Pon Tha Phra Chan has gone live to clarify a dispute involving a gold amulet coin that has become a point of contention in the amulet collecting community. Social media pages had accused him of swapping amulets, claiming the amulet's owner later discovered the issue and settled the matter for 9 million baht in exchange for not filing charges.

According to Pon Tha Phra Chan, on his birthday around August 5, a customer brought in a large number of amulets for inspection. His staff assisted in checking them. The disputed gold amulet coin was left inside a gold percentage testing machine by a staff member—an error he acknowledged immediately. Upon learning of the mistake, he suspended the employee and contacted the customer to resolve the issue at once.

He expressed shock and regret at the incident, noting the employee had worked with him for 10 to 15 years. When arranging to return the amulets, the customer asked what price he would offer to purchase them, leading to a negotiated sale at 9 million baht—not a settlement to avoid legal action as social media claimed.

Regarding a separate amulet set priced at 2.5 million baht, he acknowledged he could not accurately count the pieces in the set that day because nearly 200 customers visited the shop simultaneously, preventing thorough service.

Pon Tha Phra Chan released an audio clip of his conversation with the amulet's owner, in which the customer stated he held no grudge, had no intention to file charges, understood it was a mistake, and that the matter was resolved amicably. He expressed puzzlement over why the story spread on social media.

He further suggested that the incident may have been publicized by a third party who lost a business opportunity, possibly with intent to damage his reputation.

A SuperPoll survey released August 12 shows that 84.14 percent of Thai citizens back the Royal Thai Police's illegal firearm crackdown as a way to restore public confidence. The poll, conducted August 10-11 among 1,045 respondents across all professions nationwide at 95 percent confidence with a 3 percent margin of error, found strong public support for the police's preventive and emergency-response measures under National Police Chief General Kittarat Pancharoen.

The survey indicates that during a period of public concern over gun violence, citizens hold a positive view of the police's multiple approaches—prevention, rapid response, firearm seizures, and weapons control. Rather than endorsing crackdowns alone, the data reflects public expectation that safety policy should shift from reactive to proactive prevention.

Citizens place highest value on visible police presence in public spaces, rapid response times, and the ability to mitigate risk before loss of life occurs. When asked which measures they most support, 84.14 percent backed increased police patrols at schools, malls, hospitals, markets, and public areas—the highest rating. Close behind were rapid response and containment at 82.41 percent, nationwide illegal firearm seizure at 80.69 percent, online weapon trafficking crackdowns at 78.97 percent, and better oversight of government-issued firearms also at 78.97 percent.

The survey highlights that public perception focuses not just on arrest numbers but on the state's ability to create an environment where citizens feel protected and help arrives quickly. Increased patrols at schools and hospitals serve a dual purpose: physical deterrence and psychological reassurance. All five measured approaches received support between 79 and 84 percent, with only a 5.17 percent spread, suggesting citizens back a multipronged strategy rather than any single measure.

When asked about confidence in the police's gun control measures under General Kittarat, citizens showed highest faith in preventive action at 80.18 percent, followed by rapid response at 78.97 percent, safety assurance at 78.96 percent, and serious law enforcement at 74.52 percent.

Recently, Arocha Nantmontri, Governor of Nakhon Pathom Province, presided over a ceremony to enshrine the remains of Phra Brahm Wedi (Suthep Phussammo), former advisor to Regional Buddhist Sangha Council 15 and former abbot of Phra Pathom Chedi Temple, beneath the Bodhi tree at the Khom Bodhi Meditation Centre. The ceremony was attended by Phra Sri Wisutthiwong (Suwit Pavichhanyoo), Deputy Regional Sangha Council Leader, Assistant Abbot of Phra Pathom Chedi Ratchawora Mahavihar, and provincial officials including Vice Governor Nrongwit Phobpan and Narinat Panyasilp, Culture Officer.

Phra Brahm Wedi, born 30 July 1941 in Samut Songkhram Province, was ordained at age 20 on 24 June 1961 at Wat Pramoht. He pursued Buddhist studies at Wat Prasathong in Suphan Buri for four vassas before transferring to Phra Pathom Chedi Temple in 1965, where he earned the Buddhist Studies Master's degree in 1993 from Mahachulalongkornraj University.

He served as teacher of Buddhist scriptures and Pali language, established education scholarships for students and novices from 1992 onwards, and oversaw major renovations of the temple complex including the ordination hall, galleries, murals, and monastic quarters. He held successive positions as monk administrator in 1975, assistant abbot in 1977, preceptor in 1987, abbot in 1993, deputy regional sangha leader in 2001, and regional sangha council leader in 2002 until becoming advisor in 2021. He received honorary degrees from Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University in 1997 and from Mahachulalongkornraj University in 1998.

Chatchai Decha, a former amateur boxer for Thailand's national team, posted on Facebook about the selection process for Thai boxers competing in the Olympic Games. He argued that athletes seeking Olympic selection should first win Thailand's national championship, stating: "Boxers should win the Thai championship first before going to the Olympics. It's not a case of sending anyone you want. There are rules and regulations."

The Thai Amateur Boxing Association previously announced a partnership with ONE Championship and the Thai Olympic Committee to support Nabil Anane, a former ONE bantamweight champion, in his bid to compete in international boxing and pursue a medal at the Olympics representing Thailand.

The death toll from the Rong Beer Na Lad Phrao bar fire has risen to 38 after another victim died while receiving medical treatment, according to the Erawan Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Medical Services Department.

As of 12 August 2026, a total of 77 people injured in the fire had been taken to hospital. Of these, 53 have been discharged, while 13 remain hospitalised, including seven patients in intensive care and six in general wards.

The Erawan Centre said the latest fatality was Sai Mai Singchom, who had been transferred from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. She died at 18:30 on 11 August 2026.

The latest death brings the total number of fatalities from the fire to 38.

MP Bunyawee Yamchinda, a list-based representative and leader of the United Thai Hearts Party, disclosed his remarks after visiting Wang Hin Market near Tak City Municipality in Tak Province. He met with residents and surveyed local vendors to gather their concerns and suggestions. A major worry raised was the encroachment of Chinese agricultural products into Thai markets, which is severely affecting farmers across all sectors. Chinese agricultural industries have also set up factories in the area and export high-quality Thai agricultural goods, potentially depriving the state of tax revenue.

"Tak residents consistently pointed out that this stems from neglect by previous governments, but the current administration under Prime Minister Anuthong Chanyaveerakul is paying close attention and has policies to accelerate corrective and preventive measures in multiple ways," Bunyawee said. He added that Chinese agricultural imports, whether fruits or vegetables, are creating problems affecting both production and marketing. He therefore urged residents to support Thai vegetables and homegrown fruits, whether from household gardens or farmer producers.

Bunyawee also discussed the Thai Help Thai Phase 2 program, noting that initial discussions with the prime minister and relevant officials showed support for continuing Phase 2 to help manage living costs and stimulate grassroots economic activity. During this visit, Anurak Phuang-in, a representative from Wang Prajob Subdistrict farmers in Tak City, presented a request for budget support of 50 million baht in fiscal year 2569 for the Khao Chik Krabbin water reservoir and distribution system project in Moo 4, Ban Lan So, Wang Prajob Subdistrict, proposed by Wang Prajob Subdistrict Administrative Organization.

"This project will improve water storage capacity, support consumption and agriculture, and help solve recurring drought problems for 230 households totaling 1,050 people across 1,500 rai of beneficiary land. I will push this forward fully according to the next steps," Bunyawee said.