Three French tourists rescued after night adrift off Koh Samui

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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.

Missing uncle and nephew found safe after seven days in forest

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14 August 2026, 14:43

Missing uncle and nephew found safe after seven days in forest

PHAYAO — 14 August 2026, Relatives and residents in Phayao broke down in tears of relief after two villagers who had been missing for seven days in forest in Chiang Muan district were found safe.

The two men, identified as 74-year-old Nak Kamlue and 20-year-old Rames Jan Daeng, both residents of Ban Pin, Moo 3, Chiang Muan subdistrict, disappeared after entering a remote forest area and lost contact with their families.

Earlier on 14 August, relatives and local residents performed a traditional ceremony known as “opening the forest”, making offerings and asking forgiveness from the spirits believed to protect the land and mountains. They prayed for the forest to open a safe path for rescue teams to locate the missing men and bring them home.

The breakthrough came when search teams operating deep inside the forest contacted the joint search command centre by radio to report that they had found both missing men.

The news immediately brought an emotional scene at the command centre in Chiang Muan district. Relatives who had been anxiously waiting for updates burst into tears, hugged one another and cried with relief after spending a week fearing for the men’s safety.

Officials initially reported that both men were safe. Rescue teams were working to bring them out of the forest and hand them over to medical and public health personnel for health assessments and first aid.

The discovery followed seven days of intensive search efforts involving rescue workers, officials, community leaders and local residents. Search teams had faced dense forest and difficult terrain that made access to the area challenging.

Authorities are still awaiting further details, including the exact location where the two men were found, their physical condition and the route used by rescuers to reach them.

The Chiang Muan Subdistrict Municipality’s joint missing-person search command centre is expected to release further official information.

PM Anutin flies his own plane to Korat, escorted by 3 F-16s

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14 August 2026, 14:23

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima on Friday in his private plane, escorted by three F-16 fighter jets in a simulated VIP protection mission.

Anutin, who also chairs the National Security Council, was visiting the Royal Thai Air Force’s Wing 1 to review its operational readiness and observe demonstrations of air combat capabilities.

As the prime minister’s aircraft entered the airbase’s airspace, two F-16s flew alongside it while a third flew above, simulating an escort mission for a VIP aircraft before the planes landed.

Anutin was received by Air Chief Marshal Seksan Khantha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Adul Boonthamcharoen, Defence Permanent Secretary Gen. Tharapong Malakam, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Ukrit Boontanont and senior military officers.

The prime minister reviewed an honour guard before watching demonstrations of the Air Force’s tactical missions, including simulated air-to-ground and air-to-air operations involving F-16 fighter jets.

Speaking to personnel at Wing 1, Anutin praised the unit for its role in protecting Thailand’s sovereignty, particularly through tactical fighter operations amid security concerns along the border.

“I would like to commend all commanders, personnel and staff for their sacrifice and dedication in protecting the nation’s sovereignty and providing reassurance to the people,” Anutin said.

He said strengthening the Air Force’s capabilities, particularly its fighter operations, was an important national security priority and that the government was ready to provide full support.

“The government is ready and willing to provide full support so that the Royal Thai Air Force can maintain its highest level of capability,” he said.

Anutin also thanked Air Force personnel for demonstrating unity, patriotism and dedication to the public interest, urging them to maintain their readiness and commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and national interests.

During the visit, the prime minister inspected tactical military equipment and watched a Combat Search and Rescue demonstration involving an H225M helicopter.

Indonesia urges Toyota to move regional production hub from Thailand

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14 August 2026, 13:56

Indonesia’s Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has urged Toyota to move its regional manufacturing hub from Thailand to Indonesia, saying Jakarta is prepared to offer incentives to make the country a more competitive production base.

Speaking at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Automotive Conference (GIAC) in Tangerang, Banten, Purbaya said Indonesia wanted Toyota to establish its main manufacturing base in the country.

“We will support Toyota, but bring your main manufacturing base from Thailand to Indonesia. I will give you whatever incentives you want,” Purbaya said, according to Indonesian media reports.

Purbaya questioned why Thailand remains the region’s automotive manufacturing hub despite Indonesia being Southeast Asia’s largest economy and most populous country.

“We are the largest country in Southeast Asia. Why is the region’s automotive manufacturing hub in Thailand?” he said.

Thailand has built a strong automotive industry over several decades, supported by a large network of parts suppliers, supporting industries and export infrastructure. The country has become a major production and export base for Japanese automakers, including Toyota.

Purbaya acknowledged that Thailand has historically been more successful than Indonesia in attracting automotive investment. He attributed part of the gap to Indonesia’s less competitive investment incentives.

Jakarta is now seeking to close that gap by simplifying business licensing and offering more competitive incentives to automotive manufacturers, he said.

The government also wants to attract Toyota’s broader supply chain, including manufacturers of steel, electronics, chemicals and automotive components.

Purbaya said developing these upstream industries would strengthen Indonesia’s domestic supply chain and reduce the country’s reliance on imported components.

Indonesia already hosts Toyota production facilities and a network of automotive suppliers. However, the government wants to expand the country’s role in regional vehicle manufacturing as it competes with Thailand for new investment, particularly in electric vehicles and related industries.

Thailand explores Digital ID link to strengthen Roblox child safety

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14 August 2026, 13:22

Thailand explores Digital ID link to strengthen Roblox child safety

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is in talks with Roblox over stronger safety and child protection measures on the gaming platform, including the possible use of Thailand’s National Digital ID system to verify users’ identities and ages.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob chaired an online meeting with Edward Palmieri, Senior Director of Public Policy at Roblox Corporation, the operator of the Roblox gaming platform.

Also attending were Chomparee Chomphurat, deputy permanent secretary of the ministry; Dr. Chaiyachana Mitrphun, director of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA); representatives from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa); and Asia Group Advisors.

Chaichanok said the meeting focused on safety and child protection measures on Roblox, including age restrictions and age-based filtering, facial age estimation technology, chat moderation systems to detect inappropriate messages, and Roblox’s plan to implement measures based on the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) rating system in 2027.

He said protecting children and young people on digital platforms was an urgent issue requiring cooperation from all parties, not just government agencies but also platform operators.

The ministry is prepared to promote digital technology and gaming platforms as part of a safer digital ecosystem, with the aim of improving user verification, protecting children and young people, and encouraging responsible use of artificial intelligence, he said.

“These efforts are intended to build long-term confidence among users, families and Thai society,” Chaiyachok said.

The minister also proposed studying the feasibility of verifying users who wish to access Roblox by linking Thailand’s National Digital ID/KYC system with Roblox user accounts.

Such a system could significantly improve the accuracy of users’ identity and age verification while giving parents greater confidence in their children’s online safety, he said.

Roblox also presented its Family Zone, an in-platform community designed to help parents understand gaming systems and child safety, as well as provide learning resources on AI and coding.

Chaiyachok said he believed developing such campaigns could allow parents and children to learn together about using technology safely in the digital world.

“For the initial phase, a joint working group will be established to study a user verification system for Thailand so that concrete results can be achieved,” Chaiyachok said.

“For the next phase, I have proposed studying the use of pre-scan tools to check content before publication, analysing game and user history logs, and using AI to analyse factors that could lead to risky behaviour.

“This would allow us to take proactive preventive measures rather than addressing problems after an incident has occurred.”

He said all tools would have to be carefully assessed for their suitability and potential impact on users’ privacy.

Chaiyachok added that he would also bring the proposals to discussions with Thai game operators in a bid to raise safety standards across Thailand’s gaming industry.

Natthaphong proposes gun-control law ammendments

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14 August 2026, 13:20

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said his party was preparing proposed amendments to firearm laws and gun-control measures, while warning that stricter penalties would be ineffective without equal enforcement.

Natthaphong, who is also opposition leader in the House of Representatives, expressed condolences over the deaths and said schools receiving threats should treat them seriously, regardless of whether the sender intended to act on them.

“School administrators everywhere must monitor and ensure safety at their schools as fully as possible,” he said at parliament.

He said the People’s Party was discussing amendments to firearm laws and broader gun-control policies. However, he stressed that tougher penalties alone would not solve the problem if enforcement failed.

“Laws with higher penalties could become tools for corrupt officials to demand benefits or extort money for themselves,” he said.

Asked whether the party would submit a firearms bill during the next parliamentary session, Natthaphong said internal discussions were ongoing but that the party would likely introduce its own proposal alongside any government bill.

He also said politicians should not receive special treatment under the law, amid criticism over elected representatives’ high rates of gun ownership.

“Politicians are no different from ordinary people,” he said. “Whatever hat they wear or position they hold, everyone must be equal before the law.”

Natthaphong referred to news footage showing a political figure accused of wrongdoing sitting in the same room as police, smoking and not wearing handcuffs.

“It gives society, including myself, the impression that this is not right,” he said.

“Politicians and non-politicians appear to be treated differently once they enter the justice process.”

Asked whether Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s reported reprimand of the national police chief could restore public confidence, Natthaphong said the public would judge the government by results rather than statements.

“People will place the most trust in actions and the results that follow,” he said.

He added that several worthwhile proposals had been made to bring firearms already circulating in society back under state control, but said effective enforcement remained the central issue.

Princess Sirivannavari unveils Thai textiles trend book for Spring/Summer 2027

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14 August 2026, 13:15

BANGKOK — Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya presided over the 2026 Symposium on “Developing Knowledge for Product Development Towards International Standards” at ICONSIAM Hall in Bangkok on 13 August.

The event featured the launch of the Thai Textiles Trend Book Spring/Summer 2027, the seventh edition of the annual publication for which Princess Sirivannavari serves as executive editor.

The publication applies her vision under the “Thai textiles: Wearing with Fun” project to promote Thai fabrics and designs on the international stage. The latest edition is centered on the theme “Reimagination,” reflecting global changes and emphasizing culture as a tool for communication and connecting people in the modern world.

Princess Sirivannavari later delivered a lecture on “Promoting and Developing the Image of Thai Textiles Towards International Standards 2026.”

Rising Australian golfer Jessica Bang dies in Thailand at 18

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14 August 2026, 12:00

Rising Australian golfer Jessica Bang dies in Thailand at 18

BANGKOK — 13 August 2026, Australian rising golf star Jessica Bang has died in Thailand at the age of 18 after suffering a brain haemorrhage and spending more than 10 days undergoing treatment.

Bang, a promising Australian professional golfer, died in Thailand on 13 August, marking another tragic loss for the sporting world.

According to Australian media reports, Bang had travelled to Thailand to prepare for an international qualifying event for the KLPGA Tour. However, on 1 August, she suddenly became ill after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

She was taken to a hospital in Bangkok, where she underwent emergency brain surgery and was placed on life support in the intensive care unit.

Bang’s family launched an online fundraising campaign through GoFundMe to raise money to bring her back to Australia for further treatment. However, she died peacefully in Thailand on 13 August.

The WPGA Tour of Australasia issued a statement on 14 August expressing its deep sadness over Bang’s death in Thailand.

“The WPGA and Australian golf community are deeply saddened by the passing of Jessica Bang in Thailand,” the statement said.

Bang was described as a highly talented rising golfer who made a strong impression despite her short time on the tour.

She won the regional qualifying event for the Ford Women’s NSW Open in February, securing victory in only her fifth professional event.

Bang earned her tour card through qualifying school (Q-School) in late 2025 after a standout amateur career.

“We send our thoughts and support to everyone on the WPGA Tour of Australasia, the Australian golf community, and Bang’s family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the tour said.

Foreigners flee traffic checkpoint, kick officer before arrest

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14 August 2026, 11:33

Foreigners flee Phuket checkpoint, kick officer before arrest

PHUKET — 13 August 2026, Two Emirati men were arrested in Phuket after allegedly riding a motorcycle through a traffic checkpoint, kicking a pursuing traffic officer and fleeing before eventually being cornered in a dead-end road.

The incident occurred when officers from Kathu Police Station were operating a traffic checkpoint at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road in Kathu district, Phuket, under the direction of Pol Col Chalermchai Hoensawat, chief of Kathu Police Station.

During the operation, Sgt. Maj. Siwayot Yodrabam, a traffic officer with Kathu police, spotted a black Honda ADV 160 motorcycle, travelling along Phra Barami Road from Patong towards the Si Kor intersection.

Two foreign men were on the motorcycle, with one riding and the other as a passenger.

The officer signalled for the motorcycle to stop so he could check the rider’s driving licence. Instead, the rider allegedly accelerated through the checkpoint without stopping.

Sgt. Maj. Siwayot pursued the motorcycle through the Si Kor intersection towards Phra Phuket Kaew Road.

When they reached the area in front of Kathu Municipality, the officer again signalled for the motorcycle to stop. The passenger allegedly kicked the officer’s motorcycle with his left foot, causing the officer to lose control, before the pair continued fleeing.

Officers later spotted the motorcycle in front of a duty-free shop on Phra Phuket Kaew Road. The suspects allegedly continued fleeing against the direction of traffic into a lane leading to The Valley housing estate.

The motorcycle then allegedly cut across the path of Sgt. Maj. Siwayot’s motorcycle, causing him to crash.

The officer suffered injuries to his body, while his clothing, glasses and motorcycle were damaged.

Despite his injuries, Sgt. Maj. Siwayot continued the pursuit until reaching the end of a road inside the housing estate. The road was a dead end, and officers found the suspects’ motorcycle abandoned there.

The two men had fled on foot.

Officers searched the surrounding area and eventually found two foreign men walking near the entrance to The Valley housing estate. They were taken into custody.

The suspects were later identified as Sohail, 21, an Emirati national, who was allegedly riding the motorcycle, and Hamad, 20, also an Emirati national, who was allegedly riding as the passenger.

Police informed both men of the allegations and their legal rights before taking them, along with the seized evidence, to Kathu Police Station.

They were then handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

Israeli family denied entry to exotic zoo on Koh Samui

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14 August 2026, 10:47

owner-headbutt — Photos via IG: @samuiexoticpark

BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, an Israeli family says it was denied entry to a Koh Samui animal park because of its nationality before a confrontation with a man representing the zoo. Videos later posted to the Instagram Story of the park’s official account supported its exclusion of Israeli visitors.

The family, accompanied by two young daughters, went to Samui Exotic Park in Mae Nam. Footage recorded by the mother and widely shared online begins with her asking staff behind a counter: “Because we’re from Israel? What have we done to you? We haven’t done anything.”

The video then cuts to a man representing the zoo telling the family to leave.

“Okay, bye. Bye-bye,” the man says. When the woman asks his name, he responds with profanity. As she repeats the question, he approaches the group and tells them: “Move off my place.”

The man then appears to headbutt the woman’s husband. She responds, “Okay, okay, we’re leaving. We’re leaving,” before he throws a small white sign in her direction as she records.

The park also shared CCTV footage of the confrontation from behind the counter. The silent, wider-angle video appears to show the family, including the two girls, leaving the entrance area after the dispute.

Later Instagram Stories from the park’s official account appeared to reinforce its stance. One video shows an Israeli flag marked with a red no-entry symbol beside a shooting target perforated with holes. The person filming whistles as the camera moves from the sign to a Free Palestine flag displayed nearby.

The later posts do not independently establish the family’s account of what occurred before the recording began. They do, however, appear to show that the park’s official social-media account supported the refusal of Israeli visitors after the incident.

Samui Exotic Park previously faced online backlash after displaying Palestinian flags and a “Free Palestine” sign at the attraction. The park said at the time that it welcomed visitors of all nationalities but expected guests to respect its rules.

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