The Department of International Trade Negotiations reported that Thailand's trade with FTA partner countries grew 21.8% in the first half of 2025, reaching a value of 243.7 billion US dollars, with strong performance across Singapore, Australia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. Agricultural, food, and industrial products continued to expand, with FTA agreements helping to reduce trade barriers and create tariff advantages for Thai exporters seeking to expand into foreign markets.

Director-General Chotima Iamsawat stated on August 10 that despite global economic headwinds from geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and supply chain uncertainty, FTAs remain a crucial mechanism for creating trade opportunities and maintaining Thailand's competitiveness through expanded export markets, production chain linkages, and access to essential raw materials for industry.

Trade with 18 FTA partners—including ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Peru, and Chile—totaled 243.7 billion US dollars in January–June 2025, representing 57.3% of Thailand's global trade. Thai exports to FTA partners reached 105.5 billion US dollars, up 12.6%, while imports totaled 138.2 billion US dollars, up 30%. More than half of Thailand's trade now occurs with FTA nations, effectively reducing barriers and enabling efficient market expansion.

China remains Thailand's largest FTA trading partner at 91.5 billion US dollars, accounting for 37.6% of FTA trade, followed by Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and India. Exports to FTA markets showed strong growth particularly to Singapore (up 74%), Australia (up 43.9%), Laos (up 36.4%), Malaysia (up 27%), Vietnam (up 20.2%), Japan (up 12.9%), and India (up 10%).

Growth was driven by high-potential product categories. Agricultural and food exports, including fresh, chilled, frozen, and dried fruits, rose 16.8%, while processed chicken increased 7.6%. Industrial exports also performed well, with gems and jewelry up 26%, circuit boards up 20.6%, computers and components up 18.5%, rubber products up 10.4%, and automobiles and parts up 3.8%.

While imports from FTA partners grew at a faster rate than exports, over 75% comprised raw materials and intermediate goods supporting investment and production, demonstrating Thailand's integration into regional supply chains and the continued demand for Thai products across FTA markets.

On August 10, 2569, police from Phayakkhaphum Phisai Station in Maha Sarakham Province received a report of a death at a residence in Phayakkhaphum Phisai Subdistrict. Officers coordinated with hospital medical staff, forensic investigators, and rescue personnel to examine the scene. They found the body of a 63-year-old male, a senior judge at Buriram Provincial Court, lying deceased in a storage shed next to a garage. A 9mm automatic handgun was present at the scene, with a bullet entry wound on the right temple and exit on the left side.

Forensic investigators recovered one 9mm automatic pistol with 4 rounds in the magazine and an additional magazine containing 10 rounds from the deceased's gun bag. Upon interviewing family members, police learned that the deceased suffered from chronic illness and had been experiencing work-related stress and depression for approximately one month. He had been sleeping separately in the rear house while his wife slept in the front house. At around 05:30 AM, the wife heard what sounded like a gunshot and found her husband dead in the storage shed.

Family members expressed uncertainty about the cause of death. Police will conduct an autopsy and release the body to the family for religious funeral rites.

On August 10, 2026, Deputy Police Region 1 Commander Chokechai Khana Charoen announced progress in the case of Chaloeng Riao Raeng, a former Nonthaburi parliamentarian, who allegedly shot Thongchai Yen Prasert, the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization president, outside his office. The president's driver was also seriously wounded in the incident.

Chokechai stated that Chaloeng initially confessed to carrying out the attack with a 9mm firearm against both the PAO president and his driver, causing serious injuries. The motive behind the shooting stemmed from a financial dispute over approximately 11 million baht that the PAO president allegedly owed the suspect. Following his confession, police filed two primary charges against Chaloeng: attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm in public.

Mahachulalongkornraj University recently held its annual Founder's Day commemoration at the university's assembly hall in Ayutthaya province, presided over by Phra Phrom Bundith, deputy rector of the university council. The ceremony was attended by university leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and Buddhist practitioners, all gathered to express gratitude for the founders' role in establishing and developing the institution's educational mission.

During the event, Buddhist rites honoring the late founders were conducted, and awards were presented to those who have made significant contributions to the university. An exhibition showcasing the founders' histories, achievements, and legacies was also displayed to help current members of the university community understand and appreciate the institutional values they inherited.

Phra Thep Watchai Sarabandith, the university's vice rector for planning and development, explained that Founder's Day is not merely a day of remembrance but an opportunity for the entire university community to reflect on the foundational ideals and values established by their predecessors. He emphasized that the university's current success is built upon the dedication and vision of its founders, and that the responsibility of the present generation is to carry forward, build upon, and develop the institution while adapting to global changes while remaining grounded in Buddhist principles, ethics, and good governance.

Founder's Day is an important annual tradition at Mahachulalongkornraj University, designed to instill the virtue of gratitude, foster awareness of the founders' ideals, and strengthen the commitment of the entire university community to advancing the institution based on Buddhist teachings, moral values, and excellence in management. The university aims to create lasting benefits for Buddhism, the nation, and the global community.

Luang Pu Jai Inthasuvanno, or Phra Ratchamongkol Wutthajarn of Wat Sedet in Muang Mai district, Amphawa, Samut Songkhram province, was a highly respected Buddhist monk deeply revered by residents throughout the Mae Klong river basin.

Originally named Jai Kham Sonchai, he was born on November 23, 1861 (B.E. 2405) in Bang Kung subdistrict, Bang Khun Thi district, Samut Songkhram. His family later relocated to Muang Mai, Amphawa, Samut Songkhram.

At the age of 21, he was fully ordained at Wat Bang Koh Thep Sak with Phra Achan Chui serving as his preceptor, and received the monastic name Inthasuvanno. He studied Buddhist doctrines, meditation techniques, and various esoteric disciplines under his preceptor. He was devoted to learning the Dharma in both Thai and Khmer scripts until achieving mastery. He also developed an interest in occult knowledge and studied meditation practices under Luang Pu Yim of Wat Nong Bua, a renowned monk in Kanchanaburi province.

In 1891 (B.E. 2434), Phra Achan Chui recognized his exceptional abilities, wisdom, and knowledge, deeming him capable of taking care of himself and leading a community well. At that time, Wat Yai Im, a newly constructed temple, was entrusted to his care. He dedicated his effort, body, and spirit to developing and expanding the temple, eventually making it one of Samut Songkhram's most prominent and beautiful monasteries.

On one occasion, His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Wachirayan Warorot, the Supreme Patriarch of Wat Bowornnivet, made an inspection tour of Buddhist communities in major cities and visited this temple. He bestowed a new name upon it: Wat Sedet.

Because of his familiarity with Wat Sedet, the Supreme Patriarch showed great compassion toward Luang Pu Jai. This was evident in the newly constructed ordination hall, which was financed and designed under royal commission. Additionally, members of the royal family who accompanied the Supreme Patriarch also contributed funds to the temple's construction.

During the period of building Wat Sedet, Luang Pu Jai frequently traveled to Kanchanaburi province to purchase timber for the temple. He made these journeys over many years until the temple was completed. Every year, he would visit Wat Nong Bua to pay respects to Luang Pu Yim, presenting him with areca nut as an offering, showing his deep reverence for his teacher.

One day, Luang Pu Yim told him that if he were interested in occult knowledge, he would pass it on. Luang Pu Jai immediately asked to become his student. Luang Pu Yim's first lesson involved testing psychic power: he lit a candle in a water vessel and instructed Luang Pu Jai to focus his mental energy on the flame to break it in half. Only when successful would the teaching be imparted.

Luang Pu Jai practiced for seven nights without success. After returning to rest, he decided that if the candle still did not break by the following night, he would return to Amphawa. On the eighth night, he succeeded.

Luang Pu Yim praised him, saying, "You are already more skilled than I was when I started," because Luang Pu Yim himself had needed to practice for fifteen days. Luang Pu Yim then fully transmitted to Luang Pu Jai all the knowledge of creating the Takrut Maha Rang Prap Hongsa and the famous candy-shaped Takrut talismans.

In 1953 (B.E. 2496), he was elevated to Phra Suthasarawutthajarn, a third-rank ecclesiastical title. On December 5, 1961 (B.E. 2504), he was again elevated to Phra Ratchamongkol Wutthajarn, a royal-rank ecclesiastical title.

He passed away on Saturday, June 23, 1962 (B.E. 2505), at the age of 100, having been a monk for 78 years.

Among the most popular objects attributed to him is the "Takrut Maha Prap" (Great Subduing Amulet). These takrut are no larger than five inches, created using a similar process to the Takrut Maha Rang Prap Hongsa but with some magical syllables omitted. Because the process for creating the Hongsa-subduing takrut is extremely complex, the Maha Prap version was developed as a simpler alternative, though it remains rare due to its intricate craftsmanship and the blessed power attributed to it. The Maha Prap takrut is highly sought after by collectors.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin chaired a meeting of the Committee for Flood and Drought Prevention and Management in the Eastern region on August 10 at Chachoengsao provincial hall, bringing together government officials, provincial governors, and relevant agencies to bolster disaster preparedness across eight provinces: Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, and Nakhon Nayok.

Suchat stated that the government under Prime Minister Anusit Charnvirakul is committed to systematic, swift, and coordinated disaster management to help citizens efficiently. He ordered local authorities and the private sector to plan operations collaboratively, reduce redundancy, and support affected populations effectively. Key measures include installing pumps, opening waterways, clearing obstructions, and coordinating water drainage with the situation.

The minister instructed the Natural Resources Ministry to prepare fully with personnel, equipment, tools, and resources to provide immediate assistance when floods or droughts occur. The government will coordinate emergency shelters with sufficient capacity in collaboration with hotels and businesses, and health authorities are ordered to prepare medical personnel, vehicles, medicines, and 24-hour emergency services, prioritizing vulnerable groups.

Suchat established three sub-committees to oversee the eight Eastern provinces, monitor situations closely, assess problems, and report to the main committee for rapid solutions. All agencies are directed to integrate work through national disaster prevention and mitigation command centers and incident command centers at all levels to ensure unified coordination and reduce delays in public assistance. "People's hardship is urgent and cannot wait," Suchat said. "The state must prepare before disaster strikes, establish effective water management systems, and unite all sectors as one team to respond quickly and stand beside the people."