News from Thailand – November 6, 2014
I always envisioned the image of a Big ballpoint pen when I came across one pen gun wrote, but thanks to a photo in the newspaper I now know what they look like. The photo shows the firearms seized in raids at 26 locations across the country.
The maker, a 26-year-old man, has been arrested at his home in Sri Don Chai (Chiang Rai). He sold the pens over the internet. A 17-year-old boy who sold the pens from Prachuap Khiri Khan has already been arrested. He was caught in an undercover operation. He is said to have sent fifty pens in the past two months.
The message also mentions the arrest of twenty suspects, but details are missing. The pens are especially popular in fights between students from rival vocational schools.
– The second-year student of the Princess of Natadhiwas University in Narathiwat, who fell into a coma after being shot on Sunday, died yesterday. About five hundred students, teachers and security personnel attended the ritual ablution in the afternoon at the Bang Por temple in Muang. The student was hit in the head when they and three friends were riding their motorcycle back to their student flat after attending lectures.
In response to the attack, representatives of the university, army, police and local authorities met yesterday to discuss tightening security measures.
An EOD team defused a bomb in time yesterday in Sungai Padi (Narathiwat) by using the high-pressure water jet on it. The homemade bomb was placed in a sewer pipe near To Deng Municipal Office. Witnesses saw two men leave the bomb behind, pretending to pee. The bomb was discovered by workers working on a new sewer system.
– Two people are missing after a heavy explosion in a house in Doi Tao (Chiang Mai). Ten homes and two vehicles were damaged. A large amount of potash chlorate was stored in the building, which is used in the production of dried longan (a fruit).
– Ten governors and mayors of Asean capitals will meet in Bangkok for three days on closer cooperation. The talks focus mainly on tourism, a sector that should provide a major economic boost when the Asean Economic Community comes into effect at the end of 2015. The gentlemen [because ladies are not among them] have already agreed to promote tourism between the countries of Asean.
Other topics of discussion include joint anti-drug projects, cooperation on transnational and cyber crime, natural disaster management, healthy lifestyles and HIV/AIDS programs. Today is the last meeting day.
– Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and China have agreed to join forces in combating drug trafficking across the Mekong. And that is badly needed because it is estimated that 80 percent of smuggled narcotics are not intercepted. The Mekong is the main route for drug smugglers. The joint mission begins next month. Each country takes care of a certain section of the river.
According to Permpong Chaowalit, director general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, countering drugs is difficult because the smugglers use riparian areas defended by armed groups as a transshipment point. As an example, he cites places in Shan State (Myanmar) that are occupied by Wa and Kokang ethnic groups.
In Thailand, smuggling is concentrated in the remote districts of Chiang Saen and Chiang Kong (Chiang Rai). Other well-used smuggling routes are in the Northeast.
– Five Vietnamese were arrested in Long (Phrae) after a chase. In their vehicle, the police found 76 kilograms of the precious protected agarwood (kritsana). They had cut it in Wiang Kosai National Park (Phrae). The Vietnamese took off in their car when they were told to stop. Then they fled on foot, but even that was of no avail.
– The police are planning to outsource the call center 191. This phone number can be called in an emergency, but there are many complaints about it. Phone calls are not answered or forwarded to agents who say they are not responsible for the complaint made.
– The commission that will write the new constitution (CDC, Constitutional Drafting Committee) pledged yesterday at the Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Si Wattana and at the City shrine to perform its duties 'fairly and impartially' in the interest of the people (picture homepage). She then went to parliament to get to know each other in an informal get-together. The committee consists of 36 members. A concise constitution is now in force, replacing the 2007 constitution that was suspended by the junta.
– Health products are still being advertised, which makes no sense. In a recent survey of 33 radio stations in ten provinces, the Foundation for Consumers counted 103 radio spots in which the effect of the product was exaggerated. Some products are even prohibited by law.
Some examples: by using food supplements you become more beautiful and your sexual performance improves; that kind of nonsense. Other products could cure any ailment. And then there are the well-known advertisements for it skin whitening (not entirely without risk) and fighting acne. Buyers are lured with discounts and bonuses.
The results of the study will go to the Food and Drug Administration. When the FDA determines that an ad is exaggerated, the media watchdog NBTC will order the radio station in question to withdraw the ad. This has recently happened at four radio stations in Khon Kaen. The consumer foundation will conduct a follow-up investigation until January.
– Next month the Tha Namnon bridge over the Chao Praya will be finished, but don't ask me where that bridge is, because the message doesn't mention that. It is true that nine new bridges will be built across the river between 2017 and 2031, but we already knew that. The Kiakkai bridge is a problem because of the entrance and exit. Public hearings will be held. The construction of the nine bridges will cost 48,9 billion baht.
– Four spas [is that what they are called in Dutch?] in Phitsanulok were visited by the police on Tuesday evening. Not to pamper themselves, but because they are suspected of having young men perform sexual services.
The raid follows confessions from boys who were detained in the park for orally satisfying customers. They said they worked in one of the spas. The sex services in the spas cost 400 to 2.500 baht. They advertise it on Facebook, with a special discount today on Loy Krathong. The raids found pornographic material (books, DVDs, VCDs) and items to swallow methamphetamine [?].
– Finally, a message about the sale of the Rolls-Royce in Thailand. I can report that the cars that cost 20 to 31,9 million baht are in great demand. In 2012, Thailand had 293 RRs, this year the Land Transport Department already registered 345 until September. The latest model is the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II (29,9-31,9 million baht). It has officially launched in Thailand, so wallet ready and on to the showroom of the Millionaire Auto Sales and Services.
www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post