Immigration Bureau Region 3 Arrests Two Foreigners in Serious Cases: Theft Gang and Drug Trafficking Suspects Evading Thai Authorities; authorities prepare to deport and transfer cases for prosecution.

May 23, 2025. Major General Songpruet Sirisuk, Commander of Immigration Bureau Region 3, ordered Pol. Col. Suriya Puang Sambat, Deputy Commander of Investigation Division at Immigration Bureau Region 3, and Pol. Lt. Col. Ithidhorn Prasertsakdi, Vice Deputy Commander, along with their team to track down and arrest suspects with outstanding warrants.

The investigation team arrested Mr. Wang (alias), 31 years old, Chinese national, wanted by Beijing Police, People's Republic of China for the charge of 'conspiracy to commit theft' at a hotel in the Huai Khwang area of Bangkok. He entered Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport with a Non-Immigrant Visa (Category O). Passport and identity verification confirmed his match with Beijing's wanted database.

They also arrested Mr. Martin (alias), 42 years old, French national, wanted by French police on serious charges including smuggling, possession, offer for sale, and distribution of controlled substances without authorization. He was alleged to have imported narcotics from Belgium and exported drugs to the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, and Italy. He also faces conspiracy charges that carry prison sentences of at least 10 years. He was arrested at a condominium in central Pattaya after entering Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport with a Non-Immigrant Visa (Category O).

Passport and identity verification confirmed his match with French authorities' wanted database. Immigration officers proceeded under the Immigration Act, revoking the suspects' permission to stay in Thailand. Authorities are preparing to deport both suspects and coordinate their handover to the People's Republic of China and France respectively.

BANGKOK — 24 May 2026, Thai cyber police said they are seeking those responsible for an explicit sexual livestream widely circulated on Facebook, warning that people who like or share the content could also face criminal charges.

Maj. Gen. Chatpandakarn Klaiklueng, deputy commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, said on 24 May that cyber police became aware of the livestream on the night it appeared after social media monitoring officers detected the clip and alerted senior officials.

He said the Technology Crime Inspection and Analysis Division had been ordered to investigate the URL and identify the people appearing in the video.

Authorities are examining whether the page owner or individuals in the footage are Thai nationals or located in Thailand. If so, police will pursue charges under Thailand's Computer Crime Act for importing obscene content into a computer system, he said.

Police pledged to pursue the case "strictly and to the fullest extent of the law".

Chatpandakarn also said cyber police would coordinate with Facebook Thailand to review why the platform's online community standards failed to detect and remove the sexually explicit material before it spread to an audience reportedly numbering in the millions.

He said online platforms already have content moderation standards intended to filter harmful material, particularly sexual content, which should normally be removed immediately.

Cyber police urged social media users who encounter similar content to report it and contact the cyber police hotline, 1441.

Officials described such material as harmful online content that could encourage imitation, particularly among children and young people.

Police warned against posting sexually explicit material online, saying offenders could face prosecution under Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act, including provisions covering false information and obscene content uploaded to computer systems.

Violators face penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht (£2,100), or both, police said.

Authorities also warned users against liking, sharing or redistributing explicit clips, saying those who knowingly disseminate obscene or unlawful computer data could face the same penalties as the original posters under the law.

First images from an underwater cave 50-60 meters deep in Vavuu Atoll, Maldives have been released following a tragedy that claimed the lives of five Italian tourists on May 15. The photographs, captured by Finnish rescue diver Sami Paakkarinen during the final search mission, show how sediment clouds reduce visibility to near-zero in the cave's depths, with rescue teams believing the group became disoriented before running out of air.

Images near the cave entrance still show natural light penetrating the water—this is where diving instructor and boat captain Gianluca Benedetti was found on May 14, the day of the incident. However, deeper inside the cave, the water becomes so murky that visibility is nearly impossible. Rescue divers believe the group lost their way inside the cave before their air supplies were exhausted.

Experts note that the cave contains narrow passages and large amounts of sediment that can be easily stirred up by even small fin movements, completely obscuring vision. It is believed the diving instructor attempted to find the exit but ran out of air near the cave entrance.

Rome's prosecutor's office has launched a formal investigation to determine why experienced divers exceeded safe diving depth limits of 30 meters—which is the Maldives' regulatory maximum—without proper permits, training, or required equipment.

Previous reports indicated that all five divers went missing while exploring the underwater cave at approximately 50 meters depth, exceeding the Maldives' authorized diving depth of 30 meters, and they lacked the necessary permits, training certifications, and safety equipment required by law.

Thailand's men's sepaktakraw team withdrew from their final match against Malaysia at the ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, protesting what they considered unfair officiating by referee Muhammad Radi. The team disputed a foul call for stepping on the center line in the third set, claiming the current rules no longer penalize this action.

Sepaktakraw expert and page administrator 'Mor Khae Jae Takraw' has clarified the current ISTAF regulations: the 'Phu Tawan' move is not a line-stepping foul and has not been penalized for 14 years.

After reviewing the sepaktakraw rules on center line stepping from 2008-2009 through today, a significant rule change was identified in 2012. Previously, stepping on the center line was considered a foul except during follow-through movements after kicking or blocking. However, starting in 2012, the federation removed all references to line-stepping violations, and this change has remained in effect for approximately 14 years.

The original English rule stated: "Stepping on the center line … except during follow through after kicking or blocking." After 2012, this language was completely removed, meaning stepping on the line in such circumstances no longer constitutes a foul unless the player fully crosses the line or commits another violation.

The 'Phu Tawan' move in question was a repositioning step before kicking, where only a portion of the right foot touched the center line—not the full foot, just heel to toe. Under current rules, this clearly does not constitute a foul. Additionally, similar moves by the opposing player also resulted in line touching but were not whistled as fouls, raising questions about refereeing consistency.

In conclusion, according to rules in effect since 2012 through today, the disputed 'Phu Tawan' move absolutely does not constitute a center line-stepping foul.

The expert noted that all references were drawn from an interview with an ISTAF federation referee who requested anonymity (as of May 24, 2025).

The Pollution Control Department has expressed gratitude to the Junk Traders Association for sending a letter of encouragement and support to its staff. The department acknowledges the critical role that secondhand goods traders play in helping solve Thailand's waste management problems and commits to supporting the association in elevating the profession toward environmental and circular economy standards.

The letter came in response to recent media reports alleging lack of transparency in the Pollution Control Department's operations. The Junk Traders Association clarified that over seven years of cooperation with the department, they have witnessed genuine commitment to grassroots environmental problem-solving and respect for the profession. The association praised the department's strong stance against opening import quotas for plastic waste into Thailand and noted that the department operates as an academic and developmental agency rather than an enforcement body, lacking jurisdiction over criminal cases and business licensing authority.

The association expressed agreement and support for the three-institution joint private sector committee's anti-corruption approach.

Aerobics fever at Suan Lum Park has reached new heights as Kru Took (Somruedee Srimark), the park's first dance instructor, opens up about her journey. When she started teaching aerobics at Suan Lum Park at age 20, she was still a first-year university student, but her extensive dance experience—including traditional Thai dance training and years of dance competitions—prepared her well. "I've been teaching here for 28 years now, dancing seven days a week without a break," she explains. Today, she leads classes alongside two other instructors, Kru Maew and Kru Noi.

Kru Took's unique style blends multiple dance genres into her own signature moves. The classes feature 13 songs that vary based on current trends. "I like diverse styles, and I think everyone does too," she says. "I mix them together to create our own identity and moves. When people hear songs they like and do the steps, they get excited—I can hear them cheering."

The park itself has transformed dramatically over the years, becoming brighter and more welcoming with improved landscaping and lighting. This evolution has attracted people of all ages and backgrounds. Seniors, in particular, have embraced the energetic dance style, feeling like they've stepped back into their younger years. "Everyone comes in their own way, wearing whatever they want," Kru Took notes. "People aren't focused on judging each other—they're focused on me, the instructor. It's like we're all joining together, having fun, talking, and some even make new friends here."

The aerobics trend has exploded, drawing both Thai participants and foreign visitors. When asked how the phenomenon started, Kru Took admits she isn't sure, but credits the collective effort of all instructors who share the same goal: bringing happiness and health to their members. "The trend has been wonderful," she reflects. "It's created a fever that's gotten more people exercising and revitalized public parks. Before this, dance culture had really slowed down. I receive messages from people thanking me for bringing dance back."