On August 9, 2025, a 42-year-old local journalist and member of the Khon Kaen provincial press network reported being assaulted by a deputy police chief at Ban Phai police station, sustaining a broken eyebrow requiring 12 stitches. Following the incident, Khon Kaen provincial police issued an order reassigning the deputy chief to the provincial police operation center, effective immediately.

The deputy chief has now posted a response on his personal Facebook account, stating: "Maybe I wanted to speak up too. It's just as frustrating. How much patience can a person have when someone comes to fight face-to-face? There has to be a limit. But before judging anyone or presenting their story, shouldn't we ask for the facts first? Don't just see the word 'police' and then write, sell, or create a narrative based on your own understanding without verifying the facts."

He continued: "Police officers aren't on duty 24 hours a day. After work hours, we're ordinary people like everyone else. Before publishing anything, please verify information thoroughly, because once it spreads, can the damage be undone? Likes, followers, and page revenue may increase, but if someone's reputation and dignity are lost, they can't easily be restored. Check who provided the information, their background, whether there's evidence, and whether the story is fact or merely allegation. Don't just think 'I posted it, I got paid for the news.' Before hitting publish on someone else's story, think about the person who will suffer the consequences."

Nida Poll, the polling center of the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), has released survey findings on the question "Should civil servants stay or leave early?" The survey was conducted August 4-6, 2025, among 1,310 government employees, state officials, and state enterprise workers aged 18-59 across all regions and income levels nationwide.

When asked why they chose public service, respondents gave the following reasons:

78.85% cited job security as the main factor 54.12% mentioned good benefits 23.28% cited good salary 22.90% said it was family pressure or expectation 21.37% said it was a long-held personal dream 10.53% wanted to honor their parents and family 8.32% wished to serve the nation and people 3.51% had no better option and simply needed employment 2.67% desired social status and rank 1.68% were obligated by scholarship agreements 0.46% wanted to exercise state power 0.53% listed other reasons, including working near home or matching their field of study

Regarding job dissatisfaction:

50.08% reported no dissatisfaction and no intention to resign 19.01% felt bored but stayed for their family 13.89% felt bored but did not know what else to do 7.02% were not bored but would leave for better opportunities 6.72% were bored and ready to quit for a better job 5.95% were bored and willing to take early retirement if offered 5.27% were bored and would quit if they had enough money 2.67% were bored and ready to resign anytime 2.37% were bored but had to stay to repay educational loans

On workplace staffing levels:

58.40% said there were more jobs than people 30.61% said staff and workload were appropriately balanced 10.99% said there were more people than jobs

On early retirement policies for civil servants:

64.05% supported early retirement for those aged 50+ or with 25+ years of service (with at least 2 years remaining) 24.66% thought all government employee types should have early retirement options 20.00% opposed early retirement for civil servants 19.24% supported it for those aged 40-49 with 10+ years of service 13.36% thought state enterprise employees should also have the option 12.37% thought government officials should have the option 11.37% thought all age groups of civil servants should have early retirement 1.76% had no knowledge or opinion

As of August 8, 2025, verification and appeal figures continue to rise as local agencies and accessible service channels improve uptake. Of 3.1 million newly eligible beneficiaries, 2.3 million (73%) have completed verification, leaving 830,000 (27%) still pending, down from 980,000 (31%) previously. The government is urging new beneficiaries to complete verification quickly to activate benefits from October 1, 2025.

The Finance Ministry is accepting verifications until January 12, 2026. The five provinces with the most unverified citizens are Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, and Khon Kaen, where authorities have been instructed to intensify outreach.

For rights reviews, 4.2 million applications have been filed, but approximately 5 million people have yet to submit. The government is calling for submissions by August 31, 2025. Provinces with the highest review submission rates include Lampang (60%), Narathiwat (59%), Pattani (58%), Yala (54%), and Phrae (53%).

The government is offering multiple service channels: the government application, the Pao Tang app, websites of five state banks, and 878 One Stop Service (OSS) centers at district offices nationwide. Provincial governors, district officials, local government organizations, village headmen, and elders are tasked with assisting elderly, disabled, and vulnerable groups unable to use online services.

Two armed men on a motorcycle carried out a drive-by shooting that killed an 18-year-old and injured two of his companions. Officers from Khuan Khun Police Station responded at 3 a.m. on August 9 to a report of a fatal shooting on Phi Thong-Thalenoi Road in Phatthalung's Khuan Khun district. At the scene, police found blood traces and a motorcycle with Songkhla license plates overturned on the road. Three victims were transported to Khuan Khun Hospital, but the 18-year-old victim, identified as Mr. A (alias), died en route with a single gunshot wound to the back of his head.

Two other victims were also injured: 17-year-old Mr. B (alias), shot once in the right arm, and 18-year-old Mr. C (alias). Police found a replica handgun on the victim's body during examination at the hospital.

Initial investigation revealed that before the attack, the victims were riding a motorcycle when two suspects on another motorcycle pulled alongside and opened fire five to six times. Security camera footage captured two motorcycles riding side by side before multiple gunshots rang out, resulting in the injuries and death.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Nathapol Bunsanit, the station commander, stated that officers have already questioned both injured survivors and are investigating the motive behind the shooting. Investigators have not yet determined the type of firearm used, though they suspect it was a short-barreled handgun. Police are accelerating efforts to collect additional security camera footage and evidence to identify and prosecute the suspects.

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