Thai Hospital Achieves 100% Success in Cancer Surgeries

Yang Talat Hospital in Kalasin, northeastern Thailand, has reported a 100% success rate in laparoscopic surgeries for colorectal cancer, following screenings of over 1,200 individuals since 2023. The hospital detected 19 cases of cancer among these screenings, with all patients undergoing successful surgeries and resuming normal life.

ANNOUNCEMENT

IMPORTANT -Regional News forums

From now on, all news Thailand articles will be published in Thailand News only. We will no longer post new stories in regional sections such as Pattaya News, Phuket News, etc. Each article will carry a blue region tag (for example, Pattaya, Phuket, Bangkok). Full details in link below:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1387563-important-regional-news-forums/

Two Men Arrested for Unlicensed Tour Operation in Loei

Authorities in Loei, Thailand, have arrested two men at the Ban Khok Phai border checkpoint for allegedly operating an unlicensed tour business offering trips to Laos for Thai tourists. The arrests took place on February 16 in the Pak Chom subdistrict, with officers seizing documents, money transfer records, and promotional materials used in their operation.

Bangkok Launches Electric Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Program

Bangkok has introduced the "EV for Win Riders" initiative to transition motorcycle taxis to electric vehicles. Launched by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and supported by partners like Germany’s GIZ, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, and the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, the project aims to reduce pollution and operational expenses for riders in the city.

Siberian Husky Set on Fire: Owner Seeks Public's Help

A Siberian Husky was set on fire in Songkhla's Muang district last Friday night, prompting the owner to seek public assistance to find the attacker. The incident occurred when a man poured gasoline on the dog in Ban Laem Kwan and ignited it.

Thailand GDP up 2.4% in 2025, Beats Forecasts

Thailand’s economy grew by 2.4% in 2025, outperforming initial forecasts after a strong surge in the final quarter of the year. Data released on Monday, February 16, 2026 by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) showed Gross Domestic Product expanded by 2.5% in the fourth quarter alone.

Four Myanmar Men Beat American to Death in Bangkok

An American man, who has not yet been named by authorities, was beaten to death by four Myanmar nationals in Bangkok on 16 February 2026, in an incident police say stemmed from a relationship dispute.

THB990bn Land Bridge Tender Eyed Within Four Years

The Transport Ministry says the THB990 billion land bridge under the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) could be opened for bidding and private investment within four years under the Bhumjaithai-led government of Anutin Charnvirakul.

Woman Killed Crossing Under Footbridge in Nonthaburi

A 20-year-old woman from Chiang Rai was killed after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing the road beneath a pedestrian footbridge in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, late on 15 February 2026.

Nattapong Denies Gulf Defamation Charges

Nattapong Rueangpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, has denied all allegations in a defamation case brought by Gulf Energy Development.

Three Rescued After Squid Boat Sinks Off Sattahip

Three crew members were rescued after a 20-ton squid fishing boat sank near Koh Rang Kwian, in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, late on 15 February 2026.

UPDATE

Ombudsman Orders EC to Explain Ballot Barcodes

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the Election Commission (EC) to clarify within seven days complaints concerning the printing of barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers.

Siriraj & DDC Deny Nipah Virus Cases in Thailand

Authorities have dismissed online claims that the Nipah virus has reached Thailand, confirming that no cases have been detected. Siriraj Hospital and the Department of Disease Control (DDC) stated on 16 February 2026 that reports circulating on social media were false.

Restaurants Urge 90-Day Emergency Stimulus

The Thai Restaurant Association has called on the new government to introduce an emergency “90-day rescue plan” within its first three months in office to prevent widespread closures across the hospitality sector.

Caddie Dies After 140km/h Crash in Pathum Thani

A 30-year-old female caddie died after her car crashed into a pavement and electricity pole on Khlong Ha–Khlong Luang–Thanyaburi Road in Pathum Thani on 16 February 2026.

Bhumjaithai Denies Newin-Thammanat Coalition Talks

Bhumjaithai secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob has denied reports that his father, de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, sought a private meeting with de facto Klatham leader Thammanat Prompao to discuss forming a coalition government following the February 8 election.

UPDATE

Four Myanmar Men Held Over Fatal Bangkok Attack

Four Myanmar nationals have been arrested following the fatal assault of a 55-year-old American man, Cole Stein Heath, in Soi Suksawat 26, Jom Thong district, Bangkok, on 16 February 2026.

British Woman Seeks Information on Missing Brother in Bangkok

A British woman, Alison Jacks, is actively searching for her brother, Wayne Charles Smith, who has been missing since December 27. His last known whereabouts were near Soi Sukhumvit 71/1 in Bangkok's Wattana district.

Gold Lion Statue Stolen From Chiang Mai Pub by Foreign Duo

A pub in Chiang Mai reported a theft involving a foreign man and woman who allegedly stole a gold lion statue on February 11. The incident was captured on CCTV, showing the male suspect attempting to conceal the statue in his sling bag, while the woman distracted staff.

Controversy Over Moo Deng’s Zoo Habitat in Thailand

The living conditions of Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Zoo in Chon Buri, have sparked controversy after Thai environmentalist and former park ranger Siranudh “Sai” Scott criticized them on social media. Sai shared images depicting Moo Deng’s habitat, which he described as subpar, suggesting the hippo is used as a marketing tool despite the zoo's revenue.

Pattaya Beach Scandal: Tourists Filmed in an Inappropriate Act

A video showing a foreign couple engaging in a lewd act in the sea off Pattaya Beach has sparked widespread criticism. The footage, shared early on February 17, features a man and woman, identified as Chinese tourists, performing the act in public view, which many netizens condemned as inappropriate and damaging to Pattaya's reputation.

Chinese Tourist Robbed by Three in Pattaya Hotel Incident

A Chinese tourist was reportedly assaulted and robbed of over 20,000 baht by three transgender women in a hotel in Pattaya, early Monday morning. The incident occurred around 04:30 when Pattaya City Police received a report of the attack at a hotel on Soi 4, Pattaya Second Road.

Thai Man's Death Not Directly Caused by Black Fly Bites

A recent statement from Wang Nuea Hospital in Lampang clarified that a 68-year-old Thai man's death was due to a bloodstream infection and respiratory failure, not directly from black fly bites. This announcement came after online posts sparked public concern, suggesting the man died following an encounter with black flies, locally known as tua khun.

HPV Risk High for Men, Thai Doctor Urges Vaccination

A leading Thai gynaecologist has highlighted that over 90% of sexually active men will contract the human papillomavirus (HPV) during their lives, often unknowingly. Dr. Prayongsri Kamprapan from Thanakan Hospital emphasizes the need for HPV vaccination across all genders, addressing a common misconception that it is only necessary for women.

Licences Renewal Goes Online for Motorists Under 55

The Department of Land Transport (DLT), alongside the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), is set to allow drivers under 55 to renew their licences online starting June 2026. This initiative seeks to ease the process for over 2.5 million yearly renewals by enabling electronic applications for those whose licences have not been expired for more than a year, eliminating the need for a physical fitness test visit.

Thailand Faces Rising Birdstrike Threat to Aviation Safety

Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has highlighted the increasing risk that birdstrikes pose to aviation safety. Over the past five years, 6,118 birdstrikes have been reported, causing damage amounting to hundreds of millions of baht.

Malaysia Drops Thai Defamation Case Against Australian Reporter

Malaysia has retracted a criminal defamation complaint in Thailand against Australian journalist Murray Hunter, after he agreed to apologize and remove allegedly defamatory articles. The lawsuit had been criticized by rights groups as a threat to freedom of expression.

to continue:

 

Thailand Live Wednesday 18 February 2026

https://aseannow.com/topic/1387653-thailand-live-wednesday-18-february-2026/