NONTHABURI — 8 August 2026, Police have questioned 16 witnesses as they investigate a school shooting in Nonthaburi, while efforts are under way to determine where the 98 rounds of live ammunition found in the case came from.

Pol. Col. Chokchai Khanajaroen, deputy commander of the Nonthaburi Provincial Police, said that police had called teachers and students in to provide information.

More than 20 witnesses are expected to be questioned. So far, 16 have been interviewed, including around six or seven students who were friends or classmates of the student involved in the incident, with the remainder being teachers.

The Thai language teacher reportedly linked to an issue currently under investigation has not yet given a statement. Police are coordinating with the teacher to appear before investigators.

Police are also investigating the source of the ammunition used in the incident. Friends of the student reportedly told investigators that the student liked playing BB guns, prompting police to examine whether the student had previously received firearms training or practised shooting, or whether this was their first time using a real firearm.

Police confirmed that the ammunition used in the incident was live ammunition, not training rounds. Of the 98 rounds reportedly obtained, 34 were found remaining in the student's bag, meaning the rest had already been used.

Meanwhile, investigators visited a shooting range in the Bang Bua Thong area to check whether the student had previously trained or practised shooting there. Initial checks found no record of the student having used the range.

Police also questioned the student's parents on 7 August. They may be called in for further questioning if investigators identify outstanding issues or obtain additional information.

On August 8, Thanakorn Wuttiphong, Chief Executive Officer of Origin Property Public Company Limited (OR), announced the company's three-year investment plan for Phuket real estate from 2025 to 2027. The initiative aims to support Phuket's growth as Thailand's leading tourism destination and a popular second home destination for foreign buyers.

Over the past three years following the pandemic, approximately 6,000 new condo units have been added to Phuket's market, with Russian buyers leading demand, followed by Polish and Chinese purchasers. Emerging markets include India, the Middle East, and Israel, prompting Origin to target luxury properties and tourism-related developments.

The three-year plan includes 11.65 billion baht in new projects. In 2025, two condominiums worth 3.5 billion baht will launch in beachfront and Karon-Patong areas. From 2026-2027, seven additional condo projects valued at 8.15 billion baht will open across Bang Tao, Cherng Talay, Surin, Kata, and Phuket City. Two new hotels worth 1.88 billion baht are also planned for 2026-2027.

Currently, Origin operates eight condo projects with 3,937 units valued at 15.65 billion baht and three hotels with 601 rooms worth 2.7 billion baht, bringing the total portfolio to 18.35 billion baht. By 2027, this is projected to reach 31.6 billion baht. The company expects real estate revenue from Phuket to exceed 3 billion baht this year, with new revenue streams beginning in Q4 2025 from completed project deliveries.

A selection committee chaired by Natthireya Taweevongse, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, announced that only 2 of 10 applicants for the Director-General position of the Thai Sports Authority passed the qualification screening. The two candidates are Dr. Meechai Inwud, Deputy Director-General for Administration, and Prodpran Samanmit, Deputy Director-General for Professional and Muay Thai Sports, who will proceed to English language testing on August 10, 2025, and interviews on August 13, 2025.

Reporters were informed that the low pass rate stems from strict qualification criteria requiring candidates to have managed an organization or agency valued at no less than 1 billion baht within the past three years. Three to four candidates failed on this criterion alone. Former sports federation chairmen who applied do not meet the requirements, as federation leadership is not classified as managing an organization despite administrative connections to state enterprises. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chaiporn Ofuewong, Deputy Director of the Legal Affairs and Litigation Office of the Royal Thai Police, did not qualify because his position was not at the level of department head or executive management.

Regarding Mallika Bunmeerat Mahasuk, a former national cycling athlete and recent Bangkok governor candidate, she was disqualified for incomplete documentation. Although she stated her education level in her application, she did not attach her educational credentials. Additionally, she submitted her vision statement at 4:48 p.m., 18 minutes past the 4:30 p.m. deadline set by the committee on July 29, resulting in incomplete documentation at the cutoff time.

The committee stated there is no political pressure at present and will select the most suitable candidate based on management experience, English language test results, and interview performance. Only one recommended name will be forwarded to the Thai Sports Authority Board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Tongsorod, for approval, before submission to the Cabinet for final consideration.

"We strictly adhere to the qualification criteria and treat all applicants fairly," the committee stated. "However, if candidates do not meet the standards, they must be eliminated. Some applicants had managed only 18 million baht or up to 600 million baht, but the requirement is 1 billion baht. This criterion was reintroduced to ensure the most capable person manages Thai sports."

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) reported success bringing 20 Thai pet product entrepreneurs to Taipei Pet Show 2026, held July 3–6 at Taipei World Trade Center. During the event, 30 Taiwanese importers and distributors registered to conduct business negotiations with the Thai companies, resulting in 128 total business meeting pairs. The Thai Pavilion featured pet foods, treats, supplements, grooming products, cat litter, apparel, and accessories—many using human-grade and natural ingredients without synthetic colors or preservatives. Brands developed specialized formulas including high-protein and allergy-reducing options to address growing global pet health concerns.

The pavilion stood out with special themed displays featuring popular pet intellectual properties Cat Company and Rudolph The Awesome, creating attractive booth designs that became a popular photo spot and enhanced brand awareness of Thai products in Taiwan. The 2026 show, the largest to date, featured 480 exhibitors operating over 2,100 booths with more than 2,200 brands from Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, China, South Korea, the United States, Hong Kong, Australia, and Malaysia. Thailand remains Taiwan's leading pet food supplier, supplying dog and cat foods as the primary products in high demand.

On Monday, July 27, 2026, the Supreme Sangha Council held a merit-making ceremony on Buddhist Mandala Commemoration Day for the Buddhist era 2569, marking 71 years since the auspicious groundbreaking on July 29, 1955. The event was presided over by Somdet Phra Phutthacharn (Sanit Chuanpanyo), a Supreme Sangha Council member and abbot of Trimitr Witthayaram Temple, at the Sri Sakyamuni Dhammarajadasa Buddha image pavilion.

Activities included a worship ceremony for the principal Buddha image, merit-making dedications to past Supreme Patriarchs, merit-making dedications to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej as patron of the Buddhist Mandala, merit-making dedications to all benefactors past and present, and chanting of Buddhist scriptures. The National Buddhism Office Director, Udompon Ekiam, tasked Deputy Director Kanikanant Lorsitong to lead government officials and representatives from both public and private sectors, along with descendants of those who helped establish and develop the Buddhist Mandala, in participating in the ceremony.

On July 29, 1955, King Bhumibol Adulyadej performed the auspicious groundbreaking ceremony for the Buddhist Mandala, marking the highest state occasion. Since then, under royal and sangha patronage, the Mandala project has continued, receiving constant royal support. Today's reigning Monarch has sustained and further developed this royal work. The National Buddhism Office designated July 29 as "Buddhist Mandala Commemoration Day" each year in recognition of the royal and spiritual benevolence of all who have contributed to the Mandala as a central Buddhist treasure.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced that he has directed the Forest Industry Organization (FIO) to conduct an educational merit-making ceremony at Ban Kiwlom School in Tambol Bo Luang, Hod district, Chiang Mai province. The initiative will support education and increase opportunities for local children and youth by donating 22 computers for classroom instruction and information technology skill development.

The minister stated that access to technology and knowledge are crucial factors in modern education, particularly for students in remote areas with limited educational equipment and resources. By providing computers to the school, students gain tools to research, learn technology, and develop essential future skills.

"I believe that providing educational opportunities creates a future for children," Suchat said. "Having proper learning equipment helps students gain broader perspectives and access knowledge and technology more equitably. This is why I assigned the FIO to organize this educational merit-making activity to benefit the children and community."

Chanudom Petchsangkh, acting director of the FIO, will preside over the ceremony, which will include monks, school officials, teachers, students, and community members. The minister added that the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry's mission extends beyond resource conservation to include community care and promoting sustainable quality of life for youth, ensuring equal access to information and environmental knowledge.