Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) hosted Thank you party event for customers, affirms readiness for the EUDR rubber.
Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Managing Director & Executive Director, Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), the world’s leader and largest integrated natural rubber business operator and Thailand’s largest rubber glove manufacturer, revealed that the “STA Thank You Party 2024” has been held continuously for over 15 years.
STA organized this annual celebration as a way to thank both Thai business partners and foreign business associates from countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, India, and various European Union nations, along with rubber customers from around the world most of whom are in the rubber tire industry.
Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Managing Director & Executive Director, Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA)
The event, led by a group of company executives attending the event included Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Managing Director & Executive Director, STA Executive Directors Mr. Paul Sumade Lee and Mr. Vitchaphol Sinchareonkul, and Mr. Nattee Thiraputhbhokin, CMO & Executive Committee member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) accompanied by Mr. Nakorn Takkavirapat, the Governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), who honored the event with his presence.
Apart from offering a range of fun activities, entertainment, and educational content for all guests, the event provided updates on the current EUDR rubber situation, demonstrated the company’s readiness in production capacity and management, and prepared for the impending EUDR regulations expected to be implemented in the European Union by the end of the year.
Moreover, STA has been working intensively with rubber farmers and dealers to develop “Traceable Natural Rubber ” through “Sri Trang Friends Application” the one stop service for rubber farmer application that can provide geolocation details to identify the sources of origin and ascertain that their plantation areas are not involved in deforestation or degradation of forest land. This initiative not only elevates the standards of Thailand’s rubber industry but also enhances its competitiveness on the international level.
STA remains dedicated to maintaining the quality of its products and services, emphasizing continuous research and development, technological advancements, and human resources investments to maximize customer satisfaction.
The event was held at the Renaissance Ratchaprasong Hotel in Bangkok, providing a warm, enjoyable, and memorable experience for all attendees, and serving as an opportunity to thank customers, partners, and business allies for their enduring support.
Rescue workers take Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Jan Kroslak/TASR via AP)
PRAGUE (AP) — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.
The populist, pro-Russian leader, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of the capital where the leader was meeting with supporters, according to reports on TA3, a Slovak TV station. A suspect has been detained, the country’s president said in a televised statement.
A message posted to Fico’s Facebook account said that the leader “has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition.”
Bodyguards take Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in a car from the scene after he was shot and injured following the cabinet’s away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Radovan Stoklasa/TASR via AP)
It said he was being transported by helicopter to the Banská Bystrica, 29 kilometers (63 miles) away from Handlova because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure.
“The next few hours will decide,” it said.
Outgoing President Zuzana Caputova, a political rival of Fico, said in a televised statement: “A physical attack on the Prime Minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we’ve been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please, let’s stop it.”
President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, called the assassination “an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy. If we express other political opinions with pistols in squares, and not in polling stations, we are jeopardizing everything that we have built together over 31 years of Slovak sovereignty.”
FILE – Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico arrives to a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Media reports say on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)
There were reactions of shock from across Europe, and some were calling it an attempted assassination of the leader in the NATO state, although no motive for the shooting was immediately apparent.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on the social media platform X that he was “shocked and appalled by the shooting.”
The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains.
Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Slovakia’s Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said.
Slovakia’s major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television.
Police arrest a man after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and injured following the cabinet’s away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Radovan Stoklasa/TASR via AP)
“We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and today’s shooting of Premier Robert Fico,” said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. “At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension.”
President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” attack on the premier.
“I’m shocked,” Caputova said. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.”
Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakia’s Sept. 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message.
Critics worried Slovakia under Fico would abandon the country’s pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico’s policies.
Condemnations of political violence quickly came from leaders across Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned what she described as a “vile attack.”
“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the incident “shocking,” adding “I wish the premier to get well soon. We cannot tolerate violence, there’s no place for it in society.” The Czech Republic and Slovakia formed Czechoslovakia till 1992.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on the social media network X: “Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment.”
Singapore's incoming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, second from left, is sworn in next to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, center, and Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, second from right, at the Istana in Singapore, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Ministry of Communications)
EILEEN NG – Singapore’s deputy leader Lawrence Wong was sworn in Wednesday as the nation’s fourth prime minister in a carefully planned political succession designed to ensure continuity and stability in the Asian financial hub.
A U.S.-trained economist, Wong, 51, succeeds Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who stepped down after two decades. He is the city-state’s fourth leader and the first born after Singapore’s independence in 1965.
Lee’s departure marked the end of a family dynasty led by his father Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first leader, who built the colonial trading outpost into one of the world’s richest nations during 31 years in office.
Wong took his oath of office in a televised ceremony at the national palace.
Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong makes a speech after being sworn in at the Istana in Singapore, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Ministry of Communications and Information via AP)
Wong paid tribute to his predecessors for dedication to the nation, saying “we stand on the shoulders of giants.” But he said his leadership style will differ as he navigates Singapore through a more troubled world.
“This is a passing of the baton not just between leadership teams but also across generations,” Wong said. “We will lead in our own way. We will continue to think boldly and think far.”
The transition has been meticulously crafted by the People’s Action Party, one of the world’s longest-serving political parties and known for its clean and effective governance. It is not expected to change the dynamics in the tiny nation of some 6 million people.
Wong, a civil servant turned politician, came to prominence while coordinating Singapore’s successful fight against COVID-19. But he wasn’t the first choice for the top job.
Heng Swee Keat, a former central bank chief and education minister, was the anointed successor but he withdrew his nomination in 2021. Wong was then picked by the People’s Action Party in 2022 to fill the vacuum and quickly promoted to deputy prime minister.
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, right, walk with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the Istana in Singapore, Monday, May 13, 2024. (Mohd Fyrol/Ministry of Communications and Information via AP)
Wong warned that Singapore must brace for a “messier, riskier and more violent world” by staying united and blazing new trails. As global powers fight to shape a new world order, he said protectionism and rampant nationalism will deepen.
Amid China-U.S. rivalry, he said Singapore — which has stayed neutral — would continue to engage both nations.
Wong has retained the Cabinet and held onto his finance portfolio as he prepares for his first big test in general elections. Those are due by 2025. Before taking office, he promoted Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong as one of two deputy premiers. The other deputy is Heng.
Lee stayed on as a senior minister, a path taken by all former premiers.
While victory in the election is assured, Wong must clinch a stronger wing after the PAP suffered a setback in 2020 polls over voters’ rising discontent with the government.
Singapore under Lee’s rule flourished into one of the world’s wealthiest nations, but it also became one of the most expensive cities to live in. The PAP has also been criticized for tight government control and a government-knows-best stance, media censorship and the use of oppressive laws against dissidents.
Singapore’s incoming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, second from left, is sworn in next to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, center, and Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, second from right, at the Istana in Singapore, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Ministry of Communications and Information via AP)
Issues like widening income disparity, increasingly unaffordable housing, overcrowding caused by immigration and restrictions on free speech are often used as fodder by the opposition and have loosened the PAP’s grip on power.
“One-party dominance in Singapore is weakening but the challenge for the PAP leadership is to slow down the process,” said Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University.
Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asia political expert, said Lee “will be remembered for steering Singapore quietly and successfully through turbulent waters from the 2008-2009 financial crisis and COVID-19. He helped to build resilience in Singapore. … (But) Singapore has become a more complex society, with more open demands, making the task of governing (for Wong) more challenging.”
Wong was born seven years after Singapore separated from Malaysia and gained independence. His father was a migrant from China and his mother was a teacher. Unlike many senior PAP leaders, he didn’t have a privileged background. Observers have said this could help him relate better with the common citizen.
Wong earned a scholarship to study in the U.S., later obtaining a masters’ degree in economics from the University of Michigan and another masters’ degree in public administration from Harvard University. He spent years in public service including as a principal private secretary to Lee before entering politics in 2011. He has handled the defense, education, communications, culture, community and youth portfolios.
FILE – Britain’s Prince William, left, and Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong visit the Central Catchment Nature Reserve of Singapore on Nov. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File)
Like Lee, Wong is active on social media. Married with no children, he doesn’t reveal much about his private life but has offered glimpses into his interests in music and dogs, and he is a fan of tennis star Roger Federer. He often posts videos of himself playing guitar.
Wong has launched a Forward Singapore plan to let Singaporeans have a say in how to develop a more balanced, vibrant and inclusive agenda for the next generation.
“This is my promise to all Singaporeans. I will serve you with all my heart. I will never settle for the status quo. I will always seek better ways to make tomorrow better than today,” Wong said.
Law professor Tan said Wong’s immediate priorities will be to address issues including the rising cost of living, housing affordability and job security. “Bread-and-butter issues remain vital even for a prosperous country, partly because of Singapore’s innate vulnerabilities,” he said.
Currently, the only airline operating at the airport is Thai AirAsia, with a daily Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight.
BANGKOK – Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister, proposed the idea of developing Hua Hin Airport in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, to accommodate international flights. The plan is to attract additional passengers from the nearby Phetchaburi Province, which has potential for cultural and food tourism, apart from the beautiful Cha-am Beach.
“I have an idea that is not yet final, so I would like to propose that everyone try to think about it. If we expand this airport by combining it with Phetchaburi Province, we can change the name of this airport to Petch-Hua Hin or something else,” Srettha said. (Note: “Phet” in Thai also means “diamond”.)
He surveyed the airport along with Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Transport; Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports; and Surapong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, during the official Cabinet meeting held outside Bangkok in Phetchaburi Province on May 13-14.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin explained a plan to upgrade Hua Hin Airport.
Hua Hin Airport, under the Department of Airports, Ministry of Transport, has a total area of 492 rai (around 78.72 hectares or 194.57 acres). It has a two-story passenger terminal building with an area of 7,200 square metres, capable of accommodating 300 passengers per hour, and an aircraft parking area of 11,000 square metres.
Currently, the airport can accommodate approximately three Airbus A320 aircraft and is also the location of the Civil Aviation Training Center, the Civil Aviation Institute, and the Hua Hin Royal Rainmaking Center, which oversees the upper southern region. Currently, the only airline operating at the airport is Thai AirAsia, with a daily Hua Hin-Chiang Mai flight.
Prime Minister Srettha said that Hua Hin Airport has potential but is not yet fully utilized. Currently, the runway and aviation safety zones are being expanded to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards to accommodate international flights.
Inside the Hua Hin airport
The project is expected to be completed within two years, but he has instructed the Ministry of Transport to shorten the timeline to be completed within one and a half years to be ready by the fourth quarter of next year, which is the peak tourism season.
He stated that Hua Hin-Cha-am has many hotels and golf courses that can accommodate international tourists for business, tourism, and conferences. Currently, there is only one flight per day, and in the past, it only operated three days a week.
When inquiring with the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, he was informed that if the airport expands to accommodate more tourists, there will also be an influx from Hat Yai. This aligns with the government’s policy to encourage tourists, meaning that if they come to Hat Yai or from Malaysia, they can also visit Hua Hin or Phetchaburi, extending their stay in the country.
Hua Hin attracts a lot of foreign tourists.
Previously, the Department of Airports had developed Hua Hin Airport by improving and expanding the runway to a standard length of 2,100 metres and a width of 60 metres, including shoulders, allowing it to accommodate Airbus A320 aircraft.
Currently, the plan to upgrade safety standards in the area surrounding the airport is underway, with the construction of a road tunnel and the expansion of the safety zone around the runway at the car and train tunnels from 40 metres to 60 metres, and the safety zone at the end of the runway at the train tunnel to a width of 90 metres, in accordance with the standards of ICAO.
The second bidding process has already been announced. If the plan is completed, Hua Hin Airport will have the potential to accommodate international flights in compliance with international safety standards, positively impacting transportation and economic development in the area.
The ONCB officers displayed at the press conference how the heroin was concealed in two ice shaving machines.
BANGKOK – The problem of drug trafficking by transnational criminal networks using Thailand as a transit point to third countries continues to be found, via international parcel delivery, air cargo, and sea freight.
On May 15, officials from the Thai Narcotics Suppression Bureau, together with Mr. Tung Yu-Kuang from the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB), announced the seizure of 14.8 kilograms (40 bars) of heroin hidden in 2 ice shaving machines, prepared to be shipped to Taiwan.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurath Lakboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said that the heroin was concealed in two ice shaving machines (58 x 48 x 71 cm) with medium-sized iron boxes inside to hide the drugs, ready to be sent to Taiwan via air cargo (shipping cost: 22,000 baht).
The arrest stemmed from an expanded investigation following a previous bust on April 25, where the ONCB, in collaboration with the Seaport Interdiction Task Force (SITF), seized 320 kilograms of ketamine hidden in a steel robot base, destined for Taiwan via sea cargo.
One suspect was arrested. The ONCB then closely coordinated with the MJIB until May 14, when they received information that individuals in a drug network were preparing to send drugs to Taiwan. They inspected a suspected shipping company office in Bangkok.
The 14.8 kilograms of heroin seized this time, if smuggled and sold in Taiwan, would have a total retail price of approximately 100 million baht, 8-10 times higher than the price in Thailand. Authorities will gather evidence to prosecute those involved.
The 14.8 kilograms (40 bars) of heroin hidden in 2 ice shaving machines, prepared to be shipped to Taiwan.
In fiscal year 2024 (Oct. 2023 – present), under the cooperation project with the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF), there were 80 cases of arrests/seizures, 74 suspects, and seizures of 24,311 yaba pills, 43.20 kilograms of ice, 63.76 kilograms of heroin, 33.86 kilograms of cocaine, 3.2 kilograms of ketamine, and 14 ecstasy pills. The main export destinations were Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Malaysia, and South Korea.
The ONCB, therefore, emphasizes cooperation with AITF and SITF, which are frontline operational units in intercepting drugs entering the interior and being exported to third countries. This time, they thanked the MJIB for their cooperation.
CP Foods’ Meat Zero Plant-Based Nuggets and Chicken Sausage Win Crystal Taste Award for Exceptional Quality and Taste from the International Taste Institute
Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) proudly announces that its Meat Zero Chicken Nuggets and CP Signature Chicken Sausage have recently been awarded the Crystal Taste Award, recognizing that these products have consistently earned the prestigious three-star rating for three consecutive years as evaluated by world-class chefs and sommeliers from the International Taste Institute.
This award reflects the company’s commitment to developing food that crafts delicious flavors for consumers worldwide. Additionally, the company received 16 Superior Taste Awards in the Meat & Charcuterie categories for its high-quality fresh and ready-to-eat products.
Anarkawee Chooratn, Head of Marketing at CP Foods, highlighted the recognition of the exceptional quality and deliciousness of Meat Zero Plant-Based Chicken Nuggets and CP Signature Chicken Sausage. These products were evaluated through a rigorous blind-tasting methodology conducted by a jury of top professional chefs and sommeliers from around the world. This certification underscores the superior taste and quality of CP Foods’ products and guarantees that consumers can savor meticulously crafted meals.
Meat Zero Plant-Based Chicken Nuggets, produced with the company’s innovative Plant-Tec technology, offer a meat-like texture and delicious taste like real meat while being high in protein and fiber and cholesterol-free They are a choice for health-conscious consumers, vegetarians, or flexitarians, continuously guaranteed with the Superior Taste Award for three consecutive years.
CP Signature Chicken Sausage, made from chicken breast meat blended with spices and certified by Halal, offers a sweet and mellow taste with a smoky aroma from beechwood, resulting in a perfectly crispy outer layer and tender, juicy texture.
This year, five products in CP Foods portfolio received the three-star award: U FARM Banja Chicken, MEAT ZERO Plant-Based Gyoza, CP Shrimp Wonton, CP Pacific Fresh Shrimp, and CP Selection Fresh Duck.
Additionally, three CP brand products were awarded two stars: Chicken Sausage Junior Cocktail, CP Spicy Chicken Burgers, and Chicken Nuggets Classic. Additionally, six products received one star: CP Beef Cheeseburger, Junior Spicy Chicken Sausage, Fish and Cheeseburger, CP Magic Chef 3-layer Duck Sliced, CP Magic Chef Duck Sliced Shabu-Grilled and BUCHER’s Chicken and Australian Sausage.
The Superior Taste Award is a prestigious certification granted to food and drink that meet the standards and criteria set by a jury of 200 renowned professional chefs and sommeliers. They evaluate each product’s sensory characteristics, including visual aspect, aroma, taste, and texture. The award aims to elevate the global food and beverage industry by recognizing delicious and high-quality offerings.
Phuket Immigration caught a Swedish-Russian man who robbed and extorted money from Russian woman, at the airport.
PHUKET – Phuket Immigration caught a Swedish-Russian man who robbed and extorted money from Russian woman, at the airport when he was about to leaving.
On May 15, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, revealed that Mr. Oleksandr, a 25-year-old Swedish and Russian national, suspected of robbery, was arrested by immigration police at Phuket International Airport and handed over to the interrogators at Chalong Police Station for prosecution.
Mr. Oleksandr is a suspect in a case where Ms. Diera, a 23-year-old Russian national, filed a complaint with the Chalong Police. She stated that on May 8 at 11:00 p.m., she arranged to meet Mr. Oleksandr through the Telegram application at a villa in Chalong subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province, to exchange 25,000 baht in cash for 700 US dollars worth of cryptocurrency.
While they were talking at the meeting place, another suspect, a Russian man, walked in without Ms. Diera being aware. Then, that man helped Mr. Oleksandr grab Ms. Diera, locked her, put a bag over her head, tied her arms and legs, and seized her phone while forcing her to transfer more money. When she said she had no money left, Mr. Oleksandr slapped her face until she told him her phone password.
Ms. Diera, a 23-year-old Russian woman, points at the scene where she was put in a bag over her head, tied, and extorted money.
Later, when the Swedish-Russian suspect found that Ms. Diera really had no money left in her online account as she said, he forced her to contact a friend who was staying in a nearby room to bring the cash from her room.
The Russian man and Mr. Oleksandr then stole 2,000 US dollars and an additional 6,000 baht from Ms. Diera, totaling 104,546 baht. After they released her, she quickly filed a complaint with the police officers at Chalong Police Station to prosecute the two men.
Later, Chalong Police informed Phuket Immigration Police, and while Mr. Oleksandr was about to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, immigration officers found his name on a watchlist and arrested him immediately on charges of jointly robbing others at night.
As the other suspect has already fled the country, officials will gather evidence and present it to interrogators in order to request that the Phuket Provincial Court issue an arrest warrant and pursue him for further legal action.
FILE - Thai activists hold a portrait of Netiporn Sanesangkhom, a member of the activist group Thaluwang, known for their bold and aggressive campaigns demanding reform of the monarchy and abolition of the law that makes it illegal to defame members of the royal family outside of Criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI, BANGKOK — Thailand’s prime minister on Wednesday offered his condolences to the family of a young activist who died in detention after a monthslong hunger strike, amid a public debate on the country’s justice system.
Netiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom, 28, died on Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest while she was being detained at Bangkok’s Central Women’s Correctional Institution on charges that included defaming the monarchy. She had been on a hunger strike to protest the revokation of her bail in January.
Her death has prompted calls for reviewing a judicial process that allows people accused of politically-motivated, nonviolent offenses to be held for extended periods ahead of trial.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters that Netiporn’s death was a loss that no one wanted, and said he has ordered the Justice Ministry to investigate.
Officials from the Corrections Department said during a press conference on Wednesday that while Netiporn appeared fatigued following her prolonged hunger strike, she had been well and there was no sign that she would develop such critical conditions, and that they had done everything to try to save her life.
They also said the activist had already resumed eating, but refused to take other supplements that could help her body take nutrients better after fasting for so long. They declined to speculate on the possible cause of death until the autopsy results are released.
An autopsy was carried out on Wednesday morning and the initial results are expected on Thursday, said Netiporn’s lawyer Kritsadang Nutcharat. But Kritsadang told reporters that he doesn’t believe the Corrections Department’s version of events.
“She died in your arms. If she had been well, she wouldn’t have died,” he said, adding that the public should focus on the fact that Netiporn died while being detained, not whether she had been eating.
Netiporn was a member of the activist group Thaluwang, loosely translated as “breaking through the palace.” Its members are known for aggressive campaigns demanding reform of the monarchy and abolition of the law that makes it illegal to defame members of the royal family.
Until recent years, criticism of Thailand’s monarchy was taboo, and insulting or defaming key royal family members remains punishable by up to 15 years in prison under a law usually referred to as Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code.
But student-led pro-democracy protests began to challenge that taboo in 2020, openly criticizing the monarchy. That led to vigorous prosecutions under what was previously a little-used law. Critics say the law is often wielded as a tool to quash political dissent.
Netiporn was one of more than 270 activists, many university students, charged under the royal defamation law following those protests. Their supporters say that the authorities have violated their rights by holding them in prolonged pretrial detention and denying their release on bail.
FILE – A Thai activist holds a portrait of Netiporn Sanesangkhom, a member of the activist group Thaluwang, known for their bold and aggressive campaigns demanding reform of the monarchy and abolition of the law that makes it illegal to defame members of the royal family outside of Criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
She was originally detained in May 2022, and released on bail in August 2022 after a previous hunger strike. She was rearrested in January for breaking the terms of her bail by participating in a political rally in 2023.
Netiporn was facing several charges stemming from political activities, including two charges of defaming the monarchy. Both involved conducting polls in public spaces in 2022 to ask people’s opinions about the royal family, according to the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said they had requested bail 45 times for 27 political prisoners from January to April. None of those requests were granted, it said.
Another activist who is facing lese mejeste charges and had been detained several times, Panusaya “Rung” Sitthijirawattanakul, expressed disappointment in Srettha’s government, which took office in August following an election that ended nearly a decade of military rule.
“Before the election, they said that after they became a government they would ask the court to release political prisoners, and they would amend Article 112,” she said during a candlelight vigil for Netiporn on Tuesday night, “None of that ever came true.”
When asked about growing calls for young political detainees to be released, Prime Minister Srettha said “I believe the Justice Minister has heard these calls. It is under consideration and there will be discussions regarding all processes of justice. Everyone must be treated fairly.”
The U.N.’s human rights office in Southeast Asia, in a Tuesday post on the social network X, said it was “deeply disturbed” by Netiporn’s death and called for a transparent investigation. It also emphasized that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights.
Kritsadang, the lawyer, also called for the prime minister to take serious action on problems in the system of justice before making an official visit to France and Italy this week, noting the government’s bid for a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council’s for the 2025-2027 term.
Netiporn’s funeral service will be held at a Buddhist temple in Bangkok from Thursday to Sunday, the Thaluwang group said.
A Japanese tourist posted a complaint on social media about being overcharged by a tuk-tuk driver in Bangkok.
BANGKOK – Recently, a Japanese tourist took to social media to complain about being overcharged by a tuk-tuk driver in Bangkok. The tourist was charged 1,500 baht per person for a 5.8-kilometer ride from Asoke to Thaniya shopping mall, a total of 6,000 baht for four people.
On May 16, 2024, Mr. Nikorn Jumnong, director of the Chart Thai Pattana Party and former deputy transport minister, saw the tourist’s post and was deeply disturbed. He thought of the Public Transport Passenger Protection Center, which he had founded in 2003 and which has a hotline with the number 1584.
Mr. Nikorn Jumnong, director of the Chart Thai Pattana Party
He called the hotline and reported the incident. The staff responded promptly and asked the tuk-tuk driver to report for investigation. The tuk-tuk driver admitted to the allegations made by the tourist.
The Land Transport Department considered the driver’s actions to be a violation of the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and imposed the following penalties:
Violation of fare regulations under Section 22 in conjunction with Section 60: A fine of 2,000 baht.
Violation of dress regulations under Section 5(15) in conjunction with Section 58: A fine of 500 baht.
Suspension of driving license for 90 days.
Mandatory attendance of a 3-hour training course on passenger service awareness.
A Thai netizen reposted the complaint message of a Japanese tourist who was overcharged by a tuk-tuk driver and satirically said, “How Amazing Thailand.”
“I am relieved that we have managed to solve this problem to some extent,” said Nikorn. “On 28 May, when I attend a reception for the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Otaka Masato, at the Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel, I will apologize to the Japanese people for this mistake,” said Mr. Nikorn.
He also shared that he is very happy that the Public Transport Passenger Protection Center 1584, which he founded and whose logo he designed himself, is still able to provide good service to Thai and foreign passengers. He encourages the public to know about this service so that they can make use of it.
Staff members label durians to be exported to China at a durian processing plant in Dak Lak province, Vietnam, Sept. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali)
BANGKOK – At Youyi Port, a land border port with Vietnam in Pingxiang, China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China imported 48,000 tons of fresh durians in the first quarter of this year. Among them, 35,000 tons were imported from Vietnam, an increase of 48.1%, and 13,000 tons of fresh durians were imported from Thailand.
With this trend, Vietnamese durian exports to China are expected to increase by 30 percent in 2024, while Thailand would face more risks, said an academic.
Huai Ta durian, Long-Lin Lab Lae cultivar from Uttaradit province
Mr. Ath Pisalvanich, an independent scholar and international economics expert, and advisor to Intelligent Research Consultant Co., Ltd. (IRC), has released an analysis on the Thai Durian Risk Index for 2024 and evaluated Thai durian over the next five years, identifying multiple risks.
At present, durian is the only important economic crop that contributes significantly to the income of farmers and their related parties. In 2023, durian exports were estimated at 140 billion baht, surpassing the export values of rubber and cassava but still lagging behind rice.
Durian exports account for 25 percent of the total export value of the four main export crops: Rice, durian, rubber and cassava. However, the value of durian exports in 2024 remains uncertain due to several risk factors.
Durian produce at the Nuanthongchan durian orchard, Mab Phai Subdistrict, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province.
The analysis of the DURI (Durian Risk Index) for 2024 and the next five years indicates that the Thai Durian Risk Index for 2024 is at 57, which is considered high risk as it exceeds 50. The DURI values over the next five years also consistently exceed 50, due to three main risk factors: agricultural drought, increased durian exports from Vietnam, and rising transportation costs to China.
In the last 12 years, Thai durian production has increased by 180 percent from 500,000 tons to 1.4 million tons, due to an 80 percent increase in cultivation areas across the country. However, it is predicted that the drought will reduce durian production by 50 percent over the next five years if the government does not tackle the drought problem head on.
It is estimated that Thai durian production will decrease by 53 percent or 640,000 tons over the next five years. This year, the drought is expected to reduce durian production by 42 percent or 540,000 tons.
Durian produce at the Nuanthongchan durian orchard, Mab Phai Subdistrict, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province.
In contrast, durian production in Vietnam has increased by 200 percent in the last 10 years. In 2023, Vietnam produced 800,000 tons of durian, up from 270,000 tons in 2014, on a cultivated area of almost 700,000 rai.
For the full year 2024, Vietnam is expected to export 500,000 tons of durian to China, while Thailand’s exports are expected to be 800,000 tons, a decrease of almost 200,000 tons. In addition, the production cost of durian in Thailand is twice as high as in Vietnam. In 2023, Vietnam’s production cost was 15 baht/kg, rising to 19 baht/kg by 2024.
“Between 2022 and 2024, the number of Chinese middle men increased by 665, while the number of Thai middle men decreased from 25 to 10. In the future, the number of Thai middle men is expected to decrease further to a maximum of five. Therefore, the most urgent national task for the government is to solve the drought problem for durian farmers to prevent the impact on farmers’ income and rising product prices, and to focus on quality production. In the next three years, Vietnamese durian quality will approach Thai durian quality”
However, in 2024, spending related to the Thai durian business is expected to reach 980 billion baht, an increase of 140 billion baht or 16.2 percent compared to 2023. The eastern region will see the highest amount of money in circulation, followed by the southern and northern regions. The business with the highest money in circulation will be the middleman, which will generate 280 billion baht.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin cut open Rayong durians and distributed them to participants during his trip at Je Ngao Durian Shop in the central vegetable and fruit market of Ratchaburi province on May 12, 2024.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin commented on the competition between Vietnamese and Thai durian fruits on the Chinese market, saying that it was a matter of free competition. Every target country, including China, demands durian. Therefore, quality and taste are crucial. It is our responsibility to promote competition by developing varieties, controlling durian conditions and quality, and efficient transportation to ensure fast delivery.
According to Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, China imported approximately 6.7 billion U.S. dollars worth of durians in 2023. Thailand, the leading exporter of fresh durians to China, has seen sustained growth in demand for its produce. Economists believe that the surge in durian demand presents opportunities for the rest of Southeast Asia, not just Thailand.
Remarkable year-end figures from 2023 revealed that Vietnamese durian exports to China hit 2.1 billion U.S. dollars, capturing 31 percent of a growing durian market in its northern neighbor, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs.
