Mr. Qian Peng Yi, the house owner, provides information to the police inside the house that was allegedly robbed by 3 intruders on July 18, 2024.
CHONBURI — The case of a robbery at a house of a Chinese man in Chonburi caused a stir as it later emerged that the cousin who had allegedly been kidnapped had taken a flight to China.
On July 18, Nong Prue Police Station in Chonburi received a report of a robbery at the house of a foreign tourist in a luxury village in Nong Prue, Chonburi. The investigation team notified the Tourist Police and Immigration Police to investigate the crime scene. It was a two-storey detached house of about 60-80 square meters in a luxury house estate.
The house that was allegedly robbed by 3 intruders on July 18, 2024.
Police found the homeowner, Mr. Qian Peng Yi, 34, a Chinese national, in a state of fear, with marks on his wrists and ankles indicating that they had been bound with cable ties. Inside the house, signs of a thorough search were visible on both the first and second floors. Cable ties were scattered on the kitchen floor, which the police collected as evidence.
Mr. Qian explained that he had been living in Thailand for about a year, hoping to start a family and invest in a business. At around 9 p.m. on July 17, 3 Chinese men broke into his house while he was playing a game on the mezzanine floor.
One of the intruders pointed a gun at him, forced him into a bedroom, tied his hands and feet with cable ties, gagged him and wrapped duct tape around his head. They then threatened to kill his cousin, Miss Tu Peizhi, 33, who was staying in a room upstairs, if he did not transfer 10 million baht. The intruders left the bedroom, apparently to look for valuables.
Mr. Qian Peng Yi, the house owner, provides information to the police inside the house that was allegedly robbed by 3 intruders on July 18, 2024.
After an hour, the intruders demanded an initial transfer of 3 million baht. Mr. Qian refused and took advantage of a moment when the intruders were distracted to fight back until the cable ties came loose. He then fled the house, leaving Miss Tu alone.
While he was hiding, Mr. Qian saw the intruders leave the house with Miss Tu and drive away. He contacted a trusted person who helped him report the incident around midnight. Concerned about Miss Tu, he asked the police for help in locating her. It was initially discovered that a laptop, a cell phone and an iPad were missing.
The police investigated the scene, collected evidence and viewed the video footage up close. Although the incident appeared to be genuine, several suspicious details came to light. The investigation revealed that Miss Tu had left Thailand at around 1:00 a.m. on July 18, so further detailed investigation was required.
The glass bottle containing liquid that forensic officers collected from the crime scene for examination and found to contain cyanide, at the Police Forensic Science Office, Bangkok, on July 17, 2024.
BANGKOK — The investigation into the case of six Vietnamese bodies found in a luxury hotel at Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok, revealed clear autopsy results indicating death by cyanide poisoning. One of the six deceased, Ms. Sherine Chong, a 56-year-old Vietnamese-American woman, is suspected of administering the poison.
Regarding this case, on July 18, the government, through the Ministry of Justice, issued another warning to the public that cyanide is classified as a Type 3 hazardous substance under the Hazardous Substance Act of 1995 and its amendments.
“According to Section 23 in conjunction with Section 73, Any person who produces, imports, exports, or possesses a Type 3 hazardous substance without permission shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding 200,000 baht, or both,” Ms. Kenika Ounjit, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, made a statement at the Government House.
Cyanide was previously involved in a shocking serial murders in Thai society in 2023. A female suspect, nicknamed “Am Cyanide,” was accused of murdering at least 14 people by lacing their food with cyanide. From 2015 to 2023, there were 15 poisoning cases across 8 provinces, resulting in 14 deaths and one survivor.
After the “Am Cyanide” case, police conducted a major investigation into the source of potassium cyanide. The investigation revealed that the cyanide used in these cases was PanReac from Spain, imported by one of 15 Thai companies. This cyanide has a concentration of 75 percent.
Thai police display pictures of evidence during a press conference at Lumpini police station in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
This investigation led to the questioning of 31 people who had ordered cyanide, including a famous Thai actress, Ice Preechaya. She had ordered cyanide online for about 3,000 baht to destroy venomous animals invading her home but hadn’t opened the package. Upon learning it was a prohibited substance, she turned it over to the police.
The latest cyanide case was used again by a foreigner in Bangkok’s luxury hotel. The preliminary autopsy findings for the six bodies were released on July 17 by Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok. Dr. Chanchai Sittipunt, the dean of medicine at Chulalongkorn, stated that the presence of cyanide provided sufficient evidence to conclude it was likely responsible for the fatalities.
Head of the forensic medicine department at Chulalongkorn University’s medical school, Dr. Kornkiat Vongpaisarnsin announced that cyanide was detected in the bloodstream of all six individuals. Additionally, CAT scans revealed no indications of blunt force trauma, lending support to the theory that poisoning was the cause of death.
Police questioned a Vietnamese guide, Mr. Phan Ngoc Vu, 35, who knew Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan, 47, one of the deceased. He said she had asked him to buy “snake medicine” (known as a treatment for joint pain) for 11,000 baht. He then asked another guide, nicknamed “tiger guide,” to procure it. Police are now searching for this second guide and checking CCTV footage to verify whether cyanide was also purchased.
Police interrogate Vietnamese guide, Mr Phan Ngoc Vu, 35, in relation to the deaths of six people at a luxury hotel in Bangkok.
“If Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan was the one who procured the poison, she would be another suspect in this poisoning case,” said the source.
Police also interrogated Mr. Hung, the husband of Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan for five hours. Mr. Hung stated he was a government official in Vietnam on a trip to Japan for tourism only, with no business involvement.
He had separated from Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan, with whom he had children, so they were living apart. He didn’t know what business his ex-wife was involved in. However, before his ex-wife’s death, he had a video call with her.
According to relatives, Ms. Sherine Chong, the suspect of administering the cyanide poison, had Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan act as a broker to persuade Ms. Thi Nguyen Phuong and Mr. Hong Pham Thanh, who are husband and wife and road construction contractors in Vietnam, to invest 278,000 US dollars (about 10 million Thai baht) in building a hospital in Japan.
CCTV footage shows Ms. Sherine Chong, a Vietnamese-American woman suspected of poisoning and killing her five travel companions in a luxury hotel in central Bangkok.
When there was no progress on the investment, the couple began constantly asking Ms. Sherine Chong for their money back. They initially agreed to meet in Japan to resolve the issue, but when one person couldn’t get a visa, they changed the meeting place to Thailand. The couple was also among those who were poisoned to death.
Witnesses reported that Ms. Sherine Chong often presented herself as a credible American businesswoman to Vietnamese business circles, inviting them to invest with her. She has a record of being reported to San Francisco police ten years ago for fraud related to U.S. citizenship applications, but the case was not prosecuted.
According to Associated Press report, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in Washington offered condolences to the families of the dead. He said the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation and would communicate with local authorities.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin attends a House of Representatives meeting to explain the details of the draft Additional Expenditure Budget Act for Fiscal Year 2024, amounting to 122 billion baht, on July 17, 2024.
BANGKOK — After a 10-hour debate on the draft of the Additional Budget Expenditure Act for the fiscal year 2024, amounting to 122 billion baht or approximately 3.4 billion US dollars, to be used for the digital wallet project, the House of Representatives voted to approve the principle with 297 votes in favor and 164 votes against.
Subsequently, the assembly appointed a 32-member special committee to consider amendments and present them to the House of Representatives for consideration in the second and third readings on July 31.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated in the meeting that the government urgently needs to spend money according to its immediate policies to stimulate the economy. This would be done by promoting cash circulation in various areas to improve the quality of life and livelihood, create job opportunities for people and businesses, while maintaining consumption and investment levels in the country and enhancing the country’s competitiveness.
This urgent action cannot wait for the 2025 fiscal year’s regular expenditure budget, hence the need for an additional expenditure budget not exceeding 122 billion baht.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin attends a House of Representatives meeting to explain the details of the draft Additional Expenditure Budget Act for Fiscal Year 2024, amounting to 122 billion baht, on July 17, 2024.
The PM mentioned that the estimated funds for this additional expenditure budget for the fiscal year 2024 include 10 billion baht from taxes and other revenues not previously included in the estimates and 112 billion baht from borrowing to cover the budget deficit.
He explained that the country’s macroeconomic conditions are expected to grow in a range of 2.0 – 3.0 percent (with a median of 2.5 percent) in 2024, supported by higher public spending and investment, the recovery of the tourism sector and related services, domestic demand growth in both consumption and investment, and a gradual recovery in exports as a result of the recovery in global trade.
However, there are limitations and risks due to the high levels of household and corporate debt, climate change affecting agricultural production and the high and increasing volatility of global economic and financial systems.
Inflation is expected to be between 0.1 and 1.1 percent (with a mean of 0.6 percent) and the current account is expected to show a surplus of 1.2 percent of GDP. On 30 April 2024, government debt was 11.5 trillion baht or 63.78 percent of GDP, which is within the legal limit of 70 percent of GDP. As of 31 May 2024, the Treasury’s cash balance is 394 billion baht and international reserves are 221 billion dollars, indicating a strong position.
Move Forward Party MP Sirikanya Tansakun debated against the government’s request to borrow an additional 122 billion baht to help fund the 10,000 baht digital wallet handouts scheme on July 17, 2024.
The additional spending budget of 122 billion baht for 2024 is categorized as a central budget, which accounts for 100 percent of the total additional budget and is aimed at stimulating and strengthening the country’s economic system. Together with the original budget framework of 3.48 trillion baht for the year 2024, the total expenditure budget for the year 2024 is 3.6 trillion baht.
The Prime Minister admitted that although the 2024 supplementary expenditure budget will increase the deficit, the government has earmarked 97.6 billion baht for capital expenditure in the 2024 supplementary expenditure budget.
Together with the capital expenditure of 710 billion baht in the regular budget for 2024, this totals 807.6 billion baht in capital expenditure, an increase of 17.1 percent compared to capital expenditure in the 2023 budget year, accounting for 22.4 percent of the total budget.
The management of the overall expenditure budget follows the government’s policy to stimulate the economy, ensure efficient use of taxpayers’ money, promote economic growth and sustainably increase the country’s potential while adhering to legal fiscal discipline.
Mr. Pakornwut Udompipatskul leads the opposition’s announcement to reject the draft supplementary budget bill for fiscal year 2024 on July 17, 2024.
On the opposition side, led by Mr. Pakornwut Udompipatskul of the Move Forward Party, the opposition chairman stated three reasons for rejecting the draft of the supplementary budget bill for fiscal year 2024:
The evaluation shows that the impact of the digital wallet measures on the Thai economy is not cost-effective. This means that the benefit for stimulating GDP this year and next year is less than the budget allocated. Therefore, the government should take more appropriate stimulus measures to utilize the budget effectively.
There is a significant risk of legal breaches and the setting of wrong precedents in budget preparation and future spending, including the provisions on capital expenditure in this Bill or central expenditure in the next financial year or late in the financial year.
The current economic problems in Thailand are more than just boosting consumption, but also include challenges in the production sector. The government must provide budgetary resources to strengthen the Thai economy in the long term.
Although Move Forward Party MP Sirikanya Tansakun urged fellow MPs, including those in the government coalition parties, to reject the request, her efforts did not succeed.
At a Monday dinner party for coalition government parties at the Park Nai Lert Hotel, the PM said that the cooperation of everyone in this government shows that they have more than 314 votes. He added that although working together may sometimes be tense, they work as one.
The South Bangkok Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Ma Qingyan, a Chinese man suspected of murdering Miss Yan Ruimin, a Chinese woman in Bangkok.
BANGKOK — Thai Court has issued an arrest warrant for a Chinese man suspected of murdering a Chinese woman in Bangkok. This will lead to a request for Interpol’s assistance in arresting the suspect, who had already left Thailand in early July.
On July 17, the South Bangkok Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant for Mr. Ma Qingyan, the prime suspect in the murder of Miss Yan Ruimin, 38, in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district. Miss Yan disappeared on July 2, and her body was discovered on July 13 in a grassy area in Chachoengsao province. Her belongings, including a handbag, were burned in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
Police Colonel Thammasak Saraboon, Superintendent of Bang Rak Police Station, ordered investigators to gather evidence and request the arrest warrant for Mr. Ma. The charges include murder and concealing, moving, or destroying a corpse to hide the cause of death.
Thai police will now coordinate with Interpol to issue a Blue Notice for Mr. Ma’s arrest and extradition to Thailand. Investigations have revealed that the suspect fled Thailand on July 3, with evidence showing he traveled to Hong Kong and Macau.
Rescuers fig the area beneath the pile of tile fragments and find a body believed to be the missing Chinese woman, Miss Yan, in a suspicious, grassy area in Bang Krud Subdistrict, Ban Pho District, Chachoengsao Province on July 13, 2024.
Miss Yan’s family has expressed their desire for the case to be transferred to China, where murder carries a maximum penalty of death. Chinese Embassy officials have stated they will coordinate with Chinese authorities to determine whether they will investigate the case themselves or assist in arresting and extraditing the suspect back to Thailand, in accordance with the cooperation agreement between the two countries.
Initially, Miss Yan’s disappearance was mistakenly thought to be a kidnapping for ransom. This misunderstanding arose when Mr. Cai, a Chinese student in Thailand and friend of Miss Yan, reported her missing to Bang Rak Police Station. Mr. Cai had called Miss Yan’s family, suggesting she might have been kidnapped for ransom, similar to a previous case involving a Chinese female student. He advised the family to prepare 1 million yuan as a precaution.
Police Major General Nopsilp Poonsawat, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, stated that the police investigation is focusing on personal motives, including a possible love affair.
Mr. Ma was seen on CCTV on July 1 holding Miss Yan’s hand as they walked along Rama IV Road. They returned to their car and left together. Miss Yan disappeared on July 2 in a residence on Sukhumvit Soi 16. Forensic officials found bloodstains on a pillowcase and bed sheet in this house.
Blackchin tilapia swarm in the waters of Bang Krachao subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Sakhon province on July 17. They have notably consumed local fish species, including mullet, which have visibly disappeared.
BANGKOK — The Department of Fisheries has taken 5 measures to control the spread of the blackchin tilapia, which has caused considerable ecological damage and impact on fishing in Thailand.
As of July 17, Mr. Bancha Sukkha, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, reported that blackchin tilapia have been present in Thailand since 2017, with wide-ranging outbreaks in central regions by early 2024, including Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Phetchaburi.
Outbreaks are currently being detected in some areas of 9 provinces: Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao, Ratchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, and reports indicate additional outbreaks in 2 other provinces: Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi, making a total of 16 provinces affected.
Residents and officials in Rayong province work together to catch blackchin tilapia at a public park in central Rayong on July 17, 2024.
Thammanas Phrompha, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said on Tuesday that he has been continuously aware of the issue and has addressed it as a national priority. The fish, previously known as the Blackchin tilapia, has recently lost its distinctive coloration. It is considered a problematic species due to its rapid reproduction and tendency to consume other aquatic animals, making it potentially harmful to local ecosystems.
The Ministry, therefore, set up a committee to deal with the outbreak of the blackchin tilapia epidemic. They have taken 5 important measures:
Control and eradicate blackchin tilapia in all affected water sources.
2. Release predatory fish such as white perch and tilapia to eliminate blackchin tilapia in natural water sources. A total of 226,000 fish were released in natural water sources in 7 provinces.
The Blackchin tilapia, has recently lost its distinctive coloration.
3. Use the blackchin tilapia taken from the ecosystem for various purposes, e.g. to make fish powder. Coordinate with Thai fish powder producers in Samut Sakhon region, sell to 2 fish powder factories, namely Siri Sang Arahm Pee Company Limited, at a price of 10 baht per kilogram, allocation of 500,000 kilograms (500 tons), 491,687 kilograms were sold, value 4,916,870 baht.
Another company is Tha Chin Fishmeal Industries Limited, which buys blackchin tilapia from surrounding provinces, including Bangkok and Ratchaburi, at a price of 7 baht per kilogram and without quota, totaling 510,000 kilograms worth 5 million baht.
4. Conduct surveys and monitor the spread of blackchin tilapia in natural water sources in various areas.
5. Promote awareness and involvement in the eradication of blackchin tilapia for all sectors by the Department of Fisheries has been ongoing. Additionally, aggressive promotional activities have been organized to raise awareness among the public.
For example, on July 10, Phetchaburi Province held promotional activities to promote processed products from blackchin tilapia, such as salted fish, sun-dried fish, and fish sauce. Moreover, the province established a task force to develop an action plan and budget to address the issue.
Blackchin tilapia are fried to make sun-dried fish in Nonthaburi Province.In Samut Songkhram province, the fish is being fried with garlic as a menu item.
Regarding the current social trend questioning the origin of the widespread outbreak of blackchin tilapia, the Director General of the Department of Fisheries explained that this species originates from the African continent and was legally introduced by a company in 2010 for breeding research.
Subsequently, the company terminated the research and did not report the destruction to the Department of Fisheries as required by the conditions set by the Department of Fisheries. According to the investigation conducted by Department officials on site during the 2017 outbreak, all samples were completely destroyed by burial.
The Department of Fisheries also denies rumors that officials were sent to collect samples of blackchin tilapia used for research purposes from the farm of the said company. Fifty samples were submitted for DNA testing, which may be the source of the current Nile tilapia outbreak, confirmed by evidence that no samples were received.
As for the company mentioned by the Director General of the Department of Fisheries, CPF Company Limited sent a letter of explanation to the state authorities stating that the company’s researchers reported all the facts in 2017.
Subsequently, the National Human Rights Commission visited the farm again and the company’s researchers explained the methods used to destroy all the fish by using concentrated chlorine and burying the fish carcasses with lime. The company asserts that their actions were not the cause of the current outbreak.
BANGKOK — Thai AirAsia moves all flights back to Don Mueang starting October 1, 2024, in line with the international airport development plan to push Thailand as a regional aviation hub.
After discussions with Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Thai AirAsia X (flight code XJ) will resume all services at Don Mueang Airport (DMK) from October 1, 2024.
This includes direct flights to and from Seoul, South Korea; Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Japan; Shanghai, China; and Sydney, Australia.
Thai AirAsia X believes that returning to Don Mueang provides an opportunity to connect with diverse flight networks, both domestic and international, with AirAsia, offering convenience and easier access to the city.
Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia X, said that returning to Don Mueang Airport feels like coming home. Thai AirAsia has a strong presence with over 40% market share on domestic routes and a diverse international network covering China, India, South Asia, ASEAN, Japan, as well as Taipei and Kaohsiung, totaling over 93 routes or 1,250 flights per week. This presents an opportunity for flight connections or Fly Thru services.
Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia X (right)
For passengers who have already booked seats and are traveling with Thai AirAsia X (flight code XJ) from October 1, 2024, the airline will automatically adjust their flights to Don Mueang Airport and will notify them directly via email, SMS, or the channel provided to the airline. Notifications will start from August 1 this year to provide appropriate service options.
Currently, Thai AirAsia X has a fleet of 8 Airbus A330s, gradually increasing to 11 by the end of 2024. After that, they plan to add 3-5 aircraft per year to increase frequency and open new routes for continuous growth.
Thai AirAsia (flight code FD) based at Suvarnabhumi Airport, serving routes from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, and the Suvarnabhumi-Kuala Lumpur route (flight code D7), will continue to operate from Suvarnabhumi as usual.
AIS announced its continued commitment to driving the growth of the gaming and esports industry in Thailand. Collaborating with both public and private partners, AIS aims to support and create spaces for gamers and esports athletes to fully hone and showcase their skills. The AIS 5G eSports S Series Thailand Championship 2024 by Dutch Mill, Thailand’s largest high school esports competition, will commence for the fourth consecutive year. Dutch Mill will be the main sponsor, alongside Taro Fish Snack and Garnier Acno Fight Foam.
This year, AIS has expanded its collaboration to include government agencies from 19 provinces nationwide, as well as educational institutions. This expansion aims to provide high school students interested in esports with the opportunity to compete and develop into professional esports athletes. The competition will continue to feature ROV, a popular MOBA game. Registration for the OPEN round is now available until August 13, 2024, leading to the qualifiers and the national championship, where participants will compete for total prizes worth over 200,000 baht.
Ms. Rungthip Jarusiripipat, Managing Director, Entertainment and Content Business Partnership at AIS, explained, “The global esports industry is rapidly growing, with a continuous increase in viewers and players, high prize competitions, and support from leading brands, making this market’s value increase every year. It is estimated that the global gaming market will be worth more than 1.1 billion dollars in 2024, with over 450 million esports viewers worldwide. With this upward growth trend, AIS recognizes the importance of supporting Thai youth to enter the esports industry by organizing high school-level competitions to train and develop the skills of Thai youth towards becoming professional esports athletes in the future.
The AIS 5G eSports S Series Thailand Championship last year saw participation from over 1,018 teams of high school students from 306 schools nationwide. This year marks the fourth consecutive year of the competition, and we continue to collaborate with our business partner, Dutch Mill, as the main sponsor. Additionally, we have partnered with government agencies from over 19 provinces to expand opportunities for students across the country to participate in this activity.”
Mr. Theerachai Laokosakul, Marketing Director Drink at Dutch Mill Co., Ltd., stated, “As the leading dairy products company in Thailand, Dutch Mill Group operates with a commitment to supporting and promoting youth health so they can achieve their dreams through beneficial products. We are delighted to be part of supporting the dreams of Thai children who love gaming and aspire to become esports athletes. This is another collaboration with AIS eSports to organize high school-level esports competitions to promote the Thai esports industry on an international stage.”
Interested schools can register for the competition at the website https://gameon.ais.co.th/esport/tournament or follow additional information on the Facebook page AIS eSports Tournament.
CCTV footage shows Ms. Sherine Chong, a Vietnamese-American woman suspected of poisoning and killing her five travel companions in a luxury hotel in central Bangkok.
BANGKOK — The investigation into the deaths of six Vietnamese and American guests found in a luxury hotel at Ratchaprasong intersection in downtown Bangkok on July 16, which involved cooperation between Thai police, Vietnamese authorities, and the FBI, has gradually revealed a clear cause.
It appears to be the work of one of the six individuals who poisoned drinks with cyanide due to a debt problem of over 278,000 US dollars.
On July 17, Police Major General Noppasilp Poolsawat, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwphan, Commander of the Office of Forensic Science Police, and Police Major General Thiradej Thamsuthee, Commander of the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, held a press conference to update on the investigation progress.
High-ranking police officers involved in the investigation of the deaths of six foreigners in a luxury hotel in central Bangkok hold a press conference to update on the investigation progress on July 17, 2024.
They stated that the police had conducted autopsies, collected evidence, and interrogated more than 10 relevant witnesses, including relatives of the deceased. They also examined 8 pieces of luggage. The findings can be summarized as follows:
1) Ms. Sherine Chong, age 56, American nationality: Found dead near the dining table. Entered Thailand on July 5 at 1:05 p.m. from Ho Chi Minh City. Had visited Thailand 5 times before. She was the one who checked into room 502, where the incident occurred.
2) Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan, age 47, Vietnamese nationality: Wearing a pink shirt, found dead in the bedroom. Entered Thailand on July 4 at 12:56 p.m. from Danang. Had visited Thailand 17 times before.
3) Mr. Dinh Tran Phu, age 37, Vietnamese nationality: Found dead near Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan and Mr. Hung Dang Van. Entered Thailand on July 12 at 12:28 p.m. from Danang. Had visited Thailand 11 times before.
4) Mr. Hung Dang Van, age 55, American nationality: Wearing a navy blue shirt, found dead near Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan. Entered Thailand for the first time on July 7 at 09:55 a.m. from Taipei, Taiwan.
5) Ms. Thi Nguyen Phuong, age 46, Vietnamese nationality: Wearing a white shirt, found dead near the room’s door. Entered Thailand on July 12 at 1:48 p.m. from Ho Chi Minh City. Had visited Thailand 3 times before.
6) Mr. Hong Pham Thanh, age 49, Vietnamese nationality: Husband of Ms. Thi Nguyen Phuong, found dead in the bedroom. Entered Thailand for the first time, arriving with his wife on July 12 at 1:48 p.m. from Ho Chi Minh City. His name did not appear on the hotel check-in list as his wife’s name was used for the room reservation.
Tea bags containing traces of cyanide being examined by forensic officials
CCTV footage from the hotel showed that all individuals checked in by themselves, and no other persons entered the room. The footage from July 14-15, during the timeline of the incident, confirms that no one other than these six people entered room 502, except for the food service staff who have provided complete information.
Events from July 14 show that Ms. Sherine Chong was staying in the room where the incident occurred. The other five people came to this room between 11:00 p.m. and midnight, then returned to their own rooms.
On July 15, after checking out of their other rooms, they all moved their luggage to room 502. At 11:42 a.m., Mr. Hung Dang Van ordered food from the hotel: 5 plates of fried rice, 4 plates of tom yum kung, 4 plates of stir-fried vegetables, 1 plate of stir-fried morning glory, 2 pots of hot English tea, and 6 tea cups.
Later, Mr. Dinh Tran Phu ordered an additional plate of fried rice, requesting delivery at 2:00 p.m. The room service staff delivered the food at 1:51 p.m., spending 6 minutes serving the food.
Plates of untouched single-dish Thai meals in the living room.
According to the room service staff’s testimony, upon entering, they found only Ms. Sherine Chong. When the staff offered to brew the tea, Ms. Sherine Chong declined, saying she would handle it herself. The staff noted that Ms. Sherine Chong appeared quite stressed and wasn’t smiling, even when the staff complimented her outfit.
After the room service staff left at 1:57 p.m., from 2:03 p.m. onwards, the other deceased individuals gradually entered room 502. After that, no one was seen entering or leaving the room until the bodies were discovered.
The bodies were discovered on July 16 at 4:30 p.m. when hotel staff went to check the room as it was past check-out time.
Forensic results revealed cyanide in the liquid from the tea kettle, residue in all 6 coffee cups, and in the blood sample of one of the deceased.
Five tea cups containing cyanide poison in the suspect’s hotel room, all of which were drunk.
Relatives of some of the deceased have been questioned and provided information about conflicts within the group. They believe that one of the six was responsible for the incident.
According to relatives, Ms. Sherine Chong had Ms. Thi Nguyen Phunng Lan act as a broker to persuade Ms. Thi Nguyen Phuong and Mr. Hong Pham Thanh, who are husband and wife and road construction contractors in Vietnam, to invest 278,000 US dollars (about 10 million Thai baht) in building a hospital in Japan.
When there was no progress on the investment, the couple began constantly asking Ms. Sherine Chong for their money back. They initially agreed to meet in Japan to resolve the issue, but when one person couldn’t get a visa, they changed the meeting place to Thailand. They chose Thailand because they could also pay respects at Wat Yannawa in Bangkok, which is a popular place for Vietnamese people.
For Mr. Dinh Tran Phu and Mr. Hung Dang Van, the situation is still unclear. These two had not yet invested money but it’s believed they were also invited to discuss potential investments. It was found that Ms. Sherine Chong made the room reservation for Mr. Hung Dang Van, but he used his own credit card for the booking.
The examination of the 8 pieces of luggage belonging to the deceased did not reveal anything illegal. It’s confirmed that the incident was due to personal conflicts among the six individuals and not related to any transnational criminal organization.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Phantana Nutchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, stated that they are coordinating with the Vietnamese and US embassies for more information. The FBI has requested information, but the investigation remains with the Thai police.
“It’s confirmed that none of the deceased had any arrest warrants or criminal records.”
On the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday anniversary on July 28, 2024, the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Culture, and the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya have organized an opera performance of “Madama Butterfly” on Tuesday, July 23, and Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Main Auditorium, Thailand Cultural Centre.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, the foundation’s patron, has envisioned the foundation organizing the opera “Madama Butterfly,” composed by Italian Giacomo Puccini with Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.
This opera tells the tragic love story of a Japanese geisha and an American naval officer, highlighting themes of love and honor. Premiered at La Scala in Milan, Italy, in 1904, it remains one of the world’s most frequently performed operas.
For this performance, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari serves as Executive Producer, selecting the cast from Opera Production in Vienna. Auditions were held for roles such as Mother, Aunt, Cousin, Geishas, Relative and Servants, and chorus members.
The entire wardrobe for the production has been newly designed, with Her Royal Highness herself designing 14 costumes for the nine main characters: Cio-Cio San (the heroine), Pinkerton (the hero), Suzuki (the maid), Yamadori (the prince), Kate Pinkerton (the new wife), Bonzo (the Japanese priest), Goro (the matchmaker), Sharpless (the hero’s friend), and the Commissario (the Japanese nobleman). An additional 40 costumes were designed by the SIRIVANNAVARI team under her direction.
The cast from Opera Production includes leading European opera singers such as Viktorija Miskunaite and Laura del Rio (Soprano) as Madama Butterfly, Gianluca Terranova (Tenor) as B.F. Pinkerton, Alissandra Volpe (Mezzo-Soprano) as Suzuki, Massimo Cavalletti (Baritone) as Sharpless, and Orlando Polidoro (Tenor). They are joined by three renowned Thai opera singers. The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra will perform, conducted by German conductor Valentin Egel.
Ratiros Chulachart, Vice President of Iris 2005 Co., Ltd., and executive of the SIRIVANNAVARI brand, stated, “The SIRIVANNAVARI brand, founded and creatively directed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari, is honored to be part of this world-class opera performance in celebration of this auspicious royal birthday. It is the first high-end fashion brand in East Asia to design costumes for a world-class opera ensemble. This is a pinnacle of cultural expression that spans over a century.
The design concept incorporates both Western and Eastern elements, referencing traditional Japanese attire and historical military uniforms with contemporary interpretations. Colors, embroidery, and symbolic patterns convey stories of love, sorrow, and the passage of time, dramatized perfectly with RBSO’s grand music, powerful vocals, and world-class stage production.”
The SIRIVANNAVARI brand, through its designer, has created 14 costumes for the nine main characters, blending traditional Japanese and Western styles. For the Japanese female characters, the design adapts pieces from the Spring/Summer 2022 “Rise of Asia” collection, inspired by Japanese culture’s golden age. These designs are enhanced for stage presence with reflective embroidery, voluminous skirts, and traditional layering, referencing geisha and traditional village attire.
Western female characters’ costumes are contemporary with added symbolic elements like color and pattern to represent characters’ age and personality. For example, the Japanese heroine’s costumes use soft tones, while the new Western wife’s costumes are in darker shades with structured designs, incorporating symbolic embroidery like peonies and cherry blossoms for the Japanese heroine and roses for the Western wife.
Men’s costumes are divided into Western and Japanese groups. Western male characters wear traditional suits with elements of naval uniforms made from linen, reflecting the American naval officer’s journey to Asia.
These designs feature newly created elements like sleeve bands, buttons, and insignia, allowing the audience to infer character backgrounds. Japanese male characters’ costumes are also adapted from the “Rise of Asia” collection, combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern interpretations through structure, pattern, and technique. These costumes play a crucial role in depicting the Asian and Western cultures and characters’ social status, aiding the audience’s understanding of the Italian opera.
Supporting cast costumes, such as for the chorus, are designed in white to serve as a backdrop for the stage. The stage design, directed by the designer, incorporates modern elements with symbolic meanings. The opening scene features a tree symbolizing Japan, with the hero and heroine meeting in summer, when cherry blossoms are budding.
The tree’s leaves fall in autumn and bloom again in spring, reflecting Japanese charm with a modern twist to enhance the opera’s atmosphere. Lighting plays a significant role in drawing the audience’s emotions.
Thailand’s biggest charity golf event returns to the Blue Canyon Country Club on October 18, 2024, to raise funds for two local children’s charities: Save the Children and Operation Smile Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand: July 2024 – Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a brighter future for communities in Thailand with the announcement that the Marriott Bonvoy Charity Golf Day will return to Phuket this October, to raise vital funds for disadvantaged local children and their families.
On Friday, October 18, 2024, this important annual sporting event will welcome golfers to Phuket’s Blue Canyon Country Club (Lake Course) for its third annual edition. Attracting participants from all across the region, Thailand’s biggest charity golf event has so far generated over THB 5 million for its charitable partners. This year, all proceeds will be donated to Save the Children and Operation Smile Thailand.
This fun-filled day of sport will commence with welcome drinks and the chance to meet fellow golfers, followed by a group photo session. The Marriott Bonvoy Charity Golf Day competitions will then get underway with a shotgun start, as the players simultaneously tee off from different holes.
Throughout the day, all participants will enjoy fantastic food and cool drinks from Marriott Bonvoy on Wheels, the vibrant food trucks and carts from Marriott Bonvoy’s resorts in Phuket and Phang Nga, plus entertainment, competitions and special surprises across all 18 holes! This action-packed event then concludes with an awards ceremony and glittering charity gala dinner, including some additional surprises and exclusive gifts.
“We are delighted to announce the return of the Marriott Bonvoy Charity Golf Day for its third consecutive edition. Marriott’s Business Councils are committed to improving the lives of local people wherever we operate. In its two previous years, this popular event has already helped to make a significant difference to young people by raising millions of baht for our charitable partners. We are proud to be working hand-in-hand with Save the Children and Operation Smile Thailand to create a brighter future for young people in Thailand,” said Mr. Daryn Hudson, Co-Chair of Marriott’s International Business Councils Thailand, and General Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort.
“Ever since it was first staged in 2022, the Marriott Bonvoy Charity Golf Day has become the biggest charitable golf event in Thailand and an integral part of our CSR efforts. It is a wonderful way to bring like-minded professionals, partners and colleagues together in a social and engaging atmosphere, while also raising much-needed funds for a highly worthwhile cause. This underscores our company’s Serve360 commitment to ‘doing good in every direction’,” commented Mr. Brad Edman, Market Vice President – Thailand, Cambodia & Myanmar, Marriott International.
The Marriott Bonvoy Charity Golf Day is priced at just THB 4,800 per person, including green fees, entry to the gala dinner and more! Registration is now open at www.golfgenius.com/ggid/mbth2024.
