The former mayor of Khuan Kalong Subdistrict Administration Organization, wanted for running a position-selling extortion scheme, has fled to a neighboring country. Authorities are preparing to issue arrest warrants for an additional accomplice who served as an intermediary in recruiting victims. Investigators believe many more victims exist and are tracing financial flows.

On July 8, high-level security sources confirmed the former official has already crossed into Malaysia. Region 9 Police have coordinated with Satun provincial police to formally contact Malaysian authorities through official channels for his arrest and extradition.

Investigators found clear evidence that victims handed over hundreds of thousands of baht, believing they could place their children in government positions, but none were ever hired. A source revealed that investigators are preparing to seek court approval for arrest warrants for one additional accomplice—a close relative of the former official who acted as a broker in negotiating with and recruiting victims.

Lieutenant Colonel Niphon Hemsamahmat, Satun Provincial Police Commander, has ordered all district police stations throughout Satun to establish complaint desks and accept reports from residents affected by this fraud scheme. This will streamline complaint handling and systematically collect evidence and witnesses, as investigators believe dozens more victims remain silent and hidden. Police and the National Anti-Corruption Commission are expanding investigations into money laundering routes, with officials carefully examining transactions to identify financial pathways.

NPP Realty & Consultants, a luxury real estate consulting firm and property personal shopping specialist, has announced a major milestone after closing the final unit sale of InterContinental Residences Hua Hin, achieving an official 100% project sellout.

The final unit is a 3-bedroom duplex apartment valued at approximately 50 million baht, one of the most highly sought-after units in the development. Only two such units were built, distinguished by expansive living areas, superior privacy, and design tailored for genuine beachside living. Throughout the sales period, the project established new benchmarks for the luxury real estate market in Hua Hin, with an average transaction price exceeding 250,000 baht per square meter. This reflects the prime beachfront location's strong potential and robust buyer demand for world-class branded residences in Thailand's leading resort town.

NPP Realty & Consultants served as the buyer's representative through its Property Personal Shopper service, providing comprehensive strategic consulting from property selection and investment analysis to transaction management, aligning with clients' long-term investment and lifestyle goals.

This sales completion represents not only a success for the world-class branded residences project in Thailand but also reflects NPP Realty & Consultants' prominent role as one of the most dynamic luxury real estate consulting firms of the year. Throughout 2025, the company has delivered remarkable results, beginning with the sale of two luxury penthouses worth significant sums in central Bangkok, followed by facilitating the acquisition of 22 rai of land in Hua Hin district for BECC International School development—a major transaction reflecting growth potential in global education and real estate in the area. NPP Realty & Consultants also successfully closed the sale of luxury pool villas, recognized as among Hua Hin's most exclusive villa projects, completing five villas in a single transaction—one of the most prominent high-end real estate deals in Hua Hin's market this year.

Nattcha Boonkrong, CEO of NPP Realty & Consultants, stated: "The luxury real estate market is changing rapidly. Today's buyers seek not just beautiful properties, but assets with lasting value, strong returns, and genuine quality of life benefits. The successful completion of the final InterContinental Residences Hua Hin unit—valued at over 3.84 billion baht—along with major transactions this year, reflects the trust our clients place in our team."

InterContinental Residences Hua Hin was developed by Proud Real Estate in partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) under the "All is Well" concept.

PHUKET: Police have arrested one Russian national and detained another after raiding three locations across Phuket in an operation targeting a network suspected of withdrawing cash linked to online scam syndicates.

The Lampang Commerce Office brought together 10 local entrepreneurs to exhibit at Thailand's 78th Tourism Fair under the 'Lampang Lifestyle & Scent' concept, creating trading opportunities and expanding market reach for the province's signature products. The initiative promotes small and medium-sized enterprises to boost their competitiveness through broader marketing channels and business negotiations at the national-level product exhibition. The 10 participating Lampang entrepreneurs showcased and sold goods including LANCHAANG, Jen Son Beverage, PITA Handcraft, Olé International, Twi Pan Products, Wolffia Thailand, Ceramic Museum, Sirida Products, Tung Hang Handicrafts, and K Cocoa Café. Their offerings encompassed lifestyle goods, home décor, ceramics, handicrafts, community products, food and beverages, and processed agricultural items reflecting Lampang's wisdom and cultural identity.

The exhibition attracted significant visitor interest, with consumers continuously browsing, purchasing, and inquiring about products. This allowed entrepreneurs to promote their brands, expand customer bases, and generate business opportunities, with over 20 business negotiations conducted between sellers and buyers. The participation strengthened competitiveness and added value to Lampang's products and services while opening doors for expanded marketing channels, trade networks, and future business collaborations.

This participation represents an important mechanism for pushing Lampang's small and medium-sized enterprises into broader markets, aligning with the province's grassroots economic development policies and entrepreneurship promotion initiatives. The goal is to generate income, increase economic value, and elevate Lampang's signature products to international recognition.

On July 8, officers led by Deputy Commander Chai Krit Podea of Division 6, along with units from Pathumwan Police Station, arrested Suphataht, 27, near the Uthenthai Campus of Rajamangala University of Technology Isan in Pathumwan district, Bangkok, at 6 p.m. on July 7. Police had been conducting preventive patrols for student disturbances when they observed the long-haired suspect acting suspiciously near the university entrance. Officers became suspicious he was carrying a firearm and requested a search, discovering a 9mm pistol tucked at his right waist. The suspect was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and unlawfully transporting weapons through public areas without justified cause. He was transferred to Pathumwan Police Station for further investigation.

Former footballer Roy Keane, commenting for ITV, criticized Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan for blaming everything else rather than taking responsibility after Egypt's 2-3 loss to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup round of 16.

Hassan was dissatisfied after conceding a late comeback, arguing that Egypt should have scored a goal that was disallowed by VAR. He also noted that Egypt was not awarded a penalty after being fouled in the box, unlike Argentina who received one in the first half. Hassan subsequently claimed that FIFA had pre-planned Argentina's advancement for marketing reasons.

However, Roy Keane countered: "That's the kind of excuse you'd expect from a fan after a poor performance, not from a national team manager. If your team is losing 2-0 late in the game, the first thing you should do is look in the mirror and see what you missed."

"Every time Messi wins, people start talking about conspiracy theories instead of discussing football. It's lazy. Lazy to accept defeat, lazy to analyze what went wrong, and unwilling to improve your team. Blaming referees and claiming the tournament is a marketing plot doesn't change the fact that your team couldn't hold the score until the end of the game. That's not the mentality a national team manager should have. Leaders must take responsibility. They don't make excuses."