Thailand
Justice minister proposes “fortune-telling” vocational program for prison inmates

Inmates in Thailand’s prisons might soon be able to study astrology and fortune-telling. Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin proposed the vocational program to help the prisoners get jobs after they are released.
Somsak says the course is a low investment for the Board of Corrections, adding that fortune-telling is popular in Thailand and a skill inmates can use to earn money after they are released.
“From now on, the fortune-telling lessons will be added in correctional career courses because they required very low investment, only about 500 baht for 2 decks of tarot cards. The Correction Board should prepare for the astrology and fortune-telling courses for inmates who want to become fortune-tellers.”
About 35% of inmates at Thailand prisons want to work after they are released, but do not have potential job opportunities, Somsak says. He even pitched the idea teaching inmates to raise chickens for cockfighting.
“The matter needs to be seriously discussed. We must try to do something productive for every prisoner in terms of creating a career, such as raising chickens for cockfighting. This may seem for a game of gambling, but the job can be something useful in preserving something traditional.”
SOURCE: Pattaya News
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Thailand
Australian man wanted for allegedly sexually abusing children in Thailand

A 44 year old Australian man is wanted by Thai police for allegedly sexually abusing children in Thailand. Adam James Fox financially supported some migrant children in poverty stricken areas and allegedly sexually abused them.
Adam James Fox is wanted for allegedly sexually assaulting or abusing at least 3 Burmese boys, all under 15 years old, at his home in Tak’s Mae Sot district near the Myanmar border.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Adam has claimed the accusations are a “set up.” The Herald notes there is an explicit video allegedly involving Adam and a boy as well as messages that go into detail about sexual abuse.
Reports of alleged sexual abuse came in after a local school principal noticed some of the boys had been absent from class, according to human trafficking investigator Daniel Isherwood.
“All children were interviewed by local social workers from a multidisciplinary team. I can confirm serious sexual abuse was reported, including ongoing sexual violation and indecencies. Boys also report being photographed nude and having access to drugs.”
Reporters from the Sydney Morning Herald obtained messages sent by Adam back in November on the messaging app Line. In a message about sexual acts with children, the Herald says Adam wrote “And I love it… And no one can do anything about it.”
In another message, the Herald says Adam wrote about giving a boy methamphetamine and heroin, then sexually abusing him. He allegedly wrote in a message that he filmed the acts and posted it on the “dark web.”
The Herald says reporters were able to contact Adam. They say Adam confirmed that he wrote the messages, but claimed he was angry and “didn’t mean what he wrote.”
“All right, I was an idiot to say that but, man, there’s plenty of other things I said. I threatened to blow up the court building. I have been flipping out.”
A local child welfare organisation reports that there is also a video of a child masturbating and Adam participating. Adam told the Herald that there is a video of a child masturbating, but Adam says his back was turned and the video was a set up.
The migrant boys who Adam allegedly abused live in poverty stricken areas. Adam says he was supporting their education and well being. According to local authorities, he paid a victim’s mother 4,500 baht per month.
The Royal Thai Police first charged Adam early last year. He was released on bail, but failed to show up to his court date in December. Adam posted a video online saying he had bribed people, including government workers. The Herald says Adam is on the run in Bangkok.
“Corruption in Thailand is at all levels and with enough money you can get people to give you whatever you want, whatever you need.”
SOURCE: Sydney Morning Herald
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Thailand
Disease control measures ease up in Samut Sakhon

Disease control restrictions are easing up in Samut Sakhon. The coastal fishing province that has been under “maximum control” since last month’s Covid-19 outbreak at a major seafood market in the province’s Mahachai area.
Salons and barber shops are now allowed to open from 6am to 9pm in all districts of Samut Sakhon, but services are limited to hair cutting, dressing, and washing. Manicures, pedicures and shaving services are still prohibited. Each customer can only stay in the shop for only 2 hours and no queuing is allowed inside the salon or barber shop.
Restaurants and cafes are allowed to open, except for those in some sub districts of Muang District…
- Thai Sai
- Mahachai
- Krok Krak
- Tha Chalom
- Nadee
- Bang Ya Phraek
- Khok Kham
- Tha Chin
Restaurants and cafes can offer customers the dine-in services from 6am to 9pm. Takeaway services are allowed after 9pm. Other businesses including sports complexes, playgrounds, educational institutions, boxing gyms, internet cafes, fishing ponds, and cinemas are still closed.
SOURCE: NNT
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Thailand
Police say at least 2 people to be arrested in Bangkok bomb attack – UPDATE

Police say they will issue arrest warrants for at least 2 people in connection to yesterday’s bomb attackin Bangkok. According to Thai PBS World, the people are suspected of throwing a ping pong bomb into a group of police officers in front of the Chamchuri shopping centre that injured 3 policemen and 1 reporter. But previous reports by Khaosod English say the bomb attack saw only 2 policemen injured out of a total of 4.
Piya Tawichai, the deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, says it is believed that the perpetrators threw the bomb from a vehicle on the flyover heading towards Hua Lampong railway station. Police say they found nails, wire and black electrical tape at the scene of the explosion.
The attack occurred at 6pm, during a pro-democracy rally over the government’s enforcement of the lesé majeste law, which has seen over 43 people arrested, including students, since November. Just last week, a Thammsat University student was arrested in his dorm room over lese majeste charges. Ironically, the reason for his arrest was reportedly due to his calling for such a law to be abolished.
Earlier today, a group of pro-democracy protesters and Ratsadon guards rallied in front of the Internal Security Operations Command head office in Dusit district, demanding for the release one of the guards, who has been missing since last night.
ISOC spokesman Thanathip Sawangsaeng responded to the claims by saying that ISOC had nothing to do with Mongkol’s disappearance because it is “not responsible for maintaining peace and order in the city.”
Now, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights have reported that that Mongkol has been released in the Bangpoo area. Mongkol and his lawyer went to notify the police at the Muang district police station and say that Mongkol will be sent for a physical and psychological evaluation.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
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gosport
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 5:55 pm
Tourism won’t be a major industry, Electrical car parts project proposed, English program put forward, now, fortune telling, why not invite the master jedi in Narkon Photom to teach? Be realistic with down to the earth attitude. I just bought coconut plantation Amazing.
Ynwaps
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 5:55 pm
Would be better to teach them how to cook Pad thai or open a miracle coffee shop. Who comes up with this shit? 500 Baht deck of cards off you go, make some money with fortune telling instead of selling imported masks for 5baht over market price.
Gary
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 6:33 pm
At least if they are fortune tellers then they will be able to know if they are going to get caught when they commit their next crime
James R
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 11:27 pm
Gary
Really funny, I am still laughing.
Maestro
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 7:15 pm
Well, from a globally epic Special K bust blunder due to technical error to tarot cards/fortune-telling and raising chickens for cockfighting programs, it is a significant step forward (if you know what I mean). I’ll give him credit for his incredible, out of this planet, level of creativity.
On the other hand, what sounds less promising is that around 35% of inmates would like to work after they are released. Good for them and they should be supported by any means. But what about the other % (I don’t have any figures) that also want and will be released? what is it that they would like to do? Hmm I think I know but be it.
Ian
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 7:44 pm
Thaiger you make me so laugh everyday another crazy idea maybe this is what the prime minister uses to make is stupid daily decisions or maybe he throws a few bones to see the future before he gives them to the people .
preesy chepuce
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 7:46 pm
Well every government needs a think tank to improve policy.
Tony Grace
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 2:35 pm
I see people laughing at you I see a bright light flashing at something yes they say 200bt you need to pay to remove the spell or terrible thing happen to you .555
James Pate
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 8:19 pm
Teaching convicted criminals alternative ways to cheat stupid, superstitious people. This is infinitely more absurd than the moon shot program. You can’t make this shit up!
Toby Andrews
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 10:11 pm
Well you see this is what the government consult to run the country.
They believe in it.
Mr cynic
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 10:16 pm
Excellent bit of lateral thinking.
He must have been reading his tea leafs to come up with this.
EdwardV
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 10:29 pm
Isn’t this kinda like the chicken farmer putting the fox into the hen house? The government sanctioning criminals to pry on the most superstitious and gullible of the country. I’m all for trying to help ex-cons to get jobs, but come on this is absurd.
Geoff
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 3:11 am
Staff playing cards in a bar for a few baht has resulted in fines when the police are short of cash, but fortune telling with cards for cash seems to be ok.
The bottom dropped out of the fortune telling industry with introduction of tea bags. Nobody saw that coming…
Roger
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 7:54 am
Serious really?
Thailand will never stop amazing me
Well, we did descend from monkeys yes?
Good Luck
Thailand
Nipral
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 3:07 pm
We all did descend from monkeys indeed and Thai gov members get back there