Barkar Nash (Page 947)

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has promised to change the city’s landscape by putting a total of 1,454 kilometres of electrical wires underground within 10 years.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of its 65th anniversary on Aug 1, MEA governor Wilas Chaloeysat said that the authority has firmed up its policy to provide electric power services to over 14 million people in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan.

This will be done by making it more convenient and efficient through smart technology that helps the MEA better manage the electricity system under a project aimed at smarter metro grids and smarter meters.

Regarding the smart metro grid project, he said the MEA has conducted a survey along main roads in the capital and its vicinity and found that more than 1,000km of MEA cable wires need to be put underground. The aim is to complete the project within 10 years, he said.

The main focus areas are along Skytrain and metro train lines. Currently, a total of 91km of electric wires have already been placed underground, covering major business areas and roads, such as in Sathon district.

The MEA will expand the project to cover another 236.1km by 2027. A total length of 1,454km will be moved to underground pipes, he said.

He also said the MEA will provide more smart meters — from 33,265 to 441,400 sets by 2027. The smart meter system will help MEA staff detect system errors and fix problems immediately before client complaints are made.

“We are making big changes for people living in the city to make life more convenient. We have followed our principle of ‘Go Smart, Go Digital and Go Green’ for a sustainable future,” he said.

He also said that the MEA has already rolled out a plan to support the government’s policy on promoting electric vehicles (EV) under an EV ecosystem.

Thailand is expected to have 6.6 million electric cars by 2037. The MEA has already established EV charging stations, designed smart charging systems for households and developed transformer load monitoring to prevent electricity overloads.

It is expected that the amount of electricity used will increase by 13% per year based on stronger demand and a higher number of EV cars.

For this year, the MEA forecasted that the amount of electricity used will reach 51,388 million units — a 0.84% increase from last year.

No permits for ‘eyesore’ tourism constructions

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered the demolition of three illegally built resorts on Phu Thap Boek, a popular hillside tourism attraction, in Phetchabun province.

Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa on Wednesday ordered his adviser Yuthapol Angkinan, along with an environmental inspector and relevant agencies, to take swift action against the three resorts located close to Pha Hua Sing (Lion Head Cliff) in tambon Ban Noen of Lom Kao district.

Pha Hua Sing is part of Khao Kho National Park.

The order came after tourists raised complaints about buildings being constructed by the resorts, which were blocking the view and were an eyesore.

Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division’s Sub-division 4 worked with the forest special task force and administrative officials in Lom Kao district and Khao Kho National Park to inspect the three resorts.

Mr Yuthapol on Thursday told the media an investigation showed the three construction sites are located in forested areas, which is a violation of Section 4 of the Forest Act 1941 and Watershed Area 1A, a term used to designate a forest conservation zone.

After reviewing the regulations, officials confirmed no construction permit may be allowed in the area. They also found the area had been encroached upon before, and the intruders arrested.

Also, the area is not within the destined zone for agricultural land reform, where construction work may be permitted.

Section 54 of the Forest Act does not list the area as being within the land reform boundary or earmarked for public use by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS).

He said Pha Hua Sing being part of the national park is important for tourism and the environment. The surrounding area is under the supervision of the Royal Forest Department.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will demolish the construction work at the three resorts.

Phaya Sua and Phaya Prai forces have expanded their probe to identify anyone tied to the illegal constructions.

The ministry will also issue guidelines so relevant departments can launch measures to prevent encroachment in the proximity of Pha Hua Sing.

The appointment of a new national police chief to replace Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, who is due to retire on Sept 30, will most likely have to wait for the new prime minister, the outgoing police chief said on Thursday.

The PM — who has yet to be selected — is responsible for nominating a suitable candidate under a new regulation of the Royal Thai Police (RTP).

Under the regulation, the incoming prime minister will nominate to the Police Commission the most suitable candidate for the job, said Pol Gen Damrongsak.

In the past, it was the incumbent national police chief who was responsible for making the nomination to the RTP board.

Asked if the caretaker prime minister can perform this task, Pol Gen Damrongsak said it merely stipulates in the new regulation that the “prime minister” is responsible for nominating the candidate.

Incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who chaired a meeting of the commission on Wednesday, declined to comment on whether the appointment would be made under his watch.

According to an informed source, the appointment — as well as the next promotion and reshuffle of other police generals — is required under the new regulation to be completed by August.

However, if it is impossible to meet the deadline, a formal request for an extension can be submitted, said the source.

There are four deputy national police chiefs who are in line to be nominated for the top job, said the source, namely Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet and Pol Gen Torsak Sukwimol.

Pol Gen Roy and Pol Gen Torsak are both due to retire next year, Pol Gen Kittirat is due to retire in 2026, and Pol Gen Surachate in 2031, said the source.

As seniority is still treated as an important factor when taking into consideration the selection of a new national police chief as well as the promotion of other high-ranking police officials, a list of officials showing their seniority and de facto pecking order was published yesterday.

Signed by the incumbent police chief, the announced list is required under the same new regulation on the selection of a new national police chief and the promotion of police generals, said the source.

Ex-FFP boss meets with Thaksin in HK

A political deal involving the formation of a new government has been reached in Hong Kong between ousted prime Thaksin Shinawatra and Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of the Progressive Movement, ahead of Thaksin’s plan to return to Thailand, a source in the Pheu Thai Party says.

The source said Mr Thanathorn flew to Hong Kong on Monday morning and returned to Thailand the following day.

“They discussed the possibility of the MFP [Move Forward Party] being excluded from the new government,” the source said. The source did not give further details.

The Progressive Movement emerged after the Future Forward Party (FFP), which Mr Thanathorn founded and served as leader, was disbanded over a loan he extended to the party, which the Constitutional Court deemed to be illegal.

While the dissolved outfit re-emerged as the MFP, its key figures — who were banned from participating in elections — came together to form the Progressive Movement, which has been helping the MFP campaign for the election.

Thaksin, meanwhile, is widely believed to be Pheu Thai’s de facto leader.

The revelation came after MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon dismissed a report on Wednesday which claimed the party’s key figures were planning to fly to Hong Kong to meet Thaksin to discuss the preconditions for joining a new government.

When asked if the MFP had any plans to meet Thaksin for talks, Mr Chaithawat insisted that any decision on the formation of a new government must be reached by the eight allies in the coalition.

According to sources, Mr Thanathorn flew to Hong Kong on flight CX700 on Monday and returned to Thailand on flight HX773 on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, massage parlour tycoon-turned-whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit held a press conference on Thursday in which he claimed Pheu Thai had struck a deal with Bhumjaithai and the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) parties to form a government with a combined 279 MPs, excluding the MFP.

He said that key figures of the parties met Thaksin in Hong Kong to strike the deal on Tuesday — the same day Mr Thanathorn met Thaksin there, Mr Chuvit claimed.

“With the formation of a new coalition, the MFP, the United Thai Nation Party, and the Democrat Party would form the opposition,” he said.

A PM candidate nominated by the new coalition bloc would get the support from senators because the MFP would no longer be part of the coalition, Mr Chuvit said.

“The deal is designed to untie the knot [that binds Pheu Thai and the MFP under the MoU they signed],” Mr Chuvit said.

“The MFP failed in its bid to form a government and let Pheu Thai have a go at forming one, [but] Pheu Thai would not succeed, either.

“Bhumjaithai will then be given a chance and succeed. It will also invite other parties [outside the MFP-led bloc] to join the new coalition,” he said.

“Pheu Thai and the MFP are bound together. Pheu Thai cannot say it doesn’t want to stay with the MFP, so it has to let Bhumjaithai do the work because Bhumjaithai had made it clear from the very beginning that it will not work with the MFP,” Mr Chuvit said.

“Pheu Thai would nominate Chaikasem Nitisiri, but he won’t get enough support. Bhumjaithai would then take charge of forming a new government,” Mr Chuvit said.

Another source said that the leader of the PPRP, Prawit Wongsuwon, has thrown his support behind Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter and Pheu Thai PM candidate.

If Pheu Thai nominated her for the next PM vote, senators who have close ties with Gen Prawit would vote for her, the source said.

Nakhonchai turned in by coalition ally Sereepisuth over 1999 petty theft conviction

A Move Forward Party MP for Rayong, Nakhonchai Khunnarong, announced his resignation on Thursday after admitting he had been convicted in a theft case and served 18 months in jail more than two decades ago.

Nakhonchai, better known as “Ice Rayong”, clarified questions surrounding his criminal record on Facebook after Seri Ruam Thai Party leader Sereepisuth Temeeyaves on Wednesday claimed the MP was an ex-con and should not have been allowed to run for a House seat.

Nakhonchai, who was elected in Constituency 3, admitted he had served time in jail but said he believed the offence did not bar him from standing in the election.

He apologised to voters and said he would take responsibility by stepping down as an MP. He added that he was prepared to fight any charges, including contesting another election if need be.

The case dated back to October 1999, he said, when he was partying with a group of friends. He said he found a woman’s wristwatch but was arrested by police along with a friend who confessed to stealing it.

At the police station, he said he unknowingly signed a confession. He was sentenced to three years in jail, but the sentence was cut in half due to his confession.

“I believe my past didn’t make me unqualified to run. I don’t believe it’s one of the offences in the charter,” he wrote.

The election office in Rayong reportedly forwarded an investigation report into his background to the Election Commission but the latter had not had time to study it before the May 14 polls.

Pol Gen Sereepisuth is a member of the eight-party coalition which — for now, at least — includes Move Forward and his own party. In recent days he has made several comments critical of the Move Forward leadership and suggested they need to sacrifice themselves so that the Pheu Thai Party can form a government.

Police say more young girls may have been victims of man arrested in Ratchaburi

Police on Thursday arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl in Damnoen Saduak district of Ratchaburi province in March.

The suspect, identified only as Khwanchai, became close to the victim after he started volunteering to take her to school, according to Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, commander of the investigation division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

He allegedly threatened the victim not to tell anyone about what happened before fleeing to tambon Don Klang in Damnoen Saduak.

He was arrested in tambon Don Kruay on Thursday on a warrant issued by the provincial court.

According to police, the 33-year-old suspect admitted to the accusations against him, saying that he committed sexual crimes as a form of revenge for being raped himself at the age of 12.

Police said the suspect had earlier served four years in prison for raping a 9-year-old girl in 2015.

The investigation will be expanded to determine if he committed other sexual offences since his release from prison in 2019.

According to an initial investigation, at least three girls, aged between 9 and 13, have been assaulted by the suspect, including the 9-year-old in 2015.

Record check showed suspect in Kanchanaburi incident had been sacked from force over murder case

A former police officer arrested in Lampang on charges of stealing a pickup truck in Kanchanaburi was found to have been the subject of a double murder investigation that led to his dismissal from the force nine years ago, authorities say.

Highway police arrested Banthoeng Taeng-on, 51, at the Sop Prap drug checkpoint in Lampang on Thursday while he was riding in an interprovincial bus to Bangkok.

He was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Kanchanaburi provincial court on July 25 for colluding in theft and illegal detention.

Mr Banthoeng and and an accomplice, also a former police officer, were accused of stealing a Toyota Hilux Revo pickup truck from Jeerawat Chamnarnvet, 25, a soybean drink vendor in Kanchanaburi, on Monday night. The pair also assaulted the victim using an electric shock device and robbed him of 3,000 baht. The stolen pickup was later found in the car park of a shopping mall in Chiang Mai.

During questioning, Mr Banthoeng admitted to having plotted with a friend to commit the crime before they fled separately.

A criminal record check showed that he had served in the police force before being fired after his arrest on charges of involvement in the murder of two people in 2014. He was handed over to the Tha Rua police station in Kanchanaburi.

His alleged accomplice in the pickup theft, Patiwat Banthoengsomwang, 51, was arrested in Kanchanaburi. He was formerly attached to the Muang district police station but was fired from the force in 2021 for his involvement with drugs.

Chief says ‘normal procedures’ will apply to high-profile fugitive, but with added security

Police will greet former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra with arrest warrants upon his return to Thailand next week and will bring him to court, the national police chief said on Thursday.

As it has been reported that Thaksin would land at Don Mueang airport on Aug 10, Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that a team of Metropolitan Police Bureau and Immigration officers would meet him at the airport and show warrants for his arrest.

If Thaksin arrives on a private jet at Wing 6 in Don Muang district, police will meet him there. In either case, officers will then bring the former prime minister to the Don Muang police station where his arrest will be documented, Pol Gen Damrongsak said.

Afterwards police will bring Thaksin to court.

If the court is closed, he will be brought to a special detention facility in the Royal Thai Police Sports Club in Bang Khen district. Police have already prepared a facility for that purpose if needed, the national police chief said.

Pol Gen Damrongsak said he had assigned his assistant, Pol Lt Gen Prachuap Wongsuk, to oversee safety and traffic management for the arrival of the high-profile fugitive.

“There are normal procedures to receive people wanted under arrest warrants. There will not be any special treatment for anyone,” Pol Gen Damrongsak said.

“Police will do their best to take care of suspects to prevent any unexpected incident, especially any surprise attack,” he added.

Thaksin has spent almost all of the last 17 years outside the country since being overthrown in a coup in Sept 2006. He faces prison terms totalling 10 years for convictions in three cases (see graphic below).

He will be eligible to seek a royal pardon within 24 hours of being jailed, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Thursday.