PHUKET: Wichit Police have seized 10 modified and racing motorbikes during a late-night patrol aimed at preventing groups of teenagers from gathering, causing disturbances and racing on roads in the area.
PHUKET: Wichit Police have seized 10 modified and racing motorbikes during a late-night patrol aimed at preventing groups of teenagers from gathering, causing disturbances and racing on roads in the area.
Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul has directed the Interior Ministry and Royal Thai Police to merge operations using shared data systems to combat crime, launching a nationwide workshop to coordinate efforts across nine priority areas inc
Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul has directed the Interior Ministry and Royal Thai Police to operate as a unified partnership using integrated data systems to combat crime. He has mandated the establishment of weapons screening checkpoints and instructed officials to maintain strict protocols, reject outside interference, and disregard requests for favors, stating that genuine government officials would never make such calls.
At 9 a.m. on August 13, 2025, at the Challenger Impact building in Muang Thonburi, the PM and Interior Minister launched a practical workshop on implementing security operations under government policy at the provincial level, with participation from Interior Ministry permanent secretaries, provincial governors, district officers, and Royal Thai Police commanders from Regions 1, 2, and 7.
The PM outlined nine priority cooperation areas stemming from workshops conducted over the previous two months: land encroachment, cybercrime, nominee issues, money laundering, influential criminals, informal debt relief, tourist safety, database connectivity, and drug suppression and prevention.
The PM emphasized that these issues are well-known and that proper management would bring peace, security, and improved quality of life. He stressed that security threats take multiple forms across family, community, and national levels, with criminals operating through complex networks. He expressed confidence that close coordination between governors and police commanders, district officers and officials, and local administration staff would address fundamental security and peace concerns.
The PM highlighted the importance of provincial administration and police working as a single team, describing them as "twin pairs" essential to national security. He called for the use of unified data systems, or One Data, to ensure consistent information, efficient operations, and proactive problem prevention within a 90-day timeframe.
On weapons control, the PM noted that strict measures are currently in place. The Interior Ministry's Department of Local Administration has halted issuance of Category 3 firearms permits for ordinary citizens, and Category 12 permits have not been issued for three years. The PM directed intensified enforcement to prevent copycat behavior and undesirable incidents.
Thailand will host an international esports championship in Ayutthaya on August 14–16, 2026, featuring Street Fighter 6 and eFootball Mobile competitions with over 500,000 baht in prizes.
The Thai Esports Association, working with Thailand's Sport Excellence Development Division and the Sports Authority of Thailand, will host the international Esports Championship 2026 at The Hall Convention Center in Ayutthaya City Park from August 14–16, 2026.
The three-day tournament will feature two major games: Street Fighter 6 and eFootball Mobile. Thai national team representatives will be selected on August 14, then compete against international players on August 15–16 for a combined prize pool exceeding 500,000 baht.
For those who prefer other games, there is also a special ROV Double Champions 2026 tournament sponsored by Krung Thai Bank, open to all competitors across all three days with a prize pool of 60,000 baht. Even losing teams have a chance to win prize money. Registration is available in advance or on-site with early arrival required for walk-in registration.
Gamers interested in experiencing international-level esports competition or competing for prizes are invited to participate this weekend.
A 24-year-old Indian tourist was injured when a rented jet ski struck his leg at Patong Beach in Phuket on August 12, leaving him unable to walk and requiring hospital transport.
PHUKET — A 24-year-old Indian tourist was injured after falling in a jet ski accident at Patong Beach on August 12, 2026, with rescuers later taking him to Patong Hospital for treatment.
A Facebook user named Chue Luang Niren posted a video showing Patong Beach lifeguards rushing to assist the injured tourist, with a message saying: "Urgent rescue as tourist falls from jet ski and is injured."
According to the post, the tourist, identified as Jagga Hardik, 24, had rented a jet ski off Patong Beach in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, Phuket. While riding the jet ski, the watercraft struck his leg, causing him to fall into the water and suffer an injury.
Patong Beach lifeguards who witnessed the incident immediately assisted and brought the tourist back to shore. The incident occurred around 18:30 on August 12.
The Facebook user, who operates a taxi queue in the area, called the 1669 emergency medical hotline for assistance. Around 19:30, rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation arrived at the scene, provided first aid, and transported Hardik to Patong Hospital for medical examination and treatment.
Initial checks found that the tourist was unable to walk. Rescue workers used a stretcher to carry him from the beach. The exact nature and severity of his leg injury remained pending further medical examination.
Thai woman Pornsawan Pongsawat has been missing in Japan since January 2025, last seen near a university dormitory in Miyazaki City. The Mirror Foundation is seeking public information to locate her.
The Mirror Foundation has appealed for information on the whereabouts of a Thai woman missing in Japan since January 2025. The foundation's Missing Persons Search Team announced the case on 12 August 2026, identifying the missing woman as Pornsawan Pongsawat, also known by her nickname Maprao. Pornsawan, now 32, was 31 when she disappeared. She was last seen on 24 January 2025 near the student dormitories of the University of Miyazaki in Miyazaki City, Japan. She is approximately 160 centimetres tall and weighs around 58 kilogrammes, with a medium build. She has fair skin and long dark brown hair, with a mole on the left side of her lip. She has pierced ears and wears one upper denture. The Mirror Foundation is asking anyone who may have information about Pornsawan's whereabouts or disappearance to contact its Missing Persons Search Team. Information can be provided by telephone at +66 80 775 2673, via WhatsApp at +66 63 313 8958, LINE ID 0633138958, or by email at thaimissing@mirror.or.th.
Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), visited coastal communities in Songkhla to monitor projects aimed a...
Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), visited coastal communities in Songkhla to monitor projects aimed a...
Thailand has banned awarding firearms to village chiefs, replacing guns with cash or ceremonial decorations instead. The policy shift comes after rifles were distributed as raffle prizes to Ko Pangan village leaders, prompting the governmen
At an event on August 13, 2025, at Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nuracha Kosasrivilai, Director-General of the Department of Interior, addressed a controversy surrounding a ceremony for Ko Pangan village leaders where five rifles were distributed as raffle prizes. He confirmed that under current government policy, firearms will no longer be awarded to village chiefs and headmen; instead, equivalent-value alternatives such as cash or ceremonial decorations will be provided. The urgent policy requires suspending or freezing such distributions, though regulations allow for other valuable compensation.
Regarding the prizes already distributed in Ko Pangan last week, Nuracha stated that annual reviews and recipient checks would proceed, and the issuance of gun permits has been halted nationwide using a centralized database. When asked about a recent administrative order suspending the welfare firearms program, which has prompted concern from police about their ability to respond to emergencies, Nuracha explained that the welfare guns were meant for officers performing public order duties.
He said the suspension reflects the government's priority to control weapon circulation while maintaining fairness between officials and the general public. Regarding police concerns, Nuracha clarified that officers assigned to maintain security can carry firearms when authorized in writing by their commanding officer. All police stations and government agencies must issue such directives to enable officers to carry weapons while performing their official duties.
As artificial intelligence continues reshaping higher education worldwide, universities are increasingly integrating AI into teaching, research, and administration to prepare for the future. In Thail...
As artificial intelligence continues reshaping higher education worldwide, universities are increasingly integrating AI into teaching, research, and administration to prepare for the future. In Thail...
Rescue teams searching for two missing villagers in Chiang Muang forest for six days discovered a campfire and heard voices in the area, though neither man has yet been located. The 74-year-old and 20-year-old from Ban Pin village are belie
The search for two missing villagers in Chiang Muang district, Phayao province, has entered its sixth day with renewed hope after rescue teams discovered a campfire and heard voices resembling human calls. The missing men are Nak Kamlue, 74, and Ramesorn Jandaeng, 20, both from Ban Pin village, who were last in contact several days ago and are believed to have become lost in the forest.
District chief Pichai Khueanchoeechon and township mayor Sumethi Kamlue are overseeing the coordinated search operation involving five teams of officials and volunteers from multiple agencies including provincial administration, township government, police, the military, Rangers, Doi Phunak National Park, rescue units, motorcycle enduro teams, village leaders, and community security forces. Search teams have been divided into multiple zones, with teams covering areas including Huay Ja Tem, Huay Chok Ngu, Wang Khee Khuay, and Huay Hai. One team reported finding a campfire in the Huay Chok Ngu area and hearing voice-like sounds, prompting intensive searches in the vicinity, though no person was located. Water-based search teams are investigating the Num Pie River north of the Num Pie Reservoir after reports of a foul smell in the northern forest area. As of now, both men remain missing, but all agencies continue systematic search efforts with every lead being thoroughly investigated.
Thailand is stepping up efforts to bring more Thai fruit products to the global market—starting with China, one of the world's largest consumer markets. The Ministry of Commerce, through the De...
Thailand is stepping up efforts to bring more Thai fruit products to the global market—starting with China, one of the world's largest consumer markets. The Ministry of Commerce, through the De...
A parliamentary budget committee threatened to subpoena Thailand's Digital Economy Minister over concerns about vague specifications and missing documents in the TH-AI Passport project, which is set to launch registration soon.
At 9:40 a.m. on 13 August 2025 at Parliament, Rukchonok Srinok, chair of the House Budget Committee, announced that the committee plans to scrutinize the TH-AI Passport project extensively, as registration is expected to begin shortly. The committee will question progress on contract amendments between the Digital Economy and Society Ministry and its partners, review project proposals, and examine outstanding document submissions that the ministry has not yet provided.
Rukchonok said the committee has a particular focus on the marketing component of the bid, concerned that vague requirements might lock in specifications unfairly. The terms require bidders to use top-five offline media in the country, but the committee found that competing firms have not specified which media company screens they will use—yet the ministry and its fund have scored them anyway. The committee also lacks scoring rubrics for AI, marketing, training, and call centre operations, and does not have meeting notes from the ministry fund related to the passport project.
When asked about Minister Chaiyachonok's absence, Rukchonok confirmed that word arrived this morning that he would not attend, citing unspecified duties, and that the Permanent Secretary would appear in his place. Rukchonok stressed that the minister has now declined four invitations to brief the committee in person, adding that if he fails to appear again and documents remain incomplete, she will discuss with the committee the need to invoke statutory power to compel his attendance.