Ex-education minister Wijit Srisa-arn dies at 88

Prof Wijit Srisa-arn, the former education minister and founder of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, died yesterday at the age of 88.

Wichit: Dubbed the’Troubleshooter’

The well-respected scholar died of heart failure about 10am yesterday. A funeral rite will be held at Wat Makut Kasattriyaram in Bangkok from tomorrow to Sunday.

Born in 1934 and a native of Chachoengsao, Prof Wijit won a scholarship from the Education Ministry to study at Chulalongkorn University with the intent to become a teacher after completing Matthayomsuksa 8.

He obtained his first bachelor’s degree from the faculty of arts in 1959 and the second from the faculty of education, also from Chulalongkorn University, two years later.

A Fulbright scholar, he earned a master’s degree in education management from Minnesota University in 1964 and obtained a doctorate in that field from Minnesota University in 1967 on a university scholarship.

Prof Wijit started his career at Chulalongkorn University’s education faculty following his graduation in 1961 and continued there following his return from overseas study.

He became the secretary-general of Chulalongkorn University in 1971 and three years later, at the age of 40, was appointed deputy permanent secretary of the then University Affairs Ministry.

He was dubbed the “Educational Troubleshooter” by the magazine Who is Who in Thailand after he was appointed acting rector of Thammasat University and Khon Kaen university to help solve internal conflicts there.

He founded Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and served as the rector from 1978-1987. Known for the nation’s education innovations, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University is internationally recognised for its role in promoting education through long-distance learning.

Prof Wijit also held several political offices, serving as a senator, an MP, and permanent secretary of the then University Affairs Ministry. He served as education minister from 2006-2008.

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Participants hopeful about SX 2023

Three zones launched ahead of tomorrow’s opening ceremony

Sustainability Expo (SX) 2023 was soft-launched on Friday, with participants highlighting local products’ potential to create a better life for all.

Touted as the largest annual sustainability expo in Asean, SX 2023 is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok until Oct 8. Three zones, SX Food Festival, SX Marketplace and SX Kids Zone, were opened on Friday.

The main exhibition is expected to open later.

An official opening ceremony will be held tomorrow from 2–4pm. Sumet Tantivejkul, secretary-general of the Chaipattana Foundation, and Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, president and CEO of Thai Beverage Pcl, are expected to join.

Members of the public yesterday visited the SX Marketplace, which features over 200 shops run by local communities and organisations.

Orasa Tosawang, managing director of the Saraphad Sabbhasilp (Social Enterprise) group, said social enterprises can help locals promote their arts and crafts by utilising creative designs and marketing.

Ms Orasa said she started Saraphad Subbhasilp six years ago by helping a Phuket community sell their handmade goods on Facebook without commission.

The group now works with more than 20 communities in 10 provinces, such as Chiang Mai in the North, Khon Kaen in the Northeast and Pattani in the South, she said, adding each has a unique cultural identity.

“Our work is based on goodwill to help villagers have better living conditions,” she said.

“When they have more marketing channels, they will have sustainable incomes.

“Locals that we work with care for us and embrace us as they consider us part of their lives,” she added.

Saraphad Sabbhasilp is known for handcrafted items, such as natural-dyed clothes, home decorations and fashion accessories, she said.

The products are made by local community members trained by the organisation, she said.

Some products with outstanding designs are exported to Finland and Saudi Arabia.

Jeremiah Pitakwong, CEO of Media and Event Business of Amarin Corporation, said the SX Marketplace showcases the success of sustainable product projects by all stakeholders.

The Mae Chaem Model Plus project in Chiang Mai is one example, he said.

People in the Mae Chaem community wanted to reduce forest fires that cause PM2.6 pollution during the annual dry season, he said. So, they decided to plant bamboo to make furniture.

With the help of designers, people in the community can add value to their products, which also helps increase their income, he said.

He said the Mae Chaem Model Plus project focuses on addressing environmental issues by focusing on reducing mono-crop plantations and increasing forest land, among other factors.

This project is supported by about 30 public, private and civil organisations, he said.

Amnart Reansoi, owner of Tan Khun Organic Farm in Nakhon Pathom, said he has a medium-sized farm where he raises free-range chickens and sells eggs to create food security for people.

He said he wanted to produce high-quality eggs without harming people or the environment.

He said he has worked with organic animal food partners to sort environmentally-friendly food for his chickens, such as crab shells from Phetchaburi, shrimp shells from the south, rice from Si Sa Ket and Buri Ram and maize from Kanchanaburi.

Last year, he paid about 5.5 million baht to his partners, he said.

“I want to create a fair and sustainable business model,” Mr Amnart said.

“Our partners can earn from their organic waste. It is a win-win situation. I hope this can be a business model for other food producers.”

Tongjai Tanachanond, working group director for Sustainability Expo 2023, said that over 10,000 square metres were transformed into a Thai Street Food Museum with over 120 food shops.

Local and foreign chefs will present an extraordinary menu under the concept of good health and sustainability at Hall 5-6 on the LG Floor, he said.

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Wage hike warning

Wage hike warning

With Pheu Thai now the core party in government, its campaign promise to raise the minimum daily wage to 600 baht by 2027 might have high chances of success.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin floated 400 baht per day as a reasonable level for the minimum wage during a parliamentary debate on the government’s policy statement last month.

The minimum daily wage currently varies from one province to another, from 328 baht to 354 baht, with the average daily minimum wage at 337 baht. The last wage hike, 5.02% on average, took place in October last year after a freeze for over two years.

A minimum wage of 400 baht entails a rise of 13-18%, which could be too much for some sectors — especially labour-intensive industries and small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs).

Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said the benchmark of 400 baht per day will happen, but it will not apply to all sectors.

But instead of adopting a fixed rate of 400 baht, the wage is likely to be increased based on the province, and in line with inflation.

The government has started a wage review, with the first hike likely to be announced by November so it can take effect in January as a New Year’s gift for workers.

Ambitious policy goal

Assoc Prof Yongyuth Chalamwong, a labour economics and development scholar at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), told the Bangkok Post that raising the minimum daily wage is a policy goal advocated by some parties, but a rate of 400 baht cannot be implemented across the country.

The minimum wage differs for each province with wage rises being considered by a provincial tripartite committee chaired by the governor. The panel takes into account factors including the province’s consumer price index, inflation and employers’ financial status.

If the 400-baht rate is to be approved, it will be limited to economic provinces such as Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, and Rayong which are in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and popular tourist destinations like Phuket.

“Politicians may have to swallow their pride when it comes to the wage increase. The wage rise will be a gradual one, not a single-step rise across the country,” he said.

A gradual increase will not disrupt business operations and the government can also roll out remedies to help those affected by the wage hike or even change the production structure to increase productivity, he said.

Wage rise motivation

According to the TDRI scholar, a minimum wage is the lowest amount that employers are required to pay their unskilled or entry-level workers and is intended to ensure that workers receive a living wage for their work.

In his opinion, state agencies should review the wage and raise it when appropriate based on economic conditions, instead of making minimum wage increases mandatory every year.

Workers are expected to improve their skills in return for which they should get more pay. Employers should have wage structures which motivate workers to enhance their skills to meet the criteria for a raise.

Bosses should not keep paying the minimum wage until the government approves a wage hike because the practice cannot motivate people to give their best, he said.

“The wage should also reflect workers’ performance which is beneficial to both sides, especially workers who can set career goals,” he said.

Annual hike not sustainable

An ex-member of the tripartite wage committee agreed with the TDRI scholar that wages should reflect workers’ skills and performance or workers who receive the minimum wage would have no incentive to up-skill themselves.

“Raising the minimum wage every year isn’t good. When it’s way too high neither employers or workers will survive,” said the wage specialist.

He said the Labour Ministry and the tripartite wage committee should think strategically when it comes to the wage policy because labour is crucial to national development and a misstep could hurt the country.

The minimum daily wage, which is the baseline, should apply to a limited group of people while the majority of the workforce should receive wages based on wage structures, he said.

In a data-driven economy, labour authorities must help workers reach their full potential and receive higher compensation for their labour, with the goal of making Thai labour competitive in the global market.

No benchmark urged

Suchart Chantaranakaracha, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the government should consider the wage increase based on criteria. A 400-baht benchmark would interfere with the work of the wage committee.

He said the committee was under pressure during the Yingluck government to raise the minimum daily wage to 300 baht and the result was a catastrophe, with many SMEs wiped out.

Mr Suchart insisted businesses do not turn a blind eye to workers’ hardships but said that without an appropriate wage, businesses cannot survive. It is the government’s duty to introduce measures to help reduce the cost of living and mitigate impacts for employers and their staff, he added.

Atthayuth Leeyawanich, chairman of the Employers Confederation of Consumer Goods and Services, said the wage hike should reflect an average inflation of 3%, as projected by the government representatives on the wage committee.

“The 400-baht minimum wage is doable if the economy grows at 5% for two or three years. But if it is adopted as early as next year, that would be unacceptable,” he said.

He echoed Mr Suchart’s call for the government not to interfere with the wage committee’s decision.

A labour representative on the wage committee said all views must be taken into account when reviewing the minimum wage hike with real economic conditions factored in.

“As a worker, I’d like a big raise. But as a member of the wage committee, I must make an informed decision that keeps both employers and workers satisfied,” he said.

Impact of wage increases

Thaniwan Koonmongkon, president of the Thai Restaurant Association, said restaurants are among labour-intensive businesses that will bear the brunt if the minimum daily wage is increased to 400 baht.

She said SMEs and those which have yet to fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic may consider raising prices for goods and services or reducing portion sizes to cover the added costs.

She also expressed concerns the wage hikes may force some employers to cut some benefits or working hours, which would do more harm than good to workers.

Ms Thaniwan urged the government to come up with a reasonable rate because businesses will be under pressure to raise pay beyond the new baseline to retain staff.

She said a big increase will affect labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture and construction and the country learned the hard way when the wage was raised to 300 baht in 2012-2013.

“We had massive layoffs and relocation of production bases to border areas. It may happen again and the government must consider this,” she said.

Assoc Prof Yongyuth said raising minimum daily wage is likely to push up goods prices and create an additional burden for those in the informal sector such as taxi drivers, taxi-motorcyclists, subcontract workers or street vendors who lack income security.

He said the government should reduce the cost of living through schemes such as the Thong Fah (Blue Flag) scheme which can distribute low-cost, essential products to communities.

The government should also create job opportunities for community enterprises which produce and sell local products as an additional source of income for rural people, he said.

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K-pop’s Lisa to receive Thai culture award

Thai K-pop singer Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban, member of the K-Pop group Blackpink from Korea, will get a cultural ambassador leader award from the Culture Ministry this week.

Lisa: Hails from Buri Ram

Lisa was among those on the list of the Culture Ministry’s benefactors in an announcement on Thursday. A ceremony will be held at the Thailand Cultural Centre on Tuesday in which Lisa will get an honorary Wattanakunathorn Award (cultural ambassador leader) on the occasion of the founding day of the Culture Ministry, a source said.

The award is to honour Lisa’s role as a leading force promoting Thailand to the world through soft power to increase the value of the economy. At this year’s event, the Culture Ministry will give 226 Wattanakunathorn awards to people, young and old, who have dedicated themselves to promoting Thailand’s cultural resources.

Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said yesterday Lisa managed to create trends among Thai and foreign fans by using soft power to add value to the economy and its local products.

Lisa’s style of expression could serve as a form of soft power that helps stimulate cultural tourism and generates revenue for local communities, he said.

Notably, Lisa’s first solo debut titled Lalisa featured Buri Ram’s Phanom Rung Stone Castle and Thai craftsmanship in the music video.

Lisa also wore the traditional golden headdress which prompted many of her fans to emulate her and a surge in online orders. Lisa also made the standing meatball business of Buri Ram internationally known.

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Arrest made in sex assault of boy at Suvarnabhumi

15-year-old waiting for flight to Krabi was lured into restroom by airline ground crew member, say police

Arrest made in sex assault of boy at Suvarnabhumi
Passengers check the flight status board at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan on Saturday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

SAMUT PRAKAN – A ground crew member with a major airline has been arrested on a charge of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old male passenger in a restroom at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The 43-year-old man was taken into custody at a dormitory in Lat Krabang district of Bangkok at around 4pm on Saturday and brought to the Suvarnabhumi airport police station for questioning. He used a jacket to cover his head and refused to answer questions from reporters.

Pol Col Chakrapong Nuchphadung, superintendent of the station, said a 46-year-old woman had approached authorities on Wednesday to report that her son had been molested. The perpetrator was a ground crew member with an airline operating out of the terminal, she told police.

The incident took place around 6.40pm in a restroom located near Gate B8 of the domestic terminal.

The 15-year-old was travelling to see his mother in Krabi and had approached the man for assistance as he was travelling alone.

After issuing a boarding pass and directing the boy to wait for boarding, the man allegedly groped him and then convinced him that his baggage exceeded the weight limit. He told the boy to follow him into a restroom where he would inspect the luggage.

Once in the restroom, however, the suspect reportedly locked himself in a stall with the boy and blocked the exit, sexually assaulting him twice despite the victim’s protests.

According to the victim, the man threatened him about reporting the incident and made him wait while he left the restroom.

After revealing the attack to his family upon arriving in Krabi, the boy was taken to the Nua Klong police station, where authorities were able to collect DNA evidence that led to an arrest warrant being issued.

The suspect, Sukksasem Cherdchoo, admitted to having had sex with the boy but claimed the latter persuaded him to do so and offered no resistance, according to Pol Col Pongkasem Jaturongsak, investigation chief at the Suvarnabhumi police station.

He claimed he and the boy did not reach sexual climax because someone entered the restroom at the time.

He came to work as usual for the rest of the week but took leave on Saturday as he probably knew that the boy had filed a complaint, said Pol Col Pongkasem.

Police question Sukksasem Cherdchoo, 43, at the Suvarnabhumi airport police station on Saturday afternoon about an alleged sexual assault on a minor. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)

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Prinn gets 4 years in another sex assault case

Third conviction in the last month for former Democrat Party deputy leader

Prinn gets 4 years in another sex assault case
Prinn Panitchpakdi speaks to reporters after the Bangkok South Criminal Court granted his bail application on April 17 last year. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

Prinn Panitchpakdi, a former deputy leader of the Democrat Party, has been sentenced to four years in jail for sexually assaulting a former party member.

The Bangkok South Criminal Court on Friday also ordered Mr Prinn to pay 2 million baht in compensation to Hathairat “Anna” Vidhyaphum. It was his third conviction in the past month.

Ms Hathairat took the rare step last year of going public with her allegations against the politician, as she said she wanted other victims to come forward.

She was the co-plaintiff along with public prosecutors in the case against Mr Prinn.

Mr Prinn was accused of luring Ms Hathairat to a condominium room in Wattana district of Bangkok on April 24, 2021, and using force to rape her.

Prosecutors asked for Mr Prinn to be punished under Sections 276 and 281 of the Criminal Court related to rape and indecent acts and demanded 45 million baht in compensation for physical, psychological and reputational damage to the victim.

The defendant denied the charges.

After examining the evidence and testimony, the court found the defendant guilty of the charges. It initially sentenced him to six years in jail. As his testimony was useful, the court commuted the jail term to four years.

The court said it fount the compensation demand too high. It ordered the defendant to pay 2 million baht plus interest of 5%, starting from the date the assault took place.

After the ruling, Mr Prinn was granted 200,000-baht bail by the court pending his appeal against the conviction.

Ms Hathairat is married to Tanat “Nat” Thanakitamnuay, a wealthy former Democrat Party member who quit and became a high-profile supporter of the pro-democracy protests in 2020. He lost an eye when one protest rally turned violent.

On Monday, the Criminal Court sentenced Mr Prinnn to two years in jail for sexually assaulting an underaged girl, while throwing out another similar case.

On Aug 10, the Criminal Court sentenced him to two years and eight months without suspension for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old student in 2021.

Mr Prinn is the son of Supachai Panitchpakdi, a former deputy prime minister and director-general of the World Trade Organization.

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Boy allegedly molested by ground crew at Suvarnabhumi

15-year-old waiting for flight to Krabi was lured into restroom, say police

Boy allegedly molested by ground crew at Suvarnabhumi
Passengers check the flight status board at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan on Saturday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

SAMUT PRAKAN – A ground crew member with a major airline has been accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old male passenger in a restroom at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The incident was confirmed by Pol Col Chakrapong Nuchphadung, superintendent of the airport police station. He said a 46-year-old woman approached authorities on Wednesday to report that her son had been molested by a man identified only as Sukkasem, a ground crew member with an airline operating out of the terminal.

The incident took place around 6.40pm in a restroom located near Gate B8 of the domestic terminal.

The 15-year-old was travelling to see his mother in Krabi and had approached the man for assistance as he was travelling alone.

After issuing the victim a boarding pass and directing him to wait for boarding, Sukkasem, 43, allegedly inappropriately groped the boy and then convinced him that his baggage exceeded the weight limit. He told the victim to follow him into a restroom where he would inspect the luggage.

Once inside the restroom, however, the suspect reportedly locked himself in a stall with the boy and blocked the exit, sexually assaulting him twice despite the victim’s protests.

According to the victim, Sukkasem threatened him about reporting the incident and made him wait while he left the restroom.

After revealing the attack to his family upon arriving in Krabi, the victim was taken to the Nua Klong police station, where authorities were able to collect DNA evidence that has led to an arrest warrant being issued for the airport worker.

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2 million speed pills seized in Chumphon

Drug shipment was bound from Suphan Buri for Songkhla

2 million speed pills seized in Chumphon
Police display the 2 million speed pills seized in Chumphon on Saturday. (Photo: Highway Police)

CHUMPHON – Highway police seized almost 2 million methamphetamine pills in a major bust on Saturday morning.

The Chumphon Highway Police Division said it received a tip about a significant drug trafficking operation moving contraband to the southern region. Upon learning that a white Toyota Yaris was involved, officers set up a checkpoint in tambon Thung Ka.

When they stopped the suspected vehicle to search it, they uncovered several bricks bound in black plastic bags in three sacks hidden behind the driver’s seat. Two more sacks were found in the boot of the car.

On removing the contents of the bricks, police counted 1.998 million speed pills. This led the two occupants of the car — identified only as Siwaporn, 28, and Chompoonuch, 32 — to confess that they had rented the car in Suphan Buri and were headed to meet a buyer in Songkhla.

Police later discovered that another car was involved in the operation. They managed to coordinate with colleagues to stop that vehicle in Ratchaburi and arrest two more people. 

The two — identified as Sarawut, 31, and Worapol, 29 — explained that they were serving as lookouts and guides for the first car but broke off when they found that the Yaris had been spotted, hoping to escape to a nearby home.

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Lawyer jailed for lese-majeste denied bail

Court says activist Arnon Nampa, facing 13 other charges under Section 112, is a flight risk

Lawyer jailed for lese-majeste denied bail
Arnon Nampa, already convicted once, is facing 13 additional charges of violating the royal defamation law. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)

The Court of Appeal has denied a bail request from prominent activist and lawyer Arnon Nampa, who is appealing his four-year sentence for violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.

The decision was reported by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday morning.

The organisation said the court reasoned that after considering the severity of the charge and the behaviour of the defendant, it was seen that the actions of Mr Arnon had caused too much detriment to the constitutional monarchy.

The court took the view that due to the four-year prison sentence handed down by a lower court, it was likely the defendant would attempt to flee if allowed to be released on bail.

The court also ruled against a request by Mr Arnon for it to review witnesses in his case, stating that the evidence was sufficient to support the earlier ruling and no further review was required.

Mr Arnon’s lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharus, said he would consult with his client on whether to make another bail request or appeal the order to the Supreme Court.

The Criminal Court on Sept 26 sentenced Mr Arnon, an attorney with TLHR, to four years in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht for violating Section 112. The conviction stemmed from his appearance and statements made to a gathering at Victory Monument in Bangkok on Oct 14, 2020.

While waiting for the decision of the appeals court, Mr Arnon was detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

TLHR had earlier expressed confidence that bail would be granted as Mr Arnon showed no likelihood of fleeing or violating the terms of his earlier release on bail. The group also noted he is the father of two children.

Mr Arnon, 39, is widely known for taboo-breaking speeches during pro-democracy protests in 2020 during which he called for public debate on the role of the monarchy.

Section 112 carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for each perceived insult of the monarchy. Mr Arnon is facing 13 other charges under the same section.

According to data from TLHR to Aug 31 this year, 1,925 people have been prosecuted for political participation and expression since the beginning of the Free Youth protests in July 2020. At least 257 are facing lese-majeste charges under Section 112 and 130 have been charged with sedition under Section 116.

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