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Phuket  – Thai authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a Russian national accused of orchestrating a sophisticated theft of more than 600,000 baht in foreign currency from a prominent shopping mall in Phuket last week. Our previous story:  Police in Phuket are hunting for a daring thief who staged a late-night robbery inside a […] UPDATE: Russian Suspect Wanted in Phuket Mall Heist, Escaped with 600,000 Baht -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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Phuket – Phuket— Customs officers at Phuket International Airport intercepted two French and two Swiss nationals attempting to smuggle more than 33 kilograms of cannabis out of Thailand, with an estimated street value of 2.6 million baht. Officers told the Phuket Express. The suspects — identified as Mr. Sean , 19, and Mr. Marcus, 18, […] Four Young French and Swiss Nationals Arrested at Phuket Airport with 30 Kilograms of Cannabis -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

On July 28, 2026, at 5:50 p.m., His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen proceeded by royal motorcade to the birthday commemoration ceremony held at the ubosoth of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. The ceremony was attended by members of the royal family.

Upon arrival, His Majesty ascended the steps of the ubosoth and received blessings from the monastic clergy. He then lit the great auspicious candles placed on the Dhamma Stone, followed by candles for the Buddha images Yodfa Chulalok and Loet Lanilamai. Her Majesty the Queen lit incense and candles before the Dhamma Stone. Monks chanted the Buddhist prayers for the ceremony.

His Majesty lit additional candles at the monk's rostrum while the monks chanted, then descended to offer royal gifts to the elderly attendees. The King then proceeded to the Amornintaravinijchaya Throne Hall, where he received the respects of those gathered. A royal announcement was read establishing new ecclesiastical rank. The King presented ceremonial items to the newly appointed monks, and the clergy chanted auspicious chants.

The ceremony continued with the lighting of grand auspicious candles at the nine-tiered white umbrella throne. Incense and candles were offered to the Buddha images, and the King took the five precepts with instruction from Somdej Phra Theerayanumon. Seventy-five monks chanted Buddhist prayers for the birthday celebration, with His Majesty lighting candles as the chanting reached key passages.

On July 28, Prisheet Wachrasindhul, a People's Party list MP and deputy party leader, posted on Facebook describing the alleged election fraud operation as extending beyond merely coordinating candidates to exchange votes systematically. The scheme, he stated, also involves hiring people to run as candidates to cast votes for actual candidates locked in by the network through ghost candidacies. He emphasized that financial trails are the strongest evidence of such behavior, though they are difficult to trace because most payments are made in cash, as confirmed by witnesses from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, and other provinces.

Priveet disclosed that he has obtained financial evidence from at least two provinces. The first involves evidence from Surat Thani linked to Subin Saktda, whose financial transfers were previously revealed by iLaw. Those transfers, connected to MP Pichai Chomphuphol of Bhumjaithai Party, showed money flowing from Subin to ten provincial council candidates totaling 32,000 baht on June 15-16, 2567, just one day before the provincial-level election.

The second financial trail originates from Nong Bua Lamphu, linked to senator Sarachai Wichayasuwan, who currently serves as Nong Bua Lamphu senator from Group 13 after receiving the highest group votes in the national election. A witness from Nong Bua Lamphu, Sunanchai Chuay Udonthanakij, previously testified that he participated in the scheme to establish and hire candidates run by Sarachai, and that he overheard Sarachai reporting to Deputy Prime Minister Thongsak Thongsri, then Minister of Interior, regarding the recruited candidates.

Priveet confirmed that the newly disclosed financial evidence aligns with witness testimony. The records show transfers from Sarachai to Phannipha Phasu, identified by multiple witnesses as Sarachai's secretary, totaling 553,600 baht—51,300 baht from one bank and 502,300 baht from another. Additionally, transfers from Phannipha to seven Nong Bua Lamphu provincial council candidates between May and August 2567 totaled 105,000 baht, distributed as follows: Thanyarat Suwan (36,000 baht), Sumalai Songsaengrit (3,000 baht), Sunanchai Chuay Udonthanakij (1,000 baht), Piyalak Silladaeng (15,000 baht), Somphar Sukuan (40,000 baht), Somsak Bundee (5,000 baht), and Samrit Kongan.

Immigration Police Region 3 has issued a warning to foreign tourists not to fall for unusually discounted tour packages, reaffirming Thailand's safety and welcoming visitors of all nationalities. The alert follows an international crime case in which Chachoengsao Immigration and Pattaya City Police rescued three Indian tourists who were lured by fraudsters posing as tour operators offering below-market packages. Upon arrival in Thailand, the victims were separated from their group, held captive, and subjected to physical abuse, photography, and video threats to extort ransom money from relatives abroad. Police have issued arrest warrants and taken all five suspects into custody, with investigations ongoing.

Deputy Commander Prinya Glinkaset, serving as Region 3's spokesman, urged foreign tourists to exercise caution when purchasing tour packages, especially those offered at abnormally low prices or by unverifiable service providers. He explained that immigration screening uses international standards, checking databases including the Immigration Bureau's technology system, Thailand's national security database, and international databases for blacklisted persons, outstanding warrants, or criminal records before allowing entry.

The spokesman noted that approximately 2.5 million Indian tourists enter Thailand annually, ranking second only to Chinese visitors and boosting the tourism economy. However, only a fraction under 0.1 percent engage in illegal activity—a negligible proportion compared to the majority of quality tourists. Any fraud or crimes occurring after entry are handled through police and security agency coordination to assist victims, apprehend offenders, and prosecute cases strictly. This operation aligns with the National Police Office's policy to intensify scrutiny, screening, and enforcement against foreign nationals engaged in criminal activity or posing security threats, particularly transnational crime, gray-market operations, and use of Thailand as a base for illegal activity.

Members of the public who witness or have information about criminal activity can report to the Immigration Bureau office at 904 Moo 6, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province 11120, call provincial immigration offices in their area, or visit www.immigration.go.th.

Authorities have ordered the permanent dismantling of the Buekasamee checkpoint following concerns about repeat attacks, and plan to replace it with a fortified bullet-resistant guardpost. Thirteen armed militants attacked the checkpoint in Rangae District, Narathiwat Province on July 22, killing five ranger officers and injuring six civilians. Police Colonel Suphachat Na Phatthalung, commander of Rangae Station, along with military and administrative officials, agreed to permanently close the checkpoint.

Workers have begun demolishing the tall watchtower that stood at the bridge entrance, which included a small shelter in front of the temporary residence of Sergeant Major Theerayuth Somkakaeng, one of the five ranger officers killed in the attack. Sunshades covering the checkpoint area have also been removed to prevent civilian casualties in future incidents.

In place of the dismantled checkpoint, Colonel Suphachat has introduced a red bullet-resistant guardpost—a reinforced rectangular steel container with specialized steel plating or thick concrete designed to withstand gunfire and explosions. A new checkpoint will be established approximately 200 meters away at the entrance to the Seepo Waterfall road, staffed by rotating police and military personnel around the clock. Three coordinated forces will also conduct roving patrols to inspect vehicles and individuals entering and exiting the municipality, aiming to intercept any insurgents attempting to infiltrate civilian populations and reassure residents that normal life can continue safely.