With technological misuse becoming a significant threat in Southeast Asia over the past few years, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is spearheading a regional campaign aimed at raising awareness about the secure and responsible use of technology. Named #TechSafeSpace, this campaign seeks to foster a safer digital landscape, promote digital responsibility and inclusion, and uphold human rights. “Technology’s rapid evolution is reshaping our global landscape,” stated Joshua James, Regional Counter-Cybercrime Coordinator at UNODC. “While it has enhanced communication and knowledge accessibility, it has also provided a breeding ground for criminal exploitation, affecting both transnational organized crime and personal safety.” The recent UNODC report, “Casinos, Money Laundering, Underground Banking, and Transnational Organized Crime in East and Southeast Asia,” brings to light these trends, revealing a surge in cyber-enabled fraud by transnational organized crime groups in Southeast Asia. These groups often operate boldly, sometimes masquerading as legitimate enterprises or…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
South Australia’s state governor, Frances Adamson, has set her sights on fortifying ties with Thailand, focusing on the symbiotic growth of their food and agriculture sectors. In her comprehensive tour from July 8-11, Governor Adamson engaged with Thailand’s government officials and various leaders from the arts, culture, agriculture, energy, and wine industries, all with an ambitious goal: to bolster South Australia’s economy and attract trade investments. Her visit added a fresh chapter following Australian Governor-General David Hurley’s diplomatic excursion from Feb 13-17. Echoing the importance of her mission, Governor Adamson emphasized during an interview with the Bangkok Post, “Both Thailand and South Australia can work together on food and agriculture as we share similar goals in these areas.” Thailand’s aspiration to emerge as an “Agriculture and Food Hub” resonates well with Australia’s strategic focus on Southeast Asia, encapsulated in the “South East Asia Economic Strategy 2024”. Governor Adamson highlighted that…
Imagine soaring high above the mesmerizing Mekong River, tracing the winding waterway through the lush green landscape of Laos. It’s here, in the enchanting Oudomxai province, that the highly debated Pak Beng hydropower dam is set to rise, sparking a flurry of concern and action among conservationists and residents of the Mekong Basin. Recently, an impassioned plea has been sent to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, urging the government to reconsider plans to purchase electricity from the Pak Beng Hydropower Dam. The petition is a culmination of worries about economic and territorial ramifications, backed by a wealth of signatures and heartfelt support. This rallying cry isn’t just the work of a few; it’s a unified front. Leading the charge is Thongsuk Inthawong, a former headman from Bann Huai Luek in Wiang Kaen district, alongside Niwat Roikaew, a fervent conservationist and head of the Rak Chiang Khong…
The new Senate has great potential to illuminate the path toward a brighter future for Thai politics, at least that’s what Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit fervently believes. Despite rumors swirling around that a significant number of new senators are aligned with political parties, particularly the Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party, Ms. Angkhana stands firm in her assertion that senators have the capability to remain untethered from political meddling, acting in favor of the people’s interests. In an exclusive chat with the Bangkok Post, Ms. Angkhana candidly acknowledged that she will likely find herself in the minority within the upper chamber, owing to the apparent political affiliations of many senators. “I will work to the best of my abilities. But I expect to be in the minority… Several senators are believed to belong to the same group [with political affiliations]. We have to admit the reality of the Senate election outcome,” she remarked. Yingcheep…
The intrigue surrounding Dr. Keskamol Pleansamai, the senator-elect who snagged the most votes in the final national round of the Senate election on June 26, has taken quite a twist. Known for her purported academic accolades, Dr. Keskamol’s educational credentials have recently come under intense scrutiny. The buzz started when netizens, armed with the curiosity of modern-day sleuths, began to question the legitimacy of her PhD in Business Administration, allegedly from an institution called California University Foreign Credentials Evaluation (FCE). This institute is believed to specialize in validating educational documents rather than conferring actual degrees. It was a shock to many that an aspiring senator would provoke such a controversy over something as essential as academic credentials. In a dramatic turn of events, the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) vehemently denied any endorsement of equivalency assessments from this institute. The OCSC went on the offensive, checking their records…
In a dramatic twist reminiscent of a high-stakes thriller, a Chinese-owned luxury resort project on the idyllic island of Koh Samui came to an abrupt halt. Authorities recently discovered that this opulent venture did not align with its official permit, sparking a cascade of legal and environmental concerns. Pol Maj Gen Watcharin Poosit, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED), highlighted the severity of the situation. Spearheaded by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Koh Samui municipality, a raid was conducted on the ambitious “Anzhu Seamate” project nestled in the serene tambon Maret area of Surat Thani’s Koh Samui district. On a picturesque Saturday, law enforcement officers unearthed a saga of regulatory non-compliance and architectural ambition. This luxurious resort, bankrolled by a consortium of eager Chinese investors, was in the throes of construction. However, it soon became the epicenter of controversy. With allegations swirling, the dramatic…
The intrigue surrounding the disappearance of 38-year-old Yan Ruimin, a Chinese national, in Bangkok has been the subject of intense scrutiny. Pol Maj Gen Noppasil Poolsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), delivered an update that dissolves any links to international crime syndicates. Instead, the investigators are homing in on motives tied to either theft or a personal affair. Pol Maj Gen Noppasil revealed that Ms. Yan’s earlier movements were carefully traced back to a meeting in Soi Sukhumvit 12, where she met with a man to go shopping at Klong Toey Market. This encounter, he emphasized, was entirely consensual. The narrative of a harrowing abduction spun by foreign crime rings was a product of miscommunication between Ms. Yan’s relatives and her friend, Cai Boxuan. In their exchanges on WeChat, an alarmed Mr. Cai instructed Ms. Yan’s family to gather at least 1 million yuan (approximately 5 million…
Authorities have taken decisive action against a Chinese-owned luxury resort project on the picturesque island of Koh Samui after discovering that the development did not comply with the building permit regulations. Pol Maj Gen Watcharin Poosit, the commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED), announced this past Sunday that a collaborative effort between the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Koh Samui municipality led to the suspension of the “Anzhu Seamate” project. The inspection, which took place in the tambon Maret region of Surat Thani’s Koh Samui district on Saturday, revealed glaring discrepancies in the resort’s construction. What was intended to be a stunning luxury resort had deviated significantly from its approved design, raising alarms about its legality. Upon probing the site, officials determined that the project was funded and managed by a consortium of Chinese investors. Surprisingly, despite regular reports from locals citing the presence of…
Pol Maj Gen Noppasil Poolsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), recently shed light on a case that has gripped Bangkok—a case concerning the mysterious disappearance of a Chinese woman named Yan Ruimin. Contrary to swirling rumors, the investigation has revealed no ties to any international crime syndicates. Instead, the motive appears deeply personal. The 38-year-old Ms Yan vanished under circumstances that initially invited wild speculation. However, through meticulous investigative work, authorities narrowed down the motives to either theft or a personal affair. “The investigation revealed that Ms Yan had met a man at Soi Sukhumvit 12,” said Pol Maj Gen Noppasil. “They proceeded to go shopping at Klong Toey Market, with the meeting being entirely consensual.” A complex web of miscommunication further entangled the case. Pol Maj Gen Noppasil elucidated that the notion of Ms Yan being held for ransom by a crime syndicate stemmed from a…
The serene waters around Ao Nang bay in Krabi province were anything but calm on a late Sunday morning as a sudden rainstorm rolled in. A speedboat, expertly piloted by a Thai man, harbored two Chinese tourists—an adventurous man and a sprightly girl—who were eager to explore the breathtaking waters. The day looked perfect for a trip to the shimmering Phi Phi Le island, but fickle weather had other plans. Shortly after 11am, rough waves and pounding rain between the islands turned their exhilarating trip into a heart-pounding ordeal. The turbulent sea overpowered their vessel, causing it to capsize. Fortunately, a nearby speedboat belonging to Narayana Marine Co was slicing through the waves at a distance. Onboard was a crew with hearts as brave as lions. The men on the “Varit” quickly spotted the distressing scene. With fierce determination, they leaped into the relentless sea, defying the storm’s fury to…