Srettha plans visit to Laos

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will visit Laos in an attempt to strengthen the nation’s relations with the neighbouring country, according to media reports yesterday.

The decision was taken after a courtesy phone call from the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, in which he congratulated Mr Srettha on becoming Thailand’s 30th prime minister.

Mr Sonexay praised Mr Srettha, saying his economic experience will benefit both countries. Mr Srettha assured Thailand will continue to improve ties with Laos.

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UN: ‘Hundreds of thousands’ trafficked into scam centres

Southeast Asian countries urged to ‘break the cycle of impunity’ that allows criminals to thrive

UN: ‘Hundreds of thousands’ trafficked into scam centres
Thai police in 2022 rescued two dozen people being held against their will by Chinese scam gangs in this building Sihanoukville, Cambodia. (Photo: Sai Mai Will Survive Facebook group)

Hundreds of thousands of people are being trafficked by criminal gangs and forced to work in scam centres and other illegal online operations that have sprung up across Southeast Asia in recent years, the United Nations said in a report on Tuesday.

The report cited “credible sources” estimating that at least 120,000 people across Myanmar and around 100,000 in Cambodia may be trapped in scam operations, with other criminal-owned enterprises in Laos, the Philippines and Thailand ranging from crypto-fraud to online gambling.

“People who are coerced into working in these scamming operations endure inhumane treatment while being forced to carry out crimes. They are victims. They are not criminals,” said Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Cambodian police spokesperson Chhay Kim Khoeun said he had not seen the UN report but questioned the number.

“I don’t know how to respond, where did they get the (100,000) number from? Have they investigated? Where did they get the data? Foreigners are just saying things.”

Myanmar’s military-run government did not respond to requests for comment.

The UN Human Rights Office report was one of the most detailed of the phenomenon that has emerged since the Covid pandemic, fuelled by closure of casinos that prompted moves into less regulated areas in Southeast Asia.

The fast-growing scams centres are generating billions of U.S. dollars in revenue each year, the report said.

“Faced with new operational realities, criminal actors increasingly targeted migrants in vulnerable situations … for recruitment into criminal operations, under the pretence of offering them real jobs,” the report said.

It said most of the trafficking victims were from other Southeast Asian countries as well as China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, but some were recruited from as far away as Africa and Latin America.

The UN rights office called on regional governments to strengthen rule of law and tackle corruption to “break the cycle of impunity” that allows criminal enterprises to thrive.

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Chinese couple held for B1.5-billion fraud

Duo arrested in Pattaya wanted in China for bilking compatriots, say immigration police

Chinese couple held for B1.5-billion fraud
An immigration officer shows a chart detailing the arrest of a Chinese couple in Pattaya. (Capture from a clip posted by Police TV)

A Chinese couple has been arrested for allegedly running fraudulent investment schemes in China causing more than 1.5 billion baht in damage, according to the Immigration Bureau.

The arrest was announced on Tuesday at a briefing held by Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat Sajjapan, the Bureau commissioner, about a crackdown on foreign criminals who have fled to Thailand.

He said the arrest was made at the request of Chinese authorities, who said the pair were believed to have fled to Thailand after swindling people out of the equivalent of 1.5 billion baht.

Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat said police tracked them down to a hotel in Pattaya and revoked their visas before handing them over for further action.

He said another Chinese national was arrested for concealing assets worth 600 million baht gained from an illegal gambling website run by her husband. The 29-year-old woman had fled to Thailand while her husband was believed to have gone to Singapore.

As well, the commissioner said, a 37-year-old South Korean man wanted in his home country for smuggling methamphetamine was arrested for overstaying his visa, which had expired in September last year.

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Police hunt scam suspects linked to family killing tragedy

Man forced to pay colleague’s car loan, wife tried to help but was deceived by scammers and losses mounted

Police hunt scam suspects linked to family killing tragedy
A police officer, forensic officers and a rescue worker arrive at a three-storey townhouse where a woman and her two sons were killed and her husband was found severely injured, in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan early Monday morning. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)

Police are hunting for five suspects who owned mule accounts associated with a scam gang linked to a family tragedy in Samut Prakan, where a man despondent over debts killed his wife and two sons and then slashed his own throat.

The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has found evidence of transactions made by Wipaporn Racha, the 44-year-old wife of Sanit Dokmai, who committed the killings, to eight accounts  linked to the five suspects.

The money was withdrawn and transferred to a country abroad, Pol Gen Sompong Chingduang, a special adviser to the Royal Thai Police, said on Tuesday.

Police are reviewing security video to identify the suspects who withdrew the money and coordinating with banks to look into the transaction routes, he added.

Arrest warrants have been issued for the five suspects who opened the mule accounts.

The tragedy unfolded at the family’s three-storey townhouse on a road behind Wat Nam Daeng in tambon Bang Kaeo of Bang Phli district and was reported to local police at about 1am on Monday.

Police found the bodies of two boys, aged 9 and 13, and their mother, who had deep neck and body wounds. Mr Sanit, 41, had a deep slash across his neck and wrist but survived and was taken to hospital.

Pol Lt Col Rangsan Kamsuk, acting superintendent of the Bang Kaeo Police, said the tragic chain of events began when Mr Sanit was asked by his employer to act as a guarantor for him as he wanted to refinance his car. The employer did not repay the loan and filed for bankruptcy.

A lawsuit was then filed against Mr Sanit, who had to repay around 600,000 baht as the guarantor or risk losing his house.

He thought he could clear the debt if he could get a small loan. His wife wanted to help, so she looked for a personal loan on social media and became a victim of a scam gang.

Police said she wanted a loan of about 100,000 baht but was tricked by scammers and ended up borrowing a total of 1.7 million baht from colleagues and other sources and transferred the money to the fraudsters.

Later, creditors were demanding repayment from his family every day. The damage from the scam could have been the last straw leading to the tragedy, said police.

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Police hunt scam gang linked to family killing tragedy

Man forced to pay colleague’s car loan, wife tried to help but was deceived by scammers and losses mounted

Police hunt scam gang linked to family killing tragedy
A police officer, forensic officers and a rescue worker arrive at a three-storey townhouse where a woman and her two sons were killed and her husband was found severely injured, in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan early Monday morning. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)

Police are hunting for five suspects who owned mule accounts associated with a scam gang linked to a family tragedy in Samut Prakan, where a man despondent over debts killed his wife and two sons and then slashed his own throat.

The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has found evidence of transactions made by Wipaporn Racha, the 44-year-old wife of Sanit Dokmai, who committed the killings, to eight accounts  linked to the five suspects.

The money was withdrawn and transferred to a country abroad, Pol Gen Sompong Chingduang, a special adviser to the Royal Thai Police, said on Tuesday.

Police are reviewing security video to identify the suspects who withdrew the money and coordinating with banks to look into the transaction routes, he added.

Arrest warrants have been issued for the five suspects who opened the mule accounts.

The tragedy unfolded at the family’s three-storey townhouse on a road behind Wat Nam Daeng in tambon Bang Kaeo of Bang Phli district and was reported to local police at about 1am on Monday.

Police found the bodies of two boys, aged 9 and 13, and their mother, who had deep neck and body wounds. Mr Sanit, 41, had a deep slash across his neck and wrist but survived and was taken to hospital.

Pol Lt Col Rangsan Kamsuk, acting superintendent of the Bang Kaeo Police, said the tragic chain of events began when Mr Sanit was asked by his employer to act as a guarantor for him as he wanted to refinance his car. The employer did not repay the loan and filed for bankruptcy.

A lawsuit was then filed against Mr Sanit, who had to repay around 600,000 baht as the guarantor or risk losing his house.

He thought he could clear the debt if he could get a small loan. His wife wanted to help, so she looked for a personal loan on social media and became a victim of a scam gang.

Police said she wanted a loan of about 100,000 baht but was tricked by scammers and ended up borrowing a total of 1.7 million baht from colleagues and other sources and transferred the money to the fraudsters.

Later, creditors were demanding repayment from his family every day. The damage from the scam could have been the last straw leading to the tragedy, said police.

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Chemical fire at Laem Chabang port, workers evacuated

Chemical fire at Laem Chabang port, workers evacuated
Firemen continue to spray water on the blackened container of hazardous chemicals that caught fire at Laem Chabang port in Si Racha district, Chon Buri, on Tuesday. (Photo: Pongpat Wongyala)

A fire in a container with a cargo of hazardous chemicals at Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri province forced the evacuation of 183 workers on Tuesday, with six being treated for respiratory problems.

The fire at the JWD warehouse in tambon Thung Sukhla of Si Racha district sent thick black smoke spreading over the area. It was brought under control in about 30 minutes.

Health permanent secretary Opas Karnkawinpong said the fire began about 10am in a  shipping container stored at the dangerous goods warehouse of JWD Co. The container held a shipment of organic peroxides packed in 378 wardrobe boxes, each weighing 18 kilogrammes.

The fire gave off a strong smell. Firemen sprayed water to prevent the fumes spreading to other areas and the flames were soon brought under control, Dr Opas said.

The company evacuated 183 workers from the area. Six of them were found to be suffering respiratory problems. Medics gave first aid before they were sent to a nearby hospital.

Health officials screened 54 workers in an observation area and another 23 in the parking zone. No abnormal symptoms were found. They also provided health screening for residents of communities within a five-kilometre radius, and found nothing abnormal, Dr Opas said.

He said 100 N95 grade masks were handed out to workers in the area. Local leaders were instructed to tell residents to wear face masks all the time and be alert for any symptoms they were affected. If they had any symptoms they should immediately alert local leaders and health volunteers, who would take them to Laem Chabang Hospital.

Chon Buri governor Thawatchai Srithong led officials to inspect the scene at 2.45pm and was fully briefed. 

Organic peroxides are used in the production of polymers used to make a wide range of everyday products, from running shoes to buttons, and are very flammable.  

The fire in a container containing organic peroxides was quickly brought under control. (Photo: Pongpat Wongyala)

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Democrats in no rush to lead opposition

Move Forward leader’s status must be clarified before any decision is made, says Chuan

Democrats in no rush to lead opposition
Former Democrat Party leader Chuan Leekpai arrives at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok for a party meeting to select a new leader on July 9. The meeting was called off for lack of a quorum, the second failed attempt to choose a successor to Jurin Laksanawisit. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

It is too soon for the Democrat Party to consider becoming the lead party in the opposition even though the much larger Move Forward Party (MFP) has expressed no interest in the post, says former party leader Chuan Leekpai.

The case involving the qualifications of MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who has the right to assume the post, is not settled, Mr Chuan said on Tuesday. Consequently, he said, it would be premature for the Democrats to give any thought to the role.

Last week Mr Pita said in a media interview that neither he nor his party wanted to be leader of the opposition. If he chose not to take on the role, then Move Forward MP Padipat Suntiphada would get to keep his post as deputy House speaker.

Under Section 106 of the charter, the opposition leader is appointed from the largest party in that camp. But an MP from the leading opposition party cannot serve as a cabinet minister or as the House speaker or deputy speaker.

Move Forward won 151 seats in the May 14 election, more than any other party, but was unable to get Mr Pita approved as prime minister in parliament, and later moved to the opposition benches.

The Democrats won just 25 seats and have been in turmoil since Jurin Laksanawisit stepped down as leader to take responsibility for the poor showing. Two attempts to select a new leader have ended in failure.

Mr Pita himself is suspended as an MP pending a court ruling on his media shareholding case, so the post is expected to be vacant until that case is finalised.

Mr Chuan said the Democrat Party would make a decision only once it becomes clear that Move Forward will definitely not take the opposition leadership role.

“The opposition leader post is important because it receives royal endorsement. Normally the biggest opposition party will take the post. But due to the problems it is understandable why the post is vacant,” he said.

Mr Chuan also said that because the Pheu Thai-led government is not yet fully formed, Mr Padipat need not step as a deputy speaker.

“Don’t make assumptions until the [MFP] leader’s problems are settled,” he said.

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Rights commission demands more help for refugees

Thousands have fled fighting in Myanmar for camps in Mae Hong Son

Rights commission demands more help for refugees
Soldiers and local officials visit a refugee camp in Mae Sariang district of Mae Hong Son on July 7. (Photo: Radio Thailand, Mae Sariang Facebook)

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed growing concern about the Myanmar refugees who have been living in shelters in Mae Hong Son province since June after fleeing violence across the border.

Intensified fighting between the Karenni Army (KA) and the Myanmar junta has driven more than 9,400 civilians across the border, the commission said on Tuesday. They are living in five shelters in three districts of Mae Hong Son —  Muang, Khun Yuam and Mae Sariang — across from Kayah state.

Conditions have become worse after recent airstrikes blocked transport links, including food delivery routes, the NHRC said.

In light of the poor conditions, the NHRC is demanding related agencies provide emergency humanitarian aid, including safe spaces for more to seek refuge along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Local administrations, civil society groups, the Thai Red Cross and international agencies also need to provide refugees with shelter, food, clothing and wellness necessities while living in camps.

The commission also stipulates that state agencies uphold the internationally accepted principle of non-refoulement, meaning that people should not be sent back to a country where their rights would be in danger of violation, or security and lives at risk.

The principle is also enshrined in the new Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act that took effect in Thailand this year.

The NHRC also urged authorities to respect refugees’ humanity as well as provide equal treatment for all refugees, whatever their nationality and status.

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Rights body demands more help for refugees

Thousands have fled fighting in Myanmar for camps in Mae Hong Son

Rights body demands more help for refugees
Soldiers and local officials visit a refugee camp in Mae Sariang district of Mae Hong Son on July 7. (Photo: Radio Thailand, Mae Sariang Facebook)

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed growing concern about the Myanmar refugees who have been living in shelters in Mae Hong Son province since June after fleeing violence across the border.

Intensified fighting between the Karenni Army (KA) and the Myanmar junta has driven more than 9,400 civilians across the border, the commission said on Tuesday. They are living in five shelters in three districts of Mae Hong Son —  Muang, Khun Yuam and Mae Sariang — across from Kayah state.

Conditions have become worse after recent airstrikes blocked transport links, including food delivery routes, the NHRC said.

In light of the poor conditions, the NHRC is demanding related agencies provide emergency humanitarian aid, including safe spaces for more to seek refuge along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Local administrations, civil society groups, the Thai Red Cross and international agencies also need to provide refugees with shelter, food, clothing and wellness necessities while living in camps.

The commission also stipulates that state agencies uphold the internationally accepted principle of non-refoulement, meaning that people should not be sent back to a country where their rights would be in danger of violation, or security and lives at risk.

The principle is also enshrined in the new Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act that took effect in Thailand this year.

The NHRC also urged authorities to respect refugees’ humanity as well as provide equal treatment for all refugees, whatever their nationality and status.

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Wissanu defends Pol Gen Patcharawat’s suitability for cabinet post

Wissanu defends Pol Gen Patcharawat's suitability for cabinet post
Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. (File photo)

Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday that Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon’s earlier dismissal from the position of national police chief did not disqualify him from serving in the new Srettha cabinet.

The former police chief is tipped to be appointed a deputy prime minister and minister for natural resources and the environment.

Mr Wissanu, the cabinet’s legal guru, said although Pol Gen Patcharawat was dismissied from the  position of national police chief, he was later reinstated by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). This meant that there had effectively been no dismissal order, Mr Wissanu said.

His appointment would therefore not be in breach of the constitution, he said.

Mr Wissanu was responding to complaints that Pol Gen Patcharawat, chief adviser of the Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) and younger brother of party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, might not be qualifed for the cabinet because of his prior dismissal. 

Patcharawat was removed by the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration in 2009 for his role in the violent crackdown on anti-government protesters in October 2008. The NCPO, which took power in the 2014 coup, reinstated him.

Asked how long the cabinet secretariat would need to scrutinise the qualifications of those chosen for cabinet positions, Mr Wissanu said the process would be quick unless there were problems, in which case it would take a little more time.

Asked to comment on the list of proposed cabinet ministers, Mr Wissanu said he had not seen it and learned of it only from news reports.

Asked about the atmosphere during the outgoing cabinet’s last meeting on Tuesday, he said it was fun-filled wih a lot of photos being taken. There was no sadness, the departing deputy prime minister said – it was joyful.

Outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the other ministers did not say anything profound or special, he said.

Personally, he had no words of advice for the new cabinet ministers. They were all capable people.

“Administering the country is not difficult, but a joint administration without conflict is difficult,” Mr Wissanu said.

“I believe and trust in the leadership of the new prime minister, who came from the beginning with the idea of bringing an end to political polarization and stepping away from conflict, and that he will be able to do his job and do it right, as he earlier mentioned.

“Diligence, honesty, patience, prudence and transparency are the duty of the cabinet. Everything  will run smoothly if these are followed,’’ Mr Wissanu said.

Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, younger brother of Palang Pracharath Party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, front row right, and other MPs at the ceremony marking the royal appointment of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai Party at the office of the prime minister on Aug 23. (Photo: Government House)

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