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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.

Norwegian, 77, robbed by taxi rider in Pattaya

A 77-year-old Norwegian man has reported losing more than 5,000 baht after a man dressed similarly to a motorcycle taxi rider allegedly took cash from his wallet on Pratumnak Road in Pattaya.

The victim, Mr Ingar Opseph, said the suspect first offered him a ride, then asked for money for food before reaching into his wallet and fleeing on a motorcycle.

The incident was reported to have occurred at 12.20am on 24 August 2026, opposite Pratumnak Soi 10.

Money taken as wallet was opened

Mr Opseph's 55-year-old Thai girlfriend told reporters that he had been walking home after exercising and was waiting to cross the road. Their home is about 200 metres from where the incident happened.

A Thai man, wearing what appeared to be a motorcycle taxi vest, allegedly rode against the traffic flow and stopped in front of him. He offered to take Mr Opseph home, but the Norwegian declined because he was close to his residence.

The man then claimed he had no money to buy food and asked for help, according to the girlfriend.

Mr Opseph intended to give him 20 baht. However, as he opened his wallet, the suspect allegedly saw 1,000-baht notes, reached inside and took more than 5,000 baht in cash.

He then rode away against traffic towards the Pratumnak traffic-light junction, also known as the Khao Phra Tamnak junction.

The theft happened so quickly that Mr Opseph was unable to recall details of the motorcycle, its registration plate or any number on the rider's vest.

Couple ask police to check CCTV

The couple later filed a complaint with Pol Lt Col Itthikorn Saikratok, an investigating inspector at Pattaya City Police Station. They also approached the media because they were concerned the case might not progress, and asked police to check CCTV footage around the scene and the suspected escape route.

Mr Opseph's girlfriend said he had previously been targeted in Jomtien Soi 5 several years ago, when a gold necklace worth tens of thousands of baht was snatched. A police report was made at the time, but the person responsible has not been found.

Mr Opseph said he felt upset and "stupid for believing" the man. He has lived in Thailand for more than 15 years and said he did not expect somebody he tried to help to take his money.

The victim urged tourists and Pattaya residents to be especially cautious if strangers ask for money or try to get close to them.

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25 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Samui Exotic Park owner reports Israeli threat claims

The owner of Samui Exotic Park and her husband have filed a complaint with Thailand's Crime Suppression Division, alleging that a group of Israeli tourists threatened them and said they would burn down the animal park on Koh Samui.

Jindarat, 35, who asked for her surname to be withheld, went to police on 24 August with her husband and Sukh Saknarongdet, president of the Siam Volunteer group. They said the alleged harassment had left them fearing for their safety, property and the animals in their care.

The complaint follows a dispute in which the park reportedly refused to admit members of the group because of concerns over their behaviour towards animals.

Claims of threats after park refusal

Jindarat said the visitors had previously disregarded the park's rules, including allegedly not paying, seeking refunds and acting in ways that could endanger animals.

She said the park then flagged the group and decided not to allow them onto the premises. After that decision, she said threatening messages arrived repeatedly, including threats to harm family members, burn their home and set fire to the animal park.

The group was also alleged to have claimed that Koh Samui belonged to Israel and that they could do anything on the island. They allegedly said they knew a number of police officers and lawyers.

Jindarat questioned why the people involved appeared so confident and whether anyone was supporting them. She said people had also driven to her home, parked outside and repeatedly circled the area, making her feel she was being watched.

Home destroyed by fire after threat

The situation escalated, according to Jindarat, when there was a threat to burn down her husband's mother's home in France. Shortly afterwards, the house was destroyed in a fire. That fire remains under investigation by authorities.

She said Thai and foreign residents of Koh Samui had offered support, with some saying they had experienced similar behaviour but had been afraid to speak publicly.

Jindarat said refusing service to the group was intended to protect the park, not to create a conflict with any nationality. She called for everybody in Thailand to respect the same laws and rules.

Park manager admits visiting other business

Jindarat acknowledged reports that her husband, who manages the park, went to the front of the other party's business. However, she denied he threatened to make Israelis unable to remain on Koh Samui.

She said video footage recorded the incident from the time he was in his vehicle, arrived, spoke to people there and left. The footage could be provided to investigators.



According to Jindarat, her husband drove there after receiving a message challenging him to come over if he was brave enough, saying the sender knew where he was. She said he became angry and drove to the location.

She said her side was prepared to accept responsibility for its own actions and would provide evidence and video recordings for officials to assess.

Impatient Thais urges Israeli embassy to promote respect for Thai law

Also at the meeting was Akkarawut Kraisrisombat, chairman of Impatient Thais civic network, who later submitted a letter to the Embassy of Israel in Thailand.

The network called on the embassy to cooperate in promoting greater understanding of and respect for Thai laws, customs and culture among Israeli nationals living in or visiting Thailand. Impatient Thais said it had received complaints from Thai people in several areas and provinces, with some cases recently reported by Thai media.

The group alleged that Israeli tourists and residents had intimidated or harassed Thai residents, tourists and business operators in Phuket, Surat Thani, including Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, and Pai district in Mae Hong Son.

It said the complaints included social, business and property disputes, which it claimed had caused concern among local communities and prompted widespread criticism in Thai society.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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25 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Swedes held in Bangkok over alleged crimes and overstays

Thai immigration police have arrested two Swedish nationals in Bangkok after authorities said they had fled serious criminal cases and overstayed their permission to remain in Thailand.

The first suspect, name only as Kevin by authorities, was wanted in connection with attempted murder, arson and extortion, while fellow Swede Alex faced allegations involving drugs and receiving stolen property, according to Immigration Bureau officials.

The arrests were announced on 24 August following a request from the Nordic countries' police liaison office and the Royal Thai Police Foreign Affairs Division to trace the two men.

From Koh Samui to a Bangkok condominium

Police said the pair had entered Thailand legally and initially stayed at accommodation on Koh Samui. Investigators later learned that they had moved to a condominium in the Rama 9 area of Bangkok.

Officers waited at the property before identifying themselves and making the arrests.



Checks found that both men had remained in Thailand beyond the period they were permitted to stay. Kevin had overstayed by nine days, while Alex had overstayed by 195 days, police said.

Mobile phones and credit cards were seized and will be handed to Swedish police for further investigation.

Deportation planned after Thai proceedings

Immigration authorities said both men will be deported to Sweden once legal action in Thailand has been completed. The bureau said Thailand would not be a safe haven for transnational criminals.

The operation was directed by Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanart, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau; Pol Maj Gen Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, commander of Immigration Division 6; Pol Maj Gen Phanop Worathanatchakul; and Pol Col Ratchot Chotikhun, deputy commander of the Immigration Bureau Investigation Division.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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25 August 2026
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Chinese woman escapes alleged kidnappers in Thailand

A Chinese woman escaped from a car in Kamphaeng Phet late on Sunday night 23 August 2024, after four Thai men reportedly abducted her from a Bangkok hotel and drove her towards the Myanmar border, police said.

The woman fled from a black Nissan Teana on Ratchadamnoen Road in tambon Nai Muang, Muang district. Her hands were still tied when she approached local residents for help, according to media reports.

She was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries sustained during the reported abduction.

Escape on Ratchadamnoen Road

The woman told people who assisted her that four Thai men had taken her from a hotel in Bangkok. She said they were transporting her to a border area.

Police later said they believed the group intended to take her to Mae Sot district in Tak province, which borders Myanmar. Officers said she might then have been taken across the border into Myanmar.

The escape happened in Kamphaeng Phet, a province north of Bangkok, while the group was travelling towards the western border district.

Two suspects arrested

Police tracked the Nissan Teana to tambon Lan Dokmai, also in Muang district, Kamphaeng Phet, and arrested two men.

The suspects are aged 24 and 41 and are natives of Mae Sot district in Tak. Two other suspects fled before police could detain them.

No names for the woman or the suspects were released bt authorities, and no further details were given about the suspected motive or how the reported abduction began at the Bangkok hotel, as the investigation continues.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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25 August 2026
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Chon Buri pupil alleges teacher traded grades for sex

A Chon Buri school has ordered a mathematics teacher to stop teaching after a 16-year-old pupil alleged he sexually assaulted her in exchange for better grades and exam answers.

The girl's mother filed a complaint at Bang Lamung Police Station on 23 August, accompanied by her daughter and Sutthinee Nuchanart, head of the Chon Buri Children's Home and Family Office. The school director said on 24 August that an internal inquiry had already found grounds for serious disciplinary action.

The teacher and school have not been named. The teacher remains an accused person and has not been dismissed or transferred, as those decisions fall to the Chon Buri-Rayong Secondary Educational Service Area Office.

Pupil's allegations to police

The pupil, identified only as Ms B, told police through tears that she had been struggling with her studies. She alleged that the teacher offered help with assignments, improved grades and the chance to avoid an examination.

He allegedly supplied exam solutions for her to copy so that she could obtain the expected mark, before persuading her to meet him outside school.

According to her complaint, he first took her to a Bang Lamung resort where guests had to be naked in a shared swimming pool, and touched her. On another occasion, she said he took her to a room, asked for a massage and then for sex.

She alleged that a condom was used on the first occasion but not the second. Ms B also claimed the teacher regularly touched her inappropriately at school and that she secretly recorded video which she says shows his hand beneath her skirt.

Her 42-year-old mother, Ms A, said her previously cheerful daughter had become quiet and withdrawn before disclosing that she had been assaulted twice.

School inquiry and proposed agreement

The school director said a clip allegedly showing indecent conduct by a teacher began circulating among pupils on 13 July. The school began a confidential inquiry and, two days later, set up a committee after it was satisfied with the available evidence.

The teacher in the clip, the pupil and her parent were called to give initial statements. The school has sent documents and physical evidence to the education office, which can establish a further committee and impose serious disciplinary penalties.

The family said the school later prepared a handwritten document describing a relationship between the pupil and teacher. It proposed that the teacher transfer, that the girl receive 50,000 baht for mental distress, and that the pupil and parent be liable if video clips emerged after the agreement was signed on 15/07/26.

The teacher has worked at the school for more than seven years, including supervising Reserve Officer Training Corps students and other projects. The director said there had been no previous complaint.

Police have inspected the resort, while Children's Home and Family Office officials will take the girl for a medical examination to collect further evidence, as part of the ongoing investigation.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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25 August 2026
Georgealbert
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Chinese overstayer held in Bangkok hotel drug raid

Bangkok police have arrested a Chinese man accused of overstaying his visa and a Thai woman after more than 40 grams of crystal methamphetamine was allegedly found in a hotel room in Din Daeng.

Suthisan Police Station officers searched the sixth-floor room at a hotel in the Inthamara area, after receiving a tip-off that a group of foreigners regularly gathered there to use drugs.

The Chinese suspect was identified only as Lin, 30, while the Thai woman was named only as Fah, 27. Both were taken to Suthisan Police Station for prosecution along with the drugs police said they seized.

Police searched room after tip-off

Officers said they saw Lin acting suspiciously in the hotel lobby when they arrived. They identified themselves through an interpreter and showed Office of the Narcotics Control Board credentials before Lin agreed to a search of his room.



Inside, police found Fah, together with bags and tubes containing crystal meth scattered over a dressing table and sofa chair.

The drugs weighed more than 40 grams in total, according to investigators. Digital scales and small plastic bags, said to have been used to divide drugs for sale, were also recovered.

Visa overstay found during checks

A passport check found Lin had overstayed his visa, police said. Urine tests for both suspects were positive for methamphetamine. Under Thai law, methamphetamine is classified as a Category 1 narcotic.

Lin and Fah were charged with joint possession of a Category 1 narcotic and drug use. Lin also faces charges of illegal entry and overstaying in the kingdom.


Pictures courtesy of ดาวแปดแฉก

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25 August 2026
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Phuket tour seller explains Israeli tourist confrontation

A 24-year-old tour counter worker in Patong has given his account after a video of him confronting an Israeli tourist, telling him "This is Thailand, not your country", spread widely on social media.

The confrontation happened outside a tour counter in Patong, Kathu district, Phuket. The footage shows an Israeli tourist near the counter before an argument develops with a Thai man, who appears angry and tells the visitor to leave.

The video drew a mixture of reactions and criticism online. A reporter later visited the counter and spoke to the worker, identified as Kechin, about what he said led to the exchange.

Kechin says dispute began with misunderstanding

Kechin said he had been working as normal, selling tour packages, and that the incident had no connection to a customer who had bought a rafting trip from him.

He said a Palestinian customer he had served previously had recommended him to a friend and intended to refer more Palestinian customers. A woman known to him had suggested displaying a Palestinian flag when such customers arrived, as a way of building his customer base.

At the same time, an Israeli tourist group was shopping nearby. Kechin said he initially did not pay attention to them and carried on working.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

According to Kechin, someone in the group then apparently told others that he had displayed a flag to make Israeli visitors leave, or had insulted their nationality.

"That was not the case at all. I did not communicate with them or do anything to them. They came to travel, and that was it," he said.

He said several members of the group later stood outside his shop, looking at him, pointing towards the tour counter and discussing the matter. "At first, I tried to let it go, but it seemed like they deliberately wanted to confront me," he said.

Questions over Palestine led to argument

Kechin said the exchange shown in the video began when people in the group asked whether he supported Palestine and had chosen the Palestinian side.

"I told them, 'No. I just sell tour packages to Palestinian customers,'" he said.

He said one tourist then raised a hand and shouted, "Free Israel", before the argument continued as seen in the viral recording.

Kechin insisted he regularly sells tours to Israeli visitors and does not turn people away because of their nationality. "Israeli tourists also come to buy tours. I serve them normally," he said.

"If they come as friends, I provide equal service to tourists from every country," he added.

Kechin said Israeli tourists are a familiar presence in Patong throughout the year, with some staying briefly and others for longer periods. He said larger groups are especially noticeable on Fridays around Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, where many gather for Shabbat-related religious observances.

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25 August 2026
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Russian slaps Indian man in Pattaya parking row

A Russian man stopped to help a Thai fruit vendor during an early-morning confrontation with an Indian motorcyclist in southern Pattaya.

Video of the incident, which took place near VC Hotel at about 3.20am on August 23, has since spread widely on Thai social media. Police were called and later warned the Indian man not to threaten local people, according to the vendor.

Parking row leads to fight

The footage shows an Indian man, wearing a dark shirt and red trousers, arguing with another foreign man said to be Russian, who was dressed in black.



The dispute became physical when the Russian man slapped and kicked the Indian man. Several Thai women, believed to be bar workers, tried to break up the fight but were initially unable to separate them.

The confrontation continued until the Indian man fell to the ground. Witnesses then managed to intervene, after which the Russian man returned to his yellow car.

Fruit vendor Urai, 50, said the incident began after she asked the Indian man to move his motorcycle from what she described as a prohibited parking area.

She said he refused and approached her while shouting vulgarities. Urai said she moved away and asked him to keep his distance, but he continued to act in a threatening manner.


Picture courtesy of Parichad Chuanig

According to Urai, the Russian motorist had been passing the stall when he stopped to assist her before the argument escalated.

Police called after apology

Urai said the Indian man later returned to her fruit stall to apologise. Officers who attended the scene warned him not to threaten people in the area, she added.

Local news agencies have reported several previous confrontations at the same location. Some reports suggested parking disputes may have played a part, with allegations that the fruit vendor had stopped people parking near her stall.

Urai denied preventing motorists from parking there, saying taxi and baht bus drivers regularly parked nearby.

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25 August 2026
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TAT targets high-value tourism growth in 2027

Thailand's Tourism Authority (TAT) has set out a four-part plan to raise tourism revenue by at least 5% in 2027 and position the country as "Asia's No. 1 High-Value & Meaningful Destination".

The plan, titled "The Year of Transformation", was unveiled at Rajadamnern Stadium on Monday, August 24. TAT said the historic boxing venue was chosen to signal a major turning point for Thai tourism.

Four moves for tourism growth

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said Thailand would move away from tourism growth driven mainly by visitor numbers, focusing instead on the value visitors generate.

Its "Winning Goal 2027" has three measures: tourism revenue growth of at least 5% from 2026, a 60:40 split between visitors to major and secondary destinations, and a place among Asia's top three destinations for tourist loyalty.

The first move, Rebalance Market Portfolio, will divide source markets into Retain, Reshape and Recover categories. TAT plans to reduce reliance on individual markets, seek visitors from Eastern Europe and Latin America, and target additional departure cities in existing major markets.

Visitors will be grouped as Mainstream, Experience, High Value or Premium Travellers. Through its "The Link Plus" programme, TAT wants to increase international arrivals by 10% across 19 emerging destinations.

Wellness, festivals and local identities

Under Shape Experience Platform, TAT will seek to shift Thailand's image from a value-for-money destination to one offering meaningful experiences. Its Amazing Thailand brand will use the theme "Healing is the New Luxury", reflecting demand for physical and emotional wellbeing travel.

Two characters, Nong Sukhjai and Nong Rak Yim, will be introduced as travel companions representing Thai charm. Domestic campaigns include "365 Thai Tiew Thai: Travel All Year Round" and "Instant Happiness in Thailand: Let Thailand Heal Your Heart".

TAT will develop regional themed experiences, the UNESCO Thailand Network and more than 55 community-based tourism destinations. Signature Destination Branding will begin in Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Songkhla, Trat and Samut Songkhram.

Its third move, Build New Growth Engine, centres on the Life Economy. It includes nine Theme Product Experience groups, including Unseen Luxperience products; Well-being Tourism based on medical services, science-based wellness and traditional Thai wisdom; and a Festival Economy focused on world-class events.

TAT plans to build on the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession and Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Procession, promoted in 2026, as internationally recognised "Must-Experience in Thailand" events. Sustainable tourism pilots will expand to Nan and designated wellness valleys, alongside low-carbon hotels under the CF Hotel standard and Sustainable Development Goals assessment framework.

Data, training and safer travel

Transform Together, the fourth move, will bring government, businesses and communities together through the Tourism Value Intelligence system, using data from TAT's 45 domestic offices, two coordination centres and 29 overseas offices.

TAT will also expand executive training, develop a Tourism Leadership Institute due to open in 2028, and support start-ups offering more convenient and safer travel services.

The authority said its approach would be guided by integrity, safety, quality and return-worthy experiences, with the aim of spreading tourism income more widely and improving life in tourism communities.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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25 August 2026

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Thailand upgrades regional airports and airline incentives

Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) is upgrading provincial airport infrastructure and airspace management under a "Small Airports, High Standards" policy, as passenger demand and direct flights from Europe increase.

The programme aims to make regional airports stronger links for trade, tourism and investment, while the Department of Airports (DOA) is offering airlines a 50% reduction in landing and parking charges for new services.

Traffic rises as routes change

Thailand handled 85.16 million air passengers between January and July 2026, a year-on-year increase of 1.48%, despite geopolitical volatility. Domestic traffic rose 1.64% to 39.26 million passengers, while international travel was up 1.34% to 45.91 million.

The DOA's regional airport network served more than 14.2 million passengers in 2025. Six hubs identified as having high potential - Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Udon Thani and Krabi - each handled an average of 2,500 to 5,000 passengers a day.



International flight movements fell 1.63% to 263,598, attributed to disruption in Middle Eastern airspace. However, direct long-haul services between Thailand and Europe rose 9.02% year-on-year to 16,998 flights in the first seven months of 2026.

CAAT said this suggested airlines and passengers were increasingly choosing direct point-to-point journeys instead of connections through the Middle East. That trend may be particularly relevant to European tourists, retirees and long-stay residents seeking simpler travel options.

Standards tailored to each airport

Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, CAAT's director, said air travel growth was no longer limited to major hubs and well-known tourist centres.

"Regional airports are vital infrastructure linking regional businesses, tourists, and local communities to the global network," he said.



The regulator's plan has four parts: airport infrastructure and safety upgrades matched to local traffic volumes; stronger airspace and traffic management; Aerodrome Flight Information Services tailored to individual airfields; and faster processing of new routes alongside strict checks on aircraft, crews and airline safety procedures.

"The essence of 'Small Airports, High Standards' is that airports do not need to grow identically," ACM Manat added. "They must develop in line with their local potential and economic role, grounded in uncompromised safety standards."

Six months to a year of fee relief

The DOA's "Airport For Regional Development" scheme runs from 10 August 2026 to 9 August 2027. It cuts landing and parking fees by half for domestic and international carriers operating at regional airports.

New airlines entering regional hubs can receive the discount for six months. Operators launching new routes can receive it for a full year.


Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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24 August 2026
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Thai woman loses 100,000 baht in Korean AI romance scam

A single Thai woman aged almost 60 is believed to have lost almost 100,000 baht after falling for an alleged online romance scam involving a Korean man whose images may have been created or altered using AI.

The scam was stopped before a further transfer of 18,000 baht when the man claimed he was being held by Thai Immigration and needed money to resolve the problem.

The case was shared on Facebook on 23 August 2026 by Eamorn Dechthawisut, owner of the Luk Sao Nai Dam wholesale shop, in Uthai Thani Province. She said the woman is a close acquaintance who had repeatedly brought cash to the shop for bank transfers.

Large transfers prompted concern

According to Eamorn, the woman would not initially say who was receiving the money or where she had obtained the substantial sums, telling her: "You don't need to know."

During the previous week, she asked Eamorn to transfer 18,000 baht, saying it was for her niece. She had already made two or three transfers of between 30,000 to 40,000 baht each.

Eamorn estimated the overall losses at close to 100,000 baht and began to suspect that her friend was being targeted by fraudsters.

After initially refusing to show her phone, the woman eventually allowed Eamorn to read the chat messages. The online contact used photographs of a handsome man, believed to be Korean, and repeatedly called her "darling" while making romantic promises.

Eamorn suspected the images had been generated or manipulated by AI. The woman, however, remained convinced the man was genuine and believed he would travel to Thailand so they could live together.

Immigration story raised alarm

The latest request for money was based on a claim that the Korean man had been detained at an Immigration office. He allegedly said he needed urgent financial help and would repay all the money later.

Rather than make the transfer, Eamorn offered to take a van to collect him and deliver the money directly to the location. The chat contact became angry, replying in effect: "Why are you making this difficult? Who is interfering? Just transfer the money."

Eamorn also said the writing style and tone changed during the exchange. Another person then claimed to be the man's supervisor.

She showed the woman examples of AI-generated images depicting people in handcuffs, under arrest and entering prison, explaining that pictures cannot be treated as proof that someone has been detained.

Eamorn said she shared the case to warn social media users, particularly older people and those living alone, not to send money to strangers who quickly build an online romantic relationship.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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24 August 2026
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Thai-French boy, 12, impresses at boxing camp

A 12-year-old Thai-French boy from Khong Chiam district in Ubon Ratchathani has drawn attention after showing strong boxing ability during training with former Thailand national boxer Amnat Ruenroeng.

The boy, Tony, is in P6 and travelled to the Johnny camp in Ubon Ratchathani with his French father and Thai mother. His father is a former amateur boxer.

Tony's family lives in Khong Chiam, where they heard that Amnat was sharing his boxing knowledge with young people at the camp. They subsequently brought their son to train under the former national fighter.



Training with adult boxers

During a sparring session, Tony tested himself against adult boxers of a similar weight, including Amnat. Those present at the camp said he displayed notable punch selection, movement and timing, as well as unusually heavy punching power for his age.

The young boxer was said to have impressed onlookers with his aggressive style and physical strength. Some have described him as a potential "white elephant of Khong Chiam" - a Thai expression for a rare and promising talent.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Amnat, a former Thai national boxer, is currently training and rebuilding his fitness at the Johnny camp. He has also been passing on the skills gained during his sporting career to children and young people interested in boxing.

The coaching has reportedly attracted local parents, who have continued bringing their children to the camp for training.

Online supporters call for further training

Followers of Amnat's online training updates praised Tony's performance and suggested he should train seriously at the camp to develop his skills for higher-level competition.

Some supporters also speculated that continued coaching could one day give him a chance of reaching the Thailand national team.

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24 August 2026
Georgealbert
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Thai-China rail stage retains 2030 opening target

Thailand's Transport Ministry is still aiming to open the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed railway in 2030, despite construction running 34.5 percentage points behind schedule.

The 250.77-kilometre first phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project has reached 56% completion, against planned cumulative progress of 90.5%, according to Kampol Boonchom, chief engineer for special projects and construction at the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

The route is split into 14 civil works contracts. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the ministry believed work could be accelerated enough to meet the 2030 target, with the line intended to improve both passenger journeys and freight transport.

Shared airport rail section awaits decision

Several contracts have yet to begin, including Contract 4-1 for the Bang Sue-Don Mueang section. This includes structures shared with the proposed three-airport high-speed railway linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports.

Siripong said officials expected a decision on the way forward by the end of 2026. "We have to see how the EEC committee responds to the proposed amendment to the public-private partnership agreement and how the three-airport project will proceed," he said.

The SRT could re-tender the shared structure under Contract 4-1 and build it independently, in an effort to avoid further disruption to the Thai-Chinese project. Siripong said building it first would support both the Thai-Chinese route and a high-speed connection between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi.

Siripong inspected Contract 4-7, covering the Saraburi-Kaeng Khoi section and Saraburi Station, alongside Saraburi Governor Bancha Chaowarin and Department of Rail Transport director-general Pichet Kunadhamraks. Kampol, SRT executives and agency representatives briefed the delegation on progress.

Saraburi work also behind plan

Contract 4-7 covers 12.99 kilometres between Saraburi and Kaeng Khoi. It is 73.25% complete, compared with scheduled cumulative progress of 81.50%, leaving it 8.25 percentage points behind plan.

Installation of segments is 86% complete, while balance-beam construction stands at 33% and switch-beam work at 68%.

Saraburi high-speed rail station, in Takut subdistrict of Mueang Saraburi district, will be an elevated four-level facility. The first level will contain entrances and long-distance train platforms; the second will have ticketing for high-speed and long-distance services; the third will be a waiting area; and high-speed platforms will be on the fourth level.

The station will have two 450-metre platforms and four tracks. Its construction has reached 29%, against planned progress of 47%, a shortfall of 18 percentage points.

Safety priority near live rail lines

Siripong instructed the SRT to prioritise safety, especially at sites near operating railways and public routes. He called for strict precautions to prevent accidents and reduce impacts on nearby communities.

The SRT was also told to closely monitor tunnel areas, conduct safety inspections, and prepare preventive and emergency-response plans. The authority said it would continue to accelerate work while meeting required standards for future services at Saraburi Station.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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24 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Australian murder accused claims self-defence in Pattaya

Australian national Simon Peter Carman, 45, has denied murdering Thai teenager Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, telling the ABC news, he acted in self-defence during a struggle in which he claims she pulled a knife.

Carman, who has been held at Pattaya Remand Prison since his arrest on June 27, said he had pleaded not guilty to all four charges against him, including murder, concealing a corpse and abducting a minor for indecent purposes.

"I have not done anything wrong. I shouldn't be here ... I do not understand what's going on," he told ABC Foreign Correspondent in his first media interview since his arrest.

Carman said he was "hoping and praying" to be released. If convicted of murder, he faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Carman describes alleged struggle

Police allege Carman picked up 17-year-old Tunchanok, known to family and friends as Cake, on Pattaya's Beach Road in the early hours of June 25 before killing her and disposing of her body.

CCTV showed the pair entering the lifts at Carman's condominium building holding hands. Later footage showed Carman dragging a large suitcase from the building and carrying it on a motorcycle at night.

Two days later, police found Tunchanok's body in the suitcase near railway tracks close to Carman's accommodation. He was arrested at Bangkok's international airport while attempting to board a flight to Perth.



Carman said he met Tunchanok while she was with two friends, and that she followed him home. He said he did not know why she did so, and claimed he believed she was aged between about 25 and 35.

He told the ABC he gave her 500 baht "for nothing", after which she demanded more money and allegedly pulled a knife. Carman said he repeatedly told her to put it down during a physical struggle.

"All I was trying to do was restrain her from stabbing me," he said, adding that she eventually "went limp". He said he did not call an ambulance or anyone else because he did not trust police.

Police file to go to prosecutors

Pattaya Police Colonel Anek Srathongyoo said investigators would submit their file to Pattaya prosecutors this week. Prosecutors will then have until September 18 to indict Carman.

Police say an autopsy concluded Tunchanok died from suffocation. Colonel Anek said she had suffered a brain injury and had no other injuries, while Carman's DNA was matched to DNA found on her body.

Tunchanok's father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he wanted the harshest punishment, either life imprisonment or death, saying he was deeply heartbroken and wanted justice for his daughter.

Carman told the ABC he did not yet have a lawyer and had received no visitors other than Australian embassy officials.

The exclusive 30 minute interview was conducted under a prison guard's watch. The ABC said it was the first foreign media organisation in at least 15 years allowed to interview a foreign inmate in a Thai prison. Officials reviewed footage for security reasons and prison conditions could not be discussed.

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Video and picture courtesy of ABC News

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24 August 2026


Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Koh Pha Ngan land action targets 112 companies

Surat Thani authorities are moving to revoke land rights held by 112 companies on Koh Pha Ngan after finding their foreign shareholdings exceeded limits set by law.

Governor Jumpot Wannachatsiri has instructed officials to take action against the landholdings, as part of an ongoing scrutiny of corporate ownership of land on the island.

The cases involve 124 land plots with a combined area of about 87 rai. While the announcement concerns companies rather than individual property owners, it is a reminder for foreign investors and expats using Thai companies to hold land that authorities are examining ownership structures on Koh Pha Ngan.

More than 1,800 landholding entities checked

Officials reviewed 1,832 entities holding land on the island. Of those, 93.9% were classified as general entities.

A further 5.7%, representing 112 entities, were found to have foreign shareholdings above the legal threshold. Another 0.4% had previously been ordered by the governor to dispose of land.

Of the 112 companies now identified, 104 were uncovered during inspections. The remaining eight had already been the subject of court rulings.

Thailand generally restricts foreign ownership of land, although foreigners may have rights to occupy or use property through certain legal arrangements. The current action is focused on companies whose shareholding arrangements were found to exceed the limit prescribed by law.

Disposal orders under way

Officials are considering disposal orders for 28 of the companies. Another 76 cases are under review by the Koh Pha Ngan branch land office before being submitted for disposal proceedings.

Jumpot has already issued disposal orders against eight entities, covering nine land plots.

Relevant agencies will continue to investigate and follow up the remaining cases within the timeframes required by law, according to officials. They said the measures were intended to protect national interests.

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24 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Missing Russian woman found safe in Bangkok

Thai tourist police have found a 20-year-old Russian woman safe at a  condominium in Bangkok after her family reported that he had been unable to contact her.

Anna Gorshkova, who had previously been staying in the Pattaya area, was located in the Phetchaburi-Rama area of the capital on 23 August 2026. Police said she had not been detained or harmed and had chosen to stay with friends without informing her family.

Kirill Gorshkova, filed a missing-person report on 21 August 2026, at Na Jomtien Police Station after losing contact with her. The lack of communication had caused considerable concern for the family.

Pattaya and Bangkok officers coordinated search

Pattaya Tourist Police worked with Na Jomtien officers to trace Anna's movements following the report. Their investigation established that she had travelled to Bangkok and was staying at a condominium in the Phetchaburi-Rama district.



The Bangkok follow-up was handled by officers from Investigation Subdivision 1 of Tourist Police Division 1, alongside Pattaya Tourist Police.

After checking the information received, officers found Anna at the condominium and confirmed she was safe.

No crime reported

Police said Anna had separated from her family to spend time with friends, but had not told them where she was or kept in contact. Authorities found no indication that she had been confined or assaulted.

The Royal Thai Police said the response had reassured Anna's family and reflected its commitment to the safety and welfare of overseas visitors in Thailand.


Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

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24 August 2026


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Tourists Accused of Dine-and-Dash Over 8,000-Baht Patong Bill

Patong police are investigating a restaurant payment dispute involving four foreign tourists who allegedly refused to pay an 8,000-baht food and drinks bill before trying to leave.

The group was said to include one male tourist from Saudi Arabia and three female tourists from Morocco. Both sides were taken to an investigating officer for formal proceedings under Thai law.

Restaurant staff seek police help

The case drew attention on social media after a Thai woman working at the restaurant lodged a complaint, according to Patong Police.

She told officers that the group had ordered food and drinks at the Patong venue, but would not settle the bill when it was presented. The tourists then reportedly walked away from the restaurant without paying, leading staff to call for police assistance.

Officers from Patong Police Station went to the scene and met the complainant.

Police attempted to mediate between the restaurant and the tourists, but no agreement was reached. Authorities did not say what the dispute over the bill was about.

Matter moves to formal proceedings

With mediation unsuccessful, police escorted the restaurant representative and the tourists to the investigating officer so the case could proceed through the formal legal process.

Patong Police said the matter would be dealt with under legal procedures intended to ensure fairness for all involved. The final outcome will resolve by a court if agreement is not reached.

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24 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Suvarnabhumi investigates 600,000-baht baggage loss

Suvarnabhumi Airport is investigating after a passenger reported that belongings valued at around 600,000 baht were missing from a checked suitcase following a flight from Bangkok to Krabi.

The passenger said on social media that they travelled on Thai VietJet flight VZ342 from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Krabi on August 21. On arrival, they reportedly found that the suitcase appeared to have been opened and damaged, with valuables missing.

For foreign visitors and residents using domestic connections from Bangkok, the case is a reminder to keep high-value items, travel documents, medication and electronics in cabin baggage where airline rules allow.

Airport reviews baggage-handling records

Suvarnabhumi Airport said on August 22 that it had opened an inquiry and was working with Thai VietJet, the airline's ground-handling provider and other relevant agencies to establish what happened.

Airport officials examined system records and CCTV footage covering the suitcase's route through Suvarnabhumi's baggage-handling system. The airport said its review found no irregularities during the period when the bag was under its responsibility.

According to Suvarnabhumi Airport, the suitcase passed through its Explosives Detection System, (EDS), and received a "CLEAR" status. This meant no dangerous objects or explosives were detected and the bag did not require a manual security inspection.

The bag was then sent to the baggage sorting area, where Pattaya Aviation Company Limited handled loading on behalf of Thai VietJet.

Thai VietJet contacts passenger

Thai VietJet has contacted the passenger and will continue to assist them while further checks are carried out under the relevant procedures, the airport said.

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Video courtesy of Suvarnabhumi Airport

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24 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Nene Royal appears on Times Square screen before AGT

Thai singer Nene Royal has appeared on a large LED screen in New York's Times Square ahead of the live-show stage of America's Got Talent Season 21.

The display was part of a campaign by CP, which placed Nene Royal on the screen at the famous New York tourist district to encourage her before the competition's live rounds.

Nene Royal, whose real name is Rattikan Amloy, has progressed through the Judges' Callbacks to reach the Live Shows after performing Muse's Hysteria.

Support message in New York

A TikTok user named Ka Jame shared an image of themselves in front of the display. The LED screen carried the message: "Thailand's Pride Nene Go Go".



In the accompanying post, Ka Jame said that Nene and 100 lucky winners had created history in Times Square, adding that they were proud of Thai people.

The post also offered encouragement for the singer's upcoming appearance, saying it hoped she would do her best, enjoy the stage and leave the judges amazed. It added that Thai people across the country were supporting her.

Times Square is one of New York City's best-known visitor areas, and the display gives Thai fans and supporters a high-profile show of backing before Nene's next television appearance.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

Live show begins on 26 August

The next round of America's Got Talent Season 21 is due to begin at 7am Thailand time on Wednesday, 26 August.

Nene's advance to the live shows followed her performance of Hysteria, originally recorded by British rock band Muse. The live rounds will determine whether she continues further in the competition.

video_628558422488383864-QXNPQGyX.mp4

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24 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Thailand, Australia boost drug-smuggling enforcement

Thailand Customs and the Australian Border Force (ABF) have agreed to step up joint action against transnational drug-smuggling networks, including real-time intelligence exchanges, cargo checks and detector dog deployments.

The strengthened arrangement follows a Joint Statement on Transnational Crime signed during Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's official visit to Australia from 17 to 20 August 2026. Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas was also part of the delegation.

Phantong Loykulnanta, director-general of the Thai Customs Department, joined the high-level visit and met ABF leadership to put the political agreement into practical enforcement measures.

"The policy agreement signed between Thailand and Australia demonstrates a firm commitment to suppressing cross-border syndicates," Phantong said. "Thai Customs is rigorously implementing these directives, with a primary focus on collaborative narcotics interdiction."

More intelligence and targeted checks

The two agencies have worked together for some time, but the latest talks set out an upgraded operational framework aimed at producing measurable results against organised crime.



It will include the sharing of live information on emerging smuggling routes, concealment techniques and risk alerts between agencies. Customs officers will also coordinate risk profiling for high-risk passenger movements and freight shipments.

Thailand Customs and the ABF plan to use advanced data analysis and non-intrusive inspection technology to improve detection rates. Their cooperation will also extend to joint training for K-9 detector units and integrated operations intended to target criminal networks from source to destination.

Focus on Southeast Asia-Australasia routes

The ABF commended Thai Customs for its existing intelligence-sharing work, saying close cooperation had directly helped increase narcotics seizures and arrests in Australia.

Officials expect the enhanced system to improve enforcement across key air and maritime transit routes between Southeast Asia and Australasia. The stated aim is to interrupt supply chains before illegal drugs reach destination markets.

The agreement puts particular emphasis on combining information, technology and on-the-ground inspections, rather than relying on checks at a single border point. It also signals continued scrutiny of freight and passenger routes used by cross-border criminal syndicates.


Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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24 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Young man attacked by group in Pattaya street clash

A young Thai man was injured after being attacked by a group of men in Pattaya, following an alleged confrontation with passers-by, convenience store staff and app-based motorcycle riders.

The footage, shared online and reported to journalists at 1.20am on 23 August 2026, was said to have been recorded opposite Soi Bongkot 6/3 in Pattaya

The video shows several men in a scuffle with the young man, while bystanders and motorcycle taxi drivers attempt to stop the assault and separate those involved.

Witness describes events before fight

Somphot Meelab, 45, a motorcycle taxi driver seen in the video who helped intervene, said the young man had earlier been outside a convenience store.

According to Somphot, the man was shouting, challenging people walking past and behaving inappropriately towards staff inside the shop. He then left the area to return to his accommodation.

Somphot said the man later walked past a group of Bolt motorcycle riders and again allegedly challenged them and behaved inappropriately. He said the two sides did not know each other and had no previous dispute.

He stated that a confrontation then developed, with about six or seven men attacking the young man. Some people present attempted to break up the fight, Somphot said.

He added that he went in to separate the parties. The injured man later returned to his accommodation, while the group of men dispersed and went back to work.

Police say no complaint has been filed

Investigators at Pattaya City Police Station said checks covering the duty period, found no report from an injured person or complainant connected to the incident.

Police said the matter remains under examination because the social media footage shows only part of what happened. Officers have not established who started the confrontation or what caused it.

They said statements from those involved, witnesses and other evidence will be needed before the facts can be fully determined and any legal process can proceed.

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Video courtesy of สายข่าวพัทยา

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24 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Thailand proposes changes for parole eligibility

Thailand's Justice Ministry is drafting tougher rules that would require prisoners sentenced to death or life imprisonment to spend far longer in jail before they can be considered for prisoner-classification upgrades, parole or other sentence-reduction benefits.

Under the draft regulation, death-row prisoners would need to serve at least 25 years before being considered for a classification upgrade. Those serving life sentences would have to complete at least 20 years, from reports on Sunday 23 August 2026, citing a senior Justice Ministry source

The proposal follows public scrutiny of the release of former drug kingpin Laota Saenlee. His life sentence was reduced through a series of royal pardons and he was released after serving a little over nine years in prison.

New minimum terms for serious offenders

The Justice Ministry source said the proposed minimum periods are intended as a public-safety measure, ensuring people convicted of the most serious crimes remain in prison for substantial periods before becoming eligible for sentence reductions or parole.

A government working group is reviewing the proposal as part of a wider examination of criminal-sentence enforcement and ways to prevent repeat offending. Officials say the framework would set clearer minimum prison terms for serious offenders and help strengthen public confidence in the justice system.

At its first meeting on Friday, the group examined prison policies in several countries. Data presented to the panel showed that serious offenders in Thailand can currently become eligible for certain benefits after an average of eight to 15 years.

The comparative figures were about 20 to 25 years in the United States, 15 to 30 years in the United Kingdom and 15 years in Germany.

Cases covered by the proposed rules

The proposed restrictions would also cover corruption, political and national-security cases where courts impose death or life sentences. Prisoners in those cases would be classified in the highest-risk category and could not be considered for advancement, sentence reductions or parole until they had served the new minimum term.

Less serious offenders would remain under the current regulations.

The draft additionally sets minimum terms for serious multi-count convictions under Section 91 of the Criminal Code. Prisoners would have to serve at least five years where combined sentences are up to 10 years, 10 years for combined sentences of up to 20 years, and 20 years for combined sentences of up to 50 years.

The working group is due to meet again on Monday 24 August 2026, before submitting the draft to the Corrections Committee for approval.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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24 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Australian's Bangkok ICU care costs $50,000 a week

An Australian man is in a coma in a Bangkok intensive care unit following an accident in Thailand, with his family saying his medical bills have already exceeded $135,000.

Sydney model and Copini Beauty co-founder Casey James said her father had undergone multiple emergency brain operations and had spent 10 days in the ICU as of Sunday, 23 August.

James, 28, said she received a call from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs telling her that her father had been involved in an accident and was in a Bangkok ICU.

"Within two hours, my husband and I were on a flight to Thailand," she wrote on Instagram.

She gave not further details of the accident, but did state that her father had previously survived a serious motorcycle crash in March 2025, pulling through, after the hospital had described his injuries as life threatening.

Family faces uncertain wait in Bangkok

James said the extent of her father's future needs was not yet known, but described him as "one hell of a fighter".



"My dad has been in a coma for ten days and counting. What his future looks like is unknown," she wrote.

She added that her mother's 57th birthday fell on the day of her post, saying she was sitting in the ICU while remembering her mother, who had died from cancer.

James urged others to hold loved ones close, saying life could change "in a blink of an eye".

ICU and medical evacuation costs mount

A GoFundMe appeal started by James's cousin, Bridgette Pereira, is seeking $250,000 to help cover the man's treatment. It had received well over $36,000 in donations by Sunday.

In a note on the fundraising page, James said more than $135,000 had already been incurred for emergency brain surgery and continuing ICU care.



"The cost of keeping Dad in the ICU is approximately $50,000 per week, and the cost of transporting him safely home to Australia is expected to be around $500,000," she wrote.

Those sums do not include long-term care and rehabilitation expected after he returns to Australia. James said the family had been told he was likely to need ongoing medical support, potentially for life.

A warning over medical cover in Thailand

The case underlines the potentially substantial cost of emergency private hospital treatment and medical evacuation for foreign visitors and residents in Thailand. James has not stated whether her father held travel or health insurance.

Foreigners arranging travel insurance should check the policy's cover for emergency treatment, intensive care, pre-existing conditions and repatriation, as medical evacuation can involve specialist staff and equipment.


Pictures courtesy of Daily Mall

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24 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Thailand amnesty law takes effect after Royal Gazette notice

A broad amnesty law covering political cases dating back two decades took effect in Thailand on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after receiving His Majesty the King's endorsement and being published in the Royal Gazette.

The legislation is intended to address long-running political conflict and promote national reconciliation. It could benefit hundreds of activists, with one analyst estimating that between 1,000 and 2,000 people may qualify.

Who can benefit under the law

The amnesty applies to people involved in political rallies or who expressed political opinions where their actions arose from political conflict or political motivations. Its coverage runs from January 1, 2005, to July 16, 2025.

It includes members of the royalist Yellow Shirts and Red Shirts, supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose rival movements clashed repeatedly over the past 20 years. Youth protesters involved in the pro-democracy demonstrations of 2020 and 2021 are also covered.

Yutthaporn Issarachai, an analyst at Sukhothai University, told AFP that it was Thailand's largest amnesty because it spans 20 years.

Most people affected have already completed their sentences. However, the law removes restrictions that prevented them from standing for political office, Yutthaporn said.

New trials involving political activists will also be halted where the alleged offences are not among the exemptions. "The bill does not mean to erase their guilt but will return their political rights," Yutthaporn said.

Lese majeste and corruption convictions excluded

The law does not apply to people convicted under Thailand's lese majeste law, which protects His Majesty the King and the Royal Family from criticism. As a result, many leaders of the youth-led protests calling for monarchy reform will not benefit.

Corruption convictions are also excluded. This means the amnesty does not apply to Thaksin, who was released from prison in June under a Royal pardon after serving eight months of a one-year sentence for corruption and abuse of power.

Civil claims are unaffected. Yutthaporn said Yellow Shirt members found guilty of closing airports would still have to pay compensation.

The law is part of Thailand's continuing effort to resolve divisions that have shaped politics since Thaksin was elected prime minister in 2001 and again in 2005, before going into exile following the 2006 military coup.

Thaksin's Pheu Thai party and its predecessors were the country's most successful political force of the 21st century, producing four Shinawatra-family prime ministers and drawing extensive rural support. The party recorded its worst-ever election result in February, falling to third place, but remains in the ruling coalition led by conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.



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24 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Samui visa action sought over Palestinian flag row

Surat Thani security officials are seeking visa revocation and deportation for an Israeli restaurant owner and a French businessman after a Palestinian flag dispute on Koh Samui escalated into online threats and concerns for tourism.

Col Thitiphong Inwasa, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command in Surat Thani, said on 22 August that officials were preparing information for a provincial committee to consider action against Israeli national Jacob and French national Kevin.

Dispute began at Samui attraction

The row began when an Israeli tourist visited Samui Exotic Park, operated by Kevin, and became involved in an argument with him. Kevin had displayed a Palestinian flag and a sign welcoming Palestinians at the attraction.

Jacob later contacted Kevin and asked him to remove the flag, but Kevin refused. Their exchange was later circulated on social media, bringing the dispute into the public eye and leading to legal action.

The Samui Provincial Court subsequently fined Jacob 5,000 baht and gave him a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Officials said the situation worsened after an Israeli influencer based in France offered a 500,000-baht bounty for information leading to Kevin’s death.

Officials warn of tourism and security impact

According to security officials, the dispute spread widely online and created the impression that Israeli visitors were threatening people on Samui, while local residents were hostile towards Israeli tourists.

They warned that such perceptions could harm Koh Samui's tourism industry and raise security concerns. However, officials stressed that the matter began as a personal dispute between two individuals, not a conflict involving Israeli tourists and local residents.

Authorities also cautioned against attempts to portray the case as a wider anti-Israel issue, saying this could potentially develop into religious or ethnic tensions.

Checkpoints in place since 15 August

Officials cited the pair's failure to cooperate in resolving the dispute, as well as concerns that it could escalate, in seeking the visa review.

Immigration records show Jacob has lived on Koh Samui for about five years on a business visa and operates a restaurant. Kevin, who is married to a Thai woman from Rayong, has lived on the island and run Samui Exotic Park for about nine years.

Samui police have kept security checkpoints outside the attraction and near the two men's homes since 15 August to prevent further confrontations. Authorities said the measures were intended to stop the dispute developing into a wider conflict that could damage Samui's standing as an international tourist destination.

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23 August 2026
Georgealbert
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