Russian journalist held for ransom in Pattaya
One suspect has been arrested, with three more at large, following the abduction of a Russian journalist from his hotel in Pattaya, Chon Buri.
During questioning, 26-year-old journalist David Blank told police that four fellow Russians entered his hotel room in Jomtien Soi 14 on Thursday. Holding him at gunpoint, the four proceeded to cover his face with a black bag before assaulting him and handcuffing him.
Despite being restrained, Mr Blank said he was able to escape the room after several hours of being left alone and managed to find aid at a nearby café in a gas station.
He told police that the four assailants coerced him into phoning his girlfriend, Anna, also a Russian national, who is residing in Bangkok. They then sent a video to her showcasing their abuse of the victim and threatened to murder him if she attempted to contact authorities.
The suspects were eventually able to convince the woman into leaving a Rolex brand watch valued at 500,000 to 600,000 baht under a tree on Rama 4 road. According to Mr Blank, Anna was able to film a man in a white shirt retrieving the ransom.
Before leaving him handcuffed, the group allegedly forced their victim to transfer 2-million-baht worth of Bitcoin to them.
From the information provided, police were able to find an MG sedan identified as used by the kidnappers. It was found left in a pineapple field in Rayong province, with its front window and console smashed.
Anton Lokotkov, 26, was later apprehended at a food stall in Jomtien and confirmed by the victim as being the individual who initially knocked on his door.
While he has denied any involvement in the allegations as well as knowledge of Mr Blank, police found he had overstayed his visa and was charged in accordance with the violation.
Despite most evidence involved in the crime having been destroyed, authorities expressed confidence they will soon find the remaining three individuals tied to the assault.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
14 minutes ago
- Wales Online
UK emergency alert to hit every phone with huge siren - everything you need to know
UK emergency alert to hit every phone with huge siren - everything you need to know The alarm aims to prepare the public for terrifying situations which could cause danger to life such as national security threats or extreme weather. (Image: Getty Images ) Britons are being advised to get ready for an emergency alert set to make mobile phones across the nation buzz as part of Government trials. The warning system is being put in place to prime the populace for potentially life-threatening events, such as severe weather or national security crises, reports the Mirror. With geopolitical tensions mounting between Russia and Western nations, as well as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, another trial is scheduled for later this year. The aim is to ensure that the UK is equipped to handle all sorts of calamities, starting with familiarisation of the emergency alert protocol that authorities will trigger. This initiative follows its initial pilot phase in 2023. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here. The upcoming test alert message will read: "Severe Alert. This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action." When to expect the UK emergency alert trial The exact date for the impending trial has yet to be disclosed by officials, but confirmation is that it will take place later within the year. Following the test, these alerts will then be disseminated biennially to maintain a high level of emergency readiness among citizens. Article continues below What to anticipate during the emergency alert drill? Brits will know once an emergency alert is happening due to the steps which take place. Firstly, the word 'operator' will appear in the title. Additionally, your phone will emit a 'loud-siren' sound for approximately 10 seconds. Can you opt out of emergency alert tests? You can opt out but how you turn off the alert can be different depending on your phone manufacturer. This is how to opt out on an android Go on your phone's settings and look for 'emergency alerts' and turn off 'test alerts', 'exercise alerts', 'operator defined' and 'operator alerts'. How to opt out via other phones Article continues below Emergency alerts may appear under a different name. You can look for 'wireless emergency alerts' or 'emergency broadcasts'. Visit your settings and look for message and then 'message settings', followed by 'wireless emergency alerts' and then 'alert'. Alternatively, the switch off could be found under 'sounds' and then 'advanced' and then 'emergency broadcasters'. Another option is to click onto 'general settings' and then 'emergency alerts' What should you do in response to UK emergency alerts? There's no action required on your part. Emergency alerts are free and accessible without the need for WiFi or data connection.
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Plans unveiled for NHS funding to be linked to patient feedback
NHS funding could be linked to patient feedback under new plans, with poorly performing services that "don't listen" penalised with less money. As part of the "10 Year Health Plan" to be unveiled next week, a new scheme will be trialled that will see patients asked to rate the service they received - and if they feel it should get a funding boost or not. It will be introduced first for services that have a track record of very poor performance and where there is evidence of patients "not being listened to", the government said. This will create a "powerful incentive for services to listen to feedback and improve patients' experience", it added. Sky News understands that it will not mean bonuses or pay increases for the best performing staff. NHS payment mechanisms will also be reformed to reward services that keep patients out of hospital as part of a new 'Year of Care Payments' initiative and the government's wider plan for change. Speaking to The Times, chief executive of the NHS Confederation Matthew Taylor expressed concerns about the trial. He told the newspaper: "Patient experience is determined by far more than their individual interaction with the clinician and so, unless this is very carefully designed and evaluated, there is a risk that providers could be penalised for more systemic issues, such as constraints around staffing or estates, that are beyond their immediate control to fix." He said that NHS leaders would be keen to "understand more about the proposal", because elements were "concerning". Read more from Sky News Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "We will reward great patient care, so patient experience and clinical excellence are met with extra cash. These reforms are key to keeping people healthy and out of hospital, and to making the NHS sustainable for the long-term as part of the Plan for Change." In the raft of announcements in the 10 Year Health Plan, the government has said 201 bodies responsible for overseeing and running parts of the NHS in England will be scrapped. These include Healthwatch England, set up in 2012 to speak out on behalf of NHS and social care patients, the National Guardian's Office, created in 2015 to support NHS whistleblowers, and the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB). Elsewhere, the new head of NHS England Sir Jim Mackey said key parts of the NHS appear "built to keep the public away because it's an inconvenience". "We've made it really hard, and we've probably all been on the end of it," he told the Daily Telegraph. "The ward clerk only works nine to five, or they're busy doing other stuff; the GP practice scrambles every morning."
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ready Capital Corporation (RC) Declares Quarterly Dividends
Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE:RC) is one of the 10 best-value penny stocks to buy, according to analysts. On June 14, the company's board of directors approved a cash dividend of $0.125 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid to shareholders on July 31, 2025, as of the close of business on June 30, 2025. Copyright: bugtiger / 123RF Stock Photo In addition, the board declared a quarterly cash dividend on its 6.25% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and 6.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. It also declared a dividend of $0.390625 per share of Series C Preferred Stock, payable to Series C Preferred stockholders on July 15, 2025. The quarterly dividends come on the heels of Ready Capital generating a net income of $81.97 million for its first quarter of 2025. It was a significant turnaround from a net loss of $74.17 million for the same quarter last year. Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE:RC) is a real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances, and services commercial real estate loans for small to medium-sized businesses. It also offers small business loans through the SBA 7(a) program and provides financing for commercial real estate, including agency multifamily, investor, and bridge loans. While we acknowledge the potential of RC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
