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

Phuket – Phuket authorities have arrested a 30‑year‑old Russian man after discovering a large quantity of cannabis products hidden in his luggage at Phuket International Airport. At approximately 10:00 a.m. on July 8, customs officers led by Mr. Rawin Kanakakorn, together with an arresting team, inspected two blue rolling suitcases belonging to the suspect, identified […] Russian Arrested at Phuket Airport for Attempting to Smuggle 17 KG of Cannabis -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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

Patong – Patong police have arrested a 25‑year‑old American man at Suvarnabhumi Airport after he allegedly assaulted a jet ski operator in Phuket and attempted to flee the country. On July 7, 2026, the suspect, identified as Mr. Damien, rented two jet skis from Mr. Natthawut, a local operator in Patong. When the equipment was […] American who Allegedly Assaulted Jet-Ski Operator in Patong Arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport Trying to Flee Country -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

On July 8, 2026, the emergency call center received a report of a fire at a residence in Ploy Villa village, Nong Bua subdistrict, Muang district, Udon Thani province. Firefighting units from Nong Bua and Udon Thani city administrations responded immediately.

When crews arrived, they found a single-story house with flames engulfing an electric motorcycle parked in front. The fire had already spread to an adjacent parked car. Firefighters deployed water cannons to prevent the flames from reaching the main structure. The fire was controlled within approximately 30 minutes.

Damage assessment revealed the electric motorcycle was a total loss, while the car sustained damage to its front half. The air conditioning compressor and portions of the house also suffered fire damage.

During the firefighting operation, neighbors reported that three dogs remained trapped inside. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters quickly cleared smoke and searched the house, finding three Chihuahuas hiding in a bedroom. All three dogs were safely carried out, though they showed signs of fear, trembling, and tears, apparently traumatized by the incident.

Initial investigation revealed the homeowner was away working in another province when the fire occurred. Neighbors reported hearing three loud bangs resembling firecrackers or metal clashing before flames burst from the front of the house. They attempted to extinguish the fire with water from a hose but were unsuccessful, prompting them to alert other neighbors and call authorities.

Neighbor M, 67, recounted hearing three loud sounds before seeing the fire. He evacuated his household to safety and tried to fight the fire with a garden hose but was unable to control it.

Another neighbor, Jakkaphrong, reported hearing 3-4 loud bangs before seeing flames erupt from the electric motorcycle area. The fire spread rapidly because no one was home at the time.

Police and forensic investigators will conduct a detailed inspection tomorrow to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the full extent of damage.

EVOLVE MMA, Asia's premier fighting arts academy, has officially opened EVOLVE EmSphere in Bangkok, marking its first Thai location. Founder and Chairman Chatri Sityodthorn, who also leads ONE Championship, presided over the launch at the five-star facility in central Bangkok.

The new academy represents EVOLVE's commitment to developing and expanding the fighting arts community in Thailand. EVOLVE EmSphere offers over 150 classes weekly, including Muay Thai, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, mixed martial arts (MMA), and children's programs, all taught by world-champion instructors.

The facility features world-class equipment and accommodations designed for all age groups and skill levels, from beginners and fitness enthusiasts to professional athletes. Classes are scheduled throughout the day to accommodate busy professionals, entrepreneurs, students, families, and children.

Chatri Sityodthorn stated: "When we founded EVOLVE MMA in Singapore in 2009, our vision was to create a space where everyone could unlock their full potential through the power of fighting arts. After 16 years of incredible support in Singapore, we're thrilled that more people will now access authentic fighting arts training from our world-renowned coaching team."

He continued, "Bringing EVOLVE MMA to Bangkok marks an exciting new chapter in our mission to make world-class fighting arts accessible to everyone. Whether you seek better health, confidence, weight loss, self-defense skills, competitive excellence, or simply to be your best self, we believe everyone has the potential to achieve success."

The Narathiwat Provincial Court has handed down sentences in case no. 135/2569 against two defendants charged with illegally accumulating weapons and possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The charges stem from a July 6, 2022 confrontation between law enforcement and armed militants in the Sawaheela forest area of Rueso District, which resulted in two insurgent deaths.

The court sentenced the first defendant, Mussakir, to 14 years imprisonment and the second defendant, Usman, to 15 years. Key evidence included DNA forensic analysis linking both defendants to personal items recovered from the scene. Due to their confessions, which aided the investigation, sentences were reduced by half—Mussakir to 7 years 6 months and Usman to 7 years 12 months. Both defendants remain detained pending appeal.

The Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 reaffirmed that all operations followed legal procedures while respecting human rights principles. Authorities acted based on evidence to maintain safety and peace in southern border provinces. The command urged public cooperation, asking residents to report any useful security information to local authorities or call the 24-hour hotline at 1341.

A shocking incident occurred at a health massage shop in Plu Ta Luang Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, when a husband assaulted his wife—a massage therapist—by choking her, forcing bathroom cleaning solution into her mouth, and using an electrical current to shock her before consuming the chemical himself. Both sustained serious injuries. Fortunately, the shop owner was monitoring security cameras, spotted the abnormal activity, and quickly called friends and neighbors for help.

CCTV footage from the shop shows that Chalat Kwanjoo, 57, arrived at the massage shop to meet his wife Phayao Kwanjoo, 48, who works as a therapist. He was carrying a backpack and clothes. The footage also shows that Phayao had called friends and the shop owner, complaining that her husband had come to find her and expressing worry about accommodations, since two new massage therapists were arriving to work and would need to share sleeping quarters in the shop.

Phayao then walked to the back of the shop before Chalat followed her and closed the rear door. He then choked his wife until she lost consciousness, exited, and locked the front door from inside before returning to assault her again. This time he used an electrical current to shock her and forced bathroom cleaning solution into her mouth, then drank the chemical himself.

While the assault was happening, the shop owner—monitoring the security cameras and noticing something wrong—quickly called friends and neighbors for help. When they arrived, they found both of them unconscious inside the shop and immediately called emergency responders and police. Both were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Police will conduct a detailed investigation once both victims are stable enough to provide statements, after which legal proceedings will follow.