Thailand's Government Public Relations Department (PRD) hosted a 2-day study visit for international media on 9 – 10 July 2026, showcasing how the country's Royal Arts and Crafts Projects are transf...
Thailand's Government Public Relations Department (PRD) hosted a 2-day study visit for international media on 9 – 10 July 2026, showcasing how the country's Royal Arts and Crafts Projects are transf...
Water leaking into the Bangkok Purple Line extension tunnel near Wangwian prompted evacuation concerns, though officials say a tilting commercial building has stabilized at a 79-80 degree angle with continued monitoring underway.
Water leaking into the Purple Line extension tunnel between Tao Pun and Ratburi stations near Wangwian intersection prompted authorities to evacuate people from the risk area and investigate the cause. At 9:15 p.m. on July 9, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director Theeraphatt Kachamat addressed the situation, noting that while the affected commercial building appears more settled to the naked eye, instrument measurements show the structure remains at a 79-80 degree tilt—the same deviation as earlier in the evening. However, cracks and fissures require continued monitoring by USAR THAILAND personnel working alongside structural engineering techniques. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation will support Bangkok authorities using digital tilt-measurement equipment that will alert officials immediately if further tilting occurs, allowing rapid response. The building is currently undergoing renovation and is unoccupied. Surrounding private businesses have been asked to operate cautiously and await formal evacuation orders from Bangkok authorities. Reporters note that no formal evacuation order has been issued yet—only a request for cooperation—though some residents have voluntarily left the area and are requesting that officials provide clear confirmation and a formal evacuation plan.
Police arrested five suspects and seized eight million methamphetamine pills stored at a house in Nakhon Nayok Province, disrupting a major drug trafficking operation supplying other regions of Thailand.
Police have arrested five suspects and seized eight million methamphetamine pills that were being smuggled and stored at a house in Ang Khanak District, Nakhon Nayok Province. On July 9, 2569, senior police officials announced the successful operation. The arrests came after coordinated investigations by the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Police, Chumphon and Nakhon Nayok Provincial Police, and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau's Region 1 office, who tracked ongoing drug trafficking networks. Authorities determined that large shipments of methamphetamine were being stored at the property before distribution to other parts of the country, prompting the raid. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the broader trafficking network.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, have agreed to advance cooperation across all dimensions, including trade, investment, food security, agr...
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, have agreed to advance cooperation across all dimensions, including trade, investment, food security, agr...
A tunnel leak under Bangkok's Purple Line extension caused ground subsidence on Prachadhipok Road near Taksin Circle, prompting authorities to close the street and evacuate nearby residents from at-risk buildings. Authorities established mo
Bangkok Governor Chatchatchai Sithiphan, accompanied by deputy governors Vishnu Saromsap and Kanokwan Iamliem, inspected the subsidence area near Taksin Circle on July 9 after water leaked into a catch basin under the Purple Line extension tunnel. The leak caused soil collapse on Prachadhipok Road, affecting neighboring buildings. Bangkok authorities coordinated with the Mass Transit Authority (BTS), contractors, and district offices to implement three priority measures: First, establish a 30-meter monitoring zone around the incident site to track water leakage and soil movement, with automatic alert systems installed by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, while evacuating residents from 2-3 high-risk buildings to temporary safe locations at contractor expense. Second, close Prachadhipok Road from the Ban Khak intersection to Taksin Circle to reduce vibrations affecting soil and structures, with alternate routes suggested via Israphap, Lad Ya, and Somdet Chaopraya roads. Third, prepare traffic contingency plans for large schools in the area, including Sanam Luang Witthayalai and Satyasaran schools, by applying lessons learned from the Vajira Hospital subsidence incident, potentially adding school shuttle services to reduce parent vehicle congestion. Support equipment, power generators, lighting, and balloon lights have been deployed to assist operations.
Police launched a sustainable road safety campaign in Bangkok's Region 2, distributing 150 helmets and using traffic influencers to educate motorcycle riders on legal requirements and accident prevention.
On July 9, 2026, Police General Siam Bunserm presided over the opening of a sustainable road safety and accident prevention project by the Metropolitan Police Bureau Region 2, accompanied by four deputy commanders and other senior police officials. The program, represented by officials from Bang Khae Police Station, was designed to promote safety and educate motorcycle riders throughout Region 2's jurisdiction, with emphasis on legal requirements and case studies presented by traffic police influencers to reach the public more effectively.
Following the launch, 150 safety helmets donated by Ladplakao Motor Company and Yodsaengrun Honda Sanamluang branch were distributed to the training participants. The commanders then inspected the Bang Khae traffic command center, which features a sufficiency economy area for raising livestock and growing vegetables for staff consumption—implementing principles from the late King Bhumibol's philosophy to maximize benefits for police personnel.
Customs officials raided a Nakhon Ratchasima warehouse on July 9, seizing over 10,000 counterfeit branded items worth approximately 30 million baht that were being sold online.
Customs Region 2 has dismantled a major counterfeit goods warehouse in central Nakhon Ratchasima, seizing over 10,000 items valued at approximately 30 million baht.
On July 9, 2025, Nattaphoom Dokput, senior customs officer and head of investigation and enforcement at Customs Region 2, led a team of over 10 officials in raiding a warehouse in Sai Nam subdistrict, Muang district. The operation followed public complaints about trademark-infringing goods being sold via Facebook Live.
During the search, officers discovered 14 employees sorting counterfeit branded products including clothing, shoes, bags, belts, and hats from leading brands. The raid netted no fewer than 10,000 items, representing economic losses exceeding 30 million baht.
Nattaphoom stated the operation aligns with government policy and orders from the Finance Ministry and Customs Department leadership to crack down on illegal goods and intellectual property violations in the Northeast region. Officials had investigated and identified the warehouse as a distribution hub for smuggled counterfeit goods that bypassed customs procedures, leading them to obtain a search warrant from Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court.
"All seized goods have been confiscated and will be examined in coordination with trademark representatives," Nattaphoom said. "We will vigorously prosecute all parties involved under customs law, which carries both imprisonment and fines. We caution consumers to be wary when purchasing online—if authentic-looking items are priced unusually low, they may be counterfeit or illegally smuggled goods. We also warn traders engaged in smuggling and selling such goods that this constitutes serious customs violations with severe penalties. Customs Region 2 will continue its investigation to apprehend all offenders and protect the economy and consumers."
Thai customs officers seized 17 kilograms of heroin hidden in coffee and tea packages at Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 9, after detecting a passenger traveling from Malaysia to Madagascar with a connecting flight. The drugs, worth an estimat
Thai customs authorities have intercepted a major heroin smuggling attempt at Suvarnabhumi Airport. On July 9, 2026, the Customs Department's Investigation and Suppression Division, working with the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF), identified a high-risk passenger traveling from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia with a connecting flight at Suvarnabhumi before continuing to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and ultimately to Ivato International Airport in Madagascar.
After X-ray screening revealed suspicious baggage anomalies, officials conducted a detailed search of the passenger's luggage near the departure gate. They discovered coffee bags, green tea packages, and various nutritional supplement products that concealed plastic bags containing white powder in clumps. Chemical testing confirmed the substance was heroin, weighing a total of 17.53 kilograms with an estimated street value of 7.3 million baht.
The suspect was taken into custody and referred to investigators for legal proceedings. Authorities are expanding their investigation to track accomplices both domestically and internationally. The Customs Department Director emphasized that this seizure demonstrates the agency's sophisticated risk analysis capabilities and successful inter-agency cooperation in blocking international drug trafficking networks from using Thailand as a transit route, reaffirming the government's commitment to protecting society from drug threats.
Police arrested a Buddhist abbot in Mae Hong Son province after finding heroin in his temple quarters during a raid on July 9, following resident complaints about drug trafficking activities.
Police raided a prominent temple in Mae Hong Son province and arrested the abbot after discovering heroin hidden in his quarters. On July 9, officers from Pang Ma Phai Police Station received complaints from residents about the abbot's scandalous behavior involving drug trafficking. A joint operation was launched with border patrol, district administration officials, and soldiers from the 722nd Infantry Battalion.
Upon arrival at the temple, officers presented their credentials and searched the abbot's cell. The search uncovered Class 1 narcotics (heroin) concealed in the quarters, which was seized as evidence. The abbot was taken in for initial interrogation.
Following questioning, the abbot confessed. He was immediately brought through defrocking ceremonies to end his monastic status before being transferred to Pang Ma Phai Police Station with all seized evidence for legal proceedings.
Police raided two illegal e-cigarette distribution hubs in Bangkok's Bang Khae district, seizing 50,000 units and 4.8 million baht in cash from operators suspected of major smuggling operations.
On July 9, Deputy Police Commissioner Nirandhorn Luamsri, who heads the Center for Prevention and Suppression of Electronic Cigarette Offenses, led a team of officers executing a Central Tax Court search warrant at two illegal e-cigarette distribution points.
At the first location on Soi Petchkasem 63 in Bang Khae, Bangkok, police discovered e-cigarettes and e-liquid totaling approximately 50,000 units already packaged and ready for shipment. A 30-year-old Lao national was detained for questioning.
The second location, about 1 kilometer away on the same soi, yielded a 28-year-old delivery worker and a 40-year-old homeowner. Police also seized approximately 4.8 million baht in cash for investigation.
Deputy Commissioner Nirandhorn stated that the first location served as a warehouse and packing center, while the second was a residence where substantial cash was discovered. The cash was identified as working capital for e-cigarette trading operations. The suspects are considered major distributors operating in central Bangkok. The seized contraband is valued at no less than 10 million baht.
Bangkok authorities evacuated about 60 residents and closed Ratchada Road near the Grand Roundabout after water leaks and soil subsidence were discovered in the Purple Line extension tunnel. Engineers are monitoring settlement rates and wor
On July 9 at 5:50 p.m., Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, accompanied by Deputy Governor Vishnu Saraswat, inspected the Purple Line extension tunnel where water leaks are occurring along Ratchada Road near the Grand Roundabout, between Sao Ching and Rat Burana stations. The incident has prompted shop operators, clinics, and commercial buildings in the area to urgently evacuate their assets due to safety concerns.
After discussing the situation with construction contractors and relevant agencies, Governor Chadchart proceeded to a meeting to monitor ongoing developments. Police officers, municipal staff, Khlong San District officials, and contractor security personnel closed traffic on Ratchada Road from the Bangkhen intersection to the Grand Roundabout. They continuously measured road and building settlement using specialized equipment.
At 7:00 p.m., Governor Chadchart revealed that this tunnel section is on the same route as a previous incident near Vajira Hospital but involves a different contractor. The incident location is the tunnel's lowest point, functioning like a water trap, which caused water leakage and soil subsidence. The Mass Transit Authority and contractors are working to resolve the situation.
Bangkok's approach focuses on public safety at street level, with close monitoring of water leakage and soil settlement rates to assess whether damage will expand. A 30-meter surveillance radius has been established around the incident site. Approximately 60 residents from three buildings along Ratchada Road must evacuate for one week, with the most critical building already cleared. Neighboring buildings remain under strict surveillance with tilt and vibration sensors installed to provide instant alerts if anomalies are detected.
Traffic closure from the Bangkhen intersection to the Grand Roundabout aims to facilitate repair work and reduce vibrations affecting the incident area. Governor Chadchart stated that while the situation shows signs of stabilization, close monitoring remains essential. The primary solution involves stopping water infiltration and strengthening the soil layer—the contractor's responsibility to complete. Compensation for damages is also under discussion.