Hot News
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5 things to do in Bangkok this weekend (May 15 to 17)
Bangkok’s weekend line-up feels nicely varied this time around. There is a heritage book sale in one of the city’s most beautiful old buildings, a live Muay Thai show, a custom car event, a talk programme in Siam, and a river-based indie music night to start the weekend. It is a good mix for anyone who wants plans that feel…
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Swedish renter’s unpaid Patong locker exposes five guns, 100 bullets
Staff at a monthly rental storage company in Patong, Phuket, discovered five firearms and 100 rounds of ammunition on May 12 inside a locker rented by a Swedish man who had failed to pay rent for more than 120 days. The discovery was reported after Patong Police Station received a report from representatives of Mespace Self Storage Patong, located inside…
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Chinese weapon suspect Mingchen remains on ventilator at Pattaya hospital
Doctors treating Chinese weapon suspect Mingchen Sun in Pattaya suspected that his deteriorating condition was caused by a medication overdose after discovering a blue liquid substance in his stomach. Police arrested the 31 year old Chinese man Mingchen after officers discovered a cache of military-grade weapons at his luxury residence in Chon Buri. The discovery was made after police found a…
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Anutin clarifies ‘miscommunication’, insisting foreign businesses still require permits
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul apologised after confusion surrounding a Cabinet policy that led many people to believe that foreign investors would be allowed to operate businesses in Thailand without permits. The controversy emerged after Deputy Government Spokesperson Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn announced yesterday, May 13, that the Cabinet had approved changes affecting eight categories of businesses operated by foreign investors. Patdarasm assured…
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The best drones of 2026 so far and how much you can get them for in Thailand
DJI’s release wave over the past twelve months has reset the consumer drone market almost entirely. The Mavic 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Avata 360, and Neo 2 have all landed, reviewers have had time to test them properly, and a clear consensus has formed. Cross-referencing a dozen major 2026 buyer’s guides, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, Engadget, PCMag, DroneDJ, DroneXL, Digital…
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Thai taxi drivers accused of paying monthly bribes to escape traffic penalties
Taxi drivers and the Taxi Network Trade Association alleged that some drivers paid bribes to police in exchange for being allowed to park in a prohibited zone while waiting for passengers. The accusations were first raised by the Facebook page Thai Taxi Association, which claimed taxi drivers operating at Ginza Curve in the Rangsit area paid monthly bribes to local…
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American FBI suspect detained in Chiang Mai over US warrant
An American suspect was detained in Chiang Mai yesterday, May 12, after Thai police received information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that he was wanted in the United States for assault and stalking. The American, identified as 58 year old Joseph Frances Chinnock, also known as Joseph Kelly, was wanted on a US arrest warrant. The FBI reportedly…
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Thai neighbours seeks help for Burmese girl abused by mother
Thai residents in Chachoengsao sought help for a 13 year old Burmese girl after alleging she had been repeatedly abused by her mother at their home. The case came to public attention after neighbours contacted social media influencer Chalida “Ton Or” Palamart to assist the girl, identified as Namwhan. Officials from the Chachoengsao Provincial Shelter for Children and Family accompanied…
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Man drugged and robbed of 85,000 baht camera by buyer
A Thai man issued a public warning after allegedly being drugged with spiked orange juice after meeting up with a buyer for his camera at a university in Bangkok, resulting in the theft of photography equipment worth 85,000 baht. The victim shared details of the incident in a Facebook group for photography enthusiasts and said he had already filed a…
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Koh Pha Ngan nominee raids target 32 suspected companies
More than 300 police officers raided 32 companies on Koh Pha Ngan this morning, May 13, as part of a crackdown on suspected foreign nominee businesses allegedly using Thai nationals to hold land on behalf of foreigners. Deputy national police chief Samran Nualma led the operation at 9am alongside officers from multiple police units, including the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau,…
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Singha heir releases voice recording as evidence of sexual abuse by brother
A renowned environmentalist and heir of the Singha beer brand released a voice recording as evidence today, May 13, in response to a denial issued by his older brother over allegations of sexual abuse during their childhood. The former national park ranger and conservation activist, Siranudh “Psi” Scott, first addressed the issue publicly in a video shared on his social…
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Chiang Rai man shoots neighbour over noise from livestream videos
A Thai man shot his neighbour at a house in Chiang Rai province on the evening of Monday, May 11, after a previous argument over noise from livestream videos. The incident took place at a house in Thoeng district. The victim, 24 year old Siwakorn, was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his right arm and significant…
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PM Anutin monitors crackdown on foreign-operated businesses using Thai nominees
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani today, May 13, following investigations into more than 10,000 businesses operated by foreigners through Thai nominees. The Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) recently launched a nationwide crackdown targeting illegal foreign-operated businesses using Thai nationals as nominees, particularly in major tourist…
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THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 expands to 12 halls as 3,300+ exhibitors and 88,000+ visitors set for Bangkok
THAIFEX – Anuga Asia will return from May 26 to 30, 2026, at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok, expanding to 12 halls and more than 140,000 square metres, in what organisers described as the event’s largest edition to date. Organisers said the expanded show comes as sourcing decisions across the food and beverage sector become more time-sensitive, with growth…
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Thai woman flees detention and abuse by police boyfriend
A Nakhon Ratchasima police officer admitted to using drugs and abusing his girlfriend by attacking her, forcing her to take crystal meth, and distributing her explicit images online. The suspect, identified only as 30 year old Police Sergeant Man, reported himself to the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police Office after allegations were filed by his girlfriend, 28 year old Nueng. The woman…
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Thailand tightens Hantavirus screening for South America arrivals
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has tightened screening for travellers arriving from 13 South American countries as part of Hantavirus surveillance, although no cases have been found in Thailand. Today, May 12, DDC director-general Montien Khanasawat inspected the international disease control checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The visit followed screening measures introduced for travellers arriving from South America yesterday, May…
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Thai woman caught in Oman with over 4.4 koligrammes of cannabis
Omani Customs officials arrested a Thai woman for smuggling cannabis weighing more than 4.4 kilogrammes through Muscat International Airport. The Oman Customs Department shared footage of the arrest on its official X account on May 5. In the accompanying statement, officials stated… “Customs officers at Muscat International Airport thwarted an attempt to smuggle 4,384 grammes of marijuana, which was found in…
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Krabi official registers marriage for drug suspect before arrest
A district chief in Krabi allowed a suspected drug dealer to register his marriage before the man was sent to prison following his drug arrest yesterday, May 11. Officials in Mueang Krabi district said the suspect, known as “Dome Koh Klang,” was arrested during an operation targeting small-scale drug dealers in Khlong Prasong subdistrict. Officers allegedly found 399 methamphetamine pills in his…
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3 Chinese men held for turning Pattaya house into Pod K production
Police arrested three Chinese nationals after uncovering a luxury house in Pattaya, Chon buri, being used to produce ketamine-laced e-cigarettes, locally known as Pod K. Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) and Chon Buri Provincial Police raided the property in Bang Lamung district at around 4.30pm yesterday, May 11. The operation followed reports that a group of Chinese nationals…
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iOS 26.5 is out and it finally lets iPhone and Android users message each other securely
If you have ever texted someone on Android and wondered why your messages do not have the same privacy protections as the ones you send to other iPhone users, iOS 26.5 is the update you have been waiting for. Apple has released iOS 26.5, and its headline feature is end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhones and Android devices. What this…
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Foreign man remains at large after injuring Phuket teenager in hit-and-run
A Thai mother is seeking public assistance in identifying a foreign motorcyclist after her teenage son was seriously injured in a hit-and-run in Phuket on May 10. The crash occurred at around 2.30pm in Rawai subdistrict. According to the mother, who shared details on her Facebook account, Rainbow Sarnrach, a foreign man riding a motorcycle with two passengers, suddenly changed lanes…
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Chinese weapon suspects suffers seizure after 4-day hunger strike in Pattaya prison
The Chinese weapon suspect, Mingchen Sun, was rushed to the hospital last night, May 11, after reportedly suffering seizures and severe exhaustion following a four-day hunger strike while being detained at Pattaya Remand Prison. The 31 year old suspect has been in custody since his arrest in Chon Buri on May 8 after a car crash in Sattahip district led…
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Foreign rider damages rental motorcycle in Phuket during off-road riding
A foreign motorcyclist, believed to be a Russian national, drew criticism online after a video showed him damaging a rental motorcycle while attempting to ride off-road in Phuket. The footage was shared today, May 11, by the Phuket Times Facebook page, which claimed the incident involved a foreign rider using a rented motorcycle on an off-road track in Phuket. The motorcycle…
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Chinese man’s military-grade weapons linked to Thai police and military officers
Several police officers and military personnel linked to a Chinese national found in possession of firearms, military-grade weapons, and explosives in Chon Buri province. The investigation began after 31 year old Chinese national Mingchen Sun crashed his vehicle in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, on May 9 while travelling with a Taiwanese woman. Officers from Na Jomtien Police Station examined the…
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Bangkok transwoman reportedly forced to shave hairs for insulting Quran
A group of Muslims gathered outside a restaurant in Ramkhamhaeng area of Bangkok allegedly to pressure a transwoman to issue an apology and shave her hairs for insulting the holy Quran during a livestreaming video on social media. The transwoman, identified only as Lor, reportedly grew up in a Muslim community in Narathiwat before later moving to Bangkok for work.…
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Can you bring a drone into Thailand in 2026?
Drones have become one of the most popular pieces of travel gear, and Thailand is one of the world’s most photographed destinations. So it is no surprise that a lot of travellers want to bring a drone to Thailand. The short answer is yes, you can bring one in, but the longer answer is that getting it through the airport…
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5 Russian nationals held after viral altercation in Phuket night market
Five Russian nationals were arrested following a violent altercation at a night market in Phuket after footage of the incident circulated widely on Thai social media yesterday, May 10. The Phuket Times Facebook page shared videos from the disturbance at Midtown Phuket Night Market with a caption alleging, “A drunk foreign man caused trouble in the city centre by assaulting…
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Chinese tourists filmed with protected parrotfish and starfish in Phuket
Phuket locals are calling for legal action against a group of Chinese nationals after videos circulated online showed them hunting protected parrotfish and handling starfish at Kata Beach. The footage, which spread widely on Thai social media, prompted criticism from residents and environmental supporters concerned about the treatment of marine wildlife and the lack of immediate enforcement action by officials.…
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Thaksin returns home from prison with EM bracelet after parole release
Former Thai Prime Minister (PM), Thaksin Shinawatra, was released from Khlong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok with electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet this morning, May 11, and returned to his family home. Speculation about Thaksin’s release had circulated on Thai social media since April. The former PM was sentenced to a year in prison following his controversial stay at Police General…
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Hong Kong activist Zhang Xinyan arrested in Thailand
Hong Kong activist Zhang Xinyan, a wanted member of the overseas group Hong Kong Parliament, has been arrested in Thailand for overstaying her visa and is reportedly set to be deported to mainland China. According to the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Parliament is an overseas pro-democracy activist group mainly founded and run by self-exiled Hong Kong activists. Sunai…
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