Historic Dutch ambassador’s residence demolished

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3 October 2026, 17:45

831027591_10163786484022669_2901658887983367328_n — Photo: Henriette Jansen

A historic colonial-style residence that once served as the Dutch ambassador’s residence in Bangkok has been demolished, following the sale of the Netherlands Embassy’s former site on Wireless Road.

The residence was located on the embassy’s former compound at 15 Soi Ton Son, on a nearly 20-rai (3.2-hectare) plot connecting Wireless Road and Ploenchit Road.

Images posted on Facebook by Henriette Jansen show the former residence has now been demolished.

The building was more than 100 years old and was known for its colonial architecture and distinctive tower. It received an outstanding building conservation award from the Association of Siamese Architects in 1987.

The residence had a long history before becoming the Dutch ambassador’s residence. It was once the home of Dr. Alphonse Poix, a French royal physician who came to Siam in 1897 and served King Chulalongkorn.

The property later became a residence of Prince Boworadet, a grandson of King Mongkut. After selling part of the land and later going into political exile, the house was left vacant.

The Netherlands Embassy purchased the property, including the house, in 1949 and used it as the ambassador’s residence.

The embassy moved to Central Park Offices at Dusit Central Park in August 2026 and subsequently put the former embassy land up for sale as a freehold property.

The nearly 20-rai site is considered a rare development plot in central Bangkok, with access from both Wireless Road and Soi Ton Son. The land has been reported as potentially worth more than 20 billion baht, while reports have said an investment group has already acquired the property.

The demolition has drawn attention because of the historic significance of the former ambassador’s residence.

Thailand’s Banlung wins second straight Asian Games taekwondo gold

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3 October 2026, 15:54

Thailand’s 21-year-old Banlung Tubtimdang won the men’s 68kg taekwondo gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on Saturday.

Banlung defeated Iran’s Mahdi Hajimousian Afuati 2-0 in the final.

The Thai fighter edged the first round 6-5 before securing another narrow 3-2 victory in the second round to complete the 2-0 win.

The gold marks Banlung’s second consecutive Asian Games title.

Thailand’s taekwondo team has now won gold medals at every Asian Games since 2010, including the 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions.

Siam Amazing Park owner may sell business for 10 billion baht after floods

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3 October 2026, 15:26

The owner of Siam Amazing Park, formerly known as Siam Park City, may sell the entire business for 10 billion baht after the amusement park suffered nearly 500 million baht in damage from Bangkok’s worst flooding in its history.

Dr. Chaiwat Luang-ammornlert, chairman and founder of Siam Amazing Park, said on 3 October that almost all of the park’s rides had been submerged and damaged by floodwaters.

The flooding also caused losses involving animals at the park and affected employees’ income.

S 32874507 0 — Dr. Chaiwat Luang-ammornlert, chairman and founder of Siam Amazing Park

Chaiwat said the damage was estimated at nearly 500 million baht and that he had been unable to sleep for seven days after seeing the damage to what he had built over the years.

He said he could not afford the repair costs alone and was seeking bank financing and government assistance.

If sufficient assistance cannot be secured, Chaiwat said he may decide to sell the business for 10 billion baht, including its rides and employees.

Staff have been working around the clock to pump water from the park, which has now dried out. Chaiwat continues to visit the site to monitor recovery efforts.

Siam Amazing Park is a major amusement and water park on Suan Siam Road in Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok. The complex covers about 300 rai and is known for its large artificial sea, which has been recognised by Guinness World Records.

The park opened on 19 November 1980 under the name Siam Park City. It initially operated as a water park before expanding into an amusement park, including rides acquired from the former Happyland amusement park.

Today, the complex features a water park, amusement rides and other attractions, including water slides, a looping water ride, roller coasters and nearly 40 other rides and attractions.

The park hopes to reopen after the flooding, but Chaiwat estimated that repairs and restoration could take at least three to six months.

Cambodian rubber worker killed by lightning strike in Trat

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3 October 2026, 14:10

TRAT — A 47-year-old Cambodian rubber plantation worker and her puppy were killed by a lightning strike while she was resting in a hammock beneath a rubber tree in Trat province on Friday.

Police were alerted at about 2pm on 2 October and went to the scene near Wat Khao Tapon in Tha Kum subdistrict, Muang Trat district, along with rescue volunteers.

The woman, identified as Hai So, was found dead in a hammock beneath the rubber tree. She had a burn mark on her left shoulder. The body of a young male black puppy was also found beside the hammock.

Initial inquiries found that the sky had become overcast and a storm appeared to be approaching, although there was no rain at the time. Hai So had been resting in the hammock with her puppy when thunder was heard, followed by a lightning strike that hit the rubber tree.

The electrical current struck both Hai So and the puppy, killing them instantly, according to the initial police investigation.

Police and an on-duty doctor examined the scene before rescue volunteers took the body to a hospital for further examination. Authorities also contacted her employer and relatives to arrange the funeral.

100,000 baht found, 100-baht tip given to honest Phuket hotel staff

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3 October 2026, 13:50

PHUKET — Hotel staff in Phuket returned an envelope containing cash worth about 100,000 baht to a French tourist after he accidentally left it in a wardrobe when checking out.

The incident was shared by the owner of OASIS Phuket Airport, who said a housekeeper found the envelope containing stacks of banknotes in the wardrobe after the tourist had checked out.

The French tourist had already travelled to Koh Samui when the money was found. The accommodation owner contacted him to inform him that his cash had been left behind.

The tourist then travelled back to Phuket to collect the envelope.

Guy Petcharat, the accommodation owner, told Phuket Times that the tourist appeared very relieved and happy to have his money returned.

“He would have been shocked if the money had really been lost,” Guy said, adding that the envelope contained a substantial amount of cash.

The tourist gave the staff a 100-baht tip after receiving his money back.

Two German tourists killed in Khao Lak hit-and-run

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3 October 2026, 13:15

PHANG NGA — Two German tourists were killed after a pickup truck struck them while they were crossing a road at a pedestrian crossing in Khao Lak, Phang Nga, on Friday night. The driver fled the scene.

The crash occurred at about 21:45 on 2 October on Phetkasem Road, heading towards Thai Mueang district, near a crossing in front of Orchid restaurant in Khuekkhak, Takua Pa district.

Police found the two tourists, identified as 63-year-old Gabriela Gulden and 64-year-old Wilbert Schwiers, seriously injured at the scene. They were taken to Khao Lak Medical Centre, where both later died.

Witnesses told police that a white Mazda BT-50 pickup truck with Bangkok licence plates struck the pair as they were crossing the road before the driver accelerated away towards Thai Mueang without stopping to help.

The two tourists were staying at a hotel in Khao Lak from 30 September to 9 October.

Police documented the scene, prepared an accident map and worked with a doctor to examine the bodies. Investigators are collecting evidence and questioning witnesses as they work to identify the driver and locate the pickup truck.

Police said the case is being investigated as negligent driving causing death.

16-year-old Thai sailor wins Asian Games gold

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3 October 2026, 12:51

NAGOYA, Japan — Thailand’s 16-year-old Pinchanok Klaissomboon won gold in the Girls Dinghy (ILCA4) sailing event at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday, giving Thailand its 17th gold medal of the Games.

Competing at Kaiyoh Yacht Harbour in Aichi Prefecture, Pinchanok completed all 12 races with a total of 25 penalty points to take the title.

Hong Kong’s Huang Jiqi finished second with 29 points, while South Korea’s Lee Seong-ha took bronze with 311 points.

The gold was Thailand’s second medal in sailing at the Games and the country’s 17th gold overall.

Thailand also won silver in the 420 Mixed event, with Pitiphum Charoenphon and Worakarn Saksriklom finishing runners-up.

Thai jiu-jitsu athlete Orapa wins first Asian Games gold

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Khaosod English

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3 October 2026, 12:38

Asian Games Jiu-jitsu — Orapa Senatham of Thailand, left, celebrates winning against Alexandria Luz Enriquez of the Philippines during the women's 63-kg jiu-jitsu final medal match at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

NAGOYA, Japan — Orapa Senatham claimed Thailand’s first-ever Asian Games gold medal in jiu-jitsu after defeating the Philippines’ Alexandria Luz Enriquez in the women’s under-63kg final on Saturday.

The victory at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall marked Orapa’s second major international title after she won gold at the 2025 World Games.

Orapa began her campaign with a win over Aisha Alnebi of the United Arab Emirates in the round of 16. She then defeated Andrea Lui Leo of the Philippines in the quarterfinals before overcoming Jordan’s Yama Aishaqat in the semifinals.

In the final, Orapa and Enriquez battled closely before the Thai athlete secured victory on points to take the gold medal.

The title was Thailand’s 16th gold medal at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

In the women’s under-63kg event, Orapa’s teammate Aksornphak Sirimak was eliminated in the round of 16 after losing to Naran Kishing Basanjargal of Mongolia.

In the men’s under-85kg division, both Thai competitors were eliminated in the round of 32. Sukitpeerarat Jantanakha lost to Japan’s Izuki Go, while Thanaphat Pholphut was defeated by Jordan’s Osama Nabas.

Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri says he wasn’t given a reason for his removal

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2 October 2026, 17:55

Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri has confirmed that the airline’s board removed him from his position on Thursday, saying he had received signals beforehand that the move was coming.

The board of Thai Airways International Plc resolved to remove Chai as chief executive and appoint a fact-finding committee to investigate delayed passenger baggage and flight delays. He was invited to the board meeting to be informed of the decision, but said he was not told why he had been removed or given any further details, including a timeline.

Speaking to Khaosod at 14:00 on 2 October, Chai said the board had told him of its resolution to end his tenure as CEO and launch the inquiry into the baggage and flight-delay problems.

“I’m not upset about having to leave the position of Thai Airways CEO. I had already come to terms with it.” He said.

“I had received signals about it for some time, before the baggage problems occurred.”

Chai said he had worked at Thai Airways for 41 years and that employees understood his record. He added that he would take a break and spend time with his family after facing heavy criticism on social media in recent days, which he said had particularly affected his children.

Thailand’s Puripol named men’s MVP of Asian Games

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2 October 2026, 17:25

Asian Games Athletics — Thailand's Puripol Boonson poses with his country's flag after finishing first in the men's 100-meter final at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson has been selected as the men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, following his gold-medal performances in the 100m and 200m.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) selected Puripol for the award, with the official presentation scheduled for 4 October.

Puripol set new Asian Games records in both the 100m and 200m. His winning time of 19.88 seconds in the 200m also matched the Asian record. He also won silver as part of Thailand’s mixed 4x100m relay team.

The OCA awards an MVP prize to one male and one female athlete at each Asian Games. The women’s MVP for Aichi-Nagoya 2026 has not yet been publicly announced.

Puripol will receive a prize of US$25,000, or about 830,000 baht.

He is the first athlete from outside China, Japan and South Korea to receive the men’s MVP award since it was introduced in 1998.

The MVP award was first presented at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, initially as a single award. Separate men’s and women’s awards were introduced at the 2022 Asian Games.

Previous recipients include Japan’s Koji Ito in 1998, Kosuke Kitajima in 2002, South Korea’s Park Tae-hwan in 2006, China’s Lin Dan in 2010, Japan’s Kosuke Hagino in 2014 and Rikako Ikee in 2018.

In 2022, China’s Qin Haiyang and Zhang Yufei were named the men’s and women’s MVPs respectively.

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