Tourists have raised concerns over marine tour safety near Koh Larn after a viral social media post described a diving trip caught in rough seas and strong winds, with passengers allegedly left without adequate assistance during a sudden storm.

A TikTok user shared her experience from a join-trip snorkelling tour near Pattaya on 4 May, saying tourists were allowed into the water despite worsening weather conditions and received no warning about an approaching storm.

According to the woman, staff later announced that a storm was approaching, but while nearby tour boats quickly pulled tourists from the sea, her group was allegedly left floating in rough waters as waves intensified and the boat rocked violently.

She claimed several tourists struggled to swim back to the boat after flotation devices drifted away, while her sister was told by a jet ski operator to hold onto a buoy despite strong waves repeatedly pulling her underwater.

The woman said she and her boyfriend were eventually rescued by another boat and described the incident as a "life-or-death moment."

The post sparked criticism online, with some users claiming they were on the same trip and alleging there were too few staff members to assist tourists during the emergency.

The tourist called on marine tour operators to improve safety measures, including better weather warnings and faster emergency response. No injuries or deaths were reported.

Rescue workers in Thalang district, Phuket safely rescued a nine-month-old baby who was accidentally locked inside a car on Wednesday morning. Emergency responders from Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation's Muang Mai branch were alerted to the incident at around 09:52 at a house in Ban Bang Rong, Pa Khlok subdistrict. Officials found the infant trapped inside a red passenger car and quickly managed to unlock the vehicle and bring the child out safely. The baby was unharmed, according to initial reports, prompting relief from the child's mother and nearby residents. Authorities urged parents and guardians to always check inside vehicles before locking them, especially during hot weather, warning that leaving children inside cars can quickly become dangerous.

At 9:00 AM on May 20, 2025, Muang Prachuap Khiri Khan Police Station received a report of a disturbance at a bank branch on Phitaksat Road in Prachuap Khiri Khan. A woman was threatening to douse herself with diesel fuel. Upon receiving the report, Deputy Commander Paitool Promkhian ordered police units, traffic officers, municipal firefighters, and bank staff to respond. They found a woman identified as Ms. A (pseudonym) holding a bottle of diesel fuel and a lighter inside the bank, causing panic among customers.

Initial questioning revealed that the incident stemmed from her account being frozen, which prevented her from withdrawing pension funds. The situation was exacerbated when her mother called asking for money to buy food, causing accumulated stress. She came to the bank demanding the account be unfrozen and threatened the dramatic act.

After officers spent considerable time talking with her, she agreed to go to Muang Prachuap Khiri Khan Police Station to provide additional information. Police coordinated with investigators from Din Daeng Police Station in Bangkok, who reported that the request to unfreeze the account had already been processed and was in the final stages of being forwarded to relevant agencies. Officers explained the procedures and progress to ease her concerns, then advised her to follow up with Krung Thai Bank's Pak Nam branch in Samut Prakan.

On May 20, 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surpol Prembut, commander of the Cyber Crime Police Division, authorized officers including Pol. Col. Komkrit Sukhthai, head of Cyber Crime Police Bureau 3, to arrest Nanthanop Yeephinyoh, 23, from Chiang Rai, and Patrapimol Wangseng, 24, also from Chiang Rai, based on arrest warrants from Surin Provincial Court numbers 235/2569 and 236/2569 respectively.

The investigation began after a government official reported being defrauded. A scammer contacted him through TikTok and lured him into investing in digital gold trading through the ZFX platform, claiming it was a legitimate business registered with Thailand's SEC and operated by a UK-based parent company. The scammer provided false evidence of profits and convinced the victim to transfer funds through multiple bank loans across 15 transactions totaling 2,696,473 baht. When the victim later inquired about his profits, he was given various excuses until he could no longer reach the scammers and realized he had been defrauded.

After reporting the case to cybercrime police, investigators determined that Nanthanop and Patrapimol operated as part of a call center gang, opening money mule accounts to receive fraudulent transfers from victims. Police gathered evidence and obtained court arrest warrants. Both suspects were apprehended in Chiang Rai and initially confessed. They are now facing charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to commit computer crimes involving falsified or forged data, and related computer fraud offenses.

A Toyota Corolla sedan struck a wild elephant on Highway 323 in Wang Dang subdistrict, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province, on the evening of May 19, causing the vehicle to lose control and catch fire, destroying it completely. The passenger, a 70-year-old man, died at the scene, while the driver, 64, and rear passenger, 74, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Phahol Phon Phayuhon Hospital for emergency treatment.

According to eyewitness accounts, three wild elephants were crossing the road when the vehicle collided with the second elephant with great force. Following the incident, wildlife officials from Salekhphra Wildlife Sanctuary and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park coordinated closely to monitor the area throughout the night and prevent further accidents.

Staff led by Sudthai Pobkheaw tracked the three elephants, following their footprints and fresh dung from the accident site through a private factory zone and northward past limestone formations. Recent tracks were found in a cassava field heading toward a golf course area in Ban Khao Phuloem, Mueang district. Initial investigation found no signs of injuries or blood from the elephants, though officials continue tracking efforts. Environment Minister Suchat Choomklin expressed concern over the incident and emphasized the importance of public safety while promoting sustainable coexistence between communities and wild elephants.

Police Spokesman Orders Decisive Criminal Prosecution Against Chinese Abduction Gang; Four Officers Recommended for Suspension. On May 20, 2025, Deputy National Police Chief Trirat Phiwphon, acting as spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, revealed developments in the case involving the arrest of four police officers and one civilian following an immigration checkpoint operation. Multiple units assisted in rescuing five Chinese nationals from a residential house in Wang Mai Subdistrict, Wang Somboon District, Sakaeo Province on May 17. Police Chief Kittipat Panpetch ordered thorough investigation, prosecution, and strict disciplinary action against the four officers. Such conduct constitutes serious criminal violations, and the National Police Office will proceed decisively without exception. The investigation has been expanded to examine all related parties. Sakaeo Provincial Police immediately filed criminal charges against all five perpetrators, and officers have been recommended for immediate suspension from service.

For criminal proceedings, Wang Somboon Police Station charged all five perpetrators with charges including conspiracy to unlawfully detain others, abuse of official power, extortion, and corruption. The civilian was charged as an accomplice. All suspects were remanded to Sakaeo Provincial Court starting May 19. Colonel Thaworn Dulayavit, Commander of Sakaeo Provincial Police, personally supervised the investigation.

Regarding disciplinary action, the National Police Office ordered strict measures, with initial reports confirming that all four officers have been recommended for immediate suspension to ensure transparent investigation and build public confidence. Regarding one additional police officer mentioned in information, investigation and expansion of the case is ongoing, and if involvement is found, both criminal and disciplinary action will be pursued without exception.

Deputy Commander Trirat stated that such serious conduct violates the law, regulations, and police ethics entirely. Although detainees may have committed illegal acts, state officials have no right to exercise illegal authority either. The National Police Office has a clear policy to prevent and suppress all forms of crime and clear procedures to remove police who violate the law. Investigations will be accelerated to identify all involved parties, including examining whether it was organized crime or had additional support, and all units have been ordered to perform duties strictly within legal frameworks to maintain public confidence and national image.

Initial investigation found that all five foreign nationals illegally entered Thailand and frequently crossed the Thailand-Cambodia border. They are being investigated for connections to transnational crime networks or online fraud operations. The National Police Office affirms that all police units and relevant agencies implement strict security measures and facilitate services for citizens and tourists of all nationalities, confirming that Thailand is safe and will not allow the country to become a base or transit route for transnational criminal operations.