French Couple Faces Deportation After tuk tuk Incident in Phuket

A French couple is set to be deported from Thailand following their arrest for engaging in a sexual act on a tuk tuk in Phuket. The incident occurred on January 29 and was caught on video by a Thai motorist.

Investigation Links Thai Ketamine to Ex-Baseball Player's Crimes

A former South Korean professional baseball player, identified as Mr A, has been arrested and indicted for allegedly smuggling 1.9 kilograms of ketamine from Thailand into South Korea. South Korea's SBS reported that the Busan District Prosecutors’ Office also charged Mr B, a software developer, for the same violations against the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

Chinese National Arrested for Selling Ketamine-Laced Vape Pods

A Chinese citizen was arrested in Pattaya for selling ketamine-laced vape pods, dubbed "zombie pods," to tourists. The suspect, Yu Kun, 34, was caught by the local Pattaya and Provincial Police Region 2 teams in tambon Nong Prue, Chon Buri.

Foreign Tourists Mistake Thai Funeral for Restaurant

A Thai family in Nakhon Si Thammarat province mistakenly hosted foreign tourists at a funeral, providing them with food when they believed it to be a restaurant. The incident was shared online by Charantorn Chareomkiad, who posted videos from the family’s funeral ceremony on January 31.

Foreign Man Shocked After Winning Lottery But No Cash Prize

A foreign national was left distressed after discovering that lottery tickets he believed had won a prize could not be redeemed, prompting a police complaint against the seller.

Thailand to Chair UN Space Science Subcommittee in 2026

Thailand has been appointed to chair the United Nations Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) for 2026, marking a significant step in its role in global space governance.

UPDATE

Police Question Pattaya Beer Bar Guards After Tourist Brawl

Police in Pattaya have questioned four security guards from a beer bar following a widely shared video showing a violent confrontation with a foreign tourist, raising renewed concerns about safety.

Mongolian Man Hid Ice in Electronics for Export

Narcotics police have arrested a Mongolian man accused of attempting to export crystal methamphetamine concealed inside electronic components, uncovering a cross-border drug trafficking operation using Thailand as a transit hub.

Thailand Dubbed Asia's 'Sick Man' as Growth Stalls

Thailand is being labelled the ‘sick man’ of Asia by analysts, as its economy stagnates amid political paralysis and demographic decline. The nation’s growth, struggling below 3%, lags far behind regional neighbours like Vietnam and the Philippines, which are surging ahead with over 5% expansion.

Two Russians Remanded Over Pattaya Murder & Ransom Case

Police have remanded two Russian nationals in custody over a brutal murder, dismemberment and ransom case in Pattaya, as investigators confirmed there is no link to the Russian military and that the suspects’ visas have been revoked.

Fears Rise Over Advance Voting Errors Ahead of Poll

Political parties and civil society groups have raised concerns over widespread irregularities during advance voting, warning the problems could undermine public confidence ahead of Thailand’s general election scheduled for Sunday.

Thai Teen Arrested After Fatal Stabbing of Uncle at Home

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after fatally stabbing his uncle more than 13 times at a family home in Amnat Charoen province, in an incident that shocked the local community.

Thai–China Chamber Head Urges AI Shift for Thai Industry

The president of the Thai–Chinese Chamber of Commerce has called on Thai business leaders to urgently adapt to China’s rapid advances in artificial intelligence-driven manufacturing.

Bomb Blast at Yala House Linked to Insurgents

An accidental explosion during the assembly of an improvised explosive device at a house in Yala province late on February 2 has been linked to insurgent activity, according to security authorities.

UNESCO to Inspect Chiang Mai for World Heritage Listing

UNESCO is preparing to send an inspection team to Chiang Mai in June, marking a significant step in Thailand’s long-running effort to secure World Heritage status for the northern city.

UPDATE

Graffiti Tourist Apologises to Koh Phangan Residents

A foreign tourist known online as “Mr. Spray” has apologised to residents of Koh Phangan after spray-painted messages appeared across more than 40 public locations on the island, triggering widespread local anger and national attention.

Thai Police Arrest Fugitive in 1992 Hong Kong Murder Case

Thai authorities arrested Mui Yiu Keung, a Chinese national wanted in connection with a 1992 Hong Kong murder. The arrest took place on February 3 in Bangkok, following cooperation between Hong Kong authorities and Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

Disqualified Russian Runner Tosses Medal, Criticizes Event

Sergey Zyryanov, a Russian runner, was disqualified from the Running@Wichit event in Phuket after reportedly following the wrong route. Zyryanov claims the error was due to the organisers' mishandling, yet his result was marked as DNF (did not finish).

Japanese Tourist in Birdcage Dispute at Thai Shrine

A misunderstanding between a Japanese man and a flower vendor at Udon Thani's city pillar shrine on February 3 led to police intervention. The dispute arose during a merit-making ritual involving the release of birds.

Veteran Thai Soldiers Ready to Serve Amid Thai-Cambodian Tensions

A 64-year-old war veteran, Anusit, expressed his willingness to return to duty should Thai-Cambodian border tensions escalate again. This sentiment was shared during a War Veterans Day ceremony in Bangkok, commemorating the 42 Thai soldiers who died in last year’s border skirmishes.

Thailand Enhances Airport Defenses Against Climate Threats

Thailand is enhancing its airport resilience to combat rising climate risks, evident in the 23.5-km flood wall at Suvarnabhumi Airport and plans to fortify Don Mueang Airport. The push follows increased global concerns about how extreme weather could disrupt aviation operations, a trend highlighted by past airport shutdowns worldwide.

Stranded Tourists Rescued in Koh Phangan Jungle Storm

Two foreign tourists were rescued after losing their way in the jungle on Koh Phangan during a storm, local police confirmed. Boris Andres Ponton from Ecuador and Zach Izhak Berlinski from Israel became stranded between Haad Yuan and Haad Rin amid heavy rain and challenging terrain.

Three Arrested in Thailand for Smuggling Chinese Migrants

Three Thai men have been arrested in Saraburi province for transporting 14 illegal Chinese migrants in two vehicles. The suspects, Chakrapol, 44; Jirawat, 21; and Krisada, 44, face charges for harboring and aiding illegal migrants.

Phuket Prepares for Vibrant Chinese New Year Celebrations

Phuket is gearing up for lively Chinese New Year celebrations, driven by a resurgence in Chinese tourism and increased flights from China. This optimistic scenario is largely supported by the Phuket Tourist Business Association (PTBA), which noted a significant uptick in interest from Chinese travelers.

German Man Detained for Damaging Election Banners in Thailand

A 61-year-old German national was detained on February 4 for vandalizing political campaign banners in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The banners, promoting People’s Party candidate Sutat Meesiri for Constituency 6, were damaged on two consecutive days, leading to a formal complaint by the candidate.

Bangkok Police Rush Two Heart Transplants in One Night

Bangkok's traffic police successfully managed two critical organ transport missions on February 3, delivering donated hearts to hospitals in record time. The operations involved close coordination between the Royal Traffic Police and medical teams to ensure smooth travel through the city's busy streets, offering two patients a vital chance at life-saving transplants.

to continue:

 

Thailand Live Thursday 5 February 2026

https://aseannow.com/topic/1386649-thailand-live-thursday-5-february-2026/