Celebrating 70 years of Thai-New Zealand diplomatic relations, Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the New Zealand Embassy in Thailand have announced excellent scholarship news for students wishing to pursue higher education in New Zealand. Students, parents, and interested individuals are invited to attend the 2026 New Zealand Education Fair on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Samyan Mitrtown Hall 2, 5th Floor. This is the largest New Zealand education event of the year.

The fair will feature over 70 schools, universities, technology institutes, and language schools from New Zealand, covering all education levels from short-term English courses to secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational programs. Visitors can receive one-on-one consultation directly with institution representatives. Educational scholarships worth over 2 million baht are available, and attendees will hear the announcement of the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, full government-funded scholarships, with application information from experts (announcement at 10:30 a.m.).

Highlights include the NZ Simulated Classroom experience, where Thai students can experience New Zealand's Active Learning teaching style with New Zealand teachers, free English proficiency testing, and expert guidance on study planning. A special panel discussion will feature Suk Kwan Boolkul discussing parental perspectives on the important decision to send a child to study in New Zealand. Another major highlight is the presentation of the "7 Friends for 7 Decades" award, honoring seven distinguished individuals who have played important roles in promoting educational cooperation between Thailand and New Zealand during this 70-year diplomatic milestone, along with the announcement of the 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame award.

Special prizes include free round-trip flights to New Zealand for those who apply to featured institutions at the fair, and all registered attendees have a chance to win Air New Zealand flight tickets. Fair highlights include meeting representatives from over 70 leading New Zealand educational institutions at all levels, scholarship opportunities worth over 2 million baht, the announcement of the Manaaki Scholarship, the NZ Simulated Classroom with New Zealand teachers, free English proficiency testing, a special panel discussion with Suk Kwan Boolkul on tips for having your child study in New Zealand, the "7 Friends for 7 Decades" award presentation and the 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame announcement, and entry into a drawing for free round-trip flights to New Zealand for those who apply at the fair.

Interested individuals can register for free on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Samyan Mitrtown Hall 2, 5th Floor. Registration is available at https://www.learnenglishnewzealand.com/nzeducationfair

A 19-year-old trainee was shot in the abdomen at Suranari Camp firing range in Nakhon Ratchasima on August 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM. The victim, identified as Mr. A (pseudonym) from Nong Chok district, Bangkok, suffered a gunshot wound with a bullet lodged inside and was rushed to Suranari Camp Hospital where he remains in critical condition under full medical care. Police, forensic officers, and military personnel secured the scene, collected evidence, and reviewed CCTV footage. Preliminary investigation revealed the victim arrived alone for his first day as an annual member, had been receiving instruction from a trainer on proper firearm use, and was holding a pistol with his right hand before the incident occurred.

Police Commander Sirichai Srichaipanya stated that officers were notified at approximately 1:00 PM. The victim had already been taken to hospital before police arrival. The investigation showed the victim enrolled as a new annual member with a trainer providing proper instruction before the incident. Authorities have contacted the victim's father in Chachoengsao province, and family members have been informed of the situation. Investigators will interview the trainer, range staff, and the victim's relatives to determine the cause and circumstances of the shooting. CCTV footage will be reviewed in detail to document the sequence of events. No clear motive has been identified at this time.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) confirmed that a partial breach of investor data on its TSD Investor Portal did not compromise investor assets because no usernames or passwords were leaked. The exchange is strengthening cybersecurity measures, conducting deep investigations, monitoring suspicious transactions, and coordinating with all securities firms and commercial banks to track related accounts and prevent losses while restoring investor confidence.

According to Assdej Kongsiri, chairman and managing director of the SET, following the unauthorized access to personal information of TSD Investor Portal users, the exchange has conducted a detailed system examination and expanded its investigation scope to identify the cause and patch vulnerabilities. The team is working intensively and upgrading cybersecurity safeguards.

The SET has also coordinated with all securities companies and commercial banks to jointly monitor and track customer accounts affected by the breach. Transactions from affected accounts are being reviewed as special cases, and any unusual activity will be investigated and addressed immediately to protect investor assets.

Kongsiri confirmed that as of now, no investor assets have been harmed, and the accessed data did not include usernames or passwords that could be used to access systems or conduct transactions. Therefore, outside parties cannot directly access investor accounts.

The SET is continuously monitoring system transactions and conducting historical reviews to analyze attack patterns and whether they occurred previously, using this information to strengthen preventive measures. Kongsiri noted that the accessed data consists only of basic registration and profile information, not data needed to transfer assets or conduct securities transactions directly. The exchange will continue close monitoring and ongoing improvements to cybersecurity standards to protect data and maintain long-term investor confidence.

On August 6, 2025, at Parliament, Asaipol Sannitripath, a Bhumjaithai party representative and chair of the House committee on anti-corruption and misconduct, announced discussions on investigating business registration, ownership, and land title documentation by foreigners in Phuket. Following a field visit to Phuket on June 26–27, the committee learned of cases in which foreign nationals held land and operated businesses using Thai nominees to register legal entities, a practice that could threaten national security and the economy. Officials will examine law enforcement compliance and investigate possible corruption or negligence by government officials.

The committee invited representatives from the Land Department, the anti-money-laundering committee, the business development department, the Central Investigation Police, economic crime units, Phuket commerce authorities, and the anti-corruption organization to provide information. The business development department reported issuing four orders and two directives to screen corporate registrations that may involve Thai nominee shareholders, and is studying amendments to foreign business laws and vetting at-risk entities.

In Phuket, investigators found 1,752 companies with foreign shareholders and forwarded data to the provincial governor for action through provincial committees. A data-integration system linking 13-digit corporate ID numbers with the Land Department is being developed to speed checks. Phuket's commerce office established a task force to investigate foreign business law violations; enforcement measures reduced foreign business operations by over 50% and triggered closures in about 20% of cases. Violations are referred to police for legal prosecution.

The Land Department screened 203,000 corporate records from the business development department and identified 4,041 high-risk entities nationwide, sending results to provincial offices. All 77 provinces now have appointed provincial committees and are gathering data for joint review with the business development department before forwarding to the Board of Investment for examination. If a foreign legal entity lacks investment promotion status, the Land Department director may compel land sale under Section 94 of the Land Code.

Phuket has 6,621 corporate records, with 361 in the high-risk group already submitted to the provincial committee. The province has filed 109 cases, prosecuted 34, and brought two to court. An anti-money-laundering official noted that the Prime Minister has convened 23 agencies to coordinate policy on the issue.

Police have made significant progress in the arrest of Tonthong Sukhkaen, known as Ton Bangkhae, a prominent amulet dealer. Deputy Police Commissioner Tasaphoom Charupatchya, head of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, revealed that officers conducted searches at two locations in Nonthaburi province—Ton Bangkhae's residence and his amulet business—and seized multiple pieces of evidence including approximately 10 amulet viewing cameras, product brochures, documents, shirts, and company seals.

The Economic Crime Suppression Division emphasized that this case is separate from the "Madame Khaeng" case under the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and they are handling only the amulet camera fraud. To date, 12 victims—mostly Ton Bangkhae fans—have filed complaints with combined damages of approximately 3.2 million baht. The scheme involved advertising limited-edition amulet cameras but selling ordinary models worth around 1,000 baht at inflated prices of up to 10,000 baht each.

Police estimate total victims at 40–50 people with cumulative damages of around 40 million baht, though some victims have declined to pursue charges after receiving compensation. Authorities denied reports that Ton Bangkhae fled, stating that officers presented an arrest warrant at his residence and he voluntarily came to meet police. Ton Bangkhae initially denied all allegations and refused further cooperation during interrogation. Investigators have charged him with fraud, public fraud, and violations of the Computer Crime Act for submitting false information. Preliminary financial tracking and evidence suggest Ton Bangkhae acted alone with no identified accomplices.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing jointly opened the Thailand–Myanmar Business Forum 2026 on August 6, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at the Sirikit National Convention Centre. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Permswatviwat revealed that Prime Minister Srettha and Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing addressed the forum on the theme "New Chapter and Future of Enhancing the Thailand–Myanmar Business Partnership," organized by the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Association and Myanmar's Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with over 700 representatives from both countries in attendance.

The Prime Minister expressed pleasure at opening the event with Myanmar's president and emphasized that Thailand and Myanmar are ready to enter a new chapter of economic cooperation based on mutual trust, confidence, and shared prosperity for both peoples, regardless of political circumstances. He stressed that governments have a responsibility to ensure citizens enjoy quality of life, employment, income, and hope for the future, and that economic progress must continue steadily.

Srettha noted that over decades, Thailand's and Myanmar's private sectors have been crucial mechanisms linking the two economies through investment, employment, and opportunity creation. Myanmar is now a major economic partner of Thailand, with bilateral trade valued at over $7.4 billion, with significant growth potential. Thai investments in Myanmar span energy, manufacturing, transport, logistics, telecommunications, real estate, and tourism.

In discussions with Myanmar's president, both sides agreed to push forward concrete economic cooperation in multiple areas. On trade, both parties welcomed reopening the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge connecting Mae Sot and Myawaddy, and committed to removing regulatory barriers to restore full trade capacity quickly. They also plan to consider opening additional border checkpoints in ready areas to facilitate border trade and promote regional economic development.

Thailand will host a joint trade commission meeting between both countries' commerce ministers to push bilateral trade toward a $12 billion target and revive the vibrant Thailand-Myanmar border trade atmosphere this year. On investment, the Prime Minister confirmed Thai private sector confidence in Myanmar's long-term potential and readiness to expand investment in sectors with joint capacity, including energy, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and future industries.

The Thai government will fully support business through reducing obstacles, streamlining procedures, and improving unnecessary regulations. On energy, both sides will continue existing cooperation projects and accelerate necessary processes to jointly strengthen energy security, plus establish a working group to promote connectivity and push infrastructure development.