EasyMoney Group is continuing its mission to improve the quality of life for Thai people through the second phase of the "Glasses of Merit" social program, launched by Nakhon Pathom Provincial Governor Aorcha Nanthamonti. The company partnered with government agencies, private businesses, educational institutions, and civil society organizations including Optical Top Charoen, Chulalongkorn University Class of 20 (CU20), and the Nakhon Pathom Red Cross to conduct free eye examinations and distribute glasses to 600 people on August 3-4, 2025, at the Phra Pathom Chedi Administrative Building in Nakhon Pathom Province.

The initiative reflects EasyMoney's philosophy of creating "opportunities" for people across multiple dimensions—not just through access to financial services, but also by supporting essential quality-of-life factors necessary for daily living. The company believes that building sustainable opportunities begins with access to fundamental services that enable people to live with dignity. This second phase builds on the success of the first program and expands the partnership network to reach more communities. EasyMoney, Optical Top Charoen, and CU20 jointly selected 300 glasses recipients from three priority groups: low-income cardholders of the state welfare scheme, seniors aged 55 and above, and students in Nakhon Pathom Province. The Nakhon Pathom Red Cross additionally selected 300 recipients from its "Glasses for Children" program, bringing the total beneficiaries to 600—marking the project's first expansion beyond Bangkok.

Sithiwichai Tangthanakirt, Chairman of EasyMoney Group, stated that the company operates with social responsibility at its core. "The opportunity to see clearly is the beginning of all possibilities in life," he said, emphasizing that good vision is not only foundational but also essential for educational achievement, employment, and sustainable quality-of-life development. Nakhon Pathom Province was selected as the first pilot area for regional expansion, with EasyMoney planning to extend the program to two additional provinces this year. Provincial Governor Aorcha Nanthamonti added that improving people's quality of life is as important as developing cities and economies, particularly for vulnerable groups. The free two-day eye screening program served 300 people daily, with no cost to participants.

A mission is nearing completion to bring the remains of Indian climber "Green Boots" back to his family after the body lay frozen on Mount Everest for 30 years. According to BBC reports from August 10, the remains are situated beneath a rock outcrop at approximately 8,500 meters, with the distinctive lime-green climbing boots serving as a landmark for mountaineers over the years. Initially thought to belong to Sewaang Paljor, who died in a severe blizzard in 1996, Indian authorities now believe the remains may actually be those of Dorje Morup, another expedition member, based on survivor testimony and final radio contact evidence.

Moreup was an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officer and one of six climbers who attempted to make history by summiting Everest from the Chinese side—a particularly dangerous route. On May 10, 1996, Morup and two teammates, Sewaang Sumlha and Sewaang Paljor, successfully reached the 8,849-meter summit before a severe blizzard struck during their descent, killing all three.

Retrieving the Green Boots remains from Everest is an extremely hazardous undertaking. The location lies in the "death zone," where temperatures plunge to around -40°C and oxygen levels drop to roughly one-third of sea-level concentrations. The north face of Everest also has steeper terrain and fewer rescue support systems than the Nepal side. Experts estimate that 10-12 elite climbers would be needed to install ropes and carry the body down from the dangerous area to a point accessible by helicopter or animals, with typical high-altitude body recovery costs ranging from $40,000 to $80,000, or approximately 1.3 to 2.7 million baht.

The ITBP, which is funding the recovery, is searching for an experienced rescue team and Sherpa climbers specializing in high-altitude body recovery. The goal is to bring Morup's remains back to India by September, after which DNA testing will be conducted to confirm identity before returning the body to his family.

On August 10, 2026, Saraburi City Police received a report from Saraburi Municipality staff about a suspicious woman attempting to obtain a Thai national ID card. The applicant was a Laotian woman and her 10-year-old daughter, accompanied by a 45-year-old Thai man named Phuphing (surname withheld). They presented a damaged ID card with faded text and illegible 13-digit identification number, requesting a replacement.

When registry staff questioned the applicant, she could not provide basic information such as her parents' names or age. Upon database verification, officials discovered the face on the damaged card did not match the woman before them. When confronted, the woman admitted she was Laotian and had been brought by two Thai nationals—one man and one woman—who accompanied her. Subsequent investigation revealed the Laotian woman had attempted similar fraud in multiple locations, including Rayong Province's Pluak Daeng District, and held fake IDs from Nong Khai and Phetchabun provinces.

During questioning, one Thai woman (name withheld) explained that the Laotian woman, Ploy (name withheld), worked at the same construction site as Phuphing. When Phuphing returned to Saraburi, Ploy and her daughter asked for a ride and help purchasing a bus ticket, as her ID card was damaged. Both Thai nationals voluntarily assisted her to obtain a replacement card at Saraburi Municipality, claiming they acted with good intentions and were unaware she was Laotian. Police detained the Laotian woman and questioned the two Thai nationals to establish the facts. The child was handed to her father for care.

Black oil-like slicks were found floating in the sea and washing ashore at Jomtien Beach in Chon Buri on Monday, prompting authorities to warn tourists against swimming in the affected area. The substance was reported along the shoreline and in seawater, with large amounts seen near Jomtien Beach and Koh Lan. Pattaya City officials deployed workers to collect samples, assess the extent of the pollution and begin cleaning up the slick. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai said authorities were investigating two possible causes: an illegal discharge from a vessel or a substance drifting into the area from around Laem Chabang or Koh Lan. Officials from the Marine Department and environmental agencies have joined the investigation. Pattaya City urged residents and tourists to exercise caution and avoid swimming at Jomtien Beach until the situation is assessed.

GRAND Asset Hotel and Property Public Company is holding a rescheduled bondholder meeting on August 13, 2026, via electronic meeting to vote on waiving payment defaults on principal and interest, exempting bond representatives from default-related actions, canceling accelerated repayment demands on select series, and modifying principal and interest repayment conditions. An initial meeting on August 5 failed to achieve quorum. The Securities and Exchange Commission has instructed the bondholder representative to provide clear analysis of the pros, cons, benefits, and impacts of approval or rejection, including their recommendation. The SEC urges all bondholders to carefully review the information, exercise their rights to protect their interests, and ask the bondholder representative questions to ensure they have complete data before voting at the meeting.

Central Pattana Public Company reported strong and continuous growth in second-quarter 2026 results, with combined revenue of 13.105 billion baht, up 8%, and net profit of 4.75 billion baht, up 10% from the previous year. The strength came from the company's core shopping mall business, which continues to grow steadily. The company also delivered consistent returns to shareholders while maintaining a strong financial position with improving debt-to-equity ratios. In the second quarter, it paid a record dividend of 2.40 baht per share. Central Pattana is advancing its expansion plans with the opening of two key landmarks—Central Khon Kaen Campus and Central Northville—reinforcing its leadership in urban development and driving Thailand's economy under the concept of "The Ecosystem for All," which connects growth across all sectors. The company has also received recognition from global award platforms, winning two major awards at Retail Asia Awards 2026 for the third consecutive year. Napharat Srivarnvitya, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of Finance, Accounting, and Hotel and Office divisions, stated that second-quarter results reflect the strength of the core business, which has set new revenue records for the fourth consecutive quarter. This is driven by the opening of new shopping centers, upgrades to existing ones, and adjustments to tenant mix to meet consumer needs, resulting in increased foot traffic and growing retail sales through efficient portfolio management. The opening of two new shopping centers—Central Northville, which drives growth in a high-potential city, and Central Khon Kaen Campus (opened May 20), which complements the lifestyle of younger generations and adds vibrancy to the education and economic hub of the Northeast—marks a significant milestone. The Phyll Khon Kaen condominium received overwhelming response with 100% sell-out in just three days during presale, generating over 1.6 billion baht in sales, reflecting the strength of quality projects in prime locations. The success extends to the GO! Hotel business in Khon Kaen Campus and Nakhon Sawan, leveraging prime locations adjacent to shopping centers that cater to tourists, office workers, and young travelers seeking comprehensive convenience. Response has been strong since opening. By the end of the second quarter 2026, Central Pattana will operate 45 shopping malls (43 Central Department stores—17 in Bangkok and vicinity, 25 in other provinces, and 1 in Malaysia under Splanade and Mega Bangna), 16 community malls with a total net rentable area of 2.4 million square meters, along with 11 office buildings, 13 hotels, and 52 residential projects, both high-rise and low-rise.