Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt presented the city's fiscal year 2570 budget of 93,918.92 million baht to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council at its third ordinary session of the year on August 3, 2026. The budget is divided into 93 billion baht for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and 918.92 million baht for commercial operations, adhering to balanced budget principles and strict fiscal discipline.

Governor Chadchart emphasized that the budget aims to improve residents' lives across all 50 districts, with over 6.6 billion baht allocated for grassroots infrastructure including roads, alleys, sidewalks, sports fields, parks, street lighting, drainage systems, and schools. Although agencies had requested 144.24 billion baht in total, the governor explained that the approved amount reflects Bangkok's legal requirement not to exceed recurring expenditures against recurring revenue, while prioritizing efficiency and value.

The budget supports nine development strategies spanning transportation (15.7 billion baht), environment (5.4 billion baht), safety (4.1 billion baht), health (2.5 billion baht), education (2.5 billion baht), and other sectors. The governor acknowledged that 6 billion baht is committed to green line extension train operations and interest payments, leaving 86.96 billion baht for actual city management and public problem-solving. As of July 6, 2026, Bangkok's bank deposits total over 62.1 billion baht, maintaining financial stability.

MG showed first-half 2025 registration growth of 67% while the overall market expanded 16%, securing a top-five position in Thailand's automotive market with a 4.5% share. The country's total vehicle registrations for the first six months of 2025 reached 374,424 units, growing 16% year-on-year, with MG registering 16,920 units. Three models drove the company's success: the new MG S5 EV Plus e-SUV with 6,341 registrations, MG4 Electric with 6,018 units, and MG IM6 with 1,013 units.

Based on strong first-half performance across all business dimensions, MG has adjusted its 2025 sales target upward from 30,000 to 36,000 units. The company plans to capitalize on its diverse EV portfolio spanning all major market segments and its expanding dealer network during the second half. Key models driving the second-half strategy include the new MG S5 EV Plus and MG Urban city car, alongside the popular MG4 Electric and premium offerings like the MG IM6 and MG IM5, which will receive limited editions soon.

MG's second-half strategy emphasizes communicating model-specific features to help customers make informed purchase decisions. The company is expanding its e-MPV lineup with the MG Maxus 7 and 9 for families, backed by an EV lifetime warranty on all electric models. For the combustion engine segment, the MG3 Hybrid+ will drive market-share expansion. Marketing efforts will focus on the smart technology features across MG's range, delivering exclusive customer experiences and building a strong community. Service excellence under the "MG Smile" brand initiative includes elevated standards and the introduction of an e-workshop system for more efficient and accurate maintenance, alongside plans to elevate showroom standards to a new dealer era.

Tucked into the hills above Kamala Beach on Phuket’s west coast is a small independent neighbourhood café that over the past three years has evolved to offer a very different experience from the island’s busier tourist districts.

Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, a member of Thailand's national equestrian team, has completed a physical fitness assessment in the United Kingdom ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan. The princess, who competes in dressage, underwent the Physical Fitness Test at the fitness centre of Leicester City Football Club's Seagrave Training Centre on 2 August 2026 local time, according to a statement. The assessment was conducted according to standards set by the Sports Authority of Thailand. Princess Sirivannavari received an "Excellent" rating, scoring 4.33 out of 5 under the authority's evaluation criteria. She is preparing to represent Thailand in the dressage competition at the 20th Asian Games, which will be held in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.

At 12:45 p.m. on August 3, 2025, at Parliament, Sirikanya Tansakul, a Pheu Thai list MP and deputy party leader, addressed allegations made by former Bangkok MP Thisana Chunhawan that party executives asked her to keep quiet about harassment she experienced. Tansakul asserted that the party never requested silence or secrecy regarding the initial incident, and that no details about the alleged perpetrator were disclosed, making it impossible to launch an investigation at that time.

Tansakul clarified that Thisana could file a complaint and that her case preceded other subsequent incidents. She emphasized that the party now wants to handle the matter fairly and justly. "The party is willing to receive factual information from Thisana directly to conduct a thorough investigation. The process has already begun, and even though Thisana has not provided information, we will gather available evidence to ensure maximum justice," Tansakul said.

When asked whether other executives had been notified by Thisana, Tansakul said some had received reports, but the information provided was incomplete and did not identify the perpetrator, making it unclear how to proceed. She noted that the party had not prioritized workplace sexual safety policies when this incident occurred, but has since improved its handling of such matters. Tansakul confirmed the party is now better equipped to address such cases and stands ready to investigate past incidents based on facts.

On August 3, police brought Chachanon "Fluke" Chaturapong, 24, a suspect in the murder of three family members, to Na Jomtien Police Station in Chachoengsao for further questioning. Police had obtained permission from Pattaya Provincial Court to transfer him from detention for expanded investigation of multiple outstanding issues. The interrogation lasted approximately one hour and was observed by Suksan Missajuntra, chairman of the Pattaya Bar Association, in compliance with criminal procedure law Section 134/1. Fluke voluntarily requested to provide additional testimony.

During questioning, Fluke confirmed involvement only in the murders of three Thai family members and denied knowledge or involvement in the deaths of two Russian siblings or other potential victims. He displayed significant distress, crying repeatedly, and confessed to charges against him while providing information the investigators deemed potentially useful to the case. However, specific details could not be disclosed as the investigation remains ongoing.

Fluke's attorney revealed that the suspect claims he was forced into involvement, though this remains unverified and subject to investigation against witness testimonies and physical evidence. Police are examining his role in traveling to the victims' residence, moving vehicles, and using the victims' property. Initial charges include premeditated murder, with additional charges related to theft and post-incident conduct under consideration.

During the interrogation, Fluke cried and expressed fear of receiving capital punishment. Officials informed him that confession may aid judicial consideration but does not guarantee automatic sentence reduction, as the court will base its decision on all evidence presented.

After questioning, Fluke was returned to Pattaya Special Detention Center. When journalists questioned him during transfer, he claimed he was deceived into traveling there, believing he was assisting in detaining someone related to a drug problem, but had no prior knowledge of the murders. He acknowledged knowing the perpetrators were not genuine police officers and admitted fear of retaliation or murder—threats made because they knew both him and his family.

Fluke apologized for the incident and insisted he would not have participated had he known murders would occur. When pressed about who fired the fatal shots, he declined to answer before officials rushed him back to detention.