Chiang Rai News

Chiang Rai Students Win Big at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Pittsburgh, USA

The team from Damrongratsongkroh School in Chiang Rai.

CHIANG RAI – A team from Damrongratsongkroh School in Chiang Rai won four awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held in Pittsburgh, USA, winning nine awards in the categories of animal science, plant science and environmental engineering, they were also the event’s youngest contestants.

Their project, a new method of silk sheath production, was developed from their observation of the spinning behavior of silkworms. It won the best of animal science (US$5,000 prize), first place grand and physical science from Sigma Xi awards, as well as a trip to the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Italy this September.

The team studied the behavior of silkworms, letting them live on fabric or paper frames, instead of boiling the silkworm cocoons which is the traditional method for farmers.

“The economic outcome produces double compared to the traditional practice,” said Nattapong Chueasiritaworn, a team member, noting that the production period is much shorter. The team was inspired to come up with the project on a school trip observing silkworms nurtured by farmers. They then questioned if there were other methods of silk production. The team’s new method has been applied in the community as an alternative practice. Silk sheath produced by the new technique is used for the production of tea bags, facial masks and scarves.

“This project can be further developed and commercialized, increasing income for farmers,” said Nattapong.

A team from Suratpittaya School in Surat Thani won third prize in the environmental engineering category. The project involved developing efficient dry-cell batteries powered by environmentally-friendly, low-cost carbon from bacterial cellulose.

Team members Pannawat Peanjad and Orawan Thasanabenjakul produced bacterial cellulose in a low-cost and simple way, within only one minute. They used acidic waste water from natural rubber manufacturers and unwanted coconut juice from coconut milk factories. Then they investigated an efficient chemical process to make activated carbon and its characteristics, including absorption capacity, micro-structure, chemical components and conductivity.

Most importantly, these characteristics led them to the use of the obtained activated carbon to make low-cost, paper-thin, and effective dry cell batteries. Pannawat noted that bacterial cellulose produced with gluconocetobacter xylinum fermentation contains nano-structure fibers, ideal characteristics for porous carbon production. It is also economical and easy to produce. In the southern part of Thailand, many waste materials are potentially suitable for bacterial cellulose production.

“The cost is 50 satang per cell and has power equal to an AA battery. Its longevity and power density is also measured,” she said.

Another team from Suratpittaya School won third place in the environmental engineering category with their project of bio-based packaging from lotus cellulose. Third place in the plant science category went to the team from Demonstration School, Khon Kaen University, with the utilisation of crude plant extract as an effective bio-insecticide to eradicate brown plant hoppers in rice fields.

Damrongratsongkroh School, also from Chiang Rai, won fourth prize in the plant science category for its project of using parasitic fruit sap to produce orchid adhesion glue.

The fair is one of the world’s largest high school science research competitions. This year, there were approximately 1,700 young scientists from over 75 countries participating.

Sattiya Langkhapin, Intel Microelectronics (Thailand)’s director of corporate affairs, noted that young people are key to future innovation and that in order to confront the global challenges of tomorrow, students from various backgrounds should be encouraged to get involved in science, technology, engineering and maths.

“Besides academic knowledge, students today can connect their knowledge to an international audience,” she said.

By Sasiwimon Boonruang

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.