Shanghai’s new plan to lure foreign tourists: Mega-events and Peppa Pig

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The city wants to expand its elegance by creating a gigantic “matrix” of theme parks in the area that surrounds Shanghai’s sprawling, 9-year-old Shanghai Disney Resort, which covers 3.9 sq km in Shanghai’s northeast cities.

The country’s largest independent Peppa Pig outside theme park, which will open in 2027, and the Legoland Shanghai Resort, which is scheduled to open in the middle of 2025, may also be included in the massive new advanced, Shanghai International Resort.

Although the venues are primarily intended for private tourists, travel experts said that if they could incorporate visits to amusement parks with sightseeing trips to older sites, they might even draw international visitors.

Shanghai is seeing a growth in customer profiles, according to Subramania Bhatt, CEO of China Trading Desk, a business that promotes traveling marketing and technology.” While historical landmarks may always be the main attractions, Shanghai is seeing a diversity in visitor profiles.

” With visa-free go increasing the number of family-oriented visitors, desire for theme parks and immersive entertainment experience does increase,” he said.

” Although multi-attraction itineraries like Bund plus Disneyland or French Concession plus Legoland, instead of replacing historical sites, will likely become more popular, blending traditional sightseeing with contemporary experiences,” according to the report.

The plan appears to make a pledge to create more” tourism routes combining air, rail, and cruise travel options” in response to this.

Additionally, it calls for steps to be taken to create significant cultural events like sporting events, music festivals, and stage performances that can attract foreign visitors.

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Celebrity food travels: Actress Tay Ying’s top places to eat in Hanoi

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Tay Ying is not just a gourmet who enjoys good swallows; she is also “quite inquisitive with various flavor profiles and cuisines.” And she continued,” I’m not picky neither.”

The 28-year-old Singaporean artist says that the first issue I do when traveling is to go on Google Maps and social media to find the best suggestions,” she shared. I save them and group them in classes.

Five-star evaluations from Google Maps customers are insufficient:” I did learn quite a few reviews before I decide to keep each location.”

It’s a non-negotiable to-do for each excursion. And in truth,” I do this in Singapore, also. You “wan’t to spend the calories”!

The Shero and The Blockbusters celebrity would find Vietnam as her preferred destination for food if she had to make a decision.

She shared that she had just returned from her first trip to Hanoi in 2024 and discovered that she adored the meal movie’s “explosive flavors and value for money.”

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Singapore to introduce licensing framework for social residential homes

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SINGAPORE: Singapore may offer legislation in 2025 to contract and increase standards of care in social private homes.

These refer to services that provide lodging to people who require attention, assistance, or cultural treatment, such as those with disabilities or poor adults.

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said on Monday ( Mar 10 ) that an upcoming Social Residential Homes Bill will introduce a licensing framework to improve the quality of care and ultimately residents ‘ safety, well-being and welfare.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development ( MSF ) will also invest in training and building up the capabilities of operators of these homes, Mr Masagos said during the ministry’s Budget debate.

MSF said in a separate brochure that this would standardise and maintain continuity of care for susceptible people.

” At the same time, the Bill provides for the possibility of homes evolving to meet people ‘ wants, where various client information may be housed up”, Mr Masagos said in parliament. &nbsp,

WHAT THE BILL COULD LOOK LIKE

Government input device REACH consulted the people on the Bill from November last year to January.

According to information published by MSF on REACH’s website, the Bill aims to replace the Homes for the Aged Act ( HFAA ) that regulates sheltered homes, and supersede existing provisions on care standards for homes in the Children and Young Persons Act and Destitute Persons Act.

MSF is even looking to adopt a “risk-based regulation approach” to permit social residential homes in stages, beginning with the most vulnerable and most reliant people.

Features listed by MSF include family’s homes, children illness houses, protected houses, security homes, and adult disability homes and hostels.

Among the input from over 30 respondents was an importance on the need to clearly identify the situations under which constraints may be used in social private houses, such as in cases of self-harm or potential injury to others, according to the REACH site.

The respondents- a group including staff and board members of homes, family members of residents and members of the public- also agreed on the need for penalties to deal with serious breaches and egregious offences.

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US hopes robo-ships can outwit China’s superior naval numbers – Asia Times

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The US Navy’s USX-1 Defiant unmanned surface vessel ( USV ) promises cost-effective, high-endurance fleet expansion while raising critical questions on survivability, cyber vulnerabilities and whether sea drones will be enough to counter China’s overwhelming shipbuilding advantage.

This month, Naval News reported that Serco, under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s ( DARPA ) No Manning Required Ship ( NOMARS ) program, launched the USX-1 Defiant, a 180-foot-long, 240-ton USV, at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders.

The unmanned vessel, coined by some media as a “ghost” ship, is designed from founding to exclude any ship features, epitomizing a groundbreaking marine infrastructure focused on price performance, stability and expanded load capabilities for long-duration missions.

Unlike fitted options like Nomad and Ranger, Defiant omits human-oriented methods. This development is crucial amid growing needs for cost-effective USVs able of countering proper risks, including a possible US conflict with China in the Taiwan Strait or South China Sea.

The vehicle features DARPA’s superior hydrodynamic and secrecy technologies. It aims to maintain 90 % administrative stability over a year, and its autonomous fuel functions have been demonstrated in previous tests.

This project aligns with US naval modernization efforts to bolster unmanned operations, particularly in Indo-Pacific theaters. Ryan Maatta, Serco’s Marine Engineer Manager, highlighted Defiant’s scalability and affordability, addressing historical cost barriers in unmanned systems.

USVs present a paradigm shift in naval warfare, offering significant tactical advantages and notable vulnerabilities.

Their cost-effectiveness enables cash-strapped navies to deploy swarms of autonomous attack boats, as evidenced by Ukraine’s successful use of USVs against Russian warships. These drones, with low profiles and AI-driven evasive maneuvers, can evade detection and overwhelm advanced naval defenses.

However, USVs are not a naval warfare panacea. The maritime environment accelerates mechanical degradation while increasing autonomy, making them prime cyber targets.

Their reliance on external communication links exposes them to jamming and hacking, particularly in a GPS-denied or electronic warfare-heavy environment.

Additionally, they lack the sustained endurance, firepower and adaptability of crewed warships, which will remain essential for prolonged naval engagements for the foreseeable future.

In a March 2023 Center for International Maritime Security ( CIMSEC ) article, Kyle Cregge highlights the potential role of USVs in future naval operations.

Cregge says USVs embody the” Every Ship a Surface Action Group ( SAG )” model, augmenting manned combatants with scalable missile firepower and distributed lethality.

He mentions that USVs used as force multipliers enhance fleet survivability by complicating adversary targeting while offering economical Vertical Launch System (VLS ) expansion when the US Navy may face a firepower gap with China.

He notes that integrated with manned-unmanned teams ( MUM-T), these systems ensure flexible operational responses and rapid adaptability, embodying a cost-effective, strategically robust solution for deterring aggression and preserving maritime dominance in increasingly contested environments like the Taiwan Strait.

Paul Lushenko mentions in a July 2024 Proceedings article that the US Navy’s framework for unmanned systems at sea emphasizes integration across domains to enhance distributed maritime operations ( DMO ) and information warfare.

Lushenko says that key methods such as picket, distribution and mass offer advantages from early warning and situational awareness to overwhelming adversaries with coordinated strikes. He also adds that MUM-T, leveraging AI, optimizes decision-making and shortens sensor-to-shooter timelines.

Highlighting the critical importance of ship numbers in naval operations, Sam Tangredi mentions in a January 2023 Proceedings article that historical evidence shows fleet size often trumps technological superiority in naval warfare, as demonstrated by 28 analyzed conflicts from ancient times to the Cold War.

Tangredi points out that in 25 cases the larger fleet prevailed, with technological advantages proving short-lived and outweighed by mass. He says superior numbers facilitate better scouting, operational flexibility and striking capacity, as seen during the Napoleonic and World War II eras.

He mentions that US Navy expansions, like the 600-ship Cold War strategy, embraced these principles. Conversely, Tangredi mentions that a smaller, technologically advanced force rarely overcame its numerical disadvantage.

According to the US Department of Defense’s ( DOD ) 2024 China Military Power report, China’s People’s Liberation Army-Navy ( PLAN ) is the world’s largest navy with 370 ships, including 140 major naval combatants.

Underpinning China’s numerical advantage, an August 2024 US Congressional Research Service ( CRS ) report mentions that China has 230 times the US shipbuilding capacity, emphasizing that the gap is a significant liability for the US in competing with China.

Further, in a February 2025 Perry World House article, Bradley Martin mentions that the US Navy faces a complex web of challenges ranging from force design, persistent production delays, chronic cost overruns and dwindling shipbuilding capacity.

Martin says that despite ambitious targets like the 373-ship fleet supported by 150 unmanned vessels under the Force Design 2045 plan, execution often falters due to misaligned priorities and aging infrastructure.

He points out that the US Navy struggles with manpower shortages, service-life extensions of older combatants and a reliance on legacy technology.

He adds that the US Navy’s short-term crisis responses often exacerbate long-term readiness gaps, creating a vicious cycle of deferred maintenance and stretched resources.

USNI News recently reported that the Trump administration has unveiled an ambitious plan to overhaul the US shipbuilding industry to counter China’s dominance in global maritime production.

Central to the initiative is creating a new maritime industrial base office within the National Security Council. This office will develop a comprehensive maritime action plan within six months.

The plan includes imposing tariffs on imports arriving on Chinese-made ships, establishing a Maritime Security Trust Fund and offering tax incentives to revitalize domestic shipbuilding, Reuters reported citing a White House document.

The Trump administration also seeks to address procurement inefficiencies and increase wages for nuclear shipyard workers, signaling a strategic push to bolster national security and economic resilience.

However, Brian Clark and Michael Roberts mention in a December 2024 Hudson Institute report that it is not realistic for the US to match China hull-for-hull, and it is unfeasible for the US to offset China’s huge cost advantages while making US shipyards internationally competitive.

Clark and Roberts also argue that while getting ahead of the technology curve ( i. e., nuclear and hydrogen propulsion, modular construction ) is important, attempting to close the gap by massively investing in a particular set of technologies underestimates China’s capacity for technological innovation and cost-cutting.

As the US Navy bets on unmanned ships to bridge its numbers gap with China, the real battle may not be at sea—but in shipyards, supply chains and technological dominance, areas where China currently holds decisive advantages.

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GE Newbies Watch: PAP, WP new faces spotted in potential battleground GRCs

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The native recycling and waste management company Wah &amp, Hua’s CEO, Heng Swee Keat’s Deputy Prime Minister, has been making her mark in East Coast GRC, a district where she has established herself.

A long-time PAP charity of nearly two decades, Ms Tan became active in the group’s Fengshan hospital towards the close of last year, according to press reports. Formerly, she was involved in the&nbsp, Hong Kah North, represented by Senior Minister of State Amy Khor.

Last November, Ms. Tan first spotted at a group referral event in Fengshan, where she distributed PAP teddy bears along with MP Cheryl Chan. Since therefore, she has often joined Ms. Chan in community events.

She and the five East Coast GRC MPs were spotted compliment residents in the strongholds last weekend while standing next to a fly during the Chingay festival.

Ms Tan has been the CEO of Wah &amp, Hua since 2000. She also founded a joint venture with China Tianying to create a waste-to-energy plant and headed the purchase of a majority stake in the included waste management company Blue Planet Environmental Solutions.

Valerie Lee ( PAP )

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Does Tesla’s slump owe to Musk’s behavior? – Asia Times

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Elon Musk’s apparently solid upward drift has led to actions and statements that have sparked a lot of controversy over the past couple of years. Musk, the revolutionary leader of X Corp. and the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, is a person attempting to bring people to Mars. Additionally, he is the wealthiest person on the planet.

Most recently, these controversies include his endorsement and support of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) party, gestures interpreted as a Nazi salute during Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration and accusations of election interference.

In January, profits of Tesla vehicles slumped across five Western countries – the UK, France, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands. California, the state with the largest car market in the US, saw profits decline as well. And Musk and his politics, in at least one review, might be a major contributor to the issue.

When Directors are in the public eye, their private companies and beliefs, and those of the firms they represent, can be hard to distinguish. Our research has discovered that frequently, the CEO’s brand identity and popularity will be impacted by the person’s popularity and reputation, and vice versa.

As a human being, Musk’s specific actions and statements directly impact the corporations he represents. His public image makes it difficult to tell the two apart due to his high profile.

Some Tesla customers have turned off by Musk’s controversial remarks and political endorsements, specially in progressive markets like California and Europe.

In these locations, Tesla has previously been famous with environmentally conscious consumers. When a CEO’s patterns and his or her product don’t align, this can compromise the company benefit of both the CEO and the business.

Artists, officials, CEOs and other public figures tend to attract viewers whose personal values is at times depart from those of the leader. Where this occurs, devoted followers could be at a loss as to how to react to these numbers or the goods of the individuals or organizations they are associated with.

A popular misconception is that fascinated fans are also obsessed with expressing their dislike. Instead, they are more likely to acquiesce ferociously and defend their champions ‘ deeds. Intense deeds of “fan forces” on social media platforms have certainly helped with these beliefs.

But in truth, our research has shown that devoted fans may be important. We found that more than less committed consumers are more likely than not to react in severe criticism when they feel betrayed by the actions of people they associate with or hold dearly dear.

Devoted fans and consumers could react in a variety of ways to personalities like Musk, whose businesses produce physical goods. Some obstinate Tesla supporters and supporters may dismiss criticism of his conduct as an assault on their own beliefs or free speech.

They are likely to continue to purchase Teslas despite, and they may even change their own opinions to fit their “hero”‘s.

Out of phase

For other users, owning a Tesla may never longer sign essentially their views about sustainability. There may be a smile to ideologies or political affiliations that conflict with theirs.

If Tesla’s behaviour is perceived as dangerous in their social networks, some consumers may want to cut him off from Tesla. Nevertheless, as a purchase requiring large engagement and devotion, switching from Tesla to another Volt may be difficult.

The current trend of Tesla users displaying explanation tags on their cars is a way to reduce the strain between owning one and the actions of the CEO they don’t like.

The stickers give people a way to separate themselves from Musk’s activities while avoiding being severely perceived by their social networks. This is more likely to lead to a continuous product erosion than a drop in sales right away.

On the other hand, clients of businesses like BrewDog, a brand that has previously been accused of instilling a culture of fear, may be more apt to respond to negative CEO behavior. They at least have the option to move to a different company for a reasonable price. ( BrewDog, for its part, apologiszd and said it was” committed to doing better”. )

And if Live voters oppose engineer James Dyson’s position on Brexit, they might be offended but still be able to justify keeping a mid-priced object like a vacuum cleaner until it breaks, probably switching for new ones rather than abandoning them completely.

When a leader CEO disappoints them, users may react in a variety of ways. But brands risk losing blind, unquestioning loyalty, perhaps from devoted fans.

James Obiegbu is lecturer in experienced advertising and control, Bournemouth University and Gretchen Larsen is professor in advertising, Durham University Business School, Durham University

This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original content.

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Myanmar scam gangs free 261 people

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Thailand’s deputy prime minister claims that the country is prepared for an influx and that it will immediately return foreigners.

Discussed: 12 Feb 2025 at 20: 19

UPDATED: 12 Feb 2025 at 21: 02

The 261 foreigners rescued from scam centres in Myawaddy cross the Moei River into Thailand at Phop Phra district of Tak on Wednesday afternoon. Col Natthakorn Rueantip, commander of the Ratchamanoo special task force based in Mae Sot, led a unit of 100 soldiers, along with more than 10 trucks, to bring them back. They were sent to the Phop Phra district office for processing and preliminary questioning. (Photo: Assawin Pinitwong)
On Wednesday evening, the 261 immigrants who were rescued from Myawaddy mix the Moei River into Thailand in Tak’s Phop Phra area. Col Natthakorn Rueantip, captain of the Ratchamanoo specific task army based in Mae Sot, led a system of 100 men, along with more than 10 cars, to bring them back. They were processed and subjected to primary inquiries at the Phop Phra neighborhood office. ( Photo: Assawin Pinitwong )

After Thailand shut down power and web, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced on Wednesday that the government is getting ready for an influx of foreign victims who have been freed from the claws of call-center con groups in Myanmar.

He made the statement just before the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army ( DKBA ) repatriated 261 of these victims in Thailand. After being rescued from the KK Park and Shwe Kokko pleasure compounds, they arrived at Phop Phra city of Tak at around 4.30 p.

According to Thai officials, the foreigners may be interrogated and sent back to their home countries with the assistance of their diplomats. Officials are anticipated to discover that some people were trafficked while others accepted the position, as in previous situations.

Mr. Phumtham claimed previously on Wednesday that he learned on Tuesday that the Myanmar state was unable to take care of the 53 immigrants who were expected to be sent to Phop Phra.

However, the Defense Ministry eventually made it clear that there were more than 261 people living there. The 53 immigrants on the original record included Bangladeshis, Ethiopians, Kenyans and Filipinos. &nbsp,

Thai authorities will verify all those who return and ask them about their past experiences or potential involvement in trafficking. If they weren’t swindlers, it may take three months to a quarter to arrange for them to be returned to their home places. Others might be held in custody for constitutional actions.

Mr. Phumtham claimed that while Thailand was informed that criminals were preparing to release trapped staff and send them to Thailand, it could not accept them all.

” If their native countries will not accept them, we will not receive them]from Myanmar ]”, he said. He reaffirmed that Thailand did not establish a refugee camp for immigrants entering from swindling camps.

Mr. Phumtham claimed that many nations had reached Thailand through their embassies to ask for assistance for their citizens. When those patients are sent to Thailand, the offices will be notified so they can deal with the relocation.

According to Mr. Phumtham, who is also the defense minister, the government has now deployed more security forces along the boundary to deal with any potential influx of people from call centers.

He claimed that the government had informed Myanmar’s officials that Thailand would ease restrictions on the supply of online services, energy, and energy if Myanmar demonstrated it was free of fraud centers.

” We are on the right path. We are certainly concerned about the obstacles to preventing exports from us,” said Mr. Phumtham.

He made reference to current protests by Myanmar residents calling for the five border regions where the criminal sites are based to be barred from purchasing Thai items.

According to sources at the frontier, more than 17, 000 call-centre fraud victims remain in Myanmar. About 10, 000 are Chinese and the rest are various international citizens, the resources said.

Some of the 261 foreigners rescued from scam centres in Myawaddy get into army trucks to be transported to the Prop Phra district office in Tak for processing and preliminary questioning on Wednesday. (Photo: Assawin Pinitwong)

Some of the 261 immigrants who were rescued from Myawaddy con centers are loaded into military trucks to be taken to Tak’s Phop Phra area office for processing and initial questioning on Wednesday. ( Photo: Assawin Pinitwong )

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Scammer gangs free staff

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The 261 rescued foreigners cross the border to Phop Phra district of Tak on Wednesday. (Photo: Assawin Pinitwong)
The 261 foreigners who were rescued cross the border on Wednesday to the Tak Phop Phra area. ( Photo: Assawin Pinitwong )

After Thailand shut down power and online, the government is getting ready for an influx of foreign victims who have been freed from the claws of call-scam gangs in Myanmar, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Wednesday.

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army ( DKBA ) sent 261 victims of call-centre gangs to Thailand for repatriation. The victims, who were saved from the border towns of KK Park and Shwe Kokko, does face international cooperation and been investigated and brought back to their home countries. At 4.30 am, they arrived in Tak’s Phop Phra area.

Mr. Phumtham claimed previously on Wednesday that he was informed on Tuesday that the Myanmar government was going to give 53 foreigners who had been abused by scams to Phop Phra region in Tak province on Wednesday because the Myanmar government could never afford to take care of them.

However, the Defense Ministry after clarified that there were more than 261 patients who had been saved from the border towns of KK Park and Shwe Kokko. They were transferred to Thailand via the Tak Phop Phra borders convoy.

Mr Phumtham said the 53 immigrants included Bangladeshis, Ethiopians, Kenyans and Filipinos. Thai authorities had test their background profiles and interview them about their past experiences or potential involvement in smuggling. It may take three months to a quarter to arrange for them to be sent back to their home countries if they weren’t scammers.

Mr. Phumtham claimed that Thailand had reports of criminals releasing trapped staff and sending them to Thailand, but that the country may not take them all. ” If their native countries will not accept them, we will not receive them]from Myanmar ]”, Mr Phumtham said. Thailand did not establish a migrant camp for people who come from swindling camps.

Mr. Phumtham noted that some nations have contacted Thailand via their offices to offer assistance to its citizens who have fallen for scams. The offices will be informed when those victims are transported to Thailand so they can begin repatriating their citizens, according to Mr. Phumtham.

The deputy prime minister, who is also the minister of defense, claimed the authorities had previously deployed security forces along the boundary to deal with any potential influx of foreigners leaving call centers.

He claimed that the government had informed Myanmar that Thailand would ease restrictions on access to internet services, energy, and power if it was proven free of scams. ” We are on the right path. We are not concerned about the obstacles to preventing exports from us,” said Mr. Phumtham.

He made reference to recent protests by Myanmar residents calling for the country’s five border regions, where these legal sites are based, to be barred from purchasing Thai items.

Col Natthakorn Rueantip, captain of the Ratchamanoo special task force based in Tak’s Mae Sot area, led a system of 100 men, along with more than 10 trucks, to hold the 261 foreigners again to Thailand. They were delivered to the District Office for Prop Phra. According to sources at the frontier, more than 17, 000 call-scam patients remain in Myanmar. Of them, about 10, 000 are Taiwanese people and the rest are various international citizens, the sources said.

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Thailand readies for influx of freed foreign scam-centre victims

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According to a Thai secretary, punishment will only be lifted once Myanmar kicks out the groups.

Discussed: 12 Feb 2025 at 14: 39

Soldiers with the army's Rachamanu Task Force at the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak’s Mae Sot district on Monday. (Photo supplied)
Soldiers from the military’s Rachamanu Task Force on Monday at the Thai-Myanmar borders in Tak’s Mae Sot city. ( Photo supplied )

According to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Wednesday, the government is getting ready for a possible influx of foreigners who have been freed from the clutches of fraud gangs in Myanmar after Thailand has suspended all power.

He claimed that while there were reports of criminals releasing trapped staff and sending them to Thailand, Thailand may not take them all.

” If their native countries did not recognize them, we will not get them”, Mr Phumtham said. Thailand won’t establish a migrant camp for foreigners who leave swindling camps.

” We will do the best we may, but we cannot identify their actions and selections”, he said.

The deputy prime minister, who is also minister of defense, claimed the Thai authorities had previously deployed security forces along the boundary to deal with any potential influx of foreigners leaving the call centers. &nbsp,

Because the Myanmar authorities could not afford to take care of them, Mr. Phumtham claimed he was informed on Tuesday that the Myanmar authorities would give 53 immigrants who had been abused by scams to Tak province’s Phop Phra area on Wednesday.

He said the immigrants included Bangladeshis, Ethiopians, Kenyans and Filipinos. Thai authorities had test their background profiles and interview them about their past experiences or potential involvement in smuggling.

It may take three to four weeks to take them back to their home countries if they weren’t scammers.

He claimed that the Thai authorities had informed Myanmar that it would ease sanctions on the supply of online services, fuel, and electricity if Myanmar demonstrated that it was free of scams.

” We are on the right path. We are certainly concerned about the obstacles to preventing exports from us,” said Mr. Phumtham.

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