PHUKET: Freedom Beach has been temporarily closed to visitors and swimming during the monsoon season after a German tourist was swept out to sea and later found dead at the Phuket beach.
PHUKET: Freedom Beach has been temporarily closed to visitors and swimming during the monsoon season after a German tourist was swept out to sea and later found dead at the Phuket beach.
Thai actress Savika Chaiyadej was acquitted in a 2.4 billion baht Forex-3D Ponzi scheme case, while five core operators received 20-year sentences for defrauding nearly 10,000 investors.
Thai actress cleared in 2.4 billion baht Forex-3D fraud caseLegacy Thailand’s Criminal Court has acquitted actress Savika Chaiyadej, her mother Sarinya and her brother Kittichet in the Forex-3D fraud case. The ruling, handed down yesterday, August 13, comes almost four years after prosecutors filed charges on August 18, 2022. The case, Black 853/2564, was brought by the Office of the Attorney General’s Special Case Prosecution Division 4 against Apirak Kotthi, two linked companies, Savika and her family, and others, totalling 24 defendants. The charges covered joint borrowing amounting to public fraud and offences under the Computer Crimes Act. Prosecutors alleged that between November 24, 2015 and September 8, 2020, the group deceived the public through the Forex-3D website and Facebook page, claiming a professional team traded client funds in the foreign exchange market and guaranteeing 100% of the principal with no losses. In reality, no trading took place. The court found the company had never been licensed by the Bank of Thailand, and that the scheme instead used new investors’ money to pay returns to earlier investors, a Ponzi-style structure, with a large number of nominee bank accounts used to obscure the money trail. About 9,822 people invested a combined 2.489 billion baht in the scheme. The court found that Apirak and the group’s core leadership had genuinely engaged in the deception. Five individuals were convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for each of the 9,822 counts against them, a total of 49,110 years each, capped by law at the maximum of 20 years served. The five are Apirak, platform programmer Supinyo Meesomprat, Apirak’s personal secretary Natthee (also known as Warit), records custodian Thassiwan Chantharanukul, and Apirak’s wife, Pakamon Seelun. Two companies linked to the case, RMS Family Co., Ltd. and Mee Dee Pay Co., Ltd., were fined a combined 4.911 billion baht. RMS Family is represented by Kittichet (also known as Sarayuth) Chaiyadej, Savika’s brother, in his capacity as the company’s representative; this is separate from his personal acquittal as an individual defendant. The defendants found responsible were also ordered to repay victims in full with statutory interest. For Savika, her mother and her brother, the court examined their financial records and found more than 40 million baht in circulating funds, along with a close relationship with Apirak dating from before the company was founded. Savika Chaiyadej | Photo via Thairath It concluded this was consistent with genuine investment returns and with Savika’s income as an actress, rather than a fabricated portfolio, and found no evidence the three had solicited others to invest. The court gave them the benefit of the doubt and acquitted them along with other unconnected defendants, acquitting 19 people in total. According to reporters in the courtroom, Savika, her mother and her brother embraced after the acquittal was read. One of the convicted defendants, the programmer, was reported to have cried after his sentence was read. Savika, defendant number seven, was free on 5 million baht bail during the trial, while other defendants were held in custody. She told a Thairath reporter after the verdict that she was relieved by the ruling, and said she would go to collect her mother and brother from prison. As of publication, no public statement has been issued by Apirak. Other defendants tied to the Forex-3D case have been tried separately, including singer Pattanapon “DJ Man” Kunchon and his wife, singer Sutheewan “Baitoey” Thaweesin, who were acquitted by the Criminal Court on December 26, 2024. That ruling is currently under consideration by the Appeal Court. The story Thai actress cleared in 2.4 billion baht Forex-3D fraud case as seen on Thaiger News.
Abbot Phra Kru Adul Saranit says he will remain at his Khon Kaen temple despite safety concerns, with police monitoring the site and the monk implementing strict precautions including not traveling alone.
At Wat Pa Adul Yaaram in Khon Kaen's Kangsadal community, Abbot Phra Kru Adul Saranit confirmed on August 14 that he has told his family not to worry. Police are monitoring the temple's security, and when officers are not present, temple attendants provide close supervision. The abbot is taking personal safety precautions carefully and requires temple staff to accompany any family visitors. He will not travel alone to accept external religious invitations. He recounted an incident when a woman knocked on his door at 4 a.m., which he did not answer, explaining that he is more concerned about blackmail and reputational damage than physical harm. The abbot stated he is not afraid and will not leave the temple.
A monk was struck by a pickup truck while crossing a road in Nonthaburi on August 14 and was rushed to hospital in critical condition; police are investigating whether the elderly monk crossed unexpectedly or the driver failed to brake in t
At 6:00 a.m. on August 14, officers from Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi, along with rescue personnel from Bang Bua Thong Hospital, Bang Rak Pattana Municipality rescue, and volunteer medics, responded to a report of a covered pickup truck striking a monk crossing the road with critical injuries. The incident occurred on Bangkruay-Tha Rai Road near Chaiyamajuri Lane in Bang Rak Pattana Subdistrict, Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province.
Rescuers found local residents performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Phra Phinit, approximately 65–70 years old, a monk from Wat Bang Phai, after he was hit by the white Isuzu covered pickup while crossing the street. Emergency responders continued resuscitation efforts before transporting him urgently to Bang Bua Thong Hospital.
Police located the white Isuzu pickup truck with visible damage to the front right corner parked nearby. The driver stated that when he reached the accident site, Phra Phinit had walked quickly from the left side to cross to the right, but crossed at such a short distance that he could not brake in time, causing the collision.
The abbot of Wat Bang Phai noted that Phra Phinit regularly walks his alms round alone from the temple at Bang Plu intersection and travels to nearby Rung Rueang 6 village, but expressed uncertainty whether this particular crossing pattern was his usual routine.
Police said they will review closed-circuit camera footage at the scene and conduct further questioning of the driver.
Thailand's Meteorological Department warns of heavy rain across 21 provinces through August 15, with very heavy rainfall expected in the East and risks of flash floods and river overflows, particularly in low-lying areas and near waterways.
BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, Thailand will continue to experience heavy rain in some areas over the next 24 hours, with very heavy rain forecast for parts of the East, according to the Meteorological Department.
The department said that a monsoon trough is extending across Myanmar, upper Laos and upper Vietnam, while a relatively strong southwesterly monsoon is prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
Residents in affected areas have been warned to watch out for the dangers posed by heavy and accumulated rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in foothill areas, near waterways and in low-lying areas. Rivers may also overflow in parts of the Northeast.
Winds and waves in the upper Andaman Sea will be relatively strong, with waves reaching 2-3 metres and rising above 3 metres in areas experiencing thunderstorms.
The Meteorological Department advised boat operators to exercise caution and avoid areas experiencing thunderstorms. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore.
Weather forecast from 07:00 on 14 August to 07:00 on 15 August
North: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Mae Hong Son, Nan and Tak. Temperatures will range from 22-28°C, with highs of 32-35°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-20km/h.
Northeast: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan. Temperatures will range from 24-26°C, with highs of 32-35°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-20km/h.
Central: Thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Saraburi and Kanchanaburi. Temperatures will range from 24-27°C, with highs of 34-36°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 10-25km/h.
East: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok and Prachinburi, and very heavy rain possible in Chanthaburi and Trat. Temperatures will range from 24-28°C, with highs of 30-34°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 20-35km/h. Waves will be around 2 metres, rising above 2 metres during thunderstorms.
South, east coast: Thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, mainly in Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Temperatures will range from 23-26°C, with highs of 31-36°C. Southwesterly winds will blow at 20-35km/h. Waves will be 1-2 metres offshore, around 2 metres farther from the coast and above 2 metres during thunderstorms.
South, west coast: Thunderstorms will cover 60% of the area, with isolated heavy rain in Ranong and Phang Nga. Temperatures will range from 23-27°C, with highs of 31-36°C.
From Phang Nga northwards, southwesterly winds will blow at 20-40km/h, with waves of 2-3 metres and waves above 3 metres during thunderstorms.
From Phuket southwards, southwesterly winds will blow at 15-35km/h, with waves of 1-2 metres and waves above 2 metres during thunderstorms.
A 61-year-old former hospital director crashed his pickup truck on a Phatthalung road after midnight, injuring himself and damaging a parked vehicle and road sign. Police suspect intoxication and plan to conduct an alcohol test before decid
A 61-year-old former director of a tambon health-promoting hospital in Phatthalung was injured when his pickup truck crashed into a parked vehicle, damaged a government road sign and overturned on Ban Khuan Thop Road in Phaya Khan subdistrict, Mueang district, shortly after midnight on August 14, 2026. The driver, identified as Sukwit, suffered facial cuts from broken windscreen glass and initially refused to leave the damaged vehicle, remaining inside using his phone and arguing with officials. Responders said he appeared intoxicated. After several minutes of persuasion, he agreed to be taken to hospital for treatment. Police documented the damage to the road sign and parked vehicle for possible compensation claims and will conduct an alcohol breath test or blood sample collection in accordance with procedure before considering legal action.
A mysterious explosion-like sound startled residents across Rayong province on August 13 afternoon, audible for kilometers, but authorities found no visible source, smoke, or chemical evidence of an actual blast.
A loud explosion-like sound shook the sky across multiple districts in Rayong province on August 13 at around 4:30 p.m., causing widespread alarm. Residents heard what sounded like a large blast that was audible across a radius of tens of kilometers, strong enough to frighten pets into running away from homes. However, preliminary investigation found no abnormalities in the sky, no smoke or unusual formations, and no chemical smell.
Tat Phong, a resident of Thap Ma subdistrict in Muang Rayong district, said he heard the explosive sound while running errands at Thap Ma market. He was confident it was not thunder and looked for the source but found nothing unusual in the sky. Wannachit, a barber in Nong La Loke subdistrict of Ban Kaai district, initially thought it was a vehicle tire explosion while cutting a customer's hair. Sophatthorn, a shopkeeper in Nong La Loke subdistrict, said the blast startled her greatly and she also thought it was a tire explosion, given that her shop sits near the Ban Kaai-Nikhom Phatthana road.
The mystery blast was heard across almost every district in Rayong, creating confusion and concern among residents about its cause. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident further.
Bangkok Asset Management targets a 600 billion baht portfolio by year-end 2025 through joint-venture partnerships with financial institutions, shifting from reliance on its own assets to building an ecosystem approach while reporting steady
Bangkok Asset Management (BAM), led by CEO Rak Worakitphokathon, reported at an analyst meeting that second-quarter collections reached 3.513 billion baht, up from the prior quarter. First-half 2025 collections totaled 6.539 billion baht with net profit of 451 million baht, signaling steady operational recovery. The company aims to build a resilient business model in the second half by strengthening long-term performance through several key engines: the TDR Factory, selective debt investment, continuous cost-of-funds management, and expansion of joint-venture asset management companies to create quality, diversified revenue streams while reducing dependence on large borrowers.
BAM is accelerating its "Fresh Start with BAM" program, which uses flexible debt restructuring to help debtors return to sustainable economic participation while converting non-performing loans back into steady cash flow. The company is also scaling up its "Public Assets Plus" non-performing asset business to accelerate asset circulation and expand the customer base with easier terms for public access.
A major second-half strategy is expanding joint-venture asset management companies with financial institution partners. BAM plans to establish three additional joint-venture entities, with the first expected in late third quarter 2025. These joint ventures will leverage BAM's expertise in managing non-performing and non-performing assets alongside partner resources, creating revenue and long-term return opportunities without relying solely on assets BAM holds directly.
Combining company assets with those held by joint-venture partners under the "BAM Universe," BAM forecasts its total portfolio will exceed 600 billion baht by year-end 2025. This marks a shift from growth based solely on BAM's own portfolio to building an asset management ecosystem where partners play a central role. BAM targets 2025 net profit near 2 billion baht while strengthening revenue diversification and consistency, reducing big-ticket dependence, accelerating the TDR Factory, speeding non-performing asset sales, and expanding joint-venture partnerships to create multiple revenue engines.
Air India expanded drug testing for all pilots after a captain tested positive for marijuana, following an August 4 incident when a Phuket-Delhi flight dropped 300 feet, injuring 24 people.
Air India expands pilot drug testing after marijuana resultLegacy Air India began testing all of its pilots for psychoactive substances on Thursday, August 13, the airline said. This is a step that goes beyond the current regulatory minimum. The move follows a sudden loss of altitude on a flight from Phuket to Delhi on August 4. After the incident, the captain reportedly tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test. Flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo registered VT-EXO, dropped about 300 feet from a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet near Odisha. The crew then stabilised the aircraft and landed safely in Delhi, according to the PTI wire. The jet was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew. At least 17 people were hurt in the initial count, including four cabin crew. However, that figure was later revised upward to 24 by several Indian outlets. The revised number was made up of 20 passengers and four crew. The Phuket to Delhi corridor has featured in drug cases recently. For example, Indian customs seized about 1.5 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis hidden aboard a Phuket to New Delhi flight in July. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is examining the incident from both technical and human-factors angles. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation removed the pilot in command and the co-pilot from the roster, pending the investigation and the results of confirmatory drug tests, according to the PTI wire. The pilot in command’s confirmatory test returned positive for marijuana, Reuters reported. No finding of fault has been announced. The investigation remains open. Causation is not yet settled. A purported post-flight maintenance report cited by Indian media recorded multiple technical warnings on the aircraft, including low pressure across the green, blue and yellow hydraulic systems, a flight-control fault affecting the elevators, and two autopilot disconnections during the journey. Investigators are expected to review flight-data and cockpit-voice recordings, maintenance records and crew statements before determining what caused the drop. A preliminary report is expected within about two weeks. However, some reports put the timeline at up to a month. The route has seen other safety incidents too. Among them was an Air India Express jet left disabled on the runway after a hard landing in Phuket in March. What the new testing covers The policy applies to pilots at Air India and its budget arm, Air India Express. An internal memo cited by Reuters said the screening would run alongside training at the airline’s Gurugram academy. It would also take place after flights at briefing centres and offices, or at locations set by pilots’ home bases. In addition, Indian rules already require carriers to randomly test at least 10% of flight crew each year for psychoactive substances. Air India said the expanded programme is meant to reinforce safety and passenger confidence beyond that baseline. Crew conduct on the same service has drawn scrutiny before, including an Air India pilot removed from a Phuket-Delhi flight over a positive alcohol test. Air India did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the new policy. As of publishing, the airline had issued no public statement on the reported test result. The AAIB investigation into the August 4 flight continues. The story Air India expands pilot drug testing after marijuana result as seen on Thaiger News.
PM Anutin inspected a Royal Thai Air Force base in Nakhon Ratchasima on August 14 to assess operational readiness and security operations along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, chairman of the National Security Council, travelled by private aircraft to inspect the Tactical Air Squadron at Wing 1 in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima province on 14 August. He was joined by Defence Minister Anudom Boontherm, Permanent Secretary of Defence Tharapong Malakham, Supreme Commander Ukrit Buntananth, Air Force Commander Seksak Kantha, and Ratchada Thanadirek.
Upon arrival at Wing 1, the Prime Minister received briefings on the squadron's missions, operational areas, and activities related to security along the Thai-Cambodian border, as well as key Royal Thai Air Force projects. He then addressed personnel on their duties as civil servants and air force personnel, before touring military equipment and aircraft used in operational readiness.
Wing 1 operates as a strategic unit under the national defence plan, with combat aircraft positioned to execute air operations upon command. As National Security Council chairman, the Prime Minister conducted the inspection to assess readiness across all domains. The National Security Council is Thailand's principal security organization, responsible for setting policy direction, proposing security strategies, and formulating national-level policies to protect national security while monitoring strategic threats.
Following the inspection, the Prime Minister proceeded to Ubon Ratchathani province to attend the funeral rites of Kriang Kalpitinont, a prominent Pheu Thai Party figure. The event has drawn attention because former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his sister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and former Premier Somchai Wongsawat are expected to attend.
Gold prices in Thailand plummeted 750 baht per gram to 68,800 baht on August 14, with dealers expecting a sharp recovery and potential surge above 80,000 baht within days.
Gold prices dropped sharply on August 14, 2026, falling 750 baht compared to August 13, according to the Thai Gold Ornament Merchants Association. Ornamental gold is selling at 68,800 baht per gram. Gold bars are trading at 67,800 baht per gram for purchase and 68,000 baht per gram for sale. Ornamental gold (96.5% purity) is being bought back at 66,446.28 baht per gram and sold at 68,800 baht per gram. Global gold spot prices are at 4,321 US dollars per ounce. Gold merchants are predicting that tomorrow's market opening may see prices surge by 1,000–2,000 baht per gram, potentially breaking through the 80,000 baht mark.