PHUKET: Two tourists from the UAE have been arrested after fleeing a police stop, speeding through a checkpoint and kicking a traffic officer’s motorbike during the pursuit through Kathu yesterday (Aug 13).
PHUKET: Two tourists from the UAE have been arrested after fleeing a police stop, speeding through a checkpoint and kicking a traffic officer’s motorbike during the pursuit through Kathu yesterday (Aug 13).
Australian teenage golf prodigy Jessica Bang, 18, died from a brain hemorrhage in Thailand on August 13 while traveling to compete in an international qualifying tournament. The rising professional had lost consciousness during her journey
Jessica Bang, an 18-year-old Australian golfer and rising star, has died in Thailand from a brain hemorrhage while traveling to compete in the KLPGA Tour tournament. Jessica lost consciousness on August 1 while traveling to Bangkok for the KLPGA international qualifying competition. The young professional was rushed to Samitivej Hospital for emergency brain surgery and placed on a ventilator. Her family later confirmed her death on August 13. "We are deeply saddened by this news," the family said. "However, we want to remember Jessica and celebrate her success, love, and dedication to golf." Australian media outlet News.com.au reported that she died from severe brain hemorrhage. Jessica, nicknamed "Rocky Bang" by golf fans, was born in South Korea and recently became an Australian citizen. She turned professional in November 2025 after outstanding youth and amateur results, qualifying for the WPGA Tour of Australia. She competed in just five tournaments before winning the Ford Women's NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale Golf Club in February 2026 with a final-round score of 8-under-par 65, a course record, winning by 13-under-par overall and five strokes ahead of her nearest competitor. Her mother served as her caddy during that tournament. "I am so happy I cannot even speak," Jessica told Golf Australia magazine after her victory. "It still doesn't feel real. I never expected this. Such a big surprise."
Gulf Development has collected over 1.1 tonnes of PET bottles from employees across seven Eastern Thailand offices in the first half of 2024, diverting the waste to Jak Daeng Temple for upcycling into clothing, blankets, and household items
Gulf Development Company is building a corporate green culture by expanding its "Our Bottles" waste-sorting programme into its second year, reaching seven Eastern Thailand regional offices. Between January and July 2024, the initiative collected 1,183 kilograms of used PET plastic bottles from employees, which were delivered to Jak Daeng Temple for upcycling into new products such as robes, blankets, clothing, and household items made from plastic fibre—reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2.48 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Sitamon Rattanawadee, Strategic Planning Director at Gulf, presented the collected bottles to Abbot Phra Maha Pranorm Thammaliangkaro at Jak Daeng Temple in Samut Prakan on 7 August 2024. Sitamon explained that the programme encourages employees to adopt simple, sustainable environmental practices through PET bottle sorting, ensuring waste enters proper management channels rather than polluting the environment. Since the project launched in 2023, Gulf has collected a combined 1,637 kilograms of PET bottles, preventing the release of 3.42 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and demonstrating how continuous waste segregation and management practices within an organisation can yield tangible environmental benefits. The Abbot noted that the temple and Gulf collaborate to transform collected bottles into various products including clothing and blankets from the bottles themselves and keychains from caps, benefiting both society and the environment. He encouraged seeing discarded items as raw materials rather than waste, and suggested that alongside managing external waste through recycling, individuals should also cultivate mental discipline to manage internal "waste"—anger, disappointment, and attachment—through mindfulness and compassion. One participating employee expressed pride in the initiative, noting that understanding where sorted PET bottles ultimately end up and their new purpose reinforces the importance of building environmental awareness.
A gunman hospitalized with brain bleeding after shooting six people at a Nakhon Ratchasima event has delayed court proceedings, with police also arresting three additional suspects in connection with the incident.
A gunman who fired into a crowd at the Chim Chop Chai event held at Khun Tat Field in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima, has been rushed to hospital after developing severe headaches while in police custody. Six people were injured in the shooting. Dan Khun Thot Police Station initially arrested one suspect, a 32-year-old man named Natthakij, whose surname is being withheld at his request. By August 14, 2026, officers had arrested three additional suspects—Wasun, Kreditech, and Witthun (surnames withheld)—in connection with the incident. Police charged all suspects with attempted joint murder before presenting them to Sikhiu Provincial Court on the morning of August 14. Natthakij was taken to Dan Khun Thot Hospital late the previous night after complaining of a severe headache while detained. Doctors discovered bleeding inside his brain, believed to have resulted from a beating he received during the shooting incident. His hospitalization delayed his court appearance along with the other suspects.
Thailand's parliamentary budget committee has reviewed 96% of the 2570 fiscal year budget, with parliament expected to vote on the full bill in early September.
At 11 a.m. on August 14 at Parliament House, Korweer Prisnanantakul, an Ang Thong MP from the Bhumjaithai Party and spokesman for the special budget committee, reported that the committee has reviewed 96.46% of the 2570 fiscal year budget bill. The processed items include 22 ministries, 12 central budget line items, 3,168 budget-receiving units, and 32 funds. On August 19, subcommittees will present their reports to the main committee room. Officials believe the meetings remain on schedule and expect parliament to begin second and third reading consideration in early September.
PM Anutin announced five military policies to strengthen the Royal Thai Air Force, including acquiring new fighter jets, surveillance satellites, and combat drones during a visit to an air base in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived at Royal Thai Air Force Wing 1 in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province on August 14, 2025 at 09:00 in his personal jet, where he was received by Air Force Commander General Sekasart Kuntha, Defence Minister General Anudit Boonthammachareun, and other senior military officials. As his aircraft entered the airfield, three F-16 fighter jets performed a ceremonial escort, with two flanking his jet on either side and one flying overhead, simulating a standard protection flight for VIP passengers before landing. The Prime Minister was then greeted with full military honours as three F-16s conducted a ceremonial flyover, followed by a demonstration of air force combat capabilities including air-to-ground and air-to-air simulations.
PM Anutin addressed air force personnel, saying he was pleased to witness the readiness and operational strength of the tactical aviation unit, particularly its fighter escort capabilities in protecting national sovereignty along border security zones. He commended commanders, troops, and personnel for their dedication and sacrifice in defence of the nation and public reassurance, pledging full government support to strengthen air force capability. He then announced five major policy directives to enhance air force capabilities and long-term national security:
1. Aerial Capability Development: Acquiring replacement attack fighter aircraft, aerial refuelling aircraft, and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (combat drones) as game-changers to elevate future air operations while promoting Thai personnel and industry capacity.
2. Space Operations for Security: Advancing continuous space surveillance and reconnaissance through acquisition of low-earth-orbit satellites, application of telescope technology, and activating a coordination centre to protect national airspace and space interests comprehensively.
3. Disaster Relief and Public Assistance: Integrating air force personnel and equipment with local agencies to enable rapid, efficient response to critical situations.
4. Combat Network System Development: Accelerating development of tactical data link systems linked to national networks and multi-dimensional joint command control systems.
Former One Championship bantamweight champion Nabil Anane, 22, will represent Thailand in amateur boxing at the Asian Games in Japan, fulfilling a childhood dream despite his professional career in Thai boxing.
Nabil Anane, a former One Championship bantamweight champion, has revealed he has loved amateur boxing since childhood but pursued Thai boxing as a career path. The 22-year-old fighter announced his decision to represent Thailand in amateur boxing at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, amid mixed reactions from supporters and critics questioning the selection process for national team boxers.
In his statement, Nabil expressed gratitude to his mentors, including Somrak Khamsing, saying he feels honored to represent his country and is excited to try something new. He explained that while amateur boxing may be new as a sport for him, he is confident in his striking abilities, having trained intensively in the discipline during childhood before switching to Thai boxing. He spent a full year training in amateur boxing techniques and has always felt drawn to the sport.
"As I grew older, it felt like that dream came back to me," Nabil said. "Most importantly, getting to represent Thailand makes me even happier. I am fully committed and ready to do my best for my country."
The Royal Thai Navy seized a fuel tanker in the upper Gulf of Thailand carrying 60,000 liters of illegally transported diesel fuel intended to evade taxes, with the vessel and crew transferred to authorities for prosecution.
Chachoengsao — The Royal Thai Navy Region 1 has intercepted the fuel tanker Risky Nam Choke 89 in the upper Gulf of Thailand, seizing approximately 60,000 liters of diesel fuel being transported illegally to evade taxes. The vessel and crew have been transferred to Sattahip Police Station for prosecution.
On August 12, 2025 at 12:59 p.m., Navy Patrol Craft 115 from the Royal Thai Navy Region 1 Operations Center conducted routine patrols in the upper Gulf of Thailand and discovered the fishing vessel Risky Nam Choke 89 anchored near Phetchaburi Province. The vessel exhibited characteristics inconsistent with typical fishing boats and aroused suspicion.
Authorities exercised powers under the 1947 Naval Maritime Offense Suppression Act to conduct a search. Inspections revealed the vessel lacked proper vessel registration documents and operating licenses, and the captain and crew possessed no work permits. A thorough search of the cargo hold uncovered approximately 60,000 liters of diesel fuel with no documentation of origin or proof of tax payment.
Officers detained the vessel and all crew members, bringing them to Laem Tien Pier at the Naval Operations Command in Sattahip District, Chachoengsao Province for detailed investigation. The case was coordinated with relevant agencies including the Revenue Department, the Regional Port Authority, and the Naval Police Station 3.
Representatives from the Maritime Strategic Command Region 1, the Revenue Department, the Regional Port Authority's Pattaya branch, and Sattahip Provincial Police jointly announced the arrest results and transferred the suspects to Sattahip Police Station for legal proceedings.
The Royal Thai Navy Region 1, the Maritime Strategic Command Region 1, and partner agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to systematically and decisively eliminate illegal fuel transport operations that evade taxes, in order to fully protect Thailand's maritime interests.
Pheu Thai's opposition leader announced plans to file a no-confidence motion against the government this parliamentary session, citing evidence of corruption and mismanagement under the military-backed system.
Opposition leader Nathapong Ruengpanya confirmed on August 14 that his Pheu Thai party will file a no-confidence motion against the government during the current parliamentary session, though he declined to reveal the exact timing due to constitutional constraints that prevent the prime minister from dissolving parliament immediately after such a motion is filed. He said the opposition has compiled extensive evidence of corruption, lack of transparency in independent agencies, and mismanagement, all stemming from the military-backed system, which he argues leaves Thailand without a future. Nathapong stated that deeper evidence will be presented during the no-confidence debate, some of which cannot be disclosed publicly beforehand but will be protected under parliamentary privilege. Regarding the government's claims that the vote-buying allegations are unrelated to the administration, he argued that evidence linking the matter to politicians from the ruling coalition makes denial difficult. On the prime minister's social media post seemingly alluding to opposition deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul's comment about being exhausted from fighting a wall, Nathapong said while leaders should use all platforms to communicate on national issues, using personal social media to make veiled attacks on opponents without directly owning the statement is unbecoming of a premier.
Over 80 people lost more than 20 million baht to a labour recruitment scam that promised overseas jobs in Canada and Finland but never materialized, with victims filing complaints to Bangkok police in August.
On August 14, 2025, more than 80 victims filed complaints with the Central Investigation Police Bureau's Human Trafficking Suppression Division against a labour recruitment company identified by the initial letter 'G'. The company had promised to send workers abroad for fruit picking and packaging jobs in Canada and Finland, but the victims never travelled and suffered combined losses exceeding 20 million baht.
A representative victim from Nakhon Sawan province, identified as Mr A, revealed he contacted the company through a Facebook page that appeared credible. He was interviewed at an office in Bangkok's Don Muang area, where a foreign man was also present to conduct a test. After passing the interview, the company charged him 12,500 baht for tourism visa processing and requested a new email for visa submission. He was directed to submit documents and biometric data at a VFS centre near Rama 9. After receiving notification that his visa was approved, he transferred an additional 65,000 baht. The company also offered a special foreign currency exchange promotion, which attracted victims to deposit money.
By early August, Mr A visited the office only to find it empty with belongings removed. The page administrator claimed the office was undergoing renovation, but investigation revealed the space was only temporarily rented. When the scheduled departure date of August 17, 2025 approached and victims attempted to inquire about flight tickets and travel details, they received no response and could not reach company staff, leading them to believe they had been scammed.
Most victims came from various provinces including Chiang Rai, Chumphon, and the Northeast region. Many had taken out loans hoping to earn income abroad and support their families. The company's Facebook page remains active but no longer posts updates, and the listed phone numbers are unreachable. Victims submitted evidence including bank transfer records, contact information, and job application documents to police for investigation and prosecution.
Pheu Thai's Natthapong calls for stronger gun control laws and equal enforcement after schools face threats nationwide, warning that tougher penalties alone won't work without proper implementation.
On August 14 at parliament, Natthapong Ruengpanya, list MP and Pheu Thai party leader, addressed the copycat threat situation affecting schools nationwide. He expressed condolences for losses and concern that many schools have received threatening messages, warning these could cause school disruptions even if not credible. He called on school administrators to strengthen security measures.
Regarding firearms control, Natthapong noted that Pheu Thai is preparing amendments beyond just tougher penalties, emphasizing that enforcement is equally vital. He cautioned that stronger laws without proper enforcement could become tools for corrupt officials to extort benefits. When asked about submitting amendments when parliament opens, he said the party is still discussing proposals internally and expects amendments to accompany the government's firearms bill.
On whether politicians deserve guns, Natthapong stressed that everyone, regardless of status or position, must be equal under law and subject to fair enforcement. He criticized disparities in justice, citing images of criminals treated differently from politicians in custody. He emphasized that public trust depends on actual results and actions, not statements, and called the enforcement of equal application of law most important. Regarding gun buyback schemes, he reiterated that the core issue is firearms proliferation in society, and ultimate success hinges on equal law enforcement for all.