Chiang Rai News

ChiangRai Bans Burning for Domestic Garbage and Rice Field Burning

All northern provinces including the far north Chiang Rai are in the medium zone, a better rating than last year when the haze reduced driving visibility to dangerous levels and residents were told to stay indoors.

CHIANGRAI – Authorities in North Thailand say they are on full alert to prevent a repeat of last year’s haze crisis, which caused massive cancellations at all tourist destinations and substantial financial losses as tourists packed their bags and fled the scene.

Last year, the haze troubled the entire north, from 21 January to 10 April, gaining notoriety as the 80 dangerous days. They were dangerous not only for tourism, but also for the health of residents who live in the provinces.

Even though far north Chiang Rai is relatively clear of haze, hoteliers report tour operators are reducing bookings as their clients say they are not prepared to risk their holiday experience.

Chiang Rai has remained clear in January although the authorities 24 January did announce a total ban of fires, both for domestic garbage and rice field burning.

Chiang Rai has remained clear in January although the authorities 24 January did announce a total ban of fires, both for domestic garbage and rice field burning.

But the issue is always who will take responsibility to see the ban is obeyed – the police, fire brigade? Critics say enforcement is always the weak link. Residents carry on burning their garbage and will continue to do so until communities in the North provide a garbage disposal service.

Today, some farmers on the outskirts of Chiang Rai were burning fields in preparation for the next rice planting, indicating the ban message has not got through to communities beyond the provincial capital.

Chiang Mai’s TTR Weekly’s correspondent reported this morning that the Doi Suthep mountain range was just visible in the haze. If northern destinations fail to act and enforce the ban they will suffer the same financial losses that occurred last year.

Public Health Minister, Pradit Sintavanarong, said smoke trapped in cold weather was detrimental to the health of residents in nine provinces — Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phrae, Phayao and Tak.

“Between 30 December to 5 January even though the smoke was not spreading, 17,219 patients sought medical treatment at 22 state hospitals in the north mostly for respiratory problems and flu due to the drop in temperature.”

According to the fire ban, residents were told not to burn weeds, grasses, trees or waste in order to avoid escalating the impact of the haze that is mainly caused by rice field burning or forest fires on hillsides to clear bamboo and other vegetation.

However, there are no laws in place to prevent the burning of garbage and no budgets in place to introduce garbage collection or biodegradable systems to deal with domestic refuse throughout the provinces.

Considering Thailand’s efforts to become a world-class destination, the lack of basic garbage disposal services could become a serious impediment in the quest for quality. Tourists expect destinations to be clean and safe. Air pollution and garbage dropped along scenic routes or at heritage sites creates an environment that is a poor fit when linked to quality hotels, dining and shopping opportunities.

Public health permanent secretary, Narong Sahametapat, said forest fires and burning trash are the major causes of the smoke and pollution, which in turn causes respiratory ailments and heart problems, as well as eye and skin infections.

Health authorities have advised the public to wear masks especially when the dust level is higher than 120 micrograms per cubic meter (PM10).

This year, Thailand, specifically in the upper north, will face dry weather over the next few months and the haze problem could worsen due to the El Nino phenomenon.

However, as of Monday the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Pollution Control Department said levels were within the safety zone throughout the north.

Lamphun, just south of Chiang Mai, recorded the highest number of dust particles at 84 PM10, while Mae Hong Son the far northwest corner of Thailand had the lowest at 35 PM10.

All northern provinces including the far north Chiang Rai are in the medium zone, a better rating than last year when the haze reduced driving visibility to dangerous levels and residents were told to stay indoors.

Even the whisper of haze prompts a rash of travel cancellations mainly in the domestic travel market. Traditionally, Thai travelers prefer northern destinations to beaches, but in recent years they have gradually shifted to beach holidays and the annual haze threat could be a contributing factor.

Chiang Rai News

Chiang Rai Man Kills Woman’s Infant Daughter When She Refuses His Sexual Advances

Police in Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai Province have arrested a 50 year old man after the threatened to rape a 20 year-old woman and the proceeded to murder her 2 and half month old baby.

Police with doctors from Wiang Kaen Hospital and the Chao Luang Wiang Kaen Welfare Association were summoned to the scene of the incident to a 2-story cement house, Village No. 2, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai

On arrival they found Ms. Chanikarn, age 20, in a state of distress crying uncontrollably beside her 2 and a half month baby girl (Linlada) that was dead on the floor.

After calming Ms. Chanikarn, the child’s mother, said that at approximately 2:30 p.m she was out to collect diapers that had been dried in front of the house, while her 2 and a half month old daughter was sleep on the ground floor of the house.

She said she was suddenly approached by a Mr. Lee, about 40 years old, who lived on the opposite side of the road. He came towards her and grabbed her arm and threatened her saying if she didn’t sleeping with him he will go and kill his daughter.

Miss Chanikan refused and ran away, then Mr. Lee then walked into the house and grabbed Ms. Linlada’s leg, smashing the child’s head against the cement floor of the house. The infant died immediately.

Mr. Lee then just walked away and returned to his own home, leaving Miss Chanikan and her dead baby.

When police went to Mr. Lee’s home he immediately confessed killing the infant and was taken to Wiang Kaen Police Station for further questioning. Under caution he told police that he was sexually attracted to Miss Chanikan‘s and when her husband leave for work he took the opportunity to approach her.

He said when he saw her husband leave he crossed that road and found Miss Chanikan in the yard alone, he then threatened her to sleep with him, saying he would kill her child if she didn’t have sex with him. However when she refused he flew into a fit of rage walked into her home and murdered he baby. He said he was out of control with rage.

After killing the infant he walk across the street to his home and waited for the police to arrive. The police have charged him with premeditated murder and attempted rape. He is being held without bail at the local remand center.

Meanwhile, Miss Chanikan and her family were preparing a religious burial ceremony for the child.

Other Chiang Rai News:

Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/

Chiang Rai News

Police in Chiang Rai Launch Crackdown on Cyber Criminals in Golden Triangle

CHIANG RAI: Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has authorized the establishment of an emergency cyber center operated by the Royal Thai Police to combat transnational crimes committed by call center gangs along the Thai border in Chiang Rai province.

On July 19, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin directed the Center to combat information technology crimes. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) will crack down on call center gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and along the border.

His directive comes as call center gangs ratchet up their scams to defraud people of their money, causing concern among Thais and jeopardizing the country’s economic and social stability.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, Assigned Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Police/Deputy Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, has launched the operation ‘Bombing the Thieves’ Bridge’ in collaboration with the CAT Office, G., mobile phone network operators AIS DTAC TRUE NT, and local security agencies to cut the mobile phone signal and WiFi internet that criminals illegally use to deceive Thai citizens.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division

Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai stated that they will begin pressing the first action of the ‘Explosion of Thieves’ Bridge’ in Chiang Rai Province toward the thieves’ base of operations in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.

The territory surrounding King Roman in Laos. King Roman is now a full-service entertainment destination with an airport that welcomes travelers from Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, he explained.

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai, this operation will have no influence on honest people along the Thai border, and it will only target cyber criminals.

They will also increase the arrest and prosecution of unlawful service towers, such as SIM booths, which allow gangs register SIM cards to swindle the people. Dealing with criminal organizations of foreigners and Thais who band together to deceive and damage Thais.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) suspended more than three million SIM cards on July 16 because the holders had not verified their identities with their mobile phone operators by the deadline, in accordance with the NBTC’s measures to combat alleged fraudsters’ mule accounts.

The names of the holders of 80 million mobile phone numbers used for mobile banking transactions did not match the names associated with the mobile banking accounts.

The NBTC would require mobile phone companies to authenticate SIM card holders and the names of their mobile banking accounts. The verification procedure is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.

In addition, the NBTC and Royal Thai Police have collaborated to combat illegal telecom towers throughout the country’s borders, disconnecting signals at 465 places, altering antenna direction at 470 towers, and dismantling antennas at 179 locations.

They are certain that the move will disrupt contact center gangs and other types of technology-based crime.

Other Chiang Rai News:

Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/

Chiang Rai News

Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, shot and killed a 28-year-old man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a machete. The officer was slashed in the right leg with the machete.

According to police, the culprit, known only as Mr. Toon, had been harassing local villagers in Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai, threatening them with a knife and using violet insults.

The village headman arrived on the scene to try to calm Mr. Toon, but he was shouting hysterically and taking swipes at him with the machete, so he contacted the police.

When the responding officer arrived at the site about 9 p.m., he attempted to calm the man, but he instead assaulted the officer, slashing his right leg with the machete. In self-defense, the cop had to fire his gun at Mr. Toon, striking him in the chest.

Mr. Toon and the policeman were taken to Mae Chan Hospital, where Mr. Toon died of a gunshot wound. Pol Sgt. Sutthikiat Phanomphraisakul was released from the hospital after receiving numerous stitches for his injuries.

Local police received a tip around 9.30 p.m. yesterday that a guy was causing mayhem in the village. When authorities arrived, they discovered 28-year-old Toon strolling along a public road, holding a large knife and threatening people. Mae Chan district officials attempted to contain the incident.

During a search of Mr. Toon’s home, authorities discovered methamphetamine consumption equipment. Locals told authorities that the man was addicted to Yaba (Methamphetamine) and an alcoholic.

The authorities are conducting an inquiry to determine Toon’s motivations and whether any underlying issues contributed to his violent outburst.