Wildfires rage across Chiang Mai mountain areas

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31 March 2026, 09:37

Wildfires rage across Chiang Mai mountain areas

CHIANG MAI — 31 March 2026, Wildfires have been reported across multiple mountain areas of Chiang Mai, with blazes likened to “volcanoes erupting” on mountain ridges, as communities across the province grapple with heavy smoke and worsening air quality.

Overnight from 30 March into the early hours of 31 March, residents in several districts reported forest fires burning across high hillside terrain, casting a red glow visible from afar. A local resident in Doi Saket district said flames were clearly visible from their home as fires spread across mountain slopes.

Another resident reported capturing images of a distant wildfire in Luang Nuea subdistrict, Doi Saket, at 01:00, showing large sections of forest ablaze.

Separate reports indicated that fires had spread extensively across Doi Luang, with no authorities yet able to reach the area to contain the blaze.

Fires have also been reported in several other mountainous areas, while Chiang Mai city and surrounding districts remain blanketed in hazardous haze, affecting public health across communities.

According to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), 303 hotspots were detected in Chiang Mai as of the morning of 31 March 2026.

Samoeng — 42 spots
Mae Taeng — 42 spots
Phrao — 41 spots
Chiang Dao — 35 spots
Mae Wang — 20 spots
Hang Dong — 19 spots
Doi Saket — 18 spots
Hot — 16 spots
Doi Tao — 14 spots
Chai Prakan — 8 spots
San Kamphaeng — 8 spots
Chom Thong — 7 spots
Mae On — 6 spots
Doi Lo — 5 spots
Mae Chaem — 5 spots
Galyani Vadhana — 3 spots
Omkoi — 3 spots
Mae Ai — 3 spots
Wiang Haeng — 3 spots
Fang — 3 spots
San Sai — 2 spots

Cumulative hotspot data from 1 January to 30 March 2026 shows a total of 4,735 hotspots recorded across the province.

3 crew members missing from cargo ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz still not found

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30 March 2026, 19:20

BANGKOK — Thai authorities continue efforts to locate three crew members of the cargo ship Mayuree Naree, who remain missing after the vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.

At a press briefing at the Government House on 30 March, Panidol Patchimsawat, acting director-general of the Department of Information and deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the ministry has been tracking the missing crew members since the attack. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeaw previously contacted his counterparts in Oman on 12 March and Iran on 15 March to request assistance for all 20 Thai crew members on board, including the three still missing.

Panidol said the ship’s owner, Precious Shipping Public Company, has deployed specialized search and rescue teams to inspect the damaged vessel. The operation has been hampered by fire damage and flooded engine rooms, but teams have conducted thorough searches of all accessible areas. So far, no sign of the three crew members has been found, and families have been kept informed.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies and urges all parties involved to prioritize the safety of the crew and ensure secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Panidol said.

Canadian tourist dies on Tiger Cave climb — second death in three days

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30 March 2026, 18:37

KRABI — A 54-year-old Canadian man died after collapsing while climbing the 1,260-step staircase to the summit of Tiger Cave or Wat Tham Suea Vipassana in Krabi on 29 March, rescue workers said.

Rescuers from the Krabi Pitak Pracha Foundation rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call from the 1669 command center. They found the man unconscious at step 1,100, without a pulse. Fellow tourists and rescue personnel attempted CPR, but he could not be revived.

Due to the man’s weight of over 100 kilograms, rescuers had to carefully lower his body on a stretcher using ropes to bring him down the steep hill. Initial reports indicated he had been walking up the stairs with his wife when he suddenly collapsed.

The Tiger Cave temple climb is known for its steep ascent, requiring visitors to climb 1,260 steps to reach the top. The Canadian tourist’s death is the second reported at the site within three days. On March 26, a 68-year-old Thai man also collapsed near the base of the Buddha statue and later died.

Authorities have urged visitors to take precautions, especially in hot weather or if they have underlying health conditions, due to the temple’s strenuous climb.

Mysterious wild elephant swims across Mekong to Laos every year

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30 March 2026, 18:10

BUNG KAN — A wild elephant has once again crossed the Mekong River from Thailand into Laos, continuing a puzzling annual migration, officials said on 30 March.

Vissanu Kumpa, head of the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, told reporters that volunteer rangers at Ban Tha Dok Kham spotted the elephant entering the river near Pak Huai Na Khok in Bueng Khong Long district, heading toward the Laotian side. The crossing occurred around 6:00, about 1.2 kilometres from the sanctuary’s boundary.

Phu Wua rangers are closely monitoring the situation along the riverbank and have coordinated with local Laotian authorities at Ban Khon Khueng, urging them not to harm the elephant and to alert Thai officials immediately if it is spotted.

Officials said the elephant has exhibited this behaviour for several years, typically between March and April. “It floats across the river because the water is quite deep, then walks on small islands in the middle,” Vissanu said. “We still do not know exactly what it does on the other side. Some think it’s looking for a mate, but it’s more likely in search of food — our side has been harvested, but Laos still has sugarcane and fruits it likes.”

The sanctuary continues to focus on the elephant’s safety, coordinating with Laotian counterparts while observing its annual journey.

Thai woman arrested after crashing BMW while drink driving in South Korea

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30 March 2026, 16:41

A Thai woman is facing an arrest warrant in South Korea after allegedly driving under the influence without a licence and causing a traffic accident in Gimpo, according to local Korean media.

Police in Gimpo said on 30 March that the suspect, identified as a woman in her 30s, is accused of violating road traffic, vehicle management and immigration laws.

The incident occurred at about 07:20 on 29 March, when she allegedly drove a BMW sedan and crashed into a stationary van at a traffic light. She fled the scene but was later apprehended after the victim reported the incident.

A breathalyser test showed her blood alcohol level exceeded 0.08%, a level that warrants licence revocation under South Korean law, police said.

Authorities also confirmed she did not hold a valid driving licence and had overstayed her visa after entering the country as a tourist. Two other Thai nationals in their 30s who were in the car were handed over to immigration officials.

Investigators said the vehicle had been acquired from a foreign national who had already left the country and had been deregistered.

Police are continuing to investigate how the suspect came into possession of the vehicle and the circumstances surrounding the incident, local media reported.

Gas blast destroys home, damages eight in Pathum Thani

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30 March 2026, 16:10

Gas blast destroys home, damages eight in Pathum Thani

PATHUM THANI — 30 March 2026, A suspected gas explosion destroyed a townhouse and damaged eight neighbouring homes in Pathum Thani province early on Monday, officials said, though no injuries were reported.

Pol. Lt. Col. Chonthan Promraksa, an investigator at Suan Prik Thai Police Station, was alerted to the blast inside the Chao Phraya Villa housing estate in Ban Klang, Mueang district. He and emergency responders rushed to the scene.

The explosion struck a two-storey corner townhouse, causing severe structural damage and leaving the property almost entirely destroyed.

A family of four, parents and their children, were inside at the time but escaped unharmed. The blast also damaged eight neighbouring houses, as well as one motorcycle and one car.

The homeowner, 46-year-old Pawannaphat Pranatphong, said she had been asleep upstairs with her children when a loud explosion shook the house, causing the ceiling to collapse. She attempted to flee via the stairs but found them destroyed, forcing the family to climb out through the damaged structure.

She said the blast sent shockwaves through adjacent homes, causing widespread damage. Authorities were notified shortly afterwards.

Initial investigations suggest the explosion was caused by a gas leak, possibly due to a valve not being fully closed. The homeowner said the gas had last been used for cooking at around 10:00 the previous day, and the family later went out for dinner before returning home at about 20:00, with no smell of gas detected before going to bed.

Pathum Thani governor Ekkawit Mipian visited the site and ordered disaster prevention and public works officials to inspect the structural integrity of affected buildings and cordon off hazardous areas over fears of collapse.

Temporary shelter has been set up at the estate’s administrative building for affected residents, with local authorities providing basic necessities. Engineers will conduct detailed inspections of all damaged homes to prevent further structural failures.

Cambodian court upholds 14-year jail terms for journalists over border photo showing unmarked landmines

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30 March 2026, 15:13

A Cambodian appeals court on 26 March upheld 14-year prison sentences for two journalists convicted of treason over a photo taken in a military-restricted area near the Thai border, local media and rights groups reported.

Pheap Phara and Phorn Sopheap were arrested in July after posting an image on Facebook showing them with Cambodian soldiers at Ta Krabei Temple, a historic site near the disputed frontier. The photo later circulated in Thai media, which claimed it revealed unmarked landmines, though Cambodia has denied such allegations.

The pair were convicted in December for “supplying a foreign state with information prejudicial to national defence,” a charge they denied. During the appeal, they requested a reclassification of the charges, arguing their content was intended to highlight soldiers’ resilience, not to aid a foreign state.

Sixteen local and regional press organizations criticized the ruling, warning that the harsh sentences could intimidate journalists from reporting in the public interest. “The use of broadly defined national security charges raises serious concerns about freedom of expression,” their statement said.

Information Ministry spokesman Tep Asnarith defended the convictions, saying the case serves as “a lesson for journalists to carefully consider national security and uphold the national interest,” adding that “freedom of the press must go hand in hand with responsibility.”

Cambodia ranks 161st out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.

TikToker calls BTS flip-flops “embarrassing,” sparking online debate

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30 March 2026, 13:29

BANGKOK — A photo of a passenger wearing flip-flops on the BTS Skytrain has stirred debate online, with some social media users criticising the choice as “embarrassing” for the capital.

The post, shared by a Thai netizen, said: “Honestly, I can’t accept people wearing shoes like this on BTS. This is the capital city — it’s embarrassing in front of foreigners. Anyone agree, comment — don’t let me be the only one. It affects the image of the country.” The user added: “Really bad. Learn to wear sneakers sometimes.”

The post quickly drew a flood of responses, many defending the passenger and arguing it is a personal choice, especially in Thailand’s hot climate. Some pointed out that wearing closed shoes all the time can be uncomfortable.

Comments included:

“I’ll just walk barefoot on BTS and through Paragon and make all Thais squirm.”
“This is too much. The feet and shoes are clean, not muddy or dirty. Focus on something more meaningful.”
“Why judge so harshly? Tourists in Thailand dress comfortably and carry backpacks — locals do the same.”
“It’s crazy! Wearing flip-flops is their choice. It’s not a formal event, no dress code.”
“In Australia, people walk barefoot or wear flip-flops on Melbourne metro all the time. The difference is people don’t interfere in each other’s business.”

The incident highlights ongoing debates on social media over personal freedom, public etiquette, and cultural expectations in Thailand’s capital.

Cabinet to approve 10 million baht compensation for families of fallen border troops

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30 March 2026, 12:27

S__42385473_0 — Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree

BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Army is expediting compensation and welfare support for personnel affected by recent clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border, with a proposal seeking cabinet approval of 10 million baht (304,690 USD) for families of those killed in the line of duty.

Speaking on 30 March at army headquarters, spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said the army recognises the sacrifices of its personnel and is committed to ensuring they and their families receive full support.

He said benefits under the army’s authority have already been delivered to affected families, including royal assistance funds, war-risk compensation and special pensions.

Additional support from the government, including the proposed 10 million baht payment for personnel killed during operations in December, is currently undergoing administrative procedures. Since January, the army has compiled documentation and submitted it to the Budget Bureau for approval from the central budget.

The proposal is now being reviewed before submission to the prime minister, and will subsequently be forwarded to the cabinet for final approval.

Winthai said the army chief has prioritised welfare and benefits for personnel, instructing commanders at all levels to closely follow up cases and provide support to families as if they were their own.

He added that assistance goes beyond paperwork, including visits to families to offer moral support and assess any hardships, ensuring no one is left behind.

The army reaffirmed it would continue coordinating with the Prime Minister’s Office to speed up the process so that families of the fallen receive their entitled support as soon as possible, in recognition of their sacrifice in defending the country’s sovereignty.

Cambodia rejects IQAir data, defends official air quality readings

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30 March 2026, 11:47

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment has rejected recent pollution reports based on data from IQAir, saying they do not reflect actual conditions.

In a 29 March statement, the ministry criticised international coverage, including by Radio France Internationale, for relying on external data without cross-checking official sources.

Spokesperson Khvay Atitya said Cambodia uses a nationwide monitoring network that directly measures pollutants such as PM2.5. He argued IQAir relies partly on satellite data and modelling, which may not capture local conditions accurately.

He said air quality from 07:00 on 28 March to 07:00 on 29 March was “good”, with PM2.5 averaging 25.32 µg/m³, below the 50 µg/m³ standard.

Atitya added that satellite systems may misread humidity or fog as pollution, especially in cities like Phnom Penh, and urged media to verify data with national sources.

IQAir is a Swiss-based company specialising in air quality monitoring and pollution protection technologies, and operates the AirVisual platform, which provides real-time global air quality data. Its key markets include Asia and North America.

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