Thai shopper orders iPhone 17 Pro Max, receives Android

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16 August 2026, 15:14

BANGKOK — 12 August 2026, A Thai consumer has issued a warning after ordering an iPhone 17 Pro Max for nearly 50,000 Baht through a popular shopping app, only to receive a phone running on Android.

The incident was shared on 12 August 2026, by a member of the “We Are Consumers” Facebook group, who posted photos of the product and described the experience as a case of receiving an item that did not match the advertised product.

774573850 1750761826163579 6438265150492729954 n — Screenshot of refund request.

According to the post, the customer believed they had ordered an Apple iPhone but discovered after turning on the device that it was running the Android operating system.

“Ordered from a famous app. Ordered an Apple, but got an Android,” the consumer wrote.

The customer said the amount paid was nearly 50,000 baht and that they had already submitted a request for a refund and returned the product.

774322679 1750761686163593 876654101319103589 n — Screenshot of the text the customer send to the shop said: “What did you send me?”, “I ordered Apple but got Adroid.”, and “I’m losing it.”, only to get automated reply messages generated by an AI system says “Hello, we are gald to serve you.”

However, the seller has reportedly not responded to the request. Instead, the customer said they had received only automated messages generated by an AI system.

The consumer shared the incident as a warning to others to exercise caution when purchasing expensive electronic devices through online platforms.

Tree breaks at Ayutthaya temple, injuring four tourists

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16 August 2026, 14:29

Tree breaks at Ayutthaya temple, injuring four tourists

AYUTTHAYA — 16 August 2026, Four tourists were injured after a tree broke and fell within the grounds of Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

The incident was reported at around 12:30 on 16 August, with the historic temple, a major tourist attraction, crowded with visitors at the time.

JS100 Radio reported on Facebook that a tree inside the temple grounds broke and fell, hitting tourists in the area and leaving several people injured.

Volunteer responders rushed to the scene to assess the situation and provide first aid before transporting four injured tourists to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Authorities were investigating what caused the tree to break, including whether weather conditions or other factors were involved. Officials were also inspecting the surrounding area to assess safety and prevent a similar incident from happening again.

Indonesia quake felt in Krabi, cracks found in hillside homes

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16 August 2026, 14:01

Indonesia quake felt in Krabi, cracks found in hillside homes

KRABI — A magnitude 6.8 earthquake in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, was felt across several southern Thai provinces, including Krabi, where cracks were found in several concrete houses built on hillsides. Authorities are investigating whether the cracks were caused by the earthquake, with no damage officially reported so far.

On 16 August, Krabi Provincial Public Relations Office chief Pathompong Kaewbandit said the Meteorological Department had reported an earthquake in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, at 17:54 on 15 August.

The 6.8-magnitude quake was reportedly felt by residents in Songkhla, Trang, Krabi, Phuket and Satun provinces.

The tremor did not meet the criteria for a Cell Broadcast alert, officials said.

In Krabi, the shaking was felt mainly in high-rise buildings, including Krabi Hospital and hotels in Ao Nang and Nong Thale subdistricts in Mueang Krabi district. No damage had been reported at the time of the statement.

Somsak Teppabut, village headman of Moo 3, Koh Kwang-Laem Pong in Nong Thale subdistrict, said he had begun inspecting homes in the area.

Several concrete houses built on elevated ground in Laem Pong were found to have cracks in multiple locations. Officials are now examining the buildings to determine whether the cracks were caused by the latest earthquake.

Meanwhile, Thirasak Thongmat, head of the Krabi Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), said the National Disaster Warning Center had ordered authorities to closely monitor earthquake activity around the clock.

Provincial authorities are coordinating with local administrative organizations and relevant agencies to inspect areas and high-rise buildings where residents reported feeling the tremors, while ensuring public safety and reassuring residents.

Two monks injured as pickup crashes into their truck at U-turn

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16 August 2026, 13:52

Two monks injured as pickup crashes into their truck at U-turn

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 16 August 2026, Two Buddhist monks were injured after their pickup truck was hit by another pickup as they made a U-turn while returning to their temple after collecting alms in Pak Chong district on.

Police were alerted at 09:00 to the crash on Mittraphap Road, between kilometres 45 and 46, on the inbound side toward Nakhon Ratchasima, in front of the Klang Dong Highway Maintenance Unit.

Police, traffic officers, highway police and rescue teams from several local agencies rushed to the scene.

At the U-turn, officers found a white Nissan pickup bearing a sticker identifying a forest temple on its front windshield. The vehicle had been struck on its right side, veered off the road and crashed into a wooded area. Its Carryboy canopy had been torn off and was found on the road.

Two monks were found injured on the ground after being thrown from the vehicle. They were identified as Luang Pho Subin, 64, the driver, and Phra Phongphiphat, 47, who had been sitting in the rear canopy.

A short distance away, a white Toyota Vigo pickup fitted with a steel cage had crashed into a concrete median barrier, with one of its wheels lodged on the edge of the road.

The driver, identified as 18-year-old Arthit Takan, and a male teenage passenger were also injured. Rescue workers provided first aid before taking the injured to Pak Chong Nana Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Khao Yai.

A preliminary police investigation found that Subin had driven the pickup from a forest temple early in the morning with Phongphiphat. They parked the vehicle and went out to collect alms.

After finishing, the monks got back into the pickup to return to the temple. Phongphiphat was sitting in the rear Carryboy compartment.

As Subin began making a U-turn, the Toyota Vigo travelling behind them crashed heavily into the side of their vehicle. Both pickups lost control and were thrown in different directions, causing the two monks to be ejected from their truck.

Police said all injured parties were taken for medical treatment.

Pol. Maj. Attaphon Thuekphranow, an investigating officer at Klang Dong Police Station, said officers had photographed the scene and arranged for both vehicles to be towed to the station for inspection.

Police will question both drivers once their injuries have improved and proceed with legal action based on the findings.

Super El Niño drought forces Korat farmers to replant rice

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16 August 2026, 12:45

Super El Niño drought forces Korat farmers to replant rice

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 16 August 2026, A 67-year-old rice farmer in Sikhiu district has been badly affected by what she described as severe drought linked to Super El Niño, forcing her to sow rice twice and replant by hand in the hope that some of the crop will survive.

Ms. Muay Singkhon, a farmer from Ban Huai Takaeng Tai in Nong Bua Noi subdistrict, Sikhiu district, said a prolonged dry spell had left local water sources running low, making it impossible to pump enough water into her rice fields.

“I planted jasmine rice on seven rai, but the drought caused almost all of the rice seeds not to germinate. Only small patches have sprouted,” she said.

Rain has been scarce in the area for nearly a month, with only occasional light showers that are not enough to thoroughly soak the soil. Muay said she had also seen little benefit from the government’s artificial rainmaking efforts, as no significant rain had reached her fields.

She has now been forced to manually sow rice seeds in empty patches after planting twice already.

“The lack of water caused the seeds to dry out and become shriveled, so they could not grow. I don’t know what else to do,” she said.

Muay had hoped to harvest enough rice this year both for her family to eat and to sell, but the severe drought has caused significant damage despite the fact that it is the planting season.

“At this point, I just hope to get enough rice to eat,” she said, adding that she had planned to pump water from a natural canal into her fields, but the water level had fallen too low for pumping.

Muay called on the government to increase artificial rainmaking operations and help reduce the cost of agricultural inputs.

“The prices of herbicides and fertilizer are still very high. I want the government to lower them further. Farmers are already struggling with high production costs,” she said.

Chiang Rai’s Thoeng district warns residents as water level exceeds 7 metres

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16 August 2026, 12:28

Chiang Rai’s Thoeng district warns residents as water level exceeds 7 metres

CHIANG RAI — 15 August 2026, The Wiang Thoeng Subdistrict Municipality in Thoeng district issued an overnight warning after the water level rose slightly above the 7-metre watch threshold.

As of 22:00 on 15 August, the water level stood at 7.05 metres, 0.05 metres above the watch level. The highest level recorded over the previous 24 hours was 7.05 metres, while the lowest was 6.80 metres.

Officials said the water level was rising slightly at about 2 centimetres per hour, although the overall situation remained relatively stable compared with the previous day.

Weather forecasts indicated a 53% chance of rain in Thoeng district over the following three hours, with expected rainfall of around 0.0 millimetres.

Residents living along waterways and in low-lying areas were advised to monitor the water level overnight and keep belongings elevated as a precaution.

The municipality also urged residents to closely monitor children, elderly people and bedridden patients in their homes throughout the night.

Residents were advised to follow updates and announcements from the Wiang Thoeng Subdistrict Municipality. Anyone requiring emergency assistance can contact the municipality immediately.

Surat Thani immigration busts French nominee business ring

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16 August 2026, 10:58

Surat Thani immigration busts French nominee business ring

SURAT THANI — 16 August 2026, Surat Thani Immigration Police have expanded an investigation into a French businessman suspected of using Thai nominees to operate businesses on Koh Samui, uncovering an allegedly unlicensed hotel and possible links to a 26.4 million baht cannabis farm investment scam.

The operation, dubbed “Crackdown on Foreign Nominee Networks, Phase 7,” was launched in response to a policy by National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet and Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, deputy national police chief and director of the Center for the Suppression of Transnational Crime and Illegal Immigration.

On 16 August 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, through Pol. Maj. Gen. Chuthares Yingyongdamrongsakul, commissioner of Immigration Division 6, ordered officers to investigate foreigners suspected of conducting businesses through concealed shareholding arrangements, including using Thai nationals as nominees to hold land through Thai-registered companies.

Pol. Col. Naruet Phutthawiro, superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration, said officers had expanded their investigation into foreign investors operating businesses on Koh Samui after finding suspicious shareholding arrangements involving Thai nationals.

One person under investigation is Stephane, 74, a French national, who is also facing legal proceedings over allegations that he persuaded eight fellow French nationals to invest about3.3 million baht each, totaling more than 26.4 million baht (about €900,000), in a cannabis farm project.

The farm was allegedly never established. Investigators at Bo Phut and Koh Samui police stations have completed their case files and submitted them to prosecutors for consideration.

Based on the information, Surat Thani Immigration examined Stephane’s business activities and asset holdings and found links to Ida B Co Ltd and IDA B Domain Co Ltd, which were involved in land ownership and accommodation businesses in Moo 5, Lipanoi subdistrict, Koh Samui district.

Investigators found that Ida B Co Ltd owned about 7 rai, 3 ngan and 80 square wah of land. In 2021, a three-story building was constructed on the property and later operated as an accommodation business under the name “IDA B DOMAIN” by IDA B Domain Co Ltd.

The property had 12 rooms and a restaurant and advertised daily room bookings through online accommodation platforms. The company also operated its own website to attract tourists.

However, officers found no hotel business license issued by the Koh Samui district hotel registrar.

Immigration records filed under Section 38 of the Immigration Act showed that guests generally stayed for short periods, consistent with daily accommodation services. Officers also found an application for a health-hazardous business license describing the operation as a 12-room rental business.

An examination of the companies’ shareholding structures and financial statements raised further suspicions.

Ida B Co Ltd had reported losses continuously and showed no genuine business revenue, appearing to exist primarily to hold the land. Three Thai nominees collectively held 60% of the shares. Officers said all three were merely restaurant employees and a driver with no apparent financial capacity to make such an investment.

IDA B Domain Co Ltd also had two Thai nominees collectively holding 60% of its shares. One of the Thai shareholders admitted that he was only an employee whose name had been used to serve as a company director and handle documents, with no authority over the company’s finances.

Financial records also showed transfers of more than 7.7 million baht from corporate accounts to Stephane’s personal account and more than 1.5 million baht to his son, which officers said indicated that Stephane was the sole source of funds and the person actually controlling the businesses.

Immigration officers therefore assigned Pol. Lt. Col. Arun Musigim, deputy inspector at Surat Thani Immigration, to file a complaint with investigators against Stephane.

He faces charges under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999), including Sections 8, 36, 37 and 41, as well as operating a hotel without a license under the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 (2004).

Ida B Co Ltd and IDA B Domain Co Ltd face allegations of allowing a foreigner to conduct businesses in violation of the law, allowing Thai nationals to hold shares on behalf of a foreigner, and operating a hotel without authorization.

The five Thai nominees face charges of assisting, supporting or holding shares on behalf of a foreigner to circumvent the law under Section 36, as well as offenses in their capacity as company directors under Section 41.

Pol. Col. Naruet said the case also raised the possibility of money laundering, as officers were examining whether money allegedly obtained through illegal activities had been used for investment.

He said officers had received credible information that Stephane had previously advertised the sale of a hotel, buildings and land for 300 million baht.

Surat Thani Immigration will coordinate with relevant agencies to investigate the assets and determine whether further legal action, including possible money laundering charges, is warranted.

Mother demands action after abbot slaps son over alms offering

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16 August 2026, 10:23

Mother demands action after abbot slaps son over alms offering

NAKHON SAWAN — 15 August 2026, A mother is demanding legal action against an abbot who allegedly slapped her Grade 7 son in the face in front of his classmates after the boy accidentally threw a packet of instant noodles into the monk’s alms bowl.

The incident took place on 12 August 2026 during a National Mother’s Day alms-giving ceremony at a school in Phaisali district, Nakhon Sawan province.

On 15 August, reporters visited the home of Supannee in Ban Ko Kha Chang, Samrong Chai subdistrict, Phaisali district, following a complaint that her son had been assaulted by the abbot of a nearby temple.

The boy said the school had invited the abbot and other monks from a temple next to the school to receive alms from students during a morning ceremony.

He was holding a packet of instant noodles and intended to place it in the abbot’s alms bowl. However, another student was standing in front of him, preventing him from reaching the bowl. He therefore accidentally tossed the noodles into it.

The abbot became angry, asked the boy his name and allegedly slapped him hard across the face. The boy was then called to the activity area, where the abbot reprimanded him in front of other students, leaving him embarrassed.

“I had no intention of throwing the noodles into the monk’s alms bowl. I really couldn’t reach it, so I did it without realizing it was inappropriate,” the boy said.

He said he initially felt numb rather than pain after being slapped. After returning home, however, he developed pain in his jaw that extended toward his ear. His mother noticed something was wrong and asked him what had happened.

Supannee said she became furious and immediately took her son to see a doctor before filing a police complaint at Takro Police Station.

The boy also said several teachers were present during the incident but did not protect him. Instead, he was reprimanded for throwing an item into a monk’s alms bowl.

A video was reportedly recorded during the incident, but there was no footage showing the alleged assault, despite teachers filming throughout the event. The boy said this made him feel hurt and was one of the reasons he did not want to return to the school.

Supannee said she acknowledged that her son’s actions were inappropriate, but believed the monk should not have slapped him.

“Even though my son did something inappropriate, the monk should not have slapped him. As a monk, he should show compassion. He could have warned him or tapped his hand instead of slapping him in the face,” she said.

She said her son suffered a split lip and jaw pain, with a doctor’s medical opinion documenting injuries consistent with an assault.

Supannee said she would not accept what happened and intended to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law.

The school principal later visited Supannee and her son with a gift basket to apologize for the incident. However, the family said they still intended to pursue legal action against the abbot.

The abbot, who also serves as a subdistrict ecclesiastical chief, acknowledged that he had hit the boy but said it was not forceful.

He said the action was intended as a lesson because throwing an object into a monk’s alms bowl was inappropriate. He also admitted to calling the boy to the activity area and reprimanding him in front of other students, but denied intending to humiliate him.

“It was to teach the students as a whole that this should not be done,” the abbot said.

Regarding the criminal complaint, he said he would allow the matter to proceed according to the law.

He ended by saying, “Perhaps it’s time for me to leave the monkhood.”

The abbot has reportedly been ordained and residing at the temple for 36 years.

Flash flood hits Mae Sa waterfall, tourist swept downstream

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16 August 2026, 10:00

Flash flood hits Mae Sa waterfall, tourist swept downstream

CHIANG MAI — 15 August 2026, A sudden flash flood swept a tourist away while several visitors were swimming at Mae Sa Waterfall in Mae Rim district prompting park officials and fellow tourists to rush to the rescue.

The incident occurred at around 15:00 at Mae Sa Waterfall, which is under the jurisdiction of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park in Chiang Mai province.

A tourist captured the dramatic incident on video and later posted it on Facebook under the name “Arttie Martin.” The post described how the tourist was about to take off their shoes and walk toward the middle of the waterfall to take photos with a foreign visitor when they heard a park official blow a whistle.

“Just a split second between life and death. I was about to take off my shoes and walk toward the middle, following the foreign guy to take photos of the waterfall, when I heard the official blow a whistle. What happened next was exactly as you can see. It happened so fast,” the post said.

Park officials at the scene immediately rushed to help tourists who had been caught in the strong current. A male tourist also joined the rescue effort to help a woman who had been swept away.

Most of those in the area were foreign tourists. As the victims were carried downstream by the rushing water, other visitors who had remained out of the water were heard shouting for help in alarm.

Officials and fellow foreign tourists managed to rescue those caught in the current. They then checked the area to determine whether anyone else was missing.

Authorities subsequently put up red flags and ropes around Mae Sa Waterfall and prohibited visitors from entering the water due to the dangerous conditions.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park later reported that one tourist had been swept away by the current and suffered pain and dizziness. Officials coordinated with Mae Rim Municipality to take the tourist to a hospital for medical examination and treatment.

Four foreign divers found safe after going missing off Samae San

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15 August 2026, 18:05

CHONBURI — Four foreign divers who went missing during a technical diving exercise off Samae San in Chonburi were found safe on Friday night after managing to reach shore at Nam Sai Beach.

The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 1 was alerted at 16:35 on 14 August after the captain of a boat carrying the group reported that four divers had failed to return from a dive near Ko Rong Khon and Ko Rong Nang, off Samae San in Sattahip district.

The dive site is about eight nautical miles from U-Tapao Airport.

The group, led by British diver Gary Philips, entered the water at around 14:30 and had been expected to return to the rendezvous point at about 15:15.

When they failed to surface as scheduled and no surface marker was seen, the boat captain began searching and requested assistance from the Naval Special Warfare Command.

Two of the missing divers were instructors and the other two were students. They had entered the water in instructor-student buddy pairs for technical diving training at a depth of around 40 to 50 metres.

One additional vessel was unable to join the search from the Sattahip Bay side because of strong winds and rough seas.

Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 1 deployed a Royal Thai Navy aircraft to search from the air and coordinated with authorities in Chonburi, fishing-vessel control officials, naval radio networks and maritime rescue groups.

Fishing vessels operating nearby were also asked to watch for the missing divers.

Authorities said the dive site lies in a deep-water channel with naturally strong currents.

On Friday, the tide reached a low of 0.91 metres at 11:12 before rising to 3.02 metres at 19:36. The divers entered the water while the tide was rising, when currents in the area were relatively strong.

Another diver who remained aboard the boat as an assistant to the captain said the two instructors were physically fit and highly experienced at sea. He believed they could potentially have fought the current and reached one of the nearby islands.

As conditions remained difficult after dark, authorities had been preparing to resume a larger search at first light.

However, at about 20:50, a team on Samae San reported that all four missing divers had been found after making their way through the water to Nam Sai Beach.

All four were reported safe, allowing authorities to end the search and rescue operation.

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