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Corruption Allegations Loom Over Phuket Airport Staff
Picture courtesy: AoT Phuket Phuket International Airport's management is currently under scrutiny for corruption, though no official investigation has commenced. Concerns centre on four Airports of Thailand (AoT) management staff accused of mismanaging an 11.8 million baht (£256,000) contract for commemorative stickers, yet they remain employed as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) continues to gather evidence. In late November, NACC officials from Bangkok conducted onsite inspections following the allegations. However, the commission's Phuket office chief, Suwat Saowarat, has confirmed that they are still in the evidence-collection phase and, as such, a formal investigation hasn't been initiated. The completion of this phase will dictate when the Central NACC might proceed with an official inquiry. The specific inquiries include collecting documents related to the contract, assessing budget allocations, and examining procurement methods and authorisation processes. These steps are crucial, especially given the discrepancies noted in the auction dates for the contract and the actual installation of the stickers, which occurred prior to the scheduled bidding. Meanwhile, the NACC has expressed concerns about AoT's delay in providing necessary documentation, a situation that may be stalling their progress. While the investigation remains informal, the AoT's internal mechanisms have reportedly taken disciplinary actions against the implicated staff. However, details of the actions or their severity have not been disclosed, citing internal policy reasons. Phasaramon Kanchanawanit, representing AoT communications, has assured that an internal AoT committee is reviewing the situation. Yet, the lack of external reporting to state-required agencies like the PACC or NACC has drawn criticism, reflecting possible gaps between internal procedures and formal legal obligations. Despite the seriousness of the accusations, the lack of formal investigation keeps the matter in a nebulous state. As of now, the NACC awaits further documentation to advance towards a potential official probe. Meanwhile, AoT's statement in August, which promised disciplinary action post-internal review, provides no clear insight into the measures taken against the accused. This situation underscores the challenges governmental oversight entities face in holding state-run enterprises accountable. The next steps will likely depend on the NACC’s ability to obtain comprehensive evidence, and whether AoT can justify its internal handling of the allegations transparently. For now, the spotlight remains on both AoT and NACC, as stakeholders await clarity and decisive action. This illustrates the balance that agencies must strike between internal review processes and ensuring accountability under public corruption laws, reported The Thaiger. -- 2025-02-10 -
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Anutin Highlights China's Praise for Thailand’s Scam Crackdown
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shuts down electricity supplies to five locations in Thailand-Myanmar border at the Provincial Electricity Authority headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Provincial Electricity Authority via AP) China has praised Thailand for cutting electricity to disrupt scam centres in Myanmar, according to Thai Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. This support follows Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's recent official visit to China, where allied efforts to tackle crime were a focal point. Returning from a diplomatic mission to China, Ms Paetongtarn met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, among other officials, to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation. The Chinese government commended Thailand's decisive action against scam centres by severing electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to five areas notorious for fraud activities along the Thai-Myanmar border. The Thai government's move, seen as a significant step in safeguarding national security, aims to dismantle operations run by criminal gangs that exploit forced labour to perpetrate fraud. This crackdown was necessitated by the broader implications of these operations, which compromise the security and interests of multiple countries. Despite the Thai government's intentions, the disruption has stirred unrest among Myanmar nationals living near the Thai border. In Tak province, over 100 protesters, mostly from Myawaddy in Kayin State, gathered to voice their discontent with the interruptions to daily life. They aimed to block key trade crossings between Thailand and Myanmar, reflecting the challenges people face due to the fallout from anti-fraud initiatives. The protests, while a direct response to the economic strain felt by households and small enterprises affected by the power cuts, bring to light the delicate balance between enforcement and humanitarian concerns. As protestors marched to the bridges connecting the nations, Myanmar police ensured the rally remained within Myanmar’s territory. The demonstrators have urged Myanmar officials to broker a resolution with Thai authorities, simultaneously calling for a boycott of Thai products and demanding the closure of key crossings to pressure a restoration of services. In anticipation of escalating issues, the National Security Council has indicated the potential for similar crackdowns in additional regions if criminal activity persists. Thailand's electricity supply extends beyond Myanmar, reaching Laos and Cambodia, where similar actions could be considered if necessary, highlighting the regional scope of these cooperative efforts. Thailand’s initiative seems bolstered by international support, notably from China, reinforcing the need for united efforts in combating cross-border crime. As this situation unfolds, maintaining peace and addressing both the root causes and consequences of these operations will be vital for regional stability, reported Bangkok Post. -- 2025-02-10 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 10 February 2025
Sign in a Pai restaurant declaring "No Israel here". Picture courtesy: Amarin TV Rising Anti-Israel Sentiments in Pai Following Tourists Misconduct Tensions are simmering in Pai, Mae Hong Son, as anti-Semitic sentiments have surfaced, leading several businesses and a local restaurants to display signs stating that Israeli tourists are unwelcome. This reaction follows disturbances caused by certain Israeli travellers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1351250-rising-anti-israel-sentiments-in-pai-following-tourist-misconduct/ -
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Rising Anti-Israel Sentiments in Pai Following Tourists Misconduct
Sign in a Pai restaurant declaring "No Israel here" on the right, and an image of the foreign tourist involved in an incident with two female restaurateurs on the left. Composite courtesy: AMARIN TV Tensions are simmering in Pai, Mae Hong Son, as anti-Semitic sentiments have surfaced, leading several businesses and a local restaurants to display signs stating that Israeli tourists are unwelcome. This reaction follows disturbances caused by certain Israeli travellers. On 8th February, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwit Bunnaphen of the Mae Hong Son Tourist Police confirmed the removal of disruptive Israeli tourists from the country. These individuals were charged with causing disturbances at Pai Hospital and have had their entry permits revoked. Picture courtesy: AMARIN TV The incidents underscore concerns about some foreign tourists who, by behaving poorly and violating laws, disrupt the peace and order of the local community. Police Major General Sakyasira Pueng-um, from the tourist police, emphasised rigorous law enforcement for all tourists, irrespective of nationality, aiming to ensure equal treatment and maintain peace. Following these events, authorities in Pai intend to enforce tourism-related laws more strictly to ensure a harmonious environment for both tourists and locals. Social media activity has compounded the situation. One Facebook user posted that a local restaurant has refused entry to Israeli tourists. Another post, featuring a video, showed inebriated tourists behaving inappropriately, leading to fear among local businesses. The post's author expressed security concerns, feeling anxious with only two women managing the establishment. Picture courtesy: AMARIN TV Immigration Police Inspector, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wichai Panna, said efforts are underway to locate and question the tourists from the viral video to address the concerns raised by local businesses. In 2024, Pai saw 221,776 foreign tourists, including a significant number from Israel. However, official statistics often overestimate actual stays due to repeated accommodation reports for the same individuals as they move locations. Currently, it is estimated that around 2,000 to 3,000 Israeli tourists reside in Pai, a notable reduction from official figures, reported Amarin TV. RELATED TOPIC 4 Israeli men fined for causing chaos at hospital in Mae Hong Son https://aseannow.com/topic/1351023-4-israeli-men-fined-for-causing-chaos-at-hospital-in-mae-hong-son/ -- 2025-02-10 -
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Samsung A55-5G Macro image of Mango Blossom at night: What's wrong? if anything?
Dear Folks, I am very, VERY pleased with the A55-5G phone, for what I normally use it for. Great amount of RAM, 12GB Adequate internal memory storage: 256GB Very reasonable cost, quite undeniably! However, when it comes to photography...haha....because... IMHO, it's still a JOKE compared to my old camera which I purchased...back in...1978. This is why, anytime anyone asks me why I use my camera phone to take, mostly, nothing but images of store-purchase receipts, or maybe the neighbor's cat in my yard, I just say that it does not measure up to my 50-year-old camera, made by Nikon. For example, just a few minutes ago, I noticed that my mango tree was blossoming early this year. I decided to document it by recording an image of said blossom. I turned the camera on the phone to MACRO, and got up close, but not too close. Still, here is what the phone camera recorded.... What's wrong with this picture? Or, what's wrong with the camera of the phone, for that matter? Here is an image of my Nikon F2AS, a camera which I loved....so deeply. Also, it was a film camera, another thing I loved....so deeply. Do you even think that a Nikon would take such as sorry photo of a mango blossom as you see, above you? It never would. It never did. On the phone-camera, there is no way to focus the lens. Everything seems automatic. And, so, sometimes, the images turn out like this. I am not one to take many photos, daily, as I once thought I might. Still, when a mango blossom image turns out like this...then...it's such a let-down. Also, just look at the difference in the size of the lens! This is a 50mm lens, a NORMAL lens, on the Nikon. Gods only know what kind of creepy lens is in my Samsung phone. I must admit, the Nikon F2AS, back in 1978, cost about.... Today, the price of the F2AS would be about.... Therefore, I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about. I am ONLY asking and wondering about.... What's wrong with this mango-blossom picture? Next time, I hope to do better. Thank you. Regards, Gamma -
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