At an event on August 13, 2025, at Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nuracha Kosasrivilai, Director-General of the Department of Interior, addressed a controversy surrounding a ceremony for Ko Pangan village leaders where five rifles were distributed as raffle prizes. He confirmed that under current government policy, firearms will no longer be awarded to village chiefs and headmen; instead, equivalent-value alternatives such as cash or ceremonial decorations will be provided. The urgent policy requires suspending or freezing such distributions, though regulations allow for other valuable compensation.

Regarding the prizes already distributed in Ko Pangan last week, Nuracha stated that annual reviews and recipient checks would proceed, and the issuance of gun permits has been halted nationwide using a centralized database. When asked about a recent administrative order suspending the welfare firearms program, which has prompted concern from police about their ability to respond to emergencies, Nuracha explained that the welfare guns were meant for officers performing public order duties.

He said the suspension reflects the government's priority to control weapon circulation while maintaining fairness between officials and the general public. Regarding police concerns, Nuracha clarified that officers assigned to maintain security can carry firearms when authorized in writing by their commanding officer. All police stations and government agencies must issue such directives to enable officers to carry weapons while performing their official duties.

The search for two missing villagers in Chiang Muang district, Phayao province, has entered its sixth day with renewed hope after rescue teams discovered a campfire and heard voices resembling human calls. The missing men are Nak Kamlue, 74, and Ramesorn Jandaeng, 20, both from Ban Pin village, who were last in contact several days ago and are believed to have become lost in the forest.

District chief Pichai Khueanchoeechon and township mayor Sumethi Kamlue are overseeing the coordinated search operation involving five teams of officials and volunteers from multiple agencies including provincial administration, township government, police, the military, Rangers, Doi Phunak National Park, rescue units, motorcycle enduro teams, village leaders, and community security forces. Search teams have been divided into multiple zones, with teams covering areas including Huay Ja Tem, Huay Chok Ngu, Wang Khee Khuay, and Huay Hai. One team reported finding a campfire in the Huay Chok Ngu area and hearing voice-like sounds, prompting intensive searches in the vicinity, though no person was located. Water-based search teams are investigating the Num Pie River north of the Num Pie Reservoir after reports of a foul smell in the northern forest area. As of now, both men remain missing, but all agencies continue systematic search efforts with every lead being thoroughly investigated.

At 9:40 a.m. on 13 August 2025 at Parliament, Rukchonok Srinok, chair of the House Budget Committee, announced that the committee plans to scrutinize the TH-AI Passport project extensively, as registration is expected to begin shortly. The committee will question progress on contract amendments between the Digital Economy and Society Ministry and its partners, review project proposals, and examine outstanding document submissions that the ministry has not yet provided.

Rukchonok said the committee has a particular focus on the marketing component of the bid, concerned that vague requirements might lock in specifications unfairly. The terms require bidders to use top-five offline media in the country, but the committee found that competing firms have not specified which media company screens they will use—yet the ministry and its fund have scored them anyway. The committee also lacks scoring rubrics for AI, marketing, training, and call centre operations, and does not have meeting notes from the ministry fund related to the passport project.

When asked about Minister Chaiyachonok's absence, Rukchonok confirmed that word arrived this morning that he would not attend, citing unspecified duties, and that the Permanent Secretary would appear in his place. Rukchonok stressed that the minister has now declined four invitations to brief the committee in person, adding that if he fails to appear again and documents remain incomplete, she will discuss with the committee the need to invoke statutory power to compel his attendance.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Krungthai Bank (KTB), and Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have launched a new partnership to strengthen community-led soluti...

The World Bank has encouraged Thailand to adopt Natural Capital Accounting (NCA), a framework designed to measure the economic value of natural resources and integrate them into national development p...

The Anti-Corruption Committee is pressing the Department of Local Administration to quickly submit 5,925 names of suspected exam cheaters to five relevant agencies without delay, in order to open financial investigation channels and trace the masterminds.

At a parliament press conference on August 13, Asarathorn Suntaraipap, the committee chair, explained that regarding the 5,925 individuals proposed by the department to the Central Local Government Employee Examination Committee, which then directed the case to the Central Local Government Personnel Committee as the local government human resources management agency, these names have been verified for accuracy. The committee has therefore revised and finalized the pass list.

Asarathorn questioned why the department has not yet submitted these 5,925 names to the five agencies with which memoranda of understanding have been signed—the department itself, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Prevention Unit, and the examination committee. While the central committee's resolution has been sent to provincial authorities, the department has not forwarded the names to allow these agencies to proceed with their respective duties.

When asked about the delay, Asarathorn suggested the agencies may have simply forgotten after signing the MOU, which is why the committee is now pushing for action. He emphasized his determination to ensure that all corrupt individuals face justice and to investigate whether politicians are involved, as the public suspects.

Regarding whether further screening by the Interior Ministry could allow fraudsters to slip through again, Asarathorn said he does not believe this is possible since scores already appear on official answer sheets and represent established facts.

When asked whether the investigation could ultimately reach the top instigators, Asarathorn said the case has reached level 10 officials, who have denied involvement. The committee will pursue financial transaction checks and questioning. He drew a parallel to how scores were altered in earlier rounds, with 97 individuals benefiting from score adjustments appearing on the final pass list despite this misconduct. Even with strong evidence, legal gaps have limited action. He expressed uncertainty whether the Anti-Corruption Commission has sufficient evidence against level 11 or 12 officials but said that if evidence exists, those responsible can be prosecuted.