Police arrested a 45-year-old man known as Tiger on August 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. after a sprawling manhunt across rice fields in Bang Pa-In District, Ayutthaya Province. Deputy Commander Phumidhatch Khositvanichphong of Ayutthaya Provincial Police, along with Bang Pa-In Police Station Commander Piphop Naphutra and provincial and regional investigators, conducted a large-scale sweep operation across paddies near Bang and Uthai subdistricts, Moo 3, Samruen Village, Bang Pa-In District. The suspect had been evading arrest in forest hideaways amid rice fields and irrigation canals. The difficult terrain meant officers had to use motorcycles, pickup trucks, or proceed on foot rather than cars. When apprehended, Tiger still held a homemade pistol loaded with seven .38-caliber rounds.

During initial interrogation, Tiger confessed that before the incident, he had been drinking and fishing in the rice field when the victim, a friend, called and invited him to drink together. After becoming intoxicated, an argument broke out over insulting remarks, and the victim allegedly tried to hit him multiple times. Tiger claimed he then returned to his room to retrieve the pistol. Upon encountering the victim again on the way back, another quarrel ensued, after which he fired the gun and fled, subsequently hiding in various sections of the rice field where he used to fish and continued drinking.

Reporters noted that during questioning in the paddy, Tiger greeted them casually, saying "Yesterday I went back to that spot in the middle of the field again. I slept in a hammock." Several journalists realized they may have actually spotted a man sleeping in a hammock in the field. Further detailed questioning is expected to resume the following day to clarify the exact circumstances of the shooting.

Minor Food, a wholly owned subsidiary of Minor International, is set to acquire Bonchon International alongside Serruya Private Equity (SPE), taking ownership of the Korean fried chicken brand and its operations outside the Americas.

Minor Food will invest US$50 million in the deal, which is expected to close in August 2026. Following completion, Minor Food will own Bonchon's business globally outside the Americas, while SPE will own and operate the business across the Americas.

The acquisition will move Minor Food from being Bonchon's master franchisee in Thailand to becoming the brand's owner across markets outside the Americas. Minor Food is currently Bonchon's largest master franchisee by system-wide revenue.

Bonchon was founded in Busan, South Korea, in 2002 and opened its first US restaurant in 2006. The brand has since grown into a franchise network of about 500 restaurants worldwide, known for its double-fried Korean fried chicken and proprietary sauces.

The brand currently operates in nine key markets: the US, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

Minor Food said the acquisition will strengthen its asset-light strategy by adding a scalable, franchise-based business that generates recurring income from royalties and sauce sales.

The deal also builds on a more than 30-year relationship between Minor and SPE. SPE owns the Swensen's brand, which Minor operates in Thailand and other markets in the region.

Minor Food CEO Dellen Soh said the company already has a strong understanding of Bonchon through its experience operating the brand in Thailand and will focus on supporting franchisees and partners while expanding into existing and new markets.

SPE Chairman Michael Serruya said the partnership would support Bonchon's continued expansion in the Americas, citing the brand's customer base, differentiated products and franchise model.

Bonchon also operates its own sauce production facility, which has capacity for future expansion as its restaurant network grows.

The acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings-accretive for Minor Food, supported by Bonchon's franchise-led and royalty-driven business model.

On the evening of August 14, 2026, a reporter met with Kamsung Pongchai, 75, a resident of the Samsamliam 4 community in Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province, who witnessed the day when Hiang Pimsiree, owner of land deed number 61945 covering approximately 21 rai, donated the property to Luang Por Phai Panyadharo, the former abbot of Wat Pa Adulyaram, in 1990.

Kamsung recalled the event vividly because on that day, when Hiang, then serving as village headman, presented the land deed to Luang Por Phai during a temple merit-making ceremony, he was about 35 years old. As a photography enthusiast, when he learned the temple was holding the event, he traveled there with his Canon camera equipped with a flash and photographed the moment Hiang presented the deed to the abbot before the abbot accepted it.

"I can confirm that on the day Hiang donated the land deed to Luang Por Phai, Hiang was of clear mind and sound judgment," Kamsung said. "After I took the photograph, I walked around the temple grounds before heading home. As for the camera I used to record that image, I cannot remember where I kept it because so much time has passed."

Kamsung expressed confusion about why a dispute has arisen between Hiang's heirs and the temple, given that Hiang had already donated the land. "Hiang intended to donate the entire plot of land to the temple for its construction in accordance with his wishes," he said.

Police Major Kobchoke Lektrakkul, commander of Ban Pong Police Station in Ratchaburi Province, has been unanimously selected by a selection committee to receive the 2568 Creative Person and Person of Virtue award. The recognition honors his dedicated service, volunteer spirit, and continuous collaboration with the public and other agencies.

One of his recent achievements was leading an investigation team to pursue a case in which a former acquaintance threw bathroom cleaning solution in the face of his ex-girlfriend inside an eyewear shop in Ban Pong District on July 30.

Kobchoke and his investigative team immediately worked the scene and aggressively pursued the suspect, resulting in an arrest and case filing within a single day. This swift action restored public confidence and safety in the area.

The work demonstrates policing that is rapid, professional, and genuinely concerned for the public, earning wide recognition and making him a most fitting recipient of the Person of Virtue award.

On August 14, the Strong Against Corruption Club's Suratthani Facebook page posted images of lunch served at Wat Pradu Subdistrict Municipality School 1, criticizing the meal quality. The post noted that kindergarten children were served spicy curry they could not eat, with menus alternating between small fried chicken pieces with sauce, boiled eggs cut into quarters, half fried eggs, and noodles with beans on different days.

Wat Pradu Subdistrict Municipality responded with a statement clarifying that the photographs were genuine images from the school lunch program taken on May 26 and 28, and July 9-10 and 14, 2024, but were captured after students had already eaten and after requesting additional servings. The municipality confirmed that the school operates a monthly lunch program following the Thai School Lunch guidelines with nutritionally balanced meals, provides adequate portions, and allows students to request seconds without restriction.

The municipality stated that menus are announced five days in advance to contractors and shared with parents via the school's Facebook page. A meal inspection committee including external members has been appointed to oversee the program. The municipality said it will conduct further fact-checking and report findings to supervisory authorities.

On July 14, 2569, the Royal Gazette published a royal decree in which His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved the elevation of Phra Phrom Dilok to the rank of Somdet Phra Ratchakhan with the royal title Somdet Phra Maha Wachirakhun Dilok Sri Priyattinayok Khanathon, among other honorifics. The newly elevated prelate will hold the position with ten monastic ranks in his name.

Somdet Phra Maha Wachirakhun Dilok, formerly known as Euang Klinsali, was born on July 13, 2488, in Ayutthaya Province. He pursued studies in the Dharma at Wat Sam Phaya, earning successive degrees in Buddhist philosophy and later obtained a Master's degree in Pali and Education from Banaras Hindu University in India in 2526, followed by a doctorate in 2529.

Returning to Wat Sam Phaya, he became a trusted disciple of the late Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Buddhagosacharya and served as instructor of Buddhist texts, overseeing educational and religious affairs at the temple. Over his monastic life, he received successive ranks: ordinary Ratchakhan in 2530, royal Ratchakhan in 2537, divine Ratchakhan in 2542, and Dharma Ratchakhan in 2547. In 2553, he was appointed as deputy head of the Ratchakhan order.

On May 24, 2561, the monk faced serious legal proceedings but was ultimately acquitted by the court. On March 18, 2566, he received another royal decree recognizing his elevated monastic rank.