Barkar Nash – Page 903

Woman killed after shots fired in Klong Toey

On: November 11, 2023

Innocent teacher the vicim of hostilities between rival students

PUBLISHED : 11 Nov 2023 at 13:37

A woman succumbed to gunshot wounds while a man is in critical condition after gunfire erupted in Klong Toey district of Bangkok on Saturday morning.

Shots were reported in front of a TMBThanachart Bank (TTB) branch on Sunthornkosa Road.

Authorities responding to the scene found two men severely injured along with a knife. Witnesses recounted that two men opened fire on a group of university students following an argument. The assailants reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle down Rama IV Road.

A motorcycle taxi driver who witnessed the incident told police that the two gunmen had parked near a group of four to five students who were waiting at a bus stop. The pillion rider approached one of the students and brandished a firearm to his head.

The intended victim managed to evade the initial shot, causing it to hit a woman identified only as Sirada, a computer teacher at the nearby Sacred Heart Convent School. The teacher sustained a fatal injury to the forehead and was declared dead at the hospital.

The shooter then fired another shot into the stomach of his intended target before attempting to flee. The motorcycle rider was heard yelling at the gunman to complete the act, leading to three more shots fired at the student’s head and neck.

Police are pursuing the assailants and suspect that the shooting may have stemmed from a university rivalry.

A police officer examines the scene of the attack in Khlong Toei on Saturday morning. (Photo: @Joe_black3)

Condo fire in Bangkok kills 1, injures 20

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 11, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 11 Nov 2023 at 11:36

An elderly woman died from suffocation and more than 20 others were slightly injured after following a fire that erupted at a condominium in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district in the early hours of Saturday.

The incident at the 27-storey condominium on Soi Phetchaburi 15 off Phetchaburi Road was reported to police about 12.35am, said Pol Col Siriphong Phengmanee, deputy investigation chief at Phaya Thai police station.

More than 30 fire trucks were deployed to the scene, as flames engulfed the 20th and 21st floors of the building. Many residents evacuated for their safety, with some running up to the rooftop of the building. Firefighters took about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.

More than 20 residents suffered from suffocation and sought medical attention. However, a woman, aged around 70, lost consciousness and was pronounced dead while being sent to Rajavithi Hospital.

According to a police investigation, the fire started from a room owned by 74-year-old fruit vendor Kitti, whose surname was withheld. He used the space for storage and and ripening mangoes with fruit-ripening gas. The vendor slept on the bed of his pickup truck parked on the eighth floor of the car park building

Mr Kitti’s room had experienced a previous fire. At the time, it was attributed to a short circuit in the air conditioning compressor, said police.

Pol Col Chayut Phongsak, chief of Phaya Thai police, said forensic officers were examining the scene to help police establish the cause of the fire. The fruit vendor would be called for questioning.

Waste collection fee to increase next year

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 11, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 11 Nov 2023 at 08:35

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to increase the monthly rubbish collection fee for households from 20 to 60 baht in October next year.

Pornphrom Vikitsreth, adviser to the Bangkok governor, said those who want to pay the current rate can register with the BMA and sort their own rubbish before collection.

He said the new fee is designed to encourage people to properly sort rubbish and reduce single-use items, such as plastic bags, and help the BMA cover costs of collection and disposal.

The expenses are estimated at about 700 million baht per year, while the BMA can only collect about 500 million baht, he said.

Torsak Chotemongkol, the governor’s chief adviser, said household cooperation is crucial in the BMA’s “zero waste” policy as the volume of rubbish the capital produces is estimated to be between 14,000 and 16,000 tonnes per month from next year to 2027.

The increase in the collection fee was first floated several years ago at a rate of 80 baht per month, but it was never implemented due to Covid-19.

Under the new rate, households that produce less than 20 litres of rubbish per day will be required to pay 60 baht per month — 30 baht for collection and 30 baht for disposal — unless they sort their own waste.

The BMA believes if the volume of rubbish is reduced, the budget required for collection and disposal will decrease, so the savings can be spent on other social projects.

In a recent hearing, the BMA’s deputy permanent secretary Chatree Wattanakhajorn said Bangkok’s environment-friendly incinerator in Nong Khaem is expected to be operational in 2026.

Truck-weighing tech to go citywide

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 11, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Work sites may lose permits for breaches

PUBLISHED : 11 Nov 2023 at 08:13

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to install weighing technology for trucks throughout the city in the wake of a midweek accident on busy Sukhumvit Road involving an overweight lorry, spokesman Aekvarunyoo Amarapala said on Friday.

Mr Aekvarunyoo said the BMA is studying the use of the weigh-in-motion measuring technology. After the study is completed, the BMA will pilot-test the system at 10 locations before implementing it citywide.

The BMA will also inspect 317 construction sites and plans to add another regulation stating that if a construction site allows overweight lorries to enter or leave, the BMA will cancel its construction permit, he said.

The BMA has received 508 complaints related to trucks through the Traffy Fondue platform, he said. The top three issues are their running during prohibited hours, emitting black exhaust fumes and objects falling from them.

Mr Aekvarunyoo said 362 cases have been successfully resolved so far.

Regarding the heavily loaded 10-wheeler that broke a concrete slab placed over the opening to an underground cable trench in Phra Khanong district on Wednesday morning, causing two injuries, police have begun taking legal action.

Pol Maj Gen Panlop Araemla, acting as deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), said two charges had been filed against the driver: reckless driving, causing damage to others or their assets, and driving a lorry carrying weight above the legal limit.

The law allows for a lorry to carry up to 25 tonnes, but the 10-wheeler was found to be carrying 37.4 tonnes, he said.

Police have also questioned the owner of the lorry, who has a fleet of six trucks in total, to check if he intended for it to leave the construction site with an illegal weight of soil or if he had modified it in any way so it could carry more cargo.

Pol Maj Gen Panlop said that Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, the national police chief, has ordered investigators to look into any other claims related to the accident, including the bribery of officials and the safety of the underground construction.

As the truck in question was seen with a green star-shaped sticker with the letter B printed on it, MPB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Thiti Saengsawang said the MPB worked with the Office of the Inspector General to determine whether the sticker was a symbol that a bribe had been paid. The result is expected within the next few days, he said.

However, Wichai Sawangkajorn, president of the Northeastern Transportation Club, said that the truck drivers had resorted to paying bribes due to the rushed deadline for the construction project.

Meanwhile, the BMA’s Public Works Department arrested two overweight lorries in Bang Khen district on Friday. The drivers were fined 1,000 baht, and the vehicles were seized.

Macron supports Wat Pho Paris

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 11, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 11 Nov 2023 at 07:56

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron said he supports the establishment of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram in Paris.

Mr Macron welcomed Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn, the abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon, also known as Wat Pho, at the Elysee Palace, the president’s official residence, on Thursday.

The abbot is on an official trip to France to open the temple known as Wat Pho Paris. A launch ceremony will be organised tomorrow with Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn presiding as its chairman.

The meeting with Mr Macron was also attended by Phra Sri Wichira Thamwithet, the Sangha chairman of Wat Pho Paris, and Boonyarit Vichienpuntu, acting ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris.

Their discussion lasted about 45 minutes and mainly focused on the development of Buddhism in Thailand and ways of adapting Buddhist teachings to promote world peace, said a source.

The abbot showed his appreciation for Mr Macron’s administrative projects and visions, while the French president showed his support for setting up Wat Pho Paris. He said he had visited Wat Pho late last year during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Bangkok.

Wat Pho Paris is located in Rue de Rimoron, 91650 Breux-Jouy. The temple will promote Buddhism in France while also marking 333 years of friendly ties between Thailand and France, said the source.

The temple will also serve as a Dhamma teaching centre for peace.

‘Too early to judge govt’: DPM

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 10, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 11 Nov 2023 at 05:44

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai hit back at criticism that the government’s first 60 days in office had seen little improvement in the economy or helped reduce the cost of living.

Mr Phumtham said the government’s work won’t take shape until after at least 100 days have passed as many ministries like the Commerce Ministry, which he heads, are working on many projects that are still to be revealed to the public, such as fixing the high prices of certain everyday items and expanding markets for local products to more foreign countries.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has also used every opportunity on the world stage to attract foreign investors, he said, adding that on Tuesday, the premier will have a meeting with Thai commercial attaches and the Board of Investment to promote Thailand among foreign investors, he said.

“So, I’d like everyone and also those who criticise us to be patient. We will provide a full update on our work and plans when we have completed 100 days in office,” he said.

Asked if the prime minister preferred to work alone rather than delegate duties, Mr Phumtham said the prime minister has already assigned a full set of responsibilities to his six deputies. Every minister also has a lot of work to deal with.

As the economy has suffered a cumulative crisis globally and financially, many things are in process to restore the economy, he said.

“Therefore, it is a good thing for the premier to explain everything thoroughly. Actually, we want to have around 50-100 cabinet members instead of 36 due to high work loads at present, but we are ready to work hard and to face any obstacle,” said Mr Phumtham. “The premier also often travels to provinces to directly find out about the problems people face.”

When asked about comments made by opposition parties, Mr Phumtham shrugged of the criticism as predictable.

“I always tell the opposition parties that if policies are good for the people, they will be implemented. Not every move is for political benefit. I do not mind feedback or criticism as long as they are creative because they are like a mirror for us,” he said.

“It is not the critics but the people who will tell us whether the government has passed the test,” he added.

On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Srettha hosted a television special titled “From Policy to Action in 60 Days”. During the show, the premier highlighted urgent measures implemented during this period, such as reducing expenses for people including reducing electric bills, and petrol prices and fixing household debt.

The premier said the government is also promoting the agricultural sector with a plan to expand markets to Africa and the Middle East and the tourism industry too with its new round of visa exemptions.

“The government is also investing heavily in logistics and infrastructure, including transport links such as high-speed rail and upgrades to the facilities of major airports,” he said.

Govt plans to seek B500bn loan

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 10, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PM insists handout will boost economy

The government will seek 500 billion baht in loans to finance its 10,000-baht digital money handout scheme, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Friday.

The digital currency will be offered to Thais aged 16 and older who earn less than 70,000 baht per month and have under 500,000 baht in bank deposits, he said.

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

People who earn more than 70,000 baht a month but have less than 500,000 baht in bank deposits will not be eligible. The same applies to those who earn less than 70,000 baht a month yet have over 500,000 baht in their accounts.

Mr Srettha made the remarks at a press conference during which he outlined details of the scheme after chairing a meeting of the digital wallet policy committee.

He said the economy is in need of a major stimulus as Thailand’s GDP has grown by only 1.9% a year on average over the past decade, with household debt jumping from 76% in 2012 to 91.6% this year.

The output from the manufacturing sector has also declined, which means fewer workers are required, resulting in many people being laid off.

“As a result, they earn less and buy less, which in turn causes factories to cut production. And this cycle repeats, causing a recession. Things will get worse unless the economy gets a boost,” Mr Srettha said.

He said the government will inject 600 billion baht into the economy — 500 billion via the digital wallet scheme as well as a 100-billion-baht fund to enhance the country’s economic potential.

The digital wallet policy is intended to inject cash flow into the economic system to boost spending during the six-month period after its launch.

The handout will begin next May, three months later than planned.

“The project will spur investment, encourage trade and the sale and purchase of goods, and orders for goods will be placed with SMEs and large factories,” the prime minister said.

The money can only be used to buy food and consumer goods. It cannot be used to purchase goods online, cigarettes or liquor; cash vouchers and such valuables as diamonds, gems or gold; and it cannot be used to pay off debts or cover water or electricity bills, fuel, natural gas or tuition fees.

Participating shops do not have to be in the tax system or register for VAT, the prime minister said.

The new 100-billion-baht fund, meanwhile, will be used to enhance the country’s competitiveness in various fields, said Mr Srettha. This could include investing in new technologies and the development of human resources. It is intended to draw highly competent people in various fields to contribute to economic growth.

“I would like to emphasise that this (digital money handout scheme) is not a form of welfare to help the needy. Rather, it is about injecting money into the economy through spending to enable people to be partners with the government in reviving the economy,” the prime minister said.

As for the source of funding for the programme, Mr Srettha said the most practical approach would be for the government to propose a bill seeking a special loan of 500 billion baht.

The draft bill will be sent to the Council of State this year to ensure it does not contravene any laws. It will be forwarded to parliament early next year, he said.

Mr Srettha said the bill would be passed by parliament in line with Section 53 of the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act of 2018 so the programme can start in May.

The other 100 billion baht for economic projects will come from state budgets, he said.

Sirikanya Tansakun, a deputy leader of the opposition Move Forward Party, said the government has no other options.

There is a risk someone may ask the Constitutional Court to rule against the bill on the grounds that there is no justification for an urgent handout, she said.

Van driver did not drug, rape girl: police

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 10, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 11 Nov 2023 at 05:00

KHON KAEN: An investigation found an allegation made by the family of a 13-year-old girl, accusing a van driver of drugging and raping her, was groundless.

Police said yesterday the girl was not drugged and raped by the van driver, whose name was withheld.

On Monday, the van driver surrendered to Waeng Noi police in Khon Kaen, insisting on his innocence. He brought his van along to be examined by investigators.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred on Oct 1, after the girl’s parents decided to hire a public van to drive their daughter from Khon Kaen to Bangkok. The family filed a complaint with the police against the van driver on Nov 3 after seeing the victim’s behaviour change on Oct 31 when she met the same driver.

Pol Maj Gen Anuwat Suwannapoom, commander of the Khon Kaen Provincial Police Station, said yesterday that a thorough investigation had been conducted by police covering as many dimensions as possible.

After questioning other passengers who rode in the same van with the girl, the passengers said that the van picked her up at her house in Waeng Noi district before dropping her off at a spot where her father was waiting for her.

The van headed towards the destination on the day, and nothing significant happened during the ride, according to the investigation.

Investigators, led by Pol Col Kachen Yuenyong, deputy commander of the Khon Kaen Provincial Police, and Pol Col Sommart Mangthaisong, Waeng Noi Police Station superintendent, then questioned the girl with the interdisciplinary team after receiving approval from a medical team.

“The girl admitted to investigators that nothing happened,” said Pol Maj Gen Anuwat. This closed the case.

As the driver turned himself in on Monday, Pol Maj Gen Anuwat said that no detention was applied against him, adding that the investigators had followed all procedures while investigating him, including GPS rechecking.

Mothers urged to donate to breast milk banks

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 10, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 11 Nov 2023 at 05:00

The Department of Medical Services (DMS) is urging mothers to donate their excess breast milk to milk banks to help premature or ill babies who do not have access to their mothers’.

Deputy DMS director-general Weerawut Imsamran said about 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide each year, about one in every 10 new-born babies. He added that the number of deaths of prematurely born infants is approximately one million per year.

In many cases, he said, the mothers cannot produce enough milk for their babies, or they develop complications that make them unable to breastfeed.

Mr Weerawut said donated breast milk is the best alternative to ensure these infants receive all the nutrients.

He said women who want to donate excess milk should consult their doctors or contact the nearest breast milk bank before making donations to ensure the safety and quality of the milk. Breast milk banks are found only in certain public hospitals, including Siriraj Hospital, Ramathibodhi Hospital, both in Bangkok and Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen.

Dr Akarathan Jitnuyanan, director of Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (QSNICH) under the DMS, said that milk banks have screening processes and storage and delivery standards that ensure safe milk is given to the babies. According to the director, the banks supply milk to premature babies weighing less than 1,500 grammes and ill babies whose mothers cannot breastfeed them.

Donors who want to donate breast milk must be healthy and not be taking prohibited medicines. They must also be willing to undergo a blood test and answer a questionnaire as part of risk screening, he said.

When a deal dive, dive, dives

By: Barkar Nash

On: November 10, 2023

In: South-East Asia

It’s finally over. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has decided to torpedo the acquisition of the submarine, the fate of which has hung by a thread for years.

But his decision to pull the plug and what he plans to do next promises to be just as, if not more, controversial.

The plan to commission a submarine was doomed to failure, ironically, even when it was thought it would happen under the previous Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, which gave the project its solid backing amid relentless criticism from the opposition led by Pheu Thai and the Move Forward Party.

Criticism that the project was a white elephant was spurred not so much by the huge price tag of 16 billion baht but rather by the three-year pandemic crisis that plunged the country into a financial abyss in 2019, two years after the submarine project began.

The MFP was noted for its sustained attacks on the submarine purchase from China. Among the criticisms trumpeted by the party was that it was a wasteful splurging of the national budget, which could have been better spent lifting national education quality and other socially worthy causes.

Also, submarines, according to the critics, will not work effectively in maintaining our national maritime defence, given the shallow depth of Thai seas.

A target of a barrage of disapproval fanned by the opposition, the navy retreated and made a concession by offering to put on hold instalments for the sub.

Thailand formally signed an agreement to buy the S26T Yuan Class submarine from China in May 2017 after the cabinet gave the project the go-ahead.

The payment had been agreed to be spread over a seven-year period, with the first instalment of 700 million baht made in 2017.

The navy, after further talks with the Chinese military top brass, agreed to a three-submarine package worth a total combined cost of 36 billion baht to be paid in 11 annual instalments.

However, procurement of the two additional submarines, valued at 22.5 billion baht, was delayed for four years and is in limbo due to financial constraints following the pandemic.

The instalments for the first sub during the pandemic-stricken years were also shelved.

With its back against the wall, the navy said in November last year that it was prepared to drop the submarine deal with China if the conditions for the procurement were not met.

The navy had intended to install a German-made engine in the S26T Yuan-class submarine. However, the plan needed revision after Germany refused to have its engines fitted with Chinese military hardware.

China suggested the submarine be fitted with a Chinese-made engine instead. The suggestion was rejected by the navy, reasoning the Chinese engine’s performance had yet to be proven.

Following an extended impasse, the government told the navy it was time to rethink its submarine procurement plan.

The navy proposed two options — buy a frigate capable of combating submarines costing 1 billion baht more than the sub or purchase an offshore patrol vessel. The government opted for the former.

Mr Sutin leapt to the defence of the frigate option, calling it the best one available, and found himself instantly in the firing line.

He stands accused of having a misguided mindset to not pull out of a deal empty-handed. However, he reiterated that Beijing did not break the contract, despite critics arguing to the contrary.

Mr Sutin was thrust into the Defence Ministry in the hope that he could introduce some meaningful changes within the armed forces. Dumping the submarine deal for a frigate was concerning for some political observers who are demanding an explanation, considering the magnitude of the investments into building infrastructure to accommodate the submarines.

Rangsiman Rome, an outspoken critic of military weapon purchases and the chair of the House standing committee on national security, pressed the government to clarify its position and justify buying a new frigate.

He said the government cannot flipflop on the purchase deal and expect to get away with it so easily.

“The force can’t claim one day that it badly needs a sub, and then suddenly drops everything and says it doesn’t want it,” he said.

Also, if the navy is looking for a frigate, it should exercise its option and shop around with manufacturers in other countries, Mr Rangsiman added.

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, a former election commissioner, said there are protocols to observe and steps to follow with regard to a reneged deal. An existing contract involving the sub must be revoked first, and the process of buying the frigate starts anew. Regulations do not permit a ‘mid-air’ swap.

There has been talk of Mr Sutin risking the erosion of his credibility and a possible legal violation over the planned conversion move.

The PM’s apprentice

Paetongtarn: Capturing public attention

Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly established herself as leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party when she chaired a party meeting on Tuesday and instructed members to showcase the Pheu Thai-led government’s achievements after just two months in power, according to observers.

The youngest daughter of jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should expect to be closely watched as she is widely regarded as a strong contender for prime minister after the next general election.

Political analysts are awash with theories about Ms Paetongtarn’s rise to the party leadership. She was elected leader at the party’s assembly on Oct 27.

Some speculate she will succeed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin midterm or in the last year of his four-year tenure to give her an idea about the role before leading Pheu Thai into the next election. Others reckon she will be included in the cabinet line-up to elevate her profile before the House dissolution.

However, some argue that she will just remain the party leader and vie for the prime minister post when the time comes. Ms Paetongtarn currently serves on the national committee on soft power strategy, which allows her to capture media attention and stay in the spotlight.

They believe the government’s soft power promotion policy is nothing more than an attempt to enhance Ms Paetongtarn’s image both within the country and internationally, and the public can bet that they will be hearing about “soft power” from the government throughout its term.

The ruling party is already being bombarded with criticism that it is not genuinely supporting soft power promotion and is using it to serve the party’s political interests.

Thiti “Tongtae” Srinuan, director of box office success Sap-Pa-Rer (The Undertaker), appeared to accuse the government of trying to capitalise on the film’s success when commenting on the government’s pledge to give the movie a global boost as part of the country’s soft power.

His remarks came after Mr Srettha led his cabinet in watching the film on Oct 25 with Ms Paetongtarn tagging along. They posed for a photo with Mr Thiti after the screening.

“Supporting the film has nothing to do with posing for a photo. You may not understand the movie at all. You just came for a photo opportunity and said the movie is soft power.

“The film is selling well in nine countries without government intervention. Its content can sell, and we find the market ourselves. It’s out there not because of the government,” Mr Thiti was quoted as saying.

Many critics are also questioning if Pheu Thai and its key figures directly involved in driving the policy understand what soft power represents. Some seem to think that it is about marketing or selling cultural products.

Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich was harshly criticised for saying that the government would promote “Si Thep ice cream” as soft power to generate income for the local community. He was referring to the ice cream that is shaped to depict ancient lintel patterns found at Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun and is highly popular with visitors.

Defending the government’s soft power policy, Ms Paetongtarn on Tuesday explained what the government has been doing to develop and harness the country’s soft power. In essence, it has studied how South Korea and the US have built soft power and mastered its use.

In her attempt to give people a rough idea about soft power, the Pheu Thai leader picked a mint-choc drink, her favourite beverage, as an example. There was a buzz about the drink in the middle of this year, and according to Ms Paetongtarn, many cafes reported increased sales as more people sought out the drink on the back of her free publicity.

The government, however, is trying to generate a buzz about 11 target industries, including festivals and films, but on a global scale, which would promote Pheu Thai’s “One Family, One Soft Power” initiative for a creative economy, she said.

Still, the sales increase happened on a very small scale.

Somehow, Ms Paetongtarn’s remark led some people to understand that mint-choc drinks might also be promoted as soft power. Sarcastically, they recommended the government consider starting with Thai milk tea or Thai black coffee, which enjoy widespread popularity as potential candidates for such soft power promotion.

Barkar Nash (Page 903)

The PM’s apprentice