A frightening ordeal unfolded when two Chinese residents became trapped on a mountain for nearly 30 hours, hearing rescue teams calling for them but refusing to respond due to fears of supernatural deception. The couple—a 73-year-old man and 58-year-old woman from a nearby village—had ventured out to gather medicinal herbs on July 29. Both have hearing difficulties and carried no mobile phones, food, or water.

When police and fire officials in Huizhou District received notice of two missing villagers, they mobilized rescue teams to search through the night across treacherous, steep terrain with slippery surfaces. After 17 hours of intensive searching, rescuers found the pair in severely weakened condition. However, when questioned, officials made a shocking discovery: the couple admitted they had heard the rescue team calling for some time before being found.

Their refusal to respond stemmed from ancient Chinese folklore holding that demons or spirits inhabiting mountains can mimic the voices of familiar people to lure lost travelers into responding, causing greater confusion and disorientation. According to this belief, victims should never answer calls on mountains or admit to hunger and thirst, fearing spiritual possession. Fearing these phantom voices, the couple walked in the opposite direction away from the rescue team's position, repeatedly missing critical opportunities for help until rescuers reached the rear of the mountain.

The couple's adherence to this traditional superstition directly hampered their rescue. Beyond refusing to answer, they deliberately moved away from the rescue team's voices, compounding their ordeal. Once officials approached from behind the mountain, the pair finally responded.

After the story spread on social media, many online commenters shared their thoughts. Some noted that waiting 17 hours for help would be agonizing, while others acknowledged they might feel similarly afraid if lost on a mountain hearing mysterious calls. Several revealed their own families still hold such beliefs.

Huizhou District fire officials urged the public to avoid entering mountainous or remote wilderness areas alone and to prioritize safety by contacting emergency services if faced with danger in natural settings.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has accepted a special investigation into charges that recruitment officials improperly altered test scores in the 2564 local administrator examination for municipal employees, provincial administrative staff, and Pattaya city personnel. Following an investigation into 2568 exam fraud, officials discovered that scores in the 2564 local administrator recruitment exam were systematically modified—failing scores were changed to passing, or grades were artificially inflated—with evidence linking these alterations to the earlier case. Given the large number of suspects and accused parties involved, plus its significant public interest and potential broad impact, the NACC voted to pursue the matter as a special case.

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul is promoting the gaming industry as a new economic engine for Thailand to create high-income jobs for young people and position the country ...

Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested 24-year-old Noppruj on August 11, 2026, under arrest warrant No. 4287/2569 issued July 31, 2026, on charges of unauthorized damage to computer data causing property loss. The arrest took place outside a government building in Bangkok's Chatuchak district.

The victim owned two accounts for the popular online game DDTank Origin and had previously represented Thailand in international competitions in China. He met Noppruj through the game in mid-2025. Later, Noppruj asked to borrow the victim's account. Since the victim had less time to play and didn't want to abandon the account, he provided his email and password on the condition that Noppruj would only use it to play—not sell it.

When the victim discovered Noppruj was attempting to sell the account, he revoked his access. On December 11, 2025, Noppruj secretly logged back in using the victim's credentials and deleted all of the victim's valuable in-game items, causing total damage of 1,157,730 baht. The victim filed a complaint at Tao Poon Police Station, leading to a court-authorized arrest warrant.

Officers transferred Noppruj to Tao Poon Police Station for further legal proceedings. Noppruj initially denied all charges.

BANGKOK — Bullying is becoming more severe and taking increasingly diverse forms, with Thailand ranking among the countries most affected by the problem, according to the Department of Medical Services.

The department, through the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, said on August 11 that schools were the most common setting for bullying, with the behaviour having significant effects on children's physical and psychological development.

Dr Thanin Wechaphinan, deputy director-general of the Department of Medical Services, said bullying refers to behaviour intended to make another person feel ashamed, hurt or distressed, with perpetrators gaining satisfaction or enjoyment from the act.

He said bullying could stem from psychological insecurity, personal complexes, family and environmental problems, a desire for acceptance or control, or having previously been bullied themselves. Several factors can contribute to the behaviour, including internal psychological issues, the surrounding environment and a lack of emotional skills. Bullying can also recur.

Thanin said bullying can be divided into four main types: physical, verbal, social and cyberbullying.

All forms can affect children of different ages, particularly those still undergoing important stages of development. Children's psychological resilience also varies from one individual to another.

While adults may view bullying as a minor problem, it can leave lasting emotional scars. Signs may include changes in behaviour, reluctance to attend school, depression and unhappiness.

Parents and guardians should regularly talk with their children and spend time with them so they feel safe and comfortable sharing their experiences. Recognising warning signs early can help parents intervene and reduce the risk of more serious problems in the future.

Bullying changes with age

Dr Akom Chaweewirawatthana, director of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, said bullying could occur at any age, although its forms tend to vary with children's development.

Young children commonly experience physical bullying, ranging from teasing and rough play to physical assault.

Verbal bullying is more common among children in primary school, including mocking parents' names, appearance, skin colour or personal insecurities.

Among teenagers, who are developing their identities, bullying often concerns personality, social status, values and possessions. Social bullying can also involve excluding someone from a peer group or spreading rumours intended to humiliate them.

Cyberbullying is another major concern among teenagers. It can include spreading false information, posting photographs or videos without permission, and making abusive comments online.

Such behaviour can harm victims and may also violate Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act, Akom said.

Parents should therefore pay particular attention to their children's online activities. Bullying is not solely a problem affecting children, he said.

On August 11, 2025, prominent amulet dealers Dorn Tianthawornwong (Madam Keng) and Watchrapong Radoamsitriphattana (U Krungsiam) filed a formal request with Central Investigation Bureau commander General Nattasak Chawanashay for updates on their 300 million baht fraud case against renowned amulet dealer Tone Bangkaew. Madam Keng stated she simply wanted to check on case progress after considerable time had elapsed, emphasizing she had no intention to pressure investigators. She revealed investing 100 million baht in optical equipment without understanding the technical specifications that Tone used in fraudulent marketing.

U Krungsiam said Madam Keng had been losing sleep over the matter but acknowledged the Central Investigation Bureau's heavy caseload. He thanked authorities for establishing a task force and interviewing witnesses, hoping for faster progress. Earlier that morning, Tone Bangkaew was seen leaving the bureau's complaint center after meeting with officers from the Suppression Division. When asked what he was doing there, he replied "nothing" and quickly left.

Deputy commander Pol. Col. Suwat Saengnoom said the investigation team was working diligently to ensure fairness to all parties. He noted that the complaint center's records did not clarify Tone's purpose for that morning's visit.