On August 21, Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn and Transport Minister Assistant Siripong Angsukulkiarti inaugurated a trial service of Motorway M6, the Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima route, opening an additional 110-kilometre section from Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong at Bang Pa-in toll plaza in Ayutthaya province. The route is free to use every Friday from noon until Sunday at midnight, offering residents and travellers from Bangkok and surrounding areas a new option to reach Nakhon Ratchasima and the Northeast region.

The newly opened section includes five toll booths for entry and exit: Bang Pa-in, Hin Kong, Kaeng Khoi, Mueang Lak, and Pak Chong. It connects seamlessly with the existing trial M6 service running from Pak Chong to the Nakhon Ratchasima bypass, providing continuous and convenient access to the Northeast. The route is expected to reduce traffic on the traditional Phahon Yothin and Mittraphap routes by 30 to 40 per cent, especially during weekends and holidays.

Deputy Prime Minister Pipat stated that opening this section represents a significant step in developing the country's transport network and reflects the government's policy of making ready infrastructure available to the public promptly. The complete 196-kilometre M6 route will serve as a strategic alternative to the Northeast, complementing existing roads while distributing traffic flow, reducing congestion, shortening travel times, and lowering transportation costs. He also instructed authorities to maintain high safety standards, particularly in scenic areas such as Lam Ta Khong, and urged the public to use the route responsibly and follow traffic regulations strictly.

Highway Department Director Piyapong Jiwatanakulpaisan said the department has prepared all aspects of the route, including traffic management, personnel, and emergency assistance systems, in coordination with Highway Police, Provincial Police, rescue units, and local agencies to facilitate traveller safety throughout the trial period.

Thailand national team coach Anthony Hudson confirmed he is not taking Vietnam lightly, despite dismissing reports about Vietnam's use of naturalized foreign players, and pledged to bring the championship home. On August 21 at Rajamangala Stadium, the Asian Football Confederation held a press conference ahead of the first leg of the 2026 AFF Cup final, where Thailand—the defending runners-up—will host Vietnam, the defending champions, on August 22 at 8:00 PM.

Anthony Hudson stated: "Our team preparation has gone very well. We've had good training sessions recently. We have one extra day to prepare compared to Vietnam, which gives our players time to recover and rest. We've planned well, and the team is moving in the right direction."

"Vietnam is certainly a very strong team. We respect them, and once we see how they play, we've prepared to counter their approach. I have full confidence in my players. We need to ensure our athletes deliver outstanding performances."

Regarding reports that Vietnam's coach believes forward Rafaelson will score a hat-trick against Thailand and that Vietnamese media don't view Thailand as the strongest championship contender, Hudson said: "I haven't heard those comments, but I acknowledge Vietnam entered the tournament with excellent preparation and is the favorite. When there are high expectations, there's also pressure. For Thailand, our first priority was building fitness, then capturing results. We've succeeded in reaching the final."

"Although our team might be viewed as not strong enough to be champions, our players have shown personal strength. Everyone has performed well to reach this stage, and at this level, anything is possible. We hope to do well."

On statistics showing Thailand won the championship only once in three previous finals against Vietnam, Hudson said: "I don't pay much attention to that because every team and every squad varies with different players. While statistics may influence fans, all that is behind us. We must focus on the match ahead and secure victory."

On comments by Dr. Chanunyathon Polcheewan that Vietnam is not ordinary Vietnam but "Vietnam Plus" due to naturalized foreign players, Hudson said: "I acknowledge Vietnam's approach of recruiting foreign players who obtain citizenship. Personally, I have no problem with that. I applaud Vietnam for successfully bringing quality players into this tournament. We simply need to prepare our strategy to face them."

"We are very well prepared. The coach has already devised a plan for facing Vietnam. While we're excited about playing in the final against Vietnam, we must execute the coach's strategy and our goal is to win at home, then claim the trophy in Vietnam."

On the possibility of facing aggressive play or rough challenges from Vietnam, Hudson said: "I'm not too concerned because there's VAR technology. I believe they won't risk anything extreme. Our goal is to become champions, so we'll secure victory at home and go collect the trophy in Vietnam."

At 4 a.m. on August 21, 2026, Pluak Daeng Police Station officers and rescue personnel inspected an area behind a construction worker camp in Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province, and discovered the remains of a female fetus aged 6–7 months inside a cardboard box used for an electric rice cooker and buried in the ground.

Initial investigation revealed that the 23-year-old woman, who already had one child, became pregnant unexpectedly. She purchased abortion medication online and took it, resulting in the fetus being expelled and dying. Family members then placed the remains in a cardboard box, buried it behind the camp, and lit incense to perform a spirit-appeasing ritual according to their beliefs, intended to prevent the infant's spirit from disturbing the mother.

Rescue workers excavated the infant's body for detailed autopsy examination and collected photographs and evidence from the scene. Police will await the woman's recovery and discharge from the hospital before summoning her for questioning and proceeding with legal charges.

Parliament will debate a 4 trillion baht emergency loan decree on August 26, with opposition parties allocated 8 hours for full scrutiny and examination. On August 21 at Parliament, Ravee Perisnanandakul, an Ang Thong MP from the Phumi Thai Party and chairman of the government coalition coordination committee, announced that the National Assembly will consider a royal decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow funds to address energy sector crises and support the country's energy transition in 2569, totaling 4 trillion baht.

The government has coordinated with the opposition coalition on time allocation, granting opposition members 8 hours of debate time for thorough examination and questioning of the administration. Government lawmakers and ministerial clarifications are allotted 3 hours combined. Deliberations will commence at 9 a.m., with voting expected around 9 p.m.

Ravee added that the government coalition will discuss the decree on August 24, reviewing details, the government's rationale for borrowing, and plans to allocate 2 trillion baht of the loan for energy transition before proceeding to the vote. The coalition preliminarily believes all coalition parties will support the measure without divisions.

Southern Thailand may be best known for its beaches and islands, but its orchards reveal another side of the region. Through Southern MUST TASTE Thai Fruits, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) inspires travellers to plan their journeys around the fruits in season across the South’s 14 provinces, pairing distinctive local fruits with orchard visits, community experiences, nature, culture and nearby attractions.

This approach also reflects TAT’s Value over Volume focus on creating greater value from tourism. By bringing locally distinctive produce — particularly Geographical Indication (GI) products — into the travel experience, the initiative helps connect tourism more closely with growers, local businesses and communities, while encouraging travel beyond established destinations and throughout the year.

Follow the fruit calendar

The Southern MUST TASTE Thai Fruits calendar provides a month-by-month guide to what is in season across the South. Availability varies by fruit and location, with the widest choice concentrated around the middle of the year. Travellers planning around a particular variety should check with the orchard or local tourism contact before travelling, as harvest periods can vary with local growing conditions.

Across the 14 provinces, the map highlights a remarkable range of local fruit:

Chumphon: Hom Thong Lamae Banana, Lady Finger Banana and Chumphon Durian

Surat Thani: Nasan Rambutan, Nasan Salak, Khlong Noi Santol and Khlong Saeng Durian

Ranong: Nai Wong Durian and Nai Wong Mangosteen

Phang Nga: Salika Durian and Thip Phang Nga Mangosteen

Phuket: Phuket Pineapple and Kamala Durian

Krabi: Talay Hoi Durian

Nakhon Si Thammarat: Pak Phanang Siam Ruby Pomelo, Khao Khiriwong Mangosteen and Ban Wang Hon Durian

Phatthalung: Phatthalung Salak and Thong Liao Champedak

Trang: Ko Sukon Watermelon

Satun: Satun Champedak

Songkhla: Chana Neck Orange, Songkhla Mini Mango, Khuan Lang Pomelo and Ko Yo Sapodilla

Pattani: Yarang Velvet Tamarind, Yarang Puko Pomelo, Yarang Puang Mani Durian and Sai Khao Durian

Yala: Yala Sadet Nam Durian, Bannang Sata Rock Banana and Musang King Durian

Narathiwat: Tanyougmat Longkong and Su-ngai Padi Mangosteen.

Four routes to get you started

Surat Thani | Orchards, Khao Sok and community waterways

Best time for this route: July–August

Start in Nasan, harvesting Nasan Rambutan GI and tasting Nasan Salak before moving into Khao Sok National Park for rainforest scenery. Day two shifts to Cheow Lan Lake, where a long-tail boat journey between limestone cliffs can be paired with Khlong Saeng Durian. Finish at Khlong Noi Community with Khlong Noi Santol GI, followed by canoeing through the Bang Bai Mai Nipa Palm Tunnel and fresh Bang Bai Mai Coconut.

Getting there: Surat Thani can be reached by air or rail, with onward road transfers connecting Nasan, Khao Sok, Rajjaprabha Dam and the community areas. Three days and two nights allow the route to flow naturally from orchards to rainforest and waterways.

Nakhon Si Thammarat | Heritage, mountain orchards and community life

Best time for this route: July–September

Begin at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town, with a taste of mangkhut khat, or peeled young mangosteen prepared as a local speciality. Continue to Khiriwong Community for Khao Khiriwong Mangosteen, a streamside local lunch, cafés and crafts. On the final day, try bamboo rafting at Ban Wang Hon and sample its preserved durian paste.

Getting there: Fly into Nakhon Si Thammarat and continue by road to the city and Khiriwong. A night in town followed by a night in Khiriwong keeps transfers manageable while allowing more time for community activities.

Krabi | Durian, clear water and the Andaman coast

Best time for this route: July–August

Begin inland with Talay Hoi Durian GI, noted for its smooth golden flesh and rich, creamy sweetness, then visit Wat Tham Prasat Nala Kiring, taste Phu Tawan Robusta Coffee and explore Wat Khao Hua Sing. The next day brings kayaking at Khlong Root, a long-tail boat trip to Khao Garos and Ban Nai Nang, and sunset at Ao Nang. Leave the final day for Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, with an island-hopping or scenic boat trip.

Getting there: Fly into Krabi International Airport and continue by road for the inland section. Staying first in or around Krabi town and then at Ao Nang lets the journey progress naturally from orchard country towards the Andaman coast.

Phang Nga | Salika Durian from Kapong to Khao Lak

Best time for this route: July–August

Start at a Kapong fruit orchard with Salika Durian GI, then relax at Plai Phu Hot Spring. Continue to Tamnang Waterfall, add a farm-to-table Southern lunch and drive onwards to Khao Lak. For the final day, choose between Phang Nga Bay by long-tail boat or the nature trail and coastline of Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park, and look for Thip Phang Nga Mangosteen GI locally.

Salika Durian is typically in season from May–July, so travellers making the fruit itself the focus should confirm availability before travelling.

Getting there: Phuket International Airport is a practical gateway for Khao Lak, with onward travel by road. A private transfer or hire car is particularly useful when including Kapong, as the route connects inland orchard country with the Andaman coast.

Make the fruit part of the journey

The idea is not simply to stop, taste and leave. Allow time for orchard visits, local meals, community activities, markets, crafts and nearby natural or cultural attractions. Seasonal weather can also affect boat trips and outdoor activities, so build some flexibility into the itinerary and check local conditions before setting out.

The Southern MUST TASTE Thai Fruits calendar offers a different way to travel through the South: follow what is in season, taste it close to where it grows, meet the communities behind it, and let each fruit lead to a wider story of place.

Editorial note: English spellings and transliterations of fruit varieties, communities and attractions follow those used in the Southern MUST TASTE Thai Fruits promotional calendar.