On August 17, the National Science Museum of Thailand (NSM) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, together with the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres (ASPAC), launched the International Directors Forum 2026 (INTEDIF 2026) under the theme "Evolving our Organizations Amidst a Rapidly Changing World." The forum brought together senior executives from museums and science centers worldwide to exchange perspectives, experiences, and strategic approaches for developing organizations that keep pace with global change, while defining the future role of museums and learning centers in creating value, meeting societal needs, and driving sustainable development.

The opening ceremony was attended by Suwrong Wongsiri, acting director of NSM, alongside Maria Isabel Garcia, President of ASPAC, and international network leaders including Christofer Nelson (President and CEO of the Association of Science and Technology Centers), Maria João Fonseca (President of the European Network of Science Centres and Museums), Maissa Azab (Executive Director of the North Africa and Middle East Science Centers Network), Miguel Garcia-Guerrero (Executive Director of the Network for the Popularization of Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean), and Rufus Wesi (Chairman of the South African Association of Science & Technology Centres). The event took place at the Ramakrishna Museum in Pathum Thani.

Suwrong stated that NSM was honored to welcome over 30 organizations and 51 senior leaders from 20 economic zones globally to the conference. He emphasized that this gathering represents a crucial opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences, and strategic perspectives on how organizations can adapt and create value amid rapid global transformation, particularly regarding artificial intelligence and its impact on management, learning, and visitor experiences. He noted that modern museums must do more than collect and transmit knowledge—they must adapt to change, connect people with information, and help society understand and address new challenges. The diversity of perspectives from global leaders will yield strategic direction and international collaboration to elevate the field of museums and science learning centers worldwide.

Health experts are warning against a common household practice: storing food directly in plastic bags inside the refrigerator. Many people do this for convenience, but experts caution that non-food-grade plastic bags risk leaching chemicals into food and potentially harming health.

After shopping, many people keep vegetables, meat, or fish in the plastic bags provided by vendors and immediately place them in the refrigerator, viewing this as an easy way to avoid using extra storage containers. However, experts say this is not recommended, especially when the plastic bags are not food-grade.

Many people mistakenly believe that low refrigerator temperatures stop all chemical reactions, making food stored in plastic bags completely safe. This is not accurate. Food safety experts note that while low temperatures slow bacterial growth, they do not make low-quality plastic safe for food storage. Recycled plastic bags or non-food-grade bags may contain additives, dyes, or plasticizers unsuitable for long-term food storage.

Fatty or acidic foods are particularly at risk of absorbing compounds from packaging more readily than dry foods. The common belief that "thicker bags are safer" is a misconception, as thickness does not indicate plastic quality. Many thick black, green, or red plastic bags sold in markets are made from recycled plastic designed for transporting goods, not storing food. Storing vegetables, meat, or fruit in such bags for days is not recommended by experts.

What matters is whether a bag meets food-safety standards, typically indicated by labeling or clear manufacturer information. Research has identified compounds like phthalates and bisphenols as potential endocrine disruptors when exposure is sufficient and prolonged. Some concern exists about effects on thyroid function, though actual risk depends on exposure levels, duration, and individual sources of contact.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Duy Thinh, former faculty member at Hanoi University of Science and Technology's Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, advised against using plastic bags of unknown origin for long-term food storage. He recommends immediately transferring food to glass containers, food-grade plastic boxes, or food-specific bags after shopping to reduce chemical contamination risks.

Experts suggest three simple habits to store food more safely: instead of placing food directly in plastic bags in the refrigerator, take a few minutes to transfer food to proper storage containers after returning home.

The Transport Ministry is preparing to submit a cabinet proposal to reinstate duty-free shopping at Suvarnabhumi Airport's arrival area and plans to negotiate with King Power Duty Free. Transport Deputy Minister Siripong Angskul said Thai Airports Authority has forwarded the matter to the Office of Fiscal Policy for consideration, with a cabinet proposal to follow. The ministry's rationale has shifted; rather than aiming to boost domestic consumption as originally intended, the duty-free zone is now seen as providing passenger amenities and retail services to reduce wait times and enhance the travel experience during immigration processing. Deputy Managing Director Sirotom Duangrat of Thai Airports Authority said the previous cabinet decision to eliminate duty-free shopping across six airports failed to achieve its goal of increasing domestic spending or improving national revenue. The authority submitted its assessment to the fiscal office on August 11, 2025. Should the cabinet approve the proposal, Thai Airports Authority will negotiate with King Power Duty Free regarding the arrival area duty-free space and revenue sharing terms, though the allocated space may be smaller than before due to other passenger service facilities already in place.

On August 18, Dr. Krichpaka Boonfeung, director of the National Innovation Agency under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, announced the Startup Thailand: Global Startup Hub 2026 programme. The agency will provide comprehensive startup support through four main mechanisms: GROOM (preparation), GRANT (funding), GROWTH (expansion), and GLOBAL (international scale). The strategy focuses on creating a global startup hub to help businesses scale sustainably into international markets, emphasizing the importance of understanding foreign business ecosystems, regulations, and finding large-organization partners to mentor and promote innovation solutions both domestically and abroad.

This year, the NIA prioritizes startups in high-potential technology sectors including AI, IoT, semiconductors, EV and mobility, energy technology, and climate tech and sustainability. Thirty companies have joined the programme, supported by a comprehensive platform, intensive workshops, and company-specific consulting. The core initiative is business matching, enabling proof-of-concept testing with national organizations. Over 60 business pairings have been discussed this year, with several already underway—including collaborations between Sampathai Pibul Company with startup Alive Loop, Thai Post with startups Scamtify, Klola, and Bot and Life, and PTT Gas Group with Nisha Carbon and Simply.

Dr. Krichpaka noted that private-sector investment in startups far exceeds the government's research and development budget of approximately 19 billion baht, making business matching a gateway to significant funding sources. Next year, the NIA plans to engage major listed companies to propose challenges for startups to solve while expanding into 12 foreign markets: six ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam), three Asian markets (Japan, China including Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and Taiwan), Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, and the United States and African regions for agricultural technology opportunities. International expansion will be coordinated through the Foreign Ministry to ensure company safety.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand should avoid being forced to choose sides amid growing geopolitical rivalry, arguing that countries should instead maintain strategic autonomy by building diverse partnerships.

Speaking at the Lowy Institute in Sydney on Tuesday, Anutin outlined Thailand's approach to a changing international order, saying stronger regional cooperation, strategic autonomy and economic resilience were key to navigating global uncertainty.

"Not choosing sides does not mean having no choices," Anutin said, stressing that strategic autonomy meant maintaining the ability to make independent decisions and work with a range of partners based on national interests.

He said Thailand and Australia, as middle powers, could play a greater role in shaping how power is exercised in the region, even if they could not determine the global balance of power.

ASEAN Remains Thailand's Strategic Anchor

Anutin said regional institutions would become increasingly important as reaching consensus at the global level becomes more difficult.

For Thailand, ASEAN remains a "strategic anchor" that has helped transform Southeast Asia from a region marked by division and mistrust into one focused on dialogue, cooperation and greater integration.

He said ASEAN must strengthen its unity and centrality while developing greater capacity to set its own agenda and respond effectively to regional challenges.

On Myanmar, Anutin said Thailand continues to support ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus while pursuing calibrated re-engagement to maintain channels for dialogue and encourage concrete progress.

He welcomed Myanmar authorities' recent decision to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to meet detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying Thailand had consistently pushed for such access.

On Cambodia, Anutin said Thailand remained committed to resolving disputes peacefully through dialogue and agreed bilateral mechanisms while maintaining ASEAN unity.

Not Choosing Sides, But Creating More Options

Anutin said strategic autonomy should not be interpreted as isolation or neutrality on every issue.

Instead, he said countries should diversify their partnerships so they have more options and are less vulnerable to pressure to align with another country's interests.

Thailand and Australia should also expand cooperation through minilateral arrangements focused on specific issues, he said, citing efforts to combat cybercrime and transnational crime.

Anutin and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are scheduled to sign a joint statement on cooperation against transnational crime in Canberra.

Building a More Resilient Economy

Anutin also called for deeper economic integration between Thailand and Australia to strengthen resilience and reduce excessive dependence on any single market or supply source.

Thailand and Australia have had a free trade agreement since 2005, with bilateral trade reaching about A$32 billion in 2025.

He said the two countries should continue strengthening economic ties.