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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.

Pattaya police hunt gold snatcher after mall threat

Pattaya police are searching for a man accused of snatching a two-baht-weight gold necklace on the evening of 17 July 2026, from a gold shop on the second floor of a shopping centre in Pattaya, Chonburi.

The suspect allegedly threatened staff before running from the shop, saying he needed money to repay football gambling debts. Police said they are reviewing CCTV footage.

Suspect left an ID card behind

Police Lieutenant Colonel Sudet Imjai, investigation inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, received the report of the theft. He informed his superiors before Police Lieutenant Colonel Anek Srathongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, led investigators and patrol officers to the scene.

The theft took place at Yaowarat Bangkok Gold on the second floor of the shopping centre in the north Pattaya area.

A female employee told officers that the suspect was a tall, thin man wearing a black T-shirt. He fled through the front of the shopping centre with one gold necklace weighing two baht.

He left behind an identity card, although police had not established whether it belonged to the alleged offender or is real.

Employee describes alleged threat

Wunsen, 22, an employee at the shop, said the man initially asked to try on a three-baht-weight necklace. He then returned it and asked to wear a two-baht-weight chain.

She said he then told staff: "Do not make a loud noise. I do not want to kill anyone. I am in debt from football gambling and only need the money to pay the debt."

The man then ran towards the front of the centre, she said. Staff activated the alarm and police began efforts to intercept him.

Investigators will now use security camera footage to trace the suspect and seek his arrest for legal proceedings.

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18 July 2026
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Chinese man held in Pattaya over pyramid scheme case

Thai Immigration Bureau investigators have revoked the permission to stay of Chinese national Jiang Liping, after Chinese authorities identified him as the subject of an Interpol Red Notice over an alleged pyramid scheme.

Immigration police said on July 17 that Jiang, who is also facing an arrest warrant in China, had been detained at a property in Nong Prue, after investigators from Division 2 of the Immigration Bureau Investigation Division gathered evidence to support the cancellation of his permission to remain in Thailand.

The case concerns KP International Group, an online platform alleged to have attracted investors with promises of high returns.

Alleged scheme involved thousands of investors

Investigators said Jiang and others established an organisation operating as a pyramid scheme and multi-level marketing network. Investors were encouraged to put money into online platforms, websites and applications, while members were required to recruit further participants.



Authorities found that more than 31,580 people had invested across eight levels of the scheme. More than 3,261 people were allegedly harmed, with losses put at more than 939 million yuan.

Jiang, described by police as the founder and executive, is alleged to have received more than 31 million yuan from the operation. Police said the money was subsequently used to buy property, insurance and vehicles, as well as for personal spending.

China requested international action

Chinese authorities opened criminal proceedings and issued an Interpol Red Notice requesting member countries to locate and detain Jiang.

An Interpol Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or other legal action. It is not itself an international arrest warrant.

Travel records showed that Jiang most recently entered Thailand on August 30, 2019, through Don Mueang Airport Immigration Checkpoint. He was later granted permission to remain in the kingdom on a Non-O immigration visa.

For foreign residents, the case is a reminder that a Thai visa or extension of stay can be cancelled where immigration authorities identify serious overseas criminal allegations or international police alerts. A visa does not prevent Thai authorities from taking action under immigration law or coordinating a handover with another country.

Immigration investigators said they had submitted evidence to revoke Jiang's permission to stay and would proceed under Thai law while coordinating his transfer through the relevant procedures.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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18 July 2026
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Thai group seeks return rule for pregnant migrants

A Thai activist group is preparing a petition calling for a law that would require pregnant migrant workers to return to their home countries to give birth. The Thai Mai Thon group hopes to collect at least 100,000 Thai signatures before submitting its demand to the Labour Ministry and Senate.

The group says it announced the launch through its Thai Mai Thon page and the Facebook page of its leader, Akkarawut Buranaphan, known as Tae Achiwa.

This political campaign highlights growing scrutiny of migrant-worker welfare, family dependants and public services - issues that could eventually affect employers and foreign families if policy proposals advance.

Petition targets births and family dependants

Akkarawut said the signatures would accompany a letter asking the Labour Ministry to act, while the Senate would be asked to send the issue to its labour committee and invite the labour minister for discussions.

He argued that Thailand needs workers but should not accept accompanying dependants as a burden. He also called for the removal of rules allowing migrant workers to bring family members to live in Thailand.

Akkarawut cited Singapore, Taiwan and Israel as countries which, he said, send Thai workers home if they become pregnant and admit workers without their families. He claimed migrant workers may seek to settle in Thailand and that births here create economic and security concerns.

Education and healthcare rights criticised

The Economic Party is separately campaigning for the government to review or repeal a Cabinet resolution of 5 July 2005. That resolution allows all children in Thailand, including those without household-registration documents or Thai nationality, to enter education at every level with state per-head funding equal to Thai children.

Children born in Thailand without Thai nationality can access 15 years of basic education, from kindergarten to upper secondary school or an equivalent course. The reported state subsidy, including teaching, books, equipment, uniforms and activities, ranges from about 10,000 to 50,000 baht per child annually, depending on the level.

The party puts the number of such children in the education system at around 150,000 to 200,000, with annual education spending estimated at 2-3 billion baht. Tassanan Sirilertmekasakul, the Economic Party's deputy spokesperson, said the party would seek a separate accounting of migrant children's education costs from the overall 20-billion-baht annual education budget cited in the report.

Social Security benefits cited in debate

The party said Section 33 Social Security members who have contributed for at least 12 months can receive 1,000 baht a month per child from birth until age six, for up to three children. A fourth child can qualify once an older child has passed six.

It also cites maternity payments of 15,000 baht per birth, with no limit on claims, and 50 per cent of wages for 90 days for female insured workers, up to two claims. Daily migrant wages were put at 337-400 baht, or roughly 9,000-12,000 baht monthly, with contributions of 600 baht a month.


Picture courtesy of Manager Online

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18 July 2026
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Patong police detain Australian over road skateboarding

Patong police have detained an Australian man after officers saw him skateboarding on a public road in Phuket town. The man, whose name was not released, was apprehended and Police cited safety concerns and local traffic laws after spotting him using the road with his skateboard.

Taken to investigation unit

Phuket Tourist Police told Phuket Express that the Australian was taken into custody along with his skateboard and escorted to the investigation unit for legal proceedings.

Authorities said the matter would be dealt with under Thai law. The report did not specify the particular charge or any potential penalty.

The case follows a reminder from local officials that skateboarding and similar recreational activities should be limited to designated areas rather than public roads.

Officials said road-use violations can endanger both tourists and other people in the community, particularly in busy areas such as Patong where traffic, pedestrians, motorcycles and tour vehicles often share limited space.

Reminder for visitors and residents

For foreigners visiting or living in Thailand, the incident is a practical warning that activities considered harmless or routine elsewhere may draw police attention when carried out on public roads.

Holidaymakers and expats using skateboards, scooters, bicycles or other recreational equipment should be particularly cautious in tourist centres, where enforcement can be swift if officers believe road safety rules have been breached.

Patong's streets can be congested throughout the day and evening, while the area's nightlife and high pedestrian numbers can add further risks after dark. Visitors should use officially designated spaces where available and avoid treating roads as recreation areas.

The authorities' message was directed at visitors generally: recreational activity must not interfere with traffic or create a danger to road users and pedestrians.

No further details about the Australian man's case, including the outcome of the legal proceedings, were released.

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Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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18 July 2026
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Thailand seeks China and Europe flights to Surat Thani

Thailand's Transport Ministry is pursuing direct international flights from China and Europe to Surat Thani Airport, alongside a luggage-transfer system for passengers continuing to Koh Samui.

The proposals, discussed on Thursday, July 16, 2026, are intended to relieve pressure on Bangkok's main airports, improve access to the upper South and direct more tourism income towards Surat Thani and neighbouring provinces.

Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit chaired the meeting with Suparerk Thongsuk, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, and a working group looking at ways to stimulate the regional tourism economy.

Direct arrivals proposed for Surat Thani

Expanding international air links was identified as a central priority, with participants agreeing to accelerate efforts to secure direct services from China and Europe to Surat Thani Airport.

If introduced, the flights would allow overseas visitors to enter southern Thailand without first passing through Bangkok, potentially making onward travel to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and other destinations in the region more straightforward.

For foreign residents, tourists and prospective property buyers in Samui and the surrounding islands, the proposal could eventually offer an alternative to connecting through Bangkok or flying directly to Samui. However, no airlines, routes or launch dates have been confirmed.

Bags could go straight to hotels

The ministry also wants airlines and private operators to develop a seamless baggage-transfer service between Surat Thani Airport, ferry services, hotels and other destinations on Koh Samui.

Under the proposed arrangement, arriving passengers would not need to wait at the airport baggage carousel. They could travel directly to the ferry terminal while their luggage underwent required screening, sorting and transfer procedures.

Bags could then be collected at the pier or delivered to a passenger's hotel or final destination on Koh Samui. The plan is meant to remove the inconvenience of handling luggage across air, road and ferry connections.

By linking air, land and sea transport, the ministry says it aims to create a new standard for tourism logistics and make journeys to Koh Samui faster and more convenient.

Officials told to begin talks

Phattrapong said the direct-flight and baggage-transfer plans were important for raising revenue at Surat Thani Airport and supporting businesses in Surat Thani, Koh Samui and nearby provinces.

He instructed the Department of Airports to begin discussions as soon as possible with airlines, immigration authorities, customs officials and private-sector operators. The talks will address operational efficiency and whether the airport and connected transport services can provide faster, genuinely seamless travel.

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18 July 2026
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Songkhla operators urge delay to 300-baht entry fee

Tourism operators in southern Thailand have urged the government to postpone a proposed 300-baht tourist entry fee, saying it could deter cross-border travel and duplicate insurance already arranged for visitors.

The proposal was discussed at a tourism development meeting in Hat Yai chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul. Government agencies, private-sector representatives, the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce, tourism associations and hotel operators attended the meeting.

Businesses seek fuller review

Songchai Mungprasitchai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, said tourism businesses wanted the government to delay the charge and carry out a more comprehensive study before proceeding.

He said one concern was that the proposed fee could overlap with travel insurance already supplied by tour operators. The issue is particularly relevant to organised visitors whose travel packages may already include insurance cover.

For foreigners planning trips to Thailand, the calls underline that the 300-baht charge remains under discussion rather than an announced new requirement. Travellers using land borders, especially those making short visits, would be among those most directly affected if it were introduced.

Daily Malaysia border travel is a concern

Mr Songchai said the greatest concern involved the southern border provinces, where large numbers of people travel daily between Thailand and Malaysia for trade, work, dining and short visits.

A fee levied on every traveller could add up for people who cross frequently, including foreign residents and visitors based on either side of the border. It could also affect tourists making brief overland trips rather than longer holidays in Thailand.

The meeting was convened to discuss measures to make border crossings easier and improve safety, alongside wider tourism development issues.

Call for a vehicle-based charge

Mr Songchai urged the government to consider charging per vehicle instead of per traveller. Such an approach, he said, would better reflect the realities of high-volume daily crossings in the south.

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18 July 2026
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Concrete slab kills worker at Bang Na renovation site

A concrete slab fell in a building being renovated in Bangkok's Bang Na district on Friday morning, 17 July, killing one Myanmar worker and seriously injuring another.

The incident happened at a site on Sukhumvit 66/1 in the Bang Na Nuea area at about 9.50am on July 17. Authorities are investigating what caused the slab to fall.



The Phra Ram Radio Centre received the alert and sent firefighters and rescue teams from Phra Khanong fire and rescue station to the scene.

Rescue teams find one worker trapped

Initial reports said two men had sustained severe injuries in the collapse. One was taken to Ruamchai Rak Hospital for treatment.
The second man was trapped beneath the fallen concrete structure. He was later pronounced dead, with rescue workers working for some time, to recover his body.


Picture courtesy of Bangkokpost

Bang Na district office identified the injured man as Aung Moe Thu, 28, a Myanmar national. The worker who died was named as Zin Min Thet Aung, 32, also a Myanmar national.

Building had renovation approval

According to the district office, the building had received permission for structural modifications on June 10.

No cause for the failure has yet been confirmed. Officials were examining the site as part of their investigation into the accident.



The incident occurred in a busy Sukhumvit-side neighbourhood of Bang Na, an area used by residents, office workers and visitors travelling through eastern Bangkok. Foreign residents and tourists passing construction or renovation sites are generally advised to follow site barriers and warning signs, particularly where work is under way above street level.

The case also highlights the risks faced by migrant labourers, including workers from Myanmar, who make up a significant part of Thailand's construction workforce. Authorities have not announced whether any action will follow against those responsible for the renovation site while the investigation remains under way.


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18 July 2026
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US Section 301 tariff could hit Thai exports

Thailand could face a significant blow to exports if proposed US Section 301 tariffs take effect after 24 July, according to Pachara Naripthaphan, a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission board.

Speaking on 17 July, Pachara said Thailand's proposed 12.5% rate would exceed the 10% rates facing Indonesia and Malaysia. He urged the government to address structural weaknesses rather than relying solely on economic stimulus.

Thailand is currently subject to a 10% US tariff under Section 122, the same rate applied to other ASEAN countries. That measure expires automatically after 150 days, on 24 July.

Pachara said the proposed higher rate for Thailand reflects its classification among countries without effective enforcement measures against goods made with forced labour. Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam are in the same group, he said.

Exports have been carrying the economy

Thai exports rose 23.1% in April before slowing to 10.6% in May, supported by electronics and advance orders placed before US tariff measures took effect. Pachara said the broader domestic picture was weaker, with growth being driven by exports and investment rather than recovering household purchasing power.

Thailand recorded a current-account deficit of US$7.6 billion in May, while household debt remained high at 85.9% of GDP.
The US was Thailand's largest export market from January to May 2026. Exports to the US totalled about US$38 billion, or 23.5% of all Thai exports, up 40.3% on the same period a year earlier.

However, Pachara said part of that growth resulted from businesses bringing shipments forward. Once this effect fades in the second quarter and tariffs are fully imposed, exports could weaken noticeably.

For businesses running export, sourcing or manufacturing businesses in Thailand, the warning highlights a potential rise in costs and uncertainty for companies heavily reliant on US customers. Pachara said listed companies with substantial US-market exposure could see effects on investment applications, production and business performance.

Longer-term trade risks

Unlike Section 122, Section 301 does not simply lapse after a set short period. Under the law, it ends after four years unless the Office of the US Trade Representative receives a request to continue it and agrees following a review.

In practice, Pachara said, such measures can remain in place for years and may be reintroduced in some circumstances. Failure by a trading partner to meet agreed commitments could also trigger enforcement action again.

He added that further Section 232 tariffs apply to steel and aluminium products, while negotiations by the Thai delegation remain under way.

Pachara said the greater concern was not only the 12.5% figure but the Section 301 negative list, which largely covers Thailand's main export products. He also pointed to a US investigation into industrial overcapacity, citing Thailand's low capacity utilisation over two consecutive years.

Calls for stronger oversight

Pachara also called for clear government action on alleged corruption in local civil-service examinations, saying transparency and communication were needed to restore public and investor confidence.

He raised concerns over data-centre expansion to support AI investment, including criticism that some projects register as buildings to avoid environmental-impact assessments. The spread of supported sites has also prompted concerns about local water resources and whether communities receive genuine benefits.

He said Thailand must strengthen its competitiveness as Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia move aggressively to address their own weaknesses. Without structural reforms, he warned, additional stimulus spending could be absorbed by accumulated private-sector and household debt rather than improving productivity.

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18 July 2026
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Koh Samui tops world 2026 island list

Koh Samui has been named the World's Best Island for 2026 by Travel + Leisure, placing Thailand's Gulf island ahead of the Maldives, Bali and Milos.

The Surat Thani island received a reader score of 95.64 in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. The Maldives came a close second with 95.38, while the Galapagos Islands ranked third, Bali fourth and Phuket fifth.

The result gives Thailand two of the five highest-ranked island destinations in the 2026 list, with Koh Samui and Phuket both featuring in the top five.

Reader score puts Samui ahead

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said the recognition reflected Koh Samui's appeal beyond its beaches. It cited the island's scenery, cultural heritage, local character and range of food experiences.

Koh Samui is expected to gain further standing in the premium international travel market following the award, while the recognition also supports Thailand's wider position as a global tourism destination.

For foreign residents, repeat visitors and prospective holidaymakers, the accolade may bring greater international attention to Samui. The government has indicated that its response will focus not only on attracting more visitors, but also on how the island manages tourism over the longer term.

Government promises tourism improvements

Rather than viewing the award as an endpoint, authorities said they would use it to improve tourism quality and long-term management on Koh Samui.

The stated priorities include stronger visitor safety measures, public-infrastructure improvements and tighter action against illegal businesses which could undermine confidence in the destination.

These areas are particularly relevant to foreigners who live on the island or visit regularly, as safety standards, transport and other public facilities form part of daily life as well as the holiday experience. The government has not set out specific measures or a timetable in the announcement.

Authorities also plan to improve tourism services and support development intended to protect Koh Samui's environment and distinctive identity, while benefiting local communities and the wider economy.

Thailand has two islands in the top five

Koh Samui's first-place finish narrowly edged the Maldives, while the Galapagos Islands, Bali and Phuket completed the top five.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said the result underlined Thailand's continued ability to draw travellers through its mix of natural scenery, culture, food and hospitality. For Samui, the challenge outlined by the government is to preserve those qualities while improving services, infrastructure and visitor confidence.


Picture courtesy of PR Thai Government

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18 July 2026
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Chinese woman held in Bangkok over China bribery case

Thai immigration police have arrested a 42-year-old Chinese woman at a luxury penthouse-style condominium in Bangkok's Lumpini area, where the reported monthly rent was 270,000 baht.

The woman, identified only as Mrs Wang, was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Longting District People's Procuratorate in Kaifeng, China, over allegations of accepting bribes and corruption. Immigration officers are preparing to send her back to China under legal procedures.

The arrest was announced on 17 July by Immigration Division 3 chief Pol Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha. The operation was carried out by the division's investigation officers following orders from senior commanders.

Chinese allegations date back to 2020

Chinese investigators allege that Wang was appointed executive vice general manager of China State Construction Investment Capital in September 2020. She submitted a resignation letter in October 2022, although the request had not been approved.

According to the investigation by Chinese authorities, she used her position to benefit a related private company and, together with her spouse, accepted 300,000 yuan in bribes from that company.

She is also accused of improperly using her official role to divert 750,000 yuan of agency assets, allegedly using the money to buy property for personal benefit. The allegations amount to offences of accepting bribes and misappropriating or corruptly taking state assets, according to the authorities.

The Longting District Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision in Kaifeng accepted the case for investigation in June 2026. The district procuratorate approved an arrest warrant in July.

Privilege Card stay revoked

Wang entered Thailand on 11 June 2026, according to Immigration Division 3. She had subsequently been permitted to remain in the kingdom under a Thailand Privilege Card visa until 10 June 2027.

Pol Maj Gen Songprod ordered the revocation of that permission to stay. Immigration said she fell within prohibited categories under the Immigration Act: a foreigner reasonably believed to pose a danger to society or national security, or a person wanted under a warrant issued by foreign government officials.

She has been handed to Sub-Division 3 of the Immigration Bureau's Investigation Division for detention and further processing ahead of her removal to her home country.

For foreigners in Thailand, the case underlines that a valid long-stay permission, including a Thailand Privilege Card visa, does not prevent immigration authorities from cancelling permission to remain where a holder is considered to meet prohibited-person criteria.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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18 July 2026
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School bus crash in Surin injures 57 passengers

A school tour bus carrying 51 pupils and six teachers, left the road and rolled over onto it’s side, in Prasat district, Surin, on Friday, 17 July. All 57 people on board suffered minor injuries, with no deaths or serious injuries reported.

Prasat Police received the report at 11.22am, following the crash on Highway 214 opposite Wat Talwak in Kang-an subdistrict, Prasat district.



The bus had been transporting pupils from a school in Khukhan district, Si Sa Ket, on an educational trip.

Passengers taken to hospital

Police, traffic officers, patrol units and emergency responders were sent to the scene following instructions from Pol Col Weeraphan Na Lampang, deputy provincial police commander for Surin, and Pol Col Weenawat Sriyaem, superintendent of Prasat Police Station.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

Officials assisted those involved, arranged for all the injured passengers to be taken to hospital and managed traffic around the crash site.

Police said every passenger suffered only minor injuries. The road was subsequently reopened and traffic returned to normal.

Cause remains under investigation

Investigators are still establishing what caused the bus to leave the highway and rolled over.

School transport safety has remained a concern in Thailand following a number of serious bus crashes in recent years. In this case, authorities said thankfully, there were no fatalities and no one was seriously hurt.

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18 July 2026
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Government reinforces cannabis flower sales & export rules

The government has repeated that cannabis flower is classified as a "controlled herb", requiring licences for commercial research, export, sale and processing, while public sales are limited to people with valid medical prescriptions.

The measures, outlined by deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan on Friday, July 17, 2026, form part of the Ministry of Public Health Notification on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) 2025.

Cannabis flower can be prescribed for medical purposes by a physician, Thai traditional medical practitioner, folk healer, pharmacist or dentist. Each prescription can cover no more than 30 days.

Prescription-only sales

Under Section 46, anyone intending to research, export, sell or process cannabis flower commercially must obtain a licence.
Sales to the general public are permitted only where the buyer has a prescription from a qualified practitioner. Retailers that secretly sell flowers to people without a doctor's prescription may face prosecution.

Smoking cannabis flower on business premises is prohibited, except when it is part of treatment provided by a qualified practitioner. The regulations also ban sales through vending machines, electronic channels and computer networks, as well as advertising through any channel.

Those who illegally sell, process or export cannabis flower can be prosecuted under Section 78 of the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act 1999. The maximum penalty is one year's imprisonment, a fine of up to THB20,000, or both.

What travellers need to know

For foreign residents and visitors, the most important point is that cannabis flower cannot simply be treated as an ordinary tourist purchase. Buyers should ensure any flower is obtained in line with the prescription requirement, while businesses catering to tourists must comply with the new sales and advertising restrictions.

Travellers should also be particularly careful not to carry cannabis out of Thailand. Ploythalay said that, although Thailand has laws governing cannabis for medical and health purposes, some countries still classify it as a serious narcotic drug.

The government urged the public and travellers to follow the laws of destination countries, whether they are aware of those rules or not. This includes avoiding carrying cannabis in luggage, across land borders or on onward flights.

Smuggling cannabis out of Thailand without customs formalities, or attempting to evade inspection, carries a far heavier penalty: up to 10 years in prison, a fine equal to four times the value of the goods including duty, or both.

Reporting suspected breaches

Members of the public can report suspected illegal cannabis flower sales, or gatherings involving narcotics that cause a public nuisance, to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board hotline on 1386. The line operates 24 hours a day.

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18 July 2026
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Norwegian accused in Rayong boxing abuse case dead

A Norwegian man accused by child boxers of sexual abuse at a boxing gym in Rayong reportedly died from cancer one day before Central Investigation Bureau officers searched the premises.

The 80-year-old, identified only as Kim, was named by children interviewed after police arrested the 28-year-old son of the gym owner, in Chon Buri on July 15. The investigation into alleged child prostitution and abuse at the gym remains ongoing.

Arrest followed undercover operation

Police said suspect was arrested at a resort in Chon Buri on allegations that he procured child boxers for prostitution. The arrest followed an undercover operation in which an officer posed as someone interested in becoming a boxing student.

The officer questioned the suspect about alleged sexual services, then arranged to buy those services and set up a meeting involving the suspect and several boys at the resort, where he was arrested.

Investigators subsequently searched the Rayong boxing gym and interviewed 15 child boxers. According to the children's accounts, Kim was involved in the alleged abuse.

The children claimed the Norwegian man sexually abused young boxers and paid them between 500 and 5,000 baht. Several also alleged that he financially supported the gym and provided money to some of the children and their families.

Long-standing financial support alleged

Channel 7 reported that the gym owner met Kim around 10 years ago at a boxing competition in Pattaya. The broadcaster said the Norwegian subsequently became a major financial backer of the gym.

Investigators later learned from local residents that Kim had died of cancer the day before the police raid, Channel 7 reported.

For foreign residents and visitors using boxing gyms or arranging training for children in Thailand, the case is a reminder that the current police inquiry concerns alleged criminal activity at one specific Rayong gym. Authorities have not announced further arrests or named additional suspects.

Claims over possible motive unconfirmed

Channel 7 also spoke to a man named Wa, who said he had been close to Kim. Wa claimed he did not believe the suspect was involved in the alleged child prostitution ring, instead accusing another person linked to the gym, identified as Tar.

Wa further alleged that Kim and the suspect had a difficult relationship. He claimed Tar regularly brought child boxers to visit Kim, including during the final stages of the Norwegian man's illness in Pattaya.

He suggested that financial disputes may have led Tar to report the matter to police and shift blame towards the suspect. Police have not confirmed those claims.

Channel 7 reported that a Thai woman, Thippawan, worked closely with Kim and managed his financial affairs. Attempts by the broadcaster to contact her for comment were unsuccessful.

Related story

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18 July 2026

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Four Russians held in Chonburi THB5bn property probe

Four Russian nationals were arrested in Chonburi on Friday, July 17, as police widened an investigation into suspected nominee company arrangements involving upmarket homes and land valued at more than THB5 billion.

The operation targeted 33 companies suspected of using Thai shareholders to conceal foreign control of property businesses and bypass restrictions on foreign business activity and land ownership.

Pol Lt Gen Nopasil Poolsawat, a commissioner attached to the Office of the National Police Chief, led the coordinated raids. Police carried out four arrest warrants and searched 41 locations across the province, including a housing development in Bang Lamung district.

All four Russian suspects named in the warrants were taken into custody.

Companies and land under scrutiny

The immediate inquiry concerns 33 companies linked to 32 land plots with an estimated value of about THB235 million.

Investigators suspect Thai nationals may have been registered as shareholders on behalf of foreign beneficiaries.



Police seized company registration documents, accounting records, computers, mobile phones and a large quantity of electronic data. Officers are tracing financial flows and checking for possible links to a wider domestic and international network.

The Chonburi investigation began with a provincial task force set up to examine unlawful foreign business activity, following earlier arrests involving foreign property brokers and suspected nominee arrangements.

Immigration police, Chonburi Provincial Police, and officials responsible for business registration, land, tax and commerce later combined their findings, leading to the expanded operation.

Police stressed that the companies and individuals are still under investigation. Any legal responsibility must be decided through the judicial process.

Estate promoted as a 'Russian village'

A key part of the inquiry involves a housing estate that was reportedly marketed for sale and rent on Russian-based websites. Investigators found the development had been described online as a "Russian village", leading authorities to examine who owned and controlled the houses and the land beneath them.


Pictures courtesy of The Nation

According to police findings, more than 495 companies had been set up to hold around 775 detached houses across five developments. The combined value of those properties was put at more than THB5 billion.

Police said 435 of the companies had foreign shareholders. Investigators identified 19 companies suspected of using nominee shareholders, as well as another 14 companies in which foreign shareholdings allegedly exceeded legal limits while the businesses held land.

Those two groups account for the 33 companies now facing possible legal action.

For foreign buyers, residents and investors in Thailand, the case is a reminder that property structures involving Thai companies, shareholders or land ownership can receive close official scrutiny. The investigation concerns alleged nominee arrangements, rather than ordinary foreign residents renting homes or buying property within permitted legal structures.

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18 July 2026
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Thai-Foreign Couple Accused of Dodging B195K Wedding Bill

A catering business owner has lodged a complaint with Pak Chong Police Station, alleging a Thai-foreign couple failed to pay the remaining 195,000 baht bill for their wedding reception in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Somsak Taemsuay, 39, filed the complaint on July 16 after repeated attempts to obtain payment, according to his account. Police said they intend to summon the couple to discuss the dispute, although no date has been set.

Booking and deposit

Somsak said a Thai woman identified only as Paphada booked his company on June 9 for a wedding reception held on July 7. The order was for catering for 130 tables, charged at 2,500 baht each, making the total bill 325,000 baht.



He said he met Paphada at her home in Ban Rai subdistrict, Thep Sathit district, on June 10 to agree the menu and arrangements for the venue. She subsequently paid a 130,000 baht deposit, he said.

Because of the size of the booking, Somsak said his business also supplied drinks free of charge and arranged a live band for the morning wedding ceremony.

Caterer says balance was not paid

The catering service was completed on the wedding day, and Somsak said his company asked for settlement of the remaining balance afterwards. He alleged that the couple asked to pay the following day, but the 195,000 baht did not arrive.

According to Somsak, Paphada later told him that her foreign husband had not provided the dowry he had promised, leaving her unable to pay the outstanding amount.



Somsak said the unpaid bill has caused financial pressure for him and his business. Despite making a police complaint, he said he would prefer to resolve the matter through negotiation rather than court action.

The complaint remains an allegation, and the report does not identify the foreign husband's nationality or give his response.

What foreign residents should note

For foreigners planning a wedding or other major event in Thailand, the case underlines the importance of making clear arrangements with suppliers over deposits, final-payment dates and who is responsible for settling the bill.

Police have said only that they plan to call the couple in for questioning and discussions over the alleged debt.


Pictures courtesy of Facebook/ Khao Pak Chong News

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18 July 2026
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Georgealbert

Chinese investor arrested over Chon Buri nominee shares

Police and immigration officers have arrested a Chinese investor in Chon Buri over allegations that Thai nationals were used as nominee shareholders in a company selling processed timber.

The arrest followed a search of the company premises on Ban Bueng-Klaeng Road in Ban Bueng district on 16 July, carried out under Chon Buri Provincial Court search warrant No. 146/2569.

Officers seized computers, mobile phones, CCTV equipment and documents they said were connected to the alleged offences.

Arrest warrant and allegations

The suspect, identified as Mrs Zhen, was arrested under Chon Buri Provincial Court arrest warrant No. 403/2569.

She is accused of allowing Thai nationals to assist or support her, or to hold shares in a limited company on behalf of a foreigner.



Authorities allege this was intended to allow a foreigner to operate a business while avoiding or breaching provisions of Thailand's Foreign Business Act.

She also faces an allegation of operating a business as a foreigner in breach of Section 8(3) of the Act. Police said she had been informed of the charges and taken into custody for further legal proceedings.

The operation was led by Ban Bueng police chief Pol Col Krit Masuk, with officers from Chon Buri Immigration, Ban Bueng district administration and the Chon Buri Provincial Commercial Office.

What this means for foreign business owners

Thailand restricts foreign participation in a number of business activities under the Foreign Business Act. Foreigners considering a company structure, including those buying into an existing Thai business, should ensure that shareholdings and management arrangements genuinely reflect the investment and are not set up merely to bypass foreign ownership rules.

Using Thai nationals as shareholders in name only can expose both the foreign investor and Thai participants to criminal allegations. The case also underlines that company documents, electronic records and premises may be examined during enforcement action.

For expatriates who run businesses in Thailand, professional legal and accounting advice is particularly important before changing share structures, appointing directors or expanding into activities that may be restricted to Thai-majority companies.

Documents and devices seized

During the search, officers took computers, telephones, CCTV cameras and key business documents for examination.

Authorities have not said whether other people are under investigation or provided further details about the company's operations.


Pictures courtesy of Matichon
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Princess Anne meets PM Anutin in Bangkok

Britain's Princess Anne met Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House in Bangkok on Thursday 16 July 2026, as Thailand and the United Kingdom discussed closer cooperation in education, women's participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and health security.

The Princess Royal, accompanied by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, is making an official visit to Thailand from 15 to 18 July 2026. The meeting took place at 3.30pm in the Ivory Room of Thai Khu Fa Building.

Prime Minister's Office spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the two sides exchanged views on Thai-UK relations, youth development, education and encouraging women to enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Princess Anne's royal programme

Anutin said he was honoured to receive Princess Anne and had admired her since his youth. He said her visit held particular significance for Thai people.



During the visit, Princess Anne laid a wreath before the body of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and another in tribute to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati. She is also scheduled to have an audience with King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida.

Princess Anne thanked the Thai government for its welcome and recalled positive memories of her previous visits. She said Queen Sirikit had made a deep impression on her and had devoted herself continuously to the country.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

The Princess Royal also expressed sorrow over a recent fire in Thailand, praising rescue workers and relevant agencies for their response. She personally handed a message of condolence to the prime minister.

Earlier on Thursday, Princess Anne began her first Thai visit since 1987 at Chumchon Moo Ban Pattana School in Khlong Toei, Bangkok's largest informal settlement. She and Sir Tim Laurence met pupils, toured classrooms and watched football activities arranged by Save the Children and the Liverpool FC Foundation, joined by former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey.

Education and health security discussions

Princess Anne said efforts to bring more women into STEM careers needed support from both families and teachers. Anutin, referring to his own engineering background, said education, logical thinking and analytical skills were essential to solving problems and developing the country.

The talks also covered preparation for emerging diseases and future pandemics. Both sides agreed on the need to strengthen public-health systems, research and international cooperation, with Thailand described as having a notable role in Asia.

Anutin praised British strengths in medicine and science, saying there was scope for closer health-security links, particularly between medical education institutions.

Princess Anne is making the trip on behalf of King Charles. It is her fourth visit to Thailand, following visits in 1972 with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and an independent visit in 1979.

British Ambassador Mark Gooding said the visit reflected the long-standing warmth between the two countries, which established diplomatic relations in 1855.


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17 July 2026

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Foreigner speaking Isan uses wife's subsidy at Kalasin shop

A foreign customer speaking fluent Isan surprised staff at a Korean grilled meat shop in Kalasin after ordering two jumbo sets and asking to pay through the Thai discount scheme using his wife's mobile phone.

The moment, recorded on the shop's CCTV at 5.28pm on 14 July, was posted by the owner on Facebook and drew comments from viewers wondering how a foreigner could use the Khon La Khrueng or Thai Chuai Thai Plus benefit.

Shop owner Apinya Phunnoina later explained that the entitlement belonged to the man's wife. He used her phone to scan and pay for the order, according to the report.

Fluent Isan leaves staff laughing

The customer entered the long-established grilled meat shop on Thanon Thinnanon, on the Kalasin-Yang Talat route in Muang district, to buy food to take home.

He placed his order in Isan, the Lao-influenced dialect commonly heard across north-eastern Thailand. Apinya said she could not contain her laughter after hearing his accent.

In her Facebook caption, the owner said she was already amazed that the foreign customer could speak Isan, before he asked whether the shop accepted the half-price scheme. She described him as both handsome and able to speak Isan.



Apinya said the man asked about the available meal sets. She told him a large set cost 250 baht and a jumbo set 320 baht. He chose two jumbo sets.

He then asked whether the shop accepted Khon La Khrueng. Staff asked whose benefit he intended to use, and he replied that it belonged to his wife before producing the phone to scan the payment.

For foreign residents and visitors, eligibility for government cost-of-living schemes remains separate from simply being able to make a payment at a participating shop. Anyone hoping to use such a programme should check the official conditions and ensure the registered beneficiary is making the transaction in line with the scheme's rules.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin
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Thai authorities impound five Chinese freight trucks

Thailand's Department of Land Transport (DLT) has impounded five Chinese-registered container trucks in Chumphon while it investigates whether they travelled beyond routes permitted under a regional cross-border freight agreement.

The trucks were found parked behind Morakot Market in Lang Suan district this week, with no drivers present. The DLT said any Chinese freight vehicle found operating outside its approved route in future will be stopped immediately, directed back to an authorised corridor and face legal action.

The enforcement drive follows reports that Chinese trucks allowed into Thailand under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Agreement had departed from their approved routes to collect fruit shipments in southern Thailand.

Five trucks entered via Chiang Khong

Checks on the five vehicles showed they were all licensed for international transport. They had entered Thailand through the Chiang Khong customs checkpoint in Chiang Rai between June 29 and July 1, with Bangkok and Chanthaburi listed as their declared destinations.

Authorities are now investigating buyers, sellers and other parties suspected of arranging freight collection outside the authorised transport routes. Legal proceedings will follow if violations are confirmed.

DLT director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong said the department was working with highway police and other agencies to prevent repeat breaches and protect Thai transport operators' interests.

Officials from the Chumphon Provincial Land Transport Office joined police, customs, immigration officers, provincial commerce officials and local administrative authorities in the operation. They inspected vehicles and checked permits for the purchase and transport of goods around Lertporn Market, Morakot Market and nearby areas of Lang Suan.

Rules cover international freight movements

The GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement covers Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. During the Chumphon operation, officials also explained the agreement's rules to freight operators.

Mr Sorapong said the checks were a proactive attempt to intercept Chinese trucks trying to travel beyond their authorised routes into southern Thailand.

Drivers found to have breached the agreement's conditions face legal penalties and fines. They will also be ordered to return to one of the nine authorised transport corridors and will not be allowed to continue to destinations outside those routes.

The crackdown applies to international commercial freight operations, rather than privately used vehicles. However, it is relevant to businesses and consumers because the alleged route deviations involved the collection of southern fruit shipments, while the authorities' stated aim is to ensure foreign freight operators follow Thai transport conditions.

Enforcement to continue

The DLT said Chinese freight trucks travelling outside their approved corridors will be intercepted and their transport papers examined. The department has not announced the outcome of its investigation into the five impounded vehicles.

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17 July 2026
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Bangkok police probe overloaded power in Lat Phrao fire

Bangkok police believe an overloaded electrical system may have caused the fatal fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, while investigators are also examining reports that an emergency exit was bolted shut.

Autopsies found that those who died inhaled carbon monoxide and cyanide released in the blaze. Police said the gases stopped body tissues receiving oxygen and, at high concentrations, could be fatal within minutes; the autopsy findings indicated victims died from cyanide and CO poisoning within four minutes.

Electrical upgrade and possible short circuit

Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom met investigators at Phahon Yothin Police Station on Thursday, July 16, to review evidence, witness accounts and the case file.

More than 106 people have been questioned, including management and staff, relatives of the dead and injured, forensic officers, engineers and electricity officials. Police are also seeking statements from electricians who previously carried out alterations at the premises.

Information from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority has become central to the inquiry. The venue had initially applied for a 30/100 electricity supply, but later used more power and sought an upgrade.

Police said the business repeatedly told electricity officials it was not ready when they tried to inspect. Investigators suspect electrical work may then have been completed without official inspection, potentially overloading the system before a short circuit started the fire.

Bolted exit under investigation

Employees and some of the first customers to escape told police that an emergency exit near the toilets had been secured with a bolt before the blaze. People attempting to flee reportedly had to remove the bolt before getting out.

Investigators will determine how this affected the evacuation, whether all four entrances and exits met safety standards, and whether the venue had held emergency evacuation drills. Forensic officers have completed their examination if the site, but official reports on exits, ceiling materials and possible building irregularities are still pending.

The case is a stark reminder to note accessible exits when entering bars, clubs and other crowded entertainment venues. Police say emergency exits should normally remain readily accessible.

Several police officers who entered the building to rescue customers suffered respiratory irritation and severe smoke inhalation. They were treated at Police General Hospital and have since been discharged. The national police chief has ordered a review of benefits, awards and commendations for those involved.

Ownership and possible charges

Police are also tracing the business's financial arrangements and possible undeclared partners. Company documents list the injured owner and the owner's mother; the owner remains on a ventilator but is gradually improving, while the mother has not been questioned because she was not believed to handle daily operations of the venue.

The owner's elder sister, described as part of the management team, has given a statement. Anyone found to have shared profits or managed the venue could face legal action, police said.

No charges have yet been filed. Police expect to charge the owner when the owner can communicate, with possible allegations including negligence causing death and serious injury, negligence resulting in a fire, unauthorised alterations and operating outside the venue's licence.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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17 July 2026
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Chonburi raids target 33 suspected nominee firms

Thai police and Chonburi provincial authorities launched coordinated searches at 41 locations on 17 July, targeting 33 companies suspected of using Thai nominees to hold land for foreign nationals.

The operation, which began at 6.30am from Huai Yai Police Station in Bang Lamung district, also covered a housing development in the district. Officers are examining suspected arrangements involving 32 land plots with a combined estimated value of about 235 million baht.

Police Lieutenant General Nopasin Poolsawat, an officer attached to the Office of the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, jointly led the operation with Chonburi Governor Narit Niramaiwong.

Fourth phase of nominee crackdown

The Chonburi action is the fourth phase of a wider crackdown on businesses suspected of concealing foreign ownership through Thai shareholders.

Earlier phases were carried out in Surat Thani, including Koh Phangan, as well as Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga. Police said those first three phases examined about 130 rai of land connected to suspected nominee entities, valued at more than 1.671 billion baht.



More than 100 arrest warrants for Thai and foreign suspects were also executed during those operations, according to Lt Gen Nopasin.

For Chonburi, officials hold four arrest warrants and 41 search warrants. Teams from the national police special operations unit, provincial police, local administrative authorities, the provincial commerce office and the provincial land office are involved.

Checks focus on ownership and money trails

Investigators are reviewing company shareholder structures, financial transactions and land rights to determine whether Thai nationals were used to hold shares on behalf of foreigners.

One target is a village development in Bang Lamung district, where authorities are examining suspected landholding arrangements involving foreign individuals.



Governor Narit said investigating nominee companies and foreign landholding was an important government policy requiring cooperation between several agencies. He said detailed investigations, shareholder checks and scrutiny of financial routes were needed to close loopholes that could be used to evade Thai law.

He instructed officers to act honestly, carefully and strictly within the law. If wrongdoing is found, authorities said they will pursue legal action and may seek the revocation or disposal of land under the relevant legal procedures.

What this means for foreign buyers

The operation underlines the risks for foreigners who use, or are offered, arrangements involving Thai shareholders to bypass restrictions on business ownership or landholding.

Foreign residents, investors and prospective Pattaya-area property buyers should expect greater scrutiny of company structures and the source of funds where land is involved. The authorities' investigation is focused on suspected illegal nominee arrangements, rather than being an allegation against all foreign-owned businesses or foreign residents.


Picture courtesy of SiamChon

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17 July 2026

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Brit's leg left 'hanging off' in Thailand crash

British expat Darren Cummins, 34, is facing GBP22,000 in hospital bills after a motorbike crash in Thailand left him with severe leg injuries, including the loss of five inches of tibia bone.

Cummins, originally from Falkirk, Scotland, moved to Thailand in 2015 after first visiting on holiday. The business development consultant said the crash on 13 June has turned his and his girlfriend's lives "upside down", with three operations still needed before rehabilitation.

Collision on a triple carriageway

Cummins said he was travelling at 100kph when a car allegedly made a U-turn across oncoming traffic on a triple carriageway.
"The driver was travelling in the opposite direction to me so he was on the other side of the triple carriageway and he wanted to do a U-turn," he said.

He said the driver crossed all three lanes and may have believed he could clear two vehicles ahead of Cummins. However, Cummins said he did not see the car until it had passed the second vehicle in the middle lane and was about a metre in front of him.



He said it was impossible to avoid the impact. "My leg took the brunt of the impact but had that been any other part of my body, whether it was my chest or my head, then I wouldn't be here right now."

Cummins said he was thrown about 30 yards from his motorbike, was in and out of consciousness and went into shock. He recalled seeing his "leg just dangling off" and screaming uncontrollably before waking in hospital with an oxygen mask on.

Long recovery and mounting costs

The crash caused a compound fracture at the top of his tibia, with five inches of bone lost. He also suffered comminuted fractures to his ankle and shin and lost the use of his Achilles tendon.
"I lost five inches of tibia, smashed out of my knee, [it] scattered across the road," he said. "I'm lucky to be here."

Cummins, who describes himself as a "motorbike guy" and regularly rode to see Thailand's "beauty", said it is less than likely he will ever walk properly again, though there remains a small chance. He said he has cried himself to sleep over the prospect and doubts he will be able to ride again.

For foreign residents and visitors, his account underlines the potentially substantial upfront costs of serious treatment after a road crash. Cummins said the hospital that accepted his case had already exceeded its initial estimate of about GBP15,000.

"Every single procedure now we get hounded for money before they work on me - even if it's an emergency you have to have the money," he said.

After exhausting his savings, Cummins set up a GoFundMe fundraiser, saying he had never wanted to become "that foreigner in Thailand" asking for help but had swallowed his pride.


Pictures courtesy of Daily Mail

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17 July 2026
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Thai Air Force joins Australia's Pitch Black exercise

The Royal Thai Air Force has highlighted its participation in Pitch Black, one of the region's largest multinational air exercises, hosted by Australia in the Northern Territory.

In a social-media post dated 16 July, the Thai air force said the event was not open to every country and described its involvement as an opportunity to train alongside international partners at a recognised global-level exercise.

Pitch Black is hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force and has been held continuously since 1981. It is a large-force employment and air-defence exercise, bringing together air forces from partner countries for realistic missions involving offensive air operations and the defence of simulated targets.

Training from Darwin and Tindal

The exercise is based at Darwin and Tindal air bases, with operations conducted across training areas in Australia's Northern Territory and at the Delamere Air Weapons Range.



According to the Royal Thai Air Force, the scenarios are designed to test complex air-combat operations and improve the ability of participating forces to work together.

The air force said that when aircraft from several countries operate side by side, the purpose goes beyond flight training. It is intended to improve joint readiness, exchange knowledge, develop interoperability and strengthen security cooperation among partner nations.

Pitch Black is regarded as the Royal Australian Air Force's most important international air exercise. Its scale has drawn participants from around the world: the 2022 exercise involved 17 countries and more than 100 aircraft.

Such exercises allow participating air forces to practise communication, planning and coordination under demanding conditions, rather than operating independently. The Thai air force said this was intended to help friendly nations prepare jointly for future challenges.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

The post did not specify the aircraft, personnel numbers or dates of Thailand's deployment for Pitch Black. It said only that the Royal Thai Air Force had been honoured to take part in the international exercise.

A long-running multinational exercise

Pitch Black has developed into a major forum for air forces to train in large, realistic formations. Its organisers use the vast training areas of northern Australia to simulate complex situations that would be difficult to reproduce in more restricted airspace.

Thailand's participation places the Royal Thai Air Force among the partner forces invited to deploy and train in those scenarios. The service said the exercise would support greater operational capability and closer security links between friendly countries.


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17 July 2026
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Angkor Wat phases out Thai-made costume materials

Cambodia's APSARA National Authority has ordered costume rental businesses at Angkor Wat to remove Thai-influenced outfits and replace Thai-made materials with Khmer-made alternatives.

The new rules are intended to ensure visitors wear historically accurate Khmer dress at the UNESCO World Heritage site, while supporting Cambodian artisans and protecting the country's cultural heritage.

From July 13, tourists wearing clothing that does not conform to traditional Khmer attire have not been allowed into the Angkor Archaeological Park, the authority said.

Rental operators face January 2027 deadline

Businesses renting costumes containing components or materials made in Thailand have until January 2027 to replace them with Khmer-made alternatives.

Chan Sophorn, a specialist in ancient Khmer art, told rental operators that many outfits currently offered differ from traditional Khmer designs. He said some use imported fabrics and accessories from neighbouring countries, while others are worn incorrectly.

According to Sophorn, authentic Khmer attire should use locally produced silk, sampot rbauk and jewellery made to historical standards.

The APSARA National Authority said the measures are part of a broader effort to preserve Angkor Wat's integrity and promote cultural tourism that respects Cambodian traditions. KPT English reported that officials also see the policy as a way to support local craft producers.

What travellers from Thailand should know

For foreign residents and visitors in Thailand planning a trip to Siem Reap, the rules are most relevant to anyone intending to hire traditional clothing for photographs at Angkor Wat.

Ordinary visitors should ensure they follow the park's requirements if renting Khmer-style dress, as non-compliant outfits can lead to refusal of entry. Those hiring costumes should ask rental operators whether clothing and accessories meet the authority's current standards.

The measure specifically concerns traditional costume rentals and does not change the wider practical appeal of Angkor Wat as a short regional trip from Thailand. However, tourists should avoid assuming that Thai-style or Thai-made elements will be accepted as Khmer historical attire.


Picture courtesy of Love Thai cultures

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17 July 2026
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Suvarnabhumi arrivals face 2-3 hour immigration queues

Foreign visitors arriving at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport are again reportedly facing waits of two to three hours at immigration during some periods, as stricter screening and staff shortages create bottlenecks.

Tourism industry sources say the long queues have returned as a major concern at the airport, with the delay affecting travellers' first experience on arrival in Thailand. The problem is most apparent during busy flight periods, when checks can build into lengthy lines.

Tougher checks add time at the border

One factor is the government's increased scrutiny of suspected Chinese grey-capital groups, transnational criminal networks and the use of special Fast Track services, according to tourism industry sources.

The more detailed screening process means immigration officers need longer to process individual passengers. Arrivals whose information is incomplete, or whose documents require further examination, can add to delays which then accumulate during peak periods.

Previously, some agent networks offered facilitation services allowing tourists to pass through immigration more quickly, charging several hundred baht per person. Following inspections and tighter controls by relevant agencies, those channels have become more restricted, leaving most passengers to use standard immigration queues.

For foreigners living in Thailand, tourists and those arriving to activate or return under a visa, the reported delays mean it may be sensible to allow extra time after landing before booking airport transfers, connecting domestic flights or appointments. Passengers should ensure arrival information and supporting travel documents are complete and readily available.

Immigration staffing remains a constraint

A source at Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) said the other main issue is a shortage of immigration personnel relative to the continuing rise in international passenger numbers.

The airport has expanded its space and increased the number of immigration counters, but staffing at the Immigration Bureau remains insufficient to handle the volume of arriving international passengers, the source said.

Tourism operators believe prolonged immigration waits are damaging Thailand's tourism image at a time when the government is seeking to revive the economy through the sector. They have called on the agencies involved to increase staffing, improve screening procedures and introduce technology to ease congestion.

A priority for Thailand's tourism gateway

Suvarnabhumi is a principal entry point for overseas visitors and returning residents, so delays there can affect holidaymakers, business travellers and expatriates alike. A slow arrival process can also complicate onward travel for passengers heading to other Thai destinations.

Industry figures argue that resolving immigration delays is urgent if Thailand is to retain its position as a regional tourism and aviation hub. They say the first impression created at the border may have a lasting effect on the country's image among visitors.


Picture courtesy of Manager Online

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