Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Buriram United have unveiled a comprehensive strategic partnership delivering benefits to AIS customers and fans (GU12) throughout the 2026-27 season starting September 4. The partnership goes beyond traditional sports sponsorship by deploying smart digital infrastructure across mobile and home broadband, with 5G Advanced network expansion planned across all districts in Buriram province by August. The initiative aims to transform Buriram into a full-fledged "sports metropolis" and establish a digital foundation for enhancing the province's sports, tourism, and local economy, while offering special privileges to retailers and visitors.

Key benefits include: 1) Complete digital network upgrades both inside and outside Chang Arena stadium, with 5G ADVANCED and free WiFi coverage; AIS 3BB FIBRE 3 installation in VIP boxes and club facilities; and high-speed internet at the team training camp with AIS PLAYBOX streaming capability. 2) Exclusive privileges for AIS customers and GU12 fans, including free annual match tickets (valued at 5,000 baht) for mobile customers on 5G VIP Ultra monthly plans registered at participating AIS shops in the Northeast or stadium event booths, and for home broadband customers on AIS 3BB FIBRE3 799-baht-and-up packages at AIS, Telewiz, and 3BB shops in Buriram province, valid from September 1 onward while supplies last; plus free Buriram United match jerseys (valued at 840 baht) for eligible mobile customers.

Bangkok Governor Chatchatchai Sunthorpiyabutr announced a sweeping audit of all 50 districts to investigate cases of foreign nationals illegally obtaining household registration using pink ID cards—which are issued to foreigners rather than standard national ID cards—with identity numbers starting with 7. The investigation has identified multiple irregular practices, including cases where foreigners who had lived in Thailand and had children later left the country while their names remained on birth documents, which were then fraudulently used to establish household registrations and obtain fraudulent documentation. In one notable case in Din Daeng district, investigators found a single residence with approximately 40 to 45 people registered, raising serious red flags.

Following police involvement, four officials have been removed from their positions. The governor has ordered a comprehensive retroactive audit dating back more than a decade from 2560 (2017) across all district offices to identify similar irregularities. The deadline for initial findings has been accelerated to August 21, moved up from September 1. Investigators are specifically examining financial transactions between brokers and officials to detect bribery and corruption, with police assistance expected to expedite and deepen the investigation.

Governor Chatchatchai emphasized that the system should automatically alert officials when more than 15 people are registered at a single residence, but this safeguard appears to have failed in some cases. The recovery of financial evidence—such as payments between brokers and officials—would provide concrete proof of wrongdoing and enable the swift removal of corrupt personnel. The audit aims to trace connections between individuals and identify systemic vulnerabilities that allowed such fraud to occur across multiple district offices.

On August 20, 2025, at Parliament, Phakamon Nunonant, a list-system MP from the Pheu Thai Party and chair of the Committee on Political Development, Media, and Public Participation, discussed an allegation of irregularities in the 2023 district officer examination by the Department of Local Administration. The complainant, who sat for the exam seven times, expressed frustration and suspects their answer sheet was switched, causing them to fail. This is their final attempt before retirement. Phakamon explained that the committee invited a former department director from 2019 to provide historical context, comparing past fraud cases to identify patterns. When asked about evidence, Phakamon said the complainant has prepared documentation, including answer sheets they are confident they completed correctly. The complainant had previously filed complaints with the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission without result, prompting this final effort to protect their reputation. Phakamon noted this is the first formal complaint being reviewed, though the complainant has spoken with others facing similar circumstances. Regarding the seven exams, Phakamon acknowledged uncertainty about all instances but noted the complainant prepared thoroughly each time. However, many answers on the retrieved sheets appeared altered. This suggests answer sheets were modified to lower scores, despite the complainant's familiarity with the exam material.

Chokchai Police Station and Satree Witthaya 2 School jointly conducted training on August 14, 2025, on the Run–Hide–Fight survival protocol in response to active shooter incidents and violent individuals. Deputy Police Commander Pol. Lt. Ponpol Srichathum explained that the training aims to equip teachers and students with knowledge and practical skills to respond correctly during emergencies, preserve lives, and minimize casualties. The session also covered school safety measures and security protocols. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the school's rights and freedom center, operating under royal patronage, Chokchai Police Station, and the Guan Yin Sacred Place Health Center, with approximately 1,900 secondary students, faculty, and administrators in attendance.

Gourmet Market is launching a complete shopping experience for the Chinese Ghost Month festival, which falls on Thursday, August 27, 2025. Under the concept of "Complete Ghost Month Day Sets," the retailer is offering ancestor worship packages in five main configurations designed for families across all generations, emphasizing the meaningful cultural values of the Chinese Ghost Month festival. These sets enable families to prepare high-quality offerings that express gratitude to deceased ancestors and invite good fortune back to the household.

For families conducting full traditional ceremonies, Gourmet Market recommends the S-Pure "Triple Treasure" set featuring three auspicious meats: boiled chicken symbolizing progress and diligence, braised pork belly representing abundance and prosperity, and roasted duck signifying career advancement. Additional options include large-size Chinese dessert sets with items such as savory taro pastries, melon cakes, and sticky rice cakes—all symbols of sweetness and life's abundance—and a large fruit set containing five auspicious fruits including mandarin oranges, seedless red grapes, Chinese Fuji apples, fragrant bananas, and honey-scented pineapples, representing good luck and prosperity throughout the year.

For younger generations and smaller households with limited space, Gourmet Market has designed convenient, value-focused sets. The "Quick Ghost Month" set combines all savory and sweet items, auspicious fruits, and ritual papers in one box, including melon cakes, taro pastries, sticky rice cakes, boiled chicken, braised pork belly, steamed white grouper seafood, auspicious fruits, and ritual papers—covering all blessings related to work, abundance, health, and smooth living.

Additional offerings include ancestor paper sets containing spirit money, paper clothing, household goods, and even paper passports and airplane tickets to provide necessities to ancestors in the afterlife. Members can also select from a wide variety of offerings including steamed bamboo clam, squid, pastries, and other items. M Card members receive a 100-baht discount when redeeming 400 M Points through the M Card Application on purchases of 1,000 baht or more per receipt during the promotion at Gourmet Market.

The State Railway's electrical subsidiary (SRT) is preparing to assume management of the Airport Rail Link following the CP Group's current contract expiration on September 30, 2025. SRT is ready to resume operations immediately from October 1, but requires clear direction from the State Railway on management structure and employment terms.

According to SRT's acting board chairman Kongsak Chanthrasopa, the management transition requires at least one month of preparation, including surveying data, inspecting assets, trains, and systems, as well as staffing arrangements. For seamless handover, the State Railway must finalize SRT's employment agreement by September 1.

If the hiring decision is delayed beyond September 1, SRT will have insufficient preparation time, potentially requiring the State Railway to extend the current private operator's contract for 6 months to a year. SRT estimates that managing and operating the Airport Rail Link will require approximately 300 personnel. The company will handle project management and remit revenues to the State Railway without establishing a subsidiary.

SRT, which previously managed the project, faces no operational concerns but requires time to prepare staff. The fastest approach is transferring Asia Aravan's employees to SRT's payroll to ensure service continuity. SRT may also temporarily engage Siemens to assist with maintenance during the transition before resuming regular maintenance schedules.

Clarity on employment details, including compensation and terms, remains pending from the State Railway, as these directly affect staffing preparation and project handover plans. Some trains may require maintenance while others continue serving the public, necessitating coordinated management of repairs and operations.