THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Saturday 21 June 2025

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Thailand Tightens Rules for Foreign Drivers: Tests Now Mandatory

 

Photo courtesy of Thai Visa Expert

 

Thailand is set to introduce stricter regulations for foreign nationals seeking to obtain a Thai driver's licence. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has proposed a draft regulation requiring all foreigners to pass a written test, irrespective of holding a valid international driving permit (IDP).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364291-thailand-tightens-rules-for-foreign-drivers-tests-now-mandatory/

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Tourist Overcharging Allegations at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

 

Photo via Facebook/ Yamolpon Kaeosakun

 

A troubling incident at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi has sparked debate after a local woman accused a boat operator of severely overcharging her and her foreign friends.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364299-tourist-overcharging-allegations-at-damnoen-saduak-floating-market/

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Illegal Cosmetic Clinic in Phuket Busted; Uzbek Woman Arrested

 

Pictures courtesy of The Phuket News

 

Authorities in Phuket have apprehended an Uzbek woman operating an unlicensed beauty clinic, reinforcing measures against illegal medical practices in tourist areas. Known as Maftu, she was caught conducting cosmetic procedures in the Chalong area on June 17.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364292-illegal-cosmetic-clinic-in-phuket-busted-uzbek-woman-arrested/

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4 Bar Girls Stabbed in Bloody Feud on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 23

 

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

BANGKOK –  A heated dispute among bar workers in Soi Sukhumvit 23 escalated into a violent confrontation, leaving four individuals injured in a stabbing incident allegedly stemming from a rivalry over clients.

 

Full stort: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364332-4-bar-girls-stabbed-in-bloody-feud-on-bangkok’s-sukhumvit-soi-23/

 

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Police Raid in Bangkok Uncovers Chinese Overstayers, Possible Links to Gambling Sites

 

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

On 20th June, police from the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Investigation Division raided a hotel in Bangkok's Makkasan area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364333-police-raid-in-bangkok-uncovers-chinese-overstayers-possible-links-to-gambling-sites/

 

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4 Myanmar Massage Therapists Arrested for Illegally Taking Thai Jobs

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

BANGKOK – Thai authorities arrest four Myanmar nationals working as masseurs without permits, allegedly taking jobs from locals.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364334-4-myanmar-massage-therapists-arrested-for-illegally-taking-thai-jobs/

 

[Georgealbert]

Killing of Elderly Mother by Mentally Ill Son in Kamphaeng Phet

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A shocking domestic incident unfolded in Kamphaeng Phet province, where a 52-year-old man used a machete to brutally kill his 84-year-old mother, inflicting over ten wounds across her body. The suspect, known to suffer from mental illness, has been charged with parricide.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364335-killing-of-elderly-mother-by-mentally-ill-son-in-kamphaeng-phet/

 

[Georgealbert]

Bangkok Police Bust Illegal E-Cigarette Operation, Seize Thousands of Items & Arrest Five

 

Picture courtesy of SiamNews.

 

Metropolitan Police have dismantled an illegal production and distribution network for e-cigarettes in the capital, arresting five suspects and seizing a vast quantity of contraband, including vaping devices, chemical ingredients and equipment. Some of the seized substances were found to contain illegal narcotics.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364336-bangkok-police-bust-illegal-e-cigarette-operation-seize-thousands-of-items-arrest-five/

 

[Georgealbert]

Russian Tourist Drowns After Ignoring Red Flag Warnings at Karon Beach

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

An incident occurred at Karon Beach, Phuket, on 20 June, when a Russian tourist drowned after entering the sea despite clear red flag warnings prohibiting swimming due to dangerous conditions.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364337-russian-tourist-drowns-after-ignoring-red-flag-warnings-at-karon-beach/

 

[Georgealbert]

German Man Found Dead in Nakhon Si Thammarat Home
 

Picture courtesy of พี่หลวงย้อย มาแล้ว

 

A 63-year-old German national was found dead inside his home in Tha Sala district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province early morning on 20 June.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364338-german-man-found-dead-in-nakhon-si-thammarat-home/

 

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Israel-Iran Conflict Puts a Damper on Thailand's Tourist Dreams

 

Picture courtesy of Kasikorn Research Center

 

The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict is wreaking havoc on Israel's travel plans to Thailand. Flight disruptions and soaring airfares are projected to cut the growth of the Israeli tourist market this year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364339-israel-iran-conflict-puts-a-damper-on-thailands-tourist-dreams/

 

[Georgealbert]

Authorities Raid Fake Cough Syrup Factories Across Four Provinces
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A coordinated crackdown by Thailand’s Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has led to the dismantling of five illegal drug production sites manufacturing counterfeit cough syrups, with a total estimated value of more than 22 million baht.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364340-authorities-raid-fake-cough-syrup-factories-across-four-provinces/

 

[Georgealbert]

Search Underway for Hero Who Saved Mother & Toddler from Sinking Car in Udon Thani

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Residents of a village in Udon Thani are searching for an anonymous hero who rescued a woman and her two-year-old son moments before their car sank into a canal. The dramatic incident occurred on the evening of 19 June along the rural road connecting Ban Don Khilek and Ban Na Kham Wang in Na Kham Subdistrict, Ban Dung District.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364341-search-underway-for-hero-who-saved-mother-toddler-from-sinking-car-in-udon-thani/

 

[Georgealbert]

Fugitive Arrested in Pattaya After 18 Years on the Run for Attempted Murder

 

Picture courtesy of TMN

 

Police in Pattaya have arrested a man wanted for an attempted murder committed nearly two decades ago, just two years before the statute of limitations was set to expire.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364342-fugitive-arrested-in-pattaya-after-18-years-on-the-run-for-attempted-murder/

 

[Georgealbert]

Army Sergeant Kills Himself with M16 Rifle in Military Quarters

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

A Royal Thai Army sergeant was found dead in his accommodation at the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) headquarters in Bangkok on 19 June, having reportedly taken his own life with an M16 rifle.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364343-army-sergeant-kills-himself-with-m16-rifle-in-military-quarters/

 

[Georgealbert]

Sa Kaeo: Wild Elephant Kills Cucumber Farmer Outside Wildlife Sanctuary
 

Picture courtesy of kaoded.

 

A 61-year-old man was killed by a wild elephant on the morning of 20 June, in the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary buffer zone in Sa Kaeo province, prompting urgent calls for increased patrols and long-term conflict mitigation between humans and wildlife.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364344-sa-kaeo-wild-elephant-kills-cucumber-farmer-outside-wildlife-sanctuary/

 

[Georgealbert]

Quick-Thinking Rescue Saves Food Delivery Rider from Suicide Attempt on Nonthaburi Bridge
 

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

 

A food delivery rider was dramatically rescued from a suicide attempt on the Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Nonthaburi after a heated dispute with his long-term girlfriend left him emotionally distressed.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364345-quick-thinking-rescue-saves-food-delivery-rider-from-suicide-attempt-on-nonthaburi-bridge/

 

[Georgealbert]

Six Thais Caught Illegally Crossing Border to Return to Work at Cambodian Casino

Picture courtesy of TheStandard.

 

Six Thai nationals have been arrested by the Burapha Task Force while attempting to illegally cross the border back into Cambodia to resume work at a casino in Poipet, defying heightened border control measures imposed by authorities.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364346-six-thais-caught-illegally-crossing-border-to-return-to-work-at-cambodian-casino/

 

[Georgealbert]

Plankton Bloom Turns Pattaya Sea Green
 

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

 

A plankton bloom has transformed the waters off Wong Amat Beach in Pattaya, Chonburi Province, from crystal clear to a dark green hue, raising concerns among both locals and tourists.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364347-plankton-bloom-turns-pattaya-sea-green/

 

[Georgealbert]

Electric Shock from Parade Vehicle Kills Two at Wedding

 

Picture courtesy of Komchadluek.

 

A joyful wedding celebration turned into a scene of heartbreak when two men were electrocuted by a parade vehicle that had developed an electrical fault. The incident occurred in the early evening at Ban Kor village in Huai Tai sub-district, Khukhan district, Si Sa Ket province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364349-electric-shock-from-parade-vehicle-kills-two-at-wedding/

 

[Georgealbert]

Giant Monitor Lizard Startles Homeowner, Mistaken for Crocodile
 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 66-year-old woman was left stunned when a giant monitor lizard dashed into her home in Ang Thong province, prompting a brief panic and a hopeful turn toward good fortune.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364350-giant-monitor-lizard-startles-homeowner-mistaken-for-crocodile/

 

[Georgealbert]

Fake Lawyer Arrested for Fraud After Scamming Over 30 Victims Out of Millions

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A man posing as a licensed lawyer has been arrested in Bangkok after allegedly defrauding more than 30 victims in Si Sa Ket province, with total damages amounting to several million baht.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364351-fake-lawyer-arrested-for-fraud-after-scamming-over-30-victims-out-of-millions/

 

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Paetongtarn Under Fire: Leaked Call with Hun Sen Sparks National Outcry

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepares to leave after talking to reporters at Government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is in a tight spot after a leaked phone call with Cambodia's Hun Sen raised suspicions she's not prioritising Thailand's interests.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364352-paetongtarn-under-fire-leaked-call-with-hun-sen-sparks-national-outcry/

 

[Georgealbert]

Illegal Loan Company Busted for Charging 30% Monthly Interest Using iCloud Collateral
 

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

Officers from Thailand’s Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) have raided an illicit loan company accused of operating without a license and charging exorbitant interest rates of 30% per month. The company, which accepted iCloud accounts as loan collateral, reportedly has over 5,000 customers across multiple locations.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364353-illegal-loan-company-busted-for-charging-30-monthly-interest-using-icloud-collateral/

 

[Georgealbert]

Detainee Dies in Police Van Crash in Chiang Mai Province

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

A detainee has died after a police transport vehicle from Wiang Haeng Police Station veered off the road on the morning of 20 June.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364355-detainee-dies-in-police-van-crash-in-chiang-mai-province/

 

[Georgealbert]

DSI Raids 5 Sites, Seizes 1.8 Million Litres of Drug Precursor Chemicals

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has seized more than 1.8 million litres of chemical substances suspected to be used in the illicit production of narcotics, following coordinated raids on five locations across Bangkok and neighbouring Samut Prakan province.

 

Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1364356-dsi-raids-5-sites-seizes-18-million-litres-of-drug-precursor-chemicals/

 

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Supreme Court to Review Thaksin's Hospital Transfer Drama

 

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) is gearing up to hand over the findings from its probe into Thaksin Shinawatra's controversial hospital transfer directly to the Supreme Court. The investigation targeted three doctors allegedly entangled in Thaksin's high-profile move from prison to hospital care, prompting disciplinary measures against them.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1364360-supreme-court-to-review-thaksins-hospital-transfer-drama/