An American YouTuber who is the son of well-known Spanish actors has admitted to the murder and dismemberment of a man, followed by scattering the victim's body parts across a popular tourist island, as stated by authorities in Thailand.
Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, appeared in court on Monday after being arrested on suspicion of killing Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, 44, a Colombian surgeon.
Details of the gruesome case first emerged last week when local media reported that body parts had been discovered around the island of Koh Phangan, a destination known for its lively parties and psychedelic retreats.
Sancho, a chef with a YouTube channel, initially reported the person missing, but later confessed over the weekend, according to Thai police.
He informed investigators that he had a confrontation with Arrieta last Wednesday, as Sancho wanted to end their relationship due to Arrieta's plans to marry someone else in Indonesia, explained Koh Phangan police captain Sucheep Chadakarn to NBC News.

Former Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, announced on Saturday that he will be delaying his much-anticipated return to the kingdom. The 74-year-old billionaire, who won two elections in the past but was ousted in a 2006 military coup, has been living in self-exile for the past 15 years, expressing his desire to return home despite facing what he believes are politically motivated criminal charges.
In a tweet on his recently rebranded account, "X," Thaksin cited a medical appointment as the reason for postponing his return. He mentioned that the delay will not exceed two weeks, leaving many speculating about the potential implications of his return to Thailand's already tense political landscape.
Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was a prime-ministerial candidate for the Pheu Thai party, had previously announced that her father was scheduled to arrive in Thailand on August 10.
However, his return has the potential to ignite further tensions in the country, which is currently grappling with a political deadlock. The military-dominated Senate recently thwarted the Move Forward Party's leader from becoming prime minister, even though the party secured the most parliamentary seats in the May election.
The Pheu Thai party, backed by Thaksin, has been striving to form a government, with property tycoon Srettha Thavisin being nominated as its potential prime minister. Nevertheless, the House speaker has postponed the prime ministerial vote until after a constitutional court ruling scheduled for August 16.
Napisa Waitoolkiat, a political analyst from Naresuan University, highlighted recent speculation about a possible deal between Thaksin and the elite to form a coalition that includes pro-military parties. The delay in his return might indicate that such a deal has not been finalized.
Since 2001, parties linked to Thaksin have dominated Thai politics, but their leadership has been marred by military coups and court rulings, resulting in the removal of two prime ministers. Thaksin himself has been residing in self-exile, primarily in Dubai, since 2008. He occasionally communicates with his supporters on the Clubhouse social media platform using the alias "Tony Woodsome."
During his time abroad, Thaksin faced convictions in four criminal cases, but one of them has surpassed the statute of limitations. He still awaits sentencing for the remaining three cases, amounting to a total of 10 years in prison, and is also under investigation in another ongoing case.
In May, Thaksin expressed his willingness to face justice, asserting that the charges against him were politically motivated. Despite the uncertainties surrounding his return, Thaksin's presence in Thailand would undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the country's political landscape.

Former Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, announced on Saturday that he will be delaying his much-anticipated return to the kingdom. The 74-year-old billionaire, who won two elections in the past but was ousted in a 2006 military coup, has been living in self-exile for the past 15 years, expressing his desire to return home despite facing what he believes are politically motivated criminal charges.
In a tweet on his recently rebranded account, "X," Thaksin cited a medical appointment as the reason for postponing his return. He mentioned that the delay will not exceed two weeks, leaving many speculating about the potential implications of his return to Thailand's already tense political landscape.
Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was a prime-ministerial candidate for the Pheu Thai party, had previously announced that her father was scheduled to arrive in Thailand on August 10.
However, his return has the potential to ignite further tensions in the country, which is currently grappling with a political deadlock. The military-dominated Senate recently thwarted the Move Forward Party's leader from becoming prime minister, even though the party secured the most parliamentary seats in the May election.
The Pheu Thai party, backed by Thaksin, has been striving to form a government, with property tycoon Srettha Thavisin being nominated as its potential prime minister. Nevertheless, the House speaker has postponed the prime ministerial vote until after a constitutional court ruling scheduled for August 16.
Napisa Waitoolkiat, a political analyst from Naresuan University, highlighted recent speculation about a possible deal between Thaksin and the elite to form a coalition that includes pro-military parties. The delay in his return might indicate that such a deal has not been finalized.
Since 2001, parties linked to Thaksin have dominated Thai politics, but their leadership has been marred by military coups and court rulings, resulting in the removal of two prime ministers. Thaksin himself has been residing in self-exile, primarily in Dubai, since 2008. He occasionally communicates with his supporters on the Clubhouse social media platform using the alias "Tony Woodsome."
During his time abroad, Thaksin faced convictions in four criminal cases, but one of them has surpassed the statute of limitations. He still awaits sentencing for the remaining three cases, amounting to a total of 10 years in prison, and is also under investigation in another ongoing case.
In May, Thaksin expressed his willingness to face justice, asserting that the charges against him were politically motivated. Despite the uncertainties surrounding his return, Thaksin's presence in Thailand would undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the country's political landscape.

In a devastating incident in Chachoengsao province, Thailand, a freight train tragically struck a pick-up truck while crossing railway tracks, resulting in eight fatalities and four injuries. The accident occurred at 2:20 am on Friday in the Mueang district. Among the victims were three women aged 22, 55, and 64, and five men aged 18, 27, 55, 60, and 62. The State Railway of Thailand reported that one of the injured victims is in critical condition.
The unfortunate collision took place at an unauthorized crossing point without any automatic barriers to stop vehicles as trains approach. Shockingly, there are currently 693 unauthorized crossing points along the national rail system, raising concerns about railway safety.
Despite the crossing being unsanctioned, authorities revealed that lights and warning signs were present at the accident site. The 54-year-old truck driver, Wichai Yulek, informed authorities that he noticed the approaching train and heard its warning horn. While he tried to slow down, passengers in the vehicle urged him to continue, leading to the tragic collision.

The truck was carrying workers to Laem Chabang in Chonburi province when the accident occurred. Suraphat Prasop, one of the passengers, testified that he saw the train approaching as the vehicle approached the railway. Although the train's horn was sounded three times, the driver did not stop in time to prevent the collision.
Regrettably, deadly accidents are all too common in Thailand, with the country frequently topping the list of the world's most dangerous roads. Contributing factors include speeding, drunk driving, and weak law enforcement. The State Railway of Thailand has taken measures to prevent accidents by installing warning signs and flashing lights at unauthorized crossing points.
This tragic incident is a painful reminder of the need for increased railway safety measures and better awareness among drivers and pedestrians. As the nation mourns the loss of these lives, authorities must continue their efforts to prevent such heartbreaking accidents in the future.

Thailand's House Speaker announced on Thursday that the parliamentary vote for the next Prime Minister, which was expected this week, has been indefinitely postponed. This decision has extended the ongoing political deadlock since the general election in mid-May.
The delay came shortly after the Constitutional Court requested more time to consider a petition challenging the constitutionality of Parliament's rejection of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as a prime ministerial candidate.
Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stated that the PM vote, originally planned for Friday, would only proceed after the court ruling. He informed reporters, "There will be a ruling or order on Aug. 16, and we will set a new meeting then."
In a statement, the Constitutional Court clarified that it needed to carefully weigh the petition in the context of Thailand's "democracy with the king as the head of the state."
On July 19, conservative and pro-royal members of the upper house Senate utilized a parliamentary rule to block a second vote on Pita's nomination for prime minister, plunging Thailand into a political standstill with no apparent resolution in sight.
Despite securing the largest share of votes in the May 14 polls, Move Forward Party's progressive policies, particularly their ambitious plan to amend the Lèse-Majesté law that guards against royal defamation, have faced strong opposition from Thailand's traditional ruling elite.

After Pita's second attempt at becoming Prime Minister was blocked, he agreed to step aside, allowing Pheu Thai, one of his allies, to nominate one of their leaders for the position.
However, Pheu Thai has now withdrawn its support for Pita and his party. Many young Thais had pinned their hopes on Move Forward, anticipating that it would bring about Thailand's first government without military ties since the 2014 coup.
Recently, Pheu Thai announced its plan to form a new alliance without Move Forward and nominate Srettha Thavisin as its candidate for Prime Minister. The main reason cited for this decision was Move Forward's pledge to reform the royal insult law, which made other parties and Senators reluctant to back the coalition.
It remains unclear which parties will join the new alliance, but Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew expressed confidence in finding the necessary support to form the government. Pheu Thai has already initiated discussions with military-aligned parties that were associated with the previous government, including rival parties Palang Pracharath Party, the United Thai Nation Party, and Bhumjaithai.
Although there will be no Prime Ministerial vote on Friday, Parliament will discuss Move Forward Party's motion to amend the 2017 Constitution, a military-backed charter that empowers the Senate to participate in selecting the Prime Minister along with the lower house.

Travelness, an online travel blog, has recently released its reviews of the 20 most-visited cities in the world, and it comes as no surprise that Bangkok has claimed the top spot as the world's most-visited city, attracting approximately 22 million international visitors. Notably, two other cities in Thailand, Phuket and Pattaya, have also made their way onto the chart, ranking 14th and 15th, respectively, with 9.89 and 9.44 million international visitors. Paris and London round out the top three cities on the list.
In its description of Bangkok, Travelness highlights the city's unique blend of modern comforts, including megamalls and contemporary spaces, along with its impressive collection of golden temples and shrines. The blog also encourages visitors to explore the vibrant street markets, brimming with a variety of flavors - from spicy and sour to sweet and salty. Additionally, hopping on a boat to experience the floating markets is highly recommended.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that tourism in Thailand has been a significant economic driver, generating over 1.12 trillion baht (approximately US$32 billion) from January 1, 2023, to July 24, 2023. The projections for 2023 indicate that Thailand is on course to welcome at least 25 million foreign visitors, resulting in a revenue of 2.38 trillion baht (approximately US$64.50 billion). To further enhance the tourism sector, Thailand's strategic direction from 2023 to 2027 focuses on elevating tourism offerings while maintaining sustainable practices. The country also aims to leverage its "soft power" to foster and develop high-value and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Police have not yet confirmed whether a 25-year-old Japanese woman took her own life, as claimed by her husband when she was found dead in their hotel room on Monday. Ami Hosoe's Japanese husband informed the police that she had been suffering from depression and was suicidal.
He stated that she had attempted to strangle herself with a wire in their hotel room on Sunday night. According to Chiang Mai police commander Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Pongwiwatanachai, he managed to save his wife at the time and later hid the hairdryer. The Japanese husband denied having any disagreement with his wife.
Authorities reported that the couple left their hotel room and went to a convenience shop at 3:45 a.m. on Monday. They returned to their room, and he went to bed. However, when he woke up on Monday morning, he discovered his wife dead in the bathroom.
The husband told the police that his wife was found face down in the bathtub with a phone charging cable wrapped around her neck. Before notifying the hotel staff, he allegedly moved the body and placed it face up on the hotel room floor.
The police are currently reviewing the woman's medical records to check for any signs of depression. They are also awaiting the autopsy report from Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.
The couple had a business in Bangkok and were on vacation in Chiang Mai. They had checked into the Parc Borough hotel on Mahidol Road in Muang district on Saturday. According to Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai, surveillance footage confirmed that no one else entered the couple's room before the incident. The couple was scheduled to check out at noon on Monday.

After dissolving the eight-party pro-democracy coalition that included Move Forward, the progressive party that won the most seats in Thailand's recent election, Pheu Thai, the party with the second most seats, has now formed a coalition government with itself at the helm, collaborating with several smaller parties. Pheu Thai has put forward Srettha Thavisin, a wealthy former CEO of a major real estate company with little political experience, as their candidate for prime minister.
With Move Forward now relegated to the opposition, it is highly likely that Srettha will be confirmed as prime minister. Unlike Move Forward's leader, who had the initial chance to form a coalition, Srettha does not support changing the draconian lese-majeste 112 law, which prohibits criticism of the monarchy. His adherence to the status quo makes him acceptable to the 250 military-appointed senators who constitute the upper house of parliament. Their refusal to vote for the initial eight-party coalition led to its downfall. Even though the Move Forward coalition held a majority in the 500-person lower house, leader Pita Limjaroenrat needed a combined 376 votes from the upper and lower houses to become prime minister. This requirement grants significant power to the conservative, military-appointed senators in shaping the composition of parliament.
For nearly two decades, Pheu Thai was known as the party championing democracy and economic equality in Thailand, with its prime ministers ousted in coups on two occasions. During Thaksin Shinawatra's tenure as prime minister, the party introduced a series of populist policies, such as universal health care, which brought crucial benefits to Thailand. However, Thaksin's own commitment to democracy was questionable at times, given his oversight of extrajudicial killings in southern Thailand, intimidation of the press, and attempts to influence other institutions. Nonetheless, Pheu Thai was generally considered the primary pro-democracy party for two decades. Nevertheless, it was always pragmatic and did not vigorously advocate for major institutional changes, like lese-majeste reform, which are gaining popularity in Thailand.
By discarding Move Forward and forming a coalition with older and relatively conservative parties, Pheu Thai may have sacrificed its reputation as the party of democracy, even though it will now govern. This move sparked protests by younger Thais who demonstrated outside Pheu Thai's offices and burned effigies of the party's leaders in response to the announcement. Pheu Thai will likely be viewed, especially by younger Thais, as just another part of the Thai establishment, which has long disregarded the popular will.

To its credit, Pheu Thai has refused to include openly pro-military parties in its coalition, although this is a feeble gesture since Pheu Thai did not require the support of those smaller parties to form a government. Pheu Thai has also promised to hold a referendum on whether to create a new constitution. If Thais vote in favor of a new constitution, Pheu Thai claims it will dissolve parliament. However, there is skepticism about whether Pheu Thai, while in power and with Thaksin's imminent return to Thailand, will actually carry out such a referendum, especially considering the potential reconciliation between Thaksin and the establishment and monarchy.
These are minor positive steps indicating that Pheu Thai may recognize the negative perception of its actions among many Thai democrats and that it is attempting to demonstrate its commitment to a vision of Thai democracy.
Nonetheless, numerous Thais, particularly the younger generation, have moved beyond Pheu Thai's gradual approach (although the referendum would represent a significant change) and demand sweeping institutional reforms across all aspects of Thai society, including the monarchy. This is why, despite initial polls predicting Pheu Thai's dominance in the election, the party performed poorly. The younger voters who supported Move Forward represent the future of Thai politics.