Bangkok International Film Festival 2026 (BKKIFF 2026) has been officially launched with support from the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture. The festival represents a major step in establishing a permanent, recognizable international film festival for Thailand on the global film calendar. Rather than simply screening films, BKKIFF 2026 aims to serve as a key platform connecting Thai creators, works, professionals, and industry networks to the international level while fostering future business collaborations and integrating Thailand into the global film industry network.

The festival will create a space for exchange, collaboration, and business opportunities among film industry professionals and entrepreneurs worldwide, running from September 13–27, 2026. Sarasnunt Annanopporn, Secretary to the Minister of Culture, stated that Thai film professionals and the industry are internationally competitive and that BKKIFF 2026 will serve as a platform to showcase capability and build global confidence. The festival aims to position Bangkok as a key destination on the international film calendar that industry professionals worldwide must consider for connecting with the region.

A major long-term goal is to establish Thailand as a strong, internationally recognized hub for Southeast Asian film industry development. Drs. Saran Govitvanichcha, Festival Director, noted that BKKIFF 2026 aims to lay the foundation for the festival's role in the global film industry and establish Bangkok as an annual hub for connecting and advancing opportunities for film professionals. The festival is working toward FIAPF A-List status; if successful, Thailand would become the first ASEAN nation with an A-List film festival, elevating it to world-leading standards and expanding international cooperation networks.

The festival also prioritizes connecting people in the film industry, not only fostering collaboration between festivals or linking films to markets but also creating opportunities for rising stars and emerging talent from across Asia to meet with creators, producers, and industry professionals from around the world. This aims to build networks, advance career opportunities, and open pathways to the international stage while positioning Bangkok as a key venue for showcasing the potential of the next generation of Asian film industry professionals. Ananda Matthew Everingham, Festival Ambassador, emphasized that consistency is crucial—holding the festival annually will build recognition, confidence, and lasting relationships, serving as a key to creating networks and new opportunities for Thailand's film industry.

Legendary actor Sam Yuranunt has been receiving a steady stream of good news. After his eldest son Mambo Yurakan married his girlfriend Mind, bringing joy to the family, Sam was surprised once again when his son announced that Sam is now going to be a grandfather. The longtime entertainment legend was absolutely thrilled by the announcement.

Sam posted a video clip capturing his surprised reaction upon learning that his daughter-in-law is pregnant, with the caption: "When my son came to tell me that I'm going to be... a grandfather." In the video, Sam expressed his excitement, saying: "I'm going to be a grandfather! I'm so incredibly happy. I'm waiting to see if it will be a grandson or granddaughter, but either way, I'll love the grandchild completely. Happy, happy, happy!"

Friends and fans from the entertainment industry joined in to congratulate Sam, with messages of congratulations and well-wishes flooding in.

On August 14, the Thai Olympic Committee, Thai Amateur Boxing Association, and One Championship jointly announced their support for boxer Nabil Anane to represent Thailand in amateur boxing at the 2028 Olympics in the United States.

Boss Chatri, whose full name is Chatri Sisodton, executive chairman of One Championship, explained the reasoning behind the decision. "When we consider whether an athlete should compete in amateur boxing, we look at two things: first, where their heart truly lies as a boxer, and second, whether they realistically have a chance to win a medal," he said. "If the medal prospects are slim, I would advise them that staying with One Championship offers better opportunities to become extraordinarily wealthy rather than wasting two or four years without achieving anything. Failing to win gold is not good for a boxer."

Chatri emphasized Nabil's dominance in his weight division. "I've assessed every boxer in the 65 and 70 kilogram classes—world champions, gold medalists, and even Thai fighters—to see if anyone can beat Nabil at this weight. If someone thinks they can defeat him, come forward now and take a 350,000 baht bonus."

He highlighted Nabil's physical advantages. "If you're fighting at 65 kilograms and face Nabil, who is 194 centimeters tall, who do you spar with? You can practice on a heavy bag set high, but for live sparring, where do you find a 194-centimeter partner? Nabil, by contrast, can spar against fighters who are 170 centimeters tall—left-handed boxers, right-handed boxers, and more. He's also developed tighter defense because he trained in small gloves, unlike fighters accustomed to larger gloves. So whoever can beat Nabil in the 65-kilogram division gets the bonus."

The Board of Investment announced that actual investment in the second quarter of 2026 reached 255 billion baht, up 31% from the same period last year, bringing the first half total to 535.8 billion baht. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, as chairman of the investment promotion committee, has prioritized systematic quarterly tracking of actual investment disbursements to demonstrate how promoted projects contribute to the real economy and overall economic growth, while accelerating resolution of project obstacles.

Artificial intelligence-related industries led investment in the quarter, including optical signal transmission devices, printed circuit boards, and data storage equipment, accounting for over 127 billion baht—roughly half of all Q2 investment—more than double the previous year. Energy and basic utilities, particularly renewable power generation, attracted 23 billion baht (up 18%), followed by agriculture and food processing at 22.3 billion baht (up 6%), minerals and materials at 21 billion baht, and automotive and parts at 18.2 billion baht (up 15%).

The Board plans to intensify investment monitoring and accelerate project implementation through the Thailand FastPass mechanism while coordinating with related agencies to unlock obstacles. The goal is to ensure promoted projects deliver concrete benefits to supply chains, employment, exports, and overall economic growth.

At a Democrat Party meeting on August 14, party spokesman Pongsagorn Khuanmuang addressed the case of Chai Chaya Detchadecho, a party list MP and deputy southern regional head, who faces assault charges filed by a deputy commander of Thung Yai Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The party confirmed it will proceed while upholding police dignity and principles.

Pongsagorn noted that three parties involved have given conflicting accounts. The deputy commander filed the complaint four days after the incident without providing a prior statement, citing assault under Section 391 of the criminal code despite claiming no injuries were sustained. The police chief also gave varying statements across several interviews—first denying the incident occurred, then confirming it as a joke, then calling it intentional assault.

In contrast, Chai Chaya appeared before investigators and denied intentional harm. Pongsagorn highlighted that both the deputy commander and Chai Chaya later agreed the incident was merely joking around, and the deputy commander attended a funeral with Chai Chaya the next day, even posing for photos together. The core issue is whether Chai Chaya acted with intent to harm, not whether injuries occurred. The party appealed to the public to submit video evidence to clarify the facts, and pledged that if intent to assault is proven, it will take action against Chai Chaya including party discipline and ethics review.

PHUKET — Two Emirati men were arrested in Phuket after allegedly riding a motorcycle through a traffic checkpoint, kicking a pursuing traffic officer and fleeing before eventually being cornered in a dead-end road.

The incident occurred when officers from Kathu Police Station were operating a traffic checkpoint at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road in Kathu district, Phuket, under the direction of Pol Col Chalermchai Hoensawat, chief of Kathu Police Station.

During the operation, Sgt. Maj. Siwayot Yodrabam, a traffic officer with Kathu police, spotted a black Honda ADV 160 motorcycle travelling along Phra Barami Road from Patong towards the Si Kor intersection. Two foreign men were on the motorcycle, with one riding and the other as a passenger.

The officer signalled for the motorcycle to stop so he could check the rider's driving licence. Instead, the rider allegedly accelerated through the checkpoint without stopping. Sgt. Maj. Siwayot pursued the motorcycle through the Si Kor intersection towards Phra Phuket Kaew Road.

When they reached the area in front of Kathu Municipality, the officer again signalled for the motorcycle to stop. The passenger allegedly kicked the officer's motorcycle with his left foot, causing the officer to lose control, before the pair continued fleeing.

Officers later spotted the motorcycle in front of a duty-free shop on Phra Phuket Kaew Road. The suspects allegedly continued fleeing against the direction of traffic into a lane leading to The Valley housing estate. The motorcycle then allegedly cut across the path of Sgt. Maj. Siwayot's motorcycle, causing him to crash.

The officer suffered injuries to his body, while his clothing, glasses and motorcycle were damaged. Despite his injuries, Sgt. Maj. Siwayot continued the pursuit until reaching the end of a road inside the housing estate. The road was a dead end, and officers found the suspects' motorcycle abandoned there. The two men had fled on foot.

Officers searched the surrounding area and eventually found two foreign men walking near the entrance to The Valley housing estate. They were taken into custody. The suspects were later identified as Sohail, 21, an Emirati national, who was allegedly riding the motorcycle, and Hamad, 20, also an Emirati national, who was allegedly riding as the passenger.

Police informed both men of the allegations and their legal rights before taking them, along with the seized evidence, to Kathu Police Station. They were then handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.