Category: General

MCOT Public Company Limited, Minister of Justice points out that “Jakkraphob” has more confidence in the justice process and therefore wants to return. As for the case of disputes in the Royal Thai Police Office There is a central organization. NACC is already investigating.

Pol.Col. Thawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice Referring to the case of Mr. Jakraphob Penkhae and the political refugees who gradually contacted him to request a return trip to fight the case, he said that Mr. Jakraphob’s case was not a DSI case. Returning to court All sides are calling for the refugees to be brought back to justice. For a feeling of harmony The desire to return may be due to the assurance that there will be more justice. That’s why I want to come back. Mr. Jakrapob is a talented person and will be able to use his knowledge and abilities to help develop the country.

To the question about the case of people suing the Ministry of Justice regarding the suspension of sentence of Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister.
That he, as a minister, has studied every relevant section of the Department of Corrections. If there will be a lawsuit, I’m happy. will be corrected If the law being considered is not complete

The Justice Minister also spoke about the dispute in the Royal Thai Police Headquarters. In the case of Big Joke and Big Tor, even though there was a request for the DSI to accept them as a special case To make the inspection transparent But in the case of civil servants accusing each other in cases of corruption and misconduct There is a central organization, the NACC. Even if the DSI receives a matter, it must be sent to the NACC, unless the NACC sends the matter to the DSI for action.

Source: Thai News Agency

Nearly one in three candidates for the April 10 parliamentary elections possess a criminal record, and their average asset holdings amount to 2.44 billion won (US$1.8 million), a civic group said Thursday.

The Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice disclosed the findings involving the assets and criminal records of 952 candidates. Of them, 305 candidates or 32 percent were found to be criminal record holders, a slight increase from 27 percent in the 2020 elections.

“There were many candidates who possessed criminal records and assets that substantially exceeded the public average,” the group said during a press briefing. “The insufficient examination of candidates during the nomination process placed the burden on voters to weed out the unqualified candidates.”

By party, 100 candidates of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and its satellite party, or 36.2 percent of 276 candidates, had criminal records, while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its satellite party had 59 candidates with crimin
al records out of 289 candidates.

The civic group, however, noted that a large chunk of candidates from the DP and Justice Party likely obtained a criminal record during the pro-democracy movement under the past authoritarian government, adding the specific type of crime should also be considered.

The average reported assets per candidate amounted to 2.44 billion won, up from the 1.5 billion won reported during the 2020 parliamentary elections, according to the same data. It includes 1.57 billion won in real estate assets, 690 million won in financial assets and 1.52 million won in virtual assets.

Pointing to the increase in the number of criminal record holders and average assets of candidates, Kim Sung-dal, the secretary general of the civic group, denounced the nominations as “out of touch with public expectations.”

The civic group called on each party to apologize for such poor nominations and urged them to come up with measures to strengthen the vetting criteria of candidates in the future.

Source:
Yonhap News Agency

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik vowed Thursday to carry out a probe into the death of a Navy sailor during a maritime exercise this week and come up with measures to prevent such an accident from happening again.

On Wednesday, the Navy noncommissioned officer died after falling overboard from a patrol boat during a live-fire exercise in the East Sea.

“Through a probe by relevant authorities, (we) will identify the accident’s cause and come up with measures to ensure that such an unfortunate accident does not occur again,” Shin wrote on his Facebook page.

He expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and noted the military will conduct follow-up measures regarding the accident with the “utmost respect” to remember the service member’s dedication to his country.

The sailor had been rushed to the hospital after being rescued but was pronounced dead

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The number of flights on South Korea’s international routes are likely to nearly reach pre-COVID 19 pandemic levels during this peak summer season, the transport ministry said Thursday.

The number of flights on 231 routes between domestic airports and overseas ones is expected to recover to 98 percent, or 4,528 per week, of the pre-pandemic level during the March 31-Oct. 26 peak season, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The corresponding figure in the same period of 2019 stood at 4,619 on the international routes, it said.

The country’s international flights remained at below 50 percent of the pre-pandemic levels in the peak summer period of 2022 but sharply rebounded to 83 percent in the same period of the following year, a ministry official said.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

During this time, many provinces in the northern region are still facing smog and toxic dust. including smog from burning in the area In addition, there is also smog that burns in neighboring countries being blown across the border by the wind. making the western side of the northern region both Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai Filled with dense smog Hourly levels of toxic dust in some areas are higher than 700 micrograms per cubic meter. And Chiang Mai Mai still periodically ranks among the world’s most polluted cities.

Source: Thai News Agency

House, The Governor of the BoT appeared at the BOI committee meeting at the House after the Prime Minister asked about it at a large digital wallet meeting yesterday. Didn’t answer agree or not with “Digital Wallet” after reading comments NACC-Decree

Reporters reported that at 3:05 p.m. at Government House After the meeting of the Board of Investment or BOI with Mr. Panpree Phittanukorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Chairing the meeting Reporters tried to question Mr. Setthaput. Suthiwat Narueput Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) on how the BoT has given its opinion on the 10,000 baht digital wallet project after reading the opinions of the Council of State and the recommendations of the Prevention and Suppression Committee. National Corruption Commission (NACC), but Mr. Setthaput The said question was not answered.

When asked again, Is there anything to worry about? If the normal budget is used to run the project, Mr. Setthaput did not answer questions. and try to avoid giving
interviews By walking away

However, reporters tried to inquire about the case where the Prime Minister stated that all sectors had agreed. Including the Governor of the BoT, Mr. Setthaput, did not answer questions either. before getting into the car and traveling away from the House of Representatives

However, yesterday (27 Mar.) at the policy committee meeting of the 10,000 baht top-up project through the digital wallet system. Governor of the Bank of Thailand did not attend the said meeting Make Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance He inquired about the person at the meeting, and Mr. Ronadon Numnon, Deputy Governor of the BoT, who came to the meeting instead, explained that the Governor of the BoT was on a mission.

Source: Thai News Agency

Ubon Ratchathani, Pay homage to the Buddha’s birthplace or a replica of Bodhgaya. and pay respect to the 2 large Nagarats at Wat Phra That Nong Bua. Ubon Ratchathani Province The merit line must not be missed.

Wat Phra That Nong Bua has a distinctive feature: its shape may not be familiar to ordinary chedi that Thai people are familiar with. Because it is modeled after the Bodh Gaya pagoda. which is the place of Buddha’s enlightenment In India, around the relics on all 4 sides, there are carved images of the Buddha image of the person born. Including the story of the ten Jatakas. Below and around the relics are Buddhist disciples. The base supports the Phra That Chedi Sri Maha Bodhi with the Naga Garuda and Yak.

On the side of the pagoda, there are two large Nagaraja statues: Grandfather Kritkarakot. and Grandma Maniketu that are enshrined together It is a rainbow-colored Naga. Or Naga Chapayaputta is one of 4 of the 4 Naga families. Tourists like to come and ask for blessings for good fortune.

Wat Phra Th
at Nong Bua was built in 1955 by a group of Ubon Ratchathani Buddhists working together to build it. To symbolize the 25th anniversary of Buddhism, which falls in the year 1957, later the relics of the Lord Buddha were brought to be enshrined at the Lord Buddha’s relics. and built a large relic to cover the small one. Therefore, the name of the temple was changed from Wat Nong Bua to Wat Phra That Nong Bua. Because there is Phra Borommathat Chedi Si Maha Pho It is a place where the Buddha’s relics are kept.

However, those who are interested can come to Wat Phra That Nong Bua. Ubon Ratchathani Province, open from 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Recommended to come in the evening. Because the temple will turn on the lights, it makes the pagoda look beautiful and suitable for taking pictures.

Source: Thai News Agency

Nonthaburi, Thai Commerce Minister joins hands with South Korea. Ready to move forward with an economic partnership agreement Pulling the chain of high-tech products Push more Thai agricultural products into Korea. Confident that it will definitely increase the value of trade and investment between us. and openly study clean energy among each other as well.

Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, witnessed the signing of the Thailand – Republic of Korea Economic Partnership Agreement. Ready to order to begin negotiations between each other as soon as possible. The goal is to complete negotiations by 2025 or early 2026, pushing to further open the market for Thai products and services to the Republic of Korea. At the signing ceremony of the scope document (TOR) for the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Thailand-Republic of Korea. Between Miss Chotima Iamsawatdikul, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Negotiations, and Mr. Konki Roh
, Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiation of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea. This marks the official start of FTA negotiations between Thailand and the Republic of Korea. using the name “Thailand-Republic of Korea Economic Partnership Agreement”, with the two sides expected to begin the first round of negotiations by mid-2024 and aiming to complete negotiations by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

However, the preparation of the Thailand-Republic of Korea EPA Agreement It is one of the government’s policies that wants to speed up the preparation of Thailand’s free trade agreements. By preparing this FTA It will be an extension of the FTAs ??that Thailand and the Republic of Korea are parties to, namely the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Increase Thailand’s competitiveness It will also help attract more investment from the Republic of Korea into Thailand, such as electric vehicles and part
s and information technology. In addition, it hopes to strengthen the development of new cooperation in which Thailand and the Republic of Korea have common interests. together, such as strengthening the production supply chain and cooperation in the digital economy. It is expected that products in Thailand will benefit from the Thailand-Republic of Korea EPA Agreement, such as meat and fishery products (such as frozen and processed chicken meat Frozen and processed seafood), tropical fruits (such as mangoes, guava and mangosteen), other food products (such as flour, sauces and condiments), wood products (such as processed lumber, particleboard plywood) and chemicals

Meanwhile, service branches in Thailand are expected to benefit from the opening of the Republic of Korea’s service trade market, such as business services. transportation services, warehousing, and hotel and restaurant services. In addition, it has been informed from the Korean side that On the same day, the Ministry of MOTIE held an event to a
nnounce the new trade policy strategy of the Republic of Korea. By creating free trade agreements with key negotiating countries. Including Thailand which is one of the potential target countries of the Republic of Korea.

‘Korea has invested tens of billions in our country, such as Samsung electrical appliances, KIA cars, and electronic equipment. He was interested in opening the market with us. which we welcome Technology will be developed together to allow us to be more self-reliant. And Thai farmers are interested in expanding the market to Korea, such as mangosteen and mango. We also have sources for producing foods that are in demand such as frozen chicken and frozen seafood. The Ministry of Commerce will try to make our products export as much as possible. It will be mutually beneficial,’ Mr. Phumtham said.

In 2023, the Republic of Korea was Thailand’s 12th largest trading partner, with a trade value of US$14,736.86 million. Thailand exported 6,070.44 million US dollars to the Republic of Korea. Impor
tant export products include refined oil, rubber products, sugar, electrical circuit boards, and aluminum products. and Thailand imported from the Republic of Korea 8,666.42 million US dollars. Important imported products include iron, steel and products, electrical circuit boards, chemicals, and machinery and components.

Source: Thai News Agency

Today (%) Previous Session(%) Change (BP)

1-year TB 3.356 3.340 +1.6

2-year TB 3.333 3.331 +0.2

3-year TB 3.293 3.288 +0.5

10-year TB 3.377 3.373 +0.4

2-year MSB 3.354 3.350 +0.4

3-year CB (AA-) 3.903 3.903 0.0

91-day CD 3.640 3.630 +1.0

Source: Yonhap News Agency

North Korea may scrap an inter-Korean basic agreement signed in 1991 at its next parliamentary meeting as its leader Kim Jong-un has defined South Korea as its “primary foe,” Seoul’s unification ministry said Thursday.

North Korea could convene another parliamentary meeting to revise the country’s constitution under the current 14th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), while delaying an election to pick new deputies, according to an official at the ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs.

The SPA is the highest organ of state power under the North’s constitution, but it actually only rubber-stamps decisions by the ruling Workers’ Party.

In an SPA meeting in January, the North’s leader called for revising the constitution to define South Korea as its “invariable principal enemy” and codify the commitment to “completely occupying” the South Korean territory in the event of war.

The North held an election to pick deputies to the 14th SPA for a five-year term in March 2019. But the repressive regime has not ev
en made a public notice for the schedule to elect new SPA deputies.

“North Korea abolished inter-Korean economic cooperation agreements last month. At the next SPA meeting, the country could scrap inter-Korean agreements in the political and military fields, such as the Basic Agreement of South and North Korea,” the ministry official said.

Under the basic agreement signed in 1991, inter-Korean ties were designated as a “special relationship” tentatively formed in the process of seeking reunification, not as state-to-state relations.

At a year-end party meeting, the North’s leader defined inter-Korean ties as relations between “two states hostile to each other” and vowed not to regard the South as a counterpart for reconciliation and unification.

In terms of the constitutional revision, North Korea is likely to remove unification-related clauses and newly stipulate the country’s territorial boundaries, while adding clauses related to unification by force, the ministry official said.

At the next SPA meetin
g, the North could also announce the organizational revamp of the foreign ministry and personnel reshuffles in a bid for it to take over inter-Korean affairs.

North Korea may weigh when to hold an SPA meeting while taking into account South Korea’s political schedules, including the April 10 general elections and the opening of the 22nd National Assembly in late May, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, North Korea removed a signboard from the Tongilgak pavilion in the truce village of Panmunjom as it is ramping up efforts to remove unification references, the ministry said. Tongil means unification in Korean.

North Korea has erased an image of the Korean Peninsula from its major websites and dropped a phrase symbolizing a unified Korea from the lyrics of its national anthem.

Source: Yonhap News Agency