Latest news with #Surapong
Bangkok Post
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Motorcycle production and sales set to slow in 2nd half
More motorcycle production and sales in Thailand during the first five months of 2025 do not guarantee bright business prospects as the industry looks likely to slow in the second half, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The downturn is attributed to weak consumer purchasing power and sluggish economies among Thailand's trading partners, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice-president of the FTI and the spokesman for its Automotive Industry Club. From January to May, Thailand's total motorcycle manufacturing rose by 5% to more than 1 million units, comprising 865,858 completely built-up units, a year-on-year increase of 3%, and 198,523 completely knocked-down units, a gain of 13%. Sales in the domestic market also increased during the period, with 751,848 motorcycles sold, a year-on-year increase of 1.6%. Though the sales figures beat car sales, which fell by nearly 3% to 252,615 units, motorcycle manufacturers cannot be complacent given the external and domestic economic challenges, said Mr Surapong. "Banks and car financing companies continue to tighten their lending criteria for auto loans amid the high level of household debt," he said. According to the Bank of Thailand report issued on June 30, total household debt tallied 16.3 trillion baht in the first quarter of 2025, equivalent to 87.4% of GDP, down from 16.4 trillion baht or 88.4% of GDP in the previous quarter. Though household debt fell, its amount remained high. The decrease reflected stricter lending standards from financial institutions and weaker loan demand from borrowers, said the central bank. The sluggish domestic economy is not the only factor that worries commercial banks and car financing companies, as they are also concerned about the current political situation. "Business confidence and public trust in the government are also going down, driven by political turbulence," said Mr Surapong. The leaked audio clip featuring Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen discussing a territorial dispute has dealt a blow to the stability of the government.
Bangkok Post
09-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
German arrested on Koh Phangan for investment fraud targeting Australians
SURAT THANI - A 54-year-old German has been arrested on Koh Phangan for allegedy orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme targeting investors in Australia. Officers from Provincial Police Region 8, the Immigration Bureau, Surat Thani and Pathum Thani, accompanied by Australian Federal Police, searched four locations on the popular tourist island. They took David Guy Hamburger, 54, a German suspect, into custody. Mr Hamburger was apprehended while riding a motorcycle near his residence, Choco Villa on Koh Phangan, Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said on Wednesday. Police executed an arrest warrant approved by Pathum Thani Provincial Court on June 19 on charges of public fraud and putting false information into a computer system. The arresting team took the suspect back to his house and searched it. The officers seized assets worth more than 19 million baht, believed to have been acquired through fraudulent activities. Items impounded included a cryptocurrency account valued at 8.04 million baht, four bank accounts containing 6.23 million baht, 495,000 baht in cash, a land title deed worth 1.5 million baht, four vehicles worth 2.27 million baht, 13 luxury watches valued at 605,000 baht and two laptop computers. Upon inspecting the laptops, police found scripted dialogue used to dupe investors in Australia into making fake stock investments, and detailed records of victims. Police also searched three other premises linked to nominee companies allegedly established by the suspect. They were a law office on Koh Phangan, the Montana Realty real estate office, also on Koh Phangan, and a residence on Koh Samui in the name of his Thai wife. Police also summonsed individuals suspected of being part of Mr Hamburger's network for questioning. They are suspected of helping set up four nominee companies - Chesapeake Ross Co, Montana Realty Co, Laguna Cliff Co and Gollum Co. Pol Lt Gen Surapong said the action followed advice from Australian authorities that many people Australia had been conned by online investment scam operated from Thailand. Investigators took up the case, and located and identified the prime suspect, Mr Hamburger. They obtained approval from Koh Samui Provincial Court to search the suspect locations, which led to the arrest of the German suspect, Pol Lt Gen Surapong. Mr Hamburger had been residing on Koh Phangan for over five years on a retirement visa. He had run several businesses, including a villa rental company, a construction firm and a restaurant. He was handed over to Muang police station in Pathum Thani province for legal processing on the fraud charges. Surat Thani police would bring additional charges against him under the Foreign Business Act, Pol Lt Gen Surapong said.
NDTV
29-05-2025
- NDTV
Thailand Man Dies After Grenade Thrown At Ex-Girlfriend's House Bounces Back And Hits Him
A 36-year-old man in Thailand died after throwing a grenade at his ex-girlfriend's house in Surat Thani when she refused to reconcile. The grenade, an M26 fragmentation type, hit a pillar, bounced back, and exploded in his hand, killing him instantly. Four others, including his ex-girlfriend Kanonraphat Saowakhon, 28, sustained minor injuries but were treated and released. According to Metro, the incident occurred on May 25 after the man identified as Surapong Thongnak barged into his ex-girlfriend's house, pleading for reconciliation. After the altercation, the suspect allegedly attempted to stab the woman with scissors before fleeing to his car to retrieve a grenade. He then threw the grenade, which hit a concrete pillar and bounced back. As he leaned down to pick it up, the grenade exploded in his hands, instantly killing him and injuring four others. Debris and shrapnel were scattered across the yard, but Kanonraphat escaped unharmed by running back into the house before the explosion. Police responded to the scene, finding the suspect lying face down in a pool of blood. Police Major Chinnakrit Sawatdiwong said, "The injured individuals were taken to the Tha Chana Hospital. All of them have been discharged except for Samart Janyang, 68, who suffered more serious injuries. He has been transferred to the Surat Thani Hospital for further treatment." Surapong's mother, Ranjuan Timdee, 58, reported that her son had been dating the woman for only two months before their breakup. She expressed shock upon learning of his death, stating that she couldn't believe he had become so violent. Authorities also found half a kilogram of methamphetamine in Surapong's car during the investigation. Statistics highlight the heightened risk of violence for individuals who have left an abusive relationship, particularly shortly after separation. Recent data from Battered Women indicates that 77% of domestic violence-related homicides occur post-separation, with a 75% increase in violence for up to two years after. The Women's Aid revealed that 72% of people underestimate domestic abuse prevalence, which may contribute to insufficient support or intervention.
News18
29-05-2025
- News18
Man Throws Grenade At Ex-Girlfriend's House In Thailand, Dies in Fiery Blast
Last Updated: A man in Thailand was killed after he threw a hand grenade at his ex-girlfriend's home following her refusal to reconcile with him. A 35-year-old man in Thailand hurled a hand grenade at his former girlfriend's home after she declined to reconcile with him. Tragically, he was killed in the explosion that followed, while his ex-girlfriend escaped without any injuries. The incident has shocked the local community and raised concerns about violent reactions in personal disputes. A report from the Bangkok Post states that on May 25, a 35-year-old man died and four others were injured in a grenade explosion. The incident took place in Thailand's Tha Chana district, according to police confirmation. Reportedly, Surapong Thongnak went to his ex-girlfriend's house after their breakup, hoping to reconcile. When she rejected him, he became angry and tried to stab her with a pair of scissors. Nearby passersby quickly stepped in and stopped him from causing harm. Frustrated, Surapong returned to his car and retrieved an M26 fragmentation grenade. He pulled the pin and hurled the grenade at the crowd trying to stop him. Thankfully, the grenade didn't detonate right away, which helped avoid more immediate injuries. Surapong then attempted to pick up the grenade to throw it again, but it suddenly detonated in his hand. The powerful explosion shattered the windows of nearby parked cars, causing panic in the area. When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found Surapong lying in a pool of blood. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene. Four other individuals—two men and two women—were injured in the explosion and were rushed to Tha Chana Hospital for medical care, according to the Bangkok Post. Surapong's ex-girlfriend, the intended target, escaped without injury after quickly running back into her house before the grenade detonated. Police discovered 500 grams of methamphetamine inside Surapong's Honda Civic, which was also damaged by the blast. The local police have requested assistance from the Region 8 Forensic Police to analyse the scene and confirm the exact type of explosive involved. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence. The shocking incident left the local community shaken and raised concerns about the consequences of uncontrolled anger in personal relationships.
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Jilted boyfriend throws grenade at ex-girlfriend's house in Thailand, dies in blast
A 35-year-old man in Thailand threw a hand grenade at his ex-girlfriend's house after she refused to get back together with him. He died in the ensuing blast, while the ex-girlfriend survived unharmed. According to a report in Bangkok Post, the 35-year-old man was killed and four others injured in the grenade blast on May 25. The incident occurred in the Tha Chana district of Thailand, police confirmed. Surapong Thongnak had reportedly reached his ex-girlfriend's house after the couple broke up. He was hoping to reconcile with her. However, the woman refused to get back together with Surapong. After he failed to change his ex-girlfriend's mind, an enraged Surapong attempted to stab her with a pair of scissors. Passersby intervened to stop him. Surapong then went back to his car, retrieved a hand grenade, pulled the pin and threw it towards the group of people who had gathered to stop him. The grenade, an M26 fragmentation grenade, failed to explode right away. Surapong then picked it up, hoping to throw it again. However, the grenade exploded in his hand. The force of the explosion shattered the windows of cars parked nearby. Surapong was found lying in a pool of his own blood when authorities arrived at the scene. He did not survive the blast. Four other people – two men and two women – suffered injuries in the last. According to Bangkok Post, they were taken to Tha Chana Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the target of Surapong's wrath, his ex-girlfriend, survived unharmed. She had run back to the house before the grenade exploded. Police found 500 grams of methamphetamine inside Surapong's Honda Civic car, which was also damaged in the blast. Mothership reported that five years ago, he had also been jailed on drug-related charges. (Also read: Disowned son of Thailand king becomes a Buddhist monk, renewing succession drama)
