The Cabinet has approved the appointment of Poonpong Nayanapakarana, currently director-general of the Business Development Department, as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce. He replaces Wuthikrai Leeveeraphant, the current permanent secretary, who will retire on September 30, 2026, with the appointment effective from the royal decree date.

Poonpong brings extensive experience to the role, having served as director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, deputy permanent secretary, inspector-general, and associate director-general of the Business Development Department. He has also worked in provincial commerce offices in Chachoengsao, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Samut Sakhon over more than 18 years of service.

Poonpong has been a key figure in proposing economic relief projects for citizens during economic crises, particularly in reducing living costs through the Thai Help Thai initiative, which aimed to lower prices of essential consumer goods. This concept was eventually integrated into the government's core policy. He has also successfully addressed longstanding nominee business problems through preventive systems and coordinated enforcement efforts with relevant agencies.

The Commerce Ministry expressed confidence that the new permanent secretary's appointment will ensure continuity in administration and advance the ministry's mission to generate tangible results that benefit citizens, the business sector, and the country's overall economy.

Rayong — Relatives, villagers, and nearly 100 rescue personnel from Pluak Daeng district are conducting a full-scale search for Bunyamee, 84, a thin woman approximately 150 centimeters tall who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. She disappeared from her home near the Dok Krai water reservoir in Mueang Noi, Tambon Mae Nam Khu, Pluak Daeng district, Rayong province on July 26. Ten days have now passed with no sign of her and her fate remains unknown.

After Bunyamee vanished, her family searched continuously day and night but could not locate her, prompting them to request help from rescue officials. At the time she went missing, family members were sorting old items outside the house. When they returned indoors, she was gone. Rescue teams and search parties have waded through dense eucalyptus forests with thick, high grass covering a wide area near the water reservoir.

Despite rescue officials and relatives conducting intensive foot searches lasting many hours over the past ten days, no clues have been found. This prolonged uncertainty has caused considerable worry and distress among her family, as several days have passed without any information about her condition or whereabouts.

On August 5, 2569, police investigators from Narathiwat Provincial Police and the 44th Special Border Guard Operations Unit conducted operations following unrest in the three southern border provinces. Officers surrounded and searched a residence in Sai Kaew village, Sukirin District, Narathiwat to pursue suspects linked to the recent unrest. As officers entered the property, occupants opened fire on them, leading to an exchange of gunfire before the situation was brought under control. Following the confrontation, two suspects were found dead, while all officers were safe. The area was cordoned off for security and to prevent further incidents. Police are conducting a detailed investigation of the scene, collecting firearms, evidence, and other materials for further investigation, and are working to identify the deceased and determine whether they were involved in previous security incidents and unrest.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachokchai Chidchob addressed the leak of government officials' personal information online at Government House on August 5, 2569 at 10:10 a.m., stating that the investigation has made significant progress. Initial findings indicate the incident is not a data hack but rather involves a single IP address from one location with two account login attempts, which exhibits suspicious behavior. The minister said he believes there is a strong possibility of political involvement based on the observed patterns, though investigators have not yet confirmed this. He asked the public to wait for the full investigation results and assured citizens that the affected system has been shut down, preventing any further data leaks through that channel. When asked if the leaked images were authentic, Chidchob confirmed they were old photos from his previous national ID card.

The Agricultural and Food Security Center (AFSC) has partnered with the Department of Livestock to intercept more than 12.6 tonnes of frozen beef suspected of being smuggled into Thailand in Samut Sakhon province, announcing continued crackdowns on illegally imported livestock products.

Sarawut Nueangchamnongk, commander of the AFSC, revealed that integrated operations with the Department of Livestock's veterinary inspection and quarantine units successfully seized four suspicious trucks carrying frozen beef weighing over 12,600 kilograms in Samut Sakhon. The beef is suspected to have been smuggled from abroad. Officials arrested those responsible and proceeded with legal action, emphasizing their commitment to protecting Thai farmers and ensuring food safety for consumers.

Because the drivers could not produce documentation of origin or animal movement permits, officials confiscated all the animals and vehicles involved and referred the case for criminal investigation. The alleged violations fall under the Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558, specifically Article 22 (moving animals or animal remains into, out of, through, or within disease control zones without authorization) and Article 31 (importing, exporting, or transporting animals or animal remains without permission).

Sarawut stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Department of Livestock will enforce laws strictly and continuously to prevent illegal livestock smuggling, protect consumer food safety, and safeguard Thai farmers' interests. The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity through the DLD 4.0 mobile application, available 24 hours a day.

Pakistani man jailed 3 years, blacklisted after in-flight assaultLegacyA Pakistani man accused of sexually assaulting a Thai woman aboard a flight from Dubai to Bangkok has been jailed and permanently banned from re-entering Thailand, according to the victim. The woman shared the outcome on Facebook today, August 5, posting a photograph of the man with police officers and writing: “If you commit a crime, you have to face the consequences. Three years in prison, a 120,000 baht fine and blacklisted from entering Thailand ever again. Thank you to the inspector and Tourist Police for all your help. Don’t ever do this to anyone again.” Facebook users flooded the comments with messages of support, with many saying they were pleased the woman had received justice. Photo via the victim’s Facebook account The case stems from an incident on August 3, when the woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by the Pakistani man while travelling with her four year old daughter on a flight from Dubai to Bangkok. While sleeping, the woman said she felt someone touching her buttock and noticed wetness beneath her blanket. She later woke to find the man staring at her. After the aircraft arrived in Bangkok, flight attendants escorted the man away for questioning, while an airline employee noticed what appeared to be semen stains on the woman’s trousers. Photo via the victim’s Facebook The woman said she refused to accept the man’s apology and asked police to arrest him. Tourist Police, the Immigration Bureau and Don Mueang Police Station subsequently launched an investigation before the woman shared the outcome today. In a separate case, a Singapore court sentenced an Indonesian man to 15 months in jail and caning after he admitted to molesting a 17 year old Thai girl during a flight from Okinawa to Singapore in April. The story Pakistani man jailed 3 years, blacklisted after in-flight assault as seen on Thaiger News.