THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 22 March 2025

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Chiang Rai Monk Faces Scrutiny After Hugging Foreign Woman

 

Photo via TikTok/ @gina.warinthorn

 

CHIANG RAI, THAILAND – Police in Chiang Rai are actively searching for a Buddhist monk who was seen embracing a foreign woman, reportedly from France, at a bus terminal.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355316-chiang-rai-monk-faces-scrutiny-after-hugging-foreign-woman/

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Thai Police in Liverpool Jerseys Nab Newcastle-Sporting Dealer

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

In an amusing twist of fate, Krabi police officers donned Liverpool football jerseys to arrest a suspected drug dealer sportily clad in a Newcastle United kit yesterday. The arrest comes in the wake of the recent Carabao Cup final, where Newcastle triumphed over Liverpool with a 2-1 victory.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355360-thai-police-in-liverpool-jerseys-nab-newcastle-sporting-dealer/

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Freak Accident: Lithuanian Tourist Killed by Falling Tree in Phuket

 

Picture of the accident scene courtesy of Phuket News
 

A Lithuanian man's idyllic holiday turned tragic on Phuket's scenic Nai Thon Beach Road when he was struck and killed by a falling tree while riding his motorbike on March 20th. The victim, Arijus Norkus, a 42-year-old, was travelling along the road when a large pine branch suddenly descended, resulting in his instantaneous death.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355317-freak-accident-lithuanian-tourist-killed-by-falling-tree-in-phuket/

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Phuket Car Drama: Foreign Man Accused Amid Mixed Reactions

 

Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์

 

A recent incident in Phuket has grabbed attention as a Thai woman alleged that a foreign man deliberately damaged her car. Yesterday, this dramatic episode unfolded, with the woman claiming the man carried out the assault on her vehicle unprovoked. Seeking justice, she turned to Facebook’s Phuket Times to share her story widely.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355368-phuket-car-drama-foreign-man-accused-amid-mixed-reactions/

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German Attacker of Dentists in Korat Found Dead with Slashed Neck

 

Picture courtesy of Komchadluek

 

A 41-year-old German national, recently involved in a series of violent outbursts against dentists in Korat, has been found dead, prompting police to investigate potential suicide or murder.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355385-german-attacker-of-dentists-in-korat-found-dead-with-slashed-neck/

 

[Georgealbert]

Man Dies on His Birthday in High-Speed Motorbike Crash

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A 42-year-old man was killed in a motorbike crash on an overpass in Nonthaburi in the early hours of his birthday, on 21 March. The victim, riding a high-speed Kawasaki big bike, lost control on a curve, collided with the bridge barrier, and was thrown 10 metres onto the ground below.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355388-man-dies-on-his-birthday-in-high-speed-motorbike-crash/

 

[Georgealbert]

Murder-Suicide: Husband Kills Wife Before Taking His Own Life, Leaving 7-Year-Old Orphaned
 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A 47-year-old man shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself in a suspected murder-suicide in Ban Na Doem district, Surat Thani province, in the early hours of the morning of 21 March. The couple’s seven-year-old son is now orphaned.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355389-murder-suicide-husband-kills-wife-before-taking-his-own-life-leaving-7-year-old-orphaned/

 

[Georgealbert]

Police Raid Fake Bearing Manufacturer, Over 6 Million Worth of Counterfeit Parts Seized

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Authorities have raided two locations linked to the production and distribution of counterfeit industrial bearings, uncovering a large stockpile of fake parts with an estimated value of over 6 million baht. Officials warn that the counterfeit components could pose serious safety risks if used in vehicles and industrial machinery.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355391-police-raid-fake-bearing-manufacturer-over-6-million-worth-of-counterfeit-parts-seized/

 

[Georgealbert]

Former Tambon Administration Organisation Chief Arrested for Evading Supreme Court Verdict

 

 

A former chief of a Tambon Administration Organisation (TAO) in Buriram province has been arrested for evading a Supreme Court verdict in a case involving fraudulent procurement of blankets for winter, valued at over 400,000 Baht, despite there being no significant cold weather in the region at the time.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355392-former-tambon-administration-organisation-chief-arrested-for-evading-supreme-court-verdict/

 

[Georgealbert]

Renowned Amulet Designer Dies After Car Plunges Into Canal
 

 

A well-known Thai amulet designer, famous for creating medallions and bracelets associated with the revered monk Luang Phor Ruay of Wat Tako, has tragically died after his car veered off the road and plunged into a canal.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355393-renowned-amulet-designer-dies-after-car-plunges-into-canal/

 

[Georgealbert]

Deadly Clash in Mae Ai Forest as Drug Traffickers Engage in Gunfight with Military

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A fierce gun battle erupted in the forests of Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, as military forces engaged a group of drug traffickers attempting to smuggle narcotics across the northern border. The clash resulted in the deaths of two traffickers and the seizure of a significant quantity of illegal drugs, including 280,000 methamphetamine pills and 4.8 kilograms of raw opium.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355395-deadly-clash-in-mae-ai-forest-as-drug-traffickers-engage-in-gunfight-with-military/

 

[Georgealbert]

Rescue Team Save Kitten Trapped in Well for Four Days
 

 

A rescue team in Ubon Ratchathani has successfully saved a stranded kitten after it fell into an abandoned 11-metre-deep well, surviving without food or water for four days. The rescue was met with widespread admiration.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355396-rescue-team-save-kitten-trapped-in-well-for-four-days/

 

[Georgealbert]

Rubber Plantation Worker Surrenders After Shooting Employer Over Wage Dispute
 

Picture of arrest.

 

A rubber plantation worker in Chiang Rai has surrendered to police after shooting his employer, citing unfair wages as the motive.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355397-rubber-plantation-worker-surrenders-after-shooting-employer-over-wage-dispute/

 

[Georgealbert]

Excavator Overturns in Pak Kret, Injuring Construction Worker
 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A construction worker in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, was injured after an excavator overturned at a drainage pipe construction site on the afternoon of 21 March.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355398-excavator-overturns-in-pak-kret-injuring-construction-worker/

 

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Nationwide Police Raids in Thailand Nab Hundreds, Seize Weapons

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A sweeping crackdown on crime across Thailand led to more than 200 arrests on Friday, as police targeted influential criminals and hitmen. This major operation, conducted in one day, underscored the commitment of Thai authorities to tackling the nation's organised crime.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355400-nationwide-police-raids-in-thailand-nab-hundreds-seize-weapons/

 

[Georgealbert]

Chinese National Arrested for Firearms Training Scam, Victims Lose 300,000 Baht
 

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 50-year-old Chinese man has been arrested by the Immigration Bureau for allegedly defrauding individuals seeking membership in a Thai shooting sports association. Victims reportedly lost over 300,000 baht each in the scam.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355399-chinese-national-arrested-for-firearms-training-scam-victims-lose-300000-baht/

 

[Georgealbert]

Five Injured as Mobile Health Check-Up Vehicle Veers Off Road in Lampang
 

 

A mobile health check-up vehicle driver lost control and veered off the road in Lampang province, leaving five people injured. The crash occurred on Phahonyothin Road, heading out of town, in the Ban Pan Phatthana area, Pong Tao subdistrict, Ngao district.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355401-five-injured-as-mobile-health-check-up-vehicle-veers-off-road-in-lampang/

 

[Georgealbert]

Masked Gunmen Execute 64-Year-Old Man Outside His Home in Pattani
 

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

A 64-year-old man was brutally executed outside his home in Pattani province by a group of five masked gunmen dressed in black. The assailants restrained the victim’s hands behind his back before shooting him twice in the head. The victim’s wife and grandson attempted to intervene but were threatened at gunpoint.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355402-masked-gunmen-execute-64-year-old-man-outside-his-home-in-pattani/

 

[Georgealbert]

Police in Chiang Rai Arrest Three Administrators Behind Major Online Gambling Networks

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Cybercrime police in Chiang Rai, have arrested three individuals suspected of operating three major online gambling websites, with a combined annual turnover of 700 million baht. The arrests were made following a series of coordinated raids on two locations.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355404-police-in-chiang-rai-arrest-three-administrators-behind-major-online-gambling-networks/

 

[Georgealbert]

Drug-Addled Man Blocks Train Tracks in Hat Yai, Causes Chaos Before Being Detained
 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A man believed to be under the influence of drugs caused panic in Hat Yai after standing and lying on railway tracks, forcing an oncoming train to stop. Security guards and local residents struggled to detain him.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355405-drug-addled-man-blocks-train-tracks-in-hat-yai-causes-chaos-before-being-detained/

 

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Thai Restaurants & Bars Urge 5% Tax Suspension amid Economic Woes

 

File photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

In the heart of Thailand's vibrant restaurant and nightlife industry, a chorus of concerned voices is pleading with the government to suspend the burdensome 5% excise tax. This tax, they argue, is an impediment at a time when economic sluggishness already has them on shaky ground.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355406-thai-restaurants-bars-urge-5-tax-suspension-amid-economic-woes/

 

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Thai Deputy PM Praises General Prayut's Role on Birthday

 

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

Celebrating General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s birthday on 21st March, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Mr. Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, took to social media to laud the prominent former Prime Minister. Known affectionately as "Uncle Tu," General Prayut recently transitioned from his political career to serve as a Privy Councilor, an honorary position with the monarch’s advisory body.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355410-thai-deputy-pm-praises-general-prayuts-role-on-birthday/

 

[Georgealbert]

Tourist Attacked by Transgender on Pattaya Beach Road: Calls for Increased Security

 

Picture courtesy of SiamChon.

 

An incident of violence erupted in the early hours of March 22 near the entrance to Pattaya’s Walking Street. A foreign national was assaulted by a transgender  in full view of passersby, with the attack being caught on video by onlookers.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1355409-tourist-attacked-by-transgender-on-pattaya-beach-road-calls-for-increased-security/

 

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Aussie in Legal Bind for Abetting Crime Boss's Thai Escape

 

Picture courtesy of the Australian Federal Police

 

In a dramatic turn of events this week, a 57-year-old Australian man finds himself in court, accused of facilitating the escape of a reputed organised crime figure to Thailand. Hailing from Bargara, Bundaberg, Queensland, the individual allegedly assisted in a maritime escape leading to Thailand, alongside an unidentified accomplice.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355362-aussie-in-legal-bind-for-abetting-crime-bosss-thai-escape/

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Car Care Centre's Elephant Bath Turns Viral Sensation

 

Screenshots from Chakkrit Chamnongplee Facebook video

 

In an unexpected twist, a car care centre in Chon Buri has soared to internet fame by diversifying its services with a quirky and unforgettable offering—elephant baths. What began as a light-hearted promotional stint has captured hearts across the globe, as a charming video of the gentle giant enjoying its spa-like treatment sweeps through social media.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355365-car-care-centres-elephant-bath-turns-viral-sensation/

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British Tourist's Thai Jail Ordeal: Forced to Drink Urine for Survival

 

Picture courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

Lewis Green, a 22-year-old traveller from Staffordshire, endured a harrowing ordeal after being incarcerated and mistreated in a Thai jail. Set against the backdrop of a two-month solo adventure in Thailand, Green's nightmare began on 24th January in Hua Hin, merely a day before he was due to return home.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355319-british-tourists-thai-jail-ordeal-forced-to-drink-urine-for-survival/

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Thailand Holds Off on 30-Day Visa-Free Change Decision

 

Picture courtesy of Nikkei Asia // Ken Kobayashi

 

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still deliberating the possibility of reducing the visa-free period for foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days, with no decision made thus far. Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura reassured that no new visa regulations are currently in place, so tourists visiting Thailand remain unaffected for now.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355394-thailand-holds-off-on-30-day-visa-free-change-decision/

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Bee Swarm Chaos at Thai Temple Market Injures Six

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

A tranquil day at the Phasukaram Temple’s amulet market in Warin Chamrap, Ubon Ratchathani, erupted into chaos as a wild bee swarm caused panic, ultimately resulting in six injuries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1355420-bee-swarm-chaos-at-thai-temple-market-injures-six/