FILE PHOTO: Four Thai nationals (standing, back row) among the 31 detained crew members. The Thai crew were sentenced to prison terms on December 16, 2024.
BANGKOK — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand issued a statement on January 5 updating the negotiations for the release of four Thai crew members who were not among the 152 prisoners released during Myanmar’s Independence Day on January 4.
Thailand expressed disappointment that the release process for these individuals has not been completed, as Myanmar authorities are still reviewing the case through relevant procedures.
On January 3, 2025, Thai embassy officials were granted permission to escort the crew members’ relatives to visit the four Thai nationals in Kawthaung Province, Tanintharyi Region. The officials reported that all four crew members were in good health and spirits, receiving adequate care and three meals daily. The embassy also provided them with essential supplies and updated them on Thailand’s latest diplomatic efforts for their release.
The fishing vessel ‘Sor Charoenchai 8’ with its crew of 31 (4 Thai, 27 Myanmar nationals) was seized and towed to Koh Yan Chueak in Myanmar territory on Nov. 30, 2024.
The ministry emphasized the delicate nature of the situation, which involves the crew members’ release, bilateral fishing issues, and overall Thai-Myanmar relations. The statement outlined a two-pronged approach:
Continuing diplomatic efforts to secure the crew members’ release, subject to Myanmar’s internal processes
Addressing the broader issues through the existing Thai-Burma Joint Boundary Committee (TBC) mechanism
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies assure that we will continue to pursue all available channels to secure the release of the four Thai nationals,” the statement concluded.
The just concluded 2024 saw the intensification of the toxicity, and animosity, between supporters of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and those of the main opposition People’s Party.
Propagandists on social media and partisan press on both sides have worked tirelessly to paint the other as black and their side as white. One side seems to be able to do no wrong while the other side can’t just seem to be able to do anything right.
It’s not inaccurate to say that many supporters from both sides, the redshirts for Pheu Thai, and orange for People’s Party, no longer see one another as rivals but as enemies. The recent past when the two joined hands to oppose the military rule of Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha was but a distant memory.
One thing achieved by both parties is that given the level of mutual animosity between the two camps of supporters, it’s now most unlikely that these people will one day switch sides and vote for the other party. That, however, is to the detriment of Thai politics and society as we need mature electorate and citizens who are capable of being selective in supporting, or withdrawing the support, from any political party and not members of political fandom who unreservedly adore their political leaders like pop stars.
The dichotomous mindset is alluring, and lazy, in its simplicity, however. Perhaps it is rooted in the prehistoric instinct of us human beings when we have to decide who is our friend or foe, whether to fight or flee.
It’s also convenient to only see things as either right or wrong. And who wants to be, or believe, they are on the wrong side of politics, not to mention history. Thus many succumbed to the temptations of seeing things as either good or bad, and us against them.
This is the victory of the conservative elites in dividing the red from orange shirts. It’s a classic divide and rule tactic although the power is now shared with the Pheu Thai Party and the Shinawatra clan who rebranded itself as a devout royalist party with no intention to reform either the army, which is a state within a state, or the royal defamation law.
In the process, the opposition People’s Party and its supporters are branded as anti-monarchists, Marxists, and a threat to national security, and the current status quo.
As for foreign affairs, the dichotomous mentality also lured more Thais into choosing either China or the US. This despite the fact that Thailand, as a medium-sized nation, and an aspiring middle power, can ill afford to take sides and be an enemy of either China or the US despite the growing tensions between the two powers. On social media, it’s now common to see some Thai netizens rant against either the US or China. And it’s filled with a simplistic black and white view of these countries, and their relations to the world.
Perhaps many people find it difficult not to take sides. Perhaps they feel the need to belong – as either red or orange, as either anti-China or anti-US. There is that sense of certainty and belonging, and warmth from being part of a larger community. Never mind if that’s ultimately counterproductive to nurturing Thailand to become a politically mature society.
Looking to start your year with an extra dash of luck? Chef LeePijika Rojsatapong from FoodHunter Show reveals how ancient wisdom meets modern gastronomy in these ten auspicious dishes that promise to bring good fortune to your table.
In many Asian cultures, the foods we eat during New Year celebrations carry deep symbolic meaning, bringing promises of prosperity, longevity, and happiness. From the length of noodles representing long life to the golden hue of mangoes symbolizing wealth, these traditional beliefs have transformed everyday dishes into vessels of good fortune.
10 Fortune-Filled Dishes to Savor
1. Pad Thai: The Noodles of Longevity
There’s more to this beloved street food than its irresistible taste. The long, unbroken noodles in Pad Thai symbolize longevity and continuous good fortune. Just remember – don’t cut those noodles, or you might be cutting your luck short!
2. Larb: A Feast of Fortune
This herb-laden dish carries a beautiful double meaning. Not only does its name sound like the word for “fortune” in Thai, but it also connects to the ancient wisdom that “health is the greatest fortune.” Packed with fresh herbs and vibrant flavors, it’s a dish that nourishes both body and soul.
3. Fried Tofu: Happiness in Every Bite
Known as “Dòufu” in Chinese cuisine, tofu represents happiness and prosperity. Whether crispy fried or silky smooth, this versatile ingredient is believed to enhance both physical and spiritual well-being.
4. Clear Soup (Gaeng Jued): Clearing the Path to Success
Sometimes, simplicity speaks volumes. This crystal-clear soup symbolizes a life free from obstacles. Add glass noodles or seaweed for an extra boost of prosperity, or tofu for a touch of happiness.
5. Stir-Fried Bean Sprouts: Growing Success
Like tiny arrows pointing skyward, bean sprouts represent growth and progress. This humble yet meaningful dish suggests career advancement and flourishing business ventures.
6. Steamed Fish: Swimming in Abundance
In Chinese tradition, fish (“Yú”) sounds identical to the word for abundance. Served whole with head and tail intact, it represents a complete cycle of good fortune from beginning to end.
7. Roast Duck: Harmony on a Plate
Part of the traditional “three meats” offering, duck symbolizes peace and harmony. Whether honey-glazed or prepared Beijing-style, it’s said to bring career success and prosperity.
8. Chicken Rice: The Power of Diligence
This comfort food classic represents more than just satisfaction – it symbolizes hard work, wisdom, and integrity. Pair it with shrimp, and it’s said to strengthen partnerships and relationships.
9. Crab with Curry Powder: Swift Success
The quick movements of crabs inspire efficiency and diligence, while their red color when cooked symbolizes good fortune. This aromatic curry dish promises a year of swift accomplishments.
10. Mango Sticky Rice: Sweet Bonds of Fortune
This beloved dessert’s sticky rice represents strong, lasting relationships, while the golden mangoes symbolize wealth and prosperity. It’s the perfect sweet ending to your fortune-filled feast.
A Recipe for Luck: Chef Lee’s Special Pad Thai Egg Wrap
Want to bring some of this luck into your own kitchen? Chef Lee shares her innovative take on the classic Pad Thai, transformed into an elegant egg wrap that’s perfect for modern home cooking. This three-step recipe combines traditional flavors with contemporary presentation, making it an ideal dish for both everyday meals and special celebrations.
3 Easy Steps RECIPE for Pad Thai Egg Wrap
Step 1:
Mixing tamarind sauce, coconut sugar, fish sauce and chili powder brings up to boil make sure the coconut sugar dissolves completely before adding fresh noodle.
(Leave out the noodles it could become Pad Thai Dressing for long storage.
Step 2:
Pour in enough oil to cover the garlic and shallots and cook until it turns golden brown. Adding tofu, preserved radish and cook well. Stir in chives and beansprout. Mixed in eggs before adding the noodle back to the pan.
Step3:
Pour in egg mixture roll around the pan to cover base of the pan making a thin sheet. Add noodle mixture and fold in the egg sheet. Serve with roasted peanuts, dried crushed chili, chives, fresh beansprouts and lime.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp Palm sugar
2 tbsp Tamarind paste
2 tbsp Fish sauce
1 tsp Dried crushed chili (adjust to your preferred spice level)
200 grams Thin rice noodles soaked until soft (can be replaced with stringed vegetables or pasta)
2 tbsp Vegetable oil
1 tbsp Garlic(minced )
1 tbsp Shallots(minced )
2 tbsp Pickled radish (finely chopped)
3 tbsp Yellow tofu (diced)
200 grams Beansprouts (half on the side fresh)
4 stocks Chinese Chives(cut 2 into 2-inch pieces and 2 on the side fresh)
4 Eggs (2 for mixed in 2 for wrapping)
1 Lime (half on the side fresh)
1/2 cup Roasted crushed peanuts
Dried crush chili on the side
Edible Tales:
Thai food has its origin in the fertile paddy fields of Thailand, where fresh herbs and vegetables combine with coconut milk and chillies to create a flavorful cuisine known for its balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors.
Siam was renamed Thailand in 1939 and soon after a competition was run to create a “national dish”. Pad Thai was the dish picked by Prime Minister Phibun, partly because the noodles made thriftly from rice which is a local produce (and filling) choice during those tough World War II years.
Pad Thai is one of the healthiest Thai food that can be an addition to one’s diet as it is a good source of carbs, protein, and vegetables. This stir-fry dish is warm, sweet and grounding to be fallen in the category of one of the simplest comfort food.
With a twist of making a simply delicious dish that anyone can cook, I today have created for you a 3-step recipe suitable for any home cooked street food dish.
Whether you’re a firm believer in culinary fortune or simply appreciate the rich cultural traditions behind these dishes, there’s something magical about starting the new year with food that carries centuries of hopes and well-wishes. After all, who couldn’t use an extra portion of luck served alongside their dinner?
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About Chef LeePijika
Chef LeePijika Rojsatapong
“Chef LeePijika” Rojsatapong is a prominent figure in Thailand’s culinary and food innovation landscape with over 20 years of experience.
As the CEO of Concept Case Co., Ltd. and President of the Food Communication Association, she leverages her background from years spent in the United States to specialize in future food and sensory food design.
Her work spans multiple domains: she operates Beyond Wellness by LeePijika, a cloud kitchen brand; hosts “FoodHunter Show” on 96FM Zaab News Radio; serves on the Committee of Processed Food and Future Food at the Thai Chamber of Commerce; and collaborates extensively with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to promote gastronomy tourism.
Chef Lee’s contributions extend to education as a guest lecturer at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit and the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, while also leading community development initiatives that support sustainable tourism across Thai provinces through innovative food projects and global partnerships.
Police officers examine documents of Thai nationals released from Myanmar prisons in Shan State upon their arrival at the immigration checkpoint of the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, on January 4, 2025.
CHIANG RAI — Thai police officials coordinated with Myanmar authorities to repatriate 151 Thai nationals, 74 men and 77 women, on Saturday, as part of a broader crackdown on transnational online gambling and call center scam operations.
Police General Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, Senior Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT), led a delegation to the Second Sai River Friendship Bridge in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province. The delegation included senior officials from various police divisions, including the Child Woman Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking Center (TICAC).
Speaking on January 4, Pol. Gen. Thatchai revealed that National Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet had tasked him with overseeing this operation. The repatriation stems from a joint initiative between Thai and Myanmar governments to combat transnational criminal networks involving citizens from both countries.
Police General Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, Director of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT), thanks Police Colonel Than Sin, Deputy Commander of Shan State Police in Kengtung and head of the Myanmar delegation, for facilitating the return of 151 Thai nationals released from prisons in Shan State to Thai authorities in Chiang Rai on January 4, 2025.
The breakthrough comes after discussions between Pol. Gen. Thatchai and Myanmar’s Chief of Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Win Soe Moe. The release coincides with Myanmar’s Independence Day on January 4, 2025, when Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military government, announced mass amnesties – a common practice during national holidays.
Myanmar State-run MRTV television reported that the amnesty covers 5,864 Myanmar prisoners and 180 foreigners, including the Thai nationals who will be deported. The Thai detainees had been held in prisons across eastern Shan State.
Upon their return, all 151 individuals will undergo thorough screening to distinguish between trafficking victims and active participants in the criminal operations. “We maintain detailed records of individuals involved in these networks,” Pol. Gen. Thatchai explained.
“Some criminals attempt to pose as victims to evade prosecution.” He has directed the Police Cyber Taskforce and relevant agencies to conduct thorough investigations and pursue legal action against all implicated parties.
Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, Senior Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the PCT, leads a delegation to receive 151 Thai nationals released on Myanmar’s Independence Day, January 4, at the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge border checkpoint in Chiang Rai Province.
Meanwhile, Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, provided an update regarding the release of four Thai fishing crew members who were originally scheduled to be released on January 4.
Phumtham stated that the four fishermen were not among the 151 Thai nationals released on Myanmar’s 77th Independence Day. They remain in the release process, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring and coordinating.
The relatives of the four Thai crew members have visited them in Kawthaung, Myanmar, and reported that all are in good health and maintaining high spirits. Officials confirmed that all four will be released soon, though the exact date and time cannot be specified as the process is still ongoing.
International tourists visit Koh Samui during the Christmas and New Year holiday period on Dec. 22, 2024.
BANGKOK — The Thai government has announced an aggressive tourism strategy for 2025 to attract 40 million international visitors with tourism revenue by 7.5 percent to 3.4 trillion baht ($98.5 billion)
Suwong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, has unveiled a plan to boost tourism in 2025, aiming to attract 40 million foreign tourists. As part of the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism Year 2025” campaign, the government will work with global travel companies to promote tourism. The aim is to increase tourism revenue by 7.5 percent, equivalent to a total of 3.4 trillion baht.
New Year fireworks display at ICONSIAM, on Jan. 1, 2025.
The minister plans to invite foreign ambassadors stationed in Thailand to discuss possible obstacles that discourage international tourists from visiting the country. The aim of these talks is to improve conditions for visitors.
Following this, the relevant authorities and private sector representatives will be invited to jointly approach high-spending markets such as Europe, India and Malaysia to offset the decline in Chinese tourists.
Tourism performance is expected to improve significantly in 2025 compared to 2024. Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports indicates that tourism will generate about 2.6 trillion baht in 2024, an increase of about 25 percent. This included 35.32 million international tourists (up 26.77 percent) bringing in 1.66 trillion baht ($48 billion) and domestic tourism revenue of 952 billion baht ($27.5 billion) (up 11.64 percent) due to a 7.06 percent increase in domestic travelers.
New Year fireworks display at CentralWorld, Ratchaprasong intersection in downtown Bangkok, on Jan. 1, 2025.
“However, I admit that total tourism revenue has not yet reached the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) target of 3 trillion baht ($87 billion) due to the global economic slowdown and ongoing conflicts. If we can reach the target number of foreign tourists in 2025, the resulting revenue should increase accordingly,” Suwong explained.
Regarding domestic tourism, Suwong mentioned that a clearer plan for large-scale domestic tourism promotion projects will be unveiled by January-February 2025. The government plans to subsidize 50 percent of travel costs, while citizens will cover the remaining 50 percent. This is an improvement on the previous system, where citizens paid 60 percent and the government 40 percent of the costs. This subsidy will apply to tourism-related goods and services, especially accommodation.
The project is expected to be implemented in several phases, with an initial budget of no less than 20 billion baht. Further decisions on the booking and payment modalities will be made to avoid loopholes that have occurred in previous implementations. The project is expected to start in March 2025.
A performance by popular rap singer Lisa, the Thai member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, attracts crowds at ICON SIAM on Dec. 31, 2024.
Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, also pointed out that the recent New Year countdown events boosted the economy by over 62 billion baht ($1.8 billion) in tourism-related businesses, including hotels, restaurants and the entertainment industry.
The events attracted 1.56 million foreign tourists to Thailand, an increase of 16 percent, and generated 45 billion baht in revenue, up 20 percent. In the domestic market, 4.41 million trips were made by Thai tourists, an increase of 29 percent, generating 17 billion baht in revenue, an increase of 30 percent.
A longtail boat taxi on Koh Phangan, where a dispute has emerged over an operator stopping his vessel mid-journey to collect fares from tourists.
KOH PHANGAN — Tourist safety concerns have emerged on the popular Thai island of Koh Phangan following social media reports of water taxi operators demanding payments from passengers in the middle of the sea.
A social media post on January 4 detailed an incident where tourists were allegedly forced to make payments under duress during a late-night boat ride. According to the report, around 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, a group of approximately 20 passengers boarded a boat taxi to visit a local pub. The boat operator, who hadn’t disclosed the fare beforehand, stopped the vessel in open waters and demanded 400 baht per person for a one-way journey, refusing to continue until everyone paid.
“The waves were strong, and we couldn’t turn back. Remembering the recent tragic incident where a Korean tourist died in a longtail boat accident, everyone felt compelled to pay,” the post stated.
The post garnered widespread reactions, with commenters saying things like “Typical behavior,” “Are the police turning a blind eye again?” “This is practically piracy,” “These scammers are destroying our tourism reputation – they’ll be the ones complaining when tourists stop coming.”
FILE – Rescue workers pulling the capsized longtail boat ‘Pichitchai’ to Koh Phangan beach on December 29, 2024, following an accident that left 13 people overboard and one Korean tourist missing.
In response, a boat taxi operator from Rin Beach defended the practice, citing previous experiences with passengers who fled without paying upon reaching shore. “This isn’t about being cruel – it’s about protecting our livelihood,” the operator claimed, also disputing the reports of rough sea conditions that night.
The incident has sparked heated debate on social media, with many criticizing the practice as harmful to tourism. Critics argue that collecting fares before departure would be a more appropriate solution.
Wijak Chupharekit, Director of the Regional Harbor Office in Koh Phangan, announced that authorities are investigating the incident. A meeting with approximately 50 local water taxi operators has been scheduled for January 7, 2025, to establish proper service guidelines and protect the island’s tourism industry.
“We need to ensure that our transportation services maintain high standards and don’t negatively impact Koh Phangan’s reputation as a tourist destination,” Chupharekit stated.
The controversy highlights ongoing challenges in regulating tourist transportation services on the popular island, known for its Full Moon Parties and beach activities.
This image provided by Alcides Antunes shows a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside President-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel early Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Alcides Antunes via AP)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A highly decorated Army soldier who fatally shot himself in a Tesla Cybertruck just before it blew up outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas left notes saying the New Year’s Day explosion was a stunt to serve as a “wake up call” for the country’s ills, investigators said Friday.
Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Green Beret from Colorado Springs, Colorado, also wrote in notes he left on his cellphone that he needed to “cleanse” his mind “of the brothers I’ve lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took.” Livelsberger served in the Army since 2006 and deployed twice to Afghanistan.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill speaks during a press conference regarding developments of a New Year’s Eve truck explosion Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rio Yamat)
“This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives,” Livelsberger wrote in one letter found by authorities and released Friday.
The explosion caused minor injuries to seven people but virtually no damage to the Trump International Hotel. Authorities said that Livelsberger acted alone.
Livelsberger’s letters covered a range of topics including political grievances, societal problems and both domestic and international issues, including the war in Ukraine. He said in one letter that the U.S. was “terminally ill and headed toward collapse.”
Tesla engineers, meanwhile, helped extract data from the Cybertruck for investigators, including Livelsberger’s path between charging stations from Colorado through New Mexico and Arizona and on to Las Vegas, according to Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren.
“We still have a large volume of data to go through,” Koren said Friday. “There’s thousands if not millions of videos and photos and documents and web history and all of those things that need to be analyzed.”
The new details came as investigators were still trying to determine whether Livelsberger sought to make a political point with the Tesla and the hotel bearing the president-elect’s name.
Livelsberger harbored no ill will toward President-elect Donald Trump, law enforcement officials said. In one of the notes he left, he said the country needed to “rally around” Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
This undated photo, provided by the Las Vegas Police Department shows an ID belonging to Matthew Livelsberger, found inside a Tesla Cybertruck involved in an explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. (Las Vegas Police Department via AP)
Musk has recently become a member of Trump’s inner circle. Neither Trump nor Musk was in Las Vegas on Wednesday, the day of the explosion. Both had attended Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at his South Florida estate.
“Although this incident is more public and more sensational than usual, it ultimately appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a heavily decorated combat veteran who was struggling with PTSD and other issues,” Spencer Evans, the FBI special agent in charge in Las Vegas, said Friday.
Livelsberger died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. Investigators have not yet explained how Livelsberger shot himself inside the Cybertruck while simultaneously igniting fireworks and camp fuel packed inside, causing the explosion.
Among the charred items found inside were a handgun at Livelsberger’s feet, another firearm, fireworks, a passport, a military ID, credit cards, an iPhone and a smartwatch. Authorities said both guns were purchased legally.
In recent years Livelsberger confided to Alicia Arritt, a former girlfriend who had served as an Army nurse, that he faced significant pain and exhaustion she attributed to traumatic brain injury.
He opened up to Arritt, 39, whom he met and began dating in Colorado in 2018, about exhaustion, pain that kept him up at night, and reliving violence from his deployment in Afghanistan, Arritt said.
The Trump International Hotel is seen Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
“My life has been a personal hell for the last year,” he told Arritt in text messages during their early days of dating that she shared with The Associated Press.
The Green Berets are highly trained U.S. Army special forces who specialize in guerrilla warfare and unconventional fighting tactics. Livelsberger rose through the ranks and deployed twice to Afghanistan and served in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia and Congo, according to the Army. He recently returned from an overseas assignment in Germany and was on approved leave when he died.
He was awarded five Bronze Stars, including one with a valor device for courage under fire, a combat infantry badge and an Army Commendation Medal with valor.
Authorities searched a townhouse in Livelsberger’s hometown of Colorado Springs Thursday as part of the investigation. Neighbors said the man who lived there had a wife and a baby.
Across-the-street neighbor Cindy Helwig said she last saw him when he asked to borrow a tool to fix an SUV.
“He was a normal guy,” said Helwig.
The explosion came hours after 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar rammed a truck into a crowd in New Orleans’ famed French Quarter early on New Year’s Day, killing at least 14 people before being shot to death by police. The FBI says they believe Jabbar acted alone and that it is being investigated as a terrorist attack.
Na Jomtien Police Station is located on Sukhumvit Road, Na Jomtien Sub-district, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province.
CHONBURI — The Na Jomtien Police Station has addressed public concerns over the appointment of a Chinese national as a police advisory committee member, following widespread social media attention and calls for investigation by the Royal Thai Police Commissioner.
The ID card of a Chinese police advisory committee member at Na Jomtien Police Station that circulated on social media
Police Colonel Wattanachai Sangrit, Superintendent of Na Jomtien Police Station, explained that the station chief has authority to appoint advisors. He clarified that appointments include not only Chinese nationals but also Russian and Indian citizens who assist with coordination and interpretation for foreign tourists in the area.
“Due to the high volume of international tourists in Na Jomtien, volunteer interpreters are essential. With limited budget for full-time interpreters, appointing foreign advisors has been our practical solution to overcome language barriers,” said Col. Wattanachai.
The Chinese advisor was appointed to replace a previous advisor who resigned and recommended this individual, who possesses relevant language skills and willingness to assist with official duties.
Col. Wattanachai emphasized that advisors serve only as coordinators and interpreters for foreign tourists needing police assistance, without decision-making authority or policy involvement.
This incident follows a recent investigation into a controversial police volunteer training program for Chinese students at Siam University, which charged 38,000 baht per participant. On January 3, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom ordered the transfer of two police officers involved in the program pending investigation.
Meanwhile, Police Colonel Neti Wongkulap of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau denied any involvement with the training program and confirmed that unauthorized use of the CIB logo will be investigated.
The dispute case between a taxi driver and a Saudi tourist in Patong, Phuket concluded with a handshake and mutual apologies on Jan. 3, 2024.
PHUKET — A dispute between a taxi driver and a Saudi tourist in Phuket ended with both parties being fined 500 baht each after a physical confrontation over fare payment.
Taxi driver Suradech Srikun reported to Thalang Police Station on January 3 that a foreign tourist assaulted him by kicking him during a disagreement over taxi fare payment when the app-based payment system failed.
The incident began when Suradech picked up the passenger from Patong for an app-quoted fare of 570 baht. The passenger, identified as Mr. Turki, 21, from Saudi Arabia, only had 200 baht in cash and requested to get additional money from his hotel. Upon arrival, Mr. Turki lacked Thai currency and asked to exchange money at a nearby shopping mall.
The situation escalated when Suradech demanded additional payment for the extra trip to the mall. During the argument, Suradech knocked away the tourist’s phone, prompting Mr. Turki to kick him. The incident was captured on video and shared on social media.
Police investigation concluded both parties were willing participants in the altercation. Both men admitted to the charges of minor physical assault and agreed to pay fines of 500 baht each. The case concluded with a handshake and mutual apologies, with neither party pursuing civil damages.
Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CP Foods) is making concerted efforts to address climate change and biodiversity issue by enhancing green spaces and adopting sustainable practices across its operations in 17 countries. Through its “Kitchen of the World with Sustainovation” vision, CP Foods is utilizing innovative Agri-Tech solutions in hopes of contributing to a more sustainable future.
At the heart of this green initiative is an impressive milestone: the planting of over seven million trees across 1,120 hectares of land, creating vital carbon sinks and fostering biodiversity. This achievement spans from watershed forests to mangrove ecosystems, transforming manufacturing sites and unused farmland into thriving green spaces.
In Thailand, the company’s flagship projects are making significant environmental impacts. The Rak-Nives Pasak Watershed and Khao Phraya Doen Thong Project in Lopburi Province has successfully restored 7,000 rai (approximately 1,120 hectares) of watershed forest, introducing over 1.3 million new trees. The Grow-Share-Protect Mangroves Project has added more than 1.2 million trees to coastal areas through successful collaborations with government agencies and local communities.
The company’s environmental commitment extends across Asia: In Vietnam, the company has partnered with local stakeholders in the Green Path project (2021-2025) targets 1.5 million new trees nationwide.
In the Philippines, the company is involved in biodiversity protection by planting trees in national parks to help restore ecosystems and support wildlife conservation.
In Cambodia, CP Foods has set a goal to plant one million trees by 2050 and has already planted over 260,000 trees through forest plantation projects.
In India, the company supports reforestation and environmental restoration through tree-planting initiatives at various facilities, contributing to broader efforts against climate change.
Looking to the future, CP Foods in Thailand launched the Green Sea We Share project in 2023 to encourage the young generation to engage in environmental conservation. This initiative aims to educate young students about conserving nature, soil, water, forests, and air. The program has reached 13,840 students across 87 schools in 22 provinces across Thailand and plans to expand its reach further.
CP Foods remains committed to ensuring food security while prioritizing environmental protection. By expanding green spaces, restoring ecosystem balance, rehabilitating natural habitats, and enhancing biodiversity, the company strives to align its efforts with global sustainability goals and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
