With sorrowful voices, family members welcomed the body of Kittipong Somrat, administrative deputy director at Thepsirin School in Nonthaburi, back to his birthplace in Sisaket province on August 8, 2569, following a violent incident at the school that killed and injured multiple teachers and students. At 6:25 p.m., the body arrived at his family home in Ban Kantrom Noi, Khun Haad District, Sisaket, where his mother, wife, and relatives waited with deep sorrow. As the vehicle bearing his body approached, his wife clutched a photograph of her husband while his sister lit five incense sticks to inform the spirits that he had returned home, requesting safe passage to bring his body into the house for traditional funeral rites.

His wife then lit one incense stick and spoke to her husband with a trembling voice: "Father has come home now. Father is getting out of the car. Relatives are here waiting for you." Family members then carried the coffin into the house to perform customary ceremonies of forgiveness and ritual water pouring. The family requested privacy from the media during this period of mourning. Royal blessing water will be administered on August 9, followed by Buddhist chanting, with the cremation ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2569, at Ban Kantrom Noi Temple in Khun Haad District, Sisaket province.

In the opening Group B match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup at Rajamangala Stadium on August 8, Thailand's national team faced Myanmar. Thailand came into the game with nine points from three consecutive wins, while Myanmar had three points from two wins and one loss. A draw would have been enough for Thailand to advance.

Thailand took the lead just 11 minutes in when Worachit Kanitsribamphen scored from the penalty spot. After establishing their advantage, Thailand controlled the match and kept Myanmar at bay. In the 46th minute, Thailand earned another penalty following a handball by a Myanmar defender, which Jehanafii Mamah converted in the 52nd minute to make it 2-0.

Thailand maintained control for the remainder of the match and secured a clean sheet victory. The final score of 2-0 gave Thailand a perfect 12 points and the Group B title, advancing them to the semi-finals. Thailand will face Singapore on August 15, with a return leg at home on August 18. Malaysia finished as Group B runners-up and will face Vietnam, the Group A leaders, in the other semi-final.

The Siam Asa group is accelerating development of the Siam Asa MindCare Platform by adding special plug-in functions to address crises and violence in schools and educational institutions. On August 8, Sukhsakdi Nrongdech, founder and driving force behind the Siam Asa volunteer group, revealed that recent incidents of school violence over the past 1-2 days have deeply shocked and deeply concerned all of us in society.

The Siam Asa group was already accelerating development of the Siam Asa MindCare Platform—an AI Avatar system for listening, screening, and supporting people with depression or mental health safe-space issues—with plans for full implementation next month. However, given the latest situation, the group decided to immediately add special plug-in functions to specifically address and manage school and educational institution crises and violence.

How will the new plug-in help?

School Crisis Early-Warning: An AI system that helps assess and detect warning signs of violence or accumulated stress among school-age groups.

Emergency Triage: A system that distinguishes critical risk levels (red alert) to enable immediate notification and intervention before tragedy occurs.

Confidential Safe Space: A secure, anonymous space where children, students, or witnesses can share concerns, seek advice, or report irregularities comfortably.

Direct Expert Referral: A systematic and swift process that connects vulnerable cases to psychologists, specialists, and external aid organizations.

"Done with heart, without sponsorship or any commercial interest"

The Siam Asa group developed this system through the sweat, dedication, and spirit of our volunteer mental health team alone. There is no backing funding and no major sponsors involved. Everything we do is driven solely by the hope that the technology we have can play a small part in helping protect children and youth, and prevent such tragic incidents from recurring in Thai society.

Please be patient a little longer. The entire system is being rushed to completion for launch next month, and together we will overcome this challenge.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket — Officials in Phuket have launched proceedings to revoke the license of a cannabis shop in Wichit Subdistrict, following complaints and a subsequent inspection that uncovered multiple violations of operating conditions. The inspection on Friday (August 7th) came after local residents reported gatherings and cannabis smoking inside the establishment, raising concerns about public nuisance. […] Phuket Authorities Move to Revoke Cannabis Shop License After Violations -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

On August 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin, alongside Thirachunn Bunsitti, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, and provincial officials, visited Chanthaburi to advance the government's water management policy. The initiative aims to increase water supply for agriculture during both dry and wet seasons while securing water sources for wildlife, particularly wild elephants, ensuring sustainable access for people, farmers, and animals.

Chomklin stressed that Chanthaburi is a strategic agricultural hub and Thailand's leading durian producer, generating over 200,000 million baht in export revenue. With some 478,000 rai planted with durian trees expected to yield 683,000 tonnes this year, water security is not merely a consumption issue but an economic lifeline for farming communities. He emphasized that water planning must be proactive, providing sufficient base water supply so farmers can sustain their livelihoods with confidence.

At the event, Chomklin inaugurated the Tung Tung Yai pond restoration project in Tang Benja subdistrict, which features a solar-powered water distribution system. The irrigation department dredged the reservoir to increase capacity by 0.28 million cubic meters, covering 2,500 rai and benefiting 200 households. The project reduces dry-season water shortages, manages wet-season overflow, and cuts energy costs.

Chomklin noted that modern water development must address economics, community welfare, and environmental protection simultaneously—not merely digging reservoirs but enabling genuine access and use. Solar energy integration reduces pumping costs, improves management efficiency, and builds long-term community resilience. The team later visited Khao Kaew Subdistrict Administration Organization to address local water and flood management needs, then traveled to the Chang Phu Sak Taniam pond restoration project in the Khao Kichakut wildlife corridor area.

Hatyaiwittayalai School announced emergency online classes for August 10-11 after a former South African employee threatened to shoot school administrators and teachers. On August 8, the school's official Facebook page issued an urgent notice regarding online instruction on those dates to ensure the safety of staff and students. Police documentation from Hatyai Station detailed how the former employee posted threatening messages and images on a LINE group chat with around 5,000 members, stating he would bring firearms to shoot the school's administrators and teachers. The suspect also posted photos of himself with firearms and ammunition on the same platform, along with intimidating images of school administrators and threatening messages.