PHUKET: Phuket teenager ‘Nene Royal’ has marked National Mother’s Day with a national honour for her devotion to her mother, just days after securing a place in the live shows of ‘America’s Got Talent’.

On August 13, 2569, Pongsagorn Kwanmuang, spokesman for the Democrat Party, addressed the government's strict policy controlling and suspending all types of firearm licenses, including for police and state officials. While the policy is well-intentioned to reduce social violence, he argued it is fundamentally misguided and creates public safety inequality.

Kwanmuang expressed concern over a shocking incident at a "Chim Chop Use" event in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, where teenagers armed with homemade shotguns attacked attendees and opened fire, injuring six people. This demonstrates that illegal and homemade firearms are easily obtained and used to commit crimes without legal consequence.

The real gun and crime problem in Thailand, Kwanmuang stated, is not legal firearms but the widespread availability of illegal and homemade weapons used frequently in criminal acts. These weapons are now easily purchased online on platforms including X, TikTok, and Facebook, where they are openly reviewed and shipped like ordinary products, creating what amounts to a de facto illegal firearms free-for-all in society.

Kwanmuang rejected the Prime Minister's suggestion that online regulation is difficult, saying it cannot serve as an excuse for inaction, as it effectively allows the black market to grow unchecked.

The blanket suspension of licenses, even for police officers who face daily danger, is creating a crisis where criminals have more guns than law enforcement. Beyond undermining the state's capacity to combat crime, innocent citizens are at greater risk because law enforcement lacks adequate weapons to protect them.

"The state should not just fix laws to manage legal guns while neglecting illegal weapons," Kwanmuang said. "Tightening controls on law-abiding citizens while allowing criminals to arm themselves makes offenders more dangerous than officials. Who can we trust for security then?"

The Democrat Party spokesman called on the Prime Minister to seriously tackle illegal firearms eradication through comprehensive coordination, directing the Ministry of Digital Economy for Society to work with cybercrime police to sweep away illegal firearms trading pages and groups online. He urged social media platforms to immediately remove illegal content to close the illegal firearms supply chain and restore genuine security to Thai society.

Deputy Prime Minister Ek Niti Nitithanprapas unveiled plans to tackle debt problems facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the second half of 2025. The Finance Ministry has consulted with Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput to extend the "Close Debt, Move Forward" programme to customers of state-owned financial institutions. To support the initiative, the ministry will reduce contributions to the Special Financial Institution Development Fund (SFIF), following the model used previously with private banks, which reduced contributions to the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF).

Nitithanprapas explained that debt management for state financial institution SMEs could take several forms, including establishing a new asset management company (AMC) to take on and manage non-performing loans, or leveraging existing AMCs operated by state banks. He noted that the goal extends beyond simply removing bad debt from the system—it aims to restructure debt and allow viable business owners to resume operations and generate income to repay their obligations.

"We ran this programme during the first Anuchin government and transferred debt to Sukhumvit Asset Management Company. What we will add now is support for state banks," Nitithanprapas said. "The previous programme worked through commercial banks using FIDF contributions, but we will reduce contributions from the state bank fund to run a similar debt relief scheme."

Sansiri is advancing its presence in the new Ratchapruek Cut area by expanding the Sansiri New Ratchapruek Community, a residential kingdom spanning over 1,000 rai with a combined value of more than 11 billion baht to accommodate urban expansion. The company is preparing to launch three new projects in September: Mabel, Anasiri, and Siri Place.

Anatat Kittikulmethee, Senior Vice President of Horizontal Project Development at Sansiri Public Company Limited, revealed that the company identified strong growth potential along the new Ratchapruek Cut and is among the first developers to pioneer this location. Sansiri aims to develop housing projects at prices accessible to customers, covering the new Ratchapruek Cut and Bangkok-Pathum Thani zones, and has already served over 2,000 families. Recently, the company purchased large plots of land to develop the New Future Project, creating a complete residential ecosystem spanning a thousand rai under the Sansiri New Ratchapruek Community, valued at over 11 billion baht, with new project launches planned for September covering multiple market segments.

The new Ratchapruek Cut, or the final extension project connecting Highway 345 in Nonthaburi Province to Highway 346 (Rangsit-Pathum Thani) in Pathum Thani Province, is a crucial traffic network piece completing Bangkok's western transportation grid. As a six-lane expressway without traffic lights throughout, it enables rapid, seamless travel from suburban areas to the central business district such as Sathorn and Silom. Its opening in late 2018 marked a turning point transforming the area from agricultural land into a major urban expansion frontline, and this convenience has driven remarkable growth in the location.

"Sansiri recognized the location's distinctive potential and, building on its success here, has scaled up to develop the large-scale Sansiri New Ratchapruek Community, Sansiri's grandest new community, a 1,000-rai kingdom on the new Ratchapruek Cut. From now until the end of 2026, this community will comprise 11 standalone and semi-detached house and townhome projects worth over 11 billion baht, with plans for more than 8 additional projects in the future," Anatat said.

For September, the company is launching three new projects: Mabel Ratchapruek Cut, valued at 560 million baht, featuring 102 two-story minimalist standalone houses in Ban Kuai Subdistrict, Muang Pathum Thani District, across approximately 22 rai, priced from 4.89 to 8 million baht. Anasiri Ratchapruek Cut, valued at 1.1 billion baht, offers 219 semi-detached and two-story standalone houses in a Mediterranean-style design with 24-hour LIV security, priced from 4.39 to 7 million baht. Siri Place Ratchapruek Cut, valued at 340 million baht, features 152 two-story townhomes in a high-potential location.

Bangkok, 13 August 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and in collaboration with the SUPPORT Foundation, is inviting Thai and international visitors to experience “Koh Kerd: The Living Legacy of Thai Craftsmanship”, a cultural route linking the Grand Palace in Bangkok with Koh Kerd in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Operating every Wednesday to Sunday until 26 December 2026, the route brings together Khon performing arts, Thai craftsmanship and traditional knowledge through visits to the Khon Learning Centre and the Arts of the Kingdom Museum.

The route is presented to mark the 12 August 2026 birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. It reflects a royal legacy closely associated with the preservation of Thai arts, crafts and traditional skills. Through the SUPPORT initiative, generations of artisans have refined specialist techniques, sustained livelihoods and passed valuable knowledge from one generation to the next.

That legacy comes into focus on arrival at Koh Kerd, where visitors begin at the Khon Learning Centre with an introduction to Khon, Thailand’s classical masked dance drama, inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The experience brings visitors closer to the performance, costume, music and craftsmanship that together define this distinctive art form.

The journey then continues by tram to the Arts of the Kingdom Museum, where works created by artisans trained through the SUPPORT programme showcase the depth and refinement of Thai craftsmanship. The museum collection highlights specialist techniques across Thai decorative arts, offering a closer look at skills and knowledge preserved across generations. Products and souvenirs are also available for purchase, while admission to the museum is complimentary in tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.

For international visitors, the route adds another cultural dimension to a Bangkok–Ayutthaya itinerary beyond the province’s better-known historical attractions. With departure near the Grand Palace, visitors can independently explore the palace and surrounding historic district in the morning before continuing to Koh Kerd for an afternoon immersed in Thai performing arts and craftsmanship.

A complimentary shuttle departs at 11.00 Hrs. from Na Phra Lan Road, opposite Wiman Thewet Gate on the Silpakorn University side, and arrives at the Khon Learning Centre at approximately 12.30 Hrs. The return service departs the Arts of the Kingdom Museum at 15.30 Hrs. and arrives at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Building 4, at around 16.30–17.00 Hrs.

The service operates every Wednesday to Sunday until 26 December 2026 and accommodates up to 50 passengers per trip. Advance registration is required via the project’s designated booking platform at https://artofthekingdomfreebus.com/.

Through the route, TAT is expanding access to Thailand’s artistic heritage while encouraging travel between Bangkok and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. For families, independent travellers and visitors interested in art and culture, it offers a convenient way to experience the performing traditions, craftsmanship and knowledge that continue to shape Thailand’s cultural identity.