u/Muted-Airline-8214

On October 3, Pol Lt Col Parinya Tho Pengcharoen, Deputy Inspector of Thong Lor Police Station, received a report of a fatal accident in which a car struck two pedestrians on Thong Lor Road, in front of Soi Thong Lor 3 in Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana district, Bangkok. He immediately went to the scene with rescue workers.

At the scene, two injured German women, aged 22 and 23, were found in critical condition. Rescue workers rushed both women to a hospital, where they later died from their injuries.

The driver was identified as a 28-year-old man, whose surname was withheld. He appeared to be intoxicated and admitted to being the driver of the gray MG HS PHEV involved in the crash. The vehicle struck the two pedestrians as they were crossing the road.

Police took the man to Thong Lor Police Station for a breathalyzer test. His blood alcohol level was measured at 145 milligrams per 100 milliliters.

He was charged with driving while intoxicated, causing a collision that resulted in the deaths of others, and was taken into legal custody for further proceedings.

Edit: The deceased were a 23-year-old Thai woman, Ms. Thitima, and a 22-year-old German woman, Ms. Michelle.

หนุ่มเมาแล้วขับ! ซิ่งเก๋งชนสาวไทย-นักท่องเที่ยวสาวเยอรมัน ดับ 2 ศพ ขณะข้ามถนนทองหล่อ ตรวจเมาพุ่ง 145 มิลลิกรัมเปอร์เซ็นต์

On September 7, 2026, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul signed Ministry of Interior Order No. 2354/2026 regarding the deportation of Mr. Kevin Dimino from the Kingdom. 

It has been established that Mr. Kevin Dimino, a French national, has engaged in threatening, harassing, and physically assaulting behaviors, causing severe public nuisance and stoking deep racial and religious divisions, including among tourists. Furthermore, his reckless conduct posed a potential danger to lives and property, showing a total disregard for public safety and the well-being of others, in direct violation of the law. Additionally, the Koh Samui Provincial Court found Mr. Kevin Dimino guilty under Sections 43 (4), (8), and 158/1, Paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act, B.E. 2522 (1979), and sentenced him to a 10,000 Baht fine. Due to the defendant's guilty plea, which proved useful to the proceedings, the court found grounds for mitigation and halved the penalty under Section 78 of the Criminal Code to a 5,000 Baht fine, with standard legal measures to be taken under Sections 29 and 30 of the Criminal Code in default of payment, alongside the confiscation of seized assets. 

Such behavior undermines public order, good morals, and the general welfare of the public, necessitating his deportation from the Kingdom under Section 5 of the Deportation Act, B.E. 2499 (1956). By virtue of Section 5 of the Deportation Act, B.E. 2499 (1956), in conjunction with Clause 4 of the Regulations of the Office of the Prime Minister on Deportation, B.E. 2569 (2026), the Minister of Interior hereby orders the deportation of Mr. Kevin Dimino, a French national, from the Kingdom. 

Should Mr. Kevin Dimino wish to contest this decision, he reserves the right under Section 8 of the Deportation Act, B.E. 2499 (1956) to appeal to the Prime Minister to either revoke the deportation order or stay the expulsion. This appeal must be submitted within 7 days from the date of receiving this notice. Ordered this 7th day of September 2026. 

On September 6, 2026, Thanet Supharosahasrangkasi, president of the Chonburi Tourism Federation, spoke about the impact of around 5,000 US Navy personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) who came ashore to spend their shore leave in Pattaya and Chonburi from September 2-6, 2026.

He said that although the number of personnel coming ashore at any given time may not seem as large as it did in the past compared with the size of Pattaya today, their visit clearly brought more activity to the city during the low season.

The main businesses benefiting included restaurants, shopping malls, retail stores, tourist attractions, and hotels, particularly international hotel chains. At the same time, the travel habits of younger US military personnel appear to have changed significantly from the image people had in the past.

Thanet said that, based on his observations, many of the personnel were not focused on nightlife or drinking alcohol as much as the old stereotype suggested. Instead, they spread out across different tourist attractions, ate at restaurants, and shopped, bringing more business to restaurants, malls, shops, and tourist sites.

Another positive effect for Pattaya was the way the visit highlighted the city’s diverse tourism offerings. Photos showed US personnel visiting cultural attractions, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, trying local food, and shopping at various malls.

“At first, people on social media may have interpreted it negatively, but once you actually saw where they went, they visited cultural attractions, went to Nong Nooch, ate local food, and shopped at malls. I think that helped improve Pattaya’s image because the city doesn’t rely solely on nightlife tourism. Today, we have shopping malls, restaurants, and cultural attractions as well,” Thanet said.

Regarding spending by the approximately 5,000 personnel, Thanet estimated that if each person spent around 10,000-20,000 baht during their stay, it would generate roughly 50-100 million baht in economic activity. Most of the spending was expected to go toward shopping, food, and tourism activities.

Thanet also discussed Pattaya’s overall tourism situation. Normally, November through around March or April is considered the high season, while the period after Songkran through October is the low season, when tourist numbers naturally decline.

In addition, international conditions, fuel prices, and rising air travel costs have put pressure on the foreign tourist market, particularly long-haul travelers and those who need to transit through the Middle East.

At the same time, regional tourism competitors, particularly Vietnam, are becoming increasingly competitive due to lower living costs, accommodation prices, and overall travel expenses, giving tourists in some markets more options.

Thanet said that under these circumstances, the arrival of around 5,000 US personnel, although only for a short period, helped stimulate economic activity and bring more energy to Pattaya during the low season. It also showed that Pattaya offers a much wider range of tourism experiences than its traditional image as a nightlife destination.

Bangkok Metropolitan Police have revealed details of their efforts to rescue two university students who were targeted by a call-center scam gang. The scammers impersonated AIS officials, claiming that the victims’ ID card numbers had been used to register phone numbers and commit illegal activities. They then transferred the calls to people posing as police officers from Ranong Provincial Police, who used video calls to appear legitimate and threatened the victims into transferring money or withdrawing cash. The two cases resulted in total losses of around 1.35 million baht.

The first case occurred on Monday, August 31, 2026. The victim, 19-year-old Jeeranan, a student at Mahidol University, was tricked into losing around 850,000 baht, including 50,000 baht transferred electronically and 800,000 baht in cash.

The scam began with someone claiming to be an AIS official, telling her that someone had used her ID card number to register an AIS phone number and commit a crime. She was then instructed to contact Mueang Ranong Police Station. A man claiming to be a police officer subsequently contacted her via video call, using a background resembling a police station to make himself appear legitimate.

The victim was first tricked into transferring 50,000 baht. The scammers then instructed her to obtain another 800,000 baht from her mother and withdraw it in cash from Siam Commercial Bank. She was told to take the money to a meeting point in front of a condominium in the Phaya Thai area at around 5:00-5:30 p.m., where a Chinese man wearing a white shirt, black pants and a backpack came to collect it.

In the second case, the victim was a student at Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, who was tricked into transferring 499,999 baht. The scam began at around 9:45 a.m., when someone claiming to be an AIS official called and said that someone had used the victim’s ID card number to register a phone number and commit a crime. The victim was then instructed to contact Mueang Ranong Police Station.

The scammers subsequently video-called the victim, posing as a police officer dressed like a police superintendent. The man wore a white mask and appeared to be in a setting resembling Mueang Ranong Police Station. He ordered the victim to transfer money for an investigation. When the victim said they had no money, the scammer instructed them to write a script to deceive their parents, claiming they had received a scholarship to study abroad and needed money for a visa and other expenses. The victim was also told to stay somewhere quiet and near a police station, with the scammer claiming the money would be returned once the investigation was completed.

Investigators from Investigation Division 3 of the Metropolitan Police Bureau later located the victim inside a hotel near Soi Suan Phlu 7, in the Thung Maha Mek police district, and intervened in time. After the victim had transferred 499,999 baht, officers contacted the bank to freeze the recipient account and block the flow of funds, successfully preventing the money from being moved further.

Police found that the two cases followed a similar pattern. The scammers first impersonated AIS officials before handing the victims over to accomplices posing as Ranong police officers. They used video calls, police-station-like backgrounds and uniforms to appear credible, then threatened the victims by claiming they were involved in a criminal case. The victims were ordered to transfer money or obtain money from their parents. In some cases, victims were forced to write messages deceiving their parents into believing they had received overseas scholarships and needed money. The scammers then sent people to collect cash at designated locations.

Investigators also found that the people sent to collect the money in several cases had similar characteristics: Chinese men wearing white shirts and black pants and carrying backpacks, either on their fronts or backs. They acted as cash couriers, collecting money from victims and passing it on to the scam network. Police are continuing to investigate and track down those involved.

Police warned the public that if anyone claiming to be from AIS, the police or another government agency says you are involved in a criminal case and orders you to transfer money, withdraw cash or hand money over to someone else, stop immediately. Do not believe them, and verify the information directly with the relevant agency.

If you become a victim, contact your bank immediately to freeze the transaction and report the incident to police as soon as possible. The sooner the incident is reported, the greater the chance of stopping the flow of money and recovering the funds.

Military affairs journalist Wassana Nanuam shared some interesting information, reporting that in late August 2026, amid clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, Thailand’s stockpiles of artillery shells and mortar rounds were rapidly running low.

When the Thai military contacted several countries to purchase additional ammunition, it faced obstacles, with some countries refusing to supply it or having no stock available. Israel was reportedly the only country that stepped in to help, continuously supplying and delivering ammunition to Thailand amid the critical situation

Last night (Aug. 29, 2026), more than 200 police officers and officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) conducted an inspection of Pattaya’s beaches and other public areas as part of a crackdown on prostitution. The operation came amid reports that around 5,000 US military personnel would arrive in Pattaya early next month (September) for a port visit after completing a mission in the Middle East.

During the operation, officers patrolled Pattaya Beach, Second Road, and other high-risk public areas. They detained 25 people suspected of loitering, soliciting, or approaching tourists for prostitution.

The group included 5 Lao nationals, 2 Ugandan nationals, and 18 Thai nationals. All were taken into custody for further legal proceedings, including fines and administrative penalties. Under Thailand’s 2022 Fine as a Penalty Act, certain offenses that previously carried criminal penalties can instead be dealt with through the payment of a fine that is not considered a criminal punishment.

The Chonburi MSDHS office said such behavior affects public order and the image of Pattaya as a world-class tourist destination. The operation was intended to make clear that Thailand has laws regulating prostitution and that prostitution remains illegal under Thai law.

The increased enforcement is believed to be linked to the expected arrival of US Navy personnel in Pattaya from Sept. 2-6 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The ship is scheduled to make a port visit after completing a mission in the Middle East and is reportedly carrying around 5,000 sailors and Marines. The visit is expected to generate an estimated 5-15 million baht in local spending.

A Royal Thai Navy spokesperson confirmed that the port visit is intended to allow US personnel to rest and recuperate and to receive logistical support. It is being conducted under the ongoing defense agreements and cooperation between Thailand and the United States. It is not a joint military exercise or operation with the Royal Thai Navy and is not intended to be connected to the situation in any particular country.

สกัดค้าประเวณี รับทหารสหรัฐฯ เยือนพัทยา | ข่าวช่องวันเสาร์อาทิตย์ | สำนักข่าววันนิวส์ - YouTube

Aug. 28, 2026: Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong chaired a meeting with security agencies to prepare for the arrival of the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and around 5,000 US Navy personnel, who are scheduled to enter Thailand and dock at Laem Chabang Port from Sept. 2-6, 2026.

Naris said US warships had visited the province before, but previous visits involved around 1,000 personnel. This time, with about 5,000 personnel expected, authorities will step up security measures, particularly in Sattahip, Bang Lamung, Si Racha, and Pattaya, which are expected to be the main areas where US sailors will stay and spend their leisure time.

He called on local businesses to be good hosts, especially when it comes to selling goods and providing services. Businesses were urged not to take advantage of the influx of visitors by raising prices or overcharging customers, and to provide a proper welcome and appropriate services to US personnel and other tourists.

Security guards and staff at entertainment venues were also asked to perform their duties professionally and courteously, maintain proper standards, and closely monitor customer safety to prevent incidents that could damage the province’s image.

The Embassy of Israel in Thailand issued a statement on Aug. 27 regarding reports that a group of tourists had eaten approximately 8,000 baht worth of food at a restaurant in Patong, Phuket, and left without paying. The embassy confirmed that the tourists involved were not Israeli nationals.

According to the statement, the incident had been circulating on social media since Aug. 19, 2024, with reports identifying the tourists as Israelis. The information quickly spread online and attracted widespread attention.

However, on Aug. 23, 2024, Patong Police Station clarified the facts of the case, including the tourists’ nationalities. Police said the individuals involved were tourists from Saudi Arabia and Morocco, not Israel.

The Israeli Embassy said that reporting inaccurate information without first checking or confirming it with the relevant authorities can lead to misunderstandings and cause serious harm. It could also fuel prejudice and hostility toward Israeli tourists and the Israeli community.

The embassy urged media organizations, social media users, and the general public to carefully verify information-particularly people’s nationalities-before publishing or sharing it publicly, in order to prevent harm to individuals or communities who have nothing to do with an incident.

Aug. 27, 2026: The Royal Gazette website published the “Prime Minister’s Office Regulation on Deportation B.E. 2569 (2026)”, signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Aug. 26, 2026. The regulation was introduced to ensure that deportation laws can be enforced more quickly and effectively. It took effect the day after its publication in the Royal Gazette.

The regulation aims primarily to maintain public order, public morality, and public safety. Authorities have found that some foreigners, both those who entered Thailand legally and illegally, have violated the law for personal gain.

Under the regulation, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, or an authorized official, can report such cases to the Interior Minister, who can then order the deportation of foreigners whose conduct is deemed contrary to public order, as well as those who engage in or support such conduct.

For foreigners who have been convicted of a criminal offense in a final court judgment and subsequently released from prison, the Interior Minister has the authority to order their deportation immediately.

Offenses covered by the regulation include:

• Entering or remaining in Thailand in violation of immigration laws
• Working illegally under Thailand’s foreign-worker laws
• Operating a business illegally under the Foreign Business Act
• Forging or using forged government documents
• Committing an offense punishable by five years or more in prison
• Acting as a principal, instigator, or accomplice in any of the offenses listed above

Aug. 25, 2026: At 10 a.m. at Government House, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul spoke to reporters before a Cabinet meeting about reports of some foreign tourists behaving as if they were above the law. The latest case involved alleged threats posted online against the owner of an open-air zoo on Koh Samui, Surat Thani.

Surasak said he had been briefed on the incident and that the tourist involved had already had his visa to stay in Thailand revoked. He said authorities had taken decisive action to prevent the individual from remaining in Thailand and to stop the situation from escalating into further problems.

He stressed that Thailand welcomes all tourists who respect Thai laws and culture, but the country will not allow anyone to use Thailand as a platform to create symbolic conflicts that have nothing to do with Thailand.

"The government takes this issue seriously, especially the problems and disturbances occurring at the moment. The prime minister has instructed provincial authorities, tourist police and regional police to take care of these issues and act as quickly as possible when problems arise.”

Asked whether Thailand would review visas granted to tourists from certain countries whose nationals cause problems, Surasak said the government would initially handle such cases individually. If a tourist causes problems, authorities will expedite the visa revocation process. However, he stressed that decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis rather than treating all tourists from the same country as problematic.

Asked whether tourists would be given clearer guidance on how to behave while in Thailand and understand local culture, Surasak said the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had contacted embassies and asked airlines to help inform passengers about Thai laws and local customs before they even arrive.

The information would explain what tourists can and cannot do, what is legal or illegal, and the importance of respecting Thai traditions and culture and treating one another with respect. Tourists who encounter problems or feel unsafe can contact the Tourist Police.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2270147350505674

On August 21, 2026, Thailand's Immigration Bureau and Bangkok Metropolitan Police investigators arrested Linda Withheld, a 45-year-old American woman, who was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by a court in Oregon, United States, on charges of kidnapping her own child.

Authorities found her hiding at a hostel in Prawet district, Bangkok, after she allegedly fled across continents to evade prosecution. Officers also safely rescued her 8-year-old son and arranged for him to be reunited with his father.

The arrest followed intelligence shared by U.S. authorities and the FBI with Thai immigration officials, indicating that the suspect had entered and was living in Thailand while wanted in the United States.

According to investigators, in early 2025, the woman allegedly abducted her biological son and disappeared with him, despite her ex-husband having legal custody under a U.S. court order. Authorities said the suspect had a history of alcohol dependency and mental health issues.

The case became a high-profile viral story in the United States, while the boy's father spent more than 18 months searching for his son. Thai immigration investigators eventually tracked down the pair, leading to the raid on their hideout.

Authorities have revoked the woman's permission to stay in Thailand and are coordinating with child welfare agencies to ensure the boy is safely returned to his father.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 3, said Thailand will not allow transnational criminals to use the country as a safe haven, especially in cases involving children's safety, and pledged continued cooperation with international law enforcement agencies in future crackdowns.