Phetchaburi — August 14, 2025. Phra Khru Patcharasut Withan, abbot of Koh Kaew Suttharam Temple in Moo 4, Ban Lad Subdistrict, Ban Lad District, Phetchaburi Province, is appealing for help from donors to build chicken coops and provide food for the birds. The temple has become a dumping ground for defeated fighting cocks and other birds abandoned by cockfighting owners, resulting in over 50 fighting cocks and more than 100 regular chickens now living within the temple grounds.

The birds have been left to roam in front of the merit hall, creating unsanitary conditions and disrupting temple operations. The eleven resident monks must clean and sweep the area daily, and food expenses have grown steadily as the chicken population increases. Each day, the monks share leftover alms rice with the birds.

The abbot revealed that cockfighting owners regularly abandon their losing birds at the temple, sometimes throwing them over the fence. The temple now bears the full responsibility for their care. The abbot is calling on supporters to donate chicken feed or contribute to building proper coops to help ease the temple's burden. Those wishing to help can visit Koh Kaew Suttharam Temple or contact Abbot Phra Khru Patcharasut Withan for more information.

PHUKET: Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are moving to accelerate talks on a free trade agreement, as the two sides seek to expand trade and investment opportunities.

The Royal Thai Police Office has clarified guidelines for officers carrying firearms, emphasizing necessity and operational context using four key criteria. On August 14, 2025, Deputy Police Commissioner Thatchai Pitaneelabutr addressed misconceptions about firearm regulations that had circulated in the media.

Thatchai explained that determining whether a police officer's possession of a firearm is lawful cannot hinge on a single factor but must consider context and facts on a case-by-case basis. Four elements must be evaluated: official duty and necessity, reasonable cause and circumstances of the case, proper authorization, and applicable laws and regulations.

Generally, uniformed officers performing duties in their designated areas may carry firearms, as may those on plainclothes or after-hours investigative assignments. An officer entering a restaurant or public place that is part of or related to their duties does not automatically constitute unlawful firearm possession.

The Police Conduct Regulation, Part 22, Chapter 13 (governing firearm carrying) requires officers needing to carry weapons for duty to obtain permission from a commander at sergeant level or equivalent, and to carry the weapon appropriately and suited to the circumstances.

This aligns with Supreme Court rulings. A 2557 (2014) Supreme Court decision established that an authorized officer carrying a firearm during duty, while still within the authorized period, bears no guilt under the charge of carrying arms in cities, villages, or public places without permission. A 2553 (2010) ruling affirmed that police officers are invested with authority and duty to maintain public order and arrest offenders, and possess investigative powers under the Criminal Procedure Code.

The conclusion: police officers remain police officers 24 hours a day, exercising the authority and duties assigned by law, particularly the Criminal Procedure Code. They must act whenever they encounter criminal conduct.

Pichit Mithrawongse, Chief Executive of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank), announced that the bank has removed barriers to capital access for small business operators. Over the past four months (April to July 2025), the bank has provided financing exceeding 27.7 billion baht to approximately 3,590 businesses, generating 127 billion baht in economic circulation and supporting over 81,000 jobs while laying groundwork for green business development.

The initiative stems from Industry Minister Wrawuth Silpabutra's policy directing state agencies to strengthen Thai SMEs by improving access to capital, enhancing business liquidity, and supporting transition to green operations. The bank, a specialized state financial institution under the Ministry of Industry, has implemented the policy by removing regulatory obstacles, easing borrower qualification requirements, and adjusting collateral standards to help SMEs access credit more easily.

The bank has expanded its SME Green Productivity loan program to include operators switching to clean energy vehicles beyond electric vehicles. Clear communication from management to operational levels about support for small SMEs has streamlined the approval process.

Results show that in the four-month period from April to July 2025, SMEs accessed over 27.7 billion baht in capital—an 8% increase from the same period last year—while the number of businesses supported rose 77%, primarily small operators with loans not exceeding 15 million baht each. This generated over 127 billion baht in economic circulation and maintained over 81,000 jobs.

Moving forward, the bank will continue supporting SMEs while integrating those promoted by Ministry-supervised agencies into its capital access programs under the ONE MIND policy. By year-end 2025, the bank aims to channel over 80 billion baht to SMEs, generating more than 366.4 billion baht in economic circulation.

Asia Aviation, the major shareholder of Thai AirAsia, reported second-quarter 2025 financial and operational results on August 14. Despite facing historic fuel price volatility—crude jet fuel surged 124% to $183 per barrel—the airline swiftly adjusted strategy to preserve profitability by cutting seat capacity and boosting per-seat yield on high-potential routes.

Revenue from ticket sales and services reached 10.046 billion baht, up 2% from the same period last year, with ticket revenue alone growing 6% to 8.575 billion baht. The airline reduced seat capacity by 13% to 5.14 million seats while raising average fares by 27%, partly offsetting the jump in fuel costs. Despite this, fuel expenses surged 43% to 5.011 billion baht. The airline still achieved an EBITDA profit of 25 million baht but reported a net loss of 2.326 billion baht for the quarter, which included 293 million baht in foreign exchange losses.

The airline maintained its low-cost carrier DNA through rigorous cost controls, cutting non-fuel operating expenses by 8%, sales and administrative costs by 17%, and staff expenses by 12%. On-time performance recovered to 88%, and Thai AirAsia retained its position as Thailand's leading domestic carrier with a 37% market share and 80% domestic load factor. The company also successfully raised 3.815 billion baht through new bond issuance in June, maintaining a net debt-to-equity ratio of 1.1 times. Chief Executive Pairach Porpattananurak stated the airline prioritized liquidity and profitability on profitable routes while raising fares to reflect actual costs while sustaining domestic passenger volumes.

Ratchaburi Primary Education District 1 held a graduation certificate ceremony on August 14, 2026, to promote its flexible curriculum program titled "Education, Life, and Dreams" in partnership with local businesses and communities. Deputy Governor Komkrich Chareonpattanasombat presided over the event at Paksasworn Convention Hall at the Ratchaburi Primary Education District 1 office.

District Director Dr. Banjerd Ounmaneerut explained that the ceremony honored 35 graduates—6 from Grade 6, 28 from Grade 9, and 1 from Grade 12—while also serving as a public forum to promote and expand the flexible learning curriculum, which was developed through collaboration between the district office, learning innovation centers, and local businesses.

The event featured a panel discussion titled "Education, Life, and Dreams" and a presentation on the "Community Classroom" model, aimed at designing education that allows children and youth to learn according to their own abilities and aspirations.

Deputy Governor Komkrich offered encouragement to the graduates, emphasizing the importance of educational support that develops life skills and vocational competencies, enabling them to become valuable contributors to Ratchaburi Province and the nation.

Ratchaburi Primary Education District 1 reaffirmed its commitment to promoting all forms of education, ensuring every student has the opportunity to develop comprehensively and grow with confidence.