Known for inventing dynamite, Alfred Bernhard Nobel bequeathed his fortune to establish Nobel prizes. Cambodia’s recommendation for Trump to become the 2025 Nobel peace winner reflects both her stance on the war and her wish to show some independence from China. Phnom Penh believes that Trump’s phone conversations with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia resulted in a ceasefire which saved a large number of lives. The acting premier of Thailand Phumtham Wechayachai has also acknowledged that reality, at any rate in the short-term. But Cambodia’s de facto leader in the confrontation, ex-strongman Hun Sen, is currently keen to flatter Trump’s ego in order to create some space with China. Sophal Ear, researcher at the School of Global Management, said Phnom Penh did not wish to disappear entirely into Beijing’s pocket. Hun Sen, the arch power player, has also downplayed the mediatory role of Malaysia, current chair of ASEAN, an organization he sees as indecisive. Thailand won’t be joining Cambodia in its Nobel recommendation. As Khaosod points out, it’s far too early to say that the border conflict is resolved notwithstanding Trump’s premature headline claims. Moreover, Phnom Penh has behaved hypocritically by criticizing Thailand’s purchase of Swedish military aircraft but remained oddly silent about her buying F-16 US fighter jets. Hunter Marston, of the Center for Strategic Studies think tank, said that Cambodia’s flattery of the US president was a cost-free way to score spotlight points. For now that is. Trump won a spoof Nobel prize in 2020 for his medical knowledge about covid. Even so, it can’t be ruled out that Trump could win the 2025 peace prize awarded every October by a five-person Norwegian committee. There have been peculiar success stories in the past, such as Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho jointly in 1973 for a Vietnam ceasefire which soon collapsed and led to a bloodbath. However, the 2024 award (with 250 nominations) was respectfully won by Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization dedicated to the worldwide abolition of nuclear weapons. Trump has, sort of, got one Nobel prize under his belt already. In 2020 he won the Ig Nobel Satirical Prize for Medical Education, awarded by the Annals of Improbable Research, for his recommendation that injecting poison into human bodies might be a covid cure. To give Trump the real 2025 Nobel prize for peace would be to reward the man who this year bombed Iran and called Gaza a piece of prime real estate. An influential Thai Facebook contributor commented that a Trump Nobel success would be like awarding first prize at a dog show to a hyena.

ปกครองบางละมุงร่วมตำรวจ บุกจับร้านน้ำกระท่อม พบกลุ่มวัยรุ่นมั่วสุม ยึดยาบ้า-ยาเค-ยาอี อื้อ  เมื่อเวลา 22.30 น. วันที่ 7 สิงหาคม 2568 นายพัชรพัชร์ ศรีธัญญนนท์ นายอำเภอบางละมุง ได้สั่งการให้นายวันชาติ วรรณพราม หัวหน้ากลุ่มงานบริหารงานปกครอง นายคำไพร เหลาแสน นายณฐาภพ ยมจินดา, นายนัธทวัฒน์ โสภณเศวตศิลป์ และนายธฤต จันทร์จรูญ นำกำลังเจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายปกครอง บางละมุง ร่วมกับเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจ สภ.บางละมุง เข้าตรวจสอบร้านน้ำกระท่อมแห่งหนึ่งในซอยนาเกลือ หลังได้รับการร้องเรียนจากประชาชนว่ามีการมั่วสุมของกลุ่มวัยรุ่นและลักลอบจำหน่ายยาเสพติด เมื่อเจ้าหน้าที่ไปถึง พบกลุ่มวัยรุ่นกำลังมั่วสุมอยู่ภายในร้าน จึงเข้าทำการตรวจค้น พบยาเสพติดอยู่ในตัวของนายอรรถวิท หรือ “เค” อายุ 30 ปี โดยพบยาบ้าจำนวน 48 เม็ด บรรจุอยู่ในซองพลาสติกแบบซิป ยาเคแบบเกล็ด น้ำหนักรวม 12.23 กรัม พอร์ตเค 1 หัว และยาอี 2 เม็ด […]

There’s a long weekend, four days public holiday coming up. PATTAYA, Thailand – The immigration bureau reminds visitors and expats nationwide that Monday August 11 and Tuesday August 12 are public holidays in recognition of the birthday of the Queen Mother. All immigration offices and most public services, including banks, will be closed and will reopen on Wednesday August 13 at 8.30 a.m. Bars, clubs, hotels and retail outlets for alcohol will not be affected and will retain the hours currently permitted. Anyone having urgent business with local immigration during the closure period, for example potential visa expiration or the need to report an address (TM30) or sign in for 90 days (TM47), should report to local immigration on the first day of opening. The actual birthday of the Queen Mother is Tuesday August 12, but the government has added Monday August 11 in order to create a four days public holiday, together with the preceding weekend, to facilitate country-wide travel and to benefit domestic tourism.

Bolt delivery rider attempts illegal median crossing, triggering violent big bike collision. PATTAYA, Thailand — A dangerous U-turn by a motorcycle rider at a Jomtien crosswalk led to a high-speed collision with a big bike rider, leaving the latter seriously injured, authorities reported on August 6. At around 10 PM, rescue teams from Sawang Boriboon Foundation were dispatched to Jomtien Second Road after reports of a motorcycle crash involving multiple injuries. At the scene, responders found a red-and-black Yamaha Finn motorcycle flipped over with the rider and a Russian passenger injured. Approximately 300 meters away lay a crashed Triumph Trident 660cc big bike, ridden by a foreign man in critical condition. Eyewitnesses explained that the rider on the Yamaha, who was carrying a Russian passenger, attempted an illegal U-turn across a pedestrian crossing and the central divider, where pedestrian signals are in effect. The speeding big bike, unable to brake in time, collided with the motorcycle, causing the rider to slam into a palm tree on the median strip. Police investigators secured evidence and reviewed CCTV footage to determine the exact cause of the accident, with charges expected pending the inquiry. The incident has sparked public outrage. On social media, comments condemned the reckless rider’s dangerous maneuver near a crosswalk. One user wrote, “They don’t learn until they face consequences. People endangering others with careless moves deserve to be punished.” Another added, “Fast delivery drivers racing through red lights put everyone at risk.” Authorities urge motorists and pedestrians alike to exercise caution on Jomtien Beach Road, especially near crosswalks and intersections prone to risky behavior. Russian tourist among injured after motorbike makes reckless turn at pedestrian zone.

A drink offer gone wrong turns violent: an intoxicated British tourist punches a bar hostess in Pattaya and breaks his arm after falling during the scuffle. PATTAYA, Thailand – A well-meaning night out turned chaotic in the early hours of Wednesday, August 6, when a drink offer at a Pattaya beer bar escalated into violence, resulting in a British man suffering a broken arm. At around 3:40 AM, rescue services from Sawang Boriboon Foundation received reports of a brawl at a beer bar in Soi 11 off Second Road in Pattaya. Upon arrival, police and medics found a 66-year-old British man with a fractured right arm after reportedly falling during the incident. According to a witness and the alleged victim of the assault, Ms. Sureerat (surname withheld), 39, the man had offered to buy her a drink. However, she declined as she was attending to other customers. This apparently angered the intoxicated man, who began verbally abusing her and then punched her in the face. Other customers who witnessed the altercation intervened to stop the attack. In the scuffle, the man was pulled away and reportedly fell to the ground, hitting the pavement and injuring his arm. Witnesses say no one assaulted him after the initial altercation. Despite his injury, the man, still heavily intoxicated, responded to rescuers by flipping them off with a middle finger. Rescue personnel nonetheless provided first aid before urgently transporting him to the hospital. Police from Pattaya City Police Station are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident, which captured the events clearly. The video will be used as evidence in the ongoing investigation to ensure fairness for all parties involved. The foreign man who punched the woman reportedly remained at the scene and cooperated with police during the initial inquiry.

Emergency responders rush to assist after a boat driver is injured in a tractor accident near Jomtien Beach, as officials urge tourists to stay alert on both shore and sea. PATTAYA, Thailand – Officials from the Jomtien municipal enforcement team managed traffic and responded promptly after a tractor ran over a boat driver near D Varee Hotel, opposite Soi 14 along Jomtien Beach Road. Enforcement officers secured the area and coordinated with Sawang Boriboon ambulance services, who rushed the injured victim to the hospital for urgent treatment. Authorities urge everyone—especially tourists—to stay vigilant and careful both on shore and in the sea. Visitors should watch out for moving vehicles on the beach, jet skis, boats, jellyfish, and be aware of changing tides to ensure their safety while enjoying Pattaya’s beautiful coastline. Additionally, when crossing Jomtien Beach Road, pedestrians should carefully look left and right, as there are frequent reports of wrong-way drivers in the area. Parents are urged to hold their children’s hands firmly and not let them run, ensuring their safety while crossing. Most importantly, avoid going near boat boarding and disembarking areas by the shore, and watch out for jet skis being driven up onto the shore by operators transporting them to garages. Staying alert can prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.

Little hands, big hearts. Pattaya students clean up their community to honor Mom and Mother Earth. PATTAYA, Thailand – In the lead-up to Thailand’s National Mother’s Day, the City of Pattaya has shown once again that the most powerful lessons begin with the heart. This week, the municipal government launched a heartfelt campaign under the theme “Do Good for Mom”, inviting students, teachers, city executives, and community members to join hands in a neighborhood clean-up activity in the Arunothai community, central Pattaya. But this was more than just an environmental initiative — it was a gesture of love, learning, and connection. Led by the Pattaya municipal officers, who provided safety and logistical support, the event gave young participants a chance to show gratitude to their mothers and community through simple but meaningful actions. With trash bags in hand and warm determination on their faces, students walked the streets and alleyways, collecting litter and restoring public spaces to beauty — one step at a time. As they worked, laughter and kindness filled the air. Teachers offered gentle guidance, and municipal officers ensured every student felt safe and proud. For many children, it was their first experience contributing directly to their community, and the pride in their eyes said it all. “Doing good doesn’t have to be grand — it just needs to come from the heart,” said one participating teacher. A heartfelt gift for Mother’s Day — children, teachers, and city staff join forces to keep Pattaya beautiful. This project, timed close to Mother’s Day on August 12, wasn’t just a tribute to moms — it was also a loving reminder of how small acts can grow into lasting change. By encouraging children to give back to their neighborhoods, Pattaya is quietly nurturing the next generation of responsible, caring citizens. In today’s fast-paced world, these small but sincere moments of social connection are more important than ever. As the city continues to grow, initiatives like these — rooted in love, tradition, and collective action — are what keep Pattaya warm, welcoming, and grounded. A cleaner community. A grateful heart. A gift for mom. Growing kindness: Pattaya’s young volunteers plant the seeds of love and responsibility through hands-on action.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusty winds hit 19 provinces, including Pattaya, as residents prepare for strong winds and heavy showers in eastern and southern Thailand. PATTAYA, Thailand – The Meteorological Department reports that upper Thailand is experiencing thunderstorms and gusty winds in some areas, with heavy rain expected in 19 provinces, including those near Pattaya such as Chonburi and Rayong. Residents in these areas are advised to be cautious of hazards from heavy rain and strong winds during this period. A low-pressure system is covering northern Vietnam, while the southwest monsoon continues to affect the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. This has caused wave heights in the upper Andaman Sea to reach 1-2 meters, with waves exceeding 2 meters in stormy areas. In Bangkok and the surrounding metropolitan area, there is a 40% chance of thunderstorms and occasional gusty winds, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 36 degrees Celsius. In the eastern region, including Pattaya, thunderstorms are expected in about 40% of the area, with some places experiencing heavy rain and gusty winds. Sea waves in this region are approximately 1 meter high and can exceed 2 meters in stormy conditions. The Meteorological Department advises fishermen and boat operators in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand to exercise caution and avoid navigating in areas with thunderstorms until conditions improve. Despite the heavy rainfall on the evening of Wednesday, August 6, traffic on Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya remained normal after about an hour of rain, with no major disruptions reported. Despite intense rainfall, traffic flows smoothly on Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya after an hour of showers. Residents urged to stay cautious as thunderstorms and high waves impact eastern and southern Thailand.

Thanet Suphornsahasrangi, head of the Thai Tourism Council, highlights the real risks, stating that the strength of the baht and border unrest pose greater concerns than the U.S. import tax. PATTAYA, Thailand — Business operators in Pattaya’s tourism industry are calling on the government to take immediate and effective measures to restore confidence among travelers and safeguard the city’s vital tourism economy. The industry views recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, alongside concerns over the strong Thai baht, as more significant threats than the upcoming 19% U.S. import tax effective August 7. Mr. Thanet Suphornsahasrangi, President of the Chonburi Tourism Federation, shared his perspective on these challenges. He acknowledged that while the reduction in U.S. import tariffs from 36% to 19% could reduce costs on some goods used by hotels and related businesses, it poses less concern compared to the negative impact of the border clashes on traveler confidence. “The recent clashes have raised safety questions among tourists. Hotels have received numerous inquiries about whether Pattaya and Chonburi remain safe for visitors,” Thanet said. “Though official documents have been sent to reassure travelers, some regions like Trat and Chanthaburi have already experienced a 50% drop in hotel occupancy due to fears over the conflict.” Operators are particularly anxious about the high season starting late November, when long-haul tourists normally arrive in large numbers. “If this situation persists, tourists may seek alternatives in neighboring countries, which could further dent Thailand’s tourism market,” he warned. Despite some encouraging signs—such as an increase in Chinese tourists from 8,000-9,000 to 12,000-13,000 arrivals—the travel sector still faces headwinds. Mr. Thanet emphasized that the government should prioritize restoring safety perceptions and address the strength of the baht, which currently makes travel more expensive for foreign visitors. Meanwhile, Mr. Sinchai Watanasatsathorn, an executive of the Flipper Group in Pattaya, noted that the new U.S. tariff would not directly affect tourism but might indirectly impact SMEs involved in exports. More pressing is the fragile domestic economy and border conflicts, which have caused Thai consumers to reduce spending, including on discretionary items such as travel. Sinchai Watanasatsathorn warns that ongoing border tensions could severely damage Pattaya’s tourism if clashes persist, despite limited short-term impact so far. “The border tensions are causing real damage to tourism demand,” Mr. Sinchai said. “Even though the current impact may seem limited, if the clashes continue, the long-term consequences for Pattaya’s tourism sector could be severe.” He revealed that some hotels in Pattaya have seen visitor numbers drop by 20% compared to last year. Operators have already adapted their business models post-COVID by reducing manpower and controlling costs. However, if tourist arrivals do not rebound, more drastic adjustments will be necessary. Tourism industry leaders stress that the government must act quickly to: -Strengthen safety and security assurances to domestic and international tourists. -Implement effective measures to resolve border tensions swiftly. -Stabilize or address the strong Thai baht’s effect on travel costs. -Support local tourism businesses to mitigate ongoing economic challenges. As Pattaya heads toward its crucial high season, stakeholders hope decisive government action will restore traveler confidence and keep the city’s tourism engine running smoothly.

Pattaya’s tourism sector stays stable with a strong Thai workforce in hotels, spas, and beach services, while some restaurants quickly replaced departing migrant workers with Thai hires. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) PATTAYA, Thailand – While some provinces have reported labor shortages due to Cambodian workers returning home, Pattaya’s tourism sector remains largely unaffected, according to local officials and business leaders. Pattaya, one of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations, employs a diverse mix of Thai and foreign workers across its hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Despite concerns raised nationwide about migrant laborers leaving amid regional tensions, local tourism operators say staffing levels remain stable. “We have not seen any significant drop in our workforce,” said a representative from the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association. “The hospitality sector in Pattaya relies on both Thai workers and long-term foreign residents who are still here and working.” The Department of Employment recently confirmed that around 19,000 Cambodian workers have returned home, out of over 500,000 legally employed in Thailand. The impact has been concentrated in construction and factory work in provinces like Nakhon Ratchasima and Samut Sakhon—not in tourism hubs like Pattaya. Chonburi provincial officials have echoed this assessment. “Pattaya’s tourism industry is running smoothly. There are no signs of labor disruption at this point,” one labor official noted. He added that the city’s recent rise in domestic and international tourism has helped sustain job stability in the sector. Pattaya benefits from having enough Thai laborers across key tourism-related sectors, including hospitality, massage parlors, beach operations, salons, hotels, and guesthouses. While some restaurants in the city did report a sudden decline in staff due to migrant workers leaving, they were able to quickly hire Thai workers as replacements, minimizing any potential service disruptions. Business owners remain cautiously optimistic but continue to monitor the situation. “We’re preparing contingency plans just in case, but for now, we’re fully operational,” said a hotel manager in Central Pattaya. As Thailand gears up for the upcoming high season, industry observers say Pattaya’s resilience could serve as a model for how tourism-focused cities manage migrant labor shifts without significant service disruptions.