Minor Food, Serruya Private Equity to acquire Bonchon

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14 August 2026, 19:03

Minor Food, a wholly owned subsidiary of Minor International, is set to acquire Bonchon International alongside Serruya Private Equity (SPE), taking ownership of the Korean fried chicken brand and its operations outside the Americas.

Minor Food will invest US$50 million in the deal, which is expected to close in August 2026. Following completion, Minor Food will own Bonchon’s business globally outside the Americas, while SPE will own and operate the business across the Americas.

The acquisition will move Minor Food from being Bonchon’s master franchisee in Thailand to becoming the brand’s owner across markets outside the Americas. Minor Food is currently Bonchon’s largest master franchisee by system-wide revenue.

Bonchon was founded in Busan, South Korea, in 2002 and opened its first US restaurant in 2006. The brand has since grown into a franchise network of about 500 restaurants worldwide, known for its double-fried Korean fried chicken and proprietary sauces.

The brand currently operates in nine key markets: the US, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

Minor Food said the acquisition will strengthen its asset-light strategy by adding a scalable, franchise-based business that generates recurring income from royalties and sauce sales.

The deal also builds on a more than 30-year relationship between Minor and SPE. SPE owns the Swensen’s brand, which Minor operates in Thailand and other markets in the region.

Minor Food CEO Dellen Soh said the company already has a strong understanding of Bonchon through its experience operating the brand in Thailand and will focus on supporting franchisees and partners while expanding into existing and new markets.

SPE Chairman Michael Serruya said the partnership would support Bonchon’s continued expansion in the Americas, citing the brand’s customer base, differentiated products and franchise model.

Bonchon also operates its own sauce production facility, which has capacity for future expansion as its restaurant network grows.

The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings-accretive for Minor Food, supported by Bonchon’s franchise-led and royalty-driven business model.

Sa Kaeo police bust Thai-Cambodian drug party

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Khaosod English

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14 August 2026, 17:29

SA KAEO — Police and soldiers raided a house in Sa Kaeo province following a report of a drug party, arresting 10 people, including four Thais and six Cambodian nationals.

The raid was carried out at a house in Khlong Nam Sai subdistrict, Aranyaprathet district, by officers from the Sa Kaeo provincial police investigative unit, Khlong Nam Sai police and military personnel.

Authorities said they found 26.79 grams of ketamine, a Category 2 psychotropic substance, packed into 123 plastic bags. Two digital scales were also seized.

Some of the seized ketamine was found arranged on a tray in a way that officers said appeared to indicate it had been prepared for distribution or use at a party.

The suspects face charges depending on the evidence against each individual, including unlawful possession of ketamine and methamphetamine use. The Cambodian suspects may also face charges under Thailand’s immigration laws.

Police said the charges remain subject to evidence and the investigation by officers.

The 10 suspects and seized items were handed over to investigators at Khlong Nam Sai Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Sa Kaeo police said they would continue to crack down on drugs, illegal gatherings and other offences in the province to maintain public safety and order.

ONYX Hospitality Group Boosts Hotel Business with AIS Business’s Thai Hyperscale Cloud, Strengthening Its Asia-Pacific Leadership

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MC Marketing

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14 August 2026, 17:13

ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading management company for hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences, with a portfolio of brands including Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence, is strengthening its intelligent digital Infrastructure with AIS Cloud powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. As Thailand’s first Thai-owned and operated hyperscale cloud service, AIS Cloud enables enterprises to run mission-critical workloads while maintaining in-country data control and governance, supported by comprehensive managed services from AIS Business. The cloud infrastructure will help connect ONYX Hospitality Group’s headquarters with its hotels and properties across the Asia-Pacific region, enabling seamless access to systems and data while enhancing operational collaboration and efficiency across the organization. AIS Cloud is designed to support high-volume data processing, integration across multiple systems and flexible resource scalability based on business requirements. Its capabilities span enterprise resource planning (ERP), data analytics and hotel operational systems, while also providing a foundation for future adoption of AI, automation and other intelligent technologies.

AIS Business further combines its cloud capabilities with robust network infrastructure, local data management and a team of Thai experts who understand the local business environment and can communicate directly with customers in Thai. This helps ensure a clear understanding of business requirements, streamline system integration and enable efficient data sharing across multiple countries, while supporting ONYX Hospitality Group’s expansion from more than 45 properties today to over 70 properties by 2030.

The continued expansion of the travel and tourism industry across Asia-Pacific is further underscoring both the opportunities and intensifying competition within the hospitality sector. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2025, the travel and tourism sector’s contribution to GDP in Asia-Pacific grew by 8.1%, the highest growth rate globally, reaching a total value of USD 3.29 trillion. This growth is prompting hospitality operators to strengthen their capabilities in management, business scalability and the development of travel experiences that better meet evolving customer expectations. In response, ONYX Hospitality Group is enhancing its digital infrastructure and data management capabilities to improve operational agility and support growth opportunities across the region. One of the key initiatives is the development of a centralized enterprise Data Platform that consolidates guest booking and operational data within a cloud-based Data Warehouse. The platform enables ONYX Hospitality Group to generate deeper Customer Insights, integrate data with its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, and further develop campaigns, services and personalized experiences that are more relevant to the needs of different customer segments.

Mr. Phiphat Khanonwet, Head of Information Technology ONYX Hospitality Group, said that “For ONYX Hospitality Group, achieving our ambition ‘To be the best medium-sized hospitality management company in Asia-Pacific’ requires a strong foundation across every aspect of the business, particularly technology. We see technology not simply as an investment to improve operational efficiency, but as a critical enabler in elevating guest experience and empowering our people to deliver more effective services that better respond to customers’ evolving needs. With a robust technology infrastructure in place, we are confident in our ability to support business growth, scale our operations for the future and drive ONYX Hospitality Group towards sustainable growth.”

Mr. Phupa Akavipat, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited, said that “Cloud has become a strategic infrastructure that plays a critical role in strengthening business capabilities, from enhancing agility and enabling new growth opportunities to unlocking greater value from data. In line with AIS Business’s commitment to being a trusted partner in advancing Thai industries, we continue to develop AIS Cloud as a hyperscale cloud service from a Thai provider, AIS Cloud Thai Hyperscale, built on a deep understanding of the local business environment and the needs of Thai enterprises, while bringing world class technology capabilities to help organizations grow and compete regionally and globally. Our collaboration with ONYX Hospitality Group demonstrates how hyperscale cloud can serve as a key foundation for hospitality business transformation, enabling organizations to scale their capabilities and support growth across multiple markets. AIS Business is committed to supporting ONYX, as a leading Thai hospitality company, in strengthening its business both in Thailand and internationally, while advancing towards its long-term goals with resilience and sustainable growth.”

AIS Business remains committed to continuously advancing technology and innovation to deliver more than just solutions, but a powerful force that enhances the capabilities of industries, enabling Thai businesses to overcome limitations, differentiate themselves, unlock new opportunities, and achieve strong growth in regional and global markets.

Businesses interested in AIS Cloud can find more information and contact AIS Business at https://www.ais.th/business/enterprise/technology-and-solution/cloud-and-data-center

Pattaya crackdown finds 17 Cambodian beggars, including babies

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Khaosod English

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14 August 2026, 16:58

PATTAYA — Pattaya authorities rounded up 17 Cambodian nationals, including seven children, during a crackdown on begging along Pattaya Beach, with officials saying some adults were seen carrying young children to solicit money from tourists.

The operation was carried out on 11 August by Pattaya City officials, Pattaya police, Chon Buri immigration officers and social welfare officials following complaints from residents and businesses about foreign nationals begging and approaching tourists at major tourist spots.

Officers patrolled along Pattaya’s Second Road and the beachfront, where they found a group of 17 Cambodian nationals consisting of 10 adults and seven children.

The adults included one man and nine women. Among the children were babies and toddlers aged seven months, two years and three years. Officials said some of the adults were carrying young children while asking tourists for money.

Authorities said checks found that some of the Cambodian nationals had previously been arrested, prosecuted and deported from Thailand. Some had reportedly been deported three or four times before returning and allegedly resuming similar activities.

Officers also found eight homeless Thai nationals who were allegedly intoxicated while asking for money from members of the public and tourists.

All those detained were taken to have their records documented before being handed over to Chon Buri’s social welfare authorities for further legal procedures and assistance where appropriate.

Pattaya authorities said the operation was aimed at maintaining public order, reducing disturbances to tourists and preserving Pattaya’s image as a safe and welcoming tourist destination.

PM to visit Australia and New Zealand to expand trade and investment

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Khaosod English

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14 August 2026, 16:57

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will make official visits to Australia from 17–20 August and New Zealand from 20–22 August, seeking to expand markets for Thai goods, attract investment and strengthen strategic partnerships.

Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said the visits, made at the invitation of the two countries’ prime ministers, will also seek to link businesses and increase cooperation on security and people-to-people travel.

The Australia trip will be the first official visit by a Thai prime minister in 14 years, ahead of the 75th anniversary of Thai-Australian diplomatic relations in 2027.

Anutin is due to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to advance the Thailand-Australia Strategic Partnership in trade, investment, security, clean energy, science, technology and innovation. They will also seek to implement the 2026–2029 Thailand-Australia Strategic Partnership Action Plan.

The prime minister will be accompanied by Thai private-sector representatives and attend a Thai-Australian business networking event organised by the Board of Investment and Austrade. The government hopes the visit will help Thai businesses build networks, find partners and develop investments.

Thailand will also encourage greater Australian investment, particularly in future industries and clean energy, which the government said could support investment, jobs and technology transfer.

Rachada said Thailand would seek to expand science, technology and innovation cooperation, especially between the National Science and Technology Development Agency and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, or CSIRO, to help turn research into commercial applications.

The cooperation is also intended to give Thai start-ups and innovators opportunities to learn from Australia’s innovation ecosystem and connect with international markets.

The New Zealand visit will be the first by a Thai prime minister in 13 years and coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Anutin is scheduled to meet New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and sign a joint declaration formally upgrading Thailand-New Zealand relations to a strategic partnership, providing a framework for longer-term cooperation.

Thailand will seek greater access to the New Zealand market for agricultural products, food, consumer goods and retail businesses, while also encouraging New Zealand investment in Thailand.

Anutin is due to meet companies interested in investing in Thailand, including tourism operator Skyline Enterprises and appliance manufacturer Fisher & Paykel. Thai business representatives will also take part in networking and business-matching activities with New Zealand firms.

Thailand and New Zealand will also seek closer cooperation against transnational crime, Rachada said.

The government will additionally push for the resumption of direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland, which it said would support tourism, education, business ties and travel between the two countries.

“Every overseas trip by the prime minister must create opportunities for Thailand,” Rachada said. “The goal is clear: Thai products must gain more markets, Thai businesses must gain partners and new opportunities, and Thailand must attract more investment, technology and knowledge.”

Sports cardiologist warns HYROX competitors after athlete suffers cardiac arrest

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Khaosod English

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14 August 2026, 16:46

Sports cardiologist warns HYROX competitors after athlete suffers cardiac arrest

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, A sports cardiologist has urged HYROX competitors to listen to warning signs from their bodies and stop immediately if symptoms such as chest pain, unusual shortness of breath or dizziness occur, following reports of an athlete suffering cardiac arrest during the event.

The warning came after the Facebook page Ploy Talk posted a photo showing a HYROX competitor receiving CPR before being taken to hospital.

Dr. Akanit Srisukwattana, an internal medicine specialist in cardiology and sports cardiology, subsequently posted advice for HYROX participants on his Akanis Srisukwattana Facebook page.

Addressing HYROX competitors, Dr. Akanit said there had been a report of an athlete suffering a heart attack during competition.

He said the reported incidence of cardiac arrest during sports was about one in 100,000 people in the general population. For people aged 50 and over or those with underlying health conditions, however, the rate could be as high as one in 5,000, he said.

There is currently insufficient data to establish whether HYROX carries a higher risk of death than running or other endurance sports, according to the doctor.

However, he explained that HYROX combines running with power-endurance exercises, which can cause heart rate and blood pressure to rise sharply at certain points. The physical demand can therefore be greater than ordinary running or weight training, particularly during high-resistance stations such as Sled Push, Sled Pull and Burpee Broad Jumps.

Dr. Akanit advised competitors to keep their effort in line with what they had trained for and avoid pushing for a faster time or working beyond their physical capacity on the day.

He particularly warned people with risk factors including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history or a history of cardiovascular disease. These factors can increase the risk of plaque rupture and a sudden heart attack, he said.

During competition, athletes should not feel they have to give maximum effort at every station. They should allow themselves periods to ease off and control their breathing, particularly during demanding stations, so that the heart has a chance to reduce its workload before they resume running.

For people at higher risk, Dr. Akanit recommended keeping most of their effort around RPE 7/10 — feeling tired but still in control and able to speak in short sentences.

Periods of exertion at RPE 8–9/10, when an athlete is so exhausted that speaking is difficult, may occur during competition but should not be maintained for long periods.

He urged competitors to stop immediately and alert the event medical team if they experience any of the following warning signs:

Chest tightness or pain
Unusually severe shortness of breath compared with the level of exertion
Dizziness, feeling faint or loss of consciousness
Abnormal palpitations
Cold sweats or feeling as though they are about to faint

Dr. Akanit concluded by encouraging competitors to enjoy the event while avoiding unnecessary anxiety.

“Those in the risk group should enjoy competing. Train as you compete, don’t worry excessively, but don’t push beyond your limits,” he said, adding that pre-event health screening is particularly important to assess individual risks and plan exercise and competition at an appropriate level for each person’s physical condition.

Invasive blackchin tilapia caught in large numbers off Chonburi coast

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Khaosod English

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14 August 2026, 16:01

Invasive blackchin tilapia caught in large numbers off Chonburi coast

CHONBURI — 14 August 2026, A local fisherman in Chonburi was shocked after hauling up about 200 kilogrammes of blackchin tilapia in his fishing net off the coast of Rong Po in Bang Lamung district, raising concerns among local fishermen about possible impacts on marine ecosystems and mussel farms.

The incident occurred in the sea off Ban Bang Lamung, also known locally as Rong Po Bay, near the mouth of Bang Lamung Canal in Moo 4, Bang Lamung subdistrict.

A video posted on Facebook showed the fisherman pulling up his net, which was filled with blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron). The man wrote: “I went out to catch fish for dinner… but look what I found.”

The footage attracted attention among local residents.

At 10:00 on 14 August, reporters visited Ban Rong Po beach, a local fishing community, and spoke with the fisherman who posted the video, 27-year-old Natthakorn Suea-iam, known locally as “Tai Nut”.

He said the incident happened on 12 August, when he took his boat out to set nets for grey mullet, intending to bring the fish home to prepare a meal for his family.

When he hauled in the nets, however, he found that almost the entire catch consisted of blackchin tilapia. The fish filled the boat, with the total catch estimated at about 200kg.

Natthakorn said he was shocked because he had spent his life around the sea and had never encountered such a large number of blackchin tilapia in the area.

He said he had previously heard about problems involving the invasive fish species in other parts of Thailand, but had never experienced the problem himself until now.

After bringing the fish ashore, Natthakorn posted a video inviting local residents who needed food to take some of the fish. Many residents subsequently came to collect them.

He also kept some of the fish to experiment with cooking, including frying them and making sun-dried blackchin tilapia. He said the fish tasted similar to Nile tilapia but had fattier meat.

Natthakorn said he was now concerned about whether the fish could affect the local ecosystem. While he acknowledged that he did not have sufficient scientific information to confirm any impact, he was particularly concerned that not a single other species was caught in the net during the fishing trip.

He speculated that the blackchin tilapia may have moved from Bang Lamung Canal into the sea following heavy rainfall. However, he stressed that this was only a local fisherman’s assumption and that authorities would need to investigate the source and establish the facts.

Local fishermen in Rong Po, many of whom also operate mussel farms alongside their coastal fishing activities, have expressed concern over the large number of blackchin tilapia found in the area.

They fear the species could affect local aquatic resources and coastal ecosystems, as well as mussel-farming areas.

The fishermen are calling on fisheries officials and relevant agencies to urgently survey the area, assess the fish population and distribution, and investigate any potential environmental impacts.

Chinese scam boss arrested in Pattaya over alleged money laundering network

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Khaosod English

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14 August 2026, 15:57

CHONBURI — 14 August 2026, police have arrested a Chinese man in Pattaya accused of directing a money-laundering network for scam gangs that processed more than 8.8 million baht, authorities said.

The 30-year-old man, identified only as Zhang, was arrested at a condominium in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district. He was wanted by Chinese authorities on fraud and money-laundering allegations, police said.

He was also charged in Thailand with overstaying his visa.

Police said Zhang was a senior figure who recruited and directed a network to use ATM cards and bank accounts to withdraw and transfer money obtained through scams, in an effort to obscure the funds’ origin and avoid arrest.

Investigators said Zhang travelled to Thailand in 2023 and 2024 to meet accomplices and use the country as an operational base for the scam network. Members of the group allegedly rotated their personal bank accounts to receive fraud proceeds before others were instructed to make large cash withdrawals.

Police said the network handled more than 1.8 million yuan, or about 8.8 million baht.

According to investigators, Zhang fled China through Japan after learning that Chinese authorities were preparing an arrest warrant. He then allegedly entered Thailand illegally and had been hiding in the country since March 2025.

Crime Suppression Division officers, working with Chon Buri immigration police, located him at the Pattaya condominium and made the arrest.

Police said Zhang confessed during questioning to using Thailand as a base to launder money from scam gangs and to hiding in the country after fleeing Chinese authorities.

He was handed over to immigration police for deportation and further legal proceedings in China.

Israeli ambassador asks Surat Thani to help ensure safety of Israeli visitors

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Khaosod English

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14 August 2026, 15:43

SURAT THANI — Israel’s ambassador to Thailand has asked Surat Thani authorities to help ensure the safety and well-being of Israeli tourists, long-term residents and business operators in the province.

Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm made the request during a meeting with Surat Thani Governor Jumphot Wannachatsiri and provincial officials at the provincial hall on 13 August.

Fisher-Kamm said most Israelis were law-abiding and well-behaved, while acknowledging that some individuals could commit offences.

She said Israel, like other countries, has both good and bad individuals, adding that social media can sometimes create misunderstandings and make people feel unsafe.

The ambassador asked provincial authorities to contact the Israeli Embassy directly if problems involving Israeli nationals arise so that the two sides can work together to resolve them.

She said Israeli authorities had already provided visitors with basic guidance on Thai customs, culture and local laws, including prohibited activities.

Israel currently has five projects aimed at promoting cooperation in Thailand, including a high-value agricultural development project in Koh Samui, she said.

Fisher-Kamm also said she planned to invite the Surat Thani governor to attend a meeting in Israel in November.

Governor Jumphot said Surat Thani treats tourists from all countries equally and takes legal action against anyone who violates Thai law regardless of nationality.

He said provincial authorities were committed to providing transparent and equal treatment to visitors of all nationalities to ensure they feel safe and have a positive experience in the province.

Jumphot also welcomed potential cooperation with Israel on high-value agriculture, saying Israeli projects could provide useful examples for Surat Thani to study.

He said provincial agencies were ready to coordinate with Israeli businesses and visitors, directing business-related matters to the provincial commerce office, tourism issues to the provincial tourism and sports office, and security concerns to provincial police and immigration authorities.

The two officials exchanged souvenirs before concluding the meeting.

Fisher-Kamm was making her fourth visit to Surat Thani. During the visit, she was scheduled to preside over the opening of Khuan La School in Tha Chang district and meet with the Surat Thani provincial police chief later in the day.

Three French tourists rescued after night adrift off Koh Samui

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Khaosod English

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14 August 2026, 14:55

SURAT THANI — 14 August 2026, three French tourists were rescued after spending the night in the sea off Koh Samui when the jet ski they had rented failed to return to shore.

The three — a 50-year-old father and two boys aged 12 and 9 — were found at about 11:00 on Thursday treading water about seven nautical miles, or nearly 13 kilometres, east of Koh Mat Lang. They were safe but exhausted and were being taken to Bangkok Hospital Samui for medical checks.

The family of five had been spending time at Chaweng Beach on Wednesday afternoon. At 17:30, the father and two boys rented a jet ski from an operator based on the beach in front of Long Beach Hotel for 30 minutes, while the man’s wife and daughter remained on shore.

When the jet ski had not returned after the allotted time, the operator searched the surrounding waters with binoculars, then sent out two jet skis to look for them. After failing to locate the group, the operator alerted authorities through the 1784 safety hotline at 20:25.

Koh Samui district officials, territorial defence volunteers, police, rescue workers, disaster-prevention officials and local jet-ski operators joined the search. Additional agencies joined the operation at 20:50.

Rescue boats searched through the night, including around Plai Laem Bay, Chaweng Beach and Koh Som from 22:00. At 23:20, three further boats searched from Chaweng Bay towards the channel off Koh Phangan.

Search efforts overnight were hampered by strong waves and winds outside the bay and were suspended at 01:00 before resuming at 09:00 on Thursday.

Koh Samui district chief Amorn Chumchuay said the rescue involved several agencies and local jet-ski operators, who continued the search overnight and into the morning until the three tourists were found.

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