Thailand's construction industry is shifting from cost-based competition to technology, innovation, sustainability, and carbon reduction. Finding modern knowledge and expanding business networks has become essential. FutureBuild Asia 2026 will take place November 11-13, 2026 at BITEC Bangkok under the theme "Shaping the Future of Construction in Asia – by Bridging Professionals, Stakeholders and Technologies." The international conference and exhibition will bring together project developers, contractors, engineers, architects, investors, government agencies, and technology providers to drive regional construction and urban development.

"This event will elevate the construction industry ecosystem by connecting all parts of the supply chain—from project owners and designers to contractors, suppliers, and government—to advance the construction industry's future, foster collaboration among stakeholders, integrate innovation and sustainability, and connect Thai entrepreneurs to the global stage," organizers said.

The event aims to serve as a gathering place for construction professionals from every sector, bringing together leading organizations, professional associations, experts, and industry thought leaders. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and exchange knowledge with over 100 industry leaders and speakers, fostering B2B business connections across the region.

Niwat Thanpitinanthan, Advisory Board Chairman of FutureBuild Asia 2026, explained that this event differs from typical exhibitions because it is designed as a horizontal connective platform where all construction industry stakeholders—from upstream to downstream—can meet in person.

"Most events we see tend to be vertical, focusing on specific expertise within their own groups. While those remain important and should continue, FutureBuild Asia will serve as a bridge connecting these vertical events horizontally, allowing construction industry stakeholders to meet, discuss, and better understand each other's roles," Niwat said.

He added that although the event features conferences and exhibitions, the primary goal is not simply to showcase cutting-edge technology, but to create space for entrepreneurs and executives across all disciplines to build sustainable relationships.

"We want project owners, government and private sector representatives, designers, material suppliers, site supervisors, contractors, financial institutions, insurance companies, logistics providers, and engineering educational institutions to learn from each other about how to collectively improve and elevate construction standards," Niwat said.

The three-day program will feature conferences and seminars covering critical industry topics: Capital, Urbanization & Partnership Foundations; Infrastructure, Technology, Energy & Sustainable Delivery; and Energy, Data Center Resilience & Future Workforce. The content is organized around five main pillars: strategic direction featuring voices from policymakers and industry; professional network power fostering collaboration among organizations; key improvement areas drawing lessons from construction challenges; and industry-driven perspectives.

The laughter of children from a newly renovated playground may seem ordinary, but for Ban Khao Loi School in Rayong province, it represents the start of an opportunity space where children learn, grow, and discover their potential. Near the playground, students are planting nectar-bearing flowers to create food sources for bees and learning the relationship between nature and beekeeping—from caring for trees to processing honey into school products.

These small stories reflect how "good health" begins with everyday opportunities: learning, exercise, and spaces for children to explore and unlock their abilities. This concept underpins the CSR activities under the "Taisho Go Health" program by Taisho Pharmaceutical (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which aims to improve the quality of life for children and communities in Rayong province.

Yasumasa Iwamoto, chairman of Taisho Pharmaceutical (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said the company believes good health encompasses not just treating illness but also physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Through "Taisho Go Health," Taisho supports children, youth, and communities via education, sports, vocational skills, and public health initiatives. The company has helped develop Ban Khao Loi School by upgrading the playground, creating a vocational skills classroom, providing sports equipment and uniforms, health products, and scholarships, while also donating health equipment to the local health promotion hospital.

More than 30 executives, employees, volunteers, and team members worked together to create this opportunity space, upgrading the playground, providing sports equipment, offering scholarships, and renovating the vocational skills room so children can learn and develop their abilities. The team also supported Ban Khao Loi Health Promotion Hospital by improving facilities, donating beds and equipment for bedridden patients, providing patient meals, and supplying Taisho products to strengthen healthcare capacity in the area.

For the children of Ban Khao Loi School, these changes represent more than physical improvements—they are new opportunities for learning and personal development. One student, Thawichai Prakong (nickname Tiew), a sixth-grade pupil and talented shuttlecock athlete, shared his excitement at participating in the activities. Beyond painting the vocational skills room, he received sports equipment and uniforms that will encourage physical activity and stronger health. "I was excited and had fun painting the vocational skills room. Usually I play shuttlecock and football, and with the new equipment I want to invite friends to exercise together so we all stay strong. I'm also grateful that Taisho supported our playground, sports gear, and medical supplies for the school and health promotion hospital, making our school and community a better place," he said.

Thailand's women's volleyball team fielded a full-strength squad and cruised past the Philippines 3-0 in sets to capture an opening victory at the BYD DMI 6th SEA V Cup 2026 Leg 2, held at Chiang Mai's 700 Years Stadium on August 7. In their head-to-head record, Thailand has won all five of their most recent matchups against the Philippines. In the first leg of CV Cup 2026, Thailand defeated the Philippines 3-2 (25-17, 19-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-10).

Coach Kiattipong Ratchatagrienggai deployed Thailand's premier roster, featuring Pornpraporn Kaetprachaya, Taddao Nuekchang, Chatchua Moksin, Kaewkalya Komulthala, Acharaporn Kongyos, and Sasicha Janthawisut, with Piyanus Paennoi as the libero. Thailand's dominant performance resulted in a commanding 3-0 victory with set scores of 25-19, 25-17, and 25-19, earning them three points in the second leg.

In the opening match of the day, Vietnam fell to Indonesia 2-3 (25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 20-25, 9-15). The CV Cup matches in Chiang Mai have drawn huge fan interest, with ticket resellers pushing prices up tenfold. Thailand's women's team will face Indonesia in their next match on August 8 at 4:30 p.m.

At 3 p.m. on August 7, police from Muang Nonthaburi station received a report of a male body floating in the Chao Phraya River beneath Rama VII Bridge in Suanai Subdistrict, Muang District, Nonthaburi Province. At the scene, officers found the deceased wearing cycling attire with a black backpack containing one cement block used as an umbrella base and one concrete brick weighing approximately 10 kilograms total. No wounds were found on the body, and the corpse had been deceased for about 24 hours.

Andy Khemapimuk, a singer, actor, DJ, and host in the Dragonfire band, traveled to view the body and recalled that he had last met the deceased about a month prior. He noted that the man was very close to his mother and was someone who always planned his actions carefully. Andy added that they had been in regular contact, and the deceased had recently sent video clips of Dragonfire songs to their group chat and mentioned reuniting with the band soon.

The deceased's mother disclosed that before his death, her son had been preparing to ordain as a monk at Sangkhathan Temple and had already obtained documents from the temple, though no ordination date had been set. He had been regularly meditating there beforehand. Investigators have questioned relatives and submitted the body for detailed autopsy to determine the cause of death. The family expressed disbelief, noting that the deceased had concrete plans to become a monk in the near future.

Thailand's Commerce Ministry has hailed Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing's official visit to Thailand on August 6-7, 2025, as a landmark moment that could reshape economic ties between the two nations. According to Arada Fuengtong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, the visit represents a potential turning point in reviving economic, trade, and investment cooperation after years of constraints imposed by Myanmar's internal situation. The leaders' discussions are expected to cover trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, energy, environment, labor development, and trade facilitation, alongside the Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum 2026.

Border trade between Thailand and Myanmar continues to be the primary economic mechanism, despite challenges from regional instability and Myanmar's trade measures. In 2025, bilateral trade totaled 244.051 billion baht, with border and cross-border trade accounting for 199.112 billion baht, or 81 percent of total trade. The Mae Sot checkpoint in Tak Province, linking to Mawlamyine, serves as the critical trade gateway, but traders have faced significant obstacles including border closures, import licensing delays, foreign exchange requirements, logistics issues, and security concerns that have driven up costs and undermined business confidence.

The leadership talks carry crucial importance as a "political signal" reflecting both governments' commitment to serious economic cooperation, particularly in reducing trade barriers and facilitating border commerce. Thailand has proposed holding a Joint Trade Commission (JTC) meeting with Myanmar within 2025 to systematically address trade obstacles through improved import procedures, reduced non-tariff measures, customs facilitation, and enhanced logistics networks. The Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum 2026 will also provide a platform for private sectors from both nations to exchange business information and build trade networks, fostering investment collaboration and new opportunities.

Commerce Ministry officials concluded that Myanmar President's visit is not merely a reciprocal leadership exchange but a crucial opportunity to lay the groundwork for renewed economic cooperation that could revitalize Thailand-Myanmar border trade and drive sustainable expansion of the border economy.