Police officers from the Investigation Department of Petchaburi Police Station arrested 6 members of the macaque smuggling gang in the area of Khao Luang, Thongchai, Mueang Phetchaburi District, Phetchaburi on May 12. They were preparing the anaesthetic darts to be shot at the macaque to send the carcass to China to make an elixir.
Police seized 10 carcasses of baby macaques along with a white Ford Ranger, a grey Toyota Prius and a black Toyota WISH. They also seized a bottle of argon gas with a set of pistols, 8 dart guns, 80 stun darts and 1 bag of dog food. They were taken to the police station for questioning.
During their investigation, the police found evidence that there were networks of smuggling monkeys in the area. They then investigated the case further until they found the whereabouts of the gang in Petchaburi. The police then arrested 6 people aged 29 to 47.
Police charged the 6 suspects under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562: 1. hunting protected wildlife without a permit under section 89, 2. processing protected wildlife without a permit under section 92, and 3. trading protected wildlife without a permit, from section 89. They were all taken to Petchaburi Police Station for prosecution.
One suspect, Tawajchai Ngaoseng, 20, claimed this was the first time they had traveled from Sa Kaeo province. Each carcass is sold to the anonymous buyer at a price of 1,000 – 2,000 baht each.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, right, a leading Thai politician and youngest daughter of exiled former deposed Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin, left, two of the opposition Pheu Thai Party's three nominees to become the next prime minister, greeted by supporters during general election final campaign rallies in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
BANGKOK (AP) — Voters disaffected by nine years of plodding rule by a coup-making army general are expected to deliver a strong mandate for change in Thailand’s general election Sunday. But a predicted victory by the allies of Thaksin Shinawatra, whose ouster by coup 17 years ago plunged the country into prolonged instability, has caused concern for an unhindered democratic transition.
Dissatisfaction with the incumbent prime minister running for reelection, Prayuth Chan-ocha, is high, due in part to a slumping economy and his government’s mismanaged response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures to supporters, during a final general election campaign rally in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
But weariness and even anger at the military’s habitual interference in politics is a major factor. Thailand has had more than a dozen coups since becoming a constitutional monarchy in 1932, the last one in 2014 carried out by Prayuth when he was army commander. Prayuth’s governments slapped down democratic reforms and prosecuted activists.
“The main factor could be that people are no longer willing to tolerate the authoritarian government that has been in power for over nine years, and there is a significant wish for change among the people.” said Pinkaew Laungaramsri, a professor of anthropology at Chiang Mai University.
Seventy political parties are contesting the 500 seats up for grabs in the House of Representatives: 400 are directly elected, with 100 chosen via a form of proportional representation.
Opposition parties endorsing reforms to rein in the army are running strides ahead in opinion polls. But pitching policies that threaten the status quo alarms the ruling conservative establishment. It has repeatedly shown itself capable of bringing down popularly elected governments it didn’t like, through rulings in the royalist courts and army coups.
A supporter of Move Forward Party holds posters which reads ” I vote Move Forward Vote Pita to be next Prime Minister” during a general election in Bangkok, Thailand, May 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Prayuth represents one pole of the country’s politics, centered around royalists and the military. Thaksin, the billionaire populist ousted in the 2006 coup, represents the other. The power struggle between Thaksin’s supporters and his opponents has been fought — sometimes in the street, sometimes at the ballot box — for almost two decades.
Prayuth is trailing badly in opinion polls behind Thaksin’s 36-year-old daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who inherited the popularity and political style of her father. She campaigned intensively while heavily pregnant and gave birth to a son last week.
She is the favorite among the opposition Pheu Thai Party’s three registered nominees for prime minister. Her party looks set to win a majority of seats in the lower house of Parliament.
Recent history strengthens the appearance of this election as a grudge match between the Shinawatras and their foes. Prayuth’s 2014 coup unseated a government that had come to power with Yingluck Shinawatra — Paetongtarn’s aunt, Thaksin’s sister — as prime minister. And Pheu Thai topped the field in the 2019 vote, only to be denied power when the army-backed Palang Pracharath Party found partners to assemble a coalition government.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, one of the opposition Pheu Thai Party on March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
But a third major player has injected a sharp ideological aspect into the election. The Move Forward Party, led by 42-year-old businessman Pita Limjaroenrat, has galvanized younger voters and is running a strong second to Pheu Thai in the polls. However, for conservative Thailand, its platform is frighteningly radical: reform of the military and reform of the powerful monarchy, a bold move because the institution has been traditionally treated as sacrosanct.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, points out that while Move Forward’s agenda would be considered just “progressive” in other countries, in the Thai context it is “revolutionary.”
“This election is the most important in contemporary Thai politics because it’s an election that’s going to determine Thailand’s political future,” he says, crediting Move Forward with “pushing the frontiers of Thai politics into areas where it needs to go.”
Pheu Thai largely shares Move Forward’s reformist agenda, but the smaller party’s more forthright stand poses a dilemma. Adding Move Forward to a coalition government could antagonize the Senate, a conservative body whose support is crucial to taking power.
Leader of Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat introduces himself during an election campaign in Bangkok, Thailand, March 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thailand’s 2017 constitution, adopted under military rule, calls for the prime minister to be selected by a joint vote of the 500-member House and the unelected 250-seat Senate, whose members were appointed by Prayuth’s junta.
In 2019, the Senate voted as a bloc, unanimously backing Prayuth. This time, a party that wins a clear majority of House seats still might need at least 376, or 75% plus one, of the votes in the 500-member lower house if its prime minister candidate was opposed in the Senate.
If Pheu Thai lands in such a position, it could find coalition partners among parties that win some House seats. It could also nominate one of its other candidates for prime minister, most likely 60-year-old Srettha Thavisin, who is not burdened with the Shinawatra name that is anathema to the Senate’s conservatives.
Most intriguingly, Pheu Thai could ally with another former general, 77-year-old Prawit Wongsuwan, who has been Prayuth’s ambitious deputy prime minister and is this year’s prime minister candidate for the Palang Pracharath Party.
He and his party are polling badly, but his presence in government might reassure some senators. Such an alliance would seem like a deviance from Pheu Thai’s platform, but could be sold to supporters on the basis that Prawit was not actively involved in plotting the 2014 coup.
Until Sunday’s votes are counted, Pheu Thai’s path forward will remain unclear.
“Many said that this election reflects the people’s hope for change in politics, but at the same time, the greater the hope for change imposed on this election, the more nervous the conservatives currently holding power become,” says Chiang Mai University’s Pinkaew. “We will begin to see the retaliation from the conservative side, from provoking a sense of extreme nationalism to obstructing some parties.”
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Grant Peck reported from Bangkok, Jintamas Saksornchai contributed to this report.
A brawl between South African tourists and security guards at a Walking Street café in South Pattaya has ended peacefully, with the police having no need to review CCTV evidence.
Mr.John Paul, 40, was hurt in a confrontation with security guards at 1:30 a.m., May 11, 2023 at XS Agogo cafe shop in Walking Street, South Pattaya, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. Rescuers first aid Before being taken to investigate at the Pattaya City Police Station.
A group of security guards at the XS Gogo Cafe Shop stood waiting to testify to the officers that a foreign man refused to pay his 9,470 baht bill for drinks, constantly cursing. He also crumpled the bill to collect money and threw it, then burst into the security guards.
At this moment, they attempted to catch and pull him when he fell but were unable to do so due to the weight of the foreigner. Then his head smacked the stairwell’s edge.
On May 12, 2023, Pol. Col. Thanaphong Phothi, Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, called both parties came to Pattaya Police Station. The South African visitor agreed to pay the charge and stated that he does not wish to pursue legal action. They shook hands and smiled at the end.
Police personnel from Phuket Province’s Chalong Police Station are rushing to find a Russian tourist who went missing after being swept over a cliff at Phromthep Cape, Rawai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province into the sea.
The missing travelled to Laem Phromthep, a popular tourist destination in Thailand, with three friends. Two people were thrown into the sea by the waves. Mr. Malakhov, was rescued and sent to the hospital, while Mr. Smoian, 32, is still missing.
Mr. Arun Soros, Mayor of Rawai, has ordered the operation of disaster assistance and protection in Rawai Municipality, including the use of jet skis and rubber boats to search for the Russian man. He also notified the rescue foundation and the tourist police to assist.
The joint search was organised around the map, the tip of Cape Laem Phromthep, and the surrounding rocks. The search crew used boats in the morning to search on the surface of the water, on rocks, and under water at a distance of roughly 5 metres. The search was still ongoing around 6:00 p.m., but there was no sign.
Mr. Phakin Pew-on, a Rawai Subdistrict Municipality rescuer, claimed that when he got at the accident site, he saw a Russian man floating in the sea who appeared exhausted but was able to swim back to the nearby shore. So he rushed to lift this man before transferring him to Deebuk Hospital.
Mr. Pakin said that he would like to warn tourists who visit Promthep Cape not to be reckless about standing on the edge of the cliff in order to take beautiful photos because it’s dangerous. There used to be incidents where tourists took selfies to take pictures, and then the waves smashed into the sea, causing many injuries.
Bangkok – UOB Thailand joins Money Expo 2023 to showcase a suite of personalised and sustainable banking solutions. Visit the exhibition from May 11-14, 2023, at the Challenger Zone 2-3, Impact Muang Thong Thani, and explore UOB’s offerings and special promotions tailored to the needs of all individual and business customers.
Mr Tan Choon Hin, President and CEO, UOB Thailand, said “Our participation in Money Expo 2023 aligns perfectly with UOB’s purpose of Building the Future of ASEAN. We’re thrilled to showcase our personalised and sustainable banking solutions, and help visitors connect with our range of offerings, catering to both individuals and businesses. Our booth features financial solutions, special promotions, and activities that demonstrate our unwavering commitment to sustainable growth as a leading regional bank.”
The design concept of the UOB booth “Building the Future of ASEAN” emphasises the importance of sustainability in economic, social, and environmental aspects, aligning with the Money Expo 2023 theme of “Green Finance for Green Living.” The primary structure of the booth features an outstanding facade design inspired by the Five Bar Gate of UOB’s logo, which reflects the bank’s stability, credibility, and long-standing history of providing financial services in ASEAN. The overall design of the booth maximises the use of space while minimising waste and promoting the idea of sustainable living.
One of the highlights of the booth is the “Retail Financing Zone”, where visitors can find a comprehensive range of banking solutions, including credit cards, loans, insurance, and digital products such as UOB TMRW, all designed to cater to every financial lifestyle need.
In the “Sustainable Financing Zone”, UOB demonstrates a strong commitment to driving Green Financing in ASEAN. Within the zone, visitors can explore a range of Green Financing products, such as U-Solar for solar cell management, U-Drive for the adoption of electric vehicle (EV), and U-Energy for financing energy efficiency projects in buildings and residential properties. The booth also features a financial management consulting area for SMEs and UOB FinLab, which supports FinTech startups in growing their businesses.
UOB offers a wide range of promotions and special privileges for all event visitors who join us.
Promotions and special privileges for individual customers*:
Apply for a UOB credit card with a UOB Cash Plus cash card under the conditions specified by the Bank at the event and receive free gifts such as a Paul Frank tote bag worth 1,100 baht, a Santa Barbara Casual Backpack worth 3,190 baht, and a chic silver travel luggage, sized at 26 inches, worth 9,590 baht. In addition, new customers that apply for a UOB PRIVI Miles or UOB Premier Card can receive up to 5,000 UOB Reward Points.
Apply for a UOB Car2Cash car title loan with an interest rate of 0.45 per centper month and receive a PTT station fuel card worth 12,000 baht.
Apply for loans to purchase new homes, used homes, or refinancing, with an interest rate of 1.50per centfor the first year. Customers can also enjoy free refinancing costs such as the securities appraisal fee, stamp duty, fire insurance for 3 years, and mortgage fee.
New members of UOB Privilege Reserve, UOB Privilege Banking, and UOB Wealth Banking can enjoy a special interest rate of up to 2 per cent per annum by opening a 6–month fixed deposit account and investing 2 million baht or more, subject to the Bank’s specified conditions.
Open a savings account with UOB One Account and a non–fixed UOB Stash account to earn high interest, along with a cool Elle Duffle or Beaver bag.
Apply for all types of UOB debit cards (except UOB TMRW cards) and get a free Paul Frank wallet worth 950 baht.
Apply for a TMRW card and spend 30,000 baht within 45 days after approval date to win Marshall headphones worth 4,790 baht. Additionally, deposit 5,000 baht into your TMRW Everyday account, spend via debit card, and receive 400–baht cash back (Conditions apply).
Promotions and special privileges for business customers*:
New SME customers who apply for UOB SME Smart Choice shop insurance online can enjoy two special privileges which include a gift voucher worth 200 baht for a minimum insurance premium of 2000 baht and a gift voucher worth an additional 100 baht for an insurance premium of 5000 baht or more. The premiums start at only 6 baht per day.
New SME customers who apply for a BizSuper savings or current account can enjoy three special privileges. These privileges include 1.20 per centinterest (ends December 31, 2023), the opportunity to receive a Central gift eVoucher worth up to 500 baht by maintaining a total deposit in the BizSuper account of more than 1–3 million baht for a period of 3 months, and the chance to receive a Central Gift eVoucher worth 900 baht by making 20 or more transactions via BizSuper account via any channel over a period of 3 months. New individual SME customers who apply for a Biz Account can enjoy 1.25 per centinterest (ends December 31, 2023) for Biz Account savings deposits not exceeding 50 million baht.
Two of the UOB partners in the UOB BizSmart program provide incentives for businesses to enhance their operational efficiency through digital solutions. GHL offers a three–month free service for payment terminals, along with a gift card of up to 700 baht and a 0.1per centfee reduction for all services. HumanOS, the HR services provider, offers a program discount at 40 bahtper personper month, reduced from the standard 50 baht, when applying for a corporate account with UOB. Additionally, businesses can use the program at a price of 35 baht/person/month when applying for UOB Payroll service.
BizMoney enables businesses to grow even without the need for collateral. The loan offers a fixed interest rate of 9.99per centfor the first year and MRR+3.00per centor equivalent for the second year.
For more information about UOB’s banking solutions, please visit www.uob.co.th
*All promotions and special privileges are subject to conditions specified by the bank and its partners and are valid only at Money Expo 2023 from May 11-14, 2023.
Fans of idols belonging to Johnny & Associates Inc., one of Japan’s most powerful talent agencies, said Thursday they have submitted a petition with around 16,000 signatures demanding that the firm investigate allegations of sexual abuse by its late founder Johnny Kitagawa.
The supporters, who spoke at a press conference in Tokyo, launched in April a group called Penlight to protest the agency’s handling of such allegations after Kauan Okamoto, a 26-year-old Japanese-Brazilian singer and songwriter, claimed Kitagawa sexually abused him on multiple occasions as a young teen.
Kauan Okamoto, a musician also a former member of Japanese pop group Johnny’s Junior, speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Kitagawa was one of the most revered figures in Japan’s entertainment industry, propelling numerous groups such as SMAP, Arashi and Hey! Say! JUMP to stardom before his death in 2019.
He was also the subject of numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, with the Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun publishing in 1999 a series detailing accusations of child abuse and sexual exploitation by several boys he had taken under his wing.
The petition requests that Johnny & Associates establish a third-party committee to investigate the veracity of sexual abuse claims and apologize to the victims, among other actions.
The agency has said it will forward the petition to its board of directors, according to the group.
At Thursday’s press conference, a founder of Penlight said she felt torn between wanting to support the agency and feeling unease about its lack of action.
“It scares me that nothing will change in society when people speak out about sexual violence,” she said.
A female fan of idols represented by major Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc. speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on May 11, 2023. (Kyodo)
Okamoto was a part of Johnny’s Jr., a talent pool of male idols in training who have yet to debut in a unit or solo act.
Following his allegations, a spokesperson for Johnny & Associates responded that the agency would “make concerted efforts to ensure thorough compliance moving forward.”
The firm has also sent a letter to its business partners indicating an intention to establish a contact point for former talent to consult with external experts.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Prachuap Wongsuk, Assistant National Police Chief, together with officials from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and the Internal Security Operations Command, held a press conference on the dismantling of eight drug networks ahead of the 2023 elections.
A total of 24 suspects were arrested duting April 19 – May 10. 2023 with 1,300 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, 17 million tablets of amphetamine and 2 kilogrammes of ketamine.
Eight cases:
Arrested suspects with the property in dispute at Kuet Chang Sub-district, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province
Arrested suspects with the property in dispute at Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The drug was transported from Chaing Rai and Nakhon Sawan
Arrested suspects at a gas station in Mae Ai District, Chaing Mai Province
Arrested suspects at the Ban That Intersection, That Na Weng Sub-District, Mueang Sakon Nakhon District, Sakon Nakhon Province while the suspects transported the drug from Bueng Kan Province to send to buyers in Bangkok
Arrested suspects at a house in Pathumthani Province and at a private warehouse distribution centre at Na Di Sub-District, Mueang Samut Sakhon District, Samut Sakhon Province
Arrested suspects near the National Highway No. 12 (Tak-Sukhothai), Krai Nok Sub-District, Kongkrailat District, Sukhothai
Arrested suspects at the drug checking point, Chana District, Songkhla Province
Arrested suspects at 1063 road, Mae Khao Tom Sub-District, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province
The Narcotics Suppression Bureau will conduct further investigations into the networks. The disputed property will be sent to the Narcotics Control Board office for inspection, The Medical Science Division, the Police Forensic Science Bureau and the Central Institute of Forensic Science. The disputed items are then stored at the Ministry of Health before being destroyed.
Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) has been recognized for its commitment to food safety by winning a prestigious gold prize at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva. The award was granted to the company’s CPF R&D Center for their Listeria Traceability Package Kit, a revolutionary genomics diagnostic technology that detects Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes through specific DNA barcodes to monitor and trace the food supply chain.
This innovation represents a breakthrough for food safety and highlights CP Foods’ commitment to improving standards in the sector. By identifying and tracking contaminated pathogens in the manufacturing process, from farm to factory, the Listeria Traceability Package Kit allows shows for rapid swift and accurate analysis result to manage food hygiene and management of bacteria that pose a risk to consumer health. Additionally, DNA Barcodes of the sub-species will be collected as an industrial database, enabling quick tracking of the infection source, and preventing re-contamination.
Dr. Sudarat Ledlod, Food R&D Department Manager at CP Foods’ R&D Center, explained that the Listeria Traceability Package Kit is just one of the many innovations that the company has developed to raise food safety standards and build consumer confidence. The test kit is an important tool that enables food manufacturers to control product quality and safety more quickly and accurately. By preventing and reducing bacterial contamination in food, the kit is an effective way to maintain high standards of food safety and prevent harm to consumers.
In addition, this kit also won the Distinguished Innovation Award from King Abdulaziz University, given to only a few outstanding innovative works.
The 48th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva is a renowned global platform for innovation invention, with participants from over 40 countries exhibiting their inventions. With more than 1,000 inventors and researchers participating in the competition and over 10,000 visitors attending the event, CP Foods’ gold prize win underscores the company’s leadership in food safety innovation.
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand votes Sunday in an election many see as an opportunity to break free from military-dominated governments that have held power for most of the nation’s modern history.
THE BASICS:
Some 52 million eligible voters will choose among candidates from 70 parties to serve a four-year term in the House of Representatives. It will have 400 members directly elected by constituencies and 100 chosen by proportional representation on a nationwide party preference ballot.
Parties that win at least 25 seats are qualified to nominate a prime minister and can name up to three candidates.
The prime minister is selected by a simple majority of a joint vote of the lower house and the Senate, whose 250 members were not elected but appointed by a military government. That means the winning candidate needs at least 376 votes.
Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, center, leaves after a general election campaign in Nonthaburi province, Thailand, March 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
THE BACKSTORY:
Political turmoil has persisted since the 2006 army coup ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The billionaire populist was accused of corruption and abuse of power, but his popularity also rattled the traditional royalist ruling class, who felt the king and their privilege were threatened.
Thaksin went into exile to avoid prison, but his supporters and opponents continued to fight for power, in the streets and at the ballot box. Thaksin proxy parties won elections, but then were kicked out of office due to controversial legal rulings by the highly conservative courts.
A government that came to power with Thaksin’s sister Yingluck Shinawatra was deposed by a coup in 2014 led by then-army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha. The Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai Party won the most seats in the 2019 election, but a military-backed party cobbled together a coalition government with Prayuth as prime minister.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, one of the opposition Pheu Thai Party’s three nominees to become the next prime minister, talks to reporters at Thammasat University’s indoor gymnasium in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok, Thailand, on March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
THE CONTENDERS:
Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is squaring off against Prayuth, who is running for reelection with the United Thai Nation Party.
Opinion polls show Paetongtarn favored to become the next prime minister and her Pheu Thai Party set to grab the lion’s share of house seats.
The Move Forward Party, led by businessman Pita Limjaroenrat, is surging in the polls, galvanizing especially younger voters as it boldly advocates for reform of the military and monarchy, the latter a sensitive subject since the institution has traditionally been regarded as sacrosanct.
Other parties lag behind but may factor in the wheeling and dealing to assemble a coalition government. They include the Palang Pracharath Party, backing Prayuth’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan as its nominee; and the Bhumjaithai Party, which controls a large bloc of votes in the northeast.
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat waves to his supporters during a debate hosted by Thailand’s Channel 3 in Bangkok, Thailand, May 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
THE ISSUES:
In many respects, the election is seen as referendum on Prayuth’s last four years in power, during which his government turned back several no-confidence motions but was widely scorned for mishandling the economy and botching Thailand’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Most voters are probably concerned about the ailing economy, and the major parties all promote populist policies generally involving cash handouts.
Move Forward stands out in pushing ideological issues front and center, attracting voters tired of the anti-democratic means by which Prayuth came to and stayed in power, and by extension, the decades of military interference in politics.
Real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin, one of the opposition Pheu Thai Party’s three registered nominees for prime minister, waves to supporters during a general election campaign in Bangkok, Thailand, March 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES:
All signs are that Pheu Thai will capture the greatest number of House seats, but forming the next government will be a challenge. The party has little chance of winning votes from the Senate, which gave unanimous support to Prayuth in 2019.
An alliance with Move Forward would be natural because of their shared enmity for the military, but the smaller party’s more radical stance, especially calling for reform of the monarchy, would make other parties reluctant to join.
Pheu Thai could propose one of its alternates as prime minister, playing down the links to the Shinawatra family, which is loathed by royalist conservatives.
It could also back former general Prawit as prime minister in an effort to win the trust and votes of a bloc of otherwise unfriendly senators.
If none of those options work, Prayuth or another figure could emerge as prime minister with a minority government, which would be a recipe for instability.
On 11 May 2023, Dr. Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, Director General of Department of Livestock Development, Mr Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs, Director General of Department of Agriculture, and Ms. Amber Parr, Counsellor (Agriculture), Australian Embassy Bangkok, have joined the ‘Thailand – Australia Collaboration on Agriculture Trade’ ceremony.
This ceremony has marked close collaboration between two countries on opening trade opportunities for Thai cooked duck meat into Australia and Australian avocado into Thailand. It is pleasing that technical processes to establish import conditions for both commodities have been finalised.
During the ceremony, the Director General of Department of Agriculture signed the Notification of Department of Agriculture Re: Conditions for Import of Avocado Fruit from Australia. Once this document is published on the royal gazette, and verification is successfully conducted by Thailand, Hass avocado from Western Australia can be imported into Thailand.
Australian agriculture counsellor also presented a letter from Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on Thai cooked duck meat to Director General of Department of Livestock Development. This official letter concludes the health certificate for the importation of cooked duck meat from Thailand into Australia. Once import conditions are uploaded onto Australia’s import condition database, then trade can commence.
These joint achievements are an evident of collaborative spirit between two countries in facilitating agricultural trade while managing biosecurity risks which could have negative impact on economy and environment.
Thailand and Australia have established strong relationship on agriculture for decades. With the elevation of the Thailand-Australia relationship to a Strategic Partnership in November 2020, there are new opportunities to foster closer ties and build more prosperous and sustainable agriculture and agri-food sectors.
Trade has an essential role in building this prosperity and supporting lasting food security. Both countries are net exporters of agriculture, fisheries and forestry products with two-way trade in agriculture worth nearly 80 billion baht in 2022, increasing by 66 per cent in value since 2018.
Apart from the trade, both parties have continued constructive exchanges in the areas of mutual interests, including biosecurity management, young smart farmer, agricultural data, dairy, beef and irrigation, as well as sustainable agriculture.
