Almost 7,000 fraud complaints filed against the iCon Group

Strong seller’s officials review losses exceeding B2 billion

National police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, centre, tells Tuesday's media briefing that 6,979 people nationwide had filed fraud complaints against The iCon Group, reporting losses totalling 2,046 million baht. (Photo: Central Investigation Bureau)
National authorities key Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, heart, tells Tuesday’s press briefing that 6, 979 people globally had filed scam complaints against The image Group, reporting losses totalling 2, 046 million ringgit. ( Photo: Central Investigation Bureau )

The iCon Group has received nearly 7, 000 fraud complaints, with losses totaling more than$ 2 billion.

A total of 6, 979 people filed charges with the Central Investigation Bureau’s ( CIB ) complaints center and police stations across the nation on October 10 through October 21, according to national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet on Tuesday. Plaintiffs reported full problems of 2, 046 million ringgit.

Investigators were presently looking into the financial records and income flows of the online company, he claimed.

On Tuesday, authorities searched 11 more sites linked to the 18 company officials accused of common scams, looking for additional information, Pol Gen Kitrat said.

Warathaphon” Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, 41, the founder and CEO of The image Group, and 17 other defendants, including artists, were arrested last Wednesday on costs of common scams and putting false information into a computer program. All were held in custody.

The iCon Group, a well-known online retailer that uses its dealers and their agents to promote direct selling, is accused of operating a pyramid scheme.

According to Pol Gen Kitrat, investigators were gathering and compiling evidence to support requests for court arrest warrants for a second group of suspects. &nbsp,

He promised to the media that anyone found guilty of an offense would face legal action, regardless of their identity.

When Pol Gen Kitrat inquired about the wife of Kantathavorn, a well-known TV host and actor, who was listed among the second group facing arrest warrants, he replied that he had not seen her name on the list of suspects. Additionally, no reports of her leaving the country were made.

Mr Kan is one of the 18 suspects already arrested. &nbsp,

If the ongoing investigation revealed any other crimes, additional charges would be brought against the 18 suspects, according to the police chief.

When questioned about the allegedly trying to extort money from” Boss Paul,” he claimed that Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, was looking into the matter. &nbsp,

The police chief declined to reveal any details about the suspects. Mr. Warathaphon has confirmed that the audio recordings were his voice.

Authorities have to date seized assets, including luxury cars and other valuables, worth about 400 million baht from the 18 prime suspects.

Police are looking into reports of assets being transferred to those involved in the iCon fraud case, according to CIB deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Sophon Saraphat. The officers were examining evidence, particularly security camera footage, for clues and evidence of transfers of assets. &nbsp,

Pol Lt. Gen. Jirabhop Bhuridej, the head of the CIB, claimed an examination of Mr. Warathaphon’s ID card and details established that he was Thai and not a citizen of another country. According to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop, after conducting an investigation into the registration database, authorities discovered that his ID card had a beginning with the number 5, which was added after his name was lost during an initial survey and added later.

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Filipino pickpockets admit to targeting tourists in Bangkok

Some people claim that some of the stolen funds were sent to a Filipino seller.

Thong Lo police arrest nine members of a Filipino pickpocketing gang and take a photo with some of them, with their faces blurred. (Photo: Police TV)
Police in Thong Lo take photos with some of the nine thievery crew members, who have their faces blurred. ( Photo: Police TV )

For reportedly pickpocketing a North Korean holiday, nine Filipino citizens were detained in Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport. They acknowledged having committed similar crimes before, aiming specifically at foreign customers in well-known tourist destinations.

Following a complaint from a South Korean man who claimed to have been targeted by a thievery group at Sukhumvit Soi 33 in Watthana area at around 6.40pm on October 16, authorities detained two Filipino men and seven Filipina women at a motel in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai region and at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan state.

Investigators from Thong Lo searched for closed-circuit television (CCTV ) footage that showed the victim being hampered by the gang’s movements before a member robbed his wallet. The group then fled the scene.

Seven of the suspects were detained at the resort in Phaya Thai after police followed them as they made their escape. As they prepared to board a flight back to their home countries, the two people were apprehended at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The suspects admitted to carrying out burglaries at Bangkok tourist attractions during questioning. They occupied apartments and searched for patients, particularly in areas that fall under the control of the Thong Lo and Lumpini police facilities.

Additionally, the offenders admitted to having repeatedly pickpocked visitors, and they later divided the wealth and other items that had been stolen. A Filipino dealer provided some of the money for the Filipinos to transport it into their bank balances.

They were accused of colluding with thieves by the authorities. All were confined to police prison for legal actions.

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Thai worker injured in rocket attack discharged from Israeli hospital

The injured worker claims that he does not require relocation or additional support.

A Lebanese Middle East Airlines (MEA) plane takes off from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport as smoke billows, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters)
A Lebanese Middle East Airlines ( MEA ) plane takes off from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport as smoke billows, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday. ( Photo: Reuters )

A Thai contractor who was hit by a Hezbollah rocket in northeastern Israel on Monday has been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for a minor injuries, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Kwanchai Chongklang was hospitalized on Tuesday with shrapnel wounds to his neck, with a cube of the damage being described as minor after a cube struck a bone, according to Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the ministry.

The employee received care at Ziv Medical Center in Safed, a city in northern Israel, before being released.

The spokesman claimed that Mr. Kwanchai was working at the Ayelet HaShahar agricultural estate when the missile attack, which involved about 30 missiles, took place at around 1 p.m. ( Israel time ).

According to Mr. Nikorndej, the employer, who was quoted by the Thai consulate in Tel Aviv, continued to be in good spirits and did not desire relocation or further assistance.

A mourning ceremony was held for another Thai employer, Nisant Meeram, at Ben Gurion aircraft in Tel Aviv on Monday. On October 11, an ammunition explosion at the Yiron agricultural land in northeastern Israel claimed his life in an apple garden.

His brain was transported via El Al Israel Airlines ‘ trip LY081, which left Tel Aviv on Monday at 10.45 pm and was scheduled to arrive in Thailand on Tuesday at 2 pm.

In the fight between Israel and its neighbors, he was the 42nd Thai prey.

Nikorndej Balankura, official for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ( File photo )

Nikorndej Balankura, official for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ( File photo )

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Chinese kidnap suspect caught trying to leave Thailand

Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchanart, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, third from right, and Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, commander of the Immigration Division 2, second from right, question the suspect at Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday night. (Photo: Immigration Police Division 2)
Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchanart, assistant director of the Immigration Bureau, second from right, and Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, captain of the Immigration Division 2, second from right, problem the assume at Suvarnabhumi airports on Monday evening. ( Photo: Immigration Police Division 2 )

Only before he boarded a plane to Cambodia at Suvarnabhumi airport, authorities detained a Taiwanese believe in the 12-million-baht payment of two Chinese entrepreneurs.

The suspect, identified as Liu, was apprehended when he checked into the Suvarnabhumi aircraft for trip ZA679 to Phnom Penh on Monday night, according to Immigration Police Division 2.

Several pairs of plastic handcuffs, income, and a Cedeao card, also known as an Ecowas card, a typical card document issued by members of the Economic Community of West African States, were discovered during a search of the suspect’s luggage. &nbsp,

Foreign traders Xie Chuanqi and Xie Chuanfa, who were abducted and ransomed by five Taiwanese people, were reported by immigration authorities on Sunday at Sutthisarn station in Bangkok. The alleged believe in question was one of the criminals.

According to police, the victims allege they were kidnapped at gunpoint from their office at Anget Property ( Thailand ) Co in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district on Saturday.

The group took 3.2 million baht in cash from the company business, which is in a rented apartment. The group eventually had the defendants move another US$ 270, 000 to their profile, for about 12 million baht in full.

Later that evening, the two men were freed in the Kaset-Nawamin area of Bangkok’s Bang Khen area.

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Work on Laem Chabang Port ‘on time’ despite delays

Laem Chabang Port
Laem Chabang Port

The third phase of development atLaem Chabang Portis now about 45% completed, with its key feature, Pier F, slated to open in late 2027 as planned, according to Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri.

The project is a significant component of the Eastern Economic Plan ( EEC ) Development Plan and one of the 15 infrastructure projects that the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration has prioritized.

She cited the most recent report from the Port Authority of Thailand ( Pat ), which stated that physical work was about 45 % finished as of October 11 and slightly behind the goal of 48.95 %.

The difficulties were brought on by bad weather between April and November, which caused the offshore development work, she claimed.

Ms Manaporn said the government had instructed the Touch to work closely with the site’s company, CNNC Joint Venture, to maintain design can be completed on schedule.

She said the vendor should improve working hours when there is less windy weather and use more machinery to avoid delays.

The deputy secretary claimed that despite the difficulties, the project is still on track to meet the entire schedule, with the first step of the runs anticipated to be finished by June 2026.

Area F1’s structure has been completed, and GPC International Terminal Ltd will have the site by November of next year. By the end of 2027, Pier F, the three-phase’s important have, she said, is scheduled to start operating.

PAT director-general Kriengkrai Chaisiriwongsuk said the second phase of the works, which includes the construction of buildings, docks, roads and utilities, is currently in the preparation stage, following a contract signing with CHEC ( Thai ) Co Ltd in July.

He added that the third and fourth phases, which would involve the constructing a railroad system and purchasing of equipment and IT systems, are now in the planning stages, with tenders scheduled for the first quarter of next year.

Once completed, the updates will enhance the city’s monthly pot handling capability from 11 million Appearances to 18 million TEUs. This will help Thailand lower shipping costs and enhance its status as a major transportation hub in the region, connecting southwestern China with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

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Bus fire tragedy: senator pushes for accountability

Alongkot: Wants officials probed
Alongkot: Wants leaders probed

Senator Alongkot Vorakee submitted a petition to the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD ) to investigate allegations of misconduct by Sing Buri’s land transport authorities during an inspection of a bus’s safety standards, which caught fire on October 1 and resulted in the deaths of three teachers and 20 students.

Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Lan Sak city of Uthai Thani’s Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School was the victim of a fatal accident while on a field vacation.

The senator claimed on Monday that the bus, which was owned by a private transportation company, had been properly tested and passed safety standards, but that 12 compressed natural gas ( CNG ) cylinders had been installed after the fire, despite the fact that the bus was supposed to have only six of those cylinders.

Mr. Alongkot argued that this was the most important form of wrongdoing that should be held responsible by the Sing Buri land travel company and its engineers and technicians, who were in charge of making sure the vehicle adhered to safety requirements.

He has now urged the ACD to build a sensor in addition to the Pathum Thani Khu Khot police station’s ongoing research. The vehicle was traveling to its place in Nonthaburi when the incident took place in Pathum Thani.

The senator claimed he had learned from the Khu Khot researchers that they should be able to send the inspection report to the prosecution with a request to have the vehicle drivers and the transportation company arraigned by November 3 or no later than January 3.

According to the senator’s petition, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ), information indicates that several state officials must be held accountable for the fatal bus accident. The CIB controls the ACD.

More time is now required, according to Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat, for the government to gather more information before filing a lawsuit. Following a gathering on the subject with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, he made the remarks.

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Chiang Mai city clean-up going well, governor says

Pumps drain flood water from the ruins of Wat Hua Nong, in the historic sanctuary of Wiang Kum Kam in Chiang Mai. (Photo: 7th Regional Office of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai)
In the ancient Wiang Kum Kam in Chiang Mai, compressors are used to remove storm water from the Wat Hua Nong’s remains. ( Photo: 7th Regional Office of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai )

As part of their post-flood recovery plan, the government in Chiang Mai have collected 40 % of the city’s misuse and cleaned 90 % of the streets.

Nirat Pongsitthithaworn, government of Chiang Mai, announced on Monday the advancement made in the state’s treatment after being severely impacted by severe flooding. The public and private businesses collaborated to create following recovery efforts.

According to him, over 40 % of waste in the city has been collected, and 90 % of the streets have been cleaned up.

The government predicted that a total restoration is underway by the end of this month, with the metropolis gearing up to welcome visitors for the high season, which will begin on November 1.

Mr. Nirat has instructed the Department of Local Administration to quicken damage assessments and publish reports to area offices in a bid to assist the afflicted citizens.

These reports may be reviewed regularly, including vacation, to ensure timely processing. The municipal council will then send the requested information to the government, he said, for acceptance of relief money.

However, the Royal Volunteers Operation Centre Region 3 dispatched medical teams from Fort Kawila Hospital, along with military volunteers, to give spectacularly donated medicines and offer assistance to disaster victims in the Sart Luang, Sart Noi, and Khonsong Soi 9 communities in Chiang Mai’s Muang area.

Also, the 37th Military District’s Fort Mengraimaharaj Hospital deployed doctors to help soldiers helping in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai city, which has been seriously flooded.

The team provided the flood victims with basic medical care and common medications.

One of the most significant issues was the injuries sustained while fixing houses, with the majority of the circumstances being transferred to Fort Mengraimaharaj Hospital in the event of an emergency.

The military has pledged to continue providing assistance to the affected people until the scenario returns to normal.

However, the Meteorological Department issued flash-flood instructions for 15 regions where thunderstorms were forecast on Monday.

People who live near mountains and in low-lying locations close to waterways in 11 northern regions and four eastern regions should be on alert for possible flash flooding, according to the office.

A rain trough’s impact on the lower region of the Gulf of Thailand led to heavy rain being anticipated.

The only caution time was a day long. The northern provinces on call included Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao, Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Nayok.

The eastern regions were Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong and Trat.

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Cambodia backs Thai-led 6-country single visa plan

Arriving passengers snake through a long queue for immigration counters at Suvarnabhumi airport on Feb 10, 2024. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
On February 10, 2024, arriving passengers slog through a lengthy emigration bars at Suvarnabhumi Airport. ( Photo: Somchai Poomlard )

Thailand has endorsed the Thai president’s program to help cross-border journey for vacationers from six countries in the region through a single visa scheme known as” 6 Countries, 1 Destination,” according to a supply at Government House.

The decision was made following meetings between the Thai minister of tourism, Dusit Manapan, and Chayika Wongnapachant, both officials to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, on Monday in Phnom Penh to discuss cross-border go and promoting smooth hospitality.

The source said the Thai tourism minister supported Thailand’s” 6 Countries, 1 Place” plan and agreed to discuss the issue more with Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, Customs Department and other related companies.

The resource stated that the feedback from these organizations may be made available to the Cambodian cupboard for consideration ahead of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit.

The” 6 Countries, 1 Place” initiative aims to promote commerce and economic partnership between Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

The Thai government intends to start policy dialogues with Cambodia as a pilot job, with the intention of later expanding assistance to other nations.

Additionally, the group went over several ways to improve tourism cooperation. In addition to boosting private sector participation in the tourism sector, creating linked hospitality routes, particularly those connecting Unesco heritage sites, and boosting flight connections between the six nations, were important points.

Also, a regional hospitality calendar was proposed to hyperlink important festivals, such as the Thai-Lao-Khmer New Year and Chinese New Year, while offering tourists hotel discounts and particular, quicker immigration channels, the source said.

There was also speak of initiatives and knowledge-exchange initiatives to establish regional tourism enterprise networks.

Another issue was improving travel links, with concentrate on expanding traveling options by land, water, road and air, for as, Thai Airways ‘ programmes to improve flights to Siem Reap in Cambodia, as well as liquid and rail routes linking Thailand’s Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat with Cambodia’s Koh Kong, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep provinces.

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Govt urged to act on  foreign businesses

Nantana: Asking questions
Nantana: Asking issues

In an effort to shield local firms from unfair competition, the Senate is urging the government to repress nearby businesses owned by regional proxies of foreigners.

Hospitality and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that government staff have met with affected local providers to develop a solution to the issue in a meeting to address a question raised by Senator Nantana Nantavaropas regarding actions to support Thai companies struggling to compete with those run by nominees.

According to Mr. Sorawong, regional proxies are threatening to rule the hospitality industry, which is one of the country’s biggest foreign trade workers.

The secretary said the first step is to remove foreign tour guides from all holiday destinations.

According to Mr. Sorawong, the Thai government has the authority to move tourism organizations only. In companies with foreign shareholders, Thai shareholders must hold no less than 51 % of the shares.

To address the issue, the department will collaborate with the Immigration Bureau, Tourism Police Bureau, Tourism Development Bureau, and the Department of Business Development to conduct an investigation into international companies that are suspected of employing local nominees.

The minister claimed that despite the large international travel demand, many businesses in the tourism market are struggling, and that potential constraints, which persist after the Covid-19 crisis, are preventing the sector’s recovery.

He claimed that the government is working with carriers to recover flight routes that were eliminated during the pandemic in an effort to boost power for the upcoming high tourism season, which is scheduled to begin next month.

According to him, TPB and the Department of Tourism are also working together to end “zero-dollar” travel firms, which create a completely separate tourism habitat catering to international travellers from souvenir shops and restaurants.

More than 40 zero-dollar tour firms have been closed by the authorities.

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Thai govt urged to act on foreign businesses in tourism

Nantana: Asking questions
Nantana: Asking issues

In an effort to shield local firms from unfair competition, the Senate is urging the government to repress nearby businesses owned by regional proxies of foreigners.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that government staff have met with impacted local providers to develop a solution to the issue in a meeting to address Senator Nantana Nantavaropas ‘ question regarding methods to help Thai companies struggling to compete with nominee-run companies.

According to Mr. Sorawong, regional proxies are threatening to rule the tourism industry, which is one of the nation’s biggest foreign trade workers.

The secretary said the first step is to remove international tour guides from all holiday destinations.

According to Mr. Sorawong, the Thai government has the authority to move tourism organizations only. In companies with foreign shareholders, Thai shareholders must hold no less than 51 % of the shares.

To solve the issue, the government will collaborate with the Immigration Bureau, Tourism Police Bureau, Tourism Development Bureau, and the Department of Tourism to conduct an investigation into international companies suspected of employing local nominees.

The minister claimed that despite the large international travel demand, many businesses in the tourism market are struggling, and that potential constraints, which persist after the Covid-19 crisis, are preventing the sector’s recovery.

He claimed that the government is working with carriers to recover flight routes that were eliminated during the pandemic in an effort to boost power for the upcoming high tourism season, which is scheduled to begin next month.

TPB and the Department of Tourism are also working together to end “zero-dollar” travel companies, which, according to him, create a completely separate tourism habitat catering to international tourists from souvenir shops and restaurants.

More than 40 zero-dollar visit organizations have been closed by the government.

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