Thailand video news | Foreigner Wrecks Chiang Mai Stall After Smoking Ban Warning & Drunk motorcyclist crashes into Pattaya repair shop
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers the latest pressing stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Key highlights include criticism directed at the a drunk motorcyclist crashing into a Pattaya repair shop. Additionally, there’s chaos in a village where a blacksmith’s night work has turned into a tale of terror. Meanwhile, a police officer’s wife is caught in a scandal involving an affair and a burglary. Other stories feature a foreigner wrecking a Chiang Mai stall after being warned about a smoking ban and a Chinese ship expelled from a neighboring country’s waters.
In Southeast Asia, former Malaysian leader apologizes for a fund embezzlement scandal but maintains his innocence, while the UK grants asylum to the son of Singapore’s founder over persecution claims. South Korea’s President Yoon and Poland’s President Duda jointly condemn North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia. Finally, Thailand is set to implement a 300-baht tourism tax, starting with air travel.
Drunk motorcyclist crashes into Pattaya repair shop
A reportedly drunk motorcyclist crashed into a repair shop on Pattaya Central Road near Soi 8/1 early on October 24, suffering serious injuries. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m., prompting Pattaya police to collaborate with the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital’s medical team. At the scene, responders found a damaged Honda Wave 125i motorcycle and a heavily intoxicated man with a severe head injury. He was transported to the hospital after receiving first aid. Witnesses stated the man lost control of his motorcycle while turning. Pattaya police are investigating the accident to assess legal responsibility for the damages.
In related news, a severe accident involving a car and two motorcycles occurred on October 22, leaving two motorcyclists, including a food delivery rider, with serious injuries.
Separately, police raided a South Pattaya pharmacy on October 22 for allegedly overcharging tourists for herbal products and operating without proper licenses.
Forging chaos: Blacksmith turns village night into tail of terror
In a shocking incident in Cha-uat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, a local blacksmith named Adirek unleashed violence, poisoning three dogs and attacking a father and son late last night. Police responded to a call at a home in Moo 2, Tha Samet, where they discovered blood at the scene, though Adirek had fled. The victims, 48-year-old Suthat and his 24-year-old son Thanyagon, were rushed to Cha-uat Hospital. Suthat sustained a stab wound to his arm, while Thanyagon was critically injured with a chest wound that pierced his lung.
The violent events began earlier when Adirek, known as Chang Rek, poisoned the family’s dogs by throwing poisoned pork at them. Later, he returned on his motorbike and attacked a disabled worker before turning his aggression toward Suthat and Thanyagon in a knife attack. The violence stemmed from a months-long feud triggered by a near-miss accident involving Suthat’s employee. Adirek had a history of aggression when intoxicated, and two months prior, he had vandalized Suthat’s door with a machete.
While Suthat gave his account to the police, Adirek remains on the run as authorities continue their efforts to apprehend him.
Big Joke’s on her: Police wife caught in affair and burglary storm
Sirinatda “Kubkip” Hakparn, the wife of former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, surrendered to Phra Kanong Police Station following accusations of an affair and the theft of valuables worth 5.7 million baht. The allegations were brought by a woman named Thanattha, who claimed that Sirinatda had an extramarital affair with her husband and stole cash and gold from her condominium.
According to Thanattha, she hid a camera in her room and witnessed the affair, which later escalated into the theft of valuable items, including 600,000 baht in cash and 5.1 million baht in gold. Sirinatda, however, denied the accusations, stating that she would have her lawyer address the matter.
Big Joke, who has not yet commented publicly, did not accompany his wife to the station. He and several colleagues were previously suspended amid an investigation into their involvement in an online gambling ring, which remains unresolved.
Police are now conducting a DNA test on the bags of cash involved in the case, while Sirinatda’s bail status remains uncertain.
Foreigner Wrecks Chiang Mai Stall After Smoking Ban Warning
A tense altercation erupted at Chiang Mai’s Chang Phuak market on October 23 when a foreign man reacted aggressively after being asked to stop smoking near a popular dessert stall. The incident, which went viral on TikTok, began when the man lit a cigarette near a gas stove at the bualoy (sweet dumplings in coconut milk) stall, despite clear signs prohibiting smoking.
The vendor politely asked the man to extinguish the cigarette due to safety concerns, but this enraged him. He claimed it was his personal right to smoke and, after escalating the argument, insulted the vendor. The situation worsened when he overturned trays of food, damaged the stall, and threw a lit cigarette at the vendor’s sister.
In response, the vendor threw water at the man to extinguish the cigarette, unintentionally splashing him. The man’s friend returned, rebuked him for his behavior, and helped calm the situation. The group eventually apologised, and both parties left peacefully.
The vendor later addressed the incident on TikTok, explaining that her actions were meant to prevent a fire hazard, sparking online discussions about cultural respect and local regulations.
Chinese Ship Expelled From Neighbor’s Waters
Indonesia’s coast guard recently expelled a Chinese vessel, CCG 5402, from its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Natuna Sea. The incident unfolded after the Chinese ship disrupted Indonesian survey activities. Despite warnings from Indonesian patrols, the Chinese vessel claimed it was operating within Chinese waters. Indonesian forces, including a cutter, patrol plane, and navy ship, shadowed the vessel until it left the area.
SeaLight, a maritime analysis group, tracked the CCG 5402’s movements, noting it replaced another Chinese ship that had been interfering with surveys for days. The Chinese vessel later moved into Vietnam’s EEZ. Indonesia has vowed to maintain strong patrols to safeguard its maritime sovereignty. The confrontation occurred on the same day Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated as Indonesia’s president, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region despite China’s diplomatic outreach.
Jailed former Malaysian leader apologizes for fund embezzlement scandal, reiterates his innocence
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak issued a rare apology while reiterating his innocence regarding the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. Najib, who established 1MDB in 2009, acknowledged that the massive fraud occurred under his leadership and expressed deep regret for the harm caused, stating, “It pains me every day.” However, he maintained that he was misled and did not knowingly enable the corruption.
Najib’s apology comes ahead of a crucial court ruling that will determine whether he will face further legal action or be acquitted in a second graft trial related to 1MDB. In this trial, he faces charges of abuse of power and money laundering linked to over $700 million. Despite serving time since 2022 after losing his final appeal in an earlier graft case, Najib continues to claim his innocence, asserting that he had believed the funds were a donation from the Saudi royal family.
Prosecutors accuse Najib of masterminding the embezzlement and concealing his involvement. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of abuse of power and additional penalties for money laundering. His wife and other officials are also implicated in corruption charges stemming from the scandal.
Lee Hsien Yang, the son of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew, has been granted asylum in the UK, citing persecution amid a long-standing feud with his brother, former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The dispute centers on their father’s home, which Lee Kuan Yew wanted demolished. Lee Hsien Yang accuses his brother of abusing power and using state resources against him.
The Singapore government denies these claims and insists he is free to return. Despite being granted refugee status, Lee Hsien Yang remains a Singaporean citizen and hopes to return when he feels it’s safe.
South Korea’s Yoon, Poland’s Duda condemn N.Korea troop dispatch to Russia
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has indicated the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine, emphasizing that his government “won’t sit idle” in response to North Korea allegedly sending troops to assist Russia’s military efforts. This statement followed a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, where discussions focused on enhancing defense cooperation amidst the ongoing conflict.
South Korea’s intelligence suggests that North Korea may deploy up to 10,000 troops to Russia by the end of the year. Yoon described this troop movement as a significant global security threat, not just for the Korean Peninsula but for Europe as well. He noted that South Korea could reconsider its policy of not supplying weapons to countries in conflict, depending on the level of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
While South Korea has previously provided humanitarian aid and joined sanctions against Russia, it has refrained from supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine. During their summit, Yoon and Duda also discussed increasing military support, including a deal for South Korean K-2 tanks.
Thailand to Implement 300-Baht Tourism Tax Starting with Air Travel
Thailand is set to introduce a 300-baht tourism tax aimed primarily at air travelers, with implementation potentially starting within the next six months. The Tourism and Sports Ministry, led by Minister Sorawong Thienthong, is finalizing details before seeking cabinet approval in January. This initiative, initially approved in February 2023, requires new government consensus following the recent elections.
The tax will target the 70% of foreign arrivals who travel by air. Payments will be processed through a system developed by Krungthai Bank, allowing travelers to register and pay online via a dedicated website or app, similar to South Korea’s K-ETA registration system.
A notable aspect of the tax is the inclusion of an insurance premium, limited to 60 baht per person from the total fee. This insurance offers 30 days of coverage, including up to 1 million baht for accidental death and 500,000 baht for injuries.
In the second phase, the tax may be extended to overland travelers, with plans to standardize the fee across all arrival modes to avoid perceived discrimination, as earlier proposals suggested lower fees for land and sea entry. Frequent border crossers engaged in trade could avoid the tax using a border pass.
Once government approval is secured, the ministry will recruit software developers and insurance companies to implement the initiative. The tourism tax is expected to generate significant revenue while providing tourists with a safety net during their stay in Thailand.
