Seven radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiate) were found being smuggled at the Don Mueng airport.
BANGKOK – The customs officers at Don Mueang International Airport and animal quarantine officers at Don Mueang International Airport found Kim Yong, a 24-year-old Korean national, attempting to smuggle 7 radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiate) in his luggage for export.
The discovery was made on the third floor of the international departure hall of Don Mueang International Airport on December 26, 2023.
Officers confiscated the wild animals as evidence and arrested Kim. He was then referred to Criminal Division 1 of the Environmental Crime Suppression Division for violating the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act (2019), which prohibits the export of controlled wildlife without a permit, and the Customs Act (2017 (1), Section 242), which prohibits the attempted export of goods from the Kingdom without customs procedures.
Kim Yong, a 24-year-old Korean national, was arrested for attempting to smuggle 7 radiated tortoises.
The tortoises were sent to the Wildlife Health Management Group, Wildlife Conservation Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for health monitoring and further care.
Narongrit Sukprakarn, head of Don Mueang Wildlife Inspection Station, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said the government has emphasized the policy of coordination with all units to crack down on wildlife trafficking along the borders and at all domestic trading points. The Don Mueang Wildlife Inspection Station has therefore intensified inspections of passengers on import and export.
CP Vietnam Corporation (CP Vietnam) has consistently maintained its position in the Top 100 Sustainable Companies (CSI 100) within the manufacturing sector for 2023. This achievement marks the eighth consecutive year that CP Vietnam has earned the most sustainable company in Vietnam.
The results were announced at a ceremony by the Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development Mr. Vu Anh Tuan, Senior Vice President at CPV, representing the company receive award from Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission. He was joined by Mr. Worawit Arunraksa, AVP for CSR and Sustainable Development.
Being a foreign corporation in Vietnam, CP Vietnam has continually been acknowledged for its dedication to sustainable business practices. The company emphasizes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, fostering development that benefits the company, its business partners, and the wider community. This strategy is in line with the Charoen Pokphand Group’s ‘Three Benefits’ philosophy, which focuses on generating values for the country, the people, and the company itself.
The Vietnam Sustainable Enterprise Awards 2023, organized by the Vietnam Confederation of Trade and Industry (VCCI) and overseen by the government, celebrates the achievements of both Vietnamese and foreign companies in Vietnam.
The awards, in collaboration with various government ministries, highlight companies using sustainable development practices across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, thereby contributing to sustainable social and economic growth in line with the CSI Sustainability Index.
A full-scale exhibition featuring the world’s beloved characters ‘tokidoki’ is showing with ‘Follow the Rainbow Journey’ at ICON Art & Culture Space, 8th Floor, ICONSIAM, from today until March 31, 2024.
ICONSIAM, a globally renowned landmark situated along the scenic banks of the Chao Phraya River, has joined forces with Ask Me Company Limited to present the “tokidoki ICONIC Bangkok Experience.”
This event marks the premiere of a comprehensive exhibition in Thailand, showcasing the legendary street art of ‘tokidoki.’ Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the creative world of Simone Legno, a renowned Italian artist who has carefully curated a selection of artwork featuring beloved characters.
Everyone is invited to explore the exhibition in the ‘immersive projection’ technique, where rare collectibles from private collectors will be on display for all to discover. This unique experience, often hard to come by, is open for public viewing starting today until March 31, 2024, at the ICON Art & Culture Space on the 8th floor of ICONSIAM.
“tokidoki ICONIC Bangkok Experience” – Follow the Rainbow Journey is extending an invitation to everyone to follow the captivating path of the rainbow. This immersive experience marks the first-ever opportunity to fully engage with the world of the ‘tokidoki’ beloved characters. Prepare to be captivated at the event as you encounter awe-inspiring large figures crafted exclusively for ICONSIAM by talented artists. Greeting you at the entrance, these creations are poised to welcome everyone to the festivities. Additionally, a Christmas tree adorned with characters from tokidoki, including Moofia, Cactus Friends, Unicorno, Donutella, and Tiger Nation, awaits to usher in the joyous holiday season. This also serves as the perfect backdrop for everyone to capture memorable photographs.
Curated especially for tokidoki fans, there is a treasure trove of collectibles at the event, showcasing exciting collaborations between tokidoki and renowned brands. Highlights include the BE@RBRICK Adios series, the Karl Lagerfeld collaboration, the iconic Strangeco 6 Circus Punks Airlines Adios from the year 2006, the LeSportsac Collection, the unique MyStamp Collection, and don’t miss the chance to explore the captivating “The Art of Simone Legno” book.
Venture into the inner zone, where the Immersive Projection Zone awaits. Step through a mesmerizing glass tunnel that transports everyone into the enchanting world of tokidoki through the Immersive Mirror & Projection technique. This is where you can also capture memorable moments alongside the world’s favorite characters from tokidoki. Prepare to be enthralled by the most surprising stories woven throughout the event area. For young visitors, a specially curated Mini Playground Zone is thoughtfully prepared to ensure a delightful experience.
Beyond the world-class exhibition, the event brings an additional highlight with the ICONIC Café Zone—a specially crafted cafe space for all visitors to delight their taste buds with signature offerings like the Smash Burger Truffle Mac and Cheese, Gourmet Tuna, and a variety of other delectable treats. Conclude the experience with fancy, colorful smoothies, unicorn milkshakes, and an array of enticing desserts.
Adding to the festivities of the countdown to 2024, ICONIC Café welcomes everyone to usher in the joyous New Year together. To make this celebration even more special, Chef Sebastien Segurola, an acclaimed chef with over 23 years of expertise in French cuisine and the owner/Executive Chef of Cava bien marche’ restaurant in Phuket, also the winner of IRON Chef Thailand 2022, will be creating an exclusive menu for the countdown night. Guests can relish this special meal while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Chao Phraya River curve and witnessing a spectacular display of over 50,000 fireworks from the vantage point of the 8th floor of ICONSIAM.
tokidoki has prepared a multitude of engaging activities for the entire family, fostering quality time and creative expression. Join in the artistic fun as everyone can embark on DIY adventures: for example, acting as a painter to create personalized masterpieces on canvases, or delve into the world of body and face painting using colors meticulously chosen for user’s safety.
Moreover, it’s a unique opportunity to own exclusive tokidoki products ranging from collectibles and street fashion to bags, plush dolls, and mystery boxes. These special items are available for purchase at the tokidoki event at specially discounted prices.
ICONSIAM extends a warm invitation for everyone to explore these exclusive offerings at the first full-scale tokidoki exhibition. Admission is free. The event kicks off today and runs until March 31, 2024, at ICON Art & Culture Space on the 8th floor of ICONSIAM. For more details, please visit ICONSIAM’s Facebook page or contact 1338.
BANGKOK – Pol. Maj. Gen. Wacharin Phusit, commander of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Prevention (PRD), spoke at a seminar organized by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Protection (DNP). The seminar was held on World Wildlife Day, December 23, under the theme “International Cooperation in Preventing Illegal Wildlife Trafficking”.
He said the police had enforced many laws to put the fear of God into the illegal wildlife trade gangs. He was the first to arrest the illegal trade in pangolins, which are very pitiful animals. They would stuff flour or water into their bodies to increase their weight.
A seminar organized by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Protection.
There is also the problem of exporting long-tailed macaques, as they are very popular in Europe and America. They are sold in Thailand for 800-1,000 baht per animal, for 8,000-10,000 baht per animal to neighboring countries and for up to 1 million baht per animal to Europe or America if they have not been neutered.
The police have large databases that make it easier for them to expand investigations and arrests. They also cooperate with the public. In the future, they will have to share information with each other so that criminals fear the law. He also warned that photographing monkeys is a violation of the law. Releasing birds in temples is also an offense. Anyone who does this for a living should stop.
Narongrit Sukprakarn, director of the Wildlife Control Division, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department under the conventions, said investigations have revealed that transnational wildlife trafficking gangs are the same networks as drug trafficking.
“If there is no drug trafficking, they will trade in wildlife instead. They will do anything that makes money. Drug trafficking, human trafficking and arms trafficking have the same financial routes. Therefore, prevention and combating must be integrated through intensive cooperation between different authorities,” he said.
Pol. Lt. Col. Sombut Teungwiwat, Secretary General of the Freeland Foundation, said that he was involved in 5 wildlife trafficking cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the Anti-Money Laundering Office. Assets worth 1 billion baht were confiscated. Of this amount, 50 percent was transferred to the Ministry of Finance, while the other 50 percent is the property of the bureau.
So if the DNP makes an agreement with the Anti-Money Laundering Office or changes the law so that these funds can be used to support the DNP’s work in fighting wildlife trafficking or as benefits for officers who are injured or killed on duty, that would be a good thing that would make the DNP’s work more efficient.
A captured image from VDO clips from foreigners' Twitter accounts. A long line of passengers waited to get their passports checked at Suvarnabhumi airport.
BANGKOK – On December 25, Immigration Police spokesman Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimpadee verified video clips posted on foreigners’ Twitter accounts showing a huge queue of passengers waiting to have their passports checked.
Officials inspected VDO clips posted at about 1:44 a.m. on Dec. 25 showing people lining up to be checked into the country, a large line overflowing from the arrivals hall at the immigration gate at Suvarnabhumi airport, he said.
Between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., there are roughly 22 inbound and outbound aircraft, with approximately 5,563 passengers pouring in and out at the same time. It was around 33% higher than usual due to compounded flight delays and a 1,000-person increase in total passenger flow.
The immigration police accelerated to activate officers for passport inspection in full force as soon as the wave of passengers poured in at the same moment, until they were able to inspect passengers in such a group from the point where the image was recorded. Moving all the way to the passport control lane took around 30 minutes, from 1:44 a.m. to 2:14 a.m., until it was totally emptied, he explained, along with displaying a confirmation image of the arrival screening hall.
The immigration police show that they mobilise officers to expedite the removal of passengers that take no more than 40 minutes.
“Typically, the time period from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. is critical.” Immigration will mobilise personnel to expedite the removal of passengers. “It took no more than 40 minutes, plus or minus a little,” the spokesman stated, holding up a timed image.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron stated that he would like to inform inbound passengers not to throw away their boarding passes. Immigration must record it in the system, according to the officials, so that it does not waste time.
He also affirmed that the Thai Immigration Bureau placed significant importance on providing convenience while following to security rules, particularly during the holiday season. The good news is that 70,000 people enter the nation each day, which is more than during the pre-pandemic period. According to government policy, this will serve to increase tourism.
FILE - Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks on ahead of the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint Germain in Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, southern France, on Oct.18, 2019. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — More than a year after it was put up for sale, Manchester United said Sunday that British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe had agreed to buy a minority stake in the storied Premier League club.
Ratcliffe, who owns petrochemicals giant INEOS and is one of Britain’s richest people, has secured a stake of “up to 25%” in the 20-time league champions and will invest $300 million in its Old Trafford stadium.
As part of the deal, United said Ratcliffe would take responsibility for the club’s soccer operations.
Ratcliffe will provide $200 million upon completion of the deal and a further $100 million by the end of 2024, United said. In total the deal will be worth around $1.6 billion, including the $300 million of funding.
The deal is subject to approval by the Premier League.
Manchester United’s team players walk in the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester United at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Dec.17, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Ratcliffe, who was born in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, had originally bid to buy the entire majority share of around 69% held by the Glazers, the club’s American owners.
“As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United Board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club,” Ratcliffe said.
“Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times. We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.”
Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag talks to Manchester United’s Sergio Reguilon, and Christian Eriksen during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the London stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The transaction will be funded by Trawlers Limited — a company wholly owned by Ratcliffe — without any debt, United said. United fans have been critical of the leveraged nature of the Glazers’ buyout that loaded debt onto the club, as well as a perceived lack of investment and the dividends taken out by the owners.
Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer, United executive co-chairmen and directors, said in the statement: “Sir Jim and INEOS bring a wealth of commercial experience as well as significant financial commitment into the club. And, through INEOS Sport, Manchester United will have access to seasoned high-performance professionals, experienced in creating and leading elite teams from both inside and outside the game.
“Manchester United has talented people right across the club and our desire is to always improve at every level to help bring our great fans more success in the future.”
The Glazers announced last November plans to seek new investment and instructed US merchant bank Raine to oversee the process, which included the potential of a full sale.
Ratcliffe had been in competition with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to buy out the Glazers, who also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But after months of protracted negotiations Sheikh Jassim withdrew his bid in October to leave Ratcliffe in position to take a minority share in the club.
Sheikh Jassim always maintained he was interested in a complete takeover.
United said Ratcliffe had paid $33 per share.
DECADE OF DECLINE
Ratcliffe is buying into a club that has endured a decade of decline on the field since the retirement of former manager Alex Ferguson in 2013. It has not won the title since.
Ongoing uncertainty over the ownership led to fan protests outside the club’s Old Trafford stadium, while chants of “Glazers out” have been regularly heard during games.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes reacts after missing a chance to score during the group A Champions League soccer match between Manchester United and Bayern Munich at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
While Ratcliffe was long seen by fans as a popular potential owner, his minority investment means the Glazers remain in place, despite years of fan campaigns to drive them out.
The late tycoon Malcolm Glazer bought United in 2005 for 790 million pounds (then about $1.4 billion) amid a backlash from supporters.
“The joint ambition is to create a world-class football operation building on the club’s many existing strengths, including the successful off-pitch performance that it continues to enjoy,” United said Sunday.
Initially, Ratcliffe’s INEOS had said it was aiming for “a modern, progressive, fan-centered approach to ownership.”
It also said it was focused on United winning the Champions League for the first time since 2008 and making it the “number one club in the world once again.”
Ratcliffe is said to be worth $15.1 billion and tried to buy Premier League club Chelsea last year.
He already owns French club Nice, cycling franchise Team INEOS, is one-third shareholder of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team and competes in the America’s Cup with sailing team INEOS Britannia.
The rent room where the Vietnamese man stabbed his friend on December 24, 2023.
KHON KAEN – Two Vietnamese men in Thailand are in dispute about a Laotian girlfriend. One was stabbed to death by another.
A friend of the same nationality as Hoang Van Thang, a 37-year-old Vietnamese man, stabbed him in a dormitory in the Triangle Community, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province. He was brought to Khon Kaen University’s Srinakarin Hospital in critical condition and died later that morning, on December 24.
Mr. M. Dang, 34, Vietnamese, was detained along with his Lao girlfriend on Mittraphap Road, Khao Suan Kwang District, Khon Kaen Province, while riding a motorbike to Nong Khai Province and the 1st Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in order to cross into Laos.
Dang admitted to stabbing his friend to death with a sharp knife because his friend tried to flirt with his girlfriend.
Mr. M. Dang, 34, Vietnamese, was detained on December 24, 2023.
Dang, Thang, and a Laotian woman work in Khon Kaen, according to the investigation. Dang and his girlfriend shared a room, while Thang resided somewhere else.
Huang had harassed Dang’s girlfriend several times, according to Dang. So he arranged a drink with Thang in the rental room with the goal of clarifying this subject. But the conversation turned into a quarrel, so he stabbed Thang and fled on a motorbike with his girlfriend until the cops apprehended him.
Dang was charged with intentional homicide by the police and referred to investigators for further legal action.
PHANG GNA – The Thai Navy warned sea operators on Sunday of strong waves and winds in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, following many incidents involving tourist boats.
On the side of the Andaman Sea, there were at least three accidents. Two of them were successfully rescued, while the authorities continued the search for the missing British and Thai individuals.
The Royal Thai Navy searches for two missing tourists, a British woman and a Thai woman, after a boat accident near the Surin Islands and launches a rescue operation. The incident occurred when a diving tour boat named “Sawan Tour, Reggae Queen” sank due to strong waves about 4 nautical miles south of Surin Islands National Park, Phangnga Province.
The nearby Pornsuprasane diving boat was able to rescue 12 passengers from the Sawan Tour diving boat.
On December 24, RAdm. Wirudom Muangjeen, the navy spokesman, said the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center, Section 3, was working with maritime authorities to speed up the search for the missing tourists. The incident occurred at 09:00 on December 23, 2023.
During the incident, the Sawan Tour diving boat had 14 passengers on board. The nearby Pornsuprasane diving boat was able to rescue 12 people, two people are still missing: Miss Millicent Jane, a 56-year-old British citizen, and Mrs. Samniang Thaichana, a 60-year-old Thai citizen. Royal Thai Navy Region 3 has deployed naval vessels and aircraft for the search and rescue operation.
Royal Thai Navy Region 3 has deployed naval vessels and aircraft for the search and rescue operation.
On the same day at 11:30 a.m., national park officials in Ao Phang Nga reported another boat accident involving the longtail boat “Mook Ka Mee Na”. The boat with four Russian tourists and a Thai guide on board capsized near the Thalu cliff due to strong winds. All five people were safely rescued by park officials.
The third incident occurred in the evening of the same day and involved the “diving tour boat “Nortika”. Three tourists got into trouble when water entered the boat while they were navigating in the waters west of Koh Kaeo, Phuket. Marine Division 3 sent the vessel to assist and reached the distressed tourists at 18:00. The tourists were then safely returned to the deep water port in Phuket.
The navy spokesman emphasized the military’s commitment to helping civilians in times of crisis and emergency. They gave the emergency contact numbers for the Navy’s Operation Center at 1696 and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center at 1465, which are available 24 hours a day.
At the same time, the Gulf of Thailand also had passenger boat accidents. On Friday, all 102 people on the sinking ship, including foreign tourists, were fortunately saved to Koh Tao, Surat Thani Province.
On Saturday, 29 people were rescued from the Pattaya Sea after the boat capsized at 6:00 p.m.
The “Bundaya 19” speedboat with 73 foreign tourist and 4 crew members sank near Bu Bu Island on December 24, 2023.
On Sunday, the “Bundaya 19” speedboat with 73 foreign touristand 4 crew members sank near Bu Bu Island (Sawang Island) near Koh Lek, Satun Province, due to severe wind conditions, the boat hit the waves on its way from Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta. The boat’s hull had a hole in the bottom, causing water to flood in swiftly.
The boat driver attempted to keep the boat steady close to Koh Lek so that the tourists could float on their own while waiting for the boat to rescue them. Officials helped them disembark safely at Koh Lipe.
Satun Province Governor Sakra Kapilakhan ordered Satun Marine officials to investigate whether the speedboat driver disobeyed the weather warning. If found, legal action will begin immediately.
“Your Boy TJ” leads a group of artists to shake up Pattaya Beach on the second night. At the event“MONO29 PATTAYA COUNTDOWN 2024,” during December 29-31.
Getting closer and closer With the end-of-year fun that’s about to happen. For the world-class concert organized by Pattaya City-Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization,Tourism Authority of Thailand. Pattaya Office and MONO29 ( Mono Twenty Nine)television stationjointly organized an event to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year.“MONO29 PATTAYA COUNTDOWN 2024 THE FANTASTIC BEACH ”(Mono29 Pattaya Countdown2024The Fantastic Beach)
Your Boy TJ
In order to promote and publicize tourism in Pattaya, the event is filled with various activities throughout3 days and 3 nights, complete with production of lights, colors, and sound. Between 29-31 December this year from 5:00 p.m. onwards at Pattaya beach. Chonburi Province, including the event “KOH LAN PATTAYA COUNTDOWN 2024″ ( Koh Lan Pattaya Countdown 2024) on December 31 at Koh Lan from 7:00 p.m. onwards as well.
Your Boy TJisthe representative of the artists invited to the event. Run interprets it within the event for you to hear:
“Hello to MONO29 fansand all friends and brothers and sisters. I would like to invite everyone to come have fun and enjoy the countdown concert. On Pattaya beach For me, I have prepared songs and fun to give to the people of Pattaya and all Thai people, please wait and see. The fun will take place throughout 3 nights from 29-31 December. Come see me on 30 December as well. If anyone doesn’t have plans to go anywhere, come and meet me. I guarantee it will be the most excruciating.”
There are also many famous artists preparing to join in spreading happiness at this eventat the event “MONO29 PATTAYA COUNTDOWN 2024 THE FANTASTIC BEACH ” (Mono29 Pattaya Countdown 2024The Fantastic Beach)at Pattaya Beach. Forthis December 30th,meetArtistINDIGO (Indigo), TILLY BIRDS (Tilly Birds), KLEAR (Clear), BODYSLAM (Bodyslam), URBOYTJ (Your Boy TJ)andJOEYBOY (Joey Boy)You can visit and participate in various activities for free throughout the event.
Images of Nong Nice meditating as published on his social media. Note: Images are blurred to comply with media regulations on underage individuals.
Thailand’shottest “spiritual” phenomena over the past months, or basically of the year 2023, is not led by a Buddhist monk, but an eight-year-old boy known as “Nong Nice” (Little Brother Nice).
Adults, men and women, flock to offer him money, have him blessed. They also seek to have their inner psychic channel activated and supposedly made directly accessible via live streaming into their heads. Buddhist teachings via Nong Nice, wherein their new spiritual leader, does not have to utter a single word.
Believers and Little Brother Nice say that is how the historical Buddha preached to thousands of disciples at a time without the aid of a hi-fidelity loudspeaker.
To see is to believe. But to this writer, to watch these video clips is to feel sorry for not just these adults, the boy himself, but the Thai educational system. Why bother learning anything about basic science at school when you have Nong Nice to believe in?
Because some of us find life banal, they have to seek something to believe in that is beyond reasoning, that is supernatural – the basic teaching of Buddhism as a philosophy would not do. I would not totally blame them as many Thai Buddhists still believe the historical Buddha, Guatama, once emerging from the womb of his mother, was able to walk seven steps and declared: “I am the chief of the world. Eldest in the world. This is the last birth.”
Good luck if you believe in such an embellished tale that is two thousand and a half millennia old. Well, if you believe in that tale, why not believe in Little Brother Nice who is eight years old? So while I find Nong Nice (and the tale about the Buddha’s birth) not convincing, on the other hand, we want Thailand to be a free society where people have the right to believe and be superstitious for that matter.
So it is a little disturbing this week to see the authorities telling Nong Nice and his parents that his teaching deviates from Buddhism. One of the tales about Nong Nice, a claim made by Nong Nice himself, is that he is an avatar of a great naga (itself a mythical serpent who became a key disciple of the Lord Buddha) and is back here on earth to preach and spread Buddhism not to just Thais but Russians, including war-mongering Russian President Vladimir Putin!
BTW, officials from the National Office of Buddhism also reminded Nong Nice and his parents earlier this week it is not the naga’s job to teach and spread Buddhism. For the meantime, the authorities are keeping an eye on donations made to Nong Nice but are not accusing him and her parents of running a scam yet.
Equally disturbing as seeing worshippers placing belief before logic is the Thai government trying to tell us what to believe and what not to. Also, child rights activists might want to check if Nong Nice qualified as a child labourer, exploited by no less than her parents who furbished all these tales about the boy being different from other kids even when he was in the womb.
For Christ’s or Buddha’s sake, he is just an eight year old boy and deserves a normal childhood and proper horrible Thai education, not delusion.
As much as you cannot stop some Thais to believe some monks, even animals and trees are capable of giving you the latest lucky lottery numbers, Nong Nice phenomena would not be the last superstitious phenomena. One might ask why?
Is it because some of us humans are so weak, life so unpredictable, cruel, and meaningless that we want to believe in something higher, something supernatural and better than us, a miracle beyond our ability to reason?
I have no easy answer, but all I can say is educators should be more concerned about teaching Thai students basic logic and science and less worried that most are not performing well when it comes to English-language proficiency when compared to students from other nations.
But again, this is a society where criticising the monarchy could lead to a heavy prison term of 15 years. Apparently logic has its limits in Thailand.
