Min Aung Hlaing’s family bought $3m Bangkok luxury home, report says

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26 March 2026, 18:52

A rights group has alleged that the family of Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing purchased a luxury home in Bangkok worth about US$3 million, raising concerns over possible violations of Thai property laws.

Justice for Myanmar said its investigation found the residence, located in the Issara Residence Rama 9 development, was acquired through arrangements that may have circumvented restrictions on foreign ownership of land and houses in Thailand, according to The Irrawaddy.

The property was reportedly registered under the name of Myo Yadana Htaik, the daughter-in-law of the junta chief, who is not subject to international sanctions. The move allegedly allowed the family to bypass sanctions targeting Aung Pyae Sone, Min Aung Hlaing’s son.

The report said the purchase was facilitated by Tun Min Latt, a close associate of the junta leader. He was arrested in Thailand in 2022 on allegations linked to drug trafficking and money laundering before being acquitted in 2024.

The residence is said to be held through a Thai-registered company, Emerald Princess Co. Ltd, established shortly before the transfer. The project was developed by Charn Issara Development, a listed real estate firm.

Thailand’s Land Code Act prohibits foreigners from owning land or houses, though they may own condominium units under certain conditions.

Justice for Myanmar has called on Thai authorities to investigate the transaction and take action against those involved, while also urging Western governments to expand sanctions to include additional family members of the junta leader.

The allegations add to growing scrutiny of overseas assets linked to Myanmar’s military leadership following the 2021 coup, The Irrawaddy reported.

Beware the other Pandora’s box from the war against Iran

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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26 March 2026, 18:12

Both antisemitism and Islamophobia are spreading across the West as the escalation of conflict in the Middle East—triggered by the US and Israeli strikes against Iran—enters its second month this weekend.

Monitoring groups have reported sharp spikes in hate crimes, vandalism, and online incitement immediately following the outbreak of hostilities in late February 2026. The most visible incident in the United Kingdom was this week’s arson attack on four Jewish volunteer ambulances in North London. A group with alleged links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has claimed responsibility.

Last Friday, 20 March, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was subjected to a hostile reception, resulting in him being escorted from the Lakemba Mosque in Sydney—Australia’s largest—during a visit for Eid al-Fitr prayers. Reports indicate the prime minister was heckled with derogatory slurs, including being called a “putrid dog.”

Meanwhile, in “Londonistan”—a derogatory term suggesting the British capital has become a hub for extremism—Islamophobia is similarly on the rise. These incidents are ticking time bombs of mutual hatred, waiting to explode. Thailand would be well-advised to avoid importing such vitriol into the Kingdom.

While the Thai government maintains a neutral stance, some citizens on social media have become increasingly partisan and rabid. Last week, I observed a Thai healthcare worker based in the US disparaging Thai students who were evacuated from Iran. Her condescending remarks questioned why on earth any Thai would study anything other than Islam in Iran, ignoring the academic pursuits of those enrolled in political science and other fields there.

Many rightly continue to blame Tehran for attacks against the Thai-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree, which left three crew members missing. This sentiment remains high despite Iran’s permission this week for two other Thai vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Unfortunately, anti-Iranian sentiment is being conflated with anti-Muslim bias, fuelled by the protracted violence in Thailand’s Deep South.

This ‘imported’ hatred is a two-way street. While Islamophobia rises on one side, anti-Jewish sentiment is hardening on the other, catalyzed by the US-backed Israeli campaign. This geopolitical friction is manifesting in unexpected ways—even in our hospitality sector.

A viral post from Phuket recently highlighted a sharp spike in tensions between local staff and Israeli visitors. While some dismiss these as routine service disputes, the timing suggests a more toxic undercurrent: when global wars dehumanize ‘the other,’ every interaction—from a hotel check-in to a restaurant bill—becomes a potential flashpoint for prejudice. What used to be a complaint about a ‘difficult tourist’ is now being reframed through the lens of wartime vitriol.

The global energy crisis is already delivering a major blow to the world economy. Thailand cannot afford to exacerbate this economic pain by importing Islamophobia or antisemitism – or both.

I understand those who are disturbed by the aggression in the Middle East. Citizens have the right to be concerned or angry. However, we must not turn political dissent into blind hatred. We must remember that there are voices of dissent within all these nations; not every American, Israeli, or Iranian supports the actions of their respective governments.

It may be difficult to resist equating all Israelis with the Netanyahu government, all Americans with the Trump administration, or all Iranians with the Islamic Republic’s government, but we must. The alternative is a descent into the abyss of prejudice.

Thailand is home to a substantial Muslim population, welcomed over 400,000 Israeli tourists last year, and depends heavily on American trade and investment.
Iran has been our friends since it was known as Persia for four centuries and had left cultural marks on Thai culture. These are not abstract relationships—they are economic, social, cultural, and deeply interconnected.
Simply put, Thailand cannot afford the importation of hatred.

The breakdown in relations between Thais and Cambodians offers a sobering lesson: once hostility takes root, it hardens, disrupting trade, eroding trust, and damaging both societies. This is how prejudice metastasises—quietly at first, then all at once.

Opening one Pandora’s box was reckless enough. We should not open another.

Finding Hotel Conference Rooms in Karon Beach, Phuket: What Event Planners Should Know

By

MC Marketing

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26 March 2026, 18:07

Thavorn Palm Beach Resort events and conference venue

As Thailand’s largest island continues to attract corporate planners seeking alternatives to Bangkok’s congested conference circuit, the search for Phuket properties with hotel conference rooms that can actually deliver on this has intensified. The challenge for event organizers remains: finding a meeting venue in Phuket that offers professional-grade facilities without sacrificing the resort experience that makes destination events worthwhile.

Thavorn Palm Beach Resort on Karon Beach has responded to this demand with a significant investment in its MICE infrastructure, including purpose-built meeting rooms, banquet facilities, and mock-up spaces designed for corporate clients.

Why Corporate Planners Are Looking at Karon Beach

Patong draws the crowds. Kata attracts leisure travelers. But for corporate events requiring focused meeting environments, Karon Beach has emerged as a preferred location among professional planners.

The beach sits approximately 45 minutes from Phuket International Airport—close enough for convenient delegate arrivals, far enough from the island’s entertainment hubs to minimize distractions during working sessions. For companies evaluating meeting venues on Karon Beach, Thavorn Palm Beach Resort offers a combination of beachfront escape and professional infrastructure. The area offers a quieter setting than Patong, while maintaining easy access to restaurants, transport, and support services that corporate groups require.

New MICE Facilities: Meeting and Banquet Rooms

The resort has completed construction on new meeting and banquet rooms configured for corporate use. The spaces accommodate a range of event formats.

The Grand Hall: A Banquet & Conference Space

The Grand Hall is the resort’s largest purpose-built MICE venue, located on the first floor for convenient group flow and logistics access. This expansive 448-sqm space can accommodate up to 460 guests and is designed for large corporate conferences, gala dinners, product launches, and award ceremonies. The versatile Grand Hall can be divided into three spaces, including a pre-function hall and two large event halls, which can be arranged in multiple configurations, from theater style to classroom, banquet, cocktail reception, and U-shape.

The venue’s key features include full-height LED screen integration with high-lumen projection systems, advanced soundproofing, and upgraded sound reverberation engineering. It also provides high-speed internet connectivity and professionally designed lighting systems synchronized with audio-visual elements. Its 4.4-m ceiling height, ambient natural light, and a fresh-air ventilation system make it ideal for hosting large-scale events – creating a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.

Sea, Sand & Sun Meeting Rooms: Flexible Breakout Spaces

Located on the second floor, the Sea, Sand & Sun Meeting Rooms comprise three individual meeting rooms that can operate independently or be combined into a larger, unified space. These rooms are ideal for mid-size seminars, leadership retreats, breakout sessions, training programs, workshops, and team strategy meetings.

The 189-sqm venue can accommodate up to 160 guests in various layout configurations, from banquets to long tables, classrooms, theater, U-shape, and cocktail setups. Flexible wall systems allow planners to divide the rooms for concurrent sessions, combine two for medium-sized programs, or merge all three into one larger conference room. Each space features complete audiovisual equipment, including LCD projectors, advanced sound systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi. The room’s large windows let natural light flow in, while acoustic-treated walls minimize sound bleed and reverberation. The second-floor location also provides better privacy and dedicated delegate movement, separate from the main guest traffic.

Palm Heritage Boardroom: Executive-Level Privacy

Also located on the second floor, the Palm Heritage Boardroom is purpose-built for high-level executive gatherings. This VIP meeting room is designed for high-stakes meetings, investor presentations, private negotiations, confidential strategy sessions, and government and diplomatic briefings.

This elegant 52-sqm room features an executive boardroom layout with enhanced privacy, upgraded sound insulation, and an 85-inch LED display. Its refined interior styling reflects contemporary Thai architectural details with a professional touch. It can comfortably accommodate up to 20 guests with a hybrid layout combining boardroom and banquet styles or a U-shape setup for seamless discussions.

Why Thavorn Palm Beach Has It All

Indoor & Outdoor MICE Spaces

Thavorn Palm Beach Resort offers additional adaptable MICE spaces to cater to any event requirement. These include a 108-sqm beachfront lawn area ideal for sunset or evening receptions with live entertainment; a 180-sqm lobby terrace space with panoramic views of the hotel, perfect for cocktails and networking sessions; a 572-sqm multipurpose garden lawn suitable for team-building activities, group exercises, and informal gatherings; a poolside bar venue for casual networking or social events; and semi-outdoor and indoor private dining spaces within the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, Ocean Rhyme, offering a relaxed yet elegant setting for corporate lunches or dinners. These additional spaces allow planners to design multi-format programs, from daytime conferences indoors to cocktail receptions and celebrations outdoors, or hybrid indoor-outdoor gala dinners.

Professional Events Planning Team

On-site event coordination distinguishes full-service MICE properties from hotels that simply rent meeting space. Thavorn Palm Beach maintains a professional events team that handles logistics to ensure your event planning and execution go smoothly.

Services include audiovisual setup and technical support, catering coordination across the resort’s multiple dining venues, delegating transport arrangements, and scheduling team-building activities. Their team draws on local knowledge and established supplier relationships to provide the Phuketian quality of service and hospitality.

Resort Facilities Supporting Corporate Programs

Beachfront Location and Contemporary Thai Architecture

The resort occupies a direct beachfront position on Karon Beach with contemporary architecture rooted in Thai design aesthetics. The physical environment, from the use of natural materials to the open spaces and tranquil landscape, contributes to an atmosphere conducive to productivity and cooperation.

The lush gardens and landscaped grounds provide photo opportunities for corporate communications, backdrop options for video production, and informal spaces for networking outside scheduled sessions.

Ocean Rhyme Restaurant and Gourmet Dining

Thavorn Palm Beach recently opened Ocean Rhyme, a contemporary seafood restaurant positioned as the resort’s signature dining venue. The restaurant accommodates group bookings for corporate dinners and client entertainment, with menus adaptable to event requirements.

The resort also offers multiple gourmet dining options, from casual poolside service to formal settings. This variety allows event planners to schedule different dining experiences across multi-day programs, such as welcome dinners, working lunches, and closing celebrations, without leaving the property.

Swimming Pools and Recreational Facilities

The resort features large swimming pools and water park-grade slides, offering activities that reinforce the luxury and entertainment element of corporate destination trips, incentive travel programs, and team-building events. Companies booking conferences with leisure components, increasingly common as organizations compete for talent and seek to combine productivity with employee experience, can deliver both within a single property.

Botanical Gardens

The resort’s extensive botanical gardens provide outdoor spaces for welcome receptions, networking sessions, and breakout activities. The landscaped spaces accommodate meeting formats that benefit from informal settings, such as brainstorming sessions, small-group discussions, and evening gatherings, complementing structured meeting-room programming.

Practical Information for Event Planners

Thavorn Palm Beach Resort is located at 311 Patak Road, directly across from Karon Beach. The property operates year-round, though corporate planners may find advantages in shoulder-season bookings (May to June and September to October) when room block availability increases and rates adjust.

The resort’s MICE team provides proposals for groups requiring meeting space, accommodation, and catering packages. Technical specifications, room capacities, and catering menus are available upon inquiry. For planners evaluating the property against other meeting venue options in Phuket, site visits can be arranged.

A Premier Event Venue in Phuket

As Phuket develops its position in Thailand’s corporate tourism sector, properties investing in purpose-built MICE facilities gain an advantage over competitors that treat meeting spaces as an afterthought. Thavorn Palm Beach Resort’s new conference rooms and banquet venues, combined with a beachfront location, professional event support, and full resort amenities, position the property as a serious option for planners seeking hotel conference rooms in Phuket.

For corporate inquiries, contact Thavorn Palm Beach Resort’s MICE and Events Department directly through thavornpalmbeach.com or request a site visit to assess facilities firsthand.

Online fraud prevention becomes the new standard for banks in Thailand

By

Mc Marketing

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26 March 2026, 17:24

By Ouracha Pongwattana, Country Director, Thailand, BPC

Payment authorisation has become one of the most closely scrutinised stages in Thailand’s banking system. Scams depend on moving funds within seconds—often across multiple accounts and channels—leaving little chance of recovery once transactions settle. As a result, fraud control effectiveness is now judged by what happens during payment processing rather than by investigations after the fact.

This shift is reshaping payment system design. Controls that sit outside transaction flows struggle to intervene quickly, especially when activity spans mobile banking, account-to-account transfers, cards, and agent networks. Disconnected oversight also makes it harder to detect behavioural patterns early, even when individual transactions appear legitimate.

The scale of the challenge is clear. Thai authorities report roughly 700 online fraud and scam cases daily, with losses concentrated in high-value incidents where funds move rapidly through multiple accounts. Banks have already suspended nearly 1.75 million mule accounts used to channel illicit proceeds—many short-lived and designed to blend into routine activity.

Regulation has evolved accordingly. Under the Bank of Thailand’s digital fraud management framework, institutions must apply fraud controls during payment execution, not just after transactions are completed. The emphasis is on identifying suspicious behaviour as it flows through systems and intervening early enough to disrupt fraudulent transfers. This approach is reinforced by close cooperation with law enforcement to dismantle scam networks and trace how funds move through accounts and intermediaries.

Thailand’s payments ecosystem adds complexity. Transactions move across multiple rails that converge within bank operations, often appearing separate to customers. Without a unified view, alerts may lack broader context. As transaction volumes grow and settlement speeds increase, regulators are focusing on whether banks can maintain cross-channel visibility and apply controls consistently in real time.

Meeting these expectations requires infrastructure capable of continuous monitoring without slowing payments. Fraud prevention must scale with high transaction volumes, remain resilient, and operate without manual intervention. This places new demands on the engineering and governance of payment platforms.

Regional cooperation is accelerating change. The Bank of Thailand has worked with counterparts such as Bank Negara Malaysia to share lessons on scam prevention and supervisory practices. In Malaysia, Co-opbank Pertama has strengthened behaviour-based controls, including monitoring transaction velocity and anomalies across retail and corporate channels. The goal is to embed fraud management directly into routine payment processing rather than add standalone tools.

Explainability has also become central to regulatory assessment. Banks must demonstrate how decisions are made, particularly in authorised scams where customers initiate payments under deception. Real-time behavioural monitoring, consistent controls, and clear accountability are now essential.

Fraud oversight in Thailand is increasingly embedded in everyday payment operations. Banks that integrate controls into transaction execution will be best placed to meet evolving regulatory expectations as scrutiny continues to focus on real-time effectiveness.

Eight held crossing border after scam job offers in Cambodia

By

Khaosod English

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26 March 2026, 16:20

Eight held crossing border after scam job offers in Cambodia

SA KAEO — 26 March 2026, Thai authorities have arrested eight people for illegally crossing the border in Aranyaprathet district after they were allegedly lured into scam operations in Cambodia and later abandoned near the frontier.

The Burapha Task Force, led by Colonel Chainarong Kasee, commander of Task Force 12 under the Aranyaprathet Task Force, together with Ranger Company 1202, apprehended the group along the border near Ban Phu Nam Kliang in Pa Rai subdistrict. Those arrested included seven Thais, five men and two women, and one Lao national.

Officials said the suspects came from several provinces, including Bangkok, and had crossed back into Thailand from Poipet, Cambodia. In initial questioning, all gave similar accounts, saying they had been recruited via social media with offers of high-paying jobs as chat administrators or account renters.

They said they were taken to the border by a Thai intermediary before being handed over to Cambodian nationals who transported them into Poipet. Upon arrival, their mobile phones and identification cards were confiscated, and they were forced to undergo facial scans to open multiple online bank accounts.

Once those accounts were frozen, the group said they were abandoned near the border and told to make their own way back into Thailand.

After the arrests, all eight suspects were handed over to investigators at Khlong Luek Police Station for legal proceedings.

Authorities warned the public to be cautious of online job offers promising unusually high pay, saying such schemes may be linked to fraudulent networks and the use of so-called “mule” bank accounts in transnational crime.

Bangkok plans two new green spaces in Bang Sue to boost urban livability

By

Khaosod English

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26 March 2026, 16:03

BANGKOK — The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is moving to transform unused land in Bang Sue district into two new public green spaces as part of efforts to improve urban quality of life, officials said.

Taiwat Khankaew, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the BMA, said authorities have begun surveying public land in the district to prepare for development into parks and community spaces under the city’s policy to expand green areas.

The proposed projects include a 9,600-square-metre riverside site along the Chao Phraya River, near CPAC on Pracharat Sai 1 Road, which will be developed into a landscaped green area and recreational space for nearby residents.

A second site, covering about 4,800 square metres behind Wat Thong Sutharam, is currently overgrown and is being assessed for conversion into a community park or multi-purpose public space.

Officials said both sites are in the survey and planning phase, with district offices and the Department of Public Works instructed to coordinate with relevant agencies and private-sector partners to accelerate development plans.

The BMA emphasised that the projects will prioritise efficient land use, align with community needs, and encourage public participation to ensure long-term benefits for residents.

BIC Wins CSR-DIW Continuous Award for the Fourth Consecutive Year

By

Mc Marketing

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26 March 2026, 15:45

Bangkok (March 26, 2026) – Bangpa-in Cogeneration Limited (BIC), a subsidiary company of CK Power Public Company Limited (SET: CKP), has received the CSR-DIW Continuous Award 2025 from the Department of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry, for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting its continued commitment to conducting business responsibly while creating tangible social, community, and environmental benefits. BIC received the award in recognition of its “Khlong Suay Nam Sai: Khlong Sai Community Cares for the Environment” project, in collaboration with the Ban Khlong Sai community, which focuses on environmental stewardship. The project involves the installation of solar-powered aeration systems for water treatment, enabling the community to utilize water for both domestic use and agriculture. It also promotes knowledge transfer on renewable energy, as well as the conservation and restoration of natural resources and the environment. On this occasion, Mr. Anuwat Sasakul, Operation Manager, represented the company in receiving the award from Ms. Araya Sailaphet, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works (DIW), at the Royal Jubilee Ballroom, Challenger Hall, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

The CSR-DIW Continuous Award is presented to establishments that demonstrate systematic and continuous implementation of corporate social responsibility in line with the prescribed standards. The assessment covers seven key areas: corporate governance, human rights, labor practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.This achievement is in line with CKPower’s CSR Strategy Framework (2022–2026), which aims to create shared value by balancing social, environmental, governance, and economic dimensions to support sustainable growth alongside communities.

Thailand rolls out seven measures to ease impact of rising fuel prices

By

Khaosod English

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26 March 2026, 15:29

BANGKOK — The Ministry of Finance has unveiled seven measures aimed at reducing the impact of rising fuel prices on vulnerable groups, transport operators, farmers, and small businesses, officials said Thursday.

Laworan Saengsanit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, said the Cabinet approved the measures as urgent steps to protect citizens and stabilize key sectors.

Key measures include:

Excise tax review – The Ministry of Finance will reconsider adjustments to excise tax rates, including the extent and duration of reductions, to ease fuel costs.
Support for vulnerable groups – Beneficiaries of the state welfare card program will see monthly allowances rise from 300 baht per person to 400 baht for purchasing essential goods. Authorities said the program will be reassessed once a new government is in place.
Transport sector aid – Measures will target truck drivers, bus operators, and motorcycle taxi riders, with the Ministry of Transport overseeing support.
Agriculture support – Farmers will receive assistance through the “Green Flag” program, which subsidizes fertilizer costs. The initiative will promote the use of organic and alternative fertilizers to reduce import dependency, in tandem with the “Good Soil” program.
Fisheries support – Fishermen will be encouraged to switch to B20 diesel, which is 5–6 baht cheaper per litre, to lower operating costs.
Assistance for government contractors and industries – Construction and industrial projects affected by fuel shortages may receive extended deadlines for project completion and inspections, as authorities work to mitigate delivery delays.
Support for SMEs – The Ministry of Finance, through Government Savings Bank, will provide a 10-billion-baht soft loan facility to help small and medium-sized enterprises maintain liquidity. Further details will be announced by the bank.

Laworan Saengsanit said the measures aim to provide immediate relief while safeguarding economic stability and supporting key sectors affected by soaring energy costs.

Bus sinks in Bangladesh river, killing at least 18 people

By

Associated Press

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26 March 2026, 14:47

TEST — Relatives of victims break down at Rajbari Government Hospital, the day after a passenger bus plunged into the Padma river while boarding a ferry in Rajbari district, about 84 kilometers (52 miles) from the capital Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo)

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A bus carrying about 50 people plunged into a major river in central Bangladesh as it was driving onto a ferry, leaving at least 18 people dead, authorities said Thursday.

The bus plunged into the Padma River on Wednesday afternoon in Rajbari district, about 84 kilometers (52 miles) from the capital, Dhaka, said fire official Dewan Sohel Rana.

The bus was traveling to the capital from the southwestern district of Kushtia as people return to work after the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr.

Rana said many of the passengers swam to safety after the accident but others got trapped.

A rescue vessel joined the operation late Wednesday and lifted the bus, he said, and rescuers worked overnight to recover bodies, finding 18 by Thursday morning.

Strong currents and rains disrupted the rescue operations overnight, he said.

It was not clear if there was still anyone missing.

Ten women and two children were among the dead, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department.

Phuket police arrest suspect in four indecent assaults

By

Khaosod English

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26 March 2026, 14:42

Phuket police arrest suspect in four indecent assaults

PHUKET — 25 March 2026, Police in Chalong have arrested a man suspected of committing a series of indecent assaults against women, following four reported cases involving both Thai and foreign victims that caused public alarm throughout March.

Investigators at Chalong Police Station said multiple complaints were filed during March by female victims describing a short hair man of slim build with dark complexion. The suspect allegedly rode a black Honda Click 125 motorcycle and used force to carry out indecent assaults and physical attacks, leaving victims injured and frightened.

The suspect was identified as a 30-year-old man known as Boy (surname withheld). Investigators sought and obtained four arrest warrants from Phuket Provincial Court on 24 March 2026.

On 25 March 2026, police arrested the suspect. During questioning, he confessed to the offences, officers said. He was charged with committing indecent acts against persons over 15 years old by means of coercion and the use of force while the victims were unable to resist. He has been handed over to investigators at Chalong Police Station for legal proceedings.

A background check found the suspect had previously been arrested in a narcotics case in 2023.

Chalong police said they would continue strict measures to ensure public safety and urged residents to report incidents via the emergency number 191 or by calling 076-381247 at any time.

Why Corporate Planners Are Looking at Karon Beach

New MICE Facilities: Meeting and Banquet Rooms

The Grand Hall: A Banquet & Conference Space

Sea, Sand & Sun Meeting Rooms: Flexible Breakout Spaces

Palm Heritage Boardroom: Executive-Level Privacy

Why Thavorn Palm Beach Has It All

Indoor & Outdoor MICE Spaces

Professional Events Planning Team

Resort Facilities Supporting Corporate Programs

Beachfront Location and Contemporary Thai Architecture

Ocean Rhyme Restaurant and Gourmet Dining

Swimming Pools and Recreational Facilities

Botanical Gardens

Practical Information for Event Planners

A Premier Event Venue in Phuket

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