The page you have requested might no longer exist Go to EconomicTimes.com Home Page WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025 PlayLoading... Prachin Buri governor cancels Chinese advisor’s appointment following strong public backlash and concerns over foreign influence.The governor of Prachin Buri has cancelled the appointment of a Chinese man as his advisor after the decision, made last week, drew strong criticism. Governor Wiraphan Dee-on signed an order on Tuesday to revoke the appointment of Jungcheng Zhu as one of his six advisors. On 11 April, Wiraphan had issued an order appointing five Thai nationals and Zhu as his advisors. The appointment was met with strong backlash from the popular Facebook page CSI LA, which questioned why a foreigner needed to be appointed as an advisor. The page also expressed concern that Chinese funding might begin to exert influence on local governments. The post sparked further criticism from Thai social media users targeting the Prachin Buri governor. In the new order cancelling Zhu’s appointment, Wiraphan acknowledged that the decision had been inappropriate and could potentially harm state affairs. However, he did not explain why he had initially appointed the Chinese national in the first place. Also on Tuesday, the governor sent an urgent letter to the permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry stating that he had cancelled the appointment after realising it was inappropriate and could damage state interests. The provincial governor requested that the permanent secretary inform Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul accordingly. Thai Schools Gear Up for Term Start with Safety Checks and Tablet Rollout Tawee visits Narathiwat, pledges to tighten security for Buddhist communities Trump orders 100% tariff on foreign-made movies to save 'dying' Hollywood Ratchada Night Market Shuts Doors Suddenly, Leaving Businesses in the Lurch Chadchart confident search for 14 missing workers will be completed in four days Artefacts located at San Francisco museum had been smuggled out of Thailand in 1964 The United States will return to Thailand four sculptures believed to have been stolen from Prasat Hin Khao Plai Bat II in Buri Ram director-general of the the Fine Arts Department He said the department was informed on April 26 by an officer from Homeland Security Investigations in the US that the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco had removed the four items from its inventory so that they can be repatriated The four items are three Bodhisattva sculptures and one Buddha statue which were among several artefacts discovered in Prakhon Chai district of Buri Ram and smuggled out of the country in 1964 They have come to be known as the Prakhon Chai sculptures According to Mr Phnombootra, evidence suggests that Douglas Latchford an American art dealer who died in Bangkok in 2020 excavated the sculptures from Prasat Hin Khao Plai Bat II on Plai Bat Mountain A department committee tracking the stolen Prakhon Chai artefacts learned that they were in San Francisco and asked David Keller The museum reviewed the evidence submitted by Mr Keller and acknowledged that the artefacts had been smuggled out of Thailand A months-long process of gathering public input resulted in the museum’s decision on April 22 to remove the items from its inventory the US returned four 3,000-year-old Ban Chiang artefacts — a clay pottery item a bangle and two cylindrical beads — to Thailand Two ancient statues — the “Golden Boy” and a kneeling woman — were also returned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in May last year By subscribing, you accept the terms and conditions in our privacy policy JFOODO Launches Japanese Seafood Campaign in NYC Focusing on Buri and Scallops The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO) recently launched a new campaign to promote Japanese seafood in the U.S. called “It Starts with Japanese Seafood.” invites customers at select New York City restaurants to experience a Japanese culinary experience with specific focus on staples like Japanese scallops and buri the unmatched quality of Japanese Seafood has been a cornerstone of culinary excellence," said Taiki Sawabe Note: All comments are displayed with user's screen name Please go to My Account to update your screen name Comment Policy: SeafoodNews.com and Urner Barry have made the comment feature available to encourage further discussion of our news stories or comments deemed not relevant to the story will be removed SeafoodNews.com and Urner Barry may restrict the right of individual subscribers to offer comments comments represent opinions of the poster only opinions or estimates put forward by SeafoodNews.com and Urner Barry Fortune Sues Former Executive and Salmon Company Vikenco for Stealing Trade Secrets (Fortune) recently filed a lawsuit against former employee Christopher J Marchese and Norwegian salmon company Vikenco North America argues that the defendants stole confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets and engaged in direct competition with the plaintiffs despite contractual and common law obligations that prohibited such activity.. Lobster Industry Worried About Prices as Season Begins The Maritime Fishermen's Union is concerned that prices paid to lobster fishermen in northern New Brunswick won't be enough to cover their rising overhead costs but they are concerned that "rumoured" prices of $6 to $6.50 per pound are not enough to cover the rising costs of fuel and they believe $8 per pound would be better Sullivan-Whitehouse FISH Act 2025 is Unanimously Passed by Senate Commerce Committee Science & Transportation Committee unanimously passed the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing within the U.S also known as the FISH Act (or the FISH Act of 2025) establishes federal infrastructure and processes to blacklist offending IUU vessels from U.S Coast Guard’s enforcement capabilities and partnerships and advance international and bilateral negotiations to achieve enforceable.. Louisiana's Inshore Shrimp Season to Open May 8 in Some Parts the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission published the opening dates for the state’s inshore shrimp fishing season The following dates were decided upon for Louisiana’s inshore shrimping areas using information provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) biologists as well as public comments: * State inside waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River will open at 6:00 a.m Nations Rally Against Trump’s Deep-Sea Mining Order with $9.1B Sustainable Oceans Commitments regions and philanthropists have collectively committed $9.1 billion of new funding to protect and restore oceans at an annual summit in Busan A total of 277 funding commitments were made at the Our Ocean Conference which concluded on Wednesday (30 April) and is regarded as a key precursor to both the UN’s Ocean Conference in June and its annual climate summit (COP30) in November the funding commitments made at the Conference totalled $9.1 billion.. World's Coral Reefs Hit by Worst Bleaching Event on Record Harmful bleaching of the world's coral has grown to include 84% of the ocean's reefs in the most intense event of its kind in recorded history the International Coral Reef Initiative announced today It's the fourth global bleaching event since 1998 and has now surpassed bleaching from 2014-17 that hit some two-thirds of reefs And it's not clear when the current crisis which began in 2023 and is blamed on warming oceans Endangered Right Whales Spotted in Shipping Lanes South of Massachusetts A group of over 75 critically endangered North Atlantic right whales were seen in shipping lanes south of Martha’s Vineyard triggering a “crucial” slow zone in the area “Ship strikes are one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths for this critically endangered species making it crucial that vessels slow down to the recommended speed,” the Aquarium staff stated Thursday Voluntary slow zones encourage mariners to slow to 10 knots or less to prevent collisions with whales Advances Legislation Supporting State Shrimp Industry the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) issued a news release detailing the Texas House of Representatives’ recent advancement of two bills that stand to support the state’s shrimp industry Louderback and Terri Leo-Wilson and unanimously approved by the Trade Workforce & Economic Development Committee on April 23 The bill urges the federal government to address the domestic surge in cheap farm-raised imported shrimp and to take measures to combat the negative impact that such imports have on.. MLAs Raise Concerns About Need for More Dredging on the North Shore Fishers in North Rustico hit the water earlier than usual Wednesday morning after more than a dozen boats were stranded offshore on Tuesday Extremely low tides and strong winds combined with extra sand in the channel meant about half the boats that went out Tuesday morning couldn't get back to the wharf at the usual time and had to either wait for high tide to return or seek other harbours "I'd never seen the tide that low as it was yesterday," said Ian Gauthier Emergency Action by NOAA to Allow Fishing Season to Start May 1 But With Quota Cuts There will be a 2025 fishing year after all but it comes with significant decreases in U.S acceptable biological catches for Georges Bank cod Gulf of Maine cod and Georges Bank haddock This as NOAA Fisheries on Tuesday announced it was putting in place an emergency action to make sure the Northeast Multispecies Fishery continues uninterrupted with the first day of the fishing year being Thursday NOAA Fisheries said it had signed a temporary rule for an emergency action establishing measures necessary.. World Tuna Day 2025: Everything To Know About Origin World Tuna Day is observed annually on May 2 to raise awareness about the importance of tuna the need for sustainable fishing practices and the impact of overfishing on marine ecosystems As one of the most economically valuable fish species worldwide tuna plays a critical role in global food security and ocean health World Tuna Day was officially established by the United Nations in 2016 following a proposal by the Pacific island nations where tuna fishing is a major source of livelihood ANALYSIS: Cod Retail Data Suggests Peak Promotional Efforts from New Year to End of Lenten Season  The groundfish market has been under upward pressure for several months due to a shortage in raw materials and escalating tariffs on imports from China This analysis examines the promotional activity of cod at retail level over the past four years and highlights seasonal trends in promotional efforts.. Booker and Sullivan Introduce Keep Finfish Free Act Banning Fish Farms in US EEZ Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the Keep Finfish Free Act bipartisan legislation that would prohibit federal agencies from issuing any permit or taking any other action to authorize or facilitate commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the U.S unless Congress passes future legislation explicitly authorizing such permits it’s because a near-identically titled House Resolution was introduced in early 2021 by Representative Don Young of Alaska FDA Finalizes “Healthy” Food Definition Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently finalized its definition of ‘healthy’ for U.S and certain oils—which were previously not included in an earlier version of the rule—to bear the word “healthy” on their packaging and other food marketing materials As Expana reported in December 2024 or canned options are also listed in the update so long as they have no added ingredients.. Ocean Outcomes Announces $3M Push for Tuna Fleet Transparency in Northeast Asia At this year’s Our Ocean Conference in Busan all eyes were on Northeast Asia’s distant water tuna fleets — the largest in the world these fleets remain among the least transparent with average observer coverage hovering below 10% For the remaining 90% of the thousands of vessels catching tuna on the high seas Ocean Outcomes (O2) and Global Fishing Watch (GFW) are leading the charge to modernize this high-risk.. Maine Lobstermen Get Chance to Inform Future of Fishery AUGUSTA -- After years of feeling overlooked Maine lobstermen will get the opportunity to inform government data in a state-run survey addressing their views on the future of the fishery The Lobster Advisory Council approved the move at a meeting Tuesday based on a proposal from the Department of Marine Resources which wants to complete the survey as soon as possible This is the first survey the department has conducted in 17 years -- the last one gauged issues that emerged during the 2008 financial crisis Russia to Accelerate Domestic Fisheries Research in 2025 Russia plans to accelerate research activities for its domestic fisheries sector with the aim of increasing catch efficiency and creating sector conditions for further growth According to recent statements from Ilya Shestakov one of the country’s foremost goals regarding fishery science is to provide more accurate forecasts to domestic fisherman Improvements in this area will then provide Russian fishermen with an opportunity to increase catch in particular fishing areas and zones Russia expects to utilize the resource of the Russian State Research Center (VNIRO).. SeafoodNews.com is the most widely read seafood industry news in North America We provide a quick daily snapshot of the global seafood industry we focus on the business side of the industry Our largest reader category is seafood buyers Subscription: There are two options the free subscription which you can find here. this will give you access to updates every 72 hours or you can upgrade to premium access learn more here. Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline Silver Bay Partners with BBEDC to Purchase Former Icicle Stake in OBI Seafoods Seafood Expo North America 2025: Day 1 in Photos What Trump Tariffs Mean for Food and Agriculture Trade The Winding Glass: Seafood Consumption in Crossfire as Global Tariff War Erupts Japan’s Black Cod Imports Exceed 10,000 Tons 3 Years in a Row Japan's 2024 imports of frozen cod from the United States amounted to 10,006 tons though still exceeding the 10,000-ton mark for the third consecutive year the import price rose 15% from 985 yen/kg ($6.83/kg) the previous year to 1,136 yen/kg ($7.88/kg) According to reporting from Minato Shimbun the rebound in market price was due to producers suspending fishing due to fatigue from low prices Scottish Aquaculture Tech Company Ace Aquatec Raises €11.7M; Will Create 15 Jobs has secured £10M (approximately €11.7M) in funding consisting of £7.5M in equity funding plus an additional £2.5M (approximately €2.9M) debt facility The funding round was led by Stolt Ventures with participation from Scottish Enterprise and Aqua-Spark This latest round was oversubscribed and incorporates a period post-close to allow further investors to participate The funding will help the company create 15 jobs at the company’s offices in Dundee Russia Hopes for Good Mackerel Catches This Year Despite Earlier Reports of Stock Decline Russia is hoping for good mackerel catches this year despite some earlier reports about a significant decline of mackerel stock within domestic territorial waters as well as abroad According to recent statements from leading Russian fisheries scientists the Atlantic mackerel stock continues to remain stable and is not at risk of decline due to overfishing Director of Research at the Russian State Research Center of Fisheries and Oceanography explained how scientists monitor stocks and analyze mackerel catches every year Jazz Fest Bucks National Trend by Serving Real Gulf Shrimp Amid growing concerns nationwide over seafood fraud the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has emerged as a rare bright spot in the murky world of shrimp sourcing A new round of genetic testing found that nearly every shrimp dish sold at this year's Jazz Fest was made with genuine U.S wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf — a striking contrast to most restaurants across the South conducted by SeaD Consulting using its RIGHTTest genetic analysis tool examined 19 shrimp-based dishes from vendors at the 2025.. RCMP Investigate Latest Case of Gunshot Targeting Home of N.S Police are investigating the latest case of someone allegedly firing a gun at the home of a lobster buyer in southwestern Nova Scotia Geoffrey Jobert says he recently checked on some damage to the roof of his home in Mavillette and discovered birdshot pellets lodged into shingles The RCMP issued a release today confirming a shot was fired at his home in the small community near Meteghan and requesting public assistance with the case Jobert says the pellets struck his home a few.. Down East Community Mourns Loss of Fisherman Jaxson Marston In the days since Jaxson Marston died in an apparent accident while dragging for scallops the Down East region where he grew up has rallied to support his young family and honor his memory Marston's family and friends have posted social media tributes to the 26-year-old fisherman from Addison who was the father of a young daughter and was expecting another child with his longtime girlfriend The fishing community and others from far beyond Washington County have donated over $110,000 to.. Marine Insurer Makes ‘Significant’ Donation to Protect North Yorkshire Lobster Population is making a significant contribution to help protect the local fishing industry and environment – working with the Whitby Lobster Hatchery to release lobsters back into the ocean Based in the harbour of the North Yorkshire town the Whitby Lobster Hatchery helps protect and maintain the ocean’s lobster population by releasing baby lobsters into the sea protecting the long-term viability of fishing industry which is also heavily involved in supporting the Hatchery part of global marine insurer NorthStandard For Mi'kmaq Fishers Working Within Ottawa's Baby Eel Rules Some Mi'kmaq harvesters say working within Ottawa's quotas for the contentious baby eel fishery is helping calm the tense atmosphere in their river workplaces In the shallows of the Gold River last Friday night translucent eels known as elvers emerged from the mud Jay Pennell — a member of the nearby Wasoqopa'q First Nation — swept his nets back and forth through the water and recalled past confrontations "There's been lots of incidents on rivers we've been on in prior years," Pennell said.. Alaska’s Silver Bay Joins GSSI as Funding Partner The Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) recently announced that Alaska-based Silver Bay Seafoods joined GSSI as a Funding Partner.  “Sustainable fishery management is critical to the success of our fishermen and the enduring strength of our partnerships with fishermen and industry across Alaska,” the company said in a statement yesterday “Silver Bay Seafoods is enthusiastic about this new partnership with GSSI The GSSI benchmark plays a critical role in seafood certification by extending formal recognition to robust and credible seafood certification programs.. Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries “Based on the lack of respect that China has shown.. I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125% effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET.  It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods.. Senate Markup of FISH Act Addresses IUU Fishing Concerns Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce delivered an opening statement in which she thanked fellow Senators Sullivan and Whitehouse for introducing the FISH Act of 2025 She also thanked her colleagues for accepting her amendment to reauthorize the Sea Grant program while also expressing her concerns about putting more requirements upon the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS especially “at a time when the administration is proposing to..." Alaska House Passes Bill Exempting Fishing Co-Ops From Insurance Code Alaska (BestWire) - The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill that would exempt insurance agreements between commercial fishing cooperatives from being regulated as traditional insurance under state law House Bill 116 would update state law to exclude cooperative agreements where fishing enterprises pool contributions to pay liability claims and cover losses or damage to vessels and machinery is an attempt to address growing insurance affordability and availability issues for commercial fishing vessels Lobster Boats Stranded Outside Harbor on P.E.I.'s North Shore: 'It's Not a Good Scenario' More than a dozen lobster fishing boats were stuck offshore Tuesday afternoon and unable to get back into the harbor at North Rustico on P.E.I.'s North Shore Extremely low tides and strong winds combined with extra sand in the channel meant about half the boats that went out this morning couldn't get back to the wharf He had to floor the engine just to power his boat through the.. The country’s overseas culinary hub is partnering with restaurants across New York City to spotlight the taste and quality of Buri and Japanese Scallops The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center is launching a new campaign – It Starts with Japanese Seafood To showcase the unmatched versatility and quality of Japanese Seafood to diners in the U.S. restaurants throughout New York City are inviting customers to experience a culinary adventure highlighting Japanese Scallops and Buri from February 13 to March 6 the unmatched quality of Japanese Seafood has been a cornerstone of culinary excellence,” said Taiki Sawabe “It’s no secret our seafood is essential in traditional dishes like sushi and sashimi — now we want to prove it’s right at home in Italian carpaccio Japanese Scallops and Buri are the crown jewels of Japanese Seafood embodying superior yet distinct flavors and textures making them a delicious entry point for those venturing into the world of seafood Buri presents a tasting experience all its own with a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture we believe in using the highest quality seafood I continue to partner with Japanese Seafood because you can taste the quality There is a tremendous amount of care given to how every piece of seafood is chosen and handled,” said Andy Kitko Executive Chef at participating restaurants Oceans New York and Carlotto in Manhattan “We can’t wait to yet again bring Japanese Seafood to our locally and globally inspired menu.” Japanese Scallops and Buri have intriguing backstories originating in Japan’s nutrient-rich sustainable seas. Hokkaido’s cold coastal waters breed buttery Japanese Scallops — a symbol of good luck in Japanese culture And while the Kagoshima region has historically produced tender Buri farmed Buri is now more widely available than ever in the United States thanks to Japanese farmers’ innovative practices Both Japanese Scallops and Buri are also rich in nutrients and good-for-you fats that support heart health A range of New York restaurants are participating in the three-week campaign including classic white-tablecloth spots perfect for dinner with family to the hot new joints racking up reviews (and Instagram followers): “Japanese Seafood is truly unlike any other seafood Generations of fish farmers have perfected the art of aquaculture so that every bite of Japanese Seafood can take your taste buds on an umami odyssey,” said Soa Forrest Chef Consultant and Founder of Salt Hospitality “I’m excited for diners in New York to experience the journey that starts with Japanese Seafood.” To further explore Japanese Seafood — including our products, previous restaurant partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and year-round meal inspiration — visit the Japanese Seafood website About JFOODOJFOODO (The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center) was established by the Japanese government in 2017 to celebrate and share Japanese food culture worldwide and sustainability of Japanese food and beverage products Our mission is to help consumers discover flavors perfected over generations connecting them with time-honored traditions Experience culinary artistry that transcends borders and awakens a world of new possibilities Knut Ellekjær to Leave Cermaq – Kristin Hurum to Take Over as Head of Cermaq Norway BWT Alpine Formula One Team Partners with OAKBERRY With this diverse lineup of global flavors, Terrapin Ridge Farms continues to lead the way in delivering extraordinary culinary experiences, inviting customers to explore the world one bite at a time. … Maine fishing regulators are collecting applications for the state lottery that gives out scallop harvesting licenses. … Move follows public backlash and criticism from interior minister NEWSPAPER SECTION: News The governor of Prachin Buri has cancelled the appointment of a Chinese adviser after a public backlash and criticism from his boss who appeared on television on Wednesday to address the controversy said the appointment of Zhu Juncheng was intended to prepare Prachin Buri for listing as part of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) investment zone the EEC covers the provinces of Chachoengsao He said the province’s Chamber of Commerce had suggested Mr Zhu for the advisory role Mr Zhu was found to have a blemish-free record so he was “honoured” with an appointment to help out with the work The governor said he had no prior acquaintance with Mr Zhu Mr Weerapun said Mr Zhu was to liaise with investors The province has attracted about 300 billion baht worth of investment projects Mr Anutin criticised appointment of a Chinese adviser as inappropriate and apologised to the public for the concerns it stirred online was revealed on Tuesday on the CSI LA Facebook page a popular investigative site with 1.3 million followers The page administrator asked whether local interests would be uppermost for a foreign adviser and how much foreign influence would be involved when it came to local-level decision-making Mr Anutin responded: “If there was a hidden interest it would not be a public appointment in the first place By subscribing, you accept the terms and conditions in our privacy policy. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 05, 2025 PlayLoading... Rescuers struggled for hours but only managed to pull 40 pigs to safety; the driver admits taking his hands off the wheel as police investigate the accidentPolice officers and rescue officials in Suphan Buri’s Don Chedi district worked tirelessly for two hours to save 130 pigs from drowning after a truck overturned into an irrigation canal.  However, despite their efforts, only 40 were pulled to safety.  The accident occurred at about 7am, when the 12-wheeler, carrying the pigs in a steel enclosure, lost control and plunged into the Makham Thao – Uthong irrigation canal in Don Chedi’s Nong Sarai subdistrict. As the vehicle tipped over, the pigs began drowning, their desperate squeals alerting locals and emergency responders.  Komsant Sa-ad-phum, 38, the truck driver, admitted that he had momentarily taken his hands off the wheel to search for something under the seat, causing the truck to swerve. He and two passengers escaped unharmed. He said the pigs had been picked up from a farm in Chai Nat province and were being transported to an abattoir in Ratchaburi.  Police and rescue workers have not yet determined whether charges will be filed against the driver as investigations continue. FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025 PlayLoading... A six-year-old cow in Buri Ram’s Prakhon Chai district miraculously gave birth to quadruplets—two males and two females—fulfilling the long-held dream of its owner's father.Wattana Pimprakhon, 53, the owner of the cow named “Kawao,” told the press on Friday that he bought the cow about a year ago because his father had always wanted to raise cattle. After Kawao became pregnant, Wattana’s father fell ill and was hospitalised. “Even during treatment, he kept expressing his dream of raising more cattle, so I reassured him that we would gradually build up the herd,” Wattana said. Sadly, his father passed away and was cremated on February 27 this year. Then, on Thursday night, the miraculous event occurred—Kawao delivered four calves. With no prior experience in cattle birthing, Wattana called his neighbours for help. Kawao safely gave birth to the first calf. Unexpectedly, the second and third calves arrived together, followed by a fourth shortly after. Unfortunately, one of them did not survive, so Wattana buried it near the cattle pen. He admitted that the event was extraordinary for his family. He had considered selling Kawao while his father was ill, but his wife insisted on keeping her. “Kawao gave birth to four calves—two males and two females—just as my father had wished,” he said. Neighbour Thu Hmongsoongnoen, 64, believed one calf died due to being born alongside a twin, combined with the impact of falling during birth. Nonetheless, she said it was an astonishing event, as no local cow had ever given birth to quadruplets before. built to ease urban traffic congestion and boost the region's economic growth built by the Department of Rural Roads (DRR) links Highway 3452 to Ban Sang intersection in Ban Sang district of this eastern province The road offers an alternative route for commuters travelling between Ban Sang They were previously forced to pass through the congested city centre of Prachin Buri said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit "This road will reduce traffic bottlenecks within the urban area and enhance convenience for the public," said Mr Suriya "It also serves as a key infrastructure link to drive trade while strengthening the logistics network connected to the Indochina corridor." Section I spans 7.2 kilometres from tambon Bang Boriboon to tambon Bang Decha in Muang district It consists of two to four asphalt lanes with reinforced concrete at intersections extends 18.45 kilometres through Ban Sang district five reinforced concrete bridges and full infrastructure for lighting and drainage with a total investment of 900 million baht the 25.65-kilometre route not only serves as a strategic bypass but also supports the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) initiative enhancing regional competitiveness and encouraging industrial and agricultural product transport towards Cambodia and the broader Indochina region He also highlighted the road's role in improving access to the Bang Tan Royal Development Project an integrated agricultural learning centre in Ban Sang district The bypass is open to the public and is expected to ease the strain on existing urban infrastructure while preparing Prachin Buri for future urban and economic expansion TUESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2024 PlayLoading... Village headmen and others in Ban Mai Chaiyaphot district tested for narcoticsSekson Janwongsa, chief of Ban Mai Chaiyaphot district, Buri Ram province, on Monday, ordered a surprise drug test for all village headmen and subdistrict headmen. The order was made during the monthly meeting of village headmen, subdistrict headmen, subdistrict medical practitioners, village head assistants, and other officials of Ban Mai Chaiyaphot district at the District Hall on Monday. While the meeting was ongoing, Sekson instructed the deputy district chief and members of the Territorial Defence Volunteer Corps (TVD) to seal the meeting room and proceed with drug testing of urine samples for the village headmen, subdistrict headmen, and others. After the instruction, the village headmen, subdistrict headmen, village head assistants, subdistrict medical practitioners, and police officers gradually left the meeting to line up and receive drug-testing kits from district health officials. Health officials from Ban Mai Chaiyaphot Hospital, along with TDV members, were stationed at restroom points to assist with the drug testing process. A total of 172 people underwent the testing, with one individual initially found to have a narcotic substance in his system, while five others have yet to complete their urine tests. Authorities are following up to complete the testing process. The test results were sent to Ban Mai Chaiyaphot Hospital for further confirmation. The district will take disciplinary action and will proceed with a rehabilitation process for those found to have used drugs. Sekson said the district had conducted the tests to ensure that local officials are drug-free before addressing drug issues among the public.  “This is part of an urgent policy of the Ministry of Interior and the government’s strategy to prevent and combat drugs in the area, ensuring the public that government officials are not involved with drugs," Sekson said. "The district is also ready to take immediate action if the public provides drug-related information, ensuring effective and transparent action to solve problems and promote well-being in the community," he added. THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025 PlayLoading... Forest fires in Suphan Buri and Chon Buri continue to burn, damaging over 1,000 rai of forest. Firefighters and volunteers work tirelessly to contain the blazes and protect nearby communities and monastic centres.Massive forest fires, allegedly started by poachers four days ago, continue to rage in Suphan Buri, with approximately 1,000 rai of forest already damaged, officials have reported. Volunteers, park rangers, and officials from relevant agencies joined forces on Thursday morning to contain the fires, which have been spreading across forests on the mountain range in Tambon Plap Plachai and Tambon Ban Khong in Suphan Buri’s U Thong district for four consecutive days. Officials stated that fires in most areas have been extinguished or have burned themselves out. However, the blazes persist in steep, mountainous regions inaccessible to firefighters on foot. Although many fires have been put out, two additional outbreaks occurred on Khao Chai Thong mountain near a monastic centre in Tambon Don Kha and near Wat Khao Tham Ko Pid Thong in Tambon Nong Ong at approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Urgent efforts were made to contain the blazes, but strong winds hindered firefighting operations. Officials were able to establish buffer zones to prevent the fires from spreading to the monastic centre, the temple, and nearby residential areas. By Thursday morning, fires on Khao Wong mountain, Khao Krailart mountain, Khao Phadaeng, and Khao Noi in Tambon Plap Plachai had been extinguished. However, the fire on Khao Thung Din Dam in Tambon Ban Khong continued to burn. Officials estimated that 300 rai of forest in Tambon Plap Plachai, 300 rai in Tambon Ban Khong, 100 rai on Khao Chai Thong, and 50 rai on Khao Tham Ko Pid Thong have been damaged by the fires. Meanwhile, in Chon Buri, a fire broke out on a mountain range in Tambon Pong of Bang Lamung district on Wednesday night and spread rapidly. Emergency teams were quickly dispatched to establish buffer zones to prevent the fire from reaching a nearby monastic centre. As of Thursday morning, the fire had not yet been extinguished. However, officials confirmed that, apart from the monastic centre, the fire did not pose an immediate threat to nearby communities or villages. SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2025 PlayLoading... Firefighters forced open locked door and found the fire had been raging for some timeA devastating fire broke out early on Saturday in Suphan Buri province, destroying a four-storey, three-unit commercial building in the city centre. The blaze claimed the lives of four residents. Authorities faced significant challenges in containing the fire due to the structure being located in a densely packed row of commercial buildings. Firefighters from Suphan Buri Municipality deployed more than 10 fire trucks to battle the flames, which threatened adjacent buildings. The fire originated inside the building, complicating efforts to douse the flames. Firefighters had to smash exterior windows to insert hoses and spray water inside. The building housed a hardware store selling construction supplies, electrical equipment, and paints, which acted as highly flammable materials. It took more than two hours to bring the fire under control. The building was owned by Phusit Rungrotchaiporn, 52, a former district councillor and a candidate for the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) council elections. Ekaphan Injaiuea, mayor of Suphan Buri Municipality, said that upon receiving the report of the fire, authorities coordinated with nearby units and rushed to the scene. Attempts to contact the owner were unsuccessful.  Firefighters forced open a locked door and found the fire had already been raging for some time. They immediately sprayed water to extinguish the fire and sent a rescue team to inspect the site. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025 PlayLoading... A dog in Buri Ram's Muang district delivered a plastic bag containing 14,000 meth pills to its owner. Authorities were alerted, and the drugs were sent for further investigation. Police suspect a drug courier may have hidden the stash in the village.A dog in a village in Buri Ram's Muang district handed over a plastic bag to its owner, who alerted the authorities after 14,000 meth pills were found inside. The dog snatched the bag from a group of three or four dogs that were fighting over it and ran to its owner, dropping the bag in front of him. Startled by what he found inside, the owner alerted Jirawat Thanacharoenchote, head of Moo 9 village in Tambon Sakae Prong. The village head then called Somchai Chaichana, tambon chief, who alerted the police to investigate. The drugs were sent to Nong Song Hong police station for further investigation. Police suspect that a drug courier might have hidden the drugs on the roadside in the village, and the smell attracted the dogs, who fought over the bag until the black dog snatched it and gave it to its owner. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025 PlayLoading... Experience stargazing in Suphan Buri! Join the Starlit Suphan Buri Experience Nights on 15 and 22 February for camping, expert-led astronomy sessions, jet skiing, folk music, and craft workshops near Lam Ta Phern Reservoir in Dan Chang district.Tourists are invited to attend the final two nights of a special tourism event in Suphan Buri, where they can enjoy camping and stargazing in Dan Chang district. The event, called Starlit Suphan Buri Experience Nights, will take place on 15 and 22 February, following its first night on 8 February. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), the event offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the night sky. Duangjai Karnthiranon, Chief of the Suphan Buri TAT Office, said the event is being held near Lam Ta Phern Reservoir in Dan Chang district. Tourists can stay overnight in camps, with room accommodations also available. Expert guides from KMITL and NARIT will lead stargazing sessions, teaching visitors how to observe stars and constellations. During the day, visitors can enjoy activities such as jet skiing on the reservoir. There will also be folk song performances by local teenagers and workshops where tourists can learn to make handicrafts. A large moon prop will also be available for visitors to take photos with, adding a memorable touch to their experience. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2024 PlayLoading... Thai Social Democratic Party petition questions failure to implement court ordersThe Thai Social Democratic Party is seeking an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) into the actions of state officials over their failure to implement a court ruling on revoking the land title deeds in the Khao Kradong area of Buri Ram province.  Party leader Sawit Kaewwan, along with executive committee and members, on Thursday handed over their petition to Wattanachai Sommee, assistant secretary-general of the NACC. The dispute over land ownership in the Khao Kradong area at the intersection in Isan subdistrict in Mueang district involves public access to land under the State Railway of Thailand's authority.  The Supreme Court and the Central Administrative Court have ruled that the 5,083-rai (813.28 hectares) plot is the property of the SRT. The Thai Social Democratic Party urged the NACC to investigate the actions of state officials and relevant authorities, including the supervising minister, the director-general of the Land Department, and the investigative committees appointed by the director-general.  "The investigation should determine whether there was corruption, misconduct, or negligence in their duties, whether they failed to protect state interests, and whether their actions adhered to ethical standards," Sawit stated. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024 PlayLoading... Seven arrested after argument turns violent in Prachin Buri home, leaving a provincial council member deadPrachin Buri police detained Sunthorn Wilawan, president of the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) on Wednesday night for questioning as a suspect behind the shooting of a member of the provincial council earlier that night. At 9.15pm on Wednesday, several gunshots were heard from a house on Wat Roman Utis Road in Prachin Buri’s Muang district, belonging to Kanokwan Wilawan, Sunthorn’s daughter and former deputy Education Minister. The shooting resulted in one casualty, Chaimet Sitsanitpong, a member of the Prachin Buri provincial council and Sunthorn’s adopted son. Police quickly tracked down attackers and arrested Thanasarankorn Techathanatchote and Saksit Chinnawong, along with 7 other suspects. They also confiscated a 9mm pistol and a shotgun found on the suspects. Police said that Chaimet arrived at the house at around 7.30pm to talk with Sunthorn regarding candidates for PAO president to succeed Sunthorn, who had earlier announced his retirement. The two later got into an argument, leading to Thanasarankorn and Saksit shooting at Chaimet before fleeing the scene, an official said. Pol Lt-General Yingyos Thepjamnong, acting commander of the Region 2 Provincial Police, inspected the crime scene on Wednesday night. He said the national police chief Pol General Kitrat Phanphet has ordered him to personally supervise the investigation, while vowing to bring the persons behind the attack to justice, no matter who they are. Sunthorn served as deputy Public Health Minister from 1996-1997 and was 8-time MP for Prachin Buri. Sunthorn made a headline in January this year as one of the 12 suspects accused of encroaching on Khao Yai National Park in the ongoing investigation by the Department of Special Investigation. MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025 PlayLoading... A 55-year-old Belgian man died after strong winds drove his kiteboard onto rocks in the beachside Thao Kosa Forest Park in Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan on Sunday.Rescuers launched a drone to survey the area amid high winds and waves, locating the body of the Belgian national, identified as Brendan, in a rocky crevice at Khao Kalok in the forest park. The accident occurred just south of Hua Hin, a popular area for kitesurfing.   They waited until the tide dropped before deploying a rubber dinghy to recover the body. Braving strong waves and jagged rocks, the crew successfully retrieved the body and returned it to shore, where the victim’s mother and Thai wife were waiting. Both were in tears, and officials learned that the victim’s mother had flown to Thailand only two days ago to visit her son. Rescuer Polrop Meesaming stated the victim died after being swept onto the rocks by strong waves, citing wounds found to his head. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025 PlayLoading... The Transport Ministry has ordered an investigation into a fatal bus crash in Prachin Buri that killed 18 people. The Land Transport Department will probe the cause and ensure safety checks for chartered buses to prevent further incidents.The Land Transport Department has been ordered to investigate a fatal accident in Prachin Buri involving a chartered bus that killed 18 people early on Wednesday. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit wanted the Transport Ministry to quickly investigate the cause of the accident. Surapong said he had instructed the Land Transport Department to conduct a detailed fact-finding probe, provide immediate assistance to the victims, and report the findings to the ministry. The department will collaborate with the police to follow up on the legal case, and the bus owner will be summoned to testify. If the owner is found to have violated any laws regarding the bus’s condition, legal action will be taken, Surapong added. He said the department discovered that the bus belonged to Boonthan Chatree, who had a licence to operate chartered bus services until December 17, 2028. At the time of the accident, the bus was driven by Nawin Chupanya, whose public transport licence was set to expire on September 6 of this year. The bus had 49 people on board, including the driver, and was travelling from Bueng Kan to Rayong when it overturned on a downhill road in Nai district, Prachin Buri, at 3.09 am, Surapong said. As of 9.11 am, the death toll stood at 18, with 31 people injured. The bus was insured under a liability policy with Mittare Insurance Plc, with a 10 million baht compensation limit. The insurance company will pay 50,000 baht to the family of each deceased victim and 50,000 baht for the medical fees of each injured victim. The bus was also covered under compulsory accident insurance with a 10 million baht compensation limit per incident. This policy will pay 35,000 baht to the family of each deceased victim and 30,000 baht for medical expenses for each injured victim. Surapong said the department would dispatch officials to inspect the accident scene. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2024 PlayLoading... Earthquakes struck the Lam Plai Mat district of Buri Ram province twice this week, triggering panic among the locals.The first earthquake with a 2.9 magnitude, which occurred at a depth of one kilometre, shook up the Ban Non Ngiew community on Monday afternoon (July 22).  The second earthquake at 3 magnitude, also at a depth of one kilometre, hit the Ban Lung Muang community on Wednesday evening (July 24), two kilometres away from the first one.  Although no damage has been reported, provincial officials have instructed community chiefs to follow the situation closely.  Residents, meanwhile, have been instructed to be careful and avoid entering the centre of the earthquake zone for their safety. Locals in the Ban Lung Muang community told the media on Thursday that they started to worry about the safety of their lives and properties after the second earthquake occurred three days after the first one. Niphon Innok, a lecturer at Mahamakut Buddhist University, said he did not sense any abnormalities when the second earthquake took place around a kilometre from his residence, although he experienced nausea while working during that time. However, he was concerned about possible aftershocks, as he had experienced the earthquake in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district before. He asked officials to investigate the phenomenon thoroughly to boost the confidence of the residents. Echoing Niphon, another Ban Lung Muang resident, Anupong Champasri, said he did not sense any vibration when the tremors occurred. He added that there was no damage to residents or their properties. He also admitted that he felt uncertain after hearing that an earthquake had hit the area twice, urging government agencies to evaluate the impact to ease the worries of residents. Meanwhile, the governor of Buri Ram has ordered provincial agencies in 23 districts to monitor the earthquake situation closely, so they can assist locals as soon as possible. The Department of Mineral Resources and Thai Meteorological Department have also been ordered to find out the cause of the tremors, said Boonprasong Nuansai, chief of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in Buri Ram province. He said people were not affected by the earthquake because its epicentre was confined to a small area. However, he noted that locals at Lam Plai Mat Market had felt vibrations when tremors had occurred in October and November last year. Experts from the Thai Meteorological Department and Department of Mineral Resources would investigate thoroughly, as the cause is still unclear, he said. He said this phenomenon could become a case study because Buri Ram is located off the world fault line. He also asked locals not to panic and follow instructions from government officials. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024 PlayLoading... Reports show the disputed 5,083 rai linked to the prominent Chidchob family, as SRT appeals the land department’s decision not to revoke title deedsThe Khao Kradong dispute has taken a more complex turn as alleged links to a prominent political family are slowly being uncovered. The controversy surrounding the 12 plots of land in Buri Ram’s Khao Kradong area first gained attention during a no-confidence debate on July 19, 2022. At this session, Tawee Sodsong, a listed  Prachachat Party MP, revealed information of new alleged links to a “Ban Yai” (big house) in Buri Ram, implicating then-transport minister Saksayam Chidchob. These plots, totalling 179 rai, 1 ngan and 43.3 square wah, are situated within the area in Khao Kradong that according to court rulings is owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The land ownership includes several deeds held by different entities linked to the Chidchob family, namely: Deed 3466: 7 rai, 1 ngan and 55.8 square wah owned by Silachai Buriram (1991) Co Ltd. Saksayam has a house on this plot. Deed 8564: 37 rai, 1 ngan and 65 square wah, owned by Karuna Chidchob, wife of Saksayam’s brother Newin. Deed 3742: 9 rai, 2 ngan and 53 square wah owned by the company Silachai Buriram (1991). Deed 3743: 13 rai, 3 ngan and 69 square wah owned by Silachai Buriram (1991). Deed 3476: 14 rai, 3 ngan and 80 square wah, owned by Silachai Buriram (1991). Deed 2847: 10 rai and 18 square wah owned by Silachai Buriram (1991). Deed 3477: 37 rai, 1 ngan and 22.4 square wah, owned by Newin’s son Chaichanok Chidchob. The land has been leased to K 2009 Lease Co Ltd for 30 years (from April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2084) and is the site of the Chang Arena football stadium.  Deed 24091: 28 rai, 1 ngan and 8.2 square wah, owned by Chaichanok and leased to K 2009 Lease Co Ltd for 30 years. The plot was subleased to Buriram United Sport Hotel Co Ltd and is currently the site of a hotel. Deed 9160: 6 rai, 1 ngan, and 96 square wah owned by Chaichanok and leased to K 2009 Lease Co Ltd for 30 years. It is currently the site of a market. Deed 3285: 3 rai, 3 ngan and 30.6 square wah, owned by K Motorsport Co Ltd. Deed 30222: 1 rai, 1 ngan, and 24.3 square wah, owned by K Motorsport Co Ltd. Deed 115572: 8 rai, 3 ngan, and 21 square wah, owned by Chaichanok and leased to K 2009 Lease Co Ltd for 30 years. This plot serves as an access route to the racetrack. Information obtained by Isra News Agency from the Department of Business Development shows the links the companies based in Khao Kradong allegedly have with the “Big House” in Buri Ram: Silachai Buriram (1991) has a registered capital of 15 million baht and is a stone-crushing business. Ekkarat Chidchob is a member of its board of directors. K 2009 Lease Co Ltd has a registered capital of 50 million baht and is engaged in non-residential real estate. Newin’s daughter Chidchanok Chidchob holds a 50% stake, while her brother Chaichanok holds a 25% stake. Buriram United Sport Hotel Co Ltd has a registered capital of 1 million baht and is engaged in hotel, resort and condominium operations. Chidchanok is a member of the board of directors and holds a 30% stake. Four family members died early Saturday in a blaze at a four-storey commercial building in Muang district of Suphan Buri province The fire at the building on Nang Pim Road was reported to the police around 5am Fire engines and crews from the Muang Suphan Buri Municipality took about two hours to control the flames.  The building stored highly flammable materials such as hardware making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish the blaze Police identified the building's owner as Pusit Rungrojchaiyaporn a former district council member and a candidate for a local administrative organisation mayor of the Muang Suphan Buri Municipality said that as firefighters controlled the flames and entered the building they found three bodies trapped on the third floor and another in the stairwell of the second floor Police were investigating the cause of the incident and said it was believed the family could not escape in time after the fire broke out MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2025 PlayLoading... The MRT Pink Line resumed operations from Nonthaburi Civic Centre to Min Buri Market stations on Monday morning. However, only Min Buri station remains closed.Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed that the mass rapid transit system has no issues following the earthquake centred in Myanmar, which affected Thailand last Friday. However, repairs will be required to cover the joints between the track beams at Min Buri Market and Min Buri stations, he said. He affirmed that the Transport Ministry, the Department of Rail Transport, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), and Northern Bangkok Monorail have inspected the MRT Pink Line to ensure it can resume operations. The Pink Line will commence operations today (31 March 2025) from 6:00 am onwards. Initially, 29 stations – from Nonthaburi Civic Centre to Min Buri Market – will be open, with train services running every 10 minutes, he said. For the section from Min Buri Market to Min Buri station, which remains closed for repairs to ensure the highest level of safety, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority has been contacted to provide shuttle bus services for passengers, he said. He added that the reopening of this section will be announced at a later date. The MRT Pink Line consists of 30 stations and connects with several mass rapid transit systems, such as the MRT Purple Line, the SRT Red Line, and the BTS Green Line, as well as the MRT Orange Line, which will open in the future. NEWSPAPER SECTION: Life the PELUPO Festival is back bigger than ever The highly anticipated festival promises an unforgettable weekend of live music culture and community at its stunning new location at Treasure Hill Golf Club in Chon Buri Set against a breathtaking natural backdrop this year's festival offers the perfect escape for music lovers featuring an electrifying line-up of international icons indie favourites and rising stars across multiple genres Following the first wave of artist announcements in November The festival kicks off on March 14 with a soulful journey through jazz The headliner of the day will be multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Corinne Bailey Rae whose timeless hits like Put Your Records On have captivated audiences worldwide Other artists performing on this day include festival favourites Tahiti 80 who return with their signature French indie-pop charm and Hiromi's Sonicwonder the legendary Japanese jazz pianist who will bring virtuosic energy alongside Depapepe Adding to the magic will be Thailand's Unda Alunda and 19-year-old Australian sensation Matthew Ifield Multi-talented producer and instrumentalist Ginger Root while British jazz and electronic fusionist Alfa Mist will close out the night with his distinctive blend of styles Headlining this day will be Austin-based multi-platinum indie pop artist Dayglow and a highly anticipated reunion with London's electro-soul duo Honne returning to Thailand to serenade fans The energy on this day also includes the unique sounds of Dengue Fever an American band that blends traditional Khmer music with psychedelic rock whose hit single Blue has taken the music world by storm an electronic duo known for their house beats and Boiler Room-style energy whose fusion of neo-soul and jazzy pop brings a fresh new sound Bangkok's alternative rock scene will be well represented by TOFU a four-piece band making waves on the gig circuit PELUPO 2025 offers a fully immersive festival experience while food lovers can explore a carefully curated selection of local and international culinary delights The festival also features interactive art installations providing plenty of entertainment beyond music A strong commitment to sustainability remains at the heart of PELUPO with eco-conscious initiatives designed to reduce waste promote responsible sourcing and minimise environmental impact Having received the All At Once Sustainability Award last year the festival continues to set new industry standards for environmentally responsible live events PELUPO Festival will be held from March 14-15 at Treasure Hill Golf Club in Chon Buri. Tickets cost 3,500 to 7,900 baht and are available at ticketmelon.com A 16.4-kilometre-long stretch of Highway 340 linking Bangkok to Suphan Buri faces closures over the next three years for repair work The work is necessary because the road has been in use for 34 years and was damaged by two major floods in 2006 and 2011 leading to severe structural deterioration said Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa whose political stronghold is in Suphan Buri The Chartthaipattana Party leader said the closure will affect motorists as the highway is a busy artery which people use to travel between Bangkok and Suphan Buri He said one section of the highway will be closed at a time with the first section being the Bangkok-bound side from the Pla Yai PTT gas station in Suphan Buri's Muang district to the Sali interchange in the province's Bang Pla Ma district vehicles will be diverted to the opposite lanes bound for Suphan Buri in a contraflow system repairs will begin on the Suphan Buri-bound side Department of Highways director-general Apirat Chaiwongnoi estimates the cost of the project will be about 1.37 billion baht and will be completed within three years The project will also widen the highway from four lanes to six and include construction of three reinforced concrete bridges Improved lighting and traffic signs will also be installed along the road to enhance safety The department also suggested motorists take alternative routes to minimise travel delays WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025 PlayLoading... The OAG’s Public Rights Protection and Legal Aid office is offering free legal assistance for inheritance, insurance claims and other related mattersKosolwat Inthuchanyong, deputy spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG), expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the injured following a tour bus accident in Prachin Buri province.  The crash, which occurred at about 3.20am on Wednesday, killed 18 of the 49 passengers and left many others injured.  He said the OAG’s Office of Public Rights and Legal Aid stands ready to assist, adding that families of the deceased or the injured seeking support for inheritance claims, insurance compensation or legal proceedings can contact the Public Rights and Legal Aid Office in Bueng Kan province for assistance. The help will be provided for free under the OAG regulations.  For matters related to insurance claims, damages or other legal concerns, individuals can reach the Bueng Kan Public Rights Protection Prosecutor at 042 491 736. Prosecutors from the Public Rights Protection and Legal Aid Office are also at hand to help the public, and for urgent matters, people can also call the prosecutors’ hotline at 1157, he said.  “I have informed the Public Rights Protection and Legal Aid office in Bueng Kan province about this matter, and there will be coordination with the office in the area where the accident occurred,” Kosolwat said.  playful baby pygmy hippo is drawing crowds at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri Videos and photos of two-month-old "Moo Deng" (pork patty) have gone viral on social media with people highly entertained by her cute appearance and antics The zoo is posting daily photos and videos of the pygmy hippopotamus family on its Facebook pages Little Moo Deng quickly became the viewers' favourite The cute little hippo has attracted visitors to the zoo with people queueing from nine in the morning to take pictures of Moo Deng cute memes which are being widely shared by both Thai and international fans on social media K-pop star Ningning of Aespa also reposted the young hippo starlet's picture on her Instagram account Visitors who want to see Moo Deng at the zoo are advised to follow the rules WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025 PlayLoading... A tragic bus accident in Prachin Buri has claimed 18 lives and injured 31. The crash occurred on a steep downhill road, with authorities blaming brake failure. The driver has been charged with reckless driving. Investigations are ongoing.The death toll from the bus accident on the downhill road in Na Di district has risen to 18, according to Prachin Buri police. This follows the report of another victim succumbing to injuries at a hospital. The accident occurred at 4 am on a section of Highway No. 304, a downhill road from Pu Thone Shrine Mountain in Tambon Bu Phram. Prachin Buri police chief, Pol Maj Gen Kiartisak Srathong-oy, announced later in the morning that the death toll had increased to 18. According to Kiartisak, 17 victims died at the scene after their bus, which was carrying 49 people, including the driver and an assistant, overturned. Another victim later passed away at Kabin Buri Hospital. The accident left 31 people injured. Among them, 23 were admitted to Na Di Hospital, while eight others were taken to Kabin Buri Hospital for treatment. Kiartisak noted that the steep downhill road from Khao Thone Mountain has been the site of frequent accidents. Authorities had set up a rest area at the mountain’s summit, where buses are required to stop to cool down their braking systems. Buses that fail to stop risk brake malfunctions while descending the mountain. As a precautionary measure, drivers are mandated to stop and register in a logbook at the designated rest area. Police later questioned the bus driver at the hospital. It was discovered that he had stopped for a rest in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Thong Chai district but had failed to stop at the required rest area on Khao Thone Mountain. As a result, the driver has been charged with reckless driving causing death and injury. Tambon Porn Charoen Municipality mayor, Phairat Wutthisarn, who organised the trip, stated that it was intended to take 129 villagers from his tambon to study waste disposal methods in Rayong. The group travelled in three buses that departed fromBueng Kan province at 5 pm on Tuesday. Phairat was travelling in the first bus, while the third bus was the one involved in the accident. Following the incident, Phairat immediately cancelled the trip and instructed the two remaining buses to return the villagers home in Bueng Kan. He admitted feeling deeply shaken and stated that he would not be organising any trips in the near future. Phairat assured that his municipality would provide full support to the victims of the accident. Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466 The double-decker bus had 49 people on board and was travelling from Bueng Kan to Rayong province when it overturned while travelling downhill in Nai district 17 victims died at the scene and 31 people were injured while another victim passed away later at Kabin Buri Hospital BANGKOK – The bodies of the 18 people who died when the bus in which they were travelling overturned in Prachin Buri province on Wednesday were transported to Bueng Kan province for funeral rites The 18 bodies arrived at Wat Pa Wiwek Thammakhun in Bueng Kan’s Phon Charoen district at around 8pm Wednesday A provincial officer said funeral rites for 13 bodies will be held there on March 1 Four bodies will be transported to Wat Ban Euad and one to Wat Nong Kung at the request of relatives who wish to hold the funerals there Phon Charoen district chief Montri Jaruthamrong said the province and related agencies will provide compensation of 1.05 million baht in total to the families of each of the deceased The injured victims will be compensated for medical expenses by the insurance which has a total coverage of 10 million baht The issue of double-decker buses being unsafe for road travel was raised by the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) in December last year The council called for a ban on double-decker buses after a Bangkok – Loei tour bus slid into a roadside forest in Loei province on December 27 killing the bus driver and injuring 35 passengers The TCC said that due to their height and elevated centre of gravity double-decker buses have six times the risk of overturning than normal buses A 2014 study by the Department of Highways revealed that seven interprovincial routes reported frequent accidents involving double-deckers According to the Department of Land Transport there are some 6,300 double-decker buses running on Thai roads and insurance of these vehicles are not readily available for the public to check before booking a trip The council called for a gradual phasing out of double-deckers with a focus on routes with dangerous slopes as well as the establishment of an online database or mobile application to allow the public to check vehicle information A Swedish tourist was bitten on the neck by a macaque while visiting Phra Prang Sam Yot one of the most popular landmarks in Lop Buri province Joel Gilbert was taken by rescue workers to Phra Narai Maharat Hospital Phra Prang Sam Yot caretaker Banjerd Roisaensuk said the macaques in the area have attacked humans before Their aggression could be triggered by many factors including just standing too close to them or their young.  Mr Banjerd said the attack on Monday evening could have been prevented if police had a stronger presence there The area had been overrun by macaques for quite some time Previous efforts by the Department of National Park Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to control the macaque population in the area had reduced their numbers The macaques had a reputation for snatching items from unwary visitors Tourists were advised to refrain from wearing glasses and headbands and carrying brightly coloured bags in the area These would attract the attention of the monkeys Police also warn visitors who want to take photos with the macaques to be extra careful Chiang Mai and Phuket have been named as the locations of Thailand’s first entertainment complexes with legal casinos the locations were revealed on Thursday by Nikom Boonwiset Vice Chairman of the special committee overseeing the project with a view to boosting visitation to the various destinations that entertainment complexes will attract at least 50 million visitors annually and support the employment of around 40,000 people It remains unclear whether Bangkok could play host to more than one property given previous suggestions that the government could call for up to five entertainment complexes to be developed nationwide Most global integrated resort operators are known to be focusing their interest on Bangkok Nikom added that critics of the entertainment complex bill, currently in the hands of the Ministry of Finance while it considers feedback from a public opinion period are placing too much focus on the gaming aspect of the complexes He stressed that each complex will feature a five-star hotel a convention hall and a large exhibition center with no more than 10% of the space being allocated for a casino The Bangkok Post also reported that the Ministry of Finance will accept public opinion via its website until today (Friday) after which time it will consider revisions to the draft bill before presenting the latest version to Cabinet Among the key details to be discussed are a proposal to restrict casino entry for locals to those with at least THB50 million (US$1.5 million) in their bank accounts Thailand’s Entertainment Complex journey is at a critical point with the success or failure of the initiative to be determined.. Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the new post-COVID Macau where a revenue environment that seems to be.. Premiering in September 2010 at City of Dreams The House of Dancing Water was a visionary creation by artistic maestro.. Chief Business Officer APAC for global testing laboratory GLI discusses his career journey and his passion for fast-paced.. The President of Wynn’s US$5.1 billion integrated resort development in the United Arab Emirates says the company’s “high-performance” and unique approach to design will set the property apart in a market already renowned for hosting some of the most luxurious.. The main lender to PH Resorts Group has revealed it plans to sell the Cebu property upon which the troubled firm was developing a large-scale integrated resort after it failed to meet a repurchase deadline under a previous refinancing deal... Inside Asian Gaming has announced a record 24 official sponsors for this week’s highly anticipated industry networking event “The Industry Party” (TIP) The IAG EXPO will take place from 8 to 10 September 2025 at Newport World Resorts featuring popular welcome event Manila After Dark the IAG Academy IR Awards and the first ever IAG Exhibition © 2005-2024 Inside Asian Gaming Please enter your username or email address to reset your password © 2005-2024 Inside Asian Gaming Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead a delegation to visit US navy officials onboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier on Sunday for talks on boosting security and collaboration across Southeast Asia Ministry spokesman Maj Gen Thanathip Sawangsang said Mr Phumtham located in the Gulf of Thailand in the Chon Buri area USS Carl Vinson is the US navy's third Nimitz-class supercarrier and can carry a maximum of 6,000 crew members The ship was launched in 1980 and has been commissioned on many historic operations It also participated in many humanitarian operations such as the rescue of survivors of the Haiti earthquake The visit will highlight the vessel's architecture and various operations The vessel will also be anchored at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri from Monday to Friday for a port visit No roster changes will be made as this is considered a rest period for the vessel's crew "The ministry hopes the visit will tighten the diplomatic relationship between Thailand and the US while [fostering] knowledge exchange regarding advanced military technologies," said Maj Gen Thanathip Google is building a new cloud data centre in Chon Buri as it plans to expand its presence in Thailand according to Google's president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat Ms Porat met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Wednesday The Google chief executive thanked the Thai government for supporting its plan to develop a cloud data centre in Chon Buri which is under construction and will be ready to operate in about two years She said Google will maintain its support for Thai government organisations with which the tech giant has signed a memorandum of understanding on digital skills training Google is also committed to supporting Thai small- and medium-sized enterprises by providing them with upskilling programmes This is proof of Google's determination to maintain its presence in Thailand Ms Paetongtarn told Ms Porat she hoped Google would consider choosing Thailand as its main production base for the company's digital products saying the government is ready to support Google's expansion in Thailand the PM held talks with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter during which the latter congratulated her for Thailand's success in securing a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) The Thai-EFTA FTA will play a key role in expanding trade between Thailand and Iceland Norway and Switzerland by reducing trade barriers such as tariffs Switzerland is Thailand's second-largest trade partner in Europe Both leaders also discussed the possibility of a reciprocal visa-free agreement and Switzerland's support for Thailand's green transition Ms Paetongtarn witnessed the formal signing of the Thai-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) free-trade agreement Ms Paetongtarn and Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa also held discussions with the chief adviser to the Bangladesh government where she stressed Thailand's commitment to boosting trade and investment She also expressed Thailand's determination to conclude the Thai-European Union FTA later this year and requested Sweden's support for this plan Thailand also expects to commence FTA negotiations with Bangladesh and is looking forward to hosting the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on April 4 before handing over the chairmanship of the summit to Bangladesh Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan also told a panel discussion on Tuesday that Thailand is ready to welcome all investments in AI LOP BURI: More than 200 monkeys escaped from their cage at the Lop Buri municipality’s Pho Khao Ton Monkey Nursery in Muang district and invaded Tha Hin police station The incident happened on Saturday evening when about 300 monkeys captured from the city of Lop Buri escaped their cage and wandered onto the streets They also climbed into people’s homes and the station Police found the cage could not withstand the force of monkeys rocking the structure About 40 monkeys on Sunday returned to the cage for food Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) sent workers to recapture the remaining monkeys THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024 PlayLoading... The video, produced by MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sport, will be screened at this weekend’s race in Buri RamSix world-class MotoGP racers visited Prasat Muang Tam, a historical site in Prakhon Chai district, Buri Ram province on Wednesday to showcase the attraction’s beauty, witness the making of local handicrafts, and try out Isan food ahead of this weekend’s MotoGP Thailand event. The Thai Grand Prix 2024 takes place from October 25-27 at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram. Álex Rins, Luca Marini, Marco Bezzecchi, Fermín Aldeguer, and Thai stars Somkiat Chantra and Tatchakorn Buasri, happily posed for the video crews of Dorna Sport, which owns the MotoGP rights. The video’s focus was on the beauty of Prasat Muang Tam, a Khmer Hindu Temple built in the late 10th century and featured “Kantrum” folk music with traditional dancers in the background. The racers also witnessed the handweaving technique of Pha Akanee, a unique fabric dyed in volcanic soil and Pha Barai Kleep Bua, a pink coloured fabric dyed in 1,000-year-old mud. The video concluded with the six sampling various Isan (northeastern) dishes,  including Tod Mah, a  herbal snack and soft roll rice crepe made from organic Khao Nok Karian rice, a rare breed of jasmine rice only grown in Buri Ram. Designed to promote Thailand as a sports and vacation destination, the video will be broadcast during the race weekend to approximately 800 million motorsport fans from 220 countries, Dorna Sport said. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025 PlayLoading... Over 40 people were injured, and 17 lost their lives after an educational field trip bus overturned while descending Khao San Pu Tone mountain in Prachin Buri's Na Di district on Wednesday.The incident took place at around 4am, when a tour bus from Bueng Kan's Phon Charoen district went off the curve on Highway 304 during the journey to Rayong province. The vehicle overturned and was completely damaged. Local policemen and rescuers are rushing to transport the injured to Nadi Hospital and Kabinburi Hospital for medical treatment. The road is being cleared to facilitate traffic, while the investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. According to officials, the accident involved the third of three tour buses carrying 47 members of the village waste bank in Bueng Kan's Phon Charoen district and two drivers. A passenger on the overturned bus said that he was forced to wake up due to the accident, causing many people in the vehicle to be thrown in different directions. All passengers are neighbours who live close by each other, he said. A trailer driver Chayapol Sophakul (45) explained that he followed behind the bus until the accident occurred. He got off the trailer and found that more than 40 passengers had been injured, mostly inside the vehicle. Chayapol confirmed that he had contacted the police to survey the scene after the incident. Meanwhile, Na Di district chief Somjai Phutthasena said officials had transported around 20 injured passengers to hospitals and feared that other passengers might not survive. Officials are accelerating their search for passengers, he said. He noted that road accidents often occurred on the way down from Khao San Pu Tone mountain, causing many injuries and fatalities. He expects the accident came due to a malfunctioning brake system. Technology increases elephant-blocking efficiency. Rommuk Piachan, Senior Leader of Projects Development at True Corporation, explained that the Smart Early Warning System was a result of research, study and development. Designed to enhance the efficiency of wild elephant control operations, this solution stems from the "Tech For Good" concept, which comprises Empathy-Insights-Technology components, leading to innovative technology that sustainably improves the quality of life. The system works as follows: 2.    Data processing and storage software: Visual recordings from cameras are sent to an AI-enabled Cloud system, which supports staff’s analyses and classifications of detected objects. The colour and characteristics of elephants’ skills blend well with nature at night, thus making it hard to detect them in the dark.  3.    Transmission poles and signal receivers: After data were processed, the dashboard shows images and data via True’s transmission poles at Ban Yan Sue and the Ruam Thai Village for on-duty staff to check.  4.    Command: Designed as a “war room”, this command is staffed round-the-clock. Officials at the command must coordinate with relevant teams to push wild elephants back to the forest park promptly. The command has an integrated Smart Adventure application, which enables users to monitor the status of operations involved, methods used, results, and damage (if any) in real-time. Statistics have been compiled with key information shown systematically. On top of tech support, True has also offered insurance coverage and smartphones to forest protectors out of recognition for their sacrifices and devotion. These officials, after all, are true heroes as they put their lives at stake during their operations.  Following the establishment of the True Smart Early Warning System in 2016, wild-elephant monitoring teams have achieved better performance. Despite the growing wild elephant population, they have successfully curbed damage caused by straying pachyderms. In other words, early warning paves the way for timely operations that help reduce adverse impacts on locals’ farmland. Members of wild elephant monitoring teams know they “risk their lives” on duty. When they reach the spot where wild elephants were sighted, they do their best to proceed cautiously to minimize all risks. Based on their experience, they will first check the number of elephants on the spot. At least, two members must be together for them to start an operation to push wild elephants back to the forest.  “Once we reach our destination, we will do a count to be sure how many elephants are there. At first glance, we may see just one elephant. But if we look carefully, we will see that there are many more. Some elephants will just follow the first one silently and they may fatally attack us. Elephants may stomp on us, hit us with their trunks or gore us with their tusk. A few years ago, one of us died because of the elephant attack,” Natthawut said. He continued that operations to push wild elephants back to the forest zone should be softly implemented. The use of violence, he warned, would only trigger elephants’ aggressive behaviours and changes in food-foraging patterns making it even harder to manage them.  But elephants prove they are smart creatures. Blessed with learning capabilities and good memory, officials need to prepare various techniques to safely push wild pachyderms back to the national park. Today, wild elephants have already familiarized themselves with “human presence”.  Some of them therefore have started showing “obstinate traits”. When chased out of farmlands, they show their dissatisfaction as they feel their eating is disrupted.  Humans – Wild Elephants: Can they co-exist? Conflicts between humans and wild elephants are full of emotions. Locals feel panic, fear and anxiety. Yet, deep down, residents, national park officials, and members of wild elephant monitoring teams feel attached to wild elephants – the creatures they have long seen and grown up with. “We should now admit that humans can’t defeat wild elephants here because the conflict areas used to be their home. To solve the conflict, we must first change our mindset. It is the first step towards peaceful co-existence between humans and wild elephants,” the chief of the Kui Buri National Park emphasized.  The Kui Buri National Park has now presented itself as a mediator for human-elephant reconciliation, which is now promoted via wildlife watching. Based on academic information, zoning has been done to identify which spots are best for wildlife watchers. Locals receive support in grouping and providing tourism services related to wildlife watching. This is another source of income for locals, who in fact do not need to rely on farming alone. Naret Suedurian, manager of WWF Thailand's Kaeng Krachan Wildlife Conservation Project, commented that wild elephants would likely keep wandering out of the national park throughout their lives. No one would be able to prevent them from straying out of the forest zone. But it is possible to “reduce adverse impacts”. Relevant parties therefore should focus on this approach. Though most feasible, this approach needs cooperation from all sides to sustain solutions. Tui, who used to hate wild elephants a lot, said her perspectives have already changed. Speaking of her feelings now, she said, “As long as we live here, we can’t escape from wild elephants. As it is not easy for us to relocate either, we should simply adjust. We should realize that we must not rely on just monoculture”. To co-exist peacefully with wild elephants, Tui has started an integrated farming system for risk-distribution purposes. She has also grown lemongrasses and raised stingless bees because they, on top of generating income for her, help keep wild elephants away. Tui is now a key woman behind the establishment of a community enterprise and a fund that offers compensation to farmers whose crops are damaged by wild pachyderms. Humans’ understanding and adjustment are the ultimate keys to peaceful human-elephant co-existence. Man wanted in home country for shipping meth from Thailand A South Korean man wanted in his home country for drug trafficking has been arrested in Chon Buri province had been accused of smuggling crystal methamphetamine from Thailand into South Korea secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) South Korean authorities seized a parcel containing crystal meth hidden in coffee and bean bags The recipient of the package was subsequently arrested An extended investigation found that Seo Jung Num was the sender of the parcel South Korean police obtained court approval to arrest the suspect but later later discovered he had fled to Thailand South Korean authorities coordinated with the ONCB to help arrest the suspect Investigators tracked him to a hotel in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri The ONCB then notified the Immigration Bureau that Mr Seo was persona non grata for his involvement in drugs and asked it to consider revoking his visa Immigration officers subsequently found that Mr Seo had overstayed his visa Pol Lt Gen Panurat said his agency has worked closely with Korean peers to exchange information about transnational drug crime seven South Korean drug suspects were apprehended five South Korean nationals involved in illicit drugs have been caught The Industry Ministry has suspended the operations of a sugarcane mill in Lop Buri over concerns about air pollution Large factories across the country are required to install a Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) in a bid to curb air pollution Sugar TN Industry Co Ltd in Lop Buri was ordered to suspend its operations at its mill in Tha Luang district after a recent inspection by the ministry detected irregularities with the mill's CEMS which the inspectors said failed to meet the ministry's minimum standards The inspection confirmed complaints lodged by nearby residents who said black smoke and molasses often leaked out of the mill the Industry Ministry ordered the firm to halt operation immediately and repair its emission control systems to meet the ministry's minimum standards by Jan 31 It stressed the factory must achieve full compliance with the minimum requirements before operations can resume The suspension came after the ministry ordered 57 sugarcane processing facilities across the country to stop buying sugarcane for seven days over the New Year holiday This step was imposed in an effort to reduce air pollution caused by the illegal burning of sugarcane Industry Minister Akanat Promphan said yesterday Mr Akanat announced that 57 sugarcane processing facilities across the country have been ordered to temporarily stop buying sugarcane from Dec 27 to Jan 2 The measure is intended to curb air pollution from sugar cane burning during the New Year holidays and improve road safety by reducing the number of sugarcane delivery trucks on the road