The government is intensifying efforts to combat scammers and block mule accounts by centralizing databases and expediting the return of funds to victims through the PPNG system without requiring a court order, effective August 12, 2026. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythale Luksameesangjun announced that the Committee on Prevention and Suppression of Cybercrime and the Subcommittee on Prevention of Cybercrime and Transnational Offenses have approved guidelines for identifying and removing persons linked to cybercrime (mule accounts) and coordinating data integration and inter-agency cooperation under the Cybercrime Prevention and Suppression Emergency Decree, Section 13, to strengthen mule account suppression. Once a mule account owner is identified, all transaction channels across every bank account will be frozen, and the person will be permanently blacklisted from opening new bank accounts; high-risk accounts will also be suspended even if no victims have yet filed complaints, to prevent funds from being transferred out before action is taken. Current findings show that scammers are tricking children and youth into opening more bank accounts, prompting the Bank of Thailand to begin implementing guidelines to limit transfer and payment amounts for youth aged 12–18 via bank accounts and e-Money to between 3,000 and 10,000 baht per day depending on age bracket, with the measure expected to be completed by October this year. Regarding victim refund criteria under the ministerial regulation, the meeting will accelerate the establishment of guidelines so that victims can immediately file refund requests through the PPNG system without waiting for a court order, to align with the ministerial regulation taking effect on August 12. The PPNG will serve as the lead agency working with the DSI, Bank of Thailand, Thai Bankers Association, TEPA/e-Money operators, SEC, and the Digital Asset Operators Association, implementing an urgent deep-action measure within 90 days to be completed by September 2026. "This elevated measure may affect innocent citizens; however, anyone whose account is suspended unintentionally may contact the AOC hotline 1441, press 2, to verify their identity, after which the bank will expedite account unlock," Ploythale stated. "If any person is found connected to a fraudulent financial pathway at any bank, the system will immediately suspend that person's accounts across all banks."

PHUKET: Phuket police are monitoring 26 individuals and groups identified as “influential figures” or even as “hired gunmen”, including people linked to land encroachment and drug-related offences, according to information presented to a parliamentary committee visiting the province.

PHUKET: More than 400 Phuket applications for hotel licences have been stuck in the regulatory system since 2018, with authorities now saying they are clearing the backlog after processing more than 300 applications in the past two months.

PHUKET: An unidentified middle-aged man was found floating in a private lagoon in Thalang on Saturday (Aug 8), with police estimating he had been dead for between 12 and 18 hours.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekoniti Nititundtrapaisal announced a comprehensive SME support initiative directing state banks to channel reduced fund contributions into the "SME Credit Boost" and "Quick Debt Closure" programs. The Finance Ministry expressed concern over rising debt among small and medium enterprises and said it has been working closely with the Bank of Thailand to address SME problems as a special case. Existing measures with commercial banks are progressing well, particularly the "SME Credit Boost" program, which has begun disbursing credit into the system and giving entrepreneurs greater access to funding alongside the "Quick Debt Closure" initiative. To expand assistance further, the Finance Ministry is preparing a policy for state-owned financial institutions to help SMEs in parallel with commercial banks, with a key measure being reduced contributions to the special financial institution development fund. Nititundtrapaisal explained that the reduction in state bank contributions would free up liquidity to fund targeted SME projects, including state bank versions of "Quick Debt Closure" and "SME Credit Boost," while maintaining financial institution stability. He also noted that the Small Industry Credit Guarantee Corporation would support the SME Credit Boost program to encourage lending. On budget adequacy, he confirmed current funding is sufficient but emphasized the need to time disbursements carefully, and tasked relevant agencies with calculating exact amounts freed from reduced state bank contributions to design programs with maximum benefit to SME operators.

The Thai Meteorology Department forecasts continued heavy rain in parts of Thailand over the next 24 hours due to a monsoon trough affecting the upper northern region and northern Laos, combined with a strengthening southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. The public is warned to be alert for severe to very heavy rain and accumulated rainfall that may cause flash floods and flash flooding, particularly in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying zones.

Wave conditions in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand are moderately strong, with waves 2–3 meters high, rising above 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and avoid thunderstorm zones. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf should remain ashore.

Regional forecasts for the 24-hour period from 6 a.m. today to 6 a.m. tomorrow:

Northern Region: Thunderstorms in 70 percent of areas with some heavy rainfall. Affected provinces include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun. Low 22–27°C, high 32–34°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: Thunderstorms in 70 percent of areas with some heavy rainfall. Affected provinces include Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Yasothon, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Low 24–25°C, high 29–33°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

Central Region: Thunderstorms in 40 percent of areas with some heavy rainfall in Lopburi, Saraburi, and Kanchanaburi. Low 24–26°C, high 32–36°C. Southwest winds 10–25 km/h.

Eastern Region: Thunderstorms in 70 percent of areas with some heavy rainfall in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 24–26°C, high 31–33°C. Southwest winds 20–40 km/h. Sea waves 2–3 meters, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): Thunderstorms in 30 percent of areas, mainly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon. Low 23–27°C, high 32–35°C. Southwest winds 20–35 km/h. Waves 1–2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones.

Southern Region (West Coast): Thunderstorms in 30 percent of areas with some heavy rainfall in Ranong and Phang Nga. Low 24–27°C, high 30–34°C. From Phuket upward: southwest winds 20–40 km/h, waves 2–3 meters, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorms. From Krabi downward: southwest winds 20–35 km/h, waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorms.

Bangkok and Vicinity: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of areas. Low 26–27°C, high 32–33°C. Southwest winds 10–25 km/h.