Suphakorn Ratanvaha, Senior Managing Director of Lexus Group at Toyota Motor Thailand, announced the launch of The All-New Lexus ES on Thursday, August 13, 2025, at M Sphere shopping mall. The Lexus ES is a mid-size luxury sedan that debuted alongside the Lexus brand in 1989 in the United States. Since then, the ES has earned widespread recognition for its smooth ride quality, quiet cabin, and spacious interior—hallmarks that define its DNA to this day. Thailand first introduced the Lexus ES in 1994, where it gained popularity as a luxury sedan renowned for superior comfort and meticulous attention to detail. The model has built a loyal following among Thai executives.

The All-New Lexus ES follows the concept "Experience Elegant and Electrified Sedan." This eighth-generation model has been completely redesigned to reflect Lexus's vision for the future of mobility. It is both Lexus's second battery electric vehicle and the brand's first all-electric sedan. The vehicle combines elegance, advanced technology, and driving performance seamlessly, featuring five key highlights:

Distinctive Elegant Design: The All-New Lexus ES showcases a contemporary elegant exterior with the new generation Spindle Body design, Twin L Signature Lamp headlights, and Slim Light Bar taillights. The cabin is designed under the "Clean Tech and Elegant" concept, delivering a luxurious and airy atmosphere that engages all the senses in true Lexus fashion.

Choice of Powertrain: The All-New Lexus ES offers both a new-generation 2.5-liter Hybrid system and a battery electric vehicle powertrain, meeting diverse customer needs while reflecting Lexus's Multi-Pathway Strategy toward sustainability and environmental responsibility. All vehicles include proper battery disposal through certified companies.

State-of-the-Art Technology: The interior is packed with modern technology including Hidden Switches, Electro-Shiftmatic system, new-generation Multimedia system, and Mark Levinson premium audio, elevating the travel experience.

Advanced Safety: Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 enhances safety and confidence on every journey with the latest Lexus safety technology.

Perfectly Balanced Performance: The vehicle delivers superior driving dynamics and responsive handling.

AP Thailand has raised its 2025 new project launch plan to 46 developments worth 56 billion baht, an increase of four projects valued at 1 billion baht from the original forecast. The company plans to aggressively introduce 31 new projects worth 33.32 billion baht in the second half, split between 17 launches in the third quarter valued at 17.9 billion baht and 14 launches in the fourth quarter worth 15.42 billion baht.

The plan adjustment reflects solid and sustained growth in the first half of 2025 despite global economic headwinds and a gradual Thai economic recovery that has caused fluctuations in real estate demand, purchasing power, and consumer confidence. All business segments—detached houses, duplexes, townhomes, and condominiums, plus regional market projects—have maintained strong momentum.

First-half results demonstrate resilience: the company recognized revenue of 22.431 billion baht, growing 7.1% year-on-year, with net profit of 1.967 billion baht, up 5.2%. The company maintained a strong net debt-to-equity ratio of just 0.66 times. In the first seven months, net sales reached 27.974 billion baht, representing 57% of the full-year target of 49 billion baht. Horizontal segment sales grew 7.6% year-on-year to 22.747 billion baht, while condominium sales surged 59.6% year-on-year to 5.227 billion baht.

The first-half performance and expanded project plan underscore AP Thailand's capability and readiness, built on strong financial discipline, to manage a portfolio of over 200 residential projects nationwide spanning detached homes, duplexes, townhomes, condominiums, and regional developments across all market segments.

A significant step for Thai content: TrueVisions NOW has partnered with Viu to launch the "TrueVisions NOW Branded Zone," bringing six original series across borders to three Southeast Asian countries. Bangkok, August 13, 2025 — From stories created by Thai creators to new opportunities in the regional content market... TrueVisions NOW, Thailand's streaming platform and entertainment content leader, has announced a strategic partnership with Viu, a regional OTT video streaming platform, to open the "TrueVisions NOW Branded Zone" — an exclusive space that brings together quality original series from TrueVisions NOW on the Viu platform. The launch will pilot six original series from a library of 24 titles to Viu viewers in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This collaboration represents another crucial milestone for TrueVisions NOW in scaling from creating content for Thai audiences to expanding its viewer base and creating new opportunities for Thai intellectual property in foreign markets, while advancing Thai creative thinking, identity, and storytelling power to connect with audiences far and wide.

The first batch of content on the "TrueVisions NOW Branded Zone" becomes available on August 20, 2025, and comprises six Thai series: "Sample House" starring Phueak Pongsathon Jongwilai, Chris Horwang, and Neen Neeraara Bunnitipaisit; "Minor Queen" starring Emma Panissha Yang and Peter Pan Tasupon Vivithvorn; "To My Dear Wife... From Your Loving Husband" starring Om Suchar Manayeang and Mew Suphasit Jongcheevathorn; "Undercover Taxi" starring Nicha Nichamamol Kham-In, Ajarn Dong Ajchariya Srita, and Tete Somchai Saiuta; "Muay Fey" starring Pat Chayanishthi Chanjangsakwech and Off Kanthaphan Jindataveepon; and "Rak" starring Film Thanaphat Kavilakha and Bua Nalintiph Skuluangampi.

TrueVisions NOW plans to continuously add more series and expand content to other foreign markets in the future.

Ongraj Prabhakom, head of TrueVisions and Media at True Corporation, stated: "The streaming market in Southeast Asia is growing steadily. In 2024, the number of Premium VOD members in five major markets — Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore — grew 19% to over 61 million accounts. Meanwhile, viewing hours in the fourth quarter alone reached 4.2 billion hours, reflecting both market expansion and audiences increasingly embracing quality content from diverse countries, especially stories with cultural identity that resonate with viewers."

"The partnership between TrueVisions NOW, a premier Thai content leader, and Viu, which has among the highest monthly active users (MAUs) in Southeast Asia, aligns with Asian audience behavior showing greater openness to local language content and stories reflecting cultural identity — a key opportunity to expand Thai content audiences into foreign markets. TrueVisions NOW is therefore advancing its role from being a streaming platform in Thailand to becoming both a creator and driving force in promoting Thai soft power to new markets through distinctive, emotionally resonant, and internationally produced content. Opening the 'TrueVisions NOW Branded Zone' on Viu is not merely adding another viewing channel, but a critical step in bringing Thai Originals and Thai IP to...

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with Elbridge Colby, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, on August 13, 2026, at the Thai Khu Fa Building in Government House at 3:30 p.m. The meeting marked Colby's first official visit to Thailand in his capacity as policy chief at the U.S. Department of Defense.

After the meeting concluded, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek revealed that the Prime Minister had welcomed Colby and expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Thai-U.S. relations. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand's firm position that security cooperation between Thailand and the United States represents a cornerstone of their long-standing bilateral relationship, and that Thailand will not use military cooperation as a condition or negotiating tool in trade talks. Trade negotiations and security cooperation proceed on separate tracks based on mutual benefit and through their respective mechanisms.

Regarding military cooperation, the Prime Minister emphasized that Thailand and the United States have been allies for 193 years. Thailand values this strategic partnership, which benefits both nations and contributes significantly to regional peace, security, and stability. Both sides should strengthen the Thai-U.S. alliance to address evolving international circumstances and effectively respond to modern security threats and challenges.

Colby stated that Thailand is an important U.S. ally and that the United States places strategic importance on the region. He affirmed the U.S. commitment to enhance security cooperation with Thailand to jointly address complex challenges and the rapidly changing security environment. Both sides agreed to elevate their security partnership by developing capacity to counter modern security threats, enhancing military capabilities and modernization, and advancing defense industry cooperation.

On transnational crime, the Prime Minister referenced his July meeting with FBI Director Kash Patel, during which both agreed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation, particularly in preventing and combating transnational crime in the region—a threat both countries consider significant. The Prime Minister also addressed the Thai-Cambodian border situation, thanking President Donald Trump for his constructive role in supporting a resolution. He reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to international law, good neighborliness, peaceful dispute resolution through bilateral mechanisms, and compliance with the Kuala Lumpur Accord.

Deputy Transport Minister Pattrapong Pattarasetthikul held discussions with Grab Thailand representatives and Airports of Thailand Director General Danai Ruengsaon to develop a cooperation framework aimed at upgrading airport transportation services and enhancing passenger and tourist safety and convenience.

Pattrapong stated that the Transport Ministry prioritizes seamless transport connectivity, particularly between airports and various destinations, as a key element in creating a positive experience for passengers and travelers. The talks with Grab represent an exchange of approaches to develop services responsive to user needs while promoting integration of public transport systems with modern app-based travel services.

Airports of Thailand has already established public transport facilities at all 21 airports nationwide, including buses, taxis, shared vans, and other services tailored to each airport's needs.

The Deputy Transport Minister instructed Airports of Thailand to explore cooperation with Grab to facilitate seamless connections between airports and destination areas, with passenger safety and convenience as priorities. All work must comply with relevant laws and regulations.

The Transport Ministry is committed to developing efficient, safe, and convenient airport ground transportation across regional airports to support both passengers and tourists, while modernizing transport services for the digital age. This effort will boost tourism and sustainable economic growth in provinces and regions nationwide.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming work practices, and economic uncertainty is forcing organizations to accelerate adaptation and continuously improve business efficiency. Yet equally challenging is supporting the people who must constantly learn new skills while facing higher expectations, affecting mental health, burnout, and work-life balance—issues now facing organizations worldwide.

Today's labor market comprises multiple generations with distinctly different views on work. Younger employees seek learning opportunities, flexibility, and meaningful work, while experienced workers prioritize job security, career advancement, and long-term quality of life. As worker needs become more diverse, human resource management thinking must evolve in response.

Consequently, well-being no longer means only benefits or workplace happiness activities. It has become a framework for designing work environments where people can work energetically, enjoy good physical and mental health, have growth opportunities, and sustainably adapt to change. Ultimately, the ability to support and develop employee potential is a critical factor in business competitiveness.

For Bangkok Glass Group, the challenge is more complex given its diverse workforce—production staff, engineers, researchers, sales teams, and office employees—each with different work styles and needs. The key question is not what benefits to add, but how to design a personnel care system enabling everyone to grow according to their potential, even across different work contexts.

Well-being is not a cost; it is a long-term investment.

Historically, well-being was often seen as supplementary activities or benefits that created workplace happiness. Today, many organizations view it as an "investment" because employee quality of life directly impacts work performance, creativity, organizational commitment, and the ability to attract and retain talented people—all critical factors for long-term business growth.

Based on this thinking, Bangkok Glass Group designed personnel care through a four-dimensional framework: Mind, Body, Financial, and Together. The company believes well-being extends beyond physical health to include mental health, financial security, and positive relationships—all of which strengthen long-term work capacity.

In the Mind dimension, the company prioritizes mental health through counseling services and mental health promotion activities, ensuring employees access appropriate support. The Body dimension focuses on ongoing health care, including annual checkups and activities encouraging daily health awareness. The Financial dimension supports financial security through benefits and services that reduce expenses while promoting long-term financial planning. The Together dimension builds positive relationships among colleagues, family, and the organization through activities that encourage participation and foster belonging. Learning itself is another dimension of well-being.