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Massive Fire Traps Guests at Sunday JA Plus Hotel in Pattaya
A severe fire struck the Sunday JA Plus Hotel in Pattaya. The incident began around 9:00 p.m. on May 21, 2026 The hotel, formerly known as the J.A. Plus Hotel, sits on Pattaya Third Road in the Nong Prue area of Bang Lamung, Chonburi. The Facebook page Fire & Rescue Thailand reported the emergency. Early information indicates the blaze trapped…
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Hua Hin landlord issues warning after property vandalism by Swiss man
A woman warned other property owners and local women after a Swiss tenant severely damaged her rental house in Hua Hin and continuing to invite women to the property after his contract ended. The homeowner shared photographs and details of the incident in a Facebook group for Hua Hin residents, where the post quickly gained attention online. According to the…
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Bangkok train crash exposes negligence, says minister
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat admitted that a train driver was negligent during the Bangkok train-bus crash at the Asok-Din Daeng intersection, which killed eight people, as he addressed new drug testing measures for public transport staff. The issue was raised in Parliament at 10.30am today, May 21, during a House of Representatives meeting chaired by House Speaker Sophon Saram.…
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3 Thai men arrested in Ecuador with 12 rare Galápagos iguanas
Three Thai nationals were arrested at an airport in Ecuador for wildlife smuggling after 12 rare marine iguanas were discovered hidden in their luggage. Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment and Energy said the animals were found during baggage inspections at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil on Tuesday, May 19. Officials said specially trained K9 dogs used for wildlife…
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Jealous Thai rescuer allegedly threatens to kill wife, steals valuables
A woman in Nonthaburi accused her husband, a volunteer rescuer, of physically assaulting and threatening to kill her during a fit of jealousy before stealing valuables worth more than 600,000 baht. The victim, 44 year old Promphit, sought help from the Nonthaburi Member of Parliament (MP) assistants to Kraithawat Thammatada and Saichon Nitkham, who accompanied her to file a complaint at…
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Princess Bajrakitiyabha health update reports worsening condition
Thailand’s Bureau of the Royal Household today, May 21, issued its seventh statement on Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s health, reporting that her condition has worsened after a severe infection linked to abdominal and intestinal inflammation. Princess Bajrakitiyabha has been receiving treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, since December 15, 2022. The bureau previously stated that she lost consciousness…
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Austrian man deported for blocking road and demanding money in Phuket
Phuket immigration police revoked the visa of an Austrian tourist and prepared to deport him after he caused public disturbances in Rawai by blocking roads and demanding money from residents and tourists. Videos showing the man’s behaviour circulated on Thai social media on Tuesday, May 19. The suspect was later identified as 39 year old Austrian national, Raphael. In the…
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Alcohol bottles found after Chinese tourist dies in Pattaya hotel fall
A Chinese tourist died after falling from the sixth floor of a Pattaya hotel early today, May 21, with police finding alcohol bottles in his room as they investigate what led to the fall. Pattaya City Police received the report at 3.36am and went to the scene with investigators and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue volunteers. The 33 year old Chinese…
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Thailand News | Thailand watches Ebola Situation after Congo Outbreak, British traveller’s bag delayed after sex toy alert on Thai Flight
Today we’ll be talking about steps the Thai government is taking in monitoring the ebola outbreak in the Congo, of course we have some foreigners behaving badly but also – surprise, surprise – facing consequences for their actions, plus, we’ll give you a full breakdown of everything we know so far regarding the Singha family dispute, and a little later…
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May 21 forecast brings heavy rain, rough seas as monsoon grips Thailand
Thailand will continue to face heavy rain in several regions today, May 21, with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warning of flash floods, forest runoff and rough seas in parts of the country, according to today’s weather forecast. The department said a moderately strong southwest monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand, combined with a low-pressure cell over the…
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7 year old girl and soldier injured in ambush shooting in Narathiwat
A Thai soldier and a seven year old girl were injured in an ambush shooting in Narathiwat last night, May 20. The attack took place at about 7pm in Sawo subdistrict when unidentified gunmen opened fire on 29 year old Muhammad-Ammudi Waesohoh, a soldier from the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 152nd Infantry Regiment at Sirindhorn Camp in Pattani. According to reports,…
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Early morning fire damages Indian restaurant, suit shop in Pattaya
An early morning fire in Pattaya damaged an Indian restaurant and a neighbouring suit shop today, May 21. The initial report did not mention any injuries. Pattaya disaster prevention officials received the fire report at 4.56am. Firefighters, water trucks, and Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue volunteers were sent to the scene inside Soi Pattaya Beach Road 13. The fire broke out…
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Railway drug test finds two SRT workers positive for drugs
Two railway workers tested positive for drugs during random drug tests at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal conducted by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). The inspections were conducted on May 19 and yesterday, May 20, among railway operations staff and mechanical division employees, including train drivers, station staff, rail crossing…
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Foreigner criticised for paying Phuket man to pass police checkpoint
A foreign tourist was caught on video paying a Thai food delivery rider to ride a rental motorcycle through a police checkpoint in Phuket, prompting speculation online about his motives. The incident was first shared by the food delivery rider on his social media account before being reposted by the Shadow Phuket Facebook page, where it attracted widespread attention. The…
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Pattaya’s tourism business association backs visa-free stay cut
Pattaya’s tourism business association has backed the government’s decision to reduce Thailand’s visa-free stay periods from 60 days to around 30 days, saying the move could help address scammer concerns, illegal business activity, and support tourism revenue. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the Cabinet agreed to cancel the 60-day visa-free scheme for more than 90 countries. Countries with…
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Swede surrenders after attacking Indian hotel owner in Phuket
A Swedish man surrendered to Phuket police yesterday, May 19, after assaulting an Indian man outside a hotel in Patong following a dispute over missing money. Footage of the incident was shared by the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page yesterday, but the incident reportedly took place on Monday, May 18, outside the Patong Platinum Hotel. The suspect was identified as a…
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Ebola risks in Thailand under watch after Congo outbreak
The Thai government has ordered the Ministry of Public Health to closely monitor Ebola risks in Thailand after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo an international public health emergency. Deputy government spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan said Today, May 20, that the WHO declaration concerned an Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, eastern…
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Chinese woman arrested for illegally working as land broker
Immigration police in Chon Buri arrested a Chinese woman yesterday, May 19, for working illegally as a land broker while meeting Chinese investors in Sri Racha district. Officers from the Chon Buri Provincial Immigration Office said they had been monitoring the activities of the suspect, identified as 43 year old Anhan, after discovering videos she posted on the WeChat application…
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Koh Larn diving trip safety questioned after tourists left in storm
A tourist has urged marine tour operators in Pattaya to improve safety measures after claiming passengers on a group diving trip near Koh Larn, Chon Buri, on May 4 were left without enough staff support as strong waves and a storm approached. The incident was shared online through a TikTok video by a tourist who had joined a group diving…
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Dutch tourist found dead after kayak accident off Railay Beach
The body of a Dutch tourist who went missing after a kayak accident off Railay Beach in Krabi was found yesterday, May 19. The Dutch victim, identified as 61 year old Rob Borgmann, disappeared on May 16 after strong winds and waves overturned the kayaks he and his daughter were using during heavy rain. Officials said neither of them was…
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Kanchanaburi man killed after car crashes into wild elephants
A Thai man died, and two others were injured after a sedan reportedly crashed into wild elephants before catching fire on a road in Kanchanaburi province yesterday, May 19. Lad Ya Police Station officers told KhaoSod the crash occurred at about 9pm on Highway No. 323 heading towards central Kanchanaburi. Rangers from Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, rescue workers and medical…
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Thailand News | Thailand Cancels 60-Day Visa-Free Entry Scheme, new EU rules could give Thai travellers longer Schengen Visas
Today we’ll be talking about the cabinet’s approval of the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free entry scheme, also, yet another train collision occurred as a delivery rider is left in serious condition after standing too close to the tracks, the recurring incidents have led to the transport ministry to cut inner Bangkok routes, then a new Cannabis bill is moving…
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Songkhla school director killed in hostage incident receives royal honour
Sasiphat Sinsamosorn, the former director of a school in Songkhla, has been posthumously granted the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand after sacrificing herself to protect teachers and students during a school shooting incident that led to a hostage situation. The Royal Gazette published the royal command yesterday, May 19, announcing the royal decoration for the deceased teacher.…
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Singha removes senior family figure over sexual assault allegations
Boon Rawd Brewery, renowned for its Singha and Leo beers, removed Sunit “Pi” Scott from all company positions following sexual assault allegations made against him by his younger brother, Siranudh “Psi” Scott. Psi publicly accused Pi of repeatedly sexually assaulting him during their childhood. He released a video describing the abuse and shared a voice recording as evidence, which showed a…
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Environment minister apologises after tense exchange with journalist
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin apologised to a journalist after displaying aggressive behaviour during an interview about alleged corruption within the Pollution Control Department. The incident followed the release of a survey by the Zero Corruption working group under the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), which reportedly found the Pollution Control Department had the…
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May 20 forecast warns of heavy rain across Thailand
Thailand is expected to see continued rainfall over the next 24 hours, with heavy to very heavy rain forecast in parts of the South, Northeast and East, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today, May 20. The department said a relatively strong southwest monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand, combined with a low-pressure cell over northern Vietnam,…
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Russian man arrested with large drug haul on Phuket-Pattaya bus
A Russian man was arrested at a Phuket checkpoint yesterday, May 18, after police found multiple types of drugs in his backpack during a search on a coach bus travelling to Pattaya. Officers at the Tha Chat Chai Checkpoint in Mai Khao subdistrict, Thalang district, stopped a Phuket-Pattaya coach bus for routine inspections and requested identification documents from passengers. Police…
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Two Chinese suspects detained in Chon Buri ‘zombie’ drug lab raid
Police raided a luxury pool villa in Chon Buri today, May 19, after finding it had been turned into a makeshift drug lab with machines and other items linked to chemicals used in ketamine-laced e-cigarettes, locally known as Pod K. Chon Buri Governor Naris Niramaivong and Pol. Maj. Gen. Phongphan Wongmanithet, commander of Chon Buri Provincial Police, led officials with…
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Thai Cabinet officially ends 60-day visa-free scheme
Thailand’s Cabinet officially approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free scheme following a proposal from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, with revised visa categories for each country expected to be announced later. The visa-free programme previously allowed travellers from more than 90 countries to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa. The policy expanded an…
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EU visa change opens path to longer Schengen visas for Thais
Thai nationals residing in Thailand may now qualify for Schengen visas valid for up to five years under new European Union (EU) rules announced yesterday, May 18, aimed at making repeat travel to Europe easier. The change is part of a new “visa cascade” system adopted by the EU, giving eligible repeat travellers progressively longer multiple-entry visas. It applies to…
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