Behind the Scenes of Blue Tree Phuket’s Water Park Closure

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24 June 2024, 15:51

PHUKET — Blue Tree Phuket announced over the weekend that it will cease operations of Blue Tree Lagoon, its water park, and lay off more than 70 percent of its current staff. This comes after about five years of operation and raises questions among those unfamiliar with the Phuket business landscape, especially considering that Phuket’s tourism industry is thriving.

The Phuket Tourism Business Association reports that the province’s tourism business is booming, with revenue expected to exceed 400 billion baht (10.9 billion USD) by the end of 2024, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels.

Prachachat Business delved deeper into the situation and discovered even more intriguing information. Blue Tree Phuket announced on June 22, 2024 that the decision to cease operations of Blue Tree Lagoon, the company’s main business segment, on 1 August 2024, was made to meet changing customer demands.

The company emphasized that other areas within Blue Tree Phuket will continue to operate as usual and announced plans to open newly designed facilities in the Lifestyle Village Zone as part of a strategic business shift.

The company will introduce a range of family-friendly activities, including shopping, dining and other recreational areas. These include clothing stores, fitness activities such as judo and Muay Thai, and outdoor concert events that will make Lifestyle Village a new destination for everyone.

“The company is preparing to transition its business model to a new concept that focuses on healthcare services and includes the promotion of physical and mental health as well as social connections to improve the quality of life for both locals and tourists,” the statement reads.

Even if outsiders might assume that the company is in financial difficulties, this might not be the case.

Several sources in Phuket told “Prachachat” that the group behind the project is “Pirate Girl”, the daughter of the owner of the world’s most expensive watch brand, Patek Philippe. Liquidity problems can therefore be ruled out.

“As far as I know, the project started because the daughter of the famous watch brand owner visited Phuket, liked it and told the driver that she wanted to buy land for investment. The investment of 1.2 billion baht is not worth mentioning because the sale of a few watches would cover the cost. But the ultra-rich are not stupid. When they calculate investments, they must be worth every penny,” said a source.

The exact reasons for the closure are still unclear, but it is known that Blue Tree has been struggling with “internal management problems” for some time, with the management team having changed several times.

There is also an attractive factor: selling the business now would bring significant profits as the value of the land has increased many times over. The 140 rai plot alone could be sold for billions, as land prices in the area currently stand at 30-40 million baht per rai.

Another source suggested that there may be plans to shift investment to the hotel business or other ventures. As for the 300 employees, don’t worry because Blue Tree has made arrangements and many hotels and tourism businesses in Phuket are still short staffed and ready to hire.

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Uncovered: Trafficking of Thai Teenagers for Elderly Care in China

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Khaosod English

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23 June 2024, 22:32

KUNMING — A new problem of trafficking Thai teenage girls for elderly care in China has been discussed in the meeting between Thai and Chinese authorities in Kunming, China.

According to Matichon Online, the Central Investigation Bureau sent Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division police to coordinate with Chinese police in Yunnan Province to address human trafficking and call center gang issues.

On June 23, at the Kunming Immigration Office in Yunnan, China, Pol. Maj. Gen. Saruti Khwaengsopha, Commander of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, and 30 related Thai police officers met with Pol. Maj. Gen. Kong Yiping, Deputy Commander of Kunming Immigration Office.

The meeting included observing immigration work that uses technology to reduce police workload by about 80%. They also met with various units in Kunming to update on transnational crime suppression.

Previously, Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirapop Phuridej, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, ordered anti-trafficking police to coordinate regarding the movement of Thai people into northern Myanmar, which is partly a base for call center gangs causing problems for both Thailand and China.

kunming thai2 — The meeting between Thai and Chinese authorities is taken place in Kunming, China on June 23, 2024.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Saruti said China doesn’t have specific anti-trafficking laws, but Thai police consuls are working to keep information updated between the two countries. They have tracked 27 Thai human trafficking suspects hiding in China and are cooperating on cases involving prostitution and the use of teenage labor, with many Thai people illegally working in Kunming.

The use of young Thai female workers is becoming popular among elderly Chinese who hire them for marriage, but some end up abandoned, causing problems that the Thai consulate in Kunming is trying to resolve.

The meeting also involved discussions with the Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center (LMLECC), which coordinates between China, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand in preventing and suppressing transnational crimes in the region.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Saruti added that last year, over 300 human trafficking cases were arrested, with 50% involving child prostitution, 30% child pornography, and the rest forced labor and begging.

The cooperation with LMLECC is expected to increase, which is crucial as the Mekong River is often used for human trafficking and call center operations.

Jiang Shui, Deputy Secretary-General of LMLECC, stated that since its establishment, LMLECC has helped reduce crime significantly. He emphasized the importance of the Mekong River as a trade route and called for Thai officials to join their operations for standardized practices, which would benefit regional economic growth and international trade.

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Russian’s Unauthorized Motorcycle Classes Halted in Phuket

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Khaosod English

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23 June 2024, 21:40

Motorcycle — Mr. Roman, a 29-year-old Russian national for illegally teaching motorcycle driving in Phuket Province on June 23, 2024.

PHUKET — Tourist Police in Phuket launched an operation to suppress crimes affecting the tourism industry. They received information from an informant about a foreigner teaching motorcycle riding in a large parking area near the old floating market in Kathu Subdistrict, Kathu District, Phuket Province.

Investigation revealed an Instagram account of Mr. Roman, a 29-year-old Russian national, with a description in Russian that translates to “Motorcycle School, Motorcycle Rental – Phuket” and a contact phone number 063 1XX 45XX. When tourist police surveyed Mr. Roman’s motorcycle training location, they found him teaching a foreign woman how to ride a motorcycle and avoid obstacles.

On June 23, the arrest team approached both individuals, identifying themselves as police officers. The woman taking the motorcycle lesson stated she was Russian and had agreed to pay 2,000 baht for a 3-day course. She found the service through a Google search and phone contact.

The officers then arrested Mr. Roman on charges of being a foreigner working without a work permit. He was handed over to the Kathu Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Evidence collected included social media messages from Instagram and other platforms where numerous previous students had given ratings to Mr. Roman.

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Shop Staff’s Kindness Leads to Emotional Dog-Owner Reunion

By

Khaosod English

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23 June 2024, 20:38

PHETCHABUN — A heartwarming story about dog lovers helping to find the owner of a lost dog running in the rain searching for its owner’s car has gone viral on social media. This incident occurred in Phetchabun Province, in the lower northern region of Thailand.

A Facebook user named Puttal On-ta posted a video and message saying, “If anyone abandoned this dog or if it fell from a car, please come pick it up urgently. It’s pitiful – it won’t come under shelter when called, runs after every white car, and sits in the rain waiting for its owner. It looks left and right hopefully.”

The video shows a male Thai breed dog with brown fur, sitting and standing in the rain, looking scared with its tail down, peering out to the road as if waiting for something.

Later, a Khaosod news reporter met with Puttal, the page owner on June 23. She owns a souvenir shop in Khao Kho, along the Lom Sak-Phitsanulok road, Highway 12, in Camp Son subdistrict, Khao Kho district, Phetchabun province.

She said the dog had been around her shop for about 4-5 days. During this time, it often rained in Khao Kho area, but the dog would stand in the rain, refusing to take shelter. It looked scared, with its tail down, as if waiting for someone, and would often chase after white cars.

People in the area said they saw the dog jump out of a white pickup truck belonging to a lottery ticket seller and couldn’t find its way back. It just stood waiting for its owner. Puttal, her shop staff, and nearby vendors would feed it and try to get it to sleep near the shop.

After several days, she became attached to and felt sorry for the dog. She took photos and videos to post on Facebook, which were widely shared and commented on.

On June 22, the dog’s owner contacted her. Shortly after, the owner arrived at her shop. When the dog saw its owner, it jumped excitedly, wagging its tail and running towards her with great joy. Puttal immediately knew this woman was the real owner.

The owner explained that she had been away on business for seven days. When she returned home and couldn’t find her dog, she searched but couldn’t locate it. She got a tip from neighbors who saw a white pickup truck take the dog away. She finally saw the shared post on Facebook, recognized her dog immediately, and rushed to pick it up.

Puttal said that when the dog reunited with its owner, her shop staff were so moved they cried tears of joy. They were touched and very happy to have found the dog’s owner. The owner’s house was nearly 10 kilometers away. Puttal thanked the power of social media for helping share the post until the owner saw it.

dog phetchabun1 — Puttal On-ta, a souvenir shop owner, is happy for the dog.

Thailand Thanks UAE Sending Key Suspect in $402 Million STARK Fraud Case

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Khaosod English

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23 June 2024, 16:18

BANGKOK — Thai government thanks the UAE officials for extraditing the main suspect, in STARK stock fraud case that affected 4,704 victims and caused 402 million USD in damages.

On June 23, officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) escorted Chanin Yensudchai, former chairman of Stark Corporation Public Company Limited (STARK), from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the DSI headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road for questioning. Chanin is a key suspect in the “STARK stock fraud case.”

The Thai government expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for extraditing Chanin to face prosecution in Thailand. This is considered a major case, with 4,704 victims and total damages amounting to 14.778 billion baht (approximately $402 million). The DSI has already interviewed 5 accusers and 157 witnesses.

Chakkrapong Saengmanee, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that the arrest of Chanin, who is accused of accounting fraud, public fraud, and money laundering involving billions of baht, took over 8 months. The process involved tracking his whereabouts across multiple countries and required delicate handling due to international implications.

jakkrapong — Chakkrapong Saengmanee, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed the arrest of STARK’s former chairman Chanin Yensudchai at Suvarnabhumi Airport on June 23, 2024.

It required cooperation from various agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, DSI, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Attorney General’s Office, and UAE authorities.

“This case will serve as an important lesson for Thailand’s capital market. The SEC will use it to improve transparency and accountability,” Chakkrapong stated. He also disclosed that in initial conversations, Chanin claimed he fled the country due to safety concerns after receiving threats.

Subsequently, the DSI has pressed 6 major charges against Mr. Chanin, as follows:

Fraud against public property
Violation of the Securities and Exchange Act of Thailand
Forgery and false accounting records
Negligence in the performance of executive duties
Corruption
Money laundering

These charges represent serious allegations of financial crimes and misconduct in a corporate or financial context.

stark2 — DSI officials escorted STARK’s former chairman Chanin Yensudchai from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the DSI headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road, Bangkok, on June 23, 2024.

Previously, authorities had charged 11 suspects with violations of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1992 for accounting and financial statement fraud, as well as public fraud. They also face charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1999.

On June 24, the court will consider whether to grant bail to Chanin. Regarding the recovery of funds transferred abroad by the suspects, the DSI has been tasked with handling this aspect of the investigation.

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French ‘Cult Leader’ Arrested for 3-Month Overstay in Koh Phangan

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Khaosod English

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23 June 2024, 15:04

KOH PHANGAN — Tourist police on Koh Phangan have arrested a French tourist who claimed to be a cult leader and invited other foreign tourists to join his rituals. The man had overstayed his legal limit.

On June 22, tourist police officers on Koh Phangan arrested Mr. Evariste, a 39-year-old French national, at the Baan Tai Malay Mosque in Koh Phangan district, Surat Thani province.

Previously, authorities received complaints about a foreigner living near the mosque, claiming to be a religious leader participating in rituals and inviting foreign tourists visiting Koh Phangan to join religious ceremonies.

french ritual — An officer escorts Mr. Evariste to his residence and finds that his tourist visa was for 30 days, but he had overstayed by 3 months.

Officers conducted surveillance and spotted a foreigner matching the description from the complaints. When they approached Mr. Evariste, he appeared nervous. When asked for his passport, he claimed it was at another location where he had set up a tent near the mosque.

Officers escorted him to the tent and found that his tourist visa was for 30 days, but Mr. Evariste had overstayed by 3 months.

The authorities charged him with “being a foreigner staying in the Kingdom after permission has expired” (overstaying by 78 days) and transferred him to Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.

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Opinion: Dear South Koreans and ASEAN Neighbors: Do Not Fear Thailand Embracing Same-Sex Marriage

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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23 June 2024, 13:00

A supporter holds a placard during a celebration of the approval of same-sex marriage bill at the Government House on June 18, 2024. (Khaosod Photo)

Only hours have passed since the caretaker junta-appointed senate finally made the expected vote of approval to endorse Same-Sex Marriage Bill, making Thailand’s becoming the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize same sex marriage, when the impact from Bangkok was felt over 5,367 kilometers away in Seoul, South Korea.

Some South Korean netizens, upon reading the news carried out by its local press on social media, were outraged.

It is worth to quote some of these reactions, first reported by Matichon, the sister daily of Khaosod English, at length here:

“Southeast Asia is going crazy now too,” read one.

“I don’t think the mental illness of a minority is something that the majority can understand. Even if I go crazy. I have to keep it to a certain extent.”

“Ugh…. Dirty…”

“Everyone must oppose this for the sake of future generations.”

“Love is beautiful when it is between a man and a woman.”

“Our country must absolutely stop that evil law!”

“Idolatry, drugs, homosexuality… they will be ruined.”

“This is a law that should not be followed… Please come to your senses.”

“Don’t allow our country to end.”

“Thailand must be full of AIDS… I will never go there to play.”

“You get AIDS, you get monkeypox, you get all kinds of sexually transmitted diseases. Please, what’s wrong with queer people? Don’t try to come out of the shadows and into the light. It’s disgusting.”

“Our country must make sure this does not happen.”

Some then went on to criticize Kyunghyang Shimbun, a Korean newspaper, for reporting about this milestone in Thailand.

“Kyunghyang, what is the purpose of posting this and as breaking news,” asks one netizen. “Don’t write articles like this. There are more countries that don’t allow it. And the media doesn’t even cover the many harmful effects caused by same-sex marriage,” says another.

Reading all these I could not help but feel truly sorry for the South Korean LGBT community. They will continue to be denied their equal rights for a long time, at least a generation, if not a century, considering the growth of evangelical Christians in South Korea.

Unlike evangelical Christians who insist the followers are loyal only to not just one God but one church, Thailand will serve as a bastion of tolerance in Southeast Asia and beyond.

We are moving towards embracing diversity, gender diversity in particular, and recognizing that gays, lesbians, trans, ladyboys, queers and others are human too, are normal, and it is wrong to deny them the same right to marry one another that the rest have.

Speaking as a non-LGBT person myself but a supporter of LGBT rights over the decades, I say you do not need to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community to respect their equal rights in all aspects – you just need to be human and understand that they are human too.

To our friends, brothers, and sisters in the ASEAN region, particularly the predominantly Muslim nations of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei as well as the predominantly Catholics Philippines, I say fear us not. We are not here to proselytize you or change your belief or way of life unless you yourself arrive at such a consensus by yourself.

Nevertheless, Thailand will serve as a place to compare, both the pros and cons, of full LGBT embracement. And for those LGBT people in neighboring ASEAN countries, in South Korea and beyond, who feel discriminated and repressed in your own society simply because of who you are and how you feel, do please come to Thailand to take a respite. We do not judge you as a freak, a mentally ill person, a pariah or a sinner but simply as just another human being and equal to us.

This is Thailand’s newest soft power. We will be an example of hope, tolerance, and respect for diversities and quietly hope one day, the rest of the region will recognize this as the right and humane path forward.

I end by saying gender diversity is not the only diversity in society, and I urge Thais, both LGBT and non-LGBT, to look around and beyond themselves and strive to accord the same human dignity and rights to migrant workers, homeless people, the urban, and rural poor, the ethnic minorities and other marginalized people as they certainly deserve nothing less.

Let the LGBT mottos of love wins spread to other people in Thailand and beyond.

Foreign Tourist Surge Boosts Thai National Park Revenue by 21%

By

Khaosod English

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22 June 2024, 22:07

phiphi — Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park

BANGKOK — Marine national parks on both the Andaman coast and the Gulf of Thailand have increasingly attracted more foreign tourists this year. The revenue in 9 months has surpassed that of the entire budget year of 2023, increasing 21%.

On June 22, the National Park Office released information on national park fee collection for the first 9 months of the fiscal year, from October 1, 2023, to June 20, 2024. The total amount collected was 1.785 billion baht (about 48.6 million USD). This is a record-breaking figure, surpassing the entire year’s collection of 2023, which was 1.467 billion baht (about 40 million USD).

Attapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, said that the increase in collection is due to the rising number of foreign tourists, following the government’s policy to promote tourism in Thailand, especially in marine national parks on both the Andaman coast and the Gulf of Thailand. These areas, with their beautiful marine attractions, have become important landmarks in foreign tourists’ decision to visit Thailand.

Additionally, the global ranking of beautiful beaches, which included Koh Kradan in Hat Chao Mai National Park, Trang Province, as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, has led to increased interest in other marine tourist attractions from foreign tourists. The top 5 national parks with the highest fee collection are:

Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park: 500,866,577 baht (13.6 million USD)
Mu Ko Similan National Park: 243,655,470 baht (6.6 million USD)
Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park: 127,820,710 baht (3.4 million USD)
Ao Phang Nga National Park: 114,226,610 baht (3.1 million USD)
Doi Inthanon National Park: 100,545,505 baht (2.7 million USD)

Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which ranks first in fee collection in Thailand, has already surpassed last year’s collection by over 300 million baht for the same period.

The number of foreign tourists increased from 2,660,308 in 2023 to 4,548,762 in 2024 for the same period, an increase of 1,888,454 or 41.5%.

The collected fees will be used to develop infrastructure and facilities in the service areas of national parks, pay staff salaries, develop personnel knowledge, and allocate 5% (about 80 million baht) to local administrative organizations near the national parks.

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Rescuers Find Family of 6 Dead in Landslide in Eastern China, as Severe Weather Warning Extended

By

Associated Press

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22 June 2024, 20:06

China Flooding — This aerial drone photo released by Xinhua News Agency, shows an area affected by torrential rains in Tieshan Township of Zhenghe County, Nanping City, southeast China's Fujian Province, on June 16, 2024. (Huang Jiemin/Xinhua via AP)

BEIJING (AP) — A family of six was found dead by rescuers in Fujian province, state media reported Saturday, adding to the extreme weather deaths after downpours caused landslides in the area, even as authorities extended a warning of more severe weather ahead.

The six people, who had previously been reported missing, were found dead in a temple near their home by rescuers after days of searching in Fujian’s Shanghang county, according to the state-backed Hongxing news. They had gone to the temple seeking shelter, as it was on higher ground, but the building was toppled by a landslide, killing the family.

Authorities on Friday had said 47 people were dead in neighboring Guangdong province, which has seen historic flooding caused by the rains. The weather damaged more than a hundred bridges and flooded farmland, and destroyed roads connecting rural townships.

AP24174355904372 — In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescuers carrying rescue equipment enter a flood-affected area in Wuping County of Longyan City, southeast China’s Fujian Province, Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Zhou Yi/Xinhua via AP)

The heaviest rains were from Sunday into Tuesday, toppling trees and collapsing homes, and authorities estimated billions of dollars in damage.

China’s National Meteorological Center issued a warning for more extreme weather across a swath of provinces in the south on Saturday, extending a warning from Friday, and for a few areas in the north.

Henan and Anhui provinces in central China, as well as Jiangsu province on the coast and the southern province of Guizhou, all are expecting hail and strong thunderstorms, according to the forecast.

In Heilongjiang province in the northeast, railways canceled multiple trains running over the weekend owing to the heavy rain.

Last week, Fujian and Guangxi provinces in southern China that experienced landslides and flooding amid heavy rain. One student died in Guangxi after falling into a river swollen from the downpour.

Thailand’s New Policy?: 75% Foreign Condo Ownership, 99-Year Leases

By

Khaosod English

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22 June 2024, 09:56

BANGKOK — The Cabinet Secretary’s office announced urgent measures to stimulate the economy through the real estate sector to the Interior minister on June 21, 2024. It is aimed at easing regulations for foreign ownership.

This follows a letter from the Cabinet Secretary on April 9, 2024 in which it reiterated the Cabinet’s decision to boost the economy through the real estate sector and make preparations to make Thailand a global industrial hub.

At the Cabinet meeting on June 18, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai proposed on behalf of the Prime Minister to implement the Cabinet resolution of April 9, 2024. The resolution instructed relevant agencies to consider appropriate measures to stimulate the macroeconomy and attract major investors to Thailand by facilitating the work of potential foreign professionals.

He said that this matter is a proposal that has been submitted to the government, so it has been sent for study. It has not been approved in any way. He is merely pushing for the study’s conclusions to be reached quickly, because without conclusions, there can be no decision.

The Ministry of the Interior reports that it has been asked to examine the feasibility of the following measures:

Review the duration of property rights under the Property Rights Act 2019 so that property rights can be extended up to 99 years.

2. Review the regulations and laws relating to foreign ownership of condominiums and increase the permitted percentage from 49 percent to 75 percent.

It was noted that this measure may include conditions relating to the management of legal entities in condominiums, such as restricting the voting rights of foreigners and foreign legal entities that acquire property in excess of the 49 percent limit.

If it is necessary to enact or amend laws to facilitate these measures, the Ministry of Interior is instructed to complete the legal procedures immediately and strictly comply with the relevant laws, regulations, and directives.

The Cabinet has reviewed and approved the Deputy Prime Minister’s proposal. Therefore, the Ministry of Interior is requested to implement the relevant aspects of the Cabinet’s decision.

Prachachat Business reports that this government policy consideration aligns with the demands of 7 real estate associations who jointly signed and sent a letter to the Director-General of the Department of Lands, Ministry of Interior, and also informed the Prime Minister, to follow up on the progress of proposals to amend two real estate laws: the Property Rights Act and the Condominium Act.

Mr. Isara Boonyoung, Chairman of the Real Estate, Design and Construction Trade Association Committee of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said that extending the lease to 99 years would benefit both Thai and foreign investors.

“With 30-year land leases, when used as loan collateral, banks are reluctant to provide much credit, possibly only 50-60%. However, if the lease period is extended to 99 years, leased land can be used as business collateral equivalent to freehold land,” he said.

He added that leasing behavior is dictated by landowners from the outset. That is, state-owned freehold land cannot be sold or transferred and can only be leased. As for private land in expensive areas, prime locations costing 2-4 million baht per square wah, owners opt not to sell and choose to lease instead.

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