National police chief refutes claim of foul play in Surachate Hakparn case
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 31 May 2025
UPDATE Loose Bolts Blamed for Fatal Bell 212 Helicopter Crash Picture courtesy of Matichon. Initial investigations into the recent crash of a Bell 212 police helicopter in Prachuap Khiri Khan province have revealed that two critical bolts had come loose, leading to a catastrophic loss of control and the severing of the tail section, senior police officials confirmed on 30 May. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361652-helicopter-crash-in-prachuap-khiri-khan/page/2/#findComment-19837394 -
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Accident Helicopter Crash in Prachuap Khiri Khan
UPDATE Loose Bolts Blamed for Fatal Bell 212 Helicopter Crash Picture courtesy of Matichon. Initial investigations into the recent crash of a Bell 212 police helicopter in Prachuap Khiri Khan province have revealed that two critical bolts had come loose, leading to a catastrophic loss of control and the severing of the tail section, senior police officials confirmed on 30 May. Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, the Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police, chaired an emergency meeting at the Police Aviation Division in Bangkok. The session was attended by deputy inspector-general Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthiphon Atchariyapradit, aviation division commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Amnat Detboonluang and relevant technical and flight personnel. The meeting was convened following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of a pilot and two engineers. The wreckage of the helicopter, which had been recovered from the crash site, was transported to the aviation division for forensic inspection. Pol. Gen. Thatchai said the investigation had been prioritised by the national police chief, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, who had tasked him with identifying the cause without delay. Preliminary Findings: Two Missing Bolts Speaking after the inspection, Pol. Gen. Thatchai confirmed the initial findings: “The tail rotor lost stability due to two bolts detaching from the rear rotor assembly. This caused the rotor to lose control and ultimately severed the tail section of the aircraft, which is responsible for directional control.” He stressed that while these findings are preliminary, the incident points to either a mechanical fault or a maintenance failure. The detached bolts, still within their operational lifespan with more than 600 hours of use remaining, are now a focus of the investigation. Thai Airways International is under contract to perform major maintenance for police aircraft, while minor repairs are handled internally by the Royal Thai Police. Investigators are working to determine whether the failure originated during manufacturing or during recent repairs and whether the parts used met the necessary quality standards. “We cannot yet conclude whether the fault lies with the manufacturer, maintenance procedures or material quality. But we will find answers. This incident will have consequences, both criminal and civil,” said Thatchai. He added that the process will involve scrutiny of procurement budgets, repair authorisations and potential negligence. In response to speculation that the helicopter had previously been serviced by the Royal Thai Air Force, Pol. Gen. Thatchai said there was no evidence of this so far. “This investigation is grounded in science, with physical evidence and documentation. We must await the facts. This is not a witch hunt, but accountability is paramount. I assure the public, there will be no cover-up.” Pol. Maj. Gen. Amnat Detboonluang, commander of the Police Aviation Division, underscored the seriousness of the incident, noting that two police aviation accidents had occurred within just 30 days. “The safety of our aircraft and the lives of our pilots are of the highest importance. No one wants accidents like this to happen,” he said. Regarding the national police chief’s scheduled visit to Thong Pha Phum in Kanchanaburi province on 31 May, Amnat confirmed that a Eurocopter would be used for the journey instead of another Bell 212, to ensure additional precautions. “All our aircraft are technically safe to operate, but we will only fly after thorough inspections.” Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-31. -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 31 May 2025
TAT Rolls Out Roadshow in Japan: Eyes THB 55 Billion Tourism Surge Picture courtesy of Freepik In a grand bid to draw more Japanese tourists and hit a lofty revenue target, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unleashed the ‘Amazing Thailand Roadshow to Japan 2025’. Spanning three bustling cities, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, the roadshow is making waves and aiming to net a whopping THB 55 billion by the year’s end. The strategy? Engage, entice, and expand—the trifecta approach to luring travellers from Japan’s rich market. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362307-tat-rolls-out-roadshow-in-japan-eyes-thb-55-billion-tourism-surge/ -
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Tourism TAT Rolls Out Roadshow in Japan: Eyes THB 55 Billion Tourism Surge
Picture courtesy of Freepik In a grand bid to draw more Japanese tourists and hit a lofty revenue target, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unleashed the ‘Amazing Thailand Roadshow to Japan 2025’. Spanning three bustling cities, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, the roadshow is making waves and aiming to net a whopping THB 55 billion by the year’s end. The strategy? Engage, entice, and expand—the trifecta approach to luring travellers from Japan’s rich market. With Japanese tourism to Thailand on the upswing—up a robust 12.3% in 2025—the roadshow is timely. Last year, over a million Japanese tourists hit Thai shores, a first since the pandemic threw a wrench into travel plans worldwide. To keep the momentum going, TAT has lined up roadshow events chock-full of opportunities for over 25 Thai tourism businesses. The schedule is packed to the brim from May 26 to 30, promising more than 1,000 business tete-a-tetes with 60-plus Japanese travel operators. Japan was a cash cow for Thai tourism before COVID-19, raking in 93.7 billion baht from 1.78 million visits in 2019. Fast forward, and 2024 saw a promising uptick to 1,050,904 arrivals, a solid 30.68% year-on-year climb. New data for 2025’s first quarter shows 374,000 arrivals, mainly buoyed by flight recoveries between the two countries. This positive trend is matched by stats from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), recording a 20.7% surge in outbound Japanese travellers this February. Deputy Governor Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai has set the wheels in motion by targeting Japan’s low-travel Green Season. Her roadmap goes beyond typical tourist bustle, offering irresistible packages for premium travellers, plus Millennials and Gen Z thrill-seekers chasing unique experiences. Emphasis is also on winning repeat visits and expanding tantalising Thai temptations to Japan’s rural pockets. With this roadmap, TAT sets a course for robust engagements, enticing offers, and geographical expansion, laying the groundwork for a prosperous tourist influx from Japan as the global travel scene bounces back. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-05-31 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 31 May 2025
Loan Shark Gang Arrested After Harassing 76-Year-Old Woman in Lampang Picture courtesy of Khaosod. Authorities in Lampang have arrested two men involved in an illegal loan shark operation after they were found threatening and intimidating a 76-year-old woman who had borrowed 4,000 baht to care for her bedridden son. A total of 49 victims were later identified, with loan records totalling 330,000 baht seized during the operation. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362306-loan-shark-gang-arrested-after-harassing-76-year-old-woman-in-lampang/ -
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Crime Loan Shark Gang Arrested After Harassing 76-Year-Old Woman in Lampang
Picture courtesy of Khaosod. Authorities in Lampang have arrested two men involved in an illegal loan shark operation after they were found threatening and intimidating a 76-year-old woman who had borrowed 4,000 baht to care for her bedridden son. A total of 49 victims were later identified, with loan records totalling 330,000 baht seized during the operation. At a press conference held on 30 May, at the Mueang Lampang District Office, Mr. Thanarat Saithaep, District Chief of Mueang Lampang, and Mr. Pasut Na Lampang, Deputy District Chief for Security Affairs, announced the arrest in coordination with provincial administrative enforcement units, police officers from Mueang Lampang Police Station, and local village leaders. The arrested suspects were identified as Mr. Apichat 45, from Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province and Mr. Witiya 37, from Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province. Both men were apprehended after allegedly harassing an elderly woman named Mrs. Somjit, who had failed to meet the aggressive daily repayment schedule. Authorities conducted a carefully planned sting operation, stationing officers at multiple points throughout the village to intercept the suspects. The two men were caught arriving in a Toyota Camry and were immediately confronted. Upon questioning, they admitted to collecting illegal loan repayments and consented to a search. Evidence obtained included a debtor list containing 49 names, chat records with borrowers, money transfer slips, and three mobile phones. The suspects confessed that the interest charged was 20% per month, well above the legal limit. Following their arrest, the suspects were formally charged with “engaging in personal loan business without a licence” and “lending money with interest exceeding legal limits.” They have confessed to the charges and were handed over to Mueang Lampang Police for legal proceedings. The arrests followed a previous welfare visit on 22 April 2025, when Lampang Red Cross President Ms. Natcha Meechan, alongside Mrs. Thanyarat Saithaep and local officials, visited Mrs. Somjit’s home in Ban Pao Subdistrict. The elderly woman lives with her 31-year-old son, Mr. Jetsada, who is bedridden and suffers from brain damage following a motorbike crash. During the welfare visit, officials learned that Mrs. Somjit had borrowed 4,000 baht from an illegal moneylender to cover household expenses. When she was unable to make repayments, she was subjected to harassment, including an incident where superglue was poured into her door lock to prevent her from entering her home. Concerned by her situation, local authorities coordinated an investigation, which ultimately led to the arrests. Officials have vowed to continue efforts to protect vulnerable citizens from predatory lending practices. Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-31.
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