Georgealbert

Picture courtesy of Workpoint A former police officer, holding the rank of Police Senior Sergeant Major, opened fire on his neighbours in Phrae, injuring three people. The incident is believed to have been sparked by the suspect’s suspicion that his fighting cock had been poisoned. Police Lieutenant Suthipoj Thananchai, an investigator at Huai Ma Police Station, received a report of a shooting in which three individuals were injured. Emergency responders from Phrae Hospital, the Maelai Municipality Rescue Unit, and the Phrae Volunteer Rescue Association were dispatched to the scene, along with officers from Huai Ma Police Station, Phrae Provincial Investigation Division, and local administrative officials. The shooting took place outside a two-storey wooden house in Moo 4, Huai Ma subdistrict, Mueang Phrae district. The house had no perimeter fence, and 13 spent bullet casings were found scattered on the ground. One of the victims, Mr Tosaphon, 65, was found lying in a pool of blood on the road in front of his house, suffering from gunshot wounds to his abdomen and leg. Nearby, Mr Nikhom, 59, had been shot in the right leg and torso. The third victim, Mrs Priya, 52, Tosaphon’s wife, had sustained gunshot wounds to her arms, legs, and body. She managed to flee the scene and seek help at a nearby clinic, from where emergency services were alerted. The injured were given first aid and transported to Phrae Hospital for further treatment. Police then proceeded to the home of the suspect, identified as Sompong, 65, a former deputy inspector. He was found inside his house, intoxicated and shouting incoherently. Officers spent approximately 30 minutes negotiating with him before he agreed to surrender and was taken into custody at Huai Ma Police Station. Village headwoman Pawina Choksakulsub stated that she had heard multiple gunshots but was too afraid to go outside. Once the situation calmed, she assisted in transporting the injured to hospital. She confirmed that two of the victims remained conscious, while one was unresponsive. She further explained that Sompong had been in a longstanding dispute with Tosaphon over the death of his fighting cock. He believed that Tosaphon had poisoned the bird, leading to the violent attack. Authorities are now conducting further investigations to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting. -- 2025-03-29

Lampang: Toyota Fortuner Crashes into Tree, Over Ten Injured A serious road crash occurred on the morning of 28 March, in Lampang, as a Toyota Fortuner veered off the road and crashed into a tree, leaving more than ten people injured. One individual was trapped inside the vehicle, requiring urgent rescue efforts. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356127-lampang-toyota-fortuner-crashes-into-tree-over-ten-injured/

Picture from responders. A serious road crash occurred on the morning of 28 March, in Lampang, as a Toyota Fortuner veered off the road and crashed into a tree, leaving more than ten people injured. One individual was trapped inside the vehicle, requiring urgent rescue efforts. At approximately 09:10, the Lampang Rescue Association, in coordination with volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation and Koh Kha Rescue Unit, responded to the incident on the Lampang-Tak Road. The crash took place on the inbound lane towards Lampang, near the Koh Kha weigh station in Koh Kha district. Ambulances from Koh Kha Hospital were also dispatched to the scene. Rescue teams found a Toyota Fortuner, bearing Chiang Mai registration, severely damaged after colliding with a tree. More than ten individuals sustained injuries, with one person trapped inside the wreckage. Emergency responders worked swiftly to extract the trapped victim and provide first aid before transporting the injured to a nearby hospital. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle, leading to the collision. Further updates are expected as officials assess the circumstances surrounding the collision. -- 2025-03-29

Deleted

Maybe try reading the OP, “Good Samaritans and other tourists had already moved him to the roadside before the rescue team arrived”, before posting.

Yes, the Kamov KA-32 helicopter, is a Russian-designed twin-rotor helicopter and is used by the Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), which currently has four operational helicopters. The DDPM can configure the KA-32 helicopters for use in firefighting, rescue operations and haze pollution control.

Restaurant Owner Loses Nearly 200,000 Baht to M-Flow Payment Scam File picture for reference only. A restaurant owner in Samut Prakan has fallen victim to an online payment scam, losing nearly 200,000 baht, after clicking on a fraudulent M-Flow payment link. The victim, Mr Boonrod Watthanawisankul, 60, is now warning others to be extremely cautious when making online financial transactions. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356026-restaurant-owner-loses-nearly-200000-baht-to-m-flow-payment-scam/

File picture for reference only. A restaurant owner in Samut Prakan has fallen victim to an online payment scam, losing nearly 200,000 baht, after clicking on a fraudulent M-Flow payment link. The victim, Mr Boonrod Watthanawisankul, 60, is now warning others to be extremely cautious when making online financial transactions. Mr Boonrod, the owner of Rabieng Talay Restaurant in Bang Pu, shared his story after realising he had been scammed. He had received an SMS claiming to be from M-Flow, Thailand’s electronic toll payment system, stating that he had an outstanding fee of 30 baht. As his partner had recently driven through an M-Flow toll without immediate payment, he assumed the message was legitimate. Without suspicion, he clicked the link, which directed him to a website that closely resembled the official M-Flow portal. After entering his vehicle registration details, he was shown a payment amount of 36 baht and proceeded to pay online using his credit card. Upon confirming the payment, an OTP (one-time password) verification code was sent to his phone, which he entered as usual. Moments later, he received a notification stating that 4,836 Swiss francs (191,654 baht) had been deducted from his account. Realising something was wrong, he immediately contacted his bank, who confirmed that he had fallen victim to a scam. Shortly after, he received another message stating that his previous transaction had failed and that he needed to re-enter the OTP. This time, the amount shown was 51 million Lao Kip (around 8,000 baht). Fortunately, having already realised the scam, he did not proceed with the second transaction. Mr Boonrod has since reported the fraud to his bank, which is reviewing the case under its dispute resolution policies. He remains hopeful of getting his money back, as he had previously been scammed out of 20,000 baht through a similar scheme and was eventually refunded. “I just want to warn everyone: scammers are everywhere, and they come in all forms,” he said. “Always be extremely cautious when making online payments. Never click on links from unknown sources, and always verify directly with the official website before proceeding with any transaction.” With an increase in online fraud cases, Thai authorities are urging the public to be cautious, especially regarding unsolicited payment requests via SMS and email. Officials recommend verifying any suspicious messages directly with the relevant organisations and never sharing personal financial information on unfamiliar websites. -- 2025-03-28

Car Flies Over Central Reservation, Collides Head-On with Pickup Truck,1 Dead, 2 Injured Pictures courtesy of Khoasod. A fatal road crash occurred on the Wang Saphung–Udon Thani highway (Route 210) in Loei province, resulting in one death and two serious injuries. Emergency services rushed to the scene to provide assistance. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356025-car-flies-over-central-reservation-collides-head-on-with-pickup-truck1-dead-2-injured/

Pictures courtesy of Khoasod. A fatal road crash occurred on the Wang Saphung–Udon Thani highway (Route 210) in Loei province, resulting in one death and two serious injuries. Emergency services rushed to the scene to provide assistance. At approximately 12:50 on 27 March, a black saloon car driver, travelling from Wang Saphung towards Erawan lost control, veered over the central reservation, and crashed head-on into an oncoming covered pickup truck. The collision happened near Phainprang Wittaya School in Phainprang subdistrict, Erawan district. Rescue teams, including medical personnel from Erawan Hospital, municipal emergency responders, and volunteers from Sawang Khiri Tham Foundation, worked to extract the injured from the wreckage. A female passenger in the saloon car, identified as Mrs. Somying, 58, from Mueang district, Phitsanulok, was killed at the scene. The driver, her husband, Mr. Nathai, 65, from Mae Sot district, Tak, sustained serious injuries. The driver of the pickup truck, Mr. Ratchapoom, 21, from Naklang district, Nong Bua Lamphu, was also seriously hurt. Police from Erawan station are investigating the cause of the incident. -- 2025-03-28

UPDATE Air Force Officer Charged Over Gold Heist Picture courtesy of Matichon. A Royal Thai Air Force officer has been charged with two serious offences following a meticulously planned gold robbery in Ayutthaya province. The suspect, identified as Warrant Officer First Class (WO1) Worapot, 43, was arrested in Bangkok after allegedly stealing 160 baht-weight of gold (worth approximately 7.8 million baht) from a jewellery store in a well-known shopping mall in Bang Pa-in district on 23 March. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355545-armed-robber-steals-over-7-million-in-gold-in-daring-heist-at-shopping-mall/#findComment-19689853

UPDATE Air Force Officer Charged Over Gold Heist Picture courtesy of Matichon. A Royal Thai Air Force officer has been charged with two serious offences following a meticulously planned gold robbery in Ayutthaya province. The suspect, identified as Warrant Officer First Class (WO1) Worapot, 43, was arrested in Bangkok after allegedly stealing 160 baht-weight of gold (worth approximately 7.8 million baht) from a jewellery store in a well-known shopping mall in Bang Pa-in district on 23 March. Authorities revealed that the suspect had carefully planned the crime. Having noticed the jewellery store’s strategic location near the mall entrance while using the restroom on a previous visit, he later returned on 22 March to assess the premises further by pretending to shop. On the day of the robbery, he parked his Toyota pickup truck about two kilometres away in a blind spot without CCTV surveillance, before changing clothes and walking to the mall to commit the crime. After the heist, he fled on foot before hiring a motorcycle taxi to take him near his parked vehicle, allowing him to escape unnoticed. The police launched an immediate investigation, using CCTV footage from the mall and vehicle dashcams to trace the suspect’s movements. Witnesses also reported spotting a man in concealing clothing behaving suspiciously near the scene. Further inquiries led authorities to his residence in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district, where they arrested him and recovered stolen gold chains, a .38 calibre handgun, clothing worn during the robbery, and the pickup truck used in the escape. Investigators discovered that Worapot was under significant financial strain, with debts amounting to approximately 500,000 baht. Additionally, he had searched online for methods to melt gold, suggesting he intended to alter the stolen items before selling them. The suspect faces two major charges: 1. Armed robbery – involving the use of a weapon while concealing his identity and employing a vehicle to facilitate the crime and escape. 2. Illegal possession of a firearm in public – carrying a gun in a public area without proper authorisation or reasonable cause. Authorities have since conducted a crime reconstruction and will proceed with further legal action. -- 2025-03-28

Police Crack Down on 15 Chinese-Backed Firms Using Thai Nominees Picture courtesy of CIB Authorities have launched a major operation against 15 businesses allegedly acting as front companies for Chinese investors, arresting 71 people in connection with the scheme. The crackdown, led by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD), uncovered widespread illegal foreign business operations using Thai nominees. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356017-police-crack-down-on-15-chinese-backed-firms-using-thai-nominees/

Picture courtesy of CIB Authorities have launched a major operation against 15 businesses allegedly acting as front companies for Chinese investors, arresting 71 people in connection with the scheme. The crackdown, led by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD), uncovered widespread illegal foreign business operations using Thai nominees. Police carried out raids at two locations: an accounting firm in Samut Prakan province and a luxury housing estate near Suvarnabhumi Airport. The investigation resulted in legal action against: • 15 corporate entities • 21 Chinese nationals • 51 Thai nationals All face charges under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) for facilitating foreign control of businesses reserved for Thai citizens. The operation, codenamed “CIB Game On”, was initially launched to dismantle Chinese criminal networks in Thailand. It followed the arrest of a Chinese national, Mr. Li, who was wanted under a Red Notice for embezzling approximately 14 billion baht from Chinese victims. Mr. Li had fled to Thailand and set up Anjia International Co., Ltd., a fraudulent firm that lured Chinese clients by falsely promising Thai visas and national ID cards. Further investigations revealed that Mr. Li’s company used Thai nominees to register businesses on behalf of Chinese nationals. The firm had no real operational premises and was part of a broader scheme involving an accounting company in Samut Prakan, which handled financial reports and corporate registrations. The mastermind behind the accounting firm was identified as Ms. Yan Zhao (also known as Venus), a Chinese national, who managed the business remotely from China. She reportedly helped Chinese clients establish companies in Thailand by using Thai employees and close associates as nominee shareholders, thus bypassing Thai foreign business laws. Armed with search warrants, police raided both locations, gathering evidence of illegal business practices, property ownership violations, and nominee arrangements. Authorities are now preparing legal action against all involved parties, ensuring that the businesses and individuals will face prosecution. The operation was directed by Pol. Lt. Gen. Jiraphop Phuridech, Commissioner of the CIB, alongside Pol. Maj. Gen. Thasnapoom Charupraph, Head of the ECD, and Pol. Col. Krit Woratat, Superintendent of the ECD’s 4th Division. The arrests were carried out by a police team led by Pol. Lt. Col. Satit Hawongchai, Pol. Lt. Col. Worawut Khongraksa, Pol. Lt. Col. Nattadon Bamrungsin, and Pol. Lt. Col. Chanakan Nirum. Authorities continue to investigate further financial irregularities and potential links to organised crime. -- 2025-03-28

Chiang Mai Declares Disaster Zones in Two Districts as Wildfires Rage Picture courtesy of Workpoint. Authorities in Chiang Mai have declared two districts as disaster zones due to severe wildfires, prompting an intensified firefighting operation involving water-bombing aircraft and strict law enforcement measures. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356016-chiang-mai-declares-disaster-zones-in-two-districts-as-wildfires-rage/

Picture courtesy of Workpoint. Authorities in Chiang Mai have declared two districts as disaster zones due to severe wildfires, prompting an intensified firefighting operation involving water-bombing aircraft and strict law enforcement measures. Jirayut Huangsup, an advisor to the National Command Centre for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, stated that emergency response teams had been deployed over the past week to battle the blazes. Ka-32 helicopters have been used to control the spread of fires in San Sai district, while the Department of Royal Rainmaking has deployed CN and Caravan aircraft to adjust atmospheric conditions and reduce air pollution in Mae Sariang and Khun Yuam districts in Mae Hong Son province. Despite these efforts, hotspots continue to accumulate across 17 northern provinces, with a total of 2,595 detected. The highest concentration was recorded in Mae Hong Son (412 hotspots), followed by Tak (306) and Chiang Mai (229). Most fires are located within protected forests (1,111 hotspots) and national reserves (943 hotspots), making ground-based firefighting operations difficult, requiring extensive aerial support. Chiang Mai authorities have officially designated Chiang Dao (Chiang Dao and Ping Khong subdistricts) and Omkoi (Yang Piang, Mae Tuen, and Mon Chong subdistricts) as disaster areas. This classification allows for the deployment of additional military personnel and enforcement teams to monitor, prevent, and prosecute illegal fire-related activities. The disaster declaration is targeted, covering only specific subdistricts to contain the crisis efficiently and provide effective assistance to affected residents. According to the Meteorological Department, air pollution remains severe across northern and northeastern Thailand due to weakening winds and transboundary haze from neighbouring countries. Satellite data has detected 7,997 hotspots in Myanmar and 5,148 in Laos, contributing to the worsening conditions. Authorities have warned that from 29 March to 1 April, northern Thailand may experience a summer storm, which could help reduce pollution levels but may also bring thunderstorms and strong winds. As firefighting operations continue, residents are advised to remain vigilant, particularly in fire-prone areas, and adhere to strict regulations against open burning. -- 2025-03-28

Couple Arrested for Selling Fake Herbal Medicines to Chinese Tourists Picture courtesy of Matichon. A Thai man and Chinese partner have been arrested in Bangkok for illegally selling fake herbal medicines, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and counterfeit cosmetics to Chinese tour groups. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356013-couple-arrested-for-selling-fake-herbal-medicines-to-chinese-tourists/

Picture courtesy of Matichon. A Thai man and Chinese partner have been arrested in Bangkok for illegally selling fake herbal medicines, unregistered pharmaceuticals, and counterfeit cosmetics to Chinese tour groups. The operation was led by Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), along with other senior police officers and officials from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The couple, identified as Mr. Jasing, 40, a highland Thai national from Chiang Mai, and Ms. Jiang, 36, a Chinese citizen, were apprehended at two houses in Ladprao Soi 80, Wang Thonglang District, Bangkok. Authorities seized 8,270 items of illegal medicines, herbal products, cosmetics, and food supplements from the two properties. Police had been tipped off by an informant who reported that an unnamed company in Wang Thonglang was selling unlicensed products. After an investigation, officers found sufficient evidence to request search warrants from the Criminal Court. Police and FDA officials raided the two rented houses, where they found Jasing and Jiang managing the illegal business. Upon questioning, the suspects partially admitted to renting the two properties for 26,000 baht per month each since August 2024. They claimed to have set up a company for selling cosmetics and clothing, using one house as a warehouse and the other to store and repackage herbal medicines and common household drugs. These products were then distributed to tour guides selling to Chinese tourists and wholesale shops, but the couple insisted they were unaware that the items were illegal. The suspects now face numerous charges, including: • Selling medicines without a licence • Selling counterfeit and unregistered pharmaceuticals • Selling unlicensed herbal products • Selling counterfeit cosmetics • Selling products with misleading or incorrect labelling All seized goods and the suspects have been handed over to the Wang Thonglang Police Station for further legal proceedings. -- 2025-03-28

Fire Erupts on Livestock Truck After Tyre Explosion in Chaiyaphum A ten-wheeler truck transporting 113 pigs caught fire on a bypass road in Chaiyaphum province after a rear tyre exploded, prompting an emergency response from local firefighters and rescue teams. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356012-fire-erupts-on-livestock-truck-after-tyre-explosion-in-chaiyaphum/

Picture from responders. A ten-wheeler truck transporting 113 pigs caught fire on a bypass road in Chaiyaphum province after a rear tyre exploded, prompting an emergency response from local firefighters and rescue teams. Authorities received a distress call via the 191 Emergency Hotline, alerting them to a fire on a livestock truck travelling on the Chaiyaphum bypass road. Fire engines from Chaiyaphum Municipality, traffic police from the Chaiyaphum City Police Station, and rescue teams from Sawang Kunnatham Foundation were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, officials found flames engulfing the rear wheels of a white ten-wheel truck, which was transporting pigs for a livestock company. Firefighters worked swiftly, using high-pressure hoses to douse the flames, successfully bringing the fire under control within 30 minutes. As a precautionary measure, rescue teams released the pigs from the truck to prevent them from being trapped in the blaze. Another vehicle was then arranged to transfer the surviving livestock and continue the journey to Mukdahan province. According to the truck driver, he had been transporting breeding pigs from Chai Nat province to Mukdahan when disaster struck. As he was driving along the bypass, he heard a loud explosion from one of the rear tyres, which then caught fire. “I tried to put out the flames using water, but the fire spread too quickly,” he recounted. “I had no choice but to call emergency services for help.” Despite the rapid response, nine pigs perished in the fire, while the remaining 104 survived and were successfully transferred to another vehicle. The full extent of the damage to the truck is still being assessed, with authorities conducting further inspections to determine the cause of the tyre explosion and the financial impact of the incident. Local officials have advised transport companies to conduct regular vehicle maintenance and ensure that all safety measures are in place to prevent similar incidents in the future. -- 2025-03-28

Child Falls into Wang River and Die A two-year-old boy drowned after reportedly wandering towards an overflow weir along the Wang River in Koh Kha district, Lampang province. The toddler, who was staying with his grandmother during the school holidays, is believed to have fallen into the river and been swept away by the current. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1356011-child-falls-into-wang-river-and-dies/

Picture from responders. A two-year-old boy drowned after reportedly wandering towards an overflow weir along the Wang River in Koh Kha district, Lampang province. The toddler, who was staying with his grandmother during the school holidays, is believed to have fallen into the river and been swept away by the current. Police, emergency responders, and hospital staff rushed to the scene after being alerted to a drowning incident near the Haad Poo Dai village overflow weir. The boy’s body was found 300 metres downstream, near a sandbank in the Wang River. His head bore signs of impact injuries, and his skin had already turned pale, indicating that he had been dead for at least two to three hours. According to initial investigations, the child had been left in the care of his grandmother while his parents worked in Ayutthaya province. He had been staying with her since 9 March, with plans for his parents to collect him in early April. Earlier in the afternoon, the boy went missing from his grandmother’s home, which is situated close to the riverbank. Family members and neighbours immediately began a search, fearing he had wandered towards the weir. Their worst fears were realised when they found his body floating in the river. Authorities suspect that the child may have approached the water out of curiosity before falling from the edge of the overflow weir, which stands 3 metres high. The impact likely caused head injuries, leaving him unable to recover before being swept away. Following an initial examination, police and medical staff confirmed head trauma, but the body has been transferred for further autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, the boy’s grieving parents, upon receiving the devastating news, have immediately travelled from Ayutthaya to Lampang. -- 2025-03-28

This is CCTV of the incident.

Crackdown on Illegal Short-Term Condo Rentals in Pattaya Pictures courtesy of Matichon. Authorities have launched a crackdown on illegal short-term condominium rentals in Pattaya, following directives from the Ministry of Interior to regulate the sector and address public concerns. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355916-crackdown-on-illegal-short-term-condo-rentals-in-pattaya/

Pictures courtesy of Matichon. Authorities have launched a crackdown on illegal short-term condominium rentals in Pattaya, following directives from the Ministry of Interior to regulate the sector and address public concerns. On 26 March, Chaiwat Chuntiraphong, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), ordered a special task force to investigate condominium buildings suspected of violating the Hotel Act 2004. The operation, led by Ronnarong Tipsiri, Deputy Director-General of DOPA, involved local administrative officials, immigration police, and Pattaya City Police. Three condominium buildings in Pattaya, were inspected. Officials found that two of them were being illegally rented out on a daily basis via online platforms. To evade detection, the operators placed room keys and keycards in automated lockers inside the buildings, allowing guests to check in independently. At the third location, a real estate agency employee was found escorting guests to their rooms. Authorities gathered evidence, including booking records, bank transfer receipts, and ownership documents, before filing formal complaints with the Bang Lamung District administrative police. Those found guilty of violating the Hotel Act 2004 will face legal action. Additionally, the information will be shared with the Land Office, Pattaya City authorities, the Revenue Department, and other relevant agencies to ensure all violations are prosecuted under applicable laws. The Department of Provincial Administration will also coordinate with the Land Department to ensure condominium management teams monitor and prevent illegal rentals. Public awareness campaigns will be launched to educate property owners about legal compliance, aiming to create a safe and orderly living environment in Pattaya. -- 2025-03-27