Luxury car crashes into Phuket convenience store

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28 January 2026, 10:27

Luxury car crashes into Phuket convenience store

PHUKET — A man driving a luxury saloon car accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, sending his vehicle crashing into a convenience store in Phuket late on 27 January 2026, police said. No injuries were reported.

Police at Phuket City Police Station were alerted by residents just before midnight as the date turned to 28 January 2026. The incident occurred at a convenience store in the Ban Ku Ku area on Ratsada Anusorn Road, in Ratsada sub-district of Mueang Phuket district. The store sustained damage, but no customers or staff were hurt.

Traffic police and patrol officers rushed to the scene, where they found the convenience store, branch No. 23020, located in Soi Weera Uthit, Ku Ku. A bronze-grey BMW saloon car with Bangkok registration Sor Nor 982 was lodged halfway inside the shop, its rear lights still illuminated. The storefront glass was shattered.

Police coordinated a tow truck to remove the vehicle from the premises and assess the damage. The driver told officers he had intended to stop in front of the shop to make a purchase but mistakenly stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the car to surge forward into the store.

A concrete barrier installed in front of the shop helped slow the vehicle, preventing it from crashing fully inside. Police said the damage could have been far worse without the barrier.

Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash in line with legal procedures.

Man crashes car after argument with wife in Chonburi

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Khaosod English

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28 January 2026, 10:05

Man crashes car after argument with wife in Chonburi

CHONBURI — A 38-year-old man intentionally crashed his car into a roadside barrier after a dispute with his wife late on Monday night, rescue workers and police said.

The Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Rescue Unit received a report at 21:30 on 27 January 2026 of a car hitting a barrier along the railway-side road towards Sattahip, near the entrance to Pattaya Bypass Soi 15 in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province. Police from Nong Prue station were called to the scene.

Officers found a black Honda Civic with Rayong registration wedged against a barrier on the far-right lane. The front of the vehicle was severely damaged. The driver, identified as Thawatchai Mai Khami, 38, sustained minor bruises and was seen crying and appearing disoriented.

Mr. Thawatchai told authorities he had argued with his wife earlier and felt she no longer loved him. He said she accused him of infidelity, reckless behaviour and neglecting the family. Distressed, he drove away from home, recorded a video on his mobile phone and deliberately steered the car into the roadside barrier, he said.

Rescue workers and police calmed the man and escorted him to the police station. Relatives were notified, and authorities said further legal action would be taken.

Chinese Man Killed in Pattaya After Friend Reverses Car Outside Hotel

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Khaosod English

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28 January 2026, 10:01

PATTAYA — 28 January 2026, A Chinese man was killed early Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle driven by a close friend outside a hotel, police said.

The incident occurred at about 05:00 at a hotel in the Jomtien area of Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province.

Pol. Lt. Col. Chinawat Thisala, an investigator at Pattaya City Police Station, said officers were notified of a vehicle-pedestrian accident involving a critically injured man. Rescue volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation and a medical team from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya were dispatched to the scene.

Police found a foreign man, later identified as Mr. Li Borui, 40, a Chinese national, lying unresponsive in a pool of blood in front of the hotel. He had no pulse. Rescue workers and medical staff attempted first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but the man succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

A preliminary examination found severe head trauma and a broken neck, believed to have been caused by a violent impact. The area was secured and the body covered while police conducted an initial investigation.

Nearby, officers found a brown Mitsubishi Pajero with Bangkok licence plates, its front end lodged against a hotel wall. The driver, 36, and a Chinese national, appeared shaken and distressed.

According to a preliminary statement given through a Thai woman acting as an interpreter, the driver, the victim and the interpreter had returned from a meal and driven to the hotel to drop off Mr. Li. After the drop-off, the driver reversed the vehicle to leave the area.

At that moment, Mr. Li was sitting in the roadway tying his shoes in a blind spot in front of the hotel. The driver did not see him and struck him while reversing, dragging his body along the ground, police said.

After the incident, those at the scene contacted emergency services for assistance.

Pol. Lt. Col. Chinawat said investigators documented the scene and secured CCTV footage for evidence. The driver was taken in for further questioning.

The victim’s body was transferred to a hospital for preservation pending coordination with relatives for funeral arrangements in accordance with religious customs.

British man arrested after wife shot dead in Thailand

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Khaosod English

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28 January 2026, 09:08

British man arrested after wife shot dead in Thailand

KHON KAEN — 27 January 2026, a 58-year-old British man has been arrested after allegedly shooting his Thai wife dead in Maha Sarakham province before fleeing to neighbouring Khon Kaen, Thai police said.

Police identified the suspect as Anthony James, a British national, who allegedly used a firearm of unknown type to kill his wife at a house in Ban Nong Hin village, Moo 4, Khok Kor subdistrict, Muang district, Maha Sarakham. After the shooting, he fled in a white four-door Isuzu pickup truck with Chonburi registration plates.

Authorities issued a public warning describing the suspect as armed and dangerous, urging residents in Muang district, Maha Sarakham, and nearby areas to remain alert.

Investigators later traced Mr. James to Khon Kaen city, where he reportedly went to meet a friend at a bar behind the Khon Kaen Municipality Office. Police found the Isuzu pickup abandoned on Sri Chan Road near the entrance to the Ad Lib Khon Kaen hotel. CCTV footage showed Mr James parking the vehicle, leaving it behind and walking away with a suitcase before being picked up by a friend in a blue four-door Ford pickup.

Further CCTV tracking led police to a hotel near Kaen Nakhon Lake in Khon Kaen municipality. Officers from Muang Khon Kaen police, Khon Kaen provincial investigators, Region 4 Provincial Police and a special operations unit surrounded room 209 and negotiated with the suspect. Tourist police and immigration officers also took part in the talks. Mr. James later surrendered without resistance.

He was taken to Muang Khon Kaen police station for questioning in the presence of senior officers, including Khon Kaen provincial police commander Maj. Gen. Anuwat Suwannaphum and Muang Khon Kaen police chief Col. Yosawat Kaewsuebthanyanit. A search of the pickup truck later uncovered a 9mm firearm hidden in the engine compartment, which police believe was used in the killing.

During initial questioning, Mr. James gave inconsistent statements and appeared highly stressed, investigators said. He claimed the shooting was an accident.

According to police, the suspect said he had been ill and had sought medical treatment twice, and had also slipped and fallen at home. He alleged his wife showed little concern for his condition. The couple argued on the morning of the incident, he said, and in a moment of anger he fired the gun, killing her, before fleeing to Khon Kaen to seek help from acquaintances.

Investigators from Muang Maha Sarakham police later transferred Mr. James for further questioning. Forensic officers from Region 4 collected DNA evidence, while a lawyer and investigators were present during more than three hours of interrogation. Mr. James told police that he and his wife, as well as her relatives, had been in ongoing conflict, and that during a struggle over the gun it discharged twice, fatally wounding his wife.

Col. Yosawat said the suspect was captured within three hours of entering Khon Kaen thanks to extensive CCTV coverage from private businesses and hotels, which allowed police to track his movements quickly. He said close coordination among multiple police units ensured the arrest was carried out without injuries or further loss of life.

Shock at SEA Games: Up to 10 sexual harassment cases reported

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Khaosod English

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27 January 2026, 17:25

BANGKOK — As many as 10 cases of sexual harassment involving female athletes and sports personnel were reported during the recently concluded SEA Games, according to a senior Thai Olympic official.

Suwanna Silpa-archa, vice-president of the Olympic Committee of Thailand, disclosed the information following the signing of a memorandum of understanding to strengthen safeguarding in sport at the Olympic Committee of Thailand on Tuesday.

She said the complaints emerged during the 33rd SEA Games, hosted by Thailand from 9–20 December 2025, and involved both Thai nationals and foreigners. Those affected included female athletes and team liaison officers, with one case involving a foreign female athlete.

“The incidents ranged from verbal and psychological harassment to attempted physical sexual assault,” Suwanna said. “In every case, a working team stepped in to provide support, as some athletes were psychologically affected.”

According to Suwanna, all 10 complaints were handled internally by the Olympic Committee of Thailand. None were reported to police or resulted in financial compensation.

“We facilitated discussions to create mutual understanding. The perpetrators said they had no ill intent, while the victims felt they had been harassed,” she said. “We resolved the situations by adjusting duties and separating those involved to reduce contact.”

Suwanna said the cases varied in severity, adding that officials chose to manage the matter quietly during the Games to avoid disruption.

“We did not want drama during the competition, so we worked through the problems discreetly. However, this is a serious issue that must now be addressed more systematically,” she said.

When asked to identify the sports involved in the most serious cases, Suwanna declined, saying the matters had already been resolved. She also refused to disclose the nationality of the foreign athlete, citing the need to protect those affected.

The newly signed MOU aims to raise safeguarding standards in sport and protect athletes and sports personnel from all forms of harassment and violence, while promoting a safe and respectful sporting environment.

Iran-linked vessels suspected in Myanmar fuel trade

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Khaosod English

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27 January 2026, 16:45

Iran-linked vessels suspected in Myanmar fuel trade

MYANMAR — Myanmar’s military is importing aviation fuel through a covert network of so-called “ghost ships”, allowing it to carry out deadly air strikes despite international sanctions, according to a new Amnesty International investigation.

The rights group said the junta is using sanction-evasion tactics similar to those employed by Iran, Russia and North Korea, including vessels that switch off or manipulate their Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking to conceal their movements.

Amnesty analysed shipping, satellite, trade and port authority data and confirmed at least nine aviation fuel shipments delivered to Myanmar by four vessels between mid-2024 and the end of 2025. The ships frequently changed names, flags or ownership and conducted ship-to-ship fuel transfers at sea, making the origin of the fuel difficult to trace.

Despite sanctions aimed at cutting off supplies, Myanmar imported at least 109,604 metric tonnes of aviation fuel in 2025, a 69% increase from 2024 and the highest volume since the military seized power in February 2021, according to Myanmar Port Authority data.

Amnesty said evidence points to possible links with Iran. Two vessels involved in deliveries to Myanmar are under US sanctions and have a history of exporting fuel believed to originate from Iran. Satellite imagery reviewed by Amnesty placed some ships at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, even when tracking data suggested they were elsewhere, indicating deliberate manipulation.

The organisation said 2025 has become the deadliest year on record for aerial attacks by Myanmar’s military since the coup.

“Five years after the takeover, the junta continues to evade sanctions and find new ways to import the fuel it uses to bomb civilians,” said Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s regional research director. She urged governments and companies to take stronger action to disrupt the supply chain, warning that continued inaction would cost lives.

British man arrested in fatal shooting of Thai wife

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Khaosod English

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27 January 2026, 16:36

Anthony James (left), a British national suspected in the fatal shooting of his Thai wife in Maha Sarakham.

KHON KAEN — Police have arrested a British man suspected of fatally shooting his Thai wife outside a homestay in Maha Sarakham before fleeing the scene with a firearm.

Investigators at Don Wan police station said they were alerted to the shooting at around 11:00 on 27 January at a homestay in Ban Nong Hin, Moo 4, Khok Kor subdistrict, Muang district, Maha Sarakham.

The victim was identified as Phatree Uraphanom, 44, a local resident. She was found dead at the scene after being shot with a gun.

Police identified the suspect as Anthony James, a British national and the victim’s husband. Preliminary investigations indicate the couple had argued before the suspect allegedly opened fire and fled in a white four-door Isuzu pickup truck registered in Chon Buri province, taking the firearm with him.

The pickup was later found abandoned near the Sirikit Heart Centre of the Northeast in Khon Kaen province. CCTV footage showed the suspect being picked up by a Ford vehicle near the Ad Lib Hotel in Khon Kaen, before heading along Ruenrom Road in Muang district. Police believe the route was used to flee the area.

Authorities coordinated with police in Khon Kaen and neighbouring provinces to set up checkpoints and review CCTV footage along possible escape routes.

The suspect was arrested inside a hotel room near Kaen Nakhon Lake in Khon Kaen municipality by officers from Region 4, Khon Kaen Provincial Police and Muang Khon Kaen Police Station.

He was taken to the Khon Kaen Provincial Police Investigation Division for arrest procedures before being transferred to Don Wan Police Station in Maha Sarakham for further legal action.

Police had earlier warned the public not to confront the suspect, as he was believed to be armed.

BRAND’S launches ‘Half-Half’ campaign with savings on first three bottles

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Mc Marketing

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27 January 2026, 16:35

January 26, 2026 – BRAND’S Essence of Chicken, under Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a leading health enrichment brand in Thailand and Indochina, has launched the “BRAND’S Half-Half” campaign under its loyalty platform “Drink BRAND’S, Scan the Number in the Bottle.” The campaign offers cashback for the first three bottles, along with ongoing benefits of up to 360 baht per month when scanning 28 bottles. The campaign runs from January 19 – April 30, 2026.

Miss Jaturaporn Thanapornsungsuth, SVP – Head of Marketing (Thailand & Indochina) at Suntory Beverage & Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said “At the start of the year, BRAND’S Essence of Chicken continues to support Thai consumers in preparing for work and daily life at their full potential. The launch of the “BRAND’S Half-Half” campaign, under the “Drink BRAND’S, Scan the Number in the Bottle” loyalty platform on the LINE Official Account @brandsworld, reinforces the brand’s commitment to encouraging regular consumption of BRAND’S Essence of Chicken. With the benefits of carnosine and vitamin B12, which contribute to the normal function of the nervous and brain system, the campaign also offers cashback privileges to help consumers stay well-prepared in a smart and convenient way”

Consumers can join the campaign by registering on the LINE Official Account: @brandsworld and scanning the number inside the bottle. Cashback is available for all sizes of BRAND’S Essence of Chicken for the first three bottles (one entitlement per person), starting January 19, 2026, with rewards credited via TrueMoney Wallet or mobile top-up. Additional benefits include ongoing cashback of up to 360 baht per month and monthly Lucky Draw activities throughout the campaign period from January 19 to April 30, 2026. The “BRAND’S Half-Half” campaign will be expanded across multiple distribution channels to enhance accessibility, reinforcing BRAND’S commitment to supporting Thai consumers every day.

Deputy PM says Disneyland Thailand is real, not a dream

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Khaosod English

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27 January 2026, 16:01

9988 — A statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse stands at Shanghai Disneyland in China.

BANGKOK — Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said Thailand has the capacity to develop a Disneyland-scale project in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), insisting the plan is feasible and not a “pipe dream”.

Phiphat, who oversees the EEC, was responding to scepticism over proposals to bring a Disneyland project to Thailand as part of the corridor’s development strategy. He said the country has sufficient potential to host a world-class theme park and stressed the project would go beyond a single attraction.

Under the plan, the development would also include a large concert hall and a world-standard sports stadium with a capacity of at least 80,000 seats to host major international concerts, sporting events and large-scale festivals. He said the project would not include a casino.

Phiphat said relevant EEC agencies have begun preliminary studies, with the investment model expected to follow a public–private partnership (PPP) structure, combining global private-sector expertise, technology and capital with careful state oversight.

He said the EEC was chosen due to its strong infrastructure base, including international airports, rail networks, high-speed rail links, deep-sea ports and connectivity to major tourism hubs such as Bangkok, Pattaya and Rayong.

According to Phiphat, Disneyland Thailand would be positioned as a global entertainment and lifestyle hub rather than just a theme park, creating spillover benefits including job creation, higher-quality tourism and increased per-capita spending. He said the project would also provide a platform for Thai talent in the creative and event industries.

The development is aimed at positioning Thailand as a new destination for music and sports tourism, capable of attracting global artists, sports fans and younger travellers throughout the year.

“Disneyland Thailand in the EEC is not just about fun. It is an opportunity to upgrade Thailand’s creative and tourism industries and move the country towards becoming a regional hub for world-class events in Southeast Asia,” Phiphat said.

He added that the key question was not whether the project could be done, but who would see it through to completion, arguing that continuity was essential for large-scale global projects.

True partners with Miss World to showcase Thai talent on global stage

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Contributor

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27 January 2026, 15:26

S__9986148_099990 — Opal Suchata Chuangsri, Miss World Thailand 2025

Bangkok — True Corporation announced a strategic partnership with the Miss World Organization, a globally respected institution that has created value for humanity for more than seven decades. The collaboration brings together a World-Class Quality Person and a World-Class Leading Brand, anchored by Opal Suchata Chuangsri, Thailand’s first Miss World 2025 in 72 years. Through this partnership, True, Thailand’s world-class tech company, reflects Thailand’s growing potential on the global stage and advances the shared mission of “The Crown That Changes the World”, driving meaningful and tangible change in line with the philosophy of “Beauty with a Purpose”. Grounded in the belief that potential exists within every individual, “All Can Be Crowned”, True embarks on this journey with Opal Suchata Chuangsri as its First World Ambassador, inspiring society and harnessing the power of technology to help create a better world for all.

This collaboration reflects True’s commitment to the belief in Technology for Good that meaningful technology can deliver lasting value, elevate quality of life, and empower people to go further than ever before. Under the philosophy of True to the World, True continues to power up protection for customers through True5G, Thailand’s first world-class network to safeguard users from cyber threats with True CyberSafe; Power Up smarter living at home and seamless global connectivity driven by passion, speed, and performance through TrueOnline; and Power up journeys with GO Travel, the leading international travel SIM backed by the world’s number-one global partner network. This commitment goes hand in hand with concrete action in advancing sustainable technologies, earning global recognition with seven consecutive years on the DJSI Sustainability Index by S&P Global. These efforts reaffirm True’s mission to connect every opportunity and stand alongside society in creating meaningful change because anything is possible when we are together.

Khun Oliver Kittipong Veerataecha, Chief Brand Officer of True Corporation Plc., said that “The collaboration between True Corporation and the Miss World Organization, two world-class organizations that share common values and culture, represents the convergence of a World-Class Quality Person and a World-Class Leading Brand, united in driving positive change for society and on the global stage. With Miss World’s strong humanitarian foundation and long-standing role as a purpose-driven global organization creating value for humanity, and True’s belief as a world-class Thai tech-telco company in the principle of “Technology for Good” where innovation must go beyond advancement to create genuine value in people’s lives, the mission “Crown That Changes the World” serves to ignite the belief that positive change is truly possible, beginning with ourselves and extending to society at large, while bringing the spirit of “True to the World” to life.

This mission becomes even more meaningful as Thailand celebrates its first Miss World 2025, Opal Suchata Chuangsri, in her role as True’s First World Ambassador. She is not only a symbol of success on the global stage, but also a reflection of new possibilities for Thai people, representing beauty, purpose, capability, and determination. Through her ability to share positive energy and inspire audiences worldwide in the spirit of “Beauty with a Purpose,” Opal’s achievement reinforces the belief that “Everything is possible when we are together.”, while connecting inspiration to the idea that “All can be crowned.” in their own way, demonstrating that success is not confined to any single stage, but can be realized in the real lives of people everywhere.”

In this endeavor, True Corporation stands ready to leverage its digital communications capabilities and integrated technology ecosystem to help drive the “Crown that Changes the World” World Premier mission. Guided by a commitment to stand alongside and care for Thais at every stage of life, this vision is brought to life through the role of Opal Suchata, who inspires others and demonstrates how technology, when applied creatively and responsibly, can create meaningful change and make the world a better place for all, by enhancing quality of life across multiple dimensions, including:

Power Up everyday life through world-class customer protection with True5G, Thailand’s first network equipped with True CyberSafe, a new standard of digital security, enabling fast, powerful and seamless connectivity to the world.
Power Up smart living by elevating the connected home experience with TrueOnline, delivering ultra-fast, full-speed performance for a smarter way of life.
Power Up travel with seamless global connectivity through GO Travel, an international SIM powered by partnerships with the world’s leading networks.
A globally recognized organization, affirmed as a sustainability leader through its 1 ranking in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the 7^th consecutive year by S&P Global. This leadership is reflected in impactful social initiatives with tangible outcomes, such as True Plookpanya, which supports educational equity for Thai youth; the expansion of digital infrastructure to reduce the digital divide in remote areas, most recently in Ban Laosunok, a small village in Chae Hom District, Lampang Province to connect lives across every part of the country; as well as support for autism communities and the Thanyarak Foundation, which advocates for Thai women’s health, particularly early screening and prevention of breast cancer.

Activating a 360° Media Ecosystem to Amplify Opal Suchata’s Impact and Ignite the “Crown that Changes the World” Mission

True has designed an integrated communications strategy and a comprehensive media ecosystem, spanning on-ground, online, and offline platforms to strengthen Opal Suchata’s role as True’s First World Ambassador, empowering her to share positive energy and a purpose-driven commitment to creating meaningful change across society.

On-ground: Empowering employees into powerful brand storytellers, the initiative kicked off from within the organization by engaging more than 5,000 employees to help amplify the “Crown that Changes the World” mission. True people became the first voices to share the story of True’s First World Ambassador, ahead of the official launch at the “Crown that Changes the World” event, creating authentic engagement with media, fans, beauty pageant communities, and influencers through memorable, high-impact moments.
Online: Igniting inspiration into a mass movement through a high-impact teaser campaign, activating the full power of True5G’s social media ecosystem with over 10 million followers under the idea of “The signal that connects every success”. The momentum then scales to mass audiences with a cinematic TV commercial and always-on video series across all digital platforms and True’s media network, while introducing the “Crowning Pose”, a new symbol of success amplified by KOLs and creators. Another key highlight is the launch of the “All can be crowned” microsite, inviting people to choose a crown that reflects who they are and share their own inspiration with the world.
Offline: Bringing inspiration into everyday life through premium offline media in high-impact locations such as the large-format screens at True Shop Siam Soi 2, a landmark in the heart of the city reaching both Thai audiences and international visitors. Awareness is further amplified nationwide across multiple True Shop locations, positioning Opal Suchata as True’s First World Ambassador and embedding her presence as a powerful, everyday symbol of inspiration in people’s lives.

“True to the World” reflects the shared belief of True Corporation and Miss World that true success begins with the heart of those who are driven and committed. This power exists within every individual and it can create meaningful change and tangible value for Thailand.

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