Bangkok, August 18, 2026 — The Boiling Frog Institute Thailand, founded by Dr. Suthikorn Kingkaew, has launched as an independent think tank focused on addressing Thailand's long-term structural challenges before they deepen into economic and social crises. Dr. Suthikorn, who in March 2017 warned that Thailand risked gradual loss of competitiveness in manufacturing sectors including automobiles, textiles, and hard-disk drives, now leads the institute under the principles of "Bridging, Framework, Impact" — connecting sectors, developing practical problem-solving frameworks, and translating ideas into change.

As a flagship initiative, the Boiling Frog Institute Thailand held an exclusive roundtable discussion titled "From India to Thailand: Rethinking Technological Sovereignty" with Indian strategic thinker Pranjal Sharma and senior Thai representatives from government, diplomacy, business, and academia, including Dr. Kanok Wongtrangarn, Advisor to the Minister of Industry, and Navodit Verma of the Indian Embassy. Rather than pursuing technological self-sufficiency, the discussion examined which technologies Thailand must own, which it should co-develop, and which can be safely sourced from trusted global partners — focusing on how countries can preserve strategic choices while strengthening domestic capabilities and remaining globally connected.

The roundtable reflects a collaboration between the Boiling Frog Institute Thailand and India's Observer Research Foundation, a leading think tank. Both Dr. Suthikorn and Pranjal Sharma are ORF Fellows. Sharma's 2026 book, "India Innovates: Technological Sovereignty in a Weaponized World," examining India's efforts to reduce dependence on foreign technologies that could become strategic vulnerabilities, served as the discussion's foundation. The book's concept of technological sovereignty extends beyond artificial intelligence to encompass data and computing across sectors.

The Royal Gazette declared that oral products containing 5,000 ppm fluoride are now classified as dangerous drugs, effective from August 19, 2025. The Public Health Ministry published the announcement, titled Dangerous Drugs Notification No. 37, on August 18, signed by Public Health Minister Pattana Prom-Pathana on August 6, 2025. Acting under Section 76(3) of the Pharmaceuticals Act of 1967, as amended by the Pharmaceuticals Act (Amendment No. 3) of 1979, and on the recommendation of the Drug Committee at its 430-1/2025 meeting on January 26, 2025, the ministry issued the following provisions: The notification takes effect from the day following publication in the Royal Gazette (August 19, 2025). Item (80) is added to Section 3 of the Public Health Ministry's Dangerous Drugs Notification of May 26, 1978, as follows: "(80) Oral products containing 5,000 parts per million (5,000 ppm) fluoride."

AIS has mobilized its intelligent network infrastructure to respond to severe flooding in northern Thailand, establishing a 24-hour operations center and deploying mobile base stations and communications equipment to support relief efforts in Nan Province and surrounding areas. Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding and water overflow, particularly in Pua District, where rapidly rising water levels have impacted homes and roads across multiple districts. AIS has assembled engineering and technical teams to maintain mobile networks and home internet service while providing communications equipment to relevant agencies supporting disaster relief.

The company has enhanced communication system continuity measures to support residents, rescue personnel, and disaster relief organizations through several key initiatives:

• Operating a round-the-clock operations center to monitor and manage mobile networks, home internet, transmission systems, and base stations in at-risk areas in real time.

• Deploying mobile base stations and field teams to boost network capacity in affected areas, strategic locations, and areas with heavy usage, standing ready to enter areas immediately once routes are safe.

• Strengthening backup power systems by preparing generators, fuel, and backup equipment for primary base stations in case of power failures.

• Monitoring critical facilities including hospitals, incident command centers, evacuation centers, shelters, relief points, and staff work areas.

• Using artificial intelligence and IoT to support network management, analyze usage volumes, and optimize network performance, while preparing to install water-level monitoring equipment at vulnerable points and tracking weather conditions, electrical systems, and base station accessibility.

• Coordinating with local agencies to share information and support communications in cooperation with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, government offices, local administrative organizations, rescue units, and civil society.

• Supporting the JIC center's communications by providing AIS 5G CPE routers to the Region 3 Public Relations Office to strengthen the news team and emergency communication capabilities for monitoring and reporting flood situations in Nan Province.

AIS will closely monitor the situation and accelerate network recovery in case of emergencies to ensure residents can contact family, request help, and receive government information continuously throughout the flooding crisis.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission released on August 19 the asset and liability disclosure of a newly elected Member of Parliament filed on March 15. Among the notable first-term MPs examined, Krit Itchaya Phakhainn, a Democrat Party MP for Trang Province District 3, disclosed total assets of just 15,644 baht held across six savings accounts. His total liabilities stand at 4,574,299 baht, comprised of 248,108 baht in overdraft debt, 4,031,488 baht in bank and financial institution loans, and 294,703 baht in other liabilities. Prior to taking office, he worked as a self-employed technical draughtsman and is unmarried.

The single word 'higher-up' has become a flashpoint after activist Aitem Prithat released new photos and audio clips in a Senate election-buying case, implicating Withaya Khamphuang, a former police officer and subdistrict mayor from Nong Khai province, and raising questions about links to major political networks. Evidence includes photos of Withaya in a hotel room with Senate candidates before the national election and audio clips containing the phrase 'this is a mission for the higher-up,' plus conversations about candidate nominations and the Senate presidency. Withaya acknowledged appearing in the photos but claimed he was merely driving a female candidate to Bangkok for safety reasons, and denied the audio was his voice, suggesting it may be edited. The phrase 'higher-up' has drawn intense scrutiny—Withaya claims it refers to the Election Commission or central directives, not political power brokers—an explanation many find unconvincing given the political context of the recordings. The ruling Pheu Thai Party has pressed the investigation, pointing to photos of Withaya wearing Thai Pride Party shirts at political events and questioning a 7,520-baht hotel bill, urging a bank statement review to follow the money. Withaya maintains he has no involvement in vote-buying, has never accepted party funds, and welcomes financial scrutiny. Ultimately, whether these are allegations or facts, with photos, audio, and financial questions in play, state agencies have a duty to investigate rather than let society debate endlessly. The Election Commission, which is concluding its vote-buying investigation, must clarify whether this evidence will be examined and why Withaya has not been called for questioning despite being implicated to this extent. If the Election Commission ignores this, it risks damaging its credibility and potentially facing accusations of dereliction of duty. This case should not fade away quietly; authorities must answer plainly who 'the higher-up' is, what they are involved in, and whether this refers to a political party—especially in a major national case where the public should not be left guessing.

A House committee on law, chaired by Rangsiman Rom and including Major General Tawi Sod Sod, visited Yala and Songkhla provinces to review law enforcement and justice administration while monitoring human rights protections to support peace-building efforts in the southern border region, which remains troubled. The delegation also met at the Yala Police Operations Center to discuss the assassination attempt on Kamlasak Leewamueaw, a Narathiwat MP from the Pracharaj Party. Although the connection to the southern conflict remains uncertain, the case has damaged public confidence in the area. Major General Tawi stressed to officials the importance of investigating the two M-16 rifles used in the attack by checking manufacturer and customs records to determine which agency received them. The weapons had previously been found near Narathiwat Rajanagarindra University, prompting investigators to establish the facts. Public perception of the case has led some to suspect state involvement in the killing, undermining faith in the justice system and human rights principles in the region. Officials were asked to handle the case transparently and to expand the investigation to include suspects who had allegedly been following the MP to establish the truth and ensure fairness to all parties. Currently, five defendants—former naval personnel, former rangers, and an auto-shop owner—are in custody with security agencies, while two naval officers face court proceedings. The shop owner has been sentenced to prison for his role in destroying the getaway vehicle. However, the case remains problematic because those who allegedly directed the attack remain unidentified, and the ownership and chain of custody of the weapons used require further clarification. Authorities are urged to pursue the investigation transparently, as clearing up this case would help build peace in the region.