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Artist impression. Picture courtesy: Future South East Asia Pattaya City is set to enhance its public transport infrastructure with the introduction of a new monorail system known as the Red Line. Recent feasibility studies have identified the monorail as a boost to the city’s transport efficiency and economic growth. Stretching 17.37 kilometers, the proposed Red Line will feature ten stations along a route that traverses key areas of the coastal city. The route will commence at Thappraya Intersection, progressing through major thoroughfares including Thap Phraya Road and Jomtien Second Road, and will extend to the Eastern National Sports Training Center. This alignment was detailed during the second public hearing on the project, which drew considerable interest from local business owners and residents. The choice of a monorail system was dictated by its minimal spatial demands on existing roadways, making it a suitable option given Pattaya’s dense urban layout and its prominence as a tourist destination. Despite these benefits, the study noted the higher costs associated with constructing and maintaining a monorail system. To facilitate this development, the study recommends a public-private partnership (PPP) model, a collaborative investment approach between the government and private entities. This strategic move is expected to leverage both public oversight and private efficiency, driving forward Pattaya’s ambitious urban transport project. City officials have expressed optimism about the positive impact of the Red Line, projecting reduced traffic congestion and enhanced connectivity for both locals and tourists. The project is seen as a critical step in modernising Pattaya's public transit system and keeping pace with rapid urbanisation. Public feedback has been generally positive, with many expressing hope that the monorail will alleviate long-standing transport issues in the area. The next phase will involve more detailed planning and negotiation phases with potential private partners, aiming to begin construction by the end of next year. -- 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Phuket Immigration Volunteers Trained to Enhance Efficiency By Adam Judd Phuket, July 31st-The Phuket Immigration Bureau recently launched the Volunteer Potential Development Project, aiming to boost the efficiency of Phuket Immigration Police officers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334329-phuket-immigration-volunteers-trained-to-enhance-efficiency/

Phuket, July 31st-The Phuket Immigration Bureau recently launched the Volunteer Potential Development Project, aiming to boost the efficiency of Phuket Immigration Police officers. The project encourages participation from individuals with foreign language skills, emphasizing community safety and service excellence. Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprot Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Bureau 6, presided over the opening ceremony, underscoring the importance of collaboration and public engagement. The initiative aligns with national and regional policies, emphasizing both security and positive community relations. By Adam Judd Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chinese Woman Saved from 15 Million Baht Virtual Kidnapping in Bangkok Virtual Kidnapping in Bangkok. Picture courtesy: 6sparknews China Thai police have saved a Chinese woman in Bangkok from a virtual kidnapping orchestrated by a scam gang that extorted 15 million baht from her parents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334324-chinese-woman-saved-from-15-million-baht-virtual-kidnapping-in-bangkok/

Virtual Kidnapping in Bangkok. Picture courtesy: 6sparknews China Thai police have saved a Chinese woman in Bangkok from a virtual kidnapping orchestrated by a scam gang that extorted 15 million baht from her parents. The incident started when Liang Luihua, a Chinese man, received a disturbing call on the morning of July 29. The caller, posing as a kidnapper, demanded a ransom of 3 million yuan (approximately 15 million baht) for the safe return of his daughter, 21-year-old Wang Jia Bao, who was in Bangkok. Instead of complying, Liang reported the incident to police in Japan, where his daughter was studying, as well as in China. He also asked his Thai business partner, Napaphat Noppasettakarn, to inform Thai authorities. Police at Suvarnabhumi Airport used CCTV footage to track Wang Jia Bao’s movements. She had arrived at the airport from Japan on July 28 and was seen taking a taxi to Soi Kasemsan 2, near the MBK shopping mall. She was later spotted around 6 pm the same day exiting Jim Thompson Museum with souvenirs, a hat, and a scarf, before taking a tuk-tuk to Chatuchak Weekend Market. Aided by this information, police located Wang Jia Bao at a condominium in Soi Sukhumvit 81, safe and uninjured. It turns out she was never physically kidnapped but had been manipulated by call centre scammers who posed as Chinese police officers. They accused her of fictional crimes and convinced her to transfer 2.5 million baht and to stage a fake kidnapping to extort money from her parents. The scam gang’s modus operandi involves targeting Chinese students studying overseas. Similar incidents have been reported in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Superintendent Jakkapong Nutpadung of Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station revealed that these gangs specifically target Chinese nationals studying abroad. A related case involved a Chinese student in Australia whose parents were similarly targeted. She was found safe in a Bangkok hotel after the gang demanded 40 million baht from her parents. Through swift action and international cooperation, Thai police thwarted the scam without any financial loss to the victims. -- 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Officials Seize Six Million Meth Pills in Major Drug Bust in Chiang Rai Officials Seize Six Million Meth Pills. Picture courtesy: AEC-TV online In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Chiang Rai authorities have seized six million methamphetamine pills and arrested two suspects in a coordinated operation along the northern border. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334323-officials-seize-six-million-meth-pills-in-major-drug-bust-in-chiang-rai/

Officials Seize Six Million Meth Pills. Picture courtesy: AEC-TV online In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Chiang Rai authorities have seized six million methamphetamine pills and arrested two suspects in a coordinated operation along the northern border. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of a pickup truck and a large motorcycle, further disrupting the drug smuggling activities in the region. Commander Narit Thavornwong of the Drug Suppression and Prevention Command detailed the crackdown initiated on July 30, focusing on Chiang Rai and Phayao provinces. Under the supervision of Major General Niranchai Thipkanjanakul, intensified border surveillance has been implemented to combat the movement of illicit drugs. The operation homed in on Thoeng District in Chiang Rai and Phusang District in Phayao. Last night, a joint effort involving the 2nd Division of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (Chiang Rai) and the Tak Army Task Force resulted in the arrest of two individuals. The arrest occurred in the Huadoi area, Tasai subdistrict in the Mueang district of Chiang Rai province. The suspects were apprehended with a pickup truck and a large motorcycle allegedly functioning as a lead vehicle. Authorities discovered methamphetamine pills concealed in 30 sacks, each holding around 200,000 pills. Consequently, the total haul amounted to a staggering six million pills. Commander Thavornwong mentioned that the arrests were part of a sustained monitoring campaign against drug smuggling along the northern border, especially in Mae Sai District. Intelligence from the 2nd Division of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau facilitated the successful tracking and interception of the suspects as they entered Mueang District in Chiang Rai. “These actions are part of ongoing efforts, including intensified interception measures, even during the challenging rainy season,” said Thavornwong. In related developments, a violent clash erupted in Chiang Rai when a drug trafficking caravan ignored officials' commands to stop. Armed traffickers engaged in a shootout with the authorities, resulting in the deaths of two traffickers after officers retaliated. This incident underscores the heightened risks and challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing drug trafficking. -- 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Buriram Woman Loses 530,000 Baht in Baffling Bank Transfers Buriram Woman Loses 530,000 Baht in Baffling Bank Transfers. Picture courtesy: The Bangkok Times A woman from Buriram is distressed after discovering 530,000 baht was mysteriously transferred from her bank account to accounts in China and Vietnam. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334321-buriram-woman-loses-530000-baht-in-baffling-bank-transfers/

Buriram Woman Loses 530,000 Baht in Baffling Bank Transfers. Picture courtesy: The Bangkok Times A woman from Buriram is distressed after discovering 530,000 baht was mysteriously transferred from her bank account to accounts in China and Vietnam. Despite her insistence that she did not authorise the transactions, two banks are refusing to take responsibility, claiming the transactions appeared legitimate. Benjawan Supanam, a 35-year-old resident, reported to her banks that a substantial sum had vanished from her account. The two banks, Thanachart Bank and Krungthai Bank, suggested she herself made the transactions. Benjawan firmly denies this claim. Benjawan's husband, who works in South Korea, had been sending her money initially into her mother's Bangkok Bank account, which later changed to direct deposits into Benjawan’s Krungthai account, with recent deposits increasing to 80,000 baht monthly. She transferred the surplus to her Thanachart account, amassing savings of 560,000 baht for a new house. The trouble began on July 21 when Benjawan agreed to lend her aunt 200,000 baht. Upon checking her holdings the following day, she was shocked to find only 30,000 baht left instead of the 560,000 baht she had saved. According to bank records, the money had been transferred using her mobile banking app to Krungthai Bank and then forwarded in increments of 10,000 to 30,000 baht to China and Vietnam. Both banks suggested someone in Benjawan's household might have made the transfers, a claim she disputed, as her parents and young children are not tech-savvy and incapable of such actions. Suspicious that a serious fraud had occurred, the banks warned her against filing a police report, implying she could face legal repercussions for false allegations. Despite her distress, Benjawan obtained transaction records and subsequently lodged a complaint with Nong Song Hong Police Station. The police also advised her to reconsider filing the report to avoid potential legal complications. Trying to find some clarity, Benjawan received a cryptic phone call on July 22, claiming that the missing funds were due to a bank error and promising a refund by the next day. However, the money never reappeared. Benjawan remains in a state of extreme anxiety, urging the banks to re-examine the transactions or appeal for assistance from relevant authorities to resolve her financial nightmare. She is especially concerned since she typically receives transaction notifications through her banking app, making the situation even more perplexing. -- 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand Sends 900 Workers to Finland for Berry Picking Picking natural blackberries in Finland. Picture courtesy: Wikimedia In a significant move, Thailand's Minister of Labour, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, announced a new initiative to send 900 Thai workers to Finland for berry picking. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334320-thailand-sends-900-workers-to-finland-for-berry-picking/

In a significant move, Thailand's Minister of Labour, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, announced a new initiative to send 900 Thai workers to Finland for berry picking. In a recent video conference with Finland's Minister of Employment, Arto Satonen, both officials finalised the details of this arrangement, promising to ensure the welfare and rights of the workers. The conference primarily focused on ensuring the safety and fair treatment of the Thai berry pickers. Pipat expressed his gratitude toward Finland for its willingness to collaborate and confirmed that all employment contracts had been meticulously vetted by the Finnish government. "If Finland needs more workers, they should inform the Ministry of Labour promptly," Pipat advised. He assured that the Ministry is ready to deploy the workers as soon as all conditions and agreements are fully met. He also plans a visit to Finland to check in on the workers around September. Finnish authorities committed to a rigorous process to safeguard the workers' interests, with Satonen explaining that from next year, Finnish immigration will thoroughly scrutinise employment contracts before issuing residence visas and work permits. This change marks a departure from previous years when workers often entered on tourist visas. "The workers must have valid employment contracts, work eight hours daily, and receive wages as per the Finnish government’s standards," Satonen stated. He appreciated the Thai officials for facilitating the discussion and hoped the arrangements would allow Thai workers to commence berry picking promptly, given the high demand for labour. This collaboration aims to encourage more Thai workers to undertake such overseas employment, with the assurance of fair treatment and appropriate compensation. Pipat also requested Finland to send the necessary documents to the Thai Embassy in Helsinki for prompt verification, ensuring timely dispatch of the workers to match Finland’s berry harvesting season. Both ministers underscored the importance of this initiative in strengthening bilateral labour cooperation and improving worker welfare. Picking natural blackberries in Finland. Picture courtesy: Wikimedia -- 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Vaping troubles: British tourists warned of costly holiday mistake by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Mirror UK British tourists heading abroad this summer are being warned of a costly mistake that could ruin their holiday. E-cigarette smokers need to be aware of strict anti-vaping laws in popular South East Asian destinations. The penalties for breaking these rules range from hefty fines to imprisonment. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334318-vaping-troubles-british-tourists-warned-of-costly-holiday-mistake/

British tourists heading abroad this summer are being warned of a costly mistake that could ruin their holiday. E-cigarette smokers need to be aware of strict anti-vaping laws in popular South East Asian destinations. The penalties for breaking these rules range from hefty fines to imprisonment. Countries like Thailand and Singapore have some of the strictest vaping bans in the world. In Thailand, vaping has been prohibited since 2014. Unwitting tourists caught with an e-cigarette could face fines of up to 30,000 baht or, in severe cases, a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Singapore also enforces tough regulations, with fines reaching up to 2,000 Singapore dollars (around 50,000 baht) for possessing a vaping device. According to the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), five out of 10 countries in the region ban e-cigarettes. These include not only Thailand and Singapore but also places like Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where even possessing a vape for commercial purposes is illegal. Elsewhere, vaping restrictions are widespread. In Cyprus, vaping in public or a private vehicle with a minor can result in fines of up to 850 euros (around 30,000 baht). Hungary fines vapers up to US$980 (around 35,000 baht) for using e-cigarettes in non-smoking areas. Meanwhile, in Italy, vaping is allowed, except in the Vatican City, where it’s entirely banned, reported The Mirror UK. Dan Marchant, Director of Vape Club gave his advice. “Vaping laws are constantly changing. Travellers must check local regulations before their trip to avoid severe penalties. In some cases, illegal vaping products can pose additional risks. Always bring your own devices and supplies when allowed and pack them in carry-on luggage to comply with airline rules.” In related news, authorities in Thailand are set to take decisive action against the illegal use of e-cigarettes, emphasising the need to protect children from the health risks associated with vaping. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared that the country has ignored the issue for too long, during an event commemorating World No Tobacco Day on May 31. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of The Mirror UK Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Urgent call for O-negative blood donations in Phuket by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Thai Red Cross Society via Phuket News A call for urgent blood donations has been issued by the RH-Emergency Donation group to aid a Frenchman in dire need of O-negative blood. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334317-urgent-call-for-o-negative-blood-donations-in-phuket/

A call for urgent blood donations has been issued by the RH-Emergency Donation group to aid a Frenchman in dire need of O-negative blood. The plea highlights the scarcity of this blood type among the Thai population, underscoring the importance of donations from Westerners. This urgent request was made through a Facebook post, emphasising the critical need for O-negative blood to save a life. The Phuket Red Cross has been designated as the official donation site. Recent updates from the organisation have lifted previous restrictions, now allowing donors from the United Kingdom, France, and Ireland to contribute. The eligibility requirements for donating blood were outlined by the group, stressing the importance of contributions. “The need for O Negative blood is critical. By donating, you have the potential to save a life. Thank you for your generosity and support.” This call to action seeks to mobilise the community and international visitors in Phuket to step forward and help meet this urgent medical need, reported Phuket News. In related news, Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) issued an urgent call for blood donors of all types to help increase the blood supply during the Songkran holidays. To incentivise donors, the centre is offering free Give Blood Save Life T-shirts to those who donate blood at their Phuket Town offices between April 9 and 16. The initiative is designed to bring brightness and cheer during the Songkran festivities, according to an announcement by the Phuket RBC. However, the need for blood is urgent and serious, as the centre’s reserves for transfusions are critically low. In other news, a Valentine’s Day blood donation drive was announced in Phuket, a collaboration between Vachira Phuket Hospital and Limelight Phuket. The event, scheduled on February 14, was an open invitation to locals and tourists alike, to replenish medical blood reserves. by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Thai Red Cross Society via Phuket News Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Court bars Thaksin from going to Dubai The Criminal Court has dismissed as unnecessary Thaksin’s request to travel to Dubai next week, for medical consultations, stating that Thai doctors are qualified to take care for him. In his request, submitted on July 27, Thaksin, who was freed on bail on June 17 pending a trial on a lèse majesté charge, mentioned that he also planned to meet some “important figures” during his stay in Dubai, tentatively between August 1 and 16. Thaksin claimed that the doctors had previously treated him for respiratory problems, coronary artery disease, right rotator cuff tears, chronic pneumonitis and lumbar disc herniation during his self-imposed exile in the city. He planned to meet these doctors on August 2 and 8, if the court had allowed him to travel abroad. In his request, Thaksin mentioned that he also plans to meet with what he described as “important persons” on personal matters. Full story: Thai PBS 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

UPDATE: Thai Court Denies Thaksin Shinawatras Request to Travel Abroad for Medical Treatment By Kittisak Phalaharn On July 31st, 2024, Thai national media reported that on July 27th, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, a defendant in a Section 112 lèse-majesté case, requested permission to travel abroad. The court scheduled a hearing on the request for July 30th, and issued a ruling on the same day. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334307-ex-pm-thaksin’s-dubai-dreams-dashed-medical-treatment-declined/?do=findComment&comment=19108944

Thai Court Denies Thaksin Shinawatras Request to Travel Abroad for Medical Treatment By Kittisak Phalaharn On July 31st, 2024, Thai national media reported that on July 27th, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, a defendant in a Section 112 lèse-majesté case, requested permission to travel abroad. The court scheduled a hearing on the request for July 30th, and issued a ruling on the same day. After examining the evidence, the court allowed Thaksin to be temporarily released while his case was under review, but prohibited him from leaving the country. Thaksin sought to travel to the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) from August 1 to 16, 2024, for medical treatment. He reportedly plans to see medical experts on August 2nd and 8th for chronic pneumonia, respiratory and cardiovascular issues, a torn right shoulder ligament, and a herniated disc. Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-08-01 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 1 August 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1334316-thailand-live-thursday-1-august-2024/

UAE Tourists Attacked by Motorcycle Taxi Driver in Patong File photo for reference only Patong Police have yet to confirm their course of action regarding a motorcycle taxi driver who attacked two tourists from the United Arab Emirates. The assault occurred in Soi Saen Sabai on July 29. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334299-uae-tourists-attacked-by-motorcycle-taxi-driver-in-patong/

Ex-PM Thaksin’s Dubai dreams dashed: Medical treatment declined The Criminal Court dashed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hopes of jetting off to Dubai for medical treatment. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334307-ex-pm-thaksin’s-dubai-dreams-dashed-medical-treatment-declined/

Royal Thai Police launched an operation titled Crackdown on Illegal Vehicles Flooding the City, leading to the search of four locations and the discovery of over 2,000 fake registrations, including a single registration number used on 26 vehicles. Crackdown reveals 2,000 fake vehicle registrations in Thailand Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334309-crackdown-reveals-2000-fake-vehicle-registrations-in-thailand/

Ex-Footballer Ian Heddle Jailed for Child Abuse in Thailand Ian Heddle. Pic: Police Scotland An ex-footballer who recorded videos of himself sexually assaulting a young girl in Thailand has been jailed for four years. Ian Heddle, 61, was found to have stored 272,936 indecent images of children alongside 4,001 videos after being apprehended by police. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334243-ex-footballer-ian-heddle-jailed-for-child-abuse-in-thailand/

Ian Heddle. Pic: Police Scotland An ex-footballer who recorded videos of himself sexually assaulting a young girl in Thailand has been jailed for four years. Ian Heddle, 61, was found to have stored 272,936 indecent images of children alongside 4,001 videos after being apprehended by police. Heddle, who played midfield for Scottish clubs including Dunfermline Athletic and St Johnstone in the 1980s and 1990s, was arrested at Edinburgh Airport in February 2023. He was about to fly back to Asia, where he had been working as a crane operator. The investigation began when police received intelligence linking Heddle's email and MeWe accounts to child abuse material online. In his interview, Heddle admitted officers would find thousands of images and videos on his hard drives, meticulously categorised into folders. Among the disturbing finds were three videos on his iPhone 12, date-stamped September and October 2019, showing him abusing a young girl. The videos were recorded in Changwat Chon Buri, Thailand. Although his face was not visible, Heddle’s distinctive thin wedding band made identification possible, reported sky news. The National Crime Agency (NCA) liaised with the Royal Thai Police to ensure the child's safeguarding and secure a vital witness statement. Duncan Burrage of the NCA emphasised the global reach of their capabilities: "Offenders like Ian Heddle think that travelling to the other side of the world offers them immunity. But our collaboration with international partners ensures justice." At the High Court in Glasgow last month, Heddle admitted to sexually assaulting the child and possessing and making indecent images of children. On Tuesday, he received a six-year extended sentence: four years in custody, followed by two years on licence upon release. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. Detective Inspector Adrian Ure of Police Scotland's National Child Abuse Investigations Unit remarked, "Heddle's behaviour was deplorable, demonstrating no regard for his victims. This sentencing sends a clear message that offenders will be brought to justice." Source: Sky News -- 2024-07-31 - Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

US urges Thailand to release Vietnamese activist facing extradition by Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post US Congress members have formally requested that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin release Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap and assist in his resettlement to a third country rather than deporting him. This appeal was based on a letter signed by Michelle Steel, Luis Correa, John Moolenaar, and Chris Smith dated Friday, July 26. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1334242-us-urges-thailand-to-release-vietnamese-activist-facing-extradition/