https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenIt would help if there were any jobs offering l training schemes and real apprenticeships. The price of destroying industry in search of a post industrial service economy is now being paid. There’s worse to come. ‘Trickle down economics’ has eviscerated the working class and is now eating the middle class, just as AI arrives to wipe service industry.Sat, 23 May 2026 21:32:03 +0000Have travelled around Europe extensively and never smelt marijuana anywhere. Never had a Bendiorm trash tourist or local smoking it on a pavement around other people. Infact alot of city centres are now smoke free in certain areas. Most countries marijuana is still illegal. The few countries where it is legal, is strictly monitored for home use ... smoking in public will get you a criminal record. The problem people have in Thailand is that you have trash visitors smoking it in public, with families and children around. It also attracts Benidormy type visitors.Sat, 23 May 2026 21:25:29 +000030 years younger is minimum. 40 is better. Seems fair to me.Sat, 23 May 2026 21:24:07 +0000It sounds like a positive situation, but I'm not sure if I really understand the meaning of what you wrote. I'm trying to read between the lines, but I could be misunderstanding it. So this is a non-sexual relationship? More like a companionship of convenience? Anyway, it doesn't really matter. If you don't feel comfortable to explain more that's fine. As long as you're happy and it's working for both of you that's all that counts.Sat, 23 May 2026 21:17:02 +0000I would also like to warn any guys thinking of doing what I plan to do. Please be wary of falling for Chinese women, just based on video and images they might send to you. It is very rare for females in China to not use facial filters. Here is what I'm talkin bout.....Sat, 23 May 2026 21:11:58 +0000Concrete example. My girlfriend is 35 and I'm 75. She's the one who pursued me despite my attempts to back out, too intimidated by the age gap, 40. But there's something unusual about it: she enjoys superficial relationships, a bit like lesbians, so you know what I mean. I think that was her main motivation. Dare I say it suits me a little...Sat, 23 May 2026 21:11:12 +0000You mean liquid gold right ?Sat, 23 May 2026 20:59:49 +0000It's unkind not to. This is the problem, you are not thinking. The guy is providing for the woman Most of these younger women have children, families to support. In the west the government would provide social security and welfare payments (thousands of dollars after the birth) for these mothers, government would garnish the fathers wages, the woman may be on maternity leave, she has income but sadly in Thailand these very POOR young woman have no money to support herself and her baby. The government failing to provide support for these single, abandoned mothers, they do not receive social security payments or welfare cheques, the government does not force fathers to support their child or garnish fathers wages.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:53:53 +0000Hmm, seems a mystery, I haven't seen anything on Thai media regarding this comment. Maybe later today news will appear.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:45:55 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/former-f1-driver-mika-salo-stabbed-in-bangkok-r1963/Former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo said he is recovering after suffering a serious leg injury in what doctors suspect was a stabbing in Bangkok, earlier this week. Salo, 59, told Finnish media from Bangkok that he received a deep wound to his leg while crossing a pedestrian crossing near his hotel. Get today's headlines by email He said a motorcycle passed very close to him and he felt a slight impact, but initially thought nothing of it. The former racing driver continued walking before a passer-by alerted him that blood was pouring from his leg. When he looked down, he saw that his shoe was covered in blood and realised the injury was severe. Salo was taken by taxi to a nearby hospital, where doctors treated a deep open wound to his leg. He said surgeons had to stitch both muscle tissue and skin, with a total of 28 stitches required. “It looked really bad. A huge open wound. The muscle had torn,” Salo said. He added that doctors believed the injury may have been caused by a knife and was not accidental, because the cut was straight, deep and clean. According to Salo, hospital staff later told him that several patients arrived with similar slash wounds on the same evening and overnight. He said the incidents appeared to have happened in the same area near his hotel. Salo has been holidaying in Thailand with his wife and said he regularly visits the country, where many of his friends live. He said he had never experienced anything similar before. The first few days after the injury were considered critical because of the risk of infection in Bangkok’s hot and humid conditions. Salo said he has returned to hospital daily for wound cleaning and dressing changes. Despite the seriousness of the injury, he said he has not suffered significant pain and has not needed painkillers. He is currently taking antibiotics and can still walk short distances, although doctors advised him not to walk too far. Heavy rain and temperatures of around 35-36C during Thailand’s rainy season have limited his movements, with Salo spending much of his time inside his air-conditioned hotel room to keep the wound dry. Two days after the incident he was able to walk to a nearby sports bar with friends to watch Finland’s national ice hockey team play. He said he could comfortably manage one or two kilometres on foot. Salo praised the treatment he received in Thailand, describing the hospitals and doctors as excellent and efficient. He also said the incident had not made him fearful of motorcycles in Bangkok. “If this was intentional, they only tried to injure me,” he said, adding that the outcome could have been far worse if the attack had targeted his upper body. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Source 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 20:41:41 +0000Former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo said he is recovering after suffering a serious leg injury in what doctors suspect was a stabbing in Bangkok, earlier this week. Salo, 59, told Finnish media from Bangkok that he received a deep wound to his leg while crossing a pedestrian crossing near his hotel. Get today's headlines by email He said a motorcycle passed very close to him and he felt a slight impact, but initially thought nothing of it. The former racing driver continued walking before a passer-by alerted him that blood was pouring from his leg. When he looked down, he saw that his shoe was covered in blood and realised the injury was severe. Salo was taken by taxi to a nearby hospital, where doctors treated a deep open wound to his leg. He said surgeons had to stitch both muscle tissue and skin, with a total of 28 stitches required. “It looked really bad. A huge open wound. The muscle had torn,” Salo said. He added that doctors believed the injury may have been caused by a knife and was not accidental, because the cut was straight, deep and clean. According to Salo, hospital staff later told him that several patients arrived with similar slash wounds on the same evening and overnight. He said the incidents appeared to have happened in the same area near his hotel. Salo has been holidaying in Thailand with his wife and said he regularly visits the country, where many of his friends live. He said he had never experienced anything similar before. The first few days after the injury were considered critical because of the risk of infection in Bangkok’s hot and humid conditions. Salo said he has returned to hospital daily for wound cleaning and dressing changes. Despite the seriousness of the injury, he said he has not suffered significant pain and has not needed painkillers. He is currently taking antibiotics and can still walk short distances, although doctors advised him not to walk too far. Heavy rain and temperatures of around 35-36C during Thailand’s rainy season have limited his movements, with Salo spending much of his time inside his air-conditioned hotel room to keep the wound dry. Two days after the incident he was able to walk to a nearby sports bar with friends to watch Finland’s national ice hockey team play. He said he could comfortably manage one or two kilometres on foot. Salo praised the treatment he received in Thailand, describing the hospitals and doctors as excellent and efficient. He also said the incident had not made him fearful of motorcycles in Bangkok. “If this was intentional, they only tried to injure me,” he said, adding that the outcome could have been far worse if the attack had targeted his upper body. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Source 24 May 2026 View full articleSat, 23 May 2026 20:41:41 +0000They're also amongst the few countries who deign to engage in discussions with the Thai government.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:37:50 +0000That's so sweet. Nearly brought a tear to my eye. Now you've made me want to have a sweet little Thai wife when I grow up one day.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:36:11 +0000Wait a minute. Aren't you the one who said he has no horse in the race, isn't exactly interested in the story, and don't understand what it's all about? Yet your post count in this thread is the second most, with only posts slagging off Drummond. Please go play your baiting agenda elsewhere, because you are infamous for doing that in every thread you enter. Don't bother replying either, because I will not see your baiting troll posts any more.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:34:57 +0000My parents took a boat from England to Canada after WW2 to start a new life from having nothing. They worked their asses off doing any and every job to gain a foothold in their new country. Some countries are such shi tholes that one must take their chances abroad. They said that England was terrible after the war and always marvelled at the abundance, variety and relatively low cost of groceries in Canada. We heard "mate, you've got no idea how good you've got it" many times growing up in the land of milk and honey. Good luck and fair winds to this young man from Ghana. I hope he finds his own land of milk and honey.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:33:59 +0000Continuing to do my pre-flight research, I see that this city has 10 desperate women for every man. So, maybe I will just try to get two for the price of one, instead of my original plan.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:33:06 +0000Darwinism at work. Posting pics of yourself with illegal objects is a great way to get free food and shelter from the government -- however the food is lacking and they will probably insist on a longer stay at the facilities than you would prefer. There's a few cops among the family and acquaintances and they all say the same thing: criminals are stupid, and the younger generations are even worse because they think having a criminal record cool. I guess the coolest ones would be those that get arrested at 18 and live out their days in the cement tent. Awesome!Sat, 23 May 2026 20:32:38 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/nigerian-romance-scam-gang-busted-in-nonthaburi-r1962/Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals accused of operating a romance scam network from a condominium in Nonthaburi, seizing mobile phones, laptops and evidence allegedly linked to online fraud targeting elderly Thai women. Get today's headlines by email The raids took place at 4pm on 22 May at three rooms inside a riverside condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Nonthaburi province. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the Narcotics Suppression Centre and local police forces carried out Operation “Dark Room” under search warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court. Police said the suspects were charged with criminal association and overstaying their visas. Investigators are also coordinating with victims and local police stations to pursue additional charges related to romance scams. Authorities seized 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers and three bank books. Investigators said the devices contained chat records, scam scripts and AI-generated face images allegedly used to deceive victims through online relationships. The operation followed an investigation into a transnational cocaine trafficking network. On 18 April, police arrested a Nigerian suspect known only as Patrick along with three others and seized 27 grammes of cocaine and assets worth 2.5 million baht. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Police later traced suspicious financial transactions to a group of Nigerian nationals living in Nonthaburi on student visas. Officers said the group showed unusually high financial activity despite allegedly not attending classes or working. According to investigators, the suspects used fake online profiles portraying successful foreign professionals such as pilots, American soldiers, lawyers, engineers and doctors. They contacted victims through Facebook Messenger, WeChat, TikTok, Line and Zalo before building romantic relationships online. Police said the scammers then claimed to have sent valuable parcels from overseas, later telling victims the packages were held by customs and required transfer payments to release them. Investigators said most victims were older Thai women. During the raids, officers reported hearing movement inside the rooms and suspected evidence was being destroyed. Police forced entry after the occupants allegedly refused to open the doors. One suspect reportedly tried to escape via a balcony while another hid inside a bathroom. Investigators also discovered what police described as “psychological scripts” containing flirtatious and sexually suggestive dialogue designed to manipulate victims emotionally. Authorities said the group allegedly used AI technology to create moving facial images and fake video calls to make the profiles appear genuine. Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the operation formed part of a wider government crackdown on foreign criminal networks operating illegally in Thailand. ThaiRath reported that he warned the public to be cautious of attractive strangers online who quickly move conversations into romantic or intimate territory before requesting money. The six suspects remain in custody and were transferred to Ratthanathibet Police Station for further legal proceedings. AQMfz7rb6uLtefeClOMxGS_UPUZ-vpz-HKAe6AE3j-7HxoC5E_IAso7yE2ZXsxx6M7napRe4u42Xgnnwm9rrmZSu9ddcfJwYat2xBwz_3g.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 20:32:01 +0000Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals accused of operating a romance scam network from a condominium in Nonthaburi, seizing mobile phones, laptops and evidence allegedly linked to online fraud targeting elderly Thai women. Get today's headlines by email The raids took place at 4pm on 22 May at three rooms inside a riverside condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Nonthaburi province. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the Narcotics Suppression Centre and local police forces carried out Operation “Dark Room” under search warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court. Police said the suspects were charged with criminal association and overstaying their visas. Investigators are also coordinating with victims and local police stations to pursue additional charges related to romance scams. Authorities seized 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers and three bank books. Investigators said the devices contained chat records, scam scripts and AI-generated face images allegedly used to deceive victims through online relationships. The operation followed an investigation into a transnational cocaine trafficking network. On 18 April, police arrested a Nigerian suspect known only as Patrick along with three others and seized 27 grammes of cocaine and assets worth 2.5 million baht. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Police later traced suspicious financial transactions to a group of Nigerian nationals living in Nonthaburi on student visas. Officers said the group showed unusually high financial activity despite allegedly not attending classes or working. According to investigators, the suspects used fake online profiles portraying successful foreign professionals such as pilots, American soldiers, lawyers, engineers and doctors. They contacted victims through Facebook Messenger, WeChat, TikTok, Line and Zalo before building romantic relationships online. Police said the scammers then claimed to have sent valuable parcels from overseas, later telling victims the packages were held by customs and required transfer payments to release them. Investigators said most victims were older Thai women. During the raids, officers reported hearing movement inside the rooms and suspected evidence was being destroyed. Police forced entry after the occupants allegedly refused to open the doors. One suspect reportedly tried to escape via a balcony while another hid inside a bathroom. Investigators also discovered what police described as “psychological scripts” containing flirtatious and sexually suggestive dialogue designed to manipulate victims emotionally. Authorities said the group allegedly used AI technology to create moving facial images and fake video calls to make the profiles appear genuine. Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the operation formed part of a wider government crackdown on foreign criminal networks operating illegally in Thailand. ThaiRath reported that he warned the public to be cautious of attractive strangers online who quickly move conversations into romantic or intimate territory before requesting money. The six suspects remain in custody and were transferred to Ratthanathibet Police Station for further legal proceedings. AQMfz7rb6uLtefeClOMxGS_UPUZ-vpz-HKAe6AE3j-7HxoC5E_IAso7yE2ZXsxx6M7napRe4u42Xgnnwm9rrmZSu9ddcfJwYat2xBwz_3g.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 24 May 2026 View full articleSat, 23 May 2026 20:32:01 +0000I think he made a refernce to the bar owner's weight because the British bar manager was charged with working at the Soi 6 bar against Thai labour laws on an education visa for attending Muay Thai lessons at the Rage Fight Academy in Pattaya owned by his boss. It was not a joke. As far as Drummond could tell few of the bar managers employed on education visas at 'Rage Fight Academy' ever went there more than once or twice. However, he feels that the bar owner was unjustly jailed for 21 years. What were the other 'yo momma' jokes, or are you making it up? If you wish to challenge a fact I will be happy to get the answer from Andrew Drummond. In the meantime he apologises for his lack of education, and says he realises he must have fooled the editors of the Observer, Times, Economist, Guartdian etc and is grateful you were not his editor. However, for stories on his website he does not stick to the more rigid newspaper format. He does fact check - which together with 'public interest' is why he won his libel cases. PS What's Grade 2 English? Is that a GCSE certificate in the UK. I don't think he'll understand. He is Scots. I don't think GCSE's were around when he went to school. Lucky for him I guess.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:29:35 +0000Only way to get Chinese food around here: Head to China. I will be there in China in September, for my wife.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:25:34 +0000GoodnightSat, 23 May 2026 20:24:48 +0000She put the 'wow' back into chackwow and took home the gold.Sat, 23 May 2026 20:23:42 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/police-raid-koh-phangan-nominee-firms-r1961/Thai police have arrested 22 foreign nationals and seized more than 40 rai of land worth over 200 million baht during the second phase of a major crackdown on alleged nominee companies on Koh Phangan. Get today's headlines by email The operation began at 6am on 23 May 2026 after Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, deputy national police chief and director of the Centre for Suppression of Transnational Criminals and Illegal Immigration, ordered officers to target foreign-owned businesses suspected of illegally using Thai nominees to hold land and operate restricted businesses. More than 300 officers took part in the raids, led by Pol Lt Gen Nopasin Poolsawat. Investigators pursued 39 cases and obtained warrants to search 36 locations from Koh Samui Provincial Court. Police also secured 45 arrest warrants for foreign suspects accused of operating businesses prohibited to foreigners under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act and illegally possessing land under the Land Code. One key target was FB Properties Co Ltd, also known as Yoga House, where police alleged an Israeli national was the true owner while Thai shareholders were used as nominees. Officers said the company controlled eight plots of land covering 7.5 rai worth more than 60 million baht and had also been operating an unlicensed hotel business. Police said these second phase raids uncovered 32 companies clearly operating as nominee firms. Authorities seized 45 plots of land totalling more than 40 rai and arrested 22 foreign nationals. Investigators estimated the total amount involved at more than 200 million baht. The 32 companies were identified as holding land while foreign shareholders outnumbered Thai shareholders. Those firms controlled 38 plots of land covering more than 38 rai, most of them undeveloped. Officers searched 21 of the companies to collect further evidence for prosecution. The crackdown follows an order from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to intensify action against nominee arrangements involving foreigners using Thai citizens to hold shares and land on their behalf. Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, the national police chief, instructed officers to accelerate investigations to prevent transnational crime, illegal business operations and unfair competition affecting Thai citizens. Authorities said the problem had been building on Koh Phangan since 2024. So far, 29 cases involving suspicious businesses have been prosecuted, with courts already ruling on two cases. A total of 62 suspects have been identified, including 32 Thai nationals and 30 foreigners. Earlier this month, phase one of the operation focused on legal firms, accounting firms and nominee companies. Police handled 37 cases, carried out 27 searches and issued three arrest warrants. Investigators found alleged nominee shareholders included state welfare card holders and company employees, while more than 100 foreign-linked firms were registered under the same address. ThaiRath reported that oficials said the next step will involve meetings with the Department of Business Development, provincial commerce officials and the Land Department to investigate financial trails and determine whether any state officials were involved. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 24 May 2026Sat, 23 May 2026 20:23:38 +0000Thai police have arrested 22 foreign nationals and seized more than 40 rai of land worth over 200 million baht during the second phase of a major crackdown on alleged nominee companies on Koh Phangan. Get today's headlines by email The operation began at 6am on 23 May 2026 after Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, deputy national police chief and director of the Centre for Suppression of Transnational Criminals and Illegal Immigration, ordered officers to target foreign-owned businesses suspected of illegally using Thai nominees to hold land and operate restricted businesses. More than 300 officers took part in the raids, led by Pol Lt Gen Nopasin Poolsawat. Investigators pursued 39 cases and obtained warrants to search 36 locations from Koh Samui Provincial Court. Police also secured 45 arrest warrants for foreign suspects accused of operating businesses prohibited to foreigners under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act and illegally possessing land under the Land Code. One key target was FB Properties Co Ltd, also known as Yoga House, where police alleged an Israeli national was the true owner while Thai shareholders were used as nominees. Officers said the company controlled eight plots of land covering 7.5 rai worth more than 60 million baht and had also been operating an unlicensed hotel business. Police said these second phase raids uncovered 32 companies clearly operating as nominee firms. Authorities seized 45 plots of land totalling more than 40 rai and arrested 22 foreign nationals. Investigators estimated the total amount involved at more than 200 million baht. The 32 companies were identified as holding land while foreign shareholders outnumbered Thai shareholders. Those firms controlled 38 plots of land covering more than 38 rai, most of them undeveloped. Officers searched 21 of the companies to collect further evidence for prosecution. The crackdown follows an order from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to intensify action against nominee arrangements involving foreigners using Thai citizens to hold shares and land on their behalf. Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, the national police chief, instructed officers to accelerate investigations to prevent transnational crime, illegal business operations and unfair competition affecting Thai citizens. Authorities said the problem had been building on Koh Phangan since 2024. So far, 29 cases involving suspicious businesses have been prosecuted, with courts already ruling on two cases. A total of 62 suspects have been identified, including 32 Thai nationals and 30 foreigners. Earlier this month, phase one of the operation focused on legal firms, accounting firms and nominee companies. Police handled 37 cases, carried out 27 searches and issued three arrest warrants. Investigators found alleged nominee shareholders included state welfare card holders and company employees, while more than 100 foreign-linked firms were registered under the same address. ThaiRath reported that oficials said the next step will involve meetings with the Department of Business Development, provincial commerce officials and the Land Department to investigate financial trails and determine whether any state officials were involved. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 24 May 2026 View full articleSat, 23 May 2026 20:23:38 +0000