Amid heavy criticism of IF (induction furnace) steel in recent weeks, Amorn Ungsobporn, vice chairman of the Thai Induction Furnace Metal Casting Association, has come forward to address the facts from another angle.

Amorn raises a striking question: why is technology that is legally compliant and meets Thai Industrial Standard specifications being attacked so heavily? Is this really about using regulations to eliminate competitors and allow certain capital groups to monopolize the market?

1. Blaming IF Steel for Building Collapse

Amorn states that attempting to link the building collapse to IF steel is unfair and demoralizing to workers. Thailand's Prime Minister and four leading national institutions (the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, AIT, Chulalongkorn University, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, and the Structural Engineers Association) have concluded clearly that the cause was "defective construction techniques and design" — specifically, reinforcement steel embedment depth at shear walls falling short of legal requirements — and had nothing to do with the steel material itself. The project contractor also issued a statement confirming construction followed approved plans and materials passed all inspection and approval checks. The Structural Engineers Association tested steel samples from the rubble and confirmed they met standards at 95 percent, proving the IF system was not the root cause of the structural failure.

2. Compliance with Standards Yet Discredited

The reality is that the Thai Industrial Standards Institute issued a research report as early as 2015 confirming that IF technology has the capacity to produce steel meeting Thai Industrial Standard specifications. Current law (Thai Industrial Standard 24-2559) explicitly requires IF furnace facilities to have scrap steel sorting systems and steel purification processes such as ladle furnaces or desulfurization and dephosphorization procedures. Operators following the rules completely have reduced sulfur to as low as 0.002 percent.

From a metallurgical engineering perspective, IF furnaces operate at melting temperatures of 1,500–1,700 degrees Celsius, so nitrogen gas does not decompose and steel has higher toughness and earthquake resistance. This differs from electric arc furnaces (EAF), which exceed 3,000 degrees Celsius and risk nitrogen contamination of 80–120 ppm, creating brittle "rock candy fracture" steel.

3. Distorting News About China's IF Ban

Amorn explains that State Council Document No. 6 from 2016 has been distorted. The reality is that the Chinese government aimed to cut excess steel capacity of 100–150 million tons, so it ordered a sweeping shutdown of all "unregulated mills" (ditiao gang) that evaded taxes and failed to meet standards, combined with overall steel industry capacity reduction. For mills that operated correctly to standard but had to close for excess capacity reduction, the Chinese government paid compensation. They did not specifically ban IF technology as claimed to justify trade barriers. Today, advanced IF furnaces paired with ladle furnaces remain widely used in the international market and in China's steel sector.

4. Non-transparent Rules Punishing Law-Abiding Operators

The clearest sign of unfairness and governance concern came on 4 August 2025, when the technical committee (Committee 84) set up to urgently revise standards included multiple representatives from competing industries but had "no representative from the IF furnace association or operators — not even one." Committee 84 voted 7–6 to restrict IF furnaces in steel bar production, with the majority voting to focus on production process rather than furnace type and pointing instead to product specifications.

On August 14, Deputy Police Chief Samran Nual Ma directed an operation led by Deputy National Police Chief Siam Bunsorn, involving multiple senior officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau's Investigation Division, to search two small water shops in the Lat Krabang-Rom Klao area of Bangkok. The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects: a 19-year-old man nicknamed Por from Lat Krabang; Krut, 28; Bhumi, 19; Ms. A, 17; and Ms. B, 16. Por was wanted under a warrant from the Bangkok Criminal Court dated June 5 for charges of gang rape and sexual assault. His record included previous cases involving attempted murder, weapons violations, and theft. The other four suspects faced charges related to harboring contraband goods, selling untaxed merchandise, selling unregistered pharmaceuticals, and distributing banned food products. Police seized approximately 60 bottles of bootleg water, 100 bottles of cough syrup, and 500 packs of smuggled cigarettes. The investigation began when an 18-year-old victim met a man online and arranged to meet at a water shop in the Rom Klao area on February 27. When she arrived, Por and two others assaulted her. Detective Thanyphon Chulphiphop, known as "Sergeant Jack," identified the suspect through his distinctive tiger tattoo while reviewing wanted persons. Despite his young age, Por had an extensive criminal history and outstanding warrants, making his case a priority for closure.

At 8 p.m. on August 14, Potha Ram Police Station in Ratchaburi received a report from motorcycle officer Phanupong Tan Keiang that he had spotted a man on a motorcycle carrying a rifle slung over his shoulder and began pursuing him along a canal-side road. Officers coordinated a close pursuit as the man rode onto the New Chamnan Temple bridge, then turned right toward Bang Ton subdistrict and entered a residential property. When officers arrived, the man abandoned his motorcycle and fled into the forest behind the house. Police cordoned off the area and searched but found nothing, so they withdrew and took the motorcycle back to the station for examination.

At 10:50 p.m., Deputy Investigation Officer Rattanin Keamsiddichaikul reported that someone had been electrocuted and injured inside a banana grove beside the house. Police Captain Phuchong Nronginthon was notified and led a team of investigators, emergency medical staff from Chetsamian Hospital, and Sawang Ratchaburi rescue volunteers to investigate.

Officers had the homeowner cut the power before discovering the body of Aek, 44, the house owner, dead with electrical burns on his right shin. Steel ball projectiles were found in a bag but no firearm was recovered. A 4-year-old boy, the dead man's son, was also electrocuted on his back and was injured. He was rushed to hospital and later transferred to Ratchaburi Central Hospital; his condition later stabilized.

Investigators found a large wire stretched approximately 20 meters from the house to an adjacent area, connected to the house's electrical supply. It is believed the man had set this as a trap to prevent officers from entering or arresting him, but he accidentally triggered it while fleeing through the area, causing his death. His 4-year-old son was also injured.

After the incident, police and motorcycle officers searched the forest behind the house, a remote area, for the rifle but found only a child's glasses, rusty leaf matter, and the young boy's sandals scattered in the forest.

Background checks revealed the deceased had two arrest warrants: one related to illegal firearms and one for electronic monitoring device tampering. Officers are still gathering evidence and searching for the missing firearm.

The dead man's younger brother stated that during the incident he was staying in another house within the same compound. He saw his brother ride a motorcycle into the house being chased by police on motorcycle and went out to help officers convince his brother to surrender, and assisted in searching the forest but found nothing. When police withdrew, he returned inside.

Around 10:30 p.m., he heard a child screaming, came out with a flashlight, and found his brother dead. His 4-year-old nephew told him he had been electrocuted. He traced the power source, found wires connected from the deceased's house, quickly cut the main switch, then helped his nephew and notified authorities.

Police initially suspect the deceased was the same man who fled on the motorcycle. The exact cause of death awaits autopsy results from a physician, and Sawang Ratchaburi rescue volunteers transported the body to Ratchaburi Central Hospital for detailed examination.

The Thai Volleyball Association has announced the roster for Thailand's women's volleyball team heading to the 2026 Asian Championship in China, where they will pursue a berth at the 2028 Olympic Games. The team will compete in Tianjin, China, from August 21-30, 2026.

The association has released the complete roster and coaching staff. Players include team captain Pornpan Kaetprachaya, Nattanischa Jaisaen, Piyanuch Paennoi, Kalyarat Kamwong, Jidapha Nahuahnong, Taddao Nukjaeng, Wimonrat Tanapun, Kannyarat Khuenmueang, Kaewkalya Komulthala, Pimpichaya Kokram, Chatchuon Moksri, Sipaporn Chantawisut, Ajcharaporn Kongyos, and Warisra Seetalaert.

Coaching and support staff include Amrin Bunkong (team manager), Kiarti Ratchatakrien (head coach), Theersak Nakprasong (assistant coach), Orouma Sittiruk (assistant coach), Shin Yoshida (assistant coach), Lt. Col. Dr. Anuvatana Wallaphapun (team physician), Dr. Suebsai Bunveerbut (sports psychology expert), Dr. Nathropee Pholyai (sports scientist), Ekkalak Pitisa (sports scientist), Sutamas Sutthiviriakul (physiotherapist), and Pannipa Chimchak (physiotherapist).

Thailand has been placed in Group B alongside Australia, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan. The team departs Monday, August 17, 2026, on Thai Airways flight TG 614 at 10:00 a.m., arriving at Beijing International Airport at 3:45 p.m. local time.

The abbot of Wat Pa Adulyaram is urging people involved in an ongoing dispute to stay calm, control their emotions, and speak carefully. He has confirmed the temple and monastic order will not file counter-lawsuits regardless of how many cases they face.

On August 15, 2025, reporters visited the temple in the Kangsadal community in Khon Kaen, where monks and relatives continued normal religious activities under strict police and administrative security measures. Monks maintained their morning alms rounds, and community members continued their daily practice of offering food to the monks.

Abbot Phra Kru Adulasart Nithes said that everything that arises must pass away, and he wants the public to remain calm and not stress over the situation. Even he himself is not worried, he said, so he does not want supporters to be anxious. He asked everyone to smile and be at ease, noting that obstacles are a natural part of life for both the monastic and lay communities.

The abbot said that if someone speaks unkindly, those are their words alone, since everyone has a voice and can speak. He called on all parties to view each other as fellow humans, offer forgiveness, and recognize that disagreement is ordinary and can happen to anyone.

"Let the past remain in the past and not be spoken of," he said. "Right now, I ask all supporters to be at ease and not overly stressed. I have heard that local residents living near the temple have followed this news so closely that their eyes are red from crying, which makes me feel compassion for them. I ask that you not be overstressed by what has happened. I confirm that the temple is not going anywhere and I am not going anywhere. We continue to wish to provide warmth, assistance, and spiritual guidance to all our supporters."

The abbot recalled that during the lower court and appeals court hearings, the opposing side brought 60 to 70 people each time, while his side brought only the abbot, deputy abbot, assistant abbot, and temple staff. When he attempted to speak with them, they fled and refused to speak with him, making dialogue and mutual understanding impossible.

He noted that without communication, it is impossible to know the other side's thinking, actions, or approach to managing the matter.

"I ask Pha Da to control her emotions, her words, and remain calm with all matters," he said. "She should not speak hastily or rapidly as if she cannot catch her breath, but rather speak slowly and consider each matter carefully. It exhausts everyone. The abbot has compassion for the media as well. May blessings be upon all."

The Thai Meteorological Department issued its first severe weather alert warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across northern Thailand, with significant impacts expected August 18–21, 2025. Residents are urged to be vigilant against flooding and flash floods. On August 15, the department forecasted continued heavy rainfall in scattered areas, with very heavy rain concentrated in the eastern region due to a monsoon trough passing through Myanmar and upper northern Thailand feeding into a low-pressure zone over northern Vietnam, combined with a strengthening southwest monsoon system covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. The public should prepare for dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall that may cause sudden flooding and flash floods, particularly in foothill areas, riverbeds, low-lying zones, and the northeastern region where riverbank overflow is possible. In the upper Andaman Sea, wind and wave conditions will be moderately strong, with waves 2–3 meters high, and over 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and avoid thunderstorm zones; small vessels in the upper Andaman should stay ashore. Regional forecasts for the 24 hours from 06:00 today through 06:00 tomorrow include: Northern region—60% thunderstorm coverage with scattered heavy rainfall, especially in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, and Tak provinces; low 23–28°C, high 32–35°C; southwest winds 10–20 kph. Northeastern region—60% thunderstorm coverage with scattered heavy rainfall in Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani; low 24–26°C, high 33–35°C; southwest winds 10–20 kph. Central region—40% thunderstorm coverage with scattered heavy rain in Saraburi and Kanchanaburi; low 25–27°C, high 34–36°C; southwest winds 10–25 kph. Eastern region—60% thunderstorm coverage with scattered heavy rainfall in Nakhon Nayok and Prachuap Khiri Khan, with very heavy rain in some areas of Chanthaburi and Trat; low 25–28°C, high 31–34°C; southwest winds 20–35 kph; sea waves 2 meters, over 2 meters during thunderstorms. Southern region (east coast)—40% thunderstorm coverage mainly in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat; low 23–26°C, high 33–35°C; southwest winds 20–35 kph; waves 1–2 meters nearshore, 2 meters offshore, over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. Southern region (west coast)—60% thunderstorm coverage with scattered heavy rain in Trang and Satun; low 24–28°C, high 32–34°C; from Phang Nga northward southwest winds 20–40 kph with waves 2–3 meters, over 3 meters in thunderstorms; from Phuket southward southwest winds 15–35 kph with waves 1–2 meters, over 2 meters in thunderstorms. Bangkok and vicinity—60% thunderstorm coverage with scattered heavy rainfall; low 26–27°C, high 33°C.