Weapons cache near Pattaya tops Thailand week as Phuket cases draw scrutiny
Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, May 4th to Sunday May 10th. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in…
A military-grade weapons cache discovered near Pattaya led Thailand’s top national stories for the week ending May 10, while several Phuket incidents also drew attention, according to a roundup published May 11. The cases ranged from a national security investigation in Chonburi to protected marine wildlife allegations at Kata Beach in Phuket.
Police in Chonburi raided a Chinese national’s residence in Sattahip district after a car crash led officers to the site, where they found what authorities described as a small private arsenal. Officials said the seizure included firearms, ammunition, grenades, landmines, explosive vests and high-powered explosives, with alleged plans involving C-4, assault rifles and suicide bombing-style attacks.
Pattaya cases span public disorder, violent crime and a death
Pattaya authorities also detained a foreign man early Monday after he allegedly became violently intoxicated, exposed himself to officers and refused to pay a 2,500-baht bar bill. Police said he then tried to flee toward Pattaya Beach, resisted arrest and hurled insults at police and municipal officers.
In a separate case, Pattaya City Police and Tourist Police arrested two transgender teenagers accused of robbing and stabbing a 45-year-old Australian man in a South Pattaya hotel room. Police said the pair allegedly stole 140,000 baht.
Another investigation centered on the death of a 39-year-old Chinese tourist, who police said was severely beaten inside an unlicensed nightclub in Pattaya’s South zone early on May 7, 2026. The Pattaya police chief ordered the venue shut immediately, and 10 people were arrested.
Phuket stories include heroin seizure and protected fish allegations
Authorities in Phuket seized more than six kilograms of heroin concealed in traditional Thai clothing in a shipment bound for Australia. Officials said the drugs were worth millions.
Another Phuket case involved two foreign nationals, identified as Spanish and Peruvian, who were to be permanently blacklisted from Thailand after an indecent act on a tuk-tuk in Patong.
Local media also reported that a group of Chinese tourists were accused of night diving and spearfishing parrotfish, a protected species, at Kata Beach. Separately, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Bang Tao Beach in Thalang to oversee action against illegal public land encroachment before later canceling a scheduled Freedom Beach inspection and traveling to Ranong Province.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/05/11/top-national-thailand-stories-from-the-past-week-chinese-mans-home-near-pattaya-uncovers-large-military-grade-weapons-cache-and-more/
