THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 29 May 2025

[webfact]

Foreign Nationals Face Account Bans in Bangkok Bank Crackdown

 

 

BANGKOK – Bangkok Bank has tightened account-opening rules for foreign nationals in Thailand, raising concerns among tourists and expats without long-term visas. This move is part of a broader effort by Thai authorities to crack down on financial fraud and the misuse of "mule" accounts.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362091-foreign-nationals-face-account-bans-in-bangkok-bank-crackdown/

[Georgealbert]

Man Killed in Alcohol-Fuelled Fight at Rocket Festival in Khon Kaen

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 61-year-old man has died following a violent altercation during a local rocket festival celebration in Chum Phae District, Khon Kaen province. The attack, which occurred after a dispute over alcohol, resulted in the victim being bludgeoned to death with a wooden stick and partially buried in dirt on a village road.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362096-man-killed-in-alcohol-fuelled-fight-at-rocket-festival-in-khon-kaen/

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Police Reveal Cause of Helicopter Crash: Faulty Equipment to Blame, Not Sabotage

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A senior Royal Thai Police official has confirmed that the recent police helicopter crash in Prachuap Khiri Khan province was caused by mechanical failure, not sabotage or external attack.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1361652-helicopter-crash-in-prachuap-khiri-khan/#findComment-19832524

 

[Georgealbert]

Liverpool Fan Arrested for Selling Illegal Firearms to Celebrate Premier League Title
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 29-year-old man, known by the alias “Owen” in homage to Liverpool FC legend Michael Owen, has been arrested in Chonburi province after attempting to illegally sell a firearm online to fund a celebration of Liverpool’s Premier League title win.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362097-liverpool-fan-arrested-for-selling-illegal-firearms-to-celebrate-premier-league-title/

 

[Georgealbert]

Foreign Tourist Mistakes Monitor Lizard for Crocodile in Restaurant Scare
 

Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

A startled foreign tourist caused a stir in a local restaurant in Udon Thani after mistaking a monitor lizard for a crocodile, prompting amused reactions from staff and fellow diners. The reptile, approximately 1.3 metres long and weighing around 10 kilograms, had wandered into the restaurant from a nearby drainage canal.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362098-foreign-tourist-mistakes-monitor-lizard-for-crocodile-in-restaurant-scare/

 

[Georgealbert]

Three Former Officials of the National Office of Buddhism Found Guilty of Embezzlement
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has ruled that three former officials of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) unlawfully amassed wealth exceeding 50 million baht through embezzlement of state funds intended for temple support. The NACC has ordered the confiscation of assets and has submitted the cases for prosecution.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362099-three-former-officials-of-the-national-office-of-buddhism-found-guilty-of-embezzlement/

 

[Georgealbert]

Former Village Headman Shoots Female Subdistrict Official & Brother Dead Over Land Dispute
 

Picture courtesy of Naewna.

 

A shocking double murder has rocked the normally quiet district of Na Muen in Nan province, after a former village headman allegedly shot dead a female subdistrict official and her brother in what police suspect was a bitter land dispute.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362100-former-village-headman-shoots-female-subdistrict-official-brother-dead-over-land-dispute/

 

[Georgealbert]

Hunting Trip: Thai Man Accidentally Shoots Himself Dead in Rubber Plantation
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 26-year-old man was killed after accidentally shooting himself in the neck during a hunting trip with his mother in a remote rubber plantation in Surat Thani province during the morning of 28 May.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362101-hunting-trip-thai-man-accidentally-shoots-himself-dead-in-rubber-plantation/

 

[Georgealbert]

Man Falls to His Death from Fifth-Floor Balcony in Mysterious Circumstances in Samut Prakan
 

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

 

A 60-year-old man fell to his death from the fifth floor of a state housing complex in Samut Prakan under unclear circumstances, just days before his planned retirement.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362103-man-falls-to-his-death-from-fifth-floor-balcony-in-mysterious-circumstances-in-samut-prakan/

 

[Georgealbert]

Thai Customs Seize Over 12.56 Million Baht Worth of Illegal Goods in Nationwide Crackdown
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The Customs Department has announced a crackdown on illegal goods, including e-cigarettes, foreign cigarettes and smuggled fuel, with a total estimated value exceeding 12.56 million baht. The seizures followed extensive surveillance and coordinated raids across multiple provinces during May 2025.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362105-thai-customs-seize-over-1256-million-baht-worth-of-illegal-goods-in-nationwide-crackdown/

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Snatch Thief Arrested While Charging Phone to Gamble Online in Pattaya Mall

 

Picture courtesy of SiamChon.

 

Police in Sattahip have arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with a violent snatch-and-run robbery, after tracing him to a quiet corner of a Pattaya mall where he was charging his phone and gambling online using stolen money.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362013-woman-injured-in-violent-bag-snatching-incident-in-sattahip/#findComment-19832562

 

[webfact]

Transwoman Plans Escape to Thailand Amid UK's Anti-Trans Atmosphere

 

Picture of Alexis Solia courtesy of Stoke on Trent Live

 

Alexis Solia, a British transwoman and activist, has announced her plans to leave the UK following a controversial Supreme Court ruling that has intensified her fears for safety. The April decision clarified that "sex" under the Equality Act refers strictly to biological sex, not gender identity, a ruling that has sparked widespread concern within the transgender community.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362054-transwoman-plans-escape-amid-uks-anti-trans-atmosphere/

[webfact]

Thaksin Rallies Behind Yingluck in Rice Case Drama

 

Picture courtesy: Facebook Yingluck Shinawatra

 

The saga of Yingluck Shinawatra’s rice pledging legal battle has taken a dramatic turn, as her brother and former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, throws his weight behind her bid for a retrial. This high-stakes legal wrangle centres on a compensation case stemming from the rice pledging scheme overseen by Yingluck’s administration, which has had lingering repercussions.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362109-thaksin-rallies-behind-yingluck-in-rice-case-drama/

 

[Georgealbert]

Australian Injured & Vehicles Damaged After Concrete Collapse at Pattaya Condominium

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

Panic broke out in Pattaya on the evening of 28 May, after a loud crash was heard and large chunks of concrete fell from a high-rise condominium on Pratumnak Hill, injuring a foreign man and damaging several motorbikes parked nearby.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362108-australian injured-vehicles-damaged-after-concrete-collapse-at-pattaya-condominium/

 

[Georgealbert]

Man Shot Dead by Housemate Over Unpaid Rent in Nonthaburi
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 49-year-old man allegedly shot and killed his housemate following a heated argument over unpaid rent in Nonthaburi province late night of 27 May, before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362110-man-shot-dead-by-housemate-over-unpaid-rent-in-nonthaburi/

 

[Georgealbert]

Bulgarian National Arrested for Planting Malware in ATMs
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 50-year-old Bulgarian man has been arrested in connection with a sophisticated scheme to disable ATM machines across Thailand by installing data transmission cables embedded with malware. Authorities say the cyberattack has already affected at least 13 machines and has caused serious disruption to financial institutions.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362111-bulgarian national-arrested-for-planting-malware-in-atms/

 

[Georgealbert]

Jealous Husband Arrested After Shooting Wife Dead in Sa Kaeo

 

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

 

A manhunt launched after a shocking domestic murder in Sa Kaeo province has ended in the arrest of a 35-year-old man, who allegedly shot his wife in the back of the head following a jealous outburst. Police confirmed the suspect was apprehended in Aranyaprathet District less than 24 hours after the fatal shooting.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362112-jealous-husband-arrested-after-shooting-wife-dead-in-sa-kaeo/

 

[Georgealbert]

Chinese National Arrested in Pattaya Over Multi-Million Baht Money Laundering Scam
 

Picture courtesy of CIB

 

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested a Chinese national in Pattaya for alleged involvement in an international money laundering and online fraud scheme linked to a fake e-commerce platform. Police seized assets worth over 9 million baht during the operation.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362113-chinese-national-arrested-in-pattaya-over-multi-million-baht-money-laundering-scam/

 

[Georgealbert]

Gunmen Launch Attack on Narathiwat Police Station: One Officer Killed, One Seriously Injured

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

In a brazen and deadly assault on the morning of 28 May, a group of approximately ten armed insurgents launched a coordinated attack on Chanae Police Station in Narathiwat province, resulting in the death of one police officer and serious injury to another.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362114-gunmen-launch-attack-on-narathiwat-police-station-one-officer-killed-one-seriously-injured/

 

[Georgealbert]

Crackdown on Fake Medics: 8 Bogus Doctors, 3 Fake Pharmacists & TikToker Arrested

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

Authorities have launched a major operation across several provinces to crack down on unlicensed medical practitioners, rogue clinics and illegal pharmacies, resulting in the arrest of 12 suspects, including a popular TikTok influencer who posed as a bone specialist.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362115-crackdown-on-fake-medics-8-bogus-doctors-3-fake-pharmacists-tiktoker-arrested/

 

[Georgealbert]

Teen Dies After Being Stabbed by Friend Over Motorcycle Dispute in Nonthaburi
 

Picture courtesy of Kaoded

 

A 16-year-old boy has died after being stabbed by a friend during a heated argument over a motorcycle in a residential complex in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362116-teen-dies-after-being-stabbed-by-friend-over-motorcycle-dispute-in-nonthaburi/

 

[Georgealbert]

Autistic Boy 11, Guards Deceased Father’s Body for 3 Days, Believing He Was Asleep
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

In a heartbreaking incident, an 11-year-old autistic boy sat beside the body of his deceased father for three days inside a parked vehicle, unaware that his father had passed away. The child believed his father was merely asleep. The incident occurred near the seafront in the Khlong Wan subdistrict of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362118-autistic-boy-11-guards-deceased-father’s-body-for-3-days-believing-he-was-asleep/

 

[webfact]

Nightmare in Phuket: British Family's Pricey Villa Scam Uncovered

 

Picture courtesy of ABC News

 

A British family's dream holiday in Phuket descended into chaos when their £4,000 (176,000 baht) villa booking turned out to be a scam, leaving them stranded and scrambling for shelter. The Loaders, who had planned to spend Christmas in Thailand with their children and grandchildren, found themselves without a place to stay after a gruelling 30-hour journey.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362119-nightmare-in-phuket-british-familys-pricey-villa-scam-uncovered/

[webfact]

Covid Chaos: Cases Surge to 67,484 in a Single Week in Thailand

 

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand is grappling with a growing Covid-19 crisis as a staggering 67,484 new cases were reported within just a week, alongside eight tragic fatalities.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362121-covid-chaos-cases-surge-to-67484-in-a-single-week-in-thailand/

 

[webfact]

Foreign Arrivals Under Scrutiny as Thailand Steps Up Security

 

File photo 

 

Thailand is ramping up its efforts to clamp down on foreign nationals involved in criminal activities, with newly announced measures that could see tougher checks for international arrivals. National Police Chief, Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, has directed immigration police to enhance the screening process for incoming foreigners.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362123-foreign-arrivals-under-scrutiny-as-thailand-steps-up-security/

 

[Georgealbert]

Fire Guts Two Tourist Boats at Anantara Riverside Pier in Bangkok

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A early morning fire broke out on 29 May, at the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort’s private pier on Charoen Nakhon Road in Thonburi district, engulfing two tourist boats in flames and prompting a swift emergency response. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or persons trapped during the incident.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362134-fire-guts-two-tourist-boats-at-anantara-riverside-pier-in-bangkok/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Missing Dane Found Dead in Bangkok Police Cell

 

Picture courtesy of ScandAsia

 

A mysterious disappearance has ended tragically with the death of a Danish tourist in a Bangkok police cell. Jakob Jensen, 41, was reported missing in March 2025, sparking a frantic search by family and expats before his body was discovered in custody.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1360439-danish-man-missing-in-thailand-family-urges-for-public-assistance/#findComment-19833070

[Georgealbert]

Wrecking Spree in Pattaya: Woman Crashes into Multiple Vehicles, Flees Scene

 

Picture courtesy of SiamChon 

 

In the early hours of the morning of 29 May, chaos erupted on Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya when a white Mazda CX-30 went on a destructive rampage, crashing into multiple vehicles and leaving a trail of damage before finally being stopped by concerned citizens.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362137-wrecking-spree-in-pattaya-woman-crashes-into-multiple-vehicles-flees-scene/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:
 

Bangkok Bank Bars Tourists from Accounts in Fraud Crackdown

 

Picture courtesy of China Daily
 

Thailand tourists face banking barriers as Bangkok Bank shuts them out amid fraud fears.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362091-foreign-nationals-face-account-bans-in-bangkok-bank-crackdown/page/2/#findComment-19833154

 

[Georgealbert]

Police Called After Indian Tourist Climbs Onto Taxi in Pattaya

 

Picture courtesy of ที่นี่ พัทยา

 

A bizarre scene unfolded in the early hours of the morning of 29 May, when a Indian tourist was found lying on the roof of a white electric taxi in central Pattaya, prompting a swift police response and drawing a large crowd of onlookers.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1362138-police-called-after-indian-tourist-climbs-onto-taxi-in-pattaya/