The Thai Cassava Farmers Association and the Northeastern Sugar Cane Farmers Institute fear that the end of biofuel subsidy measures on September 24, 2025, will damage E20 ethanol fuel demand and destabilize the raw material market for sugar cane and cassava. Association chairman Rangsi Paisoat said the organizations have called on the government to urgently prepare an energy transition plan for 2025–2029, after price compensation measures for biofuels under the Fuel Fund Act expire in September 2025.

Farmers worry that without replacement measures, E20 pricing will lose its advantage over regular petrol, consumer demand for ethanol will drop, and the supply chain for both raw materials will suffer. "The real concern for farmers is not just the end of subsidies, but the lack of clarity about what measures will replace them," Paisoat said. "If the price gap between E20 and petrol narrows enough to discourage buyers, ethanol demand could fall, affecting cassava purchases and prices and ultimately farmer income."

Thailand currently has ethanol production capacity of more than 7 million liters per day from 28 factories processing sugar cane, molasses, and cassava, but actual consumption is only around 3.5 million liters daily. Without supporting measures, falling demand could worsen overcapacity and disrupt the entire supply chain from farmers to factories to the bioenergy industry.

Paisoat said the government should shift focus from "price-support funds" to "value-added systems and new markets" to help Thai agricultural raw materials compete long-term, particularly by promoting E20 as a standard fuel to reduce dependence on imported oil and strengthen energy security.

Sithibun Ratchatasuviroj, chairman of the Northeastern Sugar Cane Farmers Institute, added that the government must set clear, continuous ethanol and E20 policies so farmers and industry can plan production, investment, and raw material management over the long term.

Sugar cane is not merely a sugar raw material but also feeds ethanol, bioenergy, and downstream industries. If the ethanol market shrinks without new outlets, the impact will cascade from raw material demand through cane purchases, production costs, cane prices, and farmer income. The 2025–2029 energy transition plan should therefore set firm targets for ethanol and E20, build a secure bioenergy market, and adapt the long-term agricultural planning models of Brazil and India for Thailand's use. The government, industry, and farmers must all have a voice in setting the direction to ensure energy transition advances alongside agricultural and grassroots economic security.

King of Gamers Club, led by Sattavet Intrayut, officially launches Thailand Ghost Game Festival 2026, the country's first horror game festival bringing together Thai-developed ghost games in one location. Attendees can play these games hands-on and discover creative works that convey stories, beliefs, imagination, and the supernatural through the diverse perspectives of Thai game developers. The gaming industry today competes not only on technology and production quality, but also on identity, distinctiveness, and the ability to create memorable player experiences. Ghost games and horror titles represent one area where Thai developers have outstanding potential, thanks to their narratives, atmosphere, beliefs, and perspectives that can be transformed into unique gaming experiences through storytelling, scene design, character development, sound, and mechanics. Thailand Ghost Game Festival 2026 was created to gather Thai-made ghost games in one space, giving players the chance to discover and experience new works while allowing developers to meet real players, hear direct feedback, and refine their games. The festival also builds connections with business partners and industry stakeholders, and aims to increase visibility of Thai ghost games on a broader scale, build confidence in Thai developers' capabilities, and create opportunities for international market expansion. The festival features five highlight Thai ghost games available to play: Pimalai Mansion: This Mansion Has No Mean Ghosts, Night Drive: A Haunted Night on Hidden Roads, Kumarn: The Wandering Spirit, BE LOST, and Ghost Observation. Some of these games were filmed at real locations that were then developed into in-game scenes, adding to the immersive and spine-chilling experience for players.

On August 19, Lieutenant Colonel Tawee Sodsong, a member of parliament and head of the Thai Civichood Party, posted on Facebook highlighting the severe halt to Sa Kaeo's border economy, which has devastated the local population and calls for urgent assistance and recovery. Trade through the border checkpoint had averaged 10 billion baht monthly, or 120 billion baht annually, but has dropped to zero since border crossing restrictions were imposed following the Thai-Cambodian border conflict.

The economic collapse has affected not only cross-border traders but also transportation businesses, markets, shops, hotels, restaurants, tourism, farmers, workers, and local communities. Customers and purchase orders from Cambodia have declined, goods are stuck in inventory, shipping costs have risen, and businesses lack working capital. Some entrepreneurs have resorted to both formal and informal borrowing, reduced hiring, frozen investment, or are preparing to leave the area. Revenue has stopped while debts, rent, wages, interest, taxes, and regular expenses persist. If the situation persists, working-age people and youth may migrate, purchasing power will decline, and some children risk dropping out of school.

The crisis has been worsened by misinformation, fake news, rumors, and distorted online content that exaggerates the conflict beyond facts. This has fueled boycotts of Thai goods in Cambodia, causing some trading partners and consumers to reduce or cancel orders, while investors and tourists have lost confidence in traveling to the area. Local residents have called on the government to communicate facts quickly, consistently, and verifiably while holding those spreading false information accountable, without affecting legitimate reporting, criticism, and honest commentary.

Farmers have reported that approximately 6,000 acres of sugarcane were damaged by clashes and fires, while another 1,800 acres cannot be harvested due to safety concerns. Many damages remain uncompensated. Farmers also face delayed subsidy payments for sugarcane cutting measures, inconsistent burning regulations across agencies, labor shortages, and limited access to credit. Some have been unable to repay debts and have had farming equipment seized. Residents have also reported unexploded ordnance or suspicious objects in farmland, preventing normal agricultural activity and requiring urgent state inspection and clearance.

At the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India on August 19, in the last-32 round of mixed doubles competition, Thailand's 4th-seeded pair Bas Dechapal Puvaranukul and Feem Supissara Pewsamphran faced Spain's Ruben Garcia and Lucia Rodiguez, ranked 44th in the world. The match went the distance, requiring three games before the Thai pair secured victory 2-1 with scores of 14-21, 21-11, and 21-15, advancing to the last 16. They will next meet Japan's Yuichi Shimogami and Sayaka Hobara, seeded 16th.

Meanwhile, Thailand's 15th-seeded pair Omo Phakkapol Thirarat and Poppo Supsiri Tatratchai advanced without too much difficulty after Scotland's Alexander Dunn and Julia Macpherson, ranked 35th, retired during their match. Omo and Poppo progressed to the last 16, where they will face a challenging encounter against China's second-seeded pair Jiang Zhen Pang and Wei Ya Xin.

Heavy rainfall in Phayao province, especially in Pong district, has caused widespread damage from flash flooding and landslides, with a major soil slide at the boundary between Jun and Pong districts toppling high-voltage power poles and damaging electrical infrastructure across a broad area. The power outage extends from Ban Huai Khao Kam in Jun district to Ban Huai Khok Moo in Pong district, affecting many residents and homes. Following the incident, the Regional Electricity Authority's Jun district office mobilized staff and engineering teams to assess the damage and begin repairs to the high-voltage lines and distribution network, working to restore electricity to residents as soon as possible.

Authorities have warned residents in the affected areas to keep away from damaged power poles, downed lines, and electrical equipment due to the risk of live current and potential electrocution, and urged them to monitor official announcements from the Regional Electricity Authority. Repair crews are working at full capacity, and power will be restored quickly once systems are ready, with authorities apologizing for the inconvenience caused by this severe rainfall and landslide event.

On August 19, Air Vice Marshal Praphas Sonjaidee, Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and director of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Information Centre, responded to claims made by a Hengfang Hotel owner who brought Chinese embassy officials to the area demanding Thailand return all property to Chinese investors in Cambodia. Sonjaidee said he wanted to clarify that investors, the Chinese government, and border facts are three separate issues that should not be conflated. While individuals have the right to petition their embassy for assistance, personal claims that Thailand has invaded or stolen property do not make those claims factual, he said.

Sonjaidee emphasized that current Thai military deployment follows a joint statement issued on December 27, 2024, requiring both sides to maintain their positions along an agreed troop deployment line without advancing. Thai forces are upholding this agreement, not engaging in invasion or territorial seizure as some have alleged. He stressed that border disputes must be resolved through bilateral mechanisms using documents, coordinates, and evidence—not through interviews, videos, or social media posts.

Property disputes must be separated from military deployment matters and resolved through proper legal channels and interstate processes, Sonjaidee added. He cautioned against assuming that Chinese diplomatic officials visiting the area means the Chinese government endorses the investor's allegations. Thailand values its relationship with China and believes China understands that disputes between countries must be resolved through facts and proper mechanisms, not accusations. "Investors have the right to make claims, but no one has the right to turn allegations into fact or change borders through social media," Sonjaidee said. "Thailand is not advancing, we are maintaining our positions under agreement, and we will not abandon our duty to protect Thai sovereignty," he concluded, adding that Thailand is ready to present factual evidence if false claims of invasion or theft are spread.