https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenAmazing that people still believe anything Trump's says. There appears to be no evidence of "white genocide" occurring in South Africa. Even Afrikaans argue that white Afrikaners are not under any "existential threat" and urge the international community to challenge Trump’s misinformation (France 24 https://f24.my/BZ1C). The common theme coming from media sources is "Afrikaners do not want to be refugees. We love and are committed to our homeland" (Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/no-thanks-white-south-africans-turn-down-trumps-immigration-offer-2025-02-09/). One really had to question what his true motives are, and why no one holds him to account!Wed, 20 May 2026 21:26:33 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/nigeria-drug-dealer-busted-in-bangkok-r1901/Police from the Crime Suppression Division and immigration officers in Nong Khai have arrested a Nigerian man and two Thai women linked to a drug trafficking network accused of smuggling 65.5 kilogrammes of heroin into Thailand from Laos. Officers said the drugs were intended for distribution in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, with an estimated street value of more than 200 million baht. Get today's headlines by email The arrests were announced on 20 May at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters by Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Lt Gen Natsakorn Chaoanasai, together with senior officers including Maj Gen Phatthasak Bubphasuwan and Pol Col Jetniphat Siriwat. Police identified the Nigerian suspect as Obi, while the two Thai suspects were named as Kanlayarat and Somporn. Investigators said the operation began after Nong Khai immigration police warned that members of a Nigerian drug network had entered Bangkok and were working with Thai accomplices. Officers alleged the group smuggled heroin across the Lao border before storing it in short-term hotel accommodation used as a distribution hub. Police raided the hotel and arrested Obi with 49.5 kilogrammes of heroin hidden inside snack and pet food packaging. Officers later expanded the investigation and arrested Somporn at Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal with a further 16 kilogrammes of heroin allegedly destined for Phuket. According to police, Obi told investigators he had received the heroin from Kanlayarat before supplying wholesale quantities to dealers, including other Nigerians and foreign nationals operating in tourist destinations. Somporn reportedly gave a similar statement, saying she had collected the heroin from Kanlayarat and was transporting it to dealers in Phuket when she was intercepted. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Pol Col Jetniphat said the network was part of a larger Nigerian criminal organisation that allegedly used romance scams to recruit Thai women into transporting narcotics. He said women were manipulated into carrying drugs after being deceived into relationships, with payments of 30,000 baht offered for deliveries. Police said the alleged ringleader, believed to be a Nigerian national operating from overseas, remains at large. Investigators added that the three suspects arrested did not know one another personally and had been directed separately by the organisation. The case comes amid wider efforts by Thai authorities to tackle transnational crime and tighten immigration controls. Lt Gen Natsakorn said police had continued working with foreign embassies to screen visitors and arrest foreign nationals involved in criminal activity in Thailand. The Daily News reported that authorities said the investigation is continuing as officers attempt to identify additional members of the trafficking network and trace the overseas organisers behind the operation. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 21:12:39 +0000Police from the Crime Suppression Division and immigration officers in Nong Khai have arrested a Nigerian man and two Thai women linked to a drug trafficking network accused of smuggling 65.5 kilogrammes of heroin into Thailand from Laos. Officers said the drugs were intended for distribution in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, with an estimated street value of more than 200 million baht. Get today's headlines by email The arrests were announced on 20 May at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters by Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Lt Gen Natsakorn Chaoanasai, together with senior officers including Maj Gen Phatthasak Bubphasuwan and Pol Col Jetniphat Siriwat. Police identified the Nigerian suspect as Obi, while the two Thai suspects were named as Kanlayarat and Somporn. Investigators said the operation began after Nong Khai immigration police warned that members of a Nigerian drug network had entered Bangkok and were working with Thai accomplices. Officers alleged the group smuggled heroin across the Lao border before storing it in short-term hotel accommodation used as a distribution hub. Police raided the hotel and arrested Obi with 49.5 kilogrammes of heroin hidden inside snack and pet food packaging. Officers later expanded the investigation and arrested Somporn at Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal with a further 16 kilogrammes of heroin allegedly destined for Phuket. According to police, Obi told investigators he had received the heroin from Kanlayarat before supplying wholesale quantities to dealers, including other Nigerians and foreign nationals operating in tourist destinations. Somporn reportedly gave a similar statement, saying she had collected the heroin from Kanlayarat and was transporting it to dealers in Phuket when she was intercepted. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Pol Col Jetniphat said the network was part of a larger Nigerian criminal organisation that allegedly used romance scams to recruit Thai women into transporting narcotics. He said women were manipulated into carrying drugs after being deceived into relationships, with payments of 30,000 baht offered for deliveries. Police said the alleged ringleader, believed to be a Nigerian national operating from overseas, remains at large. Investigators added that the three suspects arrested did not know one another personally and had been directed separately by the organisation. The case comes amid wider efforts by Thai authorities to tackle transnational crime and tighten immigration controls. Lt Gen Natsakorn said police had continued working with foreign embassies to screen visitors and arrest foreign nationals involved in criminal activity in Thailand. The Daily News reported that authorities said the investigation is continuing as officers attempt to identify additional members of the trafficking network and trace the overseas organisers behind the operation. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 21:12:39 +0000A Tennessee county has agreed to pay $835,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a retired police officer who spent 37 days in jail over a Facebook post linked to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Get today's headlines by email Larry Bushart, 61, was arrested in September after refusing to remove memes and comments about Kirk’s assassination from his Facebook page. Authorities in Perry County charged him with a felony, though prosecutors later dropped the case in October. Bushart filed a federal lawsuit in December against Perry County, Sheriff Nick Weems and the investigator who secured the arrest warrant. He argued that his constitutional right to free speech had been violated. “I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” Bushart said in a statement announcing the settlement on Wednesday. He added that freedom of expression and public debate were essential in a democracy and said he wanted to focus on spending time with his family. Arrest followed controversial memeThe case drew national attention because criminal prosecutions over social media comments are uncommon, even when online posts lead to public backlash or employment consequences. Bushart’s arrest stemmed from a meme featuring President Donald Trump alongside the quote “We have to get over it.” The image referred to remarks Trump made after a January 2025 school shooting in Perry, Iowa, which killed two people and injured six others. Bushart shared the meme with the caption: “This seems relevant today…” Some residents interpreted the post as a threat directed at Perry County High School in Linden, Tennessee. Sheriff Weems later said investigators believed Bushart intended to provoke fear in the local community, although the sheriff acknowledged that the meme itself referred to the Iowa school shooting. Perry County had recently held a candlelight vigil following Kirk’s death, reflecting strong local sympathy for the conservative commentator. Time in jail and falloutBushart remained in custody for more than a month after his bail was initially set at $2 million. During that time, he lost a post-retirement job and missed both his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter, according to the lawsuit. The case became a focal point in debates over free speech and the limits of online expression, particularly when public officials view social media content as potentially threatening. Bushart was represented in part by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a civil liberties group focused on free speech issues. Free speech concerns highlightedCary Davis, an attorney involved in the case, said the settlement underscored constitutional protections for speech during periods of public tension. “It’s in times of turmoil and heightened tensions that our national commitment to free speech is tested the most,” Davis said. He added that the settlement should serve as a warning to law enforcement agencies about the consequences of violating First Amendment protections. The settlement resolves the lawsuit without a trial and closes one of the more prominent legal disputes arising from online reactions to Kirk’s killing. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 21:04:05 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/bangkok-sinks-faster-as-seas-keep-rising-r1900/Bangkok is among the world’s fastest-sinking cities, with scientists warning that land subsidence is accelerating the impact of rising sea levels and increasing flood risks for millions of residents. A new study by researchers at the Technical University of Munich found that heavily urbanised coastal areas are experiencing relative sea level rises of around 6mm per year, three times the global average of 2.1mm annually. Get today's headlines by email The study identified Bangkok as a major subsidence hotspot, with the Thai capital sinking at an average rate of 8.5mm per year. Researchers said the combination of climate-driven sea level rise and sinking land is leaving densely populated cities increasingly vulnerable to flooding, especially during storms and extreme weather events. Scientists explained that global sea levels are rising because of melting glaciers and the expansion of warming seawater. However, the study warned that the movement of land itself is worsening the problem in many coastal cities, particularly in Asia and Africa. The researchers said excessive groundwater extraction, oil drilling, and the sheer weight of expanding cities are major causes of subsidence. As taller buildings and urban infrastructure place greater pressure on the ground, soil beneath cities gradually compresses and sinks. Countries facing the fastest increases in relative sea levels include Thailand, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, China, and Indonesia, where ocean levels are rising by seven to 10mm per year. The United States, the Netherlands, and Italy are also experiencing rapid increases of around four to 5mm annually. Jakarta, Indonesia, was identified as the world’s fastest-sinking city, subsiding at 13.7mm per year, while Tianjin in China is sinking by 13.5mm annually. In some parts of Jakarta, subsidence rates reach 42mm per year, leaving nearly 40 per cent of the city already below sea level. Lead researcher Dr Julius Oelsmann said land movement could “significantly amplify the effects of climate-driven sea-level rise”. He added: “If we want to understand sea-level rise along coastlines and respond effectively, we must not only observe the ocean but also the land itself.” Co-author Professor Florian Seitz said government action could help slow subsidence rates. He pointed to Tokyo, where subsidence once exceeded 10cm per year before stricter groundwater controls dramatically reduced the problem. The Daily Mall reported that researchers said improved groundwater management, tighter regulation of extraction, and targeted aquifer recharge projects could help cities such as Bangkok slow further sinking. Scientists also warned that delays in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions could worsen future sea level rise, with projections suggesting oceans could rise by up to 1.2 metres by 2300 even if Paris climate targets are met. Picture courtesy of Daily Mail - Densely populated urban coastal regions are experiencing around 6mm of relative sea level increase per year (red regions) Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 20:59:12 +0000Bangkok is among the world’s fastest-sinking cities, with scientists warning that land subsidence is accelerating the impact of rising sea levels and increasing flood risks for millions of residents. A new study by researchers at the Technical University of Munich found that heavily urbanised coastal areas are experiencing relative sea level rises of around 6mm per year, three times the global average of 2.1mm annually. Get today's headlines by email The study identified Bangkok as a major subsidence hotspot, with the Thai capital sinking at an average rate of 8.5mm per year. Researchers said the combination of climate-driven sea level rise and sinking land is leaving densely populated cities increasingly vulnerable to flooding, especially during storms and extreme weather events. Scientists explained that global sea levels are rising because of melting glaciers and the expansion of warming seawater. However, the study warned that the movement of land itself is worsening the problem in many coastal cities, particularly in Asia and Africa. The researchers said excessive groundwater extraction, oil drilling, and the sheer weight of expanding cities are major causes of subsidence. As taller buildings and urban infrastructure place greater pressure on the ground, soil beneath cities gradually compresses and sinks. Countries facing the fastest increases in relative sea levels include Thailand, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, China, and Indonesia, where ocean levels are rising by seven to 10mm per year. The United States, the Netherlands, and Italy are also experiencing rapid increases of around four to 5mm annually. Jakarta, Indonesia, was identified as the world’s fastest-sinking city, subsiding at 13.7mm per year, while Tianjin in China is sinking by 13.5mm annually. In some parts of Jakarta, subsidence rates reach 42mm per year, leaving nearly 40 per cent of the city already below sea level. Lead researcher Dr Julius Oelsmann said land movement could “significantly amplify the effects of climate-driven sea-level rise”. He added: “If we want to understand sea-level rise along coastlines and respond effectively, we must not only observe the ocean but also the land itself.” Co-author Professor Florian Seitz said government action could help slow subsidence rates. He pointed to Tokyo, where subsidence once exceeded 10cm per year before stricter groundwater controls dramatically reduced the problem. The Daily Mall reported that researchers said improved groundwater management, tighter regulation of extraction, and targeted aquifer recharge projects could help cities such as Bangkok slow further sinking. Scientists also warned that delays in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions could worsen future sea level rise, with projections suggesting oceans could rise by up to 1.2 metres by 2300 even if Paris climate targets are met. Picture courtesy of Daily Mail - Densely populated urban coastal regions are experiencing around 6mm of relative sea level increase per year (red regions) Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:59:12 +0000Just spitballing here. I would bring all my assets over to Thailand and invest here, even at the risk of lower return. The reasoning is that, no matter how ironclad your will is and how competent the lawyer, the probate process across two countries might not run smoothly, a situation should it arise that might be hard for your ex-wife and son to disentangle. On the other hand, if everything's here with his name jointly with yours as owner, then you have complete peace of mind as to how your son inherits your wealth.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:57:29 +0000The United States plans to admit 10,000 additional white South Africans as refugees this year, with the Trump administration describing the move as a response to what it called an “emergency refugee situation” in South Africa. Get today's headlines by email The decision raises the planned intake of mostly white Afrikaner refugees from about 7,500 to 17,500 for the fiscal year ending in September. Since returning to office last year, President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that white Afrikaners in South Africa are being racially targeted and face a “white genocide”. South Africa’s government has strongly rejected those accusations. Claims of discriminationThe administration has also taken several diplomatic steps against South Africa, including cutting aid, boycotting last year’s G20 summit in Johannesburg and excluding the country from this year’s G20 gathering, which is due to take place at one of Trump’s resorts in Miami. The US began accepting white South Africans as refugees in May 2025, even as it suspended refugee admissions for people fleeing conflicts and persecution in countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the fiscal year ending September 2024, before Trump returned to office, the US admitted more than 100,000 refugees overall. Emergency notice to CongressOn Monday, the US state department sent Congress an emergency notification outlining the expanded refugee programme. According to the Associated Press, which reviewed the document, the cost of resettling the additional 10,000 Afrikaners is estimated at around $100m (£75m). The notice said “unforeseen developments in South Africa created an emergency refugee situation” and accused South African officials and political parties of undermining the US refugee programme. It also referred to a December raid by South African authorities on a US refugee processing centre. At the time, Washington described the action as “unacceptable”. South Africa’s government said the operation targeted seven Kenyan nationals who were allegedly working in the country illegally without permits. The state department argued that growing hostility toward the programme increased risks for Afrikaners, whom it described as facing “government-sponsored race-based discrimination”. South Africa’s inequality debateAfrikaners are descendants of mainly Dutch and French settlers who dominated South Africa during apartheid, the system of racial segregation that ended in the early 1990s. Under apartheid, the white minority held political and economic power while the black majority faced severe restrictions and widespread poverty. Since the election of Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s first black president, governments have introduced affirmative action and “black economic empowerment” policies aimed at addressing historic inequalities. Despite those reforms, South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal societies. Official figures show unemployment among white South Africans stands at about 12%, compared with roughly 48% among black South Africans. Some white South Africans argue that affirmative action policies now unfairly disadvantage them, while high crime levels have contributed to feelings of insecurity across communities. Far-right conspiracy theoryClaims of a “white genocide” in South Africa have long circulated among far-right groups internationally, often focusing on attacks against white farmers. The theory has repeatedly been dismissed by experts and South African authorities, who say there is no evidence of a coordinated campaign targeting white citizens. In recent years, the narrative has also been promoted by South Africa-born billionaire Elon Musk and conservative media figure Tucker Carlson. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:56:56 +0000Kemi's real accent.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:56:17 +0000And the drunk, unlicensed foreigner rides off into the sunset.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:50:14 +0000You get bigger protests for fox huntingWed, 20 May 2026 20:49:01 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/brits-sex-toy-delays-bag-on-thai-flight-r1899/A British traveller had her suitcase confiscated for 24 hours before her flight to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, after airport staff had flagged a sex toy packed inside her luggage. Oliwia Krol, 24, said she was left panicking after landing in Bangkok on a flight from Samui and spotting airport staff holding a sign with her name while her bag was missing. Get today's headlines by email The holidaymaker, from Abbey Wood in South East London, had been travelling around Thailand and was flying from Koh Samui to Bangkok when the incident happened. Airport staff told her the suitcase had not been loaded onto the plane because of a prohibited item, which she initially believed to be a cigarette lighter. Oliwia said she feared she was in serious trouble after being escorted to an office at the airport. She recalled memories of watching Border Force programmes while growing up and imagined different scenarios as officials questioned her about the bag. She said: “I was panicking as I didn’t understand what was happening and was thinking I was in a lot of trouble for something.” Officials later informed her they needed permission to search the suitcase in Samui. Oliwia said staff explained the item that triggered the alert could either be a lighter or “possibly an intimate item”. Oliwia admitted she had briefly wondered before flying whether the item should have been packed differently, but said she did not expect it to cause problems. The object was later confirmed to be her vibrator. Once she signed the relevant documents, airport staff searched the suitcase. The bag was held for 24 hours before she received an email informing her she could return to the airport to collect it. She later described the experience as embarrassing but humorous in hindsight. Oliwia said her friends “found the whole thing hilarious afterwards” and continued joking about the incident and she later confessed that she was allowed to keep the sex toy. The Mirror reported that case highlights how airport security systems can flag electronic or unusual personal items during baggage screening, even when passengers are unaware they may breach airline or airport restrictions. Travellers are often advised to check rules covering batteries, electronic devices and prohibited items before flying. ScreenRecording_05-20-2026 15-13-00_1.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 20:45:39 +0000A British traveller had her suitcase confiscated for 24 hours before her flight to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, after airport staff had flagged a sex toy packed inside her luggage. Oliwia Krol, 24, said she was left panicking after landing in Bangkok on a flight from Samui and spotting airport staff holding a sign with her name while her bag was missing. Get today's headlines by email The holidaymaker, from Abbey Wood in South East London, had been travelling around Thailand and was flying from Koh Samui to Bangkok when the incident happened. Airport staff told her the suitcase had not been loaded onto the plane because of a prohibited item, which she initially believed to be a cigarette lighter. Oliwia said she feared she was in serious trouble after being escorted to an office at the airport. She recalled memories of watching Border Force programmes while growing up and imagined different scenarios as officials questioned her about the bag. She said: “I was panicking as I didn’t understand what was happening and was thinking I was in a lot of trouble for something.” Officials later informed her they needed permission to search the suitcase in Samui. Oliwia said staff explained the item that triggered the alert could either be a lighter or “possibly an intimate item”. Oliwia admitted she had briefly wondered before flying whether the item should have been packed differently, but said she did not expect it to cause problems. The object was later confirmed to be her vibrator. Once she signed the relevant documents, airport staff searched the suitcase. The bag was held for 24 hours before she received an email informing her she could return to the airport to collect it. She later described the experience as embarrassing but humorous in hindsight. Oliwia said her friends “found the whole thing hilarious afterwards” and continued joking about the incident and she later confessed that she was allowed to keep the sex toy. The Mirror reported that case highlights how airport security systems can flag electronic or unusual personal items during baggage screening, even when passengers are unaware they may breach airline or airport restrictions. Travellers are often advised to check rules covering batteries, electronic devices and prohibited items before flying. ScreenRecording_05-20-2026 15-13-00_1.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:45:39 +0000The Thai government seems determined to introduce new populist policies that raise costs mainly for foreign visitors. After cutting the visa‑free stay for 93 countries in half, they're now saying that the planned tourist tax should rise above the originally planned ฿300 due to inflation and insurance funding needs. This follows the international passenger service charge rising in June by 50%. It will be interesting to see what impact these changes will have on visitor numbers, especially as even local tourism operators are questioning the logic. Maybe they haven't heard the saying "Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs"?Wed, 20 May 2026 20:45:30 +0000The worst thing about Thailand is some of the foreigners.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:45:05 +0000Allied governments condemn footage shared by Israeli minister showing detained Gaza flotilla activists being mocked and restrained Get today's headlines by email Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has triggered a wave of international condemnation after publishing footage showing Israeli security forces detaining and mocking foreign activists intercepted while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The video, shared online by Ben-Gvir, shows dozens of detainees kneeling in rows with their hands zip-tied behind their backs and their heads lowered to the ground. In one scene, the minister waves an Israeli flag while taunting a restrained activist and shouting slogans in Hebrew. The footage prompted sharp criticism from several governments whose citizens were among those detained, including the UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described Ben-Gvir’s conduct as “despicable”, saying the minister had “betrayed the dignity of his nation”. European leaders condemn treatmentItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the images “unacceptable” and demanded the immediate release of Italian nationals held by Israel, along with an apology over what she described as degrading treatment. “It is inadmissible that these demonstrators, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment that violates human dignity,” Meloni said in a statement posted on social media. Spain’s foreign minister condemned the scenes as “monstrous, disgraceful and inhumane”, while UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the footage and had been in contact with the families of British citizens detained by Israeli authorities. More than 400 activists from 40 countries were taking part in the flotilla mission, according to organisers. The group travelled aboard 50 vessels carrying food and humanitarian supplies in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Tuesday and transported those onboard to Israel. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also criticised the operation, questioning the legal basis for arrests carried out outside Israeli territorial waters. Netanyahu distances himself from ministerThe backlash quickly spread داخل Israel’s own government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly distancing himself from Ben-Gvir’s actions within hours of the video appearing online. “The way that minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms,” Netanyahu said, adding that he had instructed authorities to deport the detainees “as soon as possible”. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued an even stronger rebuke, accusing Ben-Gvir of damaging Israel’s international standing. “You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time,” Saar wrote on X. “You are not the face of Israel.” Rights groups warn of broader abuseHuman rights organisations said the incident reflected wider concerns over the treatment of detainees during the Gaza conflict. Public Committee Against Torture in Israel said the video demonstrated a culture of impunity surrounding abuse in Israeli detention facilities. Sari Bashi, the group’s director, said the public nature of the footage sent a dangerous message to prison staff and security personnel. Legal advocacy group Adalah, which represents some of the detained activists, said similar allegations had emerged during previous flotilla operations without accountability. The controversy came a day after Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to remove residents from the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank. Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported this week that prosecutors at the International Criminal Court were seeking arrest warrants for several Israeli officials, including Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:44:18 +0000When was Thailand ever a peaceful country? There are assaults, murders and raapes every damned day. Judge Bean here in his basement up in Isaan. The Swede (first real one in recent stories) should have stuck around and given the lot of them a sound thrashing. Fatty in the white shirt was about to meet Shiva and should thank his lucky stars the Swede didn't finish the job.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:38:29 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thai-union-demands-reform-after-bangkok-crash-r1898/Thailand’s Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation, has called on the government to overhaul the country’s rail system following the deadly train crash at the Asok-Din Daeng rail crossing in Bangkok on 16 May. The collision between a freight train and a passenger bus left eight people dead and more than 30 injured, prompting renewed scrutiny of long-standing structural problems within the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Get today's headlines by email In a statement issued on 20 May, the federation said the tragedy must not become “just another short-lived public outcry” and urged authorities to pursue comprehensive rail reform to improve safety and make rail transport the country’s main transport system. The group criticised senior officials and politicians for commenting publicly after disasters without fully understanding the issues or accepting responsibility, before allowing public attention to fade. The federation said the crash should not be blamed solely on rail crossing staff, the bus driver, or reports of drug use by a train driver. Instead, it argued that the government must address wider systemic failings involving law enforcement, policy, staffing, technology, equipment and public awareness campaigns through cooperation between state agencies, labour unions, local authorities and academics. The statement also highlighted long-standing financial and operational problems facing the SRT. According to the federation, the railway operator faces operating costs of 3.20 baht per passenger kilometre while government policy permits fares of only 24 satang. Although the law requires the state to compensate the difference, the group said payments have been heavily delayed. As of September 2025, the government reportedly owed the SRT around 320 billion baht in compensation payments. The federation said this had forced the railway authority to borrow money to maintain liquidity while paying more than 5 billion baht annually in interest costs. The statement further noted that the average age of locomotives has reached 40 years. It also pointed to staffing shortages linked to a 1998 cabinet resolution limiting new recruitment to only 5 percent of retiring staff, reducing the workforce from 20,000 employees to about 8,000 today. The federation declared its support for expanding rail transport as a national strategic priority but opposed proposals to ban train services from entering inner Bangkok. It argued that such measures would increase travel costs for low-income residents, students and commuters. The group also opposed any closure of Bangkok Railway Station, better known as Hua Lamphong. The Standard reported that the organisation expressed support for railway workers and the State Railway Workers’ Union of Thailand, saying any employees found guilty of wrongdoing should face legal action. However, it warned against treating all railway staff and the SRT itself as “defendants in the eyes of society”. Bus-hit-by-train-near-Rama-9-bursts-into-flames Train-driver-fails-drug-test-after-Bangkok-crash Train-driver-at-controls-before-Bangkok-crash Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now TheStandard 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 20:36:22 +0000Thailand’s Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation, has called on the government to overhaul the country’s rail system following the deadly train crash at the Asok-Din Daeng rail crossing in Bangkok on 16 May. The collision between a freight train and a passenger bus left eight people dead and more than 30 injured, prompting renewed scrutiny of long-standing structural problems within the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Get today's headlines by email In a statement issued on 20 May, the federation said the tragedy must not become “just another short-lived public outcry” and urged authorities to pursue comprehensive rail reform to improve safety and make rail transport the country’s main transport system. The group criticised senior officials and politicians for commenting publicly after disasters without fully understanding the issues or accepting responsibility, before allowing public attention to fade. The federation said the crash should not be blamed solely on rail crossing staff, the bus driver, or reports of drug use by a train driver. Instead, it argued that the government must address wider systemic failings involving law enforcement, policy, staffing, technology, equipment and public awareness campaigns through cooperation between state agencies, labour unions, local authorities and academics. The statement also highlighted long-standing financial and operational problems facing the SRT. According to the federation, the railway operator faces operating costs of 3.20 baht per passenger kilometre while government policy permits fares of only 24 satang. Although the law requires the state to compensate the difference, the group said payments have been heavily delayed. As of September 2025, the government reportedly owed the SRT around 320 billion baht in compensation payments. The federation said this had forced the railway authority to borrow money to maintain liquidity while paying more than 5 billion baht annually in interest costs. The statement further noted that the average age of locomotives has reached 40 years. It also pointed to staffing shortages linked to a 1998 cabinet resolution limiting new recruitment to only 5 percent of retiring staff, reducing the workforce from 20,000 employees to about 8,000 today. The federation declared its support for expanding rail transport as a national strategic priority but opposed proposals to ban train services from entering inner Bangkok. It argued that such measures would increase travel costs for low-income residents, students and commuters. The group also opposed any closure of Bangkok Railway Station, better known as Hua Lamphong. The Standard reported that the organisation expressed support for railway workers and the State Railway Workers’ Union of Thailand, saying any employees found guilty of wrongdoing should face legal action. However, it warned against treating all railway staff and the SRT itself as “defendants in the eyes of society”. Bus-hit-by-train-near-Rama-9-bursts-into-flames Train-driver-fails-drug-test-after-Bangkok-crash Train-driver-at-controls-before-Bangkok-crash Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now TheStandard 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:36:22 +0000I'm not familiar with the story. Who shot her?Wed, 20 May 2026 20:30:56 +0000150 baht and a pair of firm, young teats pressed up against him. Not a bad deal.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:29:13 +0000Two Russian fighter jets carried out what the UK has described as dangerous interceptions of an unarmed Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea last month, according to the Ministry of Defence. Get today's headlines by email The incident involved a British RC-135W Rivet Joint intelligence aircraft operating in international airspace as part of a routine mission supporting NATO’s eastern flank. British officials said a Russian Su-35 fighter jet approached the aircraft closely enough to trigger its emergency safety systems, temporarily disabling the plane’s autopilot. A second aircraft, a Su-27, reportedly made six separate passes directly in front of the RAF aircraft, at one point coming within six metres of its nose. Rising tensions over the Black SeaUK Defence Secretary John Healey condemned the manoeuvres as “dangerous and unacceptable”, praising the RAF crew for what he described as their professionalism during the encounter. Healey said the incident highlighted the risks posed by Russian military activity near NATO operations. “These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation,” he said. The Ministry of Defence described the interceptions as the most serious Russian aerial encounter involving the RAF since 2022, when a Russian pilot fired a missile near another Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea. British and foreign office officials have since summoned representatives from the Russian embassy and called on Moscow to condemn the conduct of its pilots. Concerns over Russian military activityThe latest confrontation comes amid broader concerns in London and among NATO allies over increased Russian military activity around Europe’s borders. The MoD pointed to recent Russian submarine operations near critical underwater infrastructure in the North Sea as further evidence of heightened aggression. Officials stressed that the RAF aircraft involved in the Black Sea incident was unarmed and flying legally in international airspace. Despite the encounter, the UK said it would continue surveillance and support operations alongside NATO allies. “We remain committed to defending NATO, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression,” Healey said. Echoes of the 2022 missile incidentThe encounter has drawn comparisons with a September 2022 incident involving another RAF Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea. At the time, a Russian pilot fired two missiles towards the British aircraft. Russia initially claimed the launch resulted from a technical malfunction. However, later reports citing Western defence sources said the missile firing followed confusion over instructions received from a Russian ground station, suggesting the pilot may have misunderstood an order. The UK government publicly accepted Moscow’s explanation at the time in an effort to avoid escalation. The RAF’s RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft, operated by No. 51 Squadron from Lincolnshire, is used for signals intelligence missions. According to the RAF, the aircraft collects and analyses electronic signals to provide strategic and tactical intelligence in real time. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 20:28:03 +0000Dirty Bibi should send a delegation over to negotiate a better deal for his tribe.Wed, 20 May 2026 20:25:04 +0000Wed, 20 May 2026 20:24:58 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/austrian-to-be-deported-for-drunken-behaviour-in-phuket-r1897/A 39-year-old Austrian man has been ordered deported from Thailand after Phuket immigration authorities revoked his visa over repeated drunken and disruptive behaviour in the Rawai area. Officers said the man, identified only as Raphael, had repeatedly harassed local residents, intimidated people in public and damaged Thailand’s tourism image. Get today's headlines by email Police and immigration officers took action on May 19, 2026 after videos circulated on local social media showing the man riding a motorcycle aggressively, blocking traffic and demanding money from people while appearing intoxicated. The posts, shared under the headline “Locals fed up with Austrian man causing trouble in Rawai”, prompted an investigation by Phuket Immigration and Chalong Police Station. Investigators found that Raphael had entered Thailand legally on a temporary stay permit before obtaining an education visa to study Thai language and culture. Authorities said he had previously received a warning and minor punishment for similar conduct but later reoffended within a short period. Immigration officials stated that his behaviour included consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances to the point of losing self-control and causing disturbances in public places. They said his actions affected public order, local customs and morality, and harmed the country’s image as a tourist destination. The operation was carried out under the direction of Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, along with other senior immigration commanders. Maj Gen Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, commander of Immigration Division 6, also supervised the case, while the investigation team was led by Acting Pol Maj Trin Khampathee. Authorities said the crackdown forms part of wider efforts targeting foreign nationals whose conduct damages Thailand’s tourism reputation. Phuket immigration officers formally revoked Raphael’s permission to remain in the kingdom under Section 54 of the Immigration Act BE 2522. Bangkokpost reported that officials confirmed that the Austrian national will now be processed for deportation and removed from Thailand in accordance with immigration law. Immigration authorities have not disclosed when the deportation will take place or whether further legal proceedings are pending. Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 20:23:45 +0000