The Big Data Institute (BDI), a public organization under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, is organizing the 7th International Conference on Big Data Analytics and Practices (IBDAP 2026) from August 7–9, 2026, in Surat Thani province. The conference serves as a forum for researchers, academics, experts, and professionals from diverse countries to share knowledge, technological advances, research, and practical experiences in applying big data and artificial intelligence to address challenges and develop the nation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Theerani Achlakaul, director of BDI, welcomed participants and explained that IBDAP aims to build understanding of big data and AI potential through real-world use cases and technological progress, while creating a platform for Thailand and other nations to exchange experiences and knowledge. This year, 57 research papers from 13 countries have been selected for presentation, reflecting growing interest in big data and AI technologies at the international level.

BDI operates under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society with a mission to integrate and link data from various government agencies to develop high-value datasets that support policy design in both the public and private sectors. The institute also provides data analytics and intelligence services to help organizations use big data effectively for decision-making and policymaking.

A key BDI initiative this year is the Data Integration and Intelligence (D2) platform, designed to handle sectoral, geographic, and central data systems to address data silos. BDI aims to develop D2 into a national data backbone supporting future policy design, currently integrating data across multiple sectors including health, tourism, environment, agriculture, and commerce.

Simultaneously, BDI is advancing its Sovereign AI Program to build AI capabilities that Thailand can develop and control through collaboration between government, private sector, and educational institutions. A major output is Thai LLM (Large Language Model), which aggregates data from media, television stations, the National Library, and government agencies to prepare a large language model for the Thai language.

BDI also plans to expand its Sovereign AI initiative to cover regional dialects and accents, images, videos, and OCR-derived data to create both sovereign data and sovereign models. These will serve as critical infrastructure enabling the private sector and startups to develop and deploy AI products and services at reduced cost.

IBDAP 2026 presents advances in big data analytics and smart computing, covering key topics including big data, machine learning, data analytics, data governance, AI applications, big data infrastructure, and data security, with practical applications across various sectors.

A Myanmar driver and South Korean passenger escaped a burning sedan on August 10 in Chiang Mai after thick black smoke erupted from the engine compartment. When officers arrived at the scene near a supermarket in Mae Kho Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, flames were already engulfing the vehicle. Firefighters used chemical agents and water to suppress the fire, completely destroying the car but preventing any injuries or deaths. The couple, who were traveling from Sankamphaeng District, quickly stopped the vehicle and fled when they noticed smoke pouring from under the hood, after which flames rapidly consumed the entire vehicle.

At 7:30 p.m. on August 10, police officers from Srimohot Station in Prachuap Khiri Khan received a report from residents that two people had been shot and critically injured inside a car near a residential building next to the Srimohot District Office. Officers rushed to the scene and found two critically wounded victims lying in blood inside a sedan parked at the residence. The victims were identified as Ms. Chirapa, 30, a professional nurse, and Sub-Lieutenant Thanakrit, 29, a section commander at Srimohot Police Station. They were immediately transported to Srimohot Hospital before being referred for further treatment at Chao Phraya Abhaiduphbeshara Hospital.

Initial investigation revealed that the two are a married couple who wed about a year ago. At the time of the incident, they were inside the car in front of the residence, with the woman driving. The two engaged in a heated argument before two gunshots rang out in succession. The injured man's father, who was inside the house, heard the shots and rushed down to help.

At 11:55 p.m., Police Captain Somkiat Pensiri, the station commander, disclosed that the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute, possibly fueled by the couple's hot tempers and unrelated to any political or business rivalry. Investigators are still determining who fired the shots, as neither victim has died but both remain critically injured.

Police Colonel Supchai Srisak, superintendent of Nonthaburi Provincial Police, has ordered a 20-officer special tactical unit armed with full weapons to guard the holding cell at Rattanathib Police Station where Chalerm Riuaireng, a former Nonthaburi MP, is detained. Chalerm is accused of fatally shooting Thonghai Yenprasert, the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization chairman. The heightened security was ordered due to concerns that associates of the slain victim, who wielded considerable influence in Nonthaburi, may seek revenge. Chalerm is scheduled to be transferred to Nonthaburi Provincial Court tomorrow with the prosecution opposing bail. News reports indicate that during his overnight custody, all food and water supplied to Chalerm will be provided solely by his legal team.

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, August 3rd to Sunday, August 9th. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication. Nonthaburi’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has confirmed a […]

The Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health has issued a warning via Facebook stating: do not smoke in police stations—it is illegal and carries a fine of up to 5,000 baht. A recent news image showed smoking occurring inside a police station interrogation room while a suspect was being detained, clearly constituting a legal violation. To address public confusion, health officials have reviewed the relevant laws.

Under the Tobacco Product Control Act B.E. 2560 and Health Ministry regulations, all public places, workplaces, and government facilities—including police stations—are designated complete no-smoking zones, whether in meeting rooms, interrogation rooms, or surrounding building areas.

Smokers who violate the no-smoking zone rules face a fine of up to 5,000 baht. Facility operators, owners, or managers who neglect enforcement, fail to publicize the rules, do not warn violators, or knowingly permit smoking in their areas face a fine of up to 3,000 baht.

Strict law enforcement, especially in government and law enforcement facilities, is essential for protecting public health and safeguarding officials and workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke.