Category: The Bangkok Post

The police officer in Songkhla province accused of forcing women to record pornographic content, with some allegedly coerced to avoid criminal charges, surrendered at Thung Lung police station on Wednesday night.

The officer, whose name was withheld, allegedly confessed to all charges, including possession of an explicit video of a four-year-old, media outlets including CH3 Plus, Manager Online and Channel 8 reported on Thursday.

An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday after a group of women sought legal help from Thanakrit Law Firm in Bangkok.

One complainant said she was forced into a relationship and threatened with sex videos the officer had recorded during their time together.

The victim said she found other explicit videos of several women on mobile phones recovered from the officer’s car after a road accident in May this year, and then tried to contact those pictured before filing her complaint in June.

The group claimed there were more than 20 victims involved, with some being offered clearance from police charges.

The policeman had also sold the clips online, the complainants said.

According to reports, investigators have already taken him to the Songkhla Provincial Court to seek pre-trial detention and to oppose bail.

A group of women have sought legal help after accusing a Songkhla police officer of forcing victims to record explicit videos and allegedly selling them online, with the youngest victim aged four.

The victims submitted evidence to Thanakrit Law Firm in Bangkok on Wednesday, seeking assistance over allegations the officer threatened and coerced women into producing explicit content, which was later shared in private online groups. They claimed more than 20 people may have been affected.

A former girlfriend alleged she found explicit videos of several women on mobile phones linked to the officer after a road accident in May.

She said one video involved a four-year-old child, prompting her to search for other victims.

Lawyer Thanakrit Jitareerat said the victims had filed complaints but sought further action from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau and witness protection agencies.

The tiger that killed a wildlife ranger in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary was not fully grown, still learning to hunt and failed to meet the definition of a “man-eater”, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said on Thursday.

The clarification came a day after the tiger attacked and killed Sakarin Wichacharn, a 48-year-old ranger, in one of Thailand’s most important wildlife sanctuaries.

Chayaporn Amratish, director of Protected Areas Regional Office 12 in Nakhon Sawan, said camera-trap records and the sanctuary’s long-running tiger database had enabled officials to identify the animal responsible.

‘The tiger was confirmed to be one of three male cubs born to a tigress known as “Apinya”. The family occupies a natural range of about 40 square kilometres in the area,’ Mrs Chayaporn said.

Attack likely a case of mistaken identity

Officials believe the attack was a tragic accident rather than predatory behaviour towards humans.

Based on behavioural analysis, the tiger is about 18 months old, an age at which young tigers begin venturing out on their own and learning hunting skills.

Mrs Chayaporn said the ranger was lying asleep on the ground when the attack occurred, which may have caused the inexperienced tiger to mistake him for natural prey.

Under normal circumstances, tigers that encounter humans standing, moving or making noise typically retreat.

She stressed that the animal’s behaviour does not qualify it as a man-eater, as there is no evidence that it has repeatedly attacked people or deliberately targeted humans as its primary prey.

As well, the tiger’s family has continued living within its usual territory and has not displayed unusual movements such as straying into nearby communities.

Sanctuary closed temporarily

The DNP has installed additional camera traps to closely monitor the young tiger’s behaviour.

According to Mrs Chayaporn, if the animal is found to be hunting normally in the wild, officials will allow it to remain in its natural habitat while considering the use of tracking devices for long-term studies.

However, if it shows signs it may attack people again, authorities will move to capture it and undertake behavioural rehabilitation measures.

The department has also tightened safety measures for rangers. Staff have been instructed not to work alone, avoid close encounters with wildlife, improve living quarters, increase lighting in dark areas and sleep only in secure buildings.

Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary has been temporarily closed to tourism and nature study activities until monitoring of the tiger and safety assessments are completed.

According to the DNP’s database, the sanctuary is home to about 100 adult tigers, along with roughly 30 younger tigers that have survived beyond their first year but still face significant risks during their development.

The department said the attack was highly unusual.

On Wednesday, DNP director-general Athapol Charoenshunsa described it as only the second known tiger attack on a human in the sanctuary system in the past 28 years.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has launched an investigation into whether the chief of Mu Ko Similan National Park improperly allowed an adviser to the parliamentary committee vetting the 2027 budget bill to stay overnight on the Similan Islands despite a long-standing accommodation ban, after the adviser criticised park conditions during a budget debate.

The probe follows remarks by Veera Dhirapatranon, a member of the House ad hoc committee scrutinising the fiscal 2027 budget, made during a parliamentary budget debate on Wednesday about the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, which oversees the DNP.

Recalling an overnight stay at Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga province about four years ago, Mr Veera, who is a prominent news analyst widely known for economic and political commentary, described the accommodation as “appalling” and urged the ministry to consider private-sector involvement through public-private partnerships (PPPs) to upgrade facilities at some national parks if budget constraints persist.

‘Is it possible to improve the management of accommodation for tourists? If we do not have the budget to do so, could we consider PPPs for some locations? Otherwise, I think it is a shame that while our national parks are beautiful and outstanding, the accommodation simply does not match the quality of the parks,” Mr Veera said.

He also cited inconveniences he experienced during his stay, including an 8pm lights-out rule, poor bedding, limited water supply and weak internet connectivity.

Investigation ordered

DNP director-general Athapol Charoenshunsa said on Thursday that his agency welcomed constructive suggestions from the ad hoc committee but also needed to establish the facts surrounding the visit.

He said an inquiry committee had been appointed to determine whether the then-chief of Mu Ko Similan National Park had permitted Mr Veera and his group to stay overnight on the Similan archipelago in the Andaman Sea, in breach of regulations.

Overnight stays in the park have been prohibited since an order issued by the DNP in October 2018. The order was meant to address waste and wastewater problems, support the restoration of natural resources and reduce long-term damage to the marine ecosystem. Since then, the area has been designated for one-day visits only.

‘It was probably during a period when the park was closed that Ajarn Veera stayed there, and the park chief may have made an exception and allowed him to stay,” Mr Athapol explained. “In fact, that would have been in violation of the Department of National Parks’ regulations.”

Veera denies wrongdoing

Mr Veera rejected suggestions that he had stayed in the park unlawfully, insisting he entered properly and paid all required fees.

He also said his visit may have occurred before the accommodation ban took effect.

“I may have stayed there in 2017 or 2016, eight or nine years ago,” said the veteran journalist.

Mr Athapol reiterated that the department appreciated public feedback to improve its operations and services but said any changes must comply with regulations and the law.

Authorities in Thailand will be able to open air travellers’ checked baggage for security reasons without an owner’s consent starting on Oct 16, but the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has affirmed that checks will follow strict guidelines.

According to the CAAT, officials will open only checked bags bound for an aircraft’s hold that have been x-rayed and suspected to contain illegal objects or items that could jeopardise aircraft safety.

Suspicious bags will be opened in specified areas. The opening will be videoed and evidence will be collected throughout the process so that the action can be checked. Luggage owners will be informed of the opening afterwards.

The CAAT recommended that travellers use luggage with an approved TSA Lock system, which will allow security officers to open luggage without damaging it.

The regulator said the practice was now standard in countries including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the United States and many countries in Europe and the Middle East. It also helps prevent travel delays because officials do not have to call luggage owners before the opening, the CAAT said.

The new measure was first announced in February to give the parties concerned time to prepare, and for passengers to review the status of their luggage if necessary.

Once the inspection system takes effect, travellers with concerns can file complaints at the CAAT complaint portal.

Police have offered a cash reward of 100,000 baht for clues leading to the arrest of two armed robbers, believed to be Lao nationals, who made off with about 13 million baht worth of gold ornaments from a shop in Chiang Rai and fled across the Mekong River into Laos.

The robbery took place at 4pm on Tuesday when two men armed with 9mm handguns stormed the gold shop inside the Chiang Khong branch of a Lotus’s shopping mall. After seizing gold jewellery weighing a total of 184 baht (2.8kg) and worth about 13 million baht, they escaped on a motorcycle.

Investigators from the Chiang Khong police station traced the suspects’ escape route and found that the pair abandoned their rented motorcycle on the bank of the Mekong River before crossing by boat into Laos.

After reviewing security video, interviewing witnesses and examining forensic evidence, the officers secured a court-approved arrest warrant for one suspect, identified as Khamthid Phonpasit, also known as Somxay Thipphavanh or Mon, a Lao national believed to have participated in the robbery.

The suspect faces a number of charges including colluding in armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and intimidation.

Police urged any members of the public who have information about the robbers to contact the police station at 053-791-426 or call the 191 hotline around the clock.

Thai security authorities and Chiang Khong police have coordinated with their counterparts in Bokeo province of Laos, requesting assistance in tracking down Khamthid and his accomplice.

A preliminary investigations found clothing believed to belong to the suspects in Huay Xai, directly opposite Chiang Khong across the Mekong River. However, the pair had already fled the town.

Authorities also discovered that the motorcycle used during their escape in Laos had been abandoned at a relative’s home in Luang Namtha province.

Lao police are continuing efforts to locate and apprehend both suspects before handing them over to Thai authorities.

Thailand and Russia have pledged to strengthen railway ties after transport officials from both countries met in Moscow on Wednesday to discuss technology cooperation, skills development and research partnerships.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, permanent secretary Chayathan Promsorn, and ministry executives on Wednesday met All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Railway Transport (VNIIZHT) deputy director Mikhail Mekhedov to discuss cooperation on railway transportation development during an official visit to Russia.

During the meeting, both parties agreed to advance a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Thai-Russian communication cooperation.

Established in 1918, VNIIZHT has played a vital role in Russia’s railway system, with operations spanning railway system development, infrastructure advancement, rolling stock technology, and more recently digital innovation.

Mr Phiphat said that as the government prioritises railway transportation development to reduce logistics costs and promote regional connectivity, the discussion with VNIIZHT is expected to evolve into substantive cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Phiphat also said Thailand needed to rely on Russian standards in railway development, though the country’s main intention was not limited to technology importation alone.

The cooperation will begin with human resource development, expert exchanges, and joint research initiatives, including technology transfer in maintenance, system trials, and supply chain creation.

The plan also covers domestic rolling stock wheel production to strengthen Thailand’s railway industry.

Mr Phiphat said the government will select development perspectives suited to Thailand’s context, with the main intention being to cultivate human resources for future domestic technology development.

Mr Chayathan, meanwhile, said some of the short-term cooperation under the MoU included an exchange programme to 19 transportation colleges across Russia.

One included the Russian University of Transport, whose curriculum covered railway engineering and digital system implementation.

The delegation also examined Russia’s forecasting and analytic system, which can calculate the impact of external factors on railway operations, including weather, humidity, and flood records.

Prices of prepared food are expected to increase as certain ingredients and vegetable prices rise, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).

The headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.95% in July year-on-year, following a 2.42% uptick in June.

Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the TPSO, attributed the increase to elevated domestic fuel prices as prolonged tensions in the Middle East continued to affect global energy markets. Higher fuel costs also pushed up public transport fares.

In addition, prices of prepared food rose broadly at a relatively strong pace and are anticipated to continue rising as the prices of certain ingredients have gradually risen.

Fresh vegetable prices also increased from a year earlier, partly due to a low comparison base last year and the effects of El Niño.

Headline inflation is projected to be positive in August, driven by domestic retail fuel prices exceeding last year’s levels. Prepared food prices are also expected to rise as restaurants pass on higher ingredient costs to consumers.

Transportation expenses, particularly bus fares, are increasing in line with elevated fuel prices. Prices of key fresh vegetables are likely to be above last year’s levels.

However, several factors are helping to moderate inflation. Electricity fees for May-August are slightly lower compared to the same period last year, and fresh fruit prices are expected to decline as market supply increases.

Mr Nantapong said the probability of stagflation is low and is on a downward trend, citing the continued recovery in private consumption and business confidence, strong exports, sustained investment inflows and the low unemployment rate.

The Commerce Ministry maintained its 2026 headline inflation forecast at 1.5-2.5%. Inflation is projected to average 2.09% in the third quarter and rise to 2.33% in the fourth quarter.

The TPSO reported the consumer confidence index rose to 51.1 in July, remaining in positive territory for the second consecutive month.

He attributed the improvement to stimulus measures, particularly the “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme, sustained export growth, and tourism recovery.

However, consumers expressed concerns about the high cost of living, household debt and uncertainties in the global economic and trade landscape.

An extensive search of a coconut plantation in Bang Lamung district linked to the high-profile murder of two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three has turned up no additional bodies, according to police.

Officials on Thursday finished examining seven suspected locations at the site in tambon Huay Yai, near where the bodies of a Thai father, mother and daughter were recently discovered.

The operation involved geophysics specialists from Silpakorn University who deployed three ground-penetrating radar (GPR) devices to scan the seven spots. Officials later used a small excavator to dig up the patches, with each excavation reaching a depth of about two metres.

The search turned up no bodies or human skeletal remains, said Pol Lt Gen Chatchai Surachetphong, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2.

The GPR devices, commonly used in archaeological surveys, were employed to improve the accuracy of the search, which was seeking any additional evidence in the murder cases.

Pol Lt Gen Chatchai said there were currently no plans for further excavation in the area where the family was found unless new information emerged.

Investigators also indicated there are no immediate plans to conduct further digging in the vicinity of where the Russian siblings were unearthed. Authorities stated any decision to resume digging would depend on new leads, soil conditions and expert assessments.

The latest search was part of ongoing investigations into the murders of five people allegedly linked to suspect Thana “Pong” Kerdthong, one of four suspects arrested in connection with the bodies.

During a crime reenactment last Friday, Thana led police to an area about 300-400 metres from the grave of the Russian victims and close to the burial site of the Thai family. The suspect appeared hesitant and repeatedly changed the location he identified, raising doubts about the accuracy of his account.

Police then decided to use the ground-scanning technology and expert assistance to ensure no additional bodies or concealed evidence had been overlooked.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Thursday he was open to a referendum on whether to change the country’s electoral system, opening another split in his centre-right coalition months ahead of a general election.

New Zealand ?adopted the German-style Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) ?system in 1996 after an inquiry found smaller parties were being shut out of parliament under the previous first-past-the-post system.

Luxon said in an interview with the radio station Newstalk ZB that a referendum is ‘something we should consider’, and could be held as early as 2027 if he returns to power following a general election scheduled for Nov 7.

‘I think I would because I actually think that it is quite right to check in constitutionally and say, is this the system, New Zealand, you ?still want?’ he said. He did not say whether any referendum would be binding.

Luxon’s remarks led to criticism from his coalition partners, who are already split on economic and minority issues. Winston Peters, the leader of New Zealand First, a minor party in Luxon’s National-led coalition, called the idea ‘inexplicable’.

‘Shutting down and taking away true democratic representation from the people of New Zealand should be seen ?for what it is – a power grab and an ignorance for what it means to be a democracy,’ he said in a post on X.

Luxon’s other coalition partner, the ACT Party led ?by David Seymour, and the main opposition Labour Party, also said they opposed a referendum.

How MMP works

Originating in Germany, MMP has been adopted, sometimes with modifications, in countries such as Thailand, South Korea, Bolivia and Lesotho.

Under ?MMP, constituents cast two votes: one for a local candidate and one for a party.

In New Zealand, winning local candidates in 71 constituencies take their seats automatically, while the remaining seats are ?filled from party lists, allocated to match each party’s share of the nationwide vote.

There are expected to be about 49 list seats in this election, though that number may vary due to the quirks of the system.

MMP has been praised for allowing smaller parties a say in government, ?but criticised for its complexity and for often requiring coalition governments.

It also has several unusual features, ?including seven seats reserved exclusively for Indigenous Maori voters. Political commentator Ben Thomas said National party leaders have long seen MMP as a drag on decision-making.

‘They believe it stops governments from making hard decisions and bold calls,’ he said.

New Zealand last voted to retain the system in 2011 referendum, with 58% of ?voters in favour.

In the interview Luxon also reiterated ?support for extending New Zealand’s current three-year fixed-term parliaments to four years.