On August 15, the Office of the House Speaker hosted an opposition leadership forum on political institution reform and checks and balances at the Krungsri River Hotel in Ayutthaya. Opposition leader Nattapong Ruengpanyavuthit opened the event, joined by Virayut Kanjachu, Satit Wongnongtoe, Police Major General Tawi Sotsong, and Sudarat Keyuraphan in a panel discussing institutional flaws and the senate fraud case.

Prasit Watthasin, closing the forum, predicted the Election Commission will vote on Monday, August 31, with the opposition planning activities on August 29-30 in counter-messaging before that decision. He warned the commission may dismiss the case after allowing the impeachment process to unfold.

Prasit noted the forum was held at the Krungsri River Hotel because it was allegedly used as a vote-buying center in the Nakhon Phanom and Sukhothai senate elections, and cited similar operations at other hotels and factories across the country where senate and House candidates had gathered voters.

Prasit said the public is watching what the Election Commission will decide on the fraud case. He stressed the law is clear: if credible evidence of wrongdoing exists, the commission can forward the matter to the Supreme Court. He and the Pheu Thai Party plan to use parliamentary mechanisms to push through constitutional amendments, including proposals already submitted to the House Speaker, to dismantle immunity protections wholesale and introduce mechanisms allowing the public to recall politicians and independent officials through parliament.

Prasit added that Pheu Thai has also submitted proposals to amend the constitution to strip the House Speaker's discretion in forwarding matters to the Supreme Court, and to establish an independent committee to investigate the National Anti-Corruption Commission's conduct—a matter that has stalled for over two months with no clarity from Speaker Sophon Saram on whether to proceed. Late this month, when parliament reconvenes, amendments to the Senate Electoral Law will be introduced to allow citizens to file complaints directly with courts without going through the Election Commission.

The Defence Ministry has approved the roster of 329 participants for the 69th National Defence Course (Wapro) for the 2569-2570 academic year, following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's endorsement. General Tharapong Malayakham, Permanent Secretary of the Defence Ministry, signed Defence Ministry Order (Special) No. 266/69 authorizing the intake, with instruction scheduled to commence in October 2569. The 329 participants comprise 109 officers from Thailand's three armed services, 13 police officers, and five foreign military officers from Indonesia, China, Myanmar, Malaysia, and India. Cambodia did not send military personnel this year, marking the second consecutive year without Cambodian participation. A rotation system now allows allied nations to fill available slots, with Myanmar entering the programme this year. Notable Thai army officers in the intake include Lieutenant General Inthon Ratnakal, Deputy Commander of the Special Warfare Command; Lieutenant General Theppituk Nimit, Deputy Regional Commander 1; and Lieutenant General Benjapol Dechatiwong, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the King's Guard, who is watched as a possible future Deputy Regional Commander 1. Other notable army participants include Lieutenant General Thit Ratchcha Sombutsiri, Army Secretary; Air Chief Marshal Kamthon Gerdthamai, Deputy Commander of the Artillery Air Defence Division; and Lieutenant General Sithichak Romphotsee, Commander of Territorial Defence Region 11. The Royal Thai Navy is represented by Rear Admiral Ratchada Suengthawar, Head of the Naval Staff Secretariat, and Flight Lieutenant Jirapong Apisatchawong, Assistant Military Naval Attaché at the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Air Chief Marshal Seksorn Khantha, or 'Big Kim,' commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, sent a new generation of air force officers to the course to strengthen their knowledge of strategy and high-level management. Notable air force participants include Air Vice Marshal Krishana Piamsinee, former Commander of Wing 1 Nakhon Ratchasima; Flight Lieutenant Putthapon Polcheewun, former Commander of Wing 7 Surat Thani; Flight Lieutenant Serewan Khlaiputh, former Commander of Wing 46 Phitsanulok; and Flight Lieutenant Porthon Jinawat, former Commander of Wing 41 Chiang Mai. All have significant command experience with major air force units.

The Office of the House Speaker convened an Opposition Leaders Forum on August 15, 2026, at Krungsri River Hotel in Ayutthaya to discuss political institution reform and checks-and-balances mechanisms under the constitution. Tawi Sodsong, head of the Phachachon Party, criticized widespread corruption and argued that democracy requires decentralized power, human-centered governance, justice, freedom, and equality. He expressed concern that the current constitution has created 16 new independent bodies—including a constitutional court, anti-money-laundering office, and anti-corruption commission—all appointed by the Senate, which he characterized as the origin point of systemic fraud consuming Thailand. Sodsong argued the Election Commission must refer cases to the Supreme Court when credible evidence exists of unfair electoral practices, citing Section 266 of the law. He noted that if the commission disqualifies only some candidates while allowing others with similar violations, harmed voters have legal recourse and opposition parties can file objections within three days for Supreme Court review. Sodsong emphasized the court has authority to investigate additional facts and evidence independently, preventing the commission from acting arbitrarily. He warned that without honest officials and justice, even perfect laws cannot function effectively.

Korn Kunaatipoprasiri, known as YouTuber Wu Jun and boasting over 10 million subscribers, faced investigators on August 15 regarding an assault allegation against an employee at his company, Wu Jun High-End Studio. Investigators issued a second summons requiring him to appear around 10:30 a.m. for questioning, which lasted about an hour before he was fingerprinted. Wu Jun declined to comment on the incident and quickly departed in an electric vehicle accompanied by team members.

Khon Kaen City Police Station Commander Pol. Col. Yotsawat Kaewseubthannij confirmed Wu Jun arrived with his lawyer and completed the procedural steps. Although he denied the charges at the investigative stage, he has the right to present his defense in court. Investigators will now compile their findings before forwarding the case to prosecutors.

The incident occurred on June 18, 2025, at 4:10 p.m. inside the Wu Jun High-End Studio studio in Khon Kaen. The complainant alleged the YouTuber punched his face and choked him repeatedly. Medical examination revealed a cut above the eyebrow and bruising. The victim filed charges of assault causing bodily harm.

Investigators have already questioned the victim and three witnesses. Among seven company employees involved, two have been interviewed, with one key witness scheduled for questioning soon.

LAMPANG — A husband and wife were found dead inside a two-storey shophouse in central Lampang on Thursday night after their child became concerned when they could not be contacted for several hours.

Police at Mueang Lampang Police Station were alerted at about 20:30 to the deaths at a shophouse opposite Wat Si Koet on Rob Wiang Road in Hua Wiang subdistrict, Mueang Lampang district.

Investigators, a doctor from Lampang Hospital, provincial forensic officers and Sawang Nakhon Lampang rescue workers were called to the scene.

Relatives had contacted authorities after being unable to reach the couple since late morning. Rescue workers forced open the locked front door and entered the building.

Inside, officers found the body of a 58-year-old man, identified as Lek, near the second-floor stair railing. His wife, who was around the same age, was found dead on a bed in a bedroom.

Police said the woman had marks around her neck and a length of rope was found inside the room.

Investigators initially suspect that the man may have killed his wife before taking his own life. However, police said the circumstances remain under investigation pending autopsy results, forensic examination and further questioning of witnesses.

Police were told that earlier that morning, Lek had sent a message to the couple's child saying, "Goodbye." The family was unable to contact him afterwards, prompting the request for authorities to check the home that evening.

Monks at nearby Wat Si Koet told investigators that the couple occasionally borrowed small amounts of money from monks at the temple, usually around 300 to 500 baht. The abbot had previously lent them about 1,000 baht to help with their fruit smoothie business.

According to the monks, the couple would sometimes repay the money before later borrowing again.

Customers and delivery riders familiar with the couple described them as friendly and polite. They sold inexpensive fruit drinks, with prices starting at 20 baht per cup, and those who knew them said they had not expected such an incident.

The couple also kept about four or five cats. Rescue workers searched the property but could not locate them, so they left cat food inside the house in case the animals returned.

Police are continuing to investigate the deaths, with financial difficulties and debt among the possible factors being examined.

Khun Sakon Lek Bum Dek Sayan, the former Rajadamnern 118-pound champion, returns to the ring this Saturday, August 15, after an 11-month absence that he describes as the most painful period of his life. He will face Iranian striker Payman Solfagari, a former Rajadamnern title challenger, in a 122-pound bout at the Rajadamnern stadium.

2567 was a golden year for Khun Sakon Lek. He earned between 4 and 5 million baht in bonuses and fight purses from RWS, received consistent main card billing as the Rajadamnern 118-pound champion, and won the prestigious Fighter of the Year award. However, when 2568 began, his fortunes shifted dramatically. He successfully defended his title once before relinquishing it due to weight-cutting difficulties and moving up to the 122-pound division. His two victories at the new weight seemed to set him on course for greatness, earning him a title shot against Petchsila W. Orachat in October 2568. But weeks before the bout, he suffered a knee injury in a soccer accident and was forced to withdraw.

After four months of treatment, he returned in February with a bout against Chayaton W. Orachat, only to suffer a ruptured appendix days before the fight. He underwent emergency surgery and months of recovery. The fighter confirmed that the past 11 months have been filled with hardship that caused him immense emotional pain.

"I sit staring at my own photos all the time, crying inside," he said. "During my peak year, I was the Fighter of the Year and earned 4 to 5 million baht from RWS in that year alone. But these past 11 months, all I could do was watch other fighters compete. I missed boxing so much. I'm glad to be back."

The past 11 months have robbed Khun Sakon Lek of multiple lucrative opportunities and high-profile matchups. Now he stands at the threshold of redemption, facing Payman, a former Rajadamnern 118-pound title challenger and fighter from Medi Satut's renowned Vietnam Muay Thai gym. The boxing world will be watching closely to see whether his extended layoff affects his performance and whether the 2567 Fighter of the Year can reclaim his dominance. Don't miss tonight's RWS card at Rajadamnern.