The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Bangkok, May 25, 2026 — Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has formally handed over the full case files and all 31 suspects in the high-profile Villa Andaman nominee property scandal to the Office of the Special Litigation Prosecutor, marking a big step in the crackdown on foreign-controlled real estate in Phuket and Koh Samui. […] Nominee Property Scheme Exposed as 31 Suspects in Phuket and Samui Case Sent to Prosecution -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

A tragic discovery unfolded in Udon Thani's Dang housing estate on May 25, 2569, when police responded to a report of a deceased person found inside a single-story residence. Deputy Inspector Thongphop Khamjai from Muang Udon Thani Police Station coordinated with rescue workers from Saang Metta Tham Udon Thani Foundation and medical examiners from Udon Thani Hospital to investigate.

Authorities found both the front and bedroom doors locked from the inside, requiring them to cut the locks and force entry. Inside, they discovered the body of Ms. Deuean Ttem Kaew Loy, 49, the homeowner, lying naked on her bed. The decomposed body had begun to emit a strong odor throughout the residence, with rescue personnel needing to light incense to help mitigate the smell before beginning body recovery operations. Medical examiners determined the victim had been deceased for at least five days, though no signs of struggle or physical assault were evident. Police have contacted relatives and transferred the body to Udon Thani Hospital pending family arrangements.

According to neighbor Pairojn, 47, who discovered the body, the victim had lived alone in the house for over a decade and regularly left to perform merit-making activities, particularly on holy days. However, for approximately one week prior, she had not been seen leaving, and her motorcycle remained parked in the yard while her fan and air conditioner continued running. When a Buddhist holy day passed without her usual appearance, Pairojn investigated and detected a strong odor emanating from the residence. He noticed an unlocked window, peered through the curtains, and was shocked to find her lying deceased inside.

"When I walked over to look through the window, the smell was very strong," Pairojn recounted. "When I moved the curtains aside, I was shocked to see her lying naked and already decomposed. I believe she had been dead for many days. Personally, I wasn't frightened because I was close with her."

Neighbors described the deceased as a friendly, cheerful, and sociable woman who regularly greeted those around her. She had no children and was believed to work in a restaurant business during evening hours. Her siblings were thought to reside in Nam Sohm District, Udon Thani Province. Police will continue investigating the cause of death thoroughly, while neighbors expressed their sorrow over the tragic incident. Pairojn concluded with a solemn wish: "If her spirit can understand, may she find peace and have no more worries."

On May 25, 2026, police in Muang Phetchaburi District responded to a multi-vehicle traffic accident on Petchkasem Road heading toward Bangkok near the bridge bypass, with no injuries reported. Officers discovered an abandoned white Toyota pickup truck (Bangkok plate 3 ฒภ 7667) left stranded in the middle of the road. After securing the vehicle, investigators coordinated with district officials to conduct a thorough search due to suspicion of contraband.

Inspection of the truck's cabin revealed five hidden license plates, including Bangkok plates 4 ฒฉ 1719 (two plates), Songkhla plate ผพ 495 (one plate), and Bangkok plate 2 ฒต 8622 (two plates). Opening the sealed cargo area revealed numerous black plastic-wrapped cardboard boxes containing 84 cases of Salt Hub brand disposable e-cigarettes, with 1,624 boxes total equaling 16,240 units. Officers also discovered three cases of Freebase e-liquid refill bottles, totaling 600 bottles.

The total value of the seized contraband is estimated at 10 million baht. Police have confiscated all items for destruction and are actively investigating to locate and prosecute the driver.

A Chinese man brutally assaulted a Thai transgender sex worker, striking her with a broken glass and leaving her with injuries requiring 31 stitches—19 on her face, 8 on her hands, and 4 on her feet—before fleeing without payment. The victim was confined to a hotel room in South Pattaya, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, where she was found bleeding heavily on the third floor around 6 a.m. A hotel staff member who assisted her said the victim only told him, "The Chinese man didn't pay me." The suspect, identified as Chen Wenthao, 22, checked in on May 23 and fled immediately after the incident. The hotel is gathering evidence to file a police report with Pattaya City Police for property damage charges. The motive remains unclear, but it's suspected the man may have become upset upon learning the sex worker was transgender, leading to the violent assault.

On May 25, 2569, a video shared online from Kanchanaburi Province showed a man dressed as a Buddhist monk relaxing in a hammock in the forest with beer bottles on the ground. When the rider filming asked to join him for a drink, the man responded that he was about to use drugs before chasing the rider away. The incident sparked criticism online, with questions about why a real monk would order beer. District Officer Somboorn Phaensomboorn of Mueang Kanchanaburi ordered an investigation into the forest area in Subdistrict Pak Phraek, Municipality of Mueang, Kanchanaburi Province. Officials found evidence of a campfire and drug equipment scattered on the ground, and located Phra Nanthapol, 50 years old.

Phra Nanthapol admitted to being the person in the video. He explained that he is from Kanchanaburi but had been ordained as a monk and was stationed at a temple in Phuket for 8 years. Feeling homesick, he returned to Kanchanaburi and had been camping on family land in the forest for about a week. Regarding the video, he stated that he ordered 6 beers and ice for delivery, not expecting the rider to post the video online despite receiving a good tip. He ordered the beer to alleviate loneliness while alone in the forest and had consumed 3 bottles when officials arrived. He expressed willingness to be defrocked.

When officials questioned him about the drug equipment, Phra Nanthapol initially denied using drugs. He was taken to Thewasangkharam Royal Temple to be defrocked before undergoing a urine test. The test returned positive for methamphetamine, causing Nanthapol to admit to drug use. He stated he had purchased 10 methamphetamine pills from a former friend at 100 baht each and had already consumed all of them. Authorities arrested Nanthapol and referred the case to Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Manchester City has confirmed it will rename the north stand at Etihad Stadium after Pep Guardiola to honor the Spanish manager who departed the club following a 10-year tenure. Guardiola stepped down from his position after City's 1-2 home loss to Aston Villa, concluding his decade with the club.

The club announced that the north stand at Etihad Stadium will now be called the Pep Guardiola Stand to recognize the Spanish manager who brought City their first Champions League title. During his time at Manchester City, Guardiola achieved remarkable success, winning 20 major trophies including five Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, three FA Cups, one UEFA Champions League title, and one FIFA Club World Cup, among others.

Manchester City had recently fully opened the expanded section of Etihad Stadium for the first time on May 24.