Thailand Video News | Missing Korean’s Remains Found In Reservoir, British Tourist Arrested in Thailand Over Alleged Fake One-Star Reviews
In this Thailand video news, Jay covers the diverse stories from across the country. Beginning with a news from Chon Buri, a grim revelation shook the community as the suspected remains of a missing Korean man were unearthed from the murky depths of a reservoir. Authorities swiftly apprehended a British tourist in connection with the incident, his alleged involvement sending shockwaves through Thailand’s tourism sector. Meanwhile, in the rural province of Buriram, an elderly woman’s livelihood took a devastating turn as her cherished buffalo herd vanished without a trace, leaving her teetering on the brink of financial ruin. As Thailand grappled with societal upheavals, the nation’s recent re-criminalisation of cannabis ignited a powder keg of dissent, with protests and legal battles looming on the horizon. Amidst these challenges, the country faced an unprecedented natural phenomenon as a historic geomagnetic storm loomed large, triggering a state of high alert across the land.
Grisly Discovery: Suspected Remains of Missing Korean Man Found in Chon Buri Reservoir
In a chilling case unfolding in Chon Buri, Thailand, police discovered a human body encased in concrete inside a 200-litre barrel at the bottom of the Map Prachan reservoir. The gruesome find, made on the evening prior to the report, is believed to be the remains of Roh Eui Jong, a 34-year-old Korean man reported missing since May 3. The sinister details include severed fingers, presumably to hinder identification. The case escalated with a ransom demand of 3 million baht from an anonymous caller, using Roh’s LINE number, allegedly to cover the costs of discarded drugs. Following the ransom demand, Roh’s mother sought help from the South Korean embassy, which prompted a collaborative investigation between the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Chon Buri police. The investigation led to the identification of two suspects, one of whom has fled the country, while the other remains at large. The police’s breakthrough came from CCTV analysis and testimonies, including from a local shop where the suspects purchased materials used in the crime.
British Tourist Arrested in Thailand Over Alleged Fake One-Star Reviews
In a striking example of Thailand’s stringent defamation laws, a 21-year-old British tourist named Alexander faces legal troubles after being accused of orchestrating fake one-star reviews against a Phuket restaurant. According to reports, the conflict started when Alexander attempted to use the restaurant as a shortcut, an action that was denied since he was not a customer. Allegedly seeking retribution, he encouraged friends to flood the restaurant with negative reviews, drastically dropping its rating from 4.8 to 3.1 on a 5-point scale. This act led to his arrest in Bangkok, under a charge of “entering false computer data likely to cause damage to the general public.” Alexander, who claims innocence, is now undergoing legal proceedings in Phuket. This incident echoes a similar 2020 case involving an American tourist, highlighting the severe consequences of online criticism in Thailand, where defamation can lead to up to two years in prison.
Elderly Woman’s Buffalo Herd Vanishes in Buriram, Leaving Her in Financial Distress
In Buriram province, a 72-year-old woman reported the sudden disappearance of her entire herd of 10 buffaloes, sparking a significant search effort by the local highway police rescue unit. Despite a five-hour search, the efforts were unsuccessful. The owner, facing severe financial strain, revealed that she intended to sell the buffaloes to repay her debts to the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. The loss of the herd has left her with no clear way to manage her financial obligations. Local beliefs prompted her to light incense sticks seeking divine help for the recovery of the animals. She is now appealing to the public for any information regarding the missing buffaloes and has expressed willingness to forgive any potential thief if the animals are returned, highlighting the dire nature of her situation.
Thailand’s Re-Criminalisation of Cannabis Risks Protests and Legal Challenges
Thailand is on the brink of social and legal upheaval as the government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, moves to re-criminalise cannabis, classifying it once again as a narcotic. This reversal, announced just two years after decriminalisation spurred the opening of nearly 8,000 dispensaries, is expected to ignite street protests and trigger class-action lawsuits by dispensary owners. The reclassification under “category five” of Thai drug laws will criminalise the production, sale, and possession of cannabis, except for medical and health purposes. Rattapon Sanrak, a dispensary owner, voices the industry’s frustration, highlighting the shift from a regulated to an underground market, which could undermine the agricultural and wellness tourism sectors that have flourished since decriminalisation. Despite the turmoil, medical cannabis remains legal. The policy change is part of a broader anti-drug campaign by the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which contrasts sharply with the previous government’s approach, causing widespread implications for businesses, employees, and over a million households involved in cannabis cultivation.
Thailand Faces Historic Geomagnetic Storm, Prompting High Alert
Thailand is currently under a high alert as it braces for a severe geomagnetic storm, expected to reach a level 7 intensity, the most intense in recent history. Triggered by recent solar flare activities, this geomagnetic event could bring beautiful auroras to high-latitude regions and cause significant disruptions to satellite communications. Originating from the massive sunspot AR 3664, the storm has propelled coronal mass ejections towards Earth, pushing the solar wind velocity to an extraordinary 835 kilometers per second. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the storm has reached a Kp index of 9, indicating a level G5, the highest level of geomagnetic activity. Local impacts include potential disruptions to navigation and communication satellites and temporary effects on electrical systems
