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Fire Ravages Over 20 Rooms in Ban Pong Community During Songkran Celebrations A large fire broke out in the heart of Ban Pong town, Ratchaburi, on the afternoon of 13 April, destroying more than 20 rental units in the historic Rong Thoop community, as residents were celebrating Songkran. The blaze prompted a massive emergency response and caused widespread panic among locals. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357703-fire-ravages-over-20-rooms-in-ban-pong-community-during-songkran-celebrations/

Picture from responders A large fire broke out in the heart of Ban Pong town, Ratchaburi, on the afternoon of 13 April, destroying more than 20 rental units in the historic Rong Thoop community, as residents were celebrating Songkran. The blaze prompted a massive emergency response and caused widespread panic among locals. At approximately 13:40, Pol. Lt. Col. Surachai Bunin of Ban Pong Police Station received a report of a fire at Rong Thoop Community, Soi 1, within the Ban Pong Municipality. The incident was immediately reported to Pol. Col. Kobchok Lektragoon, the station chief, and emergency services were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters from Ban Pong’s municipal disaster prevention unit, alongside volunteers from Ruamjai Charity Foundation Ratchaburi, found the fire engulfing rows of old wooden rental rooms. High winds intensified the spread of the flames, while several gas canisters exploded in succession, further complicating efforts to control the blaze. Multiple fire engines from nearby districts were called in for backup. In the chaos, residents rushed to evacuate bedridden patients and salvage valuable possessions. Firefighters worked for more than an hour and half, to bring the flames under control. Initial assessments report that over 20 rooms were destroyed. One firefighter sustained minor injuries, but fortunately, no residents were hurt or killed. Ms. Sophita, a local noodle shop owner near the site, described the terrifying moment: “I smelled burning and then saw thick black smoke rising above the rooftops. Within ten minutes, flames were consuming the entire row of rooms. We all rushed to help move patients, pets, and anything we could carry.” Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated in a room used to store old items. That room, located in the middle of the wooden complex, had been locked by its tenant who was away at the time. Witnesses reported hearing a crackling sound, possibly from an electrical short circuit, just before the fire broke out and rapidly spread. Authorities believe an electrical short circuit was the likely cause but have called in the Provincial Forensics Department for a detailed investigation. An assessment of the total damage is currently underway. Mr. Norasing Arunbanchoetkul, Deputy Mayor of Ban Pong, confirmed that emergency assistance was already in motion. The Ban Pong Municipal Sports Centre has been converted into a temporary shelter and donation hub for those affected by the fire. Meals, bedding, and basic necessities are being provided to displaced residents. Bedridden patients have been transferred to Ban Pong Hospital for proper care. -- 2025-04-14

UPDATE Three Teens Confess to Fatal Attack on Engineering Student Over College Jacket Picture courtesy of Khaosod. Three teenagers, aged 16 to 18, have confessed to the brutal killing of an engineering student in a shocking case that has sparked outrage across Thailand. The motive behind the attack: to steal the victim’s college jacket. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357611-final-year-engineering-student-fatally-stabbed-belongings-left-untouched/#findComment-19730692

UPDATE Three Teens Confess to Fatal Attack on Engineering Student Over College Jacket Picture courtesy of Khaosod. Three teenagers, aged 16 to 18, have confessed to the brutal killing of an engineering student in a shocking case that has sparked outrage across Thailand. The motive behind the attack: to steal the victim’s college jacket. Police in Pathum Thani arrested Ananop “Kong” (18), Nadee (17), and Pum (16) in connection with the death of 26-year-old Thanat, a student at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. Thanat was attacked and fatally injured beneath the pedestrian bridge at Khlong Nueng, near the Red Bridge on Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road, in Thanyaburi district. According to police, the suspects were apprehended within two days of the incident following a thorough investigation that included reviewing CCTV footage and applying advanced forensic techniques. Pol. Maj. Gen. Yutthana Jonkhun, Commander of Pathum Thani Provincial Police, alongside other senior officers, announced the arrest of the three suspects during a press briefing on 13 April. Investigators revealed that the teenagers had arrived at the scene on two motorcycles and collectively assaulted the victim. During initial questioning, all three suspects admitted their roles in the fatal attack. Pum reportedly used a sharpened steel object, known locally as a “sharp scraper”, to stab Thanat. After the stabbing, the suspects disposed of the weapon and the stolen college jacket in a pond near Phrom Rangsri Temple in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district. The attackers claimed that the violence stemmed from an argument between Ananop and the victim, when their motorcycles nearly collided. Ananop allegedly called the other two to join him in following Thanat to the scene of the attack, where they carried out the assault before fleeing. Police later took the three suspects back to the scene to re-enact the crime as part of the investigative process. Pum, the alleged stabber, expressed remorse during the re-enactment, apologising to the victim and his family, and stating he wanted to atone for his actions. He insisted the weapon was meant for self-defence and that he stabbed the victim only once. The incident has sparked renewed debate in Thailand about youth violence, gang culture, and the symbolic value of college jackets in student identity. -- 2025-04-14

Nestlé Wins Legal Battle Over Nescafé Rights in Thailand File picture for reference only. Nestlé has regained the exclusive right to distribute Nescafé in Thailand following a high-profile legal dispute that has gripped the country’s business community. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357692-nestlé-wins-legal-battle-over-nescafé-rights-in-thailand/

Man Dies After Jumping from Abandoned Eight-Storey Building in Phuket A 42-year-old Thai man has died after jumping from the top of an abandoned eight-storey building near the Makro wholesale store in Phuket on the evening of 12 April. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357691-man-dies-after-jumping-from-abandoned-eight-storey-building-in-phuket/

Seven-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Ayutthaya Canal A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Bang Pahan District, Ayutthaya Province, when the body of a seven-year-old boy was discovered floating in an irrigation canal, hours after he had gone missing. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357690-seven-year-old-boy-drowns-in-ayutthaya-canal/

Family of Three Trapped in Car Wreck After Father Falls Asleep at the Wheel A family of three was left seriously injured after a shocking early morning crash in Nakhon Si Thammarat, when a sleep-deprived father nodded off while driving and lost control of his vehicle, slamming into a tree. The incident took place on Route 401 in Tha Sala District and left the family’s car crumpled. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357689-family-of-three-trapped-in-car-wreck-after-father-falls-asleep-at-the-wheel/

Man Gunned Down in Buriram Hut, Police Suspect Revenge Motive Picture courtesy of Matichon. A 32-year-old man was fatally shot in what police believe may have been a revenge killing, following a late-night ambush at his remote field hut in Prakhon Chai district, Buriram province. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357688-man-gunned-down-in-buriram-hut-police-suspect-revenge-motive/

Jealous Rage Ends in Brutal Murder and Attempted Cremation in Rural Khon Kaen Picture courtesy of Khoasod. A horrific murder has shocked the local community in Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen province, after a 60-year-old man was beaten to death and his body burned in a rubbish pit in what police describe as a crime of passion and jealousy. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357687-jealous-rage-ends-in-brutal-murder-and-attempted-cremation-in-rural-khon-kaen/

Former Thai Buddhism Chief Arrested in Texas Hospital Over Temple Fund Corruption Scandal Picture courtesy of Matichon. In a dramatic development, former Director of Thailand’s National Office of Buddhism, Nopparat Benjawatananun, was arrested by US Marshals inside a hospital in Texas on 11 April. The arrest was made under a provisional warrant issued in connection with his involvement in a major corruption scandal involving misappropriated funds allocated for temple renovations and development projects, Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357686-former-thai-buddhism-chief-arrested-in-texas-hospital-over-temple-fund-corruption-scandal/

One Dead, Two Injured in Four-Vehicle Pile-Up in Si Racha A serious road accident involving four vehicles has left one person dead and two others injured on Route 331 near the PT petrol station in Map Lang, heading towards Bo Win, in Si Racha District, Chonburi. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357685-one-dead-two-injured-in-four-vehicle-pile-up-in-si-racha/

Man Gunned Down Outside His Home in Krabi, Police Suspect the Killer Knew Victim’s Routine A 51-year-old man was shot dead outside his home in Krabi province late on the night of 12 April in what police suspect was a targeted ambush. The assailant, or assailants, are believed to have lain in wait in a nearby oil palm plantation before opening fire with a shotgun. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357684-man-gunned-down-outside-his-home-in-krabi-police-suspect-the-killer-knew-victim’s-routine/

Swiss Volunteers Join Locals in Forest Conservation Effort in Kanchanaburi Picture courtesy of Kaoded. A group of Swiss university students have joined hands with Thai environmental volunteers in Kanchanaburi province to carry out a nature conservation project aimed at protecting the local ecosystem and promoting sustainable forest management. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357683-swiss-volunteers-join-locals-in-forest-conservation-effort-in-kanchanaburi/

Picture from responders. A 42-year-old Thai man has died after jumping from the top of an abandoned eight-storey building near the Makro wholesale store in Phuket on the evening of 12 April. At approximately 20:45 the Kusoldharm Foundation in Phuket received an emergency call reporting that someone had jumped from a disused high-rise structure located adjacent to the Makro complex in the city. Volunteers from the Kusoldharm rescue team were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of a Thai man, identified only as Boy, lying with his body smashed onto a low wall at ground level, after a fatal jump. Despite the rapid response, the man was found to have suffered severe head trauma from the impact and showed no signs of life. The building, which has long stood abandoned, is known to locals and authorities as a frequent location for trespassing and occasional reports of accidents or suspicious activity. At this stage, the full identity of the deceased has not been publicly released, and the circumstances leading to the event are under investigation. Police are working to determine whether foul play was involved or whether the fall was a result of suicide. If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek out help. -- 2025-04-14

File picture for reference only. Nestlé has regained the exclusive right to distribute Nescafé in Thailand following a high-profile legal dispute that has gripped the country’s business community. The Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court has ruled in favour of the global food and beverage giant, declaring Nestlé the sole rightful owner of the “Nescafé” trademark in Thailand. The decision clears the way for Nestlé to resume production, importation, and sales of its popular instant coffee brand across the country. The ruling follows a long-standing dispute between Nestlé and the Mahagitsiri family, who co-founded Quality Coffee Products Co., Ltd. (QCP) in 1990. Under a longstanding agreement, QCP had been granted the rights to manufacture Nescafé in Thailand. However, Nestlé announced the termination of its agreement with QCP in 2021, which took full effect on 31 December 2024. After the contract ended, disagreements emerged between shareholders over QCP’s future operations. This led to Mr Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, a shareholder in QCP, filing a civil lawsuit at Min Buri Civil Court, seeking an injunction to temporarily bar Nestlé from producing, outsourcing, selling, or importing instant coffee under the Nescafé brand in Thailand. On 3 April 2025, the court granted the injunction, prompting Nestlé to swiftly file a petition for an emergency hearing to have the order overturned. Nestlé argued that the injunction was causing widespread disruption to supply chains, including coffee farmers, packaging suppliers, and associated manufacturers. The emergency hearing was scheduled for 17 April 2025. However, ahead of the court date, Nestlé issued a statement on 12 April, signed by Ms Khrewan Warunpaijit, Executive Director of Nestlé Professional Thailand, informing trade partners that the Central Intellectual Property Court had already issued a decisive ruling. According to the statement, the court confirmed that Nestlé is the exclusive trademark owner of both the English “Nescafé” and Thai “เนสกาแฟ” marks, allowing the company to fully resume business operations in Thailand. The verdict marks a significant turning point for Nestlé in Thailand and paves the way for the company to stabilise its coffee business after months of uncertainty. It is also seen as a landmark decision in the country’s intellectual property and corporate law landscape. -- 2025-04-14

Picture from responders. A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Bang Pahan District, Ayutthaya Province, when the body of a seven-year-old boy was discovered floating in an irrigation canal, hours after he had gone missing. The young boy, known affectionately as Tonkla, was found dead near his favourite noodle shop, sparking grief and disbelief among locals who had grown fond of him. Police Lieutenant Piyapong Sirijanyatham from Bang Pahan Police Station received the emergency call and arrived at the scene alongside Police Colonel Praderm Jitwatthapirom, and a rescue team from the Ayutthaya Ruamjai Foundation. The child’s lifeless body was found floating face-up in the Khlong Maduea canal, clad in a football shirt and shorts. Authorities estimate that he had been dead for at least eight hours. No signs of physical assault were found. The boy lived with his grandparents in Bang Duea subdistrict. His grandmother, 57-year-old Ms. Sumalee, tearfully recounted that Tonkla had gone missing the previous evening, prompting a frantic overnight search by family and neighbours. It wasn’t until the following morning that his body was discovered just outside a local noodle shop where he often played. The shop’s owner, 60-year-old Ms. Nong, was visibly shaken as she spoke. She described Tonkla as a cheerful, talkative boy who had become like a grandson to her. On the day of the incident, he had made a chilling remark that now haunts her. “He looked at me and said, ‘Granny, I won’t be here anymore today,’” she recalled. “I asked where he was going, but he didn’t answer. He just smiled and left.” Later that afternoon, Tonkla returned briefly to buy a soft drink with 20 baht given to him by a teacher. Before leaving again, he reportedly said, “Granny, you can go home now. I’ll watch the shop for you.” Shortly after, he was seen sitting alone at a stone bench near the canal, a favourite spot of his. Ms. Nong speculates that he may have accidentally slipped into the water, particularly as the area was still wet from heavy rain from earlier. In a bittersweet detail, she also shared that just days earlier she had joked with Tonkla about buying a lottery ticket. “I told him that if I won the first prize, I’d take him in and raise him myself,” she said. Tonkla had even helped her choose the ticket. She held up the ticket for reporters, tears in her eyes. Police have questioned witnesses and family members and sent the boy’s body for a detailed autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities are treating the case as a tragic accident, pending the final report. -- 2025-04-14

Local Government Employee in Sisaket Caught Dealing Meth During Lunch Break Picture courtesy of Matichon. Authorities in Khun Han District, Sisaket Province, arrested a 30-year-old subdistrict administrative organisation (SAO) employee for allegedly dealing methamphetamine during his lunch break. A subsequent search of his home revealed a cache of illegal firearms and ammunition. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357682-local-government-employee-in-sisaket-caught-dealing-meth-during-lunch-break/

Explosion Behind Temple in Narathiwat Injures Four Paramilitary Officers Picture courtesy of Matichon. Four paramilitary officers were injured in an early morning explosion behind Chai Rattana Ram Temple (Ban Thai Temple) in Rangae District, Narathiwat Province, in what authorities believe was a targeted attack. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357681-explosion-behind-temple-in-narathiwat-injures-four-paramilitary-officers/

Vespa Rider Dies After Crashing Into Abandoned Spirit House Pedestal A 31-year-old man lost his life in a motorcycle crash, early morning on 13 April, after crashing into a discarded spirit house pedestal along a roadside in Pathum Thani province. The incident occurred without any visible signs of braking, suggesting the rider had taken no actions ro avoid the collision. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357680-vespa-rider-dies-after-crashing-into-abandoned-spirit-house-pedestal/

Vietnamese Woman Arrested for Stealing from Tourists During Songkran Festival Picture courtesy of Matichon. A 42-year-old Vietnamese woman has been arrested after sneaking into Thailand through an illegal border crossing and stealing from tourists during the busy Songkran holiday. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1357677-vietnamese-woman-arrested-for-stealing-from-tourists-during-songkran-festival/

Picture courtesy of Matichon. In a dramatic development, former Director of Thailand’s National Office of Buddhism, Nopparat Benjawatananun, was arrested by US Marshals inside a hospital in Texas on 11 April. The arrest was made under a provisional warrant issued in connection with his involvement in a major corruption scandal involving misappropriated funds allocated for temple renovations and development projects, commonly referred to in Thailand as the “temple fund kickback” or “Wat-gate” scandal. Mr Nopparat had fled Thailand over eight years ago, reportedly settling in the United States before formal charges were filed. According to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), he amassed unlawful wealth amounting to over 500 million baht, stemming from fraudulent dealings related to the state-sponsored temple restoration subsidy programme. The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) had already issued at least four asset seizure orders against Mr Nopparat and his associates, including fellow former Buddhism Office Director Panom Sornsilp. The seized assets have been valued at approximately 94.2 million baht. Authorities say Mr Nopparat lived comfortably in the US during his years on the run. His arrest marks a significant step forward in ongoing efforts to bring fugitive officials to justice. Thai prosecutors, working in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General and US authorities, have formally requested his extradition to face trial in Thailand. Pol Lt Gen Jaroonkiat Parnkaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, along with Pol Maj Gen Prasong Chalermpan, Commander of the Anti-Corruption Police Division, confirmed the arrest and stated that Mr Nopparat is expected to appear before a Texas court as part of extradition proceedings. Mr Nopparat is also facing multiple other criminal investigations, with dozens of case files still pending. The NACC confirmed that 36 of 47 total corruption cases related to the temple fund scandal remain under active investigation. Other high-profile suspects named in related cases include former deputy director Pranom Khongpikul and several senior monks. The extradition process is expected to take some time due to the legal procedures involved, but Thai authorities remain committed to seeing Mr Nopparat returned to stand trial. -- 2025-04-14

Picture courtesy of Khoasod. A horrific murder has shocked the local community in Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen province, after a 60-year-old man was beaten to death and his body burned in a rubbish pit in what police describe as a crime of passion and jealousy. The suspect, identified as Mr Boonlert, 49, was arrested on 13 April at his mother-in-law’s home in Non Han subdistrict, following a manhunt by local police. He later confessed to killing Mr Sumon, 60, in a fit of rage after allegedly believing he was attempting to assault his wife inside a rural hut. According to the investigation, officers from Chum Phae Police Station, led by Pol Col Rakchat Rueangcharoen, responded to a report of a murder and body concealment in a public woodland near Ban Non Chat, Na Nong Thum subdistrict. At the scene, police discovered bloodstains, a wooden club, and a hoe, believed to have been used in the attack. A short distance away, they found a two-metre-wide smouldering rubbish pit containing the partially burned body of a man in a green shirt and black shorts. The victim had extensive injuries and his body was around 30% charred. The victim was later identified as Mr Sumon, a local resident. Initial reports suggested that he had visited the hut owned by Mr Boonlert, who was not at home at the time. Mr Boonlert’s 34-year-old wife told investigators she had returned from a local village music event to find her husband drinking with the victim. She later left again after an argument broke out between the two men. Mr Boonlert claimed that upon returning from foraging in the forest that evening, he saw Mr Sumon arriving at the hut and entering while his wife was inside. Believing that the man intended to sexually assault her, following earlier reports from his wife that Mr Sumon had been persistently pursuing her, Mr Boonlert said he hid in the woods and watched. When he saw Mr Sumon enter the hut alone, he rushed in, kicked the man out of the structure, and beat him three times with a wooden stick, killing him. He then dragged the body to a nearby pit, set it alight, and fled with his wife on the victim’s motorbike. Police charged Mr Boonlert with murder and concealment of a corpse. He remains in custody as the investigation continues. -- 2025-04-14

Picture courtesy of Matichon. A 32-year-old man was fatally shot in what police believe may have been a revenge killing, following a late-night ambush at his remote field hut in Prakhon Chai district, Buriram province. The victim, identified as Mr Phongsak, known locally as “Kluay”, was found dead early morning on 13 April, beneath a small wooden bridge leading to his rural shelter, located about five kilometres from Ban Non Sawan village in Khao Khok subdistrict. Officers from Ban Bua Police Station, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Sombun Deekasem, were called to the scene at around 09.00, after villagers reported a suspected shooting. Rescue workers from Song Muang Foundation also responded. Upon arrival, police discovered Mr Phongsak lying on his back with both legs submerged in a water channel beneath the bridge. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the back of the head, inflicted by a 9mm firearm. Investigators found four spent cartridges scattered near the rear of the hut, suggesting the assailant had approached stealthily before opening fire. According to police, the attack appeared to be a targeted ambush. It’s believed the first shots missed, prompting the victim to flee towards the bridge, where he was struck in the head and fell. A younger acquaintance of the victim, who had been drinking with him earlier that night, told police that Mr Phongsak had been socialising with his uncle and a group of friends, around five people in total, outside the hut. The witness had left to check fishing lines around 500 metres away and later heard multiple gunshots, fearing for his safety he fled home. He returned the next morning with relatives and discovered the body. Mr Phongsak’s cousin, 45-year-old Ms Paphichaya, said the deceased had previously been married with children but was living alone in the hut. He was known to frequently host friends and acquaintances at the property. Ms Paphichaya added that her cousin may have been involved in illicit activities, including drug use. She revealed that someone had recently messaged him on Facebook with the threatening words: “You got my brother jailed. I will get you back.” Another local had warned him to leave the area following rumours of an affair with a married woman, but Mr Phongsak refused, insisting he had done nothing wrong. “There were signs something bad might happen,” she said. “We had tried to prepare ourselves, but it’s still a terrible shock.” Police are pursuing two main lines of enquiry: a possible drug-related dispute or a personal feud involving a romantic entanglement. Investigators are reviewing social media communications and interviewing witnesses to identify suspects. The investigation remains ongoing. -- 2025-04-14