Chinese illegals arrested, Thai charged with sheltering them

On: June 27, 2023

The three Chinese men arrested for illegal entry while hiding in a village in Ubon Ratchathani. They were going to work for a scam gang, police said. (Photo: Kaosakonnakhon Facebook)

Three illegal Chinese immigrants hiding in a border village and waiting to be taken to work for phone-scam and online gambling gangs were arrested during police raids in Ubon Ratchathani province.

The Thai man who sheltered them was also arrested.

Teams of police, soldiers and local officials raided five border villages in Khemmarat and Pho Sai districts on Monday afternoon, acting on information that Chinese men who entered the country illegally were hiding there.

The operation was led by Ubon Ratchathani immigration chief Pol Col Chatchai Samniang.

Three Chinese men were arrested in Khemmarat district – Jiang Jiang, 33, Cheng Mao Sheng, 19 and Zao Hui Fan, 22 – along with Thai villager Phornphana Buddaphan, 46. The Chinese were charged with illegal entry, and Mr Phornphana with hiding them.

The trio were awaiting transportation to towns in the North and the East to work for a phone call gang and an online gambling gang based in a neigbhouring country, police said. A van used for smuggling was also seized.

During questioning, Mr Phornphana said he had picked up the three Chinese after smugglers brought them in from Laos. The three men were to stay at his house for one night and then a vehicle would arrive and take them to their destination. He had been paid 4,000 baht per head and had done this three times previously.

Pol Col Chatchai said the arrests were in line with the policy implemented by national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas and deputy natonal police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakarn, to crack down on illegal migrants along the northeastern border.

Chinese nationals were illegally entering the country through this area to work for and run illegal businesses, the provincial immigration police chief said.

The investigation was being extended to arrest other Thais involved in the smuggling of Chinese illegals.

Prawit doesn’t rule out being nominated for PM

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon smiles at reporters when he arrives at Government House on Tuesday. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam)

Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwon on Tuesday would neither confirm nor rule out the possibility he could be nominated as the next prime minister.

Reporters at Government House asked whether he was ready for the possibility his name could be put forward as the next prime minister when the joint parliament votes to decide the matter.

“There has not been any discussion to that stage. Let’s just wait,” said Gen Prawit, who is senior deputy prime minister in the caretaker cabinet.

Gen Prawit looked cheerful when he arrived at Government House on Tuesday, following his trip to Britain last week.

He said he went there for medical treatment, and denied the rumour he met former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra there.

He said he had not seen Thaksin for 18 years, nor had he spoken to him by phone.

Gen Prawit was tightlipped when reporters asked about speculation that if he were nominated for prime minister it would attract votes of support from senators, allay any fears of a coup and arrange for the return of Thaksin.

He also declined to comment when asked who, as prime minister, could break the political deadlock.

Palang Pracharath won 40 seats at the general election. He is the party’s sole list-MP.

Driver caught using fake plates, 260 unpaid toll charges

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The 35-year-old woman signs a document acknowledging police charges after she was arrested in Pathum Thani province with fake licence plates on her BMW car and hundreds of unpaid toll fees. (Photo: Central Investigation Bureau)

A businesswoman has been arrested in Pathum Thani province for using fake licence plates on her BMW car and allegedly failing to pay toll fees 260 times, as shown in the official database.

Highway police apprehended Ms Thanatsupha, 35, on Kanchanaphisek Eastern Ring Road as she was heading to Bang Pa-in in Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani, on Monday evening, the Central Investigation Bureau said on Tuesday. Her full name was not disclosed.

Her vehicle was intercepted after being detected by the Highway Police Division’s alert system.

The black BMW, with red Bangkok licence plates, was caught going through the Thanyaburi and Thab Chang toll gates on Kanchanaphisek Road. The licence plate numbers were deemed suspicious. The driver went through an M-Flow gate, which allows motorists to pay the toll later.

A system check showed the car plates had 260 unpaid toll fees, totalling about 7,000 baht.

During questioning, Ms Thanatsupha said she only recently took delivery of the car. She was awaiting the auction of auspicious licence plate numbers to use with the vehicle. In the interim she had purchased licence plates on Facebook for use on her car. She insisted she had always paid toll fees.

Police initially pressed charges of falsifying official documents or using them. She was held in custody for legal action.

A source said authorities would thoroughly investigate the unpaid tolls involving her car, because there were many red licence plates with the same numbers as this BMW.

Man jailed 18 years for raping, sexually abusing stepdaughter after wife went to prison

By: Marcus Ching

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: After his wife went to jail, a man began sexually abusing and raping his 10-year-old stepdaughter who was entrusted to him.

Even when his wife was released from prison, the 50-year-old man continued to sexually abuse the child while her mother was asleep.

He was sentenced to 18 years’ jail on Tuesday (Jun 27). He cannot be caned as the punishment is not carried out for those aged 50 and above.

He pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration, with another three charges taken into consideration.

The court heard that the man married the victim’s mother in Batam. In September 2017, the family moved into a flat in Singapore.

A few weeks after they moved in, the victim’s mother was sentenced to 14 weeks’ jail for reasons not revealed in court documents.

Just days after his wife started serving her jail term, the offender started to prey on his stepdaughter.

When she attempted to physically and verbally resist his sexual assaults, he told her not to tell anyone or he would carry out more sexual acts against her.

That same month, the man raped his stepdaughter, who tried to push him away but could not as he was larger than her.

The victim felt pain, bled and cried.

The sexual abuse continued between 2017 and 2020, even after the victim’s mother had returned home.

The victim did not say anything as she was afraid of her stepfather’s threats.

It was only in October 2021, when the victim’s mother called the police for an unrelated incident, that the offences were discovered through investigations.

The victim’s mother confronted her husband. He initially denied it, but later admitted to the abuse. He offered a monthly sum of S$500 to the victim and apologised, asking them not to report it to the police.

The police took up the case, and the victim told a doctor at a Child Guidance Clinic that she had had suicidal thoughts for many years since 2017.

She said she did not like and had to endure what was done to her, and reported recurrent flashbacks. She said she would also feel anxious and tend to be more careful about men in public.

She freezes if there are men nearby, as she fears being molested. She also said she had “feelings of anger” for not disclosing what happened earlier.

Her mother has since divorced the rapist.

The prosecution called for 17 to 20 years’ jail, with another 10 to 12 months in lieu of the mandatory minimum of 24 strokes of the cane.

They said the offender exploited the trust reposed in him as the victim’s stepfather. He also showed a pattern of premeditated abuse, and had exposed the girl to the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

CNA has contacted the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on what the victim’s mother was jailed for.

Heavy traffic expected at land checkpoints for Hari Raja Haji holiday

By: Marcus Ching

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: Motorists planning to cross into Malaysia for the Hari Raya Haji holiday are advised to factor in additional waiting time for immigration clearance, as heavy traffic is expected at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from Wednesday (Jun 28) to next Monday.

“Travellers departing by car should expect waiting times of close to three hours for peak periods over long weekends, similar to pre-COVID days,” the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in an advisory issued on Tuesday.

The land checkpoints saw continuous heavy traffic during the June school holidays and peaked at about 430,000 crossings on Jun 16, exceeding pre-COVID levels.

More than 1.2 million travellers – averaging about 406,000 crossings a day – used the land checkpoints between Jun 16 and 18, ICA said.

“During that weekend, ICA noted that there were long queues of cars waiting to clear departure coupled with continuous tailbacks from Malaysia,” it added. “Despite the start of school on Jun 26, more than 1.1 million travellers cleared through immigration at the land checkpoints in the last weekend (Jun 24 to 26).”

Motorists are advised to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints through the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s One Motoring website, or via the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System installed along the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) and Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE).

Updates are also available through ICA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as from local radio broadcasts.

Heavy traffic expected at land checkpoints for Hari Raya Haji holiday

By: Marcus Ching

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The land checkpoints saw continuous heavy traffic during the June school holidays and peaked at about 430,000 crossings on Jun 16, exceeding pre-COVID levels.

More than 1.2 million travellers – averaging about 406,000 crossings a day – used the land checkpoints between Jun 16 and 18, ICA said.

Updates are also available through ICA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as from local radio broadcasts.

Pita: Senators should not abuse lese majeste law issue

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

They risk pitting the monarchy against the people, he says

Move Forward Party leader and candidate for prime minister Pita Limjaroenrat waves to photographers at the parliament on Tuesday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has warned senators not to use his party’s intention to amend the lese majeste law as an excuse to block his election as prime minister, because that would pit the institution against the people.

Mr Pita said at the parliament on Tuesday that any attempt to use MFP’s plan to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code to prevent his becoming prime minister was an issue of concern.

“That is tantamount to letting the people’s voice clash directly with the institution. It is inappropriate and dangerous,” Mr Pita said while leading his party’s new MPs to report to the House secretariat.

Section 112 protects the royal institution from being offended.

“Section 112 has been used as a political tool against people with different opinions, and that does no good for any institution,” he said.

The leader of the election-winning party confirmed that he would maintain the system of constitutional monarchy in Thailand.

“Many parties still misunderstand. Amendment is not revocation. There have been talks with senators and they are starting to understand that to maintain the constitutional monarchy there must be suitable changes at a time when Thailand is in a period of transition,” Mr Pita said.

Asked to comment on senators who announced they would not vote for him as prime minister, Mr Pita said he hoped they would adhere to the principle of not going against the people’s voice. His party won 151 House seats, more than any other party.

The constitution allows senators to join House representatives in voting for a prime minister at a joint sitting. The parliament consists of 500 elected representatives and 250 appointed senators.

To become prime minister, Mr Pita needs the support of a majority of the 750 members of the joint parliament – at least 376 votes.

Mr Pita claimed on Tuesday that he did have enough support in the Senate to ensure his election as prime minister.

House now has only 499 MPs

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Move Forward list-MP disqualified

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, centre, and party MPs show their new ID cards to the press after reporting for the first time to the Secretariat of the House of Representatives on Monday. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

The House of Representatives now has 499 members, one short of the full complement of 500, following Moe Forward list-MP Nateepat Kulsetthasitha’s formal conviction and sentencing for drunk driving two days after the general election.

On May 16, MP-elect Ms Nateepat, 27th on the Move Forward party list, announced her resignation after she was arrested earlier that day by police for driving while over the limit for alcohol.

That same day, she was sentenced by the Min Buri Criminal Court to two months in jail and fined 4,000 baht. She was order to undertake 12 hours of community services and banned from driving for six months. The prison sentence was then suspended for two years and she was placed on probation for one year.

The Election Commission on June 19 endorsed all 500 MPs-elect including Ms Nateepat, who confirmed her intention to resign but said she had been told she must first complete election procedures.

House of Representatives secretary-general Pornpit Phetcharoen said that on Monday her office received a letter from the Min Buri Criminal Court saying the case was finalised. Therefore, Ms Nateepat had lost her MP status under Section 101 (13) of the law on the election of MPs. The Move Forward Party had been informed of this.

The next candidate on Move Forward’s party list would replace her after the House speaker was selected, Mrs Pornpit said.

His Majesty the King will open the new parliament on July 3. The House speaker will be selected at a joint sitting of parliament on July 4.

Killed student’s kin get insurance money

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Life insurance for fire-drill tragedy

Forensic police are at Rajavinit Mathayom School in Nang Loeng area after the explosion on June 23. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

The Education Ministry has distributed life insurance money and other financial assistance to the family members of a Mathayom Suksa 6 student who was killed when a fire extinguisher exploded during a fire drill at his Bangkok school on Friday.

Permanent secretary for education, Atthapol Sangkhawasi, met on Monday with the family of Khumthong “Benz” Premmanee, 18, who died in the incident at the Rajavinit Mathayom School in Nang Loeng area, Dusit district, to present them with the funds.

Niyom Phaisopha, director-general of Bangkok Secondary Educational Service Area Office 1, and Theprit Yodsai, the school director, also joined the visit.

The family received 200,000 baht in life insurance compensation through the school, with an additional 30,000 baht for the death from the Education Ministry and 5,000 for his family members from the permanent secretary’s office, Mr Atthapol said.

The Education Ministry has also given 5,000 baht to each family of those injured.

The ministry also planned to invite psychiatrists to the school when it reopens tomorrow.

Mr Atthapol said the ministry had ordered all schools to recheck their fire safety equipment.

The ministry has also ordered all schools through their provincial educational offices to take extra care when conducting fire drills or any activities that risk student safety, including checking equipment.

Meanwhile, Bunjong Sukritha, secretary-general of the Thailand Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), said the institute had approved Thai Industrial Standards (TSI) for three types of extinguishers: foam extinguishers, dry chemical compound extinguishers, and carbon dioxide extinguishers.

Regarding the extinguisher that exploded at the school, it was a carbon dioxide extinguisher without a TSI sign on the packaging, according to Mr Bunjong.

He added that the TISI did not put carbon dioxide extinguishers on the list of controlled goods, making TISI approval for carbon dioxide extinguishers not compulsory due to their lower popularity and efficiency when compared to others. The TISI will reconsider carbon dioxide extinguisher standardisation following the tragedy, according to Mr Bunjong.

Pita urged to reveal details of land sale

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 27, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana on Monday called on Move Forward Party (MFP) leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat to disclose details involving the sale of a 14-rai land plot he owned in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Pran Buri district.

The move followed media reports by Isra News Agency which claimed Mr Pita recently sold the land for 6.5 million baht, although the plot was listed as being worth 18 million baht in an assets and debts declaration he submitted to the anti-graft agency in 2019.

Mr Ruangkrai, who is also a member of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), said he sent a letter to the MFP leader to provide more information about the transaction to fulfil a constitutional requirement for a minister.

He said the MFP leader is seeking to become the prime minister, and so should prove he has the qualification listed in Section 160(4) of the charter, which says a minister must have a track record of honesty.

Among the information Mr Ruangkrai asked from Mr Pita was the land sale contract, the receipt, the estimated price, payment of land transfer fees, personal income tax, and a copy of the land ownership paper.

The PPRP member also wanted to know if Mr Pita had paid brokerage fees for the transaction and authorised anyone to carry out the transaction on his behalf.

Mr Ruangkrai also raised the question of whether the land was sold at the stated price.

Early this month, Mr Ruangkrai petitioned the Election Commission to look into the land plot and asked the poll agency to seek information regarding Mr Pita’s assets and debts declaration from the National Anti-Corruption Commission for use in the probe.

The Senate committee on political development and public participation also said last week it had launched a further probe into Mr Pita’s qualifications and his eligibility to contest the May 14 election, and it was seeking information related to Mr Pita’s assets and debts.

South-East Asia (Page 975)