Thailand video news | Polish woman threatens to bomb Thai VietJet flight, South Korea prepares to ban dog meat with incentives for farmers
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a Polish woman who threatened to bomb a Thai VietJet flight mid-air, triggering emergency protocols. Thai customs seized over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis, preventing its smuggling to the UK. In Pattaya, a glue-sniffing drifter caused chaos, while in China, a Thai woman was insulted by a Chinese national, sparking outrage online. A 19-year-old flood photo from Chiang Mai has gone viral again, and a Russian woman was rescued after drifting at sea for seven hours. Additionally, Indonesia has formally requested to join the Trans-Pacific trade pact, the remains of a Vietnam War pilot have been identified after 50 years, Malaysia is preparing for a new economic zone with Singapore, and South Korea plans to ban dog meat consumption by 2027.
Polish Woman Threatens to Bomb Thai VietJet Flight
A Polish woman on Thai VietJet flight VZ 961 from Da Nang to Bangkok threatened to bomb the plane mid-air on September 26. The crew informed Suvarnabhumi ATC, leading to emergency protocols. The plane safely landed, and authorities separated passengers and baggage for inspection. The threat was false, but the woman, Ms. Myrcik, was detained for questioning. Thai VietJet praised the crew for their professional response. Under Thai law, making false bomb threats carries a penalty of up to five years in prison or a 200,000 baht fine.
1.4 Tonnes of Cannabis Seized by Thai Customs
Laem Chabang customs officials seized over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis, valued at 25 million baht, preventing it from being smuggled to the UK. The bust involved Thai police, the Seaport Interdiction Task Force, and the UK’s Border Force. Two shipments, falsely declared as rubber mats and fabric gloves, were found to contain cannabis during inspections on September 11 and 16. The culprits face charges under Thai customs and medicinal cannabis laws. Despite cannabis being decriminalized in Thailand, exporting remains regulated, and it is still illegal in the UK.
Glue-Sniffing Drifter Causes Chaos in Pattaya
A glue-sniffing drifter named Prasit caused chaos in Pattaya’s Soi Nern Plub Wan on September 24, with hallucinations leading to bizarre behaviour. Locals detained the 44-year-old, who claimed ghosts were guiding him while clutching two cans of glue, which he insisted were “sacred honey.” Though suspected of prior thefts, no charges were pressed. Police confirmed his glue solvent abuse and possible mental health issues, arranging for his medical treatment and rehabilitation. Residents had previously seen him acting suspiciously near an abandoned building.
Chinese National Insults Thai Women, Calls Them Prostitutes
Two Thai women were insulted by a Chinese national during a trip to China, who called them prostitutes, sparking outrage on social media. One victim, Pinyada Nantakhamee, shared her experience tearfully on TikTok, revealing the hurtful remarks and how other Chinese people laughed. Netizens criticized the behaviour, offering support and suggesting that Pinyada should have confronted the man. American teacher David William also condemned the incident, calling it ignorance and encouraging Thai nationals to stand up against such stereotypes. Despite calls to share the offender’s photo, Pinyada has not done so yet.
Chiang Mai Flood Photo of Woman Pushing Motorcycle Goes Viral Again
A 19-year-old photo of a Chiang Mai woman pushing her motorcycle through floodwaters has resurfaced and gone viral amid the province’s current flooding. The 2005 image, shared on the Facebook page “Chiang Mai Unseen,” shows Aew, who remarkably appears unchanged in recent photos. Social media users are captivated by her youthful appearance, with many expressing astonishment at how little she’s aged. Aew humorously acknowledged the floods in a Facebook post, noting she’s grown accustomed to them. The viral post has sparked widespread engagement, highlighting both nostalgia and the ongoing flood issues in Chiang Mai.
Russian Woman Rescued After Drifting at Sea for 7 Hours
A 32-year-old Russian woman, identified as Junior, was rescued after drifting at sea for seven hours off the coast of Sattahip. On September 25, a local fishing boat spotted her 8 kilometres from shore, and a speedboat was sent to assist. She had gone for a swim after drinking a small amount of alcohol and unintentionally drifted far from shore, losing her sense of direction. Despite being exhausted, she was unharmed and taken to a hospital for a health check before being returned to her hotel.
Indonesia Formally Requests to Join Trans-Pacific Trade Pact
Indonesia has formally requested to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to expand its export markets, according to chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto. The request was sent to New Zealand, the agreement’s depository. This move aims to reform Indonesia’s economy and increase market access. The CPTPP currently includes 12 member countries, such as Australia, Japan, and the UK. Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto has supported the decision, with his term set to begin on October 20.
Remains of Vietnam War Pilot Identified After 50 Years
The remains of U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ronald W. Forrester, a Vietnam War pilot missing since 1972, has been found and identified. Forrester, from Odessa, Texas, disappeared during a nighttime combat mission over northern Vietnam. After decades of unsuccessful searches, investigators recovered remains and evidence last year linked to his aircraft’s crash site. Using mitochondrial DNA and circumstantial evidence, Forrester was officially identified. His name will be marked with a rosette on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial to signify his recovery, and he will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on October 7.
Malaysia Prepares for SEZ with Singapore, Expanding Energy Surplus
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia is generating enough energy surplus to support major development projects and increase exports. At an investment event in Johor, Anwar highlighted plans for a special economic zone (SEZ) in southern Johor, near Singapore, aimed at attracting investment and improving trade and movement between the two countries. Anwar emphasized the country’s commitment to renewable energy and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while continuing energy-driven projects like the SEZ. Johor’s energy demand is rising due to significant investments from tech companies, boosting Malaysia’s economic growth and stock market performance.
South Korea Prepares to Ban Dog Meat with Incentives for Farmers
South Korea plans to ban dog farming for food by early 2027, offering incentives to help rehome nearly half a million dogs and support affected farmers. The government will spend around 100 billion won ($75 million) to encourage dog breeders, farmers, and restaurants to shut down, offering up to 600,000 won per surrendered dog. Adoption efforts and shelter placements are planned, though concerns remain about euthanasia. The practice of eating dog meat has declined, with increasing support for the ban. While animal rights groups welcome the move, they highlight concerns over animal welfare, and industry representatives argue the subsidies are insufficient.
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