Mr. Ian hugged the police officer who had investigated the case and thanked him for helping him recover most of his possessions.
PHUKET – A New Zealand man was overjoyed when police arrested the thief who stole his motorcycle with about 1 million baht worth of valuables under the seat after a week-long investigation.
Ian K., a 62-year-old New Zealand national who lives at Na Nai 1 Road in Patong, Kathu district, Phuket, filed a report at Patong Police Station on December 8. He stated that his black Honda motorcycle with Phuket license plate was stolen at 2 p.m. while it was parked on Phrabaramee Road in front of the Diamond Cliff Hotel in Patong.
Under the seat of the motorcycle were a Samsung mobile phone worth approximately 1,200 US dollar, three rings worth approximately 15,000 US dollar, a Longines watch worth approximately 1,500 US dollar, a motorcycle driver’s license, and approximately 6,000 baht in cash.
Phuket police arrested the thief who stole his motorcycle with about 1 million baht worth of valuables from a New Zealand tourist.
The Patong Police Investigation Unit then investigated and tracked down the perpetrator. On December 14, 2023, under the supervision of Pol. Col. Chalermchai Hernsawat, Superintendent of Patong Police Station, the suspect was arrested. His name is Yusob Khunsurin, 27 years old, from Ranong province. He was arrested in the parking lot of Sriphuwanath Park in Wichit district, Phuket Town.
Police also confiscated 14 pieces of evidence, including the Honda motorcycle, three gold rings and a Longines watch. They also confiscated Ian’s clothes and Yusob’s belongings, including a black Infinix cell phone he had bought with the stolen money. Yusob was taken to the police station and charged with theft.
Mr. Ian hugged the police officers who had investigated the case and thanked them for helping him recover most of his possessions.
BANGKOK – The World Bank cut Thailand’s economic growth outlook to 2.5% this year from its forecast of 3.4% in October, before improving to 3.2% next year. It also mentioned a digital wallet programme of the new government that could enhance the short-team economic activity.
According to Mr. Fabrizio Zarcone, World Bank Country Manager for Thailand, the Thai economic growth is projected to pick up to 3.2% in 2024 from 2.5% this year, supported by a recovery in tourism and goods exports and sustained private consumption.
Growth in 2023 was affected by a decline in exports as well as ongoing fiscal consolidation.
Mr. Fabrizio Zarcone, World Bank Country Manager for Thailand
Meanwhile, decreased energy prices are predicted to slow Thailand’s inflation to 1.1% in 2024. Food prices, on the other hand, are projected to rise. Because of Thailand’s reliance on energy imports, rising geopolitical tensions and high oil prices could drive up inflation, posing a risk to the economic outlook.
However, Thailand’s economy is projected to recover in 2024 supported by tourism and goods exports recovery as well as sustained private consumption. Growth is projected to accelerate from 2.5 percent in 2022 to 3.2 percent in 2024. Tourism and private consumption will be key drivers.
Goods exports are expected to rebound due to favorable global trade despite the slowing Chinese economy. Tourism is projected to return to pre-pandemic levels in mid-2025, set back by the Chinese slowdown.
Thailand Economic Monitor.
“The planned Digital Wallet is not yet included in the baseline but could potentially boost near-term growth further if implemented. If the Digital Wallet program (THB 500 billion, 2.7 percent of GDP), is rolled out in May 2024, growth is anticipated to surpass baseline projections by 0.5-1.0 percentage points over the two-year period and the fiscal deficit may increase to 4-5 percent of GDP, approaching the average level observed during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020-2022,” the bank said in its Thailand Economic Monitor.
Due to the new government’s expanded cost-of-living support measures and tax expenditures, the general government deficit is projected to widen to 3.1 percent in fiscal year 2024 and remain elevated in fiscal year 2025. Public debt is projected to peak at 62.8 percent in fiscal year 2024.
The bank also noted that carbon pricing must be considered a critical policy instrument if Thailand is to meet its ambitious carbon neutrality target.
BANGKOK – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced that the number of foreign tourists arriving in Thailand has reached 25.7 million since January 1, 2023, generating revenue of 1,098,082 million baht, or 31.320 billion U.S. dollars. The Jay Chou concert in December also pushes Chinese tourists to the top spot.
During December 4–10, 2023, there were 655,653 foreign tourists arriving in Thailand, an increase of 61,619 people, or 10.37 percent, from the previous week. The average daily number of foreign tourists arriving in Thailand was 93,665 people.
Chinese tourists surged to the top spot, with 100,704 people arriving, an increase of 23,861 people from the previous week. This was due to the Jay Chou concert, which attracted many fans from China. The concert also coincided with a public holiday in the Malaysian state of Selangor.
The Jay Chou Carnival World Tour came to Bangkok on December 8 and 9, 2023.
The top five countries of origin for foreign tourists arriving in Thailand were:
China (100,704 people, up 31.05 percent)
Malaysia (94,513 people, up 22.98 percent
Russia (42,166 people, down 0.64 percent
South Korea (40,572 people, up 7.51 percent)
India (39,053 people, up 9.25 percent)
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin summoned Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, senior executives and directors of 45 domestic offices of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to receive instructions on four initiatives to boost domestic tourism: Promoting tourism in secondary cities, making Thailand a year-round high season, facilitating travel and connectivity for tourists, and encourage tourists to spend more money.
A man sprays water at western tourists to celebrate Songkran festival in Prachinburi Province, east of Bangkok. Thursday, April 13, 2023.(AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
The prime minister asked the TAT to accelerate efforts to encourage travel to secondary cities and to promote products that are of interest to tourists. He also instructed the TAT to find out the strengths and unique features of each region’s soft power and utilize them to promote tourism.
“Many governments have focused on the number of foreign tourists to reach over 40 million but this government wants to increase the spending per trip of tourists. We want them to stay longer, like tourists do in France, in order to increase spending per capita,” said the PM.
He added, “I come from the business sector, so I may speak bluntly. I apologise, but we focus on revenue. We want to bring out the hidden gems and get tourists to spend more money. The amount of money circulating in the system is a better indicator of success. I have been in office for three months, and I have not talked to any other sector except those in tourism. This is an index that shows that you are an important part of the economy.”
The initiative sends the message that taking action for community and environmental impact can be simple. For every postcard sent, Marriott Bonvoy will make a donation to WWF-Singapore (World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore) in support of their conservation efforts in Southeast Asia.
Singapore, December 2023 – Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands and award-winning travel program, today announced the Good Travel with Marriott BonvoyTM Postcard campaign, inspiring travelers to do good through the program, while spreading the message of meaningful travel for positive impact.
As part of the campaign, travelers can send a digital version of the Good Travel with Marriott BonvoyTM postcard to a friend or family, to share their meaningful travel experience with the program. For every digital postcard sent, Marriott Bonvoy will make a donation to its philanthropic partner, WWF-Singapore (World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore), to support their conservation work in Southeast Asia.
The campaign is part of the purpose-led program, Good Travel with Marriott BonvoyTM, which offers guests the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to three distinct pillars of the program: Environmental Protection, Community Engagement and Marine Conservation. Available at close to 100 hotels across the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio in Asia Pacific, experiences range from bamboo shark conservation efforts in Khao Lak to mangrove planting in Fiji and food redistribution in Bali.
“The Good Travel with Marriott BonvoyTM Postcard campaign is an opportunity to inspire our guests and members to not only take action for good, but also spread the message to their friends and family,” said John Toomey, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Marriott International, Asia Pacific. “We hope to inspire more travelers to reimagine travel from pure leisure to value-adding opportunities, creating a ripple effect of more collective action to bring positive change in our communities and on the environment.”
The postcard illustrations were designed in collaboration with PARDICOLOR artist, Joséphine Billeter, to create travel art that depict the concept of holidaying while doing good. PARDICOLOR is an environmental creative arts initiative that supports local artists to raise environmental and social awareness across Southeast Asia.
Spreading the Message of Meaningful Travel for Positive Impact
From today until 31 December, guests and members can send a Good Travel with Marriott BonvoyTM postcard through a simple three-step process:
Step #1: Pick your digital postcard – Head to the Marriott Bonvoy Asia website and pick a postcard design of your choice. There are three postcard designs, each reflecting the program’s three experience pillars: Environmental Protection, Community Engagement and Marine Conservation.
Step #2: Share your message and experience with Good Travel with Marriott BonvoyTM – Write your personalized message to a friend or family member. Fill in their recipient details and hit send.
Step #3: Take action to support conservation efforts – Once the postcard has been sent, Marriott Bonvoy will send a donation on your behalf to WWF-Singapore. Proceeds will go to supporting WWF’s conservation efforts in Southeast Asia, such as their on-the-ground work to improve the sustainability and responsibility of seafood sources.
ฺBANGKOK – Before Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will pay an official visit to Japan from 14 to 18 December, the Cabinet has approved measures to waive visa requirements for Japanese business travelers entering Thailand temporarily for short-term business purposes on a special and temporary basis for three years.
The Cabinet Decision dated December 12, 2023, provides that Japanese nationals holding passports or travel documents who temporarily enter Thailand for business purposes will be exempted from visa requirements and allowed to stay in the Kingdom for up to 30 days from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026, in order to promote economic and foreign policy cooperation with Japan, especially trade, investment and business activities between the two countries.
The visa waiver for Japanese nationals who hold a passport or travel document and enter Thailand temporarily for business purposes will make it easier for them to come to Thailand to expand cooperation and develop economic activities, which will benefit the Thai economy as a whole.
Japan has potential in industries that the Thai government is targeting for promotion, including the green industry, electric vehicles, textiles, bio-industry, digital economy, infrastructure, agriculture development, and human resource development.
The trip by Prime Minister Srettha to Japan is to attend the Special ASEAN-Japan Summit to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo. This year is the year of exchange between ASEAN and Japan, and the official logo and motto “Golden Friendship, Golden Opportunities” have been announced.
The Prime Minister said that he intends to make the most of the opportunity to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. In the economic sphere, he will invite Japan to participate in the development of the region’s and Thailand’s economies, especially green growth, the energy and digital transition, as well as promote Thailand’s important policies and projects such as the Landbridge, the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem, and soft power.
In addition, in the political sphere, he will persuade Japan to increase its creative role with ASEAN to reduce conflicts, reduce confrontation, and jointly promote a peaceful, stable environment conducive to economic development.
Thai soldiers stand beside seized 50 million methamphetamine pills hidden in sacks during a news conference at Thongphaphum Police station in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Keskawe Chongchareon)
BANGKOK (AP) — Thai police have seized what is being called a record haul of methamphetamine tablets in the western province of Kanchanaburi, close to the Myanmar border.
Officers found an estimated 50 million tablets hidden in sacks in a six-wheeler truck they stopped at a joint police-military checkpoint on Tuesday. The occupants of the truck – a man and a woman – were arrested.
The quantity of methamphetamine tablets seized is a record for Thailand, Jeremy Douglas, the Southeast Asia regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said Wednesday. The region’s biggest known seizure took place in neighboring Laos in October 2021, when a consignment of 55 million pills was discovered.
Officers found an estimated 50 million tablets hidden in sacks in a six-wheeler truck. (Khaosod Photo)
“We’ve not seen major cases here in Kanchanaburi for a couple of years, and never anything like this,” Douglas said. “But it’s also not a surprise given the extreme supply being produced by militias and traffickers in northern Myanmar.”
Myanmar has historically been the region’s main drug production area in part because of lax security measures in border areas where minority ethnic groups have long been fighting for greater autonomy. Some of the powerful ethnic armed groups there have been heavily involved in narcotics production for decades.
A 2021 military takeover in Myanmar that unseated the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi triggered armed resistance nationwide, further destabilizing the country.
The U.N. drug agency’s June 2023 report on synthetic drugs in East and Southeast Asia warned that the huge trade in methamphetamine and other illegal drugs shows no signs of slowing down.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also interior minister, told reporters that illegal drugs used to be smuggled into Thailand’s northern and northeastern provinces, but had moved to western provinces such as Kanchanaburi because of more intense surveillance and security along the old routes, a point the U.N. agency had also made earlier this year.
Anutin said increased combat between Myanmar’s military and its foes among the country’s pro-democracy movement and ethnic minority armed groups also increased the smugglers’ risks along their old routes.
BANGKOK – At the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony in Thailand on December 13, Michelin officially unveiled the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024 edition, revealing its much-awaited full restaurant selection and celebrating the accomplishments of Thailand’s vibrant and dynamic culinary community.
The newly released Guide features 447 establishments – with 7 two MICHELIN Stars (2 promoted from one MICHELIN Star), 28 one MICHELIN Star (3 newcomers, and 3 promoted from MICHELIN Selected), 196 Bib Gourmand (28 newcomers, and 4 moved from MICHELIN Selected), and 216 MICHELIN Selected entries (37 newcomers).
The MICHELIN Guide Ceremony is held at the Capella Hotel on Charoen Krung Road on December 13, 2023.
Among new additions to the Guide, 23 are from Ko Samui (4 Bib Gourmand, and 7 MICHELIN Selected entries) and Surat Thani Mainland (8 Bib Gourmand, and 4 MICHELIN Selected entries), the newly covered territories in this seventh local edition.
According to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, with an abundance of great local produce, including the freshest premium seafood, combined with a melting pot of cultures, Ko Samui and the mainland city of Surat Thani – the two additions in the beautiful gulf of Thailand – boast a vibrant and varied culinary scene that further contributes to The MICHELIN Guide Thailand’s existing restaurant selection.
Gwendal Poullennec
“Our inspectors have experienced the true diversity that Thailand has to offer, from modern restaurants pushing culinary boundaries to simple street food stalls – continuously reinforcing Thailand’s rich gastronomic culture and heritage. The 2024 edition of The MICHELIN Guide Thailand highlights not only these exceptional culinary experiences, but also the latest trends in the country’s culinary world,” said Mr. Poullennec.
Underlying trends of Thailand’s culinary and gastronomic scene: Modern Thai cooking, healthy cuisines, sustainable production, and female prominence
Having travelled the length of the country, MICHELIN Guide inspectors noted the continued growth of a new breed of modern Thai restaurants helmed by a new generation of young and passionate Thai chefs, who are pushing the boundaries of what is perceived as modern Thai cooking. In addition, there has been a growth of reservation only, counter dining operations – serving modern and innovative tasting menus.
J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain
The trend for healthy and vegetarian cuisine also continues in Thailand, with the demand for plant-based and organic foods steadily rising as consumers have become more attuned to their consumption habits.
This health-consciousness has led to a surge in demand for organic and healthy food products. Therefore, the trend of using locally produced, home-grown ingredients and of sustainable production is becoming more prominent – especially in upscale restaurants.
Particularly notable is the growing number of female chefs and entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry, who play significant roles in developing and shaping the culinary scene across the entire country.
2 restaurants newly receive two MICHELIN Stars
In the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Thailand edition, Sorn, Mezzaluna, R-Haan, Sühring, and Chef’s Table are two Michelin-star retaining restaurants. Two MICHELIN Stars listing adds 2 new entries promoted from the one MICHELIN Star rating:
Baan Tepa, where the farm-to-table philosophy is brought to the skillfully crafted, detailed cooking on its contemporary Thai tasting menu, made with seasonal ingredients sourced from sustainably minded producers and its backyard;
Gaa, a contemporary Indian restaurant that combines old-school cooking with modern techniques and presentation – serving assured and skillful dishes where finely judged spicing, extraordinary flavor combinations and contrasts in texture and temperature stand out.
It is noteworthy that both restaurants are run by female chefs: Chef Chudaree ‘Tam’ Debhakam of Baan Tepa, and Chef Garima Arora of Gaa. While Baan Tepa now boasts two MICHELIN Stars in the 2024 Guide after winning one MICHELIN Star upon entering the 2023 Guide; Gaa is only the second Indian restaurant in the world to currently hold two MICHELIN Stars.
Nawa
6 restaurants newly receive one MICHELIN Star
There are 28 restaurants that have received one MICHELIN star. Of these, 22 restaurants have continued to retain, including: Jay Fai, Signature, Nahm, IGNIV Bangkok, Chim by Siam Wisdom, Haoma, Saneh Jaan, Sushi Masato, Aksorn, Canvas, 80/20, Cadence by Dan Bark, Khao (Ekkamai), Elements, Inspired by Ciel Bleu, Potong, Maison Dunand, Côte by Mauro Colagreco, PRU, Le Normandie by Alain Roux, Suan Thip, Blue by Alain Ducasse, and Le Du.
Of the 6 new one MICHELIN Star entries, 3 are newcomers making it into the Guide for the first time, and the other 3 are promoted from MICHELIN Selected.
The 3 newcomers awarded one MICHELIN Star are:
INDDEE, a modern Indian restaurant that takes diners on a journey around the different regions of India with its set menu using the charcoal grill extensively throughout;
NAWA, a Thai contemporary restaurant that embraces the innovation concept, using modern techniques to produce central Thai cuisine with authentic yet bold flavors, and a seasonal tasting menu of finger food, small bites and modified versions of main courses;
Samrub Samrub Thai, a Thai restaurant offering a truly original tasting menu (changed bi-monthly) featuring ancient Thai recipes reproduced to trace the ages and crafts a complex amalgamation of aromas.
The 3 one MICHELIN Star laureates promoted from the MICHELIN Selected are:
Mia, a restaurant offering modern European cuisine with Asian influences through the seasonal ‘Taste of Mia’ menu that shows off dishes with complex, well-balanced flavors in a 5- or 8-course feast – with vegan and vegetarian options, as well as with cocktail, mocktail and wine pairings available;
Resonance, a restaurant offering a seasonal tasting menu that features dishes inspired by the chef’s past experience working around the world, with a tea pairing option upon advance request;
Wana Yook, a restaurant offering an innovative seasonal tasting menu inspired by “Khao Gaeng” or “rice topped with curry”, whereby every course features flavorsome Thai contemporary dishes with rice from different regions of Thailand.
A restaurant awarded with a MICHELIN Green Star for its inspiring sustainable approach
Joining PRU, Haoma and Jampa, who all hold MICHELIN Green Stars highlighting their commitment to sustainability, is a creative French restaurant, J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain. The chef and the team have made great advancements in developing their sustainable approach by building close relationships with Thai producers, examining in detail their kitchen practices – including monitoring their waste, abiding by strict recycling systems and many other smaller initiatives – all contributing towards their goal of striving towards a more sustainable future.
With this newly-awarded restaurant, the MICHELIN Guide Thailand selection has a total of 4 MICHELIN Green Starred establishments.
J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain, a brand new MICHELIN Green Star restaurant
Four MICHELIN Guide Special Awards
With its Special Awards, the MICHELIN Guide shines a light on talented professionals in Michelin-recommended restaurants who raise the gastronomic experience to a higher level. In doing so, they demonstrate how varied and exciting the hospitality industry is to work in.
The MICHELIN Young Chef Award
The 2024 MICHELIN Young Chef Award recognizes a young chef whose exceptional talent and great potential have impressed the inspectors.
This year, the Young Chef Award, presented by Blancpain, is given to Ms. Chudaree ‘Tam’ Debhakam from Baan Tepa. A Thai chef with a bright future, Ms. Debhakam’s rise has been meteoric. After a stage at Gaggan, a role at the Water Library Group, and being a Chef de Partie at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York State, she returned to Thailand and subsequently made waves in the Thailand culinary scene when her restaurant, Baan Tepa, was awarded a MICHELIN Star upon entry in the 2023 Guide, and now awarded two MICHELIN Stars in only its second year in the Guide!
Baan Tepa
The MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award
The 2024 MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award is given to individuals and team, for the successful opening of a dining venue over the past 12 months, with a creative degustation concept and a cuisine approach which has had an impact on the local gastronomic scene.
This award, presented by UOB, is awarded to Mr. Witchupol “Nay” Charoensupaya who is the owner of NAWA. NAWA opened in early 2023, and has entered the 2024 Guide with a MICHELIN Star. Napol Jantraget, or “Chef Joe”, heads the kitchen along with his partner, Saki Hoshino, with Mr. Charoensupaya out at front – together, they make a formidable team and were the obvious choice for the Opening of the Year Award with their terrific central Thai cooking featuring modern interpretations of traditional dishes.
The MICHELIN Service Award
The 2024 MICHELIN Service Award aims to highlight and encourage skilled and talented professionals who dramatically add to the customer experience.
This year’s MICHELIN Guide Service Award, presented by Tourism Authority of Thailand, is given to Ms. Louise Bourgeois from Chef’s Table. Ms. Bourgeois, the manager at Chef’s Table, has always greeted guests with a warm, fervent welcome. Her charming approach and delightfully relaxed manner really stand out. She also exudes a great presence, leading the team with real style.
The MICHELIN Sommelier Award
The 2024 MICHELIN Sommelier Award recognizes the skills, knowledge, and passion of talented sommeliers of the industry. This year’s Sommelier Award is awarded to Mr. Thanakorn ‘Jay’ Bottorff from INDDEE. Mr. Bottorff presents a beautifully curated wine list of 600 selections – including nearly 60 wines by the glass, with a superb mix of the esoteric and the classic it makes a great read with even a few quizzes to test your knowledge!
With a warm, easy-going, and approachable style, he is a superb communicator and clearly knows his way around the terrific list. The wine pairings are thoughtfully curated, as he is not only flexible and affable, but also considers thoughtfully the diners’ preferences in his recommendations.
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The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024 at a Glance:
7 two MICHELIN Stars (2 promoted from one MICHELIN Star)
28 one MICHELIN Star (3 new, 3 promoted from MICHELIN Selected)
4 MICHELIN Green Star (1 new)
196 Bib Gourmand (28 new, 4 moved from MICHELIN Selected)
216 MICHELIN Selected (37 new)
The selection of hotels in the MICHELIN Guide Thailand complements the restaurant selection and is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selection showcases unique and truly moving destinations both in Thailand and throughout the world.
Every hotel in the selection has been chosen by the MICHELIN Guide experts for its extraordinary style, service, and personality, and they can all be booked directly via the MICHELIN Guide website and app. Some of the most prominent hotels in this selection in Thailand include intimate designer boutique hotels and unique establishments from the “Plus” collection.
The MICHELIN Guide, which is a benchmark in the world of gastronomy, is now setting a new standard for hotels. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website or download the mobile app free of charge on your smartphone to discover all the MICHELIN Guide selections and book unforgettable hotels and restaurants.
Thai police arrested Saranpat Bawornkijnukorn, a 39-year-old transgender woman, for stealing a gold bracelet from an Indian tourist. on Tuesday night.
PATTAYA – She wore the same outfit as the person who took a gold bracelet from an Indian tourist’s wrist, but she claimed she had only woken him up.
Thai police arrested Saranpat Bawornkijnukorn, a 39-year-old transgender woman, for stealing a gold bracelet from an Indian tourist. The arrest took place at a condominium in Soi Khao Noi, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi on December 12.
The theft occurred on December 2, 2023, when Mr. Kolal, a 40-year-old Indian national, reported to Pattaya City Police Station that his gold bracelet, worth 200,000 baht, had been stolen. Police reviewed security footage and identified a man dressed as a woman as the suspect. The theft took place in front of a marijuana shop on Walking Street in Pattaya.
The suspect confessed to being the person in the security footage, but she denied stealing the bracelet.
After receiving the report, police searched the area for clues and reviewed security footage from the scene and the suspect’s escape route. They were able to track down the suspect to the condominium where she was staying.
Police received a tip from another resident of the condominium that she was staying in a particular room. They then had security knock on the door and, when they entered the room, they found her.
Saranpat confessed to being the person in the security footage, but she denied stealing the bracelet. She claimed that she had simply walked up to the tourist to wake him up.
Police do not believe the suspect’s story, as she has a previous conviction for theft in 2017. She was arrested and taken to the police station for further questioning.
Parliament member Rukchanok Srinork of Thailand's opposition Move Forward party arrives at criminal court for the verdict for allegedly violating the lese majeste law in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Sopha Saelee)
BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand convicted and sentenced Wednesday a recently elected lawmaker to six years in prison for defaming the monarchy under a controversial law that guards the royal institution.
Rukchanok Srinork arrived at the court building in the capital, Bangkok, while her fellow lawmakers were convening in Parliament.
“I submitted a request to postpone (the hearing) because today the new parliament convenes for its first session, but the court refused. So I came to hear the verdict,” she told reporters, standing next to her party leader who was there to lend support.
She was charged over two posts she allegedly shared two years ago on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter: A tweet that reportedly defamed the monarchy over links to a coronavirus vaccine and a retweet of an anti-monarchy quote by 18th-century French philosopher Denis Diderot.
Rukchanok was sentenced to three years on each count under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code which protects the monarchy, known as lese majeste. She was also convicted under the Computer Crime Act, whose broad provisions covering online activities have been criticized as a threat to freedom of expression.
She has appealed the sentence and applied for bail. If denied, she will lose her lawmaker status.
Parliament member Rukchanok Srinork, right, of Thailand’s opposition Move Forward party hugs her supporter as she arrives at criminal court, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul)
The parliamentarian had denied she posted the tweets, calling the case against her “weak.” The plaintiff reportedly provided screenshots of the posts, but the police couldn’t find the links.
Rukchanok, 29, won a seat in May’s general election, part of a shock victory for the progressive Move Forward Party that shook Thai politics. The win did not translate into power due to the party being ultimately out-maneuvered by powerful conservative forces. She was initially a defender of the conservative establishment before switching sides and joining the progressive movement.
The monarchy and the laws that protect it have come under pressure in the last few years. In 2020, tens of thousands — predominantly young people — marched in several Thai cities, demanding constitutional reform and the abolition of the commonly named “112 law.” The government’s response was an unprecedented slew of prosecutions.
Critics say the lese majeste law is often used to quash political dissent. The law makes insulting the monarch, his immediate family and the regent punishable by up to 15 years in jail.
The police officers take the suspect in the gold robbery to make a planned re-enactment at the gold shop in Lotus Mall in Fang District, Chiang Mai.
CHIANG MAI – A gold robber in the latest case in Chiang Mai Province doesn’t seem like the gold robbers in other cases. He lives in a luxury house and is the son-in-law of a millionaire who owns a famous orange orchard in the province.
Thatchaset Chetthawatananukon, 42, is a suspect who robbed a Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop in a retail department store, Fang branch, Chiang Mai province, using a gun. On the evening of November 28, he took four trays of gold jewellery, each weighing 6-15 baht and totaling around 88 items weighing 300 baht (gold jewellery weighing 1 baht = 15.16 grammes). The incident lasted only one minute.
The gold shop robbery by the suspect, who wore costly brand-name shoes on November 28, 2023, lasted only one minute.
On December 13, police officers of Fang Police Station transported Thatchaset from Fang Police Station to a planned reenactment at the gold store in Lotus Mall. The police then escorted him to a luxury house near the famous orange orchard in Ban Mae Jai, Wiang Subdistrict, Fang District, where he had escaped following the robbery.
Despite wearing a full-body suit during the incident, the suspect wore costly brand-name shoes. So police traced the suspect until he was identified.
The investigators also found that Thatchaset went to Myanmar following the robbery, wearing the same shoes. He brought 300 baht of gold and sold it for a low price of 6 million baht when the true price should have been 9.9 million baht, returning only 1.5 million in cash. He intended to return in January to collect the money that was left.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Phongwiwattanachai, Chiang Mai Provincial Police Commander, and the investigative team obtained a warrant from the Chiang Mai Provincial Court to arrest Thatchaset on December 12.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Phongwiwattanachai questions the suspect on Dec. 12.
The officers also searched three other locations in the Fang and Mueang Chiang Mai districts. The motorcycle and pistols involved in the crime were discovered with 1.4 million baht in cash.
Mr. Thatchaset confessed to doing such a crime after trading stocks and bitcoin and having lost a lot of money. Even though he is the son-in-law of a rich man who is the owner of a large orange orchard and luxury houses in Fang District, Chiang Mai, he wanted to find funds to further invest in his personal business.
The money worth 1.4 million was found in the suspect’s house.
