Residents and environmental rights advocates rallied outside the Prachin Buri Provincial Government Complex on Monday to oppose plans to bring the province into the Eastern Economic Corridor, saying they would remain at the site until Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul formally signed an order halting the move.

Sumet Rianphongnam and Sunthorn Khomkhai, environmental human rights defenders from the Prachin Strong Network, joined local residents at the government complex in Mai Khet subdistrict, Mueang Prachin Buri district.

Protesters displayed banners calling on authorities to reconsider development plans they fear could affect local communities, livelihoods, natural resources and the environment. Signs read "Prachin Buri does not want the EEC" and "Stop giving Prachin Buri away to Chinese investors."

The group said the gathering was peaceful and called for genuine public consultation before any projects with potentially significant local impacts were allowed to proceed. Authorities were deployed around the government complex to maintain order and facilitate traffic, with no major disruption reported.

Protesters also called on the Prachin Buri governor to sign a letter opposing the province's inclusion in the EEC. One demonstrator wore a mask resembling the provincial governor with the word "China" written across his stomach and fake 1,000-baht banknotes hung around his neck. He scattered the imitation notes in what organisers described as a symbolic protest against concerns over Chinese-funded factories and the handling of industrial development by local authorities.

Chalermchai Klahan read out a statement saying the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee had agreed in principle on 20 May to include Prachin Buri in the EEC. The network said residents had repeatedly submitted objections and supporting information but believed their concerns had not received meaningful consideration.

The protesters said they were also following up on talks with the government on 30 June, when Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, acting as a government representative, pledged to raise their demands with Anutin, who chairs the EEC Policy Committee. More than 45 days had passed without a clear response or visible progress, the group said.

The network said it had submitted the names of 11,207 supporters to the government and listed six main reasons for opposing Prachin Buri's inclusion in the EEC, including the province's strengths in organic agriculture, wellness tourism, upstream forests and natural attractions near Khao Yai and Thap Lan national parks. The group also cited existing industrial impacts, noting that Prachin Buri has faced problems involving waste-processing plants, smelters and industrial facilities since regulatory changes introduced after 2016.

Kasetsart University held a ceremony on August 17, 2026, to formally receive a royal decree appointing Assistant Professor Dr. Khongsakdi Thiengthum as the university's 16th rector. University Council Chairman Dr. Krit Kiratikorn presided, joined by council members, administrators, faculty, and staff.

After the ceremonial lighting of candles and incense, Dr. Thiengthum accepted his appointment and expressed profound gratitude. He pledged to perform his duties with full responsibility, integrity, and ethics to advance Kasetsart University and create benefits for education, society, and the nation.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Thiengthum outlined his management philosophy, emphasizing collaboration and unity. He stressed the importance of shared leadership, breaking down organizational silos, and adopting a university-wide and national perspective. He highlighted three core principles: Syntegration (collaborative work), shared resource use, and Glocalization (thinking globally while understanding local context).

Dr. Thiengthum noted that the university possesses excellent resources, particularly its talented personnel. He called on all administrators and staff to work together to overcome challenges and fulfill Kasetsart's role in shaping Thailand's future, especially in agriculture and related fields. The new rector emphasized that success requires genuine cooperation, shared ownership of goals, and a commitment to addressing both global issues and Thailand's specific needs.

A parliamentary committee on law, justice, and human rights, led by Rangsiman Rom and including deputy police commander Tweed Sodding, visited Yala and Songkhla provinces on August 17–18, 2025, to assess law enforcement, justice delivery, and human rights protection in the deep south. On the first day, the committee visited Sohabbat Garden in Muang Yala district to hear testimony from victims of alleged human rights violations, then moved to the National Police Operations Centre to review the police department's enforcement activities in the border provinces. The closed-door meeting included briefings from senior security commanders, followed by planned visits to a local police station and school to assess community-level safety and rights protection. On August 18, the committee traveled to Songkhla to study border checkpoint development and cross-border trade facilitation at Sadao district office.

Jack Titus, a Thai-American model and current Mister Supranational Thailand 2026 holder, has returned to Thailand after making history at the Mister Supranational 2026 competition held in Poland. Competing as Thailand's representative, Titus demonstrated his abilities and distinctive presence throughout all rounds, securing the Supra Fan Vote 2026 award and reaching the Top 10 Mister Supranational Influencer Finalists before ultimately winning the Continental King of Asia 2026 title, positioning himself as Asia's representative on the world stage.

Titus's victory has generated immense pride among Thai pageant fans, with his arrival at the airport today drawing enthusiastic welcomes. He returned alongside Ai Kanyanon, Miss Supranational Thailand 2026, who advanced to the Top 24 of the Miss Supranational 2026 competition. Reflecting on his success, Titus expressed his joy, noting that the achievement exceeded his expectations and that both Thai representatives worked to their fullest capacity.

As Continental King of Asia 2026, Titus will represent Supranational at major Asian events going forward. He credited the support and encouragement from believers and skeptics alike as motivation for his performance. Beyond the title itself, Titus emphasized the valuable work experience and production knowledge he gained from the competition, which he plans to apply to future pageant organizations in Thailand. He hinted at several upcoming exciting projects and announced plans to recruit suitable representatives for next year's Supranational Thailand competition.

On August 17, private investigator Boy revealed details of an infidelity case after being hired by the principal's wife to uncover the truth. Boy's investigation led to catching the couple in the act, and all evidence was handed to lawyer Hathai Anteng to pursue aggressive legal action. After reviewing the complete file and evidence, the lawyer posted documentation and photos of a green coat hanger on his personal Facebook, signaling his readiness to proceed with a civil damages claim against the other woman and file serious disciplinary proceedings against the principal.

Boy explained that the wife's suspicions arose from finding unfamiliar coat hangers in the car and home that she did not recognize. She eventually discovered that the woman involved was a former civil servant and longtime friend of more than 10 years who had been secretly maintaining a deep relationship with her husband throughout their marriage.

The investigation took two to three months and involved advanced surveillance techniques, including GPS tracking of the husband's movements. Undercover operatives posed as parents visiting the school to gather information. The team conducted a stakeout operation on the day of the incident, following the principal's car and recording clear video footage of him picking up his female companion for activities—evidence described as ironclad.

Boy confirmed that the investigation has been closed with all evidence compiled, including documents, video clips, photographs, and the green coat hanger as a key physical exhibit. All materials have been handed to the wife to proceed with court action. Boy stated that the wife suspected her husband of infidelity throughout their 10-year marriage and came seeking proof. She confirmed the coat hanger was not hers, and the investigation validated her long-held suspicions. All evidence has now been submitted to lawyer Hathai Anteng for filing in court, with Boy concluding: "We'll see you in court. Good luck."

The case involving alleged fraud and electoral violations in the 2024 parliamentary election is intensifying as the Election Commission approaches its decision deadline of late August or early September 2026. Seven commissioners will jointly determine whether to refer charges to the Supreme Court's Election Division against all 229 accused persons or only some of them.

Election Commissioner Sitthichote Intrawiseth stated the commission has no concerns about the process, confirming it will base findings on evidence in the primary investigation report from committee 26, while also considering contrary opinions from subcommittee 36 that found insufficient grounds for prosecution. The commission is examining charges one by one, with the first charge requiring nearly a month of deliberation before moving through charges up to the seventh, the final set. Each accused person may face multiple distinct charges or only one, so the commission must carefully analyze the details of each charge before combining them into an overall assessment.

After completing deliberations on the final charge, commissioners will take a one-week break to individually review all evidence, reasoning, and counterarguments before reconvening to vote on individual cases, according to Sitthichote's explanation.

Meanwhile, opposition parties including the Pheu Thai Party, Prachachart Party, and Prachathipat Party are stepping up efforts in the final stretch, holding evidence and witness sessions every week. They have emphasized repeatedly that the Election Commission must refer the case only to the courts and not exercise arbitrary power. They warn that if the commission acts beyond its mandate, it risks being prosecuted itself. The fraud and electoral violation case is becoming increasingly tense, with all sides closely watching the commission's deliberations.