Briton 'shot' at New Year's Eve party in Thailand
A British tourist has been killed on the Thai island of Koh Phangan, allegedly as a result of a stray bullet in a fight between locals.
Snakes on a truck: 600 cobras 'smuggled across Thailand'
A truck full of deadly cobras worth an estimated £10,000 has been seized by Thai Customs officials.
KFC apologises for tsunami scare Facebook advert
KFC have apologised to their Thai Facebook followers after urging people to rush home during yesterday's tsunami scare and buy their product
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Giant lizard caught hiding in ceiling of Thai Parliament
A giant lizard sparked frantic scenes in Thailand's parliament building when it was found hiding in the ceiling. Animal control officers from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration tried for two days to remove the stubborn, full-grown water monitor, before it was caught today.
The varanus salvator was caught and bound, just as lawmakers were about to begin debating a controversial national reconciliation bill.
The animal was treated for some minor wounds before being released to its natural habitat in the green space around parliament, and across the road from Dusit Zoo. The lizards often appear in nearby streets, but are rarely seen inside buildings.
Revellers cause a splash for Buddhist New Year
Locals and tourists took to the streets of Thailand's capital armed with buckets and toy guns full of water, to mark the start of the Buddhist New Year.
Khao San road, an area in Bangkok popular with backpackers and foreign visitors, turned into a water playground as revellers celebrated the 'Songkran' festival by soaking each other to the skin.
Splashing water traditionally serves as a symbol of cleansing and washing away the sins of the old year.
It started with youngsters pouring water over their elders as a sign of respect.
The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed and celebrated for three days from 13 April.
They may also cleanse Buddha images at household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them.
It is believed that this brings good luck and prosperity for the New Year.
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Snakes on a plane: More than 2,000 vipers discovered
More than 2,000 snakes discovered on a flight from Thailand to Hong Kong were displayed by customs officials today.
The reptiles had been put in bags and placed inside foam containers, which were then mixed up with similar boxes containing fruit. Officials discovered them at Hong Kong before returning them to Bangkok.
Most of the snakes were harmless rat snakes but around 200 were cobras.
Huge numbers of animals are trafficked from Thailand into China and surrounding countries each year to feed the taste for exotic meats and for use in traditional medicine.
Thai police confiscate 64 animals from restaurant
Police in Thailand have confiscated 64 animals after raiding a restaurant suspected to have been involved in illegally trading wildlife.
Trading wildlife is illegal in Thailand, and two people were arrested at the restaurant, on the outskirts of Bangkok.
It was raided after tip-offs from local residents.
Police said they believe some of the animals would have been cooked, and the rest traded.
They estimated that the 64 animals could be worth around £10,000 if they were sold.
Man in court over Brit tourist shooting in Thailand
A man accused of shooting dead a British holidaymaker on New Year's Eve in Thailand has appeared in court today.
Ekkapan Kaewkla, 26, is suspected of killing Stephen Ashton at a beach party at Koh Phangan.
Mr Ashton, 22, a former city trader from Purley, south London, was enjoying New Year celebrations when he was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival gangs.
His relatives are due to meet the British ambassador to Thailand to make arrangements for his repatriation.
Thai gunman wants to say 'sorry' to the Ashton Family
The 26-year old man accused of killing British tourist Stephen Ashton is due to appear at a court on the Isle of Koh Samui, the neighbouring island to where the shooting took place.
ITV News managed to speak to him in the holding cells, briefly, and he said that he wants to say sorry to the Ashton Family. He said: "I know I have done wrong" and claimed that his intended victim hid behind tourists when he pointed his gun at rival gang members.
ITV News' China Correspondent Angus Walker reports from outside the court.
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Relatives of killed British tourist to arrive in Thailand
The family of the British tourist Stephen Ashton, who was shot dead by a stray bullet on a beach in Thailand, have said they are "devastated" by his death.
His relatives are due to meet the British ambassador to Thailand tomorrow to make arrangements for his repatriation.
Meanwhile, police in Thailand say they have arrested a man who has confessed to the 22-year-old's murder.
ITV News' correspondent Angus Walker reports from Bangkok:
Report: Suspect 'sorry' over British tourist shooting
A man has allegedly admitted to unintentionally killing a British tourist at a New Year's Eve party on a Thai island, according to the Bangkok Post.
Stephen Ashton, 22, was shot dead on Koh Phangan and earlier 26-year-old Ekkapan Kaewkla was arrested in connection with the shooting.
The Bangkok Post reported that Mr Kaewkla said: “My group was outnumbered so we ran outside the bar. I drew out a gun and fired a shot into the bar aimed at my rivals.
"But it turned out that the tourist was hit. I’m sorry for the incident that occurred and I am ready to be punished for what I have done."
Police says suspect confessed to killing of Stephen Ashton
by Angus Walker - China CorrespondentThai police say that the suspect they have in custody has confessed to the killing of Stephen Ashton.
It seems that the British tourist was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The island is famous for its New Year and Full Moon parties but also notorious for drugs, crime and gangs.
Victim's MP 'determined to ensure that justice is served'
Stephen Ashton's MP Richard Ottaway said he had been in touch with the Foreign Office to check that everything was being done to support the investigation.
The MP, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, has also contacted the family to extend his condolences and offer any help that he can.
He said:
The UK ambassador to Thailand will be visiting the scene of the crime tomorrow.
I have written to Mr Ashton's family to offer my help in any way that I can.
I am determined to ensure that justice is served and that whoever is responsible for this heinous act is held to account.
I understand that under Thai law the authorities have up to 84 days to bring charges and there is a bit of a history of this time being taken in other cases.
It may be some weeks before charges are finally brought.