CHONBURI — Pattaya City has temporarily suspended six people from duty after tourists allegedly were asked to pay 2,000-3,000 baht without receiving official fine documents or receipts. The allegations involve people dressed similarly to Pattaya City special affairs officers at Bali Hai Pier. Tourists, business operators and tour guides reportedly complained that they had been taken into a tent and accused of offences including loud motorcycle exhausts and smoking before being asked to pay money.

On 9 August, footage reportedly showed a tourist placing money on a table in front of officials. However, Pattaya City said it was still investigating whether the money was an official fine or payment for another purpose, and whether the people involved had the legal authority to collect it.

On 10 August, Pattaya City permanent secretary Kiatthisak Sriwongchai said the city had been informed of the incident on 9 August and immediately ordered an investigation. A preliminary investigation identified six people involved: three Pattaya City officials, including two municipal officers and another officer seen in the footage, and three outsourced workers hired to help maintain order in the area. All six have been temporarily removed from their assigned duties while the investigation proceeds.

Pattaya City will take action on two fronts. The responsible department has been instructed to prepare a report for filing a police complaint if wrongdoing is found, while a fact-finding committee has been established in accordance with regulations. The investigation is expected to be completed within about two weeks to establish the facts quickly and ensure transparency.

For the three outsourced workers, Pattaya City will summon their contractor to acknowledge the findings and take appropriate action. Government officials involved may also be transferred from their current area of responsibility while the investigation is underway.

Kiatthisak said loud motorcycle exhausts did not fall directly under Pattaya City's authority and such offences must be handled by agencies such as police and the Department of Land Transport under relevant laws. He stressed that Pattaya City officials have the authority to arrest in certain circumstances but do not have the authority to impose fines. Kiatthisak apologized to residents and tourists over the incident and said Pattaya City had consistently instructed its officials to perform their duties properly.

Kasetsart University is hosting the "KU Thai Textile Fest 2026" to honor Her Late Majesty Queen Sirikit and promote Thai textiles as cultural heritage and soft power in the creative economy. The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, together with the Marketing Department and College of Business Administration, invites students, staff, and the public to experience the distinctive beauty of Thai fabrics under the theme "Reviving Heritage, Inspiring the Future: Continuing Thai Textile Heritage Toward Future Inspiration."

The event celebrates and commemorates the late Queen's dedication to preserving, reviving, and promoting Thai textiles as a national intellectual heritage. It takes place August 10–11, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Kasetsart University's student development building.

The festival features cultural activities blending traditional Thai wisdom with contemporary fashion trends, including regional Thai clothing displays from all four regions, a fashion show showcasing Thai dress under the concept "From the Palace to the People," and an academic seminar on "Thai Dress as Soft Power: Cultural Marketing in the Creative Economy" featuring collaboration with the leading brand SUPA East Glamor on August 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Attendees can participate in special workshops on Thai dressing techniques without sewing, Bangkok-style sabai wearing, adapted traditional lower garment styles, and tie-dye activities where participants take home their creations. The festival also features a vintage market selling Thai textile products, a Thai dress photo studio, and offers free entry for all visitors.

On August 10, 2024, Sophon Saram, President of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives, opened the Sapawati creative social debate competition for fiscal year 2024, Season 3, featuring 16 teams at Parliament House B1 auditorium.

Sophon said he was proud to see the Sapawati project, which follows the "Su Chi Puli" philosophy aimed at developing youth into good adults. He compared young people to "tender saplings" that can be shaped to grow in the right direction, especially in the age of social media where words and communication are critically important and should be used constructively for society's benefit.

The Parliament Chief noted that the competition features expert judges to ensure full fairness for participants, and emphasized that "justice" is what society needs. He described the forum as part of building youth understanding of justice.

Sophon also praised His Majesty and Princess Bajrakitiyabha as role models of equality, particularly for her visits to prisons and attention to the suffering of inmates, which exemplifies the monarch's boundless compassion and sets a good example for society.

The Parliament Chief expressed sorrow over the Tepsirin School incident in Nonthaburi on August 9, 2024, and said he visited the area to support those affected. He stressed that society needs to be a "community of love" and that the Sapawati competition is not about winning, but building mutual love, understanding, and rational thinking. He hopes to expand the program to youth in remote areas so they too can learn and develop skills while realizing the importance of improving their own quality of life and that of society.

Sophon added that he practices what he preaches, having previously organized workshops on drug addiction problems and plans to push forward drug law reforms in the next parliamentary session. He emphasized the importance of teaching youth the "Su Chi Puli" principles of listening, thinking, questioning, and writing—the foundation of learning and rational thinking.

Addressing students and youth as a former teacher, Sophon said teachers are like a second parent and that he believes in the principles "love school like home, love work like life." He called for all parties to learn from the Tepsirin incident and build common understanding of what it means to be a "good person"—someone who can be self-reliant and a support to others.

"I hope the Sapawati forum will be a powerful force in developing youth who use reason, speak constructively, and together build a society filled with love, justice, and understanding," Sophon concluded.

The director of Phra Nang Klao Hospital recounted the final moments of Nonthaburi PAO Chairman Thongchai Yenprasert, who received more than 30 units of blood before his death. The bullet struck a critical point, severing his carotid artery and causing massive blood loss. His condition was critical even before arrival at the hospital.

Former Nonthaburi MP Chalueang Riowrang opened fire on Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenprasert, the PAO chairman, over a disputed 11-million-baht debt and disagreements regarding candidate nominations in the recent election. The governor's driver was also severely injured. At 14:36 on August 10, 2025, Dr. Sakol Sukhprom, director of Phra Nang Klao Hospital, confirmed that Thongchai had died. The medical team provided complete assistance within their capabilities.

The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the neck area that severed the carotid artery, causing massive blood loss. Regarding the exact location and number of gunshot wounds, the hospital director deferred to the forensic pathologist and police for detailed information.

The director confirmed that emergency responders performed CPR from the scene, and an ambulance rapidly transported Thongchai to the hospital. However, due to the critical nature of the wound to the carotid artery in the neck area causing severe blood loss, his condition was grave upon arrival. Although surgeons attempted to repair and suture the carotid artery to stop the bleeding and administered more than 30 units of blood and platelets, they were unable to save his life. The driver sustained a gunshot wound to the right arm; surgeons operated and his condition is now stable. He remains in recovery at Phra Nang Klao Hospital.

The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is accelerating training for a new generation of medical cannabis entrepreneurs, raising business standards to international levels and supporting Thailand's sustainable health economy. On August 10, 2026, at Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel in Nonthaburi, Dr. Tewanj Thaneerattana, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine under the Ministry of Public Health, chaired a workshop on developing and building networks of medical cannabis entrepreneurs and presented certificates to 46 entrepreneurs who completed the Panya Phattana curriculum for medical cannabis entrepreneur development (Batch 1).

Dr. Tewanj emphasized that developing entrepreneurs with knowledge, standards, and strong cooperation networks is central to elevating Thailand's medical cannabis industry for quality and sustainable growth. The event provided a platform for experience sharing, product development opportunities, market expansion, and business network building to enhance competitiveness and create economic value within the legal framework.

The Panya Phattana curriculum for medical cannabis entrepreneur development (Batch 1) ran from April 24 to July 17, 2026, comprising 10 sessions totaling 72 hours covering four key dimensions: strategy and management, business fundamentals, investment, finance, marketing, and cannabis business management; product standards and developing medical cannabis products to international standards; negotiation and business growth strategies including expansion channels and partnership building; and practical training and study visits with expert exchanges and site visits to internationally certified facilities to enable participants to apply knowledge directly.

Dr. Peerchaya Kugasemkit, Director of the Medical Cannabis Division, noted that workshop activities included special lectures on medical cannabis use and health economy opportunities, and group discussions organized by supply chain structure (upstream, midstream, downstream, and support sectors) including cultivation plots, extraction factories, herbal product manufacturers, and flower dispensaries. The discussions aimed to facilitate business negotiations and build networks among entrepreneurs. The department expects trained entrepreneurs to leverage their knowledge and networks to advance medical cannabis innovations and drive the industry toward quality and safety, contributing to sustainable growth of Thailand's health economy.

Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the New Zealand Embassy in Thailand invite students, parents, and interested individuals to attend the New Zealand Education Fair 2026, the year's largest education fair marking 70 years of Thai-New Zealand diplomatic relations. The event runs Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Samyan Mitrtown Hall 2, 5th Floor, Bangkok.

Visitors will connect with over 70 leading schools, universities, technology institutes, and language centers from New Zealand across all educational levels, from short-term English courses to secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational programs. The fair offers one-on-one consultations with institution representatives, scholarship opportunities totaling over 2 million baht, and an announcement of Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships—full New Zealand government scholarships—with application guidance at 10:30 a.m., opening pathways to world-class education for Thai students.

New Zealand maintains recognition as one of the world's top education systems, emphasizing active learning, critical thinking, hands-on practice, and individual development in safe, supportive environments with close care for international students. All eight of its universities rank in the top 3% globally. Recently, New Zealand ranked first worldwide for employment outcomes among graduates according to the QS World University Rankings 2027, reflecting education linked to job prospects and future success.

Thailand remains one of the top 10 countries sending students to New Zealand, reflecting strong educational ties and sustained Thai family confidence in New Zealand education. The 2025 International Student Experience Survey shows 87% of international students rate their overall experience positively, and 92% are satisfied with people and relationships, demonstrating an open, welcoming society and a learning environment supporting success for students worldwide.

ENZ invites attendees to explore opportunities through the NZ Simulated Classroom, allowing Thai students to experience active learning with New Zealand teachers, and a special panel featuring Sukhwan Boolakul on parental perspectives in choosing New Zealand from secondary through university levels. A major highlight is the "7 Friends for 7 Decades" awards ceremony honoring seven distinguished individuals who advanced Thai-New Zealand educational cooperation during this 70-year diplomatic milestone, plus the 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame announcement.

Top offers include free round-trip airfares to New Zealand for those who enroll with participating institutions during the fair, and registered attendees have a chance to win Air New Zealand tickets. Registration is free at https://www.learnenglishnewzealand.com/nzeducationfair