The Bulletin

Stephff's world

A new perspective on the criminal ecosystem in Southeast Asia

UNODC report launch, Tuesday, 21 July, 10am

Transnational organized crime in Southeast Asia has entered a new phase. While criminal markets used to operate in isolation, they have now converged into a single, resilient, and globally connected ecosystem. Criminals often rely on similar services to diversify their target reach, the software they use and the way they launder their proceeds.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific invites you to the launch of its landmark report: “An Interconnected Criminal Ecosystem: Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment for Southeast Asia 2026”.

Moving beyond the 2019 edition's market-by-market analysis, this UNODC Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment adopts an integrated approach to examine how organized crime now functions as a single, technology-enabled ecosystem. Alongside well-documented chapters on scam operations and drug trafficking, this new edition breaks ground on emerging criminal markets —including illegal online gambling, online child sexual exploitation, tobacco crime, and firearms trafficking— and presents a comprehensive estimate of scam operations in the region, along with their impact on the region's economy and people.

The scale of what has emerged, and the speed at which it has grown, demands a fundamental reassessment of how the international community understands and responds to organized crime.

Join UNODC for a comprehensive briefing on the findings, in person at the club or online via Facebook livestream, on Tuesday 21 July 2026 at 10am.

Opened by Delphine Schantz, UNODC regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the session will be moderated by head of communications Laura Gil, and include a briefing by lead analyst Inshik Sim, followed by time for questions.

This is not an FCCT event.Free and open to all.

Adder contracts: Can they really be cancelled?

Panel discussion, Thursday, 23 July, 1pm

With electricity tariffs rising to a price of 3.95 baht per kilowatt hour amid the global energy crisis, energy communication platform JustPow is hosting a public forum to examine whether Thailand can phase out outdated “adder” power contracts. These purchase subsidies, which currently add an estimated 13–17 satang per kWh to electricity bills, have cost consumers over 344 billion baht since 2008. With a government restructuring electricity tariffs, this forum will bring together experts in energy policy, law, and renewable energy, along with government representatives, to examine the legal, economic, and policy implications of terminating these contracts.

Join us at the FCCT clubhouse or via Facebook Live, to hear:  

Data and policy scenarios for phasing out adder contracts, presented by JustPow coordinator Santichai Arpornsri.

And a panel discussion with feedback on JustPow's scenarios, featuring:

• Dr Chalie Charoenlarpnopparut, associate professor, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology and Thammasat, to provide perspectives on Thailand’s energy structure.

• Dr Piti Eiamchamroonlarp, associate professor, Chulalongkorn law faculty, to provide perspectives on energy law.

• Chaphamon Chantarapongphan, president, Thai Photovoltaic Industries Association, representing solar power operators receiving the Adder.

• Watcharapong Khemkaew, president, Thai Wind Energy Association, representing wind power operators receiving the Adder.

• Natee Sithiprasasana, committee member, Thai Renewable Energy Association (RE100), representing biomass power operators receiving the Adder.

• Pongpol Yodmuangcharoen, Ministry of Energy spokesperson, to provide government response and comments.

All proceedings will be held in Thai.

This is not an FCCT event.Free and open to all.

Troubled waters: Tackling transboundary river pollution in Southeast Asia

Panel discussion, Monday, 3 August, 7pm

Reuters

Growing concerns over heavy metal contamination in northern Thailand's rivers have thrust transboundary pollution into the national spotlight, prompting diplomatic engagement, scientific investigations and calls for stronger regional cooperation.

The issue has also sparked demonstrations, diplomatic appeals and growing public debate, reflecting wider concerns over environmental governance, corporate accountability and the challenges of addressing pollution that crosses national borders.

As governments, regional bodies and international partners weigh their response, what more can be done to protect shared waterways and the communities that depend on them? Join the FCCT for a timely discussion on one of Southeast Asia's most pressing environmental challenges with a panel that includes:

Pichamon Yeophantong, member, UN working Group on Business and Human Rights.

Norasate Prachayakorn, Thai senator.

Sor Rattanamanee Polkla, lawyer, Community Resource Centre.

Moderator: TBC

Members who wish to book in advance should email info@fccthai.com or call the FCCT office on 02-652-0580.

Non-members can use this link.

Members free, non-members 400 baht; students and local media with ID 150 baht.Bar and restaurant open.

Board games night

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Tuesday, 21 July, 7pm

Join us for a chilled night of board games with The Boring Club. Try your luck with classics like chess and backgammon or modern games including Catan and Pandemic.The bar and restaurant will be open. Try our pizzas from the new pizza oven. The Boring Club meets at the FCCT clubhouse for games every Tuesday at 7pm.

Free and open to all.Bar and restaurant open.

FCCT pub trivia

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Friday, 31 July, 7pm

Gather your friends and colleagues for a night of pub trivia at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand.

Come for a bite and a beverage and test your knowledge. 1,000 baht bar tab up for grabs for the winning team, to be redeemed on the night.

Advanced table bookings encouraged here.

Free and open to all.Bar and restaurant open.

"As a foreign correspondent, you're
an observer"
Jonathan Head

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Dateline Bangkok podcast

Watch the full video at this link.

The Bay Man from Bulawayo

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by Ian Timberlake

One man’s adventures during a bygone era in the Canadian Arctic are chronicled in the first ebook from veteran foreign correspondent Ian Timberlake. Rated five stars and available now on Rakuten Kobo. https://www.kobo.com/ebook/the-bay-man-from-bulawayo

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