Lanta & News
No. 01 · ENDLESS
National

Geely Riddara Hits Fourth-Ranked Pickup Sales for Second Month

Geely Riddara secured fourth place in Thailand's four-door pickup segment for the second consecutive month with 409 July registrations, maintaining its lead in the country's new-energy pickup market. The brand attributes growth to competiti

Geely Riddara Hits Fourth-Ranked Pickup Sales for Second Month
11 Aug Khaosod

Geely Riddara Thailand continues to make waves in Thailand's new-energy pickup market after achieving 409 registrations in July and climbing to the fourth-ranked position in the four-door pickup segment for the second straight month. The brand maintains its leading position in Thailand's new-energy pickup market overall, demonstrating sustained sales growth and reinforcing consumer trust in electric pickups as a reliable, affordable solution that meets both practical and value-conscious needs across commercial and everyday use.

This success comes amid a shift in Thailand's pickup market, where consumers and business operators are increasingly prioritizing operating costs, efficiency, and long-term value. As a result, new-energy pickups are gaining wider appeal—not just as alternative vehicles, but as essential tools for both commercial and personal use, including family and lifestyle applications. The Riddara RD6 exemplifies this trend with its "Function as a Pickup, Drive as an SUV" philosophy.

A key growth driver for Geely Riddara is its comprehensive product strategy targeting two main customer groups. The Riddara Econ Series is designed for commercial and hauling use, appealing to business operators seeking cost-effective, high-torque performance. The Riddara RD6 Series addresses dual-purpose buyers wanting versatility, technology, and a smooth driving experience. The brand currently offers five variants priced between 739,000 and 1,149,000 baht—one Econ model (63 kWh 2WD) and four RD6 options with varying battery and drivetrain configurations.

Beyond product strength, Geely Riddara has built consumer confidence through test drives, product communications, targeted promotions, and an expanded dealer and service network now comprising 29 showrooms and service centers nationwide. The brand continues to elevate after-sales service with genuine parts availability and trained technicians to ensure high-quality customer satisfaction.

No. 01 of Read at source → Next
National

Dragon 5 Member Mourned as Funeral Rites Begin

Dragon 5 member Tae, 46, was remembered during funeral rites at Bua Khwan Temple in Nonthaburi on August 11, with all bandmates present to pay their respects to the late musician and console his grieving family.

Dragon 5 Member Mourned as Funeral Rites Begin
11 Aug Khaosod

Dragon 5 member Tae is mourned as his body is transferred and funeral rites prepare to begin, with all bandmates arriving in solemn tribute. On August 11 at Bua Khwan Temple in Nonthaburi province, the merit-making ceremony takes place for Thaman Tae Phan, known as Tae Dragon 5, age 46, a former member of the celebrated boy band who passed away amid profound sorrow from his family and entertainment industry colleagues. At 1:45 p.m., the family transferred the body from cold storage into a white casket to prepare for the subsequent funeral rites. At 2:00 p.m., the body was moved to the chedi with Aondy carrying incense, his girlfriend holding his portrait, a monk chanting prayers, and Tae's mother walking in the procession. The atmosphere remained heavy with grief as Dragon 5 bandmates Aondy Khaem Phimuk, Yawin Yat Omorsun, Atis Atthakritsan, and Sakan Chao Rattan arrived together to embrace Tae's mother with deep condolences.

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Police

Durian Orchard Fire Destroys Crops Worth 300,000 Baht

A fire destroyed over 70 durian trees worth 300,000 baht at a Phatthalung orchard on August 10, with the owner suspecting arson due to an ongoing land dispute with a neighbor.

Durian Orchard Fire Destroys Crops Worth 300,000 Baht
11 Aug Khaosod

A durian orchard owner in Phatthalung province has filed a complaint with police after a fire destroyed over 70 trees and other fruit plants valued at more than 300,000 baht on August 10, 2024. Theeratep and Naiyana, the owners, suspect the fire was intentionally set, as the blaze occurred in an area near a neighbor's property with whom they have had an ongoing conflict. The dispute began when the neighbor objected to the owners' land improvements and constructed an unauthorized structure on public land. After the Quanmaphrao subdistrict municipality ordered the structure removed within 30 days, tensions escalated, leading to verbal abuse and the neighbor throwing guava fruit at Theeratep, causing injury. When the orchard caught fire at midday, locals and municipal firefighters extinguished it, but Theeratep believes it was deliberately set due to the fire's proximity to the neighbor's house. He has filed a report with Muang Phatthalung police for investigation.

No. 03 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand Tightens Airport Baggage Screening From October

Thailand's aviation authority is tightening checked baggage screening procedures starting October 16, allowing inspectors to open bags without passengers present if suspicious items are detected, with inspections video-recorded and owners n

11 Aug TAT Newsroom

Bangkok, 11 August 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advises passengers departing from airports in Thailand with checked baggage on or after 16 October 2026 to check the latest information from their airline, departure airport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), especially rules regarding prohibited items and checked baggage requirements.

CAAT has announced revised procedures aimed at strengthening aviation security and improving the efficiency of checked baggage screening. They apply to baggage checked for carriage in the aircraft hold, while current procedures will remain in effect until changes are introduced.

Under the revised procedures, checked baggage may be opened for inspection without the owner being present if screening officers identify items considered suspicious, prohibited or potentially harmful to aviation safety. CAAT has emphasised that checked bags will not be routinely opened.

When an inspection is required, the bag will be opened in a designated area under controlled conditions. The inspection process will be video recorded, with records retained for review, and passengers will be notified afterwards if their bag was opened and inspected.

CAAT notes that similar procedures are used in many countries, including Singapore, Japan, South Korea and the United States, as well as in parts of the Middle East and Europe. They allow security personnel to resolve screening concerns without having to locate the passenger to unlock luggage, helping to minimise potential delays while maintaining aviation security.

To support inspections when required, CAAT recommends using internationally recognised bag locks, such as a TSA-compatible lock. Passengers are also encouraged to check for prohibited and restricted items before travelling. CAAT further advises against placing valuables, fragile items, important documents or essential personal belongings in checked baggage.

Travellers with international connections or onward journeys should also check baggage and security requirements at transit and destination airports, as regulations may vary between countries.

Passengers who experience an issue or damage arising from inspections may contact their airline or submit a complaint to CAAT through complaint.caat.or.th.

TAT will provide further updates should CAAT issue additional operational guidance before the revised procedures take effect.

No. 04 of Read at source → Next
Police

Illegal Taxi Driver Refunds Overcharged Lao Passenger

An unlicensed Ubon Ratchathani taxi driver refunded 3,600 baht to a Lao passenger after charging him nearly double the fair rate for a 94-kilometre trip to the Thai-Lao border. The driver was fined 2,000 baht and had his licence temporarily

Illegal Taxi Driver Refunds Overcharged Lao Passenger
11 Aug Khaosod

UBON RATCHATHANI — An unlicensed taxi driver has admitted charging a Lao passenger 4,500 baht for a 94-kilometre journey and agreed to refund the 3,600 baht he received. The driver was also fined 2,000 baht by the provincial transport office for using a vehicle for an unauthorised type of service and had his private driving licence temporarily suspended.

The case came to light after a Lao passenger posted a video of his conversation with the driver, who had allegedly charged 4,500 baht for a trip from the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Transport Office to the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Sirindhorn district, approximately 94 kilometres away. The fare was eventually negotiated down to 3,600 baht.

Following the incident, transport officials summoned the driver to meet investigators at Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station. Sajja Sarawit, 32, appeared before Pol Col Saksri Krairat, chief of Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station, to give a statement.

Sajja admitted charging the Lao passenger 4,500 baht, explaining that the fare was eventually negotiated down to 3,600 baht. He said the passenger had arrived at the bus station, where he approached and offered a ride. He initially quoted a rate of 50 baht per kilometre before picking up the passenger and luggage and driving them to the Chong Mek border checkpoint. Upon arrival, he calculated the fare at 4,500 baht. The passenger offered 1,500 baht instead. Sajja said he told the passenger that he had no other customers and suggested going to the police, leading to further negotiations that resulted in the final fare of 3,600 baht.

Sajja apologised to the Lao passenger and offered to return the full 3,600 baht. He deposited the money with transport officials for the passenger to collect. The Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Transport Office also fined him 2,000 baht for using the vehicle for an unauthorised type of service and temporarily suspended his private driving licence.

Pol Col Saksri advised Sajja that if he wanted to work as a black-plate taxi driver, he should apply for proper registration with the transport office. He also said Sajja could register to work as a ride-hailing driver. After giving his statement, arranging the refund, and being fined under transport regulations, Sajja left the police station.

No. 05 of Read at source → Next
National

Former MP Fined for Smoking in Government Building

Former MP Chalerm Riawreng was fined 5,000 baht for smoking at Rattanadhivet Police Station in August, with the station commander also penalized for allowing it in a no-smoking area.

Former MP Fined for Smoking in Government Building
11 Aug Khaosod

The Department of Disease Control has fined Chalerm Riawreng, a former MP and suspect in the case of a deceased Nonthaburi provincial administrator, for smoking in a government office on August 11, 2569. The incident occurred at Rattanadhivet Police Station, where Chalerm was fined up to 5,000 baht, and the station commander was fined up to 3,000 baht as the venue owner for permitting smoking in a designated no-smoking area. Dr. Prakrit Wathisathikij, chairman of the Anti-Smoking Foundation, emphasized that although smoking is often considered a personal right under human rights principles, it is prohibited in government facilities by Thai law. He expressed hope that this enforcement action will educate public venue owners about their legal obligation to prevent smoking and face penalties if they allow it after being warned.

No. 06 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand Waives Expressway Tolls for Mother's Day August 12

Thailand will waive tolls on three major expressway routes all day Wednesday, August 12, for Mother's Day and the Queen Mother's birthday, affecting 63 toll booths across Bangkok and central regions.

Thailand Waives Expressway Tolls for Mother's Day August 12
11 Aug Khaosod

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) under the Ministry of Transport has announced that tolls will be waived on three expressway routes on Wednesday, August 12, 2569 (Mother's Day and the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother) from 00:01 to 24:00. The affected routes are: Chalerm Mahanakhon Expressway (Din Daeng-Bang Na-Dao Khanong), 21 toll booths; Sri Rat Expressway (Chaeng Watthana-Bang Kho-Srinakarin), 32 toll booths; and Udon Ratthaya Expressway (Bang Pa-in-Pak Kret), 10 toll booths. This measure aligns with government policy and the amended concession agreement between EXAT, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM), and Bangkok Northern Expressway Company Limited (NECL), aimed at facilitating public travel during the holiday, reducing transportation costs, and alleviating traffic congestion at toll plazas. The EXAT urges drivers to operate vehicles safely under the motto "Safe driving, no wrong-way entry, for safety." For travel information, contact the EXAT Call Center at 1543, available 24 hours daily.

No. 07 of Read at source → Next
Police

Police Heighten Security at Montfort College After Shooting Threat

Police deployed armed officers and undercover units to Montfort College in Chiang Mai after an online threat to shoot students, prompting parents to withdraw children and prompting a provincial safety directive.

Police Heighten Security at Montfort College After Shooting Threat
11 Aug Khaosod

Police have increased security at Montfort College in Chiang Mai following threatening messages posted online. On August 11, officers from Mae Ping Police Station deployed uniformed and plainclothes personnel, along with undercover units stationed inside the campus, to provide close security. The threat came after someone using Line sent a message threatening to shoot students at the school on the previous day.

The incident caused disruption at the school, with some students absent and parents arriving to pick up their children. Police are investigating the source of the threatening post, while the school has activated safety measures and coordinated closely with law enforcement. The Chiang Mai Provincial Education Office is developing a comprehensive safety directive in consultation with relevant agencies to be presented to the provincial governor on August 18.

The situation at Montfort College is currently stable. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and provide ongoing security, with regular updates to be issued as the investigation progresses.

No. 08 of Read at source → Next
Police

Phuket Police Arrest 19 in Drug and Gun Sweep

PHUKET: Local authorities have arrested or identified 19 people in a series of security operations targeting drugs, firearms and other offences across the province over the past several days.

Phuket Police Arrest 19 in Drug and Gun Sweep
11 Aug The Phuket News

PHUKET: Local authorities have arrested or identified 19 people in a series of security operations targeting drugs, firearms and other offences across the province over the past several days.

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
National

Mental Health Teams Deploy to School After Weapon Incident

Mental health professionals deployed to Thepsirin School in Nonthaburi on August 11 to provide counseling and support to students and staff following a fatal armed incident at the school.

Mental Health Teams Deploy to School After Weapon Incident
11 Aug Khaosod

On August 11, the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection deployed a Mental Health Care Team of eight psychologists, together with the Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (MCATT) from the Department of Mental Health, to Thepsirin School in Nonthaburi. The teams conducted mental health risk assessments, provided psychological first aid, initial counseling, and coordinated referrals to relevant agencies for ongoing treatment and support for children, youth, and staff affected by the armed incident that caused fatalities and injuries. Senior officials convened meetings with the Department of Mental Health director and education ministry advisors to integrate care for students, parents, and teachers. The Mental Health Care Team represents the department's commitment to protecting, supporting, and rehabilitating mental health for those affected by violent incidents and crises, working with both internal and external networks. The department also operates a warm family child and family counseling clinic that assesses behavioral and emotional issues in children and youth to prevent and identify warning signs of potential violence. Support services are available through the department's main office in Bangkok, 77 provincial observation centers, and 20 training centers nationwide.

No. 10 of Read at source → Next
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