BalloonArt has joined with the School of Communication Arts at Decorative Arts College to open the exhibition 'The Forgotten Things,' featuring inflatable sculpture installations that elevate balloon art into contemporary artistic practice. Opening on August 20, 2026, at Bangkok Art and Culture Center, the exhibition invites society to revisit memories, values, and important moments that may have been overlooked in our busy era, showcased through contemporary inflatable art including the work 'TimeLost' by artist Varosrwang and creations by young artists.

The event includes an Art Talk Session titled 'Remembering the Forgotten' featuring three creative practitioners: Varosrwang Somsatthaphan, Imagineering Artist; Hiromi Kano, founder of KIGURUMI.BIZ and mascot design expert from Japan; and Puripop Kosittaprom, Art Director at Central Pattana. The exhibition marks the fourth year of the Art for Art initiative, which provides youth and students an opportunity to transform imaginative concepts into large-scale inflatable sculpture installations displayed at the national level.

Jiratha Lohaprohm, CEO and Founder of BalloonArt, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and commitment to supporting youth: 'For over 34 years, BalloonArt has been dedicated to transforming the image of balloon work from commercial media into Art Inflatable Installation—large-scale artwork that creates experiences and connects people's emotions. The Art for Art project, our CSR initiative, marks a meaningful return to society through collaboration with Decorative Arts College and partner institutions. This work allows students to learn from professional-level practice, from concept development and technical drawing through prototype creation and actual exhibition alongside expert teams. We believe creating opportunities and experiences for young people builds the future of Thailand's art world. These young artists will develop their creative thinking and grow into artists, designers, and creators who will drive Thailand's creative industries forward.'

Associate Professor Surat Boonthong, Director of Decorative Arts College, highlighted the significance of this partnership for Thai art education: 'The collaboration between Decorative Arts College, a legendary arts institution that is a pillar of Thai culture, and BalloonArt, a privately-owned enterprise with specialized expertise, in the Art for Art 2026 project represents an important phenomenon reflecting the dynamic growth of Thai arts education. It bridges traditional artistic roots with contemporary media innovation. Three-dimensional inflatable sculpture challenges help students transcend conventional art boundaries, applying knowledge of structural engineering and materials science. Students learn to transform abstract concepts like 'forgotten things' into tangible structural artworks through technical drawing and production processes.'

Gold prices on August 20, 2026, surged by 1,550 baht compared to the previous trading day, according to the Gold Traders Association. Ornamental gold selling prices have broken through 70,000 baht per baht, reaching 70,650 baht per baht. Gold bars are currently trading at 69,650 baht per baht for buying and 69,850 baht per baht for selling. Ornamental gold (96.5%) is being bought at 68,250.32 baht per baht and sold at 70,650 baht per baht. Global gold spot prices are at 4,495.00 US dollars per ounce. Trade association leaders predict that gold prices may rise another 1,000 to 2,000 baht per baht when markets open tomorrow, potentially pushing ornamental gold past 80,000 baht per baht.

Bang Khen Police Station, working with the Metropolitan Police Bureau Special Weapons and Tactics Division, arrested six male teenagers and seized firearms, explosives, and jungle knives, with cases referred for immediate legal prosecution.

At 2:00 a.m. on August 20, 2025, Metropolitan Police Bureau Region 2 Commander Kiatsul Suntinaen, along with Deputy Commander Seksin Supauan, ordered units under Bang Khen Police Station to conduct an illegal-activity sweep. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau Special Weapons and Tactics Division, numbering six personnel, carried out a search operation in the Bang Khen Police Station area.

During the operation, police checked 29 motorcycles and 49 individuals before apprehending six male teenagers. Seized items included two firearms, eight .38-caliber bullets, one explosive device, four jungle knives, and one suspected motorcycle. The suspects and evidence were handed to the investigation team at Bang Khen Police Station for further legal proceedings.

On August 20, 2026, a 72-year-old resident named Rewat filed a complaint through the media about a neighbor keeping over 20 dogs in the Jomtien Beach area of Pattaya. The barking disrupts the entire community, causing significant disturbance and annoyance. Officials from Pattaya City, led by Assistant Administrative Officer Anukit Bunching, immediately visited the scene.

Rewat explained that he had approached the neighboring homeowner politely as a neighbor, but was cursed at in return. The woman, claiming to have lived in the community first, refused to cooperate. He was forced to contact the media and file a formal complaint with Pattaya officials.

When reporters interviewed the dog owner, a 60-year-old woman known as "Pa Chum," she expressed displeasure at being reported to the media and having officials visit. She insisted that newcomers to the community must accept her presence there first. "It's just over 20 dogs—how loud can they really bark?" she said. She claimed to have already built a new home for all the dogs but has not yet moved them.

During the conversation, Pa Chum became angry and rushed toward Rewat, shouting at him, forcing other neighbors to intervene and separate them.

Officals then invited Pa Chum's husband to mediate, as they believed he would be more cooperative. He explained that his wife has bipolar-like tendencies, becoming easily angered and emotional, especially when dogs are mentioned. He said his wife has an irrational love for dogs and frequently brings stray dogs home from the streets.

The husband clarified that he has rented two acres of land and built a house for the dogs. It is awaiting electrical connection and budget approval. In the meantime, he plans to gradually move the alpha dogs—those that bark the most—to the new location to reduce the noise problem.

Once the new house is completed, all dogs will be relocated. Pattaya officials recorded an agreement between both parties. The complainant thanked the husband, preferring to resolve the issue amicably as neighbors. The community association acknowledged that many residents had complained and hoped the matter would be resolved quickly, as the woman was uncooperative. They commended Pattaya officials for intervening and helping reach an understanding that would restore peace to the neighborhood.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will travel to New Zealand from August 20-22 following his official visit to Australia, seeking to deepen economic, trade, and investment partnerships. This marks his second consecutive international mission. The delegation will depart Fairbairn military airbase in Canberra on Thursday, August 20 at 09:30 local time, arriving in Auckland at 14:45 local time (five hours ahead of Thailand), before settling into accommodation for preliminary meetings.

On his first day, the Prime Minister will focus on business engagement, meeting with executives from Skyline Enterprises and T&G Global, a major New Zealand private company involved in investment, tourism, agriculture, and distribution opportunities. Investment data shows that between 2564-June 2569, New Zealand submitted nine investment promotion applications worth 1.085 billion baht, with tourism accounting for 1.8 billion baht or 80 percent of total investment. Skyline Enterprises alone plans a 871 million baht amusement park project in 2569. Thailand and New Zealand cooperate under three free trade agreements: TNZCEP, AANZFTA, and RCEP, with Thailand serving as New Zealand's second-largest apple export market after China and a potential distribution hub for ASEAN.

On Friday, August 21, the Prime Minister will attend a formal reception before full bilateral talks with the New Zealand Prime Minister to expand cooperation in economics, investment, business connectivity, and people-to-people exchange. The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of Thai-New Zealand diplomatic relations and efforts to upgrade ties to a strategic partnership, as Thailand pursues economic diplomacy to open new Pacific markets and boost Thai business opportunities in the region.

At 11:30 p.m. on August 19, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Wangsawadi and his team visited flood-affected areas in Nan municipality to closely monitor the situation as water levels rose rapidly and power was cut for safety reasons. The team surveyed three critical points, starting with Water Gauge Station N.1 to assess the water mass situation, then proceeded to Kad Srikham, where Yuthasak spoke with rescue personnel monitoring water levels at the market. During the visit, residents sent an urgent message reporting someone trapped in a residential building, prompting rescue teams to mobilize immediately for assistance.

At the third checkpoint, the Nan Municipality Subdistrict Administration Office, Yuthasak encouraged local officials and all relevant agencies to provide continuous 24-hour assistance, particularly for bedridden patients still stranded in their homes. Yuthasak indicated that water levels in Nan municipality are expected to rise further, potentially overflowing by about 25 centimeters, with the peak anticipated around 2:00 a.m. that night. If no additional rain falls after that time, conditions should stabilize and recovery efforts can begin.

A 24-hour command center was established at the Nan Provincial Administration Organization to coordinate rescue operations, volunteers, and specialized teams including jet ski units. All helpers are required to register at the command center for efficient and safe deployment. The Nan Provincial Police emergency hotline is 054-716-174 for residents needing urgent assistance. Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak stated, "We must continue learning and preparing better. This time we must perform well to maintain public confidence," and noted that after the Nan municipality situation stabilizes, the floodwaters are expected to move toward Wiangsa district around 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. the following morning, for which preparations have already been ordered.