The Election Commission has upgraded its news operations by establishing news teams in every province and compiling lists of vote brokers and influential figures to prevent election fraud. Election Commissioner Sittichai Inthrawisai announced the plan following a workshop on August 14, 2025, at Centara Life Ratchada Government Center, aimed at strengthening information gathering to prevent violations of election law, investigations, prosecutions, and court proceedings.

Sittichai explained that the commission invited intelligence units from across the country—including the National Intelligence Agency, police, and navy—as well as the Interior Ministry, all of which have networks in every province. He noted that elections at all levels face persistent problems with vote buying, vote selling, and other fraudulent practices, but the Election Commission lacks its own field operatives. To address this gap, the commission is requesting cooperation from these national intelligence bodies, which have the legal authority to assist.

The commissioner stated that once nationwide agreement is reached on procedures, the Election Commission will establish its own news operations system by setting up news teams in every province, leveraging legal authority to seek intelligence cooperation and build formal news-gathering infrastructure. He added that the law allows the commission to allocate a budget for these activities to ensure fair and just elections. He described this day as the start of the commission's proactive news operations effort, expecting it to improve future elections and reduce vote buying.

When asked whether the system can be deployed immediately in the Udon Thani House by-election, Sittichai confirmed that he has assigned two deputies to oversee upcoming elections in Udon Thani, Kalasin, Nonthaburi, and Khon Kaen, requiring new approaches rather than repeating past methods. The commission will take preventive action before elections whenever possible and issue urgent measures, while developing a formal long-term system.

Regarding whether high-risk areas will be identified, Sittichai said the commission must establish a work system for that purpose. One planned element is gathering provincial data on vote brokers and influential figures and creating lists of them. With this information, management becomes easier, allowing the commission to target resources effectively based on each area's level of risk.

PROUD reported Q2 2025 revenue of 1,729 million baht with net profit of 106 million baht, a 314% increase from 25 million baht in the same quarter last year. First-half 2025 revenue totaled 2,994 million baht with net profit of 161 million baht, up 78% from 90 million baht in the prior-year period.

The growth was driven by handovers of the Ramya Convent project, which began in May 2025, alongside continued transfers of the Veha Hua Hin project. This increased the proportion of self-developed project revenue and significantly boosted profitability. PROUD also managed project development costs, investments, construction quality, operating expenses, and financing efficiently, lifting the net profit margin in Q2 2025 to 6.2% from 1.2% a year earlier.

The results came amid an uneven real estate market recovery, with national transaction volumes and values growing 11.2% and 3.1% respectively in Q1 2025, yet land allocation and construction licenses falling 45.7% and 50.2%. This underscored PROUD's success with its strategy of focusing on premium, distinctive projects over price and volume competition.

As of June 30, 2025, PROUD's sales pending transfer (backlog) totaled 4,008 million baht, to be recognized as revenue from 2025 through 2027. The company also reduced its interest-bearing debt-to-equity ratio to 1.1 times from 1.9 times at end-2024, lowering financing costs and further boosting net margins, while maintaining a strong cash position to support expansion and new projects.

"Although the overall real estate market faces economic and purchasing-power headwinds, we are confident the second half will deliver continued growth from accelerated Ramya Convent handovers and our strong-quality backlog," said Pasutt Liptpullarp, managing director of PROUD.

BANGKOK — Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya presided over the 2026 Symposium on "Developing Knowledge for Product Development Towards International Standards" at ICONSIAM Hall in Bangkok on August 13.

The event featured the launch of the Thai Textiles Trend Book Spring/Summer 2027, the seventh edition of the annual publication for which Princess Sirivannavari serves as executive editor.

The publication applies her vision under the "Thai textiles: Wearing with Fun" project to promote Thai fabrics and designs on the international stage. The latest edition is centered on the theme "Reimagination," reflecting global changes and emphasizing culture as a tool for communication and connecting people in the modern world.

Princess Sirivannavari later delivered a lecture on "Promoting and Developing the Image of Thai Textiles Towards International Standards 2026."

Bangkok — Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is in talks with Roblox over stronger safety and child protection measures on the gaming platform, including the possible use of Thailand's National Digital ID system to verify users' identities and ages.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob chaired an online meeting with Edward Palmieri, Senior Director of Public Policy at Roblox Corporation, the operator of the Roblox gaming platform. Also attending were Chomparee Chomphurat, deputy permanent secretary of the ministry; Dr. Chaiyachana Mitrphun, director of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA); representatives from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa); and Asia Group Advisors.

Chaichanok said the meeting focused on safety and child protection measures on Roblox, including age restrictions and age-based filtering, facial age estimation technology, chat moderation systems to detect inappropriate messages, and Roblox's plan to implement measures based on the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) rating system in 2027.

He said protecting children and young people on digital platforms was an urgent issue requiring cooperation from all parties, not just government agencies but also platform operators. The ministry is prepared to promote digital technology and gaming platforms as part of a safer digital ecosystem, with the aim of improving user verification, protecting children and young people, and encouraging responsible use of artificial intelligence.

"These efforts are intended to build long-term confidence among users, families and Thai society," Chaichanok said.

The minister also proposed studying the feasibility of verifying users who wish to access Roblox by linking Thailand's National Digital ID/KYC system with Roblox user accounts. Such a system could significantly improve the accuracy of users' identity and age verification while giving parents greater confidence in their children's online safety.

Roblox also presented its Family Zone, an in-platform community designed to help parents understand gaming systems and child safety, as well as provide learning resources on AI and coding. Chaichanok said he believed developing such campaigns could allow parents and children to learn together about using technology safely in the digital world.

"For the initial phase, a joint working group will be established to study a user verification system for Thailand so that concrete results can be achieved," Chaichanok said. "For the next phase, I have proposed studying the use of pre-scan tools to check content before publication, analysing game and user history logs, and using AI to analyse factors that could lead to risky behaviour.

"This would allow us to take proactive preventive measures rather than addressing problems after an incident has occurred." He said all tools would have to be carefully assessed for their suitability and potential impact on users' privacy.

Deputy Prime Minister Yotchanat Wongsawat ordered heightened security at educational institutions on August 14 after a string of threatening and violent messages were sent to schools nationwide. Speaking at Government House, Yotchanat, who oversees the Education Ministry, said authorities have received reports and are implementing cabinet resolutions. Education Minister Prasert Chantharangthong proposed directives for affected schools across provincial, Interior Ministry, Defence Ministry, and Higher Education Ministry groups, instructing school directors and university leaders to coordinate on communications regarding the incidents.

When asked if police and security agencies would be enlisted, Yotchanat said security forces are already handling the perimeter while officials focus on protecting people inside schools. He stressed that students, teachers, and staff must monitor each other closely during this sensitive period. Weapon screening at school entrances will continue as necessary, with Yotchanat noting that the government will implement appropriate measures suited to current circumstances.

Regarding foreign security models, Yotchanat said the Education Ministry has studied international approaches to equipment and inspection procedures and already applies comparable standards, though the current period requires heightened vigilance. He confirmed that the ministry is preparing a new Education Safety Act to be proposed to the cabinet for long-term implementation. To prevent copycat behavior, Yotchanat emphasized the importance of communication and education, noting that curricula already address digital-age rights and privacy issues. Many schools are conducting emergency evacuation drills, and officials aim this week to reassure parents and the public that schools remain genuinely safe places.