https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenRubbish! The more druggies that are removed from the gene pool, the better the human race will evolve. If someone wants to take illegal drugs that can be fatal, then that's their choice. Sensible humans don't dabble in white powder.....Thu, 21 May 2026 10:40:27 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thai-men-arrested-in-ecuador-for-iguana-smuggling-r1913/Three Thai nationals were arrested at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador, accused of smuggling 12 endangered Galápagos marine iguanas. Discovered during routine baggage inspections on May 19, the reptiles were hidden in their luggage, with K9 units aiding in the detection. One iguana was dead, and the remaining 11 were found tied up and injured. Get today's headlines by email These iguanas, native solely to the Galápagos Islands, are known for their rare ability to dive underwater for food and are a protected species. The suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed, were set to fly to another Asian destination. Ecuadorian authorities are holding them pending legal proceedings, as smuggling protected wildlife can result in sentences up to three years in prison. The incident has spurred ongoing investigations into the smuggling ring, focusing on the transportation methods used from the Galápagos and potential security bypasses prior to the airport. Officials are determined to uncover more details about the network involved in trafficking these rare creatures. Looking forward, Ecuador's continued crackdown on wildlife trafficking emphasizes the need for global cooperation in protecting endangered species. The case brings attention to the vulnerabilities in international wildlife protection enforcement. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 21 May 2026Thu, 21 May 2026 10:40:04 +0000Three Thai nationals were arrested at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador, accused of smuggling 12 endangered Galápagos marine iguanas. Discovered during routine baggage inspections on May 19, the reptiles were hidden in their luggage, with K9 units aiding in the detection. One iguana was dead, and the remaining 11 were found tied up and injured. Get today's headlines by email These iguanas, native solely to the Galápagos Islands, are known for their rare ability to dive underwater for food and are a protected species. The suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed, were set to fly to another Asian destination. Ecuadorian authorities are holding them pending legal proceedings, as smuggling protected wildlife can result in sentences up to three years in prison. The incident has spurred ongoing investigations into the smuggling ring, focusing on the transportation methods used from the Galápagos and potential security bypasses prior to the airport. Officials are determined to uncover more details about the network involved in trafficking these rare creatures. Looking forward, Ecuador's continued crackdown on wildlife trafficking emphasizes the need for global cooperation in protecting endangered species. The case brings attention to the vulnerabilities in international wildlife protection enforcement. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 21 May 2026 View full articleThu, 21 May 2026 10:40:04 +0000If he 's smart , Raul Castro will be on the next flight to Russia.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:39:12 +0000Obviously those who came to Asia for the cheap pussy, booze and are squandering their money in lady bars, brothels etc...of course they will fast run out of cash.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:39:06 +0000Awww.... thats such a disappointment. When I saw the topic pop back up, I was expecting an announcement of pending fatherhood.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:38:42 +0000......and if a Smart Charlie managed to hide all that........would that make him a 'Dark Charlie'.........Thu, 21 May 2026 10:38:04 +0000Gobsmacked !, so he is immune from just about everything as President , now they cannot delve into any thing about the taxes of him and his family ,he really has taken on the mantle of a King ,no more like Dictator. and MAGA will think it's all OK ,...like it happens all the time. regards worgeordieThu, 21 May 2026 10:37:49 +0000Of course the iranian terror nation would be faster in making it's lethal and highly efficient and cheap home made drones, compared to the XXXL logistics necessary to maintain, refuel, repair the USA military armada.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:37:43 +0000it could very well be tragic, possibly he didn't have the smarts to know better, possibly first-time use - we can't all be genius's, miss-lead, given a super strength dose, make a bad choice. Certainly, bad luck for him and probably a tragedy for his family and friends.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:34:45 +0000I think you'll find Mohammed Bin Salman and the other leaders of the GCC think differently.... MBS is on record as referring to the Ayatollahs as 'Hitlers of the Middle East' - They understand better than the west what Iran has been trying to do for over 100 years, well before the 'Israel thing' that most westerners became woke about, was even a thing....Thu, 21 May 2026 10:34:27 +0000My post was some 2 months ago a matter of days after he reappeared using this latest moniker. It was quite an easy spot that it was him. I've used this term of endearment to describe him for a couple of years now under his various aliases.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:33:53 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/tat-drives-workation-for-domestic-tourism-growth-r1912/The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is enhancing tourism on both domestic and international fronts by promoting weekday travel through special offers on tourism products and services. This initiative aims to invigorate the tourism scene and help businesses attract more quality tourists, bolstering economic gains. Get today's headlines by email The project, titled Workation Paradise Throughout Thailand Season 4, is part of TAT’s Workation Thailand campaign. It follows the success of the initial ‘100 travel-and-work’ activity, which saw significant participation and interest due to its blend of work and leisure opportunities. This push towards workation tourism aligns with current demand trends, offering a novel way for professionals to enjoy travel while staying connected to their work. The upcoming second round of the ‘100 travel-and-work’ activity begins at 10 a.m. on May 25, 2026, via TAT’s website. It will feature tourism products from top operators nationwide, including accommodations, restaurants, and activities, providing tourists with cost-effective travel options. Participants will also benefit from special offers and discounts at various establishments across Thailand. TAT's focus is to stimulate domestic travel by offering appealing incentives during weekdays and ensuring economic benefits for tourism operators. The initiative not only caters to tourists seeking value but also supports the broader tourism industry in Thailand's economic landscape. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Nation · 21 May 2026Thu, 21 May 2026 10:32:48 +0000The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is enhancing tourism on both domestic and international fronts by promoting weekday travel through special offers on tourism products and services. This initiative aims to invigorate the tourism scene and help businesses attract more quality tourists, bolstering economic gains. Get today's headlines by email The project, titled Workation Paradise Throughout Thailand Season 4, is part of TAT’s Workation Thailand campaign. It follows the success of the initial ‘100 travel-and-work’ activity, which saw significant participation and interest due to its blend of work and leisure opportunities. This push towards workation tourism aligns with current demand trends, offering a novel way for professionals to enjoy travel while staying connected to their work. The upcoming second round of the ‘100 travel-and-work’ activity begins at 10 a.m. on May 25, 2026, via TAT’s website. It will feature tourism products from top operators nationwide, including accommodations, restaurants, and activities, providing tourists with cost-effective travel options. Participants will also benefit from special offers and discounts at various establishments across Thailand. TAT's focus is to stimulate domestic travel by offering appealing incentives during weekdays and ensuring economic benefits for tourism operators. The initiative not only caters to tourists seeking value but also supports the broader tourism industry in Thailand's economic landscape. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Nation · 21 May 2026 View full articleThu, 21 May 2026 10:32:48 +0000Okay fine, charge 400 baht to tourists entering, but you have to spell out how that benefits tourists, especially regarding the hospital coverage. Most couldn't care much about 400 baht, but you need to be unambiguous about stuff... so vague and opaque, as always.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:31:43 +0000"This woman should be teaching her daughters how to make Chicken Biryani for their husbands, but instead she has to listen to a punk discuss the finer points of Kalashnikov rifles." Their daughters are dead, blown to pieces by American bombs. Why would an Iranian woman teach her daughters how to make Indian food?🤣Thu, 21 May 2026 10:31:24 +0000Give it to them Indians, that they just don't give a sh... of what people think outside. Maybe some would need to ponder on this and stop always trying to sharpen one's image when in society and being so scared to be considered a cheap charlie. IMHO a Cheap Charlie could also be a Smart Charlie - a person who is generally more rich then us, who knows the value of money, does not want to be ripped of and mainly, does not give a sh... of what others think. Remember in Thailand, all of us westerners are Cheap Charlies to some extent. Because if not, we would rather be in Monaco, the Caribean, St Tropez, Miami, the Hamptons or Geneva, spending our dough.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:29:22 +0000As of an hour ago, they are still very happily together. They were on the way to play badminton. He says the poor quality of the response here has made him rethink posting here. And of course, like everyone who leaves, he cited one name in particular.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:28:31 +0000EagleThu, 21 May 2026 10:27:50 +0000I love how my nickname for him has really caught on. I believe that the young people called this a meme. Who among us here is more meme– worthy?Thu, 21 May 2026 10:25:55 +0000"and a small flashlight, " Try that with a FLESHLIGHT!Thu, 21 May 2026 10:25:14 +0000You'd be surprised on the amount of those bodybuilt-tatooed-biker type guys , who are also big fans in using these as seat cushions.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:24:24 +0000I see nothing wrong about separating the nuclear discussions from the peace discussions. After all, Trump declared that the U.S. "totally obliterated" and "destroyed all nuclear facilities and capability" in Iran following operation Operation Midnight Hammer. As the aggressor, the US should pay for reparations.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:23:48 +0000Well, that explains why you’ll see six Indian guys haggling on the street to all choo-choo train the same Thai working girl for a total of 1,000 Baht. The logic seems to be: if she’s offering an hour of service for that price, and each of them only needs ten minutes, then it’s the same same for her, innit? Nothing bonds best mates quite like sharing everything you can on holiday. Maybe also explains why they buy only 1 pair of underwear and then each of them wears it for only 4 hours a day.Thu, 21 May 2026 10:23:09 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/dbd-teams-with-banks-to-curb-thai-nominee-companies-r1911/The Department of Business Development (DBD) in Thailand is collaborating with the Thai Bankers Association and various banks to link their databases to the department's AI system. This initiative aims to monitor the financial status of Thai nationals co-investing with foreign partners in local companies. The move should enhance the credibility of Thai investors and identify whether they are genuine stakeholders or merely acting as nominees. Get today's headlines by email Director-General Poonpong Naiyanapakorn outlined that once an agreement with banks is reached, a public hearing would be held, lasting about two months. This procedure will decide if the database interconnectivity will start in August. The effort targets around 800,000 companies in Thailand, of which about 120,000 have foreign co-ownership under 50%. The department suspects approximately 80,000 of these as nominee-owned entities. AI technology is currently being deployed to scrutinize these firms' profiles, shareholding, and management structures. Details will be reported to relevant authorities, including the Department of Special Investigation and Anti-Money Laundering Office, for a comprehensive follow-up on suspicious findings. Majority of these nominee firms are involved in sectors like real estate, logistics, restaurants, and tourism services. The surge in foreign investments is partly due to Thailand's streamlined permit processes, reducing approval times from 60 days to 30. In addition, starting July 1, new company registrations will transition from paper-based to a digital system, expediting the process. However, new registrations in the first four months of the year slightly decreased by 1.56%, due in part to stricter nominee registration controls. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Thai PBS · 21 May 2026Thu, 21 May 2026 10:21:33 +0000