Scottish Former Footballer Arrested for Child Crimes in Thailand

[Video News]

 

 

The transcription below provides various news stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia, covered in Good Morning Thailand, hosted by Alex. The stories range from the arrest of former Scottish footballer Ian Heddle for crimes against children in Thailand to The 1975 being sued over a concert incident involving Matty Healy in Malaysia.

 

 

1. Scottish Former Footballer Arrested for Child Crimes in Thailand:

Ex-footballer Ian Heddle, 61, has been jailed for four years for child abuse in Thailand. He was found with 272,936 indecent images and 4,001 videos of children. Arrested at Edinburgh Airport in February 2023, Heddle admitted to possessing and making the material. Three videos showed him abusing a young girl in Thailand. He received a six-year extended sentence, including two years on license, and was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

 

2. Drunk Driver in Ayutthaya Leads Police on High-Speed Chase:

A drunk driver in Ayutthaya led police on a high-speed chase along Phahonyothin Road. Mongkol, 38, driving a red pickup truck with loudspeakers, was reported for erratic driving and playing loud music. He attempted to flee upon police arrival, leading to a dangerous chase. He was eventually stopped and found with a blood alcohol concentration of 234 milligrams per cent. Mongkol admitted to drinking and driving and now faces multiple charges.

 

3. Car Wash Cover-Up: DSI Finds Football Feed Behind Suds and Soap:

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided a car wash shop in Bangkok, uncovering an illegal football broadcasting network. Part of a larger syndicate with 100 mule accounts and 1.2 billion baht in circulation, the network also hinted at online gambling and cannabis cultivation. With over 30,000 members, the network caused financial damages exceeding 2.9 billion baht. Arrest warrants were issued for five key suspects, with two already in custody. The DSI continues to investigate.

 

4. US Urges Thailand to Release Vietnamese Activist Facing Extradition:

US Congress members have urged Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to release Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, who faces extradition despite holding UN refugee status. Bdap, a founder of Montagnards Stand for Justice, is charged with terrorism by Vietnam, though he was in Thailand during the riots. The National Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Watch emphasize Thailand's international obligations to protect him. Bdap's hearings are set for tomorrow and August 19.

 

5. Chinese Woman Rescued from 15 Million Baht Virtual Kidnapping:

Thai police rescued 21-year-old Chinese woman Wang Jia Bao in Bangkok from a virtual kidnapping scheme. Scammers demanded 15 million baht from her parents, with Wang manipulated by scammers posing as Chinese police. She was tracked through security footage and found safe. This scam targets Chinese students abroad, with similar cases in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

 

6. Urgent Call for O-Negative Blood Donations in Phuket:

An urgent call for O-negative blood donations has been made by the RH-Emergency Donation group in Phuket to help a Frenchman in need. Due to the rarity of this blood type in Thailand, the plea emphasizes the importance of donations from Westerners. The Phuket Red Cross is the designated donation site, and recent updates now allow donors from the UK, France, and Ireland to contribute.

 

7. Laos and Thailand Mark First Direct Passenger Train Between Bangkok and Vientiane:

The first direct passenger train between Bangkok and Vientiane launched on July 19, providing a 13-hour journey between the capitals of Thailand and Laos. This route allows passengers to transfer to a high-speed rail line to Kunming, China. The inaugural journey was so popular that an additional carriage was added. Plans are in place to eventually offer a high-speed rail connection between Bangkok and Vientiane as part of China's Belt & Road Initiative.

 

8. Indonesia Raises Smoking Age Limit, Will Curb Cigarette Advertising:

Indonesia has raised the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes from 18 to 21 and implemented new health regulations to combat smoking. These include banning the sale of single cigarettes, restricting sales near schools and playgrounds, and prohibiting cigarette sales and advertising on social media without age verification. Critics argue that stricter enforcement is necessary to ensure effectiveness. The advertising restrictions will take effect in two years.

 

9. The 1975 Sued Over Malaysia Concert with Matty Healy Kiss:

The organizers of the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur are suing British band The 1975 for £1.9m ($2.4m) after singer Matty Healy criticized Malaysia's anti-LGBT laws and kissed a band member on stage, leading to the event's cancellation. The lawsuit claims the band breached performance rules prohibiting political and religious discussions, swearing, smoking, and drinking on stage. The band's actions have also drawn criticism from Malaysia's LGBT community.