Barkar Nash (Page 79)

Two states boost hospitality, border relations

When Malaysia assumes the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next month, Anwar Ibrahim has appointed Thaksin Shinawatra as its casual consultant.

The decision was announced by Mr Anwar at a combined press conference with Thaksin’s child, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in Putrajaya on Monday.

According to the Bernama news agency,” I have agreed to appoint ( Thaksin ) as my informal advisor on chairing Asean, along with a team of members from Asean countries in an informal setup.”

After Laos leaves its seat this month, Malaysia may assume the presidency of the Asean.

Ms. Paetongtarn is currently in Malaysia for two days before flying home on Monday.

According to the joint statement released following the meeting, Thailand and Malaysia may examine the possibility of linking their efforts to boost the hospitality sector and commit to moving forward with their efforts to develop borders relations.

Thailand will launch a campaign under the title of” Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism Time” next time, and Malaysia has designated 2026 as Visit Malaysia Time.

The Indonesian prime minister supported the” Six Countries, One Place” program proposed by Thailand because it would benefit the two countries, according to a spokesperson for the lieutenant state, Sasikarn Watthanachan, but the joint declaration stated simply that further discussions needed to be held regarding the Thai initiative.

” The two prime ministers welcomed more conversation by representatives from both countries on the” Six Countries, One Destination “scheme, proposed by Thailand”, it said.

Thailand has pushed for a journey visa-free zone in the Schengen area of the European Union. The six states are Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.

In addition, the two prime ministers hoped to complete a new bridge in the next three decades between the Narathiwat and Rantau Panjang districts, and they also pledged to work together harder on path, bridge, and customs links to promote economic growth.

Additionally, the two nations agreed to press for bilateral trade to attain$ 30 million by 2027.

Thailand and Malaysia both expressed support for the condition in Myanmar, according to the joint statement, adding that Malaysia plans to establish a specific Asean minister in Myanmar when Kuala Lumpur succeeds Laos in this regard.

A man and a person have been detained at a home in Pathum Thani after seizing 435 kilograms of diamond meth.

The glass heroin, aka “ice”, was destined for trafficking through the South to other countries, Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lakbun, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said on Monday.

On Saturday, the detention and seizures took place at a rented home in Pathum Thani province’s Khlong Luang area.

The couple reportedly claimed that they had already made three of the three alleged trips and that they were being paid one million ringgit per trip to bring the drug to Songkhla, in order to accomodate the arresting officers.

According to Pol Lt Gen Phanurat, the crystal meth was brought in by cultural organizations close to the northern boundary for first store before being transported north by pirates from there, including Pathum Thani, in the Central Plain.

Seized “ice” was frequently not for use in Thailand because it was pricey. Indian drug users preferred meth supplements, he said.

Trafficked crystal meth frequently passed through Thailand and Malaysia and then on to different countries like Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the secretary-general said.

Prin Mekanandha, ONCB’s director of cocaine law enforcement, said the seized glass heroin came from the so-called Golden Triangle, where Myanmar, northeastern Thailand and Laos meet. &nbsp,

None of the two suspects who were detained had a normal job or career. They occasionally traveled to the Talad Thai industry in Pathum Thani and drove lorries delivering fruits to various locations, he claimed.

According to Mr. Prin, police located their motions and discovered that they frequently drove pickup vehicles between the Central Plain and the Songkhla county in the south. The detention followed from it.

The two offenders ‘ brands were not disclosed. According to the police, investigators would look deeper into the drug system they were connected to, make more detention, and seize suspects ‘ assets.

Some of the 435 kg of crystal meth found at the couple’s rented home in Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang area on Saturday are the suspects who have been detained. ( Photo: ONCB)

Flooding continued in five southern regions on Monday, affecting at&nbsp, least 128, 000 people, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported.

Director-general Pasakorn Boonyalak said 1, 998 settlements reported flooding in Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Ranong and Surat Thani regions, and 128, 035 families were in difficulties.

In Chumphon, storms were reported in Lamae, Lang Suan, Muang, Pathiu, Phato, Sawi, Tha Sae and Thung Tako towns. The liquid level was declining.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, flood hit Bang Khan, Chalerm Prakiat, Chang Klang, Chua-uat, Chawang, Chian Yai, Chulabhorn, Hua Sai, Khanom, Lan Saka, Muang, Na Bon, Nop Thi Tam, Pak Phanang, Phipun, Phra Phrom, Phrommakhiri, Ron Phibun, Sichon, Tha Sala and Thung Song towns. The ocean was rising.

In Phatthalung, storms were in Khuan Khanun, Khao Chaison, Kong Ra, Muang, Sri Banphot and Sri Nakharin towns. The rainwater was falling.

In Ranong, there was flood Kra Buri, La-un and Muang regions. The liquid level was falling.

In Surat Thani, floods reported in Ban Na San, Chaiya, Don Sak, Kanchanadit, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Muang, Tha Chana and Tha Chang towns. The ocean was rising.

According to Mr. Pasakorn, eight people have been confirmed killed as a result of the flood in the five counties. &nbsp,

So far this southern damp year, flooding has struck 11 southern regions, killed 35 people in total and afflicted 737, 091 families, he said.

Flights also operating, strategy roads heavily congested

Due to severe traffic congestion on flooded streets, travelers are advised to allow at least three additional time for their journey to and from the aircraft. &nbsp,

The airport declared on Monday night that no flights had been canceled and that it remained operational.

But, flood on the streets to the aircraft was serious. Travelers should allow at least three more days for travel to and from the airport. Owners of tiny vehicles were cautioned of the necessity of extreme caution. &nbsp,

The county Nakhon Si Thammarat is the most affected province by the flooding that has occurred along the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern coast. Floodwater&nbsp, ravaged the area and other towns on Monday night.

The Meteorological Department issued a warning on Monday that it would continue to rain all day and have great tides at sea, which would continue until Tuesday.

A little boats caution is in result for the area.

Thailand announced on Monday that it would hold two regional meetings in Myanmar this year, with at least one featuring dictatorship members, as the Malaysian Prime Minister made efforts to restore Myanmar’s status to prominence.

After Thailand in October offered to host casual discussions in order to end the crisis that has gripped Myanmar since a 2021 military coup, foreign secretary Maris Sangiampongsa will keep the individual sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Representatives from Myanmar will attend the meeting on Thursday, which Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nikorndej Balankura said will be a confidential discussion on border surveillance and international violence.

Staff from China, India, Bangladesh, Laos and Thailand, which all share borders with Myanmar, may even go.

On Friday, there will be a foreign minister-level meeting on Myanmar for “interested members” of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( Asean ), including discussing Asean’s” Five Point Consensus” plan for peace in the country, Mr Nikorndej said.

It is not obvious if Myanmar will have any members at Friday’s gathering, and if so at what level.

Asean has merely invited non-political representatives from Myanmar to regional meetings of officials and foreign ministers since the revolt.

Anwar Ibrahim, the head of Asean in 2025, the country’s prime minister, announced on Monday that he was committed to implementing Asean’s peace program, which has made limited progress since it was released in April 2021, shortly after the revolution.

At a combined press conference in Kuala Lumpur with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Mr. Anwar stated without going into further detail that” we are taking steps through dialogues at various levels to assure Myanmar engages, and bring up Myanmar to the forefront of Asean.

Indonesia’s foreign secretary has confirmed that the meeting will take place on Friday.

Since the military coup in 2021 that sparked a nationwide uprising and legal conflict that has ravaged the country of 55 million, conflict has persisted there.

At a conference in October, Asean called for” an immediate withdrawal” of crime and the development of a” conducive atmosphere for the delivery of humanitarian aid and inclusive national speech” that is” Myanmar-owned and -led”.

A flash flood caused by prolonged rain to struck the southern province’s center later on Sunday evening and into Monday day, making numerous roads impossible to cross.

Around 11 p.m. on Sunday, according to reports, the flood started. All bridges in Muang city were&nbsp, 20-70 centimetres under water.

In low-lying areas, storm levels were above one meter.

The Public Relations Department’s Nakhon Si Thammarat company reported on Monday night that Phatthanakan Khu Khwang Road was impassable for smaller vehicles.

Ban Tan-Lan Saka Road and Phutthaphum Road, a road that connects the Ramesuan Bridge and Nakhon Si Thammarat airport, were entirely impassable.

30 cm below water was the entrance to the Nakhon Si Thammarat airports.

Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital, which is located inside the walls of sandbags on Ratchadamnoen Road, which was 50-70 cm underwater, was hampered by rainwater.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand ( MRTA ) reports that the Purple Line southern extension connecting Tao Poon in Bang Sue district to Rat Burana, Bangkok’s southern region, is almost finished.

Chairman Montri Dechasakulsom, joined by committee members and professionals, inspected development on Saturday.

According to him,” We are checking the readiness and safety of the work in accordance with Ministry of Transport policy,” adding that 46.3 % of the work has been completed.

The job, he said, must be carried out under the highest safety standards to reduce accidents.

He advised contractors to assess the state of their equipment and check the safety of the electronic equipment and wires in a location with clear warning signs.

Staff must adhere to health precautions, particularly in densely populated areas, to avoid negative effects on the environment.

The construction of the Purple Line southern improvement is being funded by 82.3 billion ringgit. The total length is 23.63 km, of which 14.29km may be underwater buildings with 10 channels and 9.34km an elevated structure with seven facilities.

The route begins at Tao Poon Station, which is a joint station with the MRT Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line and the MRT Chalong Ratchadham Line ( MRT Purple Line eastern section ).

The range is scheduled to start operating in 2028, he said, and work started in April 2022.