In a chilling turn of events, a 43-year-old Thai man from Phuket has been apprehended for an appalling series of crimes that span sexual assault and the distribution of explicit videos involving young boys. The Phuket Provincial Administration Promotion Office arrested the perpetrator, marking the culmination of an investigation that kicked off after a courageous tip from the non-governmental organisation Scientia. A 15-year-old victim bravely reached out to the organisation when he discovered his explicit videos had been scattered across the X app (formerly known as Twitter). The suspect, who held a job at a local hotel, targeted his victims with a sinister strategy. He frequented marathon running events, not for fitness, but to deceptively lure young boys into his violent schemes. The man, a master manipulator, convinced his victims to engage in unprotected sexual acts by spreading deceitful claims about possessing a preventive medicine for sexually transmitted diseases. Tragically,…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
Valentine’s Day is set to be an unforgettable occasion at the Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya, as it hosts a significant and heartwarming event celebrating Thailand’s groundbreaking Marriage Equality Law. On February 14, this iconic venue will open its arms to the LGBTQ+ community by offering complimentary wedding ceremonies for seven lucky couples. This momentous initiative, known as the Pattaya Marriage Equality Celebration 2025, not only honors the law’s official enactment on January 23 but also has the support of Pattaya City and numerous partners, making it a truly collaborative effort. In what promises to be an enchanting day full of love and joy, seven LGBTQ+ couples are poised to exchange vows in both symbolic wedding ceremonies and official legal marriage registrations, all at no cost. Of the chosen pairs, Nontawat Charoenkesonsin and Tanakorn Sittitiamtong stand out, having captured the world’s attention back in 2012 by setting a Guinness World Record…
In the land of breathtaking beaches and vibrant nightlife—Pattaya—an enigmatic tale of mystery and deceit has unfolded, casting a shadow over a luxurious two-story abode nestled in the Bang Lamung district. The scene of the crime: a sprawling house on a 320-square-meter plot, valued at a jaw-dropping 8 million baht. The culprit? As the police suspect, it might just be the trusted 43-year-old Chinese housekeeper, Youchao Cho. The theft that has sent ripples through the community was no petty crime—it was a heist worthy of a thriller, with losses surpassing a staggering 100 million baht. Officers from the Huay Yai Police Station were summoned in the early hours, at 1:30 a.m. on January 16, to dig into the smoking gun of a case. Cho, the house’s current custodian, painted a vivid picture for the authorities. According to him, the mastermind, 39-year-old Wang Liang Chen, who owns the property, had taken…
As the curtain rises on another day in the captivating Land of Smiles, our eyes turn towards the electrifying updates buzzing from Thailand and beyond. Today, we dance through a kaleidoscope of stories that promise to leave you at the edge of your seats, as Alex serves up a smorgasbord of headlines that stretch from heart-thumping beach brawls to critical air pollution crackdowns. Throwing punches and guzzling spirits under the neon glow, Pattaya Beach—the iconic playground for partygoers—has found itself in the crosshairs of controversy yet again. Spirited revelries have morphed into chaotic skirmishes, sparking grave safety concerns. It seems not a night passes without a flurry of fists in this vibrant seaside haunt for boozy brawlers. In response, authorities are stepping up patrols like diligent bouncers and tightening the cork on alcohol availability to restore some peace. In an unexpected poolside drama, a Thai man recently squared off against…
Hold onto your hats, Thailand! In a twist that could have wallets doing a little happy dance, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is flirting with the idea of slicing a cool 0.17 baht off the power tariff per kilowatt-hour. This electrifying proposition is tethered to the government tightening the purse strings on its renewable energy promotion budget. Currently, the power game is played with a tariff rate standing tall at 4.15 baht per unit, a good chunk of which is diverted towards fanning the flames of renewable energy initiatives. This allocation has been a notorious culprit for beefing up energy costs that bite into the budgets of both homes and businesses alike. ERC Secretary General Poonpat Leesombatpiboon dropped the news like a hot power line that with a little nudge from the Cabinet or the National Energy Policy Council trimming these renewable budgets, an immediate slim-down of power bills could…
A fiery video that has set social media abuzz with righteous indignation emerged from the bustling streets of Phuket, as footage posted on the sought-after Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต created an uproar. The video spotlighted a group of foreign tourists whose actions were hastily branded as the work of the “French Mafia” after they audaciously blocked a public alley with their motorcycles. Accompanied by a scathing caption, the post lambasted these tourists for their arrogant antics, yet drew attention to the perceived inaction of the local Patong Police. “Admin would like to question #PatongPolice: are they silent, ignorant, or is something blocking their view?” the post sarcastically inquired, further agitating the online community. The drama unfolded under the shroud of night on January 12, around 9:30 PM, on a private road near the Kasikorn Bank on the bustling Prachanukroh Road, a beehive for tourists. Eyewitnesses recounted that a single tourist…
The sleepy town of Ubon Ratchathani awoke to a scandalous shabu restaurant heist, right out of a small-town mystery novel. The plot thickens with Natthaphon Wongko, a 20-year-old, ex-head waiter turned master of nighttime mischief. Local authorities have cracked the case, catching Natthaphon red-handed in a tale that blends petty crime with the drama of a soap opera. Our young protagonist, Natthaphon, chose a path a bit unconventional for a former food service professional. Out of work and inspired by desperation, he decided to revisit his former stomping grounds at Nai Noi Shabu on Phalochai Road in the Mueang district. But this time, it wasn’t for tips or to refill patrons’ water glasses. With the creative use of a stone, he shattered the glass front, committing a succinctly executed break-in on the night of January 12. Panupon Khokluecha, the 30-year-old owner of Nai Noi Shabu, discovered the disarray on the…
In an unexpected twist, Japan has overtaken Thailand as the top travel destination for Chinese tourists in 2024, marking a seismic shift in travel trends. This isn’t just a dethroning; it’s a full-blown coup in the realm of Asian tourism! Last year, the Land of the Rising Sun embraced a staggering 6.98 million Chinese visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation. That’s a jaw-dropping 188% increase. Imagine the planes landing like clockwork, packed with eager adventurers ready to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Japan! Poor Thailand, meanwhile, found itself playing catch-up as the once-dominant choice. The country reported 6.73 million Chinese visitors, according to its Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Thailand now faces a new reality, one where it’s no longer the belle of the ball for Chinese tourists. Concerns about human traffickers reportedly using Thailand as a transit point may have contributed to this decline,…
In what feels like a scene ripped straight out of a convoluted romantic drama, a high-ranking police officer in the scenic province of Lopburi found himself tangled in an intricate web of relationships and intrigue. The heart of this plot thickens with Police Lance Corporal John, a 24-year-old officer from the Khok Salung Police Station, who suddenly found himself at the business end of a gun, quite literally, in an unexpected face-off with his senior, 57-year-old Police Captain Peerapong In-na. The incident unfolded in the rather dull setting of a welfare accommodation, adding a surreal twist to this tale of romance, rivalry, and revenge. John, our unsuspecting protagonist, turned to Channel 3 for help after the nerve-wracking encounter. Armed not with a weapon, but with compelling CCTV footage, John presented video evidence to the media. The recording captures the essence of the drama: Peerapong’s room, door ajar, reveals a candid…
Recently, whispers of sinister pamphlets cautioning locals to keep their distance from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during her upcoming tour of Thailand’s southern border provinces have been condemned as fabrications by local authorities. Allegedly, these leaflets popped up at central spots in Yala City, notably around the Yala Central Mosque, the Old Market’s lively Soi 5, and the bustling Jaru Community near Dhamma Foundation School. However, Colonel Kiattisak Niewong, the articulate mouthpiece for the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, poured cold water over these claims, declaring that no physical trace of these mysterious leaflets has surfaced. Echoing this sentiment, Yala’s deputy police chief, Police Colonel Supakorn Phuengros, offered his affirmation that no formal grievances were logged. “Following rigorous investigations with local community and religious figureheads, no leaflets have materialized. It’s apparent that this is a ruse engineered to incite unrest,” he explained confidently. These rumors started swirling on social…