PHUKET: Phuket tourism officials and private-sector operators are stepping up efforts to attract more Russian and Belarusian visitors ahead of the launch of direct flights from Minsk later this year.
PHUKET: Phuket tourism officials and private-sector operators are stepping up efforts to attract more Russian and Belarusian visitors ahead of the launch of direct flights from Minsk later this year.
Bangkok police arrested four drug traffickers and seized 300 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in a major bust on August 4, capping a five-month investigation into a trafficking network operating from Nakhon Ratchasima.
On August 4, 2025, officers from Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau 1, led by Pol. Col. Vichai Sansakul, arrested four suspects: Worchaiee (alias Gol), 30; Thanakorn (alias Wai), 26; Wasant (alias Champ), 27; and Wasana (alias Nan), 25. Police seized approximately eight crates of crystal methamphetamine weighing around 300 kilograms, along with a white Isuzu pickup truck and a black Honda sedan, both registered in Bangkok.
The operation traced back to March 16, when narcotics officers began monitoring a major drug trafficking network. That initial surveillance led to the seizure of nearly 2 million methamphetamine pills and the arrest of two suspects in Lopburi province. Further investigation and expansion of the case resulted in two additional arrests and the seizure of over 2.4 million more pills, bringing the total to approximately 4.29 million pills.
Over the past five months, investigators tracked the network's activities and learned that a major drug shipment would be transported from Nakhon Ratchasima via private courier services. Officers laid an ambush at the expected pickup location in Bangkok and successfully arrested all four suspects as they arrived to receive the shipment.
Dep. Pol. Gen. Theeradej Thammasuthee, the deputy national police chief responsible for narcotics operations, praised the investigation team for dismantling the network and preventing the drugs from reaching the capital. He urged the public to report any suspicious activities or parcels to authorities immediately. The operation aligns with Prime Minister Anuthine Charnveerakul's policy directive to eliminate drug trafficking networks, with coordination across the Royal Thai Police's nationwide narcotics centers.
Commerce Minister Supachai will propose appointing a new Permanent Secretary to replace the retiring Wutthikrai on September 30, with Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, expected to get the ca
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthathummaphan is preparing to submit a proposal to the cabinet on August 5, 2026, to appoint a new high-level administrator from the Commerce Ministry to fill the position of Permanent Secretary after current holder Wutthikrai Livireraphan retires on September 30, 2026. The leading candidates are Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, and Ormon Saithwithorn, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property. Poonpong has distinguished himself by championing the "Thai Help Thai" initiative to reduce prices of essential goods, which became a cornerstone of government policy to ease cost-of-living pressures during the Middle East conflict. He has also led efforts to combat nominee problems through systems to prevent nominee business registration, coordinate enforcement with related agencies, upgrade corporate registration systems, and strengthen various business sectors. Ormon has overseen intellectual property operations including streamlining patent and trademark registration, promoting geographical indication products, assisting SMEs in leveraging intellectual property as capital, fostering research and innovation, protecting intellectual property rights against counterfeits, and supporting Thai entrepreneurs facing IP violations abroad. The cabinet is expected to consider only one nomination, with multiple sources predicting Poonpong will be proposed as the new Permanent Secretary. Separate cabinet consideration is anticipated for other level-10 appointments to replace retiring officials, with rumors suggesting Varawut Somwang, Commerce Ministry Inspector-General, may be proposed as Director-General of the International Trade Promotion Department; Kanicha Nonchuy or Watthanasakul Seua-ia, heads of inspection offices, or Chakka Yodmani, Deputy Permanent Secretary, as Director-General of the Domestic Trade Department to replace incumbent Withayakorn Moonenet, whose management of cost-of-living and energy price issues has not satisfied Deputy PM Supachai; and potential reshuffling of positions within the ministry hierarchy.
Police have not yet arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of two Takuapa officers, despite circulating reports; authorities are analyzing recovered weapons and pursuing leads on the perpetrators' whereabouts.
On August 4, 2025, Lt. Col. Ekawit Chobchuphon, deputy spokesman for Region 4's Internal Security Command, clarified that reports of a suspect's arrest and surrender in connection with the shooting death of two Takuapa police officers are not accurate. He urged the public to rely only on official government sources for information. Officers have recovered two weapons—a disassembled HK33 rifle and a short pistol—which are undergoing forensic analysis to establish links to the case. Authorities continue to actively pursue the perpetrators' escape routes and are investigating possible connections to medical treatment records for further investigation. Officials promise to make formal public announcements as soon as there are developments.
An 18-year-old vocational student was killed when his motorcycle lost traction in heavy rain and slid under a van near Nong Son traffic light in Phetchaburi on August 4.
An 18-year-old first-year vocational student died in a tragic accident after his motorcycle lost traction on a wet road and slid beneath a van while he was heading home in heavy rain.
At 4:45 p.m. on August 4, 2025, police in Muang Phetchaburi District received a report of a motorcycle-van collision with a fatality near the Nong Son traffic light on the Phetchaburi–Ban Laem Road in Nong Son Subdistrict. Officers and paramedics from Phra Chom Klao Hospital responded and found a white Toyota van parked in the middle of the road with the student's body trapped underneath. A Honda Wave motorcycle was wedged against the side of the van.
According to the victim's friend, the student had just finished classes at the technical college in Phetchaburi and was riding toward his home in Ban Laem District. As he approached the Nong Son red light, his motorcycle lost control and slid into the side of the van, with his body sliding underneath the vehicle. Police investigating the van driver found that heavy rain had made the road surface slippery. The van was turning right onto the Phetchaburi road when the motorcycle, already losing traction, collided with its side and became trapped underneath along with the rider. Authorities transported the body to hospital and are reviewing CCTV footage to investigate the true cause of the accident.
Thailand's PM Anutin told ASEAN diplomats in Jakarta that gradual re-engagement with Myanmar is yielding results, citing the Red Cross's first humanitarian visit to detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi as proof the strategy is working.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told more than 100 diplomats at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on Tuesday that Thailand's gradual re-engagement policy with Myanmar is beginning to show progress. He highlighted Monday's visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross to detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi—the first such humanitarian access granted since her detention—as evidence that the approach is moving in the right direction.
Anutin reaffirmed that ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus remains the bloc's main framework for addressing the Myanmar crisis, while advocating for continued "calibrated re-engagement" with Myanmar's authorities. This strategy aims to keep dialogue channels open, maintain engagement with stakeholders, and encourage tangible progress while responding to ground realities.
He stressed that a peaceful and stable Myanmar is not only in Thailand's national interest as a neighboring country but also essential to ASEAN unity and regional stability. Anutin also announced that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to restore mutual trust and continue bilateral dialogue.
Beyond Myanmar, Anutin outlined three priorities for ASEAN: strengthening regionalism, building resilience against geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and ensuring the bloc delivers tangible benefits to its people. He called for reinforcing supply chain, food, and energy security; accelerating digital connectivity; and deepening cooperation with middle powers and Global South nations to preserve the region's strategic autonomy.
Anutin noted that his address was the first by a Thai prime minister at the ASEAN Secretariat in 17 years. He said ASEAN's 60th anniversary next year presents an opportunity to chart a new course for the regional bloc, with Thailand ready to take a leading role.
Thailand will launch its first moon payload aboard China's Chang'e 7 mission on August 24, 2026, with a scientific instrument developed by Thai researchers to study cosmic radiation and solar activity from lunar orbit.
Thailand is preparing for a historic step in space exploration, with a Thai-designed and developed scientific payload set to travel to the Moon as part of China's Chang'e 7 mission on 24 August 2026.
Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanan Wongsawat announced the country's readiness on 4 August during a press conference titled "Thailand's First Mission to Explore the Moon."
The CE-7 MATCH scientific payload, developed by Thai researchers and engineers at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), will be one of seven international scientific instruments carried by the Chang'e 7 mission. The Long March-5 Y14 rocket carrying the Chang'e 7 spacecraft will launch from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in China's Hainan province on 24 August, with the launch broadcast live.
This marks the first time a Thai-developed scientific payload has passed international standards and been selected to participate in a major global lunar exploration mission. Yotsanan described the achievement as evidence of Thailand's progress in developing human capital and moving towards an innovation-driven economy.
The mission will operate in an orbit approximately 200 kilometres above the Moon's surface and present significant technical challenges while creating opportunities to develop advanced engineering expertise and strengthen Thailand's emerging space economy. The CE-7 MATCH instrument will monitor space conditions and measure cosmic radiation while studying the relationship between Earth, the Sun and the Moon, conducting continuous observations of solar storms over the next three years.
The data could contribute to monitoring and warning systems for satellites worldwide while helping develop Thai engineers with expertise in space-grade technology. Yotsanan emphasized that the most important outcome was not only the scientific instrument itself but also the development of people.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Education are working together to broadcast the historic launch to more than 3 million young people across Thailand. The initiative will also partner with Sea (Thailand), using digital platforms with more than 20 million users to expand access to STEM education and inspire young people to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.
Education Minister Akaranan Kannkittinan said the Ministry of Education had long promoted STEM learning, but the greater goal was to create inspiration among young people. The mission would show Thai children that technology developed by Thai people could achieve global recognition and reach the Moon, encouraging them to dream bigger and potentially become world-class scientists in the future.
Phuket health officials say they've achieved most mental health targets for the year, though care for high-risk psychiatric patients and children with ADHD needs urgent attention.
PHUKET: Phuket health officials have reported that they have met most of the set key mental health targets this year, but have identified care for high-risk psychiatric patients and children with ADHD as priorities requiring urgent improvement.
Chonburi's governor convened police and officials to launch a crackdown on crime and investigate alleged crime boss 'Pong,' who is linked to at least five deaths and rumors of police connections.
On August 4, 2569 at 2:00 p.m. at Dusit Forest Hotel in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi, Governor Narish Niramaimongkol chaired a policy meeting with administrative officials and police to strengthen crime prevention and suppression efforts, enhance public safety, and restore confidence among tourists. The meeting included Maj. Gen. Pongphan Wongmaneethat (Chonburi Provincial Police Commander), Col. Patitkorn Srachai (Deputy Commander), district chiefs, and all 23 police station commanders from Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts, along with village leaders.
Governor Narish emphasized that maintaining security requires close cooperation between administrative and police authorities. He instructed all units to implement seven critical measures: close monitoring of released prisoners; regular checkpoints and patrols coordinated with village safety volunteers; continuous drug suppression and searches of abandoned buildings; strict enforcement of uniform standards; rigid compliance with firearm regulations; aggressive action against illegal drug manufacturing; and integrated operations among all relevant agencies.
Maj. Gen. Pongphan provided operational guidelines to all 23 station commanders emphasizing seven key approaches: information sharing and coordination among police, administrators, and local authorities; maintenance of suspect watch lists; enhanced security at vulnerable areas and tourist attractions; strict compliance with missing persons procedures; accelerated investigation of unresolved disappearance cases since January 1, 2567; community-based surveillance networks with village leaders; and regular progress reporting.
Regarding suspect Thana 'Pong'—allegedly linked to five deaths and now the subject of rumors connecting him to police—the provincial commander disclosed that investigations are ongoing under Regional Police Command 2 orders, examining electronic evidence, digital data, financial transactions, and all related information. Officers named or implicated in the case are currently under investigation.
Government offices and banks across Phuket will close Wednesday for the Queen Mother's birthday, a national holiday also observed as Thailand's Mother's Day.
PHUKET: Government offices, including Phuket Immigration, and most banks across Phuket will close on Wednesday (Aug 12), as Thailand observes the birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, a day long celebrated in Thailand as Mother’s Day.
Thailand's Ministry of Industry announced the 2025 Prime Minister's Industry Award, honoring 40 outstanding manufacturers across 14 categories, with the ceremony scheduled for August 2026 in Bangkok.
The Ministry of Industry held a press conference announcing the 2025 Prime Minister's Industry Award, Thailand's highest industrial honor. The awards recognize outstanding businesses with excellent operations, strong management systems, and the potential to serve as role models for manufacturers nationwide. The award ceremony is scheduled for August 10, 2026, at the Grand Ballroom of Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok.
Dr. Nathapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, revealed that this press conference marks the announcement of readiness for the 2025 ceremony. The Industry Award program has been running continuously since 1981 to honor outstanding entrepreneurs and promote industrial standards throughout Thailand. The ministry uses the awards as a key mechanism to encourage businesses to develop capabilities across production efficiency, quality, safety, energy and environmental management, technology and innovation, and corporate social responsibility.
The 2025 Industry Awards comprise 14 categories. Category one is the Prime Minister's Best Industry Award—a single top honor for businesses demonstrating excellence across all areas. Category two includes nine Prime Minister's Industry Awards for increased productivity, environmental quality, safety management, quality management, energy management, logistics and supply chain management, future industry and services, corporate social responsibility, and circular economy. Category three comprises four awards for small and medium-sized enterprises: good management, creative product development, innovative technology management, and international business administration.
Adit Vaseenanon, Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries and Mines, stated that 162 businesses applied for selection. Three applied for the Best Industry Award, while 159 applied for the remaining 13 categories. All applicants underwent rigorous evaluation based on operational performance, management systems, innovation, business efficiency, social and environmental responsibility, and sustainable growth potential. A total of 40 businesses received awards, including Daikin Industries (Thailand) Limited, which won the 2025 Prime Minister's Best Industry Award and the MIND Ambassador private sector industrial envoy position.
The award ceremony will take place on August 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok, with the Minister of Industry presiding.