Thailand News

Thai agencies probe organ trafficking fears at O'Smach

Isaan

Thai agencies probe organ trafficking fears at O'Smach

Thai security agencies suspect criminal groups behind scam centres may be involved in organ trafficking, following the discovery of a hospital with operating theatres at the O'Smach complex opposite Surin province's Chong Chom border crossing.

The claims arise from evidence found after Thai troops secured the O'Smach area. Fraudsters had already fled before Thai and Cambodian forces began fighting last year, according to a special report by Anantachai Watcharasathian of TV Channel 7.

While the reported evidence has raised serious concerns, the discovery does not establish that organ trafficking took place. Security agencies believe the site may have been connected to crimes beyond online fraud and the trafficking of people into scam operations.

Hospital discovery raises suspicions

Among the most troubling findings was Song Nan Hospital, which reportedly provided more than general medical treatment and included fully equipped operating rooms.

Security agencies believe the facility may have been used for human organ trafficking. Investigators also found torture devices and underground cells which were believed to have been used to hold people who failed to meet scam-centre performance quotas.

The complex contained mock police stations representing several countries, along with uniforms and scripts used for different scam calls. Such set-ups are commonly used by fraud gangs to convince targets that they are speaking to law-enforcement officials.

Cambodia and Myanmar scam hubs

People's MP Rangsiman Rome, chairman of the House Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice and Human Rights, said he believes organ trafficking occurs at scam hubs in Cambodia.

He named O'Smach, Poipet and Bavet, and said they were linked to fraud factories in Myanmar, particularly Shwe Kokko and KK Park.

Rome attributed the suspected trade to black-market demand, saying that legal organ donation involves long waiting lists and that wealthy individuals may turn to illegal alternatives.

Interpol data indicates that, over the past five years, victims from 66 countries have been trafficked to scam centres across Southeast Asia. The figures underline the international reach of networks operating near Thailand's borders and elsewhere in the region.

Calls for action on illicit money

The government has been urged to act decisively by closing channels used for illicit capital flows and dismantling the criminal networks behind the scam centres.

The report warned that the problem could develop into a national security threat if it is allowed to grow unchecked.


Picture courtesy of TV Channel 7

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16 September 2026

• Cambodia

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Georgealbert

5 hours ago5 hr

Thailand denies hotels exemption from foreign business licence

business

Thailand denies hotels exemption from foreign business licence

Thailand's Commerce Ministry has rejected claims that foreigners can now operate hotels, restaurants or tour businesses without a licence under a new Foreign Business Act regulation.

The new rule removes licensing requirements for eight service businesses in three groups, but hotels, tour operators, restaurants, souvenir shops, sports services and language schools are not included, according to Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development.

"These seven businesses are not in the regulation at all," Poonpong said.

The clarification matters to foreign investors and expats considering starting businesses in Thailand. Foreign-owned or foreign-controlled ventures in sectors such as hospitality, food and tourism must still comply with the Foreign Business Act of 1999 and any other sector-specific rules that apply.

Online posts had claimed the change affected businesses closely associated with Thai livelihoods. Critics also said it could harm Thai small and medium-sized firms, weaken economic sovereignty and provide an opening for nominee arrangements.

Poonpong said the measure was not a broad liberalisation of foreign business rules. Instead, it removes duplicate paperwork where another regulator already oversees the activity.

Which services are covered

The first group includes four services already regulated elsewhere: telecommunications services operated without an owned network, treasury centres, securities-backed lending, and agent, adviser and fund manager services for derivatives outside the Derivatives Act.

Network-free telecom operators still need a licence from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. Of 525 licences issued in this category, 171 have gone to foreign firms.

Treasury centres are regulated by the Bank of Thailand and serve only companies within the same group, the central bank said. The Securities and Exchange Commission oversees the two financial-service categories and said Thai operators were prepared to compete.

A second group covers administrative, human resources and IT services, plus domestic debt guarantees, when these are provided only between affiliated companies. Officials had approved all 334 applications in this category, Poonpong said.

The final group includes renting part of a company's own premises for staff ATMs or vending machines, aimed at foreign firms with 1,000 to 2,000 workers, and petroleum drilling services. The Energy Ministry, Petroleum Institute of Thailand and PTT Exploration and Production supported removing drilling services, citing high capital and technology requirements and the absence of Thai offshore drilling providers.

Nominee checks tightened

The Cabinet approved the removal of nine businesses from the Act's annex in May. Eight are being handled through ministerial regulation, while agricultural futures trading will be removed by royal decree.

Poonpong said the list had previously been trimmed five times following consultations and approvals from relevant regulators. The Foreign Business Board must review it at least annually.

Since 1 August, the Central Partnership and Company Registration Office has required additional documents from companies with foreign investors or signatories. The department treats new firms with foreign shareholdings between 0.01% and 49.99% as potential nominee risks.

Registrations in that range fell to 163 in August from 894 a year earlier, an 81.77% drop. About 100 appear to be genuine Thai-foreign joint ventures, Poonpong said, while directors and shareholders in the remaining 63 have been asked to explain their arrangements.

Related story

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16 September 2026

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Georgealbert

5 hours ago5 hr

65 Thais deported as Cambodia removes 1,035 foreigners

Crime

65 Thais deported as Cambodia removes 1,035 foreigners

Cambodia deported 1,035 foreigners, including 104 women, representing 33 nationalities during the 10-day period beginning on 1 September, the country's General Department of Immigration said.

The group included 65 Thai nationals, 28 of them women, who were removed through the Poipet International Border Gate in Banteay Meanchey province. The operation underlines Cambodia's stated tougher approach to immigration breaches, false documents and suspected criminal activity.

The deportations were conducted under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha and senior ministry officials. Lieutenant General Sok Veasna, director-general of the General Department of Immigration, instructed the Department of Investigation and Procedure to continue deportation processing for foreign nationals found to be staying or operating illegally in Cambodia.

Multiple removal points.

All the Thais were removed through Poipet border crossing

Among those removed were 572 Chinese nationals, including 15 women, who were linked to online scams and deported on a special flight through the Techo International Airport Police Gate.

A further 86 Vietnamese nationals, including 28 women, were deported through the Trapeang Phlong International Border Gate in Tboung Khmum province.

Other foreign nationals accused of various offences were deported through Techo International Airport and Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport.

The nationalities listed by Cambodian immigration authorities were Chinese, Bangladeshi, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, Cameroonian, Nigerian, Myanmar, Pakistani, Malagasy, Taiwanese, Burundian, Ghanaian, Ethiopian, Kenyan, Japanese, Tunisian, Liberian, Sri Lankan, Gambian, Lao, Indian, South African, Korean, Namibian, Togolese, Turkish, Polish, Russian, British, Angolan, German and Egyptian.

Documents, employment and scam allegations

Authorities said those deported had been involved in alleged illegal border crossings, document forgery, remaining in Cambodia without passports, extortion, fake visas and QR codes, drug trafficking and use, illegal employment and other criminal offences.

The operation is part of what authorities described as strict enforcement of legal measures and orders issued by Prime Minister Hun Manet. He has repeatedly said Cambodia will not permit criminals or illegal individuals to use the country as a base for online scams or other crimes threatening regional and global security.

Under Sokha's direction, Cambodian law-enforcement agencies have also intensified work against cybercrime, including investigating and dismantling criminal networks and rescuing victims of trafficking and online scams so they can safely return home.


Picture courtesy of Khmer Times

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16 September 2026

• Cambodia

• 3 comments
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Georgealbert

5 hours ago5 hr

Thailand joins 139-country push against cybercrime

Crime

Thailand joins 139-country push against cybercrime

Thai police and Immigration Bureau officers have joined security agencies from 139 countries, territories and international organisations at a major cooperation forum in China focused on cross-border crime, cyber threats and immigration security.

The Royal Thai Police delegation attended the 2026 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, from 8 to 10 September. The participation was confirmed on 14 September by Major General Jaturaphat Phiromkaew, commander of the Foreign Affairs Division and deputy Royal Thai Police spokesperson.

More than 2,100 representatives took part in the event, which covered cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, narcotics suppression, immigration management, tourist safety and law-enforcement technology.

Focus on online fraud and criminal finances

Delegates stressed the need for rapid information-sharing, investigations that reach the source of online crime, and the tracing of money flows used by criminal networks.



The forum also discussed disrupting the support networks and financial channels behind telecom and cyber fraud. Thai police said the delegation observed the establishment of the International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud, an initiative led by China.

The alliance currently includes 46 founding countries, 34 observer countries and four international organisations, including the United Nations and Interpol.

Immigration technology and tourist safety

Thai delegates also examined the use of databases and smart technology to screen travellers and manage immigration checkpoints. The stated aim is to stop offenders exploiting international travel routes while making journeys safer and more convenient for tourists and other travellers.

The conference featured public-security technologies including artificial intelligence, databases, drones and robots for case analysis, surveillance and emergency response. Organisers said their use should be guided by the rule of law, respect for human rights and protection of personal data.

On counter-terrorism, participants backed multilateral cooperation centred on the United Nations, alongside intelligence-sharing, financial investigations, disruption of funding and early-warning systems designed to prevent threats affecting public spaces and residents.

Thai police meet international counterparts

During the forum, the Thai delegation held talks with representatives of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lancang-Mekong Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Centre, police agencies from Hong Kong and Singapore, and authorities from Jiangsu province.

The discussions were intended to strengthen direct coordination for urgent major cases and investigations with links across several countries.

The forum began as the Lianyungang Forum in 2015 and was renamed the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) in 2022. This year's gathering was the fifth under its current name, following more than 30 meetings, seminars and exchange activities involving ministers, senior officials, academics and specialists.


Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

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16 September 2026

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Georgealbert

5 hours ago5 hr

Governor orders seven-day probe into Chabad Patong

Phuket

Governor orders seven-day probe into Chabad Patong

Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom has ordered a comprehensive investigation into Chabad Patong, with officials given seven days to examine its land, construction and commercial permissions.

The order follows government scrutiny of a company developing a foreign cemetery. Authorities found that the company's three shareholders or founders are Israeli-born Thai nationals who own the plot of land and may be linked to Chabad in Phuket.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythale Laksmeesangchan announced the investigation on 15 September 2026, citing government policy and instructions from Deputy Interior Minister Phir Suwannachawee.

Land, buildings and business operations to be checked

The governor has told relevant agencies to carry out an in-depth review of all aspects of Chabad Patong. This will include the background to Thai nationalities, the ownership and acquisition of land, permits to use the land, building approvals and licences for commercial activity connected with trading inside Chabad.

Officials will also trace the ownership structure of Chabad Patong to establish whether any shareholders overlap with those in the Jewish cemetery company.

The province must complete the work within seven days and gather all relevant information, Ms Ploythale said. Any action will have to be taken under the law, and Phuket province will inform the public once the findings are available.

Chabad centres are Jewish community organisations that provide religious services, kosher meals, education and support to Jewish residents and visitors. The governor’s announcement does not confirm that Chabad Patong, its shareholders, or the cemetery company has committed any offence.

Foreign-held companies face tighter scrutiny

The case comes amid broader checks on foreign-linked businesses in Phuket, where overseas investment and tourism have created a large number of companies with foreign shareholders.

Official data show that Phuket has more than 32,000 registered legal entities. More than 11,000, or 34.59%, have foreign shareholding. The largest foreign shareholder groups are Russian, Chinese, British, French and Australian nationals.

Of 6,682 legal entities identified as being at risk of operating through nominee arrangements, authorities said there was sufficient evidence to bring 196 cases to prosecutors. Courts have issued judgments in nine cases, six are under consideration and 191 remain under investigation.

The tougher enforcement drive has led to a fall of more than 60% in registrations of legal entities with foreign shareholders, while registrations to dissolve legal entities have risen by about 30%, according to Ms Ploythale.


Picture courtesy of Thai Government

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16 September 2026

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Georgealbert

18 hours ago18 hr

Chinese fugitive held after Malaysia visa run

Bangkok

Chinese fugitive held after Malaysia visa run

Thai police have arrested a 32-year-old Chinese woman wanted by authorities in China after she allegedly hid in Thailand for almost a year and attempted a visa run to Malaysia.

The woman, identified only as Ms Wang, was detained in Samut Prakan, on 14 September. Police said she had just arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport after flying back from Kuala Lumpur.

The operation was ordered by Major General Phatthanasak Bupphasuwan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division. Colonel Phattharaphon Pathomwong, head of the division's support unit, and Lieutenant Colonel Sitthichai Khemklad of Immigration Bureau Investigation Division 1 took part in the arrest.

Six-year sentence in China

Chinese authorities had sought Ms Wang over an offence described as arranging prostitution. Her case is handled by the Nanning Public Security Bureau in the People's Republic of China.

Police said she had previously faced prosecution in China and obtained temporary bail because she was pregnant. On 2 December 2025, the Xixiangtang People's Court issued a final ruling sentencing her to six years in prison and a fine of 500,000 yuan.

After the verdict took effect, Ms Wang allegedly fled before beginning her sentence. Investigators said she travelled by train to Pingxiang in Guangxi, near the Vietnamese border, on 18 December 2025, after which Chinese authorities lost contact with her.

They believe she crossed the border illegally leaving China.

Police tracked Bangkok hideout

Thailand's Crime Suppression Division said it used technological tracing and shared intelligence with other agencies to establish that Ms Wang was likely hiding in the Huai Khwang area of Bangkok.

Officers subsequently monitored her movements and found that she was planning a "visa run" - leaving Thailand and returning in an effort to extend or refresh her stay and avoid scrutiny of her immigration status.

On 11 September 2026, Ms Wang flew from Thailand to Kuala Lumpur. Police said they knew in advance that she intended to return and continued surveillance until she arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport a few days later.

After leaving the airport building, she stopped at the roadside at what police described as a meeting point where she was preparing to board a vehicle and flee. Officers then moved in and detained her.

Authorities said Ms Wang will now face proceedings under Thai law before being deported to China to serve the sentence imposed by the Chinese court.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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16 September 2026

• Crime

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Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

Thailand DTV rules vary between Thai embassies

Immigration

Thailand DTV rules vary between Thai embassies

Thailand's revised Destination Thailand Visa rules, effective from 31 August, have created uncertainty for applicants applying outside their home country as Thai embassies and consulates publish differing residence requirements.

The Department of Consular Affairs replaced the previous requirement for proof of an applicant's current location with proof of permanent residence. Applicants must now also submit a criminal record clearance certificate.

Applications lodged through the Thai e-Visa system before 31 August will continue to be assessed under the previous document rules.

For foreigners hoping to use the five-year, multiple-entry DTV for remote work, digital-nomad life or eligible activities in Thailand, the practical issue is that a visa or residence document accepted by one Thai mission may not be enough at another. Applicants should check the latest checklist from the embassy or consulate where they intend to apply before paying a visa fee.

Different standards in neighbouring countries

The Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane says DTV applicants must be either Lao nationals or permanent residents of Laos. Its guidance, first published in 2023 and updated on 28 August 2026, includes the rules introduced on 31 August.

Applicants using Vientiane must also provide a criminal record clearance certificate issued by Laos or their country of nationality.

By contrast, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City asks applicants for proof of long-term residence in Vietnam. It specifically accepts either a Temporary Residence Card or a Permanent Residence Card, potentially allowing some foreigners with temporary but long-term Vietnamese status to apply there.

US and Moscow guidance raises questions

The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles takes a broader approach. Its information says proof of permanent residence can include a valid driving licence, a valid US visa or a permanent resident card.

The Los Angeles DTV page, updated on 1 September, says non-US citizens may submit either a permanent resident alien card or a valid US visa with at least six months remaining. However, the same page still lists a document showing the applicant's current location elsewhere in its checklist.

In Moscow, the embassy's English-language DTV page, updated on 12 September, requires proof of permanent residence in the country of application. Yet separate requirements for non-Russian citizens allow either a permanent residence permit or a valid Russian visa accompanied by a registration paper.

A Russian-language embassy announcement issued on 12 September uses tighter wording, saying Moscow applications are available to citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Uzbekistan or Moldova, or nationals of other countries with permanent-resident status in one of those five countries.

That differs from an English-language notice published on 2 September, which explained the nationwide changes without setting out country-specific eligibility conditions.

Department has not defined qualifying documents

The Department of Consular Affairs' 28 August announcement does not define which residence permits, temporary visas or other documents qualify as proof of permanent residence.

The result is a range of published standards, from Vientiane's nationality or permanent-residence rule to Ho Chi Minh City's acceptance of temporary residence cards and Los Angeles' acceptance of a valid US visa.

The DTV remains available to qualifying remote workers and digital nomads, people visiting Thailand for eligible activities, and eligible family members of DTV holders. Thai missions may also request additional documents in individual cases.

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16 September 2026

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Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

Pattaya battles sex tourism image as crimes investigated

Pattaya

Pattaya battles sex tourism image as crimes investigated

A Daily Mail review of Pattaya has highlighted the resort city's enduring association with sex tourism, despite efforts by local authorities to promote beaches, sport, conventions and family holidays.

The report comes as two Western foreigners face separate murder investigations linked to deaths in the Pattaya area. Pattaya Mayor Poramet "Beer" Ngampichet acknowledged the city's nightlife reputation but said officials were trying to broaden its appeal.

"Pattaya has a reputation as a place for nightlife and having sex," he said. "But we try to change the reputation - you can get everything here. Now we can say that this city is also a family destination."

Pattaya has 120,000 registered Thai residents and as many as 70,000 foreign expats, according to the report. It is reputed to have at least 60,000 sex workers.

Two murder cases under scrutiny

Australian national Simon Carman, 45, is accused of strangling 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla following an alleged argument over money. Police believe he picked her up near Pattaya beach in June, a week after she had arrived from a poor rural area.

Her body was later found naked in a suitcase in long grass beside railway tracks. Security footage reportedly showed Carman and the teenager holding hands while waiting for a lift at his apartment block shortly before her death.

In another case, a 21-year-old British woman was arrested over the fatal stabbing of her 34-year-old boyfriend at a rented villa near the city. The man was reportedly from Stoke-on-Trent and running a cannabis farm; the woman claimed he had taken his own life.

These cases are a reminder for foreign residents and visitors that Pattaya's nightlife can carry serious legal and personal risks. Thailand has strict laws covering violence, drugs and sexual offences, while the status of sex work remains legally fraught despite its visibility in some entertainment areas.

City seeks a wider tourism market

Pattaya developed from a fishing village into a major R&R destination for US troops during the Vietnam War. It now receives 22 million visitors a year.

When the USS Abraham Lincoln docked after a 286-day deployment, its 5,000 sailors largely spent their shore leave eating, shopping and visiting the beach, despite expectations that the visit would focus on the city's nightlife. The crew included hundreds of women, and only one drunken fight and a small number of discreet hook-ups were reported.

Pattaya police chief Colonel Anek Srathongyoo said authorities' priorities were preventing underage sex, violence and rape. He said consensual relationships between adults who meet in bars should not automatically be treated as prostitution.

A divided expat city

The report described a city where many foreigners live ordinary lives with Thai families, run businesses or retire on comparatively modest budgets, while nightlife districts remain a major draw for some visitors.

Dave Lee, 59, a former RAF technician who said he has lived in Pattaya for 22 years, said the city offered different experiences depending on where people chose to go. "If you want to go looking for it, it's all there," he said. "But if you're married like me and happy, you don't."


Picture courtesy of Daily Mail

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16 September 2026

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Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

Thailand online shopping tax raises B4bn since January

Finance

Thailand online shopping tax raises B4bn since January

Thailand's Customs Department says it has collected more than 4 billion baht in import duty and value-added tax from foreign online purchases since imports began being taxed from the first baht on 1 January.

Customs director-general Phanthong Loykulnan said on Monday 14 September 2026, that more than 225 million imported items, worth around 14 billion baht, had generated the tax revenue. That is above the department's original 3 billion baht target.

For foreigners in Thailand, the change is particularly relevant when ordering goods from overseas websites and marketplaces. There is no longer a low-value threshold below which imported online purchases escape duty and VAT, meaning the final cost can be higher than the listed price.

Push towards locally based sellers

Mr Phanthong said the measure had received positive feedback from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, which believe it will create a more level playing field for domestic businesses.

He said imports of miscellaneous goods from abroad had started to stabilise as consumers increasingly turned to platforms with locally based sellers.

The department is also working with the Department of Foreign Trade to crack down on products falsely labelled "Made in Thailand". The move comes as the United States has tightened scrutiny of the origin of Thai exports.

Mr Phanthong said the issue was not widespread, although some cases had been found. He said authorities would investigate whether facilities were genuinely producing goods in Thailand.

"Some factories we inspected had genuine factory licences and large machinery, but the machinery was covered with tarpaulins," he said.

He added that the issue could partly stem from the Industrial Production Index not fully reflecting newer industries, as some of its data remains based on traditional industries.

Customs collections rise across the board

During the first 11 months of fiscal 2026, from October 2025 to August 2026, the Customs Department collected about 590 billion baht in taxes and fees on behalf of other agencies. That was up 9% year on year.

Collections are expected to exceed 600 billion baht for the full fiscal year, compared with 596 billion baht last year.

VAT collected on behalf of the Revenue Department reached 380 billion baht over the 11-month period, up 11% from a year earlier, driven by strong import and export growth.

Mr Phanthong said customs duties account for a relatively small share of collections because Thailand has free-trade agreements with many countries that cut import tariffs to zero for most goods.

"Every 100 baht of imports generates only about 0.82 baht in customs duty," he said, adding that most departmental revenue comes from taxes and fees collected for other agencies.

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16 September 2026

• Politics

• 2 comments
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Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

Over 200 Brits held over Thailand cannabis mule trips

Crime

Over 200 Brits held over Thailand cannabis mule trips

More than 200 British nationals are currently detained overseas in drug-smuggling cases involving cannabis originating from Thailand, Foreign Office figures show.

The UK government said consular cases involving Britons arrested abroad for drug smuggling more than quadrupled between 2023 and 2025, rising from just over 80 to more than 340. There have already been more than 160 new cases in 2026.

The majority of arrests have been in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos. Around 60 per cent of those affected since 2024 are aged between 16 and 30.

For British visitors and residents in Thailand, the warning is straightforward: do not carry luggage, parcels or goods for anyone else, even if they appear to contain ordinary items or are offered as part of a free trip. Bags may also be checked again while transiting through another country.

Free holidays and easy money promises

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said recruits are commonly approached through social media with promises of free holidays, quick cash and supposedly low-risk work.

They may be told cases contain clothes, gold or cash, while suitcases in fact hold cannabis. The government said organised gangs profit while those recruited face potentially severe sentences abroad.

Minister for Consular and Crisis Stephen Doughty MP said: "Far too many British nationals are being lured into drug smuggling schemes by criminal gangs that promise free travel or a quick way to make cash.

"The reality is very different, and detainees are warning about the dire living conditions they now face decades of in prison or, in some countries, the possibility of the death penalty."


Taylor Johnson, 20, was arrested alongside his girlfriend Holly Cooper who was acquitted and allowed to return to the UK after no drugs were found in her bag

A third of young travellers surveyed for the Foreign Office did not see travelling with luggage packed by another person as risky. Thirty per cent said they would consider taking an item abroad despite being unsure whether it was allowed.

One Briton detained on cannabis offences said: "At the end of the day, it's your freedom you're risking, and once it's gone, it's not easy to get back."

Severe penalties and lengthy detention

Penalties can include decades in prison, life sentences, whipping and, in some countries, the death penalty. Malaysia can impose life imprisonment and a minimum of 15 strokes of whipping for trafficking, while Cambodia can sentence offenders to up to 30 years.

Legal proceedings can take months to reach court, and the Foreign Office warned that prison conditions may be harsh, healthcare access limited and that British nationals have previously died in custody in Southeast Asia.

The cases include Bella Culley, from Billingham, who was arrested at Tbilisi airport in May last year after travelling from Thailand. A Georgian court found her guilty over 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish, sentencing her to five months and 25 days - time already served - after her family paid a GBP137,000 fine under a plea deal.

Taylor Johnson, 20, from Wednesbury, was sentenced in July to nine years and two months in Turkey after a sniffer dog found GBP300,000 of cannabis in a suitcase following his flight from Thailand. His girlfriend, Holly Cooper, was acquitted after no drugs were found in her bag.


Pictures courtesy of Daily Mail - Bella Culley, who has now returned to the UK, claimed she flew to Tbilisi not knowing she had 14kg of illegal cargo hidden in her bags

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16 September 2026

• UK

• 32 comments
• 776 views

Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

Five Indian tourists report North Pattaya hotel assault

Pattaya

Five Indian tourists report North Pattaya hotel assault

Five Indian tourists have filed a police complaint after alleging they were assaulted and forced to hand over money by a group they met near Pattaya Beach.

The men, who were visiting Thailand for the first time, told Pattaya City Police that around 24,000 baht in cash was missing after an alleged confrontation at a hotel in North Pattaya.

Complaint filed by Tour guide

A Thai guide, Thanawat, 37, known as Guide Boom, accompanied the five men to Pattaya City Police Station in Chon Buri at 7.20pm on 14 September 2026.

The tourists were named as Sham Lal, 52; Ram Nayak, 34; Gautam, 44; Rajiv Sharma, 35; and Anil Kumar, 31. All are Indian nationals.

According to the guide, the group had been relaxing and walking along Pattaya Beach near the entrance to Walking Street on the beach road side when they met a group of Thai people. After speaking together, they agreed to travel to a hotel in North Pattaya.

Group allegedly entered hotel room

The tourists said that, after they went up to a hotel room, the group they had met invited another two or three people inside.

A disturbance then allegedly broke out. The visitors claimed they were physically attacked, with objects thrown and force used against them, before being threatened and made to hand over money.

The group then left the hotel, according to the complaint. The five tourists later checked their belongings and said cash totalling about 24,000 baht had gone missing.

However, the complainants said they could not confirm whether the people they met and brought to the room were women or lady boys.

Police Lieutenant Natchat Chantakaran, a deputy inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, received the report and began the formal investigation.

CCTV being checked

Investigators are coordinating with the police investigation team to establish what happened. They are reviewing hotel and nearby CCTV footage, seeking to identify those involved and taking detailed statements from the tourists.

The visitors have asked police to locate and question those concerned and to take legal action if offences are found to have been committed.

Guide Boom said the tourists feared the experience could affect confidence in Pattaya, a major Thai tourism destination.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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16 September 2026

• Crime

• 11 comments
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Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

Thailand orders nationwide cemetery licence checks

Politics

Thailand orders nationwide cemetery licence checks

Thailand's Interior Ministry has ordered a nationwide count and licence inspection of cemeteries and cremation facilities after the revocation of a Jewish cemetery licence in Chachoengsao.

The Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) has been given three days to compile a complete list of facilities. Officials will then check every listed site for a valid operating licence, with revocation and legal proceedings possible where licences are invalid.

Bodies transferred to Chonburi

Deputy Interior Minister Polpee Suwannachavee said at Government House on 15 September 2026, that a team from Gan Chabad Co Ltd had moved four bodies from the Chachoengsao cemetery to the Bang Kla Jewish cemetery in Chonburi.

Chachoengsao authorities had been notified, and Chonburi province was also due to be informed. Polpee said he had instructed local DOPA officers to observe the transfer to confirm that the bodies were being relocated.

The wife of one of the deceased had earlier wanted to remove the body for a ceremony and cremation. Polpee said he did not understand what ceremony was intended because the body had already been buried, and assigned local officials in both provinces to oversee the matter.

Chachoengsao case becomes national model

The Interior Ministry's ad hoc committee on social order discussed cemetery operations nationwide on Monday, September 14. Once DOPA's list is complete, any site found without a valid licence will face what Polpee called the "Chachoengsao model" of licence revocation and related legal action.

Polpee said his retrospective examination of the Gan Chabad cemetery's approval process, dating from 2021, raised questions over whether its original application was supported by sufficient evidence. He said Google Earth images showed that a road and water source already existed at the location.

The Chachoengsao governor has appointed a committee to investigate approval documents signed by the president of the subdistrict administrative organisation and certain officials. Its findings are due within 15 days, although an extension could be considered later.

Polpee said he believed the approval had been improper and that action would be taken against any civil servants or local administrators found to have been involved.

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16 September 2026

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Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

Pattaya police hold teens over Turkish man's robbery

Pattaya

Pattaya police hold teens over Turkish man's robbery

Pattaya police have detained two teenage boys after a 56-year-old Turkish man was allegedly threatened and injured during an attempted phone robbery in Pratumnak Soi 6.

The pair were stopped after a motorcycle chase in the early hours of 15 September 2026. Police said the two youths deny any involvement, despite the victim identifying them as the alleged attackers.

Third robbery reported that night

Police Lieutenant Sa-wang Phothaep, deputy inspector for crime prevention at Pattaya City Police Station, received a report of an armed robbery at about 4am while on duty.

Patrol officers were sent to investigate and police stepped up patrols at vulnerable locations. Officers later learned that the victim was Mr Ramazan Murat Gur, a Turkish national aged 56.



Police described the case as the third robbery reported during the same night.

Mr Gur told officers he had been walking in Pratumnak Soi 6 when two male teenagers on a motorcycle blocked his path. One allegedly displayed a weapon, threatened him and tried to take his mobile phone.

The alleged attacker then struck Mr Gur in the eye socket with the weapon, causing an injury, before the pair rode away, police said.

Motorcycle stopped after chase

A patrol later spotted a Yamaha Grand Filano motorcycle without a number plate, carrying two teenage boys. When they saw police, the riders accelerated away, prompting officers to pursue them until they were stopped.

During a search, officers found a Chonburi registration plate, concealed under the motorcycle seat, along with two knives.

Police said the suspects also threw two objects resembling firearms onto the roadside while fleeing. Officers recovered them and found they were BB guns.

The two boys, aged 17 and 16, have been identified only as Mr A and Mr B, because they are minors. They were taken to Pattaya City Police Station for questioning and continued to deny the allegation.

Mr Gur said he could remember the alleged offenders' appearance and faces, and identified the two boys held by police. Investigators are gathering evidence and checking to confirm whether they are connected to other robberies reported around the same time and area.


Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

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16 September 2026

• Crime

• 1 comment
• 139 views

Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

EGAT, USTDA launch Thailand nuclear feasibility study

Energy

EGAT, USTDA launch Thailand nuclear feasibility study

Thailand's Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) have signed a grant agreement for an initial study into building a small modular reactor power plant in Thailand.

The agreement, signed on Tuesday, 15 September at Gastech 2026 at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), will fund preliminary work on possible sites, costs and the regulatory steps needed before SMR technology could be introduced.

Energy Minister Akanat Promphan, US Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly, Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Prasert Sinsukprasert and US Ambassador to Thailand Sean K. O'Neill witnessed the signing.

Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA deputy director serving as acting director, signed for the US agency, while EGAT Governor Narin Phoawanich signed for Thailand's state power utility.

Early work on sites, costs and regulations

The study is not approval for a nuclear plant. It is intended to give EGAT an initial assessment of where an SMR facility could potentially be located, how much it may cost and what regulations and procedures would be required to take the plan further.

Thailand is examining SMRs as a possible clean-energy option to improve energy security, keep electricity generation stable and support its carbon-neutrality aims.

Hardy said the agreement demonstrated the US commitment to promoting American innovation and leadership in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and advanced nuclear technologies. He said it was part of a wider effort to revive and advance the US nuclear-energy sector through renewed support for innovation and investment, both in the United States and internationally.

He also said the cooperation fitted a broader US foreign-policy priority of working with trusted partners to widen access to reliable energy technologies and strengthen energy security across the Indo-Pacific.

The study is part of longer-term planning for a more diverse electricity system. EGAT said that, as demand for power is expected to keep increasing, SMR technology could strengthen the flexibility and security of the national grid while supporting economic growth and industrial development.

Narin said Thailand was at a critical point in its clean-energy transition and needed to explore options that could reinforce energy security while ensuring stable generation. He described the US support as an important basis for assessing whether SMR technology was feasible, adding that EGAT valued the opportunity to learn from US expertise and experience.

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16 September 2026

• USA

• 3 comments
• 58 views

Georgealbert

19 hours ago19 hr

Russian tourist robbed at gunpoint in Pattaya Park soi

Pattaya

Russian tourist robbed at gunpoint in Pattaya Park soi

A 41-year-old Russian tourist was allegedly robbed at gunpoint of 1,000 baht by two men on a motorcycle in Pattaya in the early hours of 15 September 2026.

The reported robbery happened at 2.05am in Pattaya Park soi, Chonburi. Pattaya police sent patrol officers to the scene after receiving the report of an armed robbery targeting a tourist.

Mr Popov, a Russian national, was found distressed after the incident. Speaking through an interpreter, he told officers that two suspects used a gun to threaten him before taking 1,000 baht in cash and fleeing by motorcycle.

He then ran to seek help from a security guard stationed nearby.

Police examine CCTV for suspects

The security guard told police that the foreign visitor had approached the guard post asking for assistance. According to the guard, the victim said two young men on a motorcycle had pulled alongside him before one produced a firearm and demanded his belongings.

Fearing for his safety, Mr Popov handed over the cash, the guard said. The two men then rode away quickly.

Investigators took the victim, for further questioning and assigned detectives to search for evidence. Police are checking nearby CCTV cameras as part of efforts to identify and locate the suspects for legal action.

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Video courtesy of SiamChon

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15 September 2026

• Crime

• 19 comments
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Georgealbert

Yesterday at 11:24 AM1 day

Driver, four Chinese held in Chachoengsao

Central Thailand

Driver, four Chinese held in Chachoengsao

Thai highway police have arrested a 37-year-old driver and four Chinese nationals after stopping a pick-up truck in Chachoengsao allegedly carrying them from the Cambodian border.

The four men were found without legal travel documents after entering Thailand through a natural crossing, police said. They told officers they had travelled from Poipet, Cambodia, and intended to continue to Myanmar for work.

The arrests were made on 12 September on Highway 304, between kilometre markers 102 and 103, in Muang Kao, Phanom Sarakham district.

Police said the group was travelling in an Isuzu pick-up truck, registered in Sa Kaeo. Six mobile phones were also seized.

Police stopped vehicle on Highway 304

The operation was led by Pol Lt Col Phonphat Phupunsap, superintendent of Highway Police Station 1, Division 3, and Pol Lt Col Kamonphop Hanwet, inspector at Highway Police Station 5, Division 3, along with Pol Capt Warayut Jenwichumet, deputy inspector at Highway Police Station 1.

Police had received information about an alleged network moving foreign workers by pick-up from the Sa Kaeo border area, through Prachin Buri, then along Highways 359 and 304 then possibly towards Bangkok.

Officers spotted the vehicle travelling at high speed towards Chachoengsao and coordinated a stop. The driver, identified only as Thotsaphon, was behind the wheel, while the four Chinese men were in the cab.

Police said their bodies and clothing were covered in mud, consistent with travelling through undeveloped terrain.

Driver says he was paid 3,000 baht per person

Thotsaphon allegedly told police he had collected the four men near the border in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo, and was to take them to Bangkok. He said he had been paid 3,000 baht for each person transported.

He also told investigators he had been released from prison in April after serving a sentence in a similar case, but had returned to the work because he could not find employment. Police said he was arrested again within four months of his release.

The Chinese suspects, named as Ma Yien Ping, 40, Pu Yien Dong, 36, Fong Thang Sing, 22, and Song Ying Jwun, 32, said they had paid a network 100,000 to 150,000 baht, for the journey.

All five suspects were informed of charges and handed to investigators at Phanom Sarakham Police Station for legal proceedings.


Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid

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15 September 2026

• Crime

• 0 comments
• 70 views

Georgealbert

Yesterday at 11:19 AM1 day

Phuket Kathu-Patong tunnel plan heads to Cabinet

Phuket

Phuket Kathu-Patong tunnel plan heads to Cabinet

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is seeking Cabinet approval by about December 2026 for a 16.757 billion baht expressway linking Kathu and Patong, including what it says will be Thailand's largest mountain tunnel.

If approved, construction on the first phase of the Phuket Expressway is due to begin in October 2027, with the road opening targeted for October 2031. EXAT says the route would cut the Kathu-Patong journey from around 30 minutes to five minutes.

For residents, visitors and workers in Phuket, the proposed road could offer a faster alternative to the steep and often congested existing routes between Patong and central Phuket. However, the scheme remains subject to Cabinet approval, land acquisition and the contractor tender process.

Tunnel and elevated road between Patong and Kathu

EXAT governor Surachet Laopoolsuk said the first phase is intended to address travel difficulties created by the mountain range separating Kathu and Patong.

The 3.98km route would comprise elevated sections and a 1.85km tunnel through Nakkerd Mountain. It would begin near the Phra Metta Road, or PK.4055, intersection at km 0+350 on the Patong side, run on an elevated road for about 0.90km over Phisitkarnnee Road, then emerge onto a further 1.23km elevated section near Phra Baramee Road, or Highway 4029, in Kathu.



The tunnel has been redesigned, which EXAT says would make it the country's largest tunnel, with four lanes in each direction: two for cars and two for motorcycles, reflecting travel patterns in Phuket.

The plan includes grade-separated interchanges at both Patong and Kathu. EXAT has submitted the scheme to the Ministry of Transport and is consulting relevant agencies. Land acquisition is expected to finish by January 2027, while contractors could be selected by April that year.

Of the total budget, 5.792 billion baht is allocated for land acquisition and 10.965 billion baht for construction and supervision. EXAT would fund civil works, while private investors would co-invest in operations and maintenance.

Proposed tolls cut from earlier rates

EXAT has revised proposed tolls under the government's cost-of-living policy. Motorcycles would pay 10 baht rather than 15 baht; cars 20 baht instead of 40 baht; six- to ten-wheel vehicles 40 baht rather than 85 baht; and vehicles with more than 10 wheels 60 baht rather than 125 baht.

The authority expects 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles a day, including motorcycles, when the first phase opens. Traffic is expected to rise once the second phase is complete.

Second phase would extend network north and east

Phase 2 would run from Muang Mai through Koh Kaew to Kathu, linking central and eastern Phuket to the network. Its 30.62km length includes 24.45km of main road and a 6.17km spur line, at a preliminary cost of 67.462 billion baht.

That estimate includes 29.548 billion baht for land acquisition and 37.914 billion baht for construction and supervision. EXAT is designing the project, pursuing Royal Forest Department permits and expects to seek Cabinet approval in 2027.

Construction is targeted for October 2028 and would take three years, allowing an October 2031 opening alongside Phase 1. The route would include 10.42km at ground level, 18.49km elevated and 1.71km in 11.68-metre-wide tunnels.

It would start at Highway 4026, head south through Muang Mai and join Highway 4029. A spur from the Ma Nik 2 interchange would end at the Bang Khu interchange on Highway 4024. A distance-based closed MTC/ETC toll system is planned, along with a 13-rai outbound airport service area at km 3+900 and a spur-line rest stop at km 16+400.


Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

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15 September 2026

• Transport

• 1 comment
• 74 views

Georgealbert

Yesterday at 11:10 AM1 day

British man injured in attempted Pattaya phone robbery

Pattaya

British man injured in attempted Pattaya phone robbery

A 45-year-old British man was taken to hospital after reportedly being attacked during an attempted phone robbery near Jomtien Soi 15 in Pattaya early on 15 September 2026.

The victim, named as Mr Anand, suffered bruising and a cut believed to have been caused by a sharp weapon, running from his left temple towards his ear. His mobile phone was not stolen.

Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Rescue Unit were called at 1.35am to the entrance of Jomtien Beach Soi 15, Chon Buri. Pattaya City Police also attended the scene.

Attackers allegedly used a knife

According to a 20-year-old convenience-store employee, named as Duchdao, Mr Anand entered the shop seeking help shortly after the attack.

She said he told her that two Thai men, who appeared to be drunk, had pulled alongside him on a motorcycle. One allegedly threatened him with a sharp weapon while they attempted to take his possessions.

The pair then assaulted him and tried to pull away his phone, but were unable to take it before fleeing on their motorcycle, she said.

Rescue personnel provided first aid at the scene before taking the injured British man to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.

Police check CCTV footage

Pattaya City Police got Mr Anand to make a formal complaint and have sent investigators to look for evidence in the area.

Officers are examining CCTV footage from the reported attack site and surrounding routes in an effort to identify and locate the two suspects. Police said they intend to pursue legal action against those responsible.


Picture courtesy of SiamChon

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15 September 2026

• Crime

• 30 comments
• 956 views

Georgealbert

Monday at 09:48 PM1 day

Phuket taxi driver refunds Australian tourist 2,700 baht

Phuket

Phuket taxi driver refunds Australian tourist 2,700 baht

A Phuket taxi driver has refunded 2,700 baht to a 26-year-old Australian tourist after charging him 3,500 baht for a journey from Phuket International Airport to Chalong.

The driver met the visitor at the Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office on September 14, apologised and said the correct fare for the trip should have been 800 baht. The tourist accepted the refund and apology, and reportedly agreed to withdraw legal proceedings.

Airport journey to Chalong

The Australian, visiting Phuket for the first time, had arrived at Phuket International Airport and asked a Thai taxi driver to take him to Soi Ta Aied in Chalong district.

According to reports carried by several local news agencies over the weekend, the driver quoted 3,500 baht for the journey. He allegedly persuaded the tourist to accept by claiming his was the last taxi available at the airport and that the visitor would otherwise be unable to reach his destination.


Picture courtesy of Phuket Times

Unfamiliar with Phuket and its transport prices, the Australian agreed to the fare. He later learned from local people and other tourists that he had paid far more than expected.

The distance from the airport to Soi Ta Aied was reported to be about 40 kilometres, with the usual fare said to be below 1,000 baht.

Questions over enforcement

The Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office summoned the driver to a meeting on September 14. After saying the trip should have cost 800 baht, he returned the 2,700 baht difference to the Australian.

The resolution drew criticism from Thai residents, who questioned why a refund alone appeared sufficient to end the matter. Some argued that overcharging should still bring a legal penalty even if the passenger receives their money back.

Others said the driver would have kept the extra money had the case not received widespread attention on social media.

As of September 14, the Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office had not confirmed whether the driver would face further legal action.

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Video courtesy of Phuketinsta


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15 September 2026

• Community

• 16 comments
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Georgealbert

Monday at 09:33 PM1 day

Thai Airways stewardess remanded in Melbourne heroin case

Crime

Thai Airways stewardess remanded in Melbourne heroin case

Thai Airways International cabin attendant, named in court as Meena Kondo, has been remanded in custody after appearing before Melbourne Magistrates Court on a heroin-smuggling charge.

Kondo, 26, appeared on Monday morning, 14 September 2926, with her case put off until 12 October after her lawyer sought more time for "commenced resolution discussions", according to local media.

Magistrate Kieran Gilligan reportedly said the move was encouraging before ordering that she remain in custody until her next court appearance.

Arrest at Melbourne Airport

Kondo has been in police custody since her arrest at Melbourne Airport on 25 June, when she arrived on duty.

Australian authorities alleged that 1.8 kilogrammes of heroin had been concealed in the linings of 12 tote bags. Kondo was reportedly hired to carry the bags from Thailand to Australia.

The heroin seized from her luggage was estimated by Australian authorities to have a street value equivalent to 11.5 million baht.

She faces a drug-smuggling charge carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years in Australia.

Thai trafficking investigation continues

In Thailand, investigators have arrested suspects accused of being part of a drug-trafficking network.

Authorities allege the group recruited unsuspecting people, including flight attendants, to transport goods containing concealed drugs to overseas destinations.

The case has also drawn attention to the risks for airline staff and frequent international travellers who may be asked to carry luggage or packages on behalf of others.

Kondo remains in custody while the Australian court process continues.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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15 September 2026

• Latest Update

• 6 comments
• 296 views

Georgealbert

Monday at 09:25 PM1 day

Student seeks help after baby dies after birth

Isaan

Student seeks help after baby dies after birth

A fourth-year university student sought help at a police booth in Udon Thani after giving birth prematurely in her dormitory room, police said. The baby died and the body has been sent for a forensic examination to establish the cause of death.

Mueang Udon Thani police were alerted at about 6pm on 13 September 2026. Police Lieutenant Somprasong Phonlap, of Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, attended the case.

The woman, from Sakon Nakhon province, is a fourth-year student at an university in Udon Thani, according to the initial police investigation. The child's father is a third-year student at the same university.

Police said the pair had been in a relationship for about two months before the woman became pregnant.

Police await forensic findings

According to police, the man told the woman to terminate the pregnancy after learning she was pregnant. She did not agree, ended the relationship and decided to continue the pregnancy alone.

The woman had not received antenatal care from a doctor, police said. She is an orphan and continued attending university while pregnant.

During the night before the police report, at around seven months into the pregnancy, she developed abdominal pain and gave birth alone in her dormitory. Police said the birth was premature and the infant was physically weak before dying.

In shock and unsure where to seek help, the woman placed the baby's body in a suitcase and went to the Kan Phrao police booth in Mueang Udon Thani district, asking officers for assistance with her child's body.

Community leaders and police subsequently examined the scene. The infant's body was sent for a detailed forensic post-mortem examination.

Investigation remains under way

Police are questioning the mother and other people connected to the case. Officers are awaiting the medical examination results before deciding if further action is necessary.


Picture courtesy of Amarin

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15 September 2026

• Community

• 1 comment
• 86 views

Georgealbert

Monday at 09:16 PM1 day

Three arrested over underage exploitation claims in Ratchaburi

Central Thailand

Three arrested over underage exploitation claims in Ratchaburi

Three Thai women have been arrested at a karaoke venue in Photharam district, Ratchaburi, over allegations that girls aged under 15 were recruited to entertain customers and offered for sexual services.

Police said the arrests were made on 14 September at a karaoke shop in Moo 1, Tha Chumphon subdistrict, Photharam. The operation was ordered by Pol Maj Gen Witthaya Sriprasertphap, commander of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division.

Those arrested were named as Sangwan, 49, Natthicha, 26, and Phatrawee, 38. All were detained under arrest warrants issued by Ratchaburi Provincial Court.

Allegations over drinks work and sexual services

Investigators from Sub-Division 5 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division said they had received information that the venue employed girls aged below 15 in revealing clothing as drinks hostesses to entertain customers.



The girls were then allegedly offered for sexual services at prices of 1,000 to 1,200 baht per occasion. Police alleged that the owner, manager and staff acted as intermediaries, encouraged customers and deducted a 200-baht commission from each girl's fee.

The three suspects face a lengthy range of allegations, including conspiracy to commit human trafficking; trafficking underage for profit from prostitution; procuring, luring or taking children aged no more than 15 for prostitution; and acting to satisfy another person's sexual desire involving a child under 15.

They are also accused of assisting, facilitating or protecting another person's prostitution; dishonestly receiving, selling, procuring, luring or taking a child aged no more than 15; abducting a child under 15 for indecent purposes; and coercing, threatening, persuading, encouraging or allowing a child to behave improperly for unlawful gain, including performing or taking part in obscene acts.

One further victim receives protection

Police said they later identified and assisted another alleged victim, a girl aged under 18 who had previously worked as a drinks hostess at the same venue.

A multidisciplinary team has been asked to provide protection and psychological rehabilitation under the relevant procedures.

All three women denied every allegation during initial questioning. They were handed to investigators at Sub-Division 5 for further legal action.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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15 September 2026

• Sex Crime

• 2 comments
• 505 views

Georgealbert

Monday at 09:12 PM1 day

Patong driver alleges chemical spray by four foreigners

Phuket

Patong driver alleges chemical spray by four foreigners

A Phuket ride-hailing driver was taken to hospital after becoming dizzy, weak and short of breath while carrying four foreign men in Patong on Saturday, September 12.

The woman believes the passengers may have sprayed her with a substance in an attempt to drug her, although police had not confirmed the allegation and no substance had been identified.

The case emerged after the Phuket Times Facebook page reported it on September 13. The incident was said to have happened at about 9pm on Patong Road.

Driver became ill after refusing offers

According to the report, the female driver collected four men she described as Middle Eastern, from a hotel in the Patong area.

During the journey, the men began speaking with her and offered her a sweet which appeared to be candy. She declined and continued driving.

The group then reportedly invited her to join them at an entertainment venue on Bangla Road. She refused again, before pulling over shortly afterwards when she began feeling dizzy, weak and unable to breathe properly.

The driver said she felt as if the men had sprayed something shortly before her symptoms began. She subsequently suspected they had tried to drug her.

Tuk-tuk drivers and other people nearby came to her aid and took her to hospital, according to Phuket Times.

No police finding or identified substance

MGR Online reported that the four foreign passengers initially appeared to help the driver, but left during the confusion at the scene.

Witnesses reportedly suspected the driver may have been targeted because she was wearing a gold necklace. However, this has not been confirmed by police.

The reports supplied do not say whether the driver filed a police complaint. There has also been no confirmation from authorities of what, if anything, caused her symptoms.


Picture courtesy of Phuket Times

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15 September 2026

• Community

• 6 comments
• 430 views

Georgealbert

Monday at 09:08 PM1 day

Bangkok raid finds 72m baht nitrous oxide operation

Bangkok

Bangkok raid finds 72m baht nitrous oxide operation

Bangkok police and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officers have raided an unlicensed nitrous oxide filling operation in Prawet, seizing equipment, thousands of cylinders and two large gas trailers.

Officials said the operation, discovered in Soi Chaloem Phrakiat Rama 9, Dok Mai subdistrict, had been supplying customers nationwide through ordinary private delivery services. The gas, commonly known as "laughing gas", was reportedly sent particularly to major tourist destinations, where police said it is popular with foreign visitors.

The raid took place on 14 September 2026 and was led by Pol Maj Gen Phallop Aemla, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and Pol Maj Gen Chotiwat Lueangwilai, commander of its investigation division. Officers from Metropolitan Police investigations, Metropolitan Police Division 4, Udomsuk Police Station and the FDA took part.

Cylinders, trailers and filling equipment found

Police found 1,652 nitrous oxide cylinders ready for sale, five blue N2O cylinders weighing 48.6kg each, and 4,200 empty cylinders intended for filling. They also found two trailers carrying N2O gas tanks weighing 36,000kg each, filling machinery, an air compressor, a gas-pressure regulator and two pickup trucks.



Ten Myanmar workers were found working and living at the factory, while two Chinese nationals were identified as supervisors, all were arrested.

Pol Maj Gen Chotiwat said the site had allegedly operated for more than a year. Large 36,000kg nitrous oxide tanks were brought in, with equipment used to convert the gas from liquid form before it was transferred into smaller cylinders.

The gas was allegedly sold wholesale at 1,000 baht per kilogram, based on customer orders. With 72,000kg in the two trailers, police said the stock could generate up to 72 million baht, describing it as potentially the country's biggest illegal laughing-gas filling factory seizure.

Dangers of nitrous oxide

Aranya Theppitak, director of the FDA's Health Product Complaint and Enforcement Management Centre, warned that inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons for pleasure or intoxication can be fatal. The gas can displace oxygen in the lungs and central nervous system, causing nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of respiratory control, falls and unconsciousness.

Repeated use over a long period can damage peripheral nerves and lead to numbness, weakness, tingling in the fingers and toes, and loss of sensation linked to vitamin B12 deficiency, she said.

Importing and filling nitrous oxide requires permission. Authorities will investigate whether the gas was imported legally, although police said the factory itself had no permit to fill it.

Initial allegations include jointly manufacturing and selling drugs without permission, and producing and selling an unregistered drug under the Drug Act 1967, as well as operating a factory without permission. Further action may involve the Foreign Business Act 1999 and any additional offences found.

Suspected unlicensed products can be reported to the FDA on 1556 or at [email protected].


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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15 September 2026

• Crime

• 7 comments
• 167 views

Georgealbert

Monday at 08:58 PM1 day

American wanted in Texas arrested in Phuket

Phuket

American wanted in Texas arrested in Phuket

A 48-year-old American man wanted by a Texas court over an alleged domestic violence offence involving strangulation has been arrested by immigration officers in Phuket.

The man, identified by Phuket Immigration only as Brad, was detained outside a residence in Talat Nuea, Phuket Town, where officers believed he had been staying.

Arrest followed US Embassy information

Phuket Immigration said officers acted after receiving information from the US Embassy and tracing the American to Phuket Town.

A Texas court issued a warrant for Brad on May 26, 2022, in connection with the alleged strangulation offence, according to Phuket Immigration. No further details of the Texas case were released.



US officials have revoked his passport, immigration officers said. When questioned, Brad did not have his original passport and was able to provide only a copy, according to the immigration.

Permission to stay revoked

Immigration Division 6 subsequently revoked his permission to remain in Thailand under the Immigration Act. He was then taken to the Phuket Immigration investigation unit, where officers informed him of his legal rights.

Phuket Immigration said further legal proceedings would follow, but gave no details about the next steps or a timetable for action, for his extradition.


Pictures courtesy of Phuketandamannews

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15 September 2026

• Crime

• 12 comments
• 490 views

Georgealbert

Monday at 08:52 PM1 day