Two Yakuza Members Arrested in Sukhumvit Soi 33 for Drug Dealing Immigration Chief Orders Stricter Visa Controls and Immediate Deportation

On May 2, 2025, the Investigation Division of the Immigration Bureau, under the command of Lieutenant General Phanumass Bunyalak, Immigration Bureau Commissioner, and Colonel Phanpol Vorthanachakul, Director of the Investigation Division, ordered Lieutenant Thawatchai Narinthart, Deputy Director of the Investigation Division, and his team to arrest two Japanese nationals: Mr. Yuya, 47 years old, and Mr. Naoto, 51 years old. They were charged with jointly possessing Category 1 controlled drugs (crystal methamphetamine) without authorization. The arrests were made in Sukhumvit Soi 33, Khlong Tan Nua Subdistrict, Watthana District, Bangkok, yesterday evening.

The operation followed intelligence reports that two tattooed Japanese men resembling yakuza gang members were conducting illegal drug sales to foreign clients in central Bangkok's business district, particularly in Sukhumvit Soi 33. Officers conducted surveillance until spotting the suspects arriving on a Honda ADV350 motorcycle and sidecar. Upon vehicle inspection, officers discovered 16.04 grams of crystal methamphetamine in plastic bags hidden in the front left storage compartment. Chemical testing confirmed the substance as methamphetamine.

Although both suspects denied ownership of the drugs during initial detention, authorities had conducted long-term surveillance with sufficient evidence to proceed. The suspects were transferred to Thonglor Police Station for legal proceedings.

The Immigration Commissioner revealed that foreign nationals with problematic behavior are increasingly concealing themselves in Bangkok and tourist destinations' condominiums and apartments while posing as tourists but engaging in illegal activities. The Immigration Bureau has consequently strengthened visa extension screening procedures. Those with criminal histories or socially harmful behavior will be denied continued residence and face immediate deportation. The public can report suspicious activity to the Immigration Bureau hotline 1178, available 24 hours.

Naoya Inoue has retained his undisputed super bantamweight title following a unanimous decision victory over Juntos Nakatani in a world championship fight held on May 2 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Inoue, who holds championship belts from the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Organization (WBO), and International Boxing Federation (IBF), faced off against former flyweight and bantamweight world champion Nakatani. The early rounds of the bout lacked excitement, with judges favoring Inoue's performance. However, Nakatani intensified his attack starting from rounds 8-10, putting pressure on Inoue and forcing him to work harder defensively. In the final two rounds, Inoue regained control, executing effective counters while Nakatani struggled to land meaningful strikes. After 12 rounds, Inoue secured victory by unanimous decision with scorecards reading 116-112, 115-113, and 116-112. With this win, Inoue successfully defended all four of his world titles and extended his undefeated record to 33 consecutive victories, including 27 knockouts. Nakatani, a former world champion, suffered his first professional loss, dropping his record to 33 fights with 32 wins (24 by knockout) and 1 defeat.

Ipswich Town delivered on matchday 46 of the 2025-26 English Championship season on May 2nd, crushing Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at their Portman Road home. With 84 points accumulated over 46 matches, Ipswich edged out third-placed Millwall by just one point to secure the runner-up position and automatic promotion to the Premier League alongside champions Coventry City, marking an impressive one-season return to England's top division.

The Championship continues with playoff promotion rounds involving teams ranked 3-6, with semi-final first legs scheduled for May 8-9 and second legs on May 11-12. The final will take place at Wembley Stadium in London on May 23rd.

Other final day results: Blackburn Rovers lost to Leicester City 0-1, Bristol City defeated Stoke City 2-0, Derby County fell to Sheffield United 1-2, Hull City beat Norwich City 2-1, Millwall defeated Oxford United 2-0, Portsmouth drew with Birmingham City 1-1, Preston North End lost to Southampton 1-3, Sheffield Wednesday beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1, Swansea City defeated Charlton Athletic 3-1, Watford lost to Coventry City 0-4, and Wrexham drew with Middlesbrough 2-2.

2025-26 Championship Final Standings: Champions: Coventry City Automatic Promotion: Coventry City (1st), Ipswich Town (2nd) Playoff Promotion: Millwall (3rd), Southampton (4th), Middlesbrough (5th), Hull City (6th) Relegation: Oxford United (22nd), Leicester City (23rd), Sheffield Wednesday (24th)

On May 2, 2026, Nort Pandthavat Nakvisut led the LotteryPlus team to Lat Krabang to present 54 million baht in cash to Khun Tik from Bangkok, the first-prize winner of the May 2 drawing. The winning number was 536077. Khun Tik, described as a new millionaire, purchased nine LotteryPlus tickets and received the full prize of 54 million baht.

The winner expressed that it felt like a dream when Nort called her while she was working. She knew she had won first prize but couldn't quite believe it. She plans to use the winnings to pay off her own debts and those of her parents.

The prize presentation was filled with joy and excitement. The LotteryPlus team brought a special model car—a rare representative gift for first-prize winners, custom-made exclusively for customers who receive the prize directly from Nort's hands.

On May 2, 2025, police units led by Deputy Police Commissioner Withaya Sriprasertsap coordinated with officers including Nathpol Daowian, Chakraphat Klin-on, and Parsawasdee Khloayrab to arrest three suspects: former female police officer Wey Kanya Phat, 33; her husband Thawatchai, 32; and Yu-adee, 38, on human trafficking charges.

The investigation began when officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division, working with the International Protection Alliance and Our Rescue Thailand foundation, rescued a 16-year-old victim named Kuang (alias). She revealed that since June 2023, she had been forced into sexual services at the "cat bathing" spa operated by Wey Kanya Phat and Thawatchai, with Yu-adee managing daily operations and recruiting victims.

The shop employed 22 people in sexual services, approximately 7-8 of whom were minors under 18. Workers were required to serve about 7 clients daily for 30 days to receive monthly wages. Those who displeased clients faced verbal abuse and physical beatings. When workers were menstruating and selected by clients, they were forced to use foam inserts to continue providing services.

Investigators discovered the business had been operating for 7 years with 10 related bank accounts holding over 20 million baht in circulation. The cat spa operated as a front with minimal legitimate customers and later relocated operations to a residential home. Police obtained search warrants and recovered mobile phones, electronic devices, over 500 condoms, and foam inserts.

Upon questioning, Wey Kanya Phat and Thawatchai confessed to operating the business, accepting clients both online and walk-ins, with daily net income between 7,000-20,000 baht. Yu-adee, the manager earning 35,000 baht monthly, admitted working there for 5 years after transitioning from massage therapy. Investigators identified an additional victim—identified as Wey Kanya Phat's granddaughter who began working at age 17 for 20,000 baht monthly. Both victims were referred for protective services while the three suspects face prosecution.

The Naresuan Command has opened the 12th batch of training for attack drone pilots to strengthen military capabilities and prepare for modern warfare while maximizing operational effectiveness in security missions. On May 1, 2026, at Vachirprakarn Camp in Muang District, Tak Province, Lieutenant General Prasarn Henpraserf, Commander of the Naresuan Command, and the Third Military Region Operations Center presided over the opening ceremony for the "Tactical Attack Drone Pilot" course batch 12. The training aims to enhance personnel capabilities and develop skills in operating attack drones to execute missions efficiently, aligning with the Army's policy to develop military potential and produce sufficient drone pilots for assigned tasks. The curriculum incorporates lessons learned from combat situations in eastern regions and threat assessments to prepare trainees for real-world operations in complex and challenging scenarios under the guidance of Flight Lieutenant Natthakorn Ruontip and experienced instructors with practical operational backgrounds. The Naresuan Command Commander addressed trainees, emphasizing the importance of developing unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities as a critical factor in modern military operations and its vital role in supporting security missions with maximum effectiveness.