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- Indian Tourist in Pattaya Chased by Naked Ladyboys Over Payment Dispute
In an early morning incident on March 5, two naked ladyboys were seen pursuing an Indian tourist along Pattaya Beach Road, reportedly due to a payment disagreement. Witnesses observed the pair shouting abuse and demanding payment for sex services, with one threatening the tourist with a brick. The altercation led to a public disturbance, drawing intervention from local officials and bystanders.
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According to reports, the argument erupted at 5:06 am when the ladyboys accused the tourist of not paying for their services and physically assaulting them. A video of the chase was captured by a bystander and later provided to the police. Witness Anucha Khotmad, a Pattaya municipal officer, saw the scene unfold and sought assistance from nearby businesses to provide towels for the individuals, aiming to lessen public exposure.
Bystanders, along with Anucha, intervened to prevent escalation and reportedly successfully mediated the dispute. The resolution came when the tourist agreed to pay the ladyboys 1,000 baht each. At the scene, neither party pressed charges, and no formal complaint was lodged.
Looking forward, the incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and disputes along Pattaya Beach Road. Authorities may review measures to prevent similar occurrences and ensure better handling of public disturbances. Continued investigation or legal action seems unlikely unless initiated by the involved parties, reported The Thaiger.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 05 Mar 2026
5 March 05 20261388902 - Chickenpox Outbreak Prompts DDC Action at Thammasat’s Rangsit Campus
An outbreak of chickenpox at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus has led to an urgent investigation by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Classes were moved online from March 3 to 6 as a precautionary measure. The situation was triggered by a mid-February student camp linked to the spread of the virus.
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The DDC, under director-general Dr. Montien Kanasawat, was alerted on March 3, 2026, and dispatched a team to cooperate with regional health offices. The outbreak is connected to a student camp held from February 13–16 with 66 participants, which included students from various provinces. Following the camp, 13 university students and 10 school pupils reported chickenpox symptoms and received medical treatment.
The chickenpox cluster highlights the importance of enhanced health education and preventive measures. Dr. Montien emphasized that isolation alone might not suffice and more strategies might be needed. Despite the outbreak, he noted that nationwide chickenpox cases, totaling approximately 10,000 in the first two months of 2026, remain consistent with last year’s data.
Chickenpox primarily spreads through respiratory droplets and contact with infected secretions. Symptoms include rashes, blisters, and fever. While children often experience mild cases, adults may face more severe symptoms. Maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, and opting for vaccinations are recommended preventive actions.
The Faculty of Political Science at Thammasat University announced a switch to online classes via MS Teams or Zoom as the outbreak coincides with the typical chickenpox season from January to April. The situation is under close monitoring, with additional measures to be implemented if necessary.
Experts, such as Dr. Pairoj Surattanawanich, outline the virus’s incubation period of two to three weeks. The disease starts with rashes that evolve into blisters and self-resolves as they crust over. While most cases occur in children with mild symptoms, severe complications can affect adults and vulnerable individuals, necessitating medical attention.
Home care involves rest, paracetamol for fever, and ample fluid intake. Severe symptoms or complications should prompt immediate medical evaluation. Patients are considered infectious until their blisters crust over, typically lasting six to seven days, during which isolation is advised, reported The Nation.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Nation · 04 Mar 2026
4 March 04 20261388818 - Man Fakes Gold Robbery After Gambling Away Cash
A 35-year-old man in Songkhla has been arrested after falsely claiming he was robbed of gold jewellery, only to later admit he fabricated the story after gambling away money given to him by his wife. Police said the man reported that two suspects on a motorcycle had kicked his bike into a drainage canal and stolen gold weighing two baht and two salueng.
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The incident was reported to police on 5 March 2026. Officers from Muang Songkhla Police Station were dispatched to the scene at a drainage canal along Samrong canal in Khao Rup Chang subdistrict, Muang district, Songkhla.
At the scene, police found the man, identified only as Arm, standing near the canal while his motorcycle was submerged in the water. Officers and bystanders helped retrieve the vehicle from the canal before investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged robbery.
According to Pol Col Keerati Triwai, chief of Muang Songkhla Police Station, the initial report claimed two suspects had followed the victim on a motorcycle before kicking his bike, causing it to crash into the canal. The alleged attackers were said to have stolen a gold necklace weighing two baht and two salueng before fleeing.
Following the report, police immediately set up road checkpoints along multiple routes in an attempt to locate the suspects. Investigators also began reviewing CCTV footage to trace the victim’s movements before the incident.
Police discovered that the man had indeed visited a gold shop earlier, but CCTV footage showed he had only asked about gold prices and did not buy or redeem any jewellery. Further checks along his route also failed to reveal any motorcycle following him or committing a robbery as described.
Pictures courtesy of Amarin
Investigators grew suspicious due to inconsistencies in the man’s account and questioned him further. During detailed interrogation, he eventually admitted the robbery never happened and that he had fabricated the entire story.
Police said the man’s wife had given him money to redeem gold at a jewellery shop. Instead, he spent the money on online gambling and lost everything, leaving him afraid to return home and face his wife.
To support the false claim, he staged the scene by allowing his motorcycle to end up in the canal and reported a robbery to authorities. Officers subsequently detained him and reclassified him from victim to suspect.
He now faces charges of filing a false police report under Thai criminal law. The offence carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 60,000 baht. Pol Col Keerati warned the public that emergency calls to 191 must be reserved for genuine situations, as false reports can divert resources from real emergencies and endanger lives and property.
Anarin reported that later, the suspect’s mother and wife travelled to Muang Songkhla Police Station to arrange bail following his arrest as legal proceedings began.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 6 Mar 2026
5 March 05 20261388949 - Norwegian Tourist Held at Phuket Over Torn Passport
A 26-year-old Norwegian tourist was detained at Phuket International Airport after Thai immigration officers reportedly discovered a torn page in his passport, rendering the document invalid for entry into Thailand.
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Marcus Haavik arrived in Phuket with a friend for a planned two-week holiday but was stopped at passport control when officers inspected his passport and found that a page at the back had been torn out. According to a report first published on 27 February by Norwegian daily Verdens Gang (VG) and reported by Khaosod on 5 March, immigration officials informed him that the passport was invalid and that he would not be permitted to enter the country.
Haavik told VG that he had never noticed the missing page and did not know how the damage had occurred. He said the pair had intended to spend a week in Phuket, travel to the Phi Phi islands and conclude their trip in Bangkok before returning home.
According to the report, Haavik was taken to an office where immigration officers photographed his passport, prepared documents and asked him to sign papers. He declined to sign them before speaking to someone, saying he feared the documents could affect his situation.
Document he was asked to sign courtesy of Verdens Gang
He was later placed in a holding cell at the airport while authorities processed the case. VG reported that he was informed he would be sent to Stockholm on a flight operated by Norse Atlantic Airways, the same airline he had flown in with, which would be responsible for returning him.
Haavik told VG that he had contacted Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for assistance. In an email response to the newspaper, the ministry confirmed it was aware of the case but said it could not provide further comment due to confidentiality rules governing consular matters.
The ministry explained that in such cases it typically offers advice to citizens, helps them contact local authorities and can assist in obtaining legal counsel if needed. It may also notify relatives where appropriate.
Officials also noted that Norwegian citizens are responsible for ensuring their travel documents meet entry requirements and that they comply with the laws and regulations of the countries they visit. Khaosod noted that the VG, report did not indicate when Haavik would be returned from Thailand, but the case highlights the strict enforcement of passport validity rules at international borders.
Picture of holding cell courtesy of Verdens Gang
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 6 Mar 2026
5 March 05 20261388950 - German Tourist Heartbroken as Thailand Trip Axed
A 68-year-old German tourist has said he was heartbroken after his flight to Thailand was cancelled due to Middle East airspace closures linked to the conflict between Iran and Israel. Rolf Kollrep had planned to spend the entire month of March holidaying in the country. His departure from Germany on 2 March was cancelled after several countries shut their airspace, disrupting routes to Thailand.
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Kollrep was due to travel with Qatar Airways, transiting through Doha before continuing to Bangkok. He had booked accommodation in Pattaya and Hua Hin since last year and visits Thailand twice annually. On the morning of 1 March, he received an email from the airline informing him that his flight had been cancelled, with rebooking available in approximately two weeks.
Several countries in the Middle East began closing their airspace on 28 February as tensions escalated between Iran and Israel. The closures have disrupted international routes passing through major transit hubs such as Doha and Dubai. Airlines have been forced to cancel or reroute flights to avoid affected areas.
“I feel very sad, like a heartbreak. No one expected something like this to happen. But when it does, you have to accept it,” Kollrep said. Despite the setback, he confirmed he would return to Thailand once the situation stabilises. “Of course,” he replied when asked if he would reschedule his trip, reaffirming his affection for the country.
The airspace closures have affected large numbers of international and Thai travellers, particularly those flying on routes that transit the Middle East. Many passengers have been stranded at airports since 28 February and 1 March. Some flights have been cancelled, while others have been diverted to avoid the conflict zone.
Airlines are continuing to monitor the situation as regional tensions remain high. Rebooking delays of up to two weeks have been reported for affected passengers. Travellers are advised to check with their airlines for updates and alternative routing options.
Khaosod reported that Kollrep said he intends to rearrange his holiday once flights resume normal operations. The wider impact on tourism remains uncertain as long as the airspace restrictions remain in place.
Pictures courtesy of Khaosod
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 4 Mar 2026
3 March 03 20261388763 - Naked German Tourist Tasered After Koh Tao Rampage
A German tourist was tasered by police after allegedly going on a bizarre rampage on Koh Tao, Thailand, during which he reportedly stole a mobile phone, a motorcycle and a kayak before attempting to escape into the sea. Officers detained the man after confronting him while he was naked on Chalok Beach. He was later taken to hospital while police continue investigating complaints from several victims.
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Authorities said the incident began outside a convenience store where the man reportedly approached a woman and asked for her contact details. When she refused, he allegedly pretended to check a map before suddenly grabbing her phone and fleeing the area. The incident prompted the woman to report the theft to local police, triggering an island-wide search.
Police said the situation escalated soon afterwards when the man allegedly stole a motorcycle before abandoning it and taking a kayak. Witnesses reported that he attempted to use the kayak to move away from the area along the island’s coastline. The unusual sequence of alleged thefts prompted officers from Provincial Police Region 8 to expand their search around Koh Tao.
Officers deployed speedboats as part of the search operation and eventually located the suspect near Chalok Beach. Police body camera footage shows officers approaching as the man attempted to swim away from them in the sea. He later came ashore where officers confronted him while he was naked.
Police said they used a Taser after the suspect refused to comply with repeated orders to stop. One officer from the tactical squad of Provincial Police Region 8 said the non-lethal device was used to safely control the situation. “We used a Taser X7 to safely control the situation. Non-lethal equipment is extremely important in places like this,” the officer said.
Pictures and video courtesy of The Sun
Rescuers from Koh Tao assisted in detaining the man before transporting him to hospital for medical assessment. Authorities said he remains in police custody while investigators continue gathering statements from victims and witnesses. Police are also reviewing CCTV footage and examining multiple complaints linked to the incident.
Local hotel receptionist Kotchakorn Baipimai said the man had earlier been seen following two women attempting to check into a hotel. She said the women appeared frightened and did not speak while the man tried to approach them. Baipimai told him to leave the premises before he eventually rode away on a motorbike.
Police said several victims may need to come forward to formally file complaints as the investigation continues. Officers have not yet confirmed possible charges or released further details about the suspect’s condition. Authorities said the full sequence of events is still being examined.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now TheSun 6 Mar 2026
5 March 05 20261388945 - Citywide Adaptive Lights Target Bangkok Traffic Woes
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced it will accelerate the implementation of adaptive traffic lights to ease congestion across the city. Currently, over 80% of Bangkok's 746 major intersections use fixed-time lights that operate on predetermined intervals, which often fail to adjust to varying traffic conditions. To address this, BMA Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon stated that the city aims to upgrade its traffic management system, utilizing CCTV and image processing for real-time traffic analysis.
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The fixed-time system has demonstrated inefficiencies, particularly during rush hours and traffic fluctuations, leading to "lost green time" and gridlock situations. The adaptive system, however, can customize signal timings automatically based on real-time traffic data, ensuring smoother flow and preventing intersection blockages. This technology examines traffic density and queue lengths up to 150 meters before an intersection to allocate green times optimally.
The adaptive system includes a Gridlock Protection feature, which stops green signals if downstream traffic cannot disseminate, thereby reducing the chance of blocked intersections. For the current fiscal year, the BMA plans to deploy this technology to an additional 50 intersections, significantly expanding its coverage in the city.
Experts predict that these improvements will enhance traffic efficiency and reduce congestion-related delays in Bangkok. By adapting to actual traffic volumes, the city expects to manage peak times more effectively and respond to unexpected traffic scenarios. The shift towards an adaptive system marks an important step in modernizing Bangkok’s traffic infrastructure, reported Bangkok Post.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Bangkok Post · 05 Mar 2026
5 March 05 20261388913 - Airfare Surge: Bangkok–London Economy Reaches 70,000 Baht
Airfares from Thailand to Europe have surged by up to 100% due to airspace closures in the Middle East caused by the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on 4 March. The suspension of flights by eight Middle Eastern airlines has significantly reduced seat availability on these critical international routes.
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Previously handling over 10,000 passengers daily, Gulf carriers' suspension has led to soaring ticket prices for remaining flights. For example, one-way economy fares on Thai Airways International from Bangkok to London have jumped to over 70,000 baht, significantly higher than the usual 30,000 baht. Singapore Airlines has seen fares rise to around 58,000 baht, with many flights fully booked through the next week.
The CAAT attributed the price hike to an imbalance of strong travel demand against reduced flight offerings and noted that ticket pricing is influenced by competition and bilateral agreements, which are beyond their regulatory control. The regulator’s role is centered on aspects such as slot allocation and maintaining safety standards, without the authority to cap international fares.
Increased global oil prices are another concern, potentially driving up aviation costs further. Airlines affected by these disruptions might seek regulatory approval to increase fuel surcharges, which are part of the ticket price, although no such formal requests have been made yet.
Officials have engaged Emirates and Qatar Airways in discussions about assisting stranded passengers, focusing on accommodation, refunds, and rebooking due to airspace closures. The outcome of these talks is yet to be seen, reported Khaosod.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 04 Mar 2026
4 March 04 20261388815 - Immigration Tighten Visa Rules to Combat Transnational Crime
Thailand is intensifying its border security and visa extension screenings to deter transnational criminals. Following orders from Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, the Immigration Police will enforce stricter measures at entry points and scrutinize visa applications linked to Middle East unrest. This initiative aims to prevent exploitation of legal loopholes by criminals seeking refuge in the country.
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In a meeting on March 6, 2026, chaired by Pol Gen Samran, the Centre for Suppression of Transnational Criminals and Illegal Immigration was mobilized to enhance security nationwide. Unit commanders participated to devise strategies that strengthen existing measures. The focus is on tightening border controls, increasing surveillance at key locations, and closely inspecting travelers from watchlist countries.
A significant concern is the misuse of visa extensions by individuals citing unrest in the Middle East. The Immigration Police have been instructed to meticulously evaluate such claims to prevent criminals from leveraging these grounds to stay in Thailand. Additionally, police will address the issue of “fake” student visas, ensuring individuals genuinely participate in educational programs to justify their stay.
Experts acknowledge the complexity of balancing national security with lawful immigration practices. The enhanced measures reflect global trends in addressing transnational crime, especially amid geopolitical tensions. As authorities clamp down on fraudulent means of entry, the impact on Thailand's tourism and education sectors remains to be seen.
Looking forward, Thailand's focus will remain on maintaining robust border security while adapting to emerging international dynamics. Continued collaboration with international agencies is expected to play a crucial role in monitoring and preventing illegal immigration practices, reported The Nation.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Nation · 06 Mar 2026
6 March 06 20261389002 - Foreign Man Found Hung with Torture Injuries in Pattaya
A foreign man believed to be Chinese was found dead under suspicious circumstances near a railway-side road in Patttaya, Chonburi, on the morning of 5 March 2026. The body showed signs of physical abuse and possible torture prior to death. Police have launched an investigation to determine the victim’s identity and the cause of death.
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Police were alerted at around 09.30 when the body was discovered beside the railway road, on the section which is closed for road works, just after the Soi Khao Talo junction. Responding officers included investigators from Bang Lamung Police Station, forensic officers from Chonburi’s Police Forensic Division 2, a duty doctor and rescuers from the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Foundation.
The victim was found in a motorcycle parking shelter used by hotel staff, located beside the railway road. He was described as an Asian male aged approximately 30–40 with East Asian features, believed to be Chinese. His body was discovered hanging from a cream-coloured nylon rope tied to a roof beam.
Investigators noted the victim’s body was in a standing position with both knees slightly bent and his left hand raised near the noose. He was wearing a blue round-neck shirt with the English wording “ARAS” printed on the back, black-and-white elephant-pattern trousers, and white shoes. Two pieces of asphalt had been stacked beneath his feet.
Police at the scene estimated the man had been dead for anywhere between six to twelve hours when discovered. No identification documents were found on the body. However, a lighter, a pen and three handwritten letters in Chinese were discovered in his right trouser pocket.
According to the letters, the man apologised to his family and asked that the embassy be contacted so his parents could be informed and his body returned home. One message reportedly read: “I apologise to my family. Please contact the embassy and my parents and help take me back home.”
Picture courtesy of ThaiRath
Initial forensic examination revealed extensive bruising covering the victim’s body from head to toe. His face was swollen, while both legs showed numerous dark spots resembling injuries caused by electric shocks. Several burn-like wounds were also found on his back, appearing similar to injuries from heated objects.
Forensic officers and medical staff believe these injuries were inflicted two to three days before the man’s death. Investigators are therefore examining whether the death was staged or connected to earlier violence.
The body was first discovered by 41-year-old Ekphoj Nundee, a water truck driver working for a construction contractor repairing the nearby road surface. He said he was spraying water to reduce dust when he turned his vehicle and noticed the body hanging in the shelter, prompting him to alert police immediately.
Police investigators, forensic teams, and detectives have since begun collecting evidence from the scene. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas and interviewing witnesses in an effort to identify the victim and establish how he came to be found hanging at the location.
ThaiRath reported the body will be transferred to the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for a detailed autopsy. Investigators say the results will be crucial in determining the true cause of death and whether criminal charges may follow.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thairath 5 Mar 2026
5 March 05 20261388889