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- Reporter and villa executive resolve dispute on Koh Samui
A dispute between a reporter and a luxury villa executive on Koh Samui island has been amicably resolved following a threatening incident during a construction inspection. The resolution came after both parties met to discuss the matter, leading to an apology and forgiveness.Channel 7 HD reporter, Sitthipong, was following officials from the state land intrusion problem-solving team on July 17 during their inspection of luxury villa construction on Chaweng Noi Hill, Bo Phut. The officials were investigating the potential destruction of natural resources and the environment in the Fourth Army Area.
While the reporter and some officials stood at the entrance of the project, a Thai man overseeing the project confronted and threatened the reporter regarding the news coverage. This led to a police complaint and subsequent news coverage about the incident, which included threats made by the man, claiming he had a criminal record and instructing his subordinates to handle the reporter if encountered again.
Sitthipong, the Channel 7 HD reporter assigned to Ko Samui, and Narongrit, the villa executive, along with his wife and lawyer, met at Bo Phut Police Station yesterday, July 24. The meeting was mediated by Police Colonel Den Duang Thongsrisuk, the superintendent of Bo Phut Police Station.
During the meeting, the villa executive apologised for his inappropriate behaviour and comments towards the reporter. He assured that such actions would not be repeated, reported KhaoSod.
Sitthipong accepted the apology and expressed that he held no grudges over the threatening remarks. Both parties then shook hands and smiled, demonstrating mutual forgiveness.“I regret my actions and words. I assure you this will not happen again,” said Narongrit, the villa executive.
“I accept the apology and hold no ill will regarding the incident,” Sitthipong responded.
In related news, in a landmark verdict, a reporter has been cleared of three counts of defamation, marking a victory against the backdrop of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) cases.
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Journalist in Samui Threatened with Violence Over Luxury Villa Report
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal
Photo courtesy of KhaoSodSource: The Thaiger 2024-07-25
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25 July 25 20241333807 - Tragic Boat Collision in Surat Thani: One Fatality Reported
Surat Thani– A tragic accident occurred on Monday night (July 22nd) when a tour boat collided with a hospital medical boat near Pha Ngan Island, close to Samui Island. The incident resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.
The Bophut Police reported to the Phuket Express that they were notified of the accident at 8:30 P.M. The collision took place in the sea near Som Island (Orange Island) in the Bo Phut sub-district, Samui district.
According to the police, a speedboat operated by a tour company crashed into the rear of a hospital speedboat. The tour boat was returning to a pier after dropping off tourists on Pha Ngan Island.By Goongnang Suksawat
PHOTO: Kusol Sattha Surat Thani Foundation/ Surat TongrodFull story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-07-24
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23 July 23 20241333693 - Gambian Man Arrested After Seven Years Overstay in Thailand
A Gambian man has been apprehended on Pha Ngan Island, Surat Thani, for an astonishing seven-year overstay.
The Koh Pha Ngan Tourist Police report shows Mr. Saikou, 52, was arrested last Friday in Chalok Lham Village, Pha Ngan sub-district. The incident drew attention when Mr. Saikou allegedly exclaimed, "Bingo!" upon seeing the officers.
Upon his apprehension, Mr. Saikou failed to provide any legal documents validating his stay, leading to his detention at the Koh Pha Ngan Police Station. Immigration records showed no trace of his entry into Thailand.
Mr. Saikou confessed he had stayed in Malaysia after his last exit from Thailand and, having lost his passport, yearned to return. He collaborated with a Malaysian acquaintance who smuggled him back into Thailand for $200. Mr. Saikou stayed in Thailand with the assistance of Thai friends, reported The Phuket Express.
After successfully re-entering Thailand, Mr. Saikou has resided on Pha Ngan Island with a close female friend since 2017. The woman claimed to be unaware of Mr. Saikou’s illegal status, stating she had never seen his passport.
Mr. Saikou now faces charges of illegal entry and overstaying his visa. Authorities are processing his deportation, underlining the importance of monitoring visa compliance. The case highlights the length and complexity involved in tracking overstays, especially in remote locations like tourist-heavy islands.
This situation serves as a pressing reminder for travellers and hosts alike to ensure legal documentation is maintained to avoid severe penalties and legal consequences. The Thai police continue to tighten immigration checks to prevent further incidences of long-term overstays.
TOP Picture courtesy: The Phuket Express
-- 2024-07-20
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19 July 19 20241333407 - Nigerian Man Arrested in Thailand for Cocaine Possession and Visa Overstay
Arrest on Koh Pha Ngan. Picture courtesy: Khaosod
Thai police have arrested a 47-year-old Nigerian man on charges of drug possession and overstaying his visa in a dramatic crackdown on Koh Pha Ngan island. The individual, identified as Kenneth, was found with a significant quantity of cocaine and had overstayed his visa by several years.
The operation was spearheaded by Tourist Police Chief Saksira Puek-am as part of a broader initiative aimed at curbing illegal activities, ranging from drug trafficking to unauthorised foreign workers. The campaign, which ran from July 19 to July 23, saw coordinated efforts from various local law enforcement agencies.
When police raided Kenneth's room in a luxury hotel, they discovered two packages of cocaine hidden in his jeans pocket, one weighing 21.4 grammes and the other 10.1 grammes.
His visa records showed that he entered Thailand on March 17, 2015, through the Padang Besar checkpoint in Songkhla Province, with permission to stay until October 1, 2015. He had not applied for any extensions, effectively overstaying his visa by over 3,214 days.
During the arrest, Kenneth made an odd claim that he used magical practices to evade detection during his drug transactions. Authorities revealed that he was a member of a well-organised Nigerian drug trafficking network.
Each network member had specific roles, ranging from financial transactions to drug distribution. For communication, the group relied solely on WhatsApp Business, which auto-deletes messages within a minute, making it difficult for authorities to trace them.
The police discovered that Kenneth’s role was to place cocaine at various drop points on the island and send the location to buyers. He had been residing in the high-end hotel while carrying out his illicit activities.
Following his arrest, Kenneth was charged with both visa overstaying and illegal possession of class 2 narcotics. He has been transferred to the Koh Pha Ngan Police Station for further legal proceedings.
This incident sheds light on the continuing challenges that Thai authorities face in combating drug trafficking and immigration violations.
-- 2024-07-22
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22 July 22 20241333517 - Journalist in Samui Threatened with Violence Over Luxury Villa Report
A Channel 7 journalist in Koh Samui filed a complaint after being threatened by the owner of a luxury villa project. The incident occurred following the journalist’s report on potential irregularities in the construction permits for the villas.
Authorities from the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Division 4 are currently investigating the Samui Green Cottages project, which is located on Chaweng Noi Mountain in Surat Thani province.
The project involves the construction of 53 luxury villas, but concerns have arisen that the development might be encroaching on forest land or other restricted areas.
Further complications have surfaced, as the villa owner only submitted a construction model showing 40 villas, leaving the other 13 unreported.
Additionally, discrepancies between the submitted plans and the completed structures, including violations of legal slope and height regulations, have been identified. Six of the 53 villas have been completed, but the project is on hold pending further investigation.
The target market for these luxury villas is foreigners residing in Thailand, with each villa priced around 10 million baht.
On 17th July, the journalist documented ISOC officials visiting the villa site. During the visit, a Thai man claiming to be the project owner confronted the journalist. Expressing anger over the report, the owner directed his employees to photograph the journalist and issued a threat, saying, “You cause me a lot of problems.
Are you from Channel 7? I will sue you. I already prepared evidence of what you said about me in the headlines. Stop causing trouble for the locals on Koh Samui. You will see what I can do when I meet you again.”
The incident was partially recorded, including a moment where a female employee attempted to gather the journalist’s name. ISOC authorities intervened, asserting the journalist’s right to report. The villa owner argued he would pursue legal action rather than physical harm.
The journalist subsequently filed a complaint at Bor Phud Police Station, where officers assured they would summon the villa owner for questioning.
Photo via Facebook/ Ch7HD News
-- 2024-07-19
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18 July 18 20241333299 - Foreign nationals arrested after bike rampage on Koh Samui (video)
Chaos erupted on the usually serene holiday island of Koh Samui when two foreign nationals turned the tranquil road leading to Choengmon Beach into their personal racetrack.Equipped with roaring big bikes and an audacious attitude, their disruptive antics soon drew the ire of locals.
Residents, living in the northeast corner of the island, initially complained tothe the Bophut Police Station. The names of the offending tourists were not disclosed.
The community accused the duo of creating a public nuisance by riding their excessively loud motorcycles at high speeds, zipping through the area a dozen times each day. Additionally, the locals claimed the tourists posed potential threats to public safety.
Despite their frustrations, the police required concrete evidence of the flagrant offences to take action. Rising to the challenge, the determined residents captured the rowdy riders on video. The footage included the particularly offensive moment when one of the bikers brazenly flipped the middle finger at them.With this incriminating evidence in hand, the Bophut police chief, Police Colonel Denduang Thingsrisook, swiftly ordered his team to set up a checkpoint near Chaweng Beach. The plan worked, and the troublesome tourists were apprehended yesterday evening.
Investigations revealed that both motorcycles had unauthorised modifications and were rented from a shop in Phuket, reported Bangkok Post.
The arrest was met with widespread praise from the local community, who lauded the police for their prompt and decisive action in response to the video evidence.
@policebophut อันไหนที่ว่าดี จ่าทำหมด #ท่อลั่นจนชาวบ้านไม่ได้นอน ♬ original sound - 𝘿𝙅 𝙇𝘼𝙒𝙀𝙀 𝙍𝙀𝙈𝙄𝙓 by Puntid Tantivangphaisal
Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post
Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-27
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26 May 26 20241328211 - Thai Man Arrested Over Alleged Rape of Ukrainian Woman on Koh Samui
In a recent unsettling event, a Thai man was apprehended on accusations of raping a Ukrainian tourist on the picturesque island of Koh Samui. The incident reportedly occurred in broad daylight on Thongson Beach, shaking the local and tourist communities alike.
The complaint stemmed from the 32-year-old victim, who courageously reported the alleged attack at the local Bor Phud Police Station shortly after the incident on July 8. In her report, she described a harrowing encounter with the accused, which led the authorities to take swift action in response to her grievances.
Leveraging CCTV footage and eye-witness accounts, law enforcement officers were successful in identifying the suspect as Nattaphong, a 27-year-old man originally from Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Their investigations culminated in his apprehension outside a convenience store in Koh Samui, and the very motorcycle used during the alleged crime sequence was also seized.
Upon arrest, Nattaphong's version of the story sharply contradicted the claim held against him; he acknowledged the sexual encounter but insisted it was consensual. Despite his protests, the gravity of the accusations led to his immediate arrest and charging under severe sexual assault statutes, reflecting the legal system's firm stance on such issues.
This distressing incident not only brings to light the urgent matters of tourist safety and legal justice in Thailand but also echoes past events that have similarly shocked the community. Previous cases in Pattaya and Koh Tao have shown a troubling pattern, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and preventative measures to protect all individuals, residents and visitors alike, from such egregious violations.
As this case unfolds, it will undoubtedly continue to attract scrutiny and catalyze discussions about safety protocols, the treatment of tourists, and the efficacy of the local law enforcement in protecting the most vulnerable.
Picture courtesy: Daily News
-- 2024-07-15
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15 July 15 20241332951 - Today Marks the Start of Public Hearings for Koh Samui's Sea Bridge
The second round of public consultations about the proposal to build a sea bridge connecting the mainland to Koh Samui is set to start today (July 15) in Surat Thaini province. The bridge, which is proposed to start in Khanom district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and end in Taling Ngam subdistrict on Koh Samui, includes a 25-kilometer stretch over the Gulf of Thailand.
This is part of a broader 37-kilometer project planned to improve the connection between Don Sak in Surat Thani and Khanom. The aim of the project is to create easier access to the famous island resort.
Consultations will take place in Koh Samui, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Surat Thani from July 15 to 17. The sessions will focus on the proposed location of the bridge, an issue which was influenced by previous hearings evaluating seven potential sites.
The Expressway Authority of Thailand is handling the project, which will undergo three rounds of public meetings, ending in October the next year. Even though the construction of the bridge was initially supposed to start in 2028, it has been delayed to 2029. The project is expected to be completed by 2033.
File photo for reference only
-- 2024-07-15
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15 July 15 20241332988 - Illegal Resort Construction Halted on Koh Samui
In a decisive crackdown on building regulation violations, Thai police have brought a screeching halt to the construction of a luxury resort on the scenic island of Koh Samui. The halted project, known as the Anju Cement Project, sparked controversy due to its breach of multiple building codes.
The investigation into the project began after local authorities received several complaints from residents about the suspicious construction activities.
Led by Police Major General Watcharin Pusit, a joint team comprising police officers and municipal engineers conducted a thorough inspection of the site located in the Maret area of the island. The inspection revealed startling violations, including structures that significantly exceeded the permitted height of 6 metres.
The site, intended to hold 34 separate houses as per the original plan, was instead being modified into interconnected buildings, deviating widely from approved blueprints. This led to immediate municipal action, with an issued demolition order targeting the unlawfully constructed parts of the resort.
The backstory of the project adds layers to the current situation. Acquired by a Chinese investor group in 2018, the 10 rai plot had seen rapid development until these breaches were unearthed. No workers were present at the time of the inspection, suggesting a temporary halt by the developers, likely aware of the impending official review.
Response from the construction team was one of apparent surprise, claiming ignorance of the violations. They've agreed to comply with the stop order and revise the construction plans in accordance with legal requirements.
Meanwhile, the Koh Samui municipal authorities lodged a formal complaint with Bo Phut Police Station, accusing the project of not only flouting building laws but also proceeding without proper authorizations.
The case has now attracted the attention of the Environmental Crime Division (ECD), which is stepping in to further investigate and hold responsible parties accountable.
Picture courtesy: MGR online
-- 2024-07-15
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14 July 14 20241332931 - Koh Samui’s tourism renaissance: An island reawakens
Koh Samui, Thailand’s renowned resort island, is experiencing a remarkable revival in tourism. The island has witnessed a 69% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers during the first four months of 2024, driven by an influx of domestic tourists, the opening of new international markets, and improved air connectivity.In 2023, Samui hosted 3,541,821 visitors, a balanced mix of domestic and international travellers. This is a notable shift from the pre-COVID era, which saw a higher number of overseas tourists. The island’s accessibility—via planes, ferries, and automobiles—played a significant role, as many visitors arrived by ferry from the mainland.
The surge in domestic tourism has been crucial for the island’s recovery. The C9 Hotelworks Samui Hotel & Tourism Market Review documents that the number of registered hotel guests exceeded 2019 levels by 1.5 times. While airport arrivals reached 94% of pre-pandemic levels with 1,208,364 passengers, ferry arrivals made up the difference.
International tourism dynamics have also evolved. Chinese tourists, once a major market, now account for less than 4% of visitors. This gap has been filled by travellers from Europe, the US, and a resurgent Israeli market, resulting in longer stays on the island.
Koh Samui’s tourism was historically influenced by its limited access, primarily through Bangkok Airways, which led to higher travel costs. However, this exclusivity attracted affluent tourists, maintaining the island’s status as a premium beach destination.
Looking forward, Koh Samui’s tourism infrastructure is set to expand. Plans to upgrade Samui International Airport and develop a cruise terminal aim to increase visitor numbers. New flight routes, including those by Scoot Airlines from Singapore, are expected to attract more upscale regional travellers.
Since 2017, the island’s hotel supply has grown steadily, reaching 630 establishments with 24,107 keys by 2023. Most new properties are boutique-scale, concentrated in the northern region, particularly Bophut. Branded hotels account for 69% of the development pipeline.
Tourism peaks in Koh Samui during the high season, with visitor numbers 1.5 to 2 times higher than in the low season. International travellers typically visit during winter and summer holidays, while the domestic market peaks in August, with additional rises in February and April for the Lunar New Year and Songkran festivals.
The Thai government is positioning Samui as a luxury destination, with plans to build a cruise terminal through a public-private partnership. This initiative aims to attract high-end tourists and further differentiate the island from other resort areas in Thailand.
As 2024 progresses, Koh Samui is set to solidify its reputation as a premier luxury destination. This resurgence signals an exciting new chapter for the island, promising growth and a dynamic future in the global tourism landscape.
Source: The Thaiger 2024-06-14
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14 June 14 20241329748
