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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.

Court fines Israeli man over Koh Samui zoo threat

The Koh Samui Provincial Court has fined an Israeli man 5,000 baht for threatening the life of the owner of Samui Exotic Park, a zoo on the island in Surat Thani.

Koh Samui police said on Thursday 20 August 2026, that the man, identified only as Mr Jacob, was arrested after Jindarat Sattayapun filed a complaint over a Facebook post threatening her life.

Police had set up a safety checkpoint outside Samui Exotic Park from August 15 after learning of the alleged threat. They said they are still seeking another person accused of placing a 500,000-baht bounty on the zoo owner.

Dispute followed refusal of entry

The row began after an Israeli couple travelling with two children said they were refused entry to the park on August 12.

Ms Jindarat, described by police as the Thai woman operating the zoo, said she had decided not to admit Israelis after several visitors allegedly refused to pay entrance fees, took animal feed from other guests' baskets, ignored park rules and squirted milk into pigs' faces.

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee said he had received reports of disputes between the zoo owner and Israeli expatriates living on Koh Samui. Separate reports said an Israeli national had ordered Ms Jindarat to close the zoo and leave the island.

Separate development referring to flags and online exchanges

In a separate development, Koh Samui district chief Amorn Chumchuay said officials, police, immigration officers and other agencies were investigating online claims involving the French co-owner of Samui Exotic Park and his Thai wife.

That account said the online dispute was linked to flags displayed at the entrance to the park in Moo 1, Mae Nam. Officials said a Palestinian flag bearing the words "Free Palestine" was displayed, along with an Israeli flag carrying a symbol saying Israelis were not welcome and a paper shooting target.

Authorities said these displays had offended Israeli people. Immigration officials reportedly found that an Israeli accused of making a death threat online, was in France, rather than on Koh Samui, and had exchanged criticism and challenges with the French zoo owner.

Amorn said authorities would establish the facts before deciding whether any law had been broken, and that safety and legal protection would apply equally to all nationalities on Koh Samui.

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21 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Foreign woman eventually admits Koh Pha Ngan shop theft

A foreign woman admitted taking items from a shop on Koh Pha Ngan, Surat Thani, after the owner shared CCTV footage showing her placing goods in a tote bag. The incident took place on August 18, and the shop owner later met the woman at a police station.

Initially, the woman denied stealing anything. She told the owner that she had paid for all the products placed in her bag and said the footage made her look like a thief.

CCTV reviewed after goods went missing

The shop owner posted the footage online while asking the public to help identify the woman. According to the owner, the woman had entered the shop and asked to charge her phone.

When the owner's mother refused, the woman reportedly went behind the cashier counter and plugged in her charger herself.


Picture courtesy of Facebook Satika Oz

She then spent around an hour in the shop, browsing and asking questions about products. The owner said her mother had tried to help throughout the visit by using a translation app.

After the woman left, the owner found that several items were missing. On reviewing the CCTV recording, she said she saw the customer putting multiple products into her tote bag.

Woman says tote bag was used as a basket

The woman later contacted the shop owner to challenge the accusation. In a message shared by the owner, she said she was shocked by the video and maintained that she had been permitted to use her tote bag as a shopping basket because she was buying many items.

She insisted that she had paid for everything in the bag before leaving the store.

The woman also said the shop owner had spoken to her by phone and she asked for the videos to be removed. The owner replied by telling her to stop "lying and making excuses" and return to the shop.

Police meeting follows online appeal

The owner later said she met the foreign woman at a police station, where the woman admitted the offence. However, the owner did not say whether legal proceedings remain under way or whether the matter ended after payment was made.

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21 August 2026
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Living wills in Thailand: rights for residents

Thailand's National Health Act allows Thai nationals and residents to set out in advance which life-prolonging treatments they do not want at the final stage of terminal illness.

Known formally as a Declaration of Intent and commonly as a Living Will, the document is protected under Section 12 of the National Health Act B.E. 2550 (2007). Medical staff who follow a valid declaration are legally protected from liability.

For foreigners living legally in Thailand, this offers a way to record end-of-life wishes before a medical crisis leaves family members, partners or doctors having to make difficult decisions without clear instructions.

What a Living Will does - and does not do

A Living Will is not euthanasia, which remains illegal in Thailand. It does not authorise anyone to actively hasten death; instead, it permits a person to refuse procedures which artificially extend dying when there is no prospect of recovery.

Palliative and comfort care must continue. This can include pain medication and oxygen, while the treatments declined may include CPR, intubation, tracheotomy, dialysis, feeding tubes, antibiotics or intravenous fluids that offer no clinical benefit.

The declaration takes effect only in two circumstances set out in ministerial regulations: an incurable illness or injury diagnosed by the attending doctor, under medical standards, as inevitably leading to death within a short period; or permanent loss of cerebral cortex function, leaving a person unable to perceive or communicate beyond automatic responses.

It does not apply to emergencies where there is a realistic chance of survival. Someone injured in a car crash, for example, would still receive full resuscitation.

Who can make one and what it needs

Anyone aged 18 or over and of sound mind may make a Living Will, whether or not they are ill. Those with chronic conditions are advised to discuss likely progression and treatment options with their treating physician first.

The document must include the person’s full name, age, national identification number and contact details; the date; and the full name, national identification number and relationship of at least one witness.

It must clearly state which treatments or healthcare services are refused. If another person writes or types it, their name and national identification number must be included. The person, witness and any writer must sign or provide fingerprints.

A person may also appoint someone to clarify their intentions, provided that person signs and supplies identification details. End-of-life preferences - including where they wish to die, emotional or psychological support, and religious or cultural practices - can also be added. Medical facilities must reasonably cooperate with those preferences.

Keep it available and discuss it

The document can be changed at any time, with the latest version taking precedence. People should tell relatives, spouses, siblings and treating doctors where it is kept, and ensure it is presented promptly when they are admitted to hospital.

Dr Thakoon Kanjanopart, an internal medicine physician specialising in palliative care, stated that two or three ICU beds can typically be occupied by patients certain to die while patients with a chance of survival cannot access them.

He said the document is only one part of Advance Care Planning: continuing conversations with loved ones and medical teams. Those discussions can spare families conflict, uncertainty and guilt when a patient can no longer speak.


Example of the form courtesy of The Thaiger

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21 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Laos arrests two over Chiang Rai gold shop robbery

Two Lao men have been arrested in Bokeo province over the armed robbery of a gold shop in Chiang Rai earlier this month, with Thai and Lao authorities preparing to extradite them to Thailand.

The pair are accused of taking 184 baht weight of gold ornaments from a shopping-mall gold shop on August 4 before escaping across the Mekong River to Laos. Thai police had obtained arrest warrants from Thoeng Provincial Court.

Lao police identified the suspects as Somchai, 32, from Houayxay district, and Ai, 31, a boat skipper based in Houayxay town. A handgun was seized, while Ai has been charged as an accomplice, according to the report.

Extradition preparations under way

Authorities in Laos are examining the recovered weapon and searching for the stolen gold before coordinating the men's extradition to Thailand.


Picture courtesy of TNR

Chiang Khong police station said it had gathered evidence identifying the alleged offenders and secured warrants from Thoeng Provincial Court. Officers then worked with the Bokeo Provincial Police Command, with the cross-border cooperation said to have led to mounting pressure and the arrests.

Robbery and escape took 10 minutes

The robbery took place in daylight at a gold shop inside a shopping mall. Police said both suspects were armed with 9mm handguns, with one wearing a face mask and the other leaving his face uncovered.

They arrived by motorcycle, parked it and entered the shop, where they scooped up the gold ornaments and placed them in a shoulder bag before fleeing.

The suspects then travelled to a Mekong River boat dock only 200 metres from the shopping mall and quickly crossed to the Lao side. From the start of the robbery to their escape, the operation took around 10 minutes.

The recovery of the stolen gold remains under way. The two men are expected to face charges in Thailand once Lao authorities complete the necessary coordination for their handover.


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21 August 2026


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Thailand, Taiwan target Cambodia scam network

Thai and Taiwanese police have launched a joint operation against a Taiwanese criminal network accused of running call-centre scams from Cambodia and tricking people into joining the operation.

The Anti-Online Scam Centre (ACSC), Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB Taiwan) announced on 20 August that more than 20 suspects had been arrested. They include alleged financiers, operational leaders and the owner of a Taiwanese tour company.

The operation was directed by Police General Thana Chuwong, deputy national police chief and director of the police anti-online scam centre; Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop Phuridej, assistant national police chief and deputy director; and Police Lieutenant General Natsasak Chaowanasai, CIB commissioner.



Victims recruited with promises of high pay

CIB Taiwan said its investigation found that the network had operated call centres in Cambodia, with members allegedly impersonating police officers in telephone scams.

Investigators initially identified 46 victims, with reported losses exceeding NT$200 million.

Police said the group also recruited people online by advertising jobs responding to social-media chat messages for a company said to have offices in Cambodia. The adverts offered high pay, free accommodation and food, and reportedly persuaded more than 100 people to join.

The recruits were allegedly being sent from Taiwan to Cambodia to prepare for the opening of call-centre operations.

Thai travel arrangements under scrutiny

According to police, the network worked with a Thai tour company to make the journeys appear legitimate during official checks. Officers said the arrangements included travel documents, fake return air tickets and false accommodation bookings.

Thai credit cards were also allegedly used to pay for air fares in an effort to evade checks by Taiwanese police.

Authorities said 20 suspects were identified as part of the expanded investigation. They include alleged ringleaders, investors, operational figures and the Taiwanese tour company owner who was said to have arranged travel for call-centre members.

Police seized cash, digital assets, bank accounts, ATM cards, electronic devices and vehicles. The suspects face allegations of public fraud and money laundering.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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21 August 2026
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Bangkok eighth in global attractive city index

Bangkok has been ranked eighth worldwide in the 2026 Global Tourism City Attractiveness Index, placing the Thai capital ahead of Okinawa and Chicago but immediately behind Rome.

The study, published by Yanolja Research, assessed 261 cities and issued rankings for the top 200. Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest tourist destination, came 27th overall.

The index is based on online traveller discussion and sentiment, not visitor arrival numbers, hotel prices or official safety assessments.

How the rankings were compiled

Yanolja Research developed the index with Purdue University's CHRIBA Institute in the United States and Kyung Hee University's H&T Analytics Centre in Seoul.

Researchers examined global social media conversations in 14 languages, using Brandwatch data to assess both the volume of traveller comments and the sentiment behind them.

New York was ranked first overall, with researchers attributing its position to global visibility and consistently positive visitor sentiment. Paris took second place, followed by Osaka, Kyoto and Seoul.

London was sixth and Rome seventh, before Bangkok in eighth. Okinawa came ninth and Chicago tenth.

The index also uses separate scores for overall performance, awareness and attractiveness. New York led the overall and awareness categories, although it ranked third for attractiveness, behind two Asian cities.

Asia's growing appeal in traveller sentiment

Dr SooCheong (Shawn) Jang, a Purdue University professor and director of Yanolja Research, said the findings suggested the strongest tourism cities were no longer simply those with the highest visitor numbers or biggest promotional budgets.

He said successful cities were those able to turn worldwide recognition into visitor experiences that carried emotional meaning.

Jang said New York demonstrated the strength of combining exceptional global recognition with experiential appeal. He added that the strong showing by Osaka, Kyoto, Seoul and Okinawa indicated that emotional attractiveness was becoming increasingly important in tourism competition.

Researchers found that about 60% of leading destinations in the attractiveness category were in Asia, reflecting a broader shift in traveller sentiment towards the region.

Japan had eight cities in the broader top 50 for attractiveness: Osaka, Kyoto, Okinawa, Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Yokohama and Sapporo.

The United States had the widest representation in the upper levels of the index, with 16 cities in the global top 50 and 19 in the top 100. Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington DC joined New York in the top 20.


Picture courtesy of Khoasod

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21 August 2026
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Georgealbert

17 hurt in giant bee swarm at Bang Lamung offices

Seventeen people, including 13 schoolchildren, were injured after a swarm of giant honeybees attacked people at the Bang Lamung civic centre in Na Kluea, Chon Buri, on 20 August 2026.

A 71-year-old food vendor, Aranong Wentry, was seriously injured after being stung by what witnesses said were hundreds of bees. The attack happened beside Bang Lamung District Office, near a food and drink sales area beneath a large rain tree.

The civic complex includes Bang Lamung Police Station, the district office and Bang Lamung School.

Vendor and police officer attacked

Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation's Pattaya radio centre sent five ambulances after receiving reports that residents and pupils had been stung. Rescuers initially found 10 injured people waiting for assistance, some with severe allergic reactions and large swollen welts.

They were given first aid before being taken to Pattaya Bhattamakun Hospital.



The final total was 17 injured: four adults - two food vendors, one police officer and one local resident - plus 13 Bang Lamung School pupils.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ratchaphon Seneewong Na Ayutthaya, a deputy investigation inspector at Bang Lamung Police Station, was among those hurt. He had tried to help Aranong after she collapsed under the bee attack.

Jirapha Patcharawisakorn, 58, another food seller at the site, said Aranong, known locally as Pa Uan, had started a fire to grill chicken when bees from the top of the tree began hovering around her.

At first there were only a small number of bees, she said. Less than two minutes later, hundreds reportedly descended and stung Aranong until she fell to the ground.

Ratchaphon ran in to pull her clear but was also swarmed and fell. He later grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed Aranong to drive the bees away, Jirapha said.

Pupils caught while leaving school

The bees also attacked people walking through the area, including pupils who had been allowed to leave school after a power cut meant lessons were suspended that day.

Officials found a large hive, measuring about one metre by one metre, high in the rain tree. Pattaya City's land disaster relief unit used a hydraulic platform for access, to burn the hive immediately in an effort to prevent another attack.

Local residents said a similar bee incident had happened there once before, but it was not as serious as this one.


Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

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21 August 2026
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Phuket probes Israeli restaurant over refused Thai service claims

Phuket provincial authorities are investigating an Israeli-owned restaurant in Patong following complaints that Thai customers were refused service and denied entry.

Pol. Capt. Khetarat Chansilp, Phuket's Deputy Governor and Acting Security Advisor to the Ministry of Interior, led an inspection of the venue and other local businesses, after the reports emerged on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

Ownership and management under review

The inspections forms part of a wider government effort to regulate foreign-owned businesses and check that they comply with Thai law.

Officials are reviewing the restaurant's ownership arrangements, management practices and supporting documents. They will assess whether it is operating legally, including whether Thai nationals may have been used as nominees to conceal foreign control.

Nominee business arrangements are prohibited under Thai law, according to the authorities, who said such structures can undermine fair competition.

No outcome of the investigation has yet been announced. Phuket officials said legal action would follow if breaches are confirmed.

Equal treatment warning

Khetarat said businesses must serve customers equally regardless of nationality. He warned against venues operating exclusively for foreign clients.

He also instructed officers to keep watch on establishments advertising mainly in Hebrew or appearing to target international visitors only.

Authorities said the wider objective is to protect consumer rights and public confidence in Phuket's tourism industry. They also said enforcement was intended to maintain Thailand's image as a welcoming destination for both Thai people and overseas visitors.


Picture courtesy of Phuket Express

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21 August 2026
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Thailand considers penalty-free illegal gun surrender

Thailand's Interior Ministry is discussing a scheme that would let people hand in illegal firearms without criminal penalties, as part of a wider rewrite of the country's gun-control laws.

Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt said the proposed firearms bill is expected to go to Cabinet around mid-September 2026, following an initial public consultation through the Central Legal System, or Law Portal, which closes on Thursday, September 10.

The proposed surrender arrangement is intended to bring unregistered guns currently outside official control back into the state system. Discussions have been held between the Interior Ministry and the Council of State.

A gun buyback scheme is also being considered. However, the ministry's preliminary view is that a straightforward surrender programme would be more suitable because buying weapons back would require substantial funding and could create a financial burden for the government.

A full review of gun controls

Pakorn said the new bill is intended to close gaps in the Firearms Act, which has been in force since 1947, and establish a more integrated national system for firearms control.

The consultation responses received through the Law Portal will be used to prepare the draft legislation. It will then be opened to another round of public consultation before being submitted to Cabinet.

One central proposal concerns gun registration and possession licences. At present, different agencies operate separate licensing systems, with no linked data and limited mechanisms for tracking and monitoring firearms.

The bill would also examine legal firearms that have not been registered by their holders, which results in those weapons becoming illegal. The review is expected to cover registration, licensing, possession and use, along with tighter supervision of firearms dealers.

Pakorn said existing legislation does not clearly require firearms retailers to share responsibility for safety and security.

Shooting ranges and border controls

Shooting ranges are another area under review. Pakorn said there is currently no clearly defined control and oversight system, and that clearer standards and operating measures are needed.

He added that legal changes alone would not solve firearms problems. They must be accompanied by strict border monitoring and efforts to intercept firearms and ammunition being smuggled into Thailand.

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21 August 2026
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Bangkok mother alleges SUV rammed motorbike with baby

A Bangkok mother has accused an SUV driver of deliberately crashing into the motorcycle carrying her, her husband and their seven-month-old son in Soi Phetkasem 69.

The 25-year-old woman filed a complaint at Phetkasem Police Station on August 18 over the collision, which happened at about 5pm on Friday, August 14. She submitted rear-camera footage from another vehicle as evidence.

The woman said she had been riding pillion behind her husband, holding their infant son, as the family headed to a nearby market.

Dispute followed lane change

According to her account, an SUV was parked in the left lane, where the motorcycle was travelling. Her husband gradually moved into another lane to pass it, but she said the SUV then moved across as well, nearly running over her husband's foot.

She acknowledged that her husband shouted an offensive remark at the driver. The SUV then followed their motorcycle closely before accelerating into its rear, she alleged.



The woman said the car's male and female occupants got out and apologised, initially saying the collision was accidental. The driver reportedly told the family he had intended to brake but mistakenly pressed the accelerator.

She did not immediately make a police report. However, she said she reconsidered after footage from a vehicle ahead was shared online, leading her to believe the crash had been deliberate.

Driver denies deliberate collision

The 31-year-old driver later stated, that he had not intended to hit the motorcycle. He said he apologised at the scene and contacted his insurance company to help resolve the matter.

He said he had indicated before changing lanes after a vehicle on his right slowed and left a gap. However, he admitted he had been careless and had not checked his right-hand mirror closely enough to see the motorcycle entering the lane at the same time.


Picture courtesy of X/@R4RacingChannel

The driver said the motorcyclist's shouted remark caused him to lose his temper. He maintained that he followed the motorcycle only because he wanted to stop and discuss the earlier incident, not to attack the family.

He added that the motorcycle braked suddenly, causing the collision seen in the footage. He said he checked whether anyone was injured, helped move the motorcycle off the road, and agreed at the scene to pay for the damage.

The mother said her son cried in fear during the incident and had seemed subdued in the following days.

The driver said he was prepared to give a statement to police and accept responsibility for the incident.

ScreenRecording_08-20-2026 05-37-35_1.mp4

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20 August 2026
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Ezy Airlines delays three Chiang Mai northern routes

Ezy Airlines has indefinitely postponed the launch of three planned northern Thailand services while it awaits approval from Chiang Mai International Airport.

The affected routes are Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai-Pai and Chiang Mai-Nan. The airline had planned to open bookings on August 17, but said the airport had not yet approved its request to provide its own ground handling, known as self-handling.

A message shared by a passenger who contacted Ezy Airlines to book a ticket said the delay applied both to ticket sales and the start of flights on all three routes.

Airport approval still pending

Ezy Airlines said self-handling approval would allow it to cut operating costs, helping to limit the effect of those costs on passenger fares.

The carrier said it remained committed to launching the three services, citing demand for domestic travel, tourism support and stronger economic connections between provinces in northern Thailand.

It said it would announce any timetable changes and further updates when they become available. No revised date for bookings or the first flights has been given.

Small-aircraft carrier has wider plans

Ezy Airlines is a short-haul airline operating small aircraft, including the Cessna Grand Caravan EX. It focuses on linking major provinces with smaller destinations through scheduled and charter services.

Its principal scheduled route is currently Hat Yai-Betong, whose inaugural flight took place in June. According to a report by the NBT news agency, fares start at 3,100 baht, excluding VAT.

The airline has also outlined plans for several southern Thailand routes, although it has not yet released further details on those proposals.

The postponed northern links would have added an air option between Chiang Mai and destinations often reached by road. The delay does not change existing travel arrangements, but it means visitors and residents will need to wait for Ezy Airlines to receive the required airport clearance before the new flights can begin.


Picture courtesy of Facebook/Ezy Airlines

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20 August 2026
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Pokemon card scam complaint after 11 year old loses B1m

An 11-year-old boy who says he and his family lost more than 1 million baht buying a rare Pokemon card is among at least 25 people who have complained to police over an alleged collectibles scam in Thailand.

The group, accompanied by consumer advocate Tankhun Jitt-itsara, filed its complaint with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) on Wednesday. They want action against a man identified only as "Mr Mor", who allegedly offered to obtain sought-after cards and other collectibles from overseas.

Complainants told police their combined losses exceed 5 million baht.

Trust built through early deliveries

According to the victims, Mr Mor became trusted in Thailand's trading-card community by offering access to rare Pokemon cards and other valuable items from abroad.

They said he initially supplied genuine products, allowing him to build a reputation before customers placed bigger orders. He allegedly later failed to deliver, blaming customs, tax and import issues, before ending contact and closing his Facebook trading page.

A 15-year-old trader said successful early deals led collectors to recommend the seller within the community. The difficulties only began after buyers made larger purchases.

A 22-year-old collector said he lost more than 120,000 baht after buying two high-value cards, priced at about 60,000 baht each. He said previous transactions had made a profit, leaving him with no reason to suspect the seller.

A growing market draws young buyers

Many of the complainants are young collectors who trade cards as a hobby or as a source of income. Thailand's expanding market has seen rare and limited-edition cards sell for hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of baht, drawing collectors and investors alike.

High-value trading cards, including Pokemon, One Piece, sports cards and trading card games, were displayed at Extreme Card Fest Thailand at Chamchuri Square in Bangkok in June.

Tankhun, president of the Santiprachadham Club, said the growing card business had attracted many young participants and called for stronger anti-fraud protections. He urged authorities to find the suspect and establish whether there are further victims.


Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

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20 August 2026
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MaxValu Thailand to close on 30 September

MaxValu, the Japanese supermarket chain in Thailand, is to serve customers for the final time on 30 September 2026, with its 30 branches set to be converted to the Tops brand.

The closure follows Central Retail Corporation's plan to acquire Aeon (Thailand), the operator of MaxValu supermarkets.

Central Retail plans 30-store conversion

Central Retail Corporation Plc (CRC) informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand on 7 August that its wholly owned subsidiary, Central Food Retail Co Ltd (CFR), had signed an agreement to buy ordinary shares in Aeon (Thailand) Co Ltd.

Aeon (Thailand) operates 30 MaxValu supermarkets across Bangkok and the surrounding provinces. The sites include smaller branches inside buildings and larger stand-alone stores.

CRC said the acquisition would allow it to convert the branches to Tops outlets, expand its store network in strategic locations, strengthen its food business and add 900,000 customers to its base.

For expats, retirees and visitors living near these locations, the main immediate issue is likely to be shopping convenience. Customers who rely on a particular MaxValu branch should watch for store notices on closing arrangements and the opening dates of replacement Tops branches.

Staff say 30 September is the final day

Sales staff contacted by Matichon said they had been told that MaxValu would remain open until 30 September 2026, its final day of trading.

From 1 October, the MaxValu name will therefore disappear from Thailand's retail market.

However, staff have not yet been told clearly whether they will remain employed after the changeover. Central Retail has not detailed the timetable for individual branch conversions.

Large sites could have wider potential

Analysts cited in the report said several of the locations are in high-potential areas. They suggested Central could do more than simply install Tops branding at larger stand-alone branches close to mass-transit lines, given the group's interests in retail, property and hotels.

MaxValu's Lak Si branch was highlighted as one site attracting attention. It occupies a large plot beside the Pink Line and opposite Phranakhon Rajabhat University, with condominium developments nearby.

There has been no confirmation of any broader redevelopment plans for that branch. For now, the confirmed plan is for the 30 MaxValu stores to become part of the Tops network.

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20 August 2026
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Udon Thani school owner denies forced cannabis claim

The owner of a military academy tutorial school in Udon Thani has denied claims that he assaulted a 15-year-old student and forced him to smoke cannabis after the boy's father filed a police complaint.

The 34-year-old father, from Nong Bua Lamphu province, lodged the complaint at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station. Police have accepted the complaint and say they will gather evidence and interview those involved.

Father's account of events

The father said his son had gone to visit friends at a house at about 4pm on August 14. The tutorial school owner and two other people later arrived and accused the teenager and another student of using cannabis and vaping.

According to the complaint, the school owner forced the boy to smoke cannabis. The father also alleged that his son was made to pose in photographs, pointing at cannabis and e-cigarettes, before the images were sent to police.

The teenager said the cannabis and vaping devices belonged to another student at the school. He maintained that he had not used them, but was forced to point at the items for a photograph. He said he was frightened when he was taken to the police station.

Thai media reported that the father also accused the school owner of assaulting his son and other students, although the report did not set out details of the alleged assaults.

Owner disputes allegations

The school owner rejected the accusations, telling the media that he neither assaulted the children nor forced them to smoke cannabis.

He said the boy's father had asked him to check on the teenager while he was at a friend's house. On arriving, he found five children there and suspected they might have gathered to smoke, as some students at his school had previously admitted using e-cigarettes and cannabis.

The owner said he searched the property and found cannabis and e-cigarettes. He claimed all five children admitted smoking cannabis and cigarettes.

He said he photographed the items as evidence and contacted the children's parents to collect them. Some parents allegedly refused, so he took the children to the police station for officers to contact their families.

The owner also questioned why the students had no injuries if they had been beaten. He believed the complaint was driven by dissatisfaction among some parents, adding that he could speak harshly while reprimanding parents and children but wanted to stop harmful behaviour.

School ordered to close

The Udon Thani Provincial Education Official inspected the tutorial school and found it did not hold the required licence. The school was ordered to close immediately, with the owner told to apply for a licence before reopening.


Pictures courtesy of Khoasod

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20 August 2026
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Fire probe in France at Samui park manager mother's home

French national Kevin Dimino, who co-owns the Samui Exotic Park on Koh Samui, says his mother's home in the Lyon suburbs was targeted in a night time fire following threats linked to an ongoing row over Israeli visitors.

Speaking on Wednesday, 19 August, Dimino said: "In the night, my mother escaped the flames." He suggested a Molotov cocktail had been used against the family property.

A local police source confirmed that an investigation was under way following a fire involving a garage and a vehicle in Villeurbanne, near Lyon, shortly before 5am on Wednesday. Police did not confirm a cause, motive or link to the controversy in Thailand.

Threats followed Koh Samui confrontation

Dimino has been at the centre of a dispute after refusing entry to Israeli tourists at Samui Exotic Park, an animal attraction on Koh Samui.

The former boxer said the dispute began several months ago when he displayed a Palestinian flag at the park. He said he did so after what he described as repeated poor behaviour by Israeli visitors.

According to Dimino, he subsequently received threats and negative online reviews. The matter escalated last week when footage of an altercation between him and an Israeli family at the park went viral.

He says he has since received hundreds of death threats each day, including threats directed at his mother. Dimino has also posted insulting videos online and put an Israeli flag, marked with a red crossed-out circle, beside a shooting target at the park.

"After receiving a thousand death threats, I am not going to roll out the red carpet for them," the Frenchman of Italian origin said.

Officials address visitor safety

Israel's ambassador to Thailand visited Surat Thani province, which includes Koh Samui, last week to "discuss the safety and well-being of Israeli visitors".

Thailand received more than 420,000 Israeli tourists last year. The Samui dispute has been the latest in a series of publicised tensions involving Israeli visitors, local people or other foreigners.

Thailand's Interior Ministry has asked local officials to intervene to "put an end to the dispute" around the animal park, with dialogue preferred.

Dimino said he has lived in Thailand for 11 years, speaks Thai, owns property and pays tax there. He also claimed to be protected by the high-level connections of his Thai wife.
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20 August 2026

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Georgealbert

Brit pensioner, 90, found dead after Phuket villa fall

A 90-year-old British man, was found dead at his villa on Phuket on August 16 after apparently becoming trapped in a chair, police said.

Forensic officers estimated that man had been dead for around four to six hours when his housekeeper found him. Investigators believe he may have suffered positional asphyxia after being unable to move from a position which obstructed his breathing.

The man, who had lived in Thailand for sometime, was staying at the villa with a housekeeper, according to Choeng Thale Police Station.

Police said he was found in a chair with both arms raised and his legs pointing upwards. His phone and wallet were on the floor nearby, while officers found a packet of biscuits and an uncapped bottle of water on a table.

Police await post-mortem result

Investigators believe the man may have leaned back while eating biscuits and trying to drink water, then suffered a serious back injury. Given his age and the severity of the injury, police said he was unable to pull himself upright again.

Police Lieutenant Uratthaya Raengtakorn said the housekeeper had seen him well during the morning, but returned in the afternoon to find him dead in the chair.

"He had been living in Thailand for some time and was staying at the villa with a housekeeper," Lt Uratthaya said.

"That morning, she went in and he was still fine. Then she returned in the afternoon and found him dead on the chair.

"There was no unusual smell or anything suspicious."

She said there was no indication that another person had been involved, adding: "It appeared that he had slumped or fallen into that position and, because of his age, was unable to move himself back up."

A post-mortem examination will determine the exact cause of death. Police were also examining whether blood may have pooled in the mans head after he remained in the position for a prolonged period.

Lt Uratthaya said the man had appeared generally healthy and strong, although he did not know whether he had any underlying medical conditions.

Concern for older residents living alone

The case may particularly resonate with older foreign residents in Thailand, many of whom live independently or rely on domestic staff who visit at set times rather than remain in the home throughout the day.

The circumstances underline the importance for elderly residents, particularly those with mobility issues, of having a way to summon help and regular welfare checks.

An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Thailand."

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20 August 2026

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Thai-Hong Kong actress tops 2026 beauty poll

Thai-Hong Kong actress Lingling Kwong has been named Netizens Choice Magazine's Most Beautiful Woman Alive 2026 after receiving 22 million votes in a global online fan poll.

Kwong, whose full name is Lingtan Sirilak Kwong, also secured the title of Most Beautiful Thai Actress of 2026 during the same voting season, according to the entertainment publication.

The rankings were decided by votes from fans and internet users around the world. The result puts Kwong at the top of the magazine's global list, while also highlighting the strong showing by Thai performers in the vote.

Five Thai actresses reach global top 20

Kwong was one of five Thai actresses to finish in the publication's global top 20 for 2026.

Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong ranked fourth among the world's most beautiful women, receiving more than 11 million votes. She was also placed second in the Thai actress category.



Freen Sarocha Chankimha came 15th in the global ranking, followed by Becky Rebecca Patricia Armstrong in 17th place and Yoko Apasra Lertprasert in 18th.

The results have attracted attention among Thai fans, with the five Thai actresses all securing positions in the worldwide top 20.

Previous recognition for Kwong

Kwong had already appeared on an international beauty ranking before this year's fan vote. She was placed 17th on TC Candler's The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2025 list.

Netizens Choice Magazine said its rankings were based on voting by fans and internet users globally. The publication's results are separate from TC Candler's annual list, on which Kwong featured last year.


Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

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20 August 2026
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Thai woman held in Taiwan over 72 heroin capsules

A Thai woman has been remanded this week, by a court in Taiwan after allegedly attempting to smuggle 72 capsules of heroin inside her body through Kaohsiung International Airport.

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration said the woman, identified only as Ms A, was arrested on 6 April after investigators received information that foreigners were trying to bring drugs into Taiwan concealed in luggage or inside their bodies.

Heroin capsules found after hospital treatment

The Kaohsiung Criminal Investigation Team said Ms A had swallowed 72 oval-shaped heroin capsules, with a combined weight of 289.1 grams and an estimated value of about NT$3.6 million.

Each capsule was wrapped in plastic and tightly sealed. Officials said the method posed an exceptionally high risk: if stomach acid had damaged the outer wrapping, the drugs could have leaked into her body and caused a fatal overdose.


Picture courtesy of Matichon

Ms A was taken to hospital, where officers gave her medication to help the capsules pass naturally. It took 10 days for all of the capsules to be expelled, the investigation team said.

Officers maintained round-the-clock watch

Authorities said Ms A works as a Muay Thai instructor and had greater-than-average strength and physical fitness. Officers therefore maintained close supervision and control around the clock while she was receiving treatment.

She has been transferred for legal action under Taiwan's narcotics prevention and control laws. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office has now completed its case file and brought charges before the court, which has ordered her remanded while proceedings continue.


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20 August 2026
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Thai ER doctor says 10 doctors cannot meet demand

An emergency-room doctor at an unidentified Thai hospital says the department has been overwhelmed by patient numbers for the past two to three months.

Even with more than 10 doctors on the morning shift, staff cannot examine patients quickly enough, the doctor said in a Facebook post accompanied by photographs showing patients on trolleys and queues extending outside the department.

Heavy staffing still falls short

The post listed more than 10 doctors on the morning shift, eight on the afternoon shift and four overnight. The doctor said this was a heavier rota than almost any other hospital operated.

Despite those numbers, the afternoon team sometimes does not get to eat until 11pm. Patient numbers only begin to fall at around 4am for the overnight team, while new arrivals continue throughout the night.

The doctor asked whether other hospitals were experiencing the same rise in demand, and how emergency departments staffed by only one or two doctors per shift managed to see all their patients.

The doctor and hospital were not identified. The name shown in the Facebook screenshot was blurred.

Referrals add to pressure

In addition to walk-in patients, the department receives referrals from across Thailand, according to the post.

Staff deal daily with cases involving methamphetamine, cannabis and kratom, as well as a large number of psychiatric patients. Accident cases are also high, the doctor said, placing the hospital on a level with any other in terms of workload.

Commenters responded with support for the doctor and the wider emergency team, with several urging staff to make sure they ate.

For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the post is a reminder that waits at a busy state-hospital emergency department may be lengthy, particularly where patients arrive without life-threatening conditions.



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20 August 2026
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Rayong police arrest 18 Chinese workers at data centre

Rayong provincial police have arrested 18 Chinese men accused of working without permits at a large data centre construction project in Ban Chang district.

The operation took place on 19 August, when officers from Rayong's Centre for Suppression of Transnational Crime and Illegal Immigration inspected the site and found Chinese workers carrying out construction work, police said.

The raid was led by Pol Maj Gen Pramote Ngampradit, commander of Rayong Provincial Police, alongside Pol Col Torsak Sareerat, deputy provincial police commander, Pol Lt Col Phuwanat Phutithuan and officers from the specialist unit.

Workers ran as police entered site

Police said they identified themselves and asked to inspect the workers' identity documents and legally required work permits.

As officers entered the construction area, Chinese and Myanmar workers reportedly became alarmed and ran in different directions. The police team split up to pursue and detain suspects, eventually taking 18 Chinese men into custody.

Checks of their documentation found that none of the 18 men held work permits, according to police. All were Chinese nationals working on construction at the Ban Chang site, officers said.

They were charged with working as foreigners without a work permit under Section 8 of the Emergency Decree on the Management of Foreign Workers.

The men were handed to investigators at Ban Chang Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities said their immigration status and any deportation process will be considered following checks by the relevant agencies.

Rayong police said inspections will continue at construction sites and businesses employing foreign labour. The stated aim is to prevent illegal work, examine employers and others involved, and ensure the employment of foreign workers complies with the law.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

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20 August 2026
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Thailand entry funds: what travellers may need to show

Foreigners arriving in Thailand may be asked by immigration to show they have enough money to support themselves during their stay. Depending on the entry route, the stated requirement is between 10,000 and 20,000 baht per person.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reiterated the rules in July 2026, stressing that proof-of-funds checks are not new. They have formed part of immigration regulations since 1980, while the current thresholds were set in a Ministry of Interior announcement in 2000.

The requirement does not apply to children under 12. A Thai visa, meanwhile, does not guarantee entry: the immigration officer at the checkpoint makes the final admission decision.

Amounts vary by visa and entry route

TAT lists the following amounts for arriving foreign nationals:



For tourists and expats returning to Thailand, the practical point is to keep evidence of funds accessible in hand luggage. Travellers can be asked during immigration screening, even if they have entered Thailand previously without being questioned.

Visa on Arrival should not be confused with visa exemption. VOA is a separate category for nationals of specified countries who apply at an eligible Thai entry checkpoint, while visa-exempt visitors enter without applying for a visa at the airport.

Visa-exempt visitors should check their own rules

This is the area most likely to confuse travellers. TAT's July guidance (www.tatnews) states that certain visa-exempt cases require 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family, but it does not say this figure applies to all nationalities using visa exemption.

TAT advises visa-exempt travellers to check requirements for their nationality and entry category before flying, as published rules can differ. Thailand's visa-exemption arrangements and the nationalities eligible for them can also change.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC, says travellers using the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme need cash, or its equivalent, of 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family. Other Royal Thai embassies publish the same higher figure.

Cash is not the only possible evidence

TAT says immigration may accept Thai baht, the equivalent sum in another currency, or documents showing equivalent funds evidencing payment. Visitors do not necessarily need to convert the entire amount into baht before travelling.

However, official guidance does not clearly state that a credit or debit card alone will always satisfy an officer. Anyone relying on bank documents or other evidence should ensure it can be produced immediately, rather than leaving it in checked baggage.

Tourist Visa holders should also note that the entry threshold is separate from the bank statements, income proof or other financial papers an embassy or consulate may have required during the visa application.

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20 August 2026
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Thailand police: no 24-hour wait for missing reports

Thailand's police chief has ordered officers to accept and begin searching for reports of missing or lost people immediately, ending any suggestion that relatives must wait 24 hours before police will act.

The instruction, announced on 19 August 2026, also requires investigators to provide regular progress updates to those who made the report or to relatives.

Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phewphan, deputy inspector-general and Royal Thai Police spokesperson, said Police General Kitrat Phanphet, the national police chief, had reinforced procedures covering missing persons, people who have become separated from others, and unidentified bodies.

The aim is to ensure that reports, coordination, criminal justice procedures, investigations and evidence-gathering are handled smoothly, quickly and effectively, he said.

Immediate response required

Kitrat instructed the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre and the Police Forensic Science Office to drive the work of the Royal Thai Police committee responsible for managing missing persons and unidentified bodies.

The committee is to draw on lessons from previous cases when setting procedures for receiving reports, tracing missing people, conducting investigations and ensuring that units act swiftly and correctly.

All police units have been told to remind investigators and personnel receiving reports that missing and lost people are cases requiring priority and an immediate response.

"They must not cite the need to wait until 24 hours have passed as a reason not to take any action," the order states.

Officers must initially obtain details from the person making the report, witnesses and other relevant people. They must pass a description of the missing or lost person to their radio network or local operational radio centre.

Checks and updates for relatives

Police are then expected to check whether someone matching the description is being cared for or held under legal authority, or may have been seen during patrols or other duties.

Investigators must collect relevant information, establish the facts surrounding the disappearance or unidentified body, coordinate with relevant organisations and agencies, and submit an initial investigation report through the chain of command.

Supervisors in investigative units must update the reporting person or relatives periodically, and make regular visits to obtain current information.

Rules under review

Police units must also exchange and connect information with the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre's missing persons and unidentified bodies committee and the Police Forensic Science Office.

Kitrat has additionally assigned the Office of Legal Affairs and Litigation to review and consolidate rules concerning post-mortem examinations, public descriptions of people and property, and procedures for searching for and returning people who have become lost or separated. The revised rules are to align with relevant laws, regulations and orders.

Commanders at every level have been told to closely supervise compliance.

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20 August 2026

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Four Chinese men held in Nong Khai scam probe

Four Chinese men aged 22 to 26 have been detained in Nong Khai after Thai authorities found laptops, mobile phones and internet signal equipment in a car stopped in Tha Bo district on 18 August.

Investigators believe the group may have been moving a scam-operation base after reportedly fleeing a crackdown in Vientiane, Laos, with plans to travel through Thailand before continuing to Myanmar.

Car stopped in Tha Bo

The Honda City, carrying Nan registration plate, was intercepted at the Nong Song Hong intersection in Tha Bo district, Nong Khai province.

The operation involved Nong Khai Immigration officers, provincial police investigators, Border Patrol Police and customs officials. Those named in the operation included Pol Lt Col Theeyaphat Rangsiphramankul, deputy superintendent of Nong Khai Immigration; Pol Lt Col Apichat Khontha, an immigration inspector; and Phattharaphong Tantiwatthanakuncha, head of Service Division 1 at Nong Khai Customs House.

Officers said the driver was Udom, 40, from Phrae province, whose surname was withheld. Four Chinese men were travelling as passengers.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

A search of the boot found seven backpacks with mud stains on the outside. Inside were computer equipment, laptops, internet signal transmitters and a large number of mobile phones, officials said.

All five men were taken to Nong Khai Immigration for questioning.

Driver describes Mekong crossing

Questioned through a Chinese interpreter, the four Chinese nationals reportedly claimed they did not know who owned the equipment.

Udom allegedly told investigators that he had collected the men from the Mekong riverbank in Phon Phisai district, Nong Khai. He said they had crossed the river from a neighbouring country in a small boat.

According to his statement, he was to take them to Phitsanulok, where another person would collect them and take them onwards to Myanmar. He said he had been paid 6,000 baht for each person transported.

Authorities said no passports or other travel documents were found.

Investigators said they suspected the men had escaped from a law-enforcement sweep in Vientiane and had kept their equipment connected to communications signals throughout the journey. They believe the group may have been relocating a scam network, using Thailand as a transit route to Myanmar.


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20 August 2026
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Suvarnabhumi targets immigration and baggage delays

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has ordered urgent measures to reduce delays for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, focusing on immigration, baggage collection and public transport.

The plans, announced after a government visit to the airport on Tuesday, also cover tighter security and the use of real-time flight information to deploy staff and manage passenger areas more efficiently.

Staffing and passenger flow

Ms Suphajee, who is also Commerce Minister, led a government team to observe the arrival process and hear from frontline reporters about problems and possible coordinated solutions.

The visit was organised under a subcommittee chaired by Ms Suphajee covering trade, tourism and community economic development. It was intended to identify short-term steps that can be taken before the high season, while separating out issues requiring legislative changes or major infrastructure investment.

Immediate proposals include improving automated immigration gates, matching staffing levels to flight schedules and peak arrival periods, and reorganising passenger areas.

Agencies will also integrate real-time passenger and flight data so they can prepare enough space and staff before an aircraft lands. Each body involved has been instructed to appoint responsible officials, set procedures and deadlines, and track results.

Ms Suphajee said problems that can be dealt with quickly would be expedited. Matters requiring legislation or longer-term infrastructure spending would be taken to government level.

"The goal is to make Suvarnabhumi an international gateway that leaves travellers with a positive impression and strengthens Thailand's tourism competitiveness," she said.

Security and transport around the airport

Tourist police are to increase monitoring in baggage areas and conduct joint checkpoints and tour-group checks. Their role will also include managing public transport and acting against illegal guides and touts.

A smart command centre and CCTV will be used to watch for suspicious individuals and assess developing situations. Authorities will additionally examine how land and infrastructure around Suvarnabhumi can be used more effectively to support visitors, transport connections and economic activity.

Inbound duty-free shops under review

Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyacharoen said Airports of Thailand (AoT) has submitted the possible return of inbound duty-free shops to the Fiscal Policy Office for consideration.

Any proposal supported by the office would still need cabinet approval. No change has yet been approved, so arriving travellers should not assume inbound duty-free shopping will return.

Mr Surapong said circumstances had changed since the earlier decision to abolish inbound duty-free. He added that such facilities could provide restaurants, shops and activities for passengers waiting to clear immigration.

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20 August 2026
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Thai-Scottish actor Ray MacDonald dies in Bangkok at 49

Thailand's entertainment industry is mourning actor and television presenter Ray MacDonald, who was found dead at his home in Bangkok's Pattanakarn area on Wednesday, August 19. He was 49.

The cause of death had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting and remains under examination.

MacDonald, born on May 21, 1977, was a Thai actor of Scottish descent who became a familiar face in Thai cinema and television from the 1990s onwards. He was particularly known for his award-winning film performances and an influential style of travel presenting.

Found unresponsive at Bangkok home

According to MGR Entertainment, MacDonald's wife found him unresponsive on a sofa at their home at about 6.20am. She reportedly attempted to wake him, then called an ambulance after noticing he was not moving.

Rescue workers arrived but MacDonald had already died. Investigators from Prawet Police Station later examined the property, while CCTV footage reportedly showed him collapsing on to the sofa at around 12.12am.

Film awards and television career

His breakthrough came with "Fun Bar Karaoke", the 1997 feature debut by director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. MacDonald played Noi, a hitman drawn into the criminal troubles surrounding a young woman and her father; the film was also screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

He won Best Actor at Thailand's national film awards for "Fun Bar Karaoke" in 1997 and "O-Negative" in 1998, receiving the prize in consecutive years. His performance in "Dear Galileo" later earned Best Supporting Actor at the seventh Kom Chad Luek Awards.

Other film credits included "Fake", "The Eye 10", "Opapatika", "Phobia 2", "Nak Prok" and "3AM".

Alongside his acting work, MacDonald reshaped Thai travel and lifestyle programming through shows including "Roam Alone". His relaxed presenting style and travel content influenced a younger generation of online creators.

A career spanning Thailand and Britain

Before entering entertainment, MacDonald showed sporting ability as a young footballer. He attended Ekkamai Kindergarten and Traill International School, played youth football for Thamrong Thai Samosorn and competed at the Gothia Cup in Sweden.

He later continued his education at Millfield School in the United Kingdom. For foreign residents and visitors who followed Thai travel programming, his Scottish heritage and international background were part of a career that bridged Thai popular culture with overseas experience.


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20 August 2026
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