Category: General

“Big Tai” instructs personnel in the 3 southern border provinces Increase intensity to prevent violent incidents during Ramadan fasting festival

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander of the Police Commander’s School. Traveled to inspect the area of the violent incident in the southern border provinces. and held a meeting to follow up on the situation with Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanak, 4th Military Region, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, commander of Region 9, Lt. Col. Anan Bunsamran, deputy director. Yala Province, Commanding Officer and all police officers in the southern border provinces Has ordered and emphasized the following guidelines:

1.Emphasis on reporting incidents quickly, accurately and accurately, using the Police Crime Suppression Division as a tool to drive, collect and analyze data. to report to supervisor To be able to give orders to stop and restrain Intercept the crime in the area in a timely manner.

2. The past incidents show the potential of the perpetrators. that they can cause
violence at the same time together in many areas Therefore, please follow the news situation. and assess the situation In order to be able to prevent incidents that may occur again.

3. Remind to intensify measures to prevent violence during the fasting season of Ramadan. To ensure safety for citizens and government officials. The plan and measures must be put into practice. Don’t be slack. negligence In performing duties decisively

4. Remind to increase the intensity of surveillance and protection of the units set up. government office Police officer residence and various checkpoints

5. Conduct investigations with caution. Gather various evidence Apply forensic science which is evidence that is clear and reliable in the justice process

6. Integrate operations with relevant units in the area. According to the plans/operations of ISOC Region 4 and the National Police Crime Suppression Division.

7. Reparations for the injured. To proceed according to rights Relevant processes and regulations quickly.-412

Source: Thai News Agency

South Korean shares closed slightly lower Friday as investors cashed in gains after the market rallied by more than 2 percent the previous session. The local currency fell sharply against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell (KOSPI) 6.3 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 2,748.56.

Trade volume was moderate at 501.3 million shares worth 11.3 trillion won (US$8.42 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 485 to 381.

Foreigners bought a net 665 billion won worth of stocks, while individuals offloaded a net 531 billion won. Institutions sold a net 162.8 billion won.

In the previous session, the main index closed at the highest in nearly two years since April 5, 2022, amid growing hopes for U.S. rate cuts in the near future.

“As the market finished sharply higher over the two previous sessions, investors took a breather,” said Kim Dae-wook, a researcher at Hana Securities.

Top tech giant Samsung Electronics finished 0.5 percent lower to 78,900 won, after soaring 3.12 per
cent the previous session after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang mentioned his expectations of the South Korean chipmaker’s product.

Battery makers closed mixed, with LG Energy Solution remaining unchanged from the previous session at 413,500 won, while Samsung SDI added 3.73 percent to 472,500 won.

Carmakers finished lower, with Hyundai Motor falling 3.37 percent to 243,500 won and Kia losing 2.42 percent to 112,900 won. Auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis shed 1.5 percent to 262,000 won.

Samsung C and T, a trading firm, lost 3.03 percent to 160,000 won, while POSCO International added 1.07 percent to 56,500 won.

The local currency closed at 1,338.4 won against the greenback, down 16 won from the previous session’s close.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

A leader of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), the country’s biggest doctors’ group, appeared before police Friday for another round of questioning over suspicions of instigating a mass walkout by trainee doctors.

Park Myung-ha, the KMA’s organization consolidation chief, arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s public crime investigation office in Seoul to undergo questioning, marking the fifth time he has faced police questioning since last month.

Park is one of five former and current KMA leaders against whom the government has filed a complaint, accusing them of instigating trainee doctors to go on a walkout to protest the government’s medical school quota hike.

The collective action has continued for over a month in protest against the decision to increase the medical school quota by 2,000 from the current 3,058, resulting in cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency medical treatment.

Before entering the police office, Park denounced the government’s move to suspend the medica
l licenses of trainee doctors defying the government’s back-to-work order and vowed to file a collective lawsuit to reverse it.

He also called on the government to engage in dialogue with doctors to find a compromise.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The delinquency ratio on real estate project financing (PF) loans slightly rose in the fourth quarter, data showed Friday, amid concerns of possible risks stemming from such loans.

The delinquency ratio on real estate PF loans came to 2.70 percent as of end-December, up 0.28 percentage point from 2.42 percent three months earlier, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).

The total value of outstanding loans climbed to 135.6 trillion won (US$102 billion) from 134.3 trillion won over the cited period.

Real estate PF loans have become a major risk factor of the financial sector amid a prolonged slump in the property market due to price hikes.

Taeyoung Engineering and Construction, the country’s 16th largest builder, was forced to apply for a debt restructuring program in late December after it faced a liquidity shortage due to real estate PF loans.

“The delinquency ratio on PF loans rose slight to 2.7 percent as of end-December, compared with 2.42 percent tallied at end-Septemb
er, but it generally continued to remain stable,” the financial regulator said in a press release, adding the government is considering and pushing for “various policy steps” to help stabilize the market.

In the latest of such efforts, FSS chief Lee Bok-hyun held a meeting with senior officials from local lenders and construction firms Thursday, where he called for swift and all-out efforts to minimize the potential fallout from real estate loans.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Pattani, Yala Puan Tai Thieves set fire to convenience stores in 4 districts in Pattani Province. As for Yala, thieves attacked the Electricity Federation, a large cooking gas factory. Catch workers before they set fire and robbed the stone mill

In the middle of the night last night Thieves dispersed their forces to commit arson at convenience stores in 4 districts of Pattani Province, including 1 point in Mueang District, 1 point in Yaring District, 1 point in Yarang District, and 1 point in Khok Pho District. In addition, there were also incidents of car tire burning in 2 districts. There were 2 points in Khok Pho District and 1 point in Panare District. Officials blocked off the area. Waiting for the forensics officer to come in and check. Ready to expedite CCTV cameras to track down the culprit. As for the cause, it is believed to be the work of a group of insurgents. hoping to retaliate against the officials After the past, there were 2 criminals who were extrajudicial.

As for Yala, around the same ti
me there were several fires. In some places there was a loud explosion. including rubber wood factories, furniture stores Bannang Sata District, many criminals invaded the Electricity Federation, a large cooking gas factory. They tied the hands of workers and security guards before setting them on fire. All is now safe. and the fire has been controlled. As for the stone mill in Mueang Yala District, there was a sound similar to an explosion 3-4 times, along with many criminals entering and robbing the stone mill. There were also incidents of burning car tires and sailboat nails along the road. which this morning Officials will inspect the scene again.

Source: Thai News Agency

Ministry of Finance, The Ministry of Finance prepares to listen to opinions on the 10,000 baht digital currency and proposes a large board before Songkran. Advise government agencies to expedite budget disbursement for 2024.

Mr. Lawan Saengsanit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, said that the Ministry of Finance has sent questionnaires to all sectors. According to the recommendations of the NACC and the Royal Decree, it has been distributed to all groups, including small citizens, SMEs, businessmen, academics, and hundreds of organizations in order to proceed according to the steps and recommendations of both agencies. thoroughly It is expected that all parties will respond no later than 29 March. After that, the subcommittee A summary of the results of the hearing will be presented to the Policy Committee of the 10,000 baht top-up project via Digital Wallet, chaired by Prime Minister Settha Thavisin, to convene a meeting to decide on moving forward with the project before the Songkran Festiv
al. Therefore, let’s wait and see how the project will move forward in early April.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Added that The fiscal year 2024 expenditure budget is expected to be enforced and released in early April. Therefore, I want government agencies Get all the steps ready. Both auction conditions Opening the auction To sign the procurement contract quickly When the budget comes into force In this April Therefore it is another factor that has the budget starting to be released into the system. If the proposing agency requests Couldn’t process it in time Next year the budget will be cut. or the original project must be folded Once the application has been submitted, we therefore want the budget to be delivered on time.

Source: Thai News Agency

Cyber police arrest the owner of a famous page selling clean food. The food was not as described, not delivered in full, causing more than 100,000 baht in damage.

This is because many victims have filed complaints about being deceived into selling clean food. healthy food Total damage worth more than 100,000 baht using the same Facebook account. That is, the culprit used a Facebook account named “Foodaran” as a public page. Accessible to the general public Clean food advertisements healthy food When the victim is interested and agrees to buy the product The culprit had the money transferred to an account named Mr. Chakrit. But after the victim transferred the money to order the products. Unable to deliver as scheduled, postponing delivery, sending incomplete quantities of products, sending products of lower quality than advertised. When the victim inquired, he always spoke evasively. and unable to contact the criminal again believed to have been deceived Therefore report the matter through the online notifi
cation system.

Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watthanakornbancha, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Phumiphat Phattharasriwongchai, commander of the 5th Police Station, sent police to investigate. The perpetrators were brought to justice according to the law. Later, Pol. Col. Kritsada Manawongsakul, Superintendent of Police Division 1, SOT 5, ordered the police to investigate until they learned that Mr. Chakrit, age 39, was the accused according to the arrest warrant. Escaped to stay in the area of Sa Kaeo province. Therefore, he reported it to his hierarchical superiors and traveled to investigate.

Until on March 20, 2024 at 6:00 a.m., the arresting police officers found Mr. Chakrit. Appeared in the area of Rong Kluea Market, Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, therefore presented himself as a police officer and presented the above arrest warrant to Mr. Chakrit or Phakin, the police officer who informed him of the crime. ‘Defraud the public by dishonestly or
deceitfully importing into the computer system. which is fake computer data whether in whole or in part or false computer information in a way that is likely to cause damage to the people.’ The investigation officers of Subdistrict 1, Subdistrict 5, for further legal action will be taken

Source: Thai News Agency

“Big Tai” instructs personnel in the 3 southern border provinces Increase intensity to prevent violent incidents during Ramadan fasting festival

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander of the Police Commander’s School. Traveled to inspect the area of the violent incident in the southern border provinces. and held a meeting to follow up on the situation with Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanak, 4th Military Region, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, commander of Region 9, Lt. Col. Anan Bunsamran, deputy director. Yala Province, Commanding Officer and all police officers in the southern border provinces Has ordered and emphasized the following guidelines:

1.Emphasis on reporting incidents quickly, accurately and accurately, using the Police Crime Suppression Division as a tool to drive, collect and analyze data. to report to supervisor To be able to give orders to stop and restrain Intercept the crime in the area in a timely manner.

2. The past incidents show the potential of the perpetrators. that they can cause
violence at the same time together in many areas Therefore, please follow the news situation. and assess the situation In order to be able to prevent incidents that may occur again.

3. Remind to intensify measures to prevent violence during the fasting season of Ramadan. To ensure safety for citizens and government officials. The plan and measures must be put into practice. Don’t be slack. negligence In performing duties decisively

4. Remind to increase the intensity of surveillance and protection of the units set up. government office Police officer residence and various checkpoints

5. Conduct investigations with caution. Gather various evidence Apply forensic science which is evidence that is clear and reliable in the justice process

6. Integrate operations with relevant units in the area. According to the plans/operations of ISOC Region 4 and the National Police Crime Suppression Division.

7. Reparations for the injured. To proceed according to rights Relevant processes and regulations quickly.-412

Source: Thai News Agency

A total of 686 candidates have registered for the April 10 parliamentary elections, the National Election Committee said Friday, setting the stage for a political showdown that could determine how the current administration will fare in its remaining three years in office.

Up for grabs in the elections are 300 National Assembly seats, 254 of them directly contested seats and 46 proportional representation seats.

The data, tentatively tallied at 7 p.m., showed that 38 parties applied for proportional representation seats. The actual number of parties competing in the election could possibly change following an evaluation by the election committee.

By party, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) had the most registered candidates at 252, followed by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) with 244. A total of 56 candidates registered as independents.

Among electoral districts, the central Seoul ward of Jongno was expected to see the toughest competition with seven candidates registering for the race.

Off
icial campaigning is set to kick off on March 28, lasting for 13 days, with limited forms of electioneering permitted before the official campaign period begins.

Overseas voting is scheduled from March 27 to April 1, while early voting will take place on April 5-6.

The PPP has called for voter support, saying the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has been unable to push its agenda forward for the past two years in the face of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

The DP has urged voters to pass stern judgment on what it calls the “incompetent” administration, accusing it of causing the economy and the livelihoods of people to worsen seriously over the past two years.

Also drawing attention is how newly formed minor parties will fare, including the Korea Innovation Party led by disgraced former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, the New Reform Party led by former PPP leader Lee Jun-seok and the New Future Party (Saemirae) led by former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

South Korea’s defense authorities on Friday approved a plan to begin building 20 KF-21 fighter jets this year — half of what was originally planned — after a report last year called for slashing the homegrown fighter’s initial production volume.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) had sought to sign a contract this year with the jet’s manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., to build 40 KF-21s as the first batch of the advanced fighter under development since 2015.

Under the newly approved plan, DAPA will sign a contract for only 20 units this year and clinch another deal next year for an additional 20 units after further testing, such as on the jet’s air-to-air missile and active electronically scanned array radar capabilities.

The phased production seeks to address concerns raised by the feasibility study over the jet last year that argued for the need for additional tests and suggested the production cut to only 20 units, according to a DAPA official.

“(We) plan to complete v
erification tests by June this year and sign a contract for the remaining 20 units by next February after consultations with relevant agencies,” the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

The Defense Project Promotion Committee still approved the entire production plan for a total of 40 KF-21s, which is estimated to cost 7.92 trillion won (US$5.9 billion) and run from this year through 2028.

The DAPA official stressed its commitment to the fighter’s timely deployment, noting the production volume of 40 units remains ultimately unchanged despite the phased contracts.

If the project proceeds as planned, the Air Force is expected to receive its first KF-21 in the second half of 2026. The advanced supersonic fighter is designed to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 jets.

South Korea seeks to build even more KF-21s and operate a total of 120 units by 2032.

“(We) expect (this project) to contribute to the Air Force’s capabilities by acquiring a Korean-type fighter jet that is capabl
e of joint operations with cutting-edge fighters,” DAPA said in a release.

DAPA has been staging various performance tests on its fleet of six KF-21 prototypes since the first one made its maiden flight in July 2022. Earlier this week, prototype No. 5 successfully conducted its first aerial refueling test.

Meanwhile, defense authorities also approved a 3.89 trillion-won project for performance upgrades to the Air Force’s F-15K fighter jets built by U.S. defense giant Boeing.

The project, which will run through 2034, is designed to improve the F-15Ks’ long-range operational capabilities and armament capacity, according to DAPA.

In addition, the committee endorsed a 680 billion-won project for the state-run Agency for Defense Development to lead development of a shipborne surface-to-ground ballistic missile through 2036.

“Through this project, (we) will be able to acquire deterrence against potential enemy threats and early response capabilities against North Korean nuclear and missile threats in a conting
ency,” it said in a release.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

North Korea’s ruling party delegation has arrived in Beijing on a three-nation tour, state media reported Friday, in a move seen aimed at strengthening ties with countries sharing the socialist ideology.

The delegation, led by Kim Song-nam, director of the international department at the Workers’ Party, was greeted by the assistant to the head of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party at an airport Thursday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, without providing details on the purpose of the trip.

It marked Kim’s first known overseas trip since 2021, when he was appointed to the post handling party-to-party affairs with socialist countries.

Kim, who served as an interpreter for North Korea’s late founder Kim Il-sung and former leader Kim Jong-il, is known as a China expert.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between North Korea and China. The North declared 2024 as the year of North Korea-China friendship, a designation first i
ntroduced in 2009 to mark the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.

Kim met with Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of the political bureau of the Chinese Communist Party, and Liu Jianchao, minister of the party’s international liaison department, on Thursday, according to the website of the Chinese Embassy in North Korea.

In a meeting with Kim, Wang, the communist party’s No. 4 official, voiced China’s willingness to promote bilateral ties with Pyongyang and proposed that the two nations work together to create a “peaceful and stable external environment,” read a statement posted on the embassy’s website.

In response, Kim expressed hope that the two countries could promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields in the year of the friendship.

The KCNA also said the tour will take the North Korean delegation to Vietnam and Laos.

Kim’s trip came as North Korea appears to be resuming diplomatic activity with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following years of Pyo
ngyang’s COVID-19 border shutdowns.

Laos plans to host the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and other ASEAN-related meetings as this year’s chair country. The annual ARF is the sole regional forum joined by North Korea.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Source: Yonhap News Agency