Video News

Wild Elephant Tosses Man From Pickup in Hua Hin A dramatic elephant encounter on Hua Hin’s Pala-U Road went viral after the massive animal used its trunk to eject a man from the back of a pickup truck. The passenger, 46-year-old Chaiwat Harnwichian, suffered minor rib pain but avoided serious injuries. The incident, caught on camera, has sparked warnings for drivers in the area, where wild elephants are common but usually non-aggressive. Officials are now being urged to implement safety measures along this route. The video serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters in Thailand.

Chinese Tourists Accused of Dining and Dashing in Chon Buri Restaurant owners in Chon Buri are reporting a rise in Chinese tourists dining and dashing. The latest incident saw four Chinese men leave without paying a 1,205-baht bill on March 2. After the owner shared the incident online, more businesses came forward with similar complaints, some lacking CCTV evidence to take legal action. A hotpot buffet owner reported another case on March 8, where diners crumpled the bill and exited through the back. Police are now investigating the suspects’ residence, believed to be a condominium housing many Chinese nationals, as concerns grow over repeated scams targeting local restaurants.

Indian Men Caught Smuggling 22kg of Cannabis at Bangkok Airport Two Indian men, Kamarudheen and Shibin, were arrested at Don Mueang Airport for attempting to smuggle 22kg of cannabis disguised as snack bags. The duo was caught at the check-in counter before boarding a flight to India. X-ray scans revealed the hidden cannabis, and they failed to provide the required export permits. Charged under the Customs Act, they were taken to Don Mueang Police Station for legal proceedings. The case highlights concerns about illegal cannabis exports, with Thai business owners emphasizing that smuggling undermines Thailand’s regulated cannabis industry.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-ob34NvGdyI?feature=share Russian “Mafia” Busted for Extorting Tourists on Koh Pha Ngan A 27-year-old Russian man, Vladislav Klenov, was arrested on Koh Pha Ngan for allegedly extorting tourists while posing as a "mafia" figure. He dressed in fake police gear, carried a mock firearm, and claimed ties to high-ranking Thai officials. Police raided his shop in Ban Tai, uncovering an air rifle, handcuffs, and a counterfeit police vest. Klenov, who sold cannabis, was also charged with working without a permit and drug use. Authorities urge any victims to come forward, reinforcing Thailand’s zero-tolerance stance on crime against tourists.

Buddhist Monk Arrested for Decade-Old Robbery Case A 59-year-old Buddhist monk, Chalad, was arrested at a temple in Ayutthaya for his role in a 2010 robbery worth over 2 million baht. Previously granted bail, he had been on the run for years, moving between provinces before becoming a monk. Police tracked him down and arrested him under a 2015 warrant. Chalad admitted to acting as the getaway driver and lookout during the crime. He has been sent to the Samut Prakan Provincial Court to face legal proceedings.

British Couple’s Thailand Dream Turns Into Legal Nightmare A British couple’s dream retirement in Thailand has turned into a legal nightmare. Des and Mary Byrne, aged 77 and 69, were brutally attacked in a land dispute in December 2023. The assailants, reportedly trained in Thai boxing, confessed and agreed to pay compensation. However, in a shocking twist, the Byrnes were later arrested on counter-charges of causing “superficial injuries and mental anguish” to their attackers. Now, as their court date approaches on March 12, they fear imprisonment. The couple has sold their Hua Hin villa to cover legal fees, while their family urges the UK government to intervene, calling it a grave miscarriage of justice.

The transcription below features news stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia, covering topics from a British couple’s legal ordeal in Thailand to Malaysia’s travel advisory for southern Thailand. Hosted by Alex and Jay, these stories are part of the Good Morning Thailand program. 1. British Couple’s Thai Dream Turns into Legal Nightmare A British couple, Des and Mary Byrne, were brutally attacked in a land dispute but later arrested on counter-charges. With their court date set for March 12, they fear imprisonment despite their attackers confessing. Their family urges UK government intervention. 2. Buddhist Monk Arrested for Decade-Old Robbery Police arrested a 59-year-old monk, Chalad, in Ayutthaya for a 2010 robbery worth over 2 million baht. On the run for years, he had been living in temples under a 2015 warrant. He now faces legal proceedings. 3. Fake Russian Mafia Busted for Extorting Tourists A Russian man posing as a "mafia" figure was arrested on Koh Pha Ngan for extorting tourists. Found with a fake police vest and weapons, he also faces drug-related charges. Authorities urge victims to come forward. 4. Indian Men Caught Smuggling 22kg of Cannabis at Bangkok Airport Two Indian nationals were arrested at Don Mueang Airport for attempting to smuggle 22kg of cannabis disguised as snacks. They failed to provide export permits and now face charges under the Customs Act. 5. Chinese Tourists Accused of Dining and Dashing in Chon Buri Restaurants in Chon Buri report a surge in Chinese tourists skipping out on bills. A recent case on March 2 saw four men leave without paying, prompting police to investigate similar incidents. 6. Wild Elephant Tosses Man from Pickup in Hua Hin A viral video captured a wild elephant using its trunk to throw a man from a moving pickup on Pala-U Road. The passenger suffered minor injuries, raising safety concerns in elephant-prone areas. 7. Cambodian Deputy Governor Arrested in $400K Corruption Bust Cambodian officials arrested Kampong Speu Deputy Governor Tith Vuthy for defrauding a Chinese investor in a mining scam. He and two accomplices have been sentenced to detention. 8. Malaysia Warns Against Travel to Southern Thailand Malaysia advises against non-essential travel to Thailand’s Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces due to security threats, including a recent bomb attack. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant.

Protesters Storm Thai Finance Ministry Over Casino Bill Protesters stormed Thailand’s Finance Ministry, demanding the government scrap its casino legalization bill. Led by three activist groups, they accused Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat of favoring Thai gamblers over tourists. Their main grievance is the removal of a financial safeguard requiring Thai patrons to have a 50 million baht bank balance. Protesters also renewed calls for the seizure of 46 billion baht from former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. With tensions high and no compromise reached, demonstrations are set to continue.

Swiss National Faces Visa Revocation Over Repeated Dog Attacks A Swiss national in Prachuap Khiri Khan faces possible visa revocation after multiple incidents where his dog attacked tourists on the beach. Despite previous warnings and local regulations, Matthias repeatedly let his dog roam unleashed, leading to injuries. Authorities are gathering evidence, with a court hearing set for March 11. A public hearing is also planned to address community concerns. The district chief will propose his visa cancellation to the provincial governor and immigration officials.

Hungarian Man Arrested for Stealing 1.5 Million Baht in Nonthaburi A 57-year-old Hungarian man, Altal Bara, was arrested in Pattaya for allegedly breaking into a businessman’s car in a Nonthaburi mall parking lot and stealing 1.5 million baht. The March 3 incident was caught on CCTV, leading police to track him down. He was found sunbathing at a hotel, with cash, a stolen motorcycle, and a signal-jamming device. Authorities believe he re-entered Thailand illegally. He is now in police custody for legal proceedings.

Italian Man Fined for Public Indecency in Pattaya An elderly Italian man, 68-year-old Carlo, was fined 3,000 baht for public indecency after allegedly performing an obscene act at Pattaya’s Laem Bali Hai Beach. A female journalist, who witnessed the incident, recorded evidence and alerted police. Authorities swiftly identified and arrested the suspect, who reacted angrily to the press. Carlo denied the allegations, claiming a medical condition caused his actions. Despite his defense, police proceeded with legal action.

Illegal Wildlife Seized in Songkhla Luxury Home Raid Authorities raided a luxury home in Songkhla’s Mueang district, seizing illegal wildlife, including a white lion, a liger, and two large elephant tusks. Led by the Department of National Parks, the operation followed reports of unauthorized possession of dangerous wildlife. The owner, Gomate, was absent during the raid, and officials confiscated the animals and ivory as evidence. He will be summoned for questioning, facing potential charges for illegal wildlife possession.

Deadly Explosion in Pattani Kills Three, Investigation Ongoing A nighttime explosion in Pattani’s Sai Buri district killed three officials and injured another on March 8 at 11:20 pm. The blast, near a pavilion in the Hu Tae Kor Lae neighborhood, followed an earlier attack on rangers. Authorities delayed a full investigation until daylight due to concerns about additional explosives. Security forces have cordoned off the area and urged residents to report any suspicious activity. An investigation is underway.

The transcription below features news stories from across Thailand and Asia, as covered in the Good Morning Thailand program, hosted by Alex and Jay. The stories range from an Italian man fined for public indecency in Pattaya to Duterte dismissing ICC arrest concerns. 1. Italian Man Fined for Public Indecency in Pattaya A 68-year-old Italian man, Carlo, was fined 3,000 baht for public indecency at Pattaya’s Laem Bali Hai Beach. A journalist recorded the incident and alerted police, leading to his swift arrest. Carlo denied the allegations, citing a medical condition, but authorities proceeded with legal action. 2. Deadly Explosion in Pattani Kills Three An explosion in Pattani’s Sai Buri district killed three officials and injured another late on March 8. Authorities delayed the investigation until daylight due to concerns over additional explosives. Security forces have sealed off the area, and an investigation is ongoing. 3. Illegal Wildlife Seized in Songkhla Luxury Home Raid Officials raided a luxury home in Songkhla, confiscating illegal wildlife, including a white lion, a liger, and two elephant tusks. The owner, Gomate, was absent and will be summoned for questioning. He faces possible charges for illegal wildlife possession. 4. Swiss National Faces Visa Revocation Over Dog Attacks A Swiss man in Prachuap Khiri Khan risks his visa being canceled after his dog repeatedly attacked tourists on the beach. Despite prior warnings, he failed to leash the animal. Authorities have gathered evidence, and a court hearing is set for March 11. A public hearing is also planned. 5. Hungarian Man Arrested for Stealing 1.5 Million Baht A 57-year-old Hungarian man was arrested in Pattaya for stealing 1.5 million baht from a businessman’s car in Nonthaburi. CCTV footage led to his capture while sunbathing at a hotel. He was found with cash, a stolen motorcycle, and a signal-jamming device. 6. Protesters Storm Thai Finance Ministry Over Casino Bill Protesters stormed Thailand’s Finance Ministry, demanding the government scrap its casino bill. They opposed a policy change that would remove a financial safeguard for Thai gamblers. Tensions remain high as the demonstrations continue. 7. Cambodian Raid Nets 258 Foreigners in Illegal Online Operation Cambodian authorities arrested 258 foreigners in a crackdown on an illegal online operation in Mondulkiri. Among those detained were 247 Chinese and others from Myanmar, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Fourteen suspects face further investigation, while the rest will be processed by immigration. 8. Duterte Dismisses ICC Arrest Concerns Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte brushed off concerns about a possible ICC arrest warrant while in Hong Kong. The ICC is investigating extrajudicial killings during his drug war from 2016 to 2022. Duterte insists he is ready for jail if necessary, while his return to Manila remains uncertain.

Foreign Tourist Found Dead on Kata Beach in Phuket A foreign female tourist, around 50 years old, was found dead under a beach umbrella on Kata Beach in Phuket on Wednesday afternoon. Lifeguards and police arrived at the scene near the Karon Municipality Office after a vendor noticed she had been motionless for a long time. The woman was lying face down with red rashes on her back and legs, but no signs of struggle or assault were found. A preliminary medical check suggested she had been deceased for some time. Authorities are working to determine her identity and cause of death.