Thai marine conservationist Psi Scott has sparked an online debate after criticizing foreign service workers in Bangkok for speaking English to Thai customers.

Psi, also known as Sai Samut, shared his views on X through his personal account, @psisamutt, saying he chooses to respond in Thai when foreign employees address him in English.

"If they can't respond in Thai, I ask to change the person taking my order," he wrote.

Psi said he believes this is a small way he can encourage the use of Thai in Thailand.

"I'm in Thailand — I want to speak Thai. They can find jobs in Thailand but can't speak Thai. That is taking advantage of our country," he wrote.

The post quickly gained attention online, prompting mixed reactions. Some users supported Psi's view that foreign workers should be able to communicate in Thai, while others questioned whether speaking Thai should be a requirement for foreign employees, particularly in Bangkok's international service industry.

The discussion has also raised broader questions about language, employment and the integration of foreign workers into Thai society.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is aggressively promoting Thai fruit to boost sales toward a target of 860 billion baht. Deputy Minister Piyarat Tiyapirat said the ministry is focusing on elevating Thai agricultural products to compete in high-value markets by creating marketing opportunities and delivering real income gains to farmers.

The goal is to give consumers direct access to high-quality fruit from Thai farmers while building confidence in product quality, standards, and identity—turning awareness into actual purchase decisions and real farmer income. Department of Agricultural Extension Director Anchalee Suwijittanan said the department is executing an aggressive program to promote premium Thai fruit in high-value markets. The initiative connects producers and consumers through consumer-focused promotional activities emphasizing premium and modern positioning, raising the profile of Thai fruit, enhancing standards, and adding value across all dimensions. The program also addresses distribution challenges that typically arise when harvests hit the market simultaneously.

The fruit promotion campaign targets increased agricultural productivity, distinctive product identity, and market-competitive quality—especially for various durian varieties—while reassuring consumers of high-quality agricultural goods. "This effort not only delivers concrete income gains to farmers, but integrates cooperation across sectors and builds confidence in the Thai agricultural brand, resulting in high-value farm products," Anchalee said. The 2025 Durian and Fruit Season Opening campaign runs from March to July, promoting seasonal fruit directly from growers to consumers' hands through five events at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Thai Market, featuring durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longan, pineapple, aromatic coconut, guava, jackfruit, rose apple, pomelo, and custard apple.

Initial results show combined sales of 92,646.80 kilograms valued at 861,478 baht across departmental and market venues, demonstrating strong consumer response. The Department of Agricultural Extension will continue developing agricultural promotion activities, focusing on elevating the image of Thai fruit, building product narratives and identity, expanding market channels, and connecting producers with consumers to increase the value of Thai agricultural products, secure farmer income, and sustainably drive Thai farm goods into high-value markets.

On August 13, 2025, the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road held a verdict hearing in the Forex 3D fraud case (Black Case No. 853/2564), prosecuted by the Special Cases Department against Aphirak Kotthathi, the scheme's operator, along with actress Savika Chaidet (Pinky), her mother Sarinnya Chaidet, her brother Srayut or Kittichetsath Chaidet, and 23 others. The charges included conspiracy to defraud the public and Computer Crime Act violations.

Prosecutors alleged that between November 24, 2015, and September 8, 2020, the defendants collectively deceived the public by advertising an online foreign exchange trading platform via a website and Facebook page called Forex 3D, operating under the fund name Forex 30. Defendants falsely claimed to have professional trading teams managing investments, promised guaranteed 100 percent principal protection with no losses, and solicited initial investments starting at 500 US dollars (15,000 baht), later increased to 2,000 US dollars (50,000 baht). In reality, the defendants never invested the money or conducted any legitimate forex trading operations. Approximately 9,842 victims lost more than 2.489 billion baht in the scheme.

Defendants pleaded not guilty, with most remaining in custody. Only actress Savika Chaidet was released on a 5 million baht bail. The prosecution sought full restitution of 2.489 billion baht to victims. Court analysis of evidence from both prosecution and defense showed that the Forex 3D trading from November 2015 to September 2020 involved speculation on global currency fluctuations, with 9,822 recorded victims suffering damages exceeding 2.473 billion baht. Defendant Aphirak, as manager of the operating companies, coordinated online recruitment through social media, promising profit-sharing at five tiers based on investment level. Early investors received genuine returns, but from early 2562 (2019) onward, payments slowed and eventually ceased.

TEAMG reported steady growth in first-half 2025 earnings on August 13, with revenue of 1,266 million baht, up 22% year-on-year, and net profit of 111 million baht, up 18%. Chief Executive Chawalit Jantraratana said second-quarter revenue reached 635 million baht, up 19%, while profit climbed to 61 million baht, up 29%.

The company's backlog grew significantly following new contracts including work on Phase 2 of a new zoo project run by Thailand's Public Organization under royal patronage, valued at 434 million baht (10% stake), and engineering consultation services for the light red commuter rail line between Siriraj and Salaya, worth 258 million baht.

At the end of Q2, TEAMG's accumulated backlog reached 5,988 million baht, up 3% from year-end 2024. Government projects comprise 71% of the portfolio. The engineering and procurement construction business segment surged 114%, generating 495 million baht in revenue, while consulting, design, and infrastructure work brought in 433 million baht. The company aims to secure at least 1,000 million baht in additional contracts during the second half of the year.

The sister of Luang Pho Adul, abbot of Wat Pa Adulyaram in Muang district, Khon Kaen province, has expressed serious concern for his safety over a 21-rai temple land dispute. She has suggested he relinquish the temple to those claiming rights to it, but the abbot has insisted he will remain to oversee the monastery for the benefit of local residents.

On August 13, Muang Khon Kaen police continued to station officers at the temple entrance to ensure security and reassure the monks. This followed an incident on August 11 when a group of men blocked the temple's access roads to press their land claims. The situation remained calm, with disciples and relatives of the abbot visiting the temple. The abbot attended a scheduled dialysis appointment at Srinakharinwirot Hospital in Khon Kaen.

Naddha Chee-napheth, 78, the abbot's biological sister, and her husband Rieng, also 78, came to the temple to wait for him at his residence. They were visiting while the abbot was in transit for his dialysis treatment. During her wait, Naddha appeared visibly worried about her brother's safety and health.

Naddha explained that she is the abbot's sister. Their parents had 15 children, with the abbot being the tenth. Before ordination, his name was Sombat Pho Nang. He became a monk after completing his vocational studies and has maintained family contact over the years, occasionally returning home to Sila subdistrict in Muang Khon Kaen.

Naddha said she first learned of the land dispute when it initially went to court. She did not expect it to resurface. She came to the temple after seeing news reports of an unrest at the monastery involving her brother. She is very concerned and, if possible, would like the abbot to simply hand the temple to those seeking it to resolve the matter entirely. She noted he is now elderly and has chronic health conditions, but she acknowledged the decision ultimately rests with him. She admitted that in the past she has made similar suggestions to the abbot, but he has remained firm in his conviction that he must stay to care for the temple so that local residents have a place of refuge and support.

Khon Kaen is accelerating an investigation into 43 officials suspected of cheating on local government examinations, with a deadline of August 31. The province is requesting cooperation from local authorities to prevent reinstatement of dismissed staff.

Khon Kaen Governor Kajornkiet Rakpanichmanee disclosed details of the local exam fraud investigation on August 13. The province has received a list of 43 individuals who may require investigation, including personnel from provincial organizations, municipalities, and subdistrict administrations. However, full details of all 43 suspects cannot be disclosed yet, as the province is awaiting official documentation and verification by relevant committees before releasing information to avoid damage to those named. The review must examine each person's employment status—whether they have already resigned, are on leave, or are still in position—and consider facts and legal aspects on a case-by-case basis.

Once the province provides guidance to local government organizations, administrators with legal authority must review each case carefully. If information remains unclear, they may consult with provincial authorities or relevant agencies. The deadline for completing all actions is August 31. Beyond reviewing the 43 names, the province is also accepting requests from test candidates who wish to have their scores checked. Those not named or those with names who wish to verify their scores may file requests at both provincial and central levels. Regarding those whose exam results have been cancelled or who have been ordered to leave their positions, the province has requested cooperation from local authorities not to rehire such individuals in any other capacity.