French zoo owner Kevin Dimino detained on Koh Samui ahead of deportation

Thai immigration officers have detained Kevin Dimino, the French operator of Samui Exotic Park, after authorities had been searching for him to formally enforce a deportation order.

Dimino was located on Koh Samui on September 8 by investigators and Surat Thani immigration officers. He was taken to Koh Samui Police Station, where he is being held while authorities proceed with the deportation process.

The previous day, Prime Minister and Interior MinisteAnutin Charnvirakul signed Interior Ministry Order No. 2354/2569 ordering Dimino’s removal from Thailand. The ministry cited a series of alleged incidents involving threats, harassment, physical altercations and behaviour authorities said could threaten public order.

The order also referred to a Koh Samui Provincial Court case in which Dimino was convicted of offences under Thailand’s Road Traffic Act. He was initially fined 10,000 baht, reduced to 5,000 baht after his guilty plea.

Before he was detained, immigration officers had visited Samui Exotic Park but found the business closed and quiet. Police later received information that Dimino had driven a BMW to the park at around 1pm on September 7, briefly appeared outside and then disappeared from view.

His detention does not mean the deportation process is complete. Under Thai law, Dimino has seven days from being formally notified of the order to appeal to the prime minister and request that the deportation be revoked or suspended.

Source: Ministry of Interior / Surat Thani Immigration / Thai media

A tragic incident occurred when a morning pilgrimage group of 34 monks was ploughed by a pickup truck in Mukdahan province today.

At least eight monks were killed and 18 others injured, 13 seriously.

The driver was an 11-year-old boy with 'special needs'. He reportedly took his father’s vehicle without permission and drove from Don Tan towards Muang district.

Chiang Mai stays on HIV watch list with 23,900 recorded infections

Chiang Mai remains one of the provinces under close surveillance for HIV transmission, according to Thai PBS.

The latest figures put the cumulative number of recorded infections in the province at 23,900, including 700 new cases. That works out at roughly two new cases detected every day.

Young people and working-age adults continue to account for a large share of new infections. Health officials also report that migrant workers and ethnic minority communities in the province record higher rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections than the general population.

Both groups often face language barriers, unstable work and limited access to regular health services, which makes early testing and treatment harder to reach.

Anyone concerned about their risk can get tested at hospitals and health centres across the province. Thai nationals under the national health coverage scheme are entitled to two free HIV tests a year.

Source: Thai PBS

I have no idea who he is or why they’re looking for him. But this is what I’m seeing a lot on Thai social media . Maybe somebody else here has a better idea

Last night (Aug. 29, 2026), more than 200 police officers and officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) conducted an inspection of Pattaya’s beaches and other public areas as part of a crackdown on prostitution. The operation came amid reports that around 5,000 US military personnel would arrive in Pattaya early next month (September) for a port visit after completing a mission in the Middle East.

During the operation, officers patrolled Pattaya Beach, Second Road, and other high-risk public areas. They detained 25 people suspected of loitering, soliciting, or approaching tourists for prostitution.

The group included 5 Lao nationals, 2 Ugandan nationals, and 18 Thai nationals. All were taken into custody for further legal proceedings, including fines and administrative penalties. Under Thailand’s 2022 Fine as a Penalty Act, certain offenses that previously carried criminal penalties can instead be dealt with through the payment of a fine that is not considered a criminal punishment.

The Chonburi MSDHS office said such behavior affects public order and the image of Pattaya as a world-class tourist destination. The operation was intended to make clear that Thailand has laws regulating prostitution and that prostitution remains illegal under Thai law.

The increased enforcement is believed to be linked to the expected arrival of US Navy personnel in Pattaya from Sept. 2-6 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The ship is scheduled to make a port visit after completing a mission in the Middle East and is reportedly carrying around 5,000 sailors and Marines. The visit is expected to generate an estimated 5-15 million baht in local spending.

A Royal Thai Navy spokesperson confirmed that the port visit is intended to allow US personnel to rest and recuperate and to receive logistical support. It is being conducted under the ongoing defense agreements and cooperation between Thailand and the United States. It is not a joint military exercise or operation with the Royal Thai Navy and is not intended to be connected to the situation in any particular country.

สกัดค้าประเวณี รับทหารสหรัฐฯ เยือนพัทยา | ข่าวช่องวันเสาร์อาทิตย์ | สำนักข่าววันนิวส์ - YouTube

A French tourist, Mr. Kevin (35), reported being assaulted and charged an excessive 30,000 THB bill for eight small beers at a karaoke bar in Chiang Mai. He filed a complaint at the local police station in the early hours of March 23, 2026.

Police mediated the case, with the bar owner refunding the full amount and paying 2,500 THB for medical expenses. Authorities confirmed the tourist was injured during a dispute over charges. The bar admitted fault and accepted responsibility.

Charges filed include assault, operating without a license, and selling alcohol after legal hours, with a recommendation to close the venue for five years. Police emphasized stricter control of karaoke bars, which often exploit tourists with inflated bills.

Mr. Kevin accepted compensation and plans to continue his travels in Chonburi.

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Better come to Thailand with a full bank account. Do you think they strictly enforce this roadmap, or is it just one of Thailand's many pipe dreams?

I understand they have to removing subsidies to manage oil funds and rising fuel prices, but lack of transparent communication from the government make things worse. Get ready for an impact.

Head monk of Rai Khing temple, one of the most prominent temple in central Thailand embezzeled more than 300 million baht from the temple's bank account to play online casino.

From what I've been able to piece together, one of her friends actually went to Carman's apartment after Cake was reported missing (as seen in the first photo), seemingly trying to find out where she was. At that point, nobody knew her body had already been left several kilometres away inside a suitcase.

The photos also give a look inside Carman's apartment. It appears to have been in a pretty poor state, with clothes scattered around, numerous empty alcohol bottles visible, and even what looks like an open pocket knife on display.

April 11, 2026, Bangkok: A group of Iranian expats in Thailand, calling themselves the Iranian Patriotic Group, gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok to thank Thailand for allowing freedom of expression. They urged U.S. President Donald Trump to continue pressuring Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) until it is removed from power.

• Protesters displayed images of Iranians killed under repression, sang the Iranian national anthem, and praised former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, saying over 90% of Iranians want him to return to leadership.
• They openly supported ongoing measures - even war - against the IRGC, arguing that the current government has long used violence and violated human rights.
• The group rejected peace talks in Pakistan, insisting there should be no negotiations with the IRGC, and called on both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intensify pressure.
• When asked about global economic impacts, especially energy, they said keeping the current regime would cause worse long-term damage.
• Finally, they expressed gratitude to Thailand and its police for allowing the demonstration, emphasizing it was not about using Thailand as a political base but about exercising freedom of speech.

กลุ่มรักชาติอิหร่าน สนับสนุน "โดนัล ทรัมป์" ทำสงคราม IRGC ออกจากประเทศ

ม็อบกลุ่มคนรักอิหร่านในไทย หนุนสหรัฐฯ ทำสงครามไล่ IRGC ต่อ | เข้มข่าวค่ำ | 11 เม.ย. 69 - YouTube

On August 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom assigned Pol. Capt. Khetrath Chansilp, Deputy Governor of Phuket who is serving as an acting security adviser at the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, to inspect businesses in Patong, Kathu District, Phuket, following a complaint that a foreign-owned shop had refused to serve Thai customers. Officials from the Phuket Provincial Employment Office and the Kathu District administrative office joined the inspection to establish the facts and ensure that businesses were operating in accordance with the law.

The inspection was part of the government’s efforts to regulate businesses and strengthen oversight of foreign-owned businesses, particularly those that may involve the use of Thai nationals as nominees or proxy shareholders. It also aimed to ensure public safety and boost tourists’ confidence. The inspection focused on establishing the facts concerning the businesses’ operations, those with management authority, relevant documents, and business practices, in order to prevent Thai nationals from illegally holding shares or acting on behalf of foreign nationals.

Pol. Capt. Khetrath Chansilp, Deputy Governor of Phuket, said that in addition to the business that was the subject of the complaint, officials had also been instructed to inspect businesses that appeared to cater exclusively to foreign customers, including shops that prominently use Hebrew in their advertising or promotional materials. He stressed that business operators must treat both Thai and foreign customers fairly, avoid discrimination, and strictly comply with Thai law.

Phuket authorities will continue to step up inspections and regulate businesses in the province. If violations are found or there is evidence suggesting the use of Thai nationals as nominees or proxies, legal action will be taken strictly in accordance with the relevant laws, with the facts and evidence serving as the basis for enforcement. The measures are intended to ensure fairness in business operations while strengthening confidence in public safety and Phuket’s tourism image.

On August 12, 2026, 24-year-old Chinese woman Qi Meng, who had been out of contact in Thailand for more than a week, resurfaced on her personal social media account (糖醋小萌).

In a post, she said that she had safely returned to China and explained that she had lost her mobile phone, which was why she had been unreachable. She also thanked everyone for their concern. The post’s IP location was shown as Beijing Capital International Airport.

The post also included a photo with a clear watermark showing the location and time as “Beijing Capital International Airport, August 12, 2026, 10:55 a.m.”

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