Malaysia Deports 74 Telecom Fraud Suspects to China

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30 November 2016, 10:54

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, left, poses with Chinese President Xi Jinping Nov. 3 for a photo prior to their meeting at Diaoyutai state guesthouse in Beijing. Photo: Jason Lee / Associated Press

BEIJING — Malaysia has deported 74 telecom fraud suspects — including 21 from Taiwan — to China, in the latest instance of Southeast Asian countries deferring to China’s position on the self-governing island.

China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported that the suspects arrived in the central city of Wuhan on Tuesday night on a chartered plane escorted by police.

China regards Taiwan as a part of China and pressures its allies and smaller neighbors to abide by that position.

Taiwanese state media reported that Taiwanese officials protested the deportations to Malaysia, saying they “hurt the longstanding friendship” between the two sides.

Cambodia and Kenya are among the countries that have sent dozens of Taiwanese suspects to mainland China.

Queen Recovers and Returns to the Palace

By

Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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29 November 2016, 21:04

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit holds the arm of her son Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn as she waves to a crowd on March 12, 2009 outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Her Majesty the Queen was taken from the hospital back to the palace after being treated for a lung inflammation, a palace statement said Tuesday.

After being under the care of doctors at Chulalongkorn Hospital since Nov. 16, the Royal Household Bureau said the Queen’s condition had improved overall. The x-ray and blood tests also showed her lung inflammation had been mostly cured.

“The Queen has no fever and is conscious. She is able to walk and eat well,” the statement read.

The doctor saw it viable for her to return to rest at the palace.

Queen Sirikit is the wife of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol, who died on Oct. 13 at 88, ending his reign as the longest-ruling monarch in Thai history.

Due to her frail health, Her Majesty has spent much of the past year at the hospital.

She has rarely been seen in public since her hospitalization, but she was glimpsed during the motorcade that transported King Bhumibol’s body from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace on Oct. 14.

Taiwan Holds Rescue Exercise in Disputed South China Sea

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Associated Press

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29 November 2016, 17:55

Taiwanese Coast Guard carry a mock victim during a search-and-rescue exercise Tuesday on Taiping island in the South China Sea. Photo: Johnson Lai / Associated Press

TAIPING ISLAND — Taiwan held a search-and-rescue exercise in the South China Sea on Tuesday as part of efforts to cement its hold over a key island in the strategically vital waterbody.

Eight vessels and three aircraft took part in the drill simulating a fire aboard a cargo ship that forced crew members to seek safety on Taiping in the Spratly island group.

Both coast guard and navy ships participated in the exercise.

While Taiwan claims all of the Spratlys, it only occupies Taiping and hasn’t challenged the presence of forces from China and other nations on other islands in the group. Coast guard head Lee Chung-wei told journalists that Taiwan’s sovereignty over Taiping is “undeniable,” but that it wants to turn the island into a base for humanitarian relief missions in the area.

“The purpose of this drill is to tell international society that we are keen to conduct humanitarian relief on the island. We want to maintain peace in this region and put away disputes,” Lee said.

In recent years, Taiwan’s chief rival, China, has been aggressively pushing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, putting it in conflict with neighbors Vietnam and the Philippines. Malaysia and Brunei also claim parts of the South China Sea, while Indonesia has become increasingly assertive in defending its exclusive economic zone that encompasses rich fisheries and a potential wealth of mineral resources.

Story: Johnson Lai

‘Millionaire Pretty’ Who Hit 8 Cars High On Meth: Police

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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29 November 2016, 17:41

Kritrada ‘Zomy’ Tabtimphol answers questions from a police officer Tuesday at Huai Khwang Police Station in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Drugs were found in the system of a successful online personality who crashed her BMW into eight cars on a busy road in Bangkok earlier this month, police said Tuesday.

Citing a hospital lab test result, police charged Kritrada “Zomy” Tabtimphol with driving under the influence of narcotics, reckless driving, driving without a license and causing damages and injuries with her driving. Kritrada denied the first two charges and conceded the rest, a police officer said.

“She confessed to only two charges,” Col. Arkom Chantanalat, chief of Huai Khwang police, said by telephone. “She contested the reckless driving, too. She said it wasn’t her fault, she said some cars were blocking her way.”

Arkom identified the drug as methamphetamine.

Kritrada is a successful online entrepreneur and model who earns enough to be among those known as “Millionaire Pretties.”

She caused traffic mayhem on Nov. 1 when she rear-ended eight other cars during rush hour in front of the Esplanade shopping mall on Ratchadapisek Road. Police said three people were injured.

The erratic behavior she exhibited after exiting her car caught widespread attention online: She stepped out after the crash and shouted there was a bomb in her car. She also prayed and danced when policemen tried to question her about the incident. She later fainted at the police station and was taken to hospital by her family.

She was tested for alcohol and drugs at the hospital, the results of which were only sent to investigators on Monday, police said.

Kritrada was released on bail after reporting to police today.

“Her behavior did not indicate that she would flee the country,” he said.

Police will now collect evidence and eyewitness testimony before sending the case to the prosecutor, he added.

Jenphop Faces Fresh Lawsuit Over Fatal Crash

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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29 November 2016, 17:01

Jenphop Viraporn and his mother leave the court on Monday in Ayutthaya province.

AYUTTHAYA — Legal troubles are piling up for millionaire Jenphop Viraporn, who on top of a vehicular manslaughter trial for killing two graduate students eight months ago, now faces a civil suit for refusing to pay damages for the car he wrecked.

A lawyer for the one of the victim’s families Tuesday threatened the suit after Jenphop reneged on paying the compensation he’d promised for the Ford which went up in flames after he slammed into it on March 13, killing Krissana Thaworn and classmate Thantapat Horsaengchai inside.

Read: Surprising Court, Jenphop Withdraws Insanity Defense

He offered a much lower sum in court Monday when he pled guilty to one charge – fatal reckless driving – but contested the more serious counts against him, such as fatal DUI.

Attorney Prinya Sanitchone said the change was made by Jenphop’s new lawyer after the defendant told the judges he fired the previous over an unspecified disagreement.

“The former lawyer told the court his client was willing to pay the amount the car owner requested, which was 300,000 baht,” Prinya said. “But the new lawyer said the client will only pay 50,000 baht. So the court told us to file a civil lawsuit.”

Prinya said Jenphop’s plea of not guilty was entirely expected, but he and others were surprised by his refusal to pay for the car.

“I think it’s too much of a disgrace,” the lawyer said, “the judges also laughed when they heard this.”

The car belonged to Kamonrat Wongkiatkachorn, who had been dating Krissana for years. Krissana, 32, was driving to submit his final thesis at his university campus in Ayutthaya province when Jenphop’s Mercedes-Benz rear-ended him at speed of more than 200kph. Thantapat, 34, was reportedly hitching a ride in the car to apply for a pilgrimage to India.

Prinya said he will also represent Kamonrat in the civil case, but no date has been set yet.

Jenphop is charged with refusing a sobriety test, which under the law automatically leads to another offense, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He also faces charges of fatal reckless driving, driving over the speed limit and resisting law enforcement officers.

Jenphop’s next court appearance is Dec. 2, when lawyers from both sides will review the evidence and witnesses to be examined in the trial. Prinya said he estimates a verdict by May.

Cops Reprimanded for Bungling Fatal Benz Crash Case

Need a New Number? Prepare to be Fingerprinted Starting in February

By

Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

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29 November 2016, 17:00

fingerprint-phone — Photo: Chris Isherwood / Flickr

BANGKOK — Starting February, anyone registering a mobile SIM card must have their fingerprints taken, telecom regulators announced Monday.

Fingerprints will be collected from those buying new numbers while those already with SIM cards are not required to do so. Nonetheless they are encouraged to do so as the biometric registration is intended to improve security in the age of banking by phone, according to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

A top executive with the commission, Takorn Tantasith, said the mobile phones operators have agreed to absorb the costs of collecting fingerprints without passing it on to customers.

Software to manage the system is being developed by Kasetsart University and is expected to be ready by January, Takorn said.

Takorn said the registration targets the 14 million numbers used for mobile payments of the 110 million numbers in use.

The plan was first announced in August following a notorious case in which a man was robbed of nearly 1 million baht from his bank account through mobile banking. Phansuthi Meeluekij said the perpetrators used a fake ID to get his mobile operator to issue a replacement SIM card for his phone number. The thieves then changed the password of his Kasikornbank mobile banking account and transferred all his money out.

The case raised concerns about the new national PromptPay system, which the government and private sector was set to launch last month before suddenly putting it on hold until some time next year.

The fingerprint identity verification system was suggested by Takorn, who earlier this year sparked controversy by calling for tracking the locations of foreigners with a special SIM card. The plan soon stalled.

Takorn proposed the fingerprint system to restore faith in mobile banking, along with better data-sharing between telecoms and banks.

Acknowledging the policy would create more cost for operators, Takorn said the commission will consider a reduction in annual fees they pay.

Expats Could be Exempt From SIM Card Tracking

From WTF to LOL, Internet Reacts to Plan to Track Foreigners by Phones

Plan to Track All Foreigners – Not Just Tourists – By SIM Cards Moves Forward

76 Dead, 5 Survive in Colombia Plane Crash

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Associated Press

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29 November 2016, 16:39

A chartered aircraft with passengers including players from Chapecoense, heading to Colombia for a regional tournament final, has crashed on its way to Medellin's international airport in Colombia, Medellin's Mayor Federico Gutierrez and Medellin's airport said Tuesday. Photo: Andre Penner / Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian police say that five people have survived a plane crash near Medellin’s international airport and the rest of the passengers have been killed.

Gen. Jose Acevedo, head of police in the area surrounding Medellin, provided the information.

A chartered aircraft with 81 people on board, including the Brazilian first division Chapecoense soccer team which was heading to Colombia for a regional tournament final, crashed on its way to Medellin’s international airport.

Police, Netizens Hunt For Lost Elder Wand

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Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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29 November 2016, 16:12

Natdanai Asavaruks’ Elder Wand before it went missing Nov. 20 at Major Phahon Yothin in Bangkok. Original photo: Natdanai Asavaruks / Facebook

BANGKOK — A week or so ago, when Natdanai Asavaruks went to go see the latest movie set in the Harry Potter universe, he brought along a prized possession – his Elder Wand.

It was some time after the curtain had closed on “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” in the parking lot of Major Phahon Yothin, when the most powerful wand in the universe seemed to just magically disappear.

Instead of blaming it on a Niffler, the 19 year old on Monday went to police to report it stolen. As he would later tell the internet, an officer raised one important question about the Thestral tail hair-enchanted device: Why didn’t he destroy it before it could fall into the wrong hands?

“Please contact me if you find the wand, or return it to Phahon Yothin police station,” Natnadai wrote in an online plea shared more than 4,000 times of the wand once wielded by Albus Dumbledore. “We’re all Thais, please return it if you find it. I’m begging you!”

Using the hashtag #MissingWand, netizens have joined police in the hunt for the wand, which went missing Nov. 20 along with the case it came in when Natdanai bought it in the United States.

“The wand chooses its owner, you know,” wrote user Jeab Punnarat.

See 6 Free Very Human Tales at Indie Cinema

By

Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

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29 November 2016, 15:15

BANGKOK — In 1988, more than 100 Vietnamese refugees were stranded in the Pacific Ocean for 37 days. By the time they were rescued by Filipino fishermen, almost half had died.

Their stories and others will be told at the first Global Migration Film Festival next month at an indie cinema in Bangkok hosted by the U.N. Migration Agency.

To give voice to immigrant experiences, includes 2008 documentary “Bolinao 52,” about how 52 of the 110 Vietnamese boat people survived their ordeal, along with five other films about the struggles of immigrants and refugees around the world. Four days after it opens Dec. 14 in Bangkok, the festival will conclude on International Migrants Day. The festival takes place simultaneously from Dec. 5 until Dec. 18 around the world.

Take a closer look at Argentina’s capital city via “La Salada” (2014), which focuses on three groups of immigrants living in a sprawling informal flea market in Buenos Aires, while “Guido Models” (2015) centers on a middle-aged Bolivian immigrant who runs a modeling agency and academy in the city’s biggest slum.

Filipino flicks include “Donor,” in which a woman desperately searching for a better life sells her kidney to an Arab patient.

Too much drama? Then the movie best suited may be 2005 comedy-drama “La Visa Loca,” which follows the life of a taxi driver in Manila who dreams of going to the United States.

The last film added to the list is 2016 documentary “The Invisible City: Kakuma” which centers around Kakuma refugee camp, built in the middle of the Turkana desert in Kenya.

The film festival hosted by the International Organization for Migration runs Dec. 14 to Dec. 18 at a new indie cinema, the Bangkok Screening Room.

Admission is free. Booked tickets must be claimed 15 minutes before each screening.

The Bangkok Screening Room is located on the second floor above a 7-Eleven on Soi Saladaeng 1, which is walkable from MRT Lumphini’s exit No. 2 or BTS Sala Daeng’s exit No. 4.

Finally, an Alternative Cinema to Open in Bangkok

Malaysian Reform Group Leader Freed After 10-Day Detention

By

Associated Press

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29 November 2016, 14:35

Maria Chin Abdullah, chairwoman of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), waves Monday to the crowd during a candlelight vigil at Merdeka (Independence) square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Lim Huey Teng / Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR — The head of Malaysian electoral reform group Bersih, which led a mass anti-government rally this month, has been freed after being held for 10 days without trial under a security law meant for terrorists.

Maria Chin was detained Nov. 18 for “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy,” just a day before thousands of protesters took to Kuala Lumpur’s streets to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over a financial scandal. Police said 15,500 people protested, but Bersih estimated the crowd at 120,000.

Chin’s release Monday came a day before a court hearing to challenge her detention under the Security Offences Act.

Amnesty International hailed Chin’s release from what it called a “farcical detention” and said Tuesday that the government must drop any charges against her.

“They should also stop using national security or other repressive laws against government critics for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly,” it said in a statement.

Shortly after her release, Chin met with hundreds of supporters in Kuala Lumpur and thanked them for holding nightly candlelight vigils to demand her release. Wearing the trademark yellow Bersih T-shirt, she vowed to fight for the abolition of the security law and to press for political reforms. Bersih means clean in the Malay language.

“My detention is illegal and a violation of my rights,” she said.

Najib has kept an iron grip since graft allegations emerged two years ago involving the indebted 1MDB state fund. He founded the fund in 2009 to promote economic development, but it accumulated billions in debts.

The investigations into 1MDB in the U.S. and several other countries are centered on allegations of a global embezzlement and money-laundering scheme.

The U.S. Justice Department said that at least USD $3.5 billion had been stolen from 1MDB by people close to Najib and initiated action in July to seize $1.3 billion it said was taken from the fund to buy assets in the U.S.

The U.S. government complaints also said that more than USD $700 million had landed in the accounts of “Malaysian Official 1.” They did not name the official, but appear to be referring to Najib.

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