NSB top brass among 9 held over online gambling sites
Arrests follow recent report of kidnapping
A police major general from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) is one of nine suspects who have been arrested on suspicion of running three online gambling websites, according to deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn.
Pol Gen Surachate said yesterday the police major general was a classmate of his at the Royal Police Cadet Academy and owned the gambling websites identified as RRD789, BLUE789 and SEXY789.
He said his former classmate denied the accusations.
The nine suspects were charged with illegally hosting electronic gambling and laundering money.
The arrests followed a complaint from Chertkiat Saksi, 24, who said he worked as a programmer and administrator of the gambling websites and was abducted from his apartment in the Chok Chai area of Bangkok and taken to a coffee shop in Chon Buri province on Jan 12. The operation of the online gambling sites was based in Chon Buri.
Mr Chertkiat told police that seven suspects accused him of stealing money from the gambling websites as revenue had declined. He was assaulted and forced to pay 100,000 baht for his freedom. He also told police the owner of the online gambling sites was Pol Maj Gen Eakkapop Intawiwat, 54, a commander of the NSB.
Pol Gen Surachate yesterday announced that all seven suspects had been arrested along with another police officer who gave Mr Chertkiat’s address to them.
Pol Gen Surachate said investigators would examine the source of the assets of the nine suspects including the senior police officer, worth about 200 million baht in total.
No thaw after Blinken visit to China as US allies slip their leash
Investment Strategy: An intellectual excursion to 2024
David Woo writes that recent legal cases involving Hunter Biden and Donald Trump have had little impact on the markets so far. However, the upcoming 2024 election, which is already shaping up to be a vote on American democracy, could have long-term market implications.
No thaw after Blinken visit to China as US allies slip their leash
David Goldman forecasts that US-China relations are likely to freeze rather than improve. As tensions continue and potentially worsen, escalated rhetoric and accusations can be expected from Washington with China remaining wary of ongoing economic pressure from the US.
Ukrainian counteroffensive stalls as Russian forces gain ground
James Davis details several developments that could impact the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. So far, the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian forces has not yielded significant success and much of Kiev’s goals, such as cutting off the land bridge to Crimea, remain unfulfilled.
Chip War cooling off as Micron invests $600 million in China
Scott Foster observes that despite previous concerns about security risks, Micron’s decision to invest in China suggests a shift in the chip war dynamics as reports of Chinese companies completely ceasing to purchase from Micron appear to be incorrect.
Phuket loses Expo bid
Belgrade chosen to host international event after four rounds of voting
Phuket has lost its bid to host the Specialised Expo 2027-28, which has been awarded to Belgrade, Serbia.
The decision was announced on Wednesday after four rounds of voting by member countries of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)
Phuket had been planning its bid for the event since 2020, seeing it as a big economic difference-maker that could attract 7 million visitors and generate income of 50 billion baht over a three-month period.
The Thailand bid team proposed Phuket as the site of events and exhibitions that would showcase the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”.
But Belgrade prevailed and its exhibition, under the theme of “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”, will be staged from May 15 to Aug 15, 2027.
Representatives of eligible BIE members on Wednesday elected the host country in a secret ballot using electronic voting. As no candidate received the two-thirds majority required to win in the first three rounds, Serbia and Spain moved into a final round, where a simple majority of votes cast was required to be selected.
In the first round, Thailand received 16 votes, placing fourth in a five-country field that also included the United States, Serbia, Spain and Argentina. Thailand fell out of the running in the second round after placing fourth, and the US was eliminated in the third round. That left Serbia and Spain in the fourth round, with the former winning by 74 votes to 53.
China slams Biden for equating Xi to ‘dictators’
“DISTORTION OF FACTS” The multi-faceted rivalry between China and the United States turned into a full-blown diplomatic crisis with February’s balloon incident. Beijing on Wednesday reiterated its protest against Washington’s decision to shoot it down. “The United States should have dealt with it calmly, rationally and professionally, but its distortionContinue Reading
âWild Boarsâ governor Narongsak dies of cancer
Career civil servant won worldwide praise for calm leadership during dramatic cave rescue
Narongsak Osotthanakorn, the former Chiang Rai governor who won worldwide praise for his leadership of the mission to rescue the “Wild Boars” football team from the Tham Luang cave in 2018, has died of cancer at the age of 58.
Narongsakak, who served most recently as governor of Pathum Thani, passed away peacefully at 5.40pm on Wednesday at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, where he was being treated.
A career civil servant, Narongsak was known for a scrupulous and no-nonsense approach that sometimes got him in trouble with his bosses at the Interior Ministry. In his 15 months as governor of Chiang Rai, he refused to sign off on some controversial projects billed as economic stimulus as he suspected irregularities.
A transfer from Chiang Rai to Phayao — believed by many to be a demotion — was already in the works when fate intervened, in the form of a boys’ football team that had become trapped in a flooded cave on June 23, 2018.
As the rescue effort got under way and began to attract experts from many countries — along with hordes of reporters — it became clear that a steady hand would be needed to coordinate all the moving parts. Narongsak rose to the occasion, and the Interior Ministry agreed to delay his transfer until the mission to bring the 13 people out of the cave was complete.
At the launch of the rescue mission, Narongsak declared that any officials who felt daunted by the tough rescue task ahead could go home.
“Anyone who cannot make enough sacrifices can go home and stay with their families,” he said. “You can sign out and leave straight away. I will not report any of you. For those who want to work, you must be ready any second. Just think of them as our own children.”
Reflecting a year later on the success of the mission, Narongsak proposed that an anniversary event should be held each year to keep the memory alive.
“I wish to see an anniversary every year at Tham Luang Cave to remember what we achieved. I want to remember the 18 days in which everyone displayed the power of cooperation,” he said.
When the Asia Society decided to give its Asia Game Changer Award to “The Rescue Team at the Tham Luang Caves”, it invited Narongsak to New York to accept it.
He said he hoped the rescue would lead to more people doing good deeds in the future.
“The mission (was conducted without regard) for race or nationality, and it united humanity as a whole,” he told his audience. “With over 10,000 people involved, even if one function was missing, we would not have been able to do it.
“I wish the entire incident would inspire everyone to start living for others. This small change could be a game changer for the world.”
More recently, Narongsak was being courted to consider a bigger stage after successful stints as a governor in Phayao, Lampang and Pathum Thani. The ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) was reported to have expressed interest in making him its candidate in the Bangkok governor election. He politely declined.
“I’d rather take care of folks in the provinces,” he said.
Narongsak is the second person associated with the Wild Boars drama to pass away recently. Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep, 17, the captain of the football team, died in at the Brooke House College Football Academy in Leicester, England.
Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn prepares to enter a press briefing on the mission to rescue the boys trapped in the Tham Luang cave on July 3, 2018. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Prayut starts âpacking upâ belongings
Government House office gradually being prepared for new occupant
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has begun packing up his belongings in preparation for vacating his office at Government House.
The moving-out process began after the Election Commission (EC) on Monday certified the election of all 500 MPs from both the constituency and party-list systems.
Gen Prayut on Wednesday reported to work as usual amid a quiet atmosphere at Government House.
A source said packing was under way, with the general’s personal team removing the few belongings and valuable items from the prime minister’s office, including Buddha images.
The items were returned to Gen Prayut’s residence at the 1st Infantry Regiment base in Bangkok. Some important documents, the nature of which was not specified, were also sent home with Gen Prayut while non-essential documents were binned as the office was being cleared for the incoming occupant.
The source said Gen Prayut would carry on his duties as prime minister and defence minister until the new cabinet is sworn in and officially assumes office.
A source in the cabinet, citing Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, said a joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate is expected to convene on July 13 to select a new prime minister.
The appointment of the new cabinet is expected on July 21, and the swearing-in ceremony for new ministers is tipped for late July, according to the source, adding it is up to the House speaker to set specific dates.
Meanwhile, Mr Wissanu said on Wednesday that Pirapan Salirathavibhaga need not resign as secretary-general to the prime minister until the swearing-in of the new MPs.
Mr Pirapan, also leader of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party of which Gen Prayut is the chief adviser, can carry on in the job while he registers as an MP with the EC.
Although the law forbids an MP from concurrently holding public office, MP status is not made official until the swearing-in process is complete.
Myanmar refugees in Mae Hong Son get help
Governor says nearly 4,000 displaced by recent fighting are sheltering in two camps
Authorities in Mae Hong Son say they have assisted almost 4,000 Myanmar refugees who fled fighting between ethnic groups and the Myanmar military.
Clashes took place along the border in Bang Sao Hin in tambon Sao Hin of Sariang district and Ban Pha Khae in tambon Mae Ki of Khun Yuam district, which forced 3,904 Myanmar residents to seek refuge in two border districts of Mae Hong Son.
A total of 3,211 were brought to the Bang Sao Hin shelter in tambon Sao Hin, while the remaining were taken to the Ban Pha Khae shelter.
Provincial governor Chettha Mosikkharat, along with his deputy, officials and the Red Cross, on Wednesday provided humanitarian assistance, including survival kits donated by local people, to refugees in the shelters.
Mr Chettha, in his capacity as director of the Thai-Myanmar border administration centre, said he had updated state agencies on the situation. He said Thailand would remain neutral in the conflict as officials and security agencies provided humanitarian aid to the refugees.
He called on local residents not to travel near areas close to the fighting. Mr Chettha also urged the media to report accurately to avoid panic, adding that people can also receive reports from the centre.
Prosecutors indict âMek Ramaâ for online gambling
Husband of actress among 10 facing charges including money laundering
Prosecutors have indicted Rama “Mek Rama” Rassameerama, the husband of Thai actress Yardthip Rajpal, and nine others on charges of collusion in online gambling and money laundering.
Mr Rama, 36, and his co-accused were arrested during raids in Bangkok and other provinces on March 30 this year.
According to the indictment, the 10 defendants are accused of colluding in running the gambling website www.๑six๘.com and persuading people to play baccarat online.
Money circulating in the bank accounts of the accused, along with other assets, was derived from persuading people to gamble online, according to the indictment. The offences date back to Feb 24 last year and continued into this year.
The court accepted the indictment and would hold its first hearing on Thursday, said Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General.
The 10 men are all being detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison. In addition to Mr Rama, the others are Navaprin Thongnoi, 31; Naruephong Luenam, 29; Ratthasart Wongcheewasut, 32; Chukiart Uangram, 28; Chakhorn Supamaneewitsiri 33; Phapakorn Ruengpakdee, 38; Sanaret Manomai-ngamlert, 31; Kittithat Uppaphong, 30, and Phongsakorn Jirakulwattanakit, 32.
Japan’s Kishida says he will attend NATO leaders’ summit, stresses need for dialogue with China
Describing the current security environment of the global community as “the most severe and complex” of the postwar era, Kishida vowed to “fully utilise diplomatic tools” to contribute to the peace and stability of the global community while serving Japan’s national interest. Kishida said Japan will cooperate with the UnitedContinue Reading
Singapore Zoo to mark 50th anniversary with new behind-the-scenes insects tour, ZOObilee trail
Today, Singapore Zoo has more than 4,200 animals from over 300 species, of which 34 per cent are threatened. At a community event at the zoo on Wednesday, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, deputy chairman of Mandai Park Holdings, said that these animals are “at risk of extinction”, adding that the environmentContinue Reading