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Phuket Scams Surge: 5,500 Victims and 413 Million Baht Lost
CCIB chief shows scam tex. // Photo via CCIB/Phuket News Phuket is witnessing an alarming rise in financial fraud, with over 5,500 individuals falling victim to scams in the past year, resulting in cumulative losses of 413 million baht. These figures were confirmed by Police Colonel Kritsada Manawongsakun, head of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) Region 5. There has been a sharp increase in scam activities since 2022. Last year, while there were 1,365 reported victims who collectively lost 10.9 million baht, the numbers jumped dramatically in 2023 to 3,538 victims with 18.8 million baht in losses. By 2024, the figures skyrocketed to 5,510 victims, with financial damages amounting to an astounding 413 million baht. Reacting to these developments, the TCSD has intensified efforts to warn the public and guide them on how to avoid falling prey to fraudsters. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), established in September 2020, is responsible for addressing cybercrime, recognised as a threat to national security. Pol. Col. Kritsada's jurisdiction includes 14 provinces in southern Thailand, where efforts are focused on countering the rise in cybercrime and safeguarding citizens from future threats. In January 2025 alone, Thailand reported 31,165 cases of technology-related fraud, averaging 1,005 incidents daily. Predominantly, these involved fraudulent online sales, comprising 55.88% of the cases and resulting in victim losses exceeding 145 million baht. Additional prevalent scams included job offer fraud, prize claim scams, call centre deceptions, fraudulent loans, and investment scams, collectively causing over 2 billion baht in losses in just one month. During this period, police froze 10,410 bank accounts linked to fraudulent activities, recovering assets worth approximately 448 million baht. Despite the extensive scale of fraud, authorities have only managed to recover a fraction—about 10%—of the victims’ funds. The tactics of scammers have evolved significantly in recent years. In 2022, fraud mainly involved false sales offers and deceptive work-from-home opportunities. By 2023, scammers shifted focus to sophisticated online financial fraud and increased fake sales activity. In 2024, fraudulent lending schemes and deceptive investment opportunities became prevalent, with misleading sales remaining a common strategy. Fraudsters have adopted personal phone numbers and the guise of government agencies to instill fear and manipulate victims. Common tactics involve requesting sensitive personal information such as ID or credit card details or soliciting money transfers to expedite fictitious cases. Victims are urged to report incidents to local police, who will evaluate the situation and collaborate with the CCIB and TCSD for further investigations. Phuket Provincial Police Commander, Pol. Maj. General Sinlert Sukhum, advises that both locals and expatriates who suspect scam activities should immediately report to any police station or contact the hotline 1441 to secure their bank accounts. These efforts underscore the ongoing battle against cybercrime in Phuket and highlight the necessity for public vigilance and proactive measures to combat this growing issue, reported The Thaiger. -- 2025-02-24 -
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Thai-Indian Man Arrested with 15.7 Million Baht 'Casino Winnings'
Picture courtesy: Thai Rath In a dramatic turn of events at the Thai-Cambodian border, a Thai-Indian man was apprehended Sunday at the Khlong Luek checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, carrying a staggering 15.7 million baht in cash. The man, identified as Mr. Om, 47, aroused suspicion when he attempted to cross into Thailand from Cambodia's Poipet with a notably large backpack. Upon conducting a search at the checkpoint, officials were taken aback by the vast sum of money concealed within the bag. Mr. Om claimed the money was a casino win earned in Poipet, yet authorities remain sceptical of his explanation. Suspecting illicit activities, the officials arrested him on charges of violating Section 242 of the Customs Act B.E. 2560, alongside non-compliance with the Finance Ministry’s foreign exchange rules. The Sa Kaeo Immigration Bureau has since launched an expanded investigation to trace the origins of the cash. This incident comes amidst heightened security measures along the border, following the Thai government's recent moves to curtail resources—electricity, internet, and fuel— to three Myanmar townships known for harbouring transnational crime syndicates. These areas, Tachileik, Myawaddy, and Payathonzu, have become hotspots for scams and criminal operations. The fear now is that these syndicates may be relocating their operations to Cambodia, with potential pathways into Thailand. The strict border control measures aim to preempt such expansions, but the current situation remains fluid and under close observation. Authorities continue to scrutinise the situation, determined to unravel any connections Mr. Om might have with broader criminal organisations. The hope is that these efforts will not only address this individual case but also contribute to a broader crackdown on cross-border criminal enterprises leveraging regional instabilities. The retention of Mr. Om and the ongoing investigations underline the pressing need for vigilance and cooperation between regional authorities to tackle these pervasive and dynamic transnational threats effectively, reported Thai Newsroom. -- 2025-02-24 -
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Thaksin Apologises for Tak Bai Tragedy, Downplays Narathiwat Car Bombing
Picture courtesy: Thai Rath In a significant gesture, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has publicly apologised for the Tak Bai incident, expressing regret for the tragic events during his tenure. The announcement came as Thaksin visited Narathiwat, part of a diplomatic mission to the southern provinces alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The context of his apology dates back to a deeply unfortunate event on October 25, 2004, known as the Tak Bai incident, where 85 Thai citizens perished. The incident occurred during a demonstration at a police station in Tak Bai, with the protest escalating to a violent confrontation resulting in several deaths. Nearly 1,300 protesters were detained and transported under inhumane conditions, with 78 dying from suffocation during transport. Speaking at a press conference at Samphan Witthaya School, Thaksin offered his apologies specifically to religious leaders and local Muslim communities. He acknowledged past missteps and expressed a desire for collective efforts to address lingering discontent, stating, "If there was anything wrong that causes dissatisfaction, I apologise and ask everyone to help solve the problem together." This visit, focusing on security, religious, and educational development, comes amid tensions highlighted by a car bomb at Narathiwat Airport. The explosive device was attached to an officer’s pickup truck, detonating shortly before Thaksin's arrival. The former prime minister, however, downplayed the incident as symbolic and noted his resilience, claiming he had survived four previous assassination attempts. “I am still indifferent, it’s okay I am not afraid of this. Whoever welcomes me in whatever way, I accept them all,” he remarked. Images of the car bomb and related warnings were circulated online by the "Southern Border Comrades" webpage, advising caution in the area. Despite the tension, Thaksin’s visit proceeded with parliamentary and local leaders, including Narathiwat Governor Trakul Thotham and members of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre, extending their welcome. The dual focus of Thaksin's visit—seeking reconciliation over past grievances while navigating the complexities of present security threats—emphasises ongoing challenges in Thailand's southern regions. The visit underlines a broader initiative to foster dialogue and development, aiming to move beyond historical grievances and strengthen regional stability, reported ThaiNewsroom. -- 2025-02-24 -
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Illegal Condo Rentals Spark Concerns in Thailand
Further evidence of corruption within the administrative department -
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Shocking Incident in Jomtien: Man Chases Tourist, with Large Knife
Same thing, suburb of Pattaya. -
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Indian Restaurant Owner in Pattaya Calls for Action Against Rental Bike Operators
Picture courtesy of SiamChon. A distressed Indian restaurant owner in Pattaya has come forward to highlight an ongoing dispute with local motorbike rental operators, accusing them of obstructing access to her business and intimidating her over parking issues. At 23:15 on 23 February, Ms. Thanya, 33, owner of Sharmaji Pure Veg Indian restaurant on Pattaya Beach Road near Soi 13/4, made a formal complaint to local media. She claims that for over a year, she has been facing harassment from a group of local vehicle rental operators, who continuously obstruct parking spaces in front of her restaurant, causing significant damage to her business. The harassment has reached such an extent that she has been left in tears. As evidence, she has provided CCTV footage capturing the alleged actions of the group. According to Ms. Thanya, she has run her restaurant for over a year and initially attempted to negotiate with the rental operators. She proposed allowing them to park their motorbikes in front of her restaurant during the day while requesting that they vacate the space in the evening when her business operates. However, the operators refused to comply, even preventing her from parking her own restaurant's vehicles in the area. She has sought assistance from various authorities, and Pattaya City officials have intervened on multiple occasions, suggesting a compromise by using an electric pole as a boundary marker. Despite this, the rental operators have continued to park their motorbikes in front of her establishment. When she tried to reserve space for her customers by parking her own vehicle there, the rental operators would immediately occupy the spot once she moved her vehicle for deliveries. Attempts to park nearby have resulted in her vehicle being boxed in and even damaged. The situation escalated when a foreign tourist parked their motorbike in the public space in question. Although the area is public property, the rental operators have been treating it as their private domain, forcibly moving other vehicles to park their own. In this particular instance, they moved the tourist’s motorbike into the middle of the road, leading to the police towing it away for obstructing traffic. Initially fearing theft, the tourist later discovered the vehicle had been impounded, incurring a fine to retrieve it. Ms. Thanya clarified that she does not fault the police for their actions. She reiterated that she does not operate a vehicle rental business and only parks her vehicle in front of her restaurant to prevent rental operators from occupying the space. However, the ongoing conflict has led to a loss of customers, as many are unable to find parking. She also revealed that the rental operators have openly boasted that authorities would not take action against them, further adding to her distress. Ms. Thanya insists that tourists should be free to park in public spaces but opposes the rental operators monopolising these areas. She also expressed concern over their claims of having connections within Pattaya City authorities, arguing that such behaviour damages the city's reputation as a tourist destination. This issue highlights the broader problem of rental vehicle operators dominating public parking spaces in Pattaya, making it difficult for tourists and local businesses to operate freely. Ms. Thanya is appealing to Pattaya City officials and law enforcement to take firm action against such practices to ensure a fair business environment for all. -- 2025-02-24
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