On August 6, 2026, General Chaiyaprueksa Duangprathat, Commander of the Royal Thai Army and secretary of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), visited Tan Yong Market in Rangae District, Narathiwat Province to meet with traders and residents. He listened to their views and monitored the security situation while working to restore public confidence in normal daily life and business activities. The army commander spoke closely with residents and confirmed that security agencies prioritize the protection of people's lives and property, and are coordinating all sectors to prevent incidents and maintain peace so citizens can live safely and with assurance. Security forces pledged to closely monitor and assess the situation while increasing appropriate security measures in the area, aiming to control the situation smoothly, minimize impact on people's livelihoods, and continuously build confidence in Thailand's southern border provinces.

BANGKOK — 5 August 2026, Authorities have recovered a suspected ancient cannon that had been submerged in Bangkok Yai Canal in Bangkok's Thon Buri district, with experts set to examine its origin and historical significance.

The recovery operation took place at the pier of Wat Pradittharam (Wat Mon) on Itsaraphap Soi 17, Hiranruchi subdistrict, Thon Buri district.

Thon Buri district councillor Jirasak Watthanamongkol, together with officials from the Thon Buri District Office and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), used an excavator to lift the cannon from the canal near Charoen Phat Bridge before placing it in the temple grounds.

The cannon measures approximately 1.8 metres in length and is heavily covered in rust. A small section at the muzzle is cracked, while no inscriptions, letters or serial numbers were found on its surface.

Chinwat Jiamsomboon, chairman of the Wat Pradittharam community, said local residents had known about the cannon's presence in the canal for some time but had been unable to retrieve it. He said residents contacted the district councillor and the district office 2–3 days ago to request assistance. The cannon was successfully recovered at 11:58 on 5 August 2026.

District officials are now coordinating with relevant agencies to conduct further examinations to determine the cannon's age, origin and historical value.

Prominent Thai influencers Paa Dtue Sombat, Jepun Phanuporn from iPAN Channel, Khuean Pattradanai, and Frang Nerikul are joining forces with the Safe Media Development Fund and CHANGE2561 company to launch the "Click to Think, Click to Be Sure" project. The "Cyber Safe on Tour" initiative aims to equip Thai youth with digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness, empowering them to become advocates against online fraud and scams.

The campaign focuses on educating young people about common online deception tactics and encouraging them to create protective content for their communities. The influencers shared their own experiences with cyber threats and demonstrated techniques for spotting misleading media, while mentoring youth participants in producing short awareness videos. Paa Dtue emphasized that scammers exploit human greed and fear rather than technical superiority, urging people to "click to think" before taking action online. Jepun praised the participants' creativity and commitment to raising awareness, noting that while fraud methods evolve daily, critical thinking and vigilance can effectively counter them. Khuean highlighted how supporting youth with proper learning opportunities transforms them into positive agents for creating a safer online society. Frang stressed that modern online threats come in deceptively polished forms, making pre-sharing verification and fact-checking essential skills for all users.

At 10 a.m. on August 6, 2025, police launched raids on the residence and workplace of Ton Tong Sukkaen, known as Ton Bang Khae, a celebrated Buddha amulet dealer, acting on an arrest warrant for fraud charges. Multiple victims had filed complaints, alleging they were duped into purchasing Zeiss Blue Marine binoculars under false pretenses.

According to the allegations, Ton claimed the binoculars were a special limited edition of only 3,175 units and falsely stated he was the first Thai to partner with the German lens manufacturer on a project celebrating the company's 175th anniversary. The marketing emphasized superior lens sharpness and faster focus compared to standard binoculars, driving significant demand. Orders reached nearly 20 million baht within days at a starting price of 15,999 baht per unit.

Despite evidence gathered and a court-approved arrest warrant, the suspect escaped before the raid. Police reportedly left his residence around 11 p.m. on August 5, suggesting he fled ahead of the operation. Investigators are now intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend him for prosecution.

Natural Resources Minister Suchati Chomklin declared on August 6 that the government will not allow capitalists to seize Thai territory for private gain. Following a July 31 inspection of Thab Lan National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, he ordered accelerated demolition of illegal structures and instructed all agencies to enforce the law fairly while verifying the rights of legitimate occupants and smallholders entitled to government benefits.

Chomklin emphasized the government's firm stance that national forests belong to all Thai people, not to any single capitalist, and that the state will aggressively reclaim invaded forest areas while fairly and transparently verifying the rights of legitimate claimants. "We will not allow powerful figures or capital groups to stand above the law," he stated.

According to a report from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the StarWell Garden Home project—whose owner has voluntarily agreed to demolish the structure—is already 40% complete as of August 6. Interior materials and utilities are nearly finished, and heavy machinery is being prepared to remove the building framework in the next phase, with full demolition expected to meet the planned timeline.

Chomklin noted that voluntary demolition by business operators reduces conflict and speeds forest reclamation, but warned that those who ignore or refuse orders will face full legal enforcement. Park officials will proceed with forced demolition under their authority and pursue criminal prosecution. "Whoever tears down voluntarily gets our legal cooperation, but whoever stubbornly resists and tries to claim the nation's forest as their own should know that officials will enforce the law strictly, without exception or favoritism, and no one is above the law," Chomklin said.

Van carrying 43 undocumented migrants crashes after police chaseLegacyPolice arrested a Thai van driver after finding 43 undocumented Myanmar migrants crammed inside his vehicle following a chase in Kanchanaburi yesterday, August 5. The operation took place at around 5am after police and other security agencies received intelligence that a smuggling network was transporting undocumented migrants through Kanchanaburi. Officers later spotted a white van travelling along the Kanchanaburi to Erawan Waterfall road in Mueang district and signalled for the driver to stop. Instead, the driver sped towards Bo Phloi district before losing control and crashing onto the central reservation. The driver attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by police. He was identified as 34 year old Woraphan, from Bangkok. A search of the van found 43 Myanmar nationals, none of whom were able to produce passports or other travel documents. Photo via Thairath Through an interpreter, the migrants told police they had crossed into Thailand through a natural route from Payathonsu in Myanmar into Sangkhla Buri before travelling through Thong Pha Phum and Mueang districts in Kanchanaburi. They said they intended to find work in Thailand and Malaysia and had each paid 96,000 to 100,000 baht for the journey. Thairath reported that the group said Woraphan had collected them from a pomelo orchard in Prang Phle subdistrict, Sangkhla Buri district, and was transporting them to Hat Yai district in Songkhla province when they were arrested. Woraphan told police he had been hired by a man known only as Spire, whom he contacted by phone, to collect the migrants and transport them to Hat Yai. He said he was promised 2,500 baht per person upon completing the journey. Police charged Woraphan with assisting undocumented migrants to evade arrest by providing transportation and shelter. The 43 Myanmar nationals were charged with entering and remaining in Thailand illegally before being handed over to investigators at Bo Phloi Police Station for legal proceedings. Photo via Thairath In similar news, in a significant crackdown on illegal immigration, 200 Myanmar migrants were deported from Ranong as part of Thailand’s ongoing efforts to address the influx of undocumented workers. The group, consisting of 198 men and two women, were repatriated after undergoing legal proceedings and voluntarily joining the government’s repatriation programme. The story Van carrying 43 undocumented migrants crashes after police chase as seen on Thaiger News.