On August 21 at Bang Rak Police Station, senior officers from Metropolitan Police Division 6 and Bang Rak Station, coordinating with MPB SWAT teams, arrested a 46-year-old man named Suphon at a residence on Praya Damrong Lane in Bangkok's Maha Phruttharam subdistrict, Bang Rak District on August 20 at approximately 9 p.m. Officers recovered eight firearms including a 12-gauge shotgun shell, a .22 LR round, a homemade Thai revolver measuring 10.5 inches, a Colt 1911 pistol, revolvers of various barrel sizes (3.5 inches, 2.5 inches, 7.5 inches, and 6.5 inches), and ammunition weighing approximately 157.24 grams total.

Deputy Commissioner Chaikrit Potha explained that the operation was in line with government policy and orders from the National Police Office and Bangkok Metropolitan Police Command to crack down on illegal firearms and violence. After the Bang Rak Police radio center received reports of gunshots near a residence on Praya Damrong Lane, officers conducted a search with the suspect's cooperation. Upon questioning, Suphon admitted that some firearms were homemade and others were given to him by friends.

Police charged him with illegal possession of firearms without permission from the registrar and illegal possession of ammunition without permission. He was taken to Bang Rak Police Station for booking and transferred to investigators for legal proceedings. Additionally, officers from Pathumwan and Yan Nawa stations recovered two more firearms, bringing the total number of weapons seized in the division to ten.

On August 14, the Pathum Thani Provincial Administration Organization held an awards ceremony for winners of the 2025 photography competition "Pathum Thani: A City Worth Visiting," themed "Every Dish Tells a Story of Pathum Thani Residents." The ceremony took place at Rangsit University's College of Communication building, presided over by Police Major General Kharanwit Thupkrajang, chairman of the provincial administration. The event honored photography works that captured the charm of Pathum Thani through photographers' perspectives across food, lifestyle, people, waterways, and urban atmosphere, announcing 10 total winners from two competition categories.

The competition was divided into two categories: "Tasty Along the Chao Phraya Canal Banks," presenting the appeal of local cuisine, home cooking, river and canal ingredients, and signature Pathum Thani dishes; and "Flavor That Fits the Atmosphere I Like," showcasing waterside atmosphere, riverside lifestyle, people, families, friends, and the food culture and ambiance reflecting Pathum Thani's character.

During the project period, 670 participants submitted over 2,836 photographs for judging. Following the selection process by judges, 10 winning works were chosen from both categories. Each category offered five awards: first place (20,000 baht plus trophy), second place (15,000 baht plus trophy), third place (10,000 baht plus trophy), fourth place (8,000 baht plus certificate), and fifth place (5,000 baht plus certificate).

Beyond the awards ceremony, the event included recognition certificates for government and private organizations supporting the project, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Rangsit University, Rangsit Plaza Company Limited, Panasonic Solutions Thailand Company Limited, and U-Ung 7 Lifestyle and Eatery. After the ceremony, organizers, guests, sponsors, and award winners gathered for a group photo before viewing the photography exhibition.

Rising star Fairang Cha Ho Phayak has challenged former Rajadamnern champion Yothin to a showdown at RWS this Saturday, August 22. This week's main event features a three-round quality bout between Yothin of F.A. Group, the 34-year-old ex-Rajadamnern champion at 126 pounds, and the in-form younger fighter Fairang Cha Ho Phayak, who has remained undefeated for over a year and two months.

Yothin's last bout came early this year, marking his first fight in 11 months. He lost his long-held title to Chiap Khad Pong Sawang by controversial decision. With this return, he is determined to show everyone he still has enough to stand tall in the ring and to halt the momentum of this 17-year-old challenger. "I'm determined to win this fight. Fairang is very skilled, so we need to test each other," Yothin said.

Meanwhile, Fairang has been in peak form, winning nine consecutive bouts and remaining undefeated for one year, two months, and 20 days. Promoter Sommai Kulmuetta, leader of the new powerhouse group, brought him to the RWS card with eyes on the Rajadamnern belt in the future. Though facing many disadvantages in this bout, the young prospect is confident he can overcome the experienced veteran and move closer to becoming Rajadamnern champion. "I'm behind Yothin in many ways, but if I can get past him, there's no one left to fear in this world. The Rajadamnern title won't be far away," Fairang declared.

It remains to be seen whether veteran experience will stop the young challenger or if the newcomer's fresh energy will prove overwhelming. Don't miss this week's RWS main event.

CACF-Thailand 2026 creates a hub linking Chinese producers and Thai entrepreneurs to build new supply chain opportunities, complete with a Thai Brand Zone, Xiaohongshu social commerce platform integration, and business-AI forums.

Historically, China-Thailand commerce meant Thai business owners traveling to China to source factories, suppliers, or resale goods. But 2026 is reshaping that picture. Pakawin Jiamjirojn, organizer representative for CACF-Thailand 2026, said the 13th China-ASEAN (Thailand) trade fair runs September 2–4, 2026 at Hall EH101, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, bringing over 150 Chinese manufacturers and operators so Thai businesses can meet, negotiate, inspect goods, compare products, and find partners directly without flying to China. This year, however, CACF aims beyond simple sourcing—the bigger goal is helping Thai entrepreneurs discover new business opportunities: finding products, suppliers, building brands, co-developing goods, and connecting to wider business networks across China, Thailand, and ASEAN.

The participation of over 150 Chinese booths reflects not just a push to sell Chinese goods in Thailand, but also a desire to integrate Thai entrepreneurs into broader manufacturing and supply chain networks. The framing should not be "China competing with Thai businesses" but rather "both countries' businesses finding partners, not competitors."

Thai entrepreneurs can meet manufacturers, source suppliers, negotiate product development, forge business alliances, and explore new markets across ASEAN and beyond. Meanwhile, CACF-Thailand 2026 features a Thai Brand Zone where over 30 Thai entrepreneurs and brands showcase products, demonstrate capabilities, and build connections within the fair.

The event is shifting from "China manufactures, Thailand buys" toward linking strengths of both countries' entrepreneurs to create shared business opportunities in larger markets. A key question many Thai business owners ask: if we can bring Chinese goods to sell in Thailand, how can we sell Thai products to Chinese consumers? This is the "reverse flow" concept—repositioning China from merely a source of goods and manufacturing hub to a market for Thai products.

One highlighted channel is Xiaohongshu, a social commerce platform gaining major traction in China. Thai entrepreneurs will learn how to use Xiaohongshu to build brand awareness, reach Chinese consumers, and understand that modern Chinese markets decide purchases not on price alone but on content, lifestyle, reviews, and brand image.

Whether you run an established Thai brand, operate an online trading business seeking new markets, or want to understand Chinese consumer behavior, the fair offers opportunities to explore.

Bangkok Hospital's main headquarters is advancing gastrointestinal and liver care through a major redesign of its gastroenterology centre under the concept "Beyond Future – Advanced GI Care and Endoscopy". The renovation elevates patient care using cutting-edge treatment technology, supported by specialist doctors and experienced multidisciplinary teams. The hospital reaffirms its commitment to delivering excellent care for all digestive and liver conditions, meeting standards trusted by both Thai and international patients.

Dr. Methini Maipaeng, Chairman of the Executive Board Group 1, highlighted the hospital's ongoing pursuit of medical excellence through comprehensive healthcare transformation. "In 2025, Bangkok Hospital continues advancing its health service system with comprehensive development, including ICHOM-certified treatment quality reflecting value-driven care and outcomes measurement that address patient needs and quality of life. Alongside modern medical innovation, we are becoming an Asia-Pacific Medical Robot Hub and offering digital health access with 24/7 appointment booking. We are also prioritizing employee wellbeing across physical, mental, and work-life balance dimensions to deliver the best care to patients, while fulfilling our social and environmental responsibility as we progress toward our Net Zero 2050 goal. Our achievements in the first half of the year reflect our commitment to creating valuable and sustainable healthcare system change for the future."

Dr. Boonthida Charoenswaddi, Hospital Director, said: "Bangkok Hospital prioritizes comprehensive, multidimensional patient care covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Our gastroenterology centre is one of our centres of excellence, enjoying growing patient trust. With more than 759 successful biliary and pancreatic endoscopy cases, over 600 ultrasound endoscopy cases, and more than 54,000 gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures (2021-2025 data), we maintain a complication rate below 1%. We are redesigning our gastrointestinal and liver disease care through advanced endoscopy, creating patient-centred services that elevate the treatment experience while continuing to develop our services and invest in modern medical innovation. True success lies in improving every patient's quality of life."

The redesign of the 2,800-square-metre gastroenterology centre combines precision design with patient journey principles and advanced endoscopy technology. Patients receive convenient, efficient, and high-quality care at every stage—from consultation through diagnosis, endoscopic treatment, and recovery and disease prevention. The centre features 15 new examination rooms and advanced procedure rooms.

On July 14, 2569 (2026), the Royal Gazette published a royal decree elevating Phra Brahmasiddhi to Somdej Phra Rajadhikana with the formal title Somdej Phra Vorachit Siddhacharya, stationed at Wat Saket Rajavoramahavihara, a royal temple in Bangkok. The elevation was effective July 12 and announced July 14.

The honoree, Thongchai Sukkhaño (born February 16, 2499 or 1956), is a trusted disciple of the late Somdej Phra Phutthajarn. He has been entrusted with responsibilities in administration, education, welfare, religious propagation, and public service. Now age 70 with 42 years of monastic service, he serves as committee member of the Mahatthera Samakhom, regional superintendent of Zone 11, and abbot of Wat Saket.

After completing primary education, he ordained at Wat KhaoWong in Saraburi province and passed all three levels of Buddhist studies. At age 20, he took full monastic vows at Wat Saket under the tutelage of Somdej Phra Phutthajarn. His monastic name, Sukkhaño, means "one who possesses knowledge with happiness."

After ordination, he was trusted as a personal secretary and made significant progress in his religious life while earning a Bachelor of Buddhist Studies from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. From 2531 onwards, he served as assistant abbot overseeing restoration projects, construction of facilities for returning monks, international Buddhist housing, and multi-purpose buildings for moral education.

From 2545, he served as advisor and director of the office overseeing Thai Buddhist missionaries abroad, responsible for European and Scandinavian operations and oversight of 17 Thai temples in foreign countries. He also led the presentation of royal robes to 9 Thai temples across 9 countries and coordinated publication of a two-language (Thai-English) Buddhist monastic code manual.

His ecclesiastical ranks progressed through multiple royal promotions: 2530 as Phra Kru (ecclesiastical rank), 2532 as assistant abbot, 2535 as ordinary Rajadhikana, 2544 as royal-rank Rajadhikana, 2547 as celestial-rank Rajadhikana, 2549 as dharma-rank Rajadhikana, and 2554 as deputy-rank Rajadhikana.