Thai-Vietnamese Leaders Hail Strategic Partnership Upgrade

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17 May 2025, 00:09

paetong vietnam1 — Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, walk to a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam Friday, May 16, 2025.

BANGKOK — Vietnam and Thailand have upgraded their ties to strategic partnership, state media announced Friday. This new status elevates Thailand to the same level as Vietnam’s other main strategic partners including the U.S., China, and Russia.

The announcement came after Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s visit to Hanoi, where she met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The strengthened relationship aims to enhance political, defense and security cooperation, boost trade to $25 billion, and increase tourism and green energy cooperation, according to state media.

Both leaders co-chaired the 4th Thailand-Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR), an informal meeting between the prime ministers and ministers of both countries. Ministers from various departments attended, including the Ministries of Transport, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Culture, and Industry and Trade.

In addition to meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister Paetongtarn also paid courtesy calls to Mr. Luong Cuong, President of Vietnam, and Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. During both meetings, the parties expressed satisfaction with Thailand and Vietnam’s success in announcing the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to further develop relations between the two countries.

Ms. Paetongtarn described the JCR as a special cooperation mechanism unique to Thailand and Vietnam, initiated by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and continued by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra before reaching her term. This reflects the ongoing commitment to developing Thai-Vietnamese relations. She also invited the Vietnamese Prime Minister to make an official visit to Thailand later this year to participate in the Mekong-Lancang Summit, which Thailand will host.

paetong vietnam3 — Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra co-chairs the 4th Thailand-Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR), with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on May 16, 2025.

She praised Vietnam for its rapid development and growth, noting that her government prioritizes human resource development and is interested in Vietnam’s model for developing people. She was pleased that both sides aim to quickly push bilateral trade value to reach $25 billion.

After returning to Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn summarized her Vietnam visit in a social media post, stating: “It is my great pleasure and honour to pay my first official visit to Viet Nam as Prime Minister of Thailand, and co-chair Thailand – Viet Nam Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR) with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The JCR is a special mechanism that Viet Nam only has with Thailand. PM Chinh and I announced the elevation of Thailand – Viet Nam relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which opens a new historic chapter in the relations between our two countries.”

paetong vietnam4 — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pays a courtesy call on Mr. Luong Cuong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during her official visit to Vietnam at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on May 6, 2025.

She added that both sides recognized the increasing importance of the Thailand-Vietnam partnership for the region and the need to create greater synergy between their economies. Their agreements included reaching the $25 billion bilateral trade target soon, strengthening links between supply chains and local economies, and cooperating on human resources development for future industries, particularly semiconductors and AI.

The leaders also agreed to increase military and law enforcement cooperation to combat narcotics, online scams, and illegal fishing, while promoting tourism through more transportation links, including an upcoming direct flight connecting Vietnam and Northeastern Thailand

“PM Chinh and I also jointly presided over the opening ceremony of the Thailand – Viet Nam Business Forum, which brought together leading Thai and Vietnamese companies to expand business networks and increase two-way investments between the two countries,” she stated.

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Construction Magnate Surrenders on Negligence Charges Over Bangkok Building Collapse in Earthquake

By

Associated Press

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16 May 2025, 20:27

Thailand Building Collapse — Premchai Karnasuta, the president of Italian-Thai Development Co arrives on a wheelchair at Bang Sue Police Station in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 16, 2025 to surrender to police on criminal negligence charges for the collapse of a Bangkok high-rise during a March 28 earthquake. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

A construction magnate, builders, designers and engineers surrendered to police Friday on criminal negligence charges over the collapse during the March 28 earthquake of a Bangkok high-rise in which 92 people died.

Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development Co, the main Thai contractor for the building project, as well as designers and engineers, was among 17 charged with the felony of professional negligence causing death, Bangkok deputy police chief Noppasin Poonsawat said.

Noppasin said those who met police on Friday formally denied the charges. Several have previously issued public denials in response to allegations in the media.

Ninety-two people were confirmed dead in the rubble of the building that had been under construction. A small number of other people remain unaccounted for.

AP25133381610161 — FILE- Rescuers search for victims at the site of a high-rise building under construction that collapsed after a strong earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, early Saturday, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn, File)

The building, which was to become a new State Audit Office, was the only one in Thailand to collapse in the earthquake that was centered in neighboring Myanmar. The search for victims at the site has been halted, though efforts to identify remains through DNA will continue.

Noppasin said at a news conference that evidence and testimony from experts suggested the building plan did not meet standards and codes. The Bangkok Post newspaper said police had also determined the project showed “structural flaws in the core lift shaft and substandard concrete and steel.”

Thai media have reported allegations of wrongdoing in the project almost every day since the building’s collapse, many of them involving irregular documentation for the project. Their reports have highlighted the role of Italian-Thai’s Chinese joint venture partner, the China Railway No. 10 company, which is involved in projects around the world.

One of the 17 charged Friday was Chinese executive Zhang Chuanling, a director at China Railway No. 10’s joint venture with Italian-Thai Development. He was previously arrested last month on a charge of violating Thai business law by wrongly using Thai nominees to serve as the Chinese firm’s proxies to allegedly control the joint venture. Three Thai executives were also arrested on the charge.

AP25136122844384 — Premchai Karnasuta, the president of Italian-Thai Development Co arrives at Bang Sue Police Station in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 16, 2025 to surrender to police on criminal negligence charges for the collapse of a Bangkok high-rise during a March 28 earthquake. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the 17 on the negligence charge on Thursday. Noppasin said 15 turned themselves in at a police station in the morning and the remaining two were expected to do so later.

All 15 were driven in police vehicles to the Bangkok Criminal Court, which approved a police detention request and denied the suspects’ bail applications, local media reported.

The epicenter of the quake was in central Myanmar, where it killed more than 3,700 people and caused major damage in Mandalay, the country’s second biggest city, and the capital Naypyitaw.

Premchai’s case is his second major tangle with the law. In 2019, he was convicted of wildlife poaching and served about three years in prison.

He was found guilty of killing protected animals and illegal possession of weapons after park rangers found a hunting party at a wildlife sanctuary in 2018 with carcasses of a rare black panther, a kalij pheasant and a barking deer. The panther had been butchered and its meat cooked for soup.

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Thailand to Transform 118 Hot Springs into Spa Destinations

By

Khaosod English

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16 May 2025, 17:44

BANGKOK — The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is pushing forward with plans to develop Thailand’s hot springs into international-standard spa towns, hoping to compete with Japan’s famous onsen resorts.

Ms. Nattareeya Thaweewong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, revealed that a 2023 survey identified 118 hot springs throughout Thailand. Of these, 71 are located in the North, 32 in the South, 12 in Central Thailand, and 2 in the Eastern region. These are categorized as isolated natural hot springs (12 locations), hot springs in natural areas (33), rural hot springs (63), and urban hot springs (10).

hotspring2 — San Kamphaeng Hot Springs in Chiang Mai province has been selected as the prototype model for development.

hotspring4 — Salt hot springs in Khlong Thom District, Krabi Province

“The government aims to develop these natural assets into tourist attractions, elevating them to European-style ‘Spa Towns’ or Japanese-style ‘Onsen Towns,'” said Thaweewong. “Our concept connects hot springs with nearby attractions to create an international Thai hot spring brand and distribute income to secondary cities.”

The Strategy and Planning Division of the Ministry’s Office of the Permanent Secretary has compiled nationwide hot spring statistics and usage popularity. San Kamphaeng Hot Springs in Chiang Mai province has been selected as the prototype model for development.

Currently, the Department of Tourism is in the process of signing a contract to hire consultants for studying and designing the project. Chiang Mai province, which owns the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs area, is in the procurement process, with contract signing expected on June 24.

hotspring1 — San Kamphaeng Hot Springs in Chiang Mai province has been selected as the prototype model for development.

In 2023, San Kamphaeng Hot Springs attracted 384,619 visitors, generating 3,504,510 baht in revenue. The Department of Tourism has reported that development is proceeding according to their master plan, divided into three phases:

Phase 1 (2025-2027) focuses on infrastructure and facilities development with a 197 million baht budget,
Phase 2 (2027) will develop health tourism facilities with 253 million baht, pending Phase 1 results,
Phase 3 will focus on improving local quality of life with sustainable development mechanisms.

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AIS 3BB FIBRE3 Bundles Max Entertainment with All Home Internet Packages

By

MC Marketing

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16 May 2025, 17:14

AIS 3BB FIBRE3 launches the new ‘Net & Entertainment Gang’ bundle starting at 599 Baht/month, where customers can enjoy fast internet bundled with quality entertainment from Warner Bros. Discovery’s premier streaming service, Max, with fiber internet packages.

With Max Standard plan, customers can stream original series and iconic hits from The White Lotus, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Friends and more. The package also features five HBO channels (HBO, HBO Hits, HBO Family, HBO Signature, Cinemax), as well as popular Korean and Asian content from Viu, iQIYI and WeTV via the AIS PLAYBOX.

Net & Entertainment Gang packages—”Enjoy your gang, fast internet, endless entertainment without interruption”—deliver high-quality streaming on big screens with clear, uninterrupted signals, offering premium content from Max at affordable prices tailored to your needs:

Net Lite Gang: Affordable and ideal home internet at 599 Baht/month. Speeds up to 500/500 Mbps. Includes free AIS PLAYBOX with PLAY LITE package (Max) and WiFi6 router.
Net Standard Gang: Enhanced speed for global series fans at 799 Baht/month. Speeds up to 1Gbps/500 Mbps. Includes AIS PLAYBOX with PLAY STANDARD package (Max, Viu, iQIYI, WeTV content) and WiFi6 router.
Net Enjoy Gang: Strong, whole-home coverage at 899 Baht/month. Speeds up to 1Gbps/500 Mbps. Includes AIS PLAYBOX with PLAY STANDARD package (Max, Viu, iQIYI, WeTV content) and two WiFi6 routers to ensure wide signal coverage throughout your home.
Net Smart Gang: Seamless connectivity inside and outside your home, exclusively for AIS postpaid customers at a special rate of 799 Baht/month (regularly 999 Baht). Speeds up to 1Gbps/500 Mbps. Includes AIS PLAYBOX with PLAY STANDARD package (Max, Viu, iQIYI, WeTV content), two WiFi6 routers to ensure wide signal coverage throughout your home, and 10GB mobile data.
Net Combo Gang: The ultimate entertainment experience, specially priced for AIS postpaid customers at 899 Baht/month (regularly 1,099 Baht). Speeds up to 1Gbps/500 Mbps. Includes free AIS PLAYBOX with PLAY STANDARD package (Max, Viu, iQIYI, WeTV content), two WiFi6 routers to ensure wide signal coverage throughout your home, and 20GB mobile data.

Customers interested in subscribing to the Net & Entertainment Gang packages or learning more, please visit https://www.ais.th/consumers/fibre/package/net-and-entertainment-gang-package

World Groups Continue Urgent Animal Rescue in Mandalay After Quake

By

MC Marketing

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16 May 2025, 17:03

BANGKOK — Over one month after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, World Animal Protection and Let’s Save The Strays, International continue their urgent efforts to assist affected animals, particularly in areas where critical infrastructure remains severely damaged, deeply impacting local communities and leaving many animals desperately needing help.

“To date, over 1,000 animals have been treated for disaster-related wounds, fractured limbs, parvovirus, distemper, infections from fights, and life-threatening reproductive emergencies—such as severe uterine infections and complications during birth—in unsterilized female animals that became unexpectedly pregnant.

We are currently feeding up to 800 animals per day, distributing food from our small office with the help of street feeders who reach the thousands of free-roaming dogs and cats scattered in the aftermath of this disaster—surviving in garbage dumps, abandoned buildings, and monasteries.” said Amy Shoff, Chief Executive Officer of Let’s Save The Strays, International.

“We understand clearly that in times of disaster, both humans and animals require urgent assistance. Helping animals not only saves their lives but also provides comfort to the affected communities who care deeply for them. Our experience from the 2015 Nepal earthquake taught us that long-term planning is equally crucial to immediate relief efforts,” stated Ms. Roatchana Sungthong, Country Director of World Animal Protection Thailand.

One month after the earthquake, Mandalay continues to face severe challenges including disrupted public utilities, damaged roads, and veterinary clinics operating at limited capacity. In addition to immediate relief activities, World Animal Protection and Let’s Save The Strays, International have outlined longer-term plans for the next 1–3 months, which include:

Rebuilding veterinary clinics to restore advanced veterinary care services.
Scaling up vaccination programs to prevent disease outbreaks.
Resuming the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) initiative as a key measure for controlling stray animal populations and reducing their suffering.

World Animal Protection has been committed to disaster relief for animals globally for over 50 years, delivering essential supplies such as food, clean water, veterinary treatment, and evacuation assistance in various disasters including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and typhoons. Over this period, the organization has conducted over 250 relief missions, saving more than 7 million animals worldwide.

Additionally, World Animal Protection actively advocates for integrating animal protection into disaster risk reduction frameworks, urging governments and communities worldwide to include animal welfare in disaster preparedness strategies. This approach not only safeguards animals but also secures livelihoods, especially for vulnerable communities, enabling sustainable recovery after disasters.

Phuket Police Response to Latest Brawl at “Bangla Stadium”

By

Khaosod English

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16 May 2025, 16:33

bangla 1 — An Australian tourist who knocked another tourist to the ground in a fistfight at Bangla Soi, Patong, Phuket, is located by police and invited to calm down at the police station on May 16, 2025.

PHUKET — Tourist brawls in Bangla Soi, Patong Beach, Phuket have become nearly daily occurrences, with videos regularly circulating on social media. The latest incidents occurred early Friday morning with two separate altercations happening in close proximity.

The first incident took place at 2:50 a.m. near the entrance of Patong Whisky Soi. Video footage shows a foreign male tourist knocking another unconscious with a punch. Friends of the unconscious man subsequently confronted the attacker, but entertainment venue staff and bystanders intervened, eventually dispersing the crowd.

A second incident followed at 5:25 a.m., captured in a 17-second clip showing intoxicated foreign tourists fighting among themselves, with companions attempting to break up the altercation before one party fled the scene.

According to the video recorder, such incidents occur almost nightly after tourists drink to excess. Most altercations result in minor injuries, with participants typically returning to their accommodations afterward. The frequency of these fights has become so commonplace that locals have nicknamed the area “Bangla Stadium.”

Bangla is a Walking Street that, despite being only 350 meters long, has gained renowned fame as Patong’s bustling nightlife tourist destination. It evolved from what was originally just a general market pedestrian pathway. Police response teams arrive when alerted by residents.

bangla 3 — Tourist brawls in Bangla Soi, Patong Beach, Phuket have become nearly daily occurrences, with videos regularly circulating on social media. Police response teams arrive when alerted by residents.

In the case shortly before 3 a.m., officers arrived opposite Seadragon Soi to find a foreign victim who declined to press charges. However, police later located the alleged aggressor, an Australian national named Liam, in front of Bangkok Bank on Rat Uthit 200 Pi Road. The man was heavily intoxicated, incoherent, and causing a disturbance.

Officers identified themselves and took Liam to Patong Police Station to calm down, concerned he might harm himself or others if left on the street. A formal arrest report was subsequently filed.

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Join Hands with Taiwan for Global Health Through National Insurance Success

By

Contributor

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16 May 2025, 14:59

Taiwan on its 30th anniversary of National Health Insurance system: Join hands with Taiwan to promote a healthier world

By Mr. Chang Chun-Fu
Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand

Health is a fundamental human right and a universal value shared by Taiwan and Thailand as well. Improved health results in greater well-being for the people and has ramifications for the survival and development of a country and even the world. At the 77th World Health Assembly, members adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Fourteenth General Programme of Work for 2025-2028.

The program includes such strategic objectives as improving health service coverage and bolstering financial protections to ensure universal health coverage. WHO has called on all countries to take action on these issues.

As the 78th World Health Assembly will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 19th to 27th, Taiwan is eager to share its 30 years’ experience in providing National Health Insurance and pursue a healthier future with the international community. Taiwan launched the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in 1995. The scheme, which brought together already existing occupational insurance schemes, has reached its 30th year and now covers 99.9 percent of the population.

The NHI system provides equitable, accessible, and efficient healthcare to all people in Taiwan. It is also an important pillar and guarantor of Taiwan’s social stability as well as people’s health and safety. It has, moreover, become a global benchmark for achieving universal health coverage. In an annual survey carried out by Numbeo, Taiwan has been ranked first in the Health Care Index category for seven consecutive years.

The NHI operates on a pay-as-you-go, self-sustaining model capable of addressing the financial challenges posed by an aging population and rising healthcare costs. By reforming premium rates and adding additional funding sources, such as the tobacco health and welfare surcharge, the system is on a sound, sustainable footing.

To promote the health of our people, President Lai Ching-te articulated a vision of a healthy Taiwan in 2024. Remaining focused on people, families, and communities, we are expanding health promotion operations and preventive healthcare.

Moreover, we are implementing a family physician plan, offering comprehensive care to patients with chronic diseases, and utilizing telemedicine to improve healthcare accessibility in rural areas. By promoting integrated long-term care, palliative care, and aging in place, we ensure holistic, lifelong, and dignified care for all people, realizing health equity.

In 2021, WHO released the Global Strategy on Digital Health for 2020-2025. Under this plan, the global health body is seeking the development and adoption of person-centric digital health solutions to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases. It is also overseeing development of infrastructure and applications to use health data to promote health and well-being. Taiwan continues to utilize its prowess in information and communications technology to build effective, high-ROI health systems and services.

The NHI cloud facilitates the more efficient exchange of medical records, while the adoption of international standards such as Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources enhances international medical data sharing.

Additionally, the incorporation of AI-assisted technologies is advancing the development of smart healthcare. And the introduction of a virtual health insurance card and the My Health Bank app, which enables real-time management of personal health data, empowers people to access personal health history and the medical resources timely.

Taiwan accelerated the inclusion of new treatments under the NHI system. For example, in 2023, gene and cell therapies were covered for the first time, marking a new era for precision medicine and offering patients enhanced treatment options. Taiwan also continues to leverage innovative technologies to improve the working environment for the medical workforce and to bolster the overall quality of medical service.

What’s more, despite facing political challenges, Taiwan has continuously participated in international health affairs and has been dedicated to supporting the global health system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan played a crucial role in sharing supplies, strategies, and experiences, and proved to be a reliable partner of countries worldwide.

Separately, Taiwan’s success story in implementing universal health coverage offers valuable lessons for countries worldwide. As we continue to share our experiences in universal coverage, financial management, and digital health, we hope to facilitate other nations in reaching WHO’s goal of universal health coverage.

Health challenges transcend borders, requiring global cooperation. Despite this, Taiwan has been excluded from the WHO—the foremost global health cooperation body—due to political obstruction. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 contain no mention of Taiwan, nor do they establish Taiwan’s representation by any other entity. These resolutions provide no legitimate basis for Taiwan’s exclusion from WHO participation.

In light of this, and to uphold the core UN values of inclusiveness and universality, we urge WHO and all relevant parties to recognize Taiwan’s considerable contributions to global public health and the human right to health. It is imperative that WHO adopt a more open-minded approach and demonstrate flexibility, adhering to the principles of professionalism and inclusivity. Taiwan should be included, as a matter of pragmatism, in the World Health Assembly and all WHO meetings, activities, and mechanisms, particularly those concerned with the WHO pandemic agreement.

Taiwan earnestly hopes to work with the international community to create a future of borderless healthcare that realizes the fundamental human right to health stipulated in the WHO Constitution and the vision of leaving no one behind espoused in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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Norwegian Salmon Mania in Thailand Keeps Growing

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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16 May 2025, 10:53

BANGKOK — Thais love salmon and saba, which may be an understatement. The exports of fresh Norwegian salmon, mackerel (saba), and fjord trout to Thailand continues to grow, with a 12 percent growth in 2024, according to Ashild Nakken, Norwegian Seafood Council’s Director for Southeast Asia on Thursday.

Speaking at a special lunch at the Norwegian Residence in Bangkok, Nakken added as for 2025, so far, the exports of salmon and fjord trout have risen “by an impressive 18 percent.”

While 20 years ago, Norwegian seafood arriving in Thailand was mostly frozen, today 90 percent of these fish arrives fresh, transported by air, including via Thai Airways which for the past 12 months have resumed daily flights between Bangkok and Oslo, the capital of Norway.

norway salmon2 — A special lunch at the Norwegian Residence in Bangkok (KHAOSOD Photo/Pravit Rojanaphruk)

Marking 120 years of Thai-Norway diplomatic relations, a small group of media representatives were invited for lunch at the Norwegian Residence on Thursday. It was more of a feast, prepared by Chef Jib, Chapornpat Dapachutisan, head chef at The Sukhothai Hotel’s Celadon Restaurant, who also operates a Chef Table in Bangkok.

The lunch successfully showcased how Norwegian salmon, saba, fjord trout and cold-water prawn can be employed to cook delicious Thai food such as grilled Norwegian mackerel with Northern Thai larb chili and pickled nango, fish sauce-cured Norwegian salmon with pear and chili mint sauce, tom kha soup with fjord trout, orange and young coconut, northern style tomato dipping with cold-water prawn, and more.

norway salmon6 — Chef Jib, Chapornpat Dapachutisan, head chef at The Sukhothai Hotel’s Celadon Restaurant (KHAOSOD Photo/Pravit Rojanaphruk)

norway salmon1 — A special lunch successfully showcases how Norwegian salmon, saba, fjord trout and cold-water prawn can be employed to cook delicious Thai food, at the Norwegian Residence in Bangkok on May 15, 2025. (Pravit Rojanaphruk)

Chef Jib told the diners that Norwegian saba, which has tiger stripe, is particularly fatty and tasteful; it can be fried without oil and with little or no seasoning.

While enjoying the exclusive lunch, Nakken told Khaosod English’s Pravit Rojanaphruk that Thailand is Norway’s biggest seafood export destination, followed by Vietnam and Singapore. She added that around 90 percent of Norwegian seafood exports to Thailand is salmon.

Thai Airways has joined hands to celebrate 120 years of the two nations’ diplomatic relations by joining the Norwegian Embassy and Norwegian Seafood Council to run a campaign called “From Sea to Sky: 120 Years of Friendship” (and also marking one year of the resumption of direct daily flights between Bangkok and Oslo) by giving away 6 round-trip tickets from Bangkok to Oslo valued at 390,000 baht when purchasing Norwegian seafood products at participating stores and restaurants nationwide.

norway salmon4 — A special lunch successfully showcases how Norwegian salmon, saba, fjord trout and cold-water prawn can be employed to cook delicious Thai food, at the Norwegian Residence in Bangkok on May 15, 2025. (Pravit Rojanaphruk)

norway salmon3 — Marking 120 years of Thai-Norway diplomatic relations, a small group of media representatives are invited for lunch at the Norwegian Residence on May 15, 2025. (KHAOSOD Photo/Pravit Rojanaphruk)

From now until June 15, it’s for those purchasing Norwegian saba, followed by salmon between July and August.

Phi-roon Sakulthong, Team Lead for Nordic Countries at Thai Airways, said he trusts that the campaign is the start of countless years of friendship to come.

The Thai Airways executive added that while 15 to 18 tonnes of Norwegian seafood is flown via TG daily, some goes to Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. On the other hand, he said, many Thais are now visiting Norway to see the aurora.

Welcoming the guests to the Norwegian Residence was Deputy Head of the Norwegian Mission in Bangkok Thea Martine Ottmann, who is acting as chargé d’affaires, who said Thailand established the diplomatic ties with Norway from the first year of Norway’s independence in 1905.

“Thailand has been our friend from the very beginning,” she said, adding that she is looking forward to see the signed free trade agreement with Norway under EFTA (which includes Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) hopefully come into effect in early 2026.

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Thai Abbot Caught in $9M Embezzlement for Gambling and Woman

By

Khaosod English

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16 May 2025, 02:12

abbot1 — The former abbot of Wat Rai Khing, who recently disrobed and changed from monk's robes to white clothing, gives testimony to police in the 300-million-baht temple embezzlement case at the Crime Suppression Division office on May 15, 2025.

BANGKOK — A scandal has rocked Thailand’s religious community as the abbot of the renowned Wat Rai Khing temple in Nakhon Pathom province has been arrested for embezzling 300 million baht (approximately $9 million) to fund online baccarat gambling activities. He also lent at least 40 million baht ($1.2 million) to his close female associate.

According to Police Lieutenant General Jirapop Phuridet, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), who announced the investigation results on May 15, undercover officers infiltrated Wat Rai Khing for nearly seven months following reports that Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara, also known as “Chao Khun Yaem,” had misappropriated substantial temple funds.

Investigators discovered evidence of money transfers from temple accounts to external personal accounts, amounting to over 100 million baht. The financial trail revealed connections to online baccarat gambling websites.

abbot3 — Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara, the abbot of Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom province, surrenders at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok after an arrest warrant was issued in a case involving the embezzlement of 300 million baht from the temple on May 15, 2025.

Authorities subsequently obtained a court arrest warrant for the abbot on charges of being an official responsible for purchasing or safeguarding property who misappropriated or dishonestly converted that property for personal use, being an official who improperly performed or neglected official duties, and being a state official who performed or neglected duties dishonestly. Under Thai law, temple abbots are considered officials.

After the court approved the arrest warrant on May 15, the abbot surrendered to authorities and provided testimony. By evening, he had willingly disrobed from monkhood. Investigators detained him for continued questioning throughout the night.

Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, stated that the operation was originally scheduled for May 16, but the suspect surrendered beforehand after becoming aware of the investigation. This does not affect the case, which is supported by scientific evidence.

Authorities will expand the investigation to all involved parties and coordinate with the Supreme Sangha Council for further consideration.

abbot2 — Ms. Orawan, believed to be an online gambling broker, was detained from her condominium in Pattaya and brought for questioning at the Crime Suppression Division office in Bangkok on May 15, 2025.

Another suspect named in the arrest warrant, Ms. Aranyawan, was apprehended at a condominium in Pattaya. She confessed to supporting the criminal activities and admitted to knowing Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara since her school days at Wat Rai Khing school. After receiving the abbot’s kindness, she asked to borrow 40 million baht for investment purposes in 2021. She subsequently maintained regular contact through video calls to seek advice on various matters.

The investigation uncovered conversation clips between Phra Dhammavajiranuvatara and Ms. Aranyawan discussing the collection of debts worth 500,000 baht each on four separate occasions. Additionally, investigators discovered videos of the woman bathing on the former monk’s mobile phone.

17 Warrants Issued in Bangkok Fatal Building Collapse Case

By

Khaosod English

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15 May 2025, 20:42

warrant SAO collapse2 — Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announces the end of the mission to search for missing persons and remove debris from the State Audit Office building that collapsed due to the Mach 28 earthquake, on May 13, 2025.

BANGKOK — Thai Police have issued arrest warrants for 17 individuals in connection with the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok, including prominent business figure Premchai Karnasuta, Chairman of Italian-Thai Development. Engineers, project supervisors, and the China Railway joint venture are also facing charges.

The suspects face prosecution both as individuals and as corporate entities for failing to comply with construction regulations resulting in fatalities.

The announcement came on May 15, the same day the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officially declared an end to the disaster zone status and returned control of the site where the new SAO building collapsed on March 28.

warrant SAO collapse1 — Police Major General Noppasin Poolsawat, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander, in his capacity as Deputy Chief of the Investigation Team for the State Audit Office building collapse case, at Bang Sue Police Station, meeting with the investigation team before issuing arrest warrants for 17 individuals involved, on May 15, 2025.

Multiple Building Code Violations

After examining documentary evidence and witness testimonies, investigators discovered that the building design failed to comply with ministerial regulations and standards. The elevator shaft walls were positioned along the rear edge rather than the center of the building, causing the building’s torsion center to shift away from the structural center.

When the building swayed during an earthquake, this misalignment caused the elevator shaft walls and supporting columns to collapse almost simultaneously, resulting in the entire structure rapidly falling in a vertical direction.

Tests on cement samples from the construction site revealed that the concrete strength did not meet the required KSC standard measurements. Additionally, some steel reinforcement bars recovered from the site did not conform to design specifications.

Forensic examination also confirmed that the signature of Somkiat Chusangsri, a professional engineer whose name appeared on documents, had been forged. Handwriting analysis determined that the signature on the construction documents differed significantly from Somkiat’s authentic signature.

Suspects Categorized in Three Groups

Based on this evidence, the investigation team led by Police Major General Somkuan Phuengsap and Police Major General Noppasin Poolsawat has divided the suspects into three categories:

Group 1: Design Companies
This includes Forum Architect Co., Ltd. and Mainhart (Thailand), who contracted with the State Audit Office, with one authorized signatory and five structural engineers who signed the blueprints. A total of six suspects face charges in this group.

Group 2: Construction Supervision Companies
The PKW joint venture, which includes PN Synchronize Co., Ltd., KP Consultants and Management Co., Ltd., and W. and Associates Consultants Co., Ltd. Five individuals from these companies are facing charges.

Group 3: Construction Contractors
This group includes Italian-Thai Development PCL and China Railway No. 10 (Thailand) Co., Ltd., along with representatives of the ITD-CREC joint venture. Six individuals face charges in this group.

stae audit building — An image of the State Audit Office building after structural completion before it collapsed following the Myanmar earthquake that sent tremors to Bangkok on March 28, 2025.

Among the 17 suspects named in the warrants are 64-year-old Suchart Chutipaphakorn, director of Forum Architect Co., Ltd., 71-year-old Premchai Karnasuta, chairman of Italian-Thai Development, and 85-year-old engineer Pimol Charoenying. Despite previously claiming in interviews that he was not involved in design work, Charoenying’s signature appears on the collapsed SAO building construction plans.

The State Audit Office building was the only structure in Bangkok to collapse due to tremors from the Myanmar earthquake on March 28, resulting in numerous worker casualties. According to data from the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital, the death toll of those already identified stands at 92, with 4 people still missing and 9 injured.

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Multiple Building Code Violations

Suspects Categorized in Three Groups

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