South-East Asia (Page 1,969)

1 of 3 legal options could decide fate

Any resolution to Ashton Asoke condominium’s legal tussle rests with three applicable sections of a related law, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Deputy Bangkok governor Wisanu Subsompon outlined Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the Buildings Control Act 1979, which apply to the Ashton condo saga.

One of the sections may hold the key to saving the condo from being demolished following last Thursday’s ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court retroactively invalidating Ashton Asoke’s construction permit granted to the already finished 6-billion-baht condo project in Watthana district.

Section 40 authorises relevant officials to suspend the use of or bar unauthorised personnel’s access to a building which has been constructed, modified, demolished or relocated in violation of the act.

Section 41, however, allows for an owner of a building ruled to have defied Section 40 to rectify the situation by taking steps to obtain a needed permit within a specified, extendable deadline. Mr Wisanu said on Saturday that the owner of the luxury Ashton Asoke project may resubmit a request for a construction permit with the BMA, provided it has a clear plan to address the entrance problem.

He said the BMA will allow the project owner time to resubmit their request on the condition that it must have at least one entrance of at least 12 metres wide connected to a public road of 18 metres in width, as per the ruling.

Ashton Asoke’s main entrance joins with Asoke Road. However, part of the entrance space belongs to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which expropriated the land to build an underground train station entrance right on the project’s doorstep.

The MRTA space cannot be counted as Ashton Asoke’s land, which means the requirement for at least one 12m-wide entrance cannot be met.

Mr Wisanu said on Monday that Ashton Asoke’s legal wrangle also involves Section 42 of the Buildings Control Act.

The section stipulates that related authorities may order a dismantling of the building in whole or in part if no action is taken or the building owner refuses to rectify the problem.

The BMA’s Department of Public Works has written to the Watthana district office instructing it to order the Ashton Asoke project owner to address the building issue under the act.

On Monday, Mr Wisanu indicated that if rectification under Section 41 failed, the BMA would be left with the option of enforcing Section 42, which would likely seal the fate of the project.

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) has joined hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote “astronomical tourism”, with 18 stargazing locations designated as dark sky reserves this year.

Narit director Saran Poshyachinda said the institute and TAT launched the Amazing Dark Sky in Thailand Season 2 project to introduce 18 stargazing locations nationwide that have been registered as dark sky reserves where artificial light can’t reach.

The TAT and Narit initiated the Amazing Dark Sky in Thailand project in 2020 to promote dark sky tourism, raise awareness of light pollution, and the preservation of quiet and dark skies, which are perfect photography spots for stargazers, he said.

Narit had held astronomical activities more than 150 times, attended by at least 100,000 stargazers over the past three years.

This year, 26 locations across the country were proposed for endorsement as dark sky reserves, but only 18 met the criteria, Mr Saran said.

They consist of five national parks and 13 properties.

The parks are Mae Wong National Park in Kamphaeng Phet, Ta Phraya National Park in Sa Kaeo, Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Nan National Park in Nan and Namtok Pha Luang Forest Park in Ubon Ratchathani.

The 13 properties include Khon Kaen Zoo, Mela Garden Retreat Cottage Resort in Saraburi, Khirimala Eco Camp in Ratchaburi, Saengsuk Farm in Rayong, Rai Khao Noi Sawana in Nakhon Ratchasima and Ao Toh Li Viewpoint in Phangnga.

There are also seven properties in Chiang Mai, which are Ton Khao Hom Ban Aom Doi (Chill Chiang Dao), Villa De View Chiang Dao, Chiang Dao Farm Stay, Ban Suan Pa Pong Doi, the Teak Resort, Putoh Chiang Dao and the Summit Green Valley Chiangmai Country Club.

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) plans to recruit pharmacies nationwide to offer medicine listed for 16 minor ailments for subscribers of the universal healthcare (UHC), also known as the “gold card” scheme.

Dr Jadet Thammathat-aree, secretary-general of the NHSO, said the office and the Pharmacy Council of Thailand (PCT) launched the project last November with 1,090 pharmacies across the country.

As of July 14, 189,035 gold card holders had registered to use the service.

Dr Jadet said the most-requested medicines are for flu, joint pain or muscle pain, skin irritation such as rashes, stomach pain and eye irritation.

The NHSO is currently working with the PCT to recruit 17,000 more pharmacies to join.

In 2024, the NHSO expects over 5,000 pharmacies will be part of the scheme and have medicines for 16 minor ailments ready to distribute, Dr Jadet said.

He added that every district will have at least one pharmacy in the NHSO scheme to administer basic medicines for subscribers. Ultimately, the NHSO wants all pharmacies to join.

Pharmacies that do so will also be able to provide annual basic health screenings for gold-card holders free of charge, which covers BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, and risks from smoking, drinking and drug use.

Dr Jadet said preventive medicines such as birth control, birth control for lactating women, emergency birth control, condoms, pregnancy tests and pregnancy supplements will also be available.

Subscribers to the scheme can show their national ID card to receive services.

The Rayong Provincial Administrative Office (PAO) is spending 70 million baht building a new pier linking the mainland to the resort island of Koh Samet.

The pier is expected to be fully open in 2025.

Rayong PAO chief, Piya Pitutecha, said a new pier is needed as the current pier is in a run-down condition. Currently, the pier is rented by a private company that operates a ferry service to the island.

After receiving 76 million baht from the Budget Bureau, Rayong PAO immediately initiated the first phase of work by demolishing wooden structures on the pier.

During the second phase, restaurants and shops will be removed from the pier area. Construction of the pier using reinforced concrete will follow in the third phase. The pier will be the province’s first modern pier built according to industry standards.

Mr Piya said the pier would offer facilities for locals and tourists wanting to take ferries to Koh Samet. The pier will also host state agencies’ offices, including the Marine Department’s regional office, the Marine Police Division and Tourist Police.

“Work is proceeding with the second phase. Once it is completed, the pier will become Rayong’s next landmark to welcome people to and from Koh Samet,” he said.

Mr Piya and other Rayong officials recently visited the location of the new pier, along with tambon Ban Phae mayor Pairat Arunwessaset.

A key Move Forward Party (MFP) figure yesterday condemned people who spread a rumour that the MFP would support a Pheu Thai prime minister candidate even if the party is ejected from the coalition.

Nattacha Boonchai-insawat, MFP’s deputy secretary-general, said the rumour was an ugly move and could only be seen as an attempt to force the MFP to leave the eight-party bloc.

He said Pheu Thai should inform its prospective coalition partners of the results of its talks with other parties outside the bloc as early as possible so they have time to make a decision.

“It must be made clear how the talks with the other political parties go. The prime minister vote may take place on [Friday], so it feels like our hands are being forced,” he said, referring to reports that Pheu Thai would hold a meeting a day before the vote.

House president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha called the Friday meeting, but whether a new vote takes place depends on a decision by the Constitutional Court on Thursday.

The court will announce if it is to accept a petition regarding the rejected renomination of MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as PM. If accepted, the vote will not occur until the court’s ruling.

“We’ve stepped back and let Pheu Thai lead coalition formation because we want the eight parties to stay together. But if there there is an ugly move to force us to blindly vote, I believe our supporters will understand if we don’t support a Pheu Thai candidate,” he said.

SAMUT PRAKAN: A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a woman was found beaten to death and mutilated in tambon Thepharak in Muang district on Sunday.

Khajondet Jampathong was arrested by the police on Sunday in front of Charoenchai Condo 2 on Soi Sri Boonruang 2, after neighbours reported the assault of 59-year-old Jitra Chantharunai, a municipal street cleaner who lived in a neighbouring building, around 11.30am.

Jitra’s body was found in a nearby parking lot. Police who attended the scene found her sexual organs laid out next to her body.

According to witnesses, Jitra had been drinking at a nearby grocery store with several neighbours when she walked towards Mr Khajondet’s room.

Witnesses saw them arguing for a while. Then Mr Khajondet suddenly struck her on the head repeatedly with two hammers before dragging her to an empty parking lot nearby.

When police arrived at the scene, he admitted to undressing Jitra and cutting out her genitals using a 25-cm knife, which they found at the crime scene, along with the hammers.

Village chief Chamblong Phumphan said the suspect returned to the condo after finishing his service in the air force about a month ago. Neighbours told police Mr Khajondet had been seen talking to himself numerous times.

Jitra’s son, Damronska Sakaew, said he was shocked by the gruesome murder because his mother had never had any arguments with Mr Khajondet.

Acknowledge charges or face arrest, police warn

The owners of the fireworks warehouse in Narathiwat, which exploded on Saturday, levelling hundreds of homes and killing 12 people, will be arrested if they fail to report to the police today, said Provincial Police Region 9 commissioner, Pol Lt Gen Nanthadej Yoinuan yesterday.

His warning came after he received the latest update on the situation from local authorities, police and army officers.

Sompong Nakul, 42, and his wife, Piyanuch Peungwirawat, 42, are listed as the owners of Wirawat Panich — a company which trades in agricultural products, household items and fireworks.

They have been summoned by the police to acknowledge a slew of criminal charges, which include negligence causing death, as well as importing and selling fireworks without a licence, which is a violation of the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Fireworks Act.

A police source said back in 2016, Mr Sompong was arrested for storing and selling fireworks and other flammable materials without a permit.

According to Pol Lt Gen Nanthadej, several workers were welding when the sparks lit up some of the fireworks stored in the warehouse, causing a massive explosion.

The Department of Provincial Administration’s (DoPA) director-general, Manrat Rattanasukhonhas, has ordered all district chiefs nationwide to inspect the safety standards and licences of all fireworks warehouses in the province.

The order followed the explosion at a fireworks warehouse in tambon Muno, which killed 12 people, injuring 121 and damaging 292 houses.

Yotdanai Bula, whose father perished in the tragedy, told the Post that his father had repeatedly warned the owner of the warehouse to stop storing large amounts of fireworks in the warehouse, which is located in the middle of the neighbourhood.

Yesterday Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, permanent secretary for public health, said His Majesty the King has offered to pay for the treatment of 10 people who were severely injured by the blast at Sungai Kolok Hospital in Narathiwat.

Meanwhile, Dr Chaiwat Pattanapisarnsak, from Narathiwat’s Public Health Office, said the blast has affected the psychological well-being of 365 people from 290 households.

ONWR touts use of solar-powered pump

A number of abandoned mines in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Lamphun will soon be turned into sources of water in a water-management project aimed at countering seasonal drought and flooding.

This is one of more than 7,000 water-management projects planned over the next 20 years, said Surasri Kidtimonton, secretary-general of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR).

These projects are primarily aimed at retaining 951 million cubic metres of water for use to supply 3.8 million rai in areas usually affected by drought in the dry season while protecting from flooding over more than 1.7 million rai of land often flooded in the rainy season, he said.

In Lamphun, for instance, 11 abandoned mines were found to have the potential to be developed into sources of water budgets for use in supplying farm areas nearby, he said. A test on the quality of the water in these mines shows it is safe and good enough for use in the agricultural sector, he said.

Two sizeable abandoned mines in tambon Dong Dam in Li district of Lamphun, for example, have a combined capacity to better serve farmers on up to 7,482 rai of farmland, which normally requires 9.3 million cubic metres of water per year, he said.

These old mines will next be turned into sources of water budgets in a pilot project to be implemented in Lamphun, while other such mines will later be included if the pilot phase proves successful, he said.

Water will be drawn from the mines using a solar-powered pump, Mr Surasi said. A 5-million-baht pump has been installed at Muang Li Mi Rak, one of the two mines, as part of the pilot project.

As part of a related project, a sluice gate called Mae Taman Gate will be built as a component of a system to divert more water into Mae Kuang Udom Thara Dam (Mae Kuang Dam) through the Mae Ngat-Mae Kuang water diversion tunnel in Chiang Mai’s Mae Taeng district, he said.

The tunnel, which is almost complete, will help increase the volume of water into the dam by 160 million cubic metres each year, expanding the dam’s capacity to serve up to 76,129 rai of farmland from just 17,060 rai at present, he said.