https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around Thailandenhttps://aseannow.com/thailand-news/four-injured-in-pattaya-hotel-fire-r1917/Four people were injured after a serious fire broke out at the J A Plus Hotel, on Pattaya 3rd Road, in North Pattaya on the evening of 21 May 2026, forcing the evacuation of over a hundred guests, most of them foreign tourists. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hour before bringing it under control, with authorities confirming that all guests were safely evacuated. Get today's headlines by email The Pattaya Municipal Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center received reports of the fire at 9:35 p.m. Officials, including Banglamung District Chief Anusak Phirayomrorn, local administrative officers, Pattaya City Police, volunteer rescuers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan and multiple fire engines, rushed to the hotel. Emergency crews arriving at the scene found flames spreading intensely across the rooftop area of the hotel. Thick smoke and flames could be seen rising above the building as firefighters deployed fire truck mounted water cannon monitors and internal hose-lines, rescue teams, in breathing apparatus entered the property to search for trapped guests and staff. The hotel was almost fully booked at the time of the fire, with 178 occupied rooms, mostly by foreign tourists. Rescue workers carried out room-to-room searches while guests evacuated in chaotic scenes from the building. Four people were injured during the incident. Two Thai women and one Indonesian boy suffered smoke inhalation, while a Thai man sustained burns to more than 20 per cent of his body after reportedly running through flames to escape. All four received treatment at the scene before being transported to nearby hospitals. Hotel staff told authorities that a worker on the upper floors first spotted the fire and attempted to extinguish it using a portable fire extinguisher. However, the flames spread rapidly, prompting an immediate call to emergency services. Pictures courtesy of Daily News According to officials, the fire originated at a rooftop restaurant on the hotel’s top floor, which was not being used by guests at the time. Banglamung District Chief Anusak confirmed that no fatalities were reported and four people were injured. The Daily News reported that the hotel later arranged alternative accommodation for affected guests following the evacuation. Authorities are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the fire and will examine the extent of the damage once the site is declared safe and forensic officers have completed their investigation. AQNTX3Io7N9_ye5BcFzyxbi9DbxyQHQSz53ZSI86xSY5_B3iaVP4P5jkBwoZA3mZ7PzZHSHatGnSOGVrZGd4xVc11CxuwHywgYyUQ1_kxA.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 22 May 2026Thu, 21 May 2026 20:35:29 +0000Four people were injured after a serious fire broke out at the J A Plus Hotel, on Pattaya 3rd Road, in North Pattaya on the evening of 21 May 2026, forcing the evacuation of over a hundred guests, most of them foreign tourists. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hour before bringing it under control, with authorities confirming that all guests were safely evacuated. Get today's headlines by email The Pattaya Municipal Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center received reports of the fire at 9:35 p.m. Officials, including Banglamung District Chief Anusak Phirayomrorn, local administrative officers, Pattaya City Police, volunteer rescuers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan and multiple fire engines, rushed to the hotel. Emergency crews arriving at the scene found flames spreading intensely across the rooftop area of the hotel. Thick smoke and flames could be seen rising above the building as firefighters deployed fire truck mounted water cannon monitors and internal hose-lines, rescue teams, in breathing apparatus entered the property to search for trapped guests and staff. The hotel was almost fully booked at the time of the fire, with 178 occupied rooms, mostly by foreign tourists. Rescue workers carried out room-to-room searches while guests evacuated in chaotic scenes from the building. Four people were injured during the incident. Two Thai women and one Indonesian boy suffered smoke inhalation, while a Thai man sustained burns to more than 20 per cent of his body after reportedly running through flames to escape. All four received treatment at the scene before being transported to nearby hospitals. Hotel staff told authorities that a worker on the upper floors first spotted the fire and attempted to extinguish it using a portable fire extinguisher. However, the flames spread rapidly, prompting an immediate call to emergency services. Pictures courtesy of Daily News According to officials, the fire originated at a rooftop restaurant on the hotel’s top floor, which was not being used by guests at the time. Banglamung District Chief Anusak confirmed that no fatalities were reported and four people were injured. The Daily News reported that the hotel later arranged alternative accommodation for affected guests following the evacuation. Authorities are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the fire and will examine the extent of the damage once the site is declared safe and forensic officers have completed their investigation. AQNTX3Io7N9_ye5BcFzyxbi9DbxyQHQSz53ZSI86xSY5_B3iaVP4P5jkBwoZA3mZ7PzZHSHatGnSOGVrZGd4xVc11CxuwHywgYyUQ1_kxA.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 22 May 2026 View full articleThu, 21 May 2026 20:35:29 +0000Sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhoea and syphilis reached record levels across Europe in 2024, according to new figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Get today's headlines by email The agency said both infections had climbed to their highest levels in more than a decade, warning that gaps in testing, prevention and awareness were contributing to the rise. Gonorrhoea cases surged to 106,331 across participating European countries last year, marking a 303% increase since 2015. Syphilis cases also more than doubled over the same period, reaching 45,557. Health officials warned that untreated infections can lead to serious long-term health problems, including infertility, chronic pain and damage to the heart or nervous system. Sharp rise in infectionsBruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC’s Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit, said the increase in congenital syphilis cases was especially concerning. Congenital syphilis occurs when the infection passes from a pregnant person to a newborn baby and can lead to lifelong complications. The ECDC said congenital syphilis cases nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024. Ciancio urged people to take simple preventive measures, including using condoms with new or multiple partners and getting tested if symptoms appear. Symptoms of gonorrhoea can include pain, unusual discharge and inflammation of the genitals, although some people may show no symptoms at all. Syphilis symptoms may include sores around the mouth or genitals, rashes on the hands, hair loss and flu-like illness. The symptoms can appear and disappear over time, making the infection difficult to detect in its early stages. Spain reports highest totalsAmong participating European countries, Spain recorded the highest number of confirmed cases for both infections in 2024. The country reported 37,169 gonorrhoea cases and 11,556 syphilis infections. The ECDC said men who have sex with men continued to be the group most disproportionately affected, showing the steepest long-term increases in both diseases. However, the agency also noted significant rises in syphilis cases among heterosexual women of reproductive age. While gonorrhoea and syphilis rose sharply, chlamydia remained the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection overall. A total of 213,443 chlamydia cases were recorded in 2024, although this represented a 6% decline compared with 2015. UK figures remain separateThe UK has not contributed data to the ECDC study since leaving the European Union, but British health authorities publish separate annual statistics for United Kingdom. According to figures released by the UK Health Security Agency in December, England recorded 71,802 gonorrhoea cases and 9,535 syphilis cases in 2024. There were also 168,889 chlamydia diagnoses during the same period. The UK introduced a gonorrhoea vaccination programme in 2025 after cases in England hit a record 85,000 in 2023. The NHS advises that both gonorrhoea and syphilis can be prevented through consistent condom use and treated effectively with antibiotics if diagnosed early. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026 View full articleThu, 21 May 2026 20:34:24 +0000From Court ruling May 18: 2. Defendant’s pretrial motions shall be filed by May 26, 2026. 3. The Government’s response to any pretrial motions shall be filed by June 9, 2026.Thu, 21 May 2026 20:31:33 +0000The US indictment of former Cuban president Raúl Castro has intensified speculation over Washington’s next steps towards Havana, as the Trump administration increases pressure on the island’s Communist government. Get today's headlines by email Castro, 94, has been charged with murder over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft by Cuban fighter jets, an incident that killed four people. The move comes amid severe economic hardship in Cuba, where fuel shortages, blackouts and food scarcity have deepened public frustration. President Donald Trump has said he does not believe “escalation” will be necessary, but senior US officials have continued to warn against the presence of a hostile government close to US territory. Analysts say three broad scenarios could emerge as tensions rise between Washington and Havana. Capture of Raúl CastroOne possibility is a direct US operation targeting Castro himself. The indictment immediately prompted comparisons with recent US action in Venezuela, where American forces captured President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year and transferred him to New York to face criminal charges. Observers have also pointed to the 1989 US invasion of Panama, which led to the arrest of former ruler Manuel Noriega. Several Republican lawmakers have publicly suggested similar action could be taken against Castro. Florida Senator Rick Scott said Washington should not rule out such a mission. Security analysts say an operation to detain Castro would likely be possible from a military standpoint, despite the extensive protection surrounding him. However, they warn that the political consequences could be far more complicated. Experts also question how much impact Castro’s removal would have on Cuba’s current leadership. Since stepping down as president in 2018, he has largely been viewed as a symbolic revolutionary figure rather than a central decision-maker. Negotiated leadership changeAnother possible outcome is a negotiated political transition involving elements of Cuba’s existing leadership. Trump has repeatedly hinted that some Cuban officials are seeking US assistance as economic conditions worsen on the island. In a post on Truth Social earlier this month, he said Cuba was “asking for help”. Shortly afterwards, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Cuban officials including Castro’s grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, and Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said Washington preferred a “negotiated agreement” with Havana rather than a violent confrontation. Analysts say the administration may be looking for reforms that stop short of dismantling the Cuban state entirely. Possible US demands could include economic liberalisation, increased foreign investment and reduced Russian or Chinese influence on the island. However, experts note that Cuba lacks a clear alternative figure capable of taking over leadership in the way Venezuelan officials emerged during that country’s crisis. Cuba’s political system is also viewed as more centralised and tightly controlled. Economic collapse and migrationA third scenario is that Cuba’s worsening economic crisis could place further strain on the government and trigger wider instability. The island has faced prolonged power cuts, fuel shortages and shortages of basic goods as economic conditions deteriorate. Trump recently described Cuba as “falling apart” and suggested authorities were struggling to maintain control. Even so, specialists on Cuba argue that the country’s security structures remain intact despite the economic turmoil. They say there is an important distinction between the weakness of the economy and the continued functioning of the state. Analysts also warn that any broader collapse could lead to a major migration crisis, with large numbers of Cubans attempting to leave the island. Florida would likely be the main destination because of its proximity to Cuba, although some migrants could also head towards Mexico. Experts say the worsening shortages of food and healthcare would normally be expected to drive even larger numbers of people to flee. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026 View full articleThu, 21 May 2026 20:25:48 +0000Russia and China have criticised the United States after federal prosecutors charged former Cuban president Raúl Castro with murder over the 1996 downing of two aircraft operated by a Cuban-American dissident group. Get today's headlines by email The case has intensified tensions between Washington and Havana as US President Donald Trump continues to increase pressure on Cuba’s communist government through sanctions and diplomatic threats. Moscow and Beijing denounce indictmentChina’s foreign ministry accused the US of using its legal system and sanctions as tools of coercion against Cuba, one of Beijing’s long-standing allies. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Washington should stop “threatening force at every turn” and abandon efforts to pressure Havana “under any pretext”. Russia also condemned the move. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state media that US actions against Cuba “cannot be condoned”, describing the pressure campaign as methods that “border on violence”. He said such measures should never be used against current or former heads of state. Charges linked to 1996 plane shootdownUS prosecutors announced the indictment on Wednesday, accusing Castro and five others of involvement in the destruction of two planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. The aircraft were travelling between Cuba and Florida in 1996 when they were shot down, killing four people, including three US citizens. At the time, Castro was serving as head of Cuba’s armed forces. He stepped down as president in 2018 after nearly a decade in office following the rule of his brother, Fidel Castro. US officials say the offences carry possible penalties ranging from life imprisonment to death. The incident has remained a major source of dispute between Cuba and the United States for decades, particularly among Cuban exiles living in Florida. Cuba’s current president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, rejected the charges, calling them “a political manoeuvre” lacking any legal basis. Trump increases pressure on HavanaThe indictment comes amid a broader escalation in US pressure on Cuba under the Trump administration. Washington has imposed new sanctions targeting Cuba’s energy, defence, financial and security sectors. The US has also tightened restrictions on oil shipments to the island, worsening fuel shortages, blackouts and food supply problems. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Cuba’s government could collapse under growing pressure. Since the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, he has publicly stated that Cuba was “ready to fall”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to say whether the administration planned to bring Castro to the United States for trial. Speaking in Florida, Rubio said Castro had “openly admits and brags about” ordering the planes to be shot down. Asked about possible US-backed regime change in Cuba, he said Washington preferred a negotiated solution but added the president could act if national security was threatened. Rubio also issued a message in Spanish to Cubans, portraying US actions as an opportunity for political change and greater freedoms similar to those enjoyed by Cuban-Americans. Oil shortages deepen crisisCuban and US officials have reportedly held talks for several months aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. However, Washington has continued to increase pressure while Cuba faces worsening economic conditions. A recent Russian oil shipment that reached the island earlier this year has already been exhausted. Before Maduro’s removal from power in Venezuela, his government was believed to supply Cuba with around 35,000 barrels of oil per day, helping Havana withstand years of Western sanctions. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026 View full articleThu, 21 May 2026 20:13:49 +0000To be fair, “25 minutes south of Roi Et” does sound a little less mystical than “hidden timeless paradise” 😂Thu, 21 May 2026 20:11:31 +0000So your big comeback is blaming autocorrect and checking my ratios? Truly devastating stuff, Dark Lord 😂Thu, 21 May 2026 20:05:30 +0000Migration added 171,000 people to the UK’s population in 2025, almost half the level recorded the previous year, according to new Home Office figures. Get today's headlines by email The total marks the lowest level since 2012 outside the Covid pandemic period, though Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there was still “more to do” to reduce numbers further. The data also showed that 93,525 people claimed asylum in the UK in the year to March 2026, down 12% from the previous year but still more than double pre-pandemic levels. Work Migration Continues to DeclineThe Office for National Statistics said net migration had fallen to levels last seen in early 2021, when Britain introduced its post-Brexit immigration system and Covid travel restrictions were in place. Sarah Crofts, deputy director at the ONS, said the decline was largely driven by fewer arrivals from outside the European Union, particularly for work-related visas. Policy changes introduced in 2024 under the previous Conservative government are believed to have played a major role in the decline. The current Labour government has kept those measures and expanded some of them. Restrictions included preventing most overseas students from bringing family members to the UK and limiting care workers from bringing dependants. The salary threshold for skilled worker visas was also raised from £26,200 to £38,700, while the income requirement for sponsoring family visas increased by more than £10,000. After Brexit, immigration rose sharply as Conservative ministers relaxed some visa rules for health and social care workers to address labour shortages. Critics referred to the increase as the “Boriswave”. The government has since announced further measures, including requiring migrants to speak English to A-level standard and increasing the skilled worker salary threshold again to £41,700. Asylum Numbers Remain HighHome Office figures showed asylum applications fell by 12% in the year to March 2026, although levels remain significantly above those seen before the pandemic. There were 43,806 detected arrivals through illegal routes during the same period, with small boat crossings accounting for 90% of cases. The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels while awaiting decisions fell to 20,885 by March 2026. That compares with 30,657 in December 2025 and a peak of 56,000 recorded in September 2023. Asylum hotels became a major political issue last year, triggering protests in places including Norwich, Epping and Mold. In October, Starmer pledged to close all asylum hotels, saying he had inherited a “mess” from the Conservatives. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the latest figures showed “real progress” had been made in restoring control over Britain’s borders. Political Parties Clash Over MigrationThe ONS said just over 800,000 people immigrated to the UK in 2025, down 20% compared with the previous year. Meanwhile, an estimated 642,000 people left the UK for long-term residence abroad in the year to December 2025. Ben Brindle of the Migration Observatory said the economic impact of migration depended on who was arriving and leaving. He noted that migration among groups with broadly positive economic impacts had declined, while asylum-related migration remained comparatively high. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp argued that immigration levels were still too high and called for stricter controls, including a binding annual cap on migration. Meanwhile, Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick described the departure of British nationals from the UK as “the Starmer Exodus”, although the ONS said emigration among British citizens had remained broadly stable in recent years. The Liberal Democrats blamed Brexit for the number of Britons leaving the country and urged the government to strengthen cooperation with European allies. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026 View full articleThu, 21 May 2026 20:02:17 +0000I'm not a big grape juice fan, especially once the grapes have been stepped on and are starting to turn rancid. When in Spain though, the tomato juice is very nice. Especially Gazpacho, which they sell in bottles, just like that rancid grape juice, and it doesn't even need to be served in a bowl. It can be drank just like tomato juice right out of the bottle. Lovely.Thu, 21 May 2026 19:42:09 +0000Romance scams really are one of the lowest forms of exploitation. They don’t just prey on vulnerable people, they also rob them of their confidence and sense of trust. If the allegations against this pair are proven, then their punishment must be severe. What stands out here is the scale of their alleged activity (multiple phones and ATM cards, and at least 23 separate fraud cases)! As for the victims, unfortunately many never recover either their money or their emotional trust.Thu, 21 May 2026 19:41:51 +0000Teenagers did this. Sure makes the couple of teens that stole a lamp in Phuket seem insignificant....Thu, 21 May 2026 19:37:15 +0000Yes.....they are called morals.Thu, 21 May 2026 19:26:55 +0000Certainly a lovely setting....................... By any chance, were you an estate agent in your previous life........!Thu, 21 May 2026 19:26:42 +0000Emergency rulings aren't siding with anyone......they just kicking the can down the road until a ruling is made.Thu, 21 May 2026 19:25:31 +0000His mom is on a "nightshift"........if she's struck gold she'll be out all night and there's no one to check his posts. You can always tell when she's home.Thu, 21 May 2026 19:23:45 +0000Yes, I know. There is no need to say more. While in Spain, why not take the opportunity to stomp grapes at your local vineyard? Or, France....Thu, 21 May 2026 19:07:06 +0000The daily casualty rate is a combination of deaths, seriously injured and slightly injured. Many soldiers are pushed back into the frontline, just like WW2. The War is akin to WW1, with respect to civilian casualties. Civilians were targeted in WW1, but much less than WW2, and thats because WW1 was a largely static war. There were few civilians hanging around in Flanders and the Somme. When you consider deaths and injuries, WW1 saw about 550 injured/killed per 1000 mobilized. WW2 was about 450 injured/killed per 1000. The Korean was was 350 per 1000. The Iran-Iraq war was 600 per 1000 mobilised. Apply the same considerations to Russia's aggression. Russia is seeing about 700 casualties (dead, wounded) per 1000, Ukraine about 550. Now you might think, comparable to WW1 (France in WW1 had 760/1000). No, its worse, much worse. GW1 was a mere 50 per 1000, largely due to precision weapons. So much for "Swissie"'s disgusting dismissal of this war as a non-event. But drones means something new; they have surgical precision, and have ramped up casualties. Last week, I listened to sobering evidence from Nordic health leaders about effectively how they are preparing for WW3. A Ukrainian official was present to share practical lessons how Ukraine, remarkably, has maintained a functioning healthcare system in the middle of a war which hasn't left a single Ukrainian town untouched. Ukrainian hospitals aren't seeing many gunshot injuries. The wounded are nearly all with blast injuries; mine injuries affecting mostly lower limbs, drones gong for the head. Every drone injury is deliberate. There are operators out there, Ukrainian, Russian, who are seeing face to face, on a screen, the people they are killing. That has got to have a effect on mindset. The Ukrainians report they are experiencign record levels of PTSD, but I suspect we will see new forms of PTSD to emerge. AI enhancement is now turning previously grainy drone kill videos into pseudo 4K spectaculars. But I recognise that the OP is pro-Russian, and is using the opportunity to denigrate Ukraine, both by how he addresses the country and how he dismisses the conflict as not a "real war", following on from the language used by Putin, in calling this a "Special Miitary Operation".Thu, 21 May 2026 19:05:04 +0000Good cuff ICE . This Foreign nationals came to the USA to avoid capture in their own country . ICE Boston @EROBoston "ERO Boston arrested an illegal alien and foreign fugitive from Brazil. Brazilian authorities have issued a criminal arrest warrant for the individual following his conviction for statutory rape. He was sentenced to 16 years, 9 months and 18 days in prison". https://x.com/EROBoston/status/2057409818306945296?s=20Thu, 21 May 2026 19:04:49 +0000Always said that the balconies are not up to standard OECD iso 2026 ...Thu, 21 May 2026 19:02:12 +0000That´s a very uneducated post! Congrats, you just made a fool out of yourself, per usual Spoken like a true leftist, Woke. Your type are very hostile, rarely debate or discuss without hate, always with nasty, angry replies. You people are not educated, have very little knowledge, you guys get so frustrated with yourself, that you reply like a child, an adolescent. I feel sorry for you low IQ people, your existence must be a miserable life.Thu, 21 May 2026 19:02:02 +0000This is one example of how Conservative Governments NEVER ATTEMPTED to fulfil one of the major reasons people voted for Brexit : Does the U.K. have an undemocratic Uni-Party?Thu, 21 May 2026 19:02:01 +0000Phuket Shadow waw what a catch . Keep on.the good job .Thu, 21 May 2026 18:58:13 +0000All true That is a matter of opinion...............Thu, 21 May 2026 18:44:15 +0000Oh, calm down snowflake. I have replied to you before when you have had a red thumb paranoia attack to tell you which - if any - were mine. When you posted here about red thumbs I hadn't given you any, but I did subsequently give you one for the Lucy Connolly post as, like I explained, the two cases are COMPLETELY different, so it's a stupid comparison and a logical fallacy and I expressed my disagreement with a downvote which is exactly what they are there for - what is your problem exactly? Does everyone who gives you a thumbs up have to come by and explain why? No problem admitting thumbs, or agreeing emojis. If ever you feel the need just ask - I'm always here to explain, as I did here. No problem at all. If fact I would support a return to them not being anonymous, it would be better. My backbone is fine. My knickers are fine too as they don't get all in a twist when I receive a down vote. Edit: "Listen Joe Bloggs and listen well". Is it some kind of threat now? What odd language. And I didn't say you made it up, but I insinuated you were spreading rumours about a "secret meeting of Muslims" that is out there on the "dark web" without having seen any evidence of it. Well, have you? Have you seen this video? Or are you spreading misinformation that you got from one of your unverified "sources"? Care to say who told you about this dark web video of Muslims secretly meeting to pervert the British criminal justice system? Because if you claim it exists but haven't seen it it's as good as making it up.Thu, 21 May 2026 18:40:07 +0000