Sex, drugs and Sia Po: Thailand’s bad boy rocked by more legal trouble - PBS World

Sex, drugs and Sia Po: Thailand's bad boy rocked by more legal trouble      

• February 6, 2021
 
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Born to a wealthy family, Apirak "Sia Po" Chat-anon could have made money without courting legal trouble. But this 28-year-old macho internet celebrity chose a different path – one that led to heavily armed police officers showing up at his home this week.

Police arrived with handcuffs and a long list of charges for Sia Po, who boasts more than 1.2 million Facebook followers and a lifestyle that has fascinated the Thai public over the years. The charges included money laundering and running an online gambling network – the very subject he advised a House panel on last year. 

Faced with armed police officers, Sia Po remembered his audience and began live-streaming the search of his house. Fans must have been disappointed when police told him to stop recording.  

Attention seeker 

Sia Po is famously fond of the limelight, never running short of gimmicks to grab public attention. He often goes shirtless to show off the elaborate tattoo on his chest, even stripping down to his pants when marketing his skin products or "genital boosters". 

He also likes to pick public fights with other bad boys, some of which turn into celebrity boxing matches. 

Though officially married, Sia Po has a well-deserved reputation as a ladies' man, having dated women like murder convict Preeyanuch "Preaw" Nongwangchai and Wipakorn Sukpimai, the on-again, off-again muse of hellraising singer-songwriter Sek Loso. 

But Sia Po has caught most attention for acts of generosity and philanthropy. In Facebook Live broadcasts he often shows off bundles of cash before handing it out to the needy. 

However, despite these publicity-grabbing demonstrations of his wealth, acquaintances including former girlfriend Wipakorn claim Sia Po is "fake rich".   

'Gangster with a heart of gold' 

The second son of a family that owns a large international garment business, Sia Po's name itself reflects his wealthy background. "Sia" means rich man in Thai. 

Describing his childhood, Sia Po said he was a polite boy who always removed his shoes when entering a house and refused to fight back against bullies. However, he claims a turning point came when his father told him to stand up to his tormentors. 

"Dad said if I fought back, I wouldn't be the only one with injuries," he explained, adding that this advice led to him raising his own gang. With so much money in his pocket, Sia Po had no problem attracting followers and by the time he turned 18, he had dozens of men under his command.

His next step was to set up a gambling den, but his gambling habit quickly drained his pockets. He turned to trafficking narcotics, though he now says his drug-dealing days are behind him. 

As for gambling, he advised the government to legalise online gambling to boost its tax revenue.   

Powerful friends 

Sia Po is known to have been close to Pheu Thai MP Wan Yubamrung, before their relationship soured in 2018. These days, he has another powerful friend to rely on. 

Pol Lt-Colonel Santhana Prayoonrat, former deputy chief of the Special Branch with a record of allegations against him that includes extortion, has promised to help secure Sia Po's bail. 

Though he has been in trouble with the law before, Sia Po has always managed to stay out of jail. On Friday, he told media that the current charges against him had already been dismissed earlier. 

"The courts will give me justice," he said.

By Thai PBS World's General Desk

Thailand Reluctant to Join Covax Program on Strict Conditions - Bloomberg

Thailand Reluctant to Join Covax Program on Strict Conditions

By Suttinee Yuvejwattana

 

video screenshot

 

The Thai government won't procure Covid-19 vaccines through the World Health Organization-backed Covax program for now because the conditions are too strict. The move may put the country at risk of getting delayed vaccines at higher prices.

 

Under the program, Thailand would be charged extra for booking and it would have limitations on the producers and delivery period. Covax also requires a minimum purchase of 10% of a country's population for a fast order with conditions and costs, Nakorn Premsri, director of Thailand's National Vaccine Institute, said in a statement late Saturday.

 

"Acquiring the vaccines directly from the producers will be more flexible because we can decide how much we will buy and also negotiate pricing, which may lead to a cheaper price for large orders," Nakorn said. Still, negotiations are continuing. With acceptable conditions, Thailand might procure the vaccine through the Covax program in the future.

 

Full story: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-07/thailand-reluctant-to-join-covax-program-on-strict-conditions

 

 

 

Health chiefs reject serum passport idea - Bangkok Post

Health chiefs reject serum passport idea

Health authorities have dismissed the possibility of applying the World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine passport regulation for international travelling as there is still no proof any vaccines are totally effective in preventing Sars-CoV-2 transmission.

Research into Covid-19 vaccines has not been completed but they are allowed to be used on humans now because they are believed to be effective to some extent in preventing Covid-19 infections, Department of Disease Control director-general Opas Karnkawinpong said.

"Although Thailand and other countries allow Covid-19 vaccines, no one actually knows at this point the answer to the key question as to whether these vaccines are 100% effective in Covid-19 prevention," Dr Opas said.

All countries should follow the WHO's 2005 International Health Regulations when it comes to traveling from one country to another, he said. The best international agreement on travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic is still a 14-day quarantine, he said.

He was responding to calls for Thailand to adopt the vaccine passport regulation for use on travellers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier last week, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) urged the government to consider issuing a Covid-19 vaccine passport to Thais who are vaccinated against Covid-19 for use as a certificate when travelling to other countries.

Dr Opas said the Public Health Ministry had already consulted the WHO about the possibility of applying the vaccine passport principle.

"The reason is there still isn't sufficient information to conclude that the chance is zero for travellers already vaccinated against Covid-19 to be able to spread the virus to others," he said.

"It remains uncertain even for how long such Covid-19 shots will last and how many repeat shots will actually be needed."

The vaccine passport is currently used with certain types of infections such as yellow fever, he said.

JSCCIB member and chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries Supant Mongkolsuthree said last Wednesday foreigners with a similar certificate of Covid-19 vaccination should also be allowed to bypass the strict Covid-19 control measures when entering Thailand, for the sake of tourism promotion.

He also suggested the government make Covid-19 vaccination a national agenda item, with the tourism sector the first to receive vaccines as soon as July.

People working in the tourism industry should be in the first priority grouping, he said.



Thailand’s Top Ranking - MFA

 

‘Made in Thailand’ COVID-19 vaccine could be ready in April - Pattaya Mail

'Made in Thailand' COVID-19 vaccine could be ready in April

Pattaya MailFebruary 7, 2021

Dr. Anek Laothamatas has revealed the progress of COVID-19 vaccine candidates now under development by Thai researchers, and the projects are on track with good results to date, yet in the final Phase 3 clinical trial, and could be available to the general public as early as late-April or early-May.

BANGKOK – The Higher Education Minister has indicated that a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by Thai researchers could be released as early as April, while the country is now ranked the 36th country on the Bloomberg Innovation Index.



The Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Anek Laothamatas has revealed the progress of COVID-19 vaccine candidates now under development by Thai researchers, saying that the projects are on track with good results to date.

Currently, a candidate vaccine developed by the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, is currently in the final Phase 3 clinical trial. This vaccine could be available to the general public as early as late-April or early-May this year.

Another promising vaccine development project is a project by Baiya Phytopharm, using a unique technique by introducing the virus' genome into plants, essentially using plants to produce proteins for vaccine manufacture. The vaccine prototype from Baiya Phytopharm is on track for a clinical trial in humans in June, and is expected to be available to the general public towards the end of the year.

There are currently five more candidate vaccines developed in Thailand where further tests are required to gauge their efficacy. The MHESI expects these locally developed vaccines will help the country depend less on imported vaccines.

The Higher Education Minister also announced that Thailand has been ranked the 36th most innovative country, in the Bloomberg Innovation Index; of 60 countries ranked, Thailand's position was an improvement on its 40th place last year.***

He said this improved ranking guarantees Thailand's ability to reduce inequalities, develop innovations for better health and medicine, promote the country's solutions to environmental issues and pollution, as well as innovations to cope with uncertainties and crises following the COVID-19 pandemic. (NNT)



These herbs can help you fight Coronovirus, say Thai doctors - Bangkok Jack

These herbs can help you fight Coronovirus, say Thai doctors

February 7, 2021

Thai traditional doctor suggests eating Thai herbs to increase immunity

The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, has suggested members of the public boost their #immunity by eating all Five Food Groups, regularly exercising, getting enough rest, and eating three groups of recommended herbs.

Doctor Marut jirasetasiri, Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said today that during the Covid-19 outbreak, it is important that everyone exercises on a daily basis, eats all five food groups and has 6-8 hours rest everyday.

However, the director-general also suggested three groups of herbs that contain essentials that can help strengthen the immune system.

First, in the immunity boosting group are Vap ca, mushrooms, Terminalia bellirica, Termimalia chebula, and Indian gooseberry.

The second group contains high vitamin C and antioxidants including Thai copper pod, star gooseberry, Baegu leaves, Neem, bitter gourd, gac fruit, kale, Moringa, and Indian gooseberry.

The third group contains unique essentials that may help prevent Covid-19 contraction. This group ranges through Onions, Thai shallots, Basil, Apple, Mulberry leaves and other citrus fruit.

The director-general said these herbs are often in recipes for Thai food. Their use can vary from snacks, soups, and main dishes such as savoury leaf wraps and Tomyum.

The herbs can also be mixed into juice and can be adapted for use in other menus. They will help protect you from being infected.

In cases of already being infected, it may help treat the symptoms so that they're less severe. 

The Strange History of Pad Thai - Bangkok Jack

The Strange History of Pad Thai

February 7, 2021

Pad Thai, the Thai national dish - from China

You've likely tried #PadThai, wherever you may be from. The #Thai dish, with shrimp, eggs, vegetables, and peanuts, has become ubiquitous around the world.

The late Plaek Phibunsongkhram—Thailand's third prime minister—would no doubt be pleased with this development.

Best known as "Phibun," the prime minister was also a fan of pad Thai. In fact, it was his idea to push the dish nationally last century.

In 1932, Phibun was among military leaders who staged a coup to challenge absolute rule by royalty.

At the time, Thailand was called Siam, and led by a king (today, it's a constitutional monarchy with a newly crowned king, Maha Vajiralongkorn).

In 1938, Phibun became Siam's third prime minister and soon began issuing "cultural mandates."

The state decrees included changing the country's name to Thailand, commissioning music and lyrics for a new national anthem, and unifying the ethnically diverse nation.

Phibun Songkhram – the master of the coup d'etat

Phibun believed a shared identity could be created using cultural tools. Food was among those tools, and he pushed a new national noodle dish on the people of the newly named nation.

But the dish he chose wasn't widely eaten before the decree, and it didn't even originate in Thailand.

"He simply had this particular version of a Thai noodle that was made by his housekeeper in his kitchen and he really liked it," retired nutritional anthropologist Penny Van Esterik, who specializes in Southeast Asian cuisines and worked in Thailand, tells the South China Morning Post.

"So that dish somehow became standardized… It became a 'Thai noodle dish', and [Phibun] was promoting the idea that one should eat it, particularly civil servants, for lunch."

The Thai noodle dish for civil servants was actually a riff on a Chinese import from the 1700s, according to Van Esterik.

It was introduced to the Siamese kingdom by Chinese traders and, centuries later, modified by Phibun, whose government issued a standard recipe to food vendors nationwide.

Ironically, at the same time the Thai Public Welfare Department was popularizing the national dish with Chinese origins, it also banned Chinese food imports to ensure that its Thai noodles would be widely consumed.

National unity may not have been the sole motivator for promoting pad Thai.

A bowl of rice noodles uses less grain than does a serving of plain rice, and after the second world war Thailand experienced a rice shortage.

Popularizing the noodles was also a way to make precious grain supplies last longer.

Whatever the real reasons for the food propaganda, Phibun's campaign worked, probably beyond his wildest dreams.

Now pad Thai is eaten far and wide, beyond his nation's borders, and for many foreigners who will never visit, this delicious noodle dish symbolizes Thailand.

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NVI explains Thailand’s COVAX Facility absence - NNT

NVI explains Thailand's COVAX Facility absence

Paphamon Arayasukawat

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - With online posts circulating that Thailand is the only ASEAN country not receiving any vaccine through the COVAX Facility, the National Vaccine Institute has issued an explanation of the matter, saying that having direct deals with the manufacturers is a better option.

 

According to the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), Thailand would face an additional fee when purchasing vaccine from the COVAX Facility, which was set up to ensure vaccine availability in low to medium income countries.

 

With national income exceeding the criteria, Thailand can still purchase the vaccine through the COVAX Facility, with a 1.6 USD per dose surcharge for procurement without choosing a manufacturer, or 3.5 USD per dose surcharge if the country wishes to specify a manufacturer from the COVAX approved list.

 

According to the NVI, countries have two opportunities to make their vaccine decision with COVAX, which could result in delayed delivery, while the money put in for vaccine purchases will not be refunded should there be issues with the vaccine chosen. These purchasing costs and fees paid via COVAX still do not include logistical fees, storage costs, and taxes.

 

The NVI notes that the country will have more flexibility when making direct deals with vaccine manufacturers, with better negotiation power on pricing, a better assurance on the delivery timeframe, plus the option to negotiate conditions on the scope of responsibility of each party.

 

Govt goes cool on joining vaccine pact - Bangkok Post

Govt goes cool on joining vaccine pact

Supakit: Jab talks still going on

While all other Asean countries are in line to receive the Covid-19 vaccine through a Covax vaccine-sharing programme in the first and second quarters of this year, Thailand's Public Health Ministry sees the programme's requirements too limiting to put down billions of baht in deposits to join.

Under the programme, the kingdom cannot fully choose the vaccine it would get, when it would get the vaccine and the cost might be higher than acquiring from direct negotiations with the producers, authorities said.

Trending on Bangkok Post

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Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, said Thailand might have to wait a long time and buy the Covid-19 vaccine at a higher price if it procured the vaccine via the Covax programme.

However, Supakit Sirilak, chief of the Department of Medical Sciences who is also deputy chairman of a committee acquiring vaccines for Thais, said negotiations are still going on. With acceptable conditions, Thailand might procure 15 million doses of the vaccine from Covax in the future.

Covax is co-led by Geneva-based vaccine alliance Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organisation, to accelerate the development and manufacturing of Covid-19 vaccines, and guarantee equitable access for every country in the world. It provides free or cheap vaccines to poor countries. However, Thailand is categorised as self-financing.

The programme announced its interim distribution forecast on Wednesday providing information on early projected availability of doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in the first quarter of this year and the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine candidate in the first half of the year to Covax facility participants.

Some 145 countries are set to receive enough doses to immunise 3.3% of their population by mid-2021. Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore are listed as Self-Financing Participants while six other countries are in the Advance Market Commitment group.

"We are being asked to pay about 4 billion baht for the product when we don't know for sure what we will get and when we are going to get it. We might get a very expensive vaccine that is not easy to transport or a vaccine of a quality that we are not satisfied with. We have no way to choose what is best for us," he said, adding the minimum price for a vaccine under Covax is US$10.50 (310 baht) per dose.

According to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand stands to get a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca for US$5 or about 150 baht. Watcharapong Kuwijitsuwan, secretary to Public Health Minister, said if Thailand decided to join but later refused to sign contracts with the firms providing the vaccine as allocated by Covax, it would have to lose its deposit.

Dr Supakit said Thailand initially responded to the Covax invitation with interest, as it is one way to acquire Covid-19 vaccines for Thais. However, many details mentioned by the agreement left the ministry uneasy, especially given possible legal concerns in the event of any dispute.

He said the deal with AstraZeneca to provide 26 million doses of the vaccine to the country, with an extra 35 million doses in the middle of this year has kept the ministry from rushing into the deal with Covax. "We know which horse is going to be the winner so we don't need to spend a lot of money on the others," he said.

In a separate development, Sinovac, a Chinese company that Thailand is counting on to get its stalled vaccination programme off the ground, announced yesterday that Chinese drug regulators have given conditional market approval to its Covid-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, Mr Anutin said Johnson & Johnson company is ready to send its Covid-19 vaccine by the third quarter if the government places an order. The company is in the process of applying for registration with the Thai Food and Drug Administration.

Eight-step vaccination process worked out by Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute

Eight-step vaccination process worked out by Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute

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Thailand's public health ministry's Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute (BIDI) has developed an eight-step process for COVID-19 vaccinations to be provided at hospitals across the country.

Public Health Vice Minister Dr. Sophon Mekthon, in his capacity as chair of the COVID-19 vaccines management sub-committee, visited BIDI on Sunday to witness a test of the process, which will take 37 minutes from step one, when a person registers to receive the vaccine, until the last step when they can leave the hospital.

The full eight steps are:

1. A person registers at a kiosk-style machine (to reduce contact)
2. The person's weight and blood pressure are taken
3. Screening and background check
4. Wait to be inoculated
5. Vaccination, taking 5-7 minutes
6. Wait under observation for 30 minutes. Doctors and nurses with resuscitation equipment will be on standby in case the injected person suffers serious side effects. All those who receive the vaccine are required to download the Mor Prom app to their smart phones for follow-up checks on the 1^st, 7^th and 30^th day after the first dose, after which they will receive notification of the appointment for the second dose
7. After the 30-mintutes of observation, nurses will ask about the patients' condition, offer them advice and a pamphlet about vaccination before they return home
8. Those who have received the second dose will receive a text message, via the Mor Prom app, confirming the completion of vaccination process

Dr. Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, chief inspector-general of public health, said that the COVID-19 vaccination process is more complicated than that for other inoculations because many people are involved and, therefore, utmost safety must be ensured. 

TIGERS spotted roaming wild in Thailand - Bangkok Jack

TIGERS spotted roaming wild in Thailand

Rare footage of previously unidentified tigers prowling the Thai jungle has been lauded by conservationists as evidence of a recovery for the endangered animal.

February 6, 2021

The zoologists said Southeast Asia is a key battleground in the fight to save the big cats, whose numbers globally have plummeted from about 100,000 a century ago to fewer than 4,000 today.

Demand for their striking pelts and body parts in China and Vietnam, which fuels poaching, is largely to blame.

To mark Global Tiger Day on Wednesday, conservation groups working in Thailand released rare photos and videos, the first in four years to capture previously unrecorded individuals in the country.

In the video footage, several tigers slink past the camera traps, but one spots a hidden lens and approaches to investigate, sniffing the device.

Describing the footage as "very exciting", John Goodrich, chief scientist with conservation group Panthera, said: "It's a good indicator that what we´re doing is working. We´re starting to see the recovery of tiger numbers in the area."

Thailand has boosted its conservation efforts over the last decade and is now believed to be home to up to 200 tigers.

The kingdom's western jungles — where the new images came from — host the largest remaining breeding population of the Indochinese sub-species.

Its rangers will now monitor whether the newcomers establish territory in the area.

"In more than 20 years of fieldwork, it's some of the best (footage) I´ve seen," said Eileen Larney, the Zoological Society of London's country manager for Thailand.

"To witness apex predators, like tigers, returning to forests means the ecosystem is recovering, which is good for all wildlife."

The recent success is partly down to specially designed "PoacherCams", Goodrich said. The cameras automatically distinguish between people and animals, sending pictures of potential poachers to local police in real time.

But the future of the big cat is still precarious.

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have all lost their native populations, while Myanmar is thought to have just 23 individuals left in the wild.

"The focus right now needs to be on Southeast Asia, where tigers are in the most trouble," Goodrich told AFP.

However, "if you don´t have government support, it doesn't work", he added, pointing to India and Russia, where political backing for conservation programmes means numbers are stable or slowly rebounding.

Alongside poaching, other key threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, when roads or other developments isolate small populations, leading to inbreeding and a lack of genetic diversity. 

At least 13 million Thais have suffered from hypertension for years with many not realising they had the condition, a health authority says. - Bangkok Jack

The silent killer that affects 13 million Thais

At least 13 million Thais have suffered from hypertension for years with many not realising they had the condition, a health authority says.

February 6, 2021

Library image

Less than half of people diagnosed with the condition realised they had the problem for a long time before the doctor's diagnosis, the Disease Control Department warned Sunday.

Hypertension — more commonly known as high blood pressure — contributes to a four-times higher risk of brain blood-vessel diseases and twice the risk of heart muscle paralysis, said department director-general Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, citing information released by the World Health Organisation.

The prevalence of hypertension among Thais continues to rise, he said, adding the country's latest report of hypertension prevalence in 2019 shows Thailand has 25% prevalence of hypertension among Thais aged 15 and older.

At least 13 million people are found to be suffering hypertension. Among those people suffering from hypertension, only 44% were aware they had the problem.

They were left without proper treatment, which can lead to deadly complications.

Hypertension heightens the risk of heart disease, paralysis and kidney disease, which are leading causes of deaths in Thailand, he said.

In terms of health care costs, Thailand now spends about 25.2 billion baht per year on the costs of treatment for five leading non-communicable diseases — diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, brain blood-vessel disease and cancer, he said.

Of the 25.2 billion baht, 2.4 billion baht goes to the treatment of hypertension alone, he said.

In its early stage, hypertension normally doesn't show any clear warning signs, he said.

Only when the condition has developed to a severe stage, do certain symptoms show.

They are headaches, drowsiness, palpitation (a rapid and irregular heart beat), blurry vision, fatigue, dizziness and disorientation, difficult breathing and other complications.

He said Thais should get their blood pressure measured often as it can help alert people to early onset signs of hypertension.

The ideal range is less than 120 over 80 (120/80) mmHg.



Thailand enjoys the dubious distinction of being the world’s most unequal nation, the deadliest country in ASEAN for road accidents, and one of the Asian nations with the highest level of gun-related murders, according to recent studies. - Bangkok Jack

Thailand has the greatest wealth gap in the world

Thailand has the greatest wealth gap in the world

February 6, 2021

#Thailand has the greatest wealth gap in the world. The widening global wealth gap has sparked social unrest in many parts of the world.

Thailand enjoys the dubious distinction of being the world's most unequal nation, the deadliest country in ASEAN for road accidents, and one of the Asian nations with the highest level of gun-related murders, according to recent studies.

These highly publicized findings, although hardly surprising to long-time observers of Thailand, have further damaged the image of a country that was once touted as one of the most likely candidates in the region to achieve first-world nation status alongside Japan, Singapore and South Korea.

In the Swiss investment firm Credit Suisse's newly released Global Wealth Databook, Thailand finished on top among 40 surveyed countries for the most unequal distribution of wealth.

In a nation of 69 million, Credit Suisse says, the richest 1 percent owns two-thirds, or 66.9 per cent, of the country's wealth.

In the investment bank's previous global rankings of worst wealth inequality, published in 2016, Thailand came third, behind Russia and India and followed by Indonesia and Brazil.

The new study indicates that despite significant growth in average wealth, which increased from US$3,350 per adult in 2000 to US$9,969 in 2018, millions of Thais have been mired in grinding poverty while the richest citizens have kept their stranglehold on opportunities for personal wealth creation.

"Thailand has experienced rapid growth and a structural transformation since the 1950s," says Wannaphong Durongkaveroj, a PhD candidate in economics at the Australian National University in Canberra.

"However, Thailand has also experienced growth without equity. Thailand's Gini index [a measurement of income inequality] has been above 0.40 for the last 30 years, which is high by Asian standards and makes Thailand look like China rather than Taiwan and South Korea."

Outdated data?

Government officials have taken issue with the Swiss investment firm's findings, arguing that they were based on outdated data.

"The ratio of income difference between the richest and the poorest fell from 29.92 times in 2006 to 19.29 times in 2017,"

Banyong Pongpanich, a former adviser to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, said in a statement.

However, in its own report, published in September, the World Bank notes that although poverty rates in Thailand have fallen sharply since the mid-1980s, from 67 percent in 1986 to 7.1 percent in 2015, wealth and income inequalities have remained pronounced.

"As of 2014, over 80 percent of the country's 7.1 million poor live in rural areas," the World Bank notes.

"Moreover, an additional 6.7 million were living within 20 percent above the national poverty line and remain vulnerable to falling back into poverty."

Danger on the roads, gun-related homicides

Meanwhile, according to the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2018 by the World Health Organization, Thailand's roads remain among the deadliest in the world.

The country's traffic death rate per 100,000 people was at 32.7 in 2016, which makes Thai roads the deadliest within ASEAN where the average rate is 20.7 deaths per 100,000.

As many as 22,491 people die in road accidents, on average, around Thailand each year.

Thailand's rate makes it the eighth deadliest in the world out of 175 countries surveyed. Globally, only Venezuela and six African nations have roads with higher death rates, including Liberia, Saint Lucia, Burundi and Zimbabwe.

Thailand, where millions of people own firearms either legally or illegally, also has one of the highest rates of gun-related homicides in Asia.

According to recent estimates, up to 4.45 people per 100,000 are shot dead each year in Thailand, which is the same rate as in the United States and several times higher than the rates in neighboring countries like Cambodia and Malaysia.

Most gun-related murders are committed during criminal activities like robberies or are crimes of passion with jilted lovers taking revenge by shooting their ex-partner dead.

Trigger-happy citizens, including police officers, often resolve verbal altercations by reaching for their guns.

In mid-December an off-duty policeman, Senior Sgt. Major Kantapong Huadsri, 49, followed a 41-year-old French tourist, Malik Djamel, after a drunken quarrel to a residential building in central Bangkok where the Frenchman was staying.

Kantapong then proceeded to shoot Djamel dead in cold blood at point-blank range outside a donut shop in the lobby.

The policeman fled the scene but the shooting had been captured on one of the building's CCTV cameras. He later confessed to the murder.

Both traffic accidents and gun violence remain widespread, observers say, because of lax law enforcement by police.

Traffic laws are routinely ignored by motorists, often in full view of traffic police. Hit-and-runs are common around the country, with drivers often speeding away from accidents in the hope that they will never be caught, or even sought, by police.

Crimes in Thailand invariably remain unsolved and there is endemic corruption in local police forces.

"We do our best but we lack the manpower and the resources to be more efficient," a traffic police lieutenant based in Suphan Buri province, near Bangkok, tells ucanews.com, which has decided not to name the officer to protect him from potential repercussions.

"It's undeniable that there are bad apples [in the force] who take bribes and act like criminals," he adds. – Al Jazeera



Thai Govt near bankruptcy ? – Thai Newsroom



Thai Govt Near Bankruptcy ?

February 6, 2021  Nina

The Finance Ministry has brushed off criticism suggesting a near-bankruptcy status of the government's fiscal position by citing Thailand's economic fundamentals.

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the three indicators exemplifying the health of the country's fiscal position are GDP ratio, foreign reserves and the public debt-to-GDP ratio.

A country's GDP growth has to continuously expand with stability, whether through higher or lower growth rates, he said.

Thailand's GDP growth ratios averaged between 1-4.2% from 2013 to 2019, a huge difference from 7.2% growth registered in 2012 when the economy recovered from the 2011 flood crisis, according to World Bank statistics.

Last year's GDP is expected to contract by 6.6%, according to the Bank of Thailand's forecast, as the pandemic wreaked havoc on economies worldwide.

Mr Arkhom said Thailand's foreign reserves, which exceed $US200 billion, are more than three times the country's short-term debt, reflecting strong financial stability.

Thailand's foreign reserves tallied $259 billion as of Jan 22, according to central bank data.

The government's fiscal position remains stable, as public debt remains below the 60% ceiling as required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, he said.

Based on the Public Debt Management Office's assessment, the public debt-to-GDP ratio will climb to 57% if the 1-trillion-baht loan decree is fully used. The ratio was 52.1%, valued at 8.1 trillion baht, as of Dec 31. The public debt ratio also depends on GDP growth, as GDP is the denominator.

Last year's nationwide lockdown to curb the first wave of the outbreak caused the unemployment rate to spike, leading to the 1-trillion-baht emergency loan decree to provide financial relief.

This decree caused public debt to edge up considerably from 40% to 52%, said Mr Arkhom.

"We are not the only country where the public debt ratio has increased, as every country in the world has seen a similar spike. The public debt ratios of developed countries even exceed 100% of GDP, but the ratio remains below the ceiling rate for Thailand," he said.

The government will continue to push forward public investment in preparation for the post-pandemic period as well as implement remedy measures and tax reform to stimulate the economy and generate future public revenue, said Mr Arkhom.

Some 31 million people from a total of 41 million informal workers and low-income earners are covered by the government's financial remedies, he said. The remaining 10 million, who are covered by Section 33 of the Social Security Act, will receive monetary handouts to ease their plight, said Mr Arkhom.

Each employee is expected to receive a weekly payment of 1,000 baht starting next month, up to a maximum of 3,500-4,500 baht. This package is slated for cabinet approval next week. –  by WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI

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