Category: The Bangkok Post

Eighteen people were arrested on Thursday while attempting to steal underground copper cables belonging to National Telecom in Muang district, posing as telecommunications employees wearing custom-made uniforms.

The arrests took place at around 1am on Sawanvitee Road in front of the Fairyland department store in tambon Pak Nampho, after police were alerted to suspicious activity, said Pol Col Phumrapee Phalaphum, superintendent of the Muang Nakhon Sawan station.

Authorities also seized five vehicles used in the operation and a large quantity of cable-cutting equipment from the suspects, both men and women.

The seized vehicles included pickup trucks, sedans and a truck for transporting the stolen cables. One had been fitted with a rescue foundation logo sticker to appear legitimate and avoid scrutiny from both the public and authorities.

Investigators found that the group was a large, professional gang from eastern Thailand and had been operating across several provinces in the central region, Pol Col Phumraphee said.

Police said the culprits had even invested in custom-made uniforms bearing the name of a private telecom company, allowing them to open manholes and cut copper cables without attracting suspicion.

Further investigation revealed that the company did not actually exist.

An investigative source said the suspects had rented rooms at a resort in the district since June 15 and began stealing telephone cables to extract and sell the copper, which has high market value.

The gang had reportedly completed one successful theft previously, earning more than 300,000 baht, before returning to commit a second.

When police surrounded the area, some of the cables had already been cut, but had not yet been pulled from the conduit. The operation prevented damage estimated at more than 10 million baht, Pol Col Phumrephee said.

An employee of National Telecom said that all of the telephone cables inside the underground conduits had already been decommissioned and were in the process of being gradually removed and returned to the state enterprise.

NT later discovered irregularities when sections of underground cable were found missing from several locations. They alerted police and closely monitored the situation.

Police believed the 18 suspects were part of a larger cable-theft network, which may operate in separate teams across different provinces. Investigators suspect there are higher-level organisers who direct the operation.

The investigation is expanding to link the case to similar incidents in other locations, police said.

Thailand must urgently strengthen its “communication sovereignty” to protect national interests in an increasingly borderless digital environment dominated by global technology platforms and emerging low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks, according to AM Thanapant Raicharoen, commissioner of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

“Threats to national security have evolved far beyond conventional military confrontations,” he said, adding that cybercrime, call centre scams, and online fraud continue to inflict substantial economic damage.

“Thailand now faces a more subtle but potentially far-reaching challenge: the erosion of communication sovereignty.”

Communication sovereignty refers to the ability of a nation and its citizens to control, govern and protect their communication systems, information flows and digital infrastructure from external influence or domination.

AM Thanapant said that in the digital era, communication sovereignty has become as strategically important as territorial sovereignty was in previous generations.

As over-the-top (OTT) platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) and LEO satellite networks continue to transform the communications landscape, communication sovereignty is rapidly emerging as one of the defining telecom and national security challenges confronting Thailand in the coming decade, he said.

DIGITAL BORDERS

According to AM Thanapant, communication sovereignty encompasses four critical dimensions.

The first is infrastructure sovereignty, which concerns a country’s ability to oversee and maintain control over strategic telecommunications assets, including submarine cables, mobile networks, satellite systems, cloud infrastructure and domestic data centres.

As global technology companies increasingly expand beyond online platforms into connectivity services, this issue is becoming more pressing.

Particular attention is being paid to the rapid development of direct-to-consumer broadband services delivered through LEO satellite constellations.

Unlike traditional telecommunications models, these networks can provide internet access directly to end users without relying extensively on local terrestrial infrastructure or domestic service providers.

“If global operators are able to provide end-to-end communications services directly to consumers, countries may gradually lose influence over key layers of their digital ecosystem,” AM Thanapant noted.

The second dimension is data sovereignty.

Data has emerged as a strategic national asset comparable to energy resources in previous industrial eras. Massive volumes of personal, behavioural and economic data generated by Thai users are increasingly stored and processed on infrastructure controlled by multinational tech corporations.

Without appropriate safeguards, Thailand risks losing control over how such data is collected, utilised and monetised, AM Thanapant said.

The third dimension is regulatory sovereignty.

He said governments must retain the ability to enforce national laws and regulations in the digital environment, including measures addressing illegal content, misinformation, cybercrime and platform accountability.

Regulators worldwide are struggling to overcome jurisdictional limitations when dealing with global OTT platforms whose operations often extend beyond national legal frameworks.

The challenge for policymakers is to establish effective regulatory mechanisms that preserve public interests while maintaining an open and competitive digital economy.

The fourth dimension concerns content and cultural sovereignty.

As AI increasingly powers recommendation systems and content-distribution algorithms, global digital platforms are exerting unprecedented influence over how information is consumed, interpreted and shared.

Such influence extends beyond commerce and entertainment, potentially affecting public opinion, cultural values and political discourse.

“Today’s algorithms do not merely determine what people watch. They increasingly shape what people know, what they believe and, ultimately, how they think,” AM Thanapant said.

He said Thailand remains heavily dependent on foreign technology ecosystems, ranging from social media and streaming platforms to cloud services and emerging satellite communications networks.

The country’s reliance on foreign-controlled platforms, infrastructure and digital services could expose it to external influence, data leakage and diminished regulatory authority, he added.

STRATEGIC RESPONSE

AM Thanapant said there are three priorities Thailand should adopt, with the first accelerating the development of domestic digital capabilities in order to reduce excessive dependence on foreign providers.

Secondly, regulators should adopt proactive and appropriate governance frameworks for OTT platforms and emerging digital services.

Finally, Thailand should deepen regional cooperation to enhance collective bargaining power when engaging with global technology companies and transnational digital service providers, said AM Thanapant.

“The communication sovereignty should not be interpreted as digital isolationism, but rather as ensuring Thailand maintains sufficient strategic autonomy to protect national interests in a highly interconnected world,” he said.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed concern about the economic impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, especially in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and called for accelerated efforts to increase water reserves in the eastern region.

According to government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, water demand in the EEC region – Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao provinces – is projected to nearly double from current levels next year.

The EEC is already home to a number of data centres, most of them modest in scale, but a handful of major projects are in the pipeline, which is pushing up demand for uninterrupted, industrial-grade water for cooling systems.

Climate variability and recurring weather patterns like El Niño can strain water supplies, with reservoir capacity in the region sometimes falling below 50%.

Ms Rachada said forecasts indicate the El Nino phenomenon will lead to less rainfall than usual, affecting water availability in many areas, especially key economic zones such as the EEC.

‘Mr Anutin emphasised the need for proactive water management, including the use of forecasting data to plan water allocation in advance rather than waiting until shortages occur before taking action,’ she said.

In the EEC, residential communities, agriculture, industry and tourism all rely on shared water resources, not to mention the need to ensure that natural ecosystems are not compromised.

The government has assigned the Office of National Water Resources to coordinate with relevant agencies and develop area-specific water management plans.

Reservoirs only 44% full

According to Ms Rachada, the EEC has 16 large and medium-sized reservoirs holding a combined 534 million cubic metres of water, representing 44% of their total storage capacity of 1.46 billion cu m.

During the 2026 rainy season (May 1 to Oct 31), authorities plan to allocate 1.06 billion cubic metres of water, including 526 million for agriculture, 217 million for industry, 169 million for domestic consumption and tourism, as well as water reserved for ecosystem preservation and system losses.

‘Mr Anutin stressed that water management must prioritise the needs of the public,’ she said. ‘Planning must ensure that agriculture, industry and other key economic sectors can continue operating without conflicts over water use or negative impacts on people’s quality of life.’

The Meteorological Department’s six-month rainfall forecasts are being used to assess water inflows into reservoirs and prepare to utilise the Eastern Water Grid for water pumping and diversion.

These measures are intended to meet water demand in 2027, when water consumption in the EEC is projected to reach 2.9 billion cubic metres.

In addition, the government is accelerating work on 39 water resource development projects in the EEC.

Once completed, these projects are expected to increase water reserves by 909 million cubic metres. Of the 39 projects, 23 have already received budget allocations.

Nineteen projects have been completed, adding 258 million cubic metres of water storage capacity, while four projects under construction are expected to add another 109 million.

The administration is calling on all sectors to use water more efficiently. Industrial operators are encouraged to transition towards smart factories to reduce water consumption, while the agricultural sector is urged to follow planting schedules and water allocation plans to minimise risks to crop yields and farmers’ incomes.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine and environmental scientist, recently predicted a super El Niño event could occur this year, with the most severe impacts beginning in the fourth quarter and continuing into the first quarter of next year.

The phenomenon is expected to bring drier conditions, reduced rainfall and more intense heat, while also disrupting ecosystems by raising sea temperatures and causing widespread coral bleaching.

The body of a red-haired young woman with extensive tattoos on her back was discovered in a rubbish bin in Klaeng district of Rayong on Thursday morning after a refuse bag burst open inside a garbage truck’s compactor.

Police, forensic officers, a doctor and rescue workers were dispatched to a road at Village Moo 8 in tambon Kasae Bon after being alerted at about 6am, said Pol Capt Chaithawat Rodma, deputy investigation chief at the Klaeng police station.

A garbage truck belonging to the Krasae Bon tambon administration organisation was found parked by the roadside when police arrived at the scene. Boonsueb Kaeokla, the kamnan (subdistrict headman), assisted authorities at the site.

In the pile of refuse, officers discovered the body of a woman believed to be about 20 years old. She had long red hair, fair skin and a slim build, with extensive tattoos covering her back, said police.

Forensic officers who examined the tattoos said they had not yet been fully coloured, and it was still unclear what the design depicted.

The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, with maggots and flies covering the remains and a strong foul odour. Authorities estimated that she had been dead for at least four to five days.

Sanya Ruamket, 52, a sanitation worker, told police that he and driver Phuwanat Phongsai had begun their routine collection round at about 5am.

While collecting waste, they came across a rubbish bin emitting an unusually putrid smell. The bin was surrounded by flies and contained large numbers of maggots. The workers emptied its contents into the truck for compaction.

As the compactor was operating, one of the refuse bags burst open, revealing what appeared to be a human body. Upon closer inspection, the workers realised it was the corpse of a woman and immediately alerted police.

Initial examinations found no identification documents or evidence revealing the victim’s identity. Due to the advanced decomposition, identification has proved difficult, and authorities have yet to determine whether the deceased was Thai or a foreign migrant worker.

Police have not ruled out any possibilities, including natural causes, an accident or homicide followed by the disposal of the body to conceal a crime.

A team of investigators has been ordered to review CCTV footage from routes leading into and out of the area and check missing persons reports and records of migrant workers in the vicinity.

The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death and confirm the victim’s identity as investigators continue efforts to unravel the mystery.

Eight people were arrested Thursday in Chiang Rai on suspicion of running a scheme that illegally issued Thai identity cards to foreigners, including Chinese and Myanmar nationals, allegedly enabling scammers, drug traffickers and money-launderers, police said.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma said police, administrative officials and representatives from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) made the arrests during raids at six locations in Wiang Chiang Rung, Mueang, Doi Luang and Wiang Kaen districts.

Three of the arrested suspects were Thai government officials, including former Wiang Kaen assistant chief Achira Jaisuya and territorial defence volunteers Siwarak Chailangkan and Pumin Kanthawee.

The other five are foreigners who illegally held ID cards. One is a Chinese woman identified as Kalaya Sae Fung, who holds shares in a technology company with a 1-billion-baht registered capital. Another is a Myanmar man who holds shares in four companies, including oil companies in Myanmar and Singapore. Three of the five foreigners were identified only as Bualai, Tawanchai and Chan.

According to Pol Gen Samran, corrupt officials in Wiang Kaen issued homeless student ID cards to Chinese, Myanmar, Lao and Vietnamese nationals in 2024 and 2025. The gang charged each alien about 100,000 baht. Police suspect some card holders included scammers and drug traffickers.

Aliens holding ID cards registered to people without home registration could travel, open bank accounts, conduct transactions and later apply for Thai citizenship. Such ID cards could also be used to launder money.

Police suspected the ID-card gang issued documents for about 200 aliens. Fourteen other suspects remained at large.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has assumed direct oversight of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), replacing his deputy Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

The move follows cabinet acknowledgement of two orders removing Mr Phiphat, who also serves as the transport minister, from supervision of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) and from the chairmanship of the EEC Policy Committee. Media reports say the decision stemmed from discussions between Mr Anutin and Mr Phiphat last week.

Under the new arrangement, the prime minister will personally oversee all EEC-related matters and position himself as the lead promoter of Thailand’s investment opportunities, using the EEC as a pilot project to attract foreign investors through a new strategic vision. Mr Anutin aims to develop the EEC into both a global food security hub and a regional data centre investment hub, the reports said.

Given the need for coordination across multiple agencies, the prime minister considered it necessary to bring the project under his direct supervision. The government sees potential in promoting the EEC as a centre for food security, citing the region’s strengths in livestock, fisheries, agriculture, fruit production and horticulture. These sectors, the reports said, could become key attractions for international investment.

At the same time, the government believes the EEC can no longer rely primarily on traditional heavy industries because of constraints relating to electricity and water supplies, both of which entail high development costs. While data centres consume substantial amounts of electricity, the government has introduced a revised electricity tariff for Category 9 users, with rates higher than those applied to other categories.

The reports said Mr Phiphat himself had raised concerns about longstanding friction between the EECO and the Board of Investment (BOI), adding he preferred not to work amid such disputes and so proposed the prime minister assume direct responsibility. The reports also denied any link between the decision and Mr Phiphat’s reported opposition to amendments to the contract for the high-speed rail project linking three airports — Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao.

Mr Anutin, who is in Russia for the Asean-Russia summit running from June 16-19, confirmed on Wednesday he will personally oversee the EEC, saying the move does not reflect conflict or a reduction in Mr Phiphat’s role. He said the EEC’s transport and infrastructure systems are already well-prepared. The next stage, he said, is to market the project internationally to attract foreign investment in industrial estates, universities, and new business cities. He was better positioned to lead this phase due to his experience meeting world leaders, private sector executives, and global investors.

“This is about creating opportunities for business partnerships and using my international missions to present Thailand and the EEC as much as possible,” he said. He said that the reassignment is not intended to diminish Mr Phiphat’s responsibilities.

Speaking to reporters at Government House, Mr Phiphat said he had not been informed in advance of the orders and learned of them when they were read out during the cabinet meeting. Asked whether he had been unable to manage the EEC portfolio, he replied such questions should be directed to the prime minister.

Mr Phiphat also rejected speculation the decision reflected internal divisions in the ruling Bhumjaithai Party or was linked to disagreements over the three-airport rail project. “There are no cracks within Bhumjaithai,” he said. “We can work together on all matters. Everyone has their own role, and I can perform any duty assigned to me.”

Authorities have expanded a major suppression campaign against proxy businesses run by foreigners from southern tourist islands to the northern destination of Chiang Mai, where police say they have identified many suspected illicit operations.

A team of 188 police officers and administrative officials launched the anti-nominee business operation on Wednesday, said Pol Maj Gen Yutthana Kaenchan, the Chiang Mai provincial police commander.

He said authorities were following the government’s policy to tackle foreigners who illegally operate businesses through Thai proxies, causing negative impacts on the local economy and business competition.

‘Chiang Mai province has been identified as one area where the ‘Koh Phangan Model’ will be expanding,’ he said, referring to the active suppression of illegal foreign business activities on the tourist island in Surat Thani province.

Pol Maj Gen Yutthana said that authorities in Chiang Mai had already identified two hotels that violated the Hotel Act, three parties that breached the Immigration Act, a group of companies in which Thai proxies held assets illegally on behalf of foreigners, and 11 companies that did not have brick-and-mortar offices as claimed in their registration.

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has strongly defended the controversial TH-AI Passport project, rejecting allegations of procurement irregularities, bid-rigging and political favouritism.

Patchara Anantasilp, the ministry’s permanent secretary, on Thursday presented a detailed timeline of the project’s development, denying it had been rushed, as lawmakers intensified scrutiny of the 1.6-billion-baht initiative.

The hearing brought together MPs from two House committees: Budget Planning and Monitoring; and Legal Affairs, Justice and Human Rights. They asked questions about the project’s accelerated implementation timeline, procurement process, and potential links between the winning consortium and politically connected business interests.

Under the first phase of the project, the government plans to spend around 1.6 billion baht to procure professional and premium generative artificial intelligence models for 5 million Thais to use for free for one year.

The winning bidder was TH Consortium, which consists of Turnkey Communication Services Plc, a Thai ICT engineering solutions specialist, and Human Intelligence Co Ltd, a joint venture between Thai and Hong Kong investors building digital education infrastructure in Thailand.

Long-term AI strategy

Mr Patchara told the lawmakers that the policy objective underpinning TH-AI Passport – expanding public awareness and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies – dated back to May 2022 under the administration of former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The initiative originated from the National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan and was subsequently incorporated into multiple national digital development frameworks, he said.

In May 2025, under the administration of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin, the national AI steering committee established an ambitious target of reaching 20 million AI users or AI-aware citizens by 2027.

Mr Patchara said the objective remained unchanged even after subsequent political transitions and the establishment of a permanent national AI committee under newly enacted legislation in 2026.

‘The target of enabling 20 million people to access and understand AI was not created overnight,’ he said. ‘It has been part of Thailand’s national AI roadmap for several years.’

AI adoption and digital skills development has become one of five urgent policy pillars of the current government, with authorities instructed to accelerate implementation during the first phase, he said.

DE Fund usage

A key point of contention involves the funding source for the project. Critics have said that financing the project through extra-budgetary funds circumvented normal parliamentary budget scrutiny.

Mr Patchara rejected those claims, explaining that when the current administration assumed office on Oct 1, available allocations under the ministry’s annual budget had largely been committed.

As a result, officials turned to the Digital Economy and Society Development Fund (DE Fund), which had about 2 billion baht in available resources.

He stressed that obtaining approval from the fund was not a simple administrative exercise but required extensive review by an independent committee comprising representatives from central government agencies and external experts in information technology and digital policy.

‘The approval process involves multiple layers of scrutiny. The committee responsible for reviewing projects is not made up solely of DE Ministry officials,’ Mr Patchara said.

The committee reviewed the project proposal, examined pricing assumptions and oversaw the preparation of the terms of reference before the procurement process proceeded in accordance with government regulations.

Procurement timeline

Responding to allegations that the contract for the project had been awarded just 34 days after bids were called, Mr Patchara said the development process stretched across several stages, beginning in 2025.

The steps included policy development, feasibility assessments, market testing, budget planning, drafting of terms and procurement procedures before the contract was signed on April 14, 2026.

‘The entire process took nearly a year. The narrative that everything was completed in 34 days is inaccurate and creates a misleading impression of how the project was actually developed,’ he said.

Terms of reference

Opposition representatives focused much of their questioning on amendments made to the project’s terms of reference.

Theerachart Kotrakul, an adviser to the opposition leader, asked whether ministry executives were aware of changes made after the project was presented to the cabinet’s economic committee.

They included the reduction of the implementation period from 90 days to 30 days, and the addition of required digital advertising screens located in convenience stores.

One requirement set out in the terms was for the winning bidder to promote the project on digital screens in at least 1,500 convenience stores in Bangkok and the provinces, totalling 6,000 screens.

Mr Patchara responded that the cabinet had approved only the policy framework and overall project objectives, not the detailed terms.

He compared the process to infrastructure development, arguing that implementation schedules are often adjusted when agencies determine that objectives can be achieved more quickly.

Regarding the addition of convenience-store media screens, he said the aim was to maximise citizen participation and public awareness.

‘The project’s success depends not only on the AI platform itself but also on public engagement. If people do not participate, the initiative cannot achieve its intended outcomes,’ Mr Patchara said.

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has denied allegations circulating on social media that it failed to act against the construction of a sediment-retention structure in disputed maritime areas along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The force insisted Thai authorities have opposed the project by Cambodia through all available channels and have prevented it from proceeding as originally planned. Claims that it had neglected its duty to protect national interests were based on incomplete information and could mislead the public about the facts surrounding the case.

The structure originated from a coastal area connected to a Cambodian private-sector development and is located in a maritime zone subject to overlapping territorial claims between Thailand and Cambodia. As such, the matter must be handled through established legal frameworks, the navy said.

Thai authorities, including the RTN, have closely monitored the situation since its inception and have lodged protests and objections.

As a result of these actions, the project owner was forced to halt construction and has been unable to complete the development according to its original plan.

The navy argued that social media posts citing photographs of the unfinished structure as evidence of official inaction were inaccurate. Instead, it said the current state of the structure is evidence of Thai efforts to stop further construction rather than any failure to act.

Regarding the dissemination of what it described as potentially misleading information, the navy said it has asked the Thailand Anti-Fake News Center to investigate the matter.

The RTN also said authorities are considering action against the Facebook page “Thai Burma Railway”, which it alleges published misleading claims about the issue. The navy said such action would aim to prevent potential harm to the public, public order, and national security.

The navy urged the public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information.

A rising Scottish boxing star has died after falling from a tuk-tuk in Phuket, prompting an outpouring of tributes from his boxing club, while the Thai driver has been arrested and charged.

Colin Cairney, a 22-year-old undefeated welterweight champion, suffered critical injuries after the incident in the Patong area of Kathu district in the early hours of June 14.

He had remained in a coma and was receiving intensive treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, said his club, 1314 Boxing Club in Stirling, Scotland.

‘He was not just a member of the club, but family. He was an important part of Team 1314 and meant so much to many people,’ the club said in a tribute posted on its Facebook page.

According to CCTV footage and information provided by hotel security personnel, before the incident, Cairney had taken a red tuk-tuk from an entertainment venue to return to his hotel after a night of partying with friends.

However, a dispute reportedly arose over the fare, as he did not have cash to pay. It was agreed that the driver would take him to withdraw money from an ATM.

Video later showed the tuk-tuk travelling back towards Patong at 4.02am without dropping off the passenger. Cairney subsequently fell from the rear of the vehicle, striking his head on the road and sustaining severe injuries.

Cairney had travelled to Phuket for a holiday with relatives and friends from the United Kingdom, according to Pol Maj Surachart Thongyai, chief investigator at the Patong police station.

He said alcohol might have been a factor as the victim’s friends appeared intoxicated when they later arrived at the hospital. Blood samples have been collected for testing, with official results still pending.

A hotel security guard told police that Cairney had unsuccessfully attempted to exchange a card for cash at the hotel before deciding to withdraw cash to pay the fare, estimated at 300 to 400 baht.

A woman was seen leaving the hotel with him, but police investigators have not yet confirmed whether she was in the tuk-tuk at the time of the incident.

CCTV footage confirmed that Cairney fell from the vehicle alone, with no evidence of an assault despite earlier speculation. The tuk-tuk driver did not stop to render assistance after the incident. (Story continues below)

Driver questioned

Patong police have since located and questioned the driver, identified only as Kitpong, a 34-year-old native of Phatthalung province.

During questioning, the driver admitted picking up a foreign man and woman from the Bangla Road entertainment district and taking them to a hotel near Kalim Beach. Upon arrival, the tourists reportedly said they had no cash to pay the fare and asked to be taken to an ATM.

The driver said he then drove the male tourist, who appeared intoxicated, to three separate ATM locations, but all attempts to withdraw money failed. He subsequently decided to return the passenger to the original pickup point on Bangla Road.

While driving along Phra Barami Road near a hotel, Mr Kitpong said he was travelling at a normal speed when he sensed that something was not right with the vehicle. However, he did not stop to check.

After driving at about two kilometres further, he realised the passenger was no longer in the vehicle.

The driver did not report the incident to police or anyone else and only later learned that the passenger had fallen from the tuk-tuk, suffered serious injuries and died.

Police have charged the driver with negligence causing death and failing to stop and provide assistance. The suspect confessed to the charges, said Pol Maj Surachart.

Cairney had an undefeated professional record in 10 fights, including six knockouts, since he began competing in February 2023. He won the WBO International Youth Welterweight Title in 2025.

Kynoch Boxing Scotland also posted a tribute on its Facebook page on Wednesday: ‘We are devastated at the news of Colin’s passing at just 22 years of age,’ it said.

‘Colin was one of the stars of our stable. Inside the ring he brought excitement every time. Outside of the ring he was an absolute gentleman who was highly regarded by everyone.’