Two armed robbers on a motorcycle accosted an elderly fruit vendor in the Ladprao-Wanghin area, brandishing a gun and ransacking his money container on his cart, making off with around 6,000 baht. The incident occurred on August 1 at approximately 10:30 p.m. near the Ladprao temple curve, before Bang Jak petrol station—a dark and isolated location. On August 4, the "Khao Sod" news team met with Nai Cho, a bakery shop owner and good citizen who accompanied the vendor to file a police report.

Nai Cho explained that the vendor regularly stops at his shop around 5:00 p.m., and he often provides him with food and water because the elderly man pushes his cart selling fruit by himself. On August 1, the vendor arrived looking distressed and said he had suffered "bad luck"—he had been robbed. He recounted that around 10:30 p.m., while pushing his cart home on his usual route, two men on a motorcycle wearing black helmets pulled up beside him. The passenger, holding a gun, stood guard while the driver rummaged through the colored container where the vendor kept his money, stealing approximately 6,000 baht accumulated over three days of sales.

Nai Cho noted that the robbers likely had been observing the vendor's behavior beforehand, as he had been selling in the area for a long time and kept his money in the same container—something an ordinary person would not know unless they had been monitoring him. The 6,000 baht represented three days of fruit sales plus extra money customers had given him, such as paying 100 baht for a 50-baht item. The vendor has no bank account, no mobile phone, and cannot read or write, so he cannot deposit or transfer money normally. When customers want to transfer funds to him, they send money to Nai Cho's account, and he gives the vendor cash. After the robbery, Nai Cho took the vendor to file a report, and police are investigating.

Despite his fear following the robbery, the vendor continues selling because it is his only means of livelihood. Nai Cho appealed to the perpetrators: "If you must be a thief, at least have some dignity. Don't rob an elderly man who has no strength to fight back. He would give you anything if you asked." He added that the vendor is so kindhearted that he sometimes lets customers take fruit on credit when they have no money. Nai Cho urged the robbers to stop their behavior and never target the elderly or those unable to defend themselves.

On August 4, Prayut Wattharasin, a Pheu Thai list MP and deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, dismissed speculation about forming a red-green-orange coalition government, noting that such arrangements remain based on unconfirmed assumptions across multiple factions. He emphasized that Pheu Thai's current role is to fulfill its duty as the leading opposition force, with all party members mindful of the public's electoral trust. Denying any outreach to potential coalition partners, Wattharasin called the rumors unrelated to Pheu Thai, explaining that submitting no-confidence motions is the opposition's responsibility while other parties' decisions to participate and vote rest with them. When asked about Pheu Thai's position if the government coalition partners discuss terms, he reaffirmed the party's clarity about its opposition leadership role and declined to speculate on future events. However, he stressed on principle that MPs were elected and entrusted by the public, making their campaign pledges a binding social contract to uphold. Regarding government longevity, Wattharasin said he cannot predict the future but the opposition will demonstrate to all lawmakers that prolonging this government harms the nation through declining competitiveness, inequality, and widespread corruption across sectors and levels. "We will do our utmost in that role, and whenever the next election comes, we are ready to present an alternative that will lead the country toward a better future," he concluded.

FETCO Chairman Paibuol Nalintharangkur released the July 2025 Investor Confidence Index, surveyed from July 20–31, showing investor confidence for the next three months at 146.72 points—a "hot" level reflecting optimism about Thailand's capital market trajectory. Foreign capital inflows emerged as the strongest support factor, followed by state economic stimulus measures and listed company earnings.

The biggest risk factors cited by investors were international conflicts, followed by listed company performance and domestic political uncertainty. Foreign investors and brokerage accounts reported "extremely hot" confidence, domestic institutional investors showed "hot" confidence, and retail investors remained "neutral." Banking stocks attracted the most interest, while real estate stocks drew the least.

Throughout July 2025, the SET Index rose nearly continuously before facing selling pressure late month due to corporate earnings concerns and external factors. However, net foreign buying and confidence in Thai economic trends provided support. The SET Index closed July at 1,623.64 points, up 2.04% from the prior month, with average daily trading value at 87,397 million baht. Foreign investors posted net purchases of 48,864 million baht, bringing year-to-date net foreign inflows to 75,864 million baht.

FETCO highlighted key factors to monitor: Thai economic recovery following the Finance Ministry's revised 2025 GDP forecast to 2.5%, foreign investment in target industries, tourism recovery, and Q2 corporate earnings. External factors include U.S. Federal Reserve policy direction, Middle East tensions, oil price volatility, and uncertainty over U.S. trade policy—particularly the planned 12.5% tariff on Thai imports, which could impact exports and competitiveness.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a vision statement at ASEC's Nusantara Hall in Jakarta on August 4, 2025, attended by representatives from over 100 countries. He proposed three pathways: strengthening regionalism, building resilience to global volatility, and ensuring ASEAN delivers meaningful benefits to ordinary people.

On regionalism, the PM stressed that ASEAN's unity and centrality matter more in a fragmented world. While consensus and non-interference remain foundational, they should be applied flexibly to keep the bloc united and effective. He cited Myanmar as a test case, supporting calibrated re-engagement within the Five-Point Consensus framework. He noted recent progress, including the International Committee of the Red Cross visiting Aung San Suu Kyi, whom reports indicate is in good health.

Regarding Thailand-Cambodia ties, he confirmed both nations aim to rebuild trust and resume bilateral dialogue, with Thailand committed to resolving differences peacefully and upholding international law while maintaining ASEAN unity.

On resilience, the PM said ASEAN must prepare proactively rather than react to crises. This requires strengthening supply chains, energy, and food security, while accelerating digital connectivity and technological capacity-building to handle future challenges.

Recently, Panom Butr Chantrachoti, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, presided over the opening of a permanent exhibition hall dedicated to Phra Mahathat Chedi Nakhon Si Thammarat at the Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of His Majesty King Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej on December 5, 2570.

The Fine Arts Department has undertaken a renovation and development initiative for the national museum, which His Majesty originally opened on August 26, 2517. The Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum was the first national museum established in southern Thailand. As part of efforts to enhance the museum's capacity and significance, the Fine Arts Department created the new permanent exhibition hall dedicated to Phra Mahathat Chedi Nakhon Si Thammarat. The exhibition presents and conveys knowledge about Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn through contemporary and aesthetically refined display media, preserving and advancing cultural heritage as a learning and tourism destination capable of generating income for local communities. The exhibition also celebrates the designation of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn as a World Heritage Site, a matter of national pride.

The permanent exhibition hall presents this important religious monument, which serves as a spiritual center for the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat and residents throughout the southern region. The exhibition is titled "Phra Mahathat Chedi Nakhon Si Thammarat" and comprises an introduction stating "Born in one nation, one must pay respects to the chedi of the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat," which explains the significance of Buddhist relics in Thailand, the history of Phra Mahathat Chedi Nakhon Si Thammarat as one of Thailand's great chedis, and the history of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn.

Section 1, Phra Mahathat Chedi Nakhon Si Thammarat, presents multimedia and scale models explaining the history and significance of the chedi as the center of Buddhism in the southern peninsula. Section 2, Buddhist Veneration and Traditions, showcases the devotion people have toward the chedi through historical accounts of temple renovations, the presentation of Buddhist offerings, and related traditions, featuring ten Buddhist offerings displayed on a chedi model from the temple alongside interactive media. Section 3, Royal Devotion and Archaeological Work, recounts royal patronage and the preservation of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn according to international standards, using graphics, multimedia, and artifacts from archaeological excavations conducted in 2552 and 2559 to illustrate the temple's age, development, and significance, including the display of a wooden lintel from the main viharn. Section 4, Miscellaneous Narratives, presents stories, beliefs, and sacred aspects related to the temple, the devotion of people across generations, the role of the chedi as a spiritual center, and the identity of Nakhon Si Thammarat residents. The exhibition space is designed to evoke the atmosphere of a temple corridor, creating an immersive experience as if walking through the stories within the temple itself.

Court jails Chinese man 46 years over weapons cache in Chon BuriLegacyA Thai court sentenced Chinese national, Sun Mingchen, to 46 years in prison for illegally possessing a large cache of weapons at his property in Chon Buri. The motive behind the extensive stockpile is still under investigation. The case emerged in May after Sun crashed his car in Sattahip district. Police responding to the accident found a Glock 26 pistol and ammunition inside the vehicle, prompting a wider investigation. Officers later searched his home and seized a large quantity of military-grade equipment, including C4 explosives, M16 and M4 firearms, anti-personnel grenades, bulletproof vests, chemical masks, radio signal jammers, remote-control transceivers and ammunition. The scale of the seizure raised questions about the purpose of the collection, but investigators have yet to determine a motive. Photo via Thai PBS The investigation also found that Sun held more than one nationality and had travelled between Thailand and Cambodia. Police said he also possessed a pink identification card issued to people without Thai nationality. Investigators are continuing to examine the source of the seized weapons. Police previously said the inquiry had identified soldiers and police officers linked to supplying firearms to the accused. During questioning, Sun reportedly denied planning to use the weapons against anyone. He told investigators he had collected them because he intended to use them for self-harm. Sun remained in custody while the investigation continued. On May 11, he was transferred from Pattaya Prison to hospital after suffering a seizure and losing consciousness. Photo via Thai PBS Medical staff suspected he had taken an excessive amount of medication for a congenital medical condition. After his condition improved, he was returned to prison. Yesterday, the Pattaya Provincial Court sentenced Sun to 46 years’ imprisonment for offences relating to the illegal possession of weapons. The court also ordered the confiscation of all seized items, including the 9mm Glock pistol, M4 and M16 firearms, ammunition, anti-personnel grenades, C4 explosives, bulletproof vests, chemical masks, radio signal jammers, remote-control transceivers and other military equipment. Photo via Thai PBS The story Court jails Chinese man 46 years over weapons cache in Chon Buri as seen on Thaiger News.