Bangkok Hospital's main headquarters is advancing gastrointestinal and liver care through a major redesign of its gastroenterology centre under the concept "Beyond Future – Advanced GI Care and Endoscopy". The renovation elevates patient care using cutting-edge treatment technology, supported by specialist doctors and experienced multidisciplinary teams. The hospital reaffirms its commitment to delivering excellent care for all digestive and liver conditions, meeting standards trusted by both Thai and international patients.

Dr. Methini Maipaeng, Chairman of the Executive Board Group 1, highlighted the hospital's ongoing pursuit of medical excellence through comprehensive healthcare transformation. "In 2025, Bangkok Hospital continues advancing its health service system with comprehensive development, including ICHOM-certified treatment quality reflecting value-driven care and outcomes measurement that address patient needs and quality of life. Alongside modern medical innovation, we are becoming an Asia-Pacific Medical Robot Hub and offering digital health access with 24/7 appointment booking. We are also prioritizing employee wellbeing across physical, mental, and work-life balance dimensions to deliver the best care to patients, while fulfilling our social and environmental responsibility as we progress toward our Net Zero 2050 goal. Our achievements in the first half of the year reflect our commitment to creating valuable and sustainable healthcare system change for the future."

Dr. Boonthida Charoenswaddi, Hospital Director, said: "Bangkok Hospital prioritizes comprehensive, multidimensional patient care covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Our gastroenterology centre is one of our centres of excellence, enjoying growing patient trust. With more than 759 successful biliary and pancreatic endoscopy cases, over 600 ultrasound endoscopy cases, and more than 54,000 gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures (2021-2025 data), we maintain a complication rate below 1%. We are redesigning our gastrointestinal and liver disease care through advanced endoscopy, creating patient-centred services that elevate the treatment experience while continuing to develop our services and invest in modern medical innovation. True success lies in improving every patient's quality of life."

The redesign of the 2,800-square-metre gastroenterology centre combines precision design with patient journey principles and advanced endoscopy technology. Patients receive convenient, efficient, and high-quality care at every stage—from consultation through diagnosis, endoscopic treatment, and recovery and disease prevention. The centre features 15 new examination rooms and advanced procedure rooms.

On July 14, 2569 (2026), the Royal Gazette published a royal decree elevating Phra Brahmasiddhi to Somdej Phra Rajadhikana with the formal title Somdej Phra Vorachit Siddhacharya, stationed at Wat Saket Rajavoramahavihara, a royal temple in Bangkok. The elevation was effective July 12 and announced July 14.

The honoree, Thongchai Sukkhaño (born February 16, 2499 or 1956), is a trusted disciple of the late Somdej Phra Phutthajarn. He has been entrusted with responsibilities in administration, education, welfare, religious propagation, and public service. Now age 70 with 42 years of monastic service, he serves as committee member of the Mahatthera Samakhom, regional superintendent of Zone 11, and abbot of Wat Saket.

After completing primary education, he ordained at Wat KhaoWong in Saraburi province and passed all three levels of Buddhist studies. At age 20, he took full monastic vows at Wat Saket under the tutelage of Somdej Phra Phutthajarn. His monastic name, Sukkhaño, means "one who possesses knowledge with happiness."

After ordination, he was trusted as a personal secretary and made significant progress in his religious life while earning a Bachelor of Buddhist Studies from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. From 2531 onwards, he served as assistant abbot overseeing restoration projects, construction of facilities for returning monks, international Buddhist housing, and multi-purpose buildings for moral education.

From 2545, he served as advisor and director of the office overseeing Thai Buddhist missionaries abroad, responsible for European and Scandinavian operations and oversight of 17 Thai temples in foreign countries. He also led the presentation of royal robes to 9 Thai temples across 9 countries and coordinated publication of a two-language (Thai-English) Buddhist monastic code manual.

His ecclesiastical ranks progressed through multiple royal promotions: 2530 as Phra Kru (ecclesiastical rank), 2532 as assistant abbot, 2535 as ordinary Rajadhikana, 2544 as royal-rank Rajadhikana, 2547 as celestial-rank Rajadhikana, 2549 as dharma-rank Rajadhikana, and 2554 as deputy-rank Rajadhikana.

BNI, a global business network organization, is connecting SMEs to build a business ecosystem that transforms competition into collaboration and aims to drive entrepreneurs toward mega trends.

Recently at Bitec Bangna, marking BNI Thailand's 20th anniversary, the organization held the BNI Thailand Expo & International Conference 2026, attracting significant participation from Thai and international SME and startup networks.

Glakrit Thalengnawachat, Chairman of BNI Thailand, revealed that BNI develops Thai entrepreneurs, especially SMEs and startups, by building networks and expanding markets both domestically and internationally. The organization aims to shift the business world from competition to collaboration through a connectivity and collaborative network. This approach supports economic growth, resilience, and sustainability for the Thai economy under the Giver Gain philosophy, where members provide business opportunities to one another based on trust. Each member targets referring clients worth an average of 5 million baht to fellow members, creating continuous circulation in Thailand's economy.

Currently, BNI Thailand has 5,000 members from diverse business sectors, providing members with advisors and business development learning. In 2025, the organization expects to add 1,500 new entrepreneur members, bringing the total to 6,500 nationwide.

"Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed the development and transformation of our member network. Some entrepreneurs have grown into stock market listings, others have expanded their customer base internationally, and many have used BNI tools and networks to survive despite economic crises, political challenges, and the COVID situation. Overall, BNI members have generated approximately 135 billion baht in business value," Glakrit said.

He also outlined BNI Thailand's future direction, stating the organization will push SME and startup members to develop businesses toward global mega trends using an Accelerate approach—accelerating business transformation to align with macro trends affecting the economy, society, lifestyle, and sustainability. This includes collaboration with government agencies to support future economic policies such as electric vehicles, solar cells, sustainable tourism, creative industries, and pet-related business growth.

"Our Accelerate approach emphasizes sustainability, expands membership to entrepreneurs in various provinces, and creates member business value by connecting with international networks. BNI Thailand members span multiple industries including IT and online services, property and construction, marketing services, industry, health and wellness, and hotels and hospitality."

Merry Kennedy Thompson, CEO of BNI (Business Network International), revealed that BNI is a global organization founded 40 years ago with branches in over 78 countries and 355,000 members worldwide. BNI believes that business does not have to be isolated; building teams and networks are crucial to driving member businesses and mutual support. In 2025, the focus will be on combining tradition and innovation to develop member businesses. However, as global conditions change rapidly, BNI has implemented AI to provide greater support opportunities for members.

On August 21, Lieutenant Colonel Cherdkiat Chosropngong, commander of the Army Aviation Center and director of its disaster relief operations center, conducted a readiness inspection of personnel, equipment, and aircraft assigned to disaster relief operations.

The inspection aimed to ensure that prevention and rescue operations would be executed swiftly and efficiently, in compliance with Army regulations and procedures of civilian government agencies and other Defense Ministry departments. The center's primary responsibility is to provide immediate assistance to disaster victims in its designated areas upon request from the Army's central disaster relief center, deploying appropriate personnel and equipment according to its capabilities until victims receive adequate relief.

The Army Aviation Center has previously conducted training exercises for ground and air-based rescue operations using specialized aircraft equipment such as winches and rescue baskets to ensure operational effectiveness. The center maintains command and control capabilities for disaster relief missions across its assigned districts—Sak Luang, Khun Khan, and Noen Kham in Chainat province—and stands ready to respond to emergencies with immediate action when coordinated requests are received.

National Police Chief Kittiphat Phanthapetch has instructed all units to prepare for the public disaster situation, deploying personnel, vehicles, boats, unmanned aircraft (drones), and necessary equipment to assist residents in affected areas promptly. The priority is saving lives and ensuring the safety of both residents and rescue personnel. A man, 58 years old, has been reported missing along with his boat in the Nan River near Ban Pa Ka village, Nai Loeng subdistrict, Wiang Sa district, Nan province, amid strong water currents. Officers are conducting rapid search operations and gathering relevant information. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police drone team from the National Police Office has arrived at the incident site and deployed drones to survey the area, supporting search efforts across the water surface, river channels, and surrounding areas. Using drones allows officers to survey the area from above, expanding the search scope and providing efficient data to ground teams for search planning, particularly in areas limited by water levels, currents, and terrain. Related agencies have established a command post and coordinated diving teams and volunteers to support the operation, covering both water surfaces and related areas while prioritizing rescuer safety. The drone team, led by Police Captain Nithiruj Phuvaratmethavatchi, Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Police Bureau 1, is supporting the search with aerial surveys of difficult-to-reach areas and delivering supplies to the disaster zone. Those requiring drone team support can contact Police Captain Nithiruj Phuvaratmethavatchi at 092-952-5453.