Drone rescue launched for injured dugong entangled near Koh Libong

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17 February 2026, 12:59

TRANG — 17 February 2026, Authorities have launched a drone rescue operation to save a dugong found entangled in fishing gear near Koh Libong, with deep wounds at the base of both flippers.

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), through its Lower Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, is working with Marine National Park Research and Study Centre 3 (Trang) to track and assist the injured animal.

The operation follows a drone survey conducted on 14 February by officials over waters off Laem Ju Hoi and Hat Toob on Koh Libong. Eight dugongs were spotted during the initial search, including one with severe rope injuries around both flippers. The wounds appeared swollen and deeply cut, suggesting the rope had been wrapped around the animal for a prolonged period.

Despite the injuries, aerial observations showed the dugong was still able to swim, dive and feed normally. Its body condition score was assessed at 3 out of 5, with a breathing rate of two breaths per five minutes.

In a follow-up drone survey covering waters from Ao Ban Phrao to Laem Ju Hoi, officials relocated the injured dugong east of Koh Libong, swimming alongside 12 other dugongs. The rope remains tightly wrapped around both flippers, with visible knots trailing towards the rear of its body.

High-resolution drone footage confirmed the animal continues to swim and feed normally, with stable body condition and breathing patterns. However, it displays heightened caution, retreating into deeper channels when boats approach within 150 m.

Officials are coordinating with relevant agencies and the Koh Libong community network to adjust their strategy for safely approaching the dugong and removing the rope as quickly as possible, while minimising stress and harm to the animal.

Doctor says 90% of sexually active men unknowingly carry HPV

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17 February 2026, 11:20

Doctor says 90% of sexually active men unknowingly carry HPV

BANGKOK — 17 February 2026, A Thai gynaecologist has said that more than 90% of sexually active men will have been infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives, often without knowing it, and urged vaccination for people of all genders.

Dr. Prayongsri Kamprapan, a gynaecologist at Thanakan Hospital, said HPV is commonly recognised as the cause of cervical cancer, leading many people to believe the HPV vaccine is only for women. In fact, men face a similarly high risk of infection, and most are unaware they carry the virus.

In recent years, doctors have seen a growing number of men seeking consultations and requesting the HPV vaccine on their own initiative, particularly those who research health information themselves or receive advice from partners and family members. The trend reflects rising awareness of preventive healthcare, she said.

“More than 90% of men who have been sexually active will have contracted HPV at some stage of their lives. The male immune system does not respond to the virus particularly well, allowing it to remain dormant in the body for more than 10 years without any symptoms,” Prayongsri said.

As a result, infected individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus to their partners. HPV can spread through all forms of sexual contact, including male-female, male-male and female-female relationships. Many countries now recommend gender-neutral vaccination, promoting immunisation for all genders as a shared responsibility in preventing infection, she added.

HPV infection in men is associated with several diseases, including oral and throat cancers, which are found in men at rates up to five times higher than in women, as well as anal cancer, penile cancer and genital warts.

Unlike women, who have cervical cancer screening programmes, men have no routine screening for genital cancers, meaning many cases are detected only after the disease has advanced.

“Many men believe that if they have no symptoms, vaccination is unnecessary. In reality, HPV can remain in the body for years and be passed on to loved ones without their knowledge,” she said. “Vaccination protects both the individual and their partner in the long term.”

She added that although HPV infection is common and often symptomless, the potential long-term health consequences can be serious. Vaccination is therefore an important preventive healthcare option for men, women and people of diverse sexual orientations, she said.

Southern Chiang Mai faces rising forest fire risk

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17 February 2026, 10:44

Southern Chiang Mai faces rising forest fire risk

CHIANG MAI — 17 February 2026, Wildfires have begun to break out in the southern part of Chiang Mai province, though authorities say the situation remains under control due to lingering forest moisture.

Kritsayam Kongsatri, director of the Protected Area Regional Office 16 in Chiang Mai, said conditions have not yet become severe since the start of 2026, as forests still retain some moisture. However, over the past one to two weeks, fires have started spreading into the southern zone of the province.

The fires initially broke out in Tak before moving into Lamphun and subsequently into southern Chiang Mai, he said. The most serious situation is currently in Doi Tao district of Chiang Mai.

Authorities are also monitoring Op Luang National Park, an ecologically significant area known for its dry dipterocarp and mixed deciduous forests. Prolonged dry conditions have caused leaf fall, increasing the amount of combustible material on the forest floor.

The Protected Area Regional Office 16 has stepped up surveillance at forest entry and exit points and announced temporary forest closures. Residents who need to enter forest areas to forage are urged to register in advance to avoid being treated as suspects.

Patrol plans in the forest interior have been adjusted, with officers focusing on areas prone to repeated fires. Officials are calling on the public to cooperate in wildfire prevention efforts and aim to improve on last year’s statistics.

Fuel management operations are underway in several areas, particularly in Om Koi Wildlife Sanctuary, where fuel conditions are similar to those at Op Luang National Park in Hot district, Chiang Mai. Controlled burns have also begun in small plots in Ban Hong Wildlife Sanctuary and Mae Ping National Park.

Authorities stressed that burns are being conducted in small, manageable sections that can be extinguished before nightfall, focusing on areas with recurring fires or where intervention is strictly necessary. In Mae Ping National Park alone, about 100 rai (approximately 16 hectares) have been designated for fuel management, including areas frequently used by local residents for foraging, to ease pressure on surrounding forests.

Asked whether wildfire management plans under Cabinet resolutions would be revised, Kritsayam said no changes were planned. In previous years, less than 3% of the targeted fuel management operations were completed, largely due to unfavourable weather conditions, poor air ventilation rates or concerns about impacts on local communities.

He said operations would continue to prioritise areas where fires are difficult to extinguish, frequently recur or pose genuine risk, in line with technical guidelines set by the Cabinet.

Chinese tourist assaulted, robbed of 20,000 baht in Pattaya hotel

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17 February 2026, 10:15

banner1 — The victim of the robbery-assault is treated by medical staff for injuries to his head

PATTAYA — 17 February 2026, A Chinese tourist told police he was assaulted and robbed of more than 20,000 baht by three transgender women at a Pattaya hotel early Monday.

At 04:30 the radio centre of Pattaya City Police Station received a report that a Chinese national had been attacked at a hotel on Soi 4, Pattaya Second Road, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi.

The victim later filed a complaint in person at the station. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Foundation provided initial first aid.

Mr. Jiang Zili, 27, told police through an interpreter that he had invited a transgender woman to his room. She later brought two friends, and an argument broke out.

The trio allegedly damaged property inside the room before assaulting him and taking 20,000 baht in cash that had been left in the room. They then fled.

A motorcycle taxi rider waiting at the entrance to the soi, said the injured tourist ran to him in a panic and asked for help, saying he had been attacked by three transgender women. He then assisted the victim in contacting police.

Investigators are reviewing hotel CCTV footage to identify the three suspects and determine the sequence of events. Legal action is being pursued.

Residents fed up as Chinese new year fireworks last till midnight

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17 February 2026, 09:56

Residents fed up as Chinese new year fireworks last till midnight

CHONBURI — 17 February 2026, Residents of a housing estate in eastern Thailand have complained of noise and disturbance after fireworks were set off until midnight during Chinese New Year celebrations.

On 00:00, reporters received complaints from villagers about ongoing fireworks during Chinese New Year inside the Chokchai 9 housing estate in Soi Khao Noi, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

The estate is largely home to foreign nationals, most of them Chinese.

A resident, who asked not to be named, said fireworks were still being set off continuously despite the time passing midnight. He said the late-night explosions caused significant disturbance.

There are many elderly people and children living in the estate, he added, and they have been affected by the loud noise and smoke from the fireworks.

The setting off of fireworks in residential areas is already in violation of the law.

Under current Thai noise control regulations, permissible noise levels between 22:00 and 06:00 are determined by the difference from the ambient background sound level. The law stipulates that noise from a specific source must not exceed the existing background noise level by more than 10 decibels A-weighted, or 10 dB(A).

Conservationist questions welfare of viral hippo Moo Deng, zoo responds

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16 February 2026, 18:09

616845789_1192469783063526_1528393632929637343_n741000 — Moo Deng

CHON BURI — A social media post by conservationist Psi Scott has sparked heated debate online after he questioned the living conditions of Moo Deng, a popular pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

Psi Scott, whose Thai name is Siranat Scott, posted on X after seeing recent images of Moo Deng’s enclosure and pool. In his post, he wrote that he felt saddened by what he saw, saying the animal had generated significant income but appeared to have a living environment that did not reflect her value.

“Recently I saw photos of Moodeng’s current enclosure and pool. It’s truly sad. Despite generating so much income, in the end she is just a business in the eyes of people around her,” he wrote.

The post quickly drew millions of views and triggered widespread discussion online, with users debating animal welfare standards versus commercial interests.

600409647 847286521341664 4050467354303740025 n — Psi Scott

As criticism mounted, Psi Scott clarified that he was not attacking the hippo’s caretakers or the zoo itself, but was raising concerns about international welfare standards for animals of global prominence.

“I don’t want anyone to misunderstand. I’m not criticising the keepers. I’m trying to say that animals that bring recognition to the country should have living conditions and space that reflect the value they create for us,” he said, adding that the rights of animals in captivity are as important as those in the wild.

In response, the Facebook page “Kha Moo and the Gang”, which represents Moo Deng’s caretakers, urged the public not to escalate the issue. The page stated that the zoo had already planned a “Hippo Village” project before Moo Deng became famous, and that improvements were part of an existing development plan.

“It has always been in the system. Even without Moo Deng, we would be developing the area. Of course, we also want Moo Deng to have a new home as soon as possible,” the statement said.

Narongwit Chotchoi, director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, said images circulating online likely showed hippo waste that had not yet been cleaned, noting that it is natural for hippos to defecate in water to mark territory. He said keepers clean the enclosure every morning and that animal welfare standards are strictly followed.

Narongwit added that the Hippo Village project has already been designed and approved by the zoo committee, but is awaiting budget approval of 75 million baht in fiscal year 2027. The project would cover 10 rai and accommodate the zoo’s six pygmy hippos and seven common hippos.

The debate has continued online, reflecting broader questions about animal welfare and expectations for high-profile zoo animals.

Phuket police raid unlicensed cannabis shop

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16 February 2026, 17:45

Phuket police raid unlicensed cannabis shop

PHUKET — Police in southern Thailand have raided a cannabis shop operating without a valid licence, as part of a provincial crackdown on unauthorised sellers.

The operation followed an order from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office directing officials to suppress the sale of controlled herbal products, specifically cannabis buds, without proper authorisation. The office sought cooperation from the Phuket Provincial Police amid concerns that many cannabis outlets in Phuket had failed to renew their licences.

Investigators from Chalong Police Station inspected a shop named “Gun-Eng” located in Soi Suki on Chao Fa East Road in tambon Chalong, Muang district.

Police said a Thai woman identified herself as the shop owner. Officers requested to see the business licence and found it had expired. They also cited a notice issued by the provincial public health office prohibiting the export, sale or processing of controlled herbs for commercial purposes, including cannabis, in cases where licences have expired and not been renewed.

The owner was informed she was being charged with selling controlled herbal products (cannabis buds) without permission under the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act 1999. Officers seized cannabis buds and related equipment as evidence.

Chalong police urged cannabis shop operators to comply strictly with the law. They also called on members of the public to report suspected illegal cannabis sales via the Chalong Police Station Facebook page or by calling 076-381247 at any time.

Cambodian navy detains Thai fishing boat amid maritime tensions

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16 February 2026, 17:21

S__39780413 — The Thai fishing vessel Kor Chok Burapha, detained by the Cambodian navy off Koh Kong province on 14 February 2026.

TRAT — The Royal Cambodian Navy has detained a Thai fishing vessel in waters off Koh Kong province, according to a security source, amid heightened tensions along the maritime border.

The source said the vessel was taken under control at about 16:25 on 14 February 2026 by a Cambodian naval maritime patrol unit in the area of Pak Khlong commune, Mondul Seima district, Koh Kong Province.

The operation was reportedly carried out by Koh Yor patrol unit under the Koh Kong Offshore Defence Division No. 2 of the Cambodian navy. The vessel was identified as “Kor Chok Burapha”, registration number 6564-01785, owned and captained by Boonyang Ketkaew.

Initial reports said the boat was carrying goods described as originating from Samut Sakhon Province. It had departed from Por Kasemsiri pier in Ban Khlong Son, Hat Lek subdistrict, Khlong Yai district, Trat Province, before being detained in Cambodian waters. Authorities are verifying details regarding the cargo and the vessel’s route.

The incident follows recent maritime tensions near Koh Kut. Between 12 and 13 February, the Royal Thai Navy reportedly pushed back about 25 to 30 Cambodian fishing boats from Thai waters near the island.

Security assessments suggest the detention of the Thai vessel may have been a local counter-measure following Thailand’s stricter enforcement actions earlier in the week. However, there has been no official confirmation from either government regarding such an assessment.

Security agencies are coordinating through the Thai–Cambodian local border committee mechanism to verify the safety of the crew and the exact location where the vessel is being held.

Viral MacBook clip sparks debate over safety in Thailand

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16 February 2026, 16:43

BANGKOK — A foreign TikTok user living in Thailand has gone viral after expressing surprise at what he described as the country’s high level of public safety.

On 13 February 2026, TikTok user @zaafirnomad posted a clip showing a man holding a MacBook while waiting at a BTS train station in Bangkok. The video has since gained hundreds of thousands of views.

@zaafirnomad You can’t find this level of safety anywhere else. #fyp #thailand #asia ♬ original sound – Zaafir

The foreigner said he was shocked by the scene, noting that openly carrying a computer of such value in many other countries could increase the risk of robbery. In Thailand, however, nothing happened.

He wrote in the caption: “You can’t find this level of safety anywhere else.” The post included hashtags such as #thailand and #asia.

The clip prompted discussion among viewers, with some asking whether other countries were less safe. Several commenters who said they had lived abroad agreed that openly displaying valuables in public could pose a higher risk in some places.

One foreign user commented: “My brother has worked in Thailand for six years. He once came back to our hometown. Because of COVID, he visited us after three years. What shocked me was that he left my motorcycle key in front of the store. Good thing I was there and shouted to him, ‘You are not in Thailand right now.’ Mind you, our hometown is not safe. Even without a key, a motorcycle can vanish in seconds.”

Another commenter wrote: “As a foreigner teaching in Thailand, it is truly amazing here. Our school is close to a mall, and after classes, some kids go there and leave their bags on benches or elsewhere in the mall, and no one steals them. They just return and get them.”

A separate comment read: “When my husband came to Thailand for the first time, he was shocked to see Thai people parking their motorcycles with helmets hanging from them. He said that if this were England, both the helmets and the motorcycle would be stolen.”

The post has since sparked wider conversation online about perceptions of safety in Thailand compared with other countries.

Chinese New Year electric candle linked to shop fire

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16 February 2026, 16:16

Chinese New Year electric candle linked to shop fire

CHAINAT — 16 February 2026, A fire broke out at a leasing shop in central Thailand on 16 February 2026, with authorities suspecting an electrical short circuit in a shrine candle left burning during Chinese New Year observances.

The blaze was reported at 12:40 at Saeng Arun Leasing on Phrom Prasert Road in the Muang district of Chainat province. The shophouse is located opposite Phasi Sung fresh market.

Firefighters from the Chainat Municipality Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office arrived with three fire engines, joined by volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the middle of the building as crews rushed to douse the flames in an office room. The fire was brought under control within about 20 minutes, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring units.

Preliminary inspections found damage to a wooden wall and shattered office glass caused by the heat. Authorities said a large aquarium near the source of the fire was cracked but did not shatter, allowing eight fish, goldfish and sucker fish, to survive.

Investigators said the fire appeared to have started at a household shrine known locally as a “Tee Joo Eia”, where burn marks were concentrated before the flames spread to the wooden wall and office glass.

Chinese New Year electric candle linked to shop fire 2 — A household shrine known locally as a “Tee Joo Eia” where the fire appeared to started before spreading.

Officials said 16 February marked a day of worship during the Chinese New Year festival. Shop staff had reportedly placed an electric candle at the shrine and left it switched on while they went out for lunch. Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit may have produced sparks that ignited the fire while the premises were unoccupied.

A fruit vendor nearby said she heard people across the street shouting about the fire and saw heavy smoke before alerting emergency services.

Fire officials urged the public, particularly during festival periods involving incense, candles or decorative electrical devices at shrines, to regularly inspect wiring and equipment. Damaged or ageing electrical items should be replaced immediately to reduce the risk of short circuits, a leading cause of fires that can result in significant loss of life and property.

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