Taylor Swift Is Named Time Magazine’s Person Of The Year

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6 December 2023, 20:24

NEW YORK (AP) — Is the year of Taylor Swift over now? Not yet.

Time Magazine named Swift its person of the year on Wednesday, a week after Spotify announced she was the most-played artist on the streaming platform.

Swift was picked from a group of nine finalists that included Barbie, King Charles III, and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, among others.

“While her popularity has grown across the decades, this is the year that Swift, 33, achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force,” Time said about her selection.

Her year included the wildly popular Eras Tour and concert movie, the release of her reimagined ‘1989’ album, and her closely watched relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She’s even the subject of college courses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was Time’s 2022 person of the year.

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It’s Official: Taylor Swift Has More No. 1 Albums Than Any Woman in History

Songkran’s Soft Power Is Now a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

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Khaosod English

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6 December 2023, 18:48

BANGKOK – The government agencies congratulated “Songkran in Thailand” for being inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on December 6, 2023.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin led the congratulations and applauded all sectors, including the Secretariat, for their hard work and dedication, particularly the evaluation department and the committee that were chosen for “Songkran in Thailand,” which is on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“The government is eager to share Songkran knowledge and practises with the international community.” I am hopeful that dialogue and mutual understanding can lead to peace and stability for all sides. “The government invites visitors from all over the world to come and experience Thailand’s Songkran tradition,” he said.

The Cultural Promotion Department has organised a celebratory event for December 7 at Lan Khon Mueang Town Square in Bangkok. The ceremony will be presided over by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and Anntonia Porsild, the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2023 competition, will join the presentation of Songkran goddess Mahothorn Dhevi, who will represent Songkran goddess in 2024.

anntonia show — Anntonia Porsild, the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, will join the celebrations on December 7.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival” has been inscribed by the Eighteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICS-ICH) held in Kasane, Republic of Botswana.

It is on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (RL) under the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage or the 2003 UNESCO Convention.

“The inscription marks another proud moment for Thailand and will significantly contribute to the international recognition of the values and importance of “Songkran” as the intangible cultural heritage on this very important tradition, as well as the manifestation of local wisdom and cultural diversity in various regions of Thailand,” it stated.

This encouraging news comes at the same time as the National Soft Power Strategic Committee recently decided that the Songkran Festival, which will take place next year, will be the primary festive activity among the 10,000 planned for 2024.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vice Chairman of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, announced that the next Songkran will be a world-class event called “World Water Festival: The Songkran Phenomenon,” which will take place throughout Thailand’s 77 provinces throughout the month of April.

To date, Thailand has four elements inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, namely, Khon Masked Dance Drama (2018), Nuad Thai (2019), Nora, Dance Drama (2021) and Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival (2023).

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Marriott Celebrates as Eight Restaurants in Thailand Achieve Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” Awards

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Contributor

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6 December 2023, 17:16

Bangkok, Thailand – Marriott International is delighted to announce that eight of its diverse dining destinations in Thailand have been honored in the 2023 Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Awards.

These impressive accolades for hotels and resorts in Bangkok, Khao Lak and Phuket put these exceptional F&B venues in the top 1% of restaurants worldwide!

In the Fine Dining category, five out of the 10 best restaurants in Thailand were from Marriott’s hotels in Bangkok. Akira Back, the innovative Asian restaurant perched on the 37th floor of Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, secured #1 place, while The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok achieved positions #4 and #5 respectively for The Silk Road, its contemporary Cantonese restaurant, and Rain Tree Café, the elegant all-day dining destination.

From L-R: The Silk Road at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok ranked No.4;

Paii at The House on Sathorn, W Bangkok, ranked No.9

Also recognized in the top 10 Fine Dining restaurants in Thailand were Paii, the sensational Modern Thai seafood venue at The House on Sathorn, W Bangkok, which achieved #9 place, and The District Grill Room & Bar, the sophisticated steakhouse at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, which was #10.

A trio of Marriott’s dining venues were also honored in the Everyday Eats category, with three of the 10 best restaurants in Thailand belonging to the group’s hotels and resorts. In #3 place was Sirimahannop, the reimagined tall ship on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, which is operated by Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, while #6 position was achieved by Olive, the beachfront Italian restaurant at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites, and #8 place was awarded to Chao Leh Kitchen, the bright and inviting all-day dining venue at Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort.

Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Awards are only given to the very best restaurants, based on the volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions over a 12-month period. Fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor’s eight million listings are awarded “Best of the Best”, so these dining venues represent the highest level of culinary excellence.

Congratulations to all eight of Marriott’s “Best of the Best” award winners and many thanks to all our guests for their outstanding feedback.

For more information about Marriott’s hotels and resorts in Thailand, please visit www.marriott.com/en/destinations/thailand.mi

“LOVEiS Music Foundation” Sets Out for Music Enthusiasts

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Contributor

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6 December 2023, 16:35

Designed to drive the development of the Thai music industry, the LOVEiS Music Foundation was founded by Thep-ard Kawin-anan, Chairman of the Board of LOVEiS Entertainment and a well-known musician who goes by the name “JEEP TK”. Its aim is to offer equal opportunities for all music enthusiasts to learn, develop their music skills, and pursue their dreams in the entertainment industry.

The recent official launch event was witnessed by the foundation’s committee members, including Naparuedee Chandratip, Vice Chairman of the Board, and Pireeya Teerawattanasawat, Member, Treasurer and Secretary of the Board, as well as several well-known artists namely, NONT TANONT, TINN, PROO Thunwa, and HYBS.

“I have spent years in the music industry working in the management of a company and as an artist and music lover. I have observed how the study of music has grown in popularity over the years and how the number of music students has continuously increased, driven partially by research and studies into the benefits of music. Parents also have positive opinions about music and believe music plays an important role in promoting children’s IQ and EQ.

However, one big challenge is that studying music is costly, so access to this field of study is quite limited. It is important to break this barrier and make music studies accessible to all. We believe this is the first and a very important step to support sustainable development in Thailand. That’s why LOVEiS Music Foundation was established.

LOVEiS Music Foundation has three main objectives. First, to promote music studies and enable children and the general public to have equal access to music studies and skills development. Secondly, to be a centre that promotes knowledge and allows for exchanges on music, and support the continuous development of the Thai music industry. And, thirdly, to collaborate with charitable organizations in the promotion of music studies.

Our mission is to eliminate financial limitations for young music enthusiasts. This will be achieved through three main activities – scholarships, music classes, and the donation of musical instruments to schools nationwide. We believe these will provide a strong foundation to create a healthy music industry with a great pool of quality human resources.

Young children we support will become the inspiration for new generations to love and embrace music, In the future, the music industry will become a new inspiration and influence, the soft power that drives new developments, positive change and enhances Thailand’s reputation,” Thep-ard said.

In the beginning, LOVEiS Music Foundation is partnering with two educational institutes – the College of Music of Mahidol University, and the Faculty of Music of Silpakorn University. The foundation will provide 22 scholarships per year to these educational institutes and increase the opportunities for young students to pursue their dreams at these music schools.

The foundation is also partnering with THEERA MUSIC in buying musical instruments to donate to schools with high potential but which face financial difficulties. The first school to receive donated musical instruments is Wat Lang (Boworn Vittayayon 3) School which took delivery of the instruments on November 16, 2023.

In terms of musical teaching, LOVEiS Foundation plans to introduce after-school activities in guitar, bass, electric keyboard, drums and singing. Children will then have a chance to learn with experienced teachers and professional artists free of charge.

NONT TANONT, a well-known artist signed with LOVEiS Entertainment Co, said that learning in a music school is very helpful to our music skill improvement. Self-learning and practising alone at home is good, but learning from experts and professional artists will unlock our musical capability. We will learn all the notes, and know how to use them correctly. And, with some advice from experts, we can understand music more. We can later enhance our skills and do better.

“LOVEiS Music Foundation will give young kids a short cut to learning because it provides musical instruments and scholarships and organizes classes. When I was young, there was no such opportunity. We had to use our own money. Therefore, I think this is a great opportunity for young people to learn, develop, build their future, pursue their dreams and be happy every single day of their lives.”

LOVEiS Music Foundation will be a light that inspires greater things. It is ready to open up a new window of opportunity that inspires young people to spend their time wisely, to live their lives to the fullest and to make a sound contribution to the country’s music industry.

More information about LOVEiS Music Foundation:

LINE OA: @Loveisfoundation

Thai Police to Meet with German and U.S. Ambassadors on Fugitive Paedophilia Case

By

Khaosod English

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6 December 2023, 15:27

BANGKOK – Thai police were once again suspected of accepting bribes in the case of a German national accused of buying underage girls in Pattaya, Thailand, as reported by the DW documentary, a well-known German media outlet. Thai police were now required to meet with German and U.S. ambassadors in order to request assistance and understanding.

On December 6, Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakpal, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Centre for Child Protection, Women, Family, and Anti-Trafficking, provided updates on the case of the German man, who claimed that he paid one million baht to Thai officials fleeing the country. It has to accept that the police officers failed to submit an objection to the bail of the man.

big joke interpol — Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakphan, the deputy police chief attended the 91st INTERPOL General Assembly in Vienna, Austria.

As far as disciplinary measures are concerned, he said, the first phase involves the punishment of wardens at the detention centre level for not complying with the national police authority’s regulations for handling cases involving foreign nationals.

Despite the seriousness of the crime, the investigators did not oppose bail for the suspect. Although the court issued a notice after granting bail that the suspect may only leave the country with permission, disciplinary action will be taken against the officers who did not comply with the regulations.

The Region 2 police chief ordered disciplinary action and instructed an internal committee to punish the superintendent of the Pattaya City Police Station, the head of the investigation unit and the investigators at the time for not complying with the National Police Bureau’s regulations.

Regarding the criminal case, the German ambassador to Thailand has been invited on December 8 to discuss the approach Germany intends to take to question the suspect about the alleged payments. If possible, a Thai police team could be sent to Germany for questioning.

In addition, the current police chief of Pattaya Police Station has been instructed to expedite the issuance of an arrest warrant to bring the German suspect to court immediately. As for the American suspect who has already fled the country naturally, the owner of the Cobra Beer Bar, a British national, has been arrested in Thailand while he awaits trial.

Pol. Gen. Surachet stated that this case could have an impact on the assessment of human trafficking in Thailand as it involves an American suspect. He will personally schedule a meeting with the US ambassador to explain the situation.

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Ingredion Celebrates 40 years of Innovation In Thailand

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Contributor

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6 December 2023, 14:30

Ingredion, a world-leading food and beverage ingredient solution provider, celebrates 40 successful years of doing business in Thailand by reaffirming its commitment to environment, social and governance (ESG) objectives for local communities.

The company has launched the “All Life” program, aiming to achieve zero-waste at its manufacturing plants by 2030, installed solar panels for renewable energy source this year, and continued support for student development at Wat Thoong Kwai Kin in Rayong province.

Ingredion has been a global food ingredient and texture solutions company, providing sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterials to food and beverage, paper, textile and construction industries in more than 120 countries for over 120 years.

It has accumulated expertise in developing related products, such as texturiser, sweetener and food system solutions, to serve specific needs of its customers. Its products and food solutions have empowered food producers to develop and bring innovative products to the market and drive business growth faster.

Raymond Deidrick, Vice President and General Manager ASEAN, said, “Since our establishment in Thailand in 1983, Ingredion (Thailand) has continued our commitment to business excellence and working closely with its partners to develop and deliver the right innovations and products that best serve consumers. It is our ability to deliver high quality products and innovations that has enabled Ingredion to successfully achieve sustainable growth throughout these years and beyond.”

ESG is one of the key pillars at Ingredion, in addition to developing the innovative products to directly address consumers’ health concern, preferred textures and needs for nutrition, health and wellness.

One of the key driving forces to Ingredion Thailand’s dedication to sustainability is the organization’s goal in our 2023 All Life plan through Everyday Life, Planet Life and Connected Life. In Thailand, Ingredion will focus on driving environmental sustainability through zero waste and renewable energy. The zero-waste initiative includes eliminating waste at plant, reducing landfill and eliminating absolute GHG emissions. Meanwhile, the company is committed to creating renewable energy source by installing solar cells, starting at the Bank Khao Din in Rayong in November 2023.

Ingredion (Thailand) is the first company certified for sustainable tapioca farming with Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI). Today, 100% of our waxy tapioca is sourced sustainably, and we are committing to source all tapioca sustainably by 2025.

Ingredion is driven by high standard and commitment as well as Code of Ethics. Thailand is a major agricultural hub and agricultural products, such as tapioca, rice and sugar, are strategic exports of the country. We are very proud to be a part in driving agricultural sector growth in Thailand and to grow with the society, our business partners, clients, and, most importantly, consumers,” said Deidrick.

Prioritising living harmoniously in Thailand, Ingredion actively participated in social and community development throughout these years. Social responsibility activities, educational supports, helps given in times of crisis, and many more are among activities the company has taken to promote better quality of life of the people and communities.

Manoch Kulnapaeng, Principle of Wat Thoong Kwai Kin School, said, “We strongly appreciate Ingredion’s continuous support for our school development and activities. In the past two years, the company has supported our Children’s Day activity. And, as our playground was too old and not safe for our students, Ingredion recently helped us build a new one. So, now our students can enjoy running, exercising and playing in this playground.

Ingredion’s root began back in 1900 in the US and later expanded its business worldwide. It entered into Thailand via acquisition of Thai Tapioca in Rayong province in 1983. It currently operates tapioca flour and food ingredient manufacturing plants in Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Pathom and Rayong, has over 800 employees and a nationwide network of tapioca farmers.

In 2017, Ingredion became the first manufacturer of clean-label functional starches and flours in Thailand. This move directly addresses the growing consumer calls for simpler ingredient lists and cleaner labels by producing NOVATION® functional native starches for clean label food and beverage formulation.

Ingredion Thailand has been working closely with the Thai Tapioca Development Institute to support the advancement of specialty tapioca research and development. Such initiative includes the promotion of waxy tapioca, which Ingredion Thailand uses to develop locally sourced consumer-preferred ingredients.

Ingredion has placed high importance to doing business with commitment to sustainable development of people and the environment in parallel with enhancing technology capability to drive quality of life improvement.

“We are grateful for our amazing 40-year journey in Thailand and look forward to many more years of serving our customers and thriving together with the community in Thailand,” said Deidrick

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2 Boats Adrift In The Andaman Sea With 400 Rohingya Aboard Desperately Need Rescue, Un Says

By

Associated Press

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6 December 2023, 09:17

Bangladesh Rohingya Refugees — FILE - Ethnic Rohingya disembark from their boat upon landing on a beach in Ulee Madon, North Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rahmat Mirza, File)

BANGKOK (AP) — An estimated 400 Rohingya Muslims believed to be aboard two boats adrift in the Andaman Sea without adequate supplies could die if more is not done to rescue them, according to the U.N. refugee agency and aid workers.

The number of Rohingya Muslims fleeing by boats in a seasonal exodus — usually from squalid, overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh — has been rising since last year due to cuts to food rations and a spike in gang violence.

“There are about 400 children, women and men looking death in the eye if there are no moves to save these desperate souls,” Babar Baloch, the agency’s Bangkok-based regional spokesperson, told The Associated Press.

The whereabouts of the other boat were unclear.

AP23338520779937 1 — FILE – Ethnic Rohingya men sit on a beach after they landed in Sabang, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Reza Saifullah, File)

The boats apparently embarked from Bangladesh and are reported to have been at sea for about two weeks, he said.

The captain of one of the boats, contacted by the AP, said he had 180 to 190 people on board. They were out of food and water and the engine was damaged. The captain, who gave his name as Maan Nokim, said he feared all on board will die if they do not receive help.

On Sunday, Nokim said the boat was 320 kilometers (200 miles) from Thailand’s west coast. A Thai navy spokesperson, contacted Monday, said he had no information about the boats.

The location is about the same distance from Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh, where another boat with 139 people landed Saturday on Sabang Island, off the tip of Sumatra, Baloch said. Those on the ship included 58 children, 45 women and 36 men — the typical balance of those making the sea journey, he said. Hundreds more arrived in Aceh last month.

About 740,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar to the camps in Bangladesh since August 2017, after a brutal counterinsurgency campaign tore through their communities. Myanmar security forces have been accused of mass rapes, killings and the burning of thousands of Rohingya homes, and international courts are considering whether their actions constituted genocide.

Most of the refugees leaving the camps by sea attempt to reach Muslim-dominated Malaysia, hoping to find work there. Thailand turns them away or detains them. Indonesia, another Muslim-dominated country where many end up, also puts them in detention.

AP23338490837376 — FILE – Newly-arrived ethnic Rohingya women, part of a group who was denied landing a few times by local residents, rest at a temporary shelter in Bireun, Aceh province, Indonesia on Nov. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Rafka Zaidan, File)

Baloch said if the two boats adrift are not given assistance, the world “may witness another tragedy such as in December 2022, when a boat with 180 aboard went missing in one of the darkest such incidents in the region.”

The aid group Save the Children said in a Nov. 22 report that 465 Rohingya children had arrived in Indonesia by boat over the previous week and the the number of refugees taking to the seas had increased by more than 80%.

It said more than 3,570 Rohingya Muslims had left Bangladesh and Myanmar this year, up from nearly 2,000 in the same period of 2022. Of those who left this year, 225 are known to have died or were missing, with many others not accounted for.

“The desperate situation of Rohingya families is forcing them to take unacceptable risks in search of a better life. These perilous journeys show that many Rohingya refugees have lost all hope,” Sultana Begum, the group’s manager for humanitarian policy and advocacy, said in a statement.

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Grant Peck reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Kristen Gelineau in Sydney, Australia, contributed to this report.

A Thai Policeman Explains Why A Chinese Tourist Wears His Uniform

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Khaosod English

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6 December 2023, 03:46

BANGKOK – The Educational Command has investigated the issue of the social media site Tiktok, which displayed a video clip of a Chinese tourist dressed in Thai police uniform and talking about Thailand’s soft power.

According to an inquiry, a Thai man who appears in the video is a police officer at the Central Police Tactical Training Centre. As a result, he was summoned for questioning.

He admitted that the video was a photograph of him and a Chinese tourist who had taken his uniform shirt from the car and put it on.

As a result, the Educational Command has formed a committee to determine whether this activity constitutes a criminal offence or a disciplinary issue. They also advised police officers to be cautious and severe in adhering to police laws and regulations in order to avoid a repeat of this kind of situation.

Later, the officer in the video, Pol. Capt. Chamrun Chaisri, deputy inspector of training control at the Central Police Tactical Training Centre Educational Headquarters, told the media that everything was a misunderstanding.

On December 3, he stated he met two Chinese tourists while shooting behind the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, where the general public can walk into and practice shooting. The shooting range closed at 5:00 p.m., leaving these two men with no automobiles to return to. He realised that walking out onto Vibhavadi Rangsit Road would take roughly one kilometre, so he took his personal car out to call a taxi along the major road.

“There was a uniform shirt hanging in the car.” A Chinese tourist picked it up and put it on, claiming to have taken the photograph as a a souvenir. He praised my outfit and service mind. There is only this one narrative. I let him do it after he put it on. And I’m not sure how he uploaded it and misrepresented it to cause confusion,” said Pol. Capt. Chamrun.

He confirmed that he did not receive any money or deliver any VVIP services to Chinese tourists. With tourists, he simply has a service mind.

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The Father Is Shocked That His Daughter Died In The Bus Tragedy That Killed 14

By

Khaosod English

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6 December 2023, 00:38

PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN – Fourteen passengers were killed and 35 injured when a double-decker bus from Bangkok to Songkhla province’s Na Thawi district rammed into a tree in front of Hat Wanakorn National Park at 1 a.m. Tuesday in Prachuab Kiri Khan province.

The Sawang Rungrueang Rescue Foundation brought 35 individuals to local hospitals. The bus was transferred and parked at Huai Yang Police Station for inspection by relevant agencies. to the accident cause.

On December 5, the forensic police could identify of 10 people, but the other 4 have not. Further investigation is needed. The police revealed that most victims were Thai and a few were Burmese.

The relatives of ten of the deceased have contacted the officers to transport the bodies to their hometowns; the remaining four bodies are being held temporarily at the Sawang Rungruang Thammasathan Thap Sakae Foundation.

prachuab crash5 — Rescue workers and volunteers work at the site of a bus accident Tuesday, Dec 5, 2023, at the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

prachuan crash4 — Police suspected that the driver who survived the accident might have fallen asleep.

According to Air Chief Marshal Chatchai Sawiyanon, head of the Huai Yang Subdistrict Administrative Organization’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Unit, the majority of the dead are on the car’s left side. Seven people died on the top floor, three on the lower level, and four more were thrown from the car.

Furthermore, two people were discovered to have good fortune: a 4-year-old toddler and a 17-year-old male teenager in the front seat who unexpectedly slid out of the vehicle; neither was hurt.

prachuab — A tree was hit by the double-decker travelling at 90 kilometres per hour.

Ms. Suparatana Hueantong, or Fern, a final-year Liberal Arts major at Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit in Bangkok, was among those killed on this tour bus.

According to Fern’s father, Mr. Damrat Huentong, his daughter called her brother to come pick her up at the bus terminal in Phatthalung Province, so he and his son went out to meet her but never saw a tour bus arrive. He called his daughter numerous times, but no one answered.

prachuab crash2 — The tour bus was transferred and parked at Huai Yang Police Station for inspection.

“I inquired about other tour buses until I learned that there was a tour bus down the road in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, which was the car that my daughter rode in,” Damrat recounted with tears in his eyes.

Ms. Thamonwan Lakchai, 54, aunt of Ms. Kanlayakon Pool-iad, or Dok Khem, 17, who died in the accident with her mother, claimed Dok Khem and her mother, Ms. Lamai, 54, went in this bus. Dok Khem and her mother were on their way home to Nakhon Si Thammarat Province after reporting to Silpakorn University in Nakhon Pathom Province.

“Dok Khem’s father was shocked to learn that he had lost both his wife and his only daughter at the same time.” He was unable to communicate with anyone. So I organised this for him to transport the bodies back to their hometown in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province for merit-making,” Thamonwan explained.

prachuab crash11 — Dok Khem’s father was shocked to learn that he had lost both his wife and his only daughter at the same time.

The tour bus was traveling from Bangkok, to Songkhla province, southern Thailand. It was carrying 49 people when it ran off the road and hit a tree near Hat Wanakorn National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Pol. Col. Weerapat Ketesa, the superintendent of the Huay Yang Police Station, stated that the driver who survived the accident might have fallen asleep. The officials were waiting for the result of a blood test on him.

Police said the double-decker bus was not going beyond the speed limit. The speed measured at the time of the accident was 90 kms per hour.

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Thai Lawyer Rejects German Child Sex Suspect’s Claim

By

Khaosod English

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5 December 2023, 22:18

thai lawyer — Parinya Promsak (centre), the lawyer for the German suspect involved in child prostitution, stated that her client's claim is not true.

CHONBURI – After the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Justice and the Royal Thai Police to thoroughly investigate the details in the DW documentary that claimed a German suspect involved in child prostitution paid Thai officers a million baht bribe and escaped, a Thai lawyer who previously worked for the German told a different story.

Parinya Promsak, lawyer for the German man named Mr. Jens stated on Tuesday in Chonburi Province that his former client’s claim not true. That one million baht bribe was probably the same amount that was used to pay for the legal team. Part of which was used as bail money as the court had set, 500,000 baht, and another part was used as expenses for the legal team.

At the time, Jens claimed he had to return to Germany for a meeting about his clothing business with shareholders and that he had to deal with money in an account that had been frozen. He said he had to show his face to confirm his identity.

german accused2 — The German man gave an interview to the German media, saying that he paid 1 million baht to be able to escape from Thailand.

Therefore, he filed a petition with the Pattaya Provincial Court to request temporary travel. In submitting this request, the Pattaya Provincial Court demanded additional bail money.

“I confirm that the 1 million baht that the German man claimed in the video to be paid as a bribe to government officials is incorrect. Definitely not true. The provision of information by foreign media makes Thailand and government officials are greatly discredited Therefore, I have to come out and explain today,” Parinya said.

Mr. Jens was arrested on September 10, 2022 at approximately 11:45 p.m. while administrative officials along with police officers Pattaya City Police Station Together they raided the Cobra Beer Bar shop, Soi Buakhao, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, after receiving information that it was a center for child prostitution.

DW pattaya — A documentary titled “Sex Tourism in Thailand of DW

At that time, there were 3 Thai suspects arrested for the crime of human trafficking and the results of gathering evidence were extended to submit a petition to the Pattaya Provincial Court to issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Jens. The Pattaya Provincial Court approved the arrest warrant on July 24.

The German man was then caught inside the room of a hotel on the edge of Pattaya Second Road, Village No. 10, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

Mr. Jens was later released on bail in court, including permission to travel out of the Kingdom on November 7. The Pattaya Provincial Court imposed bail conditions of 500,000 baht and ordered him to return to report on November 14, 2022.

The accused did not show up as scheduled. He later gave an interview to the German media, saying that he paid 1 million baht to be able to escape from Thailand.

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