Kriangkrai Intachan, lawyer for celebrity businesswoman Wassana "May" Inthasang, displays the Richard Mille watch received from actress Arisara "Dew" Thongborisut's lawyer at Thonglor Police Station, Bangkok, on March 22, 2025.
BANGKOK — Actress Arisara “Dew” Thongborisut’s lawyer delivered a luxury Richard Mille watch to celebrity businesswoman Wassana “May” Inthasang’s attorney on March 22 at Bangkok’s Thonglor Police Station, continuing the return of valuable items in a scandal that has captivated Thai social media.
The watch is the latest in a series of high-value assets being returned after May publicly announced she was searching for items she discovered had been secretly pawned and sold by Dew, who had received them as collateral. The total value of the items in question is approximately 62 million baht ($1.83 million).
May’s lawyer revealed that the returned watch, which May had purchased for 13 million baht ($385,300), will undergo authentication by experts first, as it has unique characteristics unlike other models.
Nitisak Meekhuat, lawyer for actress Arisara “Dew” Thongborisut, returns a RICHARD MILLE watch to businesswoman Wassana “May” Inthasang through her attorney Kriangkrai Intachan at Thonglor Police Station, Bangkok, on March 22, 2025.
According to Dew’s lawyer, the watch had been pawned for just 3 million baht ($89,000). The pawnbroker reportedly did not charge interest due to understanding Dew’s financial situation and her willingness to take responsibility through the legal process. Monthly installment payments have been arranged.
Among May’s high-profile possessions in this case is a Lotus Arts De Vivre Zambian Emerald & Diamond collection necklace valued at 26,440,000 baht ($784,000), which reportedly ended up with a minister whose name begins with “P.” This necklace was returned to May through the “Hone Krasae” television program on Channel 3 on March 20, before the identity of the minister could be confirmed.
Thai actress Arisara “Dew” Thongborisut (left) returns a RICHARD MILLE watch to businesswoman Wassana “May” Inthasang through their attorneys at Thonglor Police Station, Bangkok, on March 22, 2025.
Dew’s lawyer stated that three items remain to be returned: two bags and a Bvlgari necklace. The coordination process is underway, with preliminary discussions and contracts already exchanged. The lawyer emphasized that Dew intends to return all items while taking responsibility for her debts, insisting his client never meant to embezzle the property but made a “lifestyle mistake.”
On March 21, Dew posted a message on social media taking full responsibility and promising to resolve everything. She also requested fairness regarding untrue allegations and asked media outlets not to involve her Taiwanese husband or their two children in the controversy.
Thai immigration police arrest a Chinese man with two names, who is wanted for a massive embezzlement case involving $310 million in China, at Bangkok's luxurious hotel on March 21, 2025.
BANGKOK — Thai immigration police have apprehended a Chinese national wanted for a massive embezzlement case involving 2.4 billion yuan (approximately $310 million) who had been hiding in central Bangkok under a false identity.
Police Major General Prachya Prasansuk, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, revealed details of the arrest on March 22. Acting on intelligence reports about a Chinese national named Zhang Wei (alias) who had potentially violated immigration laws, officers utilized biometric database verification to investigate.
The biometric system flagged significant facial similarities between Zhang Wei and another individual identified as Du Nan, who held Vanuatu citizenship—a small island nation in Oceania. Investigators concluded they were the same person and began monitoring both accommodation registrations and visa extension applications.
Thai immigration police arrest a Chinese man with two names, who is wanted for a massive embezzlement case involving $310 million, in Bangkok on March 21, 2025.
On March 12, when Du Nan’s authorized stay expired without any extension request, authorities detected movement at a luxury hotel in the Ratchaprasong area. Officers staked out the hotel lobby and elevator area, but the suspect avoided detection by ordering room service rather than coming downstairs.
The breakthrough came on Friday, March 21, around 2:30 PM when Du Nan finally appeared in the lobby. When approached by officers who requested to see his passport, he denied being Chinese and claimed his passport was lost, showing only a photo of a Vanuatu passport with an expired 60-day tourist visa. He was initially detained for overstaying his visa.
Further investigation in coordination with international law enforcement agencies confirmed that Du Nan, operating under the name Zhang Wei, was involved in embezzling funds from a prominent construction company in Shandong Province in northeastern China, with damages totaling 2.4 billion yuan (approximately 11 billion baht). The case has been forwarded to relevant authorities for further legal proceedings.
Police Major General Prachya emphasized that the biometric system was instrumental in the successful arrest, along with crucial tips received through mandatory foreign resident registration regulations. He reminded the public about the importance of reporting foreign residents to immigration authorities as required by law.
The wreckage of the BMW still lodged on top of a pickup truck, with its front end stuck against the Siam Chai shop in Rawai, Chalong District, Phuket on March 22, 2025.
PHUKET — At 4:00 AM today, Police Lieutenant Colonel Prasit Rahob, Deputy Superintendent of Chalong Police Station in Phuket, received a report of a BMW car accident with property damage in front of Siam Chai shop, opposite Suk San 1 alley on Wiset Road in Rawai.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a BMW KI7600 sDive Limousine PHD with Phuket license plates. The driver was identified as Mr. Moritz, a 24-year-old German national, accompanied by his passenger, Mr. Anton, also 24 and German. Both sustained minor injuries and were transported to Chalong Hospital by rescue personnel.
Two German men climb out of a BMW (left) after the car crashed into the front of Siam Chai shop and pickup trucks parked in front of the store, before police ordered a tow truck to take the vehicle to Chalong Police Station, Phuket on March 22, 2025.
At the accident site, two damaged Isuzu D-MAX pickup trucks belonging to Siam Chai company were found. Additional property damage included a large directional sign and various shop signs belonging to Siam Chai.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the German driver was traveling at high speed from Suk San 1 alley, a shortcut from Kata-Karon Beach. The driver lost control of the blue BMW, launching over the road median, clearing roadside barriers, and striking a streetlight pole before crashing into the front of Siam Chai shop and hitting the two parked pickup trucks. Fortunately, there was no oncoming traffic at the time of the accident.
Chalong police officers took the German driver to the police station for alcohol testing. He will face charges of reckless driving and will be required to compensate Siam Chai for damages.
Two pickup trucks belonging to Siam Chai furniture store, severely damaged after being hit by a BMW in the early morning of March 22, 2025.
FILE - Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman tells a story to the audience at the Sports Illustrated Legacy Awards, Oct. 1, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
George Foreman, the fearsome heavyweight who lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” to Muhammad Ali before his inspiring second act as a 45-year-old world champion and a successful businessman, died Friday night. He was 76.
“A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father and a proud grand- and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility and purpose,” his family wrote. “A humanitarian, an Olympian and two-time heavyweight champion of the world, he was deeply respected. A force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family.”
A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt in one of the greatest fights ever staged.
FILE – Perspiration flies from the head of George Foreman as he takes a right from challenger Muhammad Ali in the seventh round in the match dubbed Rumble in the Jungle in Kinshasa, Zaire, Oct. 30, 1974. (AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky, File)
Foreman left the sport a few years later, but returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening.
The 45-year-old then pulled off one of the most spectacular knockouts in boxing history in 1994, flooring Michael Moorer — 19 years his junior — with one perfect combination to claim Moorer’s two heavyweight belts.
Foreman’s transformation into an inspirational figure was complete, and he fought only four more times before moving onto his next career as a genial businessman, pitchman and occasional actor.
He was best known as the face of the George Foreman Grill, which launched in the same year as his victory over Moorer. The simple cooking machine sold more than 100 million units and made him much wealthier than his sport ever did.
“George was a great friend to not only myself, but to my entire family,” Top Rank president Bob Arum said. “We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.”
In the first chapter of his boxing career, Foreman was nothing like the smiling grandfather who hawked his grills on television to great success.
FILE – George Foreman yells, Oct. 15, 1974, in N’Sele, Kinshasa, Zaire. (AP Photo/Horst Faas, File)
Foreman dabbled in petty crime while growing up in Houston’s Fifth Ward, but changed his life through boxing. He made the U.S. Olympic team in 1968 and won gold in Mexico City as a teenager, stopping a 29-year-old opponent in a star-making performance.
Foreman rose to the pinnacle of the pro game over the next five years, but was also perceived as an aloof, unfriendly athlete, both through his demeanor and through the skewed racial lenses of the time.
Jim Lampley, the veteran boxing broadcaster who worked alongside Foreman for many years at HBO, told The Associated Press on Friday night that Foreman’s initial demeanor was an attempt by his camp to emulate Sonny Liston, the glowering heavyweight champ of the 1960s.
“At some point somewhere along the way, he realized that wasn’t him,” Lampley said.
Foreman stopped Frazier in an upset in Jamaica in January 1973 to win the belt, with his knockout inspiring Howard Cosell’s iconic call: “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!”
Foreman defended his belt against Ken Norton before accepting the fight with Ali in the now-immortal bout staged in Africa by promoter Don King. Ali put on a tactical masterclass against Foreman, showing off the “rope-a-dope” strategy that frustrated and infuriated the champion. Foreman was eventually knocked down for the first time in his career, and the fight was stopped in the eighth round.
Foreman told the BBC in 2014 that he took the fight almost out of charity to Ali, who he suspected to be broke.
“I said I was going to go out there and kill him, and people said, ‘Please, don’t say you’re going to kill Muhammad,’” Foreman said. “So I said, ‘OK, I’ll just beat him down to the ground.’ That’s how easy I thought the fight would be.”
Exhausted and disillusioned, Foreman stopped fighting in 1977 and largely spent the next decade preaching and working with kids in Houston after his religious awakening. He returned to boxing in 1987 in his late 30s with a plan to defy time through frequent ring appearances, and he racked up a lengthy series of victories before losing to Evander Holyfield in a surprisingly competitive title fight in 1991.
Three years later, Foreman got in the ring with Moorer in Las Vegas, more for his celebrity than for his perceived ability to beat Moorer. The champion appeared to win the first nine rounds rather comfortably, with Foreman unable to land his slower punches. But Foreman came alive in the 10th, hurting Moorer before slipping in the short right hand that sent Moorer to the canvas in spectacular fashion.
Lampley, who was calling the fight, named his upcoming autobiography — which includes a prologue about Foreman — after his famous call of that moment: “It Happened!”
Foreman quit the ring for good in 1997, although he occasionally discussed a comeback. He settled into a life as a boxing analyst for HBO and as a pitchman for the grills that grew his fame and fortune. Much of the world soon knew Foreman as both a lovable friend and a ferocious fighter.
“He started performing as this pitchman, this product pitchman with the big, ever-present giant grin on his face,” Lampley recalled. “When I was working with him, people would say, ‘George is a big clown.’ And I would say, ‘Well, you can call him a clown, but he’s actually a genius. He may be the greatest genius I’ve ever met.’ And people would say, ‘Well, genius, what do you mean?’ I’d say, ‘Well, check the bank account. If that isn’t proof enough, I don’t know what is.’ So, he was a genius. He was a human genius.”
Foreman briefly starred in a sitcom called “George” in the 1990s, and he even appeared on the reality singing competition “The Masked Singer” in 2022. A biographical movie based on his life was released in 2023.
Foreman had 12 children, including five sons who are all famously named George Edward Foreman.
“Legendary boxing champion, life-changing preacher, husband, father, grand- and great-grandfather and the best friend you could have,” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman wrote on social media. “His memory is now eternal, may Big George rest in peace.”
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AP Sports Writer Brian Mahoney contributed to this report.
Police and rescue workers transport the body of a 41-year-old German man found dead at his residence in Non Sung district to Non Sung Hospital for autopsy on March 21, 2025.
NAKHON RATCHASIMA — A German man identified as Mr. Matthias, 41, who was wanted for violent attacks on at least six dental clinics and assaults on at least two dentists, has been found dead at his residence in Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Police from Non Sung Police Station and rescue workers from Hook 31 Nakhon Ratchasima received a report at 5:20 p.m. on March 21 about the discovery. Officers found Mr. Matthias lying deceased on a bed inside his single-story home near Wat Don Chomphu. Initial examination revealed a large wound approximately two inches long on his neck, appearing to be from a sharp object, with blood soaking the mattress.
The room showed signs of someone having searched through documents, with belongings scattered throughout. Two Rottweiler dogs belonging to the deceased were guarding the body aggressively, requiring livestock officials from Non Sung district to remove the animals before investigators could properly examine the scene.
Friends of Mr. Matthias, a 41-year-old German national, and police officers attempt to call out to him at the front of his house but receive no response. He was later found dead inside his residence in Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima province on March 21, 2025.
According to witnesses, Mr. Matthias’s Thai wife, who works in Prachinburi province, became concerned when she could not contact her husband. Sensing something was wrong, she called one of her husband’s friends who lives in Cho Ho sub-district in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima to check on him.
When the friend arrived at the house and received no response to calls or knocking, he sought help from the village headman and local residents. Together, they discovered Mr. Matthias lying deceased on his bed and immediately notified his wife, who rushed back home.
Police from Non Sung station have established two possible causes of death: suicide or homicide, and are urgently gathering evidence. Later on March 22, officers from the Nakhon Ratchasima Forensic Division revealed that they presumed the deceased had used the knife to harm himself, resulting in his death.
Upon examining the wounds on the body of this German man, investigators found the deceased’s fingerprints on the knife and no signs of struggle or assault in the surrounding area. The deceased’s action may have been due to stress, coupled with the fact that he had a history of psychiatric treatment.
Police arrest the German man living in Thailand who allegedly assaulted at least two dentists, at the parking lot of Klang Villa Department Store in Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province on March 18, 2025.
Mr. Matthias had been arrested on March 18 after his case made headlines in mainstream media. He was accused of physically assaulting and threatening female dentists at several dental clinics in Nakhon Ratchasima city since November 2024.
Police had not previously pressed charges, claiming the German man failed to appear when summoned, and other incidents went unreported as clinics believed Matthias suffered from mental health issues.
According to his wife, Mr. Matthias had previously received psychiatric treatment in Germany and lost his job due to mental health issues before relocating to Thailand. Since moving, he had refused treatment and medication, choosing instead to self-medicate with cannabis.
Pañpuri intends to open flagship stores in the next 1-2 years before entering the Chinese market.
BANGKOK — Pañpuri has partnered with Kose to accelerate its international market expansion. The brand is targeting prime locations in major malls and standalone stores in key cities.
The brand intends to open flagship stores in the next 1-2 years before entering the Chinese market. With a focus on innovation through R&D collaboration, Pañpuri aims to achieve 20-30 percent annual sales growth over the next five years to become a leading regional and global brand.
Vorravit Siripark, CEO of Puri Co., Ltd.
Vorravit Siripark, founder and CEO of Pañpuri, told Prachachat Business that the company is enlisting the support of Kose Corporation after it acquired a stake in Pañpuri in late 2024. This collaboration aims to accelerate international expansion, particularly in Japan, which Pañpuri considers its second home. The partnership will also combine expertise in innovation to take the brand to a regional and global level.
The niche fragrance and wellness industries are expected to experience significant growth in 2025, both in Thailand and globally. Consumers increasingly associate fragrances with well-being and use perfumes for relaxation and emotional comfort. In addition, younger generations such as Millennials (Gen Y) and Gen Z see fragrance as an extension of their identity that goes beyond its traditional purpose.
This trend is driving the perfume market to grow at a faster rate than the overall beauty industry, with competition intensifying in four key areas: scent, fragrance innovation, storytelling, and packaging design.
Targeting Japan and the Asian Market
According to Vorraviit, the partnership with Kose will focus on two main aspects: expanding retail presence, and enhancing Product Innovation. Pañpuri will leverage Kose’s established relationships with premium department stores and property developers throughout Japan, gaining immediate access to prime retail locations that would typically require years of negotiation to secure.
The company plans to launch its flagship Japanese store within 1-2 years while simultaneously expanding its retail footprint and brand visibility. Their objective is to establish a significant market presence in Japan within 3-5 years.
Additional expansion into Hong Kong and Singapore is already planned, while China—recognized as both critical and intensely competitive—remains on the horizon. Pañpuri anticipates developing a more defined China market entry strategy by 2026.
The partnership will utilize Kose’s skincare and cosmetics expertise to strengthen Pañpuri’s research and development capabilities and accelerate their innovation pipeline.
While manufacturing operations will remain in Thailand, the brand may expand beyond its fragrance foundations to introduce new product categories, including skincare and additional wellness offerings.
Both companies will maintain their distinctive brand identities despite the partnership. To preserve each brand’s unique positioning, there are no plans to cross-distribute products through their respective existing channels.
Staying True to Pañpuri’s DNA
“We have been looking for a partner with the expertise and capability to support Pañpuri’s regional and global ambitions for a long time,” explained Vorravit. “Kose was the right choice because we share the same vision – quality, innovation and a deep cultural understanding. Kose’s leadership has assured us that they will respect and uphold our brand DNA without making any changes, while fully supporting us.”
Pañpuri aims not only to expand its retail presence but also to drive sales growth through innovative products and store modernization in Thailand. The company’s strategy focuses on positioning Thailand as a leading wellness destination, with fragrances playing a key role.
The company is targeting annual sales growth of 20-30 over the next five years, having reached sales of 1.1 billion baht ($30 million) in 2024, surpassing the 400 million baht ($12 million) achieved in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
To compete with e-commerce, Pañpuri is enhancing the in-store experience to attract customers through unique, immersive experiences not available online. Activities such as fragrance testing, flower arranging workshops and the art of gifting — a wrapping service inspired by traditional Thai Bai Sri arrangements – will be offered in each store. Each store will have a unique design, created in collaboration with architects and designers to provide an experience similar to visiting an exhibition, increasing sales potential.
In addition, the company plans to renovate existing stores every 3-5 years to ensure a constantly fresh shopping experience. In 2025, about five new or renovated stores will be opened, mainly in newly opened shopping malls and tourist destinations such as Phuket and Chiang Mai. Pañpuri currently operates 31 stores in Thailand and is represented in 15 other countries.
Strengthening leadership in perfume innovation
With the support of Kose, Pañpuri will further strengthen its position as a leader in fragrance innovation. One example of this is Perfume Oil, an alcohol-free, oil-based fragrance inspired by ancient methods of fragrance application.
This format is designed to be quickly absorbed into the skin while being long-lasting, appealing to consumers looking for a unique and luxurious experience.
New fragrance innovations currently in development are expected to be launched in 2026. The latest addition to the range is Solid Perfume Balm. This continues the brand’s commitment to redefining the fragrance experience.
Phuket police arrest 37 transgender women in Patong's Soi Bangla for causing public nuisance and damaging tourism image on March 20, 2025.
PHUKET — In a sweeping overnight operation, Phuket police arrested 37 individuals, mostly transgender women, following a series of nighttime disturbances in the popular tourist area of Bangla Road in Patong Beach. However, this action was condemned by a coalition of human rights organizations.
The arrests on March 20 came just one day after a viral video showed a confrontation between a tall transgender woman and a foreign tourist. The incident reportedly began when the tourist refused to purchase roses from the woman but continued filming her.
When the tourist attempted to walk away, he allegedly slapped the transgender woman on the head, prompting her to remove her shoe as a weapon and chase after him. The altercation escalated into a physical fight before bystanders and other tourists intervened to separate them.
Screenshots from a viral video show a confrontation between a tall transgender woman and a foreign tourist in Patong’s Soi Bangla, Phuket Province, on March 19, 2025.
Nighttime disputes in Bangla Road, one of Phuket’s most popular tourist destinations, have become increasingly common, with numerous videos of such incidents circulating online.
The operation involved officers from Phuket Provincial Police, Tourist Police, Patong Police Station, and local administrative officials. Authorities stated the arrests were necessary as such incidents “create a negative image for tourism.”
However, local residents view the police action as merely a response to viral videos rather than addressing underlying issues. Sources indicate that those arrested were typically processed, fined, and then released to resume their nighttime activities in what has been a long-established business model in the area.
Phuket police arrest 37 transgender women in Patong’s Soi Bangla for causing public nuisance and damaging tourism image on March 20, 2025.
Later the same day, a coalition of human rights organizations and activists advocating for human rights, gender diversity, and equality in Thai society, acting under the name Bangkok Pride, issued a statement condemning this arrest of 37 transgender women.
“We express our deepest regret and strongly condemn the arrest of 37 transgender women in the Bangla Road area of Phuket province on March 20, 2025,” the statement read. “The operation was justified as ‘clearing out groups causing public nuisance’ and ‘creating a negative image for tourism,’ which reflects outdated reasoning and sexual bias that is unacceptable in a democratic society.”
The statement also revealed that Bangkok Pride had previously proposed Phuket as a host for InterPride’s international conference – a global network of Pride event organizers. While this proposal is currently under consideration, the group warned they may need to reconsider following these arrests if Phuket officials cannot provide clarification or demonstrate a clear stance on respecting and protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
Bangkok Pride concluded by sending heartfelt support to transgender women and all LGBTIQN+ individuals in Phuket: “You are not wrong for being yourselves, and you deserve to be treated with dignity and equality. We affirm that we will continue to stand beside you and will not allow this injustice to be covered up with claims about ‘image’ that disregard human value.”
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC member and President of the Badminton Association of Thailand, cheers for badminton players from courtside at Adidas Arena during the Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 30, 2024.
BANGKOK — Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC member and President of the Badminton Association of Thailand, announced during her trip to the 144th IOC Session in Greece that she will not run for the presidency of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT).
Her decision comes at a historic moment for the Olympic movement, as Kirsty Coventry, a 41-year-old former Olympic swimming gold medalist from Zimbabwe, was just elected as the new IOC president. Coventry is seen as part of the new generation of leadership and will become the 10th president of the IOC, and the first woman and the first African national in history to hold this position.
Despite this groundbreaking development that could have inspired similar progress in Thailand, Khunying Patama confirmed she will not seek to make her own history as the first female president of NOCT, even if nominated on the day of the election scheduled for March 25.
“After thorough consideration, I’ve decided not to pursue the Thai Olympic Committee presidency despite having support and a team ready,” Lady Pattama stated. “This decision preserves harmony in our sports community where we all work as colleagues and friends. I apologize to my supporters, but feel the two existing candidates are sufficient for this election.”
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC member, (right) congratulates Kirsty Coventry who has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee and has become the first woman and first African to hold perhaps the biggest job in global sports, on March 20, 2025.
She went on to say that both candidates, Suchai Pornchaikasikorn, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, and Pimol Srivikorn, president of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, have the appropriate qualifications to promote the development of Thai sports.
The Thai Olympic Committee presidency has remained vacant since December 2024 after General Prawit Wongsuwan resigned as Thai Amateur Swimming Association president following a new board election. According to regulations, any Thai Olympic Committee president must concurrently serve as president of a sports association.
When asked whether politics or the government played a role in controlling or influencing the Thai Olympic election, Khunying Pattama firmly denied any political influence. She pointed out that in some countries there are political issues that lead to the IOC not recognizing the elections, causing delays, while in Thailand it is all about sporting matters.
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul congratulates Kunlavut Vitidsarn who won silver in the men’s singles badminton at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (Matichon Photo)
Several IOC members made an interesting suggestion: Ideally, the election for the presidency of the Thai Olympic Committee should follow the procedure of the IOC presidential elections. Under this system, candidates must formally submit their candidacy in advance, have a fixed date to present their vision and give members the opportunity to hear their plans before the vote.
Khunying Pattama promised to bring this suggestion to the new NOCT board for consideration. As an IOC member, she also offered her continued support in coordinating both domestic and international sporting initiatives to benefit Thailand.
Thailand is currently preparing a bid to host the 2030 Youth Olympic Games, which requires substantially less funding than the main Olympic Games. Several other Asian nations are also competing for this opportunity. Beyond this bid, Thailand plans to host multiple international sporting competitions in the coming years.
When it comes to massage therapy, two popular options often stand out: Thai massage including Aroma Thai massage and Swedish massage. If you’re looking to rejuvenate your body, understanding the difference between these two techniques can help you choose the perfect treatment for your needs. Before booking your next spa appointment, let’s explore how these massage styles differ and which might be better suited for your body’s needs.
Thai Massage vs. Swedish Massage?
Thai massage and Swedish massage represent two different approaches to bodywork, each with unique origins, techniques, and benefits. Thai massage originated in Thailand and is influenced by traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine practices, focusing on energy pathways and flexibility. Swedish massage emphasizes Western anatomy principles and is designed primarily for relaxation and circulation. While both aim to improve overall wellness, they use vastly different methods to achieve their goals.
Thai Massage
Technique: Thai massage uses acupressure, compression, and assisted yoga-like stretches. The therapist uses hands, thumbs, elbows, feet, and sometimes knees to apply rhythmic pressure while guiding you through various poses.
Approach: Thai massage is performed on a mat on the floor rather than a massage table. It’s an interactive experience where the therapist moves your body into various positions. The focus is on stimulating energy lines to restore balance and energy flow throughout the body.
Benefits: Thai massage enhances flexibility and joint mobility, relieves muscle tension and pain, improves circulation, boosts energy levels, and reduces stress. It’s particularly beneficial for those with chronic tension, reduced flexibility, or those seeking both physical and energetic balancing.
Swedish Massage
Technique: Swedish massage features long, gliding strokes, kneading, friction, and circular movements. The therapist applies massage oil to reduce friction on the skin while working on major muscle groups with varying pressure depending on client preference.
Approach: Performed on a massage table with the client undressed (covered with sheets or towels), Swedish massage is a more passive experience. The environment typically includes soft music and dim lighting to enhance relaxation. The therapist focuses on the superficial layers of muscles.
Benefits: Swedish massage excels at promoting deep relaxation, reducing muscle tension, increasing blood circulation, flushing toxins, and relieving stress. It’s ideal for first-time massage clients, those seeking stress reduction, and people who prefer a gentler touch focused on relaxation rather than deep therapeutic work.
Which One Is Right for You?
Your choice between Thai and Swedish massage depends on your personal needs and preferences. If you’re looking for improved flexibility, energy flow, and don’t mind an active, fully-clothed experience that includes stretching, Thai massage is ideal. If you prefer a more passive, relaxing experience and gentle soothing of muscles while lying comfortably on a table, Swedish massage would be the better option.
Conclusion – Thai Massage vs. Swedish Massage
Both Thai massage and Swedish massage offer valuable therapeutic benefits, but they deliver these benefits through distinctly different approaches. Thai massage focuses on energy work, stretching, and whole-body manipulation, while Swedish massage emphasizes muscle relaxation through rhythmic, flowing strokes.
However, there’s no better massage—only the one that best meets your current needs. Many spa lovers enjoy alternating between these styles, experiencing the active, energy-focused benefits of Thai massage one session and the deeply relaxing, soothing effects of Swedish massage the next. No matter which you choose, both options provide a valuable escape from daily stress and contribute to your overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Smoke rises from the North Hyde electrical substation, which caught fire last night, leading to the closure of the Heathrow Airport, in London, Friday March 21, 2025. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
LONDON (AP) — A large fire near London’s Heathrow Airport knocked out power Friday to Europe’s busiest flight hub, forcing it to shut all day and disrupting global travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers.
At least 1,350 flights to and from Heathrow were affected, flight tracking service FlightRadar 24 said, and the impact was likely to last several days as passengers try to reschedule their travel and airlines work to get planes and crew to the right places.
Authorities do not know what caused the fire but so far found have no evidence it was suspicious.
Residents in west London described hearing a large explosion, followed by a fireball and clouds of smoke, when the blaze ripped through the electrical substation near the airport.
This photo provided by London Fire Brigade, shows a fire at the North Hyde electrical substation, which caught fire Thursday night and lead to a closure of Heathrow Airport in London, Friday, March 21 2025. (London Fire Brigade via AP)
Some 120 flights were in the air when the closure was announced, with some turned around and others diverted to Gatwick Airport outside London, Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris or Ireland’s Shannon Airport, tracking services showed.
Lawrence Hayes was three-quarters of the way to London from New York when Virgin Atlantic announced they were being diverted to Glasgow.
“It was a red-eye flight and I’d already had a full day, so I don’t even know how long I’ve been up for,” Hayes told the BBC as he was getting off the plane in Scotland. “Luckily I managed to get hold of my wife and she’s kindly booked me a train ticket to get back to Euston, but it’s going to be an incredibly long day.”
Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports for international travel. It had its busiest January on record earlier this year, with more than 6.3 million passengers, up more than 5% from the same period last year.
Still, the disruption Friday fell short of the one caused by the 2010 eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and created trans-Atlantic air travel chaos for months.
Unclear what caused the fire but foul play not suspected
It was too early to determine what sparked the huge blaze about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the airport, but there’s “no suggestion” of foul play, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said.
The Metropolitan Police force said counterterrorism detectives were leading the investigation because of their ability to find the cause quickly and because of the location of the electrical substation fire and its impact on critical national infrastructure.
This image taken from video shows firefighters working to secure the area of a fire at the North Hyde electrical substation, which caught fire Thursday night and lead to a closure of Heathrow Airport in London, Friday, March 21, 2025. (Sky News via AP)
Miliband said the fire, which took seven hours to control, also knocked out a backup power supply to the airport. Heathrow said in a statement that it had no choice but to close the airport for the day.
“We expect significant disruption over the coming days, and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens,” the airport said.
The fire’s widespread impact on travel led to criticism that Britain was ill prepared for disaster or some type of attack if a single blaze could shut down Europe’s busiest airport.
“The U.K.’s critical national infrastructure is not sufficiently hardened for anywhere near the level it would need to be at to give us confidence this won’t happen again,” said Alan Mendoza, the executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, a security think tank. “If one fire can shut down Heathrow’s primary systems and then apparently the backup systems, as well, it tells you something’s badly wrong with our system of management of such disasters.”
Tom Wells, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, acknowledged that authorities had questions to answer and said a rigorous investigation was needed to make sure “this scale of disruption does not happen again.”
Firefighters extinguish the fire at the North Hyde electrical substation, which caught fire Thursday night and lead to a closure of Heathrow Airport in London, Friday, March 21, 2025.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Heathrow — where the U.K. government plans to build a third runway — was at the heart of a shorter disruption in 2023 when Britain’s air traffic control system was hit by a breakdown that slowed takeoffs and landings across the U.K. on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Disruption could last days
Though the fire has been brought under control, Anita Mendiratta, an aviation consultant, said the impact of the closure will be felt over two to four days as airlines, cargo carriers, and crews are moved into position and passengers rebooked.
“As soon as the airport opens up at midnight tonight, it’s not only about resuming with tomorrow’s flights, it’s the backlog and the implications that have taken place,” Mendiratta said. “Crew and aircraft, many are not where they’re supposed to be right now. So the recalculation of this is going to be intense.”
The London Fire Brigade sent 10 engines and around 70 firefighters to control the blaze and about 150 people were evacuated from their homes near the power station.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said in a post on X the power outage affected more than 16,300 homes.
Travelers exit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after a fire at Heathrow Airport forced its closure, leading to numerous flight cancellations, in Mumbai, India, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Diverted, canceled and in limbo
At Heathrow, a family of five traveling to Dallas showed up in the hopes their flight home — still listed as delayed — would take off.
But when Andrea Sri brought her brother, sister-in-law and their three children to the airport, they were told by police that there would be no flight.
“It was a waste of time. Very confusing,” said Sri, who lives in London. “We tried to get in touch with British Airways, but they don’t open their telephone line until 8 a.m.”
Travelers who were diverted to other cities found themselves trying to book travel onward to London. Qantas airlines sent flights from Singapore and Perth, Australia, to Paris, where it said it would bus people to London, a process likely to also include a train shuttle beneath the English Channel.
Budget airline Ryanair, which doesn’t operate out of Heathrow, said it added eight “rescue flights” between Dublin and Stansted, another London airport, to transport stranded passengers Friday and Saturday.
National Rail canceled all trains to and from the airport.
Blaze lit up the sky and darkened homes
Matthew Muirhead was working Thursday night near Heathrow when he stepped outside with a colleague and noticed smoke rising from an electrical substation and heard sirens crying out.
“We saw a bright flash of white, and all the lights in town went out,” he said.
Flights normally begin landing and taking off at Heathrow at 6 a.m. due to nighttime flying restrictions. But the skies were silent Friday morning.
“Living near Heathrow is noisy, there are planes every 90 seconds or so, plus the constant hum of traffic, but you get used to it, to the point of no longer noticing,” said James Henderson, who has lived next to the airport for more than 20 years. “Today is different, you can hear the birds singing.”
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Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio in Berlin, Yirmiyan Arthur in Kohima, India, Hallie Golden in Seattle, and Christie Hampton, Brian Hannon and David Cohen in Bangkok, contributed.
