r/Thailand 15h ago

Discussion The Independent's double fail: Prostitution is officially ILLEGAL in Thailand, and that skyline is Singapore

Post image
309 Upvotes

Take a look at this post from The Independent (see ⁠image.png⁠). They managed to get two major facts completely wrong in a single piece of reporting.
1. Prostitution is NOT legal in Thailand.
The caption explicitly states that Pattaya is a city "where prostitution is legal." This is completely false. Under Thai law (specifically the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, B.E. 2539/1996), prostitution is entirely illegal.
Yes, we all know the reality on the ground—enforcement is notoriously lax, and red-light districts operate openly due to systemic loopholes and corruption. However, confusing "tolerated by corrupt local authorities" with "legally permitted" is terrible journalism. Stating it is a legal profession misinforms the public and shows a complete lack of basic research.

2. That picture isn't even Thailand.
If you look at the illuminated skyline behind the ship in the photo, you can clearly see the Marina Bay Sands. That is unmistakably Singapore, not Pattaya. They literally used a photo of a carrier in Singapore to run a story about a Thai resort town.
Just a reminder to always question international media when they report on Southeast Asia. The editorial standards here are non-existent.


r/Thailand 16h ago

Serious More photos of Bound Tourists Found on Suspect's Phone Part 1

Thumbnail
streamable.com
287 Upvotes

I have gotten the green light from the mods to post this.

This is very real.

After Chinese Female Tourist Rescued from Kidnapping in Thailand, Photos of Multiple Bound Chinese Tourists Found on Suspect's Phone

Photos of bound Chinese people found on a suspect’s phone transform one woman’s dramatic checkpoint rescue into a major trafficking inquiry.

I am not using phony sources. I am the source. I am the Luk Krung American who lived with the traffickers for years. I met the Lieutenant Governer, Mayor, all the different security groups. I know all the kidnappers- I've sat in their houses, been to their weddings.

This is not an isolated incident. Almost all officials I have met with have told me, don't post anything online.

I have had difficulty trying to post the video link in this subreddit so here is the full video link in case you can't see it: FB Prometheus CK

The embedded link is only half of the video.

这件事非常真实。

在泰国一名中国女游客从绑架事件中获救后,警方在嫌疑人的手机里发现了多名被捆绑的中国人的照片。这起案件已经引发了对人口贩运团伙的调查,也让人担心可能还有更多受害者。

我没有使用虚假的消息来源。我本人就是消息来源。我是一名美国籍的 Luk Krung(混血泰国人),曾与这些人口贩运者一起生活多年。我见过副省长、市长以及各个不同的安全部门。我认识所有这些绑匪——我去过他们的家,也参加过他们的婚礼。

由于多次上传失败,我决定把这段视频剪成两部分。完整视频可以在我的 Facebook 上找到。
https://web.facebook.com/prometheus.ck/reels/

这并不是一起孤立的事件。我接触过的几乎所有官员都告诉过我:“不要把任何东西发到网上。”


r/Thailand 5h ago

Serious 2nd Part of the Video

Thumbnail
streamable.com
21 Upvotes

This will probably be my last post for a while.


r/Thailand 10h ago

Politics Activist jailed for royal defamation over live streaming near royal motorcade route

Thumbnail
prachataienglish.com
41 Upvotes

r/Thailand 13h ago

News Pattaya to bar US Navy Personnel from Soi 6

Thumbnail khaosodenglish.com
73 Upvotes

r/Thailand 14h ago

News Thailand’s Pattaya pins hopes on arrival of 5,000 US sailors to boost tourism

Thumbnail
scmp.com
66 Upvotes

r/Thailand 11h ago

Language How does Thai use Virama?

7 Upvotes

Hello 👋

I'm from the Philippines!

Baybayin is our traditional writing and we don't use it anymore which is sad. So I'm practicing it. Traditionally, our ancestors didn't write standalone consonants.

e.g.

Adlaw (Day/Sun) > [A - la] > ᜀᜎ

The letters /d/ and /w/ isn't written.

When Spaniards came and colonized our country, the Catholic church added a virama (+) that kills the vowel sound.

Adlaw [A - d - la - w] > ᜀᜇ᜔ᜎᜏ᜔

Both Baybayin and the Thai writing scripts are abugidas. I searched and found that Thai also has a virama, but I don't understand how it is used.

So I want to know how Thais write standalone consonants. Especially when writing foreign words that have no Thai equivalent word or even Foreign names.

Thank you so much!


r/Thailand 6h ago

Miscellanous Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2 in Koh Tao?

3 Upvotes

I just started the series, I’m tearing through book one, and I have maybe one more day left. By any chance, is there anyone in Koh Tao who has a copy of book 2, Carl’s Doomsday Scenario, they are willing to part with for a fellow newly minted Carl addict?


r/Thailand 1d ago

News Thailand Reduces Visa-Free Stay To 30 Days & Limits Its To 60 Nationals From September 15, 2026

Thumbnail
loyaltylobby.com
232 Upvotes

r/Thailand 16h ago

News Makkasan community fire destroys 15 homes; one person found dead

Thumbnail khaosodenglish.com
8 Upvotes

r/Thailand 8h ago

Education Looking for advice: Bangkok University (BU) vs UTCC for an MBA 🇹🇭

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I am planning to pursue my MBA in Bangkok and I am currently torn between Bangkok University (BU) and University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
I have done quite a bit of research already, but I am still having a hard time deciding. I am considering programs related to Business Administration, Operations Management, or Finance, so I am also open to hearing which specialization you think would be more valuable.
I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has studied at either university or has experience with these programs.

A few things I would love some insight on:
- Which university would you choose for an MBA and why?

-Which university has better industry connections and career opportunities?

I do not have a lot of time left to make my decision, so any honest experiences, pros and cons, or advice would be really appreciated! 🙏🏼


r/Thailand 1d ago

Discussion Foundation of Pattaya built from Vietnam War. How ironic.

Post image
204 Upvotes

r/Thailand 9h ago

ภาษาไทย การศึกษาไทยในตอนนี้ดีพอรึยังสำหรับอนาคต

0 Upvotes

ในความคิดเห็นของคุณมันอยู่ในจุดไหนกัน


r/Thailand 12h ago

Question/Help Converting international car driver's license into thai license

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know what the process for doing this is?

It seems like you are able to bring your international car driver's license and have it converted into a Thai license which lasts for 1 year, but is a physical/online theory exam required?

Do you just head to the DLT with your international license and a medical health certificate and pass the vision/reaction tests and that's it, or are any forms of exams required? (whether it's physically driving or taking a theory test)

Staying on DTVisa if that matters.


r/Thailand 18h ago

Question/Help Need helps finding an old indie Thai movie

3 Upvotes

So I watched this old indie Thai movie like 10-15 years ago,

It was about 3 childhood friends, 2 males and 1 female. Guy A likes Girl B, but Girl B likes Guy C. Then they move to the city and don't keep touch. One day Guy A met Girl B again, at the same time a new mute neighbor Girl D moved next door to him. Guy A eventually had to re-examined his feelings, and decided to forget Girl B, focus on his new neighbor Girl D instead. There was a twist regarding Girl D, and I will leave it at that... This was made from the 90s or early 00s I think, been trying to look for it but no results.

Can anyone help me, thank you so much!


r/Thailand 9h ago

Employment Experience with live-and-work-in-thailand.com

0 Upvotes

Does anyone has experience with www.live-and-work-in-thailand.com?


r/Thailand 1d ago

Shopping Is 7-Eleven not getting this product anymore?

Post image
6 Upvotes

It seems like they don't get it around where I live anymore.


r/Thailand 15h ago

Question/Help Looking for a tiny convertible 4x4 in Thailand – budget around 200,000 THB

1 Upvotes

We are looking for a small, compact Jeep-style vehicle with a removable roof that is suitable for travelling


r/Thailand 1d ago

News Thai police arrest US man wanted on eight child sex abuse warrants

191 Upvotes

PHUKET — Thai police have detained a 48-year-old American man wanted on eight arrest warrants in the United States over alleged sexual offenses involving children, following a request for assistance from the FBI.

The Royal Thai Police said on 27 August that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation had asked Thai authorities to locate Lance Michael Bec, who is wanted under seven state-level warrants and one federal warrant issued in Alabama.

US authorities allege that Bec is involved in multiple offenses related to the sexual abuse of minors, including sexual torture, rape, human trafficking, facilitating the travel of children for illegal sexual activity, sexual abuse and incest.

Thai investigators said their information indicated that Bec was allegedly involved in the sexual abuse of children under 14 and had recorded the acts on video before fleeing the US and traveling to Thailand.

Thai police, immigration officers and investigators in Phuket traced Bec to a Hotel in Sakhu subdistrict, Thalang district, after determining that he had entered Thailand through Phuket International Airport.

At around 14:15 on 29 August, officers located Bec at the hotel. He acknowledged that he was the person being sought by authorities.

Immigration officers revoked his permission to remain in Thailand and transferred him to an Immigration Detention Center (IDC) for further legal proceedings.

Thai authorities said arrangements were being made to return Bec to the United States, where he is expected to face the outstanding charges.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2026/08/30/thai-police-arrest-us-man-wanted-on-eight-child-sex-abuse-warrants/


r/Thailand 21h ago

Question/Help Monthly FAQ thread for September, 2026

2 Upvotes

Hi folks,

The following types of questions should be posted into this thread - any standalone posts of this kind posted outside this thread will be removed, with a moderation comment asking the author to repost to this thread:

  • Questions about visas/immigration (including 90-day reporting, TM30, DTV, etc) - if they aren't answered here, try Asean Now's immigration forum.
  • Questions about banking (including transfers) and/or investing (including crypto)
  • Questions about working in Thailand or starting a business in Thailand
  • Questions about taxes in Thailand (including import duties / customs charges)
  • Questions about studying in Thailand, including questions about universities and schools, where to study, what to study, grants and scholarships
  • Questions about moving to Thailand in general
  • Questions about Thai Citizenship or Permanent Residence - but you should probably read this site first.
  • Questions about where to live, whether and how to buy/rent property in Thailand
  • Questions about where to get particular medicines, supplements or medical treatments (including cosmetic)
  • Questions about medical insurance
  • Questions about cannabis, kratom or other legal drugs (posts asking where to get illegal drugs will be removed)
  • Questions about vapes and vaping and the legality thereof

If you have any questions along the lines of any of the above topics, you're in the right place! You can ask away in the comments below, but first, have a read below - and search the sub - it has most likely been answered already.

Please also us know below if you have suggestions for other frequent topics - including links to recent posts on those topics to demonstrate their frequency. If the moderators agree that we're seeing an excessive number of posts on a given topic, we'll add that topic to the list above.

Any other suggestions? Let us know below!


r/Thailand 21h ago

Health YSK practically all private hospitals in Thailand are owned by one group Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS)

Post image
1 Upvotes
  • You should know that BDMS controls over 60 private hospitals. Some big ones are Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Hospital, Phyathai Hospital, Paolo Hospital, and BNH.
  • One notable exception is Bamrungrad that is not yet bought despite multiple serious attempts by BDMS. Another exception is MedPark.
  • BDMS started Bangkok Hospital about 50 years ago before slowly acquiring all these private hospitals.
  • Medical record maybe shared between the hospitals. That may not be a good thing for medical insurance and pre-existing conditions.
  • Both patients and doctors can be squeezed which such controlling monopoly. If a doctor is blacklisted by BDMS for whatever reason, they will have a very hard time finding work in the private sector.

r/Thailand 20h ago

Education Bilingual School

1 Upvotes

I am planning to move to Bangkok (specifically around the Chao Phraya River area) in 2028 before the 2028-2029 school year. My son is learning Thai through a language app and next year he will have a tutor to practice with intensively until we move.

I need suggestions (and experiences) on Private Bilingual schools, he will be 12 (going to 7th grade) the year we move. I would prefer a school that follows the western calendar just to give us that little extra time to get there, settle down, and explore. However, if there are better schools that follow the Thai system, then I’ll have to plan around that.

We are black American if that matters.


r/Thailand 12h ago

Serious Locating a person in Bangok who owes my cousin money

0 Upvotes

How do i locate a person in Bangkok?

someone borrowed money from my cousin and then disappeared. My cousin is ill and need the money for her bills

Any help will be appreciated


r/Thailand 1d ago

Culture Interesting (translated) Literature on Thai Philosophers and Thai Philosophy?

7 Upvotes

I’m looking for literature about Thai philosophers and philosophical thought in Thailand, both contemporary and historical are welcome.


r/Thailand 1d ago

Discussion Applying for UK - Half Thai kids - recent experiences? Advice?

2 Upvotes

hi,

looking at renewing my two sons' uk passports.

i've read up on the process and it seems straightforward enough, but i am working outside thailand at the moment, so i'll not be there when they do it, and want to advise and guide them as best i can in advance. as i said, i am pretty read up on the process using vfs, just wondering if anyone has done it recently and has any tips, tricks or recommendations to help it go smoothly?

any advice to avoid unforeseen delays, queues, hassles or other missteps gratefully received.