Thailand
Asian black bear’s fall to death ‘explained’

THAILAND: A member of the team responsible for sending an Asian black bear back into nature said yesterday that the animal’s fatal plunge from a helicopter was an “unavoidable accident caused by sudden turbulent weather”.
Thanatip Chaiyos, a volunteer photographer, was part of a mission to move the five-year-old bear back to the forest, which ended tragically last month, sparking criticism from wildlife activists (story here).
The bear had been found wandering into villagers’ houses and eating their crops, so a team of vets and park officials, including Mr Thanatip, captured the bear near Wangmuang Waterfall in Pakplee District, Nakhon Nayok.
Over the following weeks, the animal was cared for and received regular medical check-ups in preparation for its return to the forest. It was also fitted with a collar and tag to enable further monitoring.
“The authorities involved decided to transfer the bear back to the deep forest to prevent it from wandering out again and a helicopter was seen to be the most suitable choice of transport,” Mr Thanatip said.
He said that the route could take them hundreds of kilometers deep into the forest, and that if a car were used there would be the danger that the tranquilized bear would wake up along the way.
“This was not the first time that we had transported animals by helicopter,” he confirmed.
On the day of the accident, the sedated bear was put in a net suspended from a hook under the helicopter.
Mr Thanatip said that the helicopter hit air turbulence near Nangrong Waterfall, causing it to swing back and forth. The weight of the bear worsened the swinging of the aircraft, making it more difficult for the pilot to control it.
“The chopper swung for a while and I saw something fall down. When the pilot landed the aircraft we saw that the net with the bear inside had disappeared. Examining the hook, they also found that it had come loose, which is possibly how the bear fell,” he said.
Mr Thanatip said no one could have predicted the sudden change in weather and that the bear’s death was a ‘tragic accident’.
He added that the operation had been well-prepared and planned carefully. “No one wants an incident like this to happen,” Thanatip said.
Thongchai Saengprathum, secretary of the Khao Yai Foundation, strongly criticized park officials for allowing the bear to fall to its death, adding that the people concerned should face legal action for their negligence.
Some reports had claimed that the bear woke up in mid-air, and that as the helicopter flew over forestland the animal panicked and fell to its death.
Mr Thongchai said the accident could have been avoided as Khao Yai National Park had been a role model for other parks in its handling of rescued wild animals.
Meanwhile, the National Parks and Wildlife Department has set up a panel to investigate the accident.
— The Nation
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Public Health Minister gets first Covid-19 vaccine shot in Thailand

Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccine campaign started with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who was jabbed with China’s Sinovac vaccine. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was initially planned to be the first to kick off Thailand’s immunisation plan with the AstraZeneca vaccine, but due to problems with paperwork, the prime minister’s injection was postponed. Doctors advised Prayut to get the AstraZeneca vaccine due to his age. Prayut is 66 and doctors say the Sinovac vaccine has been declared safe for people ages 18 to 59.
Both shipments of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines arrived last week, the AstraZeneca vaccine still needs to be endorsed by the Medical Science Department. Anutin says the pharmaceutical company has not submitted documents and samples needed for the endorsement.
Along with Anutin, a number of other government officials and health professionals were vaccinated against the coronavirus. Anutin’s shot was administered by Thailand’s top virologist Yong Poovorawan.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Bangkok
Royal Thai Police accused of “ticket” promotion system to buy senior positions

The Royal Thai Police are being accused of using so-called “elephant tickets” to buy their way into promotions and pay their way up the police force’s chain of command. The corruption among the police force and the buying of positions without meeting the requirements for a promotion has been a longtime problem, according to the Bangkok Post.
The “elephant ticket” issue was recently brought to light by an opposition MP at a censure debate who said it fast tracked the promotion system and allowed some people who were unqualified and undeserving to raise their rank. Some Thais have protested the “elephant ticket.” Many gathered in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok last week, including one person who dressed up as an elephant.
At the censure debate on February 19, Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome called out PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who chairs the Police Commission overseeing the Royal Thai Police, and said the prime minister allowed the “elephant ticket” promotions. Prayut later said there were problems within the police force and that he would handle it.
Police who want a promotion need a ticket, which is basically just a reference or a stamp of approval from a senior officer or even a politician or business person. To get an “elephant ticket,” some can pay for the ticket. A source told the Post that positions for police superintendents cost between 5 to 10 million baht.
Others can get a ticket by doing favours for their superior or even just serving their superior for a long time, sources told the Bangkok Post. The higher the position a senior officer has, the more tickets they have to give out.
To read the full special report by the Bangkok Post, click HERE.
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Crime
Woman talks about the life of a Thai “pretty” after model’s death

Following the news of a model who died after working as a hostess at a Bangkok party, Thai media spoke with a woman, known in Thailand as a “pretty,” about what it’s like to work in the lucrative, yet shady Thai model entertainment industry where many work as hostesses at parties and events that often involve alcohol, drugs and sex work.
“Miss Cake” told the Thai news outlet Daily News that pretties are sent to parties by “modelling agencies.” The parties are even categorized depending on if drugs or sex are involved. Apparently the parties are either “En-Up,” “En-V” or just “En” for entertainment. En-Up means drugs are involved, while En-V means the pretties will offer sexual services. Other pretties work at promotional events like auto shows. Since nightclubs and other entertainment venues in Bangkok have been closed due to the pandemic, many of the parties are now held at private homes.
If a pretty is working at an En-Up party, Miss Cake says that means there will be ecstasy, known as “khanom,” the Thai word for a dessert or snack. She says good “khanom” shipped from overseas costs around 900 to 1,000 baht while the poor quality, Thai-made drugs cost 500 baht. Just about every pretty takes drugs, she says. If mixed with ketamine, Miss Cake says it can be dangerous.
Daily News spoke with Miss Cake following the death of a 33 year old Witchayaporn “Wawa” Wisetsombat who worked died in a hospital after working as a hostess at a party in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. She had been hired by a modelling agency to serve drinks at a private party. Her younger sister told the Bangkok Post that Wawa was a product presenter and never sold sex or used narcotics. Doctors told the Post Wawa died from respiratory and blood system failure. They are still waiting for the results for a toxicology test.
The death of another model back in 2019 shed light on the abuse and danger many pretties face in the industry. 25 year old Thitima “Lunlabelle” Noraphanpiphat died from “extreme alcohol intoxication,” according to an autopsy report. Her dead body was found in the lobby of a Bangkok condominium. 6 people were found guilty for involvement in Lunlabelle’s death.
Abuse is common in the industry and many women working as pretties are often pressured into drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. The work of pretties is looked down upon in Thai society. Due to the stigma, many due not file complaints when they are abused.
SOURCE: Thai Visa
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