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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.

South African Held With Ammunition at Phuket Airport

A South African tourist has been arrested after airport security officers found six rounds of ammunition and a firearm magazine inside his luggage at Phuket International Airport before he was due to board an international flight.

Police said the discovery was made at about 10pm on 25 July at the international departures terminal, where baggage screening staff alerted officers from Sakhu Police Station after the items were detected by X-ray.

Airport screening leads to arrest

According to police, the passenger was identified as 27-year-old South African national Mr Morne Dannhauser. Airport security personnel detained him until officers arrived at the scene.

Police said they seized six rounds of ammunition, of an unspecified calibre, along with one magazine found in his luggage.

The suspect was taken to Sakhu Police Station, where investigators informed him of his legal rights and the charges against him before beginning formal legal proceedings. Officers also said the South African Embassy would be notified in accordance with standard procedures.

Strict firearms laws and airport security

Thailand has strict firearms and ammunition laws, and travellers are responsible for ensuring their luggage complies with both Thai law and airline security regulations. Even where passengers legally own firearms or ammunition in their home country, bringing such items into or through Thailand without the necessary authorisation can result in criminal prosecution.

The arrest follows routine baggage screening at Phuket International Airport, where security officers inspect checked luggage before it is loaded onto departing aircraft.


Picture courtesy of Amarin

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27 July 2026
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Chinese Tourist Challenges Thailand Exit Ban After Rape Case

A Chinese tourist has appealed for what he says is fair treatment after being stopped from leaving Thailand when a second complaint was lodged against him following an earlier rape allegation that he believed had already been settled.

The 54-year-old man, identified by authorities only as Ma, appeared at Thong Lor Police Station in Bangkok at around 6pm on 25 July, accompanied by a Chinese interpreter and his lawyer, Sitthichok Pao-in Arunritthawin, to present his account to the media.

Tourist disputes allegations

According to Ma, he arrived in Thailand alone on 5 July. On the night of 18 July, he met a 36-year-old Thai woman at an entertainment venue in Bangkok’s RCA district. He said they later moved to another venue, where she encouraged him to drink alcohol, eat and inhale laughing gas, which he claimed he had never previously used.

Ma alleged that the woman repeatedly took photographs, videos and audio recordings throughout the evening, including later at his hotel, but said he believed she was simply recording their night out.

He claimed the effects of the laughing gas left him unusually weak and dizzy before the pair returned to his hotel by taxi. There, he said, the woman initiated sexual intercourse while continuing to record images and audio. He later fell asleep.

The following morning, Ma said police arrived at his hotel room after the woman accused him of rape.

According to Ma, negotiations followed and the woman allegedly threatened to pursue legal action unless he paid compensation. He said he paid 70,000 baht, with the agreement recorded in the police daily diary at Thong Lor Police Station, believing the matter had been resolved.

New complaint blocks departure

Ma said that on 25 July, while preparing to fly back to China from Suvarnabhumi Airport, immigration officers stopped him after discovering a further complaint had been filed. He was placed on a watchlist preventing him from leaving Thailand.

He alleged that the same woman had submitted a new complaint claiming she contracted an infection through sexual intercourse with him and was seeking a further 150,000 baht, bringing the total amount allegedly demanded to 220,000 baht.

His lawyer argued that his client had not been treated fairly because a second complaint had been accepted despite the earlier negotiations recorded at the police station. He called on investigators to examine all available evidence, including photographs, videos, audio recordings and witness testimony.

Thong Lor Police said the case remains under investigation. The allegations made by both parties have not been verified, and investigators will examine the evidence before determining any further legal action.

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27 July 2026
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Indian Man Held with 6kg of Etomidate at Bangkok Airport

An Indian national has been arrested after customs officers allegedly discovered around 6kg of the controlled anaesthetic etomidate in his luggage at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The arrest took place on 24 July after the passenger arrived on a flight from Mumbai, with Bangkok listed as his final destination. According to Thailand’s Customs Department, officers found approximately 6,000 grammes of etomidate, including its packaging, with an estimated value of more than 4.2 million baht.

The search was carried out by officers from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Control Customs Office together with the airport’s Investigation and Suppression Division.

Drug classified alongside ketamine

Authorities said the alleged import breached Thailand’s Narcotics Code, the Customs Act 2017 and other relevant legislation.

Etomidate is a fast-acting, short-duration anaesthetic used in medical settings. In late July 2025, Thailand reclassified it as the 45th substance on its Category 2 psychotropic substances list, placing it in the same legal category as ketamine.



Customs officials said the drug has increasingly been found mixed into e-cigarette liquids, commonly referred to by users as “zombie cigarettes” or “K-pods”.

The department warned that while the drug may initially produce dream-like sensations, detachment from reality and euphoria, higher doses can cause irregular heartbeat, seizures, temporary paralysis, respiratory depression, unconsciousness or fatal shock.

Increased border enforcement

Customs Director-General Phanthong Loykulnanta said the department had stepped up inspections at airports, border checkpoints and postal parcel channels nationwide.

The enhanced enforcement follows instructions from Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking.

Phanthong said customs officials were working with other agencies to prevent the import, export and transit of controlled substances through every available route, while also ensuring Thailand is not used as a transit hub for illicit drugs.
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For foreign residents and visitors, the case is another reminder that Thailand takes a strict approach to controlled substances. Medicines and chemicals that may be legally available elsewhere can fall under Thailand’s narcotics or psychotropic substances laws, and travellers carrying prescription medicines or medical products should ensure they comply with Thai regulations before entering the country.

Phanthong also urged the public, particularly young people, to be aware of the dangers posed by e-cigarettes containing controlled substances, warning that their effects could be life-threatening.


Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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27 July 2026
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‘This Is Israeli Territory’: Phuket Widens Business Probe

Thai authorities have expanded an enforcement campaign targeting suspected nominee-owned businesses in Phuket, with more than 361 companies now facing inspection following a confrontation at Chabad House in Patong.

The move was announced after officials inspecting the premises were reportedly challenged by an unidentified person who asked: “Don’t you know that this is Israeli territory?” Deputy Interior Minister Polpee Suwanchawee responded: “This is Thailand. Everyone on Thai soil must comply with Thai law. No one has the right to claim sovereignty over Thai territory.”

Polpee said the operation was not aimed at any particular nationality, religion or source of foreign investment, stressing that everyone living and doing business in Thailand is subject to the same laws.

Inspections expanded across Phuket

The confrontation took place while officials from the Interior Ministry, local administrative authorities, immigration police and tourist police were inspecting the Patong premises in Kathu district.

Investigators were examining suspected use of Thai nominee shareholders to conceal foreign ownership, along with businesses allegedly operating without the required licences.

Following the inspection, the Interior Ministry broadened its campaign to include more than 361 businesses considered potentially high-risk. Those being checked include hotels, luxury villas, restaurants and tour companies, as well as firms suspected of using nominee structures to disguise foreign ownership.

The ministry said anyone found breaking the law would face prosecution, adding that the campaign is intended to protect fair business opportunities for Thai operators and safeguard the country’s economic sovereignty.

Religious activities not the focus

According to the report, Chabad House in Patong has previously been inspected after local businesses and social media users raised concerns that it had become a gathering place linked to business networks serving particular groups of Israeli nationals.

Authorities said the centre operates under the Chabad of Thailand Foundation, which has centres nationwide, including in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan in Surat Thani, Mae Hong Son and Phuket. The centres provide facilities for Jewish religious ceremonies and festivals, together with food and accommodation for Israeli visitors.

The Interior Ministry said the inspections are not directed at religious activities. Instead, officials say they are ensuring businesses, buildings and other operations comply with Thai law.

Authorities noted that although Thailand’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, all activities must remain within the law, avoid disrupting public order and must not be used to conceal illegal commercial operations or nominee ownership arrangements.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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27 July 2026
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Woman Seriously Injured After Fall at Pattaya Viewpoint

A 25-year-old woman from Khon Kaen was left critically injured after falling from the viewpoint at Pattaya’s Big Buddha Hill on Sunday afternoon, with witnesses telling police they saw her climb over a safety barrier before dropping around 10 metres.

Emergency volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre were called to the scene at Wat Phra Yai, at 2.05pm on 26 July.

Rescuers found large numbers of visitors gathered at the popular viewpoint, looking down at the incident. The injured woman, identified as Nuntiyaporn Thongsong, 25, had fallen approximately 10 metres onto the ground below. She suffered a serious head wound, a broken right arm and a fractured left leg.

Rescue workers provided first aid before transferring her urgently to hospital for specialist treatment.

Witnesses describe moments before the fall

One witness, 34-year-old Wasulita Sombunpakorn, told rescuers she had been visiting the viewpoint with her family when she noticed the woman standing near the edge.



According to Wasulita, the woman climbed over the protective railing before dropping to the ground below. She said she immediately covered her young child’s eyes to prevent the child witnessing the incident.

A second witness told authorities the same woman had been seen at the viewpoint in the early hours of the morning. The witness said she appeared to be sitting alone, staring into the distance as though deep in thought before lying down for a period.

When news spread later that someone had fallen from the viewpoint, the witness rushed over and recognised her as the same person.

Investigation continues

Police said the cause of the fall has not yet been established. Their initial assessment is that it may have been an act of self-harm, but officers stressed that the circumstances will only become clearer once the injured woman has recovered sufficiently to be interviewed.

Wat Phra Yai, home to Pattaya’s famous Big Buddha temple and panoramic viewing area, is one of the city’s best-known attractions, drawing both Thai and international visitors throughout the year.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help.


Pictures courtesy of Chonburi News

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27 July 2026
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Thai Woman Arrested at Japan Airport After Ice Found in Parcel

A 28-year-old Thai woman has been arrested in Japan after customs officers allegedly discovered methamphetamine, known locally as “ice”, concealed inside coffee packets within a parcel she had been paid to carry from Thailand.

Her family insists she was an innocent courier who had no knowledge of the drugs and is urging Thai authorities to identify the person who arranged the shipment.

Family says daughter was tricked into carrying parcel

According to her parents, 53-year-old Thanasak Thongnoi and 45-year-old Kanyawee Fuengphian, their daughter, Juthathip Thongnoi, travelled to Japan on 11 July with her 28-year-old boyfriend, Sarawut, and another friend. The group had departed from Don Mueang Airport and arrived at Fukuoka Airport on 12 July.

Sarawut said Juthathip had created a Line group called THIENTHIEN SHOP last year, offering a parcel-carrying service for Thai people living in Japan and for customers in Thailand wishing to send items there.



On 10 July, a Line user identified as “ing ing” contacted the group and arranged for a 12kg parcel, sealed inside a heavily taped brown box, to be taken to Japan. Sarawut said the same customer had previously used the service in May, so they had no reason to become suspicious. He was unsure whether Juthathip had opened the box before travelling.

After landing in Fukuoka at around 7am on 12 July, Japanese authorities inspected the group’s luggage. Juthathip was detained, while Sarawut and their friend were questioned from approximately 8am until 7pm before being released.

Drugs allegedly hidden inside coffee packets

Sarawut said he initially received no explanation for Juthathip’s detention. After contacting the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka, he was told to wait while Japanese police continued their investigation.

The consulate later informed the family that a prohibited stimulant had been detected. On 22 July, the family received formal notification stating that methamphetamine had been found hidden inside coffee packets.

The group had transported nine boxes in total. Every customer collected their parcels except the individual using the name “ing ing”, who never appeared and had blocked all communication. According to the family, the customer had transferred 3,600 baht in courier fees from a bank account under the name HO THI MAI.

Juthathip’s mother said the family immediately reported the matter to Bang Bua Thong Police Station and requested access to CCTV footage from the housing estate where her daughter lived. She said investigators have now been given all available evidence, including footage believed to show the person who delivered the parcel.

The family maintains that Juthathip has never been involved with illegal drugs and accepts only that she failed to properly inspect the package before agreeing to transport it.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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27 July 2026
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Chinese Grey Network Busted at Nonthaburi Hotel

Thai police have raided a hotel in Nonthaburi allegedly being used as a base by a Chinese organised crime network, arresting four suspects and seizing drugs, gambling equipment, cash and other evidence in a major operation dubbed “Dragon Nest”.

More than 100 officers from the Central Investigation Bureau’s Crime Suppression Division executed a court-approved search warrant at the hotel on Ngamwongwan Road in Bang Khen subdistrict, Mueang Nonthaburi district, after a lengthy investigation prompted by complaints from local residents.

Police arrested four suspects: a 33-year-old Chinese national identified as Liu, who is accused of possessing and supplying Category 2 narcotics (ketamine) for sale, and three Myanmar nationals - Aye, 31, Khun, 24, and Chan, 24 - on immigration offences relating to illegal entry and unlawful stay in Thailand.



Hotel allegedly operated as closed criminal hub

According to investigators, the entire hotel had been rented by a Chinese “grey capital” network and was not accepting ordinary guests despite claiming to be fully booked. Police allege the building was used exclusively to accommodate Chinese clients and staff.

Floors two to six were reportedly used as accommodation, while the seventh and eighth floors had been converted into areas for drug and sex parties and illegal gambling. Access to the upper floors was tightly controlled using key-card lifts, locked doors and security staff using radios, with even hotel cleaners barred from entering.


Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand

Investigators said the operation provided a complete package for customers, including airport transfers, accommodation, gambling, illegal drugs and sexual services. Police also found numerous vehicles allegedly linked to Chinese nationals, with some ownership arrangements suspected of involving nominees.

More than 200 items seized

During the raid, officers found more than 40 people at the property, including Chinese, Myanmar and Thai Yai nationals.
Police seized more than 200 items, including ketamine, “happy water”, drug packaging equipment, casino chips, cards, dice, baccarat tables, hi-lo gambling equipment, bank books, bank cards, mobile phones, cash and CCTV data.

Police said LIU admitted working and living at the hotel as a supervisor responsible for delivering drugs to customers on instruction. He claimed the narcotics had been left in hotel rooms for collection or delivery but denied ownership of the drugs seized and THB 110,000 found in a safe. The three Myanmar nationals admitted illegally entering Thailand to work in construction, according to police.

All four suspects have been handed to investigators at Rattanathibet Police Station. Police said the Chinese suspect denied the charges against him


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27 July 2026
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Drunk Myanmar Driver Kills Two in Phuket Crash

A suspected drink-driving crash in Phuket has left two people dead and two others injured after a jeep truck struck four motorcycles in Thalang district, according to police.

The fatal collision happened at about 7.30pm on Saturday 25 July 2026, on the access road to Ton Sai Waterfall in tambon Thepkasattri. Police identified the driver as 42-year-old Myanmar national Aung Min Oo, who was arrested at the scene after hitting several motorcycles with his black Suzuki Jeep.

Chain of collisions ends in tragedy

Police said the jeep was leaving the waterfall when it first collided with a motorcycle ridden by 24-year-old Thanawit Inkaeo, who was travelling towards the attraction.

Investigators said the driver then attempted to flee, covering only around 100 metres before crashing into three more Honda motorcycles that had stopped outside a shop in the centre of Thalang district.



The four motorcycles involved were being ridden by three men and one woman, aged between 24 and 60. Police photographs from the scene showed the Suzuki jeep fitted with a reinforced metal front bumper.

Thanawit and a 45-year-old woman identified as Mariem later died from their injuries at Thalang Hospital. Police said they were pronounced dead at 9.40pm on Saturday.

Two other riders, identified only as Niran, 36, and Khanit, 60, were injured in the crash.

Driver arrested after alcohol test

Officers who responded to the scene said the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

A blood test reportedly recorded an alcohol level of 239mcg/100ml, well above Thailand’s legal driving limit of under 50mcg/100ml, according to police.

The suspect was taken into custody as investigators continued their investigation into the fatal crash.


Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

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27 July 2026
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Former Thai Tennis Player Found Dead in Pattaya

Police in Pattaya are investigating the unexplained death of a former Thai national tennis player and respected coach who was found dead inside his home on Sunday afternoon.

Officers from Nong Prue Police Station were called to a single-storey house in Moo 14, Huai Chak Nok area, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi, at around 3pm on 26 July after relatives became concerned when they were unable to contact the 64-year-old man.

The deceased, identified by authorities, only as Nattawee, was a senior tennis player, a member of Thailand’s national beach tennis team, an executive at a well-known Pattaya tennis club and a coach credited with developing a number of prominent players in Thailand. Thailandcultural experiences

Body discovered inside locked house

According to police, relatives in Bangkok had lost contact with Natthawee and asked a caretaker from the tennis club to check on him. The front door was reportedly locked and the caretaker used a spare key to enter the property.



Inside a bedroom, officers found Natthawee lying on a bed wearing a pink T-shirt. Blood was found over the bedding and around his body. Police observed signs of strangulation, scratch marks on his neck and stab wounds on the arms. A kitchen knife, was discovered on the bed near the headboard, while a blanket had been placed partially over the body.

Police secured the scene while forensic officers from Chonburi’s Crime Scene Investigation unit carried out a detailed examination.

Family mentions concerns before death

The victim’s older brother travelled to the house after learning of the death and told police that Natthawee had contacted him two days earlier to say he was distressed.

According to the brother, the former tennis player had been troubled by problems involving a former student from Laos who had since left his coaching. He said the student had recently become aggressive and disobedient despite having been cared for and supported by Natthawee over the years.

The brother said he did not know whether those concerns were connected to the death.

Police stressed that the cause of death has not yet been established. Investigators are awaiting the results of the forensic examination while also attempting to locate and question the former Laotian student as part of the inquiry.


Picture courtesy of Amarin

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27 July 2026
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Nakhon Si Thammarat Temple Wins UNESCO Status

Thailand has secured a new place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List after Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat was officially recognised as a cultural World Heritage Site.

The decision was made unanimously during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, on Saturday, 25 July 2026. The temple becomes Thailand’s ninth World Heritage Site, the country’s sixth cultural World Heritage Site, and the first in southern Thailand to receive the designation.

Recognition for history and living traditions

Thailand’s nomination highlighted the temple’s Outstanding Universal Value, presenting it as an architectural masterpiece that reflects the region’s historical development and its role as a centre for cultural and artistic exchange across Southeast Asia.

The submission also emphasised the temple’s continuing importance as a living heritage site, where traditions remain part of everyday life rather than existing solely as historical monuments. Among these is the centuries-old Hae Pha Khuen That ceremony, in which devotees ceremonially wrap cloth around the temple’s famous stupa, a tradition that continues to be observed today.

The World Heritage Committee approved the inscription under UNESCO criteria (ii) and (vi), formally adding the temple to the global list of sites considered to have exceptional cultural significance.

What it means for visitors

For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the new designation is likely to raise the international profile of Nakhon Si Thammarat, one of the country’s oldest cities but a destination that has traditionally attracted fewer overseas tourists than many other parts of Thailand.

UNESCO status often increases international interest in heritage destinations, potentially bringing more visitors and investment while strengthening efforts to preserve historic sites. For travellers, the recognition offers another internationally acknowledged cultural attraction beyond Thailand’s better-known temple destinations.

The inscription is also expected to reinforce the importance of protecting the temple’s architecture, religious significance and longstanding cultural traditions for future generations.

Thai authorities described the successful nomination as a significant achievement in the country’s ongoing efforts to conserve and promote its cultural heritage on the international stage.


Picture courtesy of Manager Online

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27 July 2026
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Russian Crime Boss Arrested in Phuket Extradition Case

A Russian national wanted under a court warrant for alleged involvement in organised crime has been arrested while hiding in Phuket, Thai immigration police said.

The suspect, identified only as Viktor, was taken into custody on 25 July after officers searched a house in Chalong, Phuket, following an investigation by the Immigration Bureau. Authorities said he had also overstayed his permission to remain in Thailand.

Extradition request from Russia

Colonel Phisit Sri-on, commander of Division 2 of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division, said the operation was carried out under the direction of senior immigration officials as part of Thailand’s ongoing campaign to track down foreign fugitives and immigration offenders.



According to immigration police, Viktor is the subject of a court warrant issued by Thailand’s Criminal Court in response to a request from the Russian Federation. Russian authorities accuse him of leading a criminal organisation involved in serious offences, including large-scale organised fraud that allegedly caused significant financial losses.

The arrest followed coordination between Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after Russia formally sought his extradition through diplomatic channels. Investigators tracked the suspect to a property in Chalong before obtaining a search warrant from Phuket Provincial Court and carrying out the raid.

Checks of immigration records also found that the suspect had remained in Thailand beyond the expiry of his permitted stay.

Immigration offence and extradition process

After his arrest, Viktor was charged with overstaying his permission to remain in the Kingdom and was handed over to investigators at Chalong Police Station for legal proceedings.

Thai authorities said extradition proceedings will now continue in accordance with Thai law and the relevant international treaties.

The Immigration Bureau said the case demonstrates close cooperation between Thai agencies and Russian law enforcement in pursuing suspects wanted for serious cross-border crimes.

Immigration officials reiterated their long-standing policy that Thailand will not be allowed to become a safe haven for transnational criminals and said they will continue pursuing fugitives wanted by authorities around the world.


Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

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26 July 2026
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Five foreigners held in Sukhumvit Soi 4 prostitution raid

Five foreign nationals have been arrested in an overnight operation on Sukhumvit Soi 4 in Bangkok after complaints and social-media footage alleged street prostitution.

The five, aged between 29 and 45, were detained at 12.10am on 25 July 2026 in Khlong Toei district. Police said they now face an administrative fine, visa cancellation, deportation and blacklisting from future entry to Thailand.

Complaint led to overnight operation

The operation was ordered by Metropolitan Police Division 5 commander Major General Witthawat Chinkham, Lumpini Police chief Colonel Yingyot Suwanno, Lieutenant Colonel Ekkaphon Phutthikul and Lieutenant Colonel Warayut Phuangnak.

Lieutenant Kritphat Lekkhla led Lumpini Police patrol and vice-squad officers, joined by Immigration Division 1 officers and officials from the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development, under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

Police said they had received complaints and seen videos circulating online showing foreign women allegedly approaching tourists on the public pavement along Sukhumvit Soi 4.



Officers carried out surveillance before identifying and arresting people whose behaviour they considered consistent with soliciting for prostitution.

Three Vietnamese women, one Filipino ladyboy and one Tanzanian woman were detained. All five were charged with contacting, soliciting, introducing themselves to, following or persistently approaching people in streets or public places for prostitution in a manner deemed open, shameful or a public nuisance.

Fines followed by immigration action

Colonel Yingyot said the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development would impose administrative fines under the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act 1996.

The suspects were then handed to Immigration Division 1 officers for action under Section 12(8) of the Immigration Act 1979, including revocation of permission to remain in Thailand and removal from the country.

All five were sent to the Immigration Bureau's Suan Phlu office for legal processing. Police said their visas would be cancelled and they would be blacklisted, meaning they would not be able to return to Thailand.

Agencies plan continuing joint operations

Lumpini Police, the department and immigration officers have also met to discuss how administrative fines should be handled under the prostitution law.

The department had asked the Council of State on 16 February 2026 whether police could be appointed as state officials authorised to impose such fines. The Council concluded that the ministry could not make that appointment because police are not officers responsible for duties under Section 5 of the 1996 Act.

Authorities have therefore drawn up a joint plan for Lumpini Police, the department and immigration officers to continue operations against foreign nationals involved in prostitution in Thailand.

The five suspects were also referred to Lumpini Police investigators for further legal proceedings.


Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

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26 July 2026
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Chinese Fugitives Held in Pattaya Villa Raid

Thai immigration police and officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested five Chinese nationals during a raid on a villa in Pattaya on 25 July, including suspects wanted by authorities in China and two men allegedly found in possession of an illegal firearm.

The operation took place in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi, after Chinese authorities asked Thailand to help locate suspects believed to be hiding in the province. Officers obtained a search warrant from Pattaya Provincial Court before entering the property.

Firearm and wanted suspects

According to the Immigration Bureau, investigators from Division 1 of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division worked jointly with the CIB after receiving intelligence through the Chinese Consulate’s police office in Kunming.

During the search, officers arrested two Chinese nationals identified only as Mr Xian, 21, and Mr Wang, 22. Police said they seized a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol, ammunition and related equipment from the villa.

The pair were charged with jointly possessing a firearm and ammunition without a licence and were handed over to investigators at Nong Prue Police Station for legal proceedings.



Officers also detained Mr Shi, 24, who is wanted under a Chinese arrest warrant. Immigration records showed his Thai visa had already been revoked on 23 July 2026.

Mr Sun, 27, was also arrested after allegedly overstaying his permission to remain in Thailand by 82 days. Thai authorities said both Mr Shi and Mr Sun are wanted in connection with an illegal business involving the sale of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas”.

A fifth suspect, Mr Peng, 35, was found to have overstayed his visa by 1,235 days.

Immigration crackdown continues

All five suspects were transferred to Division 3 of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division for further legal action and deportation procedures.

The Immigration Bureau said the arrests resulted from intelligence sharing between Thai and Chinese authorities and the joint operation with the CIB, which also led to the seizure of the firearm and ammunition.

Thai immigration officials said the operation reflects their policy of preventing Thailand from becoming a safe haven or operational base for transnational criminals.


Pictures courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง

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26 July 2026
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Vietnamese drug suspect held in Min Buri

Thai immigration police have detained a 41-year-old Vietnamese man in Bangkok's Min Buri district after receiving information that he was wanted in Vietnam over alleged drug trafficking.

The man, identified only as Mr Viet, was arrested outside a house in the Rom Klao area of Min Buri on Saturday, 25 July. Immigration officers have revoked his permission to stay in Thailand and are preparing to return him to Vietnamese authorities.

Tip-off led police to Rom Klao house

The operation was carried out by Immigration Bureau Investigation Division 2, led by Pol Col Phisit Sri-on, superintendent of the division, along with deputy superintendent Pol Lt Col Ratchakrit Ramchan and inspector Pol Lt Col Pichet Saengbandit.

Pol Capt Surasit Atchamnan led the investigation and Operational Unit 3 in taking the man into custody.

According to immigration police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) had sent an urgent request asking officers to check the suspect's location and cancel his visa. The ONCB said he was considered a dangerous person under an arrest warrant issued by Vietnam's drug crime police for alleged narcotics trafficking.

Investigators later received a tip-off from a local informant that a foreign man matching the description supplied by Vietnamese authorities was staying at a house in the Rom Klao area.

Officers watched the property before approaching the man when he came outside. They identified themselves as immigration officials, checked his passport and verified his identity against official records before taking him to the Immigration Bureau's investigation division.

Permission to stay revoked

Immigration police said the man was subject to an arrest warrant from the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

They informed him that his permission to remain in Thailand had been revoked under Section 12(7) of the Immigration Act 1979. The provision bars entry or continued stay for people whose behaviour gives reason to believe they may pose a danger to society or threaten public peace or national security.

The Immigration Bureau said he was being held under the relevant immigration legal procedures while arrangements are made to coordinate his return to Vietnam, where he is expected to face further legal action.

Cross-border enforcement cooperation

Immigration police described the arrest as the result of cooperation between domestic security agencies, including the Immigration Bureau and ONCB, and international crime-fighting bodies.

The bureau said it was strengthening screening and enforcement measures aimed at preventing Thailand being used as a hiding place or operating base by transnational criminal networks.


Picture courtesy of Naewna

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26 July 2026
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British man investigated over 120 rai Krabi land

Thai authorities are investigating a British national and three interconnected companies in Krabi over suspected nominee shareholding arrangements linked to more than 120 rai of land worth about Bt2 billion.

The Department of Business Development (DBD) said the companies, which are alleged to have used cross-shareholdings, hold around 22 land plots and have openly advertised the land for sale. Officials are considering possible land revocation and criminal proceedings following a deeper investigation.

Three firms under scrutiny

The operation involved the Commerce Ministry, Interior Ministry, Royal Thai Police and Provincial Police Region 8. It was led by Deputy Interior Minister Pholpheera Suwanchawee and targeted companies suspected of using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders to bypass Thai legal restrictions on foreign business ownership and landholding.

Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the DBD, said the British national registered a company in 2000 with Thai shareholders.

Officials subsequently identified what they described as significant changes: the original Thai shareholders were removed and replaced by a cross-shareholding structure involving three companies. The firms reportedly had the same individual as director.

Investigators examined shareholder lists and registers, financial statements, investment funding sources, management structures, business premises and links between shareholders and directors. The evidence gathered will be used in potential legal action.

The DBD said Thai people found to have helped or supported foreigners in operating businesses unlawfully could also face enforcement action.

What it means for foreign investors

Foreigners can lawfully invest in Thailand, including in Krabi's large tourism and property sectors, but land ownership and certain business activities remain restricted under Thai law. A company structure involving Thai shareholders must reflect genuine ownership and control, rather than acting as a front for a foreign investor.

The investigation does not mean all foreign-owned or foreign-invested businesses in Krabi are improper. However, authorities said they are focused on companies suspected of disguising foreign control in order to avoid permission requirements.

Krabi's foreign investment picture

Krabi is a major economic and tourism province with continued overseas investment, particularly in property, hotels, resorts, restaurants and service businesses, the DBD said.

As of 22 July 2026, the province had 4,661 registered legal entities with combined registered capital of Bt33.722 billion. Krabi town had 2,888 entities, followed by Koh Lanta with 616, Nuea Khlong with 307, Ao Luek with 266, Khlong Thom with 205 and other districts with 379.

The DBD recorded 696 legal entities with foreign shareholdings of between 1 and 49.99 per cent, including 280 on Koh Lanta. A further 13 entities had foreign shareholdings of 50 per cent or more, with one on Koh Lanta.


Picture courtesy of Matichon

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26 July 2026
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Thailand and India discuss direct Chiang Mai flights

Thailand and India are considering direct air services between Chiang Mai and Indian cities, alongside closer shipping links between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn raised the proposal during talks with India's ambassador to Thailand, Puneet Agrawal, at the Transport Ministry this week. The discussion covered aviation, maritime freight and the delayed India-Myanmar-Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement.

Chiang Mai route under discussion

Phiphat said Thailand was ready to support additional flights between the two countries and that the ministry would encourage airlines to establish services linking major cities in Thailand and India.

A direct Chiang Mai route was the leading proposal. He said it would make travel easier for Indian visitors and spread tourism revenue beyond Bangkok to the north.

Chiang Mai has been seeking more international connections, while local tourism officials have promoted direct Indian flights as a way to reduce reliance on a slow recovery in the Chinese market.

Thailand received 1,056,729 Indian tourists between January and May this year, an increase of 7.98% on the same period in 2025.



Phiphat said the figures showed further potential in the market and instructed Transport Ministry agencies to give equal attention to the convenience and safety of all tourists, regardless of nationality.

"Thailand is ready to take care of every tourist, regardless of where they come from," he said. "Safety and convenient travel are our highest priorities. We want visitors to be impressed from the moment they arrive in Thailand."

Agrawal thanked the Thai government for its visa-exemption policy for Indian tourists, which he credited with supporting the steady rise in arrivals. Indian visitors had briefly faced a possible downgrade to visa on arrival this year before the government restored a 30-day visa-free stay proposal, this month.

The ambassador said discussions with Indian airlines were underway to retain flight capacity and open new Chiang Mai routes. The visa position is relevant to Indian visitors, while it does not alter visa rules for other foreign nationals living in or travelling to Thailand.

Ports and road links also on agenda

The two sides also discussed making greater use of existing agreements between Ranong Port and the Indian ports of Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata.

The aim is to increase cargo and logistics traffic, using Thailand's Andaman coast as a gateway to South Asia. Phiphat said the memoranda of understanding should result in real shipping activity rather than remain on paper.

They also reviewed the India-Myanmar-Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement, intended to allow vehicles to cross the three countries along the trilateral highway.

Agrawal supported stronger sea and road connections, offering to help Thai companies invest in India, especially in information technology. He said India would in return encourage its investors to look at Thailand's tourism and service sectors.


Pictures courtesy of Thaiger

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26 July 2026
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Bangkok police detain suspect over Italian tourist bag

Bangkok police have detained a 48-year-old man accused of snatching a Chanel handbag worth more than 100,000 baht from an Italian female tourist in the Talat Noi area.

Police said the suspect, identified only as Prawit, was held with the bag after officers and members of the public gave chase in Soi Wanit 2. The reported theft and chase, was followed by a formal at a house in the same soi.

The black leather Chanel bag, valued at more than 100,000 baht, was recovered and returned as evidence, police said.

Suspect allegedly fled into Soi Wanit 2

The case was announced on 24 July by officers from Plabplachai 2 Police Station in Bangkok's Samphanthawong district.

Pol Col Witthawat Kengkhoom, the station superintendent, and Pol Lt Col Sutin Yunsaman, deputy superintendent of investigations, ordered the arrest operation. Investigators Pol Lt Col Thanakrit Wutthimanojinda and Pol Lt Col Harn Khiaomanee, along with the station's investigative team, carried it out.

According to police, patrol officers were in the Soi Wanit 2 area on 23 July when members of the public asked for help, reporting that a bag had been snatched from the Italian visitor.

Officers arrived and, with assistance from bystanders, detained the alleged offender and recovered the tourist's bag. Police said Prawit admitted taking the black Chanel handbag before running into Soi Wanit 2.

He reportedly told officers he acted because he had no money and no job.

A practical reminder for visitors

Talat Noi is a historic riverside neighbourhood close to Bangkok's Chinatown, with narrow lanes that are popular with visitors. This case does not establish a wider safety trend, but it is a reminder for tourists and foreign residents to keep handbags and valuables close when walking in crowded streets or lanes.

Travellers carrying high-value items may also wish to keep proof of ownership, receipts or insurance details accessible separately, which can help when reporting a theft or making an insurance claim.

In this case, the quick response by local residents and police meant the bag was recovered immediately, according to the police account.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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26 July 2026

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China envoy sets three-point plan for Thai trade

China's Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Zhang Jianwei, has set out a three-point plan for expanding trade, investment and industrial links between Thailand and China.

Speaking at a networking reception during the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani on 24 July, Zhang said closer business cooperation could turn high-level agreements into practical economic results.

The event was attended by Thai Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong and senior figures from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Wider access to China's market

Zhang said Thai companies should make greater use of China's domestic market, particularly as China pursues growth in green technology, digital development and smart manufacturing.

He described these sectors as potential entry points for high-quality Thai goods and services. The ambassador said the expo was an important channel for matching business objectives, strengthening industrial connections and building consensus between the two countries.

For foreign-owned firms operating in Thailand, the proposal points to potential commercial opportunities in supply chains serving the Chinese market, particularly for businesses involved in technology, manufacturing and green industries.

Supply chains and infrastructure

The ambassador also called for closer integration of Thai and Chinese industrial and supply chains, saying the two economies had complementary strengths.

He urged Chinese companies investing in Thailand to follow an "In Thailand, For Thailand" approach by becoming part of the domestic business ecosystem, developing local skills and creating skilled jobs. Thai businesses, meanwhile, were encouraged to use Chinese technological innovation to strengthen their competitiveness internationally.

Zhang referred to the recent official visit by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to Beijing, when both countries reaffirmed their intention to deepen strategic relations. He said discussions between Anutin and Chinese President Xi Jinping underlined the need to speed up major infrastructure connections, including the Thailand-China Railway and the wider China-Laos-Thailand rail network.

He also identified artificial intelligence, aerospace and clean energy as areas for expanded bilateral projects. Improved rail links could eventually matter to foreign residents and visitors travelling around the region, although no new timetable or travel arrangements were announced in the address.

Call for responsible investment

The third part of Zhang's strategy was an open and inclusive investment environment built on sustainable and socially responsible projects.

He said companies from both countries should build trust through concrete and mutually beneficial results that bring visible benefits to the public in Thailand and China.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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26 July 2026
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Phuket cake shop loses THB5m claim over one-star review

A Phuket cake shop has lost a THB5 million damages claim against a customer who gave it a one-star online review, with the court ruling that the comments were made in good faith.

The customer had said the cake was not tasty and was expensive. The court dismissed the shop's case and ordered the claimant to bear court fees of about THB100,000, which were forfeited under the judgment, according to the consumer's lawyer.

Court dismisses THB5 million claim

The ruling was disclosed on 23 July by lawyer Arm Suwanraksa, also known as Phongsathorn Suwanraksa, a Songkhla-based lawyer, political activist and digital creator.

In a social-media post, Arm said he represented the consumer after the dispute involving a well-known cake shop in Phuket emerged in 2025.

Rather than explaining its position or taking on board the customer's feedback, the shop brought a legal action seeking THB5 million in damages, he said.

The court ultimately found that describing the cakes as not tasty and overpriced amounted to an honest opinion. The shop has since closed, according to Arm.

What the case means for customers

For foreign residents and visitors in Thailand, the case is a reminder that online reviews can carry legal consequences, particularly where criticism is directed at a business or individual.

However, the judgment in this case turned on the court's finding that the customer's comments were made in good faith. It should not be read as blanket protection for every negative post or review.

Customers posting reviews are best served by sticking to their own experience, clearly separating opinion from fact, and avoiding unsubstantiated allegations. This applies equally to reviews of restaurants, hotels, clinics, property agents and other businesses commonly used by expatriates and tourists.

Lawyer urges businesses to communicate

Arm said the outcome should also serve as a lesson for business operators. He argued that legal action against consumers should not be the first response to criticism, but a last resort.

“Customer criticism, if it is an opinion made in good faith, should be listened to, used for improvement or answered reasonably,” he said in his post.

He added that, if advising a business, he would encourage clear communication and suitable problem-solving rather than immediately taking a dispute to court.

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26 July 2026
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Thai Woman Accepts Apology After BTS Tourist Dispute

The Thai woman at the centre of the widely shared confrontation on a Bangkok BTS train involving six Italian tourists says the dispute has now been resolved after the group apologised and police imposed 1,000-baht fines.

The incident, which spread rapidly across social media and triggered widespread debate in Thailand, also prompted public apologies from both the Italian tour operator involved and the Italian Embassy over the tourists’ behaviour.

Case brought to an end

In a social media post, the woman said each of the six Italian tourists seen in the viral video had personally apologised to her. As part of the agreement, she said she would remove photographs of the tourists from her social media posts so the matter could be concluded on amicable terms.

She also provided an update on the criminal complaint she had filed following the confrontation. According to her post, police settled the case by imposing a fine of 1,000 baht, despite the offence carrying a maximum penalty of 10,000 baht.

The woman said officers advised her to accept the lower penalty in order to bring the matter to a swift conclusion.

“Although I personally feel the amount may not be a severe punishment for them, I respect the officers’ discretion and advice,” she wrote.

No further legal action expected

The woman added that, with the case now concluded, the Italian tourists would no longer be able to pursue legal action against her over the actions she took while defending herself during the incident.

She emphasised that she had never intended to encourage hostility towards Italians or any other nationality.

“From the very beginning, all I wanted was to defend my dignity and my rights after being insulted and harassed,” she wrote, while thanking those who had supported her throughout the controversy.

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26 July 2026
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Thailand approves 12.76bn-baht fisheries recovery plan

Thailand's Cabinet has approved a 12.76-billion-baht fisheries management plan for 2023-2027, aimed at rebuilding aquatic resources, preventing illegal fishing and improving the global competitiveness of Thai seafood.

The policy, proposed by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, will provide a shared framework for government bodies responsible for fisheries management and development. Capt Dr Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn, deputy government spokeswoman, said it responds to changing resource conditions, environmental and economic pressures, and international trade requirements.

Targets set for 2027

Thailand's processed fisheries exports, including canned seafood and fresh, chilled and frozen shrimp, generate more than 200 billion baht annually. However, supplies from aquaculture and wild catches have declined, requiring processors to import more raw materials.

The sector is also facing climate damage, growing global food demand and international rules on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and fisheries subsidies.

The Cabinet set seven main targets for 2027: aquatic-resource output should rise by at least 25,000 tonnes a year; fisheries-product growth should reach at least 3%; and fishing should be free of illegal activity, with traceability across the supply chain.

It also wants 100% legal compliance by Thai vessels operating outside national waters, a 5% annual increase in net income per person for supported local fishing-community organisations, and at least 95% of products to meet international quality and safety standards without rejection by trading partners. At least 40 fisheries research and technology projects are to be promoted and applied in practice.

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation figures cited by the Cabinet showed global fisheries and aquaculture production reached 185.4 million tonnes in 2022. Aquaculture supplied 94.4 million tonnes, or 50.92%, overtaking wild capture at 91 million tonnes, or 49.08%; wild catches have declined over the past decade while aquaculture has grown.

Four areas of spending

The plan has four strategies and 18 measures. Resource conservation receives 4.69 billion baht for juvenile releases, community hatcheries, artificial reefs, habitat restoration and protection of rare, threatened and native species, with 10 habitats a year managed under an ecosystem-based approach.

Sustainable management receives 5.38 billion baht, covering fishing-day allocations, reduced excess capacity, IUU enforcement, international cooperation, community monitoring and removal of illegal gear. It also seeks a 3% rise in catch per unit of effort and regulation of fishing in Songkhla Lake.

A further 1.94 billion baht is allocated across five measures to improve competitiveness, including labour-saving vessel technology, alternative energy, recognised aquaculture standards, overseas markets, climate-resilient farms and electronic traceability. Targets include no IUU-related product rejections and five market-ready products annually.

Research, technology and innovation receive 753.85 million baht for freshwater, domestic and overseas fisheries, aquaculture and downstream industries. Work includes deep-sea surveys, genetics, feed and disease research, plus Internet of Things and artificial intelligence monitoring and warnings for farms, with at least three innovations sought.

Funding and oversight

Funding is drawn from agency budgets: 2.24 billion baht for 2023, 2.43 billion for 2024, 2.44 billion for 2025, 2.75 billion for 2026 and 2.90 billion for 2027. No retrospective funding will be sought for 2023-2026; The 2027 requests remain under consideration.

The National Fisheries Policy Committee will oversee delivery, with provincial committees and fisheries offices in all 77 provinces coordinating locally. Reviews will take place every two years, followed by a final assessment.

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26 July 2026
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Fake Nescafe, Ovaltine and Downy factory raided

Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has raided a counterfeit-goods operation supplying small shops with fake Nescafe coffee, Ovaltine cocoa and Downy fabric softener.

Four suspects were arrested after simultaneous court-authorised searches of a warehouse in Saraburi and a house in Bangkok's Thung Khru district. Police seized 226,720 items, with estimated value put at 2,629,700 baht.

The operation was announced on 24 July at CIB headquarters by CIB commissioner Police Lieutenant General Nattasak Saowanasai, together with officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division and Department of Intellectual Property officials.

Complaints from Thonburi shopkeepers

Police Major Wivatthanchai Kluenkaew, deputy superintendent of Economic Crime Suppression Division Sub-Division 1, said the inquiry began after small shop operators and members of the public in the Thonburi area complained about people claiming to be sales representatives.

The group allegedly offered cheap wholesale supplies of fake Nescafe sachet coffee, Ovaltine sachet cocoa and Downy fabric softener. Investigators followed the trail to the Saraburi warehouse, where the goods were said to have originated, and to the Thung Khru house where they were stored.

Those arrested were Kaset, 59; Chan, 55; Chatnuwat, 47; and Wanchana, 40. Their surnames were withheld.

All four admitted the allegations, police said. They were charged with jointly counterfeiting and possessing for sale goods bearing registered trademarks, as well as using another person's name, image, design or wording on goods and packaging in a way intended to make the public believe they were another trader's products.

Machinery and more than 168,000 sachets seized

The seized material included four powder and liquid filling machines, a mixer, mixing tanks, packing, sealing and printing equipment, a barcode machine and an extractor fan.

Police also found 416 boxes containing a combined 168,588 sachets of counterfeit Nescafe coffee, Ovaltine cocoa and Downy fabric softener. A further 119 sacks held cocoa powder, coffee powder, milk powder, sugar and non-dairy creamer.

More than 55,000 pieces of branded packaging, sachet rolls and cardboard boxes carrying Downy, Nescafe and Ovaltine logos were also seized.

Wider intellectual-property crackdown

Awoot Wongsawat, deputy director-general of the Department of Intellectual Property, said more than 1,000 intellectual-property infringement cases were handled last year, with over 3.5 million items seized and estimated damage exceeding 1.2 billion baht.

In the first six months of 2026, authorities had made 457 further arrests, seizing more than 1.6 million items with estimated damage exceeding 800 million baht, he said.

The department said it would continue working closely with relevant agencies to suppress intellectual-property violations.


Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid

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26 July 2026
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Bangkok Port closure proposed for casino-free complex

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has proposed shutting Bangkok Port and redeveloping the Khlong Toei waterfront into a casino-free entertainment complex.

The proposal follows his inspection of the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), where he issued operational guidelines to the state enterprise. No timetable for closing the port or beginning redevelopment has been announced.

Port traffic and duplicate facilities

Phiphat said Thailand should not continue operating two major cargo ports, Bangkok Port and Laem Chabang Port, as doing so uses unnecessary public money, staff and management resources.

He also pointed to the practical difficulty of running a major cargo port in the capital. Port-related lorries must travel into central Bangkok, adding to traffic problems, while large cargo ships are increasingly unlikely to use Bangkok Port.

Phiphat said that if port operations could be moved, the entire site should be redeveloped for the greatest possible public benefit. Part would be set aside for existing communities, with the remaining land developed commercially.

Homes planned for Khlong Toei residents

The Transport Ministry and PAT will consult people living in Khlong Toei communities who may be affected by the project.

Under the preliminary proposal, 20% of the 2,353-rai site, equivalent to about 376.5 hectares, would be used for housing and facilities for local residents.

"The Bangkok Port development plan must provide new housing for more than 40,000 people, or about 12,600 households, together with comprehensive facilities, including residential buildings, public parks, playgrounds, schools, childcare centres and a community hospital, to improve the quality of life of people in the area," Phiphat said.

Earlier plan included cruise terminal

PAT had previously examined redevelopment of the full 2,353-rai Bangkok Port site. Its latest cited study, completed in 2019, proposed a masterplan worth more than 100 billion baht.

That plan divided the land into five areas. It included a new PAT headquarters, leased office buildings, housing, a medical hub, Smart Community and welfare housing, rental homes and retail development.

Other elements were a semi-automated Smart Port, eastern container terminal and coastal cargo terminal; a cruise terminal, hotel, duty-free retail, exhibition and training centres; warehouses, e-commerce offices and lorry parking; plus a sports complex and public park.

The cruise-terminal element could be of interest to overseas visitors and Bangkok-based expats, but it formed part of the earlier study rather than the newly proposed casino-free entertainment complex.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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26 July 2026
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Thailand warns travellers over drug-smuggling mule risk

Travellers leaving Thailand who agree to carry bags, snacks or other goods for strangers could unknowingly become drug-trafficking mules, police have warned, as criminal groups increasingly conceal narcotics in ordinary Thai products.

The warning follows high-profile cases including a female flight attendant arrested in Australia after heroin was found inside an elephant-patterned cloth bag she had agreed to carry. In another case, a person was asked to take several jars of tamarind pulp to Japan, but became suspicious before leaving and found methamphetamine, or ice, hidden inside.

Everyday products used as cover

Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and deputy director of its drug prevention and suppression centre, said checks on goods leaving Thailand had become stricter through co-operation and intelligence-sharing between agencies. He said the trend was positive.



However, smugglers continually adapt their methods. Goods commonly used to hide drugs include recognisable Thai souvenirs such as elephant bags, snacks and coffee, with narcotics concealed in boxes or built into the products themselves.

Those accepting items to carry abroad should inspect them closely, police said. This includes looking for signs that packaging has been opened or altered, comparing the item with the genuine product and checking whether it seems unusually heavy.

For foreign residents, tourists and frequent flyers, the practical message is straightforward: do not carry parcels, luggage or souvenirs for people you do not know well, even if they appear to be harmless gifts or popular Thai products. Drug offences can bring severe consequences in destination countries as well as in Thailand.

Australia remains a key destination

Police said drug networks usually operate in clearly separated roles, so individual participants may not know one another and the organisation can limit arrests.

Theeradet said the same method of bringing drugs into Thailand was still found relatively rarely. Most drugs entering the country are smuggled through natural border routes from neighbouring countries.

Customs Department figures compiled with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and AITF show that, in cases involving Australia during 2025 and 2026, ice was the most commonly detected drug, both in parcels and passenger luggage. Heroin was often disguised in international express post, while cannabis extract, or cannabis resin, was found in parcels.



Common hiding places in international mail included parcel walls, toothpaste tubes, skin cream, ready-made tea bags, shampoo bottles, knitted cloth bags and insulated stainless-steel cups. At Suvarnabhumi Airport, drugs were found in hidden suitcase compartments, soap bars and vacuum-sealed tea sachets.

Major seizures listed by customs

Among the cases, customs seized 33.73kg of ice bound for Australia in June 2025, with a destination value of more than 100 million baht. In July 2025, officers seized 120kg of ice at Suvarnabhumi, hidden beneath safety vests and raincoats, also destined for Australia.

In August 2025, an Australian man was arrested with 4.26kg of ice concealed in 12 soap bars and a luggage compartment before a flight to Perth. In November, officers seized 600g of cannabis resin in shampoo bottles declared as cosmetics, 2.8kg of ice in 19 knitted bags, 1.52kg of heroin in parcel walls, and 11g of ice in an insulated cup.

In May 2026, an Australian man was arrested at Suvarnabhumi with 22kg of ice hidden in vacuum-packed tea bags. The following month, 2.12kg of heroin hidden in toothpaste, skin cream and tea bags was seized from an express parcel bound for Australia.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2026, from October 2025 to June 2026, customs reported 214 drug cases, involving 917kg of seized drugs worth more than 691 million baht.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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26 July 2026
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Italian woman wrongly targeted over Bangkok BTS video

An Italian woman has appealed for online abuse to stop after Thai social-media users apparently mistook her for one of a group of Italian exchange students involved in a row on Bangkok's BTS train.

The woman, who uses the Instagram account "carolina.cdv", said she had never been to Thailand and was not one of those shown in the widely shared video. Her post came on 25 July 2026 after her Instagram account was flooded with hostile messages.

BTS video triggered widespread criticism

The original clip showed a group described as Italian exchange students making loud noise on a Silom Line train travelling towards Sala Daeng station.

A Thai passenger approached the group and asked them to lower their voices. According to the report, the passenger was met with rude language, while the group's behaviour was widely criticised online as inappropriate.

The footage quickly sparked strong reactions on Thai social media, with users seeking out accounts believed to belong to people involved in the incident.

Instagram user says she has never visited Thailand

Carolina.cdv posted photographs comparing herself with one of the women in the exchange-student group, whose appearance she said resembled her own.

She wrote: "I have never been to Thailand. I am not that woman!! Please stop writing to me and my friends!"

Her appeal highlights the risks of online identification campaigns, particularly when people rely on resemblance rather than confirmed information. For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the case is also a reminder that a viral dispute can spread well beyond the people directly involved - and that social-media accusations may be directed at the wrong person.

Visitors using public transport are expected to be considerate of other passengers, but complaints about behaviour should be handled through train staff or other appropriate channels rather than through online harassment of unverified individuals.

Thai users offer apologies

Some Thai social-media users later posted apologies on the Italian woman's account after realising she had been wrongly targeted.

One wrote: "I sincerely apologise on behalf of Thai people who misunderstood and hurt you. Many people here regret it. It may be difficult for us to distinguish foreign faces. I wish you happiness, peace and success in the future."

Other messages included: "Okay, I'm sorry. Love you," and, "I apologise on behalf of all Thai people who misunderstood. You happened to look like that woman. I sincerely apologise."



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26 July 2026
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