Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Infiltration by a bad lot
News, Editorial, Published on 22/12/2025
» Images of armed clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border have drawn global attention, especially after the Thai military expanded its operations to casinos. While these sites were described as military positions used to stage attacks against Thailand, the symbolism of the strikes extends far beyond the battlefield.
Fraud fight begins
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/11/2025
» Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul this week said his administration will get tough on scammers. "Thailand must wage a war against scammers, or risk being isolated by the international community if the country fails to," he said.
Scams grow, as laws lag
Oped, Editorial, Published on 30/10/2025
» Last week, police in Chiang Rai province arrested a 35-year-old Chinese national as he went from one ATM to a multitude of others to withdraw cash. A subsequent search of his rented room showed he had in his possession 2,057 ATM cards, 537,900 baht in cash, 35 bank books, and 39 SIM cards. He was initially charged with illegally possessing ATM cards belonging to others in a manner that may cause damage, a charge carrying a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment.
Protect victims, end scam empires
Editorial, Published on 26/10/2025
» While China, the West, and South Korea are cracking down on cyber scam empires, the Thai government is still looking the other way.
Scams hurt govt's image
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/10/2025
» Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's cabinet, which was initially warmly welcomed by the public, is now facing serious confidence issues after two ministers -- Deputy Finance Minister Vorapak Tanyawong and Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow -- were named in news reports about Cambodia's scam syndicates and money laundering in Southeast Asia.
Crime still thriving
News, Editorial, Published on 16/10/2025
» The government's self-congratulation over Thailand retaining its Tier 2 ranking in the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is misplaced. Remaining at Tier 2 -- for the fourth consecutive year -- is not an achievement. It's an alarm bell signalling that the country is standing still while crime spreads beneath its feet.
Fraud sweep causes fallout
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/09/2025
» In principle, any government deserves praise for efforts to tackle online fraud and mule accounts. However, the latest attempt by the Bank of Thailand (BoT), the cyber police under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the police, and commercial banks has drawn condemnation, rather than praise.
Scam victims are still stranded
Editorial, Published on 16/03/2025
» Social attention on the scam city in Myawaddy may fizzle out. Thousands of human trafficking victims lured into scam operations across the Thai borders may have returned home, but many more remain trapped -- inside and outside scam centres -- waiting for help. Meanwhile, human traffickers operate with impunity. This cannot continue.
Lax border tech invites crime
Editorial, Published on 02/03/2025
» Thailand's immigration system is in disarray. A failure to collect biometric data from 17 million travellers has left the country vulnerable, exposing deep flaws in its security apparatus -- not to mention its immigration controls.
Crackdown on Scam City
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/01/2025
» The arrest this weekend of 32 Indonesians for having entered Thailand illegally after fleeing a city on the Thai-Myanmar border that is notorious for operating scams is maddening, to say the least.