Hino joined as the main sponsor of 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Western Trucking Association, under the event name “The 8 Western Motor Expo 2024” on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Whale Hotel, Nakhon Pathom Province.
The meeting led by Mr. Peeraphan Saleerathaviphak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Mr. Surasak Charoensirichot, Governor of Nakhon Pathom Province, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Sinthop Kaewphichit, President of the Western Truck Association and Ms. Yumiko Kawamura, President of Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) Ltd. participated in the opening ceremony.
This year, Hino has a showcase of commercial trucks to meet the needs of various usage in all forms of transportation along with performance and comfort in driving to support every business in a complete manner. The company also provides benefits in terms of after-sales service and spare parts products which are of standard and quality to entrepreneurs, customers, and attendees at the event who let Hino be their business partner.
Hino is ready to take care of you with happiness and a smile, giving confidence to customers, being the befit in leading commercial trucks and ready to take care of and create profits for customers.
In addition to creating profits for the business, Hino remains committed to caring for the environment. Another highlight from the event was the use of electrical energy from solar energy or solar cells installed on the Hino 500 FC Dominator. Hino acknowledges the importance of clean energy which creates sustainability for the environment and reinforces the commitment to creating value for society, along with sustainable business operations.
Hino is committed to continuously developing products and services to meet customer needs. We are ready to take care of everyone with happiness and smiles. For more information and activities of Hino customer smile project to create happiness and make our customer and Thai society smile and now always. Please visit www.hinothailand.com, follow us on Facebook: Hino Thailand Fan Club, Line: @hinoth, YouTube: Hino Thailand Official, and TikTok: @hinoth.
AYUTTHAYA – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, the Ministry of Fine Arts, the Association of Thai Self-Defence Martial Arts Institutes, and the World Muay Thai Federation, has organised the 16th Muay Thai Festival. The event will take place on March 16 and 17, 2024, from 16:00 to 21:00, at Wat Mahathat and Wat Langkha Khao in Ayutthaya Historical Park.
Mr. Apichai Chatchalermkij, TAT Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, said that the event is highly anticipated by both Thais and foreigners who are passionate about Muay Thai. This year marks the 16th time of the ceremony after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event aims to showcase the core identity of Muay Thai training and share the beauty of Thai martial arts.
The “Wai Kru” ritual is the first thing that all Muay Thai fighters must learn and practice. It is a way of paying respect to their teachers and ancestors, and it instills a sense of discipline and humility in the fighters. The ceremony also helps foreign learners understand the importance of the Wai Kru ritual and encourages them to “once in their Muay Thai journey, come to Thailand to participate in the Wai Kru ceremony.”
In the past, the top five countries with the most foreign Muay Thai fighters participating in the event were Brazil, Afghanistan, France, India, and China. TAT believes that by bringing back this event, it will continue to receive a positive response from Muay Thai enthusiasts worldwide.
Ms. Duangduean Sodsaengchan, Director of the Tourism and Sports Office of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, representing the province, said that this year, the event is expected to attract no less than 500 Muay Thai fighters and generate approximately 12.25 million baht in revenue for the local economy during the event period.
One of the main highlights of the event is the Wai Kru Muay Thai ceremony on 17 March 2024, which will gather Thai and foreign Muay Thai fighters to participate in the Mongkhon (headband) blessing ceremony by Muay Thai grandmasters and perform the Wai Kru dance.
The dance leaders will be: Prajanchai P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym, P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym, Khuan U Ayutthaya Fight Gym, and Yodlekpetch A. Achariya
The event will also feature an exhibition of Muay Thai knowledge, demonstrations of handicrafts related to Thai martial arts such as Sak Yant tattooing, Yantra writing and Aranyik swordsmithing, Muay Boran (ancient Muay Thai) training demonstrations (Muay Chaiya, Muay Korat, Muay Tha Sao and Muay Lopburi), cultural performances and traditional folk activities.
Visitors can also shop, eat and indulge in Ayutthaya’s local foods at the retro market. There are also stalls from renowned Muay Thai schools and vendors selling Muay Thai related products.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin did as he promised the Roi Et villagers that he would show the loincloths they had given him while visiting foreign countries.
CANNES – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin acknowledged that his foreign trip was connecting Thailand to the world and the world to Thailand in order to be more open to foreigners and see Thailand from a different perspective, despite criticism from senators and opposition members for visiting too many foreign countries and wasting money.
He recently visited Melbourne for the ASEAN-Australia Summit. From there, he travelled to Berlin, Germany, and then Paris, meeting with many leading companies’ executives. He ended his French trip in Cannes and returned to Berlin before flying back to Bangkok on March 13.
Every time he meets with leaders from European countries, whether in Thailand or abroad, he will ask for their support in considering the free-visa proposal for Thai passport holders visiting the Schengen Zone, including in this Europe trip for bilateral talks with France and Germany.
He told the press while in Paris on Monday that France supports free-visa proposal as the breakthrough may be achieved by the end of next year. The PM also said it should take a year and a half for the Thai-EU FTA to conclude.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, left, is welcomed by France’s President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a working lunch at the Elysee Palace Monday, March 11, 2024 in Paris (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the highlight of the press conference between Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic and Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha at Élysée Palace on March 11, 2024.
Prime Minister Srettha thanked President Macron for his warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his first official visit to Europe. Thailand and France have similar visions and standpoints of promoting democracy, sustainability, peace and stability as well as strong economic goals.
On this occasion, both sides discussed cooperation in various areas many of which France could support Thailand’s vision as a global industrial hub in 8 sectors such as business matching in sectors of mutual interest, enhancing cooperation in defence, clean energy, aviation and space technology.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, left, and France President Emmanuel Macron attend a joint statement ahead of a working lunch at the Elysee Palace Monday, March 11, 2024 in Paris. (Teresa Suarez/Pool via AP)
On the policy to promote Thailand’s Future Mobility Hub, the Prime Minister wishes to see an increased investment from French automotive producers of electric engines and batteries. In addition, the Prime Minister invited France to invest in transportation system in Thailand and expressed interest in French clean energy technology.
In the high-end fashion sector, where France has outstanding expertise, Thailand would like to see more showcased works from young Thai designers.
In addition, both sides discussed the Thailand-EU FTA, which is an important tool to increase volume of trade in goods and services between France and Thailand, visa exemption for Thai ordinary passport holders in the Schengen area, as well as Thailand’s application for membership of the OECD.
FILE - Move Forward party's leader Chaithawat Tulathon, center right, with its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat, center left, talks to reporters during a news conference at parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Election Commission on Tuesday said it will seek the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward party, which won last year’s general election, after a court ruled that the party’s proposal to amend a royal anti-defamation law was unconstitutional.
The commission said that after studying the Constitutional Court’s ruling, its members unanimously agreed to file a case with the court seeking the party’s dissolution because they believe the proposal was an attempt to overthrow Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.
It was unclear whether the court will accept the petition.
Move Forward party leader Chaithawat Tulathon, right, with its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat, talks to reporters during a news conference at parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Parit Wacharasindhu, a spokesperson for Move Forward, said the party’s legal team would “try their best until the last second to prevent the party from being dissolved,” and that proving its innocence would also help “create a proper standard for Thai politics in the future.”
The Constitutional Court ruled in January that the party must stop advocating changes to the law, known as Article 112, which protects the monarchy from criticism, by imposing penalties of up to 15 years in jail per offense. It did not set any punishment for the party.
Critics say the law is often used to quash political dissent. Student-led pro-democracy protests beginning in 2020 openly criticized the monarchy, previously a taboo subject, leading to vigorous prosecutions under the law.
Thailand’s courts, especially the Constitutional Court, are considered a bulwark of the country’s traditional royalist establishment, which has used them and nominally independent state agencies such as the Election Commission to issue controversial rulings to cripple or sink political opponents.
Pita Limjaroenrat, center, (white shirt) leader of Move Forward Party, waves to his supporters, in Bangkok, Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
The Move Forward party won a surprise victory in the 2023 general election after campaigning to amend Article 112 and introduce other democratic reforms. The victory indicated that many Thai voters were ready for change after nearly a decade of military-controlled government.
But the military-installed Senate blocked the party from taking power by refusing to approve then-party leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s nomination as prime minister. Senators said they opposed Pita because of his intention to reform the monarchy.
Move Forward also came under multiple legal attacks following its election victory. Pita was suspended from Parliament after being accused of violating the election law by owning shares in a media company. The Constitutional Court on Jan. 24 cleared Pita of the charge, allowing him to resume his duties as a lawmaker.
Angkana Neelapaijit attended the 20th anniversary commemoration of lawyer and human rights defender Somchai Neelapaijit at the Social Innovation Hub conference room, 1st floor, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, on March 12, 2024. (Photo by Chalathip Rungbua, Khaosod)
BANGKOK – On the 20th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of prominent Thai human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, human rights organisations in Thailand and overseas issued statements commemorating and demanding justice.
In Paris, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its Thai member organizations, Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), call on the Thai authorities to re-open the investigation into Mr. Somchai’s disappearance, renew their efforts to determine his fate or whereabouts, and deliver justice to him and his family.
FIDH, UCL, and TLHR also urge the government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) without further delay and without reservations, and ensure national legislation conforms to its provisions.
Thailand signed the ICPPED in January 2012, but it has not yet ratified the treaty. In December 2023, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara pledged the ratification of the ICPPED by June 2024.
In Geneva, UN experts issue a statement from Geneva calling for truth and justice for Somchai after twenty years have passed. (read full speech)
“Thai authorities must comply with the country’s international obligations, investigate this crime and hold perpetrators of Somchai’s enforced disappearance criminally responsible,” the experts said.
They mentioned about Somchai’s wife, Ms. Angkhana Neelapaijit, and their five children were left in anguish after his enforced disappearance and the lack of knowledge about his fate and whereabouts.
Angkana Neelapaijit attended the 20th anniversary commemoration of lawyer and human rights defender Somchai Neelapaijit at the Social Innovation Hub conference room, 1st floor, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, on March 12, 2024. (Photo by Chalathip Rungbua, Khaosod)
At that time Ms. Angkhana was a nurse, with no previous experience or training in law or judicial procedures.
“Women are often at the forefront of the struggle against enforced disappearance: they form organisations and associations to find their loved ones and overcome unspeakable obstacles, breaking down stereotypes and eliminating gender hierarchies,” the experts said.
“Ms. Neelapaijit became a torchbearer for the right to truth and she remains a source of inspiration,” they said.
In Bangkok, Angkhana Neelapaijit delivered a speech at a panel at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on Monday night.
“In the past 20 years, I have tried very hard to achieve justice and even though the government has changed several times in the past 20 years, the perpetrators have not. With 20 years of experience, I learned that it’s almost impossible for victims to reach out for justice, truth, and reparation. As we mark the 20th anniversary of SN’s disappearance, I implore the Thai government to address the case with honesty and transparency, revealing the truth about Somchai’s disappearance and that of all the disappeared persons. Perpetrators must be held accountable, and impunity must come to an end,” she stated.
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Background of Somchai Neelapaijit (FIDH Brief)
Somchai Neelapaijit, a prominent lawyer who defended the rights of members of Muslim communities in Thailand’s restive provinces of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, was abducted and disappeared on 12 March 2004. According to eyewitnesses, a group of individuals forced him into a car on Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng Road. Despite strong circumstantial evidence of his death, Mr. Somchai’s body was never found.
Somchai Neelapaijit
In connection with Mr. Somchai’s disappearance, the Bangkok Criminal Court acquitted four police officers of the charges of coercion and gang-robbery and convicted Police Major Ngern Thongsuk of coercion on January 12, 2006.
On January 13, 2006, then-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said “circumstantial evidence” confirmed that Mr. Somchai was “dead” and that “more than four government officials were involved.” Mr. Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed exile.
On March 11, 2011, the Court of Appeals upheld the acquittal of the four police officers accused of coercion and gang-robbery and overturned the conviction of Police Major Ngern Thongsuk.
On May 21, 2014, the Supreme Court rejected the admissibility of key phone evidence against the five acquitted police officers who had been originally accused of being involved in Mr. Somchai’s disappearance.
On October 5, 2016, the Ministry of Justice’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) declared Mr. Somchai’s case closed, saying no culprits had been found.
KOH PHANGAN – In a “Quick-Win” effort to prevent and suppress crime that affects the public and tourists in Surat Thani Province, police officers from the Special Operations Unit conducted inspections of entertainment venues, hotels, service establishments, and risk areas.
During one such inspection, officers found a restaurant on Koh Phangan called Colorful Hut. The owner of the restaurant, a Russian national named Boris, was found to be employing three Burmese workers illegally. One of the workers was working as a cashier.
On March 12, 2024, Surat Thani police officers, together with tourist police and immigration police, arrested Boris and brought him to the Koh Phangan Police Station for prosecution. Boris was charged with the following offenses:
Failing to notify the registrar of the employment of a foreign worker within 15 days of the date of employment
Allowing a foreign worker to work outside of the scope of their work permit (cashier)
Hiring a foreign worker who does not have a work permit
Providing shelter, concealment, or assistance of any kind to a foreign national who has entered the Kingdom illegally, in order to help that foreign national avoid arrest
The three Burmese workers, Mr. Nay (18 years old), Mr. Min Niang Lin (34 years old) and Ms. Thin Thin Aye (33 years old), were also charged with the following offenses: Mr. Nay Lin Naing: entering and staying in the Kingdom without permission and working without a work permit, Mr. Min Niang Lin: failing to notify the registrar of the name of his employer, the workplace of his employer and the nature of the main work he performs for his employer within 15 days of starting work for his employer, and Ms. Thin Thin Aye: working outside the scope of her work permit.
Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Company Limited, a supplier of agricultural raw materials for Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods), has recently undergone a third-party assessment of its corn traceability system to validate its integrity and transparency.
This initiative aims to enhance confidence throughout the entire corn supply chain, ensuring it remains free from deforestation and refrains from burning practices.
The third-party assessment, conducted by experts from ERM-Siam Company Limited, a global sustainability consultancy, included on-site evaluations to assess the system’s performance and ensure alignment with international standards.
This comprehensive evaluation covered four key aspects: the implementation of sustainable raw material sourcing policies, the functionality of the system, the integration of data and inputs from raw material collectors and farmers, and the entire corn trading process to feed mills, including data management during incidents.
This ensures the system aligns with international best practices and CP Group’s policies, which strictly prohibit the purchase and importation of corn products from deforested and burnt areas.
Mr. Woraphot Suratwisit, Vice President of Bangkok Produce Merchandising, underscored the pivotal role of third-party verification in guaranteeing that the corn traceability system’s processes and data management comply with global standards. This commitment ensures transparency, reliability, integrity, and traceability through the utilization of blockchain technology. Corn collectors can access the system’s input data, encompassing details about purchased corn and satellite imagery identifying areas cultivated without deforestation. Additionally, an evaluation conducted by an independent organization will enhance the system’s efficiency, instilling confidence in the company, partners, consumers, and global customers.
“The assessment done by independent organization also empowered the company and its business partners ability to manage and prevent encroachments into forest areas, as well as efficiently addressing dust and PM2.5 issues in accordance with the goal of the Partner to Green project, fostering collaboration among the government, private sector, and farmers for sustainable and responsible corn production,” stated Mr. Woraphot.
Bangkok Produce Merchandising leads as the first Thai company to pioneer the development and implementation of a corn traceability system, inaugurating the initiative in 2016 to responsibly source corn as a raw material for CP Foods’ animal feed production. Currently, the traceability of all procured corn for animal feed production in Thailand can be traced back to its cultivation source, validating the authenticity of documentation and adherence to eco-friendly practices.
In addition to third-party verification, the company conducts annual self-audits to ensure that the traceability system aligns with international standards, contributing to environmental conservation and the well-being of farmers.
AIS SME collaborates with Google Cloud to empower SME with digital solutions. Google Workspace provides comprehensive applications for seamless work, strengthening SMEs for growth together.
AIS SME reiterates its role as a digital service provider alongside SME, partnering with Google Cloud, a global giant in the IT industry. Through this collaboration, AIS SME will deliver Google Workspace, a business solution for businesses, enterprises and SMEs, consolidating all work applications in one place.
This includes cloud-based data storage that is secure-by-design such as Google Drive, unlimited time meetings through Google Meet, and business emails with a dedicated domain name to enhance the capabilities and flexibility of SME.
AIS SME is ready to provide expert assistance and support by Thai specialists around the clock through the hotline 1740. Additionally, users can instantly settle billsand choose payment plans that align with their businesses, both annually and monthly.
Navachai Kiartkorkuaa Head of Enterprise Marketing & SME Business Management stated, “We believe that SMEs are a crucial engine for the growth of the Thai economy. Over time, AIS SME has built a robust digital technology infrastructure to connect operations and deliver marketing tools and IT services efficiently, enabling businesses and entrepreneurs to undergo Digital Transformation effectively. In particular, we have collaborated with a global partner like Google Cloud to present digital solutions to customers in the mid-sized and small business segments, or SMEs, through Google Workspace. These tools aim to enhance capabilities and support businesses as they transition into the digital era, adopting digital technology in their operations fully. Additionally, they help streamline processesand enable comprehensive online work.”
For SME or Entrepreneur can now avail of the full-fledged Google Workspace service with AIS SME at a special starting price of 99 Thai Baht. Enhance convenience with expert assistance provided by Thai specialists 24/7 through the hotline 1740. Additionally, you can pay bills through the e-Business Portaland choose a payment plan that suits your business’s working style, whether on a monthly or yearly basis. For more details, please visit https://m.ais.co.th/qxH0d8eCO
The picture shows the horse who was abused by an American teenager.
PHUKET – Chatcharoj Lek-Awut, 50, and Prapada, 43, husband and wife who own horses in Phuket Province, along with the Watchdog Thailand, an animal rights foundation, reported to the Thalang police station, Phuket Province, on March 11, claiming to have CCTV evidence that a young American man sexually assaulted their female horse, causing her to miscarry. And this is the third horse that has been abused.
The most recent sexually abused mare was four months pregnant and lived at the horse stables in Village No. 4, Soi Bang Sai, Pa Khlok Subdistrict, Thalang District. The livestock officials claimed that the horse most likely had an infection. If they inject antibiotics into the horse, it may affect her baby. However, if the injection isn’t given, the horse may potentially miscarry. This damage was beyond their ability to bear.
The officers from Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) went to the residence of Mr. Steven’s father to inform him about his son’s behaviour.
According to the report, the guy who was reported is Mr. Steven, who is 19 years old. He arrived to sexually abuse at least three female horses at this place. Mali, a miniature horse, was 9 months pregnant when she miscarried in 2023. The second, named Gina, was abused in February 2024, while the third, named A-ngun (Grape), was more than four months pregnant.
Later, Police Lieutenant Colonel Yuthaphon Watthaseth led an investigating team of tourist police and officials from the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) to the residence of Mr. David, Steven’s father, which is close to the horse stables where the incident occurred. They displayed Mr. David the footage from the security camera. He was shocked, not expecting his son to do something like this. The police officers told him of the legal specifics and scheduled a meeting with both parties to discuss them at Thalang Police Station on March 16.
The police officers informed Steven of the legal details and scheduled a meeting at Thalang Police Station on March 16.
Mrs. Prapada stated that she thought Steven was a regular youngster who loved horses and animals and would come to the stall and touch the horse she tied at the rubber plantation. She didn’t mind at first, but when she suspected something was odd with the horse, she attempted to bring it into view. She and her husband have not yet reported the incident because there was no video proof of the first horse.
On February 5, she heard dogs barking and unusual noises in the stable. She found Steven was there, but she still wasn’t sure what had happened. Following that, she activated the CCTV camera and see what he did to the horse. So she reported to the Police.
She noticed again on March 10 while taking another horses to graze. There is mucus coming out of the genitals. This time when checking to the CCTV, a clear footage revealed that the young American had inserted his hand inside the horse’s genitals. So she and her husband went to the Thalang Police Station and reported the incident again.
The WDT Foundation posted a VDO clip and messages saying, “Phuket again. In this case, do we have to revoke his visa? “Does he have to be prosecuted?” This compares to a previous case in which Mr. Fehr, or David, a Swiss national, was accused of kicking a female doctor in Phuket and had his visa revoked last week.
GULF OF THAILAND – The Thai Navy and the U.S. Navy have completed their search and decommissioning for hazardous materials operation of HTMS Sukhothai on Monday, March 11, 2024. The entire ship was recovered without locating the five missing people, although 58 pieces of ‘evidence’ were discovered.
Ambassador Robert F Godec remarked on Board HTMS Angthong, saying as follows:
Admiral Adoong Pan-iam, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and Ambassador Robert F Godec
“I have just returned from a visit to the MV Ocean Valor hosted by the Royal Thai Navy, for which I want to personally thank Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Pan-iam and his team. As you know, the Ocean Valor has been conducting joint light salvage operations with Royal Thai Navy and United States Navy divers at the site of the HTMS Sukhothai since February 19.
In solemn commemoration of this final day of the joint mission, we presided over the presentation of the HTMS Sukhothai’s anchor retrieved by the salvage team, to the Royal Thai Navy. It has been both humbling and a tremendous honor for me to observe firsthand the skill and courage of expert Thai and U.S. divers working side by side in challenging conditions to successfully carry out the objectives of this joint operation.
My thoughts are also with the families of the 29 brave servicemen of HTMS Sukhothai who lost their lives in the line of duty. I trust that the findings provided by this mission will provide a measure of closure to all involved.
The successful execution of this joint operation underscores the enduring 190-year friendship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States. It has also deepened the cooperation and ties between our two Navies and demonstrates the strength of our partnership at its best.”
