The Cabinet has declared October 2026 will have special holidays, with some Bangkok government workers eligible for a three-day continuous break. Following a Cabinet resolution from May 18, 2026, regarding preparations for Thailand to host the annual meeting of World Bank governors and International Monetary Fund officials, the government approved Friday, October 16 as a special public holiday in Bangkok. Additionally, government agencies in Bangkok will operate remotely (work from home) on Monday, October 12 and between Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15 to alleviate traffic problems and facilitate travel for conference participants, while ensuring the security and safety of finance ministers and member countries' central bank governors.

Special public holidays declared are: Tuesday, October 13 (King Bhumibol Memorial Day); Friday, October 16 (special holiday for Bangkok government offices only, which combined with Saturday October 17 and Sunday October 18 gives Bangkok civil servants a continuous three-day break); and Friday, October 23 (King Prajadhipok Day).

Bangkok government agencies will work remotely on: Monday, October 12; Wednesday, October 14; and Thursday, October 15. State enterprises, financial institutions, educational institutions, and private sector businesses in areas surrounding the conference venue are requested to implement appropriate measures based on their location and operational needs. Agencies with essential services or advance public appointments may proceed as deemed necessary to avoid harm to public services.

Luang Pho Dit Tisso of Ampawan Temple in Nonthaburi was a celebrated monk of the World War II period and expert in Buddhist scripture and esoteric amulet craftsmanship, having studied under Luang Pho To at Tha It Temple in Pak Kret. He is credited as the originator of the rare "silver fish and gold fish" or "paired catfish" protective amulets. His first-edition medal, created in 1966, features an oval shape with a loop, a half-length portrait on the obverse, and ritual script on the reverse reading "Phra Kru Nonthabat Pradist" and marking a celebration at Ampawan Temple—now extremely scarce. In 2003, Maha Sarakham Municipality built the Maha Sarakham City Museum at Nong Kha Park to promote local heritage and community-based handicraft sales, and established a principal Buddha image titled "Phra Phuttha Tak Sinlamahajai" measuring 29 inches. The municipality also minted commemorative medals of Phra Phuttha Kanthawijjai in both lead-alloy (1,000 pieces at 199 baht) and copper (5,000 pieces at 29 baht) to fund the museum; the consecration ceremony took place on August 21, 2003, attended by renowned Eastern Thai monks. Separately, in 1995, Luang Pu Ti Yano Sophon, former abbot of Luang Raja Was Temple in Uthai Thani, created "Luang Pho in Vihara" medals in silver and copper with a loop, featuring a Buddha image in meditation on a lotus throne, to fund vihara restoration. In 2002, Luang Pu Somphaar of Pa Vivek Phattana Ram Temple in Bueng Kan commissioned the first-edition portrait amulet in copper—10,000 pieces—to donors supporting the restoration of the sermon hall, driving increased local demand for these pieces.

On August 17, Udon Thani Emergency Response Center 191 received a report of a man with severe injuries and heavy bleeding inside a dormitory on Artist Lane in Muang Udon Thani Municipality. Rescue personnel arrived to find the victim, identified as Pun Sak, 35, a Type 3 disabled person with movement-related impairments, bleeding from head wounds on the third floor. He was rushed to hospital.

Investigating officers from Muang Udon Thani Police Station later identified the assailant as Bun Peng, 57, the victim's biological father, who fled the scene.

The dormitory manager revealed both men are relatives—Bun Peng is the uncle and Pun Sak is the nephew. He had allowed them to live rent-free out of compassion, as both are disabled, unemployed, and receive only 800 baht monthly in disability benefits. However, both frequently drink alcohol and quarrel. The latest incident allegedly began when they were drinking together. When they went to bed, Pun Sak apparently threatened Bun Peng with a knife and placed a chair around his neck. Bun Peng called for help from another resident, Pei, 41, who witnessed the altercation. When Pei intervened to separate them, Pun Sak told him "I'm going to kill him." Bun Peng then struck Pun Sak repeatedly in the head with a beer bottle before fleeing. When arrested, Bun Peng claimed he acted in self-defense after enduring repeated attacks from his son and said he was willing to accept imprisonment.

Researchers have concluded that 2025 earthquake statistics, when compared with data spanning the past 100 years, fall within natural fluctuations and occur regularly as tectonic plates collide and separate, causing faults to slip suddenly.

On August 17, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Phassakorn Pananon, instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Kasetsart University, addressed major earthquake events that have continuously appeared in social media and various news outlets in recent months. These incidents in the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Venezuela, Colombia, and Pacific islands—accompanied by images of widespread tremors, swaying buildings, structural damage, and urgent evacuations—have created a public perception that the Earth's crust is moving more frequently and intensely than normal.

"With news reaching us almost instantly, the key question is not simply how large each earthquake is, but whether these successive events signal that the world is entering an abnormal period, and how alarmed should Thailand be?" Pananon said.

According to USGS data from January 1 to August 17, 2025, the world recorded 11 large earthquakes ranging from magnitude 7.0 to 7.9 across 9 countries, with no earthquakes of magnitude 8.0 or above. When compared with long-term statistics dating back to 1926, the world averages 10–20 earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater per year, with earthquakes larger than magnitude 8 occurring roughly once annually. This clearly shows that the number of major earthquakes remains within the natural fluctuation framework and represents a regularly recurring process.

Importantly, nearly all earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries rather than scattered randomly across the globe. Earth's outer crust is not a single layer but divided into multiple tectonic plates that move slowly. When tectonic plates collide, separate, or slide past one another, stress accumulates along faults. When stress exceeds friction, the fault suddenly slips and releases energy as seismic waves.

Researchers attribute the perception of more frequent earthquakes primarily to advances in communication technology and the expansion of monitoring networks. With vastly more monitoring stations, the USGS can now detect approximately 20,000 earthquakes per year, or an average of 55 per day. Images and news from affected areas are transmitted to people worldwide very rapidly.

However, statistics being normal does not mean there is no danger. The impact on human lives and property depends not only on earthquake magnitude but also on depth, distance from cities, fault slip direction, soil conditions, and the vulnerability of structures. Shallow earthquakes near major cities can cause severe damage through landslides, liquefaction, fires, or tsunamis—potentially more damaging than large earthquakes occurring at greater depths and far away.

"Although Thailand does not sit directly on a major tectonic plate boundary, it is affected by the Sunda Trench subduction zone, fault movements in Myanmar, and various internal fault systems. Soft sedimentary basins like Bangkok and major cities across Thailand can amplify long-period seismic waves from distant earthquakes, causing tall buildings to sway noticeably. Therefore, we must be prepared to handle natural disasters using scientific knowledge to reduce unnecessary alarm," the researcher stated, adding that scientific understanding of earthquake causes and sources is essential.

Charlotte Austin, a Thai-British beauty queen crowned Miss Grand Chumphon 2022 and fifth runner-up at Miss Grand Thailand 2022, has decided to manage her own career and will not renew her contract with Miss Grand International Public Company Limited.

Charlotte has opened up about her decision and revealed opportunities to collaborate with her close friend Ingfah Waraha, as well as her experience with panic disorder. Multiple entertainment industry figures have consulted her about managing anxiety.

**Have many industry people asked you about managing panic attacks?** Charlotte: "Yes, they ask how to stop relying on medication. I don't know if I'm 100% healed, but I can control myself now. I'm not stressed or anxious anymore, not caught in suspicion, and I don't panic at things that used to trigger me. It was a difficult journey to get here."

**What's your strategy when panic attacks happen?** Charlotte: "I listen to Buddhist teachings and try to visit temples. I take myself to calm places rather than crowded or stimulating ones like malls. I choose peaceful settings to relax so I don't feel afraid or suspicious of people."

**What was your worst period like?** Charlotte: "I didn't want to work or go anywhere—just stay home. After the rumor crisis two years ago, I was afraid people would come after me. But over time, I realized I hadn't done anything wrong. I cried at work, while driving, before and after work. I was angry at myself for not improving. Seeing myself change in videos made me realize I used to be so bright and cheerful. I wanted to get that person back, so I started working on myself."

**So it all comes down to your own mindset?** Charlotte: "Yes. Nobody can help you if you don't want to help yourself. Friends were there, but once they left, I fell back into old patterns—insomnia, stress. Nobody can be with you forever except yourself, so I had to fight for myself."

**Did you see the birthday wishes for your boss (Anucha Isiravakul)?** Charlotte: "I wished him happy birthday on Instagram and Line. He thanked me and responded. I was happy. I want him to know I love and respect him always. But we haven't seen each other since Ingfah's concert—I haven't been to the office or attended company events, so we haven't had a chance to meet in person."

**About your decision to manage yourself?** Charlotte: "My contract has 8-9 months left, ending around late April next year. I need to be ready. I've learned lessons and gained experience, so now I need to figure out how to handle managing myself 100%. It will be difficult with obstacles, but I'm asking everyone for their support.

The decision is made. I've discussed it with the company's assistant, and they said let's work together. We'll organize fan meetings so fans can see me and I can send them lots of love."

**Did you hesitate?** Charlotte: "We talked about it 3-4 times until I decided. It was a difficult decision. I didn't know what would happen. I asked my family too. I was stressed for 4-5 months about what to do. This place is like my home, but leaving isn't abandonment—it's growth. I can always come back, join events, meet, and talk. I love and respect my boss greatly as an elder. Even if I leave, I want to visit, collaborate, and congratulate him on special occasions. I want him to see I'm still his child."

**What about working with Ingfah?** Charlotte: "It depends on the management company. Once I'm not with the agency, there might be different terms and we might not be locked together. But personally, I'm willing and eager to keep working together because Ingfah is like a sister to me."

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Diamond Cup U-14 Thailand 2026 concluded its fifth edition, a collaboration between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Muangthong United to elevate youth football and provide young players with international-level experience while developing talent across the Asian region. The tournament featured 12 premier clubs from Japan, Thailand, Australia, and Vietnam competing from July 29 to August 2, 2026, at Thunder Dome Stadium.

After intense group and knockout-stage matches, the results reflected the true ability and determination of each team. Assumption United claimed the championship title for the fourth time, defeating Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0 in the final. Urawa Red Diamonds finished as first runner-up, Nun Buon FC as second runner-up, and Triam Udom School as third runner-up.

Assuming United demonstrated its strength in youth football by capturing the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Diamond Cup championship for the fourth time following their decisive 3-0 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan in the final.

This year's tournament tested young players' skills while serving as a platform for inspiration and opportunity for talented athletes. Individual honors were awarded to outstanding performers: Most Valuable Player went to Kritsada Buakachon from Assumption United; the Carat in the Rough Award went to Yuha Ota from Urawa Red Diamonds; and the SAT Award went to Sam Taylor from Triam Udom School. All three award recipients will receive two weeks of training with Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan. The Ugajin Award was presented to Le Trong Phuoc from Nun Buon FC in recognition of outstanding commitment and attitude throughout the competition.

Beyond determining a winner, the tournament provided valuable experience for young footballers from around the world to develop their skills and build lasting friendships through the power of sport—a foundation for the growth and success of the next generation of football talent.