https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenImagine losing your freedom because you forgot that neighbours notice when a townhouse suddenly starts using enough electricity to power a small shopping centre. 😄Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:34:57 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/brit-loses-visa-after-phuket-tuk-tuk-assault-r2604/A British national, has had his permission to stay in Thailand revoked after allegedly assaulting a tuk tuk driver during a fare dispute in Phuket. Police arrested the man on July 2 and took him to Patong Police Station, where he now faces legal proceedings over the alleged attack. Get today's headlines by email The incident happened at around 5am in Soi Na Nai and attracted widespread attention after video footage of the confrontation was shared on Thai social media. The footage showed the driver arguing with the foreign man before the altercation turned violent, with the man allegedly punching the driver in the face and causing him to fall backwards. The tuk tuk driver told Thai media that the dispute began after the foreign man and two foreign women allegedly refused to pay a 300 baht fare. According to the driver, the argument escalated when he attempted to collect the money, leading to the assault captured on video. Pictures courtesy of Phuket Times The driver said he suffered an injury to his mouth that required 10 stitches. He also told reporters he felt frustrated by the incident, saying he had simply been trying to earn a living when the dispute occurred. Phuket Times later identified the suspect as a British national, who operates a cannabis shop near the scene. The outlet also reported claims that he had previous disputes with local residents and had allegedly failed to pay wages owed to Thai workers. Police have not confirmed those allegations. Police later arrested the suspect and transferred him to Patong Police Station for further legal action. According to the Phuket Thailand News Network Facebook page, immigration officers revoked his permission to remain in Thailand in addition to charging him with physical assault. Under Section 295 of Thailand’s Criminal Law, the alleged offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both. The investigation is continuing, with the criminal case now proceeding through the legal process. Authorities have not released further details about any additional charges or court proceedings. AQMxa4wksG5bl3RMHjqz3_DzSjmOnQv2_PPuVqZYqKsYxG5RijapxFHn6dnQCVFlkl1GOZhLKwF77rlREhsixsNUwo5rb2xffollRFnstA.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Phuket Times 4 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:33:44 +0000A British national, has had his permission to stay in Thailand revoked after allegedly assaulting a tuk tuk driver during a fare dispute in Phuket. Police arrested the man on July 2 and took him to Patong Police Station, where he now faces legal proceedings over the alleged attack. Get today's headlines by email The incident happened at around 5am in Soi Na Nai and attracted widespread attention after video footage of the confrontation was shared on Thai social media. The footage showed the driver arguing with the foreign man before the altercation turned violent, with the man allegedly punching the driver in the face and causing him to fall backwards. The tuk tuk driver told Thai media that the dispute began after the foreign man and two foreign women allegedly refused to pay a 300 baht fare. According to the driver, the argument escalated when he attempted to collect the money, leading to the assault captured on video. Pictures courtesy of Phuket Times The driver said he suffered an injury to his mouth that required 10 stitches. He also told reporters he felt frustrated by the incident, saying he had simply been trying to earn a living when the dispute occurred. Phuket Times later identified the suspect as a British national, who operates a cannabis shop near the scene. The outlet also reported claims that he had previous disputes with local residents and had allegedly failed to pay wages owed to Thai workers. Police have not confirmed those allegations. Police later arrested the suspect and transferred him to Patong Police Station for further legal action. According to the Phuket Thailand News Network Facebook page, immigration officers revoked his permission to remain in Thailand in addition to charging him with physical assault. Under Section 295 of Thailand’s Criminal Law, the alleged offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both. The investigation is continuing, with the criminal case now proceeding through the legal process. Authorities have not released further details about any additional charges or court proceedings. AQMxa4wksG5bl3RMHjqz3_DzSjmOnQv2_PPuVqZYqKsYxG5RijapxFHn6dnQCVFlkl1GOZhLKwF77rlREhsixsNUwo5rb2xffollRFnstA.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Phuket Times 4 July 2026 View full articleFri, 03 Jul 2026 22:33:44 +0000It was the dog that did it. Murdering mutt 😲Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:31:27 +0000I’m old enough to remember when the international headlines from Thailand were mostly about beaches and food. These days it seems to be another drug-smuggling story every few days.Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:31:07 +0000I know who is evil - the scumbab that murdered this young girl sounds like you are trying to justify this evil scums actions.......really ? he murdered a 17 year old -what part of that are you not getting authorities should be looking very closely at you............I hope they doFri, 03 Jul 2026 22:26:55 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/south-korean-scammers-arrested-in-bangkok-r2603/Seven South Korean nationals have been arrested after allegedly operating a large-scale online scam from a townhouse in Bangkok, targeting victims in South Korea through a fake prostitution website. The operation, uncovered by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, is believed to have defrauded more than 1,000 victims of over 100 million baht. Get today's headlines by email The arrests were announced on 3 July by Major General Phanthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, together with senior officers from the Immigration Bureau Investigation Division. Investigators said the suspects had established their base in a three-storey townhouse in Bangkok’s Sathu Pradit area, where they allegedly ran the scam using computers, mobile phones and other electronic equipment. The investigation began after the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand alerted Thai authorities that a group of South Korean nationals had rented a property in Thailand to operate a fraudulent call centre. According to investigators, the group created a dating website that secretly promoted prostitution services. After victims registered and matched with supposed escorts, the suspects allegedly posed as sex workers, gained their trust, persuaded them to transfer money and then cut off contact. Police surveillance found the property showed signs of being used as a large operational base. Officers observed frequent food deliveries, numerous South Korean nationals entering and leaving the house, and unusually high electricity consumption. Monthly electricity bills reportedly rose from around 1,000 baht to more than 20,000 baht over the previous two months, with lights and air conditioning running throughout the night. Officers later searched the property under a warrant issued by the South Bangkok Criminal Court and arrested seven South Korean suspects identified only by their given names: Eun, 42, Jaechan, 31, Dongyong, 31, Jongbae, 29, Sangjun, 27, Siu, 31, and Hyewon, 30. Authorities seized 63 items, including computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices allegedly used in the operation. Investigators said victims who transferred money were repeatedly asked to pay additional fees and service charges. If they refused, they were allegedly told to send more money to recover their earlier payments. Checks carried out with the South Korean Embassy found that three of the suspects were wanted in South Korea. Jaechan was the subject of 12 fraud warrants, Eun faced two warrants for establishing a criminal organisation, and Dongyong was wanted on one warrant for computer fraud. Following the arrests, the Immigration Bureau revoked the permission of all seven suspects to remain in Thailand and placed them on the country’s blacklist, preventing them from re-entering. They have been transferred to an immigration detention facility and will be deported to South Korea to face legal proceedings. Daily News reported that Major General Phanthana said Thai authorities would continue to investigate and suppress crimes committed by both Thai and foreign nationals, particularly those using Thailand as a base for transnational criminal activity. He also encouraged the public to report suspected offences to the Immigration Bureau or local immigration offices. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 4 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:21:55 +0000Seven South Korean nationals have been arrested after allegedly operating a large-scale online scam from a townhouse in Bangkok, targeting victims in South Korea through a fake prostitution website. The operation, uncovered by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, is believed to have defrauded more than 1,000 victims of over 100 million baht. Get today's headlines by email The arrests were announced on 3 July by Major General Phanthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, together with senior officers from the Immigration Bureau Investigation Division. Investigators said the suspects had established their base in a three-storey townhouse in Bangkok’s Sathu Pradit area, where they allegedly ran the scam using computers, mobile phones and other electronic equipment. The investigation began after the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand alerted Thai authorities that a group of South Korean nationals had rented a property in Thailand to operate a fraudulent call centre. According to investigators, the group created a dating website that secretly promoted prostitution services. After victims registered and matched with supposed escorts, the suspects allegedly posed as sex workers, gained their trust, persuaded them to transfer money and then cut off contact. Police surveillance found the property showed signs of being used as a large operational base. Officers observed frequent food deliveries, numerous South Korean nationals entering and leaving the house, and unusually high electricity consumption. Monthly electricity bills reportedly rose from around 1,000 baht to more than 20,000 baht over the previous two months, with lights and air conditioning running throughout the night. Officers later searched the property under a warrant issued by the South Bangkok Criminal Court and arrested seven South Korean suspects identified only by their given names: Eun, 42, Jaechan, 31, Dongyong, 31, Jongbae, 29, Sangjun, 27, Siu, 31, and Hyewon, 30. Authorities seized 63 items, including computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices allegedly used in the operation. Investigators said victims who transferred money were repeatedly asked to pay additional fees and service charges. If they refused, they were allegedly told to send more money to recover their earlier payments. Checks carried out with the South Korean Embassy found that three of the suspects were wanted in South Korea. Jaechan was the subject of 12 fraud warrants, Eun faced two warrants for establishing a criminal organisation, and Dongyong was wanted on one warrant for computer fraud. Following the arrests, the Immigration Bureau revoked the permission of all seven suspects to remain in Thailand and placed them on the country’s blacklist, preventing them from re-entering. They have been transferred to an immigration detention facility and will be deported to South Korea to face legal proceedings. Daily News reported that Major General Phanthana said Thai authorities would continue to investigate and suppress crimes committed by both Thai and foreign nationals, particularly those using Thailand as a base for transnational criminal activity. He also encouraged the public to report suspected offences to the Immigration Bureau or local immigration offices. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 4 July 2026 View full articleFri, 03 Jul 2026 22:21:55 +0000Seems American support for Israel is falling. The key figure is 36%: only 36% of Americans now say they sympathize more with Israelis, while 41% sympathize more with Palestinians. Support for Israel is no longer the automatic bipartisan consensus it used to be. I would be careful saying it is exactly “on par with Trump support,” but politically it is not a bad comparison. Israel support in the U.S. now looks more like a base-driven issue than a broad national consensus. The question to ask: Who is the true enemy of Usa? Source https://news.gallup.com/poll/702440/israelis-no-longer-ahead-americans-middle-east-sympathies.aspxFri, 03 Jul 2026 22:20:45 +0000It's fantastic many are voting for the Greens , we need to be diverseFri, 03 Jul 2026 22:18:30 +0000I'll leave the sociological analysis to others. I am really just interested in the case and why the guy hung around until the friend showed up before making a dash to the airport.Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:18:29 +0000yea, she may well have said she wanted to see the sea, but how many parents really know what their teenage children are getting up to? mine certainly didn't.Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:14:08 +0000Yes just install a lock and under the meter lay a mat and put the key under that. Just trying to help. :)Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:11:39 +0000This is described across several media while not the whole picture would not be unusual for any young girl growing up poor in Isaan: Ms Oradee said her stepdaughter went to Pattaya on June 16, telling them she wanted to go for a holiday with her friend. "She asked for money from her grandmother and she gave her some," Ms Oradee said. "She said she wanted to see the sea." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-28/australian-man-charged-with-thai-teens-murder-addresses-family/106852274Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:09:14 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/poland-germany-seize-thai-cannabis-shipment-r2602/Polish border guards, working with customs officials and German authorities, have seized 1,194 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed inside a shipping container of red construction bricks. The operation led to the arrest of eight suspects in Poland and disrupted what investigators described as a transnational drug trafficking network linking Asia and Europe. Get today's headlines by email According to international media reports published on 3 July 2026, the cannabis had an estimated black market value of 48 million zloty. Authorities said the shipment originated in Thailand before travelling by sea to the port of Hamburg in northern Germany, with Poland as its intended destination for distribution. The investigation was carried out jointly by Poland’s Border Guard, customs authorities and German officials. Investigators said the drugs had been carefully hidden inside a container declared as carrying red brick in an apparent attempt to evade detection during international shipping. All eight suspects were arrested in Poland as part of the operation. Six of those arrested remain in custody while awaiting court proceedings, according to information released by the security authorities. The seizure follows a series of recent cases involving large quantities of cannabis allegedly exported from Thailand. Recent reports have included the seizure of 3.37 tonnes of cannabis flower in Indonesia and the arrest of two Uzbek nationals at Phuket International Airport who were accused of attempting to smuggle cannabis overseas. Thai Prime Minister has also recently stated that cannabis not intended for medical use cannot legally be exported from the country. Authorities said the investigation remains active and is being pursued jointly by multiple countries. Officials expect to release further details about the structure of the trafficking network and identify additional people linked to the operation as inquiries progress. Amarin reported that the case highlights continued international cooperation between European law enforcement agencies in tackling organised drug trafficking across continents. Investigators are expected to continue examining the shipment’s supply chain, financial links and logistical network as the cross-border investigation develops. Related stories Uzbek-men-held-with-cannabis-at-Phuket-airport Indonesia-agency-seizes-337t-of-cannabis-from-Thailand Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 4 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:07:35 +0000Polish border guards, working with customs officials and German authorities, have seized 1,194 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed inside a shipping container of red construction bricks. The operation led to the arrest of eight suspects in Poland and disrupted what investigators described as a transnational drug trafficking network linking Asia and Europe. Get today's headlines by email According to international media reports published on 3 July 2026, the cannabis had an estimated black market value of 48 million zloty. Authorities said the shipment originated in Thailand before travelling by sea to the port of Hamburg in northern Germany, with Poland as its intended destination for distribution. The investigation was carried out jointly by Poland’s Border Guard, customs authorities and German officials. Investigators said the drugs had been carefully hidden inside a container declared as carrying red brick in an apparent attempt to evade detection during international shipping. All eight suspects were arrested in Poland as part of the operation. Six of those arrested remain in custody while awaiting court proceedings, according to information released by the security authorities. The seizure follows a series of recent cases involving large quantities of cannabis allegedly exported from Thailand. Recent reports have included the seizure of 3.37 tonnes of cannabis flower in Indonesia and the arrest of two Uzbek nationals at Phuket International Airport who were accused of attempting to smuggle cannabis overseas. Thai Prime Minister has also recently stated that cannabis not intended for medical use cannot legally be exported from the country. Authorities said the investigation remains active and is being pursued jointly by multiple countries. Officials expect to release further details about the structure of the trafficking network and identify additional people linked to the operation as inquiries progress. Amarin reported that the case highlights continued international cooperation between European law enforcement agencies in tackling organised drug trafficking across continents. Investigators are expected to continue examining the shipment’s supply chain, financial links and logistical network as the cross-border investigation develops. Related stories Uzbek-men-held-with-cannabis-at-Phuket-airport Indonesia-agency-seizes-337t-of-cannabis-from-Thailand Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 4 July 2026 View full articleFri, 03 Jul 2026 22:07:35 +0000I've asked multiple people when this question came up in the past, and we just don't know. The ED PLUS is still rather new, and this situation has not been talked about much. Traditionally, you would get a letter from your school that states when you finished studying, and use that to cancel your extension. But with ED plus, you ALREADY finished cancelling. Most schools will not provide any additional documentation because there's nothing to provide. You finished studying a while ago, there's nothing for them to report. You can TRY asking immigration if they want/require you to cancel your ED plus extension, but so far I've not seen anyone talk about if they ended up doing this or not. Normally the way a "grace" period works is that your documentation from the school has a date, and you can go in 1-2 weeks before that date to do the cancellation, and they will stamp you back in until the date on the letter. Otherwise the cancellation is effective the date you attend immigration, there is no 7 days to leave.Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:03:33 +0000Yes. You get your extension based on your income letter, and that gives you permission to stay for the following year. In order to qualify based on income the following year, you must show that you have 800,000 in your Thai bank account for 2 full months at the time you are applying for the extension. Moving forward you will have specific requirements related to that extension. The bank account must remain at 800,000 for 3 months after you receive your extension, and can never drop below 400,000. It would then need to be brought back up to 800,000 a full 2 months before applying for each subsequent extension, and remain at 800,000 for 3 months after receiving it. They will retroactively check that you continued to meet the previous year's requirements by looking at your 12 month bank statement at each extension.Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:00:49 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/ghanaian-man-to-be-deported-after-complaints-in-phuket-r2601/A 37-year-old Ghanaian national has been detained for deportation after Phuket immigration authorities revoked his permission to remain in Thailand following repeated public complaints about his behaviour. Officials said the action forms part of a wider effort to protect public order and maintain Phuket’s reputation as a tourist destination. Get today's headlines by email The Phuket Immigration Office, working with Chalong Police Station, confirmed that the man’s visa was revoked after residents reported repeated incidents involving intoxication, harassment and sleeping at temples. Authorities identified him only as Mr. Boakye. According to immigration officials, Mr. Boakye first entered Thailand in 2024 to work as a language teacher in Bangkok. In 2026, he moved to Patong, Phuket, where he continued teaching before losing his job following repeated problems linked to alcohol use. Officials said the loss of employment left him without a source of income or permanent accommodation. He subsequently sought shelter at a local church before later staying at Wat Chalong. Authorities stated that while staying at the temple, Mr. Boakye’s conduct included intoxication, intimidating local residents and causing disturbances involving tourists. Investigators concluded that his behaviour posed a threat to public safety. Following a review of the case, Phuket Immigration applied to revoke his permission to remain in Thailand under Section 54 of the Immigration Act (1979). The request was approved, and he has now been taken into custody pending deportation to Ghana. Immigration officials said the enforcement action reflects a broader policy of taking action against foreign nationals whose behaviour is considered harmful to public order and damaging to Phuket’s tourism image. The operation was carried out in cooperation with Chalong Police Station. Mr. Boakye remains in immigration custody while arrangements are made for his removal from Thailand. Authorities have not announced any additional charges in connection with the case. Pictures courtesy of The Phuket Express Related story Ghanaian-man-found-living-at-Phuket-temple Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now The Phuketexpress 4 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:58:48 +0000A 37-year-old Ghanaian national has been detained for deportation after Phuket immigration authorities revoked his permission to remain in Thailand following repeated public complaints about his behaviour. Officials said the action forms part of a wider effort to protect public order and maintain Phuket’s reputation as a tourist destination. Get today's headlines by email The Phuket Immigration Office, working with Chalong Police Station, confirmed that the man’s visa was revoked after residents reported repeated incidents involving intoxication, harassment and sleeping at temples. Authorities identified him only as Mr. Boakye. According to immigration officials, Mr. Boakye first entered Thailand in 2024 to work as a language teacher in Bangkok. In 2026, he moved to Patong, Phuket, where he continued teaching before losing his job following repeated problems linked to alcohol use. Officials said the loss of employment left him without a source of income or permanent accommodation. He subsequently sought shelter at a local church before later staying at Wat Chalong. Authorities stated that while staying at the temple, Mr. Boakye’s conduct included intoxication, intimidating local residents and causing disturbances involving tourists. Investigators concluded that his behaviour posed a threat to public safety. Following a review of the case, Phuket Immigration applied to revoke his permission to remain in Thailand under Section 54 of the Immigration Act (1979). The request was approved, and he has now been taken into custody pending deportation to Ghana. Immigration officials said the enforcement action reflects a broader policy of taking action against foreign nationals whose behaviour is considered harmful to public order and damaging to Phuket’s tourism image. The operation was carried out in cooperation with Chalong Police Station. Mr. Boakye remains in immigration custody while arrangements are made for his removal from Thailand. Authorities have not announced any additional charges in connection with the case. Pictures courtesy of The Phuket Express Related story Ghanaian-man-found-living-at-Phuket-temple Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now The Phuketexpress 4 July 2026 View full articleFri, 03 Jul 2026 21:58:48 +0000BazarFri, 03 Jul 2026 21:53:00 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/lao-court-jails-thai-businessman-for-life-r2600/A court in Laos has sentenced a Thai businessman and nine former senior Laos state officials to life imprisonment in four major corruption and bribery cases, marking one of the country’s most significant anti-corruption rulings. Get today's headlines by email The verdicts were announced during a press conference on 1 July 2026 by Lindaemon Sidaphon, acting head of the Vientiane Capital People’s Court. The four cases involved a total of 17 defendants, including two women, comprising former senior government officials and business figures. The convictions covered offences including corruption, bribery, abuse of office, document forgery and fraud involving state assets. The first case concerned corruption at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Former ministry official Sukhunkham Kaewmano was convicted of corruption and document forgery. The court sentenced her to life imprisonment, imposed a fine and ordered her to repay US$6.5 million to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The second case involved bribery among former senior officials from the State Inspection Organisation, the Bank of the Lao PDR, the Party Inspection Department and other agencies. Eight defendants were charged with accepting and paying bribes, abusing their positions and acting as intermediaries. Former department heads Sithone Suliyawong and Od Phomsiangdy were each sentenced to life imprisonment. Three other defendants received 12-year prison terms, while two were jailed for two years. Thongphet Duangngern also received a life sentence under the fourth case. The court ordered the confiscation of cash amounting to several hundred thousand US dollars, luxury Mercedes-Benz and Audi vehicles, and land. The third case centred on fraud involving the Agricultural Promotion Bank. Four defendants, including former state officials and businesspeople, were convicted of defrauding state assets, corruption, bribery and document forgery. Viengsouk Simmakone and Bounlom Phongchalern were sentenced to life imprisonment. Businessman Duangta Hanuvong received a 10-year prison sentence, while Khamphaeng Vichidvongsa was jailed for two years after receiving a reduced sentence for helping to repay part of the losses. The defendants were also ordered to jointly pay a fine equal to 1% of total damages of 14.3 billion kip, plus an additional fine worth twice the value of the bribes involved. The fourth case concerned corruption linked to a state electricity dam project operated by Electricite du Laos (EDL). Thai businessman Apichat Wannakul and four former senior EDL executives - Thongphet, Phonvisai, Saisanid and Khambon - were convicted of defrauding state assets, abuse of office and bribery. All five received life sentences. Apichat was ordered to pay US$24.8 million in compensation to EDL. The court also ordered the seizure of 10 bank accounts, 11 land plots and vehicles belonging to the Thai businessman and his wife. If those assets prove insufficient, property belonging to the four former EDL officials will also be sold. More than US$1 million in bribe money was confiscated by the state. Manager Online reported that the rulings conclude proceedings in the four cases before the Vientiane Capital People’s Court. The sentences include imprisonment, financial penalties, compensation orders and extensive asset seizures. Picture courtesy of Manager Online Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now MGRonline 4 July 2026Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:49:39 +0000A court in Laos has sentenced a Thai businessman and nine former senior Laos state officials to life imprisonment in four major corruption and bribery cases, marking one of the country’s most significant anti-corruption rulings. Get today's headlines by email The verdicts were announced during a press conference on 1 July 2026 by Lindaemon Sidaphon, acting head of the Vientiane Capital People’s Court. The four cases involved a total of 17 defendants, including two women, comprising former senior government officials and business figures. The convictions covered offences including corruption, bribery, abuse of office, document forgery and fraud involving state assets. The first case concerned corruption at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Former ministry official Sukhunkham Kaewmano was convicted of corruption and document forgery. The court sentenced her to life imprisonment, imposed a fine and ordered her to repay US$6.5 million to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The second case involved bribery among former senior officials from the State Inspection Organisation, the Bank of the Lao PDR, the Party Inspection Department and other agencies. Eight defendants were charged with accepting and paying bribes, abusing their positions and acting as intermediaries. Former department heads Sithone Suliyawong and Od Phomsiangdy were each sentenced to life imprisonment. Three other defendants received 12-year prison terms, while two were jailed for two years. Thongphet Duangngern also received a life sentence under the fourth case. The court ordered the confiscation of cash amounting to several hundred thousand US dollars, luxury Mercedes-Benz and Audi vehicles, and land. The third case centred on fraud involving the Agricultural Promotion Bank. Four defendants, including former state officials and businesspeople, were convicted of defrauding state assets, corruption, bribery and document forgery. Viengsouk Simmakone and Bounlom Phongchalern were sentenced to life imprisonment. Businessman Duangta Hanuvong received a 10-year prison sentence, while Khamphaeng Vichidvongsa was jailed for two years after receiving a reduced sentence for helping to repay part of the losses. The defendants were also ordered to jointly pay a fine equal to 1% of total damages of 14.3 billion kip, plus an additional fine worth twice the value of the bribes involved. The fourth case concerned corruption linked to a state electricity dam project operated by Electricite du Laos (EDL). Thai businessman Apichat Wannakul and four former senior EDL executives - Thongphet, Phonvisai, Saisanid and Khambon - were convicted of defrauding state assets, abuse of office and bribery. All five received life sentences. Apichat was ordered to pay US$24.8 million in compensation to EDL. The court also ordered the seizure of 10 bank accounts, 11 land plots and vehicles belonging to the Thai businessman and his wife. If those assets prove insufficient, property belonging to the four former EDL officials will also be sold. More than US$1 million in bribe money was confiscated by the state. Manager Online reported that the rulings conclude proceedings in the four cases before the Vientiane Capital People’s Court. The sentences include imprisonment, financial penalties, compensation orders and extensive asset seizures. Picture courtesy of Manager Online Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now MGRonline 4 July 2026 View full articleFri, 03 Jul 2026 21:49:39 +0000"... Under the new policy, all flight crew, pilots, airline staff and other personnel will be subject to the same security screening standards as passengers, with no exceptions..." Ah, it's as if Shakespeare saw this coming! While he obviously never wrote about modern airport security, he perfectly captured this exact concept where rules apply equally to everyone, from the highest-ranking officials down to the rest of us: "The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept. Those many had not dared to do that evil, if the first man that did the edict infringe had answered for his deed: now 'tis awake,Takes note of what is done, and, like a prophet, looks in a glass, that shows what future evils...are now to have no successive degrees, but, ere they live, to end" Measure for Measure (Act 2, Scene 2)Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:49:10 +0000It said love thy neighbour as thyself - not bomb the hell out of him but his was crucified for that.Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:46:25 +0000