Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka, the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP)—Thai Trade Center Hiroshima, Thai Airway...
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka, the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP)—Thai Trade Center Hiroshima, Thai Airway...
Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking public input on allowing Government Housing Bank bonds as investment assets for mutual funds and provident funds, aiming to expand portfolio options while managing risk concentration.
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.
The Supreme Court set witness schedules in the ethics case against 44 former Move Forward MPs accused of breaching parliamentary conduct rules over an amendment signature campaign, with prosecution witnesses testifying in four sessions star
The Supreme Court examined evidence in the case against 44 former Move Forward Party lawmakers accused of serious ethical violations related to their signatures on an amendment to Article 112 of the Criminal Code. NACC Secretary-General Surapong Inthatawon attended the August 4, 2025 hearing at the Supreme Court on Ratchadamnoen Road. Both parties acknowledged the preliminary evidence presented, and the court approved a schedule for prosecution witnesses in 4 sessions totaling 9 witnesses, with the first session on August 25, 2025. The defense will present 60 witnesses, with hearings beginning November 3, 2025, and concluding May 18, 2026, before the court delivers its verdict.
Nithi Laiadee, counsel for the defendants, explained the defense strategy and timeline in an interview. The legal team had initially submitted over 80 witness names but reduced the number due to redundancy and at the court's direction. The 60 approved witnesses are divided into three main groups: 1) the 44 former lawmakers themselves, including expected key figures like former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat and former MP Nattapon Rueangpanya, though their exact schedules require further coordination; 2) academics specializing in law, political science, and public administration to provide broader expert perspectives beyond purely legal arguments; and 3) fact witnesses who can testify about lawmakers' conduct during the relevant period.
When asked whether prominent legal scholars such as former Constitution drafters would testify, Nithi said the team is still coordinating and would reserve names pending further updates, as witness schedules may shift for convenience. Regarding the core legal issue, Nithi stated the main defense argument is that the defendants' actions did not violate ethical standards. He expects the defense witness phase to conclude by May next year, and when asked if the timeline is too long, he responded that given the number of witnesses and case complexity, the schedule is appropriate—neither rushed nor unnecessarily delayed. Nithi emphasized that the large number of witnesses clearly demonstrates this is not a delay tactic, noting that the court approved the full scope because it recognizes the defendants deserve a complete defense while the team must present facts, opinions, and evidence comprehensively.
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.
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.
French television network TV5MONDE has aired a special documentary, Destination Francophonie: Thailand, showcasing the cultural richness and soft-power strengths of Thailand’s northeastern region (I...
French television network TV5MONDE has aired a special documentary, Destination Francophonie: Thailand, showcasing the cultural richness and soft-power strengths of Thailand’s northeastern region (I...
Kanchanaburi police raided a drug party on a river raft, arresting 55 people including three minors and seizing ketamine during an anti-drug operation on August 4.
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 June 2, 2026, Central Chiangmai hosted the opening of an exhibition and an academic forum promoting Thai textiles and fashion as cultural assets with international potential. The event was preside...
On June 2, 2026, Central Chiangmai hosted the opening of an exhibition and an academic forum promoting Thai textiles and fashion as cultural assets with international potential. The event was preside...
A Bangkok court dismissed murder charges against Am Saiyanid, who was accused of poisoning a wealthy friend with cyanide in 2015, citing insufficient evidence and an autopsy that found no confirmation of cyanide poisoning.
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.
Villagers in northeastern Thailand revived an ancient rain-making ritual by parading Doraemon and Chi dolls instead of real cats through their community, as a severe drought threatens their rice crops after two months without significant ra
More than 100 villagers in northeastern Thailand have revived an ancient rain-making ritual, parading Chi and Doraemon dolls instead of real cats around their community as a prolonged dry spell threatens their rice crops. The traditional "Hae Nang Maew" ceremony was held on 4 August 2026 by residents of Khon Chim subdistrict in Waeng Yai district, Khon Kaen province, after the area went without significant rain for more than two months. The lack of rainfall has caused rice plants to wilt, with large areas at risk of dying. Instead of using a live cat, villagers placed Chi and Doraemon dolls inside a cage and carried them through the village in a procession covering more than 3 kilometres.
As part of the traditional ritual, residents splashed water over the dolls while others joined the procession carrying fishing nets, traps, bamboo baskets containing fish and farming equipment, praying for rain to ease the drought. Chaiwat Dokmaingam, chief executive of the Khon Chim Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, said Waeng Yai district had received almost no rainfall this year, apart from occasional light showers that were insufficient for farming. Some farmers have reportedly replanted their rice fields up to three times, but the seeds failed to germinate because the soil lacked moisture and had become hard, preventing the crops from growing.
Authorities had previously requested assistance from the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department, but operations could not be carried out due to unsuitable weather conditions. The district relies heavily on rainfall and has no irrigation system to support farming. The drought comes as several parts of Thailand are experiencing flooding in August. Residents therefore revived the traditional cat parade while also seeking government assistance, hoping that both modern science and traditional beliefs could bring much-needed rain. Water levels in the Chi River near Ban Chi Tha Wang Wern in Non Thong subdistrict have also fallen significantly, with several sections nearly dry. The situation is affecting Waeng Yai and Waeng Noi districts as well as areas bordering Chaiyaphum province.
Although water management projects have been continuously proposed, they remain under development. The area faces a unique situation, with communities near the Chi River frequently experiencing flooding while areas farther away regularly suffer drought. Several districts in Khon Kaen, including Phon, Waeng Noi, Waeng Yai and Chonnabot, as well as parts of Non Sila, continue to face drought despite rainfall and flooding in other parts of the province. The Hae Nang Maew ceremony is an ancient tradition among northeastern Thai communities. According to local belief, villagers parade and perform traditional dances to pray for rain, hoping their pleas will be answered. This year's use of dolls instead of a live cat reflects how the tradition has adapted to modern times while preserving the cultural beliefs.
The Mirror Foundation has called on Thai police to overhaul the missing-person system with a national online database and faster investigations, citing weaknesses exposed by recent Chonburi murder cases. The foundation proposed six reforms
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.
The Regional Public Relations Office 3 of the Public Relations Department (PRD) organized the “Lanna Soft Power Music Fest” in Chiang Mai to promote Thailand’s music soft power through the disti...
The Regional Public Relations Office 3 of the Public Relations Department (PRD) organized the “Lanna Soft Power Music Fest” in Chiang Mai to promote Thailand’s music soft power through the disti...