The Department of Special Investigation submitted charges against Phakkaotharam party MP Chonnapat Nakasum for involvement in online gambling operations, money laundering, and transnational organized crime with over one billion baht in circulation. On August 24, 2025, Chonnapat appeared at the Office of the Special Public Prosecutor to receive the charges and submitted a nine-point fairness request, stating he has never invoked parliamentary immunity despite facing concurrent proceedings at multiple jurisdictional levels.

Chonnapat emphasized that parliamentary protection applies only to investigation and summons stages, not indictment, and described his legal battle as weathering a storm rather than a political assault. He stated his intention to clear his name of accusations that he used parliamentary privilege, insisting he stands as an ordinary citizen under the same laws as everyone else. The public prosecutor will rule on the case on September 28, 2025.

The case stems from an investigation into a large-scale online gambling network in southern Thailand with financial links to Chonnapat. In March 2025, the Department of Special Investigation conducted "Operation Gameflow," searching ten locations across four provinces—five in Songkhla, two in Nonthaburi, one in Pathum Thani, and two in Bangkok—based on 26 court arrest warrants related to the gambling network.

BANGKOK — Art lovers and history buffs have a limited window to explore the legacy of Silpa Bhirasri, widely regarded as the father of modern Thai art, as the National Museum Silpa Bhirasri Memorial has reopened to the public for two months.

The museum is hosting a special exhibition tracing the development of art alongside the history of Bangkok's Rattanakosin era through the works and ideas of Bhirasri, an Italian-born sculptor who became a major figure in Thailand's modern art movement. Visitors can explore his artistic legacy while learning about the evolution of Thai art and its connection to the country's history. The reopening also offers a chance to experience a historic art space that had been closed to visitors for a period.

Born Corrado Feroci in Florence, Italy, in 1892, Bhirasri came to Thailand to work in government service during the reign of King Rama VI. He later became a key figure in the development of formal art education in Thailand. He founded and taught at the School of Fine Arts, which was later elevated to Silpakorn University, where he became the first dean of its Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts.

As part of the special opening, the Fine Arts Department is allowing visitors to enter the Hall of Sculpture, offering a rare opportunity to see original sculpture models and learn about traditional casting and metalworking processes.

The hall showcases works by master sculptors who worked with the Fine Arts Department, particularly pieces associated with Bhirasri. Many of the models were created as the basis for national monuments, royal statues, Buddhist images and other major sculptures across Thailand.

Among the works on display are the model for Phra Si Sakkaya Thotsaphonlayan, the principal Buddha image at Phutthamonthon, as well as models of statues of King Narai, King Chulalongkorn, King Prajadhipok and King Ananda Mahidol. The collection also includes a model of Thao Suranari, the celebrated monument in Nakhon Ratchasima, sculpted by Bhirasri in 1934.

The National Museum Silpa Bhirasri Memorial and Hall of Sculpture are open 09:00–16:00, Wednesday to Sunday, through 20 September 2026. Admission is free. For visitors looking to explore Bangkok beyond its better-known temples and museums, the two-month reopening offers a chance to step into an important chapter of Thailand's artistic history at no cost.

The Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Bumiwisit Kaemsukhvong, announced a crackdown on illegal firearms and ammunition trafficking, working with local government and police to enforce strict legal action against corruption involving fraudulently issued pink ID cards for foreigners. He stated that Bangkok's governor and advisers have already conducted on-site investigations, though no formal report has been issued yet, but he welcomed the initiative as the anti-corruption office drives enforcement across relevant agencies.

Regarding financial tracking, Kaemsukhvong explained that the Anti-Money Laundering Office handles those investigations, and the anti-corruption commission will share any financial data discovered. When asked whether district-level officials were within the anti-corruption office's authority, he confirmed that some levels fall under its jurisdiction. He noted that so far, no officials above civil servant level have been identified, but if evidence points higher, it will be referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission if necessary, or handled by the anti-corruption office itself if within its mandate.

When asked if similar behaviour has been found outside Bangkok, Kaemsukhvong said this is an expansion of earlier operations and officials recently received information matching Bangkok's data, with the governor's adviser investigating. He described the matter as clearly linked to national security and vowed that the government will enforce the law swiftly, transparently, and fairly against all corruption cases, especially those involving security. He added that recent priorities include tackling pink ID card fraud, local government recruitment fraud, and an ongoing investigation into missing firearms from the system, with over 2,255 weapons licences issued but never formally registered.

At 11:10 a.m. on August 24, Chatrchai Bangcherd, secretary-general of the National Security Council, discussed orders from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister following a security briefing on unrest in southern border provinces. He said today's meeting assessed the situation and involved coordination with Region 4 Military Command, which is tracking and identifying the perpetrator groups. When asked how authorities would close loopholes enabling such incidents, Chatrchai said he believed Region 4 was working at full capacity, especially in post-incident response and crowd control measures deployed since the incidents occurred. He emphasized that the primary goal is protecting public safety, as the violence directly affects citizens, businesses, and local government organizations. He noted the goal is to minimize public impact and ensure safety.

When asked if the frequency of attacks revealed special factors, Chatrchai said the issue is not new and similar incidents have occurred multiple times before. Groups in the area may engage in symbolic retaliation against the state following the deaths of five rangers, resulting in security force responses, though without fatalities in some cases. He cautioned against inflating incident counts, saying authorities must assess severity rather than treating every minor act, such as burning car tires, as a separate incident.

When asked about concerns that violence might target the cabinet's mobile meeting in Songkhla, Chatrchai said he was not worried and that security forces were fully prepared and coordinating with local units and Region 4 Command. Regarding what the perpetrators seek, Chatrchai noted no deaths had occurred so far, with property damage at approximately 15 locations; other incidents involved tire burning. He said police and Region 4 forces are investigating who was involved. On coordination with Malaysia to intercept fleeing suspects, he noted Malaysia had already tightened border security this year and mentioned potential crossing closures, but believed the current unrest originated from inside Thailand.

When asked whether reports linked the violence to youth groups or older networks, Chatrchai said it was mixed and could not be pinned solely on BRN, as other rogue actors were involved. He noted that some targets were local government offices, suggesting investigators must examine why these were chosen and why incidents were not targeting civilians directly.

BANGKOK — Tharina Botes, representing Bangkok, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2026 after winning over both the judges and the public vote at the national pageant on Sunday. The victory at MGI Hall earned Botes the right to represent Thailand at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico later this year. Suthida Iadpu, Miss Universe Phuket, was named first runner-up, while Helena Sarakal, Miss Universe Udon Thani, finished as second runner-up. Botes' victory marks a major milestone in a pageant career spanning more than a decade. She entered beauty contests at the age of 13, with her mother supporting her throughout her early years. Botes built her pageant experience in South Africa before competing in Miss South Africa 2018, where she reached the Top 12. She later represented South Africa at Miss Model of the World 2018. She moved to Thailand in 2019 and won Miss Grand Phuket, earning a place in Miss Grand Thailand, where she reached the Top 10. Botes continued her pageant journey and finished as first runner-up at Miss Universe Thailand 2021. In 2023, she won Miss Thailand World and represented Thailand at Miss World 2023. She later competed at MGI All Stars, reaching the Top 10. After more than a decade of competition, Botes has now claimed the Miss Universe Thailand crown and will represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico.

On August 24, 2025, at the office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Democratic Party spokesman Phongsakorn Kwanmuang, along with party legal committee member Paisal Rueangritthee and policy committee secretary Pornchai Maranet, submitted a letter requesting the commission to adopt protective measures and designate persons victimized or implicated in the local government examination fraud as witnesses. The goal is to enable those with critical information to provide full cooperation and trace the investigation to those responsible. Deputy Secretary-General Kiattisak Putphun received the letter.

Paisal stated afterward that this matter should not be allowed to fade from public attention. While society has focused on national-level political issues, the local government civil service examination fraud has been overlooked despite being a major problem that damages the administrative system and national structure. He reported receiving numerous complaints and information through Facebook, with informants possessing witnesses, evidence, financial trails, and knowledge of those directing the scheme, but they fear legal action.

Paisal noted that the anti-corruption commission has legal tools under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2017, including sections 131 and 135, to protect and secure witnesses. He called for clarity on whether the commission will use these mechanisms to reach the principal perpetrators. "If the commission uses sections 131 and 135 to protect witnesses, they will tell everything," he said. "It won't be just small-time operatives but will reveal who ordered it, who received money, and the entire financial chain. But they don't dare speak out now for fear of prosecution."

Paisal estimated the damage affects approximately 5,900 to 6,000 people. With an average extraction of 600,000 baht per person, losses could exceed 3 billion baht, not counting previous rounds. The impact extends beyond financial loss to damage the local government system including subdistrict and municipal administrations. Honest citizens have been denied opportunities while some new graduates who fell victim have been dismissed, with some driven to suicide by the stress.

The Democratic Party therefore refuses to accept this situation. "The Democratic Party will not tolerate this because the damage is not merely thousands of millions of baht but damage to the nation's system," Paisal said. "If persons who entered government positions through corruption are appointed and given budget authority, it could undermine long-term government administration and budget spending."

Paisal called on all affected persons—those who paid money, were deceived, were dismissed from service, or have information about the fraud process—not to fear coming forward. He offered to serve as intermediary, coordinating information with the anti-corruption commission to ensure justice, and pledged to continue pursuing the matter even if public attention fades.