A concert organizer has exposed a coordinated criminal gang that forges event wristbands and resells them to people seeking concert entry. The behavior appears to be organized as a syndicate and causes significant damage to event organizers, who have pledged to take maximum legal action.

On August 3, 2025, Bas, owner of VIRGIN shop and concert promoter, spoke to online news about the incident. He noted that his company regularly hosts concerts in multiple locations and has encountered this type of behavior many times before, but has been unable to apprehend those behind it. He admitted that in the past he had not been sufficiently careful about the issue.

The most recent concert was held in Sing Buri province over two days on August 1-2. On the first day, he was not alert and his team did not conduct thorough checks, allowing anyone with a wristband to enter normally. By August 2, however, he began noticing an unusually large number of people inside the venue. Combined with heavy rain that day, many attendees requested wristband replacements, which aroused his suspicion. He believed a group was forging wristbands and selling them outside the venue.

He and his team then conducted surveillance and sting operations, successfully tracing the operation back to its source. They discovered the criminal group had printing equipment and a dedicated facility for producing counterfeit wristbands. The gang had purchased original wristbands from the first concert to use as templates, then copied and sold fakes at the venue.

Bas stated that this behavior causes serious damage to event organizers, who bear substantial costs to produce concerts only to face people exploiting counterfeit wristbands for profit.

Bas warned concert organizers across the country to increase vigilance and thoroughly inspect wristbands, as he believes other similar groups may be operating and traveling between concerts nationwide. "Every concert requires significant investment and preparation. I urge all organizers to help protect against this issue," Bas said.

Hormones are a critical foundation for health and long-term quality of life. Bezins Healthcare (Thailand) Limited, in partnership with YoungHappy, organized the "HORMONES Matter: Good Health Starts with Hormone Care" event to provide a comprehensive, holistic health experience for people aged 45–60. The event aims to raise awareness of hormone importance while promoting integrated physical, mental, and lifestyle wellness.

Participants enjoyed activities designed for multidimensional health care, beginning with hormone screening tests for both men and women, along with guidance on how hormones affect daily life. A key highlight was the "Wake Your Energy" session led by fitness coach and athlete Yo Yasowadit Hasdevichit, featuring low-impact aerobic exercise to boost circulation, build strength, and energize the body appropriately for the 45+ age group. The event concluded with "Calm the Nervous System," a sound healing session led by instructor Ter Ratkarn Harueankij that helps relieve stress, restore nervous system balance, and enhance mental wellbeing—reflecting the holistic health philosophy of caring for both body and mind together.

Pattarallakshan Kongthawar, Thailand Country Manager for Bezins Healthcare (Thailand) Limited, stated that the event reinforces the company's commitment to partnering with YoungHappy to encourage Thais to adopt comprehensive health care and to correct the misconception that hormone management is only for the middle-aged. He emphasized that "balanced hormones are a key foundation for health span and a long life filled with strength, energy, and happiness."

Chakkit Promyos, founder and CEO of YoungHappy Limited, noted that Thailand has fully entered an aged society, affecting every family and business. This collaboration with Bezins Healthcare (Thailand) represents an active-aging model designed to help Thai seniors live enjoyably, meaningfully, and independently.

Bangchak Corporation, represented by Seree Anuphanthanun, Senior Executive Vice President of the Marketing Business Group, presented 3.6 million baht in donations to 19 nonprofit organizations on behalf of Bangchak Green Miles members. The funds come from accumulated loyalty points earned by members when purchasing fuel and products from Bangchak affiliates throughout 2025, combined with matching contributions from the company. Over 20 years, members have continuously donated their points to support community welfare, environmental protection, and assistance for children, persons with disabilities, elderly citizens, patients, and animals. Bangchak facilitates donations through a "Charity Basket" feature on its mobile app and website at www.bcpgreenmiles.com, allowing members to donate flexibly. The 19 recipient organizations include major foundations such as King Mongkut's Hospital of Technology Thonburi, Doctors Without Borders Thailand, Ramathibodi Foundation, Thai Red Cross, artificial limb foundation, Ban Bang Kaew Foundation, and several medical and educational charities. As a pioneer in the oil retail sector offering a loyalty membership system, Bangchak rewards members with points on every fuel purchase and product transaction, which can be redeemed for discounts or donated to charity. A unique benefit called "Rise by Rise" grants bonus points equal to fuel price increases on the first day prices go up, celebrating the program's 20th anniversary.

On August 3, 2025, the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Health Office issued a public alert and sought cooperation from residents in the province who may have been bitten, scratched, or exposed to a rabid dog between July 20–30. The alert specifically targets those who encountered a brown dog near a water drainage gate in Ban Pru Yai Subdistrict, Muang District, and surrounding community roads connecting Pon Krang, Pud Sa, and Si Mum subdistricts.

Authorities submitted a sample of the dead brown dog for laboratory testing at the Lower Northeastern Veterinary Research and Development Center in Surin Province, which confirmed rabies infection. Witnesses reported that multiple people may have been bitten, scratched, or exposed to the animal's saliva, creating high risk for viral transmission. Rabies has no cure and is fatal if symptoms develop.

Dr. Wichanya Kitthaen, chief physician of the Nakhon Ratchasima health office, reported that a 53-year-old man from Phi Tong Subdistrict was bitten on both legs by a young male dog in July but did not receive post-exposure vaccination. He died on February 15, 2025.

As of August 3, 2025, surveillance data shows 30 rabid animals detected across the province this year, with 20 cases in Muang District alone. In July, two additional rabid dogs were found, including one stray, brown female dog, five years old in Ban Pru Yai with aggressive behavior, dilated pupils, drooling, and a drooping tail that chased and bit people and other animals. A total of 17 people have had contact with infected animals, including six with deep bite wounds. Authorities have implemented disease control measures and vaccination programs in a five-kilometer radius around confirmed cases.

Recognition from national and international award bodies covers customer experience, digital innovation, and brand communication, reflecting the platform's approach to making insurance selection simple and offering support throughout the customer journey.

heygoody, an online insurance broker operated by Ngoen Tid Lor Public Company Limited under Tidlor Holdings (TIDLOR), has won 25 awards from national and international platforms between 2024 and 2026, spanning customer experience, digital innovation, data use, technology, and brand communication. This success underscores the company's business approach rooted in genuine customer understanding.

Since its official launch in September 2023, heygoody has focused on developing an online insurance broker platform that empowers customers to search, compare, and make independent insurance purchases without unsolicited sales calls, under the "Zero Telesales" concept, while designing experiences from pre-purchase through claims. The platform currently connects with leading insurance companies via API, allowing customers to compare and purchase insurance online in approximately 2–5 minutes, with installment payment options at 0% interest for up to 10–12 months. Coverage includes auto insurance (combustion and electric), travel, health, and life insurance.

Twenty-five awards reflecting development across all dimensions of the online insurance broker:

Understanding customers and designing experiences from real problems — The Zero Telesales concept and "Do Not Call" policy earned recognition from customer experience platforms including The Asian Banker, Digital CX Awards, and CX Asia.

Using technology and data to simplify insurance — Awards from IDC Future Enterprise Awards and InsureTech Connect Asia reflect the application of data and technology to continuously improve online insurance services.

Communicating insurance clearly and reaching more consumers — The #heyintrovert and #TheStressFreeSymphony campaigns won multiple domestic and international awards, demonstrating the ability to communicate insurance in understandable terms and connect with consumers.

Palakmon Tulyapisitkul, Assistant Managing Director for Digital Transformation, stated: "All 25 awards confirm that starting from customer understanding can transform the insurance purchase and usage experience. heygoody will continue developing technology, products, and services with customer experience at the foundation, making insurance simple to understand, accessible, and reliable for Thai people."

Awards and recognition between 2024 and 2026 can be found at https://hgd.insure/awards

2026

IIC ASIA Awards 2026 — 2 awards: Data & Analytics Visionary Award, Women in Insurance Leadership Award

2025

IDC Future Enterprise Awards 2025 — Winner: Digital Native Business The Asian Banker — Winner: Best Customer Experience Initiative ("Do Not Call" Policy) Digital CX Awards 2025 — Winner: Outstanding Digital CX Transformation CX Asia 2025 — Silver: Best Use of CX Technology ITC Asia Awards — Winner: C-Suite of the Year Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 by Tellscore (#TheStressFreeSymphony) — Silver The Asian Banker (#TheStressFreeSymphony) — Winner: Best Digital Brand Campaign

2024

InsureTech Connect Asia 2024 — 2 awards: Winner (Breakthrough Awards), Runner-up (Data Analytics Master Awards) Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2024

Udon Thani police rescued a college student victimized by a sophisticated call center scam operation on August 3. Senior officials led by Region 4 Police Commander Lt. Gen. Santirat Chainiramy, Udon Thani Provincial Police Commander Col. Thawatchai Tungpao, and Muang Udon Thani Police Station Commander Pol. Col. Pattanawong Chanpol announced the rescue and the investigation into the fraud and extortion ring. The victim, identified as Ms. A, received an initial call on July 31 from a scammer impersonating a mobile company employee claiming her phone number had been used in a fraud scheme. The caller instructed her to contact Nang Rong Police Station in Buriram and provided a real police captain's name but with a fraudulent phone number. When the victim verified the officer's name online and confirmed it was legitimate, she trusted the call and dialed the fake number. She was then directed to add a LINE account named "Nang Rong Police Station" and start a video call with the criminals, who had staged an elaborate police office setting complete with uniformed officers moving about and police radio sounds to establish credibility. The scammers then sent forged documents including arrest warrants, court summons, and asset seizure orders, falsely accusing her of involvement in international money laundering and threatening prosecution and asset seizure if she did not cooperate. Terrified, the victim complied with every instruction, cutting off contact with her family, keeping her phone and video call active at all times, and even selling her mother's gold necklaces, rings, and jewelry weighing approximately 2.5 to 3 baht with a total value exceeding 140,000 baht, then transferring all the money to the scammers. After receiving the payment, the criminals ordered the victim to use a ride-hailing app to book a hotel room in the Mak Khaeng subdistrict of Muang Udon Thani district, strictly forbidding her to leave the room or contact anyone, claiming she was under police investigation. Simultaneously, the scammers called her mother claiming her daughter had been arrested and owed money, demanding a ransom of 140,000 baht. The terrified mother, unable to reach her daughter, immediately filed a report at Muang Udon Thani Police Station. Police Sergeant Major Banthoen Thapyotha revealed that after receiving the report, officers advised the mother to negotiate with the criminals and attempt to speak with her daughter to confirm she was actually detained. However, the scammers could not put the victim on the phone, leading police to conclude this was not a physical kidnapping but rather "online detention" using phones and online systems to control the victim. Investigators then reviewed CCTV footage along the route and discovered the white pickup truck the victim used was merely a ride-hailing vehicle, not belonging to the criminals. The technical investigation team traced digital and social media data and successfully pinpointed the hotel room coordinates where the victim was holding herself captive. When officers arrived at the hotel, they found the victim alone inside the room with a tablet running a video call while the caller on the other end continued issuing orders and forbidding her from speaking with others. Officers took control of the situation, disconnected the video call with the criminals, and safely rescued the victim before her mother could lose additional ransom money. Police Sergeant Major Banthoen noted that call center gangs continuously evolve their tactics using real government agency information and data.