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Experts Say Thailand Not Prepared for Another Earthquake Like Chiang Rai

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A monk surveys the damage to a prayer hall at Wat Mae Lao Woraram in Mae Lao district of Chiang

A monk surveys the damage to a prayer hall at Wat Mae Lao Woraram in Mae Lao district of Chiang Rai

 

CHIANG RAI – The Asia Institute of Technology’s Professor Dr Pennung Warnitchai said yesterday,Thailand is not prepared for another devastating earthquake.

Dr. Warnitchai pointed out that most buildings in the earthquake-risk zone were not earthquake resistant.

Experts from the Meteorological Department and Thailand Research Fund (TRF) yesterday visited Phan Pittayakom, Mae Lao Pittayakom, Bankao and Pongphare schools that suffered heavy damage from the 6.3 magnitude quake on May 5 last year. They were there to check out the preparations made for the next disaster.

A man walks past a crumbling pillar at Phan Phittayakom School in Phan district of Chiang

A man walks past a crumbling pillar at Phan Phittayakom School in Phan district of Chiang

 

The impact of last year’s earthquake in Chiang Rai left many schools severely damaged, but recovery has been slow as earthquake-resistant buildings are still under construction.

Dr. Warnitchai said even though Thailand may not suffer as gigantic an earthquake as the one that hit Nepal, its fault lines do have the capacity to generate an earthquake up to 7.0 in magnitude and the law regulating the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings does not cover all types of structures.

“For instance, most of the buildings in Mae Lao district, which are small houses, are not covered by the law, which only covers structures taller than 15 metres and public buildings,” he said.

Thai woman Wallada Wiranondburapat, 34, looks at her collapsed house following an earthquake in Chiang Rai province

Thai woman Wallada Wiranondburapat, 34, looks at her collapsed house following an earthquake in Chiang Rai province

 

A study by TRF and Mahidol University revealed that most of the damaged buildings in tambon Dong Mada in Chiang Rai’s Mae Lao district were small private houses that did not meet engineering standards to endure quakes.

He also stated that the other hindrance was the lack of expertise in constructing quake-resistant buildings among Thai engineers.

“The skill of designing earthquake-resistant buildings is taught at the master’s degree level or higher. I think engineering undergraduates should also study this subject, so we can have more engineers who can build earthquake-resistant buildings,” he said.

An interview with locals also showed that there was a deficiency in earthquake preparation.

Soldiers move out tables from a building at Phan Pittayakom School in Chiang Rai after Quake

Soldiers move out tables from a building at Phan Pittayakom School in Chiang Rai after Quake

Phan Pittayakom School’s Director Sanong Sujarit said his school had coordinated with the Provincial Disaster Prevention Office to train students and members of staff on what to do in the event of an earthquake.

However, the earthquake drill is only held once a year and only a few students were trained due to space limitations.

Natwalan Chueyban, a student from Mae Lao Pittayakom School, meanwhile, said her school did not hold any earthquake drills.

Udom Bunpeng, who lives in Phan district, said residents had not been informed about what they should do during and after an earthquake.

Burin Wechbunthung, director of the Seismological Bureau, said that after last year’s earthquake, the Meteorological Department was cooperating with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Royal Irrigation Department and Natural Resource Department to share seismological information, which would boost the ability to predict earthquakes.

“The ability to predict earthquakes accurately and quickly will boost the efficiency of rescue efforts. However, at present, there are no accurate prediction methods,” Burin explained.

By Pratch Rujivanarom

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

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Chiang Rai Man Kills Woman's Infant

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.

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Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

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

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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.

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Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

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Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

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

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.

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