Drug suppression police have continued their crackdown on the international drug trafficking network "Ball Khao Wised," arresting another member of a money laundering operation who was ranked as a priority suspect by the Royal Thai Police. On July 23, 2025, Police Lieutenant General Pathanasak Buphasawan ordered officers to arrest 27-year-old Kittisak (surname withheld) from Chiang Rai under arrest warrant number 103/2568, issued February 10, 2025, on charges of conspiracy to launder money. He was apprehended at a residence in Rim Kok Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Rai.

The arrest follows Operation "Takedown Mafia Yan Rok," during which police dismantled the "Ball Khao Wised" drug trafficking network and seized assets valued at over 100 million baht believed to be proceeds of drug trafficking. Investigators discovered that the network used "mule accounts"—shell bank accounts—to receive drug proceeds before withdrawing cash and transferring funds to associates to disguise the money as legitimate income or investments.

Investigators also found that most cash withdrawals by the drug operation occurred in northern border areas, making it easier to smuggle money across to neighboring countries. After gathering sufficient evidence, authorities obtained court approval for additional arrest warrants. Police determined that Kittisak was one of the mule account holders used by the "Ball Khao Wised" network and was ranked 208th on the Royal Thai Police's priority fugitive list. He was hiding in Chiang Rai when arrested.

During questioning, Kittisak denied knowledge of criminal activity, claiming he had been paid thousands of baht per account to open them to support his family, and was unaware the accounts would be used for illegal purposes. Investigators remain skeptical and have transferred him to the Investigation Division for further legal proceedings.

Palang Pracharath Secretary-General Pai Likkhit addressed remarks by Nakhon Phanom MP and Pheu Thai deputy leader Monphon Sermsri, who had criticized civil service transfers at the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry after Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompow announced his departure. Pai said the party does not cling to any ministry and urged Monphon not to overreact, noting that reports about problematic transfers came from ministry staff themselves. He reiterated that Palang Pracharath operates under the Prime Minister's oversight and confirmed that any party decisions are evidence-based.

Pai explained that the party's main concern is worker morale. If transfers occur as he suspects, most ministry staff will lose confidence rather than gain it, potentially harming the ministry's performance and encouraging corruption. He warned that such moves could undermine public sector effectiveness.

When asked whether to escalate the issue to a no-confidence debate, Pai said the party currently lacks strong evidence but will investigate thoroughly if problems surface. He stressed that party opposition to problematic transfers stems from experience in agriculture administration, not from any protective interest in keeping specific personnel in place.

PROSPECT REIT is preparing to launch its third capital increase to fund a fifth additional investment in Bangkok Free Trade Zone 4 (BFTZ 4) in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province. The investment will take the form of long-term leasehold rights in 31 completed factory and warehouse buildings comprising 101 units: 18 completed warehouses with 58 units, 5 completed factories with 7 units, 7 small-scale completed factories with 34 units, and 1 built-to-suit building with 2 units, totaling 187,949 square meters of leasable space.

The portfolio will be divided into 153,788 square meters in the Free Zone area where tenants receive various tax benefits, and 34,161 square meters in the general business zone, spread across more than 202 rai of land. Lease contracts are set for 30 years from commencement, with an option to renew for another 30 years, which will increase PROSPECT REIT's average lease tenure to approximately 28 years from the current 15 years.

Prospect Development, as co-shareholder of BFTZ 4's owner, will guarantee minimum rental income for unleased spaces at 170 baht per square meter monthly for two years from the REIT's investment date, ensuring revenue stability. The BFTZ 4 project benefits from strategic location near ports and airports, accommodates over 80 percent free trade zone space, and features upgraded infrastructure including high-voltage electrical systems and high-speed communications networks to attract supply chain operators.

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday reaffirmed Thailand's longstanding support for the One China policy, saying he does not expect Taiwan's criticism of Bangkok's stance to affect cooperation between Thailand and Taiwan.

Speaking at Government House, Anutin responded to a statement from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing disappointment after Thailand endorsed language stating that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

"Thailand has always adhered to the One China policy. This is nothing new," Anutin said.

He added that Thailand remains open to cooperation in areas that do not conflict with its diplomatic position and stressed that Bangkok has not sought to restrict any form of cooperation.

Regarding Taiwan's expression of disappointment, Anutin said Thailand acknowledged the statement but maintained that its policy is clear.

"That is Taiwan's position, and we have taken note of it. Thailand's policy is clear, and I do not believe this will have any impact," he said.

When asked whether additional diplomatic efforts were needed to ease tensions, Anutin replied that both sides already understood each other.

Pressed on whether Taiwan might view Thailand as favoring Beijing, the prime minister smiled and said, "Our policy is One China. There is no leaning."

He declined to comment on reactions circulating on social media.

Asked whether the dispute could affect visa-free travel for Thai visitors to Taiwan or the large number of Thai workers employed there, Anutin again stressed that Thailand's position remained unchanged.

"Our policy is clear," he said.

The remarks come after Taiwan's foreign ministry criticized Thailand for endorsing language supporting Beijing's claim that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, following recent high-level exchanges between Thai and Chinese officials.

The 8th Taiwan Documentary and Film Festival in Thailand 2026 has opened at House Samyan, bringing film lovers, critics, actors, filmmakers and industry figures together for five days of Taiwanese cinema. Running July 22–26, 2026, at House Samyan Century Sukhumvit in Bangkok and Pratudang Space in Khon Kaen, the festival features 17 films and documentaries spanning classics, contemporary fiction and short films.

At the opening ceremony, Pete Lan, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, welcomed guests and thanked audiences for their support of Taiwanese cinema. Lan noted that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and Taiwan's Ministry of Culture have worked with Thailand Documentary Club and partners for eight years to organize the festival and strengthen cultural exchange between the two nations.

This year's festival centers on the theme "family matters," marking the first time all three films in Ang Lee's acclaimed "Father Knows Best" trilogy are presented together. Lan drew parallels to a Thai saying about those without music in their hearts, suggesting viewers might reach similar conclusions about families lacking empathy, compassion, respect and love after watching the films. He emphasized that true family members must communicate through empathy, compassion, respect and love rather than pressure, coercion and threats.

The festival also features Girl (2025), the directorial debut of Taiwanese actress Shu Qi. The programme includes documentaries, classics such as Pushing Hands, The Wedding Banquet, and Eat Drink Man Woman, contemporary fiction, and short film programmes. A major highlight is Eat Drink Man Woman (1994), Ang Lee's closing chapter of the "Father Knows Best" trilogy, which earned him his second consecutive Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Truck driver leads two-hour chase across Korat before surrenderingLegacyA truck driver allegedly under the influence of drugs led police on a chase across three districts in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) today, July 23, before surrendering at a police station. Four vehicles were damaged during the pursuit, but no injuries or deaths were reported. The incident began at around 9.30am when the trailer truck failed to stop at two checkpoints. Officers launched an immediate pursuit as the driver continued through three districts. When the truck reached an intersection in Soeng Sang district, it collided with two pickup trucks. One of the pickups lost control and crashed into a streetlight on the road median, sustaining heavy damage. Another pickup was sideswiped elsewhere along the route, bringing the total number of damaged vehicles to four. Photo via MGR Online Police pursued the truck for nearly two hours before it stopped outside Soeng Sang Police Station at about 11am. Officers then searched the vehicle and found no illegal items inside. However, they allegedly recovered one methamphetamine pill from the driver, whose urine test later returned positive for the drug. The driver was identified as 49 year old Saengsawangwong, a resident of Soeng Sang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, and was taken into custody for questioning. According to police, Saengsawangwong said he was driving from Soeng Sang district to work in Sikhio district when officers signalled for him to stop before a checkpoint in Chok Chai district. He allegedly panicked because he had used methamphetamine and turned the truck around to avoid the checkpoint. Photo via MGR Online Police said Saengsawangwong turned back towards Khon Buri district, where officers had established a drug checkpoint, before driving through it and continuing to flee. He allegedly lost control of the truck due to its speed, causing the collisions with other vehicles. During the chase, Saengsawangwong said he spoke with his wife by telephone, who urged him to stop running and surrender to police. He then drove to Soeng Sang Police Station and turned himself in. Officers said Saengsawangwong apologised to everyone affected by the incident and admitted he had made a mistake out of fear of being caught. He also reportedly promised not to use drugs again. MGR Online reported that Saengsawangwong remains in police custody for further questioning before legal proceedings continue. Photo via MGR Online Elsewhere, two men were apprehended in Phuket following a high-speed pursuit with police, resulting in the confiscation of 65 grammes of crystal meth. Both individuals also tested positive for drug use. The story Truck driver leads two-hour chase across Korat before surrendering as seen on Thaiger News.