China's Vice Public Security Minister Liu Zhongyi visited 900 Chinese nationals rescued from scammer compounds at Myanmar's Karen Border Guard Force headquarters near Mae Sot, Thailand on Feb.17, 2025.
BANGKOK — China’s Vice Public Security Minister Liu Zhongyi apologized for creating misunderstandings about sovereignty during anti-scam operations in Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed after their hour-long meeting on Febbruary 19 at the Defense Ministry.
Earlier, Liu traveled from Thailand’s Mae Sot checkpoint to the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) headquarters and Myanmar authorities to visit around 900 Chinese nationals rescued from scammer compounds in Shwe Kokko. He also crossed the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to inspect potential aircraft pickup locations.
China’s Vice Public Security Minister Liu Zhongyi meets with Thai officials at the Defense Ministry in Bangkok on February 19, 2025.
His February 16-17 trips drew criticism from some Thais who felt his unrestricted border movements without Thai officials present appeared to violate Thai sovereignty. However, Liu emphasized China’s respect for Thai sovereignty and local laws, attributing any misunderstandings to overenthusiasm in protecting Chinese citizens.
Liu stated that the Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, praised Thailand’s measures against scammers in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region, particularly the cutting of electricity, internet, and fuel supplies.
Three key developments emerged from the meeting:
Thailand will host trilateral talks with Myanmar and China next week to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime.
China will arrange three flights to repatriate 600 Chinese nationals from the Thai-Myanmar border, with 200 people per flight at three-day intervals.
Thailand will continue its strict measures against call center operations in Myawaddy while requesting special container inspection equipment from China.
Thailand rejected a fourth proposal that would have restricted essential supplies to Myanmar, citing humanitarian concerns for innocent civilians in both countries.
The first repatriation operation begins February 20, with four flights departing from Mae Sot airport. The process of identifying victims and suspects will remain confidential as investigations continue.
Chinese believed to have been trafficked and trapped into working in online scam centers after they were rescued in Myawaddy district in eastern Myanmar, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiravuth Rungjamratratsami)
Immigration Police Division 3 officers arrest two Swiss nationals in Pattaya for separate sexual offenses against minors on Feb. 18, 2025.
PATTAYA — Immigration Police Division 3 arrested two Swiss nationals in Pattaya for sexual offenses against minors. Both arrests occurred around the same time and were announced on February 19.
The first suspect, Mr. Rudolf, age 68, collaborated with a Thai accomplice to contact the guardian of a girl (alias “A”) in Surat Thani province, requesting to adopt her and offering to fund her education at a school in Chonburi province. The guardian, believing it would benefit the child, allowed her to live with Mr. Rudolf.
Later, Pattaya Police received complaints about his sexual abuse of the child. After investigation, they obtained a search warrant for his residence, where they found external hard drives and flash drives containing explicit photos and videos of the girl in various situations, including bathing. During questioning, the girl confirmed she was molested and forced to pose in various ways, with the suspect using intimidation when she refused.
The external hard drives and flash drives belonging to Mr. Rudolf, a 68-year-old Swiss national, contained explicit photos and videos of a Thai girl.
On February 18, Pattaya Police arrested and charged Mr. Rudolf with possession of child pornography for sexual exploitation and committing indecent acts against a child under 13 years old, regardless of consent, using coercion against a person under his authority.
He was initially granted bail but fled before sentencing. Immigration officers and Pattaya Police later found him hiding in an apartment in Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi, and arrested him.
The second suspect, Mr. Oliver, age 41, entered Thailand as a tourist on April 4, 2023. He used the Tinder application to solicit sexual services from a Thai female minor under 15 years old. He fled before being prosecuted. On February 18, 2025, when he re-entered Thailand, he tried to evade arrest by hiding in a hotel in Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi.
Police arrest Mr. Oliver, a 41-year-old Swiss national, who was hiding in a hotel in Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi on Feb. 18, 2025.
Immigration Investigation Division officers arrested him, and the Chonburi Provincial Court immediately issued an arrest warrant for “taking away a person under fifteen years of age from their parent, guardian or caretaker for indecent purposes,” “taking a person under fifteen years of age for indecent purposes regardless of their consent,” and “sexual intercourse with a minor under fifteen years of age who is not their spouse, regardless of consent.”
Police Major General Chairit Anurut, Commander of Immigration Division 3, stated that authorities prioritize foreign nationals’ criminal cases, especially sexual offenses, noting that victims of such crimes suffer tremendously. He explained that the two cases differ in detail – the first suspect clearly used financial status as a means to access the victim, while the second claimed the victim was willing and that he was unaware of her true age. He warned tourists using dating apps to be cautious.
Thai officials transport 116 Myanmar migrants by boat for legal proceedings at Sangkhla Buri Police Station, Kanchanaburi Province, on Feb. 18, 2025.
KANCHANABURI — A total of 116 Myanmar nationals, mostly young men and women, were arrested after hiding on an island in the middle of the waters of Vajiralongkorn Dam in Sangkhla Buri district, Kanchanaburi province.
Many of them admitted that they had fled conscription in Myanmar and paid 18,000–20,000 baht per person to intermediaries in the hope of finding work in the interior provinces of Thailand or Malaysia.
According to reports, around 5:30 p.m. on February 18, Pol. Col. Phaitoon Sriwilai, Superintendent of Sangkhla Buri Police Station, received a tip-off that a large number of undocumented migrants were hiding on an island about 300 meters from the mainland in Moo 2, Nong Loo Subdistrict, Sangkhla Buri District. He immediately coordinated with local police, Surasi Task Force military personnel and administrative officials to inspect the site.
More than a hundred migrants are found hiding on an island about 300 meters from the mainland in Moo 2, Nong Loo Subdistrict, Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi Province, on Feb. 18, 2025.
On arrival, the officials found more than a hundred Myanmar nationals sitting and waiting on the island. Due to the 300 meter high water barrier, Pol. Col. Phaitoon Sriwilai enlisted the help of local boat operators, who normally serve tourists, to take the migrants back to the mainland. The operation took a long time as all 116 peoplechad to be carefully transferred.
The investigation revealed that the group consisted of 72 men, 44 women and 2 children. One of the arrested migrants, who could speak Thai, stated that they came from Phaya Thongsu in Myanmar before entering Thailand illegally through the natural border routes.
Thai officials transfer 116 Myanmar migrants by boat to the mainland for legal proceedings at Sangkhla Buri Police Station, Kanchanaburi Province, on Feb. 18, 2025.
Upon arrival, they were told to wait in a forest next to a road. Facilitators soon organized vehicles to pick them up and take them to a jetty behind a temple, where they boarded a boat to their island hideout. The boat ride took about 20 minutes, but some of them had already been hiding on the island for two to three days and received only one meal a day from the facilitators.
One striking observation the officers made was that each migrant had a colored plastic string tied around their wrist. When asked, the migrants explained that this was a system used by the intermediaries to indicate their work destination. For example: the red string indicates Samut Sakhon as the destination, while the green string stands for Samut Prakan.
The arrested migrants said they planned to work in central Thailand provinces including Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani and Bangkok, and some even planned to cross to Malaysia. Each person paid between 18,000 and 20,000 baht ($530-590) to Myanmar brokers, with the price varying depending on the distance traveled.
More than a hundred migrants are arrested after they were found hiding on an island about 300 meters from the mainland in Moo 2, Nong Loo Subdistrict, Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi Province, on Feb. 18, 2025.
The main reason for the migrants fleeing to Thailand and Malaysia was to escape military conscription in Myanmar. Myanmar’s military government recently enforced a strict conscription law that requires men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 to serve in the military for two years with no exemptions. Many young people who do not want to be conscripted have chosen to flee the country instead.
After they confessed to the illegal entry, Thai authorities took the migrants by trucks and pickups to the Sangkhla Buri police station to initiate legal action. They were charged with illegally entering the Kingdom without permission under Thailand’s Immigration Act
Once the legal proceedings are completed, they will be handed over to the Immigration Police for deportation back to Myanmar. Due to the large number of detainees, transportation to the authorities lasted late into the night.
Bangkok, Thailand: February 2025 – Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, is inviting its cherished members to experience the traditional taste of Thai heritage with its “Khao Chae Workshop” at The Siam Tea Room, the elegant waterside dining destination at Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok.
Literally meaning “soaked rice”, khao chae is a seasonal specialty featuring cool, fragrant jasmine rice accompanied with a series of sublime side dishes and classic condiments. Refined by the royal Thai court during the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910), it has come to symbolize summertime in Thailand.
A new Marriott Bonvoy Moments experience invites guests to join Chef Aony, the Thai culinary expert from The Siam Tea Room, for an exclusive afternoon cooking class that will teach them the secrets behind this timeless dish – and the chance to create and savor their own khao chae.
This unforgettable culinary event is complemented by a luxurious two-night stay in an M Suite at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, complete with round-trip limousine transfers to and from Asiatique The Riverfront, M Club Lounge access, and a bountiful daily breakfast at Goji Kitchen + Bar. This one-of-a-kind package is only available from March 17th to 19th, 2025.
Having checked-in at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park on March 17th (from 12.00 hrs), guests will be able to spend the afternoon relaxing in their M Suite, exploring the hotel’s facilities, or uncovering the wonders of this vibrant city. Then on March 18th, a highly immersive day starts with breakfast at Goji Kitchen + Bar or the M Club Lounge, followed by a private transfer to Asiatique The Riverfront for the Khao Chae Workshop.
Guided by Chef Aony, Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to craft their own delectable khao chae set in a 1.5-hour session, followed by a glamorous media event and the chance to savor the flavors of this traditional dish in a serene waterside setting, overlooking the majestic Chao Phraya River. Guests will then be transferred back to the hotel. Having awoken and enjoyed breakfast on March 19th, visitors will have plenty of time to unwind in style and comfort before their late check-out at 15.00 hrs.
For local residents seeking an inspiring staycation, or international travelers who want to discover the essence of Thai heritage, this Khao Chae Workshop and package will ensure a truly memorable experience. To secure this one-of-a-kind Marriott Bonvoy Moments package, please click here. Bids start from just 75,000 points!
For local residents or visitors who want to savor Khao Chae Chao Phraya without the overnight stay at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Marriott Bonvoy Moments has crafted a package that includes all the experiences at The Siam Tea Room, including the Khao Chae workshop, media event, Khao Chae lunch, and a souvenir Thai scarf garland. To embark on this epicurean adventure, please click here. Bids start from 25,000 points!
For more information about The Siam Tea Room, please call 02 059 5999, email [email protected]
Or connect with us via these channels: Website: www.thesiamtearoom.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siamtearoom Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesiamtearoom Line: @siamtearoom
Forvis Mazars accelerates expansion in Thailand with strategic investments in tax, financial advisory, and audit services to strengthen its market position.
Bangkok — Forvis Mazars, a leading international audit, tax, legal, and financial advisory firm with an office in Thailand, has announced its continued strong performance and ambitious growth strategy. Within the next four years, the firm aims to become the fifth-largest tax and accounting firm in Thailand. The firm remains committed to organic growth, talent development, and delivering client-centric solutions.
Managing Partner of Forvis Mazars Thailand, Mr. Rob Hurenkamp, expressed pride in the firm’s achievements in the previous year, noting that despite economic challenges, the company achieved double-digit growth. “We are proud of what we achieved despite market difficulties. Our strong growth reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality services and investing in our people,” he said.
Forvis Mazars is making huge investments in strengthening its tax and financial advisory services, positioning itself for further expansion. It is also enhancing its audit service line to ensure compliance with evolving global quality standards, reinforcing its competitive edge in the Thai market. These investments are already yielding positive results, attracting top talent and allowing the firm to capitalize on increasing demand for tax and financial advisory services.
“Our investments in tax and financial advisory are paying off. We are attracting top talent and strengthening our position in the market.” Mr. Hurenkamp stated. Recognizing that employees are crucial to success, Forvis Mazars emphasizes their professional growth.
Following a recent merger, the firm is accelerating expansion with a focus on advisory services. Substantial investments in tax and financial advisory will drive this growth, while improvements in audit services ensure compliance with international quality standards. “We aim to be the fifth-largest accounting firm in Thailand within four years. To achieve this, we are making strategic investments and ensuring our audit quality aligns with global standards,” Mr. Hurenkamp explained.
As part of its strategy, Forvis Mazars is committed to supporting Thai entrepreneurs by offering accessible accounting tools such as HR Easily, a payroll and HR software, and XERO accounting software. The firm’s expertise in interpreting financial data and translating it into actionable business strategies helps businesses make informed decisions.
Recognizing the financial challenges faced by Thai SMEs, particularly in accessing funding, Forvis Mazars actively advocates for government policies that support SMEs and improve access to capital. “We believe in the potential of Thai SMEs and are committed to helping them navigate financial challenges and achieve sustainable growth. Government support in facilitating access to funding is crucial,” he added.
The Thai accounting, tax, and financial advisory market is estimated to be worth 20-25 billion baht and is growing at a rate of 5-6% annually. While the Big 4 firms hold 85% of the market, Forvis Mazars aims to increase its market share from 2.5% to 3.5%, securing its position as the fifth-largest firm in the industry. Currently generating approximately 600 million baht in revenue, the firm continues to experience strong double-digit growth.
With globalization reshaping tax policies, the introduction of the global minimum tax presents both challenges and opportunities. Forvis Mazars is well-positioned to help businesses navigate these changes, ensuring compliance while optimizing tax strategies. “Tax changes driven by globalization present opportunities for our business. Companies will need expert guidance to adapt, and we are ready to assist our clients to handle these challenges,” Mr. Hurenkamp concluded. The firm remains steadfast in its commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering exceptional value to clients, paving the way for a stronger presence in Thailand’s accounting and advisory market.
About Forvis Mazars
Forvis Mazars has offices in over 100 countries. In Thailand, the company provides accounting outsourcing, audit, tax, legal, and financial advisory services to clients from diverse industries and countries. Its comprehensive services meet the current and future needs of clients worldwide, consistently delivering exceptional experiences.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, second left, meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, third left, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, left, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, second right, at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday Feb. 18, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Top U.S. and Russian officials had their most extensive high-level engagement since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine almost three years ago, meeting for four hours Tuesday before President Donald Trump suggested that Kyiv was to blame for the conflict.
Trump showed little patience for Ukraine’s objections to being excluded from the talks in Saudi Arabia. He said repeatedly that Ukraine’s leaders never should have allowed the conflict to begin, indicating Kyiv should have been willing to make concessions to Russia before it sent troops into Ukraine in 2022.
“Today I heard, ‘Oh, well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you been there for three years. You should have ended it three years” ago, Trump told reporters at his Florida residence. “You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.”
Such comments and Trump’s goal of mending ties with Moscow may come at a cost to the transatlantic alliance of the U.S. and Europe and significantly damage Washington’s standing with Ukraine as well as with other nations counting on U.S. leadership in NATO and elsewhere for their security and protection.
President Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Pool via AP)
During former President Joe Biden’s administration, the U.S. and Europe focused on isolating Russia and defending the post-World War II international order.
In Riyadh, the delegations led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to set up teams to look into restoring staffing at the U.S. and Russian embassies in Moscow and Washington that have been decimated by a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions.
The effort is aimed at using those channels to support Ukraine peace negotiations and to explore ways to restart economic and global cooperation. A Russian official pointed to possible joint energy ventures.
Here’s a look at the meeting and what comes next:
Reestablishing tattered diplomatic relations
First on both countries’ list of accomplishments was an agreement to end what has been years of dwindling diplomatic relations that hit a post-Cold War low point after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
The meeting, which came just a week after Trump spoke to Putin by phone, was the first substantive face-to-face discussion between the nations’ top diplomats since former Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Lavrov in Geneva in January 2022 in an unsuccessful bid to prevent the Ukraine conflict.
Lavrov said after Tuesday’s talks that the sides agreed to fast-track the appointment of new ambassadors, adding that senior diplomats from the two countries will meet shortly to discuss specifics related to “lifting artificial barriers to the work of the U.S. and Russian embassies and other missions.”
In reality, the decimation of the U.S. and Russian embassies’ personnel began well before Russian troops rolled into Ukraine in 2022, starting after 2014 Russia’s annexation of Crimea. That was seen as illegal by most of the world during the Obama administration, which ordered several Russian offices in the U.S. to close.
It picked up steam after the 2018 poisoning in Britain of an exiled Russian spy and his daughter, which British authorities blamed on Russia, and which resulted in mass expulsions of diplomats and the closure of numerous consulates in both countries and Europe.
Asked by The Associated Press if the U.S. now considered those cases closed, Rubio declined to say but said it would be impossible to get a Ukraine peace agreement without diplomatic engagement.
“I’m not going to negotiate or talk through every element of the disruptions that exist or have existed in our diplomatic relations, on the mechanics of it,” he said. Bringing an end to the conflict cannot happen “unless we have at least some normalcy in the way our diplomatic missions operate in Moscow and in Washington, D.C.”
Negotiating an end to the conflict in Ukraine
The two sides agreed to set up high-level working groups to begin exploring a negotiated end to the conflict. It was not immediately clear when these teams would first meet, but both said it would be soon.
As to concessions that may need to be made by all sides, Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, who participated in the talks Tuesday, said the issue of territory and security guarantees would be among the subjects discussed.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff attend an interview after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)
Rubio said a high-level team, including experts who know technical details, will begin to engage with the Russian side on “parameters of what an end to this conflict would look like.”
On the key issue of a prospective peacekeeping mission to monitor a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, the top Russian diplomat said Moscow would not accept any troops from NATO members, repeating its assertion that Ukraine’s bid to join the Western military alliance poses a major security issue.
“We explained that the deployment of troops from the countries that are NATO members, even if they are deployed under the EU or national flags, will not change anything and will certainly be unacceptable for us,” Lavrov said.
Exclusion of Ukraine and Europe from the talks
Neither Ukraine nor European nations were invited to Tuesday’s talks in Riyadh, but U.S. officials said there is no intention to exclude them from peace negotiations should they begin in earnest.
“No one is being sidelined here,” Rubio said. “Obviously, there’s going to be engagement and consultation with Ukraine, with our partners in Europe and others. But ultimately, the Russian side will be indispensable to this effort.”
Waltz agreed: “If you’re going to bring both sides together, you have to talk to both sides. … We are absolutely talking to both sides.”
He noted that Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately after speaking with Putin last week and that U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Rubio met Friday with Zelenskyy in Germany.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrive for a joint news conference following their meeting at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Yavuz Ozden/Dia Photo via AP)
Still, Zelenskyy was clearly peeved at being omitted from the meeting, postponing plans to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to avoid any linkage of his trip with Tuesday’s U.S.-Russia talks.
And that was before Trump’s comments suggesting Kyiv was at fault in starting the fighting.
“This whole negotiation from the start seems very tilted in Russia’s favor. And it’s even a question whether it should be termed a negotiation or in some sense, a series of American capitulations,” said Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Eurasia and Russia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London and a former British ambassador to Belarus.
Possible lifting of US sanctions against Russia
Asked whether the U.S. could lift sanctions against Moscow imposed during the Biden presidency, Rubio noted that “to bring an end to any conflict, there has to be concessions made by all sides” and “we’re not going to predetermine what those are.”
Asked if the U.S. could officially remove Lavrov from its sanctions list, Rubio said that “we’re just not at that level of conversation yet.”
Potential US-Russian cooperation
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund who joined the Russian delegation in Riyadh, told reporters that Russia and the U.S. should develop joint energy ventures.
“We need joint projects, including in the Arctic and other regions,” he said.
Should the parties succeed in negotiating an end to the Ukraine conflict, Rubio said, it could open “incredible opportunities” to partner with the Russians “on issues that hopefully will be good for the world and also improve our relations in the long term.”
He did not say what those would entail.
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Matthew Lee reported from Riyadh while Vladimir Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Associated Press Writer Emma Burrows in London and Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report.
All 16 suspects face charges of operating illegal gambling activities, working illegally as foreigners, and smuggling untaxed goods.
BANGKOK — Police arrested 16 Chinese nationals operating an illegal online gambling network from 10 hotel rooms in the Rama 9 area, seizing computers, phones, and untaxed goods in a raid on Tuesday night.
The arrests came after suspicious activity was reported when the group rented multiple rooms simultaneously and moved in numerous computers.
Police from Makkasan station raided the hotel in Huai Khwang district’s Bang Kapi sub-district on February 18, seizing 20 computers and laptops, 12 mobile phones, and untaxed cigarettes and imported goods.
Police from Makkasan station raid a hotel in Huai Khwang district’s Bang Kapi sub-district and arrested 16 Chinese nationals for operating illegal gambling activities on February 18, 2025.
The operation was part of a broader initiative by National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch to monitor foreign nationals potentially disrupting social order. Makkasan Police Station officers had been conducting surveillance through the “Stop Walk Talk” program, which encourages hotel staff and residents to report suspicious behavior.
Hotel staff reported the suspects had rented the rooms annually, brought in numerous computers, and kept some rooms strictly off-limits to cleaning staff while maintaining interconnected access between other rooms.
All 16 suspects face charges of operating illegal gambling activities, working illegally as foreigners, and smuggling untaxed goods.
U.S. Marines take position on light armored vehicle on the beach during the ongoing Cobra Gold U.S.-Thai joint military exercise on Hat Yao beach in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand, Friday, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
BANGKOK — Thailand is preparing to host the annual Cobra Gold military exercise, one of the largest multinational military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, starting February 25, 2025, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.
The exercise from February 24 to March 7, 2025 will bring together forces from approximately 30 nations, including 3,200 U.S. personnel, either as direct participants or observers.
This year’s Cobra Gold will focus on three main components: a command-and-control exercise, humanitarian civic assistance projects, and a field training exercise designed to enhance military interoperability and strengthen regional partnerships.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces, co-hosting the exercise, has scheduled several major events across various locations in Thailand. The opening ceremony will take place at the Suranaree Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima province, marking the beginning of the two-week exercise.
Robert F. Godec, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, and General Ugrit Boonatanon, Deputy Supreme Commander, led a press conference on Cobra Gold 2025 military exercise on Feb 7 at Royal Thai Armed Forces HQ, joined by U.S. military and allied forces representatives.
Key events include a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief demonstration in Chachoengsao province, Non-combatant Evacuation Operations at Air Squadron 101 in Nakhon Ratchasima, and an Amphibious Exercise at Hat Yao in Chonburi province. The exercise will also feature humanitarian projects, including a building handover ceremony at Nong Nok Khian Samakkhi School.
The exercise will culminate with a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise and closing ceremony on March 7 at the Tactical Training Field in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Military officials emphasize that beyond the tactical training aspects, Cobra Gold serves a crucial role in fostering cooperation and goodwill among participating nations through relationship building at all service levels. The exercise is designed to enhance regional security cooperation while operating within international rules and norms.
This year’s iteration of Cobra Gold continues the exercise’s long-standing tradition of promoting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region through multinational military collaboration and humanitarian assistance programs.
Officers from the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) and Metropolitan Police raid Luckking Co., Ltd. in Sermsap Building on Ratchadaphisek Road, Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, on Feb. 18, 2025.
BANGKOK — A third key suspect in a major Chinese scammer network operation was arrested on Tuesday, following the recent capture of two kingpins who had fled from a 25-story building in Cambodia’s Poipet to hide in Bangkok.
On February 18, over 50 officers from the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) and Metropolitan Police raided Luckking Co., Ltd. in Sermsap Building on Ratchadaphisek Road, Huai Khwang district. The company allegedly operated a fraudulent prize scheme to deceive people into transferring money.
While staff had apparently fled before the raid, police seized several pieces of evidence, including prize game equipment, prize wheels, golden eggs used for draws, three external hard drives, and a safe.
Police Major General Noppasilp Poolsawat, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner, revealed that this operation followed the February 6 arrest of two Chinese nationals – Mr. Ye Wanyou, 29, and Mr. Li Weijie, 30 – in a luxury village on Ratchadaphisek Road. Assets worth approximately 15 million baht were seized, along with 2,477,294.91 USDT (around 84 million baht) in frozen funds.
Police Major General Noppasilp Poolsawat, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner, displays evidence seized from Luckking Co., Ltd. in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, on February 18, 2025. The items include prize game equipment, prize wheels, and golden eggs used for draws.
Evidence showed the suspects were involved in human trafficking through Mae Sot, Tak province. Their phones revealed they administered backend systems used in the scam operations, leading to the discovery of their “termite nest” in Thailand.
The three Chinese bosses established Luckking in Thailand using Thai nominees. The company’s front was a gaming platform offering iPhone 16 prizes, promoted through TikTok. However, its true purpose was stealing personal information from contestants’ ID cards, with over 88,000 individuals’ data reportedly compromised.
Metropolitan Police arrest Mr. Zhang Hongxiang, the suspected third boss of the Luckking Co., Ltd. scammer network, at a Huai Khwang condominium in Bangkok on Feb. 18, 2025.
Police Major General Theeradej Thammasutee, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner, directed PCT officers and Sutthisan Police to arrest the third suspect, Mr. Zhang Hongxiang, at a prominent Huai Khwang condominium. Security footage showed Zhang collecting items from the office on February 7. He faces charges of overstaying his visa and public fraud.
CCTV footage revealed the three Chinese bosses meeting with Thai employees to develop fraudulent scripts. The operation reportedly victimized 85 people nationwide, causing damages of 55 million baht. Police are working to return some assets to victims while pursuing 13 named employees for questioning.
Foreign tourists explore Pai at night. The town is famous for its natural beauty and peaceful community.
BANGKOK — Rumors opposing Israeli tourists in Pai, Mae Hong Son province, have intensified following a February 6 incident where four Israeli men caused a disturbance at Pai Hospital. Despite their deportation, the situation has sparked wider concerns about foreign presence in the popular tourist town.
National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet has set a seven-day deadline starting February 17 to investigate foreign nationals in the district, responding to local concerns. Deputy National Police Chief Gen. Samran Nualma will oversee the operations, coordinating with relevant units to conduct proactive law enforcement.
However, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on February 18 dismissed rumors that Israeli people are taking over the town, including false claims that over 30,000 Israelis are living in Pai, a town with a total population of 38,000 plus. The rumors also suggested some Israelis consider Pai their new Promised Land. She announced that Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will personally visit Pai next week to assess the situation.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra dismisses rumors about Israelis taking over Pai, Mae Hong Son, on Feb. 18, 2025.
Tourist Police Clarify Facts
Pol.Lt.Col. Suwit Boonyapen, Mae Hong Son Tourist Police Inspector, has provided key facts to address social media misconceptions:
Pai’s total population is approximately 38,000
The reported 30,000 Israelis is actually the cumulative number of tourist check-ins throughout the year
Daily average of Israeli visitors is only 83-84 people
British tourists form the largest group visiting Pai, followed by Israelis, Americans, and Germans
The local Chabad or Jewish synagogue:
Occupies approximately half a rai of land
Serves purely religious purposes
Hosts services on Fridays and Saturdays
Has dining capacity of about 200 people
Is one of seven such facilities in Thailand, with others in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, and Koh Phangan
Pol.Maj.Gen. Songkrit Ontakhrai, Mae Hong Son Provincial Police Commander, confirmed via telephone that the synagogue has not been hosting parties or serving as a gathering spot for troublemakers, contrary to social media claims. The facility is used strictly for religious services and communal meals during the Sabbath.
Police meet with Jewish religious leaders at the synagogue on February 11, 2025, finding no irregularities in its religious-only use.
Local Business Impact
Avuth Jetsadakraisorn, owner of The Peacock de Pai hotel, expressed concern about the negative impact of anti-Israeli sentiment. “In the past two weeks since this opposition movement began, Israeli tourists have relocated to Chiang Rai,” he said. “Those opposing haven’t looked at the complete picture. We can use laws to deport troublemakers, but this blanket opposition is damaging Pai’s reputation severely.”
“Pai is already a pure, peaceful place with good culture,” Avuth added. “If this negative news coverage doesn’t stop, Pai’s future is at risk. We receive millions of international tourists, not just Israelis. Please consider the bigger picture.”
Nationwide Measures
The Tourist Police confirmed that all foreign nationals enter Thailand legally, and authorities maintain strict enforcement of laws regarding various tourist activities, including car rentals, tubing, and cannabis use. Long-term measures discussed in inter-agency meetings will continue to be implemented.
The Immigration Department oversees visa status reviews and potential deportation cases. “Our duty is not to target any specific nationality. Any foreigners who cause trouble to society will face legal action and be deported,” said Pol Lt Gen Panumas.
Officials emphasize that claims about the establishment of a “promised land” or Thai job displacement are unfounded, with all relevant agencies maintaining vigilant law enforcement and regular public communications about their oversight efforts.
Foreign tourists explore Pai at night. The town is famous for its natural beauty and peaceful community.
