Leadership and “sav-ing face” in Thai society
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California in Uproar as Newsom Condemns Trump’s Troop Deployment as ‘Deranged Fantasy’
California in Uproar as Newsom Condemns Trump’s Troop Deployment as ‘Deranged Fantasy’ President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to deploy thousands of additional troops to Los Angeles has sparked intense backlash from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who decried the move as fulfilling “the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial president.” As protests against immigration raids surged for a fourth consecutive day, federal forces were sent into the city in an effort to control unrest that has now spread to at least nine other U.S. cities. According to military sources, 700 U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines based in Twentynine Palms, California, have been stationed in the area. They join a growing National Guard presence that has doubled in size, now numbering around 4,000 troops. Their mission, officials say, is to protect federal property and personnel, including immigration enforcement agents. However, the move has ignited a political firestorm in California, where state officials argue that President Trump bypassed the legal requirement of securing gubernatorial approval before deploying troops. The state government has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, asserting that the troop deployment violates both the U.S. Constitution and the sovereignty of California. “We have not reached the point where local law enforcement has got beyond its means to deal with the situation,” said LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman during an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He emphasized that only a “small fraction” of the local population was actively protesting, with an even smaller number involved in criminal acts. Nonetheless, Hochman acknowledged the presence of violence, stating, “Whether it’s burning Waymo vehicles, throwing cinder blocks and bricks at the police, driving a motorcycle into the police, or vandalising – and defacing through graffiti – public and private buildings,” such instances have occurred. Tensions reached a boiling point on Monday evening as hundreds of protesters gathered outside a federal detention center in downtown LA, where undocumented immigrants are being held. Los Angeles police officers responded with stun grenades and gas canisters, while National Guard troops formed a defensive cordon around the building. Among the demonstrators, some hurled objects at law enforcement officers, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. In a further escalation, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi named a man, Elpidio Reyna, who has been accused of assaulting federal agents by throwing rocks. A search warrant was executed at his home, and Bondi stated that Reyna would be added to America’s “Most Wanted” list. The catalyst for the unrest was a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Protests erupted last Friday as news of the raids broke, but the demonstrations have since unraveled into widespread disorder, including freeway blockages, looting, and attacks on self-driving vehicles. The unrest has now reached cities including New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Austin, and San Francisco. Mexico's foreign affairs office confirmed that at least four Mexican nationals arrested in LA since Friday have already been deported. This adds an international dimension to the crisis, further inflaming tensions between immigrant communities and federal authorities. Although President Trump has not invoked the Insurrection Act—which would authorize troops to engage directly in civilian law enforcement—the deployment is notable for its rarity. The last instance of National Guard troops being sent to a U.S. city without a governor’s approval occurred in 1965. Amid this intensifying clash between federal power and state sovereignty, a CBS News/YouGov poll conducted before the protests revealed a divided nation: 54% of Americans supported Trump’s deportation policy, while 50% approved of his broader immigration approach. Still, Newsom remains defiant, threatening additional legal action against the Marine deployment and vowing to defend the state's constitutional rights. Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-06-11 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 11 June 2025
Vietnamese Call Centre Gang Busted in Thailand for Defrauding Fellow Nationals Picture courtesy of Khaosod. Police have dismantled a Vietnamese-run call centre scam operating from Bangkok’s outskirts, arresting 27 individuals accused of defrauding fellow Vietnamese nationals out of millions of baht. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1363283-vietnamese-call-centre-gang-busted-in-thailand-for-defrauding-fellow-nationals/ -
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Crime Vietnamese Call Centre Gang Busted in Thailand for Defrauding Fellow Nationals
Picture courtesy of Khaosod. Police have dismantled a Vietnamese-run call centre scam operating from Bangkok’s outskirts, arresting 27 individuals accused of defrauding fellow Vietnamese nationals out of millions of baht. Acting on the orders of National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, a coordinated raid was led by senior officers including Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut and Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nualma. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Special Branch Police, and the 191 Emergency Response Unit stormed two homes being used as the gang’s operational base. Inside the properties, located in a high-end suburban estate, police apprehended 27 suspects, 22 men and 5 women, all Vietnamese nationals. Authorities seized 116 mobile phones, 45 computers and 5 grams of ketamine. According to Pol. Maj. Gen. Nopasin Poolsawat, the arrests followed complaints from the public about a suspicious group of foreigners occupying the rented homes. Investigations revealed that the suspects had entered Thailand on tourist visas, many through the Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province. They had been operating in Thailand since October 2024. The gang reportedly used the “Romance Scam” model, targeting fellow Vietnamese. Scammers created fake online profiles, often using attractive photos and claiming to be wealthy individuals interested in buying property or starting a business. Victims were lured into emotional relationships via the Vietnamese messaging app “Zalo” and then tricked into transferring money under various pretexts, including fabricated debts or emergencies. Each member of the gang was assigned to a dedicated computer terminal, working in shifts to maintain round-the-clock operations. Investigations estimate that each computer generated fraudulent transfers worth around 1.2 billion Vietnamese dong (approximately 1.56 million baht) per month. In total, the operation was scamming approximately 36 billion dong monthly, equivalent to 39 million baht. During questioning, the suspects admitted to renting the two houses since 10 October last year at 30,000 & 40,000 baht per month each. Most operatives had arrived in February and received a basic monthly salary of 12,000 baht, with successful scams earning them bonuses of around 25,000 baht. The operation included various roles such as chefs, electricians and IT technicians. Authorities are now working with forensic investigators and the Technology Crime Suppression Division to expand the investigation. The suspects and all seized items have been transferred to Lam Phakchi Police Station for legal proceedings. Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-06-11 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 11 June 2025
Hunt Underway in Chiang Rai as Suspected Double Murderer Remains at Large, Village in Fear Picture courtesy of ThaiRath Authorities in Chiang Rai province are continuing an intensive search for a man suspected of killing his wife and her younger brother, as fear grips the local community and most villagers flee their homes. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1363282-hunt-underway-in-chiang-rai-as-suspected-double-murderer-remains-at-large-village-in-fear/ -
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Crime Hunt Underway in Chiang Rai as Suspected Double Murderer Remains at Large, Village in Fear
Picture courtesy of ThaiRath Authorities in Chiang Rai province are continuing an intensive search for a man suspected of killing his wife and her younger brother, as fear grips the local community and most villagers flee their homes. The suspect, identified as Mr. Songpor Saemua, 55, a resident of Romfapha Mon village in Tambon Por, Wiang Kaen District, is accused of brutally murdering his wife and her brother before fleeing into the surrounding forest. The killings took place on 9 June and since then Songpor has been on the run, believed to be armed and dangerous. Police from the Chiang Rai Provincial Command, Wiang Kaen Police Station, paramilitary rangers from Task Force 31, border patrol officers, local defence volunteers and community leaders have joined forces in the search operation. Authorities suspect the fugitive is still hiding in the dense jungle surrounding the village. The situation escalated after reports emerged that the suspect had threatened to kill his wife’s entire family. This has sparked widespread panic in the village. As of 10 June, only 23 of the original 400+ residents remain in Romfapha Mon. Most have fled to stay with relatives in neighbouring communities. Due to safety concerns, the local child development centre, which serves 14 young children, has been closed. The order came from Mr. Naraset Kamalasgamut, chief of the Tambon Por Administrative Organisation, who visited the area to assess the situation. “After the incident, I immediately ordered the temporary closure of the Romfapha Mon Child Development Centre to protect the children and staff,” said Mr. Naraset. “No children have returned to school since the attack. The centre will remain closed until the suspect is apprehended and the situation is deemed safe.” The search effort has been hampered by poor weather conditions. Heavy rainfall has made the mountainous terrain treacherously slippery, while dense forest and leeches pose additional challenges. Authorities have deployed drones equipped with thermal imaging to help locate the suspect. In a further sign of the community’s distress, the family of Mr. Chanchai Yangworakul, 44, the brother of the suspect’s wife and a local councillor, have postponed funeral rites in line with local customs until the suspect is caught and justice is served. Mr. Chanchai had served multiple terms as a member of the Tambon Por Administrative Organisation and was regarded as a dedicated and respected local leader. His murder has deeply shaken the community and caused further loss of morale among residents. “This is the murder of a community leader,” said Mr. Naraset. “It has left a psychological scar and has directly affected our local council. The people are frightened. We urge the authorities to find the suspect swiftly.” The manhunt continues amid mounting pressure to restore safety and confidence in the once-peaceful village. Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-06-11 -
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A Poll - Do you like the Down-Thumb emoji?
Yeah, you forgot me. What is this crap? - Loves himself - Crossed the line You're out of your mind mate. Are you one of those pot heads, I see many around town these days.
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