BANGKOK: The Interior Ministry has ordered a financial trail investigation into more than 100 Phuket companies suspected of being linked to foreign nominee networks, with combined revenue estimated at more than B5 billion last year.

PRACHINBURI — The Prachinburi governor has ordered the immediate closure and seizure of equipment at an allegedly illegal e-waste processing plant operating inside a national forest reserve, following complaints that the facility had been operating for nearly a year.

The crackdown came after Sumet Rianphongnam, leader of the Prachinburi Khemkhaeng civic group, posted photos and videos online calling for an investigation into alleged encroachment on the Khwae Rabom and Si Yat national forest reserves in Moo 7, Krok Sombun subdistrict, Si Maha Phot district. The group alleged that foreign investors had been allowed to establish an illegal facility for sorting and processing electronic waste in the area.

Governor Weerapant Dee-on ordered Si Maha Phot district officials to join forces with the provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office and Provincial Industry Office to inspect the facility on 6 August. The inspection confirmed that the plant was located within the protected Khwae Rabom and Si Yat national forest reserve.

Officials found the facility operating without authorization to sort, shred and compact scrap metal, electrical wires and electronic components. Authorities immediately ordered the operation suspended and seized the materials, equipment, machinery and other items found at the site as evidence.

The governor also ordered an urgent investigation into the legality of the land title documents. If the documents are found to have been illegally issued or used, authorities will take decisive legal action to protect community rights.

The Khwae Rabom and Si Yat national forest reserves are considered nationally important natural forest areas, established under Ministerial Regulation No. 409 in 1969. The reserves cover areas mainly in Sanam Chai Khet and Tha Takiap districts of Chachoengsao province and extend into Si Maha Phot district in Prachinburi. Around 700,000–850,000 rai of the forest reserve remains protected under the law. The area forms part of the "five-province forest complex" in eastern Thailand and provides important habitat for wild elephants and other protected wildlife.

The forest is also a source of the Khwae Rabom and Khwae Si Yat rivers, which merge into Khlong Tha Lat before flowing into the Bang Pakong River. It is also home to the Khlong Si Yat Reservoir, which has a capacity of about 420 million cubic meters.

Authorities warned that illegal e-waste processing and the dumping of hazardous chemical waste could contaminate groundwater and natural waterways, potentially causing serious impacts on ecosystems, wildlife and public health.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Rewat Glinkasorn, the former commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, has proposed allowing qualified and responsible teachers to carry firearms to protect students at schools, citing examples from the United States. Speaking about a school shooting incident where a student brought multiple guns and ammunition into a school, killing five teachers before taking his own life, Rewat acknowledged the Prime Minister's push for strict gun control but offered a different perspective.

"The Prime Minister emphasizes controlling firearms and banning civilians from carrying weapons," Rewat said. "I understand his intention, but I see it differently. We've already had shootings at two schools, and in one incident, an attacker opened fire killing and injuring many. The teachers, numbering 100 to 200 at that school, all complied with the Prime Minister's order, but no one could stop the attacker."

Rewat suggested allowing well-behaved teachers with clean records to obtain permits to carry firearms—one or two per school—to serve as unpaid security guards. He argued that without armed resistance, a single attacker with a gun can wreak havoc unopposed.

"If teachers had been authorized to carry weapons and heard gunshots, they could have intervened," he said. "This is how it works in the United States. When an armed criminal uses an M16 or AR15, even police can't arrive in time, but a responsible citizen with a firearm can stop the threat. The incident becomes less severe."

Rewat contrasted the school shooting with an incident at a kindergarten in Nong Bua Lamphu, where a police officer opened fire, killing over 30 children. He argued that if responsible teachers had firearms at the Nonthaburi school, they would have felt obligated to intervene and protect students, potentially preventing the attacker from continuing his rampage.

"A 15-year-old with a single automatic 9mm weapon caused eight to nine deaths and 15 injuries," Rewat noted. "Had there been armed resistance, he might have fled instead of continuing to shoot, since he was just a teenager with limited firearm training and only one gun firing standard rounds."

Deputy Government Spokesman Lalida Perisdwivat addressed the Cell Broadcast alert system's response to the armed incident at Thepsirin School in Nonthaburi on August 7, after many members of the public questioned why the alert lacked the distinctive alarm sound of previous system tests.

Perisdwivat explained that the choice of alert format followed safety principles and did not increase risk to people sheltering in the affected area. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation sent alerts to mobile phones across the school grounds and a surrounding 5-kilometer radius, requesting cooperation to avoid the area and reduce public risk while facilitating emergency operations. The system allows authorities to tailor the area, format, and alert level to match each emergency type.

According to Perisdwivat, the silent alert was intentional because an audible alarm on a sheltering person's phone could reveal their location and endanger them. This differs from natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, or flash floods, which require loud alerts to prompt rapid evacuation. For armed-incident scenarios, the primary goal is to warn the public outside the zone to stay away, without creating additional risk for those already in hiding.

The government urged the public to read alert messages carefully, follow official instructions, avoid dangerous areas, and refrain from sharing images or livestreaming emergency operations, which could compromise the safety of responders and civilians. Officials said they will use lessons from this real-world deployment to continuously improve the Cell Broadcast system and enhance public safety across all emergency types.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas has outlined the government's allocation of the remaining 200 billion baht from a 400 billion baht emergency decree loan, stating that numerous project proposals have been submitted, including the Thai Travel Thai Plus program and energy transition initiatives. The government will prioritize energy transition projects with the remaining 200 billion baht, while approximately 40 billion baht remains from the first 200 billion baht tranche. Ekniti stressed the need to assess the situation carefully and ensure funds are used precisely to achieve their intended purposes, given budget constraints.

Regarding the Tourism and Sports Ministry's proposed allocation of 1,750-2,000 million baht for Thai Travel Thai Plus, Ekniti indicated this represents a modest portion of available funds and must be used to support small businesses as intended. While acknowledging that existing funds could legally be redirected to Thai Travel Thai Plus Phase 2, he expressed a preference to reserve the remaining 200 billion baht for energy transition purposes.

Ekniti outlined preliminary plans to allocate 50,000-60,000 billion baht for rooftop solar projects, partnering with the Government Savings Bank and Government Housing Bank to provide financing support. The government is also developing supporting systems including electricity buyback mechanisms, smart meter installation, and transmission line investments to ensure a stable energy transition. Additionally, plans are underway to transition public transportation to electric vehicles across seven groups, though budget details remain pending.

Meanwhile, Grab Holdings' executives thanked the government for Thai Travel Thai Plus participation, reporting merchant sales increased by over 68 percent, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in boosting small business revenue. Following the program's conclusion in September, the government will determine whether to proceed immediately with Phase 2 pending comprehensive evaluation.

Ying Raiwint expresses deep sorrow over the death of Dragon Five and apologizes for not responding to a message at the time, recalling their 22 years of friendship. She wishes him peace and asks him not to worry about anything on her end. Friends and colleagues in the industry are devastated following Dragon Five's tragic death by suicide, with his body found floating in the Chao Phraya River. A bag he carried from home was found to contain several large stones. Among the grief-stricken circle, Yuan Nithichai and Andy were brought to tears upon seeing their friend's body.

Ying Kanya Raiwint, a colleague, posted a tribute sharing photos of Dragon Five smiling with friends during their time together as hosts on True Inside, along with screenshots of past conversations. In an emotional caption, she wrote: "Dear Tae... I'm heartbroken and sorry we couldn't help you. But why didn't you call or message us this time like before? Whenever you had problems—work issues or hair salon matters—you'd always reach out to us. Over the 22 years we've known each other, you were such a good friend, kind to everyone, humble and polite. I never once saw you get frustrated or angry. You were truly a gentleman. I love you too, friend. Sorry I didn't reply to your message back then. I wish you safe travels and peace. Don't worry about anything on our end."

Many colleagues and fans who followed True Inside have expressed their grief in the comments, with messages of condolence and sadness.