Environment and Natural Resources Minister Suchat Chomklin, accompanied by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Director-General Arthapol Jaruchchansar and senior officials, visited Soi Dao district in Chanthaburi on August 9 to hear directly from residents about three major issues: water scarcity, wild elephants venturing outside conservation zones, and agricultural land disputes—all affecting public safety and quality of life. The government is committed to concrete solutions while preserving natural resources, pursuing the goal that "people can live, elephants can live, and forests can survive."

Regarding water, Minister Suchat emphasized the urgent need to provide residents with reliable water supplies for consumption and agriculture while ensuring long-term water security. The Khlong Ta Phlai reservoir project, with construction spanning approximately 402 rai 3 ngan 96 square wah in Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, is currently awaiting cabinet approval to proceed with partial area withdrawal in accordance with legal procedures after consulting stakeholders and communities.

On wild elephants, Suchat visited the sanctuary to encourage rapid-response teams and forest rangers, stressing the importance of swift surveillance, early warning systems, and rapid communication to protect lives and property while safely herding elephants back into protected areas. The region currently has seven volunteer networks protecting national parks and wildlife, plus 12 elephant and wildlife monitoring networks working to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.

The minister also reaffirmed the government's commitment to resolving agricultural land disputes affecting residents.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supalee Suthumphand visited Chumphon province on August 8 to oversee southern fruit management and tackle durian supply during the final phase of the harvest season. She met with government agencies, private businesses, operators, and farmer representatives at Sirimongkol Corporate Group in Sawi district to address production challenges and gather regional input. Supalee explained that her visit aims to strengthen Chumphon as a crucial regional fruit hub, noting that robust management in the province will support neighboring areas. This year's durian output has increased compared to last year, with 70–80% of the southern harvest already reaching market. Price fluctuations prompted her to order government purchases starting in June to stabilize prices, with a target of absorbing 300,000 tons—over 200,000 tons have been purchased so far.

As of August 4, Thailand has exported 1,110,655.92 tons of durian (68,044 containers) worth over 127.22 billion baht, demonstrating sustained international demand despite rising production volumes, shipping costs, and competition from rival suppliers. The Commerce Ministry is expediting export and transport logistics by coordinating with all relevant agencies, utilizing rail and Nong Khai border routes to prevent bottlenecks and reduce logistical constraints. Supalee emphasized the need to develop forward markets and stimulate demand both domestically and abroad to ensure timely product flow.

Beyond durian, Supalee stressed managing Chumphon's full fruit portfolio—including mangosteen, banana, pineapple, and other geographic-indication products—on staggered harvest schedules. She ordered the provincial commerce office to prepare a detailed fruit calendar showing which fruits will peak during each period, enabling the Commerce Ministry to coordinate marketing at optimal times. She also highlighted the importance of adding value and handling surplus through initiatives such as converting durian peels into organic fertilizer using Maejoob engineering methods, which recycles waste, reduces costs, and supports zero-waste principles.

A gunman opened fire on a police officer at Thung Yang Daeng Police Station, leaving one person critically wounded. Officers rushed the victim to Thung Yang Daeng Hospital before transferring him to Yala Central Hospital for continued treatment. On August 9 at 12:00 noon, an unknown assailant fired a weapon of undetermined type and caliber at Maj. Hakeem Kuji, age 32, head of the protection and suppression unit at Thung Yang Daeng Police Station, while he was in Moo 1, Tambon Nam Dam, Amphoe Thung Yang Daeng, Pattani Province. Officers are investigating the incident to identify and prosecute the perpetrator.

The Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum proved highly successful, with businesspeople from both nations enthusiastically attending presentations and conducting active trade negotiations. On August 9, 2026, Pisanu Suwannachote, chairman of the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Association, revealed the success of organizing the "THAILAND-MYANMAR Business Forum 2026" under the theme "A New Chapter in Thailand–Myanmar Business Partnership" at the Sirikit National Convention Centre during Myanmar President General Min Aung Hlaing's visit to Thailand.

The forum represents a significant milestone in business cooperation between the two countries and marks the first time Thailand and Myanmar have jointly hosted a business forum at this scale, attracting over 700 representatives from government, private sector, and economic institutions from both nations, plus more than 200 Thai and international media representatives. By inviting Thailand's Prime Minister and Myanmar's President to deliver keynote speeches, the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Association boosted confidence among Thai and Myanmar businesspeople. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations based on their long-standing friendship and mutual interests across all dimensions.

The leaders particularly emphasized developing cross-border transportation routes between the two countries, which serve as vital connectors for ASEAN and the Mekong subregion. They pledged to revise regulations to facilitate investors from both nations and reaffirmed their determination to revive brisk trade and investment atmospheres between the countries within the year. Currently, Myanmar ranks as Thailand's 22nd foreign trade partner and 7th within ASEAN, while Thailand serves as Myanmar's crucial trade and investment partner. Thailand is Myanmar's third-largest foreign investor with cumulative investment exceeding $4.6 billion, covering over 100 projects in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, and tourism.

Trade value between the two countries continues growing steadily, encompassing natural gas and agricultural exports from Myanmar to Thailand and imports of industrial goods, machinery, and quality consumer products from Thailand, with significant growth potential ahead. The business forum sessions proved highly popular among Thai and Myanmar entrepreneurs, particularly the "Business Opportunities in Myanmar" and "Business Clinic for Potential Investors" sessions, which drew capacity crowds. Attendees were eager to learn about current conditions for doing business in Myanmar from government and business representatives. Three other sessions—"Creating a Regulatory Environment Ready for the Future for Sustainable and Successful Business in Myanmar," "New Perspectives on Thailand-Myanmar Connectivity: From Existing Foundations to Future Opportunities," and "Unlocking New Frontiers of Thai-Myanmar Business Partnership: New Business, New Opportunities, and New Growth"—also drew equal interest, with representatives from both Thailand and Myanmar sharing knowledge.

A 44-year-old Norwegian man who spent more than two years living rough around Pak Kret in Nonthaburi is finally set to return home after Thai immigration authorities stepped in to help him contact his embassy. Odd Stian Hesseberg was found living around temples and public areas in Pak Kret after a social media post raised concerns about a foreign man sleeping near the Pak Kret waterfront.

Hesseberg told reporters he came to Thailand alone about two and a half years ago to meet a female friend in Nakhon Sawan but lost contact with her. He later travelled to Nonthaburi, where he said his bag containing his passport and other documents was stolen. Without his documents, he ended up living rough and sleeping at temples and along the waterfront. He said he wanted to return to Norway but did not know who to contact for help.

Immigration officers located Hesseberg at Wat Klang Kret on 7 August and checked his immigration record. He entered Thailand on 3 March 2023 on a 30-day tourist visa and later received an extension until 16 May 2023. His immigration status currently shows an overstay of 1,179 days. Authorities are now questioning Hesseberg and coordinating with the Norwegian Embassy to arrange his return to Norway in accordance with Thai law.

Temple staff said they had previously tried to help him return home, including arranging transport to the Norwegian Embassy about three months ago. They said they were concerned about his wellbeing as he had been living alone and often sleeping in public places. After being taken by immigration officers, Hesseberg thanked temple staff and local residents who had helped him during his time in Thailand. He said he was happy that he would finally be able to return to Norway, his home country, after more than two years.

Thailand's Education Ministry is preparing to tighten safety measures in schools nationwide, including stricter controls on weapons, drugs, and all types of tobacco. Teachers will be granted full authority to conduct searches. On August 9, Education Minister Prasert Chanthrawong announced that the government and ministry have escalated security to the highest level, with strict bans on weapons and illegal items, screening of at-risk groups, and consideration of installing scanners in schools where appropriate, in coordination with local police. The ministry also held urgent meetings with school administrators nationwide to explain the enhanced security measures, aiming to build confidence among parents, teachers, and students while upgrading safety systems in educational institutions with clearer standards and procedures. Immediate measures include requesting media cooperation to avoid disclosing perpetrator information to prevent copycat behavior, providing ongoing mental health counseling to those affected by incidents, and strengthening security measures across all schools. For long-term action, the ministry is preparing to advance a draft Student Safety Protection Act, while in the short term it will increase enforcement against weapons, drugs, and e-cigarettes, with teachers authorized to conduct searches.