Screenshot from video documentary 'THE OTHER SIDE OF PHUKET THAILAND' shows the cafeteria of a school in the crowded foreign community.
PHUKET — Officials have announced the results of their investigation into what was described as “Phuket’s largest foreign slum” following a video report by YouTube channel “Ride with Gabi” titled “THE OTHER SIDE OF PHUKET 🇹🇭 THAILAND” released last week.
The video showed a large slum in central Phuket reportedly inhabited entirely by Myanmar migrant workers, where over 300 children receive education and meals from a foundation funded by donations and foreign volunteers.
Colonel Adul Choothong, Deputy Governor of Phuket, held a press conference to present the investigation findings, joined by Teerapong Chuaychu, Phuket Provincial Clerk; Pairoj Srilamul, Phuket City District Chief; and representatives from employment, social development and human security agencies, among others. The briefing took place at the Muk Anda Conference Room on the 4th floor of the Phuket Provincial Hall.
Phuket Provincial Education officials participate in a press conference to announce the findings of the investigation into a school in Phuket’s crowded community on March 17, 2025.
The Deputy Governor stated that Phuket Province dispatched officials to investigate the matter on the morning of March 17. The Internal Security Operations Command of Phuket Province (ISOC), in collaboration with the Phuket Provincial Employment Office, Provincial Administration, Immigration, and the Office of Social Development and Human Security, inspected the Ban Sri Chumphabal Foundation located in Soi Hatchananiwet 2/9, Anuphas Phuket Kan Road, Talad Yai Subdistrict, Muang District.
The investigation revealed that there are three foreign volunteers: one American, one Irish, and one Chinese national (from Hong Kong). All are unpaid volunteers receiving no financial compensation. According to the Office of the Council of State, volunteers in public charitable organizations are not considered to be working and therefore do not require work permits.
Additionally, there are ten foreigners with valid work permits, including one German national, one person without registered status, and eight Myanmar nationals. Immigration officers and the Provincial Employment Office have requested documentation from the parents of the more than 300 children studying at the foundation to verify their immigration status and work rights.
The Ban Sri Chumphabal Foundation’s Phuket branch will suspend its educational activities but will remain open for children and youth to participate in other activities. Phuket Province has assigned the Provincial Education Office to investigate further, noting that operating an educational institution without authorization could result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht.
Screenshot from video documentary “THE OTHER SIDE OF PHUKET THAILAND” shows the area that they call “Phuket’s Largest Foreign Slum.”
Regarding education for foreign children in Thailand, while laws stipulate that all children under 18 years of age within Thai jurisdiction must receive equal protection without discrimination and are entitled to at least 12 years of free, quality education provided by the state, the reality remains challenging. Migrant worker parents often face difficulties enrolling their children in the formal education system.
Therefore, schools operated by foundations in areas close to worker accommodations offer a more accessible alternative for these children to receive education.
Westin Hotels & Resorts across Asia Pacific excluding China bring uniquely restful and restorative experiences that help travelers prioritize mental and physical rejuvenation
In the lead up to the global commemoration of World Sleep Day on March 14 and building on the brand’s “Busy Resting” campaign that launched in January 2025, Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, is championing restful sleep as hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific (excluding China) welcome guests to experience a revitalizing and restorative relaxation, embracing rest not as a luxury, but an essential part of life.
Being busy has become a status symbol that often comes at the expense of our personal well-being. However, a shift is happening amidst this exhaustion, as people start to reclaim their right to rest. With a strong focus on holistic well-being and a revolutionary brand strategy centered around the idea of curating the best sleep experiences for guests, Westin has consistently positioned itself as a pioneer in the hospitality industry. Since the introduction of the Heavenly Bed® in 1999 that not only disrupted the industry but also set a new standard for sleep experiences in hotels, Westin has established itself as a leader in the wellness space.
For over two decades, Westin has been constantly evolving and reinventing its offerings to ensure guests can enjoy a personalized approach to sleep and comfort. The Sleep Well program, which includes amenities like the Sleep Well Menu and Sleep Well Lavender Balm, further underscores its commitment to promoting restorative sleep as a critical component of overall well-being. Today, Westin continues to champion wellness through its Six Pillars of Well-Being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well.
“Westin has been among hospitality’s global leaders in well-being, consistently empowering guests to enhance their routines while on the road through its six pillars from Eat Well to Sleep Well. World Sleep Day is a great reminder of how important it is for travelers to have restorative experiences. With the growing interest in sleep tourism and wellness travel, it’s the perfect time for us to reaffirm our commitment to our guests’ health by offering the tools and experiences they need for a good night’s sleep”, said John Toomey, Chief Commercial Officer, Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC).
Championing rest and restoration through Sleep Well
Westin’s Sleep Well program is a cornerstone of its steadfast commitment to holistic well-being, offering guests a revitalizing and restful sleep experience. The program highlights the priority of a great night’s sleep as the foundation for mental and physical well-being. The Heavenly® Bed provides unparalleled comfort for travelers seeking a restorative night of sleep. The Sleep Well Menu, available through in-room dining, features sleep-enhancing superfoods rich in nutrients that promote rest and relaxation. Guests can also unwind with the soothing Sleep Well Lavender Balm, infused with calming essential oils to ease tension and create a serene sleep environment. Westin’s combination of amenities with a focus on wellness continues to set the standard in hospitality.
In the spirit of World Sleep Day, Westin hotels across the region have offered a medley of wellness programs that encourage rest, rejuvenation and relaxation including in-room Sleep Infusion Turndown tea experiences featuring a wide selection of calming teas and exclusive ‘Celebrate Rest’ room offers that inspire an escape from the everyday.
At The Westin Surabaya, a playful, pajama-clad WestinWORKOUT session led by the brand’s inspiring Run Concierges has combined fitness with fun, encouraging guests to move well and sleep well. The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has hosted a complimentary wellness session led by Resident Wellness Ambassador Dr. Jitendra Pokhriyal, and in collaboration with The Westin Resort Ubud & Spa, a Heavenly Bed pop-up at Living World Mall offered guests a chance to experience the brand’s renowned sleep haven firsthand. At The Westin Jakarta, evenings were transformed with an elevated turndown service featuring chamomile tea, artisanal local chocolate pralines, and a soothing Nusantara Night Calm Mist, creating the ideal ambiance for restorative sleep. Guests also enjoyed the ‘Stop Scrolling, Brush Stress Off’ amenity, which promotes relaxation through the mindful ritual of dry brushing with a sustainably sourced loofah back brush.
The Westin Goa has enhanced the experience for Pool Patio and Suite room guests with a wellness brush presented in a jute bag, promoting gentle exfoliation and stress relief. At The Westin Pune, Koregaon Park, the celebration of restorative sleep has continued with a locally inspired in-room amenity, offering guests an authentic and mindful touchpoint that enhances their stay. Over at The Westin Himalayas, a Sleep Well tea pop-up featuring indulgent chocolates and exclusive offers on signature therapies such as Shirodhara, Aromatherapy, Sarvanga Abhyangam, and ‘Sleep-Promoting Therapy’ has guided guests into deeper relaxation.
Indulge in replenishing relaxation at The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok
At The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok, guests have found a handwritten Sleep Tip Card during turndown service and a QR code linking to a Westin Sleep Playlist & Guided Meditation. The Zest Bar & Terrace has served a “Dreamy Nightcap” cocktail and mocktail with sleep-friendly ingredients like chamomile, honey, and tart cherry juice, paired with curated bedtime snacks for a soothing wind-down ritual. At The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket, the Heavenly Spa has offered a Chakra Balancing Massage to harmonize energy and deepen relaxation. Immersive Singing Bowl and Yoga Nidra sessions, led by Kru Meaya, have transformed World Sleep Day into a meditative sanctuary, with each guest receiving a calming lavender pillow mist as a fragrant keepsake.
Singing Bowl and Yoga Nidra Sessions at The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has offered guests an opportunity to “rest like an Islander” and recline in a Heavenly Bed placed at the seaplane terminal lounge specially for World Sleep Day along with Maldivian elements such as Moringa tea to boost rest and relaxation, before they have taken off on a seaplane to the resort. Once at the resort, guests have been able to indulge in daily meditation and relaxation sessions, including Yoga Nidra and Gyan Mudra, guiding them into a state of deep relaxation and balance. Meanwhile, The Westin Manila transformed its lobby into a Heavenly Sleep Pop-Up, complete with a Heavenly Dog Bed, ensuring even pets can indulge in the brand’s wellness-forward hospitality. At The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh, guests have enjoyed exquisite homemade chocolate bites as a sweet and thoughtful bedtime gesture.
For more information about Westin Hotels & Resorts and its Sleep Well program, or to make a reservation, please visit https://westin.marriott.com and follow Westin Hotels & Resorts’ Facebook, Instagram, and X.
A Palestinian man holds the body of his 11 month-old nephew Mohammad Shaban, killed in an Israeli army airstrikes at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health officials. The surprise bombardment, the deadliest in Gaza since the start of the 17-month war, shattered a ceasefire in place since January.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Netanyahu’s office said.
The surprise attack shattered a period of relative calm during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and raised the prospect of a full return to fighting in a 17-month war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza. It also raised questions about the fate of the roughly two dozen Israeli hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive.
A dead person killed during an Israeli army strike is taken into the hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday March 18, 2025.(AP Photo/ Mohammad Jahjouh)
Hamas accused Netanyahu of upending the ceasefire agreement and exposing the hostages ”to an unknown fate.” In a statement, it called on mediators to hold Israel “fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement.”
The strikes came as Netanayahu comes under mounting domestic pressure, with mass protests planned over his handling of the hostage crisis and his decision to fire the head of Israel’s internal security agency.
Wounded stream into Gaza hospitals
In the southern city of Khan Younis, Associated Press reporters saw explosions and plumes of smoke. Ambulances brought wounded people to Nasser Hospital, where patients lay on the floor, some screaming. A young boy sat with a bandage around his head as a health worker checked for more injuries, a young girl cried as her bloody arm was bandaged.
A strike on a home in the southern city of Rafah killed 17 members of one family, including at least 12 women and children, according to the European Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included five children, their parents, and another father and his three children, according to hospital records.
Many Palestinians said they had expected a return to war when talks over the second phase of the ceasefire did not begin as scheduled in early February. Israel instead embraced an alternative proposal and cut off all shipments of food, fuel and other aid to the territory’s 2 million Palestinians to try to pressure Hamas to accept it.
“Nobody wants to fight,” Palestinian resident Nidal Alzaanin told the AP by phone from Gaza City. “Everyone is still suffering from the previous months,” he said.
Explosions could be heard throughout Gaza. Khalil Degran, a spokesman for the Health Ministry based at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, said at least 200 people had been killed. The territory’s civil defense agency said its crews were having a difficult time carrying out rescue efforts because various areas were being targeted simultaneously.
A man mourns as he places the body of a child in the hospital morgue following Israeli army airstrikes in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammad Jahjouh)
U.S. backs Israel and blames Hamas
The White House sought to blame Hamas for the renewed fighting. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said the militant group “could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war.”
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been leading mediation efforts along with Egypt and Qatar, had earlier warned that Hamas must release living hostages immediately “or pay a severe price.”
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the unfolding operation, said Israel was striking Hamas’ military, leaders and infrastructure and planned to expand the operation beyond air attacks. The official accused Hamas of attempting to rebuild and plan new attacks. Hamas militants and security forces quickly returned to the streets in recent weeks after the ceasefire went into effect.
Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said the “gates of hell will open in Gaza” if the hostages aren’t released. “We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals,” he said.
Talks on a second phase of the ceasefire had stalled
The strikes came two months after a ceasefire was reached to pause the war. Over six weeks, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in a first phase of the ceasefire.
But since that ceasefire ended two weeks ago, the sides have not been able to agree on a way forward with a second phase aimed at releasing the 59 remaining hostages, 35 of whom are believed to be dead, and ending the war altogether.
Hamas has demanded an end to the war and full withdrawal of Israeli troops in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages. Israel says it will not end the war until it destroys Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and frees all hostages.
Netanyahu’s office on Tuesday said Hamas had “repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all offers it received from the U.S. presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, and from the mediators.”
Taher Nunu, a Hamas official, criticized the Israeli attacks. “The international community faces a moral test: either it allows the return of the crimes committed by the occupation army or it enforces a commitment to ending the aggression and war against innocent people in Gaza,” he said.
Gaza already was in a humanitarian crisis
The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Most have been released in ceasefires or other deals, with israeli forces rescuing only eight and recovering dozens of bodies.
People gather around the bodies of Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli army airstrikes as they are brought to the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Israel responded with a military offensive that killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s population. The territory’s Health Ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and militants, but says over half of the dead have been women and children.
The ceasefire had brought some relief to Gaza and allowed hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to resume to what remained of their homes.
A renewed Israeli ground offensive could also be especially deadly now that so many Palestinian civilians have returned home. Before the ceasefire, civilians were largely concentrated in tent camps meant to provide relative safety from the fighting.
Netanyahu faces mounting criticism
The return to fighting could also worsen deep internal fissures inside Israel over the fate of the remaining hostages. Many of the hostages released by Hamas returned emaciated and malnourished, putting heavy pressure on the government to extend the ceasefire.
The released hostages have repeatedly implored the government to press ahead with the ceasefire to return all remaining hostages, and tens of thousands of Israelis have taken part in mass demonstrations calling for a ceasefire and return of all hostages.
Mass demonstrations are planned later Tuesday and Wednesday following Netanyahu’s announcement this week that he wants to fire the head of Israel’s internal security agency, the Shin Bet. Critics have lambasted the move as an attempt by Netanyahu to divert blame for his government’s failures in the Oct. 7 attack and handling of the war.
Since the ceasefire in Gaza began in mid-January, Israeli forces have killed dozens of Palestinians who the military says approached its troops or entered unauthorized areas.
Still, the deal has tenuously held without an outbreak of wide violence. Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to mediate the next steps in the ceasefire.
Israel wants Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas instead wants to follow the ceasefire deal reached by the two sides, which calls for negotiations to begin on the ceasefire’s more difficult second phase, in which the remaining hostages would be released and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.
HRH Kesang Chodren Wangchuck, President of GNH Centre Bhutan, Dr. Harald Link, Chairman of B.Grimm, and Ms. Caroline Link, President of B.Grimm Joint Venture Holding Co., Ltd., have signed an extension of their original Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership in promoting and integrating the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH) into organizational culture. This collaboration aims to enhance well-being and support meaningful engagement.
Dr. Harald Link, Chairman of B.Grimm, shared that B.Grimm has been serving and growing alongside Thailand for over 147 years. The company’s mission is to operate with compassion and to adopt the principles of Gross National Happiness into its corporate culture. These principles align with B.Grimm’s core values of compassion and its commitment to “Sufficiency Economy” as promoted by His Majesty King Rama IX. By integrating these values, B.Grimm aims to enhance its business practices and create a positive impact within the organization and beyond.
The partnership, which will last for 2 years, includes several initiatives designed to promote GNH values and foster growth in both professional and personal life. The collaborative goals are to create a positive organizational impact that extends to society at large. These efforts will focus on leadership through compassion and ethical business practices.
For over 147 years, B.Grimm has been committed to Doing Business with Compassion. This partnership underscores B.Grimm’s dedication to a future of compassionate leadership and sustainable business practices, creating an environment where employees thrive and communities benefit.
The Nakhon Ratchasima Dental Association presents evidence of a female dentist's injuries caused by a 41-year-old German man in November 2024, showing to the media on March 17 that there has been no progress in the case.
NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Representatives from the Nakhon Ratchasima Dental Association filed a police report at Nakhon Ratchasima City Police Station on March 17 following multiple violent incidents involving a 41-year-old German resident who has attacked dentists at several clinics, resulting in injuries.
The main concern is that police have yet to take effective action against him.
Dr. Wiwat Chatwongwan, who filed the report, stated that the association had previously reported incidents dating back to November 2024, but there has been no progress in the case. The perpetrator continues to live normally and has repeatedly caused similar disturbances, creating fear among dental clinics throughout Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat.
The association has issued warnings to dental clinics across the province to be vigilant about this dangerous individual.
Evidence submitted with the police report includes CCTV footage from the most recent incident at a dental clinic in a well-known shopping mall in downtown Korat on March 14 at 5:39 p.m. The footage shows the man becoming agitated with a dentist, causing a disturbance, and forcing his way into the dentists’ private quarters adjacent to the dental operation room—an area typically restricted to authorized personnel. He verbally abused the dentist in a fit of rage, causing a female dentist to flee in terror.
The footage shows the German man raiding a dental clinic in Nakhon Ratchasima City on March 14, 2025.
Additional evidence includes video from November 30, 2024, at a dental clinic on Mittraphap Road in Cho Ho subdistrict. The man aggressively entered a female dentist’s room on the second floor, punched through the plywood door, reached in to unlock it, and proceeded to destroy property inside.
He then physically assaulted the female dentist—biting her lips and slamming her head against the wall—before continuing his rampage downstairs. The incident left the dentist severely traumatized, and she has been unable to return to work since.
Dr. Wiwat explained that the man has a Thai wife and resides in Don Chomphu subdistrict, Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Besides vandalizing several dental clinics in Nakhon Ratchasima City district, he has also sent threatening messages to dentists through their personal Facebook accounts, warning of physical harm and death threats, causing widespread fear among the local dental community.
The footage shows the German man raiding the female dentist’s room at a dental clinic in Nakhon Ratchasima City on March 14, 2025.
According to the man’s wife, he has a history of psychiatric treatment in Germany and was dismissed from his job due to mental health issues before moving to Thailand to live with her. Since then, he has refused treatment or medication for his condition, opting instead to use cannabis.
The dental association is concerned that police reports filed at both Nakhon Ratchasima City and Pho Klang police stations have not led to any progress. The man continues to live normally despite the serious risk that he could cause injury or death if he were to bring a weapon to a clinic.
“We urge police to take swift action against this foreigner as his behavior poses a significant threat to society,” Dr. Wiwat said. “At the very least, he should be properly treated or detained to prevent him from causing further disturbances to society.”
People from China, Vietnam, Ethiopia believed to have been trafficked and trapped into working in online scam centers after they were rescued in Myawaddy district in eastern Myanmar, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanaphon Wuttison)
BANGKOK — The government announced the results of its month-long crackdown on fraudsters, reporting a 20 percent drop in fraud cases and a 200 million baht drop in losses. The government pledged to continue its measures and estimates that more than ten thousand people are still active in the scam networks on the Myawaddy side.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES), Prasert Chanthararuangthong, and Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Technology Crime Prevention Center, presented the results of operations against call center gangs at Government House on March 17.
Prasert said the government has started cutting electricity, fuel and internet connections from Mae Sot district in Tak province to the Myanmar side since Feb. 5, and has also been cracking down on fraudsters at the Cambodian border in Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo province since Feb. 12.
Prasert Chanthararuangthong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society (right), and Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police, jointly announce the results of the crackdown on call center gangs at Government House on March 17, 2025.
Call Center Fraud Reduced by 67%
Statistics on reported cases of online crime across the country show that from January 1 to January 31, 2025, 31,159 cases were reported. From February 5 to today, the number of reported cases has dropped to 25,487, a decrease of about 20 percent, with the number of cases continuing to decline. At the beginning, an average of more than 1,000 cases per day were reported. In particular, call center fraud, the most common form used to target victims, fell by 67 percent.
The decline in crime statistics is the result of strict government measures and cooperation between the relevant authorities. According to AOC 1441, the amount of reported financial losses fell by around 200 million baht last month.
Comparing the financial losses between January-February 2024 and the same period in 2025, the losses have decreased by 30 percent, to be more precise:
Cases involving the fraudulent installation of remote control software on phones have decreased by 88.64 percent and financial losses have decreased by 94.24 percent.
In the cases of fraudulent credit offers, 17.51 percent fewer bank accounts were blocked and financial losses fell by 55.49 percent.
Thai soldiers provide security for the transfer of Indonesia nationals who had worked at scam centers in eastern Myanmar, on their arrival at Thailand’s Mae Sot, Tak province before being sent back to Indonesia on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
In cases of investment fraud violating emergency regulations, the number of blocked accounts decreased by 62.22 percent and financial losses decreased by 97.21 percent.
In addition, the public is increasingly aware of the risks of fraud thanks to the government’s information campaigns. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained action against fraudsters.
Suspected 10,000 Scam Workers Still Work in Myawaddy
Pol. Gen.Thatchai explained that recent operations against call center gangs have mainly focused on groups along the borders with neighboring countries. In cooperation with Myanmar, the first raids involved 5,251 people, 3,533 of whom were sent back to their home countries after being checked to see if they were victims of human trafficking. The remaining 1,718 were mainly Chinese and Indian nationals.
Additionally, the Royal Thai Police took seven measures to control the entry of 3,652 foreigners into Mae Sot district in Tak province from January 20 to February 26, 2025. Almost all of these foreigners claimed to have entered voluntarily; however, after being interviewed by the authorities, only 5 percent chose to return home.
Pol. Gen. Thatchai confirmed that the investigation did not reveal any evidence of coercion, forced sedation or abduction from Mae Sot to Myawaddy. He suspected that most of those entering the country intended to work illegally in call center gangs, casinos or other illegal activities in Myawaddy, but could later become victims of human trafficking due to forced coercion.
“We believe there are still over 10,000 people working in call center gangs on the Myawaddy side. We are planning international meetings to share information and determine whether these gangs have really been eliminated,” said Pol. Gen. Thatchai.
A truck pass through a military check point near display vinyl signs in Thai, English warning Thais and foreigners of the risk of being trafficked to work along the Myanmar border in Mae Sot, Tak province Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Close Legal Loophole in Cross-Border Fraud
Regarding the crackdown on the Cambodian side, Pol. Gen. Thatchai said that on February 21, 2025, he was instructed by the government to travel to Cambodia to set up a Thai-Cambodian coordination center to repatriate Thai nationals working with fraudsters to Thailand for prosecution.
A total of 119 Thai nationals were repatriated from Poipet, Cambodia. 115 of them have already been charged with involvement in transnational organized crime, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, as well as fraud and criminal conspiracy.
“This is the first time we have closed the legal loophole that previously allowed victims of human trafficking to be sent back to Thailand without the threat of prosecution, only to return to criminal activity in Cambodia. We have successfully convinced the courts to issue arrest warrants for all 115 individuals. In the future, we will prosecute Thais who exploit legal loopholes to defraud Thais from Cambodia and confiscate assets,” said Pol. Gen. Thatchai explained.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said the government will strengthen border controls, intensify crime prevention and use advanced technology for faster and more accurate operations. These measures are aimed at eradicating the problem comprehensively. She emphasized that ensuring public security is one of the government’s key performance indicators (KPIs).
She also thanked all officers for their efforts that have resulted in continuous arrests and reduction of harm.
Screenshots from videos of two violent incidents: Left shows transgender women arguing with foreign men near Walking Street on March 17, 2025, and right shows a Swiss man kicking a Thai motorcyclist in South Pattaya on March 16.
PATTAYA — Pattaya’s nightlife scene offers more than just entertainment—it can also be the setting for hot-tempered confrontations. Two recent incidents occurred in areas frequented by foreign tourists.
In the first incident, a group of transgender women clashed with foreign tourists. Video footage captured by bystanders at 1:06 a.m. on March 17 near Walking Street shows transgender women confronting male foreign tourists. The argument escalated when a woman in black slapped one of the tourists, who responded by pushing her head, further angering the group who shouted back in retaliation.
Reporters later interviewed one of the transgender women involved, 24-year-old Fah Sai. She explained that before the incident, they had been sitting on a foreigner’s motorcycle. When the owner arrived, he allegedly complained about them using his vehicle and suggested they use their own, which they perceived as disrespectful. This led to an argument, though she claimed it didn’t escalate to physical violence before both parties separated.
Local residents reported that this group of transgender women regularly patrols the area seeking foreign clients, essentially behaving as if they own the tourist zone. Local residents have called for relevant authorities to enforce stricter measures, warning that such behavior inevitably affects tourism.
This incident followed another altercation between a foreign man and a Thai man on Pattaya 2 Road in South Pattaya, which was also captured on video and shared on social media. According to the post, the fight began after a motorcycle collision. The footage shows a large-built foreigner kicking a Thai man to the ground before bystanders intervened to separate them.
Tourist Police take 35-year-old Swiss man who appeared in the altercation video to Pattaya Police Station for legal proceedings on March 17, 2025.
At 1:00 p.m. on March 17, Tourist Police and Pattaya City Police arrested 35-year-old Mr. Stefan, a Swiss national who appeared in the video, at his residence in Soi Phra Tamnak, Pattaya. He admitted to being the person in the footage and explained that before the incident, the Thai man’s motorcycle had collided with his own motorcycle, leading to an argument during which the Thai man struck him with a helmet. This prompted the physical altercation seen in the video.
Bangkok (6 March 2025) –TCP Group, the manufacturer and distributor of Kratingdaeng (Red Bull), Ready, Som Plus, Sponsor, Mansome, Hi!, Puriku, Sunsnack, and Warrior, has partnered with BIG, A Climate Tech Company, to implement low-carbon nitrogen in TCP’s production processes. This initiative marks a significant step toward achieving net-zero emissions and promoting sustainability within the beverage industry. It applies to Krating Daeng (Red Bull) energy drinks, Sponsor sports drinks, Mansome functional drinks, and Sunsnack, a Thai snack brand, all of which will utilize low-carbon nitrogen produced through a reduced-electricity process. This Low-Carbon Nitrogen provided by BIG, reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50% compared to conventional nitrogen production, significantly decreasing TCP’s environmental footprint.
A Significant Step Towards Sustainability
This collaboration aligns with TCP Group’s commitment to sustainable business practices by minimizing its environmental and climate impact. By choosing low-carbon nitrogen for its popular beverage and snack products, TCP is not only reducing its own carbon footprint but also setting a new environmental standard for Thailand’s food and beverage industry. BIG’s low-carbon nitrogen is certified by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) (TGO) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 50% compared to conventional nitrogen production. The use of low-carbon nitrogen from BIG will contribute to the reduction of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, which are indirect emissions from production processes. This aligns with both companies’ policies to minimize environmental impact and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
TCP Group Aims for Sustainable Production and Net Zero
Mr. Saravoot Yoovidhya, Chief Executive Officer of TCP Group, said “At TCP Group, we are committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We have already reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by over 10% and now use more than 80% renewable energy. This partnership with BIG is a testament to our dedication to environmental responsibility while also driving progress in Thailand’s beverage industry. As a House of Great Brands, TCP is transforming its manufacturing processes by adopting Smart Manufacturing, leveraging technology and innovation such as low-carbon nitrogen to enhance production efficiency and deliver high-quality products to consumers. This aligns with TCP Group’s purpose to ‘Energizing a Better World for All’”.
BIG Drives a Low-Carbon Society
Mr. Piyabut Charuphen, Managing Director of BIG, said “BIG is committed to leading innovation for climate solutions in Thai industry. As the first producer and distributor of low-carbon industrial gases in Thailand certified by TGO, BIG’s low-carbon nitrogen reduces carbon dioxide emissions by over 50%, supporting sustainable industrial decarbonization and enhancing global competitiveness regarding carbon tax. This also assures consumers of the safety of using BIG’s low-carbon nitrogen.
“The delivery of low-carbon nitrogen to TCP Group is a significant step in reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating the private sector’s role in addressing climate change. It underscores BIG’s commitment to creating environmentally friendly solutions under our ‘Generating a Cleaner Future’ business strategy.”
BANGKOK — Kasikorn Research Center forecasts that mango sticky rice prices will remain high in 2025, similar to 2024 levels of approximately 138 baht per serving, despite falling mango prices. The research indicates mango prices are declining for the second consecutive year due to increased production and slowing domestic consumption, while other ingredient costs continue to rise.
Price Trends and Market Factors
Mango sticky rice, a popular Thai summer dessert featuring sweet Nam Dok Mai mangoes paired with coconut-infused sticky rice, continues to face pricing pressures despite its popularity.
According to Kasikorn Research Center report on March 14, 2025, Nam Dok Mai mango prices at the farm level are projected to be around 16.3 baht (48 cents) per kilogram in 2025, down 8.5% from 17.9 baht (53 cents) in 2024. This marks the second year of price decline from the 2023 high of 21.3 baht per kilogram.
Two key factors are driving mango price reductions:
A 9% increase in Nam Dok Mai mango production in major growing regions due to favorable weather conditions (approximately 70% of production reaches markets between March and May)
Slowing domestic consumption, including reduced demand from both Thai consumers and foreign tourists at restaurants and street food vendors
Nam Dok Mai mango
Rising Costs Offsetting Cheaper Mangoes
Despite cheaper mangoes, other ingredients and operational costs continue to rise:
Main Ingredients (representing 70% of total costs):
Sticky rice: up 1.4%
White coconut meat (for coconut milk): up 71.4%
Sugar: price controlled at 21 baht (62 cent) per kilogram
Other Expenses:
Rental space/stall fees: remaining high
Labor costs: increasing 2.9% in 2025
Packaging materials (boxes, spoons, zip-lock bags): remaining high
Consumer Impact and Popularity
Kasikorn Research Center predicts consumers will pay around 138 baht ($4.10) per serving in 2025, similar to or slightly higher than 2024 prices.
Despite price concerns, mango sticky rice remains highly popular. Nam Dok Mai mango is a renowned Thai Geographical Indication (GI) product known for its quality and is increasingly available in restaurants. The dessert was ranked second globally in “Best Rice Puddings” in 2024 and is listed among the world’s top 50 most popular desserts.
BANGKOK — United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thailand, in collaboration with its partners, organizes the “Her Awards UNFPA Thailand” photo exhibition and celebrates International Women’s Day 2025. The event takes place on the 5th Floor, Craftstudio Zone, CentralWorld from 3 to 6 March 2025, and at MRT Thailand Cultural Center Station from 8 to 15 March 2025.
It aims to advocate for gender equality, recognize the recipients of the “Her Awards UNFPA Thailand 2024,” and facilitate a public forum for idea exchange and collaboration across diverse sectors to promote equitable and sustainable development. The event’s attendees comprise representatives from government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, local communities, youth, educational institutions, the media, celebrities, and the general public.
This photo exhibition and celebration are a continuation of the efforts of UNFPA Thailand and its partners in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 2024 and the final five years of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiatives seek to attain gender equality and empower women and girls, which are significant global agendas.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025, UNFPA Thailand and its partners have arranged a sequence of events in Bangkok to celebrate and recognize the recipients of the “Her Awards UNFPA Thailand 2024”. These inspiring awardees have made outstanding contributions across population and development areas, including women’s empowerment, gender equality, combating gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and promoting the rights and well-being of all individuals throughout their life cycle.
Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of Office of UNFPA Thailand, states that this celebration aims not only to spotlight the achievements of the Her Awards winners but also to foster public dialogue and collective action under the theme “For all Women and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment.” The activities also serve to amplify the voices of different stakeholders, including local communities, development practitioners, policy-based developers, the private sector, youth, and policymakers, who are working tirelessly to address critical issues such as promoting gender equality and social development.
Additionally, today’s event underscores the significance of a life-cycle approach to development—ensuring that women and girls, from adolescence to old age, possess equitable opportunities and access to key services required.
“The Her Awards represent not merely an accolade but also a testament to our dedication to advancing the ICPD goal. The ICPD emphasizes the significance of gender equality, ending gender-based violence, and sexual and reproductive health rights to foster a society in which all individuals have equitable access to opportunities, rights, and choices. The Her Awards is a platform that enables individuals of different genders, ages, professions, and organizations to demonstrate their potential and motivate others. Regardless of your identity or origin, you possess the capacity to effect societal change,” Ms. Siriluck remarks.
Dr. Araya Panurach, Managing Director of Bangkook Metro Networks (BMN), a provider of advertising media, retail space, and event space in the MRT and expressway systems, a subsidiary of Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM), which is the operator of expressways and the MRT Blue Line, Purple Line, and expressways, as a representative of BEM, states that “BMN and BEM are proud to be a part of the ‘Her Awards UNFPA Thailand’ photo exhibition and to commemorate International Women’s Day.
Utilizing the available space at MRT stations to coordinate this event within the system is a wonderful method of fostering widespread awareness and inspiration. Representing BEM, our parent corporation responsible for the MRT and expressway systems, we assert that advocating for equality for all women and individuals, irrespective of gender, is fundamental to sustainable development in all aspects. Change will come from promoting the rights and welfare of Thais of all ages, and this may be accomplished by utilizing our collective physical and mental strength.”
Ms. Nada Binroheem, former president of the Children and Youth Council of Thailand and the recipient of the Her Awards UNFPA Thailand 2024, expresses that she is very pleased to contribute to Thailand’s advancement towards gender equality and inclusive development alongside people from diverse sectors and professions nationwide, as effecting change necessitates the involvement of all societal components.
In addition to today’s event, inspirational award recipients have engaged in mobile activities with UNFPA in different provinces nationwide to listen to problems and share stories to motivate others. These activities not only raise awareness about gender equality but also establish a network of women who are ready to rise up and take action to effect change in society.
“The Her Awards is made up of a variety of people. Celebrities, volunteer community development leaders, social developers, feminist who advocates for marginalized children, teachers in and out of the system, volunteer teachers who established the street teachers group, monks and nuns, police battalions, individuals employed in community enterprises from the southern border, civil servants, the public health sector workers, the civil society sector workers, female village headmen, village health volunteers, female leader from a subdistrict administrative organization who is dedicated to resolving non-standard loan issues for villagers, business people, individual from the private sector who works to enhance the value of farmers’ products, LGBTQ+ farmer who is dedicated to advancing both agriculture and gender rights, a young woman who was a victim of domestic violence and has since established an organization to assist victims of domestic violence and combat the culture of gender-based violence, and many others. This is magnificence. This is the inspiration that we wish to pass on to everyone,” says Ms. Nada.
Mr. Koen C. Kruijtbosch, Managing Director of Organon Thailand, emphasized, “At Organon, we envision a better and healthier future for every woman. The ‘Her Power’ Project, in partnership with UNFPA Thailand, focuses on addressing gender equality-related norms that contribute to health disparities in Thailand. Through this strategic partnership, we at Organon aim to create a more sustainable future for women, families, economies, and societies both in Thailand and around the world.”
Two sets of activities comprise the “Her Awards UNFPA Thailand” photo exhibition and the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration. The first set of activities is held on the 5A floor, Craftstudio zone, Central World shopping mall, from 3 to 6 March 2025.
The second set of activities is held at MRT Cultural Center, Exit 3, from 8 to 15 March 2025. Both sets of activities feature photo exhibitions throughout the event, as well as an opening session, panel discussions, and special talks on topics related to the event’s major theme.
