Thailand News

Thai exports rise 17.6% in first half of 2026

Economics

Thai exports rise 17.6% in first half of 2026

Thailand's exports rose 17.6% year-on-year to US$196.74 billion in the first six months of 2026, with technology and electronics leading the increase, the government said on 9 August.

The United States remained Thailand's largest export market, with shipments climbing 41.1% to US$47.14 billion between January and June, according to deputy government spokeswoman Lallida Periswivatana.

June alone saw exports reach US$34.66 billion, up 20.8% from the same month last year. First-quarter exports were worth US$96.17 billion, a 17.4% increase, followed by US$100.57 billion in the second quarter, up 17.7%.

Technology drives export growth

Computer equipment and parts were the biggest contributor to the overall rise. Exports in the category reached US$18.78 billion, up 47.9%, contributing 5.4 percentage points to total export growth.

Exports of fax machines, telephones, equipment and parts rose 169% to US$3.55 billion. Machinery and parts, agricultural machinery, electrical transformers, and copper and copper products also continued to expand.

Agricultural and food exports also supported the figures. Fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruit exports were worth US$4.02 billion, up 16.3%, while gems and jewellery exports increased 19.8% to US$14.17 billion.

After the US, Thailand's principal markets included China, where exports rose 8.1% to US$22.65 billion; Japan, up 12.9% to US$13.19 billion; India, up 10% to US$9.15 billion; and Singapore, up 74% to US$9.13 billion.

Imports rise faster than exports

Total trade in the first half reached US$425.23 billion, up 27.8%. Imports climbed 38% to US$228.49 billion, leaving Thailand with a trade deficit of US$31.74 billion.

Lallida said the performance was a positive sign for the Thai economy, particularly because technology, electronics and products linked to the digital economy were expanding. She said this demonstrated opportunities for Thailand to take a greater role in modern industrial supply chains.

"The first-half figures clearly reflect that Thailand's exports this year have performed better than last year," she said, adding that the government would seek new markets, protect existing ones and help Thai businesses, including SMEs, benefit from changes in global supply chains.

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10 August 2026

• 1 comment
• 218 views

Georgealbert

August 9Aug 9

School shifts online after threat from former South African teacher

Southern Thailand

School shifts online after threat from former South African teacher

Hatyai Wittayalai School will move classes online on Monday and Tuesday, August 10-11, after its director reported alleged threats against school administrators and teachers.

The report, filed at Hatyai police station at 4.20pm on August 8, concerns messages and images of weapons allegedly posted by a former foreign teacher in a large LINE open chat group.

Police report names former teacher

School director Thivichaya Meechuworapong told police that the former employee was a South African teacher identified in the school's announcement as Mr Pieter Johannes Dreyer, who had previously been fired from the school.

According to the director, the messages and weapon images were posted in a LINE open chat group with about 5,000 members. They were perceived as threatening to shoot school administrators and teachers. The alleged posts were reported by TV Channel 7 and PPTVHD36.

It was reported that the former teacher had also previously recorded and released a video accusing the school of many issues: delayed salary payments, discrepancies in social security contributions, a request for a salary increase, an outstanding 5,000 baht contract guarantee, and an assessment linked to flood damage claims.

The school had issued a statement clarifying that the allegations were false and had seriously damaged the reputation of the school.

Online lessons while security is reviewed

The director said she acted because she feared for the safety of herself, students, staff and school property. Hatyai Wittayalai said it would conduct lessons online for the two days while administrators review the situation and strengthen security measures on school grounds.

The decision came after the deadly shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School. A 14-year-old student killed multiple people, including himself, and injured more than 20 others at the school after earlier killing his grandparents.

School to reassess the position

The school said its administration would reassess the situation after the online-learning period. It also said security within the school premises would be enhanced more strictly.

Authorities reported that the investigation in the incident remains ongoing.

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9 August 2026

• Education

• 29 comments
• 411 views

Georgealbert

August 9Aug 9

Student charged after Chinese man stabbing death in Sattahip

Pattaya

Student charged after Chinese man stabbing death in Sattahip

A 20-year-old college student has been charged with murder after a 20-year-old Chinese man was stabbed to death in a room in Na Jomtien, Sattahip district, Chonburi, on 8 August.

Na Jomtien police said the victim, named as Mr Cao Ke, was found dead at about 7.10am inside accommodation in Soi Na Jomtien 30. He had suffered multiple stab wounds, to his chest and arms. Cao, is described as the son of the owner of a luxury yacht, and was found dead in a pool of blood at the foot of a bed.

A 21-year-old woman, identified only as Kanyarat, was also injured in the room and was described as frightened. Police initially focused their investigation on the relationship between those involved.

Suspect takes police to recover knife

At 2.30pm the same day, Pol Lt Col Adisorn Kobkoy, deputy investigation superintendent at Na Jomtien Police Station, and detectives took the suspect, Thanachot, 20, to his girlfriend's room for a reconstruction of the alleged offence.



During the reconstruction, he showed officers where he said he had discarded the knife behind the room, in an area of dense grass and undergrowth. Police used a metal detector and recovered a curved folding knife, believed to be the weapon used. It has been retained for forensic examination.

Chinese relatives of the dead man arrived at the scene while the reconstruction was under way and were seen crying. Some attempted to attack the suspect, but officers intervened, restored order and quickly took him away by vehicle.

Conflicting accounts under investigation

According to police, Thanachot said he had been in a relationship with his girlfriend for about three months. He said he had travelled to work in Pattaya on the night of the incident, returned in the morning and went to her room.

He told investigators that, after opening the door and finding an unfamiliar man inside, he asked who he was while holding a knife to intimidate him. Thanachot claimed the Chinese man tried to take the knife and use it against him, leading to a struggle in which the two men also choked each other.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

He alleged that he regained the knife and stabbed the man several times, but did not intend to cause his death. He said he fled towards Pattaya afterwards, then surrendered after learning the man had died.

Kanyarat said she worked at a hotel and had known the victim for around two months after he had visited the hotel from time to time. She said he came to her room at about midnight and they talked before falling asleep.

She said her boyfriend returned in the morning, knocked on the door and that she opened it. The three spoke before an argument escalated into violence. She said she tried to intervene but suffered several knife cuts and could not separate the two men before her boyfriend stabbed the Chinese man.

Police examine CCTV and forensic evidence

Chonburi forensic officers examined the room, surrounding area and other relevant locations for evidence. Police are also questioning witnesses, checking CCTV footage and gathering forensic material for the case file.


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9 August 2026

• Crime

• 25 comments
• 434 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

British men in Cardiff court over Thailand drug claims

Crime

British men in Cardiff court over Thailand drug claims

Three Cardiff men have appeared before magistrates accused of using teenage boys as drug couriers on a route involving Thailand, after two 17-year-olds were arrested there in June.

Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard on Friday 7 August 2026, that the teenagers, both from Cardiff, were allegedly found with 64kg (141lb) of cannabis concealed in their suitcases as they attempted to return to the UK. They remain in police custody in Thailand and are being supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Alleged UK-Thailand criminal network

Prosecutor Nicholas Evans said an investigation into an "organised criminal network" operating between the UK and Thailand had led to the arrests of the men earlier this week.

Levi Coomansingh, Patrick O'Driscoll and Gareth Press are charged with drug offences and with conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation. They were not asked to enter pleas when they appeared together in court.

All three are charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.

Coomansingh, 20, of Angelina Street, Cardiff, faces four counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.

O'Driscoll, 30, of Clos Y Rhiw, Cardiff, faces four counts of the same charge, as well as possession of a firearm.

Press, 42, of Wheatley Road, Cardiff, faces two counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.

Four more people charged

Ffion Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley, 24, also of Clos Y Rhiw, Cardiff, appeared in court charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.

Coomansingh, O'Driscoll and Press were remanded in custody. Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley was released on conditional bail. All four are due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 4 September.

Police announced on Friday evening that a further man and woman, both aged 28, had also been charged in connection with the investigation.

Tremaine Jeanne, from Llanrumney, Cardiff, and Jessica Sani, from Newport, are each charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug. Each also faces four counts of conspiring to arrange or facilitate another person's travel with a view to exploitation.

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9 August 2026

• UK

• 1 comment
• 303 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Bangkok police pursue St. Gabriel's firearm threat case

Bangkok

Bangkok police pursue St. Gabriel's firearm threat case

Bangkok police have ordered legal action against a group of St. Gabriel's College students accused of assaulting a fellow pupil and threatening him with a firearm.

The case was reported on 8 August, after footage of the alleged confrontation circulated on social media. Police said the students involved will be brought before the Juvenile and Family Court.

Police order evidence gathering

Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen Siam Boonsom assigned Pol. Maj. Gen Worasak Phisitbanakorn, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, to oversee the case.

Worasak instructed investigators at Samsen Police Station to collect evidence and pursue charges of jointly assaulting another person.

According to reports, the incident took place on the evening of 21 July and involved students from the same school. The two sides were said to have had an existing dispute and a history of arguments.

The parents of the alleged victim later filed a complaint at Samsen Police Station and asked police to take action against those involved.

Juvenile procedures now under way

On 8 August, investigators called in both sides and their parents to give statements and proceed under juvenile justice procedures.

A multidisciplinary team is also involved, as required in cases concerning minors. Police have not publicly set out further details of the alleged firearm or the identities of the pupils.

St. Gabriel's College, a well-known school in Bangkok's Samsen area, has issued a statement saying it will tighten security and introduce stronger safety measures for students.

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9 August 2026

• Crime

• 2 comments
• 200 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Phuket woman arrested over unregistered weight-loss pens

Phuket

Phuket woman arrested over unregistered weight-loss pens

Police in Phuket have arrested a 25-year-old woman accused of selling self-mixed weight-loss products containing tirzepatide from a rented room in Soi Kingkaew, Mueang Phuket.

The woman, identified only as Ploy, was detained on August 7 after investigators alleged that she had been selling the products online without Thai Food and Drug Administration approval.

Search followed complaints from residents

The search was carried out by the Phuket City Police investigation team, working with officials from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office.

Police said they acted after receiving complaints from local residents that weight-loss products were being secretly sold from the rented room through online channels. Investigators gathered evidence, obtained a search warrant and then entered the property.



The operation was overseen by Pol Col Chatree Chukaew, superintendent of Phuket City Police Station. Lt Col Korapol Liangboonchinda, deputy superintendent for investigations, and Lt Col Kant Aksornthong, investigation inspector, led the police team.

Puttachat Sangpraphan, a senior pharmacist from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, also took part in the inspection.

Tirzepatide kits and syringes seized

Officers said they seized four PEPTIDE weight-loss product kits. Each kit reportedly contained one 10mg vial of tirzepatide, one vial of BAC water for mixing, four 0.5cc syringes and one 3cc syringe.

Other items seized included a clear plastic box, 12 additional 0.5cc syringes and an iPhone 16 Pro mobile phone.

Police have charged Ploy under Thailand's Drug Act 1967 with producing or selling modern medicines without a licence, and selling medicines whose formula had not been registered.

She and the seized items were handed to investigators at Phuket City Police Station for further legal proceedings. The allegations have not been tested in court.

What foreign buyers should note

For foreign residents and visitors in Thailand, the case is a reminder to be cautious about injectable weight-loss products promoted through social media and online sellers.

The products in this case were allegedly sold without registration and involved separate drug and mixing-water vials. Thai rules on medicines apply to foreigners as well as Thai nationals, and buyers should check that both the supplier and product are properly licensed and registered before purchasing medication.


Pictures courtesy of Matichon

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9 August 2026

• Crime

• 3 comments
• 205 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Sriracha's sugar and salt drawback for diners

Health

Sriracha's sugar and salt drawback for diners

Sriracha, the chilli sauce with roots in Thailand's coastal city of Si Racha, can add strong flavour for few calories - but nutrition experts say regular users should watch its sugar and salt content.

The condiment's earliest forms date to the 1930s in Si Racha. The thicker sauce familiar internationally, often sold in bottles with a green cap and rooster logo, emerged in the 1980s.

It has become a common addition to noodle bowls, seafood, eggs, tacos and other dishes, around the world. Actress Florence Pugh has said she carries a miniature bottle in her handbag because "bland food is a tragedy", while the celebrity wing-eating show Hot Ones has helped popularise hot sauces among viewers. Guests have included Louis Theroux, Tony Hawk, Doja Cat, Cardi B and Harry Kane.

Low calories, but check the squeeze

Sriracha is generally made by fermenting red jalapeno or sun-ripened chillies, then blending them with vinegar, garlic, sugar and preservatives.

A teaspoon of Huy Fong Foods sriracha contains five calories and almost no fat. Jessica DeLuise, a US culinary medicine specialist and registered dietitian, described hot sauce as a useful "flavour booster" for people trying to lose weight because it delivers substantial taste for few calories.

But Jenna Hope, author of How to Stay Healthy, said brands vary and a small serving of sriracha can contain around 10 per cent of the maximum daily sugar intake. That is close to the level at which a product requires a UK "high sugar" label, and roughly comparable with a serving of Heinz Tomato Ketchup or a McVitie's Rich Tea biscuit.

The nozzle bottle can also make it easy to use more than intended. Hope said high-sugar diets can harm teeth and trigger hunger, potentially increasing the risk of overeating.

Salt and additives are also concerns

A tablespoon of sriracha contains around 13 per cent of the recommended daily sodium intake, according to Hope. That is roughly twice the salt found in an equivalent serving of ketchup.

Hope said excess sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes by causing the body to retain water, increasing pressure on blood vessels and kidneys.

Sriracha may also use preservatives including potassium sorbate and sodium bisulfite to extend shelf life. Hope said chemical preservatives can harm beneficial gut bacteria, while studies have linked frequent consumption of such additives with conditions including heart disease and bowel cancer.

Chilli benefits may be limited

Capsaicin, the compound in chillies, has been associated with metabolism, inflammation and heart-health benefits. However, Hope said the amount of chilli in a teaspoon of sriracha is below the quantities used in clinical studies, and eating enough sauce for a therapeutic dose would bring excessive sugar and salt.

Small amounts are generally safe, but chilli and garlic may cause acid reflux, heartburn or stomach pain for people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Hope suggested a homemade dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, fresh chilli and a little salt. Plain sambal oelek can be a zero-sugar alternative, although its salt level may be similarly high. For a lighter spicy mayonnaise-style dip, she suggested non-fat Greek yoghurt, sriracha, lime juice and garlic powder; ordinary sriracha mayonnaise contains about 180 calories and 20g of fat per two tablespoons.


Picture courtesy of Daily Mail


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9 August 2026

• 23 comments
• 296 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Riyadh Air to launch direct Bangkok flights

Transport

Riyadh Air to launch direct Bangkok flights

Saudi Arabia's new national carrier Riyadh Air has opened bookings for direct flights between Riyadh and Bangkok, with services due to begin on 2 September 2026.

The route will operate three times a week between King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (RUH) and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Bangkok is the 14th destination now available for booking in the airline's expanding network.

Three weekly Dreamliner services

Flight RX0853 will leave Riyadh at 10.15pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving at Suvarnabhumi at 9.35am the following day, local time.

The return flight, RX0854, will depart Bangkok at 4.55pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, landing in Riyadh at 8.15pm local time.

Riyadh Air will use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on the route. The aircraft will offer Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, with ergonomically designed seating, additional personal and luggage space, and Panasonic Avionics' Astrova in-flight entertainment system.

Passengers will also have mobile-device connectivity and support for wireless headphones. The airline said its onboard offering includes premium food and drinks, Kayanee amenity products, Disney gift packs for children and a wellbeing programme intended to help travellers arrive feeling refreshed.

Tourism and business links grow

Riyadh Air said the new route reflects closer ties between Saudi Arabia and Thailand, supported by economic cooperation and increasing demand for leisure and healthcare travel.



Figures presented at the Saudi-Thai Investment Forum 2024 put trade between the two countries at US$7.5 billion in 2022, rising to about US$9 billion in 2023.

During the same period, around 200,000 Saudi tourists travelled to Bangkok, while more than 30,000 Thai travellers visited Riyadh.

The airline said Riyadh's modern attractions, cultural landmarks and growing business opportunities would be available to visitors arriving from Bangkok. It also sees the route strengthening Riyadh's role as an international aviation hub, allowing connections through its future network.

Bookings and Sfeer membership

Tickets are available through the Riyadh Air app, riyadhair.com, travel agents and major travel platforms. Travellers are advised to consult the airline's website for the latest schedule.

Customers can also join the Sfeer loyalty programme. The name combines the Arabic word for "ambassador" with the English word "sphere", according to the airline.

Sfeer members receive a Best Offer Guarantee, free onboard Wi-Fi and points from their first flight, with points that do not expire. Early members will receive The Founders Club status, including advance booking access for new routes and other benefits.


Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

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9 August 2026

• Aviation

• 3 comments
• 216 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Pattaya Bay moves to cap tour boat operators

Pattaya

Pattaya Bay moves to cap tour boat operators

Pattaya City is preparing tighter controls for restaurant boats, tourist vessels, squid-fishing rafts and cafe boats in Pattaya Bay, amid concern that a growing number of operators is outstripping the limited space available.

Officials say overcrowding could compromise visitor safety and raise the risk of accidents. The initial policy will be to ensure the number of operators does not exceed the bay's capacity, rather than substantially enlarging designated operating areas.

For foreign residents and visitors, the proposed rules could mean more orderly boat services, clearer passenger collection points and stronger checks on safety equipment for trips around Pattaya Bay and Koh Lan.

Authorities plan practical operating rules

Wutthisak Rermkij, deputy mayor of Pattaya, chaired a meeting on rules for restaurant boats, tourist vessels and associated businesses in the bay.

Those attending included government officials, the director of the Marine Department's Regional Office 6, Pattaya Branch, the chief of the Tourist Police Station, the director of the Marine and Coastal Resources Office 2, Bang Lamung district fisheries officials, and operators of tourist boats, restaurant boats, squid-fishing rafts and squid-fishing cafes.

The discussions follow work by Pattaya City's Environmental Health and Sanitation Division to regulate businesses using public areas under the Interior Ministry's 2003 rules governing the sale of goods in public places.

Officials discussed operating standards intended to ensure compliance with laws and requirements covering water safety, public-space use and marine environmental protection. The aim is also to provide clear guidance for operators, improve services and strengthen tourists' confidence.

Pattaya Model will guide zoning and safety

The new regulations will be based on the Marine Department's Pattaya Model, which is used to organise tourism activity and water traffic in Pattaya Bay and around Koh Lan.

It sets out swimming zones and navigation routes, separating water recreation from boat traffic to reduce accident risks and improve water safety. Measures also include vessel and life-saving equipment inspections, compliance with waterway traffic rules, and the organisation of piers and passenger pick-up and drop-off points to fit local conditions.

Pattaya City and the Marine Department have previously set designated zones under the model, but the number of businesses has continued to rise while available water space has remained limited.

Authorities are particularly concerned about activities that require large areas of water. They will consider reallocating or adjusting current zones to accommodate existing operators where needed, while prioritising safety and suitability over expansion.

Coordinated approach for bay businesses

Pattaya City will work with the Marine Department, police, marine and coastal resource agencies, fisheries officials and operators to agree clear, workable rules.

The authorities say the effort is intended to safeguard the marine environment while supporting the tourism economy and developing Pattaya Bay as a safe, regulated and sustainable marine tourism destination.

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9 August 2026

• Tourism

• 3 comments
• 199 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Thailand plans tax breaks for carmakers using Thai parts

Politics

Thailand plans tax breaks for carmakers using Thai parts

Thailand's Finance Ministry plans to introduce tax incentives by September to encourage foreign vehicle manufacturers to establish production facilities in Thailand and use more locally made components.

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the proposal, which is expected to go to the cabinet for approval next month, would offer lower excise tax rates to manufacturers that build production bases in Thailand and buy parts from Thai suppliers.

"The key to the measure is to provide a tax advantage," Mr Ekniti said.

Lower excise tax for local production

Under the proposed scheme, investors that build factories and use components made by Thai suppliers would pay a lower excise tax rate, Mr Ekniti said. Carmakers importing completely built-up vehicles without a production base in Thailand could face higher rates.

The programme would cover almost all vehicle categories. The government says it is intended to promote technology transfer to Thai workers and engineers, while supporting long-term income growth.

No change has yet been made to excise tax rates. The cabinet is expected to consider the proposal this month, with the ministry aiming to have the incentives in place by September.

Part of a wider investment drive

The measures are part of the government's "Thailand's New Horizon" strategy, designed to attract firms shifting production bases because of geopolitical tensions.

Mr Ekniti said the strategy is intended to ensure people across Thailand benefit from foreign investment and can access new economic opportunities.

Thailand's economic growth potential was about 5% before the 1997 Asian financial crisis, but has dropped to around 2%, he said. He attributed the decline to public and private investment falling from 40% of GDP to 23%.

The government aims to lift total investment to 30% of GDP and raise annual economic growth to more than 3% within four years.

Mr Ekniti said foreign investors were increasingly selecting Thailand because of its safety, broad trade links and infrastructure. Recent investment projects have focused on technology-intensive sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electric vehicles and robotics, he added.

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9 August 2026

• business

• 1 comment
• 158 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Prachinburi closes Chinese e-waste plant in forest reserve

Central Thailand

Prachinburi closes Chinese e-waste plant in forest reserve

Prachinburi Governor Weerapant Dee-on has ordered the immediate closure of an allegedly illegal electronic-waste processing plant found operating inside the Khwae Rabom and Si Yat national forest reserve.

Officials seized machinery, equipment and materials from the site in Moo 7, Krok Sombun subdistrict, Si Maha Phot district, after finding it was operating without authorisation, the Prachinburi Provincial Industry Office said on 8 August 2026.

The inspection was ordered by the governor on 6 August and involved Si Maha Phot district officials, the provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, and the Provincial Industry Office.

Complaints over forest encroachment

Concern emerged after Sumet Rianphongnam, leader of the Prachinburi Khemkhaeng civic group, posted photographs and videos online urging an investigation.

The group alleged that foreign investors had been allowed to set up an illegal operation to sort and process electronic waste within the Khwae Rabom and Si Yat national forest reserves.

The Prachinburi branch of Forest Resource Management Office 9 confirmed that the facility was inside the protected reserve. Inspectors found it sorting, shredding and compacting scrap metal, electrical wires and electronic components without permission.

Authorities ordered the operation to stop immediately and took the items found there as evidence.

The governor has also instructed officials to urgently examine the legality of land-title documents connected to the site. If documents were unlawfully issued or used, authorities will pursue legal action to protect community rights.

Risks to water, wildlife and nearby communities

The Khwae Rabom and Si Yat reserves were established under Ministerial Regulation No. 409 in 1969. They lie mainly in Sanam Chai Khet and Tha Takiap districts of Chachoengsao, extending into Si Maha Phot district of Prachinburi.

An estimated 700,000 to 850,000 rai remains protected by law. The forest forms part of eastern Thailand's five-province forest complex and provides habitat for wild elephants and other protected wildlife.

It is also the source of the Khwae Rabom and Khwae Si Yat rivers, which join Khlong Tha Lat before reaching the Bang Pakong River. The area includes Khlong Si Yat Reservoir, which holds about 420 million cubic metres of water.

Officials warned that illegal e-waste processing and hazardous chemical dumping could pollute groundwater and natural waterways, with potentially serious consequences for ecosystems, wildlife and public health.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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9 August 2026

• Crime

• 2 comments
• 174 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Thai death penalty cases: where the offenders are now

Crime

Thai death penalty cases: where the offenders are now

Thailand retains the death penalty for crimes including premeditated murder and murder during robbery, but a capital sentence does not necessarily result in an execution. Appeals, Supreme Court rulings and royal pardon applications can all alter the final outcome.

Five cases that shocked Thailand illustrate the different paths through the justice system. They also underline that Thailand's criminal process can take years to complete, even after a highly publicised conviction.

Cases still moving through the courts

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, known as "Am Cyanide", received a death sentence from the Criminal Court for premeditated murder and robbery causing death. She was accused of using cyanide in food, drinks and herbal medicine given to friends, acquaintances and people in savings groups.



The case emerged after the suspicious death of Siriporn Khankaw, known as Koi, beside the Mae Klong River in Ratchaburi. Investigators subsequently linked more than 14 alleged victims to the case. Sararat remains held at the Central Women's Correctional Institution while appeals and Supreme Court proceedings continue; no execution can take place before every court stage is complete.



In the Lopburi gold-shop robbery, Prasittichai Khaokaeo, known as "Director Golf", was sentenced to death by the trial court, Appeal Court and Supreme Court. On 9 January 2020, he entered an Aurora gold shop in Robinson shopping centre in Lopburi wearing a balaclava and camouflage clothing, armed with a silenced handgun and travelling by motorcycle.

Three people were killed, including two-year-old Titan, who was walking hand-in-hand with his mother, while four others were seriously injured. He fled with 28 baht-weight of gold worth more than 600,000 baht and later told police that personal debts were behind the robbery. Although the verdict is final, he remains in prison awaiting legal procedures and may submit a petition for a royal pardon.

A life term and a death in custody

Former Nakhon Sawan police superintendent Thitisan Utthanaphon, known as "Jo Ferrari" or "Superintendent Joe", was initially sentenced to death for the torture and killing of a drug suspect in August 2021.



Thitisan and six other officers detained the man at Mueang Nakhon Sawan Police Station. During questioning, the suspect's head was covered with six or seven black plastic bags and his hands tied behind his back. CCTV footage of the interrogation was later made public.

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases found Thitisan guilty of jointly murdering a person through torture or cruel treatment. His sentence was reduced by one-third to life imprisonment after the court considered attempts to save the suspect after he lost consciousness and compensation paid to the victim's family.

Thitisan was serving his sentence at Klong Prem Central Prison when he died in his cell on 7 March 2025, after about three years and six months in custody. The Department of Corrections said he had taken his own life, citing underlying illness and psychiatric or stress-related paranoid symptoms, and set up a fact-finding committee.

Pardons and Thailand's latest execution

In the 2014 murder of 13-year-old Kaem on express train 174 from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Bangkok, Wanchai Saengkhao, known as Game, was sentenced to death by the trial and Appeal Courts. The girl disappeared from her sleeping berth on the night of 5 July into the morning of 6 July.



Investigators said Wanchai, a railway contract worker who had used drugs and alcohol, raped and killed her before throwing her body from the moving train near Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan. His colleague Nattakorn Chamnan, who acted as a lookout, received four years in prison after confessing.

Wanchai's death sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment through royal pardons on several important occasions. The case prompted public calls for an end to alcohol sales on trains and stronger safety measures - an issue still relevant to visitors using Thailand's long-distance rail network.

The only one of the five defendants executed was Theerasak Longji, known as Mick of Ban Khok Phla. He was 19 when he killed another 19-year-old male secondary-school student in Trang on 17 July 2012, stabbing him more than 24 times to steal a wallet and an iPhone.

All three courts upheld his death sentence for murder to facilitate robbery. After his royal pardon petition was rejected, Theerasak was executed by lethal injection at Bang Kwang Central Prison on 18 June 2018, Thailand's most recent execution.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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9 August 2026

• 1 comment
• 285 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Sadao Hospital questioned after crash victim dies

Southern Thailand

Sadao Hospital questioned after crash victim dies

Relatives of a 22-year-old woman who died after a motorcycle collision in Songkhla have questioned her treatment at Sadao Hospital, saying she was sent home twice despite reporting severe pain and asking to be admitted.

Wirawan Sithong died after being taken to the hospital three times over two days following the crash in Prik subdistrict, Sadao district, on 4 August 2569 at about 7pm. Her sisters, Panida and Sirora, have called for an explanation from the hospital.

The case drew widespread online attention after a relative posted that the injured woman had said she was in pain and asked to stay in hospital, but was refused admission.

Three hospital visits in two days

According to her family, Wirawan was riding a motorcycle when it struck the rear of a car. Emergency responders gave initial first aid and took her to Sadao Hospital.



Sirorat said her sister had a chin wound, abrasions to an arm and knees, and abdominal pain. The hospital carried out an X-ray and told relatives there was no bruising and no broken ribs, she said.

She was discharged with paracetamol and antibiotics, plus an observation sheet advising that she should return to hospital if she developed stiffness, vomiting, drowsiness or seizures.

After returning home, Wirawan complained that her hands were very numb and that her stomach hurt badly, Sirorat said. The family used a hot compress but, when she later reported severe arm pain and difficulty breathing, they called an ambulance.

At about midnight, Sirorat said, Wirawan told her that she could no longer bear the pain and asked for an injection. She was taken back to hospital, where relatives said an X-ray was again carried out before she was discharged at 12.58am with medicine.



The family said they had asked for her to be admitted but were told they would have to wait for a senior doctor.

Family seeks explanation

The following day, after having her wounds dressed at a health station, Wirawan became increasingly unwell, relatives said. She complained of pain, aching and nausea, then slumped twice after being given a bag to vomit into.

Rescue workers took her to Sadao Hospital for a third time. Panida said relatives arrived about 30 minutes later and were told staff were trying to save her.

Sirorat said she was eventually allowed into the resuscitation room, where she found her sister covered with a sheet and her body stiff. A doctor later showed the family X-ray films, saying the first showed no injury, the second showed gas in the stomach, and the third showed spots suggesting air or something in the abdomen. The doctor said the cause of death would be investigated, the family said.

Hospital staff told reporters that only the director could comment, but that the director was in a meeting and unavailable to give a statement.


Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

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9 August 2026

• Road Accident

• 4 comments
• 212 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

China leads Thailand flight traffic as new route opens

Transport

China leads Thailand flight traffic as new route opens

Thailand recorded 777,456 flights averaging 2,558 a day, with China accounting for the largest share of flights linked to the country, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (AEROTHAI) reported.

The total includes international, domestic and overflight movements. AEROTHAI said traffic remained in line with its forecast for fiscal 2026, despite the Middle East conflict affecting travel decisions.

China links dominate

Of the 777,456 flights recorded, 385,991 were international services, 297,234 were domestic flights and 94,231 were overflights.

China was linked to 84,033 flights to, from and over Thailand, the highest cumulative total among the countries listed by AEROTHAI. India followed with 43,131 flights, ahead of Malaysia on 39,641, Singapore on 38,224 and Vietnam on 32,425.

Pichet Kunadhamraks, chairman of AEROTHAI, said the increase in Thailand-bound flights reflected the continuing recovery of the country's aviation sector and pointed to steady growth.

He said aviation remained on a positive course despite external pressures, with Thailand continuing to draw international visitors. Chinese visitors had shown the strongest growth, he said.

For fiscal 2026, running from October 2025 to September 2026, AEROTHAI forecasts 919,643 flights, or an average of 2,520 a day. This would be about 1.64% higher than in fiscal 2025.

New Thailand-China route from September 3

AEROTHAI will introduce the L770 (NAN-SAGAG) route on September 3 in response to rising traffic involving China.

The route has been developed through cooperation between Thailand, China and Laos, and is intended to provide a more direct link between Thailand and China.

According to AEROTHAI, the new routing will reduce flying distances by between 27.5 and 35.2 nautical miles. It is also expected to improve air traffic management, lower airline operating and fuel costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The agency said L770 would create additional capacity as travel between Southeast Asia and China expands, while strengthening the regional route network.


Picture courtesy of AEROTHAI

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9 August 2026

• Aviation

• 2 comments
• 173 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

AGT releases Nene Royal's Muse callback early

Phuket

AGT releases Nene Royal's Muse callback early

America's Got Talent has released Nene Royal's Judges' Callbacks performance online ahead of its scheduled television broadcast on August 11, following strong interest from fans.

The clip was published on August 8 on AGT's official YouTube channel under the title: "Early Release: Nene Royal CRUSHES 'Hysteria' by Muse | Judges' Callbacks | AGT 2026".

Nene had previously told followers that the Judges' Callbacks stage would begin on August 4, with her own appearance expected to be shown a week later. The early online publication means her performance is now available before that planned broadcast date.

A new stage for AGT season 21

Judges' Callbacks is a new round introduced for the programme's 21st season. It brings selected contestants back from the audition stage for another on-stage performance before judges decide who progresses to the Live Shows.

For her callback, Nene performed Muse's "Hysteria", combining vocals and guitar on a technically demanding track.

The performance drew enthusiastic applause from both the studio audience and the judging panel. The early-release video highlights Nene's singing, guitar playing and ability to engage the audience during the performance.

Fans focus on vocals and guitar

Viewers from around the world have posted a large number of positive comments below the official YouTube upload.

Many comments praised Nene's vocal control while playing guitar, particularly given the demands of the song she chose for the callback round.

The release does not change the purpose of the Judges' Callbacks: Nene remains among contestants awaiting the judges' decision on who will advance to the Live Shows.


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9 August 2026

• Entertainment

• 2 comments
• 304 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

DOPA orders gun checks and school security nationwide

Politics

DOPA orders gun checks and school security nationwide

Thailand's Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) has ordered authorities in every province to intensify controls on firearms, expand checkpoints and patrols, and increase security at schools and other key sites.

The measures were announced by DOPA director-general Narucha Kosacivilize, following the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi. The incident involved a student and a firearm, and resulted in deaths and injuries.

Narucha said the department's aim was to maintain public order, cut crime and prevent further violence or copycat incidents elsewhere in Thailand.

Nationwide firearm controls

Provincial authorities have been told to carry out stricter inspections of firearm possession and carrying, with what DOPA described as firm and decisive enforcement.

Firearm registrars must also tell licensed gun owners to store their weapons and ammunition securely, ensuring that others cannot access or use them in a way that could endanger people or property.

District chiefs have been instructed to coordinate administrative officials, including assistant district chiefs, subdistrict heads, village heads, assistant village heads, subdistrict inspectors, Volunteer Defence Corps members and village security teams.

They must increase checkpoints, interception points and patrols at public places, important locations, risk areas, entertainment venues and similar establishments, while strictly preventing people from carrying firearms.

Schools, malls and religious sites

Security is to be strengthened at schools and other educational institutions, religious sites, shopping centres and other important locations. Authorities must also arrange emergency-response drills and guidance so that officials and the public know how to react quickly and correctly in an emergency.

District chiefs have additionally been told to use local administrative mechanisms to monitor people whose behaviour or tendencies may suggest a risk of violence. Parents should be encouraged to supervise children and young people closely.

Authorities must speed up investigations, work with relevant agencies and provide relief, assistance and psychological support to those affected. Victims should receive legal entitlements and other assistance as fully and quickly as possible.

Narucha said DOPA would work with all sectors to prevent violence and improve public safety. Administrative authorities at every level have been instructed to act strictly, decisively and continuously to reinforce public confidence.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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9 August 2026

• 3 comments
• 164 views

Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Another death confirmed after Nonthaburi school shooting

Bangkok

Another death confirmed after Nonthaburi school shooting

A girl has died from a gunshot wound to the head following the violence at a Nonthaburi School, taking the reported death toll to nine. Nonthaburi's public health emergency operations centre said on 8 August 2026.

The girl, identified by the school as Napat Chai Ma, was shot in the head and was in a critical condition while undergoing treatment. Her relatives did not wish for cardiopulmonary resuscitation to be continued, according to Phra Nang Klao Hospital.

The case follows the attack on 7 August, when a 14-year-old male student at the Nonthaburi School shot dead his grandfather and grandmother at their home before travelling to the school and carrying out further violence.

Latest casualty and hospital updates

The emergency operations centre said there were 28 people injured, with 10 in critical condition, five moderately injured and 13 sustaining minor injuries. Twelve injured people have been able to return home.

Phra Nang Klao Hospital also reported that two male patients were now considered in a safe condition. One had been shot in the shoulder and underwent surgery to remove a bullet, while the other was shot in the shoulder blade and suffered bleeding in the chest cavity. Doctors inserted a drainage tube and said his condition had improved.

Kasemrad International Hospital reported two injured people: one teacher who remained in intensive care but was said to be safe, and a male student shot in the foot whose condition.

The hospital-by-hospital breakdown released by officials listed three injured patients at Phramongkutklao Hospital, including two critical cases and one minor injury; two at Siriraj Hospital, one critical and one moderate; and one critical patient at Chulalongkorn Hospital.

Kasemrad International was listed as treating two patients, one critical and one moderate. Thonburi 2 Hospital had one moderately injured patient, while Bang Kruai Hospital had two patients, one moderate and one minor.

School pays tribute to pupil

Thepsirin Nonthaburi School posted a message of condolence for Napat Chai Ma, saying it wished her "eternal peace" and sent support and concern to her family.

The message, issued on behalf of the school's management, teachers, staff and students, urged the family to remain strong through the loss.

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8 August 2026

• Latest Update

• 2 comments
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Georgealbert

August 8Aug 8

Criminologist urges caution over Nonthaburi school shooting

Bangkok

Criminologist urges caution over Nonthaburi school shooting

A criminologist has warned against drawing quick conclusions about the motives behind a school shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi, which left many people injured and dead.

The incident involved a Mathayom 2 male student, who opened fire on fellow pupils and teachers inside the school. Details of the suspected gunman's motive have not been confirmed by authorities.

Speaking on 7 August, criminologist and academic Ajarn Trin Phothiraksa said Thailand needed to learn serious lessons from such attacks, but stressed that claims about mental illness, bullying, resentment towards teachers or violent games should not be treated as fact without evidence.

Motive and risk factors must be separated

Trin said behavioural criminology distinguishes between a motive and risk factors. Bullying, family problems or mental health difficulties may be relevant factors, he said, but do not automatically lead a person to carry out a shooting.

He said information known so far pointed to several possible issues, including long-term bullying, alleged harassment by a group of students, a dispute involving a girl who reportedly complained to a teacher, and the student's reported viewing of overseas murder and mass-shooting videos on YouTube.

However, he said these were only possible explanations and should not be treated as established until properly investigated. The gunman died after the incident.

Trin also questioned why people in the gunman's household had been killed if his intended grievance was against people at school. He said it was an unusual aspect of the case and that outsiders could not know the offender's state of mind at the time.

Calls for metal screening and school psychologists

The weapon was owned by the student's grandfather, raising questions about gun storage and access by children. Trin said cases in which young people use firearms belonging to parents or relatives as weapons or for threats were a repeated warning for families.

He proposed metal detectors and weapons screening at places with large numbers of people, including schools, hospitals and cinemas, rather than restricting such systems to airports, Government House and parliament.

Citing figures previously reported by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, he said offences against life and bodily integrity committed by children and young people rose about 58.7% between fiscal years 2019 and 2023. Weapons-related cases rose about 92.1%, with most offenders of secondary-school age.

Trin said schools should have psychologists and counselling rooms, while teachers should speak with pupils and parents on both sides when bullying is reported. He added that games themselves were not inherently to blame, though violent content could act as a trigger for children who were already vulnerable.


Picture courtesy of Amarin
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8 August 2026

• Crime

• 50 comments
• 3,439 views

Georgealbert

August 7Aug 7

British woman admits Thai cannabis smuggling into Heathrow

Crime

British woman admits Thai cannabis smuggling into Heathrow

Amy Jayne Durban, 45, has admitted smuggling 51.2kg of cannabis, valued at GBP512,000 on the street, into Britain after flying from Bangkok to Heathrow Airport.

Border Force officers arrested Durban, from Hemyock, Cullompton, Devon, on 6 July after finding the Class B drug packed into two suitcases. She was remanded in custody after pleading guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Thursday 6 August and is due to be sentenced on 14 October.

In a Facebook post days before her arrest, Durban wrote: "On her way home to cut the grass if you know what I mean. No ETA so you won't know I'm about to hit your lawn."

Court hears of alleged courier role

The National Crime Agency (NCA) had been investigating Durban at the time of her arrest. Prosecutor James O'Connell told the court she had also travelled to Thailand in May, although there was currently no evidence that she smuggled drugs on that trip.

Her phone has been sent for forensic downloading and examination, but remains in a queue, the court heard. Durban was living with her partner at a remote address in Hemyock at the time; the couple own vape stores and her partner attended the hearing.

Mr O'Connell opposed bail, citing a risk of further offending. He said Durban's brother had been arrested by a West Country police force in connection with cannabis possession after a warrant was executed at his home.

Defence lawyer Alexander Shanks said Durban would submit a basis of plea arguing she had been pressured and coerced into taking part, and was naive and immature. The prosecution said it would not accept that account without evidence of coercion.



Mr O'Connell said Durban was "definitely a courier" who had been motivated by significant financial reward and hospitality. The court heard she had one previous conviction, for battery in 2000, when she received an 18-month probation order.

Judge Karen Holt rejected bail despite Mr Shanks saying Durban was struggling with significant mental health problems at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. The judge said the quantity involved made this "an extremely serious case", with a possible starting point of four years in prison.

Warning for Thailand-based travellers

The case is a reminder for foreigners in Thailand, including visitors and residents returning to Britain, that cannabis may be widely visible in Thailand but taking it across an international border remains a serious criminal offence.

The NCA says organised crime groups approach potential drug couriers through social media, offering a free holiday and spending money in return for carrying cannabis to the UK.

It reported 142 cannabis smugglers were caught arriving by plane in 2023, rising to 801 in 2024 - a 464 per cent increase - and 976 in 2025. A further 600 alleged mules were arrested at UK airports in the first six months of this year, putting 2026 on course to be worse.

Following a new NCA crackdown with Thai authorities, suspected smugglers caught in Thailand can face fines equivalent to GBP680 per kilogram. The NCA said an average mule is caught with 26kg, potentially attracting a fine, or a two-year Thai prison sentence if it is not paid.


Pictures courtesy of The Daily Mall

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8 August 2026

• UK

• 64 comments
• 2,424 views

Georgealbert

August 7Aug 7

Ugandan ex-footballer held in overstay & sexual services case

Bangkok

Ugandan ex-footballer held in overstay & sexual services case

Bangkok immigration police have arrested a 29-year-old Ugandan former footballer accused of overstaying and offering sexual services through a dating application used by foreign gay men.

The man, identified only as Mr M, was detained at a hotel in central Bangkok after Immigration Division 1 officers traced what they described as online advertisements for services to his accommodation. Police said he will face legal proceedings before being deported.

Police say dating profile advertised services

The operation was ordered by Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak and his deputies, Pol Maj Gen Pratchaya Prasansuk and Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchnarot.



Immigration Division 1 commander Pol Maj Gen Prasat Khemmaprasit, his deputy Pol Col Kittisak Kongkiatsiri, and investigation superintendent Pol Col Polsit Suttiat also directed the operation. Investigators were led by Pol Lt Col Suthirat Thirasawat, Pol Lt Col Thaweesap Chaiyaphum and Pol Lt Col Suriyo Chaiyot.

Police said officers went undercover on a prominent dating app which shows users' locations. They found a profile attributed to Mr M, which allegedly displayed photographs promoting his muscular physique and explicit images in connection with the sale of sexual services.

According to police, an undercover officer contacted the man and learned that he would travel to clients' rooms, mainly at luxury condominiums in central Bangkok.

Police said the quoted starting price was 2,500 baht for travelling to a client or providing companionship, while sexual services started at 4,000 baht, with higher prices possible by agreement.

Hotel search led to overstay arrest

Officers later established that Mr M was staying at a central Bangkok hotel and went to check his room. They said he was found inside and that a large number of condoms were seized as evidence.



A check of his travel documents found that his permission to remain in Thailand had expired, police said.

Mr M reportedly admitted that he had originally entered Thailand as a footballer. After his visa expired and he no longer had a club, he allegedly turned to providing sexual services to foreign men through the dating app to support himself.

Immigration police said they would continue expanding their investigation into networks allegedly using online platforms to conceal prostitution and other offences. Members of the public can report suspected immigration offences through the Immigration Bureau's 24-hour hotline, 1178.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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8 August 2026

• Crime

• 16 comments
• 1,672 views

Georgealbert

August 7Aug 7

Lampang Labrador rescued after motorcycle dragging

Chiang Mai

Lampang Labrador rescued after motorcycle dragging

A black male Labrador named Tang Tang is recovering after he was allegedly dragged behind a motorcycle for more than 2km through Lampang municipality, leaving him bleeding and injured.

Police at Muang Lampang Police Station are gathering evidence and are questioning the man involved after CCTV footage showed the dog being pulled along several roads in the city during the early hours of 6 August 2026.

The injured dog was left near vegetable stalls outside the Government Savings Bank Market in Lampang at about 3.30am. Traders contacted the Lampang Municipality's disaster prevention and mitigation team after seeing the large, normally gentle Labrador covered in blood.

Several officers were needed to lift Tang Tang into a pick-up truck before he was taken to a veterinary clinic in central Lampang for treatment. Market traders initially collected money to cover his medical costs because they did not know who owned him.



CCTV footage raises questions

Footage later released from local CCTV cameras shows a man riding a motorcycle with a chain around Tang Tang's neck. The dog appears to have tried to run behind the vehicle but was injured as he was dragged over a long distance.

The dog suffered wounds across his body and abrasions to his paws. His owner has since collected him from the clinic and taken him home to recover.

Nareepat, 48, a vegetable seller known as Phi Nok, said she and a porridge seller contributed towards Tang Tang's treatment after being told a man had dragged the dog and left him at the market.

"I saw him covered in blood," she said. She said Tang Tang was now safe but had suffered grazing injuries to his paws and body.

Owner says dog remains frightened

Tang Tang's owner, 39-year-old Natchet Duangprapha, was traced by authorities and said all four paws had been injured, with some claws nearly detached. The 43kg dog did not eat on the day of the incident, although he was able to eat again the following morning, he said.


Pictures courtesy of Khomchadluek

Natchet said Tang Tang had been guarding a garage while he was staying at another home. The dog's chain had broken and become caught around him, he said.

According to Natchet, the man allegedly involved - said to be a food trader at a market - claimed his motorcycle hit Tang Tang and that the dog's chain became tangled in the bike without his knowledge. Natchet disputed that account, saying CCTV footage showed the man repeatedly looking back, while Tang Tang was able to run at some points but was mostly dragged.

The owner has filed a police report. He said the dog remained startled and appeared to be having distressing dreams.

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8 August 2026

• Community

• 1 comment
• 240 views

Georgealbert

August 7Aug 7

Police send Bangkok fire case against owner to prosecutors

Bangkok

Police send Bangkok fire case against owner to prosecutors

Bangkok police have submitted seven investigation files to prosecutors seeking charges against Suwicha Sailabat, 45, owner of the Na Lat Phrao premises, over the deadly fire at the entertainment venue.

The blaze, which killed 37 people, including those who later died while receiving hospital treatment, and left 77 people with burn injuries.

Police said Mr Suwicha is being pursued both personally and in connection with the business entity that owned the venue. He has not yet been questioned because he remains in intensive care at Paolo Kaset Hospital.

Police cite electrical alterations and blocked exits

At a press briefing at Phahonyothin Police Station at 1pm on 7 August, Pol Maj Gen Kiatkul Sonthanee, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, said investigators had sent their findings and recommendations to prosecutors.



Col Issara Na Phatthalung, the lead investigator, said police had taken statements from 211 people, including venue staff, customers, relatives of those who died, specialists and forensic officers.

Investigators concluded that the fire began with an electrical short circuit following alterations to the electrical system. Police said the resulting sparks spread to soundproofing materials.

They also found that the venue layout made escape difficult. Numerous tables were placed inside, while doors intended as fire exits had items placed in front of them, were locked, or otherwise did not meet legal requirements, according to police.

Charges include deaths, injuries and unlicensed operation

Police said the case concerns five major allegations: negligence causing a fire, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to 140,000 baht; negligence causing death, carrying up to 10 years and a 200,000-baht fine; causing serious injury through negligence, with up to three years and a 60,000-baht fine; negligence causing bodily or mental harm, carrying up to one month and a 10,000-baht fine; and property damage.

The investigation also alleges that the venue was operating as an entertainment establishment without permission from the authorities.

Pol Maj Gen Kiatkul said the business had four or five partners, but investigators had found no evidence that they took part in its management. The seven case files were therefore submitted to prosecutors for consideration against Mr Suwicha.

The full investigation report is expected to be fully completed and released, once the charges against the owner are reviewed and accepted by prosecutors.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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8 August 2026

• Fire

• 8 comments
• 225 views

Georgealbert

August 7Aug 7

Bang Lamung police probe Chinese family abduction

Pattaya

Bang Lamung police probe Chinese family abduction

Police in Bang Lamung are investigating claims that a Chinese woman and her young daughter were taken by a suspected Chinese call-centre gang to pressure the woman's husband not to report them.

The husband went to Bang Lamung Police Station at 5.05pm on 5 August 2026, saying his wife and daughter had been removed from their home in a housing estate in the Rong Po area of Chonburi's Bang Lamung district.

He alleged that the group was led by Chinese nationals and had taken his family after he escaped from them and sought police help.

CCTV trail led police to resort

Chonburi Immigration Police, Pattaya Tourist Police and Bang Lamung Police immediately began investigating. CCTV footage from the estate showed the woman and child leaving the house with a Chinese woman known to them before getting into a car and leaving the area.

During the inquiry, the husband made a video call to his wife. Police said she appeared frightened and was crying throughout the call, but could not tell her husband where she was being held.



Investigators later found that the group had taken the mother and daughter to a resort in Nong Pla Lai, Bang Lamung, before switching vehicles and travelling elsewhere. After learning police were closely pursuing them, the group released the pair at around 2.30am on 6 August in Soi Na Kluea 16, Na Kluea.

Officers then took all those involved to Bang Lamung Police Station for questioning.

Conflicting accounts remain under review

In her initial statement, the woman said she had argued with her husband earlier and had only gone elsewhere to stay. Police said they had not accepted that account at face value because evidence and statements from several people contained contradictions.

Investigators believe the husband may previously have worked with the group and was allegedly held for about one month after trying to leave it. He is said to have escaped and reported the matter to police, prompting the group to hold his wife and daughter to deter him from making a complaint.

Those allegations remain under investigation, with officers gathering evidence to establish what happened and whether the case is linked to a transnational criminal network or a call-centre scam operation.

Police also checked the record of Liu Minglong, 37, a Chinese national described as one of those involved. They found he had overstayed his permitted stay in Thailand by 56 days.

Liu had previously been arrested under a Pattaya Provincial Court warrant in June in a case involving joint fraud, forging official documents, using forged official documents and entering false information into a computer system. He was located and detained for legal action.

Police said they will examine financial routes, the relationships between those involved and all available evidence before proceeding against any offenders.


Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

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8 August 2026

• Crime

• 3 comments
• 796 views

Georgealbert

August 7Aug 7

Thailand orders probe into foreign student visa loopholes

Politics

Thailand orders probe into foreign student visa loopholes

Thailand has ordered an investigation into universities suspected of improperly admitting foreign students, while officials review student visa procedures for loopholes that could be exploited.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn said on August 6 that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) had been instructed to carry out a comprehensive review.

The move follows media reports questioning whether some universities had accepted foreign students without meeting required academic standards.

Universities must explain admission procedures

Universities under scrutiny will have to account for how they admit overseas students to both degree and non-degree programmes.

Officials will examine the full route from a student's enrolment to their visa application. The stated aim is to identify weaknesses that could enable misuse of education visas.

Patdarasm said the investigation would be conducted impartially. The government intends to close gaps that could be used for personal gain or damage confidence in Thailand's higher education system, she added.

Any university found to have broken laws, regulations or academic standards will face legal action without exception, according to the deputy spokesperson.

Short courses already face tighter controls

MHESI introduced stricter rules last year aimed at preventing foreign nationals from using short courses as a route to work illegally in Thailand.

Under those rules, higher education institutions must submit short-course programmes for government assessment. They are also required to meet tighter standards on course quality, student management and reporting.

Short courses must include at least 60% onsite teaching and may run for no more than 180 days. Universities must monitor attendance, provide the ministry with foreign student data and file regular progress reports through its tracking database.

Institutions that do not comply risk having their short courses cancelled. MHESI has said the measures are intended both to prevent abuse of student visas and to strengthen confidence in Thailand's higher education sector.

For expats, visitors and those considering study as part of a longer stay in Thailand, the practical message is to choose an established institution and ensure the course is genuine, properly registered and includes the required in-person study. Enrolment alone does not guarantee a visa, and applicants should expect immigration authorities to assess applications alongside the school's documentation.


Picture courtesy of Thai Government

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8 August 2026

• Immigration

• 2 comments
• 277 views

Georgealbert

August 7Aug 7

Si Sa Ket seizes record 2.646m meth pills

Isaan

Si Sa Ket seizes record 2.646m meth pills

Police in Si Sa Ket have seized 2,646,000 methamphetamine pills, known locally as yaba, hidden in rice fields in Non Khun district - the largest drugs haul in the province's history.

The seizure was announced on Friday, 7 August, at the fifth floor of the Thepha Building at Si Sa Ket Provincial Hall. Governor Anurat Thampramchit and Pol Maj Gen Supachai Sakripanichkul, chief of Si Sa Ket Provincial Police, joined military, administrative, prison and other officials at the briefing.

Drugs hidden in fertiliser sacks

The operation followed a tip-off from a member of the public, who reported 16 suspicious fertiliser sacks placed on two handcarts in a rice field east of Ban Yot, Moo 3, Lao Kwang subdistrict, Non Khun district.

Officers inspected the sacks and found the 2.646 million yaba pills. The drugs were seized and handed to investigators at Non Khun Police Station for legal action.

Pol Maj Gen Supachai said police were gathering evidence and had obtained court-approved arrest warrants for two suspects: 33-year-old Tawan and his 27-year-old brother Aun.

Police identify the pair as key figures in the Phaya Ratchasi network, also known as the "cockfighting camp" group. Investigators believe several further people may be involved and are continuing their inquiries to identify and locate them.



Governor Anurat said Si Sa Ket would continue its Operation 90 Days campaign, aimed at disrupting drug-trafficking networks, confiscating offenders' assets and bringing drug users into sustainable treatment programmes.

Warning over "Happy Water" packets

Police also warned of a drug known as "Happy Water", which has begun appearing in Si Sa Ket disguised in packets resembling collagen or facial skincare products.

According to Pol Maj Gen Supachai, the packets can contain powdered yaba or ecstasy mixed into a substance that can be added directly to drinking water. He said it has severe depressant and stimulant effects, and large amounts can cause convulsions and can be fatal.

The product is commonly found at youth tourist spots and entertainment venues, police said.

People with information about drug dealing or suspicious collagen-style packets can contact the Office of the Narcotics Control Board hotline on 1386, the national police emergency line on 191, their local police station, or the Si Sa Ket Provincial Drug Prevention and Suppression Centre.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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8 August 2026

• Crime

• 5 comments
• 189 views

Georgealbert

August 7Aug 7