Bangkok Asset Management (BAM), led by CEO Rak Worakitphokathon, reported at an analyst meeting that second-quarter collections reached 3.513 billion baht, up from the prior quarter. First-half 2025 collections totaled 6.539 billion baht with net profit of 451 million baht, signaling steady operational recovery. The company aims to build a resilient business model in the second half by strengthening long-term performance through several key engines: the TDR Factory, selective debt investment, continuous cost-of-funds management, and expansion of joint-venture asset management companies to create quality, diversified revenue streams while reducing dependence on large borrowers.

BAM is accelerating its "Fresh Start with BAM" program, which uses flexible debt restructuring to help debtors return to sustainable economic participation while converting non-performing loans back into steady cash flow. The company is also scaling up its "Public Assets Plus" non-performing asset business to accelerate asset circulation and expand the customer base with easier terms for public access.

A major second-half strategy is expanding joint-venture asset management companies with financial institution partners. BAM plans to establish three additional joint-venture entities, with the first expected in late third quarter 2025. These joint ventures will leverage BAM's expertise in managing non-performing and non-performing assets alongside partner resources, creating revenue and long-term return opportunities without relying solely on assets BAM holds directly.

Combining company assets with those held by joint-venture partners under the "BAM Universe," BAM forecasts its total portfolio will exceed 600 billion baht by year-end 2025. This marks a shift from growth based solely on BAM's own portfolio to building an asset management ecosystem where partners play a central role. BAM targets 2025 net profit near 2 billion baht while strengthening revenue diversification and consistency, reducing big-ticket dependence, accelerating the TDR Factory, speeding non-performing asset sales, and expanding joint-venture partnerships to create multiple revenue engines.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, chairman of the National Security Council, travelled by private aircraft to inspect the Tactical Air Squadron at Wing 1 in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima province on 14 August. He was joined by Defence Minister Anudom Boontherm, Permanent Secretary of Defence Tharapong Malakham, Supreme Commander Ukrit Buntananth, Air Force Commander Seksak Kantha, and Ratchada Thanadirek.

Upon arrival at Wing 1, the Prime Minister received briefings on the squadron's missions, operational areas, and activities related to security along the Thai-Cambodian border, as well as key Royal Thai Air Force projects. He then addressed personnel on their duties as civil servants and air force personnel, before touring military equipment and aircraft used in operational readiness.

Wing 1 operates as a strategic unit under the national defence plan, with combat aircraft positioned to execute air operations upon command. As National Security Council chairman, the Prime Minister conducted the inspection to assess readiness across all domains. The National Security Council is Thailand's principal security organization, responsible for setting policy direction, proposing security strategies, and formulating national-level policies to protect national security while monitoring strategic threats.

Following the inspection, the Prime Minister proceeded to Ubon Ratchathani province to attend the funeral rites of Kriang Kalpitinont, a prominent Pheu Thai Party figure. The event has drawn attention because former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his sister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and former Premier Somchai Wongsawat are expected to attend.

The Special Purpose Areas Development Organization (SFTPO) is leveraging cultural capital to elevate city potential toward sustainable tourism. The organization is driving Pattaya's bid to join UNESCO's Creative Cities Network as a City of Film, addressing how local heritage—food, crafts, music, art, and traditional knowledge—can be preserved and create lasting value. The Creative City concept has become integral to the SFTPO's sustainable tourism development work.

Thailand currently has nine cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The SFTPO actively supports six of them: Sukhothai, Nan, Songkhla, Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri, and Phetchaburi. Recently, the SFTPO director revealed the organization's vision to advance Pattaya toward Film City status by 2027, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Pattaya municipality.

Siripakorn Chiewsamutr, SFTPO director, announced that the organization recently hosted the "Thailand Creative Cities Network: TCCN Forum 2026" in partnership with Bangkok, bringing together 13 creative cities from Thailand and abroad. The forum served as a platform to share development approaches, exchange ideas on creative city development, and showcase how cultural and creative initiatives enhance livability and tourism appeal. The participating cities represented four creative categories: City of Gastronomy (Phuket, Phetchaburi, Songkhla); City of Crafts and Folk Art (Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Nan); City of Design (Bangkok, Chiang Rai); and City of Music (Suphan Buri). International participants included Berlin and Cebu (Design), Jakarta (Literature), and Isesaki, Japan (Crafts and Folk Art). UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, launched in 2004, works alongside World Heritage designations to promote creative industry development globally.

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Osothasopa Public Company Limited (OSP) reported second-quarter 2025 net profit attributable to the company of 1.1 billion baht, up 8.9% from the same period last year despite facing external challenges. Gross margin reached a historic high of 42.8%, driven by improved production efficiency, efficient cost management and supply chain operations, and strong growth in domestic core business. First-half net profit from normal operations reached 2.257 billion baht, up 14% year-on-year, reflecting strong and sustained profit-generating capability. The company declared an interim dividend of 0.45 baht per share.

Mukda Pairatwetwet, Chief Executive Officer of Osothasopa Public Company Limited, said first-half results reflect the strength of the business and continuously improving profit-generating capability. On an adjusted basis, revenue grew 1.7%, while net profit attributable to the company and ordinary profit grew 20.2% and 42.6% respectively, driven by disciplined cost management, enhanced operational efficiency, and product portfolio management aligned with market opportunities.

"For 2025, the company targets low-to-mid-single-digit revenue growth on an adjusted basis, outpacing Thailand's economic expansion rate. We will drive growth through core brands, innovation, and domestic and international market expansion, while continuously improving operational efficiency to create sustainable long-term growth and shareholder returns," she said.

Key second-quarter 2025 results include: net profit attributable to the company of 1.1 billion baht, up 8.9% despite temporary production constraints in Myanmar; gross margin at historic 42.8% from improved production efficiency following factory consolidation, efficient domestic and international supply chain management, and disciplined cost and promotional activity management; domestic beverage sales up 6.0%, driven by comprehensive brand portfolio management including mainstream, premium, and functional drinks, with M-150, Lipovitan-D, C-Vitt, and Peptein as key drivers; personal care up 8.3% from strength of Babi Mild and expansion of Ultra Mild by Babi Mild, broadening consumer base and future growth opportunities; international business excluding Myanmar up 19.5%, though Myanmar operations still face raw material import license constraints, while other overseas markets continued strong growth, reflecting potential for expansion in high-growth markets; disciplined expense management with SG&A ratio at 22.5% of sales, reflecting ROI-driven marketing and promotional activity management and operational improvements; and interim dividend of 0.45 baht per share, with ex-dividend date set for August 27, 2025, and payment date September 10, 2025, reflecting strong financial position and commitment to sustained shareholder returns.

On August 13, at Suwang Arom Temple in Khun Kaeo subdistrict, Nakhon Chai Si district, Nakhon Pathom province, multiple lottery enthusiasts came to seek blessings from the temple's sacred golden Buddha statue. Wirat, a 40-year-old online delivery driver, had stopped at the temple while making a delivery to a customer and was encouraged by temple staff to ask the Buddha for good fortune. He purchased flowers, incense, and candles, then lit a special auspicious incense stick and prayed for a motorcycle to use for deliveries. When the incense burned completely, the numbers 3-1-9 appeared, which he decided to use as his lottery ticket numbers, purchasing two tickets with those three digits. When the lottery was drawn, he discovered both tickets had won fourth prize, earning him 80,000 baht in total. Grateful for his good fortune, Wirat returned to the temple with offerings of red syrup drink, drinking water, and flowers to make a donation in thanks. He later lit another auspicious incense stick that produced the numbers 9-8-9 and purchased additional lottery tickets with those numbers, hoping for continued luck as he plans to buy a new motorcycle for his delivery business.