PHUKET: A new 99-bed accommodation facility offering free stays for patients receiving treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital and their relatives has been completed and officially opened in Ratsada.
PHUKET: A new 99-bed accommodation facility offering free stays for patients receiving treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital and their relatives has been completed and officially opened in Ratsada.
A 26-year-old bigbike influencer was jailed for four months after recklessly riding his motorcycle at high speed on Bangkok's Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, weaving dangerously between lanes and endangering other drivers.
On August 13, 2569, senior traffic police officers ordered officers from the Vibhavadi Rangsit traffic control centre to arrest Veeraphet (surname withheld), 26, together with his grey Honda CBR motorcycle with Bangkok registration plates. He was charged with driving without regard for the safety of others' lives and bodies.
The suspect is a popular bigbike influencer who, during March and April 2569, rode his motorcycle on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road (outbound) in Ladyao subdistrict, Chatuchak district, Bangkok. He drove at high speed while revving the engine, weaving abruptly between lanes without signalling to other road users.
This continuous, reckless weaving at close distances, combined with high speed, made it impossible for other drivers to predict his direction and posed a serious danger. The offences were recorded at two locations: near Kasetsart University and near the Special Patrol and Operations Division station. Such driving showed no regard for road safety and risked accidents or injury.
On August 10 at 1:30 p.m., the suspect met with investigators, who explained the charges and impounded the motorcycle as evidence. The suspect confessed to all allegations. On August 11, Phranakhon North District Court sentenced him to four months in jail, an 8,000-baht fine, forfeiture of the motorcycle, and a two-year suspended sentence.
Other violations included improper lane positioning, unpaid annual road tax, incomplete motorcycle controls, and reckless driving causing alarm. The suspect was penalised for these infractions.
A teacher honored her late brother's final wish as he passed away peacefully one day before his birthday, ending 44 years of suffering following a military accident in 1982 that left him blind.
Teacher Sala carried out her mother's final wishes by standing with her brother, Sergeant Major Uthon Kunwut, as he passed away without pain or suffering. His life had seemed so promising in youth—he enlisted as a conscript, continued his education, and earned the rank of Sergeant Major in the Music Corps. Just three months into his military service in May 1982, however, a severe accident left him unconscious for two months. When he regained consciousness, his eyesight was nearly gone, and he endured 44 years of painful, difficult life. On August 10, 2026, his suffering ended one day before his birthday (August 11, 1951). Uthon was the family's firstborn and the first teacher to guide Sala in songwriting, singing, and music—his instrument of choice was trumpet. Had the accident not occurred, he would have been the family's first professional composer. Teacher Sala later posted on Mother's Day, standing beside a photograph of her brother and expressing that she had fulfilled her mother's wish to see him off peacefully, saying she would finally be able to stand beside him in this way. Entertainment figures and fans shared their condolences.
A landowner's daughter clarifies her late father intended to build a temple on 21 rai of land in Khon Kaen but never formally transferred ownership, sparking a legal dispute with heirs now contesting the temple's claims.
The daughter of a landowner has spoken out to clarify that her father genuinely intended to build a temple but did not donate the land itself. She argues that once her father passed away, everything becomes void because the temple was never actually constructed.
The dispute began when heirs of the landowner claimed rights to 21 rai of land at Paa Adulayaram Temple in Muang District, Khon Kaen Province, which the father, known as Hiang, had pledged in 1990. The heirs contested that no formal land transfer ever occurred, leading to a court case where both the lower court and appeals court dismissed their claims. The situation escalated when a group of about 30-40 men blocked the temple entrance with concrete pipes.
On August 13, 2026, a reporter visited the home of Buean, the third daughter of Hiang and Noi, who filed the lawsuit jointly with her mother. Buean explained that her father was a village headman and land seller. Of his total 42 rai of land, he allocated 10 rai to Khon Kaen University and about 21 rai for the temple, with another 5-6 rai of marshland. The area was originally forest until Buddhist nuns built a small dwelling there. Moved by their presence, her father purchased a structure for them, which gradually inspired his intention to build a temple. However, he never formally donated the land to anyone.
Buean recounted that after her father obtained a land title deed in August 1, he presented it at a merit-making ceremony to the abbot, showing villagers his intention to build the temple using that land—though he did not actually transfer ownership. The temple displayed the deed on its wall to announce the planned construction. Eventually, people with ulterior motives sought to seize the land entirely, triggering the dispute.
Buean admitted that she and her siblings gave up the fight due to lack of financial resources to compete with organized interests. Her niece Daa, who lives in Bangkok and works as a real estate agent, took over the case with the family's support. After her father's death, everyone understood that all intentions became void since the temple was never actually built, Buean said. The family had originally discussed dividing the disputed 6 rai among nine siblings after their father's death, in line with his wishes, but lacked the means to pursue it against those seeking to claim the land.
"Everything is now being handled by Daa, and she should be the one interviewed by the media," Buean stated, reaffirming that the land legally belongs to Hiang. She noted that if the temple were truly to be built, the land title should reflect that ownership.
Thailand's Defense Ministry said plans for a US drone manufacturing facility remain in early study stages with no formal agreements yet, as officials continue assessing feasibility and potential technology transfer benefits.
The Defense Ministry spokesman clarified on August 13 that the United States setting up a drone manufacturing facility in Thailand remains in the study and feasibility assessment phase, with no formal agreements yet on which systems would be produced. Pol. Maj. Gen. Surasant Kongsiri explained that the permanent secretary's recent visit to the United States was an opportunity to gather information, observe technology, and demonstrate Thailand's capacity to develop and support low-cost unmanned systems such as LUCAS.
He confirmed that no binding agreements, commitments, or specifications exist regarding which systems must be manufactured, nor has the US received approval to establish a drone factory in Thailand. All activities remain in the detailed study phase, including feasibility assessment and determining a technology transfer framework that maximizes Thailand's benefits.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Surasant emphasized that Thailand has long pursued defense industry development, with unmanned systems and drone technology among key growth areas. The government and Defense Ministry prioritize defense industry development with the goal of long-term self-reliance. Therefore, learning and studying technology from expert nations is essential through various mechanisms including offset policies, technology transfer agreements, co-production arrangements, defense industrial base development, and joint investment to strengthen Thai military capabilities and industrial capacity.
Country stars Pan Panchiva and Pe Veerasak perform on Chumtang Daotong Thursday, followed by GLO Miracle Music Season 3 competition Friday on Channel 7HD, featuring young contestants battling for advancement.
Country music fans are invited to prepare their hearts for this week's lineup. On Thursday, the beloved programme Chumtang Daotong, hosted by quality presenter Nok-Bripan Chaiyaphumi, opens its stage to welcome rising country music star Pan Panchiva, who has grown up immersed in the genre since childhood. She will deliver her sweet vocals to captivate audiences, followed by Pe Veerasak, who will shift the mood with vibrant energy and get everyone on their feet dancing and having fun together. Beyond the musical performances, audiences will enjoy candid conversations with both artists, filled with personal stories, memorable moments, and insights into their lives as country music performers, promising fans plenty of smiles and heartwarming moments to take home.
On Friday, viewers should prepare themselves for the intense second round of GLO Miracle Music Season 3, where every point matters and every performance could change a competitor's dreams. This week features two 17-year-old contestants—Orm from Lopburi and Noy from Chachoengsao—ready to showcase the power of their generation on the country music stage, followed by Nim from Nakhon Si Thammarat, who hopes to use her stage experience as momentum to advance further in the competition. With every performance potentially deciding who moves forward and who must leave the competition, viewers will want to closely follow which contestant impresses the judges, who delivers a powerful vocal performance to secure a spot in the next round, and who's journey ends here.
Country music fans must not miss Pan Panchiva and Pe Veerasak on the Chumtang Daotong programme on Thursday, August 13, 2025, and the GLO Miracle Music Season 3 second round on Friday, August 14, 2025, at 1:10 p.m. on Channel 7HD. Viewers can also watch replays on bugaboo.tv, YouTube Channel 7 Star Studio, and the official Facebook page.
Thailand's U17 women's football team competes in the Srikandi Merdeka Cup in Indonesia from August 14-23, using the tournament to prepare for AFC Asian Championship qualifiers with matches against Indonesia, Jordan, and Singapore.
Thailand's U17 women's football head coach Thidarat Wiwasukhu is using the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 tournament as a testing ground for her squad ahead of AFC Asian Championship qualifications. At a press conference held on August 13 at Super Soccer Arena in Kudus, Indonesia, organisers announced details of the tournament running from August 14-23. Thailand's U17 team is in Group B alongside Singapore, Jordan, and Indonesia U17 (Putri Nusantara), playing each opponent once in a round-robin format to determine which two teams advance to the semi-finals.
Coach Thidarat told reporters: "This tournament is preparation before the Asian Championship qualifiers. We believe every match will be challenging because all competing teams are high-quality. We hope the players will gain more international experience to use in the Asian Championship qualifiers."
She added: "We have prepared thoroughly from training in Thailand to arriving in Indonesia. Our goal is for our players to showcase their full potential."
Team captain Gavindhida Kikhuntod said: "We're pleased to participate in this tournament. The pitch conditions look excellent and the weather is similar to Thailand's, so adjustment shouldn't be a major issue."
Thailand's group stage schedule includes matches on August 15 against Indonesia U17 (3 p.m.), August 17 against Jordan (8 p.m.), and August 19 against Singapore (3 p.m.), all at Super Soccer Arena in Kudus.
The Constitutional Court will hear witness testimony on August 26 regarding allegations that barcode and QR codes on February's election ballots violated voter secrecy by potentially identifying voters and revealing their choices.
The Constitutional Court scheduled a witness cross-examination for August 26, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. to examine five witnesses in the barcode ballot case, with no live broadcast of images or sound. On August 13, the court considered the Ombudsman's petition requesting a constitutional ruling. The Ombudsman alleged receiving 22 complaints and argued that the Election Commission's February 8, 2025, general election used ballots with barcodes and QR codes that could identify voters and reveal voting results, thereby violating ballot secrecy and conflicting with multiple constitutional provisions.
The five witnesses scheduled to testify are Nitriya Rattantasanee, Worapong Anancharoen, Phakaphoom Phodom, Kanyyanat Pikultong, and Savaeng Boonmee. Two other originally scheduled witnesses—Reuanglak Reuangyangmee and Sompong Tandee—submitted affidavits covering the relevant points, so they are not required to appear in court.
Under the 2561 Constitutional Court Procedure Act, Section 65, parties may review and copy all evidence in electronic form, except classified documents. Under the 2562 Constitutional Court Rules, Articles 30 and 36, the August 26 hearing will not be broadcast and only parties and persons approved by the court may attend.
Construction material costs in Thailand jumped 5.8 percent year-over-year in July, driven by surging raw material and energy prices linked to Middle East tensions and rising global copper demand for clean energy and AI infrastructure.
Thailand's construction material price index for July 2025 reached 112.8, a 5.8 percent increase from July 2024, driven by higher raw material, energy, and transport costs tied to Middle East tensions. According to Nanthapong Jiralertpong, director of the Office of Trade and Economic Strategy, the increases span multiple categories: wood and wood products rose 4.7 percent due to higher raw material and shipping costs linked to oil prices; cement gained 0.2 percent from rising demand in state construction projects; and concrete products surged 9.3 percent as cement, stone, and sand prices climbed alongside diesel fuel costs affected by Middle East conflict impacts.
Steel and steel products edged up 0.2 percent from higher raw material prices, while tiles increased 3.2 percent due to rising natural gas energy costs and silica ore prices. Finishing materials advanced 1.8 percent on acrylic paint and epoxy resin cost increases, and sanitary ware rose 2.6 percent from high-energy production processes. Electrical and plumbing equipment jumped 12.6 percent as copper prices in global markets continued climbing, driven by demand for clean energy infrastructure, advanced semiconductor technology, and artificial intelligence applications.
Other construction materials surged 13.0 percent, with rubber prices tracking higher global oil levels and natural materials (stone, soil, sand) rising alongside fuel costs for machinery. Nanthapong predicted the index would continue climbing in August 2025, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine conflict creating volatile oil and energy prices, sustained high copper prices from clean energy and data center demand supporting AI industry expansion, and persistent supply chain pressures globally.
A 28-year-old security guard died after his motorcycle lost control and went under a Bangkok bus near Sukhumvit Soi 4 on Wednesday morning; the bus driver remained at the scene and told police he couldn't stop in time.
At 10:00 AM on August 13, 2025, Police Captain Sitthisak Choonhammatthipat, deputy inspector from Bang Kholuam Police Station, responded to a collision between a motorcycle and a public bus near Sukhumvit Soi 4 in Jom Thong District, Bangkok. He arrived with forensic doctors from Siriraj Hospital and volunteers from the Ruamkitanyu Foundation.
At the scene, officers found the body of Prathumpon (surname withheld), a 28-year-old security guard, lying on the road. He had severe injuries to his head and neck, with his face badly damaged. His full-face open-front grey helmet was found nearby, broken and bloodstained. His yellow Yamaha Aerox motorcycle was parked about 20 meters away on the sidewalk. The Route 105 bus, painted blue, remained at the scene with its driver cooperating with police and working with the insurance company.
When questioned, the bus driver stated that he was driving normally when he saw the motorcycle ahead of him. The rider suddenly lost control and fell; the rider's head went under the rear right wheel while the bus was still moving. The driver said he could not stop in time. He expressed remorse and denied driving recklessly or fleeing the scene, remaining at the location to assist.
Initial police investigation of security camera footage showed the motorcycle losing control before the rider's head struck the bus's rear wheel. The bus was moving and could not stop in time. The driver was taken to Bang Kholuam Police Station for further questioning while police examined evidence and footage in detail to determine next steps.
Thai sprinter Biu Phuriphol Boonsorn has clocked 9.99 seconds in the 100 metres and is now targeting a medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
Sprinter Biu Phuriphol Boonsorn, Thailand's rising track-and-field talent, continues to impress after training and competing in the Czech Republic, where he clocked a 100-metre time of 9.99 seconds—breaking the 10-second barrier once again. Thailand's sports authority (TAT) is confident he can win a medal at the 20th Asian Games scheduled for 19 September to 4 October 2026 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Dr. Kongsak Yodmani, TAT director-general, confirmed that Thai sports fans will have free access to all popular events, particularly men's football and women's volleyball, broadcast via T SPORTS 7 and partner digital channels. "Popular sports like men's football and women's volleyball will be broadcast live so fans can follow and cheer our team, and we will show as much coverage as possible of all other Thai athletes," Yodmani said. He noted that athletics is a flagship sport and major highlight of the Asian Games, especially with Biu's exceptional recent performances. Biu made history at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games hosted by Thailand in late 2024 by winning the men's 100-metre gold medal, setting a semi-final record of 9.94 seconds. At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in 2023, he claimed silver in the 100 metres with a time of 10.02 seconds.