Thailand Video News | Scottish Former Footballer Arrested for Child Abuse in Thailand, Drunk Driver in Ayutthaya Leads Police on High-Speed Chase
In this Thailand video news, hosted by Alex, a variety of compelling news stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia are covered. Highlights include the arrest of a Scottish former footballer for child crimes in Thailand, a high-speed police chase involving a drunk driver in Ayutthaya, and a DSI raid uncovering an illegal football broadcasting network at a car wash. The US is urging Thailand to release a Vietnamese activist facing extradition, while Thai police have rescued a Chinese woman from a 15 million baht virtual kidnapping. There is an urgent call for O-negative blood donations in Phuket, and history is made with the first direct passenger train between Bangkok and Vientiane. In Indonesia, the smoking age limit is raised, and cigarette advertising will be curbed. Additionally, British band The 1975 faces a lawsuit over a controversial concert incident in Malaysia.
Ian Heddle, a Scottish former footballer, has been arrested for crimes against children in Thailand
Ex-footballer Ian Heddle has been jailed for four years for child abuse in Thailand. Heddle, 61, who played for Scottish clubs in the 1980s and 1990s, was found with 272,936 indecent images and 4,001 videos of children. Arrested at Edinburgh Airport in February 2023, Heddle admitted to possessing and making the material. Three videos showed him abusing a young girl in Thailand, identifiable by his distinctive wedding band. The National Crime Agency and Royal Thai Police worked together to ensure the child’s safety. Heddle received a six-year extended sentence, including two years on licence, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
Drunk Driver in Ayutthaya Leads Police on High-Speed Chase
A drunk driver in Ayutthaya led police on a high-speed chase along Phahonyothin Road. Mongkol, 38, driving a red pickup truck with loudspeakers, was reported for erratic driving and playing loud music. Upon police arrival, he attempted to flee, leading to a dangerous chase. He was eventually stopped at kilometre 49 and found with a blood alcohol concentration of 234 milligrams per cent. Mongkol admitted to drinking and driving, warning others against the practice. He faces charges including reckless driving, disobeying police orders, and exceeding the legal alcohol limit.
Car Wash Cover-Up: DSI Finds Football Feed Behind Suds and Soap
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided a car wash shop in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district, uncovering an illegal football broadcasting network. The site, part of a larger syndicate with 100 mule accounts and 1.2 billion baht in circulation, also hinted at online gambling and cannabis cultivation. The network, with over 30,000 members, caused financial damages exceeding 2.9 billion baht. Arrest warrants were issued for five key suspects, including businessmen, politicians, and police officers. Two suspects were arrested in Songkhla and face charges of breaching broadcasting rights and money laundering. The DSI continues to investigate the network’s activities.
US Urges Thailand to Release Vietnamese Activist Facing Extradition
US Congress members have urged Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to release Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, who faces extradition. Bdap, a founder of Montagnards Stand for Justice advocating for ethnic minorities’ religious freedom, was arrested in Bangkok. Despite holding UN refugee status, he is charged with terrorism by Vietnam following riots in Dak Lak, though he was in Thailand at the time. The National Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Watch have called for his protection, emphasizing Thailand’s international obligations. Bdap’s hearings are set for tomorrow and August 19.
Chinese Woman Rescued from 15 Million Baht Virtual Kidnapping
Thai police rescued 21-year-old Chinese woman Wang Jia Bao in Bangkok from a virtual kidnapping scheme by a call centre scam gang, demanding 15 million baht from her parents. Her father, Liang Luihua, reported the case to Thai, Chinese, and Japanese police. Wang was tracked through security footage and found safe in her Bangkok condominium. She was manipulated by scammers posing as Chinese police, who tricked her into transferring 2.5 million baht and staging a fake kidnapping. The gang targets Chinese students abroad, with previous cases in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Blood! You’ve got it, I’ve got it, and if you’ve got O-negative in Phuket, you are sorely needed.
An urgent call for O-negative blood donations has been made by the RH-Emergency Donation group in Phuket to help a Frenchman in need. Due to the rarity of this blood type in Thailand, the plea emphasizes the importance of donations from Westerners. The Phuket Red Cross is the designated donation site, and recent updates allow donors from the UK, France, and Ireland to contribute. The group highlighted the critical need for O-negative blood and urged eligible donors to step forward to save a life.
Laos, Thailand Mark First Direct Passenger Train Between Bangkok, Vientiane
The first direct passenger train between Bangkok and Vientiane launched on July 19, providing a 13-hour journey between the capitals of Thailand and Laos. This route, which extends beyond the previous terminus in Nongkhai, allows passengers to transfer to a high-speed rail line to Kunming, China. The inaugural journey was so popular that an additional carriage was added. Ticket prices ranged from $7 to $24. Plans are in place to eventually offer a high-speed rail connection between Bangkok and Vientiane. This is part of China’s Belt & Road Initiative to create a pan-Asian railway network extending to Singapore.
Indonesia Raises Smoking Age Limit, Will Curb Cigarette Advertising
Indonesia has raised the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes from 18 to 21 and implemented several new health regulations to combat smoking, effective immediately. These include banning the sale of single cigarettes, restricting sales within 200 meters of schools and playgrounds, and prohibiting cigarette sales and advertising on social media without age verification. Indonesia, one of the world’s largest tobacco producers, has about 70 million smokers, with a significant number of young smokers. While some welcome the new regulations, critics argue that stricter enforcement and technical regulations are necessary to ensure effectiveness. The advertising restrictions will take effect in two years.
The 1975 Sued Over Malaysia Concert with Matty Healy Kiss
The organisers of the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur are suing British band The 1975 for £1.9m ($2.4m) after singer Matty Healy criticized Malaysia’s anti-LGBT laws and kissed a band member on stage, leading to the event’s cancellation. The lawsuit, filed in the UK’s High Court, claims the band breached performance rules, which prohibit political and religious discussions, swearing, smoking, and drinking on stage. The festival organizers assert that The 1975 was aware of these rules, having performed there in 2016 and receiving multiple reminders. The band’s actions have also drawn criticism from Malaysia’s LGBT community, who argue it exacerbated their struggles. The band has not commented on the lawsuit.
