Asia (Page 25)

Anutin Charnvirakul, the interior minister, pleaded with the media to stop making “false” claims that the Internal Security Operations Command ( ISOC ) had blacklisted him for using the monarchy for political gain on Tuesday.

Mr. Anutin, who also serves as the Bhumjaithai Party’s president and deputy prime minister, claimed the army and Isoc had already addressed the issue and that they had insisted the claims were unfounded. He claimed that he thought the media may stop covering the story today.

When questioned if former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was supporting him amid the complaints, he declined to respond.

A reporter asked by Mr. Anutin whether Isoc may be disbanded, as critics had suggested. He is the agency’s assistant producer.

The organization has long been criticized for its sizable resources and obscure tasks, which frequently overlap with those of other organizations. The now-dissolved Move Forward Party put forth a costs in 2023 to try to get rid of it.

Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the military, said on Saturday that the claim that Mr. Anutin was blacklisted was untrue and false.

He claimed that the president’s name was in a way that supported the monarchy but didn’t in a bad way in an inner intelligence report.

Following a political protection commission meeting last Thursday, a controversy broke out over the existence of an Isoc document categorizing individuals who purport to benefit from imperial references.

High-profile figures like Mr. Anutin, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Phayao MP Thamanat Prompow, who works as an advisor to the Kla Tham Party, were reportedly included on the list, along with organizations accused of opposing the king, including the Women’s Party’s Facebook website.

Maj Gen Winthai confirmed the article’s sincerity, but stressed that it had been leaked and distributed without the appropriate context, which created misunderstandings between the names and Isoc itself.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for rainstorms in Bangkok over the weekend and for the entire region between Friday and Monday.

The department stated that a low-pressure hill covering the top part of the country, influenced by southern and southwestern winds, is responsible for thunderstorms in the north and northeastern regions in its seven-day projection. As a high-pressure before from China moves towards Vietnam and the South China Sea, heavy rains, heavy rain, and thunder are even forecast for some places between May 9 and May 12. Low-lying places may encounter flash floods and discharge, while individuals are advised to avoid exposed places and unstable structures.

The office stated that Bangkok’s rainfall is expected to last the entire year.

Rainfall is expected to reduce between Wednesday and Friday in the southern region, but it will improve between Saturday and Monday, with some areas experiencing heavy rains.

As a result of the accumulation of rain, flash floods and discharge may occur, so anglers are advised to avoid traveling during this time because the waves could be more than two meters high.

A water management plan was created, according to Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, based on the analysis of precipitation forecasts from pools and big river in the nation and the analysis of data from pools and main river.

She claimed that the Royal Irrigation Department is fully equipped to assess and manage storm risks.

As part of a pilot scheme, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) has implemented the Adaptive Traffic Control System ( ATCS) at 72 intersections along several major roads.

According to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who observed the ATCS application at Sukhumvit 101/1, traffic officers or a timer system are already in use by customers power systems at about 500 intersections in the town.

He claimed that when a traffic light countdown clock is visible at an intersection, it indicates that a clock system is in use and that traffic signals do not change based on actual customers problems.

Instead, he claimed, the ATCS uses computers and cameras to dynamically alter customers sign timings based on customers need to improve traffic flow. Along Sukhumvit Road, Phetchaburi Road, Rama IV Road, Phahon Yothin Road, and Silom Road, the program has been deployed at 72 crossings.

The BMA intends to place the ATCS at another 200 roads in the upcoming season, according to Mr. Chadchart.

He claimed that the ATCS has increased traffic flow by 15 % during non-rush hours, but that traffic police may need to operate the traffic control system in the event of heavy traffic congestion.

One more scenario of anthrax was confirmed by the Mukdahan Provincial Public Health Office on Tuesday, bringing the total number in the most recent outbreak to four and one accident.

Three people have been admitted, according to a cause, two of whom have been treated at Mukdahan Hospital and one at Don Tan Hospital.

Out of 636 at-risk individuals, 538 have completed a seven-day study period. The final 98 did close this out on Wednesday.

These individuals were exposed by touching their skin or consuming contaminated foods. The time of illness hatching is seven times.

Regulators have urged the people to avoid raw meat and just consume meat that has been thoroughly cooked at a temperature of at least 120C for 30 minutes.

Officials are keeping an eye on the pandemic in Mukdahan, according to Dr. Weerawat Manosuthi, official for the Department of Disease Control.

Health officials are focusing on earlier diagnosis of the condition among suspected patients and at-risk groups, he said, but all risks are still present in a region of the Don Tan district, which is now classified as an epidemic.

He made reference to the first three circumstances, claiming that three men died while helping to man a cow’s death in a suspicious circumstance.

One of the victims has since passed away, and the other two are receiving care.

Other people who participated in the same cow’s killing are still being watched.

Dr. Weerawat urged people to refrain from killing illegal meat and refrain from consuming raw meat, especially during regional festivals.

Anthrax is frequently found in cattle, bull, goats, and sheep, but in this instance, meat is thought to be the supply.

The municipal animal company has quarantined 124 creatures for 30 days, and it has given over 1,200 animals in a 5 km radius antibiotics and vaccines.

He claimed that although there is no vaccine available for individuals at this time, attacks can be successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics.

According to Dr. Weerawat, ingestion is uncommon but can be fatal.

Skin diseases are more prevalent. They are typically less severe, he continued, but if left untreated, they can become deadly.

Puntham second wants to stop the crime.

The Thai government has stated that it is prepared to engage in peace negotiations to end the strong South’s growing rebellion.

Phumtham Wechayachai, the defense minister, condoled the continued violence in the southern provinces on Tuesday, expressing his condolences to the victims of both the Muslim and Buddhist lands.

Mr. Phumtham criticized the attacks on civilians, including those against priests, babies, and the elder as being particularly cruel, and he also emphasized the government’s willingness to engage in peace talks.

He cited a peace-related partnership that was reached between Malaysian Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former prime minister Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s formal visit to the neighbouring country last year.

Mr. Phumtham, who is also a lieutenant premier, claimed he finally did it.

He added, however, that Thailand would not negotiate with any organization that is still using force and that it may see evidence that the assault may be stopped before negotiations begin.

Mr. Phumtham resisted the notion of a distinct Pattani position and emphasized that the negotiations may fall within the Thai constitution under the monarchy.

He added that Thailand is also ready to impose strategic rules on local authorities, officers, and the military.

He made it clear that “proactive operations” do not entail murder but greater security, quicker response times, and presence in high-risk areas to protect citizens.

Additionally, Mr. Phumtham emphasized the value of cooperation and multiculturalism, noting that both religious groups have previously coexisted peacefully.

He applauded debate about local self-government, as long as it is done within Thailand’s legal framework.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Phumtham reaffirmed the necessity of stopping crime as a prerequisite for development and urged all events to be open and realistic about addressing the conflict’s source.

Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher on Thailand for Human Rights Watch, also claimed that the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani ( BRN ) was behind the most recent wave of violence.

Mr. Sunai claimed in a letter to X that the BRN had cited international humanitarian law to blame the Thai government for failing to engage in peace negotiations, leading to a rise of issue.

This demonstrates that the BRN is pressuring the Thai authorities against its will, as the problems appear arbitrarily,” Mr. Sunai said.

The BRN denied participation in attacks on civilians in Pattani and the surrounding areas in a statement.

Our goal is to preserve Pattani’s dignity and independence. It stated that” we don’t have a plan to attack regular citizens.”

Prime Minister Paetongtarn stated that she has given instructions to a number of organizations to put tight handle controls on all forms of violence.

According to PM, “revisions” are necessary because of taxes.

According to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the influence of US President Donald Trump’s tax policies on the world economy will need some adjustments as the government’s premier money handout scheme moves forward.

” We must take into account the changing global economic situation, as we must at this point, [the parties involved ] are still being circulated,” she said after Tuesday’s weekly cabinet meeting.

The prime minister continued,” The state may listen to the National Economic and Social Development Council and the Bank of Thailand, for instance.”

The government had previously moved forward with this job in order to stimulate the economy, but now that adjacent factors have been involved, it must first reevaluate the intended result, she said.

Even though the government has the authority to deal with it, the PM said,” In the end, whether this project will get delayed or no today depends also on the ideas of relevant companies.”

She emphasized that no adjustments have been made to this one.

According to Ms. Paetongtarn, the government may gather agency comments on the need for more monetary stimulus and how the remaining 150 billion baht could be used to bring the country’s highest benefit, adding that this is the government’s top priority.

When pressed to verify whether the government actually intends to carry out the project, she once again stated that the thoughts of some organizations may be sought out first.

She said the cabinet’s recommendation to move forward with the second step, which was scheduled to be presented and approved on Tuesday, has been postponed until a later time.

The government still has 157 billion baht to fund the third and final phase of the program, a local economic stimulus program, in which around 2.7 million Thais between the ages of 16 and 20 may receive 10, 000 baht each in online currency to help stimulate the economy.

If the government decides to continue, about 27 billion ringgit of the remaining money will be spent, the source said.

The cabinet’s judgement on Tuesday came despite assurances from Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat last week that it would not.

According to a source quoted by Isra News Agency, one of the reasons the government is considering phasing out stage three is because the past two stages hardly produced any considerable results.

The remaining 150 billion baht may then probably be diverted to another stimulus initiatives that would be more effective at reducing Mr. Trump’s tariff policies, according to the source.

The president’s investment in improving the water management system would probably receive 100 billion ringgit, the supply added, and the remaining 100 billion may come toward assisting those who lost their jobs as a result of the tariff press.

The Pheu Thai Party-led alliance has provided 185 billion baht to support the structure, which gave 14.5 million people 10 000 ringgit in cash.

Government spending may be thoroughly monitored while the effects of the tax laws is being assessed, according to fund permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit.