Thailand News
76yr-old law blamed for online fundraising controversy says legal expert
A legal source has weighed in on the rows surrounding the legality of two online fundraising campaigns, one run by a social media star and the other by the Progressive Movement.The intervention came after netizens questioned the transparency of social media “influencer” Sean Buranahiran’s efforts to raise money to fight forest fires in Chiang Mai province. Also facing questions is the “Mayday Mayday” online concert organized by the Progressive Movement to help people affected by Covid-19.
Netizens asked whether the two campaigns come under the Fundraising Control Act 1944, Section VIII of which covers fundraising through print media or radio broadcasts.
Meanwhile Section VI states that organisers must get government permission before launching fundraising activities.
The legal source explained that both the donors and the government can sue the two fundraisers in question if they had not asked their permission or had misspent funds raised.
Chiang Mai Mueang district chief Sarawut Worapong has complained to the province’s governor that Sean failed to request permission from local authorities to launch his campaign.
No such complaint has been made about the Progressive Movement’s concert.
The source added that checking the transparency of fundraising was the duty of relevant government agencies. They also suggested the 76-year-old law be updated and made relevant for the Internet era.
The source noted that the penalty for violating sections V and VI of the law are a fine of up to Bt200 and/or up to one month in prison. “This is too mild for the modern day,” the source added.
The source also suggested the law be updated to allow fundraisers to request permission from authorities via the internet.
Source: Outdated law to blame for online fundraising controversy: legal expert
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Thailand News
Police chain suspects doors and windows until next morning
On August 9, A man attacked an officer, took his gun, and fled to his house in Plang Yao District, Chachoengsao Province. The officer then tried to persuade him to surrender for more than 6 hours but still failed.
Later at 6:00 pm, Plangyao Police Station decided to send 50 officers from a special operations unit in Chachoengsao Province.
The standoff lasted until 11:00 p.m. and the villain still showed no signs of surrendering.
So, they decided to chain his doors and windows preventing him from escaping until the next day rather than risk any of the officers or even the suspect’s life.
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Police in Chachoengsao Province started to process a search warrant for the next morning after leaving a couple of police officers to watch the house.
Later, Col. Sonthaya revealed that the perpetrator was named Mr. Anon, 45, at the house in Tha Bunmi Subdistrict, Koh Chan District, Chonburi Province, who went into a drunken methamphetamine rampage and destroyed his neighbor’s ricefields.
Police tried to intervene but Mr. Anont took a gun from Officer Or Sor and ran away. Mr. Anon’s daughter also reported his unusual behavior saying he was showing signs of aggressive behavior telling officers to exercise caution especially since he had a gun.
Police hope he will surrender after bringing a search warrant after the drugs wear off. To be continued……..
Later, it was reported that the suspect had escaped through the back of his house prior to officers boarding up his doors and windows. Police then conducted a search of the house and did not find the stolen gun. Police are still searching for the armed and dangerous suspect now.
Source and photos: https://www.khaosod.co.th/breaking-news/news_4678351
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Thailand News
2 Thai embassies hit by Covid-19 outbreaks
Thai embassies hit by Covid-19: Staff members of Thai embassies in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have contracted the novel coronavirus, according to the Foreign Ministry. The embassy in Manama reported that a foreign employee suffering mild symptoms tested positive for Covid-19, ministry spokesman Cherdkiat Atthakor said on Sunday.
Source: 2 Thai embassies hit by Covid-19 outbreaks
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Thailand News
‘Sick’ policeman jumps to his death from hospital
A policeman in Si Sa Ket province who suffered from mental illness reportedly killed himself on Saturday (August 8) by jumping out of the hospital building. The deceased, Suwaroj Khumthong, 53, was a police officer at Muang Chan Police Station who was admitted to Sisaket Hospital due to his mental condition.
Source: ‘Sick’ policeman jumps to his death from hospital
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