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How to Choose the Right Wagyu Beef Supplier in Thailand

When you think of premium meats, few cuts command the same respect as Wagyu beef. Known for its exceptional marbling, tenderness, and flavour, Wagyu has become a popular choice for restaurants, hotels, and gourmet grocers across Thailand and the world. But thanks to increasing demand, there is now a growing number of suppliers, making choosing the right one more critical than ever. If you’re in the food business and sourcing Wagyu is part of your supply chain, knowing what to look for in wagyu beef suppliers in Thailand can make all the difference to your product quality, customer satisfaction, and bottom line.

  1. Traceability and Origin

One of the first things to ask your supplier is where the Wagyu beef is coming from. Authentic Wagyu typically originates from Japan, but there are also high-quality Wagyu-style cattle raised in Australia, the US, and locally in Thailand. The best wagyu beef suppliers in Thailand will be transparent about the breed, lineage, and rearing methods used. Look for suppliers who can provide certificates of origin, grading information, and details about how the cattle are fed and raised.

  1. Quality Grading and Consistency

Wagyu beef is graded based on marbling, meat colour, texture, and fat quality. In Japan, the grading system ranges from A1 to A5, with A5 being the highest. While grading standards may differ slightly when imported into the country, top-tier wagyu beef suppliers in Thailand will still work with cuts that meet premium quality benchmarks. More importantly, they should offer consistency, providing the same high standard of meat every time, not just a one-off.

  1. Range of Cuts Available

A reliable supplier should offer a variety of Wagyu beef cuts to suit different needs. Selections should include ribeyes, striploins, brisket, and burger patties to provide restaurants and catering services with multiple options for diversifying their menus. For example, if you run a steakhouse, you’ll likely need top-grade steaks; for Japanese or Korean cuisine, thinner cuts or shabu slices might be your go-to. A good supplier understands these differences and stocks accordingly.

  1. Supply Capabilities and Delivery Reliability

In the business world, timing is everything. Your Wagyu supplier must be able to meet your volume requirements without delays. This is especially important for high-end restaurants or hotels that cannot afford last-minute changes to their menus. Reliable delivery, proper cold-chain logistics, and stock availability should all be part of the service offering.

  1. Food Safety Standards

Safety cannot be compromised with meat products. Always check that the supplier operates under strict hygiene protocols and adheres to local and international food safety standards. Reputable companies will often have certifications such as HACCP, ISO, or GMP, which demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety at every stage, from sourcing to packaging and delivery.

  1. Customer Support and Industry Knowledge

Suppliers who truly understand Wagyu beef will also guide you on how to store it, cook it, and even position it on your menu. Having access to knowledgeable account managers or support staff can be a major bonus. This is particularly useful for businesses new to Wagyu or experimenting with premium meat offerings for the first time.

Why Food Project is a Supplier You Can Trust

If you’re looking for a dependable wagyu beef supplier in Thailand, consider Food Project. As one of Thailand’s leading produce and protein suppliers, they offer premium-grade Wagyu beef alongside a wide range of fresh and frozen products. With strong relationships with trusted farms and years of experience supplying to restaurants, hotels, and food service providers, Food Project understands exactly what B2B buyers need – consistency, quality, and reliable service.

Their transparent sourcing practices, excellent product range, and professional support make them a top choice among wagyu beef suppliers in Thailand.

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Why Affordable Hotels Beat Hostels in Phuket Town

Planning a budget trip to Phuket? Choosing the right place to stay can make or break your holiday. Phuket Town, for instance, is a popular choice for many budget travelers because of its rich history, busy markets, and fantastic dining scene. Here you will find a wide range of lodging options, notably affordable hotels and hostels. While hostels appeal to budget-conscious travelers, affordable hotels in Phuket Town can be a better choice with its mix of comfort, privacy, and value. Let’s break it down.

Privacy Matters  

Let’s be real. After a long day exploring the colorful streets, quirky cafés, and weekend markets of Phuket Town, the last thing you want is to come back to a room full of strangers. Snoring strangers, at that. Hostels are great if you’re all about socializing 24/7, but if you value your sleep and your sanity, a private room wins every time.

An affordable hotel in Phuket Town gives you your own space, your own bathroom, and your own air conditioner that you can blast guilt-free. Plus, you can unwind in peace without worrying about someone rifling through your backpack in the middle of the night.

Hotels Come with the Goodies

Hostels usually stick to the basics — maybe a bed, Wi-Fi if you’re lucky, and a shared kitchen. Meanwhile, affordable hotels often throw in way more perks such as swimming pools, gyms, room service, and even cute little toiletries that you can always take back home!

Even on a budget, staying at an affordable hotel in Phuket Town can mean enjoying extra comforts that make a big difference, especially if you’re sticking around for more than a couple of days.

Better Locations, Better Vibes

Both hostels and hotels can be centrally located, but some hostels can feel a bit hidden or cramped. Affordable hotels tend to land prime spots close to everything you want to see: Old Phuket Town, Central Floresta Mall, and even those famous local markets.

Staying at a well-located hotel means less time stressing about taxis and tuk-tuks, and more time living your best island life.

Is It Worth It? 100% Yes.

Sure, you might spend a little bit more at a hotel compared to a hostel. But the added comfort, security, and amenities are 100% worth it. And honestly, the price difference isn’t as huge as you’d think, especially when you find a seriously good affordable hotel in Phuket Town that offers incredible value.

Stay at Recenta Style Phuket Town

If you’re hunting for that sweet spot between budget and boutique, check out this affordable hotel in Phuket Town – Recenta Style Phuket Town. This stylish, wallet-friendly hotel nails the balance between comfort and price. You’ll get a comfy, modern room, access to a pool, a fitness center to burn off all the pad thai, and super-fast Wi-Fi. Plus, it’s in a prime location that makes getting around a breeze, and you will have easy access to Phuket Old Town’s magic at any time of the day.

It’s proof that you don’t have to splurge to stay somewhere clean, safe, and convenient. Contact them today to book your stay and get the best deals.

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Met Gala Pays Tribute to Black Fashion and Designers

Kim Kardashian attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Fashion’s biggest night got underway Monday at the Met Gala in a rainy Manhattan.

This is the first Met Gala to focus exclusively on Black designers, and the first in more than 20 years to have a menswear theme. This year’s theme is based on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring exhibit, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

Among the hosts are Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo and A$AP Rocky. LeBron James was made honorary chair but will not attend because of a knee injury.

The guest list includes about 450 people from tech, sports, art, entertainment and more.

Vogue’s Anna Wintour is the gala’s mastermind. The gala raises the bulk of the budget for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

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Anna Wintour attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Rain fell in the city as guests began walking the carpet but Rihanna shut down a rainy Met Gala in a pinstripe look and a huge hat, her newly announced baby bump on display after announcing her pregnancy with baby No. 3 earlier in the day.

Her Marc Jacobs look included tied sleeves of a men’s suit that served as a bustle behind her as she posed for the cameras, the last to walk the carpet as usual. Her hair hung long in a mermaid twist behind her.

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Rihanna attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Men’s suiting and tailoring was the evening’s theme. It came complete with a tuxedoed choir and lots of women rocking pinstripes and other men’s detailing. Emma Chamberlain, Zendaya, Teyana Taylor and many other women went with traditional men’s detailing.

Chamberlain and Zuri Hall were among those who wore sleek, sexy gowns that play on men’s suiting in pinstripes as they walked up the grand steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Zendaya, a co-host last year, wore a perfectly tailored white trouser suit with a matching wide-brim hat from Louis Vuitton.

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Zendaya attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

The menswear vibe for women was frequent and expected, “women wanting to maintain a traditionally feminine dress silhouette while still respecting the theme,” said William Dingle, director of style for blackmenswear.com, a cultural impact agency that focuses on uplifting Black men.

Alicia Keys and her husband, Swizz Beatz, leaned WAY in on the pinstripes in red. She rocked a head of bejeweled braids. He rocked a do-rag.

Doja Cat, always fearless when it comes to fashion, donned a Marc Jacobs bodysuit look with orange and black wildcat detailing and broad-shouldered pinstripes. Taylor went for a stunning Zoot Suit look with a red, feather-adorned top hat and a huge matching cape dripping with flowers and bling. She collaborated with famed costumer designer Ruth E. Carter.

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Lewis Hamilton attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

The Zoot was popularized in Harlem in the 1940s.

Madonna, “no stranger to gender-bending fashion,” Dingle said, showed up in a monochrome taupe tuxedo clutching a cigar. It was Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann, the designer who took over when Ford stepped aside.

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Madonna attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Kylie Jenner, in Ferragamo, mimicked men’s tailoring in a gray and black corseted look, while sister Kim Kardashian went embossed black leather dandy, vamping under a tall black hat. Her custom look was by Chrome Hearts. It was low slung and open at the hip with broad straps at the back.

Sister Kendall Jenner was in an elegant skirt and jacket, the most subdued of the three. The designer was the British-Nigerian-Brazilian designer Torishéju Dumi.

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Helen Lasichanh, left, and Pharrell Williams attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

‘White Lotus’ stars arrive on the carpet

Several cast members from the recently wrapped Season 3 of “The White Lotus” turned out on the blue carpet, including Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Lisa.

Goggins and Lisa walked separately, but Wood and Schwarzenegger spoke to Vogue before walking the carpet together.

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LISA attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan makes his Met Gala debut

Shah Rukh Khan is a Bollywood megastar, with legions of fans the world over. At 59, with decades of fame under his belt, he’s finally making his Met Gala debut — in Sabyasachi.

Bollywood celebrities aren’t strangers to the Met Gala, but it’s rarer for a male actor to appear. In recent years, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone and crossover star Priyanka Chopra Jonas have represented the Hindi film industry at the annual fundraiser.

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Shah Rukh Khan attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

“I’ve not done too many red carpets, I’m very shy,” Khan, toting a cane and necklace with a large K, told Vogue. He credited his attendance to Sabyasachi, and said he informed the designer he only wore black and white.

“Just to give you a little bit of context, Shah Rukh Khan is probably one of most famous men in the world,” the designer, who sported a literal feather in his cap, said. “And his fan following is legendary, and we nearly had a stampede outside of our hotel when he came out.”

Diana Ross arrives in a massive train

Allow Diana Ross to collect her flowers. The Motown icon arrived in a massive ivory train as a starstruck Zendaya — and everyone else — looked on. In some ways, it recalled the memorable yellow train wore by Rihanna a decade ago — the Guo Pei couture gown that lit up the internet at the 2015 Met Gala.

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Diana Ross attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Ross had six men helping her with her train at the top of the Met steps. She fanned herself from the heat as they helped her remove her long feathered train. She said the dress was vintage and she’d had it forever.

The inside of the train, she told Vogue, had the names of “all my children and my eight grandchildren” embroidered in it.

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Seven Russian Tourists Sickened by Wild Fruits in Surat Thani

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The wild fruit which Phanom district public health officials identified as 'Phol Sam Klur,' belonging to the Diospyros family, is the fruit that Russian tourists ate and fell ill from on May 5, 2025.

SURAT THANI — Three of seven Russian tourists had to be admitted to Surat Thani’s hospitals after eating wild fruits, which belong to genus Diospyros, in the Khao Na Luang Dharma Park area in Ton Yuan subdistrict, Phanom district, Surat Thani province on Monday.

The Takhunphanom Rescue Center in Phanom district received a report at 1:30 p.m. on May 5 about a group of foreign tourists (5 women, 2 men) who ate wild fruits in the Khao Na Luang Dharma Park. The tourists showed symptoms of intoxication, chest tightness, vomiting, and drowsiness, but remained conscious.

Initially, rescue personnel transported five patients with moderate symptoms, lethargy, and foaming at the mouth to two hospitals, while two who had mild symptoms declined hospital treatment. Doctors and nurses provided stomach pumping (laxatives) and symptom treatment while consulting with the Poison Center at Mahidol University.

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The wild fruit which Phanom district public health officials identified as ‘Phol Sam Klur,’ belonging to the Diospyros family, is the fruit that Russian tourists ate and fell ill from on May 5, 2025.

Later, Miss Spirina, aged 45, and Miss Sierova, aged 50, who had initially shown mild symptoms of chest tightness and severe vomiting, had to be admitted to the hospital. The other two tourists with mild symptoms were able to return to their accommodations.

Another patient, Mrs. Natalia, aged 42, who experienced chest tightness and severe vomiting, remained under observation at Ban Takhun Hospital.

Initial investigation revealed that all the foreign tourists were Russian nationals who had traveled in a chartered vehicle from Phuket province and stopped to visit the Khao Na Luang Dharma Park, where they found and ate wild fruits, after which they experienced dizziness and vomiting.

Later, Phanom district public health officials identified the suspicious fruit as “Phol Sam Klur” (Three Friends Fruit), which belongs to genus Diospyros (of the Ebenaceae family) that may cause toxic symptoms if consumed fresh without proper preparation.

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Khao Na Luang Dharma Park (Photo: TAT)

Khao Na Luang Dharma Park is better known among Thai people than foreign tourists, as it is a Buddhist monastery and features Buddhist architecture, including the floating pagoda of Phra Phutthasilawadi. It was constructed with laterite from Kamphaeng Phet and sits atop a limestone mountain nearly 300 meters above ground level. The park is also famous for its beautiful mountain scenery and peaceful, cool atmosphere.

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Bangkok Quick Arrest in Turkish Tourist Phone Snatching

CCTV footage reveals the suspect fleeing on a motorcycle after snatching property from a Turkish tourist on the road in front of Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Bangkok, on May 4, 2025.

BANGKOKThai police have arrested a 26-year-old Thai man for snatching a mobile phone from a Turkish tourist who had just asked him for directions near Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok.

The tourist, 33-year-old Mr. Deniz, filed a police report around 5:00 p.m. on May 4, claiming his phone was stolen in central Bangkok by a motorcyclist near Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

After reviewing CCTV footage and investigating the scene, police identified a suspect who had fled to a hotel room in the Hua Lamphong area of Pathumwan district, not far from where the incident occurred.

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Turkish tourist identifies the suspect who snatched his phone at Pathumwan Police Station, Bangkok, on May 5, 2025.

On May 5, police officers went to investigate the hotel where the suspect was staying. Upon arrival, they found a Honda Sonic motorcycle with Yasothon province license plates parked in front of the hotel, matching the suspect’s vehicle. Officers then went to the suspect’s room and found him wearing clothes that matched those of the person who had snatched the Turkish man’s property.

Police arrested 26-year-old Sarun, who confessed to stealing the victim’s property. He admitted to taking advantage of the moment after the foreigner had asked for directions. Sarun then sold the stolen phone at a shop on Suea Pa Road for 600 baht.

Police took Sarun to the investigation room at Pathumwan Police Station and invited Mr. Deniz to identify the suspect. Sarun was charged with theft and robbery, offenses that carry penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines of up to 100,000 baht. Meanwhile, officers are working to recover the phone to return it to the Turkish tourist.

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Trump Threatens a 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Films

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after disembarking Marine One upon arrival on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is opening a new salvo in his tariff war, targeting films made outside the U.S.

In a post Sunday night on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he has authorized the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to slap a 100% tariff “on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.”

“The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” he wrote, complaining that other countries “are offering all sorts of incentives to draw” filmmakers and studios away from the U.S. “This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”

It wasn’t immediately clear how any such tariff on international productions could be implemented. It’s common for both large and small films to include production in the U.S. and in other countries. Big-budget movies like the upcoming “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” for instance, are shot around the world.

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Sunset casts a pink glow over the Los Angeles skyline as seen from behind the famous Hollywood sign Wednesday evening, March 8, 2023.   (AP Photo/J. David Ake)

Incentive programs for years have influenced where movies are shot, increasingly driving film production out of California and to other states and countries with favorable tax incentives, like Canada and the United Kingdom.

Yet Trump’s tariffs are designed to lead consumers toward American products. And in movie theaters, American-produced movies overwhelming dominate the domestic marketplace.

China has ramped up its domestic movie production, culminating in the animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” grossing more than $2 billion this year. But even then, its sales came almost entirely from mainland China. In North America, it earned just $20.9 million.

In New Zealand, where successive governments have offered rebates and incentives in recent years to draw Hollywood films to the country, the film industry has generated billions of dollars in tourism revenue driven by the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” films, which featured the country’s pristine and scenic vistas. More recently, the blockbuster “Minecraft” movie was filmed entirely in New Zealand, and U.S. productions in 2023 delivered $1.3 billion New Zealand dollars ($777 million) to the country in return for NZ$200 million in subsidies, according to government figures.

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In this Oct. 26, 2012, file photo, some of the costumes, props and memorabilia created for the “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” movies are displayed in a mini-museum at Weta Cave in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Nick Perry / AP

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was awaiting more details of Trump’s measures before commenting on them but would continue to pitch to filmmakers abroad, including in India’s Bollywood. “We’ve got an absolutely world class industry,” he said. “This is the best place to make movies, period, in the world.”

The Motion Picture Association, which represents major U.S. film studios and streaming services, didn’t immediately respond to messages Sunday evening.

The MPA’s data shows how much Hollywood exports have dominated cinemas. According to the MPA, the American movies produced $22.6 billion in exports and $15.3 billion in trade surplus in 2023.

Trump, a Republican, has made good on the “tariff man” label he gave himself years ago, slapping new taxes on goods made in countries around the globe. That includes a 145% tariff on Chinese goods and a 10% baseline tariff on goods from other countries, with even higher levies threatened.

By unilaterally imposing tariffs, Trump has exerted extraordinary influence over the flow of commerce, creating political risks and pulling the market in different directions. There are tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, with more imports, including pharmaceutical drugs, set to be subject to new tariffs in the weeks ahead.

Trump has long voiced concern about movie production moving overseas.

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President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Shortly before he took office, he announced that he had tapped actors Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone to serve as “special ambassadors” to Hollywood to bring it “BACK — BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!”

U.S. film and television production has been hampered in recent years, with setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Overall production in the U.S. was down 26% last year compared with 2021, according to data from ProdPro, which tracks production.

The group’s annual survey of executives, which asked about preferred filming locations, found no location in the U.S. made the top five, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Toronto, the U.K., Vancouver, Central Europe and Australia came out on top, with California placing sixth, Georgia seventh, New Jersey eighth and New York ninth.

The problem is especially acute in California. In the greater Los Angeles area, production last year was down 5.6% from 2023 according to FilmLA, second only to 2020, during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. Last, October, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, proposed expanding California’s Film & Television Tax Credit program to $750 million annually, up from $330 million.

Other U.S. cities like Atlanta, New York, Chicago and San Francisco have also used aggressive tax incentives to lure film and TV productions. Those programs can take the form of cash grants, as in Texas, or tax credits, which Georgia and New Mexico offer.

“Other nations have been stealing the movie-making capabilities from the United States,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Sunday night after returning from a weekend in Florida. “If they’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States we should have a tariff on movies that come in.”

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Police Issue Summons To Ukrainian Woman Over Phuket Condo Damage

The damaged interior of a rental room in a condominium in Wichit sub-district, Mueang district, Phuket province, as shared on the Facebook page of Praphaphan Meesomboon

PHUKETAuthorities in Phuket have issued a first summons to a Ukrainian national accused of vandalizing a rental condominium owned by a Thai citizen, according to local police.

Police Colonel Somsak Thongkliang, Superintendent of Wichit Police Station, confirmed that investigators are seeking to question the woman, who allegedly damaged property inside the condominium unit located in Wichit Subdistrict. The suspect is reportedly a friend of the tenant who was renting the property.

“The suspect has failed to respond to our initial summons,” Colonel Thongkliang stated. “We will issue a second summons shortly, and if she fails to appear again, we will request a court-approved arrest warrant.”

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The damaged interior of a rental room in a condominium in Wichit sub-district, Mueang district, Phuket province, as shared on the Facebook page of Praphaphan Meesomboon

Police investigations have determined that the Ukrainian woman remains in Phuket and has not left Thailand. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as they pursue legal action in the property damage case.

The incident comes amid growing concerns about property damage in tourist accommodation across the island province, which relies heavily on its rental and hospitality sectors.

Meanwhile, the condo room owner has clarified the situation after being misunderstood by internet users who believed she had refused to return the 32,000 baht ($965) deposit to the tenant, allegedly causing the Ukrainian woman to damage the rental property in retaliation.

 

The owner explained that the 32,000 baht was a security deposit against damage, and she had no intention of withholding it. However, returning the deposit required following proper procedures outlined in the contract between both parties’ agents. She could not return the deposit immediately for several reasons:

  1. The rental agreement clearly stated that the deposit would be returned within 14 days after deducting expenses, and she was prepared to return it immediately if everything was in order.
  2. She would only transfer money to the account of the person who signed the contract, regardless of which country the account was in. However, the QR code sent by the agency was not in the name of the contract holder.
  3. Before the tenant vacated the property, the owner’s agent requested a video call to inspect the condition of the room, but the tenant was unable to comply, preventing the owner from assessing the room’s condition.
  4. Upon verification, it was discovered that the contract holder was Russian, not the Ukrainian woman claiming the refund, who had not been registered as a co-occupant during the rental period.
  5. The tenant had outstanding charges including water, electricity, and other items, yet demanded a full refund.

“I couldn’t return the 32,000 baht deposit to someone who wasn’t on the contract,” the owner stated. “Would you return money to someone you don’t know? I want authorities to bring in the tenant for questioning quickly so the public can learn the truth. I’ve become a victim in the public eye, even though I’ve done nothing wrong, while my property has been damaged,” she said.

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Previous report: Ukrainian Woman Wanted After Trashing Phuket Condo Interior 

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Tourist Slaps Driver, Rams Van in Phuket Road Rage

Screenshot from video clip showing a foreign man getting out of his car to confront and slap the driver of the vehicle behind him on Phuket's road on May 4, 2025.

PHUKET — In a road rage incident in Phuket, Thailand, a foreign tourist was captured on video physically assaulting another driver and deliberately reversing into a passenger van.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, May 4, has prompted police to launch an investigation.

According to police reports, 47-year-old Wisit, a passenger van driver, filed a complaint at Patong Police Station after his vehicle was struck by a foreign tourist driving a Toyota Yaris with Satun province license plates.

 

Wisit stated that while he was driving from Kathu to Patong district, the foreign tourist, described as a white man, aggressively overtook his van on Phisit Karani Road and suddenly braked in front of him. Despite managing to avoid a collision, the tourist repeated this dangerous maneuver multiple times.

The situation escalated when both vehicles stopped at a traffic light near Patong Hospital. The tourist unexpectedly reversed his car, colliding with Wisit’s van before fleeing the scene. Wisit attempted to signal the driver to stop but was unsuccessful.

Social media footage later emerged showing the same foreign tourist exiting his vehicle to confront and slap another driver who was stopped behind him on Phra Barami Road in Patong. The video also captured the tourist hurling verbal abuse at drivers in opposing lanes.

Patong police are currently working to locate and apprehend the foreign suspect to face legal charges for the multiple incidents.

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PM: Entertainment Complex Will End Thailand Tourism “Low Season”

Visitors walk beneath the “Supertrees” during a light and sound show at Gardens By The Bay in Singapore, Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

BANGKOK — PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra defended her government’s controversial entertainment complex initiative during a recent NBT television broadcast, positioning it as a strategic “man-made destination” that would revolutionize Thailand’s tourism sector.

Speaking on the “Thailand Opportunity with Prime Minister Paetongtarn” program on the government’s NBT television station on May 4, the Prime Minister emphasized that the entertainment complex would not use government funds or taxpayer money. Instead, it would rely on private sector investment: “Foreign investment coming in and taxes collected from casino patrons will allow the government to collect additional tax revenue, and this money will circulate in the economy.”

Paetongtarn emphasized that the complex would follow Singapore’s successful model, stressing that it should be understood as more than just a casino development. The Prime Minister outlined plans for a comprehensive facility featuring event spaces, concert venues, and hotels alongside regulated gaming areas.

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Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks on her program on the government’s NBT television station on May 4, 2025.

“We’ll implement responsible gambling with strict protocols and oversight,” she explained. “This isn’t about someone walking in hoping to win 30 million baht and walking out. The system will include thorough background checks, identity verification, criminal record screening, and financial assessment.”

The Prime Minister defended the project against critics: “Political opponents have mischaracterized this initiative, creating fears about rampant vice activities that simply aren’t accurate. Leading nations including Singapore, the United States, Japan, and the UAE have all recognized the necessity of developing man-made attractions. Thailand shouldn’t miss this opportunity and find itself lagging behind again.”

She mentioned that many Thais would likely attend the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, which is being built on a new island. After the Expo concludes, the area will be converted into an entertainment complex—a man-made destination that will emerge in Japan by 2030.

“When we see these developments abroad and wonder when our country will have something similar, this is our opportunity—something we will create. This will generate employment for Thai people, and Thailand’s tourism industry will no longer have a ‘low season,'” the Prime Minister stated.

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The Grand Ring is seen on Friday April 11, 2025 prior to the opening day of Osaka Expo 2025 in Osaka, western Japan. (Kyodo News via AP)

On May 2, Prime Minister Paetongtarn called a meeting with the Minister of Tourism and Sports and executives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to monitor the tourism situation, as numbers have fallen short of targets. There are concerns about declining foreign tourist arrivals, particularly from China.

The Prime Minister noted that external factors such as the global economy, internal factors including rumors affecting Chinese tourist numbers, and earthquake incidents all present challenges that the government must address with appropriate measures.

As the current quarter enters the low season, the government needs short-term measures to stimulate tourism, such as campaigns and promotions. For the long term, developing “man-made destinations” is essential, with the entertainment complex being a key policy initiative.

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Not All Those Charged Under the Lese Majeste Law Are Created Equal

Thailand-based American scholar Paul Chambers (Associated Press)

It is highly likely that pressure both domestically and especially internationally was a significant factor leading to the Attorney General’s decision not to indict Thailand-based American scholar Paul Chambers under lese majeste law (and the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision to allow the removal of the EM anklet), this week. All in all, Chambers was detained for one night.

Over the past few weeks, there have been movements by foreign academics calling for the royal defamation charges against Chambers to be dropped. Opposition politicians warned that it would affect tariffs negotiations with the US if it wasn’t quickly stopped and asked who would be responsible if massive economic damage occurred as a result.

A Thailand-based Japanese academic Katsuyuki Takahashi held solo protests in front of the Thai Parliament and yesterday at the Immigration Office in Phitsanulok province. An American academic in Japan initiated an online petition. A famous French cartoonist in Thailand, Stephff, who had drawn for both The Nation and Bangkok Post newspapers, took notice and acted, the US Embassy was active behind the scenes, etc.

I can’t help but wonder, if Chambers wasn’t a US citizen and a relatively well-known academic, and Thailand not in the process of a crucial tariffs negotiation with the US, what would Chambers’ predicament be today?

Although, as far as I know, I can attest that Dr Paul Chambers is definitely not the type to boast his status around, the reality is that there are several specific factors that inherently create different classes of people facing the draconian lese majeste law.

Thai people facing this charge often encounter a much harsher fate. Some never even receive any attention from mainstream mass media, and those who do consistently are mostly prominent protest leaders such as Arnon Nampa.

Nevertheless, Anon has been imprisoned for over a year and has not yet been granted bail. Still, Arnon may have a better fate than others facing the wrath of the anachronistic lese majeste law, which is also known as Article 112 of the Criminal Code as the general public may not have even heard about majority of those charged and detained under the law.

To be fair to Anon, Anon or his representatives have used his popular Facebook page to demand the rights of both lesser known, or unknown figures, as well as prominent ones such as Chambers. Just a few days ago, Arnon FB page posted a plea for financial assistance to refill the near-empty donation box to by special food for lese majeste and political prisoners and to support for the families of those imprisoned facing financial hardship.

But the reality is that even among those accused of violating Article 112, charged under Article 112, prosecuted under Article 112, imprisoned under the lese majeste law, and fled into exile, there is an inherent class division based on various factors. These factors include the person’s reputation before the legal prosecution started, their nationality, their social and political connections, their level of education, etc.

And even in the case of Chambers, Naresuan University has this week announced the termination of Chambers’ employment contract, effective May 9, even though the prosecutor had decided not to indict him. Also, his passport has not yet been returned by the Immigration Bureau.

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