Following a major incident within a single week, the Nonthaburi governor has explained that suspect Chalong Riangrang, a former Nonthaburi MP, was allowed to smoke and had his handcuffs temporarily removed during questioning—citing his severe stress and basic rights.

Chalong opened fire on Thongchai Yenprasert, the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) chairman, killing him outside PAO headquarters. The incident stemmed from personal disputes and a 11-million-baht financial disagreement.

On August 10, 2026, at Rattanakosin Police Station, Governor Chetsada Mosigarrt disclosed the social media images and explained that investigators had allowed the suspect to smoke and briefly removed his handcuffs during questioning. According to the governor's account from investigators' reports, the suspect was under severe stress and anxiety at the time, and requested permission to smoke—which constitutes a basic right that anyone may exercise. Regarding the handcuffs, the governor confirmed that they are worn nearly constantly, but any visible removal in circulated photos may have occurred temporarily because the suspect was in a highly stressed state.

On the investigation front, because the PAO chairman's death is involved, investigators require extended questioning time. They have also requested court authorization for a house search warrant to locate firearms and ammunition, as well as additional evidence. The firearm licensing may face revocation. Tomorrow, investigators will escort the suspect to request detention orders from Nonthaburi Provincial Court and oppose bail, given the severity of the felony charge.

Meanwhile, the Nonthaburi governor announced plans to hold a major merit-making ceremony for the province, as multiple serious incidents have occurred within a single week.

Phuket – Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom has directed local authorities to step in and provide urgent support following a violent incident at Cherngtalay Wittayakom School in Thalang District. The order came after a 14‑year‑old female student was injured in a physical altercation on campus which a video has gone viral in social media. On August […]

On August 10, 2025, police acting on orders from Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Natthasak Chaowarasat arrested Sarapong (surname withheld), age 40, who was wanted under arrest warrants from the Thonburi Criminal Court (No. 207/2567, dated August 28, 2024) and the Pracha Nakhon Noi District Court (No. 115/2569, dated March 18, 2025). He faces charges of murder, violations of firearms law, conspiracy to unlawfully bury and conceal remains, and conspiracy to move and destroy a corpse. The arrest took place near a shopfront on Narathiwas Ratchanakhrin Road in Silom, Bangrak district, Bangkok.

The case stems from February 18, 2025, when a group of assailants abducted Rudth (Top), age 46, a manager at a medical equipment importing and distribution company, from a parking lot near Soi Ratchada 18 in Huai Khwang district. The perpetrators transported him to a tire-burning site, leaving only skeletal remains inside a bathroom in an abandoned house in Chai Badan district, Lopburi province.

Investigators eventually identified and arrested all 10 suspects involved. Sarawee (Tan), age 46, was identified as the mastermind who hired eight additional gang members—all of whom were arrested earlier. Sarapong, who worked as Sarawee's bodyguard, had been evading capture in the Bangrak area until his arrest. During interrogation, the suspect denied all charges and was transferred to Suddhasarn Police Station for further legal proceedings.

The opposition coalition, led by Ittim-Priset Watchrasindu, a Pheu Thai MP and deputy opposition leader, held its fourth evidence-drilling session last Sunday into the parliamentary candidate vote-buying scandal. Investigators now view the case not merely as collusion but as outright fraud. The fourth session included former parliamentary candidates who witnessed the scheme firsthand, providing detailed testimony. One former candidate from Nong Bua Lamphu reported being hired to recruit candidates at 5,000 baht per person, successfully enlisting 20 people from his village before backing out due to larger forces behind the operation. A former candidate from Nakhon Si Thammarat described discovering payment details involving both bank transfers and cash flowing through prominent local politicians. Critically, this individual served as a minister's personal secretary during the election period. Amnat Charoen province emerged as another major hub of the scheme. Pao-Yingchip, director of the Internet for Public Law Project, highlighted a pattern of mutual favors including the appointment of family members and spouses as parliamentary assistants and advisors. Three Amnat Charoen MPs exemplified this through appointing a friend's child as an assistant, naming another person's relative as a personal expert, appointing a group member's husband as an expert, and even appointing a current minister's great-aunt to a working committee. Opposition leader Ittim-Priset reported uncovering nearly 900,000 baht transferred from the major political party network to Election Commission investigators and prosecutors in 13 transactions between April and July 2024, the period surrounding the parliamentary election. Evidence spanning six provinces—Lamphun, Nong Bua Lamphu, Surat Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Amnat Charoen, and Songkhla—suggests a coordinated fraud network that the Election Commission must refer to court within the 90-day deadline ending in early September. The opposition emphasized that the growing revelation of money trails linked to Election Commission personnel demands immediate clarification from the commission.

Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Tongsri revealed a water management plan for 20 provinces in Thailand's Northeast region, stating that nine measures will be brought before the cabinet for approval. All provinces are preparing preventive measures and relief capabilities based on lessons learned from previous water disasters, including establishing temporary shelters for residents and focusing on historically vulnerable flood zones. The government plans water retention schemes to address both flooding and drought in natural water basins.

Songsak explained that Thailand has 22 river basins, where flooding occurs when water exceeds basin capacity and drought occurs when supply falls short of demand. The solution involves managing both issues simultaneously—such as diverting excess water into reservoirs when forecasted. However, obstacles exist regarding excavated soil from water projects, which legally must be stored properly rather than distributed to residents, discouraging local agencies from pursuing projects. The Interior Ministry is revising regulations to allow excavated soil to be credited against dredging costs, accelerating project implementation.

Regarding high water levels in the Mekong River, Songsak acknowledged that upstream dams controlled by neighboring countries release water without prior coordination. He admitted that Thailand typically learns of water releases after they occur rather than receiving advance notice, and he noted that the Foreign Ministry must pursue better cooperation on this issue. On proposals to create a separate water ministry, Songsak stated this remains merely an idea, as current water management faces no structural obstacles requiring such reorganization.

On August 10, Natural Resources Minister Suchat Chomklin chaired the first 2025 meeting of the Eastern Region Flood and Drought Prevention Committee at Chon Buri Provincial Hall, with participation from ministry officials, provincial governors, deputy governors, and relevant agencies. The meeting aimed to accelerate disaster preparedness across eight eastern provinces: Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, and Nakhon Nayok.

Chomklin stated that the government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritizes systematic, rapid, and unified disaster management to ensure timely public assistance. He instructed all agencies to develop coordinated water management plans for both flooding and drought scenarios to maximize public benefit and minimize impacts on lives, property, and the local economy. For flood response, local governments and private sector partners must coordinate service delivery to reduce redundancy and provide efficient support when disasters occur. Preparations include installing water pumps, clearing water channels, and draining water according to conditions.

The ministry has been ordered to ensure full readiness with adequate personnel, equipment, resources, and facilities for immediate response to flooding or drought. Temporary shelters with sufficient capacity must be prepared in coordination with hotels and relevant organizations. Health agencies must prepare personnel, vehicles, medicines, and 24-hour emergency medical systems, prioritizing vulnerable populations.

Chomklin also established three subcommittees to oversee the eight provinces, monitor situations, assess problems on the ground, and report to the main committee for swift solutions. All agencies were instructed to integrate operations through the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command and provincial incident command centers to ensure unified direction and reduce redundancy. Any budget constraints or obstacles must be reported immediately for resolution.

"Public suffering is urgent and cannot wait," Chomklin said. "The government must prepare beforehand, implement effective water management systems, and integrate all sectors to work as one team. When situations arise, we must respond quickly, care for the people closely, and stand beside them in all circumstances."