THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 17 May 2025

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VIP hospital suite allegedly used by former PM Thaksin revealed

 

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, released a viral video this week revealing the interior of a VIP room at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360816-dr-warong-unveils-vip-hospital-suite-allegedly-used-by-thaksin/

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Tourism Shock: Thailand's Visitor Numbers See Alarming Plunge

 

Picture courtesy of Xinhua

 

Thailand's tourism sector faces a pressing situation as foreign arrivals nosedive, with both leisure and corporate travellers dwindling.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360809-tourism-shock-thailands-visitor-numbers-see-alarming-plunge/

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Viral Trend in Thailand: "Hired Relatives" for Graduation Ceremonies

 

File photo for reference only

 

A unique service offering has taken Thailand by storm after a man named Anon and his friends introduced a "hired relatives" option for university graduates whose families can't attend their commencement ceremonies. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360860-viral-trend-in-thailand-hired-relatives-for-graduation-ceremonies/

 

[webfact]

Brutal Bloodshed in Pattaya: Briton Stabbed, Suspects Vanish

 

Picture courtesy of Facebook Siam Chon News

 

A chilling incident unfolded in Pattaya when a British national, Mr. Andrew, was found in critical condition after being stabbed and thrown from a vehicle.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360877-brutal-bloodshed-in-pattaya-briton-stabbed-suspects-vanish/

 

[Georgealbert]

Man 57, Dies After Car Plunges Into Canal in Nonthaburi

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 57-year-old man lost his life after the car he was driving plunged into a canal in Nonthaburi province on the evening of 15 May.

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360878-man-57-dies-after-car-plunges-into-canal-in-nonthaburi/

 

[Georgealbert]

SRT Extends Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Tunnel Construction Due to Land Delays
 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has approved a 181-day extension for the construction of a key tunnel section of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, citing delays in land expropriation as the cause.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360879-srt-extends-thai-chinese-high-speed-rail-tunnel-construction-due-to-land-delays/

 

[Georgealbert]

Panic in Nonthaburi, ‘Suspicious Package’ Turns Out to Be Life-Sized Sex Doll
 

Pictures courtesy of Kaoded.

 

Residents of a condominium complex in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi, were left startled in the early hours of 16 May, after a suspicious package sparked a security scare, only to reveal a surprising and humorous twist.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360880-panic-in-nonthaburi-‘suspicious-package’-turns-out-to-be-life-sized-sex-doll/

 

[Georgealbert]

Bangkok Police Arrest “Young Entrepreneurs” Gang for Disguised E-Cigarette Deliveries

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Metropolitan Police Division 3 have arrested two members of a criminal group known as “Young Entrepreneurs”, who exploited a national e-cigarette shortage by distributing illegal products while posing as food delivery riders.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360881-bangkok-police-arrest-“young-entrepreneurs”-gang-for-disguised-e-cigarette-deliveries/

 

[Georgealbert]

Air Force Scrambles F-16s to Intercept Aircraft Near Kanchanaburi Border

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) deployed two F-16 fighter jets in an emergency operation after detecting a high-performance aircraft approaching Thai airspace near the western border province of Kanchanaburi.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360882-air-force-scrambles-f-16s-to-intercept-aircraft-near-kanchanaburi-border/

 

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Premchai, 14 Others Remanded in Custody Following Fatal Bangkok Building Collapse

 

President of Italian-Thai Development Co Premchai Karnasuta, on a wheelchair, leaves the Bang Sue police station to a criminal court for a pre-trail detention in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

In a dramatic turn of events, the Ratchada Criminal Court on May 16 denied bail and ordered the detention of Premchai Karnasuta, the president of Italian-Thai Development Plc, along with 14 others.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360884-premchai-14-others-remanded-in-custody-following-fatal-bangkok-building-collapse/

 

[Georgealbert]

Pattaya’s 345-Million-Baht Marina Parking Project Left Abandoned for 17 Years

 

Picture courtesy of Sophon

 

A long-abandoned marina parking project in South Pattaya has become a stark symbol of failed urban planning, poor project management, and wasteful public spending, with over 345 million baht of taxpayer funds yielding nothing but rust and rubble.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360883-pattaya’s-345-million-baht-marina-parking-project-left-abandoned-for-17-years/

 

[Georgealbert]

Buriram Village in Shock as Man Attempts to Have Sex with Livestock
 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

Residents of a rural village in Buriram province have been left horrified after a 37-year-old man was found wandering the area requesting to have sexual intercourse with villagers’ livestock, including cows and dogs.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360885-buriram-village-in-shock-as-man-attempts-to-have-sex-with-livestock/

 

[Georgealbert]

Wild Elephant Invades School to Feast on Mangoes

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Teachers at a rural school in Chachoengsao province are on high alert after a wild elephant broke into the school grounds in the middle of the night to raid a mango tree, on the night before the start of the new school term.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360886-wild-elephant-invades-school-to-feast-on-mangoes/

 

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Thai Sailors Convicted in Nigeria Cocaine Trafficking, Vessel Fined ฿148M

 

Picture courtesy of The Guardian Nigeria

 

In a dramatic court ruling yesterday, ten Thai sailors were convicted for trafficking 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine into Nigeria. Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos handed down the verdict, also condemning their ship, MV Chayanee Naree, which was used in the operation, to a hefty fine of $4 million, equating to approximately 148 million Thai Baht.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360887-thai-sailors-convicted-in-nigeria-cocaine-trafficking-vessel-fined-฿148m/

 

[Georgealbert]

Thai Prosecutor and Daughter Arrested in Japan for Assaulting Airport Staff

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 66-year-old Thai man, reportedly a senior public prosecutor and his 30-year-old daughter were arrested by police at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on charges of assaulting an airline employee.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360888-thai-prosecutor-and-daughter-arrested-in-japan-for-assaulting-airport-staff/

 

[Georgealbert]

Warning Issued After Young Woman’s Long Skirt Caught in Motorbike Wheel Causing Crash

 

Picture courtesy of CH7

 

Authorities have issued a warning to women who wear long skirts while riding as passengers on motorcycles, after a 20-year-old woman was injured when her skirt became entangled in the rear wheel of a motorbike, causing it to crash.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360889-warning-issued-after-young-woman’s-long-skirt-caught-in-motorbike-wheel-causing-crash/

 

[Georgealbert]

Police Officer Killed and Colleague Seriously Injured in Roadside Bombing in Pattani

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A police officer has died and another remains in critical condition following a targeted roadside bomb attack in Kapho District, Pattani Province, part of the violence-stricken Deep South.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360890-police-officer-killed-and-colleague-seriously-injured-in-roadside-bombing-in-pattani/

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
High-Profile Assault Case Involving “ Golf” Transferred to Crime Suppression Division
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The high-profile assault case involving Mr. Siradon Plai-duang, widely known as Sorsor (Provincial Council Member) Golf, has been formally transferred to Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division (CSD) following widespread public scrutiny and concerns over potential local interference.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360410-son-of-prominent-mp-sparks-violence-at-songkhla-polling-station/#findComment-19805446

 

[Georgealbert]

Man Fatally Stabbed by Sister in Family Dispute Over Television in Surin

 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

A 55-year-old man has died after being fatally stabbed and having his throat slashed by his younger sister during a heated argument over moving a television at their family home in Surin province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360891-man-fatally-stabbed-by-sister-in-family-dispute-over-television-in-surin/

 

[Georgealbert]

Trang: Missing Subdistrict Chief Found Dead in Submerged Car

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The mayor of Khok Yang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) in Kantang District, Trang Province, was found dead on 16 May, after his vehicle was discovered submerged in a pond at Wang Nok Nam Public Park.
 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360892-trang-missing-subdistrict-chief-found-dead-in-submerged-car/

 

[Georgealbert]

Indian Tourist Assaulted in Pattaya by Ride-Hailing Rider
 

Picture courtesy of ที่นี่ พัทยา

 

An Indian tourist was assaulted in the early hours of the morning of 17 May, in Soi Thepprasit 17, Pattaya, Chonburi province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360893-indian-tourist-assaulted-in-pattaya-by-ride-hailing-rider/

 

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Thailand to Introduce "Salt Tax" to Spice Up Health Food Market

 

File photo

 

The Thai Excise Department prepares to launch a new "salt tax" using a tiered structure aimed at promoting healthier living. Following the successful implementation of the sugar tax on 1st April 2025, attention now shifts to reducing sodium intake among Thais. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360895-thailand-to-introduce-salt-tax-to-spice-up-health-food-market/

 

[webfact]

Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Denies Deal To Hand Over Sub To Cambodia

 

File photo courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

In a surprising twist to a military procurement saga, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has denied knowledge of any plans to deliver a Chinese-commissioned, partly-built submarine to Cambodia.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360897-thai-defense-minister-phumtham-denies-deal-to-hand-over-sub-to-cambodia/

 

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Health Minister Forms Panel to Examine Thaksin Medical Care Controversy

 

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Thailand's Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has taken a decisive step by assembling a 10-member panel to review the Medical Council’s ruling on the treatment provided to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360898-health-minister-forms-panel-to-examine-thaksin-medical-care-controversy/

 

[webfact]

SRT Sets Stage for KiHa Train Testing by End of June

 

KiHA 40. File photo courtesy of Thai Train Guide

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is gearing up to commence testing its newly acquired KiHa 40 and 48 diesel trains before the end of June. Provided as a donation from Japan, these second-hand trains are earmarked for suburban feeder routes by the year's end.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360901-srt-sets-stage-for-kiha-train-testing-by-end-of-june/

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Final Two Suspects Surrender in Shocking Murder and Burning Case in Trang

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The final two suspects in a gruesome murder case in Trang province have surrendered to police, bringing an end to a week-long manhunt that has gripped the nation. The case involves the execution-style killings and burning of three men, including a well-known local figure, in an oil palm plantation in Si Kao District.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360702-nationwide-manhunt-for-plantation-murder-gang-intensifies-as-police-close-in-on-suspects/#findComment-19806147