Tourist spots to get extra shots - Bangkok Post

Tourist spots to get extra shots

A surf skate promotion event is organised in Phuket last month to boost local tourism. Phuket is a province that may receive extra doses of Covid-19 vaccine. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)

Additional doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be sought for provinces which are tourist destinations to boost confidence and the local economies there, according to Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome.

Mr Itthiphol said on Tuesday the Culture Ministry and the Tourism and Sports Ministry have agreed to ask the government to provide these provinces with more doses of Covid-19 vaccines if they are designated tourism zones. They include Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Pattaya in Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Tourist spots that have received the first batches of Sinovac vaccines this month are Koh Samui in Surat Thani which has received 2,500 doses; Pattaya in Chon Buri (4,700 doses); Chiang Mai (3,500 doses); and Phuket (4,000 doses).

The second batches will be distributed in June, with Samui to receive 16,000 doses; Pattaya (50,000 doses); Chiang Mai (32,000); and Phuket (16,000).

The third batches will be rolled out in September, with Samui to receive 16,000 doses; Pattaya (48,000 doses); Chiang Mai (48,000); and Phuket (48,000).

Mr Itthiphol spoke on Tuesday after meeting with representatives from concerned agencies to discuss easing Covid-19 measures for the Songkran festival next month.

Mr Itthiphol insisted that water splashing will probably be allowed during the Songkran festival next month.

"It should get the green light because the daily number of new Covid-19 cases has dropped from three digits to only two digits," the minister said.

The Culture Ministry and the Tourism and Sports Ministry would present detailed measures for the Songkran festival to a sub-committee of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) tomorrow, he said.

This year's Songkran would focus on the cultural aspects of the festival such as merit-making, sprinkling water on Buddha statues, pouring water onto the elderly's palms and asking for their blessings, Mr Itthiphol said.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry has worked together with the private sector to come up with activities to attract tourists and generate income during Songkran while health measures will still be enforced, he said.

Asked by reporters if foam parties which involve crowded gatherings would be allowed during Songkran, Mr Itthiphol said that the two ministries had agreed that participants should wear protective gear such as glasses, masks and raincoats to prevent close contact with one another.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry will ask the Disease Control Department to consider the zoning for water splashing activities during Songkran as in pre-Covid times, Mr Itthiphol said.

Asked if people travelling around on pickup trucks would be allowed to splash water on roads, Mr Itthiphol said that such activities are not traditional ones during Songkran but they happened when people travel to their home provinces.

"Celebration activities will be considered. For now, it [water splashing on trucks] is not prohibited," Mr Itthiphol said.

Officials were focusing more on ways to limit the number of participants in Songkran events.

"We are paying more attention to the number of people at event venues... We will find a balance between helping the economy and the prevention of new clusters [of Covid-19] which would spread the disease in communities," the culture minister said.

People would be advised to observe social distancing when giving traditional greetings to elderly people during the Thai New Year. Event organisers would also be asked to ensure social distancing. Chairs could be arranged for participants, Mr Itthiphol said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday said that he had instructed the CCSA's sub-committee to discuss guidelines for Songkran celebrations with relevant agencies before submitting them to the cabinet next week.

"The situation has now improved. With the collaboration of everyone, the Songkran events can be held. But what type of events will be held and how will have to be discussed to ensure they will not affect disease control measures. They may be less fun but still safe," Gen Prayut said.

Area quarantine to be discussed by tourism minister and operators in Phuket on Wednesday - PBS World

Area quarantine to be discussed by tourism minister and operators in Phuket on Wednesday

views  382

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is scheduled to meet with representatives of hotels and other tourism-related businesses on Thailand's famous resort island of Phuket on Wednesday, to discuss the proposed "area quarantine" concept for foreign travelers and tourists.

The concept will allow travellers arriving from abroad more freedom of movement and is expected to attract more foreign visitors to Thailand and to Phuket, which will be one of the first areas to implement the "area quarantine" concept, tentatively in April, if approved by the government.

Most hotels in Phuket remain almost deserted, with only 20% occupancy during weekends and other holiday, and most of those customers are Thais.

Meanwhile, the National Communicable Disease Committee approved the idea of vaccine passports on Monday, to be issued to those already inoculated. The document will shorten the period of mandatory quarantine from 14 days to 7 upon arrival in Thailand, with the exception of travellers from South Africa, who are still subject to 14-day quarantine.

Tourism and tourism-related businesses are optimistic that the vaccine passport will encourage more foreign travellers to visit Thailand.

Former immigration chief “Big Joke” ordered by Prime Minister to return to his position at Royal Thai Police, Deputy PM says - Pattaya Bews

Former immigration chief "Big Joke" ordered by Prime Minister to return to his position at Royal Thai Police, Deputy PM says

Tuesday, 9 March 2021, 18:16

Bangkok –

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O'Cha has signed an order to have former immigration chief, Police Lieutenant General Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn, returned to his position at the Royal Thai police, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam revealed today.

The Deputy Prime Minister told reporters today, March 9th, that the order of Prime Minister would be to reposition Surachet Hakpal or "Big Joke" from the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister's Office to his former position at the Royal Thai Police.

PHOTO: Prachachat

The order was also to consider another remaining 60 people for reposition. However, those who currently have criminal records at the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) would be difficult to do so, according to the deputy PM.

When being asked about the possibility of Big Joke's return to the Police Division and his exact role he would take, Wissanu simply said that it was not his position to say so, it was the matter of the Prime Minister. The Royal Thai Police will need to review the order, according to statements made this evening, and determine the next steps.

Last September, Big Joke filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister for allegedly unlawfully issuing him a transfer order to a cabinet advisor. However, the lawsuit was irrelevant and did not influence the Prime Minister's decision, according to Wissanu. 

Info from Office of Thailand Affairs



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Reopening hinges on jab strategies. The development of internal vaccination of countries where foreign tourists originate from and the inoculation progress in Thailand are key factors determining the tourism recovery outlook. - Bangkok Post

Reopening hinges on jab strategies

K-Research forecasts 2 million foreign tourists to visit Thailand this year. Arnun Chonmahatrakool

Vaccination will have a profound impact on Thailand's tourism industry recovery and reopening strategy this year, with 2 million foreign tourist arrivals expected at this juncture, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).

"Thailand's path to economic recovery will mostly depend on the tourism industry [outlook] as to when the country will reopen for foreign tourist arrivals. The Covid-19 vaccines and the [reopening] policy of each country will have a significant impact on the recovery of Thailand's tourism industry in 2021," said Kevalin Wangpichayasuk, assistant managing director of K-Research.

The development of internal vaccination of countries where foreign tourists originate from and the inoculation progress in Thailand are key factors determining the tourism recovery outlook, said Ms Kevalin.

"Other crucial factors are whether Thailand's quarantine period is reduced, the clarity of vaccine passport policy and if countries would allow their citizens to travel to Thailand."

The forecast is based on the vaccination progress in 10 countries, which are the countries of origin for foreign tourists arriving in Thailand such as China, European countries, Japan and the US, and the inoculation timeline announced by the Thai government, said Ms Kevalin.

But the 2 million foreign tourist arrivals are still considered low and local tourism businesses still have to rely on local tourists for revenue, she said.

Quarantine requirements could be eased for visitors inoculated against Covid-19 before they travel to Thailand, beginning in October, as the government struggles to rescue the tourism sector, according to Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

The final decision would be made by the CCSA board, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, at its meeting next Monday.

All arrivals are currently required to go through 14-day quarantine upon entry to the country.

Foreign tourist arrivals were registered at 6.7 million in 2020, down 83.2% year-on-year and a far cry from the arrival figures logged a year earlier at nearly 40 million.

January's foreign tourist arrivals stood at 7,694, down 99.8% year-on-year, as Thailand still imposes stringent measures on inbound arrivals to safeguard against the virus contagion.

Nattaporn Triratanasirikul, assistant managing director of K-Research, said Thailand's GDP growth is projected to expand by 2.6% this year boosted mainly by an export recovery, state economic stimulus measures and how the government's virus containment measures are not as severe as last year's.

But the growth ratio could dip below 2.6% given that foreign tourist arrivals fall below the anticipated 2 million tally, said Ms Nattaporn.



Pushed to the brink of civil war? - Bangkok Post

Pushed to the brink of civil war?

Suthep Thaugsuban, the former leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), weighs in on the current political situation in a special interview with the Bangkok Post at the Pacific City Club in the capital's Sukhumvit area. Pornprom Satrabhaya

Former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was recently sentenced to jail for five years for his role in street rallies to oust the elected government led by Yingluck Shinawatra, voiced his concerns about the ongoing political crisis, saying there are masterminds behind the scenes who are pulling the strings to instigate a civil war.

In a special interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Suthep, co-founder of the Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT) Party, said on Monday the current situation is worrying as the political power struggle is taking place both in conventional and unconventional forms.

Multiple fronts

On the parliamentary front, some political parties and MPs are pushing for charter amendments to pave the way for a new constitution to be drawn up, which would lead to division among Thais, Mr Suthep said.

Supports of an amendment have argued that the current constitution is undemocratic as it was the result of the 2014 coup, but Mr Suthep disagreed, saying their calls to abrogate the constitution is based on personal biases.

"They failed to look at the constitution's merits which actually benefit democracy," he said. "Amendments should be made to sections which are seen as undemocratic -- there's no need to write a new constitution."

Meanwhile, he continued, those who disagree with the push for a new charter are concerned that amendments may affect the status of the monarchy.

He said although the parliament recently agreed that chapters 1 and 2 of the constitution won't be amended, there are about 30 other sections which deal with royal powers which aren't likely to be spared from further scrutiny.

Chapter 1 of the constitution contains sections which define Thailand as a single, indivisible kingdom and a democratic regime with the King as the head of state. Chapter 2 contains sections which deal with royal prerogatives.

Street politics

On another front, efforts are being made to bring politics onto the streets, with growing calls to reform the monarchy and for Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, to be scrapped, Mr Suthep said, adding those inside and outside parliament seem to be working hand in glove.

"Thais can have different opinions, but we must put the interest of the nation above everything else. We have to work together to avoid any severe conflict that deepens social division, which would lead to a civil war as some countries or some groups wish to see,'' Mr Suthep said.

"The best way to prevent this by following the law. Those who take to the streets must not break the law or infringe on others' rights,'' he said, adding that those who disagree with anti-government protesters should also avoid mounting counter-demonstrations.

Despite the differing political stances, one can respect each other and must not consider others to be enemies, added Mr Suthep, who is a former secretary-general of the Democrat Party.

"Ultimately, the nation must survive and society must be at peace. We have to be united and put the country's interests first. Changes should take place in line with legitimate procedures,'' he said.

Civil War?

Mr Suthep said that some groups have been trying to plunge the country into civil war, though he believed it would unlikely happen because of Thais' cultural predisposition.

"From my experience, it will be difficult for the country to reach a civil war, even though several groups are trying to provoke it. It is worrying, but it is impossible because most Thais by nature are not extremists or prone to violence,'' Mr Suthep said.

Commenting on the government's performance, Mr Suthep said that the government is in a tough position, as the cracks begin to show among coalition parties, as it struggles to deal with the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"How long the Prayut Chan-o-cha government will be able to stay on in office remains to be seen. But I think there is no other alternative that is acceptable to the people, except Gen Prayut," he said.

"I am not looking down on others, but I think the public won't be happy to see the leaders of other political parties as prime minister given the current circumstances.

"One of Gen Prayut's strengths is that we have never heard him being involved in corruption. Plus, he also remains steadfast in his loyalty to the nation," Mr Suthep said.

Ready to appeal

Mr Suthep is one of the eight former leaders of the disbanded People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) jailed by the Criminal Court last month, before the Appeal Court later granted them bail.

Mr Suthep said that he would fight in court to prove his innocence, adding that he and other protest leaders staged the protests of their own volition because at the time the country did not have much choice.

"We knew what we would face... We don't regret our decisions," he said.



Vaccine Strategy - The Nation



Thai Government to hold major meeting next Monday, March 15th, around Songkran, adjusting Covid-19 zone status, quarantine length and more - Pattaya News

Thai Government to hold major meeting next Monday, March 15th, around Songkran, adjusting Covid-19 zone status, quarantine length and more

Monday, 8 March 2021, 14:42

Bangkok, Thailand-

The Thai Government is having a series of smaller meetings, proposals, and discussions this week, leading up to what will be a major meeting feature multiple agencies and departments around several major issues scheduled for next Monday, March 15th, 2021.

The announcement was made by Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan, an assistant spokesperson for the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, also known as the CCSA.  The CCSA manages the government's Covid-19 response and is chaired by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O'Cha.

The items on the agenda that is likely to be decided next week are:

-Set Songkran guidelines for the country, balancing the importance of the holiday to Thai people and the chance to see their family and relax vs. Covid-19 safety concerns. Songkran, the Thai New Year, also known as the water festival, is the biggest holiday of the year for Thai people-and the longest. It falls this year from April 10th-April 15th, officially, although some provinces and areas, including Pattaya, hold the event on different days to boost domestic tourism.

-Consider swapping the Emergency Decree that is been in place for roughly a year with Disease Control Laws by the end of May. The Communicable Disease Act has been strengthened, according to Thai officials, and is being considered to replace the Emergency Decree, which some critics say has been used to stifle pro-democracy protesters and has been used in matters unrelated to the Covid-19 Coronavirus. The government denies these accusations.

-Review current provincial zone status, colors, and codes around the Covid-19 Coronavirus, with the aim of making changes or reductions by April 1st, 2021. Chonburi, for instance, is currently designated a "yellow" or high-surveillance zone. It is hoped by many in the province that the area will be designated green, or low-surveillance, by the time Songkran starts to encourage domestic tourism, and, possibly, to allow later closing than Midnight for entertainment venues in Pattaya.

-Discussion will take place around officially considering adjusting the length of quarantine for vaccinating tourists. The government is currently considering making a plan to reduce the length which will last over the Summer until roughly October, called "Phase 2" of the overall plan to re-open more broadly to tourism. Phase 3 would take place in October with the hope of potentially (but not guaranteed) dropping quarantine to vaccinated tourists in time for the "High-Season" for tourism.

It is important to note that all of these are proposals and will be reviewed throughout the week by the Thai Government in advance of next week's major meeting. We will continue to keep you updated here at The Pattaya News.



Atta wants obstacle-free entry - Bangkok Post

Atta wants obstacle-free entry

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) is urging the government to allow quarantine-free entry for vaccinated tourists in June to prepare for the upcoming high season.

Vichit Prakobgosol, president of Atta, said more than 1 billion people globally will be inoculated by mid-year and operators are confident that segment will be safe to travel.

The government must set up a clear timeline for reopening and vaccine passports, which includes safety measures and a list of provinces ready to welcome tourists without quarantine, he said.

The association will submit a letter with the request to reopen the country by June to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, the Public Health Ministry, the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand this week.

The regulations on reopening must be completed by April to let operators prepare marketing plans before tourists change their mind in favour of other destinations.

Mr Vichit said there will be only 200,000-300,000 tourists during the first month of reopening due to limited international flights.

Demand will take 3-6 months to pick up, he said.

"Reopening helps tourism workers get back to work after 1 million jobs were lost in the sector, while another 2 million are on unpaid leave," he said.

If inoculated tourists visit Thailand by mid-year, the number of international arrivals is estimated to reach 8 million, generating 500 billion baht in tourism receipts this year, which would support GDP growth of 2-3%.

He said if Thailand were to open for tourists in July or in the final quarter, the number of tourists would stand at 6 million and less than 3 million, respectively.

"As vaccine rollouts gather pace in many parts of the world, we have to skip quarantine and find an effective solution to welcome vaccinated tourists." Mr Vichit said.

Mr Vichit said Thai tourism is expected to recover to the levels experienced in 2019, with 40 million travellers, in 2023.

He said the country has to prepare new tourism products to boost the growth of the recovery, including man-made attractions such as entertainment complexes.



Airline layoffs ahead as travel stalls - Bangkok Post

Airline layoffs ahead as travel stalls

The passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport is almost empty after a second wave of outbreaks in January. (Photo by Somchai Poomlard)

More layoffs in Thailand's aviation industry will be seen this year as a result of no liquidity and a slow revival in international markets expected in the final quarter.

Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) president Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said all airlines are struggling with earnings as the domestic market has yet to regain positive momentum. The fourth quarter of last year was the most prosperous period before the second outbreak ravaged the tourism industry from late December.

The pandemic has seen all airlines to reduce their workforce by varying numbers, while one airline -- Nok Scoot -- had to permanently exit the market.

The number of staff at seven airlines under AAT remain at just 16,000, a far cry from 25,000-30,000 prior to the outbreak.

He said the smaller size was necessary for survival as they have to keep the operations costs in line with a more compact aircraft fleet.

Mr Puttipong, also a president at Bangkok Airways, said it slashed 20% of 3,000 employees over a year, flying only 30% of its 38 aircraft.

The worst was in January as the airline carried only 300 passengers per day, a sharp drop compared with the peak of 5,000 per day, he said.

He said aviation in Thailand might take four years to fully get back the 40 million international arrivals seen in 2019. A cost-saving strategy will be the main target for airlines in terms of long-term plans.

The 14 billion baht soft loan AAT requested from the government would help them maintain employment and prepare for future growth once international markets were back on track.

"We suffer a tremendous domestic impact during the second wave and it will take months to climb back to its peak again. While reopening for international markets will likely occur with few countries that have bilateral agreements with Thailand first as health safety is a big issue for local communities," said Mr Puttipong.

He said the AAT will submit three urgent proposals this week to state agencies, all aimed at gaining tourism confidence.

They will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to prioritize vaccination programme to airline's workforces, working with Tourism and Sports Ministry to accelerate vaccine passports and urge the Transport Ministry to prepare for international flights regulations.

Mr Puttipong said the decision to reduce quarantine period from 14 days is a good sign for the travel industry as the mandatory quarantine has been the largest negative factor for international market during the past year.

"It's quite impossible for tourists and business travellers to take 14-day quarantines before and after trips. They might have money to spend, but they don't have the luxury of time to be kept in isolation for almost a month," he said.

Vaccine passports approved to cut quarantine time in Thailand - The Nation

Vaccine passports approved to cut quarantine time in Thailand

National

Mar 08. 2021

By The Nation

The National Committee on Communicable Diseases has approved the use of vaccine passports in Thailand, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Monday.

Under the measure, travellers with vaccination certificates will have their Covid-19 quarantine reduced from 14 days to seven days.

However, travellers from South Africa, where a highly contagious coronavirus variant is rife, will still have to undergo the full 14-day quarantine.

In Thailand, Covid-19 vaccination certificates will be issued for a fee of Bt100 by hospitals administering second doses of the vaccine from March 21. The certificates can be used for international travel once the World Health Organisation (WHO) has finalised criteria for vaccine passports.

The Thai vaccine-passport certificate will be valid for one year.

Anutin revealed the reduced quarantine applied to three categories of traveller:

First, foreign travellers who have a vaccination certificate dated not more than three months and not less than 14 days from date of entry. Travellers from South Africa still face 14 days of quarantine.

Second, Thai nationals returning to Thailand with a vaccination certificate dated not more than three months and not less than 14 days from date of entry.

Third, foreigners who have a Covid-free certificate but not a vaccination certificate will have their quarantine cut to 10 days. The measure is due to launch in April, said Anutin.

Meanwhile, the communicable diseases committee expects Covid-19 restrictions to be lifted once 70 per cent of the population has been vaccinated. It also announced plans to procure another 10 million doses of vaccine.

The Thai government marked International Women's Day on Monday (March 8) by honouring 42 outstanding individuals, organisations and projects that have advanced the cause of women and equality.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Juti Krairirk presided over the awards ceremony, under the theme "Empower women and girls for equality, without violence".

Among those awarded with International Women's Day plaques were beauty queen-turned doctor Lalana Kongtoranin, Ramathibodi Hospital director Dr Renu Pookboonmee, and the ThaiPBS TV drama "Plai Cha Wa", which focuses on women in the early Rattanakosin period.

The ministry also joined with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) to push more television programmes that promote the rights of children, youth, LGBT people, women and families.

Shorter isolation - Bangkok Post



Brits banned from travelling internationally - including to Thailand - Thai Visa

Posted 2 hours ago

Brits banned from travelling internationally - including to Thailand

 

FILE PHOTO for reference only//Credit: Wanderlust

 

Last week, the Thai government unveiled its so-called 'area quarantine' plan which it hopes will attract more foreign tourists to Thailand.

 

Set to officially launch in April in five destinations popular with foreign tourists - Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Koh Samui - greater freedom during quarantine.

 

The plans would require tourists to stay in their hotel rooms for the first three days. However, if they test negative for COVID-19 they will then be allowed to access the whole of the resort for the remainder of the 14 day quarantine period.

 

After 14  days they will then be tested again and if found to be negative they will be allowed to leave the resort.

 

But regardless of the plans the Thai government has for area quarantine, it is unlikely to include British tourists any time soon.

 

This is because British government has banned its citizens from travelling overseas on holiday.

 

Effective from today (8 March), anyone travelling internationally from England will need to present a form stating their trip is permitted under the UK's current national lockdown rules.

 

Those travelling internationally from England now need to complete and carry a Declaration to Travel document which can be downloaded from the Government's website.

 

Anyone who does not have the required documentation is likely to be prevented from boarding.

 

Those identified by police, who will be carrying out spot checks at airports, attempting to travel internationally without valid reason, such as for education or work, face being fined anywhere between £200 and £6,400. 

 

Different rules apply for international travel from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

 

The Declaration to Travel document also doesn't need to be completed for travel within the UK, to Ireland, and the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. 

 

Travellers are advised to print a copy of the completed form or save it to a mobile or other device. 

 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) regularly updates its travel advice for Britons.

 

The FCO travel advice at the time of posting is that Britons must stay home unless they have a legally permitted reason to do so.

 

"It is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes," the FCO website reads.

 

Legally permitted reasons to be outside of the home for international travel include essential travel for business or official work purposes as well as for academic studies where it is required you are overseas. 

 

This includes international students returning home.

 

Other permitted reasons include on medical grounds as well as for weddings and funerals.

 

British expats stuck in the UK are also likely to be permitted to return to Thailand for work purposes or to reunite with their families in Thailand.

 

But Britons simply wanting to visit Thailand on holiday are not currently permitted to do so. 

 

Visiting address:

Palmtree Residence. House A7

42/26 Bangsaen Sai 4. Nua Road

Bangsaen, Chonburi

THAILAND

Postal address:

P.O. Box 5

Bangsaen Post Office

TH-201 30. Chonburi

THAILAND

Mobile:+66848700117

               +46768195222 (if I'm in Europe)

E-mail: ola.jnsvd@gmail.com

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Political violence now a ‘TREND’ in Thailand - Bangkok Jack / Bangkok Post

Political violence now a 'TREND' in Thailand

March 8, 2021

Funeral shooting adds to Thailand's trend of politically-motivated violence

Last week, a mayoral candidate was shot and killed and 6 others were wounded, including 3 people who were running in local elections and a local kamnan, a government official of a tambon, or sub district.

Police say they believe the shooting was politically motivated. Violence related to local politics has been a trend in Thailand over the past few decades.

The gunman, who police suspect is Wanchart Niamraksa, a member of the local provincial administration organisation, opened fire at a temple in Ratchaburi, a province west of Bangkok near the Myanmar border.

Witnesses say the gunman fired shots from behind a Buddha image, shooting Yingpan Kanket, the kamnan of tambon Don Sai, was lighting candles and incense sticks to start the funeral. Yingpan is now in critical condition.

Varaporn Niamraksa, who was running for mayor in the March 28 municipal election, was shot and later died at the hospital.

Wanchart's wife was Varaporn's main competitor in the mayoral election. He's also Varaporn's brother-in-law. Wanchart has since surrendered to police.

The gunman shot and wounded 5 others, including 3 who are all running for the municipal council of tambon Don Sai.

Police say they plan to charge Wanchart with murder, attempted murder, illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and carrying them in public.

While the story was covered in Thai media, it wasn't a major headline, according to a Thai reporter.

He says there's been a pattern of politically motivated violence in Thailand. Just this past January, police arrested a man for allegedly planning to kill a local election candidate in the southern province Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Local politics in Thailand were described as "bloody" after the passing of the 1997 Constitution, leading to what the media calls a "decade of decentralisation."

More than 362 local politicians were murdered between 2000 and 2009, according to date reported by Thai media.

There were around 100 other murder attempts on local politicians. Around 73% of the victims who were either killed or wounded were sub district administration organisation representatives. Most were shot.

The majority of cases were in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla, province's in Thailand's deep south near the Malaysian border, plagued with violence for decades due to the religious separatist insurgency.

In recent years, there's also been a number of reports involving violence among local politicians in Thailand.

In 2019, an MP for the Isaan province Khon Kaen was sentenced to death for hiring 2 former police officers to kill the assistant chief of the Khon Kaen provincial administration. – Bangkok Post 

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Swede admits to running multi million dollar investment fraud from a villa on Koh Chang - Thai Visa

Swede admits to running multi million dollar investment fraud from a villa on Koh Chang

 

Image: Karlsson being arrested in Koh Chang in June 2019. Manager Online

 

A Swedish man who was charged with running a multi million dollar investment fraud from a villa on Koh Chang has pleaded guilty in a US federal court.

 

Roger Nils-Jonas Karlsson, 47, was arrested at his home on the popular Thai island in June 2019 and extradited to the United States.

 

This week, Karlsson pleaded guilty to securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering charges. In total he defrauded more than 3,500 victims of more than $16 million.

 

Prosecutors in the United States describe a long-running scheme by which Karlsson and his company, Eastern Metal Securities (EMS) used a website to commit wire fraud against thousands of victims.  

 

He used several aliases including Steve Heyden, Euclid Deodoris, Joshua Millard, Lars Georgsson, Paramon Larasoft, and Kenth Westerberg to carry out the fraud, prosecutors said. 

 

From November 27, 2012 to June 19, 2019, Karlsson and EMS used www.easternmetalsecurities.com to make fraudulent representations and convince victims to send funds using a virtual currency exchange.  

 

During the same period, Karlsson and EMS used deceptive "devices and contrivances" to sell securities and then tried to conceal the proceeds of the wire fraud and securities fraud.

 

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Karlsson admitted that he used the website to invite potential investors to purchase shares of the plan for less than $100 per share, promising an eventual payout of 1.15 kilograms of gold per share, an amount of gold which as of Jan. 2, 2019, was worth more than $45,000.  

 

Karlsson advised investors that, in the unlikely event that the gold payout did not happen, he guaranteed to them 97% of the amount they invested. Karlsson admitted he had no way to pay off the investors.  Instead, the funds provided by victims were transferred to Karlsson's personal bank accounts and he then used proceeds to purchase expensive homes and a resort in Thailand, understood to be the Elysium Resort on Koh Chang. 

 

 

 

Karlsson also used a second website, www.hci25.com, to make multiple false communications to potential investors.  Karlsson brought the investors in HCI25 together with the investors in the "Pre Funded Reversed Pension Plan" and posted multiple communications to delay the moment investors would realize there would be no payout.

 

For example, on one occasion, Karlsson explained that a payout had not occurred because releasing so much money all at once could cause a negative effect on financial systems throughout the world.  Karlsson also falsely represented that EMS was working with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to prepare the way for a payout.

 

Karlsson directed his victims to make investments using virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin.  Karlsson admitted he defrauded no less than 3,575 victims of more than $16 million. 

 

Karlsson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine for the wire fraud and securities fraud charges, and 20 years in prison and a $500,000 maximum fine for the money laundering charge.