Chiang Rai News

41 Thai Trapped in Myanmar’s Shan State Repatriated to Chiang Rai, Thailand

On Saturday, a group of 41 Thai citizens stuck by battles between the Myanmar Junta and ethnic rebel groups in northern Shan state returned to Thailand via the Mae Sai border crossing in Chiang Rai Province.

Thai military representatives, including the Pha Muang Task Force, met the party of returnees from the besieged town of Laukkaing in northern Myanmar at 12.30pm on Saturday, according to local media in Chiang Rai.

The group had earlier been rescued from illegal activities near the Chinese border in northern Shan State. Negotiations for their return with Myanmar officials were finished earlier this week.

Col. Thura Zaw Lwin Soe, commander of the Tachileik Tactical Operations Command, led the 41 returnees to the Tachileik-Mae Sai border crossing.

41 Thai Trapped in Myanmar's Shan State Repatriated to Chiang Rai, Thailand

Officials from Thailand and Myanmar gathered in the middle of the bridge to handle papers for the returnees, who were then transferred to Fort Mengrai Maharaj for further screening.

Three members of the group were later discovered to have outstanding warrants in Thailand. They were questioned and had their identities verified before being taken to court.

Before being returned to their families, the other returnees are being examined in terms of labor abilities.

Nearly 300 Thais have been released from detention centers in Laukkaing, where fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic groups continues. In addition to the 41 people who have returned home, another 254 people have been relocated to safe zones as they await repatriation transport.

The fate of up to 50 Thais still detained by fraud gangs in Laukkaing, however, remains a major concern, and discussions for their release are ongoing, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

Fighting in Myanmar has displaced 26,000 people since Monday

According to the United Nations, fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and the Arakan Army (AA) has displaced more than 26,000 people in the country’s western Rakhine state since Monday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) stated in a statement Friday that the latest estimates increase the total number of internally displaced people owing to hostilities between the two parties to almost 90,000.

Myanmar Military Junta Bombs School Killing 8 Children

Eleven people have died and more than 30 have been injured since an informal truce agreed upon a year ago crumbled on November 13, according to the statement.

The Tatmadaw reportedly detained more than 100 people, while the AA detained five.

Since army leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing seized control in February 2021, battles between the military and rebel groups have raged practically daily across Myanmar, throwing the country into economic disarray and a new civil war.

The most recent combat erupted when the AA allegedly attacked two border posts near the Maungdaw township, which borders Bangladesh.

According to the UN, the two parties had previously agreed to an informal ceasefire in November 2022.

It went on to say that there had been reports of Tatmadaw shelling in AA-controlled areas, and that the military had carried out at least one operation with air and naval backup.

Due to the fighting, most humanitarian activities have been halted, and “virtually all roads and waterways” between Rakhine townships have been shut, according to the statement.

According to monitoring groups, airstrikes and ground attacks against what the Tatmadaw deems “terrorist” targets have occurred on a regular basis since 2021, killing thousands of people, including children.

During the attacks, junta forces burned down entire villages and demolished schools, clinics, and hospitals.

Keywords: Myanmar news, myanmar coup, myanmar military, myanmar conflict

Chiang Rai News

Chiang Rai Man Kills Woman’s Infant Daughter When She Refuses His Sexual Advances

Police in Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai Province have arrested a 50 year old man after the threatened to rape a 20 year-old woman and the proceeded to murder her 2 and half month old baby.

Police with doctors from Wiang Kaen Hospital and the Chao Luang Wiang Kaen Welfare Association were summoned to the scene of the incident to a 2-story cement house, Village No. 2, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai

On arrival they found Ms. Chanikarn, age 20, in a state of distress crying uncontrollably beside her 2 and a half month baby girl (Linlada) that was dead on the floor.

After calming Ms. Chanikarn, the child’s mother, said that at approximately 2:30 p.m she was out to collect diapers that had been dried in front of the house, while her 2 and a half month old daughter was sleep on the ground floor of the house.

She said she was suddenly approached by a Mr. Lee, about 40 years old, who lived on the opposite side of the road. He came towards her and grabbed her arm and threatened her saying if she didn’t sleeping with him he will go and kill his daughter.

Miss Chanikan refused and ran away, then Mr. Lee then walked into the house and grabbed Ms. Linlada’s leg, smashing the child’s head against the cement floor of the house. The infant died immediately.

Mr. Lee then just walked away and returned to his own home, leaving Miss Chanikan and her dead baby.

When police went to Mr. Lee’s home he immediately confessed killing the infant and was taken to Wiang Kaen Police Station for further questioning. Under caution he told police that he was sexually attracted to Miss Chanikan‘s and when her husband leave for work he took the opportunity to approach her.

He said when he saw her husband leave he crossed that road and found Miss Chanikan in the yard alone, he then threatened her to sleep with him, saying he would kill her child if she didn’t have sex with him. However when she refused he flew into a fit of rage walked into her home and murdered he baby. He said he was out of control with rage.

After killing the infant he walk across the street to his home and waited for the police to arrive. The police have charged him with premeditated murder and attempted rape. He is being held without bail at the local remand center.

Meanwhile, Miss Chanikan and her family were preparing a religious burial ceremony for the child.

Other Chiang Rai 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/

Chiang Rai News

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

CHIANG RAI: 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.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, Assigned Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Police/Deputy Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, has launched the operation ‘Bombing the Thieves’ Bridge’ in collaboration with the CAT Office, G., mobile phone network operators AIS DTAC TRUE NT, and local security agencies to cut the mobile phone signal and WiFi internet that criminals illegally use to deceive Thai citizens.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division

Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai stated that they will begin pressing the first action of the ‘Explosion of Thieves’ Bridge’ in Chiang Rai Province toward the thieves’ base of operations in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.

The territory surrounding King Roman in Laos. King Roman is now a full-service entertainment destination with an airport that welcomes travelers from Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, he explained.

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai, this operation will have no influence on honest people along the Thai border, and it will only target cyber criminals.

They will also increase the arrest and prosecution of unlawful service towers, such as SIM booths, which allow gangs register SIM cards to swindle the people. Dealing with criminal organizations of foreigners and Thais who band together to deceive and damage Thais.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) suspended more than three million SIM cards on July 16 because the holders had not verified their identities with their mobile phone operators by the deadline, in accordance with the NBTC’s measures to combat alleged fraudsters’ mule accounts.

The names of the holders of 80 million mobile phone numbers used for mobile banking transactions did not match the names associated with the mobile banking accounts.

The NBTC would require mobile phone companies to authenticate SIM card holders and the names of their mobile banking accounts. The verification procedure is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.

In addition, the NBTC and Royal Thai Police have collaborated to combat illegal telecom towers throughout the country’s borders, disconnecting signals at 465 places, altering antenna direction at 470 towers, and dismantling antennas at 179 locations.

They are certain that the move will disrupt contact center gangs and other types of technology-based crime.

Other Chiang Rai 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/

Chiang Rai News

Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, shot and killed a 28-year-old man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a machete. The officer was slashed in the right leg with the machete.

According to police, the culprit, known only as Mr. Toon, had been harassing local villagers in Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai, threatening them with a knife and using violet insults.

The village headman arrived on the scene to try to calm Mr. Toon, but he was shouting hysterically and taking swipes at him with the machete, so he contacted the police.

When the responding officer arrived at the site about 9 p.m., he attempted to calm the man, but he instead assaulted the officer, slashing his right leg with the machete. In self-defense, the cop had to fire his gun at Mr. Toon, striking him in the chest.

Mr. Toon and the policeman were taken to Mae Chan Hospital, where Mr. Toon died of a gunshot wound. Pol Sgt. Sutthikiat Phanomphraisakul was released from the hospital after receiving numerous stitches for his injuries.

Local police received a tip around 9.30 p.m. yesterday that a guy was causing mayhem in the village. When authorities arrived, they discovered 28-year-old Toon strolling along a public road, holding a large knife and threatening people. Mae Chan district officials attempted to contain the incident.

During a search of Mr. Toon’s home, authorities discovered methamphetamine consumption equipment. Locals told authorities that the man was addicted to Yaba (Methamphetamine) and an alcoholic.

The authorities are conducting an inquiry to determine Toon’s motivations and whether any underlying issues contributed to his violent outburst.