Thailand's Department of Highways (DOH) has confirmed it will begin trial operations of the M6 motorway section between Bang Pa-in and Pak Chong free of charge on weekends starting 21 August 2026, allowing motorists to travel continuously toward Nakhon Ratchasima. DOH Director-General Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisan said the 110-kilometre section will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday without toll fees as part of a trial service. The motorway will operate from 12:00 on Fridays until 24:00 on Sundays, beginning on 21 August 2026, with the schedule continuing every weekend through the New Year holidays in 2027. The department plans to eventually expand the trial into a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week free service along the entire route. The newly opened section extends the existing trial operation on the Pak Chong–Nakhon Ratchasima Bypass stretch, which has been available free of charge around the clock since late 2023. However, the temporary entrance and exit at Kilometre 65 on Mittraphap Road, near the Nakhonchaiburin Stray Animal Shelter, will close from 12:00 on 21 August 2026, and motorists will instead be required to use the Pak Chong interchange. Outbound from Bangkok, drivers can enter the M6 at Bang Pa-in and exit at Pak Chong on Thanarat Road, or continue directly to the Nakhon Ratchasima Bypass. Inbound to Bangkok, construction on the inbound carriageway between Pak Chong and Muak Lek remains unfinished, so drivers leaving Pak Chong must travel via Thanarat Road and Mittraphap Road before rejoining the motorway at the Muak Lek interchange. The following interchanges will be available: Bang Pa-in, Hin Kong, Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek, and Pak Chong, with vehicles entering at Pak Chong able to travel only toward Sikhio or Nakhon Ratchasima. Two rest areas at Thap Kwang (Kilometre 65) serving both directions will be open with toilets and drinks available, though there are no fuel stations or electric vehicle charging facilities. As the motorway remains under construction with system installation work continuing, only four-wheel passenger vehicles will be permitted, with a speed limit of 80 km/h, and motorists are advised to strictly follow traffic signs and instructions from highway officials.

Bullying emerges as possible motive in Nonthaburi school shootingLegacyPolice are examining reports that the student responsible for the school shooting in Nonthaburi today, August 7, had been regularly bullied by classmates and had developed resentment over his treatment. In the latest report, eight people have now been confirmed dead, including five teachers, the student responsible for the shooting and his two grandparents, who police found dead at their home. One of the teachers killed was a deputy school director. Another 22 people were injured and are being treated. Nine are seriously injured, including seven students and two teachers. Hone Krasae host Kanchai Kamnerdploy reported that the student first shot a teacher in his own classroom before moving to a neighbouring classroom, where he shot two more teachers and injured students. Photo via Por Tek Tueng Nonthaburi via AP A witness said that classmates regularly bullied the student and claimed teachers had not intervened to help him. The witness believed this had caused him to become resentful towards teachers. Initial police enquiries also found that the student’s parents had separated and he had lived with his grandparents since childhood. Classmates told police that he was regularly teased and physically bullied, which investigators are examining as part of the possible motive. Police believe the student took a firearm belonging to his grandfather to school intending to target classmates who had bullied him. However, the teachers were able to move those students away, after which teachers were targeted instead. Photo via Thairath Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwannachavee visited the area following the shooting and confirmed that the student turned the gun on himself. Rescue workers provided assistance, but he died while being taken to hospital. Polapee said the firearm was registered to the student’s grandfather. When officials later went to the family home, they found the student’s 73 year old grandfather and 74 year old grandmother dead. Police believe the student killed his grandparents early that morning before taking his grandfather’s gun to school and carrying out the shooting there. Investigators have not yet established why he targeted his grandparents. Photo from Sakchai Lalit via AP Information provided by a teacher presented a different picture of the student’s behaviour at school. The teacher described him as a good student who participated in activities, had friends and had not displayed aggressive behaviour. Investigators also found gaming equipment at the student’s home. Polapee said officials believed he may have spent a significant amount of time gaming, while his teacher also described him as someone who enjoyed playing games. However, the teacher said the student complied when told to stop playing and did not become aggressive. People familiar with the student also described him as polite and well-behaved. They said he tended to spend considerable time alone in his room playing games and rarely went out or had a close group of friends. Photo from Sakchai Lalit via AP Officials found no history of him taking medication for, or receiving treatment related to, mental health conditions. Investigators later examined a computer at the home and found five videos of shootings in other countries. Police said the student had watched the videos since July 30, several days before the shooting. The computer and other evidence have been taken for further examination as investigators work to determine whether the material had any connection to the student’s actions. Police are continuing to investigate what led to the incident and have not reached a conclusion on the motive. The story Bullying emerges as possible motive in Nonthaburi school shooting as seen on Thaiger News.

On August 7, 2025, Senator Premsak Piayurawat expressed profound sorrow to the families of the deceased, the injured, teachers, educators, and all students affected by the violent incident that has shocked the nation. He stated that such a tragedy should never occur in a school, as educational institutions must be spaces for learning, safety, and child development—not places filled with fear and loss.

As a senator, Piayurawat called on the government to urgently implement concrete measures to prevent similar incidents. He proposed conducting a thorough, transparent investigation with public disclosure to build public confidence, reviewing and strengthening firearm access controls and storage systems, enhancing school safety nationwide through emergency response planning and systematic drills, and developing a comprehensive mental health screening system for children and youth through collaboration between schools, parents, health agencies, and communities.

He also demanded complete rehabilitation and support for victims and families—physical, psychological, and financial—and urged all sectors of Thai society to work together to transform this tragedy into momentum for building stronger, long-term prevention measures. Piayurawat expressed his deepest condolences to the deceased and offered support to all those affected, hoping for their full recovery and healing.

Theerachai Saenkaew, an adviser to the deputy agriculture minister, has been tasked by Deputy Agriculture Minister Vatchraphol Khawkham to oversee improvements at the Agricultural Market Organization (AMO), a ministry-linked agency that links farmers to consumers and domestic and international businesses. On August 13, Theerachai and his team will visit the AMO to assess operations and provide guidance.

Theerachai said the plan calls for transforming the AMO's role beyond simple marketplace management. The deputy minister has instructed the organization to pursue more aggressive trade opportunities, increase agricultural product value, and shift toward proactive operations. This includes converting the Chatuchak market into a Smart Market that raises standards for both vendors and consumers, serves as a knowledge hub for technology and innovation, and builds sustainable futures for Thai farmers.

Theerachai noted the AMO faces severe financial strain, with accumulated losses exceeding 1.414 billion baht and total debt around 9.512 billion baht. Declining revenue, rising rental and operational costs, and competition from alternative market formats have worsened the situation. The Chatuchak branch, once ranked fourth globally by CNN in 2017 among the world's best fresh markets, has fallen into decline, with over 40% of stalls empty due to high rents and weak market atmosphere.

Theerachai said he will consult with AMO board chair Krit Uttamawet and director Aphipat Lertritthisirrkul to develop a comprehensive management improvement plan and restore the market to prosperity.

The Government Housing Bank (GHB) announced emergency relief measures on August 7 to assist customers affected by an incident at a school in Nonthaburi province. GHB Managing Director Mahatthanachai Ampormpisitr expressed the bank's condolences and commitment to supporting customers through the crisis. For severely injured customers, the bank will reduce the interest rate to 0.01% per annum for one year, after which the original rate will apply. For customers who died or became permanently disabled, the rate will be reduced to 0.01% per annum for the entire life of the loan to reduce long-term debt burden on bereaved families. Customers can request assistance at GHB branches nationwide effective immediately by contacting the GHB Call Center at 0-2645-9000 or through the bank's Facebook page and social media channels.

At 10:36 a.m. on August 7, 2025, Princess Tipangkorn Rasmichoti visited Chiang Mai Women's Prison in Muang District to offer encouragement to female inmates, accompanied by Princess Sirinatra Pilaskanya. The visit was attended by Deputy Governor Chatchawal Panya, Justice Minister General Rutpol Naorawat, and other senior officials.

Inside the prison, Justice Minister Rutpol Naorawat briefed the Princess on the Dhammanavarung 'Wang' program, a Buddhist-inspired rehabilitation initiative designed to develop inmates' moral character and deepen their spiritual understanding. Since its launch at Chiang Mai Prison in 2024, the program has trained 3,667 inmates across 18 sessions, leading to improved discipline and fewer conflicts among detainees.

One female inmate shared her moving testimony of how the program transformed her life from despair to hope. She described how the teachings on mindfulness and reflection on the Triple Gem allowed her to overcome anger and depression during incarceration. The Princess then presented commemorative gifts to inmate representatives and prison committee members.

The visit also included a tour of the 'Khok Nong Na: A Place of Compassion and Hope' exhibition, an agricultural initiative based on the late King's New Theory of Agriculture, designed to help inmates and released prisoners become self-sufficient. The Princess also inspected dental care services and royal equipment provided under the 'Royally Bestowed Prisons: Doing Good for Nation, Religion, and Monarchy' program.