Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

ASEAN NOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Thailand News

All the latest news stories from Thailand are written in English. Fresh news and stories from around the kingdom brought to you daily.
A UK coroner has said key questions may remain unanswered over the death of Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths, who fell from the 17th floor of a Pattaya apartment building on February 9.

Griffiths, 58, known as Q, died after falling from Elysium Residences in Nong Prue subdistrict. A pre-inquest review was held at Bournemouth Coroner's Court on September 1, with his brother Adrian Griffiths and family representative Nina Fox attending.

Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin said she had received only a translated Thai police report outlining "very brief circumstances" and a translated post-mortem report.

Thai police found no sign of foul play

Police in Pattaya are satisfied Griffiths took his own life. They said his apartment was locked from the inside, there was no sign of a struggle and no one had been seen entering or leaving the flat.

However, Griffin told the court that the evidence currently available showed he was alone before the fall, but did not establish whether it was deliberate or accidental.



"I am limited in this investigation because the evidence suggests that he was the only person in the flat at the time of the events that very sadly took his life," she said.

"Very sadly we know he fell from a height that led to his death, whether that fall was a deliberate fall or an accidental fall.

"At this moment in time, on the basis of the evidence I have, there are a lot of questions waiting to be answered and that might not change."

Griffiths had co-founded As Seen On Screen in 2000, the fashion website later shortened to Asos. He sold much of his holding in 2010, remained a major shareholder for years and later moved to Thailand.

Further information sought from Thailand

The coroner has asked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to seek further material from Thai authorities. She said the scope of a UK investigation depends on the country where a death occurred.

She warned the family that evidence must come from reliable sources rather than the "rumour mill", adding that more information might not be obtainable despite further requests.

Detectives said Griffiths had been drinking daily before his death, while friends said he had behaved erratically. The Daily Mail previously reported that he had been overheard arguing angrily on the telephone shortly before the fall.

He had been on bail while facing 18 months' imprisonment for fraud and forgery over an attempt to remove his former wife, Thai national Ploy Kringsinthanakun, 43, as a director of a firm they ran together. Thai media reported a meeting with her solicitors was due two days after his death and could have determined whether he served the sentence.

The couple had been together for 16 years, separated for five and had two children. Kringsinthanakun, who lives in Bangkok, denied involvement at a February press conference and later told The Sun: "I had absolutely nothing to do with his death."

Questions also remain over almost GBP3 million in cryptocurrency alleged to have disappeared from Griffiths' digital wallet in the days after his death.

Griffin adjourned the inquest until March next year, offering condolences to relatives and saying the death had come as "a complete shock".


Picture courtesy of Daily Mail

Related stories

British-ASOS-co-founder-dies-in-Pattaya-fall

ASOS-co-founder-dies-after-Pattaya-phone-row

Suspicious-4m-bitcoin-transfer-after-brits-Pattaya-death

British-ASOS-co-founders-ex-wife-denies-role-in-death

Thai-court-blocks-british-tycoons-children-from-funeral

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thai immigration police have arrested a German national wanted by authorities in Germany at a guesthouse in Mae Hong Son, following an investigation that officers said lasted more than two years.

Juergen Herbert Schneider was detained on 1 September 2026 by Immigration Division 3 investigators. Police said he had moved between accommodation in an effort to avoid detection after entering and staying in Thailand.

Schneider is wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Memmingen District Court in Germany on 12 January 2024. The alleged offence is using violence against, and obstructing, an official carrying out their duties.

German warrant led to Thai investigation

The operation followed information shared by German police indicating that Schneider, a German citizen, was on a wanted list and believed to be living in Thailand after evading arrest.



Immigration Division 3 commander Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha and deputy commander Col Chinnawut Tangwonglert ordered investigators to trace him. The investigation was led by Lt Col Pitipat Sritana-aphinan, deputy superintendent of the division's investigation unit, and Lt Col Jaturachok Phetkhong, an inspector.

According to Col Suriya Puangsombat, superintendent of Immigration Division 3's investigation unit, officers located Schneider at a guesthouse in Mae Hong Son province and took him into custody.

German authorities had also provided information alleging that he had displayed aggressive behaviour, could be prone to violence and had previously threatened embassy officials. Thai immigration police said they considered this could pose a risk to the public, public order and national security.

Permission to stay cancelled pending legal action

Following the arrest, Maj Gen Songprod issued an order revoking Schneider's permission to remain in Thailand.

Police said the action was based on Immigration Act provisions covering foreigners considered potentially dangerous to society or Thailand's security, as well as those subject to an arrest warrant issued by foreign government authorities.

Schneider was transferred to Division 3 of the Immigration Bureau's Investigation Division for detention and further legal procedures. Authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies over his return to Germany under the required process.

The case comes amid an Immigration Bureau campaign to identify suspected offenders and transnational criminals using Thailand as a place to hide. The drive has been ordered by Immigration Bureau commissioner Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyaluck and deputy commissioner Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchnarot, with units instructed to intensively screen target areas nationwide and share intelligence with Thai and overseas security agencies.


Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
A man believed to be in his 30s has died after falling from a moving escalator inside Terminal 21 near Bangkok's Asok intersection on Monday night.

Emergency services were called to the shopping centre at about 9.50pm on 31 August, following reports that a man had fallen from the fourth floor.

The man was found unconscious and not breathing, with severe injuries. Police reports described the victim as aged about 30 and said his body suffered multiple fractures from the impact.

Witnesses describe sudden fall

Witnesses told Lumpini police that the man had been alone while travelling down the escalator from the fourth floor.

They said he was around halfway down when he suddenly grabbed the handrail and fell. The sound of the impact startled shoppers nearby. The man was pronounced dead after emergency responders and police attended the scene.

Lumpini police are examining the circumstances and cause of the fall. No further details about the man's identity or what may have led to the incident had been released at the time of reporting.

Terminal 21 is beside major transport links

Terminal 21 is close to BTS Asok station and MRT Sukhumvit station, one of Bangkok's busiest interchange areas and a regular destination for foreign residents, tourists and business visitors.

The case also underlines the importance of taking care around escalators in crowded Bangkok shopping centres, particularly when carrying luggage, shopping bags or travelling with children.

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026

Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Two Thai social media influencers have sought legal help after reporting that two luxury watches, worth a combined 610,000 baht, disappeared from checked luggage on a flight from Bangkok to Krabi.

Araya Trongklang and Kunlanan Udomphan say a Cartier watch valued at about 470,000 baht and a Hermes watch worth 140,000 baht were missing when they collected their suitcase at Krabi International Airport on 21 August.

They travelled from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Krabi at around 1.50pm that day.

Damaged zip and empty watch box

The couple posted video footage on 21 August showing them inspecting their luggage after recovering it in Krabi. They said they noticed the suitcase zip was broken and decided to check the contents immediately.



In the video, Araya struggles to open the damaged suitcase before finding that the watch box inside was empty.

She said she had seen X-ray images before departure showing both watches inside the suitcase. However, she said they were gone when the baggage arrived in Krabi.

A friend travelling with the couple also said her suitcase appeared to have been searched. The video did not state whether anything had been taken from her luggage.

Police complaints have made no progress

The couple said airline staff advised them to make a police complaint so they could seek access to airport CCTV footage. They did so, but said they had received no update on the investigation.


Pictures courtesy of ทุบข่าวนนท์

After reporting the case to the airline, Araya said staff offered to arrange Business Class flights back to Bangkok for her, her boyfriend and four friends. She said this was not what she wanted, adding that she wanted the watches returned.

Ten days after the incident, the pair contacted Thai lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet for assistance. Araya said the lack of progress left her concerned that she would not receive justice.

Ronnarong said he would take the influencers to file a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division, as complaints Araya had made at two police stations had not progressed.

AQMf-La9rEUzjhnycjyZaVlwK8gU1DrqfrzR1fBoDpYpZ293EgFr_uJTLEe-RtVkpw4DSk2j_nEfahhJkqouh5KewJseVGrRsgn1yJL2oQ.mp4

Related story

Suvarnabhumi-investigates-600000-baht-baggage-loss

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
A Chinese man and a Thai woman have been arrested after police were called to a reported assault and knife standoff at an apartment in Bangkok's Huai Khwang district on 1 September 2026.

Police said the man, identified as Mr Wang, was holding a 10-inch knife, waving it around and pressing it to his own neck while threatening to harm himself. Officers entered the room and brought the situation under control without reported injuries.

Police find ice during room search

The incident was reported at about 11.10am at room 1505 of an apartment building in Samsen Nok, Huai Khwang. The caller was Phetcharaphon, 24, from Chachoengsao province.

According to Suthisan Police, Mr Wang had allegedly assaulted the woman inside the room before officers arrived. A search later found a bag containing about 0.30 grams of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice, drug-taking equipment, a cream-coloured square box and the knife.

Both Mr Wang and Phetcharaphon were charged with jointly possessing a Category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine or ice.

Mr Wang was also charged with entering and remaining in Thailand without permission, police said. Both suspects were informed of their legal rights and handed to investigators at Suthisan Police Station for further legal action.

The operation was carried out under the direction of Suthisan station chief Pol Col Phonthep Chalermkiat and deputy superintendent Pol Lt Col Phitsanu Koetthong.


Picture courtesy of Amarin

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026

Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Suranaree University of Technology Hospital has apologised after one piece of gauze was left in a patient's vagina following a cervical procedure in August. The hospital said it removed the retained gauze safely on 26 August and did not charge the patient for the subsequent treatment.

The case, which prompted concern after the patient reportedly had to make several trips for treatment without receiving a clear explanation, was detailed in a hospital statement issued on 31 August.

The patient underwent a loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or LEEP, on 20 August after doctors found an enlarged cervix. LEEP is a procedure used to remove tissue from the cervix.

Treatment and follow-up timeline

The hospital said doctors inserted two types of gauze after the procedure as part of standard treatment: one tampon and one piece of Vaseline gauze.

After 48 hours, on 22 August, the duty doctor removed one item and allowed the patient to go home. The operating doctor later reviewed the medical record and found that a second piece of gauze remained.



The doctor then called the patient and asked her to return immediately for its removal. However, the patient had travel limitations and an appointment was arranged for the following day, 23 August.

The hospital admitted the patient for further treatment and repacked the tampon with adrenaline for 48 hours. The remaining gauze was removed safely on 26 August.

A different medical team handled this later course of care because the original doctor had other duties, the statement said. No additional costs were charged to the patient.

Hospital accepts communication failures

Suranaree University of Technology Hospital and the doctor who carried out the procedure expressed regret over what happened. They acknowledged that the patient had needed to travel back and forth several times and had not been given sufficient explanation or understanding before leaving hospital.

The hospital said it would review the incident, introduce measures to prevent a repeat and use the case as a lesson for staff on the importance of patient communication, particularly when unexpected complications arise.


Picture courtesy of Komchadluek

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
A Jordanian tourist and a barber shop employee became involved in a physical confrontation in Patong, Phuket, on August 31, following a disagreement over an additional charge for hair services.

Patong Police attended a report of a fight near the end of Soi Bangla, where officers found the tourist and the employee grappling with each other. The case was resolved after the tourist agreed to compensate the employee for damaged glasses, with neither side pursuing further action.

Dispute followed extra hair services

The incident first drew attention online after a Facebook post alleged that a foreign tourist had refused to pay for a haircut before punching the barber. Social media posts initially falsely identified the visitor as Israeli.

According to the initial police inquiry, the tourist and the shop had agreed a price of 700 baht for a haircut. He subsequently received additional hair services, which led to an extra charge being added to the bill.


Picture courtesy of MGR Online

When the work was completed, the tourist reportedly wanted to pay only the originally agreed 700 baht and attempted to leave the shop. The barber shop employee followed him and asked for payment of the outstanding amount.

Glasses reportedly damaged

The argument escalated into a physical struggle, with the tourist and employee grabbing at one another. During the confrontation, the employee's glasses were reportedly damaged.

Police brought both parties together to discuss the matter. The tourist eventually agreed to pay compensation for the damage, and neither the tourist nor the employee chose to take the matter further.

AQOes-aWK6-u77prwwknYOuINSf7qfmDSwTCKDQTE_V4_usa_TluozoGsYcmgMGzy-IlxhsOXzYMYvEHIRVkdV187i5mQT4Cy3miHClKvQ.mp4

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Police in Chiang Mai are searching for the person who left a baby girl beside a road in Doi Saket, where she was found crying alone in roadside grass shortly before dawn on 1 September 2026.

The baby, believed to be about five days old, was taken to Doi Saket Hospital. Doctors found that she was generally healthy, although weak, and she remains under close care.

Baby found before dawn

At about 5am, Doi Saket police received a report from a member of the public that an infant had been abandoned beside a road in Ban Pho Thong Charoen, Moo 2, Choeng Doi subdistrict, Doi Saket district.

Pol Col Supachai Chantra, superintendent of Doi Saket Police Station, sent patrol officers to the location. On arrival, officers heard a baby crying from grass beside the road.

Using torches to search the area, police found the infant lying on the ground wrapped in a brown towel. The child was immediately taken to Doi Saket Hospital for a medical examination and treatment.

Hospital care and child protection

Hospital staff confirmed that the baby is female and approximately five days old. While her overall physical condition was described as sound, she was tired and required close monitoring.

Police have contacted the Office of Social Development and Human Security, known in Thai as PMHS, so the child can be placed under initial protection and care.

CCTV and hospital checks underway

Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the location where the baby was found and along surrounding routes in an effort to identify whoever brought her there.

Police are also checking information with nearby hospitals for records connected to births during the past week, seeking evidence and leads linked to the person involved.

Col Supachai said officers would move quickly to trace the person who abandoned the child, bring them in for questioning and proceed under the legal process.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thai police have arrested two brothers from Rayong accused of helping move more than 2,399kg of crystal methamphetamine from Thailand towards Australia by sea.

The men, aged 43 and 46, were detained on 1 September in Nakhon Si Thammarat after an investigation into a transnational drugs network allegedly using fishing vessels and Starlink satellite equipment to communicate.

Arrests on land and at sea

Pariwat, 43, was arrested beside a road in Moo 8, Thong Nian, Khanom district. His older brother, Piti, 46, was detained aboard the fishing boat Por Chok Chantha 399 in Khanom Bay.

Both men were wanted under Criminal Court warrants on charges of jointly selling a category 1 narcotic, crystal meth, and jointly attempting to export the drug from Thailand.



The operation involved the Crime Suppression Division, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Khanom maritime police. It was ordered by Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Lt Gen Natsak Chawanasai, with officers including Crime Suppression Division chief Maj Gen Phatthanasak Bubphasuwan, his deputy Col Pongpanot Chukaew, Division 6 superintendent Col Anusorn Thongsai and Lt Col Thanakarn Uchanarasami.

Police seized two mobile phones.

Investigators said Pariwat was driving a red saloon car with Rayong registration plates when officers moved in. He allegedly fled at speed and threw a mobile phone beside the road in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, but was later stopped and arrested.

Investigation followed 2025 seizure

The arrests stem from a June 2025 operation in which the DSI, Royal Thai Navy and Narcotics Control Board seized more than 2,399kg of crystal meth.

Authorities said that consignment had been moved from the mouth of the Prasae River in Rayong aboard a tourist boat, then through the Gulf of Thailand to Sichon and Khanom in Nakhon Si Thammarat. It was allegedly intended to be transferred to a larger vessel for delivery into international waters, with Australia as the destination.


Pictures courtesy of MGR Online

Financial trails, suspicious accounts and communications later led investigators to the two Rayong-born brothers, police said. Officers allege they were linked to a transnational network directed from a neighbouring country, while using fishing work in Khanom as a cover.

Police said Pariwat allegedly directed crew members and oversaw the movement of drugs. Piti allegedly handled coordination, finances and the procurement of Starlink satellite equipment fitted to the boat for communications.

Radar check led police to vessel

During questioning, Pariwat reportedly claimed his brother had been out fishing for five or six days. Police said vessel radar data showed Piti's boat had left port only 20 minutes earlier.

Khanom maritime police then sent a patrol boat into the bay, stopped Por Chok Chantha 399 and arrested Piti, described as the boat's skipper.

Both suspects were handed to DSI investigators for further legal action.


Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
An Indian tourist was taken to hospital unconscious after an early-morning confrontation outside a seafood restaurant near Walking Street in Pattaya on Tuesday, 1 September.

Police said Raval, 48, was reportedly heavily intoxicated and had vomited, when officers found him lying unconscious, in the roadway shortly after 4.20am. Those involved in the confrontation have been detained for questioning as police review CCTV footage.

Officers from Muang Pattaya Police Station and Pattaya Tourist Police attended the scene after reports of an assault. Rescue volunteers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya also responded and gave the man first aid before he was transferred to hospital.

Clash near Walking Street

A crowd of Thai and foreign tourists had gathered around Raval, an Indian national, when police arrived. Fellow Indian tourists were attempting to revive him after he lost consciousness.

Pannaporn Ob-aun, 58, a fried-insect vendor working nearby, told police that she had seen the tourist staggering and apparently trying to pick fights with people in the area.

She said he then walked towards a valet parking point used by restaurant customers. A disturbance followed, after which he collapsed and failed to get back up.

Parking attendant's account

Pornchai, 36, a parking attendant, said he had been watching customers' vehicles when the tourist approached a parked car and began pulling at it.

According to Pornchai, he intervened because he believed the man might damage the vehicle. He said the tourist punched him once in the face, and that he responded with a single punch.

A motorcycle taxi driver then pushed the Indian tourist, who fell to the ground and lost consciousness, Pornchai said.

Police have not yet set out a full account of how the confrontation unfolded. They said CCTV footage would be examined as part of their ongoing investigation.


Picture courtesy of พัทยา จุดเกิดเหตุ

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thai police have confirmed that an Interpol Red Notice for Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya remains in force, despite no longer being visible to the public.

Speaking at the Royal Thai Police headquarters on 1 September, Pol Lt Gen Trairong Piwpan, deputy inspector-general and police spokesman, said Yoovidhya's details remain in Interpol's database for use by member-country law enforcement agencies.

Notice is not publicly visible

Trairong said Interpol Red Notices operate in two forms. One can be published publicly, while the other is held internally within Interpol's database to protect confidential information and assist in tracing people sought by member countries.

He stressed that Yoovidhya's record remains accessible to police officials in Interpol member states, but not to the general public.

"The information on Mr Vorayuth remains in Interpol's database, but it can be checked only by police officers of member countries and is not available for public access," the police spokesman said.

The fact that a Red Notice cannot be seen by the public does not mean it has been withdrawn, Trairong added. Yoovidhya's status remains recorded for international police and member states to use in efforts to locate him.

No record of return to Thailand

Police also checked with the Immigration Bureau and found no record of Yoovidhya travelling back into Thailand.

Separately, Trairong said disciplinary investigations into members of the original police team involved in preparing the case file and assisting with altering evidence have been completed.

The police inspectorate and Royal Thai Police have sent the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as to commanders in the chain of command, for disciplinary orders.

All officers involved have already received disciplinary penalties according to the severity of their offences, he said. These included reprimands, salary deductions and detention.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

Join the discussion?


2 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thai police have seized 138 bottles of suspected counterfeit perfume from a shop inside a Pattaya shopping mall, where the products were allegedly marketed at foreign tourists.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), working with the Department of Intellectual Property and representatives of affected trademark owners, inspected the shop on South Pattaya Road.

Fourteen brands found in raid

Officers found Ms Rattanaporn, 44, offering the perfumes to customers. Trademark representatives examined the goods and confirmed they allegedly carried counterfeit versions of trademarks registered in Thailand.

Police seized 138 items referring to 14 brands: Dior, YSL, Chanel, Armani, Gucci, Burberry, Versace, Jean Paul, Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, Hermes, Polo Ralph Lauren, Chloe and Prada.



The perfumes were reportedly boxed and sealed to resemble genuine products. They were sold for 1,500 baht per bottle, with a promotion offering one free bottle to customers who bought two.

The Economic Crime Suppression Division said it had received a complaint from brand representatives, carried out an investigation and made a test purchase before gathering evidence for the raid.

Rattanaporn has been charged with offering for sale goods bearing counterfeit trademarks registered by another person in Thailand. She was handed to investigators from the division's Sub-division 1 with the seized items.

During initial questioning, she partially denied the allegation. She admitted selling the seized products but said they did not belong to her.

Malaysian link under investigation

Police said the shop accepted payments by QR code linked to an account in the name of Mr. Racheal.

Initial inquiries indicate the person is Malaysian and may be connected to warehouse management, payment collection and the supervision of sales staff. Investigators are examining financial transactions and gathering further evidence.

The inquiry is also being widened to identify the source of the suspected counterfeit goods, storage facilities, manufacturers, suppliers and any other people potentially involved in the network.

The CIB advised consumers to be cautious of designer perfumes priced unusually below normal market levels, or sold with heavily discounted promotional deals. Counterfeit fragrances may not meet standards and their ingredients or production source may be impossible to verify, potentially causing irritation or other harm.


Pictures courtesy of Central Investigation Bureau

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
A worker was killed and another injured when stacked steel I-beams collapsed inside a steel factory warehouse in Bang Pla, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, on the morning of 31 August 2026.

Emergency workers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, supported by medical and rescue teams, were sent to the warehouse after reports that a pile of steel had fallen on workers.

One injured male worker was given first aid at the scene and taken to hospital. His condition was initially reported to be stable.

Worker trapped beneath stacked beams

Rescuers found the body of Wachirapong, 43, beneath a collapsed pile of I-shaped steel beams. He was pronounced dead at the scene.



Officials had to work carefully and use specialist equipment to remove his body from the stack of steel.

A colleague, Nonthakorn, told investigators that each beam was about six metres long. Workers had been lifting and arranging the beams when the fatal collapse occurred.

According to his account, Wachirapong had climbed onto the stack to oversee the movement of the steel from above.

Beam reportedly slipped before collapse

Nonthakorn said one beam had already been lifted but had not yet been placed in its intended position when it suddenly slid down.

It then struck the stacked beams below, causing the pile to collapse. The incident unfolded so quickly that workers nearby were unable to get clear in time.

Police will question witnesses and examine the procedures used to lift and arrange the beams, as well as equipment inside the factory, to establish the precise cause. Further legal action will follow as appropriate.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026


Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thailand has identified 767 factories operating unlawfully nationwide so far this year, with 53% of the violations found in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the government said on Monday 31 August 2026.

Of the factories identified, 131 have been ordered to halt operations, while 636 were told to take corrective action. Legal proceedings have been launched against 391 factories, according to deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana.

The findings follow a Ministry of Industry move away from routine inspections towards a data-led system intended to spot irregularities at industrial sites.

Data system flags possible violations

The ministry's i-Auditor system draws on several sources of information to identify potential problems before sending cases to field inspectors.

Ms Lalida said the checks include waste-management practices that do not match production data, unusual patterns in water, electricity and raw-material use, and discrepancies involving production processes or output volumes. Some information also pointed to possible trade fraud.

Inspectors use i-Auditor to apply inspection standards, record their findings and prepare electronic reports, she said. No further details of the factories or alleged unlawful activities were released.

The largest concentration of violations was in the EEC, the special economic development zone covering Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao, as well as surrounding provinces.

More than 77,000 factories registered

The Department of Industrial Works has 77,058 industrial factories registered in its system, including 5,961 in industrial estates.

Among factories outside estates, 47 smaller operations are classified as Category 1, meaning they have minimal environmental or safety impact and do not need an operating licence. A further 3,361 medium-sized Category 2 plants must notify authorities before beginning operations.

There are also 67,689 Category 3 factories, which are large-scale operations required to obtain an operating permit before they are established and begin operating.

Ms Lalida said the government was seeking both to protect the public and ensure fair competition in industry.

"Businesses that invest in wastewater treatment systems, waste management and safety standards should not be disadvantaged by operators who cut costs by failing to comply with legal requirements," she said.

Public can report concerns

The Ministry of Industry has also opened its Jaeng Ut, or "report the industry", platform for community reporting and tips about factory-related concerns.

People are asked to provide a location, details of the issue, the date and time, and any supporting evidence that they can collect safely.

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Pattaya authorities and US Navy security team, have barred visiting US Navy personnel from Soi 6, Soi 6/1 and Soi 7 during the USS Abraham Lincoln's port call in Chonburi from 2 to 6 September 2026.

The restrictions were agreed at a meeting at Pattaya City Hall on 31 August, held to prepare security and visitor services for the expected arrival of more than 5,000 personnel aboard the aircraft carrier and three accompanying ships.

Officials expect about 60 per cent of those arriving, or around 3,000 people, to travel to Pattaya and stay overnight.

Areas and activities off limits

Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngamphichet assigned Bancha Kullawanich, the mayor's secretary, and Pattaya city clerk Kiatisak Sriwongchai to chair the meeting.

Those attending included Pol. Col. Milin Pienchang, superintendent of Division 2 at Tourist Police Bureau 1; Phichet Thammahor, senior deputy district chief of Banglamung; representatives from Pattaya City Police Station, the ships' security team and other relevant agencies.

The meeting set measures covering public safety, crime prevention and travel assistance. Navy personnel will not be permitted to enter Soi 6, Soi 6/1 or Soi 7, visit cannabis shops or pharmacies, or take part in water-based activities.

Walking Street will remain open to sailors, although they must leave by 2am.

Businesses urged to charge fairly

Authorities also reminded businesses to charge fair prices during the visit and to strictly prevent sexual exploitation, particularly where anyone under 18 is involved. Officials also stressed that prostitution is strictly illegal in Thailand.

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026

Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thailand has formally ended its 60-day visa-exemption scheme for 93 countries and territories, with a new 30-day visa-free entry rule taking effect on 15 September 2026.

The Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette, Volume 143, Special Issue 207, dated 31 August. As the notices take legal effect 15 days after publication, travellers arriving up to and including 14 September will still receive the current 60-day stamp.

Foreigners already in Thailand will retain the period of stay stamped into their passport on arrival.

New 30-day list covers 60 nationalities

From 15 September, nationals of 60 countries and territories can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

For tourists and short-term visitors from countries including the UK, US, Australia and most of Europe, the practical change is that visa-free arrivals after 14 September will receive 30 days rather than 60. A one-time 30-day extension remains available inside Thailand, subject to immigration approval.

Tourism only, with land-border limits

The exemption is now explicitly limited to tourism. Earlier wording allowing short-term work or business has been removed.

Officials said the previous overlapping arrangements had caused confusion and were used by some people for short-term work or business while presenting themselves as tourists. The government described the new approach as a "one country, one entitlement" system intended to balance security checks with convenience for quality tourists.

Visa-free land-border entries under the 30-day scheme are generally limited to two per calendar year. This cap does not apply to nationals of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore.

Mauritius and Seychelles will have a separate 15-day visa-free tourism exemption, also normally limited to two land entries a year unless the Interior Minister allows an exception.

Visa on Arrival will be available to nationals of only Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia

Bilateral agreements remain unchanged

Existing bilateral visa-exemption treaties are not being repealed. They provide 14 days for Cambodia and Myanmar - with Myanmar limited to international airport arrivals - 30 days for China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, and 90 days for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Korea.

Foreign nationals not covered by the new lists or a bilateral agreement will need a visa through Thailand's worldwide e-Visa system. Travellers should check their exact nationality status with a Thai embassy or the Department of Consular Affairs before departure.

Related story

Thailand-expected-to-cut-visa-free-stays-to-30-days-in-September


Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
A 26-year-old Myanmar national was left with a split head and bruising after an alleged attack by a group of ladyboys on Pattaya Beach late on 30 August 2026.

Pattaya City Police are investigating the confrontation on the beachfront pavement opposite Soi 13/1 on Beach Road. The ladyboys involved reportedly claimed that they had been harassed by the men before the violence.

The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya City rescue unit received a report of an assault with injuries at 11.40pm and alerted police before sending volunteers to the scene.

Rescuers found signs of a fight and three men who appeared shocked. One, identified as Mr. Khon Aye Maung, 26, from Myanmar, had a head wound as well as injuries and bruising to his body. He was given initial first aid at the scene.

Two accounts of the confrontation

Siriphong Namyu, 35, a Pattaya City special affairs officer, said he was driving along Beach Road when he saw a group of around three or four ladyboys cross the road towards the beach.

He said they then assaulted the group of men. Siriphong stopped his vehicle, attempted to break up the fight and contacted the authorities.

While he was intervening, the ladyboys said they had earlier been sexually harassed by the men. They said this had angered them and led them to return and attack the group before leaving the area.

One of the injured men's group gave officers a different version. He said they had been walking along Beach Road and filming the surrounding area with a mobile phone when the recording included the ladyboy group.

He said the group became unhappy, an argument followed, and the ladyboys later returned and assaulted them.

Police seek those involved

Police questioned those connected to the case and other witnesses while attempting to identify and locate the alleged attackers. Officials had not announced any charges or findings.

Anyone caught up in a dispute should avoid escalating it, move to a safe place and contact police or rescue services if there is an immediate risk of violence or someone is injured.


Picture courtesy of SiamRath

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026

Georgealbert
Georgealbert
A Rayong mother has asked police to arrest her own son and his friends after alleging they repeatedly gathered at her home to smoke cannabis at night.

Orathai, 36, posted phone footage of the group on social media after saying her repeated warnings had failed to stop them. Police have since seized cannabis and smoking equipment from the property and are taking legal action against her son and his friends.

The case concerns a house in Village 12, Bang But subdistrict, Ban Khai district, Rayong province.

Mother says warnings were ignored

Orathai said the youths, some still in school and others no longer studying, regularly arrived at the house on motorcycles before gathering to smoke cannabis.

She said the smell spread through the house and became a nuisance. According to Orathai, the group continued to use the property despite her attempts to tell them to stop.

After smoking, she said, the youths often appeared dazed and absent-minded. She also alleged that her son could become irritable and sometimes harmed himself.

Rather than trying to protect him from possible consequences, Orathai said she wanted officers to arrest and prosecute both her son and the other young people involved.

Police seize items from the house

Pol Col Pramot Kongkalai, chief of Ban Khai Police Station, ordered investigators to inspect the address after the complaint was made.

Police seized cannabis and smoking paraphernalia as evidence. They are proceeding with legal action against Orathai's son and his friends, in line with her request.

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thai police have arrested seven Chinese nationals and two Thai drivers in Chonburi after intercepting vehicles allegedly carrying the group towards a scam compound in Myanmar's Karen State.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Highway Police Division stopped the two cars on Highway 344, at kilometre marker 2 on the Bangkok-bound side, in Ban Suan subdistrict of Mueang Chonburi district.

Police seized two vehicles, 14 mobile phones and four damaged passports. The seven Chinese nationals were charged with entering and remaining in Thailand without permission, while the drivers face charges of jointly assisting, harbouring or otherwise helping foreign nationals who entered illegally to evade arrest.

Highway patrol operation led to arrests

The arrests followed surveillance by Chonburi highway police under Operation Ghost Driver, an operation targeting vehicles suspected of involvement in illegal cross-border transport.

Officers identified a Toyota Corolla driven by a Thai man identified only as Mr O, and a Toyota Wish driven by another Thai man identified only as Mr W.

A search found seven Chinese nationals inside the vehicles who could not produce valid passports or other identification documents.

According to police, the two drivers admitted they had been hired to collect the group in Makham district, Chanthaburi, and take them to Bangkok. Each driver was allegedly promised 10,000 baht.

Group says it crossed border on foot

Investigators said the Chinese nationals told them they had travelled from Vietnam through Cambodia before entering Thailand on foot via an unofficial natural border crossing in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi.

Their intended destination was Karen State in Myanmar, where police said they allegedly planned to work at a scam operation. Further checks found that one of the seven was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Chinese authorities in connection with a telecommunications fraud case.

All nine suspects admitted the allegations, police said. They were transferred to investigators at Mueang Chonburi Police Station for further legal proceedings.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Police in Bangkok's Huai Khwang district have inspected nine entertainment venues and karaoke shops in a new crackdown targeting alleged nominee businesses, drugs, illegal workers, prostitution, weapons and violence.

The first phase of the "Huai Khwang White: Restore 100% Confidence" operation began at 23.00 on 30 August. Pol Col Kamphon Rattanaprateep, acting superintendent of Huai Khwang Police Station, and Pol Lt Col Chaiya Welaowanaruk led officers across four high-risk zones.

Checks covered drugs, weapons and immigration status

Officers from Metropolitan Police Division 1's investigation unit joined Huai Khwang police detectives and prevention and suppression officers for the searches.



The operation involved urine tests for drugs, searches for weapons and other illegal items, and screening of foreign workers for illegal employment or visa overstays. Police also revisited premises previously ordered permanently closed, including Mueang Tai and Baan Khao Fun, to ensure they had not quietly resumed trading.

All officers were instructed to wear body cameras throughout their duties, police said, to ensure transparency and allow the operation to be reviewed.

Initial results from all nine venues found no drugs in the bodies of tourists or staff, and no illegal items were discovered.

Response to 577 Club raid

Kamphon said the campaign followed action by Deputy Interior Minister Pholphee Suwanchawee, who previously led administrative officials in an inspection and arrest operation at 577 Club in the Huai Khwang police area.



He described that case as an important warning that required the station to review and urgently strengthen its proactive work.

Kamphon said the intention was not to close businesses or damage the district's economy, but to impose order and improve standards. He said police would distinguish between legitimate operators and alleged nominee networks concealing unlawful activity.

"Huai Khwang is a vibrant economic and tourism centre," he said, adding that police would act decisively against disguised nominee groups, drugs, illegal foreign workers and all forms of illegal activity.

Kamphon said shops and entertainment businesses would be offered advice and support to obtain correct licences, working with the district office and relevant agencies.

Later this week, Huai Khwang police plan to join the Department of Provincial Administration, Immigration Bureau, Huai Khwang district office, Excise Department, Office of the Narcotics Control Board and Department of Business Development. The agencies will examine shareholder structures and financial routes in an effort to dismantle alleged grey-capital nominee networks.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Related story

Bangkoks-577-club-raided-over-licence-and-drugs


Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thailand is reportedly set to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days for nationals of 60 countries during September 2026, following government approval of revised entry rules.

The official documentation for the changes have now been submitted to the Royal Gazette (draft document) for publication. They will take effect 15 days after publication.

The 60-day visa-free facility, introduced in 2024 for nationals of 93 countries to encourage longer tourist stays, will therefore be cut in half. Eligibility will also fall from 93 nationalities to 60.

Who remains visa-exempt

Nationals of the following countries will be eligible for a 30-day visa-free stay:

Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bulgaria
Bhutan
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Malaysia
Maldives
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Türkiye
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America

Mauritius and Seychelles nationals will be eligible for visa-free entry for 15 days.

Visa on arrival will be available only to nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia.

Existing bilateral visa-exemption treaties are not being repealed.

Land crossings and visa runs

Thailand will also maintain the limit of visa-exempt entries over land borders to two. The restriction does not apply to nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia or Singapore.

There will be no official limit on the number of entries by air, but entry will be subject to immigration approval on arrival.

This information is based on the signed Ministry of Interior announcements dated 26 August 2026 and the Ministry’s forwarding letter to the Cabinet Secretariat dated 27 August 2026 containing the draft Royal Gazette document. Reminder the rules only come into effect 15 days after being announced in the Royal Gazette, which is still awaited.



Related story

Visa-exempt-reverting-to-30-days-imminent

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026

Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thailand's Tourism Authority (TAT) has brought 11 influencers and content creators from the UK, Australia and Japan to Phang Nga for its Amazing Thailand Surf & Wellness Journey.

The visit is intended to generate international content promoting Phang Nga's beaches, nature, food, community life and health-focused tourism experiences. TAT wants to position the southern province as an emerging Asian destination for surf and wellness travel.

For foreign residents and visitors, the campaign highlights a growing range of activity-based and wellbeing options beyond Phang Nga's established beach holidays, particularly around Khao Lak and Takua Pa.



Surf, nature and wellbeing experiences

Uthit Limsakul, director of the TAT Phang Nga Office, welcomed the group and presented the province's tourism products and services. He pointed to Phang Nga's surf-suitable beaches, intact natural surroundings and health and wellness services as strengths that match modern travel trends.

The creators took part in Surf Therapy, a concept combining surfing with physical and mental wellbeing. Their programme also included a visit to The Board Factory, a surfboard manufacturing facility.

Other activities included the Devasom Aqua Bath wellness experience at Devasom Khao Lak, a wellness and cooking class at La Vita Sana Khaolak, and Forest Bathing at Ton Chong Fa Waterfall.


Pictures courtesy of kaoded

The visitors also went kayaking through the ecosystem at Khlong Sang Neh, known as Little Amazon, and visited Takua Pa Old Town to learn about the province's culture, local way of life and identity.

Tourism businesses meet overseas creators

TAT also arranged The Wave of Healing Networking Dinner at La Solaya Khao Lak, bringing together Phang Nga tourism businesses, the influencer group and relevant sectors.

The event was designed to encourage discussion on marketing and the development of surf and wellness products and services. Prin Pongcharoen, director of the International Public Relations Division, presented the campaign concept, "Healing is the New Luxury".

The initiative forms part of TAT's effort to expand its quality-tourism market, using overseas creators to present Thailand's tourism potential to international audiences.


Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Two men were wounded in a shooting outside a nightclub in South Pattaya early on August 31, after a dispute that police said began inside the venue.

Pattaya City Police were alerted at 2.36am. Officers, Banglamung district officials and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rescue volunteers arrived to find a crowd gathered and two men requiring treatment.

The case remains under investigation. Police detained one after treatment, the other remains under guard at hospital. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage, warning that everyone involved will face the full legal process.

Two men taken to hospital

Mongkol, 29, who was reported to be a former security and police volunteer with several official agencies, was shot in the right calf. The bullet remained lodged in his leg, and rescue workers gave him treatment at the scene before taking him to hospital for surgery.

The other injured man, 36-year-old Ratchaphon, known as Ball, suffered a gunshot wound to his left foot as well as facial swelling. He was also given first aid before being taken to hospital.



Police found a bullet hole in the inner driver-side door of Mongkol's pickup truck. A Glock 43 9mm pistol and ammunition were recovered as evidence.

Mongkol's 35-year-old girlfriend, Atchara, stayed at the scene. She told officers she did not know what had caused the dispute, but reportedly confirmed that the pistol belonged to Mongkol.

Conflicting accounts of shooting

Witnesses told police that two groups had argued inside the entertainment venue before security staff ejected them. Gunfire then broke out outside, with several shots fired and people nearby dropping to the ground.

They said they did not know what had prompted the original argument.

Mongkol told police he did not know who he had been fighting with. He said he left the venue first, before a group of youths surrounded his pickup. He claimed he fired the weapon in self-defence to clear a route away from the scene.

Ratchaphon gave a different version. He said he had an earlier dispute with Mongkol and saw him again inside the nightclub. According to Ratchaphon, the two groups became mixed up and followed each other outside, where Mongkol fired three shots from inside his pickup while driving away, injuring him.

Police said a check of Mongkol's Facebook account found posts and video clips relating to firearms training, photographs of him wearing what appeared to be an agency identification card and clothing resembling an official uniform, and images with senior police officers. Officers will examine the material further to determine whether it is relevant to the shooting.


Pictures courtesy of Siamrath

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
Thailand's Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) joined Phuket authorities on 31 August 2026 to observe inspections at hotel businesses applying for operating licences in the province.

The visits covered multiple establishments and formed part of a wider effort to ensure hotel approvals are handled transparently, fairly and within the law.

The inspection team was led by Phuket Vice Governor Romdon Haji-Awae. PACC Deputy Secretary-General Police Lieutenant Colonel Siripong Sritula and Anti-Corruption Operations Bureau director Police Lieutenant Colonel Sarawut Khamluang attended with PACC officers.

Checks on hotel licence applications

The provincial screening committee responsible for the Hotel Act 2004 carried out the inspections, examining buildings and operating premises against the details submitted with each licence application.

Officials were gathering facts, assessing whether the premises matched the applications, and considering whether documentation and conditions complied with relevant laws and regulations before a hotel-business licence could be granted.

Representatives from Phuket Provincial Police, the Phuket Provincial Prosecutor, local administrative bodies, the Provincial Public Works and Town and Country Planning Office, the Provincial Cultural Office and the Provincial Public Health Office also joined the exercise.

Authorities did not identify the hotels inspected or report any penalties, closures or licence decisions.

Operators raise concerns over approval process

PACC officials also heard directly from hotel operators about practical problems and limitations they encounter during the licensing process. They asked relevant agencies about possible ways to resolve those difficulties.

The commission said it had offered recommendations intended to make official consideration of applications transparent, fair and quicker, while remaining within the legal framework.

It also called for unnecessary steps and obstacles to be reduced without weakening inspection standards or legal compliance.

Part of anti-corruption drive

The PACC said the Phuket inspections were part of its work on government approval and licensing procedures. Its focus is on preventing corruption risks and the improper use of official discretion, while helping state agencies provide services to residents and businesses efficiently and to consistent, reviewable standards.

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert
A Pattaya cannabis shop employee has been questioned over an assault after a video showed him punching a foreign man in the street. The worker says he acted in anger after discovering that the customer had allegedly used fake bank-transfer slips to obtain cannabis worth 29,200 baht.

The confrontation happened at about 5.30pm on 30 August in Soi Bongkot, South Pattaya, Chonburi, according to Watcharapong, known as Ice, a 31-year-old employee at a cannabis shop in Pattaya.

More than six minutes of video circulated online, showing Watcharapong restraining the foreign man on the road and repeatedly striking him as passers-by watched. A Thai woman who said she knew the foreigner stopped her car and attempted to intervene.

Fake payment slips alleged

Watcharapong told reporters on the evening of 31 August that the foreign customer had placed two orders through the shop's website, with the pair communicating on WhatsApp.

He said the shop did not initially realise it had been deceived. During the second order, staff found that no money had arrived in the account and reviewed the payment slips from both transactions.


Picture courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง

According to Watcharapong, the slips had altered times and sums but carried the same transaction reference number. He put the total loss at 29,200 baht, adding that the customer replied mockingly when the shop sought payment.

The shop then posted appeals to locate the man for more than two to three weeks, he said, before a member of the public called with information on his whereabouts.

Watcharapong said he went to the location and tried to hold the man, who appeared to be preparing to run away. Fearing he might flee on a motorcycle, he said he parked his vehicle, gave chase and struck him, as seen in the footage.

Settlement payments under way

Both sides later went to a police station to negotiate. The foreign man agreed to repay the loss in instalments, Watcharapong said.

He said a first payment of 10,000 baht had been made on 31 August, while another 10,000 baht due today was still awaiting transfer. Watcharapong has also been summoned by police for questioning, with a report made in connection with an assault allegation.

Worker apologises for violence

Watcharapong apologised to the public, saying he had let anger take over and used excessive violence. He said he had not expected the recording to become viral.

He also rejected online claims linking him to grey-area businesses or other drugs, saying the shop sold only cannabis and that he did not use narcotics. He said he was willing to undergo a hospital drug test.

AQPWHl_6Aurw1Mbg4-3eVshJ1rGF38A63rtULc8W4v80IY5kTj5hr8YOm6x2vw0T12BwcZf7CdV54Gg8NG9tDKsc-Q0BgRzSjc5M4SWRzg.mp4

Join the discussion?


1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.