The Royal Gazette published on July 16, 2569 (2026) announced a Prime Minister's Office declaration establishing August 12 of every year as an important national day of Thailand. This designation honors the passing of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, who departed on October 24, 2568 (2025), bringing profound sorrow to all Thai people. Given her immense grace and kindness bestowed upon the nation and its citizens throughout her life, all Thai people are called to reflect upon her benevolence and recognize August 12, which is also her birthday, as a day of national significance. Accordingly, the royal decree designates August 12 annually as an important national day, serving as both the anniversary of Queen Sirikit's birthday and as Mother's Day. The government has proclaimed it a public holiday effective July 10, 2569 (2026), enabling citizens nationwide to organize activities honoring her grace and expressing gratitude to the Queen Mother, the mother of the land. Additional activities throughout the month will include remembrance of maternal kindness, fostering family warmth, and bringing relatives together. For the first time, His Majesty has graciously bestowed a royal motto for Mother's Day 2569: "A mother's virtue is boundless, beyond description or time. It is incomparable, irreplaceable—goodness proclaimed to all the world." The motto encapsulates the essence that all citizens are encouraged to practice in their daily lives as a tribute to their mothers. Commemorative ceremonies dedicated as royal merit-making for the Queen Mother include Buddhist chanting and alms-offering processions held simultaneously nationwide. The central ceremony will be held at Sanam Luang, while provincial ceremonies will take place at provincial halls or suitable venues. These events, including meditation practices and volunteer work for public welfare throughout the month, aim to honor Her Majesty's immense grace.

On August 9, the Central Administrative Court dismissed a case filed by Dr. Sarun Bunjaichaipruk, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), against the NBTC selection committee. Dr. Sarun had alleged that the committee was biased, non-transparent, lacked a quorum, and exceeded its legal authority. The court found that Dr. Sarun had suffered no injury or harm. Legal experts note that the court's dismissal means Dr. Sarun remains NBTC chairman because no royal decree has been issued to remove him from the position.

The selection committee voted unanimously 4–0 that Dr. Sarun should forfeit his right to become an NBTC commissioner, citing his continued work as an hourly-paid physician at Ramathibodi Hospital. However, Dr. Sarun contested this, arguing that the committee's authority to determine commissioner qualifications ended once it submitted his name to the Senate and he received royal appointment on April 13, 2022.

Legal scholars point out that the committee's power to rule on his removal remains disputed and unresolved. Former selection committee member Nathawong Rattamurit wrote to the Prime Minister and Senate President stating that the committee's role concluded after selecting Dr. Sarun and his royal appointment. Committee member Yupin Chonannontinivat also opposed the committee's attempt to revoke his qualifications. According to the constitutional court's ruling, the selection committee's authority to verify candidates' qualifications applies only before royal appointment.

Legal experts note that Dr. Sarun submitted his resignation from Ramathibodi Hospital's Faculty of Medicine on January 7, 2022, after Senate approval but before his royal appointment on April 13. Additionally, committee chairman Kiatphong Amatayakul's eligibility has been questioned, as the 2553 Broadcasting Act requires NBTC selection committee members to be Thai nationals aged 40–70, and questions have been raised about whether he met age requirements when presiding over the July 21 committee meeting.

Five southern border provinces have presented 44 development projects totaling 8.956 billion baht at a preparatory meeting for the first off-site Cabinet session of 2026, held on August 9 at Songkhla Provincial Hall. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn chaired the meeting to screen and prepare project proposals while establishing development strategies for Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces. The goal was to ensure proposals are comprehensive, clearly articulated, and reflect the needs and potential of each area.

Songkhla proposed five projects worth 395.5 million baht focusing on infrastructure and economic activities, including cultural heritage development and riverbank protection. Satun submitted 18 projects valued at 209 million baht emphasizing infrastructure, dredging, port improvements, and tourism, with proposals for a shipping route connecting Satun, Penang, and Langkawi. Yala proposed six projects for 265 million baht aimed at infrastructure development, sports facilities, water management, and border trade promotion. Pattani submitted six projects worth 7.683 billion baht to establish itself as a southern logistics hub for water, land, and rail transport, including dredging and rail infrastructure to connect Malaysia and Indonesia. Narathiwat proposed nine projects valued at 404 million baht including highway expansions, bridge construction, road network development, and comprehensive flood mitigation in the Yateng River basin.

A South African English teacher employed in the school's English Program has left the country since July 19 at 2:39 p.m. through the Padang Besar border checkpoint, following threats sent via LINE messaging that included images of firearms. The former teacher, identified as Mr. Pieter, targeted staff and administrators at Hatyai Wittayalai School in Songkhla province. The school immediately suspended in-person classes and shifted to online instruction for safety.

Police from Hatyai Station have confirmed the teacher's departure. Security has been heightened around the school, with continuous patrols and entry restrictions in place. The school has announced online classes for August 10–11 and is conducting an urgent review of the incident.

The school principal has filed a report regarding the distribution of firearm images and threatening messages. The former teacher had previously made allegations on social media concerning wages, social security contributions, contract guarantees, budget management, and flood damage reporting.

Hatyai Wittayalai School has issued a statement denying the accusations and asserting that all financial procedures comply with regulations. Students who knew the teacher described him as friendly and kind, though they were shocked by the threatening content and images he distributed.

The National Anti-Corruption Fund is building ethical resilience among Thai youth through a practical workshop program that combines anti-corruption education with performing arts. The project invites students from Assumption School Rayong to develop scripts and storylines themselves, guided by renowned director Marutt Sarawat and a professional team. Celebrity actors including Mook Worranit Thawornvong, Ping Raphat Eknidiseth, Jeegraceka Paveenida Chanjahatkij, Piew Chindhorn Thappayon, Titan Narawich Boonritthee, and Happy Neramit Chaisit participated alongside the students. The workshop produces entertaining yet socially beneficial short films that instill integrity from school age onward, helping youth understand teamwork, responsibility, and how small acts of corruption can escalate into national problems.

For audiences and society at large, the films raise awareness about corruption's daily impact and reflect real-world issues of abuse of power and negative behavioral patterns that viewers can immediately apply to their lives. Mook Worranit expressed enthusiasm about working with the students, viewing their creative involvement as a positive sign of Thailand's youth awakening to corruption's dangers and appreciating the professional guidance from director Marutt Sarawat. She hopes the anti-corruption plays will serve as a mirror for young people and audiences to recognize that integrity is life's most fundamental foundation.

Piew Chindhorn, a prominent influencer joining the project, emphasized that communicating anti-corruption messages to younger audiences requires creative and accessible media, which this short film delivers. She expressed pride in collaborating with the Anti-Corruption Fund and witnessed the determination of students, influencers, and actors unified in a common purpose, demonstrating that young people's power can genuinely transform society—beginning with refusing to accept wrongdoing in schools and extending toward building a transparent future. Titan Narawich, a young actor, expressed joy at being part of a creative anti-corruption project.

On August 9, 2025, Watchara Phongsuwan, a Saraburi MP and chairman of the parliamentary police committee, outlined the government's approach to addressing gun violence. Recent tragedies—including a 14-year-old's shooting rampage at Thepsirin School in Nonthaburi province that killed and injured many, and an incident in which a secondary student brandished a firearm to threaten and assault classmates near Saman Sen Road—underscore how a culture of carrying weapons in public has led to devastating loss of life. Phongsuwan said his committee will coordinate with the Royal Thai Police and Interior Ministry to overhaul and comprehensively revise the Firearms Act to impose far stricter and more rigorous penalties.

The sweeping enforcement initiative will target the root of the problem by outright banning ordinary civilians and off-duty government officials from carrying firearms outside their homes. Anyone violating this ban without authorization faces serious criminal charges and severe punishment. The new law will also hold registered gun owners jointly criminally liable if their weapons are stolen or used by others to shoot people, unless they file a daily loss report before the incident occurs.

Phongsuwan stressed that all gun owners must secure their weapons with extreme care to prevent children and youth from accessing them. He dismissed proposals for teachers to carry guns in schools for self-defense, aligning with the Prime Minister's earlier rejection of the idea. Teachers are not law enforcement officers and have no direct duty to wield firearms, he noted. The correct solution is strict enforcement of new gun laws to remove weapons from public circulation, rather than introducing more firearms into schools.