Taiwanese held for smuggling drugs in drive shafts

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Seven suspects including Thai woman arrested following raids in Bangkok and Samut Prakan

PUBLISHED : 19 Aug 2023 at 16:53

Taiwanese held for smuggling drugs in drive shafts
Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) pulling a package of cannabis from a heavy-truck drive shaft at a house in Lat Krabang district of Bangkok, where they arrested two suspected Taiwanese drug dealers on Friday morning. (Photo supplied)

Police arrested six Taiwanese men and a Thai woman in Bangkok and Samut Prakan on Friday for allegedly smuggling cannabis and crystal methamphetamine in truck drive shafts.

[embedded content]

Deputy national police chief Chinnapat Sarasin said the arrests followed a three-month investigation into the “Khai Huang” drug trafficking network. The arrests took place once police learned that the gang was preparing to ship the drugs overseas.

Two Taiwanese men — Chen You Ning, 34, and Lee Min Chang, 26 — were apprehended at a rented luxury house in Lat Krabang district of Bangkok on Friday morning, he said. They have been charged with possession of narcotic drugs with the intent to distribute.

Inside the house police found 17 drive shafts from heavy trucks. The shafts were about to be exported to Taiwan but inside them police discovered 1.06 kilogrammes of crystal meth or “ice” and 10kg of cannabis.

There was also equipment believed to be used to pack the drugs inside the drive shafts.

Police said Mr Chen admitted that he headed a drug gang in Taiwan. He was arrested there on narcotics charges seven months ago and released on bail. He fled by hiding aboard a cargo vessel for 15 days before reaching Thailand where he resumed his business, Pol Gen Shinapatra said.

The suspect said he had seen reports about drive shafts being used to smuggle drugs and copied the trick. He reportedly bought the equipment he needed in Chon Buri.

He also bought a kilogramme of crystal meth from a Taiwanese friend in Bangkok for 230,000 baht and sourced 40kg of cannabis from shops in Bangkok for about 70,000 baht. He paid using cryptocurrency, police said.

The other suspect, Mr Lee, was wanted in Taiwan on fraud charges.

Mr Chen’s confession led police to another rented house in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan where officers arrested four more Taiwanese men and a Thai woman. They have been charged with having illegal drugs in their possession

Tseng Yen-Ming, 31, Lin Che-Cheng, 24, Chen Yi-Wen, 23, and Chu Chun-Yen, 22, were wanted in Taiwan for fraud, narcotics offences, money-laundering and gambling charges.

The Thai woman, identified as Apinya Udom, is a 24-year-old native of Ubon Ratchathani and the girlfriend of Tseng Yen-Ming.

The four men and the woman were suspected of producing a drug cocktail called “Happy Water”. It is made by dissolving other drugs – typically a combination that can include ecstasy, methamphetamine, diazepam, caffeine and tramadol – in hot water or mixing them with sweetened drinks. Police found unspecified amounts of crystal meth and ketamine at the house.

The house in Samut Prakan was also used as a venue for drug parties, said Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thumsuthee, investigative chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and head of the arrest team.

Continue Reading

Thai restaurateur victim of apparent murder in Germany

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Woman found with throat slit in courtyard of her home

PUBLISHED : 19 Aug 2023 at 16:04

Thai restaurateur victim of apparent murder in Germany
Schedule of the funeral service of Siliya “Kung” Rothert, a 61-year-old Thai restaurateur, in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday. (Photo: Payom Supis Facebook)

A Thai woman has been reported murdered in Germany, according to a report from a local news outlet.

On Saturday, berlin.de reported that the woman was found with her throat  slit in the courtyard of her home in Fuggerstrasse, an area in the German capital of Berlin.

A report by B.Z. Berlin said that rescue workers arrived at the scene but were unable to save her.

According to the report, while a definitive cause of death has yet to be determined, a police spokeswoman said that both the location and the type of wounds indicate a homicide, and homicide police have taken on the case.

The victim’s personal belongings, including a blood-smeared purse, were secured at the scene.

Forensic officers reportedly secured a broken bottle that could have been the cause of the cut. The matter is being treated as a criminal offence.

The 61-year-old woman was later revealed by a Twitter/X user to be a Thai national and the owner of local restaurant called Thai-Art. A funeral service has been scheduled in Berlin.

The news has triggered an outpouring of condolences from the online world, with many noting that the woman, identified as Siliya “Kung” Rothert, ran a successful noodle business.

A photo from Siliya Rothert’s Facebook page shows her Thai-Art noodle restaurant in Berlin.

Continue Reading

Working toward peace in Balochistan

By:
On:
In: Asia

The nomination of Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a resident of Balochistan province, as the caretaker prime minister of Pakistan is a good decision by the powerful establishment to bring people from underdeveloped provinces into the corridors of power. Kakar’s role will be important in dealing with the issue of security and peace in Balochistan. 

Balochistan has a long history of conflict, and grievances fueled by fragile security and political policies. Since 1948, the province has witnessed around five periods of conflict between the government forces and Baloch insurgents. The first conflict between the government of Pakistan and the head of the then Kalat State on the issue of merger with Pakistan.

The other insurgencies took place in 1958, 1963, 1973, and 2005. The last started after the alleged rape of Dr Shazia Khali in Dera Bugti, and subsequently the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

The wave of unrest and violence has brought the entire province to the brink of devastation and destruction along with insecurity and instability.  

The unjust socio-economic policies of the federal governments have also added much to fueling the fire of grievances among Baloch people. Despite having a wealth of resources, a vast coastline, and a significant geo-strategic location, Balochistan is still the poorest province of Pakistan.

Healing the wounds and pains suffered by Balochistan is utterly important for Pakistan to stabilize its national, regional and extra-regional interests. 

The province is characterized by high levels of poverty, unemployment, and lack of basic health services. Civilian governments and political leaderships have focused on filling their own pockets rather than prioritizing the core issues.

Promoting equitable distribution of resources and focusing on socio-economic and development initiatives are prerequisites for an integrated and developed Balochistan.

In fact, political stability equates national stability. Balochistan is a hub of political instability and democratic failures. The stakeholders are not taking the issue seriously.

The political instability of Balochistan is a threat to the successful completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Establishing a democratic and inclusive political system is one of the important factors that will help to end insurgency. It will put the province on the road toward peace and security.

The fair representation and participation of the parliamentarians from Balochistan in national decision-making processes must be the key agenda of the civil-military leadership of Pakistan.

Academic researchers suggest that insurgency, anywhere in the world, is the result of the unjust decisions and charged grievances against the government. Balochistan is also the victim of the federal government’s unjust decisions and policies. The lack of willingness and commitment to involve rebels in the peace process has further aggravated the issue of Baloch insurgency.

Encouraging dialogue with the Baloch, addressing their grievances, and empowering them in policymaking decisions will help to weaken insurgency, and strengthen national integrity. Offering amnesty and rehabilitation programs for those Baloch militants who are willing to lay down arms will encourage the rest of the insurgents to become peaceful citizens.

For a peaceful Balochistan, improving the rule of law is significantly important. The use of violence against violence is not the key to resolve the prevailing issues in the province. Today’s unstable Balochistan is the result of misuse of power and zero accountability of the officials.

The civil-military leadership should focus on enhancing the professionalism of officials, ensuring the rule of law, and accountability in the criminal justice system. Additionally, improving the weakened local government structure, empowering local bodies, bringing provincial public departments under strict accountability and combating the pandemic of corruption are much-needed initiatives for the development and prosperity of Balochistan.

Much has been discussed and projected about investing in Balochistan, but no major change has been observed so far.

Since the beginning of the fifth phase of insurgency, both the civil and military leadership have aimed to appease rebel Baloch, and increase development budget of the poverty-stricken province, but no major changed has been seen in this regard. The much-discussed CPEC project has also given nothing to Balochistan despite big claims of investments.

The government needs to install major parts of the CPEC’s development projects in Balochistan. For peace and development, it is necessary to invest in the infrastructure to improve connectivity and ensure access to government services.

The government should also promote economic growth to stimulate trade and investment, and equitable distribution of the revenue from the natural resources. The Planning Commission of Pakistan should also promote sustainable development to protect the environment and address resource-related conflicts in strategically important province of Balochistan.

Another factor that has contributed much to the vulnerability and instability of Balochistan is the lack of quality education, information technology, and scientific and academic research.

While living in a technologically advanced world, one cannot turn a blind eye on computer science, cybersecurity, digital data analysis, artificial intelligence and e-commerce. Unfortunately Balochistan, the potential of its youth to explore the world of science, has not benefited from the support it needs to avail of this potential.

The government needs to focus on enhancing access to quality education and vocational training. Creating employment opportunities for the youth of Balochistan to reduce their vulnerability to radicalization should be the principal agenda of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

In this regard, establishing new academic institutions, promoting educational and cultural programs, attracting foreign investment and aid to support development and educational projects should be given priority. The government should also focus on collaborating with international organizations to build capacity and promote peace-building initiatives.

To ensure lasting peace in Balochistan, it is crucial to address the root causes of insurgency and implement comprehensive strategies that promote inclusivity, dialogue, economic development, political reconciliation and about all willingness and commitment. It is imperative for the all stakeholders to work mutually, and pave the way for a peaceful Balochistan.

Continue Reading

Wissanu: Thaksin will go to jail on arrival

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Former PM could seek pardon right away but if it’s refused, he must wait two years to apply again

Wissanu: Thaksin will go to jail on arrival
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (right) and Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam confer during a joint sitting of parliament in 2005. (Bangkok Post File Photo)

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will go to jail when he returns to the country, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, deputy prime minister and acting justice minister.

Mr Wissanu discussed procedures for Thaksin’s return in response to an announcement by Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn that he would arrive at Don Mueang airport at 9am on Tuesday.

It was the latest of innumerable announcements in recent months about a possible homecoming, but Ms Paetongtarn insists that this one is for real.

Although the government has not been informed officially about the planned return, officials had already made detailed preparations to receive Thaksin in response to earlier reports, Mr Wissanu said on Saturday.

Senior police and officials from the Corrections Department, the Immigration Bureau and the Metropolitan Police Bureau conferred again on Friday to confirm how they intend to handle the high-profile arrival.

When Thaksin lands at Don Mueang, he will be subject to the normal legal action and procedures for any people of similar status, Mr Wissanu said.

Thaksin would be served with an imprisonment order by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. Then corrections officials would bring him to the Corrections Department and the Klong Prem Central Prison in Chatuchak district of Bangkok, the deputy prime minister said.

Before entering the prison, Thaksin would undergo a physical checkup like other inmates, Mr Wissanu said. He was uncertain if Thaksin’s family members and relatives would be able to meet him in the prison right away.

It has been speculated that Thaksin will immediately seek a royal pardon, and that he would not be returning to the country unless he had assurances that his request would be treated favourably.

Mr Wissanu confirmed that Thaksin could seek a royal pardon or others could seek it on his behalf. However, if the request is turned down, he would have to wait two years before resubmitting it. During the two-year-long wait, he would remain imprisoned, Mr Wissanu said.

Reporters asked whether authorities had other concerns, given that parliament is scheduled to vote for a prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai Party just hours after Thaksin arrives.

Mr Wissanu, who served under Thaksin as a deputy premier 20 years ago, replied that he was uncertain if his former boss would really return on that day.

Pheu Thai is the third incarnation of the Thai Rak Thai Party that Thaksin founded more than two decades ago. Despite repeated protestations by the party, he is still its chief strategic thinker, judging by the number of flights senior Pheu Thai members and representatives of other parties take each year to visit him in Dubai, Hong Kong and elsewhere.

Pheu Thai is expected to nominate former property tycoon Srettha Thavisin for prime minister when parliament meets. However, Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn is also a prime ministerial candidate of the party.

Since being overthrown by a military coup on Sept 19, 2006, Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile, except for a brief visit to the country in 2008. During his absence, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced him to a total of 12 years in prison in four cases.

In the first case, Thaksin was found guilty of abuse of authority over the purchase by his then-wife Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra of state-owned land in the Ratchadaphisek area of Bangkok at a price below the market value, resulting in a two-year prison sentence. The 10-year statute of limitations on the court ruling expired in October 2018.

The second case led to a two-year prison sentence for the fugitive former prime minister, as he was found guilty of malfeasance in connection with the two- and three-digit lottery case.

In the third case, Thaksin received a three-year prison sentence for abusing his position by authorising 4 billion baht in loans to Myanmar through the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of Thailand. The funds were used to purchase equipment from the telecoms firm owned by his family.

The fourth case resulted in a five-year prison sentence, as the court found him guilty of using nominees to hold shares in Shin Corp, a telecommunications company, which is prohibited for any political office holder.

The statutes of limitations for the court decisions on the second, third and fourth cases have not expired.

Earlier Mr Wissanu confirmed that the combined jail term for Thaksin was 10 years.

Continue Reading

Tharman a ‘formidable opponent’, but President should not have belonged to the PAP: Ng Kok Song

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

PROTECTING SINGAPORE’S RESERVES

Mr Ng also responded to a question about how his experience at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and GIC would be relevant to the President’s role of safeguarding Singapore’s reserves.

Singapore’s reserves “is not a simple matter”, he said, adding that because of his 45 years of experience working on building and investing Singapore’s reserves, he understands the matter well.

“Now if the day arrives when a bad government wants to use our past reserves, I will know how to say no. Because I understand the international economic environment, how the Singapore economy will be very badly affected, to what extent, if there’s a crisis,” he added.

“For the President to safeguard the reserves, he must have domain expertise. It’s not enough to be just a businessman.”

Mr Ng’s campaign slogan “from the very beginning” is United For Our Future, he told journalists on Saturday.

“If we are united, Singapore has got a good future. We have plenty of economic opportunities, but we can only exploit those opportunities if we are united. So united for our future is my slogan,” he said, adding that he will announce his proposer and seconder on or shortly before Nomination Day.

When asked about his campaign strategy, Mr Ng described himself as “middle of the road”, which is an important role because he has no political affiliation.

“So I’m in a better position to unite the people of Singapore.”

His campaign will also focus on the younger generation of Singaporeans, said Mr Ng, adding that he has been using social media to reach out to them.

There are three things he would like to do if he becomes President – encourage younger Singaporeans to learn to meditate, be self-confident by learning public speaking, and learn how to save and invest money, he said.

“And when I say young people, I am not excluding the older generation. Because I believe that if the younger generation is happy, their parents, their grandparents will also be happy.”

Continue Reading

US intelligence says Ukraine’s offensive a failure

By:
On:
In: Asia

The US intelligence community says Ukraine’s offensive has failed by not reaching its stated objective, to take the city of Melitopol.

According to a report in the Washington Post, Ukraine has sought to cut off Crimea from Russia’s army in southern Ukraine. In parallel to that, Ukraine, with US and British help, has been attacking the Kerch Strait bridge that connects Russia to Crimea. While these attacks have damaged the roadway of the bridge, it is still in use.

In fact, the critical fighting is around the village of Robotyne, which is more than 5o miles (80.5 kilometers) from Melitopol. Here the Ukrainians have committed their best-trained strategic reserve forces, including the Ukrainian 82nd Airborne.

Using Western equipment – British Challenger II tanks, Marder (Schützenpanzer Marder 1) infantry fighting vehicles, US Stryker eight-wheeled tanks, Bradley Infantry fighting vehicles and US-built Mine Resistant Ambush Protected heavily armed transports (MRAPs) – the objective was to break through Russian defenses and race to Melitopol.

Map: Euronews / Facebook Screengrab

While the Ukrainians made some temporary gains, these attacks have been extremely costly in men and material. For the most part, the Russians have rolled back the attacking forces.

(If you want to amuse yourself, there are countless stories online that say the Challenger tanks will roll right through the Russians. It hasn’t happened.)

Committing reserves to the battle is a desperate move by Ukraine’s army. Should the reserves take heavy losses, as now seems to be the case, they won’t remain effective fighting units. This could doom Ukrainian plans to continue the war.

Ukraine has no manpower to replace its strategic reserves. Most of the pool of educated youths who might be drafted either bribed their way out of recruitment or left the country.

Zelensky this week fired all the military recruiters in the country. He is trying to enlist the army to carry out recruitment drives in the country, using whatever means necessary. There is now talk about grabbing men 40 years old or older for the war machine; many of the soldiers seen in the field appear already over-aged.

Even if Ukraine manages to scrape up men for the army, without training they are more a burden than anything else. Furthermore, scraping the bottom of the barrel brings in unreliable soldiers who may not want to fight.

That’s a critical problem for Ukrainian officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs), who not only need to bring recruits up to speed but also must convince them to step into the “meat grinder” and risk their lives. Even now there are examples of units that have refused to participate in engagements they regarded as suicidal.

The Russian strategy has been one of active defense in almost all sectors. The exception is in the Kharkiv oblast, where the Russians are rapidly advancing and will soon attack the town of Kupyansk, a key railway hub that Ukraine needs for running ammunition and supplies to its troops in the northeast. Many observers think Kupyansk will fall in the coming week or so.

Russia says it has not started its own offensive, but is preparing to do so. It has gathered around 100,000 troops in the northeast that could be deployed in a coming offensive. Convoys of equipment have also been seen and filmed, so the buildup process is underway. What is less clear is where Russia is going.

Some think that Russia will aim for Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. However, the Russian army has other options: it could try and trap Ukraine’s main army from the north and south, once the Ukrainian offensive peters out. This would endanger the country and could trigger an existential crisis for Kiev.

The US intelligence community’s public report does not really look ahead. But it is likely there also is a much harsher classified assessment. What is the intelligence community actually telling the White House and its National Security Council? And are they capable of paying attention?

Representative Andy Harris (R-MD), co-chair of the Congressional (pro) Ukraine caucus, has reached the conclusion that the Ukraine war is not winnable. Like others, he is talking about the possibility of a stalemate, but it is unlikely Russia will stop until it brings the conflict to a conclusion.

Russian troops have so far held the line against Ukraine’s counteroffensive. Image: Egmont Institute / Facebook / Screengrab

Unlike Ukraine, Russia does not have a manpower shortage and its war industry is now working 24/7 and seems to be producing the equipment needed for the war. This is not the case at all in the US or Europe, which have serious shortages of skilled workers and significant supply chain problems.

Key American defense companies such as Raytheon (RTX Corporation) admit they depend on critical supplies from China. It won’t be long before the Chinese shut that pipeline down. Biden wants another US$20.6 billion for Ukraine, but Congress must agree. It isn’t clear Congress will want to pump big money into a losing proposition.

The US administration wants to stretch out the war until Biden is reelected. It is promoting the idea of a stalemate to try and keep the campfires burning. But the wind is blowing and soon the rain will start. No one in Washington, it seems, has the slightest interest in talking to the Russians and settling the conflict.

Stephen Bryen is a senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy and the Yorktown Institute. This article was originally published on Weapons and Strategy, his Substack. Asia Times is republishing the article with permission. 

Continue Reading

Tan Kin Lian says he will channel public feedback if elected President

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Mr Tan also touted his experience on the international stage that would help him to represent Singapore’s interests if elected President.

From 1992 to 1997, he was the chairman of the International Co-operative and Mutual Insurance Federation. The industry association for insurers has close to 200 members in about 60 countries, according to its website.

Mr Tan said his involvement with the federation was just not limited to his years as chairman but stretched over 20 years, and that he travelled “two, three times a year” to meet counterparts in other countries.

He said his international experience was “quite adequate” next to former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, whom he described as his “most formidable candidate”.

Mr Tan added that he has “no doubt” supporters of the opposition are with him, but that he is also trying to reach out to middle-ground voters, estimated at “30 to 40 per cent” of the electorate.

He said he will tentatively hold a physical rally on Aug 25, at an unconfirmed location.

The Elections Department has said that physical rallies are not encouraged for the Presidential Election as they “may be divisive and not congruent with the unifying role of the Elected Presidency”.

“Not encouraged means it’s not illegal. So I want to have a rally because I know many people want to hear what I have to say,” said Mr Tan.

Three men have qualified for the Presidential Election – Mr Tan, Mr Tharman and former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song. The next step for them is to be nominated as candidates.

Nomination proceedings will take place on Aug 22. If more than one candidate is nominated, Singaporeans will go to the polls on Sep 1.

Continue Reading

Thaksin to return on Tuesday – daughter

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 19 Aug 2023 at 11:20

Thaksin to return on Tuesday - daughter
Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra celebrates a birthday party with her father and fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. (Photo: @ingshin21 Instagram)

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will return to Thailand on Tuesday, his youngest daughter Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra announced on social media on Saturday.

“On Tueday of Aug 22 at 9am, I will be at Don Mueang (airport) to welcome my father Thaksin,” Ms Paetongtarn, one of the Pheu Thai Party’s three prime ministerial candidates, wrote on her Instagram and X, former known as Twitter, on Saturday morning.

She also posted a message saying her father’s planned return to his home country was not cancelled but delayed, adding that this is not a nonsense statement.

On Thaksin’s 74th birthday on July 26, Ms Paetongtarn announced that her father was set to arrive at Don Mueang airport on Aug 10, but political observers, including Chuvit Kamolvisit and Jatuporn Prompan, insisted they had reasons to believe his homecoming plan was nothing but hot air. This prompted a reaction from Ms Paetongtarn, who said Mr Chuvit’s comment was ‘nonsense’.

On Aug 5, the fugitive former prime minister posted on X, saying he was postponing his return from self-exile for a couple of weeks, as a doctor wanted him to undergo health checkups.

Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon, has been living in self-imposed exile since being overthrown by a military coup on Sept 19, 2006.

Continue Reading