Three arrested as police intercept major meth shipment

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28 January 2026, 15:22

Three arrested as police intercept major meth shipment

KHON KAEN — 27 January 2026, Thai narcotics police and highway patrol officers have arrested three suspects and seized more than 340,000 methamphetamine pills during coordinated interceptions in Khon Kaen province, police said.

The arrests were made at about 00:30 according to officers from Sub-Division 2 of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, working with Highway Police Sub-Division 4 in Khon Kaen.

Police said the suspects were stopped in two locations: on a roadside outside Phon Hospital in Phon district, and along Route 2065 between kilometre markers 16 and 17 in Waeng Noi subdistrict, Waeng Noi district. Officers seized 340,000 methamphetamine tablets, a grey Nissan Tiida with Bangkok registration plates, a white Isuzu vehicle with Bangkok registration plates, and three mobile phones.

Authorities said the suspects’ identities were being withheld at their request.

Investigators said the arrests followed intelligence gathered from a previous drug case in Udon Thani province, which led officers to track and intercept the group during the latest delivery.

During questioning, the suspects allegedly confessed to transporting the drugs from Tha Dok Kham subdistrict in Bueng Khong Long district, Bueng Kan province. Police said the route passed through several districts in Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon and Udon Thani provinces before entering Khon Kaen, with the intended destination in Waeng Noi district.

The suspects told police they were paid 60,000 baht for the delivery and that this was their third time transporting drugs, after two previous successful runs, officers said.

After the arrests, the suspects and seized items were handed over to investigators at Phon police station for prosecution. Police said further inquiries were under way to identify and pursue other members of the network.

Thai officers unearth buried meth, seize 80,800 pills

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28 January 2026, 14:57

Thai officers unearth buried meth, seize 80,800 pills

KHON KAEN — 28 January 2026, Thai Border Patrol Police Region 2 have arrested three suspects and seized more than 80,800 methamphetamine pills, some of which were buried in a rice field in an apparent attempt to evade authorities.

At 13:00, Pol. Maj. Gen. Wutthiphong Yenjit, commander of Border Patrol Police Region 2, said officers received intelligence that a drug trafficking network was transporting methamphetamine from Ban Phaeng district in Nakhon Phanom province to customers in Khao Suan Kwang and Nam Phong districts of Khon Kaen province. The drugs were allegedly being carried in a black Toyota car.

A task force led by Capt. Khomsan Nilsomboon was deployed to monitor routes in the area. Officers later spotted a suspicious black car with Kanchanaburi registration plate KM 3446 passing a resort in Nam Phong district and heading towards Mittraphap Road. Police followed the vehicle closely before identifying themselves and conducting a search.

Officers arrested the driver, Chananpat Lee-lerd, 20, from Bueng Kan province, and a passenger, Sukanya, 17, from Sakon Nakhon province. Chananpat admitted that a large quantity of methamphetamine was inside the vehicle. A search uncovered about 50,500 pills wrapped in yellow wax paper, packed in clear plastic bags and concealed in a black plastic bag behind the driver’s seat.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Wutthiphong said Chananpat confessed the drugs belonged to him and that before his arrest he had already delivered about 30,300 pills to a customer. The delivery was made along a rural road in Khao Suan Kwang district, Khon Kaen.

Police then instructed the suspect to contact the buyer, leading to the arrest of a third suspect, Khunsin Khaokhun, 44, from Ubolratana district, Khon Kaen. Khunsin admitted receiving the drugs and burying them in a rice field opposite his wife’s house in Dong Muang Am subdistrict. A search of the area uncovered 15 bundles containing about 30,308 methamphetamine pills.

The total seizure in the case amounted to about 80,800 pills. All three suspects were charged with jointly possessing and distributing a Category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine, for commercial purposes. They were handed over with the seized evidence to Nam Phong police investigators for further legal proceedings.

Danish-Arab influencer films himself insulting Thai people in Pattaya

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28 January 2026, 14:28

Danish-Arab influencer faces criticism over Pattaya videos

PATTAYA — A Danish-Arab social media influencer is facing widespread backlash after viral clips posted on Reddit appeared to show him behaving aggressively toward Thai police and making offensive remarks about Thai people while travelling in Pattaya.

The clips feature a man identified by Reddit users as influencer “Ahmarnioff”, who has about 62,100 followers on Instagram. In one video, he is seen riding a motorcycle in Pattaya and allegedly violating traffic laws. After being fined 1,000 baht, he is heard asking a police officer to reduce the fine to 500 baht.

When the request is refused, the man appears to curse and insult the officer in Danish and Arabic. In the clip, he can be heard saying “Den lille hund” — Danish for “the little dog” — along with additional remarks in Arabic.

A separate clip, also shared on Reddit, shows the same individual dining at a restaurant, where he films a dog belonging to the establishment. In the video, he says, “You are so cute, you are going to get eaten now,” before pointing toward people in the restaurant and the kitchen area and adding, “You are going to get grilled up there.” Reddit users criticised the remarks as insulting and disrespectful toward Thai people.

The videos prompted heated discussion on Reddit, with users questioning how Thailand could prevent what one commenter described as “low-quality tourists.”

Several comments were particularly critical. One user claimed the influencer’s Instagram content frequently involves insulting Thai people in Arabic, adding: “I feel bad for Thailand that he is in your country. If I were there, I would file a police report.”

Others called on Thai authorities to take action, including banning the influencer from the country or flagging his passport. Some commenters also criticised influencer and travel vlogging culture more broadly, arguing it has contributed to worsening behaviour among foreign visitors in Southeast Asia.

Thai authorities have not publicly commented on the clips.

Dog chews package and exposes meth stash in Chonburi

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28 January 2026, 14:16

Dog chews package and exposes meth stash in Chonburi

CHONBURI — 28 January 2026, Villagers in Chonburi province were stunned after a stray dog was seen carrying and chewing on packages containing nearly 20,000 methamphetamine pills before leaving them scattered along a roadside, prompting an immediate police investigation.

At about 09.30 on 28 January 2026, Attaphon Koetthong, headman of Huai Yai subdistrict, was alerted by residents who reported that a dog had dropped a large quantity of methamphetamine pills on the road at the entrance to Noen Sai community. The area lies near Highway 7, the new motorway linking Jomtien and Map Ta Phut, in Moo 7 of Huai Yai, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

After receiving the report, Attaphon informed relevant authorities and led officials to the scene alongside Nathaphop Yomjinda, deputy district chief of Bang Lamung, police investigators from Huai Yai police station and a detective team.

Police found numerous blue, zip-lock plastic bags containing methamphetamine pills, bundled together in packages. Some were wrapped in brown tape in large bundles, while others were taped in smaller clear packages. Several bags had been torn open by the dog, with pills scattered across the road.

Officers spread out on foot to search the surrounding area within a radius of nearly 100 metres. Additional packages were found strewn across the roadway, rubbish piles, cattle-grazing fields and cassava farms. Authorities seized one large package and three smaller bundles, each bag containing about 2,000 pills.

In total, police recovered nearly 20,000 methamphetamine pills, estimated to be worth about 500,000 baht. Investigators believe the actual number is closer to 18,000 pills and does not include an unknown quantity that was damaged or lost after being chewed by the dog.

Attaphon said residents had never encountered such an incident before in Huai Yai, calling it the first major drug seizure of its kind in the subdistrict.

Police suspect the drugs belonged to a trafficking network and were dumped by the roadside for collection by a local agent. The packages were likely discovered by the dog, which dragged and chewed them, causing the pills to scatter.

Investigators plan to review nearby CCTV footage to identify those responsible for dumping the drugs and to pursue legal action.

Reporters at the scene were unable to locate the dog involved. Residents said there are many stray dogs in the area that often shelter in roadside grass. Villagers said they would monitor local dogs for any signs of abnormal behaviour, as some of the pills showed evidence of being bitten and licked. Authorities will be notified if any animals appear to be affected so that assistance can be provided.

Gunman opens fire on police during stop-and-search

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28 January 2026, 12:59

CHIANG MAI — 27 January 2026, Police are hunting a gunman who opened fire on an officer during a stop-and-search in San Kamphaeng district, narrowly missing the officer before fleeing and abandoning his motorcycle. Authorities are pursuing attempted murder charges.

The shooting occurred at about 19:00 on an internal village road in Ban Rai Phatthana, Moo 8, Mae Pu Kha subdistrict, San Kamphaeng district.

suspect gunman — Suspect seen drawing his gun while officer Apiwat searches for something in his bag

Pol. L/Cpl. Apiwat Mala, 27, a motorcycle patrol officer with San Kamphaeng police, was on routine patrol when he spotted a suspicious man parked on a motorcycle by the roadside, police said.

As the officer approached to conduct a check, the suspect drew a handgun of unknown type and calibre and fired immediately. Pol. L/Cpl. Apiwat was able to evade the shots and returned fire once with his service pistol in self-defence. No injuries were reported.

Officer Apiwat seen readying his firearm to return fire in self defence

The suspect fled on foot into the darkness, leaving the motorcycle at the scene.

San Kamphaeng police, along with investigators, later examined the scene and recovered three 9 mm shell casings. The abandoned motorcycle was seized as evidence. Police are seeking the suspect on a charge of attempted murder of an officer on duty.

Update: At 11:00 on 28 January 2026, Pol. Col. Suromon Chalermchan, superintendent of San Kamphaeng police, said the incident had been reported up the chain of command. Lt. Gen. Kittaphon Yeesakorn, commander of Provincial Police Region 5, ordered Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Phongwivattanachai, deputy regional commander, to personally oversee the case.

Chiang Mai provincial police commander Maj. Gen. Yutthana Kaenchan also assigned Col. Damnoen Kan-ong, deputy provincial commander, to supervise the investigation and expedite an arrest warrant.

Investigative teams from Region 5, Chiang Mai provincial police and San Kamphaeng station are continuing an intensive manhunt for the suspect.

Two Russian women refuse to pay for two, sparking Pattaya ride dispute

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28 January 2026, 11:48

PATTAYA — A motorcycle ride-hailing rider in Pattaya has spoken out after a viral video showed him angrily confronting two Russian tourists over a disputed fare, sparking divided reactions online.

The clip, posted by the Facebook page Social Hunter, shows a man believed to be an app-based motorcycle taxi rider filming two Russian women and hurling profanities in Thai. The post claimed the rider charged for two passengers while the tourists paid for only one, asking: “Is this allowed?” with the hashtag #Pattaya.

Social media users were split. Some criticised the rider for using inappropriate language toward customers, while others faulted the tourists for refusing to pay the agreed fare. Several riders also commented that such disputes with Russian tourists were common.

On Tuesday, 27 January, reporters spoke with the rider, identified as Apisit Phakwatmanop, 24, also known as “Got”, in South Pattaya, Chon Buri province.

Apisit said the incident occurred between 03:00 – 04:00 on 25 January. After completing a trip near Walking Street, he accepted a new job via the app to take passengers from the same area to Soi Pratamnak 6, about 4 kilometres away.

He said he found two Russian women waiting and used a translation app to explain that the fare would be charged for two passengers. According to Apisit, the customers agreed before getting on the motorcycle.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the app showed a fare of 31 baht per person, or 62 baht in total. Apisit said he asked for 60 baht, but the tourists handed him only 40 baht. He said he tried to explain, again using a translation app, that 20 baht was still owed.

“They refused to pay and said travelling by car is not even this expensive, and this is just a motorcycle,” he said, adding that one of them then walked away.

The argument escalated, leading to the confrontation seen in the video. Apisit said when the tourists noticed he was recording, they appeared ready to pay, but he admitted he lost his temper and did not take any additional money.

Apisit acknowledged that his English is limited but said he made an effort to communicate clearly using translation tools and insisted the fare for two passengers had been agreed before the trip.

“I want people to stop attacking me so harshly,” he said. “I just want everyone to understand that there was an agreement before we started the ride, but I still ended up in this situation.”

Mystery spring emerges at Thai temple site in dry season

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28 January 2026, 10:56

Mystery spring emerges at Thai temple site in dry season

SISAKET — A mysterious spring has emerged from beneath a raised construction site at a Buddhist temple in Thailand’s northeastern province of Sisaket, puzzling monks and villagers and fuelling beliefs of a sacred or miraculous sign ahead of the building of a new pagoda.

The phenomenon was reported at Wat Non Tiew in Non Koon sub-district of Yang Chum Noi district, where water has been continuously seeping up from the ground despite the area being elevated by about 12 metres of dirt. The water appeared after a hole only about 1.6 metres deep was dug to mark foundation posts for the planned Phra That Yang Chum Noi pagoda.

The discovery has drawn attention because the water has not dried up even during the dry season, when natural water sources in the area usually run dry.

On 28 January 2026, reporters visited the temple to inspect the site, where water was still flowing steadily from the pit. Phra Maha Phutthayan Phuwat, the local sub-district abbot, said the land had originally been low-lying and arid and was once used as a timber storage area for the temple. More than five years ago, soil was brought in to raise the ground level in preparation for building the pagoda, inspired by a vision of the district’s senior monk.

He said the appearance of water from such a shallow depth in filled land was highly unusual. “In my lifetime, I have never seen anything like this,” he said, noting that groundwater is typically found only after drilling tens of metres deep in flat terrain.

Initially, monks did not attach any spiritual significance to the phenomenon and chose to observe it naturally. However, the water has continued to flow consistently for nearly two years, receding close to dry only around the full moon each month, even during April and May, the peak of the dry season.

Some devotees believe the spring is sacred water or a sign of good fortune, as it emerged at a site designated for a religious monument. According to local resident Phrommet Pathumsut, the district abbot had previously spoken of a vision involving a pair of naga, or mythical serpents, at the location. Villagers later performed a ritual ceremony there, and the spring appeared not long afterwards.

The site has since attracted visitors from nearby areas and abroad, with some collecting the water for ritual use or prayers, while others have come out of curiosity. Local residents have urged the public to use discretion and respect the temple grounds.

Measurements taken at the site showed the pit to be about 1.6 metres deep, while the filled earth beneath it rises roughly 12 metres above the original ground level, adding to questions about the water’s source. At times, the water has overflowed the pit.

Visitors continue to bring flowers, incense and candles to the temple. Some have also sought lucky numbers from the site, with the number 634 drawing particular attention among worshippers.

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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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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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.

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