Rights group raises concerns after alleged vigilante assault on Article 112 suspect

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23 July 2026, 14:48

BANGKOK — 23 July 2026, A 42-year-old man with a history of psychiatric illness was allegedly assaulted by a self-described vigilante group after posting social media content deemed critical of the Thai monarchy, before later becoming the subject of a lèse-majesté complaint under Article 112 of the Criminal Code, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).

TLHR said the man, identified under the pseudonym “Thanit,” was attacked on the evening of 22 July after members of a group calling itself “Kong Ruen Narok” (Hell Barracks) tracked him down at his residence in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district.

The group had reportedly begun posting messages about searching for Thanit on 20 July, claiming it would locate him within 24 hours. According to TLHR, the group accused him of posting videos and messages on social media that referred to the monarchy.

Video clips circulating online appear to show dozens of people surrounding Thanit outside his residence. TLHR said the footage showed members of the group physically assaulting him, including repeatedly slapping him, kicking him, stomping on his head and body, and striking him with knees and elbows. The group’s actions allegedly caused visible injuries, including bruising and damage to his glasses.

The group later took Thanit by pickup truck to Tao Poon Police Station, where a lèse-majesté complaint had already been filed against him on 21 July over Facebook Reels allegedly containing remarks about King Vajiralongkorn.

TLHR said police had not issued a summons or sought an arrest warrant for Thanit before the group brought him to the station. Members of the group reportedly remained in the area outside the police station afterward.

Police later examined and seized two of Thanit’s mobile phones before any charges had been formally filed, according to TLHR. The rights group said police records stated that Thanit consented to the seizure and allowed officers to access data on the devices.

The phones were reportedly seized as evidence in connection with the Article 112 complaint, which was filed after an individual alleged that content posted through Facebook Reels contained remarks considered defamatory toward the monarch.

Lawyers from TLHR later accompanied Thanit to Don Mueang Police Station, where he filed a complaint against those allegedly involved in the assault. They also requested that police send him for a medical examination.

When lawyers met Thanit at Don Mueang Police Station late on 22 July, TLHR said he had bruises across his body, a swollen lip and head pain. The following morning, he was admitted to hospital after complaining of severe chest pain and was placed under emergency treatment.

TLHR said Thanit has received psychiatric treatment since 2007. He was released from prison in 2024 and had since stopped taking medication. The group also said he is the primary caregiver for his mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

The incident has raised renewed concerns over the actions of self-described vigilante groups targeting individuals accused of violating Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, as well as questions over due process and the treatment of suspects before formal legal proceedings begin.

Authorities had not publicly commented on the alleged assault or the status of the Article 112 complaint at the time of publication.

Thailand plans sea bridge linking Koh Chang to mainland by 2035

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Khaosod English

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23 July 2026, 14:35

TRAT — Thailand’s Expressway Authority (EXAT) has unveiled plans for a sea bridge connecting Koh Chang island with the mainland, aiming to reduce travel times and replace long ferry waits.

EXAT presented the project’s latest feasibility studies and gathered public feedback in Trat on Thursday, saying the bridge would improve access for residents, students, patients and tourists.

The project is expected to affect 66 landowners — 23 on Koh Chang and 43 in Laem Ngop district — with compensation to be based on market prices under the Land Expropriation Act 2019. The initial compensation estimate is expected to reach billions of baht.

EXAT said an EIA review would take about one year, with cabinet approval targeted for 2029. Construction could begin in 2031, with the bridge expected to open around 2035 if there are no delays.

The agency also plans to seek private investment through a market sounding process later this year. Toll fees are expected to be set close to ferry fares to avoid burdening local residents.

Many locals welcomed the project, saying it could bring long-awaited development to Koh Chang, despite concerns among some residents affected by land acquisition.

Taiwan film festival brings 17 films to Thailand this week

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Boonraksa Boonparn

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23 July 2026, 14:31

Taiwan film festival brings 17 films to Thailand this week

BANGKOK — The 8th Taiwan Documentary and Film Festival in Thailand 2026 has opened at House Samyan, bringing together film lovers, critics, actors, filmmakers and industry figures for five days of Taiwanese cinema.

The festival, which runs from July 22-26, 2026, at House Samyan, Century Sukhumvit in Bangkok, and Pratudang Space in Khon Kaen, features 17 films and documentaries spanning classics, contemporary fiction and short films.

At the festival’s opening ceremony, Pete Lan, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, welcomed guests and thanked audiences for showing their appreciation for Taiwanese cinema.

Lan said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture have worked closely with Thailand Documentary Club and other partners for the past eight years to organise the festival and strengthen cultural exchange between Taiwan and Thailand.

He said this year’s festival centres on the theme of “family matters,” which is why, for the first time in the festival’s history, all three films in Ang Lee’s acclaimed “Father Knows Best” trilogy are being presented together.

Which Lan said remind him of a Thai saying that “those who have no music in their heart are truly strange and peculiar,” he said viewers might reach a similar conclusion after watching the films, that families without empathy, compassion, respect and love are “truly strange and peculiar.”

“If you watch those movies, you understand that if somebody claims to be your family member but knows only pressure, coercion and threats as a means to communicate with you, that’s not family,” he said.

“Family members need to know empathy, compassion, respect and love.”

He then stopped short of offering further interpretation, saying audiences had the right to form their own opinions. “After all, we are in a democracy, right? So enjoy your movie tonight,” he said.

The festival also features Girl (2025), the directorial debut of Taiwanese actress Shu Qi.

The 2026 programme is divided into several categories:

Documentaries

SPI
LA PALOMA
A Long Way Home
Back Home

Classics

Pushing Hands
The Wedding Banquet
Eat Drink Man Woman
Kuei-Mei, a Woman

Fiction

The Wave Will Carry Us
Girl

Short film programmes

New Taipei City Documentary Film Award

Where the Sea Breeze Blows
We Live Underground
The Sparkle in Our Lives

From City to Cloud

Amateur in the Moon
Jouhatsu Letters
Paper Houses and Horses
Where Clouds Once Formed

One of the festival’s biggest highlights is Eat Drink Man Woman (飲食男女), Ang Lee’s 1994 classic and the closing chapter of his acclaimed “Father Knows Best” trilogy.

The film earned Lee his second consecutive Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, following The Wedding Banquet (1993). It came just before his international breakthrough, which saw him move into Hollywood and direct acclaimed films including Sense and Sensibility (1995), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Life of Pi (2012).

At the heart of the film is Chef Chu, a master chef whose sense of taste is slowly fading, and his three very different daughters. Every Sunday, he prepares an elaborate feast to bring the family together around the dinner table. Yet behind the beautifully presented dishes are unspoken feelings, hidden secrets and life-changing decisions that gradually come to the surface.

The three daughters each represent a different generation and approach to life. Jia-Jen, the eldest, is a devout Christian chemistry teacher who has resigned herself to a life without marriage so she can look after her father, until an unexpected romance turns her carefully ordered world upside down.

Jia-Chien, the second daughter, is a fiercely independent career woman determined to build a life of her own. She is also the only daughter to truly inherit her father’s passion and talent for cooking. Jia-Chien is ambitious, sharp and confident, but just as stubborn as the father she seems determined to leave behind.

The youngest, Jia-Ning, works at a fast-food restaurant and initially appears to be the most ordinary of the three. Yet she is the first to deliver news that completely changes the dynamics of the family.

What makes Eat Drink Man Woman so enduring is the way it balances sharp comedy, family drama and genuine emotion. The dinner table becomes the film’s central stage, where love, resentment, loneliness and long-held secrets are expressed, often without anyone saying exactly what they mean.

And then there is the food. The film opens with an unforgettable culinary sequence, turning the preparation of a lavish Sunday meal into a visual feast of chopping, slicing, boiling, frying and meticulous cooking. It is enough to make audiences hungry before the story has even begun.

For fans of Ang Lee, the festival offers a rare chance to see the complete “Father Knows Best” trilogy on the big screen, with Pushing Hands (1991), The Wedding Banquet (1993) and Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) all included in this year’s programme.

Student admits creating AI crocodile photo that sparked school panic

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Khaosod English

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23 July 2026, 14:16

CHONBURI — Authorities in Chonburi rushed to inspect a flooded school after an image circulating on social media appeared to show a crocodile inside the campus, only to discover it had been generated using artificial intelligence by a student.

Heavy overnight rain caused flooding in several parts of Sattahip district, including Sing Samut School, where floodwaters disrupted access for students and parents. The school switched to online learning on Thursday as a safety precaution.

As residents followed updates on the flooding, a photo claiming to show a crocodile inside the school was shared online, including by the Sawang Rojanathammasathan Foundation after it received the image from a member of the public for verification. The image quickly spread, alarming students, parents and local residents.

Following the reports, Sattahip District Chief Nattawut Anuyotha ordered local officials, rescue workers and relevant agencies to search the school and surrounding area.

After a thorough inspection, authorities found no crocodile or any signs of one.

People’s Party MP Thana Thanatharn Pramulpong, who represents Chonburi’s 10th constituency, also visited the school after seeing the viral image and concerns over public safety.

Officials later traced the source of the image to a student at the school, who admitted using AI to create the fake crocodile picture before sharing it in a chat group. The image was then widely reposted, leading many people to believe it was real.

Authorities confirmed there was no crocodile at the school and urged the public to verify information before sharing it online, particularly images generated using AI, to avoid causing unnecessary panic and wasting emergency resources.

Thai PM reaffirms One China policy, says Taiwan row won’t affect ties

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Khaosod English

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23 July 2026, 13:24

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday reaffirmed Thailand’s longstanding support for the One China policy, saying he does not expect Taiwan’s criticism of Bangkok’s stance to affect cooperation between Thailand and Taiwan.

Speaking at Government House, Anutin responded to a statement from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing disappointment after Thailand endorsed language stating that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

“Thailand has always adhered to the One China policy. This is nothing new,” Anutin said.

He added that Thailand remains open to cooperation in areas that do not conflict with its diplomatic position and stressed that Bangkok has not sought to restrict any form of cooperation.

Regarding Taiwan’s expression of disappointment, Anutin said Thailand acknowledged the statement but maintained that its policy is clear.

“That is Taiwan’s position, and we have taken note of it. Thailand’s policy is clear, and I do not believe this will have any impact,” he said.

When asked whether additional diplomatic efforts were needed to ease tensions, Anutin replied that both sides already understood each other.

Pressed on whether Taiwan might view Thailand as favoring Beijing, the prime minister smiled and said, “Our policy is One China. There is no leaning.”

He declined to comment on reactions circulating on social media.

Asked whether the dispute could affect visa-free travel for Thai visitors to Taiwan or the large number of Thai workers employed there, Anutin again stressed that Thailand’s position remained unchanged.

“Our policy is clear,” he said.

The remarks come after Taiwan’s foreign ministry criticized Thailand for endorsing language supporting Beijing’s claim that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, following recent high-level exchanges between Thai and Chinese officials.

Ugandan tourist drowns in Phuket villa pool after night out with Indian man

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Khaosod English

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23 July 2026, 13:07

PHUKET — A 22-year-old Ugandan tourist drowned in the swimming pool of a luxury villa in Phuket’s Kamala area early Thursday, police said.

Police in Kamala district received a report from emergency responders at about 05:15 on 23 July that a foreign tourist had drowned in a private villa pool in Kathu district.

The victim, identified as Claire Nabimanya, 22, was found face down at the bottom of the swimming pool.

According to police, an Indian tourist who reported the incident told investigators he had arrived in Thailand on his first day of vacation and met the victim at an entertainment venue on Bangla Road. The pair drank alcohol together before returning to the villa.

The man said they entered the swimming pool at around 04:00 He told police that the woman was not a strong swimmer, while the pool was about two metres deep with a sloping floor. She appeared to get into difficulty and drowned.

He said he attempted to rescue her but was unsuccessful. He then got out of the pool and tried calling the police emergency number 191 but could not get through, before contacting the 1669 medical emergency hotline. Rescue workers received the call at around 04:30.

Police inspected the scene and confirmed the pool was about two metres deep. They also found no lifesaving equipment near the pool.

Investigators reported no signs of a struggle or forced entry, and the villa room remained undisturbed. Officers also tested the emergency number 191 using the witness’s phone and confirmed they were unable to connect.

The Indian tourist was taken in for further questioning and underwent a drug test as part of standard procedure.

The victim’s body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy. Police are coordinating with the Ugandan Embassy to notify her family and arrange the repatriation of her remains.

Argentina fans seek World Cup final rematch as petition passes 80,000 signatures

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Khaosod English

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23 July 2026, 11:28

0-web — Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) vies for the ball with Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Argentine football fans have launched an online petition calling for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to be replayed, alleging that controversial refereeing decisions unfairly influenced the match. The petition has attracted passes 80,000 signatures.

Defending champions Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final on 19 July.

According to Spanish media, the petition was launched on Change.org by an Argentine fan identified as Gisela Sánchez. It calls on FIFA to order a replay of the final, claiming Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić made key decisions that unfairly disadvantaged Argentina during crucial moments of the match.

As of publication, the petition had garnered 80,974 signatures on Change.org. However, the campaign has no legal basis to compel FIFA to replay the final, and FIFA has not indicated it will review the request.

The petition is not the first online campaign to emerge during the 2026 World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, fans also called for France’s semi-final against Spain to be replayed after disputing the sequence of events leading to a penalty awarded to Spain following a foul on Lamine Yamal. That campaign likewise had no impact on the tournament.

While online petitions have become a common way for fans to express dissatisfaction with controversial refereeing decisions, they do not carry any formal authority under FIFA regulations to overturn match results or order replays.

Taiwan office vows cultural ties will continue despite pressure

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Khaosod English

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23 July 2026, 11:23

Taiwan office vows cultural ties will continue despite pressure

BANGKOK — 22 July 2026, The Taiwanese government representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Thailand said that he had received no calls from Thai government officials over an alleged attempt by the Chinese Embassy to intervene in the 8th Taiwan Documentary and Film Festival in Thailand.

Peter Lan made the remarks after the festival’s opening ceremony at House Samyan, where he was asked about the alleged intervention and whether he had been contacted by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I think I’m here tonight to make sure that we have this wonderful cultural event going on,” He said. “I encourage everyone to focus on the wonderful and iconic movies.”

“I have already said my personal view on the interpretation of those movies, so I will not go further,” he added.

Lan said the festival had received support from various partners and that, so far, there had been no contact from Thai government officials regarding the matter.

Asked how Taiwan plans to promote cultural ties with Thailand through film amid the current circumstances, Lan said cultural exchange remained an important part of the relationship between the two sides.

“As you can tell from the name, it is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. So, of course, this will be very important when it comes to exchange and understanding between Thailand and Taiwan,” he said.

Lan pointed to progress in trade, investment and business opportunities between Taiwan and Thailand, saying cultural exchange represented another important pillar of bilateral relations.

“Tonight, when we are showing our iconic movies, all 17 of them, we are focusing on another pillar of these relations. And this will continue, and we will strive to do so,” he said.

The Taiwanese films and documentaries will be shown from 22 to 26 July, at House Samyan, Century Sukhumvit in Bangkok, and Pratudang Space in Khon Kaen.

Asked why the alleged interference had occurred for the first time in the festival’s eight-year history, Lan expressed confidence in Thailand’s commitment to cultural exchange.

“The host country is Thailand, and Thai people are peace-loving, democratic, supporting freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” he said. “So we have every confidence that we can continue this kind of exchange between Taiwan and Thailand.”

Earlier during the event, Lan also spoke about the family-focused themes portrayed in the films being screened at the festival.

Referencing a Thai saying that “those who have no music in their heart are truly strange and peculiar,” he said viewers might reach a similar conclusion after watching the films, that families without empathy, compassion, respect and love are “truly strange and peculiar.”

“If you watch those movies, you understand that if somebody claims to be your family member but knows only pressure, coercion and threats as a means to communicate with you, that’s not family,” he said.

“Family members need to know empathy, compassion, respect and love.”

He then stopped short of offering further interpretation, saying audiences had the right to form their own opinions. “After all, we are in a democracy, right? So enjoy your movie tonight,” he said.

Krabi marching band wins two top prizes at China contest

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Khaosod English

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23 July 2026, 09:30

KRABI — The marching band of Ammartpanichnukul School in Krabi has brought home two major awards from an international competition in China and received an invitation to give a special performance at Peking University.

The school’s marching band previously won the championship at the Korat Band of Thailand (KBOT), competing for the royal trophy of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and was selected to represent Thailand at an international competition in China.

The delegation comprised 91 people, including 72 students and 19 parents and group supervisors. The team was led by marching band director Suphawat Thongkaew and travelled on Thai Airways between Krabi and Beijing.

The band recently made Thailand proud by winning the championship at the DRUM CORPS ASIA – International Marching Arts Competition, held in Baodi, Tianjin, from July 19 to 21, 2026.

The students won first place in the Marching Field Show category as well as the Best Performance award, along with a cash prize.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Beijing also hosted a luncheon to congratulate the students and celebrate their achievement.

The band was additionally invited to give a special performance at Peking University, marking another proud achievement for Thai youth and providing an opportunity to showcase Thailand’s reputation, culture and potential on the international stage.

Anutin vows support for Chinese investment at Thailand-China expo

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Khaosod English

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22 July 2026, 20:05

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday reaffirmed Thailand’s close ties with China and pledged government support for investment and trade partnerships, saying the country is ready to welcome foreign businesses while protecting national security.

Speaking at the opening of the Thailand–China Cooperation Expo 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Anutin said Thailand and China’s relationship was built on decades of diplomatic ties and centuries of historical connections.

The event was attended by Thai and Chinese business leaders, including representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Board of Investment (BOI), and Chinese business associations.

“Thailand and China are like family countries,” Anutin said, adding that both nations should strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit amid global challenges.

He said Thailand needed to work with China, describing the country as a major economy with advanced research and development capabilities.

Anutin said Chinese companies he met during his recent visit to China had expressed confidence in Thailand and were interested in investing, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities.

Addressing concerns over Chinese investment, including criticism that Chinese companies may not transfer technology or rely heavily on Chinese supply chains, Anutin said cooperation itself could help develop Thai skills and capabilities.

“Technology transfer is not just about opening a book. It comes from training, working together, planning and developing strategies together,” he said.

The prime minister said the government would fully support foreign investment through measures such as the BOI’s “Thailand FastPass” initiative, which aims to streamline investment procedures.

He also warned against anyone obstructing investment projects, saying those who create unnecessary barriers would not be allowed to hinder the country’s economic progress.

“Those who obstruct or become obstacles to the government’s policies will not be on the path that leads to our success,” Anutin said.

On security, Anutin assured investors that Thailand remained stable and safe, saying the country was capable of protecting itself from external threats.

“Thailand cannot be invaded or threatened,” he said. “We have told our friends that we want to live peacefully. Do not threaten us, but if anyone comes to threaten us, we will not stand still.”

Anutin said Thailand welcomed international investors and promised the government would remove obstacles while ensuring businesses operate under Thai laws.

The Thailand–China Cooperation Expo 2026 showcases products, businesses and investment opportunities from both countries. During his visit, Anutin toured exhibition booths, sampled Pu’er tea from China’s Yunnan province and observed a demonstration of an autonomous passenger drone.

The 2026 programme is divided into several categories:

One of the festival’s biggest highlights is Eat Drink Man Woman (飲食男女), Ang Lee’s 1994 classic and the closing chapter of his acclaimed “Father Knows Best” trilogy.

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