Earth Tech Environment Public Company Limited (ETC) and Better World Green Public Company Limited (BWG) have partnered to organize the "Happiness Bank BWG x ETC" initiative on August 19, 2026, at Wat Phra That Ban Nuea in Saraburi Province. The program aims to promote community-based waste sorting from the source and add value to discarded materials, returning benefits to society. The event was opened by Sirichai Suphamon, Deputy District Officer of Kaeng Khoi District, serving as the official representative, with ETC's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Suphawat Kunravini reporting on the event's objectives, and BWG Vice Chairman Akkrawit Khanthaew thanking all participants. Local government officials, subdistrict administrators, village headmen, and community leaders attended in full support.

A key highlight of the program was the opportunity for residents to bring "worthless waste" to exchange for essential daily consumer goods, demonstrating that discarded materials can create real value and happiness for communities. The inaugural event successfully collected 4,840 kilograms (approximately 4.8 tons) of waste and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 9,216.65 kgCO₂e, equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of approximately 419 mature trees. The event also featured renowned entertainer Poom Kiattiphoom, who engaged warmly with the public in activities that created a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

The "Happiness Bank BWG x ETC" initiative goes beyond promoting waste sorting and proper disposal methods; it reinforces the shared vision of "transforming waste into happiness" held by both organizations, demonstrating their commitment to improving community living standards alongside sustainable environmental management.

Pathum Thani Provincial Police conducted an inspection of the Rattanakosindr 200 Years housing estate but found no sign of the reported woman engaging in street solicitation, contrary to earlier viral social media posts. Following reports circulating on social media in Pathum Thani province of a young woman displaying solicitation behavior—sitting on a chair along the roadside and on motorcycles near the Rattanakosindr 200 Years estate and Rangsit railway station while waving at passing drivers—multiple media outlets had previously covered the story. The Pathum Thani News Facebook page recently posted a 21-second video clip showing the Investigation Division of Pathum Thani Provincial Police deploying officers with an EOD vehicle to the area to investigate the complaints at the Rattanakosindr 200 Years housing estate. The police operation found no evidence of any persons engaged in illegal activity.

A controversy has erupted on social media after private investigator Boy released an investigation report alleging an affair between a school principal and a teacher. The teacher's husband, whose infant child is only four months old, hired the investigator after noticing his wife frequently leaving home at night claiming to shop at the market. Rumors had also circulated among villagers and school staff that the teacher and principal had grown unusually close at the school.

Boy's report claimed to show photographs and video evidence of the pair meeting and engaging in intimate behavior at a crematorium site within the temple grounds in Buriram province. However, when reporters visited Nong Bos Temple in Buri Ram, they found locals with a different account. A 46-year-old woman identified as Ms. A, a temple committee member, stated that on August 19 in the evening, a black Nissan with Bangkok license plates did park near the crematorium. About seven to eight people were present, and they watched two men get out to photograph the crematorium, temple, and surrounding forest. When villagers questioned them about the long parking, the men said they were smoking. Ms. A emphasized that no woman or principal was seen in the area, and the photographs published showing the crematorium were genuine, but the context and people depicted were not.

Ms. Om, a 53-year-old school cook, similarly refuted the report as entirely false. She noted the school has only seven teachers—five women and two men—most with children aged eight or nine, and no staff member has a two-month-old child. She also stated the school lacks a principal due to low student numbers and has only an acting director. However, she acknowledged that a suspicious black sedan had been circling the school, and her husband filmed its license plate. When police checked, the plate did not match the vehicle. Residents are questioning the investigator's claims and calling for him to provide clearer evidence.

On August 20, 2025, police arrested Tiwali, alias 'Grandma So,' a 71-year-old woman wanted under court warrants from Phuket Provincial Court and Kalasin Provincial Court on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and illegal gambling operation. She was apprehended in Phuket city.

The victim initially advertised land for sale in Phuket worth approximately 2 million baht. A gang posing as potential buyers, including figures known as 'Dom' and 'So,' approached the victim to build trust. When the victim showed serious interest, they introduced him to 'Hong,' a supposed wealthy woman with large cash holdings and a fondness for pumpkin seed betting.

The gang member 'Tiger' then convinced the victim to invest in betting games, teaching him what appeared to be winning strategies. In the initial rounds, the gang deliberately lost several times to encourage the victim to increase his bets. During the sixth round with much higher stakes, they secretly removed a pumpkin seed to manipulate the outcome in Hong's favor.

When results did not match expectations, Tiger blamed the victim for losing a seed, claiming he was responsible for the loss and must repay all bets. Using this deception repeatedly, the gang extracted over 9 million baht from the victim.

Upon realizing he had been defrauded, the victim filed a complaint. Police obtained arrest warrants and apprehended multiple gang members, including Tiwali. During initial questioning, she denied all charges. However, a criminal records check revealed she is a professional scammer with a 15-year history involving numerous cases nationwide, causing total damages exceeding 64 million baht. She was detained and referred for prosecution.

Meditation requires subtlety and touches the mind, revealing all things that can be seen within one's consciousness," according to Luang Pho Cha Subhadto of Nong Pa Phong Temple, Ubon Ratchathani.

The Luang Pu Pha medal from 1967, cast by the renowned abbot of Nohn Sai Temple in Kaseetsomboon District, Chaiyaphum Province, has an oval shape with a loop bail. The obverse shows a half-length portrait of Luang Pu Pha facing forward, with the name "Luang Pu Pha" inscribed to the lower right. The reverse bears two lines of text: "2510" on the first line and "Nohn Sai Temple" on the second. These amulets are now increasingly rare, and their market prices continue to rise.

Luang Pu Sonthie Khemyo, the former abbot of Aranyanabodhee Temple in Nakhon Phanom Province and a renowned sage across five northeastern provinces, had his first-edition medal cast in 1967. Luang Pho Suwang Chantachooto, abbot of Saphan Kham Temple in Sakon Nakhon Province, requested permission to produce the "First Edition Luang Pu Sonthie Medal" in copper with a fire-treated finish, made in limited quantities.

This medal is oval and features a loop bail. The obverse is bordered by two raised ridges, with a half-length portrait of Luang Pu in the center and an inscription reading "Ajahn Sonthie Khemyo, Aranyanabodhee Temple" from left to right. The reverse has a thick raised border with Pali characters below the loop bail reading "Asangi," "Sulopu," and "Saphubha," followed by "2510, Edition 1" indicating the Buddhist era and edition number. The first edition exists in two blocks: the first without stamps, and the second with the stamp "Sakon" on the obverse robe, signifying "disciples of Sakon Nakhon created this." A defect appears on the reverse with a scratch mark near the tail of the Thai numeral "6." Many editions of this medal were made with block errors, with the nickname mistakenly inscribed as "Khempanya" instead of the correct "Khemyo," making this version popular among collectors.

Luang Pho Poom Chantachooto, also known as Phra Kru Rattanarangsi of Bang Kolaen Nok Temple, Bangkok, had his first-edition copper medal become highly popular. Following the request of Phra Kru Vinayathorn Sawatsdi, the literary foundation of Somdej Phra Wan Rat (Heng Khemjari) of Mahathat Yuvaraj Rangsrit Temple, the medal was commissioned in 1934 to commemorate the 77th anniversary. The medal is oval, cast in copper, produced in an edition of 1,000 pieces. The obverse bears a half-length portrait of Luang Pho Poom, notable for deeply carved, sharp eyes, a small bead at the mouth, and thread lines within the robe. The reverse has two versions: one with a yantra touching the edge and one without. When the yantra touches, its tip aligns with the upper edge of the medal, and the "U" character differs from the non-touching version. These medals are now rare and command high prices.

Luang Pho Un Sukkamo, the former abbot of Talkong Temple in Phetchaburi Province, was a renowned teacher who once cast square-form amulets. Amulet collectors and enthusiasts affectionately call these "Somdej Hem" or "Somdej Khot Khanae" amulets, of which approximately 84,000 were produced.

Somdej Hem amulets are categorized as follows: approximately 4,000 with a clear rear yantra and "W.T.K." (Wat Talkong) abbreviation; approximately 30,000 with an unclear rear yantra and abbreviation due to wax paper marks; and approximately 50,000 with an unclear rear yantra due to mold wear. Among those with clear rear yantra inscriptions, approximately 500 are in reddish-brown test castings, and approximately 2,500 are in dark, oil-infused material. All amulets were consecrated in ceremonies beginning in 1954 and continuing until 1961, spanning eight years of continuous consecration before distribution to the monastic community.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit led a team to Pua and Phu Phiang districts in Nan province to rapidly assist residents affected by flooding and mud inundation. He ordered the mobilization of water-spraying trucks, pumps, and water trucks to restore affected areas, and established community kitchens to distribute food. He stressed that all agencies must accelerate recovery to return the areas to normal conditions as soon as water levels drop.

Suriya said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructed the Agriculture Ministry to quickly assess the situation and assist residents. Water levels in Nan city have passed the critical threshold, peaking at approximately 8.5 meters rather than the feared 9 meters, minimizing severe impacts on the densely populated economic center. However, Phu Phiang and Pua districts suffered greater damage, particularly from mud inundating homes and public areas.

The Irrigation Department was ordered to begin immediate recovery work, deploying six water-spraying trucks to clean mud and restore homes. The Agriculture Ministry distributed food and relief supplies and set up a community kitchen in Phu Phiang district due to food shortages. Once water levels recede, all agencies will accelerate restoration efforts to return areas to their original condition.

The inflowing water, while damaging Nan areas, helped replenish Siriki Dam in Uthai Thani province by approximately 400 million cubic meters, which will benefit agricultural water management. The Agriculture Ministry will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Irrigation Department Director-General Withaya Kaewmee said the agency mobilized pumps to rapidly extract water from flooded areas, tasked staff with monitoring water levels closely, and committed to keeping residents informed continuously and promptly to minimize damage to homes, livelihoods, and assets.

Suriya instructed the Irrigation Department to expedite assistance and relief, and ordered preparation of machinery and water trucks to support area restoration and clear access routes so residents can resume normal activities quickly. He urged Nan residents to closely follow official announcements and advisories to prepare and collectively overcome this crisis.