Pattaya Knife Attack Arrest
Bangkok Beer Hall Fire Death Toll
The death toll from the devastating Rong Beer Nah Lad Praw fire in Bangkok has risen to 39 after a 23-year-old off-duty police officer succumbed to his injuries at the weekend.
Police Sergeant Tanakorn had survived for more than a month in intensive care, reportedly enduring severe pain and at times requiring life support.
He had been working as a security guard at the venue on the night of the fire and was found badly injured in the lobby close to one of the exits.
Sadly, he may not be the last victim. Others remain in critical condition in hospital more than a month after the blaze.
Story 2 Thailand Online Gambling Network Crackdown
Meanwhile, a sophisticated police operation has apparently managed to get right inside the computer systems of a major online gambling network.
Intelligence officers are reported to have gained access to the back end of a virtual database stored in the cloud, presumably in the belief that keeping everything online would make it harder for authorities to find.
That plan didn’t work particularly well.
Investigators were able to track down the alleged super administrator responsible for controlling the network’s financial records, which reportedly showed a monthly turnover exceeding 100 million baht.
The woman is also accused of overseeing the back end systems of 11 illegal gambling websites offering everything from live casino games, slots, and baccarat to sports betting, card games, and online lotteries.
Authorities have also seized funds linked to the operation as investigators work their way through the network and identify others believed to be involved.
Story 3 Chiang Mai Flash Flood Tourists Rescued
In Chiang Mai, the heavy rains we’ve been reporting on came frighteningly close to causing a major tragedy.
Thai media shared dramatic video showing tourists initially relaxing in a river close to waterfalls when with very little warning a huge torrent of water came rushing downstream following storms further up in the mountains.
Within moments, what had appeared to be relatively calm water became a raging flow.
Some tourists were reportedly swept downstream while others desperately grabbed onto trees and bushes to stop themselves being carried away.
Thankfully, there have so far been no reports of serious injuries.
There is, however, an obvious question being asked. Why were visitors still allowed in the river if conditions upstream presented a flash flood risk? Authorities are expected to investigate whether sufficient warnings were available and whether the area should have been cleared earlier.
Story 4 Nakhon Si Thammarat Forest Fire
Down in Nakhon Si Thammarat, meanwhile, firefighters have been battling a major forest fire that continued burning through the weekend and threatened several nearby communities.
The blaze has spread across close to 400 rai of land in Thailand’s second largest peat swamp forest.
Fire crews have been working to contain the flames while authorities deployed a helicopter to survey the area from the air and determine the full extent of the damage.
Officials now say they are increasingly confident the fire can be brought under control by late today provided the wind doesn’t pick up again.
Peat fires can be particularly difficult to extinguish because they can continue smoldering beneath the surface even after visible flames have disappeared. So, teams are expected to remain in the area.
Story 5 Thailand School Shooting Threat Response
And in the upper northeast, a school suspended classes on Friday after discovering online messages in which a student allegedly discussed plans to carry out a shooting.
The messages were reportedly sent to a friend and allegedly referred to the August 7th attack near Bangkok.
Authorities were immediately contacted, parents were notified, and the student and his family were reportedly being questioned over the weekend.
The school said the same student had been disciplined around 2 months earlier after bringing a realistic-looking toy gun onto the premises and playing with it with friends.
Security at the school has now been strengthened with administrators saying they are working closely with police and other relevant agencies.
Story 6 Surat Thani Nominee Shareholder Investigation
At this stage, the important point is that the alleged threat was discovered before anything happened and authorities were able to intervene.
In Surat Thani, immigration police have expanded an investigation into a French businessman suspected of using Thai nominee shareholders to operate businesses here.
The investigation has reportedly uncovered an unlicensed boutique hotel as well as possible connections to an alleged 26.4 million baht cannabis farm investment scheme. The case began following complaints from other expatriates who claimed they had invested substantial sums into a cannabis project which was never completed or became operational.
Eight French complainants subsequently filed reports giving investigators enough information to begin examining the man’s businesses and assets.
That investigation reportedly uncovered companies with Thai shareholders and directors who appeared on the paperwork.
But when questioned, some said they were employed in relatively low-level jobs and had no genuine involvement in running the companies. They claimed their involvement amounted to little more than signing documents when they were asked to do so.
Story 7 Pattaya Knife Attack Arrest
Closer to home in Pattaya, police have arrested a 30-year-old Cambodian man accused of attacking another Cambodian national with a large knife.
And according to the suspect himself, he apparently attacked the wrong man.
Police say the dispute began over a debt of around 9,000 baht. The suspect allegedly went looking for the man who owed him the money, but when he wasn’t there, encountered the debtor’s brother instead.
Quite why attacking the brother seemed like a reasonable alternative is something he’ll presumably now have plenty of time to explain.
The victim required stitches and medical treatment following the attack. Police subsequently tracked down the suspect and seized a knife measuring approximately 50 cm long.
When officers arrived to arrest him, they reportedly found him sitting there calmly eating an ice cream while waiting for them.
Story 8 American Tourist Cash Recovered
And an American tourist has been reunited with his holiday money after police arrested a Ugandan woman accused of stealing $1,200 cash from his hotel room safe.
According to the police account, the woman had accompanied the tourist back to his room and watched closely enough to memorize the combination as he placed his money inside the safe.
When he later went to take a shower, she allegedly reopened it, took the cash, and left.
Unfortunately for her, she was already known locally and police were able to track her down.
Officers subsequently recovered the tourist’s money from several rather imaginative hiding places. Some was allegedly concealed inside her bra, some beneath a wig, and the remainder inside her knickers. The money was eventually returned to its owner, who understandably asked that his name not be released because of embarrassment.
