It seems like the drama within the police force in Thailand is more thrilling than a primetime TV show, and everyone is tuning in for the latest twists and turns. Democrat MP Chaichana Detdecho, the chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, is certainly feeling the heat as the public demands more details about the tumultuous investigation into discord within the ranks. And who can blame them? The stakes are high when the conflict involves none other than national police chief Torsak Sukvimol and his fiery deputy, Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn. The saga took another dramatic turn on Thursday when Wissanu Krea-ngam, a legal adviser to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, announced Pol Gen Torsak’s reinstatement as chief. Yet, in true cliffhanger style, the announcement left out the juiciest details. When exactly will Pol Gen Torsak return to his duties? Nobody knows, and speculation is running wild! MP…
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During an intense budget debate in the House of Representatives on Friday, Move Forward Member of Parliament, Pukkamon Nunarnan, made a compelling argument against the government’s significant allocation of funds to public relations (PR). Her scrutiny threw a spotlight on the nearly 3 billion baht set aside for PR activities, questioning the necessity and efficiency of such extensive spending. Pukkamon Nunarnan, a prominent party list-MP with the Move Forward Party, meticulously dissected the proposed outlay of 2.94 billion baht of taxpayer money earmarked for advertising and PR campaigns. Her analysis uncovered a troubling trend: a staggering 600 million baht worth of projects were redundant, particularly those focused on anti-drug campaigns. According to Pukkamon, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), and both the Defence and Interior ministries have overlapping initiatives. The MP expressed skepticism about whether these repetitive campaigns would offer real benefits to the public. She…
In a surprising turn of events, the Ministry of Transport is considering postponing a planned toll hike on the Don Muang Tollway, with the possibility of even reducing the current fees, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed on Friday. Originally, the toll rates were set to jump from 115 baht to 130 baht per trip this year. Mr. Suriya shared that he had instructed the Department of Highways, which granted the concession to operate the tollway, officially known as the Utraphimuk Expressway, to investigate ways to alleviate the financial burden on motorists. “We are committed to finding solutions that make life easier for motorists by cutting their costs,” he noted. The Utraphimuk Expressway, a vital 21-kilometre stretch, connects the bustling Din Daeng area of Bangkok to the serene National Memorial in Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani. The operating concession, held by Don Muang Tollway Plc and valid through 2034,…
Police and forensic officers are meticulously gathering evidence on the Kamraingoen, a ship that’s been modified and repainted beyond recognition. This vessel, one of three oil-smuggling ships, was recovered and is now safely anchored at the Port of Songkhla since June 17. (Photo. Assawin Pakkawan). Next week, police plan to seek arrest warrants for two individuals suspected of orchestrating the audacious disappearance of oil-smuggling ships from a police pier in Chon Buri earlier this month, according to an insider on Friday. The suspects identified are “Joe Namman Thuen,” infamously also known as “Joe Pattani,” and his right-hand man, Mr. Lek, who the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) suspects to be the manager behind these shadowy operations. Notably, Mr. Lek had put up a 3-million-baht bail to free the 28 crew members when they were initially detained in mid-March. The CIB intends to collaborate with Interpol to issue red notices against these…
PATTAYA — In a concerted effort to rid the city of unscrupulous activities, the Tourist Police Bureau is joining forces with embassies from five different countries to tackle tourist scams and criminal groups in Pattaya. Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, the bureau commissioner, spearheaded a pivotal meeting on Thursday. The objective? To strategize and outline guidelines ensuring the safety and enjoyment of tourists flocking to this bustling resort city in Chon Buri. The meeting saw active participation from representatives of South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, India, and Switzerland’s embassies. Addressing the attendees, Pol Lt Gen Saksira emphasized the crackdown on tourist scams, specifically targeting deceitful or subpar tour guides and the unfair sale of goods and services. Initiated on June 19, these heightened operations are set to continue until June 25. The move underscores a broad coalition of efforts aiming to restore and bolster tourists’ confidence in visiting Pattaya. Taking a…
CHON BURI: The allure of Pattaya is undeniable, its sandy beaches acting as a magnet for tourists seeking sun and adventure. But beneath the picturesque scenery, efforts are underway to ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. The Tourist Police Bureau (TPB), alongside the embassies of South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, India, and Switzerland, has initiated a major crackdown on scams and criminal groups targeting tourists in this bustling resort city. Thursday’s pivotal meeting at the Tourist Police Division in Chon Buri was presided over by Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, the TPB commissioner. The gathering aimed to draft comprehensive guidelines to bolster the safety and security of tourists—a thrust of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s tourism policy for the final quarter of the year. Their strategy emphasizes implementing free-visa measures to enhance the tourism potential of 55 provinces, with a firm focus on visitor safety. In an effort to…
Imagine yourself lounging on the golden sands of Pattaya beach, surrounded by the serene sound of waves crashing gently against the shore. Tourists from all corners of the world gather here, their worries melting away with the tropical sun. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong) In an effort to maintain this idyllic setting, the Tourist Police Bureau (TPB) of Chon Buri is collaborating with embassies from five countries to stamp out scams and nab 10 notorious criminal groups operating in the area. Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, the stalwart TPB commissioner, led a crucial meeting on Thursday to set firm guidelines aimed at bolstering tourist safety in the bustling resort city. The meeting, held at the Tourist Police Division in Chon Buri, witnessed the participation of representatives from South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, India, and Switzerland. This gathering was part of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s broader tourism strategy for the fourth quarter, where initiatives…
In an effort to clamp down on contraband fuel trading, a team of plainclothes police carried out a thorough search of a pickup truck in tambon Thung Lung, located in Hat Yai district of Songkhla, close to the Malaysian border, on April 20, 2023. This tactical move comes as authorities intensify their efforts to combat fuel smuggling activities in the region. (Photo: Royal Thai Police) Meanwhile, across the border, Malaysian authorities are mulling over the idea of installing their own closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at select petrol stations in the state adjacent to Thailand. This initiative aims to curb the sale of subsidized fuel to smugglers. The Kelantan branch of the Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is currently in discussions with various oil companies to equip petrol stations in border districts with these surveillance systems, according to a report by Bernama. Azman Ismail, the director…
Standing amidst a circle of agitated reporters, Thanakit Jitareerat, the vice-minister for public health, addressed a complaint that had just made waves in the serene town of Nonthaburi. The complaint involved alleged adultery between a public hospital director and a nurse. This particular scandal had more than a few eyebrows raised and left much to be investigated. The incident first came to light when social media advocate Gun Jompalang posted a video, fueling curiosity and concern. The unnamed hospital director, accused of having a scandalous affair with the nurse, fervently proclaimed his innocence on one point: he did not know that his paramour was still cohabitating with her husband. Nevertheless, he did admit to indulging in rough sex, which he claims, was with the full encouragement and consent of the nurse. As the wheels of bureaucracy turn, he has been reassigned from his original post at a tambon health promotion…
Police and forensic science officers meticulously gathered evidence aboard the ‘Kamraingoen’ vessel, a ship that had undergone significant modifications and repainting. This vessel, along with two others, had been apprehended for oil-smuggling activities and was anchored at the Port of Songkhla on June 17. (Photo by Assawin Pakkawan) The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) is gearing up to issue arrest warrants next week for two individuals alleged to be behind the vanishing of oil-smuggling vessels from a police pier in Chon Buri earlier this month, according to a source on Friday. The suspects are identified as “Joe Namman Thuen”, popularly known as “Joe Pattani”, and a certain Mr. Lek, who is believed to be his manager. Mr. Lek had posted the 3-million-baht bail for the 28 crew members of the vessels following their mid-March arrest. The CIB also intends to enlist Interpol’s help by seeking red notices for the two main…