Bangkok, August 5, 2026 – The Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) reinforced its corporate culture of gratitude by serving as Heritage Partner for the blockbuster Chinese film "Dear You: A Letter to Mother" at its official Thai premiere. The company aims to inspire employees and Thai audiences with messages of love, family bonds, and filial piety, themes that have already resonated deeply across China. The premiere red carpet event, presented by BYD and CP Group at SF World Cinema in CentralWorld shopping mall, was attended by Zhang Jianwei, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, and high-ranking Guangdong provincial officials, alongside CP Group executives including Senior Chairman Thananin Chiaravutthi, Chairman Sophakij Chiaravutthi, and Senior Vice Chairman Supachai Chiaravutthi.

Senior Chairman Thananin Chiaravutthi praised the film, saying it authentically portrays gratitude and repayment of kindness, especially among Chinese diaspora families, and invites viewers to experience not just entertainment but a meaningful story that touches the heart and enriches life. Chairman Sophakij Chiaravutthi noted that the film traces the journey from Chaozhou Chinese roots to flourishing life in Thailand, beautifully conveying family values and gratitude toward the nation. Senior Vice Chairman Supachai Chiaravutthi reflected on the sacrifices of previous generations who left their homeland to build better futures, observing that the film reminds viewers how love, gratitude, and family bonds stem from such dedication—values that transcend time and resonate across generations, serving as foundations for lasting happiness and strengthening Thai-Chinese friendship.

Director Lan Hongchun and the Chinese cast attended the premiere to officially mark the film's arrival in Thailand. The director expressed confidence that Thai audiences, including those of Chaozhou Chinese heritage, would deeply connect with the story and its portrayal of Chaozhou life and culture.

Officials are preparing to declare Ban Wang Charoen a disaster zone following the discovery of seven sinkholes. Geologists from the Regional Mineral Resources Office examined the sinkholes, each averaging 4–5 meters deep, and found them to be circular soil collapses with underlying cavities. According to Orouma Summat, director of the Regional Mineral Resources Office, the collapses are not expanding and can be repaired through simple infilling. The geologist explained that the sinkholes result from millions-of-years-old rock layers affected by tectonic plate collisions, which create stress cracks across the northeast region. Residents can observe warning signs such as air bubbles emerging from the ground before collapse occurs. Local farmer Ranong Khephwang, who owns more than four rai of land, reported noticing air bubbles while transplanting rice seedlings and expressed concern about potential danger. She suspects nearby stone quarries may be contributing to the problem. Provincial Governor Atchakit Ruksophanicha is preparing the disaster proclamation for Ban Wang Charoen following multiple sinkhole incidents and additional at-risk zones identified. Geologists confirmed that most sinkholes occur in limestone areas over 200 years old, with environmental factors linked to land use playing a role. Local authorities plan to submit their survey findings to the provincial government to officially declare the area a disaster zone, secure hazardous areas, and develop compensation measures for residents.

In 1980, Phra Thep Ratnamoli, the former abbot of Wat Phrathat Phanom, commissioned the creation of the "Phrathat Phanom Protective Amulet" coin in approximately 10,000 pieces to distribute to devotees and government agencies. The coin features a distinctive reliquary design with protective nagas flanking the inscription, detailed line work, and the monk's signature on the reverse with Thai map imagery and sacred yantra symbols.

Other notable amulets discussed include Luang Pu Muay's white powder amulet from Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen, created to honor donors supporting a Dharma school, which features a meditating Buddha in a seated pose with characteristic delicate craftsmanship. Additionally, a rare 2010 Luang Pu Kuay commemorative coin from Wat Khositraram in Chainat was produced in only three versions: silver, polished copper, and darkened copper, featuring a lion yantra design on the reverse.

Luang Pu Phan Pannyapatipo's first-edition amulet coin from 1978, produced by Chinese businessman Siam Ho, remains highly collectible among devotees. Created in 4,200 pieces, the oval-shaped coin displays the revered meditation master seated in full lotus on the obverse, with protective yantra symbols and detailed inscriptions honoring the respected forest monk from Sakon Nakhon province.

Luang Pho Bai Thammasotho of Wat Chong Lom in Samut Songkhram was a renowned Buddhist scholar and disciple of Luang Pho Kaew of Wat Puang Malai, whose amulets and sacred objects remain highly popular. Born in 1861 in Phetchaburi province, he was orphaned and raised by relatives in the monastic community. At age twenty he was ordained at Wat Thong Nopakun under the preceptor Luang Pho Daeng of Wat Khao Bandai It, and studied Buddhist doctrine and meditation under several prominent teachers including Luang Pho Kaew, with whom he developed a close spiritual relationship. In 1894 he undertook a pilgrimage lasting four months to visit the Buddha's Footprint in Saraburi and the Phratat Dhonrag shrine in Kanchanaburi, accompanied by four monks and a lay attendant. He served as abbot of Wat Chong Lom after Luang Pho Kaew relocated to Wat Puang Malai in 1902. In 1927, due to severe riverbank erosion threatening the original temple site along a bend in the Mae Klong River, he relocated the monastery to its present location. Construction of a new ordination hall began in 1929 after the original was damaged by water erosion. True to his humble character, he never announced these projects publicly; villagers learned of them through word of mouth and volunteered labor, materials, and donations according to their means. He commissioned the construction of a Buddha image grotto, designing it with a decorative goat sculpture at the entrance as a symbolic guardian. During World War II in 1941, thieves decapitated the goat and removed the tridents from the chedi's pinnacle, leaving only the uppermost section visible today. Recognized as a highly learned and respected Buddhist master of his era, he received invitations to preside over numerous blessing ceremonies, including the consecration of a statue of the Sangharaja at Wat Rajabophit in 1938. He maintained a close spiritual friendship with Luang Pho Khong of Wat Bang Krapom, another renowned master of the same period. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, the third waning day of the second lunar month in the Year of the Goat, corresponding to January 4, 1941, at the age of eighty-one with sixty Buddhist Lenten seasons completed. He created numerous sacred amulets and objects that remain highly valued and sought after by devotees.

The Department of Interior released a clarification on August 5 regarding online reports of a personal data breach from the citizen registry system. The Registry Administration Office stated the following facts: First, personal data was not leaked from the main database of the citizen registry system. Second, regarding the circulation of individuals' facial images on social media, the Department of Interior has coordinated with the National Cybersecurity Committee (NCCC) and the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) to conduct a thorough investigation, and has filed a complaint with the Technology Crime Investigation Division to pursue legal action. Third, the Department of Interior confirms it has continuously upgraded system database security and uses the ThaID system for identity verification, which is considered a high-level security system. Fourth, the Department of Interior and the Ministry of Interior warn the public that spreading false or unlawful information on social media may violate the Computer Crime Act B.E. 2550, Section 14, which covers introducing distorted or false data or information affecting national and economic security or causing public panic. Violations carry penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of no more than 100,000 baht, or both.

Thailand is preparing to send the CE-7 MATCH scientific instrument, designed and developed by Thai engineers, to participate in a lunar exploration mission for the first time under the Chang'e-7 program. This marks another significant milestone for Thai science and space research, underscoring Thailand's capability in space technology development, engineering, and frontier research recognized internationally.

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation held a press conference announcing "Thailand's First Mission to Lunar Exploration" at the ministry headquarters. The institute announced the readiness of the Thai-made CE-7 MATCH scientific instrument to conduct lunar exploration as one of seven international scientific instruments for the Chang'e-7 mission, with partnerships including the Ministry of Education, Thai PBS, and Sea (Thailand).

A live broadcast of the Long March-5 Y14 rocket launch carrying the Chang'e-7 spacecraft into space is scheduled for August 24 at approximately 7:00 a.m. Thai time, accompanied by science, engineering, and space technology learning activities for the public nationwide.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Prof. Dr. Yotchanan Wongswadiwat stated that the success of the CE-7 MATCH mission results from continuous investment in science, research, and innovation.

The CE-7 MATCH (Chang'e-7 Moon Aiming Thai-Chinese Hodoscope) is a scientific instrument jointly developed by NARIT and Mahidol University under Thai-Chinese cooperation within the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project. It was developed based on scientific objectives aligned with the Chang'e-7 mission goals before being selected as one of seven international scientific instruments to orbit the Moon.

The instrument's mission includes measuring cosmic radiation or high-energy particles in space and studying relationships between the Sun, Earth, and Moon to understand radiation origins and processes that may affect humans in the future, particularly establishing knowledge foundations for long-term space exploration and lunar settlement.

Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Yotchanan Wongswadiwat stated that the CE-7 MATCH mission's success results from continuous investment in science, research, and innovation, including personnel development, knowledge creation, and cooperation among research institutions, universities, and international partners, which has raised the country's advanced technology capabilities through building upon existing knowledge to create Thailand's own knowledge and technology, enhancing competitiveness and creating new economic opportunities.

Prof. Dr. Yotchanan stated that the government aims to transform Thailand from a "technology user" to a "technology creator" by using Thai knowledge as the foundation for innovation that generates economic value, coupled with human capital development, support for frontier research, and promotion of the space industry.