Thai Police Rescue Chinese Woman from Call Center Scam

By

-

27 September 2024, 15:44

SAMUT PRAKAN — Crime Suppression Division officers in Thailand rescued a Chinese woman tricked by a call center gang to travel from Germany; her parents in China had also been threatened for ransom.

On September 27, Thai police conducted a raid to free a 42-year-old Chinese woman surnamed Song after receiving a request for help from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, saying she had been kidnapped. Police found that the perpetrators were holding her captive in a dormitory at Soi King Kaew 40/1, Rachathewa Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province.

Previously, the criminals had sent messages to Ms. Song’s mother via the WeChat application, claiming that her daughter was being held captive and forced to work in Thailand. They demanded a ransom of 2.5 million yuan, the equivalent of about 12.5 million baht, to secure her release.

The criminals sent a video clip of Ms. Song holding her passport and saying in Chinese: “I have come to work in Thailand. This video was not forced in any way.” This video caused her mother to fear for her daughter’s safety, so she contacted the embassy for help.

After receiving the report, the authorities began their investigation and found that Ms. Song had traveled from Germany and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand on August 15. The video footage shows that she traveled alone and took a cab immediately after arriving at the airport.

Ms. Song later rented a room in a dormitory in Soi King Kaew, Samut Prakan. The owner of the dormitory stated that Miss Song lived alone, rarely left her room and mostly kept to herself.

The police then launched an immediate investigation and found Miss Song in her room. At first she acted suspiciously, claiming that she had come to Thailand to wait for an assignment related to CCTV surveillance. She emphasized that she was safe and that she knew nothing about ransom demands.

chinese from germany2 — Thai police officers talk with Ms. Song after discovering her in a rented room in Soi King Kaew, Samut Prakan on September 27, 2024.

The officers then presented her with evidence of the messages that had been sent to her parents threatening them with a ransom. At first, Ms. Song did not believe them. The authorities had to bring her father and mother to meet with her, which eventually convinced Ms. Song that the situation was real.

Ms. Song then testified that on April 11, 2024, while she was still working in Germany, a Chinese call center gang contacted her claiming to be from the Chinese police. They told her that she had opened a phone number in China that was used to scam people into taking extra jobs, which constituted human trafficking. She was told to report to the authorities and she would be prosecuted.

The criminals then persuaded her to transfer money to the call center’s account for verification, claiming that she would get the money back after verification. After she had transferred the money, they told her that she had transferred it to the wrong account and asked her to transfer more money or she would not get her money back. Shebelieved them and transferred more, totaling over 8 million baht to various accounts, both in China and Europe.

The criminals then tricked her into traveling to Thailand, claiming that she would receive legal assistance there. Once she arrived, they instructed her to install the Skype application and make a video call the whole time and locked her in her room while she waited for further contact. She was forbidden to contact anyone and was forced to record a video that read: “I came to work in Thailand and was not forced to record this video.”

While Ms. Song was in Thailand, she was forced by the criminals to check in daily to confirm her location. Should she disappear via Skype, they would track all her travel details. It later emerged that Miss Song had traveled to Thailand on August 15, 2024 and had stayed there for over 40 days, changing accommodation a total of eight times until the police finally intervened.

After her rescue, Ms. Song explained that she had not initially revealed the truth because the criminals had threatened in April that she would not get her money back and would be prosecuted if she informed anyone or did not comply with their demands. Fortunately, her family had not transferred any more money to the criminals.

Officials from the Crime Prevention Department said they would work with the Chinese authorities to track down and prosecute the criminals who had fled abroad.

_______

Alabama Puts Man Convicted of Killing 3 to Death by Nitrogen Gas Execution

By

Associated Press

-

27 September 2024, 11:14

Death Penalty Alabama Nitrogen — Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action, and other death penalty opponents hold a demonstration outside the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler)

ATMORE, Ala. (AP) — Alabama used nitrogen gas Thursday to execute a man convicted of killing three people in back-to-back workplace shootings, the second time the method that has generated debate about its humaneness has been used in the country

Alan Eugene Miller, 59, was pronounced dead at 6:38 p.m. local time at a south Alabama prison. He shook and trembled on the gurney for about two minutes with his body at times pulling against the restraints. That was followed by about six minutes of periodic gulping breaths before he became still.

Miller was convicted of killing three men — Lee Holdbrooks, Christopher Scott Yancy and Terry Jarvis — in 1999 and the state had previously attempted to execute him by lethal injection in 2022.

“I didn’t do anything to be in here,” Miller said in his final words that were at times muffled by the blue-rimmed gas mask that covered his face from forehead to chin. However, witnesses at the trial had expressed no doubt about his guilt, describing Miller shooting the three men.

At the execution, Miller also asked his family and friends to “take care” of someone but it was not clear whose name he said.

AP24270032771823 — FILE – Officials escort murder suspect Alan Eugene Miller away from the Pelham City Jail in Alabama, Aug. 5, 1999. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

Miller was one of five inmates put to death in the span of one week, an unusually high number that defies a yearslong trend of decline in the use of the death penalty in the U.S.

“Tonight, justice was finally served for these three victims through the execution method elected by the inmate,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “His acts were not that of insanity, but pure evil. Three families were forever changed by his heinous crimes, and I pray that they can find comfort all these years later.”

Family members of the three victims did not witness the execution and did not issue a statement to be read to reporters, state officials said.

The execution was the second to use the new method Alabama first employed in January, when Kenneth Smith was put to death. The method involves placing a respirator gas mask over the inmate’s face to replace breathable air with pure nitrogen gas, causing death by lack of oxygen.

Alabama officials and advocates have argued over whether Smith suffered an unconstitutional level of pain during his execution after he shook in seizure-like spasms for several minutes, at times rocking the gurney. Smith then gasped for breath for several minutes. The shaking exhibited by Miller was similar to what was seen at the first nitrogen gas execution but did not seem as long or as violent.

Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said the shaking movements were anticipated.

AP24270032773082 — FILE – This undated photograph provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections shows inmate Alan Eugene Miller, who was convicted of capital murder in a workplace shooting rampage that killed three men in 1999. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP, File)

“Just like in Smith we talked about there is going to be involuntarily body movements as the body is depleted of oxygen. So that was nothing we did not expect,” Hamm said, explaining the nitrogen gas flowed for 15 minutes. “Everything went according to plan and according to our protocol.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the execution “went as expected and without incident.”

“Tonight, despite misinformation campaigns by political activists, out-of-state lawyers, and biased media, the State proved once again that nitrogen hypoxia is both humane and effective,” Marshall said in a statement.

Marshall did not personally witness the execution but a representative from his office did, prison officials said.

A delivery truck driver, Miller was convicted of capital murder for the Aug. 5, 1999, shootings that claimed three lives and shocked the city of Pelham, a suburban city just south of Birmingham.

Police say that early that morning, Miller entered Ferguson Enterprises and fatally shot two co-workers: Holdbrooks, 32, and Yancy, 28. He then drove 5 miles (8 kilometers) away to Post Airgas, where he had previously worked, and shot Jarvis, 39. Trial testimony indicated that Miller was paranoid and believed his co-workers had been gossiping about him.

“You’ve been spreading rumors about me,” a witness described Miller as saying before he opened fire. All three men were shot multiple times.

Miller had initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but later withdrew the plea. A psychiatrist hired by the defense said that Miller was mentally ill but his condition wasn’t severe enough to use as a basis for an insanity defense, according to court documents. Jurors convicted Miller after 20 minutes of deliberation and recommended by a vote of 10-2 that he receive the death penalty.

In 2022, the state called off the previous attempt to execute Miller after being unable to connect an IV line to the 351-pound (159-kilogram) inmate. Miller had initially challenged the nitrogen gas protocol but dropped his lawsuit after reaching an undisclosed settlement with the state.

Hamm said the state did not change the protocol. Miller, among other things, had requested to be given a sedative. Hamm declined to say if Miller was given a sedative and referred questions about the settlement to Miller’s attorneys.

Chinese Man Arrested with 10 Starlink Transmitters in Bangkok

By

Khaosod English

-

27 September 2024, 00:12

BANGKOK — A 25-year-old Chinese man, Mr. Cao, denied accusations of involvement with equipment believed to be used by call center gangs to scam victims after being arrested by police from the Economic Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok. He claimed he had only recently arrived in Thailand.

This case stems from June to September this year, when the police intensified efforts to intercept smuggled Starlink satellite internet receivers and transmitters, SIM cards, and various electronic devices often used by call center and online gambling networks to defraud people. They managed to seize 86 Starlink devices and over 30,000 SIM cards.

Further investigation revealed another attempt to smuggle such equipment, with parcels to be delivered to a room in Bangkok. Tracing led to the target room and Cao’s arrest.

chinese starlink2 — A 25-year-old Chinese man was arrested along with 10 Starlink satellite internet transmitters in Bangkok, on September 26, 2024.

Cao stated that his brother-in-law, Mr. Ma, a Chinese national who runs an international parcel delivery shop in Phuket, asked him to stay in the room to look after it and receive various parcels, including arranging deliveries to customers as instructed. He claimed no knowledge of the contents of the boxes.

The police did not believe his statement and handed him over to investigators, charging him with “concealing, selling goods imported into the Kingdom without going through customs procedures.”

Officials also seized 10 Starlink satellite internet receivers and transmitters on Pracharat Bamphen Road, Huai Khwang District, Bangkok.

58 Thai Hotels Receive Inaugural MICHELIN Key Distinctions

By

Khaosod English

-

26 September 2024, 20:31

The MICHELIN Guide has launched the MICHELIN Key award in Thailand. This award will be presented to outstanding hotels and accommodations that offer special experiences to travelers.

To be eligible, properties must meet five judging criteria: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, distinctive unique character, value for money, and the ability to provide guests with special experiences connected to the hotel’s local surroundings.

In total, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection in Thailand includes a total of 8 Three Key hotels, 19 Two Key hotels, and 31 One Key hotels.

Bangkok dominates the MICHELIN Key selections, with 17 hotels earning the prestigious award – nearly a third of all recipients. The capital’s skyline-defining luxury hotels feature prominently, including the Rosewood Bangkok, Okura Prestige Bangkok, The Standard Bangkok, Oriental Residence, and InterContinental Bangkok.

Standing out from these towering properties is the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River. This mid-rise complex showcases the work of Jean-Michel Gathy, the legendary designer behind Amanpuri in Phuket – the original Aman resort, which itself received the coveted Three Keys distinction in this year’s MICHELIN Guide.

The Three Key Hotels

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — Krabi
Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — Krabi
Bangkok: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Bangkok: The Siam
Chiang Mai: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Trat: Soneva Kiri
Surat Thani: Samujana Villas
Krabi: Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Phuket: Amanpuri
Phuket: Keemala

The Two Key Hotels

The Okura Prestige — Bangkok
The Okura Prestige — Bangkok
Bangkok: Capella Bangkok
Bangkok: Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Bangkok: Park Hyatt Bangkok
Bangkok: Rosewood Bangkok
Bangkok: The Okura Prestige Bangkok
Bangkok: The Peninsula Bangkok
Bangkok: The Sukhothai Bangkok
Chiang Mai: Rachamankha
Chiang Rai: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
Surat Thani: Banyan Tree Samui
Surat Thani: Napasai, A Belmond Hotel, Koh Samui
Surat Thani: SALA Samui Choengmon Beach
Surat Thani: Six Senses Samui
Phang Nga: The Sarojin Thailand
Phang Nga: Six Senses Yao Noi
Krabi: Banyan Tree Krabi
Krabi: Pimalai Resort & Spa
Phuket: InterContinental Phuket Resort
Phuket: Rosewood Phuket

The One Key Hotels

Veranda Resort & Villas Hua Hin Cha Am
Veranda Resort & Villas Hua Hin Cha Am
Bangkok: 137 Pillars Suites Bangkok
Bangkok: Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
Bangkok: COMO Metropolitan Bangkok
Bangkok: InterContinental Bangkok
Bangkok: Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
Bangkok: Oriental Residence Bangkok
Bangkok: SO/ Bangkok
Bangkok: The Standard Bangkok
Phetchaburi: Veranda Resort & Villas Hua Hin Cha Am
Chiang Mai: 137 Pillars House
Chiang Mai: Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai: Raya Heritage
Chiang Mai: Tamarind Village
Prachuap Khiri Khan: Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa
Prachuap Khiri Khan: The Standard Hua Hin
Prachuap Khiri Khan: V Villas Hua Hin
Prachuap Khiri Khan: Aleenta Resort & Spa, Hua-Hin
Nakhon Ratchasima: InterContinental Khao Yai Resort
Surat Thani: Anantara Lawana Resort and Spa
Surat Thani: Kerem Luxury Beachfront Villas
Surat Thani: Kimpton Kitalay Samui
Krabi: Rayavadee
Phang Nga: Aleenta Resort & Spa, Phuket
Phang Nga: Iniala Beach House
Phuket: Andara Resort & Villas
Phuket: COMO Point Yamu
Phuket: The Nai Harn Phuket
Phuket: The Pavilions, Phuket
Phuket: The Slate
Phuket: Trisara
Phuket: The Racha

__________

Korean Overstayer in Thailand Revealed as $226K Fraud Fugitive

By

Khaosod English

-

26 September 2024, 19:36

korea fraud overstay1 — The Korean suspect was arrested in Soi Rom Pradoo, Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province.

BANGKOK — A South Korean man was arrested for overstaying his visa, but upon investigation, police discovered he was a fugitive wanted for fraud and sentenced to prison.

According to the Immigration Bureau’s press conference on September 26, immigration officers arrested Mr. Lee (pseudonym), a 36-year-old South Korean national whose permission to stay in the kingdom had expired. They also found he had a criminal record for fraud, with damages totaling 300 million won or $226K, before fleeing to hide in Thailand.

The arrest came after the Immigration Bureau’s investigation team received a tip from an informant about a suspicious foreigner frequently seen in Soi Rom Pradoo, Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. The informant suspected the individual was staying in Thailand illegally.

Investigation revealed that the foreigner in question was Mr. Lee, 36, a South Korean national who had overstayed his visa by 93 days. Authorities coordinated with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand to check his background and found that Mr. Lee had a criminal record for fraud.

korea fraud overstay2 — The chart shows the investigation path leading to the arrest of the South Korean fugitive suspect, presented at the Immigration Bureau’s press conference on September 26, 2024.

Information from South Korea indicated that Mr. Lee had opened a private detective agency and deceived others by claiming he could assist with various legal cases. Multiple victims fell for his scam, resulting in total damages of 300 million won. A South Korean court had sentenced him to two years in prison, after which Mr. Lee fled to Thailand.

Later, investigators learned that Mr. Lee would be traveling to a company parking lot in Soi Rom Pradoo, Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. They set up surveillance and made the arrest, identifying themselves as immigration police officers.

Mr. Lee was charged with being a foreigner overstaying his visa (Overstay) and was handed over to the investigating officers at Bang Phli Police Station for further legal proceedings.

_______

OSMEP Increases SME Exports through “SME Privilege Club”

By

Contributor

-

26 September 2024, 17:41

OSMEP invites entrepreneurs to join the HKTDC Food Expo 2024 in Hong Kong, promoting exclusive SME benefits under the “SME Privilege Club,” expanding export market and expected to generate over 116 million baht in sales

Ms. Panita Shinawatra, Acting Director General of the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), announced that the exclusive benefits for publicly registered SMEs – first introduced in 2019 under the “SME Privilege Club: Special Club for SME” initiative – support SMEs in three primary areas. Firstly, the Enhanced Production and Cost Efficiency offers discounts on transportation, services, and material analysis to improve production processes and reduce costs. Secondly, the Sales Platform Expansion provides opportunities to increase sales through new platforms and participation in trade expos. Exclusive benefits include shared sales areas with leading retailers, discounts on fees, and favorable credit terms. Thirdly, the Investment Connection prioritizes financial support through privileges from financial institutions and investor assistance, such as liquidity-enhancing loans and financial consultancy.

The Acting Director General further noted that as part of the sales platform expansion, OSMEP is collaborating this year with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) and the National Innovation Agency (NIA). They have invited entrepreneurs under the SME Benefit Enhancement Initiative to participate in the HKTDC FOOD EXPO PRO 2024. This event, held from August 15th to 17th, 2024, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, showcases food, beverages, and related products from various regions. It features well-known producers and vendors from retail, wholesale, restaurants, department stores, and online platforms across various countries. Participating Thai entrepreneurs include Toepto Kaona Co., Ltd., Oweva Corp Company Limited, Boon Foods Co., Ltd., Narasamut Company Limited, Prikhom Inter Food Co., Ltd., Aura Food Co., Ltd., TasteDa Food Co., Ltd., Kosol-Ampa Company Limited, Chimthai Co., Ltd., and Sub Rosa Group Co., Ltd.

Ms. Panita emphasized that this year’s HKTDC FOOD EXPO PRO 2024 has been a resounding success for all involved, particularly for the 10 entrepreneurs who participated under OSMEP’s exclusive benefits for SMEs. These entrepreneurs showcased a wide range of products, including fried Thong bananas, 3-in-1 Thai milk tea, ginger milk tea, green tea, Taiwanese tea, instant ginger drink, candies and toffees, fried chicken skins, fish crackers, fried prawn chins, prawn chin chili paste, crispy prawn rice sprinkling powder, fried chive cakes, instant Korat noodles, ready-to-eat Pad Thai, healthy fish snacks, Mak Khaen-chili sprinkling, Mak Khaen paste, and chili sauce.

“The 10 entrepreneurs who showcased their products during the expo have received orders totaling more than 9 million baht and established trade negotiations with 85 partners in total. They are expected to generate over 116 million baht in sales by next year. OSMEP will continue to explore ways to include entrepreneurs in expos like this to bolster export opportunities for SMEs. Entrepreneurs and the general public interested in these benefits can register with OSMEP through SME CONNEXT, verified by SME ONE ID, free of charge. They will receive the latest updates and benefits related to production efficiency, cost reduction, sales platform expansion, investment connections, and access to activities under OSMEP’s partner initiatives,” stated the Acting Director General.

Bolt Partners with Raks Thai Foundation to Promote Safety with ‘Drive Confidently, Drive Safely’ Initiative

By

Contributor

-

26 September 2024, 16:34

September 24, 2024 – Recently, Bolt Thailand partnered with the Raks Thai Foundation to organize a special training activity titled “Boosting Confidence, Driving Safely with Bolt.” This initiative reflects Bolt’s continued commitment to enhancing safety in its services. The goal of the activity was to raise awareness about creating a safe and respectful environment by emphasizing the importance of setting both physical and mental boundaries between drivers and passengers, which is key to ensuring smooth and safe journeys. Clear boundaries not only create a secure atmosphere for both drivers and passengers but also boost confidence, fostering a positive experience for all parties involved.

This activity was supported by the Raks Thai Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development and gender equality. The foundation contributed valuable insights on human rights and preventing rights violations in the workplace. Atiya Kulkobkiat, a representative from Raks Thai Foundation, said, “We see the importance of this training and are committed to building understanding and awareness of human rights among all stakeholders. Collaborating with Bolt on this initiative is a great opportunity to empower both drivers and passengers to maintain appropriate boundaries and ensure every journey is safe and respectful of human rights principles.”

During the event, Bolt also demonstrated its key safety features for both drivers and riders:

Audio trip recording: The trip recording feature offers drivers and riders the possibility to trigger an in-app audio recording if they ever feel uncomfortable during a ride.
Trip Sharing: Bolt’s trip sharing feature is an extra layer of safety for drivers and riders by allowing them to share the status of a trip in real time.
SOS button: it allows riders and drivers to get in contact with the police by simply pushing a button.
Share my ride: this feature enables riders and drivers to share a link with their real-time journey information.
In-app calls: in-app calls and messaging will be available on the app so phone numbers of riders and drivers will not have to be disclosed unless necessary.
Trip Anomaly Detection: If a vehicle has not been moving for longer than a certain time period, a ticket will be created to the safety team with a title Trip anomaly detected.
Rider Verification: As part of this in-app feature, new riders to the platform will be asked to take a selfie before they are able to place a ride-hailing order. For the selfie to be valid, it needs to be an authentic picture of a physically present person, with the face clearly visible.
Driver Selfie Checks – verify the person using the driver account is really who they say they are.

These features play a vital role in providing both drivers and riders with confidence and peace of mind, ensuring a smooth and worry-free journey.

The event also provided an opportunity for drivers to share their experiences and feedback with Bolt and the Raks Thai Foundation teams, helping to improve service quality. Drivers were encouraged to engage in discussions about how to handle various situations they might encounter at work, and the exchange of ideas was lively and enjoyable.

Nathadon Suksiritarnan, Bolt Thailand’s General Manager, said, “This ongoing initiative provides valuable insights into maintaining appropriate boundaries during journeys. It’s an excellent opportunity to gather real feedback from users, which helps us improve our services to meet the needs of both drivers and passengers. Creating a safe space between drivers and passengers is a crucial first step in fostering a safer environment that extends to the broader community.”

Bolt underscores the importance of safety as its top priority, ensuring every ride is a positive and memorable experience for both drivers and passengers. This collaboration with the Raks Thai Foundation is a significant step in reaffirming Bolt’s commitment to leading the way in providing safe, respectful, and professional transportation in Thailand.

9 Vietnamese Nabbed for Kidnapping Thai-Taiwanese Couple, $52K Extortion

By

Khaosod English

-

26 September 2024, 16:29

vietnam gang extort2 — Immigration police arrest nine Viietnamese suspects at a house at Soi Lat Phrao 41, Chankasem Subdistrict, Chatuchak District, Bangkok.

BANGKOK — A gang of nine Vietnamese nationals have been arrested for kidnapping a Taiwanese man and his Thai girlfriend and extorting over 1.7 million baht ($52,200). The man was so badly beaten that he almost died.

According to a press conference held at the Immigration Bureau on September 26, the investigation began when authorities received information about an unknown group of criminals who held a Thai woman and a Taiwanese man and demanded more than 1.7 million baht in ransom while threatening to kill them and severely assaulting them.

Authorities later identified the Thai woman as Ms. Suchada, 33, and the Taiwanese man as Mr. Li, 21. The perpetrators were a group of Vietnamese nationals doing business in Thailand, including trading in digital currencies. The couple was lured to a house at Soi Lat Phrao 41, Chankasem Subdistrict, Chatuchak District, Bangkok.

Police surveillance of the house revealed suspicious activity, including the presence of several Vietnamese-looking people. A red Mazda with fake license plates was seen leaving the house. Police followed the vehicle to a warehouse in Suphanburi province. Late in the evening, the same car was seen returning to the house in Soi Lat Phrao 41, where a man and a woman were taken into the house.

Believing that the two were the victims, police contacted Taiwanese police stationed in Thailand. They confirmed that Mr. Li’s father had reported to the Zhongping Police Station in New Taipei City that his son had called and asked for a money transfer, claiming that he was being held captive, assaulted and killed.

Immigration applied for and obtained a search warrant from the criminal court. During the search, they found Ms. Suchada and Mr. Li held captive in the house. Mr. Li has injuries from assault all over his body, including his back.

Nine Vietnamese suspects were arrested, including Mr. Pham Van, 40 (the leader), Mr. Pham Ngoc, 37 (deputy leader), Mr. Nguyen Xuan, 49, Mr. Ngoc Phap, 34, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc, 41, Mr. Nguyen Thanh, 33, Mr. Tran Vu, 41, Mr. Ngoc Tu, 35, and Mr. Nguyen Hou, 40.

vietnam gang — Immigration police found Ms. Suchada and Mr. Li held captive in the house.

Police seized a Smith & Wesson .22 caliber revolver, 33 bullets and two cars as evidence.

Pol. Col. Ratchachote Chotikun, deputy commander of the Immigration Bureau, said a background check revealed that one of the nine suspects had overstayed his visa and all had traveled in and out of the country multiple times. They had been running a cannabis plantation in Suphanburi province and there were no previous convictions for such criminal activities.

When Mr. Li’s background was checked, it was found that he had also failed to comply with his visa. He also had an arrest warrant for assault in Taiwan, which is being handled separately as he is both a victim and a suspect.

Ms. Suchada informed the police that she was Mr. Li’s girlfriend. They had come to the house at 41 Soi Lat Phrao with a Thai broker so that Mr. Li could buy 50,000 dollars (a cryptocurrency) worth about 1.7 million baht. When they arrived, they met Mr. Pham Ngoc and negotiated the transaction.

After Mr. Pham Ngoc transferred 50,000 dollars to the wallet provided by Mr. Li, Mr. Li did not transfer Thai baht in return because he was merely a middleman for a man named Dong. Mr. Li tried to contact Dong, but after Dong received the cryptocurrency, he broke off all contact.

The Vietnamese gang detained the couple and threatened to kill them if they did not pay back the money. As time passed and the ransom was not paid, Mr. Li was only able to return 990 dollars. The gang then began to attack him and led him to a warehouse in Suphanburi province.

There they beat him with metal rods, strangled him with a rope and threatened to cut off his fingers with garden shears. They also beat him with a pistol and held a gun to his head, threatening to kill him and bury him there if he did not get the money. The couple was eventually taken back to the house where police later rescued them.

The Immigration Department revoked the suspects’ visas, confiscated their firearms, ammunition and vehicles and handed them over to the Phahonyothin Police Station for prosecution.

_______

CP Foods Wins 6 Regional Marketing Excellence Awards

By

MC Marketing

-

26 September 2024, 16:00

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) received 6 Marketing Excellence Awards 2024 for its outstanding international campaign “Thai Chicken Going to Space”. The campaign won 2 Gold awards in the categories of “Excellence in Brand Strategy” for its exceptional strategic marketing planning, and “Excellence in Communications” for the year’s most outstanding communication campaign.

Additionally, the “Thai Chicken Going to Space” campaign also secured 2 Bronze awards in the categories of “Excellence in TV / Video Advertising” for best TV and video advertising campaign, and “Marketing Team of the Year”, which recognizes the top teamwork that combines ideas and creativity to produce excellent marketing results.

Furthermore, the “CP Extreme Cheese Lava Sausage” campaign also won two awards at the same event, including a Silver Award in the Excellence in Out-of-Home Advertisement category for the best out-of-home advertising campaign, and a Bronze award in the Excellence in Interactive Marketing AR & VR category for online marketing using AR & VR technology.

Ms. Anarkawee Chooratn, Head of Marketing at CP Foods, said that the 6 awards reflect the success of our marketing strategy leading to business growth, especially the “Thai Chicken Going to Space” and “CP Extreme Cheese Lava Sausage” campaigns. These campaigns focused on addressing consumer needs, based on in-depth consumer behavior studies, and were able to communicate to enhance relationship between brand and customers effectively, leading to long-term brand loyalty and repeat purchases.

The awards for the “Thai Chicken Going to Space” campaign prove that CP brand chicken meat’s safety standards have reached space-level safety, ‘Space Safety Standard’, following NASA’s food safety criteria, which is the same standard that astronauts can consume. CP Foods has organized marketing communication activities for consumers to participate and take pride in this national-level success, transforming Siam Square, the heart of shopping and entertainment in Bangkok, into a space station, which became the #1 trend on X (Twitter) in Thailand and #3 globally, as well as increasing domestic sales by 11% and expanding positive business results internationally.

The “Extreme Cheese Lava Sausage” campaign focused on a communication strategy that could reach and captivate ‘Gen Z & Alpha’ consumers by using AR and VR innovations, including ‘ROBLOX’, a Virtual World game, as communication channels. The campaign used language that created closeness with the younger generation to target school children and those who enjoy challenging activities. By decorating BTS and MRT stations into cheese-filled cities that attract to the target audience, the campaign was able to boost sausage sales by 25%.

The Marketing Excellence Awards are organized by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, a leading Asian online magazine for advertising and marketing based in Singapore, which reaches marketing executives across Asia. The awards honor notably outstanding marketing, creative advertising, public relations, market research, and marketing communications work in the Asia region.

Sports Car Menace Caught: Russian Driver Fined on Koh Samui

By

Khaosod English

-

26 September 2024, 12:58

KOH SAMUI — Police at Bo Phut Police Station, Koh Samui, have arrested a Russian man driving a sports car with loud engine revving, causing disturbances on Koh Samui. He was fined 5,000 baht, warned, and his car has been seized pending inspection by the Department of Land Transport.

Officials investigated information from a video shared on the “Koh Samui People’s Group” Facebook page on September 23. The video showed a yellow sports car driving recklessly, impolitely, and revving its engine loudly, disturbing road users in Koh Samui district.

Traffic police and investigators tracked down the vehicle, finding it parked in front of a villa. The car matched the description: a yellow Nissan 350Z with Ang Thong province license plates. Nearby residents reported that a foreigner had parked it there but didn’t know where he was staying.

When checking with the Department of Land Transport, it was found that the car’s color didn’t match the registration, there was no tax sticker, and the front license plate was missing. The car was then seized and sent to investigators.

On September 24 at around 9:30 p.m., a 30-year-old Russian man named Mr. Aleksandr came forward as the car’s owner, presenting purchase documents for inspection at Bo Phut Police Station.

The inspection revealed that the car had proper documentation, with a Thai person listed as the rightful owner. It was in the process of ownership transfer, but during this time, the car’s color had been changed and modifications made.

samui car2 — A 30-year-old Russian man comes forward as the car’s owner, presenting purchase documents for inspection at Bo Phut Police Station, on September 26, 2024.

Mr. Aleksandr confessed to driving the car with loud engine revving and agreed to pay a fine of 5,000 baht as per traffic laws. Officials warned him about proper road use, and Mr. Aleksandr apologized for his actions, promising not to repeat the offense and to modify the car to comply with the law.

On September 26, Bo Phut police investigators revealed that the Russian man had entered the country legally and had no criminal record. The car used in the offense is being held by the police, awaiting inspection by the Surat Thani Provincial Transport Office, which is expected to take no more than a week.

_______

The Three Key Hotels

The Two Key Hotels

The One Key Hotels

Hot News

LATEST NEWS