https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenIf it were me, I would do nothing. In case I was approached relevant to this issue, I would offer to bribe whoever contacted me ('and the person would most probably be more than willing – expecting, even – to take that bribe). This is Thailand, that's why you were able to do this these past 20 years and it isn't going to change, despite the once-in-a-while announcements and "crackdowns"). Just my opinion (17 years in the country).Sat, 16 May 2026 21:29:45 +0000A man drove a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena on Saturday, injuring eight people — four of them seriously — in what local officials described as a deliberate act. Get today's headlines by email Authorities said the vehicle struck pedestrians along Via Emilia near the city’s historic cathedral before crashing into a shop window. The incident took place around 16:30 local time (14:30 GMT), sending several people flying and leaving multiple victims injured on the pavement. Among those hurt were five women and three men. One woman reportedly suffered catastrophic injuries, with both of her legs crushed in the impact. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the event as “extremely serious”. Suspect restrained by passers-byAfter the car came to a stop, the driver got out holding a knife and attacked a passer-by who had attempted to pursue him, according to witnesses and local officials. The man who gave chase, identified by Italian media as Luca Signorelli, said he had initially been trying to assist one of the injured victims before noticing the driver attempting to flee. Signorelli said the suspect turned on him with a knife, striking him in the head and chest. Despite the attack, he managed to restrain the man with the help of other bystanders until authorities arrived. Witnesses described the car approaching the pavement at high speed before accelerating toward pedestrians. “We saw the car approaching, it was heading for the curb,” one witness told Italian media. “It suddenly accelerated — it was going at least 100km/h,” the witness added, describing the moment people were thrown into the air by the impact. Officials say attack appeared deliberateModena’s mayor, Massimo Mezzetti, said early findings suggested the driver intentionally mounted the pavement before striking multiple pedestrians. “It appears the driver deliberately drove onto the pavement, hitting several people and crashing into a shop window,” he said. The suspect has been identified by authorities as Salim El Koudri, a 31-year-old Italian national of Moroccan origin. Officials said he was born in the province of Bergamo near Milan and currently lives in the province of Modena. Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the anti-immigration League party, publicly named the suspect on social media platform X, describing him as a “second-generation criminal”. Mental health history reportedItalian media reported that the suspect is an economics graduate who is currently unemployed and has no previous criminal record. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday evening, Modena prefect Fabrizia Triolo said the man had previously been referred to a mental health centre in 2022 for what she described as “schizoid disorders”. Triolo said he later disappeared and could not be located by authorities following that referral. Police have not yet provided further details on a possible motive for the attack as investigations continue. META: Eight people were injured after a driver deliberately drove into pedestrians in Modena, Italy, before being restrained by bystanders. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 21:28:09 +0000BatSat, 16 May 2026 21:24:12 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/belgian-woman-hurt-in-pattaya-bag-snatch-r1815/Police arrested a 33-year-old Thai man accused of snatching the handbag of a Belgian tourist in Naklua, Pattaya, leaving the victim injured and requiring hospital treatment. Officers tracked down the suspect less than five hours after the robbery and arrested him at a restaurant in the Amorn Market area of Naklua on the night of 15 May 2026. Get today's headlines by email The suspect, identified as Nattapong Phongsri, was detained at around 11.11pm by officers from Bang Lamung Police Station led by Pol Lt Col Yongyut Wannuea and Pol Lt Col Wutthiphong Kasa. Police said the arrest followed a bag-snatching incident earlier the same evening near the tourist area of Soi 12 Naklua in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. According to investigators, the victim, 59-year-old Belgian tourist Evans Micheline Joseph, was walking in the area when the suspect rode past on a red Honda Wave motorcycle and grabbed her handbag. The force of the theft caused her to fall to the ground and suffer injuries before the suspect fled the scene with several valuables. Police said the stolen property included 520 euros, along with credit cards and identification documents. Officers reviewed CCTV footage and interviewed witnesses, identifying the suspect as a Thai man wearing a black collared shirt, shorts, flip-flops and a motorcycle helmet. Investigators later discovered that the suspect had exchanged the stolen euros for Thai currency before attempting to evade arrest. Officers eventually located him while he was eating at a restaurant and preparing to flee the area. During a search, police recovered about 13,000 baht in cash, the victim’s cards and documents and a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice. Police said the drugs had recently been purchased from a dealer. During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted committing the crime because he had taken responsibility for a friend’s debts while also struggling with online gambling and drug addiction. He allegedly told police he intended to use the money to repay debts, gamble on online slot games and buy drugs. The suspect also expressed regret that the victim was injured and that the incident could damage Pattaya’s tourism image. Police records showed he had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and had been released from prison about four years ago. Authorities have charged him with robbery using a vehicle and possession of a Category 1 narcotic substance. He remains in police custody for further legal proceedings at Bang Lamung Police Station. Pictures courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง 17 May 2026Sat, 16 May 2026 21:23:18 +0000Police arrested a 33-year-old Thai man accused of snatching the handbag of a Belgian tourist in Naklua, Pattaya, leaving the victim injured and requiring hospital treatment. Officers tracked down the suspect less than five hours after the robbery and arrested him at a restaurant in the Amorn Market area of Naklua on the night of 15 May 2026. Get today's headlines by email The suspect, identified as Nattapong Phongsri, was detained at around 11.11pm by officers from Bang Lamung Police Station led by Pol Lt Col Yongyut Wannuea and Pol Lt Col Wutthiphong Kasa. Police said the arrest followed a bag-snatching incident earlier the same evening near the tourist area of Soi 12 Naklua in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. According to investigators, the victim, 59-year-old Belgian tourist Evans Micheline Joseph, was walking in the area when the suspect rode past on a red Honda Wave motorcycle and grabbed her handbag. The force of the theft caused her to fall to the ground and suffer injuries before the suspect fled the scene with several valuables. Police said the stolen property included 520 euros, along with credit cards and identification documents. Officers reviewed CCTV footage and interviewed witnesses, identifying the suspect as a Thai man wearing a black collared shirt, shorts, flip-flops and a motorcycle helmet. Investigators later discovered that the suspect had exchanged the stolen euros for Thai currency before attempting to evade arrest. Officers eventually located him while he was eating at a restaurant and preparing to flee the area. During a search, police recovered about 13,000 baht in cash, the victim’s cards and documents and a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice. Police said the drugs had recently been purchased from a dealer. During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted committing the crime because he had taken responsibility for a friend’s debts while also struggling with online gambling and drug addiction. He allegedly told police he intended to use the money to repay debts, gamble on online slot games and buy drugs. The suspect also expressed regret that the victim was injured and that the incident could damage Pattaya’s tourism image. Police records showed he had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and had been released from prison about four years ago. Authorities have charged him with robbery using a vehicle and possession of a Category 1 narcotic substance. He remains in police custody for further legal proceedings at Bang Lamung Police Station. Pictures courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 21:23:18 +0000Probably best to discuss with a lawyer, but those guys got you in the mess in the first place, so tread carefullySat, 16 May 2026 21:20:28 +0000UPDATE PM Visits Makkasan Rail Crash SiteSat, 16 May 2026 21:15:25 +0000U.S. President Donald Trump returned to Washington on Friday without any clear progress toward ending the conflict with Iran after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, leaving his administration weighing whether to intensify military action or continue pursuing diplomacy. Get today's headlines by email Officials had closely watched Trump’s trip to China, hoping Beijing’s ties with Tehran might help unlock negotiations over the war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. However, Trump appeared to come away with little new to report. Speaking to reporters while traveling back to the United States, Trump said Xi had expressed support for reopening the strategic waterway and agreed that Iran should not develop a nuclear weapon — positions China had already stated publicly. “He would like to see it end. He would like to help,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News journalist Bret Baier. “If he wants to help, that’s great. But we don’t need help.” Administration officials had waited to assess the outcome of the meeting before determining the next steps on Iran policy. With the trip concluded and no breakthrough secured, Trump now faces decisions about how to proceed in a conflict that has already lasted longer than he originally predicted. Debate Inside the AdministrationThe war has stretched well beyond the six weeks Trump initially projected, while rising fuel costs and economic concerns have put pressure on the administration. In a message posted Friday on Truth Social, Trump signaled the military campaign would continue, writing that operations against Iran are “to be continued!” Behind the scenes, officials remain divided over the best strategy. Some within the Pentagon favor a tougher approach, including targeted strikes aimed at forcing Iran to make concessions at the negotiating table. Others argue the United States should maintain its focus on diplomacy. Trump himself has recently leaned toward that path, hoping a combination of direct talks and economic pressure could persuade Tehran to accept a deal. So far, however, Iranian negotiators have shown little willingness to change their position since Trump announced a ceasefire in April. “Well, I looked at it and if I don’t like the first sentence, I just throw it away,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when discussing Iran’s latest proposal. Vice President JD Vance said earlier in the week that diplomatic discussions were continuing. He said he had spoken with senior envoys including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, as well as contacts in Arab countries involved in the talks. “I think that we are making progress,” Vance said, adding that the key question was whether negotiations would satisfy the president’s conditions. Pressure Mounts Over EconomyTrump’s impatience with Iran has grown as the conflict drags on. Officials say he has been particularly frustrated by the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has pushed oil and gas prices higher. Iran’s latest response to U.S. proposals, combined with increasingly confrontational rhetoric from Tehran, has also raised doubts among American officials about whether Iranian leaders are committed to reaching a deal. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the administration still prefers diplomacy but warned the president had multiple options available. “President Trump has every option at his disposal,” she said, adding that any agreement would need to protect U.S. national security. Outside analysts say Trump is searching for a way to break the deadlock. Ivo Daalder, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, said the president had tried both confrontational rhetoric and negotiations without achieving results. Political Stakes RisingAt the same time, the domestic political stakes are increasing as the United States approaches midterm elections. Average gasoline prices have climbed above $4.50 per gallon and could rise further if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Inflation has also accelerated, outpacing wage growth in April for the first time in three years. Business leaders have privately urged the administration to find a way to end the conflict, according to people familiar with those conversations. Trump has largely dismissed concerns about the economic impact. Asked earlier this week about Americans struggling with rising costs, he said his focus remained on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Pressed later on those comments, Trump told Fox News he stood by the remark, calling it “a perfect statement.” Even so, advisers acknowledge the administration faces increasing pressure to resolve the situation quickly. “They just want the war over,” one adviser said of discussions with corporate executives, describing their message as a call to end the conflict as soon as possible. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 21:12:15 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/pm-visits-makkasan-rail-crash-site-r1814/Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene of the fatal train and bus crash near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station in Bangkok late on 16 May, ordering authorities to prioritise treatment for the injured and speed up compensation for victims and their families. Get today's headlines by email The collision between a train and a public bus on Route 206 left eight people dead and 35 injured. The crash happened near the Asoke-Din Daeng railway crossing and triggered a fire that engulfed the bus, prompting a large-scale emergency response. After completing an official visit to Phetchabun province, Anutin arrived at the scene at 21.55. He inspected the area alongside Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat and National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, who briefed him on the ongoing investigation and rescue operations. The prime minister expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured, stating that all hospitals and medical teams had been instructed to provide full treatment to survivors. He also ordered officials to accelerate identification procedures for the dead and deliver financial assistance to affected families as quickly as possible. Anutin said that, after reviewing video footage of the crash, no vehicle should have been stopped across railway tracks under any circumstances. He questioned why no warning had been issued despite there being two railway crossings within one kilometre of each other in one of Bangkok’s busiest traffic areas. He also raised concerns over the train’s speed, noting that footage appeared to show no visible attempt to slow down before impact. The prime minister said investigators would need to determine what differed on the day of the crash compared with normal traffic conditions at the crossing. National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat confirmed that investigators were examining whether both the train driver and the bus driver could face charges of negligence causing death. Police are reviewing CCTV footage, operational procedures and communications between railway staff, traffic police and crossing gate operators. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Authorities confirmed that the bus had been stopped across the tracks before the collision. Kittirat said this behaviour could amount to negligence because drivers are legally required to keep clear of railway lines, regardless of whether warning barriers are open or closed. Police are also checking the train’s black box data to determine whether it exceeded the 60 km/h speed limit and whether adequate warnings were issued to clear the crossing before the train arrived. The railway crossing operator has already been taken in for questioning. Daily Mews reported that recovery crews spent several hours removing the burned-out bus, damaged train carriages and concrete debris from the scene. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration cranes assisted railway workers in reopening the road and rail line. เปิดวงจรปิด จับภาพชัด การจราจรยังเป็นปกติ แม้อีกฝั่งที่รถเมล์จอดครอมรางรถไฟ แต่อีกด้านหนึ่งรถยัง.mp4 Related story Bus-hit-by-train-near-Rama-9-bursts-into-flames Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 17 May 2026Sat, 16 May 2026 21:11:20 +0000Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene of the fatal train and bus crash near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station in Bangkok late on 16 May, ordering authorities to prioritise treatment for the injured and speed up compensation for victims and their families. Get today's headlines by email The collision between a train and a public bus on Route 206 left eight people dead and 35 injured. The crash happened near the Asoke-Din Daeng railway crossing and triggered a fire that engulfed the bus, prompting a large-scale emergency response. After completing an official visit to Phetchabun province, Anutin arrived at the scene at 21.55. He inspected the area alongside Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat and National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, who briefed him on the ongoing investigation and rescue operations. The prime minister expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured, stating that all hospitals and medical teams had been instructed to provide full treatment to survivors. He also ordered officials to accelerate identification procedures for the dead and deliver financial assistance to affected families as quickly as possible. Anutin said that, after reviewing video footage of the crash, no vehicle should have been stopped across railway tracks under any circumstances. He questioned why no warning had been issued despite there being two railway crossings within one kilometre of each other in one of Bangkok’s busiest traffic areas. He also raised concerns over the train’s speed, noting that footage appeared to show no visible attempt to slow down before impact. The prime minister said investigators would need to determine what differed on the day of the crash compared with normal traffic conditions at the crossing. National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat confirmed that investigators were examining whether both the train driver and the bus driver could face charges of negligence causing death. Police are reviewing CCTV footage, operational procedures and communications between railway staff, traffic police and crossing gate operators. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Authorities confirmed that the bus had been stopped across the tracks before the collision. Kittirat said this behaviour could amount to negligence because drivers are legally required to keep clear of railway lines, regardless of whether warning barriers are open or closed. Police are also checking the train’s black box data to determine whether it exceeded the 60 km/h speed limit and whether adequate warnings were issued to clear the crossing before the train arrived. The railway crossing operator has already been taken in for questioning. Daily Mews reported that recovery crews spent several hours removing the burned-out bus, damaged train carriages and concrete debris from the scene. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration cranes assisted railway workers in reopening the road and rail line. เปิดวงจรปิด จับภาพชัด การจราจรยังเป็นปกติ แม้อีกฝั่งที่รถเมล์จอดครอมรางรถไฟ แต่อีกด้านหนึ่งรถยัง.mp4 Related story Bus-hit-by-train-near-Rama-9-bursts-into-flames Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 21:11:20 +0000Your opinion is noted and filed away.Sat, 16 May 2026 21:10:56 +0000Seems the Thais were huge .... Once upon a time.Sat, 16 May 2026 21:08:36 +0000Terrorism is far rightSat, 16 May 2026 21:07:09 +0000It probably covered what his license allowed him to ride. If he had only a british license for car, he was allowed to drive a 50cc scooter. Seems why the claim was denied.Sat, 16 May 2026 21:06:58 +0000The ground is not even EinsteinSat, 16 May 2026 21:05:36 +0000Britain’s political stability is under renewed scrutiny as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Keir Starmer following Labour’s losses in recent local elections, raising questions about the durability of his government less than two years after its landslide victory. Get today's headlines by email The Labour leader won a commanding parliamentary majority in the 2024 United Kingdom general election, promising a decade of national renewal after years of political turbulence under the Conservative Party. However, recent electoral setbacks across England, Scotland and Wales have intensified speculation over his leadership. Several Labour lawmakers have publicly questioned Starmer’s direction, with some calling for changes at the top of the government. The debate has unfolded against the backdrop of frequent leadership changes in recent years. Britain has had five prime ministers since 2019, including Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Leadership under pressureHistorian Anthony Seldon, who has written biographies of several modern British prime ministers, said the rapid pace of political change has made the office increasingly difficult to assess historically. Seldon began documenting prime ministers in the 1990s, when leaders typically served several years in office. In recent years, however, leadership changes have become far more frequent. His upcoming biography of Sunak is scheduled for release later this year, but the historian has suggested that Britain could soon see another leadership transition. Possible successors discussed within the Labour Party include Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and other senior figures. Economic challenges persistThe political tensions come as Britain continues to face long-term economic pressures. The country’s economy has struggled to recover fully since the 2008 financial crisis, with real wages remaining largely stagnant for much of the past decade. Inflation surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which contributed to higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. Britain’s exit from the European Union has also been linked by some economists to weaker growth and reduced trade flows. Government borrowing has risen in recent years, while British government bonds carry some of the highest yields among economies in the Group of Seven. Fragmented political landscapeAt the same time, Britain’s political system has become more competitive. For much of the past century, elections were largely dominated by two parties: Labour and the Conservatives. In recent years, however, smaller parties have gained support. These include the centrist Liberal Democrats, the Green Party of England and Wales and the right-wing Reform UK. In Scotland and Wales, nationalist parties such as the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru also play a significant role. Analysts say this shift has turned elections into multi-party contests in many parts of the country, placing additional pressure on traditional governing parties. Debate over Labour’s directionSome political analysts say Starmer’s government has struggled to communicate a clear political message since taking office. During the 2024 campaign, Labour ruled out raising the country’s three main taxes, limiting its options for increasing public spending. Ben Ansell, a political scientist at the University of Oxford, said the government has sought revenue from more targeted policies affecting sectors such as private schools, banks and farmers. Supporters of the prime minister, however, point to some signs of progress. Waiting lists in the National Health Service have recently fallen sharply, and ministers say efforts to reduce treatment delays are accelerating. They also argue that Britain’s relations with European partners have improved since Labour took office. Potential challengers emergeAttention within Labour has increasingly turned to Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, who is widely seen as one of the country’s most popular politicians. Burnham has promoted policies aimed at combining economic growth with stronger public services in Manchester, which has been among the fastest-growing cities in Britain. However, Burnham cannot contest the Labour leadership unless he first returns to parliament. A potential by-election in the constituency of Makerfield could provide that opportunity if he chooses to stand. For now, Starmer has said he will not resign, warning that another leadership change could return Britain to the political instability that marked recent years. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 21:03:38 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/malaysia-drug-gang-held-in-nakhon-pathom-r1813/Thai narcotics police arrested five Malaysian suspects and seized 440 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in four Malaysian-registered vehicles at a hotel in Nakhon Pathom province on 14 May 2026. The operation followed an investigation into a previous drug seizure involving 102 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine concealed in a car speaker box on 5 May 2026. Get today's headlines by email The crackdown was carried out under directives from the Thai government and the Royal Thai Police, led by Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. The operation was overseen by the Narcotics Suppression Bureau and the Police Narcotics Suppression Centre under the command of Lieutenant General Achayon Kraithong, Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. Investigators from Narcotics Suppression Division 4 and the Transport Division tracked a Malaysian-registered vehicle believed to be linked to the earlier seizure. Police said the vehicle crossed into Thailand through the Padang Besar checkpoint in Songkhla province before travelling towards Nakhon Pathom. Officers followed the vehicle to a hotel in Mueang district, Nakhon Pathom, where three additional Malaysian-registered vehicles later arrived. Police moved in and arrested all five suspects as they prepared to leave the hotel in a convoy. Authorities discovered 440 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine concealed inside the four vehicles. Police also seized the vehicles and launched further investigations into assets linked to the cross-border trafficking network and other suspected accomplices involved in the logistics operation. Lieutenant General Achayon said the arrests reflected the government’s policy and the Royal Thai Police strategy of targeting foreign nationals involved in criminal activity in Thailand. He added that investigators would continue examining financial trails and identifying Thai or foreign nominees suspected of assisting drug trafficking operations. The Royal Thai Police stated that authorities would continue strengthening cooperation with international agencies to prevent foreign criminal groups from using Thailand as a base for illegal activities. Officials also confirmed efforts would continue to trace and confiscate assets connected to the trafficking network. Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now InsideThailand 17 May 2026Sat, 16 May 2026 21:02:42 +0000Thai narcotics police arrested five Malaysian suspects and seized 440 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in four Malaysian-registered vehicles at a hotel in Nakhon Pathom province on 14 May 2026. The operation followed an investigation into a previous drug seizure involving 102 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine concealed in a car speaker box on 5 May 2026. Get today's headlines by email The crackdown was carried out under directives from the Thai government and the Royal Thai Police, led by Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. The operation was overseen by the Narcotics Suppression Bureau and the Police Narcotics Suppression Centre under the command of Lieutenant General Achayon Kraithong, Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. Investigators from Narcotics Suppression Division 4 and the Transport Division tracked a Malaysian-registered vehicle believed to be linked to the earlier seizure. Police said the vehicle crossed into Thailand through the Padang Besar checkpoint in Songkhla province before travelling towards Nakhon Pathom. Officers followed the vehicle to a hotel in Mueang district, Nakhon Pathom, where three additional Malaysian-registered vehicles later arrived. Police moved in and arrested all five suspects as they prepared to leave the hotel in a convoy. Authorities discovered 440 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine concealed inside the four vehicles. Police also seized the vehicles and launched further investigations into assets linked to the cross-border trafficking network and other suspected accomplices involved in the logistics operation. Lieutenant General Achayon said the arrests reflected the government’s policy and the Royal Thai Police strategy of targeting foreign nationals involved in criminal activity in Thailand. He added that investigators would continue examining financial trails and identifying Thai or foreign nominees suspected of assisting drug trafficking operations. The Royal Thai Police stated that authorities would continue strengthening cooperation with international agencies to prevent foreign criminal groups from using Thailand as a base for illegal activities. Officials also confirmed efforts would continue to trace and confiscate assets connected to the trafficking network. Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now InsideThailand 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 21:02:42 +0000Don't post your personal life on here.Sat, 16 May 2026 21:01:05 +0000Well he suffers from NPD ! It's payback time !Sat, 16 May 2026 21:00:25 +0000VampireSat, 16 May 2026 20:55:30 +0000How dare you insult my great grandfather !Sat, 16 May 2026 20:54:38 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/bomb-suspect-case-triggers-arrests-over-thai-id-r1812/Thai authorities have arrested a district official and a district employee accused of falsifying civil-registration records linked to Chinese national Mingchen Sun, who is already facing charges connected to military-grade weapons and explosive materials. The arrests were announced during Operation Revealing the Dragon’s Shadow at the National Anti-Corruption Commission Region 5 office in Chiang Mai on Friday, May 15. Get today's headlines by email The press conference was led by Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth and attended by officials from the Department of Provincial Administration, anti-corruption agencies, police and the Department of Special Investigation. Jeseth said Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul viewed the case as a serious national security issue involving transnational crime, scammer networks and threats to the country. Authorities said the alleged falsification of registration records for Sun was not simply a case of identity misuse, but part of what Jeseth described as a “traitorous network” that transferred rights belonging to Thai citizens to a foreign national with concealed or harmful intentions. Sun held a pink non-Thai ID card and was arrested after his vehicle overturned in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, on May 9. Police later discovered military-grade weapons, explosive materials and ammunition inside the vehicle and at a residence linked to him. Following the discovery, Anutin ordered an urgent inspection of Sun’s civil-registration records by the Department of Provincial Administration. The department assigned deputy director-general Witoon Sirinukul and the DOPA N.I.C.E. task force to investigate. Officials said their inquiry found suspicious and abnormal registration records allegedly used to support Sun’s residence and business activities in Thailand. Investigators also uncovered alleged links to a wider network involving the misuse of ethnic-minority rights and Chinese nationals allegedly connected to scammer operations. Authorities said one key irregularity involved Sun’s transfer into a Chiang Dao district house registration on October 12, 2022, despite claims he had never lived there. The documents were allegedly prepared by a former Chiang Dao deputy district chief, who now serves in Hot district, Chiang Mai. Investigators further alleged that while serving in Chiang Dao in 2021, the same official oversaw the creation of 445 historical registration records for people with no civil-registration status, with 18 cases believed to have been created unlawfully. On Friday 15 May 2026, the Region 5 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases approved arrest warrants for the former Chiang Dao deputy district chief and a Chiang Dao district employee. An integrated task force from five agencies arrested both suspects under the warrants. The Nation reported that the Department of Provincial Administration has ordered the revocation of the allegedly fraudulent records and disciplinary action against officials connected to the case. Investigators said the probe would continue to expand alongside partner agencies, while broader debate continues over Thailand’s immigration controls, identity-registration systems and visa procedures. Picture courtesy of The Nation Related stories Chinese-suspect-stable-after-Pattaya-jail-collapse Navy-officer-questioned-over-rifle-sales-in-Chon-Buri Chinese-man-held-over-possible-Pattaya-terror-plot Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 17 May 2026Sat, 16 May 2026 20:54:10 +0000Thai authorities have arrested a district official and a district employee accused of falsifying civil-registration records linked to Chinese national Mingchen Sun, who is already facing charges connected to military-grade weapons and explosive materials. The arrests were announced during Operation Revealing the Dragon’s Shadow at the National Anti-Corruption Commission Region 5 office in Chiang Mai on Friday, May 15. Get today's headlines by email The press conference was led by Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth and attended by officials from the Department of Provincial Administration, anti-corruption agencies, police and the Department of Special Investigation. Jeseth said Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul viewed the case as a serious national security issue involving transnational crime, scammer networks and threats to the country. Authorities said the alleged falsification of registration records for Sun was not simply a case of identity misuse, but part of what Jeseth described as a “traitorous network” that transferred rights belonging to Thai citizens to a foreign national with concealed or harmful intentions. Sun held a pink non-Thai ID card and was arrested after his vehicle overturned in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, on May 9. Police later discovered military-grade weapons, explosive materials and ammunition inside the vehicle and at a residence linked to him. Following the discovery, Anutin ordered an urgent inspection of Sun’s civil-registration records by the Department of Provincial Administration. The department assigned deputy director-general Witoon Sirinukul and the DOPA N.I.C.E. task force to investigate. Officials said their inquiry found suspicious and abnormal registration records allegedly used to support Sun’s residence and business activities in Thailand. Investigators also uncovered alleged links to a wider network involving the misuse of ethnic-minority rights and Chinese nationals allegedly connected to scammer operations. Authorities said one key irregularity involved Sun’s transfer into a Chiang Dao district house registration on October 12, 2022, despite claims he had never lived there. The documents were allegedly prepared by a former Chiang Dao deputy district chief, who now serves in Hot district, Chiang Mai. Investigators further alleged that while serving in Chiang Dao in 2021, the same official oversaw the creation of 445 historical registration records for people with no civil-registration status, with 18 cases believed to have been created unlawfully. On Friday 15 May 2026, the Region 5 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases approved arrest warrants for the former Chiang Dao deputy district chief and a Chiang Dao district employee. An integrated task force from five agencies arrested both suspects under the warrants. The Nation reported that the Department of Provincial Administration has ordered the revocation of the allegedly fraudulent records and disciplinary action against officials connected to the case. Investigators said the probe would continue to expand alongside partner agencies, while broader debate continues over Thailand’s immigration controls, identity-registration systems and visa procedures. Picture courtesy of The Nation Related stories Chinese-suspect-stable-after-Pattaya-jail-collapse Navy-officer-questioned-over-rifle-sales-in-Chon-Buri Chinese-man-held-over-possible-Pattaya-terror-plot Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 20:54:10 +0000US President Donald Trump has defended comments that he is not considering Americans’ financial situation while negotiating an end to the conflict with Iran, saying his focus remains on preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Get today's headlines by email Speaking in an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier on Friday, Trump described his earlier remarks as a “perfect statement” and said he would repeat them if asked again. “I’d make it again,” he said after being shown a clip of his previous comments. The remarks came after Trump told reporters earlier in the week that he was not thinking about the economic impact on Americans “even a little bit” as he works to resolve the months-long Iran conflict. Focus on nuclear threatTrump said his priority in negotiations with Iran was to ensure the country does not develop nuclear weapons. “The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said earlier this week. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.” The comments drew criticism from Democrats, while some Republicans defended the president’s stance. In the Fox News interview, which was recorded during Trump’s visit to China, the president acknowledged there could be “short-term pain” as negotiations continue and efforts are made to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The key shipping route is one of the world’s busiest oil transit corridors. A blockade linked to the conflict has pushed global energy prices higher. Energy prices and the conflictTrump said he would accept higher fuel prices temporarily if it helped achieve US objectives in the conflict. “When you tell somebody you’re going to pay a little more for gasoline for a very short period of time… everybody says that’s fine,” he said. He also described the reporter’s question that prompted his earlier remarks as “a fake question”. Fuel prices in the United States have risen sharply since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February. According to data from the American Automobile Association, the national average price for gasoline has climbed to more than $4.50 a gallon, an increase of roughly 50%. Trump said he expected prices to fall once shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes. “Don’t forget, they have a lot of boats that are loaded up with oil that are going to bring the oil out as soon as this is over,” he said, adding that he believed the situation would be resolved quickly. Midterm political pressureRising fuel costs and declining approval ratings have added pressure on Republicans as they approach November’s midterm elections. The party currently holds narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, raising concerns among some lawmakers about the political impact of the conflict with Iran. Trump said, however, that electoral considerations would not influence his decisions on the issue. “I’m not going to let the election determine what’s going to happen with respect to Iran,” he said, repeating that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 May 2026 View full articleSat, 16 May 2026 20:48:12 +0000