The Phuea Luang faction, comprising members of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization Council under the leadership of the late Pol. Col. Thongchai Yen-praserit, held an emergency meeting on August 15, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Hall 5 of Saphan Sung Temple in Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province. Thongchai was killed on August 10 when former three-term Nonthaburi parliamentarian Chalop Rueang-raeng opened fire as the governor was preparing to leave the parking area behind the provincial administration building.

Following discussions among council members of the Phuea Luang faction, the group formally resolved to endorse Naruephan Yen-praserit, grandson of Pol. Col. Thongchai Yen-praserit, to run for the vacant position of provincial administrator. Candidate registration will be held on August 18. The faction believes that Nonthaburi residents, familiar with Pol. Col. Thongchai's accomplishments as former administrator, will support his grandson in honor of the late official, even as the Palang Prachachon Party announces its own candidate for the race.

The team of Suriyun Saengtiannoi, a renowned ONE Championship boxer, has updated his condition following a CT scan after he was struck by a minivan while jogging and sustained injuries. Doctors are monitoring him closely.

Suriyanth Thiennoi, 29, known as Suriyun Saengtiannoi, a famous Muay Thai boxer with ONE Championship, was hit by a minivan while exercising along a roadside on Khlong Prem Road in Chiang Rak Noi subdistrict, Samkok District, Pathum Thani Province, on the morning of August 15.

Latest Update (August 15, 2569): The Sangtiennoi Official page provided an update on Suriyun's condition following the accident that occurred today. Suriyun has completed his CT scan. The scan results show no brain bleeding and no broken or fractured bones.

Suriyun is currently alert and able to communicate normally. He has bruising across his body from the accident but no serious wounds. He remains under close medical supervision and observation for safety. The team thanks all the messages, concerns, and encouragement sent to Suriyun Saengtiannoi, and asks the public to follow official channels for accurate updates to prevent misinformation. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

The Thai Craft Promotion Institute (SACIT), under the Ministry of Commerce, is driving Thai handicrafts toward sustainability through a Sustainable Craft Business Model designed to systematically strengthen Thai artisanal potential across economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions, aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. SACIT has selected Varni Craft from Phatthalung province as a successful model for creating sustainable local handicraft practices under an ESG framework, elevating local wisdom into globally recognized creative business.

Director Anucha Theerakanan of SACIT stated that the institute is advancing Thai handicrafts under the vision "Nurturing Thai Crafts to Global Trends," using the Sustainable Craft Business Model as a framework for integrated development of Thai craft entrepreneurs across the entire value chain.

This encompasses preserving knowledge and cultural capital, upgrading artisan skills, product design and development, responsible production, co-creating value with communities, and building brands to expand markets. The goal is to enable Thai handicrafts to compete in modern markets while preserving local identity and wisdom alongside generating stable community income.

"This model is not merely an environmental practice, but a strategy that transforms Thai crafts into premium lifestyle products, drives sustainable growth in the Thai craft ecosystem, and establishes Thai crafts as a genuine 'planet-conscious brand'," Anucha said.

Varni Craft from Phatthalung, founded in 2014 by Manutphong Senghuad, an heir to traditional palm-weaving craftsmanship under SACIT, represents a concrete application of the Sustainable Craft Business Model. It has transformed the palm-weaving knowledge of the Thale Noi community into contemporary lifestyle products through brand identity development, modern product design, and upgraded production processes aligned with circular economy principles. This has created added value while generating income for producers in the community and expanded business opportunities in both domestic and international markets.

Vice Director Sangravee Singhawibuul noted that Varni Craft's success demonstrates the transformation of the palm plant—traditionally viewed merely as wetland vegetation in the Thale Noi area—into a valued community commodity. Through upcycling and creative innovation, it generates continuous income for the locality.

"The product has also been elevated through geographic indication (GI) registration, recognizing that palm plants from Phatthalung's unique wetland ecosystem possess special properties: resilient, supple fibers and natural beautiful colors. Combined with traditional weaving wisdom, this creates craft products with both cultural storytelling and international quality standards," Sangravee concluded.

Thailand moves ahead with gun law despite sport shooting concernsLegacyThailand’s government is pressing ahead with stricter firearms controls, even as the country’s shooting sport association raises concerns that the new rules are disrupting athlete training and gun transport. The prime minister addressed the pushback after the shooting sport association flagged that tightened gun control measures were making it harder for competitors to move their firearms and continue regular training. He said the Interior Ministry’s Department of Provincial Administration, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and the shooting sport association are now working closely together to resolve the issue. Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the government will continue pushing additional firearms control legislation. He added that officials would examine the details carefully to ensure the rules are proportionate and don’t create problems for people who legitimately need to use firearms, particularly athletes. One of the main points under discussion is how gun transport should be handled in different situations, including when owners relocate or travel to training sessions and competitions. Anutin said clear guidelines are needed so movements can be properly tracked, without becoming an obstacle for athletes doing their jobs. He said all relevant parties would be given the chance to help shape the new rules. The government’s main goal, he added, is to draft legislation that prioritises public safety and closes loopholes that let firearms fall into the wrong hands, while still striking a balance so the sport shooting community isn’t hit harder than necessary.

In a related development that has driven the government’s push for firearms control, Thailand has recorded six major mass shootings over the past six years, in settings ranging from shopping malls to schools. The story Thailand moves ahead with gun law despite sport shooting concerns as seen on Thaiger News.

On August 15, 2569, reporters documented the bustling atmosphere at Rishi Monastery, Dhatu Buddha Kun in Tambon Po Taeng, Bang Thai District, Ayutthaya Province—a well-known spiritual tourist destination. Throughout the day, locals and visitors continuously paid respects to sacred shrines seeking blessings, spiritual merit, and good fortune. The monastery grounds featured multiple sacred sites for worship, including a nine-faced Phra Vessuwan statue standing 16 meters tall, the shrine of Mae Takhian, Phra Phikhaneswar, Phra Sangkachai, Luang Pho Mi, Chindamani Cave, and the Golden Child statue of Jao Sua Heng. Devotees brought offerings including pumpkins, red water, snacks, toys, bicycles, and rice.

Many visitors also participated in ceremonies led by the monastery's rishi monks, including the ritual of opening the fortune's golden face, anointing the hands, and bathing in blessed water for auspiciousness, prosperity, career advancement, and business success. Former leading actress Mae Duang Kaew, mother of actors Sarama and Nam Petch from the Sarama-Nam Petch ensemble, donated 150 kilograms of rice and drinking water to the monastery, continuing her regular devotional visits.

At the merit pavilion near the grandfather rishi's shrine, many lottery hopefuls examined drops of red candle wax appearing in the blessing water, attempting to discern lottery numbers. Clusters of numbers including 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 were observed. These numbers represent only what devotees personally perceived from the candle wax droplets according to individual belief and do not constitute any official lottery result confirmation.

On August 15 at Bangkok Railway Station, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob, speaking as secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, said he is not concerned about an opposition move to debate a no-confidence motion that may cover the TH-AI Passport project. He stated that he is unafraid and unworried because the programme is grounded in law and regulations, has undergone internal review, and includes cooperation with the opposition on information sharing and contract improvements to benefit both the state and citizens.

When asked if he is confident he can explain the project to parliament, Chidchob said he can provide a correct explanation following all legal procedures, but acknowledged that no matter how he explains, the opposition will likely remain unsatisfied.

On the question of whether he is confident the parliamentary vote will align in one direction, Chidchob said he is confident the initiative is good and necessary for the public because it reduces inequality. He noted that at a global artificial intelligence conference in China, his ministry's booth was the only one that attracted attention and praise from multiple foreign ministers because it addresses inequality.

When pressed on whether, as party secretary-general, he needs to coordinate with party members to ensure they vote in the same direction, Chidchob said such coordination is not necessary.

Regarding concerns about other matters such as a legal case involving a senator, Chidchob said he has no concerns and maintains that it involves old issues already under investigation.