Top National Thailand Stories From the Past Week: Plan Advances For 450-Baht Tourism Fee for Foreign Visitors, and More

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, August 10th to Sunday, August 16th.

They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

  1. Thailand is moving forward with plans for a 450-baht tourism fee on foreign visitors, following endorsement by the National Tourism Policy Committee.

Thailand Advances Plan For 450-Baht Tourism Fee for Foreign Visitors, Public Hearing to Take Place

2. Large quantities of black, oil-like substances were found floating in the sea and washing up along Jomtien Beach in Chonburi province on Monday, prompting authorities to urge tourists and residents to stay out of the water temporarily.

Black Oil-Like Slicks Wash Ashore at Jomtien Beach; Tourists Temporarily Avoid Swimming

3. Chinese tourists riding a motorcycle without helmets nearly struck pedestrians at a crosswalk in front of the Pattaya City Police Station on Tuesday evening before arguing with officers and crashing into a parked government vehicle while attempting to flee, say Pattaya Police.

Chinese Tourists Clash with Police in Pattaya After Near-Miss at Crosswalk, Try to Flee and Crash into Official Vehicle

4. Local police launched a strict early-morning operation on Sunday, August 16th, to enforce traffic discipline and search for illegal weapons, targeting potential foreign racing groups that disrupt the community around the Soi Yensabai intersection.

Pattaya Police Crack Down on Traffic Violators and Foreign Racing Groups in South Pattaya in Early Morning Checkpoint After Many Complaints

5. The wait is over for Thai fans as 16‑year‑old Rock sensation Nene Royal has officially advanced to the America’s Got Talent Season 21 Live Shows.

Phuket’s Own Nene Royal Secures Spot in America’s Got Talent Live Shows

6. Thai immigration police and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) have arrested a South Korean national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for fraud and transnational drug trafficking. The suspect, identified only as Mr. Lee, had overstayed his visa in Thailand for nearly 3,000 days while allegedly running a criminal network exporting narcotics and cannabis from Thailand to South Korea.

South Korean Fugitive Drug Trafficker Arrested in Phuket After 8-Year Overstay

7. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered heightened safety measures at Freedom Beach in Phuket following the disappearance and later death of a German tourist during rough seas earlier this week.

Phuket’s Freedom Beach Temporarily Closed

8. Phuket police arrested two young men from the United Arab Emirates after a violent attempt to evade a traffic checkpoint in Kathu.

Emiratis Assault Police, Flee Checkpoint before Being Arrested in Phuket 

9. Phuket residents reported feeling tremors on Saturday evening following a powerful earthquake in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Tremors Felt in Phuket After Strong Quake in Indonesia 

That’s all for this week, as always thanks for your support.

For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.

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Adam Judd
Mr. Adam Judd is the Chief of Content of TPN media, English language, since December 2017. He is originally from Washington D.C., America. His background is in HR and Operations and has written about news and Thailand for a decade now. He has lived in Pattaya for about ten years as a full-time resident, is well known locally and been visiting the country as a regular visitor for over 15 years. His full contact information, including office contact information, can be found on our Contact Us page below. Stories please e-mail Editor@ThePattayanews.com About Us: https://thephuketexpress.com/about-us/ Contact Us: https://thephuketexpress.com/contact-us/