Thai online multi-level marketing scam expands to 740 victims

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - A multi-level marketing scam in Thailand, centered around the Icon Group, has reportedly affected over 740 victims with losses totaling 266 million baht (US$7.5 million). According to the Bangkok Post on Monday, the scam's reach extends beyond Thailand, with victims emerging in Japan, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, suggesting the scale of the fraud may continue to grow. The Icon Group allegedly lured participants with low-cost online marketing courses, the

October 15, 2024

Cambodian police arrest 24 women in illegal surrogacy ring

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - Cambodian authorities have arrested 24 women in an illegal surrogacy operation, the Interior Ministry said Sunday. The group found near Phnom Penh includes 20 Filipinas and four Vietnamese women. Thirteen of the Filipino women, who are pregnant, face charges of violating anti-human trafficking and sexual exploitation laws. They could be sentenced to up to five years in prison after giving birth. Officials believe that a Thailand-based company ran the

October 14, 2024

ASEAN leaders call for easing tensions in South China Sea, Myanmar

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) – The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have called for the swift implementation of a code of conduct in the South China Sea to prevent conflicts between nations, during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits held in Vientiane, Laos. In a chairman's statement on Friday, the leaders emphasized the need for trust-building measures to reduce the risk of accidents, misunderstandings and miscalculations in the region. The summit a

October 14, 2024

Korea, Laos sign $500 million development cooperation fund agreement

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - South Korea and Laos signed a framework agreement on Thursday for a $500 million economic cooperation fund, set to run from 2024 to 2027. The deal, part of South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) program, was announced by the Ministry of Economy and Finance during the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos. The agreement maintains the same funding level as the previous 2020 to 2023 period. It aims to support high-value infrastructure proj

October 11, 2024

Indonesia's next government plans massive free meal program for 83 million citizens

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - Indonesia's incoming administration, set to take office on Oct. 20, announced plans Thursday to implement a free meal program that will eventually cover 83 million people, or about 30 percent of the country's population. President-elect Prabowo Subianto's government aims to initially provide free meals to 20 million students starting January 2025, at an estimated cost of 71 trillion rupiah (approximately $4.5 billion). The National Nutrition

October 11, 2024

Indonesia blocks Chinese E-commerce giant Temu to protect local businesses

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - Indonesia is maintaining its stance against Chinese e-commerce platform Temu's entry into its market, citing concerns over potential harm to local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Communications and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi recently emphasized that Temu's business model could be detrimental to Indonesia's economic landscape, particularly affecting smaller businesses. The Indonesian government has rejected Temu's attem

October 10, 2024

ASEAN summits open in Laos with Myanmar crisis, South China Sea disputes dominating agenda

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits commenced in Vientiane, Laos, Wednesday, bringing together leaders from the 10-member Southeast Asian bloc. The three-day event marks the first appearance of a Myanmar junta representative since the 2021 military coup, highlighting the ongoing crisis as a key discussion point. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra urged for a unified message against military solutions in Myanmar, while hinting at support for elections

October 10, 2024

Record floods hit Chiang Mai; Bangkok on alert

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - Severe flooding has hit northern Thailand, with the city of Chiang Mai experiencing record-high water levels. The Ping River, which runs through Chiang Mai, reached a historic peak of 5.3 meters on Saturday night, submerging popular tourist areas like Tha Pae Gate and Night Bazaar under a meter of water. Three people have died from electrocution and landslides, while many residents have been evacuated or left stranded. The flooding has disrupted transportat

October 8, 2024

Key Suu Kyi ally dies shortly after junta amnesty

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - A close associate of Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has died Monday, shortly after being granted amnesty by the military junta. Zaw Myint Maung, a former governor of Mandalay region and key figure in Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, died at the age of 72 after being released from prison due to deteriorating health. Myint Maung, who had served as vice-chairman and acting chairman of the NLD, was sentenced to 29 years in

October 8, 2024

Samsung chairman visits Philippine plant

SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited the Samsung Electro-Mechanics production facility in Calamba, Philippines, on Sunday. The visit focused on reviewing the Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor (MLCC) business strategy and encouraging employees. Lee emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in expanding markets such as AI, robotics, and electric vehicles. The Calamba plant, established in 1997, has been producing IT-focused MLCCs and inducto

October 7, 2024