Barkar Nash – Page 890

Burst of activity in far South

On: November 18, 2023

The army is stepping up efforts to build an electronic fence in Narathiwat to boost security and surveillance along the Thai-Malaysian border as well as speeding up a riverbank protection dam project in the province.

Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang visited Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district on Monday to inspect the projects.

He was accompanied by Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanak, commander of the 4th Army, who also serves as the director of the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc) Region 4.

Electronic fence

The fence project will be undertaken in phases, the first of which will take place in Narathiwat at a cost of about 600 million baht.

Under the project, some 357 CCTV cameras will be installed along the 106km border, including the 80km bank of the Golok River which flows past Waeng, Sungai Kolok, Sungai Padi and Tak Bai districts of Narathiwat. The river lies on the border between Thailand and Malaysia.

Work will start in Tak Bai first because some sections of the river flowing past the district are narrow, making it easy for illegal entry or the smuggling of drugs or contraband goods across the Thai-Malaysia border. The CCTV cameras will support border surveillance.

Lt Gen Santi told Mr Sutin the forward command had sought a budget of 600 million baht for the project, but it only received an allocation of 400 million baht.

Mr Sutin said he recognised the importance of the project and would make sure the rest is made available.

Mr Sutin said Thailand and Malaysia are good neighbours and if any problem occurs, the two countries are ready to hold talks.

Border security cameras

He also stressed the need for security officers along the border to maintain the CCTV cameras from vandalism. Local officials and villagers will also be asked to help look after them.

However, security officers also told Mr Sutin that some locals did not want CCTV cameras near their houses out of privacy concerns. However, authorities explained that the cameras are intended to ensure their safety.

Sources said separatists are likely to target the cameras.

Several types of cameras, such as facial recognition cameras, will be used with a real-time connection to security centres as well as the forward command.

Mr Sutin said the project will boost border security and help prevent the illegal smuggling of weapons, narcotics, migrant workers and contraband. “Local officials should also help look after these cameras because they come from taxpayer’s money,” he said.

Riverbank protection

Meanwhile, a project to construct riverbank protection dams along the Golok River in several districts of Narathiwat has been delayed because bad weather during the monsoon season in the South makes it hard for contractors to move material to the building sites.

In Sungai Kolok district, where the river runs a length of 28 kilometres along the border, only a 17km section of the riverbank protection structure was completed while work on the remaining section has not started yet.

In Waeng district with 46 kilometres of borderline, only a 27km section of the structure was completed while work on the rest has not started yet.

In Tak Bai district which runs a length of 21 kilometres along the border, only a 13.4km section of the structure was completed.

There were also problems stemming from roadworks along the riverbank on the Malaysian side of the border, sources said.

The roadworks involve dumping rocks on the shoreline and the river becomes narrow as a result, causing rushing streams that wear away the bank on the Thai side.

On July 3, Col Okarn Punyasaran, deputy chief of the Thai-Malaysian border coordination centre under the 4th Army, led a delegation to Malaysia’s Kelantan state and held talks to find a solution.

On July 17, Malaysia began removing the rocks from the banks of the Golok River.

Peace talks stalled

Meanwhile, peace talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN) separatist movement appear to have stalled pending the appointment of the new head of the government team negotiating peace in the deep South.

During his visit to Malaysia last month, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim for talks on issues including efforts to restore peace in the deep South. Malaysia has confirmed it is willing to continue to act as a facilitator.

However, the government has not yet appointed the new head negotiator to replace Gen Wallop Raksanoh, appointed by the previous government.

The BRN previously said it was ready to resume talks when the Thai government was formed after the May 14 election.

Another source said that Mr Srettha wanted a civilian to become the new chief negotiator rather than a military officer, but he could not find a suitable person.

Candidates for the role must be well-versed in military affairs, problems in the deep South as well as the structure of the separatist movement, the source said.

However, the PM stressed that he preferred a civilian because he wants the negotiation team to work independently of the 4th Army.

The new chief negotiator is expected to be named soon as the prime minister plans to visit the southern region for the first time later this month after assuming prime ministership.

Previously, the 4th Army would nominate a number of former senior military officers for the role of the chief negotiator.

They include Gen Pornsak Poonsawat, a former assistant army chief; Gen Kriengkrai Srirak, a former assistant army chief; and Rear Admiral Somkiat Phonprayoon, a former secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre.

Democrats hope third time’s the charm

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 19 Nov 2023 at 04:00

The Democrat Party will elect its new party leader on Dec 9 under a foolproof process that it hopes will avoid the lack of quorum experienced in the previous two rounds, according to party spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng.

Mr Ramet confirmed acting party deputy leader Narapat Kaewthong and former poll candidate Watanya “Madam Dear” Bunnag will be in the running for the party’s top post.

The party will convene a meeting at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel that day to choose a replacement for Jurin Laksanawisit, who resigned as Democrat leader following defeat in the May election.

Split by internal disagreement over who should take the helm, the previous two meetings organised to elect a new leader collapsed due to lack of quorum after many members staged a walkout or stayed away.

Yesterday, Mr Ramet insisted the Dec 9 meeting will not be disrupted as the party is recruiting “members in reserve” as a backup should the threat of a similar outcome loom again.

Under party rules, to maintain a quorum, at least 250 of 346 party representatives nationwide — which includes board executives, MPs, former MPs, members, party’s local administrative members — must be in attendance.

The back-up measure was approved at an executive meeting last Tuesday, which picked acting party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on as acting party leader.

He will chair the leadership meeting.

10k wallet policy ‘could backfire’

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Jatuporn says loan plan faces challenges

The government could inflict severe or even fatal wounds upon itself if it pushes the controversial digital wallet scheme, says one of its fiercest critics.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party cannot be trusted to carry out the policy after reneging on promise after promise, Jatuporn Prompan, a former red-shirt leader and co-leader of Kana Lomruam Prachachon (Melting Pot Group), said during a live-stream on Facebook.

Mr Jatuporn was referring to campaign promises by Pheu Thai, particularly its initial pledge not to form a government with former coalition parties under the previous Prayut Chan-o-cha administration.

The Pheu Thai Party later ditched the Move Forward Party (MFP), its pro-democracy ally, to set up a government with Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath and the United Thai Nation Party, the three core parties of the previous administration.

Mr Jatuporn said the government had also revised the wallet policy amid growing criticism, including an about-face on its financing. It now wants to issue an act to allow for half a trillion baht in borrowing to pay for the scheme.

Earlier, Premier Srettha Thavisin said no loan would be procured to execute the flagship policy.

Mr Jatuporn said the proposed loan via an act might run into legal hurdles as it must be carried out within the framework of the State Fiscal and Financial Responsibility Act, which deals with limits for emergency funding.

If the loan was an urgent measure, as the government claimed, it should be obtained through an executive decree, not an act, according to Mr Jatuporn.

An executive decree authorises the government to launch a policy to tackle a crisis at hand and return the policy for parliament’s approval later.

“The government should have opted for the decree, not an act, to justify its cause. It’s just full of contradictions,” he said.

The government has reiterated the urgent need to offer the 10,000 baht handout as a stimulus measure to Thais aged 16 and older who earn less than 70,000 baht per month and have under 500,000 baht in bank deposits.

Based on these criteria, an estimated 50 million people will be eligible — down from the 56 million intended originally.

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the government needs to stimulate the economy, which is the aim of the digital wallet project.

“If we continue to allow the economy to expand by 2% per year while the government maintains a budget deficit of 600-700 billion baht annually, by 2027 the public debt will exceed 70% of GDP, above the ceiling in the fiscal discipline framework,” he said.

He said stimulating the economy so it can expand at an average level of 5% per year will help reduce the public debt-to-GDP ratio in the medium term because when GDP expands, the ratio will narrow.

“If we don’t do anything and allow the government’s public debt to exceed 70%, the country’s credit rating would be derailed,” said Mr Julapun.

However, Mr Jatuporn said some members of the Council of State — which is set to vet the bill seeking to borrow 500 billion baht to fund the scheme — might find the bill falls short of being legal.

“Failing to survive scrutiny by the Council of State, the government’s legal arm, is the least of the political injuries bound to be inflicted on the government,” he said. The more hurtful “wound” would be for the measure to attract inadequate support from coalition parties in parliament, he added.

“The underlying question here is whose fault would it be if the scheme didn’t pull through. Mr Srettha might have to face the music and become the political sacrificial lamb,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, head of the Progressive Movement, said the 500 billion baht earmarked for the policy would be better spent revamping public transport, public health, the environment, and the education and water reticulation systems.

DJ Ko’s hotel death stumps kin

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 19 Nov 2023 at 04:00

A renowned radio broadcaster, Trin “DJ Ko” Ruangkitratanakul, fell to his death from a hotel in Bangkok on Friday afternoon in what is believed to be suicide.

Trin, 36, fell into an area of a house adjacent to the hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 20 in Klong Toey district, said Pol Lt Col Kittichet Kitisarn, investigation chief at Thong Lo station. His fall was reported about 1.30pm. Police and rescue workers found the body near the kitchen door of the two-storey house. Hotel staff told police they heard a loud noise at the fence of the house adjacent to the hotel. They went to check and found the body.

Police said DJ Ko checked into the hotel alone before the fall. CCTV footage at the hotel showed him walking alone to the rooftop and nobody following him. The footage showed him entering and leaving the fire exit door five times before going to the rooftop, where he fell to his death, police said. The officers found his mobile phone, a blood-stained bathrobe, a keycard, cigarettes and a lighter. They are investigating.

His parents and his elder sister said they did not know why Trin took his own life. The family still had doubts about what drove him to make such a decision. The family is waiting for an autopsy report from the Department of Forensic Medicine of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. DJ Ko, of 106.5 Green Wave radio, won the Nataraja Award for best radio entertainment and music programme host.

How two little piggies saved their bacon

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Following last week’s gripping yarn concerning the rescue of Fiona, the loneliest sheep in the world, it seems only fair to report on another tale featuring animals in distress. My thanks to reader Paul Drew for alerting me to the saga of two pigs, Butch and Sundance, who became known in England as the Tamworth Two, belonging to the breed of that name.

It was January 1998 and the two pigs were being unloaded from a truck to meet their fate at an abattoir in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Spotting a gap in a fence the pigs did a runner, only to find themselves confronted by the River Avon. Following in the footsteps of namesakes Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in the movie, the porkers bravely plunged into the river and made it to the other side before trotting off to take refuge in a thicket. For the curious, pigs are natural swimmers.

It must have been a slow news day because the pigs’ escape became a major story in Britain and at one stage there were farcical scenes with nearly 100 journalists tripping over one another in pursuit of the elusive porkers. One newspaper called it “Pigmania”. Their escapade even became a subject of debate in Parliament.

As the pigs continued to evade the police, support for them grew and a campaign began to spare them from the abattoir. The Daily Express adopted a firm stance, boldly announcing the pigs were “too good to eat and too brave to die”. Stirring stuff. The country waited in anticipation.

Porky legends

The pigs were eventually captured after a week on the run. Butch and Sundance naturally became celebrities and the Daily Mail headlined its report “World Oinkslusive!”. There were assorted headlines featuring bacon and ham and with all the popular support there was no way the pigs would end up as pork chops at the butcher’s. So they were taken to a sanctuary where they reportedly spent the rest of their days “mucking about”.

The pigs’ adventure spawned a spin-off for the local economy with cute piggy dolls, greetings cards and children’s books. The ultimate accolade came in 2003 when the BBC released a film drama entitled The Legend of the Tamworth Two.

Buffalo blues

An abattoir story from the 1980s in Thailand which did not have quite such a happy ending featured a buffalo that was among a herd aboard a 10-wheel truck heading for a Bangkok slaughterhouse.

When the truck broke down outside Don Mueang airport, the buffalo decided to make a run for it. The creature was determined not to end up as meatballs in somebody’s soup. After trotting up the ramp and taking bites out of suitcases he ran into the departure lounge. When the passengers saw the buffalo thundering towards them they fled screaming and total pandemonium ensued as the creature charged around the lounge with frantic airport officials in hot pursuit.

Alas, the buffalo was eventually subdued and later continued its inevitable journey to the Great Meatball in the Sky.

Man for all seasons

This week we were greeted with the headline that “winter” has officially arrived in Thailand although perhaps “cool season” is a more accurate term. The temperature has certainly dipped in recent days and as I write this in mid-morning Bangkok it is a most pleasant 28C, but it doesn’t exactly feel “wintry”. So maybe it’s a trifle premature to dig out the balaclavas, fur coats, snow boots and thermal underwear.

Anyway it doesn’t matter what we call it. We all know Thailand has three seasons — Hot, Very Hot and Incredibly Hot.

It was Samuel Johnson who wrote: “When two Englishmen meet, their first talk is the weather.” To keep up traditions I recently had a conversation with another English ex-pat about the meteorological conditions. We agreed that one thing we miss about our home country is the four seasons or, more truthfully, three of the seasons. Promoting the English winter is a bit of a hard sell.

Spring fever

One thing about the UK is that, unlike Thailand, when you go to bed you can never be totally sure what weather awaits the following morning. My preferred season in the UK is spring, although that is possibly influenced by the fact that my last visit was at the height of spring which turned out to be unexpectedly sunny.

I was lucky to experience the Sussex and Dorset countryside where everything was turning green or coming to life. Leaping lambs, buttercups and daisies, blooming bluebells and babbling brooks — it was a poet’s delight.

Spring really sparks a feel-good emotion. Perhaps Thailand should squeeze spring into the calendar after all. Maybe it could be allocated a couple of weeks in the middle of February before it gets too hot. It might even cheer us up.

Fair deal

One reliable sign the cool season has arrived is the annual Ploenchit Fair which takes place next Saturday from 10am to 9pm at Bangkok Patana School on Sukhumvit 105 (La Salle). There is a shuttle-van to the school from Bang Na BTS station (Exit 1). Organised by the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy, it’s a great way to spend the day and the beer goes down easier when you know it’s for charity.

Contact PostScript via email at [email protected]

Chamber of Commerce wants to boost 10 secondary provinces

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 19 Nov 2023 at 04:00

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has called on the government to speed up developing public infrastructure in 10 second-tier tourism provinces, to boost tourism revenue while promoting them as new primary attractions.

The TCC yesterday outlined its development plan, where it also hopes to tackle social discrimination, for the 10 provinces which are currently being selected.

The plan is part of the five-dimensional economic reform scheme proposed to the government in a speech given by the TCC’s chairman, Sanan Angubolkul, at the opening of the TCC’s 41st annual seminar yesterday.

The event, under the theme of “Connect-Competitive-Sustainable”, is being held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec).

At least 1,000 participants from chambers of commerce nationwide, as well as business owners, have joined the three-day event.

Thailand has been “trapped” by its lower income status for a long time despite having a successful past, said Mr Sanan.

“The country welcomed more than 40 million foreign visitors before the pandemic, but that number fell to just 400,000 during the first phase of Covid restrictions being relaxed,” he said.

Long-term reform is now necessary for the country, said Mr Sanan, who added the country cannot rely on the older economic schematics.

Referring to the TCC’s five-dimensional suggestions, he said one was sustainable development for business sectors that, according to Mr Sanan, can cut levels of social discrimination while helping spread income.

One of those included the development plan for 10 secondary provinces which would see both the government and public sectors help with infrastructure and guidance to support economic growth.

More free-trade area designations, such as in the European Union, United Arab Emirates and countries on the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as more foreign investment, were also suggested.

Later on, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai gave a special lecture on a new generation of commerce which enlists private sector help to achieve its goals faster.

The ministry also plans to collate trade and investment reports into one big data set to help investors make sounder decisions, he added.

Officials assess damage after Myanmar quake

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 19 Nov 2023 at 04:00

The Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) has ordered Medical Supportive Emergency Response Teams (MSERTs) to inspect the structures of 14 hospital buildings in areas that felt the tremors of an earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, DHSS chief Sura Wisetsak said yesterday.

The quake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck on Friday morning. The epicentre was 76 kilometres southwest of Kengtung township in Shan State, or about 100km northwest of Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district.

The quake was felt in some provinces in the North and Northeast, as well as some areas in Bangkok.

As the quake damaged some buildings in those areas, Dr Sura said the department had ordered the MSERTs of Health Service Support Centres 1 and 8 to inspect buildings at hospitals in Chiang Rai (11), Chiang Mai (2; San Sai Hospital and Chiang Dao Hospital), and Sakhon Nakorn (1; Sakhon Nakorn Hospital).

The team consisted of biomedical engineers and civil engineers, with the main mission being to inspect any damage inside the building interiors caused by the quake.

The MSERTs were ordered to assess damage risks and while keeping an eye on any additional aftershocks around the area, said Dr Sura.

Arkhom Praditsuwan, DHSS deputy chief, said the department’s Design and Construction Division had ordered every Public Health Ministry hospital located on faultlines in the country to improve their structure to make them more stable in case of earthquakes in the future.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said the Friday quake injured one person in Chiang Rai.

The DDPM’s report said the quake affected people in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, and Sakhon Nakhon.

The provincial DDPMs are now providing help to people in those areas while inspecting damage.

Apart from one injured person, seven out of 18 districts in Chiang Rai suffered damage caused by the tremors, with six hospitals, three houses and one municipal office building reported to be in need of repair. It is unclear how much repairing the damage will cost.

Some cracks were seen on the chapel ceiling and a main Buddha statue at Wat Phumin, one of the famous tourist attractions in Nan.

PM pleads for return of talented Thais

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

High hopes for Land Bridge megaproject

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin admits Thailand does not have attractive job offers to entice high-calibre Thais working overseas to return home. However, he hopes the Land Bridge megaproject will make them have a change of heart.

On Friday, Mr Srettha met members of the Thai community in the US at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco.

Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke summarised the remarks given by the PM during the meeting.

Mr Srettha told the gathering he has two sons working overseas, but he wants them to return and spend their lives in their home country, Mr Chai said.

“I admit that Thailand has no better offers that can attract Thais overseas to work in Thailand. We need to promote and strengthen the country’s capabilities,” he said.

“Since assuming office more than two months ago, I have been travelling to several countries to do so, and this is one of the government’s tasks.”

“Another main task of this government is to tell the world that Thailand is now open to investments. There is no better time than now to invest in Thailand,” the PM said.

“Several Thais in the US may be wondering how long they will stay in the US, but if Thailand has something better to offer, I believe several of you may want to come back home.”

The PM said the government will try its best to improve the quality of life for Thais, so they can escape the middle-income trap, as well as boost the country’s capabilities and maximise its potential.

Mr Srettha has previously said that even though the Land Bridge megaproject has yet to materialise, it will still help boost investor confidence while a new generation of people can rely on the project for a better future.

While the project will take time before it can get off the ground, young people are expected to see opportunities offered by the project and they may decide not to migrate and work in other countries, the prime minister said.

The 1-trillion-baht megaproject aims to develop a logistics network connecting Ranong province along the Andaman Sea to Chumphon along the Gulf of Thailand.

The project comprises deep-water ports in Ranong and Chumphon, a motorway cutting across the land to connect the two provinces and a railway system. The government is also touting it to attract foreign investment.

Mr Srettha also delivered a speech, “Interconnectedness and Building Inclusive and Resilient Economies”, at the Apec Economic Leaders’ Retreat in San Francisco on Friday.

Mr Chai disclosed the gist of the speech.

The prime minister said Thailand remains fully committed to multilateralism and Apec amid global uncertainties, working towards an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community, Mr Chai said.

Mr Srettha said tackling climate change must be prioritised and the Bangkok Goals on the Bio-circular and Green (BCG) Economy must also be advanced, he said.

He added that Apec had made significant progress this year, with over 280 projects responding to the goals.

The Apec Business Advisory Council also made great strides, notably through the BCG pledge and the inaugural Sustainable Future Forum to galvanise businesses and other stakeholders, he said.

Mr Srettha also said open trade and investment are needed to drive growth and prosperity.

Apec’s support for the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core is the key, he said.

Thailand also calls for continued efforts on the Free Trade Area for Asia Pacific agenda work plan to advance regional economic integration, the spokesman quoted the prime minister as saying.

Korea bills itself as FDI drawcard

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Firms keen on EEC in Rayong

Busan: South Korea is ready to be the global hub for advanced technology industry under strong support from international alliances which will invest more in its economic growth and competitiveness capacity.

The country also pledged to strengthen cooperation with its Asean partners for further trade and investment development and is interested in investing in the automobile industry in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Rayong province.

The Investment Korea Summit 2023 was held recently by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and drew hundreds of participants from the United States, Europe, China and Japan.

KOTRA, Korea’s national investment promotion agency, supports foreign businesses in Korea. It also promotes Korea’s investment environment and provides services such as consultations on topics ranging from investment notification to setting up businesses.

Jang Young Jin, 1st vice minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said US-China competition is likely to lead to slow economic growth this year.

South Korea is trying to build a friendly investment environment through bilateral free trade agreements with 20 countries, including tax benefits and other privileges. With those efforts, the country has enjoyed a leap in foreign direct investment (FDI) now worth over US$23.9 billion, mainly in semiconductors.

“We have been seeking further international trade investment, exploring new markets and enhancing the supply chain,” Mr Jin said.

Asean investment

Regarding trade and investment cooperation in Asean, he said Asean still has big potential to draw trade and investment, affirmed by the rapid growth in trade between Korea and Asean countries.

Also, rising production costs in China and the enhanced competitiveness of Chinese companies have prompted Korea and other nations to shift their investment strategies, turning to the Asean region as a trade and investment hub.

Meanwhile, a source from the ministry said Korea was keen on investing in the automobile industry in the EEC in Rayong. “Korea is keen on developing advanced technology and believes the EEC has the potential for automobile industry investment,” he said.

The EEC Development Plan is part of the Thailand 4.0 scheme aiming to revitalise the Eastern Seaboard, a powerhouse of industrial production in Thailand for over 30 years.

The EEC Development Plan will lead a significant development and transformation of Thailand’s investment in physical and social infrastructure in the area. The EEC project will, initially, be focused in 3 eastern provinces namely Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong.

FDI success

According to the ministry, Korea has achieved record-high foreign direct investment as a global investment hub. It will continue to spearhead innovation in high-tech industries together with partners from across the globe.

Based on FDI figures in 2022, 2.93% of FDI went to advanced industry investment, 45.2% to material components and equipment, and 51.85% to other categories.

Greenfield investments account for $17 billion of total FDI, and investments in future high-tech industries drew $7 billion. There are also 22 cases of increases in large-scale investments.

Presiding over the meeting, Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the government would do its best to promote investment, turning it into a global hub for high-tech.

“We would like to create trust among investors that we will do the best to support them, including better regulations to help the investors by eliminating unnecessary red tape.

“We will do more to encourage a stable supply chain. Importantly, we have the number one digital powerhouse in the world, making it possible to be the global hub for high-tech industry,” he said.

Four foreign companies has asked to invest more than $900 million in energy, future mobility, semiconductors and ICT. They come from Japan, the US, Spain and B.Grimm Power, which invested in wind energy.

Army IDs 3 fugitives among 41 returnees

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 18, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 19 Nov 2023 at 04:00

Chiang Rai: Three Thais among the 41 repatriated yesterday from conflict-ridden Myanmar were found to have outstanding arrest warrants, authorities said.

Representatives from the military, including the Pha Muang Task Force, received the group of returnees from the besieged town of Laukkaing in northern Myanmar at 12.30pm, they said.

The group had been rescued from illegal businesses operating near the border with China in northern Shan State. Negotiations with Myanmar authorities for their return were completed last week.

The 41 were brought to the Tachileik-Mae Sai border crossing by Col Thura Zaw Lwin Soe, chief of the Myanmar’s Tachileik Tactical Operations Command.

Thailand and Myanmar authorities met at the middle of the bridge to process documentation for the returnees, who were then taken to Fort Mengrai Maharaj for further screening.

It was later found three individuals in the group had outstanding warrants in Thailand, authorities said.

They underwent questioning and identity confirmation before being sent for further legal proceedings, the authorities added.

The other returnees are being evaluated in terms of labour skills before being returned to their families.

Nearly 300 Thais have been freed from scam centres in Laukkaing, where battles between the Myanmar army and ethnic rebels are continuing.

In addition, another 254 Thais have been moved to safe areas in China while they await repatriation transport.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said the government will send a commercial plane to repatriate the remaining Thai workers from China and all expenses will be reimbursed.

He said workers are required to undergo screening as past raids in Cambodia indicated that over 70% of Thai nationals working in scam centres along the border are not victims of human trafficking as claimed.

A source told the Bangkok Post that the names of some returnees do not match with those of the repatriated Thai nationals that officers had rescued.

“During the screening process, if any returnee is found to have been involved in the scam operation or benefited from it, they will face prosecution and be charged with illegal entry to Myanmar,” the source said.

Barkar Nash (Page 890)

Porky legends

Buffalo blues

Man for all seasons

Spring fever

Fair deal