Latest news with #Jirayu
The Star
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai civilian killed, several injured in clash with Cambodia
BANGKOK: One Thai civilian was killed and three others, including a five-year-old child, were seriously injured following a clash between Thai and Cambodian troops in a disputed border area early Thursday (July 24). Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap said the child was in critical condition, while the two other injured individuals were family members of the deceased. According to reports from the ground, he said more than seven Thai soldiers were believed to have sustained injuries following the clashes. "Thai authorities have evacuated residents from the affected area for their safety,' he said in a statement on Thursday. Jirayu said the Royal Thai Armed Forces field commanders have been authorised to make real-time decisions. "All border crossings have been closed since 8 am this morning,' he said. Cambodia and Thailand have been involved in a bitter diplomatic row since May 28, following a border clash between the two countries' soldiers along the Preah Vihear border. One Cambodian soldier was killed in the shootout. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have been disputing an 817-km undemarcated border for decades, which continues to sour diplomatic ties. On Wednesday, the Thai government downgraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia in immediate retaliation after a Thai soldier was injured by what the government claimed was a newly planted landmine. The Cambodian government reciprocated by lowering its diplomatic ties with Thailand to the lowest level on Thursday. So far, there have been no statements on casualties from Cambodian officials. - Bernama
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Visa help for labour 'in limbo'
The cabinet on Tuesday approved a six-month extension for Cambodian migrant workers employed in border provinces. The move comes in response to recent changes in border checkpoint operating hours across seven provinces, which have hindered the movement of workers in the area. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said that due to ongoing unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border and the implementation of stricter border control measures, a significant number of Cambodian workers have been unable to re-enter Thailand. These workers, who are employed in provinces along the border under the provisions of Section 64 of the executive decree on the management of foreign workers, typically use border passes for entry and exit. As a result of the new travel restrictions, many of these workers -- whose permitted periods of stay have expired -- are unable to leave Thailand to renew their legal status. Consequently, they have overstayed and are now considered to be residing in the country unlawfully. As of June, a total of 47,348 Cambodian migrant workers fell into this category, with many facing the expiration of their work permits. These permits are expected to gradually expire through to the end of September, Mr Jirayu said. He said the cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal from the Labour Ministry to grant a special exemption allowing the targeted group of foreign nationals to remain in the kingdom for employment in border areas for a period of six months. This grace period is effective from June 7, the date on which the Interior Ministry's border control measures came into force. The decision was made in light of the fact that this date marked the commencement of tighter border restrictions. The exemption will remain in effect either for the full six-month period or until normal border crossings at permanent checkpoints between the two countries have resumed for at least a month continuously. Furthermore, the cabinet approved a waiver of overstay fines for affected migrant workers whose period of stay in the kingdom has already exceeded the legal limit due to circumstances beyond their control. The Royal Thai Army on Tuesday held a briefing for defence attachés from 47 embassies to clarify the current situation following an incident in which three Thai soldiers from the 6th Infantry Regiment were injured by a landmine. Thai authorities later claimed that the explosion caused by an anti-personnel mine recently planted in Thai territory constitutes a breach of the Ottawa Convention, which both Thailand and Cambodia have ratified. Meanwhile, the Second Army Region has issued a stern warning that the Prasat Ta Muean Thom temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district could be closed for seven days if Cambodia fails to prevent further disruptive actions. Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang said that while Thailand remains committed to peaceful solutions, it will not tolerate provocation of any kind. The warning follows reports that 23 Cambodian tour buses had arrived at the disputed site, raising fears of unrest.
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Cabinet approves B20 Bangkok train fare cap
The cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to cap all train fares in Greater Bangkok at 20 baht from Oct 1 to help commuters reduce travel costs and entice drivers to switch to mass transit. Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said attracting more car users to travel by train would also reduce pollution in the capital and its surrounding provinces. The cheap train ride scheme will cover all 13 mass transit lines, including the Airport Rail Link, covering a network of 280 kilometres and 194 stations across Greater Bangkok. The policy is exclusively for Thai nationals, who can register using the government's Tang Rat app starting in August. Foreigners will still have to pay posted fares in excess of 20 baht where applicable. Commuters who register must link either their Rabbit prepaid card or EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) contactless credit card to the app, depending on the routes they use. The Rabbit card will be valid for the Green, Gold, Yellow and Pink lines, while EMV contactless cards can be used for the Red, Blue, Purple, Pink and Yellow lines and the Airport Rail Link. In the future, officials say, the system will also allow commuters to use QR codes from their bank apps, providing more convenience and flexibility. Mr Jirayu said the new fare system could save the country 10 billion baht a year in terms of fuel expenses and costs of damage from road accidents and combatting pollution. Benefits of the project will be assessed one year after the launch, he added. The 20-baht flat fare currently applies to the Red and Purple electric train lines. Fares on other mass-transit systems vary by distance, ranging from 17 to 43 baht on MRT routes and 15 to 62 baht on the BTS Skytrain system. Most mass transit lines are operated under concessions granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA). Some routes such as the Purple Line are directly controlled by the MRTA and the agency has commissioned SET-listed Bangkok Expressway and Metro Co to run them. To compensate operators for their losses, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has said the government will set up a joint ticketing fund, with an estimated 8 billion baht from the MRTA's profits and state coffers.
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Workers sought for Japan scheme
Japan has begun recruiting workers for the "IM Japan" programme with free applications, training, and career support, says government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap. The drive, a technical intern training programme for Thai workers, is being conducted in collaboration with Thailand's Department of Employment. The programme offers free application, four months of Japanese language training (with free meals and accommodation), and a career-starting grant of ¥600,000 (134,450 baht) upon completion. Mr Jirayu said the recruitment is part of Thailand's ongoing cooperation with the IM Japan programme, which aims to upskill Thai workers and expose them to modern Japanese technology and practices. For male applicants, the recruitment comes in two phases: the first round from July 1–31 and the second round from Aug 1–31. For female applicants, recruitment runs from July 21–27.
The Star
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai PM to intensify crackdown on scammers and cybercrime at country's borders
On June 23, Ms Paetongtarn Shinawatra will convene a high-level meeting to address cross-border crime. - Photo: AFP BANGKOK: Thailand is intensifying a crackdown on scammers, online crime and cross-border syndicates, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to chair a high-level meeting on Monday (June 23). Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub announced on June 21 that the Premier has ordered an urgent implementation of a national policy to counter all forms of call centre scams, online fraud and illegal gambling, which are now considered threats to national security. A press briefing by Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong on June 19 was a direct result of measures implemented earlier in June. These included adjustments to the opening and closure of border checkpoints between Thailand and Cambodia on June 7. Since then, statistics show a significant decline in scam-related activities, providing greater protection for Thai citizens from criminal networks. The government also referred to a recent United Nations report that indicated that Cambodia has overtaken Myanmar as the regional centre for call centre scam operations, based on findings by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Jirayu said while Thailand's western border with Myanmar has seen a substantial drop in illegal activity due to actions – including cutting off electricity, water and internet access to scam compounds – there are worrying signs that syndicates along the eastern border are adapting. He warned that Thai nationals who knowingly work for these criminal groups are effectively harming their own people. 'The government will not allow national security to be compromised or Thai citizens to be deceived any longer,' Jirayu added. 'This issue is being treated as a national priority.' On June 23, Paetongtarn will convene a high-level meeting to address cross-border crime, with a focus on threats to national security such as drug trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, human trafficking and other forms of transnational crime along Thailand's northern, southern, eastern and western borders. Jirayu said some criminal groups have begun altering their methods after border closures were enforced. Intelligence reports suggest that Thai nationals previously crossing via border passes are now obtaining passports and flying to nearby Cambodian cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Syndicates pick them up and return them to border zones to resume illegal activities. 'Following the Monday meeting, the government will announce new measures to combat transnational cybercrime and protect the Thai public,' Jirayu added. - The Nation/ANN
