Crime

Norwegian Accused of Murdering Thai Partner in Chiang Mai Returns to Norway

A 58-year-old Norwegian man who was first suspected of murdering his Thai partner in Chiang Mai returned to Norway yesterday.

Police told CTN News that the decision to drop the accusations against the Norwegian had been made, but there were a few formalities to work out before he was exonerated of any participation.

The Norwegian guy was initially caught on October 3, suspected of fatally attacking his partner in Chiang Mai with a meat cleaver.He was released on bond after spending four days in prison.

At around 9 p.m. on October 3rd, the victim was discovered with his throat slashed at the residence of a Norwegian man (name withheld).

When authorities arrived at the scene, the Norwegian man denied killing his Thai partner, stating he lacked the strength to do so due to his Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Mr. Sompong Wongri, the village headman of Ban Wang Sing Kham, informed police that another resident had alerted him to the Norwegian crawling back and forth on the terrace in front of the house, looking in distress.

Norwegian Accused of Murdering Thai Partner in Chiang Mai Back in Norway

He couldn’t walk because of his ailment. The Norwegian had directed him to the kitchen. He discovered the body and quickly notified the village headman.

The neighbor informed the village chief that the foreigner had explained to him that he had gone to the bathroom. When he returned, he saw his Thai buddy dead on the floor.

Mr. Sompong Wongri informed local reporters that he had entered the residence and seen the victim lying in a pool of blood. He had no idea what had happened, but when he noticed a knife on the floor, he called the police.

Mr. Sompong told authorities that the couple had been living in the residence for approximately a year, with friends visiting them frequently, and that there had never been any difficulties.

According to Chiang Mai police, the suspect claimed his spouse was slain by an attacker who then fled the area. However, investigating authorities remained doubtful and collected evidence from the crime scene.

Before getting an arrest warrant for the Norwegian, the police analyzed CCTV footage from the property’s security camera.

Authorities expressed reservations about the suspect’s claim that he had ALS because he was unable to show any medical evidence.

The Norwegian’s sister has recently traveled to Chiang Mai from Norway to assist her brother.

Chinese Tourists Sexy TikTok Video Sparks Outrage in Chiang Mai

Chinese Tourists Sexy TikTok Video Sparks Outrage in Chiang Mai Thailand

Norwegians Retiring in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Are you a retiree dreaming of a peaceful and affordable place to spend your golden years? Chiang Mai, Thailand, has become a popular destination for Norwegians seeking a high quality of life, pleasant weather, and a low cost of living. Here’s why more and more Norwegians are choosing to retire in this charming city in Southeast Asia.
Chiang Mai: The Ideal Retirement Destination

Chiang Mai offers a unique blend of modern amenities and traditional Thai culture. The city is known for its stunning temples, vibrant markets, and delicious cuisine. Retirees can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle while still having access to excellent healthcare facilities and an international airport for easy travel.
Affordable Living

Thailand Voted the Worlds Ideal Retirement Destination

Compared to Norway, the cost of living in Chiang Mai is significantly lower. Retirees find that their pensions go much further, allowing them to afford a comfortable lifestyle without financial stress. From affordable housing to inexpensive everyday expenses, Chiang Mai offers a retirement experience that doesn’t break the bank.
Pleasant Climate

Norwegians accustomed to cold, harsh winters often find the year-round warm climate in Chiang Mai to be a welcome change. The tropical weather allows retirees to enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely strolls throughout the year.
Expat-Friendly Community

Chiang Mai has a large and welcoming expat community, making it easy for Norwegians to connect with like-minded individuals. Whether it’s joining social clubs, volunteer organizations, or simply socializing at local hangouts, retirees can quickly build a supportive network of friends and acquaintances.
Conclusion

For Norwegians seeking an affordable, vibrant, and culturally rich retirement destination, Chiang Mai, Thailand, offers a compelling option. The city’s unique blend of modern comforts and traditional charm makes it an ideal place to spend one’s golden years. With a welcoming expat community and a low cost of living, it’s no wonder that more and more Norwegians are choosing to retire in this Southeast Asian gem.

Crime

Police Officer Being Ordained at Temple Arrested for Running Scam Call Center

Police in Northern Thailand have arrested a fellow officer as he was being ordained at a temple in Ngao district of neighbouring Lampang province.

Pol Lt Col Bandit Khonkan chief inspector from the Hang Dong police station was disrobed and taken to the Chang Puak station in Chiang Mai. He was arrested on charges of running a call centre scam gang in Chiang Mai Province.

According to Thai Media Chiang Mai Provincial Police Region 5 obtained an arrest warrant for Pol Lt Col Bandit on Friday from the Chiang Mai Provincial Court for procuring illegal telecom equipment, setting up a station and using public airwaves to run a telecommunications business without permission.

Pol Lt Col Bandit reportedly told investigators that he was not the ringleader and was only a member of the gang with Chinese partners.

His arrest followed the apprehension of his 26-year-old daughter, Miss Wanuchapond, 26, and three others during raids at three housing projects in Chiang Mai on Friday, Pol Maj Gen Weerachon Boontawee, deputy chief of Provincial Police Region 5 told Thai media.

During the raids police police discovered around 12 GSM gateways, or SIM boxes, which are devices used for converting cellular networks into mobile phone numbers used domestically.

The chief inspectors daughter Miss Wanuchapond told the arresting officers that she was paid 8,000 baht a month at each of the three locations for renting thr rooms and monitoring devices.

She claimed she had no idea what the devices were and accepted the job because the pay was attractive.

Police investigators working with telecom regulators used a special tracking device to monitor the gang’s communications and learned that its base was in Myanmar opposite Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai.

The call center gang used the GSM gateways to make calls over the internet to scam people in Thailand out of million of baht.

The GSM gateways transmitting signals via SIM boxes to convert them into domestic phone numbers, duping victims into thinking they were being called from Thai government agencies.

Pol Maj Gen Weerachon said that each SIM box held 32 SIM cards, with a capacity of up to 300,000 calls a month. The seized devices had made fraudulent calls over 3.6 million times.

He said the their investigation is ongoing and they are working to track down the remaining conspirators, including Chinese and other Thai suspects.

Authorities are still deciding whether Pol Lt Col Bandit will be dismissed from the force, he said, adding that so far, no other officers are known to have been involved.

Police in Chiang Rai Launch Crackdown on Cyber Criminals in Golden Triangle

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has authorized the establishment of an emergency cyber center operated by the Royal Thai Police to combat transnational crimes committed by call center gangs along the Thai border in Chiang Rai province.

On July 19, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin directed the Center to combat information technology crimes. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) will crack down on call center gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and along the border.

His directive comes as call center gangs ratchet up their scams to defraud people of their money, causing concern among Thais and jeopardizing the country’s economic and social stability.

Related Police News:

Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/

Crime

Thai Immigration Police Arrest Colombian Tourists Over Home Invasions

Immigration police officers have arrested four Colombian nationals in connection with a series of home burglaries at luxury housing complexes in the Bangkok metropolitan area and Chiang Buri Province.

Pol Maj Gen Panthana Nuchanart, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, told a press briefing that three of the suspects were apprehended in Nonthaburi Province and the fourth in South Pattaya, Chon Buri Province.

According to the Bangkok Post, the Colombians were charged with stealing conspiracy and seized around 3 million baht (US$82,500.00).

According to Pol Maj Gen Panthana, the criminals rode motorcycles through housing estates, scoping out the properties and waiting for the owners to depart before committing their crimes.

He stated that all four of the accused denied any involvement in the home break-ins, but the arresting squad discovered evidence that implicated them.

Police called to home invasion

Meanwhile, police were dispatched to a luxury housing development in Tambon Nong Prue, Chonburi Province, after a Chinese man was attacked during a house invasion.

When they arrived, they discovered the house owner, Mr. Qian Peng Yi, visibly scared and with marks from being tied up with a cable. He informed police that three Chinese males broke into his home at 9 p.m., one of whom brandished a gun at him and directed him to his bedroom.

They bound his hands and feet, gagged him with fabric, taped his head, and forced him into the bed. The intruders then attempted to compel him into transferring 10 million baht in cryptocurrencies to them, endangering the life of his 33-year-old cousin who was in a second-floor bedroom.

While they scoured the house in search of riches, Mr. Peng Yi managed to flee and hide; he subsequently observed them leave with his cousin. Officials investigated the property and analyzed security camera footage from the incident and surrounding areas.

Around 9 p.m., a 30-year-old van driver came at the Bang Lamung police station after being contacted by an agency to carry Chinese customers from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The driver informed authorities that he was supposed to pick them up at a motel about a kilometer from the Chinese businessman’s home. He then drove them to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, arriving at 1 a.m. and receiving 1,800 baht.

The driver took a snapshot of the group smoking at the airport gate and identified one of them as the victim’s cousin. Police suspected coordination between her and the three suspects in her cousin’s heist, who all departed Thailand on the same aircraft.

Other Bangkok News:

Police in Bangkok Discover Six Vietnamese Tourists Dead in 5 Star Hotel

Police in Bangkok Discover Six Vietnamese Tourists Dead in 5 Star Hotel

Crime

Son of Thailand’s Leading Legal Scholar on Corruption Arrested for Running Online Gambling Network

The son of a former senator and leading economist and expert on corruption and gambling in Thailand has been arrested for on charges of running an online gambling network and its payment system.

Police from Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) have confiscated assets worth more than (US$ 11.1 million) 400 million baht.

Narote Piriyarangsan, 33, was arrested following crackdowns in three sites around the city, according to Pol Maj Gen Athip Pongsiwapai, commander of the police Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD).

Mr Narote’s father, Sangsit Piriyarangsan, is an economist who has written articles and books about corruption and gambling. He was one of the appointed senators that were investigating the government’s intention to legalize casino gaming before their terms expired.

Police also detained 39-year-old Narayut Narakaew, the owner of the gambling website 69pgslot.com. The Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the couple for operating an internet gambling service and money laundering.

According to the Bangkok Post, police seized two desktop computers, one laptop computer, 14 mobile phones, 21 bank passbooks, 53 ATM cards, and four high-end cars — a Ferrari 926 GTS, an Aston Martin, a Lexus, and a Subaru — totaling more than 400 million baht.

Police launched the inquiry after discovering the online gambling site, which accepted funds via an automatic deposit-withdrawal system through bank accounts and deposits in the AskMePay system. Players scanned the VPay QR code as well as the QR codes for Heng Online 888 or Heng Pay Company.

Police also discovered that payments received via QR code scans were transferred to the account of Heng Pay Co and then to the gambling website’s mule accounts using AskMePay, which did not use banks’ face recognition scanning. An inquiry indicated a monthly turnover of approximately 5 billion baht.

According to investigators, the website has been up and running for around four years, with the payment mechanism in use for roughly eight months.

According to Pol Maj Gen Athip, Mr Narote owns the gaming website’s payment systems and is the director of Heng Pay Co. After gathering evidence, authorities requested arrest warrants for 14 people.

Thailand does not allow almost any kind of gaming. Even though the law doesn’t say anything specific about online gaming, it is still considered gambling. The country has pretty strict rules about gambling. Thai punters can bet on the national lottery and horse races, but they can’t bet on any other types of games.

But it’s not a secret that there is a huge illegal gaming business in Thailand, even though it’s illegal.

The illegal casinos, online betting shops, underground lotteries, and pop-up bookies that take bets on everything from cockfights to Muay Thai make a shadow economy that is worth billions of dollars every year.