UK Actor Boosts Morale at Thai Border

Thailand will now allow Myanmar nationals living in refugee camps to work legally in the country to address labor shortages. The new policy applies to roughly 12,000 interested refugees from nine shelters. These workers can fill vacancies in sectors like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Employers must follow a specific process, including registering job openings and obtaining work permits for the refugees. The permits cost 100 baht initially and 900 baht for annual renewal.

A Portuguese man, Carlos Laposo, was arrested in a Bangkok mall for overstaying his visa. He is accused of being a major criminal who ran large cryptocurrency and credit card scams across Europe and Asia. Laposo had been hiding in Thailand for nearly two years after an initial arrest warrant against him was withdrawn. His capture was triggered by a tip from a tourist and confirmed using facial recognition technology. He will be prosecuted in Thailand before being deported to Portugal, where he is allegedly responsible for losses estimated at over 500 million euros.

During a routine air pollution checkpoint in Bangkok, police stopped a pickup truck and noticed the driver was nervous. The man, named Phinu, tried to run away but was quickly caught by officers. A search of his vehicle revealed an unregistered, loaded 9mm pistol and a stash of methamphetamine pills and crystal meth. Phinu admitted the illegal items were his and failed a drug test. He now faces multiple charges for the firearm and drugs and has been taken to the police station for legal proceedings.

Thieves in Petchabun have stolen a metal sword from the hand of a revered statue at the Pho Khun Pha Mueang Memorial. They also took sacred cloths wrapped around two statues at the site. Officials believe the crime was committed at night, with the sword being cleanly cut and only the handle left behind. The district chief suggested the culprits may have been drugged and intended to sell the relics. The act has caused deep offense to the local community, for whom the memorial is a significant cultural landmark.

Authorities have issued an urgent evacuation warning for residents of Khamang Sub-district in Phichit due to the rapidly rising Nan River. Officials have sent emergency alerts to people's phones, advising those in flood-prone areas to prepare to leave immediately. Residents have been instructed to gather essential items and head to a designated safe zone at the local SAO office. This evacuation order is effective from today, October 3, 2025. The public is urged to stay alert and can report emergencies 24/7 via the 1784 hotline.

The Erawan Museum in Thailand is famous for its enormous three-headed elephant sculpture, which is the largest hand-carved sculpture of its kind in the world. This unique landmark is not only an important tourist attraction, but also a holy shrine for many people who come to pay respect and make wishes. Construction of the museum began in 1994, and it was opened to the public in 2003. The impressive building, including the giant elephant, stands 43.6 meters high (about the height of a 14-story building) and is decorated with thousands of hand-placed copper sheets.

The three-headed elephant, called Erawan, comes from Hindu mythology. According to ancient legends, Erawan is the sacred vehicle of the god Indra and is said to have 33 heads, but for artistic purposes, it is usually shown with three. Erawan is believed to travel freely between Earth and heaven, delivering water to bring abundance and blessings to the world. This symbolic meaning makes the elephant a special sign of goodness, wealth, and protection, and it stands on a globe to represent safeguarding the earth and the sacred objects inside the museum.

The museum was created by Lek Viriyaphant, who wanted it to showcase Asian art, culture, and the foundations of Eastern civilization. He hoped that people from Thailand and around the world would come to appreciate the essence of Asia’s four major religions, as well as the region’s beautiful artworks and ancient sacred objects. Although both Lek and his son, Pagpean, who helped build the museum, passed away before its completion, their family made sure the museum was finished in their honor. Today, the Erawan Museum is a place where people can experience the spiritual and artistic richness of Thai culture and history. Opening hours are daily from 9 am to 7 pm.

A tropical storm in the South China Sea will contribute to unstable weather across Thailand tomorrow. Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain are forecast for many regions, with residents in risk areas advised to be alert for potential flash floods.

Coastal areas will see moderate seas, with wave heights of 1–2 meters in both the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, rising above 2 meters during thunderstorms. All vessels should proceed with caution and avoid stormy areas.

As of October 3, 2025, the Thai baht's rates against other top currencies are as follows: