PATTAYA — Thai authorities have detained three Cambodian nationals during a crackdown on foreign beggars in Pattaya following public outrage over a viral video showing a disabled man begging while carrying his young child.

The operation was carried out at about 21:20 on Tuesday by officials from the Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, the Chon Buri Children and Family Shelter, Pattaya police and the Chon Buri Immigration Office.

Officers located the disabled man, identified only as Tok, 35, in Pattaya's Soi 6 area. Police said he appeared to notice the authorities and attempted to wheel himself away before being detained. The child seen in the viral video was not with him.

During questioning, Tok admitted he had previously taken his child with him while begging because his wife was sometimes unavailable to care for the child. He said he stopped doing so after images of him circulated on social media and drew widespread criticism.

Tok told authorities he had lived in Thailand for more than 10 years and earned about 200-300 baht a day from begging. He said he remained in Thailand because he could earn more money than in Cambodia, where he claimed he would struggle to find work.

He also admitted that he had previously been arrested and deported several times but repeatedly re-entered Thailand illegally through natural border crossings in Sa Kaeo province. He told investigators he paid about 5,000-6,000 baht each time to be transported by van into the country.

During the operation, officials also detained two Cambodian women. One, identified as Moi, 42, was allegedly begging while carrying her two-month-old baby, with her seven-year-old child sitting nearby. Another woman, identified as Por, 50, was also found begging in the same area.

All three adults were taken to Pattaya City Police Station for processing before being handed over to immigration authorities for legal action, verification of their immigration records and deportation proceedings.

The two children were placed under the care of the Chon Buri Children and Family Shelter to ensure their safety and welfare.

Authorities said they would intensify efforts to crack down on foreign beggars and human smuggling networks, particularly cases involving the use of children for begging, saying the practice harms children's welfare and damages Pattaya's image as an international tourist destination.

SC Asset Corporation is signaling confidence in the luxury housing market despite broader real estate headwinds from weakened demand and oversupply. The company plans to raise its 2025 revenue target to approximately 16.5 billion baht following better-than-expected first-half performance, while accelerating land acquisitions to 15 parcels and launching four new projects plus 16 relaunches in the second half.

Mongkut Tetseechaoroen, managing director of SC Asset's horizontal property development and marketing division, revealed that the company is revising its 2025 revenue target upward from 16 billion baht to around 16.5 billion baht. The luxury housing segment has outperformed projections in the first half, demonstrating continued strength despite sector-wide challenges.

Tetseechaoroen noted that while the overall real estate market faces pressure from reduced purchasing power, SC views the upper-end housing market as resilient. High-income buyers are less affected by economic conditions than the mass market, resulting in satisfactory first-half performance that exceeded company forecasts. "This is another strong year for SC despite the real estate sector facing multiple challenges. Our business continues to grow with trends better than anticipated," he stated.

SC maintains market leadership in homes priced 30 million baht and above, commanding 21% market share in 2022, rising to 23% in 2023, with continued growth expected this year. The company specializes in luxury and ultra-luxury project development, a focus area it prioritizes exclusively.

The company aims to maintain leadership in the 20-30 million baht and above segment over the next five years while sustaining annual market share growth of 3-5%, believing the upper-market segment holds growth potential despite overall market contraction from economic conditions.

Tetseechaoroen explained that SC's counter-trend investment strategy is driven by an opportunity created as larger competitors slow land acquisitions due to rising market supply. Reduced competition for land purchases enables SC to acquire quality properties at reasonable prices.

This year, SC allocated approximately 6 billion baht for land acquisitions, with 4 billion baht designated for horizontal projects. The company has already spent over 50% of this budget, purchasing 15 parcels—exceeding the original 10-parcel target—by securing parcels with strong fundamentals in price, size, and location, particularly near central business districts suitable for future luxury housing development.

"Many companies are slowing land purchases, but we see this as a prime opportunity to accumulate land banks because quality plots are becoming more available," Tetseechaoroen said. "As market supply gradually decreases, we believe the market will recover, and land purchased during this period will create long-term value."

For the second half, SC plans to launch four new horizontal projects and relaunch 16 existing projects through comprehensive product redesign—not merely cosmetic rebranding, but reimagined homes incorporating new architecture, functionality, and spatial design to meet modern lifestyle needs.

Tetseechaoroen noted that the relaunch initiative stems from deep consumer behavior research conducted during the market slowdown, revealing that customer demand hasn't declined but rather shifted.

Thai swimming achieved a surprise as Sky Kingpoyom, a rising Thai swimmer and son of "Lukked" Metinee Kingpoyom, secured a spot on Thailand's national team for the Asian Games in Japan. Coach Thotssakul acknowledged that medals are unlikely but set an ambitious goal of reaching the finals 80% of the time, which he considers a passing grade.

The Swimming Association of Thailand announced the roster of 19 swimmers selected for the 2026 Asian Games (20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026) in Aichi-Nagoya. The team includes Kamnachon Khwanmuang, Mia Millar, Surasit Thongdaeng, Maria Nedelka, Jin Chuta Pholjamjaras, Naphatswan Chritkla, Marich Samrittiwech, Pongsanat Traitan, Tonnam Kantimoon, Purichaya Chanyamitri, Ratchavit Thamnananthachoti, Sky Kingpoyom Sharpearl, Ploy Lilayana, Phimchanok Shinveraphan, Thitirattana Charoenthrap, Thitirattana Inchai, Warisara Nophthong, Pasavorn Kantakham, and Wongsgor Phaetman.

Nayathawichaya Thossakul, secretary-general of the Swimming Association of Thailand, stated that while Thailand's swimming team is unlikely to win Asian Games medals, the athletes were selected based on criteria from the Swimming Association and the Thai Olympic Committee, focusing on gold medalists from the Southeast Asian Games and those who finished in the top six at the previous Asian Games.

Thotssakul concluded that the association's expectation is for the team to reach the finals 70-80% of the time, which would be considered successful. Athletes who qualified based on the previous Asian Games' top-six standard should particularly aim to reach the finals. If all 19 swimmers fail to advance from the first round, it would be considered a failure, but the association believes both athletes and coaches are committed to meeting these expectations.

Actress Bua Nalinthip has set her wedding date for late this year and praised her fiancé for being extremely thoughtful. She wants to enjoy married life first and is not rushing to have children, revealing why she chose him. After becoming an engaged woman in the public eye, actress Bua Nalinthip recently appeared at a press conference to launch the series "Rak" at Major Cineplex Sukhumvit (Ekamai) theater, where she updated fans on her wedding date, which is expected to be sometime late this year, and discussed her preparations for becoming a bride.

How far along are the wedding preparations? "We're getting close now (laughs), but I still think it'll probably be around late this year. Please stay tuned," she said.

How far have the preparations progressed? "About halfway there. Right now we're trying on dresses. I just got back from Vietnam and secretly tried on some dresses there."

Are the dresses imported? "We're still looking at when to use them."

Vietnamese wedding dresses must be quite extravagant, right? "Yes, they have such trendy designs. We're still deciding and haven't confirmed anything yet."

What style does Bua want? "Actually, I prefer keeping it simple, easy, and comfortable—minimal style. I don't want something overly elaborate with a big puffy skirt."

But between the marriage proposal and preparing to be a bride, which was more exciting? "The proposal felt thrilling, but now I'm starting to feel stressed (laughs). It's worrying because I'm afraid of how things will turn out."

How do you two discuss the wedding preparations? "We consult about everything."

Who makes the final decisions? "We decide together. When we go dress shopping, he comes along too. He helps us decide what he likes."

Are you tired as a bride-to-be now? "I am tired. The most exhausting part is all the tiny details—choosing venues, picking dresses. We've had some minor disagreements, though not serious ones. But there's a lot to handle."

When you disagree, who gives in? "He does. It's pretty much settled (smiles)."

Does he back down during disagreements? "No, we discuss things logically."

What's your relationship like? What kind of couple are you? "Actually, at first I felt we were complete opposites in many ways. I wasn't sure if we'd get along, but once we started talking, it just clicked easily. He's a sweet person, and I appreciate his consistency. He takes good care of me."

Is your boyfriend very open-minded about the entertainment industry? "Yes, he understands."

Is it all new for him? How did he react to the news breaking and being introduced to the public? "He was shy about it. He became 'the second male lead' and got teased for it. At his office, they teased him too."

How do you comfort him about becoming the 'second male lead'? "I didn't comfort him much. He's fine with it."

Do your friends say anything about what you should do after marriage—whether you should retire or take a break? "No, after marriage I'll stay the same. I'll keep working as I have been. Right now we're also planning on setting up a home."

Are you working on a new house? "We're just starting that."

Will that timing work with your work schedule? "I think it might not be finished in time, but we're not rushing anyway. I feel the house should come together gradually. I don't want to force anything."

Are you living together now? "Every day."

Now that you're about to change your status from girlfriend to fiancée, are you getting used to it? "Not yet (laughs). I still introduce him as my boyfriend or fiancé. It feels embarrassing."

Are you preparing yourself? You used to live alone, and now you'll wake up to see him every day? "Actually, I don't think it's that dramatic. For me, he feels more like someone who completes me. I don't feel like someone is invading my life."

What made you fall for him? "Me? I'm beautiful like this, I'm an actress! (laughs) But honestly, we just clicked when we talked. It's like we found a comfortable space together."

Deputy Transport Minister Pattrapong Pattharathsin announced progress on upgrading Hua Hin Airport into an international aviation and tourism hub. Following an inspection on May 28, 2025, and the implementation of policies to resolve technical runway issues in line with Thai Civil Aviation Authority safety standards, the government is preparing to launch full international flight services. The Transport Ministry, Airports Authority, Thai AirAsia, and Tourism Authority of Thailand are collaborating to expand regional air connectivity as part of the government's economic stimulus initiative for the region.

The government recognizes Hua Hin's strong economic and tourism potential and has decided to pursue international flights. On July 3, 2025, Pattrapong will chair the "Market Insights and Customer Insights Workshop" alongside the Tourism and Sports Minister to prepare for reopening international routes to Hua Hin, organized by Thai AirAsia.

The workshop will bring together over 100 local tourism and service businesses to gather insights on key topics: presenting Hua Hin Airport's readiness and development plans for future international flights, analyzing Hua Hin's potential tourism products and services to attract visitors, and understanding foreign tourists' interests and activities to develop short and long-term tourism programs.

According to Pattrapong, Airports Authority data from 2018-2020, before the COVID-19 crisis, showed that Hua Hin Airport successfully served Thai AirAsia's Hua Hin-Kuala Lumpur route with strong passenger response: over 1,000 flights carrying more than 130,000 passengers. This workshop represents a crucial step to evaluate feasibility and prepare to reopen the Hua Hin-Kuala Lumpur route and explore other possible international routes.

Coordination between the Transport Ministry, Airports Authority, and related agencies will foster mutual understanding among government, private sector, and local businesses. The Transport Ministry commits full support for infrastructure and facilitation to prepare Hua Hin for international flight development, strengthening competitiveness and positioning Hua Hin as a world-class destination in the long term.