THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 19 May 2025

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Indian Tourist Found Dead on Koh Samet with Head Bound in Plastic Bag

 

Pictured courtesy of Workpoint.

 

The body of a 49-year-old Indian male tourist has been discovered wedged among rocks near Ao Som on the southern side of Koh Samet, with initial investigations revealing his head was bound with a black plastic bag secured by a luggage strap.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360959-indian-tourist-found-dead-on-koh-samet-with-head-bound-in-plastic-bag/

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Man Caught Smuggling 17.6kg of Heroin Hidden in Pet Food & Coffee

 

Picture courtesy of The Standard.

 

A Thai national has been arrested at the Nong Khai border checkpoint after attempting to smuggle more than 17.6 kilograms of heroin concealed within bags of pet food and coffee.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360955-man-caught-smuggling-176kg-of-heroin-hidden-in-pet-food-coffee/

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Naked Foreign Man Escapes Hospital, Runs Amok in Pattaya Streets

 

Picture courtesy of CH7.

 

Residents were left stunned in the early hours of 18 May, when a naked foreign man, believed to be aged about 40, escaped from a local hospital and went on a destructive rampage through the city’s Naklua area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360977-naked-foreign-man-escapes-hospital-runs-amok-in-pattaya-streets/

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Tragic End for Missing DJ as Body Found with Tied Hands, Gunshots

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

The music community and the residents of Kanchanaburi are in shock following the grim discovery of Warapong Khunsrijaturong, also known as DJ Tete. The 33-year-old, who vanished under mysterious circumstances, was found dead with his hands tied and gunshot wounds at his temple.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361005-tragic-end-for-missing-dj-as-body-found-with-tied-hands-gunshots/

 

[Georgealbert]

Young Man Surrenders After Severing Stepfather’s Hand with Sword
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A violent domestic dispute in Nakhon Si Thammarat ended in bloodshed after a young man attacked his stepfather with a sword, severing his hand, and injuring his mother in the process. The suspect later broke down in tears and surrendered to police following persuasion from relatives.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361009-young-man-surrenders-after-severing-stepfather’s-hand-with-sword/

 

[Georgealbert]

Over One Million Meth Pills Seized After High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A dramatic pursuit through heavy rain along the Mekong River in Bueng Kan Province ended with the seizure of more than one million methamphetamine pills and injuries to both the suspect and law enforcement officers.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361010-over-one-million-meth-pills-seized-after-high-speed-chase-ends-in-crash/

 

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Thailand's Wealth Gap Widens: Most Bank Accounts Below 50,000 Baht

 

Picture  courtesy: Royal Vacation

 

Alarm bells ring as new figures from the Bank of Thailand reveal that 89% of bank deposit accounts in the kingdom hold less than 50,000 baht. This stark statistic paints a bleak picture of financial fragility among the Thai populace and how close to the edge many households are living. As highlighted by Thai Rath, these numbers reflect a worrying level of economic instability.

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1361011-thailand's-wealth-gap-widens-most-bank-accounts-below-50000-baht/

 

[Georgealbert]

Man Killed After Being Hit by Train in Khon Kaen

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A incident occurred in the early hours of morning of 18 May, when a special express train travelling from Bangkok Apiwat to Nong Khai struck and killed an unidentified man who was lying across the railway tracks in Nam Phong district, Khon Kaen.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361012-man-killed-after-being-hit-by-train-in-khon-kaen/

 

[Georgealbert]

Violence Erupts Again in Yala: Husband and Wife Shot Dead Outside Their Home

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A fresh act of violence has rocked the province of Yala, as a husband and wife were gunned down outside their home in the Raman district on the evening of 17 May. Authorities are investigating whether the fatal shooting was driven by a personal vendetta or part of a wider attempt to destabilise the area.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361013-violence-erupts-again-in-yala-husband-and-wife-shot-dead-outside-their-home/

 

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Bangkok Bust: Teen Trafficking Racket arrested in Undercover Operation

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

In a late-night sting, police arrested two 18-year-olds in Bangkok's Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, exposing a sordid sex trafficking ring. The duo, nabbed at a prominent hotel, confessed to exploiting vulnerable teens and gathering a 1,000 baht commission per transaction. This operation, orchestrated by alert detectives, lifts the lid on disturbing underage exploitation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361014-bangkok-bust-teen-trafficking-racket-arrested-in-undercover-operation/

 

[Georgealbert]

Two Female Interns Killed While Waiting to Meet Father in Cha-am Roadside Crash

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Two young female university interns were killed after being struck by a car while waiting to meet the father of one of the girls outside their workplace in Cha-am, Phetchaburi province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361015-two-female-interns-killed-while-waiting-to-meet-father-in-cha-am-roadside-crash/

 

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From London to Warsaw: European Influx Powers Thailand's Tourism Rebound
 

File photo courtesy of Kasikorn Research Center  

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is positively beaming as European tourists flock to the country. The TAT governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, reveals that the visitor count from Europe has soared, with a stunning 3.5 million arrivals between January and April.  

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1361017-from-london-to-warsaw-european-influx-powers-thailand's-tourism-rebound/

[Georgealbert]

Pickup Truck or Sardine Can? Myanmar Migrants Crammed into Cabin on Illegal Journey to BKK
 

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

A discovery was made on 18May in the border area of Tak when security forces intercepted a pickup truck crammed with ten people, including nine illegal Myanmar migrants and their Thai driver. The migrants, who had crossed the border illegally, were reportedly en route to Bangkok in search of work.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361018-pickup-truck-or-sardine-can-myanmar-migrants-crammed-into-cabin-on-illegal-journey-to-bkk/

 

[Georgealbert]

Wild Elephant Carcass Found in Kui Buri National Park
 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

Authorities are investigating the mysterious death of a male wild elephant found in Kui Buri National Park, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The animal, which still had its tusks intact, is believed to have died within the past two days.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361019-wild-elephant-carcass-found-in-kui-buri-national-park/

 

[Georgealbert]

Young Woman Dies After Car Plunges into Canal in Rayong
 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

A 24-year-old woman has died after losing control of her car and plunging into a canal in Rayong province during the early hours of the morning of 18 May.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361020-young-woman-dies-after-car-plunges-into-canal-in-rayong/

 

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Domestic Worker Caught in B430m Tax Fraud at Multiple Companies

 

Picture courtesy of Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)

 

A stunning arrest was made in Sri Racha District where a 54-year-old maid, known only as Somboon, was apprehended over a massive tax evasion case valued at 430 million baht. This high-profile bust was carried out by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361021-domestic-worker-caught-in-b430m-tax-fraud-at-multiple-companies/

 

[Georgealbert]

Dramatic Rescue as Man Collapses Atop 10-Metre Durian Tree in Rayong

 

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

 

In a harrowing incident that could have ended in tragedy, a 20-year-old man lost consciousness while working high in a durian tree in Rayong province, only to be saved through swift action and CPR.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361022-dramatic-rescue-as-man-collapses-atop-10-metre-durian-tree-in-rayong/

 

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Thai Court to Rule on Yingluck's Rice Scheme Case 22 May

 

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

On 18 May 2025, Norawich Laelaeng, lawyer for former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, confirmed that the Supreme Administrative Court will announce its verdict on 22 May at 1:30 p.m.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361023-thai-court-to-rule-on-yinglucks-rice-scheme-case-22-may/

 

[Georgealbert]

Coffee Shop Worker Shocked to Give Birth in Toilet Without Knowing She Was Pregnant

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 31-year-old employee at a well-known coffee chain in Bangkok was left in shock on 18 May, after unexpectedly giving birth in a petrol station toilet, having shown no prior signs of pregnancy.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361024-coffee-shop-worker-shocked-to-give-birth-in-toilet-without-knowing-she-was-pregnant/

 

[Georgealbert]

Man Dies After Being Misdiagnosed Following Fall – Family Demands Justice

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 50-year-old man has died after reportedly being misdiagnosed by a hospital operating under Thailand’s social security healthcare scheme, with family members alleging gross medical negligence that led to his death.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361025-man-dies-after-being-misdiagnosed-following-fall-–-family-demands-justice/

 

[Georgealbert]

Couple Electrocuted Outside Their Bangkok Home
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A couple were electrocuted outside their home in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district on the morning of 18 May, in an incident that left neighbours horrified and emergency responders scrambling to determine the cause.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361026-couple-electrocuted-outside-their-bangkok-home/

 

[Georgealbert]

Uthai Thani: Man Killed by Wild Elephant After Hunting Frogs
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod,

 

A 59-year-old man was killed in the early hours of 18 May, after being attacked by a wild elephant while riding home on his motorcycle following a night of frog hunting. The incident occurred near the Thung Faek checkpoint, just 30 metres from a road leading into the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Lan Sak district.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361028-uthai-thani-man-killed-by-wild-elephant-after-hunting-frogs/

 

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Blackpink's Lisa to the Rescue: Thai Farmers Eye K-Pop Star for Fruit Boost

 

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

In a bid to tackle mounting challenges, Thai fruit farmers have turned to Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra with an innovative proposal: recruit K-pop phenomenon Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal to boost Thailand's fruit exports worldwide.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361029-blackpinks-lisa-to-the-rescue-thai-farmers-eye-k-pop-star-for-fruit-boost/

[Georgealbert]

Monk Dies After Swarm of Giant Honey Bees Attacks Temple Procession in Nakhon Sawan
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

An incident occurred on the morning of 18 May, at Wat Khao Bai Mai in Takhli District, Nakhon Sawan, when a swarm of giant honey bees (Apis dorsata) was provoked by loud music from a temple procession and launched a sudden and deadly attack, killing one monk and injuring over ten people.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361030-monk-dies-after-swarm-of-giant-honey-bees-attacks-temple-procession-in-nakhon-sawan/

 

[Georgealbert]

Triple Shooting in Nakhon Si Thammarat: Gunman Kills Two Before Taking His Own Life

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A shooting incident unfolded in the district of Chawang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, on the afternoon of 18 May, leaving three men dead in what appears to be a revenge-fuelled murder-suicide.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361031-triple-shooting-in-nakhon-si-thammarat-gunman-kills-two-before-taking-his-own-life/

 

[Georgealbert]

Gruesome Murder in Nakhon Sawan: Body Found Stuffed in Drum Dumped in Reservoir
 

Pictures courtesy of Amarin.

 

In a chilling discovery, police in Nakhon Sawan province have launched a murder investigation after the body of a man was found concealed inside a 200-litre drum and dumped in a reservoir.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361033-gruesome-murder-in-nakhon-sawan-body-found-stuffed-in-drum-dumped-in-reservoir/

 

[Georgealbert]

Lightning Strike Kills Two Men in Udon Thani
 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint

 

Two men lost their lives after being struck by lightning while building a fishing raft in the middle of Nong Han Lake, located between the Kumphawapi and Ku Kaeo districts of Udon Thani Province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361035-lightning-strike-kills-two-men-in-udon-thani/

 

[Georgealbert]

Police Motorcycle Chase Ends in Officers Death in Phitsanulok

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A police pursuit in Phitsanulok ended in diasaster on the evening of 18 May, when a patrol motorcycle rider lost control and crashed into a central reservation, leaving one officer seriously injured and his colleague fatally wounded.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361037-police-motorcycle-chase-ends-in-officers-death-in-phitsanulok/

 

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Thailand Plans 10-Year Tourist Visa and 99-Year Land Lease to Boost Economy

 

Picture courtesy of ET Travel world

 

Thailand is gearing up to inject a fresh lease of life into its faltering economy with bold policy proposals. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced intentions to introduce a 10-year tourist visa, allowing foreigners extended stays and work opportunities in the Land of Smiles.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361007-thailand-plans-10-year-tourist-visa-and-99-year-land-lease-to-boost-economy/

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Stretched Waistbands: Bangkok Tops Obesity Charts

 

File photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

A staggering 56% of Bangkok's residents are grappling with abdominal obesity, a figure starkly contrasting with a national average of 39.4%. This jarring statistic was highlighted by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, underscoring a growing health concern in the bustling capital.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361047-stretched-waistbands-bangkok-tops-obesity-charts/