Popular Travel Youtuber Mourns Death of Fellow Creator

Thai travel vlogger Benz Gaijin paid tribute to fellow creator Hloune Solo, whose body was found in a Tbilisi hotel in July after he vanished while traveling in Georgia.

29 Jul Khaosod

Thai travel vlogger Benz Gaijin has mourned the death of fellow creator Hloune Solo, calling him the finest travel content creator Thailand has ever seen. Hloune Solo, real name Buawarat Pengsuk, mysteriously vanished while traveling in Georgia. His body was found in a hotel in Tbilisi on July 29, 2025. On his page The Gaijin Trips, Benz posted: "I want to express my condolences to Hloune. No Thai person has ever made travel videos as well as he did. He was the best we've ever had, and it's a shame I never got to tell him face to face." The post drew numerous responses, with followers expressing concern for Benz's own safety, as he too travels solo. Many urged him to be cautious and avoid risky situations, reminding him that his family and loved ones worry about him.

No. 01 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Regional

Six Families Trapped in Dead-End Area Forced to Climb Over Fence

Six families in Ang Thong Province are forced to climb fences to access their homes after a landowner blocked the only exit route with a brick barrier, following their complaint to the Ombudsman's Office.

29 Jul Khaosod

Residents of six homes in a dead-end area are forced to climb over fences to enter and exit their homes after filing a complaint with the Ombudsman's Office, as the landowner has now blocked access with a fence.

On July 29, 2569, reporters visited six homes in Moo 2, Sala Daeng Subdistrict, Muang District, Ang Thong Province. The area is a dead-end with no road access, housing approximately 20 residents who must now climb fences to leave. After residents filed a complaint with the Ombudsman's Office, which promised to mediate on August 5, the landowner constructed a brick fence, completely blocking the path. Residents now fear trespassing accusations and must use ladders to access their homes. The six houses are surrounded by fences from the Provincial Commerce Office, Provincial Fisheries Office, Provincial Industry Office, and private land.

When interviewed, 49-year-old Thanyakamon reported that after filing the complaint, the Ombudsman's Office promised to arrange a meeting to find a solution on August 5. However, the landowner built the brick fence barrier before that date, leaving no way out. Residents must use ladders to enter and exit, and they fear trespassing charges. One house has a bedridden patient, so she is asking government agencies to intervene and negotiate to open an access route until a permanent solution is found.

Muang District Chief Raksak Tianchaya met with the residents and coordinated with the landowner to temporarily open an access route the next day. The district is seeking to establish a permanent public route using a government property road near the Provincial Commerce Office and Provincial Fisheries Office for future access.

No. 02 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

Fraud Charges Filed Against Local Government Exam Officials

Thirteen suspects have been summoned to face fraud charges related to rigged local government personnel exams, including a former Department of Local Administration chief who requested a one-week delay in his July 31 court appearance.

29 Jul Khaosod

Police spokesman Pol. Lt. Gen. Patanasak Bubphasuwanna revealed progress in a corruption case involving fraudulent local government personnel exams on July 29. Summons have been issued to 13 suspects to appear on July 31, including former Department of Local Administration chief Theerutham Supaviboolpol and Rueangdej Sirikij of Srinakharinwirot University's testing office. While Rueangdej confirmed he would appear as scheduled, Theerutham requested a one-week postponement citing absence from the province and a long holiday period. Both will face seven charges. The remaining 11 suspects, discovered altering exam data at a company in Nonthaburi, are expected to be summoned soon, though meeting dates have not been confirmed. If any suspects fail to appear by July 31, a second summons will be issued, and if they still do not comply, arrest warrants will be sought. Additionally, on July 31, investigators will visit the detention facility to file additional charges against three suspects—Win Thanpochraphokhin, Sataporn Thanpochraphokhin, and Pichit Thungprom—for allegedly abetting officials in misconduct under Thai Criminal Code Article 86 in conjunction with Article 157.

No. 03 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Breaking

Family Awaits Official Confirmation on Missing YouTuber Hloon

Thai YouTuber Hloon Solo's family held a vigil at their Kalasin home on July 29 after social media reports claimed his death, but they await official confirmation from the Georgian consulate before accepting the news.

29 Jul Khaosod

The family of Thai YouTuber Hloon Solo, whose real name is Bowortat Pengsuk, held a vigil at his home in Samet District, Kalasin Province on July 29, hoping that alarming social media reports of his death are untrue. His sister Boworluk Pengsuk stated that throughout the day the family received multiple messages claiming her brother had died, but they have received no official confirmation from the Georgian consulate or any relevant authorities. She expressed that the family remains skeptical of the social media reports, saying "We believe half and don't believe half," and are waiting for official clarification from the consulate about whether Hloon is still alive.

District Chief Wirat Rachchalai assigned administrative staff and community leaders to visit the family and offer support during this difficult time. Despite the somber atmosphere at the home, family members and relatives continue to pray and hope for a miracle, refusing to accept the reports without official confirmation. Earlier in the day, when Hloon's brother posted a missing person appeal, the social media response was hopeful and positive, with many people sharing and searching for clues about his whereabouts in Georgia.

However, evening social media posts suggesting tragedy caused the family's mood to darken considerably. Nonetheless, all three family members and relatives remain hopeful that Hloon is safe, as they have not received any official confirmation of his death. They are awaiting updates and clarification from the Georgian consulate or related authorities.

No. 04 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

Soldier Loses Foot to Landmine While Clearing Sra Kaew Border

A soldier lost his left foot and sustained shrapnel wounds when a landmine detonated during mine-clearance operations in Sra Kaew Province's Kok Sung District on July 29. The injured serviceman is receiving medical care and rehabilitation s

29 Jul Khaosod

The Army reported on July 29 that a soldier was injured by a landmine while conducting mine-clearance operations in a former minefield area near Nong Jan village in Kok Sung District, Sra Kaew Province as part of the 1st Humanitarian Demining Task Force's (HDTF-1) operations.

Over several years, HDTF-1 has successfully cleared 76.73 percent of the designated area, recovering a total of 489 mines and explosive remnants. The demining effort will continue to achieve complete clearance and safety for the region.

The incident resulted in the soldier's left foot being severed and shrapnel wounds across his body. Personnel provided immediate assistance and transported him to Arunprathet Hospital for urgent medical treatment, where he remains under close medical supervision.

Army Commander Pol. Gen. Windhai Suvaree stated that the Commander of the Royal Thai Army has ordered all relevant units to provide comprehensive care for the injured soldier, including medical treatment, rehabilitation, and full benefits and welfare. He emphasized that all personnel must conduct demining operations with extreme caution and vigilance, prioritizing safety at all times to ensure efficient and continuous progress in creating safe areas for residents along the border.

No. 05 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

Gunshots Heard as Russian Siblings Vanish in Thailand

Two Russian siblings disappeared in Thailand after gunshots were heard near their location on July 26; authorities suspect involvement by two recently released convicts who are considered armed and dangerous.

29 Jul Khaosod

Residents in the area reported hearing gunshots from the forest behind their homes on the evening of July 26—first three shots, then another five to seven shots—followed by the sound of a man shouting, though they couldn't make out the words. Initially dismissing it as teenagers firing weapons, locals reconsidered when news broke that two Russian siblings had disappeared without a trace. Upon investigating the forest where the gunshots were heard, they found only footprints but no sign of the siblings, prompting authorities to conduct a more thorough search.

Information from nearby residents revealed that the suspects had been released from prison just one week before after serving time for armed robbery, causing significant alarm in the community. Reports also indicate that one of the suspects fired a gun while driving an armed patrol vehicle on the motorway, shooting indiscriminately toward the sky around kilometer markers 3+500 and 2+900 without apparent reason. Authorities warned the public that the suspect is dangerous, carries firearms regularly, and may possess explosives.

Over 200 police officers, local administrators, and rescue personnel mobilized to search the area surrounding where the motorcycle was found, dividing into multiple teams to conduct a thorough 3-hour search of the forest. However, no additional traces or clues of the missing siblings were discovered. At 4 p.m., police cordoned off a house in the area after reports that two suspects, identified as Mr. Pong and Mr. Thang, were hiding inside. A search of the house found no one, but the homeowner reported that both men had arrived around 10 a.m. on July 26—the same day the siblings disappeared—covered in mud. They remained at the house for only an hour before leaving again.

No. 06 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Thammanat Denies Monaco Secret Meeting With Thaksin

Palang Pracharath leader Thammanat Prommachan denied rumors of secret talks with Thaksin in Monaco, claiming his trip to France was purely a family vacation with no political dealings involved.

29 Jul Khaosod

On July 29, Thammanat Prommachan, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, posted on his personal Facebook account to address rumors of negotiations with the Pheu Thai Party in Monaco aimed at garnering support to replace the prime minister. He stated that he traveled to France and Monaco for genuine vacation with his family and that there was no political business involved. "I don't like operating in secret and there's no need for me to sneak across oceans to meet Thaksin in Monaco," he wrote, adding that he would not need to swear an oath anywhere and that checking Thaksin's travel records would show he never went to Monaco. Thammanat further clarified that he used a parliamentary recess to take a pre-planned vacation with his wife and children, with no meetings with Thaksin whatsoever.

No. 07 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Thailand Dismisses Cambodia's Unsubstantiated POW Torture Claims

Thailand's military rejected Cambodia's torture allegations against detained Cambodian soldiers, demanding evidence and calling for investigation through proper diplomatic channels rather than media claims.

29 Jul Khaosod

Thailand's Joint Information Center director rejected Cambodia's allegations that Cambodian soldiers held in Thai custody suffered torture, insisting that accusations require evidence and proper bilateral mechanisms for investigation. Lt. Gen. Praphas Sonjai emphasized on July 29 that Thailand upholds international humanitarian law and operates under agreements both sides have committed to, adding that media accusations without proof undermine trust between the nations. He stated Thailand is prepared to examine any verifiable evidence through appropriate channels, but warned that politically motivated claims without factual support harm the peace process. "What the international community expects is provable truth, not accusations and media exchanges," Praphas said.

No. 08 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Community

Foundation and Thai Smile Bus Distribute Aid for Royal Birthday

The Puredheart Foundation and Thai Smile Bus Company distributed survival kits containing rice, cooking oil, and household essentials to elderly, disabled, and bedridden residents in the Rom Klao community on July 29, presenting the aid as

29 Jul Khaosod

The Puredheart Foundation and Thai Smile Bus Company (TSB) extended compassion to the community by distributing survival kits to elderly, disabled, and bedridden residents to ease their living costs and present these gifts as merit dedicated to His Majesty on his 74th birthday on July 28, 2025.

On July 29, 2025, foundation chairwoman Theerathat Nawamawat, together with TSB and private-sector partners, visited the Rom Klao community to distribute survival kits to elderly, disabled, and bedridden residents.

The kits contained essential household items and food supplies such as rice and cooking oil to ease the financial burden and offer encouragement. Suriya Kotha, chair of the Bangkok Disabled Volunteers Association, received the donation on behalf of recipients to ensure comprehensive assistance reached those in need.

The foundation chair said the foundation has consistently followed royal principles of alleviating suffering, promoting welfare, and improving people's quality of life as a guide for social activities and continuous support for the underprivileged.

This distribution of aid packages represents an important mission of the foundation aimed at easing the living burden for people in the community who still need essential daily supplies. The foundation hopes that today's gift will benefit community members going forward.

The Puredheart Foundation remains committed to continuing collaborative public-benefit activities to promote goodwill for society and build a community of sharing for better quality of life and sustainable community strength.

No. 09 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Breaking

Popular Thai YouTuber Found Dead in Georgia

Thai YouTuber Hlun Solo, 26, was found dead in Georgia after disappearing for 15 days while traveling. The Thai Embassy had been coordinating with Georgian authorities to locate the popular content creator.

29 Jul Khaosod

Popular Thai YouTuber Bowortat Pengsuk, known as 'Hlun Solo,' age 26, has been found deceased after going missing while traveling in Georgia. He had been out of contact for 15 days, with the last communication on July 13, 2569. The Thai Embassy in Ankara reported on July 29 that it was coordinating closely with Georgia's Foreign Ministry, with embassy staff traveling to work with local Georgian authorities, Thai honorary consuls in Georgia, and Thai volunteers in the area to assist in locating him. At 19:54, the volunteer search page posted a sorrowful update stating, 'I have found Hlun. I offer my deepest condolences to Hlun's family. I have notified the family, and I ask that they release further details.'

No. 10 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

Ko Phangan Police Arrest Drug Dealer Before Full Moon Party

Police arrested a 36-year-old drug dealer on Ko Phangan with 2,000 methamphetamine pills ahead of the Full Moon Party, part of a crackdown on trafficking in the tourist area.

29 Jul Khaosod

Surat Thani Provincial Police conducted a drug crackdown operation ahead of the Full Moon Party on Ko Phangan, resulting in the arrest of Montree Maneesoti, 36, on July 29, 2026. Police Major Jarumshai Boongkliang, working with Surat Thani Provincial Police officers and the investigation unit at Ko Phangan Police Station, apprehended the suspect while he was carrying a plastic bag containing methamphetamine pills. Officers seized 2,000 pills and one mobile phone as evidence.

Montree was caught on a road near a workers' dormitory in Ko Phangan subdistrict, Ko Phangan District, Surat Thani. Police said they had received intelligence that he was engaged in illicit drug trafficking in the area. During interrogation, he confessed to the charges before being transferred to Ko Phangan Police Station for prosecution.

The suspect faces charges including drug distribution for commercial purposes, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, and operating a motorcycle under the influence of methamphetamine. The operation was authorized by provincial police leadership as part of a broader policy to reduce drug trafficking in tourist areas, particularly preventing the spread of drugs between foreign nationals and between foreigners and Thai citizens ahead of the upcoming Full Moon Party celebration.

No. 11 of ∞ Read at source → Next