BANGKOK — Thailand's Cabinet has officially recognized 12 August as a national commemorative day while maintaining its status as an annual public holiday to honour the late Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythale Laksmisangchan announced the decision following the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

12 August marks the birth anniversary of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and is also observed as Thailand's National Mother's Day. The date will continue to be observed as an annual public holiday.

The Cabinet's decision comes following the Queen Mother's death on 24 October 2025, which triggered a period of national mourning. The government said the move reflects the Thai people's enduring gratitude for her lifelong dedication and contributions to the nation and its people.

According to the government, annual royal merit-making ceremonies are held on 12 August to commemorate the Queen Mother's birth anniversary. The Secretariat of the Prime Minister proposed officially designating the date as a national commemorative day while maintaining its public holiday status, a proposal the Cabinet approved on Tuesday.

PTT and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) are working together to strengthen sustainable energy infrastructure, with SCB providing over 68 billion baht in financing to the PTT Group. The credit consists of two components: 17.376 billion baht in long-term financing to support PTT Tank Terminal's subsidiary Tank Infra Limited as part of an Asset Monetization strategy aimed at maximizing asset utilization, increasing business flexibility, and opening opportunities for domestic and international capital sources and commercial partnerships. The second component is 51 billion baht in short-term credit to safeguard the country's energy security amid Middle Eastern instability, which has significantly affected crude oil price volatility on global markets.

PTT Group's Asset Monetization strategy seeks to maximize the utility of assets within the group, create synergy for asset and capital optimization, unlock value from existing assets, and develop new energy infrastructure business models while maintaining its commitment to national energy security and transitioning to clean energy with balanced stakeholder consideration.

Sarachai Rattanaprorn, President and CEO of Siam Commercial Bank, stated that this financial support reflects the bank's confidence in PTT's ability to adapt and grow within a transforming energy industry, particularly in its transition toward future energy. The bank views infrastructure development as critical to meet rising and increasingly diverse energy demands amid global market volatility and the shift toward new energy forms. The partnership between SCB and PTT demonstrates complementary strengths, with the bank serving as a financial partner supporting strategic growth while PTT acts as a key mechanism for developing Thailand's essential energy infrastructure to efficiently and sustainably meet future energy needs.

Eye Kanyalak Nookaew, Thailand's representative at Miss Supranational 2026, has continued to generate attention on the global stage by wearing a Thai fabric ensemble inspired by the art of Yala province during the pageant's intensive residency and competition activities in Poland.

The contestant, who has attracted attention throughout the competition for incorporating Thai fashion into her wardrobe, appeared in an elegant straight-haired look wearing a Thai textile ensemble that highlighted the artistic identity of southern Thailand.

The outfit was inspired by the paintings of Assoc. Prof. Nicoleh Radenahmad, an artist whose work reflects the culture and way of life of the region. The ensemble was created by Thai fashion brand SAKIYA, which printed the artwork onto fabric using non-toxic dyes before transforming it into a distinctive design.

The patterns on the top and skirt depict "The Flower Garden of Yala," showcasing the province's vibrant natural beauty.

Eye Kanyalak previously wore the design on the runway in collaboration with SAKIYA and chose to bring it back onto the international stage, turning the outfit into more than a fashion statement. It has also become a platform to showcase Thai craftsmanship, art and local storytelling to a global audience.

The ensemble represents how Thailand's beauty extends beyond traditional textiles, blending art, culture, wisdom and stories from communities across the country into a form of soft power capable of reaching the global stage with elegance.

Supporters have praised SAKIYA for helping promote Thai textiles and local art while sending encouragement to Eye Kanyalak as she competes in the 17th Miss Supranational competition. The Miss Supranational 2026 final will be held on 31 July in Poland.

Police have identified a driver of a white sedan involved in a hit-and-run crash at a Bangkok checkpoint early Saturday morning. At 12:46 a.m. on July 21, closed-circuit footage showed the white car swerving and striking a motorcycle rider parked near a chicken noodle shop at the intersection of Kluay Nam Thai on Rama IV Road opposite Wimut Hospital in Klong Toei District. The impact injured the rider and damaged the motorcycle, and the car fled the scene. Officers had set up an alcohol checkpoint on Rama IV Road around 12:45 a.m. when they detected high alcohol levels in the sedan driver and ordered him to stop, but he accelerated and escaped, hitting the rider en route. Deputy National Police spokesman Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairongpipat Phiwpharn said the suspect has been identified and is being pursued for prosecution on charges of drunk driving, fleeing police, and hit-and-run. Police have instructed Thonglor Police Station to prosecute the case vigorously and also pursue anyone who aided the driver's escape. The National Police reiterated that checkpoints are critical proactive measures for road safety and urged the public to cooperate with officers and strictly follow traffic laws to reduce road accidents.

On July 21, 2025, at the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD), Krathai Ich-yan (also known as Kanthat Lo-sathapon), a Democrat Party MP from Trang province, arrived with legal counsel to meet with ECSD officials and investigators to acknowledge charges related to fraudulent tax invoices. He faces charges of using illegally-issued tax invoices for tax credits and deliberately evading value-added tax through false sales records, following the close of the parliamentary session. After investigators presented the charges, Krathai denied all allegations. He was fingerprinted and released, with a summons to report to the prosecutor's office on Friday, July 24, for further legal proceedings. Upon leaving, when asked about his appearance, he briefly stated "I came to submit documents to the police" before departing immediately. Three other defendants in the same case—the limited partnership Khemmaphihu, Disathanin Ich-yan (also known as Nithatsana Lo-sathapon), and Phrurin Rapi Ich-yan—have already been referred to the prosecutor. Krathai is the fourth defendant, as a managing partner with authority at the time of the offenses. The case originated from a complaint filed by the Revenue Department at Yan Ta Khao police station in Trang before being transferred to the ECSD's investigative unit in late January 2025. Investigators issued summons for four parties on charges of using illegally-issued tax invoices for tax credit claims, with total damages assessed at 6,670,979.75 baht.

On July 21, Dr. Surin Worakitdamrong, director-general of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), announced that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchath Chomklin has tasked the PCD with intensifying surveillance and suppression of illegal dumping of garbage, hazardous waste, and industrial residue. The department is deploying aerial technology alongside ground inspections to improve detection of high-risk areas, protect the environment, safeguard public health, and strengthen law enforcement.

Dr. Surin explained that the PCD's Environmental and Pollution Control Office 13 in Chachoengsao is coordinating with the Ministry's Digital Technology and Drone Centre, along with provincial natural resources offices in Chachoengsao and Chonburi, to conduct aerial surveys of illegal waste disposal sites. The target areas cover the Eastern and Central regions and other urgent locations, focusing on high-risk zones, areas with previous complaints, and sites with improper waste disposal practices. A geographic database will be created to support surveillance, law enforcement, and environmental data management across relevant agencies.

Dr. Surin reported that surveys conducted on July 18 in Chachoengsao and Chachoengsao provinces identified multiple dumping sites across several districts. Data collected from these surveys will be used for detailed investigations and strict legal proceedings against offenders, with systematic efforts to address illegal waste disposal in at-risk areas going forward.