https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around Thailandenhttps://aseannow.com/thailand-news/samui-revokes-four-tour-firm-licences-r1904/Authorities in Koh Samui have revoked the licences of four tour companies after investigators found alleged nominee arrangements involving Thai nationals and foreign operators. Officials said the firms breached legal requirements governing ownership and management structures for tourism businesses in Thailand. Get today's headlines by email Pathakorn Kaewmorakot, registrar for tourism businesses and tour guides for Southern Region 1, said he signed the revocation orders following inspections carried out with Koh Samui Tourist Police and the Surat Thani Tourism and Sports Office. Officers inspected 12 tour operators in Koh Samui district, Surat Thani province, after suspecting some businesses were using Thai nationals as nominees to conceal foreign control. Investigators found four operators allegedly conducting tourism businesses under foreign management. Officials said the companies failed to comply with laws requiring the majority of directors in tour businesses to be Thai nationals. One of the companies reportedly operated a jet ski tourism business and had an Israeli national as its sole company director. Authorities said the remaining three companies were not operating from their registered premises during inspections, raising suspicions that the licence applications may have used other business locations. Officials also found that some companies altered their board structures after obtaining licences, resulting in a loss of qualifications under the Tourism Business and Guide Act 2008, Section 17 (1). The law requires more than half of company directors to hold Thai nationality. Following the licence revocations, authorities will place seven company directors on a blacklist for five years. The group includes three Thai nationals and four foreign nationals from Israel, France, Belgium and Italy. Those listed will be barred from applying for tourism business licences during the restriction period. Authorities will also forward details of the four companies to the Surat Thani Provincial Commerce Office for further legal action linked to the alleged use of Thai nominees in company registration structures. Pathakorn said Surat Thani province currently has 1,082 licensed tourism companies. Of those, 476 are based in Koh Samui, 84 in Koh Phangan and 144 on Koh Tao, while the remainder operate in Muang, Takua Pa and Phanom districts. The province also has 1,009 licensed tour guides. Officials said inspection operations have been conducted regularly in cooperation with related agencies, with licence revocations continuing where breaches are found. Daily News reported that Pathakorn added that future applications from companies that later lose their licences will also be referred to provincial commerce officials for checks under other relevant laws. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 22:06:46 +0000Authorities in Koh Samui have revoked the licences of four tour companies after investigators found alleged nominee arrangements involving Thai nationals and foreign operators. Officials said the firms breached legal requirements governing ownership and management structures for tourism businesses in Thailand. Get today's headlines by email Pathakorn Kaewmorakot, registrar for tourism businesses and tour guides for Southern Region 1, said he signed the revocation orders following inspections carried out with Koh Samui Tourist Police and the Surat Thani Tourism and Sports Office. Officers inspected 12 tour operators in Koh Samui district, Surat Thani province, after suspecting some businesses were using Thai nationals as nominees to conceal foreign control. Investigators found four operators allegedly conducting tourism businesses under foreign management. Officials said the companies failed to comply with laws requiring the majority of directors in tour businesses to be Thai nationals. One of the companies reportedly operated a jet ski tourism business and had an Israeli national as its sole company director. Authorities said the remaining three companies were not operating from their registered premises during inspections, raising suspicions that the licence applications may have used other business locations. Officials also found that some companies altered their board structures after obtaining licences, resulting in a loss of qualifications under the Tourism Business and Guide Act 2008, Section 17 (1). The law requires more than half of company directors to hold Thai nationality. Following the licence revocations, authorities will place seven company directors on a blacklist for five years. The group includes three Thai nationals and four foreign nationals from Israel, France, Belgium and Italy. Those listed will be barred from applying for tourism business licences during the restriction period. Authorities will also forward details of the four companies to the Surat Thani Provincial Commerce Office for further legal action linked to the alleged use of Thai nominees in company registration structures. Pathakorn said Surat Thani province currently has 1,082 licensed tourism companies. Of those, 476 are based in Koh Samui, 84 in Koh Phangan and 144 on Koh Tao, while the remainder operate in Muang, Takua Pa and Phanom districts. The province also has 1,009 licensed tour guides. Officials said inspection operations have been conducted regularly in cooperation with related agencies, with licence revocations continuing where breaches are found. Daily News reported that Pathakorn added that future applications from companies that later lose their licences will also be referred to provincial commerce officials for checks under other relevant laws. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 22:06:46 +0000Those people who arrived from southern China over hundreds of years prior to the influx as a result of the Chinese civil war do not speak Mandarin as a first language. They , speak a version of Hokkien known as Taiwanese.Wed, 20 May 2026 22:02:19 +0000I often think some guys have left it too late to retire, but they are brainwashed back home that you have to keep working to 67+, plus they have wife, children, grandchildren roots/anchorsWed, 20 May 2026 22:01:18 +0000Farcical! People like Kirk were allowed to stir division nonstop under the claim of “free speech”, but the moment someone pushed back they're arrested and Jailed! It looks less like justice and more like selective enforcement depending on who is speaking about what! The key issue from this story is who defines unacceptable speech? As we have seen so blatantly under Trump, is that once governments gain the power to decide what counts as “hate” or “harmful” speech, that power is inevitably applied selectively and politically. The settlement to Mr. Bushart seems a fitting outcome!Wed, 20 May 2026 21:53:40 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/police-charge-fifth-officer-in-sa-kaeo-chinese-kidnap-case-r1903/Thai police have charged a fifth officer linked to the alleged abduction and extortion of five Chinese nationals in Sa Kaeo province, as authorities move to suspend the officers involved from service pending further investigation. Get today's headlines by email The latest development came on 20 May after Capt Prayoon, attached to Khlong Hat Police Station in Sa Kaeo, surrendered to investigators at Wang Sombun Police Station. Officers formally charged him with unlawful detention, abuse of authority, extortion and misconduct in office. Police said the case stemmed from a raid on 17 May at a house in Wang Mai subdistrict, Wang Sombun district, where immigration police and local investigators rescued five Chinese nationals allegedly being held against their will. Investigators said the victims had been handcuffed and attempts made to force them to pay 300,000 baht each, in exchange for their release. According to investigators, two of the Chinese nationals transferred cryptocurrency deposits of US$2,000 each, after allegedly fearing physical harm. Police said mobile phone transfer records were recovered as evidence. Authorities previously arrested four police officers and one civilian during the operation. The suspects were identified as Sgt Maj Paphawin, attached to the Highway Police Bureau, Sgt Maj Wutthikorn and Sgt Maj Somchai from Khlong Hat Police Station, Sgt Maj Pichet from Ban Paeng Police Station in Chanthaburi, and civilian suspect Nattanan. Police also seized four semi-automatic handguns, 24 rounds of ammunition and two Toyota pickup trucks during the raid. All five suspects were remanded in custody by Sa Kaeo Provincial Court on 19 May. Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan, deputy inspector-general and spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, said national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet had ordered firm criminal and disciplinary action against all officers involved. Authorities described the allegations as serious misconduct and a breach of police ethics. Police had already proposed suspending the four arrested officers from duty to ensure a transparent investigation and maintain public confidence. Investigators are also examining whether the operation was linked to a wider organised network or transnational criminal activity. Authorities added that preliminary findings suggested the five Chinese nationals had entered Thailand illegally and frequently crossed the Thai-Cambodian border. Investigators are now exploring possible links to online scam networks and other cross-border criminal groups. Daily News reported that police stressed that all officers must operate strictly within the law and said Thailand would not be allowed to become a base or transit route for transnational criminal organisations. Picture courtesy of Daily News Related story Police-held-over-extortion-of-chinese-in-Sa-Kaeo Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 21:53:04 +0000Thai police have charged a fifth officer linked to the alleged abduction and extortion of five Chinese nationals in Sa Kaeo province, as authorities move to suspend the officers involved from service pending further investigation. Get today's headlines by email The latest development came on 20 May after Capt Prayoon, attached to Khlong Hat Police Station in Sa Kaeo, surrendered to investigators at Wang Sombun Police Station. Officers formally charged him with unlawful detention, abuse of authority, extortion and misconduct in office. Police said the case stemmed from a raid on 17 May at a house in Wang Mai subdistrict, Wang Sombun district, where immigration police and local investigators rescued five Chinese nationals allegedly being held against their will. Investigators said the victims had been handcuffed and attempts made to force them to pay 300,000 baht each, in exchange for their release. According to investigators, two of the Chinese nationals transferred cryptocurrency deposits of US$2,000 each, after allegedly fearing physical harm. Police said mobile phone transfer records were recovered as evidence. Authorities previously arrested four police officers and one civilian during the operation. The suspects were identified as Sgt Maj Paphawin, attached to the Highway Police Bureau, Sgt Maj Wutthikorn and Sgt Maj Somchai from Khlong Hat Police Station, Sgt Maj Pichet from Ban Paeng Police Station in Chanthaburi, and civilian suspect Nattanan. Police also seized four semi-automatic handguns, 24 rounds of ammunition and two Toyota pickup trucks during the raid. All five suspects were remanded in custody by Sa Kaeo Provincial Court on 19 May. Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan, deputy inspector-general and spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, said national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet had ordered firm criminal and disciplinary action against all officers involved. Authorities described the allegations as serious misconduct and a breach of police ethics. Police had already proposed suspending the four arrested officers from duty to ensure a transparent investigation and maintain public confidence. Investigators are also examining whether the operation was linked to a wider organised network or transnational criminal activity. Authorities added that preliminary findings suggested the five Chinese nationals had entered Thailand illegally and frequently crossed the Thai-Cambodian border. Investigators are now exploring possible links to online scam networks and other cross-border criminal groups. Daily News reported that police stressed that all officers must operate strictly within the law and said Thailand would not be allowed to become a base or transit route for transnational criminal organisations. Picture courtesy of Daily News Related story Police-held-over-extortion-of-chinese-in-Sa-Kaeo Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 21:53:04 +0000They arrive knackered with not many good years left if any. They find a gf online which is more like a nurse /maid. They don't see much if anything of Thailand or it's neighbors. Don't enjoy Thailand - all farang Basically, Thailand becomes merely a retirement home. My guess is this lot dies adjust well, doesn't die here. It's 5 10 and back home Their diks prolly don't work and largely rotund people. Women...forget it. They don't lastWed, 20 May 2026 21:50:44 +0000MealWed, 20 May 2026 21:47:11 +0000You're right It's 3.8% per recent post article Which means its probably 4.5%Wed, 20 May 2026 21:46:06 +0000I think people should earn the max they can in farangland then retire abroad to a country where you can have a much better quality of life, this will also add to the housing stock available to the young back home who are always moaning they can't buyWed, 20 May 2026 21:45:29 +0000Oh my lol....oh my lol . .a man of your perceived academic qualifications and life experience has no idea what that means ?? Oh my ...your not as life experienced as you make out ! Oh my lol. Funniest thing I have ever read , the old men who has no idea about northern Ireland historyWed, 20 May 2026 21:39:18 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/phuket-officials-moved-over-patong-corruption-claims-r1902/Five senior Phuket provincial officials have been transferred pending an investigation linked to allegations of extortion and bribery involving entertainment venues in Patong. The Department of Provincial Administration issued the order on 20 May 2026 after complaints from business operators and nightlife workers in Bangla Road, Patong, accused state officials of demanding illegal payments and obstructing licensing procedures. Get today's headlines by email The order, signed by Department of Provincial Administration director-general Narucha Khosasitwilai, stated that the transfers were necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent interference with evidence. The reassignment period runs from 25 May to 24 June 2026 under Section 32 of the State Administration Act 1991 and its amendments. The five officials affected are Phuket deputy governor Rungreung Thimabut, Phuket City district chief Siwat Rawangkul, Thalang district chief Wilailak Rueangphon, Kathu district chief Akkharaphon Sutthirak Jitsusupha, and Phuket provincial disaster prevention chief Danai Suksakul. Each has been ordered to report to separate divisions within the Department of Provincial Administration in advisory or support roles during the investigation period. The move follows mounting pressure from entertainment venue operators and staff in Patong, who publicly gathered to oppose what they described as extortion and unlawful demands for benefits from state officials. They also called on authorities to address long-standing problems surrounding entertainment venue licensing and to ensure fair treatment for businesses operating in the area. Officials said the complaints had damaged the image of both the Interior Ministry and the Department of Provincial Administration, while also affecting public confidence in government agencies. The department stated that a swift and impartial fact-finding process was needed to restore trust and minimise disruption in Phuket. The developments also coincide with a recent visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to Phuket on 10 May. During the visit, he monitored efforts to resolve alleged encroachment by influential groups on public land at Freedom Beach and called for more systematic action against local influence networks. Observers say the transfers signal growing scrutiny of provincial administration and local enforcement practices in Phuket, particularly in tourism and nightlife zones where complaints over unofficial payments and licensing disputes have surfaced repeatedly in recent years. Amarin reported that authorities have not announced when the investigation will conclude, but the reassigned officials are expected to remain under departmental supervision until at least 24 June. Further disciplinary or legal action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry. Picture courtesy of Amarin Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 21 May 2026Wed, 20 May 2026 21:38:46 +0000Five senior Phuket provincial officials have been transferred pending an investigation linked to allegations of extortion and bribery involving entertainment venues in Patong. The Department of Provincial Administration issued the order on 20 May 2026 after complaints from business operators and nightlife workers in Bangla Road, Patong, accused state officials of demanding illegal payments and obstructing licensing procedures. Get today's headlines by email The order, signed by Department of Provincial Administration director-general Narucha Khosasitwilai, stated that the transfers were necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent interference with evidence. The reassignment period runs from 25 May to 24 June 2026 under Section 32 of the State Administration Act 1991 and its amendments. The five officials affected are Phuket deputy governor Rungreung Thimabut, Phuket City district chief Siwat Rawangkul, Thalang district chief Wilailak Rueangphon, Kathu district chief Akkharaphon Sutthirak Jitsusupha, and Phuket provincial disaster prevention chief Danai Suksakul. Each has been ordered to report to separate divisions within the Department of Provincial Administration in advisory or support roles during the investigation period. The move follows mounting pressure from entertainment venue operators and staff in Patong, who publicly gathered to oppose what they described as extortion and unlawful demands for benefits from state officials. They also called on authorities to address long-standing problems surrounding entertainment venue licensing and to ensure fair treatment for businesses operating in the area. Officials said the complaints had damaged the image of both the Interior Ministry and the Department of Provincial Administration, while also affecting public confidence in government agencies. The department stated that a swift and impartial fact-finding process was needed to restore trust and minimise disruption in Phuket. The developments also coincide with a recent visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to Phuket on 10 May. During the visit, he monitored efforts to resolve alleged encroachment by influential groups on public land at Freedom Beach and called for more systematic action against local influence networks. Observers say the transfers signal growing scrutiny of provincial administration and local enforcement practices in Phuket, particularly in tourism and nightlife zones where complaints over unofficial payments and licensing disputes have surfaced repeatedly in recent years. Amarin reported that authorities have not announced when the investigation will conclude, but the reassigned officials are expected to remain under departmental supervision until at least 24 June. Further disciplinary or legal action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry. Picture courtesy of Amarin Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 21 May 2026 View full articleWed, 20 May 2026 21:38:46 +0000You don't follow news at all evidently Mariam Adelson Paul Singer John Paulson Ruined Kentucky recent race with dirty money. New York Jews probably never stepped foot in KY Injected 25M for Israeli first interest. Massie voted against all foreign aid across the board regardless Israel first has ousted a number of candidates and is the most corrupting influence congress has ever seenWed, 20 May 2026 21:36:59 +0000Let's be fair she has farang fatigue, i also get it being in Jomtien immigration officeWed, 20 May 2026 21:36:46 +0000UPDATE Thai Union Demands Reform After Bangkok CrashWed, 20 May 2026 21:32:41 +0000Oh my ..... Oh my.. jealously never fades as you get older, one would think you become wiser but not so I have seen jealous old men even their 70's at the most ridiculous things Oh my ....oh lordy Lol.... people never changeWed, 20 May 2026 21:30:23 +0000Amazing 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/nigerian-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 +0000