A Thai trans woman and a foreign man clashed in a Phuket hotel after he discovered her gender and refused compensation for her time. The dispute escalated into a physical altercation, shared widely online, drawing over 5,000 reactions. Critics highlighted the importance of upfront gender disclosure, citing safety and personal preferences.
A drunken British tourist in his 60s brawled with two locals in Pattaya after allegedly becoming aggressive when they offered him a ride. The fight left him injured with a broken nose. Locals claim self-defence, and police are reviewing CCTV footage to clarify the incident.
Police in Nakhon Phanom seized heroin and meth worth over 100 million baht hidden in Buddha statues near a cemetery. Believed to originate from Laos, the drugs point to a larger trafficking network exploiting religious artefacts.
A Khon Kaen traffic sergeant faces investigation after a viral video showed him accepting a 500-baht bribe. Though he returned the money, disciplinary action is underway. Authorities stress fines must follow official procedures.
Thailand’s Alcohol Control Bill, now 80% complete, will empower local zoning laws and target underage drinking. With strict penalties for selling to minors, the bill aims to curb rising alcohol consumption and will reach Parliament by mid-December.
In Lopburi, 200 monkeys escaped, rampaging through streets and forcing police to barricade their station. Authorities lured them away with food, highlighting ongoing struggles with the town’s growing macaque population despite sterilisation efforts.
Apple proposed a $100 million investment to lift Indonesia’s iPhone 16 ban, which was imposed for not meeting local content rules. Indonesia seeks greater R&D contributions, reflecting its push for local manufacturing, though aggressive demands may deter investors.
Typhoon Man-yi killed seven in the Philippines, triggering landslides, displacing 700,000 people, and destroying 8,000 homes. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with officials warning of severe infrastructure damage and rice shortages. Aid is mobilising to address the crisis.
Cambodia is ramping up efforts against human trafficking by foreign perpetrators, including scams and cross-border exploitation. Officials face challenges investigating cases involving evidence abroad, underscoring the need for international cooperation.
Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad criticised the dominance of Chinese-language signboards in Kuala Lumpur malls, urging greater use of Malay. His comments sparked debate over cultural identity and catering to growing Chinese tourism.