Crackdown nets drugs and weapons

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Two-week strategy leads to arrest of property for B464 million

PUBLISHED: 17 Jan 2025 at 20: 00

Senior police examine drugs and weapons including 7.8 million methamphetamine pills, four tonnes of crystal meth, 575kg of ketamine, 192kg of heroin, 2,763 ecstasy pills and 469 firearms seized during a drug suppression operation from Jan 1-17, targeting 8,635 locations nationwide. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
Older officers examine drugs and weapons including 7.8 million meth pills, four tonnes of crystal meth, 575kg of morphine, 192kg of cocaine, 2, 763 ecstasy pills and 469 firearms seized during a medicine reduction procedure from Jan 1-17, targeting 8, 635 locations nationwide. ( Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham )

During a two-week long drug-suppression campaign across the nation, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau ( NSB ) police have impounded assets worth 464 million baht.

The procedure, which ran from Jan 1-17, targeted 8, 635 sites linked to 1, 947 drug-dealing parties, said Pol Lt Gen Santi Chainaramai, the NSB key.

Seized were 47.8 million meth medications, four tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, 575 kg of ketamine, 192kg of cocaine, 2, 763 joy medications and 469 weapon.

Resources for 464 million baht were confiscated for investigation.

Additionally, NSB officers worked with the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ) to combat two significant international drug trafficking networks.

In the first case, authorities discovered 201 kg of crystal meth hidden among breakfast supplies at a Samut Prakan inventory.

Five Myanmar citizens were arrested. They claimed a Chinese broker hired them to pack the opioids for widespread distribution.

After police searched 20 locations and found 15 kg of stored cocaine, 1, 000 meth pills, and other small amounts of illegal drugs, five suspects were detained in another case.

This system was reportedly involved in smuggling medications to Australia, South Korea and Taiwan. Drug criminals were likewise discovered to become concealing the drugs in different materials, such as charcoal burner, Pol Lt Gen Santi said, preventing diagnosis.

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Three-airport rail link work ‘could start in April’

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According to negotiations over a contract with a CP-led collaboration, the project is five years behind schedule.

PUBLISHED: 17 Jan 2025 at 18: 53

An artist’s rendering shows a station for the planned high-speed rail line linking three airports including U-tapao in the Eastern Economic Corridor.
The anticipated high-speed rail line connecting three terminals, including U-tapao, is depicted in an artist’s rendering of a place in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

If changes to the consortium’s contract are approved, work on the long-delayed three-airport rail link could start in April, according to the Eastern Economic Corridor ( EEC ) Policy Committee.

A recent gathering of the commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, reviewed plans to update the deal for the high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao flights.

The amended contract is being drafted by the State Railway of Thailand ( SRT), which will then be submitted for approval to the EEC Policy Committee and the cabinet.

Building may take five years to complete, with an expected beginning in 2029, five years behind schedule.

The SRT and Asia Era One, a consortium led by the Charoen Pokphand ( CP ) Group, signed the original contract in 2019. Part of the joint investment plan was a concession agreement to run the Bangkok Airport Rail Link ( ARL ).

During the Covid-19 crisis, however, declining customer figures on the ARL prompted Asia Era One to demand payment. In 2021, the government approved the contract’s correction.

Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the chancellor of transportation, refuted opposition claims that the deal adjustments favor private sector partners.

The SRT stated last month that, if the company is unable to finish the project, it would be willing to take over the entire venture.

The EEC Policy Committee, however, has approved the development of the Eastern Aviation City initiative which even includes U-tapao Airport. For the initiative, an extra 714 ray of land under the control of the Royal Thai Navy likely be provided.

According to Mr. Pichai, the expansion is intended to accommodate a second airport in order to meet aircraft safety requirements and prevent normal obstacles northern of the project area, including mountains.

The Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation ( EECi)’s land-use plan will also be updated to allow for extracurricular activities like commercial production beyond prototype development. About 975 ray out of the 3, 454 ray allotted to work will be taken up by the gateway, he said.

The primary targets will be the current automotive, wise electronics and bio-agriculture industries. The changes are intended to boost regional economies, promote transfer of technology, and raise people ‘ quality of life.

Another plan approved in the conference was Blue Tech City, a 1, 172-rai exclusive economic territory in Chachoengsao. This professional zone will help advanced sectors such as electric vehicles, bright electronics, aircraft and digital technologies.

The project is anticipated to make 20 000 jobs and get funding worth 156 billion baht. Home businesses would be able to provide support for local entrepreneurs in obtaining 90 % of all electrical components and auto parts needed for EV production in the area.

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Why Malaysia-led ASEAN could go toe to toe with Trump – Asia Times

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) and its position in the world security spotlight will have a significant impact on the year ahead due to Donald Trump’s resumption of office and the growing superpower conflict in the Indo-Pacific.

Pete Hegseth, the nomination for Trump’s defence minister, received mockery in the region for not mentioning an ASEAN member at his verification hearing this week.

But the apparent cluelessness of the Pentagon’s inbound chief just underscores ASEAN’s growing political irrelevance among Washington’s proper aristocracy.

The following Trump administration, which is reportedly rife with China hawks, is expected to put mounting pressure on local nations to do the same or face Washington’s indignation. Among them will be coming Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Undersecretary for Policy Elbridge Colby.

As a result, ASEAN will increasingly challenge to successfully “hedge” between rival countries as both the US and China try to take advantage of the crucial and strategic area.

That puts Malaysia, this year’s circular seat of the local bloc, in the political heated seats. Amran Mohamed Zin, secretary-general of Malaysia’s foreign government, said there will be 357 ASEAN-related conferences, including 14 high-level sessions featuring heads of government and position, this year.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers ‘ Retreat in Langkawi, gathering more than 200 international members and officials this trip, will formally launch Malaysia’s ASEAN chair.

Although the local system operates on a consensus-based decision-making mode, ASEAN’s rotary head has great impact in terms of shaping its agenda and policy direction.

The president may issue an independent” Chairman’s Declaration” whenever there is disagreement or hostility over a contentious regional problem, as evidenced by the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar.

Malaysia chose” Inclusivity and Sustainability” for this year’s design, underscoring the importance of trade, investment and financial problems for the local system.

Prior to the end of the 2025 year, ASEAN leaders were confident enough to establish a local popular market that would serve as the foundation of regional stability throughout the 21st century.

Actually, Malaysia’s chairmanship this year widely echoes like aspirations despite remarkable changes in the local geopolitical, geo-economic and worldwide trade landscapes.

We must set the proper priorities with specific milestones, and be optimistic. What we want to deliver must create value”, said ASEAN Business Advisory Council ( BAC ) Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak&nbsp, during the ASEAN Economic Opinion Leaders Conference: Outlook for 2025.

” Another idea is the notion of an ASEAN business entity, a more complex, more contentious, but I think it could be the single-biggest move forward in ASEAN business…This initiative would bring our markets closer together, and I believe it could be very productive”, he added during the event hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry ( MITI ) earlier this month.

Crucially, the popular Indonesian firm chief emphasized the value of political “neutrality” and also praised the “decoupling” between the US and China as a chance for ASEAN states to maximize investment from competing wonderful powers.

Earlier, popular Malaysian political scientist&nbsp, Cheng-Chwee Kuik argued&nbsp, along similar lines by insisting that the best course of action for ASEAN claims is to “hedge” their stakes and, consequently, reject position with any of the nations. &nbsp,

” Hedging is about reducing risks and for us here in ASEAN, it is essential… Hedging is a product of uncertainty. You may gain some and you may lose some, but no one does it because of naivety”, he said during the same conference.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, however, has stretched the notion of ASEAN “hedging”. On the one hand, he has largely avoided criticizing China on important issues, including those involving the South China Sea disputes. &nbsp,

When asked about China and the Philippines ‘ ongoing maritime disputes, Anwar said,” There should be no involvement of other parties because it would ( then ) be deemed more complex and will complicate the matter.”

We ( Malaysia ) engage diplomatically in a more aggressive manner, and I think that’s pretty effective. There have been some very serious issues, too, with Malaysia, but we have been relatively more successful in that regard. When asked about the Philippines ‘ growing security cooperation with Western partners to stop China, Anwar said,” We are deemed to be really neutral in the engagement.

Anwar has increased his criticism of the West in addition to declining to stand in solidarity with the neighboring Philippines. Throughout the past year, he has accused Western nations of “hypocrisy” on the Gaza conflict as well as” Sinophobia”.

” We do not want to be dictated]to] by any force. Therefore, while we are still close friends with the United States or Europe and here in Australia, they should not prevent us from interacting with China, one of our most important neighbors. That was the context. And if China has problems, they shouldn’t force it on us,” he said to the Australian media at the ASEAN-Australia Summit last year. ” China is not a problem for us.” So, that’s why I referred to the issue of China-phobia in the West”.

Meanwhile, Anwar has actively promoted China&nbsp, as an indispensable partner for regional development. After all, Malaysia has been a major beneficiary of a massive influx of foreign investments, including from China. And with the Southeast Asian nation on the cusp of achieving the&nbsp, much-vaunted “high-income” status, Anwar has every reason not to rock the boat at ASEAN this year.

The incoming Trump administration, however, will likely have little patience for ASEAN dithering or any hint of China-friendly opportunism dressed up as diplomatic “hedging”. Hegseth made it clear that China is “front and center” among the US’s threats to China during his confirmation hearing for the defense secretary position.

In his opening remarks, Hegseth emphasized the need for strengthening deterrence and, accordingly, working with key regional allies and partners to check China’s assertiveness in adjacent waters.

He also criticized the incoming Biden administration for not moving the country’s strategic focus away from traditional theaters like Europe and the Middle East in favor of a China-focused Indo-Pacific strategy.

Senator Marco Rubio also addressed China during his confirmation hearing as secretary of state, urging the Asian superpower to stop “messer with Taiwan and the Philippines because it’s forcing us to concentrate our attention in ways we prefer not to have to do.”

” I think that’s critical, not just to defending Taiwan ( but ) to preventing a cataclysmic military intervention in the Indo-Pacific”, Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a five-hour-long hearing. &nbsp,

Rubio emphasized the importance of reestablishing” a proper geopolitical balance between the United States and China” as a major thrust of the incoming Trump administration’s foreign policy.

The first Trump administration publicly opposed any major decisions by the regional body that might support China’s revisionist objectives despite having ASEAN as a key partner.

For instance, former USNNSA advisor John Bolton publicly warned ASEAN against any regional code of conduct that would impose restrictions on American military proxies and legitimize China’s extensive maritime claims in violation of international law.

A second Trump administration’s willingness to tolerate inaction or dithering from an even more powerful and influential China will likely set the stage for potentially contentious diplomatic relations with the regional bloc and its Beijing-friendly and outspoken chairman Anwar.

Follow Richard Javad Heydarian on X at @Rich Heydarian

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Capital leads with most social issue complaints

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Instances ranging from domestic violence to poverty, disabilities, and elder care are handled at the emergency center.

PUBLISHED: 17 Jan 2025 at 18: 26

Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa says more than 188,000 social issue cases were filed with the Human Security Emergency Management Centre (HuSec) last year. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
More than 188, 000 social issue cases were reported to the Human Security Emergency Management Centre ( HuSec) last year, according to Minister for Social Development and Human Security Varawut Silpa-archa. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )

The government’s Human Security Emergency Management Centre ( HuSec) last year handled more than 188, 000 cases dealing with social issues ranging from domestic violence to homelessness, disabilities and elderly care.

According to the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa, 171 204 cases were filed via the Social Assistance Centre Hotline out of the full.

Another 14, 855 cases were filed through social media channels, 1, 466 were walk-ins, and 1, 100 were referred by various products at the department, he said on Friday. &nbsp,

The area with the highest number of cases was Bangkok, with 119, 107 complaints, followed by the Central region ( 22, 499 ), the Northeast ( 18, 101 ), the South ( 12, 842 ), provinces adjacent to Bangkok ( 10, 914 ) and the North (5, 162 ).

There were 97, 455 problems involving difficulties experienced by people of working time, 33, 051 involving people with disabilities, 31, 306 involving the elder, 23, 337 involving kids and 3, 476 involving adolescents.

Last year, the center handled 4, 712 issues involving crime. Of all the survivors, 2, 461 were babies, 354 were old and 263 were people with disabilities. The most complaints were filed from Bangkok ( 1, 482 ), Nonthaburi ( 176 ), Chon Buri ( 174), Udon Thani ( 151 ) and Pathum Thani ( 131 ).

Kids were the subjects in most local crime cases, with 1, 429 cases filed, mainly related to physical abuse and sexual harassment. Kids were the group that also suffered most from assault in public, with 1, 032 cases being reported.

HuSec provided safety and security aid to 31, 619 people suffering from issues such as poor living conditions and inadequate money, family relationships, homelessness and violence. The majority of the circumstances were recorded in Bangkok.

The heart also offered tips to 69, 791 complainants, with the most frequent topics being security rights, followed by unique circumstances such as federal flyer schemes, home issues, living conditions and health and accident issues.

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Invasive blackchin tilapia spreading again in Thailand

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After the government’s cost promises expire, Samut Sakhon fishing stop catching them.

PUBLISHED: 17 Jan 2025 at 18: 13

A farmer shows blackchin tilapia that he and others caught in Khlong Prem Prachakorn near Government House on Jan 13. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
On January 13, a producer shows the blackchin fish he and another caught near Government House in Khlong Prem Prachakorn. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )

After local fishing stopped catching the non-native intrusive species, blackchin fish fish are again more common in Central Plains state waters.

Local people claimed that the government’s decision to stop buying the fish at 15 baht per kilogramme, one of its efforts to control the mysterious fish, was never more worth the effort.

Now, the fish sell for only 3-4 ringgit a kilogramme.

In the Muang city of Samut Sakhon, a new media inspection revealed a large number of blackchin tilapia infesting Khlong Sanam Chai close to Wat Sophon Wanaram.

In August, the Fisheries Department declared 19 regions, including Samut Sakhon, as regions affected by the fish conquest.

Hannarong Rodsamrit, a native man, said his boat netted more than 20 kilograms of blackchin fish from waters last quarter, which is ample evidence of the new epidemic.

He claimed that after the government stopped buying fish, local fishing stopped fishing for them for more than two weeks.

” It costs about 1, 500 to 2, 000 ringgit to search for carp each day”, he explained. ” When the cost goes down to 3-4 ringgit a kilogramme, sailors have to find one kilogram per day to make a profit, which is a difficult task.

” But, we decided to stop catching the fish, and a new wave of the pandemic occurred as a result,” Mr Hannarong said.

American bass species known as blackchin fish. In Thai lakes, they have disrupted local communities, as they compete with indigenous fish species for food.

The government declared a full-fledged battle on blackchin fish in July of last year and authorized 450 million baht to combat the invasive species. Buying the bass above market value and encouraging its use were two methods for limiting their spread. A 50-million-baht account to obtain the mysterious fish at 15 ringgit per kilogramme was likewise launched.

The agribusiness tycoon Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc ( CPF ) has agreed to purchase 2 million kilogrammes of the fish until October 30 to make fishmeal to combat the issue.

Concerning whether CPF contributed to the spread of blackchin fish, it has long been at the forefront. With agreement from the Department of Fisheries, it has acknowledged that it brought the fish from Ghana to be used for study in December 2010. However, after they became frail and passed away a fortnight after, the project was abandoned.

After that, all of the fish were disposed of using approved techniques, with samples and documents being sent to the ministry, according to CPF. However, the division maintains that the requested content wasn’t received.

However, fish farmers in various regions in the South, including Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla, have also been affected by new epidemics of blackchin fish. Late last year, large flooding in the area caused more infections to occur in nearby waterways and crawfish farms.

Withoon Lienchamroon, chairman of the BioThai Foundation, said he was disappointed with the president’s failing to get rid of blackchin fish. He claimed that this was a disaster for the natural system, and that if nothing is done, neighboring nations may also experience the effects.

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Han Zheng: The Chinese leader attending Trump’s inauguration?

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The first time a top Chinese leader will see a US senator sworn in is when Vice-President Han Zheng attends Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Trump had invited Xi Jinping, the president of China, among other officials, breaking with tradition because foreigners have typically not attended US national inaugurations.

China has stated that it wants to “find the right way for the two places to get along with each other in the fresh era” working with the new US administration.

But Beijing is also preparing for a Trump presidency that is expected to include new tariffs on Chinese-made imports and more combative rhetoric – Marco Rubio, the nominee for Secretary of State, has described China as “the largest, most advanced adversary America has ever faced”.

As leader, Xi has not attended an opening or crown service, choosing instead to give a consultant on his behalf. The Chinese embassy to the US attended the next two national ceremonies, in 2017 and 2021.

Beijing has sent vice-presidents to like ceremonies somewhere, though- Han attended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s opening in October 2023. And his father, Wang Qishan, was manifest for the commencement of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in 2022 and Brazil’s President Lula da Silva in 2023.

Han’s relocation to the US is a signal that Xi wants to “get Trump into deal-making function,” according to Neil Thomas, a colleague in Taiwanese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are among the different foreign officials who have been invited to the opening.

Karoline Leavitt, a spokesman for Trump, stated in a statement to US press that the proposal to Xi represented an “example of Trump engaging with leaders of nations that are not just our friends but also our adversaries and our competitors.”

Yun Sun, the chairman of the China system at the Stimson Center in Washington, claims that Trump may be trying to show the world that he has the ability to control Xi’s decision-making and that they share a special relationship.

Cai Qi was reported to be wanted by some Trump advisers, according to earlier information. Commonly seen as Xi’s right-hand person, 66-year-old Cai sits on the Communist Party’s seven-man Politburo Standing Committee, China’s relative of a case.

According to an unnamed insider, Trump would be “unhappy” if Han or [ Foreign Minister ] Wang Yi were the only Chinese envoys present. These assertions cannot be verified by the BBC.

But as vice-president, 70-year-old Han occupies a “very top position in the Chinese state program” and the decision to send him “accords kindness to Trump”, says Chong Ja-Ian, a non-resident professor at Carnegie China.

Han, who was appointed vice-president in March 2023, is known as “number eight”- the most mature chief after the seven people in the Politburo Standing Committee.

Han too had been a member until October 2022, when Xi began a historic third term in power and appointed his most trusted deputies to the top jobs.

Prior to that, Han lived in Shanghai, where he was born, for the majority of his political job. He became Xi’s secretary in Shanghai in 2007 before assuming the position himself in 2012 when the latter was the gathering director.

European politics has been a crucial focus for him in his tenure as vice-president. He oversaw a steering committee for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and led a group to market the Belt and Road initiative, a crucial Chinese industry and network project.

However, Beijing’s decision to send Han may have been influenced by his absence from the Politburo Standing Committee.

Xi and the group will be able to demonstrate that they kept a certain distance from Trump, according to Prof. Chong, when US-China relations start todeteriorate from the group’s standpoint.

Additionally, it is helpful that Han is not viewed as a member of Xi’s inside group, according to Mr. Thomas.

Han is certainly a key supporter and could be properly blamed if it goes painfully wrong, but Xi trusts Han enough to carry out this goal.

Further Reporting by BBC Monitoring’s Ian Tang

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FAQ: What you need to know about whistleblowing and how it may affect you

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How can businesses make their whistleblower training programs better?

Ms. Ang noted that there has been more emphasis on putting in place safeguards to protect reporters ‘ rights in recent years.

The attorney has knowledge of advising businesses on their whistleblower policies and procedures.

She said that businesses also need to make sure there is a way for them to investigate these issues so that whistleblowers don’t break the law, as well.

She continued, noting that businesses that take their whistleblowing policy really place an emphasis on ensuring it is great ethical conduct throughout the organization. &nbsp,

They do want to promote reporters to come ahead if there are actually true concerns there, she said, rather than saying that you must be sure before you whistleblow.

When it comes to whistleblowing, it is the control that sets the tone, said Prof Mak, adding that it is important that they are committed to the project.

Why should businesses have strong whistleblower protection programs?

If businesses do not have a good policy on reporting, it is more likely that employees may look for additional strategies, said Prof Mark. &nbsp,

” And once ( he or she ) goes externally to a regulator, ( the firm ) may lose any control it has in terms of how it manages the investigation process, so ( it is ) in the organisation’s self-interest to have a good whistleblowing policy”, he said. &nbsp,

Ms. Ang added that the prospective reputational harm a whistleblowing program may cause could be worse than any expenses a business might face as a result of setting it up.

Do you get rewarded for whistleblowers?

A reward based on 15 % of the tax recovered, with a cap of S$$ 100, 000 ( US$$ 73, 000 ), would be given to informants, according to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore website, if the information and documents provided result in a tax recovery that would otherwise have been lost.

But, Prof Mak said that generally, whistleblowers do not request for a reward. &nbsp,

There was once a common reluctance among Asians to report, but now more people are aware of the value of a whistleblowing program, according to Ms. Ang.

She also made it clear that whistleblowers may be required to have a grievance procedure and protections against retaliation under approaching policy, such as the one on workplace fairness.

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City Hall urges working from home in polluted Bangkok

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According to BMA, toxic dust pollution is expected to worsen in the capital region starting next week.

PUBLISHED: 17 Jan 2025 at 17: 47

A man waiting for a bus near Chatuchak Park wears a face mask to avoid inhaling dangerous dust particles on Jan 7. (Photo: Pormprom Satrabhaya)
On January 7, a gentleman waiting for a vehicle near Chatuchak Park removes a face mask to prevent inhaling harmful dirt particles. ( Photo: Pormprom Satrabhaya )

In light of concerns about worsening air pollution, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is urging residents of the city to work from home for three nights the following year.

According to a Facebook information posted on Friday, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is requesting assistance from personal and public sector companies to help employees who work from home from Monday through Wednesday.

Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, a spokeswoman for BMA, said the decision was based on a weather forecast that suggested at least 35 of the capital’s 50 districts may be covered in risky tiny particles molecules, known as PM2.5, which could lead to waste degrees in the orange area.

He continued, adding that the more than 80 hot spots that were found in the money between Saturday and Wednesday also contributed to poor air flow and ventilation.

If dust levels are determined to be harmful to health, the official said the work-from-home approach may be considered for the entire following week.

When the PM2.5 focus is measured at between 37.6 and 77.0 microgammes per square metre, an region is designated orange. People in magenta areas are urged to wear face masks and limit outside activities.

Additionally, the BMA gave the BMA’s school executives the option of deciding whether to close them during the three-day window. Additionally, it was stated that City Hall leaders may use their own judgment when making decisions about whether to work from home or to work from home.

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