UOB Thailand Launches Flood Relief Campaign for Northern Provinces

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7 October 2024, 15:09

Bangkok, 7 October 2024 – UOB Thailand has initiated a flood relief campaign to support communities affected by severe flooding in Thailand’s northern provinces. The floods have significantly impacted local populations and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agricultural areas.

The “United in Flood Relief” initiative, running from 25 September to 15 October 2024, facilitates public contributions through the UOB LINE Connect platform via the UOB Thai LINE Official Account. Donors can participate using UOB Rewards points or credit card transactions.

To encourage participation, UOB Thailand offers the following incentives:

Double tax deductions on all donations
Double UOB Rewards points for credit card donations (excluding UOB YOLO, UOB ONE, and TMRW cards)
A Snoopy & Woodstock Clutch Bag (valued at 950 baht) for donations of 5,000 baht or more, or in exchange for 20,000 UOB Rewards points

All donations will fund critical needs, including food, clean water, and temporary shelter for displaced residents.

Nobu Celebrates 30 Years of Culinary Excellence with Exclusive Offerings Worldwide

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MC Marketing

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7 October 2024, 15:08

Celebrating three decades of excellence, Nobu Bangkok invite you to experience the dazzling dining destination on the 57th & 58th floors of The Empire discovering Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s world-renowned style of contemporary Japanese-Peruvian cuisine

[Bangkok, Thailand] Nobu is thrilled to commemorate its 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of redefining the culinary landscape with its distinctive blend of Japanese tradition and Peruvian flavors, Nobu Restaurants, Hotels, and Residences around the world will offer exclusive experiences that reflect the past, present, and future of the ever-evolving brand.

“We are very excited to celebrate this incredible milestone at our Nobu Restaurants and Hotels around the world,” said Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. “When designing these menus, we wanted to honor our journey, the dedication of our team members, and the incredible support we’ve received from our guests over the past 30 years. Many of these dishes are based on some of my earliest creations, so they are very close to my heart.”

Founded in 1994 with its inaugural location in Tribeca, New York, Nobu has grown into an international phenomenon, firmly establishing itself as a culinary trendsetter while upholding an unwavering commitment to quality. Beyond its restaurants, Nobu boasts a stunning global collection of Hotels and Residences. Each Nobu experience is designed to create meaningful moments, reflecting the brand’s dedication to creating one-of-a-kind experiences that embody the depth and authenticity of its culinary legacy.

30th Anniversary Omakase at Nobu Bangkok

From October 7th to October 13th, guests are invited to indulge in a special 5-course omakase menu offered at Nobu Bangkok, priced at THB 3,200++ per person. The carefully curated menu reflects the rich history of Nobu Restaurants, including early dishes created by Chef Nobu as well as innovative creations that embody Chef Nobu’s philosophy of humility, gratitude, and hospitality. Nobu’s 30th anniversary omakase will feature Japanese Red Snapper Matsuhisa-style, Japanese Mirai Beef Anticucho, and Nobu’s famous Black Cod in Butter Lettuce. The dessert course is exclusively created at Nobu Bangkok – Strawberry Cheesecake, Milk Chocolate Cremuex, and Sweet Potato Mochido with Toffee Miso.

Long-time fans of the restaurant will delight in both familiar flavors and new iterations of classic recipes.

Directly accessible via Chong Nonsi BTS skytrain station, Nobu Bangkok is open for dinner (17.30 – 01.00 hrs.). The rooftop bar is open from sunset until the early hours (17.30 – 01.00 hrs.).

For more information or reservations, please contact [email protected],

call +66 (0) 2 407 1654, or book direct via https://sevn.ly/xa5YtHiX.

Simply connect with us via these channels:

Website: www.noburestaurants.com/bangkok

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NOBUBangkok

Instagram: www.instagram.com/nobu.bangkok

Plastic Surgery Can’t Hide: Thai Immigration Nabs Chinese Fraud Suspect

By

Khaosod English

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7 October 2024, 14:48

BANGKOK — Thai Immigration Police have apprehended a Chinese woman subject to an Interpol Blue Notice, who had undergone plastic surgery to alter her appearance and was hiding in Thailand. She overstayed for 650 days.

On October 7, Immigration Police officers arrested a Chinese woman named in an Interpol Blue Notice for fraud charges in mainland China at a luxury condominium in the Rama 4 area of Bangkok.

The Immigration Bureau’s investigation unit had received a tip from a resident about a Chinese foreign national believed to be staying in the kingdom illegally and exhibiting suspicious behavior, keeping to herself and often covering her face with a hat and mask whenever leaving her residence. An operation team was deployed to observe the area below the residential building.

Later, the operation team spotted a suspect matching the informant’s description, with her face completely covered, coming down to receive food on the ground floor. They identified themselves as immigration officers and asked to check the passport of Ms. Jing Qu (pseudonym), aged 30.

When questioned about her illegal stay in the kingdom, Jing Qu acted suspiciously and tried to change the subject, evading answers. She claimed to be a flight attendant for a famous airline who had been laid off, but the officers were skeptical as foreign nationals working as crew members receive specific visa types, not tourist visas on arrival like typical Chinese tourists.

Upon checking the Interpol database, immigration officers found that Jing Qu was subject to an Interpol Blue Notice. The arrest team then coordinated with Chinese security agencies and obtained additional information from the Public Security Bureau of Zouping City in Shandong Province that between 2016-2019, Ms. Jing Qu was a suspect in a fraud case.

chinese surgery1 — Comparison images showing facial plastic surgery of the Chinese female suspect who fled from China to hide in Thailand

Case details indicate that she deceived victims by claiming she could help them secure jobs as flight attendants or stewards with several famous airlines. Ms. Jing Qu defrauded six victims in a total amount of more than CNY 1.52 million ($216K or 7.2 million baht). She then used part of the money for facial plastic surgery to avoid recognition by the victims and kept her face covered at all times before fleeing to hide in Thailand, where she was eventually arrested.

Immigration checks revealed that Jing Qu firstly entered the kingdom in late 2022 on a TR-15 visa, allowing a 15-day stay for tourism. She has currently overstayed her permission by more than 650 days.

Officers have initially charged her with “being a foreigner staying in the kingdom with expired permission.” She is being detained and sent to investigators at the Immigration Police Investigation Division for legal proceedings and deportation.

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WWD x Siam Piwat Spotlight: Thailand Emerges as Global Fashion Hub

By

MC Marketing

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7 October 2024, 13:58

Bangkok : Siam Piwat Group, a leading real estate and retail business developer, owner and operator of world-renowned projects including Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery and a joint owner of ICONSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok held a first of its kind event in Southeast Asia yesterday in collaboration with global fashion media giant, WWD. Together, the WWD x SIAM PIWAT GLOBAL FASHION SPOTLIGHT event entitled “SOUTH EAST ASIA – LUXURY’S NEW FUTURE,” reinforced Siam Piwat’s status as the leader in destination development, fashion, and luxury retail unlocking a new future for Southeast Asia’s fashion and luxury industries on the global stage. Other partners included Kasikornbank and SC Asset. The event was held on October 4, 2024, at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon.

Transforming the runway into a world-class stage for panel discussions, the event brought together thought leaders and influencers from across the fashion industry, spanning global luxury brands, Thai fashion brands, the country’s top designers, customers, retail partners, media, and numerous influencers.

Chadatip Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Piwat Group, said, “For the past 40 years, Siam Piwat has been leading the charge in elevating the Thai fashion industry. Right from the beginning, our vision has been to develop Thai brands and designers and empower them with knowledge and skills to build their own businesses. To this end, we have collaborated with both public and private organizations, as well as leading global brands, to create a knowledge base for Thai fashion development as well as provide platforms for showcasing work and retail spaces in our shopping centers, thus creating a comprehensive ecosystem for the Thai fashion industry. This ecosystem has launched hundreds of leading Thai brands, from top-tier to emerging Thai designers and transformed the creativity and innovation of university students into

sustainable businesses. This has created a positive impact, generating tens of billions of baht in economic value and fostering robust growth for those in the Thai fashion industry ecosystem – a success now acknowledged worldwide. This ripple effect has also sparked numerous fashion-related economic activities far and wide. Through the years, Siam Piwat has been a platform of opportunity for Thai designers to showcase their potential and work on a grand scale, collectively elevating Thai fashion to global fame. Since the COVID-19 crisis onwards, luxury brands with flagship stores have seen exponential sales growth, which has placed them among the global top performers. This has transformed Thailand into a crucial strategic market for luxury brands. In response, these luxury labels are actively expanding their retail spaces and ensuring fully stocked inventories that include exclusive limited collections, with various new luxury brands gearing up to establish their presence in Thailand within Siam Piwat’s shopping centers.”

“We are thrilled to be hosting this important event with Siam Piwat”, said Amanda Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Fairchild Media Group. “Identifying new avenues for innovation is a pivotal opportunity for leading luxury brands, and gathering global industry leadership to discuss the growth of the Thai market on the world stage is vital to the future of our industry. It is how we will best evolve the international fashion conversation and drive success for all of our businesses.”

“There is no better time to organize the Global Fashion Spotlight in Bangkok, and we thank Siam Piwat for their partnership in creating this incredible experience for all of our special guests,” said James Fallon, Chief Content Officer, WWD and Fairchild Media Group. “As we continue to extend the global impact of WWD, we’re thrilled to forge partnerships with the world’s premier luxury lifestyle creators and brands, underscoring WWD’s mission to deliver the most timely, credible, high impact industry coverage to the fashion and retail communities.”

WWD x SIAM PIWAT GLOBAL FASHION SPOTLIGHT kicked off with the first panel on the topic “Building Brands for a Global Consumer,” which delved into brand creation for the global fashion market. The panel featured renowned designer Wannasiri Kongman, Co-founder and Co-creative Director of BOYY, a luxury fashion brand that has garnered tremendous global success;

Lie Sang Bong, a legendary designer from South Korea, founder of the LIE SANGBONG brand, and the first person to hold the position of President of the Council of Fashion Designers of Korea; and Octo Cheung Yan Yu, Vice President of Shanghai Tang, a globally recognized luxury fashion brand founded in Hong Kong that elegantly captures an Asian identity. The panel was moderated by James Fallon, Chief Content Officer, WWD and Fairchild Media Group.

Panel 2, titled “Adapting to the New Luxury Landscape,” featured Suvadee Phungbunphra, Chief Executive Officer, and Orand Puipunthavong, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Officer, founders of PP Group, a leading importer and distributor of top brands that oversees image for luxury fashion brands from around the world in Thailand. They were joined by Emmanuelle Kouakou, Managing Director of Piaget Southeast Asia & Oceania, a leading Swiss jewelry brand, and Roberta Pellacci, Vice President of Marketing and Communications from Bvlgari Japan, a high-end Italian jewelry brand under the umbrella of luxury conglomerate LVMH. Together, they shared insights on how luxury brands are adapting strategically to market trends and consumer behaviors in Southeast Asia.

The event concluded with Panel 3, titled “South East Asia’s Power of Global Influence.” This panel featured well-known influencers including Heart Evangelista, a famous actress from the Philippines, up-and-coming businesswoman; Davika Hoorne, a multi-talented Thai actress and the first Thai person to be appointed a Gucci Brand Ambassador, and a Friend of the House Bulgari; and Nattawin “Apo” Wattanagitiphat, a Dior House Ambassador and the first Thai male actor to become a Global Brand Ambassador for Piaget. Together, they shared their thoughts on the growing global influence of Southeast Asia and offered insights from influencers’ perspectives on collaboration with world renowned brands. The panel was moderated by Lily Templeton, Watches Jewelry & Fashion Editor from WWD, and Sawitri Rochanapruk.

After the panel discussion, the distinguished guests were treated to extraordinary luxury with an exclusive cocktail reception in the Hall of Mirror on M Floor of Siam Paragon, which had been transformed into a space for a casual party to promote networking among thought leaders and influential figures in the fashion and luxury industries. The reception featured by Michelin-

starred chefs, including Blue by Alain Ducasse, a french restaurant which earned one Michelin star for three consecutive years, Sühring, a two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant; and Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, the owner of Nusara, a Thai fine dining restaurant ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024. Also available for the guests to enjoy were an array of cool cocktails and mocktails from Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, recognized as one of the world’s best bars on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2023.

WWD x SIAM PIWAT GLOBAL FASHION SPOTLIGHT marked another significant step for Siam Piwat Group in its role as a global leader and showcased the potential of the Thai fashion industry and the growing influence of Southeast Asia on the global fashion landscape.

This October, Siam Piwat Group will host Bangkok International Fashion Week 2024, Thailand’s premier fashion week event, which has been held annually for 17 consecutive years at ONESIAM, including Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery. This year’s event will take place October 2-6, 2024, themed “Envision the Future,” and will feature at least 15 participating Thai and global fashion brands as well as Siam Paragon-exclusive activities by various world-class luxury fashion brands. These include Gucci Thailand High-End Event, set to dazzle visitors with a curated selection of one-of-a-kind products from October 2-6, 2024 at Gucci Women Store on M Floor at Siam Paragon, and the Bulgari Eternally Reborn event, an exhibition of historic fashion pieces in celebration of the brand’s 140th anniversary, which has been staged in only seven countries worldwide and will run from October 1 to 27, 2024 at Siam Paragon. Added to this impressive lineup are Roger Vivier’s first pop-up store in Thailand and Miu Miu’s latest pop-up store. The event will also feature the Visionary Stage at Siam Center, where emerging designers and students from across Thailand will showcase their creative works at a national level with the prospect of being launched onto the international scene. Meanwhile, Siam Discovery is running a campaign called “Siam Discovery: The Revolutionary 2024,” where everyone can explore their personal style and enjoy exclusive experiences. International fashion brands and luxury brands will also be participating through various activities, such as CLUB 21 presenting brands like JACQUEMUS, COMME des GARCONS, and many others.

Thailand Eyes Global EV Hub Status Amid US-China Trade Tensions

By

Khaosod English

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7 October 2024, 13:28

SX EV2 — Speakers exchange their views at the 4th Sweden-Thailand Sustainable Development Forum at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok on September 30, 2024.

BANGKOK — In the wake of ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, Thailand is emerging as a potential powerhouse in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry.

This development was highlighted at the recent 4th Sweden-Thailand Sustainable Development Forum, which was part of the Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX 2024), where industry experts and diplomats gathered to discuss sustainable solutions across various sectors during September 27 – October 6, 2024 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok.

Mrs. Anna Hammargren, the Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand, stated that climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss are among the key global challenges. She emphasized that countries must double their efforts to address these issues in order to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“Good balance, better world” is the theme of this year’s Sustainability Expo, emphasizing that sustainability can be profitable while improving quality of life for all. For example, EVs and other green mobility innovations, as well as renewable energy, can reduce emissions and contribute to a sustainable future while creating new business opportunities,” she said.

SX EV3 — Mrs. Anna Hammargren, the Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand

Opportunity Knocks for Southeast Asia

The trade war between the world’s two largest economies has created a unique opportunity for Thailand and its neighboring countries to establish themselves as key players in the EV market. Chris Wailes, Managing Director of Volvo Car (Thailand), and Siamnat Panassorn, Vice President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, both emphasized that while geopolitical factors pose challenges to the global EV industry, they also open doors for countries like Thailand.

Thailand’s Automotive Prowess

Thailand’s existing automotive infrastructure positions it well for this potential transition. The country boasts approximately 2,500 automotive parts suppliers and an industry that employs around 800,000 workers. However, to fully capitalize on this opportunity, Siamnat suggests that the Thai government should introduce additional incentives beyond the current EV policy to help establish Thailand as an export production hub for various types of electric vehicles.

Innovations Across Industries

Several examples of sustainable innovations were showcased:

Saab’s digital air traffic control towers, which could revolutionize air transportation. Its innovative digital air traffic control towers are ushering in a new era of green air transportation. Using state-of-the-art video cameras and other features, Saab’s digital towers can replace traditional high-rise towers at international and regional airports around the world, thus reducing manpower needs, improving services, and contributing to a more sustainable development model.
Alfa Laval’s carbon-neutral solutions for palm oil production. Regarding green food production, palm oil serves as an example. Thailand, one of the world’s top three producers, generates 1.1 percent of its GDP from palm oil. To mitigate environmental impacts from palm oil production, Alfa Laval has developed carbon-neutral solutions, transforming the “dirty business” of palm oil production into a greener industry by managing methane emissions.
SKF’s “re-refining” process for motor oil, creating a circular oil-use process for carbon neutrality, using nano filters and other innovations.

The Future of EV Adoption

Industry experts at the forum noted that advancements in battery and charging technologies are crucial for widespread EV adoption. They predict that when EV prices match those of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and when battery technology achieves a 1,000 km range per charge, the demand for EVs will likely surge.

Thailand’s Current Automotive Landscape

Despite the optimistic outlook for EVs, Thailand’s overall automobile production experienced a slight decline in 2023, with 1.84 million vehicles produced, down 2.2 percent from the previous year. This drop was primarily attributed to decreased pickup truck production, affected by growing household debt and tightened lending policies.

As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, Thailand’s potential transformation into an EV production hub could mark a significant shift in the automotive industry landscape, balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

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Thai Officer Shares Lovely Moment with American Tourist’s 18-Hour Flight for ‘Moo Deng’

By

Khaosod English

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6 October 2024, 20:49

BANGKOK — Molly, an American woman who flew 18.5 hours from New York to Thailand specifically to see Moo Deng, the famous baby pygmy hippo of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, became known to Thai netizens when she posted many clips about her trip on TikTok.

“I’ve made it to Thailand! Today is the day I see moo deng! I am so freaking excited, the zoo just confirmed you can see her everyday! I am on cloud nine!!!” was the first message with a clip she posted when she arrived in Thailand on October 3.

In another clip, she mentioned that customs agents in Thailand couldn’t believe it when she told them she came to Thailand for the first time to see Moo Deng.

moo deng american4 — Molly, an American tourist, posted numerous clips about her trip where she traveled 18.5 hours from New York to see Moo Deng, the famous pygmy hippo star in Thailand.

Later, a Khaosod reporter found the immigration officer who checked Molly’s passport. Her name is Police Lance Corporal Pichaya Arintamapong, a squad leader serving at the Immigration Bureau’s Inbound Division at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Police Lance Corporal Pichaya graduated from Khon Kaen University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, majoring in Business English. She just started her civil service career in June 2024 as part of the Immigration Bureau’s personnel increase project, following the then-Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s policy, which added 330 new officers.

The female immigration officer recounted that while she was on duty at the passenger checkpoint, Miss Molly approached with a smiling face. She asked Miss Molly the usual questions about the duration of her stay and the purpose of her visit. The passenger replied, “I came to Thailand to see Moo Deng.”

moodeng american2 — Police Lance Corporal Pichaya Arintamapong (left), a squad leader at the Immigration Bureau’s Inbound Division at Suvarnabhumi Airport and her colleague

She admitted that when she first heard it, she couldn’t believe it. So she asked again and got the confirmation that it was indeed “Moo Deng.” At that moment, she was stunned and thought of the famous hippo named Moo Deng, so she further inquired, “How do you know about Moo Deng?”

Miss Molly explained that Moo Deng is iconic, and her phone was full of Moo Deng’s pictures. She wanted to see Moo Deng while it was still young, and she assured that she would definitely come back next time for a longer visit to explore Thailand.

Police Lance Corporal Pichaya said that at that moment, she was amazed that someone had traveled so far just to see Moo Deng. She found the passenger’s enthusiasm endearing, as she spoke about Moo Deng with a happy expression and gleaming eyes, not seeming tired despite the long journey.

She then quickly processed the immigration check and said to Molly, “Enjoy Moodeng,” which made both Molly and herself laugh together.

“Immigration work is a frontline job where we meet people entering the country. We have to represent Thai people in welcoming and screening those who enter the country, balancing friendliness with security, and doing our best,” Police Lance Corporal Pichaya said.

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Central Thailand Braces for Inundation As Rain Stops in Flooded Chiang Mai

By

Associated Press

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6 October 2024, 19:45

Thailand Floods — People wade through floodwaters in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 as the city's main river overflowed its banks following heavy seasonal rainfall. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

CHIANG MAI, Thailand (AP) — Several provinces in central Thailand braced for floods Sunday after the Irrigation Department announced it was releasing water from a major dam after weeks of frequent heavy rain.

The rain stopped in the northern city of Chiang Mai, but many people, especially the elderly, remained cut off by floodwaters that in some areas were waist-high or more. Volunteer rescue teams, often traveling by boat, worked to supply them with food or evacuate them.

Further complicating the situation, electricity was cut off in some neighborhoods for safety reasons.

AP24280262854688 — Tourists evacuate from a flood-hit area in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 as the city’s main river overflowed its banks following heavy seasonal rainfall. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

AP24280264238280 — Women wade through floodwaters in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 as the city’s main river overflowed its banks following heavy seasonal rainfall. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

Areas popular with tourists, such as the city’s Night Bazaar and Tha Pae Gate, were under as much as a meter (3 1/3 feet) of water.

Central provinces, including the capital Bangkok, have been warned of possible flooding as the Irrigation Department plans to release water from the Chao Phraya Dam to keep it under capacity.

The latest flooding in Chiang Mai began when the Ping River, which runs along the eastern edge of the city, began overrunning its banks on Friday. Flooding is an annual problem in many parts of Thailand during the monsoon season.

Concern remained for animals that had been kept in parks and sanctuaries on the outskirts of Chiang Mai.

Most of the the 125 elephants held at the city’s Elephant Nature Park have been led to safety, though some escaped on their own to seek higher ground.

Photos in Thai media showed elephants in water so deep that they could barely keep their heads above it. Thai media reported that at least two elephants have been found dead and several more were unaccounted for.

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Road Accidents and Deaths in Thailand: A Road to Nowhere

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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6 October 2024, 13:00

bus fatal — Officials and rescue workers cordon off the area around the wreckage of a bus that caught fire, claiming the lives of 23 students and teachers from Uthai Thani province, on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Pathum Thani province, on October 1, 2024. (Khaosod Photo/Somjit Jaichuen)

A lmost a week after the tragedy, the nation is still mourning the loss of 23 people, 20 of them young students, in the school bus fire in Pathum Thani province on October 1, and trying to understand what went wrong.

The driver, who fled after briefly tried and failed to extinguish the fire, is now detained, the bus company which illegally installed half a dozen gas tanks into the bus are now being scrutinized, social media shared instructions on how-to break a glass window of a bus in case of an emergency, a deputy education minister made a half-baked order to forbid all school excursion trips (so such an accident won’t recur) only to be snubbed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who said the problem isn’t with excursion trips, and more.

All these are unlikely to be sufficient, however. The focus as of today is also, and already, partly shifted to the recurring flood problems, affecting 20 provinces, or almost a third of Thailand.

Without enough rage and a new national agenda to handle road safety, or rather road deaths, Thai society will continue to be (knee jerk) reactive.

Consider these simple but highly-disturbing statistics: In 2024, the period from January 1 to October 6, or today, saw 10,551 people killed on the streets, and 643,291 injured, according to Thai RSC, a road safety monitoring organization. That’s roughly 38.22 people per day. Or about three people every two hours.

Allow me to remove the “.22” person as no one dies 22 percent. On second thought, when someone dies, parts of the loved ones who are left behind die as well – so I will keep the “.22” figure there.

Sadly, people are only disturbed by the most extreme of these road accidents and deaths, such as the school bus fire where young kids were literally cremated alive inside the bus. Other less cruel ways to die were largely consigned to mere statistics, and do not really make it to national, not to mention international, news.

If the deaths of 23 failed to turn the tragedy into a national resolve to tackle road safety issues in a dramatically more meaningful and persistent manner, I am afraid it’s just a matter of time before we all will be mourning yet another large group of victims of road accidents.

Imagine what Thailand will be if we could reduce the 38.22 daily deaths figure by a third. We would save almost 13 families from suffering the emotional and economic impacts from such losses.

Where do we start when the problems are so numerous?

Wherever you look, you will see problems: driver license too easily obtained, drunk driving, sleepy driver, reckless motorists, dare-devil bikers and big bikers, reckless foreign tourist bikers, drivers and riders’ indifference to crosswalk, reckless public bus driver, spoiled super rich Ferrari-driver-cum-man-slaughter, and more.

Some are (or were) simply fatalistic and think if the time to die has come, they will die anyway. If not, they will be safe.

We need to make road safety, or the lack thereof, a national agenda, a national priority. Perhaps a new ministry, the Ministry of Public Safety, or at least a Department of Public Safety is needed. Or establish a semi-independent body that’s adequately-funded, tasked with persistently educating the public about road safety, and other public safety issues, and report progress (or the lack thereof) on a quarterly basis to the prime minister and as well as present the report to the public.

Only with such persistent long term commitment and resolve can we stand a chance to significantly reduce the number of needless road fatalities and injuries.

The sobering thing is, I do not hear anyone talking about it, or talking about it loud enough. It’s as if we have become jaded to the daily deaths of 38.22 people and merely accepted and normal. The 23 who died earlier this week deserve better.

To this writer, it’s a shocking statistic that, on average, we allowed 38 people to die on the streets and soil of Thailand daily. Where’s the rage? To many, if not most Thais, that’s just another ‘normal’ day in Thailand. There’s nothing normal about such statistics, however.

Illegal Myanmar School Uncovered in Thailand Coconut Plantation

By

Khaosod English

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5 October 2024, 20:57

CHUMPHON — Officials in Chumphon Province were notified by local residents about an unauthorized school for Myanmar children in Moo 5, Ban Yang Ngam, Na Sak Subdistrict, Chumphon Province. The school was reportedly taught by Myanmar nationals without any Thai education officials present.

On October 3, intelligence officers from the Internal Security Operations Command, along with officials from the Ministry of Education and the Chumphon Provincial Labor Office, investigated the site. They found an unauthorized school building without an address number, located in a coconut plantation about 4-5 kilometers from Asian Highway 41.

During the inspection, Ms. Tin Tae, a 37-year-old Myanmar national, was teaching 50 Myanmar children. Her Thai employer, Ms. Ariya, was also present.

myanmar school3 — Thai authorities discover Ms. Tin Tae, a 37-year-old Myanmar national, teaching 50 Myanmar children in an unauthorized school in Moo 5, Ban Yang Ngam, Na Sak Subdistrict, Chumphon Province.

Ms. Tin Tae stated that she had been teaching Myanmar children at Ms. Ariya’s property for 1 year and 8 months, receiving a monthly salary of 4,000 baht. She also collected operational fees of 500-700 baht per student. Her employer was aware of this activity and never warned her that it was beyond her work rights. The students were children of Myanmar workers in the area.

Officials charged Ms. Tin Tae with working outside her permitted rights, violating Section 8 of the Alien Work Management Emergency Decree 2017 and its 2018 amendment. She confessed to all charges and was handed over to Na Sak Police Station investigators along with evidence including four Myanmar language textbooks, a notebook, a ruler, a marker, and two ballpoint pens.

myanmar school2 — During the inspection, Thai officers discover 50 Myanmar children in an unauthorized school in Moo 5, Ban Yang Ngam, Na Sak Subdistrict, Chumphon Province.

The law stipulates that violators face fines of 5,000 – 50,000 baht, deportation, and a two-year ban on work permit applications from the date of punishment.

However, regarding children’s education, Thai law guarantees that all children under 18 residing in Thailand have the right to equal educational opportunities. Everyone has the opportunity for 15 years of free education from kindergarten to upper secondary level.

Under Thai law, children under 18 within Thai jurisdiction must receive equal protection without discrimination based on race, skin color, language, religion, political or other opinions, national origin, ethnicity or social background, property, disability, birth, or other status of the child.

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Fifth South Korean Drug Suspect Arrested in Pattaya This Year

By

Khaosod English

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5 October 2024, 19:13

korean ice1 — Thai authorities arrest Mr. Seo Jung Nu, 44, a fugitive wanted on drug charges in South Korea, at a hotel in Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, on October 4, 2024..

PATTAYA — Another South Korean drug suspect has been arrested by Thai police while hiding in Pattaya, marking the fifth such arrest this year.

In this case, the South Korean National Police Agency informed the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) about the activities of Mr. Seo, 44, a fugitive wanted on drug charges in South Korea. He was suspected of supplying methamphetamine from Thailand to South Korea.

Subsequently, Mr. Prin Mekanant, Director of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, ordered an investigative team to track him down. On October 3, Seo was found staying at a hotel in Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. The ONCB cooperated with the Immigration Bureau, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office of Korea (SPO), the National Intelligence Service of the Republic of Korea (NIS), and the National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea to arrest him on October 4.

korean ice2 — Narcotics Control Board officers arrest Mr. Seo Jung Nu, 44, a fugitive wanted on drug charges in South Korea, at a hotel in Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, on October 4, 2024.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat Lakboon, Secretary-General of the ONCB, stated that Seo was involved in a case from December 2023 when Korean authorities seized an international parcel sent from Thailand containing methamphetamine hidden in coffee and bean bags.

Korean authorities later arrested the parcel recipient, who implicated Seo as the drug supplier. They then issued an arrest warrant and learned that Seo had fled to Thailand.

The ONCB informed the Immigration Bureau that Seo was an undesirable person due to his involvement in drug activities, which affects national security, and requested consideration for visa cancellation. However, the Immigration Bureau found that Seo had already overstayed his visa, allowing for immediate arrest.

The cooperation between the ONCB, SPO, and NIS in exchanging information about transnational drug traffickers has yielded results. In 2023, seven Korean drug suspects were arrested, and in 2024, five have been arrested so far.

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