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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.

Phuket Governor: Two Chabad sites under scrutiny

Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsom says there are two Chabad sites in the province, both under close monitoring as authorities examine business structures linked to Israelis and other foreigners.

The governor said the investigation is part of a wider government review of possible nominee arrangements and business activity that may breach Thai law. He stressed that the scrutiny is not limited to Israeli nationals and will not affect ordinary tourists visiting Phuket.

Chabad is a Jewish religious and community organisation. The issue drew official attention after reports that the owner of premises used by Chabad Phuket held a Thai national ID card and was linked to more than 100 companies operating across several provinces.

Two Chabad locations in Phuket

According to the governor, Phuket has two locations connected with Chabad: Chabad Patong, on Rat Uthit 200 Pi Road in Patong, Kathu district, and another site in Rawai, Muang Phuket district.

Both locations serve as gathering places and venues for religious activities within the Jewish community.



Provincial administrative officers and Kathu district officials have been monitoring the behaviour and business activities of Israelis in the area, he said. Police and administrative authorities are checking for conduct that could breach the law or affect state security.

The work extends beyond Phuket, with information being shared with agencies in areas where other Chabad branches operate. The governor said authorities are examining foreign nationals of all groups where business ownership structures or suspected nominee use raise questions.

Visitors told tourism will not be affected

Phuket already holds data on all nationalities, including Israelis entering and staying in the province, the governor said. Officials and police will investigate strongly if they find unlawful activity or behaviour that could disturb public order.

The province has passed information from its deeper investigation to central agencies after finding links to companies operating in five provinces. Phuket is ready to provide further support from its central databases, he added.

Citizenship records and company links examined

An unnamed source said investigators were also reviewing Thai ID cards and citizenship held by people connected with Chabad. The source said a Ministry of Interior announcement dated 21 November 2017 granted Thai nationality to 46 foreign nationals, including Chinese, British, American and Israeli citizens.

The records reportedly included an Israeli-American family of six people who received Thai nationality together, with Bangkok listed as their domicile.

The source also said at least two people granted Thai nationality had significant roles in managing or supporting religious activities for Thailand's Jewish community, which has religious venues in Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Pai and Chiang Mai.

One person granted Thai nationality in 2017 is now listed as a director and shareholder in 34 companies, according to the source. Investigators need to establish whether Thai shareholders genuinely invested in and controlled the businesses, or whether Thai status was used to bypass restrictions on foreign business operations.


Pictures courtesy of Manager Online

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15 August 2026
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Mukdahan man dies after ER wait

Mukdahan Hospital has acknowledged that a 65-year-old emergency patient was only reassessed about two hours after his previous check, despite its guideline requiring checks every 30 minutes.

Cham died hours after arriving at the hospital on August 12 with severe abdominal pain. A delayed CT scan found an aneurysm and dissection of his abdominal aorta, a critical condition requiring immediate treatment.

His wife, Ohn Si, 54, and daughter Thanyarat, 28, have asked the hospital to explain the delay. They stated they do not intend to take legal action, but want the case reviewed to prevent another family suffering a similar loss.

Family says Cham waited in severe pain

Ohn Si took Cham to Mukdahan Hospital's emergency department at about 7pm.

During the initial assessment, Cham told a nurse he could feel an unusually hard lump in his abdomen. A doctor asked about his symptoms, carried out a preliminary ultrasound and said he would receive a painkilling injection before going home.

The family said Cham waited for about two hours, but never received the injection or a CT scan. His pain did not ease.

At about 10pm, Thanyarat approached the emergency counter, saying her father could no longer cope and that she feared he was going into shock. Soon afterwards, he developed muscle rigidity, vomited, became pale and sweated heavily before losing consciousness.



Staff moved him to a resuscitation room, supplied oxygen and checked his vital signs. Relatives said his blood pressure was extremely high.

CT scan came after his collapse

The medical team arranged an urgent CT scan after Cham's condition deteriorated. Doctors told the family they had found a blood-vessel abnormality in his abdomen and that he required surgery immediately.

After the family signed consent forms, staff intubated him and contacted a vascular specialist. His pulse weakened, his heart stopped and resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

Hospital director offered condolences and said Cham had been classified as a level 2, emergency patient. This is the second-highest urgency category, below level 1 red cases, and both require reassessment every 30 minutes.

At the time, two red-level patients also arrived: one with a severe cobra bite requiring intubation and another in cardiac arrest caused by sepsis. The hospital said these cases required treatment first, but accepted they did not excuse the missed reassessment timeframe.

The deputy director for medical affairs said the hospital would review the case, focusing on continuous monitoring, patient safety and survival chances. He said shortcomings would be used to improve guidelines and prevent a repeat.


Pictures courtesy of Khoasod

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15 August 2026
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Thailand Cuts Chinese Tourist Goal Amid Safety Concerns

Thailand is expected to receive fewer Chinese tourists in 2026 after the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) cut its annual target from 9 million arrivals to 7 million.

The revision comes as China Trading Desk, a travel data firm, lowered its forecast for Chinese outbound travel, saying a weak domestic economy is making travellers more selective about overseas holidays.

It now expects about 179 million outbound trips by Chinese travellers this year, with destination spending of around US$258 billion. Both forecasts are almost 3% below its June estimate, although they would still set records and remain above pre-pandemic levels.

Fewer trips, but spending remains steady

Subramania Bhatt, head of China Trading Desk, said Chinese travellers had not lost their appetite for travel but were weighing up more carefully when to go and whether a trip represented good value.

China's prolonged property crisis remains the main economic pressure on households. Conflict in the Middle East has also disrupted long-haul air routes, encouraging some travellers to choose destinations closer to home.

Hong Kong and Macau now account for nearly 40% of the Chinese outbound market. Hong Kong expects about 41 million trips from mainland China this year, although average visitor spending is only around US$310 each.

Thailand faces confidence concerns

Thailand's challenge is not simply the wider slowdown. ATTA cited safety concerns, including reported ransom cases, disappearances and scam-linked crime, as the main reason for reducing its Chinese arrivals target.

It also pointed to higher travel costs and negative coverage on Chinese social media. Heavy reporting of scam networks and safety incidents has damaged confidence among potential visitors, according to the report.

Japan, traditionally a major Chinese destination, has been affected by a diplomatic dispute over Taiwan. Chinese airlines have reduced flights, while arrivals from China are forecast to more than halve this year to 4.1 million.

South Korea is expected to benefit, attracting about 7 million Chinese visitors worth nearly US$13 billion, or roughly US$1,815 per traveller. France, meanwhile, expects only 2.2 million Chinese trips but average spending of US$7,622 per visitor.



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15 August 2026
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Seven youths held over Japanese tourist robbery in Bangkok

Bangkok police have detained seven youths aged between 13 and 17 over the assault and robbery of a Japanese tourist near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station.

The arrests were made at 7.20pm on 13 August, after the attack in scrubland near the station shortly after midnight on 12 August. All seven were found in rooms at flats beside Din Daeng Police Station, in Din Daeng district.

Police Colonel Sakya Saengwan, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, oversaw the operation with Police Lieutenant Colonel Chaturong Tidnon, an investigator at Makkasan Police Station, and Din Daeng investigators.

Tourist reportedly took a wrong route

The Japanese visitor had been looking for the way up to Makkasan Airport Rail Link station but reportedly went in the wrong direction and entered a public park.

As he left the area, he encountered a group of teenagers arriving on motorcycles from the entrance to Asok-Din Daeng Soi 30.

The group allegedly approached him and demanded money, saying: "Money, money." The tourist replied that he had none.



According to the initial account, the attackers then restrained him. He said he was struck three times on the back of the head with a fist-sized stone and punched once in the mouth.

The tourist ran from the scene towards the entrance of Asok-Din Daeng Soi 30. His backpack remained with him as he escaped.

Suspects deny using a weapon

During initial questioning, the seven youths gave matching accounts claiming that they used only their fists and did not use weapons. Some were carrying knives, they said, but claimed they had not taken them out or used them.

They admitted taking 1,400 baht, which was divided equally at 200 baht each and has since been spent, police said.

The group also claimed they had often asked other people for money in this way previously, usually without trouble. They said the Japanese tourist refused to hand over money, leading to the assault.

Police planned to bring a multidisciplinary team in to question the youths further, before deciding on charges and further legal action.

For foreign visitors and residents, the case is a reminder to take extra care when navigating unfamiliar areas around major transport links, particularly after dark. Makkasan is an important interchange for travellers using the Airport Rail Link, but visitors who lose their way should seek help from station staff, security personnel or a clearly marked public location rather than walking through isolated parkland or vacant areas.


Pictures courtesy of Matichon

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15 August 2026
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Phuket police arrest two Emiratis after checkpoint chase

Two Emirati men were arrested in Phuket on 13 August 2026 after allegedly fleeing a traffic checkpoint in Kathu, kicking a pursuing police officer's motorcycle and leading police on a chase through local roads.

Police said the pair were eventually cornered after entering a dead-end road within The Valley housing estate, where they abandoned their motorcycle and fled on foot. Officers later found them walking near the estate entrance.

The incident began at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road, where Kathu Police Station officers were conducting traffic checks under the direction of station chief Pol Col Chalermchai Hoensawat.

Motorcycle allegedly failed to stop

Sgt. Maj. Siwayot Yodrabam, a Kathu traffic officer, saw a Honda ADV motorcycle travelling from Patong towards the Si Kor intersection. Two foreign men were on the bike, one riding and one as a passenger.



The officer signalled for the rider to stop for a driving licence inspection. Police said the rider instead accelerated through the checkpoint.

Sgt. Maj. Siwayot followed the motorcycle through the Si Kor intersection towards Phra Phuket Kaew Road. Near Kathu Municipality, he again instructed the rider to stop.

Police alleged that the passenger then kicked the officer's motorcycle with his left foot, causing the officer to lose control, while the two men continued to flee.

Officer injured during pursuit

Officers later saw the motorcycle outside a duty-free shop on Phra Phuket Kaew Road. The suspects allegedly rode against traffic into a lane leading towards The Valley housing estate.

During the pursuit, police said the motorcycle cut across Sgt. Maj. Siwayot's path, causing his motorcycle to crash. He sustained bodily injuries and his clothing, glasses and motorcycle were damaged.


Pictures courtesy of Khoasod

Despite being injured, the officer continued following the pair until the road ended inside the estate. Their motorcycle was found abandoned there, but the two men had left on foot.

Police searched the area and detained two men walking near the housing estate entrance.

Suspects handed to investigators

The men were identified as Sohail, 21, an Emirati national alleged to have been riding the motorcycle, and Hamad, 20, also an Emirati national, who police said was the passenger.

Police said both were informed of the allegations and their legal rights before being taken, with the seized evidence, to Kathu Police Station. They were later handed to investigators for further legal proceedings.

2424079201031473589.mp4
Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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15 August 2026
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Thailand gun-control gaps exposed after Nonthaburi shootings

Thailand's firearms controls have again come under scrutiny after two shootings in Nonthaburi this month exposed gaps involving illegal online sales, household access to registered guns and weapons bought through state welfare schemes.

The debate follows the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on August 7, 2026, and the shooting of the chairman of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation three days later. Since 2020, Thailand has recorded at least 13 serious firearm incidents.

Small Arms Survey estimates that civilians in Thailand hold about 10.34 million guns: roughly 6.22 million registered weapons and more than four million unregistered firearms.

Online sales and modified blank guns

Unregistered guns are difficult to trace because there is no official record connecting a weapon to an owner or documenting later transfers.

Authorities are also concerned about blank-firing or imitation guns, commonly called blank guns, which are intended to fire blank ammunition but can sometimes be altered to fire live rounds.

That issue drew particular attention after the 2023 Siam Paragon shooting, when a 14-year-old used what police identified as a modified blank gun. Investigators examined the weapon's online purchase trail and arrested suspects allegedly linked to the sale of firearms and ammunition.

Following that case, the Interior Ministry announced action against illegal online gun sales and tighter restrictions on imitation weapons. The market now extends beyond face-to-face transactions to online sales, modification and onward distribution.

Registered weapons and household access

The Nonthaburi school shooting focused attention on weapons that are legally registered. Police said the handgun used by the 14-year-old was registered to his grandfather, but the boy was able to take the gun and ammunition from the family home.

With more than 6.2 million registered firearms, the issue is not only who receives a licence but how owners are monitored afterwards and whether guns and ammunition are safely stored.

The government had already tightened controls earlier in 2026 through closer scrutiny of purchase applications and continued monitoring of licence holders. After the school shooting, calls have grown for stronger storage checks, reviews of existing owners and measures preventing young people from accessing adults' firearms.

Welfare guns can be transferred after five years

A third concern is firearms sold at below-market prices under welfare programmes for civil servants and certain state officials, intended for personal and property protection and work-related duties.

Research by Assoc Prof Sumet Jarnpradub and colleagues, published in the Ramkhamhaeng Law Journal in 2025, identified legal issues involving such guns, ownership limits and the modification of imitation firearms. It cited cases where welfare guns were transferred or pawned contrary to the programme's original purpose.

The Kamnan Nok case was cited as an example, with a firearm found during the investigation identified as having originally been acquired through a welfare programme.

Interior Ministry letter No. MOI 0307.4/W1479 allows a welfare firearm to be transferred into another person's name after five years, while inheritance is treated separately.

Researchers said the provision allows guns initially supplied through a civil-service welfare scheme to enter general civilian ownership. They also raised the lack of a sufficiently clear cap on how many welfare firearms an individual official may buy.


Picture courtesy of The Nation


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15 August 2026
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American vlogger leaves Thailand after years for Vietnam

American vlogger Philip Beere, who has been based in Thailand since 2019, says he is considering Ho Chi Minh City as a new base after becoming concerned about changes he has seen during his six years in the country.

Beere, whose The Borderless Office YouTube channel has 74,100 subscribers, posted a video filmed in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2, 2026. The video has attracted more than 45,000 views.

A different energy in Ho Chi Minh City

Giving his first impressions of Vietnam's largest city, Beere said there was "more optimism in the air", along with "a lot more youthful energy" and "a lot more hustle energy".

He said Vietnam was growing at around 8%, compared with Thailand's 2%, and predicted that "very soon the Vietnam economy overtakes Thailand's". He also said he had noticed "a lot of new corporations moving here".

The economic data broadly reflects the gap he identified. Vietnam's economy grew by 8.02% in 2025, while the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development puts Thailand's 2025 growth at 2.4%.

For 2026, the OECD projects growth of 6.5% for Vietnam and 1.7% for Thailand. Nikkei Asia has reported that Vietnam could overtake Thailand in nominal GDP as early as 2026 or 2027, supported by state-led infrastructure projects and a planned 26% rise in public investment.

Thailand remains significantly wealthier on a per-person basis, with income per head of $7,980 compared with Vietnam's $4,740.

Concerns about Thailand's direction

Beere has praised Thailand in many earlier videos and said he still loves its people and culture. He cited the ease of living, safety and politeness as major reasons foreigners are drawn to the country.

However, he said tourism was increasingly consuming Thailand, warning that Phuket "might be the warning for the rest of Thailand". In his view, the country is drawing more people "seeking low costs, permissiveness, or escape, but not necessarily cultural engagement".

He also said Thailand's heat, air quality and worsening floods had made him less inclined to explore more of the country.

Visa options remain very different

Thailand's tax rules may also be part of the wider calculation for some long-term residents. Since 2024, Thailand has taxed all income remitted by anyone staying 180 days or more. A Thai Examiner survey reported that 55% of respondents had considered leaving because of the change.

Vietnam, meanwhile, has no retirement visa and its e-visa is limited to a maximum of 90 days. Temporary residence cards, valid from two years, are available to foreign workers, family members of Vietnamese citizens, students and investors.

Beere said he will spend a few weeks in Vietnam and plans to make comparison videos between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok.


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15 August 2026
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Chinese man held in Bangkok over crystal meth

Thai crime suppression police have arrested a 43-year-old Chinese national at a condominium in Bangkok's Huai Khwang district, alleging he sold crystal methamphetamine to fellow Chinese tourists.

Police said they seized 15 bags containing more than 80 grams of crystal meth, commonly known as ice, along with weighing scales, mobile phones and other items. In total, officers listed 20 items as evidence.

The arrest was announced on 14 August under the direction of Pol Maj Gen Phatthanasak Bupphasuwan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division.

Police allege tour co-ordinator sold drugs

The suspect, identified only as Fu, was charged with possessing a Category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine or ice, with intent to sell for commercial purposes. He was also charged with remaining in Thailand after his permission to stay had expired.

According to police, the investigation began after Chinese tourists in Bangkok provided information that some visitors were obtaining and selling drugs within Chinese tourist groups.

Officers said their enquiries identified Fu as a suspected seller of ice to Chinese tourists in Bangkok. After learning that his permitted stay in Thailand had ended, police obtained approval from the Criminal Court to search his room.

Fu reportedly told investigators that he had been in Thailand for about one year, working as a co-ordinator for Chinese tour groups. He allegedly used his contact with Chinese visitors as an opportunity to sell drugs to those seeking them.

Drug supply allegedly bought for 200,000 baht

Police said Fu admitted that the seized drugs had been bought from a Thai agent for 200,000 baht around two weeks before his arrest.

Checks also found that Fu was wanted by authorities in the People's Republic of China in connection with an alleged drug-trafficking case. The warrant relates to allegations that he sold ice to Chinese tourists visiting Thailand in August 2025, police said.

Fu and the seized items have been handed to investigators for legal proceedings. Thai authorities will also take further action connected with the Chinese warrant, according to police.


Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid

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15 August 2026
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Israeli family says Koh Samui park refused entry

An Israeli family visiting Koh Samui says it was refused entry to Samui Exotic Park in Mae Nam because of its nationality, before a confrontation with a man representing the attraction.

Videos shared online on 14 August show the family, who were accompanied by two young daughters, challenging staff at the park entrance. Later posts on the park's official Instagram Story appeared to endorse the exclusion of Israeli visitors.

Family records confrontation

Footage filmed by the mother, and widely circulated online, begins with her speaking to staff behind a counter.

"Because we're from Israel? What have we done to you? We haven't done anything," she says in the recording.


Picture courtesy of Khoasod

The footage then cuts to a man described as representing the zoo telling the family to leave. "Okay, bye. Bye-bye," he says.

When the woman asks for his name, the man responds with profanity. As she repeats the question, he approaches the group and says: "Move off my place."

The man then appears to attempt to headbutt the woman's husband. She replies, "Okay, okay, we're leaving. We're leaving," before he throws a small white sign in her direction while she continues recording.

Park account posts anti-Israeli imagery

Samui Exotic Park also posted silent CCTV footage of the confrontation, filmed from behind the counter. The wider-angle video appears to show the family, including the two girls, leaving the entrance area after the dispute.

Further Instagram Stories on the park's official account appeared to reinforce its position. One clip showed an Israeli flag carrying a red no-entry symbol beside a shooting target marked with holes.

As the camera moved from the sign to a nearby Free Palestine flag, the person filming could be heard whistling.

Those later posts do not independently confirm the family's account of events before recording began. However, they appeared to show that the attraction's official social-media account supported refusing Israeli visitors after the confrontation.

The park had previously drawn online criticism for displaying Palestinian flags and a "Free Palestine" sign. At that time, Samui Exotic Park said it welcomed visitors of all nationalities, while expecting guests to respect its rules.

🇹🇭Israelis were denied entry to Samui Exotic Park in Thailand after staff learned they were fr.mp4

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🇹🇭 The owner of @samuiexoticpark has doubled down following the confrontation with the Israeli.mp4

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15 August 2026
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Thailand plans 3,000-baht hotel subsidy from October

Thailand is preparing to offer 500,000 domestic travel subsidies under the proposed Thai Travel Thai Plus 2026 scheme, with the government paying half of accommodation costs up to 3,000 baht per entitlement.

The programme, which remains subject to Cabinet budget approval, is proposed to begin on October 1 through Krungthai Bank's Paotang application. Entitlements would be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul chaired a public-private tourism committee meeting on August 10, where the plan was considered following discussions with the Finance Ministry.

Up to five benefits per person

The proposed 1.75-billion-baht programme would operate across all 77 provinces, with no separate subsidy rates for major and secondary tourism destinations.

Each person would be able to receive up to five entitlements. For each one, the government would meet 50% of eligible hotel or accommodation costs, up to 3,000 baht. It is an accommodation co-payment, rather than a 3,000-baht cash handout.

A digital tourism coupon worth up to 500 baht would also be attached to each entitlement. It could be used for eligible spending including restaurants, attractions, OTOP and community-product shops, spas and health-massage businesses, one-day tours, car rentals, public transport and chartered boats.



The scheme is intended to steer spending towards smaller tourism operators and local communities, rather than concentrating support among larger businesses.

Access is expected to be through the Paotang app. Travellers planning to apply have been advised to update the application, complete identity verification and connect their G-Wallet before registration opens. Final conditions and registration procedures have not yet been confirmed.

Budget approval still required

The proposed budget would be committed across fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The government projects the scheme could generate 32.046 billion baht in economic circulation and more than 1.6 billion baht in tax revenue.

Ministry officials said funding and detailed conditions remain under consideration. The proposal is expected to go to the Cabinet during August, with October 1 set as the proposed launch date.


Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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15 August 2026
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British Tourists and Expats on Alert Over Thai Mafia Claims

Thailand remains a major holiday destination for British travellers, with more than a million visiting each year, but claims of organised crime, intimidation and scams have prompted renewed warnings for tourists and foreign residents.

Thai authorities have announced another crackdown on “influential figures” after reports of safety incidents and assaults involving foreign tourists on the country’s holiday islands. Officials said any state employees found to have helped offenders, turned a blind eye or facilitated offences would face legal action to the fullest extent.

The issue first gained international attention after British backpackers David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found dead on Koh Tao in 2014. Local police at the time said there was "100 per cent" no mafia, although plans were announced to raid influential rackets and illegitimate businesses.


British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller

Sean McAnna, then 25, a friend of Mr Miller, later claimed he had unknowingly met alleged gang members at a bar and was pressured to accept responsibility for the murders. The Scottish busker said he was told, "You die tonight", and left the islands fearing for his life.


Sean McAnna

Island killings and criminal network claims

In June this year, Koh Samui taxi driver Sikharin Promcharoen, 31, was beaten and fatally shot six times after dropping tourists on a popular strip. The case was suspected of links to the alleged "Samui taxi mafia", although police said the shooting followed a personal dispute.

The alleged gunman and 11 other suspects were arrested. Sikharin's family reportedly left the island after receiving suspicious calls asking about their whereabouts, amid fears of retaliation.

Jonathan Wheeler, 65, from Southampton, told The Sun that Thai criminal groups were usually smaller, family-based networks rather than a Sicilian-style mafia. Wheeler spent 18 years in Thai prison after attempting to smuggle 4lb of heroin from the country in 1994, and later wrote the memoir The Tiger Cage: 18 Years In Thai Prison.

He alleged that groups, particularly on the islands, were involved in drugs, prostitution, extortion and protection rackets. Some, he claimed, worked with triad style groups such as 14K in the movement of drugs and the buying and selling of women for sex. These allegations have not been independently verified.

Wheeler said contract killings were allegedly often carried out by men on motorcycles, sometimes for as little as GBP200. He further claimed illegally obtained handguns sold for about GBP330, M16 rifles for GBP500 and grenades for GBP11, with some weapons allegedly stolen from police and military armouries.

Thai officers have seized at least 51 assault rifles stolen from armouries in the past five years. In May, police recovered two M16 rifles, 790 rounds of ammunition, grenades, mines and nearly 5kg of explosives allegedly sold to Chinese man in Pattaya.



Tourist scams are the more immediate risk

For visitors, the more likely danger is a scam or dispute rather than direct contact with organised crime. A foreign resident identified only as Luke said there was "a scammer on every corner", citing people allegedly posing as police to fine drunk tourists and jet-ski rental operators claiming costly damage after a vehicle breaks down.

He also described drivers on Bolt or Grab cancelling app bookings, requesting cash payments, then demanding fares up to 10 times the original rate on arrival.

For foreigners, practical safeguards include keeping transport bookings and receipts, checking rental agreements before paying deposits, avoiding unofficial cash transport arrangements and contacting Tourist Police if threatened or accused of damage. Visitors should not assume an official-looking person is a police officer without checking identification.

Foreign investors urged to seek legal advice

Rich Mason, 45, from Leicestershire, claimed he lost GBP100,000 after investing in gym firm Legacy Muscle Universe Company Limited. He alleged the Thai owners withheld dividends, blocked his number and tried to have him deported through a false police report.

Mason said the owners claimed links to the Thai mafia and made threats against him and his friends. The company owners denied his allegations when contacted by The Sun, saying he would be paid on the one-year anniversary of his investment. Mason disputes that this was their agreement and says no money has materialised.

He remains in Thailand recovering after being run over in March, an incident which left him with broken feet, pneumonia and blood clots in his lung and leg. He said foreign investors should not start or buy into a Thai business without substantial money, reliable legal representation and complete confidence in their partners.

The Royal Thai Government and Royal Thai Police did not respond to The Sun. The Tourism Authority of Thailand praised the newspaper for raising the issue but said it could not comment further.


Pictures courtesy of The Sun - Rich Mason


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15 August 2026
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Anutin inspects Korat air wing as F-16s escort flight

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inspected the Royal Thai Air Force's tactical aviation unit at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima on 14 August 2026, following an F-16 escort exercise involving his private aircraft.

Three F-16s simulated a VIP protection mission as the Prime Minister's aircraft approached to land at the Korat base, where fighter aircraft are positioned under Thailand's national defence plan.

Border briefing and air force readiness

Anutin, who is also chairman of the National Security Council (NSC), arrived at Wing 1 in Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima district at 8am with Defence Minister Thodul Bunyathamcharoen, Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary Tharapong Malakham, and Armed Forces Chief General Ukarit Boontanon.

They were received by Air Force Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha and senior Royal Thai Air Force officers.



At the base, the Prime Minister was briefed on Wing 1's main duties, conditions in its operational area and the air force's actions during unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border. He also received briefings on major Royal Thai Air Force projects.

Anutin later addressed civil servants and personnel at the wing, urging them to conduct themselves as good public officials and members of both the air force and the country. He then inspected equipment used to maintain readiness for key Royal Thai Air Force missions.


Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

Strategic role of Wing 1

Wing 1 is a strategically located unit under Thailand's national defence plan. Royal Thai Air Force combat aircraft are stationed there for air-power operations when orders are issued.

The NSC is Thailand's main national security body. Its duties include setting policy direction, proposing strategies and preventive measures, tackling security problems, preparing the National Security Policy and Plan, and issuing strategic threat alerts.

The visit was intended to allow the NSC to assess readiness and ensure decisions can be made accurately, continuously and promptly in both normal conditions and wartime.


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15 August 2026
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Thailand's first private rocket test halted in Lop Buri

Thailand's first attempt to test-launch a privately developed rocket was halted on safety grounds in Lop Buri on 11 August 2026, after engineers identified technical and launch-pad problems.

The exercise, involving government agencies, the army and Equatorial Space (Thailand) Co Ltd, was intended to test the systems and regulations needed for a proposed Thailand Spaceport rather than simply the rocket itself.

The Technical Feasibility Test & Regulatory Framework Study for Thailand Spaceport took place at an artillery battalion within the Artillery Centre in Lop Buri province. It was organised by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), the Defence Technology Institute, the Royal Thai Army and Equatorial Space (Thailand).

It marked the first time Thailand had allowed a private company to participate in a live domestic rocket-launch test.

Testing a future spaceport framework

The trial was conducted through a Spaceport Regulatory Sandbox, bringing state agencies, private firms and security bodies together to assess whether Thailand is ready to establish a spaceport.

Dr Nattawat Hongkanjanakul, GISTDA spokesman and director of its Space Economy Promotion Bureau, said the rocket was developed by Equatorial Space (Thailand). It used hybrid propulsion, measured 3.96 metres long and weighed 32.3kg without fuel.

The unguided rocket had been scheduled to reach an altitude of four kilometres.

Officials were also examining preparations, coordination between agencies, area controls, safety arrangements, airspace management, licensing procedures and regulatory oversight.

Safety decision stops launch

The rocket did not leave the ground after technical problems emerged during preparations.

Engineers were able to address some issues, including unstable nitrous oxide gas temperatures that were not sufficiently stable for loading and firing. They also replaced a communications cable between the rocket and the ignition-control software.

However, the launch was ultimately called off after a safety assessment found that the motor used to raise the launch platform did not have enough power. The team also needed to re-examine the platform's structural strength and design to prevent a serious danger during firing.

Dr Nattawat said space projects were highly complex, making safety and learning during development essential. Although the launch did not succeed, he described the test as a "real classroom" that had exposed issues to be corrected before the next attempt.

The regulatory sandbox may be relevant in future to overseas aerospace firms, insurers and manufacturers considering participation in Thailand's developing space sector. GISTDA said a spaceport could support connected industries including modern transport, insurance and manufacturing as part of the country's space economy.

GISTDA and the Defence Technology Institute will now review the results and reassess the private company's readiness. A new launch-test date will be set if the problems are resolved and the company is fully prepared.

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14 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Phi Phi divers remove illegal net near reef wreck

Park officers and volunteer divers have removed an illegally discarded fishing net more than 60 metres long from waters near Koh Phi Phi Leh in Krabi, freeing marine animals that were still alive in its mesh.

The net was found close to the wreck of HTMS Kled Kaew, which was sunk as an artificial coral site and is also a deep-diving location. Images released on 12 August showed dead fish, shrimp and crabs caught in the gear, alongside animals that were still alive.

The operation was carried out by the underwater team of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and volunteer divers.

Marine life freed from abandoned gear

Divers cut free and released the surviving animals before recovering the net from the sea, according to Saengsuree Songthong, the park chief.

The team had initially entered the water to carry out an underwater rubbish collection activity for National Mother's Day on 12 August. Instead, they found what officials believe was fishing gear left behind by a boat that had entered the protected area illegally.

Saengsuree said abandoned nets and other fishing equipment pose a threat to all marine life. Such gear can continue trapping animals after it has been lost or deliberately left in the sea, a problem commonly known as ghost fishing.

The park has been conducting patrols and enforcement operations to deter illegal fishing, he said, but those involved often enter restricted waters when officers are out of sight. Discarded fishing tools are regularly found around coral areas, according to the park chief.

What this means for Phi Phi visitors

For foreign residents, divers and holidaymakers, the case highlights the pressure on marine sites around the Phi Phi islands, where reef and wreck dives are a major draw.

Visitors should not assume that diving or snorkelling sites are free of hazards from abandoned fishing gear. Divers who spot nets, lines or traps should avoid trying to remove large items without suitable training and equipment, and report their location to park staff or dive operators.

The national park has appealed for fishing to stop in protected zones, saying the activity directly damages the ecosystem and undermines the long-term use of natural resources.

Saengsuree said anyone caught illegally fishing within the national park would face firm legal action.


Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

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14 August 2026
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Nong Bua Lamphu man dies in charcoal kiln fall

A 68-year-old man is believed to have died after inhaling toxic smoke from a smouldering charcoal kiln in Nong Bua Lamphu on 12 August 2026. After falling in, the fire burned his body almost completely, leaving rescuers with only a small amount of fragmented bone.

Police were called to a rice field around 3km from a village in Ban Nong Saeng, Moo 8, Hua Na subdistrict, Mueang district, after human remains were found in the kiln.

Pol. Lt. Col. Songkran Kanesuk, deputy investigation inspector at Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police Station, attended with an on-duty doctor from Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital and the Khuntham Nong Bua Lamphu rescue team.

Grandson found remains in kiln

The remains are believed to be those of Veera Dana, who owned the rice field and kiln. His 27-year-old grandson, Thawatchai Hueangsri, said Veera had left home at about 07:00 after asking him to buy painkillers for age-related leg pain.

Veera said he intended to open the kiln and remove charcoal to sell. He normally stayed overnight at the field and only returned home occasionally.



At about 19:00, Veera's younger brother asked Thawatchai to find him and bring him back to the village. At the field, Thawatchai found his grandfather's bicycle and belongings but could not locate him.

He saw the kiln entrance had been opened and some charcoal removed, although smouldering flames remained inside. Looking in with a light, he saw what appeared to be a human hip bone and a stainless-steel basin about 30cm wide.

Villagers broke open parts of the roughly 3m-wide kiln, whose 60cm by 80cm entrance was large enough to crawl through, and sprayed water inside. Rescuers later searched using lights and hoes, recovering tiny white bone fragments.

Smoke may have overcome experienced worker

Relatives said Veera's shoulder bag, phone and amulets were found near the entrance. Though damaged and distorted by heat, they were recognised as the items he regularly used.

Police found no apparent signs of theft or damage at the field, where Veera raised cattle and buffalo. His relatives and neighbours said he had no known disputes and believed he entered to collect charcoal before discovering the fire was not fully out.

They suggested he may have carried water inside to dampen embers. Pouring it over the smouldering fire may have suddenly released smoke and ash, causing him to lose consciousness. Once the entrance was opened, oxygen may have caused the fire to flare up and burn his body for hours.

Veera's family said he had no known underlying medical conditions and did not question the apparent cause of death. The recovered bones, wrapped in white cloth, were released to the family for religious rites.


Picture courtesy of Khoasod

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14 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Missing French jet ski family found off Koh Samui

A French father and his two young children have been found after they failed to return a rented jet ski off Koh Samui, according to an update posted by local Facebook news page Nai Sanam.

The update said the three tourists had become lost while on the water and thanked all agencies involved in the response.

The three French nationals had hired a green-and-white Sea-Doo from Chawang Beach, in Surat Thani province, at about 5.20pm, on 13 August 2026.The children were aged between five and seven.

They left from the beach in front of Long Beach Hotel, but did not bring the rented craft back at the agreed time. All three were reportedly wearing life jackets when they set off.

Search stopped as waves reached four metres

A family member who remained ashore told Nai Sanam that she saw the father and children travelling towards Lamai Beach before they disappeared from view.



Bor Phud Police Station was alerted, prompting police, jet-ski rental operators, rescue workers and local volunteers to begin a search. The area covered was extended towards waters near Koh Pha Ngan.

The operation was halted late on August 13 because of darkness and rough sea conditions were considered unsafe. Strong winds were reported, with waves of between three and four metres.

The search teams resumed their work early on August 14. The later Facebook update confirmed that the three people had been found alive, not gave no further details on their condition.

A safety warning for visitors and residents

The case attracted considerable attention among Koh Samui residents online, with people sharing information to assist the search. Before the family was located, social-media users had suggested they might have travelled towards Koh Pha Ngan, run out of fuel offshore or reached another beach around Koh Samui.

For foreign visitors and residents hiring jet skis or other small watercraft, the episode underlines the importance of checking weather conditions, particularly for late-afternoon trips when wind and seas can worsen quickly.

Renters should make sure an operator has their intended route and expected return time, wear life jackets and avoid going out when rough-sea warnings are in place. Anyone who sees a watercraft in difficulty should contact local emergency services or alert nearby operators without delay.

AQN1EkkpH9cblqdgT_bcaLBTGLacAXBlQhNdEjZ5j6YXk6IS95_bqgNf98fqUAa2MPF5D_9b60mxWkNOl6XiPva3msLhNeK9gqw27X6Mjw.mp4

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14 August 2026
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Charred, bound body found on Phetchabun River bank

Nong Phai police in Phetchabun were called after an unidentified, badly burned body bound with wire was found floating at the edge of the Pasak River near farmland in Ban Pho Chon.

The body was swollen from time in the water and its gender could not immediately be determined. A prominent yantra tattoo was visible on the back of the neck, which may assist efforts to establish the person's identity.

Body found beside rice fields

The discovery was reported by the assistant village head of Moo 13, Ban Khlong Krabon, in Ban Pho Chon subdistrict, Nong Phai district.

Police went to the riverbank, surrounded by villagers' rice fields, where they found the charred body. The skull showed signs of burning and wire had been wrapped around the body in three places: the left arm, torso and legs.

The circumstances raised the possibility that the victim may have been deliberately burned in an attempt to conceal their identity.

Fisherman raised the initial alarm

The first person to spot the body said he regularly fishes in the area. He became concerned when fish were not entering his trap as usual and went to investigate.

He initially saw something black in the water and did not realise it was a body. He then noticed an oily residue on the surface and saw wire attached to it.

After pulling on the wire, he realised what he had found, immediately let go and notified the assistant village head.

The fisherman said neither he nor other villagers knew whether the victim was male or female, who the person was, or where the body had floated from. He added that nobody in the village was known to have gone missing.



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14 August 2026
Georgealbert
Georgealbert

Thai-British Teen Reports Firecracker Attack at Home

A 16-year-old Thai-British boy and his mother have filed a complaint at Huay Yai Police Station after a former school friend allegedly lit and threw a firecracker into their home.

The incident was reported as occurring at 7.55pm on 13 August 2026. The family handed CCTV footage to police, which they said clearly captured the alleged attack and the suspect fleeing the scene.

CCTV footage handed to police

The mother, 42-year-old Yothaka, whose surname was withheld, took her son, identified only as B, to report the matter to Police Lieutenant Polsan Chaisalee, deputy inspector for investigations at Huay Yai Police Station.

She said the family had been eating inside their home when they heard a loud explosion outside. Her son then ran into the house in panic and asked for help.


Picture courtesy of Daily News

After checking their security cameras, they allegedly saw a teenage male, described as B's former friend, light an object, a firecracker before throwing it into the property. The device then exploded with a loud bang, and the individual ran away, she said.

Yothaka said the boy had previously had disputes with her son. She said they had exchanged insults and bullying remarks online.

B told police he had noticed someone standing outside the house but did not know who it was. He then heard the explosion.

Dispute said to have started online

The teenager said the alleged suspect was a former schoolmate who had repeatedly tried to intimidate him, including through online bullying and provocative comments.

He said the former friend had also previously come to his home and shouted abuse outside, despite B saying he had not become involved with him. The latest alleged act, he said, was the throwing of the firecracker into the house.

Huay Yai Police Station superintendent Police Colonel Warawut Nitayawan ordered officers to inspect the area. The investigation team has also been instructed to identify and locate the alleged suspect for further legal action.

AQMIoU9UVb8XVRdYJdmTg5JaGC1jwInr0mL3N1DwhSIYN3a-cOBHOdCa2x3MU_nWkvpbvLU6upUovyO1cvkVBfcK_hLyYehXMOdaXGzRhA.mp4

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14 August 2026
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Israeli mother and daughter attacked on Koh Pha Ngan

An Israeli mother, 62, and her 23-year-old daughter were seriously injured in an alleged assault on Koh Pha Ngan after a man asked where they were from and was told they were Israeli.

The suspect, who holds a French passport, was later arrested after allegedly becoming involved in another violent incident. The women said they believe the attack was connected to a discussion about the war in Gaza.

Attack followed question about Israel

The mother had travelled to Thailand for a two-week visit while her daughter was already travelling in the country. They rode a motorcycle to a waterfall on Koh Pha Ngan and parked near the road before walking about 100 metres towards the site.

They were buying a coconut when a man on a motorcycle stopped behind them and began talking to them, the mother told Ynet from her hospital bed.



"He asked my daughter where we were from, and she said Israel," she said. The man then challenged them over the war in Gaza, telling them: "I don't like what Israel is doing there."

The mother said she told him they were on holiday and did not want to discuss the issue. He replied, "I'm against violence," before the exchange ended.

Moments later, she said, the man called to them from above, came down towards them and attacked. "Out of nowhere, he started beating me viciously and bit my ear," she said.

Her daughter tried to protect her and was also beaten. The mother said she was struck on the head and apparently lost consciousness.

Both women needed surgery

The daughter ran towards the road to get help and called out to two French women. The suspect chased her, according to the mother, but fled on his motorcycle when he saw other people nearby.

Police and an ambulance were called, and the women were taken to a hospital on Koh Pha Ngan. Medical staff decided both required surgery after a CT scan found bleeding in the mother's head, prompting their transfer by boat to a hospital on Koh Samui.

Their conditions were initially described as serious but later stabilised. The mother spent 24 hours in intensive care, while her daughter underwent surgery on her nose. The mother had surgery on her ear and said she may need another operation.

Arrest linked to separate incident

The mother said police later told them the suspect had gone to another town, caused a disturbance and attacked police officers. Officers did not initially know he was connected to the assault on the two women.

After police spoke with the women and the daughter gave a statement, they recalled the suspect's name. Police then identified him as the same man allegedly involved in their case, the mother said.

She said she had considered Thailand welcoming towards Israelis and had not expected such an attack. "We will learn not to say we are from Israel, because you can never know how someone will react," she said.


Pictures courtesy of Ynet

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14 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Australian disputes 32,540 baht Pattaya bar bill

An Australian tourist was taken to Pattaya City Police Station after refusing to pay a 32,540 baht drinks bill at a beer bar in Soi Buakhao, Pattaya.

The dispute followed a drinking session which, staff said, began at about 8am on 12 August and continued for more than 13 hours until around 9pm. Police have recorded the matter and are checking the bar's orders and bill before deciding on further legal steps.

Bar opened early for regular customer

The bar's 46-year-old owner, Khun Meleeya, and staff brought the Australian, identified as 53-year-old Mr Thompson, to Pattaya City Police Station.

Staff told police that Mr Thompson arrived at around 8am, before the premises had opened for business. They said the owner agreed to open specially for him because he had previously visited other bars in the same group and had a good record of paying his bills.



During the day, staff said, he bought drinks for several female employees. He also rang the bell on several occasions to buy drinks for all staff in the bar, resulting in a large number of employees joining him at his table.

The eventual total for the drinks ordered during the session was 32,540 baht, according to the bar.

Refusal followed invitation to bar fine

Later that evening, Mr Thompson became friendly with one female member of staff and invited to bar fine her to go out with him after the bar closed, employees said.

She declined the invitation, after which he became angry and refused to settle the bill for drinks bought for staff throughout the day, according to the bar's account.



Staff said they tried to resolve the matter directly, arguing that the bar had to cover staff wages and the cost of the drinks supplied during the long session. When no agreement was reached, they sought police assistance.

Mr Thompson has disputed the amount claimed, telling officers that the bill was not as high as stated. He has continued to refuse payment, police were told.

For foreign visitors and expatriates in Pattaya, the case is a reminder that buying rounds, ringing the bell and offering staff drinks can quickly build a substantial tab. Anyone ordering drinks for others should ask for the running total and retain itemised bills, particularly during lengthy sessions.

Police checking bar records

Pol Lt Col Kanoknan Suksri, an inquiry officer at Pattaya City Police Station, invited both sides to give statements.

Police have made a daily record of the complaint as evidence and will examine the purchase details and bill, before interviewing both parties again, once Mr Thompson has sobered up, to establish the facts and proceed with legal procedures, if no agreement is made.


Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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14 August 2026
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Suvarnabhumi seizes 126 reptiles in postal parcels

Thai wildlife and customs officers have seized 126 live reptiles, including 88 ball pythons and ornamental snakes, from two postal parcels at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The parcels, sent from Surat Thani and addressed to the Philippines, were falsely declared as dried fruit snacks and food. They were intercepted on 12 August 2026 during cargo screening at the airport in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan.

The operation involved the Suvarnabhumi Airport Wildlife Checkpoint, which is under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, alongside the Customs Department's investigation and suppression unit and the Suvarnabhumi Postal Centre.

X-ray checks revealed live animals

Officers had been assessing risks linked to prohibited goods being exported through the Suvarnabhumi Postal Centre and the airport's outbound cargo inspection facility in the Free Zone.

During X-ray checks on two international registered post parcels, staff spotted objects that appeared to be living creatures. A closer inspection found reptiles packed into cloth bags and transparent plastic containers.

The two parcels had a combined weight of more than 18kg.

The seizure included four sulcata tortoises, 16 iguanas, 88 ball pythons and ornamental snakes, 16 tegus, spiny-tailed lizards and bearded dragons, and two leopard geckos.

Case sent to airport police

Komkrit Pinsai, head of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Wildlife Checkpoint, said posting wildlife internationally was a serious offence. He said the method also caused suffering to the animals and could contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.

Authorities are increasing cooperation between agencies to improve screening, including by analysing shipping patterns and using detection technology. The aim is to stop Thailand being used as a transit route in the illegal wildlife trade, Komkrit said.

The animals were confiscated and the case was filed under Section 23 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act 2019, covering the export of regulated wildlife without permission. It also cites Section 242 together with Sections 166 and 167 of the Customs Act 2017, and Section 31 of the Animal Epidemics Act 2015.

Investigators at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station will collect evidence and try to identify the sender and others involved for legal action. The reptiles have been handed to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation's Wildlife Health Management Group for further care.


Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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14 August 2026
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Thailand and China begin Falcon Strike in Udon Thani

Thailand and China have opened Falcon Strike 2026, a joint air force exercise at Wing 23 in Udon Thani, involving fighter aircraft, airborne surveillance and aerial refuelling operations.

The exercise, which runs from 10 to 21 August, brings together the Royal Thai Air Force and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force for tactical missions and humanitarian disaster-response training.

Air Vice Marshal Sitthipol Pomtree, director of the Royal Thai Air Force Training Division, jointly presided over Monday's opening ceremony with Air Vice Marshal Ma Yuping, China's exercise director.

Aircraft and joint air operations

China has sent J-10C and J-11 fighter jets, along with an Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS, aircraft. Thailand is participating with Gripen fighter jets and Alpha Jets.

The programme includes tactical air operations, aerial refuelling and combined missions intended to improve planning, coordination and operational command between personnel from the two countries.

The two air forces will work through differing operational scenarios, with the stated aim of improving their ability to operate together and exchange experience in air operations.

The Royal Thai Air Force said Falcon Strike 2026 is intended to strengthen relations and mutual understanding between the services, while improving readiness for joint air missions and humanitarian operations.

Flood relief forms part of exercise

Falcon Strike also includes a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, or HADR, exercise based on a simulated large-scale flood.

That training covers the deployment of medical teams, air transport and medical evacuation, as well as coordination between relevant agencies. The purpose is to improve the speed and effectiveness of emergency responses.

Such disaster-response planning is particularly relevant during Thailand's wet season, when flooding can affect travel, communities and access to medical care in parts of the country.

The Royal Thai Air Force said the exercise will allow both sides to share operational experience and support the future expansion of cooperation on aviation and air security.


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14 August 2026
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Georgealbert

Police seize 8m baht of imported Japanese goods

Thai consumer protection police have seized 83,483 Japanese-imported products worth more than 8.348 million baht from a warehouse in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, which was allegedly preparing them for sale through online platforms.

The raid on 13 August followed complaints about cosmetics, food supplements, tonics and household hazardous substances being sold online without Thai-language labels.

Major General Kongkrit Lertsitthikun, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), ordered the operation. Colonel Weeraphong Klaythong, superintendent of CPPD Division 4, and Lieutenant Colonel Anusara Buadaeng led officers in searching the warehouse.

Police said they confiscated 116 product types, including cosmetics, supplements and medicinal tonics, which had allegedly been imported from Japan without passing checks or receiving certification from relevant authorities.

Warehouse allegedly supplied online sellers

Investigators said the goods were stored at the Bang Phli site before being distributed to shops operating on online platforms.



The warehouse had originally been used to hold imported products, police said. It later began offering storage and packing services to several businesses, preparing parcels for customers who ordered online.

According to the investigation, the operation handled sales of between 200 and 300 items a day. It charged 10 to 12 baht per box for packing and had operated in this way for more than four years.

Police said the products could pose risks to consumers because they had entered Thailand without official inspection or approval. The seized items have been sent to investigators at CPPD Division 4 while action is pursued against those involved.

What online buyers should note

For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the case is a reminder that products sold through Thai online marketplaces may not always have entered the country through approved channels, even if they are marketed as imports from familiar countries.

Thai-language labelling is an important consumer safeguard, providing locally required product information. Shoppers buying cosmetics, supplements or medicines online should be cautious of goods without Thai labels, particularly where sellers cannot clearly show their origin or local compliance.

Those involved could face action under Thailand's Cosmetics Act, Hazardous Substances Act, Food Act and Drug Act, police said.


Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

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14 August 2026
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Korean Red Notice suspect held in Phuket on overstay

Thai immigration officers and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) have arrested a South Korean man in Phuket who was allegedly wanted under an Interpol Red Notice.

The man, identified only as Mr Lee, was arrested on 12 August 2026 at about 7pm at a condominium in Phuket's Muang district. Immigration said he had overstayed his permitted stay by 2,992 days.

Wanted over fraud and drug allegations

The arrest followed information shared by South Korean police, South Korean intelligence agencies and the Royal Thai Police's Foreign Affairs Division, Thai Immigration said.

Mr Lee was listed in Interpol Red Notice A-8537/8-2018, issued on 13 August 2018, over alleged fraud and the international import and export of drugs and cannabis.

Police said that from early 2018 until the present, Mr Lee and others had allegedly defrauded people of more than 800 million won. He was also alleged to have led a group exporting drugs and cannabis from Thailand to South Korea, where they were reportedly sold online to drug dealers.

Authorities said further checks found records of more than 23 alleged cases involving drugs and other offences, including prostitution, assault and fraud.

Tourist visa expired in 2018

Biometric records showed Mr Lee entered Thailand through Phuket International Airport on 6 March 2018 on a tourist visa. He was permitted to remain until 3 June 2018, according to Immigration.

Officers from Immigration Division 6, Immigration Division 2, Phuket Immigration and the ONCB monitored the condominium before approaching a man matching Mr Lee's description. Immigration said he confirmed that he was the person named in the Red Notice and consented to a search of his room.

Officers seized a mobile telephone and three debit cards, which they believe may have been used in criminal activity. Thai authorities said they would continue investigating with South Korean officials.

Mr Lee was initially charged with remaining in Thailand after his permission to stay had expired. He was informed of his rights and handed to investigators for further legal action.

The operation was conducted under the direction of Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyaluck, his deputies Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanart and Pol Maj Gen Thanit Thaiwatcharamas, and ONCB secretary-general Pol Maj Gen Suriya Singhakamol.

Pol Maj Gen Phanthana said Immigration would continue working with Thai and overseas security agencies to trace people subject to international notices. He said Thailand would not be a refuge for fugitives or transnational criminals and that foreign nationals deemed a threat to security or public order would face legal action.


Picture courtesy of Komchadluek

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14 August 2026
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Thai-Australian singer Ricewine killed near Mount Buller

Thai-Australian singer-songwriter Talae Rodden, known professionally as Ricewine, has died after a large tree fell onto a car on Mount Buller Road in Victoria, Australia. He was 27.

Rodden, an indie-pop and lo-fi artist from Melbourne, was travelling with his 64-year-old mother, Sally Rodden, when the tree came down near the Mount Buller ski area in north-eastern Victoria.

Emergency workers attended the scene but were unable to save him. His mother suffered serious upper-body injuries and was taken to Wangaratta Hospital for treatment.

Fundraiser launched for Rodden family

The University Ski Club (USC) has set up a GoFundMe appeal to help the Rodden family with funeral expenses and Sally Rodden's medical care.

The family is well known in the Mount Buller community and in nearby Merrijig and Mansfield, according to the appeal.



Its statement said Sally, Cha and Jared were grieving an unexpected loss that occurred in seconds. It described Ricewine as a talented and much-loved member of his family, friendship circle and wider community.

Melbourne artist built an international audience

Rodden had been regarded as an emerging Melbourne singer and songwriter. Performing as Ricewine, he built a following for his indie-pop and lo-fi releases.

His best-known track, Summer Spent, has received more than 1.1 million views on YouTube.

He had also appeared at major music events including SXSW Sydney and Fest by Inner West in October 2025. He had not released new music since that appearance.

Investigation under way

Authorities are gathering evidence to establish the precise cause and circumstances of the accident on Mount Buller Road.

A report will be prepared for the coroner as required under legal procedures.


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14 August 2026
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