South-East Asia (Page 1,338)

Si Sa Ket: The public and private sectors in Kantharalak district are ready for the reopening of access to Preah Vihear temple for the first time in 16 years.

Since Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s visit to Si Sa Ket on Friday, the government’s policy to open a temporary checkpoint to provide access to the temple in Cambodia has captured public attention, especially among locals in the northeastern province.

The checkpoint will allow tourists and locals from both sides, Thailand and Cambodia, to cross the border for tourist visits and trade in the area, said Anupong Suksomnit, the governor of Si Sa Ket.

A 2008 dispute between the countries over the area around the historic site resulted in access from the Thai side being closed.

Local authorities took media outlets on a tour to inspect the readiness of different sectors in Si Sa Ket. Everyone seemed keen to get started.

Jit Ardsanjorn, chief of the Khao Phra Viharn National Park, said the authorities in Si Sa Ket have formed a task force to prepare for the reopening of the border.

She said all sectors in the area are ready and are awaiting the green light from the government.

She said tourist attractions around the park are ready to welcome visitors, and new hotels and resorts have been built in Kantharalak to accommodate them. Local shops and amenities have been renovated as well.

Ms Jit said the opening of the checkpoint will boost the number of tourists from as low as 170,000 a year now, back to a high of 700,000 or so as it was in the past.

The Interior Ministry under the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been pushing for the opening of the checkpoint to boost tourism, said a source.

On Feb 7, Mr Srettha also met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss the matter.

PHANGNGA: The House Committee on Industry on Sunday visited lithium deposits in Takua Tung district with a view to promoting them as a global lithium source under the government’s electronic vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub policy.

Akkaradech Wongpitakroj, chairman of the House committee and United Thai Nations MP for Ratchaburi, was in the southern province on Sunday to receive a progress report from Phangnga governor Supoj Rodruang Na Nongkhai.

The committee also stopped by the Ruangkiat lithium deposit in tambon Ka Lai to meet Wichat Trairat, chief of the Tambon Ka Lai Administrative Organisation.

The Ruangkiat deposit is one of the three new sites verified by the Department of Primary Industries and Mines in January. It was found to contain at least 14.8 million tonnes of lithium (with 0.45% lithium oxide).

The Ruangkiat site alone can serve at least 1 million EVs that use a 50 kWh lithium battery, according to an earlier report.

Mr Akkaradech said lithium manufacturing in the province is important for the government’s EV policy, as it is the main substance used in the production of batteries.

As per the trip, Mr Akkaradech said the committee will discuss with the Industry Ministry overlapping legal issues that had prevented the renewal of some producers’ mineral exploration licences this year.

Following a number of positive assessments of the province’s potential for becoming a hub for production, Mr Akkradech said residents and local groups had expressed concern about the potential impact of the exploration on their communities and tourism sites.

Mr Akkradech said the committee also plans to consult with all stakeholders as it addresses the effects of the rapidly expanding lithium mining operations during upcoming meetings. There may be environmental implications.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra Leader of Pheu Thai Party

In Thailand’s political landscape, few women command as much attention as Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the dynamic leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Chulalongkorn University and a master’s degree in International Hotel Management from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom. Currently, she is poised to participate in a national defense program at the National Defence College, a platform esteemed for connecting individuals with influential figures in politics and businesses.

Ms Paetongtarn’s journey into politics began with her appointment as chair of Pheu Thai’s advisory committee on political participation and innovation in 2021. Reflecting on her upbringing, she cited her early exposure to politics which instilled in her a sense of familiarity.

“I feel like politics isn’t entirely new to me because when I was eight years old, my dad started his own political party. I had the opportunity to attend several meetings with him and meet many people, ‘big name’ people,” Ms Paetongtarn said.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra – Politician – Inspirational Change Leader Photo by Ing Shinawatra IG

“So I think that politics is not something very far from me and I hope that I can be some, some small part to make change, to have something that can change the country or just make the country a better place,” Ms Paetongtarn said.

March 20, 2022, marked a significant milestone in her political career as she assumed leadership of the “Pheu Thai Family”, a move strategically positioning her for the subsequent national election. Her ascent continued as she emerged as one of the party’s prime ministerial candidates, solidifying her status as a formidable political force.

After the election, when Cholnan Srikaew, the former party leader, resigned, Ms Paetongtarn emerged as the obvious choice for the top position.

In the Pheu Thai-led coalition, she is now seen as one of the most powerful female figures.

While some critics attribute her rise to her father’s influence, Ms Paetongtarn remains undeterred, emphasising her commitment to effecting societal change rather than seeking personal gain.

Some critics say her father’s political influence is behind her being appointed as the ruling party’s leader, paving the way for her to become a prime minister in the future.

“It’s just normal. It’s like you have to breathe it in, but actually it cannot define anything about me. Why would I care about those comments, all this kind of stuff? They just make me stronger and feel better about myself,” Ms Paetongtarn said.

“The very first day I entered politics, I didn’t ask for any position or role in the party. I simply hoped that I could do something to bring about change. I believe I’ve stayed in politics for so long because of that.”

Ms Paetongtarn is also chair of the national committee on soft power development, which is tasked with pushing to make Thailand’s soft power in 11 areas recognised at the global level. These include fashion, books, films, TV series, festivals, gastronomy, design, tourism, games, music, arts and sports.

“Our responsibility is to enable the country and its people to monetise their talents. Therefore, the soft power policy represents a new approach with the potential to profoundly impact and improve people’s lives. However, we must also focus on educating the public about its significance,” she said.

Amid speculation about her potential future as prime minister, she will persist in gaining the work experience and political charisma she, to a certain degree, inherited from her father.

Regardless of whether such speculation proves true or not, Ms Paetongtarn is an ambitious woman who inspires many with her efforts to overcome numerous political challenges.

BURI RAM: Two Mathayom 3 students are being treated in hospital after they were shot by a younger student on Saturday, the second shooting incident involving high school students in less than a week in the province.

The incident took place at a petrol station in tambon Thung Saeng Thong in Nang Rong district. The victims, identified only as A and B, were riding together on a motorcycle with a friend identified only as “Tern”, when they were chased by the suspect, a 13-year-old student from a nearby school and a friend.

As the chase unfolded, the suspect fired a gun at A and B, hitting A in his right leg and B in his pelvis. They are currently being treated at Nang Rong Hospital, said Pol Lt Col Jiraroj Mongkolsupat, investigator at Nang Rong station.

According to Tern, who escaped unhurt, the shooter targeted A and B. He told police he was not aware of any personal conflict between A, B and the suspect.

The suspect, who was later taken to police by his parents, told police the two students were targeted because they had bullied his friends.

Prakob, A’s grandmother, said A occasionally rode with his friends on a motorcycle to buy sweets. She told police she also had no idea what dispute could have driven someone to shoot her grandson.

Mit, the shooter’s father, said his son told him he bought the gun from an online shop although he did not know at what price. He promised not to protect his son if he was found to be in the wrong.

Police were looking for the gun in a pond into which the gunman said he had thrown the weapon after the shooting.

It was the second shooting involving high school students in Buri Ram this month. On March 7, a Mathayom 3 student shot two of his seniors at school in the jurisdiction of Nong Kee station. The shooter has been indicted in the Buri Ram Juvenile and Family Court.

BURI RAM: Two Mathayom 3 students are being treated in hospital after they were shot by a younger student on Saturday, the second shooting incident involving high school students in less than a week in the province.

The incident took place at a petrol station in tambon Thung Saeng Thong in Nang Rong district. The victims, identified only as A and B, were riding together on a motorcycle with a friend identified only as “Tern”, when they were chased by the suspect, a 13-year-old student from a nearby school and a friend.

As the chase unfolded, the suspect fired a gun at A and B, hitting A in his right leg and B in his pelvis. They are currently being treated at Nang Rong Hospital, said Pol Lt Col Jiraroj Mongkolsupat, investigator at Nang Rong station.

According to Tern, who escaped unhurt, the shooter targeted A and B. He told police he was not aware of any personal conflict between A, B and the suspect.

The suspect, who was later taken to police by his parents, told police the two students were targeted because they had bullied his friends.

Prakob, A’s grandmother, said A occasionally rode with his friends on a motorcycle to buy sweets. She told police she also had no idea what dispute could have driven someone to shoot her grandson.

Mit, the shooter’s father, said his son told him he bought the gun from an online shop although he did not know at what price. He promised not to protect his son if he was found to be in the wrong.

Police were looking for the gun in a pond into which the gunman said he had thrown the weapon after the shooting.

It was the second shooting involving high school students in Buri Ram this month. On March 7, a Mathayom 3 student shot two of his seniors at school in the jurisdiction of Nong Kee station. The shooter has been indicted in the Buri Ram Juvenile and Family Court.

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana is asking Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to look into the necessity of a 138-million-baht renovation and procurement project at Government House.

Mr Ruangkrai argues that the plan defies Mr Srettha’s order to cut unnecessary expenses so funds can be diverted for crucial investments to drive economic growth.

The activist on Sunday said he has sent his request to have the budget-worthiness of the renovation project assessed to Mr Srettha via express mail.

The project aims to be financed using leftover funds from the previous fiscal year since the national budget for the current fiscal year has not been approved by parliament.

According to Mr Ruangkrai, the renovation project goes against an instruction issued by the prime minister during a cabinet meeting on March 3.

During the meeting, Mr Srettha was informed by a House committee vetting the 2024 budget bill and other subcommittees that budget requests from some agencies were duplicates of those from other agencies while their fixed expenses were higher than the investment budgets.

As a result, Mr Srettha instructed state agencies to consider cutting unnecessary expenses, such as spending on PR, training, overseas trips and rental of vehicles.

Mr Ruangkrai said on Sunday that since the renovation project was using the previous fiscal year’s budget, it must be scrutinised under regulations. It must also be determined what budget category the project falls into, he said.

If the project spending goes ahead and is found later to have been wrongfully used, the PM and other officials may be held accountable, he said.

He said a state fund must be prudently utilised for the optimum benefit of the people and the country as a whole.

The 138 million baht earmarked for the Government House renovation and procurement project includes 32 million baht to install smoke detectors inside the Thai Ku Fah building, 11 million baht to develop a digital office system and 8.5 million baht to overhaul the internet and management system, among others.

Bangkok police arrested an overweight woman for alleged prostitution in a sting operation after seeing an online advertisement for sex services by overweight women.

Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thumsuthee, investigative commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said on Sunday that the arrest happened at a hotel on Ram Intra 66 Road in Bang Khen district on Saturday night when a plainclothes policeman pretended to buy the service.

According to the commander, arrested in the sting operation was Sopang Thongdonmuean, 49. Police also seized from her two sex toys and numerous condoms.

Before the arrest, police found the advertisement on X. It offered unlimited sex services in a party with overweight women with a 1,800-baht fee for each woman. The plainclothes policeman transferred the fee to a bank account owned by Ms Sopang before the appointment at the hotel.

Ms Sopan, who weighs about 130 kilogrammes, admitted to the crime and said she also received an 800-baht share of the service fee for each overweight woman she procured, the commander said.

She brought seven overweight women with her on Saturday. However, police arrested only Ms Sopang. The seven other women were released after giving their information to police.

“The case concerns prostitution for those who prefer 3XL women and police took proactive suppression to prevent other related crimes,” Pol Maj Gen Theeradet said.

CHIANG MAI: The governor of the northern province has announced a 10,000-baht reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of a person who sets fire to forested areas.

Governor Nirat Sitthithaworn said on Sunday the reward was a bid to control smog amid the the ease of setting fire to forested areas in March, when the weather is dry.

“The reward is for each person who provides information that leads to the arrest of a person who starts a fire in a forest. When a police interrogator agrees to take legal action, meaning that there is a culprit, the 10,000-baht reward will be paid that very same day,” the Chiang Mai governor said.

He hoped the measure would discourage anyone who planned to set a fire in a forest to collect forest products.

According to the governor, local officials focused on curbing burning in farmland during the first two months of this year and the measure prevented field burning in more than 200,000 rai of agricultural land in Chiang Mai.

Deliberately-set forest fires increase in March to pave the way for the collection of forest products and to clear land for corn. To mitigate the damage and emissions of greenhouse gases, Chiang Mai officials are trying to contain forest fires the same day they start.

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) reported at 2pm on Sunday that Chiang Mai had the highest level of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5) in the country.

PM2.5 accumulated at 64.0 microgrammes per cubic metre of air in Chiang Mai over the past 24 hours. The safe threshold is at 37.5µg/m3.