Two armed gunmen robbed a gold shop inside a well-known shopping mall in Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai province on the evening of August 4. The suspects made off with 64 baht of gold ornaments and 120 baht of gold bracelets, totaling 184 baht in stolen gold valued at 13,036,400 baht. On August 5, Pol. Lt. Col. Manop Senakul, commander of Chiang Rai Provincial Police, revealed that both suspects are Lao nationals. After the robbery, they fled on a motorcycle, parked it at the Mekong riverbank, and boarded a waiting boat to cross into Huay Sai district, Laos. Authorities have collected evidence and coordinated with immigration officials in Chiang Saen, examined fingerprints, and interviewed local motorcycle rental operators. A preliminary reward of 100,000 baht has been set for the arrest of the suspects, and Thai police are coordinating with Lao authorities to pursue legal proceedings. Lao officials have tracked the escape route and seized clothing believed to have been worn by the robbers at the crime scene, which was discarded in Huay Sai. The suspects are believed to have fled further from the Huay Sai area, with Lao authorities setting up checkpoints along various routes to intercept them.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Niratn Pongsitthathaworn reaffirmed that 5,925 people cheated on the local government exam with no change to that figure, and confirmed that those who passed honestly are waiting for appointment notifications by August of this year.

On August 5, 2569, at the Department of Local Administration (DLA), Niratn disclosed before the departmental meeting that today's discussion would address results from the July 17 meeting, which divided all test takers into three groups for review. The first group comprises those who passed honestly and will determine how to proceed next. The second group includes those whose scores were altered after already being appointed, with pending decisions on termination or removal from service; these cases will be reported to provincial governors for measures before transfer to local authorities, along with those who passed but had scores adjusted upward. The third group consists of those who passed but had scores adjusted upward, and new guidelines are being formulated.

Niratn added that over the past month there have been no obstacles. After receiving assignment from the Prime Minister, he has taken charge of the matter. Following court delays and internal DLA problems that stalled progress, legal proceedings continue as normal.

He emphasized that the fact-checking committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilpraphan operates separately from the DLA's responsibilities. Pakorn's committee investigates those involved in misconduct, while the DLA handles exam administration, testing, and appointment procedures.

Niratn reiterated that individuals who passed honestly and await appointment will receive notifications within August, while confirming that the number of those who cheated remains at 5,925 people.

The Thai Sports Authority (TAT) has announced full preparations for two popular Thai team sports heading to the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. U-23 men's football team "War Elephant" will compete in Group A alongside Japan (host), Kyrgyzstan, and Hong Kong, while the women's indoor volleyball team is placed in Group C with Chinese Taipei, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia.

TAT director Kongsakdi Yodmanee said Thailand's under-23 football squad views facing World Cup-caliber Japan as a valuable opportunity and believes the team will comfortably advance from the group stage with a genuine shot at the knockout round. He noted that such chances to play top-tier opponents are rare. Regarding women's volleyball, Kongsakdi expressed confidence the team will win at least a bronze medal, pointing to Thailand's history as a former Asian champion and previous Games medalist. He identified China, Japan, and South Korea as the main threats but remains optimistic about securing a medal.

The men's football tournament features 15 nations split into four groups: Group A has Japan, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, and Hong Kong; Group B includes China, UAE, Iran, and North Korea; Group C features Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Philippines, and Kuwait; and Group D comprises South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The women's volleyball competition has 14 teams across four groups, with top two finishers from each group advancing to the knockout stage.

On August 5, 2024, Police Commissioner Kittarat Pansetchr ordered Deputy Commissioner Samran Nualma to lead a major law enforcement operation in Sukhirin district, Narathiwat, targeting a violent armed group responsible for an August 2 ambush that killed and wounded Tak Bai police officers in a palm plantation. The suspects also fled with two service pistols.

Regional Police Commander Piyawat Chlemsri, working with security units and national police headquarters staff, surrounded the target area in Ban Nam Tok village at 2:00 a.m. When officers moved in, the armed suspects opened intense fire to escape, triggering a fierce firefight. Officers returned fire in strict accordance with legal procedures until gunfire ceased. Two suspects were killed: 23-year-old Abdulmukalees, wanted on theft and drug charges with forensic DNA linking him to the recovered weapon, and 34-year-old Samman, wanted for murder and theft. A third suspect remains at large.

Investigations revealed the pair fled through three provinces before being tracked to Sukhirin. Both stolen police weapons were fully recovered during the operation, and all officers involved were unharmed. Piyawat confirmed all procedures followed evidence and proper tactics. Regarding the separate August 2 checkpoint shooting in Rangae district, authorities have identified 14 people involved, questioned 11, and have two deaths confirmed with one person still being pursued—the driver who helped the two deceased suspects escape.

Payong Srivannich, chairman of the Thai Bankers Association and head of the three-institution joint private-sector committee, announced that the committee has revised Thailand's 2025 GDP growth forecast upward to 1.6-2% from the previous 1.2-1.6%. Export growth is now projected at 8-10%, a dramatic reversal from the earlier forecast of a 0.5-1.5% contraction, while inflation is estimated at 2.5-3% compared to the prior 2-3% estimate.

The upgrade stems from stronger-than-anticipated export and investment recovery, particularly in technology products benefiting from the global AI investment wave. Thai exports in the first half of this year grew 17.6% year-on-year, with technology products—accounting for 26.5% of total exports—surging 45.9%.

Payong noted that the global economy faces high uncertainty in the second half of 2025 from Middle East tensions, energy price pressures, inflation, and unclear global interest rate trajectories. However, the world economy is expanding in a K-shaped pattern, with countries leveraging digital and AI advantages, including Thailand, positioned for stronger growth than energy-import-dependent nations.

The committee concluded that Thailand must accelerate technology-sector growth by increasing domestic value addition through higher local content ratios, building domestic supply chains, and developing a workforce suited to new investment. Greater linkage between government and private data will improve economic policymaking precision.

The private sector has pledged support for five new government investment strategies: Investment & Industry Transformation Hub, AI & Digital Hub, Green Economy, Financial Hub, and Medical Hub—mechanisms to attract foreign direct investment. ASEAN-bound FDI is projected to exceed $544 billion by 2025, with Thailand remaining a key target. Investment promotion requests through the Board of Investment in the first half reached 1.47 trillion baht, a 37% year-on-year increase, positioning Thailand for structural economic reform and stronger long-term growth.

Thailand has successfully led ASEAN member states to conclude negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), marking a major milestone in the region’s digital transformation a...