Thailand Futsal Team Draws with Vietnam in Title Hunt

Thailand's futsal team squandered a 3-0 halftime lead as Vietnam fought back to draw 3-3, leaving Thailand needing victory over Russia on August 6 to secure a third championship title.

5 Aug Khaosod

Thailand's men's futsal team dominated the first half against Vietnam, their ASEAN rivals, building a commanding 3-0 lead through goals from Thetsak Charoenpong in the 2nd minute and Panasam Kittiphanuphong with a double in the 7th and 14th minutes. In the second half, Vietnam shifted to power-play tactics and surged back to level the match 3-3. Vietnam finished their program with 8 points to lead the standings, while Thailand remains on 7 points with a chance to claim their third championship title in a final match against Russia on August 6 at Nonthaburi Stadium at 8:30 p.m.

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Police

Wildlife Officials Order Capture of Leopard After Staff Death

Wildlife officials are capturing a leopard near Huay Kha Kaeng sanctuary after a ranger's fatal attack, with DNA testing to identify which of an estimated five leopards in the area was responsible.

5 Aug Khaosod

The Department of National Parks director has ordered the capture of a leopard near the Huay Kha Kaeng wildlife station following the fatal attack on a ranger. DNA testing will compare hair evidence with captured animals to identify which leopard was responsible, with preliminary estimates suggesting no more than five leopards in the area. The department emphasized it maintains ongoing research teams studying leopards in Huay Kha Kaeng and has collected comprehensive data, making expert DNA analysis essential to determine which individual animal attacked the official and to study its behavior to prevent future incidents. Officials assured the public there will be no harm to the leopards, as the focus is on identification and monitoring. The Huay Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary has been temporarily closed following the attack. Analysis of the incident suggests there were no blood droplets or signs of struggle, with shocked colleagues recounting the discovery of the ranger's body.

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Police

Wildlife Officer Killed by Tiger in Huai Kha Khaeng Reserve

A 20-year wildlife officer at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani province was killed by a tiger while on duty, with claw marks and paw prints found at the scene near a stream.

5 Aug Khaosod

A forestry official with the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani province died after being mauled by a tiger while on duty near Lam Huai Thap Salao. Evidence at the scene included claw and bite marks on the body, along with fresh tiger paw prints nearby. On the morning of August 5, the body of Sakarin Wichachai, a 20-year veteran of the reserve, was brought to Pong Sam Sip Temple in Lan Sak district for final rites. His wife, Dharadi Chamniwikakam, and their 11-year-old daughter wept throughout the ceremony as colleagues and neighbors gathered to pay respects.

Sukhon Muenchamnan, Sakarin's supervisor and the first to discover his body, recounted that he received a call that morning from a colleague saying Sakarin was not answering his phone. Upon investigating, Sukhon found Sakarin's phone on his bed but could not locate him. After searching extensively, he found Sakarin's body near a stream approximately 200 meters from the shelter, bearing tiger fur and paw prints. Sakarin's wife revealed that her husband had seemed in good health before departing for work and had planned to return Sunday evening to take their daughter to school on Monday. She expressed profound grief over losing her husband after 20 years of service in the sanctuary.

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Police

Key Witness Points Out Two Cops Allegedly Linked to Drug Suspect

A key witness has identified two active-duty police officers she claims were involved with a drug suspect accused of killing and burying five people, while a retired officer named in reports denies any involvement.

5 Aug Khaosod

A key female witness has identified two police officers whom she claims were involved with Bong, the suspect accused of killing and burying five people. She noted they appear to resemble composite photos and are still on active duty. A retired officer who was recently named in reports has denied involvement and says he has been unfairly affected.

On August 5, 2026, multiple media outlets gathered at Chonburi Provincial Police Headquarters starting at 1:30 p.m. after reports that Deputy National Police Chief Trairongk Phiwphan and the national police spokesman would arrive with the witness to identify officers she claims received drugs from Bong to sell. By 3 p.m., it became clear that Trairongk had not come personally. Instead, he delegated the investigation to Chonburi Deputy Commander Ponphan Wongmanithesakul, who handled the identification process without allowing journalists inside the office. Ponphan left through a rear exit and briefly stated that the photo review and identification were still in progress and no further details could be provided at that time.

According to the witness, identified as Ms. A (pseudonym), when shown photographs by police, she recognized two individuals who resembled the composite images and are currently serving as police officers at their station. Regarding the retired officer who recently appeared in media reports, she confirmed he is not the person she identified, and she expressed sympathy for the impact he has suffered despite his lack of involvement in the matter. She noted that a follow-up identification session may be necessary as she remains uncertain about the resemblance. She also reiterated that the incidents she witnessed involved mutual assistance and drug exchanges, confirming she had seen one police officer deliver a gun to Bong. Although the situation she encountered was serious, she clarified it was not as severe as the current allegations, as she had nearly been killed multiple times by someone else—a separate matter from the Bong case that is now in the news. She expressed significant concern about witness protection.

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Police

Police Seize 1.4 Million Methamphetamine Pills in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Police in Nakhon Si Thammarat seized 1.4 million methamphetamine pills and arrested multiple suspects in a major drug trafficking operation that began in late July. The haul also included crystal meth, firearms, and over 1.33 million baht i

5 Aug Khaosod

On August 5, Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Somchai Lehlamnoi, along with senior police officials including Deputy National Police Commander Surapong Thamnomjit and other regional police leadership, announced the successful suppression of a major drug trafficking network in the area. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1.4 million methamphetamine pills, 2.154 kilograms of ice methamphetamine, two shotguns, one M16 rifle, and 204 rounds of 7.62-millimeter ammunition, along with other evidence.

The operation began on July 27 when Thung Song Police arrested a 42-year-old man named Mani, seizing 1,559,942 methamphetamine pills, three firearms, over 1.33 million baht in cash, and four vehicles. This led to further arrests and a search warrant for an accomplice named Vashin.

Investigations revealed the network was preparing to transport another large shipment of methamphetamine concealed in bags of fertilizer aboard a ten-wheeled truck traveling from central Thailand to the south via Highway 41 in Nong Hong Subdistrict, Thung Song District. Police intercepted the vehicle early in the morning and arrested a 34-year-old driver, seizing 1.4 million pills.

A subsequent search of Vashin's residence, who remained at large, uncovered 2.154 kilograms of ice methamphetamine, two shotguns, one M16 rifle with magazines, 204 rounds of ammunition, two pickup trucks, and additional evidence.

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Police

Man Stabs Brother-in-Law in Self-Defense, Then Surrenders

A 60-year-old man stabbed his brother-in-law to death during a dispute over a chicken coop construction in Chaiyaphum Province and immediately surrendered to police, claiming he acted in self-defense.

5 Aug Khaosod

At 5:45 p.m. on August 5, police from Muang Chaiyaphum Station received a report of assault resulting in death at a residence in Tambon Ban Lao, Muang District, Chaiyaphum Province. Investigator Pol. Lt. Col. Somchai Ratanawijchai rushed to the scene with hospital doctors, forensic officers, and rescue volunteers.

At the location, authorities found the body of Abhandol (surname withheld), 52 years old, lying face-down beneath a mango tree near the house. He wore a white shirt and black shorts, with sharp-force wounds to his head and neck. The suspect, Pornchay (surname withheld), 60 years old and the victim's brother-in-law, stood ready to surrender to officers.

According to the initial investigation, the suspect stated that before the incident, the victim had entered the area where he was building a chicken coop to remove materials. He attempted to chase the victim away, but an argument broke out. When the victim tried to assault him, he decided to use a knife in self-defense, striking the victim's head once. When the victim continued to struggle, he struck again, causing the victim to collapse and die.

A nearby neighbor who heard the commotion rushed to intervene but arrived just as the suspect delivered the final blow. The victim fell and remained motionless. The neighbor called for help from other villagers, but efforts to save the victim were unsuccessful. Police then took the suspect into custody for legal proceedings.

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National

Vietnam Surpasses Thailand as Southeast Asia's Second-Largest Aviation Market

Vietnam has overtaken Thailand as Southeast Asia's second-largest aviation market, with 7.4 million available seats in July, according to new data from aviation analytics firm OAG. Thailand's decline reflects reduced capacity amid regional

5 Aug Khaosod

Vietnam has surpassed Thailand to become the second-largest aviation market in Southeast Asia after growing its available seats to 7.4 million in July, according to data from the Official Airline Guide (OAG), a UK-based global aviation and travel information company. OAG figures show Vietnam's seat capacity grew 5.6 percent compared to the same month last year, while Indonesia remains the region's largest market with 10.9 million seats—a 0.3 percent increase year-on-year. Thailand, which held the second-place ranking in June, has dropped to third with 6.9 million seats, down 3 percent, followed by Malaysia and the Philippines. The declining seat counts in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines reflect the impact of the Middle East crisis. Vietnam Airlines emerged as Southeast Asia's largest carrier in July, with a combined capacity of 2.81 million seats, a marginal 0.1 percent increase from the previous year.

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Police

Songkhla Seizes 30 Million Baht Electronic Cigarette Haul

Songkhla police arrested two suspects and seized over 205,000 electronic cigarettes and liquid cartridges worth 30 million baht in a major smuggling bust on August 4. Authorities are hunting two coordinators who organized the illegal goods

5 Aug Khaosod

On August 5, 2026, Songkhla Governor Ratthashastr Chidchoo announced the arrest of two suspects involved in a major electronic cigarette smuggling operation. Officers seized 205,704 units—comprising 49,104 e-cigarette devices and 156,600 liquid cartridges—valued at approximately 30 million baht. Acting on security intelligence about illegal goods being transported from a neighboring border area, provincial officials coordinated with Sadao district authorities to stake out a parking lot along Kanchanavanich Road. At 8 p.m. on August 4, they surrounded three covered pickup trucks that were preparing to load the contraband onto a ten-wheeler truck for transport to Bangkok. When authorities moved in, some suspects fled, but two were detained.

The detainees confessed to transporting illegal goods for 1,000 baht per trip, having collected the shipment from a fish farm area in Samnak Kham, Sadao district. They identified two alleged coordinators—referred to as "Bee" and "Moss"—who arranged the timing and delivery points. Authorities are pursuing both individuals and working to dismantle the broader smuggling network. The operation reflects a coordinated effort by Songkhla province, security agencies, and the Thai-border command center under the government's urgent 90-day drug suppression campaign and ongoing efforts to combat transnational crime and illegal smuggling.

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Regional

Thailand Launches Crackdown on 40 Forest Encroachments in Phuket

Thailand's Environment Ministry launched a crackdown on 40 forest encroachments in Phuket, mobilizing a task force across eight priority locations to reclaim illegally occupied state land. The cleared areas will be redesignated as recreatio

5 Aug Khaosod

Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced on August 5, 2569 that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is advancing systematic forest protection and restoration measures to combat illegal state land occupation. The Forestry Department has mobilized a special task force to conduct detailed inspections at eight priority locations in Phuket province, including Khao Ta Kian, Khao Muang, Khuan Tham Ta In, Khao Daeng, Khao Mai Son, Khuan Na Ta Laeng, Had Paradise, and Had Kalong. Additional sweeping inspections have identified 40 more suspected encroachment sites across the island.

The operation, known as "Reclaim Phuket's Forests," involves coordination between provincial administration, police, the Central Investigation Bureau, the Land Reform Office, naval forces, and other relevant agencies. Forestry Department Director-General Nikorn Sirotjananon revealed that beyond enforcement actions, the department is preparing to propose redesignating the cleared areas as recreation forests and eco-tourism destinations. The initiative aims to develop these spaces as public areas where local communities can benefit through recreational activities and environmental education, generating supplementary income while returning valuable forest resources to the people.

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National

National Parks Department Responds to Accommodation Quality Complaints

Thailand's National Parks Department responded to criticism about poor accommodation conditions by clarifying that overnight stays at Similan Islands were halted in 2018 to protect the marine environment, while committing to improve facilit

5 Aug Khaosod

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation issued a statement on August 5 responding to criticism from Weerayut Teerapattananont, a special committee member reviewing the 2570 fiscal year budget bill, who described national park accommodations as "severely poor" based on a visit roughly four years ago. The department acknowledged the concerns and committed to improving operations, addressing issues the legislator raised including early lights-out times at 8 p.m., poor bedding quality, water shortages, weak internet signals, and suggestions to privatize management through public-private partnerships.

The department clarified that overnight stays at the Similan Islands National Park were permanently discontinued in October 2561 (2018) through an official gazette announcement to address waste and wastewater problems affecting the environment. The park shifted to day-trip-only tourism to focus on natural resource restoration and sustainable marine ecosystem protection. The Huayang staff bungalow on Koh Miang, which previously served tourists from 2551 onwards, was repurposed after the closure to house only park officials conducting fieldwork and government operations, and is not available to the general public.

Regarding infrastructure limitations in remote forest and island areas, the department explained that restrictions on electricity, water, and communications are managed under geographical constraints using renewable energy systems like solar panels and scheduled power cycles for safety and energy conservation. The department also acknowledged the comparison to other staff facilities and committed to improving standards for both staff accommodations and tourist service areas while remaining mindful of wildlife protection needs.

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Police

Female YouTuber Describes Sexual Harassment by Popular Creator

A former YouTube team member alleged that a popular channel's owner sexually harassed her in October 2024, kissing her neck while she slept in the workplace dormitory, and later pressured her to publicly recant the accusations after she res

5 Aug Khaosod

The controversy involves Aiy, a former team member of a popular YouTube channel, and the channel's well-known owner, after Aiy alleged sexual harassment and felt compelled to leave. She recently opened up to Akhom Online on August 5, 2025, recounting that she joined as a YouTuber around September 2024 and had to sleep at the workplace, sharing a room with another female staff member. The room had a wooden door that could not be locked. One night in October, she went to bed early but was still half-awake when she heard the door open. Thinking it was her roommate returning late, she was startled to feel someone standing near her and then kissing both her cheeks and her neck. She pulled up her blanket hoping he would realize she was awake and stop, but he didn't. When she heard the door open again and her roommate apologize, she got up and left the room.

After the incident, Aiy chose not to tell anyone, fearing it would make things worse, as the channel owner constantly emphasized the importance of looking at the bigger picture. She avoided being alone with him but maintained normal work communication and attempted to live as usual. Following several disputes between them that became public, she decided to return home on July 4 and formally requested to resign on July 14.

After leaving, they agreed on salary payments by the agreed date, but when she asked how he would take responsibility for the harassment, he demanded she return his money within the month and suggested they clear things up together via live stream or public announcement within the month—something she felt too afraid to do.

Regarding the counter-claim that she initiated a hug, Aiy explained that in mid-September, she went on a field shoot with him at his request to learn about the work. On the drive back with just the two of them, he discussed his personal problems. When the car stopped in front of the market, he asked, "Can I hug you?" She replied she rarely hugged men and almost never hugged her father. He responded it would be a sibling-type hug, which she had seen him do with other female staff members in clips. Weeks later, stressed about home issues, she messaged him saying "I need a hug," but she was only thinking about her stress and didn't expect anything. She is confused why he used this to counter her allegations, especially since he himself said it was a sibling hug—and this request for a hug occurred only weeks before the harassment incident.

Aiy also denied using YouTube to send him messages, stating she never received a YouTube account code and never accessed the channel. The email screenshot he shared connects to Instagram and TikTok but is not her YouTube email. Regarding her relationship with another YouTuber, she had no issues with that person, but the prominent channel owner had conflicts with him.

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