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.

BANGKOK: Household electricity bills are poised to fall from September after regulators approved a new tariff structure that removes public street-lighting costs from residential bills and caps the rate for the first 200 units of monthly consumption at no more than B3 per unit.

On August 13, 2025, under the direction of Police Lieutenant Colonel Chalermchai Heumsawat, commander of Kathu Police Station, traffic police were conducting a discipline enforcement checkpoint at Four Corners intersection on Phra Barami Road in Kathu District, Phuket. While on duty, Sub-Lieutenant Sivayot Yodram, a squad leader at Kathu Station, spotted a black Honda motorcycle with Nakhon Sri Thammarat license plates heading toward Four Corners from Khao Phatongtung. The bike carried two foreign men—a driver and a passenger.

The officer signaled the motorcycle to stop for a license check, but the driver accelerated and sped through the checkpoint. Sub-Lieutenant Sivayot pursued on his own motorcycle past Four Corners onto Phra Phuket Kaew Road. Near Kathu Municipality building, the officer signaled again and ordered the bike to stop, but the passenger kicked Sivayot's motorcycle with his left foot, causing the officer to lose balance and crash. Injured but determined, Sivayot continued pursuit.

The suspect motorcycle was later spotted near a duty-free shop on Phra Phuket Kaew Road. The driver reversed and fled into The Valley housing estate before cutting in front of Sivayot's bike again, causing him to lose control and crash. Sivayot sustained injuries while his clothing, glasses, and motorcycle were damaged.

Despite his injuries, Sivayot remounted and followed to the end of the narrow soi, a dead end. He found the motorcycle abandoned and the two riders on foot near the estate entrance. Both were taken into custody.

The arrested men are Saeed Salem, 21, and Hammad Saaif, 20, both Emirati nationals. The driver and passenger were charged and informed of their legal rights before being brought to Kathu Police Station for processing and forwarding to investigators for further legal proceedings.