Advance voters queued under the blistering sun outside temples, shopping centres and schools to cast their early ballots on Sunday ahead of the much-anticipated election on May 14.
Police seized 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine in Pattani on Friday and arrested a suspect who reportedly said he had evaded arrest after taking part in an even bigger drug run four months earlier in Phatthalung.
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote is among candidates tipped for the top job at the Royal Thai Police (RTP), having already been placed in charge of tackling key issues including human trafficking, the illegal drug trade and crimes related to the environment.
Starting on Thursday, people can grow cannabis plants at home, but the legalisation of cannabis has prompted concerns that it may lead to a rise in drug addiction.