Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, June 9th, to Sunday, June 15th, 2025.
They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.
Let’s get started and see what the top stories were!
- 40-year-old Thai man, identified as Paisal “Chicken” Jetjaroen, was arrested late Monday night for allegedly assaulting and robbing a 54-year-old Russian tourist, Mr. Gurov, in Pattaya.
Paisal confessed to the assault, but claimed he acted after witnessing Gurov allegedly molesting his 2-year-old daughter, who was left unattended on a tricycle while he was in a nearby wooded area. Police were skeptical of this counter claim due to Gurov testing positive for methamphetamine, but investigating.
2. Mr. Ghayal, an Indian national, filed a complaint with Pol. Lt. Col. Saijai Khamjulla, an investigating officer at Pattaya City Police Station, after being allegedly robbed by two transgender individuals.
Mr. Ghayal told the police that he had arranged to hire the companionship services of two transgender individuals he met at the beach and brought them to his hotel room to hang out, according to him.
3. A chaotic brawl broke out on Walking Street, a famous tourist area bustling with both Thai and foreign visitors.
Wild Viral Brawl Between Foreign Tourists and Thais Breaks Out on Walking Street in Pattaya
A viral video circulating online showed a group of four foreign teenagers, violently fighting with a well-known Thai rapper and B-boy group amidst the cheers and onlookers of numerous tourists in the area.
4. In a move to accommodate the growing influx of tourists, Banglamung District is set to expand its zoning regulations for entertainment venues and completely restructure its motorbike taxi system.
Proposals to extend the zones, especially into Jomtien and Pratumnak, which already sees hundreds of venues operating in a grey area, have been ongoing for a while, but have caused major debates with some residents.
5. A Russian DJ known for his electrifying performances at Thailand’s famed island parties has been arrested for drug trafficking following a dramatic police sting operation.
Officers swiftly recovered the plastic bags containing 2.20 grams of cocaine, 1.12 grams of MDMA, and 2.04 grams of ketamine.
6. A 41-year-old Albanian woman drowned just hours after arriving on the island with her husband at Karon Beach.
Egyptian Tourist’s Wife Drowns at Phuket Beach Just Hours After Arrival
Mr. Alsaba explained to The Phuket Express that he and his wife, Ms. Idrizi, had arrived in Phuket at 2:00 PM and checked into a hotel in Karon. Just two hours later.
7. Two foreign tourists tragically lost their lives in separate drowning incidents on June 11, 2025, after allegedly disregarding lifeguard warnings amid dangerous sea conditions.
8. Two Ukrainian men have been arrested following an incident at a shopping mall in Patong, where they allegedly assaulted a security guard who prevented them from urinating in a rental shop inside the mall.
Police checked immigration records and confirmed that both individuals had not left the country. The suspects’ images were presented to the victim, who confirmed their identities as the attackers.
9. After an intense five-day search, authorities have recovered the body of British man Mr. Endnaler Johnson.
Body of Missing British Man Who Fell from Yacht Found in Thalang
Mr. Johnson fell overboard from a yacht near Cape Yamu in Pa Khlok.
10. The Phuket International Airport (HKT) has announced on June 13th, 2025, that the airport (HKT) activated its emergency response plan following a reported bomb threat onboard Air India flight AI 379.
Bomb Threat on Air India Forces Emergency Landing at Phuket Airport
No explosives or suspicious items have been found on the Air India airplane flight AI 379 at the Phuket International Airport after the flight crew discovered a suspicious note in the aircraft’s restroom.
11. A group of protesters led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a prominent media figure and former leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), gathered at the Government Complaint Center opposite Government House to demand stronger action from the Thai government on Thai-Cambodia border issues.
Thais Protest in Bangkok Demanding Stronger Thailand Cambodia Border Stance
The protest displays ongoing tensions over border disputes with Cambodia, with the group pushing the need for firm government action to safeguard national interests.
12. Thailand has been featured in Lonely Planet’s newly released The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide, a publication highlighting 50 global destinations that offer safe and inclusive experiences for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Authored by travel writer Alicia Valenski, the guide offers practical advice, local insights, and safety information specifically tailored for travelers in this group.
13. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed the return of Suchata Chuangsri following her achievement at the Miss World 2025 pageant in India, where she became the first Thai representative to win the title.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Welcomes Miss World 2025 to Support Tourism Push
Her success has been well-received across the country and is regarded as a positive development for Thailand’s international visibility.
That’s all for this week, as always thanks for your support!
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
