The New Stars of “Captain Cat” That Spark Thai Police Scandal

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9 June 2023, 15:12

This week’s recurring scandal in Thai society stems from photos posted on social media by “Captain Cat”, a well-known former beauty queen who is now a police officer. The post shows her parents decorating her outfit with stars (3 stars on each shoulder), a symbol of promotion in the Thai police.

Pol. Capt. Atitaya Benjapak has come under criticism for rising eight ranks in just four years, from lance corporal to police captain. This promotion came after she completed a course for externally recruited commissioned police officers.

cat police1 — Captain Cat posted and deleted these pictures.

On June 9, Captain Cat deleted the photos and apologized: “Regarding the posted photos of me being adorned with a new rank by my parents as a symbolic gesture to my police career, I had no intention of bragging about it or engaging in any activity that would affect the morale of my fellow police officers or anyone else involved. I sincerely apologise for my rash actions. Finally, I promise that now that I have the opportunity to work, I will commit to performing my duties to the best of my ability and with the utmost diligence.”

cat police4 — Captain Cat was once a member of the Royal Thai Army Band in 2019 and was Miss Thailand Chonburi 2023.

However, this scandal continues to be criticized and has prompted calls for reform of the promotion system within the police, as it has long been alleged that people who reach high positions often come from influential and wealthy families with prestigious backgrounds.

Captain Cat had transferred from the Royal Thai Army Band Department to the police. Her duties at the National Police Office include processing administrative documents and various ceremonial tasks.

cat police3 — Captain Cat had transferred from the Royal Thai Army Band Department to the police.

A Facebook page called “Phuen Tamruat” (Police friend) with over 33,000 followers has posted information revealing the rapid promotions of several police officers who have undergone the same training. It mentions that those who have undergone this training have a higher social status compared to others.

Rangsiman Rome, a member of the Move Forward party who initiated the investigation into this training program, explained that this course was originally intended for people with certain educational qualifications that they believed would improve the efficiency of the police organization.

However, upon investigation, it was found that those who participated in the programme came from influential families with well-known surnames, suggesting the use of connections. The party is currently in the process of conducting further investigations.

olympic heroes — Worapoj Petchkoom and Manus Boonjumnong

Former professional boxers, Manus Boonjumnong and Worapoj Petchkoom, who won gold and silver medals in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, posted on their social media platforms that they brought fame to the country but were not considered for promotion as they should have been for the past 23 years.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Archayon Kraithong, the spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, clarified that Captain Cat’s case was in accordance with the Police Commission’s regulations that govern the promotion process. It states that people with a graduate degree can be promoted to the rank of police captain within 2 years.

The Casino’s Land: Malay-chinese Woman Disappears In Myanmar

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Khaosod English

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8 June 2023, 22:38

angie search — The CCTV footage showed Angie, 22, crossing the border into Tachileik.

The disappearance of a Malaysian-Chinese woman, 22, named Angie Chong Sum Yee, underscores the horror of casino land in Myanmar.

It was reported that Angie was last seen on June 1, 2023 at Mae Sai border checkpoint 1 in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, Thailand. This checkpoint connects Thailand with the Myanmar border town, Tachileik.

According to the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women and the Tourism Police, 227 Thai women in Tachiliek province, a Special Administrative Region, were deceived. The majority of the victims were lied to about the work. They were promised to work as receptionists, waitresses or other service staff, but then they were forced into prostitution.

pawina3 — Inside Tachileik’s autonomous regions.

In Angie’s case, Thai authorities assumed that she disappeared in Tachileik. According to the investigation, Angie arrived at Chiang Mai Airport on May 29, 2023. There was a man who drove her to Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai. Angie was then picked up by a woman at a hotel who drove her across the border into Myanmar. The police questioned the driver and the woman and assumed that they were simply the drivers Angie had hired.

On June 6, Angie’s mother arrived with her son in Chiang Mai province to meet with the Thai tourist police in the hope of finding her daughter. She was very concerned about Angie’s fate. The mother explained that her daughter does not work in the casino. She already earns a good income as a beautician.

pawina1 — The mother of Angie has come to Chiang Mai to find her daughter.

On June 7, Pavena Hongsakul, the president of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, met with Angie’s mother. She informed the mother that she had met with the governor of Tachileik and that he would be happy to help with Angie’s repatriation as a special case.

Pavena told reporters that she, the tourism police and other authorities involved have met with the governor of Tachiliek to rescue another 27 Thai women who were lured into prostitution in Pok and Laogai towns. Both towns are under special administration.

pawina5 — Miss Pavena had met with the governor of tachileik.

She mentioned that she sympathizes with Thai women working in Myanmar as most of them live in poverty. They most likely believe in the lie or are ready to do so at some point. Pavena warned Thai women not to believe the lie of working in Myanmar to get a salary of one hundred thousand baht a month, because it will not be as rosy as they think. They will be forced into prostitution, drugs and alcohol. They will be physically hurt if they do not obey the order.

Pavena advised Angle’s mother to report the case to the Mae Sai police, as the tourism police have no authority to arrest.

A Building Owner Returns to Pattaya After 5 Years To Find His Property Turned Into a Bar

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Khaosod English

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8 June 2023, 15:48

He was very confused by the fact that his own building, which he hadn’t been to in 5 years, had turned into an Indian bar.

Suppanut Chinnawat, 30, reported to police at the Mueang Pattaya police station on June 7, 2023, that a group of Indian nationals had intruded on his commercial property. Police immediately sent investigators to the scene.

The building is located at No. 247/8-9 on Pattaya 3rd Road, which is the road leading to Bali Hier Pier. There is a sign on the glass wall that says “Rockstars Indian Dance Club” while the door was locked.

pattaya india1 scaled — Suppanut Chinnawat showed the papers that insists he owns the building.

Police investigated the scene and found an additional door at the rear of the building. It was found that the burglars had converted the ground floor into a beer bar, while the second to fourth floors were converted into daily or monthly rental rooms. Some rooms were occupied while others were ransacked, police reported.

A brief questioning of a person at the scene reveals that the manager of the building is an Indian. The person who was present when the police investigated the building said he did not know who owned the building as he was an employee. He said the manager was not there as he had returned to India.

First, the building owner presented all the proofs of ownership to the Indian clerk. The owner stated that he would lock all the doors to prevent anyone from entering the building. However, he would allow those living in the building to continue living there until he spoke to the Indian caretaker, who claimed to be the building owner and litigate the case.

“I must know who is behind this Indian person. How dare they pretend to be the owners of the building and make such a business out of it? Only when all the compensation is on the table will I be ready to negotiate,” said the building owner.

Indian investors flocked to Pattaya

Earlier, Prachachat Business reported that Indian investors flocked to Pattaya when Thailand reopened the country since 2021. These investments span entertainment properties, hotels and restaurants, with spending ranging from 10 to 100 million baht.

The sites were concentrated around Walking Street to Pattaya 3rd Road. It is reported that these sites were to serve the Indian tourists who visit Thailand about 120,000 to 150,000 every month.

Damrongkiat Pinijkarn, director of Hollywood Pattaya and secretary of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, said Indian investors became interested in Pattaya not long before COVID-19. The interest then waned because of the pandemic. When things improved, Indian investors were among the first to return because they saw the opportunities. Indian tourists were also among the first tourists to return to Pattaya.

Similarly, Jugkarut Ruangratanakorn, managing director of Rattanakorn Asset Co, Ltd, said that currently there are several Indian investors investing in entertainment properties and restaurants. He said that since July 2022, when the government opened the country to foreigners, new Indian investors have been coming into the country.

Ukrainian Dam Breach: What’s Happening and What’s at Stake

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Associated Press

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8 June 2023, 14:43

Russia Ukraine War — Volunteers evacuate dogs and goats from the flooded city in Kherson, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Floodwaters from a collapsed dam kept rising in southern Ukraine on Wednesday, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes in a major emergency operation that brought a dramatic new dimension to the war with Russia, now in its 16th month. (AP Photo/Libkos)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The fallout from the breach of a dam in southern Ukraine is wreaking havoc on lives, livelihoods and the environment amid the war.

When the Kakhovka dam ruptured on Tuesday, it sent a torrent of water from Ukraine’s largest reservoir into cities, towns and lowlands downstream on the Dnieper River, where fighting is raging.

It’s not clear what caused the breach in the dam, which had already been damaged in the war.

Ukraine’s government, which controls the river’s western bank and the city of Kherson, accused Moscow’s forces of blowing up the facility. Russia, which controls the eastern bank for about the last 300 kilometers (about 185 miles) before the river reaches the Black Sea, blames military strikes ordered by Kyiv.

AP23159040695390 — This image provided by Maxar Technologies, shows Kakhovka dam and station, Ukraine before collapse, on June 5, 2023. (Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies via AP)

Operational since the mid-1950s under the Soviet Union, the dam and its associated hydroelectric power station sit about 70 kilometers (44 miles) east of Kherson, and supply electricity, irrigation and drinking water to a wide swath of southern Ukraine and its residents.

WHAT ARE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS?
Authorities and rescue workers on both sides stepped up efforts to move beleaguered residents to higher and drier ground — although some complain of an uneven response.

The U.N.’s humanitarian aid agency warned that “the disaster will likely get worse in the coming hours.” It said access to drinking water and health risks associated with contaminated water were among the most pressing concerns.

About 3,000 people were evacuated from areas on both sides of the river, officials said.

AP23158667436200 — A local resident carry a wet dog during evacuation from a flooded neighborhood in Kherson, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (AP Photo/Libkos)

Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson regional administration, said about 1,700 people had been evacuated in Ukraine-controlled areas as of Wednesday. Hundreds of calls for help were still flooding a government hotline, Prokudin said. The area has a population of about 42,000.

On the Russia-controlled bank, Moscow-appointed regional Gov. Vladimir Saldo said up to 40,000 people remained in flooded areas. His deputy, Tatyana Kuzmich, said 1,274 people had been evacuated, and that the emergency response would last at least 10 days.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said nearly 12,000 bottles of water and 10,000 water purification tablets were distributed to five municipalities in Kherson and in Mykolaiv, where most of evacuees are staying. The U.N. also distributed ready-to-eat meals to about 400 people, he said.

AP23158791430747 — Houses sit in the water in a flooded neighborhood of Kherson, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

WHAT REMAINS AT RISK?
The office of Ukraine’s general prosecutor said water levels downstream rose as much as 12 meters (39 feet) above normal.

Vladimir Rogov, an official with the Russia-appointed administration of the Zaporizhzhia region, said the Dnieper had narrowed Wednesday by as much as 65 meters as the reservoir drained.

The head of national hydroelectric company Ukrhydroenergo, Ihor Syrota, said authorities were holding water in upstream reservoirs to compensate in part for the loss of the dam.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that hundreds of thousands of people were without normal access to drinking water.

Experts warned about an environmental disaster for wildlife and ecosystems. Minefields were inundated, raising the prospect that the explosives could be dislodged.

Ukrainian authorities urged locals to drink only bottled water and avoid eating fish from the river.

AP23158712629683 — Homes are seen underwater in a flooded neighborhood in Kherson, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

HOW HAS RUSSIA RESPONDED?
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a call Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, blamed Ukraine in his first comments on the incident. He said it was a “barbaric action” that “led to a large-scale environmental and humanitarian catastrophe,” a Kremlin account said.

Some residents in Russian-controlled areas criticized the response from the occupying authorities.

Yevhen Ryschuk, the Ukrainian mayor of Oleshky who fled the city after Russian forces occupied it, said locals told him that Russian authorities hadn’t mobilized evacuation efforts and had left many people stranded.

Ukrainian forces said they were reaching across the front line to help supply civilians in Russian-controlled areas.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry tweeted a video showing a drone — presumably one of its own — dropping a bottle of water to a woman in a rooftop window in Oleshky. “The Ukrainian military will never leave civilians behind,” it said.

Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that evacuation efforts in occupied areas had “completely failed.”

WHAT ABOUT THE IMPACT ON FARMING?
In a blow to one of the world’s biggest breadbaskets, Ukraine’s agriculture ministry said about 94% of irrigation systems in the Kherson region have been left without a water source, as well as nearly three-quarters of those in neighboring Zaporizhzhia and about 30% in Dnipropetrovsk.

“The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric station will lead to the fact that the fields in the south of Ukraine next year can turn into deserts,” it said.

Prices for wheat and corn stabilized Wednesday after rising sharply a day earlier over concerns about Ukraine’s ability to ship its grain supplies to developing nations where people are struggling with hunger and high food prices.

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JAMEY KEATEN reported from Kyiv and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

Girl Abandoned By British Father Gets Eye Surgery

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Khaosod English

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8 June 2023, 08:48

Social media unites to support eye surgery for abandoned Half-Thai-British girl. Many internet users send words of encouragement to Angel, a 9-year-old girl, who will have to undergo eye surgery on June 8, 2023 after her story deeply touched people’s hearts.

Angel lives with her mother, Amporn Park, who is 45 years old in an unfinished one-storey house in Non-Sri Thong, Ban Chai Sub-District, Bandung District, Udon Thani Province. Angle’s father left her mother three years ago and has not contacted them since.

british girl6 — Angel was in her house in Udon Thani. She lived with her mom.

At the beginning of the new semester in May, Angel could not go to school because she had been showing symptoms of diabetic retinopathy since April. When she came home from playing with friends, she said to her mother, “Mum, I can not see well.” She then accidentally bumped into a door at her grandmother’s house. Her mother then took her to a doctor.

The doctor at the Bandung Crown Prince Hospital found that the girl had developed diabetic retinopathy, thyroid disease and a cataract. Currently, the child can only see blurry and relies on familiarity to find her way around the house.

british girl1 — Angel was preparing for eye surgery in the hospital.

The child’s mother expressed her deepest sympathy for her daughter with tears in her eyes and mentioned that it breaks her heart that Angel has to receive injections 4 times a day.

Amporn added that when the couple was still together, the household situation was manageable. But after her father left the family, she had to sell her car to support the family and cover the cost of Angel’s visits to the doctor. Sometimes they rely on the public buses to get around. Still, the mother refuses to accept donations.

britis girl2 — Angel attended the class last year.

Angel said naively, “I am not in pain at the moment. I want to be able to see. When I grow up, I want to be a teacher. I love my mother, but I do not love my father, because he is cruel.”

Miss Aoraphan Charoensuk, Angel’s class teacher in 3rd grade, describes her as an incredibly kind and well-mannered child. She is attentive and speaks eloquently. The teacher wishes that Angel would recover from her visual impairment and be able to learn again because her friends ask about her every day.

british girl3 — Miss Aoraphan Charoensuk

Lisa’s Phenomenal: Traditional Thai Sarong-Attire Becomes Trendy

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Khaosod English

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8 June 2023, 08:28

After BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Lalisa Manobal, posted pictures of herself in a traditional Thai sarong checking in with friends in Ayutthaya province, the old town has seen a surge in tourist numbers and the Thai sarong has become a trendy fashion outfit.

At Wat Chaiwattanaram in Ayutthaya, several Thai tourists dressed in Thai attire were seen visiting and photographing the heritage site, following the route of Lisa. This trend is similar to the previous wave in 2018 when a Thai historical drama called ‘Love Destiny’ became famous.

lisa ayut — LISA (@lalalalisa_m) instagram

Lalita Prinok, a tourist in Thai dress, told a reporter that when she heard about Lisa’s visit to Wat Chaiwattanaram with her friends in Thai dress, she decided to repeat the trip. She said that she wanted to thank Lisa for getting the people of Thailand to wear Thai sarongs and dresses again.

This trend of Lisa’s is not only limited to Ayutthaya; the sale of sarongs is also increasing by leaps and bounds in other provinces, especially in the northeast of Thailand. Some of the provinces are Buriram, her hometown, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Ratchasima and Udon Thani.

S 133799947 — Pheu Thai Party female members said they supported this fashion trend.

lisa sarong4 — Many sarongs are sold in Na Kha Market.

Charnruean, the shop where Lisa got the sarong, has seen the best surge in sales. The shop is located in Na Kha Market in the Na Kha sub-district of Udon Thani. It is the largest Thai fabric outlet in the province.

Suwimol Chaiwing, 61, the mother of Thai actress Diana Flipo, who is close friends with Lisa and participated in the Ayuttaya trip, said her daughter had told her earlier that they would visit Ayuttaya. She then asked her mother to send sarongs to wear during the trip.

Suwimol sent several sarongs, including a fabric called “dyed ikat in the mud” in the “Khor-Nark” (Naga) pattern, an old traditional pattern of the local Northeast Thai people. The older generation likes to wear this pattern to the temple. This is the pattern Lisa chose.

“When I sent it, I did not expect her [Lisa] to wear it. I tailor this as an additional sarong that they can choose to wear or not. I am thrilled that she chose to wear it and I want to thank Lisa because she is the representative of a new generation. She could inspire the younger generation to wear Thai clothes to the temple and make the younger generation realize the value of Thai fabrics.”

Suwimol said that their products are already sold out. If a customer wants to pre-order the sarong, they can visit her Facebook page with the name “Charnruean Na-Kha” or the Instagram account with the same name.

lisa diana — Diana Flipo, who occasionally wears sarongs, received them from her mother, Suwimol Chaiwing.

She informed that customers may have to wait up to 1 month as the shop has received several orders. However, she stressed that these orders will help local weavers earn more income. The shop will continue to sell the product at the same price of 2,800 baht per sarong.

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Previous article: Lisa Blackpink’s Visit Brings Ayutthaya To Life

Prince Harry To Tabloid Newspaper’s Lawyer: ‘Nobody Wants To Be Phone Hacked’

By

Associated Press

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8 June 2023, 02:08

Britain Prince Harry Legal Cases — Prince Harry arrives at the High Court in London, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry entered a London courtroom on a mission to prove that the publisher of the Daily Mirror tabloid had hacked his phone and unlawfully snooped on his life.

He left the witness box Wednesday having shown that he was highly suspicious of how Mirror Group Newspapers obtained information for stories about him, but without offering phone records or much other evidence to support his hacking claim.

AP23158380874360 — A court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Britain’s Prince Harry being being cross examined by Andrew Green KC, as he gives evidence at the Rolls Buildings in central London, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)

“I believe that phone hacking was at an industrial scale across at least three of the papers at the time,” the Duke of Sussex asserted in his second day of testimony in London’s High Court. “That is beyond any doubt.”

Phone hacking is central to his case against Mirror Group and two related lawsuits against other British tabloid publishers that he claims invaded his privacy by eavesdropping on emails and using other illegal methods to report on the smallest details of his life, causing him great emotional turmoil.

Harry is the first senior member of the royal family to testify in court in over 130 years, and his high-stakes gamble in taking his cases to trial is unprecedented in modern times. In addition to a desire to hold the newspapers accountable for a “destructive” role in his life and what he said was a cover-up of the hacking scandal, the pursuit indicates the seriousness of his larger mission to reform the press.

“Finding out about this level of cover up is what makes me want to see my MGN claim through to the end, so people can really understand what happened,” he testified.

During cross-examination, Mirror Group attorney Andrew Green pressed the prince to explain which elements of articles had come from hacking and how he could prove it without providing call data.

Harry continued to insist that parts of certain stories were suspicious and said Green should consult the reporters who wrote the articles about what they did. He said reporters had used burner phones and destroyed records.

Green, who has said Harry’s phone was not hacked, asked the witness if he would be relieved or upset if the judge reached the same conclusion.

“To have a decision against me … given that Mirror Group have admitted hacking, yes, it would feel like an injustice,” Harry responded.

“So you want to have been phone hacked?” Green said.

“Nobody wants to be phone hacked,” Harry replied.

AP23158329873344 — Prince Harry arrives at the High Court in London, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Harry’s suspicions of the press run deep. He questioned not only whether unnamed sources were real but also whether people quoted by name had actually said the things attributed to them.

More than once, he said that seeing something in print attributed to someone “doesn’t mean that it’s true” and said false information was added to stories “to put people like myself off the scent.”

Green asked if he really thought that journalists would be foolish enough to risk getting caught phone hacking after a News of the World reporter and a private investigator went to prison for such activity in 2007.

“I believe the risk is worth the reward for them,” Harry answered.

Green has apologized for the one instance Mirror Group has admitted to hiring a private investigator to dig up dirt on Harry, though it was not among the claims he has brought. Mirror Group denies or doesn’t admit his other allegations.

AP23158459805138 — This court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook shows Britain’s Prince Harry, left, with his counsel David Sherborne giving evidence at the Rolls Buildings in central London, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)

Harry, the 38-year-old younger son of King Charles III, is the first senior British royal since an ancestor, the future King Edward VII, appeared as a witness in a trial over a gambling scandal in 1891.

Harry has said the royal family avoided legal entanglements to prevent having to be put in the witness box.

His case dates from 1996 to 2011 — a period when phone hacking by tabloid journalists was later discovered to have been widespread. The scandal led to revelations of more intrusive means such as phone tapping, home bugging and using deception to obtain flight information and medical records.

Harry’s fury at the U.K. press runs through his memoir, “Spare.” He blames paparazzi for causing the car crash that killed his mother, and said intrusion by the U.K. press, including allegedly racist articles, led him and his wife, Meghan, to flee to the U.S. in 2020 and leave royal life behind.

Mirror Group has paid more than 100 million pounds ($125 million) to settle hundreds of unlawful information-gathering claims, and printed an apology to phone hacking victims in 2015.

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BRIAN MELLEY reported from London.

Groundbreaking Held For Cambodia’s Second Expressway, Linking Capital To Vietnam

By

Associated Press

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8 June 2023, 00:29

hunsen bridge2 — FB Samdech Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday presided over a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the country’s second expressway, which will link the capital, Phnom Penh, to the eastern border with Vietnam.

The road to Bavet city in Svay Rieng province, a total length of 135 kilometers (84 miles), is projected to take 48 months to construct and cost $1.35 billion. It is a project of China Bridge and Road Corp., which is building it under a 50-year build-operate-transfer contract.

hunsen bridge3 — Samdech Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister

The road is Cambodia’s second expressway after the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, which opened last year and connects the capital with the country’s main port on the Gulf of Thailand.

China is Cambodia’s biggest investor and closest political partner, whose assistance largely underpins the Southeast Asian nation’s economy.

Speaking at Wednesday’s ceremony, Hun Sen praised the expressway for being part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, its worldwide infrastructure development program.

hunsen bridge1 — Samdech Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister

He said the initiative has played a significant role in boosting socioeconomic development in Cambodia and other participating countries. Critics of the Chinese program accuse it of imposing financial terms that have led to onerous debts.

Hun Sen said a feasibility study is underway for a third expressway that would link Phnom Penh to Siem Reap province, site of the famous Angkor temples, and extend to Poipet on the western border with Thailand.

The PARQ Celebrates Pride Month with “Colors of Pride”

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Contributor

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7 June 2023, 15:14

The PARQ Celebrates Pride Month with “Colors of Pride” Campaign Supporting Equality and Gender Diversity through Special Promotions and Various Activities Throughout June.

The PARQ Life, the epitome of premium retail lifestyle, organizes activities to continuously reinforce the concept of “Life Well Balanced” by launching its latest campaign “Colors of Pride” to welcome the Pride Month celebration, honoring the LGBTQIA+ community. Let’s all come together and wear hats in support of equality and gender diversity. Free!!! exclusive “Colors of Pride” bucket hat when you spend 1,500 Baht or more at any of the shops in The PARQ Life from June 1 – 30, 2023.

In addition, The PARQ Life has curated an exceptional array of promotions, events, and exclusive deals in collaboration with renowned retailers throughout the month of June.

Starting with F REHAB – a leading physical therapy and rehabilitation clinic, they are celebrating Pride Month by showcasing their expertise in body recovery and understanding various forms of pain. They are offering special discounts for everyone, promoting inclusivity, through their “Pain Relief” physiotherapy program. Originally priced at 1,799 Baht, it is now available at a special rate of just 1,500 Baht from today until June 30th.

Cheat Day by Modish, a trendy and health-conscious restaurant, welcomes everyone to enjoy guilt-free indulgence every day. As part of the festive celebrations, they are thrilled to present their special promotion “Happy Pride Month”. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with their new, vibrant soda creation, and don’t miss the exclusive Buy 1 Get 1 offer, exclusively available throughout the entire month of June.

The Chocolate Factory – a haven for chocolate lovers, is proud to be part of the support for equality and diversity. They are delighted to unveil their latest addition: a premium selection of chocolates in vivid rainbow colors, specially crafted to commemorate Pride Month. Their objective is to offer customers a delightful and enchanting experience, where they can indulge in a wide variety of delectable treats. Starting this June, be prepared to embark on a journey of pure chocolate bliss at The Chocolate Factory.

Discover an extraordinary offer from Tim Hortons – the largest coffee and donut chain in Canada. Delight in a complimentary Chocolate Rainbow or Classic Rainbow donut when you purchase any 16 oz beverage during the entire month of June. It’s the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to delightful flavors and colorful indulgence.

A must-visit for yogurt enthusiasts, Yogurt Culture offers a variety of Greek yogurt flavors with over 20 delectable toppings. In their commitment to promote a healthy lifestyle and foster a sense of pride, they have unveiled a special promotion: For every purchase of 300 Baht or more per receipt, customers will receive a 50 Baht gift voucher to be redeemed on their next purchase. This exclusive offer is valid throughout the entire month of June.

BAB Café – a charming semi-gallery café in a serene garden setting, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation, is delighted to celebrate Pride Month with their extraordinary beverage menu, a variety of vibrant colored “Cold Press Juice” for a refreshing experience. Additionally, there is a free entry art exhibition titled ‘Man-Made Apocalypse’ by the artist Supmanee Chaisansuk, showcasing the desolation and the sad state of the environment through the use of smoke and visual imagery. Experience our unique workshops featuring Impure Conceptual Drinks workshop on June 3, 2023 as well as Art Therapy workshop by psychologists on June 10, 2023. For more information Facebook: The PARQ or Website: www.theparq.com.

And Proud J&T Flower – a premium flower shop that goes beyond just arranging and delivering flowers. They are dedicated to deliver positive messages to the recipients on your special occasions. With their expertise gained over a decade, they meticulously select, arrange, and design fresh flowers that embody the vibrant essence of pride, much like a rainbow.

Furthermore, there will be the “Colors of Pride” talk series, supported by numerous leading partners, including 3M Thailand Company Limited, Suntory Pepsico Beverage (Thailand) Company Limited, Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Company Limited, Organon (Thailand) Limited, Marsh PB Company Limited, Jones Lang LaSalle (Thailand) Limited, Schaeffler Manufacturing (thailand) Company Limited, Muaythai Mania Company Limited (Head Office) (MTM).

United in their mission, they join forces to promote the values of equality, embracing diverse viewpoints and harmonious lifestyles, to encourage inclusive thinking and foster a shared sense of pride. This event will be held from June 13 – 16, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM daily, at Level 1 of The PARQ Life. Those who are interested are welcome to participate in the activities, with daily prizes available to be won.

The PARQ Life offers a variety of well-known health service stores and restaurants. Additionally, when you spend 1,500 Baht or more on dining, drinks, and shopping (receipts from multiple stores on the same day can be combined), you will receive a complimentary limited edition “Colors of Pride” bucket hat from The PARQ Life! Join us in celebrating diversity and experience a heightened sense of pride at The PARQ Life (MRT Sirikit Convention Center, Exit 2) from June 1 – 30, 2023.

For the latest news and more information on “Colors of Pride”
Facebook: The PARQ Instagram: @THEPARQBKK Website: www.theparq.com
Tel. 02-080-5700 #COLOROFPRIDE #ThePARQ #LifeWellBalanced

Thailand Cuts Power to Myanmar Border Towns’ Notorious Casinos, but They Keep Operating

By

Associated Press

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7 June 2023, 14:44

shwe kokko4 — Shwe Kokko Town / Khaosod Photo / Wichai Thaprieo

BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai state enterprise that has been exporting electricity to neighboring Myanmar has cut off power to two border towns with notorious casino complexes that allegedly host major organized crime operations, Thai officials said Tuesday.

The towns of Shwe Kokko and Lay Kay Kaw in Myanmar host gambling and entertainment complexes developed by Chinese investors that are accused of being centers where people from other nations are tricked into taking jobs and then put into virtual captivity and forced to work in call centers conducting internet scams. There also are allegations that the complexes are centers for drug and human trafficking.

Power from Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority to the complexes in Myawaddy township in Kayin state was cut at midnight on Monday, said Montsak Kaew-orn, a police chief in Thailand’s neighboring Mae Sot district.

He said business in the affected towns seemed to be carrying on with no disruption because the owners of the complexes had prepared for the situation and could probably operate for the next few weeks using their own generators.

Thai Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda, speaking to reporters in Bangkok, said the power to the two towns was cut because the supply contract expired and Myanmar’s government declined to extend it. Thailand is ready to resume supplying power should Myanmar decide to renew the deal, he said.

Myanmar’s military government has not publicly explained its position on the matter. However, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported that Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai met on May 31 with Home Affairs Minister Lt. Gen. Soe Htut and high-ranking police officers for talks on regional issues, including online fraud and gambling on the Myanmar-China and Myanmar-Thailand borders and “enhancement of cooperation in the fight against transnational crimes.”

The casino complexes are operated in what amount to autonomous development zones controlled by Chinese investors in cooperation with the Border Guard Force, a militia belonging to the area’s ethnic Karen minority.

Lawlessness, especially drug trafficking, flourishes in Myanmar’s border region because the central government is unable to fully exercise authority there. Many groups such as the Karen have armed groups seeking political autonomy, but some factions ally with criminal gangs instead of fighting the government. The government tolerates that as a way of keeping the militias on its side.

Thailand public broadcaster Thai PBS reported that power at Shwe Kokko went out for about 30 seconds before being restored at its main buildings, while the outer parts of the town remained dark. KK Park, a casino complex linked to cyberscam forced labor by escapees of Chinese, Malaysia and other nationalities, showed no signs of a blackout at all, the report said.

Montsak, the police chief, said the Karen Border Guard Force is still in negotiation with Myanmar’s government to renew the power contract.

“If the negotiation is not fruitful, we might start to see some impact in one or two weeks,” he said.

Reports last week said the Myanmar government asked Thai authorities to cut the power supply to the casino areas, prompting an inter-agency meeting on the Thai side to discuss the possible impacts, such as a disruption of cross-border business or increased illegal entry.
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JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI reported from Bangkok.

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