Police and transport officials are stepping up efforts to locate an illegal taxi driver who allegedly intimidated and overcharged a Laotian social media creator 4,500 baht for a trip from Ubon Ratchathani bus station to Chong Mek border post.

The creator posted a video and message of frustration after arriving at Ubon Ratchathani bus station to catch a ride home and send goods to his mother, only to be tricked and threatened by an unlicensed taxi driver operating from within the station. The fare for the approximately 94-kilometer journey was inflated far beyond the normal rate, sparking intense criticism on social media for damaging the province's tourism image.

Reporters met with Police Captain Saksri Krairat, commander of Muang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station, who said that after learning of the incident online, he ordered officers to track down the driver shown in the video for extortion and fare manipulation. He called on anyone who recognizes the driver to report them to police. Officers are actively pursuing the case.

Saksri also stated that police will partner with transport officials to conduct sweeps and arrests of illegal black-plate taxis and unlicensed vehicles operating unlawfully within the bus station. Authorities welcome reports from the public about such vehicles so they can take legal action.

Meanwhile, Jakkarakrithi Tangjintrong, Ubon Ratchathani provincial transport officer, revealed that the incident occurred on August 8 around 7:00 a.m. when a passenger from Laos arrived at Ubon Ratchathani bus station and boarded an onward vehicle to Chong Mek. The passenger unfortunately encountered an illegal black-plate taxi—identified as a four-door pickup—and was charged 4,500 baht after being threatened.

Jakkarakrithi said the transport office has verified the vehicle's license plate number and is issuing a summons to the owner to explain their actions. This violates the 2562 Motor Vehicle Act, which carries a fine of up to 2,000 baht for misusing a vehicle. However, because the incident harms Ubon Ratchathani's image, the transport office has coordinated with police to pursue additional fraud charges and suspend the driver's license to prevent similar tourist extortion cases.

On August 10, 2569, Deputy Police Chief Samran Nualma announced the arrest of a major drug trafficking network operating in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, with coordination from local police. The case resulted from investigating small-scale drug dealers in the area, which led officers to discover a larger trafficking operation smuggling drugs from Suvarnabhumi Airport and staging them in Hua Hin for redistribution.

Police set up a checkpoint on Hua Hin Soi 8 after receiving information about a white BMW vehicle smuggling large quantities of drugs through the area. Officers intercepted the white BMW with Bangkok license plates when the driver attempted to evade the checkpoint and sped away. The vehicle was stopped near a convenience store in Hua Hin.

The driver was identified as a 20-year-old Malaysian national. Officers found multiple pieces of luggage inside the vehicle. The suspect claimed the bags did not belong to him and that he did not know the codes to open them. Police took custody of the vehicle and brought it to the checkpoint, where they conducted a search with the suspect's consent and discovered large quantities of narcotics inside the luggage.

The seized items included crystal methamphetamine weighing approximately 166 kilograms and one white BMW vehicle. Deputy Police Chief Samran stated that he has ordered Hua Hin Police Station to accelerate investigations into the entire drug trafficking network, including all involved parties and transporters. He emphasized that the large seizure reflects the ongoing attempts to smuggle drugs into Thailand, noting that Hua Hin alone seized 166 kilograms while Bangkok has seized up to 1,000 kilograms or one metric ton. He vowed to continue cracking down on and dismantling drug trafficking networks.

Thai League 3 has finalized its structure for the 2026-27 season, dividing into six geographic zones with a total of 69 licensed clubs. The Football Association of Thailand completed its seventh Board of Directors meeting on August 10 at FA Thailand headquarters. Association president Nualprann Lamsam delegated vice-president Yuttana Yimgarun to chair the meeting, which addressed several key agenda items including participation in Thai League 3 for the 2569/70 season and approval of the U-21 Youngster League. The 69 clubs participating in Thai League 3 for 2569/70 are divided into six zones: Northern Zone (12 teams) including Chiang Mai FC, Phichit United 2025, Khlong Luang United, Northern Maesoat United, Mae Jo United, Phitsanulok FC, Chiang Rai TSC FC, Chatitrakan City, Singa Chiang Rai City, Kamphaengphet FC, National Sports University Lamphang Campus, and Pak Nam Po FC. Central Zone (12 teams) includes Pram Bangkok, North Bangkok University, Pathumthani University, Royal Thai Air Force FC, Angthong FC, Chamchuri United, Kasem Bundit University FC, Futera United, Lopburi Poma FC, Singburi Warriors, Ayutthaya PK FC, and Bangkapi FC. Northeastern Zone (12 teams) includes Udon United, Khon Kaen FC, Eastern University of Management and Technology, Ubon Kravens FC, Surin City, Roi Et PB United, Udon-Ban Jaan United, Yasothon FC, Korat City, Khon Kaen Modern Football Club, Issan Fighter FC, and Pitchayaban College. Eastern Zone (11 teams) includes Navy Football Club, Burapha United, Royal Thai Navy Football Club, Custom United, BFB Pattaya City, Plaeng Daeng United, Chachoengsao Hi-Tech FC, Navigoyotin FC, Padrio City, MNK SC, and Ban Bueng FC. Western Zone (12 teams) includes Bangkok FC, Samut Sakhon City, Thonburi United, Suphan Buri FC, Tapphrueang United, Samut Songkhram City, Assumption United, VRN Muang Non FC, Royal Thai Army FC, Hua Hin City, Royal People Football Club, and Phetchaburi PBR U FC. Southern Zone (10 teams) includes Nakhon Si United, FC Yala, Samui United, PSU Surat Thani City, Muang Trang United, Phuket Andaman FC, Chumphon United, Ranong United, Nara FC, and Yala City. The competition format divides into zone rounds to identify the top two teams from each zone, earning 12 teams the right to compete in the Champions League round, which splits into two groups of six teams playing four matches each (two home, two away) without facing teams from their own zone. The top two teams from each Champions League group advance to semi-finals, with the winner earning a championship match while the runner-up competes for third place. The champion and second and third-place finishers from the Champions League earn promotion to Thai League 2 the following season. The board also voted to suspend membership of Ban Khai United and Trat FC, with a recommendation for expulsion to the general assembly. For the U-21 Youngster League (PEA Youngster League) in 2026-27, 16 clubs registered to participate, including defending champion True Bangkok United.

Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand accumulated 19.15 million from January 1 to August 8, down 2.93% compared to the same period last year, generating 927.7 billion baht in spending. The top five source markets are China (3.21 million), Malaysia (2.44 million), India (1.42 million), Russia (1.12 million), and South Korea (704,000). However, recent data shows recovery signs, with 636,769 foreign visitors entering Thailand between August 2-8, up 12.24% week-on-week and averaging 90,967 daily arrivals. Near-market visitors rose 16.11% to 421,215, while long-haul visitors increased 5.39% to 215,554, driven by China's school closures, holidays in Japan and India, and new flight routes from Dubai and Amsterdam.

Outstanding growth markets during the week include China (128,585, up 20.34%), India (39,216, up 20.15%), and Japan (26,968, up 76.57%), while Malaysia rose 7.78% and South Korea fell 5.17%. The ministry expects arrivals to slow next week as holiday periods end across key markets. The Tourism Ministry is advancing the 'Thailand Travel Plus' domestic stimulus program following private-sector input, aimed at boosting domestic travel and distributing revenue to hotels, restaurants, and businesses in secondary tourism cities.

The preliminary approach involves partial expense support while still determining details on hotel conditions, operator requirements, and service subsidy formats beyond meals. The Krung Thai Bank's 'Pao Tang' digital wallet system will serve as the main platform. Funding sources are under Finance Ministry review, balancing loan versus budgetary allocation to suit the program's objectives and economic conditions. Once the budget envelope is finalized, backend system development and operator registration must be expedited before full program launch.

Minister Surasak emphasized that timing is critical; launching during the green season would fill gaps in tourist demand and distribute revenue more broadly to communities. However, delaying into the high season may require restructuring the measure and soliciting private-sector feedback again. A conclusion on program details, funding, and system readiness is expected this week or by next week at the latest to ensure timely rollout and stimulus impact on the domestic tourism economy.

On August 10, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry held a press conference to announce enhanced cybersecurity measures for government agencies. Digital Economy Minister Chaiyachok Chidchob revealed that the ministry will present cybersecurity safeguard measures to the Cabinet on August 11, emphasizing the adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and emergency protocols to force immediate password resets across all government systems.

Chaidchob disclosed that globally there are approximately 50 billion accumulated leaked login credentials, while Thailand alone has over 200 million compromised login records. The breaches involve approximately 30,000 government systems and more than 35,000 private sector systems. These credentials have been leaked over time and accumulated in various databases, including the Dark Web, though not all associated accounts are necessarily still active.

The minister explained that recent data breaches were not caused by direct cybersecurity system hacks, but rather by credential leaks where passwords and login information were stolen, sold on the Dark Web, and then used to access systems through normal channels and APIs. Rather than simply patching vulnerabilities, the solution requires breaking the cycle of leaked credentials through password changes and enhanced authentication methods.

Chaidchob noted that password resets are only a short-term measure. The government's immediate action is a forced reset of all passwords across government systems so that old compromised credentials become unusable. The ministry will not just check accounts with leaked passwords but will comprehensively review all approximately 30,000 government systems—whether active, discontinued, externally accessible, or hidden—and aims to complete system cleansing and deactivate unnecessary systems within 15 days.

Regarding MFA implementation, the minister emphasized that it should not be limited to just two factors but tailored to the risk profile of each system. The ministry will convene all ministries and approximately 300 department-level agencies to comprehensively review system architecture, access channels, and security measures. Cybersecurity and digitalization will be incorporated as key performance indicators and linked to budgeting.

While most of the 200 million compromised credentials accumulated over several years, particularly during the COVID-19 period, the government cannot guarantee that future breaches will not occur. However, it is committed to achieving maximum system security through improved risk management, MFA deployment, deactivation of unnecessary systems, and long-term elevation of cybersecurity standards.