https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenPerhaps ex-pats should be given a bit more credit, in this formula? We do bring in alot of stable income. Even the rural folks benefit. Alot of the nicer houses in the poorer farming areas were built with money from expats. Alot of trucks, cars and income is from expats. Countless business employing many. To say it is insignificant, is a blatant misunderstanding of Thai economics. Thousands of hotels, restaurants, countless airlines and many tour companies, also benefit. By comparison, an average ex-pat spends how much per month? I would say alot of us spend 50,000 to upwards of 100,000 baht a month. I know I do. No value in that? I know some live on less. However, since the average GDP of the nation is around $700, that means about 23,000 baht a month? I think xenophobia is utterly rampant, in all segments of the government here, from the feds right on down to the local amphur. However, I do not think most Thai people are that way. I think most either like us, or are indifferent to us. Which I can handle. To the contrary, I think ex-pats should be treated with the kind of respect and acknowledgement we deserve. We have decided to change our policies, and we now realize how much you guys bring to the table. An immigration officer will now come to your home to renew your visa, to show our appreciation, of your continued support. You will only be required to sign one form, and we will give you a five year, multiple entry visa. Free of charge. And we will include a 10,000 baht voucher, good for any hotel in the country, for one year. Princely treatment. Thank you so much for helping to rescue our economy and our people. We appreciate it, and aim to show it for a change! We are past the era of thugs like the big joke. And we apologize for all of his abuse. We realize we have been moving the country backwards. We are going to start changing things, and attempt to move the nation forward, instead of backwards.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:41:29 +0000I am wondering what happened as the article doesn't state what punishment the conscript got. Of course similar case we can read about the misbehavior of the army against conscripts or others. It is all a show that the older ones have the power and they will use their frustrations on the weak. Sadly enough nothing will be done as now they stated that is would be part of the initiation practice, and if any wrongdoing is proven. That says it allMon, 22 Jun 2026 22:40:35 +0000probably was easy pickings to find .. acting as a DJ and not shattering ear drums and windows with sounds over 140 db's definetly an occupation reserved for the locals ( ok you can all laugh now !!! )Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:40:05 +0000Somewhat retarded to do it so blatantly!Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:39:35 +0000so. nobody but loons pays attention to ya tucker, you weirded out.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:36:52 +0000well its pretty easy now lol. duh. all of those imbeciles are more important and successful than you, wasting your life screeching and hysterically spasming while pursuing a 50 year grudge against the man that bested you. and none of them you mentioned got anywhere via cut and pasteMon, 22 Jun 2026 22:35:04 +0000DogMon, 22 Jun 2026 22:35:03 +0000Caught red-handed on the dashcam. What a genius.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:33:43 +0000ever get stopped by the .. lets call them the "Walmart" greeter as you try to exit ? how could they possibly check the receipt if you left without an itemized paper .. or even more scary .. try to return something ! haMon, 22 Jun 2026 22:32:32 +0000If a DJ is playing house music or old school hip hop or something that the average Thai DJ would not be familiar with or would not be capable of mixing, then there's absolutely no harm being done to local Thais. The anti foreigner work laws are draconian, xenophobic and often beyond ridiculous.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:31:34 +0000Another "quality tourist" making the headlines in Pattaya.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:30:10 +0000the gov. could make it simple .. 1 foreigner ... you are allowed 1 condo ownership .. period ... solves all the problemsMon, 22 Jun 2026 22:27:33 +0000I totally agree and that's why we have to use our common sense if the law is ridiculous to the point of being beyond stupid, and there's no money that changes hands we just ignore it and go about our business.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:26:55 +0000Been there many times over the years and each time it becomes less appealing. (like Prague and Bali) The noise has become a 24/7 assault on the senses, not to mention the annoying package tourists clogging the beach paths. And don't forget the UFC bros in drunken fights at the pubs. The nature and sea is fantastic though, and the only reason I keep going back! 😅Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:26:31 +0000I always know the thumb down comes from @Yagoda if it's anything the slightest bit critical of Trump, Vance or any of those other imbeciles.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:24:30 +0000Even 10 yrs ago Phu Quoc had aspirations to be like this, unfortunately. Not worth a trip for me now despite the excellent pepper, landscapes/views and island airport.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:19:32 +0000If his music is the same sort of loud noises and shouts that dj’s for the past 20 years play and an insult to our ears Jail and deport for sure.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:08:29 +0000CollarMon, 22 Jun 2026 22:05:53 +0000what do i call it? exaggerated numbers nebulous definition of innocent human shields unavoidable casualties in urban warfare in a battlefield chosen by the aggressors as many as 300,000 german civilians died in the battle of berlin. was that a genocide? war is hell, dont start one. genocide is what you get when you herd the herreros into the desert or turn the troops loose in armenian villages or shoot 35,000 women, children and old folks in a ravine. you can show no credible evidence of mass murder and no credible evidence of any extermination policy on the part of israel so your use of the term genocide is historically wrong and the speech symbol of jew haters. be a man (although thats an oxymoron with jew haters) and own it. you and your ilk can now dig through your propaganda to argueMon, 22 Jun 2026 22:05:45 +0000A ladyboy maybe touched the farang? Too sensitive some of these tourists. Boys in Brown need to carry tasers. Game over for this fella then, quick.Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:58:43 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/korean-man-arrested-in-pattaya-for-online-obscene-material-r2443/Thai immigration officers have arrested a 30-year-old South Korean national in Pattaya, Chon Buri on 21 June 2026 at around 08:30 following a court-authorised search linked to online obscene material and the seizure of multiple illegal drugs. The suspect, identified only as “Louis Kim”, is accused of posting explicit videos on the social media platform X showing sexual activity with a Thai woman. He reportedly admitted to uploading the content during initial questioning. Officers also discovered a range of narcotics inside the residence. Get today's headlines by email The operation was carried out under directives from senior police leadership, including Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, National Police Chief, and Pol Gen Samran Nualma, Deputy National Police Chief, who ordered intensified action against transnational crime, online offences, and drug-related activities affecting public order. Pol Lt Gen Phanumart Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, together with Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchanart, instructed Immigration Division 3 to prioritise investigations into foreign nationals suspected of committing offences in Thailand. Following these orders, Pol Maj Gen Songprot Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, assigned Pol Col Suriya Phuangsomboon, Superintendent of the Investigation Unit, to oversee the case. The investigation team included Pol Lt Col Ithithon Prasriyasak, Pol Lt Col Thongthai Pairor, and Pol Maj Anupap Tujinda, who gathered evidence before securing a search warrant from the Pattaya Provincial Court. Officers then executed the warrant at a residential property in Pattaya, Chon Buri. During the search, authorities seized methamphetamine (4 bags weighing 21.36 grams), ketamine (3 bags weighing 304.32 grams), 296 MDMA tablets, and 9 items of etomidate, also known locally as “pod k”. All substances were confiscated as evidence. Police stated the suspect is also facing charges for drug possession with intent to sell, alongside offences relating to the distribution of obscene material and computer-related crime. Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid He has been charged under the Computer Crime Act B.E. 2560 Section 14(4) for uploading obscene data accessible to the public, Section 287(1) of the Penal Code for distributing pornographic material, and under narcotics legislation for possession of Category 1 and Category 2 drugs with intent to distribute. He was taken into custody together with the seized items and transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings. Thaitabloid reported that authorities said the investigation will be expanded to trace the origin of the seized drugs and etomidate, and to determine whether additional individuals or wider networks are involved in supply or distribution. AQMf3zdFNaJUOz8zvuLmhxPPF5WXP9Nzo9zQ37CPGZFblV60t3BPJeDGKB0yq94tqy3Px_FMvtZaK9mfqy_oTslNEe1vMEYZVeidYQvLRg.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 23 June 2026Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:58:18 +0000Thai immigration officers have arrested a 30-year-old South Korean national in Pattaya, Chon Buri on 21 June 2026 at around 08:30 following a court-authorised search linked to online obscene material and the seizure of multiple illegal drugs. The suspect, identified only as “Louis Kim”, is accused of posting explicit videos on the social media platform X showing sexual activity with a Thai woman. He reportedly admitted to uploading the content during initial questioning. Officers also discovered a range of narcotics inside the residence. Get today's headlines by email The operation was carried out under directives from senior police leadership, including Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, National Police Chief, and Pol Gen Samran Nualma, Deputy National Police Chief, who ordered intensified action against transnational crime, online offences, and drug-related activities affecting public order. Pol Lt Gen Phanumart Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, together with Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchanart, instructed Immigration Division 3 to prioritise investigations into foreign nationals suspected of committing offences in Thailand. Following these orders, Pol Maj Gen Songprot Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, assigned Pol Col Suriya Phuangsomboon, Superintendent of the Investigation Unit, to oversee the case. The investigation team included Pol Lt Col Ithithon Prasriyasak, Pol Lt Col Thongthai Pairor, and Pol Maj Anupap Tujinda, who gathered evidence before securing a search warrant from the Pattaya Provincial Court. Officers then executed the warrant at a residential property in Pattaya, Chon Buri. During the search, authorities seized methamphetamine (4 bags weighing 21.36 grams), ketamine (3 bags weighing 304.32 grams), 296 MDMA tablets, and 9 items of etomidate, also known locally as “pod k”. All substances were confiscated as evidence. Police stated the suspect is also facing charges for drug possession with intent to sell, alongside offences relating to the distribution of obscene material and computer-related crime. Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid He has been charged under the Computer Crime Act B.E. 2560 Section 14(4) for uploading obscene data accessible to the public, Section 287(1) of the Penal Code for distributing pornographic material, and under narcotics legislation for possession of Category 1 and Category 2 drugs with intent to distribute. He was taken into custody together with the seized items and transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings. Thaitabloid reported that authorities said the investigation will be expanded to trace the origin of the seized drugs and etomidate, and to determine whether additional individuals or wider networks are involved in supply or distribution. AQMf3zdFNaJUOz8zvuLmhxPPF5WXP9Nzo9zQ37CPGZFblV60t3BPJeDGKB0yq94tqy3Px_FMvtZaK9mfqy_oTslNEe1vMEYZVeidYQvLRg.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 23 June 2026 View full articleMon, 22 Jun 2026 21:58:18 +0000What do you call the killing of innocent women and children that seems to given you a cozy warm feeling?Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:50:57 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/polish-man-arrested-in-buriram-over-interpol-vat-fraud-r2442/Thai immigration police have arrested Polish national Mr Andzej, 64, in the northeastern province of Buriram after an Interpol Red Notice flagged him as wanted for involvement in a transnational VAT fraud network. Officers from the Immigration Bureau confirmed that the suspect was found to have overstayed his visa by 42 days at the time of arrest. Get today's headlines by email The operation was conducted in coordination with regional immigration units following intelligence checks on foreign nationals residing illegally in the area. He was taken into custody for immigration violations while international warrants remain active. Between 13 December 2012 and 25 August 2013, Andzej allegedly collaborated with others in an organised criminal network operating across European Union member states. The group is accused of committing VAT fraud involving cross-border trade in goods, designed to illegally reduce value added tax liabilities. Authorities in Poland estimate financial losses to the state at 5,199,968.01 Polish zloty. Following the alleged offences, he reportedly fled the jurisdiction and later travelled to Thailand, where he was subsequently located by investigators. Thai immigration enforcement described the arrest as part of ongoing measures to prevent foreign suspects with serious international warrants from using Thailand as a safe haven. The Immigration Bureau operates under a framework described as “not allowed in, not allowed to stay, and not allowed to escape”, targeting overstays and individuals flagged by international law enforcement systems. Officials said the case reflects continued cooperation with Interpol and foreign agencies, including coordination through Warsaw, to track fugitives across borders. He is currently being held for prosecution under Thai immigration law for overstaying his permitted stay, with legal proceedings initiated under the Immigration Act. Naewna reported that authorities are to coordinate with Polish authorities and diplomatic channels regarding extradition or deportation proceedings. Once domestic immigration charges are processed, he is to be returned to Poland to face further legal action in connection with the alleged VAT fraud offences. Officials have not released a timeline for transfer, pending inter-agency coordination. Pictures courtesy of Naewna Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Naewna 23 June 2026Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:46:33 +0000Thai immigration police have arrested Polish national Mr Andzej, 64, in the northeastern province of Buriram after an Interpol Red Notice flagged him as wanted for involvement in a transnational VAT fraud network. Officers from the Immigration Bureau confirmed that the suspect was found to have overstayed his visa by 42 days at the time of arrest. Get today's headlines by email The operation was conducted in coordination with regional immigration units following intelligence checks on foreign nationals residing illegally in the area. He was taken into custody for immigration violations while international warrants remain active. Between 13 December 2012 and 25 August 2013, Andzej allegedly collaborated with others in an organised criminal network operating across European Union member states. The group is accused of committing VAT fraud involving cross-border trade in goods, designed to illegally reduce value added tax liabilities. Authorities in Poland estimate financial losses to the state at 5,199,968.01 Polish zloty. Following the alleged offences, he reportedly fled the jurisdiction and later travelled to Thailand, where he was subsequently located by investigators. Thai immigration enforcement described the arrest as part of ongoing measures to prevent foreign suspects with serious international warrants from using Thailand as a safe haven. The Immigration Bureau operates under a framework described as “not allowed in, not allowed to stay, and not allowed to escape”, targeting overstays and individuals flagged by international law enforcement systems. Officials said the case reflects continued cooperation with Interpol and foreign agencies, including coordination through Warsaw, to track fugitives across borders. He is currently being held for prosecution under Thai immigration law for overstaying his permitted stay, with legal proceedings initiated under the Immigration Act. Naewna reported that authorities are to coordinate with Polish authorities and diplomatic channels regarding extradition or deportation proceedings. Once domestic immigration charges are processed, he is to be returned to Poland to face further legal action in connection with the alleged VAT fraud offences. Officials have not released a timeline for transfer, pending inter-agency coordination. Pictures courtesy of Naewna Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Naewna 23 June 2026 View full articleMon, 22 Jun 2026 21:46:33 +0000