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UPDATE: American national and Thai wife in Hua Hin arrested for operating escort website By Online Reporter Immigration Police on Friday (Aug 18) announced the arrest of an American man and his Thai wife who allegedly ran an escort website from their home in Hua Hin. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303996-biggest-sex-for-sale-website-shut-down-by-police-unit-in-early-morning-raid-targeting-foreigners/?do=findComment&comment=18285876

UPDATE: American national and Thai wife in Hua Hin arrested for operating escort website By Online Reporter Immigration Police on Friday (Aug 18) announced the arrest of an American man and his Thai wife who allegedly ran an escort website from their home in Hua Hin. Police say their website was used to allegedly facilitate in luring foreign victims into compromising situations with alcohol and drugs and the subsequent theft of their possessions. Police Lieutenant General Phakphum Phiphat, Commander of the Immigration Police, confirmed the arrest of the 48-year-old American named only as Mr Brad in Hua Hin at 6am on Aug 13. His accomplice, Ms. Kanya (last name withheld), 34, was detained after arriving on a flight at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/american-national-and-thai-wife-in-hua-hin-arrested-for-operating-escort-website/ -- Hua Hin Today 2023-08-19 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Massive Money Laundering Bust: Taiwanese Mastermind of Online Gambling and Call Center Network Apprehended Picture: Naew Na In a major operation on Friday, August 18, 2023, law enforcement agencies succeeded in apprehending a Taiwanese national allegedly behind a massive money laundering scheme. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304009-massive-money-laundering-bust-taiwanese-mastermind-of-online-gambling-and-call-center-network-apprehended/

In a major operation on Friday, August 18, 2023, law enforcement agencies succeeded in apprehending a Taiwanese national allegedly behind a massive money laundering scheme. Following the policies set forth by Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha to combat online crimes and regulate foreign residents and tourists in Thailand, as well as directives from the National Police Office, Thai authorities have been diligently addressing urgent measures to prevent and eliminate online criminal activities. The joint effort between the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) and the Immigration Bureau, led by various high-ranking officials, has resulted in the capture of a key suspect named Kuo, a 39-year-old Taiwanese individual. Kuo is believed to have orchestrated an extensive money laundering operation in collusion with call center and online gambling networks. Credit: Naew Na Operating across multiple countries, Kuo's syndicate is suspected of laundering over 20 billion Thai Baht. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in dismantling this illicit network, with all suspects identified through information gleaned from the technology systems. The investigation also revealed Kuo's entry into Thailand using the Thailand Elite Visa and his continued presence despite being flagged by international authorities. Kuo was tracked to a luxury condominium in Bangkok's Khlong San district, where evidence linking him to the criminal activities was seized. Legal proceedings are underway following his apprehension, demonstrating a swift response in enforcing justice against transnational cybercrime. Top picture: Naew Na -- ASEAN NOW 2023-08-19 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Astonishing Bicolor Buffalo in Nakhon Ratchasima: Changing Color with Seasons In a remarkable revelation within Nakhon Ratchasima, a bicolor buffalo has taken the spotlight in Thailand's Ban Proong Sanoen village. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304006-astonishing-bicolor-buffalo-in-nakhon-ratchasima-changing-color-with-seasons/

Laotian Man Nabbed for Allegedly Robbing Pattaya Gas Pump Attendants By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — A Laotian man was arrested on Thursday, August 17th, for the alleged robbery of two gas station attendants in Pattaya. His accomplice is still on the run. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304005-laotian-man-nabbed-for-allegedly-robbing-pattaya-gas-pump-attendants/

Monk stabs fellow monk at temple in Rayong over alleged misunderstanding by Petch Petpailin Photo via Channel 3. Last night, an incident unfolded at a temple in the eastern province of Rayong where one monk stabbed another monk. The monk who carried out the act stated that he mistakenly believed the victim to be a potential thief. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304004-monk-stabs-fellow-monk-at-temple-in-rayong-over-alleged-misunderstanding/

Runway cracks resolved: Phuket Airport gets back on smooth flight path by Mitch Connor Picture courtesy of Stay in Thailand. Airports of Thailand’s Phuket branch, responsible for managing Phuket International Airport, confirmed yesterday, that the runway cracks which led to multiple flight delays and one diversion to Krabi have been addressed and rectified. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304001-runway-cracks-resolved-phuket-airport-gets-back-on-smooth-flight-path/

Dengue Fever Cases Climb To 5,000-6,000 A Week by TNR Staff A mosquito about to bite. Photo: Erik F. Brandsborg (CC BY-SA 2.0) THE Public Health Ministry said Friday (Aug. 18) the number of dengue fever patients has risen to around 5,000-6,000 a week over the past four weeks and to cope with the situation emergency operation centres have been opened in 31 provinces and seven other districts, TV Channel 7 said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1304000-dengue-fever-cases-climb-to-5000-6000-a-week/

THE Public Health Ministry said Friday (Aug. 18) the number of dengue fever patients has risen to around 5,000-6,000 a week over the past four weeks and to cope with the situation emergency operation centres have been opened in 31 provinces and seven other districts, TV Channel 7 said. Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, also revealed that the cumulative total of dengue fever cases has risen to 65,552 while the cumulative death toll is 58, of which 40 were older children and adults. Death mainly occurs because dengue fever patients often do not think they have caught this disease early on and take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen to reduce fever but this leads to easy bleeding with a risk developing dengue shock syndrome. by TNR Staff TOP: A mosquito about to bite. Photo: Erik F. Brandsborg (CC BY-SA 2.0) Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/08/18/dengue-fever-cases-climb-to-5000-6000-a-week/ -- THAI NEWSROOM2023-08-19 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Sukhawadee House Completes Demolition of Its Buildings Found in Violation of Encroachment in Pattaya By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — After years of legal battles, Sukhawadee House, a famous tourist attraction and residential complex in Pattaya, has finally removed three buildings that were found to be in violation of land use regulations. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303999-sukhawadee-house-completes-demolition-of-its-buildings-found-in-violation-of-encroachment-in-pattaya/

Human Skeletons Found on Phang Nga Beach By Adam Judd Phang Nga – Human skeletons were found on a beach in the Takua Pa district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303998-human-skeletons-found-on-phang-nga-beach/

Thai Authorities Hold Seminar on Building a Port for Large Cruise Ships in Pattaya By Tanakorn Panyadee PHOTO: PRPATTAYA Pattaya — Thai authorities held a second seminar on the proposed construction of the country’s first large-scale international yacht/cruise ship port in Pattaya. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303997-thai-authorities-hold-seminar-on-building-a-port-for-large-cruise-ships-in-pattaya/

Biggest Sex for Sale website shut down by police unit in early morning raid targeting foreigners by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Police questioned the American Thai couple, a 34-year-old Thai woman and a 48-year-old American national at a luxury property in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, last Sunday, the 13th of August 2023, after they raided it at 6 am. The couple was arrested on foot of a warrant issued in Pattaya on the 10th of August last after an investigation by a police task force in July. ฿40 million in assets were seized. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303996-biggest-sex-for-sale-website-shut-down-by-police-unit-in-early-morning-raid-targeting-foreigners/

Police questioned the American Thai couple, a 34-year-old Thai woman and a 48-year-old American national at a luxury property in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, last Sunday, the 13th of August 2023, after they raided it at 6 am. The couple was arrested on foot of a warrant issued in Pattaya on the 10th of August last after an investigation by a police task force in July. ฿40 million in assets were seized. Deputy Immigration Bureau Chief Police Major General Panthana Nuchanart explained that the operation carried out by a special task force was part of a programme ordered by Prime Minister Prayut Chan Ocha targeting online criminality linked to foreigners in Thailand which was damaging the image of the kingdom and which posed a nuisance to the public. Police this week arrested an American Thai couple in Hua Hin after they suppressed the operation of what they believed to be Thailand’s leading prostitution website catering to foreign tourists in the kingdom. A press conference in Bangkok was told that ฿40 million in assets were seized including a pool villa and ฿9 million in bank deposits in a joint task-force raid last Sunday morning. Police in Bangkok with the Immigration Bureau and Information Technology Crime Suppression Centre have announced the closure of Thailand’s biggest online escort service and sex agency website operated by a husband and wife team who lived in Hua Hin. by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/08/18/biggest-sex-for-sale-website-shut-down/ -- Thai Examiner 2023-08-19 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 19 August 2023 https://aseannow.com/topic/1303994-thailand-live-saturday-19-august-2023/

Chiang Mai Hotel Exposes Hotel Booking Scams CHAING MAI, (TNA) – A renowned hotel in Chiang Mai has filed a complaint to the police against scammers creating a fraudulent Facebook page to deceive individuals into making accommodation bookings and transferring money. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303976-chiang-mai-hotel-exposes-hotel-booking-scams/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is preparing to establish a new company dedicated to operating the forthcoming high-speed train routes in the northeastern region of the country, with the primary goal of enhancing Thailand’s railway links with China. SRT Plans New Company for Northeast Train Project to China Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303971-srt-plans-new-company-for-northeast-train-project-to-china/

Over 1.4 tonnes of pangolin scales seized in Kalasin province Thai police seized about 1.4 tonnes of pangolin scales, worth about 50 million baht, from a truck in the north-eastern province of Kalasin on Wednesday, as it was heading for Mukdahan province to be smuggled through Laos and into China. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303959-over-14-tonnes-of-pangolin-scales-seized-in-kalasin-province/

Rival Motorbike Taxi Groups Clash in Pattaya, Four People Injured By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — An alley in Pattaya turned into a war zone in the small hours of Friday when a group of ride-sharing riders, Bolt, clashed with a group of orange-vested traditional motorbike taxi riders, Win, leaving four Bolt riders injured. One man nearly lost his finger. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303957-rival-motorbike-taxi-groups-clash-in-pattaya-four-people-injured/

Economic downturn in China = fewer holiday bookings for Phuket By Peter Roche Flickr/Dawn in Phuket, Thailand The downturn in the Chinese economy is having a knock-on effect on Thailand’s tourism outlook, according to a Bangkok Post report. In particular, tourism operators say forward bookings for October’s Golden Week holiday are down. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303956-economic-downturn-in-china-fewer-holiday-bookings-for-phuket/

Thai rice packers agree to delay price increase The Internal Trade Department (ITD) has asked the Thai Rice Packers and Thai Millers associations to postpone their plan to increase the price of packed rice, to ease the burden on consumers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303955-thai-rice-packers-agree-to-delay-price-increase/

The Internal Trade Department (ITD) has asked the Thai Rice Packers and Thai Millers associations to postpone their plan to increase the price of packed rice, to ease the burden on consumers. ITD director-general Wattanasak Sur-iam met with representatives of the two associations yesterday (Thursday) for discussions on the Thai Rice Packers Association’s plan to increase prices in September by 3 baht per kilogram, citing the increase in rice prices from millers. He said the two associations promised to cooperate with the department and freeze the price of packed rice for the time being adding, however, that they will wait and see whether the cost of milled rice increases further. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-rice-packers-agree-to-delay-price-increase/ -- Thai PBS 2023-08-18 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Sniffing out success: Thailand’s first sniffer dog training centre unleashed for battling narcotics by Mitch Connor Sniffer Dogs in Thailand, chula.ac.th. The Thai Customs Canine Training Centre (TCCTC) was officially inaugurated yesterday in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303954-sniffing-out-success-thailand’s-first-sniffer-dog-training-centre-unleashed-for-battling-narcotics/

82 year old man dies after being stung by swarm of wasps by Petch Petpailin Photo via ThaiRath An 82 year old Thai man tragically died after he was stung by a swarm of wasps in an abandoned house in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1303953-82-year-old-man-dies-after-being-stung-by-swarm-of-wasps/