Schools take extra safety precautions as they resume overseas trips after COVID-19 suspension

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“We found out that one of the usual attractions that we used to go to had closed due to COVID, so we had to change the itinerary,” said TJC teacher Jared Wong.

“But at the same time, that also gave us a chance to find new sites to put into our itinerary that will also be meaningful sites.”

These new attractions include the Kuantan Art Street, which opened two years ago. 

There, geography students learnt about the city’s efforts to urbanise and reinvent itself.

Caves and waterfalls were also part of the four-day trip last month.

Students told CNA that they are grateful to finally be able to travel for such learning opportunities. 

GRATEFUL FOR LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD

“That really brought the textbook to life, because we don’t have any limestone caves in Singapore,” said TJC student Liv Ng. 

“Being able to go there and experience it was really majestic.”

TJC student Jovi Lai said: “We have this thing called ‘geography investigation’, where we have to go out onto the field, ask questions and conduct investigations to enhance our learning. It’s quite difficult for us to learn this online. 

“So being able to go out onto the field, and into Malaysia really helped us quite a bit.”

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Missing Malaysian woman tracked to Myanmar border

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Chong Sum Yee (photo supplied)
Chong Sum Yee (photo supplied)

CHIANG RAI: A missing 22-year-old Malaysian woman went to a river pier on the border with Myanmar in Mae Sai district before her worried family lost contact with her, according to official sources.

Official sources said Chong Sum Yee aka Angie checked in to a hotel near the Mae Sai border checkpoint on May 29.

The following day she rode on a motorcycle towards the border in tambon Koh Chang of Mae Sai, where the Ruak River delineates the frontier, with Tachilek township in Myanmar on the other side.

The young woman tourist was seen in surveillance camera footage sitting in the lobby of the hotel. A white-clad woman greeted her in a friendly manner and they both then walked out of the hotel.

She was seen riding pillion on a motorcycle towards the border in tambon Koh Chang.

Officials had found the woman motorcyclist, who said that Angie paid her 500 baht to go to a border pier in tambon Koh Chang. She did not know if the Malaysian woman crossed the border.

The signal from the missing woman’s mobile phone disappeared at the border in tambon Koh Chang. Thai officials said she might have entered Myanmar using an unofficial border crossing point.

Thai officials have asked their counterparts in Myanmar to look for the missing woman. They were awaiting an official complaint from her family.

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MFP denies policy to repatriate migrant workers

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Coalition-leading party responds to groundless claims made by Cambodian premier

Myanmar workers who have obtained visas wait at the Ministry of Labour office in Tak to undergo training on working in Thailand before getting a work permit.
Myanmar workers who have obtained visas wait at the Ministry of Labour office in Tak to undergo training on working in Thailand before getting a work permit.

The Move Forward Party on Wednesday denied reports alleging that it has a policy to repatriate migrant workers from neighbouring countries.

The party that won the most seats in the May 14 election was responding to claims made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at a weekend rally and widely reported in Cambodian and Thai media.

“The party’s stance is to protect the welfare and labour rights of all workers in Thailand, regardless of their nationalities,” Move Forward said in a statement posted on its official Twitter account.

“The Move Forward Party recognises the importance of the contribution made by the migrant workforce to the economic and social development of Thailand.

“Therefore, we aim to expand and improve regular pathways to facilitate the entry and employment of migrant workers in Thailand, provide them with appropriate protection, and ensure that such pathways are free from extortion, coercion or other forms of exploitation.

“This approach also aids responsible Thai employers in finding convenient avenues to fulfil the much-needed human resources needs for their industries.”

A group that helps Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand acknowledged that rumours had circulated that they would no longer be able to work in the country.

The Charity Association of Cambodia said this might have stemmed from a misunderstanding about a recent regulatory change. Employers no longer need to register their quota of foreign workers at the Department of Labour in Bangkok. They can now do it at the department office in the province where their business is located.

Thailand hosts about 2.9 million registered migrant workers, comprising around 7.6% of the workforce. Hundreds of thousands more workers are in the country without proper documentation. Illegal migration from Myanmar in particular has risen in the past two years since the military coup and subsequent economic decline there.

The recovering Thai economy, meanwhile, continues to face a labour shortage in sectors such as tourism and construction.

One of the first tasks of the Move Forward-led coalition, if it forms the next government, will be to renew employment contracts under a programme that allow more than 200,000 migrant workers to keep their jobs in the country.

The programme was recently extended but only for as long as the current government remains in its caretaker capacity.

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Cambodian Eats explores the foods of the Kingdom of Wonder - Southeast Asia Globe

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Foods and places are often closely connected, with it being difficult to separate a flavour or ingredient from the land and people they originate from. This is particularly true in Cambodia. Whether a stretch of road where vendors specialise in a local snack or an entire province known for producing the best pepper in the world, food is a key part of Cambodian identities.

Cambodian Eats, an online video series, explores Cambodian culture by taking viewers on an exciting journey across the country, visiting four provinces to learn about the foods that make them unique. 

In the show’s second season, host Neary Chalat Chor visits Takeo province, to learn about giant freshwater prawns – a local speciality. In Kampot, she tastes the famous crabs and in Pursat, she makes the favourite – and pungent – national dish, prahok. Finally, in Kampong Speu, Neary makes new friends and lends a hand processing the province’s world renowned palm sugar.

“Each place that we went to had different cuisines coming from traditional roots. It inspired me to travel as much as I can to discover new things,” said Neary.

Speaking with the show’s Co-producer and CEO of Globe Media Asia, Danel Marchette, he shared the inspiration behind the series. “Cambodian Eats is about the foods that make Cambodia the Kingdom of Wonder. Different places are synonymous with various ingredients or dishes, and these are often tied directly to the environment and communities in those places. The show works to highlight the relationships between these things and give ideas and solutions for ensuring they will be around for future generations.” 

The first season of Cambodian Eats aired in 2021, visiting Mondulkiri and Steung Treng provinces, but production for the project was cut short due to travel restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. For the second season, Globe Media Asia received funding from Heinrich Böll Stiftung to give the production new life, with the episodes published through Focus – Ready for Tomorrow, and with support from Brains Communication.

To mark the end of the second season, the Cambodian Eats team will host a live discussion on June 16th. The event will be held in Phnom Penh at the Heinrich Böll Stiftung offices and will allow the audience to meet the host, Neary Chalat Chor, ask questions and learn more about the people, places and foods featured in each episode. 

Reflecting on the series, Daniel shared, “We created Cambodian Eats to try and highlight the amazing foods, landscapes and environments of the country and educate people about the need to ensure their future through sustainable practices. Along the way, we learned about the people who call these places home and were educated about the resilience of the Cambodian people.”

To join the discussion on June 16 with Neary Chalat Chor and the Cambodian Eats team, register here: https://brains-poll.app.do/register-to-cambodian-eats-season2

Seats are limited and will be given on a first come first served basis. Media and journalists are welcome to attend by registering.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch Cambodian Eats season 2 you can find all episodes on YouTube and the Focus – Ready for Tomorrow Facebook.

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Thaksin's planned return 'depends on situation'

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Country must first be free of conflict, says daughter Paetongtarn

Red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supporters hold a birthday party for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra, with a life-sized photo, in Bangkok on July 26, 2016, when he turned 67. (Bangkok Post file photo)
Red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supporters hold a birthday party for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra, with a life-sized photo, in Bangkok on July 26, 2016, when he turned 67. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra still plans to return in July but when this will actually happen depends on the situation in the country, his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Wednesday.

Thaksin was making progress in preparing for his return, and this might include liaising with the relevant government agencies, Ms Paetongtarn said at Pheu Thai Party headquarters.

Her family was also preparing for his return “in terms of convenience and safety”, Ms Paetongtarn said.

“Many forms of reception are being prepared because it is not known what will be required, or happen,” she said.

The family also awaited Thaksin’s instructions on what else should be done in readiness for his return, Ms Paetongtarn said.

For the time being, the schedule for his return remained unchanged for July. “However, it also depends on the political and national situation,” she said.

“His return is important. I’d like him to return when the timing is good and free of conflict. Suitability is a priority,” Ms Paetongtarn said.

Upon his return, Thaksin would enter the justice system regardless of what government is in power, she said.

Thaksin was overthrown by a military coup on Sept 19, 2006, while he was overseas. He has since lived in self-imposed exile, except for a brief visit to Thailand in 2008.

During his absence from the country, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced him to a total of 12 years imprisonment in four cases.

In the first case, the court found him guilty of abuse of power in his then-wife Khunying Potjaman’s purchase of state-owned land in Ratchadapisek area for less than the market value. In October 2008, he was sentenced to two years in prison. The 10-year statute of limitations on the court ruling expired in October 2018.

In the second case, Thaksin was sentenced to two years in prison after he was found guilty of malfeasance in a case concerning the two- and three-digit lottery.

In the third case, Thaksin was handed down three years in rison for abusing his position by authorising loans totaling 4 billion baht to Myanmar by the Export-Import Bank of Thailand. The loans were used to buy equipment from a telecoms firm owned by his family.

In the fourth case, the former prime minister was sentenced to five years in prison when the court found him guilty of using nominees to hold shares in Shin Corp. The law prohibits any political office holder from owning shares in a telecommunications company.

The statutes of limitation for the court decisions on the second, third and fourth cases have not expired.

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Tourists flee burning bus on expressway

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Smoke and flames billow from the burning tour bus on Si Rat Expressway, above Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok's Chatuchak district, on Wednesday morning. The 15 Polish tourists on board all escaped injury. (Photo: FM91 Trafficpro)
Smoke and flames billow from the burning tour bus on Si Rat Expressway, above Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, on Wednesday morning. The 15 Polish tourists on board all escaped injury. (Photo: FM91 Trafficpro)

Polish tourists fled to safety as a double-decker bus taking them to Ayutthaya burst into flames and was destroyed on an expressway in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on Wednesday morning.

The white and red tour bus was carrying 15 tourists from Poland and their Thai guide. There were no injuries reported, but many passengers lost their luggage to the fire.

The bus burst into flames while outbound on the Si Rat Expressway, above the central bus terminal near the exit to Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, about 7.55am, according to traffic radio FM91 Trafficpro.

Fire trucks and crews and an expressway rescue team were rushed to the scene. They took about 20 minutes to put out the fire. By then the bus was totally gutted.

The fire caused heavy traffic congestion in the area.

The bus driver, Khuanchit Kaewmanee, 46,  said he had picked up the 15 tourists and their guide at the Bangkok Palace Hotel in Makkasan area of Ratchathewi district. They were going to Ayutthaya province.

A short time later, while outbound on the expressway, he saw smoke coming from a luggage compartment, and there was the smell of something burning.

He immediately parked the bus on the left side of the expressway and got out to check. All passengers were asked to also leave the vehicle.

Mr Khuanchit said he managed to remove some passengers’ bags from the bus before it burst into flames and he was forced to retreat.

The bus was totally destroyed. Police were investigating the cause of the fire.

A fire crew hoses down the wreckage of the burned-out tour bus. (Photo: FM91 Trafficpro)

The double-decker tour bus in flames on Si Rat Expressway in Chatuchak district, Bangkok on Wednesday morning. All 15 Polish tourists aboard, and their Thai guide, were unhurt. (Video by FM91 Trafficpro)

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US to support 'effective, stable, democratic govt' in Thailand

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A display of the Great Seal of the United States at the US embassy in Bangkok. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
A display of the Great Seal of the United States at the US embassy in Bangkok. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

WASHINGTON: Thailand is in a “delicate phase” after the May 14 election and the goal of the United States is to support an “effective, stable, democratic government” there, a top US official for the Indo-Pacific region said on Tuesday.

“We’ve watched carefully the election,” White House Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell told the Hudson Institute think tank. “This is a delicate phase in terms of the formation of a government.”

The opposition Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties dominated in last month’s election in Thailand, dealing a resounding defeat of conservative parties backed by a military that has controlled government since Thailand’s last coup on May 22, 2014, which ousted the Pheu Thai-led administration.

They have been seeking to form a coalition government with six other parties. However, Move Forward leader and prime ministerial front-runner Pita Limjaroenrat faces an uphill battle to woo members of an unelected, conservative-leaning Senate to back him in a legislative vote on a prime minister expected by August.

On Tuesday, Mr Pita played down an effort to disqualify him over a stock ownership issue, insisting he violated no rules and that rivals were determined to keep him from the top job.

The US is seeking to boost ties with allies and partners throughout Asia at it pushes back against China’s expanding power, and Campbell said Washington wanted to sustain a strong bilateral relationship with Thailand, its oldest treaty ally in the region.

“Many companies are invested there; we have strong military programs and engagements with the Thai armed forces,” the US official said.

“I think it is undeniable that the politics of Thailand have been unstable and complicated,” he said, adding: “I think our goal would be to support an effective, stable, democratic government in Thailand and then work consequentially with it.” 

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