Singapore ponders caning punishment for scammers
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Singaporeans lost an average of $4031 each to scams in 2023, putting the island state top of the global league table, according to the Financial Times.
This is ascribed to their prosperity, embrace of digital services and compliance with authority.
The country is now pondering a new way to deter potential scammers: corporal punishment.
In response to a suggestion in parliament, Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling recently said: 'We will consider Dr Tan's suggestion for caning to be prescribed for certain scam-related offences, recognising the serious harm they can cause.'
Loretta Yuen, chair of the fraud committee at the Association of Banks in Singapore is backing the idea, telling the FT: "We believe in caning as a strong deterrent."
Adds Yuen: 'It's a deterrent, but there is also a sense of revenge to it.'
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Telegraph
2 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Why are Thailand and Cambodia going to war?
On Thursday, violence broke out on the border between Thailand and Cambodia as long-simmering tensions between the two nations imploded. At least 11 Thai civilians have been killed, with Thailand deploying F-16 fighter jets and Cambodia calling for a UN Security Council meeting. Here's what you need to know about the conflict. Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting? The disputes boil down to differing interpretations of colonial-era maps drawn more than a century ago by the French – who once colonised Cambodia – and by Siam (modern-day Thailand). The maps had conflicting delineations of the 508 mile border, particularly around a series of important ancient temples. The ambiguity led to a legal battle at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, which ruled that the 11th-century temple Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia. While a disgruntled Thailand withdrew from the temple itself, it continued to maintain a claim on the surrounding area. But in 2008, tensions flared again when Cambodia sought to register the ancient temple as a Unesco World Heritage Site, prompting strong objections from Thailand. Small skirmishes and a renewed war of words followed, with clashes between the countries killing 20 people and displacing thousands. In 2011, Cambodia returned to the ICJ, which again ruled in its favour. However, the court did not rule on all of the disputed zones and, in turn, Thailand rejected the court's jurisdiction. 'Cambodia won at the ICJ and Thailand has been very unhappy about it ever since,' Phil Robertson, a Bangkok-based analyst and director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, told the Telegraph.. 'There are antiques [in the temples], and there's issues of cross border trade – there have always been issues. 'Neither side wants to be seen giving away an inch of territory to the other,' he added. 'It's like political suicide.' What caused the most recent clash? Violence in the region had largely subsided since 2013, but tensions flared again in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a skirmish on the border. Relations have slowly deteriorated since in what has become a tit-for-tat dispute. Despite both countries saying they had agreed to de-escalate, both sides have amassed troops on the border. Last week, three Thai soldiers were injured – one lost their foot –when a landmine in a contested area exploded. Thailand accused Cambodia of recently deploying the mines, saying the Russian-made devices were not part of its own arsenal. Cambodia denied the 'baseless' accusations, stating that the unexploded ordnance were remnants of 20th-century wars. On Wednesday, five more Thai soldiers were wounded by an explosion – this time, one lost a leg. In response, Thailand closed all of its northeastern land crossings with Cambodia, withdrew its ambassador from Phnom Penh, and expelled the Cambodian ambassador in Bangkok. Early on Thursday, Cambodia responded in kind, announcing that it had expelled the Thai ambassador and recalled all Cambodian staff from its Bangkok embassy. The country also declared that diplomatic relations with Thailand had been downgraded to the lowest level. Cambodia has also banned Thai movies and TV shows, stopped the import of Thai fuel, fruits and vegetables, and boycotted some of its neighbour's international internet links and power supply. What has happened so far on Thursday? On Thursday morning, clashes broke out along the Thai-Cambodian border, with much of the fighting centred around a 1,000 year old Khmer-Hindu temple called Prasat Ta Moan Thom. Both sides accused the other of opening fire first. According to reports, shots were heard at around 8.20am from an area about 200 meters east of Prasat Ta Muen Thom. Thai soldiers said they had earlier detected the sound of a drone and spotted six armed Cambodian soldiers. Ongoing clashes have since been reported in at least six locations along the disputed border. According to the Thai army, at least 11 civilians have been killed and several others injured. It also reported that the Cambodian army fired two BM-21 rockets at the Thai province of Surin at around 9.40am. Some 40,000 people from 86 provinces have been evacuated. Meanwhile Cambodian authorities said Thai gunfire had struck two provinces. A spokesperson said: 'At 8.46am today, Thai invading forces pre-emptively opened fire on Cambodian troops ... They also used fighter jets to drop two bombs on the road to Wat Keo Sikkha Kirisvara, where Cambodian forces are stationed to defend the nation's territorial integrity.' Thailand has also deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike a pair of military targets in Cambodia. The Royal Thai Air Force confirmed that all aircraft have returned safely. Could this escalate into a full blown war? Most analysts believe that prolonged conflict is unlikely as previous exchanges of fire have all dissipated relatively quickly. However, they note that events over the last few months have fanned nationalist sentiment at home – especially in Thailand, where the dispute has had major political ramifications. Thailand's prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was suspended after leaked audio of a call with Hun Sen, the Cambodian prime minister's father. In the call Paetongtarn criticised her own military and kowtowed to the Cambodian, calling him 'uncle'. The two families, both political dynasties, had previously been considered close. Now, the scandal threatens the Shinawatra clan's three decades of dominance on Thai politics. It also means that the Thai government fears being seen as weak, according to analysts. 'With Thai soldiers wounded by Cambodian landmines in apparent violation of the Ottawa Treaty, and now with the latest reports of injured Thai civilians and fatalities, the pressure on Thai political as well as military leaders is mounting,' said Tita Sanglee, a Thai-based associate fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, a think tank in Singapore. 'Continued restraint may no longer be viable as it risks escalating a crisis of public trust. So, as things stand, I don't see de-escalation coming soon. The real question is how far the fighting might go,' she said. Mr Robertson added: 'I don't see either side interested in compromising at this point… I think the fight is on. Unless there's some sort of mediation, I don't think either side wants to give any leeway to the other. The Thai government is already facing problems connected to the phone call with Hun Sen… so they can't be seen as weak.' He also said that Hun Sen may also be using the situation to boost his son, who has so far largely struggled to step out of his father's shadow. It may also prove a distraction from a struggling economy at home. 'I think Hun Sen is whipping it up, in part, to create an atmosphere so his son can become a wartime leader,' Mr Robertson said. China – which has influence in both countries – has expressed deep concerned about the developments and hopes that both sides will address issues through dialogue and consultations. The foreign spokesperson also said China intends to play a constructive role in promoting peace. Europe, America or ASEAN – a regional bloc of 11 southeast Asian countries – may also intervene to encourage both sides to de-escalate.
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Mapped: Where are border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia taking place?
Thailand and Cambodia traded artillery and airstrikes at multiple flashpoints along their disputed border on Thursday, killing 11 civilians and one soldier and wounding around a dozen in the most serious escalation of hostilities between the Southeast Asian nations in over a decade. The conflict erupted early Thursday near Ta Moan Thom, an ancient temple complex straddling Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey. Thai authorities claimed that clashes started after a drone and six Cambodian soldiers were spotted near a Thai Army outpost. S oldiers from both sides failed to de-escalate and gunfire broke out. Thailand later deployed F-16 fighter jets to bomb what it called military targets inside Cambodian territory. "We have used air power against military targets as planned," said Colonel Richa Suksuwanon, deputy spokesperson for the Thai Army. The Cambodian defence ministry accused Thailand of dropping two bombs on a road and denounced the attack as 'reckless and brutal military aggression' violating its sovereignty. "We have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression," Prime minister Hun Manet said. Thailand's foreign ministry said Cambodia had carried out heavy artillery strikes at a military base and struck civilian areas, including a hospital. "The Royal Thai government is prepared to intensify our self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty," ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said. View more A child was among three civilians injured in the border town of Kabcheing, Thai defence ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said. Authorities evacuated more than 40,000 residents from 86 villages near the frontier in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces. In Si Sa Ket, six civilians were killed when gunfire hit a petrol station. A total of 14 people were reported injured across three Thai border provinces. Footage from Thai broadcasters showed women and children fleeing into sandbagged bunkers as explosions echoed in the background. "How many rounds have been fired? It's countless," a woman told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service while taking shelter. The escalation followed weeks of rising tensions. Last week, a Thai soldier lost his leg after stepping on a mine in a disputed zone near Ubon Ratchathani. Thai officials accused Cambodia of recently laying new Russian landmines in breach of previous agreements. Phnom Penh denied the accusation, blaming legacy ordnance from its decades-long civil war, which left millions of landmines scattered across the country. In the wake of the incident, Thailand withdrew its ambassador, expelled Cambodia's envoy, and sealed all border crossings under the command of the country's Second Army. Cambodia retaliated by expelling Thailand's ambassador and recalling its diplomatic staff from the Bangkok embassy. A post by the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh warned citizens to avoid travel to Cambodia, unless absolutely necessary. Tensions have simmered since late May when a brief gunfight resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The situation deteriorated when a leaked phone call between Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen caused a political crisis in Bangkok. Ms Shinawatra was subsequently suspended pending a court investigation into alleged ethics violations over her handling of the issue. Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia are nothing new. Disputes have persisted for more than a century along their 817km frontier, much of it poorly demarcated. A key flashpoint is the Preah Vihear temple, a 1,000-year-old Unesco World Heritage Site. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia but surrounding areas would remain a source of conflict, which escalated into deadly skirmishes in 2011. The court reaffirmed Cambodia's claim in 2013 – fueling resentment in Thailand.
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Thailand-Cambodia border conflict latest: Thai F-16s bomb Cambodian targets as death toll rises to 12
Thailand says at least 12 people have been killed, most of them civilians, as tensions with Cambodia erupted into exchanges of fire along the two countries' contested border. The Thai army said one of its F-16 fighter jets had bombed and destroyed Cambodian military targets hours after the first shots rang out this morning near the ancient Ta Moan Thom temple, where both nations claim the other fired first. Thai authorities have evacuated approximately 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border and said cross-border shelling from Cambodia struck residential areas, a hospital and a fuel station. At least 14 people, including a five-year-old boy, were injured in three border provinces of Thailand. Cambodia has yet to give information on casualties or injuries. Cambodia's defence ministry said Thai jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia". The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok. Thailand's PM was suspended last month after May clashes Thailand's prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended in July following a ruling by the Constitutional Court over allegations she violated ministerial ethics in connection with a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The petition accused her of undermining Thailand's military and national interest by describing a Thai Army commander as her 'opponent' and referring to Mr Hun Sen in familial terms – calling him 'uncle' – during a private conversation that was later leaked The leaked conversation, reportedly intended to de-escalate tensions following a deadly cross-border clash on 28 May that left one Cambodian soldier dead, has sparked a political storm. Why was Thailand's prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended? Court ruling follows leaked call with Hun Sen as tensions rise over deadly clash and historic land claims Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 09:30 Death toll climbs to 12 after one military personnel dead Thailand's health minister has said a total of 12 people have been killed in the clashes. At least 11 Thai civilians and one soldier have been killed in the latest outbreak of border hostilities with Cambodia, Somsak Thepsuthin said. He said Cambodia's actions, including an attack on a hospital, should be considered war crimes. Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 09:08 Cambodia calls on UN to convene urgent meeting Cambodia has requested the United Nations Security Council to convene an "urgent meeting" to stop Thailand's hostilities. "Considering the recent extremely grave aggressions by Thailand, which have gravely threatened peace and stability in the region, I earnestly request you to convene an urgent meeting of the Security Council to stop Thailand's aggression," prime minister Hun Manet wrote to he council's president, in a letter dated Thursday. Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 09:02 China says it is 'deeply concerned' over Thailand-Cambodia clash China's foreign ministry on Thursday said it is deeply concerned about ongoing developments along the Thailand-Cambodia border and hopes that both sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultations. China will play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular press conference, adding that China upholds a just and impartial stance. Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 08:58 Thailand considers wall at border with Cambodia Thailand earlier said it was considering constructing a wall along a section of its border with Cambodia to combat illegal crossings. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub on Monday confirmed the proposal is under review, stating, "If it is done, how will it be done? What results and how will it solve problems? This is a study." The spokesperson did not specify the proposed length of the wall. This comes amid a growing international campaign to dismantle a vast network of illicit scam operations in Southeast Asia. These scam centres, often located along Thailand's borders with Myanmar and Cambodia, are responsible for widespread financial fraud. The United Nations has reported that criminal gangs have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people into these operations in recent years. Over the weekend, Cambodian authorities handed over 119 Thai nationals to Thai police following a raid on a scam compound in Poipet. The raid freed more than 215 people. Thailand considers wall at border with Cambodia The wall proposal comes amid a growing campaign to dismantle a vast network of illicit scam operations Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 08:52 In photos: Cambodian soldiers ready BM-21 launcher at attack New pictures have emerged of Cambodian soldiers reloading the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province after a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbours. The Royal Thai Army earlier in the day said two BM-21 rockets were fired into a civilian area in Kab Choeng district this morning, injuring three people. Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 08:46 At least nine civilians killed in Thailand, military says Thailand's military has said that at least nine civilians have been killed as tensions with Cambodia erupted into exchanges of fire along the two countries' contested border. The Thai Army said the most casualties occurred in Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after shots were fired at a fuel station. At least 14 people were injured in three border provinces. Clashes are ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Thai defence ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said. The Thai army said it launched air strikes with its F-16 fighter jets on Thursday on ground military targets in Cambodia, while the Cambodian Defence Ministry said the Thai jets dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple. Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 08:35 Why Cambodia and Thailand are fighting over their border and what happens next Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire across several disputed border zones on Thursday, killing at least one person, injuring three and prompting a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties between the Southeast Asian neighbours. The clashes began early Thursday morning near the ancient Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, located along the border between Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attack. Further skirmishes were reported near the Prasat Ta Krabey site and along the border separating Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani. A livestream from Thailand showed civilians fleeing explosions and seeking shelter in concrete bunkers as gunfire continued in the area. Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet claimed Thailand had targeted Cambodian military positions at multiple places. Why Cambodia and Thailand continue to fight over border and what happens next Southeast Asian neighbours exchange fire along border as conflict escalates Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 07:50 UK warns citizens near Thai-Cambodia border The UK has urged British nationals to "take extra care" near the border areas between Thailand and Cambodia, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said. The FCDO also urged people to "follow the instructions of local authorities" when travelling around these areas. Shweta Sharma24 July 2025 07:49 Thousands evacuated from Thai villages near border Thai authorities have evacuated approximately 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border with Cambodia, following intense cross-border shelling that killed at least one person on Thursday. The evacuations were ordered after artillery fire from Cambodian forces reportedly struck residential areas in Thailand's Surin province. One district official said the shells 'fell on people's homes', forcing local authorities to move families, including children and the elderly to safer locations. Concrete shelters, reinforced with sandbags and tyres, were used to shield civilians from ongoing gunfire and explosions. 'How many rounds have been fired? It's countless,' one woman told Thai Public Broadcasting as she took cover in a bunker.
