https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenIt was no try! It must be a fact, or do you have a crystal ball? How can you see the same faces every day in one area if you are not one of them?Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:48:21 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/chinese-tourists-brawl-outside-pattaya-restaurant-r2280/Police in Pattaya responded to reports of a violent altercation, on 11 June 2026 at around 03:20, involving Chinese tourists outside a pork barbecue restaurant in Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 3, Pattaya. Officers from Pattaya City Police Station Sector 3 arrived to find a crowd of onlookers and two groups of Chinese nationals engaged in a heated confrontation that had escalated into physical fighting. Police intervened to separate the parties and restore order, preventing further escalation. Get today's headlines by email Initial reports indicated that two groups of Chinese tourists, some of whom were said to have prior disputes in China, encountered each other at the venue shortly after arriving in Pattaya for a 2–3 day visit, according to a Thai female companion. Verbal exchanges reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation outside the restaurant. Another account linked the clash to alcohol consumption among friends who were already acquainted prior to the incident. Initial police accounts stated that three Chinese nationals were injured. Officers from Pattaya City Police Station and local rescue volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation provided first aid and transported injured individuals to hospital for treatment. Police separated the groups, moving them to opposite sides of the road, as tensions continued with shouting and verbal provocation in Chinese. Pictures courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง Both groups were later taken to the police station for questioning and formal statements, while officers secured the area and managed public order as crowds gathered at the scene. Authorities also confirmed that CCTV footage from the vicinity is being reviewed as part of the investigation, and the parties were later reported to have calmed down and reached an understanding, with no immediate intention to pursue charges. Investigators are continuing to record statements from all involved individuals and will revisit the case once medical treatment has been completed, to establish a clear sequence of events. The findings from CCTV analysis and witness accounts will be used to determine whether any criminal proceedings will follow under Thai law. AQNi4s9EkyIzoHRKVvZ46F2U173nlbcG1cg4EURtiu4HwTcQAlT7-vvVvSCxaRIp6GczOlYxAzlTiRxZvCGcur4G8V_yteOnNp8VZimmEw.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง 12 June 2026Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:46:37 +0000Police in Pattaya responded to reports of a violent altercation, on 11 June 2026 at around 03:20, involving Chinese tourists outside a pork barbecue restaurant in Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 3, Pattaya. Officers from Pattaya City Police Station Sector 3 arrived to find a crowd of onlookers and two groups of Chinese nationals engaged in a heated confrontation that had escalated into physical fighting. Police intervened to separate the parties and restore order, preventing further escalation. Get today's headlines by email Initial reports indicated that two groups of Chinese tourists, some of whom were said to have prior disputes in China, encountered each other at the venue shortly after arriving in Pattaya for a 2–3 day visit, according to a Thai female companion. Verbal exchanges reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation outside the restaurant. Another account linked the clash to alcohol consumption among friends who were already acquainted prior to the incident. Initial police accounts stated that three Chinese nationals were injured. Officers from Pattaya City Police Station and local rescue volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation provided first aid and transported injured individuals to hospital for treatment. Police separated the groups, moving them to opposite sides of the road, as tensions continued with shouting and verbal provocation in Chinese. Pictures courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง Both groups were later taken to the police station for questioning and formal statements, while officers secured the area and managed public order as crowds gathered at the scene. Authorities also confirmed that CCTV footage from the vicinity is being reviewed as part of the investigation, and the parties were later reported to have calmed down and reached an understanding, with no immediate intention to pursue charges. Investigators are continuing to record statements from all involved individuals and will revisit the case once medical treatment has been completed, to establish a clear sequence of events. The findings from CCTV analysis and witness accounts will be used to determine whether any criminal proceedings will follow under Thai law. AQNi4s9EkyIzoHRKVvZ46F2U173nlbcG1cg4EURtiu4HwTcQAlT7-vvVvSCxaRIp6GczOlYxAzlTiRxZvCGcur4G8V_yteOnNp8VZimmEw.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง 12 June 2026 View full articleThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:46:37 +0000I indeed expect countries and residents of Europe to pay to help Ukrainians still be a free and independent country, yes. And they do. That is a good investment for a future safe and peaceful Europe. Well spent money imo, so our kids will have a safe place to grow up. I'll gladly pay my taxes to that cause.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:45:50 +0000During the first Trump term, I would sometimes have to catch myself because even though I thought and think that Trump is uniquely despicable and dangerous, the fact remains that if you just want to look at the number of lives lost and global damage done, George W. Bush really outstripped him. Trump is maybe a worse person, but the damage that he did in his first term was much more contained. I think that in the second Trump term he’s changed that very quickly. Not just by taking America’s soft power and setting it on fire in all sorts of ways, but really making these abrupt decisions that are going to kill hundreds of thousands and maybe more than a million people and he’s doing it in this incredibly arbitrary, careless way. Trump is destroying the US economy one step at a time. It could be intentional. It could be diabolical. Nobody knows. He could simply be unhinged or following the dictates of a very sinister cabal. One thing is certain. He is accomplishing very little, he will NOT bring manufacturing back to America, which is stupid over priced (I am here now and inflation is raging at 20% or higher right now), he is causing alot of pain, he is losing support, destroying businesses, and consumer confidence, he does not have a coherent plan, and he is a destructive nimwit. He's engaging in nothing but massive destruction of the economy, the environment, the land, the seas, the air, the national lands, the wilderness areas, our alliance with close friends and long term allies, aligning himself with dictators and serial killing despots, and tearing down everything that's good about the world. That is just who Trump is. Globalization made the world great, the manufacturing ecosystems within globalization and low tariffs allowed the US economy to thrive for decades, and he's never going to bring back manufacturing to the US. End of story, just a slogan. The fact that so many people are buying into his nonsense and destruction, is what is truly sad. And that is not a party that I want to have anything to do with, on any level, at any time. I don’t think he has a coherent value structure as most of us understand it. I think we’re seeing a president who’s operating without anything any of us would recognize as a conscience. Truly. It is about showing what he can get away with. It’s about showing his enemies that what they support, he can tear down. It is all about displays of brute strength. He gets off on that, and in that sense, it seems not so much an autocracy but a flexocracy. Let me show you how I can flex my bicep as I use it to power my fist coming into your face. It’s not about any coherent values. It’s not about any North Star. It’s about showing that you can turn the boat 180 degrees around and that you can do whatever you want and you can bring the people who opposed you to their knees.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:44:29 +0000Starmer held an emergency COBRA meeting when a mentally ill man stabbed his friend in the morning, then went to Golders Green and attacked Jewish people. Now there’s been an actual pogrom in Belfast and racist riots in Southampton where’s the emergency COBRA meeting?Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:40:25 +0000A bizarre explanation and excuse for the current quagmire. The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war. Could could you please explain to us what the current situation was, and why they represented an imminent danger of hostilities? Bet you can't. Also he has said over and over again this is not a war, it's just an excursion. I always thought an excursion was a trip to the Bahamas. The chief clown feels otherwise.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:38:55 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thailand-ranks-second-in-2026-retirement-abroad-index-r2279/Thailand has been named the second-best country in the world for retirement in 2026, according to the Retirement Abroad Index 2026 published by Expatriate Group. The ranking places Thailand behind the Philippines and ahead of destinations including Colombia, Portugal, Spain and France, highlighting the country’s continued appeal to international retirees. Get today's headlines by email The index assessed 20 countries across five key areas: healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community and integration. The findings were compiled by Expatriate Group, a specialist provider of international health insurance serving expatriates and retirees in more than 180 countries. Thailand secured second place thanks largely to its healthcare system, achieving the joint-highest healthcare score in the index alongside Spain and France. Major destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket were recognised for their internationally recognised private hospital networks. The country also received the maximum score of 20 out of 20 for health insurance requirements. According to the report, Thailand’s Non-Immigrant O-A Visa requires applicants to hold health insurance cover, as a condition of the retirement visa. The report comes as growing numbers of retirees consider overseas destinations offering lower living costs, warmer climates and access to quality healthcare. Expatriate Group director Lee Gerry said many prospective retirees often overlook important factors such as healthcare access, visa options and day-to-day living expenses when planning a move abroad. He stated: “Retiring abroad has never been more achievable, but the decisions that matter most, healthcare access, visa routes, and the reality of day-to-day costs, are often the least well understood.” Thailand was surpassed only by the Philippines, which topped the index due to strong scores for affordability, visa accessibility and expat integration. The Philippines’ Special Resident Retiree’s Visa requires a fixed deposit of approximately GBP11,000 for pension holders. Other countries ranked highly included Colombia in third place, Portugal in fourth, while Sri Lanka and South Africa shared fifth position. Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates tied for sixth place, with Spain and Indonesia sharing eighth place. Panama ranked ninth and Qatar completed the top ten. The Daily Mall reported that Thailand is expected to remain a leading retirement destination due to its established healthcare infrastructure, retirement visa programmes and strong expatriate communities. The latest ranking may further strengthen its reputation among overseas retirees seeking a long-term base in Southeast Asia. Picture courtesy of The Daily Mall Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 12 June 2026Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:38:44 +0000Thailand has been named the second-best country in the world for retirement in 2026, according to the Retirement Abroad Index 2026 published by Expatriate Group. The ranking places Thailand behind the Philippines and ahead of destinations including Colombia, Portugal, Spain and France, highlighting the country’s continued appeal to international retirees. Get today's headlines by email The index assessed 20 countries across five key areas: healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community and integration. The findings were compiled by Expatriate Group, a specialist provider of international health insurance serving expatriates and retirees in more than 180 countries. Thailand secured second place thanks largely to its healthcare system, achieving the joint-highest healthcare score in the index alongside Spain and France. Major destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket were recognised for their internationally recognised private hospital networks. The country also received the maximum score of 20 out of 20 for health insurance requirements. According to the report, Thailand’s Non-Immigrant O-A Visa requires applicants to hold health insurance cover, as a condition of the retirement visa. The report comes as growing numbers of retirees consider overseas destinations offering lower living costs, warmer climates and access to quality healthcare. Expatriate Group director Lee Gerry said many prospective retirees often overlook important factors such as healthcare access, visa options and day-to-day living expenses when planning a move abroad. He stated: “Retiring abroad has never been more achievable, but the decisions that matter most, healthcare access, visa routes, and the reality of day-to-day costs, are often the least well understood.” Thailand was surpassed only by the Philippines, which topped the index due to strong scores for affordability, visa accessibility and expat integration. The Philippines’ Special Resident Retiree’s Visa requires a fixed deposit of approximately GBP11,000 for pension holders. Other countries ranked highly included Colombia in third place, Portugal in fourth, while Sri Lanka and South Africa shared fifth position. Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates tied for sixth place, with Spain and Indonesia sharing eighth place. Panama ranked ninth and Qatar completed the top ten. The Daily Mall reported that Thailand is expected to remain a leading retirement destination due to its established healthcare infrastructure, retirement visa programmes and strong expatriate communities. The latest ranking may further strengthen its reputation among overseas retirees seeking a long-term base in Southeast Asia. Picture courtesy of The Daily Mall Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 12 June 2026 View full articleThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:38:44 +0000If you believe supporting Russian resistance to Putin and the siloviki security state is a worthy cause, then by all means do so, and good luck to you. My objection is not that you support it, but that you expect others to pay for it.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:36:36 +0000Due to the sowing season, the forthcoming food shortages are already baked in. The fertilizer shortage will be due to the loss of urea, which mostly comes from Qatar. The top importers of Urea: India European Union Brazil United States Australia Turkey France Thailand United Kingdom Italy Those 10 importers account for 64% of Urea that is traded. Besides causing food inflation for the West and food shortages for the ROTW, the loss of urea will also impact semiconductor production, so prices of consumer goods, cars etc will also increaseThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:32:33 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/chinese-man-found-with-chain-wounds-after-border-escape-r2278/A Chinese man was found exhausted and injured in a forest in Sangkhlaburi district, Kanchanaburi province, after apparently fleeing from a scam operation across the Thai-Myanmar border. Villagers discovered the 33-year-old man lying in Mae Tiew forest in Moo 8, Nong Lu subdistrict, at around 7pm on June 10 and brought him to safety before alerting local authorities. Get today's headlines by email The man was found with severe wounds on both ankles, which appeared consistent with being restrained by chains, as well as signs that he had been assaulted. Villagers transported him from the forest and informed village headman Sanan Kamsuk, who then notified district officials. Sangkhlaburi District Chief Suriyasak Muean-uam coordinated with military personnel, police, Border Patrol Police and volunteer defence officers stationed at Nam Koek checkpoint to take the man into custody and provide assistance. Officers cleaned and treated his multiple wounds before carrying out initial questioning. Authorities found no identification documents on the man. The only belongings recovered were a mobile phone that could not be switched on, believed to have a flat battery. Picture courtesy of Amarin The man was charged with entering and remaining in Thailand illegally before being handed over to investigators at Sangkhlaburi Police Station for legal proceedings. Officials believe he may have been working at a scam centre in Myanmar and suffered serious abuse before escaping across the border into Thailand. The location where he was found is approximately 7 to 8 kilometres from the Three Pagodas Pass border area. Investigators suspect he fled from operations based in Payathonsu, a Myanmar border town opposite Sangkhlaburi. The case follows several similar incidents in recent weeks. On May 31, three Chinese nationals, Zhong Jianzhong, 26, Zhu Zhongyan, 33, and Meng Chiangdong, 36, sought help after taking refuge at a resort near the Thai-Myanmar border. No documents were found in their possession. On June 2, another Chinese national, Wang Qing Wei, 36, was found seeking assistance at the same resort, also without identification documents. Authorities believed all four men had escaped from Payathonsu. Previous reports indicated that 12 Chinese nationals had attempted to escape from Payathonsu into Thailand. Two were reportedly recaptured and taken back, while 10 successfully crossed the border. Authorities believe the four Chinese nationals previously assisted and the latest case may all be part of the same group. Amarin reoorted that officials are expected to continue investigating the man’s identity, movements and possible links to scam operations operating along the border. Further enquiries may also help determine whether additional escapees remain in the area or require assistance. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 12 June 2026Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:32:19 +0000A Chinese man was found exhausted and injured in a forest in Sangkhlaburi district, Kanchanaburi province, after apparently fleeing from a scam operation across the Thai-Myanmar border. Villagers discovered the 33-year-old man lying in Mae Tiew forest in Moo 8, Nong Lu subdistrict, at around 7pm on June 10 and brought him to safety before alerting local authorities. Get today's headlines by email The man was found with severe wounds on both ankles, which appeared consistent with being restrained by chains, as well as signs that he had been assaulted. Villagers transported him from the forest and informed village headman Sanan Kamsuk, who then notified district officials. Sangkhlaburi District Chief Suriyasak Muean-uam coordinated with military personnel, police, Border Patrol Police and volunteer defence officers stationed at Nam Koek checkpoint to take the man into custody and provide assistance. Officers cleaned and treated his multiple wounds before carrying out initial questioning. Authorities found no identification documents on the man. The only belongings recovered were a mobile phone that could not be switched on, believed to have a flat battery. Picture courtesy of Amarin The man was charged with entering and remaining in Thailand illegally before being handed over to investigators at Sangkhlaburi Police Station for legal proceedings. Officials believe he may have been working at a scam centre in Myanmar and suffered serious abuse before escaping across the border into Thailand. The location where he was found is approximately 7 to 8 kilometres from the Three Pagodas Pass border area. Investigators suspect he fled from operations based in Payathonsu, a Myanmar border town opposite Sangkhlaburi. The case follows several similar incidents in recent weeks. On May 31, three Chinese nationals, Zhong Jianzhong, 26, Zhu Zhongyan, 33, and Meng Chiangdong, 36, sought help after taking refuge at a resort near the Thai-Myanmar border. No documents were found in their possession. On June 2, another Chinese national, Wang Qing Wei, 36, was found seeking assistance at the same resort, also without identification documents. Authorities believed all four men had escaped from Payathonsu. Previous reports indicated that 12 Chinese nationals had attempted to escape from Payathonsu into Thailand. Two were reportedly recaptured and taken back, while 10 successfully crossed the border. Authorities believe the four Chinese nationals previously assisted and the latest case may all be part of the same group. Amarin reoorted that officials are expected to continue investigating the man’s identity, movements and possible links to scam operations operating along the border. Further enquiries may also help determine whether additional escapees remain in the area or require assistance. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 12 June 2026 View full articleThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:32:19 +0000John Healey has resigned as defence secretary following a prolonged dispute within government over military spending plans, saying proposed funding levels were insufficient to meet growing security challenges. Get today's headlines by email In a strongly worded resignation letter, Healey said the financial settlement for the government's Defence Investment Plan (DIP) “falls well short” of what Britain requires at a time of increasing global threats. He argued that both the prime minister and the Treasury had failed to provide the resources needed to strengthen national defence. Defence Secretary Quits After Budget DisputePrime Minister Keir Starmer rejected those claims, insisting the forthcoming plan would deliver a record increase in defence spending while maintaining fiscal discipline. He said the strategy would be funded through difficult spending choices across government rather than additional borrowing. Armed Forces Minister Also Steps DownThe crisis deepened when Armed Forces Minister Al Carns also resigned on Thursday evening. Carns accused the government of failing to equip the military adequately, saying efforts to secure greater investment had been ignored. “I've spent my whole time in government making that case,” he said. “Number 10 will not listen, so I am resigning as minister for the armed forces.” The departure of Healey, regarded as one of Starmer’s closest allies in cabinet, represents a major setback for a government already facing mounting political pressure. Pressure Mounts on StarmerHealey becomes the second cabinet minister to leave the government in recent weeks after former health secretary Wes Streeting resigned, citing a loss of confidence in the prime minister’s leadership. The resignations come ahead of a crucial by-election in which Labour candidate Andy Burnham is seeking a return to Parliament, potentially positioning himself as a future challenger for the party leadership. Starmer has also faced criticism from within Labour following disappointing election results across England, Scotland and Wales last month, although he has said he intends to contest any future leadership challenge. Defence Plan at Centre of DisputeDisagreements over defence funding have intensified for months amid repeated delays to the Defence Investment Plan, originally expected last autumn. The issue has become increasingly urgent ahead of a NATO summit in Turkey next month, where Starmer had planned to unveil the strategy. Healey argued that defence demands had risen significantly since the start of the year due to conflict in the Middle East and expanded British commitments in Ukraine and the Arctic. Reports suggest the government is considering an additional £13.5bn for the Ministry of Defence over the next four years, well below the £28bn increase requested by the department. In his resignation letter, Healey criticised the proposed settlement for delaying much of the spending until later years, despite what he described as immediate pressures on military readiness. He warned that the current timetable would leave Britain moving too slowly towards strengthening its armed forces and said he was being forced to make decisions that would weaken operational preparedness. Funding Debate ContinuesThe government has pledged to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 but has not yet outlined how the commitment will be financed. Reports indicate ministers are considering reducing capital budgets across government departments by 1% to help fund defence priorities. Healey has argued that spending should reach 3% of GDP by 2030 instead, citing warnings that Russia could pose a direct threat to NATO within the decade. Last year's Strategic Defence Review called for greater “warfighting readiness”, including investment in ammunition stockpiles, advanced fighter aircraft, drones and new attack submarines. Opposition politicians seized on the resignations, with Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge saying Healey had been left with no option but to quit, while Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said the departures raised questions about the government's defence priorities. Kevin Craven, chief executive of the defence industry association ADS Group, described Healey's resignation as a damaging verdict on the government's handling of defence policy. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 June 2026 View full articleThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:26:17 +0000Why should we pay for this Scum for 10 years, he should be sent back to Afgahn now.The other man is an Iraqui prior to his court appearence he was able to flee and a man hunt is on the go now to apprehend him. https://youtu.be/3QuykIHa7eU?si=9vqGvMjCUHW-KnTyThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:26:01 +0000Poison works a treat. Her beloved biters can die in her arms whilst she sobs helplessly.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:23:58 +0000On the contrary. The fact that Zelensky is jewish, is irrelevant in any discussion regarding this war. But it is indeed relevant what language I speak, read and understand, to the discussion I participate in, regarding this war. It gives me enough knowledge to understand it better. I have Russian friends, family, who are not on Putin's side, I'll tell you that. I read from Russian war bloggers where the frustration has reach a new level, where claims that Russia is in big trouble is crystal clear, and I read Russian news, mixed with western information here and there, to get balanced reports and not only western information. If that is not relevant to understand this war better, nothing is. Again, the nazi angle, is irrelevant to this war. It was just an excuse and a lie to invade Ukraine in the first place. Russia has far more "nazis" than Ukraine today. I use "we" because it is our general policy in almost every country in Europe to support Ukraine. Fact. There are very few exceptions, which you obviously support. And that's fine, we can't all agree.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:23:10 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/german-cocaine-postal-shipment-intercepted-in-bangkok-r2277/Authorities have intercepted a cocaine shipment concealed inside a document envelope sent from Germany to Thailand, as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt international drug trafficking through postal services. Get today's headlines by email At 10am on June 11, 2026, the Internal Security Operations Command Region 1 (ISOC Region 1), through the Bangkok Internal Security Operations Command, conducted a joint operation with the Bangkok Express Mail Centre in Lak Si, the Customs Department, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and military intelligence officers. The operation was launched after officials received intelligence indicating that narcotics were being smuggled into Thailand through the postal system. Officers identified and inspected a suspicious parcel and document envelope before opening it in accordance with established procedures. Inside, they discovered approximately 30 grams of powdered cocaine concealed within the envelope. Preliminary checks found that the package had originated in Germany. The cocaine was seized and taken into evidence. Investigators collected supporting evidence before transferring the case and the confiscated drugs to officers at Thung Song Hong Police Station for further legal action. The seizure forms part of continued cooperation between security agencies and law enforcement authorities to monitor and prevent narcotics from entering Thailand through international delivery channels. The case follows ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to strengthen surveillance of postal and courier networks, which are sometimes exploited by international drug trafficking organisations to move illicit substances across borders. Officials have not disclosed any suspects linked to the shipment. Investigators are now working to identify and trace individuals connected to the attempted importation and to determine whether the package is linked to a wider trafficking network. Amarin reported that as the investigation continues, authorities are expected to expand inquiries into the intended recipient and any associates involved in arranging the shipment from overseas. Pictures courtesy of Amarin Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 12 June 2026Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:21:05 +0000Authorities have intercepted a cocaine shipment concealed inside a document envelope sent from Germany to Thailand, as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt international drug trafficking through postal services. Get today's headlines by email At 10am on June 11, 2026, the Internal Security Operations Command Region 1 (ISOC Region 1), through the Bangkok Internal Security Operations Command, conducted a joint operation with the Bangkok Express Mail Centre in Lak Si, the Customs Department, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and military intelligence officers. The operation was launched after officials received intelligence indicating that narcotics were being smuggled into Thailand through the postal system. Officers identified and inspected a suspicious parcel and document envelope before opening it in accordance with established procedures. Inside, they discovered approximately 30 grams of powdered cocaine concealed within the envelope. Preliminary checks found that the package had originated in Germany. The cocaine was seized and taken into evidence. Investigators collected supporting evidence before transferring the case and the confiscated drugs to officers at Thung Song Hong Police Station for further legal action. The seizure forms part of continued cooperation between security agencies and law enforcement authorities to monitor and prevent narcotics from entering Thailand through international delivery channels. The case follows ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to strengthen surveillance of postal and courier networks, which are sometimes exploited by international drug trafficking organisations to move illicit substances across borders. Officials have not disclosed any suspects linked to the shipment. Investigators are now working to identify and trace individuals connected to the attempted importation and to determine whether the package is linked to a wider trafficking network. Amarin reported that as the investigation continues, authorities are expected to expand inquiries into the intended recipient and any associates involved in arranging the shipment from overseas. Pictures courtesy of Amarin Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 12 June 2026 View full articleThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:21:05 +0000The 2026 FIFA World Cup got under way in Mexico City on Thursday with a colourful opening ceremony featuring international music stars, cultural performances and thousands of fans at the iconic Azteca Stadium. Get today's headlines by email Supporters packed the venue ahead of Mexico’s opening match against South Africa, marking the first time the country has hosted a World Cup match on home soil in 40 years. The atmosphere was one of celebration and anticipation as fans gathered to witness the start of football’s biggest tournament. For many supporters, the opening match represented a rare opportunity to experience the World Cup in their own country. Javier Pérez, attending the match with his family, said the chance to witness the tournament in person outweighed any difficulties encountered during the build-up. He described the occasion as a unique experience and expressed hope that Mexico would make a strong start to the competition. Music and culture take centre stageThe opening festivities were led by Colombian singer Shakira and featured performances from fellow Colombian artist J Balvin, Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy, Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean and Mexican musician Fher Olvera. A welcoming message to visiting fans highlighted Mexico’s diversity, heritage and pride, while emphasizing football’s ability to unite people across generations and nations. Performers appeared in indigenous-inspired attire, while others carried oversized golden footballs as part of the ceremony. The stadium itself provided a colourful backdrop, with fans dressed in national team colours and traditional outfits. Tournament follows challenging build-upThe tournament arrives after a complicated period of preparation. Renovations at Mexico City’s airport and the Azteca Stadium, protests linked to the event and concerns about cartel-related violence in recent months had all formed part of the discussion surrounding the World Cup before kickoff. However, those issues largely faded from view as attention shifted to the opening ceremony and the start of the competition. Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Canada. The other host nations are scheduled to stage their own opening celebrations on Friday. Global stars join opening festivitiesThe ceremony also featured performances connected to the tournament’s official music programme. Opera singer Andrea Bocelli and singer Ejae performed the World Cup anthem, DNA, which was released on Wednesday. Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández, son of legendary performer Vicente Fernández, led the rendition of the Mexican national anthem, joined by many of the 80,000 spectators inside the stadium. South African artist Tyla performed her country’s national anthem ahead of the opening match. The Grammy-winning singer, known for hits including Water and the FIFA track Game Time, is also set to appear at the United States opening ceremony in Los Angeles. FIFA has enlisted a wide range of international artists for events across the tournament, many of whom feature on the 18-track Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album. With the opening ceremony complete and the first match under way, attention now turns to the football as the month-long tournament begins across North America. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 June 2026 View full articleThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:19:04 +0000TinyThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:17:47 +0000Nothing wrong that I can see, I often get my dog to ride the bike home after a night on the drinkThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:13:39 +0000SpaceX has secured $75bn (£56bn) from financial institutions ahead of its stock market debut on Friday, setting the stage for what is expected to be the largest public listing in history. Get today's headlines by email In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the space exploration and artificial intelligence company said it sold shares at $135 each, raising the planned amount from investors before trading begins. Valuation Approaches $1.8tnThe share price matches the valuation estimate SpaceX outlined last week and implies an initial market value of nearly $1.8tn. That figure would place the company among the world's most valuable publicly traded businesses from the moment its shares begin changing hands. The valuation would also further boost the wealth of chief executive Elon Musk, who is already regarded as the world's richest person. At the proposed valuation, Musk is expected to become the first person with a net worth exceeding $1tn. Trading Could Shift ValuationWhile the offering price has been set at $135 per share, the company's market value will ultimately depend on investor demand once trading starts. Share prices can rise or fall after a listing begins, depending on how many shares are available and how strongly investors seek to buy them. If SpaceX shares open at or above the offering price, the company will immediately rank among the largest firms listed on public markets. Investors will ultimately determine whether the valuation is justified through trading activity on the open market. Strong Investor InterestDemand for SpaceX shares is expected to be significant among both institutional investors and retail traders seeking exposure to one of the world's most closely watched technology companies. Several analysts have already suggested the stock could trade above the offering price. On Thursday, brokerage firm Oppenheimer said it expected SpaceX shares to reach $190. The final market price will be established through trading after the company's debut on the technology-focused Nasdaq Composite. Test Case for Other AI GiantsThe listing is being closely watched across the technology sector, with some investors viewing it as a benchmark for other privately held companies approaching trillion-dollar valuations. Among those are Anthropic and OpenAI, both of which have recently indicated they are preparing for public offerings, potentially later this year. The outcome of SpaceX's market debut could provide an important indication of investor appetite for large-scale technology and AI companies seeking to transition from private ownership to public markets. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 12 June 2026 View full articleThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:12:00 +0000LittleThu, 11 Jun 2026 21:09:42 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/child-steers-car-on-busy-phuket-road-r2276/A viral video shared on 9 June 2026 has shown a child, estimated to be under 10 years old, steering a passenger car on a busy public road in Phuket. The vehicle was seen moving erratically and weaving across lanes on Chaofa Road, heading towards the Central Phuket intersection, in moderate to heavy traffic. Other road users reportedly slowed and increased distance after noticing the unpredictable driving, which raised immediate safety concerns for motorists and pedestrians in the area. Get today's headlines by email The clip, circulated by a local news pages in Phuket, initially led viewers to believe the driver may have been intoxicated or inexperienced due to the vehicle’s unstable movement. However, closer observation revealed that the person behind the wheel was a young boy, seated on the lap of a foreign adult. The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing significant attention and debate. The video triggered widespread criticism online, with many users questioning the responsibility of the child’s guardians for allowing him to operate a vehicle on a public highway. Commenters also called for accountability from authorities, repeatedly asking where the police were at the time of the incident. Some social media users compared the situation to other countries where such behaviour could result in immediate legal consequences for guardians. Picture courtesy of Amarin Concerns were also raised about road safety on one of Phuket’s main routes, which typically experiences high traffic volumes throughout the day. Observers noted that the risk extended beyond the individuals in the vehicle, potentially endangering other road users if an accident had occurred. The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and closer monitoring of unsafe driving practices, particularly involving minors. Amarin reported that as of the time of reporting, there has been no confirmed statement from local authorities regarding any investigation or legal action linked to the video. Public attention continues to focus on whether police will examine the circumstances and determine whether any offences were committed by the driver or guardians involved. The situation remains under public scrutiny as online discussions persist. AQPENen6whdoVWCkS4FmSm58v8bxrxir_cina4j8ZitLuAFaUeQ5b1LqLfkmoLA9aTlL9mRUKV4WCIu_x_WvjntHYjIBgWHtADx34zgB2Q.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 12 June 2026Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:06:57 +0000