Police in Samut Prakan have made progress in the case of a group of teenagers who conducted a drive-by motorcycle shooting, leaving two youths critically injured from gunshot wounds to the face, abdomen, and body. The incident occurred on Srinakarin Road in Muang District, Samut Prakan, at around 2:00 a.m. Following the attack, Deputy Inspector Chakkarit Srirojnakul, commander of Muang Samut Prakan Police Station, immediately launched a pursuit operation. Within hours, surveillance footage led officers to identify two shooters: a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old. Both were arrested at a residence in Bang Bo District. A search of their home uncovered multiple illegally modified firearms, including magazine-fed weapons and improvised guns, as well as one folding-stock automatic rifle. Both suspects were brought in for questioning at Muang Samut Prakan Police Station. At 3:00 p.m., Phumin Singhsut, commander of Samut Prakan Provincial Police, visited the suspects and later commended the police station's swift apprehension. Police reported that approximately seven additional suspects remain at large—all youths aged 16 to 19. Regarding the firearms, the suspects stated they purchased them online; investigators are now pursuing online sellers to crack down decisively on illegal weapons trafficking.

The Royal Thai Police has ordered all police stations across Thailand to check and monitor the behavior of released prisoners to prevent repeat offenses. Deputy National Police Commissioner Trairuangkum Piamphairung announced that Police Chief Ittipol Chuachanhom has instructed all relevant units to enforce strict compliance with police regulations on prisoner monitoring and the National Police Office's crime prevention and suppression policies.

All police stations have been ordered to verify information about released prisoners entering their jurisdiction through the CRIMES system, which links data with the Department of Corrections. Police stations must use this information to record and report on released prisoners' behavior in the Police 4.0 application and maintain lists of suspended offenders, released prisoners, and local criminals for crime prevention analysis in their areas. Officers have been assigned to observe and report on the movements and conduct of these individuals according to established procedures, with station commanders regularly reviewing their activities.

The Criminal Records Registry and Information Technology Center have been instructed to update released prisoner information from the Department of Corrections in the CRIMES system immediately upon receipt. The Police Chief has emphasized the importance of this work and will conduct strict inspections of all police stations to ensure compliance. Any commander who neglects, fails to act, or unreasonably delays in carrying out these duties, resulting in damage or harm, will be held accountable for breach of duty.

Thai actress Janistar has shared a cautionary video after competing in the Hyrox fitness race, revealing that the experience left her severely injured and requiring physical therapy treatment. Hyrox is a hybrid fitness competition that combines 8 kilometers of running alternated with eight fitness stations, testing both strength and cardiovascular endurance with standardized rules recognized worldwide. The event has attracted numerous Thai celebrities and influencers looking to measure their fitness levels.

Janistar's participation drew attention from her fanbase, as her public image is associated with a more relaxed lifestyle. However, after completing the competition, she shared footage of herself undergoing physical therapy while in pain, cautioning other fitness enthusiasts with a message stating: "If your body isn't ready or you haven't warmed up properly, you can get injured. Look at my condition—ended up at the physical therapy clinic." The video, accompanied by screams of pain during treatment, sparked mixed reactions from followers, with many commenting humorously that she should return to her former lifestyle rather than risk further injury from intense competition.

Khon Kaen — At the Technology Crime Suppression Division 3 headquarters in Khon Kaen, Deputy National Police Commissioner Tri Rong Piw Phan and other senior officers announced the results of a sweep against a scammer network operating across the Isan region. Police arrested 20 suspects and recovered 3,088,294 baht for victims.

One major case involved an online stock trading fraud targeting a 70-year-old man, with losses totaling 19 million baht. Scammers built credibility by using SEC logos on their profiles, convincing the victim to transfer money 22 times to 15 different bank accounts. The gang used accounts registered under individuals, juristic persons, and companies to appear legitimate.

Investigation revealed foreign nationals were involved in cash management and withdrawals. Police obtained court warrants to arrest company directors and account holders, but the alleged Chinese investor remained in hiding. The breakthrough came by tracing financial flows through 13 money-mule accounts to the company Thanyasini Mobile, leading to the arrest of a cash courier and the company manager, Thanasini.

A second operation by Crime Suppression Division 2 arrested five suspects for social media investment scams and equipment sales fraud. They used fake investment returns and system-crash excuses to prevent victims from withdrawing funds. Police identified money laundering through 13 proxy accounts across multiple provinces and recovered partial refunds for victims.

Despite continuous enforcement efforts reducing incidents by over 50%, police data shows approximately 900 Thais still fall victim to these scams daily, with losses averaging 40 million baht per day. Bangkok and surrounding areas remain the most affected.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce, headed by Pon Aramwattananon alongside Vice Chairman Chanin Cholisraarongse, led a private-sector delegation to Russia accompanying Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Siwarak Poungketkeaw. The delegation aims to expand trade, investment, and business opportunities between the two countries. During the visit, Thai business leaders met with Russian economic organizations including the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Russian-Thai Business Council to discuss sector linkages and preparations for the Russian-Thai Investment Forum 2026, scheduled for October 29-31, 2026, in Bangkok. The delegation also participated in the Joint Russian-Thai Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, where Thai representatives outlined measures to strengthen balanced economic cooperation between the nations.

According to Pon, Thailand and Russia enjoy a long-standing relationship spanning people-to-people ties, tourism, and trade. Last year, bilateral trade reached approximately $1.7 billion, with the first half of this year already totaling around $1 billion and projected to reach $2.2 billion by year-end. However, this does not reflect true potential, particularly in agriculture and food exports, which offer significant growth opportunities.

The Thai private sector believes Thailand should accelerate negotiations for a Thai-EAEU Free Trade Agreement to establish a systematic economic cooperation framework, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and facilitate trade, investment, logistics, and supply-chain connectivity with EAEU members: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Pon stated that Russia is not merely an important market but a gateway to the EAEU market of over 185 million people. A successful Thai-EAEU FTA would open new markets for Thai goods and services while providing access to raw materials, energy, fertilizers, and technology vital to Thai manufacturing.

Both sides emphasize reciprocity and mutual benefit in trade cooperation. Thailand seeks to import 1-2 million tons annually of urea fertilizer from Russia to strengthen input security and ease the burden on Thai farmers, with Russia ready to support long-term contracts. Thailand offers high-quality agricultural and food products, particularly canned tuna and animal feed, while Russia supplies fertilizers, wheat flour, king crab, sunflower oil, beef, and premium seafood to meet Thai market demand.

KHON KAEN — On 17 August 2026, forensic officers inspected a construction site for a new staff residence at Khon Kaen Central Prison after workers uncovered 30 bags containing methamphetamine while excavating the ground.

Khon Kaen Central Prison Director Phairat Khaminthakul, Muang Khon Kaen Police Chief Pol. Col. Yotsawat Kaewsuebthannij, Muang Khon Kaen district officials and officers from the Regional Forensic Science Center 4 inspected the site, located south of the prison.

The drugs were discovered after a construction worker operating an excavator was clearing and levelling the land in preparation for construction. The machine uncovered 30 opaque plastic bags buried underground, 24 blue bags and six pink bags.

Authorities cordoned off the areas where the bags were initially found and where the excavator later dragged the bags containing the methamphetamine, around 50 metres from the original discovery point.

Investigators also questioned construction workers, the excavator operator and prison officials responsible for security and overseeing the construction project.

Pol. Col. Yotsawat said the drugs were found along the edge of the construction area, about 10 metres from the prison wall surrounding the inmates' detention area. The site had previously been overgrown and used for dumping rubbish. Workers had been clearing the rubbish and filling the area with soil when they uncovered the drugs.

"We need to determine whether the drugs are old or newly placed. We are questioning all relevant witnesses and checking CCTV footage," Pol. Col. Yotsawat said.

The discovery site is opposite one of the prison's CCTV cameras, but the camera is facing in a different direction.

Authorities are considering two main possibilities: that the drugs were deliberately left there by someone with malicious intent, or that they were buried in soil brought in to fill the site. Investigators will determine the cause through further examination.

Prison director Phairat said all possibilities must be investigated. The prison has coordinated with the contractor after handing over the site to a private company to build a four-storey staff accommodation building with 32 rooms. The site was handed over in February, while construction under the contract began in July.

Following the discovery, authorities will completely seal off the construction area to prevent construction workers from coming into contact with inmates who are taken outside the prison for community service. Unauthorised people will also be barred from entering the area.

"We have patrol officers checking the area around the prison every hour, while officers remain stationed at the prison's watchtowers around the clock," Phairat said.

Security measures will now be tightened, including strict checks on everyone entering and leaving the prison, designated parking areas and waiting zones for visitors, as well as areas used as residences by prison officials and staff. The prison also conducts thorough searches.