Thaksin Signals Fight the 112 Case During Red Shirt Stronghold Visit

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8 June 2024, 22:24

PATHUM THANI — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra once again attended an event with his supporters on Saturday after recovering from a recent bout of COVID-19 the previous week. He was accompanied by his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, to attend an event of a politician supported by the party.

The event on June 8 was the ordination ceremony of Smithiphat Leenawarat, the younger brother of a Pheu Thai Party MP and the son of Mr. Kritsada Leenawarat, the mayor of Thanyaburi Subdistrict, Pathum Thani Province.

The event was grand, with over 3,000 Chinese-style banquet tables. Most of the attendees wore red shirts to the event and flocked to greet the former Prime Minister Thaksin with tears of joy.

The presence of Thaksin and Paetongtarn at this event sends a clear signal that the Pheu Thai Party wants to regain popularity in Pathum Thani, known as a stronghold of the Red Shirts. In the 2023 election, the Move Forward Party won 6 of 7 seats, leaving Manassanan Leenawarat as the only one Pheu Thai MP in the province.

The Pheu Thai Party lost to the Move Forward Party in the 2023 election by a margin of less than 10 MP seats after being criticized for failing to prevent coups due to repeatedly yielding to elite groups.

thaksin pathum4 — The event was grand, with over 3,000 Chinese-style banquet tables.

This was particularly the case after the election in which the Pheu Thai Party led the formation of a coalition government with other political parties that had previously been part of military governments. This move was attacked as being done to allow Thaksin to return to Thailand.

Most recently, Thaksin has been facing lèse-majesté charges, while Prime Minister Settha Thavisin is being challenged by 40 senators who have petitioned the Constitutional Court to rule on whether he has lost his position as prime minister or not, due to the appointment of Mr. Pichit Chuenban as a minister despite potentially having prohibited qualifications.

This makes it appear that the Pheu Thai Party is still being pressured by the elite and old power groups. Therefore, it seems difficult for the Pheu Thai Party to make progress in reclaiming justice for the Red Shirts who were suppressed by military forces in the capital city in 2010.

Speaking on stage at the ordination ceremony, Thaksin thanked the mayor of Thanyaburi for the invitation, which allowed him to attend an ordination ceremony for the first time and meet with Red Shirt members. He was deeply touched by this, as many people would hug him and cry, not expecting him to return. Sometimes, he himself didn’t expect to be able to return.

thaksin pathum5 — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra speaks on stage at the ordination ceremony in Pathum Thani Province on June 8, 2024

“Today, I’m back. I want the Red Shirt brothers and sisters to come back together. This return is a matter of gratitude to many people, especially those who have never forgotten me and have never forgotten me no matter how many elections there are,” Thaksin said.

Thaksin also offered advice to Kritsada, who was being ordained, by using his own life struggles as an example. He relied on Buddhism as a refuge and a guiding principle in life.

“I lived abroad for 17 years, faced all kinds of charges and every form of attack. If I didn’t have the teachings of the Buddha, I would have been depressed or committed suicide. For one person, I don’t think anyone has faced as much as I have,” he said.

“And most recently, there are still repercussions, but I can handle it very easily because the Buddha has taught many things. The more you read, the more profound it becomes, giving you a good foundation for life and the ability to fight whatever comes your way,” he added.

thaksin pathum1 — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gives an interview to a group of reporters at the ordination ceremony in Pathum Thani Province on June 8, 2024

Afterwards, Thaksin also gave an interview to a group of reporters again about his absence from the Attorney General’s Office to hear the lèse-majesté charges under Section 112 on May 29. He said he was genuinely ill, and although his symptoms were not severe, he didn’t want to risk infecting others. As for the arraignment scheduled for June 18, he will attend if summoned.

“This case will serve as an example of how I was charged during the coup. This case has absolutely no basis, but they try to interpret it to make it seem like it does. And once one person has ordered the prosecution, others are afraid not to prosecute, which is not a legal principle. In reality, there’s nothing to it,” he said.

When asked about rumors that he had already fled the country, Thaksin said it was too much of an imagination and that he hadn’t made a deal with anyone except the leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

Regarding observations that the political tension might be related to Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, the leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, Thaksin said he didn’t know, but he felt that it was time for the country to find peace.

He also suggested that the media should try to tone down the political game so that the country can move forward, as the country’s problems are now more difficult than when he was prime minister because things have been in disarray for a long time. He urged all parties to adhere to constructive political rules.

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Former Astronaut William Anders, Who Took Iconic Earthrise Photo, Killed in Washington Plane Crash

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Associated Press

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8 June 2024, 14:32

SEATTLE (AP) — William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic “Earthrise” photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90.

His son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press.

“The family is devastated,” he said. “He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly.”

William Anders, a retired major general, has said the photo was his most significant contribution to the space program along with making sure the Apollo 8 command module and service module worked.

The photograph, the first color image of Earth from space, is one of the most important photos in modern history for the way it changed how humans viewed the planet. The photo is credited with sparking the global environmental movement for showing how delicate and isolated Earth appeared from space.

NASA Administrator and former Sen. Bill Nelson said Anders embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration.

“He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves,” Nelson wrote on the social platform X.

Anders snapped the photo during the crew’s fourth orbit of the moon, frantically switching from black-and-white to color film.

“Oh my God, look at that picture over there!” Anders said. “There’s the Earth coming up. Wow, is that pretty!”

The Apollo 8 mission in December 1968 was the first human spaceflight to leave low-Earth orbit and travel to the moon and back. It was NASA’s boldest and perhaps most dangerous voyage yet and one that set the stage for the Apollo moon landing seven months later.

“Bill Anders forever changed our perspective of our planet and ourselves with his famous Earthrise photo on Apollo 8,” Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, who is also a retired NASA astronaut, wrote on X. “He inspired me and generations of astronauts and explorers. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

A report came in around 11:40 a.m. that an older-model plane crashed into the water and sank near the north end of Jones Island, San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter said. Greg Anders confirmed to KING-TV that his father’s body was recovered Friday afternoon.

Only the pilot was on board the Beech A45 airplane at the time, according to the Federal Aviation Association.

The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating the crash.

William Anders said in an 1997 NASA oral history interview that he didn’t think the Apollo 8 mission was risk-free but there were important national, patriotic and exploration reasons for going ahead. He estimated there was about a one in three chance that the crew wouldn’t make it back and the same chance the mission would be a success and the same chance that the mission wouldn’t start to begin with. He said he suspected Christopher Columbus sailed with worse odds.

AP24159853627118 — FILE – Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders talks about astronaut Neil Armstrong following private services for Armstrong, Aug. 31, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman, File)

He recounted how Earth looked fragile and seemingly physically insignificant, yet was home.

“We’d been going backwards and upside down, didn’t really see the Earth or the Sun, and when we rolled around and came around and saw the first Earthrise,” he said. “That certainly was, by far, the most impressive thing. To see this very delicate, colorful orb which to me looked like a Christmas tree ornament coming up over this very stark, ugly lunar landscape really contrasted.”

Anders said in retrospect he wished he had taken more photos but mission Commander Frank Borman was concerned about whether everyone was rested and forced Anders and Command Module Pilot James A. Lovell, Jr. to sleep, “which probably made sense.”

Chip Fletcher, a University of Hawaii professor who has conducted extensive research on coastal erosion and climate change, recalls seeing the photo as a child.

“It just opened up my brain to realize that we are alone but we are together,” he said, adding that it still influences him today.

“It’s one of those images that never leaves my mind,” he said. “And I think that’s true of many, many people in many professions.”

Anders served as backup crew for Apollo 11 and for Gemini XI in 1966, but the Apollo 8 mission was the only time he flew to space.

Anders was born on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong. At the time, his father was a Navy lieutenant aboard the USS Panay, which was a U.S. gunboat in China’s Yangtze River.

Anders and his wife, Valerie, founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Washington state in 1996. It is now based at a regional airport in Burlington, and features 15 aircrafts, several antique military vehicles, a library and many artifacts donated by veterans, according to the museum’s website. Two of his sons helped him run it.

The couple moved to Orcas Island, in the San Juan archipelago, in 1993, and kept a second home in their hometown of San Diego, according to a biography on the museum’s website. They had six children and 13 grandchildren. Their current Washington home was in Anacortes.

Anders graduated from the Naval Academy in 1955 and served as a fighter pilot in the Air Force.

He later served on the Atomic Energy Commission, as the U.S. chairman of the joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. technology exchange program for nuclear fission and fusion power, and as ambassador to Norway. He later worked for General Electric and General Dynamics, according to his NASA biography.

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McAvoy reported from Honolulu. Associated Press writer Lisa Baumann contributed to this report.

Thai Man Arrested for Deceiving Foreigners of Millions in Fake Thai Passport Scheme

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Khaosod English

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8 June 2024, 14:20

scam passport2 — A police officer arrests Thanitphong, 48, a suspect on charges of "jointly committing fraud," at a parking lot of a luxury condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng area, Bangkok, on June 8, 2024.

BANGKOK — Police have arrested a Thai man for deceiving foreigners by offering to produce Thai passports for them. He used his father’s bank account to receive the nearly 2 million baht he fraudulently obtained from one foreigner.

On June 8, Bangkok Metropolitan police officers arrested Thanitphong, 48, a suspect under an arrest warrant issued by the Southern Bangkok District Cour, dated May 24, 2024, on charges of “jointly committing fraud.” The arrest took place at a parking lot of a luxury condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng area, Hua Mak Subdistrict, Bang Kapi District.

In this case, the police received a complaint from a victim of fraud residing in Bangkok. The victim stated that he was advised that Mr. Thanitphong could provide him with a Thai passport for a processing fee of 600,000 baht. He then transferred the money to a bank account named TENGYONG on October 6, 2023.

Later, Mr. Thanitphong informed the victim that if he wanted to expedite the process, he would need to pay an additional amount. The victim then transferred 1,300,000 baht to the TENGYONG bank account on October 19, 2023, totaling 1,900,000 baht. However, after that, he could not contact Mr. Thanitphong and believed he had been deceived. He then filed a complaint with the investigating officers to pursue legal action.

scam passport1 — A police officer arrests Thanitphong, 48, a suspect on charges of “jointly committing fraud,” at a parking lot of a luxury condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng area, Bangkok, on June 8, 2024.

Mr. Thanitphong confessed to all the charges, claiming that before the COVID-19 pandemic, he had been involved in producing passports and changing nationalities for foreigners who wanted to obtain Thai citizenship, even though they could not sing the Thai national anthem, write in Thai, or have a Thai spouse. He would charge a processing fee of 2.5 million baht per person.

Subsequently, the Thai government cracked down on groups of foreigners who falsified Thai nationality to conduct illegal businesses, known as the “Grey Chinese” group. This made it impossible for him to continue his previous operations. Additionally, he was facing bankruptcy, so he resorted to deceiving people who thought he could still carry out the illegal business as before.

After being arrested, Mr. Thanitphong learned that his father had also been issued an arrest warrant. He pleaded with the police officers to take sole responsibility because he had used his father’s bank account without his father’s knowledge. The reason he used his father’s account was that he had been sued for bankruptcy and feared that the money obtained through fraud would be seized.

Police Major General Teeradej Thammasuthi, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, stated that criminals are constantly evolving and developing new methods. He urged the public and foreigners to live cautiously and not fall for scams involving obtaining Thai citizenship.

Normally, the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, has announced the criteria and procedures for applying for Thai nationality and verifying the qualifications of applicants. Therefore, applications for Thai nationality must comply with this announcement.

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Related coverages:

Thailand and Indonesia Work Together to Unravel Drugs Trafficking

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Khaosod English

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8 June 2024, 13:32

Thai fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, center, is escorted by police officers as he leaves the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

BANGKOK — Thai and Indonesian authorities are continuing working on investigation of drugs trafficking, regarding the arrest and extradition of Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Paeng Na-nhoad from Indonesia to Thailand.

police drugs — Pol. Lt. Gen. Panurat Lakbun, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB)

Pol. Lt. Gen. Panurat Lakbun, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) stated that the ONCB had invited the Indonesian counterparts on June 7 to an information exchange at the ONCB office (Din Daeng) to gather crucial details, particularly on Mr. Chaowalit’s drug network.

The aim was to identify the middlemen in this network who receive drugs from the northern region and send them to the south before they are shipped to Indonesia. It was also to identify those who obtain drugs from Laos and then send them to the south and on to Indonesia.

“After reviewing financial flows and other testimony, and if links are established, we may ask the court to issue arrest warrants for the suspects accused of conspiracy to traffic drugs. There are nearly 100 people who have been identified in Mr. Chaowalit’s drug network,” he said.

Thailand currently has a list of the network’s target groups, which it received from Indonesia. Extensive checks of financial channels, communication records, witness statements and asset verification will be required. However, there is as yet no evidence directly linking Chaowalit to the drug smuggling operations into Indonesia; only his network has demonstrated such involvement.

drug lord — Freddy Pratama – Chaowalit Thongduang

Chaowalit is a well-known and popular figure among the locals. Some financial transactions may have been in support of education or other aid to the community, which needs to be further verified. His network appears to consist exclusively of Thai individuals, while the Indonesian side consists only of Indonesians, with no involvement of individuals of other nationalities.

In connection with the investigation and prosecution of Freddy Pratama, a major drug trafficker wanted by the Indonesian authorities, Police Lieutenant General Panu Rattanklubun stated that he had never mentioned this name before. The name had surfaced through media reports and Indonesia had recently provided details to the ONCB to help in the prosecution, he said. He added that sharing too much information could alert the suspects.

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One in Every Ten Thai Children Suffers From Malnutrition Due to Poverty

By

CHAYAPON PONLAWAT freelance reporter

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8 June 2024, 12:46

BANGKOK — A new report from UNICEF reveals that over 1 in 10 children under 5 in Thailand are not getting enough food. These children eat only two types of food daily, which can harm their health and development.

The report called ‘Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood’ examines how a lack of proper food affects children in nearly 100 countries. It found that worldwide, 181 million children under 5, or 1 in 4, do not get enough different types of food. This problem is caused by poverty, conflict, climate change, and high food prices.

Mrs. Kyungseon Kim, Director of UNICEF Thailand, said, “Children need a healthy diet to grow and develop properly. Without good nutrition, children can suffer long-term health problems.”

The report shows that most children who do not get enough food live in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, and the Pacific. These children mainly eat milk and starchy foods like rice, corn, or wheat, and very few eat fruits, vegetables, or nutrient-rich foods like eggs, fish, or meat.

A 2022 survey by the National Statistical Office and UNICEF found that only 29 percent of children in Thailand were exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Additionally, 13 percent of children under five were stunted (short for their age) and 7 percent were wasted (underweight for their height) due to long-term malnutrition.

These issues are more common in poor families, families that do not speak Thai, and those where mothers have little or no education. Children in Thailand’s southern border provinces have the highest rates of stunting, at 20 percent.

At the same time, Thai children also face the paradox of malnutrition and obesity. Obesity among children under 5 in Thailand is rising, from 9 percent in 2019 to 11 percent in 2022, mostly due to sugary and fatty foods and drinks.

child nutrition photo 03 0 — Mother and child buying commercially produced complementary foods at a supermarket. UNICEF

The report blames the child food poverty crisis on several factors, such as broken food systems that make it hard for families to get healthy food, financial struggles, and a lack of knowledge about good nutrition. Marketing of unhealthy foods to parents is also a problem, as these foods replace more nutritious options.

UNICEF is urging the government, organizations, donors, civil society, and the food industry to take action, including Making healthy and varied foods more available and affordable for families.

Providing nutrition services through the public health system to prevent and treat malnutrition, educating parents, and Creating social support systems like food or cash cards to help low-income families buy nutritious food.

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Young Man Murders Girlfriend; Mother Apologizes for Poor Parenting

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Khaosod English

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7 June 2024, 20:11

murder18-1 — An 18-year-old male suspect of killing his girlfriend is taken to be detained at the Pathum Thani Provincial Court on June 7, 2024.

PATHUM THANI – A murder case that has been in the news all week in Thailand involves an 18-year-old man who killed his girlfriend of the same age and then dismembered both her hands and disposed of them separately under the highway.

This case not only reflects the everyday occurrence of domestic violence in Thailand, but also shines a spotlight on family issues.

On June 7, the suspect’s parents visited “San” in prison. When they met with the press, they repeatedly raised their hands to apologize to society. San’s mother broke down and apologized to everyone. She expressed regret for not properly nurturing her son.

San’s parents said they would attend Mingming’s funeral while their son was still weak.

This case came to light on 5 June 2024 when the body of a woman was found in the grass beside the road under the Udon Ratthaya Expressway (Bang Phun) in Moo 4, Bang Phun Sub-district, Mueang Pathum Thani District, opposite a car repair shop.

murder18 4 — San’s mother broke down and apologized to everyone.

Thongdaeng Bongsungnoen, the 49-year-old shopkeeper, said he had seen a young man throwing something away early in the morning. When he asked him what he was throwing away, the young man calmly replied, “I am throwing away something I love.”

Thongdaeng told him that it was illegal to throw away garbage in the area and that he would call the police if he left anything behind. The young man did not answer, so Thongdaeng thought he would take his things back. However, when it got light, his wife looked and discovered a human leg sticking out of a bag, whereupon she called the police.

The police investigation was not difficult as there were clear witnesses and evidence. However, “San”, the suspect, tried to take his own life with an overdose of medication. The police and relatives rescued him in time and took him to hospital, where they had to wait until his condition improved.

On 6 June, after the doctors determined that San’s condition had improved, he was taken by the police in his hospital bed to the interrogation room at the police station. During the interrogation, he did not reveal where he had disposed of “Mingming’s” hands.

murder18 3 — Police officers are standing guard at the area where forensic investigators are examining the site where the body of an 18-year-old woman was found dumped under the Udon Ratthaya Expressway in Pathum Thani Province on June 5, 2024.

The police then reviewed the CCTV footage and saw San riding a motorcycle and throwing a bag off a bridge. He probably intended to let the bag float in the water, but it landed on the ground next to the bridge near Chiang Rak Canal on Rangsit-Pathumthani Road, just 500 meters from the crime scene. The bag contained not only both hands but also the victim’s personal belongings.

San repeatedly apologized and confessed to the police that he accidentally killed his girlfriend by strangling her during sex, panicked, and then disposed of the body. However, the body had traces of its throat being slashed with a knife.

The investigators are waiting for the results of the autopsy to determine the victim was strangled or slashed the throat with a knife, and whether she was slashed alive or already dead.

murder18 2 — The forensic investigators inspect not only both hands but also the victim’s personal belongings.

In addition to the violence, Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirasant Kaewsaengaek, commander of Police Region 1, explained that San had been under psychiatric treatment in a hospital a long time ago and that the drug he overdosed on was risperidone, a psychotropic drug. He also had a criminal record for kidnapping a 13-year-old girl.

Mingming’s elder sister revealed that the case occurred in 2022 when San sold a phone to the girl for 800 baht but she only paid 300 baht, leaving a debt of 500 baht. When she did not pay the balance, San assaulted her until she fainted and then molested her.

Mingming’s sister said she advised her younger sister to break up with San when she found out about it, and Mingming considered it but eventually reconciled with him, which led to the tragic incident.

Pol. Lt. Col. Atchara Kratoeng-ngan, investigator of Pak Khlong Rangsit Police Station, initially charged San with four counts: 1. murder, 2. concealing a corpse, 3. moving a corpse and 4. moving a corpse before the arrival of authorities. The police are currently waiting for the autopsy results to determine if additional charges will be filed against San.

This case occurred at a time when domestic violence cases were constantly being reported. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated in February this year that “the problem of violence against children and women has always existed, which is unacceptable, and we must do everything we can to put an end to this violence.”

However, it remains unclear how this complex social problem can be effectively addressed, especially when the suspect’s mother in this latest case said, “I’m sorry I raised my son improperly.”

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Calling All Bossa Nova Lovers in Thailand!

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Contributor

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7 June 2024, 18:06

Are you ready for an enchanting evening with the queen of Bossa Nova? 🌟 ‘Lisa Ono’, the iconic Brazilian-Japanese singer, is coming to Bangkok with her “I Wish You Love: Lisa Ono Greatest Hits Live in Bangkok” concert! 🎤🎵

📅 Date: Sat,6th July 2024

⏰ Time: 08:00 p.m.

📍 Location: PHENIX Grand Ballroom 5th Floor at PHENIX

📍Location Link : https://maps.app.goo.gl/u7ALE7DCp2YsUH2N8

Join us for a magical night that Lisa Ono will serenade us with her timeless classic. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just looking for a night of soothing melody and warm rhythm, with the Michelin-starred menu from master chef. This is an event you shouldn’t want to miss.

🎟️ Tickets are available at: https://www.thaiticketmajor.com/concert/i-wish-you-love-lisa-ono-greatest-hits-live-in-bangkok.html

For those of you in Thailand, or if you happen to be visiting, let’s gather to celebrate the beauty of Bossa Nova. Feel free to invite friends and share this moment!

🔗 More official info:

Facebook : https://bit.ly/3KdDzEd

Instagram : http://bit.ly/4aCu1Ny

Tiktok : https://bit.ly/3UZ61y

Line OA : https://lin.ee/4H3o9ZB

🌃Let’s make the night unforgettable! See you there!

Laos To Send 2 Japanese Yakuza Murder Suspects to Thailand

By

Khaosod English

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7 June 2024, 17:36

Japanese suspects — Mr. Takuya Kato, 49, and Mr. Hiroto Suzuki, 27, who are wanted by Thai police, escaped to Thakhek, Khammouane Province, Laos, via Thailand's Nakhon Phanom Province.

BANGKOK — Two Japanese men who were detained in Laos for allegedly murdering and dismembering a compatriot in Thailand, will be extradited to Thailand on June 13, Thai police source said Friday.

Takuya Kato, 50, and Hiroto Suzuki, 27, two gang members suspected of murdering fellow gangster Ryosuke Kabashima, 47, and dismembering his body, were detained by officers in Laos on Wednesday.

They had fled to Laos and Thai authorities had requested the neighboring country’s cooperation in searching for them, according to a police source.

yakuza nonthaburi1 — Bang Bua Thong police officers cordoned up the area where they found the skull of a Japanese man on April 23, 2024.

Earlier, Thai police officers arrested Kritsakorn Jaipitak, or Game, 31, a driver who was originally a witness in the murder case. He has become a suspect involved in hiding the body parts, including hands and bones, dumped in the area of Soi Jadsan Teedin 2, Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi province.

The first piece of the body, the right hand bone with a tattoo on the wrist, was found by a boy who saw a dog carried this part in its mouth on April 19. The boy’s mother quickly alerted the police, resulting in the discovery of further body parts in the neighbourhood.

The investigators believed the dispute among Yakuza members arose due to conflicting interests before their arrival in Thailand, where they wanted to negotiate with the deceased one last chance. When the negotiations failed, they resorted to homicide.

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ONYX Hospitality Group’s Beloved Italian Restaurant Brand “Prego” Expands to Kata Beach, Phuket

By

Contributor

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7 June 2024, 17:16

Celebrating 20 Years, Prego Brings Authentic, Premium Homemade Italian Flavors to Phuket’s Tourist Hotspot

Phuket –ONYX Hospitality Group, Thailand’s leading hospitality company under the umbrella of Italthai Group, which specializes in the management of hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and luxurious residences, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of “Prego Kata” in Phuket, Thailand – the fourth location of the renowned Prego brand. Prego, known for its authentic Italian cuisine and warm ambiance, is a welcome addition to Phuket’s culinary scene.

“Prego Kata” has been designed and decorated to create a warm and friendly atmosphere, while also capturing the lively spirit unique to Prego. Located next to OZO Phuket, the beach resort also under the ONYX Hospitality Group portfolio, the restaurant offers guests beautiful views from the 2nd floor. Every dish maintains the original deliciousness of Chef Marco Boscaini’s recipes, brought to life by Chef Marco Giannoni, the Italian Chef at “Prego Kata”.

The grand opening event of “Prego Kata”was honored by distinguished guests, including Yuthachai Charanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group; Deputy Phuket Governor Sattha Thongkham; and Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office. Chef Marco Boscaini, Corporate Chef of ONYX Hospitality Group and the owner of PREGO food recipes, and Raghav Kochar, General Manager at OZO Phuket, also joined in celebrating the launch of this new culinary destination.

Yuthachai Charanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group, stated, “Prego is a brand of homemade Italian restaurants that has won the hearts of foodies and lovers of authentic Italian cuisine. It has been successfully serving genuine Italian dishes for over 20 years, starting with the first Prego Restaurant branch at Amari Koh Samui Hotel in 2003. Now we are excited to bring this premium homemade Italian experience to Kata Beach, Phuket Province, as part of our plan to expand delicious destinations across the country, especially in popular tourist spots.”

Currently, the company is expanding Prego branches nationwide, including Koh Samui, Bangkok, and Pattaya locations, with the latest addition in Kata, Phuket. The company plans to continue developing the Prego brand to meet the needs of diverse target groups and preferences.

Prego was born from a vision and recognition of growth opportunities in the authentic Italian restaurant business in Thailand, inspired by the impressive culinary talents of Chef Marco Boscaini.

Today, Prego is one of the brands under ONYX Hospitality Group, which operates with the vision of being “The Best Medium-sized Hospitality Management Company in Southeast Asia.” ONYX offers a complete range of accommodation brands that cater to both short-term and long-term stays, effectively meeting the diverse needs of business and leisure travellers across multiple countries. In addition, ONYX Hospitality Group operates related businesses in the service industry, including spa and food and beverage outlets. These include maai Spa, Breeze Spa, Prego, Amaya, ChomSindh, and Nila.

It’s been more than 20 years since the first Prego restaurant officially opened at Amari Koh Samui, and it has continued to impress lovers of authentic Italian food prepared with high-quality ingredients. The restaurant’s ambiance, which evokes the feeling of dining in Italy with its friendly and fun atmosphere, is unique to Prego. This has made it a popular and renowned Italian restaurant brand among locals, as well as a landmark for both Thai and foreign tourists over the years.

An important highlight of Prego is its food menu, which maintains the same high standards at every branch, following Chef Marco Boscaini’s authentic Italian recipes. These recipes have been passed down through generations for over a hundred years. Diners can enjoy Chef Marco Boscaini’s special recipes, inspired by his early days cooking in his grandmother’s kitchen. These have been crafted into Prego’s unique secret recipes, renowned for their exceptional taste and confirmed by world-class awards. Notably, Prego is the only restaurant in Thailand where the risotto has been recognized as one of the 100 most delicious dishes in the Gallo Guide.

“Prego Kata” adds to the extensive offerings and amenities available close by for guests staying at OZO Phuket. Situated just a 5-minute walk from Kata Beach, a beautiful sandy beach on the west coast of Phuket, OZO Phuket offers rooms and suites designed for ultimate comfort and restful nights. The resort features two outdoor pools, including a dedicated children’s pool, and an EAT restaurant serving delicious cuisine. Its prime location near Kata Beach and the vibrant night market provides easy access to nearby attractions, making it an ideal choice for travellers seeking a beachfront retreat with ample amenities.

To celebrate the opening of “Prego Kata”, Chef Marco Giannoni will prepare Porchetta, grilled pork belly in a secret Italian style, for all customers to try at “Cicchetti Night” every Friday. Guests can also enjoy Italian food, drinks, and live music as part of the culinary experience.

“Prego Kata” offers a variety of traditional Italian dishes, including signature menu items such as Ossobuco alla Milanese, a Milanese classic featuring slow-cooked veal shanks until the meat is tender and melts in your mouth, served over saffron risotto. Another highlight is the Grigliata di pesce, which showcases Mediterranean-style grilled seafood. The Filetto di manzo features grilled beef tenderloin served with asparagus and truffle mushroom sauce. For dessert, guests can enjoy Chef Marco Boscaini’s special Tiramisu. Additionally, there are over 100 Italian food and beverage options to choose from.

This Time, Suzuki Admits It Will Close Automobile Plant in Thailand in 2025

By

Khaosod English

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7 June 2024, 16:44

BANGKOK – Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co. Ltd. issued a statement on June 7 to announce that it will close its automobile plant in Thailand, even though it had denied the news that was circulating online in May.

“Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to close the plant of its automobile subsidiary in Thailand, Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “SMT”) by the end of 2025. This decision was made as a part of reviewing Suzuki’s global production structure,” it stated.

Suzuki Motor (Thailand) also explained the details as follows:

“Following the announcement of the eco-car project by the Thai government in 2007, Suzuki applied for the project and established SMT in 2011, after receiving approval of the project. The automobile plant started its production in 2012, and produced as much as 60,000 units annually including exports. Meanwhile, in the course of promoting carbon neutrality and electrification globally, Suzuki had been considering optimizing global production sites within the group. Consequently, we came to a decision to close SMT plant by the end of 2025.

Even after the closing of its plant, SMT will continue its sales and after-sales services to meet the customer needs in Thailand, through importing CBUs from plants within the ASEAN region as well as Japan and India.

Also, in order to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality goals promoted by the Thai government, the company will introduce electrified models including HEVs.”

Earlier on May 18, 2024, Suzuki issued an official statement to affirm that it would remain committed to conducting business in Thailand, and have a long-term plan to introduce new car models in 2025 and subsequent years, according to the business plan announced to Suzuki car dealers nationwide at the beginning of 2024.

“There has been news circulating on social media regarding the operations of Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The company would like to clarify that this news (ceasing operation in Thailand) is not true,” it had stated.

In addition, there is also a recognition that the reversal of the decision comes at a time when Suzuki Motor Corp. is being investigated by the Japanese government regarding vehicle certification tests, following similar investigations into Toyota and Mazda.

suzuki3 — Suzuki plant is located in Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province.

According to Kyodo News, Honda Motor Co., Suzuki Motor Corp. and motorbike maker Yamaha Motor Co., earlier this week admitted to cheating on vehicle tests to obtain mass production certification, sparking widespread doubts over their products’ reliability.

The ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism visited Suzuki’s headquarters in Shizuoka Prefecture for an inspection on Thursday to determine if it should impose any administrative penalty on the company and whether recalls are needed.

Suzuki is the third company to have been inspected by the ministry after Toyota and Yamaha Motor.

Last week, TC Subaru (Thailand) Co., Ltd. announced that it will cease manufacturing Subaru vehicles at its factory in Thailand under the name Tan Chong Subaru Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd. or TCSAT, effective from December 30, 2024 onwards.

The decision was made due to the company facing challenges from the changing economic and business environment, which resulted in the produced vehicles not being able to be sold at appropriate prices, and the company’s inability to control the selling prices. Therefore, the company decided to stop production.

Subaru staff — Tan Chong Subaru Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

TC Subaru also announced that from 2025, Subaru vehicles sold in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia will be imported from Japan instead of being locally produced. This decision aims to accelerate the introduction of new products, including premium models with the latest technologies, to strengthen the brand’s presence in the region.

The move comes as a response to the rapidly increasing competition from Chinese brands in these markets. TC Subaru and Subaru Corporation recognized the need for a more sustainable growth strategy and the ability to adapt quickly to changes in emerging markets.

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