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Big Joke urged to resign by pundit Jatuporn Prompan after arrest warrant and guilty finding by PM’s panel by James Morris and Son Nguyen Former redshirt political activist turned TV pundit Jatuporn Prompan (right), on Friday, urged General Surachate Hakparn, the under-fire deputy police chief, to resign. It follows a disastrous week for General Surachate or ‘Big Joke’ following an arrest warrant being issued against him by a Bangkok court and a prime ministerial panel pronouncing him guilty of money laundering. Big Joke urged to resign amid scandal that has enveloped him. Pundit Jatuporn Prompan advises a career shift after preliminary guilty finding by the PM’s panel and an arrest warrant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324385-big-joke-urged-to-resign-by-pundit-jatuporn-prompan-after-arrest-warrant-and-guilty-finding/

Former redshirt political activist turned TV pundit Jatuporn Prompan (right), on Friday, urged General Surachate Hakparn, the under-fire deputy police chief, to resign. It follows a disastrous week for General Surachate or ‘Big Joke’ following an arrest warrant being issued against him by a Bangkok court and a prime ministerial panel pronouncing him guilty of money laundering. Big Joke urged to resign amid scandal that has enveloped him. Pundit Jatuporn Prompan advises a career shift after preliminary guilty finding by the PM’s panel and an arrest warrant. Thailand’s top cop faces dire career prospects as an extended legal battle looms. Further shocking revelations in the Royal Thai Police corruption saga expected as activist lawyer Sittra Biebangkerd digs further. Top current affairs pundit in Bangkok and former Redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, this weekend, advised embattled senior police officer General Surachate Hakparn to resign from government service. Mr Jatuporn advised the popular police officer to enter politics. It comes after a disastrous week for the top cop. On Tuesday, a court issued an arrest warrant for him related to money laundering. In turn, this was followed at the end of the week by another blow. That was when General Winai Thongsong, the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s investigative panel declared him guilty of money laundering in a preliminary report. General Surachate has found himself in the vortex of a huge police corruption scandal. Certainly, his lawyers and others investigating the scandal, suggest he is innocent. Indeed, his lawyers claim a campaign to discredit him is at the root of his problems. However, Mr Jatuporn, on Friday, warned the deputy police chief that the criminal case against him may take seven years to finalise. In the meantime, disciplinary proceedings against the top cop may ultimately end his career. by James Morris and Son Nguyen Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2024-04-08 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pilot describes severity of smoke problem from forest fires in Chiang Mai Image Courtesy: Captain Faisal A pilot for Thai Airways International has given his perspective of the severity of the PM2.5 dust and smoke problem in Chiang Mai province. Full. story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324384-pilot-describes-severity-of-smoke-problem-from-forest-fires-in-chiang-mai/

Image Courtesy: Captain Faisal A pilot for Thai Airways International has given his perspective of the severity of the PM2.5 dust and smoke problem in Chiang Mai province. In his “Captain Faisal” Facebook post on Saturday, the pilot wrote that he landed his aircraft at Chiang Mai airport at about 9am and, as soon as the door of the plane was opened, the first thing that struck his nostrils was the smell of smoke. He wrote that visibility was reduced to about two kilometres, he only saw the runway at a height of 200 feet and the Doi Suthep mountain was totally shrouded in smoke. In a second post, in response to several questions about how the smoke will affect flights approaching Chiang Mai airport, Captain Faisal responded by writing that thick smoke reduces visibility and pilots who were not trained in handling such a situation will not be able to land, even though the airport is equipped with a system to guide the pilots in the landing. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-04-08 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

7,000 tonnes of “missing” cadmium waste found in Chon Buri warehouse Officials have found about 7,000 tonnes of carcinogenic cadmium waste at a warehouse in Ban Bueng district of Chon Buri, which are believed to have been illegally transferred from a warehouse in Samut Sakhon, where over 10,000 tonnes were reported to have gone missing. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324383-7000-tonnes-of-“missing”-cadmium-waste-found-in-chon-buri-warehouse/

Officials have found about 7,000 tonnes of carcinogenic cadmium waste at a warehouse in Ban Bueng district of Chon Buri, which are believed to have been illegally transferred from a warehouse in Samut Sakhon, where over 10,000 tonnes were reported to have gone missing. Jullapong Thaveesri, director-general of Industrial Works Department, said yesterday that the department had received a tipoff that many large bags, containing cadmium slag, bearing markings similar to the bags found in Samut Sakhon, were stored at a warehouse in Khlong Kiew sub-district in Ban Bueng district of Chon Buri. Officials from the Industrial Works Department and police from the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division were dispatched to the warehouse yesterday. They estimate that there were more than 7,000 tonnes of cadmium waste and the warehouse was ordered closed. Jullapong said that there are about 20 warehouses in the same compound and only four of them have operating licenses. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-04-08 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Western Engineer Assaults Pattaya Bar Women In Row Over Bill by TNR Staff The beer bar workers being beaten up by a German engineer. Photo: TV Channel 7 TWO WOMEN working at a beer bar filed a complaint against a Western engineer at Pattaya City police station this afternoon (Apr. 7) for beating them up in a row over a bill and submitted a surveillance camera clip to support their accusation, TV Channel 7 said this evening. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324382-western-engineer-assaults-pattaya-bar-women-in-row-over-bill/

TWO WOMEN working at a beer bar filed a complaint against a Western engineer at Pattaya City police station this afternoon (Apr. 7) for beating them up in a row over a bill and submitted a surveillance camera clip to support their accusation, TV Channel 7 said this evening. Ms. Anchisa, 55, manager of the beer bar, and Ms. Warunee, 39, a general employee, told police that at 2 a.m. today a German man and his Thai wife came to their bar to drink beer. When they finished a bill was given to him but he refused to pay saying they had overcharged him and that he did not drink that much. They then tried to explain the bill to him, with this totalling around one thousand baht, but he refused to listen and then attacked them. They alleged that the engineer had pushed and slapped them as well as pulled their hair and held them to the ground then pulled them both out to the middle of the road. There were cars passing by but no one came to help them. by TNR Staff The beer bar workers being beaten up by a German engineer. Photo: TV Channel 7 Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-08 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 8 April 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1324381-thailand-live-monday-8-april-2024/

Motorcyclist and child fall into road sinkhole in Nonthaburi (video) Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A dramatic road collapse under the Rama IV Bridge in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, sent a motorcyclist and a child tumbling into a sinkhole hole, prompting swift rescue efforts by locals. The incident, which occurred at 11.20am, severely disrupted traffic and led to an immediate closure of the affected area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324312-motorcyclist-and-child-fall-into-road-sinkhole-in-nonthaburi-video/

A 65 year old British man critically injured himself after he was impaled on a sharp iron fence at his residence in the Bang La Bang district of Chon Buri. The incident occurred in the wee hours of today at Choke Chai Garden Home 2 in Tambon Nong Pru. Briton critically injured after impaling himself on iron fence by Mitch Connor | Picture courtesy of Siamrath Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324349-briton-critically-injured-after-impaling-himself-on-iron-fence/

Ratchaburi homeowner shoots trespasser claiming self-defence by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A homeowner in Ratchaburi province fatally shot a young man after the latter allegedly attempted to trespass onto his property. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324300-ratchaburi-homeowner-shoots-trespasser-claiming-self-defence/

A homeowner in Ratchaburi province fatally shot a young man after the latter allegedly attempted to trespass onto his property. Local police is investigating the incident which occurred at 7.30pm yesterday. The homeowner claimed self-defence, reporting that he fired warning shots before the fatal encounter. The 42 year old homeowner opened fire, killing a 25 year old man near his residence. The incident, rooted in a confrontation that quickly spiraled out of control, has since become a subject of intense police scrutiny. Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officials found the homeowner waiting with a 9mm firearm. In the garden behind the house, they discovered the body of the young man who had no identification on him. He wore a blue t-shirt, black long pants, and black sneakers and had sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen, buttocks, and left leg. The homeowner recounted that he returned home to find the trespasser in his backyard after his sister had alerted him of someone shaking the doors, attempting to enter the house. With only his sister, his nephews, and an elderly uncle at home, he rushed back, fearing for their safety. Upon confronting the intruder, who appeared inebriated and unresponsive, the homeowner, armed and feeling threatened, fired warning shots. The man, holding an unidentified dark object, continued advancing, leading to the fatal shooting. The police, led by Deputy Inspector Thanadech Kolongpimai and accompanied by emergency responders, began their investigation immediately. Initial murder charges have been filed against the homeowner as the authorities continue their inquiry, reported KhaoSod. Meanwhile, the deceased’s body has been taken for autopsy, and efforts are underway to locate his relatives for the religious rites. In related news, Phuket authorities apprehended a 17 year old boy on March 27 after he allegedly shot a 16 year old boy near the Phuket Mining Museum. The incident was reported to the police around 1.35am, when the young victim was targeted whilst riding his motorcycle. An unidentified man in a white pickup truck approached him and fired a shot, hitting the teenager in his left arm. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Govt Has Failed In Economic Performance During Q1: Isaan Poll By Thai Newsroom Reporters Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin flanked by de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, right, and party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left. Photo: Matichon THE PHEU THAI-LED GOVERNMENT was recently viewed by most northeastern people to have ultimately failed in economic performance during the first quarter of this year, according to the Isaan Poll released over the weekend. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324299-govt-has-failed-in-economic-performance-during-q1-isaan-poll/

THE PHEU THAI-LED GOVERNMENT was recently viewed by most northeastern people to have ultimately failed in economic performance during the first quarter of this year, according to the Isaan Poll released over the weekend. The latest opinion poll conducted by Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Economics with a total of 1,100 people from all walks of life in all 20 Isaan provinces has found the Pheu Thai-led government only scoring 32 out of a total 100 in economic performance between last January and March. That compared to 33 out of 100 which the current coalition government under the Pheu Thai-endorsed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was found to have scored during last October and December. By Thai Newsroom Reporters TOP: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin flanked by de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, right, and party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left. Photo: Matichon Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Fatal motorcycle crash in Bangkok unveils hidden gun by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Sena Nikhom Road in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, claiming the life of a 37 year old man. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324296-fatal-motorcycle-crash-in-bangkok-unveils-hidden-gun/

A fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Sena Nikhom Road in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, claiming the life of a 37 year old man. The incident, which happened around 2.30am today, took a turn when authorities discovered a firearm hidden underneath the vehicle’s seat. The accident took place approximately 500 metres from the Sena Nikhom intersection along Phahon Yothin Road, a four-lane street known for its challenging curves. The deceased, identified only as Nopat, was found without a helmet, sustained severe injuries to his neck and abrasions to his ankle, resulting in immediate death. Nearby, his overturned black Honda Scoopy motorcycle, with the license plate number 9 กจ 231 Bangkok, lay in a crumpled state. The initial investigation suggests that Nopat lost control of his motorcycle while navigating the curve, subsequently colliding with the steel road barrier with great force. Bloodstains on the barrier indicated the point of impact. In an effort to identify the victim, officials searched for identification and instead uncovered a black shoulder bag beneath the motorcycle’s seat, which contained a fully loaded gun. The weapon was seized for further examination. Nopat’s body was transferred to the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for autopsy, reported KhaoSod. The authorities have since been in contact with his relatives to arrange for the collection of the body and the subsequent religious funeral rites. In related news, a 17 year old male motorcyclist was killed and his girlfriend critically injured after their motorcycle crashed into a stationary pickup truck in Samut Prakan on March 26 at 2.30am. The accident took place near the entrance to the Samut Prakan Hospital on Suk Sawat Road, in the Pak Klong Bang Pla Kot subdistrict of Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan province. In other news, a motorcycle crash at a busy intersection in Chachoengsao province resulted in two people being seriously injured. The incident occurred when two young Thai women, aged 24 and 28, were on their way to work. Due to brake failure, one woman decided to run a red light, causing a violent crash with another motorbike, driven by a 49 year old postal worker. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai women rescued from Cambodian scamming operation by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Three Thai women have confessed to being forced into making hundreds of daily calls for a Cambodian-based, Chinese-run scamming operation, under the threat of violence or prostitution. The women shared their experiences after being safely returned to Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324295-thai-women-rescued-from-cambodian-scamming-operation/

Three Thai women have confessed to being forced into making hundreds of daily calls for a Cambodian-based, Chinese-run scamming operation, under the threat of violence or prostitution. The women shared their experiences after being safely returned to Thailand. The chairman of the Northeast’s Social Development and Human Security Volunteers (SDHSV), Khamphong Teerat, commended Thai and Cambodian authorities on the rescue of these three individuals, cousins aged between 14 and 25 years old, on March 29. The operation was a collaborative effort with the Consular Affairs Department and the Human Security Emergency Management Center, following a report to the police by the victims’ relatives. The young women went missing from their home in the Khon Buri district of Nakhon Ratchasima on February 28. They revealed to the SDHSV that they had responded to a job advertisement for an online gambling website, claiming to offer assistance to members via the Line application for a monthly salary of 25,000 baht. The women contacted the employer through a broker and were taken to Sa Kaeo Province. Afterwards, a man guided them across the natural border into Cambodia. When they arrived at their work place, they were made to take a typing speed test under the watchful eye of their Chinese employer. Upon failing the test, they were relocated to a five-storey building where they discovered around a hundred other Thais being coerced into working as call centre scammers. The women claimed that resistance was met with Taser shots. Their task involved contacting Thai citizens under the guise of police officers, extracting personal information, and then passing the call onto another scammer. The women were expected to make between 500 and 700 calls per day, obtaining the personal details of at least three to four victims. Failure to meet these targets resulted in threats of being sold into prostitution, beaten or even killed, they alleged. Leaving the building was prohibited and attempts to escape were met with severe punishment, including beatings with a baseball bat. One of the victims managed to deceive the gang into allowing her to call her family for help by pretending she wanted to recruit friends to join her, reported Bangkok Post. The victims consider themselves fortunate to have escaped and express a desire to warn others about the dangers of accepting such positions. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand walks aisle to marriage equality: What it means for same-sex couples – and the rest of us By Thai PBS World’s General Desk File photo : Reuters At least 142 LGBTQIA+ couples have lined up to register their marriage as Thailand stands poised to become the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize unions of non-heterosexual people in law. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324291-thailand-walks-aisle-to-marriage-equality-what-it-means-for-same-sex-couples/

At least 142 LGBTQIA+ couples have lined up to register their marriage as Thailand stands poised to become the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize unions of non-heterosexual people in law. The draft amendment to Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code, better known as the Marriage Equality Bill, has already sailed through the House of Representatives with overwhelming support. The Senate followed suit earlier this month by approving the bill in principle. At this rate, 284 LGBTQIA+ individuals should be able to lawfully tie the knot in Thailand before the end of this year. “They will register their marriages at a historic moment,” Ann Chumaporn, an activist for gender diversity, told Thai PBS World. Maple and her lover are among the 142 couples eager to launch a new era for Thailand by being the first to register their same-sex marriages. “I really can’t wait for the bill to take effect,” said the 38-year-old, who asked for her full name to be withheld. Maple already has a daughter from a previous relationship with a man. However, he can’t compare with her current partner, a 30-year-old transgender individual with whom she has now built a family. “My son, now 18, has never talked about her biological father,” Maple revealed. “She calls my current partner Pa [dad]”. Her trans partner loves and takes good care of her son, she adds. He has supported her son the way a good father would, even taking charge of transporting the teenager to and from tuition classes after school. “Society tends to think that marriages among heterosexual couples are happier. But that’s not true,” said Maple, who works as a sales representative for a gender-affirmation surgery clinic. “Any couple, regardless of their gender, can have a perfect family too.” By Thai PBS World’s General Desk File photo : Reuters Full story: Thai PBS 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Immigration officials gear up for Songkran rush at Thai border by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod The head of the Immigration Police and the chief of Immigration Division 6 recently inspected the Sadao and Padang Besar border checkpoints in Songkhla province. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324283-immigration-officials-gear-up-for-songkran-rush-at-thai-border/

The head of the Immigration Police and the chief of Immigration Division 6 recently inspected the Sadao and Padang Besar border checkpoints in Songkhla province. The inspection took place yesterday at 10.30am as part of a drive to ensure the readiness of the immigration facilities in anticipation of the increased flow of tourists during the Songkran festival, which marks the Thai New Year. During this crucial pre-festival period, Itthipol Itthisarnronnachai, the head of the Immigration Police, accompanied by Songprode Sirisukha, the chief of Immigration Division 6, assessed the procedures in place to handle the expected surge in cross-border travel. The Songkran Festival, falling in mid-April, traditionally sees a substantial increase in both domestic and international tourists, who partake in the celebrations across Thailand. The officials’ tour of the Sadao and Padang Besar checkpoints was not just a routine check but a strategic move to boost confidence among tourists regarding the efficiency and security of Thailand’s border controls. It also aimed to reassure the public that the immigration services are well-prepared to manage the festive rush without compromising on service quality or safety. To further this objective, the authorities discussed various aspects of the immigration process, including the facilitation of entry and exit procedures, reported KhaoSod. In addition to reviewing operational preparedness, Itthipol Itthisarnronnachai and Songprode Sirisukha also took the opportunity to distribute gifts to the immigration officers. These tokens of appreciation served to encourage and motivate the staff, highlighting the significance of their role in upholding the nation’s reputation during the Songkran holiday. In related news, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, StopDrink Network (SDN), and other relevant agencies conducted a press conference on Monday to deliberate on the celebration of Songkran in a manner that prioritised enjoyment, safety, and the absence of violence. Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of Thai Health, emerged as one of the prominent speakers at the event. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Rayong police investigate Facebook gold scam by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Victims of a fraudulent gold instalment scheme reported their case to the police, claiming to have been deceived by a scammer posing as a renowned gold shop in Rayong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1324281-rayong-police-investigate-facebook-gold-scam/

Victims of a fraudulent gold instalment scheme reported their case to the police, claiming to have been deceived by a scammer posing as a renowned gold shop in Rayong. Police Lieutenant Anuphong Phuangpee from the Klaeng District Police Station in Rayong Province received complaints from three victims, including 46 year old Suladda, Pornpawee, and Sasithorn. They were duped into making payments for gold through Facebook but never received the items as advertised. Suladda recounted that she saw a Facebook post from a user named Nanthaporn Thamthaworn offering gold on an installment plan. The post advertised a 1-baht weight gold necklace with a down payment of 4,900 baht, followed by 10 instalments. After making the down payment, victims were promised immediate delivery of the gold necklace. Trusting the advertisement, Suladda signed a contract and provided copies of her identification and house registration documents. She transferred the initial 4,900 baht to Nanthaporn Thamthaworn’s account at Krung Thai Bank. When the gold did not arrive after several days, Suladda contacted the seller, only to be told that the shop had not yet sent the gold. After repeatedly inquiring and receiving no satisfactory response, the person at the other end of the line dared her to file a police report. The realisation that they had been swindled dawned on the victims when the actual gold shop announced on its page that someone was falsely using its name to deceive people. The shop clarified it offered no such installment plans for gold. With this knowledge, the victims attempted to make contact again, but to no avail. They then decided to file a report, along with two other victims who had been similarly misled, reported KhaoSod. The police are now coordinating with the bank to trace the account into which the victims deposited their money to identify and prosecute the individual responsible for the fraudulent scheme. by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-06 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe