A Thai woman was fined 10,000 baht after driving an off-road vehicle into a protected World War II bomb crater at a national park in Kanchanaburi province.

The incident came to light after the woman shared photographs of her Toyota Land Cruiser FJ on Facebook. The vehicle was shown stuck in mud at a location later identified as a historic bomb crater preserved as part of a World War II site.

The crater is located near Nithe Train Station, a section of the historic Death Railway built by prisoners of war during World War II. The area is typically submerged beneath the Vajiralongkorn Dam and becomes visible only during the dry season, usually between April and May.

As part of a protected historical site, the national park has installed warning signs prohibiting visitors from driving or walking on the former railway track and surrounding areas, including the bomb crater.

Images shared online showed deep tyre marks left in the crater after the vehicle entered the site.

A video later posted on the woman’s Facebook account also showed the vehicle being driven at speed along the route. The footage drew further criticism because the track serves as a transport route for residents in the area.

After the photographs and video circulated widely on social media, the national park issued a public statement confirming that the activity violated park regulations and called on the driver to report to officials.

The woman, identified as Kittiya Menaruji, subsequently deleted the images and videos before posting a public apology. She said she was unaware of the site’s historical significance and had no intention of damaging the crater.

Kittiya explained that she and other members of an off-road vehicle group had travelled to the area as part of a volunteer project. According to Kittiya, the group had been helping construct roofs for students and teachers at a school in the Koh Sadoeng community.

Kittiya apologised to residents affected by the incident and accepted criticism from members of the public. She also pledged to learn more about locations she visits in the future.

In a later social media update, Kittiya confirmed that she had met with national park officials and paid a 10,000 baht fine.

National park authorities said they would work to restore the damaged area and install additional warning signs to better inform visitors and prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Phuket will serve as the main filming location for the 13th season of the American reality television series Below Deck, with production crews expected to spend 40 days filming across the province and the Andaman Sea.

The programme follows crew members working aboard luxury superyachts catering to ultra-wealthy guests and has built a large audience in key tourism markets, particularly the United States and Europe.

Previous seasons were filmed in destinations including Grenada in the Caribbean. The upcoming season marks the second time Phuket and the Andaman Sea have been featured in the series, following an earlier appearance in season nine.

The show is widely regarded as one of the most influential reality television programmes for promoting tourism and yacht-related industries in destinations where filming takes place.

The production is expected to generate tens of millions of baht for local businesses in Phuket. Accommodation providers, marina operators, transport companies, food suppliers and production support services are expected to benefit from spending by the crew and associated personnel during filming.

The series is also expected to strengthen Phuket’s profile as a destination for luxury tourism and yachting, with the province’s coastline, attractions and marine environment set to feature prominently throughout the season.

Officials from the Phuket Provincial Marine Office have called on residents and local boat operators to support the production and help facilitate filming. The agency said cooperation from the local community would contribute to promoting Phuket’s image as both a filming destination and a tourism hub.

Another internationally recognised television series to feature Phuket recently was The White Lotus season three.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, filming locations included Ya Nui Beach, Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, Bangla Boxing Stadium, Ta Khai Restaurant, Café del Mar Phuket and several resorts across the province.

The series also featured several Thai actors and public figures, including Lalisa Manobal, Praya Lundberg, Patravadi Mejudhon, Tayme Thapthimthong, Dom Hetrakul, Suthichai Yoon and Yothin Udomsanti.

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Police arrested a Thai woman at a resort in Sing Buri province after CCTV footage linked her to a series of thefts targeting passengers at two international airports in Bangkok.

The investigation began on May 21 when a woman identified as Jiraporn reported a stolen bag to officers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Jiraporn told police she had fallen asleep for about 10 minutes on the third floor of the passenger terminal near Gate 3. When she woke up, she discovered her bag was missing.

According to her report, the bag contained an iPhone 7 Plus, Ray-Ban sunglasses and cash in several foreign currencies, including UAE dirhams, US dollars, euros and pounds sterling. The total value of the loss was estimated at 300,000 baht.

Police reviewed security camera footage and identified a suspect, who was identified as a Thai woman, but her name was not publicised.

Further investigation revealed that the same woman was connected to two other theft cases at Don Mueang International Airport. The suspect stole property from a Malaysian traveller on May 16 and from an Indian national on May 20.

Investigators later tracked the suspect to a resort in Sing Buri province, where she was arrested on May 30. Police charged her with theft committed at an airport under Section 334 of the Criminal Code, which carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 60,000 baht.

She also faces a charge of theft committed at night under Section 335, which is punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 baht.

In a similar case reported at Suvarnabhumi Airport in December last year, a Chinese national was accused of stealing a bag from a Thai woman near Gate 9 while she was waiting to board a flight. Security camera footage showed the suspect taking the bag and leaving the area.

Police later arrested the man at a check-in counter. He claimed he had taken the bag by mistake, but the victim reportedly proceeded with legal action.

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Pluk Phak Praw Rak Mae Public Company Limited (OKJ) has launched a new dining brand, Grill & Ground, opening its first Thailand location on June 2, 2026, at The Paseo Park Kanchanaphisek in Bangkok. The company is positioning Grill & Ground as a new steak and salad bar concept built around the line “Unlimited Freshness, Your Way,” with a focus on variety, value and a live, interactive format.

OKJ said Grill & Ground is designed to update the buffet experience for consumers looking for nutritious, satisfying meals, combining premium ingredients with accessible pricing. The flagship site covers about 500 square metres of dining space.

Chief executive officer Chalakorn (Au) Eakchaipatanakul, who is leading the Grill & Ground launch, said the concept is intended to go beyond a standard buffet model.

“This launch is not just a business expansion; it is a reinvention of the conventional salad bar experience. We are not offering merely ‘All You Can Eat,’ but ‘All You Can Experience.’ Our goal is to create a vibrant, engaging dining experience where customers can enjoy a sense of premium quality at an accessible price point, what we call ‘Premium but Generous.’”

OKJ said pricing is set as a net price throughout the day, inclusive of VAT and with no service charge.

Grill & Ground is operating under the concept Fresh from the Ground. Fired on the Grill. OKJ said premium steak starts from 299 baht, using selected cuts that are grilled and served with curated side dishes. Customers ordering steak can also access the Harvest Salad Bar as part of their meal.

The Harvest Salad Bar is also available as a standalone option at 259 baht net, inclusive of VAT and with no service charge. OKJ said the bar includes more than 150 items across savoury dishes, desserts and beverages, arranged across seven zones: Organic Harvest Bar, Comfort Food Hot Station, Fresh Bake Corner, Beverage Bar, Live Culture Yoghurt Bar, Roll & Toss (Live Salad & Yum Station), and Tokyo Sweet Bar & Dessert.

Beverage highlights listed for the launch include Low-Sweet Organic Pandan, Soy Milk Slushy, and Nam Dok Mai Mango Slushy with Chilli Salt. The Live Culture Yoghurt Bar includes yoghurt soft serve with toppings, while Roll & Toss focuses on made-to-order salads, Thai-style spicy salads (yum) and signature dishes prepared plate by plate by chefs.

OKJ said Grill & Ground will expand to five branches in 2026, with new locations planned for Q3 and Q4. Most new branches are expected to come from renovations of existing Okajhu locations of at least 300 square metres, typically those operating for more than five years and due for refurbishment.

For 2026, OKJ projected revenue of about 70 to 100 million baht from Grill & Ground expansion, with a longer-term plan to reach 15 to 20 branches within three years, depending on customer response and site potential. OKJ also cited the Thai healthy food and salad bar segment as being valued at more than 5.2 billion baht, with ongoing growth linked to rising consumer interest in healthy eating.

Chief operating officer Benyapa Techamaneesathit, also leading the brand, said…

“We want Grill & Ground to transform everyday meals into experiences worth coming back for.”

Press Release

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Questions were raised over the registration and safety approval of a Chinese herbicide product after it was suspected of contributing to the death of a Thai man who was transporting it in his car.

The concerns were highlighted by garage owner Paris Sittisarn, who shared the case on social media and urged authorities to investigate the product following the death of his former employee, identified only as Yak.

According to Paris, Yak was driving home when he began experiencing breathing difficulties. He contacted a friend for help, who arrived about 15 minutes later and found him with foam around his mouth. The friend rushed Yak to the hospital, but medical staff were unable to save him.

Paris said a bottle of herbicide bearing a Chinese brand was later found inside Yak’s white sedan. The product was reportedly wrapped in two layers of bubble wrap and sealed inside a delivery package.

According to Paris, the vehicle was filled with the smell of chemicals despite the product remaining unopened in its packaging.

He claimed medical personnel also suspected the substance could have played a role in Yak’s death. However, officials said a detailed autopsy would be required before any conclusion could be reached.

Paris said he informed police handling the case about the possible link between the herbicide and the death, and requested further investigation into the product.

He alleged that officers declined to pursue additional enquiries regarding the herbicide.

The garage owner raised questions online about whether the product had been legally registered for sale in Thailand and whether it met safety requirements. He also claimed the packaging lacked Thai-language labels, product information and usage instructions.

Paris further argued that the strong chemical odour escaping from the unopened package suggested the product could pose health risks.

In a recent update, Paris said preliminary autopsy findings indicated that Yak died from heart failure. However, he and the victim’s family are awaiting the full autopsy report to determine whether the herbicide was connected to the death.

The case prompted renewed concerns about the safety of products purchased online. As of now, police and relevant government agencies have not issued public statements regarding the investigation or the product’s regulatory status.

In a similar case, a Thai man previously warned the public after suffering severe head injuries following an allergic reaction to hair dye purchased online.

The story Chinese herbicide safety questioned after driver dies in transit as seen on Thaiger News.

Prarthana told police that on returning from buying dinner, she noticed one of her two cats hiding under the bed, a behaviour she said she had never seen from the animal before. She also found her indoor CCTV camera knocked onto the floor with its plug disconnected.

“After this, I contacted my boyfriend’s family to discuss the situation,” she said. “I immediately decided to pack my things and move out because I no longer feel safe here. I urge the police to track down this man and take legal action against him.”

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Thailand’s Transport Ministry is seeking Cabinet approval in principle today for a plan to place Bangkok’s electric rail network under a single management body, a move intended to replace the current Bangkok BTS fare structure with a unified 40-baht cap across all lines from January 1, 2027.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced yesterday that the ministry would ask the Cabinet to endorse a framework transferring management rights for all rail transit lines to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) under a “single ownership” model.

Reportedly, the proposal is aimed at centralising oversight and supporting the government’s common ticketing policy.

The ministry is currently examining how management rights and operational authority for certain rail lines, including those overseen by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), could be transferred to the MRTA to enable network-wide control.

Siripong said the proposal would serve as the foundation for establishing a common fare structure across the electric rail network.

He added that Cabinet approval in principle was needed to create a cooperation framework among the relevant agencies.

A Transport Ministry source to the Bangkok Post indicated that if the Cabinet endorses the proposal, negotiations would begin with private concessionaires and the BMA to transfer operating rights to the MRTA.

The ministry has stated that the restructuring would not require additional state budget spending or increase public debt. Instead, it would involve revising existing concession agreements, with the MRTA assuming the role of the contracting authority from the BMA or other agencies.

The restructuring would also shift concession terms from a public-private partnership net cost model to a gross cost model, under which private firms would be contracted to operate services rather than collect fare revenue directly.

Officials have said the unified management structure is central to launching the long-delayed common ticketing system.

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Police are investigating after an active grenade was found outside a bank in the Bang Khun Non area of Bangkok this morning, June 2.

Officers from Bang Khun Non Police Station and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units were called to the scene at roughly 7.30am.

Police found an MK 2 grenade mixed with rubbish beside the road. Officers immediately secured the area and established a safety perimeter while EOD personnel carried out disposal procedures. The operation was completed at approximately 9am.

According to KhaoSod, rubbish collection workers discovered the suspicious object while sorting waste at the location. After examining it more closely, they realised it appeared to be a grenade and immediately notified police.

A security guard at the bank told reporters that the area is commonly used as a collection point where rubbish is gathered before being sorted and collected each morning.

The guard said he arrived at work to find police already cordoning off the area and preventing members of the public from approaching the scene.

Investigators are reviewing security camera footage from nearby locations to identify the person responsible for leaving the grenade at the site.

Police believe the explosive device may have been discarded by someone attempting to avoid legal consequences associated with possessing it.

In a similar case reported in Phuket last year, police arrested six suspects after explosive devices were discovered at four locations across the province, including Phuket International Airport, Promthep Cape, Patong Beach and Surin Beach.

The Royal Thai Army later stated that the plot was intended to create fear and panic among residents and tourists rather than cause fatalities.

In another incident last year, several explosive devices were found among roadside rubbish in Hin Lek Fai subdistrict, Hua Hin. Police launched an investigation to determine who left the devices and why they were abandoned. However, the findings of that investigation were not publicly disclosed.

The story Bangkok rubbish workers alert police after finding grenade as seen on Thaiger News.

A Japanese national called for justice, alleging that a Bangkok Bolt driver forced him to leave a vehicle mid-journey before physically assaulting him in the Asok area.

The physical assault by the Bolt driver gained attention after the Japanese man shared his account on social media. The post was later translated and republished by the Facebook page Jmoi V+ yesterday, June 1.

According to the passenger, the incident occurred on May 28 on Asok Montri Road. He also shared photographs showing a head injury that he said resulted from the alleged assault.

The Japanese man stated that he had booked a trip from his home to his workplace through the Bolt application. Upon reaching Asok Intersection, the driver allegedly informed him that he would not continue the journey and instructed him to leave the vehicle.

The passenger said he asked the driver for an explanation. According to the post, the driver replied that the fare was too low for the distance involved.

The Japanese man responded that any concerns regarding fares should be addressed with the platform rather than the passenger.

“What was you saying? If you have an issue with the transport fee, you should speak with Bolt. You accepted the transport fee, so you came to pick me up. Then, you should take me to the destination.”

According to the passenger, the driver became angry and again ordered him to leave the vehicle. The driver then stopped the car, and the Japanese man exited.

The passenger alleged that the driver subsequently got out of the vehicle and punched him. He said the driver had struck him on the back of the head.

The post stated that motorcycle taxi riders nearby intervened and stopped the assault. The Japanese man added that his flipflops were damaged during the incident and that a massage shop employee later gave him a replacement pair of sandals free of charge.

He said he reported the matter to police, but the driver had already left the area before officers arrived.

Despite the incident, the Japanese national expressed appreciation for the Thai people who helped him following the alleged assault.

The case attracted wider public attention, prompting the Prime Minister’s Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi to comment on the matter in her capacity overseeing the Office of the Consumer Protection Board.

Supamas said the ride-hailing platform would be summoned for clarification on June 5. Discussions are expected to focus on driver screening procedures, disciplinary measures and possible responsibility towards the victim.

The minister also thanked those who assisted the Japanese passenger, saying their actions helped maintain Thailand’s image.

The case emerged shortly after the Department of Land Transport announced it was considering whether to renew Bolt’s operating licence in Thailand following several legal controversies.

This move also followed a recent incident involving a schoolgirl who jumped from a moving Bolt motorcycle after the rider ignored her destination and continued travelling despite her requests to stop.

As of now, the department has not announced a final decision regarding the licence renewal.

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Malaysia’s ban on Thai shrimp imports took effect on June 1, targeting five species and putting more than 4 billion baht in annual export revenue at immediate risk. The measure is a direct response to Thailand’s own import restrictions on Malaysian seabass, and it has already disrupted trade on both sides of the border.

What Malaysia has banned and why

The five species affected are black tiger prawns, white shrimp, banana prawns, brown shrimp, and blue shrimp. Malaysia has suspended imports of all five temporarily, and has also added new inspection requirements for Thai seabass crossing into Malaysia.

The trigger for the ban was not the shrimp themselves; Thailand’s Department of Fisheries had already restricted imports of Malaysian seabass after detecting chemical residues in consignments. The inspection process at the Sadao border crossing in Songkhla province takes one to two days, long enough for fresh fish to spoil before clearance is granted. Malaysia’s response was to hit back at shrimp.

In short, Thailand restricted Malaysian seabass, and Malaysia restricted Thai shrimp in return.

What this means for southern farmers

Malaysia is one of Thailand’s most important shrimp export markets, with annual export volume averaging 6,000 to 8,000 tonnes and representing around 5% of Thailand’s total shrimp exports, valued at over 4,000 million baht per year.

Farmers in southern Thailand are particularly exposed, as many rely on direct export routes into Malaysia rather than going through larger intermediaries or processing facilities further north.

On the first day the ban came into effect, several of Malaysia’s regular buyers cancelled orders for Thai shrimp, while bilateral negotiations between the two governments showed no sign of progress.

Prices fall, farmers take the hit

Middlemen have begun pushing farm-gate prices down to 40 baht per kilogramme, forcing farmers to absorb losses. Preecha Sukkasem, deputy president of the Thai Shrimp Association, filed a complaint with senators over the deteriorating situation.

The Thai Shrimp Association has submitted a letter to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, urging the government to open emergency talks with Malaysia before competing exporter countries move in and take over the market. Farmer representatives are preparing a separate petition to the prime minister with the same message.

Shrimp from Thailand is residue-free, the association has stressed, and the ban is being treated as a retaliatory trade measure rather than a food safety response.

The broader picture

Thailand and Malaysia operate within a shared free trade framework, which makes the dispute more awkward to resolve than a straightforward bilateral spat. The longer it drags on, the more likely buyers are to look elsewhere, with Vietnam and India the most obvious alternatives for the region’s shrimp supply.

There are also reports of informal cross-border trade continuing regardless of the official ban, with groups allegedly moving seabass, eggs, and shrimp paste across the border from Malaysia into Thailand through unofficial channels.

Restaurants in Malaysia serving tom yum and other Thai prawn dishes have raised concerns about supply, though for now the ban affects fresh and raw imports rather than processed or prepared products.

For context on Thailand’s wider economic pressures this year, including the Bank of Thailand’s revised GDP forecast, and the cost of living in Thailand, both pieces offer useful background for anyone tracking how trade disruptions feed into the broader economy.

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