Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

Banged up: Thai prison nightmare exposed by British tourist
by Bob Scott 

A British tourist revealed the grim conditions banged up abroad in a Thai prison and issued a chilling warning to fellow travellers about the reality of being detained abroad.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349356-banged-up-thai-prison-nightmare-exposed-by-british-tourist/

Fake hug scam strikes again: Indian man loses gold necklace to 3 ladyboys

By Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Facebook/ TMN Cable TV Pattaya

 

Three Thai ladyboys offered an Indian man a seemingly friendly hug before stealing his gold necklace, worth about 132,000 baht, from him on Pattaya Beach in the early hours of today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349357-fake-hug-scam-strikes-again-indian-man-loses-gold-necklace-to-3-ladyboys/

Thailand bets big on casino boom under entertainment banner

By Bob Scott

 

Police swoop on an illegal gambling den in Nonthaburi. Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a daring move set to shake up the Land of Smiles, the Government of Thailand is pushing forward with a controversial plan to legalise casinos, sneakily packaged as entertainment complexes.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349345-thailand-bets-big-on-casino-boom-under-entertainment-banner/

Shinawatras Lose Golf Club Ownership, but Lease Option Open

 

File photo for reference courtesy: Wikepedia

 

In a significant development, the Department of Lands in Thailand has been directed to revoke the ownership titles for the Alpine Golf and Sports Club and adjoining residential properties in Pathum Thani province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349343-shinawatras-lose-golf-club-ownership-but-lease-option-open/

 

Motorcyclist Crashes Into Overpass, Helmet Shattered, Killed Instantly

 

 

A crash occurred in Pathum Thani province early morning on January 20 when a motorcyclist crashed into an overpass and died instantly.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349376-motorcyclist-crashes-into-overpass-helmet-shattered-killed-instantly/

 

 

M79 Grenades Fired at Kapho Police Station in Pattani – No Casualties Reported
 

 

In a bold and alarming act, assailants launched two M79 grenades at the Kapho Police Station in Pattani Province, causing damage but fortunately resulting in no injuries. The perpetrators fled into a nearby forest after the attack.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349377-m79-grenades-fired-at-kapho-police-station-in-pattani-–-no-casualties-reported/

 

UPDATE
Two Canadians Arrested for Selling Drugs at Phuket Music Festival

 

Two Canadian nationals have been arrested in Phuket for allegedly selling drugs at the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Thailand 2025, one of the country’s largest music festivals.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349278-canadian-arrested-after-chaotic-car-chase-in-phuket/page/2/#findComment-19527163

 

Motorcyclist Fatally Struck by Hit-and-Run Pickup After First Being Struck by Another Pickup
 

 

An incident in Udon Thani province occurred on the night of January 19, when a man was killed in a hit-and-run incident after his motorcycle had first collided with another pickup. The crash left one man dead and another injured.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349380-motorcyclist-fatally-struck-by-hit-and-run-pickup-after-first-being-struck-by-another-pickup/

 

Five-Year-Old Rescued After Leg Gets Trapped in Bicycle Wheel
 

 

A five-year-old girl was rescued by emergency responders in an unusual incident , after her leg became trapped in the wheel of a bicycle while riding with her father to a local shop. The incident occurred near Paknam Veterinary Hospital on Sai Luat Road, Muang District, Samut Prakan.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349381-five-year-old-rescued-after-leg-gets-trapped-in-bicycle-wheel/

 

Teacher Suspected of Murdering Husband as He Slept After Missing Mental Health Medication
 

 

A shocking murder took place in a rural home in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, when a woman allegedly killed her husband while he was asleep. Authorities were alerted to the grisly incident around midday on January 20, when the body of 58-year-old Mr. Prasit, the deceased, was found with severe neck wounds, believed to have been inflicted with a sharp object. His 54-year-old wife, Mrs. Somchit, was found at the scene, calmly observing the body.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349382-teacher-suspected-of-murdering-husband-as-he-slept-after-missing-mental-health-medication/

 

UPDATE
Police Intensify Investigation into Former Teacher’s Murder, Suspect Linked to Drug Network

 

 

Authorities are ramping up efforts to solve the fatal shooting of a retired teacher in Ayutthaya, believed to involve a suspect linked to a notorious drug network. The incident occurred on the afternoon of 18 January, when Mr. Nak Anantarangsi, 60, was shot dead in his car along Highway 3011 in Bang Pa-In district.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349383-police-intensify-investigation-into-former-teacher’s-murder-suspect-linked-to-drug-network/

 

Motorcycle Rider Killed in Rear-End Collision with Parked Lorry in Lampang
 

 

An incident occurred in Lampang province when a motorcycle crashed into the rear of a parked lorry, resulting in the death of the rider. The incident took place at around 11:20 on January 20, on the Phalad-Mae Mo Road, just before the Phalad intersection, in the Phra Bat Subdistrict of Mueang Lampang District.
 

Full story and video:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349384-motorcycle-rider-killed-in-rear-end-collision-with-parked-lorry-in-lampang/

 

 

Thailand Makes Record Crystal Meth Seizure in Bangkok Warehouse

 

Picture courtesy: Thai TV 5

 

Thai authorities have made a record-breaking seizure of 1.65 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, known as "Ice," hidden within cotton bales in a Bangkok warehouse. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349387-thailand-makes-record-crystal-meth-seizure-in-bangkok-warehouse/

 

Man Claims He Climbed 25-Metre Sign for Safety, Police Suspect Theft Attempt
 

 

In the early hours of January 20, local police from Chaiyaphruek Police Station responded to a report of a suspicious man believed to be attempting theft at a shopping mall on Ratchapruek Road, Bang Phlap, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349386-man-claims-he-climbed-25-metre-sign-for-safety-police-suspect-theft-attempt/

 

Death as Wild Elephant Kills Villager in Chachoengsao
 

 

An incident occurred in the fields of Khao Hin Dang, a rural area in Chachoengsao province, when a wild elephant attacked and killed a local man. The victim, Mr. Rin, from Khao Hin Son Subdistrict in the neighbouring Phanom Sarakham District, was found lifeless in a cassava plantation near Wat Khao Hin Dang, after a violent encounter with the elephant.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349388-death-as-wild-elephant-kills-villager-in-chachoengsao/

 

Thaksin Dodges Garbage Attack During Campaign in Thailand

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

In an unexpected twist to a political rally in Maha Sarakham, northeastern Thailand, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra found himself at the centre of an unusual protest when a woman hurled a bag of garbage in his direction. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349379-thaksin-dodges-garbage-attack-during-campaign-in-thailand/

Car Crashes into BMTA Bus, Leaving Four Injured
 

 

A collision occurred between a car and a Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) bus, leaving the car driver critically injured and three bus passengers hurt. The incident took place at 16:30 on January 19, near the entrance of Soi Hom Kret 2 on Rai Khing-Don Wai Road in Sampran District, Nakhon Pathom Province.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349389-car-crashes-into-bmta-bus-leaving-four-injured/

 

Thailand Moves Closer to Wealth Tax with New Asset Tracking

 

File photo courtesy: Kasikorn Research

 

Thailand is on the brink of implementing a wealth tax, a move greatly facilitated by recent advancements in tracking high-net-worth individuals' assets, even those held overseas. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349375-thailand-moves-closer-to-wealth-tax-with-new-asset-tracking/

 

Three Foreigners Arrested with Drugs at Phuket Music Festival After Two Overdose Deaths

 

 

Three foreign nationals were arrested for possession and use of illegal drugs at the Electric Daisy Carnival Thailand 2025 music festival in Phuket. The arrests came in the wake of two drug-related fatalities involving American and Canadian tourists, who overdosed during the event the previous day.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349390-three-foreigners-arrested-with-drugs-at-phuket-music-festival-after-two-overdose-deaths/

 

Man Electrocuted While Attempting to Steal  Power Cables in Udon Thani
 

 

A man believed to have been attempting to steal power cables from an electricity pole in Udon Thani has died after being electrocuted and falling to the ground. The incident also triggered a fire in nearby roadside grass, which was swiftly extinguished by emergency services.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349392-man-electrocuted-while-attempting-to-steal- power-cables-in-udon-thani/

 

Thai Police Praised for Assisting Foreign Nationals
by Krajangwit Johjit

 

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has been commended by Chinese and Japanese authorities for their efforts in assisting foreign nationals, including high-profile individuals, to safely return to their home countries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349396-thai-police-praised-for-assisting-foreign-nationals/

 

Thailand's Visa-Free Policy for Chinese Nationals Faces Scrutiny

 

FILE photo: Chinese tourists arrive at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

 

Thailand is reconsidering its visa-free policy for Chinese tourists amid growing concerns over potential misuse by criminal elements. This scrutiny stems from increasing worries that the policy, initially designed to revitalise tourism, might inadvertently position Thailand as a hotspot for illicit activities.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349397-thailands-visa-free-policy-for-chinese-nationals-faces-scrutiny/

 

Tourism Operators Call for Shorter Visa Stay for Chinese Tourists

 

Picture courtesy: Prachachat

 

Thailand's tourism operators are lobbying for a reduction in the visa-free stay duration for Chinese tourists from 30 days to 15 days. This move aims to combat unlawful work and fraud issues, following incidents involving foreign criminals exploiting the current visa policy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349399-tourism-operators-call-for-shorter-visa-stay-for-chinese-tourists/

 

Thai Army Day Ceremony Ends in Tragedy

 

 

A military ceremony at the Surasri Camp on Thai Army Day took a tragic turn when a ceremonial artillery salute resulted in an explosion. The incident injured two soldiers, one of whom had to have a lower arm amputated, while the other remained under observation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349400-thai-army-day-ceremony-ends-in-tragedy/

 

Passenger Shocked as Taxi Driver Found Dead in Pathum Thani

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

In a distressing incident on 20th January in Pathum Thani, a passenger boarded a taxi only to discover the driver had passed away inside the vehicle.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349404-passenger-shocked-as-taxi-driver-found-dead-in-pathum-thani/

 

Solving the Transit Scam: Protecting Foreigners in Thailand

 

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Thailand's national police chief, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphuet, is taking decisive action to address the growing issue of foreign nationals being deceived into using the country as a transit point. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349408-solving-the-transit-scam-protecting-foreigners-in-thailand/

 

Thaksin blames Prawit for political turmoil amid coup fallout
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 

 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra responded to complaints from Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwon about political victimisation, attributing the current political turmoil to the general’s actions.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349416-thaksin-blames-prawit-for-political-turmoil-amid-coup-fallout/

 

Car Crashes Into Bus and Minivan in Pattaya, Two Seriously Injured
 

 

The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre in Pattaya received a report at approximately 07.35 on January 21, of a car crash involving a minivan and a parked bus. The collision occurred on Thappraya Road heading towards Jomtien Beach in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. Rescue volunteers were promptly dispatched to the scene.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1349418-car-crashes-into-bus-and-minivan-in-pattaya-two-seriously-injured/

 

Pitbull mauls monk to death in gruesome Nonthaburi temple attack
by Bob Scott

 

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

A temple in Nonthaburi became the site of unimaginable horror when a pitbull viciously attacked and killed a monk. The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of today, January 21, leaving the temple community in shock and mourning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349424-pitbull-mauls-monk-to-death-in-gruesome-nonthaburi-temple-attack/

 

Thai Woman Arrested for Smuggling Cocaine Worth 16 Million Baht

 

Picture courtesy: Khaosod

 

In a significant crackdown at the border, Thai immigration officials in Sa Kaeo have arrested a Thai woman for attempting to smuggle cocaine valued at approximately 16 million baht from Cambodia into Thailand. The drugs were intended for her Nigerian husband residing in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1349466-thai-woman-arrested-for-smuggling-cocaine-worth-16-million-baht/