PHUKET: Phuket MPs and local stakeholders have renewed calls for greater provincial control over budgets, personnel, infrastructure and public services, as a parliamentary committee examines whether the island needs a new self-governance model.

PHUKET: Phuket police have prosecuted 16 people after raiding eight locations in the latest phase of a crackdown on businesses suspected of using Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership.

The government has established a 24-hour operations center to address flooding and drought in Thailand's northern region, streamlining bureaucratic procedures and authorizing provincial governors to immediately deploy emergency funds to assist the public. Deputy Prime Minister Yossanan Wongsawat, heading the northern water disaster and drought management committee, has directed all relevant agencies to adopt proactive measures against severe weather conditions including heavy rainfall, flash flooding, flash floods, and drought in certain areas. The effort includes setting up sub-command centers, mobilizing personnel and machinery including water pumps to operate around the clock, with military and regional disaster prevention center support available if resources fall short. Governors of high-risk areas are authorized to use emergency provisional funds for disaster relief without delays from bureaucratic procedure, with emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations. If evacuations become necessary, officials will conduct comprehensive surveys and expedite compensation payments to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. Long-term measures for drought-prone areas include accelerating water resource assessments, securing domestic water reserves, and coordinating with farmers to adjust crop-planting plans.

PHUKET: Cherng Talay Police are investigating a fight involving six girls at a school in Thalang after a video showing a 14-year-old Thai student being assaulted was circulated online.

The Gold Research Center has released its weekly survey on domestic gold price direction for August 10–14, 2025. According to the GRC Gold Survey, of 13 market experts polled, 8 (or 62%) expect gold prices to rise next week, 2 (or 15%) expect a decline, and 3 (or 23%) expect prices to remain flat compared to the previous week. Among 331 retail gold investors surveyed, 233 (or 70%) anticipate an increase, 55 (or 17%) expect a decrease, and 43 (or 13%) forecast stable prices.

Domestic 96.5% gold bars traded in a range of 64,000–67,850 baht per baht weight the previous week, closing at 67,900 baht—a gain of 3,700 baht from the prior week's close of 64,200 baht. The Gold Research Center identified key factors to monitor next week: U.S.-Iran tensions and progress on opening the Hormuz Strait following preliminary negotiations between Iran and Oman, though a full opening remains uncertain.

Additionally, markets will watch U.S. Treasury bond auctions and bond yield trends, with the U.S. Treasury Department scheduled to auction 10-year bonds on August 12 and 30-year bonds on August 13, 2025. These auctions will influence U.S. Treasury yields and the dollar's value. The Federal Reserve's policy direction is also critical, especially after weak July non-farm payroll data reduced market expectations for a rate hike at the September meeting.

Economic data to monitor includes July's Producer Price Index (PPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI), preliminary August consumer inflation sentiment, and weekly jobless claims figures. Pattarin Wichitakpan, COO of Lenghong Commodities, noted that gold's recent breakout above key resistance levels at $4,150 and $4,250 is significant, though it has only approached the $4,350 level without sustaining above it. She observed that previous gold-supportive news has already been priced in, while U.S.-Iran tensions remain a volatile wildcard that requires careful monitoring.

For this week (August 10–14), CPI and PPI figures released Wednesday and Thursday will be crucial in determining whether gold can extend gains or faces another pullback.

A fire broke out at a renowned tofu noodle shop in the Pran Nok area, injuring three employees. The incident occurred at approximately 1:55 p.m. on August 9 when a staff member was replacing a gas cylinder and accidentally knocked it over, causing a spark that ignited the shop. Police Captain Pongjaru Prattitham, commander of Bang Sao Thong Police Station, ordered an investigation at Hia Kuay Tofu Noodle shop on Pran Nok Phutthamonthon Road, Bang Prom subdistrict, Talat Noi district, Bangkok. Firefighters found the original shop already ablaze, with flames spreading to a neighboring noodle restaurant, Sos Petchaburi. Officials deployed water cannons and managed to bring the fire under control. Three employees—one male and two female—suffered minor injuries and received emergency first aid before being transported to Siriraj Hospital. Initial inquiry revealed that the staff member was changing the gas cylinder when it fell, causing the gas to ignite and spread throughout the shop. Authorities will conduct further investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.