Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
ASEAN NOW

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

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

Thailand News

All the latest news stories from Thailand are written in English. Fresh news and stories from around the kingdom brought to you daily.

US envoy raises antisemitism concerns in Thailand

A senior US official has expressed concern about what he called rising antisemitic rhetoric in Thailand after recent protests in Bangkok and Phuket targeting Israeli visitors and Jewish activities.

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the US special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, said the US State Department was maintaining close contact with Thai authorities to ensure protection for the Jewish community during the holiday season.

"I am deeply concerned by rising antisemitic rhetoric in Thailand," Kaploun wrote. "The State Department remains in close contact with Thai authorities to ensure that the Jewish community is protected during the holiday season."

Concerns follow Bangkok and Phuket protests

Kaploun's comments followed protests directed at Israeli visitors and Jewish activities in the two Thai destinations.

In Phuket, a demonstration took place near the Chabad House, a centre used by Jewish residents and travellers. A planned Rosh Hashanah gathering there was subsequently reportedly cancelled because of security concerns.

Holiday gathering cancelled in Phuket

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and forms part of a period of important religious observances. The cancellation of the planned gathering in Phuket highlights the immediate effect that security concerns can have on community events, even where no wider changes to travel or immigration rules have been announced.

Thailand is a major destination for Israeli tourists, as well as foreign residents and visitors from many backgrounds. Chabad houses in tourist areas can serve as places for worship, community events and practical support for Jewish travellers.

The State Department's contact with Thai authorities indicates that the issue is being monitored at diplomatic level following the recent protests.

Join the discussion?


15 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Korean tourist reports 25,000 baht theft in Pattaya

A 33-year-old South Korean tourist has reported the disappearance of 25,000 baht from his Pattaya hotel room after waking to find a Thai woman he had met on Walking Street had left.

Yeonho Lim filed a complaint with Muang Pattaya Police and later approached the media, accompanied by a Thai friend. He submitted CCTV images and other evidence from the hotel.

Lim said he met the woman, whose name he does not know, at an entertainment venue on Walking Street in South Pattaya on 10 September. He said he had been drinking and was intoxicated when the woman approached him.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

He then invited her back to his room to continue drinking. After arriving at room 1317 at the Aster Hotel and Residence, they drank together for a period before he became sleepy and went to bed, Lim said.

Cash missing when guest woke up

At around 7am, the next morning, Lim said he checked his belongings and discovered that 25,000 baht in cash kept in the room had gone missing. His bag had also been opened, while the woman was no longer in the room.

He told police he suspected the woman may have been connected to the missing money. CCTV material was handed to investigators to help identify her and establish whether anyone else was involved.

Police Lieutenant Phupha Yongyakul, deputy investigation inspector at Muang Pattaya Police Station, accepted the complaint. Officers are examining the available evidence, including hotel CCTV footage, and will follow legal procedures to determine the facts and locate those connected to the case.

Police have not publicly identified the woman, and no arrest has been announced.

AQPU1hU4sI6C2FshZAMRUpDa10Afci1R5fIvt2xAq4xwKmbQ0p8pjPg0iXVb3M4G9sr-tYw-ra5QtguqBey9yYzTqv1UULBQgGaidQBtVg.mp4

Join the discussion?


15 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Phuket police arrest Chinese man on 2,823-day overstay

A 52-year-old Chinese national, Zhang Yong, has been arrested in Phuket after police said he had overstayed his permission to stay in Thailand by 2,823 days.

Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau officers and Phuket provincial police detained Zhang at about 7.30pm on 13 September 2026 outside 76/4 Chao Fa Road, Talat Nuea, in Mueang Phuket district.

Arrest followed Chinese embassy request

Police said the Chinese Embassy in Thailand had asked Thai authorities for cooperation after providing information that Zhang was connected to a court warrant in China.

Investigators received a tip that he was living in Phuket, monitored the area and approached a man whose appearance matched the information provided. Zhang produced his passport and confirmed his identity, police said.

He was taken to Mueang Phuket Police Station, where he was charged with remaining in the kingdom after his permitted stay had expired. Police said he admitted the charge after being informed of his rights through a Chinese interpreter.

Chinese allegations

Authorities said Zhang's name appeared in Chinese news reports and case documents in 2017 concerning several alleged incidents in Langfang, Hebei province.

According to the Chinese material, he was alleged to have ordered or joined others in demolishing structures in a village, using a large group of people to force some residents from the area before machinery was used to tear down homes.

The documents also referred to a business dispute in which Zhang and others were alleged to have occupied a company's office premises and obstructed its operations. Another allegation concerned disruption at a hotel where a provincial Communist Party inspection team was staying and working.

Chinese documents further alleged that a person was attacked with metal near Guangyang District People's Court in Langfang, suffering serious injuries that required the removal of their spleen. Zhang was suspected of ordering or inciting the attack, the documents said.

Thai authorities will first proceed under Thai law over the alleged overstay, while taking further steps relating to the Chinese court information and his extradition.

Join the discussion?


15 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Anutin & Tony Blair discuss Thailand's technology future

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met former British prime minister Sir Tony Blair at Government House in Bangkok on 14 September, discussing data centres, artificial intelligence, clean energy and Thailand's ambition to join the OECD by 2028.

Blair, executive chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), was in Thailand to attend Gastech Bangkok 2026. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas and Deputy Interior Minister Polphir Suwanchawee also attended the private meeting.

Government spokesman Ekapol Pearnperse said Anutin sought Blair's views on improving Thailand's competitiveness and developing future industries, particularly digital technology, AI, advanced industry and clean energy.

Data rules and local opportunities

Thailand is reviewing regulations and criteria governing data-centre investment, Anutin said, with the aim of securing the greatest possible economic benefit while managing environmental effects.

Blair told the meeting that Thailand should be able to participate in owning data generated through data-centre investment and use it to develop applications suited to local conditions. He said this could support Thai start-ups and businesses.

Anutin referred to his visit to Australia and a meeting with design platform Canva, which employs many Thai staff, as evidence of Thai workers' potential. Both sides agreed that technology and the capabilities of Thai personnel offered significant scope for further development.

AI, government reform and OECD plans

Anutin said Thailand was undergoing a major economic transition and wanted to build new economic engines, moving towards high-value sectors. The government is also pursuing public-sector reform, including e-government and AI governance, to make state services more efficient and responsive.

The prime minister asked how TBI could work with Thailand in practice, including attracting investment in AI, semiconductors and advanced industries, using AI to raise productivity, and creating new skills and income opportunities.

TBI is a non-profit organisation that works with governments and national leaders on strategy and policy delivery, including technological change and governance in the AI era.

Thailand has made full membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development a national priority, with a target of joining by 2028. Anutin proposed discussions between Thailand's OECD membership coordinators and TBI officials to identify areas where the institute could help accelerate progress, especially on green, AI and digital transitions.

Energy transition also on agenda

Blair also discussed Thailand's energy challenges and transition, backing approaches already under way, including solar roofs. He said energy technology could be used not only to meet power needs but also as a factor in international trade negotiations.

According to the government, Blair said Thailand could position itself appropriately as a friendly country and part of global supply chains amid international conflict and uncertainty.

Anutin said further talks with Blair would continue, supported by teams providing advice and information. Blair agreed to offer the Thai government information and guidance as cooperation plans are developed.

Join the discussion?


15 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand: 2,574 subdistricts lack adequate EMS units

Thailand has 2,574 subdistricts without sufficient standard emergency medical response units, according to a Senate working group examining reforms to crisis management and emergency care.

The findings, presented on 13 September by Senator Dr Premsak Piayura, underline uneven ambulance and advanced-care coverage across the country. For anyone living in or travelling around Thailand, the figures are a reminder that response capacity can vary considerably outside major tourist centres and cities.

Coverage varies sharply by province

Fiscal 2025 data showed 4,861 subdistricts, or 65.38% of the total, had standard medical response units. The remaining 34.62% did not have enough units to serve local residents.

The Northeast had the strongest regional coverage at 75.06%, followed by the North at 71.70% and the South at 67.68%. The Central region had the lowest level, at 46.62%.

Phuket had full coverage, followed by Lamphun at 98.04% and Satun at 94.44%. At the other end of the scale, Samut Songkhram had coverage of 27.78%, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 29.67% and Ang Thong 34.25%.

Advanced units were particularly scarce, averaging 1.76 per 100,000 people - about one for every 56,818 people. Only 39 provinces had at least two standard advanced units per 100,000 residents.

How Thailand's emergency system works

Emergency requests are made through the 1669 hotline and digital channels. The process includes triage, dispatching units, treatment at the scene, transport and transfer to hospital.

Authorities have developed the National Digital Emergency Medical Services Platform, known as NDEMS, and the RNIS call and dispatch system. They are intended to link information, locate callers, handle incoming calls, retain contact records and support real-time responses in disasters and crises.

Premsak said there are 92 emergency medical command units and 5,521 approved response units nationwide: 4,372 basic units, 1,102 advanced units and 102 specialist units. Some are counted at more than one level.

Thailand has 7,449 professional personnel, including 1,798 emergency physicians, 3,779 emergency nurse practitioners and 1,790 paramedics. It also has more than 135,353 support staff, including 111,605 emergency medical volunteers.

There are 9,841 EMS vehicles - 9,641 patient transport vehicles and 200 support vehicles. Between 2021 and 30 June 2026, 15,092 EMS vehicles were certified to standards.

More paramedics and local units proposed

The system is targeting an eight-minute response for critically ill emergency patients. However, the study identified shortages of advanced and specialist units, especially for stroke, cardiac cases and serious trauma, as well as a lack of paramedics.

The working group wants capable local administrative organisations to establish their own units, identify uncovered areas and upgrade basic units. It also proposed fast-track arrangements for strokes, cardiac emergencies, road accidents, disasters and large gatherings.

Its Paramedic Sandbox project aims to raise the number of paramedics from 1,790 to 7,500 within five years. The plan includes more training centres and assessors, plus Community First Responders in areas without units.

Thailand is also developing Thai Sky Doctor air services for remote terrain, islands and locations difficult to reach by road. As of 30 June, there were 37 air medical response units and 956 people had completed 21 Basic HEMS courses. Sea-based emergency services are also being developed in key areas.

The proposals will go to the relevant Senate subcommittee and committee. The meeting also approved Kitti Wongthawornawat and Nattanan Thatphithakkul as additional working-group members.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Chiang Mai Airport expects nearly 10m passengers in 2026

Chiang Mai Airport handled more than 6.53 million passengers in the first eight months of 2026, with international travel rising 14% year-on-year. The airport expects passenger numbers to reach about 9.97 million for the full year as the winter flight schedule begins in late October.

Airport director Karan Thanakuljeerapat said the airport recorded 43,544 flights between January and August. Overall passenger and flight numbers were broadly similar to the same period in 2025, although overseas travel continued to grow.

There were 13,232 international flights, representing 30.39% of all services. International passenger numbers reached about 1.95 million, or 29.83% of the total, with Chinese and South Korean travellers together accounting for more than half of all international passengers.

Winter schedule brings back overseas routes

Chiang Mai Airport expects both flight and passenger numbers to increase during the tourism high season and the winter timetable, which starts towards the end of October.

Five airlines will operate six routes during the winter schedule, adding connections between Chiang Mai and major overseas cities. The return of services that had been suspended during the summer timetable, as well as increased frequencies on other routes, is expected to support the rise.

Etihad Airways is due to resume its Abu Dhabi-Chiang Mai-Abu Dhabi route after pausing it during the summer schedule. Other services returning or increasing frequency include flights to Jinghong in Xishuangbanna, Shanghai and Incheon.

Oil costs affected early-year operations

Karan said air travel at Chiang Mai has increased annually since the Covid-19 pandemic eased. But conflict in the Middle East early in 2026 contributed to fluctuating fuel prices, higher airline operating costs and changes to flight planning.

Those factors meant that total flight and passenger volumes in the first eight months remained close to last year's levels despite the growth in international arrivals.

Airport upgrades under way

The airport says it has prepared terminal space, facilities, flight and passenger management, aviation safety and security arrangements for the high season. It is coordinating with airlines, government agencies and relevant operators to keep services running smoothly.

Six replacement passenger boarding bridges were fully installed and brought into use on 21 August 2026. Urgent infrastructure works, including a fire station, cargo building, Control Post 2 and a ground support equipment parking area, are also progressing to plan.

Karan said Chiang Mai Airport, as a gateway to northern Thailand, was focusing on infrastructure and service improvements to support future growth and connections to domestic and international destinations.


Picture courtesy of MGR Online

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

EC refers 77 in Senate collusion case

Thailand's Election Commission has voted to refer 77 people to the Supreme Court over alleged collusion in the 2024 Senate election, including 26 serving senators.

The group also includes 36 Senate voters and 15 other individuals. The EC examined seven allegations before deciding which names should be sent to court.

However, no cabinet minister, MP or executive from the Bhumjaithai Party has been referred for prosecution, despite 21 people from those groups having been named during the investigation.

Bhumjaithai figures not referred

Those named in the investigation included Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, as well as several cabinet ministers, MPs and senior party executives.

The EC's decision means none of those 21 political figures will be among the 77 people facing the immediate Supreme Court referral in this case.

That does not amount to a court finding on the allegations. The EC's decision is a procedural step, while any criminal or electoral responsibility for those referred will be decided through the judicial process.

What happens next

The 77 people referred have not been found guilty. The Supreme Court process will determine whether any of them bear criminal or election-related liability over the alleged Senate-election collusion.

The Senate is a significant part of Thailand's political system, and the case will remain closely watched because it concerns the legitimacy of the 2024 selection process and the standing of current senators.

Political scrutiny continues

The exclusion of ministers, MPs and Bhumjaithai executives from the EC's referral list is likely to keep attention on the investigation, particularly given that the prime minister and party leader was among those previously named.

At this stage, the EC has referred only the 77 identified individuals. Any final outcome will depend on the Supreme Court's consideration of the evidence and the allegations presented to it.

Related story

EC-faces-decision-on-Thai-senate-election-collusion-case

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Russian Tourist Robbed in Pattaya Attack

A Russian tourist was taken to hospital after being assaulted and robbed by three men in Pattaya early on 14 September 2026, police said.

The attack happened at about 1.20am in Soi Thapphraya 9, Pattaya, Chonburi. Police at Pattaya City Police Station are reviewing CCTV footage along the suspected escape route as they try to identify and arrest the three suspects.

Police Lieutenant Captain Sakkayapap Chaidej, deputy investigation inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, was notified that a foreign tourist had been attacked and robbed. Rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya were sent to the scene.

Victim taken to hospital

The injured man was identified as Mr Roman Monnov, 42, a Russian national. Rescue staff gave him initial first aid before transferring him to a nearby hospital for treatment. After treatment he made a statement at the police station and showed officers the location of the incident.



A 29-year-old Thai bystander, named as Phanuphong, told officers he heard a disturbance in the soi and initially believed there had been a vehicle collision.

He then saw a foreign tourist being attacked by a Thai man, who kicked him in the face. Two other Thai men were waiting astride a motorcycle nearby, the witness said.

Three men fled on one motorcycle

According to the witness, the attacker grabbed the tourist's bag before joining the other two men. The three suspects then fled quickly from the area on the same motorcycle.

Phanuphong said he could not recall the make or model of the vehicle, but described it only as an automatic scooter.

The stolen bag reportedly contained about 1,000 baht in cash, as well as important documents and the victim's credit cards.

Pattaya police have assigned their investigation team to examine security-camera images on routes believed to have been used by the suspects. Officers are seeking all three men for legal action.


Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Parliament cafeteria ceiling collapses in Bangkok

A section of ceiling at the Parliament building's B2 cafeteria collapsed on 13 September, damaging tables and chairs below. Nobody was injured because the area was not in use.

The collapse occurred in the dining area on basement level two, where the fallen ceiling came down onto furniture. The impact left dining tables and chairs damaged.

Collapse during weekend

The incident narrowly avoided what could have been a major accident, according to the report. On normal working days, the B2 area is heavily used by civil servants, parliamentary employees and other staff.

MPs, senators and people attending parliamentary meetings also use the cafeteria as a place to rest and have lunch. Had the ceiling fallen during regular working hours, the report said, many people could have been injured.



Officials and the Parliament building's engineering team inspected the damage and the affected area after the collapse. They are working to establish whether the cause was a structural problem, moisture, or deterioration of materials.

Checks before reopening

Authorities cordoned off the affected section temporarily for repairs and safety checks. A detailed inspection of the wider building is also planned to help prevent a repeat that could cause injuries or property damage.

The checks were carried out ahead of the building's expected use on 14 September.


Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand readies UNCLOS talks with Cambodia in Singapore

Thailand will begin its first conciliation meeting with Cambodia under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in Singapore on 14-16 September 2026.

Bangkok says the process should focus first and exclusively on delimiting the two countries' maritime boundary, rejecting Cambodia's proposal to include possible resource-sharing arrangements in the compulsory conciliation proceedings.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Saturday, 12 September, that Thailand had completed extensive preparations for the three-day meeting, scheduled from Monday to Wednesday.

Thai agencies have held several rounds of discussions on how the country's case should be presented, he said. Thailand has also consulted foreign legal advisers specialising in international maritime law.

Thailand's position on MOU 44

Sihasak said Thailand believed it had a relatively strong legal position under international law.

A key part of Bangkok's case will be demonstrating that the previous memorandum of understanding, known as MOU 44, was cancelled after more than 20 years without progress. Thailand's stated aim was to clear the way for a new round of bilateral negotiations with Cambodia.

He added that voluntary conciliation remained available before the compulsory conciliation procedure.

"Everything has to be discussed. It is not only a matter of international law, but also a matter of mutual trust in reaching an agreement," Sihasak said.

Boundary first, resources later

Cambodia has proposed that the meeting address maritime boundary delimitation and, if the sides cannot reach an agreement, consider how benefits from various resources could be shared.

Thailand's position is that resource-sharing should not be included in compulsory conciliation. It wants both countries to pursue negotiations on the maritime boundary as fully as possible before any discussion of sharing resources.

The meeting is Thailand's first conciliation engagement with Cambodia under UNCLOS, the international convention governing maritime rights and boundaries.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

Related stories

Thai-panel-defends-Cambodia-MOU-scraping-to-ASEAN

Thailand-to-scrap-MOU-44-appoint-new-talks-chief-for-south

Thailand-faces-Cambodia-warning-over-gulf-maritime-MOU-44

Thailand-to-cancel-MOU-44-with-Cambodia-over-border-dispute

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Tourist Police to deploy TASERs, AI and drones nationwide

Thailand's Tourist Police are being equipped with TASERs, AI-enabled mobile command vehicles and drone patrol units under a nationwide security upgrade aimed at improving visitor safety.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has ordered a wider effort to raise safety standards and strengthen confidence in Thai tourism, combining technology, updated equipment, staff training and cooperation between authorities, businesses and local networks.

The policy is being implemented by Tourist Police Bureau commissioner Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-um, who said the force is developing its personnel, technology and equipment to respond quickly across major tourism areas nationwide.

Phuket meeting follows TASER course

On 12 September 2026, at 10am, Lt Gen Saksira chaired the closing ceremony for the 21st Tourist Police TASER training course at the Seabed Grand Hotel Phuket.



The training is part of a national programme that will train 1,250 Tourist Police officers in the use of electric shock weapons. A total of 450 TASER devices are to be provided, giving officers another option for controlling incidents while taking account of the safety of tourists, members of the public and police.

During the Phuket visit, officials also met tourism-sector representatives to hear concerns and proposals on local conditions. Those attending included Thanoosak Phuengdet, chairman of the Andaman Southern Provinces Chamber of Commerce group; Phumikitti Ruktaengam, chairman of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation; Sarayut Mallam, president of the Phuket Tourism Business Association; and Kongsak Kupongkorn, chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.

The discussions focused on combining safety measures and visitor assistance in a way suited to Phuket, one of Thailand's principal tourist destinations.

AI command vehicles and drone patrols

The Tourist Police Bureau said it is adding 11 Mobile CCOC vehicles and four Mobile CCOC microbuses fitted with AI camera systems. The systems can identify faces and follow individuals subject to arrest warrants.

The force will also receive 32 Smart Check Point sets, 32 drone patrol vehicles and 128 drones. The drones are equipped with thermal cameras for patrols, observation and aerial searches during both daytime and night-time operations.

Tourist Police patrol teams are also being issued Smart Patrol kits, including reflective protective vests, translation devices, digital radios and body-worn cameras. These are intended to improve communication and the ability of officers to assist visitors in the field.

The bureau said its work with local agencies and tourism industry was part of the ministry's broader plan for a more systematic safety network, intended to reduce risks, prevent incidents and improve response arrangements for both Thai and overseas tourists.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Village headman killed by friendly fire in drug arrest

A village headman in Nakhon Phanom province has died after being struck by a bullet fired by a volunteer security officer during an attempt to restrain a man armed with a knife.

Wasana Srikason, 52, headman of Moo 8 in Phon Thong subdistrict, Ban Phaeng district, was shot in the chest while assisting police from Ban Phaeng station on Saturday. He was taken to Ban Phaeng Hospital but died of his injuries on September 12.

Knife confrontation turned fatal

Police, local officials and volunteers had been trying to control Kittisak Kaewmuentrong, 33, who was said to be in a drug-induced frenzy and threatening residents and officers with a knife.

Kittisak allegedly attempted to stab those trying to subdue him during the confrontation.

Pawarit Saengthong, 47, a volunteer security officer from Ban Phaeng district, fired several rounds from a 9mm pistol in what was described as self-defence while attempting to stop the suspect. One bullet hit Wasana in the chest.

Kittisak was also shot, suffering an injury to his left upper arm. He was taken to Ban Phaeng Hospital and remains under official custody while receiving treatment, pending further investigation and legal proceedings.

Tighter response measures planned

Officials said reports of people in drug-fuelled states causing disturbances are received almost daily in Nakhon Phanom. In response, stricter measures have been introduced to monitor, control and respond to such cases in an effort to prevent further incidents.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with authorities charging the volunteer with negligence. The wife of the headman said she holds no grudge, believing there was no intent, while the mother of the drug-crazed man was so ashamed she said she wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.


Picture courtesy of Komchadluek

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thai King's eldest son applies for Thai Airways CEO role

Juthavachara Vivacharawongse, the eldest son of Thailand's King, has reportedly applied to become the next chief executive of Thai Airways International. The airline is accepting applications until 27 September 2026 to replace Chai Eamsiri, whose term ends in January 2027.

Known in Thailand as Than Uan, Juthavachara announced his application on LinkedIn, saying he recognised that the selection process would be highly competitive and that his career path differed from that of a conventional airline chief executive.

The application was first reported on social media and subsequently picked up by Thai media outlets. Thai Airways has not indicated whether he has passed an initial eligibility review or been included on any shortlist.

Aviation career and qualifications

Juthavachara has spent more than 25 years in international aviation, according to the reports. His career began as an aircraft technician before moving into maintenance control, Part 135 operations, maintenance, repair and overhaul programmes, and aircraft-on-ground support.

He is currently Director of Strategic Partnerships at CAMP Systems International. The role involves work with aircraft and engine manufacturers, operators, technology companies and senior aviation executives around the world, including commercial agreements, aircraft data, fleet reliability, digital integration and aircraft lifecycle support.

His academic background includes aviation technology, aeronautical science, aerospace management and law. Reports said he completed bachelor's and master's degrees in aviation engineering and later gained a JD from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

"Thailand is where I was born. Aviation is where I've spent my entire professional life," Juthavachara wrote on LinkedIn. His younger brother also posted about the application.

The two brothers live in the United States and are sons of the reigning monarch, although they do not hold royal titles. They have been able to return to Thailand for social visits in recent years, which have received media attention.

Thai Airways must assess candidates

Thai Airways' selection committee must still examine Juthavachara's documentation, executive experience and suitability against the carrier's requirements. Applying does not itself confirm that a candidate meets the eligibility criteria.

The reports noted that Juthavachara's background has mainly been in operational and maintenance areas rather than leading a major corporation. They also said he does not hold an MBA and has not previously held senior leadership responsibility at a very large organisation.

Thai Airways' use of an open application process, rather than relying solely on headhunters or internal succession, has itself drawn attention. Previous airline chief executives have generally been senior executives with established standing in Thailand's business economy.


Picture courtesy of Loyaltylobby

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

NIDA poll: Thais cite concerns over Israelis' conduct

A new NIDA Poll has found that many Thai respondents who had heard reports of, or experienced, alleged inappropriate or illegal behaviour by Israelis in Thailand said their main concern was a lack of respect for the law.

The survey, released on 13 September, also said the public wanted officials to enforce the law strictly and decisively. Its findings reflect respondents' perceptions based on news and personal experience, rather than verified findings against individuals.

The National Institute of Development Administration's NIDA Poll surveyed Thai citizens aged 18 and above who are eligible to vote between 8 and 10 September 2026. It covered Bangkok and the provinces of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Surat Thani, Phuket and Mae Hong Son.

Most respondents had seen media reports

Of those surveyed, 76.38% said they had heard reports through media including mainstream outlets and social media about alleged inappropriate behaviour or illegal acts by Israelis in Thailand.

A further 17.45% said they had neither heard any reports nor had direct experience. Some 5.11% said they had experienced such behaviour themselves, while 4.33% had heard accounts from someone with direct experience.

Another 3.48% had been told about it by people without direct experience.

Law and cultural concerns ranked highest

When asked about dissatisfaction arising from reports or direct experiences, 71.22% cited a perceived lack of respect for Thai law.

Respondents also raised concerns about rude speech or behaviour seen as looking down on Thai people, cited by 46.39%, and a lack of respect for Thai culture, at 45.96%. Some 40.03% referred to a lack of respect for community ways of life, while 36.43% cited a lack of respect for private and public space.

Other concerns included using Thai nominees to hold land, at 31.44%, and using nominees to hold businesses, at 29.04%. Such arrangements can carry legal consequences in Thailand, and the rules apply to foreign nationals generally, not only Israelis.

Visa, work and business issues also raised

Some 20.02% of respondents pointed to behaviour that could cause racial, ethnic or religious conflict. A further 19.93% objected to the establishment of Israeli cemeteries in Thailand without consultation with local people, while 18.47% cited the expansion of Israeli communities in particular areas.

Visa overstays were mentioned by 16.41%. Concerns about foreigners doing business or taking jobs reserved for Thais were cited by 10.48%, while 9.54% referred to work not matching a work permit and 9.36% to so-called zero-dollar businesses.

Only 2.41% said they were not dissatisfied by any of the issues listed, while 1.98% said they were unsure whether the reports they had heard were true.


Picture courtesy of NIDA Poll

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Vietnamese man held at Suvarnabhumi over gold scam

Thai cyber police have arrested a 31-year-old Vietnamese national at Suvarnabhumi Airport over allegations he helped launder money from a fake online investment scheme. Van Hai Hui was detained at 11.30am on September 11 as he arrived in Thailand, police said.

He was wanted under a Nonthaburi Provincial Court warrant, No. 1016/2569, dated July 15, 2026. The allegations include public fraud by impersonation, entering false or distorted information into a computer system likely to cause public harm, conspiracy to commit money laundering and joint money laundering.

The operation was led by Pol Lt Gen Surapol Prembutr, commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, with senior officers from Technology Crime Suppression Division 2 and Immigration Division 2's crime suppression unit.

Fake doctor profile and 10% returns

Police said the case stems from an alleged fraud operation which used nominees to create a false online profile for a female doctor said to work at a well-known beauty clinic.

The alleged scammers would begin by claiming they had sent a Line message to the wrong person. They then built a relationship with victims before inviting them to invest through a false platform promising returns of 10%.



Victims reportedly transferred more than 3 million baht in total. When they attempted to withdraw money, the group allegedly demanded a further 25% payment, described as tax, in order to delay withdrawals and obtain more funds.

Money allegedly converted into gold

Police said the funds were moved in less than an hour through mule accounts held by both individuals and companies. The money was allegedly converted through agents buying gold bars at shops, using cash or transfers, making the proceeds harder to trace.

Investigators allege that Van Hai Hui acted as an agent buying gold from retailers. He had previously left Thailand and was believed to be returning to prepare for further offences, police said.

Officers waited at the international arrivals exit at Suvarnabhumi and took him into custody. He will now face legal proceedings.

Cyber police reiterated their "do not believe, do not click, do not transfer" warning. They advised the public not to trust strangers who claim to have messaged by mistake or seek friendship through social media, and not to open investment links sent in private chats.

Gold shops urged to check customers

Gold retailers nationwide were also urged to follow anti-money-laundering requirements, including customer due diligence and identity checks using ID cards or passports.

Police said shops should check the source of money where a transfer comes from a company account or another person rather than the buyer or gold recipient. Cash transactions above the legal threshold, and suspicious transactions, should be reported promptly to the Anti-Money Laundering Office.

Anyone spotting suspicious activity can call the Cyber Police hotline on 1441 or contact their local police station.


Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Chinese fugitive held after 25 years as Thai citizen

Thai police and administration officials have arrested a Chinese man wanted on an Interpol red notice, alleging he spent more than three decades in Thailand, even improperly obtaining Thai nationality and an identity card.

The suspect, named as Suchat Surachai, also known as Mr Zhu Zhishan, was arrested at a house in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi, on 13 September. He was taken to Bang Lamung Police Station for further legal action.

Police said the operation was ordered by Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, deputy national police chief, and led by Pol Lt Gen Noppasin Poolsawat, attached to the Office of the National Police Chief, alongside police, administrative officers and the DOPA N.I.C.E. registration-security unit.

China seeks extradition

According to Pol Gen Samran, Chinese authorities contacted Thailand through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking checks and extradition proceedings for Mr Zhu, who is wanted in connection with an alleged intentional assault and death, in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on 19 January 1990.



Authorities said he subsequently fled China and is believed to had entered Thailand, about 36 years ago. The current investigation suggested the Interpol red notice for Mr Zhu, for murder, could be the same person as Suchat Surachai, who had acquired Thai citizenship unlawfully and held a Thai passport.

Police said a Pattaya Provincial Court arrest warrant, number 509/2569, had also been issued. The Office of the National Police will consider China's extradition request under the relevant legal procedures.

Thai nationality revoked

The Department of Provincial Administration said its retrospective checks found that Suchat had been entered into the Thai nationality system improperly through a highland population status-registration process in Phop Phra district, Tak province.

He received his first Thai identity card on 1 November 2001, officials said. The department has since revoked the nationality entry and associated registration records, and filed a complaint for legal proceedings.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly told officers that obtaining the Thai identity card in Phop Phra had cost about 50,000 baht. Investigators will examine who received the money, whether any officials or other people were involved, and whether similar arrangements were used for others.

Property and businesses under review

After obtaining Thai status, the suspect allegedly lived and worked in Thailand, initially as a guide and in tourism businesses before settling in Pattaya. Police said he has a Chinese wife and twin children.

Investigators found links to several companies and said he held 17 plots of property in Bang Lamung worth more than 100 million baht, as well as several cars and motorcycles. Officials will now examine how the assets were acquired and their legal status.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

EC faces decision on Thai Senate election collusion case

Thailand's Election Commission (EC) is due to decide on 14 September whether to take a major Senate election collusion case to court, after two internal panels reached opposite conclusions over allegations involving 229 people.

The case concerns the complex indirect election of Thailand's 200 senators on 26 June 2024 at Impact Forum, Muang Thong Thani. The EC's 26th investigation panel recommended action against 138 current senators, 21 ministers, MPs and Bhumjaithai Party executives, 20 people described as being in the party's network, and 50 reserve senators and other candidates.

An unusual indirect election system

The Senate was chosen through "self-selection and cross-selection" among 20 occupational groups. Candidates needed at least 10 years of relevant knowledge, expertise or experience, and first passed district and provincial rounds before reaching the national vote.

Each group produced 10 senators, while the public did not vote directly. The multi-stage process attracted criticism for its complexity and for the way candidates voted for one another across occupational groups.

Civil-society groups iLaw and We Watch, along with former EC commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, raised concerns about alleged vote lists, recruited applicants, organised meetings and voting patterns. Pattarapong Suphakson, known as Lawyer Aun, filed complaints after failing to progress beyond the district round in Buri Ram on 9 June 2024, submitting alleged lists, photographs and information about local organisation.

Two panels, sharply different findings

The Department of Special Investigation began examining complaints from Senate candidates on 10 February 2025. On 5 March, the Special Case Board, chaired at the time by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, voted 11-4 to accept alleged secret-society and money-laundering offences as a special case.

On 18 March, the EC formed its 26th central investigation panel (Panel26) with DSI officers. It examined documents and heard more than 700 witnesses nationwide. DSI formally brought allegations of Senate-election collusion on 25 April and reconstructed events at Impact, under a framework approved by then justice minister Pol Col Thawee Sodsong.

Panel 26 concluded on 17 July 2025 that the EC should petition the Supreme Court against all 229 people. It cited alleged digital evidence, including mobile phone cell-site data and Google Maps travel records, as well as purported voting lists and other physical evidence.

Witness accounts cited by the panel alleged secret planning meetings, an offline programme to calculate cross-voting, accommodation for voters around Impact, payments ranging from 10,000 to 200,000 baht, and threats to follow voting lists. They also alleged that elected senators later met at a hotel in the Rang Nam area and signed undated resignation letters. These remain allegations.

A second formed panel (Panel 36) reviewed the case in August 2025 and recommended dismissing all complaints, saying the evidence was insufficient for criminal action or removal of Senate rights.

Possible outcomes on 14 September

The seven EC commissioners may follow Panel 26 and send cases to the Supreme Court, dismiss all allegations as Panel 36 proposed, or pursue only individuals for whom they consider the evidence clear.

If the Supreme Court accepts a case, accused senators could be suspended from their duties, according to the reported possible scenario. A further constitutional case concerning dissolution of a political party could also follow.

The Constitutional Court ruled on 21 January 2026 that Phumtham and Thawee had not committed serious ethical breaches, finding no evidence of unlawful interference in the DSI's work.

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Gan Chabad network investigated over land and nominees

Thailand's Interior Ministry has expanded its investigation into Gan Chabad Co., Ltd. from a Jewish cemetery in Chachoengsao to land holdings, company structures and possible nominee arrangements involving dozens of linked businesses.

The inquiry began at a cemetery in Samet Tai subdistrict, Bang Khla district, and now involves the Commerce Ministry, Department of Special Investigation and Anti-Money Laundering Office. No finding of wrongdoing has been made against Gan Chabad, its directors or Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor.

Cemetery licence and land ownership

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee visited the cemetery on September 11. Officials confirmed that the land was bought by Gan Chabad, which was licensed to operate the site when it opened about four to five years ago.

The licence was not renewed, although burials reportedly continued afterwards. Authorities are examining whether that amounted to a legal breach.

Polapee said three shareholders connected to the cemetery were born in Israel but later gained Thai citizenship. As Thai citizens, they were legally entitled to own land.

The wider case has attracted public attention during debate over some Israeli and Jewish community activities in Thailand. This includes opposition to a planned Jewish New Year event at Chabad Patong in Phuket, while activist Sondhi Limthongkul and the Reclaim Thailand group demonstrated outside the Israeli Embassy, calling for closer checks on foreigners accused of ignoring Thai laws and customs.

Up to 40 companies under examination

Gan Chabad was registered in March 2008 with capital of 30 million baht. Its stated business purposes include cemetery and crematorium services and property management.

According to a senior Interior Ministry source, the network linked to its directors may reach 40 companies, with combined turnover said to exceed 4 billion baht. The businesses reportedly include The Kosher Place (Thailand) Co., Ltd., tourism firms serving Israeli visitors, and businesses helping people travelling to Thailand for rehabilitation after illness or conflict-related experiences.

Investigators are seeking to establish whether the companies were legally formed and whether Thai nationals may have been used as nominees for foreign investors. Gan Chabad's three authorised directors hold Thai citizenship, making it a Thai legal entity; nominee concerns are being considered separately in relation to other firms.

Rabbi's citizenship process questioned

Kantor, a Gan Chabad founder and senior Chabad rabbi, has lived in Thailand since 1993. He and family members later received Thai citizenship, reportedly because of long residence and contributions to Thailand rather than marriage to Thai nationals. One of his sons is reportedly a Gan Chabad director.

Nation TV programme Khao Khon Khon Khao raised questions about the basis for those approvals. It noted that the Nationality Act BE 2508 (1965) generally requires 80,000 baht monthly income, three years of tax records, permanent residence and five consecutive years on a Thai house register, although exceptions can apply.

Join the discussion?


14 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand seeks review of Preah Vihear military claims

Thailand says it has evidence that Cambodian forces has used the area around the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for military purposes, and has called for the material to be independently assessed.

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee, director of the Joint Information Centre on the Thailand-Cambodia Situation, said on Saturday, September 12, that Thailand was prepared to provide coordinates, timings, aerial images and other supporting information for an impartial review.

Thai evidence includes weapons images

According to Prapas, the evidence presented by Thailand includes aerial photographs, coordinates and pictures of weapons allegedly found in the temple area. These include anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades, small arms and positions for anti-aircraft weapons.

Thailand says there is also information indicating military activity in the area, alongside allegations that weapons were fired from the World Heritage zone at Thai forces.

Prapas said the Thai side did not want findings based solely on either country's allegations. Instead, it wanted the evidence examined against international standards.

"World Heritage sites should not be used as military bases or as shields for military operations," he said. "If there are allegations that weapons were fired from such an area, the sequence of events should be examined - who fired, from where, when and at what target."

Protected status is not automatically lost

Prapas said the presence of troops or weapons at Preah Vihear would not automatically remove its legal protection or allow an attack on the location.

The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict requires parties to avoid using cultural property and its immediate surroundings in ways likely to expose it to damage during hostilities, except in narrowly defined cases of military necessity.

He said any response to weapons being fired from the area would have to be judged on the facts and applicable law at the time. Authorities would need to consider whether the site had become a military objective, whether other options were available and what precautions could limit damage to cultural heritage.

Those considerations are further set out in the 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention, including rules on imperative military necessity and precautions during attacks.

Full timeline needed to assign blame

On responsibility for any damage to the temple, Prapas said investigators would need to examine the entire chain of events rather than focus only on images of destruction afterwards.

This would include establishing who brought troops and weapons into the area, who fired from which position and when, and what the responding side was targeting.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

Join the discussion?


13 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Israeli widow seeks husband's body from Chachoengsao cemetery

The wife of an Israeli man buried at a Jewish cemetery in Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao, has appealed to Deputy Interior Minister Pholphee Suwanchawee to allow her to take his body for cremation.

Pakawan Srisai said her husband was the third body buried at the cemetery and that cremation had been his stated wish before he died. She said she has hospital documents properly confirming the cause of death.

Cremation request after removal order

On 12 September, Pakawan contacted reporters after learning that authorities had ordered bodies to be removed from the cemetery site. She said she was worried about the rushed move and felt sorry for her husband.

She said she had tried to contact the company involved, which told her it would arrange a new burial location. The company also said it would cover the cost of removing her husband's body for cremation.

"I am ready to take my husband's body to be cremated. Please help me," she said in her appeal to Pholphee.

Bang Khla district officials are now pressing ahead with the administrative order to remove the bodies within the time remaining under the directive. The company said it could not act immediately because of the weekend and the need to carry out religious rites.

Health teams disinfect cemetery area

Meanwhile, the public health division of Samed Tai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation sent a team in protective clothing to spray disinfectant around the cemetery.

The operation was intended to prevent the spread of disease and protect sanitation and public safety for people living nearby.

The first body whose family has indicated it wants it removed remains subject to coordination between the company and relatives. Outstanding questions include whether the remains should be cremated or reburied, while some people involved in the decision are still minors.

Relevant agencies are collecting information for a progress report to the deputy interior minister at a meeting scheduled for 13 September 2026. Officials have been instructed to follow legal procedures and to avoid confrontation with local residents.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

Related stories

Jewish-cemetery-burials-ordered-to-be-removed

Chachoengsao-rejects-Jewish-cemetery-permit-extension


Join the discussion?


13 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand third for digital nomads, fourth for retirees

Thailand has ranked third in the world for digital nomads and fourth for retirees in the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, which assessed 192 countries and territories.

Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said on 12 September that the government wants to use the results to encourage foreigners with spending power to remain in Thailand for longer.

Thailand trails Malaysia in Southeast Asia

Thailand was placed behind Malaysia and Portugal in Rumavi's digital nomad category, receiving a score of 75.4. In the retirement ranking, Thailand scored 74.3, behind Malaysia, Panama and Portugal.

It ranked second among ASEAN countries in both categories, with Malaysia ahead in each. Lalida cited reporting by Vietnam's VnExpress International and Malaysia's The Star, saying the results underlined Thailand's potential for people looking to live and work abroad, rather than simply take short holidays.

Cost, banking and internet score highly

Thailand's best scores were for affordability, at 96.9, currency and banking at 91.8, and digital infrastructure at 89.4. It also received 78 points for both healthcare quality and the cost of accessing healthcare.

For foreigners weighing up a move, the rankings offer a broad comparison rather than a guarantee of individual costs or services.

Rumavi's country assessment identified weaker areas for Thailand, including English-language accessibility, business opportunities and the rule of law.

Government targets longer, higher-value stays

Lalida said digital nomads and retirees were an economic opportunity because of their purchasing power. Longer stays could spread income throughout the year to accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators and healthcare businesses, she said.

"The goal is not simply to make people around the world want to visit Thailand, but to make people with the means to do so want to stay longer. Ranking third worldwide for digital nomads and fourth for retirees is therefore an opportunity Thailand must turn into income and economic value," Lalida said.

The government plans to improve digital infrastructure and conditions for remote workers, while developing the wellness economy, care for older people and higher-value services for retirees. The Nation has reported that this forms part of a wider shift towards tourism value and spending per visitor rather than arrival numbers alone.

Join the discussion?


13 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Junior Ubiribo questions father's death in Thailand

The son of British-Nigerian businessman and influencer Igho Ubiribo has challenged earlier reports that his father died after a penile filler procedure in Thailand, saying key questions remain unanswered.

Junior Ubiribo's claims, reported by Nigerian news website Vanguard, have not been independently verified. There is no independent evidence that Igho Ubiribo was murdered, nor confirmation of the injuries or missing property alleged by his son.

Son challenges earlier account

Earlier reports linked Igho Ubiribo's death to a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the lungs, after he reportedly underwent a filler injection procedure intended to enlarge his penis.

Junior Ubiribo disputed that explanation, saying: "my father was killed in March". He said he did not accept reports that his father died as a result of the procedure carried out in Thailand.

He further alleged that his father suffered serious injuries, including losing one eye and sustaining a deep wound to his forehead. Junior questioned how those injuries occurred and whether they were related to the treatment.

The son also raised concerns over his father's assets, alleging that property and belongings, including a gun and watches, disappeared after his death. He alleged that Igho Ubiribo's wife took the items.

Junior said his father did not deserve what happened and called for a full investigation rather than acceptance of the account previously reported.

It remains unclear whether the death was connected to homicide, as alleged by the son. Further information from the relevant authorities and other people involved will be required before the circumstances can be established.

Clinic says he was a regular patient

Officials from the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected the clinic where Ubiribo received the injection on 7 September 2026.

Clinic management said he had been a regular patient since 2024 and had undergone five penile enlargement injection procedures. The first four took place between 2024 and 2025.

For the fifth treatment, on 5 March 2026, the clinic said Ubiribo received 40cc of filler injected into his penis. The doctor had advised splitting the treatment into two sessions, but he reportedly asked for it to be completed in one session.

The clinic said staff gave post-treatment care instructions after every procedure and followed up on his condition. It said Ubiribo had not reported any problems connected with the treatments, and that he signed a consent form before each procedure.

Related story

Thailand-penis-enlargement-procedure-linked-to-influencers-death

Join the discussion?


13 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand wildlife unit targets online animal trade

Thailand's wildlife enforcement officers are using social-media monitoring and undercover work to trace trafficked animals, from monkeys and hornbills to elephant ivory and living coral. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) says the trade is increasingly arranged online, with Thailand a key regional hub because of its own wildlife, proximity to rare species and transport links by land, sea and air.

Nawee Changpirom, who leads a DNP raid unit, said officers have found leopards, hornbills and even an anteater during their work.

"We even found living corals hidden in a ceiling," he told AFP

Illegal wildlife trafficking is among the world's most widespread and profitable forms of organised crime, alongside weapons, drugs and human trafficking, and is run by cross-border cartels.

Tracking sellers online and undercover

The DNP created its dedicated Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit (WCU) in 2023. Its three permanent staff track and intercept illegal purchases, with social media now the "key channel" for the trade, according to WCU director Polawee Buchakiet.



Sellers may say an animal needs to be "rehomed" rather than openly advertising it for sale. They also use tightly cropped photographs to prevent investigators identifying their location.

Undercover officers then gather evidence needed for court warrants. One officer, identified only as Tee, said he has climbed electricity poles dressed as a repairman to photograph courtyards, and posed as a land surveyor to look through windows from neighbouring plots.

Tee, 43, said cases in which sellers could not be found, or animals were dead or too ill by the time officers arrived, still troubled him. Smuggled animals can be weakened by transport, stressed by separation from their habitat and family groups, and exposed to unfamiliar diseases.

"I wonder to myself if we could have done something to get there sooner," he said. "Whether they are big or small, all animals' lives are precious."

Airport seizure highlights risks to animals

A six-month-old leaf monkey was intercepted in luggage at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport while bound for India, where demand for exotic pets has been growing. A second monkey in the same bag died after it was rescued.

DNP vet Thanawadee Phaichana said many smuggled animals arrive in poor condition, with some given sedatives or mild anaesthetic to stop them moving or making noise.

Animals recovered in and around Bangkok are initially treated at the DNP's small facility before transfer to a sanctuary. Older, healthier animals may eventually be returned to the wild, but younger animals often struggle to gain the skills needed to survive there.

Penalties and enforcement gaps

Wildlife traffickers face up to 10 years in prison for offences involving protected species, rising to 15 years for endangered species. For foreign residents and visitors, that is a practical warning against buying animals advertised online or accepting wildlife products whose legal origin cannot be established.

A recent raid rescued a leaf monkey, a gibbon and hundreds of turtles, while airports have seen multiple interceptions. However, the unit faces staff and funding shortages, and difficulties obtaining cooperation from social-media companies; officers posing as buyers sometimes use their own money, Nawee said.

In 2019, a Thai court dismissed the case against suspected trafficking kingpin Boonchai Bach. The Supreme Court later sentenced him to prison, but he remains at large.

Nawee said the most meaningful change would be an end to the exotic pet trade: "These are wild animals, they don't belong in a cage."


Pictures courtesy of Daily Mail

Join the discussion?


13 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Pattaya police question Chinese man over condo assault

A Chinese man has been taken for questioning after a 28-year-old Thai woman alleged that he held her inside a Pattaya condominium for more than three hours, assaulted her and tried to force her to remove her clothes.

The woman, identified as Ms Beam, filed her complaint with Pattaya City Police on 12 September 2026. She said the incident happened at a condominium on Thappraya Road in Pattaya, Chonburi.

According to her statement, her mobile phone had gone missing and she suspected that a younger female acquaintance had taken it. She later received information that she should go to the condominium if she wanted it returned.

Woman says she was held alone in room

Ms Beam said she travelled to the building with her older sibling, who is a ladyboy. When they arrived outside the room, she alleged that the Chinese man inside suddenly opened the door and pulled both into the room.



Her sibling managed to break free and escape, but Ms Beam said she was held inside alone.

She told police that the man appeared intoxicated and attempted to make her remove her clothes in order to commit an indecent act. When she resisted, she said he assaulted her, leaving her injured.

The woman also alleged that the man showed her more than 30 items resembling "Port K heads". The report did not specify what the items were.

She said an acquaintance later came to the condominium and helped negotiate her release. Ms Beam then went directly to Pattaya City Police Station to make a report.

No passport produced during police action

Following the complaint, Pattaya police investigators and patrol officers went to the condominium with building management staff and brought the Chinese man to Pattaya City Police Station for questioning.

Police said he resisted being taken into custody, making the operation difficult. Initial checks found that he was unable to produce travel documents or a passport.

Investigators are continuing to question all parties, to establish the facts. They are also preparing to seek court approval to search the condominium room for illegal items and to proceed under the law.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

Join the discussion?


13 September 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

TAT targets 2.7tn baht as Thailand's high season approaches

Thailand's Tourism Authority (TAT) is intensifying promotions, events and airline partnerships from September to December in pursuit of 2.7 trillion baht in tourism revenue during 2026.

The agency's best-case forecast is now 32.6-32.7 million foreign arrivals, just below its 33 million target. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said reaching 33 million would exceed the previous year's visitor total.

TAT's revenue target comprises 1.6 trillion baht from overseas visitors and 1.1 trillion baht from domestic tourism. Thailand reported 2025 tourism receipts of 2.6 trillion baht, while Thapanee has set a growth goal of at least 7% this year.

Value over visitor numbers

Thapanee said tourism had performed slightly below expectations because of pressures since the start of 2026, but TAT now sees a better outlook. Its earlier worst-case forecast was 28-31 million arrivals if the conflict continued for more than five to six months.

TAT's final-four-month "Year of Transformation" programme is intended to prioritise visitor spending and experiences over sheer numbers. Its four pillars are to rebalance source markets; develop experience platforms under the "Healing is the New Luxury" theme; build growth through Life Economy and Festival Economy initiatives; and bring public and private sectors together.

Domestic campaigns include "365 days of Thais travelling in Thailand" and: "Instant happiness from travelling in Thailand: fill up on Thailand and let your heart heal".

For 2027, the tourism and sports minister has given TAT a target of 3 trillion baht in tourism receipts, close to the level recorded before the pandemic in 2019. "If we draw on Thailand's strengths, such as health tourism, I am confident we can achieve the 3 trillion baht revenue target in 2027," Thapanee said.

New flights for the winter season

Riyadh Air launched its Riyadh-Bangkok route on September 2, arriving in Bangkok the following day. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service, Riyadh Air's 14th route, has 290 seats and initially operates three times weekly, rising to seven flights a week in October.

TAT estimates the initial schedule adds about 3,840 inbound seats monthly. The direct link avoids a change in Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi and targets Saudi family, luxury, wellness and medical travellers. Saudi visitors stay 10-12 days and spend around 110,000 baht per person, TAT said.

TAT's wider Middle East target is 850,000 visitors in 2026. It also noted demand spreading from Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya to Krabi, Phang Nga, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.

October routes include LOT Polish Airlines Warsaw-Bangkok, Virgin Atlantic London Heathrow-Phuket, Belavia Minsk-Bangkok, and services linking Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Fukuoka and Xishuangbanna with Thai cities. December brings Loong Air Xi'an-Krabi, seasonal SAS Copenhagen services to Krabi and Phuket, Sunclass Stockholm-Krabi, and Norse Atlantic London Gatwick-Phuket.

Festivals and major events

TAT's calendar includes Nakhon Phanom's illuminated boat procession and Royal Barge Procession rehearsals on October 21-22. November features the Royal Barge Procession on November 6, Loy Krathong, Maha Loy Krathong in Ayutthaya, Vijit Thailand, Vijit Chao Phraya, Neramit Amphawa, the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo, the Global Wellness Summit on November 10-13, and the Bangkok marathon on November 28-29.

December events include Wonderfruit on December 3-7, Tomorrowland Thailand on December 11-13, the Spartan Super World Championship and Trifecta Weekend in Chiang Rai, Sakon Nakhon's star procession, food and light festivals, and the Amazing Multi-Race Festival final.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

Join the discussion?


13 September 2026

Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

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