THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 22 May 2025

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Warning Issued: Even Indirect Defamation Remains Illegal Under Thai Law

 

Picture courtesy of Human Rights Facebook

 

Social media uproar! Lawyer James advises that using defamatory language, even without naming an individual, can still constitute defamation under Thai law.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361286-warning-issued-even-indirect-defamation-remains-illegal-under-thai-law/

 

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Beware of Tourist Scams: Bangkok Named Top Hotspot for Fraud

 

Photo courtesy of TakeMe Tour’s Blog

 

If you're planning a holiday in Thailand, be vigilant with your spending. Bangkok has been identified as one of the world's leading hotspots for tourist scams, with a significant portion of fraud cases tied to questionable taxi and car rental dealings. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361329-beware-of-tourist-scams-bangkok-named-top-hotspot-for-fraud/

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Phuket Immigration Cracks Down on Visa Overstays, Arrests Four Foreign Nationals

 

Pictures courtesy of Phuket Immigration Facebook

 

Phuket has become the latest focal point in Thailand's intensified campaign against visa overstays, as Immigration officers conduct a strategic crackdown to reinforce the nation's immigration laws.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361328-phuket-immigration-cracks-down-on-visa-overstays-arrests-four-foreign-nationals/

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Ex-Air Hostess Claims £1.5M Drug Stitch-Up in Sri Lanka

 

Photo courtesy of The Sun

 

Charlotte May Lee, once a British air hostess, is at the centre of a harrowing legal ordeal after her arrest in Sri Lanka. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361327-ex-air-hostess-claims-£15m-drug-stitch-up-in-sri-lanka/

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Thailand Ranks Among World's Safest Countries for Solo Female Travelers

 

Picture courtesy of Vietjet Air

 

Thailand has clinched the eighth spot among the world’s top 10 safest places for solo female travellers in 2025, as per a report published by the New York Post.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361361-thailand-ranks-among-worlds-safest-countries-for-solo-female-travelers/

 

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Police Clamp Down on Prostitution to Protect Pattaya’s Image

 

File photo for reference only

 

In a dramatic turn of events on May 21st, 2025, Pattaya Police, led by Pol. Col. Anek Sathongyoo, orchestrated a massive raid to combat prostitution along Pattaya’s famed beachfront.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361362-police-clamp-down-on-prostitution-to-protect-pattaya’s-image/

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Thailand to Require Medical Certificates for Cannabis Use Within 40 Days

 

File photo for reference only. AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

 

Thailand's Public Health Minister has announced a major regulation change requiring cannabis users to present medical certificates, aiming to curb recreational use. Minister Somsak Thepsutin revealed plans for the new rules, hoping to establish order after cannabis was decriminalised nearly three years ago.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361364-thailand-to-require-medical-certificates-for-cannabis-use-within-40-days/

 

[Georgealbert]

Two Chinese Fugitives Arrested at Bangkok Airport Over Multi-Billion Baht Money Laundering

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Two Chinese nationals wanted under arrest warrants have been detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport in connection with a massive money laundering operation worth over 5 billion baht, involving the purchase of a hotel in Bangkok’s Silom district.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361365-two-chinese-fugitives-arrested-at-bangkok-airport-over-multi-billion-baht-money-laundering/

 

[Georgealbert]

Gunfire in Nonthaburi: Former Village Headman Targeted in Drive-By Shooting

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A shooting incident unfolded in Nonthaburi on the night of 20 May, as a former village headman and prospective candidate for local government narrowly escaped death in what appears to be a politically motivated attack.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361366-gunfire-in-nonthaburi-former-village-headman-targeted-in-drive-by-shooting/

 

[Georgealbert]

Pickup Truck Crashes While Rushing Injured Child to Hospital – One Dead, Six Injured

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A crash occurred in the early hours of the morning of 21 May, in Pathum Thani province when a pickup truck driver, rushing a critically injured toddler to hospital, lost control on a curve and overturned, killing a 4-year-old boy and injuring sixothers, including a 2-year-old who had earlier been injured falling from a building.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361368-pickup-truck-crashes-while-rushing-injured-child-to-hospital-–-one-dead-six-injured/

 

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Bangkok Cabbies Call for Grab Service Ban at Suvarnabhumi Airport

 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Airport Online

 

Taxi drivers in Bangkok have issued a stark warning to the government: shut down the Grab ride-hailing service at Suvarnabhumi Airport or face blockades at entry and exit points. Around 50 taxi drivers, led by Thai Public Taxi Association's head, Waraphol Kaemkhunthod, staged a protest outside parliament on Tuesday, demanding the closure of Grab's service lounge at the airport by Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361369-bangkok-cabbies-call-for-grab-service-ban-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

 

[Georgealbert]

Bus Driver Steals from Romanian Tourist’s Credit Card

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A tour bus driver has been arrested after stealing a Romanian tourist’s credit card and using it to make a series of unauthorised ATM withdrawals totalling 280,000 baht, police have confirmed.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361370-bus-driver-steals-from-romanian-tourist’s-credit-card/

 

[Georgealbert]

Lightning Strike Kills Farmer in Front of Father

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 34-year-old man was killed instantly by a lightning strike while sheltering from the rain with his father in a small hut in the middle of a rice field in Buriram province. The father, who was sitting just inches away, survived unscathed.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361371-lightning-strike-kills-farmer-in-front-of-father/

 

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Mass Investigation Launched Into Suspected Foreign-Dominated Businesses

 

File photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

The Thai government has launched an extensive probe into over 46,000 foreign-controlled firms, stirring the nation's business landscape.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361373-mass-investigation-launched-into-suspected-foreign-dominated-businesses/

 

[Georgealbert]

Gunman Armed with Rifle & Handgun Attacks Home in Kanchanaburi

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Police have identified the gunman involved in a chilling armed attack on a private residence in Kanchanaburi province, in what authorities believe is linked to a dispute over the smuggling of illegal migrant workers. The suspect remains at large after failing to respond to a police summons.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361372-gunman-armed-with-rifle-handgun-attacks-home-in-kanchanaburi/

 

[Georgealbert]

Body of Foreign Man Found Floating Off Phuket Coast
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Authorities have recovered the body of a foreign man found floating in the sea off Phuket’s Nui Beach in Karon subdistrict. The discovery was made around 15.20 on 21 May, prompting an immediate response from Karon Police and forensic officials.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361374-body-of-foreign-man-found-floating-off-phuket-coast/

 

[Georgealbert]

Facebook Page Admin Arrested for Running Illegal Overseas Tour Operation
 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 37-year-old woman has been arrested for operating illegal overseas tours through a popular Facebook page, in a crackdown on unlicensed travel businesses by authorities.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361375-facebook-page-admin-arrested-for-running-illegal-overseas-tour-operation/

 

[Georgealbert]

Buriram: Man Killed by Falling Tree While Cutting It Down

 

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

 

A 34-year-old man from Buriram lost his life after a tree he was cutting down fell on him, crushing him to death.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361376-buriram-man-killed-by-falling-tree-while-cutting-it-down/

 

[Georgealbert]

Volunteer Officer Shot While Protecting Teachers Outside Yala School

 

Picture courtesy of Siam News.

 

A volunteer defence officer was seriously injured on the morning of 21 May, in a shooting incident while on duty guarding teachers near a local school in Bannang Sata district, Yala province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361377-volunteer-officer-shot-while-protecting-teachers-outside-yala-school/

 

[Georgealbert]

Man Shot Dead in Gang Clash Along Bangkok Canal

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

Police are preparing to issue arrest warrants following a violent clash between rival groups along the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal in Bangkok, which left one man dead and three others injured. The incident occurred at around 02:00 on 21 may.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361378-man-shot-dead-in-gang-clash-along-bangkok-canal/

 

[Georgealbert]

Russian Dies After Fall from Jomtien Condo

 

Picture courtesy of  ที่นี่ พัทยา

 

A 27-year-old Russian man has died after falling from the ninth floor of a condominium building in Jomtien, Pattaya, late night of 21 May. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall, which is believed to have involved drug-induced hallucinations.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361379-russian-dies-after-fall-from-jomtien-condo/

 

[Georgealbert]

Fake Dentist Busted by Tourist Police – Clients Mostly Schoolchildren
 

Picture courtesy of Siam News.

 

Thai tourist police have arrested a 25-year-old woman for illegally practising dentistry and selling prohibited orthodontic products, with most of her clientele reportedly school-aged children in the provinces of Phitsanulok and Sukhothai.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361380-fake-dentist-busted-by-tourist-police-–-clients-mostly-schoolchildren/

 

[Georgealbert]

Jealousy and Rage Over Past Glory Ends in Murder at Village Celebration
 

Picture courtesy of Siam News.

 

A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder after fatally assaulting a 51-year-old man during a heated argument at a village gathering in Ban Phue district, Udon Thani province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361381-jealousy-and-rage-over-past-glory-ends-in-murder-at-village-celebration/

 

[Georgealbert]

Assault in Kamphaeng Phet: Elderly Bottle Collector Brutally Attacked by Teen
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

An elderly man was left unconscious after a vicious assault by a teenage biker in Kamphaeng Phet province. The incident, which has sparked outrage across the community, occurred in broad daylight outside a local grocery shop in Nabokham subdistrict.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361382-assault-in-kamphaeng-phet-elderly-bottle-collector-brutally-attacked-by-teen/

 

[Georgealbert]

Blood Feud Over Inheritance: Man Shoots Brother-in-Law and Young Niece in Land Dispute
 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

A bitter inheritance dispute turned violent in Surat Thani province on 21 May, when a man opened fire on his brother-in-law and three-year-old niece, seriously injuring both, in a chilling escalation of a long-running family feud.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361384-blood-feud-over-inheritance-man-shoots-brother-in-law-and-young-niece-in-land-dispute/

 

[Georgealbert]

Bee Hunter Killed by Swarm in Forest Incident

 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

A 47-year-old man known locally as an experienced honeycomb hunter was found dead in a community forest in Kalasin province after being attacked by a swarm of bees in what rescuers have described as a tragic and cautionary incident.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361385-bee-hunter-killed-by-swarm-in-forest-incident/

 

[Georgealbert]

Ranger Opens Fire on Comrades in Pattani: One Dead, Four Injured – Suspect Surrenders
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A paramilitary ranger has surrendered to authorities following a shooting incident at a military outpost in Pattani province that left one soldier dead and four others injured.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361388-ranger-opens-fire-on-comrades-in-pattani-one-dead-four-injured-–-suspect-surrenders/

 

[Georgealbert]

Five-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Temple Pond in Rayong
 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

A five-year-old boy drowned after falling into pond, at a temple in Rayong province while his mother briefly took a phone call. The incident occurred at Wat Suwannarangsarit, known locally as “Wat Yai Ra,” in Ban Chang district.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361389-five-year-old-boy-drowns-in-temple-pond-in-rayong/

 

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Chinese Arrivals to Thailand Projected to Drop Nearly 30% in 2025

 

Photo courtesy of South China Morning Post

 

The Bank of Thailand has dramatically reduced its forecast for Chinese tourists in 2025, expecting nearly a 30% drop.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361393-chinese-arrivals-to-thailand-projected-to-drop-nearly-30-in-2025/

 

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Bangkok's Brave Battle: BMA Readies for Rainy Days

 

File photo for reference only

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is ready to tackle the city's annual rainy season onslaught, equipped and on high alert.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1361395-bangkoks-brave-battle-bma-readies-for-rainy-days/