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Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thai authorities find 620 sacks of cannabis hidden in durian orchards
At the first location, officers found 85 jute sacks of dried cannabis scattered across the area. PHOTO: THE NATION/ ASIAN NEWS NETWORK BANGKOK - Thai rangers have discovered a significant cache of dried cannabis, amounting to 620 sacks and bundles, hidden within durian and coconut orchards in Bueng Kan province. Authorities believe the drug's owners left it behind in anticipation of tougher new rules that Thailand's Ministry of Public Health implemented on June 26. Lieutenant Kowit Wongsaeng, Commander of the 2108th Ranger Company of the 21st Ranger Task Force, was alerted by an anonymous tip-off about cannabis-like materials in a durian orchard in Ban Tha Si Khai, Bueng Khong Long District. Leading a joint operation with local officials, police, and community leaders, the team conducted an extensive search. At the first location, an orchard north of Ban Tha Si Khai, officers found 85 jute sacks of dried cannabis scattered across the area. Each sack contained dried cannabis inflorescences. A subsequent search led them to a second site, a coconut orchard to the south, where they uncovered a further 510 sacks of dried cannabis, wrapped in plastic, alongside 25 bundles of dried cannabis stems. No individuals were found at either location who could be questioned about the ownership of the haul. The combined seizure of 620 sacks and bundles has been handed over to Lao Luang Police Station for further legal proceedings and to trace the origin of the dried cannabis. District Chief of Bueng Khong Long Tawee Chinnarong said that the cannabis was likely discarded by its owners following the Public Health Ministry's latest announcement. The new rules, effective June 26, specifically control 'cannabis inflorescences,' restricting them to medical use only and requiring both a license for sale and a medical certificate for purchase. He suggested that the individuals in possession of the cannabis likely feared legal repercussions under these new directives. THE NATION/ ASIAN NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Flash floods hit Chiang Rai as heavy rain triggers mass evacuations, severe crop damage
Residents in Chiang Rai were forced to urgently evacuate and move belongings to higher ground. PHOTO: NATTY F. SUNISA/FACEBOOK - Thailand's Chiang Rai province is grappling with severe flooding following continuous heavy rainfall overnight on June 26 , extending into the morning of June 27 . The torrential downpours caused flash floods and mountain run-off across several districts, with Phaya Mengrai and Wiang Chai being the hardest hit. Large volumes of rainwater flowed rapidly from surrounding mountains into low-lying areas, causing sudden surges in water levels and widespread inundation. Residents were forced to urgently evacuate and move belongings to higher ground. In many areas, floodwaters reached waist height, with powerful currents damaging property and sweeping away possessions. Agricultural land – including orchards and farmland that provide livelihoods for local communities – has been severely affected, with vast areas submerged under water. In response to the emergency, Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, in coordination with mobile network providers, issued emergency alerts via cell broadcast warning of potential flash floods and run-off in the Mae Pao and Tat Khwan sub-districts of Phaya Mengrai. Residents in flood-prone areas were urged to relocate valuables and assist vulnerable groups, including the elderly and bedridden patients, while closely monitoring official updates from the local authorities. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Straits Times
Three arrested in Thailand for allegedly swindling tourists with fake hotel bookings
Three suspects have been arrested for allegedly using fake Facebook pages to deceive tourists in Thailand. PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Three arrested in Thailand for allegedly swindling tourists with fake hotel bookings PATTAYA - Three suspects have been arrested for allegedly using fake Facebook pages to deceive tourists, causing losses of around 700,000 baht in fraudulent hotel bookings, Thai police said on May 22. The Tourist Police Bureau announced that the three suspects were arrested in three separate raids in Chanthaburi, Bangkok, and Ayutthaya on May 21 under arrest warrants issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. They are accused of creating deceptive Facebook pages for popular hotels in Pattaya and luring tourists to transfer money for room reservations. According to the bureau, the suspects have allegedly cheated tourists out of at least 700,000 baht, based on transaction records linked to their bank accounts. The suspects reportedly used similar tactics by offering cheap room rates at promotional prices and urging tourists to pay a small deposit initially. They then contacted their victims via Facebook messages, pressing them to pay the full amount plus a room guarantee deposit, claiming the promotions were valid only for the current month with limited availability. However, after victims transferred the money, they discovered at check-in that no bookings had been made and that the bank accounts used for payment did not belong to the hotels. The three suspects have been handed over to Pattaya police station to face charges. The Tourist Police have urged tourists to carefully verify whether Facebook pages genuinely belong to hotels before transferring money to reserve rooms. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Straits Times
Three arrested for allegedly swindling tourists with fake hotel bookings
Three suspects have been arrested for allegedly using fake Facebook pages to deceive tourists in Thailand. PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK PATTAYA - Three suspects have been arrested for allegedly using fake Facebook pages to deceive tourists, causing losses of around 700,000 baht in fraudulent hotel bookings, Thai police said on May 22. The Tourist Police Bureau announced that the three suspects were arrested in three separate raids in Chanthaburi, Bangkok, and Ayutthaya on May 21 under arrest warrants issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. They are accused of creating deceptive Facebook pages for popular hotels in Pattaya and luring tourists to transfer money for room reservations. According to the bureau, the suspects have allegedly cheated tourists out of at least 700,000 baht, based on transaction records linked to their bank accounts. The suspects reportedly used similar tactics by offering cheap room rates at promotional prices and urging tourists to pay a small deposit initially. They then contacted their victims via Facebook messages, pressing them to pay the full amount plus a room guarantee deposit, claiming the promotions were valid only for the current month with limited availability. However, after victims transferred the money, they discovered at check-in that no bookings had been made and that the bank accounts used for payment did not belong to the hotels. The three suspects have been handed over to Pattaya police station to face charges. The Tourist Police have urged tourists to carefully verify whether Facebook pages genuinely belong to hotels before transferring money to reserve rooms. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Straits Times
Thai construction tycoon surrenders to police over collapse of Bangkok building
Mr Premchai (in wheelchair) reported to officers at Bang Sue Police Station after the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB)'s issued arrest warrants for 17 suspects linked to the incident. PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK BANGKOK - Mr Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development (ITD), surrendered to police on May 16 over an arrest warrant linked to the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in March. Accompanied by his personal lawyer, Mr Premchai reported to officers at Bang Sue Police Station after the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB)'s issued arrest warrants for 17 suspects linked to the incident. The case involves the collapse of a 30-storey building in Bangkok's Chatuchak district on March 28, triggered by an earthquake, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. The suspects face Penal Code charges for professional negligence in building design, supervision, or construction that resulted in injuries and deaths. Mr Premchai arrived at the station at 8am in a private van, assisted by close associates who provided a wheelchair. As he was wheeled into the station, reporters asked whether he admitted guilt, felt concerned or wished to apologise to the public. He remained silent and did not respond to any questions. Other suspects, including engineer Pimol Charoenying, who certified the original design, and Kriengsak Kowattana, executive vice-president of ITD, also appeared at the station accompanied by their legal counsel. Police officers at Bang Sue Police Station erected metal barricades to maintain order and prevent the media from entering the interview area. The SAO building was constructed by the ITD-CREC Joint Venture, in collaboration with China Railway Number 10 (Thailand). The joint venture is currently under investigation by several government agencies, with inquiries divided into three key areas: the use of Thai nominees holding shares on behalf of foreign nationals, the use of substandard or non-compliant construction materials, and the cause of the building's collapse. According to a report by Krungthep Turakij, China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) is linked to over 14 affiliated companies. Three Thai nationals are listed as directors and shareholders across these firms, which have collectively signed at least 29 public procurement contracts with the government, with a total value exceeding 22 billion baht (S$859 million). The company is reported to operate using a joint venture model with other private entities. Typically, it begins by purchasing government bid documents and then partners with well-capitalised Thai firms to form joint ventures before submitting their bids. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
