At 10:20 a.m. on August 10, 2026, Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenprasoet, governor of Nonthaburi Provincial Administration Organization (PAO), was ambushed and shot while preparing to leave the provincial office on Ratanahibet Road to conduct official business. Natthi Chaloeng Riawaeng, a former multi-term Nonthaburi provincial representative, had been waiting in ambush. He approached the governor's BMW, tapped on the window, and when Thongchai rolled it down to speak with him, Chaloeng drew a pistol and fired. Initial investigation revealed large bloodstains near the passenger door and scattered blood on the driver's side. The governor was shot four times in vital areas, and the driver was also struck by gunfire. Nonthaburi municipal emergency responders performed CPR and rushed both victims to Phra Nang Klao Hospital. Provincial Governor Chetsada Morsikrattana, along with deputy governors and Rattanahibet Police, secured the scene. Health office staff in an adjacent building heard the gunshots, recorded video evidence showing Chaloeng holding a pistol tucked at his waist before he disappeared. Chaloeng later turned himself in to police.

The Thai government is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with Vietnam, positioning the two nations as strategic partners for future growth rather than merely trading partners. The...

Bangkok's City Council President Pattaraphon Kaengrungruengchai announced the latest developments in the investigation of allegations that a councilor from Yannawa district cast votes on behalf of colleagues during a City Council session. She explained the administration's approach to ensure transparency and fairness to all parties following the incident on July 31. Upon receiving the complaint, she immediately instructed the council secretariat to compile footage from all relevant cameras and prepare to submit the materials to a fact-finding committee and other legally authorized agencies upon request, exercising her authority as council president.

On July 31, she sent an urgent letter to the City Council secretariat to verify and examine all recordings from council chamber cameras, including those from live-streaming contractors. On August 3, she reported preliminary findings to the council session, which was broadcast live. After reviewing the initial data on camera recordings, she sent another urgent request on August 4 for the tape of the August 31 council meeting between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

On August 6, she received a formal complaint letter from Srisuwarn Chariya that was submitted to the council on August 3 and had been verified for proper form and content by the council secretariat. On August 7, she accelerated the scheduling of a City Council session to establish the fact-finding committee on August 17, extending the session period from August 12 to August 27.

However, given that the period of August 5 to September 15 is reserved for budget review, during which councilors must fulfill their duties and sometimes participate in over 20 subcommittee meetings simultaneously, scheduling an emergency council session could disrupt compliance with the 45-day legal deadline. Therefore, the agenda to establish the fact-finding committee was scheduled for August 17, the most urgent date, when only one special budget committee meeting is expected.

According to the Bangkok City Council Member Code of Conduct B.E. 2559, the council must nominate three fact-finding committee members. Any excess nominations will require a vote to reach a conclusion. The fact-finding committee will independently investigate the facts and relevant evidence before submitting their findings to the council president for further action according to the regulations.

She affirmed that both councilors and the public will receive fair treatment based on identical evidence, facts, and rules applied equally by the Bangkok City Council.

Peggy Sritunya, a prominent Thai television host, is pressing ahead with her legal battle against her ex-husband over asset division, insisting plainly that "since he left my life, he shouldn't receive anything."

The case has become a subject of sustained public interest. Peggy previously revealed to the media that her ex-husband filed a lawsuit claiming a share of marital assets, forcing her to fight the case in court for over eight months. Recently, she attended the 8th Nakhon Ratchasima Award ceremony in 2025, where she discussed the case's progress and reflected on the period when she battled severe stress and panic attacks before gradually recovering and moving forward.

She explained: "It's been 8 or 9 months now. From the day I was served, the first appointment was a settlement conference, but we couldn't agree on a financial figure. I felt the amount was suspiciously high—not just slightly high, but potentially very high. I couldn't bear it, so I decided to proceed with the lawsuit. He set a very high claim for the total assets, and the court ordered him to deposit court fees since the case couldn't proceed without them. Originally, he couldn't even file because a deposit is required. He said it was inconvenient, so initially he wouldn't deposit. We postponed once, then twice, until finally the court said no further extensions were possible—he had to deposit the court fees to proceed. He said it was inconvenient and asked for installments, but the court refused. After a 10-day extension granted by the court's mercy, he finally deposited the funds and we entered the dispute phase. Witness examination is scheduled for January 2570."

Regarding court fees calculated from the claimed asset value, she joked: "I won't mention the exact amount—my lawyer forbade it. The sum is substantial. When he disclosed the figure, I was shocked—so much? (laughing) If we win and receive that much, people signing up as Peggy fans would skyrocket, since being her fan would mean getting wealthy!"

On what stressed her most, she reflected: "Initially, I was extremely stressed—terribly so. I didn't know what to do, felt disappointed and heartbroken. But now I'm not stressed anymore. I see it as part of daily life that must be faced. I'll do my best regardless of the outcome. Whether I win or lose, I'll accept it. I just want to fight to the end so there's no lingering doubt between us. Now I'm not stressed or worried at all—my mind is very clear."

Asked how she endured that period, she continued candidly: "It was very difficult, and I became unwell. At first, I thought I could handle it, but eventually I couldn't—without realizing it, I became ill. When I finally noticed, I was already unwell. I suffered severe panic attacks. Suddenly I'd feel anxious in narrow elevators or while getting my hair dyed. I was convinced I would die. Panic disorder is genuinely distressing and tormenting. Eventually, a friend recommended a psychologist. I spoke with them daily for an hour, gradually improving, since I didn't want medication—my profession demands mental clarity and emotional balance, and I worried drugs might slow me down."

On August 10 at Rajabophit Temple, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister discussed local government exam fraud with Bhumiwisit Kemsuk, secretary-general of the Office of the Ombudsman. Anutin confirmed that all wrongdoers will be punished and scores that don't match official results will be annulled, with prosecutions to follow. He assured the public that no one will be spared and those behind the scheme will be held accountable.

Deputy Interior Minister Vorasit Liangprasert noted that test-takers who passed through legitimate means deserve their scores, and officials are working to restore justice. He said anyone involved in manipulating scores and committing fraud must face consequences, though the process is still underway. Civil service and central agencies are taking administrative action, and all details—including any individuals who slip through—will be sent to police and the anti-corruption commission.

When asked whether government officials involved will face discipline, Vorasit stressed that punishment applies to everyone regardless of status: civil servants, ordinary citizens, or politicians. Anyone participating in the fraud scheme will be prosecuted without exception.

Thailand and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic, trade, and investment cooperation following talks between Thai Trade Representative and UK Trade Envoy during th...