On August 19, Thiwalrat Angkinant, chair of the Religion, Arts and Culture Commission of the House of Representatives, led a fact-finding visit to Wat Pa Adulyaram in Khon Kaen. The commission heard from provincial officials, the Buddhist office, the land office, and local authorities about ongoing land disputes, restricted access to the temple, and alleged unauthorized claims of high-level backing. The temple's abbot, unable to attend due to kidney dialysis treatment, sent his lawyer and a senior monk to represent him.

Police are investigating and plan to summon the individuals involved by August 27. The meeting also reviewed land title transfers, misuse of authority allegations, and the presence of unauthorized persons on temple grounds. Officials are gathering evidence for legal proceedings.

Thiwalrat said the commission will compile all evidence to present to parliament next week, focusing on the temple's land title issues and legal remedies. The parliament will also coordinate with the Buddhist office to educate monks and temples nationwide on proper land and religious property management to prevent similar problems. The committee will use Wat Pa Adulyaram as a case study to develop broader preventive guidelines.

The commission visited the temple in the afternoon to inspect the site and gather additional information from the vice abbot before completing its investigation. The delegation later paid respects to Phra Brahm Vachirathilok, a revered monk who had recently passed away.

While sugarcane is traditionally associated with household sugar, the crop now plays a far wider role in modern Thai life. From cosmetics and health supplements to eco-friendly packaging and vehicle fuel, sugarcane has become embedded in daily routines in ways many people do not realize.

As a leader in agricultural sustainability, Mitr Phol Group uses innovation to unlock the potential of Thai sugarcane and create value under the "Sugarcane Energizes the World" initiative, elevating the crop from Thai soil into a global energy driver across three dimensions: clean energy for the environment and stable prosperity.

Sugarcane's journey begins as "land oil," a renewable energy resource Thailand can generate naturally by converting bagasse into high-quality ethanol for gasohol blends that reduce road pollution. Mitr Phol is now Asia's largest ethanol producer with 500 million liters annual capacity, offsetting 350 million liters of refined oil imports yearly and preparing to expand into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and future pharmaceutical and cosmetic raw materials.

The group's 22 biomass power plants generate over 700 megawatts annually, delivering clean electricity to industry and households across Thailand. This reduces fossil fuel imports by over 3 billion units and generates 1 million tons of carbon credits and 1 million renewable energy certificates yearly, a key lever toward Thailand's Net Zero 2050 target.

Sugarcane innovations address lifestyle and wellness across multiple dimensions. From pure sugars and syrups to health-conscious alternatives for businesses and consumers, the crop feeds into personal care products including prebiotic fiber for digestive health and skin care formulations from natural sugarcane extracts. In eco-living, sugarcane and cassava fibers become biodegradable packaging that decomposes naturally within six months, turning waste into soil nutrients.

Behind these innovations, Mitr Phol prioritizes "shared social growth," creating jobs across industry while distributing income back to local communities to drive the Thai economy. This security has become a force multiplying community prosperity across household economics, education, and environmental stewardship.

Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the United Nations Environment Programme held discussions on August 19 to advance their long-standing partnership in environmental conservation, sustainable development, and marine and coastal resource protection. Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin, alongside Permanent Secretary Raviwarn Phuredeach and senior ministry officials, met with UNEP representatives at the ministry's 20th-floor conference room to discuss escalating cooperation at country, regional, and global levels.

Min Chomklin stated that the meeting was an important opportunity to exchange views and establish concrete pathways for enhanced cooperation. He thanked UNEP for continuous collaboration, particularly under the COBSEA framework and support for international resource mobilization, including funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for environmental projects at both regional and national levels.

Min Chomklin also praised UNEP's Champions of the Earth awards, noting that this year's focus on ocean health aligns with Thailand's commitment to marine and ocean conservation. The meeting addressed policy advancement and preparations for the fourth UN Ocean Conference (UNOC4), scheduled for the Republic of Korea in 2028. Thailand's Foundation for Coral Reef and Marine Life Conservation, the ministry, and relevant agencies are jointly developing a preparedness plan to ensure Thailand's clear and concrete contribution to marine and ocean resource conservation at the international level.

Min Chomklin concluded by expressing gratitude for UNEP's partnership and Thailand's readiness to strengthen cooperation through UNEP/COBSEA frameworks, UNOC4 preparations, and implementation of SDG 14, working together to conserve, restore, and sustainably utilize marine and natural resources.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand will host Thailand Focus 2026: Reignite Thailand from August 26-28, 2026, to build investor confidence and present the potential of Thailand's economy, capital market, and listed companies to institutional investors worldwide. Assadej Kongsiri, chairman and chief executive of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, announced that 78 listed companies from both the SET and mai markets will participate, spanning all industry sectors. The event will facilitate one-on-one and group meetings between companies and institutional investors, with 16 companies from the JUMP+ project presenting their three-year business goals covering growth, governance, and greenhouse gas management.

Kongsiri noted that Thailand's stock market investment climate has regained prominence, with the SET index rising nearly 30% year-to-date and ranking fourth globally, reflecting recovered investor confidence amid steady foreign capital inflows and improved perceptions of Thailand's credibility and clear government economic policy direction aimed at long-term growth. Thai businesses maintain strong fundamentals and capacity to adapt to global economic changes. Thailand Focus will serve as a platform connecting the government, capital market, listed companies, and institutional investors to foster understanding and attract investment into Thailand.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas will open the event and deliver a keynote speech, while Energy Minister Ekanat Promphan will share government strategy and policy on driving Thailand's economy. Additionally, senior executives from stock exchanges of six ASEAN countries—Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand—will exchange perspectives on capital connectivity to support regional growth. The event takes place August 26-28, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.

Dr. Jetsada Bunyavongvorachit, Deputy Director of Primary Care Services at Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, has shared health advice on his Facebook page about behaviors to avoid to prevent dangerous blood pressure spikes in the morning. He suggests being mindful of four things during the first 30 minutes after waking.

The morning is when your body transitions from sleep mode to wakefulness. Your nervous system becomes more active, your heart rate increases slightly, and blood pressure naturally rises from nighttime levels. For people with high blood pressure or those trying to get accurate readings, Dr. Jetsada warns against rushing to consume multiple stimulants at once.

1. Don't brew strong coffee immediately, especially before measuring blood pressure. Caffeine can temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure in some people, particularly those sensitive to it. If you drink coffee before measuring, your reading may be higher than your actual resting blood pressure. If you measure blood pressure every morning, the recommended sequence is: wake up → use bathroom → rest for a few minutes → measure blood pressure → then drink coffee. Guidelines suggest avoiding caffeine for at least 30 minutes before measurement.

2. Don't measure blood pressure while you still have a full bladder. A full bladder can interfere with blood pressure readings. The proper approach is to use the bathroom first, then return to sit and rest before measuring.

3. Don't exert yourself heavily immediately upon waking, especially if you plan to measure blood pressure afterward. While regular morning exercise is beneficial for long-term blood pressure control, physical activity temporarily increases heart rate and blood pressure. It is recommended to avoid vigorous exercise for about 30 minutes before measuring blood pressure.