ASEAN NOW Thailand

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13/08/2026

A celebration marking the 134th anniversary of Kamnan and Village Headman Day in Surat Thani has drawn online criticism after five shotguns were reportedly offered as raffle prizes. The event brought together local administrative officials from Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, with images and details later shared by the page Seua Thuean.

The raffle has prompted questions over whether fi****ms were appropriate prizes at a public event involving government officials and local leaders. Online commentators also questioned whether the transfer and possession of the guns followed official procedures, although local administrative authorities had not issued a formal explanation.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/five-shotguns-raffled-at-koh-phangan-officials-party-r3265/

Photo via Amarin

13/08/2026

The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi has tested positive for cannabis after the aircraft suffered a sudden altitude drop over India, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. The August 4 flight had 137 passengers and eight crew members on board when it encountered severe weather while cruising over Odisha.

The incident has been classified as serious, with India’s aviation authorities suspending both flight crew members while the investigation continues. Air India initially said 12 people were injured, but India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau later revised the figure to 24.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/air-india-captain-tests-positive-for-cannabis-after-phuket-delhi-injuries-r3253/

Photo via The Economic Times

13/08/2026

Thailand’s government has begun a wide-ranging review of gun ownership and licensing after two recent shootings in Nonthaburi. Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered work on a new fi****ms law, with certain gun-purchase and possession licence applications suspended pending a Cabinet decision.

The government is also considering a time-limited scheme for people to surrender illegal fi****ms without prosecution, while checkpoints and public reporting channels have been expanded. Anutin said Thailand needs tighter control of fi****ms and warned that using a gun, even in claimed self-defence, can still lead to an investigation before the courts decide whether it was justified.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thailand-to-overhaul-gun-ownership-and-licences-r3254/

Photo via The Nation

13/08/2026

A 24 year old Chinese woman has gone missing after arriving at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport from Malaysia on August 2. Qi Meng, who was reportedly making her first trip abroad, has not been heard from since she left the airport with a Chinese man she had recently met online.

The Chinese embassy in Thailand has activated its emergency response mechanism and is coordinating with Thai authorities to review airport CCTV and follow leads. Online claims that she may have been taken to a scam operation remain unverified, and Thai police have not confirmed those allegations.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/chinese-woman-24-missing-after-bangkok-arrival-r3259/

Photo via The Standard

13/08/2026

Conservation activist Siranudh “Psi” Samutt has called on foreign employees in Thailand to be able to speak Thai, arguing that workers should not rely only on English while working in the country. His comments on X drew broad support from Thai social media users and renewed debate about language expectations in tourist areas and workplaces.

Psi said he prefers to speak Thai in Thailand and criticised businesses that employ foreign staff who cannot communicate with Thai customers. Some commenters called for Thai-language requirements for foreign workers, although no new government policy was announced in the material provided.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/activist-urges-foreign-workers-to-learn-thai-r3257/

11/08/2026

Calls to reform Thailand’s s*x work laws are growing after the murder of a 17 year old Thai teenager by an Australian man brought renewed attention to worker safety and the country’s nightlife economy. Although s*x work remains illegal, campaigners say the industry is highly visible and continues to support major tourist areas such as Bangkok and Pattaya.

Surang Janyam, director of the Service Workers in Group Foundation, said decriminalisation for people aged 18 and over would give workers access to labour protection, social security, welfare and safer reporting channels. Tourism representatives have also called for clearer regulation, although campaigners remain divided over proposals for designated red-light zones.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thailand-s*x-work-reform-calls-grow-after-murder-r3214/

11/08/2026

Hatyaiwittayalai School in Songkhla suspended classroom teaching for two days after a former South African teacher allegedly posted concerning material in a public LINE group. The school said pupils were told to study from home on Monday and Tuesday, with normal on-site classes due to resume after the Mother’s Day holiday.

School director Thiwichaya Meechooworapong said miscommunication over Thai bureaucratic procedures may have contributed to the dispute with the former teacher, who was dismissed on July 24. The school has filed a police complaint, while the employment dispute is now being considered by the Administrative Court.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/school-blames-mis-communication-for-foreign-ex-teachers-post-r3224/

11/08/2026

WILDFIRES BURN ACROSS INDONESIA AS MOUNT BROMO CLOSES

Indonesia is battling widespread wildfires that have already burned more than 107,000 hectares of forests and land during an exceptionally dry season. Fires inside Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park have forced authorities to close the popular Mount Bromo tourist destination while firefighters and helicopters work to contain the flames. Smoke from fires across Sumatra and Borneo is also raising air-quality concerns in neighbouring countries as dry conditions increase the risk of further outbreaks.

11/08/2026

Pattaya City has warned residents and tourists not to swim at Jomtien Beach after an oil-like slick, previously reported around Koh Larn, was found floating in the sea and washing ashore on August 10. Officials have begun collecting samples, checking how far the pollution has spread and removing the substance from affected areas.

Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai said investigators are considering two possible sources: an illegal discharge from a vessel, or pollution drifting into the area from around Laem Chabang. The Marine Department and environmental agencies have joined the inquiry, while the swimming warning remains in place until testing and cleanup work provide clearer results.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/oil-slick-spreads-from-koh-larn-to-jomtien-beach-r3221/

Photo via Khaosod

11/08/2026

Police were called to a hospital in Mueang Chai Nat after visitors reported that a monk waiting for medicine appeared to be carrying a handgun. Officers found that the item was actually a plastic imitation gun attached to the monk’s mobile phone case.

The monk said he had bought the unusual case online for fun and had no harmful intention. Police confiscated the imitation item and warned him that displaying something resembling a weapon could frighten people in public places, especially at a hospital.

Read more: https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/chai-nat-monks-gun-at-hospital-was-phone-case-r3223/

Photo via Amarin