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Bangkok police arrested Thai woman for illegally trafficking underage girls File photo for reference only A 22-year-old Thai woman has been arrested in Bangkok for her alleged involvement in trafficking underage girls for prostitution in a known local hotel. Among the victims was a 14-year-old girl who is currently receiving support from the police. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333170-bangkok-police-arrested-thai-woman-for-illegally-trafficking-underage-girls/

A 22-year-old Thai woman has been arrested in Bangkok for her alleged involvement in trafficking underage girls for prostitution in a known local hotel. Among the victims was a 14-year-old girl who is currently receiving support from the police. The arrest was staged by officers from the Bang Rak Police Station, including Thammasak Saraboon and Tharet Wongwaranurak at a hotel located in the Suriyawong area of Bangkok. The woman, known as Luksana, was apprehended late last night after the police found out about her illegal activities involving minors under the age of 18. The police, after realizing they were dealing with a case of human trafficking, put together an undercover operation. Some officers posed as customers, successfully negotiating to procure the services of four girls. Two of these girls were below 18 years, each being sold for 2,000 baht, while the older girls were available for 1,000 baht each, with an additional travel fee of 1,000 baht. Luksana would collect the payment, and then distribute it to the girls. During her confession, she explained that her usual job was as an entertainer, but she would assist in the illegal trade by linking up interested parties. Two victims, aged 14 and 16, were rescued by the police. Their countries of origin remain uncertain. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) has been asked to provide initial care for the victims. Luksana has been charged with human trafficking, exploiting minors for sexual purposes, and arranging or leading individuals into sexual acts, even if consensual. She is currently in the custody of the Bang Rak police investigators for more legal processes. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand plans to increase exports through soft power in China and Hong Kong File photo for reference only Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is working to increase exports by targeting markets in China and Hong Kong. They plan to promote a variety of Thai products - including food, fashion, and films. Phusit Ratanakul Seriroengrit, the Director-General of DITP, announced this initiative on Monday. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333169-thailand-plans-to-increase-exports-through-soft-power-in-china-and-hong-kong/

Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is working to increase exports by targeting markets in China and Hong Kong. They plan to promote a variety of Thai products - including food, fashion, and films. Phusit Ratanakul Seriroengrit, the Director-General of DITP, announced this initiative on Monday. DITP is planning Thai food festivals in China and Hong Kong. This includes foods that have been awarded the Thai SELECT certification - a mark of their quality. These festivals will be held at major events like Qingdao’s Beer Festival and Shanghai’s Summer Festival, and will also be promoted via digital platforms such as Xiaohongshu, Weibo, and Dianping. Similar festivals are also planned in smaller cities, including Dongguan, Wuhan, Liuzhou, Xiamen, Xi’an, and Ningxia. Promotion of Thai fruits has been underway since May in cities like Kunming, Chongqing, Jiangxi, and Guangzhou, and has already brought in 40 million baht in trade. The focus is on the taste, quality, and safety of Thai fruits. Partnerships with Hema Supermarket to promote fruits like durian, mangosteen, coconut, pomelo, and longan are also in the works, and these will be featured in dishes at 11 Thai restaurants in Shanghai. Thai fashion will also be promoted at events in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and Thai film industry is set to benefit too. The popular Thai film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has been well received in Hong Kong, and DITP's Shanghai office wants to promote it ahead of its China release in September. Trade fairs also form part of DITP's promotion strategy. Thai Brands Kunming 2024, China-ASEAN Expo 2024, and China International Import Expo are all on the agenda. Thai products will also be showcased in shopping malls and convenience stores in China and Hong Kong, for a thorough push into these profitable markets. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand expects 42 billion boost from French tourists post-Olympics Picture courtesy of Olympic Games Paris 2024 The Paris Olympic Games are projected to draw fewer visitors than initially expected, prompting the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to anticipate a resurgence in the French market post-event. The TAT forecasts 42 billion baht in revenue from French tourists in 2024. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333168-thailand-expects-42-billion-boost-from-french-tourists-post-olympics/

The Paris Olympic Games are projected to draw fewer visitors than initially expected, prompting the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to anticipate a resurgence in the French market post-event. The TAT forecasts 42 billion baht in revenue from French tourists in 2024. Soraya Homchuen, TAT Director in Paris, indicated that the French market is experiencing a lull due to two rounds of elections held on June 30 and July 7. The influx of tourists is predicted to remain low throughout the Paris Olympics, running from July 26 to August 11, as many locals will be engaged in organising the event. However, the TAT remains optimistic about a swift recovery in the market after the Olympics. A weaker turnout for this year’s event is attributed to concerns over high expenses and traffic congestion in Paris. Soraya noted that France initially expected 16 million visitors for the Olympics, but high airfares and accommodation costs could result in fewer international attendees. Earlier this month, Air France-KLM addressed worries about a potential drop in arrivals to Paris, Soraya said. French tourists “It appears that while some are required to stay in the country for work during the games, many French people prefer to escape the crowds. Families are avoiding the event, purchasing air tickets in advance, and have been travelling to Thailand since July 6, marking the start of the summer break for their children.” Approximately 600 tour packages have been sold under the Olympic Getaway campaign, launched in collaboration with Carrefour in May. This campaign will continue until August to attract tourists post-Olympics. Additionally, TAT plans to partner with a major online agent to launch a flash sales promotional event during the Olympic Games. In the first half of this year, Thailand welcomed 380,013 French tourists. The target for the entire year is set at 661,000 arrivals, which could generate 42.9 billion baht (US$1.19 billion), matching the revenue from 2019. The number of French tourists in the first six months surpassed the halfway mark of the annual target. The average expenditure of French tourists is forecast at 65,008 baht (US$1,800) per person, higher than the usual 55,000 baht (US$1,530). Soraya highlighted that lower airfares, excluding the Olympic period, are expected to further boost the post-Olympic market. Airfares have been on a downward trend since June. The primary concern remains seat capacity, as direct flights between Thailand and France have only recovered to 70 to 75% of pre-pandemic levels, reported Bangkok Post. Thai Airways International currently offers seven weekly flights to Paris, down from ten before the pandemic, while Air France operates three flights per week, down from seven. By Bright Choomanee Picture courtesy of Olympic Games Paris 2024 Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai tourism must shift to supply-driven strategy for 2025, says TAT Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post The Thai tourism industry must adopt a supply-driven strategy to enhance its competitiveness, according to the former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT outlined its marketing direction for 2025, aiming to increase revenue by 7.5% from 2024, targeting 39 million foreign arrivals and 205 million domestic trips. This figure is a revision from the 220 million trips projected last week. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333167-thai-tourism-must-shift-to-supply-driven-strategy-for-2025-says-tat/

The Thai tourism industry must adopt a supply-driven strategy to enhance its competitiveness, according to the former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The TAT outlined its marketing direction for 2025, aiming to increase revenue by 7.5% from 2024, targeting 39 million foreign arrivals and 205 million domestic trips. This figure is a revision from the 220 million trips projected last week. Current TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool emphasised the need to rebrand Thai tourism for 2025 towards high value and sustainability, focusing on quality spending and generating income in new destinations. Yuthasak Supasorn, former TAT Governor and now chairman of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), believed the TAT should prioritise developing tourism supply to improve competitiveness as well as the country’s ranking in the tourism development index.” Yuthasak recently addressed the National Institute of Development Administration’s Graduate School of Tourism Management. He reported that foreign arrivals reached 17.5 million in the first half of the year, aligning with the Bank of Thailand’s forecast for a low tourism recovery. Thailand’s position on the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Development Index plummeted to 47th from 36th, highlighting a significant decline in tourism competitiveness. Regionally, Thailand ranked 10th in the Asia-Pacific and fourth in Southeast Asia, trailing Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Neighbouring countries like Indonesia have excelled in areas such as natural resources and travel and tourism demand sustainability, securing top 10 rankings. In comparison, Thailand ranked 106th in travel and tourism socio-economic impact and 102nd in safety and security, the lowest among Southeast Asian countries, underscoring the urgency to enhance tourist safety. Thai tourism “If the tourism industry wants to maintain its competitiveness, all sectors must work together.” Yuthasak also called for improvements in safety, infrastructure upgrades, and the development of sustainable tourism practices aligned with environmental, social, and governance principles. Yuthasak advocated for a stronger supply side to attract high-quality tourists and distribute income fairly among local communities, both in major and secondary cities. He stressed the importance of ensuring safety and ease of travel to enhance the customer experience from the outset of their journey, ensuring fair treatment for both local and international visitors. Yuthasak also recommended that all destinations and businesses prioritise sustainability in their tourism growth strategies, balancing environmental, economic, and social considerations in the present and long term, and updating laws and regulations that impede sustainable growth, reported Bangkok Post. “If these actions were mutually committed, along with a direction to grow the number of quality tourists without focusing too much on volume, I’m confident Thailand’s tourism industry will become more resilient with strength in value and revenue for the whole sector.” By Bright Choomanee Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Finance Ministry pledges market confidence amid scandal Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Thailand’s Finance Ministry vows to restore confidence in the Thai capital market following allegations of fraud involving former executives of Energy Absolute (EA), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333166-thai-finance-ministry-pledges-market-confidence-amid-scandal/

Thailand’s Finance Ministry vows to restore confidence in the Thai capital market following allegations of fraud involving former executives of Energy Absolute (EA), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit expressed optimism that actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), would help rebuild trust in the market. Late last week, the SEC accused EA’s founder and chief executive Somphote Ahunai and Chief Financial Officer Amorn Sapthaweekul of engaging in fraudulent activities related to the company’s purchase of equipment and software for a solar power plant between 2013 and 2015. A third individual, Phornlert Techarattanopas, was also implicated in the fraudulent procurement process, which reportedly involved two subsidiaries and resulted in benefits totalling approximately 3.5 billion baht for the three individuals, according to the SEC. The regulator has referred the case to the DSI and the AMLO for further legal action. “It is time to bring everything hidden under the rug out into the open, regardless of when it was hidden. If we find it, we need to address these issues decisively to build confidence in the [Thai] capital market.” Addressing concerns about the pace of the investigation, Lavaron noted that the speed is contingent on the evidence available but reassured that progress has been faster than expected. The SEC was the entity that uncovered the issue and subsequently filed the complaint, indicating the severity of the accusations and the necessity for clear evidence. Restore market confidence Lavaron emphasised that the SEC has already implemented measures to restore confidence in the SET, including stringent controls on short selling and programme trading. Further measures are expected, though details remain undisclosed due to the sensitivity of the situation. “The key is that law enforcement must be clear, swift and decisive. Each securities-related allegation case has its loopholes. Stark [Corporation] had one, More [Return] had another, and EA had another. These issues often involve large stocks or strange and hefty [initial public offering] prices, which affect confidence. Therefore, restoring confidence requires multiple approaches.” Lavaron also pointed out the necessity for thorough audits by accounting firms, particularly those overseeing listed companies, questioning why major audit firms had failed to detect irregularities in the companies now facing scrutiny. Lavaron mentioned that the Finance Ministry is preparing to introduce new products to the capital market, contingent on restoring confidence. One such product is the Thai ESG Fund, which, if approved by the Cabinet, would increase the tax deduction limit from 100,000 to 300,000 baht per year and reduce the required holding period from eight years to five years. Trading could commence as early as September, potentially bringing an estimated market inflow of 50 to 60 billion baht. Another initiative involves expanding the Vayupak Fund. Currently, the fund has two types of unit holders: Type A for the general public with a value of 150 billion baht, and Type B held by state agencies and the Finance Ministry with a value of approximately 350 billion baht. Vayupak Fund Lavaron explained that expanding the Vayupak Fund would involve Type B, which allows for swift action as it does not require a new filing. Type B serves as a guarantee to ensure returns for public investors holding Type A units, promising a minimum return rate of 3%. Should the return on Type A units fall below 3%, the return from Type B units will supplement it to meet the full 3%. According to Lavaron, the Type B fund, which guarantees a minimum return for public investors purchasing Vayupak Fund units, has seen a significant increase in value recently. Consequently, the government plans to allocate 100 to 150 billion baht from this fund to establish a new fund and sell investment units to the public. Combined with funds from the Thai ESG and Vayupak funds, an estimated 200 billion baht is expected to flow into the market, reported Bangkok Post. “Domestic investors still want to invest in the SET, but they have lacked confidence or perceive unfairness in the market.” By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand’s industrial sentiment hits two-year low amid political strife Picture courtesy of Evan Krause, Unsplash Thailand’s industrial sentiment index experienced a decline for the third consecutive month in June, reaching its lowest point in two years, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The drop is attributed to a sluggish economy, weak demand, and increasing bad debt problems. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333165-thailand’s-industrial-sentiment-hits-two-year-low-amid-political-strife/

Thailand’s industrial sentiment index experienced a decline for the third consecutive month in June, reaching its lowest point in two years, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The drop is attributed to a sluggish economy, weak demand, and increasing bad debt problems. The FTI reported that the industrial sentiment index fell to 87.2 in June, down from 88.5 in May. The ongoing political uncertainty has also impacted business confidence, with smaller firms particularly affected by liquidity issues as banks tighten their lending policies. Political turmoil continues with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin facing a Constitutional Court case that could lead to his dismissal. The 62 year old Thai premier denies any wrongdoing, and the court is scheduled for its next hearing tomorrow. Despite these challenges, the FTI highlighted that tourism remains a crucial pillar supporting Thailand’s economy. The country welcomed 18.9 million foreign tourists from the beginning of the year to yesterday, marking a 34% increase year-on-year. Among these visitors, approximately 3.7 million were from China, according to government data, reported Bangkok Post. The Thai government projected that the nation’s economy, Southeast Asia’s second-largest, will grow by 2.5% this year. This forecast follows a 1.9% growth rate last year, which lagged behind other regional economies. By Bright Choomanee Picture courtesy of Evan Krause, Unsplash Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chinese influencer murder suspect arrested in Macau Photo courtesy of Channel News Asia A suspect linked to the alleged murder of Chinese influencer Yan Ruimin has been arrested in Macau, ensnared by a pawnshop scam. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1332921-decomposed-body-of-woman-found-ties-to-missing-chinese-student/?do=findComment&comment=19072158

Chinese influencer murder suspect arrested in Macau A suspect linked to the alleged murder of Chinese influencer Yan Ruimin has been arrested in Macau, ensnared by a pawnshop scam. Macau police announced the capture of the 34 year old suspect on Monday, July 15, identified only by his surname Ma, who had allegedly tried to defraud a pawnshop with a counterfeit luxury watch. During his detention, local police discovered that Ma, an unemployed Chinese national, was a prime murder suspect sought by mainland police. Just two days earlier, the gruesome discovery of badly decomposed human remains was made at a deserted site in Chachoengsao, roughly 50 kilometres east of Bangkok. The remains are believed to be those of Yan Ruimin, a popular influencer on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, who vanished nearly two weeks prior. Yan, who boasted around 15,300 followers, had documented her travels across Thailand and Singapore, with her last post in May from Macau. Yan last contacted a friend on June 30 while travelling alone. She revealed plans to visit Phuket on July 2 but never arrived. Her friend, alarmed by her sudden silence, filed a police report on July 12 after Yan’s family received a ransom demand of 5 million baht and a warning against involving the police or embassy. Despite the ransom demand, Thailand’s Metropolitan Police Bureau ruled out the involvement of a transnational crime syndicate, suggesting instead that her disappearance was a personal matter. CCTV footage showed Yan entering a white Honda driven by a man on July 1 in Bangkok. The duo was later seen holding hands and eating durian at Khlong Toei market before leaving for Chon Buri. Yan’s phone signal was detected near a public park in Chachoengsao on July 3 but it went silent shortly thereafter. A police search team uncovered decomposed human remains in the province on July 13. Investigations revealed that the car had been rented in Bangkok by Ma Qingyan, who then returned it before flying to Hong Kong from Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 3. He was apprehended in Macau a week later, caught pawning a counterfeit watch, and was later arrested on July 12 while attempting to flee to Hong Kong. Macau police handed Ma over to mainland police on Monday, July 15. Meanwhile, forensic scientists are working to identify the remains, with DNA results expected on Friday, July 19. Supichai Limsiwawong, commander of the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine explained that as the remains were badly decomposed, DNA samples had to be extracted from the bones, reported The Nation. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Channel News Asia Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Murder-suicide: 6 Vietnamese deaths linked to 10 million baht debt Photo via Matichon Following the suspicious deaths of six Vietnamese nationals at a hotel in Bangkok, Thai police discovered that one of the deceased, a Vietnamese-American woman, allegedly poisoned her friends before committing suicide with the toxin over a 10 million baht debt. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333115-six-vietnamese-found-dead-in-bangkok-hotel-room/?do=findComment&comment=19072149

Murder-suicide: 6 Vietnamese deaths linked to 10 million baht debt Following the suspicious deaths of six Vietnamese nationals at a hotel in Bangkok, Thai police discovered that one of the deceased, a Vietnamese-American woman, allegedly poisoned her friends before committing suicide with the toxin over a 10 million baht debt. The Metropolitan Police Bureau of Thailand revealed more details of the case in a press conference, today, July 17, following an investigation into the deaths of the six foreigners, whose bodies were discovered last night. The deceased were identified as American citizens Sherine Chong (56 years old) and Dang Hung Van (55 years old), and Vietnamese nationals Thi Nguyen Phuong Lan (47 years old), Hong Pham Thanh (49 years old), Dinh Tran Phu (37 years old), and Thi Nguyen Phuong (46 years old). Dang Hung Van and Thi Nguyen Phuong were a married couple. Police questioned their children and found that they invested 10 million baht in a hospital project in Japan with Sherine Chong. The project had not progressed, leading to a dispute over the funds. The group, initially planning to meet in Japan to resolve the issue, changed their destination to Thailand due to visa problems. It remains unclear whether the other deceased were also investors in the project. Seven hotel rooms were booked for the group but only six individuals checked in. The seventh person, a sister of one of the deceased, was not involved in the incident. The individuals checked in on different days between July 14 and 15, later gathering in a room booked under Chong’s name. Hotel staff reported serving food and tea to the group for the last time at 1.57pm. According to the deputy police chief, a waiter offered to make tea for the guests but Chong refused this. The waiter recalled that she “spoke very little and was visibly under stress.” The waiter later left the room and no one else is believed to have entered apart from the six inside. Police say there were no signs of a struggle or a robbery. Police suspect Chong used this opportunity to lace the tea with cyanide, serving it to others before consuming it herself. Police believe her motive was an inability to repay the investment money. Cyanide was found in all six teacups, as well as in the blood system of one of the deceased and two stainless tumblers. Searches of their luggage did not uncover any illegal items but a land litigation document dating back to 2022 was found in Chong’s belongings. One of the victims, Dinh Tran Phu, was a well-known makeup artist in Vietnam with over 15,000 followers on his Facebook page, Phú Gia Gia (I’m Makeup Artist). By Petch Petpailin Photo via Matichon Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai AirAsia Seeks Government Aid Amidst Falling Travel Demand File photo for reference only Thai AirAsia is seeing lower demand in the second and third quarters of 2024 after a strong market in 2023. The company's CEO, Santisuk Klongchaiya, says government intervention is needed to help revive the stagnant local purchasing power. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333159-thai-airasia-seeks-government-aid-amidst-falling-travel-demand/

Thai AirAsia is seeing lower demand in the second and third quarters of 2024 after a strong market in 2023. The company's CEO, Santisuk Klongchaiya, says government intervention is needed to help revive the stagnant local purchasing power. According to the CEO, tourism is back to its normal seasonality, with domestic market load factors falling slightly to 90% in the second quarter from 94% the previous year. This high performance though 2023 was due to pent-up demand from the COVID-19 pandemic. The second quarter’s domestic load factor was also below the high of 96% experienced in the first quarter as travelers returned to regular travel patterns, which are often focused on the high season. For international routes, Klongchaiya says Thai AirAsia's average load factor remained around 90% in the second quarter, a rise from the 83% of 2023 but same as the first quarter of this year. Full recovery for the airliner is dependent on the Chinese market, as Thailand is not expected to achieve a target of 8 million set for 2024. Klongchaiya estimates a more realistic figure of 6-7 million Chinese tourists may be seen this year. He suggests stimulus measures to spur demand, as China is promoting domestic tourism. Thai airlines want the government to lower the jet fuel excise tax, currently at 4.726 baht per liter, to help cut travel costs for domestic tourists. Thai AirAsia plans to open 4-6 international routes, possibly including Hyderabad, Kathmandu, and Phu Quoc, and a new domestic route to Lampang starting October - its 25th domestic destination. This move will increase the total number of domestic flights to 612 per week from 35 routes. By the end of the year, Thai AirAsia aims to operate 60 aircraft, an increase from the 53 during the pandemic, but still below the pre-pandemic level of 63. Somradee Chitchong, deputy governor for domestic marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, reported that Lampang received 2.6 billion baht in tourism income in the first half of the year, mostly from local travelers, contributing 2.38 billion baht in total. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-17 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Double Homicide Shocks Pattaya: Restaurant Owners Found Dead Photo: The Pattaya News A 64-year-old man from Iran and his Thai wife were brutally killed in their restaurant in Pattaya on July 16th, 2024. This devastating news was reported to the Pattaya Police Station around 12:06 PM by Pol. Col. Navin Thirawit. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333104-double-homicide-shocks-pattaya-restaurant-owners-found-dead/

A 64-year-old man from Iran and his Thai wife were brutally killed in their restaurant in Pattaya on July 16th, 2024. This news was reported to the Pattaya Police Station around 12:06 PM by Pol. Col. Navin Thirawit. The murder took place at the Banoo Restaurant, situated in South Pattaya's Nongprue sub-district in the Chonburi province. The Iranian man, Mr. Mojtaba Ghanbariazad, and his wife, Ms. Thanaporn Poolprakhon, were discovered dead in a room on the restaurant's second floor. Mr. Ghanbariazad was undressed from the waist down, and his wife was found under a blanket on the bed. A hammer was found near the bodies and is being considered as evidence. A witness, Ms. Kritaporn Ajanikij, stated that she had heard of a bitter argument between the couple and a male employee from Myanmar. The employee has not been seen since July 11th when he was seen leaving the scene on the owner's motorbike. Long-time friends and customers, 57-year-old Mr. Phan and Mr. Thong (who asked to keep his surname private), stated the eatery had been shut since July 11th. The restaurant, when checked by a family member of Ms. Poolprakhon, was locked from inside. The Pattaya police were called, and upon breaking into the premises, they found the bodies. Mr. Phan thinks the employee from Myanmar, who is between 25 to 30 years old, might be involved in the murder due to a possible robbery motive. The police are currently investigating this claim. The authorities are also processing other evidence found at the crime scene and are awaiting more information from the forensic team. They have a prime suspect named Mr. Min Lwin OO, a 21-year-old from Myanmar. This individual is believed to have ridden off on the victim's motorbike, as seen on surveillance footage captured on July 11th around 11:19 pm. The police are currently trying to locate Mr. OO and interview additional witnesses, reported by The Pattaya News. Photo: The Pattaya News -- 2024-07-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Education Minister: Senator Keskamol Can't Use the Title "Professor" File photo for reference only Senator Keskamol Pleansamai is not entitled to use the title "professor" according to Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations in Thailand. This is because Pleansamai's qualifications, which she says were attained from a foreign university, have not been recognized by any university in Thailand. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333102-education-minister-senator-keskamol-cant-use-the-title-professor/

Senator Keskamol Pleansamai is not entitled to use the title "professor" according to Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations in Thailand. This is because Pleansamai's qualifications, which she says were attained from a foreign university, have not been recognized by any university in Thailand. Becoming a professor in Thailand involves progressing through the ranks, starting from assistant professor to associate professor and then becoming a professor. The position must also be approved by Royalty. The credibility of Keskamol’s academic qualifications, some of which were allegedly bought from foreign universities, is now under investigation by a nine-person committee led by Professor Supachai Pathumnakul, the deputy permanent secretary. The committee has requested 11 pieces of evidence from universities linked to Keskamol's qualifications during its first meeting. The panel also intends to interview numerous individuals to maintain fairness in the investigation. The members have already started visiting the local universities where Keskamol claims to have earned degrees. Supamas added that to curb the issue of fake degrees, all private universities should submit detailed lists of their students and graduates to the ministry. This will enable them to track who has actually studied and graduated. As for California University FCE, where Keskamol claims to have earned some of her qualifications, the Ministry is yet to approve its equivalency degrees and no one has yet applied for their endorsement. Despite the controversy surrounding her academic credentials, Senator Keskamol has a wide range of qualifications from various local and foreign universities. She also received the most votes from the 200 senators in the last Senate election. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thaksin May Advise Thai Govt Post-Parole, Can't Be PM Again File photo for reference only The constitution bans Thaksin Shinawatra from running in an election or becoming a prime minister again. However, he could serve as a government advisor once his parole ends in August, says Wissanu Krea-ngam, an advisor to the premier. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333101-thaksin-may-advise-thai-govt-post-parole-cant-be-pm-again/

The constitution bans Thaksin Shinawatra from running in an election or becoming a prime minister again. However, he could serve as a government advisor once his parole ends in August, says Wissanu Krea-ngam, an advisor to the premier. Wissanu also mentions that inviting Thaksin in an unofficial role wouldn't be out of the ordinary for the government. Thaksin's pending lawsuit on charges of lèse majesté should not be a problem, given that many political leaders have court cases against them. Wissanu, the government's leading legal expert, adds that Thaksin can contribute to the Pheu Thai Party since party matters are privately handled. However, this condition applies only if he is a party member; otherwise, he may be perceived as an outsider attempting to control or affect a political party. File photo for reference only -- 2024-07-16 Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Wildlife crackdown: Claws out for illegal tiger biz in Thailand Following the arrest of illegal tiger cubs and ivory traffickers, the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation ordered a thorough inspection of all tiger farms, with strict actions promised against any illegal activities. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1333100-wildlife-crackdown-claws-out-for-illegal-tiger-biz-in-thailand/