and he claimed they may be in Thailand for up to 60 days.

Continue Reading

Senate refuses to back down on referendum

Sticks with dual majority necessity

As expected, the Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of the double majority concept being used in a referendum on the contract amendments on Tuesday.

In a ballot of 153 to 24 with 13 nays, the Senate seconded the quality of a mutual House-Senate council, which earlier stood by the double lot condition.

The House of Representatives, which insisted on forgoing the dual majority rule in favor of a single lot, received a majority of lawmakers ‘ objections.

More than 50 % of voters may take part in the election, and the majority of those who cast their ballots may endorse it, according to the majority rule.

With a solitary lot, a winning voting of any length is deemed appropriate.

Several senators claimed that a referendum may maintain a higher standard in passing or rejecting charter amendments because they are issues of regional significance.

On the other hand, the MPs cautioned against raising the bar very large, which would prevent a charter rewrite.

Even before the mutual committee was established to sort out divergent viewpoints between the two chambers, a majority of lawmakers still voted against the dual majority rule. But, the Senate had its means in the commission, which voted to up the double majority rule.

Senators expressed concern that the election might be rigged by a deliberate attempt to force voters to vote against the twin majority rule on Tuesday.

Sen. Nanthana Nathawaropas questioned whether the dual majority requirement had been supported by some social groups.

She noted that all levels of votes adhere to single-majority standards. ” Why then should a vote be any distinct”? she said.

A second majority was the political norm, according to the senator from the so-called” New Breed” group, and any amendments that would produce a double standard in democracy would not fit into the country’s rule.

Sen Pisit Apiwatthanapong, official of the commission on Senate matters and a part of the mutual House-Senate council, said the twin lot rule applies only to the company of charter amendments.

He stated that he did not believe someone may organize a campaign to deter people from participating in a referendum because it would expose them to criticism for being unfair.

When they meet to discuss the problem on Wednesday, joint council director Nikorn Chamnong said it appears that the majority of MPs may become unyielding in their help for the second majority condition.

If that is the case, 180 days will pass before the election laws is amended.

If the House continues to support its single-majority law, it will be included in the amended election law, thereby facilitating the organization of a vote.

The vote commission and the government give the election its approval, but the organizing process would take 90 to 120 days.

” We’re looking at a running program of 10 and a half weeks at least.

” The first]of three ] elections could be held in January 2026, to be followed by a motion in parliament seeking to amend Section 256 of the constitution”, he said.

In the event of a complete overhaul of the contract, Part 256 pertains to the development of a charter-drafting physique.

Mr. Nikorn was concerned that the procedure wouldn’t be finished in time for the regular congress gathering, which may hold up until the process was re-convented in early July 2026.

Continue Reading

Drug smugglers change tactics

After discovering new methods to promote its vehicles, authorities are tightening their efforts to stop the flow of drugs along Myanmar’s border.

On Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Somjing Koree, Deputy Commander of the 35th Infantry Regiment, and his team inspected the functions of Tak and Mae Hong Son’s drug-suppression products.

He claimed that army products have increased their security capabilities, particularly in Mae Hong Son and some areas of Chiang Mai.

Due to this, the network ‘ businesses slowed down or changed their modes of transportation to some border places in Chiang Rai and the Fang and Mae Ai regions of Chiang Mai state.

Our team found that illegal drugs are also present in large quantities along the frontier, but the transport patterns are different, specifically with the movement of goods and parcels in modified vehicles and buried in agricultural products, particularly in advance of the New Year’s Eve celebration.

Nakhon Phanom, near the Mekong River, is home to a chamber stuffed with cocaine medications. A drug crew was going to pick up the chamber. Pattnapong Sripiachai

Nakhon Phanom, near the Mekong River, is home to a chamber stuffed with cocaine medications. A drug crew was going to pick up the chamber. Pattnapong Sripiachai

He claimed that during 44 detention, including nine conflicts in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Tak, regional authorities seized 47 million meth tablets from October 1 to December 16.

The number of tablets seized was 11 million higher– off 23.95 %– than during the same time next year.

In contrast, about 2, 357kg of crystal methamphetamine, or ya snow, 140kg of cocaine, and 802.86kg of morphine were confiscated, he said.

A 30-liter drum was discovered floating in the Mekong River in the northern province of Nakhon Phanom, which appeared strange.

According to Capt Thanakorn Nalek, chief of the 2103rd Ranger Task Force, they discovered a lot of cocaine tablets were hidden inside after looking at it.

They contacted nearby security companies, including Preecha Suengthong, the Tha Uthen area commander, to do an initial evaluation.

They found 108, 000 meth tablets outside.

A significant amount of illegal drugs were flown down the Mekong River from northeastern Thailand, according to data from security agencies, to prevent police patrols.

They placed a large number of pills in 30-liter plastic drums on fishing boats, timed the trip, and dumped them into the Mekong River so that the wind had finally blow them in the direction of the shore and trick the authorities, he said.

Continue Reading

Amlo seizes billions in major fraud cases

Lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd, 44, greets reporters as he was escorted to the Criminal Court last month. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd, 44, welcomes reporters as he was escorted to the Criminal Court next month. ( Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill )

The Anti-Money Laundering Office ( Amlo ) has announced significant progress in tackling fraud cases, including those involving high-profile lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd, The iCon Group, and Stark Corporation, seizing and freezing assets worth billions.

Following a conference of the invoice council on Monday, Amlo Secretary-General Theppasu Bavornchotidara and official Witthaya Neetham released the findings.

Important details include the arrest and melting of assets related to 12 key cases, generally large-scale fraud, drug-related felonies and virtual gambling networks, comprising over 234 items with profits valued at about 836 million baht.

In the case of prosecutor Mr Sittra and his affiliates, who were charged with fraud and money laundering, Amlo froze three assets, including area, houses, and bank balances, totalling 71 million ringgit.

A full of 122 property and home price about 669 million ringgit were seized from the situation involving Duennapa Kaewkamnerd and her accomplices that were under Amlo’s watch for common fraud.

A Chinese woman and her team are also facing charges of money laundering and fraud in the public. A total of 66 goods, including condominium units and bank accounts, for 78 million ringgit were seized from the situation.

Amlo even confiscated 22 resources, including area, properties and bank balances, amounting to around 81 million baht, of Panuwat Jaiman and partners who were charged with open scam involving money trading.

In the context of the image Group situation, 103 property worth$ 286 million were proposed as state property, and 40 items worth$ 29 million were returned to the claimants who provided evidence of legitimate equity.

Survivors of the case have until Feb 17 to report states, according to Amlo. The company will finally compile a list of claimants and destruction assessments before turning cases over to the civil court to ask for restitution or compensation for victims based on their losses rather than condition appropriation.

Additional activities for the property seized from the situation are being considered by the legal court in connection with Chanin Yensudjai, former president of Stark Corporation. More than 3, 900 victims have been repaid by Amlo, who has turned the case over to the prosecution. This involves 50 assets totalling around 3.24 billion baht.

Continue Reading