NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Archaeologists have uncovered an Ayutthaya-era city wall and evidence of human settlement dating back as far as 2,500 years during a 20-day excavation in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The excavation at the eastern section of Nakhon Ratchasima's old city wall, known as Phon Lan Gate or Phon Lan Fort, along Phon Lan Road, concluded on 8 August. The project was jointly conducted by the 10th Regional Fine Arts Office in Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality from 20 July.

Archaeologists expanded an excavation pit to 10 by 11 metres to further trace the city wall before preparing to backfill it to the original wall level. Somdet Leelamanotham, director of the Archaeology Group at the 10th Regional Fine Arts Office, along with archaeologist Wannaphong Palakawong Na Ayutthaya and staff collected soil samples before the site was backfilled. The samples will undergo scientific dating to establish the age of the city wall and the cultural layers found beneath it, including remains dating to the late prehistoric Iron Age.

Students from Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University and young volunteers also took part in the archaeological work. Wannaphong described the excavation as a major discovery in the past 20 years, saying archaeological evidence must be examined before any landscape improvements are made around the old city moat because the area forms part of Nakhon Ratchasima's historic city.

The excavation uncovered evidence of human settlement from the prehistoric Bronze Age through the Iron Age and into the historic period. Finds included animal bones, pottery fragments, charcoal, soot, ash and seashells, shedding light on how people lived and survived in the area around 1,500–2,500 years ago. Some parts of the site had previously been disturbed by land use, including the construction of government housing over ancient cultural layers.

Archaeologists collected organic material beneath brick foundations, as well as bricks bearing traces of rice husks, for scientific dating. The results are expected to help establish when the city wall, city gates and fortifications were constructed. The expanded excavation has also revealed a section of the wall extending from north to south, consistent with historical records.

The Fine Arts Office plans to meet Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, which owns the site, to discuss developing the area as a historical tourism landmark where future generations can learn about the past through its archaeological remains and historic architecture.

Long history of conservation Previous conservation work on Nakhon Ratchasima's city wall and gates included excavations of the northeastern wall and fort in 1999 and 2000, with restoration and landscape improvements carried out during the latter project. Further excavation of the western section of the city wall took place in 2006. Historical records from the reign of King Rama V describe Nakhon Ratchasima's old city as roughly rectangular, with the eastern and western sections forming key defensive structures.

Border Guard Police forces clashed with a suspected drug smuggling operation involving 10-15 individuals carrying backpacks along forest trails in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai province, resulting in the seizure of nearly 2 million methamphetamine pills.

On August 8, 2569 (2026) at 1:30 p.m., at the 4th Cavalry Company of the Tak Regional Task Force headquarters, Pol. Col. Sathit Waiyanan, commander of the Border Guard Police, authorized Maj. Supan Ropphut to lead a multi-agency inspection of 1,928,000 seized pills following the armed confrontation.

The incident began at 12:30 a.m. on August 8 when the 4th Cavalry Company deployed an operational unit to patrol and intercept drug smuggling near the Wiang Kaew crossing in Ban Wiang Kaew village, Tambon Sri Don Mueang, Amphoe Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai province. Officers spotted approximately 10-15 suspects carrying backpacks traveling along an off-trail forest route.

When officials requested a search, the suspects opened fire with an unidentified firearm, sparking a five-minute firefight before the group escaped using their knowledge of the terrain. All officers remained safe.

Following the clash, the Border Guard Police deployed two additional units to secure the area. At 7:00 a.m., officers conducting a follow-up search discovered 10 modified straw sacks wrapped in black plastic bags containing approximately 1,928,000 methamphetamine pills—a Class 1 narcotic—which were seized as evidence.

Pol. Col. Sathit Waiyanan ordered local units to intensify surveillance and interdiction efforts against drug trafficking operations along the border on an ongoing basis.

Thai national volleyball coach Giatpongsa Ratchtagriangkai (Coach Ott) has firmly stated he is not underestimating Vietnam and is preparing a strategic game plan for the final match of the 2026 SEA V Cup leg two in Chiang Mai.

In the women's volleyball match at the SEA V Cup 2026 (BYD DMI 6th SEA V CUP 2026) held at Chiang Mai 700 Years Stadium in Chiang Mai province on August 8, 2025, Thailand's women's volleyball team (first leg champions) defeated Indonesia 3-0 with set scores of 25-18, 25-17, and 25-12. With two consecutive victories, Thailand is poised to claim the second leg championship.

Following the match, Coach Ott expressed satisfaction with the athletes' performance, calling the victory meaningful. "We performed at our best and allowed everyone to show their full potential," he said. "Indonesia is a strong team, and victory did not come easily. We had to send our best players into the match, and they executed very well. Since we will face Indonesia in the Asian Championship as well, we are preparing ourselves thoroughly."

Regarding tomorrow's match against Vietnam, Coach Ott added: "We need to study and analyze them again without complacency. However, we will focus primarily on our own system and whether we are executing our game plan correctly, so our players can learn and perform."

Thailand's women's volleyball team will play their final match against Vietnam tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.

General Suphamas Pharaphob, executive director of the National Sports Development Fund, visited Krabi and Trang provinces to monitor the readiness of Thai national badminton and blind track and field athletes preparing for the 20th Asian Games. His visit to the Thai Badminton Association included meetings with badminton team members and officials, followed by a detailed inspection of training facilities, dormitories, kitchens, and athlete accommodations to ensure proper care in nutrition, hygiene, and welfare. The delegation then traveled to the National Sports University's Trang campus to meet blind track and field athletes, touring air-conditioned dormitories, bathrooms, massage and recovery rooms, and dining facilities. On that day, athletes took a break from training to watch a cheerleading competition organized by elementary schools under the Ministry of Education in the same area. The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4, while the fifth Asian Para Games will take place in Japan from October 18–24. Thai athletes across all categories are currently intensifying their training and preparation for these major international competitions.

A cremation ceremony was held on August 8, 2025, at Khao Boon Mee Dararama Temple in Huay Yai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chachoengsao province, for three victims—a father, mother, and child—who were killed in a shocking murder case in the Huay Yai area. Officials and relatives prepared for the funeral rites, with the ceremony scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. and presided over by the Chachoengsao governor.

Before the ceremony commenced, rescue staff from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation arrived at the temple to provide assistance and coordinate the movement of all three bodies, ensuring the proceedings ran smoothly.

The atmosphere inside the temple was deeply sorrowful as the family faced the simultaneous loss of three members to murder. Prior to the main ceremony, monks chanted prayers for the deceased as relatives, friends, and members of the public came to offer their condolences.

In the case, all three victims—the father, mother, and child—were discovered dead and buried in Huay Yai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chachoengsao province. A man named Thana, also known as "Por," is a key suspect in the case, while police continue their investigation and follow up on various related issues according to legal procedures.

The cremation ceremony for all three victims is set to take place at 4:00 p.m. today at Khao Boon Mee Dararama Temple, with the Chachoengsao governor presiding, as relatives and others gathered to bid farewell to the three deceased.