Thai PM to enlist Xi’s help to ease Chinese tourists’ concerns

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PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 16: 13

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a meeting on the sidelines of the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov 15, 2024, in Lima, Peru. The prime minister will visit China from Feb 5-8. (Photo: Government House)
At a gathering on the eve of the Apec Economic Leaders ‘ Meeting on November 15, 2024, in Lima, Peru, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The prime minister may travel to China from February 8 to February 5. ( Photo: Government House )

In an effort to address issues of visitors about health in the Southeast Asian nation, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Tuesday that she will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during her visit to China next year. &nbsp,

Following reports of withdrawal by some travelers spooked by a well-known prostitution case involving a Chinese professional near the Thai borders with Myanmar earlier this month, the government made arrangements for Ms. Paetongtarn’s planned trip to Beijing in February to Beijing between February 8 and 8. &nbsp,

The top said she will ask China to stop spreading false information about Thailand’s safety and that she is concerned about call center scams in neighboring nations. &nbsp,

Thailand’s tourism industry is the biggest exporter, with immigrants accounting for 6.7 million of the 35. 5 million travelers in 2024. Since the industry accounts for about 12 % of the country’s gross domestic product and almost a fifth of jobs, Ms. Paetongtarn had previously instructed law enforcement to intensify a crackdown against call center groups and ensure the safety of visitors. &nbsp,

Across Southeast Asia, the billion-dollar computer con procedures have been expanding, especially in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. They frequently operate under the command of Taiwanese fugitives who fled their home country in 2020 following a domestic assault, and they have taken refuge in places of Myanmar where the defense plan is loosing control of their holdings by rebels.

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Thailand denies mistreating detained Chinese gambling kingpin

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The billionaire behind the infamous Shwe Kokko advanced in Myanmar is attempting to extradite to China.

PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 15: 41

China says it has “conclusive” evidence linking She Zhijiang with online gambling and telecom fraud.
She Zhijiang is alleged to have been linked to telecom fraud and online gambling, according to China’s claim that it has” conclusive” evidence.

Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said on Tuesday that Thailand has denied abusing a jailed playing billionaire who is battling extradition to China over allegations he ran illegitimate online gaming activities in Southeast Asia.

China-born She Zhijiang says he was subjected to “inhumane care” in a Thai jail, including crime that has left him able to walk, according to a text his attorneys sent to Interpol, Reuters reported last year.

On Tuesday at Government House in Bangkok, Mr. Tawee Sodsong said,” Our conduct toward him is like others ( inmates ) with regular access to lawyers.”

He claimed that there were safety devices in place to stop individuals from being abused or tortured.

The minister refrained from making any comments on the claims made by She’s attorneys in a letter to Interpol that Chinese military officials had visited the tycoon without his consent.

The betting fiend was detained in Bangkok in 2022 on an international warrant and an Interpol red see, who claims Beijing is looking into the situation against him is politically motivated. His repatriation to China was ordered by a Thai judge in 2023, but She is appealing the decision.

Mr. Tawee claimed that because he is a resident of Cambodia, the country had also requested that she be extradited. The suspect’s abduction place will be decided by the Court of Appeal, the chancellor said.

According to press studies, She is the president of Yatai International Holdings Group, which has made game investments in Cambodia, the Philippines and, most recently, developed a$ 15-billion Shwe Kokko game, leisure and hospitality advanced in Kayin condition of Myanmar, across from Tak territory in Thailand.

The evidence against him was” conclusive,” according to China’s Foreign Ministry, which claimed in a statement on Sunday that She was a Chinese national and a “key figure in online gaming and telecommunication fraud atrocities.”

Southeast Asia— particularly border areas between Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia — has become a hub for telecoms and various online scam since the Covid-19 crisis, according to the United Nations, which says hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked to work in con centres.

Buildings in the Shwe Kokko “scam city” in Myawaddy Township are seen from the Thai side of the Moei River in Tak province.(Photo: Angshu2193 via Wikimedia Commons)

From the Thai side of the Moei River in Tak province, you can see the “scam city” of Shwe Kokko in Myawaddy Township. ( Photo: Angshu2193 via Wikimedia Commons )

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Axiata, Sinarmas sign two Letters of Intent to advance strategic collaboration

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  • The parties ‘ telecom ecosystems are outlined in the first LOI, which outline cooperative efforts.
  • 2nd LOI reaffirms the acquisition of PT XL Axiata, Smartfren &amp, Smart Telcom into PT XLSmart

From left to right: President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, chairman of Sinar Mas Telecommunications and Technology Franky Oesman Widjaja, chairman of Axiata Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, and prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

At a ceremony attended by Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, Axiata Group Berhad and Sinar Mas have signed two letters of intent ( LO Is ) to explore and develop strategic collaborations.

The second LOI provides a platform for in-depth discussions on joint activities utilizing their communications ecosystems. The cooperation will concentrate on high-growth areas such as innovative 5G solutions, business services, digital infrastructure, and blockchain innovations to help local digital transformation.

Vivek Sood, party CEO of Axiata Group, stated:” These LOIs with Sinar Mas indicate a key step towards shaping Southeast Asia’s online change. By harnessing the potential of 5G, business solutions, and electronic equipment, we aim to bridge the digital divide and generate sustainable development across Malaysia, Indonesia, and above.

We are thankful for the backing of the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia, whose forward-thinking digital procedures enable partnerships that are in line with regional and national goals. Collectively, we are building a radiant and equitable digital ecosystem.”

Under the first LOI, Axiata and Sinar Mas may do business assessments, review dynamic landscapes, and discover unmet demands across focus markets. Additionally, they may look into strategic alliances to incubate new businesses and solutions that are in line with the goals of the modern economy.

Franky Oesman Widjaja, president of Sinar Mas Telecommunications and Technology, remarked:” These LOIs with Axiata indicate an interesting book in accelerating digital change across Malaysia and Indonesia. By unlocking synergies and nurturing creativity, we aim to enhance communication, enable organizations, and generate regional economic growth.”

The proposed merger of PT XL Axiata Tbk, PT Smartfren Telecom Tbk, and PT Smart Telcom, forming PT XL Smart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk (XLSmart ) in Indonesia is reiterated in the clear agreements that were made on December 21, 2024. The merger, valued at over US$ 6.5 billion ( RM1.46 trillion ), is expected to enhance innovation, service quality, and digital connectivity while fostering a competitive market.

The LOI ratifies both parties ‘ intentions to function in good faith to abide by the terms of the agreements and look into synergies using techniques like network sharing and asset-right/light types to increase value and effectiveness.

The acquisition, pending typical final circumstances, is subject to regulatory and investor certifications and is anticipated to get completed in the first quarter of 2025. Updates will be communicated via formal channels, including trade announcements, regulation disclosures, and organization websites.

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‘A bit of dread’ watching Manchester United now, but fans in Singapore sticking with team

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Mr. Chin pointed out that all of the current crop of people were acquired by various managers.

” In terms of building a team, you need to bolster that trust in each other… it’s the trust that is missing ( and ) a lack of familiarity with each other”, he said.

Amorim also now doesn’t have the types of players appropriate for his favored 3-4-3 formation.

But unfortunately, for enthusiasts like Mr Chin, nothing did sever their relationship to Manchester United.

” I grew up supporting them and there’s that connection to the team today”, he said. ” It doesn’t change my help”.

Jersey profits in Singapore support this increase.

At big sports merchandise retailer Weston Corp, that ‘s&nbsp, been a” little decline” in the number of Manchester United kits sold this season&nbsp, – but it remains the most popular team in terms of sales.

We sell more United kits than any other team, according to Weston producer Ami Chopra, who spoke to CNA.

” Supporters are quite loyal. When they support the pub, they support the club”.

WHAT ABOUT FUTURE FANS?

Mr James Walton, Deloitte’s activities business team leader for Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia, noted that Manchester United’s possible problems with&nbsp, revenue and sustainability rules could also have an effect on its fans.

These Premier League rules prohibit irresponsible spending and prevent wealthy donors from giving large sums of money to clubs. They also place restrictions on how much money a club can drop over the course of three seasons.

Last year, United wrote to buff parties warning that the team was at risk of breaching&nbsp, the laws.

Fans who want the group to be built around the two skills may be offended by its willingness to sell two of its brightest fresh stars, 20-year-old wing Alejandro Garnacho and 19-year-old playmaker Kobbie Mainoo, said Mr. Walton, Mr.

And attracting younger generations to the United fans may be a problem if performances keep falling.

” The challenge for sports team is that your older supporters usually stay loyal through the thick and thin, but perhaps the younger followers will be the ones you won’t get,” he said.

They may rather seem to just more powerful teams like Liverpool and Manchester City because they are just starting out and finding a group to support them, according to Mr. Walton.

” But ultimately, Man United is one of the two or three largest brands of football clubs in the world, and will always have a large support”.

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BII, FMO and SUSI partners team up to support SEA’s energy transition | FinanceAsia

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British International Investment ( BII ), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has announced the launch of Sustainable Asia Renewable Assets ( SARA ), a new utility-scale renewable energy platform. SUSI Partners and Dutch growth bank FMO have been co-founded by SARA.

¬ Plaza Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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Minister to board US navy vessel off Chon Buri

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PUBLISHED: 26 Jan 2025 at 04: 26

NEWSPAPER SECTION: News

Phumtham Wechayachai
Phumtham Wechayachai

Defence MinisterPhumtham Wechayachaiwill lead a delegation to visit US navy officials onboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier on Sunday for talks on boosting security and collaboration across Southeast Asia.

Ministry official Maj Gen Thanathip Sawangsang said Mr Phumtham, who doubles as deputy prime minister, and his group will board the vehicle, located in the Gulf of Thailand in the Chon Buri region, at 1pm via helicopter.

USS Carl Vinson is the US military’s next Nimitz-class supercarrier and you have a maximum of 6, 000 team people.

The fleet was launched in 1980, and it has participated in numerous ancient engagements, including the first Persian Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War.

It also participated in numerous humanitarian procedures, such as the rescue of victims of the Haiti disaster.

US military Rear Admiral Michael S Wosje, chief of Carrier Strike Group ONE, and Captain Matthew C Thomas, the USS Carl Vinson captain, may direct a US representative on the attend.

The visit will show the ship’s architecture and numerous procedures, such as airplane launches, by the US military.

From Monday through Friday, the ship will dock there for a switch visit while it is anchored at Chon Buri’s Laem Chabang Port. Due to the fact that this is regarded as a rest time for the staff of the vessel, no squad changes will be made.

” The ministry hopes the visit will tighten the diplomatic relationship between Thailand and the US while]fostering ] knowledge exchange regarding advanced military technologies”, said Maj Gen Thanathip.

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PM Paetongtarn presses investment agenda at Davos

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New technologies to strengthen ability in agribusiness, soft power activities and lasting advanced industries

PUBLISHED: 24 Jan 2025 at 21: 02

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gives a media interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo: Royal Thai Government)
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gives a press discussion. ( Photo: Royal Thai Government )

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been highlighting Thailand’s willingness to welcome foreign investment in the digital economy, agriculture, soft power and sustainable industries at the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) this week in Davos, Switzerland.

At the” Country Strategy Dialogue on Thailand” forum, which is an annual meeting of world leaders and businesspeople, the prime minister on Thursday gave an overview of the president’s vision and plans to top executives from different companies.

Ms. Paetongtarn spoke at length about Thailand’s ability as a possible economic hub, including its proper location, and its position as the second-largest financial hub in Southeast Asia with world-class system and commercial holdings.

She stated that the nation is moving forward with the use of modern technology and new technology to increase its potential in three main areas: agriculture, soft power activities, and lasting advanced industries.

Thailand has been encouraging the use of AI and robots in the agricultural sector to increase the precision and effectiveness of farming practices and manufacturing.

This may help preserve the country’s power as a “kitchen of the world”, she said, according to a conclusion released by her company.

The state also gives great value to the innovative sector, which includes hospitality, and is glad to rank among the world’s most popular hospitality destinations, she added.

According to Ms. Paetongtarn, Thailand has position itself as” a place for pleasure” where visitors from all over the world can create lasting memories and recharge their batteries before moving home.

She stated that Thailand is also trying to be a hotspot for the medical and health sectors, which are anticipated to quickly become a significant contributor to the nation’s ongoing economic development.

Green plan

Thailand also supports the natural world plan by encouraging bio-based companies and adopting the bio-circular-green (BCG) financial model, which includes green technology and investment.

She noted that the development of an intensive ecosystem for electric vehicles was also underway as she turned to innovative industries that may shape the country’s future. Additionally, Ms. Paetongtarn noted that the development and operation of new data centers is helping to advance the modern business.

Thailand also aims to raise its capacity of using renewable energy, especially solar, wind and biomass, to generate electricity by at least 50 % by 2040, she added.

The top said that in developing its online economy, Thailand now focuses on two key elements: modern facilities and human resources.

She said the state works to attract more foreign investors to invest in advanced industries like cloud services, data centers, and semiconductor production in Thailand while encouraging the development of economic technology to give local businesses more opportunities to compete at the international level.

The prime minister also cited the advantages of multilateral efforts to promote free trade and investment, adding that Thailand now intends to start negotiations with other nations and territories, including the European Union ( EU) and South Korea.

She also emphasized the value of all countries collaborating to create harmony while pursuing growth and success.

Thailand is your partner who is determined to make investments for a better potential, according to the PM.

On Saturday, Ms. Paetongtarn will make her return to Thailand.

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Chinese gambling kingpin ‘abused in Thai jail’

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“They wanted a colony. I wanted to do business,” She Zhijiang says of his relationship with the Chinese government and his business activity in Myanmar.
” They wanted a settlement. She Zhijiang described his business dealings with the Chinese state as” I wanted to do business.”

His attorneys have told Interpol that they fear for his living after he claimed to be a Chinese detective, and that he received “inhumane care” in a Thai prison.

China-born She Zhijiang, who has Thai membership, has suffered crime that has left him able to walk and has received unnecessary visits from Chinese officials, the lawyers said in a letter to the global police organisation, seen by Reuters.

The magnate was detained in Bangkok in 2022 under the influence of Beijing, which claims he is responsible for operating illegitimate online gambling in Southeast Asia.

In their notice to Interpol, dated Jan 9 and shared with Reuters, She’s doctors said he has been kept in solitary confinement, chained, denied health care for a spinal injuries and denied call with his community.

The billionaire has been subjected to “particularly cruel therapy” and human rights violations of an “institutional nature”, wrote the doctors, Clara Gerard-Rodriguez and Pierre-Olivier Sur of the France-based strong FTMS Avocats.

” These components lead us to really fear for our client’s living”, according to the professionals, who are seeking to thwart the Interpol red see seeking She’s repatriation.

Thailand’s Ministry of Justice declined to comment, referring concerns to the Department of Corrections, which did not immediately respond. The Beijing embassy in Bangkok did not respond to a request for comment or to listen to a telephone call.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to requesting post right away. Requests for comment from the Ministry of State Security were unsuccessful.

An Interpol red see must comply with the organisation’s rules,” under which exercise of a political, military, religious or cultural essence is totally forbidden”, an Interpol spokesperson said, declining to comment further. ( Story continues below )

In Mae Sot city of Tak territory in March 2020, a game, amusement, and hospitality complex is visible from the Thai side of the border. ( Reuters File Photo )

In Mae Sot city of Tak territory in March 2020, a game, amusement, and hospitality complex is visible from the Thai side of the border. ( Reuters File Photo )

Trafficking syndicates

According to her, his detention was politically motivated and was a result of his refusing to follow Chinese authorities ‘ instructions to build a town along the Thai-Myanmar border.

” They wanted a colony. She stated to the network in a documentary that was broadcast on September 26 that she wanted to do business.

Since the abduction and cross-border rescue of a Chinese actor this month sparked a social media firestorm, China has increased its pressure on Southeast Asian countries to stop gambling in the country and crack down on scam gangs operating from the Chinese border.

In recent years, the area has grown popular for gambling syndicates, many of whom are of Chinese descent, and some of which involve human trafficking and fraud.

She was moved to a Bangkok maximum security prison where people who are serving lengthy sentences and death row, according to his attorneys, a day after the Al Jazeera documentary aired.

In late October, the lawyers said, She was “brutally tackled” by officers and inmates who accused him of violating discipline. Unable to walk or stand, he now uses a wheelchair, they said. A police report that Reuters saw also included the incident.

According to the attorneys, Chinese embassy officials twice in December visited She in prison against his will and fought to have him sent back to China. In one meeting, they said, the officials suggested his family and friends might need help from the embassy, which he interpreted as a threat. ( Story continues below )

]embedded content]

Gambling empire

According to Gerard-Rodriguez,” China’s blatant abuses of process and gross human rights violations” should not alone constitute an obstacle to extradition, according to Gerard-Rodriguez.

The claims could not be independently verified by Reuters.

At the time of his arrest, She headed a gambling empire that developed a$ 15-billion casino, entertainment and tourism complex called Shew Kokko on the Myanmar-Thai border. The group, Yatai International Holdings Group, also had investments in Cambodia and the Philippines.

The company has denied involvement in any criminal activities, including human trafficking.

The tycoon claimed to be hired by China’s Ministry of State Security, the country’s main agency tasked with regulating foreign intelligence, in exchange for the dismissal of a criminal case against him.

He claimed to have worked alongside Alice Guo, a former mayor of the Philippines, and Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national. She was fired from her position last year due to her misconduct, and the Philippine Senate conducted an investigation into possible ties to offshore gambling operations aimed at Chinese clients.

Guo, facing graft and money laundering charges, has denied being a Chinese spy and rejected other accusations as malicious.

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Thailand and China to set up anti-scam centre

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China to launch a distinct activity in Mae Sot, which is located opposite the infamous Myawaddy&nbsp center of murder.

PUBLISHED: 24 Jan 2025 at 17: 58

Buildings in the Shwe Kokko “scam city” in Myawaddy Township are seen from the Thai side of the Moei River in Tak province.(Photo: Angshu2193 via Wikimedia Commons)
From the Thai part of the Moei River in Tak state, you can see the “scam area” of Shwe Kokko in Myawaddy Township. ( Photo: Angshu2193 via Wikimedia Commons )

Thailand and China will work up to stop the rapidly expanding improper call centers along the Thai-Bangladesh frontier with Myanmar and Cambodia, which are frequently run by undercover agents, and attempt to mislead people through phone and online frauds.

Thailand’s police announced on Friday that a synchronization center may be established at the Thai federal authorities hq in Bangkok, while Taiwanese authorities are planning a second operation in the Mae Sot area of Tak, across from Myawaddy in Myanmar, a major hub for the con call centers.

” This centre ( in Bangkok ) will work together ( with China ) to investigate and combat call centre gangs based in Myawaddy, Myanmar, and along the Cambodian border, which involve many Chinese and Thai nationals”, the Royal Thai Police said in a statement.

The cooperation center is scheduled to open in February, according to the statement, which was released following a Bangkok safety meeting between Thai and Chinese security officers.

Southeast Asia— particularly border areas between Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia — has become a hub for telecoms and various online scam since the Covid-19 crisis, according to the United Nations, which says hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked to work in con facilities.

In Thailand, increasing public pressure is being put in place to stop the scam factories where workers are drawn in from all over the world and are frequently treated viciously.

China, also, has become extremely concerned, particularly following the violence and cross-border recovery from Myanmar of Chinese professional Wang Xing.

At a gathering in the Chinese capital of Kunming on Tuesday, officials from China, Myanmar, and Thailand came together to discuss eradicating telecoms fraud centers in Myanmar.

A Thai defense group and Soe Win, the second-in-command of the Myanmar junta, met this week in Nay Pyi Taw to explore a crackdown on online scams and human trafficking, according to Myanmar state media.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar paper said this week that junta officials had sent up 55, 000 foreign immigrants, including about 53, 000 Chinese, from con materials to their home nations between October 2023 and January 2025.

Additionally, the report suggested that Myanmar’s neighboring nations supported fraud functions, a state that Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai rejected on Thursday.

” This concern is not just about Thailand”, said Mr Phumtham. Myanmar and China also have to play a role in this.

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