Thailand video news | Taxi blocks ambulance, causing patient’s death in Phuket, ‘Family holiday’ revealed as drug trafficking operation

This week in Thailand and Southeast Asia, tragedy struck in Phuket as a blocked ambulance led to a patient’s death, while a supposed family trip was exposed as a drug-smuggling convoy. Viral incidents involving unruly tourists in Pattaya and Phuket reignited scrutiny over visa-free travel policies. Amid the chaos, Thai locals earned praise for their compassion during a medical emergency in Bangkok. Meanwhile, the Thai government pushes forward with regional tourism upgrades, Indonesia faces backlash over its free meal scheme, and Vietnam jails a former minister over solar pricing corruption. In regional developments, Marcos’ popularity dips in the Philippines, while China’s BYD accelerates its EV expansion with a new plant in Cambodia.

Taxi Blocks Ambulance, Causing Patient’s Death in Phuket

A 62-year-old man suffering from heart disease died after a taxi allegedly blocked an ambulance en route to Patong Hospital, despite activated sirens and emergency care being administered inside. The incident occurred on 27 April, after the patient collapsed in a durian orchard. CCTV footage is being reviewed and the taxi driver may face legal charges for obstructing an emergency vehicle. The tragedy has prompted police to advocate for greater public awareness and stricter enforcement of laws protecting emergency services.

‘Family Holiday’ Revealed as Drug Trafficking Operation

Police in Chumphon arrested four individuals, including a minor, on 28 April after discovering 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine concealed in parcel boxes inside two vehicles pretending to be on a family trip. The suspects admitted to transporting drugs from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Songkhla for 100,000 baht per trip. The minor claimed she was unaware of the smuggling. All now face serious drug trafficking charges, with the juvenile processed under separate legal procedures.

Belgian Tourist Goes on Rampage in Pattaya Shops

A 25-year-old Belgian tourist named Mr Mustafa went viral after vandalising two convenience stores in Pattaya—smashing wine bottles and pouring soda on himself during an early morning outburst on 27 April. After initially being fined, he reoffended days later by threatening staff at another location. Police detained him and sent him to hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The incidents have sparked renewed public concern about misbehaving foreign tourists and visa-free entry policies.

Nude Tourist in Phuket Reignites Visa-Free Debate

A foreign tourist was filmed walking completely nude down a road in Phuket on 29 April, apparently intoxicated and striking poses. The footage quickly went viral and ignited public outrage, with many linking such behaviour to relaxed immigration rules. While some viewers reacted with humour, others raised concerns about public decency and Thailand’s international image. Authorities are yet to confirm whether the man will face legal consequences.

Thai Locals Applauded for Assisting Seizing Tourist

A foreign woman suffered a seizure on a Bangkok street on 28 April, prompting quick and compassionate aid from local Thais. Captured in a viral TikTok video, the incident showed passersby providing first aid and comfort until emergency services arrived. The woman, accompanied by her partner, was later stabilised. The video drew widespread praise and served as a reminder of proper seizure response—turning the person on their side and calling emergency services, rather than placing anything in their mouth.

Government Plans Airport Upgrades to Boost Regional Tourism

Thailand will invest nearly 166 million baht in 2025 to upgrade airports in Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan as part of efforts to promote secondary city tourism. The initiative, aligned with Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s vision, includes enhancing facilities, increasing flights, and improving transport links. Mukdahan’s airport remains in the environmental review phase. The long-term plan, extending to 2029, also includes air traffic system upgrades and legalised drone agriculture projects to support local economies.

Indonesia’s Free Meal Programme Criticised After Food Poisoning

Indonesia’s new free nutritious meal programme came under scrutiny after over 170 students fell ill due to food poisoning, with the worst outbreak in Cianjur where 165 children were hospitalised. Investigations point to improper food handling, poor hygiene, and inconsistent meal preparation across different kitchens. While lab results are still pending, critics argue the scheme—part of President Prabowo’s campaign promise—was hastily launched without adequate safety or regional planning.

Former Vietnamese Official Jailed in Solar Energy Corruption Case

Vietnam has sentenced former Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong to six years in prison for abusing his authority in a solar energy pricing scheme. He accepted a US$57,600 bribe to favour three solar power plants, resulting in over US$40 million in losses to the state. Although he repaid the bribe, the court judged that the damage to public trust outweighed his service. Eleven others involved also received various sentences, and the implicated companies have been ordered to reimburse the state.

Marcos’ Approval Dips While Duterte Gains Popularity

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval and trust ratings dropped by five points in April, reaching 59% and 60% respectively—his lowest figures in 2024 so far, according to an Octa Research poll. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte saw significant gains, with trust rising to 58% and satisfaction to 56%. Despite the shift, Marcos remains slightly more favoured. Other key figures like Senate President Escudero and House Speaker Romualdez maintained mid-50s ratings, while the Chief Justice scored the lowest at just 5%.

BYD Expands in Southeast Asia with New EV Plant in Cambodia

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has begun building a US$32 million assembly plant in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, expected to open by November 2025. The plant will assemble electric and hybrid cars using CKD kits, aiming to produce 10,000 vehicles annually. This marks BYD’s second Southeast Asian factory after Thailand. The company is targeting Cambodia’s fast-growing EV market, where registrations soared from 313 in 2023 to over 2,200 in 2024, as part of its broader plan to sell 5.5 million vehicles globally in 2025.