Koh Kaew – A fire broke out at a worker camp in Koh Kaew on Sunday (August 9th), emergency response successfully contained the blaze without any reported injuries or fatalities. The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. in Soi 24, Koh Kaew, where the camp—constructed primarily of zinc-sheet structures—spanned about two rai. Flames quickly spread […]

Song Khla – Hat Yai College in Songkhla has stepped up security measures after an alarming incident involving a former South African teacher who once taught in the school’s English Program. On Saturday (August 8th) the ex-teacher had posted messages and images of firearms online, sparking widespread concern among students, parents, and staff. Police at […]

The shooting at Thepsirin School in Nonthaburi was more than just the actions of a 14-year-old student wielding a gun. Police investigation of the evidence revealed that the incident was triggered by multiple accumulated factors: family problems, school difficulties, conflicts with peers, and consumption of violent social media content. Investigators found that the suspect had spent 1–2 years learning how to use firearms through online sources, had previously ordered an airsoft gun over the internet, and brought it to school. The question society must collectively answer is whether we make it too easy for children to access content about weapons and violence.

Although social media may not be the sole root cause of violence, it acts as an accelerant—repeatedly reinforcing violent thoughts, particularly in children experiencing suppressed feelings or loneliness. Once they enter this simulated world of aggression, imitation and normalization of violence may follow.

The Thepsirin incident did not end when the gunshots stopped and lives were lost. Rather, social media may become a mechanism for multiplying harm, as event images, victim footage, personal information, rumors, fake messages, and unsubstantiated accusations are rapidly and repeatedly shared.

Most troubling is how some social media users rush to conclusions: who was involved, who is guilty, who is responsible—all judged on just a few lines of information. Sometimes families, friends, teachers, or even victims themselves become defendants in the online world, while official investigations are still underway. Society must learn to distinguish between asking questions and condemning people based on guesswork, because online mistakes are hard to correct or remove, and blame may haunt the innocent for a long time.

The lesson from this incident is not limited to stricter gun laws alone, but must also address the digital accelerants of violence in tandem. Parents and teachers must monitor behavior and listen to children more closely, understanding what they are watching, which groups they belong to, and what problems they may be facing alone.

At the same time, media and the public must be responsible: refrain from repeatedly sharing violent images or clips, stop spreading misinformation, and cease making hasty accusations based on speculation that may reopen wounds for victims and harm the morale of teachers and students.

Social media should be a platform for distributing knowledge, information, and facts that benefit society—not a space that feeds hatred, fear, irrationality, and violence into society.

The National Corn Production and Management Committee (NCPMC) has approved an extension of the animal feed corn purchase price through August 31, 2026. Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Sutharmphand, chair of the committee, announced the decision following a meeting to review feed corn management and pricing strategies suited to current conditions, with the goal of supporting farmers while avoiding negative effects on the production chain and consumers.

Farmer support must begin by addressing root causes, particularly production costs and farmers' competitiveness—factors critical to their long-term income and survival. Purchase pricing must be based on accurate cost data to enable fair and rational price-setting. Sutharmphand noted that a key problem is conflicting cost information: farmers report rising costs while the Agricultural Economics Office data shows declining costs. If this discrepancy is not resolved, it will cascade through the animal feed, livestock, and aquaculture industries, ultimately affecting consumer prices. Therefore, cost data must first be reconciled with actual conditions and reach mutual agreement.

The committee has tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives with urgently addressing farmer production capacity, including seeds, quality, efficiency, production costs, and yield per acre, so farmers can reduce costs and compete better without relying solely on higher purchase prices. The ministry has also been asked to consider support measures for the 2025/26 crop year if production costs genuinely increase, coordinated with relevant agencies and in line with cabinet resolutions.

Regarding pricing, the meeting approved an extension of the Commerce Ministry's announcement on domestic animal feed corn purchase prices for 2024/25 until a new announcement is issued, maintaining the current pricing criteria and structure to prevent a price gap and protect farmers from the expiration of the previous announcement on July 31, 2026.

The committee assigned the Agricultural Economics Office, the National Farmers Council, the Thai Animal Feed Producers Association, and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Federation to review production cost data to reflect reality and gain mutual acceptance by August 31, 2026. This review should cover farmer costs, yield per acre, operator costs and burdens, market conditions, demand, and substitute materials to inform future pricing decisions. The National Farmers Council and Fisheries Federation were also tasked with clarifying purchase price announcement criteria to farmers.

At 3:50 p.m. on August 10, 2025, staff at Baan Chang Trakoob Saen elephant sanctuary in Mae Tang district, Chiang Mai, reported that water levels in the Mae Taeng River are rising again after a recent decline that allowed cleanup and recovery work to resume.

Management stated that the facility is on continuous 24-hour alert, closely monitoring water levels due to the risk of further rises if upstream rainfall occurs. Valuable equipment and supplies have been moved to secure locations to minimize damage in case of renewed flooding.

All elephants have been relocated to "Neuen Lop Chang" (Elephant Refuge Hill), a high-ground sanctuary area, to protect them from the rising river. Staff remain vigilant and ready to move animals further if conditions worsen.

Rain clouds are expected to bring showers to Mae Tang this evening, prompting the care team to maintain continuous surveillance and prepare contingency plans in case of heavy rain or rapid water level increases. All elephants are now in safe areas, with round-the-clock staff oversight to ensure their security.

EasyMoney Group is continuing its mission to improve the quality of life for Thai people through the second phase of the "Glasses of Merit" social program, launched by Nakhon Pathom Provincial Governor Aorcha Nanthamonti. The company partnered with government agencies, private businesses, educational institutions, and civil society organizations including Optical Top Charoen, Chulalongkorn University Class of 20 (CU20), and the Nakhon Pathom Red Cross to conduct free eye examinations and distribute glasses to 600 people on August 3-4, 2025, at the Phra Pathom Chedi Administrative Building in Nakhon Pathom Province.

The initiative reflects EasyMoney's philosophy of creating "opportunities" for people across multiple dimensions—not just through access to financial services, but also by supporting essential quality-of-life factors necessary for daily living. The company believes that building sustainable opportunities begins with access to fundamental services that enable people to live with dignity. This second phase builds on the success of the first program and expands the partnership network to reach more communities. EasyMoney, Optical Top Charoen, and CU20 jointly selected 300 glasses recipients from three priority groups: low-income cardholders of the state welfare scheme, seniors aged 55 and above, and students in Nakhon Pathom Province. The Nakhon Pathom Red Cross additionally selected 300 recipients from its "Glasses for Children" program, bringing the total beneficiaries to 600—marking the project's first expansion beyond Bangkok.

Sithiwichai Tangthanakirt, Chairman of EasyMoney Group, stated that the company operates with social responsibility at its core. "The opportunity to see clearly is the beginning of all possibilities in life," he said, emphasizing that good vision is not only foundational but also essential for educational achievement, employment, and sustainable quality-of-life development. Nakhon Pathom Province was selected as the first pilot area for regional expansion, with EasyMoney planning to extend the program to two additional provinces this year. Provincial Governor Aorcha Nanthamonti added that improving people's quality of life is as important as developing cities and economies, particularly for vulnerable groups. The free two-day eye screening program served 300 people daily, with no cost to participants.