https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenOkay thanks mate.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:37:54 +0000In other words agogofundmeThu, 21 May 2026 04:37:43 +0000British Traveller’s Bag Delayed After Sex Toy Alert on Thai Flight A British traveller had her suitcase held for 24 hours after airport staff flagged a sex toy inside her luggage during a flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok. Oliwia Krol, 24, said she panicked after landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport and seeing staff holding a sign with her name while her bag failed to arrive. She was told the suitcase had not been loaded because of a prohibited item, which she initially thought might have been a cigarette lighter. Officials later explained that the alert involved an intimate item, which turned out to be her vibrator. After signing documents allowing the suitcase to be searched in Samui, she later collected the bag and described the incident as embarrassing but funny in hindsight.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:36:12 +0000You just got the receipt for your submission. You are now waiting for approval or rejection which will be a separate email.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:36:04 +0000Singha Family Dispute Draws Public Attention Across Thailand The Singha family drama centres on a public dispute involving members of the Bhirombhakdi family, owners of Boon Rawd Brewery, which produces Singha and Leo beer. Siranudh “Psi” Scott, a conservation activist and fourth-generation family member, publicly accused his older brother Sunit “Pi” Scott of repeatedly sexually assaulting him during childhood. Pi denied the allegations, while a voice recording released by Psi intensified public attention and criticism. Boon Rawd Brewery later confirmed that Pi had stepped down from all executive roles, with the company saying it opposed domestic violence and would cooperate with authorities. The dispute has also involved public apologies, celebrity backlash, and a separate civil lawsuit over inherited property, while no formal criminal case had been publicly confirmed at the time of reporting.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:35:42 +0000GoFund My irresponsible behavior... No way will I donate. My money will go to Soi 6 and LK treats.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:35:29 +0000Homesick Conscripts Arrested After Camp Escape and Motorcycle Theft Two young conscripts were arrested after allegedly fleeing a military camp in Udon Thani and stealing a woman’s motorcycle. The men, aged 22 and 20, had reportedly been in training for only 18 days before escaping by climbing over a rear fence. Police said CCTV captured them taking a Vespa worth about 181,900 baht after the owner left the key inside. The pair told officers they were homesick and had planned to travel back to their families, claiming they did not intend to keep the motorcycle permanently. Both later tested positive for methamphetamine and were charged with theft using a vehicle and illegal use of a Category 1 narcotic.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:35:22 +0000Koh Larn Diving Trip Raises Safety Concerns After Storm Scare A tourist has called for better safety standards after claiming passengers on a Koh Larn diving trip were left in the water as a storm approached. She said tourists entered the sea as usual, despite worsening wind and waves, and only learned of the danger after a staff member returned to the boat warning of the storm. As conditions deteriorated, passengers struggled to climb back onto the rocking vessel while life buoys were pushed away by the waves. The tourist said she, her sister, and other passengers had to seek help from nearby boats and jet ski staff during the frightening incident. No injuries or deaths were reported, but the tourist criticised the lack of warnings, staff support, and follow-up explanation from the tour operator.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:34:51 +0000A woman wakes up on her birthday … … and says to her husband, “honey, I had a dream last night that you gave me a diamond necklace for my birthday. What do you think it means?” Her husband smiles and says, “maybe tonight you'll find out.” Later that night, the couple go to a nice show, have dinner at their special place. At the end of the meal, the husband takes out a small gift wrap box, gives it to his wife and says, “happy birthday, honey.” The wife opens the box and inside is a book titled How to interpret your dreams.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:34:50 +0000Austrian Man Faces Deportation Over Drunken Behaviour in Phuket A 39 year old Austrian man is set to be deported after Phuket immigration authorities revoked his permission to stay in Thailand. Officials said the man, identified only as Raphael, had repeatedly caused disturbances in Rawai, including aggressive motorcycle riding, blocking traffic, and demanding money from people while appearing intoxicated. Videos of his behaviour circulated online, prompting Phuket Immigration and Chalong Police to investigate. Authorities said he had entered Thailand legally before later obtaining an education visa to study Thai language and culture. Immigration officials said his conduct damaged public order and Thailand’s tourism image, leading to the formal revocation of his stay.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:34:31 +0000Tourist Criticised for Paying Thai Rider to Pass Phuket Checkpoint A foreign tourist in Phuket has drawn online criticism after allegedly paying a Thai food delivery rider to take his rental motorcycle through a police checkpoint. The incident reportedly happened near a convenience store on Siriraj Road in Patong and was captured in a video shared on social media. The tourist used a translation app to ask the rider for help, and the rider then drove the rental motorcycle through the checkpoint with the tourist’s wife as a passenger. Online commenters questioned whether the tourist was avoiding police because of a licence issue, alcohol, illegal items, or another concern. Police had not issued a statement at the time of reporting, while the incident prompted warnings that helping tourists should not cross legal boundaries.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:34:10 +0000https://youtube.com/shorts/YLMwbOoa2Ag?si=DxGJO7PzzDaTuFgc Swedish Man Surrenders After Phuket Hotel Assault A Swedish man turned himself in to Phuket police after allegedly attacking an Indian man outside a hotel in Patong following a dispute over missing money. Footage shared online showed an argument inside the hotel before the confrontation moved outside, where the Swedish man appeared to slap another Indian man and flee. The Indian victim, identified as 42 year old Bahrat Kumawat, filed a complaint and showed injuries to his head and arm. The Swedish man later apologised publicly but claimed the situation began after 6,000 baht was stolen from him by a hotel employee. Police accepted complaints from both sides and arranged for further discussions, with no final legal outcome reported yet.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:33:53 +0000Iran Expands Grip Over Hormuz As Trump Pulls Back From Strike Iran has dramatically escalated tensions in the Gulf by unveiling sweeping new control boundaries around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — effectively asserting broader authority over one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. Under the newly declared framework, Iranian authorities say vessels transiting through the Strait will now require coordination and authorisation from Tehran’s newly established “Persian Gulf Strait Authority.” The announcement immediately raised fears that Iran is moving toward de facto control over huge stretches of Gulf shipping lanes at a moment when the region is already teetering on the edge of wider war. Tehran Draws New Lines Across The GulfAccording to the Iranian statement, the new supervision zone stretches: From Kuh Mobarak in Iran to southern Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates in the east And from Qeshm Island to Umm al-Qaiwain in the west The move significantly broadens the area Tehran claims authority to monitor and regulate around Hormuz — the narrow maritime corridor through which a massive share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes every day. Shipping analysts and military observers are likely to interpret the declaration as an attempt to formalise what Iran has long pursued informally: strategic leverage over global energy flows. Trump Steps Back From AttackThe announcement came just after Donald Trump revealed he had postponed a planned military strike against Iran following pressure from Gulf leaders and indications that negotiations may still succeed. Trump said he halted the operation after discussions with: Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Mohammed bin Salman The president claimed “serious negotiations” are now underway and suggested a deal could still emerge. But he also warned the military remains on full alert. “I have instructed the United States Military that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack,” Trump said — before adding forces remain prepared for a “full, large-scale assault” at a moment’s notice if talks collapse. Oil Markets And Global Trade On EdgeThe Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most dangerous pressure points in the global economy. Roughly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supply passes through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Any Iranian effort to restrict, delay or regulate international shipping could send energy prices surging worldwide and risk direct confrontation with the US Navy and allied Gulf states. The timing of Tehran’s move is particularly significant because it suggests Iran is trying to strengthen its negotiating leverage while simultaneously demonstrating that it still possesses the capacity to disrupt global trade despite months of military pressure. A Dangerous Balancing ActTrump’s pause appears designed to buy time for diplomacy while avoiding an immediate regional explosion. Yet the competing signals from both sides underline how fragile the situation remains. Iran is publicly expanding its claims of authority over critical Gulf waters. The US is publicly preparing for possible large-scale strikes. And energy markets remain acutely sensitive to every new threat around Hormuz. The result is a volatile standoff where neither side appears ready for full war — but both are actively positioning themselves for the possibility that diplomacy could fail within days. SOURCEThu, 21 May 2026 04:33:50 +0000Thu, 21 May 2026 04:33:22 +0000I have tried to do the online, I got back a tm47 form with my details on it, will I get a completed tm47 back with the new reporting date?Thu, 21 May 2026 04:33:05 +00002010 was when Pattaya really started to go downhill and get boring. It used to be a wild place. If you want a sample of what the 'real' Thailand is like, read the regional sections of this forum. There's far more heinous crime in the villages than tourists slapping around Indians. Another way to check out the past is to go to the back pages of the Pattaya thread. There are posts from over 20 years ago. It's kind of bittersweet for those of us who have been coming for a while.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:32:39 +0000Samui to Bangkok....where did you read about Pattaya?Thu, 21 May 2026 04:31:51 +0000My friend was hit by a car on Traphaya Rd 3 years ago, crossing with the pedestrian signal. 3 weeks in a coma, then he passed. He could have possibly been saved but his travel insurance company refused to clear the bill of the hospital he was in so he could not be transferred to a hospital with the equipment needed to treat his brain injuries. He had a "Million Dollar" policy but they put up every roadblock possible. like demanding translated transcripts of all doctor interactions within 24 hours...virtually impossible. Of over $100,000 in hospital bills, the drivers govt insurance covered $5000 and the travel insurance $20,000. His family was stuck with the rest. There is almost ZERO regulation of the travel insurance industry. Your local insurance laws don't apply in most cases as they are run through holding companies in the Cayman's and other nations with blind accounts. Please tell anybody you know who will be traveling to do diligent research on any travel insurance company you plan to buy a policy from. Try to find user testimonials that seem genuine. See if they are registered with your state or provincial insurance division. For sure, the policy from a reputable company will cost more but it cost's more because they actually do what they promise. Buy a discount insurance policy and you will likely get a discount experience when you need them.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:31:37 +0000HawaiianThu, 21 May 2026 04:30:45 +0000"Former prosecutor Lineberger is charged with four felony counts in the indictment". This is exactly what Dem democracy and support for criminality looks like , a former prosecutor who helped the illegally hired Jack Smith’s witch hunt against Trump has now been charged with stealing confidential investigation documents. She allegedly emailed the sensitive files to her personal account while disguising them as dessert recipes to hide what she was doing.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:29:05 +0000Thailand Watches Ebola Situation After Congo Outbreak The Thai government has ordered the Ministry of Public Health to monitor potential Ebola risks after a new outbreak was reported in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Officials stressed that no Ebola outbreak has been detected in Thailand and urged the public not to panic. Ebola spreads through blood and bodily fluids, especially through close contact with infected patients or deceased victims, rather than through the air like Covid-19 or measles. Authorities said preparations include medical readiness, isolation rooms, protective equipment, and laboratory capacity in case any suspected cases appear. The public has been advised to follow official health updates, avoid panic-driven misinformation, and continue basic hygiene practices.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:28:57 +0000The transcription below features news stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia, presented by Alex on the Good Morning Thailand programme. The stories range from steps the Thai government is taking in monitoring the ebola outbreak in the Congo, of course we have some foreigners behaving badly but also - surprise, surprise - facing consequences for their actions, plus, we'll give you a full breakdown of everything we know so far regarding the Singha family dispute, and a little later a sex toy causes an embarrassing and humorous delay for a British traveler. Thailand Monitors Ebola Risk Following Congo Outbreak Thailand has stepped up monitoring measures after a new Ebola outbreak was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Officials confirmed there are no cases in Thailand and urged the public to stay informed and avoid panic. Swedish Man Surrenders After Phuket Assault Dispute A Swedish man turned himself in after allegedly assaulting an Indian man outside a hotel in Patong following an argument over missing money. Police accepted complaints from both sides and are continuing discussions before deciding on further action. Tourist Criticised for Avoiding Phuket Police Checkpoint A foreign tourist faced online backlash after allegedly paying a Thai rider to take his rental motorcycle through a police checkpoint in Phuket. The incident sparked debate online over legal boundaries and concerns about helping tourists evade authorities. Austrian Man Set for Deportation Over Phuket Behaviour Thai immigration officials are preparing to deport an Austrian man accused of repeated disruptive behaviour in Phuket. Authorities said his actions damaged public order and Thailand’s tourism image. Storm Scare Raises Questions Over Koh Larn Diving Safety A tourist has raised safety concerns after claiming passengers on a Koh Larn diving trip were left in dangerous conditions as a storm approached. No injuries were reported, but criticism focused on a lack of warnings and support from staff. Homesick Conscripts Arrested After Camp Escape Two military conscripts were arrested after allegedly escaping camp and stealing a motorcycle in Udon Thani. The pair reportedly told police they were homesick and wanted to return to their families. Singha Family Dispute Draws National Attention The ongoing Singha family dispute has gained widespread attention after serious allegations involving members of the family became public. The controversy has expanded beyond the accusations, drawing in company responses, legal action, and public reaction. British Traveller Embarrassed by Sex Toy Luggage Delay A British traveller said she was left embarrassed after her luggage was delayed due to a sex toy alert during a domestic flight in Thailand. She later described the situation as awkward but funny after finally recovering her suitcase.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:27:22 +0000Unable to open my Krungsri bank app on phone , customer service number 1572 will not ring nor will the international number 026262626. Anybody else having the same issues ?Thu, 21 May 2026 04:26:31 +0000Try to keep up, it seems difficult for you, but at least try... The original comment you replied to when you went on your bargirl rant was ["The point is this does not create more opportunities for more thais who want to travel to travel, it just makes it easier for those who already can travel to travel more. Any idiot from the USA can get a passport and travel broadly. Any Thai can get a passport but try getting a visa for many of them is a bridge too far."]. Your near complete inability to remember correctly for short periods of time, and to go off topic is now legendary 😂 and you prancing about the comment section leaving turds of foolishness commentary in your wake enamors you to no one, and simply makes you incredibly tedious. Bye bye.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:26:09 +0000I would agree with you in general. However, I have 2 remarks: 1 - I tried several times to renew my account or create a new account on the thaievisa.go.th website. Whenever I managed to pass the very annoying CAPTCHA screening - which resets every time I made an error with the email adress or the password - I was given the message that an email would be sent to me, which I should check out in order to proceed : I never received an email! 2 - The ever continuing back and forth of the visa-free rules (endlessly fiddling with just about everything seems to be a deep cultural thing in Thailand) is like putting plasters on top of old plasters on top of even older plasters ..... or fresh paint on top of old paint on top of even older paint. All of which does not adress the root problem, an injury or a stain on the wall or, in the present case problems Thailand experiences with some foreigners not behaving properly. It‘s superficial and ineffective. It‘s a fig leaf to disguise a problem while doing little to address the underlying issue.Thu, 21 May 2026 04:25:57 +0000