BANGKOK — Siam Commercial Bank released a statement on Friday to clarify financial transactions related to Myanmar after Tom Andrews, the U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said in a report issued Wednesday that Thai banks have become the main supplier of international financial services for Myanmar’s military government.
“Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) would like to clarify the situation regarding financial transactions between Thailand and Myanmar. SCB currently provides international transaction services with the primary objective of supporting Thai and international businesses in paying for consumer products and services to Myanmar. These services adhere to laws and prioritize compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
In response to media reports on transactions related to Myanmar, the bank conducted an internal investigation. It was found that several transactions made by corporate customers were payments for consumer goods and energy, which are typical business activities.
These transactions are not connected to the arms trade as reported in the news, and their total value has not significantly increased compared to last year. The bank performs due diligence to verify accuracy and reports these transactions to relevant authorities before processing.
SCB reaffirms its commitment to adhering to relevant anti-money laundering and related regulations, ensuring compliance with principles of good governance and transparency, and aiming to deliver long-term value to all stakeholder groups based on sustainable practices,” said the statement.
Earlier on June 28, Nikorndej Balankura, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clarified that Thai financial institutions operate in the same manner as other financial centers, thus requiring a process to investigate details and facts before taking any action. This issue is a policy matter that needs to be considered comprehensively, especially regarding sanctions. Thailand’s stance is to not support any actions that would widely affect people.
This combination of photos shows Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
ATLANTA (AP) — A raspy and sometimes halting President Joe Biden tried repeatedly to confront Donald Trump in their first debate ahead of the November election, as his Republican rival countered Biden’s criticism by leaning into falsehoods about the economy, illegal immigration and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.
Biden’s uneven performance, particularly early in the debate, crystallized the concerns of many Americans that, at 81, he is too old to serve as president. It sparked a fresh round of calls for the Democrat to consider stepping aside as the party’s nominee as members of his party fear a return of Trump to the White House.
Biden repeatedly tore into Trump in an apparent effort to provoke him, bringing up everything from the former president’s recent felony conviction to his alleged insult of World War I veterans to his weight. The 78-year-old Trump declined to clearly state he would accept the results of the November election, four years after he promoted conspiracy theories about his loss that culminated in the Jan. 6 insurrection, and repeatedly misstated the record from his time in office.
But Biden’s delivery from the beginning of the debate drew the most attention afterward. Trump’s allies immediately declared victory while prominent Democrats publicly questioned whether Biden could move forward.
President Joe Biden, right, walks off stage as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump stands at the conclusion of a presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
“I think the panic had set in,” said David Axelrod, a longtime advisor to former President Barack Obama on CNN, immediately after the debate about Biden’s performance. “And I think you’re going to hear discussions that, I don’t know will lead to anything, but there are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”
Said Van Jones, another Democratic strategist, on CNN: “He did not do well at all.”
Rosemarie DeAngelis, a Democrat who watched the debate at a party in South Portland, Maine, said she felt Biden gave the right answers to Trump but “didn’t have the spark that we needed tonight.”
“That’s going to be the challenge going forward. This is only June, this is the first, but can he sustain?” she said. “That is going to be the challenge.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking on CNN afterward, sought to defend the president’s performance while acknowledging the criticism.
“There was a slow start, but there was a strong finish,” she said.
Asked about his performance in the debate, Biden told reporters early Friday that “I think we did well,” but said he has a “sore throat.” Pressed about Democratic concerns with his showing that he should consider stepping aside, Biden said, “No, it’s hard to debate a liar.”
Biden repeatedly lost his train of thought
Biden began the night with a hoarse voice as he tried to defend his economic record and criticize Trump. A person familiar with the matter said Biden was suffering from a cold during the debate, adding that he tested negative for COVID-19.
Biden appeared to lose his train of thought while giving one answer, drifting from an answer on tax policy to health policy, at one point using the word “COVID,” and then saying, “excuse me, with, dealing with,” and he trailed off again.
“Look, we finally beat Medicare,” Biden said, as his time ran out on his answer.
He also fumbled on abortion rights, one of the most important issues for Democrats in this year’s election. He was unable to explain Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. A conservative Supreme Court with three justices nominated by Trump overturned Roe two years ago.
When asked if he supports some restrictions on abortion, Biden said he “supports Roe v. Wade, which had three trimesters. The first time is between a woman and a doctor. Second time is between a doctor and an extreme situation. A third time is between the doctor, I mean, between the women and the state.”
He added that he thought doctors, not politicians, should make decisions about “women’s health.”
Biden began to give clearer answers as the debate progressed, still with a rasp, and attacked Trump’s record on issues like fighting climate change.
“The only existential threat to humanity is climate change, and he didn’t do a damn thing about it,” he said.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks during a presidential debate hosted by CNN with President Joe Biden, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Trump equivocated on whether he would accept the results of the November election, saying he would accept them if the vote was “fair” and “legal,” repeating his baseless claims of widespread fraud and misconduct in his 2020 loss to Biden that he still denies.
Pressed on his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump was unapologetic.
“On Jan. 6, we were respected all over the world, all over the world we were respected. And then he comes in and we’re now laughed at,” Trump said.
After he was prompted by a moderator to answer whether he violated his oath of office that day by rallying his supporters seeking to block the certification of Biden’s Electoral College victory and not acting for hours to call them off as they raided the Capitol, Trump sought to blame then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Biden said Trump encouraged the supporters to go to the Capitol and sat in the White House without taking action as they fought with police officers.
“He didn’t do a damn thing and these people should be in jail,” Biden said. “They should be the ones that are being held accountable. And he wants to let them all out. And now he says that if he loses again, such a whiner that he is, that this could be a ‘bloodbath’?”
Trump then defended the people convicted and imprisoned for their role in the insurrection, saying to Biden, “What they’ve done to some people that are so innocent, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.”
Trump and Biden entered the night facing stiff headwinds, including a public weary of the tumult of partisan politics and broadly dissatisfied with both, according to polling. But the debate was highlighting how they have sharply different visions on virtually every core issue — abortion, the economy and foreign policy — and deep hostility toward each other.
Their personal animus quickly came to the surface. Biden got personal in evoking his son, Beau, who served in Iraq before dying of brain cancer. The president criticized Trump for reportedly calling Americans killed in battle “suckers and losers.” Biden told Trump, “My son was not a loser, was not a sucker. You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”
Trump said he never said that — a line attributed to Trump by his former chief of staff — and slammed Biden for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, calling it “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country’s life.”
Biden directly mentioned Trump’s conviction in the New York hush money trial, saying, “You have the morals of an alley cat,” and referencing the allegations in the case that Trump had sex with a porn actress.
“I did not have sex with a porn star,” replied Trump, who chose not to testify at his trial.
Pressed to defend rising inflation since he took office, Biden pinned it on the situation he inherited from Trump amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden said that when Trump left office, “things were in chaos.” Trump disagreed, declaring that during his term in the White House, “Everything was rocking good.”
By the time Trump left office, America was still grappling with the pandemic and during his final hours in office, the death toll eclipsed 400,000. The virus continued to ravage the country and the death toll hit 1 million over a year later.
Trump was asked what he would do to make childcare more affordable. He used his answer to instead boast about how many people he fired during his term, including former FBI Director James Comey, and criticized Biden for not firing people from his administration.
The age question roars back
Prior to the debate, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults (59%) said they were “very concerned” that Biden is too old to be president, according to Gallup data collected in June. Only 18% had the same level of concern about Trump. The poll found Biden’s age was also causing alarm among some Democrats: 31% said they were very concerned.
Trump allies entered the post-debate spin room triumphant. Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita called it “the most lopsided win in debate history” and mocked the Biden campaign for saying the president had a cold.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a high-profile Democratic supporter of Biden, was pressed on whether he would consider stepping in for Biden. He dismissed the questions, saying, “I will never turn my back on him.”
He said he knows Biden and what he’s capable of and said, “I have no trepidation.”
Biden spent nearly a week at the Camp David presidential retreat preparing for the debate. Shortly before the debate, Biden started selling cans of water labeled, “Dark Brandon’s Secret Sauce,” on his campaign website, mocking the suggestions from Trump and his advisors that he would use drugs to enhance his performance.
Addressing supporters briefly at a watch party near the debate venue, Biden didn’t address his performance directly, but said, “let’s keep going,” and indicated he has no plans to leave the race.
FWD Life Insurance Plc. (“FWD Insurance”) continues to push the boundaries of brand communications by celebrating Pride Month with an innovative AI-driven content creation campaign. Titled “You’re our pride, we’re proud,” the campaign features media that expresses pride and gratitude for individuality, regardless of gender, to our valued friends
This initiative effectively reaches its target audience, conveying moments of celebration through AI-generated music and diverse printed media that champion diversity and equity. In addition to these creative endeavors, FWD Insurance has partnered with House of Heals and Rush to amplify and communicate the campaign’s message throughout June, the month of Pride.
These collaborations ensure that the spirit of Pride Month is celebrated widely, fostering an inclusive atmosphere and underscoring the importance of diversity and equity in everyday life.
Ms. Pavarisa Chumvigrant, Chief Marketing Officer of FWD Life Insurance Plc., said that FWD Insurance is a digitally enabled organisation, seamlessly integrating new technologies into every facet of its operations, from product offerings to services and distinctive, ongoing brand communication. Particularly during Pride Month, we leverage generative AI technology to bolster diversity, inclusion, and equity within the LGBTQIAN+ community.
This latest initiative builds on our 2023 campaign, ‘Celebrate living with Pride, everywhere,’ empowering our friends to honor Pride Month from anywhere in Thailand. This approach is in perfect alignment with FWD Insurance’s brand promise, which centers on ‘Celebrate living’ and respecting everyone’s unique differences under the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
This year’s campaign, “You’re our pride, we’re proud,” is powered by big data to effectively convey the message of ‘Celebrate living’ and the vital concept of equity, which may feel distant to some. Our strategic approach is to present these ideas through a universally relatable lens, expressing sincere gratitude and immense pride for our cherished LGBTQIAN+ friends and all those who hold a special place in our lives.
Through inspiring graphics and stirring music crafted with generative AI technology, we aim to inspire and uplift. FWD Insurance has forged partnerships with House of Heals in the Ratchaprasong area and Rush in the Silom area, both staunch supporters of diversity and equity.
Together, we transform their spaces with vibrant media, creating an atmosphere of celebration. The uplifting strains of “Thank You for being you,” a song composed using AI for Pride Month, fill the air, enhancing the joyous ambiance. Additionally, specially designed coasters serve as a symbolic reflection of our commitment to living together equally. Throughout June 2024, these establishments will stand as beacons of celebration and gratitude, honoring the LGBTQIAN+ community.
“FWD Insurance is committed to crafting a brand that’s both unique and innovative, integrating creativity into our marketing strategy to boost brand awareness and recognition. We understand the importance of making our brand relatable to our audience in their everyday lives, using language that’s easy to understand, relevant, and engaging. We warmly invite everyone to join us in celebrating Pride Month, where we can express our pride and gratitude for the special people in our lives. Keep up with FWD Insurance’s latest updates across various channels as we continue to bring fresh ideas to the table.” Ms. Pavarisa concluded.
BANGKOK — The overall business establishment in Thailand during the first five months of 2024 (January-May) saw 39,032 new business registrations, which decreased by 1.58% compared to last year, according to the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce.
Auramon Supthaveethum, Director-General of the Department of Business Development added that the total registered capital value of new businesses is 117,099.53 million baht, which decreased by 69.89%.
However, business repeals decreased by 14.99%, totaling 4,623, while the registered capital repeals increased by 65.89%, reaching 71,844.77 million baht.
Consumers remain concerned about the slow recovery of economic growth, political stability, and ongoing geopolitical conflicts, leading to a forecast for business registrations in the first half of 2024 between 44,000 – 47,000. Additionally, the entire year is expected to see between 90,000-98,000 registrations, an increase of 5-15% from the previous year.
Auramon Supthaveethum, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, announced the figures for newly registered businesses in Thailand during the first 5 months of 2024 on June 26, 2024.
The Department also disclosed the fiscal analysis for the fiscal year 2023, revealing that nationwide corporations generated total revenue exceeding 57.86 trillion baht, with a profit of over 2.34 trillion baht. Among sectors, manufacturing recorded the highest income of 23.72 trillion baht and a profit of 1.10 trillion baht.
Following that, the wholesale/retail industry had revenues of 23.32 trillion baht, with a profit of 0.46 trillion baht. In contrast, the service sector recorded revenues of 10.82 trillion baht, with a profit of 0.78 trillion baht.
The top ten subsidiary businesses with the highest revenue are:
The Executive Yuan announces June 28 that Taiwan and Thailand finalized an agreement promoting investment a day earlier. (Courtesy of EY)
TAIPEI – The Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments between Taiwan and Thailand was officially signed on June 27, 2024, by Mr. Chang Chun-Fu, Taiwan’s representative to Thailand, and Mr. Narong Boonsatheanwong, Executive Director of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office in Taipei.
Thailand has now become the fifth trading partner to sign an investment agreement with Taiwan since 2016, following earlier agreements with the Philippines, India, Vietnam and Canada, marking a significant milestone in the development of economic and trade relations between the two sides.
Prior to these negotiations, Taiwan and Thailand had signed an earlier investment agreement in 1996 – nearly 28 years ago. As our businesses have evolved and investment between our two economies has diversified, however, the 1996 agreement no longer met the needs of overseas investors, and a new agreement was negotiated to provide more comprehensive protections and increase investor confidence.
Representing a meaningful upgrade to the earlier version, this Agreement primarily includes the following features:
1. Investment promotion and regulatory transparency: The Agreement will ensure that investment application procedures remain clear and transparent. If any new investment-related regulations or measures are enacted or amended, they will be announced immediately.
2. A designated window for investment-related matters: The Agreement will require the two sides to establish a designated window to answer investment-related questions, allowing investors to understand changes to the investment environment as soon as possible.
3. Joint resolution of investment disputes: The Agreement will require the establishment of a joint investment committee to facilitate consultations, negotiations and settlements of investment disputes, thereby avoiding lengthy dispute settlement procedures and improving the efficiency of dispute resolution.
4. Protection of indirect investment: In addition to protecting traditional forms of investment, the Agreement will also cover indirect investments by enterprises on both sides that have been made through third countries or economies.
5. Necessary measures for the public interest: Finally, the Agreement will allow the government to reserve regulatory policy space for the realization of public health, environmental protection, labor rights, consumer protection, financial stability, and other areas of public interest.
According to trade and investment statistics, since the implementation of the New Southbound Policy in 2016, bilateral trade volume between Taiwan and Thailand has increased 74.6% from US$9.3 billion to US$16.24 billion. At the same time, bilateral investment has also risen by 119.8% from US$3.18 billion to US$6.99 billion, reflecting Thailand’s status as one of Taiwan’s main trading and investment partners in the ASEAN region.
With the restructuring of the global supply chain, Southeast Asia has become a popular target of Taiwanese investment, with Thailand becoming a preferred destination for Taiwan’s electronics and electrical components industry, among others.
Signing this Agreement now not only provides comprehensive protections for Taiwanese businesses seeking to invest in Thailand, but also reflects Taiwan’s broader strategy to help enterprises diversify their investment risks and remove investment barriers.
By signing investment agreements with the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Canada, and now Thailand, Taiwan has demonstrated that it is committed to strengthening the resilience of its businesses’ overseas investments.
KHON KAEN — “The World Conservation Broom Group”, led by Boonsee Srikul, 67 years old, has produced environmentally-friendly brooms, which are currently selling very well. They welcome those interested in learning how to produce brooms from recycled plastic.
Their headquarters is located at 150 Moo 7, Huai Sai Village, Ban Dong Subdistrict, Ubonrat District, Khon Kaen Province.
Mr. Boonsee said that he used to work as an electricity official, but after retiring, he began assisting at the Ban Dong Subdistrict Administrative Organization. He initiated a recycling project to increase income from plastic waste, especially PET bottles. He successfully created several brooms through trial and error and gained a great understanding of the process.
Boonsee Srikul
It started with collecting a large quantity of 1.5-liter plastic bottles. Then, cut off the bottoms of the bottles, cleaned them, and cut them into strips. These strips are woven into a mold, boiled, and then shaped and decorated. After counting the strips, snake tail patterns are woven and attached to handles.
Currently, plastic broom-making has become more efficient, with increased demand. The first batch was sold at 60 baht per handle. Residents interested in eco-friendly brooms formed a group of 18 people to produce and sell brooms. They sell the handles for 100 baht each and continue collaborating locally and online.
Nowadays, they are struggling to meet customer demands because group members need to tend to their farms. Therefore, they are speeding up production to fulfill an additional order of 100 handles.
Most customers are schools, temples, and government offices. Additionally, local NGOs bring community members and students to learn broom-making, creating livelihoods and skills for themselves and their families.
The group “World Conservation Broom” provides educational tools such as plastic straw makers and frame templates for citizens interested in learning. Currently, they use steel wires to shape plastic straws into templates. Once the plastic straws are shaped, they are boiled for 5 minutes to soften and conform to the template, then trimmed to equal lengths using scissors.
They are bundled into groups of 20, totaling 400 straws. These are then woven into snake tail patterns to complete broom handles. Hand drills are used to create holes, screws, and wire are used to attach the plastic straws tightly to the broom handles. Each broom is sold for 100 baht.
The group has only four members making broom handles. They distribute the earnings, giving each member between 6,000-8,000 baht per month in increased income. During this period, they still need to increase production to fulfill an additional order of 100 broom handles from customers.
Police interrogate 2 illegal Korean guides with female interpreter assisting.
CHIANG MAI — The Immigration Department received a tip-off about foreign men working illegally as tour guides for South Korean tourists in Chiang Mai province. When they investigated, they found that the Koreans were wanted for Ponzi scheme cases in South Korea.
Investigation revealed on June 27 that Mr. Kim Jong-nam and Mr. Han Myeong-gyu were indeed working as tour guides for their compatriots in Thailand. The authorities arrested them in the area of Chang Phueak, Mueang district, Chiang Mai province.
During interrogation, the two suspects admitted to working illegally as tour guides for South Korean tourists in Chiang Mai, earning at least 10,000 – 15,000 baht per job, depending on the number of days and tourists they had to take care of.
They advertised their services as personal tour guides on social media and had been doing so for about two months.
A background check by South Korean police in Thailand and the Thai-Korean Liaison Office of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Royal Thai Police revealed that both men were wanted for their involvement in a luxury car Ponzi scheme in South Korea.
The scheme had more than 60 victims and the total loss amounted to over 109 million baht. They were taken into custody for further legal action.
Police officers arrest the illegal Chinese migrant in a condominium in Pattaya.
BANGKOK — Immigration police officials announced on Thursday the arrest of a Chinese woman wanted for a Ponzi scheme case in China with damages exceeding 150 million baht ($4 million).
Pol. Maj. Gen. Phantana Nuch-cha-nart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, stated that officers from Division 4 of the Immigration Bureau led a team to arrest Ms. Hu Yuqi, 24, a Chinese national, on charges of “being an alien entering and residing in the kingdom without permission.”
She was apprehended at a condominium in the Pattaya area, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
The arrest followed an investigation which revealed that a Chinese woman had entered Thailand illegally and was living in a condominium in Pattaya. The officers carried out a check and found Ms. Hu in the room. They checked her passport and fingerprints in the Immigration Bureau’s information system (BIOMETRICS) and found that she had not entered Thailand legally.
The officials then coordinated with police officers from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, who confirmed that Ms. Hu had a criminal record for “public fraud” in the form of a Ponzi scheme.
She allegedly tricked victims into believing that funds would be raised to purchase shares in an application called “bxin”, prompting many victims to invest, with a total loss of over 150 million baht.
During interrogation, Ms. Hu admitted that she had entered Thailand illegally through natural channels in the Golden Triangle area of Chiang Rai province. She was then taken to the Pattaya City Police Station for legal proceedings before being handed over to the Chinese authorities for further action.
Soldiers intercept drug traffickers transporting narcotics across the Myanmar border into Thailand in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, on June 24, 2024.
BANGKOK — The Narcotics Suppression Operations Center of the Royal Thai Police (NSOC-RTP) has instructed Provincial Police Regions 1-9, the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau to cooperate with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and related agencies in a nationwide operation to raid and search drug networks on Thursday.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nuanma, Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police and Deputy Director of NSOC-RTP in charge of counter-narcotics, supervised the operation. All units began the operation at dawn on June 27, 2024.
After the completion of the operation, a follow-up meeting was held and attended by the Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to receive the report from Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch, the Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police.
4.7 million meth pills seized
In this raid and search operation, 2,523 locations were searched nationwide, including 846 drug trafficking networks.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin observes the ‘Tha Wang Pha Model’ for drug rehabilitation, focusing on returning addicts to their families, at Suttharam Temple, Tha Wang Pha District, Nan Province, on June 27, 2024.
The results of the nationwide operation can be summarized as follows: 131 suspects were arrested, 1,617 arrest warrants for drug cases were executed, and the following items were seized: 4,784,018 methamphetamine pills, 590.83 kg of ice (crystal meth), 1.22 kg of ketamine, 73.43 kg of heroin, 45,439 ecstasy pills, 196 firearms, and assets with a total value of 327.78 million baht were seized or frozen.
Chiang Mai Province ranked first amomg all the 76 provinces in the country when it comes to the amount of methamphetamine seized since last October to the present, with 108 million pills confiscated, said the province governor Nirat Pongsittaworn. For the whole of Thailand, the figure for the period is over 500 million pills.
The Royal Thai Police said it will continue to intensify the fight against drugs, especially by arresting and confiscating assets of small dealers in communities, which directly affects the public.
Chiang Mai Province ranked first amomg all the 76 provinces in the country when it comes to the amount of methamphetamine seized.
In addition, efforts will focus on intercepting drug shipments from the border areas to the inner regions. This is evidenced by the Royal Thai Police arrest statistics for the last 9 months, from October 2023 to date. They show the arrest of 81,455 petty drug traffickers, an increase of 23,949 cases or 41 percent compared to last year.
Frozen assets 8.6 billion baht
Interceptions and arrests of medium-sized drug networks (100,000 to 500,000 methamphetamine pills) amounted to 208 cases, an increase of 60 cases or 40 percent. Arrests of larger drug networks (over 1,000,000 methamphetamine pills) totaled 171 cases, an increase of 67 cases or 64 percent. The expansion of arrests of network leaders or supporters resulted in 1,337 cases, an increase of 550 cases or 70 percent.
Arrests of suspects with outstanding warrants totaled 3,050 warrants, an increase of 980 warrants or 47 percent. Methamphetamine pill seizures totaled 738.5 million pills, an increase of 392.8 million pills, or 113 percent. The total value of seized and frozen assets amounted to 8.648 billion baht ($234 million).
PM urges officials to work harder
After hearing the report, the Prime Minister emphasized that the drug problem was a critical issue that the government needed to address urgently. Even though all government officials are working hard and have made numerous drug arrests, this problem is not yet resolved and remains a major issue. Many citizens are in tears because their children and grandchildren are still addicted to drugs in large numbers.
“It is crucial for officials from the administration, military, and police to work in unity. Don’t work separately; share information regularly, discuss problems in meetings. We need to work harder and set more challenging goals. If there’s a shortage of equipment or manpower in any area, let us know. The government is ready to provide full support,” he said.
The PM also pointed out that the price of methamphetamine has not increased, and demand remains high.
“Therefore, I urge you to continue working diligently. Once targets are set, raise them higher to create more challenges. Work every day, emphasizing border areas which are major points of drug influx,” the Prime Minister said.
Customs Dept Seizes Over 45 Million Baht
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Finance Julapun Amornvivat, with officials from the Customs Department and Immigration Bureau, held a press conference to announce the interception of illegal narcotics trafficking through various channels totaling over 45 million baht.
On June 21, during a search of a female passenger of South African nationality arriving from Nairobi, Kenya, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand, officers found 35 capsules of Category 2 narcotics, Cocaine, hidden in her body by ingestion, weighing approximately 415 grams with a value exceeding 1,245,000 baht. As a result, legal proceedings were initiated after her arrest.
On June 22, the investigation and suppression team intercepted a parcel containing suspicious items bound for South Korea. Despite being labeled as SNACK and MILK POWDER, the contents disguised Methamphetamine, a Category 1 Narcotic, in the form of pink and green pills marked with “WY.” The hidden drugs were found within two packets of powdered milk, totaling 13,850 pills valued at 415,500 Thai Baht.
A press conference that Deputy Minister of Finance Julapun Amornvivat, with officials from the Customs Department and Immigration Bureau announce the interception of illegal narcotics trafficking on June 27, 2024.
On June 26, officials arrested a Thai female passenger attempting to smuggle narcotics out of Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport. She was bound for Malé-Velana International Airport, Maldives, carrying 2 kilograms of Methamphetamine concealed in grey plastic bags taped with brown adhesive, further wrapped in black plastic bags.
The drugs, with an estimated value of 2 million Baht, were seized. All illegal substances were hidden in specially designed compartments within a grey hard-shell suitcase with wheels.
Additionally, the Customs Department also seized attempts to smuggle hidden cannabis flower buds for export out of the country as follows:
On June 7, 2024, suspicious inflatable pool products were found during an inspection of outgoing goods destined for Singapore. It was discovered that the inflatable pool products contained a hidden quantity of marijuana weighing 95.059 kilograms, with an estimated value of 3.5 million baht.
On June 13, 2024, suspicious boxing equipment was found during an inspection of outgoing goods destined for the United Kingdom. Upon inspection, 106.94 kilograms of packaged marijuana worth 4 million baht were found hidden with the boxing equipment.
On June 21, 2024, suspicious adult diapers were found during an inspection of outgoing goods destined for the Netherlands. Upon inspection, 90 kilograms of packaged marijuana worth over 3.3 million baht were found hidden along with the adult diapers.
In the fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023 – June 26, 2024), the Customs Department reported statistics on 101 drug seizure cases valued at over 615.74 million baht.
Bangkok, Thailand– ONYX Hospitality Group proudly announces its latest triumph, securing the prestigious “Outstanding Hotel Chain Partner 2024.” This global recognition comes from Trip.com Group, an eminent one-stop travel service provider operating in 39 countries and regions, with a presence in 24 languages and transactions in 35 local currencies.
The esteemed award highlights ONYX Hospitality Group’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the Southeast Asian hospitality landscape. Renowned for its tailored approach to guest experiences, ONYX Hospitality Group stands as a distinguished leader in the industry. This dedication permeates every aspect of its operations, ensuring guests enjoy unmatched service and experiences that exceed expectations, distinctly setting us apart from competitors.
Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of ONYX Hospitality Group, stated, “Receiving the ‘Outstanding Hotel Chain Partner 2024‘ award from Trip.com Group is a testament to our relentless commitment to excellence and innovation in hospitality. This recognition underscores our strategic focus on providing exceptional experiences for all traveller segments, from luxury seekers and families to medical tourists. Our partnership with Trip.com Group is instrumental in enhancing our global reach, particularly within the Chinese market. We are dedicated to continually raising the bar in hospitality, ensuring every guest enjoys unparalleled service and memorable experiences.”
“While China remains our second-largest market in 2024, we see tremendous potential for growth. Leveraging the expertise and reach of Trip.com, we are poised to further elevate our presence and offerings to Chinese travellers, solidifying our position as their preferred choice for exceptional hospitality experiences.”
This latest accomplishment underscores ONYX Hospitality Group’s dedication to nurturing a strong partnership with Trip.com Group, showcasing outstanding performance in engagement, rate parity, and overall appeal. Through strategic promotions, sponsored ads, and enticing discounts, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to set the benchmark for collaborative success in the dynamic online travel sector.
With an expansive portfolio encompassing esteemed brands such as Amari, OZO, Shama, and Oriental Residence, ONYX Hospitality Group is uniquely positioned to cater to a diverse array of traveller segments. From discerning luxury seekers to budget-conscious explorers, and from families and couples to groups of friends embarking on multi-generational adventures, our collection of hotel brands offers tailored experiences for every type of traveller.
This versatility ensures that the hotel brands under ONYX Hospitality Group are perfectly attuned to the burgeoning trend of independent tourism, particularly resonating with Chinese travellers and other key demographics worldwide. Moreover, our properties are adept at accommodating large group tours, providing unparalleled hospitality to guests of all backgrounds.
