Phuket

Fugitive Duangchalerm surrenders

Published

17 years ago

May 3, 2002

Fugitive Duangchalerm surrenders | The Thaiger

BANGKOK (The Nation): Thailand’s most wanted man, politician’s son Duangchlarem Yoobamrung, surrendered to police last night after flying in from Kuala Lumpur. Duangchalerm, son of notorious MP Chalerm Yoobamrung, is accused of the murder of a policeman in a Bangkok nightclub just over six months ago. He has been on the run ever since. Duangchalerm breezed into the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur minutes after it opened yesterday morning, then flew to Thailand along with eldest brother Artharn and an uncle. Police and his father met him at the Don Muang Airport’s arrival area after his flight touched down at about 8.45 pm. With open arms, a smiling Chalerm approached his youngest son, who looked fresh, relaxed and healthy. Duangchalerm, who was not handcuffed, knelt down and prostrated himself before his father, who bent over and patted his back. Chalerm claimed it was the first time he had met his son since the shooting in the ‘Twenty Pub’ on October 29 last year. In that incident, Duangchalerm allegedly shot decorated crime-buster Suvichai Rodwimut in the head. “This is my happiest day in six months because I missed him so much,” the MP said. He sat in the same police car as Duangchalerm, which left the airport in a tightly guarded convoy. They arrived at the Thung Song Hong police station shortly before 10 pm. At the police station, Chalerm was the first to get out of the car. Then Duangchalerm, still without handcuffs, followed him. The area erupted in a mix of boos and cheers. The cheers came from Chalerm’s political supporters, who carried banners encouraging the suspect to defend himself in court. Duangchalerm waved a clenched fist to the well-wishers as officers virtually hauled him toward the interrogation room. How, where and when Duangchalerm entered Malaysia remains unclear. Reports said he left Cambodia by boat from Kompong Som on May 1, but did not say who assisted him. The suspect was believed to have been sheltered in Cambodia by an influential figure with political links in Thailand. Police said the case would be forwarded to prosecutors as soon as possible, regardless of what Duangchalerm, who was charged with murder in absentia, said at the interrogation. They also vowed to oppose the Yoobamrung family’s efforts to seek bail. “We have a strong case against him,” said assistant national police chief Noppadol Somboonsap. “It’s been a long time, but our evidence doesn’t fade with time.” Some high-ranking government sources said the Yoobamrung family had been extremely worried by police signals that Duangchalerm would be targeted for extra-judicial killing if he did not surrender. (For additional related news see https://www.nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=2&theme=A&usrsess=1&id=10554 .)

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People

‘Always Smile Journey’ raises fund to provide free English classes for underprivileged people

Published

5 hours ago

October 15, 2019

Nattha Thepbamrung

‘Always Smile Journey’ raises fund to provide free English classes for underprivileged people | The Thaiger

On October 18, the ‘Always Smile Journey’ group and its partners will host an exhibition with plenty of fun activities at the Yak Yai Market, near Chalong Circle, in Phuket. This event was designed to raise funds to provide free English classes for underprivileged people on the island of Phuket on Saturdays and Sundays. The group does not accept donations but aims to raise money through the sales of the products available at the event.

From 2 pm to 8 pm, there will be a number of artists, musicians and performers who will keep the attendees entertained along the way. There will be a short film about His Majesty King Rama 9 as well as fun activities and games for kids and families, which are all free of charge.

The big bike crew is also a part of this event. They will ride a parade from Rawai Beach heading to the market and showcase their gorgeous two-wheel buddies.

One of the highlights of the Always Smile Journey exhibition is the ‘Happening’ artists group, who will draw and paint a picture of the His Majesty King Rama 9 under the name ‘Street Art King Bhumibol’ on a 4×10 meter sign live at the event so the guests will experience this large-scale art in action. The Happening will also offer portrait sketching for the participants.

‘Always Smile Journey’ raises fund to provide free English classes for underprivileged people | News by The Thaiger

One of the works created by the Happening team; a painting of HM the King Rama 9 on a huge wall (Photo credit: Chawat Chumpasan)

There will also be some western menus available at the event which will be donated to underprivileged children.

This free English class project has over seven years of experience through its cooperation working with individuals and other charity organizations. Throughout the years, the group visited several areas such as Ban Laem Hoy School, Ban Bopud School and Ban Angthong School in Samui, Surat Thani province, Ban Bueng Ao Oun School and Ban Kakoh Rayong, in Surin province, Jalae Village of Lahu (Muser) in Chiang Rai province, as well as community education centers in Siem Reap, Cambodia and in Luang Prabang, in Laos.

This event is a cooperation between several groups, including Happening, Yak Yai Market and Arrow Media, Tattoo artist group, Thonburi Art School Alumni, International School of Tourism, Suratthani Rajabhat University, big bike group from Phuket, artists/performers/musicians from many provinces as well as several businesses across Phuket.

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Bangkok

The world’s fastest growing tourist destinations

Published

6 hours ago

October 15, 2019

The Thaiger

PHOTO: Hello Phuket – destined for huge tourist growth in the next six years – fodors.com

In 2018, international tourist arrival traffic grew by 6% to reach a total of 1.4 billion world tourists, according to research by UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. And there’s a lot more to come with international travel predicted to increase by a massive 35% over the next six years to 2025.

But where is all that extra traffic going to go? Which destinations are quiet now that might be swarming with tourists in the years to come? Two destinations in Thailand are set for a prosperous future, according to the data. Whilst almost all the growth is excepted to be to Asian destinations, an under-visited resource for world tourism so far.

Euromonitor data has been used to simulate tourist growth models and reveal the fastest growing projected visitor arrivals in major cities and destinations around the world for 2025, compared to arrival figures in 2018.

In Thailand, Phuket’s tourist traffic is poised to increase up to 85% in the next six years, from nearly 12 million arrivals in 2018 to over 22 million in 2025. Bangkok is predicted to see the 8th most prolific rise in tourist traffic, with arrivals in Bangkok set to swell an additional 68% during the same period. Doha, the capital of Qatar, is set to explode with 104% increase in traffic over the next six years.

The data also predicts that both Bangkok and Phuket will rebound big time in 2020, Phuket in particular with a growth of around 20% for the next year, accord to the data from TravelSupermarket.com.

By 2025 the data predicts that Bangkok will be the world’s #1 tourist destination, a position it’s held before in recent years. The Thai capital will be followed by Singapore, Dubai, Phuket and Kuala Lumpur, making South East Asia the world’s emerging tourism hotspot.

Some of the world’s favourites – New York, Paris, London – will continue to grow their tourist numbers but not at the rate of most Asian destinations.

You can read the full list HERE.

Stats compiled by travelsupermarket.com

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Phuket

Rawai beachfront water shut-off tomorrow for mains works

Published

2 days ago

October 14, 2019

The Thaiger

The Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority says Rawai’s mains water supply will be shut off tomorrow (Tuesday, October 15) as new water pipes are fitted in front of The Title Beach Front condo resort complex on the town’s beachfront.

The mains water supply will be shut off from 9am until 4:30pm along the beachfront strip.

The PWA says the areas affected will be along Wiset Road along the Rawai beachfront road, as well as Soi Yanui and Soi Ruafaed.

Residents and businesses are being urged to collect water for use during the day today, before tomorrow morning’s shut-off.

As usual, the PWA say…“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Contact the Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority on 076 319173 or 082 7901634 for more details.

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