Chiang Rai News

Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Special Economic Zones Plans Sparks Fears Among Communities and Activists

Cargo trucks parking in Chiang Saen Commercial Port. An important gateway in northern Thailand to the Greater Mekong Subregion.

CHIANG RAI – As Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government kick-starts its plan for Special Economic Zones (SEZs), locals and activists voice their concerns over the process that epitomizes the old development paradigm which bypasses community rights and the environment.

The SEZ scheme, supported by a bill on land development and tax privileges, was first conceived under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration in 2003. The controversial bill won cabinet approval in 2005, but was eventually shot down by parliament amid strong public opposition.

The Prayut Chan-o-cha government dusted off the plan this year hoping to boost the economy. Without the parliamentarian checks-and-balances system that Thaksin had to go through, Gen Prayut has a free hand to adopt the plan, with the use of the draconian Section 44, which enables the state to clear any legal hurdles to accelerate the development process, Anchalee Kongrut an environmental writer for the Bangkok Post reports.

Talking with Prayong Doklamyai activist and adviser of the People’s Movement for a Just Society, a non-profit organization advocating sustainable development and community rights in the eviction of forest dwellers. He urges the state to assist these villagers to make sure they have a place to live.

Saying “The SEZ policy will add to the plight of landless villagers. Of course, the state may argue that some of those people have illegally occupied public land, but booting them out overnight will marginalize these poor people and deepen social division.”

Apart from adverse impact on locals, SEZ development has triggered environmental concerns given the fact that the 1992 Environmental Act may be compromised. Due to Section 44, a time frame — eight months — has been set for the approval of environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies for factories in the SEZs. At the same time, provincial governors are to be appointed head of committees to approve the EIA documents. Such a time-frame and the role for governors are unprecedented.

In Chiang Rai, locals in tambon Sri Boonrueng, Chiang Khong district, are worried about a plan to use 3,000 rai of rain-catchment forest and wetland in the Ing River basin. The designated SEZ land is fish spawning ground and is recognized for its conservation value.

Thanorm Uttama, president of the Ing River Watershed Council, a grassroots conservation network, vows to fight the plan, which is in its second phase.

Hannarong Yaowalers, a veteran conservationist and former member of the National Reform Council, says the government should wait and listen to local villagers and local business communities. “Of course, the country needs to promote the border economy and there is a need for special economic zones to accommodate the free flow of cross-border trading. But in some areas, locals might need only logistics to facilitate export, and not industrial factories, and the government needs to handle each locality’s needs specifically.”

Mr Hannarong says the site selection for each zone does not take into consideration local geography and current land use. As a result, some sites are not appropriate as they are located in flood-prone areas. Or some areas are too barren, like Tak.

Water shortages could become a problem for factories during the dry season, he said.

In Chiang Rai, heavy land-filling is needed to prepare the area if an SEZ is to be set up. If that is the case, the area could be hit by floods from the Ing River. “We already witnessed the problem with the 2011 flood when industrial estates were built in low-lying areas and blocked flood water from draining. The government will repeat the mistake if it does not take into consideration topographical factors of each area.”

Some investors also questioned the competitiveness of SEZs given that most neighboring countries with similar economic zones offer cheap labor and have tax privileges with some Western nations.

Penchom Tang, director of Ecological Alert and Recovery (Earth), a conservation group monitoring pollution from industry, wonders how the SEZ policy will solve poverty and create sustainable economic growth as the development plan bypasses social aspect and environment. “When promoting industrial estates, the state must also protect the environment through strict law enforcement, and listen to those who will be affected. But since the EIA approval process is cut short, how can the environment and the people be properly protected?”

By Anchalee Kongrut writes about the environment in the Life section for the Bangkok Post.

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.