Crime

Chinese Tourists in Thailand Face US$5600 Fine for Touching Starfish

Published

2 years ago

June 28, 2023

Bchcomber

Three Chinese tourists accused of playing with starfish and stepping on a coral reefs while diving in Phuket, Thailand facing up to two years in prison and a US$5600 fine after being charged with violating a marine preservation regulation.

The event, which occurred last week on the Thai island of Koh Racha, was brought to light by images published by a nonprofit that monitors environmental violations in the country.

In a Facebook post, Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa stated that two visitors admitted to the crime after handing themselves in to police, while the third suspect remained at large.

To find the lawbreakers, officials worked with the provincial tourism police, the maritime office, and the company that organised the trip, according to Varawut. He did not say whether the missing tourist was still being sought.

If proven guilty, the tourists face a two-year prison sentence and a 200,000 baht (US$5,670) fine.

The tour’s two-month-old travel company apologized for the actions of the visitors, who were part of a diving group, saying it was the company’s first junket and it “learned a lesson.”

The operator also vowed to enhance awareness among its passengers about not interfering with marine species, particularly Chinese who have previously been involved in similar events.

chinese phuket thailand

“Some of them find the animals cute and want to have pictures taken with them to show to their friends,” a company executive told The Phuket News. “On behalf of the company, we are deeply regretful that this has occurred.”

Thai social media users lashed out at “wild Chinese tour groups,” while others criticised the diving instructors for failing to adequately inform the guests about the rules.

Some expressed outrage that such incidents continue to occur despite law enforcement efforts.

Two Chinese tourists were detained in 2020 for using a spear gun to catch protected ornamental fish while snorkelling in central Thailand.

Lee Yeol-eum, a South Korean actress, was charged in 2019 for capturing endangered gigantic clams in a Thai national marine park while filming a reality TV show.

According to marine experts, rising sea temperatures and unrestrained tourism have harmed more than three-quarters of Thailand’s coral reefs.

The sandy beaches of the tourism-dependent country attracted 6.15 million foreign tourists, including over 700,000 Chinese, in the first quarter of this year.

Marine preservation regulation Thailand

Thailand has taken several steps to protect its marine ecosystems and promote marine preservation. Here are some key regulations and initiatives:

Marine National Parks: Thailand has established numerous marine national parks to conserve and protect its marine biodiversity. These parks have specific regulations in place to control activities such as fishing, diving, and boating to minimize negative impacts on the marine environment.
Fishing Regulations: The Thai government has implemented regulations to manage and regulate fishing activities in its waters. These regulations include fishing licenses, seasonal fishing bans, restrictions on fishing gear, and prohibited areas to protect vulnerable species and their habitats.
Coral Reef Protection: Thailand has taken measures to protect its coral reefs, which are crucial for marine biodiversity. Certain areas are designated as coral reef conservation zones, where activities like fishing, anchoring, and collecting marine life are prohibited or strictly regulated.
Marine Debris Management: Thailand has recognized the importance of addressing marine pollution and has implemented measures to manage marine debris. These initiatives include public awareness campaigns, beach clean-up activities, and efforts to reduce plastic waste and single-use plastics.
Endangered Species Protection: Thailand has legislation in place to protect endangered marine species, such as sea turtles and dugongs. It is illegal to harm, capture, trade, or consume these protected species.
Sustainable Tourism Practices: The Thai government has been promoting sustainable tourism practices in marine areas to minimize the impact on marine ecosystems. This includes guidelines for tour operators and tourists to follow, such as responsible diving and snorkeling practices, waste management, and avoiding damage to coral reefs and other marine habitats.

It’s important to note that enforcement and implementation of these regulations can vary, and there may be ongoing challenges in effectively managing and preserving marine environments. It’s recommended to refer to the latest information from official government sources or local authorities for the most accurate and up-to-date regulations on marine preservation in Thailand.

Crime

Police Officer Being Ordained at Temple Arrested for Running Scam Call Center

Published

7 months ago

July 20, 2024

Thomas3940

Police Officer Being Ordained at Temple Arrested

Police in Northern Thailand have arrested a fellow officer as he was being ordained at a temple in Ngao district of neighbouring Lampang province.

Pol Lt Col Bandit Khonkan chief inspector from the Hang Dong police station was disrobed and taken to the Chang Puak station in Chiang Mai. He was arrested on charges of running a call centre scam gang in Chiang Mai Province.

According to Thai Media Chiang Mai Provincial Police Region 5 obtained an arrest warrant for Pol Lt Col Bandit on Friday from the Chiang Mai Provincial Court for procuring illegal telecom equipment, setting up a station and using public airwaves to run a telecommunications business without permission.

Pol Lt Col Bandit reportedly told investigators that he was not the ringleader and was only a member of the gang with Chinese partners.

His arrest followed the apprehension of his 26-year-old daughter, Miss Wanuchapond, 26, and three others during raids at three housing projects in Chiang Mai on Friday, Pol Maj Gen Weerachon Boontawee, deputy chief of Provincial Police Region 5 told Thai media.

During the raids police police discovered around 12 GSM gateways, or SIM boxes, which are devices used for converting cellular networks into mobile phone numbers used domestically.

The chief inspectors daughter Miss Wanuchapond told the arresting officers that she was paid 8,000 baht a month at each of the three locations for renting thr rooms and monitoring devices.

She claimed she had no idea what the devices were and accepted the job because the pay was attractive.

Police investigators working with telecom regulators used a special tracking device to monitor the gang’s communications and learned that its base was in Myanmar opposite Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai.

The call center gang used the GSM gateways to make calls over the internet to scam people in Thailand out of million of baht.

The GSM gateways transmitting signals via SIM boxes to convert them into domestic phone numbers, duping victims into thinking they were being called from Thai government agencies.

Pol Maj Gen Weerachon said that each SIM box held 32 SIM cards, with a capacity of up to 300,000 calls a month. The seized devices had made fraudulent calls over 3.6 million times.

He said the their investigation is ongoing and they are working to track down the remaining conspirators, including Chinese and other Thai suspects.

Authorities are still deciding whether Pol Lt Col Bandit will be dismissed from the force, he said, adding that so far, no other officers are known to have been involved.

Police in Chiang Rai Launch Crackdown on Cyber Criminals in Golden Triangle

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has authorized the establishment of an emergency cyber center operated by the Royal Thai Police to combat transnational crimes committed by call center gangs along the Thai border in Chiang Rai province.

On July 19, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin directed the Center to combat information technology crimes. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) will crack down on call center gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and along the border.

His directive comes as call center gangs ratchet up their scams to defraud people of their money, causing concern among Thais and jeopardizing the country’s economic and social stability.

Related Police News:

Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/

Crime

Thai Immigration Police Arrest Colombian Tourists Over Home Invasions

Published

7 months ago

July 20, 2024

Thomas3940

Thai Immigration Police Arrest Colombian Tourist

Immigration police officers have arrested four Colombian nationals in connection with a series of home burglaries at luxury housing complexes in the Bangkok metropolitan area and Chiang Buri Province.

Pol Maj Gen Panthana Nuchanart, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, told a press briefing that three of the suspects were apprehended in Nonthaburi Province and the fourth in South Pattaya, Chon Buri Province.

According to the Bangkok Post, the Colombians were charged with stealing conspiracy and seized around 3 million baht (US$82,500.00).

According to Pol Maj Gen Panthana, the criminals rode motorcycles through housing estates, scoping out the properties and waiting for the owners to depart before committing their crimes.

He stated that all four of the accused denied any involvement in the home break-ins, but the arresting squad discovered evidence that implicated them.

Police called to home invasion

Meanwhile, police were dispatched to a luxury housing development in Tambon Nong Prue, Chonburi Province, after a Chinese man was attacked during a house invasion.

When they arrived, they discovered the house owner, Mr. Qian Peng Yi, visibly scared and with marks from being tied up with a cable. He informed police that three Chinese males broke into his home at 9 p.m., one of whom brandished a gun at him and directed him to his bedroom.

They bound his hands and feet, gagged him with fabric, taped his head, and forced him into the bed. The intruders then attempted to compel him into transferring 10 million baht in cryptocurrencies to them, endangering the life of his 33-year-old cousin who was in a second-floor bedroom.

While they scoured the house in search of riches, Mr. Peng Yi managed to flee and hide; he subsequently observed them leave with his cousin. Officials investigated the property and analyzed security camera footage from the incident and surrounding areas.

Around 9 p.m., a 30-year-old van driver came at the Bang Lamung police station after being contacted by an agency to carry Chinese customers from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The driver informed authorities that he was supposed to pick them up at a motel about a kilometer from the Chinese businessman’s home. He then drove them to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, arriving at 1 a.m. and receiving 1,800 baht.

The driver took a snapshot of the group smoking at the airport gate and identified one of them as the victim’s cousin. Police suspected coordination between her and the three suspects in her cousin’s heist, who all departed Thailand on the same aircraft.

Other Bangkok News:

Police in Bangkok Discover Six Vietnamese Tourists Dead in 5 Star Hotel

Police in Bangkok Discover Six Vietnamese Tourists Dead in 5 Star Hotel

Crime

Son of Thailand’s Leading Legal Scholar on Corruption Arrested for Running Online Gambling Network

Published

7 months ago

July 17, 2024

Thomas3940

The son of a former senator and leading economist and expert on corruption and gambling in Thailand has been arrested for on charges of running an online gambling network and its payment system.

Police from Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) have confiscated assets worth more than (US$ 11.1 million) 400 million baht.

Narote Piriyarangsan, 33, was arrested following crackdowns in three sites around the city, according to Pol Maj Gen Athip Pongsiwapai, commander of the police Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD).

Mr Narote’s father, Sangsit Piriyarangsan, is an economist who has written articles and books about corruption and gambling. He was one of the appointed senators that were investigating the government’s intention to legalize casino gaming before their terms expired.

Police also detained 39-year-old Narayut Narakaew, the owner of the gambling website 69pgslot.com. The Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the couple for operating an internet gambling service and money laundering.

According to the Bangkok Post, police seized two desktop computers, one laptop computer, 14 mobile phones, 21 bank passbooks, 53 ATM cards, and four high-end cars — a Ferrari 926 GTS, an Aston Martin, a Lexus, and a Subaru — totaling more than 400 million baht.

Police launched the inquiry after discovering the online gambling site, which accepted funds via an automatic deposit-withdrawal system through bank accounts and deposits in the AskMePay system. Players scanned the VPay QR code as well as the QR codes for Heng Online 888 or Heng Pay Company.

Police also discovered that payments received via QR code scans were transferred to the account of Heng Pay Co and then to the gambling website’s mule accounts using AskMePay, which did not use banks’ face recognition scanning. An inquiry indicated a monthly turnover of approximately 5 billion baht.

According to investigators, the website has been up and running for around four years, with the payment mechanism in use for roughly eight months.

According to Pol Maj Gen Athip, Mr Narote owns the gaming website’s payment systems and is the director of Heng Pay Co. After gathering evidence, authorities requested arrest warrants for 14 people.

Thailand does not allow almost any kind of gaming. Even though the law doesn’t say anything specific about online gaming, it is still considered gambling. The country has pretty strict rules about gambling. Thai punters can bet on the national lottery and horse races, but they can’t bet on any other types of games.

But it’s not a secret that there is a huge illegal gaming business in Thailand, even though it’s illegal.

The illegal casinos, online betting shops, underground lotteries, and pop-up bookies that take bets on everything from cockfights to Muay Thai make a shadow economy that is worth billions of dollars every year.