Chiang Rai News
Fuel Prices Slashed at the Pumps
Prices at the pump will tumble by as much as eight baht a litre today after the government gave the green light for a measure slashing contributions by refineries to the State Oil Fund.
Prices at the pump will tumble by as much as eight baht a litre today after the government gave the green light for a measure slashing contributions by refineries to the State Oil Fund.
Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said contributions and value-added tax have been cut by three baht a litre for diesel, 7.17 baht for 91 octane petrol and 8.02 baht for 95 octane petrol.
Newly-appointed Thai Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan
The National Energy Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, approved the reductions yesterday.
Ms Yingluck said the cuts formed part of the government’s policy commitments made to parliament earlier this week and would help ease expenses for the public.
The Oil Fund collects contributions from sales of all fuel in Thailand. Contributions from diesel and petrol sales help subsidise alternative fuels such as gasohol as well as cooking gas.
Oil company Bangchak Petroleum last night cut its 91 petrol price by 7.17 baht a litre to 34.77 baht, with diesel prices falling by three baht to 26.99 baht a litre.
Policy-makers said cutting diesel prices would help ease pressure to raise prices across the economy by curbing transportation and logistics expenses. Transport officials said that bus and commuter van fares would also come down with the decline in fuel costs.
Mr Pichai said 91 petrol was primarily used by motorcycles drivers, while the price cuts for 95 petrol would assist drivers of older vehicles unable to use cheaper gasohol blends.
Overall, 10 million motorcycle drivers, 7 million diesel consumers and one million premium petrol users would benefit from the policy.
He insisted the measure would be only temporary. The Oil Fund is expected to lose 6.16 billion baht in income a month from the measure.
“The government will monitor oil prices and other economic factors, as well as progress in our policies to raise the incomes of lower-income workers,” Mr Pichai said.
He added the energy policy committee had yet to consider any changes on excise taxes charged for fuel or whether to extend the tax cut measure taken by the last government that is due to expire next month. The government collects seven baht a litre in excise tax for 95 and 91 petrol, 6.3 baht for 95 and 91 gasohol and 0.005 baht for diesel.
Unleaded 91 petrol prices have risen by 8.5% this year to 41.94 baht a litre while diesel has been capped at 29.99 baht.
This is despite the fact that oil prices are now trading around US$85 a barrel, 7% cheaper than at the end of 2010 on worries about slower global economic growth.
Democrat deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij criticised the government’s energy pricing policy as ill-conceived.
The reductions in contributions to the State Oil Fund would reduce incentives for commuters to use alternative fuels, affecting long-term energy security, conservation efforts and ethanol producers.
Mr Korn, the former finance minister, said the government would also face a challenge in raising funds to support cooking gas subsidies.
Without subsidies from the Oil Fund, local prices for a 15-kilogramme tank of cooking gas would more than double to 570 baht, in line with market prices, he said.
“The government has two choices _ float gas prices, which will affect lower-income users, or use taxpayer funds to subsidise cooking gas,” Mr Korn said.
Energy experts offered mixed views on the new policy.
Siriwut Siampakdee, chairman of the Ethanol Producers Association, warned that motorists would shift from gasohol to petrol with the price changes.
“Thailand has been developing alternative fuels for over a decade and has tried to encourage its use by both motorists and auto manufacturers. I think this new policy needs to be carefully considered, otherwise [alternative fuel] policies will collapse,” he said.
Thailand uses some 1.5 million litres a day of ethanol for blending with petrol to create gasohol. Energy policy-makers want to raise total ethanol production to 2.9 million litres a day.
“The government says it wants to increase alternative energy to 25% of total usage from 20%. But I see this new policy as the opposite of what it previously said,” Mr Siriwut said, adding that he supported allowing prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) to float with market prices.
Energy expert Manoon Siriwan said the Oil Fund cuts should be strictly temporary to avoid hurting demand for alternative fuels, which has risen in recent years primarily due to the price advantage over unblended petrol and diesel.
Longer term, prices for all retail petroleum products should be adjusted to reflect global prices, he said.
But Prasert Bunsumpun, the chief executive of PTT Plc, said the new policy is unlikely to have a long-term impact if maintained for just six months.
He agreed, however, that subsidies on LPG and CNG should be cut to help bring prices closer to market levels and ease the burden on the state.
Payungsak Chartsuthipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, cautioned that the policy would distort the energy market and take away budget resources that could be better used for research and development and other long-term development programmes.
“The government should allow for a free market policy because when implementing a reduction policy, it’s quite hard to cancel,” he said.
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: 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. 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.
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/
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.
Other related news:
Chiang Mai Police Offer Cash Reward After Officer Killed
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime/chiang-mai-police-offer-reward/
-
News3 years agoLet’s Know About Ultra High Net Worth Individual
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Mabelle Prior: The Voice of Hope, Resilience, and Diversity Inspiring Generations
-
Health3 years agoHow Much Ivermectin Should You Take?
-
Tech2 years agoTop Forex Brokers of 2023: Reviews and Analysis for Successful Trading
-
Lifestyles2 years agoAries Soulmate Signs
-
Movies2 years agoWhat Should I Do If Disney Plus Keeps Logging Me Out of TV?
-
Health3 years agoCan I Buy Ivermectin Without A Prescription in the USA?
-
Learning2 years agoVirtual Numbers: What Are They For?