Mr. Preechapon Vejruk – General Manager, LiuGong Yontrakarn Co., Ltd is a distributor company in Thailand said that LiuGong takes advantage of this highlight in LiuGong Thailand Customer Day 2025 to announced its five-years strategy focuses on shifting the revenue growth by 3 times, the target of THB 7,500 million. LiuGong wants to increase the market share across all segments such as agriculture, industry and construction to push forward the revenue to achieve to the target of THB 7,500 million from the expectation of THB 2,000 million in 2025.
LiuGong has outlined three key strategic directions to achieve its 5-year goals. The first is to provide a full range of products that meet the needs of all industry at accessible prices, covering both diesel-powered and electric (BEV) models. These solutions support everything from general construction to mega-projects and include machinery such as wheel loaders, excavators, rollers, graders, bulldozers, pavers, tractors, truck cranes, and more.
Secondly, the company focuses on selling solutions rather than just products. To support this, LiuGong has developed its sales and product teams to act as consultants, helping customers plan and determine which products are the most cost-effective and suitable for their needs. The last key is the after-sale services excellence, backed by an experienced technical team capable of providing fast solutions at reasonable service costs. The company plans to increase more four areas in Saraburi, Tak, Chanthaburi and Phetchaburi or Pra Chaup Kirikhun to support customers in the Western area and connects the network in the Southern area.
LiuGong unveiled its latest 22-ton crawler excavator, the LiuGong 922F, particularly for those in the road and highways, general construction, mining, and forestry. In addition, other machines were showcased, including the 838TE electric wheel loader, the 9025FZTS mini excavator, the LTC120L4 truck crane, and the LT1604 tractor.
Current, the company has total 29 service and distribution centers across Thailand as the Northern area covered 9 provinces. The Northeastern area covered 6 provinces. The Central area covered 4 provinces. The Eastern area covered 4 provinces. The Western area covered 2 provinces. The Southern area covered 4 provinces.
FILE - The Korean scammers entice clients to invest through the said website in exchange for a percentage of the investment.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has strongly refuted reports of 11 South Korean nationals allegedly kidnapped in the country, with investigators finding that seven had already departed Thailand or never entered at all.
The controversy began after South Korean media outlets The Korea Herald and The Korea Economic Daily published reports claiming 11 South Korean citizens had been kidnapped in Thailand, triggering safety concerns among foreign tourists and raising questions about Thailand’s security for visitors.
Following an investigation ordered by Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumart Boonyalak, Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee announced the findings on Monday, revealing significant discrepancies with the media reports.
Of the 11 individuals named in South Korean media:
Five entered and departed Thailand through normal channels
Two were arrested and deported for violations
Four have no immigration records showing they ever entered Thailand
Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee
Those Who Departed Normally
Immigration records show five individuals left Thailand without incident between April and July 2025:
Kim Young-Hyun, 30, spent three days in Thailand (April 11-14) before departing via Chiang Mai Airport. Lim Seung-Hyeon, 34, stayed for three weeks (March 23-April 16) and left through Suvarnabhumi Airport. Park Gun-Wook, 33, remained for over three months (February 20-June 4) before departing from Suvarnabhumi.
Ryu Han-Su, 30, entered Thailand on May 7 via Don Mueang Airport but traveled onward to Cambodia three days later. Jeong Ki-Hoon, 37, departed Thailand on July 25 via Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Two individuals were deported after being arrested for violations:
Kim Gyeong-Hyeon, 30, was apprehended at Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint in Sa Kaeo Province on May 31, blacklisted as a scammer, and deported on July 1. Noh Ki-Dong, 34, surrendered for overstaying his visa after entering on April 12 and was deported on August 12.
Four individuals—In Seoung-Kyo, Yook Geun-Young, Lee Sang-Won, and Park Choon-Hwan—have no records of ever entering Thailand, according to the Immigration Bureau’s database.
FILE – Police raid a luxury villa in Chonburi, discovering 22 South Koreans running an illegal lending operation, June 21, 2025.
Enhanced Security Measures
The bureau will share these findings with the South Korean Embassy in Bangkok. Commissioner Phanumart has ordered immigration officers at all airports to issue warnings to high-risk travelers, including those entering visa-free, traveling alone without clear itineraries, or visiting Thailand for the first time.
“We’ve issued over 5,000 such warnings since the start of 2025, cautioning travelers about fraudulent job offers that lure them to neighboring countries,” said Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron.
Joint security checkpoints have been established along Thailand’s borders, particularly in Tak Province, to screen foreigners attempting to cross into Myanmar. The initiative reflects National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch’s commitment to ensuring tourist safety.
Pattern of Misinformation
Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron expressed frustration over what he called “repeated distorted reporting” that portrays Thailand as dangerous for foreign visitors.
“This is yet another instance of false claims that foreigners are being kidnapped in Thailand and trafficked across borders for scam operations,” he said, citing previous debunked cases including reports about an Ethiopian man named Oli who had no entry records, and a Belarusian model who had already departed the country before being reported missing.
The Immigration Bureau emphasized that Thailand remains committed to tourist safety and urged media outlets to verify information before publication.
Lyanne Kennedy, background left, the mother of 19-year-old Bella May Culley who was arrested upon arrival at the Tbilisi Airport in May and accused of attempting to smuggle marijuana and hashish into the country, stands at an entrance as she arrives to attend the court session in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — British teenager Bella May Culley, who was arrested in Georgia on drug smuggling charges earlier this year, could receive a two-year prison sentence after her family paid more than $180,000 in a plea deal, her lawyer said Tuesday.
Culley, 19, who is pregnant, was arrested in May at Tbilisi Airport and accused of attempting to smuggle 12 kilograms (26.4 pounds) of marijuana and 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of hashish into the country. If convicted, she faced up to 15 years or life imprisonment, but a plea bargain intended to reduce her sentence is currently being finalized, her lawyer Malkhaz Salakhaia told reporters.
“Reaching an agreement with the prosecutor’s office is in its final stage. All the conditions under which a plea agreement will be concluded regarding the charges against Bella May Culley are known to my client, Bella May Culley, and her family members. Only the technical issues remain to be finalized, for which we need several more days,” Salakhaia said.
Lyanne Kennedy, the mother of 19-year-old Bella May Culley who was arrested upon arrival at the Tbilisi Airport in May and accused of attempting to smuggle marijuana and hashish into the country, arrives the court in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Salakhaia told The Associated Press that a sentence of two years in prison for the teenager is being discussed as part of a plea deal, but the final verdict will be announced on Monday.
He did not rule out that Culley could be pardoned by the president if she is convicted.
Culley’s mother, Lyanne Kennedy, told reporters that the family has paid 500,000 lari (approx $184,000) as part of the plea bargain.
In Georgia, a 3.7-million nation in the South Caucasus, the law allows for financial plea agreements that can be reached to reduce or eliminate a prison sentence in certain cases. Those plea agreements are often reached in drug-related cases.
Culley, who is from Teesside, in north east England, was reported missing in Thailand prior to her arrest at Tbilisi Airport on May 10. The teenager pleaded not guilty to the charges after her arrest, saying she was tortured in Thailand and forced to carry the drugs.
Salakhaia has told reporters that she showed visible physical signs of torture upon her arrival in Georgia.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether she changed her plea as part of the plea bargain.
China and ASEAN sign Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
KUALA LUMPUR — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here on Tuesday that the newly signed China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0 upgrade heralds a new opportunity to expand and enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Li made the remarks at the 28th China-ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday morning. Before the summit, Li and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the signing of the CAFTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol.
Beyond tariff cuts and smoother trade, the upgraded document expands cooperation into nine areas, namely digital economy, green economy, supply chain connectivity, standards and technical regulations with conformity assessment procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, customs procedures and trade facilitation, competition and consumer protection, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and economic and technical cooperation.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the 28th China-ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)
Following the signing of the protocol, both sides will carry out their respective domestic ratification procedures to facilitate the protocol’s early entry into force and implementation, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.
The original agreement, signed in 2002, was fully implemented in 2010, and upgraded to CAFTA 2.0 in 2015. The newly upgraded CAFTA 3.0 shows China’s and ASEAN’s solemn commitment to multilateralism and free trade, as well as their firm resolve to jointly build an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional integrated market and a resilient regional industrial and supply chain system that delivers mutual benefits, the ministry said.
Sun Xiao, secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce, said CAFTA 3.0 is not a simple expansion from the existing framework, but a high-level free trade agreement with an inclusive, modern, comprehensive and mutually beneficial nature.
“It is not just an expansion of economic cooperation, but also a key step towards helping the region to walk away from the reliance on low-end manufacturing and achieve high-quality development,” he said.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, reacts as he, along with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center, inspects a car produced by Malaysia’s national automaker, Proton, in which China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group holds a 49.9% stake, ahead of the signing ceremony for the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade and the ASEAN–China summit, held as part of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Chalinee Thirasupa/Pool Photo via AP)
The upgrade also gives SMEs wider and smoother access to the grand Chinese and ASEAN markets. “Local SMEs can now connect directly with regional markets through digital platforms — true ‘local creation, regional expansion,'” said Tan Kar Hing, deputy chairman of Malaysia’s Center of Regional Strategic Studies.
Industries such as food, agricultural products, tourism, logistics, and digital e-commerce will be among the first to benefit from the upgrade, said Suwat Techawatanawana, executive vice president of the leading Thai bank Kasikornbank.
“The CAFTA 3.0 will serve as a strong starting point for developing the digital economy, e-commerce, the green economy and sustainability, ultimately fostering connectivity among SMEs across participating countries,” Suwat said.
(251028) — KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang poses for a group photo while attending the 28th China-ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
Yeah Kim Leng, a professor of economics at Malaysia’s Sunway University, called the signing “a timely upgrade not only to shield the region from global economic fragmentation and rising uncertainties, but a natural consequence of advancing inclusive development at the regional level.”
Giving more details about CAFTA 3.0 cooperation, Premier Li announced at the later 28th China-ASEAN Summit that China will inject more capital into the China-ASEAN Cooperation Fund, establish the China-ASEAN Digital Academy, build a cooperation platform on artificial intelligence, and set up a center for maritime development and technology cooperation. He further said that the two sides can also strengthen cooperation in transportation, digital economy, green economy, disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as climate change.
Li said China stands ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with ASEAN countries and effectively implement the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030), further cementing the all-round framework of China-ASEAN collaboration.
In his remarks, Li also touched on other issues, including a call for accelerating the consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and striving for its early conclusion.
He urged China and ASEAN countries to join forces more strongly, fend off external disruptions, and stand up for their legitimate rights and interests through mutual reliance and coordinated actions amid new changes in the current international landscape.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s tourism sector is riding high as the combination of peak travel season and major entertainment events, including BLACKPINK’s world tour, drew nearly 600,000 international visitors in just one week, pushing total tourism revenue for the year past 1.2 trillion baht ($37 billion USD).
Nattariya Thaweewong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, reported that between January 1 and October 26, 2025, Thailand has welcomed over 26 million foreign tourists. Last week alone saw a significant spike driven by the high season arrival of long-haul travelers and international fans attending major concerts.
Russian tourists led the surge with a 31% increase from the previous week. The influx was further boosted by Indian travelers following the Diwali festival and massive crowds of Chinese and international fans attending the BLACKPINK Deadline World Tour in Bangkok 2025 and the ZeeNuNew Crazy In Love Concert.
Foreign arrivals totaled 592,196 for the week, up 35,461 visitors or 6.37% from the previous week, with daily arrivals averaging 84,599. Malaysia remained the top source market with 90,855 visitors, followed by China (74,421), India (54,877), Russia (38,749), and South Korea (25,307).
India posted the sharpest growth at 31.3%, followed by Russia at 30.55% and China at 12.2%. However, arrivals from Malaysia and South Korea dropped 13.45% and 2.38% respectively compared to the previous week.
Looking ahead, tourism officials expect steady arrivals supported by the ongoing high season for long-haul markets, government “ease of traveling” measures including visa exemptions and TM.6 card waivers, and increased flight frequencies.
As of October 27, Thailand’s cumulative tourism revenue has reached approximately 1.21 trillion baht ($37 billion USD), underscoring the sector’s robust recovery and the drawing power of world-class entertainment events.
Samui immigration police approach an Italian man while he was coaching padel on October 28, before questioning him about working on a tourist visa.
KOH SAMUI — Immigration authorities on Koh Samui have arrested an Italian man for working as a sports coach without proper authorization, the latest action in a nationwide crackdown on illegal foreign workers.
Gianluca, 30, was detained on October 28 while teaching padel at a sports facility in Bo Phut subdistrict. Officers from Samui Immigration, led by Pol. Col. Naruvat Phutthawirot, caught him coaching foreign clients despite entering Thailand on a tourist visa.
The investigation began after authorities received reports that Pecoraro was operating as an unlicensed tennis and padel instructor, allegedly undercutting local Thai coaches. Officers monitoring his WhatsApp communications found he was charging around 600 baht ($18) per hour, with clients paying through the facility.
Samui immigration officers document the arrest of an Italian national caught working illegally as a tennis and padel coach on October 28ม 2025.
When confronted, Gianluca admitted to working as a freelance coach. He has been charged with working without a permit and handed over to Bo Phut Police Station.
The arrest is part of a broader enforcement campaign ordered by National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch targeting foreigners involved in illegal business operations, criminal activities, and other violations across popular tourist destinations like Koh Samui. The initiative aims to protect Thai workers and maintain public safety.
One of only six properties in the kingdom to achieve this highly distinguished accolade, Phulay Bay was also voted as the #1 “Best Resort in Thailand” by Condé Nast Traveller
Krabi, Thailand – October 2025 – Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the ultra-luxurious seafront sanctuary in Southern Thailand’s Krabi province, has reaffirmed its status as one of the world’s most extraordinary places to stay, dine and unwind, as it was awarded 3 MICHELIN Keys for the second consecutive year.
The second annual MICHELIN Key awards were revealed in October 2025, following countless hours of evaluation by the expert team of MICHELIN Inspectors. Only six properties in Thailand earned the prestigious 3 Key distinction – the highest honor in The MICHELIN Guide. Of these six, only three are beach resorts, and just one – Phulay Bay – is located in the breathtaking Thai province of Krabi.
The MICHELIN Guide 2025 praised Phulay Bay for the sheer quality of its services and facilities, all underpinned by authentic Southern Thai hospitality and panoramic views of the Andaman Sea, to create truly unparalleled guest experiences.
“One of the most straightforward ways to stand out in the crowded field of Thai luxury hospitality is to simply create one of the most luxurious resorts anywhere, and that’s the path chosen by Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. What sets it even further apart from the norm is its exquisite tastefulness, from the traditional-style welcome pavilion to the thoughtfully localized interiors of the hotel’s villas and pavilions. ” The MICHELIN Guide 2025 states.
President Donald Trump, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands before their summit talk at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)
TOKYO – Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump launched a new chapter in bilateral ties Tuesday, promising at their first summit in Tokyo to bolster cooperation on defense and the economy.
Before having lunch together, Takaichi and Trump signed documents including one on cooperation to secure and supply critical minerals, including rare earths, in an effort to enhance economic security, apparently with China in mind.
President Donald Trump, left, and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pose with their documents during a signing ceremony at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
President Donald Trump and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul exchange a document during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
BANGKOK — Thailand’s opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of signing a controversial memorandum of understanding (MOU) on rare earth cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump without prior consultation with Parliament or the public, warning that the deal could harm the environment and place Thailand at a disadvantage.
The MOU, signed in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025, aims to strengthen cooperation between Thailand and the United States on developing and diversifying global supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths. The agreement was signed around the same time Washington concluded a similar deal with Malaysia.
Opposition Questions Secrecy and Oversight
Chanin Rungthanakiat, deputy spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party, said the government must explain why such a significant agreement was signed without notifying the legislature.
“The MOU on rare earths might or might not be beneficial, but two questions remain,” Chanin said. “First, former deputy prime minister Pichai Chunhavajira has said there were never prior negotiations with the U.S. on this matter. So when did Anutin’s government begin these talks, and were they handled carefully? Second, if the prime minister knew this MOU would be signed during his meeting with President Trump, why was there no communication with Parliament or the public? An issue of this magnitude deserves public debate before signing.”
Chanin Rungthanakiat, deputy spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party (right), and Phattarapong Leelaphat, a People’s Party MP for Chiang Mai (left), questioned Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s signing of a rare earth MOU with U.S. President Donald Trump on October 27, 2025.
MP Warns of Environmental and Strategic Risks
Phattarapong Leelaphat, a People’s Party MP for Chiang Mai, also criticized the government, saying the MOU heavily favors the U.S. and lacks environmental safeguards.
He questioned why the deal was not recorded in the Cabinet’s October 21 meeting summary and accused the Department of Primary Industry and Mines of lacking expertise in rare earth extraction.
Phattarapong warned that the agreement could allow U.S. investors priority access to Thailand’s mineral resources and information, with no clear protection against water contamination from mining activities. He added that the deal effectively turns Thailand into “a pawn in the rare earth war between China and the U.S.”
He called on the caretaker government to halt any rare earth mining projects and strengthen the Mineral Act to ensure environmental protection and prevent foreign exploitation.
An arial view of the company’s mine in Mountain Pass, Calif. (MP Materials via AP)
Government Defends the Deal
Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Anutin signed the MOU to attract technology and investment that could help Thailand develop its own rare earth sector responsibly.
“Rare earths are valuable minerals that can improve manufacturing efficiency and product quality,” Siripong quoted the prime minister as saying. “The United States wants to participate in developing these resources, but Thailand lacks sufficient know-how. We must therefore seek technology and expertise.”
He added that the MOU is non-binding and subject to Thai law and good governance principles. “If, in the future, the MOU is deemed unbeneficial, either side can terminate it at any time,” Siripong said.
President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after signing an agreement on critical minerals and rare earths in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Monday, October 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Global Context
The South China Morning Post reported that Washington’s deal with Thailand is part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earths, following a similar agreement with Malaysia. The moves come after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth materials and related technologies earlier this month amid an ongoing trade war with the U.S.
Analysts say the U.S. sees Southeast Asia as a promising alternative source for critical minerals vital to its automotive, defense, and high-tech industries.
Police officers examine the scene where a 24-year-old French tourist fell from the fifth floor of a Pattaya hotel on October 27, 2025.
PATTAYA — A 24-year-old French national died early Sunday morning after falling from the fifth floor of a hotel in South Pattaya, with police investigating whether personal stress led to the fatal incident.
Pol. Lt. Bavornsak Boonman, Deputy Inspector of Pattaya City Police Station, received reports of the incident at 5:00 a.m. at a hotel in Moo 10, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. He coordinated with Sawang Boriboon Dhamma Sathan Pattaya Rescue Foundation volunteers and Pattaya City Hospital medical teams to respond.
Rescue workers found Mr. Max lying in the hotel parking lot with severe injuries. Medical personnel performed CPR at the scene before rushing him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police officers examine the scene where a 24-year-old French tourist fell from the fifth floor of a Pattaya hotel on October 27, 2025.
Witnesses Report Erratic Behavior
A hotel security guard told police he saw the man climb onto the balcony railing of his fifth-floor room. Staff members attempted to intervene, and the man initially appeared to comply and began climbing down. However, he climbed back onto the railing moments later and jumped.
Police found no signs of struggle or disturbance in the hotel room, though cannabis was discovered on the premises.
Hotel staff reported that prior to the incident, the deceased was heard speaking loudly on the phone in what sounded like an argument before staff went to check on him.
Police are treating the case as a suspected suicide possibly triggered by personal problems, though the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the death.
