Following media and social media concerns about the release of Lao Tua Saen Lee, a former major drug offender, the Corrections Department released a detailed statement on August 17, 2026. The 85-year-old was arrested on October 11, 2015, and sentenced to life imprisonment on December 12, 2019, with a 2.5 million baht fine. While incarcerated, he maintained good conduct and received six royal pardons between 2020 and 2026, with his sentence eventually reduced to 8 years, 3 months, and 28 days due to the pardons and age-related reductions for prisoners over 70. After serving 9 years, 10 months, and 8 days from his arrest to his release on August 14, 2026, he was legally discharged. The department stated that the sentencing and release followed all legal procedures and the rule of law applied equally to all inmates. The Corrections Department acknowledged public concerns and said it would review guidelines for managing sentences, especially for capital crimes, life sentences, and cases affecting public security. The department has coordinated with drug enforcement agencies and local administrative authorities to monitor Lao Tua following his release.

Poonpong Nainapragan, director-general of the Department of Business Development under the Commerce Ministry, disclosed details on foreign business investment approvals in Thailand under the Foreign Business Operations Act of 1999. In July 2025 alone, 96 foreign businesses were approved to operate with a combined investment of 31.594 billion baht, predominantly from investors in China, Singapore, and the United States.

For the seven-month period from January to July 2025, Thailand approved 736 foreign business applications, a 26% increase year-on-year, with total investment reaching 219.208 billion baht, up 37% compared to the same period in 2024.

The top five source countries in the first seven months of 2025 were: China with 133 businesses accounting for 18% of foreign investment at 38.603 billion baht; the United States with 121 businesses at 16% and 6.226 billion baht; Singapore with 97 businesses at 13% and 61.112 billion baht; Japan with 94 businesses at 13% and 45.085 billion baht; and Hong Kong with 72 businesses at 10% and 14.077 billion baht. Other countries accounted for 219 businesses at 30% with 54.105 billion baht in investment.

Investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor zone totaled 220 projects, or 30% of all foreign investment in Thailand, a 25% increase year-on-year, valued at 85.615 billion baht or 39% of all foreign investment. Investors included 80 Chinese businesses investing 30.042 billion baht, 31 Japanese businesses at 22.636 billion baht, 26 Hong Kong businesses at 4.803 billion baht, and 83 other foreign investors at 28.134 billion baht.

Sports Development Fund of Thailand officials, led by Lieutenant General Supamanas Pharaphop, visited the Maritime Sports Center and the Thai Sailing Association to inspect preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Japan. The delegation reviewed team readiness and offered encouragement to national sailing athletes.

Thailand will compete in 8 of the 14 sailing events at the Games. The association has integrated artificial intelligence to analyze training data and competitor information, refining coaching methods for improved performance. The team also employs sports science principles across fitness, recovery, nutrition, health care, and dental services, with measurable targets to track athlete development continuously.

World-class foreign coaches have been brought in to enhance technique and tactical training, raising standards for international competition. During the visit, officials opened dialogue with coaches and athletes to address concerns and obstacles in team preparation, with a commitment to coordinate support through the fund's framework and ensure continued effective team readiness.

On August 17, 2025, at Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi Province, a 30-year-old noodle shop owner reported being defrauded by a foreign man claiming to be a respected Buddhist scholar and fortune teller. According to her account, on August 15 at around 11:20 am, a tall foreign man in his 50s wearing a headwrap approached her shop. He claimed he had seen spiritual entities attached to her and offered to help by performing a fortune reading. He made remarkably accurate predictions about her family, convincing her he possessed genuine spiritual powers. He charged 300 baht for the initial reading (200 baht for divination and 100 baht as an offering). During the reading, he had her place her palms together, and when he pressed his palms against hers, he claimed the numbers 531 appeared, indicating she needed to undergo a purification ritual to receive good fortune.

The man then persuaded her to pay 4,900 baht—later reduced to 2,900 baht—for a merit-making ceremony to remove malevolent spirits. The shop owner, feeling confused and disoriented, complied and made a bank transfer. After the man left, she came to her senses and realized she had been duped. When she called the number he provided to demand a refund, he threatened her, claiming she was disgracing his reputation, and told her to wait nine days for her life to improve. The victim noted that the predicted numbers 531 seemed designed to encourage her to buy a lottery ticket for the next draw, raising further suspicion of a scam. She filed a police report to prevent him from defrauding others.

Moshi Moshi Retail Corporation, Thailand's leading lifestyle retail chain, announced second-quarter 2025 results with operating revenue of 956.10 million baht, up 17.2 percent year-on-year, and net profit of 161.86 million baht, up 20.4 percent. The company's revenue breakdown comprised 86 percent from retail operations, 11 percent from wholesale, and 3 percent from other distribution channels.

The strong growth was driven by same-store sales growth of 4 percent, efficient cost management, and expansion of 11 new store locations across Thailand, including outlets in Mae Sot, Khon Kaen, Rayong, Maha Sarakham, Samut Songkhram, and Surin. For the first half of 2025, the company reported total revenue of 1.947 billion baht, up 17.1 percent year-on-year, with net profit of 352.83 million baht, up 21.5 percent. Net profit margin improved to 18.1 percent from 17.5 percent.

The company launched an extensive Back to School campaign featuring new seasonal products, licensed collections from Disney, Sanrio, Kakao Friends, and Powerpuff Girls, as well as in-house designed collections Snappy Dino and Moompa collaborations with Thai artists. Marketing efforts included appointing brand ambassadors and creating customer engagement through social media. The board approved an interim dividend of 0.64 baht per share with ex-dividend date on August 28 and payment date on September 11, 2025.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is elevating the cybersecurity curriculum at Panyapiwat Institute of Management to combat increasingly complex cyber threats. On August 17, Deputy Permanent Secretary Panthip Arunee presided over the first curriculum review for the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity programme for the 2025 academic year. The review committee included faculty deans, curriculum heads, and representatives from the National Cybersecurity Committee, industry, and students.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Panthip emphasized that the ministry prioritizes developing cybersecurity personnel as essential to driving digital economy and society. He praised Panyapiwat's efforts to align the curriculum with national demands through Thailand's Higher Education Sandbox scheme, which enables flexible education models linked to industry and responsive to technological change. The approach includes integrating artificial intelligence with cybersecurity knowledge to counter emerging threats effectively.

"Cybersecurity curriculum development must be continuous to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology and threats," the deputy secretary stated. "The ministry closely monitors curriculum quality and learning outcomes while consulting relevant agencies, especially the National Cybersecurity Committee, which shapes national cybersecurity standards. We also engage businesses, employers, students, and stakeholders to gather real-world insights for curriculum improvement, ensuring graduates meet labour market and national needs at international standards."

The committee subsequently held discussions with National Cybersecurity Committee representatives, employers hosting student internships, and current students to gather feedback on learning delivery and identify essential knowledge, skills, and competencies for real-world cybersecurity work. Input from government, industry, and learners will inform recommendations to modernize the curriculum, align it with standards and national requirements, and strengthen cybersecurity workforce development.