Mr. Anan Suwannarat, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, recently chaired the opening ceremony of Thailand Halal Assembly 2018, one of the world’s most comprehensive Halal expositions and conferences, co-hosted by the Halal Science Center (HSC), Chulalongkorn University, and the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT). The Thailand Halal Assembly (THA) 2018 was held from 14-16 December 2018 at BITEC Bangna, comprising two major events: The 11th Halal Science, Industry and Business International Conference 2018 (HASIB 2018) and Thailand International Halal Expo 2018 (TIHEX 2018), plus an exhibition of Tan Sri Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, with his virtuous perspectives, to honour the late Dr. Surin Pitsuwan who continually contributed to HSC as an advisory board member and became a symbol of scientific development associated with the centre. HASIB 2018 focuses Halal science and industry and business activities around the world. The conferences cover … [Read more...] about Thailand Halal Assembly 2018
Thailand
Vietnamese faces six years in jail for smuggling elephant tusks into Thailand
Nguyen Thi Thanh, 43, from the central province of Ha Tinh, was stopped at the border checkpoint in Nakhon Phanom, a northeastern province in Thailand as she was sitting in a bus from Thakhek in the Lao province of Khammuane, the Bangkok Post reported. When police searched her luggage, they found 930 items of elephant tusks and ornaments worth an estimated $60,340. Thanh faces criminal charges for smuggling and possessing ivory without permission, and can be jailed for up to six years under the Thai Penal Code. The woman told the police that she was paid $61 by an unnamed Lao citizen to carry the ivory products to a bus stop in Nakhon Phanom for another person to pick up, police said. However, authorities suspect she is a member of a smuggling syndicate. The global trade in elephant ivory, with rare exceptions, has been outlawed since 1989 after populations of the African pachyderms dropped from millions in the mid-20th century to around 600,000 by the end of the 1980s. Vietnam also … [Read more...] about Vietnamese faces six years in jail for smuggling elephant tusks into Thailand
Vietnamese woman arrested for smuggling 22 kilos of elephant tusks into Thailand
Pieces of elephant tusks are seized at the police office in Thailand. — Photo thanhnien.com.vnViet Nam News BANGKOK — A Vietnamese woman was arrested for allegedly smuggling more than 22 kilogrammes of endangered elephant tusks in Thailand on Sunday, Thanh Niên (Young People) newspaper has reported. The woman faces up to six years behind bars under Thai law. Nguyễn Thị Thanh, 43 from central Hà Tĩnh Province, was found carrying 930 pieces of elephant tusks worth two billion Thai bath (US$60,340) on a bus in Nakhon Phanom District, located nearly 750 kilometres from Bangkok. The tusks originated from Africa and were imported to Laos before being transported to Thailand for sale. Thanh said that she was hired to carry the ivory to a bus station in Thailand. Under Thai law, it’s illegal to sell or transport elephant tusks over borders. Violators will face fines up to six million baht ($181,050) and jail sentences of between … [Read more...] about Vietnamese woman arrested for smuggling 22 kilos of elephant tusks into Thailand
Thailand seizes 18 million meth pills as drug fight heats up
Thailand seizes 18 million meth pills as drug fight heats upBANGKOK: Thai authorities seized more than 18 million meth pills in the drug-riddled “Golden Triangle,” a senior military official said Monday, following deadly anti-trafficking operations in the border region. The Golden Triangle—a lawless wedge of land intersecting China, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos—is the main base of operations for Southeast Asia’s highly lucrative methamphetamine trade. Attempts to crack down on the drug’s influx into Thailand have resulted in massive seizures and left at least 15 alleged smugglers shot dead in the country’s north since the start of November. The latest bust occurred in Chiang Rai province on Sunday night after authorities received a tip-off that smugglers were active in the area, later pinpointing two suspicious cars. “We found and seized bags… all were methamphetamine, about 18.76 million pills,” commander Vichit Wongsang said … [Read more...] about Thailand seizes 18 million meth pills as drug fight heats up
Before Catriona, this lady in red also won Miss Universe in Thailand
MANILA – Is Miss Universe 2018 a case of history repeating itself? Many pageant fans have been asking this question following the victory of the Philippines’ Catriona Gray – who graced the stage in a red dress inspired by the Mayon Volcano – on Monday morning. This is because a lady in a red dress was also crowned Miss Universe in Thailand more than two decades ago. She is Michelle McLean, who is one of the judges in this year’s pageant. Did you know? Catriona Gray’s gown was inspired by Mayon Volcano McLean, who represented Namibia, wore a red off-shoulder dress during the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand back in 1992. And like Gray, she is also a crossover beauty queen, having joined Miss World before competing in Miss Universe. McLean and Gray both finished in the Top 5 of Miss World in 1991 and 2016, respectively. … [Read more...] about Before Catriona, this lady in red also won Miss Universe in Thailand