It was an ordinary day in 2016, the emblem of OneCoin embellishing the company doors in Sofia, Bulgaria. Little did anyone know, a storm was brewing… (Photo Reference: Ronny Martin Junnilainen via Wikimedia Commons) Fast forward to present day, NEW YORK – A tangled web of deception woven by a proficient charlatan has finally met its undoing. Sebastian Greenwood, once hailed as a promising cryptocurrency trendsetter, faced his reckoning in a US federal court. Arrested under bad light in Thailand in 2018, the counterfeit cryptocurrency advocate was handed a stringent sentence of 20 years for his flagrant crimes of fraud. This theatrical saga involves Greenwood’s notorious role in the OneCoin charade. Being a dual citizen of Sweden and the United Kingdom, he slyly operated this deceitful scheme, hoodwinking over 3.5 million hopeful investors and extorting a whopping USD 4 billion. This entire fiasco was duly noted by the examining prosecutors.…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the bustling city of Thailand, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) played host to an illustrious meeting of financial giants. On the 8th of September, 2023, key players from Bursa Malaysia, Indonesia Stock Exchange, Philippine Stock Exchange, Singapore Exchange Group, Vietnam Exchange, and SET convened at the 36th ASEAN Exchanges CEOs Meeting. The primary purpose? To establish a robust set of core sustainability metrics that align with globally recognized standards and practices, thus bolstering their competitive edge in the market. The meeting was energized with discussions around various initiatives aimed at advancing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) collaboration within the ASEAN region. The goal was simple, yet ambitious: to leverage the power of their collective resources and insights to boost the standing of ASEAN stock markets and encourage the growth of sustainable investments. ASEAN Exchanges executives acknowledged the synergy that these regional markets share and further recognized the promising…
The bustling Ministry of Labour in Tak mirrors a typical day at work as it becomes a convergence point for Myanmar workers who have successfully secured visas. The workers are required to undergo a hands-on training session, providing essential knowledge about the workforce in Thailand before they can finally get their hands on their much-anticipated work permits. However, an unsettling wave has swept through the Myanmar expatriate community. According to recent local reports, the military government of Myanmar is enforcing a new rule, pressuring these overseas workers to send back a minimum of 25% of their income earned in foreign currency via the country’s banking system. The Irrawaddy, an independent Myanmar news agency, revealed that the remittances from the workers get converted to the local currency, Kyat, albeit at a significantly lower official rate, which deviates by 40% from the commonly used market value. In essence, the institutions affiliated with…
Next week, as the UN General Assembly in New York is abuzz with political conversations, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to seize a key opportunity. He intends to negotiate with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier about procuring a German-engineered powerhouse to drive the Chinese-built submarine Thailand is in the process of purchasing. This crucial revelation was shared with the media by Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara following a routine cabinet meeting on Wednesday. “Our contact with Germany is well underway, however, we’re still in anticipation of final confirmation,” shared an expectant Mr. Parnpree. It’s a significant negotiation that carries substantial political and national security implications, given the specifics of the Royal Thai Navy’s submarine contract with China. The unique stipulation is that the submarine should come equipped with an engine of German make. However, the situation is not as clear cut as it seems due to Germany’s reticence over selling…
Highlighted in the headlines, Samut Sakhon province was the site of a significant seizure operation involving 10 tonnes of illicit frozen pork in June, brought to light by the diligent efforts of the Department of Livestock Development as shown on their official Facebook page. In an effort to maintain the integrity of the agricultural industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Thamanat Prompow stepped up to curb illicit imports. He took the bold measure of ordering the disposal of a staggering 4,300 tonnes of apprehended pork at a landfill in Sa Kaeo. This massive lot, taken into custody in July by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) during a raid at Laem Chabang port, constituted 161 containers and had a hefty value of over 500 million baht. Preventing the influx of illegal agricultural products, notably the steady stream of smuggled pork, has become a critical focus area for the Ministry. Their goal…
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced a special amnesty scheme, offering an ultimatum of 30 days to illegal gun owners. These individuals have been given a month’s respite to turn in their unlicensed firearms to the nearest police station. Upon the expiry of the grace period, they would be subjected to an aggressive crackdown. This declaration was made on Wednesday during a joint operation by a force of roughly 100 police personnel and other staff, who meticulously sifted through 21 different locations in Nakhon Pathom. The team was successful in confiscating approximately 16 revolvers and 200 rounds of ammunition that were associated with a network mimicking mafia behavior. This operative network has links with last week’s incident where a highway police official was fired upon during a dinner event organized at the residence of a known local chieftain and constructor, Praween Chanklai, also referred to as “Kamnan Nok”. Stewarding the…
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, many airports may struggle to accommodate the increased flight demand. The perfect remedy, however, noted Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, lies in enhancing their capabilities through expansion initiatives. Both the Airports of Thailand (AOT) and the Department of Airports (DOA) will conduct extensive research on the expansion of existing airports in addition to the creation of new ones, all in an effort to support the escalating demands of travel. A key point of discussion included the limitations surrounding the expansion of Phuket Airport due to the increase in passenger volume. A solution proposed was the construction of another airport in close proximity, specifically in Phang Nga. Thorough research suggests that the Khok Kloi Subdistrict of Phang Nga would be an ideal location for this new airport venture. Currently, the ministry is examining whether the new airport should operate as a private-public cooperative or remain under…
On a recent Wednesday, Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, delighted many by announcing a recently approved policy that is set to lure visitors from China and Kazakhstan to Thailand. This ground-breaking initiative removes the requirement for tourists from these countries to pay for a visa for a five-month period spanning from the end of September to the end of February. The aim is clear – stimulate tourism in the region known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Following this proclamation, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Transport Minister, shared plans that Ministry officials and Cabinet members will head on an exploratory visit to Chiang Mai International Airport. Slotted for September 15 and 16, the purpose of this mission is to gauge the readiness of the airport facility to cope with an expected surge in tourists influx. Closely related is the progress review of the construction works of the second…
Severe weather alert! The Thai Meteorological Department cautions residents of an impending drenching, with a vast 70-80% of northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and Bangkok regions set to experience this heavy downpour. All this due to an aggressive monsoon trough currently traversing over Myanmar and Northern Laos, expected to shift into a low-pressure cell over northern Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin shortly. This weather system, aligning with the moderate southwest monsoon reigning over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, is a recipe for copious rains, particularly concentrated in specific areas within the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern territories. Inhabitants of these regions are highly recommended to be on guard for any resultant hazards from the substantial precipitation and potential flash floods particularly in elevations adjacent to water bodies and low-lying areas. In the northern territories, anticipate thunderstorms enveloping approximately 80% of the region, inducing heavy rain in…
Weaving an intricate tapestry of diplomacy and mutual learning, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives recently illuminated Bangkok with the 23rd convention of the Thailand-Australia Joint Working Group on Agriculture. This prestigious event witnessed the synergy of two nations coming together to exchange agronomical wisdom, knowledge, and innovative strategies. The guest delegation was astutely led by the First Assistant Secretary of the Trade and International Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry. The quintessential aim of this skilled diplomat was to facilitate in-depth discussions about the interchange of agricultural policies, with a special focus on sustainable agricultural development methods practiced by both nations. This marked an important step to broaden the horizons of academic cooperation across a multitude of domains. The symposium had invaluable discussions revolving around Sustainable Development Goals, a brainchild of the United Nations, as confirmed by the Thai ministry. Thailand seized this golden opportunity to showcase…