Positive force
People dressed in Darth Vader and Stormtrooper costumes visit blood donors at the Thai Red Cross on April 29. A group of Star Wars fans donated blood and participated in other charitable events marking Star Wars Day on May 4, under the theme May the 4th Be With You.
Helping hand
Their Majesties donate to quake victims
Their Majesties the King and Queen have donated 10 million baht through the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation to help Nepalese quake victims, according to a letter from the foundation to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
In the letter, the prime minister is entrusted with the responsibility of sending on the donation from Their Majesties.
Prayut said on April 29 he had expressed the government's support to the country through the Nepalese ambassador to Thailand. The Nepalese prime minister has thanked Their Majesties, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the government for their help.
Cop corruption
Nine arrested over kidnapping
Six Udon Thani policemen and three civilians were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and holding a Lao woman and her son for ransom, authorities said on April 27.
The six policemen from Udon Thani’s anti-drug unit have been provisionally suspended pending the result of the inquiry.
On April 26, two Lao nationals — Thaoduangkham Tantakaew, 60, and his 20-year-old daughter Phuangmalee — asked the Nong Khai provincial police chief Churat Panngao to help them rescue their kidnapped family members.
National police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said that the Royal Thai Police headquarters will monitor the six Udon Thani policemen until the investigation is concluded.
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Explosive incident
Soldier injured by bomb blast
A bomb exploded. It happened in Pattani’s Khok Pho district on April 27. A soldier was seriously injured. He was making a regular patrol. He was sent to a nearby hospital.
Vocabulary
- charitable (adj): connected with donating money, goods, help, etc. to those in need
entrust (v): to give somebody the responsibility for doing something
ransom (n): a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of somebody who is being held hostage
