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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.

Pattaya police arrest Chinese over 'Pot K' drug network

Pattaya police have arrested three Chinese nationals and a Thai woman after early-morning raids allegedly uncovered a network preparing "Pot K" vape products for sale, along with methamphetamine and packaging equipment.

The four suspects were detained after police searched two condominium locations at 5am on 22 August 2026.

The operation was carried out by the Pattaya City Police Station narcotics suppression team under the government's drug-prevention and enforcement policy.

Police identified those arrested as Kun Chen, 39; Wichada, also known as Baiphak, Khumkan, 33; Wei Zhang, 32; and Meiling Zhou, 28. Three are Chinese nationals and one is a Thai woman.

Two Pattaya condominium raids

The raids took place at condominiums near Soi Boon Kanjana 5 and Soi Thappraya 9. The operation was overseen by Chonburi provincial police commander Major General Pongphan Wongmanithet.



Also involved were Colonel Kulchat Kulchai and Colonel Wasurat Chaitheerapat, deputy provincial police commanders, and Colonel Anek Sarathongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, together with investigation officers.

The search team was led by Police Captain Phubet Ruamsap, deputy inspector with Pattaya police investigators.

Police said they found a large quantity of Pot K pod heads and related items, including mixing liquid, digital scales, packing bags, pod-head packaging, scent-identification stickers, and equipment used to mix and prepare products.

Officers also seized 21 methamphetamine tablets, about 11.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 13,000 baht in cash and the suspects' mobile phones. Further equipment allegedly linked to dividing and packaging drugs was also recovered.

Charges and visa issue

Police have initially brought charges connected to the sale of Pot K pods, offences involving e-cigarettes and customs law, as well as drug-related offences.

One of the Chinese suspects was also found to have an expired permission to stay in Thailand. Meiling Zhou tested positive for methamphetamine and was charged with consuming a Category 1 narcotic in breach of the law.

Investigation continues

All four suspects and the seized items were handed to Pattaya City Police Station investigators for legal proceedings.

Police said they will expand the investigation to establish the origin of the Pot K products and drugs, identify any additional people linked to the network, and determine where products may have been distributed.


Picture courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง

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23 August 2026
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ATM set alight outside Chachoengsao factory

A 27-year-old man has been detained after an ATM outside a factory in Chachoengsao was set on fire shortly after midnight on 22 August. Police say the man told them he acted following an argument with his pregnant girlfriend and wanted to be sent to prison.

The blaze damaged the bank ATM outside Wisdom Auto Part Co Ltd on Suwinthawong Road, inbound towards Chachoengsao town, in Moo 5, Wang Takhian subdistrict, Mueang district.

Police named the suspect only as Natthawat, 27. Lieutenant Colonel Wanchai Prathom, acting deputy superintendent for prevention and suppression at Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station, and Police Major Phatthana Langfak, the station's prevention and suppression inspector, led officers to detain him.

Fire outside factory could not be initially contained

When officers arrived, flames were burning intensely around the ATM. Factory security guards had attempted to put out the fire with extinguishers, but were unable to contain it because it spread quickly.



A fire engine from Wang Takhian Subdistrict Administrative Organisation later arrived and firefighters brought the blaze under control using water.

Suspect describes argument and claimed motive

Natthawat, who police said appeared dazed during questioning, told officers he had hired a vehicle from Bangkok to visit Luang Pho Chet, the abbot of Wat Thawin Silamongkhon, which is not far from the scene.

After meeting the monk, he said he walked to the front of the factory to rest and telephoned his girlfriend, who is pregnant. The pair argued, and he claimed she challenged him and told him she wanted him to go to prison.



He told police he then decided to retaliate by setting fire to the ATM. According to his account, he collected rubbish from a nearby bin, placed it inside the machine and used a lighter he was carrying to ignite it.

The suspect also claimed he had earlier considered robbing a gold shop, but decided against it because it was late. He said he instead set fire to the ATM because he wanted to be jailed.

Officers said a search found no drugs on Natthawat. However, they found a lighter and a pipe used for taking drugs.

Police took him to Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station to calm down before conducting a urine test for narcotics. Investigators question him further, gather evidence and proceed with legal action.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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23 August 2026
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Phuket shop sign bars Israeli tourists, sparks debate

A Phuket shopkeeper has put up a sign barring Israeli tourists from entering, prompting a strong reaction on Thai social media after Phuket Times shared an image of it on Saturday, August 22.

According to a report from Naewna, the shop owner said the move followed a previous confrontation outside the business. The report did not identify the shop or give its precise location on the island.

Owner says sign is intended to prevent disputes

The shopkeeper said: "I was once verbally abused by Israelis in front of my shop. I cursed back that time, but my intention in putting up the sign is to prevent future problems arising from among #Israeli tourists."

Phuket Times had previously said it was preparing to submit a letter to authorities seeking an investigation into Israeli nationals at Patong beach. It cited alleged widespread dissatisfaction with what it called "arrogant" behaviour, including claims that locals had been chased away and outsiders barred from an area believed to have been acquired through nominee networks.

Online commenters call for wider action

After the image was posted, commenters backed the shopkeeper's decision. Some wrote that preventing problems early was the right approach, while others said they would do the same.

Other comments urged similar action across Phuket, with one saying shops should follow suit "until every shop in Phuket is affected". That comment said Thais should not allow foreigners to take advantage of or bully them, and should not welcome people with bad manners.

Several commenters called for Thai unity. Others said government agencies were weak and ordinary people had to protect themselves, while another said Phuket residents should unite because police, local administration and ISOC could not be relied upon.

One final comment urged people to "resist strongly", adding: "If you weaken, you will end up like the Palestinians."

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23 August 2026
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Thai Airways eyes early return of Bangkok-Auckland flights

Thai Airways could resume direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland earlier than its previously planned 2028 timetable, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas has said.

Thailand's government is now targeting March 2027 for the route's return, although Ekniti said officials would push for an even earlier launch if the airline's fleet is ready.

He made the comments on 21 August 2026 while visiting light-aircraft company NZAero at its hangar at Ardmore Airport in Auckland, New Zealand.

Government seeks Auckland Airport slots

Ekniti said Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had told New Zealand's prime minister that Thailand intended to launch the Bangkok-Auckland service in March 2027.

The direct route was among issues discussed by the Thai and New Zealand leaders, according to Ekniti. The government believes it would make travel easier for business, tourism, trade and people-to-people links between the two countries.

The proposed service still depends on Thai Airways having enough aircraft available, particularly under its plans to receive new planes.

Ekniti said he had instructed Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent secretary of the Finance Ministry and chairman of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, to pursue the plan.

Preparatory work has already begun, with the permanent secretary asked to contact Auckland Airport's management about allocating and reserving flight slots in advance. Securing arrival and departure times early would allow the airline to begin services smoothly once its fleet is ready, Ekniti said.

Possible partnership with Air New Zealand

Ekniti also said there was scope for commercial cooperation between Thai Airways and Air New Zealand. Both airlines belong to the Star Alliance network, meaning they could consider a codeshare arrangement to make passenger connections more convenient.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon previously served as chief executive of Air New Zealand, Ekniti noted, and understands the airline industry's business structure and the potential of routes between Thailand and New Zealand.

"We see an opportunity to work together through codeshare rather than viewing this as competition, because it would benefit both sides," Ekniti said. He added that such cooperation could improve links for travel, trade, investment and tourism.

Wider links between Thailand and New Zealand

An earlier return of direct Bangkok-Auckland flights would support economic cooperation as Thailand and New Zealand seek to deepen relations and open new areas of collaboration, Ekniti said.

He identified tourism, agriculture, food, clean energy and investment as areas where the two countries were expanding cooperation.

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23 August 2026
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Russian father seeks missing daughter in Pattaya

A Russian father has asked Bang Lamung police to help find his 19-year-old daughter, who has been out of contact with her family for more than three months. The last reported, unconfirmed sighting of Anna Gorshkova Andreevna was at a hotel resort and villa in the Na Jomtien area on 15 June.

Kirill Gorshkov, 41, filed the report with investigators at Bang Lamung Police Station at 6.20pm on 21 August 2026, seeking help to trace his daughter.

Police have been asked to examine CCTV footage and other relevant information as part of efforts to establish her movements and locate her.

Trip from Russia through China

According to the initial information given to police, Anna left Russia about three months ago after telling her family she was travelling as a tourist.

Her family later learned that she had travelled to China before continuing to Thailand. It was not stated when she arrived in the country or where else she may have stayed.

A foreign national reportedly told the family that a young woman matching Anna's description had been seen on 15 June at a hotel resort and villa in Na Jomtien, Sattahip district, Chon Buri.

Police asked to check CCTV

Mr Gorshkov lodged the report as evidence and asked officers to urgently review security-camera recordings and any other available material linked to the possible sighting.

Anna's father has appealed for her to be found as soon as possible after the family's prolonged loss of contact.


Picture courtesy of ฉลาม นิวส์

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23 August 2026
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Man charged after body found in Bangkok Park pond

Bangkok police have arrested and charged a 38-year-old homeless man with murder after another homeless man was found dead in a pond at Benchasiri Park on Sukhumvit Road.

Thong Lor police said the body of 39-year-old Wichai Kanya, from Kamphaeng Phet, was discovered at about 10pm on August 21 in the pond at the front of the park in Khlong Toei district.

Police, forensic officers, a Chulalongkorn University forensic doctor and Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers attended the scene. Wichai was found lying face-up underwater and was pronounced dead after his body was recovered. Officers reported injuries to his body.

CCTV footage from the area reportedly showed an assault, followed by a man dragging the victim and throwing him into the pond.

Arrest made beside Lumphini Park

A witness, Thanwa Thana, told police he saw a short-haired, bearded man assault Wichai at about 9pm, before dragging him to the park pond. The man then reportedly told a park security guard what had happened before leaving.

Security guard Waiyakorn Phetchuay said the man had approached him for help and that he could remember his appearance. He assisted police in reviewing CCTV footage inside the park.

Thong Lor investigators located the suspect, Thaweesak, also known as Tom, Phanngam, on the pavement of Ratchadamri Road beside Lumphini Park in Pathum Wan district at 5.12am on August 22.

Police said he matched the man seen in CCTV footage and initially confessed to the killing. He was charged with murder.

Suspect gives differing accounts

Thong Lor police chief Pol Col Ratthanon Ektitikulpat said both men were homeless, knew each other and regularly drank alcohol together near the front of Benjasiri Park.

Witnesses told police Wichai had been sleeping near the park for around a month. They also alleged that he regularly caused a nuisance while drunk, including masturbating in the park and sleeping there naked.

Police said the pair would beg for money when they had none, then use it to buy alcohol. On the night of the death, they were drinking near the pond before an argument began. Investigators said Wichai became unconscious at the pond's edge before Thaweesak threw him into the water and fled.

When questioned, Thaweesak said the dispute was not about money. He alleged that Wichai had behaved indecently towards tourists in the park and said he did not want him sleeping there again.

Later, while being taken for further questioning, Thaweesak first said he did not wish to make a statement. He then said they had argued, but claimed Wichai had not been unconscious and was "still out of control", adding that he threw him into the water to restrain him.

He said he did not know why Wichai had become agitated, but claimed he had behaved this way before.

Thaweesak was taken to the South Bangkok Criminal Court for detention proceedings. Investigators opposed bail in their application.


Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

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23 August 2026
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Australian frigate HMAS Perth begins Sattahip visit

The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Perth has arrived at Sattahip for a week-long visit, bringing about 190 personnel for joint activities with the Royal Thai Navy.

The Anzac-class warship is in Thailand as part of Australia's Regional Presence Deployment in the Indo-Pacific. Its programme includes training with Thai naval counterparts and a reception aboard the vessel for representatives from the two countries' defence, government, business and civil society sectors.

HMAS Perth last visited Thailand in 2024. The ship has served with the Royal Australian Navy for 20 years and has modern maritime capabilities for a range of missions.

Training and regional cooperation

Australian Ambassador to Thailand Pablo Kang said the visit would help reinforce practical cooperation between the two nations.

"HMAS Perth's visit provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen practical cooperation and further deepen the longstanding ties between Australia and Thailand," Kang said.

He pointed to the countries' long record of working together in military education and training. Kang said cooperation with regional partners was important in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Commanding officer Lt Cmdr Dylan White said the crew welcomed the chance to operate alongside the Royal Thai Navy.

"Our deployment aims to strengthen interoperability, build professional relationships and contribute to regional security," White said.

White added that the ship's company valued joint exercises with Thailand and the opportunity to build on the close friendship between the two navies.

Sattahip, on the Gulf of Thailand in Chon Buri province, is home to major Royal Thai Navy facilities. The port call reflects Australia's broader effort to maintain a regular naval presence and partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.

No public access arrangements for HMAS Perth were included in the announcement of the visit.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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23 August 2026
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Thai court uses law to dismiss bad-faith SLAPP cases

Thailand's Criminal Court is using Section 161/1 of the Criminal Procedure Code to filter out criminal complaints filed in bad faith, including strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP cases.

The provision allows judges to dismiss a complaint at the initial review stage where it appears intended to intimidate a defendant or place an unfair burden on them, rather than proceed to trial.

Jiraphat Phanthawi, chief judge of the Criminal Court, described the measure as an important tool against SLAPP litigation during a seminar on legal knowledge and judicial procedures for media representatives.

Such cases can arise from ordinary disputes, politically related matters and defamation complaints involving journalists, he said.

Early review of complaints

The court examines whether a complaint was lodged dishonestly. Where this is clear from the filing, judges may throw out the case during the initial review.

If the purpose behind a complaint is not immediately evident, the court can make further inquiries or order a court case officer to collect additional facts. Judges may also take account of whether the conduct at the heart of a complaint, including journalistic reporting, was in the public interest.

Jiraphat said legal action was sometimes brought against reporters covering grey-business interests or criminal networks. Even where journalists can ultimately defend their work, court proceedings demand time and require them to gather evidence.

He stressed that the court must remain impartial and cannot step in on either side's behalf.

Takedown petitions and specialist courts

People harmed by the publication of damaging images or other content can submit a petition directly to the Criminal Court under its "Take It Down" mechanism. About 50 to 60 petitions have been filed so far.

In technology-crime cases, the court also considers applications to block websites or URLs considered to affect national security. More than 600,000 URLs have been blocked through that process.

This is particularly relevant to publishing, sharing or operating online content in Thailand: online material can be subject to court takedown applications and website-blocking procedures, alongside any separate criminal complaint.

The Criminal Court handles major investigations involving agencies including the Department of Special Investigation, the Central Investigation Bureau and the Crime Suppression Division. Many cases involve complex evidence or organised criminal networks.

Its specialist divisions cover narcotics, human trafficking and technology crime. The court's Rights and Liberties Protection Centre provides legal information to suspects, defendants and victims to help them make informed decisions about exercising their rights.

The court also uses the centre and its spokesperson team to explain legal rights and judicial procedures to the public.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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23 August 2026
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Narathiwat curfew imposed after attacks across Deep South

Narathiwat Task Force imposed an overnight curfew from 10.15pm on 22 August 2026 until 6am on 23 August, following a series of reported security incidents across the province.

The measure came after unrest was reported in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani, including explosions, arson, attacks on local government premises and shops, and the burning of tyres on roads. Authorities are continuing to inspect affected areas and gather details.

Curfew and road restrictions

Narathiwat Task Force said people were prohibited from leaving their homes during the curfew to allow officers to secure incident sites, conduct checks and prevent further attacks.

Sungai Kolok district also tightened security following an explosion near the provincial Land Transport Office branch. Roads into and out of the town, as well as adjoining areas, were temporarily closed while officers inspected the scene, screened people and vehicles, and sought to prevent further incidents.

Residents were asked to remain at home and avoid travel unless necessary.

At least 11 significant locations in Narathiwat were cited in initial reports. They included Buket Bueroh village and Bongor Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Ra-ngae district; the boundary route between Maruebo Tok and Chaloem subdistricts in Ra-ngae; Skupa village in Si Sakhon; and Thamniap village in Mueang Narathiwat.

Other reported sites included the Bajoh Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, the bypass road towards Narathiwat Airport, and Thung Kha on the route into Narathiwat town, where tyres were burned.

Incidents reported across the province

An explosion was reported near the boundary between Kampong Pareh village, Moo 8, Maruebo Tok, and Kuching Luepa village, Moo 4, Chaloem. There were initially no reports of injuries.



A power pole was reportedly bombed at Ai Tue Ngo, before the Skupa three-way junction in Si Sakhon. Arson was also reported at Chang Phueak Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Chanae district.

Further reports included an incident at a roadside shelter outside the Sungai Kolok Land Transport Office branch at Ban Kualo Sira, Pasemat subdistrict, on the Sungai Kolok-Muno route. No injuries or deaths were initially reported there.

A roadside shelter on Highway 42 at Ban Kubu, Phrai Wan subdistrict, Tak Bai district, was also reported to have been burned.

Public asked not to share live security locations

Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command urged the public to be more vigilant, avoid incident locations and officially designated control zones, and not approach or move suspicious objects.

It also asked people not to post real-time photos, video or the locations of security operations, warning that this could affect public safety and efforts to trace those responsible.

Anyone spotting suspicious people, vehicles or objects can contact ISOC Region 4 Forward Command on 1341, or call 191.


Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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23 August 2026
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American held after Bangkok officer slashed in the neck

A 29-year-old American man has been arrested after a police officer was seriously injured in the neck while intervening in an alleged theft at a convenience store in Bangkok's Suea Pa district on 22 August 2026.

Police identified the suspect as Alexander Troy Lopez, a US national. He was detained in less than 30 minutes after the attack and faces initial charges of attempted murder of an officer on duty and an offence relating to robbery.

Officer injured while stopping alleged theft

Police at Plap Phla Chai 2 station were alerted to an alleged theft at a convenience store on Phadung Dao Road. Lieutenant Prasarn Somkhanay, deputy traffic inspector at Phra Ratchawang police station, was patrolling the area by motorcycle when he came across the reported crime.

He was the first officer to intervene after members of the public had alerted authorities and attempted to follow the suspect.



During the intervention, police said the foreign man used a yellow box cutter to slash Lt Prasarn in the neck, as he approached on his motorcycle, causing a deep wound. The suspect then ran towards Suea Pa Plaza.

Members of the public and officers assisted Lt Prasarn before he was taken to Klang Hospital. He remains under treatment but is now in a safe condition, police said.

Suspect found near Suan Mali junction.

Metropolitan Police Division 6, under the direction of Major General Chaikrit Pho-a, brought together detectives, patrol officers and traffic police to trace the escape route.



Investigators from Plap Phla Chai 1 police station questioned people in the area and received information that the suspect had been seen walking towards the Suan Mali junction.

Police searched the surrounding area and found him hiding at a temporary shelter beside the road. Officers from Plap Phla Chai 1 and Chakkrawat police stations took him into custody and seized a yellow box cutter believed to have been used in the attack.

Lopez was taken to Plap Phla Chai 1 police station for questioning. Police said his initial responses were confused and he was not fully cooperative, leading officers to assess that he might be intoxicated. Tourist Police interpreters were called to help communicate with him.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Drug result awaits medical confirmation

A preliminary urine test found methamphetamine in his system, police said. Officers took Lopez to Police General Hospital for a medical examination, blood testing and confirmation by doctors before deciding whether to add drug-related charges.

Police are also checking his background, immigration status and evidence from the scene, including witness accounts and CCTV footage.

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22 August 2026
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Hat Yai student apologises over school shooting threat

A 14-year-old former student has apologised after posting online threats to carry out a shooting at a school in Hat Yai district of Songkhla province. Police questioned the boy and his parents and seized an item later identified as a replica gun.

The Matthayom 2 pupil had already been expelled from the school when he posted photographs showing himself holding what appeared to be a firearm. The posts included threats against the school, its teachers and a teacher identified as Ubol.

"I’m going to carry out a shooting at T.3, especially Kru Ubol. I’ll shoot every one of them," one post said. Another read: "See you at Tor Shor Tor 3. School shooting. I’ll shoot everyone at the school."

Teachers and pupils reported the messages to police on Friday 21 August 2026, amid fears that the post could be a copycat threat following the recent shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School.

Police trace boy and seize replica gun

Hat Yai police chief Pol Lt Col Macha Kaewthong ordered investigators to find the teenager. Officers then brought the boy and his parents in for questioning.

Police seized the object shown in the online photographs and later established that it was a replica gun.

The teenager told officers he had written the posts impulsively and had never intended to carry out an attack. He denied holding a grudge against Ubol, his former homeroom teacher.

He said he had named her only after someone commenting on his post asked him to identify a teacher. The boy apologised to Ubol for causing her fear.

Ubol said she was shocked to find her name in the post. She said the student had failed several subjects while in Matthayom 2, and that she had contacted him to attend remedial classes and examinations in an effort to allow him to progress to Matthayom 3.

"It is normal for teachers to ask students to sit remedial exams so they can move on to the next level," she said.

Ubol said the boy may have considered her actions too strict. Because of the threat to shoot everyone at the school, she chose to lodge a police complaint as a precaution.

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22 August 2026
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Cambodian trafficking suspect held in Sattahip

Thai immigration police have arrested a 41-year-old Cambodian man at Sattahip fishing pier in Chon Buri after locating him through an Interpol Red Notice linked to human trafficking and sexual exploitation allegations.

Rin Ran was detained at the Sattahip fish market pavilion in Moo 1, Sattahip district, at 1pm on 21 August 2026. Police said he had been working on a fishing boat in the area after allegedly fleeing to Thailand.

The operation was ordered by Chon Buri Immigration chief Pol Col Naphatphong Khositsuriyamanee and his deputy, Pol Lt Col Kawinwat Arayasuriwong. Pol Lt Col Kittiphat Hongchuawet and Pol Capt Pramot Fueangfung led the investigation and arrest team.

Interpol alert led police to Sattahip

Thailand's Foreign Affairs Division had been contacted by Interpol about a Cambodian suspect wanted in a trafficking case who was believed to be hiding in Sattahip.

Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak and Immigration Division 3 commander Pol Maj Gen Songprod Suriyasu then instructed Chon Buri immigration officers to trace him.


Picture courtesy of แจ็ค โพธิ์แดง

Investigators later found that Rin Ran was employed aboard a fishing vessel near Sattahip pier. Officers surrounded the area and took him into custody.

Workers promised 12,000 baht a month

According to the arrest warrant, Rin Ran and alleged accomplices recruited numerous victims in Cambodia between 2018 and 2019. They were offered fishing-boat work at Prachuap Khiri Khan port in Thailand, with a promised monthly wage of 12,000 baht.

The victims were allegedly brought into Thailand and handed to accomplices in the destination country. Their passports were reportedly seized, their freedom restricted, and they were threatened, assaulted and forced to work on fishing boats.

Some workers later escaped when vessels docked, but were arrested by Thai police. They were subsequently released and returned to Cambodia, where the alleged victims later joined together to file complaints.

The case led to the warrant for Rin Ran, who faces charges carrying a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Visa cancellation and return to Cambodia planned

Chon Buri Immigration Police said they are preparing to revoke the suspect's visa before sending him back to Cambodia for legal proceedings.

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22 August 2026
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Five held over unlicensed dental and medical work

Five people accused of providing dental or medical services without licences have been arrested in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan, police said. More than 1,058 items of dental and medical equipment, materials and unregistered medicines worth over 330,000 baht were seized.

The Central Investigation Bureau's Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), Samut Sakhon public health officials and other agencies searched five premises on August 20.

Four suspects were arrested over alleged unlicensed dental work, while a fifth was accused of practising medicine without a licence. All were transferred to CPPD investigators for further legal proceedings, with the four dental suspects admitting the charges, according to police.



Home and roadside dental services

Police said some of the services were being offered from adapted homes and roadside premises, including dentures, retainers and fashion braces.

In Krathum Baen district of Samut Sakhon, officers found a 30-year-old woman allegedly fitting fashion braces for a customer using a mouth retractor and dental etching solution.

She reportedly told officers that she had taught herself procedures through YouTube, practised on her own teeth and then promoted the service on social media. Police said she earned more than 15,000 baht a month.



Nearby, a 61-year-old man was found who had worked in a dental laboratory around 30 years ago. He was accused of using that experience to take dental impressions and make dentures at home for local people and healthcare facilities, reportedly earning 40,000 to 50,000 baht monthly.

A 44-year-old woman, formerly a dental technician at a private company, was also accused of taking impressions and making retainers from her home. Police said she charged almost 10,000 baht per course.

In Bangkok's Bang Khen district, officers arrested a 56-year-old woman while she was allegedly making and repairing dentures for a customer at a roadside dental shop. More than 500 resin dentures and dental equipment were seized.



She said she had previously worked in a dental laboratory and had run the roadside business for more than five years, serving about four to five customers a day.

Vitamin drip case in Bang Phli

The fifth arrest was at a beauty clinic in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan. Police said a 26-year-old woman was administering an intravenous vitamin drip without a doctor supervising the clinic.

Although she holds a bachelor's degree in nursing, police accused her of practising medicine without a licence. Vitamin drip equipment and unregistered medicines were also seized.


Pictures courtesy of CIB

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22 August 2026
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Anutin rejects claims Japanese firms are leaving Thailand

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has rejected reports that Japanese manufacturers are shifting production out of Thailand, saying his government will support long-established investors and the country's conventional automotive industry.

Speaking in Wellington, New Zealand, on 21 August, Anutin said Japan remained especially important to Thailand after using the country as a major manufacturing base for decades. Japanese businesses are deeply embedded in Thailand's industrial sector, he said.

The government values investors from every country and is ready to adjust business conditions and remove barriers to maintain Japanese confidence, according to Anutin.

"The government's core policy is to remain open and improve various conditions to make business operations more flexible under our good relationship, so that we can achieve sustainable growth and long-term economic cooperation and maintain Japan's strong production base in Thailand," he said.

Thailand's established car industry

Anutin said the automotive sector was particularly significant because Japanese brands manufacture most vehicle components in Thailand, including engines, bodies, chassis and other systems.

"This is something we cannot abandon, and we must ensure that investors do not abandon Thailand either," he said.

He added that Japanese companies had operated in Thailand for so long that the countries' automotive production systems had become closely intertwined.

"We are ready to ease obstacles to reassure them that we have not abandoned them. It cannot be a situation where we give them everything when we need them, but once they are doing well, we later add more conditions," Anutin said.

EV measures to be reviewed

The prime minister said he had instructed Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to review measures applying to investors from different countries.

The aim is to ensure Japan's automotive industry is not disadvantaged as Japanese firms move into Thailand's electric vehicle sector, while maintaining fair competition and confidence among carmakers of different nationalities.

Anutin acknowledged that EV manufacturers initially import many parts. However, he said local supply chains for batteries, computer systems and other components were expected to emerge as production requirements encouraged companies to establish operations in Thailand.

Anutin also said political and economic stability would remain central to attracting and retaining investment.

Investment figures cited

He pointed to foreign investment figures as evidence that confidence had not weakened. Foreign investment exceeded 1 trillion baht last year, he said, while actual foreign investment had reached about 530 billion baht in the first half of 2026.

"Since this government took office, foreign investment in Thailand has increased," Anutin said, adding there was no indication that production bases were leaving or that investment was slowing because Thailand was unprepared.

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22 August 2026
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Bangkok student hurt in knife attack over pay dispute

A university student suffered a facial wound after she was allegedly attacked with a Stanley knife by a classmate at a Bangkok dormitory on August 18, following a dispute over unpaid commission from a part-time job.

The victim has filed a complaint at Nong Chok Police Station and sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive. She said she feared the fellow student could attack again, after allegedly threatening to throw acid at her.

Dispute began over Facebook job commission

According to the victim, the accused was a student in the same faculty who had asked her to work as an administrator for her business's Facebook page, replying to customer messages.



They reportedly agreed to a daily wage of 1,500 baht, with additional commission if the required target was met. After six days, the victim decided that the work was unsuitable and messaged her classmate to resign, while also raising the issue of commission she said had not been paid.

The pair arranged to meet and settle the disagreement, but an argument followed when they could not reach a resolution.

Footage shared by the victim shows the two students facing each other outside her room. The suspect, dressed in pink pyjamas, was holding the Stanley knife throughout the confrontation, according to the report.

The victim said her classmate suddenly cut her face, leaving a long wound running from her eye to her mouth. Images of the injury were also provided to Saimai Survive.

Alleged acid threat raises safety fears

Before leaving, the alleged attacker demanded that the victim return any commission she had previously received, the victim said. She also alleged that the student threatened an acid attack.


Pictures courtesy of Workpoint News

Police reportedly told the victim they could not take further action until medical examination results were available. Worried by the alleged threat, she returned to her home province before approaching Saimai Survive for support.

After the case became public, the superintendent of Nong Chok Police Station said investigators were tracking down the alleged attacker. Police also invited university representatives to give statements, as the investigation continues.

The superintendent said the offence could carry a more serious penalty if the medical examination concludes that the victim suffered facial disfigurement.

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22 August 2026
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UK woman convicted over Thailand cannabis smuggling

A mother from Worcestershire has been convicted for her part in an operation that attempted to bring 460kg of cannabis from Thailand into Britain in 22 suitcases.

Paige Crisp, 24, of Malvern, was among a group stopped by Border Force at Birmingham Airport on August 9, 2024, after travelling from Thailand via France. The cannabis, a Class B drug in the UK, was valued at GBP13.8 million.

Suitcases carried 20kg each

The group had flown from Birmingham to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris before continuing to Thailand. National Crime Agency officers became suspicious after four members travelled from Birmingham with two large suitcases each.



On the return journey, each gang member had two large cases, each containing over 20kg of cannabis. The luggage was so heavy that the group paid excess baggage charges at Bangkok Airport to place it in the aircraft hold.

Investigators found a thin layer of clothing placed over vacuum-packed cannabis in the bags. Eight Apple AirTag trackers, all linked to the same Apple ID, were also recovered.

Three due to be sentenced in October

Crisp was convicted on August 19 of attempting to carry, remove, deposit, harbour, keep, conceal and deal with Class B drugs with intent to evade prohibition on importing.


Gideon Olumoyegun with suitcases prior to return flight

She was one of the final three members of the group to be convicted at Birmingham Crown Court. Crisp appeared alongside Tasia Nelson, 22, of Newquay, Cornwall, and Jaden Ramen, 23, of Merton, London. The three are due to be sentenced on October 22.

Carsten Kyei, 21, of Plaistow, London, and Nathan Vitorino, 26, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, were found guilty after a three-week trial on May 26.

Bradley Lloyd, 27, of Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, and Lewis Ross, 35, of Bolton, Lancashire, changed their pleas to guilty during that trial. Claire McCullough, 36, of Wythenshawe; Ryan Boachie, 32, of Edmonton; Gideon Oluwasetemi Olumoyegun, 26, of Dagenham; and Jamal Clarke, 22, of Mile End, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.


Lewis Ross in conversation with Lloyd at Birmingham Airport

Kyei, Vitorino, Boachie, Olumoyegun, Ross, Lloyd and McCullough are to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on September 3.

Agencies warn prospective couriers

NCA senior investigating officer Paul Boniface said the operation involved extensive planning and co-ordination of flights and luggage. He thanked Border Force for stopping the drugs and warned anyone approached to smuggle drugs that they would face justice.

Adam Chatfield, head of Border Force Midlands Command, said the convictions should be a "stark warning" and that those involved now faced serious criminal records affecting job prospects and life chances.


Pictures courtesy of Daily Mall

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22 August 2026
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TikTok launches new anti-scam campaign in Thailand

TikTok has launched the third season of its ThaisAware anti-scam campaign in Thailand, working with 13 government and civil-society organisations to address deepfake, online-shopping and financial fraud.

The campaign comes after people in Thailand lost nearly 9 billion baht to online scam networks in the first six months of 2026, according to the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC). More than 170,000 cases were recorded, with average losses above 52,000 baht per case.

For foreign residents and visitors, the message is equally relevant: transactions moved outside an established platform, especially through unfamiliar payment links, can remove refund and buyer-protection options and make recovery of money far harder.

Three layers of online protection

The 2026 campaign is built around a "three-layer digital shield". The first, "Think before you trust", focuses on AI-driven scams and deepfakes, with support from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) and AOC 1441.

The second layer, "Check before you pay", advises consumers to verify sellers, product details, safety standards, certifications and consumer rights before buying. It also aims to help users spot counterfeit, substandard and illegal goods.

This part is led by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and TCC.

The final layer, "Spot the risk before falling victim", covers investment fraud and fraudulent money-transfer schemes. The Bank of Thailand (BOT), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Cofact lead that work.

Scam tactics are becoming more sophisticated

Chanida Klyphun, TikTok's Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Southeast Asia, said digital literacy was the main foundation for user protection.

"Scammers are constantly evolving. They are using new methods and increasingly systematic and sophisticated schemes. That is why ThaisAware Season 3 was created," she said.

Chanida said TikTok's work with regulators, financial agencies and civil-society groups helps it identify emerging scam terminology and techniques. This information can then be used to respond through technology and human oversight.

She warned that consumers can be tempted by immediate savings, such as a 20% discount offered for taking an online-shopping transaction outside a platform. Once money is sent directly, platform payment, return and refund protections may no longer apply.

TikTok is continuing to promote its "Stop, Think, Decide, Act" principle, urging users to pause before believing content, sharing information or transferring money.

ThaisAware reaches its third year

ThaisAware began in 2024 with eight partners and expanded to 12 in its second year. TikTok said related video views rose from 3.4 billion in the first season to 17 billion in the second, while partner agencies saw a noticeable fall in people becoming victims after viewing educational content.

TISI is the 13th partner for the 2026 campaign, themed "Stay Alert. Stay Ahead of Digital Threats". TikTok aims to reach more than 50 million users in Thailand through educational videos, creator collaborations and a "Safe or Scam" interactive activity using #ThaisAware.

The platform is also highlighting back-end safety systems, automatic privacy settings and screen-time management features for users under 18.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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22 August 2026

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Israeli couple blame Thai lawyer after Koh Samui arrest

An Israeli property developer and his wife, arrested in a Koh Samui investigation into alleged nominee-shareholder arrangements, say a Thai lawyer and accountant were responsible for guiding their business setup.

Gal Bieber, 45, and his wife Roni Bieber were arrested by police from Bo Phut Police Station and Surat Thani Immigration. The Samui Provincial Court had reportedly issued 20 arrest warrants for Israeli nationals linked to the wider investigation.

Roni Bieber denied the accusations in an interview with The Jerusalem Post, saying she and her husband had intended to comply with Thai laws and had followed advice from local professionals.

"We respect Thai law and the authorities. All our actions were accompanied by a Thai lawyer and accountant who told us how to do everything and accompanied us when the companies were opened, and the businesses were established.

"We placed our full trust in them and did as they instructed, but when the law changed, they disappeared and took no responsibility, and because they are Thai, they are free from law enforcement," Roni said.

Police allege nominee ownership structure

Investigators reportedly found that Thai nationals had been named as shareholders in companies in order to conceal foreign ownership of land, property and businesses restricted under Thai law.

According to local reports, Israeli nationals were the largest group of foreigners targeted in the operation.

Police allege that Bieber's network used Thai shareholders in a corporate structure to acquire, develop and rent luxury properties on Koh Samui. Many of those properties were marketed towards Israeli customers.

The investigation further alleges that businesses were operated without the required permissions, including an international school and luxury pool villas.

Authorities are continuing to examine financial transactions and investigate other people allegedly involved in the network. Officials are also working to seize and freeze assets connected to the case.

What the case means for foreign investors

The case is a reminder for foreigners buying property or establishing companies in Thailand that local professional advice does not, by itself, determine whether a business structure complies with Thai law.

Roni Bieber said all shareholders, including the Thai nationals, took part in the business activities. The Jerusalem Post reported that she and Gal Bieber had been released on bail while the investigation continues.

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22 August 2026
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Thailand consults on ride-hailing and delivery rules

Thailand's competition regulator is preparing rules for ride-hailing and on-demand delivery platforms, covering commissions, trading terms, algorithms and safety standards. The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) is accepting public comments until August 31, with requirements expected by the end of September 2026.

Warawan Chitaroon, a TCCT member, chaired the first 2026 meeting of a subcommittee developing competition guidelines and an action plan for the app-based ride-hailing market. It approved in principle a document titled "Standard Service Requirements for the Digital Platform Ecosystem for Ride-Hailing and On-Demand Delivery Services".

The proposed requirements are intended to become a formal industry code of practice. They cover ride-hailing, food delivery and parcel-delivery platforms, extending beyond the food-delivery guidance introduced by the regulator in late 2020.

Complaints and market concentration

Warawan said food delivery grew rapidly after the Covid-19 pandemic, but restaurants and delivery riders have increasingly reported problems in their dealings with platforms.

The TCCT's 2020 guidelines addressed potentially unfair trade practices between food-delivery operators and restaurants. From their taking effect in December 2020 to August 2026, the Office of the Trade Competition Commission received only 17 complaints involving food-delivery platforms.

The regulator expects complaints to increase as the market expands and consumer behaviour changes. Thailand's app-based ride-hailing market was worth about 45 billion baht in 2025 and is forecast to exceed 49 billion baht by 2029, with more than 400,000 drivers now working in the sector.

Several major operators have left Thailand over the past three years, leaving ride-hailing and delivery markets dominated by two large platforms - a duopoly, according to the commission.

Fees, algorithms and service standards

The TCCT has flagged GP commissions, advertising charges and promotional fees as possible competition concerns. The proposed standards would also address exclusive-dealing terms that limit a business's ability to use rival services, and rate-parity conditions requiring the same prices across all sales channels.

Other issues include platform algorithms, including compulsory "batching", where riders collect from two restaurants and deliver to two destinations for lower payment per trip. The regulator also cited job allocation favouring higher-status drivers or riders, GPS calculations that differ from routes actually travelled, and misleading "dark patterns" in app interfaces.

The rules could also cover self-preferencing, where a platform displays or ranks its own products or services ahead of competitors. They would require safety standards for vehicles and drivers, identity checks for service providers, clear service information and retention of computer traffic data for law-enforcement use where needed.

The regulator has also highlighted different cost burdens for legally registered public taxis and private vehicles working through apps. Public taxis face strict legal requirements, while private vehicles may operate under different costs and obligations, potentially creating unequal competition.

Comments can be submitted through www.tcct.or.th or by email to [email protected] until August 31.


Picture courtesy of The Nation

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22 August 2026
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Patong lifeguards rescue tourist ignoring red flags

A foreign tourist was rescued from heavy seas at Patong Beach, Phuket, after ignoring red flags and lifeguards' whistles, saying he was a strong swimmer.

The rescue took place on the evening of 20 August at the popular beach in Kathu district. The tourist was brought safely back to shore after waves and currents swept him out and he was unable to return by himself.

Rescue team battled through rough surf

Lifeguards used a jet ski and a yellow rescue board to reach the tourist in the rough conditions. Red flags were flying along the beach, indicating that swimming was prohibited because of the danger from strong waves and currents.

Despite this, the tourist entered the sea and dismissed the warnings. His confidence quickly turned into trouble when he lost control in the surf and was carried away from the shore.

At the time, many visitors were still walking, taking photographs and relaxing on the beach. Some lifeguards were also clearing the area and packing away equipment after their shift had ended, although red flags remained in place along the beachfront.

For foreign visitors and residents, the incident is a timely reminder that beach warning flags in Thailand are not simply advisory. A red flag means visitors should stay out of the water altogether, regardless of swimming ability or how calm the sea may appear from the shore.

Lifeguards say warnings are ignored daily



Thanphisit Saengrat, known as "Faem", a lifeguard stationed near Bangla Beach, said he has worked on safety at Patong Beach for almost three years and encounters tourists ignoring warnings almost every day.

He said there had already been two similar cases that day. Some visitors did not understand why they could not enter the water when red flags were clearly displayed and lifeguards were repeatedly signalling them to stay out.

"Some people only want to swim and do not pay attention to warnings," he said. "Sometimes tourists who are intoxicated also enter the water, which increases the risk."

Patong Beach is about three kilometres long and has around 10 operational points, each staffed by roughly three or four lifeguards. Thanphisit said there had been two drowning cases in the past month in the Bangla Beach area alone, with another team providing safety cover at night.


Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Strong swimmers can still be caught out

Lifeguards said their most serious calls involve people who are exhausted or have disappeared beneath the water. Teams must take rescue equipment and jet skis out immediately, then bring casualties ashore for CPR if necessary. All staff have basic resuscitation training.

Thanphisit warned visitors not to assume that being a capable swimmer will keep them safe. Alongside surface waves, Patong can experience rip currents that pull people rapidly away from the beach.

"Do not think that because you can swim well, you will survive," he said, urging tourists to treat a red flag as the highest-level warning and not enter the sea.

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Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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22 August 2026
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Queen Suthida trains for Gripen solo flight in Surat Thani

Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana has begun a Gripen fighter flight-training programme at Wing 7 in Surat Thani, with the course expected to move through to a possible solo flight.

The privately undertaken Royal Thai Air Force programme started on Thursday, August 20, and is scheduled to continue until September 4. Reports said that, if completed successfully, it could make Queen Suthida the first reigning queen to fly a fighter aircraft.

Flight instructors and aviation specialists are supervising the training and guiding Her Majesty through the Air Force's standard stages.

Training at Thailand's Gripen base

Wing 7 is the principal operating base for Thailand's Gripen 39 C/D fleet. Before beginning the fighter programme, Queen Suthida made several private visits to the Surat Thani base, studying the aircraft's technical systems and speaking with operational pilots.

Her preparation also included training on the L-39 advanced jet trainer at the Royal Thai Air Force Flying Training School in Kamphaeng Saen district, Nakhon Pathom. She also completed several simulator sessions, including recent training at the Royal Thai Air Force facility in Don Mueang.

The Air Force marked 15 years since the Gripen 39 C/D fighters and Saab 340 airborne early-warning aircraft entered Thai service at Wing 7 in July 2026.

Aviation qualifications span military and civilian flying

Queen Suthida has extensive military and civilian aviation experience, having completed aviation courses with both the Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Army before undertaking further training in Germany.

She completed the Royal Thai Air Force Civilian Aviation Course on December 8, 2010, flying a Cessna T-41. On January 16, 2011, she completed the Army Fixed-Wing Aviation Cadet Course at the Army Aviation School, also using a Cessna T-41.

On December 6, 2012, Her Majesty completed an aviation course at the Royal Thai Air Force Flying Training School, flying CT-4E and PC-9 aircraft.

Her subsequent German training included a Private Pilot Licence covering the Cessna 172, Mooney M-20 and Piper PA-34 Seneca. She also gained a Commercial Pilot Licence with a Boeing 737 type rating and Airline Transport Pilot Licence theory qualification.

Queen Suthida later obtained an Airline Transport Pilot Licence from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and has served as co-pilot aboard royal Boeing 737-400 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The Gripen programme marks a further move from civilian, military-training and commercial aircraft towards an operational fighter platform.


Picture courtesy of The Nation


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22 August 2026
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Pattaya firms raided in foreign nominee probe

Thai authorities have searched three locations in Pattaya and Bang Lamung as part of an investigation into suspected Thai nominee arrangements used to hold land and run businesses for foreigners.

The operation on 21 August was led by Deputy Interior Minister Waris Leangprasert and Justice Minister Police Lieutenant General Rutthaphon Naowarat. It involved the Department of Provincial Administration's (DÒPA) special operations unit, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and police.

Search warrants were issued by the Criminal Court under the Foreign Business Act 1999. The investigation centres on suspected use of Thai nationals as proxy shareholders in companies said to be ultimately controlled by foreigners.

The authorities said the inquiry followed earlier checks on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani, and Phuket.

Three Pattaya targets searched

Investigators searched the KT International Law and Business office, in Soi Post Office, Pattaya Beach Soi 13, in Pattaya, which they suspect handled the registration of Cozy Beach View Co Ltd.



Officials alleged that staff from the law office had been named as shareholders on behalf of the company's real foreign owners. Documents and other evidence were seized for further examination.

The second target was Shilat Avenue Pattaya hotel, off Soi Buakhao, another legal entity which used the same law office for company registration. Investigators said employees of the office were named among the company's founders.

A deeper check reportedly found changes to the shareholder list linked to Lotus Paradise Development Co Ltd. Authorities also identified a shareholder with work history in the aluminium sales business in Samut Sakhon, which they said pointed to a complex nominee network involving several legal entities.

The third target was Cozy Beach View Co Ltd in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung. Authorities said an Israeli investor was a company director and that its shareholder structure appeared to have used Thai nationals as nominees since 2010.

Officials said there were significant director and shareholder links between Cozy Beach View and Lotus Paradise Development. The companies were said to have combined assets worth several hundred million baht.

What foreign investors should know

The raid is a reminder that foreign nationals cannot simply use Thai friends, employees or service providers to bypass restrictions on land ownership or business activities reserved for Thais.

Thailand's Foreign Business Act regulates foreign participation in a range of businesses. Using Thai nominees to conceal foreign control can expose all involved parties - including foreign investors, Thai shareholders and advisers - to investigation.

Authorities said the searches were conducted under court warrants to secure business documents and electronic communications. Computer equipment and documents were seized and frozen for forensic examination.

Waris said the Interior Ministry would work closely with the DSI to identify everyone involved and would enforce the law strictly. The officials stressed that the investigation remains focused on gathering evidence to establish relationships and conduct within the suspected network.


Pictures courtesy of Matichon

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22 August 2026
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Thai Airways TG921 declares emergency after fault

A Thai Airways flight from Frankfurt to Bangkok returned safely to Frankfurt Airport on Friday, August 21, after declaring an emergency shortly after take-off.

Flight TG921, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER registered HS-TKK, had left Frankfurt at 14:45 local time for Suvarnabhumi Airport when the crew encountered a hydraulic problem involving the left main landing gear.

Hydraulic problem after departure

The left main gear did not retract after the aircraft became airborne, prompting the pilots to stop their climb at 13,000 feet and declare an emergency with air traffic control.

As the aircraft had been fully fuelled for the long-haul service to Bangkok, the crew remained near Frankfurt to reduce its landing weight. The Boeing 777 spent about 25 minutes in a holding pattern while fuel was jettisoned.

It then made a safe landing on Frankfurt's runway 25C, around one hour and 20 minutes after departure. Emergency services were positioned at the airport as a precaution.

The aircraft taxied under its own power to a remote stand, where passengers disembarked safely. No injuries among passengers or crew were reported.


Picture courtesy of One and More Aviation

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22 August 2026
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US mother arrested in Bangkok, son reunited with father

An American woman wanted in an US parental kidnapping case has been arrested in Bangkok after allegedly hiding with her eight-year-old son for nearly two years.

The 45-year-old, identified only as Linda, was detained at accommodation in Bangkok's Prawet district on August 19. Thai immigration officers found the boy with her and said he was safe.

Arrest followed Oregon custody case

The case began in early 2025 after Linda separated from her former husband, Hassan Mamoud. A US court in Oregon awarded Mamoud custody of their son, citing concerns over Linda's reported alcohol dependence and mental health issues.

Linda later allegedly took the child away from his father. Mamoud reported his son missing to police, hired a private investigator and launched a website aimed at finding him.


Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid

He spent more than a year searching, as the case attracted widespread attention in the United States.

FBI officials later received information indicating that Linda was in Thailand. The agency worked with Thai immigration authorities, who revoked her permission to remain in the country before locating her in Prawet.

Child reunited with his father

Immigration officers went to the accommodation and arrested Linda. Officials contacted relevant agencies to arrange protection and welfare services for the child before he was reunited with Mamoud.

Thai authorities have not released further details about how long Linda and her son had been in Thailand, or the arrangements that led to their stay in Bangkok. Legal proceedings are still ongoing.

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22 August 2026
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Thailand and New Zealand sign first cultural pact

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received a traditional Maori welcome in Auckland on 21 August 2026, before Thailand and New Zealand exchanged their first agreement on cultural cooperation.

The official visit, accompanied by his wife, comes as the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations and seek to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership. It is the first official visit to New Zealand by a Thai prime minister in 13 years.

Maori welcome at Government House

At 10am local time at New Zealand's Government House in Auckland, five hours ahead of Thailand, Anutin and his wife were greeted by the resident Maori elder, or Kaumatua, and senior Maori woman, or Kuia. They exchanged the customary hongi, touching noses.

The Prime Minister then took part in the Wero, a Maori ritual in which a warrior places a carved object on the ground for a visitor to pick up, signalling peaceful intentions. This was followed by the Karanga ceremonial call of welcome and a Haka performance.



New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his wife then received the Thai delegation. The military band played the Thai and New Zealand national anthems, after which Anutin inspected the guard of honour.

Inside Government House, Anutin signed the visitors' book before the two leaders and their spouses took photographs and exchanged commemorative gifts.

At 10.30am, Anutin and Luxon held a small-group discussion on the future direction of bilateral relations following the move towards a Strategic Partnership. They also discussed their countries' role in supporting regional peace, stability and prosperity, as well as economic strength and people-to-people links. A full delegation meeting was scheduled at 11am.

Five-year agreement for arts and heritage

The cultural cooperation agreement was exchanged in the presence of both prime ministers during Anutin's official visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Thai Culture Minister Sabida Thaised represented Thailand, while New Zealand Trade and Investment, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay, also an associate foreign affairs minister, represented New Zealand Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith.


Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

Sabida said it was the first cultural agreement between the two countries. The five-year framework originated from a Thai initiative in 2021, and Thailand's Cabinet approved the draft on 18 August 2026.

It covers visual and performing arts, fine and applied arts, crafts, museums, archaeology, architecture, cultural heritage, anthropology, ethnology, film and video, history, literature, and cultural and creative industries. It also permits other areas of cooperation agreed by both sides.

Relevant agencies will now develop an action plan, including exchanges of personnel and knowledge, cultural projects, museum and heritage work, and support for film and creative industries.

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