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Police raid illegal clinic using bee stingers to treat eye conditions

BANGKOK — Police have arrested an unlicensed practitioner who allegedly used bee stingers to treat eye conditions at an illegal clinic in Nonthaburi, authorities said on 6 March 2026.

Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division, together with officials from the Department of Health Service Support and the Nonthaburi Provincial Public Health Office, inspected a clinic operating inside the Pracharat Floating Market in Bang Yai district after receiving complaints about advertisements claiming to cure eye diseases.

Investigators found the clinic promoted treatments for various eye conditions, including blurred vision, deteriorating vitreous gel, pterygium and glaucoma. The treatment involved using bee stingers to prick patients’ eyelids.

During the inspection, officers found a 72-year-old man treating patients by applying bee stingers to both eyelids. Several people, mostly elderly patients, were waiting inside the clinic for treatment.

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Authorities later determined that the man did not possess a licence to practise Thai traditional medicine. He reportedly told officers that he was formerly the director of a bee centre in Chumphon province and had long studied bees. Believing that bee stingers could help treat blurred vision and other eye problems, he began offering treatments to the public about a year ago, mainly to elderly patients, though the clinic did not operate daily.

Officials seized evidence including alcohol, cotton, tissues, tools used to handle bee stingers and a list of clients before handing the suspect over to investigators at the Consumer Protection Police Division.

He faces charges of practising Thai traditional medicine without registration or a licence under the Thai Traditional Medicine Profession Act, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.

Phuwadech Surakot, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said there are more than 40,000 outpatient healthcare facilities or clinics nationwide, raising the risk of illegal operators posing as medical practitioners for profit.

He urged the public to verify clinics before receiving treatment, including checking the 11-digit licence number displayed on the clinic sign, the operating licence, the permit identifying licensed practitioners, proof of current annual fees and identification of the attending doctor.

Meanwhile, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, said Thai traditional medicine and alternative treatments are valuable forms of local wisdom but must be practised by licensed professionals at certified facilities.

Using methods outside recognised medical practice or lacking scientific support, especially on sensitive organs such as the eyes, poses serious risks to the public, he said, adding that police will continue working with health authorities to crack down on illegal clinics.

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Thailand showcases ‘Chud Thai’ abroad with fashion shows, academic forums

Photo: Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

BANGKOK — Culture Minister Sabida Thaised chaired a meeting on 6 March 2026 to follow up on progress in promoting “Chud Thai” traditional attire as Thai cultural wisdom and craftsmanship on the international stage, ahead of its consideration for world heritage recognition by UNESCO later in 2026.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Culture, discussed proactive plans to promote the Thai national costume through roadshow events in three countries.

The first event will take place in the Netherlands on 8–9 April 2026 at Hotel Des Indes in The Hague, featuring a fashion show and an academic discussion.

Additional events are scheduled in Japan on 17–18 September 2026 at Tokyo National Museum, and in France on 9–10 October 2026 at Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

For the inaugural event in the Netherlands, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya will preside over the opening ceremony and deliver a special lecture titled “The Evolution of Thai Costume and Thai Textiles” on 9 April 2026.

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Israeli tourist accused of assaulting elderly man in Phuket

Israeli tourist accused of assaulting elderly man in Phuket

PHUKET — 6 March 2026, An Israeli tourist has been accused of assaulting an elderly foreign visitor during an argument over Middle East politics in Phuket’s Patong area, according to images and reports circulating online.

The Facebook page Phuket Times posted photos and a message on 6 March claiming that an Israeli man attacked an older foreign tourist after a dispute about clashes in the Middle East. The page also alleged the man behaved aggressively, shouted loudly and provoked others during the incident.

The confrontation reportedly took place on Bangla Road in Patong, Kathu district, a busy nightlife area popular with tourists.

Images shared in the post’s comment section appear to show a younger male tourist confronting and threatening an older man on the roadside inside Bangla alley.

Another image shows the same man seemingly pushing a police officer who had intervened to break up the altercation and calm the situation.

After the post spread online, many social media users criticised the tourist’s behaviour, with some calling for authorities to deport him.

However, police have not yet issued an official statement confirming details of the incident or whether the suspect has been detained or charged.

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Finding an AI Search Optimisation Agency in Thailand

A man using AI search on his mobile

Reasons You Need an AI Search Optimisation Agency and How to Find One in Thailand

If you’ve searched for anything on ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview, or Perplexity recently, you’ve probably noticed something: the answers don’t always come with a list of ten blue links anymore. Instead, AI gives you a direct response, and sometimes it mentions specific brands by name. That’s AI search optimisation in action, and for businesses in Thailand, it’s quickly becoming one of the most important shifts in how customers find you online.

So what happens when your brand doesn’t show up in those AI-generated answers? The short version: someone else’s does. This article explains why working with an AIO agency matters right now, which AI search optimisation agencies in Thailand are doing serious work in this space, and how to pick the right partner.

What’s Actually Happening with Search Right Now

The way people search is changing fast. AI Overview now appears at the top of a growing number of Google results pages, pulling together information from multiple sources and presenting it as a single, curated answer.

Meanwhile, platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are becoming search engines in their own right. People are increasingly asking AI for recommendations instead of scrolling through page one. For instance, if you ask things like “best digital marketing agency Thailand” or “which agency handles AI search optimisation in Bangkok?” directly to an AI chatbot, the AI doesn’t pull from paid ads. It pulls from content it considers authoritative, well-structured, and genuinely useful. If your brand’s content doesn’t meet that bar, you won’t get mentioned. Full stop. 

Why Traditional SEO Isn’t Enough Anymore

Let’s be clear, search ranking still drives serious revenue for businesses across Thailand. But SEO on its own? That’s where things get tricky. Traditional SEO focuses on optimising for Google’s algorithm: keywords, backlinks, page speed, and meta tags. All are still relevant. 

But AIO/AEO services go a step further by optimising for how AI models interpret, cite, and surface your content. Think of it this way: Google ranks pages, but AI recommends brands. A brand that ranks number three on Google might get completely ignored by ChatGPT if its content isn’t structured in a way the model can parse. Meanwhile, a lesser-known competitor with better-structured, more authoritative content could get the AI citation instead. That’s the gap an AIO agency fills.

What an AI Search Optimisation Agency Actually Does

There’s still plenty of confusion about what AI search optimisation actually involves. It isn’t some magic add-on to your existing SEO campaign. It’s a distinct discipline that requires its own approach. An AIO agency typically works across a few core areas:

Content structuring for AI readability

AI models favour content that’s well-organised with clear headings, concise answers to common questions, and structured data markup. An AIO agency rewrites or restructures your existing content to improve how AI platforms interpret it.

Authority building across multiple platforms

AI models don’t just reference your website. They draw from reviews, industry publications, social mentions, and third-party sites. A good agency will work on building your brand’s authority signals across all of these touchpoints.

AI citation monitoring

How do you know if ChatGPT or Perplexity are recommending your brand? An AIO agency tracks AI citations and adjusts your content approach based on what’s working and what isn’t.

Search integration

The best agencies don’t treat AI search as a standalone channel. They integrate it with SEO, social, and paid performance into one cohesive approach. Primal, for example, does this through its ElevateSEO™ framework, which combines traditional search with AI search and social to create a single, unified visibility plan. 

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Five Reasons Your Brand Needs an AIO Agency in Thailand

1. AI adoption in Thailand is accelerating

Thailand’s tech-savvy population is already experimenting with AI tools at a fast rate. If your target audience is using AI to find solutions, your brand needs to be part of those answers.

2. Your competitors are already moving

The smarter agencies and brands in Thailand aren’t waiting around. They’re already investing in AIO/AEO services to get ahead. Every month you wait is another month a competitor gets cited while you don’t.

3. Zero-click searches are growing

More and more search queries are being answered directly on the results page through AI Overviews, featured snippets, and knowledge panels. If you’re only optimising for traditional click-through, you’re missing the users who never scroll past the AI answer.

4. Brand trust is built through AI recommendations

When ChatGPT recommends a brand, it carries a certain weight. People treat it similarly to a personal recommendation. Getting your brand into those responses builds trust in a way that a paid ad simply can’t replicate.

5. It’s still early enough to gain an advantage

Right now, AI search optimisation is where SEO was ten years ago—early adopters will dominate. The businesses that invest now will build authority that’s difficult for latecomers to overtake.

Top AI Search Agencies in Thailand Specialising in AEO, GEO & SEO

Thailand’s agency scene is packed, but not every digital marketing agency in Thailand offers genuine AI search capabilities. Here are three that do.

1. Primal

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An award-winning digital marketing agency with 150+ specialists, recognised by Google Premier Partners, Meta Business Partners, the APAC Search Awards, and the Marketing Excellence Awards. Built for ambitious brands that want more than incremental gains.

Core Strengths

  • Integrated search strategy
  • AI search optimisation embedded from the ground up
  • Social search alignment
  • Cross-functional teams spanning strategy, performance, creative, and data

AI & Search Approach

Through the  ElevateSEO™ framework, search, AI visibility, and social search work as one connected ecosystem. Rather than treating AI as an afterthought, they’ve built it into the core of their approach to search visibility.

  1. ElevateTOPICS: Topics authority, query fan-out, prompts, and internal links
  2. ElevateTECH: Technical architecture and accessibility
  3. ElevateTRUST: Backlink authority and branding consistency
  4. ElevateCOMMUNITY: Social media, UGC, and digital PR
  5. ElevateCONTENT: SEO and LLM-friendly content
  6. ElevateCONVERSION: Conversion rate optimisation (AI-SCXO)

Best Suited For

Senior marketing leaders at scaling or enterprise brands who want an integrated partner rather than fragmented execution.

Key Differentiator

A unified, AI-led search framework supported by a large in-house specialist team, built for accelerated growth, not siloed tactics.

Location

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qzfEPNx8gUh8rnX2A

Website: https://www.primal.co.th/

2. Glow Digital

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A boutique Bangkok agency with a strong grounding in SEO and digital PR, particularly well-positioned for SMEs and international brands entering the Thai market.

Core Strengths

  • SEO foundations
  • Digital PR and earned media
  • Link building
  • Content marketing

AI & Search Approach

AI visibility has been incorporated into their offering, leveraging authoritative third-party coverage. As AI platforms prioritise brands referenced across credible sources, their PR-led model provides a solid base.

Best Suited For

SMEs and overseas brands looking to establish credibility and authority in Thailand.

Key Differentiator

Strong emphasis on earned media and brand mentions across trusted publications, supporting AI discoverability through authority signals.

Location

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fEePAWNsGkUZn2fSA

3. Marketing Ignite

image6

Established in 1999, one of Thailand’s longest-running digital agencies. Over two decades, they’ve worked with major brands including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Herbalife.

Core Strengths

  • Technical SEO
  • PPC
  • Structured content strategy
  • Long-term industry experience

AI & Search Approach

Expanding into AI-driven optimisation, building on their technical foundations. Their experience in structuring content and search frameworks positions them well for AI platform visibility.

Best Suited For

Established brands seeking experienced operators with strong technical grounding.

Key Differentiator

Longevity and deep technical expertise, with a growing focus on AI-enhanced optimisation.

Location

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HVeUDnyfBsR2fUcm9

A digital marketing agency team

How to Pick the Right AIO Agency for Your Business

Finding the right AIO agency isn’t all that different from choosing any marketing partner, except you need to dig a bit deeper on specific capabilities. Here’s what to look for:

 Ask about AI-specific case studies. Any agency can slap “AI” onto their services page. The real test is whether they can show you concrete examples of brands they’ve helped gain AI citations or improve visibility on platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity.

Check their own AI visibility. Open ChatGPT and ask it to recommend a digital marketing agency in Thailand. If the agency you’re considering doesn’t get mentioned, that tells you something. An agency that can’t get itself cited isn’t likely to get you cited either.

Look for an integrated approach. AI search doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The best agencies will connect AIO with your SEO, content, social, and performance work. Siloed AI optimisation without context rarely delivers meaningful results.

Assess their content quality. AI platforms reward depth, accuracy, and genuine expertise. If an agency’s own blog reads like generic filler, that’s a red flag. The content they produce for you will likely be the same.

Understand their reporting. How will they track and report on AI visibility? This is still an emerging field, so there’s no single standard metric. But a competent agency should be able to explain its monitoring approach and show you progress over time.

Improve Your Brand’s Visibility in AI Search

The shift towards AI-driven search isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s accelerating faster than most Thai brands expected. Whether you’re an established company looking to protect your market position or a growing brand trying to break through, working with a capable AI search optimisation agency in Thailand could be one of the smartest moves you make this year. Reach out to an agency paving the way for integrated AI search in Thailand. 

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Chinese fugitive accused of running a forest casino arrested in Thailand

Chinese fugitive accused of running a forest casino arrested in Thailand

PATTAYA — 5 March 2026, Thai police have arrested a Chinese fugitive accused of running an illegal gambling network that operated a casino deep in forested mountains and handled nearly 100 million baht in circulation before he fled from China.

Maj. Gen. Thirachat Thirachathamrong, commander of the Crime Suppression Division’s patrol unit, ordered officers led by Col. Boonlue Phadungthin, deputy commander of the unit, along with investigators from the Immigration Bureau, to carry out the arrest.

Police detained Song Lihua, 49, a Chinese national wanted by authorities in the People’s Republic of China, outside a room at a resort in Pattaya city in Chonburi province.

Chinese authorities had earlier coordinated with Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), saying Song was a key suspect under a Chinese arrest warrant for allegedly “organising gambling activities.”

Investigators found that between 2024 and 2025 the suspect established a criminal network and set up gambling operations in mountainous forest areas to evade inspection by Beijing police.

Authorities said the operation used more than 20 million yuan (about 91 million baht) in circulating capital and hosted gambling sessions more than 150 times. Song is also believed to be linked to several other criminal cases before fleeing overseas.

Thai police from the patrol unit and the Immigration Bureau’s investigation division later tracked the suspect’s movements and discovered he was hiding at a resort in Pattaya.

Officers moved in to verify the information and found Song staying at the resort as reported. After informing their superiors, authorities revoked his permission to stay in Thailand and arrested him, notifying him of the visa revocation.

During questioning, the suspect denied all allegations, claiming he was unaware of the incidents.

Police transferred him to Immigration Bureau investigators for further legal proceedings.

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Norwegian tourist detained at Phuket airport over torn passport page

Photo: Verdens Gang

PHUKET — A 26-year-old Norwegian man was detained at Phuket International Airport after Thai immigration officers allegedly found a torn page in his passport, according to a report first published on 27 February by Norwegian daily Verdens Gang (VG).

Marcus Haavik, 26, had arrived in Phuket with a friend for a planned two-week holiday when he was stopped at passport control. The pair had intended to spend a week in Phuket, travel to the Phi Phi islands and conclude their trip in Bangkok.

Haavik told VG that immigration officers examined his passport and discovered that a page at the back had been torn out. He said he had never noticed the missing page and did not know how the damage occurred.

According to the report, officers informed him that the passport was invalid and that he would not be permitted to enter Thailand.

Haavik said he was taken to an office where officials photographed his passport, prepared documents and asked him to sign papers. He declined to sign before speaking to someone, fearing it could affect his situation.

He was later placed in a holding cell at the airport.

VG reported that Haavik was told he would be sent to Stockholm on a flight operated by Norse Atlantic Airways, the carrier he had flown in with, which would be responsible for his return. At the time of the newspaper’s report, he said he had not seen a ticket or written confirmation of the departure date.

Haavik told VG he had been in contact with Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In an email response to the outlet, the ministry said it was aware of the case but could not comment further due to confidentiality rules governing consular matters.

The ministry stated that in such cases it typically offers advice, assists with contact with local authorities, helps individuals obtain legal counsel and notifies relatives if necessary. It also noted that Norwegian citizens are responsible for ensuring they meet entry requirements and comply with the laws and regulations of the countries they visit.

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Thai woman sits in middle of intersection after lovers’ quarrel

BANGKOK — A video showing a young woman sitting in the middle of a busy intersection in Chonburi has gone viral, alarming motorists and prompting debate online over road safety.

The clip, posted on 5 March by the Facebook page, shows the woman seated on the roadway at the Kiri–Ang Sila traffic lights in Muang district, Chonburi province, as vehicles continued moving through the junction. The caption read: “If you’re going to sulk, at least pick a safe place. It’s dangerous.”

In the footage, the woman is seen sitting in the middle of the road before angrily throwing her shoes. Her boyfriend is seen stopping his vehicle on the opposite side of the intersection and running across to console her, attempting to calm the situation.

Traffic continued flowing through the junction, forcing several motorists to slow down and swerve to avoid hitting her, narrowly averting potential accidents. At one point, a shoe she threw struck a passing motorcyclist unintentionally, startling road users.

According to a witness, the couple had been riding a motorcycle that broke down in the middle of the intersection. The woman initially tried to flag down passing vehicles for assistance. However, an apparent argument followed, after which she sat down on the road as seen in the clip.

The video drew widespread reactions on social media, with many expressing concern over the risks posed by the incident. One commenter wrote: “I pass this intersection 3–5 times a week. There are a lot of cars, and some drive fast.”

No injuries were reported.

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Petition alleges 200,000 baht VIP detention rooms for Chinese detainees at Suan Phlu

Mr. Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, president of the Crime Victims Assistance Club

BANGKOK — 5 March 2026, On Thursday at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Mr. Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, president of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, submitted evidence to Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, the national police chief, requesting an investigation into alleged misconduct by officers under the Immigration Bureau assigned to the detention facility at Suan Phlu Immigration Office.

He said he had received information that Chinese detainees were being required to pay monthly bribes. The evidence includes video clips and audio recordings of conversations, reportedly provided by a former Chinese detainee who had been held at the Suan Phlu facility. The material allegedly details an organised system of benefit collection inside the detention centre.

Atchariya said information from the former detainee indicated that officers at all levels overseeing the Suan Phlu detention facility were involved in extorting money from Chinese detainees, particularly those linked to scam networks.

One key method allegedly involved the operation of “VIP detention rooms”. Detainees seeking greater comfort were reportedly required to pay around 200,000 baht in cash per person per month in exchange for special privileges. Additional charges allegedly included fees for telephone use to contact the outside — 1,000 to 2,000 baht per call — and approximately 5,000 baht per delivery of food and beverages from outside the facility.

He further alleged that a Chinese detainee appointed as a “room leader” would collect money from other detainees before passing it to immigration police officers. According to the information received, the total amount collected averaged about 10 million baht per month, or more than 100 million baht per year. He believes the operation has been running for at least five years.

Mr. Atchariya said the available evidence and testimony suggest that senior officers within the Immigration Bureau may have been involved in, or at least aware of, the alleged conduct.

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Hatari founder Jun Wanavit, Asia’s ‘Hero of Philanthropy’, dies at 89

Jun Wanavit, Founder of Hatari

BANGKOK — Jun Wanavit, founder and owner of Thai electric fan maker Hatari, has died peacefully at the age of 89.

Jun, widely known as “Ah Kong Jun”, rose to national prominence in 2022 after donating 900 million baht to the Ramathibodi Foundation to support the construction of a new medical building and innovation projects. The donation sparked widespread admiration on social media, with many Thais posting photos of Hatari fans in their homes in tribute.

He was later recognised by Forbes as one of Asia’s “Heroes of Philanthropy”.

Over a decade, Jun donated a total of 1.5 billion baht to the Ramathibodi Foundation. His charitable giving extended to other healthcare institutions, including 200 million baht for the construction of Mae Fah Luang Hospital and medical equipment, 15 million baht for Police General Hospital, and 40 million baht for Tha Bo Hospital in Nong Khai province.

He also provided 800 million baht in personal funds to support four-year scholarships for nursing students and underprivileged students.

Throughout his lifetime, Jun donated at least 2 billion baht to charitable foundations, primarily supporting healthcare and education, without publicity campaigns. All contributions were made from his personal funds.

Funeral rites are being held at Wat Thepsirintrawat, Sala Kaveeniramit (Sala Klang Nam), from 5–9 March. A Kong Tek ceremony is scheduled for 10 March at 17:00.

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US lists a single Bangkok shopping mall for fake goods in notorious markets report

BANGKOK — The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has listed one shopping centre in central Bangkok among markets with high levels of intellectual property (IP) infringement in its 2025 Notorious Markets Report, Thai officials said.

Armon Thapthawitham, director-general of the Department of Intellectual Property, said the report, released on 3 March, identified 37 online markets and 32 physical markets across 19 countries.

For Thailand, only one physical market — a shopping mall in central Bangkok — was named.

Armon said stakeholders had expressed appreciation for the intensified enforcement efforts by the department, the Economic Crime Suppression Division and the Royal Thai Police in tackling trademark and copyright violations.

She said authorities had stepped up raids and public awareness campaigns, while mall operators had cooperated by terminating leases of tenants arrested for IP offences and closing numerous shops selling counterfeit goods.

However, she acknowledged continued attempts to sell infringing products through temporary stalls and other tactics aimed at evading inspection. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and plan to intensify action, including targeting major offenders.

Armon said the situation in online markets showed clear improvement, with no Thai e-commerce platforms appearing on this year’s list. She attributed the positive trend to cooperation under a memorandum of understanding signed by major online platforms in Thailand to strengthen IP protection, including notice-and-takedown measures and proactive monitoring.

The department will continue working with enforcement agencies including the Customs Department and the Department of Special Investigation to crack down on violations in Bangkok, tourist destinations, border trade areas and online channels, with a focus on expanding investigations to warehouses and large-scale suppliers.

Thailand remains committed to strengthening IP protection to support trade, investment and investor confidence, Armon said, adding that the department would engage US counterparts to exchange information and reflect progress in future assessments.

She urged businesses and consumers not to buy or support counterfeit goods, warning of potential risks to consumers and damage to the country’s economic image.

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