On August 14, 2025, more than 80 victims filed complaints with the Central Investigation Police Bureau's Human Trafficking Suppression Division against a labour recruitment company identified by the initial letter 'G'. The company had promised to send workers abroad for fruit picking and packaging jobs in Canada and Finland, but the victims never travelled and suffered combined losses exceeding 20 million baht.

A representative victim from Nakhon Sawan province, identified as Mr A, revealed he contacted the company through a Facebook page that appeared credible. He was interviewed at an office in Bangkok's Don Muang area, where a foreign man was also present to conduct a test. After passing the interview, the company charged him 12,500 baht for tourism visa processing and requested a new email for visa submission. He was directed to submit documents and biometric data at a VFS centre near Rama 9. After receiving notification that his visa was approved, he transferred an additional 65,000 baht. The company also offered a special foreign currency exchange promotion, which attracted victims to deposit money.

By early August, Mr A visited the office only to find it empty with belongings removed. The page administrator claimed the office was undergoing renovation, but investigation revealed the space was only temporarily rented. When the scheduled departure date of August 17, 2025 approached and victims attempted to inquire about flight tickets and travel details, they received no response and could not reach company staff, leading them to believe they had been scammed.

Most victims came from various provinces including Chiang Rai, Chumphon, and the Northeast region. Many had taken out loans hoping to earn income abroad and support their families. The company's Facebook page remains active but no longer posts updates, and the listed phone numbers are unreachable. Victims submitted evidence including bank transfer records, contact information, and job application documents to police for investigation and prosecution.

Entertainment — FOURTH Nattawat, the hot GMMTV star and performer, is inviting fans to experience OH MY FOURTH CONCERT, his first full solo concert, on October 16–17–18 at 6 p.m. at BITEC LIVE. Tickets go on sale through Thaiticketmajor.com starting Sunday, August 16, with general sales opening Monday, August 17.

Japanese artist Ryosuke Yamada will make his Thai solo debut in Ryosuke Yamada ASIA TOUR 2026 Red.Y in Bangkok on Saturday, September 26 at 6 p.m. at Thunder Dome Muang Thong Thani. Tickets are available at Thaiticketmajor.com.

The 808 Festival 2026 electronic music festival takes place October 2–3 at BITEC Bang Na, headlined by Adam Beyer B2B Chris Avantgarde, Argy, Ben Nicky, Ian Asher, Illenium, Mary Droppinz, Rivo, Slander B2B NGHTMRE, and W&W. Two-day and VVIP packages are available at 808festival.net.

Folk-rock band manutsawee presents their first full concert "Please Be Happy with Sad Songs CONCERT" on Saturday, October 3 at Thunder Dome Muang Thong Thani. Tickets go on sale Sunday, August 30 via I Have Ticket.

Grammy-nominated jazz duo DOMi & JD Beck will perform "DOMi & JD Beck Who's Asked? Tour Live in Bangkok 2026" on November 24 at Sphere Hall, EMSPHERE. Tickets are available at ticketmelon.com.

Singer and musician Henry Lau will headline "Henry Lau 2026 Enjoy the Show World Tour – Bangkok" on Saturday, November 28 at 6 p.m. at Idea Live, Bravo BKK. Tickets go on sale Saturday, August 15 through Thaiticketmajor, Fantopia, Maiseat & Damai, and Trip.com.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered three government agencies to resolve conflicts over strict firearms control policy, which is hampering shooting sports athletes' training. He stated that implementing the policy is straightforward for officials carrying weapons during work hours, and commanders should develop clear execution plans.

Speaking at 9 a.m. on August 14, 2025, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Anutin confirmed the government's decision to stop awarding firearms as prizes to village headmen and leaders. The Public Administration Department director has agreed to the change. When asked about the long-standing tradition of such awards, Anutin reiterated that this is now government policy.

The Shooting Sports Association has objected, arguing that strict gun controls harm training and competitions. Anutin responded that the Public Administration Department, Thai Sports Authority, and shooting federation are coordinating to develop additional firearms legislation. He acknowledged the complexity of implementation, noting concerns about how regulations should address home moves, training scenarios, and loopholes, and said all parties must participate in discussions grounded in safety.

Anutin also addressed complaints from some police officers about operational difficulties, saying commanders bear responsibility for strategy and implementation. "For officers already in their posts, it's not difficult," he remarked. When asked who is complaining, he suggested such concerns be raised with superiors and handled through management meetings. He indicated that solutions already exist for most administrative issues.

On August 14, 2025, following a directive to sweep foreign fugitives hiding in Thailand, officers from Police Region 6 and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau collaborated in the arrest of a South Korean national identified as Lee. The suspect was wanted under Red Notice A-8537/8-2018 issued by Interpol on August 13, 2018, for fraud and unlicensed drug and cannabis trafficking across borders.

Lee had been operating a sophisticated criminal network since early 2018, defrauding victims of approximately 800 million won (roughly 20 million baht) and leading a drug export operation shipping methamphetamine and cannabis from Thailand to South Korea via social media platforms. He had a criminal history spanning over 23 cases involving drugs, human trafficking, assault, and fraud.

After receiving intelligence from South Korean police and intelligence agencies, officers tracked Lee to a luxury condominium in Phuket City. Biometric records showed he had entered Thailand on March 6, 2018, on a tourist visa valid until June 3, 2018, but remained in the country illegally for eight years. On August 12, 2025, at approximately 19:00, officers conducted surveillance and apprehended the suspect. He admitted to his identity and consented to a room search, during which police seized mobile phones and debit cards.

BANGKOK — Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied reports that the United States plans to establish a production base for unmanned aerial vehicles in Thailand, saying he had received no such report.

Anutin was asked about reports that the US might use military issues as leverage in negotiations over trade tariffs. The prime minister rejected the suggestion, saying there had been no such discussion.

He said US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby met with him on 13 August, but the two did not discuss the issue.

"Trade and tariffs are matters of trade, while security cooperation is a military matter. The government will not allow the two to become involved with each other," Anutin said.

He described the meeting with Colby as having gone "very well".

Asked whether security issues and trade negotiations should be kept separate, Anutin said this had always been the US approach.

"The US has always been like this. The Under Secretary of Defense did not have any trade-related issues to discuss," he said.

Asked whether the Cobra Gold joint military exercise would proceed on its normal schedule, Anutin said it would.

"It is normal. We have been doing this for decades. I don't know who started this issue because it does not exist," he said.

On negotiations over US trade tariffs, Anutin said Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun had provided an update. He said the government held a meeting on Monday to receive an update on the negotiations and that everything remained within the timeframe set by the negotiating team.

On August 14, Deputy Secretary-General Kiartisak Putpanthu of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) disclosed progress in a gold bribery case involving Pol Gen Surajet Hakpal, known as Big Joke. An independent investigation committee has been established to examine the facts and evidence, and proceedings are currently ongoing.

Regarding Big Joke's complaint that the NACC may have acted beyond its authority, Putpanthu said he has learned of it only through news reports and remains unaware of specific allegations. He noted that Big Joke has the right to file such complaints.

For the gold bribery case, Putpanthu explained that the independent investigation committee was formed under the NACC's legal authority to examine facts and relevant evidence. All accusations must be evaluated based on evidence and proper investigative procedures.

When asked about the incident at Big Joke's residential community that sparked a dispute, Putpanthu denied allegations that NACC officers secretly photographed the home. He stated that staff members were performing lawful duties by delivering an official letter to the community manager requesting information and evidence for the case. Because the letter needed to be handed directly to the manager and some involved persons had no fixed address, fieldwork was necessary to ensure proper document delivery.

Putpanthu said that during the community visit, staff simply contacted the manager in the normal manner. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have occurred and other individuals became involved, but emphasized that officers did not secretly photograph the residence as alleged.

Addressing claims that the action may have violated personal rights or exceeded authority, Putpanthu reiterated that NACC staff entered only to deliver a letter and request information from the community manager as part of evidence gathering. Regarding whether criminal complaints have been filed between Big Joke and NACC officers, Putpanthu said it remains unclear.

The NACC reaffirmed that all actions in this case will follow evidence and legal procedure. Individuals involved will be examined according to their level of connection to the allegations, and no action will exceed the evidence presented.