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Despite high airfare costs, Thai Air Asia X reports a successful year File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google Passengers should brace for continued high airfares as airlines deal with the challenges of a plane shortage, increased labor costs, and a limited supply of spare parts, all limiting their capacity to meet the increased demand in travel. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327508-despite-high-airfare-costs-thai-air-asia-x-reports-a-successful-year/

Passengers should brace for continued high airfares as airlines deal with the challenges of a plane shortage, increased labor costs, and a limited supply of spare parts, all limiting their capacity to meet the increased demand in travel. According to a report by ING Bank NV, these difficulties are a result of multiple issues in the global aviation industry's supply chain. Problems with Boeing's production and defects in engines made by Pratt & Whitney have resulted in a reduced number of available aircraft, which is hindering the sector's recovery despite the growing demand for air travel. Airbus and Boeing are struggling with a backlog of orders, leading to an increased demand for used planes. This situation is pushing up leasing rates, especially for widely used single-aisle models such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 and 321. A lack of skilled workers is also causing delays in the retrofitting and refurbishing of older planes. Air carriers globally including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, and Air New Zealand are being forced to reevaluate their growth plans and cut flights due to these challenges. These airlines have experienced delays in aircraft delivery and unexpected maintenance problems. Ticket prices are anticipated to remain high and could potentially increase by 15-20% above inflation in early 2024 in Europe. Despite the increased costs, people are still prioritizing air travel. Other insights from the report predict that factors such as delivery delays, increased maintenance, extreme weather, geopolitical tensions, and labor disputes will negatively impact airline profitability. Notably, despite an awareness of the environmental damage caused by aviation emissions, many people, especially younger travelers, are not willing to decrease their air travel. Even with these industry-wide challenges, Thai AirAsia X is expected to carry nearly 1 million passengers this year due to strong performance on its routes to Japan. They are also planning to resume direct flights to Nagoya, which were suspended during the pandemic, and operate 36 weekly flights to four Japanese cities. By 2024, Thai AirAsia X aims to carry 1 million passengers, reaching 90% of their 2019 passenger levels, with a load efficiency of 85%. The airline has also exceeded 1 billion baht in operational profits for the first quarter of this year, representing its first post-pandemic profit. They hope to expand their current fleet of seven A330s to fifteen aircraft by 2025. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Exports of Thai mangoes have more than doubled in the first three months File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google Thailand experienced a significant rise in exports in the first quarter of this year. Sales of fresh mangoes soared by a massive 130% to reach a total of around 1.6 billion baht, compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, exports of sticky rice also rose by 13% equaling around one billion baht. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327507-exports-of-thai-mangoes-have-more-than-doubled-in-the-first-three-months/

Thailand experienced a significant rise in exports in the first quarter of this year. Sales of fresh mangoes soared by a massive 130% to reach a total of around 1.6 billion baht, compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, exports of sticky rice also rose by 13% equaling around one billion baht. Chotima Iemsawasdikul, head of the Trade Negotiations Department, remarked that the recent review by the TasteAtlast website, which rated Thai mango sticky rice as the world's second-best rice pudding, has further boosted the dish's global popularity. This presents a great opportunity for Thai exporters to expand their business using the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) Thailand has established with countries like ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea Australia, New Zealand, India, Chile, Peru, and Hong Kong. Thailand is a major player in the mango and sticky rice export fields, ranking fifth in mango exports and second in sticky rice exports worldwide. Chotima added that only Laos and Cambodia from the nine ASEAN countries apply a 5% import tax on Thai mangoes. China, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, India, Chile, and Peru don't tax imports, while South Korea levies a 24% tax. On the other hand, countries like Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, and Chile don't charge tax on Thai sticky rice. But China has reduced the import tax to 50%, while Indonesia and Malaysia apply 30% and 32% tax respectively. The tax-free frozen ready-to-eat mango sticky rice from Thailand is exported to 16 countries. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Taxing times: Local governments urged to ‘build’ a better law An aerial shot of grassy field near the road and the sea with trees at daytime / Image courtesy of wirestock on Freepik Local governments must take a more active role in revising the land and building tax law, which has been in effect for five years, according to the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Pornchai Thiraveja. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327505-taxing-times-local-governments-urged-to-‘build’-a-better-law/

Local governments must take a more active role in revising the land and building tax law, which has been in effect for five years, according to the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai stated that the Land and Building Tax Act of 2019 grants local administrative organisations the authority to collect taxes to fund local development initiatives. However, this property tax has faced several implementation challenges. For example, high-value urban land used to grow limes is taxed at a much lower rate than vacant land, creating discrepancies. Local administrative organisations must scrutinise these issues to confirm the actual land use, said Pornchai. “Revising the law requires input from both taxpayers and tax collectors to find common ground.” He explained that the law aims for equitable and thorough tax collection, with rates varying based on land use. Determining land use in line with the law’s objectives requires careful judgment, necessitating a review of the legal provisions to ascertain where discretion is appropriate and whether the available information is adequate. For instance, land designated as environmental, such as mangrove forests, requires a neutral party to confirm this status. Clarity needed Without such a declaration, owners might claim it as environmental land, while officials could classify it as land for profitable use, requiring additional information. At the end of April, the House Standing Committee on Monetary Affairs, Finance, Financial Institutions, and Financial Markets convened to discuss the tax’s enforcement. The panel identified issues with tax collection that contradict good taxation principles, which should be straightforward for both tax collectors and taxpayers and should entail minimal collection costs. The tax collection process has been burdened by high operating costs and lengthy procedures, rendering it impractical. Additionally, the determination of tax rates has been criticised as unfair because the rates based on different land uses are not beneficial to the economy, the committee said. “The tax collection affects the real estate market and land purchases for commercial and industrial development. As a consequence, the law should be amended or repealed.” Based on value The law mandates tax collection based on the value of land and buildings, categorising land use into three types: agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial land, including vacant land. The tax rate for land and buildings is progressive, based on their value. The rates for agricultural land start at 0.01%, with an exemption for agricultural land owned by individuals valued at no more than 50 million baht. Residential land starts at a 0.02% rate, with an exemption for primary homes and land valued at no more than 50 million baht. Commercial and industrial land starts at a 0.3% rate, while fallow and vacant land that is not utilised appropriately is taxed at the same rate as commercial and industrial land. If the owner does not utilise vacant land, the tax rate increases by 0.3% every three years, up to a maximum of 3%, reported Bangkok Post. An aerial shot of grassy field near the road and the sea with trees at daytime / Image courtesy of wirestock on Freepik Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Navigating new depths: RTN seals deal for Chinese submarine Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed its decision to proceed with the purchase of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China, following successful negotiations earlier this week. This announcement came from an RTN source. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327504-navigating-new-depths-rtn-seals-deal-for-chinese-submarine/

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed its decision to proceed with the purchase of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China, following successful negotiations earlier this week. This announcement came from an RTN source. General Somsak Rungsita, adviser to Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and chairman of the Defence Ministry panel dealing with the submarine issue, held discussions with a Chinese delegation led by Colonel Shi Xionning, a deputy director at China’s Bureau of Military Equipment and Technical Cooperation (BOMETEC). These talks took place on Tuesday, May 14. The subsequent day saw the Chinese delegation meeting with Sutin to further discuss the matter, according to the source. Both parties have agreed to the construction of an S26T Yuan-class submarine through a government-to-government procurement deal. “The problem has been solved because of good relations between the two countries.” The agreement includes the installation of a CHD620 electric generator, replacing the initially planned German MTU396 engine. “The CHD620 is, in fact, a submarine electric generator. It is not meant to serve as an engine.” The RTN previously sent a working panel to observe the testing of the CHD620 generator in China. Despite the generator not having been used before, it has received an industrial certificate from the Chinese Defence Ministry and a certificate of approval from Lloyd’s Register, an international marine shipping classification society based in London. Pakistan, which faced a similar issue, also permitted China to replace a German-made engine with the CHD620 in a submarine purchased from China. Contract extension request The Defence Ministry plans to request Cabinet approval this month to extend the contract by an additional 1,217 days, following the original deadline that ended on December 30 last year. The RTN also sought an interpretation from the Council of State concerning an amendment to the contract to switch from a German-made engine to a Chinese-made electric generator. The RTN remains confident in its authority to amend the contract. Delays in resolving the problem were attributed to China merging agencies responsible for selling weapons to foreign countries into BOMETEC. Instead of paying 200 million baht in compensation for the delayed submarine construction, China will provide the RTN with a submarine training simulator and spare parts, valued at approximately 200 million baht also. China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) was contracted to build the submarine for 13.5 billion baht under a government-to-government deal with Thailand. Construction was reportedly halfway completed but faced delays due to the pandemic and the engine issue, reported Bangkok Post. The original deal, signed in May 2017, specified a German-made diesel engine. However, Germany refused to sell the engine to China due to its classification as a military/defence item, adhering to the EU’s arms embargo on China imposed in 1989. Consequently, Beijing proposed the use of a Chinese-made engine instead. Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UPDATE: Suspect Reportedly Admits to Killing Victim in South Korean Murder Case in Pattaya Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News South Korean officials have reported that one of the two suspects held in connection to the murder of a South Korean citizen, Eui Jong Roh, 34, has confessed. The suspect declared that he and his accomplices captured Mr. Roh after sedating him at a nightclub in Bangkok's RCA area, with a plan to later rob him. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327109-remains-of-missing-korean-man-discovered-in-chon-buri-reservoir/?do=findComment&comment=18919993

UPDATE: Suspect Reportedly Admits to Killing Victim in South Korean Murder Case in Pattaya South Korean officials have reported that one of the two suspects held in connection to the murder of a South Korean citizen, Eui Jong Roh, 34, has confessed. The suspect declared that he and his accomplices captured Mr. Roh after sedating him at a nightclub in Bangkok's RCA area, with a plan to later rob him. The suspects drove the unconscious victim to a Romklao house and were headed to Pattaya when Mr. Roh woke up and tried to resist them. The unsuspecting victim was then brutally assaulted and ultimately strangled to death, the suspects confessed. Mr. Roh's lifeless body was then moved to a house close to Pattaya. Here, the suspects put it in a plastic barrel filled with concrete and dumped it in Mabprachan Reservoir. There are allegations that they also attempted to obtain ransom from the victim's family member. Thai police have since impounded the car involved in the crime and are examining it for further evidence. They are still on the lookout for another suspect, Kim Hyung Kwan, who is believed to have escaped to neighboring countries. Yet another South Korean suspect, already behind bars, denies being involved in the crime. Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News -- 2024-05-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Teenage gang leader caught following series of samurai sword robberies Photo courtesy of The Thaiger Authorities in Chiang Mai have arrested an 18-year-old gang leader and two accomplices, aged 17 and 14, following a series of robberies. The gang, led by the individual identified as Bung Peach, reportedly threatened and attacked local skateboarders with a samurai sword, before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327442-teenage-gang-leader-caught-following-series-of-samurai-sword-robberies/

Authorities in Chiang Mai have arrested an 18-year-old gang leader and two accomplices, aged 17 and 14, following a series of robberies. The gang, led by the individual identified as Bung Peach, reportedly threatened and attacked local skateboarders with a samurai sword, before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. Deputy Investigation Chief of Mueng Chiang Mai Police Station, Police Lieutenant Worawan Kanwana, conducted the arrest. The young men were caught with the samurai sword, motorcycles linked to the crimes, and stolen goods including fruit juices and cigarettes. The arrests follow an incident on May 11, where two 20-year-old men, Kangchit and Thakdanai, were assaulted and robbed while skateboarding at Prasertsaran Land in Chiang Mai. The defense efforts by Kangchit led to an attack by the gang which left him with a forehead injury requiring nine stitches. Police investigations uncovered that the gang's criminal activities stretched beyond this incident, with subsequent assaults and thefts in the Hang Dong and San Pa districts of Chiang Mai as well as the Chang Phueak police precinct area. The police were able to track down the suspects after examining CCTV footage that matched the appearances of Bung Peach and his accomplices. During questioning, Bung Peach admitted to the crime series throughout Chiang Mai. As part of their process, the police took him to reenact the crimes at the different locations before formally pressing charges. Photo courtesy of The Thaiger -- 2024-05-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Man Turns Himself In After Kidnapping and Assaulting His 7-Year-Old Son Photo courtesy of The Thaiger A man from Thailand turned himself in at a police station after allegedly attacking and abducting his seven-year-old son. The boy's mother, a 34-year-old woman, had sought help from a social media personality, Kuntouch "Gun" Phongpaiboonwet, and the local police following the incident on May 15. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327440-thai-man-turns-himself-in-after-kidnapping-and-assaulting-his-7-year-old-son/

A man from Thailand turned himself in at a police station after allegedly attacking and abducting his seven-year-old son. The boy's mother, a 34-year-old woman, had sought help from a social media personality, Kuntouch "Gun" Phongpaiboonwet, and the local police following the incident on May 15. She stated that her ex-husband, 33-year-old Naweesak Saetao, physically abused their son, Bell, and also threatened to kill him before kidnapping him. During a video call with the mother, Naweesak was seen choking and hitting Bell. He was also accused of previously forcing Bell to consume bathroom cleaning liquid. In the wake of their separation four months prior, Bell had been living with his father. The mother suspected that Naweesak was putting their son in danger to attempt a reunion with her. Police investigated the incident by reviewing CCTV footage around Naweesak's home, which showed him taking Bell on a motorcycle towards another province. In the evening, Naweesak surrendered to the police and let the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (M-Society) take custody of Bell. Naweesak confessed to abusing Bell and tried justifying his actions, blaming his anger towards his ex-wife for not prepping school admission documents for their son. He also admitted to forcing Bell to drink cleaning liquid but contends this was an unrelated incident from three years ago. After he admitted to drug use, police gave him a drug test that resulted positive, although the exact drug remains undisclosed. Naweesak faces charges related to violence, threats and coercion, which can result in a three-year jail sentence, a fine of 60,000 baht, or both. He has also allegedly violated the Domestic Violence and Child Protection Acts, with details still pending. The legal consequences of his drug use are also indeterminate. Meanwhile, Bell is being cared for by the M-Society and is expected to live with his mother once his mental health is stable. Photo courtesy of The Thaiger -- 2024-05-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

OnlyFans model arrested by Thai police for encouraging illegal gambling File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google A famous model on OnlyFans, Lalada, has been arrested by Thai police in her Lat Phrao, Bangkok condominium. The 23-year old is facing accusations of promoting illegal online gambling. Reports suggest she received 20,000 baht for every 30 posts she made advertising betting websites on her social media profiles. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327439-onlyfans-model-arrested-by-thai-police-for-encouraging-illegal-gambling/

A famous model on OnlyFans, Lalada, has been arrested by Thai police in her Lat Phrao, Bangkok condominium. The 23-year old is facing accusations of promoting illegal online gambling. Reports suggest she received 20,000 baht for every 30 posts she made advertising betting websites on her social media profiles. The arrest operation was commanded by Police Major General Thiti Saengsawang and executed by a team headed by Police Colonel Teeradech Thammasuthee. Members of the team, including Police Lieutenant Colonel Kiattisak Sarathong-oi, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wichit Thirakhajornwong, Police Lieutenant Krithawat Khunin, and Police Lieutenant Pratchaya Kotsakha were involved in the capture of Lalada. The police had been observing Lalada’s social media activity. They noticed her regular posts, mainly on Facebook and Instagram, which led followers to gambling platforms. These posts often featured a Line ID tag for additional interactions. An officer who participated in the investigation clarified that Lalada was encouraging her followers to sign up on online casinos via her posts. Lalada’s activity was described as thus: “She had been posting adverts and inviting individuals to gamble online on her personal Facebook and Instagram profiles. She provided details of betting websites in the comment sections of her posts, guiding individuals to websites like Omega9.” With sufficient proof in hand, the police secured a search warrant from the Criminal Court, which was issued on May 15, permitting them to search Lalada’s domicile. The officers identified themselves to Lalada and explained the search warrant to her upon entering her condo. An iPhone 15 Pro Max belonging to Lalada was found during the search. The phone contained evidence confirming her role in promoting gambling activities. Her Facebook and Instagram profiles had numerous posts advertising illegal betting sites. Lalada confessed to owning and operating these social media accounts and admitted that she had been promoting online gambling since 2018. She mentioned she was being paid 20,000 baht (US$550) by two betting websites for every 30 posts she created. The police charged Lalada with arranging, advertising and encouraging illicit gambling. Lalada understood and admitted to all charges after they were explained to her by the police. After her arrest, a report about the incident was filed by the officers and Lalada was taken to the Chokchai Metropolitan Police Station for further legal procedures. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Elephant Causes Ranger's Death, Raising Year's Total Elephant Attack Fatalities to 21 Photo courtesy of Thai PBS A forest ranger named Wallop Burapha was fatally attacked by a wild elephant at the Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary in Chachoengsao's Sanam Chai Khet district on Wednesday. This incident marks the 21st elephant-related fatality this year. Additionally, six others were injured, as reported by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Burapha, age 36, was a part of the department's emergency response team, responsible for returning displaced elephants to their environments. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327438-elephant-causes-rangers-death-raising-years-total-elephant-attack-fatalities-to-21/

A forest ranger named Wallop Burapha was fatally attacked by a wild elephant at the Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary in Chachoengsao's Sanam Chai Khet district on Wednesday. This incident marks the 21st elephant-related fatality this year. Additionally, six others were injured, as reported by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Burapha, age 36, was a part of the department's emergency response team, responsible for returning displaced elephants to their environments. The department estimates that over 4,000 wild elephants live in forests nationwide, with the population increasing by about 8% annually. As a result of habitat reduction due to human encroachment, more elephants are moving onto farmlands in search of food, leading to human conflict. In the first two months of this year alone, elephant attacks resulted in 13 deaths, several of which occurred in Chachoengsao's Ban Na Noi. Damage to various fruit orchards such as mango, durian, banana, and jack fruit has also been attributed to the elephants. In 2020, about 5,217 elephants strayed from their habitats, adversely impacting over 150,000 households across 30 provinces. Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi, Prachin Buri, and Trat were the most affected areas. The department is considering using drones fitted with thermal sensors to monitor the elephants as part of their preventive measures. They plan to ask the government for about one billion baht in the next fiscal year to address these issues. The funds will provide for enhancements such as increased nourishment and water supplies in the elephants' habitats, barrier construction around forest-front communities, manpower increase, the drone purchases, and compensation for damage caused by elephant activities. They aim to purchase 198 drones, costing 250,000 baht each, to aid the rapid response teams. Photo courtesy of Thai PBS -- 2024-05-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

The suspect in the shooting of the Slovakian Prime Minister is a 71-year-old writer File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google A 71-year-old writer has been implicated in the attempted assassination of Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico. The Interior Minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, confirmed the reports on Wednesday, after media outlets identified the suspect. The suspect was apprehended at the scene of the shooting incident in Handlova. Prime Minister Fico, widely regarded as a populist, was critically wounded after a government meeting in Handlova. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327414-thai-pm-stands-with-slovakia-pm-following-public-shooting/?do=findComment&comment=18919896

The suspect in the shooting of the Slovakian Prime Minister is a 71-year-old writer A 71-year-old writer has been implicated in the attempted assassination of Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico. The Interior Minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, confirmed the reports on Wednesday, after media outlets identified the suspect. The suspect was apprehended at the scene of the shooting incident in Handlova. Prime Minister Fico, widely regarded as a populist, was critically wounded after a government meeting in Handlova. Local media have identified the alleged shooter as a founding member of the DUHA (Rainbow) Literary Club, hailing from the town of Levice. The elderly suspect, known for his three poetry collections, is part of the official Association of Slovak Writers. Upon confirmation of his involvement, the association stated on Facebook that they would immediately revoke his membership. The suspect's son, speaking to a Slovakian news outlet, admitted to being clueless regarding his father's plan. He verified that his father possessed a legal firearm license. Asked if his father harbored ill-will towards the prime minister, the son disclosed that his father did not vote for Fico. Several of the suspect's political statements were found on social media, articulating thoughts about societal violence, immigration, and extremism, among other issues. Eight years ago, he also declared that he had founded a "Movement Against Violence" in Levice, a group describing itself as a budding political party aiming to combat societal violence and hatred. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

GISTDA Releases Bangkok's First Detailed Images Captured by THEOS-2 Satellite Photos courtesy of The Pattaya News On May 15, 2024, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) revealed the first images taken by the "THEOS-2" satellite, which was launched into space on October 9, 2023. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327436-gistda-releases-bangkoks-first-detailed-images-captured-by-theos-2-satellite/

On May 15, 2024, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) revealed the first images taken by the "THEOS-2" satellite, which was launched into space on October 9, 2023. Dr. Pornthep Navakitkanok, Director of the National Satellite Manufacturing Center, stated that the "THEOS-2" had entered into orbit. After its launch, engineering teams performed various tests to ensure the satellite system's stability and adherence to international standards. Dr. Pornthep confirmed that the THEOS-2 satellite met all GISTDA's criteria and was hence tasked with capturing the first detailed images of Bangkok, Thailand. The satellite's capabilities are impressive, with the ability to capture objects as small as 50x50 CM in clear detail. This feature makes the satellite particularly invaluable in city planning across various sectors, including transportation, environment, and public utilities. Additionally, it can be used for student research purposes. GISTDA plans to continue expanding the development of the space ecosystem and industry, viewing it as a critical element in the nation's science, technology, and innovation development. Furthermore, the THEOS-2 will be entirely functional and accessible to the public on a digital service platform by July 2024, said Dr. Pornthep. Photos courtesy of The Pattaya News -- 2024-05-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Activists call for bail rights for those accused of political crimes File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google Today, renowned political activists Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul and Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon handed in a petition to the government. They called for the provision of bail and a clear investigation into activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom aka "Bung Thalu Wang's" death, who was in judicial custody. They also requested a swift enactment of an amnesty law to cover all political criminals. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327435-activists-call-for-bail-rights-for-those-accused-of-political-crimes/

Today, renowned political activists Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul and Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon handed in a petition to the government. They called for the provision of bail and a clear investigation into activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom aka "Bung Thalu Wang's" death, who was in judicial custody. They also requested a swift enactment of an amnesty law to cover all political criminals. Somkid Chuekong, the deputy secretary-general of the prime minister for political affairs, formally received the petition at the Government House. The duo, representing the Thalu Fah group and United Thammasat and Demonstration group, carried along a poster that showed a promise, made by the Pheu Thai party during their electoral campaign, to ensure political offenders have bail rights. Audio recordings of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Pheu Thai party leader Paetongtarn discussing these rights were also played. Speaking on Netiporn's death at Thammasat University Hospital on Tuesday, Panusaya expressed concerns over the Corrections Department's failure to share footage of Netiporn's transfer from the department's hospital. However, in response, Somkid expressed his condolences for Netiporn's death but clarified that the government couldn't intervene in the court's decision to grant bail for political offense suspects. He also stated that neither parliament nor the government had been slow in processing the amnesty bill and pointed out that parliament was currently on a break. A report from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights shows that 1,954 individuals have been legally charged with political offenses in 1,295 instances, which includes 1,466 charges for violating the Emergency Act and another 272 charges for lèse majesté. File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google -- 2024-05-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

BusinessDay: 10-Year-Old Thai Rice could be Exported to Nigeria, Africa File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google A growing worry is brewing in Nigeria, Africa's most heavily populated nation, about the likelihood of decade-old Thai rice being sold in African markets. This stems from the Thai government's announcement that they plan to sell this rice, according to Nigeria's BusinessDay. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1327434-businessday-10-year-old-thai-rice-could-be-exported-to-nigeria-africa/