Category: The Bangkok Post

A raid on a suspected drug den in Kathu district on this tourist island has uncovered a large amount of drugs and firearms, provincial authorities said on Tuesday.

The raid was carried out at 10.30pm on Monday by the Manee Kram unit, a special operations team of the Phuket provincial administrative organisation, which was investigating a suspected drug trafficking and gathering site.

The operation began with an undercover officer making a drug purchase before moving in to inspect the premises. However, the dealer grew suspicious and escaped, reportedly using his familiarity with the area.

Five other people found at the site agreed to enter drug rehabilitation programmes, authorities said. The raid resulted in the seizure of 28 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ‘ice’, in seven bags, and 260 methamphetamine pills in six bags.

Authorities also found a 12-gauge single-barrel break-action shotgun without a registration number, one round of ammunition, a firearm scope and a sword, among other items in the guitar-filled room.

As well, bank account numbers were found written on the mirrors, suggesting that financial transactions were taking place.

The tenant of the house, who fled the scene, is being pursued on charges of possessing and distributing Category 1 narcotics for sale, and possession of a weapon. He also faces charges of possessing an unregistered firearm and ammunition.

The seized items were handed over to investigators at the Kathu police station for further legal action.

The operation was part of a nationwide 90-day campaign that the Interior Ministry announced last month to strengthen security measures, including tighter controls on firearms and illegal drugs and increased inspections of suspected crime hotspots.

Phuket authorities said the property that was raided on Monday would continue to be monitored to prevent it from becoming a gathering point for drug users again.

They said the broader crackdown aims to curb drugs, firearms and other illegal activities while strengthening safety and confidence among residents and tourists.

Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has officially unveiled its new “Original Content Rewards Programme” while phasing out its legacy Creator Revenue Sharing scheme, in a decisive pivot towards prioritising genuine creators and curbing content duplication across the platform.

Effective from August 2026, the updated monetisation framework will reward creators exclusively based on “Qualified Impressions” generated by X Premium subscribers. The shift is designed to dismantle bot farming, tackle artificial engagement manipulation and crack down on recycled content.

Under the rollout timeline, new applications for the legacy Creator Revenue Sharing programme have been halted with immediate effect. Existing participants will continue to accumulate earnings until Sept 7, receiving their final payout in the regular cycle. However, all creators must reapply and pass fresh eligibility checks to join the new rewards scheme, with previously suspended accounts permanently barred from entry.

The revamped scheme features a bi-weekly payment cycle. The first round of disbursements under the new framework is scheduled for Aug 28, while re-enrolled legacy creators will receive their initial payouts starting Sept 25.

To qualify for monetisation, post views must meet strict engagement benchmarks:

1. The views must originate from X Premium subscribers across Basic, Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business tiers.

2. The post must appear directly on the user’s Home Timeline feed.

3. At least 50% of the post’s pixel area must be visible on the user’s screen.

X confirmed that repeated views from the same account (more than once per post), paid advertising impressions and engagement driven by automated bots or view-boosting schemes will be entirely excluded from payout calculations.

To be eligible for the Original Content Rewards Programme, creators must be at least 18 years old, reside in an eligible country, and maintain a Personal or Business account in good standing with no history of repeated policy breaches. Applicants must also subscribe to an X Premium tier, possess at least 500 verified followers and generate at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within the past 90 days, excluding reply threads.

Eligible users can apply via Creator Studio under the “Original Content Rewards” tab, with applications reviewed within three working days. Rejected applicants are entitled to one appeal. If unsuccessful, they must wait 90 days before reapplying.

The new policy exclusively rewards self-produced work, such as in-depth written analyses, original photography, self-produced video and graphics or social commentary that provides transformative added value, education or creative editing.

Conversely, non-monetisable content includes re-uploaded material from other sources, low-effort repurposing (such as simple cropping, applying filters, borders, watermarks, speed changes or basic captions), automated bot posts, content flagged for misinformation, get-rich-quick tutorials, explicit sexual material and copyright-infringing or unlawful posts.

The strategic overhaul underscores X’s drive to champion quality over quantity, forcing creators who previously relied on reposting third-party clips to produce authentic, distinct content if they wish to remain profitable on the platform.

A 29-year-old man who stabbed his mother’s new partner at least 10 times before shooting him dead with his own handgun during a street brawl on Monday night surrendered to police on Tuesday.

Muang Songkhla police were alerted to the events at a house on Klinprapai Road in tambon Khao Rup Chang, Muang district, around 8.35pm on Monday.

Officers found Winai Hirankul, 53, lying dead in the street outside the house. He had multiple wounds caused by a sharp weapon and several gunshot wounds.

The suspect, Peerapol Phetkaew, 29, had fled the scene. He surrendered to police on Tuesday morning and handed over a knife and gun he said were used to kill Winai. He remains in custody. The house remained closed, with no one inside. Bloodstains, broken glass and debris from a beauty salon door damaged during their violent altercation were still visible in front of the house.

Police said relatives told them that Mr Peerapol’s mother, a hairdresser, had been in a relationship with Winai for some time. This had reportedly caused tension between the two men.

Mr Peerapol feared his mother would no longer look after her own home and family. The two men had reportedly argued several times over the relationship. (continues below)

Relatives said Mr Peerapol had confronted Winai, accusing him of becoming involved with his mother and leaving her little time to care for her own family.

Earlier that day relatives reportedly saw Mr Peerapol sitting and sharpening a knife.

Later, Winai arrived at the house, followed by Mr Peerapol, who arrived on a motorcycle with a friend.

The two men reportedly argued before coming to blows. As Winai turned away, Mr Peerapol allegedly stabbed and slashed him repeatedly with a knife, inflicting a severe wound to his neck.

It is alleged Mr Peerapol then took Winai’s .38 calibre handgun from the man’s waistband and fired three or four shots at him before fleeing.

Relatives told police that Winai had recently expressed a feeling that something bad might happen and had therefore started carrying the firearm. (continues below)

A security camera at a house opposite captured the confrontation. It reportedly showed both men grappling before falling to the ground, after which Mr Peerapol allegedly stabbed Winai at least 10 times with a pointed knife.

The footage also recorded the screams of Mr Peerapol’s mother during the attack.

Central Pattana Plc (CPN) has posted strong second-quarter 2026 results, with total revenue rising 8% year-on-year to 13.1 billion baht and net profit up 10% to 4.75 billion baht, driven by its core business.

The company paid a record-high dividend of 2.40 baht per share.

Naparat Sriwanvit, chief finance officer and president of CPN’s Hotel and Office Businesses, said the performance reflects the strength of the company’s core business.

“The core business achieved a new record-high revenue for the fourth consecutive quarter, supported by new shopping centres, asset enhancement of existing malls, and tenant mix optimisation. These factors boosted foot traffic and tenant sales,” she said.

Effective portfolio management has enabled CPN to sustain growth and deliver record returns to shareholders.

Ms Naparat said the achievements reinforce the company’s role as a leading place maker, creating destinations that drive economic growth and quality of life.

In the quarter, CPN opened two new mixed-use projects in high-potential cities.

Central Khonkaen Campus redefines lifestyle experiences and energises Khon Kaen’s education and economic district.

Meanwhile, Central Northville, Thailand’s first outdoor-inspired indoor shopping centre, introduces a new lifestyle concept integrating nature, wellness and daily living.

The Phyll Khonkaen condominium project sold out within three days of presales, generating over 1.6 billion baht.

Central Park Offices in Bangkok attracts leading global companies. Deutsche Bank has selected Central Park Offices as the location of its new Thailand headquarters, reflecting strong confidence in the project’s potential and reinforcing the Silom-Rama IV district as a premier financial district, she said.

In hotels, GO! Hotel Khon Kaen Campus and GO! Hotel Nakhon Sawan have received a strong response since opening.

Ms Naparat said that, strategically located adjacent to Central shopping centres, the hotels offer the “Get, Set, GO, Happy” concept for tourists, business travellers and the new generation seeking affordable travel experiences.

By the end of the quarter, CPN operated 45 shopping centres and 16 community malls, with a total net leasable area of 2.4 million square metres.

The company also operates 11 office buildings, 13 hotels and 52 residential projects.

Police have charged politician Chalong Riewraeng with premeditated murder and other serious offences in the shooting death of the Nonthaburi provincial administration chief, and he was denied release on bail by the provincial court on Tuesday.

The Royal Thai Police Office said police at Rattanathibet station officially filed four charges against the former MP before taking him to the Nonthaburi Provincial Court on Tuesday, where he was denied release on bail and his detention extended.

The charges are: premeditated murder, attempted murder, discharging a firearm in a public place, and illegally carrying a firearm in a public place

Mr Chalong is a former MP for Nonthaburi for several parties at past general elections.

The police statement said the court rejected an application for the suspect’s temporary release on bail, which was strongly opposed by police in view of the serious nature of the charges.

Mr Chalong refused to talk to reporters as he was whisked off by a convoy of police vehicles and police commandos from Rattanathibet police station, several media outlets reported. He is detained at the Nonthaburi Provincial Prison as the crime was committed in Nonthaburi.

He is charged with shooting dead retired Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert, president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administration Organisation, in a parking lot behind the PAO offices in Muang district in Nonthaburi on Monday morning. His driver, known only as Yod, was also wounded.

Thongchai was declared dead at Phranangklao Hospital. The victim was Mr Chalong’s long-time friend but had reportedly refused to repay an 11 million baht debt he owed the accused man.

Mr Chalong was also fined 5,000 baht on Tuesday for smoking in a public office in breach of public health regulations, after pictures of him calmly smoking during his interrogation at Rattanathibet police station on Monday went public.

Police have been accused of showing him undue leniency and allowing him special privileges. Critics pointed out he was also not handcuffed, in contravention of normal practice.

The driver of a BMW sedan was arrested after police found a pistol and 28 rounds of ammunition concealed under his seat at a checkpoint in Phuket’s Muang district on Monday night.

Interior permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat said on Tuesday the check point was operating under the supervision of officials led by Phuket deputy governor Khetrath Chansilp, acting security adviser to the Interior Ministry, and Muang Phuket district chief Siwat Rawangkul. It was in tambon Koh Kaew.

Officials stopped and searched a BMW that aroused their suspicions and found a CZ pistol with a magazine containing 28 rounds in a bag underneath the driver’s seat.

The driver, identified only as Nat, 37, was unable to produce a permit to possess, use or carry a firearm. He was detained and charged.

The diver and seized weapon were handed over to Muang Phuket police for legal action.

Mr Unsit said provincial administrative officials and police have stepped up checkpoints and roadblocks across the country since Aug 7 as part of measures ordered by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to strengthen public safety and protect lives and property.

He warned people against knowingly breaking the law, particularly carrying firearms in vehicles or public places, saying such offences were serious and could not be justified on the grounds of self-defence or other purposes. Offenders would face the maximum penalties stipulated by law.

The prime minister had previously ordered a temporary suspension of the issuing of licences to carry, effective for one year from Feb 20.

Provincial administrative officials would continue setting up checkpoints and roadblocks while conducting joint operations to search suspected areas, he said.

Anyone found in possession of an unlicensed or unregistered firearm would face the maximum penalty prescribed by law, Mr Unsit said. People who possess unregistered firearms should surrender them, and could do so at any district office.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry expects to finalise details of the proposed Thai Tiew Thai Plus domestic tourism subsidy scheme by next week as it seeks to launch the programme during the green (monsoon) season, Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said.

Mr Surasak made the remarks on Monday after a meeting of the sub-committee on trade, tourism and community economic development, where officials provided an update on the proposed scheme.

He said the ministry had proposed measures to encourage domestic travel after consulting private-sector representatives.

The preliminary plan is to subsidise part of travellers’ expenses to encourage trips and generate income for hotels, restaurants, service providers and businesses in tourist destinations, particularly those in secondary cities and less-visited areas, he said.

The details of the scheme, however, have yet to be finalised. The ministry is considering eligibility requirements for participating hotels, as well as the types of services that could receive support beyond food and restaurants.

The ministry is also considering the platform through which the scheme would operate, with the Pao Tang application operated by Krungthai Bank being viewed as the main channel, the minister said.

The source of funding, he said, is also still under consideration by the Finance Ministry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas will decide whether borrowing or the central budget would be more appropriate, taking into account the scheme’s objectives and prevailing economic conditions.

Mr Surasak said that once the budget has been settled, the ministry would need additional time to prepare the application’s back-end system and register participating businesses. The scheme therefore cannot be launched until its details and technical preparations are completed.

He said private-sector operators agreed that launching the scheme during the green season would be appropriate, as it could help boost demand during a traditionally quieter period and distribute tourism revenue to local areas.

However, if preparations extend into the high season, the ministry may need to consult businesses again because the design of the measures may need to differ depending on the season.

The ministry expects to finalise the scheme’s details, funding source and system readiness this week or, at the latest, next week.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Office spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said the existing “Thais Help Thais Plus: 60/40” co-payment scheme had generated more than 106 billion baht in economic circulation.

As of 11pm on Sunday, total spending under the programme had reached 106.63 billion baht, involving 26.04 million eligible participants and 1.1 million participating shops, she said.

The figures indicate that the scheme has helped spread capital among small businesses across the country.

Defending Thai League 1 champions Buriram United maintained their strong pre-season form with a 2-0 victory over Ratchaburi in a warm-up fixture at Ratchaburi Stadium on Sunday night.

Brazilian forward Guilherme Bissoli opened the scoring before midfielder Darlan Mendes added a second, ensuring the Thunder Castle recorded their fourth successive win on tour.

Buriram will continue preparations with a friendly against Rasisalai United at Chang Arena on Aug 16.

Off the pitch, the club announced a strategic partnership with J-League side Gamba Osaka aimed at strengthening youth development and expanding commercial opportunities.

The agreement, unveiled yesterday, is designed to foster sustainable growth in Asian football by combining expertise in player pathways and marketing initiatives.

The collaboration will focus on four key areas: overseas competition and academy exchanges; the establishment of football schools and training clinics; joint promotional campaigns; and efforts to broaden the fan base while enhancing the visibility of both clubs.

Buriram, who have dominated the domestic game in recent seasons, view the tie-up as a chance to extend their influence beyond Thailand.

Gamba Osaka, one of Japan’s leading clubs, bring extensive experience in youth development and international marketing.

Together, the two sides hope to build a platform for success in continental competitions, including the Asian Club Championships.

Jasmine flower prices for Mother’s Day garlands have surged more than 30% compared with a year ago, forcing vendors to raise garland prices while absorbing part of the higher costs to avoid driving away customers.

Mother’s Day on August 12 always brings a significant increase in garland sales, with customers buying flowers to pay respects to their mothers and small retailers purchasing garlands for resale.

Jasmine flowers normally cost between 500 and 700 baht per kilogramme, but prices typically soar to well above 1,000 baht in the period immediately preceding Mother’s Day. This year, vendors say they are paying at least 30% more for raw materials than they did in August last year.

At the Chai Narong Market in Dan Khun Thot district of Nakhon Ratchasima, vendors said jasmine currently cost 400 to 500 baht more per kilogramme compared with a year ago. A flower shop owner said jasmine prices have increased from between 1,200 and 1,300 baht per kilogramme to between 1,600 and 1,800 baht this year.

However, vendors are taking a cautious approach to ordering supplies, as ordering too much and being left with unsold stock could result in big losses.

At the Mae Kim Heng market in Muang district on Tuesday, vendors were working at full speed to prepare jasmine garlands for pre-orders.

Rattikan Phayaphimai, the owner of Waen Flower Shop, said jasmine bought directly from growers was currently priced at about 1,100 baht per kilogramme, excluding transport costs of around 150 baht for a small crate and 200 baht for a large crate.

After transport, the cost of jasmine can reach 1,300 to 1,500 baht per kilogramme, she said.

Despite the higher costs, vendors have been reluctant to pass the full increase on to customers. Ms Rattikan said her shop has raised the price of made-to-order jasmine garlands by only about 30 baht each, absorbing part of the additional cost.

Other flowers used for garlands have also become more expensive.

Dok rak, commonly used in traditional garlands, has risen from just over 100 baht per kilogramme to more than 300 baht. Roses, previously sold at 30-40 baht per 100 and rarely exceeding 90 baht even during peak periods, now cost about 1.50 baht per stem.

Large or more elaborate garlands must be ordered in advance because they require large quantities of flowers and more time to make, vendors say.

This shifts the focus for shops as they are now prioritising ready-made stock for standard-sized garlands that can be produced quickly to meet demand.

The rise in flower prices is believed to be linked to erratic weather, with alternating rain and sunshine affecting both the quality and quantity of flowers produced by growers. At the same time, demand has risen sharply ahead of Mother’s Day.

It felt like a striking coincidence that I had just watched ‘The Thai Interpreter’ last week, a movie about the struggles of Thai immigrants in the United States with its justice system. With ‘Dear You’ (2026), the filmmakers tackle something smaller but just as universal: a long-distance love between a man in Thailand and a woman in China, divided by 3,000 kilometres of sea and land. Set around the 1950s, during the fifth wave of Chinese migration to Thailand, it takes us back to a time when a long-distance parting truly meant you might never see the one you love again.

Spoilers ahead

The core of ‘Dear You’ lies in ‘qiaopi’ (??), known in the Thai-Chinese community as phoey guan: the letters and money sent by overseas Chinese to their families on the mainland.

The film opens with Hiou-ui, a debt-ridden grandson who seeks his estranged grandfather, Den Bhagseng, believed to have remarried in Thailand and become a billionaire. Upon arrival, he discovers that his grandfather, who had kept sending money and letters to his grandmother, had died long ago, and that the person who actually cared for the family was a Thai-Chinese woman named Zia Lamgi.

This leads us to where the majority of the film takes place. It follows Bhagseng in the 1950s as he flees to Bangkok due to war, separating him from his wife and Hiou-ui’s grandmother, Iap Sogriu. As Bhagseng arrives, he works hard to send his wife money as well as save for his own eventual return. The only means to keep in touch with his wife is through letters.

Additionally, we see how distance and technological limitation are not a barrier for their love. Language also plays an important part. Bhagseng, being illiterate, had to find ways to read, ‘write’ back, and send letters to his wife in a land where Chinese was not so common.

In terms of cultural representation, ‘Dear You’ speaks volumes to me, as I am from a Chinese migrant family. Like the majority of Chinese migrants in Thailand, the characters speak Teochew dialect, which was also spoken by my ancestors.

The film is filled with Chinese cultural details like foods, traditions or even spoken phrases that, although I don’t fully understand what is what, touched something deep in my brain, memories of home, in a Chinatown in the upcountry. It vividly reminded me of that, and I believe that even audiences without overseas Chinese heritage can appreciate the cultural beauty portrayed here.

Admittedly, seeing this film made me appreciate the technology that lets us connect instantly. The film echoes this in the present-day timeline with Hiou-ui, where video calls and airplanes erase distance instantly compared to the struggles Bhagseng faced.

While writing this, I noticed one major character was intentionally left out of the trailers. Zia Lamgi begins as the owner of a Bangkok hostel where Bhagseng stays. Their relationship deepens as she helps him read his wife’s letters. I appreciate that the movie avoids a romantic angle between them, instead focusing on their friendship and mutual support.

I think it’s a clever choice to keep Lamgi hidden in promotional material so we can only discover her alongside the characters as the story unfolds. The strongest part of the film is the unexpected connection between Lamgi and Sogriu, who, despite never having met, shape each other’s lives. The audience’s awareness makes this situational irony culminate in one of the most beautiful climactic reunions between two strangers who have never met.

The film is not without flaws. Its small budget shows at times. This is the first time I’ve seen Thai characters in a film dubbed by voice actors instead of having Thai actors speak Thai-it stood out like a sore thumb. Other characters use their real voices, but the Thai characters sound dubbed. I’m not sure whether this was due to casting or a post-production decision, but it’s more an immersion issue than a representational one.

Ultimately, ‘Dear You’ is a powerful story of both romantic and platonic love, and a beautiful portrayal of overseas Chinese life in Thailand, past and present. It is specific enough to capture the culture and experience of Chinese migrants, yet universal enough to move anyone who has felt love and longing.