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Crime Security Guard Killed as Gang Steals E-Cigarettes from Khlong Toei Port
UPDATE Mastermind Behind E-Cigarette Heist Arrested After Fatal Security Guard Hit-and-Run Picture courtesy of Matichon. Police have arrested a key suspect in the violent robbery of confiscated e-cigarettes from a customs warehouse, which resulted in the death of a security guard. The suspect, identified as Mr. Sitthisak, also known as “Bank”, 38, was apprehended and taken in for interrogation this morning at Thungmahamek Police Station. The incident occurred in the early hours of 1 June at the Stadium Warehouse on Thanon Tha Ruea 1, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. A gang of six men used a van to gain access to the warehouse and attempted to steal confiscated e-cigarette products stored by the Customs Department. During the heist, Mr. Boonnak Sawatsuk, a security guard with the Port Authority of Thailand, intervened and was fatally struck by the gang’s vehicle while attempting to pursue them on a motorcycle. According to Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Prachuap Wongsuk, five suspects have already been arrested under court-issued warrants for charges including armed robbery resulting in death, night-time burglary of a government facility, illegal entry using force, destruction of property, and participation in a criminal gang. The five suspects in custody are: 1. Mr. Narintorn (“Bird”), 46 2. Mr. Thanatorn (“G”), 41 3. Mr. Piyakorn (“King”), 27 4. Mr. Ekachai (“Ek Bod”), 42 5. Mr. Suwat (“Lek”), 42 They allegedly acted under the direction of Mr. Bank, who was considered the ringleader and is also being charged with murder to conceal a criminal act. Authorities seized the gang’s van and recovered 493 e-cigarette devices, worth approximately 65,820 THB, which had been temporarily stored with another arrested suspect, Mr. Disorn (“Jay”), 41. He faces charges of handling stolen goods. Investigations revealed the gang had randomly broken the locks of five containers in search of valuable goods. They succeeded in stealing three boxes of e-cigarettes from one container before being confronted by the security guard. The Customs Department clarified that the containers had no labels indicating their contents, suggesting the criminals likely found the contraband through trial and error. Mr. Chaloemsak Buakaew, Director of the Seized Goods Division at the Customs Department, stated this was the first known case of stolen seized goods and commended the fallen security guard for his bravery. Police believe the stolen e-cigarettes were targeted for illegal online sale. Mr. Bank, who was already under surveillance for previous involvement in black-market e-cigarette distribution, is suspected of orchestrating the robbery as online sales of these products have become increasingly difficult due to tighter enforcement. Although some suspects claimed this was their first offence and denied any profit-sharing discussions, police remain sceptical. Investigators are also probing whether an insider may have tipped off the gang, though current evidence suggests random container targeting. Police vow to pursue the full truth and hold all involved accountable. Mr. Bank is now in custody and under intensive questioning as the investigation unfolds. Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-04 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 4 June 2025
Golf Cart Battery Fire Engulfs Fitness Centre at Popular Chanthaburi Resort Picture courtesy of Khaosod A fire broke out at a well-known resort in Chanthaburi late on the evening of 2 June, destroying a fitness centre after a golf cart battery caught fire while charging. The blaze rapidly spread, damaging gym equipment and the building’s structure before being brought under control. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362590-golf-cart-battery-fire-engulfs-fitness-centre-at-popular-chanthaburi-resort/ -
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Fire Golf Cart Battery Fire Engulfs Fitness Centre at Popular Chanthaburi Resort
Picture courtesy of Khaosod A fire broke out at a well-known resort in Chanthaburi late on the evening of 2 June, destroying a fitness centre after a golf cart battery caught fire while charging. The blaze rapidly spread, damaging gym equipment and the building’s structure before being brought under control. At approximately 21:30, police received a report of a fire at the fitness club of a four-star resort located in the Phatthawi subdistrict of Makham district. Firefighters from the Phatthawi municipal fire brigade, along with volunteers from Sawang Katanyu Chanthaburi Rescue, were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the fire was found to be raging through the fitness centre, consuming gym equipment and the building’s insulated foam roofing, a highly flammable material. The fire is believed to have originated from a golf cart parked in front of the building, which was engulfed in flames. Hotel staff had attempted to extinguish the blaze using chemical fire extinguishers, but the fire continued to flare up. It took emergency crews around 20 minutes to bring the fire under control. Once extinguished, officials found extensive damage to both the building and its contents, including the gym equipment and the completely burned-out golf cart. A hotel employee stated that the golf cart, equipped with a lithium battery, had been plugged in for charging earlier in the evening while they went to a medical appointment. Upon returning late at night, they were alerted by guests that the vehicle had caught fire. Attempts to douse the flames with extinguishers were unsuccessful. The battery had previously fallen into water and was known to be faulty, having already overheated and seen sparking three times in the past. The resort, formerly a top-rated eco-resort and water park in Chanthaburi, is currently undergoing management changes and renovations. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. At the time of the incident, a group of guests, recently arrived from overseas, were checking in. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-04 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 4 June 2025
Father Dies in Motorcycle Crash After Wife’s Online Search Picture courtesy of Khaosod. A 25-year-old man has died following a motorcycle incident after crashing into a U-turn bridge barrier in Chonburi. The young man’s body was later found on the road below the bridge, hours after his distraught wife posted a photograph of him with their young daughter in an emotional online appeal to help locate him. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362589-father-dies-in-motorcycle-crash-after-wife’s-online-search/ -
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Ukraine Demands Return of Kidnapped Children at Istanbul Peace Talks
Ukraine Demands Return of Kidnapped Children at Istanbul Peace Talks Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia resumed briefly in Istanbul, with both sides exchanging proposals for a possible ceasefire and humanitarian measures. During the one-hour meeting, Ukrainian negotiators handed their Russian counterparts a list of 339 children allegedly abducted and forcibly taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territories—a gesture that underscored the deep emotional and legal tensions that persist amid the ongoing war. The meeting took place at Istanbul’s historic Ciragan Palace, now a luxury hotel, and ended after just over an hour. The two sides presented memorandums outlining their respective visions for ending the conflict. Ukraine’s memorandum, which was made public prior to the session, called for a full ceasefire and concrete guarantees of the country’s security and territorial integrity. Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s defence minister, led Kyiv’s delegation and was joined by other senior officials including Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff. Yermak confirmed that the list of missing Ukrainian children had been formally submitted to Russia’s delegation. “Their return is non-negotiable,” he said, stressing that children, under international law, cannot be part of prisoner exchange agreements governed by the Geneva Conventions. “They must be returned,” he added, reinforcing Ukraine’s position that these removals constitute a violation of international norms. Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s chief negotiator, dismissed the handover of the children’s list as political theatre. He accused Kyiv of “putting on a show” for Western audiences, but nevertheless stated that Russia would cooperate to help reunite the children with their families in Ukraine—“if they can be found.” Russia had not released its proposals ahead of the meeting, but its state media later reported that Moscow’s demands included a full Ukrainian withdrawal from Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Donbas—regions Russia claims but does not fully control—as well as limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces. While the two sides remain far apart on political and territorial issues, they did reach limited agreements on humanitarian matters. They pledged to exchange all seriously wounded and sick prisoners, as well as prisoners of war under the age of 25. Additionally, both sides agreed to repatriate the remains of approximately 6,000 fallen soldiers. Medinsky announced that Russia had also offered a temporary ceasefire—lasting two to three days—along certain sections of the front line to allow commanders to collect the dead. It remains unclear whether Ukraine has accepted this offer. Despite the brevity of the talks, one Ukrainian official noted a shift in tone compared to earlier meetings. “The tone was better in this meeting than the last one,” the official said. “Steps taken on humanitarian matters make [the Russians] realise progress can be made.” The latest talks followed a major Ukrainian military strike conducted just hours earlier. In one of the most daring operations of the war, Ukraine reportedly targeted and struck over 40 Russian warplanes stationed thousands of miles from Ukrainian territory—a strike that had been planned for more than 18 months. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to convene a future summit involving Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and former U.S. President Donald Trump. When asked about this proposal, the White House press secretary confirmed that Trump is open to participating “if it comes to that,” but insisted that he wants “both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together.” While the road to peace remains uncertain, the humanitarian commitments—particularly concerning children and prisoners—are seen as fragile yet essential building blocks in a conflict that has otherwise shown little sign of de-escalation. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-06-04 -
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Free Speech or Blasphemy? Court Conviction Sparks Outrage Over Koran Burning Case
Free Speech or Blasphemy? Court Conviction Sparks Outrage Over Koran Burning Case A recent court ruling in the UK has reignited a national debate over the boundaries of free speech and the perceived resurgence of blasphemy laws, following the conviction of a man who burned a copy of the Koran during a protest in London. The case of 50-year-old Hamit Coskun has become a lightning rod for concerns about freedom of expression, especially in criticism of religion. Sam Armstrong: "We DO NOW have a blasphemy law in this country - that is the undeniable logic of this verdict." In his ruling, Judge McGarva dismissed the idea that the prosecution sought to revive blasphemy laws, which were formally abolished in the UK in 2008. “A decision needs to be made as to whether your conduct was simply you exercising your right to protest and freedom of speech or whether your behaviour crossed a line into criminal conduct,” he said. Addressing Coskun directly, he added, “You believe Islam is an ideology which encourages its followers to violence, paedophilia and a disregard for the rights of non-believers. You don’t distinguish between the two. I find you have a deep-seated hatred of Islam and its followers.” Coskun, who is currently claiming asylum in the UK after fleeing persecution in Turkey, called the verdict “an assault on free speech” and questioned whether he would have faced prosecution had he burned a Bible outside Westminster Abbey. “Christian blasphemy laws were repealed in this country more than 15 years ago, and it cannot be right to prosecute someone for blaspheming against Islam,” he said. “As an activist, I will continue to campaign against the threat of Islam.” His defence barrister, Katy Thorne KC, argued that the prosecution criminalised the public burning of any religious text, which she said was tantamount to the reintroduction of blasphemy laws. “It is effectively chilling the right of citizens to criticise religion,” she said, insisting that Coskun’s actions were directed at the religion itself, not its followers. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) denied that the case was about blasphemy. Philip McGhee, representing the CPS, said, “He is being prosecuted for his disorderly behaviour in public.” He emphasized, “Nothing about the prosecution of this defendant for his words and actions has any impact on the ability of anyone to make any trenchant criticism of a religion.” Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick sharply criticised the ruling, saying, “This decision is wrong. It revives a blasphemy law that parliament repealed. Free speech is under threat. I have no confidence in Two-Tier Keir to defend the rights of the public to criticise all religions.” The National Secular Society and the Free Speech Union, which funded Coskun’s legal defence, have vowed to appeal. A spokesperson for the FSU said, “This is deeply disappointing. Everyone should be able to exercise their rights to protest peacefully and to freedom of expression, regardless of how offensive or upsetting it may be to some people.” They added, “Religious tolerance is an important British value, but it doesn’t require non-believers to respect the blasphemy codes of believers.” Coskun has been ordered to pay a £240 fine. His legal team, along with the FSU and NSS, have signalled that they intend to take the case as far as the European Court of Human Rights, if necessary. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph | X 2025-06-04
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