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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.

Indian tourist unconscious after Pattaya restaurant clash

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

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2 September 2026
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Georgealbert

Boss Red Notice remains active, Thai police say

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

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2 September 2026
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Georgealbert

Pattaya mall raided over suspected fake perfumes

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

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1 September 2026
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Worker killed as I-beams collapse in Bang Phli

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

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1 September 2026


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Thailand finds 767 illegal factories, most in EEC

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.

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1 September 2026
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Pattaya meeting bars US Navy personnel from Soi 6

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.

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1 September 2026

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Thailand ends 60-day visa-free entry from 15 September

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.

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1 September 2026
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Ladyboys attack Myanmar man on Pattaya Beach

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

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1 September 2026

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Rayong mother asks police to arrest son over cannabis

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.

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1 September 2026
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Thai police stop seven Chinese heading for Myanmar scam site

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

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1 September 2026
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Huai Khwang raids target nominee-run nightlife venues

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

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1 September 2026
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Thailand expected to cut visa-free stays to 30 days in September

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.



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1 September 2026

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11 overseas influencers to put Phang Nga on surf map

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.


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1 September 2026
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Georgealbert

Pattaya nightclub shooting leaves two men wounded

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

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1 September 2026
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Georgealbert

Phuket hotel licence checks target transparent approvals

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.

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1 September 2026
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Georgealbert

Foreign man beaten in Pattaya cannabis payment row

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.

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1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand plans gold-market rules to trace grey money

Thailand's Finance Ministry is drawing up a framework to oversee the entire gold market, linking financial records with gold transactions to help trace suspected grey money and money laundering.

The proposed system would cover online and shopfront trades, gold imports, bullion movements and physical delivery. Officials say it would allow them to follow funds from their source through to the final delivery of gold.

The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) is consulting state agencies and gold businesses before deciding the final rules, director-general Vinit Visessuvanapoom said.

Closing gaps in gold-market supervision

Vinit said the government faces two urgent problems: no single agency directly regulates the gold business, and the state does not have access to complete transaction data.

"The gold market has two problems that need urgent attention. First, no agency directly regulates the gold business. Second, the state lacks the tools to obtain complete transaction data," he said.

Without those links, authorities cannot fully establish whether money entering the financial system later moves into gold, or trace funds from their origins to their eventual destination.

The Bank of Thailand has already issued some rules supporting the government's approach, while the FPO is working with other agencies on measures to widen supervision.

Officials want records that can show whether the money and gold involved in a transaction actually exist, where purchase funds came from, and how both funds and bullion subsequently moved.

The new framework would supplement the Anti-Money Laundering Office, which already has legal authority to monitor cash transactions and other dealings that meet statutory conditions.

Online and physical gold trades linked

The ministry does not believe online gold dealing and transactions at physical gold shops can be regulated separately. Vinit said money and gold may pass through both channels in a single transaction chain.

The ministry says it wants access to essential information without placing unnecessary costs or disruption on a gold industry that remains important and popular in Thailand.

Tax is not the only possible tool

No decision has been made on a specific business tax for gold transactions. Vinit stressed that taxation was one possible way to obtain transaction records, rather than the main purpose of the policy.

"I do not want the public to worry about tax, because that may create the impression that the government is trying to raise revenue when this is a separate issue," he said.

"Tax is only one tool, but it gives us transaction data. There are several other tools, so oversight is more important in the bigger picture."

The FPO aims to complete its work as quickly as possible, but Vinit said officials must first determine which measures would genuinely close loopholes without causing disproportionate harm to legitimate gold businesses.

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1 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand road deaths stood at 220 last week

Thailand recorded 220 deaths and 19,316 injuries in road accidents during the latest week, according to figures from the ThaiRSC accident reporting centre released on 30 August 2026.

Although both daily averages were lower than the previous week, the nationwide toll remains high. The figures add to a 2026 total of 8,722 deaths and 606,132 injuries as of 29 August.

Weekly toll remains high

The 220 deaths equate to an average of 31.4 people killed each day, down from 32.57 daily deaths in the preceding week.

There were 19,316 people injured during the latest week, or 2,759.4 per day. This was also lower than the previous week's daily injury average of 3,026.9.

For 29 August alone, ThaiRSC recorded 23 deaths and 2,340 injuries from road accidents across Thailand. Of those killed, 17 were drivers and six were passengers.

Twenty-two of the people who died that day were Thai nationals and one was a foreigner. No further details about the foreign national were given in the data.

Motorcycles accounted for 18 of the 23 deaths reported on 29 August, while cars accounted for five. Twenty-one of those killed were adults, with two aged 15 or under.

Prachuap Khiri Khan recorded the highest number of road deaths that day.

What this means for foreigners

For foreign residents, tourists and people travelling around Thailand, the latest data underline the continuing risks on the country's roads, particularly for those using motorcycles.

Road safety remains a daily concern beyond the major holiday travel periods. While the latest weekly averages have fallen, the year-to-date total shows that serious accidents continue to affect communities, visitors and residents across the country.


Picture courtesy of ThaiRSC

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31 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Bangkok data centre diesel storage raises questions

A planned large data centre in Soi Ramkhamhaeng 28, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, is reported to have 429,000 litres of diesel reserved for backup generators, prompting public calls for disclosure of its permits and safety systems.

Bangkok MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt of the People's Party and Nitipoomthanat Mingrujirala, known as Tutor Moo, have separately raised concerns about the project. The reported diesel volume is equivalent to that held by three or four large petrol stations, according to Suphanat.

The claims concern a facility in a densely populated part of the capital, where nearby residents - including foreign tenants and homeowners - would want to know what emergency procedures, fire protection and environmental safeguards apply. No response from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has made.

Questions over planning and fuel rules

Suphanat said data centres have been built across Bangkok and other provinces without clear regulation because Thai building-control and town-planning laws do not define what category a data centre falls into.

He said developers may classify them as warehouses, offices or commercial buildings. Since 2024, he said he has raised the matter with the House committee on economic development and called on the Department of Public Works to define data centres, while urging the BMA to regulate them through its revised city plan.

However, he said there had been no progress after two years. He also criticised the BMA's draft new city plan, saying it would still allow private developers to build data centres without adequate controls.

Suphanat said the Ramkhamhaeng facility's 429,000 litres of diesel falls below the 500,000-litre threshold under the Fuel Oil Control Act, and therefore does not meet the stated criterion. He also said an Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA, was not required because relevant EIA listings cover petroleum development and petroleum transport.

Calls for documents and safety details

Nitipoomthanat said he wanted the project and relevant agencies to disclose the diesel type, authorised volume, storage location and safety measures. He said diesel has a higher flash point than petrol and is not easily ignited, but warned that a major fire involving such a quantity could produce intense heat, heavy smoke and combustion pollutants.

He also raised the risk of leaks affecting soil, drainage and the surrounding environment. He said storage of a less-flammable fuel between 15,000 and 500,000 litres may fall under a type-three storage category requiring permission, and asked whether approval had been granted.

His further questions covered the licence category, the agencies responsible for approval and inspection, the latest inspection date, tank and pipe leak prevention, firefighting systems, emergency plans and any assessment of local impacts.

He also questioned whether the Bhumjaithai-led government under Anutin Charnvirakul required an EIA before authorising a project of this scale. Nitipoomthanat cited potential 24-hour noise from cooling equipment, fans, pumps, transformers and generators.

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31 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Astronaut 'inspects' crater-like Route 323 in Kanchanaburi

A viral Facebook video has drawn fresh attention to a severely damaged section of Route 323 between Sangkhlaburi and Thong Pha Phum in Kanchanaburi province.

Posted by Apirak Vanaruji, the footage shows a person dressed as an astronaut apparently examining the crater-like road surface near Noen Chang Rong and Noen Yao Curve in Nong Lu subdistrict, Sangkhlaburi district.

Astronaut image highlights damaged surface

The video was widely shared and discussed online. Its astronaut theme was used to underline the condition of the hillside route, where potholes cover parts of the carriageway and the asphalt has broken away in several places.

Vehicles are seen having difficulty negotiating the affected stretch. The route runs along a steep hillside, adding to safety concerns for motorists travelling through the area.


Picture courtesy of Khoasod

Social-media users responding to the post called on the relevant authorities to inspect the road, carry out repairs and improve the route as a matter of urgency.

Calls for urgent road repairs

The post did not give details of any repair schedule or response from the authorities. Its rapid spread, however, has renewed public pressure for action on the badly worn section near Nong Lu.

Route 323 is the road identified in the video, with the damaged section located around Noen Chang Rong and Noen Yao Curve in Sangkhlaburi district.

Online commenters said the road should be inspected and repaired urgently after seeing vehicles struggle across the potholes and broken asphalt.

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31 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Satun Riviera plan goes to Thailand's Cabinet

Thailand's Cabinet is due to consider a plan to develop Satun into "The Riviera of Southeast Asia" at its travelling meeting in the southern province on 1 September. The proposal includes longer opening hours at the Wang Prachan Thai-Malaysian border checkpoint, a Free Flow Zone for trade and tourism projects aimed at Muslim visitors.

Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit inspected progress on projects under the scheme during a visit to Satun on Saturday, 29 August. The initiative is formally titled "World Class Southern Border, Thailand. The Riviera of Southeast Asia".

Worasit was welcomed by Satun Governor Kanit Kongchuey, deputy governors Dusadee Phruksaset and Damrongsak Kaewduang, Capt. Chakraphong Apimahatham of the Thai Navy and other officials.

Border and tourism plans

"The main goal is to promote Satun province as a 'Muslim-friendly destination,' leveraging Satun's strengths: 70-80% Muslim population, outstanding natural resources, and proximity to Malaysia and Indonesia," Worasit said.

Thailand and Malaysia have agreed in principle to establish a Free Flow Zone in Satun and extend the operating hours at Wang Prachan. The provincial administration is preparing to form a committee to study both measures and make a visit to Malaysia for talks with policymakers there.

The government also sees the plans as a way to reduce congestion at the better-known Sadao and Padang Besar crossings, while expanding local jobs and business opportunities, Worasit said.

Transport links under consideration

The wider development package would link Manang district in Satun with Pa Bon district in neighbouring Phatthalung. Cabinet approval is expected for a budget during the 2027 fiscal year to survey, design and assess the environmental impact of the Baro-Thung Tam Sao route.

Further proposals include a seaplane project intended to attract high-spending tourists, and development of a port capable of handling roll-on, roll-off car ferries. A shipping route between Perlis state in Malaysia and Satun is also planned.

These transport ideas could be relevant to visitors travelling between Malaysia's northern states and Thailand's Andaman coast, but none has been confirmed as operational.

Geopark and halal tourism

Governor Kanit said Satun had the potential to become a world-class destination because of its natural resources, varied attractions and halal-tourism readiness within a multicultural society.

He pointed to Satun Geopark, described as Thailand's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the south. Its limestone landscape includes mountains, small islands and beaches, with attractions including Leste Godond, Phu Pha Phet and Jedkot caves, Tanan mountain, Hin Panyod castle, Khai and Hin Ngam islands, and Than Phew and Tan Sawan waterfalls.


Picture courtesy of TNR

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31 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Russian man found dead in Phuket condo

A 43-year-old Russian man has been found dead inside a condominium room in Phuket's Kathu district, police said. Authorities believe Maksim Tarasov had been dead for about three days before his body was discovered on 30 August 2026.

Police were alerted at about 9pm to a death in room 24/89 at The Scene condominium in Kathu subdistrict.

Lt Col Natthayan Suphanphong, an investigator at Kathu Police Station, informed station chief Pol Col Chalermchai Hernsawat before going to the property.

No signs of struggle found

Investigators, an on-duty police team, a Kathu district officer and a forensic doctor from Vachira Phuket Hospital inspected the room.

Tarasov's body was found face down beside the bed in the bedroom. An initial examination found no evidence of a struggle or anything considered suspicious in the room, while his belongings and valuables appeared to be intact.

A forensic doctor estimated that the Russian national had died approximately three days before he was found.

The cause of death has not been established. Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation rescuers took the body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a detailed autopsy.

Embassy to be contacted

Police said they will coordinate with the Russian Embassy for Tarasov's relatives to make arrangements concerning his body.


Picture courtesy of Amarin

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31 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Widow sues Singapore Airlines over Bangkok turbulence death

Linda Kitchen, 74, has launched High Court proceedings against Singapore Airlines after severe turbulence on a London Heathrow flight left her with a broken back and her husband, Geoff, dead.

The aircraft was diverted for an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand, after suddenly dropping about 6,000ft (1,828 metres) over Myanmar in May 2024. The Kitchens, from Thornbury near Bristol, had been beginning a six-week holiday to Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.

Injuries after sudden drop

Lawyers acting for Mrs Kitchen say Geoff Kitchen, 73, was fatally injured during the incident, while she suffered severe back injuries. It is understood that he suffered a heart attack after the aircraft's sudden drop at high altitude.



"There had been some turbulence over Europe, and it had been shaky over the water, but it was around 10 hours into the flight when we encountered the main turbulence," Mrs Kitchen said.

"It was so severe; it felt like the aircraft was dropping. I noticed my Kindle and Geoff's phone had fallen to the floor, and I thought the plane was going down."

Mrs Kitchen said her husband fell on top of her as the aircraft plummeted, crushing her against an armrest. Other passengers helped move him and a doctor on board began CPR. Oxygen masks were deployed in the cabin.

She was taken to hospital in Bangkok while her husband remained on the aircraft. It was two days before she was told that he had died.

"When I got separated from Geoff, I knew he was in a bad way, but nothing prepared me for hearing he had died. It was absolutely devastating," she said.

Claim seeks specialist support

Mrs Kitchen spent 10 days in hospital before being airlifted back to Bristol. She then remained in hospital in the UK for about another week and required substantial help at home after discharge.

"I was in so much pain that the journey was a blur," she said.


Pictures courtesy of BBC

Her claim seeks damages from Singapore Airlines to help fund specialist support for her back.

Anthe Korelidou, the specialist aviation lawyer representing Mrs Kitchen, said the injuries showed the seriousness of what happened.

"That Geoff was fatally injured and Linda suffered severe injuries vividly highlights the severity of what happened," she said.

Family seeks answers

Ms Korelidou said that, while it was more than two years since Geoff's death, Mrs Kitchen and her family still had questions about the incident and whether more could have been done to prevent the injuries.

"All Linda wants is for the most thorough investigations to be conducted," she said. "The issuing of High Court proceedings is a major milestone in being able to provide Geoff's loved ones with the answers they deserve."


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31 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Amnat Charoen police seize 4m yaba pills

Police in Amnat Charoen have seized four million yaba pills, valued at about 200 million baht, after a Bangkok-registered van allegedly fled a checkpoint.

Chanuman police stopped the vehicle following a pursuit on the Ban Hin Suea-Ban Na Yang road in Chanuman district, Amnat Charoen, during the night of 30 August. One suspect, named only as Kriangkrai, was detained.

The drugs were found in 10 sacks inside the van, police said. Investigators believe the consignment was being moved from the border area towards Thailand's inner provinces.

Van stopped after checkpoint chase

The operation was led by Pol Col Chotinrin Suphawarat, superintendent of Chanuman Police Station.



Pol Lt Col Komsan Khamwan, an investigation inspector at the station, said officers had received information that a Bangkok-plated van would be used to transport narcotics from the border.

Police set up surveillance along the Ban Hin Suea-Ban Na Yang route in Chanuman subdistrict. When the suspected van approached, officers signalled for it to stop for a search.

However, the driver accelerated and attempted to escape, according to police. Officers pursued the vehicle closely before managing to block it and take Kriangkrai into custody.

A search uncovered the four million yaba tablets packed in 10 sacks. Yaba is the Thai term commonly used for methamphetamine tablets, a Category 1 narcotic under Thai law.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Investigation widened to find accomplices

Kriangkrai has been charged with selling a Category 1 narcotic, yaba, for commercial purposes and distribution among the public.

He and the seized drugs were handed to investigators at Chanuman Police Station for legal proceedings. Police said they would continue their inquiries in an effort to identify and arrest other people believed to be involved in the trafficking operation.

The seizure is one of the larger drug hauls reported in the area, with police putting the value of the tablets at more than 200 million baht.

Authorities have not said where the drugs originated, their intended final destination, or whether further arrests are expected to be made.

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31 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

American Wanted on Child Sex Charges Held in Phuket

Thai police have detained a 48-year-old American man in Phuket after the FBI asked authorities to trace him over eight arrest warrants issued in Alabama, including one federal warrant.

The man, identified as Lance Beck, is accused in the United States of offences involving the sexual abuse of a child under 14. Thai immigration authorities have revoked his permission to remain in the kingdom and transferred him to an Immigration Detention Centre pending his return to the US.

FBI request led police to Phuket hotel

The Royal Thai Police said it was contacted by the FBI on 27 August 2026 to help locate Mr Beck, who had allegedly fled to Thailand.

The eight warrants comprise seven issued at state level in Alabama and one federal warrant. The allegations include sexual torture, rape, human trafficking, facilitating a child's travel for an unlawful sex act, sexual abuse and incest.



According to police, the allegations relate to the abuse of a child aged under 14, with video recordings said to have been made. These remain allegations for the US legal process.

The investigation was overseen by Pol Maj Gen Chotiwat Luangwilai, commander of the Metropolitan Police Investigation Division; Pol Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 3; and Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, commander of Phuket Provincial Police.

Investigators from the Metropolitan Police IDMB, Immigration Division 3 and Sakhu Police Station established that Mr Beck had entered Thailand through Phuket International Airport. They located him at a hotel in Nai Yang, Sakhu, Thalang district, Phuket.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Permission to stay cancelled

Police attended the hotel at about 2.15pm on 29 August 2026. They said Mr Beck acknowledged that he was the person sought after officers informed him of the order cancelling his permission to stay in Thailand.

He was then taken to the Immigration Detention Centre, where he will be held while arrangements are made to send him back to the United States to face proceedings.

Thai authorities regularly cooperate with foreign law-enforcement agencies on cross-border cases, particularly where a suspect is believed to have entered or stayed in Thailand. The action in this case followed direct coordination with the FBI, police said.

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Video courtesy of Phuket Times

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31 August 2026
Georgealbert
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