Lanta & News
No. 01 · ENDLESS
National

Industry Permanent Secretary Shifts to Energy Role

Industry Ministry permanent secretary Natthapon Rangsitphol is transferring to lead the Energy Ministry following a request from its minister, with a replacement to be selected from within the department.

Industry Permanent Secretary Shifts to Energy Role
11 Aug Khaosod

Industry Minister Varawuth Silpaarcha announced on August 11, 2025, at Government House that permanent secretary Natthapon Rangsitphol will be transferred from the Industry Ministry to become permanent secretary of the Energy Ministry. Silpaarcha acknowledged that Energy Minister Ekniyom Phromphao had requested the transfer, noting that Natthapon has completed four years of service and possesses strong qualifications. Since the Energy Ministry was formerly part of the Industry Ministry, the move was deemed feasible. The new Industry Ministry permanent secretary will be selected from candidates within the ministry, pending cabinet approval and documentation review.

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Police

Nonthaburi Governor Denies Special Treatment for Suspect

Former MP Chalong Riewraeng was charged with premeditated murder after fatally shooting Nonthaburi PAO chairman Police Colonel Thongchai Yenprasert; the governor denied claims the suspect received preferential treatment in custody.

11 Aug The Thaiger Crime

Nonthaburi governor denies special treatment for former MPLegacyNonthaburi governor Chetsada Mosigrat has rejected claims that former MP Chalong Riewraeng received preferential treatment in police custody after images showed him smoking following the Nonthaburi provincial official shooting. Chetsada visited Rattanathibet Police Station in Nonthaburi at 7pm yesterday, August 10, to follow developments in the case. Photo via Thairath Former MP Chalong is accused of shooting Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chairman Police Colonel Thongchai Yenprasert at the PAO office earlier that morning. Thongchai died, and a driver was injured in the incident. Following Thongchai’s death, police charged Chalong with premeditated murder, attempted murder, carrying a firearm in a public place without reasonable cause, and firing a gun in a public place without reasonable cause. Photo via MGR Online Police have applied for a court warrant to search Chalong’s home for firearms, illegal items and other physical evidence that could be used in the case. Officers are continuing to gather evidence and are preparing to take him to court for detention. Chetsada said investigators have CCTV footage and that Chalong admitted several aspects of the case during questioning. The former MP initially cited a personal dispute as the reason for the incident. Police will continue gathering evidence before submitting the case file to prosecutors for consideration. The governor also addressed images circulating of Chalong smoking while near police officers during his detention. He said Chalong asked for permission to smoke while in custody because he was under considerable stress. Photo via Thaicrime Online He said police followed normal procedures and denied that the former MP had received special treatment. Chalong was handcuffed during questioning and while being held in custody in accordance with police procedures, according to the governor. Police have also opposed bail, although Chalong has a lawyer acting on his behalf as part of his legal rights. The matter will now proceed through the justice process. Chetsada said officials are also considering revoking licences for several firearms. Licences could be revoked if checks find that legally registered firearms belong to someone whose conduct provides grounds for action under the law. Photo via Thaicrime Online The Nonthaburi PAO must meanwhile prepare for an election following the vacancy left by Thongchai’s death. The Election Commission is discussing the timetable with the provincial organisation and will announce further details later. Chetsada also outlined increased security measures following the recent shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School. The prime minister has ordered tighter security at educational institutions and other locations nationwide, alongside stricter controls on firearms in public places. The story Nonthaburi governor denies special treatment for former MP as seen on Thaiger News.

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National

Thailand Launches Digital Durian Market to Modernize Farming

Thailand launched a Digital Durian Market initiative to modernize farming practices and improve supply chain traceability, helping durian farmers meet international quality standards and access digital tools for production tracking.

Thailand Launches Digital Durian Market to Modernize Farming
11 Aug Khaosod

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society Nannaporn Bunyatida Somchai presided over the opening of the Digital Durian Market event, which brings durians from farm to shelf. The event was attended by DEPA officials, CP Extra executives, and durian farmers enrolled in the Digital Durian project at the Makro Ladprao event space in Bangkok.

Nannaporn emphasized that promoting durian farmers cannot focus solely on distribution but must begin at the source. The government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy and DEPA, must plan how to help Thai agriculture transition to modern farming practices. Thailand's annual durian yields vary significantly due to multiple factors affecting both farmers and domestic and international buyers with different needs.

Thailand should prioritize technology for tracking and monitoring agricultural products throughout the supply chain—from production through harvesting, processing, and transportation—to enable traceability back to source and production methods. This provides buyers and consumers assurance of quality from Thai farmers. DEPA has launched multiple programs to develop Thai agriculture, including the Digital Durian project, which enables farmers to use digital platforms for record-keeping and harvest tracking, meet GAP standards, and implement smart water management with IoT technology. These efforts help Thai durians maintain quality and standards in global markets. The ministry operates as a support system, integrating work across all agencies to maximize public benefit.

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Police

Police Urge Media to Limit Shooter's Name, Photos

Thailand's deputy police commissioner has asked media and social media users to limit coverage of a shooter's identity and images to prevent copycat attacks and protect the perpetrator's uninvolved family members.

Police Urge Media to Limit Shooter's Name, Photos
11 Aug Khaosod

Deputy National Police Commissioner Trairongc Phiwphanan, acting as National Police Office spokesman, posted on Facebook requesting cooperation from the media, news pages, and social media users to reduce the spread of the shooter's name, face, and background in ways that would make that person a center of attention. The key reason is not only to protect family members who were not perpetrators and should not be socially punished, but also relates to preventing future incidents.

Investigation findings revealed a significant behavioral pattern: the perpetrator had compared foreign mass shooting incidents before carrying out the attack. This requires us to be cautious about the copycat effect and the pursuit of recognition or notoriety from violent acts, as many active shooter cases worldwide show that some perpetrators study past incidents, compare themselves with other perpetrators, or seek to be remembered.

Therefore, in news reporting, I propose a simple principle: "Give coverage to victims and rescuers rather than the perpetrator." We can report facts, analyze causes, issue warnings, and extract lessons to prevent recurrence without making the perpetrator's name and face repeatedly publicized images. We should particularly avoid presenting it in a way that could become a "platform for announcement" that might fulfill the motivations of those wanting to copycat.

I ask for cooperation from the media and all social media users: unless there is a public interest necessity, please reduce the spread of the perpetrator's name and photo. Let us remember the victims, remember those who helped, and remember the lessons so this never happens again—but let us not together build a "reputation" for someone who chose violence.

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National

CKPower Speeds Up Water Monitoring System Ahead of El Niño

CKPower's net profit fell 22% in the first half of 2025 due to reduced electricity sales and higher fuel costs, though subsidiary XAYABURI surged 134% on increased hydroelectric output. The company is upgrading its water monitoring system t

CKPower Speeds Up Water Monitoring System Ahead of El Niño
11 Aug Khaosod

CKPower Managing Director Thanawat Triwisvavet announced the company's second-quarter and first-half 2025 results, reporting net operating profit of 210 million and 326 million baht respectively, down 40% and 22% year-on-year. The decline stems mainly from reduced electricity sales and higher fuel costs at subsidiaries BIC and NN2, though this was partially offset by strong performance from XPCL, which contributed 318 million and 517 million baht in the quarter and half-year—up 49% and 134% respectively—driven by increased water flow through the Xayaburi hydroelectric plant and lower financing costs.

Water levels at the Nam Ngum 2 hydroelectric facility stood at 355 meters above mean sea level at end-June 2025, comparable to the prior year despite lower inflows, while average discharge through Xayaburi remained 15% higher than the same period last year. Anticipating possible El Niño conditions in the second half of 2025, CKPower is developing an enhanced Hydrometeorological Monitoring and Forecasting System to improve accuracy in power generation readiness forecasts.

The Luang Prabang hydroelectric project is 77% complete as of June 2025, on schedule. Meanwhile, subsidiary Bangkhenchai Co. Ltd., operating under a Feed-in Tariff scheme with 6 megawatts of renewable capacity, began construction with commercial operation targeted for 2026 under a 25-year power purchase agreement. CKPower maintains a healthy liquidity ratio of 2.49x and net interest-bearing debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52x, with lower interest rate trends expected to support second-half performance.

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Regional

Satun Officials Face Dismissal Over Rigged Civil Service Exam

Four of five civil servants hired by Satun Provincial Administrative Organization were found unqualified after an investigation into exam fraud, with officials now facing dismissal and potential salary clawback procedures.

Satun Officials Face Dismissal Over Rigged Civil Service Exam
11 Aug Khaosod

A major corruption scandal has engulfed Satun Provincial Administrative Organization (Satun PAO) after four of five recently hired civil servants were found to lack credentials on an updated official examination results list released following an investigation into systematic exam fraud. Satun PAO deputy administrator Taveesak Leksoot revealed that the organization had requested approximately eight positions in engineering and supply chain roles from central authorities, with five candidates hired in two batches: three positions in May 2024 (engineers and civil works supervisors) and two positions in July 2024 (electrical technician and procurement specialist), all from southern provinces including Songkhla, Narathiwat, Pattani, and Satun.

When fraud investigations prompted the Department of Local Government Promotion to issue a revised list of qualified candidates, only one of the five Satun hires appeared on it with an improved ranking. Deputy Administrator Taveesak explained that legally, the four affected individuals retain civil servant status pending formal revocation procedures from central authorities, as they never properly qualified for their positions in the first place. The question of whether to reclaim salaries already paid—three months for the first batch and one month for the second—awaits clarification from central authorities, though exceptions may apply if the individuals performed work duties during their employment.

On potential criminal charges, Taveesak noted that prosecution would require proving the candidates knowingly participated in corruption, acknowledging that in some cases parents arranged fraud without informing their children. He emphasized that the provincial governor, who sits on the central examination committee, bore no responsibility for the scheme, as committee members only oversee general administration while the Department of Local Government Promotion and contracted universities handle examination procedures and candidate lists. Taveesak plans to interview the affected employees to assess their mental state and next steps.

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Police

National Police Chief Orders Nationwide Gun and Explosive Crackdown

Thailand's national police chief has ordered all units nationwide to crack down on illegal firearms and explosives following recent violent incidents, with enhanced patrols at public spaces including schools and shopping centers.

National Police Chief Orders Nationwide Gun and Explosive Crackdown
11 Aug Khaosod

National police command has ordered all units across Thailand to strengthen controls on firearms and explosives and escalate security measures in a concrete manner, emphasizing enhanced safety protocols and crime prevention in public areas nationwide.

On August 11, Deputy Police Chief Trairuang Phiwpharn, speaking as spokesman for the National Police Office, disclosed that Police Chief Kittisart Panthet has issued orders to all units nationwide to implement weapon regulations and upgrade security measures. The action responds to current violent incidents in which perpetrators have deployed firearms and explosives in multiple cases across different areas, resulting in loss of life, physical injury, and property damage to the public.

This constitutes an urgent government policy and National Police Office priority emphasizing crime prevention and suppression that impacts the public. Deputy Police Chief Thana Chuwong has been tasked with leading investigations into firearm, ammunition, and explosive-related offenses through targeted assessments, launching encirclement operations to search for firearms, weapons, ammunition, explosives, and weapon simulants, including illegal distribution channels both on the ground and through online social media.

Deputy Police Chief Thatchai Pitanilabut will upgrade safety measures and enhance security at public soft targets such as schools, shopping centers, and parks through increased visible patrols (Stop Walk Talk), weapons screening of suspicious persons and vehicles, rapid incident response, and tactical special operation units to contain and suppress incidents. All units are also instructed to inspect and control government firearms in compliance with regulations.

The Police Chief has additionally directed all commanding officers at every level to integrate investigative and crime prevention forces in conducting comprehensive sweeps against firearm, ammunition, and explosive offenses in concrete terms while strictly adhering to police tactics and the law.

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Police

Man Arrested for Armed Motorcycle Theft in Chalong

PHUKET: Police have arrested a man accused of threatening and assaulting a Myanmar national with a rifle before stealing his motorcycle in a secluded area of Chalong.

Man Arrested for Armed Motorcycle Theft in Chalong
11 Aug The Phuket News

PHUKET: Police have arrested a man accused of threatening and assaulting a Myanmar national with a rifle before stealing his motorcycle in a secluded area of Chalong.

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National

Thailand Sets Up Four Task Forces to Boost Economy

Thailand has established four specialized task forces to drive economic growth across creative industries, agriculture, tourism, and international trade, targeting quick results within six months to a year without major budget increases.

Thailand Sets Up Four Task Forces to Boost Economy
11 Aug Khaosod

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammapun chaired the first meeting on August 10, 2025, of a subcommittee focused on trade, tourism, and community economic development at Government House's Santisuk Maitri Building. The meeting included Culture Minister Sabida Thaisert, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Panjcharoenvarakul, and advisors Virasakdi Khovasuratana and Kopsak Phutrakagun, along with representatives from public agencies, the private sector, and experts.

Supachai outlined the committee's mandate to cover trade and services across tourism, wellness, creative economy, agriculture, food security, and retail and international commerce. She announced the establishment of four specialized working groups: (1) Creative Economy and Visitor Economy, chaired by Virasakdi, focusing on leveraging Thailand's cultural capital and creating value from visitors; (2) Agriculture, Food Security, and High-Value Farming, led by Dr. Kopsak, aimed at upgrading the agricultural sector throughout the supply chain; (3) Community Economy and SMEs, also under Dr. Kopsak's leadership, designed to support entrepreneurs from startup to scale-up stages; and (4) International Trade, chaired by Virasakdi, targeting trade balance, market expansion, and FTA utilization.

Supachai emphasized that all four groups will pursue "Quick Big Wins" achieving results within 6 months to 1 year through regulatory review and streamlining, without requiring large budget allocations, coupled with long-term structural improvements for the 2–4 year horizon. The working groups will operate in coordination with clear ownership and targets before presenting recommendations to the subcommittee and the public-private economic problem-solving committee. Virasakdi noted that efforts will seek new opportunities for creative economy and visitor economy sectors.

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National

Thai Singer Sunalei Recovering Well After ICU Discharge

Thai country singer Sunalei Ratchasima is recovering well after ICU discharge following successful surgery, with her medical team confirming she is alert and beginning physical therapy today.

Thai Singer Sunalei Recovering Well After ICU Discharge
11 Aug Khaosod

Popular Thai country singer Sunalei Ratchasima has successfully completed surgery and is recovering well after leaving the ICU. Her team released the latest photos this morning showing her alert and able to move, with plans to begin physical therapy today. Her sons and their father have visited to offer encouragement and support during her hospital stay.

Following the surgery, her team announced that the procedure went smoothly and she is now resting and recovering in the ICU. Photos from her hospital recovery room show her in good condition with her two sons and their father by her side, as they expressed gratitude for all the well-wishes: "Mother has left the ICU and is doing well and safe. Thank you to the father of Hero and Arthur for coming to visit and encourage her."

This morning (August 11, 2026), her team provided another update with Sunalei giving a peace sign and smile to fans, relaying her message: "This morning mother is alert and able to move. Mother thanks everyone for their encouragement and support. We will begin physical therapy today." Entertainment industry colleagues and fans have been sending their well-wishes and prayers for her speedy recovery.

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National

Gold Price Surges Over 1,200 Baht on August 11

Gold prices surged over 1,200 baht on August 11, with ornamental gold reaching 69,900 baht per baht weight as traders predict further gains could push prices toward 80,000 baht.

Gold Price Surges Over 1,200 Baht on August 11
11 Aug Khaosod

The Thai Gold Merchants Association reported on August 11, 2026, that gold prices rallied strongly, surging over 1,200 baht compared to the previous day's closing, with ornamental gold trading at 69,900 baht per baht weight. According to the latest data published by the Gold Merchants Association at 9:03 a.m., gold bars were trading at 68,900 baht per baht weight for buyback and 69,100 baht per baht weight for selling. For 96.5% ornamental gold, the buyback price was set at 67,522.64 baht per baht weight with a selling price of 69,900 baht per baht weight, while the global spot gold price stood at $4,427.00 per ounce. Gold traders predicted that at tomorrow's market opening, prices could jump another 1,000-2,000 baht per baht weight and potentially breach the 80,000 baht threshold.

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