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Thailand News

All the latest news stories from Thailand are written in English. Fresh news and stories from around the kingdom brought to you daily.

Kamphaeng Phet village head charged after fatal crash

A village headman in Kamphaeng Phet has been charged after a pick-up truck crash on 10 August killed two teenagers, including a 14-year-old girl. The provincial governor has ordered a serious disciplinary investigation and the official has left his post.

The collision occurred at about 8.10pm on the Pa Phutsa-Saen To road and bridge in Saen To, Khanu Woralaksaburi district.

Police said the driver, 45-year-old Suphat, was driving a Mitsubishi Titan pick-up when it first clipped a grey Nissan Navara, driven by a 40-year-old man from Phichit, near a 7-Eleven store. The Mitsubishi then continued across the bridge and struck a Honda Wave motorcycle before hitting a roadside electricity pole, before coming to a stop.

Two teenagers died after motorcycle collision

The 14-year-old motorcycle rider, from Khong Phai in Kamphaeng Phet, died at the scene. Her left arm was severed and she suffered severe injuries.



A 19-year-old male passenger from Pa Phutsa was taken to hospital by rescue workers but later died. The two had left home to travel to the Khanu Woralaksaburi Learning Encouragement Centre before joining an educational trip to Suphan Buri province.

CCTV footage reportedly shows the Mitsubishi leaving a village headman and kamnan event at 8.06pm, turning back across the bridge and clipping the oncoming Navara. It then accelerated onto the bridge, where it hit the motorcycle and a power pole, narrowly missing a noodle shop.



Witnesses said the driver appeared intoxicated and was incoherent after the crash. However, police said blood-alcohol test results are still pending.

Families ask police for a fair investigation

The families of both victims have appealed for justice, saying they fear their cases may not be handled fairly because the driver was a local village headman. They said the families were struggling financially with funeral costs.

The grandmother of the 19-year-old said the other side had provided 10,000 baht towards the funeral. She urged police to conduct the investigation directly and fairly.

Police at Khanu Woralaksaburi station have filed three charges: reckless driving causing death; driving in a manner causing damage to people or property; and failing to stop, provide assistance, identify himself and promptly report the crash.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

Police initially did not grant bail and sent the suspect for remand at Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Court. He was later released on bail and declined to speak to reporters.

Governor orders disciplinary action

On 12 August, Kamphaeng Phet governor Chatip Rujanaseri ordered a committee to investigate serious disciplinary misconduct.

Khanu Woralaksaburi district chief Sane Chaimongkol was instructed to suspend the village headman's duties immediately. The district chief then ordered him to resign, with a new village headman to be elected for the vacant post.


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13 August 2026
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Thailand to overhaul gun ownership and licences

Thailand's government has begun a wide-ranging review of gun ownership and licensing after two recent shootings in Nonthaburi, including one involving a 14-year-old using his grandfather's firearm.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered work on a new firearms law, while certain purchase and possession licence applications have been suspended pending a Cabinet decision.

The August 7 shooting took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School. Three days later, former MP Chalong Riewraeng was accused of shooting dead Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation president Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert.

Anutin has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt, who oversees legal affairs, to speed up drafting of legislation covering firearms, ammunition and related equipment. The planned bill is expected to bring tighter restrictions and heavier penalties.

Licence freeze and possible gun surrender scheme

The Interior Ministry and Royal Thai Police have been directed to halt certain processes for P.3 gun-purchase licences and P.4 possession-and-use licences until the Cabinet decides otherwise.

The government is considering a time-limited scheme under which people could hand in illegal firearms without prosecution. It could apply to unregistered weapons, guns which cannot legally be transferred, and inherited firearms where the recipient cannot legalise ownership.

Officials would need to define which weapons qualify and how any exemption from prosecution would work, amid concerns that a poorly designed scheme could be misused by people seeking to avoid liability for illegal possession.

Checkpoints and reporting hotline expanded

Since August 7, provincial administrative officials have been working with police at checkpoints and roadblocks nationwide, targeting firearms carried in public.

In Phuket on the night of August 10, officials stopped a suspicious BMW at a checkpoint in Ko Kaeo, Mueang Phuket district. They found a CZ firearm and 30 rounds of ammunition concealed in the vehicle.

The 29-year-old driver could not show a licence to possess and use the firearm or a licence to carry it. He was arrested on charges of carrying a firearm in public without permission and possessing a firearm without permission, and was handed to Mueang Phuket Police Station investigators.

The ministry has opened the Damrongtham Centre hotline, 1567, around the clock for reports of suspected illegal firearms or people carrying guns in communities, public places and events. People with information can report homes, locations or individuals to the hotline.

Anutin defends intruder shooting remarks

Anutin Charnvirakul has also defended remarks about homeowners who shoot intruders, saying anyone who kills another person with a firearm would initially be treated as a suspect while authorities investigate whether the shooting amounted to lawful self-defence. He said claims of self-defence would ultimately have to be assessed through the justice system, while stressing that Thailand’s existing laws on self-defence had not changed.

Anutin said his earlier comments may have been too brief but insisted there had been no change to the law. He said the government’s wider objective was to reduce the risks associated with firearms, warning that Thailand had tens of millions of guns despite having a population of around 70 million. “We have to bring guns in Thailand under control,” he said, adding that firearms ultimately benefited no one.

Anutin said a person who used a gun against an intruder could face questioning, investigation and bail proceedings before a court determined whether the response was necessary, justified and proportionate to the threat. He said his comments were intended to highlight the potential legal consequences of possessing and using firearms, rather than deny people their right to defend themselves. “The law has not gone anywhere. It has not been changed. It is best to stay away from guns,” he said.

Legal and practical hurdles remain

Earlier Interior Ministry discussions examined checks on gun owners after licences had been granted. One proposal would require owners to temporarily surrender firearms and documents for inspection over up to 180 days.

However, the ministry's Legal Affairs Bureau questioned whether Section 57 of the 1947 Firearms Act gives authorities sufficient power for such a broad exercise. The provision allows weapons to be called in during emergencies or where needed for public order.

Officials have also raised questions about staffing, secure storage, damage liability and the ability to inspect and return large numbers of firearms within the proposed deadlines.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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13 August 2026
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Air India captain tests positive for cannabis after Phuket-Delhi injuries

The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi has tested positive for marijuana following a sudden loss of about 300 feet in altitude over India, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Flight AI2379, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, encountered severe weather before the altitude change while cruising over Odisha on August 4.

Air India's initial report put the number injured at 12, but the AAIB later revised the figure to 24.

India's aviation authorities have suspended both flight crew members while they investigate the event, which has been classified as a serious incident.

Drug test result follows initial screening

The captain was tested under standard post-flight drug-screening procedures alongside the other flight crew member. An initial screening indicated that further testing for psychoactive substances was required, and a sample was sent for laboratory confirmation.

Reuters reported on August 11 that the confirmatory test was positive for marijuana. At the time of an earlier report, India's Ministry of Civil Aviation had not said which substance had been flagged by the initial screening.

Air India and the ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the laboratory result. The airline had previously said it had not been informed of the results.

India's Ministry of Civil Aviation summoned Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson on Tuesday, August 11, over the incident. Wilson told Indian news channels that the airline had updated the ministry on the progress of its internal investigation.

Flight left Phuket for Delhi

The aircraft, registered VT-EXO, departed Phuket International Airport for Delhi. Indian authorities described the event as a "momentary altitude variation", estimated at roughly 91 metres.

The investigation is being led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Air India (AAIB) said it routinely drug-tests crew under civil aviation rules and would continue cooperating with authorities.

Air India is majority-owned by the Tata Group, while Singapore Airlines holds a stake of about 25%. Air India appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive last week.

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13 August 2026
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Nene Royal reaches America's Got Talent 2026 live shows

Phuket teenager Nene Royal has been confirmed as advancing to the live shows of America's Got Talent 2026, the competition's official AGT Auditions Facebook page has announced.

The 16-year-old singer and guitarist, whose real name is Praew Rattikan Amloy, will now continue her run on the major US talent programme after appearing in the Judges' Callbacks round.

The AGT Auditions page posted a photograph of Nene holding her guitar, alongside the message: "NENE ROYAL is heading to the live shows!"

Phuket musician moves forward

Nene, from Phuket province, has drawn support from Thai fans throughout her appearances on the programme. Her progression puts another young Thai performer on an international television stage.

The announcement confirms that she has made it beyond the Judges' Callbacks, where contestants compete for a place in the live stages of the series.

Muse performance won judges' praise

In a preview clip released from the Judges' Callbacks round, Nene delivered a rock performance of "Hysteria" by Muse. She sang while playing an electric-guitar solo, bringing applause from the audience in the hall.



According to the report, the judges praised her guitar technique, vocal power and improved showmanship on stage. Her performance was described as receiving unanimous positive feedback from the panel.

Nene's guitar playing had already attracted attention during the competition, including praise from Thai rock singer Pang Nakarin during the Callbacks round.

Live shows await

The official post did not give details of Nene's next performance date or the format of the forthcoming live shows. Fans have been encouraged to follow her journey as she represents Thailand on the global entertainment platform.

America's Got Talent is watched internationally, and Thai viewers abroad, including expats in Thailand, will be able to follow updates through the programme's official channels and Nene's social media accounts.


Picture courtesy of Amarin

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13 August 2026
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Thailand rejects US military-for-trade claims

Thailand has denied foreign media reports that it intends to use security and military cooperation with the United States as leverage in trade negotiations.

Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said on 12 August 2026 that the claim was untrue and did not represent government policy. She said talks with Washington were being conducted on the basis of Thailand's economic interests, fairness and balanced trade.

The government will examine proposals carefully, particularly their effects on farmers, businesses, manufacturing and the wider Thai public, while seeking agreements that give both sides appropriate and fair benefits, Ratchada said.

Military ties remain under existing plans

Ratchada said Thailand's security and military relationship with the US was longstanding and founded on shared security interests.

Cooperation, including the annual Cobra Gold military exercise, would continue under existing frameworks and plans, she said. It would not be connected to trade negotiations or used as a bargaining condition.

The 46th Cobra Gold exercise is included in a six-year training plan covering 2025 to 2030 and will involve 31 countries. It is intended to strengthen capabilities and prepare participants for traditional and emerging threats, including cyber and space-related threats.

An intermediate planning session is due to take place in Hawaii in September ahead of the exercise scheduled for March 2027. Ratchada said Cobra Gold would remain intensive while its scope expanded.

"Thailand and the US have broad and deep relations across many dimensions, including the economy, trade, security and people-to-people ties," Ratchada said.

"Each issue has its own framework and national interests that must be carefully considered. The government will not use one area of the country's interests to exchange for another."

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13 August 2026
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Rayong raid nets 24 illegal workers at Chinese data centre

Rayong authorities have arrested 24 Chinese and Myanmar nationals accused of working without permits during a raid on a large Chinese-funded data centre construction site in Ban Chang district.

The operation began at 10am on 11 August 2026 after complaints circulated on social media alleging that Chinese and Myanmar workers were employed at the site without the required work authorisation.

Raid follows online complaints

Nattapol Rakchat, Rayong Provincial Employment Officer, led the joint inspection under the direction of Rayong Governor Traiphop Wongtrairat.

The raid involved Rayong Immigration Police, Rayong Provincial Police, Special Branch Police Division 1, the Internal Security Operations Command's Rayong office, Ban Chang Police Station and Ban Chang district officials.



The data centre is being built in Moo 6, Ban Chang sub-district, on a site covering more than 100 rai. Officials said more than 400 workers were employed at the project and housed in an on-site workers' camp.

When officers arrived, many workers ran in different directions. Several reportedly jumped into a canal in an attempt to escape by swimming away.

Officials later detained 24 workers: 20 Myanmar nationals, both men and women, and four Chinese nationals. Document checks found that none held work permits, according to the provincial public relations office.

Criminal cases and deportation process

All 24 have been charged with working in Thailand without a work permit. They were handed to investigators at Ban Chang Police Station for legal proceedings.

Rayong Immigration Police will then be asked to process their removal from Thailand under the relevant procedures.


Picture courtesy of NBT

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12 August 2026
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Thai nationals returned after Laos gambling raid

Thai officials have received 41 Thai nationals from Laos following a crackdown on online gambling and scam networks in Vientiane. All told officials they had crossed the border voluntarily to work as administrators for gambling websites, according to screening interviews.

The group, comprising 30 women and 11 men, was handed over by Lao authorities at 4pm on 10 August under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

They had been detained in Laos on allegations of working without permission and involvement in illegal online gambling operations.

Handover at the Nong Khai border

Police Lieutenant Colonel Thiyapat Rangsipramankul, deputy superintendent of Nong Khai Immigration, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Apichat Kholtha, an inspector at Nong Khai Immigration, took part in receiving the group.

Officials from the Thai Embassy in Vientiane and other relevant agencies also attended the handover at a second-floor meeting room at the Lao side of the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge border crossing.



After returning to Thailand through the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge checkpoint in Nong Khai, the 41 people were taken to the No. 1 Territorial Defence Volunteer Company in Mueang Nong Khai district.

Police and a multi-agency team then conducted detailed interviews and screening. The process involved security agencies, bodies under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Labour and other relevant departments.

Provincial police, immigration officers, the Internal Security Operations Command in Nong Khai, the Surasak Montri Task Force and provincial territorial defence volunteers provided security and personnel support.

Three gambling websites named

During interviews, every member of the group said they had gone to Laos to work as online gambling site administrators.

They named three sites: Maha Heng 777, which paid 400 baht per day; a UFA site, which paid 15,000 baht per month; and 365, which paid 18,000 baht per month. Work was organised in 12-hour shifts.

Officials said the screening found none of the 41 people to be victims of a trafficking network or forced labour. Checks of their names and travel records found no arrest warrants or case IDs, and all had left Thailand through legal border channels.


Picture courtesy of Matichon

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12 August 2026
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Thailand expands blacklist rules for unsafe contractors

Thailand has widened the definition of "abandonment of work" for state construction contracts, enabling authorities to pursue blacklisting action against contractors whose acts or failures cause serious public harm.

The new regulation, published in the Royal Gazette, means a contractor can face proceedings even when it has not physically left an unfinished project. Firms formally declared to have abandoned work under the rules may be barred from state contracts for between two and 10 years.

The Ministerial Regulation Prescribing Acts Deemed to Constitute Abandonment of Work B.E. 2569 (2026) was issued under Sections 5 and 109(6) of the Public Procurement and Supplies Administration Act B.E. 2560 (2017).

Wider definition of abandonment

Previously, abandonment was largely associated with a contractor failing to sign a contract, leaving work incomplete, or otherwise falling within existing abandonment provisions.

Under the new rule, a contractor's action or failure to act may now be deemed abandonment where it causes serious damage endangering the life, physical safety or property of members of the public.

The rule covers the entire project period, from contract signing until final inspection or termination. It applies to serious danger to life, serious bodily or physical-safety harm, and serious damage that endangers public property.

Formal order still required

An accident does not automatically put a contractor on the blacklist. Qualifying conduct must first be treated as abandonment under procurement law, before the formal process to declare the company an abandoning contractor can proceed.

Section 109 gives the permanent secretary for finance the authority to make that order. Once listed, a contractor can be prevented from bidding for, or entering into, contracts with government agencies.

The government said when the measure was approved that exclusions would run for at least two years and up to 10 years. The contractor's name is circulated to state agencies and published through the Comptroller General's Department procurement system.

Closing a procurement gap

The measure follows cases in which contractors working on government projects caused serious damage but were not necessarily subject to contract termination or proposed for the government's list of abandoning contractors.

That allowed some companies to remain eligible to compete for further state work. The revised framework is intended to close that gap by treating serious safety failures during an ongoing project as potential abandonment of work.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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12 August 2026
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Thai woman arrested over Chengdu tour package scam

Tourist police have arrested a 34-year-old woman accused of taking 456,000 baht from a group of travellers for a Chengdu, China, package tour that was allegedly never provided.

The woman, identified only as Ms Jo, was arrested on 10 August 2026, at Rama II Soi 38 in Bangkok. The Tourist Police Bureau said the case forms part of its effort to pursue crimes damaging Thailand's tourism industry, including unlicensed tour operations and fake accommodation bookings.

Chengdu tour allegedly never arranged

Police said the complaint dates from the middle of 2026, when the alleged victim contacted an account named "Joyy" via the Line messaging application to arrange travel for about 16 people.

Ms Jo allegedly offered a Chengdu tour package costing 28,500 baht per person, bringing the total paid to 456,000 baht. The group transferred the money to her bank account, police said.

However, the tour could not be arranged by the agreed date and no refund was made, according to the police account.

She was arrested under a Taling Chan Criminal Court warrant, No. 642/2569, issued on 6 August 2026. The allegations include joint fraud, entering false or distorted computer data likely to cause public damage, misleading claims about goods or services, false advertising or labelling, and jointly operating a tour business without a licence under Section 15.

Ms Jo was handed to investigators from the Consumer Protection Police Division's Sub-Division 1 for legal proceedings.

Other alleged booking scams

Tourist police also referred to two recent separate arrests linked to alleged fake resort and accommodation-booking pages.

On 6 August 2026, officers arrested Ms Aree, in Pluak Daeng district, Rayong. Police alleged she had opened a mule account connected to a fake Amphawa resort page. She was transferred to investigators at Phutthamonthon Police Station in Nakhon Pathom for legal action.

Later, on 9 August 2569, police arrested Ms Nat, in Lop Buri. She allegedly had three outstanding arrest warrants and was linked to mule accounts used by fake accommodation-booking pages. She was sent to Si Samrong Police Station in Sukhothai.


Picture courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง

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12 August 2026
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Lat Phrao fire death toll rises to 38

A further person has died following the fire at the entertainment venue on Lat Phrao Road in Bangkok's Chatuchak district, taking the confirmed death toll to 38.

The latest update, issued on 12 August 2026, said 13 people remain in hospital after the blaze. Seven are being treated in intensive care and six are in general wards.

The Erawan Centre, operated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Medical Service Department, reported that the latest victim was Saimae Singchom.

She had been transferred from Chulalongkorn Hospital to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital and died at 6.30pm on 11 August 2026.

Hospital treatment continues

A total of 77 injured people were taken to hospital after the fire at the venue, known as Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, according to the update.

Of those patients, 53 have been discharged and returned home. The report said 11 have died receiving treatment, while 13 were still receiving treatment, including the seven ICU patients and six in ordinary hospital wards.

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12 August 2026
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Russian man, 19, hospitalised after Phuket self harm incident

A 19-year-old Russian man is receiving close medical care at Vachira Phuket Hospital after an emergency at a house in Phuket's Sam Kong area on Tuesday morning.

Kathu Police were notified at about 10am on 11 August that a foreign man had attempted to harm himself at a home and had been assisted before being taken to hospital. Police said the circumstances remain under investigation.

Officers informed Kathu Police Station chief Pol. Col. Chalermchai Hoensawat before travelling to the house at Pruksa Ville Sam Kong village, 48/105 Soi 4, Moo 5, Kathu subdistrict.

Partner sought help after early-morning argument

At the property, officers spoke with the man's female partner, who identified him as Roman Popov, 19, a Russian national.

She told police that the couple had argued from about 4am. She said he subsequently showed behaviour indicating repeated attempts to harm himself, leading her to intervene and seek help from others.

Just before 10.00am, she found him with a rope around his neck, she tried to assist him and called for help.

Rescuers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation arrived and carried out CPR at the house. Popov was then moved to an ambulance, where emergency treatment continued before he was transported to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Police continue inquiries

Police are questioning those involved as they examine what happened. Doctors are continuing treatment and assistance for Popov, who remains under close medical supervision.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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12 August 2026
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Six tourists swept out in Phuket as red flags fly

Six foreign tourists, including Russians, Indians and Israelis, were swept away from Nai Thon beach in Phuket on the morning of 11 August 2026 after entering the sea despite red warning flags, according to local lifeguards.

The incident happened at about 9am at Nai Thon beach in Sakhu, Thalang district. Strong waves and currents carried the six visitors away from shore, requiring lifeguards and volunteers to respond in seas with waves estimated at over two metres and strong winds, to rescue them.



Six tourists caught in dangerous surf

Nai Thon beach is about one kilometre long and, during Phuket's low season, can experience particularly rough sea conditions. Four lifeguards from Sakhu Subdistrict Administrative Organisation are stationed there, supported by around two volunteer lifeguards.

A volunteer lifeguard identified as Mr Nu said some foreign visitors routinely ignore beach safety warnings, even after staff explain the rules and restricted areas. Some become angry with lifeguards, he said, believing that the presence of lifeguards means swimming is safe.

He stressed that this is not the case. When waves and winds are strong, staff mark no-swimming areas with red flags, yet some tourists reportedly avoid officials and enter the water from another part of the beach.

For visitors and residents, a red flag should be treated as a clear instruction not to enter the sea, rather than simply a warning to take extra care. Lifeguards may be on duty, but they cannot make dangerous surf or rip currents safe.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Lifeguards call for more staff and equipment

Mr Nu said limited staffing means crews are split into two teams, covering opposite ends of the beach. When an emergency occurs, they must run immediately to the scene, while entering the water to rescue someone being pulled offshore puts rescuers themselves at risk of being dragged out by waves and currents.

He called on relevant agencies to consider increasing lifeguard numbers and providing more equipment and vehicles, including ATV vehicles for patrols along the beach, so crews can reach emergencies faster.

Another volunteer, Mr Om, who runs a surfboard rental business on the Nai Thon beachfront, said he helped rescue around two of the six tourists swept out that morning.

He confirmed that red flags had been clearly displayed. He added that the problem was not limited to that day: seven tourists were pulled offshore the previous day, with all safely rescued.

-5352764922008033757.mp4
Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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12 August 2026
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Chinese tourist suffers lion cub injury at Phuket cafe

A Chinese tourist was injured by a lion cub at a Phuket animal cafe during the Lunar New Year period, according to staff interviewed by Phuket's Tourist Assistance Center (TAC) on 11 August.

The tourist had claimed in a video shared by Chinese media that a lion bit their arm, breaking the skin. Staff at the cafe, in Soi Na Yai, Chalong, Mueang Phuket district, said the injury was only an abrasion and was treated on site.

The establishment said the lion involved was a cub named Caesar, not Charlie as stated in the online post. Staff said all lions at the venue had been vaccinated.

Staff say first aid was provided

According to information initially circulated online, the tourist was interacting with the lion when the animal bit their arm. Cafe staff reportedly cleaned the wound, applied iodine and told the visitor that the animal had been vaccinated.



The TAC visited the cafe after the story raised questions over safety measures at venues where visitors can get close to, or touch, large predatory animals.

Cafe employees told officials that first aid had been given immediately after the incident. The incident took place sometime ago, during the Lunar New Year, staff said. The cafe could not provide CCTV footage because too much time had passed since the event.

The cafe staff have confirmed that a Chinese tourist was injured, while maintaining that it involved a very minor abrasion caused by a small lion cub and occurred sometime ago.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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12 August 2026
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Chinese fraud suspect held in Chon Buri

Thai immigration police have detained a Chinese national in Chon Buri after Chinese authorities sought his arrest over alleged investment fraud said to have cost more than 200 victims around 100 million yuan.

The man, identified only as Mr Yin, is accused of persuading people in China to deposit money by promising to guarantee their capital and pay annual returns of 6.2 per cent.

Immigration Division 4 said the alleged fraud involved losses exceeding 100 million yuan. The suspect was arrested on Tuesday, 11 August, after allegedly moving between locations in Thailand to avoid detection.

Alleged high-return investment scheme

According to police, Mr Yin signed agreements with more than 200 investors before allegedly receiving more than 100 million yuan. He is then said to have left China and entered Thailand, where he went into hiding.

The operation followed coordination between Immigration Division 4 investigators and Chinese authorities, who requested help in locating a suspect wanted under an arrest warrant in a public fraud case.



Investigators initially believed Mr Yin was staying in the Northeast. They coordinated with Sakon Nakhon immigration officials to revoke his permission to remain in the kingdom.

Police later found that he had changed addresses without a fixed base. His most recent location was traced to a village in Chon Buri, where Immigration Division 4 investigators joined Immigration Division 3 officers to make the arrest.

Detention before return to China

Officers informed Mr Yin that his permission to stay in Thailand had been revoked before taking him to an Immigration Bureau detention facility. He is expected to be returned to China to face further legal proceedings.

Major General Phairat Phukcharoen, commander of Immigration Division 4, said the arrest followed a policy set by the national police chief and the Immigration Bureau commissioner to pursue transnational criminal networks.

He said the authorities were continuing efforts to prevent Thailand from being used as a hiding place by foreign suspects.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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12 August 2026
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Rayong van crash with wild elephant injures driver

A food vendor was injured when the van she was driving struck a large wild elephant crossing Route 344 in Rayong. The elephant was also hurt and disappeared into nearby forest after the collision.

The crash happened at about 3.15am in the morning, on the Ban Bueng-Klaeng road, near the Pa Yup Nai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation at kilometre marker 71+100, on the Klaeng-bound side.

The van was carrying supplies for the woman's morning food business. Her son, Thanadon Khamdee, was travelling with her.

Crash before dawn

Rescue workers from the Pa Yup Nai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, who were on duty at the time, found the van with its front end severely damaged. Its windscreen had shattered, while the bonnet and roof had collapsed after hitting the elephant.

The driver suffered injuries to her head and face. Rescuers gave her first aid before taking her to a private hospital in Chon Buri province for further examination and treatment.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

Thanadon said his mother had been driving normally when they saw a large object crossing the road ahead. In the darkness, they initially believed it was the shadow of a large tree across the carriageway.

By the time they realised it was an elephant, the van was too close to stop. The vehicle struck the animal heavily, and they heard it cry out afterwards.

Search for the injured animal

The elephant reportedly walked away while making distressed calls, then entered a canal and vanished into forest beside the road, heading towards a reservoir.

Wild elephant tracking teams and other relevant agencies have sent staff to search the area. Their aim is to find the animal, assess its condition and provide treatment if needed.

Advice for motorists

Officials have urged drivers on Route 344 to slow down and remain especially alert at night, particularly in places where elephants regularly cross.

Anyone who encounters a wild elephant should not use their horn or rev the engine in an attempt to force it away, officials said. Drivers should stop at a safe distance to avoid escalating the risk of another collision.


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12 August 2026
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Detective & nurse wife shot in car at Prachin Buri home

A detective officer and his nurse wife were critically injured after both suffered gunshot wounds to the head inside a car outside their home in Sri Mahosot district, Prachin Buri, on August 11, 2026.

Police said the couple had reportedly argued while sitting in their Honda City before two shots were heard. Investigators have not yet established who fired the gun, found next to the victims.

Couple transferred to Prachin Buri hospital

Residents near the two-storey home, close to the Sri Mahosot district office, reported hearing two gunshots in quick succession during the early evening.

Police found a 30-year-old woman, identified only as Jirapha, a registered nurse from Koh Wai subdistrict in Nakhon Nayok's Pak Phli district, and her 29-year-old husband, Thanakrit, a Sri Mahosot police investigation officer. Both were lying injured and covered in blood inside the Honda City at the home in Moo 4, Khok Pip subdistrict.

Each had sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was initially taken to Sri Mahosot Hospital. Doctors then urgently transferred them to Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital for further treatment.

Two handgun cartridge cases were found in the passenger compartment. Police sealed off the area to protect potential evidence.

The couple had been married for just over a year. Thanakrit had recently left the monkhood, and they have a young child, according to preliminary information gathered by police.

Car rolled towards the house

Investigators said Jirapha had been driving the car when the couple's argument began. Her father, who was inside the house, ran downstairs after hearing the shots to help them.

Police believe her foot may have come off the brake while the vehicle was still in drive, causing the car to roll into the house.



At 11.55pm, Sri Mahosot police chief Pol Col Somkiat Pensiri said the preliminary assessment was that the shooting stemmed from a family dispute. He said there was no indication of a conflict connected to influence, business or other outside interests.

"Who shot whom and how is still under investigation," he said, adding that both victims remained alive but critically injured.

Forensic checks and CCTV review ordered

Pol Col Somkiat said forensic officers would examine the vehicle and the two injured people for gunshot residue and latent fingerprints, while also assessing the gunshot wounds and the two cartridge cases.

Investigators have also been ordered to check CCTV footage around the district office area to establish the sequence and timing of events.

Police are coordinating with doctors to monitor the pair's condition. Officers said they will conduct detailed interviews once both victims are out of danger, before completing the case file and taking legal action.


Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

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12 August 2026
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BoT proposes checks on 5m baht cash property deals

Thailand's central bank is proposing closer scrutiny of cash transactions worth at least 5 million baht, including purchases of land and high-value property.

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has opened a public hearing on rules intended to stop banks and other financial institutions being used for money laundering or other illicit activity. The consultation runs from August 5 to September 3.

For foreign buyers, retirees and investors using Thai bank accounts, the proposal could mean being asked for a clearer explanation and supporting evidence when moving or withdrawing large sums in cash for a property purchase.

Cash property payments could prompt questions

The proposed rules would apply to cash withdrawals and deposits, banknote exchanges, and cash received for the issuance of cheques and drafts where a transaction is worth 5 million baht or more.

They would also cover the purchase, sale and exchange of foreign banknotes at or above that threshold.

Financial institutions would have to consider whether a customer's transaction behaviour is appropriate, including the reason and need for conducting a cash-related transaction. Under the consultation document, a large cash withdrawal to buy land or expensive property could be considered questionable where safer and more convenient payment methods are generally available.

Anyone planning a major purchase should therefore expect their bank to ask about the source and intended use of funds, particularly if money is being converted from foreign currency or withdrawn in banknotes rather than transferred through the banking system.

BoT reports progress against mobile banking malware

In a separate development, BoT assistant governor Daranee Saeju said Thailand had recorded no unauthorised mobile banking transaction caused by so-called "money malware" over the past 18 months.

Speaking at the 2026 Cybersecurity Annual Conference, "Responsible Innovation: Quantifying Cyber Risk for Business Trust", she said the result reflected cooperation between regulators, financial institutions and other parties, including the Thailand Banking Sector Computer Emergency Response Team, or TB-CERT.

TB-CERT is a specialised cybersecurity unit under the Thai Bankers' Association. Ms Daranee said cybersecurity was not simply an IT concern, but central to maintaining trust in the financial system.

She acknowledged, however, that financial crime was changing and required the BoT and banks to look beyond conventional cybersecurity measures. The central bank is using artificial intelligence to improve customer authentication, spot suspicious behaviour, detect threats sooner, respond faster, limit losses and identify networks of mule accounts.

"Let us not only secure our financial system -- let us strengthen the trust that sustains it," Ms Daranee said.

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12 August 2026
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Chinese rider detained after Pattaya police station crash

A 19-year-old Chinese man was detained after a motorcycle stop outside Pattaya City Police Station ended with an attempt to ride away and a collision with a vehicle.

Police said the incident happened at about 8.30pm on August 11, 2026, while traffic officers were enforcing road rules and helping tourists cross the road outside the station. The rider was travelling with his girlfriend, according to an account of the case.

Police Lieutenant Siwakorn Somsura, deputy traffic inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, and other traffic officers reportedly saw two Chinese tourists on a motorcycle, registered in Chonburi.

Near-miss at a pedestrian crossing

Neither rider was wearing a helmet, police said. The motorcycle passed through a pedestrian crossing while tourists were crossing the road and narrowly avoided an accident.

Officers stopped the pair, asked to see the rider's driving licence and warned him to take greater care near zebra crossings, where pedestrians and tourists regularly cross.


Picture courtesy of ChonburiNews

Conflicting accounts over incident

During the check, the tourists allegedly became upset and argued with officers. Police said the rider then tried to leave the checkpoint by riding against traffic. The front wheel was then chained and locked, but the rider tried to accelerator way, clipping a parked vehicle, damaging a police motorcycle.

Bystanders recorded video from the initial stop through the attempted departure and collision.

The motorcyclist accused police officers of assaulting him and demanding money. He then claims he attempted to accelerate away, causing him to lose control and strike the motorcycle.

The rider had no driving licence or personal documents. Police said he would be held in a cell overnight, pending an appearance at Pattaya Provincial Court the following day.

Police transferred the driver to investigators at Pattaya City Police Station. Preliminary allegations include riding without a helmet, driving without a licence and damaging government property, with further legal proceedings to follow.

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Phuket operators seek extension to legalise hotels

Phuket tourism operators have asked the Interior Ministry to extend a consultation scheme for unregistered accommodation businesses and revive a lapsed regulation that allowed some non-hotel buildings to apply for hotel licences.

The calls came after Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit visited Phuket last week and met operators. He pledged to regulate the hotel sector and tackle the use of nominees.

The ministry's consultation and problem-solving clinic for hotel and entertainment businesses was set up to provide advice and guidelines for unregistered operators. Its registration period has already ended on July 10.

Fear of closure holds back registration

Sarayuth Mallam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said some unlicensed operators want to bring their businesses into compliance but are reluctant to join the clinic programme because they fear arrest and immediate closure.

He said the government should reassure them that they will be offered advice and a period in which to alter their properties, rather than facing instant prosecution.

However, Mr Sarayuth said there should be no relaxation of core safety requirements. He cited adequate fire extinguishers and fire exits, as well as concerns over alterations that exceed legal and engineering limits.

"We don't want to see casualties in hotel fires in Phuket like in previous cases, which stemmed from insufficient safety facilities. Such incidents greatly impacted the province's tourism image," he said.

Mr Sarayuth estimated that about 70% of Phuket hotels remain illegal. Some operators have upgraded their premises, he said, but still struggle to secure building certification under the Building Control Act, which is required before a hotel licence can be issued.

He also said small and medium-sized businesses had in some cases been asked for bribes to obtain certification, and called on the government to address such corruption.

Daily condo rentals in focus

For foreign visitors and expats booking short stays, the debate could have practical implications for safety standards and the availability of legally registered accommodation. It also highlights the legal risks around daily rentals in condominiums and housing estates.

Mr Sarayuth said operators who deliberately avoid registration should face strict action, particularly hotels run through nominees and daily rentals in condos or housing projects, which he said are against the law.

He said many such operators were foreigners who bought multiple condo units or houses in one project and turned them into daily accommodation competing with hotels.

"In this case, they should all be arrested, as their revenue did not benefit any locals," he said.

Push to revive expired building rule

Chinnawat Udomniyom, president of the Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium, also called for an extension of an Interior Ministry regulation that expired last August.

The regulation had temporarily allowed buildings that did not meet the Hotel Act's definition of a hotel, but had opened before Aug 19, 2016, to register for licences. Mr Chinnawat said it should be extended for several more years while a new Hotel Act, now under parliamentary consideration, is awaited.

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12 August 2026
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Thai card spending rises as households prioritise essentials

Thai consumers are continuing to spend, but are focusing more closely on essentials and value as living costs remain high and confidence has yet to fully recover, according to Krungsri Consumer.

The lender reported credit card spending of 196.7 billion baht between January and June 2026, up 3% from a year earlier. New loan disbursements rose 4% to 47.2 billion baht, chief executive Athit Rujirawat said on August 10.

Essentials remain the main priority

Insurance, supermarkets and convenience stores, petrol stations, online platforms, and home furnishings and household goods were the five largest credit-card spending categories.

Krungsri Consumer said the pattern showed consumers were concentrating on fuel, food, household necessities and insurance. Lifestyle spending has not disappeared, but is increasingly judged on whether it is necessary and represents value for money.

Online platforms recorded the strongest growth, with spending up 16%. Mutual funds rose 14%, beauty and cosmetics 12%, sports and recreation 10%, and petrol spending 7%.

The company said online shopping had become routine, while consumers were continuing to make room in their budgets for health, beauty, sport and recreation. However, fashion and cosmetics spending has slowed amid economic uncertainty, with consumers re-prioritising rather than abandoning lifestyle purchases altogether.

Instalments used to spread costs

Consumers are also increasingly using instalment payments to manage cash flow, particularly for travel, health and beauty services, and pet clinics.

Krungsri Consumer cautioned that instalment plans use future income for current purchases, making repayment capacity and household debt important issues to monitor.

In the first half of 2026, the company added 284,100 customer accounts, up 4%. Outstanding loans stood at 134.2 billion baht, down 1%, while debts overdue by more than 90 days accounted for 1.1% of credit-card balances and 1.9% of personal loans.

For the full year, Krungsri Consumer is targeting 627,000 new accounts, up 9%; 420 billion baht in credit-card spending, up 6%; 98 billion baht in new loans, up 4%; and 147 billion baht in outstanding loans, up 3%.

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12 August 2026
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South African ex-teacher apologises over Songkhla threats

A former South African English teacher at Hatyaiwittayalai School in Songkhla has issued a public apology after allegedly posting messages threatening to shoot teachers and administrators.

Pieter Johannes Dreyer was accused of sharing the messages, along with an image of a firearm, in a Line group chat after his contract with the school's English Programme was terminated.

Apology to students and former colleagues

In a video apology, Dreyer addressed students, former colleagues, parents, alumni and others affected by his comments. He said some of the language he used could have caused fear and concern, particularly at a sensitive time for school violence.

Dreyer said he did not intend to hurt anybody and completely rejected violence. He maintained that his comments were meant to raise concerns that he wanted addressed properly, but accepted that the way he expressed them was wrong.

He said he regretted making people feel afraid and understood that recent events had made people especially concerned about the messages.

The former teacher added that he had already apologised in the group chat, but wanted to repeat his apology to all his Thai students.

School safety concerns heightened

The alleged posts came shortly after a shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School which killed nine people, adding to public anxiety over safety in Thai schools.

Dreyer said any disagreements or concerns he had should be handled through appropriate procedures and should not be linked to threats or violence. He said he hoped people would accept his apology, adding that he respected the safety of students and the wider community.

He also pledged to take responsibility for his words and be more careful in future.

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12 August 2026
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Israeli tourist accused in Patong tuk-tuk row

A Patong tuk-tuk driver has accused an Israeli tourist of threatening him during a dispute over a fare on Phuket's Thawiwong Road on 9 August.

The confrontation, involving an Israeli family of five and an Australian couple already in the tuk-tuk, happened at about 8.15pm in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district. Footage from the driver's dashboard camera was later posted online and attracted widespread criticism.

The driver, posting under the Facebook name "Oiltuktukpatong Saranate", initially captioned a video: "Let's see what the Israeli family did." He subsequently uploaded further footage, alleging that the tourists swore at him, spat at him and tried to lift a concrete roadside barrier to intimidate him.

Disagreement over a fare

According to the driver, the Israeli family - a couple and their three children - had first approached him earlier that evening to ask the fare for a journey to the Patong beach area.

However, they could not agree on a price and went their separate ways, he said.

Soon afterwards, an Australian couple approached the vehicle and got in. The Israeli family then returned and said they wanted to share the tuk-tuk ride, but the driver refused because he already had passengers.

The driver alleged that the Israeli man then told the Australian couple to leave the vehicle so that his family could use it. The driver said he would not agree, leading to a heated exchange.

Driver says he feared an assault

The tuk-tuk driver further claimed that the Israeli man used offensive language and shouted for him to leave the area.

He said the man appeared at one point to try to lift a concrete barrier beside the road. The driver said he feared it might be used to attack him, although the man was reportedly unable to lift it.

Only parts of the exchange were recorded by the tuk-tuk's dashcam. Online discussion has largely focused on the disputed fare and the allegation that the Australian passengers were told to get out of the vehicle.

The driver, who said he has worked in Phuket's tourism sector for several decades, said such verbal abuse and alleged intimidation should not happen in a major tourist destination.

No official response or outcome has been reported by authorities.

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Video footage from tuk-tuk

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12 August 2026
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Thai police order nationwide illegal gun crackdown

Thailand's national police chief has ordered a nationwide drive against illegal firearms, ammunition and explosives, alongside increased security at schools, shopping centres, parks and other public spaces.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, deputy inspector-general and Royal Thai Police spokesman, said on Tuesday, August 11, that Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet issued the order after a series of violent incidents involving firearms or explosives. Those incidents caused deaths, injuries and property damage.

The operation splits responsibility between two deputy national police chiefs. Investigation teams will pursue illegal weapons offences, while crime-prevention officers will step up patrols and prepare for emergencies in public areas.

Gun permits

Until further notice, no new permits to purchase or own guns will be issued. Existing purchase permits will not be renewed but it is unclear what will happen to existing gun ownership permits.

Permits to carry guns were suspended in late 2023 - meaning owners must keep their weapons at home or at a shooting range.

Authorised are also considering measures and incentives to persuade the owners of an estimated four million unlicensed guns to hand them over in the wake of the school shooting.

Focus on illegal weapons and online sales

Pol Gen Thana Chuwong, the deputy national police chief responsible for investigation work, has been assigned to lead action against offences involving guns, ammunition and explosives.

Police units have been told to identify and investigate people linked to illegal weapons, carry out searches connected with weapons offences, and investigate unlawful sales both in person and through social-media channels.

Investigative and crime-prevention resources are also to be combined for nationwide enforcement operations.

Illegal weapons are already listed among crimes that police units must address continuously under the Royal Thai Police's 2026 operational plan.

More patrols at public locations

Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the deputy national police chief responsible for crime prevention and suppression, will oversee security measures at so-called soft targets. These include schools, shopping centres and public parks.

The measures call for more visible Stop Walk Talk patrols, checks for firearms, and inspections of suspicious people and vehicles. Police have also been instructed to improve systems for receiving emergency reports and getting officers to incident scenes.

Tactical special-operation teams are to be kept ready to intervene in serious incidents, while security is to be increased at public locations more generally.

Police weapons also under review

Police units have additionally been ordered to review and control official police firearms in line with existing regulations.

The force's 2026 plan already includes Stop Walk Talk patrols, tactical training and stronger capabilities for responding to serious incidents.

Pol Gen Kitrat instructed commissioners, commanders and supervisors at every level to coordinate investigative and crime-prevention teams during the crackdown. Officers were also told to follow police tactics and the law strictly.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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12 August 2026
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German tourist missing after being swept off Freedom Beach

A German tourist remains missing after strong waves swept two people into the sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket's Kathu district on 10 August 2026. Lifeguards rescued the woman safely, but searches for the man have been restricted by rough seas and strong winds.

The missing man has been named as 30-year-old Jannic Jurgen Nobel. The woman rescued from the water is 28-year-old Anduk Michelle, also a German national.

Both had been staying at Two Villas Holiday Phuket Onyx Style, from 5 to 11 August 2026.

Lifeguards rescue one tourist

Pol Lt Col Jaras Lempan, an investigator at Karon Police Station, was alerted by the Karon radio centre that two tourists were struggling in the sea at Freedom Beach.

He reported the case to Pol Col Pathi Srichai, superintendent of Karon Police Station, before travelling to the beach and coordinating relevant agencies.

The pair had entered the water at Freedom Beach, despite red warning flags, when heavy waves struck, pulling them away from shore and into deeper water. Lifeguards on duty responded urgently and brought the woman ashore safely.

The man, however, was swept further out to sea and disappeared.

Search moves to shoreline and rocks

Authorities launched a search and coordinated rescue teams after the incident. But worsening conditions, including strong winds, high waves and nightfall, made an offshore operation difficult and risky for personnel.

The sea search was therefore temporarily suspended.

On 11 August, rescue workers had still been unable to resume an offshore search because the sea remained rough. Teams have instead adjusted their plans to search along the shoreline and around rocky areas.

Officials are continuing to monitor sea conditions closely and say the marine search will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.


Picture courtesy of MGR online

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11 August 2026
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Phuket court detains Myanmar girl, 12, for 30 days

A 12-year-old Myanmar girl has been ordered held at Phuket Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre for 30 days while police investigate an alleged assault on a 14-year-old Thai schoolgirl in a school bathroom.

The Phuket Juvenile and Family Court made the order on 11 August 2026 after Cherng Talay Police brought the girl before the court within 24 hours of her being formally charged.

The accused, described as aged 12 years and eight months, is alleged to have attacked the Thai student at a school in Phuket. As she is a minor, authorities have stressed that her identity and any information that could identify her must not be disclosed.

Alleged assault

The alleged assault took place at about 1.30pm on 5 August, after a dispute reportedly linked to allegations that the girls had been gossiping about each other. Police who responded to the school found six girls involved in the incident, four of whom were students at the school and two who were from outside the school.



The 14-year-old Thai student who was allegedly attacked was reported to have bruising around her left eye and left arm and an abrasion to her knee, with doctors estimating that her injuries would require about two days to heal.

Police initially recorded the incident and the two sides agreed to mediation, with the parents of the alleged attacker agreeing to pay 3,000 baht in compensation, but the injured girl’s mother later filed a formal complaint after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media.

Court orders 30-day detention

Police said the girl was formally notified of the allegation on 10 August in the presence of a Phuket provincial prosecutor, a psychologist and a person requested by the child, in line with legal procedures for children facing criminal allegations.

Investigators then took her to the Juvenile and Family Court so it could confirm whether she fell within the legal definition of a child accused of an offence, and whether the charge and treatment of the child had been carried out lawfully.

At the hearing, police set out their reasons, necessity and supporting evidence for seeking custody. They said her alleged behaviour could pose a serious danger to others and cited other grounds, including the fact that her mother and father had lost their jobs.

The court subsequently ordered her held during the investigation at the Phuket Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre for 30 days.

If the investigation is not completed within that period, police may apply for further custody orders of up to 15 days each. Such extensions can be requested no more than twice under the legal process.

Immigration action may follow case outcome

Once the case has reached its final legal outcome, the girl will be referred to the Immigration Bureau for consideration of further action under relevant laws.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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