Category: The Bangkok Post

The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has clarified that it can exercise its investigative authority in cases related to scam-linked money laundering or financial crimes only if the offences fall under the Securities and Exchange Act.

SEC deputy secretary-general Anek Yooyuen was responding on Friday to recent reports about alleged money laundering through cryptocurrency transactions or connections between certain brokers and scam networks.

Of particular concern have been a series of investigative reports about the acquisition of large stakes in Thai listed companies by parties linked to a Cambodian scam-centre kingpin. The revelations led to the resignation of Deputy Finance Minister Vorapak Tanyawong earlier this week.

Mr Anek said multiple agencies are involved in such matters, and all operations are being carried out by an inter-agency task force. The SEC’s jurisdiction is limited to violations related to securities laws, he said.

In cases where individuals are suspected of holding shares in listed companies through nominee structures, Mr Anek said the Securities and Exchange Act requires any shareholder acquiring more than 5%, 25% or 75% of total voting shares to report and disclose the acquisition. Failure to make such a disclosure violates the law.

His comments addressed public concerns regarding the identity verification of individuals named Ben Smith, Benjamin Mauerberger, and Benjamin Berger, and whether they are the same person or connected to transnational financial crimes or money laundering.

The SEC referred the matter to the Economic Crime Suppression Division of the Royal Thai Police to investigate and determine whether these individuals are linked to any cross-border financial misconduct.

Mr Mauerberger, originally from South Africa, has been linked to numerous questionable transactions. Investigative journalist Tom Wright has detailed how Mr Mauerberger’s Thai wife and the wife of Mr Vorapak were paid in cryptocurrency for shares as part of a secret takeover of Finansia Syrus Securities Plc.

Responding to reports that a listed company and a securities firm might be linked to a money-laundering network, Mr Anek said there was no conclusive evidence at this stage to confirm wrongdoing.

Any further determination would depend on the evidence gathered, he said.

In addition, questions were raised concerning SET-listed Stecon Group Plc leasing office space to a foreign entity suspected of involvement in grey-money operations or scam-related activities.

Mr Anek said such matters may fall under other laws, but are not covered by securities law.

‘If an action violates the Securities and Exchange Act and falls within the SEC’s authority, we will proceed with a full investigation whether or not a complaint is filed,’ he said.

‘However, if the action does not fall under securities law, the SEC has no authority to investigate. Authorities must determine whether the conduct violates other laws, such as consumer protection or criminal law, which are in the jurisdiction of other agencies.’

The new L.U.C Full Strike Revelation in radiant yellow gold is as ear-pleasing as the rose gold original from 2016.

It was actually Chopard’s first minute repeater with a novel system of generating and propagating a crystal-clear sound, which along with other innovations made the L.U.C Full Strike worthy of the Aiguille d’Or that Chopard took home at the GPHG 2017.

The coveted award underlines the maison’s prowess in haute horlogerie. The heritage dates back to 1860, when Louis-Ulysse Chopard set up a workshop in the village of Sonvilier.

Named after the founder, the L.U.C collection epitomises the highest standard of Swiss watchmaking.

Co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is commited to raising the bar, and establishing the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier in 1996 was instrumental in developing mechanical movements and complications.

Devising chiming mechanisms resulted in the L.U.C Strike One and the L.U.C Full Strike that respectively marked the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier.

The 25-year milestone was commemorated by a limited-edition L.U.C Full Strike in a sapphire crystal case. A blue version followed as Chopard explored the palette of the sapphire crystal technology.

Over the years, the 42.5mm case has been crafted in various materials including platinum and ceramicised titanium for reinterpretations of the groundbreaking minute repeater.

The latest L.U.C Full Strike Revelation further demonstrates that changing the case material to ethical 18-carat yellow gold does not affect the purity of the signature crystal-clear sound.

Chopard harnessed the acoustic properties of sapphire crystal, traditionally used for scratch-resistant watch glasses, for its ingenious audio system.

The protective sapphire crystal also serves as a resonator for the sound generated by hammers hitting sapphire crystal gongs, instead of those typically made from steel or gold.

The transparent gongs are in fact an integral part of the top glass, with both elements machined from a block of sapphire crystal. The monobloc construction amplifies the chime when the L.U.C Full Strike indicates the hours, quarter hours and minutes.

The technical feat is one of the five patented systems within the hand-wound L.U.C 08.01-L movement.

The engineering also considered the mishandling of a minute repeater and resulting damage.

To secure its operations and a smooth musical expression, the other patents include a strikework-activation device, a ratchet-driving mechanism to avoid pauses during chiming, and a clutch-lever device that blocks the strikework to manage the power reserve.

The energy comes from a separate, dedicated barrel wound directly by the crown. In addition, the minute repeater mechanism can be simply activated via an integrated pusher in the crown, instead of a lever at the side of the case.

The openworked sapphire crystal dial of the L.U.C Full Strike Revelation showcases the chiming mechanism, with the two steel hammers visible at 10 o’clock. The power reserves for the movement and strikework are indicated at 2 o’clock while the small seconds counter is positioned at 6 o’clock.

Moreover, the sapphire crystal reveals the decorated components of the Calibre, L.U.C 08.01-L, chronometer-certified by the COSC.

The craftsmanship executed on the case and movement is guaranteed by the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, making the L.U.C Full Strike Revelation an exceptional melodious model, limited to 20 pieces.

Pavilion restaurant at Dusit Thani Bangkok joins the celebration of the 2025 Vegetarian Festival with a specially curated selection of vegetarian dishes that blend Thai authenticity with refined culinary craftsmanship.

Chef de cuisine Rosarin Sriprathum has reinterpreted some of Thailand’s most beloved classics, thoughtfully reimagined to meet the strict standards of the festival’s vegetarian practice. Among the highlights is pomelo salad, one of Pavilion’s signature dishes, prepared with ruby Siam pomelo from southern Thailand. The addition of crispy fried taro and pickled chestnuts creates a contrast in texture.

For those who prefer comforting curries, chef Rosarin’s green curry with mixed vegetables is a wholesome choice. Each serving features freshly-made curry paste, slow-simmered to bring out delicate layers of spice and aroma and accompanied by fragrant steamed jasmine rice.

Another dish that celebrates the art of slow dining is the crispy rice salad (yum khao tod). Organic jasmine rice from the Thung Kula Ronghai region is crafted into deep-fried rice balls and mixed with shredded coconut and red curry paste. Guests are invited to wrap the crispy rice mixture in betel leaves, the traditional Thai way, allowing the flavours and textures to unfold gradually.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn stormed into the men’s singles quarter-finals of the US$950,000 BWF French Open on Thursday.

The Thai third seed swept past his Japanese rival Kodai Naraoka 21-7, 21-6 in just 38 minutes to book a place in the last eight of the Super 750 tournament at the Glaz Arena.

Kunlavut, who is chasing his fourth title of the year, will battle it out against Alwi Farhan for a place in the semi-finals after the Indonesian player edged past Nhat Nguyen of Ireland in three games, 16-21, 21-12, 21-17, on Thursday.

Mixed doubles players Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai bowed out, losing to second seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping of China 5-21, 23-21, 12-21.

In other early results yesterday, women’s fourth seed Han Yue of China progressed with a three-game win over Michelle Li of Canada, 21-12, 23-21, 21-16, while men’s sixth seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia was sent packing by Koki Watanabe of Japan, 11-21, 21-19, 25-23.

Han will play Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki, who defeated Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland, while Watanabe will meet either fourth seed Li Shifeng of China or Julien Carraggi of Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Another Thai mixed pair, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, the third seeds, were due to play their last-16 match against Jafar Hidayatullah and Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu of Indonesia later last night.

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.

The allegations culminated in Mr Vorapak’s resignation from his post, though it is unlikely that his decision to step down will have a significant impact on the Anutin administration’s tarnished image.

While both men have denied the accusations and threatened to file defamation complaints against journalists and netizens who share the reports, the damage to the country’s reputation is done, and it will take more than defamation lawsuits to resolve the problem.

Government officials are public figures. Their faces, behaviour and reputation reflect directly on the administration. As such, it is no surprise that taxpayers expect the government to seriously look into the accusations and investigate the claims in the news reports, which include allegations of money transfers to officials.

But the government has done the opposite, dismissing the reports as “political games” meant to discredit the administration. In fact, when the allegations first came to light, Mr Vorapak was assigned to oversee the official crackdown on scam syndicates along the border.

Our politicians seem to have forgotten that scandals and reports which reflect negatively on the administration can and will erode public trust in the government.

We don’t have to look further than the case which have haunted Capt Thamanat for years — namely, his incarceration in an Australian prison years ago over charges of drug trafficking.

Needless to say, the latest accusations against him did not help with his image. But the country’s reputation has arguably suffered even more — the allegations have helped cement Thailand’s status as a transit point for scammers and their victims as they make their way to scam boiler rooms in Cambodia and Myanmar.

If the government wants to restore Thailand’s reputation, it has to ensure its crackdown on scam syndicates has an impact.

The Anutin administration can’t afford to take the passive stance adopted by past governments about the issue. The Chinese government sent intelligence about scammers in Myawaddy when Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha was in power, but the tip-off did not get a good response from Thai authorities. It wasn’t until Beijing sent high-ranking officials to Myanmar earlier this year to deal with the matter that the government woke up and began responding in a meaningful way.

The US government has confiscated cryptocurrency worth almost 500 billion baht from scam networks, while the UK government seized assets belonging to Chen Zhi, founder of the Cambodian business empire, Prince Group, who was accused of masterminding a forced-labour scam and money laundering. Prince Group is known to have invested in various real estate projects in Thailand. Many taxpayers are waiting for the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Anti-Money Laundering Office to look into its businesses that might be linked with scam syndicates along the border.

Right now, the government is focusing on freezing accounts linked to scam syndicates to help recover victims’ money. However, this likely won’t be enough to dismantle the growing network of scammers in the region.

Bringing together innovation, technology, and design excellence, Ricoh (Thailand) Co., Ltd. officially unveiled its latest digital production printer, the ‘Ricoh Pro C5400S Series,’ under the concept ‘Where Colour Meets Perfection,’ at the Grand Ballroom, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River on 9 October 2025.

The event attracted more than 200 attendees, including print business owners, executives, industry experts, distinguished guests, and business partners. The atmosphere was filled with energy and inspiration, reflecting the bright future of digital printing innovation.

The programme opened with a Talk Session on ‘The Power of AI in Printing and Packaging,’ featuring Mr. Pongthira Pathanapiradej, President of the Thai Printing Association, and Mr. Wiwat Utsahajit, President of the Thai Packaging Association. Both shared insights on how AI is transforming the industry, highlighting how ‘AI enhances efficiency, accuracy, and design diversity to meet every customer need without limits.’

The highlight of the event was the grand unveiling of the Ricoh Pro C5400S Series by Mr. Korapat Wongananchai, Commercial and Industrial Printing Division Manager, Ricoh (Thailand) Limited, who presented the product’s advanced capabilities and reaffirmed Ricoh’s vision of ‘Where Colour Meets Perfection.’ Designed to elevate precision, performance, and print quality, the series empowers businesses to achieve superior outcomes across every dimension.

The five key features of the Ricoh Pro C5400S Series include:

Versatile media support – compatible with light paper (52.3 gsm) to heavy paper (360 gsm) and sizes from 90 x 139.7 mm up to 330.2 x 1,300 mm.

Exceptional print quality – powered by high-resolution VCSEL laser technology at 2,400 x 4,800 dpi for ultra-sharp detail.

Advanced inline finishing options – enabling automated saddle-stitching, folding, punching, and stacking.

Compact and space-saving design – ideal for limited production areas.

Environmentally friendly engineering – incorporating 25% recycled plastic, 21% electric furnace steel, and a staple-free binding system, underscoring Ricoh’s dedication to sustainable innovation.

Guests also enjoyed a special Talk Show hosted by renowned emcee and influencer Nanake – Kathsepsawad Palakawong Na Ayuthaya under the theme ‘Understanding Every Generation, Leading Across All Ages.’ The lively session offered humour and insight into cross-generational communication and leadership.

The event also featured an interactive Booth Tour, where participants explored Ricoh’s latest technologies and solutions in collaboration with leading business partners, including Cyber SM, ThaiKK, K Laser, E.P.C. Corporation, Paperland, and KPP-Antalis.

For more information about the Ricoh Pro C5400S Series, visit Ricoh Thailand Facebook.

The partnership between Brazil and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) exemplifies how a future of peace, stability and sustainable growth can be built. With complementary and dynamic economies and a shared vision of a fair and inclusive international order, we demonstrate how dialogue and cooperation within the Global South can bridge distances and generate mutual benefits.

Over 25 years, trade between Brazil and Asean has increased more than 16 times. In 2000, our trade flow was US$2.3 billion. In 2024, it reached $37.2 billion. We have much to offer and much to gain in the region, and our trade ties can grow even stronger. To further strengthen these ties, I will attend the Asean Summit this Sunday in Malaysia. It will be the first time a Brazilian president participates in the event.

Our business relationship is just one part of a much broader partnership. The adoption, in 2023, of the Practical Cooperation Areas (2024-2028) demonstrates the breadth of our shared agenda. Together, we offer ways to address climate change, provide food security and promote energy transition and digital transformation.

In the field of energy, in addition to having one of the world’s cleanest energy mixes, Brazil has a history of five decades of development and use of ethanol as fuel. We have successfully tested public policy models and can share our technical, technological and financial expertise in the sector.

Brazil is also a key strategic partner in ensuring food security for Asean’s 672 million people. As one of the largest global exporters of animal protein and grains, Brazil is perfectly positioned to meet the growth of the bloc’s imports.

Additionally, Brazil offers Asean decades of experience in public policies and technical expertise to support local food production. Brazilian programmes linking family farming with markets and public institutions provide adaptable models, such as our National School Meals Program.

Together, we also helped establish the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, which already counts eight Asean countries among its members. All this is based on the conviction that there is no real progress without social justice.

In the high-tech and innovation sectors, cooperation holds immense potential. While Asean is home to some of the most dynamic digital economies in the world and hosts innovation hubs in sectors such as semiconductors, Brazil brings together a vibrant ecosystem of startups and technological solutions focused on social inclusion, the digitisation of public services and financial transformation.

In parallel with economic and technological cooperation, Brazil and Asean share a worldview that is rooted in peace, stability and universalism as the foundations of a fairer international order. The common commitment to disarmament, exemplified by our status as nuclear-weapon-free zones, demonstrates the conviction that collective security should be based on cooperation and not on the rule of might over right.

At the same time, we recognise that the multilateral system is facing an unprecedented crisis. The paralysis of the World Trade Organization and the UN Security Council underscores the urgent need for reforms that reinforce multilateralism and make global governance more inclusive, legitimate and representative. This is one of our priorities in the Brics presidency this year, just as it was in 2024 when we were at the head of the G20.

In the environmental field, Brazil is the country with the world’s greatest biodiversity, while Asean is home to about 25% of its fauna and flora species. Next month, we will host COP30 in the heart of the Amazon. This choice reflects the urgency of putting people at the centre of climate discussions. We are convinced that there are no effective solutions for tropical rainforests without the leadership of those who live there.

At COP30, we will launch the Tropical Forests Forever Fund, an innovative tool for rainforest preservation. The TFFF recognises that forests provide ecosystem services that are essential to climate regulation. The fund’s model establishes a compensation system of up to $4 per preserved hectare for countries that keep their forests standing. The TFFF is not based on donations — it is an investment in humanity and in the preservation of life on Earth.

Through cooperation and friendship, Brazil and Asean show that it is possible for everyone to benefit in international relations, in a true win-win relationship. Together, we have the chance to repair injustices and build a prosperous, sustainable and peaceful future for all.

Two Iranian nationals were arrested in a Pathum Wan mall on Thursday after trying to run off with US$1,600 they “asked to see” from an Indian man.

Mall security was called on Thursday evening after Mostafa Salimishorjeh, 41, and Marzieh Pahangeh, 36, were seen fleeing with US currency belonging to another tourist.

Police reported on Friday morning that they arrived at Siam Paragon to find the couple with US$1,600 USD in cash, worth about 52,480 baht, and a large satchel.

The two Iranians were seen acting suspiciously upon arrival at the department store and were under scrutiny by guards, police said.

The couple were said to have been asking other foreigners to see their dollar bills.

They ultimately attempted to escape with the cash of a 46-year-old man, identified as an Indian national. The victim said he found the sum missing after handing over his money in response to their request.

Despite being quickly stopped by security, the two initially denied the claims against them.

Nonetheless, police charged them with theft, and they were held at Pathum Wan station for legal action.

The National Health Security Office (NHSO), which operates the 30-baht “Gold Card” universal healthcare scheme, is accelerating efforts to resolve budgetary challenges affecting inpatient services and will submit its proposals to its board on Nov 3.

A key measure involves scrapping the retrospective “re-run” calculation method used to reimburse hospitals, which, over the past 10 months, has caused confusion and financial strain across the healthcare system.

NHSO executives acknowledged shortcomings in management and have scheduled a follow-up meeting with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) on Oct 29 to align corrective actions.

Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, secretary-general of the NHSO, said yesterday that a joint meeting had been held with the MOPH, attended by representatives from regional and community hospitals as well as provincial public health offices.

Co-chaired by senior officials from both agencies, the meeting followed the collaborative framework established by the public health minister and the ministry’s permanent secretary.

Six key resolutions were adopted and will guide the NHSO’s next steps.

One immediate decision is the cancellation of the re-run calculation method for inpatient services between Sept 16 last year and July 31 this year.

The NHSO will instead use actual relative weight (RW) values to calculate payments for the remaining months of the 2025 fiscal year, ensuring fairer and more transparent compensation, particularly for hospitals under the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the MOPH.

Dr Jadej added that the NHSO will publicly disclose remaining budgets for the 2025 fiscal year across all funds to promote transparency and shared decision-making. Any future adjustments to payment criteria will require mutual agreement between the NHSO and MOPH, with input from the Health Economics Division and healthcare providers.

Regarding the central budget currently under review by the cabinet, he said that once the budget is approved, the allocation will be jointly discussed and agreed upon by both NHSO and MOPH.

The NHSO, later on, issued a statement dismissing rumours circulating on social media that only a handful of private hospitals remain in the scheme.

Dr Attaporn Limpanyalert, NHSO spokesman, clarified that 290 private hospitals are still participating, including 22 registered for primary care, permanent care, and transfer services.

Additionally, 13,493 clinics remain part of the network, comprising 887 general clinics, 1,913 dental clinics, 3,900 drugstores, 5,489 nursing clinics, 710 Thai traditional medicine clinics, 370 physical therapy clinics, 224 medical laboratories and 227 community clinics.

He stressed that private hospitals continue to cooperate with the NHSO, reflecting strong collaboration in maintaining health security for over 47 million Gold Card holders.

Earlier on Wednesday, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving financial shortfalls through inter-agency cooperation while maintaining service standards.

He dismissed calls for major NHSO reform, noting that the system remains fundamentally sound but requires operational improvements. “We won’t conceal any problem. Everything must be resolved with transparency,” he said.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has also directed the allocation of central government funds to support the NHSO’s universal healthcare scheme, as several state hospitals face liquidity shortages.

Delayed reimbursements have already prompted some private hospitals to withdraw from the programme, while cost-cutting measures, such as the use of second-choice medications, have sparked public concern.

Manila: Sarit Suwannarut carried his recent run of good form into the US$2 million International Series Philippines, claiming a one-shot lead after the opening round on Thursday.

The Thai star made one bogey in his round, but nine birdies gave him a card of eight-under-par 64, one better than another in-form player, Japan’s Kazuki Higa, a two-time champion already this season at the Shinhan Donghae Open and the Yeangder TPC.

Conditions were ripe for scoring at the par-72 Sta Elena Golf Club, and players made the most of it.

England’s LIV Golf star Richard Bland made a bogey on the ninth hole — his last — and was tied for third at 66 alongside Americans Charles Porter and George Kneiser and Thai veteran Chapchai Nirat.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar shared seventh place with six other players, including former world No.1 and two-time major champion Dustin Johnson of the United States, at 67.

Johnson, the 2016 US Open winner and 2020 Masters champion, was in a marquee group along with 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and local hero Miguel Tabuena.

Thai duo Suteepat Prateeptienchai and Jazz Janewattananond, who both shot 68, were in a group of nine players tied for 14th.

Sarit — fourth in Macao Open, tied 11th in the Jakarta International Championship and tied ninth in Taiwan Masters in his previous three starts on the Asian Tour — started on the back nine and made four birdies on his way out, adding five more on his back nine.

“It was perfect. I’ve been playing pretty good. I mean, before a round, I know I can share the yardage with my caddie and hit the shots. I tell myself, you can hit it, you can do it,” said Sarit.

“I’d say a couple of things have happened. I changed the putter in Korea and it started working pretty good, and then I also changed my coach. I have been working on my swing, and the changes are becoming pretty good.”

A two-time winner of International Series titles, Sarit knows a thing or two about winning on the big stage.

“I just want to play good golf. I am excited to play with a lot of good players like Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and a lot of the guys from LIV Golf. So, just excited to play well,” said Sarit, who is currently ranked 25th in the Asian Tour Order of Merit and 52nd in The International Series Ranking.

Higa was bogey-free for his round and said the key was to hit fairways with his tee shots, so that he could take advantage of the preferred lies in play.

“A round of seven-under was a little better than what we planned to achieve when I set out in the morning. If I look back at the round, I think we could have made two or three more putts,” said the unassuming Japanese star.

“Today, I played with Kevin Na and Sam Horsfield and it was a good pairing. However, I know that to step up to the challenge of players like Dustin and Patrick Reed, I need to continue making good scores. I just need to keep going.”

The International Series Philippines is the sixth leg of the elevated International series events on the Asian Tour.