Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythale Luksameesang announced that the Cabinet has approved in principle a draft royal decree authorizing the Mass Transit System of Thailand (MRTA) to operate electric railway services in Songkhla province, as proposed by the Ministry of Transport. The decree will be forwarded to the Office of the Council of State for examination and further action. The Ministry of Transport is also directed to consider input from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and the Budget Bureau.

The draft decree designates Songkhla as an additional province where MRTA will operate electric railway services, joining existing operations in Chiang Mai, Phang Nga, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok. The Hat Yai monorail project will cover 12.54 kilometers with 12 stations, featuring a three-story station structure built over a central island in the roadway. The system includes one depot and maintenance center at Khlong Hoa Station, with three interchange points connecting to various modes of transport including minibuses and taxi services. The stations are designed to accommodate passenger demand from Hat Yai city and neighboring provinces, with the project already approved by the land traffic management committee.

The Department of Intellectual Property is hosting the 'GI Market Roadshow' at Central Khon Kaen from August 3-9, showcasing quality geographic indication (GI) products from throughout Thailand alongside entertainment from renowned artists. After the successful launch of the same roadshow in Songkhla in August 2025, the ministry is expanding the initiative to the Northeast, bringing top GI products nationwide to a single venue where visitors can view, taste, and purchase authentic Thai products while learning about local wisdom passed down through generations.

The 'GI Market Roadshow' brings together premium GI products from all regions, including Sri Saket volcano durian, Dan Khwian pottery, Chiang Rai dried pineapple, Phichit banana chips, Lampang chicken soup bowls, Surat Thani baby clams, Phetchabun curry desserts, and Khon Kaen indigo, alongside processed foods, beverages, textiles, and local handicrafts from direct producers. Over the seven-day event, activities include product demonstrations, expert talks on GI goods, promotional activities, and daily mini concerts featuring artists such as Gaem-Wichaya, Tao-Paranwat, Kwang-Duangruthai, Cha-Singchai, Luktarn-Chonthichash, Man-Maneevan, and Bew-Kalyanee.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for August 4, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the activities area on the first floor of Central Khon Kaen, featuring a cooking demonstration by Chef In-Nangrudthit Sae-Khor, owner of the 'Kruakruabaan-In' restaurant, showcasing crispy rice with Pak Chong Khao Yai durian cream made from Thailand's premium GI ingredients including Sri Sarn jasmine rice and Pak Chong Khao Yai durian, highlighting the potential of Thai GI products in creating high-value menu items.

On August 5 at the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) office, Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly member Naphapol Jirakul of the Democratic Party, joined by Suthichai Virkulsumontr of the Move Forward Party, filed a formal complaint requesting an investigation into allegations that People's Party councilors illegally cast and voted on behalf of absent colleagues during the July 31 Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly meeting.

Naphapol stated that the Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly is responsible for enacting local ordinances for the public, so all councilors must act with accuracy, transparency, and strict legal compliance. He said the incident has raised serious public suspicion and warrants thorough investigation.

The complainants submitted evidence including the formal complaint letter, a recording of the meeting where the alleged incident occurred, and requested that the NACC summon all witnesses present. They called for strict legal penalties if those responsible are found guilty.

"We urge the NACC to conduct a serious and straightforward investigation into this vote-casting allegation," Naphapol said. "If wrongdoing is found, we request that the matter proceed through the full legal process."

Researchers from the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), have conducted one of the largest studies Thai astron...

Uncle Paiwal Jaem, a farmer from Chon Muang subdistrict in Ban Mi district, Lopburi province, is passing on his knowledge of growing "Cavendish bananas"—a venture that began as a hope to create a legacy for the next generation.

Paiwal learned agriculture from his father, a distinguished farmer, so farming became a profession he took personal pride in. After his father's death, he continued farming, starting with corn, sugarcane, and cassava, rotating to livestock during dry years. Beyond farming, he also worked as a well-digger. Over the past decade, as he felt himself aging and worried he might not live to harvest his crops, he began searching for work better suited to him—something less physically exhausting, with established market demand, and something he could pass on to his children. He became interested in banana cultivation, seeing it as a large, high-demand market.

Paiwal initially tried water bananas but was disappointed with the yields. He experimented with other varieties until discovering the Cavendish banana, a cultivar from Israel, a country renowned for agricultural technology. "Cavendish bananas are a quality variety—low in sugar, high in energy, with strong international markets, especially in Japan, so sales aren't limited to the domestic market. Importantly, you plant once and harvest for many years—you do little but gain much," he explained.

Rather than propagating from shoots, he uses tissue-cultured plantlets from quality stock to avoid plant diseases and insect problems that can affect fruit development. Before planting, he places organic fertilizer at the bottom of each hole, then plants 3 plantlets per hole, spacing them about 3 meters apart. When new shoots emerge, he removes the old ones, keeping only 3—a technique that increases yield per rai. He nourishes the soil every 6 months using no chemical inputs throughout cultivation. For irrigation, he uses a drip system powered by solar cells to reduce production costs, adjusting for climate and humidity.

"After about 5–6 months, the banana begins to flower, and another 75 days before it's ready to harvest," he noted. "One bunch has about 45 hands, each with 16–30 individual bananas. Per bunch, the price is around 300 baht. One rai yields 630 bunches, so income is roughly 180,000 baht per rai. Harvesting twice a year totals about 360,000 baht per rai—on 3 rai, that's 1 million baht. Initial investment is about 90,000 baht per rai. Although it seems like a large sum, you plant once and harvest many times. All of this comes from 10 years of trial and error, developed to the point of success." While banana growers typically use stakes to support stems against the weight of heavy bunches, Paiwal's approach differs. "At our farm, we don't use stakes because it's wasteful. We plant everything together, they grow together, and the spacing keeps sizes from differing too much."

The film 'Her in Frame' will screen free during a special two-day run on August 22-23. Co-produced by Thailand's Ministry of Energy, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), and Broadcast Thai Television Company Limited, the movie features lead actors Thana Leerutanakajorn (Tor) and Lalina Chuet (Leena), alongside supporting cast members Nonthaya Imnennond (Nont) and Christopher Taylor Jindapol (Chris).

When asked about their feelings on joining the project, Nont expressed excitement, calling it a valuable production and an honor to work with skilled actors and director Ku Eaksit and the entire team. He plays Art, a quiet character who deeply cares for his friend and follows him everywhere like a devoted assistant searching for the person his friend dreams of.

Leena said this is her first film and she was thrilled and excited to deliver quality work. She plays Minthra, a museum curator of Thai textiles, and teacher Kamonwan.

Tor expressed joy at being part of the film, playing two contrasting characters—Tawan and Danai—that differ from his real personality. Chris shared his excitement and nervousness about his first film role as Nee, working alongside Leena and Ta (Athiwat), noting that while he was tense during the first scene, the experienced cast and crew helped him relax and work smoothly.

When discussing challenges, Chris cited his nerves as a first-time actor working with skilled professionals, questioning whether he was performing correctly. Leena mentioned concerns about translating theater acting techniques to film and initial anxiety working with the experienced Tor, though she soon realized his discipline and dedication. Tor humorously revealed his biggest struggle was Thailand's heat, which left him with watch-strap tan marks on his arms that persisted through filming. Nont joked about his character's inconsistent wardrobe—wearing a head wrap, hat, and long sleeves with short pants—and the challenge of delivering cute insults when he naturally tends to speak bluntly.

Regarding how the film changed their perspective on love, Chris felt it taught him that true love transcends time and distance. Leena noted that seemingly impossible things in the world can happen, including matters of the heart. Tor emphasized that compatibility between two people doesn't depend on others' opinions, profession, status, or age—compatibility simply exists or doesn't. Nont poetically suggested the film shows a love so destined it's as if two people were born as a pair, regardless of circumstances.

Asked to convince hesitant viewers, Nont urged people not to doubt themselves, noting the chemistry between Tor and Leena feels natural and the cast worked hard. He also highlighted that it's free to watch. Tor called it a film requiring no emotional barriers to enter, inviting viewers to experience it without risk over the two-day screening.