The Anti-Corruption Committee is pressing the Department of Local Administration to quickly submit 5,925 names of suspected exam cheaters to five relevant agencies without delay, in order to open financial investigation channels and trace the masterminds.

At a parliament press conference on August 13, Asarathorn Suntaraipap, the committee chair, explained that regarding the 5,925 individuals proposed by the department to the Central Local Government Employee Examination Committee, which then directed the case to the Central Local Government Personnel Committee as the local government human resources management agency, these names have been verified for accuracy. The committee has therefore revised and finalized the pass list.

Asarathorn questioned why the department has not yet submitted these 5,925 names to the five agencies with which memoranda of understanding have been signed—the department itself, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Prevention Unit, and the examination committee. While the central committee's resolution has been sent to provincial authorities, the department has not forwarded the names to allow these agencies to proceed with their respective duties.

When asked about the delay, Asarathorn suggested the agencies may have simply forgotten after signing the MOU, which is why the committee is now pushing for action. He emphasized his determination to ensure that all corrupt individuals face justice and to investigate whether politicians are involved, as the public suspects.

Regarding whether further screening by the Interior Ministry could allow fraudsters to slip through again, Asarathorn said he does not believe this is possible since scores already appear on official answer sheets and represent established facts.

When asked whether the investigation could ultimately reach the top instigators, Asarathorn said the case has reached level 10 officials, who have denied involvement. The committee will pursue financial transaction checks and questioning. He drew a parallel to how scores were altered in earlier rounds, with 97 individuals benefiting from score adjustments appearing on the final pass list despite this misconduct. Even with strong evidence, legal gaps have limited action. He expressed uncertainty whether the Anti-Corruption Commission has sufficient evidence against level 11 or 12 officials but said that if evidence exists, those responsible can be prosecuted.

At 9:30 a.m. on August 13, 2569 at Parliament, Rangsiman Rom, a member of parliament from the People's Party list and party deputy leader, spoke as chair of the House legal affairs, justice, and human rights committee about the investigation into the fraudulent Thai nationality scheme. He described the matter as a major national issue involving corruption and hospital complicity in falsifying identities to obtain Thai citizenship. If the scale of the problem grows, he warned, it could threaten Thailand's security and national policies.

Rangsiman said the committee invited multiple agencies including two private hospitals, the National Police Office, and the Department of Local Administration to provide information. The committee aims to assess how serious and widespread the problem is, whether all cases can be identified, and whether adequate safeguards exist to prevent recurrence. He outlined two main concerns: whether the issue represents organized crime requiring stronger law enforcement response, and whether systemic measures will be designed to prevent such problems from recurring or whether the matter will be forgotten after media attention fades.

Thawee Piyarat, a People's Party parliament member and committee spokesperson, noted that both private hospitals declined to send representatives for questioning, citing insufficient advance notice. When asked if the committee would issue a second summons, Rangsiman said the decision depends on the weight of information already gathered and whether it suffices for further legal action or additional fact-finding. However, he emphasized that the hospitals' refusal to appear sends a poor message, as the committee hearing would have allowed them to present their own perspective and facts. He suggested that avoiding the hearing hoping to escape suspicion has repeatedly proven ineffective and only deepens public doubt. "If the hospitals are confident in their integrity and have good preventive systems in place, and are ready to address what happened transparently and directly, they should not hesitate to clarify before the committee," Rangsiman stated, adding that the committee stands ready to hear all sides openly and fully.

French tourists claim cannabis smuggling gang use free holidays in Thailand to trick themLegacyAt least 11 French nationals, who were arrested in Thailand with cannabis in their luggage, claimed they were deceived into carrying “locked bags” in exchange for free holidays. France’s National Police told French broadcaster RTL that 11 French nationals had been arrested in Thailand after cannabis was discovered in their luggage. The suspects were charged with attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country, with some remaining in police custody under stricter rules now being applied. French media reported that people previously arrested after cannabis was found in their luggage could initially return to France while the cannabis was confiscated as evidence. Under the newer rules, however, suspects who fail to pay a fine at the customs office can be detained while awaiting trial. According to RTL, the reported fine is 30,000 baht, or around 790 euros, for one kilogramme of cannabis. Cannabis smuggling can carry a prison sentence of between two and 10 years. Photo by baona via Getty Images Signature French media outlets also reported claims from the families of several of those arrested that their relatives had fallen victim to the “Thailand plan” trick. According to the families, criminal gangs offered travellers free holidays in Thailand in exchange for bringing luggage back to France. The travellers were allegedly told that the bags contained mobile phones, but the luggage instead contained large quantities of cannabis. AFP reported that a 20 year old French national was arrested during his return journey in June. Thai airport officials found 16.8 kilogrammes of cannabis inside locked luggage that the man said he did not have the password to open. The man told investigators that his trip to Thailand was funded by someone who contacted him through Snapchat. The report did not establish whether he knew what was inside the luggage. Photo by razerbird via Getty Images Signature French media also reported that two other French nationals were arrested in Hong Kong after cannabis was found in luggage they unknowingly carried from Thailand. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs urged French citizens to monitor changes to Thailand’s cannabis laws and comply with local regulations. The ministry is also following the cases of French nationals being held in Thailand and providing consular assistance. The ministry said an investigation would be conducted into the reported “Thailand plan” scheme to identify the people allegedly behind the operation and any wider network involved. The story French tourists claim cannabis smuggling gang use free holidays in Thailand to trick them as seen on Thaiger News.

A 33-year-old factory worker was critically injured after being shot in the forehead beside Rojana Road in Bang Pa-in district, Ayutthaya, on 13 August 2026, shortly after midnight. Police identified the man as Ballang Buathong from Suphan Buri province. He was found unconscious on a pavement outside a used-car garage in Sam Ruean subdistrict at about 00:10. Rescue workers provided first aid and CPR before he was taken to Ratchathani Hospital.

A witness told police that two motorcycles carrying young men in similar-looking clothing arrived shortly before a single gunshot was heard. Both motorcycles then sped away. CCTV footage reviewed by Khaosod English shows a man in a red shirt riding against traffic towards the scene with Ballang as his passenger. Ballang was wearing a factory uniform and carrying a yellow shoulder bag.

After Ballang got off the motorcycle, another motorcycle arrived behind them. Its rider, who was wearing a dark-blue uniform potentially from the same factory, pulled out a gun and shot Ballang at close range. The man in the red shirt then turned his motorcycle around and headed towards Uthai district, while the suspected gunman fled in the same direction.

Investigators said CCTV footage also appeared to show the suspected gunman handing the firearm to the man in red before the pair rode away. Police said they are examining whether the man in red was involved in the attack or had merely brought Ballang to the scene. Bang Pa-in police chief Colonel Phiphob Naputra said officers were reviewing nearby CCTV footage and questioning witnesses to establish the relationship between the two men and the injured worker. Police have not ruled out the possibility that they knew each other before the shooting.

The Department of Mineral Resources has identified nine provinces at high risk of landslides and flash floods following heavy rainfall and is closely monitoring the situation. On August 13, 2025, the Geological Disaster Operations Center of the Department of Mineral Resources warned the public to be alert to landslides and flash floods as high-risk areas are experiencing continuous heavy rainfall. Forecasts indicate that rainfall levels could trigger landslides, particularly in nine provinces: Tak, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chanthaburi, and Trat.

According to the Meteorological Department's 24-hour forecast, Thailand will continue to experience heavy rainfall in the North, Upper Northeast, Central, and Eastern regions. This is due to a monsoon trough passing over the upper North, Laos, and northern Vietnam, combined with a strong southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Residents in affected areas are urged to be cautious of dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which could cause flash floods and flash floods, especially in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying areas.

Volunteer networks in high-risk areas are asked to closely monitor geological disasters including landslides and flash floods, and to prepare for potential emergencies. If such disasters occur, officials must promptly inspect affected areas to provide reassurance and initial guidance to residents in at-risk zones.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Niratn Pongsitthathawon announced on August 13 at Impact Muang Thong Thani that local government exam candidates can now view corrected scores from both central and provincial levels through August 31. After the original results were cancelled due to factual inconsistencies and corrected following approval by the Central Committee for Civil Service Personnel, individual names and scores are being distributed to provinces for their own candidates to view, while a nationwide public access point has also been established at the central Department of Local Administration office.

Regarding the 5,925 names referred for criminal investigation, Niratn stated they are currently with the National Anti-Corruption Commission and police. Once processed and verified, all 5,925 names will be sent to five agencies with formal memoranda of understanding to investigate misconduct. When asked about future recruitment exams for understaffed positions and whether the Civil Service Commission should conduct them instead, Niratn said the department is doing its best and that future exam arrangements depend on policy decisions by authorities. He acknowledged that the department must review its own procedures and improve them to prevent corruption and errors.

Niratn confirmed receipt of Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilpraset's investigative report and stated the department will restructure, revise processes, and reform operations to eliminate fraud and mistakes. He noted that if new policy directs exams to be distributed elsewhere or conducted by other agencies, the department is not opposed and stands ready. He also outlined four players in the position-buying scheme: the Department of Local Administration, contracting universities, brokers, and buyers. While the first two are government agencies that must be protected from loopholes, the department will coordinate with all units to gather information on brokers and position sellers—both government officials and civilians—operating as organized rings across all sectors, and will forward this data to police.