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Kochi airport turns hub for exotic wildlife smuggling from Thailand
Kochi airport turns hub for exotic wildlife smuggling from Thailand

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

Kochi airport turns hub for exotic wildlife smuggling from Thailand

Kochi: Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) is emerging as a hub for the illegal trafficking of live exotic animals from Thailand to Kerala. Over just seven months ending June 2025, customs officials at Cial seized nearly 25 live exotic animals in three separate cases. 'Exotic species' refers to animals not native to a particular habitat or geographical region. The trafficking modus operandi is relatively simple. Agents in Kerala recruit financially vulnerable individuals by offering them a paid trip to Thailand—covering all expenses in return for smuggling exotic animals back to India. The carriers receive between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 per trip. In the past seven months, four such passengers, who went to Thailand as tourists, were intercepted by Customs for trafficking rare birds like hyacinth macaws, primates such as white-lipped tamarins and common marmosets, along with tortoises and rabbits. "These are essentially paid holidays for the carriers," said a Customs officer. "Agents here identify people who are struggling financially. Once they agree, the agents in Bangkok arrange the stay, and the animal is packed into their check-in baggage. On arrival at Cial, someone approaches the passenger to collect the bag." The animals are smuggled in miserable conditions—crammed into boxes or hidden within baggage, often tied up or sedated and covered with clothing or paper. Investigators found that Bangkok-based agents photograph carriers before departure and send the image to their Kerala counterparts. "Once the passenger lands at Cial, the local agent identifies them using the photo. If the carrier is intercepted at the airport, the handlers waiting outside flee," said the official, noting that exotic animals fetch high prices and there are people ready to buy them. Customs officers intercept traffickers by profiling passengers who make frequent short trips to Thailand. "If suspicious images turn up during baggage scans, we open the luggage," an official said. "In all three recent cases, the passengers flew Thai Airways. We've alerted the airline, but the trafficking continues. Since transporting these animals is legal in Thailand, that is why it becomes a major source of trafficking," said an officer. However, what handicaps the investigators is that their investigation reaches a dead end with the arrest of the carriers. "Most carriers have no contact information for the dealers or handlers. They're kept deliberately in the dark about the wider network," said a forest department official. He said in two recent cases, the seized animals were sent back to Bangkok on the same flight following court orders. "However, in the June 30 case, the animals were too young and required immediate care. They were moved to a zoological park in Thrissur for veterinary attention," said the official. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!

Thailand plunges deeper into crisis as court suspends leader
Thailand plunges deeper into crisis as court suspends leader

Miami Herald

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Miami Herald

Thailand plunges deeper into crisis as court suspends leader

Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office until it rules on a petition seeking her permanent removal over alleged ethical misconduct, deepening a crisis that threatens to end her family's over two-decade dominance of the country's politics. Paetongtarn is barred from exercising prime ministerial powers while the nine-member court considers the petition by a group of senators, it said in a statement. The ruling to suspend her was backed by seven out of nine judges, the court said. While the court set no deadline to adjudicate on the petition, it gave Paetongtarn 15 days to respond to the allegations. In the interim, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, a deputy prime minister and transport minister, will be the acting leader, according to officials. The petitioners allege that the prime minister's comments critical of the nation's army in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen constitute a violation of ethical standards - grounds that could lead to her dismissal. The youngest daughter of influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn had resisted calls to resign, despite the exit of a major party from her coalition. The legal troubles faced by Paetongtarn and her father - who went on trial for a royal defamation case on Tuesday - suggest that a deal the clan had made with the pro-royalist establishment may be coming under strain. The uncertainty over Paetongtarn's future and her coalition is likely to slow efforts to accelerate growth in an economy that's lagged the pace of expansion in regional neighbors such as Indonesia and the Philippines. The political turmoil also raises questions about Thailand's ability to negotiate down a punitive 36% U.S. tariff on exports and the government's ability to pass key bills like the budget for next year. "The PM's suspension has heightened political uncertainty, raising concerns if this will lead to a lame duck government," said Burin Adulwattana, chief economist at the Bangkok-based Kasikorn Research Center in Bangkok. If the budget bill is delayed, "it will be a big drag on the economy, which is already fragile and face the threat of U.S. tariffs." The baht fell on the news, while the yield on benchmark 10-year bonds edged lower. The benchmark stock index, among the world's worst-performing major equity markets globally this year, rallied 1.9% on expectations that Paetongtarn's suspension will help reduce political tension. The court blow is the biggest threat yet to Paetongtarn's nascent political career and her 10-month-old government. She came to power last year after her predecessor and a Thaksin ally, Srettha Thavisin, was ousted in a similar ethics-related case. Paetongtarn, 38, is the third member of the Shinawatra clan to lead the country after Thaksin, the billionaire patriarch of the family, and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, who remains in exile after fleeing in 2017 to evade corruption charges. "This could be the end of the Shinawatra dynasty," said Titipol Phakdeewanich, a political science lecturer at Ubon Ratchathani University. "The court's decision is unsurprising given the growing opposition against the prime minister. Her political naivety is also undeniable." The suspension came just hours after Paetongtarn's new cabinet line-up, which was meant to shore up support of allies in her coalition government, was unveiled. While she will need to step away from the top office, Paetongtarn is expected to still have a seat in the cabinet as the new Minister of Culture after the new appointees are sworn in on Thursday. Dynastic rule Paetongtarn's government was plunged into a crisis when Hun Sen leaked the phone recording showing the premier siding with him rather than the Thai army while discussing solutions to a simmering border disputes. That angered conservative-leaning activists and opponents, who organized the biggest public protests in years to demand her ouster. Before the dispute, the Shinawatras and the Huns of Cambodia - two of Southeast Asia's most influential political dynasties - had enjoyed close personal relations for decades. Hun Sen previously referred to Thaksin as "brother." The border row with Cambodia has intensified with both countries enacting tit-for-tat measures to restrict trade and cross-border movement. Last week, Hun Sen - father of current Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet - called for a leadership change in Thailand, saying he doubted Paetongtarn's ability to resolve the escalating conflict. The handling of the Cambodia dispute has also dented the Thai prime minister's popularity. Support for Paetongtarn fell to single digits in a recent opinion poll, with only 9.2% of respondents backing her, according to a June 19–25 survey. Paetongtarn said she accepted the court decision, and her actions were with the country's best interest at heart. Still, her legal challenges are far from over. Her opponents have also approached the anti-graft agency and the Election Commission in efforts to force her removal. "The government will reach a breaking point well before the court even renders its final verdict," said Napon Jatusripitak, acting coordinator of the Thailand Studies Program at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. "The collapse of her administration appears to be a matter of when, not if." -------- -With assistance from Pathom Sangwongwanich, Suttinee Yuvejwattana, Lee Miller, Anuchit Nguyen and Abhishek Vishnoi. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.

Thailand's Minor International leans on Europe to weather country's tourism slump
Thailand's Minor International leans on Europe to weather country's tourism slump

Business Times

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Business Times

Thailand's Minor International leans on Europe to weather country's tourism slump

[BANGKOK] Thailand's flagging tourism sector, weighed down by a sharp drop in Chinese tourist arrivals, is hurting local hotel operators but the country's hospitality giant Minor International (Mint) is finding some shelter in its European footprint. Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive of Minor Hotels (Minor) and group CEO of Mint, said that there has been a rise in luxury travel from other parts of Asia and Europe. 'A growing trend we are observing is regional travel – Asia for Asia and Europe for Europe,' he told The Business Times. 'This trend plays to Minor's strengths as our portfolio is concentrated in Europe and Asia, and we can benefit from travellers sticking within their region,' he added. Bangkok-based Mint, listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), was started by American entrepreneur William Heinecke. Minor Hotels is the hospitality arm of Mint, which is also involved in food and retail businesses. In 2018, Mint acquired a 94.1 per cent stake in Minor Hotels Europe and Americas (MHEA), then known as NH Hotel Group – a Spanish chain and Europe's sixth-largest hotel operator – for 2.3 billion euros (S$3.4 billion), beating out Hyatt Hotels in the process. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up The buyout more than doubled Minor's global portfolio and significantly diversified its regional exposure. The group retained the NH brand name to leverage its strong market recognition across Europe and the Americas. The acquisition saw Mint's long-term debt surge from 50 billion baht in 2017 to 127 billion baht in 2018, peaking at 132 billion baht during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, before easing to 93 billion baht in 2024. But debt aside, the deal diversified the group's risk beyond Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region. 'The diversification allows Mint to mitigate regional risks and capitalise on cross-market opportunities,' said Kalvalee Thongsomaung, an equity research analyst at Bualuang Securities. She noted that the group has introduced its Anantara brand in Europe, NH Hotels in parts of Asia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Avani in the UAE. The group has focused on an asset-light strategy in the post-Covid period, concentrating on growing its hotel management contracts and fewer wholly owned hotels. Of its 562 properties, 193 are under management contracts using Minor's various brand names including Anantara, Avanti, Elewana Collection, NH, Oaks and Tivoli. 'The company's shift towards an asset-light model and a focus on deleveraging – aiming to reduce its net interest-bearing debt to equity ratio to 0.75x by year-end – further bolster its investment appeal,' said Kalvalee. Mint reported a core profit of 50 million baht (S$2 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared with a loss of 352 million baht in the same quarter last year, but down from a 2.9 billion baht profit in the fourth quarter of 2024. This also marked the group's first Q1 core profit since acquiring MHEA. 'Of the three major hotel stocks – Mint, Centel (Central Plaza Hotel) and The Erawan Group – we like Minor the most because 70 per cent of (its) revenue is coming from Europe,' said Naphat Chantaraserekul, the head of research at CLSA/Thailand. Europe accounted for 56 per cent of Mint's revenue in Q1 2025, but this is expected to go up in the next two quarters during the region's high season. Mint's stock has yet to mirror analysts' confidence, falling about 13 per cent year to date. While this reflects broader concerns over Thailand's tourism recovery, political uncertainty, and global headwinds, the counter has still outperformed the tourism sector and the broader SET index. Room for hope in Thai operations Thailand, where Minor began with the purchase of Royal Garden Resort Pattaya in 1978, still plays a crucial role in the group's revenue picture. 'Our hotels in Thailand delivered a strong 10 per cent revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, outperforming other regions,' said Rajakarier. Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive of Minor Hotels and group CEO of Minor. PHOTO: MINOR HOTELS Thailand currently accounts for 7 per cent of Minor's portfolio of 562 properties. Thailand accounted for 13 per cent of Minor Hotels' total system sales in Q1 2025, the company indicated in a statement. Minor's hotels in southern Thailand enjoyed a boost from the third season of The White Lotus, a US-made series featuring the frolics and follies of very wealthy people on their vacations that was mainly filmed at four properties operated by Minor. 'The White Lotus has been a game changer for our properties in Koh Samui and Phuket, driving a significant increase in bookings and room rates,' said Rajakarier. 'We expect the impact to grow as more international travellers, particularly from the US, plan trips in the coming months.' That is rare optimism amid Thailand's flagging tourism sector, which is now expected to attract just 34 million to 35 million visitors, down from the initial government target of 38 million. Between January and May, this year, Thailand attracted 14.4 million foreign tourists, a drop of 2.7 per cent year-on-year, mainly dragged down by a 33 per cent decline in Chinese tourists. KResearch has forecast that tourist arrivals will reach 34.5 million this year, down from 35.5 million in 2024, and well below the 40 million peak in 2019, the year before the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chinese market, which accounted for 6.7 million arrivals last year, has been adversely affected by security concerns after a popular Chinese actor was kidnapped and taken to a scam centre in neighbouring Myanmar in early 2025. Analysts noted that Chinese guests account for less than 5 per cent of Minor's guests in Asian locations, and 2 per cent in NH hotels in Europe. Wellness destination Another trend that Minor and other luxury hotels stands to benefit from is a growing interest in 'experience' travel, and away from shopping. 'What we are seeing in Thailand is consistent with global trends, where spending is shifting from material to experience-based luxury. Guests are increasingly seeking wellness, fine dining and unique experiences rather than shopping,' Rajakarier said. It might help that wellness was one of the main themes in The White Lotus. 'The show amplified Thailand's appeal, especially as a wellness destination. We continue to see more guests choose Thailand as a wellness destination,' he added.

Is Thailand heading for a military coup as PM Paetongtarn's credibility is increasingly at stake?
Is Thailand heading for a military coup as PM Paetongtarn's credibility is increasingly at stake?

First Post

time24-06-2025

  • Politics
  • First Post

Is Thailand heading for a military coup as PM Paetongtarn's credibility is increasingly at stake?

Paetongtarn Shinawatra has barely stayed in office for a year, and talk of the town is that power might get transferred to the military, a state that the Southeast Asian nation was able to get out of two years ago read more Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (L) gestures at a press conference next to Armed Forces Commander Pana Klaewplodthuk (R) at Government House in Bangkok on June 19, 2025. AFP Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's call for resignation is bringing back painful memories of military rule in the country, as analysts are noting that the centre of political power is slipping back into the armed forces. On Monday, Shinawatra reshuffled her Cabinet to avert a crisis triggered by a leaked phone call that threatens to sink her government. The 38-year-old daughter of controversial former premier Thaksin Shinawatra began handing out ministerial posts vacated when her main coalition partner quit last week. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shinawatra has barely stayed in office for a year, and talk of the town is that power might get transferred to the military, a state that the Southeast Asian nation was able to get out of two years ago. Will the military make a comeback? According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the prime minister met the commander of the second army region, which controls Thai security on its eastern flank, last week. She also held a meeting with he head of the supreme command and the chiefs of the army, air force and navy to show that the 'government and the military were walking in the same steps.' Some Bangkok-based diplomats noted that Thailand is experiencing the latest chapter in a political conflict that has spanned over two decades, stalling the country's democratic development. At the heart of this struggle is a power contest between pro-democracy parties linked to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, father of Paetongtarn, and the ultra-royalist conservative establishment, rooted in the military-backed, royalist elite. What is the controversy? In the leaked call, Paetongtarn is heard discussing an ongoing border dispute with Hun Sen, who still holds significant power in Cambodia despite leaving office in 2023. She addresses the veteran leader as 'uncle' and refers to the Thai army commander in the country's northeast as her opponent, a remark that sparked fierce criticism on social media. The Thai foreign ministry summoned the Cambodian ambassador, last week, to deliver a letter complaining about the leaking of the call. With inputs from agencies

Asia rice: Prices in India edge up as demand improves; muted activity seen elsewhere
Asia rice: Prices in India edge up as demand improves; muted activity seen elsewhere

Business Recorder

time20-06-2025

  • Business
  • Business Recorder

Asia rice: Prices in India edge up as demand improves; muted activity seen elsewhere

BENGALURU/MUMBAI/BANGKOK/DHAKA AND HANOI: Indian rice export prices edged up from two-year lows this week, helped by improving demand, while a lack of buying activity and higher supplies weighed on Thailand and Vietnam rates. India's 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $380-$386 per ton, up from the last week's $378-$384. Indian 5% broken white rice was priced at $373 to $377 per ton this week. 'The weak rupee is helping exporters a bit. We can see some demand coming back,' said Himanshu Agrawal, executive director at Satyam Balajee, a leading rice exporter. India's state reserves of rice, including unmilled paddy, totalled a record 59.5 million metric tons as of June 1, far exceeding the government's target of 13.5 million tons for July 1. Vietnam's 5% broken rice was offered at $387 per metric ton on Thursday, down slightly from $388 a week ago, according to the Vietnam Food Association. 'Trading activity is muted, but the authorities are seeking to boost shipments to China,' a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said. A delegation of 20 Vietnamese rice processors and exporters led by trade ministry officials visited China's Guangdong province last week to seek buyers, the trader said. Thailand's 5% broken rice slipped to $397 per tonne from $398 quoted last week, on a stronger baht and weak demand. 'I'm very worried about farmers, there is a lot of supply and the new crop should have good yield from good water levels,' a Bangkok-based trader said. Meanwhile, domestic rice prices in Bangladesh remain high despite the government's efforts to cool the market, traders said. Measures such as increased government procurement, easing import duties and market monitoring have so far failed to significantly reduce the prices of the staple grain. Retailers are still selling coarse and medium-grain rice at prices far beyond the reach of many low-income consumers.

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