Thailand video news | pit bull fatally mauls 67-year-old woman in Pathum Thani, former Singaporean minister pleads guilty to graft charges
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex covers stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a Belgian man causing chaos at a Thai police station, resulting in a bizarre scene that left authorities scrambling. In Pathum Thani, a tragic incident saw a 67-year-old woman fatally mauled by a Pit Bull, raising concerns about dangerous animals. In Bangkok, a woman is seeking compensation after allegedly being bitten by a snake in a cinema, while a British man was arrested for attempting to smuggle £1 million worth of cannabis from Thailand to the UK. On a broader scale, Thailand is set to introduce an Electronic Travel Authorisation for visa-free visitors by 2025, aiming to enhance border security. Amid economic shifts, McDonald’s Thailand is offering jobs to Texas Chicken employees following the chain’s closure. Lastly, several criminal cases, including murders in Pattaya and Malaysia, have led to international arrests.
Drunken Belgian Man Causes Chaos at Thai Police Station, Defecates and Dances in Underwear
A 23-year-old Belgian man, Van Mullem Wout, caused chaos at the Pak Kret Police Station on September 24 after being detained for running on a Bangkok expressway. Under the influence of alcohol, Wout defecated on the station floor, stripped to his underwear, and mocked officers by dancing. After collapsing from exhaustion, he was apprehended again near a local school and placed in a holding cell. Immigration authorities were contacted to handle the case.
Pit Bull Fatally Mauls 67-Year-Old Woman in Pathum Thani
In Pathum Thani, a 67-year-old woman, Daeng Thamtanta, was fatally attacked by a Pit Bull named Poikae while cycling near her home. Despite efforts by emergency responders, she died at the scene due to severe bite wounds. Poikae had a history of aggression, previously biting family members and others in the neighbourhood. The dog’s owner, Mrs. Kiatkanok, admitted she could no longer manage the animal and wanted to surrender it to an animal protection group. Authorities are investigating the incident.
Thai Woman Seeks Compensation After Alleged Snake Bite in Bangkok Cinema
A Thai woman, Kornphaphiporn Poka-imsin, is seeking justice after claiming she was bitten by a snake in a Bangkok cinema on July 31. She incurred 25,000 baht in medical expenses but received only 6,990 baht in compensation, as the cinema insists it was a rat, not a snake, involved. Despite her hospital stay and tetanus injection, the snake species couldn’t be identified, and no antivenom was given. Kornphaphiporn has turned to the public for support, arguing that the cinema should ensure a safe environment and take full responsibility.
British Man Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle £1 Million Worth of Cannabis from Thailand
Nathaniel Benson, a 44-year-old from Leeds, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on September 18 for allegedly attempting to smuggle £1 million worth of cannabis from Bangkok, Thailand. Border Force officers found over 100 kilograms of cannabis in five suitcases, including one checked under a child’s name. Benson has been charged with importing Class B drugs and is set to appear in court on October 24. A woman travelling with him was released on bail. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned against drug smuggling, as cannabis seizures have surged this year.
Thailand to Introduce Electronic Travel Authorisation for Visa-Free Visitors by 2025
Thailand will soon require travellers from 93 visa-exempt countries, including Singapore, to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entry. The ETA, expected to launch between December 2024 and June 2025, will be free and aimed at enhancing border security and preventing illegal immigration. While travellers from Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia are exempt, all others must apply online for single-entry stays of up to 60 days, with an optional 30-day extension. The ETA will streamline immigration with automated gates, but further details are still being finalised.
McDonald’s Thailand Invites Texas Chicken Employees to Apply for Jobs Amid Chain Closure
McDonald’s Thailand is inviting employees from Texas Chicken, which is closing at the end of September, to apply for jobs at its 230 branches nationwide. In a Facebook post on September 23, McDonald’s expressed support for Texas Chicken staff, highlighting their skills and encouraging them to join the McDonald’s team. The company is offering various opportunities to help those affected by the closure transition into new roles. This gesture aims to ease concerns about job security for Texas Chicken employees.
South Korean Man Wanted for Pattaya Murder Arrested in Vietnam
A South Korean man, Kim HyeonggWon, wanted for a brutal murder in Pattaya, has been captured in Vietnam after months on the run. Kim, 38, and two accomplices allegedly committed a gruesome killing on May 3, hiding the victim’s body in a plastic container and dumping it in a lake. After fleeing Thailand, Kim evaded capture by crossing into Laos and then Vietnam, moving between hotels to avoid detection. He was arrested in Hanoi after police became suspicious of his behaviour. Kim has been extradited to South Korea, where he will face charges for the murder.
Over 500 children have been rescued in Malaysia from the expanding case against GISB
Malaysian police have rescued 187 more children, bringing the total to 572, in a deepening investigation into Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) for alleged child sexual abuse. The children, many under the age of five, were reportedly subjected to severe abuse, including sodomy, physical punishment, and emotional trauma. GISB, linked to the banned Al Arqam sect, is also being investigated for indoctrinating children. Police have arrested 156 suspects, including GISB’s CEO and top leaders, and have seized assets while probing money laundering activities. The case has shocked Malaysia, prompting calls for swift justice.
A Taiwanese national has been arrested for murder and extradited from the Philippines
A Taiwanese woman, Chen Yu-hsuan, suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and murder of a Chinese national and a Chinese-American in the Philippines, will be extradited to China after being arrested in South Korea. Chen, 44, was reportedly working in the Philippines and is linked to the deaths of both victims in June. Following her arrest, China urged the Philippines to take strict action against those responsible. Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the foreign ministry.
Former Singaporean minister pleads guilty to graft charges
Former Singapore Transport Minister S. Iswaran has pleaded guilty to receiving gifts while in office, becoming the first minister in the country to face a graft trial. Iswaran, 62, was accused of accepting gifts, including tickets to Premier League soccer matches and the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, as well as kickbacks from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng. Though Iswaran initially denied the charges, he now faces up to two years in jail for accepting gifts and up to seven years for obstructing justice. Sentencing is set for October 3.
