Bangkok Hospital's main headquarters is advancing toward establishing a Medical Robot Hub, a center for medical robotics innovation at the Asia-Pacific level, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with D-Wise Technologies (Thailand) Limited. This partnership aims to build on existing knowledge and develop standards for robotic-assisted surgery (Robotic Surgery) following the hospital's experience treating patients with da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery technology in over 1,000 cases. The collaboration seeks to enhance the capabilities of Thai surgeons through education, training, and experience sharing to elevate Thailand's surgical standards to international levels and achieve better treatment outcomes for patients.

Dr. Akkhakitti Surakan, Deputy Director of Bangkok Hospital, stated that the hospital prioritizes medical technology alongside staff development. The experience from over 1,000 robotic-assisted surgery cases has generated valuable knowledge and specialized skill development for the surgical team, helping to raise the standards of surgical care. This collaboration represents an important step in building a robotic surgery learning system to provide patients with more effective and safer treatment.

Under the one-year MOU, both parties will collaborate on several key projects including establishing an In-house Robotic Training Center for Robotic Surgery within the hospital, developing surgeons and experts through training with International and In-house Proctorship Programs, establishing patient care standards, developing infrastructure and surgical simulation systems, and organizing the BDMS Robotic Surgery Annual Meeting 2026 on August 10, 2026, under the theme "1,000 Cases Celebration & Scientific Session" to provide a forum for knowledge exchange among domestic and international experts.

Dr. Chanin Pandi, Director of the Surgery Center at Bangkok Hospital and an experienced laparoscopic and robotic surgeon, revealed that the hospital currently uses da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery for treating complex patients in over 1,000 cases, covering abdominal, lung, thoracic, gynecological, and urological procedures. Over the past three years, Bangkok Hospital's main headquarters has performed 547 abdominal surgeries, 237 lung surgeries, 131 gynecological surgeries, and 92 urological procedures (kidney and prostate) as of June 2026. This technology enables precise surgical targeting, reduces bleeding, minimizes tissue damage, lowers infection risk, and allows patients to recover faster with shorter hospital stays and quicker return to daily activities. The hospital emphasizes multidisciplinary care that combines medical expertise with robotic medical technology to provide personalized care from diagnosis through surgery, rehabilitation, and continuous follow-up.

Known as the "King of Food Content," Kitikorn Penroajn, CEO of Helicopnia H Group, has launched "Taste for Money," a new project partnering the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and Channel 7HD. The show sets an extreme challenge for chefs to minimize seasoning use while drawing out authentic flavors from raw ingredients, incorporating practical healthy cooking techniques. Kitikorn believes this is Thailand's first such program—and possibly the world's first—where chefs cook with the absolute minimum seasoning in exchange for prize money while promoting viewer health.

The concept emerged from discussions with health authorities who wanted a program that educates viewers about nutrition, since most modern health problems stem from diet. Excessive seasoning can harm the body, so the show demonstrates that reducing seasoning actually allows food's natural flavors to shine and marks the beginning of better health. The challenge excites chefs who normally rely heavily on seasonings; now they must find alternative techniques, such as using naturally sweet vegetables instead of sugar, or seaweed to enhance umami instead of fish sauce.

When chefs learned the rules, some initially worried, but the 50,000-baht prize motivated them. However, Kitikorn noted he sells additional seasoning in the show at premium prices—up to 15,000 baht per item—yet competitors work hard to avoid buying it, extracting maximum flavor from ingredients alone. He confirmed that bland or lightly seasoned food can taste excellent when chefs master flavor balance. Each 20-episode season features different health-focused themes, such as dishes for those at risk of diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure. Judging focuses solely on taste, since seasoning quantities are pre-set; any additional seasoning must be purchased. The competitors are well-known chefs from MasterChef, Top Chef, and other popular Thai cooking shows.

Labour union leader Sawit Kaewwan, president of the Thai Labour Harmony Association (SLRB), led a delegation to meet with Piphatchai Paiboon, spokesman for the Ministry of Labour, on August 3, 2024, to discuss objections to the CARE formula for calculating retirement benefits under the social security system. The union expressed concern that this approach may negatively impact insured workers' rights and called for a thorough government review.

Piphatchai stated that the ministry invited all relevant parties to discuss the matter and allow for an exchange of views on the concerns raised. He acknowledged that while many points of contention were clarified during the meeting, some issues remain unclear. The labour group is scheduled to meet with Labour Minister Julphan Amornvivat at Government House on August 4 to discuss the matter further.

The key point of disagreement centres on how to calculate the 180-day baseline period. One side argues that using only the final 180 days protects workers in case salaries drop, while the other contends that including earlier data from day one provides better security and certainty, even if recent salary reductions affect the calculation.

Sawit stated that the formula appears unfair and reflected concerns from multiple stakeholders. He argued that averaging all salary data will only reduce benefits, not increase them, and that using job uncertainty as justification contradicts the Labour Ministry's core mandate to protect workers and ensure social welfare. He also cautioned that assuming future employment patterns—such as variable hours or unpredictable income—may not align with reality and could lead to flawed policy design.

After extensive discussions, no consensus has been reached, as each side maintains that its proposed approach is correct and fair. The social security office also claims to uphold fairness principles but has yet to establish a universally accepted standard.

On August 3, 2026, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan Yasothon (Technic Rajsittharam) issued a statement regarding an incident in which a vehicle was damaged. The college expressed regret and concern over the incident involving a former student, clarifying that the act was purely personal and not undertaken on behalf of the institution or as a result of any college policy or operational directive. The college does not support any actions that damage others' property or affect the peace and image of the educational institution. It emphasized its commitment to instilling integrity, ethics, responsibility, and respect for others' rights and property among all students and alumni. The college apologized to those affected and called on all parties to report information about the incident carefully, without generalizing it to the college's students, staff, or personnel as a whole, since it was an individual's personal action. The college stated it is ready to cooperate with relevant authorities in accordance with government procedures and regulations to ensure the facts are presented correctly and fairly to all parties. The statement was issued by Surasak Kaewheid, Director of Rajamangala University of Technology Isan Yasothon, on August 3, 2026.

PHUKET — On August 3, 2026, a pickup truck released thick white smoke that covered a road leading up Kata Hill in Phuket, alarming drivers and sparking online debate about what caused the incident.

Dashcam footage posted on a local Facebook page showed a large plume of white smoke billowing continuously from a vehicle on the road up Kata Hill in Karon subdistrict, Muang district, Phuket.

The incident alarmed motorists traveling behind the truck, as the thick smoke spread across the road and reduced visibility. Drivers were forced to slow down and drive with extra caution to avoid accidents.

The Facebook post accompanying the footage asked: "A vehicle is spewing smoke all over the road on the way up Kata Hill. What caused this? Could the engine have overheated?"

Pol. Col. Pathapee Srichai, commander of Karon Police Station, later confirmed that the vehicle was a closed-body pickup truck. Engine damage caused the large amount of white smoke to pour from the vehicle, he said.

The vehicle owner then called a recovery truck to remove the pickup and take it to a repair shop. Traffic in the area returned to normal afterward.

Police advised motorists to perform regular maintenance checks on their vehicles, especially the engine, before driving. Such checks can prevent breakdowns that endanger drivers and others on the road and help reduce accident risk, police said.

PHUKET: Phuket officials have recognised 24 local businesses under its “Phuket Rising Brand 2026” programme, as the province pushes entrepreneurs to strengthen their brands and compete in national and international markets.