The King Prajadhipok Institute released survey results on August 21, 2025, examining public confidence in constitutional bodies and views on the Election Commission's performance. The nationwide survey of 2,000 adults conducted August 7-10, 2025, revealed key findings:

When asked what information constitutional bodies should disclose, 32.8% prioritized case progress and complaints, followed by 18.2% wanting decision rationales, 15.3% budget spending and procurement details, and 11.2% decision-making criteria. Combined, 51% want both case updates and explanations of decisions, suggesting more than half of citizens want to follow cases and understand reasoning rather than just hear verdicts.

The Constitutional Court leads in public trust at 31.3%, but 27.7% remain undecided or have no opinion. The National Human Rights Commission follows at 13.2%, the National Anti-Corruption Commission at 10.9%, and the Audit Office at 6.6%. The Election Commission ranks lowest at just 3.8% confidence. Regional variation shows the Constitutional Court highest in the North at 44.8% and South at 37.5%, while Bangkok residents most trust the Audit Office at 28.9%.

On the Election Commission's performance, 23.7% rate its election management efficiency highly, 21.3% approve its integrity, and 18.5% trust its fairness in ruling on election cases. However, 51.9% believe the Commission lacks independence from political interference—the highest negative rating across six assessed areas. Similarly, 50.8% doubt its impartiality in election cases, 48.1% question transparency, and 45.5% criticize its public communication.

On August 21 at Army headquarters, Chief of Staff General Chaiyapruek Dhuangpratthana visited the weekly army market established under the Commander in Chief's policy to reduce costs for service members and their families while creating income opportunities. The market allows military families to sell affordable consumer goods and homemade products. Originally held twice monthly on alternate Fridays, the market has expanded to weekly Friday sales from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. due to strong demand, with goods typically selling out rapidly. During his visit, General Chaiyapruek personally purchased goods including fried bananas, mangosteen, and fresh food items like sausages sold by military families, demonstrating the army's commitment to supporting personnel welfare through reduced daily expenses and supplementary household income.

Thailand's women's volleyball team will face Australia on August 21 at 1:00 PM in Group B action of the 2026 AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship, held at the Tianjin Olympic Center Gymnasium in Tianjin, China, running through August 30. Twelve nations are competing, and Thailand's 14-player roster is led by captain Pornpimol Kerdpracha, alongside players including Nattanichcha Jaisaen, Piyanuch Paennoi, Kalyarat Kamvong, Jidapha Nahuahong, Taddao Nukjaeng, Wimonrat Thanaphun, Kanyarat Khunmuang, Kaewkalya Kamultala, Pimpichaya Kokram, Chatchuon Moksor, Siphaporn Chantvisut, and Ajcharaporn Kongyos.

Thailand competes in Group B alongside Australia, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan, with matches scheduled for August 21 against Australia, August 24 against Indonesia, and August 25 against Kazakhstan. Fans can watch live on Monomax Sports Channel 29 (free-to-air) or Monomax.

Captain Pornpimol Kerdpracha stated the team's sole objective is the championship. The 2026 tournament holds significant importance, as the champion receives an automatic quota to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, while the top three finishers earn qualification for the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Championship.

On August 20, 2025, police from the Immigration Bureau's Region 3 conducted a search and arrested a 45-year-old American woman at a hostel in Bangkok's Prawet district. She had her residency permission revoked due to an arrest warrant issued by an Oregon court in the United States for parental kidnapping. The child, an 8-year-old boy, was safely recovered and reunited with his father.

The operation was authorized by Major General Songproed Sirisuk, commander of Immigration Region 3, who instructed officers to take decisive action against foreign nationals using Thailand as a hiding place for crimes. Police received intelligence from U.S. authorities indicating an American citizen wanted for child abduction had fled to Thailand. After locating and verifying her identity through her passport, officers took her into custody.

The case dates back to early 2025, when the boy's father, an American, was granted custody following his separation from the mother—the suspect. The mother had alcohol and mental health issues. However, she abducted the child and evaded the father's search efforts for over 18 months. The father hired a private investigator, filed reports, and created a website to locate his son, which eventually went viral across the United States.

The Thai Immigration Bureau obtained crucial information leading to the suspect's discovery. Officers coordinated with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate and apprehend her, successfully returning the child to his father. Major General Songproed emphasized that Thailand will not serve as a haven for foreign fugitives, particularly in cases involving child safety, and pledged full cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.

Kalayanawat School in Khon Kaen has moved classes online for one day after an alleged threat of violence by a student prompted safety concerns.

The school announced on its Facebook page that all classes on Friday, 21 August, would be held online from students' homes, while teachers and other education staff would continue reporting to the school as usual.

In its announcement, the school said it had received information requiring careful verification and assessment. It said the temporary change was intended to strengthen safety measures and reassure students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Students were instructed to attend their usual classes online through the channels designated by the school. The school said it had coordinated with relevant agencies to examine the information, assess the situation, and implement appropriate safety measures.

It also asked parents to closely supervise students during online learning and urged students, parents, teachers, and staff to rely only on the school's official communication channels. The school warned against sharing unverified information that could cause confusion or unnecessary concern.

According to an unnamed source, students had argued in a Line group chat on 20 August over an unspecified issue. One student allegedly posted comments threatening violence before leaving the group.

The school, located about 300 metres from Khon Kaen City Police Station, reportedly contacted police and temporarily shifted to online learning while the situation is investigated.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed reports that Japanese investors are moving their production bases out of Thailand, saying the government will not abandon long-standing investors and will fully support the country's traditional automotive industry.

Anutin said the government places importance on investors from all countries, particularly Japan, which has used Thailand as a major production base for decades and has become deeply integrated into the country's industrial sector.

The government is prepared to adjust business conditions and remove obstacles to ensure Japanese investors remain confident in Thailand, he said.

"The government's core policy is to remain open and improve various conditions to make business operations more flexible under our good relationship, so that we can achieve sustainable growth and long-term economic cooperation and maintain Japan's strong production base in Thailand," Anutin said.

He said the automotive industry was particularly important because most components, including engines, vehicle bodies, chassis and various systems, are manufactured in Thailand by Japanese brands.

"This is something we cannot abandon, and we must ensure that investors do not abandon Thailand either," he said.

Anutin said Japanese investors had been operating in Thailand for so long that the two countries' automotive production systems had become deeply intertwined.

"We are ready to ease obstacles to reassure them that we have not abandoned them. It cannot be a situation where we give them everything when we need them, but once they are doing well, we later add more conditions," he said.

EV rules to be reviewed

On electric vehicles, Anutin said he had assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to review measures governing investors from different countries.

The review aims to prevent Japan's automotive industry from being placed at a disadvantage as Japanese companies enter Thailand's EV sector, he said.

The government will consider restructuring relevant measures to ensure fair competition and maintain confidence among automakers from different countries, according to Anutin.

He acknowledged that EV manufacturers initially import many components from overseas, but said new domestic supply chains would eventually emerge.

These are expected to include batteries, computer systems and other components, which production requirements would encourage manufacturers to establish in Thailand, he said.

The government will also focus on maintaining political and economic stability as a key factor in attracting and retaining investment over the long term.

530 billion baht in foreign investment in first half

Anutin pointed to investment figures as evidence that foreign investors remain confident in Thailand.

He said foreign investment in Thailand exceeded 1 trillion baht last year, while actual foreign investment had already reached about 530 billion baht in the first half of the year.