A criminal court has dismissed charges against actress Pinky Sawicka Chaiyadeach, her mother Sarinee Chaiyadeach, and her brother Kittichase Chaiyadeach in a Forex-3D pyramid scheme case. Executives including Apirak Kothi and five others have been sentenced to 49,110 years imprisonment each, with two companies fined 4.911 billion baht each plus interest. On August 14, 2026, Varanan Srilum, director of the Consumer Protection Division and spokesperson for the Special Cases Investigation Bureau, explained that prosecutors must next decide whether to appeal. If no appeal is filed, prosecutors must report to the DSI director, who may then either accept the decision or request the Supreme Prosecutor to decide. Theeruyut Kaewsingh, Deputy Director of the Defense Rights Protection Department, outlined compensation criteria for acquitted defendants under the Compensation Act for Injured Persons and Relief for Accused Persons in Criminal Cases of 2001 and its 2016 amendment. He stated that dismissal on grounds of reasonable doubt does not disqualify defendants from seeking compensation, but payment can only occur once a case becomes final with no further appeals. Compensation is calculated at 500 baht per day of detention from the date of custody. He explained that defendants must submit case finality documents and the court's acquittal judgment to the committee, which will review details of the court's ruling to determine if the defendant had no involvement in the offense. Previously, the Defense Rights Protection Department has awarded compensation to acquitted defendants under this law.

Knight Club Capital Holding Public Company Limited (KCC) reported net profit of 334.72 million baht for the first half of 2025, a 198% increase from 112.43 million baht in the same period last year, representing nearly threefold growth. Operating revenue reached 547.29 million baht, up 137% from 231.06 million baht, with the main driver being other operating income, which surged from 0.36 million baht to 422.28 million baht due to recognition of gains on fair value adjustment of investments and dividend income received.

Interest income from credit extended to borrowers increased to 117.57 million baht, while the company began recognizing interest income from loans—a new revenue stream of 4.65 million baht. Gains from the sale of non-performing assets also rose to 3.64 million baht, reflecting the company's expansion of its asset base and revenue creation from new business opportunities alongside its core business. Net profit margin improved from 48% to 61%, demonstrating enhanced profitability from the expanded revenue base.

KCC continues to expand its non-performing loan portfolio, focusing on secured credit borrowers—a segment in which the company has management expertise. During the first six months, the company invested 330 million baht in the NPL portfolio, increasing its earning assets and supporting future interest income growth. The company is also realizing results from its investment portfolio diversification strategy, with investment sales and dividend income supplementing earnings, while non-performing asset sales have strengthened considerably, increasing more than fourfold year-on-year.

Second-quarter net profit was 68.39 million baht, down 31% from the prior year quarter, which benefited from a one-time gain of 116.99 million baht from the closure of a major corporate credit account. The company's board approved an interim dividend of 0.065 baht per share, reflecting strong first-half results and the company's solid financial position and cash flow.

A man with chronic back pain for three years who could not find relief through orthopedic treatment was eventually diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer that had spread to his spine.

Early-stage prostate cancer typically shows no clear symptoms, leading many patients to discover the disease only after urinary problems or bone pain develops. According to a report, a 62-year-old factory owner underwent continuous orthopedic treatment for 2–3 years without finding the true cause of his pain.

Recently, when he developed urinary difficulties and weak urine flow, he consulted a urologist. Testing revealed stage 4 prostate cancer with cancer cells that had already metastasized to his spine. This revealed that his years of recurring back pain was not caused by bone or joint disease but by metastatic prostate cancer.

Dr. Gu Fangyu, Chief Director of Gujia Medical and the physician caring for this patient, explained that early-stage prostate cancer typically progresses slowly. Most patients have no symptoms at all. Even when urinary symptoms appear—such as weak urine flow, narrow stream, or frequent nighttime urination—patients often attribute these to aging or benign prostate enlargement, missing the opportunity for early detection.

This patient had a PSA value of approximately 10–11, which is higher than the reference range of 4–10 that doctors typically use as a benchmark. However, Dr. Gu noted that a high-precision MRI of the prostate was needed to identify suspicious lesions.

Dr. Gu stated that PSA is a widely used screening tool for prostate cancer that helps identify at-risk individuals. However, because PSA testing is highly sensitive, benign prostate enlargement or inflammation can also elevate PSA levels. Therefore, PSA results must be evaluated together with other diagnostic tests.

When abnormal PSA values are found, more accurate diagnostic methods are now available to help determine whether a patient needs a biopsy. The key to successfully treating prostate cancer is "early detection." Stage 1 and 2 prostate cancer, when treated promptly, has a high cure rate.

However, Dr. Gu noted that when cancer has spread to bone, lymph nodes, or other organs, treatment becomes more difficult, and the five-year survival rate may drop to approximately 30–50%.

In particular, bone is a common site for prostate cancer metastasis. Patients may experience prolonged lower back pain or hip bone pain but mistakenly attribute it to age-related degeneration or muscle and bone problems, potentially delaying diagnosis.

Taiwan's Department of Health and Welfare plans to launch a pilot prostate cancer screening program next year. Dr. Gu recommends that men aged 50 and older, as well as those aged 45 and older in high-risk groups—such as those with a family history of prostate cancer or BRCA gene mutations—should undergo regular screening.

If abnormal PSA levels are detected, there is no need to panic excessively. Patients should promptly seek a detailed evaluation from a urologist. If necessary, additional testing with PHI (Prostate Health Index) or high-resolution MRI may help identify clinically significant lesions early and improve the chances of receiving treatment at the optimal time.

The government has set October 1, 2025, as the launch date for registrations in the Thailand Travel Plus 2025 program via the Pao Tang application. The scheme uses a co-payment model covering accommodation and travel coupons, with support capped at 3,000 baht per benefit across a maximum of 500,000 slots nationwide.

Benefits include state subsidy of 50% of hotel and lodging costs (with participants covering the remaining 50%), digital travel coupons worth 500 baht per benefit (potentially increased to 1,000 baht), and a maximum of five benefits per traveler. The program is available countrywide for both secondary and major cities, on weekdays and public holidays alike, and covers hotels, restaurants, attractions, OTOP shops, and other tourism services.

Eligibility requires Thai citizenship, age 18 or above at the time of registration, a valid national ID card, and no suspension from other government assistance programs. Participants should update the Pao Tang app to the latest version and complete identity verification (KYC) with G-Wallet linked before registering. The details remain preliminary pending cabinet approval by the end of August.

On August 14, Deputy Interior Ministers Pol Pheera Suwannachui and Worasit Liengprasit arrived at Koh Phangan District in Surat Thani to investigate and address the problem of foreign land ownership through nominee arrangements. They met with district officials, provincial authorities, and representatives from tourism, commerce, and immigration agencies. Pol Pheera stated that despite previous visits by senior officials, no progress had been made, prompting this follow-up inspection to tackle illegal nominee arrangements, foreign labor issues, and improper business registrations on the island.

The investigation revealed 104 foreign-controlled companies illegally holding 124 land parcels, with foreigners owning more than half the shares in each. Pol Pheera pledged that Thai territory must belong to Thais and that foreigners should not be allowed to monopolize land, businesses, or livelihoods. He emphasized that authorities would pursue every case of foreign ownership violating Thai law, particularly illegal hotels and commercial establishments operating outside the system and failing to report guest information to immigration.

Pol Pheera expressed frustration that some hotel operators deliberately avoid legal registration to reduce costs below legitimate businesses, allowing foreign investors to thrive while Thai workers suffer. He acknowledged Koh Phangan's unique situation, with approximately 45,000 hidden foreign residents, including 20,000 foreign laborers, many of whom work illegally and displace Thai workers. He called for coordination with the Labor Ministry to upskill Thai workers in the tourism sector to ensure they can compete for jobs and earn income, and he committed to enforcing the law regardless of investment size or resort ownership.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in partnership with Charoen Pokphand Group and affiliated companies, is calling on Thai nature lovers to enter the 32nd annual 'Wildlife Has Value, Forests Matter' photography competition. Participants are invited to submit photographs of Thai wildlife and forests, as well as video clips, as part of an initiative to raise awareness about conservation and environmental protection. The competition carries royal patronage and offers total prizes exceeding 850,000 baht. Registration is open from now until August 31, 2025. For more information, call 02-858-6279 or visit www.trueplookpanya.com/event/photocontest/login to submit entries.