At 2:30 p.m. on August 11, 2026, officers from Metropolitan Police Division 5 led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Withawat Chinkam, along with personnel from Tha Ruea Police Station, arrested a 59-year-old man identified as Mr. Prasit at a residence in Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Police seized an unregistered Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver and a black shoulder bag from the suspect.

The operation was conducted following government directives to crackdown on illegal firearm possession, particularly after a recent incident in Nonthaburi province where a youth used a gun to shoot family members and a teacher. Police received complaints from neighbors that the man was displaying the weapon and firing shots into the air, causing alarm in the community.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he is a motorcycle taxi driver who purchased the unregistered firearm for 5,000 baht. He admitted to displaying the gun to neighbors simply to show off, with no intention to cause harm. Police charged him with unlawful possession of a firearm and forwarded the case to prosecutors for legal proceedings.

Police Region 4 and Nakhon Ratchasima provincial police have arrested a Chinese national wanted on an international warrant for defrauding investors of over 500 million baht. The suspect had hidden in northeastern Thailand before attempting to flee to Pattaya.

On August 11, 2025, at 2 p.m., Pol. Gen. Pairat Pukcharoen, commander of Police Region 4, and Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Manuwat Kotsanan led Region 4 officers and investigators from Region 3 to apprehend the suspect, known by the alias Yin. The Chinese national allegedly defrauded the public by soliciting deposits through promises of principal repayment plus 6.2% annual interest returns. He collected funds from more than 200 investors totaling approximately 100 million yuan, equivalent to 500 million baht, before fleeing to Thailand.

According to the Region 4 commander, investigators coordinated with international police to track the suspect's whereabouts to a northeastern province, and discovered he had subsequently relocated to a village in Chachoengsao Province. Officers followed up with Region 3 investigators and successfully apprehended him in Pattaya.

Initially, officials notified the suspect of deportation orders and transferred him to the Immigration Bureau's detention center awaiting extradition to his home country. The operation aligns with national police leadership's policy to systematically dismantle transnational criminal networks and prevent Thailand from becoming a safe haven for foreign lawbreakers.

Celebrity Man Kaarin has served as a bridge for merit-making, leading over 100 fans on a pilgrimage to make offerings, present candles, drape cloth over the golden chedi at Wat Saraket, and pay respects to the Earth Goddess shrine. Man shared the concept of practicing the three pillars of Buddhist merit—precepts, giving, and meditation—while revealing simple everyday tricks anyone can use to accumulate merit as a spiritual reserve for times of hardship during this economically uncertain era.

Man arrived alongside fellow celebrities and amulet organizers, with the group meeting at the base of the golden chedi before proceeding to donate to monks and present candles at the pavilion for auspiciousness. The group then climbed to the main chedi to drape cloth around it.

Man explained the significance of this location as a "gateway of merit," noting that historically this area witnessed considerable death and rebirth cycles, particularly during plague outbreaks when bodies were placed near the spirit gate. He recommended this for those facing obstacles in real estate or business, suggesting devotees donate 21 baht while making wishes to the chedi and relic. The group later processed to honor the Earth Goddess shrine on Ratchadamnoen Road, where over 100 devotees recited prayers together and presented a garland over 6 meters long.

Man revealed, "Today we brought over 100 compassionate people to pay respects, drape cloth over the chedi at Wat Saraket, focusing on practicing all three pillars of merit while dedicating the merit to the Earth Goddess to help draw upon past merit to support our lives during these economically and externally challenging times."

Accumulating "merit points" works like collecting reward points to redeem during life's difficulties. Man emphasized doing merit gradually within one's means without burden, noting that giving can be as simple as daily donations or acts of kindness. Doing good before making wishes increases the likelihood of success. Future merit-making activities can be followed via Facebook, with another major event planned for August with no participation costs.

The merit-making ceremony and funeral of Thamon Tae Taephan, known as Dragon 5, a former member of a famous boy band aged 46, took place at Wat Bua Khwan Royal Temple in Nonthaburi province, filled with the sorrow of family, entertainment industry colleagues, and fans who traveled to pay their final respects. His mother and girlfriend Nam Kaeng shared beautiful memories and expressed their love for the beloved former artist.

His mother revealed: "I saw so many relatives, close family, dear friends, my friends, and my son's friends—so many people came today. I'm from the North, and there's something I want to say. Northern people believe in 'mee tae gae suh hai kham' [the bond between true friends]. Everyone here today is truly that kind of friend to Tae.

I also believe in 'karma and fate.' When I see all these people gathered here for Tae, it shows that he must have done good deeds and created good karma with many, many people. I'm grateful to the elders, the media, friends, and fans. Speaking of Tae's fans, one young fan just flew in from Taiwan, which shows how much Tae was loved. Thank you all, thank you so much."

When asked what made her proud of her son over the years, she said: "To me, Tae was my angel. Since childhood, he was caring and attentive, never talked back, never raised his voice, and barely hurt my heart. As I grew older and had many friends and loved to travel, whenever I told him about a trip, he'd be happy for me. He'd prepare clothes, pack bags—if it was cold, he'd prepare warm clothing; if it was hot, he'd prepare accordingly.

He was very happy with Nam Kaeng—with her mother and sister too. They're a warm, caring family. Tae was very happy. Sometimes when he couldn't visit me, he'd call often. When we finished talking, he'd say, 'Mom, I love you.' If I mentioned my shoes were uncomfortable, he'd take me shopping, let me sit, and try different pairs on me, asking, 'Mom, how about this one? Try walking. Is it comfortable?' That's how he was."

When asked about days without her son, she said: "On the first day without him, I couldn't focus..."

Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited announced its second-quarter and first-half 2025 financial results on August 11, 2025, posting net profit of 2,431.8 million baht for the first half, a 16.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Chief Executive Officer Phutiphong Prasattongosot revealed that in Q2 2025, the airline reported total revenue of 6,052.5 million baht, up 5.5 percent, with total expenses of 5,533.1 million baht, up 11.7 percent, resulting in net profit of 332.6 million baht for the quarter. For the first half of 2025, the company generated total revenue of 13,934.7 million baht, up 3.0 percent, with total expenses of 10,622.5 million baht, up 2.3 percent, yielding net profit of 2,431.8 million baht, up 16.3 percent year-on-year. This performance reflects the airline's strong capability in revenue generation and efficient cost management despite economic volatility and Middle East tensions.

BANGKOK — Authorities searched 15 locations in Hua Hin on August 10 as part of an investigation into property companies suspected of using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders for foreign investors, with alleged losses exceeding 300 million baht.

The Department of Business Development (DBD) said the operation involved police, immigration officers, tourist police, the Department of Special Investigation, the Internal Security Operations Command and other agencies.

According to DBD director-general Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, several target companies were initially registered as Thai entities with Thai nationals listed as directors holding 100% of shares. Within six months, however, they changed their shareholder structures to add foreign directors alongside Thai directors.

The arrangements allegedly kept foreign shareholdings below 50%, while Thai shareholders — suspected of acting as nominees — retained 51%. This allowed the firms to remain legally classified as Thai entities while operating property-holding and rental businesses.

Investigators said the Thai and foreign shareholders had not previously known one another or had any prior connection, which authorities described as highly unusual in normal business dealings.

Police have issued arrest warrants for 45 foreign nationals and summonses for 39 Thai nationals. Thirteen suspects have so far been arrested in connection with 33 cases.

The DBD said the suspected scheme exploited loopholes allowing foreigners to use Thai nominees to evade restrictions under the Foreign Business Act and acquire or operate property businesses unlawfully.

Since August 1, the department has tightened scrutiny of company registrations and amendments to make nominee arrangements more difficult. It said registrations involving Thai and foreign shareholders where foreign ownership remained below 50% had fallen significantly, with only five such cases recorded since the measures took effect.

"Using Thai nationals as concealed nominees and assisting such offences under the Foreign Business Act carries a penalty of up to three years' imprisonment, a fine of 100,000 to 1 million baht, or both," Poonpong said. "The court may also order the business to cease operating or end an unlawful shareholding arrangement."