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The Star
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Thailand continues to tighten border security as a precaution amid ongoing tensions with Cambodia
Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN BANGKOK (Bloomberg): Thailand's top army official designated commanders of two task forces to oversee border crossings with Cambodia as tensions simmer following a skirmish in late May. Effective from Saturday, the Burapha and Suranaree task forces have been authorized to determine necessary measures at border checkpoints, according to a statement signed by Army Chief Pana Claewplodtook. The nations are looking to defuse tensions following an exchange of gunfire between troops on May 28 in the disputed Chong Bok border region, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The countries are set to hold talks at a Joint Boundary Commission meeting on June 14 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. While the task forces must consider the needs of trade and daily lives of the local populations of both countries, "they may order the closing or opening of any or all border checkpoints under any conditions or time frame deemed appropriate' to protect Thailand's sovereignty, the army said in its statement. The move follows comments from Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai that border tensions have been exacerbated by Cambodia's reinforcement of its military presence. As a result, Thailand has "deemed it necessary to implement additional measures and to reinforce our military posture accordingly,' he said. Meanwhile, two border checkpoints in Thailand's eastern Chanthaburi province have been ordered to close temporarily for tourists by a commander of the provincial marine corps task force, The Nation, an English-language news website, reported on Saturday. The order cites an announcement of martial law in some parts of the province due to the security threat from Cambodia. Still, Cambodian migrant workers employed in Thailand are exempt, and cross-border trade will continue as usual, according to The Nation. Cross-border trade and customs activity remains operational as usual in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said in a post on X upon his visit to the northeastern region. The finance ministry has prepared fiscal measures for all circumstances, he said. -- ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
The Star
03-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Thailand govt urges calm after first anthrax death in decades
Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's health ministry urged calm on Friday after the kingdom reported its first anthrax death in more than three decades, with a second infection already confirmed. Anthrax -- which spreads through bacteria in soil -- commonly infects grazing livestock and wild animals but can kill humans with symptoms including skin lesions, blisters and swollen lymph nodes. Health officials warned Thais against eating raw meat, a staple in the country's northeast, following the death of a 53-year-old man who reportedly handled a dead cow in Mukdahan province near the border with Laos. A second 53-year-old man, also with a history of contact with cattle, has tested positive and been hospitalised in the same region. Meanwhile 638 people in "risk groups", including a butcher and those who consumed raw beef, are being monitored and given antibiotics. Weerawat Manosuthi, a spokesman for the health ministry's disease control department, said the victim who died on Wednesday had underlying health issues. "The man touched the cow without proper protection," he told reporters in Bangkok. "Two days later, he developed symptoms and sought medical care." It was Thailand's first anthrax fatality since 1994, when three people died, and comes as infections rise in the region. In neighbouring Laos 129 people were infected last year, with a single fatality. Thai authorities plan to vaccinate more than 1,200 cattle in the infection area where the animals are experiencing a spate of illness and unexplained deaths, Weerawat said. Raw beef dishes are a trademark of Thailand's northeast region, known as "Isaan", with meals often including uncooked meat mixed with chilli, red onions and coriander. Thailand saw its last reported anthrax cases with two infections in 2017. In 2000, 15 people were also infected although no deaths were recorded. - AFP
The Star
02-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Thailand reports first anthrax death, hundreds potentially exposed
The authorities have identified at least 638 people as potentially exposed after eating raw meat. -- PHOTO: UNSPLASH via The Straits Times/ANN BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand has reported its first anthrax-related death with two infections nationwide, prompting a public health alert after authorities identified hundreds potentially exposed to the deadly bacteria, officials have announced. A 53-year-old man in Mukdahan province, in northeastern Thailand near the border with Laos, died on Wednesday after contracting anthrax, the government said, with a second case confirmed in the same province and three additional suspected cases under investigation. Authorities have identified at least 638 people as being potentially exposed after eating raw meat. Among them, 36 had participated in butchering livestock while the rest had consumed raw or undercooked beef, health officials said. All are receiving antibiotics as part of containment measures. "All individuals who may have been in contact with infected meat are being monitored," the health ministry said. The Livestock Department is overseeing containment efforts in the affected area, including a 5-km (3.2-mile) quarantine zone around the infection site, the agriculture ministry said. There are plans to vaccinate 1,222 cattle, though no animals have shown signs of illness or unexplained death, it added. Anthrax is a rare but serious disease caused by bacteria often transmitted through contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated meat. It is not spread person-to-person. Thailand last reported human anthrax cases in 2017, when two people were infected without fatalities. In 2000, 15 cases were recorded, also without deaths. Wednesday's death, the first fatality from anthrax in Thailand, follows a rise in regional infections. Laos reported 129 anthrax infections last year, including one death, while Vietnam confirmed 13 cases in May 2023. Thai authorities are continuing investigations into the source of the infection and said they would maintain heightened surveillance in border areas. (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Editing by Gareth Jones) - Reuters
The Star
29-04-2025
- The Star
Transgender murder: Pattaya police beef up security as they bring Chinese suspect to reenact crime
Large crowds gathered to witness the crime re-enactment, prompting police to form human lines to shield the suspect. - The Nation/ANN BANGKOK: Pattaya police tightened security on Sunday (April 27) when they took a Chinese suspect to re-enact his alleged killing of a transgender man, whose body he reportedly cut open to play with the internal organs. Over 20 officers from Pattaya police station were deployed to protect the suspect, Tongyung Fu, 42, amid fears of attacks from angry crowds. The re-enactment took place at an apartment building in the seaside city where the murder allegedly occurred. ALSO READ: Chinese tourist confesses to murdering transgender woman in Thailand, removing her organs The body of the victim, identified as Woranan Pannakha, 25, from Nong Khai, a transgender man, was discovered in the restroom of an apartment on Soi Arunothai in Central Pattaya on Saturday morning. Police were alerted shortly after the discovery. Tongyung Fu was arrested on Saturday evening at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan, as he attempted to board a flight back to Kunming, China. Large crowds gathered to witness the crime re-enactment, prompting police to form human lines to shield the suspect. Chonburi police chief, Pol Maj Gen Thawatkiart Jindakuansanong, stated that the suspect admitted to paying 8,000 baht (US$240) to Woranan for sex. However, when Woranan allegedly refused and kicked him off the bed, Tongyung became enraged and killed him by pressing his left knee against the victim's neck. He then dragged the body into the bathroom, using scissors to cut the torso open from the stomach to the chest. Tongyung also removed Woranan's implanted breasts and placed the silicone implants beside the body. Police said the suspect's mobile phone, found in the restroom, was instrumental in tracing and apprehending him. Tongyung reportedly confessed that he was driven by a morbid curiosity to see inside the human body after watching certain TV series. Besides removing the implants, he also cut out the victim's heart and placed it next to the body. - The Nation/ANN
