Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, in his capacity as chairman of the Agricultural Cooperatives Bank (ACB), revealed that following a complaint filed by the ACB State Enterprise Labour Union, the bank's special board meeting today approved a fact-checking committee to investigate eight issues raised by the union. The committee will be chaired by an independent representative from the Bank of Thailand.

"The committee has a 30-day timeframe to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure maximum transparency," Ekniti said. "If any individual issue is completed ahead of schedule, results can be reported immediately."

During today's meeting, ACB Manager Chatchai Sirilaai did not attend to ensure the highest degree of fairness and transparency. Ekniti confirmed that when complaints are received, the board takes swift action to create transparency and fairness for all parties involved.

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in his capacity as vice board chairman and public relations chief, has been assigned to communicate with employees and foster understanding. The ministry emphasized that ACB's core mission remains caring for farmers, customers, and staff in line with the organization's mandate.

"In the bigger picture, we must uphold ACB's mission to care for customers and employees," Ekniti stated. "When new facts emerge, we must investigate thoroughly because complete information creates fairness and transparency."

Regarding concerns about wasteful spending, Ekniti noted that ACB already has financial regulations in place, which the oversight committee will also review in detail.

Ekniti also disclosed that the government previously repaid ACB debt under Article 28 for the first time in years to strengthen fiscal discipline and protect the bank's liquidity. Future use of Article 28 funds will require detailed cost-benefit analysis to ensure money effectively reaches farmers.

On a proposed expansion of farmer assistance from 1,000 baht per rai to 2,000 baht, Ekniti revealed that the Rice Policy and Management Committee has not yet convened to consider the matter. However, he firmly ruled out using funds from the 400-billion-baht emergency borrowing decree, which is designated solely for energy crisis relief and economic restructuring.

The Kanchanaburi Provincial Education Office held a workshop on August 8, 2025, at TK Palace and Convention Hotel in Bangkok to compile outstanding records for teachers eligible to receive the Chakri Memorial Award, seventh edition, for 2027. Provincial Education Officer Patthama Duangkaew assigned Assoc. Prof. Wilaiwun Santhawakomon, a selection committee member, to lead the compilation of outstanding records, joined by Chatrakul Trongkhamali, an officer from the Kanchanaburi Teachers Council.

During the session, Buppha Phongphibun, a committee member from Kanchanaburi, was invited by the Chakri Memorial Award Foundation to share experience on the topic "Stories That Inspire Power," offering guidance on how to document narratives of teachers who create meaningful change in their students' lives.

Buppha, a recognized expert from Kanchanaburi and author of provincial committee analyses, most recently in 2024 when teacher Paiwalai Yaban from Ban Kong Mong Tha School in Sangkhla Buri received the award, shared writing techniques: "Writing must paint a clear picture of the teacher's identity, showing how they excel above others according to the criteria. The narrative should be compelling and told as a story, without citing theories. Instead, show clearly how the teacher's actions impact students, because readers cannot experience it firsthand but only through our words."

Buppha added: "The Kanchanaburi Provincial Education Office, as the award's provincial coordination center, aims to identify teachers of exceptional service to students and education, in order to honor and celebrate their contributions and pass on the spirit of teaching to society."

Visitors and members of the public are invited to witness the Royal Barge Procession 2026 and its rehearsals along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. From the first rehearsal on 17 August through to the Royal Kathin Ceremony on 6 November, these occasions offer a rare opportunity to observe one of Thailand’s most historic royal traditions.

The Royal Barge Procession will take place on 6 November 2026 for the Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun Ratchawararam, as part of the celebrations on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s fourth-cycle, or 48th, birthday anniversary on 3 June 2026. During the ceremony, His Majesty the King will present Kathin robes to Buddhist monks in Her Majesty’s honour.

Centuries old and reserved for major royal and religious occasions, the Royal Barge Procession remains a living expression of Thailand’s royal heritage. The tradition brings together ceremonial protocol, naval skill and intricate craftsmanship preserved across generations, and continues to hold an important place in the Kingdom’s royal ceremonial heritage.

The Royal Kathin Ceremony is an annual Buddhist merit-making tradition following the end of Buddhist Lent, when robes and other offerings are presented to monks. When performed by the monarch, it becomes a Royal Kathin Ceremony, bringing together Thailand’s royal and Buddhist traditions in one of the Kingdom’s most significant ceremonial observances.

For the 2026 Royal Barge Procession, 52 royal barges will be manned by 2,200 Royal Thai Navy personnel and arranged in five columns and three lines, forming a procession approximately 1,280 metres long and 90 metres wide. The fleet includes four principal royal barges: Suphannahong, or Golden Swan; Anantanakkharat, or Multi-headed Naga; Narai Song Suban King Rama IX; and Anekkachatphutchong, or Innumerable Naga Figures.

The royal barges will depart from Wasukri Pier and proceed along the Chao Phraya River, passing Phra Sumen Fort, Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge, Siriraj Hospital, the Grand Palace and the Royal Thai Navy Auditorium before arriving at Wat Arun Ratchawararam. The procession follows the traditional route established during the reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great.

In preparation for the Royal Kathin Ceremony on 6 November, the Royal Thai Navy will conduct 12 rehearsals from August to October, comprising 10 minor rehearsals and two full-dress rehearsals. Each rehearsal is expected to begin at approximately 14.30 Hrs.

The 10 minor rehearsals are scheduled for 17, 20 and 27 August; 3, 8, 17 and 23 September; and 2, 8 and 15 October. The two full-dress rehearsals will take place on Wednesday, 21 October and Wednesday, 28 October.

Members of the public and visitors can observe the rehearsals from viewing areas along both banks of the Chao Phraya River between Krung Thon Bridge and Wat Arun Ratchawararam. The same stretch of riverfront will also offer opportunities to witness the Royal Barge Procession on 6 November, giving visitors a choice of dates from August to November to observe this living piece of Thai royal heritage.

For tourism information, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or follow @1672travelbuddy on Instagram, TikTok, LINE and X.

Chalitrat Chantrubeksasa, president of the Thailand Squash Association, has publicly voiced concerns on behalf of the national sports associations regarding budget allocation from the National Sports Development Fund. Speaking in representation of the sports associations, he disclosed that budgets owed to them from 2022 and 2023 remain unpaid because the Thailand Sports Authority and the fund diverted those amounts to other initiatives, including the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, resulting in losses to the associations. For 2027, the fund plans to allocate only 1.3 billion baht to excellence-level sports activities with no further increases, whereas excellence-level sports programs typically require approximately 2 billion baht collectively from all sports associations. This consolidated budget covers athlete development, coaching staff salaries, national and international competition hosting, sending athletes abroad for skill development, and accumulating world ranking points for participation in major regional and global competitions.

Chantrubeksasa stated that he has previously objected to what he views as insufficient funding, and noted a concerning new distribution method based on each association's capacity, divided into four tiers with the highest receiving no more than 35 million baht, followed by 14 million, 8 million, and 2 million baht, with developing associations receiving only 2 million baht in 2027. He believes major sports associations will find this allocation inadequate for developing elite athletes, particularly in sports requiring world ranking points for qualification to the Asian Games, Olympic Games, and other international competitions. Chantrubeksasa reported that during a fund screening committee meeting, fund manager Tanukhiat Chanchu indicated this policy came from the office of Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, the government's sports overseer, and that Thailand Sports Authority Governor Kong Sak Yodmani agreed to discuss the matter further with the fund. "I regard this as government policy," Chantrubeksasa said, "and I believe it will inevitably cause Thailand's sports to decline. I respectfully urge the Deputy Prime Minister to reconsider and revise this policy. If the government proceeds with it, you will bear responsibility for the consequences that follow."

On August 14, 2025, PTT Station at P.O. Petroleum in Chainat hosted the "Fill Your Dream with Little Footballer Power" event, designed to inspire young football enthusiasts by providing close interaction with professional footballers and renowned national sports influencers.

The highlight was a 3-on-3 mini-football tournament on artificial grass, emphasizing speed, accuracy, and teamwork. Teams competed in preliminary rounds, with champions advancing to a final match against professional footballers. Guest speakers included Mongkhonchai "Man" Korthong, captain of Chainat Hornbill FC, and Phanupong "Jai" Pomsahai, an 18-year-old rising star and former Thai national youth team player.

Four leading schools from Ayutthaya province participated: Chainat Provincial Administration Organization School, Wattanachote School, Wat Ban Hong School, and Wat Sri Vichai School.

Match Results: First Round: Wat Sri Vichai defeated Wattanachote 4-1 Second Round: Chainat Provincial Administration defeated Wat Ban Hong 4-1 Third Place: Wat Ban Hong defeated Wattanachote 6-2 Final: Chainat Provincial Administration defeated Wat Sri Vichai 6-1

All participating schools received educational scholarships. The championship school, Chainat Provincial Administration Organization School, received 4,000 baht. Man of the Match went to Jai from Chainat Provincial Administration Organization School, while the Most Promising Young Player award went to Jas from Wat Ban Hong School.

Mongkhonchai Korthong thanked the organizers and emphasized that this event could be a turning point for many young athletes, expressing hope they would become good citizens and possibly pursue higher education or professional careers. Phanupong Pomsahai encouraged the youth to stay determined and develop themselves, saying he would like to see them play alongside him in the future.