Gunfight between rival in Phetchaburi leaves one dead

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24 March 2026, 09:57

Gunfight between rival in Phetchaburi leaves one dead

PHETCHABURI — 23 March 2026, A 21-year-old man was killed after opening fire on a rival group in a crowded market area in Ban Laem district, police said, in the latest escalation of a long-running feud between local youth gangs.

The incident occurred at around 20:00 on Nakhathiwat Road, in front of a market near Wat Ton Son in tambon Ban Laem. Police and forensic officers responding to reports of a shooting found more than a dozen spent shell casings scattered over a stretch of about 50 metres.

The victim, identified as Jaruwat “Fluke” Dangkong, was taken to Ban Laem Hospital by friends but later died from gunshot wounds to both sides of his torso.

A witness, a 62-year-old pad thai vendor at the scene, told police that three young men arrived on a motorcycle and stopped in front of her stall. Shortly after, another motorcycle carrying two men passed by and stopped in the middle of the road. The rider, later identified as Jaruwat, allegedly drew a gun and fired at the group of three.

One of the targeted men ran into the vendor’s stall for cover, while the other two returned fire. Jaruwat reportedly continued shooting while retreating before being struck by bullets and collapsing about 50 metres away. The three men then fled the scene on their motorcycle.

The vendor said stray bullets narrowly missed her, with one passing through a cooking basin beside her and striking a wall behind. She attributed her survival to a religious amulet she was wearing.

Police said the shooting is believed to be linked to an ongoing rivalry between two local youth groups, known as the “Khlong Wat” and “Ban Nai” factions, which have been involved in multiple violent incidents in recent years, including fatal shootings and stabbings.

Authorities said they have identified the suspects involved in the latest shooting and are working to apprehend them for prosecution.

GISTDA to push Thailand toward NASA’s Artemis lunar, Mars mission

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Khaosod English

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23 March 2026, 19:12

BANGKOK — Thailand is moving to stake a place in space exploration as the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) joined forces with 40 public and private organizations to push for involvement in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually send them to Mars.

The announcement came during a national conference on advanced space research at Pullman King Power Bangkok on 23 March. The event, chaired by Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, brought together government officials, academics, private-sector representatives, and the U.S. ambassador’s office in Thailand.

Dr. Nattawat Hongkanjanakul, GISTDA spokesperson, said the world is entering a “New Space Economy,” where private companies and emerging nations can contribute to rockets, satellites, and new space-based business models. “This seminar is a key step in boosting Thailand’s space capabilities. It lets us assess technological strengths, develop a strategic white paper, and prepare for formal collaboration with NASA under Artemis,” he said. Dr. Nattawat added that Thai expertise and technology could feature in future Artemis missions, possibly including Artemis III or IV.

German tourist rescued with CPR after drowning at Bang Sare beach

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Khaosod English

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23 March 2026, 18:37

CHONBURI — A 71-year-old German tourist was rescued after nearly drowning at Bang Sare beach on Monday afternoon.

Rescue teams from Sawang Rojanatham Sattahip Foundation and the emergency unit of Wat Yan Sangwararam Hospital responded around noon after receiving a report of a foreigner struggling in the water. The man, later identified as Mr. Wolfgang Kari, was found unconscious on the shore. Good Samaritans and nearby tourists performed CPR until he regained a pulse before he was rushed to the hospital for urgent treatment.

Eyewitnesses said the tourist was swimming as usual when he appeared dizzy and fell backward into the water. He eventually flipped face-down, prompting immediate assistance from bystanders. Authorities reminded visitors to exercise caution when swimming, especially the elderly or those with underlying health conditions, and to avoid swimming alone.

Myanmar man arrested for stealing Vietnamese tourist’s bag at Bangkok shopping mall

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Khaosod English

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23 March 2026, 18:22

BANGKOK — Police have arrested a Myanmar national for allegedly stealing a Vietnamese tourist’s backpack at a shopping mall in central Bangkok, solving the case within two hours.

The incident occurred at around 19:40 on 22 March, when Quach Thi Thanh Hien, a Vietnamese tourist, was shopping at a mall in the Pathumwan area. Her backpack was reportedly stolen without her noticing. She later filed a complaint with Pathumwan Police Station at 20:23.

Investigators quickly reviewed CCTV footage and identified the suspect as a slim-built man wearing a T-shirt and dark trousers, who was seen leaving the mall towards Phaya Thai Road. Police tracked him to Soi Nomjit, where they found and arrested a 31-year-old Myanmar man identified as Lane.

During questioning, the suspect, who can speak Thai fluently, confessed to the crime. Police recovered the stolen items from his room, including a black backpack and cash in multiple currencies, such as 9,500 baht, US dollars and Vietnamese dong.

The victim later confirmed the belongings were hers. The suspect has been charged with theft at night and handed over to investigators for legal proceedings.

New geckos discovered in Battambang caves

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Khaosod English

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23 March 2026, 17:54

Cambodia’s Environment Ministry has announced the discovery of several new species following a biodiversity study in mountain areas, highlighting the ecological importance of these landscapes.

The report, published on 23 March 2026, documented wildlife found in more than 60 caves across 10 sites in the Phnom Thma Kambor area of Battambang province. The study, conducted in collaboration with Fauna & Flora and taxonomy experts, identified a range of species, many of which are endemic to the area.

Researchers confirmed seven new species for science, including three geckos, two snails and two millipedes. Additional species, including other geckos and a pit viper, are currently undergoing identification.

The study also recorded the presence of several globally threatened species, such as pangolins, langurs, macaques, peafowl and serow, underlining the need for urgent conservation efforts. The landscapes, characterised by caves, sinkholes and underground water systems, are considered among the most biodiverse yet least studied habitats.

Officials warned that these ecosystems face increasing threats from mining, unsustainable tourism, forest fires, deforestation and illegal hunting. Environment Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya said the findings reaffirm Cambodia’s rich natural resources and the importance of balancing development with conservation.

Conservation groups said further research is needed, as many species in the region remain undiscovered, and urged stronger protection to prevent biodiversity loss.

Thai Grade 3 boy beaten 17 times for failing Arabic reading

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Khaosod English

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23 March 2026, 17:21

BANGKOK — A mother has sought help after her nine-year-old son was allegedly beaten 17 times by a teacher at an Islamic religious school in Nong Chok, leaving bruises on his arm.

The 25-year-old mother, Thinyada, brought her Grade 3 son to seek assistance from Ekkapop Lueangprasert, founder of the “Sai Mai Tong Rod” page. She said the incident occurred on 13 March after her son attended evening religious classes following his regular school day.

According to the mother, she initially thought the punishment was minor when her son told her he had been hit. However, upon returning home, she found visible bruises and marks on his arm. The boy later said he was struck 17 times for failing to read 17 Arabic words, under a rule that students would be hit once for each mistake.

The mother said she contacted the school and the teacher but was unable to speak directly with him. Instead, the teacher’s wife told her he felt remorse. No apology or visit followed, prompting her to file a complaint with Lam Hin Police Station. She said she would pursue legal action if no resolution is reached.

She added that she does not plan to withdraw her son from the school, but wants the teacher to resign, citing concerns over repeated violent behaviour. Other parents have also come forward, alleging similar incidents involving their children.

Ekkapop advised the mother to pursue legal action and take the child for a medical examination to document injuries, while his team would help coordinate with police to expedite the case.

Fuel shortage sees Kamphaeng Phet residents queue overnight

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Khaosod English

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23 March 2026, 16:47

KAMPHAENG PHET — 22 March 2026, Residents, many of them farmers, camped overnight outside a petrol station as fuel demand surged, with some saying they feared missing out more than mosquito bites.

Large crowds gathered at a PT petrol station from the evening bringing containers, mats and pillows to secure a place in line while awaiting a fuel delivery.

The station imposed emergency measures to ration supply, limiting purchases to no more than 3,000 baht per vehicle or container to ensure broader distribution. Officials said only about 4,000 litres of fuel were expected to arrive, far short of demand.

Customers who missed out despite holding membership cards were offered 100 bonus points as compensation after supplies ran out before their turn.

The shortage has hit farmers particularly hard, forcing them to wait for hours, while other residents have also had to adjust to long queues and uncertainty over access to fuel.

One resident joked: “I’m not afraid of mosquitoes, I’m afraid of not getting fuel.”

Station staff have also come under strain, managing long queues and explaining restrictions to frustrated customers as they await incoming deliveries aimed at easing the shortage.

Thai handbag brand HOUSE OF LITTLEBUNNY captures ASEAN spotlight

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Khaosod English

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23 March 2026, 16:12

BANGKOK — Thai fashion brand HOUSE OF LITTLEBUNNY is gaining traction across Southeast Asia, driven by celebrity exposure, social media strategy and growing demand from international visitors.

The brand has drawn attention after several Thai celebrities, including Lingling Kwong, Orm Kornnaphat, and the pairing of Freen Sarocha and Becky Rebecca, were seen incorporating its handbags into their everyday looks. Their appearances, both on and off screen, have contributed to rising interest in the brand, particularly among younger consumers and fashion followers.

Rather than focusing solely on high-fashion appeal, HOUSE OF LITTLEBUNNY positions its products as practical and wearable. The brand offers a variety of designs intended for daily use, alongside a wide selection of colours — more than 50 in total — allowing customers to personalise their bags to match individual styles and occasions.

A defining feature of the brand is its “Infinity and Beyond” logo, developed from the letter “L” and designed as a continuous line. The symbol reflects ideas of continuity and growth, drawing inspiration from feng shui concepts, and has become a recognisable element of the brand’s identity.

The company’s expansion has been supported by its digital-first approach. Founder and CEO Laksika Kannasut was an early adopter of Facebook Live as a sales and marketing tool, using it to present products through lifestyle-driven content. This strategy helped build a strong domestic customer base before gaining traction overseas, particularly in Indonesia through online sharing.

As demand increased, the brand began attracting resellers and tourists travelling to Thailand to purchase items in bulk. Its products have since become a popular choice among regional visitors, contributing to its growing presence beyond the domestic market.

Now marking its 10th anniversary, HOUSE OF LITTLEBUNNY operates six retail locations across Thailand, including branches in major Bangkok shopping centres. The brand continues to expand both its physical and online channels, aiming to reach a wider audience in the region.

Energy Ministry says Thai diesel cheaper than Malaysia

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Khaosod English

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23 March 2026, 15:21

Thailand Iran US Israel Gas — A gas station attendant fills the tank of a car in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK — The Energy Ministry on 23 March insisted that domestic diesel and petrol prices remain under control despite rising global oil prices triggered by the Middle East conflict.

Speaking at Government House, Watcharin Boonrit, Deputy Director of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, said Dubai crude surged to US$158 per barrel on 20 March, up 122% from pre-crisis levels, putting pressure on Thailand’s energy costs. However, the government has used the Oil Fuel Fund to stabilise domestic prices and limit the impact on living costs.

Retail diesel prices currently stand at 31.14 baht per litre, while gasohol E10 is priced at 33.50 baht per litre. Authorities have also promoted the use of biofuels, including biodiesel, to reduce reliance on imports.

The ministry said fuel prices across ASEAN have continued to rise, including in Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. Diesel prices in Malaysia have reached around 38–39 baht per litre, higher than Thailand’s levels. Officials said the government will continue to manage prices to ease the burden on consumers while maintaining the stability of the Oil Fuel Fund, and urged the public to conserve energy.

Trump places statue of Christopher Columbus near the White House

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Associated Press

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23 March 2026, 14:08

Trump Columbus Statue — This photo provided by Will Hemsley shows a statue of Christopher Columbus being lowered into place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (Will Hemsley via AP)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A statue of Christopher Columbus has been placed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House, the latest effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to recognize the controversial explorer.

The statue is a replica of one that was tossed into Baltimore’s harbor in 2020 during Trump’s first term at a time of nationwide protests against institutional racism.

Trump endorses a traditional view of Columbus as a leader of the 1492 mission seen as the unofficial beginning of European colonization in the Americas and the development of the modern economic and political order. But in recent years, Columbus also has been recognized as a primary example of Western Europe’s conquest of the New World, its resources and its native people.

“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero, and President Trump will ensure he’s honored as such for generations to come,” the White House posted on X.

“We are delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected,” said John Pica, a Maryland lobbyist and president of the Italian American Organizations United, which owns the statue and agreed to loan it to the federal government for placement at or near the White House.

The statue, made mostly of marble, was created by Will Hemsley, a sculptor based in Centreville on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The original statue was toppled by protesters on July 4, 2020, and thrown into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor after anger boiled over following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police. It was one of many statues of Columbus that were vandalized around the same time, with protesters saying the Italian explorer was responsible for the genocide and exploitation of native peoples in the Americas.

In recent years, some people, institutions and government entities have displaced Columbus Day with recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day. President Joe Biden in 2021 became the first U.S. president to mark Indigenous Peoples Day with a proclamation.

Trump dismisses the shift on Columbus as “left-wing arsonists” bending history and twisting Americans’ collective memory. “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes.,” he declared last April. Echoing his 2024 campaign rhetoric, he complained that “Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much.”

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