Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
ASEAN NOW

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

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

Thailand News

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

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.



Join the discussion?


20 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

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

Related stories

Rayong-raid-nets-24-illegal-workers-at-Chinese-data-centre

Ban-Chang-residents-seek-probe-into-Chinese-data-centre

Join the discussion?


20 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

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.

Join the discussion?


20 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

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.

Join the discussion?


20 August 2026

Georgealbert
Georgealbert

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.


Join the discussion?


20 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

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.

Related story

AOT-studies-return-of-arrival-duty-free-shops


Join the discussion?


20 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

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.


Join the discussion?


20 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand, Australia deepen ties on crime, trade and defence

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese signed two joint statements in Canberra on Wednesday, August 19, upgrading the countries' strategic partnership across trade, law enforcement, defence and innovation.

The agreements followed full bilateral talks at Parliament House and came during Anutin's official visit to Australia - the first by a Thai prime minister in 14 years, according to Albanese.

Australia and Thailand will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations next year. Albanese said the visit reflected the importance Australia places on Thailand as a close ally.

"As we look forward to celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Thailand next year, we are expanding our relationship through economic resilience, security, and innovation," he said.

Crime, scams and online fraud

The leaders issued a Joint Statement on Transnational Crime, under which law enforcement agencies will work more closely at an operational level against increasingly sophisticated international criminal networks.



Cooperation will target human trafficking, illicit drug trafficking, scam networks and cyber fraud. Anutin said Thailand was committed to using the new statements to tackle online fraud, human trafficking and money laundering decisively, while strengthening economic resilience amid geopolitical volatility.

Albanese said trusted regional partners were needed as transnational crime became more sophisticated, to protect communities and support "a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region".

Trade and defence links

The two countries also agreed to establish a biennial Defence Ministers' Meeting, adding a formal channel for closer defence cooperation.

Albanese said two-way trade had nearly tripled since the Australia-Thailand free trade agreement entered into force, and that the economic relationship retained "enormous potential".

Australia also reaffirmed its support for Thailand's bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The countries will work closely in multilateral forums including COP31, the World Trade Organisation and ASEAN, reflecting what they described as a shared commitment to agreed multilateral rules, norms and standards.

Research cooperation will be expanded through science, research and innovation projects intended to support economic growth. Existing work between Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Thai partners, including the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), covers pharmaceutical manufacturing and sustainable food and agricultural systems.

Anutin praised the Thai community in Australia and the continued popularity of Thailand among Australian tourists. He said Thailand would deepen cooperation through ASEAN mechanisms and the Mekong-Australia Partnership, and again thanked Australia for backing its OECD membership effort.


Pictures courtesy of Thai Newsroom

Join the discussion?


20 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Sakon Nakhon police rescue boy clinging to ice truck

Traffic police in Sakon Nakhon rescued a four-year-old boy found holding onto the rear of an ice delivery truck on August 17, after the vehicle had travelled for more than 10 kilometres.

The child was spotted at about 12.20pm at the city gate intersection in Sakon Nakhon Municipality, where the truck had stopped at traffic lights. Officers saw him standing on the vehicle's rear steps and gripping the truck before telling the driver to pull over.

A woman who saw the incident recorded a video and shared it on Facebook. The driver appeared shocked and confused when police told him the boy had been clinging to the back of his vehicle.

Stopped at city-gate junction

The driver had delivered ice near Kasetsart University Sakon Nakhon Campus before heading towards Chiang Khruea subdistrict.

He had not stopped during the journey of more than 10 kilometres before traffic police alerted him to the child at the rear of the truck.



Police said the boy did not appear frightened and had not been injured. He initially did not speak to officers, who took him to Mueang Sakon Nakhon Police Station and gave him snacks and milk while they tried to identify his family.

Family found after police enquiries

Officers contacted other police stations to ask whether any child had been reported missing, but there had been no such reports at that time.

After several hours of enquiries, police obtained information about the boy's family and asked the Sakon Nakhon Child and Family Shelter to help locate his parents.

The shelter coordinated with the local municipality, which sent officials to collect the child and return him safely to his family.

There were no reports explaining why the boy had climbed onto the truck, and no account from family members about the circumstances leading to the incident.

AQPXccSHEaaJAsOHR_BIB5AdVtpMufCLEkT-qmUZV3kJEhLuOSE8p6mU7YO4aNDuasR9V3953mYppgShnhAzer5FUf0Y0yw_uicCPhnThA.mp4

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Tokyo Airbnb host accused of rejecting Thai guests

A Thai tourist says a Tokyo Airbnb host refused her booking request because she was Thai, after allegedly citing repeated problems involving earlier Thai guests.

The woman shared screenshots of the exchange in a Japanese travel group. She said she had attempted to book accommodation in Tokyo's Asakusa district, near the Sumida River.

According to the screenshots, the host apologised but said the property owner had decided not to accept Thai guests. The report has not been independently verified beyond the images shared online.

Host lists alleged problems with previous guests

The host allegedly told the woman that previous Thai guests had damaged the property, flushed toilet paper and caused plumbing issues.

Other complaints listed were that guests brought their own household items, did not sort rubbish correctly and left the accommodation dirty.

While acknowledging that the woman might not behave in the same way, the host said the alleged issues had happened "many times" and asked her to understand why the booking could not be accepted.

The exchange has drawn criticism and debate among Thai travellers. Some commenters criticised the behaviour described by the host, while others argued that it was wrong to judge every Thai guest by the actions of previous visitors.

Debate over Airbnb rules and discrimination

One Thai Airbnb host taking part in the discussion said turning away guests solely because they came from a particular country would breach Airbnb policies and could amount to discrimination.

The host said some operators may have had poor experiences with travellers from certain countries, but should not state this openly by refusing an entire nationality.

Another commenter said they had stayed in Japanese Airbnb properties and complied with local rubbish-sorting requirements and other house rules. They said hosts should assess individual guests through their previous reviews and records, rather than their nationality.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand gun dealers squeezed further by proposed new curbs

Bangkok gun dealers say Thailand's long-running firearms import ban is forcing some businesses to seek other income, while proposed new restrictions could further reduce legal sales.

At Suchart and Friends Gun in Wang Burapha, Bangkok's historic gun district, sourdough loaves have replaced pistols and rifles in the display window. Owner Warintorn Boonyachai began baking bread five months ago to help cover staff salaries.

The nationwide ban on gun imports has been in place since a shooting at a Bangkok shopping mall in 2023. It followed a series of mass shootings in Thailand, including attacks at a school and a childcare centre, which have prompted periodic tightening of firearms rules.

"I do still have hope, because like I've said, selling guns is less tiring than selling bread," said Ms Warintorn, who also owns a baking school.

New proposals after latest school shooting

Her hopes of a return to gun imports appear less likely after a 14-year-old gunman killed at least seven people in shootings at his home and school outside Bangkok this month, before fatally shooting himself.

Following that attack, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul proposed legislation to suspend the issue of new firearm purchasing permits and new gun ownership permits. Police were also ordered to stop renewing permits for buying guns.

The mother of a 14-year-old student who escaped the Aug 7 school shooting said she supports gun ownership but wants stronger controls, including on people carrying weapons outside their homes.

"There definitely should be a scrutiny everywhere on weapons, because knives are also as scary," she said.

Traders warn of black-market risk

Thititorn Bupparamanee, president of the Firearms Traders Association of Thailand, said suspending permits would not address the roots of gun violence.

"They are not fixing the problem at the right places, because if they did, there would be less crime," he said. He added that preventing the public from buying legal guns through legal channels could push some people towards the black market.

Thailand had an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession, or about 15 guns per 100 residents, according to a 2017 estimate by the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey. That was the second-highest rate in Asia behind Pakistan.

The group estimated that just over 6 million firearms were registered, with another 4 million unregistered. Mr Thititorn put the industry's value at about 2 billion baht.

Shops left with little stock

One gun store which has operated for nearly seven decades said it had only two guns left for sale and six employees. Staff, who asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said the remaining guns could not be sold and no new ones could be imported.

Wang Burapha's gun district has operated since 1963, but dealers now face the prospect that restrictions on imports and permits will leave them with little legal business.


Picture courtesy of Reuters

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand approves 433m baht for Cambodia border safety

Thailand's Cabinet has approved almost 433,520,000 baht in emergency funding to strengthen civilian protection and communications across seven provinces on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Periswivatana announced the decision on 18 August, saying the budget will fund shelters, village public-address towers and a digital emergency radio network.

The money comes from the 2026 central budget's emergency and necessary reserve fund and will be administered by the Department of Provincial Administration under the Interior Ministry.

Shelters and warning systems planned

The largest allocation, 361,021,000 baht, will pay for 1,669 bunkers and evacuation shelters. A further 22,880,000 baht has been set aside for 143 village broadcasting towers.

Another 49,618,000 baht will be used to improve a dedicated digital radio communications system covering all seven border provinces.

Lalida said the central aim was to increase the number of safe places available should clashes occur, while ensuring that official information and warnings can reach border communities more quickly, accurately and widely during an emergency.

She said reliable communications can directly affect the safety of lives and property when a crisis develops.

Support for local security teams

The scheme will also support provincial administration officials, members of the Volunteer Defence Corps and village security teams. These groups help maintain public order, protect residents and look after homes and property if people have to evacuate.

The government said the project would improve preparedness not only for security incidents but also for other border-related problems, including illegal entry, smuggling of untaxed goods, narcotics and transnational crime.

Shotgun plan remains under review

The Budget Bureau had previously considered a larger framework covering one additional item. That included an additional 60.3 million baht to procure 1,675 shotguns for village security teams.

However, the firearm purchase remains subject to legal consideration and permission procedures. The Interior Ministry therefore proposed proceeding first with the three activities considered ready and urgently needed.

Lalida said the government had prioritised measures that could be put into use and implemented immediately, particularly shelters and communications systems, so that residents could receive warnings and assistance without delay.

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thai family seeks help to bring worker home from Korea

A 34-year-old Thai woman from Kamphaeng Phet has died suddenly in South Korea, with her family appealing for donations to cover the cost of returning her body to Thailand.

Piyawan Samredi, known as Nong Pla, had worked as a traditional massage therapist in South Korea for seven years. The cause of her death has not been confirmed and South Korean authorities are investigating the incident.

Family learned through Facebook appeal

The case emerged after the Facebook page Ko Isan Phuyai Ban Korea v.2 and several other pages posted an urgent request for relatives of Piyawan to contact the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul.

Community leaders in Trithrung subdistrict, Mueang Kamphaeng Phet district, recognised Piyawan from the photograph and alerted local reporters.

At the family's home in Ban Wang Nam Khao, Trithrung, Piyawan's 69-year-old mother, Lam Yai Samredi, said she was devastated by the news.

Her daughter had regularly called home, checked on the family and occasionally sent money to help with household expenses, she said.

Last call raised health concern

Lam Yai said Piyawan last contacted her on August 8. During that conversation, Piyawan told her that she was experiencing unusually heavy menstrual bleeding.

Her mother advised her to buy pain relief medication. Lam Yai said her daughter had no underlying medical conditions.

"I confirm that my daughter had no congenital disease at all," she said, adding that the family must now leave it to South Korean authorities to establish the true cause of death.

For Thai nationals working overseas, the case is also a reminder of the practical difficulties families can face when a death occurs abroad. Relatives may need to deal with embassy contact, local investigations and substantial repatriation costs while still awaiting confirmation of what happened.

Return costs beyond family's means

According to Piyawan's co-workers in South Korea, returning her body to Thailand would cost about 200,000 baht. Returning only her ashes would cost about 100,000 baht.

The family, who work as general labourers and are in financial difficulty, say they cannot afford either amount. They want to bring Piyawan home for religious rites in her birthplace.

Winai Dechsri, president of the Trithrung Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, has visited the family and said he was coordinating with relevant agencies to find initial assistance. He said the high cost of transporting a body across borders was the main obstacle.


Picture courtesy of Manager Online

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand mobilises flood aid for Nan, Phayao, Lamphun

Thailand's Interior Ministry has ordered round-the-clock emergency assistance for residents of Nan, Phayao and Lamphun after the prime minister instructed agencies to accelerate flood aid on 19 August 2026.

The immediate operational focus is Nan, where flash floods have led authorities to step up rescue work. Officials have been told to continue moving people considered at risk from affected areas and to act swiftly on requests for help.

Rescue assets sent to Nan

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department's lower-northern regional units have been instructed to send every jet ski and flat-bottomed boat to Nan without delay. A KA32 helicopter has also been ordered to remain on standby for relief operations in the province.

Authorities must coordinate with the Highways Department, police and local volunteers to guide vehicles carrying equipment and staff into affected areas quickly. The deployment covers drinking-water production vehicles, field kitchens, tools, other equipment and personnel.

Nan can seek additional support if needed, and the ministry says it must be transported and delivered urgently. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has been told to follow the situation closely.

Social-media pleas to be monitored

Ministry staff have also been ordered to monitor every social-media channel where residents post appeals for assistance. The instruction is to reach people urgently and not leave them waiting for initial relief.

The prime minister has also ordered that basic public utilities be properly maintained. Every province, district and local administrative organisation must assess conditions; if water is expected to increase at any location, residents must be warned and evacuated from their homes as quickly as possible.

Anyone in an at-risk area should follow warnings from local authorities and their accommodation, avoid flooded routes and seek help promptly if they need evacuation or assistance. Keep essential medicines, travel documents and a charged phone ready if asked to leave.

People should monitor official local updates, while those needing urgent support should use the channels indicated by local authorities. The ministry says social-media appeals will be monitored as part of the response.

AQNK31ae7vdUeb8rsiAeuj9IJ71Vaxn4XVAvJaHxW0BGPn9AMza9ICXida3mefgZnWvQWRNX9h3Nzb2YjEvwGubYbEiACCCTiMhGGuzGJQ.mp4

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thai cannabis smuggler freed after 16 weeks in UK

Glasgow influencer Ellie Crampsie has been released from prison after serving 16 weeks of a 16-month sentence for smuggling cannabis from Thailand into Scotland.

The 23-year-old, who has thousands of social-media followers, was jailed at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on April 24. She was stopped at Edinburgh Airport on April 16 last year after flying from Thailand via Paris on an Air France flight.

Border Force officers found more than 17kg, of cannabis in vacuum-sealed packages in her suitcase. The drugs had a street value of up to GBP151,000.

For foreigners travelling from Thailand, the case is a reminder that legal treatment of cannabis varies sharply between countries. Carrying cannabis across an international border can lead to criminal penalties, regardless of rules in the country of departure.

Released under home detention curfew

Crampsie, of Broomhouse in Glasgow, qualified for early release under Scotland's Home Detention Curfew scheme. A Scottish Government amendment passed last October made short-term prisoners eligible after serving 15 per cent of their sentence, rather than a quarter.

In her case, this meant she could have been released after less than two-and-a-half months. The amendment also increased the maximum curfew period from 180 to 210 days.

The Scottish Prison Service said it does not comment on individuals, but said releases on Home Detention Curfew follow a "careful and considered assessment of risk" with monitoring and restrictions in place.

The Scottish Government said eligible prisoners who pass risk assessments by the Scottish Prison Service and Justice Social Work may serve the final part of a custodial sentence under the scheme. They remain subject to licence conditions and a nightly curfew, and can be recalled to prison if they breach them.

Festival posts draw criticism

Crampsie returned to social media after her release, posting pictures from Coloursfest, a dance music festival held on August 15 and 16. Her Instagram image, taken beside the Braehead Waterfront, showed her in a leather-look khaki halterneck top and hotpants, with beige suede boots.

It was her first Instagram post since sentencing. On TikTok, she posted footage of herself dancing to Drop the Pressure, after resuming video posts around a week earlier. The clip was her first TikTok post since April 22, days before sentencing.

She was pictured at the festival despite being tagged and under a nightly curfew.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr called it a "shocking example of the SNP's soft-touch justice system in action".

"The public will be outraged that this drug dealer was free to do what she wants after serving a fraction of the sentence she was given," he said, claiming she had benefited from a weakening of the justice system.

Sheriff Graeme Watson accepted that Crampsie had been "naive and potentially taken advantage of" by a former partner involved in drugs. He said she had a lesser degree of culpability and that there had been a power imbalance in the relationship, but described her conduct as "reckless".

Crampsie pleaded guilty in March to being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.


Picture courtesy of Daily Mall

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Phuket CCTV shows woman urinating at Karon shop

A CCTV recording shared by Phuket Times shows an unidentified foreign woman urinating at the entrance of a beachwear shop in Phuket's Karon area.

The footage was posted on the Phuket Times Facebook page, but did not state the exact date or time when the incident occurred.

What the footage shows

In the video, the woman, who was wearing white shorts and top, walks to the shop and stops at its entrance. She then pulls down her shorts, urinates and walks away.


Picture courtesy of Phuket Times

Near the end of the recording, an elderly woman who appeared to look after the store can be seen slowly approaching to check what had happened.

The woman has not been publicly identified. Phuket Times did not report whether the shop owner had made a complaint to police.

Public toilets and possible penalties

Public urination and defecation are offences in Thailand under public cleanliness and public nuisance rules. Fines are generally small, typically amounting to a few thousand baht, and cases are usually handled by municipal officers rather than police.

A Phuket restaurant owner previously complained that a foreign woman had defecated outside his premises, saying she was not the first person to do so. He and several Thai social media users pointed to a shortage of public toilets as a contributing factor, and urged officials to provide more facilities for tourists.

Visitors who cannot find public facilities should be aware that venues, shopping areas and restaurants may have their own toilet arrangements, while public behaviour that causes a nuisance can draw complaints from business owners or local authorities.

AQP0uRwxfWDsRLnurYwdCNQO9XHG_KAD90nZY2KZf1fX9c52AsEoSeelfzfmvow5r0qWv6rJhufOxuQtDJl2XTVXaWYTkaN28IPEx9VkQA.mp4

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand reviews pardon rules after drug trafficker freed

Thailand's justice minister has ordered a review of pardon criteria after public anger over the release of Laota Saenlee, an 85-year-old convicted drug trafficker who served less than a decade of a life sentence.

Laota was freed on Friday from a maximum-security prison just north of Bangkok, following a series of royal pardons that reduced his sentence to below the nearly 10 years he had served, the Corrections Department said on Monday 17 August 2026.

The department described him as a "former key drug offender" and said his age and good behaviour had qualified him for release. Local authorities will monitor him after his release, it added.

Pardon process under scrutiny

Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat said on Tuesday that he had asked the Corrections Department to clarify the facts surrounding Laota's pardon and release.

"The officials followed the (pardon) criteria but there are some flaws in the criteria," Rutthapon told reporters, adding that a review was underway.

Laota's release drew widespread criticism on social media. Rewat Klinkesorn, a former narcotics police chief who once investigated him, told local media, that he was "shocked that a major drugs dealer was released so early".

"The corrections department should improve their regulations. He should not be classified as a good inmate because he is a major drugs dealer," Rewat said.

Links to the Golden Triangle trade

Laota, a former anti-communist guerrilla linked to powerful Myanmar drug kingpins, was arrested by undercover officers in 2016 for selling crystal meth in the Golden Triangle drug-producing region. He was convicted in 2017.

Before that conviction, he had been detained several times over the years, but authorities had not managed to make charges stick.

The Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet, has long been a centre for some of the world's most prolific illicit-drug producers. Organised crime groups move an estimated tens of billions of dollars' worth of heroin, methamphetamine and ketamine from the region each year.

From child soldier to convicted trafficker

Laota, who is from the Lisu ethnic minority, joined China's anti-communist Kuomintang as a child soldier and rose through its ranks, according to a 2011 Bangkok Post interview.

Like many Kuomintang cadres, he later fought for Thailand against communist insurgents during the 1970s in exchange for sanctuary. He was widely thought to have had ties to Khun Sa, a Myanmar-based rebel leader who died in 2007 and was one of the world's most wanted drug traffickers.


Picture courtesy of AFP

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand ranks third in 2026 expat living survey

Thailand has been ranked the world's third most popular country for foreigners to live in during 2026, according to InterNations' survey of expats in 31 countries.

The country was rated particularly strongly for affordable living costs and the friendliness of local people. However, traffic was identified as Thailand's main weak point in the survey results reported by CH7 on 16 August.

Panama took first place for the third consecutive year, followed by Mexico. The United Arab Emirates and Brazil completed the top five.

Why Thailand scored so highly

InterNations surveyed foreigners who had moved abroad for work or to live, assessing quality of life, ease of settling into a new environment, working abroad, personal finances, housing and digital services.

Thailand had the highest score for cost of living, with 85% of respondents giving a positive assessment. That figure was twice the global average, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, 86% of expatriates in Thailand said they were happy with their life abroad, making Thailand the country where foreign residents were happiest overall.

The survey said friendliness and affordable living were the most influential factors among this year's highest-ranked destinations. Seven of the top 10 were also among the easiest places for foreigners to settle, while five ranked highly for managing personal finances.

What this means for foreigners in Thailand

For expats considering Thailand, the findings underline why the country remains attractive to retirees, families, remote workers and people relocating with Thai partners: everyday spending can be manageable compared with many Western countries, while social life and local hospitality are widely valued.

The results do not remove practical challenges, however. Traffic remains a daily consideration, particularly in Bangkok and other major urban areas, and newcomers still need to ensure they have the appropriate visa, healthcare cover and accommodation arrangements before moving.

Bethan Jeentipraphet, a British mother of two, moved from Devon with her Thai husband in 2024, initially intending to stay for only one year. She said that after two weeks she no longer wanted to return.

She said Thailand could offer a highly rewarding life experience for foreigners prepared to embrace Thai culture and follow cultural norms. Jeentipraphet also said the Thai education system had helped transform her son, adding that respect was highly important in Thai culture.

Aaron Henry, who moved to Thailand from Los Angeles 11 years ago, said Bangkok had become more modern over the past decade while retaining its traditional culture. He cited international restaurants, parks, art galleries and luxury shopping centres.

Full InterNations ranking for 2026

Panama
Mexico
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
Brazil
Spain
Singapore
Portugal
Malaysia
Luxembourg
Australia
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
France
Belgium
Denmark
Poland
Ireland
Japan
United States
Netherlands
Switzerland
Austria
Italy
Czech Republic
Sweden
Canada
United Kingdom
Turkey
Germany
Norway

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Suvarnabhumi Auto Gates to add 31 nationalities

Suvarnabhumi Airport is preparing to allow travellers from 31 additional nationalities to use its Auto Gate immigration lanes by the end of August. The move is intended to ease pressure at Thailand's busiest international arrival points.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun led a site visit and briefing at the airport, attended by officials from the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Transport Ministry.

The Immigration Bureau has approved the planned expansion in principle. Authorities selected the additional nationalities using entry-refusal data, countries' positions in the Henley Passport Index and security assessments. Final details on those eligible will be released by the government, when each agency has completed the final signed off of the proposal..

Who will be able to use the gates

The expansion is expected to create about 6.5 million visitors, as potential Auto Gate users, in addition to 900,000 long-term visa holders. Once fully operational, officials expect the gates to process 53% of arriving passengers, with the remaining 47% using staffed immigration counters.

First-time arrivals will still need to go to an immigration counter to have their biometrics recorded before they can use the automated system on later trips. The gates will open in stages as each part of the system becomes ready and biometric records allow.

Plans to reduce immigration queues

Suvarnabhumi handles around 190,000 passengers a day during peak season, falling to between 140,000 and 150,000 in the low season. International arrivals account for roughly 70,000 passengers daily.

Immigration is busiest from 1pm to 5pm, when between 5,000 and 6,000 passengers an hour pass through. Airport authorities said they will immediately use all three immigration zones, redirect passengers, open a central hall and deploy more officers during the busiest periods.

Suphajee said agencies involved would address immediate problems at Suvarnabhumi, while matters requiring legislation or longer-term investment would be referred to the government level.

Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana also warned tourists against filing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card through unofficial websites. She said such sites may charge fees or pose a fraud risk, whereas the official system is free.

Travellers should therefore be wary of third-party arrival-card services and confirm they are using Thailand's official online system before entering passport or travel details.

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Hat Yai police defend fines for Malaysian bikers

Hat Yai police have rejected claims that Malaysian motorcyclists were unfairly targeted, saying nine of 17 bikes in a touring group were found to have broken Thai traffic laws.

The dispute followed a viral Facebook video by a Malaysian account named "Tok Singa", which alleged that the group had received 15 tickets, totalling about 15,000 baht and called on Malaysians to boycott Hat Yai in Songkhla province.

Police say nine motorcycles breached regulations

Police Senior Sergeant Major Weerasak Phansalaeman, a Hat Yai traffic officer who appeared in the video and runs the Facebook page "Ja Wee Hat Yai", said the group was stopped after officers saw about 17 Malaysian motorcycles travelling past Hat Yai Police Station.

He said some bikes appeared to have modified rear lights that flashed, while others had excessively loud exhausts. The group was followed and stopped at the Saphan Dam intersection before being invited to Hat Yai Police Station for checks on documents, compulsory insurance, driving licences and vehicle equipment.



According to Sgt Maj Weerasak, nine motorcycles were found to have committed offences. Police issued nine tickets with total fines of 12,000 baht, rather than the 15 tickets and 15,000 baht claimed in the Facebook post.

Individual fines ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 baht, depending on the offence, he said.

Claims over delays, fines and digital licences

The Tok Singa post claimed that a single traffic officer took almost three hours to inspect the group. It also alleged that riders were threatened with detention if fines were not paid quickly, that their exhausts were factory-fitted, and that digital driving licences were not accepted.

Sgt Maj Weerasak said the viral account had distorted some facts. He maintained that officers acted politely, followed legal procedures and did not single out Malaysian visitors or otherwise harass tourists.

He said exhaust noise was measured using legally prescribed equipment. Officers checked either a factory plate showing the permitted noise level, with an allowance of plus five decibels, or used the vehicle registration year where no plate was present.

For motorcycles registered before 2024, the maximum level is 95 decibels. Those registered from 1 January 2024 onwards must not exceed 90 decibels. He said the rules were clearly explained to the visitors.

What visiting riders should check

The case is a reminder for foreign riders entering Thailand, including regular Malaysian visitors to Hat Yai, that home-country vehicle standards do not override Thai road rules. Riders should ensure their licences, insurance and vehicle equipment comply, and be aware that modified lights and exhaust noise can lead to fines.

Sgt Maj Weerasak said visitors should study and respect the traffic laws of countries they visit. While he acknowledged concerns over Hat Yai's tourism image, he said officers must uphold the law and believed the incident would not affect overall tourism, as most visitors comply with regulations.

After the fines were paid, the atmosphere was reported to be friendly. The group took photographs together, and members asked Sgt Maj Weerasak to post a video of the incident on his personal Facebook page.


Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Din Daeng probe finds 1,366 non-Thai children registered

Seven people, including three government officials, have been arrested after an investigation found 1,366 non-Thai children listed in household registrations at Din Daeng apartments in Bangkok.

More than 100 officers searched seven locations on Tuesday, August 18, in an operation called "Clearing House in Central Bangkok". It was led by Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma and Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom.

Unusual registration transfers flagged

The case began when the Department of Provincial Administration's DOPA N.I.C.E. task force examined the Din Daeng District Office between April and June. It found unusually high numbers of people being moved onto a small number of household registrations.

Investigators then checked 5,726 rooms at the Din Daeng flats and found at least 1,366 non-Thai children, aged from five to 15, recorded at addresses there.

Police allege that officials and intermediaries approved large numbers of registration transfers in short periods, despite system alerts showing that multiple people were registered at individual addresses.

Investigators also said they found evidence of documents being signed in advance and of forged householder signatures. These documents were allegedly used to support applications for identification cards for people without Thai nationality.

Officials, broker and householder arrested

Evidence was submitted to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, which issued seven arrest warrants.

Those detained include three government officials, a householder, an intermediary, a broker and a person alleged to have certified a signature. Police did not release their names or specify the charges.

All seven were taken for further legal proceedings, while investigators continue to look for others who may have been involved.

The operation follows a government directive to examine alleged corruption in civil-registration records and possible security implications.

Why the registrations matter

Authorities said people entered into the registration system may become eligible for a pink card, an identification document for people without Thai nationality. Under Thai law, the document can provide access to rights including basic education, healthcare and certain financial transactions.

Officials warned that fraudulently obtained registrations or identification documents could be used in mule-account schemes, online scams or transnational criminal networks.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

Related story

Fake-father-probe-DOPA-checks-1500-Bangkok-records

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Bang Bua Thong shooting range death under investigation

A 36-year-old man from Nonthaburi died after shooting himself at a firearms range in Bang Bua Thong district on 18 August, police said. Relatives told officers he had a history of depression and believe his illness may have been a factor.

Police were called to the shooting range on Kanchanaphisek Road in Bang Bua Thong subdistrict, Nonthaburi, after being notified that a person had died there.

Bang Bua Thong police superintendent Pol Col Thansakorn Konthong led the response, alongside Pol Lt Col Chanathip Phanthong, Pol Lt Col Sirodom Sripanya, Bang Bua Thong district chief Pairoj Chuengthanacharoen and senior district officer Yotsawat Khongmee.

Forensic officers, doctors from the Central Institute of Forensic Science and Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers were also sent to the scene.

Police examine the shooting range

The man's body was found at the far end of the range's target area. He was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, and had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

A firearm was found beside him and was retained as evidence. The body was later due to be taken to the Central Institute of Forensic Science for a detailed post-mortem examination.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

Chai, a range employee who witnessed the events, told police that the man had rented a gun at the facility. He said staff stopped him when he attempted to take it outside the range.

The man then asked to go outside for a cigarette, Chai said. Staff again warned him not to take the firearm out of the range, but he later entered the target area and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the employee's account. Police secured the area while forensic officers and other agencies carried out their examination.

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.


Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thailand rejects full SpaceX ownership of Starlink

Thailand is preparing a framework that could allow Starlink and other foreign satellite operators to offer services in the country, but SpaceX will not be permitted to own a Thai satellite telecommunications operation outright.

The government says its refusal to accept 100% foreign ownership is based on national security, sovereignty and the need for Thai oversight of critical communications infrastructure, rather than opposition to Starlink itself.

Foreign satellite services under Thai oversight

The National Space Policy Committee began work on a new space-sector framework at its first meeting on August 17, including draft "landing rights" rules for foreign satellites seeking to provide services in Thailand.

The policy would separate three areas of authorisation: landing rights, gateway operations and satellite services. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, or NBTC, has previously proposed replacing a system with an exclusive character with these separate permissions.

Officials say this could allow more consumer and business choice in communications services while retaining controls intended to protect users, competition, national security and Thailand's interests.

The dispute over SpaceX's ownership structure first became public in November 2025. On November 6 that year, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob met SpaceX executives to discuss possible cooperation, Thailand's space policies and the possible introduction of Starlink services.

Chaichanok later said SpaceX wanted to establish its own Thai company without a local partner and retain complete ownership. According to the minister, the company said it would not invest unless it could operate under that structure.

Rules on foreign ownership remain firm

Thailand rejected that condition, saying a wholly foreign-owned operation connected to satellite telecommunications and digital infrastructure could not be accepted under legal and national-security considerations.

The Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) sets conditions for foreign business participation, while industries governed by specific legislation must also comply with those laws. The government is also seeking to prevent nominee arrangements being used to hide foreign control.

Since August 1, 2026, the Department of Business Development has stepped up checks on company shareholders and directors after incorporation, targeting structures where Thai nationals may be used as nominees.

The concerns are heightened by Starlink's use of low-Earth-orbit, or LEO, satellites. Such systems can cover wide areas without conventional terrestrial networks, making them relevant not only to internet access but also to emergency communications and national infrastructure.

Thailand repeated its position during trade talks with the United States. Vice Minister for Commerce Kirida Bhaopichitr said the government did not want a US company to establish a wholly foreign-owned LEO satellite telecommunications business.

"Only one business sector is one that we genuinely do not want the United States to enter through full investment: low-Earth-orbit satellite telecommunications services, because this is a sovereignty issue," she said.

"Essentially, there is only one US company seeking this, which is SpaceX."

Wider plans for Thailand's space economy

The committee is also pursuing a broader strategy covering the space economy, security and technology. This includes surveillance systems, space traffic management, Earth-observation satellite research and a feasibility study for a proposed Thailand Spaceport.

Satellite data could support agriculture, disaster management and PM2.5 monitoring. The government also plans to revise the draft Space Activities Act and update the National Space Master Plan for 2023-2037.

Companies licensed to use Thailand's satellite orbital rights may also be required to provide free capacity for state missions and public services under the State Use and Public Services concept.

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

South African dies after HYROX Bangkok collapse

South African fitness coach Leroy Saunders has died after collapsing while competing in the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Saunders, 41, lost consciousness during the competition on 13 August. Event staff gave him emergency assistance and CPR before he was taken to hospital, where he later died.

His family and team confirmed his death in a statement posted on Saunders' personal Instagram account on 18 August.

Family asks for time and information

The family said it was still trying to understand fully the circumstances surrounding Saunders' death. It asked HYROX and other media outlets not to make statements until further information had been confirmed.

"Until the last second of this moment, Leroy lived his life without regret or hesitation," the family statement said.



It described Saunders as someone who had made a positive difference to hundreds, and possibly thousands, of people over the course of his career.

The family also thanked the fitness communities that had supported him. It said further details, including arrangements to celebrate his life, would be released when appropriate.

A coach in Bangkok's combat sports community

Saunders owned IAOT CrossFit in Bangkok and worked as a fitness and CrossFit coach in Thailand. He was particularly known for strength and conditioning work with combat athletes.

He also founded Fight by Design, a physical training programme for Muay Thai fighters, mixed martial arts competitors and boxers.

For the many foreign residents involved in Bangkok's CrossFit, martial arts and endurance-sport communities, Saunders was part of an international fitness scene that draws coaches and athletes from overseas.

What HYROX involves

HYROX is an indoor fitness race combining running with functional exercise stations. Its standard format involves eight 1km runs, each followed by a workout challenge, testing endurance, strength and conditioning.

The BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 competition ran from 13 to 16 August at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.


Join the discussion?


19 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Police update details of murder of Pattaya teenager

Thai police say a post-mortem examination found that 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, known as Cake, died from suffocation and suffered a brain injury.

Australian national Simon Carman, 45, has been held in custody since his arrest at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport in late June, when police say he was trying to board a flight to Australia. He faces four charges, including murder.

Police say case is nearly complete

Pattaya City Police Station superintendent Police Colonel Anek Srathongyoo told the ABC, in an exclusive interview, that investigators were close to completing their case.

"The autopsy report said that Cake had a brain injury and she suffocated. She had no other injuries," he said.

Police allege Carman picked up Tunchanok near Pattaya Beach during the early hours of June 25. Her naked body was discovered two days later inside a suitcase dumped near railway tracks, around a 10-minute drive from Carman's accommodation.

Colonel Anek said police had collected Carman's DNA and matched it with DNA found on the teenager's body. Officers also retraced her final movements to the hotel room she entered with him.



He said investigators expected to conclude their work by Friday, August 21, and send the file to prosecutors. Prosecutors then had until September 18 to indict Carman, while a court date had not yet been set.

"I think we have collected 100 per cent of the evidence," Colonel Anek said, adding that the court could consider a sentence quickly once the case was presented.

Carman denies killing teenager

Police initially charged Carman in June with taking a minor for the purpose of committing an indecent act. He has since been charged with four offences, including moving a body, taking a minor for sexual purposes and murder.

Carman has denied killing Tunchanok. Police previously said he had fingernail scratches across his body consistent with a struggle, but that he claimed she disappeared from the room while he was asleep.

He also reportedly told authorities he acted in self-defence, alleging Tunchanok threatened him with a knife.

Thai media reported that Carman said he did not know her before meeting her in Pattaya and going to his condominium. He said they agreed a payment of 1,000 baht, but argued after he offered 500 baht instead. Police confirmed they believe there had been an argument over money but declined to provide further details.

In a video recorded while he was in custody in June, Carman told the family he felt bad for "what happened to your daughter", saying it was "out of my control".

Family calls for justice

Tunchanok's father, Thongchai Donhomla, said he was relieved by the reported progress but lacked the legal knowledge and money to pursue proceedings himself.

"I don't ask for much. I just hope my child gets the justice she deserves," he said.

Her great-aunt, Mee Bonsert, said she wanted the killer to face the death penalty if found guilty: "I want a life for a life."

Carman is being held at Pattaya Remand Prison, where he shares a cell with at least 60 inmates, according to Pattaya Special Prison commander Phatsaphong Jaiklongklaeo. He is the prison's only Australian inmate and has received no visitors apart from Australian embassy staff.

Police timeline of the murder investigation

June 25, 3:34am:  CCTV footage from a condo lobby shows Mr Carman and Ms Tunchanok walking hand-in-hand and entering an elevator.

June 25, 9:25pm to 9:48pm:  CCTV captures Mr Carman dragging a large suitcase out of his room and leaving the condo on a motorcycle with the suitcase strapped to the back. He then sped alongside the railway tracks, disappearing from view for nine minutes.

June 25, 9:57pm to 10:06pm: CCTV footage shows Mr Carman returning to the accommodation.

June 26, 11:36am: A friend lodged a missing person report for Ms Tunchanok, telling police they had last seen her with a foreign man.

June 26, 2:26pm: Mr Carman is seen leaving his condo.

June 26, no time provided:  Police gather evidence to request an arrest warrant from the Pattaya Court. Officers reportedly find a passport belonging to Mr Carmen, during the inspection of a hotel room.

June 27, 1:15am:  Investigative teams from the Pattaya City Police Station and the Immigration Bureau arrest Mr Carman at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

June 27, 1:30am:  Police discover a suitcase near railway tracks about a 10-minute drive from Mr Carman's hotel, which contains Ms Tunchanok's body.


Picture courtesy of ABC News

Join the discussion?


19 August 2026

Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

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