Day: July 3, 2024

A Pentagon spokesperson on Tuesday criticized North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches as “irresponsible,” and reiterated the United States’ calls for the recalcitrant regime to return to diplomacy.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder made the remarks after Pyongyang claimed to have conducted a multiple warhead missile capability test last week, and test-fired a new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a super-large warhead this week.

“Again, we continue to highlight the fact that this kind of destabilizing, disruptive behavior is irresponsible. We continue to call on North Korea to return to diplomatic discussions,” Ryder told a press briefing.

“But in those particular launches, while there was no assessment that it posed a threat to the U.S. or our allies or partners in the region, it is something that we will continue to take seriously,” he added.

The North’s stated pursuit of multiple warhead technology has been a new source of security concern as the technology, if acquired
, would enable the regime to strike multiple targets with a single missile.

Commenting on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit slated to take place from July 9-11 in Washington, Ryder said that the transatlantic alliance’s partnership with South Korea and other regional partners would be an agenda item.

“During the summit, Secretary Austin will be engaged in discussions to ramp up transatlantic defense industrial production, ensure adequate defense investments from allies and the deepening of practical cooperation between NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners to include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea,” he said, referring to South Korea by its official name.

“Since its creation 75 years ago, NATO has been the greatest defensive alliance in human history. Next week’s summit underscores the U.S.’ unwavering commitment to NATO and the alliance’s critical role in maintaining global security and stability.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner announced the case of a group of perpetrators who shot and killed ‘Tai Kolai’ after driving a motorcycle out of a restaurant. Initial estimates indicate that there were more than 20 perpetrators. He confirmed that the case will be prosecuted as quickly as possible.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Thiti Sangsawang, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, announced the case of a group of 23 perpetrators riding motorcycles to provoke Mr. Worachet or Hurt and Mr. Jessada to drive out of a restaurant before another group waited in ambush and shot them, resulting in Mr. Jessada’s death at the Lasalle-Bearing (new road) intersection, Bang Na Tai Subdistrict, Bang Na District, Bangkok at 3:00 a.m. on June 29. He stated that normally, the suspects are in the Samut Prakan-Bangkok border area, which is the responsibility of the Provincial Police Region 1, and have a history of committing crimes in the Provincial Police Region 1 area. However, this time, the incident occurred in the Metropoli
tan Police area, so this morning, 5 locations were searched and 2 suspects with arrest warrants were searched. Several firearms were found because one of the suspects liked to collect guns, and most of the guns were registered, but the registration numbers had to be checked to see if they matched the numbers of the Department of Provincial Administration. Some of the motorcycles used in the crimes were also found. And from this search, additional evidence was found which will be able to be extended to the group of suspects who are still at large. Currently, the identity of the individuals is being checked to confirm the identity of the suspects before issuing an arrest warrant. It is estimated that there are more than 20 people. The case will be expedited as quickly as possible.

Pol. Col. Noppasin Poolsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, revealed that the area where the suspects were hiding in Samrong Nuea Police Station was an area where the suspects were hiding. It was found that the susp
ects were loan sharks and one of the arrested suspects was involved in drugs. He admitted that the suspects were outrageous, using black bags to cover CCTV cameras and threatening people in the area. If they cooperated with the officers, they would burn down houses, which created fear among the people. The Metropolitan Police is currently coordinating with the Provincial Police Region 1 and local police to eliminate this group of suspects to prevent such incidents from happening again. He also revealed that some of the suspects were students of mechanics at a vocational institute, but he confirmed that this incident was not related to the institute. As for whether the gang was a criminal organization, Pol. Col. Noppasin believes that it was well-planned. They gathered at the house that was searched today and gathered after the incident before fleeing separately. They lured the deceased to follow them in their cars before committing the crime.

When asked if the power was turned off in the suspect’s house duri
ng the arrest, Pol. Lt. Gen. Noppasin revealed that the suspect would have realized what was happening, so he closed the house, turned off the lights, and fled. Therefore, the village headman had to be contacted to be a witness during the search before one of the targets came out to open the door for the officers.

Source: Thai News Agency

The Meteorological Department has announced that there will be heavy rain in some areas of the North, Northeast, and East. People in these areas should be careful of the dangers of heavy rain. As for Bangkok and its vicinity, there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms.

The Meteorological Department forecasts the weather for the next 24 hours. The southwest monsoon is covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. In addition, there is a low-pressure cell covering the upper part of Vietnam. This will cause thunderstorms in Thailand. There will be heavy rain in some areas of the North, Northeast and East. People in the aforementioned areas should be careful of the dangers of heavy rain that may occur during this period.

For waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the waves are approximately 1 meter high. In areas with thunderstorms, the waves are higher than 2 meters. Sailors in the aforementioned areas are advised to avoid sailing in areas with thunderstorms.

Bangkok and its vicinity w
ill have thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area. Minimum temperature 25-28 degrees Celsius, maximum temperature 35-37 degrees Celsius

Source: Thai News Agency

The Bangkok governor is confident that the purchase of EV garbage trucks is transparent and that the public can check the information at every step.

In the case where the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) signed a letter No. PACC 0008/0114 on July 1, 2024 to the Cabinet Secretary regarding recommendations to prevent corruption in the implementation of the Bangkok garbage truck rental project, today (July 3), Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok Governor, said before entering the Bangkok Council meeting, 3rd Ordinary Session (first time) that the BMA did not ignore the objections from the NACC. Currently, the information of the BMA in the hands of the NACC is the same information. Currently, there are 18 companies submitting proposals, which is a good sign that there are many companies competing. He confirmed that the BMA must proceed with transparency. Every step of the information can be verified by the public.

‘In fact, the government’s policy is to have government agencies change from combustion-po
wered vehicles to electric vehicles in order to move towards a green ecosystem, reduce PM2.5 dust, reduce noise pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also help reduce costs significantly because the current costs of garbage trucks are quite high. Bangkok itself cannot use oil-powered vehicles forever. Everything must change in a positive direction. We ourselves are trying to learn from the past, improve the present and the future. Some provinces have already done it and are using electric garbage trucks. We will find an opportunity to look into it,’ said the Bangkok governor

Source: Thai News Agency

The Department of Disease Control revealed that the trend of COVID-19 deaths was mostly in the 608 group, especially the elderly. It is recommended to strictly maintain personal measures.

The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, reports the weekly COVID-19 situation. There are still reports of patients and deaths continuously and the trend is increasing, but it is still not beyond the capacity of the medical treatment system. They are concerned about the 608 risk group, especially the elderly who are seriously ill and at risk of complications. They recommend that everyone strictly follow the COVID-19 prevention measures. If you need to go to a crowded or crowded area, you should wear a mask at all times and wash your hands frequently. If you feel sick, see a doctor immediately.

Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, revealed that the overall COVID-19 situation has found 31,205 patients being treated in hospital since the beginning of t
he year, with 172 deaths. Between 23-29 June 2024, there were 3,256 patients being treated in hospital, an average of 465 patients per day, 709 patients with pneumonia, 336 patients with ventilators, and 16 deaths. Most of the deceased were aged 60 years and over. Therefore, we would like to emphasize that the risk group 608, including the elderly and those with underlying diseases, strictly follow the COVID-19 prevention measures when entering risk areas and avoid close contact with COVID-19 patients by adhering to the DMH principle: D = Distancing, M = Mask Wearing, wear a mask to reduce the spread of droplets, and H = Hand Washing, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol gel because there is a chance that we may unknowingly touch our faces with our hands to reduce the risk of catching the virus and spreading it to others. If you suspect that you are sick, you should get tested for the virus using ATK. If the results show that you are infected, you should see a doctor immediately to receiv
e proper and appropriate treatment. You should also avoid being in close contact with the 608 risk group. If necessary, you should wear a mask to prevent the spread of infection.

Dr. Apichart Vachiraphan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, added that from the continuous monitoring of COVID-19 in Thailand, it was found that the outbreak is seasonal, similar to the flu, or related to periods of large group activities, such as the opening of schools, camps, and military training. It is expected that the number of weekly COVID-19 cases will continue to increase and should peak in July. The current overall mortality rate of this disease is 0.04 percent, which is much lower than the mortality rate during the Delta strain outbreak, which had a mortality rate as high as 2.16 percent (June 2021 data). This reflects that the severity of COVID-19 has decreased due to population-level immunity, along with strains that are not severely spreading. In addition, the mortality rate specifically amo
ng hospitalized patients is 0.7 percent, which is 3 times lower than in 2023, reflecting that the current burden of the disease has not caused any problems in the healthcare system. Hospitals nationwide still have the potential to provide good care to patients.

Thailand is now in the rainy season, which is the season of the epidemic of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza. Therefore, it is recommended that people with fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat should get tested for the virus using ATK. If the results are positive, they should wear a mask to prevent the spread of the virus, isolate themselves from others, and see a doctor immediately, especially in the 608 group, because if this group is infected, they may have severe symptoms and die.

Source: Thai News Agency