BANGKOK: The discovery of civil service exam fraud is expected to cost 5,925 local government employees their jobs this month, Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit said yesterday (Aug 3).
BANGKOK: The discovery of civil service exam fraud is expected to cost 5,925 local government employees their jobs this month, Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit said yesterday (Aug 3).
Residents of drought-stricken Kon Chim Subdistrict in Khon Kaen performed a traditional cat goddess blessing ritual using dolls instead of a live cat, hoping to bring rain after two months without significant rainfall devastated rice crops.
Over 100 residents of Kon Chim Subdistrict in Waeng Yai District, Khon Kaen, held a traditional cat goddess blessing ceremony after the area experienced no significant rainfall for more than two months, causing rice crops to wither and die across wide areas. This year, villagers used cat and Doraemon dolls placed in cages instead of a live cat, parading them around the village for over 3 kilometers while residents splashed water in accordance with ancient belief, and bringing fishing nets, bamboo fish traps, and agricultural tools to request rain. Chaivattha Dokmaignaam, head of the Kon Chim Subdistrict Administration Organization, revealed that Waeng Yai has received almost no rain this year, only occasional drizzle insufficient for farming; many farmers have planted rice three times but seeds failed to germinate due to dry, hardened soil preventing growth.
The area had previously requested assistance from the Royal Rainmaking Department and agricultural aviation, but operations could not proceed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The Chi River water level at nearby locations is critically low in many sections, affecting Waeng Yai, Waeng Noi, and bordering areas of Chaiyaphum Province. Multiple districts across Khon Kaen—including Phol, Waeng Noi, Waeng Yai, Chonburi, and parts of Non Sila—continue facing severe drought despite some areas experiencing rain or flooding.
The cat goddess blessing tradition is an ancient northeastern belief holding that after performing the ceremony and making requests, rain will fall as requested. This year, villagers chose to use dolls instead of a live cat, reflecting how the tradition has adapted to modern times while preserving local culture and beliefs.
Actress Om apologized for a misunderstanding during a live broadcast with Gig Suwatchanee, clarifying she meant no disrespect and pledging to be more careful in future broadcasts. Both entertainers are recovering from physical strain sustai
Actress Kornnapas Om apologized for the misunderstanding caused by a recent live broadcast with Gig Suwatchanee, emphasizing she had no intention to interrupt or show disrespect. Om explained that she apologized to Gig immediately after the incident occurred and called again to apologize, with Gig accepting and asking if she needed any other support. Om acknowledged that she will be more careful in future live broadcasts, even in informal settings with close colleagues.
Regarding fake news about the incident, Om said the channel and legal team are handling it. She expressed relief that there are no longer harsh comments being posted online. At a recent Smooth E product launch event, Om and fellow entertainer Linger Linger also discussed their participation in a girls cup sports event, where both experienced physical strain during the competition. Linger said she was proud to participate fully despite not being a dancer, while Om revealed she had briefly gone to the hospital with stomach pain before returning to work. Both asked fans not to worry about them.
A Thai woman reported being sexually assaulted by a Pakistani passenger during a Dubai-Bangkok flight on August 3, with airline staff later discovering apparent semen stains on her clothing. The man admitted to the incident and was arrested
Pakistani man cries after Thai woman reports sexual assault on flightLegacyA Thai woman yesterday, August 3, alleged she was sexually assaulted by a Pakistani man while asleep during a flight from Dubai to Bangkok, with airline staff later discovering what appeared to be semen stains on her trousers. The woman shared her experience on Facebook, saying she was travelling from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with her four year old daughter when the incident occurred. She said the man repeatedly rested his arm across her seat shortly after take-off, making her feel uncomfortable. After that, she fell asleep with her daughter. While asleep, she said she felt someone touching her right buttock and felt wetness, but initially dismissed it because she was under a blanket. After a while, she noticed the man staring at her continuously and repeatedly reaching over to fiddle with her entertainment screen. Around one and a half hours before landing in Thailand, she decided to report the incident to cabin crew. After the aircraft landed, she explained what had happened to a flight attendant, who then escorted the Pakistani man away for questioning. Photo via the victim’s Facebook According to the woman, the man admitted what he had done before crying and kneeling to apologise. She refused to accept the apology and requested police officers board the aircraft to arrest him. The woman said an airline employee then noticed what appeared to be semen stains on her trousers, leaving her further shocked. Photo via the victim’s Facebook She explained that she had taken sleeping medication before the flight to help adjust to the time difference, causing her to sleep deeply. She urged passengers to remain vigilant when seated beside strangers and hoped no one else would have to endure such an incident. The woman added that Tourist Police, the Immigration Bureau and Don Mueang Police Station are handling the investigation. The accused remains in immigration custody while the case proceeds. In similar news, the lawyer of a Swedish man arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a cabin crew member on a Bangkok to Mumbai flight claims he has mental health problems and did not mean to touch the woman. The story Pakistani man cries after Thai woman reports sexual assault on flight as seen on Thaiger News.
Thailand's government has launched an AI system that diagnoses psoriasis from photos with 95% accuracy, aiming to expand skin disease screening in areas lacking dermatologists and reduce healthcare access gaps.
The government has launched the 'AI Psoriasis' system to screen for psoriasis through photographs with 95% accuracy, upgrading public health services and reducing healthcare disparities. On August 4, Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploychaleuy Luksameesangchan revealed that the government is advancing public health services through technology, enabling relevant health agencies to rapidly integrate digital solutions into the health system. The initiative aims to enhance public health capacity, strengthen health innovation roles, and ensure citizens have convenient, fast, and equitable access to healthcare services by using technology to reduce healthcare access disparities in line with the Ministry of Public Health's MOPH PLUS+ policy. The Dermatological Institute under the Department of Medical Services developed 'AI Psoriasis' to analyze redness, thickness, and scaling of psoriatic lesions from photographs, providing standardized and faster assessments particularly in areas without dedicated dermatologists. Testing on research datasets demonstrated the AI Psoriasis system achieved 95% accuracy, though further testing in real-world conditions and diverse populations remains necessary. The initial pilot phase will be conducted in healthcare facilities and networks partnering with the Dermatological Institute, selecting areas with adequate personnel, data infrastructure, and patient referral systems. 'Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting physical health, mental wellbeing, and quality of life, and is associated with serious comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Since psoriatic lesions exhibit certain clinical characteristics analyzable from photographs, the 'AI Psoriasis' system represents an innovation enabling citizens to access screening near their homes, reducing travel burden, and facilitating timely specialist referrals, while also serving as a prototype for developing tools to support management of other dermatological conditions in the future.'
A 39-year-old man was found hanging from an overpass near a school in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday morning, discovered by a child and parent during school drop-off. Police are investigating the death.
Parents and students were shocked to discover a man's body beneath an overpass near a prominent school in Nakhon Ratchasima. A child pointed out the body to their parent, who looked up in alarm and immediately contacted police. Rescue workers from the Saang Mettha Tham Foundation in Nakhon Ratchasima responded at 7:00 a.m. on August 4, 2025, to find a 39-year-old man identified as Mr. A (alias) hanging from the pedestrian overpass near a central island in front of the school in Muang District. A blue shoulder bag containing a lunch box, personal items, a mobile phone, and a driver's license clearly identifying the deceased was found nearby. Police cordoned off the area to collect evidence while managing traffic during the morning school drop-off period. One parent described their shock at discovering the body while driving their child to school as usual, explaining that they had not expected to encounter such an incident during their morning routine before heading to work, and offered prayers for the deceased. Police are conducting a detailed investigation into the cause of death and will proceed according to legal procedures.
A Malaysian Airlines pilot was arrested at Jakarta airport with over 70,000 Ecstasy tablets and methamphetamine in his luggage, prompting Malaysian authorities to investigate whether airport security procedures were breached.
A 39-year-old Malaysian Airlines pilot is under investigation after Indonesian customs officials discovered a major drug shipment in his luggage at Jakarta airport. Officers found 14 bags containing over 70,000 Ecstasy tablets in his checked suitcase and 4 grams of methamphetamine in his hand luggage. Malaysia's Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) confirmed the pilot had cleared all required security checks at Kuala Lumpur International Airport before the flight. AKPS director-general Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain explained that the screening system uses artificial intelligence combined with officer judgment to assess risk levels, but because the luggage was not classified as high-risk, standard procedures were applied without additional inspection. He stated that while the AI system aids the screening process, final decisions rest with security personnel. Malaysian police are now sending drug investigation officers to cooperate with Indonesian authorities to determine whether the case involved internal involvement or premeditation. Mohd Zain defended the airport's screening capabilities and said AKPS has successfully intercepted numerous drug and contraband cases, assuring the public that all existing systems were fully utilized in this case.
Residents of two villages in Kalasin Province have hung red cloth on nearly every house to ward off a "widow ghost" blamed for two mysterious deaths of healthy men, a response rooted in Northeast Thai tradition and supernatural belief.
A wave of supernatural belief has gripped two subdistricts in Huai Mek District, Kalasin Province, as residents have collectively hung red clothing in front of nearly every house to protect against the "widow ghost." This response was triggered by rumors of two consecutive mysterious deaths of healthy men in the area with no underlying illness.
Investigators found red shirts, pants, cloth, and umbrellas tied to doors, pillars, staircases, and trees throughout the villages of Hua Hin and Bung Na Riang subdistricts. Some items had faded to pink from prolonged exposure to sun and rain, while others remained bright red from recent installation. The normally bustling villages fell unnaturally quiet, with residents discussing the superstition in hushed groups.
According to Northeast Thai tradition passed down for generations, the deaths were attributed to a widow ghost seeking a companion. Lert Phuttom, 73, a resident of Nong No Village, revealed that during the period of the death rumors, he experienced recurring nightmares and was awakened in the night by the sound of dogs throughout the village howling abnormally—a sign that the animals could see something invisible to humans. In his dreams, he saw two young women he instinctively knew were widow ghosts attempting to lure him away, but he refused. After hanging a red shirt in front of his house, following the belief that widow ghosts fear the color red, his nightmares ceased and the dogs fell silent.
Young people, children, and teenagers were equally frightened by the rumors and sought their own red cloth, shirts, and umbrellas to hang at their homes for peace of mind. Even skeptics who doubted the supernatural chose to participate, reasoning that hanging red cloth caused no harm while providing psychological comfort.
Since red cloth has been hung throughout the area, no further cases of mysterious male deaths have been reported in the village or nearby areas, reinforcing residents' conviction that the red cloth amulets are effective. Life continues normally amid the red symbols fluttering in front of nearly every home.
Gold prices surged 150 baht on August 4, with ornaments trading at 65,000 baht per baht weight as global prices climbed to $4,059 per ounce.
The Gold Traders Association has announced today's gold prices for August 4, 2569, with an increase of 150 baht compared to yesterday's closing prices. Gold ornaments are selling at 65,000 baht per baht weight, according to the latest data released by the association at 9:00 AM. Gold bars are currently trading at a buy-back price of 64,000 baht per baht and a sell price of 64,200 baht per baht. For 96.5% gold ornaments, the buy-back price is 62,716.92 baht per baht and the sell price is 65,000 baht per baht. Global gold (Gold Spot) is trading at 4,059.00 US dollars per ounce.
Thailand disputes a UN report claiming 650,000 Cambodians were internally displaced in recent border clashes, arguing the findings were one-sided and excluded Bangkok's account of events.
BANGKOK: Thailand has rejected a UN special rapporteur’s report estimating that 650,000 Cambodians were internally displaced during recent border clashes, saying the findings relied on one-sided information and failed to include Thailand’s perspective.
A 43-year-old pickup truck driver surrendered to police in Udon Thani four days after hitting and killing a motorcyclist on Mittraphap Road, claiming he panicked and fled the scene.
A pickup truck driver has surrendered to Udon Thani police after fleeing a fatal collision that killed a 32-year-old motorcyclist on Mittraphap Road on July 31. The victim, Ms. Chaleepan (name withheld), died at the scene. On August 4, the 43-year-old driver, Verachart (name withheld), turned himself in accompanied by his lawyer and insurance representatives. Investigators have charged him with reckless driving causing death and failing to stop and render assistance. A urine sample has been sent for drug testing, with results pending to support the case file.
During questioning, Verachart apologized to the victim's family, stating he panicked because he had never experienced such an incident before. He expressed willingness to accept full responsibility and compensate the family according to his means. Investigators confirmed they will compile evidence, forensic results, and drug test findings before forwarding the case to prosecutors. The accident investigation remains ongoing to ensure fairness to all parties.