Thailand's Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Office is expanding green business initiatives and connecting local entrepreneurs with global markets through the Grand Halal and Thailand Tourism Thailand events, generating an estimated 69 million baht in economic value. Deputy director Panita Shinwatt said the office is pushing forward with a fiscal 2026 program to develop SME potential according to green business guidelines, preparing Thai entrepreneurs for international trade rules that increasingly emphasize environmental standards and sustainability. The program conducted seven nationwide training seminars with 246 participants—exceeding targets—and is now advancing participants to product exhibitions and business negotiations to create real market and income opportunities.

The global business environment is placing greater emphasis on environmental standards, particularly carbon measures and combating exaggerated environmental claims. Adapting to green business is therefore not merely a corporate social responsibility matter but a key strategy for building "green competitive advantage" and improving access to modern customers and supply chains. The office is supporting entrepreneurs through free services including Green SME Index assessments, in-depth consulting, and environmental standard verification (such as CFO, CFP, Green Hotel, and Green Production certifications) to help reduce costs, boost efficiency, and build product and service credibility.

On the marketing side, the office has brought trained entrepreneurs to real market events, covering booth expenses to test markets and create business opportunities. At the Grand Halal Bangkok 2026 event, the office brought seven green manufacturing, agricultural processing, food and beverage businesses to display products and conduct business-to-business negotiations with international halal market partners, attracting strong buyer interest, especially for products featuring low-carbon standards and sustainability. For the domestic market, the office is preparing 15 green service, tourism, hotel and accommodation, restaurant, and wellness businesses to participate in Thailand Tourism Thailand 79 (August 20–23, 2026) at Sirikit Convention Center, offering eco-tourism packages and services to environmentally conscious consumers to boost sales and create direct income.

The two events have already generated approximately 1.5 million baht in sales for participating entrepreneurs. The office is also preparing a Business Matching event on August 26, 2026, at Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok to connect SMEs with standard-certifying bodies, financial institutions for access to green finance, and clean energy technology and low-carbon logistics service providers. The entire program is expected to create not less than 69 million baht in economic value while elevating Thai SMEs to adapt to global trade rules and grow sustainably on a green business foundation.

A warm and touching family moment features Punnasa Promyos, wife of actor Jess Chunachoen, posting a sweet video of her daughter Taengmo presenting her first earnings from work to her grandparents—10,000 baht each. In the clip, the grandmother hugs her granddaughter with affection, saying "Grandmother is so happy with your work earnings. You came to pay respect to grandmother, and I'm delighted to hug you again and give you a kiss. I wish you continued success." Not to be left out, Taengmo also gives money to her other grandmother, who hugs her granddaughter multiple times, clearly thrilled. The moment delighted Jess Chunachoen, who joked with his mother about it. Grandmother said: "This is my granddaughter! I raised her well—she's turned out great." Punnasa replied: "She earned money, right?" (laughing) Grandmother: "Oh, this is real!" Jess: "I've been waiting for this day. When my turn comes, I'll get some from him too—he'll complain less if I don't take more than he gave away!" (laughing)

2 Thai men arrested for assaulting and abducting Chinese womanLegacyPolice chased and arrested two Thai men in Kamphaeng Phet yesterday, August 23, for assaulting and abducting a Chinese woman from Bangkok, trying to take her towards the Thai–Myanmar border. Two other suspects remain at large. At about midnight yesterday, Mueang Kamphaeng Phet Police Station officers received a report that a foreign woman, later identified as a Chinese national, was assaulted on Ratchadamnoen Road in Nai Mueang subdistrict, Mueang district, Kamphaeng Phet. Police went to the scene and found the injured Chinese woman. She was taken to Kamphaeng Phet Hospital for treatment and a medical examination. The foreign woman told officers that a group of four men had taken her from a hotel in Bangkok and forced her into a car heading towards a border area. Photo via Matichon She said her hands were tied throughout the journey. When the vehicle reached Kamphaeng Phet, she escaped by jumping out of the moving car before running to ask people in the area for help. Police then issued a radio alert to patrol officers to intercept the suspects’ vehicle. Officers later spotted a black Nissan Teana with Bangkok licence plates, which was connected to the incident, passing through a checkpoint at the Chula Intersection on the bypass road. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over and accelerated away. Officers pursued the vehicle until it reached Lan Dok Mai district, where one of its tyres reportedly burst. Two suspects were arrested, identified as 41 year old Somkiat and 24 year old Kittiporn. Two other suspects managed to flee from the vehicle and escaped from officers. Police said they had identified one of the two fugitives and were searching for him. Photo via Matichon During initial questioning, the two arrested suspects told police that they had picked up the Chinese woman, who was carrying a passport, from a hotel in Bangkok. They said they attempted to take her to Mae Sot district in Tak province, a border between Thailand and Myanmar. However, the purpose of the journey remains under investigation. Investigators are coordinating with relevant agencies to provide assistance and protection to the Chinese woman.  Police have not yet confirmed the exact charges against the suspects. Related news

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Vichet Kasemsongsoree, the former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and his wife Waniporn Kasemsongsoree have jointly sponsored the creation of the Buddha Sutthanatat Sathadat statue in the Naga Sheltering Pose. This statue was commissioned as a birthday Buddha image for Princess Soamsawali, Countess of Suddanareenatat, and is offered as a merit-making deed at Avodya Viksitaram Temple in Bangkok, with the temple's abbot serving as the head of the monastic community.

The creation of this Buddha statue stems from the faith and devotion of its sponsors, with the primary intention of making a merit offering to Princess Soamsawali while opening opportunities for Buddhist devotees to participate in this great merit-making act, preserve and promote Buddhism, and embrace Buddhist teachings as guidance for their daily lives.

The Buddha statue is fashioned in the Naga Sheltering Pose, the characteristic image for Saturday, which coincides with the princess's birthday. This pose symbolizes protection, peace, and steadfast adherence to Buddhist principles even in the face of obstacles and change.

Vichet participated in this merit-making initiative to ensure the continuity and spiritual legacy of Buddhism for future generations of devotees, while honoring the compassion and ongoing social welfare work of Princess Soamsawali.

The creation of this Buddha statue therefore represents not merely a religious idol for worship, but a symbol of collective faith and unity in supporting and preserving Buddhism, offered as a merit deed with blessings for the princess's health, happiness, and long life.

Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeaw, who chairs the government's special committee for southern border affairs, spoke at Government House on August 24 about multiple unrest incidents across the southern border region. He said he would consult with the Prime Minister and all relevant agencies, including the National Security Council secretary-general and the National Intelligence Agency, to assess the situation and determine next steps. Acknowledging concern over the events, he stated that while the government had advance warning of the operations, it must determine how to respond more effectively. The government needs to evaluate who was behind the incidents and strengthen security preparations at all points. When asked how over 50 incidents occurred despite advance intelligence, Sihasak explained that while authorities may know operations are coming, predicting the exact timing is difficult since such activities are often dispersed. He emphasized the need to review intelligence and prevention capabilities to avoid future incidents and protect civilians, with the Prime Minister ordering full compensation for those affected. On whether Malaysia was coordinating to prevent perpetrators from fleeing across the border, he said this requires further review, noting that Malaysia has expressed readiness to cooperate if informed. Regarding speculation that the unrest was retaliation against state officials for combating smuggling, Sihasak said multiple factors likely contributed and wanted to discuss with all parties before drawing conclusions. He acknowledged the need to assess why incidents have become more frequent recently and said the government must review mechanisms and whether security preparations are sufficiently tight.

Nakhon Ratchasima has launched a cycling route connecting three UNESCO World Heritage sites—Khao Yai, Sakaerat, and the Petrified Wood Museum (Korat Geopark)—to promote linked tourism and build a network of conservation-minded cyclists nationwide. On August 23, 2026, at 7 a.m., Deputy Governor Manas Suwannarin and Sakaerat Environmental Research Station Director Surachit Waengsothern opened the long-distance cycling event along the Korat UNESCO Triple Heritage Ring Road 2026, covering more than 100 kilometers over two days and one night.

A total of 105 cyclists from across Thailand participated in the ride, departing from Khao Yai National Park gates the previous day and spending the night at Sakaerat Environmental Research Station, a biosphere reserve area. This morning, riders completed the final 50-kilometer leg along Highway 304 from Pak Thani to Nakhon Ratchasima, finishing at the Petrified Wood Museum in Suranari Subdistrict. The event was welcomed by Professor Dr. Prathueng Jintasakul, director of Geopark World; Assistant Professor Dr. Nattinee Tongdee, director of the Petrified Wood Research Institute and Northeastern Geo-Resources; and Ms. Getsinee Somboonsilp, deputy director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima office.

The event aims to promote the three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Nakhon Ratchasima, raise awareness of natural resources, geology, and biodiversity, and encourage sports tourism and eco-friendly travel. It also seeks to stimulate local economics and tourism while building a nationwide network of cyclists and conservation-focused travelers. The cycling route, spanning over 100 kilometers in two stages, connects all three major heritage sites.