CHONBURI — 16 February 2026, Tan Passakornnatee, chief executive of Ichitan Group PCL, was injured after falling nearly 2 m from a concert stage during the Wonder One Music Festival in Pattaya just after midnight on Sunday. He later assured fans he is safe and recovering.

The incident occurred at about 00:35 during the final night of the Wonder One Music Festival, held at Khao Chi Chan in Sattahip district. At the time, rapper Golf F.HERO was performing on stage.

According to reports, Mr. Tan had joined the artist on stage to thank attendees and hand out gifts. While dancing near the edge, he misstepped and fell from the stage, landing on the ground below. Rescue workers provided first aid before rushing him to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.

The performance was temporarily halted as medics attended to him, with many in the crowd applauding and offering encouragement.

Doctors initially kept the 66-year-old under close observation. Medical assessments later found a minor bone crack, and he was fitted with a support brace. Physicians were expected to allow him to leave hospital later the same day.

Video clips of the moment circulated widely on TikTok, showing Mr. Tan stepping off the edge of the stage before falling.

At 09:24 on 16 February, Mr. Tan posted a video from his hospital room on his personal Facebook page, dressed in a hospital gown and connected to an IV line.

“I’m OK now. I just feel a little back pain. I should be able to leave hospital and get back to work soon,” he said, apologising for alarming supporters. He also extended Chinese New Year wishes, saying, “Wishing everyone prosperity and good fortune.”

Later, at 19:20, he posted again to confirm that he was safe and thanked the public for their concern.

The Wonder One Music Festival, held from 14–15 February at Khao Chi Chan in Na Jomtien, marked its inaugural edition. Shortly before the accident, Mr. Tan had posted about the event’s success, thanking artists, staff, sponsors and attendees for their support.

CHIANG MAI — 15 February 2026, Five suspected drug traffickers were killed and approximately 1.4 million methamphetamine pills seized following a clash with Thai soldiers along the border in Fang district, officials said.

The operation was carried out under government and Royal Thai Army policy to intensify crackdowns on narcotics trafficking, expand investigations to identify suppliers and buyers, and eradicate drugs from affected areas.

According to intelligence from the Pha Muang Task Force, a shipment of methamphetamine was being smuggled across the border into Thailand. Patrol units from the 4th Cavalry Company (Phadong) under the Chaiyanuphap Task Force, led by Capt. Jirayus Boonthong, together with a ranger unit led by Capt. Prakasit Prob-yon of Company 3207 under the 3rd Army Region Operations Centre, conducted a joint patrol in the Ban San Ju–Huai Nok Kok area near Ban Nong Phai, Mon Pin subdistrict, Fang district.

At approximately 14:30 on 14 February 2026, troops encountered a group of suspected cross-border drug couriers entering Thai territory. A firefight lasting more than five minutes ensued. The suspects were reportedly armed with military-style weapons.

Reinforcement teams were deployed to secure the scene overnight. During a sweep of a 2 km radius the following morning, officers found five suspects dead. Fourteen sacks containing a total of approximately 1,400,000 methamphetamine pills were recovered from the area.

The seizure was formally announced by Maj. Gen. Sathit Waiyonnon, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, alongside senior military, police and administrative officials, including representatives from Fang Police Station, Border Patrol Police Company 334 and the Office of the Attorney General. The narcotics were handed over to investigators at Fang Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Authorities said traffickers often attempt to move drugs across the border during festival periods before distributing them to inner provinces. Security forces have intensified operations along border routes and urged members of the public to report suspicious activity to the Pha Muang Task Force hotline at 053-211054 and 053-114804.

Officials said continued cooperation from local communities is essential to suppress narcotics trafficking and ensure public safety and security.

PATHUM THANI — 15 February 2026, Police in Khlong Luang have arrested a suspect accused of stealing copper busbars from an underground power cable project in Khlong Sam, causing millions of baht in damage and disrupting a major 100-million-baht infrastructure scheme.

At 12:00 at Khlong Luang Police Station, senior officers, local officials and representatives from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Pathum Thani announced the arrest.

The suspect, aged 25–30, was apprehended near a bridge opposite Soi 6/3 in Khlong Sam subdistrict, Khlong Luang district. Police seized 12 copper busbars along with tools including torches, wire cutters and a metal saw, as well as a motorcycle.

Pol. Lt. Col. Kawinwet said that at approximately 03:00 on the same day, officers received a tip-off from a concerned citizen about a suspicious man sitting near the bridge. Upon inspection, officers found the suspect straddling a motorcycle. A search of the motorcycle uncovered the busbars and tools inside a black cloth bag beneath the seat.

During questioning, the suspect allegedly confessed to stealing the items from a roadside electrical control cabinet along Khlong Sam Road, opposite Chalida Village, Village 6, Khlong Sam subdistrict. He claimed it was his first offence and said he previously worked delivering gas in the Khlong Sam area.

He has been charged with night-time theft and theft using a vehicle to facilitate the offence or escape. He was handed over to investigators at Khlong Luang Police Station for legal proceedings.

PEA officials explained that the stolen copper busbars are large copper strips that function as primary conductors inside electrical control cabinets, distributing high-voltage electricity to households. A total of 12 busbars were taken from control units 1 and 2, each valued at more than 30,000 baht, for a combined equipment loss of approximately 360,000 baht.

Dr. Wirasak said the theft has affected the underground power cable project in Khlong Sam, a major development with a budget of 100 million baht. Damage from this incident alone is estimated at 4–5 million baht, forcing work that was nearly complete and scheduled for handover within months to be halted and repaired at multiple points.

He confirmed the SAO is coordinating with police to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of any alleged connections or influence. He also warned that scrap shops found purchasing stolen state property would face closure and licence revocation. Residents are urged to report any late-night cable removal activity, as SAO officials do not conduct such operations at night.

Pol. Capt. Phongnaponn said investigators will intensify legal action, focusing on three key issues: determining the true extent of financial damage, expanding the investigation to identify possible accomplices or networks operating in other areas, and targeting scrap dealers who purchase stolen materials — a key factor enabling repeat offences.

Officials warned that damage or loss of such equipment directly affects the stability of the local power supply in Khlong Luang district. Without the busbars, electricity cannot be distributed normally. The theft has also disrupted Phase 1 of the project, requiring new procurement. Some busbars must be specially manufactured or imported and cannot be purchased from general construction supply stores, extending repair timelines.

Authorities emphasised that selling the busbars as scrap metal would yield only a small sum compared with the hundreds of thousands of baht in losses and widespread public inconvenience caused. The offence may also qualify as theft of property intended for public use, which carries heavier penalties than general theft.

YALA — 15 February 2026, Security efforts have been heightened in Yala following a coordinated wave of seven bomb attacks in neighbouring Narathiwat over the past 48 hours.

Provincial Police Region Yala has raised security to the highest level after insurgents carried out coordinated bomb attacks at seven locations in Narathiwat between 14–15 February 2026. Although no injuries were reported, authorities remain on high alert to prevent further acts of violence and to maintain order across the southern border provinces.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Kong-at Suwannakham, commander of Yala Provincial Police, has issued urgent orders to security personnel stationed at all checkpoints and inspection points to intensify screening of suspicious individuals and vehicles. Officers have also been instructed to exercise heightened caution while on duty to avoid becoming targets.

The enhanced security measures are aimed at boosting public confidence during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, ensuring the safety of Thai-Chinese residents taking part in festivities. Authorities are also preparing for the approaching Ramadan period to facilitate and safeguard Thai Muslim communities as they enter the holy month of fasting.