Category: The Bangkok Post

Thailand’s first locally developed passenger rail coach has been handed over to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), marking a step towards putting home-grown rail technology into practical use and reducing reliance on imported coaches.

The prototype, developed under the Thai-Made Train project led by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), was officially delivered to the SRT for further testing before entering passenger service.

Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat, who witnessed the handover ceremony, said the project showed how research could be translated into practical innovation.

He said valuable research should address national needs, adding that the SRT’s demand for new passenger coaches presented an opportunity to strengthen Thailand’s rail industry.

If Thailand can manufacture passenger coaches domestically, it will reduce imports, create added value for local manufacturers and strengthen the country’s industrial supply chain, he said.

Mr Yodchanan said the prototype brought together expertise in engineering, materials science, air-conditioning systems and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to improve maintenance efficiency and passenger services.

“The project could serve as a model not only for Thailand’s rail industry but also for other manufacturing sectors. It shows how innovation can be put to use in the real world, driving development and long-term competitiveness,” he said.

Prof Kittipong Kittayarak, chancellor of KMITL, said the handover marked the beginning, not the end, of cooperation between the university and the SRT.

He said the partnership would continue to develop skilled personnel, research and innovation.

SRT governor Anan Phonimdaeng said the agency would work with KMITL and partners to conduct safety and performance tests before introducing the coach on tourist routes of 200-500km.

An alms-giving ceremony will be held in Nakhon Ratchasima next week to honour the virtues of the 10 monks who lost their lives in a tragic crash involving a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy with autism in Mukdahan on Thursday.

Among those killed was Phra Sakorn Tapakhuno, a 63-year-old monk from Korat, whose body arrived in the northeastern province on Friday night. Many monks, relatives and lay Buddhists gathered to receive him and pay their respects.

The incident, which claimed the lives of 10 monks, has deeply saddened Thailand, as a Buddhist nation, along with the monastic community and the public at large.

To express condolences and honour their virtues, The Mall Korat will host an alms-giving ceremony dedicated to the departed monks on Tuesday, July 7, at 7.07am at the plaza in front of the department store.

The day coincides with a Buddhist holy day, and the public is invited to join.

Phra Thep Simaphorn, the province’s chief monk and abbot of Wat Bueng, will preside over the ceremony. Monks from Wat Bueng and Wat Phayap will be invited to receive alms, according to Preecha Lim-ua, general manager of the store.

The ceremony also aims to send encouragement to monks still recovering and to families affected by the sorrowful event.

The fatal accident occurred late Thursday morning as a group of 35 monks and laymen walked in single file towards Don Tan district in Mukdahan. Five were killed instantly, while five others succumbed to their injuries at Mukdahan Hospital.

More than a dozen people were injured, three critically.

SONY has announced that it will cease production of physical PlayStation game discs starting from January 2028, pivoting entirely towards digital distributions via its online storefront to adapt to shifting market trends and evolving consumer habits.

According to the announcement, all video games released from January 2028 onwards will be available exclusively in digital formats through the PlayStation Store and official online storefronts. The Japanese tech giant clarified that previously released physical games will remain unaffected by the transition.

Sid Shuman, a senior executive at Sony, noted that the decision reflects a broader transformation within the entertainment sector and consumer behavior, where digital media has taken precedence over physical discs. This shift has significantly diminished the retail presence and market share of physical storage media.

The strategic pivot is backed by internal data, with Sony’s 2025 financial performance metrics revealing that physical disc sales had dwindled to a mere 3% of the company’s total software sales.

The announcement comes just days after Rockstar Games confirmed that its highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 will be launched as a digital-only title. The physical boxed versions of the game will contain only a digital download code instead of a traditional Blu-ray disc.

Industry analysts point out that digital transactions already account for 80% of software sales on the PlayStation platform and 90% on Xbox. Combined with recent price hikes for gaming hardware, this trend has fueled increased demand for cheaper, digital-only console variations that lack disc drives.

In a separate move, Sony also announced the impending closure of the PlayStation Store for legacy platforms, namely the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. In Thailand, the closure will take effect from July 2027, meaning users will no longer be able to purchase new digital titles, though previously owned games can still be re-downloaded.

Commenting on the shift, Rhys Elliott, an industry analyst at Alinea Analytics, suggested that the decision is driven more by market dominance and profitability than consumer-friendly policies. He explained that physical media only generates revenue for platform holders like Sony upon its initial retail sale, whereas the thriving pre-owned market and rental ecosystem yield zero additional revenue for the corporation.

“By eliminating physical discs, value is redirected back into full-priced digital sales for new games or transactions vanish entirely, Both outcomes are far more lucrative for Sony than allowing the second-hand market to thrive.” Mr Elliott said.

Mr Elliott added that retail prices for physical media remain highly flexible based on supply and demand, often making used games much cheaper than Sony’s fixed digital storefront prices. Going fully digital removes the option for budget-conscious consumers to wait for cheaper pre-owned copies, effectively granting Sony complete pricing control over the PlayStation ecosystem.

Conversely, game developers might find a silver lining in the cloud. Traditionally, studios have been required to submit a completed “gold master” version of a game to Sony for compliance and certification up to three months before its official release date.

In theory, this meant developers had to wrap up production a full quarter-year ahead of launch. In reality, under strict crunch conditions, developers frequently rushed to submit a bare-minimum build that could pass certification, relies heavily on mandatory day-one digital patches to fix bugs post-launch.

Mr Elliott warned that if other major publishers follow Sony’s lead and adopt a 100% digital policy, traditional brick-and-mortar retail shops will face severe hardships. While boxed products like GTA 6 will still line store shelves, they will offer no resale value, cannot be loaned to friends, and hold far less appeal for collectors, signaling a potential end for specialized gaming outlets.

The migration towards digital consumption is not isolated to Sony. Other industry titans, including Nintendo, Capcom, and Electronic Arts (EA), have all reported exponential growth in digital sales at the expense of physical media. Analysts previously feared that Sony’s move would deal a fatal blow to retailers like GameStop, though recent data indicates that physical software sales account for less than 20% of GameStop’s revenue, with the remaining 80% generated by hardware sales and merchandise.

Thailand is intensifying its efforts to combat global warming by steering investment towards green manufacturing.

At the centre of this strategy is the bio-, circular and green (BCG) economic model — a framework that aims to balance growth with sustainability.

Though it no longer commands the same spotlight it did when first introduced several years ago, BCG remains crucial to Thailand’s ambition of achieving a net-zero target by 2050, 15 years earlier than its original target.

The Explainer examines how BCG is evolving under the current government, its role in Thailand’s economic revival and whether businesses are truly embracing the model.

Did BCG lose steam as a key government policy?

While the BCG model was not initiated by the Anutin Charnvirakul government, it continues to play a vital role in Thailand’s climate strategy.

Declared a national agenda item in 2021 under former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, BCG promotes manufacturing that adds value to products while minimising environmental impact.

Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said one of his priorities is to transition Thai industry towards high-technology, environmentally-friendly production.

He said he wants to meet foreign investors to discuss expansion projects and clarify policies supporting the industrial sector, including the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) and the development of renewable energy.

Mr Varawut emphasised that stricter environmental standards will be enforced to raise Thailand’s competitiveness in global markets.

“The world is moving towards stricter environmental standards,” said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the Board of Investment (BoI), stressing that Thailand must adapt or risks being left behind.

He said Thailand formed a path for its transition to a green economy by prioritising environmentally-friendly, low-carbon products in its national export strategy to meet global demand.

According to the World Bank’s Thailand Economic Monitor of February 2026, advanced green manufacturing is a critical pathway to stimulate the economy and overcome structural bottlenecks.

Kiatipong Ariyapruchya, senior country economist for the World Bank in Thailand, said projects that scale up green manufacturing could lift GDP by 2.9% by 2035 and create 203,000 high-quality jobs.

“The green economy is an opportunity for Thailand, supporting sustainable growth, attracting investment and helping manufacturing become the new engine of development,” he said.

Beyond GDP growth, the BCG model is seen as a shield against environmental degradation. By reducing resource consumption and minimising carbon footprints, Thailand hopes to position itself as a leader in Southeast Asia’s green transition.

Last year, Mr Anutin announced Thailand would accelerate its net-zero target to 2050, underscoring the urgency of climate action.

The BoI has emphasised that governments and international organisations are crucial in this journey, providing regulatory frameworks, climate goals and financial incentives to spur green investment.

The focal areas are clear: EVs, renewable energy and circular economy businesses that upcycle waste into value-added products.

How does the BoI promote BCG?

The BoI has been instrumental in driving BCG forward, offering strong tax incentives to companies in EV manufacturing, battery energy storage and agriculture.

Between 2023 and 2025, the board approved 2,585 BCG-related project proposals.

Applications for incentives surged from 791 projects worth 187 billion baht in 2023 to 907 projects valued at 226 billion in 2024.

In 2025, applications totalled 887 projects with investments of 224 billion baht.

“The green manufacturing sector is emerging as a key growth driver for Thailand’s economy,” Mr Narit said.

Much of this investment comes from abroad, with Japan, China, the US and European countries leading the charge, he said.

The BoI’s policy aligns with global trends in sustainability, positioning Thailand as a key investment destination.

By offering incentives and promoting BCG-related industries, the board is helping ensure Thailand remains competitive in the global market, said Mr Narit.

Thailand’s gamble on BCG is ambitious but necessary, he noted, as climate change is no longer a distant threat — it is a present reality reshaping economies worldwide.

By embracing green manufacturing, Thailand is not only protecting its environment but also carving out a competitive edge in the global market, according to the BoI.

Are businesses interested in adopting BCG?

Businesses across many industries are increasingly embracing green practices to protect the environment and align with global standards.

Chinese firms pledged investment of 172 billion baht in EVs, batteries and electronics in 2025, according to the BoI.

These projects, particularly in battery-powered cars, directly support BCG’s goal of reducing transport sector emissions.

Japanese manufacturers are focusing on renewable energy and integrating carbon-reduction expertise into Thai factories.

European investors are targeting bio-based industries and high-value chemicals, aligning Thai production with the EU’s strict environmental standards.

Meanwhile, US tech companies are investing in Thailand’s digital and green economy.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the global cloud service arm of Amazon, is designing data centres to be less carbon-intensive, with innovations in power, cooling and hardware efficiency.

AWS aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040, in line with the “Climate Pledge” co-founded by Amazon.

Annabel Lee, head of policy for Asean at AWS, said the company is designing its data centres to be less carbon-intensive from the ground up. The company’s next-generation facilities will be more efficient, helping it meet sustainability goals, she said.

Thailand is preparing to elevate a cross-border heroin trafficking investigation involving a Thai cabin crew member detained in Australia to special case status, as a wider syndicate and overseas recipient network come into focus.

Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Secretary-General Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol confirmed that the case involving Ms Meena, a 26-year-old flight attendant arrested in Melbourne on June 25 with nearly 1kg of heroin, is being proposed for transfer to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for handling as a special investigation.

He said the scale of the operation, involving recruitment, packaging, transport and overseas distribution across multiple jurisdictions, meets the criteria of an organised transnational crime network.

ONCB Director of the Narcotics Suppression Division, Kanisorn Papeeranon, said the move would strengthen coordination with international partners, particularly the Australian Federal Police, as digital and logistical evidence continues to expand.

He added that investigators are still awaiting the full extraction of data from Ms Meena’s seized mobile phone, which is currently being analysed by a separate Australian forensic unit and is critical to confirming communication routes and overseas contacts.

Recipient identified

Mr Kanisorn confirmed that investigators have identified a Melbourne-based recipient referred to as “Dear”, a woman believed to be linked to the intended handover of the heroin shipment.

He said intelligence indicates the consignment comprised 12 Otop elephant-pattern embroidered fabric bags, one of which was found to conceal narcotics, while another remains under examination.

The parcel was allegedly arranged through a Facebook account named “Rose Rose”, which hired Ms Meena to transport the goods under the guise of commercial Otop products. The fee was 3,400 baht, according to Pol Lt Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police.

Mr Kanisorn said investigators believe the final transfer point was a hotel in Melbourne, though precise contact details and meeting arrangements for “Dear” remain unverified due to incomplete digital evidence.

Australian agencies have also flagged two to three additional Thai nationals as part of a suspected network of recipients.

Mr Kanisorn explained that the absence of direct contact information for “Dear” is partly due to Australia’s segmented investigative structure. The Australian Border Force initially intercepted the drugs, and the Australian Federal Police is leading the investigation, while a separate forensic unit is currently extracting data from electronic devices seized in the case.

Thai investigators say this division of roles has slowed the release of key digital evidence needed to fully map the overseas coordination chain.

Multi-stage logistics system

As the investigation widened, the ONCB and police carried out coordinated raids in Bangkok on Tuesday and Wednesday, uncovering large heroin stockpiles linked to the same trafficking pattern.

Seizures included more than 8kg of heroin discovered during a raid in the Bang Khen-Lak Si area, where the drugs had been concealed inside decorative fabric wall hangings. A second operation in Soi Rang Nam uncovered around 9kg of heroin hidden within winter jackets and commercial coffee packaging prepared for shipment to Australia.

In a third raid in the Ramkhamhaeng area, officers seized 6.23kg of heroin embedded within pink Thai-style silk garments destined for Taiwan. Investigators believe the drugs were processed into thin sheets and fully packaged outside Thailand, likely in Laos, before being smuggled across the border.

A key development came on Thursday with the arrest of a Thai man, 43 and his Lao wife, 42, responsible for transporting pre-packed goods from Chiang Khan, a border district in Loei, to Bangkok, marking a critical domestic link in the supply chain.

The man admitted to delivering parcels six times for a Lao national, receiving 8,000 baht per shipment, including the parcel delivered to the air crew member. His wife denied any involvement.

Yesterday, police detained a 59-year-old man from Ayutthaya who delivered the parcel to the Thai cabin crew member at her residence in Bangkok. He admitted being hired by a foreign-looking man and is also linked to another delivery in the capital.

Mr Kanisorn said the syndicate deliberately recruits individuals in high-trust or vulnerable categories, including airline crew, students, tourists and people advertising excess baggage allowances online.

He said couriers are typically given pre-packed goods disguised as legitimate products, reducing suspicion during airport screening.

The ONCB confirmed the network shows strong links to major heroin cases in 2023 and 2024 in Samut Prakan, as well as a large seizure in Chachoengsao on March 27, where another flight attendant was arrested with more than 20kg of heroin.

Mr Suriya, the ONCB secretary-general, said the pattern indicates a long-running, adaptive transnational syndicate using airline-linked couriers and textile-based concealment methods across multiple jurisdictions.

Government-level response

Mr Suriya said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is preparing to convene an urgent meeting at Government House with the ONCB to establish enhanced countermeasures against airline-related trafficking networks.

He said the policy response will focus on tightening recruitment vulnerabilities, strengthening aviation-linked screening systems, and expanding international enforcement cooperation.

Thai and Australian agencies continue to exchange intelligence as the investigation progresses, with Ms Meena remaining in custody in Australia ahead of her scheduled court appearance on Sept 14.

Eleven people have been arrested and more are being sought in a major crackdown against a network accused of fraudulently obtaining Thai registration documents for Rohingya migrants rom Myanmar, authorities said on Saturday.

Among those in custody is a former senior district official in Surat Thani, where most of the offences took place. He is now the deputy chief of Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Police, immigration officers, officials from the Department of Provincial Administration and other agencies carried out the operation on Saturday.

Armed with 17 arrest warrants, they conducted simultaneous searches at 13 locations in Surat Thani, including Koh Samui and Koh Phangan; Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Krabi, Songkhla and Buri Ram provinces.

The arrest warrants named a former Don Sak district deputy chief in Surat Thani, a former district employee, three household owners who allegedly endorsed registrations, and 12 Rohingya migrants accused of unlawfully obtaining the cards. Six of the migrants remain at large.

The investigation targeted a fraud scheme involving the issuance of ‘zero-number identification cards’ – 13-digit ID numbers starting with 0. They are issued to non-citizens, stateless individuals or ethnic minorities legally residing in the country, granting them formal legal status, access to government services and basic healthcare.

The suspects face charges related to malfeasance in office, falsification of official documents, certifying false information, and unlawfully facilitating the inclusion of individuals in household registration records and other civil registration documents.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma, who led the operation, said the investigation stemmed from complaints filed earlier this year alleging that Rohingya migrants had illegally obtained identification cards through the Don Sak district office in Surat Thani.

A Department of Provincial Administration task force subsequently launched an inquiry. It found that a former Don Sak deputy chief named Phairat (surname withheld) collaborated with others to process registration records and issue zero-status identity cards to as many as 240 individuals between 2021 and 2023.

The findings prompted coordination with police, leading to the uncovering of a broader criminal network, said Pol Gen Samran.

According to Pol Gen Samran, registration fraud in Thailand takes many forms, including identity theft involving inactive registrants, false birth registrations, false marriages, and misuse of education entitlements.

However, he described the Don Sak case as particularly serious because it had potentially significant implications for national security.

He said many of the migrants involved were believed to have originated from Rakhine State in Myanmar, where the Rohingya have been persecuted for decades, and entered Thailand either as part of human trafficking operations or through illegal border crossings. Some then sought registration status to enable them to remain in the country.

According to the investigation, the network consisted of two main groups. The first comprised brokers who recruited household owners willing to include foreign nationals in their house registration records in exchange for payments of 1,000 to 2,000 baht per person.

The brokers also reportedly charged the Rohingya migrants up to 50,000 baht each to obtain the special identification cards, with at least 15 million baht said to have changed hands.

The second group involved corrupt public officials. Investigators identified one registration official and one district official accused of facilitating the issuance of the documents.

Pol Gen Samran said that once undocumented migrants obtain zero-status cards, police can no longer prosecute them for illegal entry because the documents identify the holders as individuals awaiting nationality verification.

This enables recipients to establish communities, appoint leaders and carry on activities with a greater degree of security, he said.

Investigators also reported cases of intimidation, extortion and ransom demands within Rohingya communities, including incidents involving firearms and physical assaults.

Such activities may be linked to broader human trafficking operations and have contributed to serious criminal problems in affected areas, said Pol Gen Samran.

Provincial authorities have reportedly ordered the immediate dismissal of the implicated officials from the civil service and suspended all registration updates for names flagged by investigators.

Any cards found to have been issued unlawfully will be systematically revoked and purged from the state database, officials said.

The Royal Thai Police are not limiting the investigation to southern Thailand but will expand the crackdown nationwide to root out registration fraud networks.

Authorities vowed to pursue all those involved, including brokers, foreign nationals and civil servants who abuse their positions, said the deputy police chief.

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) will also investigate the financial transactions of suspects and their associates, trace financial flows and pursue asset seizures in an effort to dismantle the network and its operations entirely.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has kicked off a 30-billion-baht “Khon La Khrueng” (half-half) loan programme aimed at helping farmers reduce their production costs.

The premier, together with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas in his capacity as board chairman of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), launched the scheme on Friday following a cabinet resolution.

The programme forms part of the government’s policy to strengthen Thailand’s agricultural sector by supporting the transition from traditional farming to precision, resilient and sustainable agriculture, while reducing production costs, creating added value throughout the supply chain and enhancing the competitiveness of Thai farmers.

The initiative offers farmers access to low-interest financing to buy production inputs and supports the development of agricultural skills and farm management capabilities.

The bank also provides advisory services through the BAAC Mobile app, offering knowledge and consultation on fertiliser analysis and crop cultivation to help farmers improve their accuracy and efficiency.

Farmers can access soil quality analysis through the “Nong Din Dee” website or Line Official Account, and receive guidance on using the Agri-Map Online app developed by the Land Development Department. Agri-Map Online provides geospatial information and web-based mapping services, including recommendations for adjusting production through alternative crop options. The app can be accessed via smartphones through the App Store and Google Play.

Farmers wishing to participate in the programme must be BAAC customers and registered farmers with the relevant government authorities. Eligible participants must cultivate one or more of the seven designated cash crops: rice, feed corn, oil palm, cassava, rubber, sugar cane or fruit.

Applicants are required to complete training or skills development in production cost management provided by the BAAC, agencies under the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, or other participating organisations. The training includes the efficient use of fertiliser based on soil analysis.

Loans must be used to purchase fertiliser from participating farmer institutions, farmer groups, community enterprises under the programme, or other BAAC-approved suppliers. Farmers are required to use certified seeds or planting materials that meet quality standards recommended by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, or specified by BAAC.

The Department of Internal Trade oversees pricing to ensure these inputs are sold at reasonable prices.

Borrowers must repay the loan within the repayment period specified by BAAC. Participants receive payments for the sale of their agricultural produce through a BAAC deposit account and authorise BAAC to act in accordance with Section 28 of the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act.

According to Mr Anutin, BAAC extends 500-600 billion baht in agricultural loans annually. Of this amount, 70-80% is for production inputs, including fertilisers, seeds and pesticides.

The sadly typical story of a Thai citizen being taken into custody in a foreign country on drug smuggling allegations should be almost too mundane to merit meaningful discussion, yet the national interest in the case involving a Thai Airways flight attendant has raised some points of note, notably what aspects of the story have triggered interest.

The employee of Thailand’s flag carrier was stopped at Melbourne Airport on June 25 and subsequently found with about 1 kilogramme of heroin, estimated to be worth over 11 million baht, concealed in the lining of tote bags among her luggage.

So far identified only as Meena, the attendant has told authorities she was travelling with the 12 tote bags after being hired to bring them from an unknown sender to an unknown recipient in Australia.

Where the case has become interesting is how it has been approached here in Thailand.

While the expected process of deciphering the chain of possession for the narcotics is ongoing, considerable effort, by authorities as well as the media, has been devoted to determining if Ms Meena intended to transport the contraband or if she was duped into doing so.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) declared that it was not able to find any evidence that the flight attendant was an actual drug trafficker, giving weight to the view that she is somehow a victim of a transnational drug operation.

ONCB deputy director-general Areepak Ngernbamroong did make a point of saying it had not been determined why the woman took the risk of carrying the tote bags from a stranger. Most Thai flight crew, she said, would refuse to carry items from an anonymous party.

Even celebrity lawyer Decha Kittivittayanan took time to speak about this aspect of the case.

‘I believe the Thai Airways flight attendant was tricked and used by criminals because she openly submitted to having the 12 bags inspected,’ he said.

‘I believe she was unaware that there were narcotics inside the bags and I hope her the best in being absolved from this case.’

The comment echoes a recent headline from a Thai-language television station, to the effect that ‘the flight attendant was likely an unwitting pawn in the drug trade.’

It has been reported that the woman herself has maintained in interviews with Australian investigators that she did not know the contents of the bags she had agreed to carry.

Services advertised

This focus on the flight attendant’s awareness, and the general sense among the media that there is a drug network conning individuals into being drug mules, seems to overlook the established fact that Ms Meena was advertising her ‘carrying services’ online.

Even if it were proven true that she was genuinely deceived into transporting drug-laced bags, as a professional airline employee, Ms Meena should have known better than to take on the liability of a third party’s goods.

More significantly, she should have known the likelihood that this particular sad chain of events would eventually transpire.

There may be many people who find it convenient or cost-effective to send items overseas via flight attendants, but it takes a wilful obliviousness to not consider that many of them would have nefarious reasons for not choosing a more conventional method.

One online post made in reference to Ms Meena’s situation came from Suthinan Maneelorsawat, a veteran flight attendant and founder of the Sky Coach Mam training institute for flight attendants. She made clear that regardless of the legality of an item, the majority of airlines maintain a policy against flight crews ‘carrying’ goods as a matter of security.

Standard policy, she pointed out, is that cabin attendants are forbidden from accepting any items for transport, boarding planes with belongings other than their own, and holding any items for others if they are not aware of the true contents.

Most airlines, on finding a violation of this policy, would consider the holder of the goods at fault regardless of any other circumstances.

Importantly, Ms Suthinan noted that the policy is especially aimed at flight crews because of the privileges they are afforded in travelling through airports and between countries.

This is not only standard practice among commercial carriers, it is a widely understood part of the industry, she said.

The woman at the centre of this case has seemingly claimed ignorance of the narcotics that have landed her in Australian detention, but she cannot say that was unaware of her offence against basic flight crew protocols and the inherent dangers.

Admitting to not only carrying goods as a side job but also to advertising her services online, Ms Meena must be made to understand how culpable she is in the criminal action that has taken place.

Flawed thinking

However, the conversation that has dominated the headlines, focusing on how heroin came to be ‘planted’ on the flight attendant, seems to imply that she needs to be absolved of the larger crime.

The flaw in this line of thinking is that to excuse Ms Meena by virtue of ignorance would be to encourage others to continue engaging in risky acts.

Worse yet, it would support the argument that people should attempt to know less while carrying out such acts, so that if things were to ever go sideways they could simply shrug their shoulders and lament that they were deceived.

While some people seem to think this a new scheme by the malevolent drug trade, it is no secret that international ‘carrying’ services have long been common and that those involved understand the loopholes they have created in the customs system.

The lesson taken from this case should not be that drug dealers are targeting unsuspecting goods transporters, it should be that transporters are blameworthy enablers of the illegal trade.

Highway police have arrested four Chinese men, suspected of having links to a scam network, on a long-distance southern bus route in Tha Sae district of Chumphon province.

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Thailand will send four padel athletes to compete at the 20th Asian Games in Japan as the sport has been included as a medal event in the regional tournament for the first time.

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.dedda ehs “,sesnepxe lla rof elbisnopser eb lliw noitaicossa eht tub ,semaG naisA eht ot setelhta ruo dnes ot yaw a gnidnif ni troffe sti rof eettimmoC cipmylO iahT eht knaht eW .tegdub detacolla eht rednu etepmoc tonnac setelhta ruo erofereht dna dnaliahT fo ytirohtuA stropS eht htiw ydob lanoitan desingocer a sa gniretsiger fo ssecorp eht ni si noitaicossA ledaP eht ,revewoH”

.lanreB oreleM leugiM drainapS yb dehcaoc era yehT .gnaergnurirS serraD dna tresarpkraN eilataN ,elamaloiccoM onafetS ,lawaR vanrA :nemow owt dna nem owt edulcni maet iahT ehT .semaG naisA ht02 eht ta sbarg rof pu sladem dlog owt dna — selbuod s’nemow dna selbuod s’nem eht — stneve owt eb lliw erehT

.3 tcO ot 92 tpeS morf dleh eb lliw noititepmoc ledap ehT .kalapuS dedda ,aisenodnI dna ,narI ,napaJ stsoh era srotitepmoc tsegnorts s’dnaliahT