In a riveting twist of fate, a senior prosecutor has been officially found guilty by the anti-corruption agency for attempting to grease the palms of customs officials in order to facilitate the smuggling of rhino horns valued at an astounding 170 million baht. This clandestine operation was orchestrated seven years ago with the sole aim of evading any criminal charges. The drama unfolded yesterday as the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) declared that Nopparat Boonsri, a former deputy Saraburi chief public prosecutor overseeing rights protection, legal assistance, and law enforcement, was responsible for masterminding the bribery scheme in 2017. NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol revealed that the commission’s investigation concluded that Nopparat, who was previously known as Worapas Boonsri and held the rank of a police major, had enticed officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Control Customs Office with assets and benefits. This unscrupulous offer was in exchange for turning…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the heart of Songkhla’s bustling Hat Yai district, a scandal is brewing that has left the community in shock. School executives at Saman Khun Wittayathan School are now grappling with serious accusations of corruption and forgery, tainting projects as crucial as school lunches, scholarship funds, and the procurement of educational supplies. The allegations suggest a significant financial blow, with over two million baht believed to have been misappropriated. Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), provided insights into the investigation on Tuesday. He revealed that the CIB had teamed up with the Anti-Corruption Division and the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to launch a thorough inspection of the alleged nefarious activities at the school. The investigation was ignited by fervent complaints from teachers who suspected foul play within their educational sanctuary. Legal action has been initiated against some top officials within the school.…
Work is humming along on the elevated portion of the high-speed rail tracks, connecting Saraburi and Kaeng Khoi, since January last year. This 12.9-kilometre segment is an integral part of the broader Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed train route. Just imagine cruising along these tracks at high speeds! (Photo: High-speed train project Saraburi-Kaeng Khoi) The wheels of progress keep turning for the Sino-Thai high-speed rail (HSR) link, as this ambitious project will take center stage during the mobile cabinet meeting set for Nakhon Ratchasima next week. The urgency to advance this project is palpable, thanks to Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong’s announcement on Tuesday. The sprawling 250.77-kilometre high-speed rail link between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima is slated for completion sometime in 2028—a date that now feels tantalizingly close. Currently, the first phase of the project is soaking up about 179.41 billion baht and is well underway. But the bullet…
In November last year, rifles gleamed under the exhibition lights at a defence and security fair in Nonthaburi province. The display was no mere spectacle but a signal of evolving military strategies, as indicated by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent declarations. Srettha has underscored the imperative for the armed forces to adopt an offset policy in their acquisitions of weapons and military equipment. This policy necessitates securing reciprocal benefits as a precondition for any new procurement deal. Such benefits could span opportunities for Thailand to play a role in developing cutting-edge defence technologies provided by the countries supplying military hardware. In a high-stakes meeting on Monday with Marcus Wallenberg, the influential president of Swedish bank Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) and Saab AB, Prime Minister Srettha floated the idea of Thailand purchasing a fleet of 12 SAAB Gripen fighter jets. During their discussions, Srettha took the opportunity to mention the offset…
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin is championing a transformative initiative to utilize seized assets from narcotic drug cases to bolster rehabilitation programs for drug addicts. On Tuesday, Somsak, drawing from his tenure as Justice Minister, highlighted pivotal amendments he had spearheaded in narcotic laws, particularly those surrounding asset seizures. “Under the old regime, the asset seizure laws were like a broken umbrella in a storm—pretty ineffective,” Somsak remarked with a wry smile. “Our approach was too passive, which resulted in a meager 20 million baht annually trickling into the Office of the Narcotics Control Board’s (ONCB) narcotic drug fund. But we should be milking far more from those illicit assets.” He emphasized the necessity of pivoting from defensive tactics to aggressive asset seizures, coupled with rewards for public tip-offs, to inject more funds into the system. Somsak painted a vivid picture of the collaborative efforts between various sectors to ensure…
In a dynamic turn of events, a crucial Police Commission meeting is set to take place today to determine the fate of deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, famously known as “Big Joke.” The meeting, which will convene around 2-3pm, will be presided over by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also chairs the Police Commission. The primary agenda for the gathering is to reassess whether the Royal Thai Police’s previous order to dismiss Pol Gen Surachate was legally sound. The stakes are high, especially after Pol Gen Surachate threatened to file a malfeasance complaint against Mr. Srettha should the dismissal not be revoked. Addressing the press, Mr. Srettha remarked, “We haven’t been idle for the past three to four months. We’re meticulously navigating the legal intricacies of this issue. While we’ve been actively working to resolve the matter, it’s essential to respect the legal procedures involved.” Today’s meeting will…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday brushed off critics’ claims that a government initiative to raise the foreign ownership quota in condominiums and extend land leases essentially amounts to “selling off the nation”. “It’s about long-term leases, not selling land. It has nothing to do with selling the nation,” the prime minister clarified amidst growing opposition. Last week, the cabinet initiated a study examining the proposal to increase the foreign ownership stakes in condominiums from the current 49% to 75%. Additionally, they are considering extending land lease terms for foreigners from the existing 30-50 years to a potential 99 years. Interestingly, this proposal didn’t make it to the agenda for Tuesday’s cabinet meeting. Instead, the Department of Lands is busy weighing the pros and cons of the policy, informed Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Minister Anutin emphasized the necessity of economic stimulation. He assured that the proposed changes are not designed…
The Senate candidates in Bangkok gathered to cast their pivotal votes at the provincial-level election hosted in the grand Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre on June 16. With anticipation and determination, these aspiring senators are competing for the golden ticket to the ultimate round of national voting scheduled for Wednesday. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the winners from this decisive round will face off at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi for a coveted spot amongst the 200 Senate seats. The Election Commission (EC) is leaving no stone unturned to ensure this is a fair and transparent election, with results set to be unveiled on July 2. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee emphasized that the poll body is meticulously monitoring each candidate’s actions. Imagine a scene of suspense straight out of a political thriller—several candidates, all staying in the same hotel, weaving through corridors while exchanging opinions and…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin faced a flurry of questions from reporters on Tuesday at Government House, addressing swirling rumours that the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) might be ousted from the government. The rumours surfaced from an interview given by Thaksin Shinawatra, the perceived kingmaker of the Pheu Thai party. But Srettha was unequivocal. “Palang Pracharath remains a steadfast coalition partner,” he asserted, dismissing any notion of avoiding a meeting with Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the party’s influential leader. The buzz began after 40 caretaker senators filed a petition with the Constitutional Court. Their beef? They argue that Srettha should be booted from office over an “ethical violation” tied to his appointment of Pichit Chuenban, who had a criminal record, to the cabinet. Although Pichit stepped down almost immediately, the court has agreed to review the case, with the next hearing slated for July 10. Thaksin hinted in his interview that Gen…
On February 25, 2023, the Customs Department took a major step in the battle against illegal e-cigarettes, publicly displaying seized contraband worth a whopping 72 million baht before their destruction. This eye-catching spectacle underscored the ongoing war against unauthorized vaping products in the country. In the midst of these efforts, a recent survey conducted between May 1 and 27 involving 40,164 youths aged 6 to 30 has shed light on some startling beliefs and behaviors regarding e-cigarettes among the young population. Dr. Sura Wisetsak, the director-general of the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS), revealed the findings with a tone of concern. The survey was a collaborative effort between the DHSS’s Health Education Division, the Thailand Youth Institute, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The data revealed that a significant 18% of respondents were using e-cigarettes, and even more worryingly, many held dangerous misconceptions about these devices. Out of the…