Thailand is preparing for a historic step in space exploration, with a Thai-designed and developed scientific payload set to travel to the Moon as part of China's Chang'e 7 mission on 24 August 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanan Wongsawat announced the country's readiness on 4 August during a press conference titled "Thailand's First Mission to Explore the Moon."

The CE-7 MATCH scientific payload, developed by Thai researchers and engineers at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), will be one of seven international scientific instruments carried by the Chang'e 7 mission. The Long March-5 Y14 rocket carrying the Chang'e 7 spacecraft will launch from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in China's Hainan province on 24 August, with the launch broadcast live.

This marks the first time a Thai-developed scientific payload has passed international standards and been selected to participate in a major global lunar exploration mission. Yotsanan described the achievement as evidence of Thailand's progress in developing human capital and moving towards an innovation-driven economy.

The mission will operate in an orbit approximately 200 kilometres above the Moon's surface and present significant technical challenges while creating opportunities to develop advanced engineering expertise and strengthen Thailand's emerging space economy. The CE-7 MATCH instrument will monitor space conditions and measure cosmic radiation while studying the relationship between Earth, the Sun and the Moon, conducting continuous observations of solar storms over the next three years.

The data could contribute to monitoring and warning systems for satellites worldwide while helping develop Thai engineers with expertise in space-grade technology. Yotsanan emphasized that the most important outcome was not only the scientific instrument itself but also the development of people.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Education are working together to broadcast the historic launch to more than 3 million young people across Thailand. The initiative will also partner with Sea (Thailand), using digital platforms with more than 20 million users to expand access to STEM education and inspire young people to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.

Education Minister Akaranan Kannkittinan said the Ministry of Education had long promoted STEM learning, but the greater goal was to create inspiration among young people. The mission would show Thai children that technology developed by Thai people could achieve global recognition and reach the Moon, encouraging them to dream bigger and potentially become world-class scientists in the future.

On August 4, 2569 at 2:00 p.m. at Dusit Forest Hotel in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi, Governor Narish Niramaimongkol chaired a policy meeting with administrative officials and police to strengthen crime prevention and suppression efforts, enhance public safety, and restore confidence among tourists. The meeting included Maj. Gen. Pongphan Wongmaneethat (Chonburi Provincial Police Commander), Col. Patitkorn Srachai (Deputy Commander), district chiefs, and all 23 police station commanders from Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts, along with village leaders.

Governor Narish emphasized that maintaining security requires close cooperation between administrative and police authorities. He instructed all units to implement seven critical measures: close monitoring of released prisoners; regular checkpoints and patrols coordinated with village safety volunteers; continuous drug suppression and searches of abandoned buildings; strict enforcement of uniform standards; rigid compliance with firearm regulations; aggressive action against illegal drug manufacturing; and integrated operations among all relevant agencies.

Maj. Gen. Pongphan provided operational guidelines to all 23 station commanders emphasizing seven key approaches: information sharing and coordination among police, administrators, and local authorities; maintenance of suspect watch lists; enhanced security at vulnerable areas and tourist attractions; strict compliance with missing persons procedures; accelerated investigation of unresolved disappearance cases since January 1, 2567; community-based surveillance networks with village leaders; and regular progress reporting.

Regarding suspect Thana 'Pong'—allegedly linked to five deaths and now the subject of rumors connecting him to police—the provincial commander disclosed that investigations are ongoing under Regional Police Command 2 orders, examining electronic evidence, digital data, financial transactions, and all related information. Officers named or implicated in the case are currently under investigation.

The Ministry of Industry held a press conference announcing the 2025 Prime Minister's Industry Award, Thailand's highest industrial honor. The awards recognize outstanding businesses with excellent operations, strong management systems, and the potential to serve as role models for manufacturers nationwide. The award ceremony is scheduled for August 10, 2026, at the Grand Ballroom of Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok.

Dr. Nathapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, revealed that this press conference marks the announcement of readiness for the 2025 ceremony. The Industry Award program has been running continuously since 1981 to honor outstanding entrepreneurs and promote industrial standards throughout Thailand. The ministry uses the awards as a key mechanism to encourage businesses to develop capabilities across production efficiency, quality, safety, energy and environmental management, technology and innovation, and corporate social responsibility.

The 2025 Industry Awards comprise 14 categories. Category one is the Prime Minister's Best Industry Award—a single top honor for businesses demonstrating excellence across all areas. Category two includes nine Prime Minister's Industry Awards for increased productivity, environmental quality, safety management, quality management, energy management, logistics and supply chain management, future industry and services, corporate social responsibility, and circular economy. Category three comprises four awards for small and medium-sized enterprises: good management, creative product development, innovative technology management, and international business administration.

Adit Vaseenanon, Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries and Mines, stated that 162 businesses applied for selection. Three applied for the Best Industry Award, while 159 applied for the remaining 13 categories. All applicants underwent rigorous evaluation based on operational performance, management systems, innovation, business efficiency, social and environmental responsibility, and sustainable growth potential. A total of 40 businesses received awards, including Daikin Industries (Thailand) Limited, which won the 2025 Prime Minister's Best Industry Award and the MIND Ambassador private sector industrial envoy position.

The award ceremony will take place on August 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok, with the Minister of Industry presiding.

PHUKET: More than 100 residents of the Pracha Samakkee Community in Koh Kaew gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Aug 4) to appeal for urgent intervention after being notified that electricity to their homes could be disconnected as part of a long-running land dispute.

On August 4, 2569, Somphan Saramyut, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives, announced an official visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from August 5–7. The visit is made at Vietnam's invitation, following earlier visits by Vietnam's National Assembly President and Communist Party General Secretary and President To Liem to Thailand's parliament.

The visit marks the 50th anniversary of Thai-Vietnamese diplomatic relations, a significant milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two nations.

The speaker said this represents an auspicious development following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's recent visit to Vietnam to strengthen executive-level cooperation. The Thai parliamentary delegation's visit will build legislative-level ties, reflecting both countries' commitment to parliament's role in promoting mutual cooperation.

The speaker added that to mark the 50th anniversary of Thai-Vietnamese relations, the Thai embassy in Hanoi is organizing commemorative events. The Thai parliamentary delegation will participate in traditional Thai attire to promote Thai identity and culture on the international stage.

During this visit, the speaker plans to meet and consult with Vietnam's National Assembly President, President, and Prime Minister to exchange views and advance cooperation across multiple dimensions including economics, trade, investment, and parliamentary cooperation under international frameworks such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and ASEAN Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

"As the legislative branch representing the people, close ties between the parliaments of both countries will be a crucial mechanism to support government-level cooperation and strengthen Thai-Vietnamese relations with greater firmness and sustainability," the speaker said.

Additionally, the speaker plans to visit Hanoi's drug rehabilitation and recovery center to exchange knowledge and experience in management, which will benefit both countries' public policy development. This will also be an opportunity to strengthen legislative-level cooperation to jointly drive development and foster sustainable growth in Thai-Vietnamese relations.