Sri Lankan authorities arrested 30 Chinese and Vietnamese nationals on May 7 in the latest operation against online fraud networks, bringing the total number of suspects detained since the weekend to 261, according to police. The arrests were made in Werahera, outside Colombo, with detainees aged 19-39 to remain in custody until May 14.

Authorities had previously raided two scam centers on May 3, apprehending 157 suspects. On May 6, police shut down another operation in Colombo's Kollupitiya district, where 74 Vietnamese nationals were arrested.

A police spokesman stated: "They entered the country on tourist visas and worked illegally. Some had also overstayed their visa permits." A Colombo magistrate has ordered forensic examination of computers and mobile phones seized from the scam centers.

In April, Sri Lankan police arrested 152 foreign nationals, predominantly Chinese, at a hotel in the northwestern part of the island on cyberfraud charges. Immigration authorities also arrested 135 Chinese nationals in March on similar charges, who were subsequently deported.

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo noted that Chinese authorities are working closely with local officials to prevent Chinese nationals from involvement in scam operations. The embassy attributed the proliferation of scam centers in Sri Lanka to the country's advanced telecommunications infrastructure, favorable geographic location, and relatively lenient visa policies that have attracted organized cybercrime networks.

Police were startled to discover a large cache of explosives and firearms during a search of a Chinese national's residence following up on a vehicle rollover case. The suspect claims the weapons came from Rayong and were intended for self-harm, though police remain skeptical and are conducting detailed interrogations.

At 6:00 PM on May 8, 2025, Deputy Commander Ponpan Wongmanesetwat of Chonburi Provincial Police, along with investigation officers from Chonburi Province, Chonburi Forensic Unit, Na Jomtien and Huai Yai Police Stations, conducted a search of a residential property in Soi 2, Huai Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. The operation was initiated following a report from Na Jomtien Police Station about a car rollover in their jurisdiction involving a foreign driver. The suspect was identified as Ming Chen Sun, 31 years old, holding a Chinese passport and a pink Thai ID card, along with a Taiwanese woman. Military weapons were discovered in the vehicle during the initial search.

The search of the residence yielded shocking discoveries, including 4 C-4 explosives weighing 8 pounds, modified K-75 explosives, M16 firearms, 5.56mm ammunition marked LOT RTA (manufactured by the Royal Thai Army Ammunition Plant for military use), and other weapons. Mobile phone footage revealed shooting practice clips and explosive training sessions with Cambodian soldiers.

After the discovery of the large weapons cache, police cordoned off the area around the house to a 100-meter radius and called in the EOD unit to recover the explosives found inside.

During initial questioning, Ming Chen Sun stated that he previously operated a liquor shop in Cambodia but relocated to Thailand following border issues. He claimed to have purchased the weapons through a LINE group in Rayong province but could not specify the exact location. He stated his intention was to use the explosives for self-harm due to depression.

A pack of approximately 20 stray dogs attacked an 8-year-old boy in Khlong Soi Mun Mon community, Khlong Phai Subdistrict, Si Khit District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province on May 8, 2026. The incident was documented on CCTV and occurred when the child was riding an electric motorcycle through an intersection within the community before being swarmed and mauled by the dogs, causing injuries that shocked residents in the area.

Following the attack, relatives rushed the boy to the hospital for wound treatment and rabies vaccination. The child is now experiencing fear and refuses to travel through the area again due to the large population of stray dogs inhabiting the neighborhood.

The Khlong Phai Municipal Administration has recently launched field inspections of homes keeping dogs in the area to develop action plans and prevent future incidents. Local residents are calling on relevant authorities to urgently and seriously address the stray dog problem, noting that people have been chased and bitten multiple times in the past. They express concern that without intervention, similar or more severe incidents could occur involving other children and adults.

A private courier driver in Samut Prakan has released a warning video after multiple customers received substandard durians that didn't match their online orders. The driver, Naresorn Somana, 39, discovered a suspicious package headed to a retired teacher's home—the same address that had received defective durians previously. Upon opening the package before delivery, he found unripe durians that were far smaller than advertised. He decided to film a warning video and arranged for the customer to return the goods without incurring additional charges.

Naresorn explained that in his years as a delivery driver, he has witnessed frequent online shopping fraud, with customers receiving items completely different from what they ordered—such as receiving only rags instead of the clothing they purchased. When another suspicious package arrived from the same seller, this time addressed to a temple, he again inspected it and found identical unripe durians. He immediately called the monk recipient to warn him.

The first victim interviewed was Pranee Nasmanuek, 61, a retired teacher, who ordered durians through a Facebook Live stream for 550 baht, expecting 5-12 fruits weighing 5 kilograms. When the package arrived, she was shocked to find only tiny, unripe fruits that looked nothing like what was advertised. She expressed regret about online durian shopping and decided to buy from the market in the future.

Reporter then visited Kwan Sa-Art Temple in Samut Prakan to meet with Luang Ta Prayut Rungpetcharat, the 71-year-old abbot who ordered the durians. He explained that after seeing the durians on Facebook Live, he was tempted to try ordering. The seller called back with an upgraded promotion: instead of 3-6 fruits for 333 baht, he could get 8 fruits for 550 baht. He decided to order and waited nearly a week for delivery.

Luang Ta Prayut said that when the shop called back, they knew he was a monk because he provided the temple address. However, when the package arrived, he received only 4 unripe, tiny durians that were inedible. He felt deeply disappointed as he had planned to share them with temple visitors. Fortunately, the delivery driver called ahead and the abbot was able to return the goods without losing money. He also mentioned having been scammed 2-3 times previously through online shopping for electrical appliances, but was grateful that this time he avoided wasting money on unripe durians.

At 19:30 on May 8, 2025, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul posted a lengthy message on Facebook while attending the 48th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines. He explained that as Prime Minister, his duty is to work on matters that benefit Thailand and its people, without seeking publicity. The Philippine President, who chairs the summit, arranged a meeting between Anutin and Cambodian PM Hun Manet before the formal opening to reduce tensions. Anutin used this opportunity to directly inform the Cambodian PM that Thailand's government has decided to cancel MOU44. Hun Manet expressed disappointment and stated that Cambodia would resort to the Compulsory Conciliation process under UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) to address maritime boundary issues going forward. Anutin noted that this approach aligns with Thailand's position, as Cambodia recently ratified UNCLOS earlier this year, meaning future discussions will follow the same international framework. The face-to-face notification means Cambodia has officially received Thailand's decision, and Anutin assured Thai citizens that Koh Kood remains Thai territory without any disputed demarcation line. Other bilateral matters will continue through existing Joint Border Committees (JBC and GBC), with plans to gradually restore higher-level diplomatic relations as appropriate. Both nations agreed to strengthen police cooperation against call center gangs and scammers. Anutin clarified that no discussion occurred regarding border checkpoint openings, and other cooperation initiatives have not yet been addressed.