Israeli key suspect and his wife deny wrongdoing after arrest on nominee networkLegacyAn Israeli property developer and his wife were arrested following an investigation into 20 Israeli nationals who allegedly used Thai nominees to conceal their ownership of land, property and restricted businesses on Koh Samui. The Samui Provincial Court reportedly issued 20 arrest warrants for Israeli nationals after investigators found that Thai people were named as shareholders to conceal foreign ownership and allow businesses restricted under Thai law to operate. Israeli nationals were reportedly the largest group of foreigners targeted in the operation, according to a report by Phuket Hotnews. Police from Bo Phut Police Station and Surat Thani Immigration arrested 45 year old Israeli property developer Gal Bieber and his wife, Roni Bieber, who were described as key suspects in the investigation. Photo by bloodua via Getty Images Investigators reportedly found that Bieber’s network used a complex corporate structure involving Thai nationals as shareholders. The companies were allegedly used to acquire, develop and rent luxury properties on Koh Samui, with many of the properties targeting Israeli customers. The investigation also alleges that the network operated businesses without the required permissions, including an international school and luxury pool villas. Police are continuing to investigate the group’s financial transactions and other people allegedly involved in the network. Officials are also working to seize and freeze assets connected to the investigation. Roni denied the accusations in an interview with The Jerusalem Post, saying that she and her husband operated their businesses based on guidance from local professionals. Photo by bloodua via Getty Images She said the couple intended to comply with Thai laws and requirements and maintained that all shareholders, including Thai nationals, participated in the business activities. Roni also accused a Thai lawyer and accountant of leading her and her husband into legal difficulties. “We respect Thai law and the authorities. All our actions were accompanied by a Thai lawyer and accountant who told us how to do everything and accompanied us when the companies were opened, and the businesses were established. “We placed our full trust in them and did as they instructed, but when the law changed, they disappeared and took no responsibility, and because they are Thai, they are free from law enforcement,” Roni said. The Jerusalem Post reported that Gal and Roni were released on bail while the investigation into the alleged nominee scheme continues. Photo by Sarah Lou via Flickr Related news

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Khon Kaen school shuts after ‘mass shooting’ threatLegacyA school in Khon Kaen has moved classes online for a day after someone reportedly posted the words “mass shooting” in a LINE group used for student activities, prompting a heavy police presence around the campus today. Kalayanawat School announced the change on Wednesday night, saying it needed time to verify the information and assess the situation before students returned to campus. The post appeared in the school’s student activity group, which has 562 members, according to reports. The school said in a notice, signed by Director Apichat Un-koet, that students would study from home on Friday, August 21, following their normal timetables through teachers’ usual online channels. Teaching and administrative staff were still required to report to the school as usual, with teachers delivering lessons online from campus. Police Colonel Yodsawat Kaewsuebthanyanit, superintendent of Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station, said he ordered crime prevention and investigation officers, along with traffic police, to secure the area around the school from early Friday morning. Officers tightened checks at entrances and exits and monitored for suspicious people or vehicles, working in real time with school administrators and teachers to assess the situation. According to information obtained by reporters, the school, located about 300 metres from Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, took the decision after students got into an argument in the Line group the previous day. One student reportedly used the words “mass shooting” during the exchange before leaving the group, though no specific target was named. The school then contacted Muang Khon Kaen Police Station and adjusted its teaching plan while the matter was investigated. Yodsawat said police believed they had identified a person of interest but had not yet confirmed the poster’s identity. He said officers were treating the case with caution given the potential for copycat behaviour, and noted that spreading false information likely to cause public alarm falls under Section 384 of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of one month in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both. The school said it was working with relevant agencies to verify the information and asked parents to closely supervise their children during the online learning day. Related news:

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Bangkok Asset Management reported second-quarter collections of 3.513 billion baht, up 16% from the first quarter's 3.026 billion baht, bringing first-half total collections to 6.539 billion baht. Second-quarter profit reached 234 million baht, up 8% from the first quarter's 217 million baht, for a first-half total profit of 451 million baht. Lakshya Vorkitpokatat, chief executive of Bangkok Asset Management, said the company is building a resilient business model that does not depend on large single collections but focuses on continuous cash flow from routine operations through the TDR Factory, proactive NPA management, selective debt purchases, and joint-venture AMCs. BAM is prioritizing financial rehabilitation of small debtors over collection pressure, operating the "Fresh Start with BAM" program that offers debt restructuring tailored to borrowers' repayment capacity. The program has so far approved 149 million baht in relief. The company has expanded cooperation with government and state enterprises through the "Public Assets Plus" initiative, which makes housing affordable for vulnerable groups, resulting in 1,775 property sales. BAM is also pursuing business partnerships that select NPA assets—single houses, commercial buildings, condominiums, and land—to present to real estate developers who can enhance value and transform idle property into productive assets. In the second quarter, BAM received 30 million baht in dividends and recognized 28 million baht in profit share from joint-venture AMCs, an asset-light growth mechanism that allows the company to manage assets without holding the full portfolio while generating returns through profit shares and dividends. For the second half of 2025, Vorkitpokatat said BAM will accelerate all three income engines—NPL, NPA, and joint-venture AMC—simultaneously to increase collections, diversify cash flow, and improve profit quality.

Bass Dechapol Puavaranukroh, a Thai national badminton player, has withdrawn from the 2026 World Badminton Championships mixed doubles quarterfinal against France's Delrue Delfine-Thom Jickel due to a knee injury from the previous round.

Bass Dechapol and Feme Supisara Paewsamphran had just defeated Japan's Yuichi Shimonagami-Sayaka Hobara in the round of 16 at the World Badminton Championships in India, but the Thai mixed doubles team's campaign has ended as Bass cannot compete in the next round due to injury.

"Today I have to withdraw from the competition because of a knee injury that occurred when I slipped on the final point of yesterday's match," Bass said. "I need to assess my condition and rest before returning. I am as disappointed as everyone else."

Meanwhile, in the women's singles, Pornpawee Chochuwong advances to the semifinals without playing after her opponent, Nozomi Okuhara of Japan, withdrew. She will face the winner between Canada's Michelle Lee and Japan's second seed Akane Yamaguchi, having already guaranteed a bronze medal at the World Badminton Championships.

The budget committee of the House of Representatives held an extraordinary session on August 21 to review proposed budget amendments for fiscal year 2570, chaired by Deputy Minister Phrader Parisnananthakul. The committee considered 38.57 billion baht in requested budget adjustments from the cabinet approved on August 18, split into two main agendas: approval of increases and modifications from 65 budgetary units totaling 37.584 billion baht, and consideration of proposals from ten independent state agencies totaling 988 million baht.

Committee member Nanthana Songpraja proposed redirecting 11.162 billion baht that had been cut, distributing it among nine agencies including the central emergency reserve fund (6.044 billion baht), the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (148 million baht), and the Office of Vocational Education Commission (96 million baht).

Meanwhile, committee member Sirikanya Tansukul from the Pheu Thai Party proposed increasing funding for the Science, Research and Innovation Fund by 6 billion baht and the Student Loan Fund (YFPO) by 5.162 billion baht. She noted that with 706,000 current borrowers and only 9 billion baht allocated for fiscal 2570, the funding is insufficient to serve existing and new applicants, risking tens of thousands of students dropping out of the system. The fund collected only 27,000 million baht in fiscal 2568, falling short of the 33,000 million baht target for 2570.

The committee majority supported Nanthana's amendment and opposed Sirikanya's proposal to increase YFPO funding. Committee member Krueang Parisnananthakul noted that while YFPO will receive nearly 9 billion baht in 2570, the core problem remains the fund's 200 billion baht debt arrears, which blocks new funding from entering the system.

During a Budget Committee meeting on August 21, 2025, at Parliament, committee member Wanmuhammadnor Matha raised concerns about the pension fund for former parliamentarians and senators, which has faced cuts despite being established by law. He recounted receiving calls from a now-deceased former representative who needed 5,000 baht for hospital bills but had no money, as creditors had seized any funds in his personal account. Wanmuhammadnor also described cases of former lawmakers evicted from rental homes for inability to pay rent, refusing to rely on their children for support due to pride.

"Former parliamentarians are not all wealthy," Wanmuhammadnor said, citing data showing 1,800 former members requesting assistance annually, with the fund requiring 600-700 million baht yearly. He noted the fund has received only 200 million baht and has faced a 300 million baht shortfall. He argued that other countries like Cambodia and Laos still provide welfare for former parliamentarians and urged recognition of their dignity and honor.

Parliament Vice President Phradet Phasinananthakul acknowledged the concern as an important observation for discussion with relevant agencies. Committee member Chada Thaiserit from Uthai Thani, representing the Phumi Chai Thai party, echoed support, saying many former lawmakers struggle financially due to restrictions on their income, including prohibitions on stock ownership. He criticized the notion that former parliamentarians should not receive assistance, arguing that society should show compassion for those who once served in difficult circumstances.