Analysis: Fixing Thailand’s economy to fix its political image, but it won’t be easy for Pheu Thai govt

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On Wednesday, Mr Srettha delivered a speech upon being royally endorsed as Thailand’s 30th prime minister. 

He pledged to unite all Thais, respect differences of opinion in society, and lead the Pheu Thai-led government to make Thailand “a country of hope for the new generation and a land of happiness for people of all ages”.

Although Mr Srettha is holding the reins of the government, analysts say his party will have to compromise in its governance in order to achieve its political goals, while making sure its coalition government does not fall apart.

Talks over cabinet positions are taking place ahead of an official announcement expected soon.

Local media reported Pheu Thai is likely to claim top portfolios such as finance, transport and health, while having to sacrifice other key ministries to its coalition partners in exchange for their support.

Bhumjaithai is speculated to land the interior and labour ministries, while United Thai Nation is likely to get the energy and industry ministries.

Besides balancing the coalition’s dynamic, analysts say Mr Srettha will also have to act as a nominee of Mr Thaksin and protect the interest of the Shinawatras.

His rise to power has been associated with Mr Thaksin’s return to Thailand on Tuesday after spending more than 15 years in self-imposed exile. 

His homecoming took place only a few hours before the prime ministerial selection in parliament, where Mr Srettha won the premiership with overwhelming support from both Houses.

According to Mr Yuthaporn, the Srettha administration has a hidden agenda of granting Mr Thaksin an amnesty as well as enabling a safe return of his sister – exiled former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was ousted from power in 2014 by Gen Prayut’s coup d’etat.

Following his return, Mr Thaksin was ordered by the Supreme Court to serve eight years in prison. 

However, his time in jail lasted less than a day. Citing health conditions, the authorities transferred him in the middle of the night from the medical wing of Bangkok Remand Prison – where he was kept alone – to a hospital in downtown Bangkok.

“The parliament could pass an amnesty for political prisoners more generally, and that would include Thaksin,” James Ockey, an associate professor from the University of Canterbury, told CNA’s Asia First on Wednesday.

With military-linked parties in the coalition, Mr Ockey added, the new government could potentially pass such a pardon.

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Analysis: Fixing Thailand’s economy to fix its political image, but it won’t be easy for Pheu Thai government

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In: Asia

On Wednesday, Mr Srettha delivered a speech upon being royally endorsed as Thailand’s 30th prime minister. 

He pledged to unite all Thais, respect differences of opinion in society, and lead the Pheu Thai-led government to make Thailand “a country of hope for the new generation and a land of happiness for people of all ages”.

Although Mr Srettha is holding the reins of the government, analysts say his party will have to compromise in its governance in order to achieve its political goals, while making sure its coalition government does not fall apart.

Talks over cabinet positions are taking place ahead of an official announcement expected soon.

Local media reported Pheu Thai is likely to claim top portfolios such as finance, transport and health, while having to sacrifice other key ministries to its coalition partners in exchange for their support.

Bhumjaithai is speculated to land the interior and labour ministries, while United Thai Nation is likely to get the energy and industry ministries.

Besides balancing the coalition’s dynamic, analysts say Mr Srettha will also have to act as a nominee of Mr Thaksin and protect the interest of the Shinawatras.

His rise to power has been associated with Mr Thaksin’s return to Thailand on Tuesday after spending more than 15 years in self-imposed exile. 

His homecoming took place only a few hours before the prime ministerial selection in parliament, where Mr Srettha won the premiership with overwhelming support from both Houses.

According to Mr Yuthaporn, the Srettha administration has a hidden agenda of granting Mr Thaksin an amnesty as well as enabling a safe return of his sister – exiled former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was ousted from power in 2014 by Gen Prayut’s coup d’etat.

Following his return, Mr Thaksin was ordered by the Supreme Court to serve eight years in prison. 

However, his time in jail lasted less than a day. Citing health conditions, the authorities transferred him in the middle of the night from the medical wing of Bangkok Remand Prison – where he was kept alone – to a hospital in downtown Bangkok.

“The parliament could pass an amnesty for political prisoners more generally, and that would include Thaksin,” James Ockey, an associate professor from the University of Canterbury, told CNA’s Asia First on Wednesday.

With military-linked parties in the coalition, Mr Ockey added, the new government could potentially pass such a pardon.

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Indonesia picks the F-15EX to push back on China

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Indonesia is set to acquire the latest F-15 fighter jets from the US, Jakarta’s latest move to modernize its aging air force and upgrade its defenses, namely against China in the Natuna Islands on the edge of the South China Sea.

This month, Breaking Defense reported that Indonesian and Boeing officials have signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of 24 F-15EX fighter jets for Jakarta. The report notes that the agreement followed a tour by Indonesian officials of Boeing’s production line in St Louis.

While the deal is still subject to approval by the US State Department, it is seen as an important step for Indonesia’s military as well as the US Air Force (USAF), which is also purchasing the jet to modernize its likewise aging fighter fleet.

The F-15EX is a highly advanced fighter jet developed by Boeing for the USAF. It represents the latest iteration of the F-15 series, featuring improved avionics, structural enhancements and a higher payload capacity. The F-15EX is designed to fulfill various roles, including air superiority, strike missions and multirole operations.

Air Force Technology mentions that the F-15EX has a length of 19.45 meters, a width of 13.05 meters, and a height of 5.64 meters, with an empty weight of 14,500 kilograms and a maximum take-off weight of 37,000 kilograms.

The source notes that the F-15EX can launch hypersonic weapons up to 6.7 meters long and can be operated by a single pilot. It also says the aircraft has new electronic warfare systems, advanced cockpit systems, modern sensors and radars, and advanced mission systems and software capabilities.

Breaking Defense mentions, however, that concerns over the F-15EX program persist, specifically around cost and production issues, noting that the per-unit cost could escalate to US$106 million by fiscal year 2025.

Furthermore, the report says that the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has noted production problems on the F-15EX line, possibly affecting the USAF’s initial operational capability (IOC) date.

Breaking Defense notes that Boeing must deliver six more F-15EXs, known as the program’s Lot 1B fighters, before the program’s IOC can be officially declared, which was previously expected in June 2023.

The report adds that the delivery of all six F-15EX aircraft is still scheduled for this calendar year, reflecting optimism about the program’s progress.

Indonesia has been struggling to modernize its air force, with mixed results. Asia Times noted in June 2023 that Indonesian Air Force (IDAF) officials have long expressed their desire to modernize, noting that their current fleet of aircraft is insufficient to cover the archipelagic nation’s vast airspace and address constantly evolving security requirements, particularly in regard to China’s presence near the Natuna Islands.

A China Coast Guard ship passes near an Indonesian warship in a July 2019 file photo. Photo: Indonesian Navy’s Western Region Fleet Command

As of April 2023, the IDAF operates a fighter force consisting of 49 jets made in the US and Russia. The force includes 33 F-16s, 11 Su-30s, and five Su-27s, with the Russian-made Su-30 serving is the IDAF’s primary fighter.

However, Western sanctions on Russia have prevented Indonesia from acquiring the more advanced Su-35. At the same time, its older F-16s are less capable, have limited upgrade potential and are only effective when integrated into a wider air defense strategy.

Given its financial and political constraints, Indonesia has tried multiple avenues to modernize its air force, such as co-designing a fighter jet with South Korea, purchasing used fighters from Qatar, considering Japan as a source of used fighter jet engines and buying new-build fighters from France.

In July 2023, Asia Times reported that Indonesia is still committed to South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae advanced jet fighter program despite being late on payments. Indonesia has paid 21% of the cost share through June 2023 but has yet to release a 2024-2026 payment plan timeline.

The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) seeks talks with Indonesia regarding payment plans, with Indonesia agreeing to pay 20% of the US$6.2 billion project cost as part of its efforts to modernize the IDAF.

In June 2023, Asia Times reported that Indonesia had acquired a squadron of 26-year-old Qatari Mirage 2000-5 jets with new multirole fighters to fill a hole in frontline air defenses until the government can find the money to buy new-generation multirole fighters.

The Mirages will replace Northrop F5s and will be used as a training and familiarization platform while the air force awaits the first of new Dassault Rafale jets from France. However, that approach has led to Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto having to defend his decision to acquire the old, used jets.

Moreover, Indonesia has made efforts to keep its aging fighters airworthy. Asia Times reported in June 2023 that Indonesia is considering surplus F-15 engines from Japan to power its F-16 fighters, with the two governments having previously signed an agreement regarding the transfer of defense equipment and technologies, thus paving the way for the F-15 engine deal.

Japan can provide 200 Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines from its 100 older F-15s, which will not be used due to modernization difficulties. These engines could be a valuable resource for countries that operate F-15s and F-16s, potentially leading to practical cooperation with Indonesia.

Although Japan has a de facto ban on exporting military hardware, Tokyo has previously exported sensitive military components to the US and exporting F-15 engines to Indonesia may be permitted.

Apart from those efforts, Indonesia has approached France for new-build jet fighters. In February 2022, Asia Times reported that Indonesia signed a purchase agreement for 42 French-made Rafale fighters, making it the first Southeast Asian country to acquire the jets.

The initial order includes six jets, 36 more to be delivered, and munitions and simulators. That move may have forced the US to sweeten its offer of military aircraft to court Indonesia, a crucial partner in Southeast Asia.

A Rafale fighter jet. Photo: Dassault Aviation

In response to Indonesia’s Rafale purchase, the US approved the sale of up to 36 F-15EX fighters, which, if Indonesia finally purchases, would complement its existing F-16 fleet.

Indonesia’s multifaceted fighter jet procurement program involving strategic purchases from various global powers illustrates its commitment to maintaining an independent and active foreign policy, which eschews overreliance on one strategic partner.

However, the complexities of such an approach, such as interoperability concerns and financial difficulties, can raise questions about its sustainability.

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Fukushima: The fishy business of China’s outrage over Japan’s release

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A woman selling fish at a market in Shanghai, China on 24 AugustEPA
By Frances Mao
BBC News

Japan has called on China to remove a total ban on its seafood products, imposed after Tokyo began the scientifically-endorsed release of treated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant.

China, the leading buyer of Japan’s fish, announced on Thursday it was making the order due to concerns for consumers’ health.

However, the claim is not backed by science – with the consensus from experts being that the release poses no safety risks to ocean life or seafood consumption.

“The main reason is not really the safety concerns,” international trade law expert Henry Gao told the BBC. “It is mainly due to Japan’s moves against China,” he said, noting Japan’s closer alignment to the US and South Korea in recent years.

Following the waters’ release on Thursday, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitors at the site said their tests showed the discharge had even lower radiation levels than the limits Japan has set – 1,500 becquerels/litre – which is about seven times lower than the global drinking water standard.

And despite Japanese fishermen’s fears, analysts say the trade hit to Japan’s industry will be short-lived and less than expected.

The main market for Japan’s fish remains its domestic one.

Locals consume most of the catch, so top seafood companies Nissui and Maruha Nichiro have both said they expect limited impact from China’s ban. Both companies’ stock prices were slightly up at close of trade on the day of the ban’s announcement, Reuters reported.

Beyond China, no other country has even hinted at a total ban – South Korea still bans seafood imports from Fukushima and some surrounding prefectures.

Experts say even people who scoff down lots of seafood will be exposed to only extremely low doses of radiation – in the range of 0.0062 to 0.032 microSv per year, said Mark Foreman, an associate professor of nuclear chemistry in Sweden.

Humans can safely be exposed to tens of thousands of times more than that – or up to 1,000 microSv of radiation per year, Associate Prof Foreman said.

Price to pay is not so high

Japan’s government has admitted the local fishing industry will likely take a significant hit.

It had previously criticised Beijing for spreading “scientifically unfounded claims”, and on Thursday evening, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida again beseeched Beijing to look at the research.

“We have requested the withdrawal (of China’s ban) through diplomatic channels,” Mr Kishida told reporters on Thursday night. “We strongly encourage discussion among experts based on scientific grounds.”

China and its territories Hong Kong and Macau – had already instated a partial ban on seafood from some Japanese areas- but authorities now expanded that net.

Mainland China and Hong Kong are Japan’s biggest international seafood buyers respectively, buying about $1.1bn (£866m) or 41% of Japan’s seafood exports.

Local media reported that following China’s ban, the head of a Japanese fisheries association called Japan’s Industry Minister, urging him to lobby Beijing to retract the ban.

But industry watchers are calm, knowing the usual vagaries of supply and demand in global trade.

Prof Gao said he expects some short-term disruption but “soon the exporters shall be able to shift to other markets so the long-term effect will be small.”

A cardboard sign with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is seen during a protest in Hong Kong on Friday after Japan released treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea

Reuters

And on the other side of the trade, restaurants in Chinese cities won’t be lacking in seafood delicacies. Japan supplies just 4% of the seafood China buys from abroad- Beijing buys much more from India, Ecuador and Russia, according to Chinese customs data cited by Reuters.

China’s ban on seafood will also barely scrape Japan’s overall economy.

Marine products make up less than 1% of Japan’s global trade, which is driven by car and machinery exports. Analysts say the impact of a seafood ban is negligible.

“The Fukushima water release is mostly of political and environmental significance,” Stefan Angrick, an economist at Moody’s Analytics, told Reuters.

“Economically, the ramifications of a potential ban on Japanese food shipments are minimal.”

Still, public perception around the industry’s damage and safety persists, not just in China, but South Korea where there have been crowds protesting.

In the months leading up to the water’s release, fishermen in South Korea reported a notable decline in the sale value of their catch – but prices remained stable the day after the release.

At home in Japan, polling also shows a divide. The government has made significant efforts to both reassure citizens and appease the industry. It has promised subsidies and an emergency buy-out if seafood sales dive.

On Friday, Osaka authorities proposed to serve Fukushima seafood at government buildings. Meanwhile, the company running the Fukushima plan, Tepco, said it would also provide compensation to local businesses if they suffered poor sales.

But locals are also hardy. Following China’s announcement on Thursday, many Japanese on Twitter even celebrated the ban – wryly suggesting it could mean cheaper fish at home.

“Good news amid inflation…. Even Hokkaido sea urchin will be super cheap,” one user tweeted.

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Voters would ‘prefer a chance to have’ Singapore-born President and spouse, claims Tan Kin Lian

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NO OFFICIAL ROLE FOR PRESIDENT’S SPOUSE: ANALYST

Singapore used to have the official title of “first lady” for the spouse of a male President, but that has not been the case since at least 2000, said Associate Professor Eugene Tan of Singapore Management University (SMU). 

He added that the use of “first lady” prior to 2000 was “merely a practice that had no legal basis”.

“There is as such no official role for the President’s spouse. Any courtesies extended to her is by virtue of her being the spouse of the head of state and not because of her designation as ‘first lady’.”

Assoc Prof Tan also said that Mr Tan is “engaging in negative campaigning”, referring to his comments apparently alluding to Mrs Tharman and Ms Lau.

“His nativist views are highly inappropriate and clearly self-serving,” he said, reiterating that Mr Tharman’s wife is Singaporean but of Japanese-Chinese parentage, while Ms Lau is a “naturalised” Singaporean.

“It is not only a risky grasp at winning support but one that is divisive and certainly not in keeping with the dignity and decorum of the office he is seeking to win a mandate for,” Assoc Prof Tan said. 

NEXT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BROADCAST 

Mr Tan also said on Friday that he will continue the tradition of the President’s Star Charity, which was initiated by former President Ong Teng Cheong.

He added that Mr Ong had several charities covering different groups of people and he would “study which are appropriate and relevant today” and implement those. 

Mr Tan also said he has his own ideas for charity, which will cater to older people. Further details will be provided later in his campaign, he added. 

The former NTUC Income CEO also spoke about his presidential candidate broadcast speeches, the first of which took place on Thursday evening. 

The Elections Department (ELD) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said on Thursday that there were “inaccuracies” about the President’s role in Mr Tan’s speech that had to be removed. 

The joint statement came after Mr Tan told reporters earlier in the day that IMDA asked for three paragraphs to be removed, which he considered the “most important paragraphs” of his campaign message.

Mr Tan took issue with the edits, saying that IMDA “did not have the authority to interpret the constitution in a narrow way and asked for these statements to be removed”.

For the next and final presidential candidate broadcast on Aug 30, Mr Tan said he would send his draft to IMDA early and ask if they want to remove any part of his speech.

“I don’t want to take the trouble of translating into the other languages when some parts are to be removed,” he said.

He reiterated that removing the parts in his original speech for Thursday’s broadcast was “not correct” and that “IMDA (interpreted) the constitution in their way”.

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Nigerian, 13 Thais arrested over romance scam

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Nigerian, 13 Thais arrested over romance scam
Ezeneche Uzochukwu Jerome, 45, standing left, and his accomplices in a romance scam are arrested following police raids on 14 locations in Bangkok and six other provinces. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

A Nigerian man and 13 Thais, who were members of a romance scam gang responsible for siphoning about 800 million baht out of Thailand over a span of three years, have been arrested following police operations conducted across seven provinces.

Teams of Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police on Thursday raided 14 locations – seven in Bangkok, two in Phitsanulok and one each in Pathum Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Kamphaeng Phet and Phichit, CSD commander Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan said on Friday.

Seized from the 14 suspects were 21 mobile phones, 20 bank account books, a mutual fund book, two computers, five sets of overseas money transfers, a SIM card, three memory cards and two Chanel bags.

The arrest came after a victim filed a complaint with the CSD police last year. The victim reported losing more than 1 million baht in a romance scam.

According to the victim, one of the gang members had initiated contact, using a photo of an attractive foreign woman as her profile photo on social media. The scammer, posing as an American female soldier based in Syria, engaged the victim in online conversations, professing love and plans to visit Thailand.

After establishing trust, the scammer claimed to have sent valuable parcels to him, which were held up at the airport due to taxes. The victim was coerced into paying the taxes, with promises of reimbursement, said Pol Maj Gen Montree.

Once the victim fell into the trap, the scammer asked a Thai accomplice to pose as an airport staff member, using phone calls to extract money from him for purported tax and service fees. The victim made several transfers amounting to over  a million baht, said Pol Col Pornsak Laorujiralai, deputy CSD chief.

After obtaining the victim’s money, the scammers could no longer be reached, he said.

Pol Lt Col Akkharaphon Maneewan, deputy superintendent of CSD’s subdivision 1, said police began tracking down the culprits and eventually gathered leads indicating that the gang comprised both Thai and Nigerian nationals. 

The Nigerian man was identified as Ezeneche Uzochukwu Jerome, 45, who had been previously arrested in 2018 for similar offenses and had resumed such activities after being released.

CSD investigators tracked the money trail of the Nigerian and his gang, and found that they would immediately transfer money swindled from their victims to overseas bank accounts. 

Between 2018 and 2021, about 800 million baht had been funnelled into foreign accounts, said Pol Lt Col Akkharaphon.

The CSD secured court approval to arrest the Nigerian suspect and his 13 Thai accomplices. All were held in CSD police custody for legal action.

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Primary school teacher molested 11-year-old boy in HOD room, told fellow teachers what to testify

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SINGAPORE: A 44-year-old man was convicted by a court on Friday (Aug 25) of five counts of molesting an 11-year-old student when he was a teacher at a primary school.

The man, who cannot be named due to gag orders protecting the victim’s identity, also tampered with witnesses including his fellow teachers, by giving them information so they would testify accordingly.

The judge on Friday convicted the man of all counts of molesting the 11-year-old boy five times in a Head of Department room at the unnamed school between November 2017 and October 2018.

In a case that pitted the victim’s testimony against the man’s bare denial, the judge found that the prosecution had established all charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Multiple witnesses testified in the case, including the boy, his relatives, the school’s principal and teachers, as well as former students.

THE BOY’S BACKGROUND

Deputy Public Prosecutors Lim Ying Min and Angela Ang said the victim was from a fractured family, with his parents separating when he was an infant.

The offender took advantage of this, gaining the trust of the victim and his mother as a teacher and mentor in the victim’s life, said Ms Lim.

The boy was largely cared for by different people at various points in his life, including his grandparents, his great-grandmother and a housekeeper.

After being moved to a different primary school in 2016, he felt sad, lost and alone as he did not know anyone. He testified that he did not have a good relationship with his new stepfather, who would allegedly scold and beat him, leaving bruises.

In this period, the boy joined a co-curricular activity (CCA) that the offender was in charge of.

The teacher later appointed the boy as a leader of the CCA and the boy would meet the teacher in his office at the HOD room to discuss CCA matters.

In 2017, the boy began confiding in the teacher about his family problems.

The teacher also asked the boy to be his godson.

They grew so close that even the boy’s mother came to rely on the teacher. But she said she did not know that her son had been going out alone with the teacher, or that he had become the teacher’s godson.

However, the teacher began molesting the boy. The boy testified that the first incident occurred before the school holidays in late 2017, when he was alone in the teacher’s cubicle.

He said he was telling the teacher about his family issues when the teacher placed his hands across the boy’s waist and molested him over his shorts.

The boy testified that he was shocked and uncomfortable and left the HOD room. He also felt embarrassed and did not know what to do.

The molesting continued another four times, with the final incident occurring when the boy confided in the teacher about having to move out and how he had cried as he felt his mother no longer wanted him.

The teacher stood up from his seat to hug the boy, before molesting him.

The boy testified that his focus was not on the teacher’s touch at this time because he was too emotional about having to move out. 

This account was supported by his mother’s testimony, in which she said she had made the decision over concerns that her husband would punish her son harshly over his behavioural issues.

HOW THE OFFENCES WERE DISCOVERED

The offences came to light by “sheer chance”, said the prosecution, after the victim’s brother found out that the teacher was celebrating the victim’s birthday.

The victim told his brother that his teacher was taking him out for dinner to celebrate his birthday and was buying him a bicycle as a gift.

The brother thought this odd as he felt teachers did not usually do such things and asked for a photo of the teacher.

When the victim showed his brother a photo of the teacher, his brother jokingly said that the teacher looked “gay” and asked if he had touched the victim.

When the victim turned silent, his brother sensed something amiss and repeated his question. The victim then said that the teacher had touched his private parts.

The victim eventually told his uncle and brother what happened and demonstrated the acts.

The victim’s mother spoke to him about the seriousness of the matter and the consequences of his allegations but the boy stuck to his story.

After the mother reported the incident to the school, the principal arranged for a meeting with the victim and the lead school counsellor. The principal noted that the victim looked “uncomfortable and uneasy” at first, appearing “embarrassed and awkward” and eventually breaking down and crying.

The principal later told the boy’s mother to file a police report, which she did that same day.

The boy testified that he did not say or do anything to stop the teacher because the teacher was bigger than him, and he was afraid that the teacher might do something to him.

He also did not dare to tell his family about what happened because he did not think they would believe him. He also felt they would not have trusted him at the time because he had lied to them about homework, classes and other things.

He also said he did not want to “break” his relationship with the teacher, who had helped him a lot and whom he was grateful for.

At trial, the man downplayed his relationship with the boy and denied knowing about the boy’s family issues despite evidence showing otherwise, said Ms Lim.

The teacher, who was defended by Mr Gino Hardial Singh, claimed that the victim had concocted the allegations because he refused to give the boy a bicycle.

He called the boy a compulsive liar and said he could not have committed the offences because he did not meet students alone in the HOD room, and because of his busy after-school schedule.

He argued that he could not have committed the offences in most of the charges as he had only moved to the cubicle in question in September 2018.

His previous cubicle was visible to people outside the glass door of the HOD room, he claimed.

He also gave inconsistent evidence, such as saying that he did not talk to the victim about the victim being scolded or beaten by his stepfather, even though he had said otherwise to the police.

THE WITNESS TAMPERING

The prosecution said the teacher had persistently tried to obstruct the court of justice in the course of trial, despite numerous warnings.

During the first tranche of the trial, the teacher had sent an image to prove that he was still sitting in a certain cubicle until September 2018 to two defence witnesses.

The witnesses were part of a group chat where they were discussing the seating movements in the HOD room, saying that they were unclear about what happened.

One of the witnesses later confirmed during the trial that the accused was trying to convince the group so they would testify accordingly.

The accused had also contacted a prosecution witness – the principal of the school – by sending her an email while the trial was ongoing. 

The accused also met up with defence witnesses and discussed the evidence that they needed to give in court that would be helpful to his defence, including a discussion on his seating arrangement in the HOD room.

In January 2023, the accused contacted a former teacher who was a prosecution witness, telling her that he had left her a birthday present at her home the day before.

The accused also sent messages to one of the defence witnesses saying he had “no choice” but to try and jolt her memory as it was quite critical for him.

He then sent a series of images to the witness, along with his own narration of a chronology of events. He reminded her that when she took the stand, the prosecution would ask her questions like how sure she was, and that she would “say these lor”.

This was despite the witness saying that she could not recall the matters, and expressing surprise that the accused could. The accused then told her to “correct all the wrong” done by a prosecution witness.

The accused also sent a message to participants of a group chat comprising some defence witnesses, saying that they needed to have “some coordination”. He was later cross-examined about this and conceded that he wanted the defence witnesses to testify based on whatever information he had on hand.

One of the defence witnesses confirmed that she understood this to mean that the accused wanted to coordinate what the defence witnesses were to say in court.

She also conceded in cross-examination that the accused had been trying to coordinate the testimonies to ensure that they were consistent and would assist his case.

The teacher also met up with one of the defence witnesses for lunch, preparing a document titled “Evidences” which he sent to the witness. He asked the witness to disseminate it to the rest of the witnesses, and this witness sent the document to a group chat.

The accused later asked one of the witnesses to delete their group chat, where they had discussed evidence despite not being supposed to. He also gave instructions on what to say if the police asked about the group chats. 

The prosecution said it was “abundantly clear” that the accused had proven himself to be “a deceitful witness unworthy of credit”.

The man will return to court for mitigation and sentencing next week.

CNA has contacted the Ministry of Education for more information.

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Xi, Modi hold rare sitdown for China-India border talks

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“The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace.” India’s foreign secretary said Modi had highlighted unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that divides India’s Himalayan region of Ladakh fromContinue Reading

What to expect at Grand Prix Season Singapore 2023: Parties, food, music from Orchard Road to Sentosa

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Formula 1 season is right around the corner and this year’s Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) will be back with a range of precinct parties and events at four locations across the island from Sep 8 to 17.

Under the theme Circuit of Festivity, the events will be held at Orchard Road, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam and Sentosa. These will be complementing the actual Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 experience, from the races themselves to the musical acts such as Kings of Leon, Post Malone, Robbie Williams and Jackson Wang.

“The curated line-up of offerings across multiple facets such as dining, entertainment and retail showcase the best of Singapore’s lifestyle experiences, which both locals and visitors can enjoy,” said Ong Ling Lee, executive director, Sports and Wellness, Singapore Tourism Board.

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect at each place:

WHERE: ORCHARD ROAD

A light and sound show titled Revolutions: The GPSS Immersive Experience, done by Singaporean artist Brandon Tay, will be the main attraction, located in a dome structure at ION Orchard.

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