Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on August 4 that it is accepting public comments on a draft announcement regarding the addition of Government Housing Bank savings bonds (Government Housing Bank bonds) as an eligible investment asset for mutual funds and provident funds. The proposal seeks to broaden investment options, enhance portfolio management flexibility, and align savings bond investment criteria across state-owned financial institutions while maintaining appropriate controls against concentrated investment risk.

Following the Capital Market Supervisory Board's approval in principle in June 2569, the SEC previously held a comment period from June 18 to July 18, 2569, during which all respondents supported the proposal. The current draft regulation adds Government Housing Bank bonds as an asset under the definition of "deposits or deposit-like instruments" to ensure consistent investment criteria across state financial institutions and increase fund portfolio flexibility.

Fund managers will remain subject to risk management requirements including limits on investment concentration with single issuers and restrictions on exposure to affiliated groups. The proposed regulation applies to retail mutual funds, institutional investor funds, and provident funds. Public comments are being accepted online at the SEC website and the central legal system portal, with a deadline of September 2, 2569. Interested parties can submit feedback via email to tonyada@sec.or.th or pattarav@sec.or.th.

PHUKET: Widespread criticism has spread online after a Phuket van driver was filmed closely following an ambulance and running a red light while the ambulance was transporting a patient to hospital in Phuket.

Kanchanaburi authorities shut down a drug party on a Khwae Noi River raft on August 4, arresting 55 people—32 men and 23 women, including three minors. The operation was conducted under the Interior Ministry's "Operation 90 Days" drug suppression campaign, led by Kanchanaburi Governor Waristha Songwansermesri and coordinated with military and local administration units.

After receiving intelligence that suspicious groups were gathering on the raft, a special task force led by Peerwijit Chaiwichiarn, the provincial security chief, launched a river patrol and raided the floating venue. Officers found people in intoxicated states; some threw items into the river as they arrived. Of the 55 people checked, 14 men and 20 women tested positive for drug use. Authorities also seized ketamine (Category 2 drug) in four plastic bags and two .380 ammunition rounds.

All those who tested positive and individuals with illegal items were taken into custody at Mueang Kanchanaburi District Office and transferred to Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station for further legal action.

On August 4, 2025, the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road announced a verdict dismissing charges against Saranat, known as Am Saiyanid, 39, who was accused of murder. Prosecutors had charged her with poisoning Monthatip (Tray), a wealthy woman, with cyanide on July 7, 2015, inside a luxury condominium in the Thonglor area to settle debts, but the defendant denied the allegations.

After reviewing evidence and testimony from both sides, the court established that the defendant and victim were close friends who played in the same investment circle, and the defendant had borrowed money from the victim. The defendant was also found to have lost over 30 million baht in online gambling. The victim was a wealthy person residing in Canada with commercial property in Samphran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, which the defendant managed.

On the day of the incident, the victim returned from Canada, and the defendant and other friends picked her up at Suvarnabhumi Airport before going to eat rice soup and then staying at the victim's condo. The victim later died. An autopsy report indicated death from heart failure or chronic disease but did not confirm cyanide poisoning as the cause.

The court noted significant doubts in the prosecution's evidence and found no testimony confirming the defendant committed the act. Therefore, the court applied the benefit of the doubt in favor of the defendant and dismissed the charges. This is the third case dismissed against Am Saiyanid out of 15 total cases filed by prosecutors: 14 murder charges and one attempted murder charge. She currently faces one death sentence and two life sentences in other cases.

The Mirror Foundation has urged the Royal Thai Police to overhaul Thailand's missing-person system following the recent Chonburi murder cases, calling for a national online database, faster investigations and clearer public guidance.

In a statement dated 3 August, the foundation's Missing Persons Information Centre said the Chonburi tragedy, in which missing people were later found to have been victims of crime, highlighted weaknesses in the country's response to missing-person reports.

The foundation proposed six measures for the police:

1. Strengthen the national mechanism for managing missing persons and unidentified bodies, with dedicated staff to collect information, coordinate cases and work with police stations and partner agencies nationwide. 2. Develop a nationwide online system linking missing-person reports, searches, unidentified-body records and assistance efforts. 3. Improve officers' knowledge and attitudes when handling missing-person cases, particularly cases involving a possible risk of violence or criminal activity. 4. Issue clear instructions to every police station and regularly remind the public that a missing-person report can be filed immediately. People do not need to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing, and officers must begin searching without delay. 5. Provide regular training on missing-person investigations so officers can respond effectively and help prevent further crimes. 6. Introduce a risk-assessment system at the time a report is filed to determine the urgency of an investigation, deployment of personnel and coordination with other agencies, especially where there may be a risk of crime, death or harm.

The foundation said it had received 2,266 reports involving missing persons, unidentified people and unidentified bodies during the first seven months of 2026.

It urged police to treat missing-person cases as a matter of urgency, warning that prompt action can help prevent serious harm and save lives.

At a Government House press conference on August 4, Deputy Prime Minister Yossanan Wongswatsdi, who also serves as Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, addressed rumors of a new green-red political alliance. He emphasized the need to separate governance work from political news, noting the government is focused on economic issues and disaster management including flooding and drought. Yossanan stressed the government operates as a unified whole and does not want political stories to undermine its working atmosphere. He confirmed that Pheu Thai is functioning fully as a coalition partner to help citizens navigate current crises, and said he is unaware of the reported alliance rumors. When asked about Pheu Thai's relationship with the Kao Tham party and its leader Thammanat Prommaphorn, Yossanan stated he works directly with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and does not speak with others. He declined to comment on whether Pheu Thai and Kao Tham could work together, but assured the public the coalition remains strong. Regarding decision-making authority within Pheu Thai on such matters, Yossanan said he serves as party advisor while his role as Deputy PM focuses on governing to the best of his ability.