Barkar Nash (Page 961)

The Bhumjathai Party’s working panel on the deep South will ask the party to sponsor a bill to avoid Thai pilgrims performing hajj from being stranded abroad due to irregularities at home.

More than 500 Thai pilgrims from Yala were left to fend for themselves after arriving in Saudi Arabia during the recent hajj, despite paying more than 270,000 baht each for the trip.

Nujmuddin Uma, a former MP for Narathiwat, said the panel has agreed to push for an amendment to the Hajj Affairs Promotion Act to help address future problems.

Reports about Thai pilgrims being left stranded are heard every year, but this year’s incident involving 500 pilgrims caused widespread damage, he said.

It’s time the problem was addressed.

Under the panel’s proposed bill, hajj trips will be supervised by a public organisation with government funding and backing, he said.

The bill seeks to set up a national committee on hajj affairs to be chaired by the prime minister, with high-ranking officials from various agencies and Muslim scholars serving as members, he said.

There will also be a hajj affairs team in charge of the hajj mission and an office of hajj affairs, he said.

Regarding the stranded pilgrims, Deputy Interior Minister Naris Khamnurak has ordered the Department of Provincial Administration (Dopa)’s hajj affairs promotion division to provide assistance and ensure all hajj tour organisers are financially sound and won’t leave people in the lurch.

He also urged Dopa to work with agencies concerned to address high airfares as a hajj package can cost about 250,000 baht on average for a 40-day trip.

Forming a democratic government is more important than being prime minister, Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat said on his Facebook.

Mr Pita on Saturday uploaded a video clip setting out MFP’s stance on the political situation.

He said it is clear the MFP is being obstructed by conservative elements and the lese majeste law amendment proposal has been used as an excuse to stop him.

“But my not being able to become prime minister doesn’t mean our hope to change the future will come to an end,” Mr Pita wrote on his Facebook.

“It doesn’t matter if the MFP cannot form a government — but the 27 million votes of the people must not have been made in vain,” Mr Pita added.

“The MFP is ready to support Pheu Thai to form a government of the people, so long as our hands hold firmly so that the old powers will never be successful,” Mr Pita wrote.

Meanwhile, Mr Pita on Saturday spoke to the public at the Now Hotel near Jomtien Beach in Pattaya during a weekend trip to thank voters in Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi, after the Constitutional Court suspended him as an MP pending its ruling on his media share-holding case.

“Although they don’t want us [MFP] to form a government and let me become prime minister, I stand beside you all and insist I will never leave you,” said Mr Pita.

“What was the point in holding the election? Was it just a formality?”

“We can’t surrender. As we are in the same boat, all eight coalition parties must form a government of the people in the hopes of ceasing the succession of a dictatorship.

“Since I can’t stay in parliament, I will be with the people and continue to work for them,” said Mr Pita. “If the boat is leaking, we are supposed to fix the boat together, not kick others off the boat.”

Meanwhile, Kannavee Suebsang, the FAIR Party’s secretary-general, said Pheu Thai could form a government by finding more votes from MPs of other parties and senators. MFP has handed the party the responsibility of forming a government after it twice failed to have Mr Pita elected in parliament as prime minister.

200 people to protest at Asok intersection

Extra police will be deployed on Sunday at the gathering of supporters of the Move Forward Party (MFP) at the Asok intersection, Thonglor police said on Saturday.

About 200 people are expected at the event called by political activist Sombat Boonngam-anong last week, and Thonglor police have prepared a company of officers to ensure the safety of protesters and maintain law and order, said station chief Pol Col Phansa Amarapitak.

Because the protest site lies between Thonglor precinct and Lumpini police station, Lumpini police have also prepared their own company of officers who will oversee proceedings, added Pol Col Phansa.

Although Mr Sombat has announced a plan to use a powerful loudspeaker and an electric generator, he will have to seek permission from the district office under the law, said Pol Col Phansa.

In Facebook posts, Mr Sombat urged those who opposed the conduct of senators who voted against MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat during the second prime ministerial vote last week to come to the gathering on Sunday at 5pm.

The protest is also aimed at encouraging House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to petition the Constitutional Court to rule against the senators on the grounds that they acted in a way considered hostile to the democratic system, said Mr Sombat.

In September 2021, Mr Sombat jointly led an anti-government protest codenamed the “Asok Model” in which he and Nattawut Saikuar, a core leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, urged a massive protest to oust Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The street protest lasted a few days.

In related news, Kasetsart University on Saturday urged protesters to follow the rules and respect the opinions of others.

This comes after protesters at the university’s premises on Friday night replaced the national flag on the mask near the university’s main auditorium with a black flag.

The black flag signified protesters’ dismay towards the senators’ role, according to protest leaders.

The university said it supports freedom of expression, democracy with the king as head of state and diversity of opinions, but it couldn’t agree with any acts which disrespect the national flag, a statement posted on Facebook page said.

Ratchaburi Provincial Police have launched a probe into five senior officers at Ban Pong police station following a raid on two unlicensed pubs where 77 customers tested positive for drugs early on Saturday.

Pol Maj Gen Wachirapong Amarapitak, commander of Ratchaburi Provincial Police, on Saturday said the raid was carried out by a special unit of the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) at two pubs — Highlight Banpong and Arena Banpong — in the district’s tambon Pak Raet about 1.30am.

Both pubs are owned by Thanawat Wijitcharasakul, 30, who was arrested.

The DPA unit conducted the raid with officials from the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection after a tip-off that the pubs allowed customers under 20 years old to enter the premises, stayed open until dawn and had a connection with illicit drugs.

During the raid, officers found a handful of illicit drugs — mostly ketamine — and two firearms.

There were 400 customers in total, of whom 77 — 31 men and 46 women — tested positive for drug use.

In addition, four pub customers were identified as being underage, police said.

The special DPA unit has handed Mr Thanawat over to Ban Pong police for legal action.

Currently, the pub owner faces four charges, including running the pubs without a licence, selling alcoholic drinks beyond the legal time limit at midnight, selling alcoholic beverages to customers under 20 years old and allowing illicit drugs and weapons on the premises.

Pol Maj Gen Wachirapong said a panel, chaired by deputy provincial police chief Pol Col Saifa Jirawantanasakul, was set up to probe the case.

The five senior are Ban Pong police chief Pol Col Piyapong Wongketjai; Pol Lt Col Chan Kamareesakul, deputy superintendent in the crime suppression section, Pol Lt Col Manop Namprasantai, deputy superintendent of the investigation section; Pol Lt Col Veerachai Kawikitdurong, suppression inspector; and Pol Lt Col Pitsanu Cherdchom, an inspector.

Police will also press charges against 77 pubgoers who tested positive for drug use and will investigate the source of the narcotics.

Online gun dealers arrested

crime: Three people were arrested, and two hand-guns and more than 30,000 rounds of ammunition seized in a crackdown on online illegal gun traders, says the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD).

Commander Pol Maj Gen Athip Pongsiwapai said the suspects were nabbed in simultaneous raids at four locations in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat on Friday following a months-long probe into the “Khote-siang V.7” gun-trading group.

The group had more than 300 members and cash flow of 10 million baht in the past two years and most clients were teenagers in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, he said.

Suspects San Chalawit, 40, Nipon Ruekprasert, 31, and Weerasak Ritthapol, 31, were charged with illegal possession of firearms which both denied.

MP raises bridge fears

Samut Sakhon: A Move Forward Party MP for the province yesterday called on agencies to inspect a bridge on Rama II Road near the Mahachai Muang Mai area amid safety concerns.

Natthapong Sumanotham said he had been alerted by motorists of large cracks and crumbling concrete that could pose a risk to the bridge’s structure.

Mr Natthapong said the authorities must inspect the bridge and address the concerns.

Meanwhile, the Highway Department said it is preparing repair plans for a U-turn flyover in front of Wansawangjit school on Rama II Road.

Safety concerns have been heightened since a 600-metre section of an elevated road project on Luang Phaeng Road in Lat Krabang district collapsed on July 10, killing two people and injuring a dozen others.

14 nabbed in Aem’s ‘network’

Crime: Fourteen people were arrested in connection with an online gambling network in which suspected serial killer Sararat “Aem Cyanide” Rangsiwuthaporn and her ex-husband were customers, police said.

Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy national police chief, said the arrests took place during searches in 11 provinces from July 19–20, after the police looked into the financial transactions of Ms Sararat and her ex-husband, Pol Lt Col Withoon Rangsiwuthaporn.

Pol Gen Surachate said the pair were customers of the “Fun88” gambling network, which had 93 million baht in circulation. Police seized assets worth over 15 million baht, including three luxury cars and brand-name products, he said, adding one of the cars was purchased one day before the arrests.

Warrants were issued for 21 suspects linked to the network. Of these, 14 were rounded up and two others were already serving jail sentences for another case, police said.

Police said one of the 21 suspects who was at large has died and four others remain at large.

Wacky white men a worry

Phuket: Residents have voiced concern after seeing a TikTok video of a foreign man damaging parked vehicles, with some netizens noting a growing frequency of such misbehaviour.

The video posted by user Pookpik409 on Friday shows a Caucasian man throwing random objects and damaging cars parked in front of a convenience store.

According to reports, the man damaged over 10 vehicles, slashing their tyres with a knife.

A TikTok user wrote that the man, dressed in an unbuttoned shirt and jeans, broke off windshield wipers and leapt onto the front windshields of several cars.

Eventually, police arrived at the scene and subdued him using a conducted energy device.

Comments of netizens have mainly centred on the growing frequency of disturbing public incidents involving foreigners.

One commenter also referenced a recent incident in which a Russian man leapt to his death from a local temple roof.

The man’s identity was withheld.

Anutin reiterates party stance in talks with Pheu Thai as latter seeks new sources of support

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has reiterated his party’s stance that it will not join a Pheu Thai-led government if the election-winning Move Forward remains in the coalition.

Mr Anutin set his pre-condition for joining Pheu Thai in forming a government during a press conference held at the Pheu Thai headquarters in Bangkok on Saturday afternoon.

However, he has not totally ruled out voting for a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate when parliament meets on Thursday, pending further discussions.

He made the comments after talks that lasted less than an hour on a busy afternoon of political wheeling and dealing. Pheu Thai also met with representatives from the two-member Chartpattanakla Party and the 36-member United Thai Nation (UTN) Party.

The latter two parties also made clear that they could not support any government that included Move Forward.

Bhumjaithai, with 71 seats, is the largest party currently in the opposition bloc. Throughout his political career Mr Anutin has always marketed himself as a person who can get along with everyone, and he almost always ends up in government as a result. 

The Bhumjaithai leader, party secretary-general Saksayam Chidchob and key party members met with Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew and party heavyweights at the invitation of Pheu Thai, which is seeking support from other parties outside the current eight-party coalition.

Pheu Thai wants to ensure that its first bid to get its prime ministerial candidate elected on Thursday does not fail, after the Move Forward Party conceded that its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, could not overcome heavy opposition from almost all of the 249 elected senators in the chamber last week. 

Mr Anutin thanked the Pheu Thai leader for inviting his party for joint discussions to solve the country’ s problems amid an amicable atmosphere.

”Today, we came to know that the intention and objectives of Pheu Thai match with Bhumjaithai as we want to solve the political problem as soon as possible,” he said. “We want the country to have a government soon. Bhumjaithai is fully aware of this intention.

“I told the Pheu Thai leader and party executives that Bhumjaithai has some concerns and limitations. We are not in a memorandum of understanding signed by the eight coalition allies.

“Our limitations are that we cannot join or work if Move Forward remains in the coalition. There are no conflicts but it’s about a way of working, as I earlier informed the Pheu Thai leader, who will consider our limitations.”

‘Not just Section 112’

For the past two weeks Mr Anutin has been saying that the key sticking point for his party has been Move Forward’s plan to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.

However, on Saturday he insisted that the differences went beyond Section 112 and had just as much to do with different working approaches and ideologies.

Dr Cholnan said Bhumjaithai had made its stance clear when it came to Move Forward’s presence in the coalition.

“The Bhumjaithai leader has limitations that his party could not work with us even if Pheu Thai takes the lead in forming a government,” he said.

“This means that an eight-party coalition of 311 plus 71 (from Bhumjaithai) is impossible. I will report those limitations to a meeting of the eight coalition parties.”

The coalition, which currently has 311 MPs, needs at least 375 votes for a majority in a joint sitting of the House and Senate.

Ultimately, all eight parties will have to decide whether to stand by Move Forward or propose that it consider sitting in opposition.

However, Dr Cholnan cautioned against any assumptions that Pheu Thai would abandon the MFP. (Story continues below)

Chartpattanakla Party chairman Suwat Liptapanlop (left) chats with Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai as Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew looks on at Pheu Thai headquarters on Saturday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Suwat: No to minority government

After Mr Anutin left, it was the turn of Chartpattanakla Party chairman Suwat Liptapanlop. He said his party would support a majority government and reject a minority government for political stability and would keep Section 112 untouched.

“We are willing to join a Pheu Thai-led government and support a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate,” he said. “If Move Forward’s policy to amend Section 112 still exists, it will not be line with Chartpattanakla’s policies.

“We cannot join the coalition government because amending Section 112 goes against the party’s resolution and promises made to the people.”

Move Forward was forced by its own angry supporters to withdraw an earlier invitation to Chartpattanakla, as its leader Korn Chatikavanij had supported the 2013-14 Bangkok Shutdown protests that led to the military coup. Mr Korn has since left Chartpattanakla.

The final meting of the day involved United Thai Nation, the party set up specifically as a vehicle for 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha to extend his political life. 

UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said his party would not vote for Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial nominee if Move Forward remained in the coalition.

Pheu Thai did not invite the party to join the coalition, knowing that its members would never forgive it for approaching the party whose adviser overthrew an earlier Pheu Thai government.

Former football ref attempts suicide after woman stabbed to death

CHON BURI: Pattaya police have arrested a former football referee who allegedly stabbed a local guesthouse owner to death and then attempted suicide on Saturday.

Authorities and rescue workers rushed to Jomtien Beach Road in Bang Lamung district and found 57-year-old Sunthorn Porjai, a physical trainer and ex-Thai Football League referee, in a delirious state and covered in blood from an open wound on his neck.

Mr Sunthorn, also known as Ben, was holding a 40cm knife, which he had tied to his arm and used to fend off authorities before eventually losing consciousness.

Emergency workers managed to approach him, provide aid and transport him to Pattaya Hospital. It was later discovered that he had also been stabbed in the stomach and had severed his own oesophagus.

At the scene, police discovered the lifeless body of a woman lying in a pool of blood behind a counter inside the building. She was identified as guesthouse owner Saowaji Lekkian, 51. Initial observations suggested that she had died from a stab wound to the neck, and she also had multiple slashes on her head.

According to a motorcycle taxi driver who reported the incident, he heard screaming and witnessed Sunthorn wildly slashing at the woman before turning the knife on himself. The attacker, in his crazed state, then wielded the knife to prevent others from approaching him and continued to harm himself.

Police said Saowaji had filed a police report in March stating that she had received a threatening phone call. This led them to believe that she knew Sunthorn and might have been involved in an extramarital relationship with him, which eventually led to her murder.

Saowaji’s husband, Prakrot Lekkian, 58, could not be questioned as he was in a state of shock. He confirmed that they had been married for over 20 years and had two children together, but he was unaware of the circumstances surrounding her murder.