Police arrest a 19-year-old Bolt taxi driver at his rented room in Thepkrasattri Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket Province on August 24, 2025, for allegedly sexually assaulting a South African teacher.
PHUKET — Police have arrested a 19-year-old Bolt taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting a South African teacher during a late-night ride in Thalang District.
The suspect, identified as Chalermphetch from Trang Province, was apprehended at his rented room in Moo 7, Thepkrasattri Subdistrict before midnight on the same day the complaint was filed.
Following an investigation of the victim’s app usage records, Thalang Police Station detectives tracked down and arrested the suspect at his accommodation. Officers found evidence including the South African teacher’s belongings in his possession, leading to his immediate transfer to investigating officers at Thalang Police Station for prosecution.
The Incident
The 28-year-old victim, who works at a private school in Phuket, filed her complaint on the morning of August 24, alleging she was sexually assaulted while being transported to her accommodation in Pa Klok Subdistrict.
A South African teacher points to the location where she alleges a sexual assault occurred in the Somboonsab area, Sri Sunthon Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket Province on August 24, 2025.
The victim stated that on Saturday night she had been drinking with fellow teachers at a restaurant in the Bang Tao area of Cherng Talay Subdistrict. Between 1:00-1:30 a.m. on Sunday, she called for a Bolt taxi service. During the journey, after dropping off another passenger, the driver allegedly stopped the white sedan in the Somboonsab area of Sri Sunthon Subdistrict and sexually assaulted her in nearby bushes.
A good Samaritan discovered the incident, causing the driver to flee. The citizen called emergency services, and police responded to assist the victim. She initially only requested police escort to her accommodation but filed a formal complaint the following morning. Investigating officers took her statement and arranged medical examination at Thalang Hospital to collect evidence.
A screenshot from CCTV showing a group of people entering a house in Soi Khao Talo, Pattaya before the altercation incident on August 22, 2025.
PATTAYA — A food delivery mix-up escalated into a violent confrontation between Chinese neighbors in Pattaya, leaving two people injured after a 4,000-baht ($123.5) steamed crab order was delivered to the wrong house and consumed before the rightful owner could retrieve it.
Security cameras at a luxury home in Soi Khao Talo, Moo 10, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, captured the incident at approximately 7:30 p.m. on August 22, showing nearly 10 people storming into the residence to assault the occupants.
The injured victims were identified as a 34-year-old Chinese-Cambodian homeowner and a gardener of undisclosed nationality, both currently hospitalized. Family members reported the incident to Nong Prue Police Station.
Suspect Surrenders, Reveals Details
On August 24 at 7:00 p.m., Wanchai, a 45-year-old Thai gardener who worked for the perpetrators’ household, surrendered to police and provided details of the incident.
According to Wanchai’s statement, the homeowner’s mother had ordered steamed crab worth 4,000 baht ($123.5) through a Chinese restaurant app. When the food failed to arrive after several hours, she contacted the restaurant, which confirmed that a delivery rider had already sent the order, revealing it had been delivered to the wrong address.
The elderly woman then went to inquire at the neighboring house but was met with a dismissive response from the homeowner, who allegedly said, “We already ate it all. What’s the problem?” This prompted her to call her son.
A 45-year-old Thai gardener who worked for the perpetrators’ household (white shirt) surrendered to police at Nong Prue Police Station on August 24, 2025.
Confrontation Turns Violent
The son subsequently brought a group to confront the neighbor about the consumed meal, but the homeowner reportedly continued to be uncooperative and rude. Wanchai admitted that anger led him to participate in the assault on both neighbors, expressing remorse for his actions.
Deputy Investigation Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Thana Wisetchai of Nong Prue Police Station confirmed that while Wanchai has surrendered, security footage captured multiple perpetrators. Police are coordinating with Wanchai to contact the homeowner and encourage other suspects to turn themselves in for proper legal proceedings.
Thai officials and dignitaries participate in the opening ceremony of Thailand's inaugural pavilion at Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany.
COLOGNE — Thailand has been officially elevated to “Partner Country” status at Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gaming exhibition held in Cologne, Germany from August 20-24, marking a significant milestone for the country’s gaming industry.
Ms. Jiraporn Sindhuprai, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, along with Dr. Surapong Suebwonglee, Chairman of the National Soft Power Development Committee, and Thai delegation participated in Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gaming event, held from August 20-24, 2025, at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany.
Ms. Dorothee Bär, Germany’s Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, presided over the opening ceremony.
Thailand Pavilion Makes Debut
“This year, Thailand achieved official ‘Partner Country’ status at Gamescom 2025, allowing us to establish the Thailand Pavilion for the first time,” Ms. Jiraporn said. “Fifteen Thai entrepreneurs are showcasing games that blend Thai cultural identity for global gamers to experience.”
She added that the event also facilitates business partnerships through the Cologne Business Mixer, a B2B networking platform co-hosted by the Thai government.
Global Gaming Market Outlook
Gamescom is the world’s largest gaming exhibition, attracting over 335,000 visitors in 2024 with participation from more than 1,400 gaming companies globally. Thailand’s participation as a partner country this year reinforces the potential and advancement of the Thai gaming industry, providing a significant opportunity for Thai game developers to showcase their work on an international stage.
Gamescom is the world’s largest gaming exhibition.
The global gaming market was valued at approximately $272.86 billion USD in 2024 and is projected to expand to $426 billion USD by 2029, driven by technological advances in gaming, the rising popularity of esports, and mobile gaming market growth.
Thailand’s gaming industry was valued at 34.288 billion baht (approximately $979.66 million USD) in 2023, representing 77.5% of the total digital content industry value.
Bangkok to Host Asia’s Largest Gaming Event
Thailand will host Asia’s largest gaming festival for the first time under the name “Gamescom Asia × Thailand Game Show 2025” from October 16-19, 2025, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. The event will span over 30,000 square meters and is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors throughout the event.
The festival will feature both B2C (Entertainment Area) and B2B (Business Area) zones with diverse activities including thrilling esports competitions, indie game zones, cosplay activities, and various entertainment options to accommodate participants from across Asia and gaming industry enthusiasts worldwide.
Royal Thai Army spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree briefs international observers and media on details of Cambodian landmine evidence recovered by Thai soldiers along the border in Surin province on August 20, 2025. (Photo: Pravit Rojanaphruk)
It was Wednesday, 20 August 2025, nearly a month since the five-day undeclared war between Thailand and Cambodia ended in a fragile ceasefire after US President Donald Trump and ASEAN Chair, and Malaysian PM, Anwar Ibrahim, intervened. What followed for the past four weeks could best be described as a fierce battle to win the hearts and minds of the international community by both nations.
On that day, a select group of a dozen Thai and foreign journalists working for international news agencies, foreign press, and English-language Thai press were invited on a trip to the Thai-Cambodian border. It was also the third day where ASEAN foreign military observers, led by the Malaysian Defence Attache at the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok, Brigadier General Samsul Rizal Bin Musa, led a team of a dozen military staff and attaches from eight ASEAN nations (excluding Cambodia) to collect information about what happened and verify the facts during the five-day war.
On the Thai Army’s side, the meeting on Day 3 was led by Army spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree. They met early that morning at a meeting room inside Phanom Dongrak Hospital in Surin province, just 15 kilometres from the border, which was under attack by Cambodian rockets and sustained damage.
Samsul and his team were handed a two-page briefing statement in English. Part of it read, “The Cambodian side did not only target the military area in Surin province but also attacked the civilian areas in Surin province. There were 7 civilians killed and 10 civilians injured, 102 houses destroyed, and three Buddhist temples damaged.”
The chief of the ASEAN military observer team listened to the briefing and then thanked the Thai army for its “gentlemanly” manners, adding that he saw “human provocation” first hand when he visited An Ma Pass yesterday, where a Cambodian soldier on the other side of the border provoked the Thai side. He added that his team was not there to pin point which side was right or wrong.
Samsul and his team then toured the site where a rocket fell, the damaged area at the hospital, and more.
We were later transported to somewhere even closer to the border, where a Cambodian rocket failed to explode and would be detonated for all of us to see.
A dozen anti-personnel landmines, which have been neutralised and were now safe, were also exhibited to the ASEAN Observers and journalists.
Royal Thai Army presents evidence of Cambodian landmines recovered by Thai forces to international observers and press in Surin province, August 20, 2025. (Photo: Pravit Rojanaphruk)
It was there when I got the opportunity to question Winthai, who was courteous enough to recognise and acknowledge my presence first despite our less than smooth professional relationship. (Basically, after the 2014 military coup which was led by then Army Chief Gen PrayuthChans-o-cha, Winthai, then a Colonel, was made the junta spokesperson who publicly defended my two secret detentions without charges to the international press.
See my recollection in the American media outlet The Diplomat here.
I hold absolutely no hard feelings against Maj Gen Winthai and proceeded to ask him, while I was holding these new anti-personnel landmines, as to how the Thai public could be certain that they were planted by Cambodians.
He said that since Thailand is a signatory to the Ottawa Convention on anti-landmines, and if it had procured any, it would show in the official record.
He added that due to diplomatic sensitivity, he would only say that these new landmines were made in a country from the former Soviet Union.
Asking Winthai such questions may appear unthinkable to many Thai journalists who are already “on board”, so to speak, as part of “Team Thailand” during this ongoing conflict, but I felt I had to do so as our primary duty as members of the press is to serve the public, and not the country or the Thai army.
Sensing that I was still not totally convinced, Winthai said to me: “No matter what, Cambodia will only say that these do not belong to them.”
Our next and last stop was at a military outpost called Jueb Ta Moke inside a tropical jungle and right next to the Cambodian territory, which was at a lower level 200 metres down below.
We were shown the spot where a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine and lost one of his lower legs on August 12, long after the ceasefire.
The area is partly barricaded by three layers of razor barbed wire. The Thai army told Samsul that the Cambodians sneaked up to the Thai side and evaded the incomplete lines of barbed wire to plant not just one but a few landmines, with one still visibly active.
The Malaysian general then interviewed an army officer who was right behind his colleague who stepped on the landmines, in private.
While we were waiting, Winthai happened to be next to me again, and he said all this is about Cambodia’s domestic politics as they need an external enemy so Cambodians can forget about local politics, be distracted, and unite. “[Cambodians] were manipulated to hate Thailand.”
Note: The writer would like to thank the Thai Army for the kind invitation.
Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova crowns Paveenar Singh as Miss Universe Thailand 2025 at the Bravo BKK Shopping Center on Rama 9, Bangkok, on August 23, 2025. (Photo: Miss Universe Thailand)
BANGKOK — Paveenar Singh, nicknamed “Veena,” claimed victory at Miss Universe Thailand 2025: The New Era on Saturday night, marking a historic moment after competing three times over eight years and finishing as runner-up each time.
The 29-year-old was crowned by Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova, officially launching what organizers call an unprecedented new chapter for Thai beauty pageants. Veena received the loudest cheers from the audience throughout the competition among 77 contestants.
Her supporters flooded social media, praising her for embodying the complete “3 E” concept – Elegance, Empowering, and Entertainment – introduced by new pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil from MGI.
Miss Universe Thailand 2025 Paveenar Singh with 1st runner-up Praewwanitch Rueangtong (Bangkok) and 2nd runner-up Narumon Pimpakdee (Phuket) at the Bravo BKK Shopping Center, Bangkok, August 23, 2025. (KHAOSOD Photo/Yokin Charoenying)
Bold Stance on Controversial Issues
Veena went viral during “The Queen of Phuket” activities in Phuket Province when she boldly expressed support for the controversial Entertainment Complex and Casino policy, despite opposition from conservative groups and anti-government factions.
“The Queen of Phuket must represent Phuket exceptionally well, promote tourism, and importantly, support Entertainment Complexes. I want to promote casinos in Phuket Province because I believe our many tourists can sustainably boost Thailand’s economy,” she stated.
Paveenar Singh wearing local Phuket traditional dress during provincial activities. (Photo Miss Universe Thailand)
Breaking Traditional Molds
As a naturalized Thai citizen of Indian descent, Veena represents a departure from typical Miss Universe Thailand winners who are usually either Thai-born or of mixed Thai-Western heritage. More significantly, she was married in 2022 and divorced in 2024 – making her the first Miss Universe Thailand winner with marriage and divorce experience.
Veena began pageant competition while studying at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts, majoring in Russian Language. Her inspiration came from senior student Aniporn Chalermburanawong, who won Miss Universe Thailand 2015 and gained international recognition with her memorable tuk-tuk national costume at Miss Universe.
Four-Time Competitor’s Journey
Following Aniporn’s inspiration, Veena competed in Miss Universe Thailand 2018, then 2020 (finishing 2nd runner-up and 1st runner-up respectively). After marriage, she returned in 2023 when Miss Universe changed rules to allow married women and mothers to compete without age limits, but again finished as 2nd runner-up.
FILE PHOTO – Miss Universe Thailand 2023 Anntonia Porsild (center) alongside the runner-ups, including Paveenar Singh (second from left) attend the event Newly Crowned MUT2023 on August 21, 2023 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.
That disappointment led Veena to announce her retirement from beauty pageants. However, when MGI took over as the new organizing company, her fans encouraged her 2025 comeback.
Despite being born in Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) and raised in Yala (Southern Thailand), Veena represented Saraburi Province (Central Thailand) in this winning competition.
Miss Universe Thailand 2025 Paveenar Singh in her official portrait, taken August 23, 2025.
Preparing for Global Stage
Veena will represent Thailand at the 74th Miss Universe competition in November, hosted in Thailand. When asked about her message to international contestants, she said: “Welcome to the land of culture. Thailand has countless traditions, delicious food, and people who warmly welcome tourists of all ages and backgrounds. We have hubs ready to serve everyone fully. Come visit Thailand – you’ll return home with joy and smiles.”
This victory is seen as representing a significant shift in Thai beauty pageantry, embracing diversity in background, life experience, and progressive viewpoints that reflect modern Thailand’s evolving social landscape.
“I’m thrilled that this platform embraces ethnic diversity. I am Thai – born and raised here, I speak Thai, love Thai food, and am just like any local Thai person from Chiang Mai. I’m grateful to Boss (Nawat) and everyone who welcomed me with open hearts, giving me the chance to represent Thailand at Miss Universe. I will present Thailand’s cosmopolitan character – our ethnic diversity and openness – showing the world that Thailand welcomes everyone,” Veena stated following her victory.
Palestinians carry sacks of flour unloaded from a humanitarian aid convoy on the outskirts of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Aug, 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 33 Palestinians in Gaza on Saturday, including people sheltering in tents or seeking scarce food, local hospitals said as a famine in Gaza’s largest city puts new pressure on Israel over its 22-month offensive.
Israel’s defense minister has warned that Gaza City could be destroyed in a new military operation perhaps just days away, even as famine spreads there.
Aid groups have long warned that the war, sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, and months of Israeli restrictions on food and medical supplies entering Gaza are causing starvation.
Israel has rejected the data-based famine declaration as “an outright lie.” Ceasefire efforts are on hold as mediators await Israel’s next steps.
Women and children struck and killed in tents
Israeli strikes killed at least 17 people in southern Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to morgue records and health officials at Nasser Hospital. The officials said the strikes targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis.
“Awad, why did you leave me?” a small boy asked his brother’s plastic-wrapped body.
Another grieving relative, Hekmat Foujo, pleaded for a truce.
“We want to rest,” Foujo said through her tears. ‘’Have some mercy on us.”
In northern Gaza, Israeli gunfire killed at least five aid-seekers near the Zikim crossing with Israel, where U.N. and other truck convoys enter the territory, health officials at Sheikh Radwan field hospital told the AP.
People take part in a protest demanding the end of the war, an immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said cameraman Khaled al-Madhoun was killed while covering events at the Zikim crossing, and asserted that he was targeted by Israeli troops. The local Palestine TV confirmed his death.
Eleven people were killed in attacks elsewhere, according to hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Israel’s military said it was not aware of a strike in Khan Younis at that location and was looking into the other incidents.
AP journalists have seen chaos on roads leading to aid deliveries, and there have been almost daily reports of Israeli troops firing toward aid-seekers. Israel’s military says it fires warning shots if people approach troops or pose a threat.
Braving gunfire and crowds for food
Mohamed Saada was among thousands seeking food in the Zikim area — and one of many who left empty-handed. He cited the “huge numbers of people,” the shootings and “trucks running over people.”
Some carried sacks of food like lentils and flour. Others carried the wounded, including on a wooden pallet. They navigated fetid puddles and the rubble of war as temperatures reached above 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 Celsius).
Friday’s famine report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said nearly half a million people — about one-fourth of Gaza’s population — face catastrophic hunger.
Palestinian relatives mourn over the body of 13-year-old Karim Qdeih, who was killed along with others in overnight Israeli strikes, during his funeral outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mariam Dagga)
The rare pronouncement came after Israel imposed a 2 1/2-month blockade on Gaza earlier this year, then resumed some access with a focus on a new U.S.-backed private aid supplier, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
In response to global outrage over images of emaciated children, Israel has also allowed airdrops and new deliveries by land, but the U.N. and others say it’s far from enough.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office asserts it has allowed enough aid to enter during the war, while accusing Hamas of starving the hostages it holds.
An increase in Israeli airstrikes this month
With ground troops already active in Gaza City’s outskirts, the military operation could start within days in an area with hundreds of thousands of civilians. Israel says Gaza City is still a Hamas stronghold, with a network of militant tunnels.
Aid group Doctors without Borders, or MSF, said its clinics around Gaza City see high numbers of patients as people flee. Caroline Willemen, MSF project coordinator there, noted a marked increase in airstrikes since early August.
“Those who have not moved are wondering what they should do,” she told the AP. “People want to stay, they have been displaced endlessly before, but they also know that at some point it will become very dangerous to remain.”
Ceasefire efforts await Israel’s response
Many Israelis fear the assault on Gaza City could doom the 20 hostages who are believed to have survived since 2023. Another 30 are thought to be dead. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested a week ago for a deal to end the fighting and bring everyone home.
“Anyone who truly wants to bring the hostages home does not launch a ground invasion of Gaza,” Yotam Cohen, brother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, said ahead of a weekly rally in Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu said Thursday he had instructed officials to begin immediate negotiations to release hostages and end the war on Israel’s terms. It was unclear if Israel would return to talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar after Hamas said it accepted a new proposal from Arab mediators.
Hamas has said it will release hostages in exchange for ending the war, but rejects disarming without the creation of a Palestinian state.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Hamas’ stance, suggesting the militant group is less interested in making deals with few hostages left alive.
“I actually think (the hostages are) safer in many ways if you went in and you really went in fast and you did it,” Trump told reporters Friday.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said at least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed in the war, including missing people now confirmed dead by a special ministry judicial committee.
The number of malnutrition-related deaths rose by eight to 281, the ministry said.
Israeli protest against far-right security minister
A small group of Israelis protested against the far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, as he walked to a synagogue in Kfar Malal, north of Tel Aviv. Videos showed the minister arguing with the protesters.
“We don’t want him in our village. Our message is to bring back the hostages,” one of the protesters, Boaz Levinstein, told the AP.
Ben-Gvir is a key partner in Netanyahu’s political coalition and a staunch opponent of reaching a deal with Hamas, which hostages’ families see as the only way to secure the release of loved ones.
Surat Thani immigration police arrest two Lebanese men for drug possession at Buffalo Jungle restaurant in Maret subdistrict, Koh Samui, on August 23, 2025.
KOH SAMUI — Immigration police in Surat Thani have arrested two Lebanese tourists with multiple types of narcotics at Buffalo Jungle restaurant in Maret subdistrict, Koh Samui, on Saturday.
Mr. Ehab, 38, and Mr. Chady, 28, face charges of illegal possession of Category 1 narcotics (ecstasy and methamphetamine), Category 2 narcotics (ketamine and cocaine), and Category 5 narcotics (psilocybin mushrooms).
Police Lt. Col. Songhprod Sirisukha revealed that authorities obtained a court-approved search warrant for the foreign-owned establishment after receiving intelligence about drug trafficking activities. Undercover officers successfully purchased narcotics from Chady, who identified himself as the restaurant manager.
During the subsequent raid, officers discovered Ehab resting in another room and extended the search to his quarters. The search yielded ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms packaged in clear plastic bags for distribution, along with digital scales for drug weighing and portioning.
Surat Thani immigration police arrest two Lebanese men for drug possession at Buffalo Jungle restaurant in Maret subdistrict, Koh Samui, on August 23, 2025.
Authorities also seized one bulletproof vest – classified as controlled military equipment – from Ehab’s possession. He lacked proper authorization for the vest and admitted to purchasing it from an online retailer.
The search expanded to other rooms within the Buffalo Jungle restaurant complex, where officers discovered a large safe in a two-story building across from the main restaurant. Inside the safe, police found acupuncture needles, boxes, glass cups, and vacuum cylinders used for cupping therapy treatments.
Ehab claimed to be a licensed doctor from abroad, asserting his qualifications to perform acupuncture and cupping therapy on tourists. However, authorities confiscated the medical equipment as evidence while investigating his credentials.
Urine tests conducted on Chady returned positive results for narcotics. He admitted to using drugs approximately one day before his arrest. Ehab refused to submit to drug testing despite officers presenting their official Narcotics Suppression Bureau identification cards, constituting disobedience of lawful orders from narcotics control officers.
Both suspects have been transferred to Bo Phut Police Station investigators for prosecution on all charges.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign nationals operating illegal businesses and engaging in unlicensed medical practices in popular Thai tourist destinations.
Thai cyber police arrest a 33-year-old South Korean man at Suvarnabhumi Airport on August 23, 2025, for his alleged role in laundering cryptocurrency into gold bars for international scammers.
SUVARNABHUMI — Thai cyber police have arrested a 33-year-old South Korean man at Suvarnabhumi Airport for his alleged role in laundering cryptocurrency into gold bars for international scammers, just one day after Thailand extradited a Chinese hacker accused of stealing over $29 million from victims including BTS member Jungkook.
The arrest of Mr. Han came following coordination between Thai and South Korean law enforcement agencies, with both countries apprehending key suspects in major cybercrime cases within days of each other.
Arrest at Arrival Gates
Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division received intelligence from South Korea that a suspect in a major fraud case would be traveling from Seoul to Thailand on August 23. Officers immediately set up surveillance at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s arrival gates, leading to Han’s arrest upon landing.
Han faces multiple charges including conspiracy to defraud the public, impersonation by entering false data into computer systems, money laundering, and operating an illegal lottery. An arrest warrant was issued against him on February 6, 2025.
During the arrest, police seized Han’s mobile phone containing evidence of multiple cryptocurrency platform accounts and other materials related to money laundering operations.
The Scam Operation
The criminal scheme began in February 2024 when multiple victims reported being recruited for social media engagement jobs – supposedly earning money by liking posts and increasing follower counts on various pages. Victims were then persuaded to participate in “special activities” requiring upfront investments, with promises of 30-50% returns.
Initially, the scammers provided legitimate returns to build trust, but when victims invested larger amounts, they found themselves unable to withdraw their money from the system. Upon discovering they had been defrauded, victims filed complaints with the Technology Crime Suppression Division.
Police investigations led to the arrest of 10 individuals: 5 money launderers and 5 “mule” account holders. Further investigation identified Han as a key figure in the laundering operation.
Crypto-to-Gold Laundering Scheme
While Han has denied the charges, he admitted to studying in China for six years before returning to work for a South Korean company that specialized in converting various digital currencies into gold bars for scammers.
His role involved opening cryptocurrency platform accounts to receive funds from scammers. His company would then purchase gold bars from international suppliers and deliver them to the criminal organizations.
Each laundering operation involved converting cryptocurrency worth at least 10 kilograms of gold (approximately $1 million). Analysis of Han’s crypto accounts revealed that between January and March 2024 alone, he received approximately 47.3 million USDT, believed to have been laundered into gold bars for the scammer network.
Hacker Extradition Case
The arrest occurred just one day after Thai immigration police extradited a 34-year-old Chinese national from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport. The Chinese suspect is accused of leading a hacking organization that stole over 38 billion won ($29 million) from Korean victims, including BTS member Jungkook.
Thai police accompany a 34-year-old Chinese suspect boarding his extradition flight to South Korea at Suvarnabhumi Airport on August 22, 2025.
According to the Korea Times, South Korea’s Justice Ministry tracked the suspect’s movements with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Interpol, confirming he had entered Thailand in April. Working through the Southeast Asia Justice Network and Interpol, the ministry filed an emergency extradition request with Thai authorities, who detained and handed him over to Korean law enforcement.
When Vice Foreign Minister Russ Jalichandra invited about 10 select Thai journalists to hear an update on what the Ministry and the government were doing regarding the ongoing Thai-Cambodian conflict on Friday, 22 August 2025, he also allowed the press ample time for a Q&A session.
Here are the questions asked by Khaosod English’s Pravit Rojanaphruk.
Pravit: Some Thais believe the government and the armed forces, particularly the army, are not on the same page and are walking a different path on how to handle the Thai-Cambodian conflict. The army even organised its own trip for journalists working for a foreign news agency on Wednesday to see the border situation and used its own army interpreter, while one from the Foreign Ministry might have done a better job. There was also an unconfirmed rumour that when the ceasefire agreement was first decided in Malaysia, the Thai army had wanted the ceasefire to become effective after 48 hours, and not at midnight of that day, so it could properly finish its military operations. What’s your take?
Russ: Good question. Next please! I do not agree [with using Army interpreters] but that’s not wrong. As for the question of whether the government is on the same page as the army, well, the Army has the duty to protect national sovereignty. If I confirm that we are one and together, will you believe me?
It’s an open interpretation. Our society is not a dictatorial society. Everyone has the right to think [for themselves]. We fight for democracy… but that’s the price we have to pay. If you ask me, I say we are heading in the same direction. But even at the Foreign Ministry, we do not always think the same 100 per cent. But in the overall picture, we are heading in the same direction. Everyone can think for themselves about the overall picture between the government and the armed forces.
This was followed by an added comment from Ms Chayika Wongnapachant, an advisor to the Foreign Minister and a first cousin of PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who sat to the right of Russ.
Chayika: Regarding the Ottawa Convention [on anti-landmines] and IHL (International Humanitarian Laws), including the [Cambodian] attacks on [Thai] hospitals, these are common points between the armed forces and the government. We may walk separately, but attack together.
Russ: Regarding anti-personnel landmines, it’s a clear violation as it doesn’t discriminate between [soldiers] and civilians and children.
Ms Chayika Wongnapachant, an advisor to the Foreign Minister (left) and Vice Foreign Minister Russ Jalichandra
Pravit: Will the government’s attempt to take civil and criminal action against Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen under Thai laws, and possibly take the matter to international levels, undermine the fragile truce? Is it worth it?
Russ: This is a good question. Next question please. Well, we must ask whether what [Hun Sen] did, that is leading to lawsuits, were truly crimes committed? When actions that appear to be unlawful have been committed, it would lead to the question: “Is the [Thai] government neglecting its duties to act in accordance with Thai laws?” It’s up to the [Thai] judicial process, whether the prosecutor thinks the court should accept the lawsuits. We will have to let the justice process handle it. The government cannot interfere. But if we do not act, the result could be dereliction of duty. The government cannot order the court to rule that [Hun Sen] is absolutely 100 per cent guilty. But if we don’t act, people may question whether [Hun Sen] is above [Thai] laws. Should we deviate from the principle of what is right? As for [the possibility of pursuing the case against Hun Sen at] the ICC [International Criminal Court], we are still at a stage where we are studying it. It’s not like we could suddenly petition the court and the court would just accept it. We must consider whether it falls into the [alleged crimes] or not and how many were killed by him… It does ruin the [ceasefire] atmosphere. That’s true. But we are proceeding in the right way.
Pravit: How do you see Thai-Cambodian relations a year from now, and three years from now?
Russ: Allow me to cite the Foreign Minister who said the people-to-people relations have been incited [to make people hate one another]. [Cambodia] is considering putting up a [an internet] single gateway where expressing opinion is not free. As for us, we are divided. But in Cambodia, social media is controlled. This is worrying. It’s terrible that people of both countries have to hate one another. The Ministry hopes the relationship can be adjusted, but you can’t clap with one hand. But it doesn’t mean we have to insist on continuing to be each other’s enemy forever. Instead of communication technology being used to promote understanding, it ends up being the opposite.
Pravit: Regarding the Army’s admission of using white phosphorus against Cambodia, although it is not classified as a chemical weapon, some groups abroad and in Thailand have raised the alarm on the potential environmental and health impact on civilians. Will the government tell the army to avoid using it again if there is another conflict?
Russ: It is not against international laws. If concerns have been raised, we will take it into consideration.
Pravit: Recently, the Second Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang publicly stated that Cambodians cannot be trusted and the chance of another round of military confrontation was 50/50. What is your view?
Russ: [The Cambodian government] may say that Thailand cannot be trusted too. But whether they can be trusted or not, as long as they respect the rules and international laws, [that is fine]. But so far, they have not respected the rules much. They have violated a lot. We will need the international community to pressure them… Nevertheless, to say we do not trust them is pointless as we then cannot negotiate.”
It was 3.50 pm and Russ was reminded by Chayika that he really had to go to another meeting. I tried again to get Russ to react to the Second Army Region Commander’s belief that the chance of another war was 50/50 but he really had to leave the room. Chayika told us however that if there were to be another clash, it wouldn’t be one using military weapons, “but from now on it will be assaults through information warfare.”
Writer’s note:
There was a bit of a heated debate at the very start of the Q&A session with Ms Khaek Kam Phaka, a well-known political commentator and influential supporter of the government.
Kamphaka asked if the Vice Minister had any “correct” terms for the media to use to describe what was happening between Thailand and Cambodia, as she felt it wasn’t a war.
She gave examples like “compact clashes” and “temporary fighting.” Hearing that, I got a bit fired up. I told her that the government could use whatever manufactured terms it wanted, but it had no right to tell the media what to use. It’s the media’s prerogative to decide and describe what’s happening as they see fit. (Personally, I use the term “the undeclared 5-day war”). However, I also respect Kamphaka’s right to use whatever term she chooses.
Ultimately, the Assistant Foreign Minister said: “Actually, it is a war… it’s an undeclared war.” He added that when Cambodia released the [Hun Sen-Paetongtarn clip], “it’s already was a declaration of war,” but that “there wasn’t an official declaration of war.”
Russ, a seasoned diplomat, also explained that in the 58 years of ASEAN’s existence, this was the first time an ASEAN member country had tried to change the government of another ASEAN member country.
Also, please not that my question about what Russ thought of the distrust by some Thais regarding the relationship between the Shinawatra family and the Hun family was not asked as Chayika told me it has nothing to do with the Vice Foreign Minister.
Eight BMA veterinary clinics offer free registration and microchip implantation.
BANGKOK — Pet owners in Thailand’s capital will be required to register their dogs and cats and have them implanted with microchips under a new city ordinance that takes effect January 10, 2026, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ordinance on the Control of Animal Keeping or Abandonment aims to create a comprehensive database system to monitor pets, facilitate reuniting lost animals with their owners, and reduce the city’s stray animal population.
Pet owners can have their animals microchipped free of charge at eight BMA veterinary clinics or mobile units operating across Bangkok’s 50 districts. Private veterinary clinics also offer the service, though fees may apply.
Eight BMA veterinary clinics offer free registration and microchip implantation.
The eight BMA veterinary clinics that offer free registration and microchip implantation are:
BMA Veterinary Clinic 1 (Si Phraya), Bang Rak District, tel. 0-2236-4055 ext. 213
Rabies Control Department, Din Daeng District, tel. 0-2245-3311
The documents required for registration (to obtain the pet passport) include: the owner’s identity card, the household registration where the pet lives and supporting documents such as vaccination certificates, sterilization certificates (if available), the landlord’s consent (if the owner is a tenant), and a power of attorney (if another person is registering on his behalf).
Owners must have a microchip registered and implanted within 120 days of the animal’s birth or within 30 days of the animal being brought to Bangkok. The benefits of the microchip include permanent identification that cannot be lost, facilitating the return of lost pets, proof of ownership in case of disputes, and reducing pet abandonment.
The limits for owning pets are as follows:
Rented rooms or condominiums (20–80 square meters): 1 pet
Condominiums (over 80 square meters): up to 2 pets
Properties up to 20 sqm (80 sqm): 2 pets
Properties up to 50 sqm (200 sqm): 3 pets
Properties up to 100 sqm (400 sqm): 4 pets
Properties over 100 sqm (400 sqm): up to 6 pets
BMA
Households that exceed these limits before January 10, 2026, must report to their district office within 90 days (10 January – 9 April 2026). Businesses such as farms, pet cafés, and pet shops must comply with the BMA Ordinance on Businesses Hazardous to Health, 2018.
Other types of animals such as aquatic animals, reptiles, or dangerous species do not need to be chipped or registered. However, owners are still responsible for strict control and are not allowed to release such animals into public spaces.
The keeping of pets for commercial or social purposes that constitute a nuisance or health hazard is covered by the Public Health Act, 2002, Section 29, and offenders who continue to carry on prohibited health-hazardous businesses may be fined up to 25,000 baht ($617).
The BMA’s Regulation of Businesses Hazardous to Health also contains detailed provisions for the regulation of businesses, involving animals in order to protect public health and welfare.
