Prince of Songkla University's Surat Thani campus, in collaboration with the Institute for the Promotion of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (public organization), is driving workplace safety knowledge and networks through a regional academic seminar on occupational safety and health in Surat Thani Province scheduled for August 5-6, 2025, at the university conference hall. The event aims to build a safety culture while integrating smart safety technology and innovation to elevate workplace safety standards and support economic and industrial growth in Southern Thailand.

Dr. Nanthachai Pannyasurit, director of the Institute for the Promotion of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment, presided over the opening ceremony. District Chief Suchaow Toomosik, representing the provincial governor, welcomed participants, while Associate Professor Suchadha Thipmonthree, vice rector of the Surat Thani campus, addressed the university's collaborative role in supporting the event and developing occupational safety knowledge at the regional level.

The seminar attracted participation from government officials, private sector representatives, safety network partners, business operators, academics, and workers from Southern Thailand to exchange knowledge and experience in occupational safety, occupational health, risk management, and the application of technology and innovation to create safer work environments.

A key highlight was the presentation of awards to 37 businesses that met the criteria of the Zero Accident Campaign 2026, recognizing organizations that prioritize accident prevention and serve as models for building safety culture within their organizations, while encouraging continuous improvement of safety standards across business and industry.

Over the two-day event, diverse knowledge-sharing activities were conducted, including academic lectures, panel discussions, demonstrations of safety innovations, virtual reality (VR) training, and exhibitions from government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions. These provided participants with practical exposure to safety technologies, tools, and management approaches applicable to their workplaces.

The event reflects the Smart Safety approach, which integrates technology and innovation as essential tools for risk prevention and management while building organizational safety awareness and culture. This positions occupational safety and health development to keep pace with technological change and contemporary work models.

As a higher education institution in Southern Thailand, Prince of Songkla University's Surat Thani campus plays a vital role in supporting academic knowledge, personnel development, and networking collaboration between the university, government agencies, business, and industry to collectively raise occupational safety, health, and work environment standards—a foundation for improving worker quality of life, organizational efficiency, and economic development.

An update on the case of a Grade 12 student at Khon Kaen Wittayaan School who was bullied, extorted, assaulted, and burned with cigarettes by classmates, prompting his parents to seek help. The school later issued a statement addressing the incident.

In a recent interview, the parent of the student (referred to as "A") revealed that his son has attended the school since Grade 10. Initially, classmates would borrow small sums of money—typically 100 to 200 baht—but this soon escalated as a group of peers began requesting loans more frequently and in larger amounts. When the student refused, he was physically assaulted. He described being locked in empty rooms and repeatedly beaten from Grade 10 semester two through Grade 12, bearing visible injuries. He did not tell his family because he was threatened with death or further harm.

On the first day of classes in Grade 12, during lunch break, the suspects again called him into an empty room, demanded money, locked him in, and when he refused, burned him with cigarettes and assaulted him further. The mother discovered bruises and marks on his face and body, and after questioning him, learned the full story.

The parent explained that after discovering the abuse, the family met with the vice principal for student affairs, who promised an investigation and to arrange a meeting with the principal. However, the principal did not attend the scheduled meeting and sent another teacher instead, leaving the family without the details they sought. The teacher stated that the accused students denied the allegations, claiming there was no evidence, and seemed to want the matter closed to protect the school's reputation.

The teacher advised the family to file a police complaint, so they pursued legal action. Initially, the family wanted to transfer schools, but their son insisted on staying since graduation was near, so he continued attending despite sharing classes with all three suspects, causing the family ongoing concern.

Major Yosawat Kaewsuebnit, superintendent of Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, confirmed that the student and parents filed a complaint in May on charges of assault and theft. Investigators have questioned the youth suspects in the presence of a multidisciplinary team and taken statements from five relevant witnesses, including teachers and parents from both sides.

Police have scheduled separate interrogations of the three accused youths in the presence of a multidisciplinary team for August 18, 19, and 25, 2026, respectively. The case remains under investigation and will proceed according to legal procedures, with police assuring fair treatment for all parties.

The Facebook page 'Kub Khao Kub Pla O Plaocooking', which has more than 16 million followers, posted about the women's volleyball CV Cup 2026 held at Chiang Mai's 700 Years Stadium, reporting they had tickets but couldn't find seats. Thailand's women's volleyball team is scheduled to play their final group match against Vietnam in the CV Cup 2026 at Chiang Mai's 700 Years Stadium, a highly anticipated game drawing significant fan interest. The popular page later posted that they had arrived to watch the match but were unable to find their seats after searching for nearly an hour. Their post stated: "The seating management system is terrible. We have tickets but no seats. We've been walking around for almost an hour and still haven't found our spot. We understand there are many fans, but why are they selling tickets beyond the stadium's capacity?" The Thailand women's volleyball team will face Vietnam at 4:30 p.m.

Ayutthaya police seize 320kg of crystal meth worth 38 million bahtLegacyOfficers from the Ayutthaya Highway Police, working with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, seized 320 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated 38 million baht on the evening of August 8. The driver of the vehicle escaped on foot before he could be arrested. According to a report from the Highway Police Facebook page, investigators had been monitoring a drug network collecting narcotics from Udon Thani province for transport to Bangkok. A closed-body pickup truck matching the network’s profile was spotted travelling through Wang Noi district in Ayutthaya. Officers moved to stop the vehicle, but the driver noticed and sped towards the Wang Noi power plant before abandoning the truck and fleeing on foot. Photo courtesy of Matichon A search of the refrigerated compartment at the rear of the vehicle turned up 323 bags of crystal methamphetamine, weighing roughly 320 kilogrammes in total. Forensic officers were called to the scene to collect evidence. The Narcotics Suppression Bureau said the investigation is ongoing, with police working to track down the driver and identify other members of the network, reported Matichon. Photo courtesy of Matichon In another separate incident, Narcotics Suppression Police Region 3, with the Pha Muang Task Force and Ranger Regiment 31, seized eight million methamphetamine pills hidden in a Chiang Rai cemetery on August 1. Officers recovered 27 sacks of drugs from Ban Sao Wa cemetery in San Sai Ngam subdistrict, Thoeng district, concealed among gravesites awaiting onward transport. Each pill bore a red ‘999’ stamp linked to a Myanmar-based production network. The shipment crossed from Shan State through Laos and remote Chiang Rai border routes before reaching the cemetery. Police believe a fugitive known as ‘Long’, wanted and hiding in Laos, financed the operation. The story Ayutthaya police seize 320kg of crystal meth worth 38 million baht as seen on Thaiger News.

Parent network representatives Natthapon Saketee and Parisa Silaengchai from Thepsirin Nonthaburi School went to Plaibang Police Station to file a report and clear up rumors that there were two gunmen involved in the school violence. They addressed the media to clarify facts and protect the school's reputation and students' mental wellbeing.

They revealed that messages shared among students and parents had caused panic and concern that multiple perpetrators or a repeat incident might occur. Investigation found the confusion stemmed from a misunderstanding by students. On the day of the incident, when students ran down from the building, they saw a man in black carrying a gun and mistakenly thought there were two perpetrators. In reality, the man in black was an off-duty police officer (a "dab" officer) from Lumpini Station—the first responder to arrive at the scene, who showed his identification before leading students out of the building.

When asked whether the perpetrator had been bullied or showed warning signs, the parent representatives stated the student appeared normal with no indicators of violence. They refuted claims that the school was negligent, lacked discipline, or tolerated bullying that led to the incident.

"This information is not true. The student perpetrator did not show abnormal behavior or warning signs requiring special attention. On the day of the incident, after leaving home, he arrived at school around 06:20, participated in the national flag salute, and attended the first class as usual before the incident occurred," they said.

They confirmed the school has comprehensive CCTV coverage and dedicated teachers, and that bullying would not be tolerated. They urged society to understand the facts and encouraged students to build mental strength.

The school announced it would suspend classes on August 10–12 and 13–14, resuming on Monday, August 17. Mental health support from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and related agencies has been provided to assess students' psychological well-being. Regular police officers monitor traffic and patrol the school grounds daily. Additional deep-level security measures are under discussion pending formal administrative review.

The parent representatives affirmed 100% confidence in the school.

Thailand's national road cycling and mountain bike championships, held for the King Bhumibol Trophy and the Royal Cup respectively, culminated in their fifth and final round from August 7–9 at Bhumibol Dam in Samngao District, Tak Province. The road race opening ceremony on August 9 at Sirichol Grounds was presided over by district officer Bun Liam Takham, joined by Deputy Governor Sunee Busphan, Dam Director Prasit Upchit, Thailand Tourism Authority director Thamalvarn Charoenvoungpísit, and cycling federation leaders.

Bhumibol Dam director Prasit Upchit explained that the fifth-round course includes routes both inside and outside the dam, with the mountain bike section presenting particular challenges demanding superior skill, physical conditioning, and quality equipment. The external routes benefited from strong cooperation among government agencies, private sector partners, and local administration, with Samngao police managing traffic effectively. Cyclists were encouraged to explore Bhumibol Dam's numerous tourist attractions, including viewpoints and camping areas, while the dam supported local economic development by allowing community members to sell food, beverages, and souvenirs at no cost.

Upchit expressed gratitude to Tak Province Governor Chusakdi Ruying and cycling federation president General Decha Mekkraseree for enabling Bhumibol Dam's participation and voiced hopes for hosting the championships again in 2570 (2027). Tourism Authority director Thamalvarn noted that this marks the second consecutive year of support for the event, which promotes tourism by drawing athletes to major attractions such as Wat Phra Boromthat Tak, the ancient teak houses along the Ping River, and the world's longest petrified wood at Doi Soi Dao National Park in Ban Tak District. The event benefits local economies through increased visitor spending and coordinated community engagement. The championship rounds were broadcast live on Thai PBS (Channel 3) and via Facebook Live and YouTube through the Thailand Cycling Association, attracting over 20,000 viewers in select categories.