On August 13, 2025, the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled against Kong Kiart Ketsumabot, a former House of Representatives candidate from Khlong Khao party in Nakhon Si Thammarat's District 7, who sought a constitutional ruling under Article 213. Ketsumabot argued he suffered harm from actions by the Election Commission, its chairman, the provincial election authority, and the Supreme Court's election division, which ordered his removal from the candidate roster under Section 42(12) of the 2018 Election of Members of the House of Representatives Act on grounds he fell into a prohibited category. He contended this violated his rights and freedoms under the Constitution. The court found that the facts presented showed the respondents' actions had already been finally decided by other courts under the Constitutional Court Procedure Act 2018, Section 47(4), making the petition inadmissible. Regarding his claim that Section 42(12) conflicted with constitutional provisions, the court noted such constitutional review requests are subject to specific criteria under the Constitution's Articles 212 and 231(1), and the petition failed to meet the required standards under Sections 47(2) and 48. The court also unanimously rejected a separate petition from Wattana Chomchai, who alleged the Election Commission's ballot design for the referendum failed to include options for article-by-article constitutional amendments, and accused officials of providing inaccurate referendum statistics. The court determined these matters similarly fell outside its jurisdiction.

The Badminton World Federation website has published an interview with renowned Thai badminton player Pop'o Setsiri Taetratanachai about her role as the senior partner in a new mixed doubles pairing with 21-year-old Omo Phakphol Theeratanasuul. The pair will compete in the 2026 World Badminton Championships beginning August 17, with both receiving byes in the first round. The BWF website has praised the Thai mixed doubles combination for showing steady improvement throughout 2026. In the interview, Pop'o, 34, emphasized that she works to help her younger partner with emotional control, which she considers crucial. "Because he still needs more experience, I try to guide and advise him. Sometimes he lacks confidence, so I try to support him and teach him about mixed doubles play," Pop'o said. "When he makes a mistake, I tell him, 'It's okay, move on to the next point, try to do your best on every rally.'" "My goal is to help him win a medal on the podium," she added.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) successfully ignited global travel interest through its "Feel All the Feelings" commercial under the "Amazing Thailand" campaign, starring global icon Lisa, Lal...

A school principal in Mae Waang District, Chiang Mai, has admitted to striking a student on the head during a flag-raising ceremony after a video went viral. The Chiang Mai Primary Education Area Office District 4 has established an investigative committee and deployed a team to provide psychological support to the child and family.

Parents posted security camera footage complaining that the principal struck a male student on the head while children lined up for the flag ceremony. The video captured a clear sound of impact before the administrator asked the child, "Who else wants this?" The incident occurred on a classroom veranda while students were lined up for an activity, with two boys playfully roughhousing. Parents objected to the use of force and demanded that authorities investigate.

After the video was shared on July 31, 2566, widespread criticism erupted, with calls for the principal to be investigated and disciplined if violence was confirmed. On August 23, 2566, Sayan Kamlua, deputy director of the Chiang Mai Primary Education Area Office District 4, announced that the incident occurred on July 8, 2566. After receiving the complaint, the office immediately dispatched two investigative teams.

The personnel division launched an inquiry, forming a disciplinary committee against the principal. Investigators found that the school, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade with 58 students and 8 teachers, had all staff conducting examinations elsewhere that day, leaving the principal alone to manage the school and teach. During the morning assembly, children became unruly as usual, and the principal issued multiple warnings. Amid the commotion, stressed and acting on impulse, the principal disciplined the child by striking him, later admitting to losing composure and using force. The education office is proceeding with disciplinary measures, which may include transfer out of the area and punishment according to committee decision and ministry regulations.

Meanwhile, a promotion team with a psychologist visited to provide mental health support to the punished student and his family, with reconciliation and mediation talks between both parties planned this week. The school has security cameras accessible to teachers, school board members, and parents for monitoring purposes. The footage was shared online when it became newsworthy.

On August 13, 2025, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, working through the Wildlife Inspection Unit at Suvarnabhumi Airport alongside customs investigators and the Suvarnabhumi Postal Center, intercepted an illegal wildlife export operation. More than 120 living reptiles were seized, hidden in postal boxes with false declarations of dried fruit and food, destined for the Philippines. Authorities are pursuing the sender for prosecution.

The seizure occurred on August 12 after officials analyzed risk data on prohibited items at Suvarnabhumi Postal Center near the cargo inspection building in the free trade zone at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. Two international registered parcels showed suspicious objects on X-ray scan, prompting detailed inspection.

The parcels, listed as originating from Surat Thani Province and addressed to the Philippines, contained live reptiles packed in cloth bags and clear plastic boxes: four sulcata tortoises, 16 iguanas, 88 ball pythons and king cobras, 16 tegus, bearded dragons, and two spotted leopard geckos, with a combined weight exceeding 18 kilograms.

Komkrit Pinasai, head of the Wildlife Inspection Unit at Suvarnabhumi Airport, stated that smuggling wildlife through international postal services is not only serious legal violation but causes animal suffering and risks disease outbreaks. Officials have integrated screening measures with technology to prevent Thailand from becoming a transit hub for illegal wildlife trafficking.

Authorities seized all contraband and filed charges under the Wildlife Conservation Act B.E. 2562, Section 23 (exporting controlled wildlife without permission), the Customs Act B.E. 2560, Sections 242, 166, and 167, and the Animal Epidemic Act B.E. 2558, Section 31. Investigators from Suvarnabhumi Airport Police are gathering evidence and tracking the sender and associates for legal prosecution. All live animals have been transferred to the Wildlife Health Management Unit of the Department of National Parks for care.

PHUKET: Phuket officials are targeting an 80% reduction in food waste by 2040, with at least 50 local administrative organisations expected to take part in efforts to tackle the province’s estimated 470-500 tonnes of food waste generated each day.