Barkar Nash (Page 917)

A spokesperson for the Cambodian government, Phay Siphan, called Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra’s attendance at outgoing prime minister Hun Sen’s birthday in Phnom Penh on Saturday a strictly private matter, before insisting it won’t have any impact on Thai-Cambodia relations.

“Prime Minister Hun Sen had already explained this to [Prime Minister] Prayut Chan-o-cha and other senior Thai officials,” Phay Siphan said on Sunday.

“He asked them for understanding about his friendship between the Prime Minister and Thaksin as well as with Yingluck. They had declared themselves ‘god siblings’ already and nothing to do with politics,” he added, as quoted by the Phnom Penh Post.

The surprise appearance by the former Thai prime ministers in Cambodia on Saturday sparked a lot of debate in the country.

Both Thaksin and Yingluck were seen at Hun Sen’s 72nd birthday celebration, which was held at his private residence in Takhmao, Kandal province, just outside the Cambodian capital. Also present at the party were members of Hun Sen’s extended family, including his son and heir as prime minister, Hun Manet.

Pictures of the gathering were revealed by Fresh News after Hun Sen himself shared the photos on his Telegram channel.

Hun Sen told Fresh News that Thaksin and Yingluck stayed overnight at his home and had breakfast together the next morning before departing Cambodia.

This familial gathering offered a glimpse into their close relationship.

The bond between Hun Sen and Thaksin can be traced back to 1992 when they began to regard each other as “god brothers”. Their relationship has remained strong, even after Thaksin and Yingluck were both deposed in coups.

Gangs of Arab bikers causing a nuisance

Chon Buri: Police are stepping up efforts to curb illegal street racing by a group of Arab tourists on motorbikes following complaints from residents and other visitors in Pattaya.

Pol Col Thanapong Photi, chief of Pattaya City police station, met with authorities and motorbike rental business operators yesterday to discuss what measures to take to curb the foreign motorbike racers who are turning certain sois into race tracks at night, disturbing the peace and potentially posing a threat to public safety.

Pol Lt Col Arut Sapanont, head of traffic police, said officers have been deployed to enforce the law following complaints.

Pol Lt Col Arut added that they are also seeking cooperation from motorbike rental businesses, which have been told to thoroughly check their customers’ passports and driving licences and keep copies for further examination.

However, he said some tourists without licences often get someone else to rent the bikes for them.

Pol Lt Col Arut, who on Sunday night led a group of police to enforce traffic regulations on Soi 18, said that checkpoints would be set up at locations where the motorbike riders are known to gather for illegal activities.

When making arrests, police will issue two separate tickets, he said.

One is against the riders who face charges ranging from not wearing helmets, driving without a valid licence, and using vehicles with unauthorised modifications such as loud exhaust pipes.

The other is for the seizure of the motorbikes used in the illegal street racing, with the motorbike rental businesses or motorbike owners being liable for a 2,000-baht fine, he said.

Illegal street races by Arab tourists drew wide attention when residents in Soi Yensabai in South Pattaya alerted police to a gathering of theirs in the early hours of July 31.

When police responded to the call, they found a group of Arab motorbike riders had converged on the area and were blocking traffic. Police told them to disperse and confiscated 15 motorbikes when they ignored the warning.

Staff from a hotel in the area said several guests had moved out because they could not stand the loud noise late at night.

Surat Thani: Rescue workers and divers are still looking for body parts belonging to a Colombian plastic surgeon who was murdered and dismembered by his former boyfriend on Koh Phangan last week.

The search was spurred by the confession of the suspect, Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, who admitted to dismembering the body of 44-year-old Edwin Arrieta Arteaga into 14 parts before dumping them around the island.

He told police that he had initially intended to dump the body parts in the sea, but he couldn’t fit them all into his duffel bag. As a result, he dumped parts that wouldn’t fit at a landfill on the island, where they were found by local rubbish collectors.

Police and rescue workers who combed the island’s shoreline on Sunday found six body parts which they suspect belonged to the deceased. The search for the remaining parts was continuing yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mr Sancho, who has been charged with premeditated murder, as well as concealing and/or removing body parts to cover up death or cause of death, was questioned further by the police yesterday.

According to police, Mr Sancho first met the victim on Instagram, and they had been in a relationship for more than one year. Mr Sancho said that he had been trying to break up with the victim, who threatened to release photos that would upset his family.

Mr Sancho told police that he was going to break up with the victim when he visited the island, but the victim instead demanded sex, which made him angry and hit the victim in the head.

Mr Sancho was taken to Koh Phangan police station on Friday for questioning over the disappearance of the surgeon. He initially denied any involvement but later admitted to killing him following intense questioning by the police.

According to police, the suspect is a well-known chef in Spain and the son of the Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre and actress Silvia Bronchalo.

It is reported that the suspect’s family is scheduled to arrive on Koh Samui tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the victim ran a successful plastic surgery clinic in Monteria, Colombia.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A member of an international criminal network which transported 851 kilogrammes of ketamine worth 2.25 billion baht was arrested in Hua Sai district following a three-month investigation, police said.

Pol Maj Gen Somchai Suetortrakul, commander of the provincial police, said yesterday that the network, based in Lampang, had criminal ties in Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia.

The gang had members who transported drugs from the North to the deep South, he said.

The police did not disclose the name of the suspect due to their plan to expand the investigation to arrest more gang members, he said.

He said provincial police three months ago received a report from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau about the gang’s drug transport operation to other countries via the southern provinces.

The network used several routes in provinces like Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat to avoid police detection before exiting the country via Ranong, he said.

After three months of tracking, a six-wheeled lorry and a white Mitsubishi Pajero, part of a drug transport plan, were spotted parking in front of a petrol station along the Nakhon-Songkhla road in Hua Sai district on Friday, he said.

Police monitored the area for half an hour before arresting the lorry’s driver, he said, noting the other car’s driver may have escaped minutes after the lorry driver was arrested.

Police seized the lorry, and inside the Pajero, they found 62 packs of ketamine weighing 851kg, worth 2.25 billion baht in total on the international market, he said. The investigation is ongoing, he said.

Narathiwat: Warrants may be sought for the arrest of additional suspects over a huge fireworks warehouse explosion that devastated a community in Sungai Kolok district on July 29, the Provincial Police Region 9 chief, Pol Lt Gen Nanthadet Yoinua, said yesterday.

Pol Lt Gen Nanthadet said that Sompong Nakul, 42, and his wife Piyanuch Puengwirawat, 42, the owners of the illegal warehouse that blew up in Ban Muno, surrendered to police after returning from Malaysia on Saturday.

“They were charged and were being questioned further at provincial police headquarters. Investigations are continuing, and arrest warrants might also be sought for other suspects in the case,” he said.

The blast killed 12 people and injured 389, while three schools were destroyed and 682 houses damaged.

Mr Sompong and his wife have been charged with negligence causing deaths, importing and/or selling fireworks without a permit and violating the Emergency Decree for the southern region. They could face additional charges, Pol Lt Gen Nanthadet said.

Investigators took the couple to court yesterday and applied for pre-trial detention for a further 12 days. Police opposed their request for bail.

Asked about police accused of taking bribes in the case, he said they were being investigated both for disciplinary and legal action. The investigation was expected to take about a week.

A source said that many fireworks businesses in the South of Thailand are known to bribe police officers to allow them to trade fireworks to Malaysia, where such products are categorised as dangerous goods and cannot be traded freely.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and his entourage visited the community devastated by the explosion yesterday.

Gen Prawit thanked those who had so far donated about 23.24 million baht to help survivors of the disaster. He instructed officials to ensure transparency in their use of the money.

Claim backing for solid House majority

The Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties have forged a political alliance with 212 House seats to form a coalition government, saying they already have the backing of MPs from other parties to ensure a solid House majority.

Key figures of the two parties held a press conference to announce their bid to form a government at Pheu Thai’s headquarters yesterday.

Bhumjaithai leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, said that Bhumjaithai has no objection to Pheu Thai forming a government as long as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, otherwise known as the lese majeste law, is left untouched.

He added that Bhumjaithai does not support a minority government and will not join any government if the Move Forward Party (MFP) is part of it.

“Today, we have been informed by Pheu Thai that it has agreed with us on these matters. Therefore, from now on, efforts to steer the country forward must go ahead without obstacles,” Mr Anutin said.

“Pheu Thai has now gathered the support of 212 MPs — 141 from Pheu Thai and 71 from Bhumjaithai. When more parties are invited to join, we are confident that this alliance will be able to form a government,” Mr Anutin said.

“Pheu Thai also confirms that coalition parties already have the support of more than half of [the total of 500] MPs. We will work together to seek additional support from other MPs and senators to ensure a solid majority in parliament,” Mr Anutin said.

“Regarding the nomination of a prime ministerial candidate, Bhumjaithai must act in line with the proposal from Pheu Thai and the schedule set by the parliament president,” Mr Anutin said.

‘Special political situation’

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said he was grateful that Bhumjaithai had agreed to join Pheu Thai “to solve people’s problems and national crises, especially those concerning the constitution”.

“The 212 votes of Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai will be the base for the government’s formation, and there will be more to provide majority support in the House.

“So, there are no worries about the possibility of a government with a minority of votes,” Dr Cholnan said, adding that Pheu Thai welcomes support for its prime ministerial candidate from all parties.

“The support can come from all parties, possibly from individual members of any party,” he said.

“In this special political situation, amid conflict in society, we ask for votes from all parties to support Pheu Thai’s candidate for prime minister,” he said.

He confirmed that Srettha Thavisin remained Pheu Thai’s candidate for the role.

The Pheu Thai leader also confirmed the new coalition would not include the MFP. Other parties and senators would not support a coalition government if it included the MFP, Dr Cholnan said.

“The problems facing the country are severe. The faster a new government is formed, the faster the problems will be solved,” he said.

Dr Cholnan went on to say that the new government would step up efforts to revitalise the economy and restore democracy and unity among the people.

New constitution a priority

Amending the constitution is another priority, and when the new government is formed, the first cabinet meeting will push for a referendum on the drafting of a new constitution to be held, he said.

Asked if the so-called “uncle” parties will also be invited to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition, Dr Cholnan said: “The two uncles are not mentioned in the announcement, but we don’t mind if any individual MPs or senators support our PM candidate.”

The “uncles” refer to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former United Thai Nation Party chief adviser and prime ministerial candidate, and Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the Palang Pracharath Party leader and its prime ministerial candidate.

Deputy Pheu Thai leader Phumtham Wechayachai said that the alliance between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai was a good starting point.

He added that he now expected other parties from the original bloc that was led by the MFP to join the alliance.

Claim backing for solid House majority

The Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties have forged a political alliance with 212 House seats to form a coalition government, saying they already have the backing of MPs from other parties to ensure a solid House majority.

Key figures of the two parties held a press conference to announce their bid to form a government at Pheu Thai’s headquarters yesterday.

Bhumjaithai leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, said that Bhumjaithai has no objection to Pheu Thai forming a government as long as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, otherwise known as the lese majeste law, is left untouched.

He added that Bhumjaithai does not support a minority government and will not join any government if the Move Forward Party (MFP) is part of it.

“Today, we have been informed by Pheu Thai that it has agreed with us on these matters. Therefore, from now on, efforts to steer the country forward must go ahead without obstacles,” Mr Anutin said.

“Pheu Thai has now gathered the support of 212 MPs — 141 from Pheu Thai and 71 from Bhumjaithai. When more parties are invited to join, we are confident that this alliance will be able to form a government,” Mr Anutin said.

“Pheu Thai also confirms that coalition parties already have the support of more than half of [the total of 500] MPs. We will work together to seek additional support from other MPs and senators to ensure a solid majority in parliament,” Mr Anutin said.

“Regarding the nomination of a prime ministerial candidate, Bhumjaithai must act in line with the proposal from Pheu Thai and the schedule set by the parliament president,” Mr Anutin said.

‘Special political situation’

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said he was grateful that Bhumjaithai had agreed to join Pheu Thai “to solve people’s problems and national crises, especially those concerning the constitution”.

“The 212 votes of Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai will be the base for the government’s formation, and there will be more to provide majority support in the House.

“So, there are no worries about the possibility of a government with a minority of votes,” Dr Cholnan said, adding that Pheu Thai welcomes support for its prime ministerial candidate from all parties.

“The support can come from all parties, possibly from individual members of any party,” he said.

“In this special political situation, amid conflict in society, we ask for votes from all parties to support Pheu Thai’s candidate for prime minister,” he said.

He confirmed that Srettha Thavisin remained Pheu Thai’s candidate for the role.

The Pheu Thai leader also confirmed the new coalition would not include the MFP. Other parties and senators would not support a coalition government if it included the MFP, Dr Cholnan said.

“The problems facing the country are severe. The faster a new government is formed, the faster the problems will be solved,” he said.

Dr Cholnan went on to say that the new government would step up efforts to revitalise the economy and restore democracy and unity among the people.

New constitution a priority

Amending the constitution is another priority, and when the new government is formed, the first cabinet meeting will push for a referendum on the drafting of a new constitution to be held, he said.

Asked if the so-called “uncle” parties will also be invited to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition, Dr Cholnan said: “The two uncles are not mentioned in the announcement, but we don’t mind if any individual MPs or senators support our PM candidate.”

The “uncles” refer to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former United Thai Nation Party chief adviser and prime ministerial candidate, and Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the Palang Pracharath Party leader and its prime ministerial candidate.

Deputy Pheu Thai leader Phumtham Wechayachai said that the alliance between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai was a good starting point.

He added that he now expected other parties from the original bloc that was led by the MFP to join the alliance.

Chon Buri: Police are stepping up efforts in curbing illegal street racing by a group of Arab tourists on motorbikes following complaints from residents and other visitors in Pattaya.

Pol Col Thanapong Photi, chief of Pattaya City police station, met on Monday with authorities and motorbike rental business operators to discuss measures against the foreign motorbike racers who turn certain sois into race tracks at night, disturb the peace and potentially pose threats to public safety.

Pol Lt Col Arut Sapanont, head of traffic police, said traffic police have been deployed to enforce the laws following the complaints.

Pol Lt Col Arut added that they are also seeking cooperation from motorbike rental businesses in addressing the issue. He said motorbike rental operators have been told to thoroughly check their clients’ passports and driving licenses and keep copies for further examination.

However, he said some tourists without licenses often get someone else to rent the bikes for them.

Pol Lt Col Arut, who on Sunday night led a group of police to enforce the traffic law in Soi 18, said that checkpoints would be set up at locations where the motorbike riders are known to gather for illegal activities.

When making arrests, police will issue two separate tickets, he said.

One is against motorbike riders who face charges ranging from not wearing helmets, driving without a valid license, and using vehicles with unauthorised modifications such as loud exhaust pipes.

The other is for the seizure of the motorbikes used in the illegal street racing, with the motorbike rental businesses or motorbike owners being liable for a 2,000-baht fine, he said.

The illegal street racing by Arab tourists drew wide attention when residents in Soi Yensabai in South Pattaya alerted police to their gathering in the early hours of July 31.

When police responded to the call, they found a group of Arab motorbike riders converging in the area and blocking the way. Police told them to disperse and confiscated 15 motorbikes for blocking traffic when they ignored the warning.

Staff from a hotel in the area said several guests had moved out because they could not stand the loud noise, while a resident also called on the police to act against motorbike rental businesses.