A Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch returned to its rightful owner, who treasures it as a gift from her mother, on November 10, 2024.
BANGKOK — Don Mueang Police Station officers successfully tracked down a Rolex watch that a passenger had forgotten at the hand baggage X-ray checkpoint, after a female Chilean passenger traveling to Phuket had picked it up.
On November 10, Police Colonel Sukrit Mangkalasawat, Superintendent of Don Mueang Police Station, and his team returned a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch, valued at approximately 200,000 baht, to Ms. Rachavalee, age 21. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chamnan Yut Kong Kong, inquiry officer at Don Mueang Police Station, witnessed the handover.
Ms. Rachavalee said that around 9:20 p.m. on November 6, while traveling from Don Mueang Airport to Chiang Mai, she realized she had left her watch at the X-ray checkpoint in Don Mueang Airport. Upon arriving in Chiang Mai, she booked a return flight for the next day to immediately file a police report, but the valuable item was nowhere to be found.
An inquiry officer at Don Mueang Police Station witnesses the handover of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch to Ms. Rachavalee on Nov. 10, 2024.
Subsequently, Police Colonel Sukrit ordered the investigation team to coordinate with Don Mueang Airport authorities to review CCTV footage of the incident area. They discovered that a foreign woman, who went through the scanner immediately after Ms. Rachavalee, had picked up the watch.
Further investigation revealed that this woman was Leslie, a 39-year-old Chilean national, traveling with her family of three to Phuket. Officers coordinated with Phuket Tourist Police and found that she and her family were staying at a hotel in Kathu District, Phuket.
A Chilean tourist agrees to return the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch to the owner on Nov. 9, 2024.
Tourist police retrieved the watch from her, and Leslie admitted to taking it, stating she thought it belonged to someone in her family. She willingly agreed to return it to its owner.
Ms. Rachavalee said, “I didn’t think I would get my valuable possession back because I didn’t know who had taken it or where they had gone. The monetary value isn’t important, but this watch was a gift from my mother, so it has great sentimental value. I’m overjoyed to have it back.”
She expressed her gratitude to the officers at Don Mueang Police Station and Phuket Tourist Police for their efforts in recovering the watch.
Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, stands on a balcony during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in London, England, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP)
LONDON (AP) — King Charles III led the nation Sunday in a two-minute silence in remembrance of fallen service personnel in central London as the Princess of Wales looked on, a further sign that the royal family is slowly returning to normal at the end of a year in which two of the most popular royals were sidelined by cancer.
Remembrance Sunday is a totemic event in the U.K., with the monarch leading senior royals, political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his eight living predecessors, and envoys from the Commonwealth countries in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph, the Portland stone memorial that serves as the focal point for honoring the nation’s war dead.
Britain’s King Charles attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at The Cenotaph in London, England, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP)
The service is held on the second Sunday of November to mark the signing of the armistice to end World War I “on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918. Across the U.K., services are conducted at the same time in memory of the dead.
After the two-minute silence, buglers from the Royal Marines played the “Last Post,” and Charles led the wreath-laying part of the service.
The 75-year-old king, dressed in his Royal Navy uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet, laid a wreath of poppies at the base of the Cenotaph in recognition of the fallen from conflicts dating back to World War I.
Britain’s King Charles III, centre, with Prince William ,left, and Princess Anne attend the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, Pool)
His eldest son and the heir to the throne, Prince William, left his own floral tribute — featuring the Prince of Wales’ feathers and a new ribbon in Welsh red.
Dressed in somber black, his wife, Kate, watched on from a balcony of the nearby Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, as is tradition. Queen Camilla, who would normally be standing next to the princess, wasn’t present as she recovered from a chest infection.
It’s the first time since the start of the year that Kate carried out two consecutive days of public official engagements. On Saturday, she attended the Royal British Legion Festival Of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
From left, on first row: Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain’s Prince William, Britain’s King Charles and Britain’s Princess Anne, Princess Royal, attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. (Chris J. Ratcliffe/Pool Photo via AP)
Following the wreath-laying, around 10,000 veterans, including those who have fought in wars this century, notably in Afghanistan and Iraq, marched past the Cenotaph. With the passage of time, there were only a handful of World War II veterans present.
“It’s always a great honor to be back on occasions like this, but I remember the guys that never came home on my ship when it was torpedoed,” said 99-year-old Stan Ford, who has had to walk with leg calipers ever since the ship that he was serving on — HMS Fratton — was sunk off France’s Normandy coast in August 1944 at the cost of 31 lives.
“They never came home, and I always feel it’s my duty to put in an appearance and thank God for those that did survive, and to pray for the ones who didn’t,” said Ford, who was one of 38 survivors.
Charles’ ceremonial role as commander in chief of the armed forces is a holdover from the days when the monarch led his troops into battle. But the link between the monarchy and the military is still very strong, with service members taking an oath of allegiance to the king and members of the royal family supporting service personnel through a variety of charities. Charles and William served on active duty in the military before taking up full-time royal duties.
Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February, forcing him to step away from public appearances for two months as he focused on his treatment and recovery. Just a few weeks later, Kate announced her own cancer diagnosis, which sidelined her for much of the year as she underwent chemotherapy.
The king has been in good form in recent months and recently completed a taxing trip to Australia and Samoa. Kate, who made her first post-diagnosis public appearance during the monarch’s birthday parade in June, is slowly returning to public duties.
Britain’s King Charles III, at centre, stands with other royals and politicians as they attend the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, Pool )
Prince William reflected this week on the strain that the cancer scare has placed on the royal family.
“I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done,” William told reporters on Thursday as he wrapped up a four-day trip to South Africa. “But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
While the Cenotaph was the focus of the national remembrance service, communities throughout the U.K. held their own ceremonies on Sunday.
Needham-Crofton, who served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers before a truck accident ended his military career, planned to attend a local service in Eastbourne on the south coast of England.
He has spent much of his time honoring veterans and trying to help them, including 20 years as a volunteer for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. Like some of his army tasks, raising cash was rather grueling as it involved standing in front of London subway stations collecting coins to help fund the group’s efforts.
“I like to respect all the veterans and do what I can for them,” he told The Associated Press. “It’s a brotherhood really. Even if you don’t know a veteran that you meet, you feel a kinship toward them. That is very important to me. I shall be like that for the rest of my life.”
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump waves as he walks with former first lady Melania Trump at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Reading The New York Times’ Weekend international edition two days before the US Presidential Election one can feel the sense of acute anxiety, despair even, among its top writers. On the frontpage of the November 2-3, 2024 edition, veteran columnist pleads to Arab Americans not to punish Vice President Kamala Harris for the Biden administration’s continued support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
“If Donald Trump is elected president on Tuesday, one factor may be anger at Biden administration policies in the Middle East,” Nicholas Kristof wrote. “Some Arab Americans, including those in swing states like Michigan, are enraged at President Biden’s support for Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Their taxes are paying for weapons that may be killing their relatives…”
Kristof went on to cite Save The Children that “3,000 children in Gaza under the age of 5” have been killed in Gaza so far.
Kristof was quick to remind his readers that Trump is not better than Biden-Harris when it comes to Palestinians, and Arabs in general. “It was [the Trump] administration that moved the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, that closed the Washington office of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.” He then recalled how under the first Trump administration, the US government “instituted the so-called Muslim ban, seeking to block travel to America by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries.”
Kristof apparently has failed to convince enough Arab Americans to vote for Harris as many of these angry voters wanted to punish the Biden-Harris government for what they have been doing over the past year in the Middle East.
On page 10 of the same paper, another desperate opinion piece was penned by Jonathan Stevenson, a National Security Council staff member during the Obama administration. Stevenson imagined a doomsday scenario when hours after Trump took office “mass deportation of undocumented immigrants” took place.
Apparently, many American voters were more concerned about the undocumented immigrants stealing their jobs.
In a country where poor people are struggling with over 20 percent inflations, have little access to medical care, and feel that their country’s “sole superpower” status is under severe threat, if not already consigned to history, due to failed management and growing challenges from China and other powers, Trump’s MAGA 2024 mantra of Make America Great Again resonate with more voters, particular the less-educated white working class voters. They want a leader who could show China not just the door but give her a middle finger.
(Bernie Sanders said: “It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party that abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them.)
I couldn’t help but notice a rough resemblance between Pheu Thai voters who prioritized bread and butter issues over human rights issues such as reforming the lese majeste law that’s demanded by many young and educated Thai voters who support what is now People’s Party.
There are more factors as to why Harris lost. Entering the race midway to replace Joe Biden, she didn’t seem to have enough time to communicate to the voters clearly as to who she was and how she differed from Biden if allowed to run the country.
If the US under Trump restoration turns out to be more isolationist, the world will have to learn to adapt. The EU, for example, will have to take greater responsibilities in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia. This is not all necessarily a bad thing as it will enable the world to become even more multipolar. The world doesn’t really need a sole superpower or a global policeman patrolling the seven seas and poking its nose into other people’s business. Other nations will have to, and should, learn to be more independent and forge new alliances, and friends, in case of an insular America under Trump.
Thais are bracing for a possible 20 percent Trump tariff and will have to seek new markets abroad instead of becoming too complacent and dependent on the US market. This is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly in the long run.
Americans who didn’t vote for Trump will have to learn to coexist with Trump and Trumpians. They did manage between 2017 to 2021 and should know how to deal with Trump the second time around. I trust these Americans are adequately resilient and resourceful to endure and wake up to the reality of the failures of the Democratic Party and eventually create a more fair and just America in the future.
Wang Thonglang police arrested four Chinese nationals caught gambling at Mahjong in a hidden den in Soi Ladprao 80 on Nov 9, 2024.
BANGKOK — Wang Thonglang police officers raided a Chinese restaurant in Soi Ladprao 80, intersection 22 on Saturday night, after receiving intelligence about another illegal gambling operation in the area.
This gambling den is connected to the one in Soi Sahakarn Pramoon that was discovered on November 5, where 21 gamblers of Chinese, Taiwanese, and Thai nationalities were arrested.
The Ladprao 80 operation followed the same business model, using brokers to recruit Chinese residents living in Huai Khwang and Ratchada areas through WeChat application to participate in gambling.
A Chinese restaurant in Soi Ladprao 80, intersection 22 has a hidden gambling den in its VIP room.For Chinese men confess to being friends who were invited through WeChat to play Mahjong cards.
During the search on November 9 at 9:30 p.m., officers found a private VIP room at the back of the building, where four Chinese men were caught playing Mahjong. All of them had tourist visas. They confessed to being friends who were invited through WeChat to play Mahjong, claiming it was their first time at this restaurant.
The restaurant manager, a Chinese national, confessed to working at the establishment for about 10 months, with a Thai woman as the owner. The gambling table and equipment were reportedly brought in just 10 days ago by a Chinese friend.
Police seized the gambling table, equipment, and over 70,000 baht in cash as evidence. The four Chinese men were arrested and charged with illegal gambling. The restaurant manager was charged with operating an illegal gambling establishment. All suspects will be detained and presented to the Criminal Court on Monday, November 11.
Tourists queue at Laem Sok Pier for ferries to Koh Kood, Trat province, November 9, 2024.
TRAT — Following the visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to Koh Kood on November 9, there has been a noticeable increase in tourist arrivals, even as political attacks regarding Thailand-Cambodia overlapping territorial claims have begun to subside.
Ms. Wipha Boon-yu, Manager of Suea Dam Go (Trat) Company Limited, stated that foreign tourist numbers have significantly increased during this period. Thai tourists, however, have been concerned about social media posts regarding Koh Kood, calling to inquire whether it’s safe to visit. Staff have clarified that there are no concerning situations and no military deployments from either Thailand or Cambodia in the area.
She mentioned that the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister visited the island’s military base today, and the Interior Minister will visit on Monday. As both are key government figures, operators hope they will help build understanding and restore tourist confidence.
Koh Kood
“There is no military confrontation here as falsely shared on social media. We want tourists to feel confident and visit Koh Kood during the year-end period, as there is no fighting or risk in the area,” she said.
A tourist from Bangkok commented that Koh Kood has beautiful nature and pristine waters, expressing no fear about the news, confident that Koh Kood belongs to Thailand, not Cambodia.
Mrs. Boon Yothaphirom, a 68-year-old food vendor, stated that the news has been false, spread through social media sharing, causing confusion among Koh Kood residents. She noted there is no fighting, and the circulating images don’t reflect reality, adding that this isn’t beneficial for anyone.
Tourists arrive at Koh Kood, Trat province, November 5, 2024.
Mr. Wichit Sukasuyhanon, President of the Trat Tourism Business Association, said that Trat and Koh Kood residents know the island belongs to Thailand, but today’s news is mostly fake and politically motivated. This has overshadowed the truth, resulting in a 30% decrease in Thai tourist bookings for Koh Chang, despite October and November being the tourism season for Trat province and its islands.
However, Mr. Attaphol Klintap, Manager of Boonsiri Ferry Company, reported that Thai tourist numbers today are higher than usual weeks due to merit-making ceremonies and holidays. For foreign tourists, this high season is normal, with many European and Scandinavian visitors expected through late 2024 and early 2025.
Mr. Attaphol added that the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Trat office has been promoting tourism on Koh Kood and Koh Mak through special tour packages, which has helped maintain tourist confidence and increased visitors to both islands.
Andrew Richardson, 63, from York, England, sweeps the area around the stupa containing his wife's ashes and changes the flowers at Wat Sri Suwan Mongkol in Ban Sri Muang, Ban Dung District, Udon Thani Province on Nov 5, 2024.
UDON THANI — A British former naval officer who found love with a Thai woman and lived together for nearly ten years, continues to visit after her death from cancer. He flies in annually to clean and change flowers at the stupa containing his wife’s ashes in Ban Dung, Udon Thani.
On November 9, Khaosod reporters in Udon Thani found a foreign man carrying a broom and fresh flowers, walking to a stupa containing ashes at Wat Sri Suwan Mongkol in Ban Sri Muang, Ban Muang subdistrict, Ban Dung district. They went over to speak with him.
Mr. Andrew Richardson, 63, from York, England, said he traveled from England to visit his wife whom he hasn’t forgotten even after her passing. He comes to clean the stupa containing her ashes and change the flowers, something he has done consistently for 4 years.
Andrew Richardson, 63, from York, England, sweeps the area around the stupa containing his wife’s ashes at Wat Sri Suwan Mongkol in Ban Sri Muang, Ban Dung District, Udon Thani Province on Nov 5, 2024.The name of the British man’s wife, Samorn Prasomsi, is inscribed on the base of the stupa containing her ashes.
“I was formerly in the navy, and after retiring, I worked at a tire manufacturing plant. I met and married my wife, Samorn Prasomsi, and we were together for nearly 10 years. Unfortunately, she passed away from cancer 4 years ago. After her death, my sister in England asked me to return to live there,” Andrew said.
He continued that out of love and longing for his wife, he flies to this temple to make merit and clean the stupa containing her ashes. Last year, he couldn’t come because he underwent heart surgery. Once his condition improved this year, he flew immediately, arriving on November 5 and planning to return to England on November 12.
“I love Thai women and I loved this woman very much. Even though my wife has passed away, I think about her all the time. In my opinion, Thai women are the most special, and my wife was a good person who made me happy. She will be my last wife,” Andrew said.
Tourist police inspect a nail salon located in Moo 3, Maret Sub-district, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province on November 8, 2024.
KOH SAMUI — Tourist Police in Samui have arrested several Myanmar nationals working as beauticians and nail technicians serving tourists on Samui Island, noting that these professions are reserved exclusively for Thai citizens.
During an inspection of a nail salon located in Moo 3, Maret Sub-district, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province on November 8, officers arrested five foreign workers who were illegally providing nail services to foreign tourists.
All five arrested individuals are Myanmar nationals:
Ms. Pwint, age 28, charged with being a foreigner working beyond permitted rights (beauty services)
Ms. Zawar, age 29, charged with illegal entry and stay in the kingdom, and working without permission
Mr. Maw, age 22, charged with overstaying (191 days) and working without permission
Mr. Win, age 29, charged with having work permit but working beyond permitted scope (nail services)
Mrs. Khin, age 24, charged with having work permit but working beyond permitted scope (nail services)
Tourist Police in Samui arrest five Myanmar nationals working as beauticians and nail technicians serving tourists on Samui Island on Nov 8, 2024.
All suspects were transferred to Bo Phut Police Station investigators.
This week, Tourist Police, Immigration Police, and local police forces have received orders from Police General Kitt-rat Panphetch, the National Police Chief, to crack down on transnational crime and illegal foreign workers in 10 prohibited categories during the high season between November 8-14.
The 10 prohibited categories include:
Low-quality tours violating Tourism Business and Guide Act
Fraud in selling substandard products/services at high prices
Vehicle-related tourist exploitation
Illegal entertainment venues
Traffic management
Drugs in tourist areas
Transnational crime and illegal immigration
Accidents and tourism safety standards
Major crimes affecting tourists
Influential figures carrying weapons in tourist areas
BANGKOK — Commerce Ministry urged Thai farmers to adopt low-carbon rice production to compete in global market.
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) at the Ministry of Commerce, has highlighted the urgent need for Thailand’s agricultural sector to adapt to environmental challenges and changing consumer preferences.
As one of the world’s largest rice exporters, Thailand faces mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its agricultural practices. According to recent data, the agricultural sector accounts for 15.23% of Thailand’s total greenhouse gas emissions, second only to the energy sector’s 69.96%. Rice cultivation alone contributes to 50.58% of all agricultural emissions.
Photo: Technology Chaoban
“Rice farming currently generates the highest greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector,” Naiyanapakorn explained. “Thailand needs to promote low-carbon rice production using methods and technologies that reduce emissions to meet environmentally conscious consumer demands and tap into premium markets.”
Thailand has already taken steps in this direction through initiatives such as the Thai Rice NAMA (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action) project, running from August 2018 to July 2024. This sustainable development project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Germany’s International Cooperation Agency (GIZ).
Photo: Technology Chaoban
However, competition is intensifying as Vietnam aggressively pursues the low-carbon rice market. With government and NGO support, Vietnam’s Net Zero Emission policy and lower production costs have helped them gain an advantage in environmentally conscious markets, particularly in the European Union, where they benefit from an FTA agreement.
Recent export statistics show the close competition between the two countries. In 2023, Thailand exported 8.77 million tons of rice valued at US$5,147.3 million, while Vietnam exported 8.13 million tons worth US$4,675.7 million.
For the first nine months of 2024 (January-September), Thailand’s exports reached 7.45 million tons (US$4,833.5 million), compared to Vietnam’s 6.96 million tons (US$4,353.3 million).
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra presides over a merit-making Kathin ceremony at Wat Klong Kru (Pathawikorn) temple in Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok, on November 9, 2024.
BANGKOK — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra dismissed growing criticism about his hospital detention arrangement and recent political gatherings during a visit to Wat Klong Kru temple in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district on Saturday.
When questioned about his stay on the 14th floor of Police General Hospital instead of serving time in prison, Thaksin made light of the situation. “There’s nothing special about floors 14 through 17,” he said, shrugging off allegations of preferential treatment. “People can keep making issues if they want to.”
The former premier also addressed accusations that he was pulling political strings from behind the scenes. These allegations emerged after coalition party leaders were seen visiting his Chan Song La residence following Srettha Thavisin’s removal from the prime minister position.
Responding to claims that could potentially lead to the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin downplayed the meeting’s significance. “They just came to eat MAMA (instant noodles),” he said with characteristic humor. “The noodles were delicious.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Thaksin added. “We’re doing everything correctly, following both law and custom. We’ll continue our work regardless of any complaints.”
When asked about the coalition government’s ability to work together, Thaksin expressed confidence in their cooperation. He pointed to recent developments, noting that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had successfully convened a meeting regarding the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) between Thailand and Cambodia, which resulted in a joint statement from coalition partners.
When asked about Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s performance since taking office, Thaksin praised her dedication and quick grasp of national issues. Regarding the criticism she has faced since beginning her tenure, he noted that it was to be expected, saying “She’s been familiar with the nature of Thai politics since childhood.”
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, joined by Melania Trump, left, and Barron Trump, arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris means that the Justice Department believes he can no longer face prosecution in accordance with department legal opinions meant to shield presidents from criminal charges while in office.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
In a court filing Friday in the 2020 election case, Smith’s team asked to cancel any upcoming court deadlines, saying it needs “time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy.”
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan quickly granted the request, and ordered prosecutors to file court papers with their “proposed course for this case” by Dec. 2.
Trump had been scheduled to stand trial in March in Washington, where more than 1,000 of his supporters have been convicted of charges for their roles in the Capitol riot. But his case was halted as Trump pursued his sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution that ultimately landed before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
The Supreme Court in July ruled that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to Chutkan to determine which of the the allegations in the indictment can move forward.
The classified documents case has been stalled since July when a Trump-appointed judge, Aileen Cannon, dismissed it on grounds that Smith was illegally appointed. Smith has appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where the request to revive the case is pending. Even as Smith looks to withdraw the documents case against Trump, he would seem likely to continue to challenge Cannon’s ruling on the legality of his appointment given the precedent such a ruling would create.
