KHON KAEN — 18 March 2026, Thai immigration police have arrested a Chinese national wanted for fraud involving about 500 million baht, after tracking him to a remote tattoo ritual site in northeastern Thailand, officials said.
The suspect, identified only as Zhang, was apprehended while hiding at a sak yant (sacred tattoo) compound in a forested area along the border of Khon Kaen and Maha Sarakham provinces.
Immigration Bureau Region 4, working with provincial investigation police and international authorities, carried out the arrest following a request from Chinese officials seeking his extradition to face fraud charges.
Police said the man was accused of operating a company used to defraud numerous investors of large sums of money before fleeing to Thailand.
Investigators located him in a secluded riverside area along the Chi River, far from nearby communities. He was found waiting to undergo a tattoo ritual, believing it would bring him luck and help him evade arrest.
During questioning, the suspect admitted he had overstayed his visa and was aware of the charges against him in China. Immigration records showed he had remained in Thailand illegally for 331 days.
He has been charged with overstaying his permitted stay and was handed over to investigators at Muang Khon Kaen police station for legal proceedings, while further action related to the fraud case is expected.
Differences in fuel composition help explain why petrol prices in Thailand can appear lower than in Cambodia, according to a Cambodian energy executive responding to online debate.
Tea Siam, chairman and founder of Peace Petroleum, said the gap is largely due to the types of fuel sold in each country rather than simple pricing differences.
In a Facebook post on 16 March, he explained that Thailand widely uses blended fuels such as gasohol and biodiesel, including Gasohol 91, Gasohol 95, E20, E85 and diesel B7/B20. These fuels are mixed with ethanol or biodiesel, which can be produced from crops like sugarcane or cassava, helping reduce costs.
By contrast, Cambodia mainly uses conventional fuels such as 92 and 95 gasoline and standard diesel, which do not include such blends and therefore tend to be priced higher.
“The base fuel is similar, but blending with ethanol or biodiesel lowers the cost,” he said, noting that such fuels may lead to slightly higher consumption and may not suit older vehicles without modification. However, most modern cars can use blended fuels.
He added that adopting such fuel systems requires significant infrastructure, including refineries, domestic ethanol production and large-scale blending facilities — factors that Cambodia currently lacks.
Tea Siam said the comparison has led to misconceptions, stressing that Cambodia’s fuel prices are not unusually high, but that some countries are able to lower retail prices through alternative fuel blending.
A small coin with big value is making waves online after a local shop offered up to 5,000 baht for a rare 25-satang coin — about 2 million per cent above its face value.
Panan Jewellery posted a video announcing it is buying 25-satang coins, but with one key condition: the coin must be minted in 1999 (B.E. 2542).
“Just a 25-satang coin from 1999 can be worth up to 5,000 baht. If you have one, send us a photo for appraisal,” the page admin said.
The specific coin features a portrait of Bhumibol Adulyadej on the front and the Phra Borommathat Chedi at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan on the reverse. Made from aluminium bronze, the coin has a distinctive golden-yellow colour.
Collectors prize the 1999 edition due to its limited production. The Treasury Department minted only around 10,000 coins that year, compared with more than 100 million coins in typical years.
The post has sparked interest among netizens, with many checking their old coin jars in hopes of striking small, but valuable change.
BANGKOK — More than 1,000 flights from Middle Eastern airlines to Thailand have been cancelled since late February, as regional conflict and rising oil prices disrupt aviation operations, according to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand.
Surachai Nooprom, acting president of the state enterprise, said the cancellations have had a significant impact on flight volumes in Thai airspace. The disruptions began on 28 February and account for around 3% of total flights.
The impact has been most pronounced at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where more than 600 flights were cancelled, followed by Phuket International Airport with over 400 cancellations. Other affected airports include Krabi, Chiang Mai and Don Mueang.
The cancellations are linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have affected flight routes between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Airlines have also been adjusting fares upward in response to rising fuel costs.
Despite the disruptions, the overall aviation outlook remains positive, though growth is expected to slow. Flight volumes in 2026 are projected to increase by no more than 3% compared to 2025, depending on how the situation evolves.
Surachai said authorities are closely monitoring developments, including possible airspace closures, route adjustments and global economic factors that may affect the aviation sector.
Volatility in global oil prices could further increase airline operating costs and weigh on long-term travel demand, he added.
The agency affirmed its readiness to manage air traffic efficiently and accommodate changes in flight patterns as the situation develops.
SONGKHLA — 18 March 2026, Sixteen Bangladeshi migrants were rescued from a rented room in southern Thailand after being left without food or water for three days while awaiting onward transport to Malaysia, officials said.
The operation took place in Hat Yai district, where Border Patrol Police Unit 43, together with local security agencies and immigration officers, raided a rental property following reports from residents who had heard cries for help.
Officers found the front door locked with multiple padlocks and had to enter through the back. Inside, they discovered 16 men in a weakened and malnourished condition. The migrants pleaded for food, telling authorities they had not eaten or drunk anything for three days.
All were taken to Thung Lung police station, where they were given food and water.
Through an interpreter, the men said they had travelled from Bangladesh by boat, landing in Phuket after paying brokers about 96,000 baht each. They were then transported by pickup truck and were being held in Songkhla before being smuggled onward to Malaysia for work.
Authorities said the case highlights a suspected human trafficking network. Investigations are under way to identify those responsible and proceed with legal action.
An officer involved in the rescue said the scene was distressing, noting that the migrants had been left in inhumane conditions without basic necessities for several days.
SURIN — The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters has uncovered more than 300 landmines during ongoing clearance operations along the Thai–Cambodian border in Kap Choeng district, as efforts continue to secure the area for local residents.
On 17 March, the Thai Mine Action Center under the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters reported progress in demining operations at Ban Dan in tambon Dan, covering two main zones, Sector 1 and Sector 2.
In Sector 1, spanning 172,420 square metres, authorities recently cleared an additional 686 square metres without finding new explosives. Since operations began on 10 February, a total of 58,901 square metres — or 34.16% of the area — has been declared safe. However, 65.84% remains at risk. Officials have discovered 269 landmines in this sector, mostly anti-personnel mines.
In Sector 2, covering 171,820 square metres, an additional 494 square metres has been cleared, accounting for 0.29% of the area. Four landmines were recently found, including M16A2 bounding mines, M14 anti-personnel mines and a Type 59 anti-vehicle mine.
Since 3 March, clearance operations in Sector 2 have secured 32,279 square metres, or 18.79% of the area. Authorities estimate that 81.21% — or 139,541 square metres — remains contaminated or suspected to contain landmines. A total of 68 explosive devices have been found in this sector, including M16A1 and M16A2 bounding mines, M14 anti-personnel mines and a Type 59 anti-vehicle mine.
Officials said the operations aim to reduce risks and restore safety for communities living along the border.
Ancient stone faces of Bayon temple, Angkor, Cambodia
Angkor, home to the famed Angkor Wat, was one of the most populous urban centres in the world during the 13th century, with an estimated 700,000 to 900,000 residents, according to research cited by Silpawattanatham.
The findings, based on a study published in Science Advances in May 2021, suggest that the medieval city in northwestern Cambodia rivalled or exceeded the population of many modern cities. The estimate surpasses, for comparison, the population of Boston, which had around 693,000 residents in 2019.
The study, titled “Diachronic modeling of the population within the medieval Greater Angkor Region settlement complex,” combined three decades of archaeological data with advanced technologies, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), radiocarbon dating and machine learning algorithms.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Researchers used LiDAR scanning to map the broader Angkor landscape beyond its central monuments, revealing previously hidden infrastructure such as roads, canals and wooden structures. The technology also enabled analysis of terrain variations, helping identify features such as reservoirs and settlement patterns.
Alison K. Carter, a co-lead researcher from the University of Oregon, said the technology allowed the team to better understand the city’s topography and reconstruct its development over time.
The results indicate that Angkor’s population peaked in the 13th century, making it one of the largest cities globally in that era. Researchers also noted that the methodology could be applied to other archaeological sites.
Historical studies suggest Angkor developed as an agricultural and trade-based city. Early inhabitants cultivated rice and other crops, while population density later increased in the urban core.
The city centre was home to elites, artisans, performers, priests and teachers who played key roles in governance and cultural life. Meanwhile, communities along roads and waterways were believed to engage in trade.
Bayon Temple with giant stone faces, Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Population estimates for Angkor have long been debated. In the 19th century, French explorer Henri Mouhot cited large figures for the Khmer Empire, though without systematic calculation. Later, archaeologist Bernard-Philippe Groslier estimated around 1.9 million people in the wider Angkor region during the 12th century, while a 2001 estimate by E. Lustig suggested about 750,000 residents.
Miriam T. Stark, a co-author of the latest study, said understanding Angkor’s population and urban system could provide insights for modern city planning, particularly in the context of climate change.
As a tropical city that endured for centuries despite political and environmental shifts, Angkor offers lessons on the limits and resilience of urban development, the study noted.
CHONBURI — 17 March 2026, Khao Kheow Open Zoo has said that “Moo Deng”, a pygmy hippopotamus, was not injured after an intruder entered its enclosure, though the animal was slightly startled by the incident.
In a statement posted on its official page, the zoo clarified reports circulating on social media that showed a person trespassing into the hippopotamus exhibit at around 17:00.
Zoo officials said the intruder was a Thai national who took advantage of a moment when staff were carrying out routine animal care in the evening to enter a restricted area designated as both a private and animal display zone.
Security personnel have since detained the individual and handed them over to police. Authorities are investigating the motive and gathering evidence to pursue legal action, the zoo said, stressing that strict enforcement is necessary to uphold safety standards and animal welfare.
According to the animal’s keeper, Moo Deng and its family were not physically harmed. However, the animal may have experienced slight distress after encountering a person at close range. Veterinary staff will continue to closely monitor its behaviour.
The zoo thanked members of the public and fans who reported the incident and expressed concern, saying their support helps staff remain committed to ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo also urged visitors to strictly follow rules and staff instructions for the safety of both people and animals, warning that any risky behaviour will be dealt with under the law without exception.
VIENTIANE — King Maha Vajiralongkorn said his state visit to Laos felt “like coming home” and reconnecting with “old friends,” as he highlighted close ties between the neighbouring nations during a formal reception on 17 March.
The King, accompanied by Queen Suthida, was officially welcomed at the Presidential Palace by Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and his wife, Naly Sisoulith. The visit marks the first time in decades that a Thai monarch has paid an official visit to Laos.
In remarks to the Lao president, the King said the trip brought back fond memories of past visits and warm hospitality.
“It feels like returning home, meeting old friends, and strengthening our friendship in the most delightful way,” he said. “Our countries are close neighbours, making travel easy. Thank you for your gracious welcome.”
He added that his previous visit remained “in my heart with great joy” and expressed hope that the close relationship between the two countries would continue “happily and ever stronger.”
Later, Their Majesties granted an audience to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane at their hotel in Vientiane.
In the evening, the King and Queen attended a traditional baci ceremony at the Presidential Palace, where sacred threads were tied to their wrists in a ritual symbolising goodwill and blessings. Gifts were exchanged between both sides, reflecting cultural ties and mutual respect.
At a state banquet hosted in their honour, President Thongloun proposed a toast to Their Majesties. The King, in return, delivered a speech reaffirming the enduring friendship between Thailand and Laos and invited guests to raise a toast to the Lao president and his wife.
The evening concluded with a cultural performance by Lao artists, after which the King and Queen presented floral baskets to the performers before returning to their residence.
AYUTTHAYA — 18 March 2026, A diesel shortage in parts of Thailand has forced an elephant camp in Ayutthaya to change its operations, with elephants now walking to work instead of being transported by truck, raising concerns over wider impacts on animal care.
At 07:30, 15 elephants from the Royal Elephant Kraal Village in Suan Phrik subdistrict were led on foot over a distance of about 5 kilometres to Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal, located within the Ayutthaya Historical Park. The unusual procession drew attention from residents along the route.
The movement was carried out in two rounds for safety, with seven elephants departing first, followed by eight more at 08:00.
Laitongrian Meephan, owner of the elephant camp and president of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association, said the camp typically uses two trailer trucks to transport elephants between the village and the tourist site. However, ongoing diesel shortages and fuel rationing at petrol stations have made it difficult to secure sufficient supplies.
“Previously, it was said there was no fuel shortage, but in reality the situation is now clearly affecting operators,” he said.
As a result, the camp has reverted to traditional methods, allowing elephants to walk in order to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining tourism services. The number of working elephants has been reduced from around 35 per day to 15, while older animals still require transport to access food sources.
Safety measures have been put in place during the walks, including staggered movement to allow traffic to pass, motorcycle escorts, and trailers to collect waste immediately to keep roads clean.
Laitongrian warned that if the fuel shortage persists, it could disrupt the supply of elephant food, particularly pineapples transported from Rayong province. He called for public support through food donations if needed and said elephants might have to forage naturally to cope with the situation.
A truck driver transporting pineapples from Rayong said he struggled to find fuel along the route, stopping at more than 16 petrol stations without success. He was eventually able to refuel only limited amounts due to rationing, with some stations restricting diesel sales and warning of delays of up to five days for new supplies.
He said a typical round trip would require about 6,000 baht in fuel, but current limits of 500 to 1,000 baht per fill have severely disrupted logistics. While he managed to deliver the food, he remained uncertain about having enough fuel for the return journey.
The diesel shortage, reported in several areas, is affecting not only transport but also tourism and elephant care in Ayutthaya, with operators facing rising costs and uncertainty if the situation continues.
