A 4-year-old boy named Film was found dead in a drainage ditch approximately 200 meters from his home in Nai Hok Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phatthalung Province, after a search operation lasting more than 10 hours.

At 8:50 p.m. on August 2, 2569, authorities recovered the child's body from the waterway following an extensive ground search that began that morning after family members reported him missing.

According to 84-year-old grandmother Luan Kongsorn, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. when the boy finished bathing and ran out of the house wearing only shorts. Within approximately 30 minutes, the family noticed he had not returned home and began searching the areas they expected him to visit, but found no trace of him.

Family members and neighbors then conducted a systematic search around the house, garden, and nearby forest, calling out the child's name repeatedly. When initial efforts proved unsuccessful, they contacted Phatthalung rescue officers and Mueang District administrative officials, who joined in coordinating an intensive search of all high-risk areas including dense forest, drainage ditches, and nearby water sources.

The search continued with determination and hope until approximately 8:50 p.m., when relatives searching the area discovered the boy's body in a drainage ditch measuring approximately 15 meters wide, 30 meters long, and 5 meters deep, located about 200 meters from his home. Authorities then recovered the body from the water amid profound grief from family members and volunteers who had searched throughout the day. The incident has deeply shocked the community following more than 10 hours of intensive search efforts that ended with this tragic outcome.

Thosapol Himphan, revered as the "father of Khaen music," expressed pride in his 12-year-old daughter "Pak Boong," who has shown artistic promise since childhood and has been singing traditional Khaen music since age three. She is now following in her father's footsteps to preserve the Khaen tradition while building her own music career, which has attracted millions of fans.

Thosapol recently announced the official launch of "Luk Thung Boraarn Thosapol Pak Boong Himphan—Legend of Khaen," a traditional Luk Thung music ensemble. The band will perform at various events including ordinations, weddings, and ceremonies. The ensemble features established musicians alongside newer talent, with Thosapol and Pak Boong as the main performers.

Demand from fans prompted the creation of the band, after the household had turned down many requests for performances. The band includes seasoned musicians and approximately 10 members in total. Thosapol explained that unlike his previous solo Khaen performances, the new ensemble offers a full variety show format with a diverse repertoire ranging from classic songs to traditional Ramwong dance music.

The official debut of the band is scheduled for August 13, 2026, as part of a memorial event for Surpol Sambatycharoen. Thosapol noted the band has rehearsed extensively, with carefully curated setlists and song sequences designed to entertain audiences throughout the evening, including slower, melodic pieces performed during twilight hours.

Thosapol explained that he had not performed music professionally for many years after his earlier Khaen work faded. However, renewed public demand following Pak Boong's rise in popularity on social media prompted him to revive the concept. His daughter, who records for Four S Thailand, has recently released a new single titled "Parinnya Takrachai Makjai" (Bachelor's Degree Betel Leaf), which has received strong public response. Thosapol expressed satisfaction that his musical legacy is being carried forward by the next generation and celebrated Pak Boong's growing success as a artist.

Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Wongsuwan presided over Buddhist funeral rites for Police Lieutenant General Phaon Pladrak on August 2, 2569 at 6:30 p.m. at Wat Thepsirintherawat temple's Kwee Nirmit Hall. Phaon was the father of Paksatri Thuesin, wife of former Prime Minister Srettha Thuesin. Also attending the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Wongsuwan, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and Police General Phakdi Saeng-Chuto.

The funeral chanting service will continue from August 3–7, 2569 at 6:30 p.m. each evening, with no services scheduled for August 5 and 8. The royal cremation ceremony for Police Lieutenant General Phaon Pladrak is planned for August 9, 2569.

On August 2, 2569, Nathanan Suwan, the district chief of Nam Khliang, revealed that on July 31 at 9:00 a.m., local administration officials, volunteers, police, public health workers, hospital staff, child and family welfare representatives from Sisaket Province, and related agencies conducted an inspection at a deteriorated house in Moo 9, Tong Pip subdistrict, Nam Khliang district, Sisaket Province. The operation followed complaints from residents requesting urgent assistance for a 10-year-old girl who was not attending school and living with her father, who had a severe drug addiction problem.

When authorities arrived, they found the house in disrepair with poor sanitation, cluttered belongings, and an environment unsuitable for raising a child. Investigation confirmed that the 42-year-old father had a genuine drug addiction, resulting in inadequate childcare and potential harm to the girl's safety, health, and long-term development.

Local residents told officials that the father frequently used drugs and showed little concern for his daughter's welfare. He occasionally became aggressive, shouted loudly, and had even reportedly brandished a knife to threaten neighbors, causing widespread fear of escalating violence.

The 10-year-old girl had spent most of her life isolated indoors, unable to attend school or meet people like other children her age. She lived in constant fear, never knowing when her father might become erratic or violent. Her childhood—which should have been filled with play, education, and happiness—was instead dominated by daily uncertainty and anxiety.

After thorough investigation, officials agreed on a two-pronged support plan: enrolling the father in court-ordered drug treatment to ensure continued recovery and reduce relapse risk, while arranging for the girl to attend a boarding school where she would receive education, healthcare, safety, and proper quality-of-life support. Child welfare authorities and social services were also engaged to provide ongoing psychological counseling and rehabilitation, recognizing that growing up amid family violence and drug use can have lasting developmental impacts.

Reporters noted an emotionally powerful moment as officers processed the father's admission to treatment: the 10-year-old girl embraced her father tightly and burst into tears, while he looked devastated and held her back, as officials and residents watched with heavy hearts. Despite his addiction struggles, the bond between father and daughter remained strong. This separation was not a permanent severing of family ties, but an opportunity for both to heal and rebuild their relationship.

At 12:30 p.m. on August 2, 2569, police in Udon Thani received a report of a body found in a temporary shelter near a Chinese cemetery in Mak Khaeng Subdistrict. Officers and medics from Udon Thani Hospital arrived to investigate and found the body of Bua Tee, 53, from Kok Si District in Sakon Nakhon Province, lying in a tent. The preliminary autopsy found no signs of injury or foul play, and indicated he had been dead for at least 8 hours. Authorities transported the body to the hospital's forensic department pending contact from relatives for funeral arrangements.

A 43-year-old local resident named Kob revealed he had known the deceased for a long time and regularly brought him food out of compassion. The deceased, known among amulet enthusiasts as an expert collector, had reportedly owned valuable amulets but sold them off after falling into hardship. He had been living on the roadside since late 2568 after being abandoned by his own relatives, despite suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, and lung disease. Kob recounted that on the evening of August 1, the man was sleeping as usual, but when Kob returned the next morning and tried to wake him, he discovered he had died.

Kob expressed deep sorrow, saying the man was well-educated and kind-hearted, having once lost nearly 200,000 baht worth of amulets and a motorcycle to theft. He ended his tribute by wishing the deceased's spirit peace in the afterlife and expressing gratitude for their friendship.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket— Provincial officials in Phuket have intensified efforts to regulate entertainment venues following public complaints about illegal hookah services recently. A coordinated raid led to the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of 18 items of contraband. Authorities told the Phuket Express that the enforcement teams deployed undercover officers to a venue in Rassada. […] Venue Raided Over Illegal Hookah Services, One Person Arrested -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.