Folk music legend Odd Forces has cleared the air about recent rumors, both of his death and that he can only perform a few songs anymore. He confirmed he remains in good health, continues to accept performances as usual, and has decided to lower his concert fees to help event organizers during the economic downturn.

He stressed that he is someone who loves hard work and cannot sit idle. If there are no shows, he tends his farm, grows lime trees, and does odd jobs according to his village lifestyle. He asked fans to only believe what they see with their own eyes, not hearsay, and said he wants to be a bridge supporting young lovers of folk music rather than a competitor. He pledged to serve his fans until his body gives out.

"I'm a hard worker, not someone who likes to take it easy," he said. "If there's no show, we go farm and garden, grow lime trees, or do day labor cutting grass—that's just how we villagers live. Country folk singers have to be country folk."

Regarding claims he can no longer perform, he pushed back: "People are saying I don't take work anymore, that I can't sing anymore. But I sing every day. Some say I only do two or three songs and my backup singers handle the rest—that's not true."

He expressed confusion about where the rumors came from. "Recently someone called me and said, 'Are you Odd Forces? I heard you got seriously ill and died.' Well, thank you for extending my life," he quipped.

On a hospitalization months ago, he explained: "I went to the hospital because my heart was beating irregularly. The doctor said I could go home, but I wanted to stay a few more days for peace of mind. A fan's daughter posted photos online, and the news spread through gossip."

He confirmed he performs regularly and announced he is lowering his rates to help hosts during the economic crisis. He noted that many small bands have emerged lately, which puts established artists under pressure, but he continues to accept bookings normally.

"I just informed people about the price reduction now because we haven't made an official announcement yet," he said.

Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Arthit Sampaththirat commented on an armed attack in which gunmen and explosives were used against officials at the Buketa Sami security checkpoint in Rangae District, Narathiwat, resulting in military casualties and civilian injuries. Arthit stated he had issued urgent orders to the governors of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla to elevate security, build confidence, and protect troops and civilians in the region through three measures.

First, security at checkpoints, operation bases, district offices, provincial headquarters, police stations, state agencies, and all critical government facilities must be upgraded. This includes risk assessments, operationally tailored procedures, intensified patrols and surveillance using CCTV systems at maximum efficiency, and reviewed checkpoint positioning, shift schedules, personnel rotation, access routes, and duty times to prevent predictable patterns.

Second, emergency response plans must be reviewed and aligned with the current security situation, ensuring coordinated, systematic response by all agencies to attacks, suspected objects, or explosions while minimizing losses and maintaining operational continuity.

Third, an intelligence and early warning surveillance system must be established by integrating security data across relevant agencies, implementing advance threat alerts, and closely monitoring area activities. This directive aims to enhance integrated multi-sector efficiency in security measures, surveillance of high-risk zones, investigation and evidence collection support, victim assistance, and information management to ensure maximum public safety.

Deputy Interior Minister Pol Peer Suwannachavee visited Po Island in Ko Lanta district, Krabi province, on July 24, 2025, to oversee the crackdown on a foreign nominee land-holding scheme. An investigation by Krabi Provincial Police identified a single foreigner who established multiple companies as a vehicle to disguise the ownership of Thai land. The three companies are clearly controlled by the same individual, despite appearing on paper to be separate Thai-registered entities.

The scheme employed a sophisticated structure rather than simple proxy shareholding. Multiple companies were created, and they held shares in each other in circular arrangements, making the registered shareholding structure appear to be Thai-owned. In reality, a single foreigner was the true controller, investor, manager, and beneficial owner. Initially, several Thai nationals held small shareholdings to meet legal requirements, but their roles were gradually phased out and replaced entirely by subsidiary company ownership. Investigation found that all three companies operated from the same office, shared the same location, moved offices on the same day, had identical key decision-makers, reported to a single management center, and engaged in stock transfers within the network over many years. While registered direct shareholding did not exceed 49 percent, calculations including indirect holdings through subsidiary companies revealed that the foreigner maintained complete and unqualified control and ownership of the companies.

The network held substantial land in Ko Lanta district totaling 22 plots covering more than 126 rai, with a combined market value exceeding 2 billion baht based on online sale advertisements. The companies actively marketed the properties for profit, constituting a land-trading business, which is prohibited for foreigners under the Foreign Business Act.

Investigation confirmed all 22 plots covering 126 rai, 1 ngan, and 29.7 square wah, with a total market value from advertised sales exceeding 2 billion baht. Authorities have gathered sufficient evidence to prosecute under the Land Code and the Foreign Business Act. Police Region 8 will pursue four key courses of action: First, prosecute all individuals and juristic persons involved, including anyone who assisted or concealed the violations. Second, coordinate with the Krabi Governor and relevant agencies to enforce the Land Code and order the sale of illegally acquired land, proceeding to forced sale if not resolved within the legal timeframe. Third, expand investigation to all property, companies, and persons linked to the network across Krabi, Phuket, and other areas in Police Region 8 to prevent asset transfers or restructuring. Fourth, pursue additional legal remedies to address the full scope of violations.

Police arrested 48-year-old Prawit on July 24 after he allegedly snatched a black Chanel handbag worth over 100,000 baht from an Italian female tourist in the Soi Vanit 2 area of Bangkok's Talat Noi District. Officers from Phlabphla Chai 2 Station, acting on a public tip on July 23, pursued and captured the suspect with assistance from alert citizens. The stolen handbag was recovered. Prawit confessed to the theft, saying he committed the crime because he had no money and no job. He fled toward Soi Vanit 2 after the incident but was quickly apprehended by police and Good Samaritans working together.

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

Phuket – Phuket authorities are pressing forward with a sweeping campaign against unlawful land holdings by foreign investors, sending 39 cases to police investigators and examining an additional 317 suspected violations. Governor Chotnarin Kedsom, chairing the second provincial police committee meeting of 2026, confirmed that the province is enforcing the Interior Ministry’s urgent directive to […] Phuket Files 39 Foreign Land Cases, Probes 317 More -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.