The Expressway Authority of Thailand is tripling accumulated points for Easy Pass customers on every journey. Points are simple to collect: just drive through the toll gate. Rewards are generous and can be redeemed quickly for benefits including Black Canyon, Starbucks, and many more options. The promotion begins today and runs until September 30, 2026. It's convenient, fast, and with so many points available, there's no reason not to use it.

Thailand's under-17 women's volleyball team, despite scraping through the group stage until the final match, showcased strong form to defeat Poland convincingly and advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Youth Volleyball Championship for players aged 17 and under, held in Santiago, Chile. The round-of-16 match on August 13 saw Thailand's fourth-place finishers from Group A face Poland, the Group C champions.

Thailand started brilliantly, taking a commanding 2-0 set lead with scores of 25-19 and 25-21. However, Poland mounted a strong comeback, winning the third set 25-10 to level the match at 1-2. The fourth set proved intense, with both teams trading points and taking turns in the lead throughout. After reaching 20-20, Thailand held their nerve to edge out a tight 25-23 victory.

Thailand ultimately defeated Poland 3-1 with final set scores of 25-19, 25-21, 10-25, and 25-23, advancing to face Taiwan in the quarterfinals. Poland was relegated to the 9th-16th place classification playoff, where they will meet Venezuela.

A touching birthday surprise: Khanomm Sashikarn was moved to tears when her boyfriend, Dr. Book, presented her with 500,000 baht as a birthday gift to help cover her father's surgery costs. Besides receiving various gifts thoughtfully chosen by Dr. Book, the birthday celebration featured an emotional moment when the final gift was opened to reveal a large sum of 500,000 baht in cash, leaving Khanomm shocked and tearful. Dr. Book then embraced her, explaining his change of plans: "I originally planned to buy something else, but when your father became ill and needed surgery, I decided to give money instead."

Khanomm's father, known as Akong, is facing surgery and requires substantial medical expenses. For this year's birthday, Dr. Book chose to give his girlfriend a birthday gift in the form of financial assistance for her father's medical treatment. While Khanomm was overwhelmed by the surprise, Akong was equally moved to tears, never expecting Dr. Book would do something so generous. The moment was captured with Akong embracing both Dr. Book and Khanomm amid tears of gratitude.

Akong shared his emotions while tears streamed down his face and his hands pressed together in thanks: "This money is for my surgery. I couldn't sleep at night, constantly asking my daughter if she had enough money. I didn't know where she would find it. I truly thank the doctor. I thank my child. This money is like buying a new life. I didn't ask for it, but I wanted to follow the doctor's wishes. The doctor started everything, took me to see specialists, negotiated with the hospital. He was there during my most difficult time. I truly thank him." Source: Khanomm Sashikarn

A critical lead from a year ago has emerged following the discovery of human skeletal remains scattered on Red Cliff near Koke Suang village in Nangam subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen district. Forest foragers provided information that matches one of the bone fragments found, indicating the person was likely aged 20–30. Authorities are now working urgently to trace the victim's relatives.

On the evening of August 12, Deputy Superintendent Theerathatch Pongsuwon of Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station was notified of the discovery at 5 p.m. and immediately led an investigation team, rescue personnel, and a duty doctor from Mueang Khon Kaen Hospital to the rocky cliff site. Nearly complete skeletal remains were found scattered among rock crevices, including skull fragments, scalp tissue with hair bearing blonde highlights, lower molars, arm bones, leg bones, and spine bones. The pelvis was not recovered.

Clothing found at the scene included a brown blanket with cartoon bear patterns and a black shirt with the English word "DRIVE" screened on the chest. No pants, skirt, or shoes were discovered. Without additional identifying information, authorities could not initially determine the person's identity, sex, or exact age.

During fieldwork, officers questioned forest foragers, particularly a man known as Tao who reported seeing a young man aged 20–30 with blonde highlights approximately a year earlier. The man was said to be from Kaeng Krachan subdistrict in Chaiyaphum province. The teeth fragments recovered matched the estimated age range of a young adult. All skeletal remains have been sent to the forensic science laboratory at Srinakharinwirot Hospital for examination.

Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station has issued a public appeal for anyone with information about the deceased to contact the station or Mueang Khon Kaen Hospital, so the remains can be returned to relatives for proper religious rites.

The Board of Investment is driving Thailand's industrial transformation toward Smart & Green industries to enhance global competitiveness. Since implementing the Smart and Sustainable Industry upgrade measures in 2023 through mid-2025, both Thai and foreign businesses have filed 1,397 investment promotion applications totaling over 146 billion baht.

Key areas of Smart Industry adoption include deploying automation and robots in production processes, upgrading factory management with digital technology to boost productivity, improve precision and flexibility, reduce errors, and enhance product quality. Businesses are also pursuing energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and international sustainability certifications such as GAP, FSC, PEFC, and ISO 22000 to strengthen market access and long-term competitiveness.

Board of Investment Secretary-General Narudom Terdthirasakkdi emphasized that modern business competitiveness depends not just on production costs but on manufacturing efficiency, resource utilization, adaptability to change, and alignment with global market standards. He cited examples including Thai Beverage Can, which automated its aluminum cap production line; Panasonic Energy Thailand, which installed automation in packaging and factory transport; and Thai Toshiba Industry, which deployed automation and robots across metal stamping, welding, painting, assembly, inspection, and packaging. Companies are also investing in digital management systems like enterprise resource planning software to integrate operations, optimize production planning, manage supply chains, and enable data-driven decision-making.

A shooting erupted around 10:30 p.m. on August 12 at the "Taste Shop Use" market event near the Pho Khun Thod Monument in Dan Khun Thod District, Nakhon Ratchasima, leaving six people injured. Police from Dan Khun Thod Station contained the situation and arrested one suspect, while rescue units rushed the injured to Luang Pho Khun Parisutthodo Dan Khun Thod Hospital, with several severe cases transferred to Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.

Event organizer Prakop Patithan said the attackers used knives and an improvised shotgun that dispersed pellets across a wide area. The shooting occurred as the market was closing, while vendors were packing up. The six injured included Prakop (stabbed on the back and hand), Suton (right arm shot), Virawut (shot 13 times across the body and arm, severe injury), Suphawanee (shot twice in the leg and struck by pellets on the back), Panadda (left arm shot), and Tae (shot nine times on the back).

Dan Khun Thod Police, led by Deputy Superintendent Akkhom Chud Khun Thod, arrested one suspect and are investigating. Preliminary investigation revealed the suspect was attempting to steal a parked motorcycle when the owner arrived. The confrontation escalated, and the suspect's companion fled and returned with weapons and a gang to attack. Police are pursuing the remaining suspects to file charges.