Police seize firearms after arrest in Chon Buri condominiumLegacyPolice apprehended a 22 year old man at a condominium in Chon Buri, discovering an M16 assault rifle along with numerous other firearms and over 100 rounds of ammunition. The suspect claimed to have purchased the weapons online. Yesterday, June 11, Na Jomtien Police Station in Chon Buri received a tip-off from a concerned citizen about a suspicious man parked near Jomtien Beach in Na Jomtien subdistrict, Sattahip district, believed to have firearms in his vehicle. Investigators promptly checked the car’s registration and reviewed CCTV footage. By 11am, the suspect’s car was located parked in front of a condominium in Thung Sukhla subdistrict, Si Racha district, Chon Buri. The owner, 22 year old Phakawat or Joe, a Phuket resident, was found with the vehicle and was subsequently searched, along with his condominium room, for additional evidence. The search uncovered eight items of firearms and related equipment: one Colt AR-15 M16/M4 rifle with a red dot sight and silencer, two 5.56mm magazines each holding 30 rounds, one Derya MK-12 12-gauge shotgun with its box, one 12-gauge shotgun magazine holding five rounds and another holding 10 rounds, one unregistered Glock TARAN TACTICAL 9mm automatic pistol with a magazine, 59 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 24 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun shells, and 40 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Picture courtesy of KhaoSod The police seized all items as evidence and detained the suspect for further investigation. Initially, the suspect confessed to owning the firearms and ammunition, claiming they were acquired via online transactions. Na Jomtien Police Station charged him with possession of firearms and ammunition without a registrar’s licence and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, transferring the case to Laem Chabang Police Station for legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod. Police Colonel Phatthana Ropru, head of Na Jomtien Police Station, stated that the arrest was made under the Region 2 Provincial Police’s policy, directed by Police Lieutenant General Yingyos Thepjumnong, commissioner of Region 2, and Police Major General Thawatchakiet Jindakornsano, head of Chon Buri Provincial Police. A Jomtien police spokesperson firmly asserted, “We will not allow anyone to carry weapons in public and compromise the city’s safety.” The story Police seize firearms after arrest in Chon Buri condominium as seen on Thaiger News.

Pattaya teens get schooled as STI surge sparks sex-ed crackdownLegacyPattaya schoolkids are being taught the hard facts about safe sex as Thailand battles a shocking surge in sexually transmitted infections (STI) among teens, with cases tripling and condom use plummeting. Mayor Poramese Ngamphichet this week launched a no-nonsense sex-ed programme at Pattaya City School 7 (Ban Nong Phang Khae), aimed at clamping down on risky behaviour among students aged 13 to 18. The programme, run by Pattaya’s Disease Prevention and Control Division, comes as teenage infections of HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis soar in cities across Thailand, including Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima, reported Pattaya News. Pattaya’s new initiative covers everything from consistent condom use and HPV vaccinations to sexual health check-ups and avoiding risky partners. The goal? To hammer home the message that safe sex isn’t just smart, it’s essential. A city health spokesperson said the training aims to “empower young people with the knowledge and tools to protect their sexual health effectively, bringing a safer and healthier future for the community.” And the numbers are grim. Picture of Mayor Poramese Ngamphichet (above centre) and local school children courtesy of Pattaya News Last year, Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) revealed that syphilis cases among teens had tripled compared to previous years, with infections among pregnant women up fivefold in just 12 months. DDC spokesperson Weerawat Manosutthi issued a warning. “The situation regarding STDs in Thailand has worsened over the past five years, with a sharp annual rise in patients, especially those with syphilis.” A July 18 report showed syphilis rates across Thailand have doubled since 2018, jumping from 11 to 28.1 per 100,000 people. Among teens, that figure exploded from 27.9 to 91.2. The rise among expectant mothers is even more alarming, leaping from 0.26 per 100,000 last year to 1.3 this year. With STDs now spreading faster than ever, health chiefs say the classroom is the front line in the fight and that arming teens with facts could stop a public health disaster in its tracks. The story Pattaya teens get schooled as STI surge sparks sex-ed crackdown as seen on Thaiger News.

Pattaya couple cuffed for meth deal with toddler in towLegacyA Pattaya couple have been arrested in a major drug sting, after allegedly turning up to a meth deal with their two year old son sat on the motorbike. Pattaya police reported that 42 year old Wirot Ratloi, nicknamed “Ting,” and his 27 year old wife, Ployphan Mueangdit, known as “Pin,” were caught with over 1,000 Yaba pills, just moments after attempting to peddle meth near the Ban Na Bridge in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. But the initial bust was halted in its tracks, after undercover officers spotted the couple’s toddler sitting between them on their red Honda Wave as they arrived for the deal. Instead of swooping in, officers from Bang Lamung Police Station’s special suppression unit followed the suspects for more than 30 kilometres until they reached a safe location to make the arrest. When they searched the couple’s rented room in Soi Nern Phap Wan, they uncovered a stash of 1,088 Yaba pills, tucked away at the property. The sting was led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Suphawat Lathapreecha, alongside Pol. Maj. Pakorn Muensi-khiao and Pol. Sub-Lt. Thongthawat Phonlakorn, who confirmed the arrest was the result of a tip-off and an undercover buy, with the couple agreeing to sell 30 pills for 1,100 baht. Picture of the drugs courtesy of Pattaya News During questioning, the pair confessed to being husband and wife. Ting was unemployed, while Pin worked as a club promoter on Pattaya’s infamous Walking Street. The couple admitted turning to drug dealing for extra cash but Ting denied using their son as a human shield. “We were just heading to a night market with him and stopped to deliver the drugs along the way.” Police weren’t buying it. The pair have been charged with joint possession of a Category 1 narcotic (Yaba) with intent to sell and handed over to investigators for prosecution. Pattaya News reported their young son has since been placed in protective care while authorities assess his welfare. Police say more arrests could follow as the wider Yaba network is probed. The story Pattaya couple cuffed for meth deal with toddler in tow as seen on Thaiger News.

Welshman on life support after vanishing on Thai booze-upLegacyA Welshman is on life support, clinging to life in a Pattaya hospital, after undergoing emergency brain surgery following a night out in Thailand. Ashton Jones disappeared without a trace while partying with pals in a Bangkok nightclub, only to be discovered hours later in a hospital bed 55 miles away from the Thai capital, hooked up to machines and fighting for his life. His devastated family now fear the worst and suspect the Welshman, who suffers from epilepsy, may have been attacked during the night out that turned into a nightmare. The 29 year old jetted off to the Thai capital “on a whim” with a mate, joining another friend for a week of sun-soaked antics. But the trip took a tragic turn when he failed to return from a club, sparking a desperate hunt by friends. They were left horrified when he was eventually found in Chon Buri Hospital, unconscious and undergoing emergency brain surgery. Picture of Ashton Jones courtesy of Wales News Service His 26 year old cousin, Sophie, said she’s heartbroken. “We’re shocked and going out of our minds because we don’t know what’s going on. No one speaks English there and they’re still struggling to get an English translator.” The family say Ashton, who lives with his nan in South Wales, didn’t take out travel insurance before flying out, and they’re now scrambling to raise £50,000 (2.2 million baht) to cover spiralling medical costs and fly him home. His grandmother, Beverly Walker, said she is deeply concerned. “Without immediate financial or diplomatic assistance, my grandson may not survive. The emotional toll on our family is immense. We are heartbroken and fearful, watching from afar while Ashton suffers without the care he urgently requires.” Doctors attempted to bring Ashton round on Monday, Walker said. “It was a success but he still has a long way to go. He’s bed-bound, suffering with fits, cannot talk, eat or drink and isn’t aware. We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home.” Picture of Ashton Jones courtesy of Wales News Service The family say they’ve already spent their life savings to get relatives out to Thailand and to pay initial hospital fees but it’s not enough, added Walker. “The hospital in Thailand is asking for the cost of his treatment ongoing, it’s far beyond what our family can afford.” In the meantime, Ashton’s condition continues to deteriorate, and it feels as though we are being left helpless as time runs out.” A GoFundMe page has so far raised just over £3,500 (155,000 baht), a fraction of what’s needed to fly the Welshman home. A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed, “We are supporting a British man who has been hospitalised in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.” The story Welshman on life support after vanishing on Thai booze-up as seen on Thaiger News.

Visa Las Vegas: Cops bust illegal workers in Chon BuriLegacyA massive crackdown on illegal foreign workers has rocked Thailand’s party province of Chon Buri, with multiple raids, social media tip-offs, and a string of arrests hitting everything from restaurants to racy nightlife venues. A joint task force yesterday, June 11, stormed businesses in the Bang Lamung district, rounding up eight undocumented workers at a company in the Huay Yai subdistrict. Among the arrested were seven Myanmar nationals, five men and two women, along with a Cambodian woman, all accused of working without permits. Officials confirmed they were slapped with charges under Section 8 of the Alien Employment Act, with stiff penalties under Section 101. The company’s director also got nicked for hiring the workers illegally, a separate offence under Section 9, with penalties under Section 102. All suspects were carted off to Huay Yai Police Station for prosecution. And that was just the beginning. Pictures courtesy of Pattaya News In a second sweep, the same day, immigration officials hit three Chinese restaurants on Pattaya Second Road, after concerned TikTok users flagged dodgy dealings. Pattaya News reported that officers detained eight Myanmar nationals, two men and six women, for breaching labour laws. Five were charged with working without permits, while three others got hit with additional charges for failing to report their employment details to officials within the required 15-day window. The group was hauled to Pattaya City Police Station, and complaints have been filed against their employers too, who are also now facing legal heat. The operation is part of Thailand’s ongoing push to clean up illegal labour practices in key tourist and economic zones. And it follows a similar sting earlier this year when, in the early hours of March 28, cops swooped in on The Wild 69 nightclub in Central Pattaya. Acting on a tip-off, police stormed the Bang Lamung hotspot around 1am, uncovering six foreign women from Laos and Cambodia working as waitresses, all without legal documentation. None of them could produce permits, and they were arrested on the spot. Thai police say the raids will continue, with rogue employers and undocumented workers firmly in their sights. The story Visa Las Vegas: Cops bust illegal workers in Chon Buri as seen on Thaiger News.

Pattaya’s future at risk as accommodation bill divides opinionLegacyPattaya, Thailand’s notorious tourist hotspot, finds itself at the centre of a national debate as the proposed Hotel and Overnight Accommodation Act, better known as the Equal Accommodation Bill, threatens to dramatically reshape the city’s tourism landscape. While the bill aims to modernise outdated laws, critics warn it could undermine safety standards, community trust, and the sustainability of tourism in places like Pattaya, where the informal accommodation sector already operates in a legal grey zone. The bill, proposed by the People’s Party, seeks to simplify hotel licensing procedures that have long been tangled with Thailand’s old laws, including the Building Control Act, Environmental Act, and City Planning Law. Under the new framework, local authorities such as Pattaya City and Bangkok would gain the power to set regulations and grant operating licences. Photo courtesy of Pattaya Unlimited Proponents argue that this decentralisation would empower localities to manage their tourism more effectively and allow for smaller, more flexible accommodation options to be legally recognised. In Pattaya, a city where luxury hotels coexist with budget-friendly condo rentals, the bill seems to reflect the reality of its diverse hospitality scene. Currently, many unlicensed lodging providers, often small condos or homes offering short-term rentals, operate with little oversight. The new law aims to bring these micro-hosts into the fold, legalising thousands of informal accommodations. However, this has sparked significant concern. “The bill opens a dangerous loophole,” warned Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA). He argues that allowing individual condo units or homes within residential buildings to register as accommodations without converting the entire building to hotel status could infringe on the rights of residents. “No one buys a condo expecting the unit next door to become a revolving door of tourists.” Photo of Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun courtesy of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association Facebook This could lead to a flood of semi-legal nightly rentals in densely populated areas like Pattaya, he added, with foreign investors exploiting the system to run de facto hotels without paying taxes, adhering to safety codes, or being held accountable. Traditional hotel operators are also raising alarms. They argue that the current 2004 Hotel Act provides sufficient structure, but its enforcement has been lacking. By lowering the definition of a “hotel” and loosening regulations, critics argue the bill could lead to a race to the bottom in terms of safety and standards, eroding public trust. Despite the controversy, there are aspects of the bill that local officials and tourism groups support, such as allowing local governments to retain licensing fees for reinvestment into public infrastructure. This could provide much-needed funds to improve Pattaya’s sidewalks, signage, and sanitation, helping to bolster its image as a world-class destination, reported Pattaya Mail. Photo of Royal Wing Suites & Spa courtesy of Santorini Dave As the bill progresses through Parliament, the future of Pattaya’s tourism sector hangs in the balance. Will the proposed changes modernise the city’s hospitality industry, or will they open the door to unchecked competition and diminished safety? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain, Pattaya’s future depends on striking the right balance between expansion and maintaining trust. As one longtime resident aptly put it, “If they want to reform the laws, fine. But don’t sacrifice safety and community for a quick economic win. Pattaya’s real asset isn’t just rooms, it’s trust.” The story Pattaya’s future at risk as accommodation bill divides opinion as seen on Thaiger News.

Bugged out: Heartbroken Indian sprays mozzie repellent in mouthLegacyA heartbroken Indian man was rushed to hospital in Pattaya after he reportedly sprayed mosquito repellent into his own mouth, and went into violent shock. Rescue workers were called to a five-storey commercial block in the Nong Prue area of Bang Lamung today, June 11, after the man, identified as 33 year old Devaraj, was found foaming at the mouth and vomiting in a rental room. He was discovered by his girlfriend’s 14 year old son, who said the man had been arguing with his mum the night before, and she’d vanished shortly after. “When I opened the door, I saw him lying on the bed, writhing and foaming. He told me he sprayed mosquito repellent in his mouth, so I called for help right away.” Medics from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation raced to the scene and gave Devaraj emergency treatment before transferring him to Pattaya Pathomkhun Hospital. He was reportedly in a state of shock and barely coherent. A nearly empty can of insect spray was found near the balcony, suggesting it had been discarded or dropped after the act. The room showed no signs of a struggle, only a suitcase packed with clothes, hinting the man may have been preparing to leave town. Picture of Indian man Devaraj courtesy of Workpoint News Locals told rescuers that the man had been staying in the area for a while and had recently started dating the teen’s mother. But following a fierce row the night before, the woman reportedly switched off her phone and disappeared without a trace. Distraught and unable to reach her, Devaraj may have taken the drastic step in an emotional spiral. Police said it appeared to be a case of self-harm following a domestic dispute, and no foul play was suspected. As of press time, Devaraj remains under observation at the hospital, with doctors monitoring his condition and potential toxic effects from ingesting the chemical, reported Workpoint News. Officials reminded the public that mental health support is available and urged anyone feeling overwhelmed to seek help before taking dangerous actions. The story Bugged out: Heartbroken Indian sprays mozzie repellent in mouth as seen on Thaiger News.

Blaze of rage! Fire guts bedroom after bitter family feud in PattayaLegacyA bitter family feud may have sparked a suspected arson attack in Pattaya, leaving a pensioner and her foreign husband fleeing for their lives as flames tore through their home. A late-afternoon blaze ripped through a bedroom in a Bang Lamung home yesterday, June 10, with suspicions swirling around a disgruntled son-in-law who’d allegedly made threats shortly before the fire broke out. Emergency crews from the Takhian Tia Municipality’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre rushed to the two-storey concrete house in Village No. 3 just after receiving the 999 call. Flames were found engulfing a small ground-floor bedroom adjacent to the main building. Firefighters managed to douse the flames within 10 minutes, saving the rest of the property from serious damage. But the bedroom, believed to belong to the son-in-law, was completely destroyed. Inside the house at the time was 77 year old Prathum Ruangphol, who lives there with her foreign husband. The pair were alone during the incident, as her daughter, the homeowner, was away on business, reported Pattaya News. “My son-in-law came to the house wanting to collect some documents. I refused to let him in and he got angry. Not long after he left, we saw smoke, then the flames.” Pictures courtesy of Pattaya News Prathum added that the fire broke out in the very room her son-in-law had used, and added that he didn’t lift a finger to help when neighbours rushed to battle the blaze. Her daughter later confirmed that she and her partner had been discussing a separation and had allowed him limited access to the home but also admitted he’d made “serious threats” in the past. While both Prathum and her husband escaped in time, he reportedly suffered minor injuries in the chaos. Bang Lamung police have urged the family to file a formal complaint and are set to question the son-in-law as part of their ongoing investigation. A police spokesperson said they were treating the matter seriously and would ensure “fairness for all parties.” As the ashes cool, the hunt for answers, and possible charges, continues. The story Blaze of rage! Fire guts bedroom after bitter family feud in Pattaya as seen on Thaiger News.

High stakes: Pattaya drug dealers busted in party stingLegacyA pair of suspected drug dealers got more than they bargained for when undercover police pounced on them outside a Pattaya condo and found a stash of narcotics fit for a cartel. Two men suspected of flooding Pattaya’s party zones with class-A drugs aimed at teens have been nicked in a major sting by Chon Buri Provincial and Pattaya City police. The high-stakes operation unfolded at 5pm, yesterday, June 10, after a tip-off led officers to stage a sting outside a condominium on South Pattaya Road, where 31 year old Burin “Oat” Pholwiwat, and 36 year old Chatchawan “Boy” Wongthong, were arrested as they tried to deliver a drug parcel. Under orders from Police Major General Thawatchai Jindakuansanong, Chon Buri Police Commander, and Pol. Col. Chatree Suksiri, Deputy Commander, officers launched follow-up raids at two properties in Samut Prakan: one in Ban Eua Arthorn Mueang Mai Bang Phli, the other a nameless rented room in Theparak Soi 7, Bang Sao Thong. Inside, they uncovered a haul including: 3,915 grammes of crystal meth (ice). 300 grammes of ketamine. 7,000 meth pills. Drug-packing gear: scales, zip-lock bags. A modified blank gun and six live .38 bullets. Pictures of Oat and Boy courtesy of Pattaya News During interrogation, the pair confessed to peddling drugs on behalf of an unknown supplier, claiming they were told where to drop off the goods. The suspects now face a laundry list of charges: Possession and distribution of Category 1 and 2 narcotics for commercial gain. Illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Carrying a weapon in public without cause. Driving under the influence of methamphetamine. They’ve been transferred to Pattaya City Police for prosecution. The bust came just hours before another major hit on the city’s youth drug scene, when Bang Lamung district officials raided six shops flogging illegal kratom-laced 4×100 brews. More than 2,000 bottles of the banned concoction and cough syrup used to spike it were seized in a crackdown led by District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon and Deputy Kamphrai Laosaen. “We won’t tolerate this,” said Chief Patcharapat. “Anyone producing or selling 4×100 drinks will be arrested and prosecuted. No exceptions.” The message from Pattaya’s police is clear: the party’s over for anyone pushing poison to the city’s youth. The story High stakes: Pattaya drug dealers busted in party sting as seen on Thaiger News.

Smashed! Drunken row ends in bottle attack on disabled soldierLegacy A boozy barney turned bloody in Pattaya when a tipsy pensioner smashed a bottle over a disabled ex-soldier’s head, all because dinner didn’t go down well. The drunken dispute exploded into violence yesterday, June 10, after a group of drinkers clashed near the entrance to Soi Nong Samo 14 in Pattaya. Rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Pattaya rushed to the scene around 5pm, where they found three middle-aged men mid-row, and one of them, 41 year old Suradet Chaichanaklang, bleeding from a nasty gash to the head. Suradet, a disabled former soldier who uses a wheelchair, had his distressed girlfriend by his side as medics tried to stop the bleeding. The alleged attacker, 63 year old Noi Thapwan, was quickly detained by police, and didn’t seem too bothered about what he’d done. “He was being annoying. I cooked for him, but he kept acting up. He pretends he can’t walk, but I told him he can walk like anyone else. When he came at me, I grabbed a bottle and smashed his head.” Pictures courtesy of Pattaya News But Suradet had a very different version of the event. “I didn’t even get a chance to say anything. I just saw the bottle coming down on my head.” A bottle of strong white liquor, believed to be 40-proof, was recovered at the scene, and police suspect all involved were heavily intoxicated. Statements given were described as contradictory and confused. Medics treated Suradet at the scene, but he initially refused to go to hospital, concerned for the safety of his girlfriend. Officers eventually persuaded him to seek proper treatment. Noi now faces assault charges, with police continuing their investigation into the boozy brawl, Pattaya News reported. Just a day earlier, another wild scene unfolded on Pattaya’s notorious Walking Street when a booze-fuelled brawl erupted between a gang of rowdy Russian teens and a crew of Thai rappers. The fight broke out around 12.44am on June 9, right in the heart of the city’s tourist-packed nightlife zone. Holidaymakers fled for cover as fists flew between four Russians, aged 18–19, and a group of well-known local performers. Footage of the ruckus, captured by a stunned tourist, quickly went viral, sparking fierce debate about safety in the city’s most famous party strip. A local vendor who saw it unfold claimed the Russians had first caused chaos inside a pharmacy, forcing staff to kick them out before the scrap spilled onto the street. From bottle brawls to rapper rumbles, it’s been a wild week in Pattaya. The story Smashed! Drunken row ends in bottle attack on disabled soldier as seen on Thaiger News.

Pattaya police bottle kratom cocktail racket in midnight raidsLegacyPattaya police smashed a dodgy kratom cocktail flogging souped-up brews to youngsters, and they’ve got the bottles to prove it. Police in the Bang Lamung district swooped on shops flogging illegal kratom 4×100 concoctions late on yesterday, June 10, seizing over 2,000 bottles of the controversial brew and cough syrup used to spike it. District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon ordered the raid, which kicked off at 10.16pm, following a barrage of complaints from fed-up locals. The operation, led by Deputy District Chief Kamphrai Laosaen and backed by Bang Lamung Territorial Defence Volunteers, hit six locations across the district. The crackdown targeted outlets accused of selling the potent mix to teenagers, including several shops previously busted but brazenly back in business. At Pathum Kratom Leaf in Soi Khao Talo, police found a full-scale production line inside a three-storey commercial unit. The bottom floor was a shopfront, but upstairs told a different story, 130 bottles of cough syrup brands like Benadryl were found on the second floor, with the top floor housing brewing gear, dozens of chilled kratom bottles, and bags stuffed with over 300 empty syrup boxes. Pictures courtesy of Pattaya News In Soi Praphanimit, another shop was found with more than 300 refrigerated kratom drinks ready for sale. Syringes and open containers of cough syrup were laid out for customers to spike their drinks on the spot. A backroom stash revealed a whopping 1,300 bottles of cough syrup and a full set of brewing kit. Further raids in Pattaya, Nong Prue, and other parts of Bang Lamung turned up an extra 100+ bottles of kratom drink. All shop owners were cuffed and taken to local police stations to face charges, District Chief Patcharapat warned. “We won’t tolerate this. Anyone producing or selling 4×100 drinks will be arrested and prosecuted. No exceptions.” While kratom leaves were decriminalised in Thailand in 2022, turning them into food or drink without a licence is still illegal, especially when mixed with cough syrup to boost the high. On its own, kratom offers a buzz similar to caffeine, but these concoctions are far more dangerous, Pattaya News reported. Officials say they’re committed to wiping out the trend, one bottle at a time. Pictures courtesy of Pattaya News The story Pattaya police bottle kratom cocktail racket in midnight raids as seen on Thaiger News.

Frenchman arrested in Pattaya for allegedly abusing 13 year old girlLegacyA 44 year old French national has been arrested in Pattaya for allegedly paying for sex with a 13 year old girl in the northeastern province of Nong Khai. Autret, who was apprehended on Sunday afternoon, June 8, was taken into custody from his room at the Pattaya Plaza Condotel on Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya 59. His arrest follows an arrest warrant issued by Nong Khai Provincial Court on Friday, June 6. The Frenchman is accused of sexually assaulting the young girl at a hotel in Nong Khai. The Nong Khai Provincial Police launched their investigation after the girl was reportedly sold into forced prostitution. She had come to visit her mother, who worked at a beer bar in Nong Khai, but was later coerced into sex with foreign nationals. Police allege that Autret took the girl to a hotel room, where he sexually assaulted her. The incident came to light after the girl’s guardians reported the crime, prompting police action. A joint operation between Nong Khai Provincial Police and Pattaya Immigration Police led to his arrest. According to Police Colonel Saksit Boonserm, Superintendent of Nong Khai Provincial Investigation Division, Autret was located at his condominium in Pattaya and arrested in coordination with Pattaya Immigration Police. “Autret was apprehended at his Sukhumvit-area condominium after a thorough investigation by the Nong Khai authorities,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Phachara Krisanakal, Deputy Superintendent. “He has been charged with abducting a minor under 15 for indecent purposes and sexually assaulting her, regardless of consent.” The victim’s case is part of a larger trafficking ring involving the exploitation of minors. Police suspect that additional individuals may be involved in the operation that coerced the girl into prostitution. Nong Khai police are continuing their investigation to identify and arrest other suspects, reported Bangkok Post and The Pattaya News. Autret denied the charges, claiming his innocence and stating he would fight the case in court. He was transferred from Bang Lamung Police Station to Nong Khai for further legal proceedings. The story Frenchman arrested in Pattaya for allegedly abusing 13 year old girl as seen on Thaiger News.