Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has approved six major investment projects worth a combined 958 billion baht ($29.9 billion), with TikTok accounting for the largest share through a massive data infrastructure expansion project.
BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi said on 6 May that the board approved three data centre and data hosting projects worth a combined 913.8 billion baht ($28.6 billion), reflecting continued investor confidence in Thailand’s digital economy ambitions.
The largest project belongs to TikTok Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which plans to invest 842.35 billion baht ($26.3 billion) in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao provinces.
The project will expand server installations to strengthen Thailand’s role as a strategic regional hub for data storage and processing, supporting growing demand from users across the region.
The BOI said TikTok will also develop digital literacy and e-commerce training programmes aimed at creating new business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs and improving the country’s digital workforce.
Other approved digital infrastructure projects include a 46.9 billion baht ($1.46 billion) investment by Skyline Data Center and Cloud Services, part of the UAE-based DAMAC Group, in Chachoengsao province. The facility will support an IT load capacity of 200 megawatts.
Bridge Data Centres IIO (Thailand) Co., Ltd. also received approval for a 24.6 billion baht ($769 million) data centre project in Chonburi province with an IT load capacity of 134 megawatts.
Beyond the digital sector, the BOI approved projects in recycled plastics, wind power and potassium chloride production.
Narit said Thailand continued attracting strong investment interest in digital and high-technology industries despite global economic uncertainty, reinforcing the country’s ambitions to become a regional tech hub.
He added that the BOI was working with partner agencies to improve infrastructure, electricity systems and clean energy mechanisms while accelerating investment approvals through the Thailand FastPass programme.
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — 6 May 2026, Chaos broke out at a drug rehabilitation centre in southern Thailand on Wednesday morning when hundreds of patients attempted to flee, prompting a large-scale response from police and local officials.
Authorities were alerted at about to unrest at the facility in Moo 3, Kaew Saen subdistrict, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Officers from multiple agencies were deployed to the scene.
Initial reports said around 500 people undergoing treatment tried to escape. Police and officials spread out to track those who fled, while senior officers, including regional police commanders, travelled to the centre to oversee operations.
No injuries or property damage were immediately reported.
Police said they were working to restore order and urged residents to report any suspicious individuals.
By 13:00, district chief Weeraphan Sukawal said the situation had returned to normal. Most of those who left the facility had been located and brought back, while about 30 had returned home safely with relatives.
Officials said the incident appeared to have been triggered by a group of around 10 patients who had been undergoing treatment for nearly a year. The centre had previously contacted their families to arrange their return home, but relatives had not responded.
Authorities believe the group, under stress and wanting to leave, took advantage of a power outage in the morning to force open a door and initiate the escape. Others followed once the exit was opened.
Officials said there was no violence or damage, and the incident was likely driven by stress among those undergoing treatment.
The rehabilitation centre is expected to be temporarily closed while authorities review the situation.
A 30-year-old Singaporean man accused of involvement in a Cambodia-based organised scam syndicate targeting victims in Singapore has been arrested in Phnom Penh and returned to Singapore, authorities said.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said Ngiam Siow Jui was arrested by the Cambodian National Police (CNP) in Phnom Penh following close cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two agencies.
Ngiam was among 34 suspects earlier sought by Singaporean authorities in connection with investigations into an organised criminal group allegedly operating from Cambodia.
He was repatriated to Singapore on 4 May and arrested upon arrival. Authorities said he will be charged in court on 6 May with facilitating the commission of a serious offence in furtherance of the illegal purpose of a locally linked organised criminal group under Singapore’s Organised Crime Act 2015.
If convicted, he faces up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.
According to the SPF, the syndicate is believed to be linked to at least 535 reported scam cases involving losses of around S$53 million.
The group allegedly operated from a scam compound in Phnom Penh that was disrupted during a joint operation by Singaporean and Cambodian police on 9 September 2025.
Singaporean authorities said they had previously seized assets linked to the syndicate and issued prohibition of disposal orders as part of ongoing investigations.
The SPF also announced that additional INTERPOL Red Notices were issued on 25 March against two other Singaporean men believed to be members of the syndicate.
The two suspects — Jonathan Boneta, 27, and Lee Ding Hao, 33 — are believed to be outside Singapore and remain at large.
The SPF said it would continue working closely with foreign law enforcement agencies to track down suspects involved in scams targeting victims in Singapore.
It is a rare rainy day in Bangkok’s dry season. The wet smell of petrichor rises off the asphalt as I stride down an alley off Sukhumvit from Nana station. In that moment, it feels like a place locals would rarely desire to patron.
Today is different. I am here to visit an esteemed Eastern Thai restaurant that I have read much about, but have yet to try: Burapa. I have come to sample its new lunch menu at the invitation of a friend.
‘My Journey Has Just Begun’ above the coordinates of Ack’s hometown are subtly printed into the concrete below the sign.
Unlike many of the businesses along this alley which seem to cater more to one-time tourists than repeat visitors, Burapa stands out as an inspired icon amid a slurry of forgettable fluff. The restaurant, like much of Eastern Thai cuisine, is tucked away in an area that I would not normally visit without good reason. Located on the corner of Soi 11 in the heart of Bangkok, it could easily be missed amongst the hustle and bustle—but today I approach with anticipation.
A restaurant greets you before you walk in the door. This time it is not staff, but a friend that waves me in. As soon as I enter, I feel the warmth of Burapa. A reprieve from a rainy day, the foyer feels lived-in, and the naturally bright lunchroom immediately shines. Before I sit down it already feels like an excellent place for lunch.
The bottom floor of Burapa offers a sharp bright mood for lunchtime diners.
Like most visitors to Thailand, I do not know what to expect from Eastern Thai cuisine, but I am curious. I have tasted the strong fermented flavours of the northeast, experienced the sugar-laden dishes of Bangkok, and been overwhelmed by the intense spices of the south. Eastern Thai, as I am told, balances in-between all of those, forming something distinct.
Before I eat, I am introduced to the long teak bar, where house-made fruit syrups in glass vessels line the counter. Without saying anything, I watch the staff work. It is immediately clear that they are well-trained, attentive, and experienced. If not for the menu ahead, I could have spent the hour here simply appreciating their focused process.
My drink, like the staff and décor, did not disappoint. It is a balanced, slightly sweet cocktail made with Bussaba, a beer from Full Moon Brewworks. It is garnished with an orange slice, which I happily indulge in. It is fruity, aromatic, and effortlessly enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone except those who prefer only the most bitter beverages. The snack pairing was equally well executed: elegant in texture and light. Some restaurants treat bar snacks as afterthoughts, but at Burapa even these elements are carefully considered.
A cocktail and snack pairing, priced at 380 baht, has been introduced alongside Burapa’s new lunch menu.
A whole table of options are brought before me, some new and some familiar. I try everything I can while maintaining my manners. Unlike western restaurants, where dishes are typically prepared for individuals, in true Thai fashion we share many dishes among the table.
There are too many items for me to list them all, but here are a few notable ones before I share my favourite:
Trat’s pad thai with grilled giant tiger prawn, paired with crispy lemongrass fried chicken wings—ideal for those seeking an elevated version of the dish. Lunch menu items start at 550 baht, with some extra options if you’re in the mood for more.Rice topped with fried seabass and assorted condiments, served with Siamese cardamom chicken soup and pickled papaya salad. There is also a vegetarian version available starting at 530 baht.Shrimp creamy omelette over rice, served with pork jowl rawang curry and minnow fish salad.
My dish of the day, however, is the grilled red chicken, followed closely by the rawang curry. The meat is wonderfully tender and disappears quickly from my plate. The curry was soothing and warm, with a finely tuned flavour profile. The salad is a thoughtful accompaniment.
Railway fried rice with grilled red chicken, accompanied by chicken rawang curry and grilled pork jowl cucumber salad—the writer’s top recommendation.
Stuffed from such a large sampling, we still, of course, made room for dessert. The most memorable to me is the salted coconut ice cream, but this one is not for those with a sweet tooth. The sweetness is subtle, while the salt cuts through. The toasted coconut underneath offers a light crunch that constrasts against the smooth, creamy texture of the ice cream.
The homemade sea-salted ice cream with toasted ice cream was not the sweetest, but perhaps the most elegant dessert.
The notion of balance emerges again and again across the new lunch menu. There is sourness, spice, sweetness, and umami, yet none of these flavours dominate. Instead, Burapa serves a composition of flavours, ensuring that no dish is confined to a single part of the palate. After trying almost everything on offer, I can confidently say that not a single item lets me down.
Order anything on the lunch menu that appeals to you, and you should experience a refined balance of texture and flavour. I come away from Burapa feeling as though I have experienced fine dining, with the satisfaction and warmth of a home-cooked meal.
Worth the visit and worthy of return, I recommend this Eastern Thai restaurant to anyone visiting Bangkok. Whether you are new to Thai cuisine or well versed, you are likely to be impressed by some of the best food I have had the pleasure of tasting in the city.
Burapa is well worth seeking out—find the location below.
PHUKET — 6 May 2026, A foreign tourist was shown vandalised parked motorcycles and behaving erratically in a residential area of Phuket, according to local media reports and widely shared social media footage.
The incident occurred in Chalong subdistrict, Mueang district.
Images posted by local Facebook page showed a shirtless man wearing black shorts and carrying bags, holding a knife and slashing motorcycle seats while shouting loudly in the street. His behaviour was described by witnesses as resembling that of someone under the influence of drugs.
The post identified the man as a British national and said he also damaged shop signage in the area.
The footage drew widespread reaction online, with many users criticising the man’s behaviour and raising concerns about the conduct of some foreign visitors.
Authorities have not immediately released further details about the suspect or any charges.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand and Cambodia were now moving toward a common legal framework after Cambodian leader Hun Manet announced plans to use compulsory conciliation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to address overlapping maritime claims.
Speaking on Wednesday, Anutin said the two countries had previously operated under different frameworks, but Thailand’s cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding meant both sides would need to negotiate new rules for future talks.
“At least both countries will now be operating under the same set of rules,” Anutin said. “Thailand no longer has the MOU 44, so whatever discussions take place from now on, new rules and frameworks must be agreed upon together.”
He added that there was still time for discussions and that Thailand’s Foreign Ministry was overseeing the matter. Anutin is set to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, from 7-9 May, where regional leaders including Hun Manet are expected to meet.
A cousin of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has acknowledged holding a 30 per cent stake in a payment platform linked by US authorities to cyber scams and money laundering operations across Southeast Asia.
Businessman Hun To, a nephew of former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, said in a statement on Wednesday that he owned shares in Huione Pay but was not involved in its management and received no profits from the company. His statement came after renewed scrutiny surrounding Phnom Penh-based Huione Group, which was designated by the US Treasury last year as a “primary money-laundering concern”.
US authorities accused the group of helping transnational criminal networks move billions of dollars tied to online scams, stolen funds and illicit cyber activities. Cambodian business records previously listed Hun To as a director of Huione Pay. According to a liquidation report, Chinese national Li Xiong held a 62 per cent stake in the company, while Hun To owned 30 per cent. Li was extradited to China last month over alleged links to a major gambling and fraud syndicate.
Huione Pay completed its liquidation process in October 2025. Liquidators said the company still held more than US$1.1 million in cash after paying creditors, with the remaining funds distributed to shareholders involved in its previous operations. Hun To denied receiving any portion of the remaining assets.
The controversy comes as Cambodia faces increasing international pressure over its role as a regional hub for cyber scam operations. Criminal syndicates based in casinos, hotels and heavily guarded compounds have been accused of running online romance and cryptocurrency investment scams targeting victims worldwide.
CHONBURI — 6 May 2026, Two teenagers riding a motorcycle hurled a homemade “ping-pong bomb” into a residential area in Chonburi province early on Wednesday, shattering a car window but causing no injuries, police said.
Officers at Nong Prue police station were alerted to the incident in Soi Mab Yai Lia 23 in Nong Prue subdistrict.
Residents gathered at the scene to provide information to police. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Investigators found fragments of an improvised explosive device wrapped in black tape, which had detonated after being thrown by the suspects.
The blast damaged a white Toyota Yaris parked outside a rental property, shattering a side window.
A resident, Chat Klam Bua, 65, said she was asleep when she heard a loud explosion.
“I woke up and went to check, and saw the car window had been shattered,” she said, adding that most people in the area were asleep at the time.
Witnesses told police they saw two teenage males riding a motorcycle enter the alley before throwing the explosive and fleeing the scene at speed. The make and model of the motorcycle were not identified.
The resident said she had no known disputes with anyone.
Police have documented the scene and advised the victim to file a formal complaint. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage along possible escape routes to identify and apprehend the suspects.
SAMUT PRAKAN — 5 May 2026, A 12-year-old boy was killed when he was run over by a lorry after the motorcycle he was riding on with his father swerved to avoid a pushcart on a road in Samut Prakan province, officials said.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash on Thepharat Road, also known as Bang Na-Trat Road, on an outbound frontage lane at kilometre marker 16 in Bang Chalong subdistrict, Bang Phli district.
Rescue workers arriving at the scene found the boy, a Myanmar national, with fatal head injuries after being struck by the rear wheels of an 18-wheeler lorry. His body was found in the middle of the road.
His father, 38, also a Myanmar national, was injured and taken to hospital.
The motorcycle lay overturned on the road, prompting authorities to temporarily close two left lanes to manage traffic.
The lorry involved was found parked about 100 metres from the scene. The driver, identified as Montree Maijaroen, 49, remained at the site to give a statement to police.
Investigators said traces of blood and tissue were found on the left-side trailer wheels.
Witnesses told police the father and son had been riding normally when they encountered a vendor pushing a cart against traffic. The motorcycle swerved into the road to avoid the cart and was struck by the lorry travelling behind them.
The lorry driver said he had been driving normally when the motorcycle suddenly moved into his path. He said he tried to avoid the collision but was unable to do so.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Saphat Prakarnpitak, an investigating officer at Bang Phli police station, inspected the scene and ordered the boy’s body to be sent to the forensic institute at Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital.
The lorry driver has been taken in for further questioning as legal proceedings continue.
CHONBURI — 6 May 2026, A video showing four couples of foreign tourists engaging in explicit behaviour in Pattaya Bay has drawn criticsm from locals.
The clip, shared on social media, shows eight tourists—four men and four women—apparently intoxicated as they enter the sea in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district. They are seen embracing and kissing in pairs, displaying intimate behaviour in the water.
Only three couples are visible at any one time, though the full video shows eight people in total.
Witnesses at the scene, including other tourists and local residents, repeatedly shouted for the group to stop and recorded the incident on their phones. The group, however, ignored the warnings and continued their behaviour openly.
At around 02:00 on 6 May 2026, reporters spoke with a 44-year-old witness, who filmed and posted the video. He said the incident occurred between approximately 03:00 and 04:00, when the group appeared heavily intoxicated and began acting inappropriately. The exact date of the incident was not specified.
Mr. Mon said he was angered by the situation and attempted to intervene, but the group did not respond and their behaviour escalated. He decided to record the video as evidence for authorities to take action.
He added that similar incidents have occurred before, involving tourists from various countries, and warned that such behaviour damages Pattaya’s image as a tourist destination and reflects poorly on Thailand.
Thailand has laws and widely observed cultural norms governing behaviour in public spaces. Indecent or explicit conduct in open areas may be considered an offence and can lead to legal action. Authorities and local communities regularly urge visitors to respect local customs to help maintain public order and the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
