Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs Pakorn Nilprapart briefed reporters on August 4 that today's meeting marked the final review of documents and evidence in the investigation of fraud in the 2568 local government recruitment examinations. The committee found defects in nearly every procedural step, with involvement from more than 100 people both inside and outside government agencies. He stated the investigation involves senior officials and multiple outsiders, requiring comprehensive re-examination of the entire recruitment process and potential civil, criminal, disciplinary, and ethical action against individuals involved. "This case is not easily resolved, but it must be concluded," Pakorn said.

Police Chief Kittiphon Phetphicharn reported that a 30-day investigation revealed irregularities in the quota request process, quota certification discrepancies, and score alterations during the post-examination phase. The committee found defects before, during, and after the exams that could facilitate fraud. Recommendations will be submitted to the Prime Minister regarding individuals who may face legal proceedings across civil, criminal, disciplinary, and ethical grounds, with follow-up actions assigned to relevant government agencies including the Interior Ministry, Local Administration Department, and Civil Service Commission.

Sansiri is preparing to offer digital bonds through Pao Tang, opening subscriptions on August 27 with an interest rate of 3.80% per year. Sansiri reaffirms its position as Asia's first real estate leader to pioneer digital fundraising, creating sustainable growth and equal investment opportunities for all investors. In partnership with Krung Thai Bank, the company is launching digital bond subscriptions through the Pao Tang wallet application, allowing investors to start with just 1,000 baht.

The bonds offer steady returns in volatile market conditions with fixed interest rates of 3.70–3.80% per year, paid quarterly over a 5-year investment period. The bonds carry a BBB+/Stable credit rating from Tris Rating and provide liquidity through 24-hour secondary market trading via the Pao Tang app, where investors can view holdings and buy-sell prices in one place.

Vicharn Viriyaphusit, Chief Financial Officer of Sansiri Public Company Limited, stated that Sansiri and Krung Thai Bank have successfully pioneered digital fundraising to provide easy and equal access to investment opportunities. The company is reoffering digital bonds in response to investor demand through the Pao Tang application. Subscriptions are expected to open on August 27, 2026, offering a steady return investment option with fixed interest rates of 3.70–3.80% per year over a 5-year term with quarterly interest payments. Investors will also be able to trade bonds in the secondary market in real-time, 24 hours a day.

The Sansiri digital bonds are registered bonds of the unsecured, non-subordinated type with a bondholder representative. They received a BBB+ credit rating with a stable outlook from Tris Rating on August 3, 2026, reflecting Sansiri's strong brand, diverse housing products, and solid profitability.

Over 40 years, Sansiri has demonstrated its commitment to being a model corporate citizen and playing a modern private sector role in driving sustainability. Beyond its success and leadership in Thai real estate, Sansiri remains dedicated to its mission as a good corporate citizen, standing alongside Thai society for over 40 years under an ESG framework focused on four sustainable pillars. The company has engaged in multi-dimensional social problem-solving with an emphasis on creating "practical, implementable models."

From field-based community assistance during crises to promoting circular economy initiatives among small restaurants and farmers, to systematically improving education equity through the "Zero Dropout: Every Child Must Study" program piloted in Ratchaburi Province—which has helped over 13,000 students and out-of-school youth return to formal education—Sansiri continues to make an impact. The company's commitment to equality was recently recognized with the Prime Minister's TZD+ Award for outstanding national-level organizational advancement in 2026. This same commitment to accessibility has now extended to the digital bond offering, which opens investment opportunities to a broader range of investors.

At 1:00 p.m. on August 4, 2025, rescue teams from Sawaeng Phorn Kusol Foundation in Rayong responded to a soil collapse that buried construction workers on Sukhumvit Road near Sai Jao Pho Sai Thong shrine in Mueang Rayong district. At the scene, workers were plastering a concrete drainage pipe in a four-meter-deep, four-meter-wide excavation when an adjacent pile of soil, stacked by a backhoe, suddenly collapsed and slid into the pit. Two male workers managed to escape with minor injuries, but a 38-year-old female worker was trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue teams rapidly deployed to dig and retrieve her, performing CPR before emergency transport to Rayong Hospital.

Some local residents have speculated that the accident may have occurred because the construction project did not perform a traditional incense-lighting ceremony to pay respects to the local guardian spirits before beginning work. Residents view this as either a causal factor in the accident or a spiritual warning from the shrine, which is a site of deep reverence and regular prayer in the community. This remains a personal belief held by some community members.

An old fuel tank exploded while it was being dismantled at a petrol station in front of Samrong Hospital in Samrong district on Tuesday afternoon, injuring three people. The explosion occurred as workers were carrying out demolition work on an old fuel tank at a petrol station in the area. Three people were injured in the blast, which also alarmed residents and people in the surrounding area.

Emergency medical and rescue teams rushed to the scene to assess the situation and assist those affected. Authorities cordoned off the area as a precaution before taking all three injured people to hospital for treatment. Details of their conditions have not yet been released.

Initial inspections indicated that the explosion occurred during the dismantling of the old fuel tank. Authorities suspect that flammable fuel vapour may have remained inside the tank, potentially triggering the blast. Officials are investigating the scene and collecting evidence to determine the exact cause of the explosion. The incident was reported by volunteers from the Boonwipha Fire and Rescue Base.

On August 3, officers from the DSI's Technology and Information Crime Division summoned Democrat Party MP Phawut, former entertainer Film (Ratphumi), and two others to hear charges related to an online asset-trading investment scheme. All four appeared as requested to be informed of the allegations. The DSI filed six serious charges against them, including conspiracy to defraud the public through fraudulent lending and fraud, operating an unlicensed securities brokerage, conducting unauthorized futures trading, entering false data into computer systems likely to harm the public, conspiring to commit money laundering, and actual money laundering. Investigators plan to pursue charges against 47 suspects in total, with summonses already issued to 10 others. After the charges were read, the four were released without bail to allow them time to gather evidence and prepare their defense. The DSI emphasized that these charges represent only the initial investigative stage, and all suspects retain full legal rights and are presumed innocent until a final court verdict is reached.

Jakarta, 4 August 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today advanced Thailand–Indonesia tourism cooperation through separate Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Indonesia-based TransNusa Airlines and Southeast Asian travel platform Traveloka at Fairmont Jakarta. The high-level signing was witnessed by Thailand’s Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul and H.E. Mr. Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Energy and Chairman of the Advisory Board at KADIN Indonesia.

Signed by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor; Datuk Bernard Francis, Aviation Group Chief Executive Officer of TransNusa Airlines; and Mr. Albert, Co-founder of Traveloka, the agreements aim to expand air connectivity, strengthen digital marketing and boost Indonesian arrivals across Thailand, while supporting closer tourism and business cooperation between the two countries and stronger connectivity within ASEAN.

Ms. Thapanee said, “Indonesia is an important ASEAN market for Thailand, supported by close cultural ties, convenient travel and growing demand for diverse tourism experiences. These partnerships advance TAT’s Partnership 360 strategy by combining air access, digital reach and market insight to grow Indonesian travel to Thailand. They also support the global ‘Healing is the New Luxury’ campaign by connecting travellers with meaningful experiences across established and emerging destinations, while extending tourism benefits to communities and the wider economy.”

Through the agreement with TransNusa Airlines, TAT will focus on tourism promotion, travel product development and stronger air links between Indonesia and Thailand. Activities will support the “Feel All the Feelings – Visit Thailand, Feel Every Emotion” campaign through tourism fairs, promotional campaigns, digital content, workshops and familiarisation trips, alongside efforts to strengthen the Jakarta–Bangkok and Bali–Phuket routes.

The Traveloka partnership will use the platform’s digital reach, distribution capabilities and market intelligence to promote destinations and tourism experiences across Thailand. It will also support TAT’s Sustainable Tourism Goals by raising awareness of responsible travel, sharing consumer insights, planning campaigns, and communicating relevant tourism policies, entry requirements, and safety measures, subject to appropriate data privacy and security safeguards.

Together, the agreements connect improved air access with targeted digital promotion and market intelligence, supporting greater visitor flows and wider tourism benefits across Thailand.

From 1 January to 31 July 2026, Thailand welcomed 376,337 Indonesian visitors, who stayed for an average of six nights. Their leading interests include Thai cuisine, historical sites, community-based tourism, wellness experiences and beaches. TAT aims to attract 890,000 Indonesian visitors in 2026.