On August 6, 2025, at Parliament, Asaipol Sannitripath, a Bhumjaithai party representative and chair of the House committee on anti-corruption and misconduct, announced discussions on investigating business registration, ownership, and land title documentation by foreigners in Phuket. Following a field visit to Phuket on June 26–27, the committee learned of cases in which foreign nationals held land and operated businesses using Thai nominees to register legal entities, a practice that could threaten national security and the economy. Officials will examine law enforcement compliance and investigate possible corruption or negligence by government officials.

The committee invited representatives from the Land Department, the anti-money-laundering committee, the business development department, the Central Investigation Police, economic crime units, Phuket commerce authorities, and the anti-corruption organization to provide information. The business development department reported issuing four orders and two directives to screen corporate registrations that may involve Thai nominee shareholders, and is studying amendments to foreign business laws and vetting at-risk entities.

In Phuket, investigators found 1,752 companies with foreign shareholders and forwarded data to the provincial governor for action through provincial committees. A data-integration system linking 13-digit corporate ID numbers with the Land Department is being developed to speed checks. Phuket's commerce office established a task force to investigate foreign business law violations; enforcement measures reduced foreign business operations by over 50% and triggered closures in about 20% of cases. Violations are referred to police for legal prosecution.

The Land Department screened 203,000 corporate records from the business development department and identified 4,041 high-risk entities nationwide, sending results to provincial offices. All 77 provinces now have appointed provincial committees and are gathering data for joint review with the business development department before forwarding to the Board of Investment for examination. If a foreign legal entity lacks investment promotion status, the Land Department director may compel land sale under Section 94 of the Land Code.

Phuket has 6,621 corporate records, with 361 in the high-risk group already submitted to the provincial committee. The province has filed 109 cases, prosecuted 34, and brought two to court. An anti-money-laundering official noted that the Prime Minister has convened 23 agencies to coordinate policy on the issue.

Police have made significant progress in the arrest of Tonthong Sukhkaen, known as Ton Bangkhae, a prominent amulet dealer. Deputy Police Commissioner Tasaphoom Charupatchya, head of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, revealed that officers conducted searches at two locations in Nonthaburi province—Ton Bangkhae's residence and his amulet business—and seized multiple pieces of evidence including approximately 10 amulet viewing cameras, product brochures, documents, shirts, and company seals.

The Economic Crime Suppression Division emphasized that this case is separate from the "Madame Khaeng" case under the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and they are handling only the amulet camera fraud. To date, 12 victims—mostly Ton Bangkhae fans—have filed complaints with combined damages of approximately 3.2 million baht. The scheme involved advertising limited-edition amulet cameras but selling ordinary models worth around 1,000 baht at inflated prices of up to 10,000 baht each.

Police estimate total victims at 40–50 people with cumulative damages of around 40 million baht, though some victims have declined to pursue charges after receiving compensation. Authorities denied reports that Ton Bangkhae fled, stating that officers presented an arrest warrant at his residence and he voluntarily came to meet police. Ton Bangkhae initially denied all allegations and refused further cooperation during interrogation. Investigators have charged him with fraud, public fraud, and violations of the Computer Crime Act for submitting false information. Preliminary financial tracking and evidence suggest Ton Bangkhae acted alone with no identified accomplices.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing jointly opened the Thailand–Myanmar Business Forum 2026 on August 6, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at the Sirikit National Convention Centre. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Permswatviwat revealed that Prime Minister Srettha and Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing addressed the forum on the theme "New Chapter and Future of Enhancing the Thailand–Myanmar Business Partnership," organized by the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Association and Myanmar's Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with over 700 representatives from both countries in attendance.

The Prime Minister expressed pleasure at opening the event with Myanmar's president and emphasized that Thailand and Myanmar are ready to enter a new chapter of economic cooperation based on mutual trust, confidence, and shared prosperity for both peoples, regardless of political circumstances. He stressed that governments have a responsibility to ensure citizens enjoy quality of life, employment, income, and hope for the future, and that economic progress must continue steadily.

Srettha noted that over decades, Thailand's and Myanmar's private sectors have been crucial mechanisms linking the two economies through investment, employment, and opportunity creation. Myanmar is now a major economic partner of Thailand, with bilateral trade valued at over $7.4 billion, with significant growth potential. Thai investments in Myanmar span energy, manufacturing, transport, logistics, telecommunications, real estate, and tourism.

In discussions with Myanmar's president, both sides agreed to push forward concrete economic cooperation in multiple areas. On trade, both parties welcomed reopening the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge connecting Mae Sot and Myawaddy, and committed to removing regulatory barriers to restore full trade capacity quickly. They also plan to consider opening additional border checkpoints in ready areas to facilitate border trade and promote regional economic development.

Thailand will host a joint trade commission meeting between both countries' commerce ministers to push bilateral trade toward a $12 billion target and revive the vibrant Thailand-Myanmar border trade atmosphere this year. On investment, the Prime Minister confirmed Thai private sector confidence in Myanmar's long-term potential and readiness to expand investment in sectors with joint capacity, including energy, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and future industries.

The Thai government will fully support business through reducing obstacles, streamlining procedures, and improving unnecessary regulations. On energy, both sides will continue existing cooperation projects and accelerate necessary processes to jointly strengthen energy security, plus establish a working group to promote connectivity and push infrastructure development.

Acting Director of the Port Authority of Thailand Rattakorn Khiewpaisan presented 1 million baht in support to the Billiards Association of Thailand, with Sunthorn Charumunt, chairman of the association, and Panchaya Channo ("Mind Sakol"), a world snooker champion and professional player, accepting on behalf of young athletes at the Port Authority's Khlong Toei headquarters on August 6.

The acting director said the Port Authority is committed to continued backing for Thai snooker, marking the second year of support. He noted that Thai cue players are developing steadily and competing on level ground with world-class athletes, and he wants to see young players grow into skilled and ethical snooker professionals. The authority pledged to help further develop the Thai snooker scene.

Regarding efforts to remove snooker from the Gambling Act B.E. 2478, officials said this would allow snooker to progress legitimately and receive full support going forward, benefiting both the sport and its players. Sunthorn said young athletes aged 8-18 came to thank the Port Authority for its ongoing support and pledged that the association would work hard to achieve success and bring credit to Thailand. He noted that two major events are planned for next year: Thailand will host the World Youth Snooker Championship and the World Snooker Championship for amateurs, with champions earning opportunities to compete in professional events.

Bangkok Mass Transit System Company (BEM) is coordinating with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BTS), BTS Fire and Rescue Unit, Lumpini and Thonglor Police Stations, Bon Kai and Khlong Toei Fire and Rescue Stations, Bangkok Emergency Medical Center (Erawan Center), and Khlong Toei District Office to conduct an emergency management drill. The exercise is designed to train staff in emergency response and crisis management procedures to ensure safe and effective handling of incidents. The drill will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, between 1:30 AM and 3:00 AM at Siri Kitti National Convention Center. Residents living nearby may hear warning sirens and emergency vehicle sounds, and the organizers apologize for any inconvenience. Those needing additional information can contact the information center at 0-2624-5200.

The Science Research and Innovation Fund (SRIF), administered by the Office of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), in partnership with the Department of Intellectual Property under the Commerce Ministry, has opened the "IP x Venture Rise Thailand 2026: Intellectual Property Forum Driving Thai Business into the Future" to integrate research and innovation through SRIF funding while connecting intellectual property assets, increasing research output value, and creating business and investment opportunities. The event will match businesses with researchers across more than 100 partnerships, upgrade products, expand ventures, and address changes in technology, innovation, and environmental sustainability to help Thailand compete in the global economy.

On August 6, 2026, Professor Dr. Sompoong Khlai Nong Saruang, director of NRCT, announced that the "Intellectual Property Forum Driving Thai Business into the Future IP x Venture Rise Thailand 2026" scheduled for August 27–29, 2026, represents a major collaboration between SRIF, NRCT, and the Department of Intellectual Property to create a complete Thai innovation system and develop it as an "Opportunity Platform" based on research, innovation, and intellectual property outputs, bridging research, technology, and real domestic innovations.

"This is another important step in creating added value in intellectual property for Thai research and innovation, ensuring that research and innovation outputs receive true rights and benefits. Following the government's enforcement of the Research and Innovation Utilization Promotion Act of 2021 (TRIUP Act), a law for economic reform that unlocks ownership of research and innovation to enable commercial and broad public benefit development, Thailand can escape the middle-income trap and reduce inequality while addressing economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical changes," he said.

In previous years, Venture Rise Thailand focused on promoting utilization and investment; this year, NRCT aims to expand opportunities and build on VR Thailand by integrating intellectual property knowledge more deeply into SRIF networks. The initiative receives support from fund management units, regional science park networks, the business sector, and investors to create an innovation ecosystem linking knowledge creation, intellectual property protection, prototype development, business matching, access to funding, and market expansion, thereby narrowing the gap between research and commercial use and strengthening national competitiveness.

The event will showcase over 200 research and innovation projects nationwide and include a Business Matching zone where innovators meet users and investors directly, targeting at least 100 partnerships and attracting over 5,000 participants who will learn concepts and case studies across nine activity zones, including research and innovation showcases and business partner zones.