On August 17, 2024, a Facebook video posted by a user sparked widespread online criticism after showing a shirtless man with apparent intoxication cycling to a community shrine at Bamrung Tham Temple in Market Subdistrict, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima. The man removed gold silk scarves, tricolored cloths, and flower garlands placed by worshippers at the shrine. The incident occurred around 8:51 PM on August 15. The suspect also drank a bottle of red ceremonial liquid left by villagers before attempting to lift the main shrine figure but abandoning the effort due to its weight. He then grabbed a smaller brass statue of the local deity, placed it in his bicycle basket, and rode away. The statue was later found abandoned on a sidewalk about one kilometer from the shrine and was recovered by residents and police.

The video spread widely on social media, drawing over 1,000 shares and numerous critical comments. Residents demanded authorities pursue the suspect, arguing that the shrine and deity statue are sacred community symbols worthy of protection. When a news reporter and local officials visited the site, accompanied by Subdistrict Administrator Sanung Khaipoet, Village Headman Theeraphong Changpoet, and witness Visnu Khaipoet, the removed cloths and garlands remained scattered below the shrine.

Witness Visnu Khaipoet recounted that after being alerted by a concerned citizen, he rushed to the site but found the suspect had already fled. He pursued the man on his motorcycle and spotted him cycling with the brass statue in the basket. The suspect wore a pink shirt and short pants and appeared intoxicated with slurred speech. Visnu recorded video evidence but did not apprehend him due to safety concerns. Early on August 16, the brass statue was discovered abandoned on a sidewalk near a factory and was returned to the shrine.

Local officials have vowed to coordinate with police to pursue the suspect for investigation and legal action. They have also called on the culprit to come forward, apologize to the shrine and its sacred figures, and seek forgiveness from the community, as these items are considered protective deities of Nakhon Ratchasima.

On August 17, a Facebook user named Surasak Hongthong posted about discovering a large whale carcass behind Samet Island and shared video footage of the find. The carcass was later identified as a large Bryde's whale lodged among rocks around Samet Island in Sametsarai Subdistrict, Satahip District, Chonburi Province. Local fishermen and residents reported the discovery to authorities.

Wuttipong Wonginthorn, director of the Marine Resource Conservation Section at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Office 2 (Chonburi), confirmed the report. The whale carcass is in a decomposed state, emitting a foul odor, with portions of skin burned by sun exposure. It remains lodged against rocks near the island. The sex, age, and cause of death are currently unknown.

Following notification of the discovery, Pinsak Surasavadee, director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, ordered the department's regional office to proceed with recovery operations in coordination with the Naval Area Command Region 1, the Royal Thai Navy, the Naval Special Warfare Command, veterinarians from the Upper Gulf of Thailand Research Center, and local conservation networks.

Recovery operations were scheduled for August 18, involving the transport of the whale carcass from Samet Island to Haad Yai Beach in Sametsarai Subdistrict. After recovery, a necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, with tissue samples, biological samples, and other evidence collected for laboratory analysis and genetic comparison.

If the investigation determines the whale died from human-related causes or an illegal act, relevant agencies will gather evidence and pursue legal action. After the necropsy and sample collection, the remains will be handled according to scientific and sanitary standards. The Bryde's whale skeleton will be processed for conservation and future display as an educational resource on rare marine animals and coastal resources of Chonburi Province.

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources urges the public and tourists to report any sightings of rare marine animals or stranded creatures to the department or hotline 1362 so officials can properly investigate, document, and provide appropriate assistance.

A large peacock-tail tree at Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya province suddenly snapped and fell on August 17, injuring four Spanish tourists who were sightseeing at the historic site. All four were transported to Ayutthaya Hospital at 12:30 p.m. Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Panchejarerivakul visited the scene and the injured tourists. One male tourist sustained serious injuries requiring surgery and is currently in intensive care, while one female tourist remains hospitalized for observation. The other two tourists suffered only minor abrasions and were discharged after treatment. The minister has directed relevant agencies to coordinate with the Department of Fine Arts and Historical Parks to urgently survey and assess the strength of all large trees along visitor pathways and within the monument grounds. Appropriate safety measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents, and the ministry will ensure the best possible care and treatment for the injured tourists to demonstrate Thailand's effective emergency response system and commitment to visitor safety.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived in Sydney on August 17 at 10 p.m. local time (3 hours ahead of Thailand) for an official visit to Australia between August 17-20, at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The visit aims to advance the Thailand-Australia strategic partnership into concrete results and promote comprehensive bilateral cooperation.

Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Michael John Daley, the New South Wales Attorney-General representing the state Governor, Laura Thomson, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Diplomatic Protocol Division of the Prime Minister's Office, and other Australian federal and state officials. A formal reception is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, at the Australian Government House.

On August 18, the Prime Minister has a full schedule in Sydney. In the morning, he will pay respects to the New South Wales Governor at Government House, then deliver a speech at the Lowy Institute, an influential Australian international policy research organization, presenting Thailand's vision for Thailand-Australia relations and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Afterward, the Prime Minister will meet with the Thai community and visit Thai Town to hear their views and reconnect with Thai nationals in Australia. He will then meet with executives at Canva Pty Ltd., a leading Australian technology company, and tour their offices to discuss digital technology, innovation, and opportunities for digital economic cooperation between the two countries.

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister will attend a business networking reception at Crown Sydney hotel to strengthen business links and create trade and investment opportunities between Thai and Australian private sectors. He will have dinner with the Thai business community before traveling to Canberra, arriving at Fairbairn Airport at 9:30 p.m.

"This visit to Australia is an important opportunity to strengthen Thailand-Australia relations across all dimensions," the government spokesperson said. "The government is committed to translating the strategic partnership into concrete cooperation in economics, security, clean energy, technology, and innovation, while creating benefits and new opportunities for businesses and people of both countries."

On August 17, 2025 at 4:30 p.m., Pa Da clarified her position regarding her appointment as estate administrator for the disputed land title deed, stating that if investigation confirms the land belongs to the temple, the family is ready to accept this outcome. She emphasized: "If it turns out to be the temple's property, we accept the rules." Regarding the land title deed, Pa Da said she will proceed with verification and that senior officials under the monastic hierarchy will also conduct an inspection. She noted that a previous investigation conducted 2-3 years ago found that Wat Pa Adulayaram was not listed in the temple register, which prompted the family to pursue further investigation. Pa Da stressed that the family does not wish to seize temple land, as they are not in such dire circumstances, but merely wish to exercise their own rights. She questioned: "If your ancestors left you a title deed like this, wouldn't you follow up? If a donation was made but remains under your grandfather's name, would you just abandon it?"

Regarding the source of the land donation, Pa Da stated that a man named Hiang donated the land on August 17, 1990, before Hiang passed away on December 15, 1991. At that time, "it was not yet a temple and had not been constructed." Therefore, the matter must be reconsidered from the perspective of land law and property rights. Since the land was originally owned by Hiang's ancestors, property rights and the executed agreement must be verified. The agreement contained conditional terms, and Hiang died before the temple was even completed.

Pa Da views this as a land law matter requiring application of relevant land laws and ministerial regulations. However, if the investigation confirms the land rightfully belongs to the temple, Pa Da affirmed that the family has no objection and is prepared to accept. She stated: "If investigation proves it correct, the temple has no problem, it is a perfect temple, the heirs have no problem and will not object."

She reiterated her position: "I have no problem, but the property rights belong to our family and our ancestors, so we must pursue this. Whatever the outcome, we must wait." She also appealed to public opinion criticizing the family, saying: "The family is not a ghost or spirit coming to seize property," and counter-questioned: "If your ancestors came to tour, had a title deed like this, would you agree to give it up?"

Pa Da also noted that since this is a dispute between the temple and heirs, she does not understand why the heirs were not called to participate in the investigation. Regarding the family's earlier investigation that found "the name was not in the temple register, so we thought it was not a temple, but the temple's condition was not okay." When asked if she orchestrated the disruption inside the temple, she simply stated: "I am in Bangkok."

When questioned whether Pa Da was a hired debt collector, land broker, or agent, she declined to answer directly but stated that she would not engage in anything improper. Similarly, regarding allegations that women were hired to find monks in the temple to fabricate evidence, Pa Da said she does not know about this and suggested asking local residents who would know the facts. She remarked: "The most unacceptable behavior is a monk having a wife."

Furthermore, Pa Da addressed allegations that she wore a hijab and brought valuables.

Rising 69 meters above Bangkok, the Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Thep Mongkol is the largest Buddha statue in Bangkok and the third-tallest statue in Thailand. The monumental Buddha statue stands at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen in Bangkok and has become one of the temple's most prominent landmarks.

The idea to build the statue was initiated in 2016 by Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangkalachan, the ninth abbot of Wat Paknam, as an offering to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, as well as a royal merit-making dedication to members of the Thai royal family. Construction began on March 4, 2017, and was completed in 2019. The statue was named Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Thep Mongkol by Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangkalachan.

Depicting the Buddha in the meditation posture, the statue faces north and measures 69 meters from its base to the top of its head. Its lap spans 40 meters. One of its most remarkable features is its material. The entire statue was cast from 99.99% pure copper, making it the first giant Buddha statue in the world to be constructed entirely from this material, according to the temple.

The statue's immense scale and distinctive copper surface make it particularly striking against Bangkok's urban landscape. Visitors to Wat Paknam can see the Buddha towering above the temple grounds and surrounding neighborhoods. Today, Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Thep Mongkol is not only a place of Buddhist devotion but also one of Bangkok's most recognizable monumental works of religious art.