Kasetsart University's Kamphaengphaet campus in Nakhon Pathom Province held its Mother's Day rice-planting ceremony on August 7, 2025, with Arthawut Phuengniam, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Pathom, as the official opener. The event attracted over 5,000 participants from government, private, and local administrative sectors, reflecting collective commitment to preserving Thai agricultural heritage while advancing sustainable farming knowledge.

The ceremony began with a tribute ritual and rice-blessing ceremony before participants planted Rice Berry rice—a dark purple variety with high antioxidant content developed by the university's Rice Science Center—across 13.5 rai of farmland. This represented the 21st consecutive year of the project, honoring the late Queen Sirikit and Mother's Day while integrating university agricultural research with traditional Thai farming wisdom in line with the philosophy of sufficiency economy and new theory farming.

Rice Berry was selected for its exceptional nutritional value and international recognition as a research application with genuine social and economic impact. The project integrated cooperation among the university, provincial and local authorities, educational institutions, private entities, and communities to preserve farming traditions, strengthen farmer livelihoods, and promote environmentally friendly agriculture. The university also emphasized research into rice varieties resilient to climate change, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation while enhancing food security in alignment with Thailand's transition toward a low-carbon society and sustainable development goals.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nithithamonthon has announced progress on the clean energy transition plan funded by 200 billion baht from a 400 billion baht borrowing decree. Beyond supporting rooftop solar installations for the public, a portion will be used to convert public transport vehicles to electric vehicles. Ekniti has assigned Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Lawon Saengsan to oversee and guide the initiative, with the Finance Ministry prioritizing public transport vehicles first because they have high system usage and broad public impact.

The project aims to remove old vehicles that emit PM2.5 and carbon dioxide from circulation, helping reduce energy consumption and air pollution comprehensively. Old vehicles will undergo deregistration with details to be discussed with the Transport Ministry. The transition will cover vans, taxis, buses, and provincial buses across all regions.

For managing scrapped vehicles, discussions with the Industry Ministry are underway to identify qualified companies and public agencies capable of vehicle dismantling. Private sector discussions have shown that private firms already have standardized vehicle recycling systems and could take a lead role in dismantling and processing old vehicles. Biodiesel B20 vehicles are also under consideration to reduce agricultural sector impact and domestic fuel dependency. The government is also exploring a vehicle trade-in program for new vehicles.

The Finance Ministry and the Revenue Department are currently coordinating with the Industry Ministry to address remaining implementation issues. The existing EV 3.5 subsidy measure remains in place, offering approximately 50,000 baht per vehicle. However, the primary focus will be on converting public transport vehicles to electric before other categories, given their broad impact. Detailed budget allocation has not yet been determined.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau announced on August 10 the arrest of four suspects—Charuwanna (44), Chai (48), Jaroen (36), and Bunyong (41)—along with the seizure of crystal methamphetamine packed in 40 colorful sacks weighing a total of 1,000 kilograms. Two gray Isuzu D-Max pickup trucks with red-plate registrations from Phrae Province were also impounded during the operation.

According to Police Lieutenant General Sayam Boonserm, the investigation stemmed from earlier drug busts on March 8 and July 26, when authorities arrested traffickers from the same network. Through follow-up leads, investigators identified a major drug trafficking operation smuggling crystal meth from northern Thailand for distribution in Bangkok and its suburbs. The suspects were intercepted at 4 p.m. on August 8 at a gas station on the Nakhon Sawan–Chainat Road in Manao District, Chainat Province, while transporting the drugs into Bangkok. One vehicle was carrying cabbage as cover, with the methamphetamine hidden beneath the produce.

Investigators learned the network sourced drugs from Chiang Khao District, Phayao Province, through natural border routes. The smugglers were paid 2 million baht per shipment with a 90,000-baht deposit, with the promise of an additional 1 million baht upon successful delivery. All four suspects confessed during questioning. They face charges of drug trafficking in Category 1 (methamphetamine), possession with intent to distribute without authorization, commercial drug sales, and endangering national security and public safety. The case has been handed to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau for further prosecution.

The Permanent Secretary of the Interior has coordinated with police and local administrators to establish special gun-detection checkpoints at government buildings and crowded public areas. At 4 p.m. on August 10, 2025, at the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani convention center, Arutsit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, announced that the Prime Minister has ordered police and local authorities to work together in setting up checkpoints for special weapons detection. These operations were already ongoing, but must now be significantly intensified due to recent incidents. Most firearms involved in recent attacks have been registered weapons rather than illegal ones, as in the case of the Debsirin Nonthaburi school shooting where a student used his grandfather's gun, and today's shooting of a Nonthaburi provincial administrator also involved a registered weapon. This requires special scrutiny. The Prime Minister has banned all civilians from carrying firearms, particularly suspending the issuance of Form 12 gun permits entirely, meaning anyone found carrying a weapon will be arrested on the spot. Provincial governors were notified today during this meeting. Government buildings and high-traffic public areas will require special weapons screening before entry, as today's shooting targeted a provincial administrative office, necessitating heightened vigilance and screening measures. When asked whether a formal Ministry of Interior announcement would be issued to formally reinforce the gun-carrying ban, Arutsit stated that such an announcement had already been made, though a nationwide meeting of provincial governors is being considered.

CHONBURI — Pattaya City has temporarily suspended six people from duty after tourists allegedly were asked to pay 2,000-3,000 baht without receiving official fine documents or receipts. The allegations involve people dressed similarly to Pattaya City special affairs officers at Bali Hai Pier. Tourists, business operators and tour guides reportedly complained that they had been taken into a tent and accused of offences including loud motorcycle exhausts and smoking before being asked to pay money.

On 9 August, footage reportedly showed a tourist placing money on a table in front of officials. However, Pattaya City said it was still investigating whether the money was an official fine or payment for another purpose, and whether the people involved had the legal authority to collect it.

On 10 August, Pattaya City permanent secretary Kiatthisak Sriwongchai said the city had been informed of the incident on 9 August and immediately ordered an investigation. A preliminary investigation identified six people involved: three Pattaya City officials, including two municipal officers and another officer seen in the footage, and three outsourced workers hired to help maintain order in the area. All six have been temporarily removed from their assigned duties while the investigation proceeds.

Pattaya City will take action on two fronts. The responsible department has been instructed to prepare a report for filing a police complaint if wrongdoing is found, while a fact-finding committee has been established in accordance with regulations. The investigation is expected to be completed within about two weeks to establish the facts quickly and ensure transparency.

For the three outsourced workers, Pattaya City will summon their contractor to acknowledge the findings and take appropriate action. Government officials involved may also be transferred from their current area of responsibility while the investigation is underway.

Kiatthisak said loud motorcycle exhausts did not fall directly under Pattaya City's authority and such offences must be handled by agencies such as police and the Department of Land Transport under relevant laws. He stressed that Pattaya City officials have the authority to arrest in certain circumstances but do not have the authority to impose fines. Kiatthisak apologized to residents and tourists over the incident and said Pattaya City had consistently instructed its officials to perform their duties properly.

Kasetsart University is hosting the "KU Thai Textile Fest 2026" to honor Her Late Majesty Queen Sirikit and promote Thai textiles as cultural heritage and soft power in the creative economy. The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, together with the Marketing Department and College of Business Administration, invites students, staff, and the public to experience the distinctive beauty of Thai fabrics under the theme "Reviving Heritage, Inspiring the Future: Continuing Thai Textile Heritage Toward Future Inspiration."

The event celebrates and commemorates the late Queen's dedication to preserving, reviving, and promoting Thai textiles as a national intellectual heritage. It takes place August 10–11, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Kasetsart University's student development building.

The festival features cultural activities blending traditional Thai wisdom with contemporary fashion trends, including regional Thai clothing displays from all four regions, a fashion show showcasing Thai dress under the concept "From the Palace to the People," and an academic seminar on "Thai Dress as Soft Power: Cultural Marketing in the Creative Economy" featuring collaboration with the leading brand SUPA East Glamor on August 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Attendees can participate in special workshops on Thai dressing techniques without sewing, Bangkok-style sabai wearing, adapted traditional lower garment styles, and tie-dye activities where participants take home their creations. The festival also features a vintage market selling Thai textile products, a Thai dress photo studio, and offers free entry for all visitors.