Dutch Man, 77, Arrested Again for Child Sex Trafficking in Pattaya

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3 October 2025, 15:49

dutch child trade2 — A 77-year-old Dutch man is detained by Thai officers during an October 2 raid on a Pattaya hotel where he allegedly trafficked minors for sex.

PATTAYA — Thai authorities have arrested a 77-year-old Dutch man and his Thai accomplice for allegedly trafficking children under 15 for sex work, seven years after he was deported for similar offenses.

The October 2 raid on a hotel in Moo 12, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District—less than 100 meters from Pattaya City Police Sub-Station—resulted in the rescue of two boys aged approximately 15 and an 18-year-old woman who were allegedly being sold for sexual services to foreign tourists.

Authorities arrested Johannes Reijnaard, 77, a Dutch national, and Praphaiporn English, 58, a Thai woman, on charges related to human trafficking and child sexual exploitation.

dutch child trade3 — Authorities escort an 18-year-old woman (face covered) from the raided hotel in Pattaya on October 2. She was among three victims—including two boys aged approximately 15—rescued during the operation targeting a child sex trafficking network.

The operation was launched following coordination between Thai authorities and international partners, including the Destiny Rescue Foundation, the SCIENTIA Project, the Free a Girl Foundation from the Netherlands, and the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Thailand.

The groups reported that a Dutch national and Thai woman were recruiting Thai boys and young men under 18 to provide sexual services to foreign clients in the Jomtien Beach area of Pattaya, Chonburi Province.

dutch child trade1 — A 77-year-old Dutch man is detained by Thai officers during an October 2 raid on a Pattaya hotel where he allegedly trafficked minors for sex.

Dr. Thanakrit Jit-areerat, a working group member of the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, said the raided premises was a commercial building converted into daily and monthly rental rooms. Officers presented identification before conducting the inspection and rescue operation.

A background check revealed troubling details about Reijnaard’s history. He was previously arrested by Thai police on human trafficking charges in late 2016, but was released due to insufficient evidence and subsequently deported from Thailand.

However, investigators discovered that in 2017, Reijnaard allegedly paid bribes to officials and illegally re-entered Thailand through a natural border crossing in Sa Kaeo Province. He then returned to operating a human trafficking network in the Pattaya area, where he continued his illegal activities until his arrest by Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers in this coordinated operation.

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Thai Court Sentences Gunman to Life for Killing Cambodian ex-MP

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Khaosod English

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3 October 2025, 14:16

lim kimya wife-2 — Anne-Marie Lim holds a photograph of her late husband, former Cambodian MP Lim Kimya, as she arrives to testify at Bangkok's Criminal Court on September 30. She witnessed the fatal shooting in January.

BANGKOK — A Thai criminal court sentenced a former naval serviceman to life imprisonment on Thursday for the assassination of a Cambodian opposition politician in central Bangkok earlier this year.

The Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road handed down the verdict to Petty Officer Ekkalak Paenoi, widely known as “Sergeant M,” for the January 7 killing of Lim Kimya, a 74-year-old former member of Cambodia’s opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. The court also ordered him to pay 1.79 million baht ($52,000) in compensation to the victim’s widow, Anne-Marie Lim.

According to the Associated Press, Lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman, who represents Lim Kimya’s wife, said her client may file an appeal demanding a higher amount of compensation. She demanded police push harder to bring the two other suspects to justice.

Ekkalak had served in the Royal Thai Navy as a technician before the shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. at a traffic circle near Khao San Road area of Phra Nakhon district. Lim was shot while in his vehicle in broad daylight in one of Bangkok’s busiest tourist districts.

lim kimya dayone — Police officers from Chana Songkhram Police Station cordon off the area where Lim Kimya, a 74-year-old Cambodian political activist, was shot dead near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara temple in Phra Nakhon district on January 7, 2025.

The defendant confessed to the crime, which reduced his sentence from the death penalty to life imprisonment. The court found that he acted with premeditation and intent to kill.

A second defendant, taxi driver Chakit (or Chamnan) Buaplee, was acquitted. Prosecutors had charged him with harboring a criminal, alleging he drove Ekkalak to Khlong Hat district in Sa Kaeo province for 4,500 baht immediately after the shooting. However, the court ruled there was insufficient evidence that Buaplee knew about the crime or intended to help the gunman evade justice.

According to investigation records, Ekkalak fled to Cambodia through the Khao Din Permanent Border Crossing Point in Sa Kaeo at 11:41 p.m. on the night of the shooting. Thai Metropolitan Police worked with Cambodian authorities to apprehend him. He was detained in Battambang before being transferred to the Internal Security Command Headquarters in Phnom Penh and subsequently extradited to Thailand on January 11.

cambodian assassin5 — Ekkalak Paenoi, known as Sergeant M, the suspect in the shooting of Mr. Lim Kimya, a 74-year-old Cambodian political activist and former opposition MP in Bangkok, was arrested in Cambodia on Jan. 8, 2025.

Despite his confession, Ekkalak has refused to identify who ordered the hit, claiming only that his benefactor had supported him and that he took the job out of gratitude. A second suspect, believed to be Cambodian and suspected of providing intelligence for the assassination, fled to Cambodia and remains at large.

The case has shocked both Thailand and Cambodia due to the brazen nature of the attack in the heart of Bangkok’s tourist district, raising questions about transnational political violence and the safety of political exiles in Thailand.

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Australian Says He Was Improperly Arrested in Thailand Over His Criticism of Malaysia

By

Associated Press

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3 October 2025, 13:12

Thailand Malaysia Defamation — Australian Murray Hunter, an independent scholar and writer who lives in southern Thailand, talks to The Associated Press during an interview in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK (AP) — An Australian man arrested in Thailand on a defamation charge that he says originated with Malaysia’s government said Thursday he is a victim of transnational repression, in which Southeast Asia countries cooperate in seizing dissidents or critics of third countries.

Independent scholar and writer Murray Hunter, 66, told The Associated Press that he believes he was improperly arrested by Thai police Monday for articles he had written about Malaysia in 2024 on his online Substack newsletter, and he questioned how his case falls under Thai jurisdiction.

Concerns about cross-border repression have been documented by rights groups and U.N. rights experts, who in a July report expressed “profound concern regarding the reported rise in transnational repression … to deter, silence or punish dissent, criticism or human rights advocacy.”

The report to the U.N. Human Rights Council said suspected human rights violations also included serious claims of extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances implicating Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, allegations that have been denied by all those countries.

AP25275313809078 — Australian Murray Hunter, an independent scholar and writer who lives in southern Thailand, talks to The Associated Press during an interview in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Hunter, who lives in southern Thailand, was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport as he was about to board a flight to Hong Kong. He was jailed overnight and then released on 20,000 baht ($620) bail, pending a Nov. 17 court appearance. The charge of defamation by publication against him is punishable by a maximum prison term of two years and a fine of 200,000 baht ($6,180).

Hunter blamed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission for lodging the criminal defamation charge against him. A copy of his charge sheet seen by AP identified that agency as the victim in the case but said the complainant was a person staying at a hotel in Bangkok whom it did not name.

The commission said it lodged police reports in 2024 in both Malaysia and Thailand regarding material by Hunter about Malaysian institutions and filed a civil lawsuit against him in Malaysia. It said in the statement it understood he had been arrested by Thai authorities for non-compliance with summonses they had issued in connection with their investigation. It also said it would abide by the decisions of the Thai justice system.

Asked about the summonses, Hunter said one was delivered to his home when he was on an extended stay in another region of Thailand and the local police where he was staying advised him the copy forwarded to him by a neighbor appeared to be a scam.

The Thai Foreign Ministry said it could not immediately comment.

A joint statement issued Wednesday by Malaysia’s Centre for Independent Journalism and the free speech organization PEN Malaysia said that if the commission was involved in the arrest, seeking a cross-border arrest for political criticism goes against the spirit of Malaysia’s constitution and its protections for freedom of expression.

“Although the Government may reference legal grounds under current restrictive laws, using Thai public authorities to silence dissenting speech would be an overreach of its powers and jurisdiction, and weaken constitutional guarantees,” it said.

Hunter said his case should be cause for concern, because “if this can happen to me, any journalists now, where a body in another country makes a complaint against them to the Thai police, could have the same consequences and be picked off a flight and put in a lockup.”

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Portuguese Fugitive Wanted for €500 Million Scam Arrested in Bangkok

By

Khaosod English

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3 October 2025, 10:56

portugal scam2 — Immigration officers escort the Portuguese suspect (carrying backpack) following his arrest at a Bangkok shopping mall on October 2, 2025.

BANGKOK — A 39-year-old Portuguese national suspected of orchestrating cryptocurrency and credit card fraud worth €500 million ($586 million or approximately 19 billion baht) has been arrested at a luxury shopping mall in Bangkok. The suspect, wanted across Europe and Asia, was apprehended following a tip from an unlikely source—a Portuguese journalist on vacation.

Immigration Bureau officials revealed that the Portuguese journalist recognized Pedro M. from extensive media coverage in Portugal and alerted Thai authorities. Using facial recognition technology and biometric databases, investigators from Immigration Division 1 confirmed the suspect’s identity.

From Tourist to Fugitive

Pedro, born in Lisbon, first entered Thailand in 2023 on a tourist visa. He soon began running Bitcoin investment scams in Bangkok, defrauding victims of over 1 million baht ($30,800). An arrest warrant was initially issued, but was later withdrawn from the system. Pedro then fled to southern Thailand and disappeared from immigration records for nearly two years—never renewing his visa or registering an address.

The breakthrough came on October 2, 2025, around 3:00 p.m., when the Portuguese journalist spotted Pedro in downtown Bangkok.

Five-Hour Manhunt

More than 10 plainclothes investigators deployed to the mall, conducting a five-hour search. They finally spotted a foreign man matching Pedro’s description making a phone call with a tense expression. Officers moved in to verify his identity.

portugal scam1 — Immigration officers question the Portuguese suspect (center) following his arrest at a Bangkok shopping mall on October 2, 2025.

His passport showed his last visa stamp was from 2023, and he admitted staying in Thailand without valid authorization. He was charged with overstaying his visa.

International Crime Spree

According to Interpol databases and Portuguese media reports, Pedro has committed fraud across Portugal, Europe, the Philippines, and Thailand. His schemes included cryptocurrency investment scams, credit card fraud, and passport forgery. Swiss bank accounts linked to him reportedly circulated over €500 million.

Following legal proceedings in Thailand and blacklisting, Pedro will be deported to Portugal to face charges there.

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Missing British Man from Pattaya Spotted Attempting Myanmar Crossing

By

Khaosod English

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3 October 2025, 01:18

seek british kan2 — CCTV footage shows Lawrence at Century Hotspring Resort in Sangkhla Buri on September 27, 2025, shortly before he disappeared.

KANCHANABURI — Kanchanaburi Governor has launched an intensive search for a 19-year-old British man who vanished from Pattaya on September 26, after CCTV footage captured him attempting to cross into Myanmar from Sangkhla Buri district. Authorities fear he may have been lured by scam gang recruiters despite official warnings.

Gulnara, a Thai-Russian mother living in Chonburi Province, filed a missing person report in Pattaya seeking public assistance to locate her son, Lawrence. Her concern deepened after detecting his email activity near the Sangkhla Buri area of Kanchanaburi Province, along the Myanmar border.

On October 2, Kanchanaburi Governor Athisan Intara ordered local officials, Sangkhla Buri police, and immigration officers to review CCTV footage from roads, hotels, and resorts throughout the district—both in town and along the border at Ban Phra Chedi Sam Ong in Nong Lu subdistrict—after witnesses reported seeing someone matching Lawrence’s description in Tha Makham subdistrict.

Following the Trail

CCTV footage from Century Hotspring Resort in Ban Dan Chedi Sam Ong shows Lawrence walking in the rain on September 27 at 3:32 PM, carrying a large bag. Resort staff said he had stopped by to charge his mobile phone before leaving on foot.

Additional footage captured him hitchhiking near Sai Yok Noi Waterfall in Sai Yok district. A teacher driving through the area picked him up and gave him a ride to Sangkhla Buri. Authorities are now trying to locate this teacher for more information.

Border Incident

The most alarming development came later that same day, when immigration officers at the Myanmar border spotted Lawrence attempting to cross into Phaya Tong Su township. Officers intervened, explaining that border crossings to Myanmar are currently prohibited.

seek british kan3 — Missing person flyer distributed by Lawrence’s family showing his photos and British passport details. Anyone with information is urged to call 087-063-2177.

Immigration officials noticed Lawrence was constantly on his phone and attempting to slip through the fence. They stopped him and escorted him to the bus terminal, instructing him to return home. That was the last confirmed sighting—until his family reported him missing.

Authorities now believe Lawrence slipped across the border when officers were momentarily distracted. His constant phone conversations suggest he may have been in contact with someone on the Myanmar side.

Scam Gang Fears

Gulnara described her son as quiet but highly intelligent with strong computer skills. She fears he may have been deceived into crossing to Myanmar to work for online scam operations—a growing concern along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Governor Athisan has mobilized all relevant agencies to conduct a comprehensive search until Lawrence is found.

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China Denies Sending Arms to Cambodia Amid Thai Border Clash

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Khaosod English

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2 October 2025, 23:52

Cambodia Thailand — A Cambodian military vehicle carries rocket launcher in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, Friday, July 25, 2025, as Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed along the border between their countries in a major escalation. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

BANGKOK — The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has firmly denied reports that China provided military equipment to Cambodia for use in the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border clashes.

The controversy reignited after The New York Times published a report suggesting that while “China played an active role in trying to bring about the cease-fire between Thailand and Cambodia,” accounts of weapons shipments “complicate Beijing’s effort to cast itself as a neutral peace broker in Southeast Asia.”

In a statement posted on the Chinese Embassy Bangkok’s Facebook page on October 2, 2025, a spokesperson addressed the allegations directly.

Embassy Statement

When asked about reports claiming Cambodia used Chinese-made rockets in the border clashes, the spokesperson said China has been working to de-escalate tensions as a friendly neighbor to both countries since the conflict began.

“China did not send any military equipment to Cambodia for use in the Thai-Cambodian border clashes,” the statement read. “The military equipment from China that Cambodia currently possesses all comes from pre-existing China-Cambodia cooperation projects.”

Chinese embassy — Chinese Embassy Bangkok

The embassy emphasized that China has no vested interest in the border dispute and supports ASEAN’s efforts to find a political solution through the “ASEAN Way.” Beijing expressed willingness to work closely with Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and other regional partners to promote a lasting ceasefire.

The statement concluded with a pointed message: “We urge the relevant individuals to consider the peace and stability of the region and the well-being of the people, and to do more positive and constructive things to de-escalate the situation between Thailand and Cambodia, instead of maliciously spreading false news and inciting chaos.”

Thai Officials Weigh In

Defense Minister General Nattaphon Nakpanit dismissed the New York Times report as old news, noting he had already addressed the issue with media in early February. He explained that Chinese weapons support to Cambodia predated the current conflict and was part of normal international relations between the two countries.

“At that time, there was no conflict between Thailand and Cambodia,” General Nattaphon said. “But if there are tensions like we see now, I’m confident China would handle the matter carefully.”

AP25095428524405 — A Chinese warship docks at a naval base’s pier during an official inauguration of the Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, southwestern of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

When pressed on whether China has sent additional weapons to Cambodia recently, the Defense Minister said intelligence reports show no such shipments. He acknowledged that some equipment may have remained in Cambodia after joint military exercises, though Cambodia has not publicly disclosed details—unlike Thailand, where parliamentary scrutiny has made most information available.

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow took a measured approach, saying he would first speak with the Chinese Embassy. He noted that defense assistance between countries is standard practice and doesn’t necessarily mean China is helping Cambodia attack Thailand.

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CPF Approves Baht 8 Billion Share Repurchase Program

By

MC Marketing

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2 October 2025, 23:41

CPF announced share repurchase of up to Baht 8 billion Financial management for shareholder returns

On October 2, 2025, the Board of Directors of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) approved the share repurchase project or treasury stock with maximum amount of Baht 8,000 million. The repurchase period is 6 months started from October 8, 2025 to April 7, 2026. This project aims to enhance shareholder returns through the effective management of excess liquidity.

As a result of the reduction in the company’s outstanding shares from the buyback, the share repurchase will benefit shareholders through the increase in the company’s Earnings per Share (EPS) and an improved Return on Equity (ROE). Furthermore, shareholders will have an opportunity to receive higher dividends per share.

The share repurchase must be executed in compliance with the regulations of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) via automated order matching through the SET’s trading system, and the purchase price must not exceed 115% of the average closing share price of 5 business days prior to each repurchase date.

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Phuket Police Probe Unexplained Death of Russian Man in Pool

By

Khaosod English

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2 October 2025, 19:01

russian pool phuket1 — Hotel staff points to the spot in the pool where the Russian man was found submerged in front of his room in Rawai Subdistrict, Phuket on October 2, 2025.

PHUKET — Police in Chalong are investigating the mysterious death of a 58-year-old Russian tourist found in a swimming pool at his accommodation in Rawai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket on October 2.

Pol. Col. Rungrit Rattanaphakdee, Chief of Chalong Police Station, revealed that investigators, together with forensic doctors from Vachira Phuket Hospital and forensic evidence officers, examined the body of Mr. Vladimir, 58, who was found dead on a bed inside his room. The body was lying face-up and wet, with no signs of assault. No evidence of struggle or ransacking was found in the room.

russian pool phuket2 — A rescue vehicle (left) arrives to transport the body of the Russian man who died at his accommodation in Rawai Subdistrict, Phuket to the hospital for detailed autopsy on October 2, 2025.

According to the investigation, the victim’s wife, Mrs. Iuliia, stated that at approximately 7:00 a.m., while she was sleeping in their room, her husband was sitting at a table by the pool. Around 10:00 a.m., a housekeeper woke her to report that her husband was submerged in the pool.

She immediately went out and helped the housekeeper pull Vladimir from the water onto the bed in their bedroom, where they discovered he had already died. Police were notified at 11:00 a.m.

Police and forensic doctors from Vachira Phuket Hospital conducted a preliminary autopsy at the scene before transferring the body to the hospital for a detailed examination to determine the cause of death. Further investigation procedures are ongoing.
Authorities have confirmed that Mr. Vladimir held a life insurance.

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Paetongtarn Reclaims 28.43% Stake in SC Asset as Major Shareholder

By

Khaosod English

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2 October 2025, 15:59

BANGKOK — SC Asset Corporation Public Company Limited announced on October 1, 2025, that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has reacquired a major shareholding position in the company, taking back 28.43% of ordinary shares that were previously held under asset management arrangements.

According to the company’s letter to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Ms. Paetongtarn acquired 1,216,149,870 ordinary shares from Kiatnakin Phatra Asset Management Company Limited and Land and Houses Fund Management Company Limited. The shares had been transferred to these asset management firms in compliance with the Ministerial Shareholding Management Act 2000, which governs how government ministers must handle their business assets while in office.

Prior to the transaction on September 30, 2025, the shares were held as follows: Kiatnakin Phatra Asset Management held 1,026,149,870 shares (23.99%) and Land and Houses Fund Management held 190,000,000 shares (4.44%).

SC Asset emphasized that the change in shareholding structure will not affect the company’s control structure, business operations, or the composition of its board of directors and management team.

The return of the shares to Paetongtarn marks her restoration as the company’s largest individual shareholder, following the completion of the mandatory asset management period required under ministerial ethics regulations.

Paetongtarn was removed from office after the Constitutional Court ruled on August 29 that she had breached ethics laws in her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia over leaked audio recordings of her conversations with Cambodian leader Hun Sen in June. She remains the leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

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Central Group’s The 1 to The World Brings Exclusive Privileges Abroad

By

MC Marketing

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2 October 2025, 15:47

Bangkok, Thailand – The 1, Thailand’s No.1 Digital Lifestyle & Loyalty Platform under Central Group, unveils “The 1 to The World” – exclusive privileges that follow members globally. In partnership with Central Group’s international department stores and key partners, The 1 delivers seamless benefits abroad, with enhanced rewards for The 1 Exclusive, CENFINITY, and premium perks via Central The 1 Credit Card.

Representing The 1 members as true Global Citizens, renowned TV host and global affairs commentator Dr. Wit Sittivaekin together with his spouse Khun Puey – Veenarat Laohapakakul, also a well-known news anchor, shared their personal experiences of enjoying the comfort and convenience of The 1’s International Privileges in their global travels.

Explore all privileges on The 1 APP: https://go.the1.co.th/UohD/45go8

Expanding Loyalty Beyond Borders :

Hansa Wongsiripitack, Head of Marketing, The 1, said:

“With over 22 million members nationwide, travel consistently ranks among the top three lifestyle interests. With Central Group’s global network, we extend benefits seamlessly to leading department stores abroad – offering convenience, exclusivity, and value worldwide.”

International Privileges include:

All Members: Earn The 1 Points + 10% discounts at Rinascente (Italy), KaDeWe & Oberpollinger (Germany), Illum (Denmark), Globus (Switzerland), de Bijenkorf (Netherlands), Daimaru (Japan), Lotte & The Shilla Duty Free (Korea), Marina Bay Sands (Singapore).

The 1 Exclusive: Up to 20% discount, fast-track tax refund, hotel delivery, gift wrapping, VIP lounge, personal shopping assistant.

CENFINITY: Chauffeur service, welcome drinks, tailoring, beauty treatments.

Central The 1 Credit Card Holders (The Black, Black, Luxe): Cashback up to 15% and access to 1,600+ airport lounges worldwide.

Voices from Global Citizens

Dr. Wit: “Being asked for my The 1 membership at Rinascente felt like placing a Thai flag abroad. Beyond points, services like hotel delivery and VIP Lounge access made me feel truly special worldwide.”

Veenarat: “From collecting points in Europe to 15% cashback with Central The 1 Credit Card, every benefit makes shopping more rewarding. Membership feels valuable both at home and abroad.”

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